There is an epilogue to this story. It was really too dark to leave in this chapter as I think it would have changed the tone of this story. I'll post it tomorrow.

The 'honeymoon' will be its own separate story as I didn't want to include it here.

The vows were the hardest thing I've ever done. And they were re-written more times than I care to admit.

Thanks to TamSibling for content suggestions. If you liked them, blame her, if you didn't, blame her too! Hee!

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Chapter 2

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Mal caught Inara’s eyes over Simon’s shoulder as the Shepherd stepped forward and began to speak. The unmistakable love radiating from the beautiful woman caused him to swallow convulsively. He loved her; every bit as much as Simon loved Kaylee.

When Inara smiled, he felt his heart thud sharply against his chest and then she looked away, at Kaylee and Simon, giving Simon a kind, encouraging smile as he prepared to say his vows.

Simon held Kaylee’s hands in his own and stared into her lovely eyes. He was so nervous. He wasn’t certain how he would ever make it through this. But as he opened his mouth to speak, the words, for the first time in his life, came out just the way he had memorized them.

"I never planned – anything. I always thought my life would be on Osiris, in the hospital, day in and day out, saving lives. I never knew that life wasn't enough, until I met you. I never thought I could be happy living on a ship traveling through the Black, living with that kind of uncertainty, until I met you.” His voice shook, but it was filled with such warmth and emotion, those fortunate to witness this moment could only hold their breath.

“And I certainly never planned to fall in love. But you, you captured my heart from the moment you turned that big, bright smile on me. And now, what I want more than anything is to make you smile like that for the rest of your life." He squeezed her hands as they trembled. His blue, blue eyes burned into her, through her, making her stifle a sob as