vow renewals: *back dated to the 14th*

[lt_blade]

A few months ago, Sonya never heard of 'vow renewals', she only came across such a ceremony when trying to think up how to celebrate her two year anniversary. After everything she and Hanzo went through as a family, she felt it was only right that they celebrate with something more meaningful than just a 'night together': either one of them could've been killed several times over in these years and yet they were still alive, together, and had two healthy babies.

The Officer's Club had changed along with the scenery. No longer just a multi room barracks and common room, it was now a nicely fitted triple decker house, complete with a fully stocked and spacious bar. Sonya tried to not think how fast Easy might break in that part. It was nice regardless, and meant that they could celebrate without fear of any interruptions. They even had caterers to provide for a small buffet style dinner for later, providing a chance for people to either stand or sit down as they will to enjoy dinner and not have to bother with awkward seating arrangements.

She'd asked Jack Harkness* to stand over the ceremony. It didn't matter that he was no longer on council: he had officiated their wedding two years ago, she felt it was only right he stand over this ceremony as well. If he wanted to, she would even let little Joe spend the night with their own children and the 'ghost' baby sitter.

Maybe he was more relaxed about it that she was-she had the babies' room rigged with a hidden camera.

The ceremony itself went off without a hitch. Sonya pulled out her wedding dress and the  jacket that arrived from home (having removed the 'general' star and replacing it with a 2nd Lieutenant's pin) for the occasion, glad to not have to bother with looking.  She and Hanzo stood before each other again, to renew their vows before friends (and those considered family) and she felt that the entire night should be special just for it.

"Hanzo Hasashi." She said, once they repeated their vows. "Two years ago, I swore myself as your wife. Since then, we've fought against nature, against our enemies, and even at times against ourselves." That last part was still an ongoing battle at times. "Each time that happens, I find myself only too glad to have found you for such a partner, one that's stood by even when we were both at our worst. Two years ago, you asked me if I was sure about living a life together, knowing what I knew then and know now, I tell you now that my answer is still yes." And to hell with fate.

She wanted to tell fate to fuck off, she wanted to tell the same to whatever doubt that kept plaguing her. They had been through a lot as a couple and she wanted the two of them to live their life in peace. She knew well enough that this wouldn't be possible back home, but like hell if she wouldn't take advantage of it here.

ooc: Jack modded with Mun's permission. Tag the couple, tag eachother. The party is back dated to the 14th so as to not interfere with pups who have to work on Saturday.

Comments

OTA-tag Hanzo

[lt_blade]

Sonya looked at the entire thing with a bittersweet sort of awareness. She knew well enough that fate liked to bite people on the hand, and if it wasn't for the small camera screen on her wrist, she'd worry even more if the babies were safe.

Halloween was over, but would it really ever be 'over' for them to not worry about back home.

Maybe she and Hanzo didn't deserve such happiness, but like hell would that stop them from trying at it.

She couldn't play the blushing bride, not any more, but she could put on a pleasant enough face when talking to her guests. A sort of cool smile that came from poker faces in the army. They would all enjoy this night-even if for them it just meant a nice dinner and a chance to dress up.

[get_over_here]

Hanzo clasped a hand on his wife's shoulder and gave it a fond squeeze.

"This day has been wonderful, Sonya. Of all the many things I am grateful for here, one is the very good idea for today. I've been enjoying this a lot."

[lt_blade]

Of course he'd like it, she'd discussed the idea with him at the start of the month as soon as the weather changed. Still, it was flattering that he enjoyed how it turned out.

She gave a slight smile and rested her hand on top of his. "Thanks. I just felt we both deserved it after the year we've had." Alright, there was still new years to consider, but hell, if she knew one thing about this place it wasn't to let such chances slip by.

"Consider it my way of apologizing for being so frigid lately." Well, she was trying at least. Her concern about Outworld and the safety of her family seemed to take over every thing and it was hard to focus or enjoy on much else besides.

[get_over_here]

Hanzo shrugged.

"Being reminded of Outworld is more than enough excuse. I understand." He cocked his head slightly. "Maybe not completely, though. I think that place is much easier to deal with as a specter. I did not feel or care for much. I think it was much harder for you and the others who still had humanity in them."

Re: OTA-tag Hanzo

[polly_okeefe]

"Hey," I said, coming over with a glass of mango juice in hand. "This is a great party; thanks for inviting us!"

Re: OTA-tag Hanzo

[lt_blade]

"Considering the help you and Zell've been-not to mention over at our wedding-seemed wrong not to invite you." Not that Polly didn't seem to mind taking care of the babies, but it also seemed wrong to shove them onto her and Zell whenever.

The glass made her raise an eyebrow. "We're in metro new york and you're having a drink you could have any day you want on the island? You do know that the bar's fully stocked with hard and soft beverages, right?"

[get_over_here]

Hanzo had settled into a relatively quiet life on the island. That was mainly with regards to not being highly social and sticking to his duties with the Hunting/Fishing crew and family life. The family life itself was usually not so quiet, considering they had twin girls. The current state of the island had given him some extra free time, but nevertheless, a public event like this was something noteworthy.

The vow renewal ceremony was a great idea. He was glad Sonya had the idea. Having a family once again was Hanzo's greatest pride, and he was more than willing to celebrate it. With their two children in attendance, he felt this was an even better day than the first.

Hanzo made sure he made some efforts to greet the guests. He walked around the room wearing the same tuxedo he'd worn on their original wedding day looking for those he hadn't yet spoken with.

[niceofyoutoask]

"Hey, congratulations," Lipton said with a grin, shaking Hanzo's hand and giving him a pat on the shoulder.

[get_over_here]

"Thank you, Lipton," Hanzo said with feeling behind it. "This is a great day. I am alive, and have a good family. There isn't much else one could ask for, is there?"

Hanzo knew that Lipton probably felt the same way, having his own family on the island as well.

[spirited_hero]

Zell had known Sonya a long time, and wouldn't miss her vow renewal thing. He knew her husband Hanzo too, but Sonya and Zell went way back on the island. This whole event made Zell wonder if he and Polly should've done something big for their anniversary. Instead, they'd just had a quiet time to themselves running around Manhattan together. They'd had fun, but he decided he'd ask Polly about it later.

Even though it'd been years since he'd been in touch with SeeD, and SeeD didn't even exist on Earth, but he always went with his SeeD formals for occasions like this. It was just the proper thing. He thought a US Marine at some fancy shindig in Deling City would go with their military formals just the same.

Sitting at one of the tables got boring quickly, so Zell got up and started roaming around while taking an occasional sip from the glass in his hand.

[lt_blade]

Sonya took the babies from Polly, figuring that if either of them got tired, they could just go to sleep in one of the guest rooms.

In their child sized seats, Joey tried to make a getaway towards Zell-promptly blocked with she realized there was no way out. She started crying out and reaching out towards Zell.

Sonya was just coming back from greeting guests when she heard Joey's cries and picked her up.

"Joey..what's..?" She looks over at Zell. "Hey, looks like someone missed you."

[spirited_hero]

"Yo, Jo-Jo!" Zell waved at the little girl, and looked thrilled. "'Sup? I know you're wantin' more of that peek-a-boo. That stuff's the bomb, huh?"

With that, he covered his face with both hands, then opened them.

"Yeah, you're all over that!"

[polly_okeefe]

I had dressed up for the party as well, but looking over at my husband, I decided that few get-ups could match a uniform. And I decided that I hadn't flattered my husband quite enough this day. I smiled and tapped his arm. "I do love a man in uniform," I said, grinning.

[spirited_hero]

No matter how long they'd been together, a nice compliment from Polly still lit up Zell's face with great pleasure. It was especially good, because he thought he looked good in his uniform and loved that his wife thought so too.

"Your man in uniform loves how you look too!" He turned and gave his wife a hug. "And if you think flattery will get you anywhere with me... you're kinda one-hundred percent right!"

[niceofyoutoask]

Lipton stood in his suit, wishing once again that he had his Class A uniform to wear on such occasions. It would have felt more appropriate, but his suit would do just fine.

He stood next to Jane, with Duckie in her arms, and his hand on Lydia's shoulders where she stood in front of him. She was five, now, and looking all grown up with her hair pinned back and her hands folded politely against the front of her dress.


He smiled as Sonya and Hanzo exchanged vows, wrapping an arm around Jane's waist. The Officer's Club may be a lot more empty these days than it was two years ago, but the Island had given them all a different kind of family, and it was kind of nice to be reminded of that.

[lt_blade]

Both babies were dressed in the puffy little christmas dresses that the stores liked to display: Joey in blue and purple and Dani in red and green. Sonya picked them both up when she was done greeting guests.

"Really appreciate you coming." She said by way of greeting. Lip had become one of her closests friends on the island: he stood witness at her wedding.

Joey gaped a little at Ducky, her expression breaking out into a grin as she attempted to reach out for him.

"You think it would be bad if I just strapped them both in high chairs." It wasn't the weight, she'd carried heavier things before-it was the fact that nothing else she carried squirmed as much as two ten month old babies.

[niceofyoutoask]

"Wouldn't miss it," he said, clapping her gently on the shoulder and smiling at the babies. They were pretty as pictures, but he knew from experience that one infant was squirmy enough, never mind two.

Duckie responded to Joey's flailing little hand by sticking his own chubby little fist in his mouth, and making a noise like a raspberry in her direction. Lydia made a disapproving noise, and pulled her brother's sticky hand out.. "That's not very polite." She pointed out, not unkindly.

"Nah, I think everybody'd understand. We'll all keep an eye on them if you want a few moments with you and your fella." He grinned at her, teasing lightly.

[bennet_beauty]

Jane had found a lovely dress of crinoline and white for Lydia and a deep blue one for herself. Standing close to Carwood, but with the children nearby, she tried to temper what she was feeling, but there was a deep appreciation in her for how he looked in his suit. As they exchanged their vows, Jane slid in closer to him, adjusting her hold on Duckie. "You look wonderful, darling," she murmured softly, wishing him to know of her approval.

[niceofyoutoask]

"Thanks, dear." He said, warm. He'd never thought too highly of himself in the looks department, so thanked god whenever he could that he'd found a woman who really loved him.

"The same goes for me, you know." He said, leaning in close so as not to disturb the proceedings. "I love you just as much as I did on our wedding day. More, if that's possible."

[amortallife]

Among the Elves, there was no ceremony quite the same as the vow renewal Sonya and her husband shared today, and Arwen would not deny some curiosity about the tradition. That curiosity, however, was secondary to the growing bond of friendship she felt for Sonya, and she had accepted the invitation gladly. She had been unsure of proper attire, but had dressed in rich velvets suitable to the season, darkest blue of the night sky against carmine, as always most comfortable in the clothes that had come with her from Imladris.

It had taken almost no time in the reckoning of Elves for Arwen to learn there were as many sorrows in life on the island as there were anywhere else, but she had learned even before then that the people here took what opportunities they had to celebrate the joys of life, and it did her heart good to see her friend happy and celebrating her love and her family in this way, and for Arwen to be allowed to be a part of it.

[lt_blade]

Sonya had no idea why she enjoyed Arwen's company, nor did she really care to waste time dwelling on it. What she did know was that there was something about the woman that made her easy to talk to, that she was one of the few women on the island that Sonya felt she didn't need to censor her train of thought.

Regardless, she was glad that she'd come.

"Evening." She went over to her. "Glad you could make it."

[amortallife]

"As am I." Arwen gave her a gentle smile. "Thank you for inviting me. I am honored you wished me to be here as you celebrate the love and life you have with your husband, but beyond that, I am quite happy for you."

[somanytitles]

It seemed to Aragorn that marriage was everywhere he looked these days. Or, perhaps it merely seemed that way because it was on his mind so much of late. This ceremony today seemed an odd one, the renewal of vows. To Aragorn, a vow had no need of renewal. Once it was given it was given for all time.

At the ceremony though, it became clear to him it as more a celebration of the vows than a necessary reminder of what they pledged. It had been a very enjoyable time, if not what he was used to. The couple was obviously happy though, and he was happy for them.

[lt_blade]

Since Arwen was invited, Sonya only expected that Aragorn would come as well.

She'd knew enough about etiquette to not make any 'lord of the rings' references: especially since her own 'story' was less epic and more 'teenage fodder'.

"Glad to see you when the island's not being attacked." Her smile was a genuine one, if subdued.

[somanytitles]

"Yes, this is truly a far happier occasion," he said with a smile. It was a great moment and an excellent reminder of the good things that could come from the island, how it could allow two people to come together in a way they couldn't back home.