GWB13E

**START**

**58. The Mess of the girls.**

   The group of women went to a quieter place, it was already twelve o'clock at night, they had been chatting and laughing as well as having a few drinks and they were not completely serene. It was Emerald who suggested they go to a male "strip tease" place.

-Come on, girls. There are plenty of places like this in France. And we can sing "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, cette soir, ha, ha! - she exclaimed amused. -

The sisters looked at each other puzzled, trying to figure it out. Bertie blushed, since she had studied some French too, and Amanda laughed outright.

- Where did you get that phrase? - the blonde reporter laughed. - "From your fellow Parisian models?

- No way! It's French, but I heard it when I was a kid. One of my droids used to show me an old movie from the twentieth century, or maybe the twenty-first, I don't quite remember, in which it was said. - Emerald answered, reminiscing. - I liked it very much, it was called Moulin Rouge.

-I don't know what movie you're referring to. - Amanda denied. -

-Maybe it hasn't been released yet. - Cooan conjectured. -

That was true. Because they themselves came from the far future, they knew many things that might not yet have existed for the inhabitants of Earth in the twentieth century. So, they looked at each other with a mixture of astonishment and some trepidation. It was clear that they had to be careful what they said, even in such trivial matters!

-I think it would be better if we went to a quieter bar. - Beruche objected, taking the opportunity to return to the previous topic. -

- Come on! - Petz laughed paradoxically. - Let's have a good time. Don't be boring!

           Of course, neither she nor Cooan could believe what they were hearing. Her older sister, imagining it, added in a cordial tone.

-Tomorrow you will be married. And my task of taking care of you, at least in these respects, is over. Let's celebrate!

-Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing what it's like. - Cooan agreed, cheering animatedly. - Mel told me some very racy things about when they used to have those parties at the Golden. Too bad she couldn't make it.

Beruche recalled that her former college roommate was studying for that Ph.D. to become a high school teacher. She was doing it with a view to taking a position at Golden. She hadn't decided on that option yet. With the master's degree she was getting, she thought it was more than enough.

-The truth is that I haven't seen Melanie lately, and with all the hustle and bustle we've been having and the weddings, I haven't even had time to call her. - She thought. -

But she soon put that aside when Amanda agreed with her sisters and Emerald.

-Of course, for one night it's fine.

-Yes, and I want to know what kind of fun Earth girls have. - Annie interjected. - They seem to like it here, it's so crowded.

            In the end Bertie sighed in resignation, the only ally she seemed to have had in her desire to go elsewhere, Ann, was in turn opting to stay. So, she had no choice but to give in to the others' desire to see it and, sighing, she said.

-Alea jacta est!

- Don't be so melodramatic! - Cooan replied jovially. -

-Well, I say. Allons mes amies! - Emerald exclaimed, making the rest laugh. -

         So, they entered and once inside they found a crowded place, with a long catwalk, and on it a handsome guy dressed as an executive. Crowds of crazed women were shouting at him.

- Come on, take it all off, we want to see you! - They all demanded at the same time as they laughed. -

-Don't you think this is a bit excessive? - Cooan said to the others, looking around in astonishment. -

-Not at all. - Emerald answered, encouraging the rest. - Yes, it's a lot of fun, you guys relax and enjoy the show.

- Is he really going to get naked? - Bertie asked between incredulous and embarrassed. -

-Of course," - Amanda nodded who added, looking amused at her astonished companion. - What do you expect, this is a night club.

- Take it easy, sis! - Petz joked who, despite her usual stiff character, certainly didn't seem uncomfortable but quite the opposite this time. - I promise to cover your eyes when something appears that your chaste morals won't allow you to see. Ha, ha, ha, ha!

                  All the others laughed, except Beruche, who was getting redder and redder, answered almost with a stammer.

-I... I... I don't see what's so funny.

-I didn't expect you to be the one to be so liberal, Petz. - The astonished Cooan commented. -

-It's just that since your sister has been living with Sapphire, she has changed a lot, ha, ha! - Emerald laughed, thundering the place a little. -

-Please, don't give any more explanations. - The alluded one was able to ask her, covering her ears as well as the rest. –

              The other girls now looked at Petz, who was visibly blushing. But they immediately turned their attention back to the stage. In it, that individual began to undress methodically, first he took off his jacket, flipping it several slow times over his head and throwing it towards the women in a provocative pose of a disco pimp. Next, he tossed his shirt revealing a muscular, waxed, and sweaty torso. The shrieks of the women present rose in pitch, until they became hysterical.

-I don't understand why they get like that just for that, - Emerald commented, dispassionately assessing -compared to Diamond that guy is nothing.

-The same goes for me," - Beruche corroborated without appreciating the reason for the fuss. - After seeing Roy become a super warrior, that poor man leaves me indifferent.

-Well girls, understand that not all of them have men like ours as boyfriends! - Amanda laughed, who almost pretended to show compassion for the rest of the women in the world, judging by that statement. - It's only natural for them to be enthusiastic about it.

-Well, it's not bad at all," - Cooan declared, sipping another drink. - They all looked at her in surprise, but she quickly added. - But my Tom is much, much better. Hee, hee, hee!

- Come on now, show us everything at once, we're going to sleep," - Emerald shouted, to the astonishment and embarrassment of the others, who broke out in a huge bead of sweat on their heads. -

-Emerald, what are you saying? - Beruche mumbled, getting redder and redder. -

-Sorry, it's the habit, my droids were undressing faster. - She commented without stopping to think about it. -

Although after receiving a mixture of looks of astonishment, incredulity and even reprobation, the young woman smiled, putting a hand to her neck to hasten to add.

-Nothing, I didn't say anything. Forget that, will you?

At that, the guy took off his pants and threw them off too after making them dizzy in the same way as his jacket. He was now fiddling with his briefs amidst the hustle and bustle of many women who wanted to get on the catwalk. Finally, he got rid of it, throwing it towards the audience with such an aim that it fell on Annie's head, the alien had been silent with a perplexed expression watching the whole scene as if she could not believe it and it was at that moment when she hurried to take off that garment with apprehension.

- Ah, how disgusting! - She exclaimed and as soon as she threw it away, several women rushed at it, struggling to take it away. Annie watched them even more incredulously as she added. - These human women are crazy!

The guy on the catwalk was wiggling with his arms up in the air and wiggling his pelvis outrageously, raising the squeals of all his excited fans.

-Well, do not brag! - Emerald commented dispassionately. - That guy is nothing compared to my Diamond.

- Hip! - Cooan intervened, quite drunk by now, as she gulped down another drink and with her voice clearly drunk from the alcohol, she commented. - It looks pretty good to me; I'm going upstairs for a closer look.

And she tried. Trying to climb up to the stage, which was only a meter and a half high. In that way she gave the impression of being one more of those crazy women who wanted to keep company to that "virile" individual.

- What are you doing? - her incredulous sister Petz reproached her while she and the perplexed Annie held her down so that she wouldn't climb up. Have you gone crazy?

Beruche covered her face with her hands but looked through her fingers. Declaring between the embarrassed laughter she gave.

-Well, decidedly this boy is no match for Roy. My future husband is much better, hee, hee, hee!.

-Well, he's not that bad, wow! - Amanda acknowledged looking at this guy with great attention and assured. - I'll tell Nephrite to do something similar when we're in our bedroom.

-I don't think it's bad," - Petz agreed who added in solidarity. - I will convince Sapphire to do the same, he seems very calm, but you should see him motivated....

-Well, I won't tell you anything about Roy - Bertie interjected. - I'll only reveal that when he becomes a super warrior, everything swells in proportion...

-The truth," - Ann said strangely. - I don't understand this size fixation of yours. What difference does it make?

- What's the matter, Annie? Doesn't Ail measure up? - Emerald laughed thunderously, seconded by the others. -

- You think so! - the alluded one refuted. - Just so you know, our race is very well proportioned.

- Come on, girls! - Cooan proposed, completely drunk, judging by the unmistakable gangly accent in her voice.  - Let's get naked too! -

           She tried to take off her blouse, but Bertie reacted quickly and held her down.

-Calm down, sis, you're very drunk. We'd better go home. - She said to the others. - Tomorrow is the wedding and it's already very late, it's after three o'clock.

-Yes," - Petz agreed, now with more seriousness. - We'll have to put our little reveler to bed; the poor thing is going to have a terrible hangover tomorrow. Believe me, it happened to me a long time ago and I know it from experience.

-Yes, we remember that. - Bertie smiled. -

Though at the look on her big sister's face he opted to divert her own and the subject.

-Well, come on, it's getting late, off to the hotel....

-Okay, come on, let's go, take Connie with us. -Amanda agreed, who was also watching her with some concern when she added. - I don't think she's very used to drinking. -

- What a pity! - Emerald sighed as a guy dressed as a fireman came out behind the previous guy, to which the girl commented with derision. - Maybe this one has a longer hose.

-That reminds me of something. - Cooan could barely say, almost mumbling during her drunkenness. - Did you notice that we didn't have male droids...?

-Well, I did have two. - Emerald reminded her. - Kiral and Aquiral.

-But they weren't droids, they were our cousins. - Bertie commented. - Aunt Agatha and Uncle Graphite's children.

-No, well the ones I had were copies of them. They disappeared, although I didn't know it until later. - Her interlocutor admitted. -

- Oh yes, I remember them. - Petz commented. - Sapphire told me that it was a personal assignment of yours.

-Yes, well. It could be.  - Her astonished interlocutor admitted. -

-Of course, it's just that our little cousins looked a lot like Diamond. - Bertie smiled mischievously, wanting to know with her typical tone full of seemingly innocent irony. - Were those the ones who undressed so quickly?

Emerald didn't know where to put herself now. Fortunately for her, Cooan was already too drunk to let out the first thing that came to her mind.

-It's true. Rubeus always refused to let us have male drug addicts. He was a fucking chauvinist! But he didn't lack all the girl androids he wanted. Apart from having us... he's such a cunt!

-Come on, Cooan. - A hurried Bertie cut her off. - Get off the subject...

- I don't want to drop the subject! - the questioned exclaimed, visibly drunk to comment to some girls that they didn't know at all and that looked at her between astonished and amused. - So that they can say that in the future we women will achieve equality... Don't believe it, girls. We come from the thirtieth century and it's still the same story. Men do what they want... but us, why couldn't we have beautiful androids? It was a bargain; you just tell them what you want, and they do it...

Luckily those two strangers laughed out loud when they heard that. It had to be Petz who interrupted Cooan's rant in a somewhat hurried tone.

-Excuse me, it's just that when my sister drinks, she gets very creative....

-Yes, that's true. I have a lot of creativity... tell them when I wanted to use my dark fire to flambé a cake... all because I wanted to make that bastard happy..." - The alluded one laughed now adding with a tinge between amused and indignant. - I should have burned that swine Rubeus' ass...

- Are you all right, Cooan? - Annie asked, looking at her with some concern. -

-Better than ever. Look, that one dancing over there looks like a droida... Hey droida! Come dance with your mistress. - She shouted, honking with her hands!

The faces of the rest were the spitting image of bewilderment and embarrassment. Bertie managed to divert a little of her little sister's attention while the others held a little conference.

-We'd better get out of here quickly. If we leave her here this one is capable of more than when we were trying to destroy the crystals, period. - Petz whispered to them. -

-Yes. Annie agreed. - She needs to rest urgently...

-Otherwise, tomorrow there will be no one to take her to her own wedding. - Bertie feared that she was trying to pull Cooan to get her out of the vicinity of the podium where the stripper was performing. -

-Of course, when Connie drinks she really does. - Amanda admitted, waving a hand. -

-She's not used to it, and it goes to her head right away. - Petz explained. -

-It's a pity, just when things were starting to get interesting. - Emerald sighed. -

                But since the night had gotten too hot and Cooan wasn't in the mood for parties anymore (or maybe she was too much), the model and designer accepted this prudent withdrawal. So did Annie who watched Cooan worried about such a brunette. They took the stunned girl between Beruche and Petz. But the latter resisted like a cat on her belly.

- No, let me, I want to dance with that guy. I am a great dancer. - The girl asked them, lost in her head to add, not knowing if it was a lament, a protest, or a celebration. - Everything is spinning, I think it's funny.

- My goodness! - Emerald exclaimed, waving a hand in the wind - what a bender she is, I hope you have coffee. We must give her a strong one as soon as we get to the hotel. And make sure she drinks plenty of water...

- That's true. - Amanda agreed, adding with some trepidation. - She must be very dehydrated from so much alcohol.

-We'll take care of Cooan," - Petz declared, practically hanging it on her back and turning to Emerald, Ann, and Amanda. -You girls go to sleep, tomorrow will be a very hard day.

-All right. - The alien nodded who now smiled and added. -You'll see when we tell Usagi and the others, as they are still minors, they couldn't come here, ha, ha! Although I must thank them for staying to take care of my son.

- What I don't understand is that you told us that you went to class with them. Aren't you the same age? - Bertie asked in surprise. -

- No, it's just that I look younger than I am when I take human form. - Annie revealed to them, who immediately clarified. - Just a couple of years or three. Don't imagine anything else. And Artemis got me some documents that prove I'm of age. I think the girls should have asked him for them too. - She whispered complicitly. -

-Yeah. Artemis is great. -He's a talking cat! And he's from the moon. Isn't that funny? - Cooan exclaimed with laughter, attracting the attention of a passerby or two. - And his wife Luna is a cat that can turn into a human... why are you looking at me like that? ...Well, they are married and in the thirtieth century they have a very pretty daughter named Diana, and she's a kitten!

Fortunately, most of the others watched her with a smile of circumstance or directly ignoring her, to the relief of the rest.

-Let's take the still Miss Malinde home. - Petz smiled and shook her head. - Or she can't be Mrs. Rodney tomorrow.

The others nodded, certainly they were more than interested in getting Cooan out of there as soon as possible.

-Sleep well, girls, if you can. - Emerald wished, not at all envious of the sisters' role. -

-And, above all, may you wake up tomorrow in good condition. - Amanda added, not without some sincere concern. -

And after saying goodbye, they walked away in search of a cab. So, Amanda, Annie and Emerald went to their respective lodgings. On the way they chatted amusedly.

-Poor Connie is on a real bender. –Amanda smiled. - I don't know if she'll be able to get out of bed tomorrow.

-I'm sure she will. Love can do anything. - Emerald affirmed with an amused half-smile to add. - And if not, Bertie and Petz will take care of it.

- If necessary, they'll give her a magic bean! - Annie smiled. -

         All three laughed heartily at that. In the meantime, Petz and Beruche ordered another cab and climbed into it together with Cooan. They had to squeeze their younger sister in between them, as the poor thing couldn't even stand up anymore. Although, she was not lacking in festive spirit and sang in a gangly voice.

- Nemesis, dear planet, Nemesis of my loves! ... Who would be for Nemesis on all occasions!

- My God! - Bertie sighed with worried resignation, shaking her head. -

             Luckily the cabbie seemed like a guy used to transporting people in that state. Still, Petz and Bertie tipped him well, apologizing for their cheerful sister's behavior. And for those outlandish stories she told about futuristic planets and talking cats that took on human form.  When they got home, they gave her a couple of coffees loaded with salt that finally made her vomit. She decidedly threw up everything she had until she looked like an empty sack. At least she avoided adding more alcohol to her bloodstream. Then they gave her water. Gradually she sobered up and got a good migraine too.

- Are you feeling better? You must have thrown out all the porridge Grandma Kim gave us at Nemesis! - Bertie commented in amazement. -

- Oh dear! - Cooan whispered plaintively. - My head hurts, I just want to get some sleep.

-Come on, lie down. - Her interlocutor whispered, trying to remind her. - Tomorrow we're getting married to two very handsome boys. You don't want Tom to see you walking down the aisle with dark circles under your eyes.

- Oh, shut up! - her sister protested with a histrionic moan, covering her forehead with both hands, and wailing in a quiet voice. - My head hurts so much.

But she obediently got into bed and Bertie tucked her in, her little sister, exhausted, soon fell asleep.

-Well," - Petz said with a long yawn. - "I'm going to bed too.

-Stay here tonight," - Beruche offered her. - It's too late to go out there alone.

-Don't worry,"- she smiled, assuring Bertie with her fearless tone. - I can take care of myself, besides, I'm a Justiciera. - And to make a show of it, she clenched her fist in a threatening gesture and sentenced. - Let someone dare to mess with me and they'll see who I am!

- You've convinced me! - Bertie laughed goodbye to her, as she was about to go to bed. - Hee, hee, hee! See you tomorrow, Petz.

-Sleep well, little one," - she wished her tenderly, stroking her sister's forehead. - Tomorrow is your big day. And Cooan's too. - She added with a mixture of amusement and maternal affection, looking at her sister, who was already fast asleep, and whispered. - See you tomorrow.

Her older sister left, went down to the street, it was already very late, and night closed. Although there were still quite a few people walking along the main avenues. The girl took a secondary one. Her hotel was not far away. Soon she passed near a theater, a young couple was coming out of there. She was about Petz's height, with medium-length brown hair and basil-green eyes, the man, slightly taller, with dark hair and blue eyes, hidden behind glasses. Petz almost bumped into them since they were walking distractedly. They seemed to be commenting on a play that was being performed, as she heard them chatting. It was that individual who, in a jovial tone, said to his interlocutor while she was clinging to one of his arms.

- Did you like the play, dear?

- Yes, Robert, it wasn't bad, but that Mephistopheles guy doesn't really fit in with the ways of the high hierarchies. - She smiled, shaking her head slightly. -

-Excuse me. - Petz was able to say, almost hitting the girl as she passed by her. -

That girl sketched a slight smile, though she stared at her for a few seconds, seeming surprised by something. Petz herself felt something strange, although she didn't give it any more importance and continued walking towards her hotel. The young couple continued in turn in the opposite direction, getting lost in the crowd. It was curious, the eldest of the Malinde sisters could have sworn that her Justiciera stone emitted greenish sparkles at least for a few moments. Now, however, the pendant did not seem to be acting abnormally.

- No, that's impossible! ...- She shook her head in thought. - None of them can be on Earth anymore.

                She must have been tired and saw some light from the neon reflecting off the stone, there could be no other explanation! She shrugged her shoulders and didn't stop until she reached her hotel without further ado.

-I'm also very tired, soon I'll start seeing elephants flying or something, like poor Cooan. - She said to herself amused. -

Meanwhile, in her room, a tired Beruche also went to bed.

-Now I'm a little scared. - She thought as she fell asleep. - I want to be worthy of the great responsibility that awaits me. I want to have you, Leval darling, and to educate you and raise you in a happy environment. May you never know what it means to suffer and lose the people you love. Although first I will have to be a good wife... Who would have thought! How selfish and childish I became....

And she closed her eyes, slipping into a deep and restful sleep. She thought she saw in that passage to the dream world the figure of a tall boy with long hair that shone in an immaculate tone. And that being smiled encouragingly at her, in dreams she did the same... Roy and the others arrived shortly after at their respective homes, he went to his apartment so as not to coincide with his girlfriend until the wedding. They went to bed and after the night the long-awaited day dawned. The alarm clock rang mercilessly. It deafened the room.  Bertie got up between yawns, covering her ears and trying to stop that machine from hell. She succeeded when it seemed like an eternity had passed. However, her little sister was still asleep.  She didn't seem to have heard anything. Without any other choice, she began to gently shake her.

-Come on, little sister, wake up, it's time for the "I do".

-Yes... I...do… want... to... sleep. - The questioned mumbled one without opening her eyes. -

-You must get up," - Beruche insisted, shaking her more vigorously. -

- Oh, let me sleep! - Her sister asked her, opening one eye and then closing it immediately in the morning light, which for her was terribly blinding. - My head is exploding! - she protested, covering her face with the pillow. -

-Don't be so stubborn, Cooan. – Her companion smiled, who added with an affectionate warning. - If you don't get up now, you'll be late for your own wedding.

- Oh, my goodness! - the young woman replied, slurring her words without apparent conviction, and sitting up in bed with effort, now sentencing her with much more forcefulness. - I will never drink again in my life. I would have preferred Rei to attack me with her "Burning Mandala".

- Ji, ji, ji, ji! - Beruche laughed, covering her mouth with one hand to immediately harangue her. - Now let's go! We don't have much time left to prepare.

And after sorting out his thoughts Cooan was able to get up, although his head was still hurting. He had to take some painkillers after having some milk and cookies for breakfast. But her sister took it upon herself to give her a hand and to call the others to help them both.

-Yes," she said over the phone. - I assure you it is an emergency. Petz, please call Emerald too... I need someone to help us with the dresses. Cooan? She's doing enough standing up straight. Yes, thank you. We are waiting for you...

For their part, the boys were also up and about. Tom and Roy were chatting animatedly as they got ready. The dark-haired boy commented almost with an air of disbelief, during his joy.

-It's hard to believe we're going to marry them, huh? I still remember when we met them.

-It's true, I could swear it's been centuries since then. - Roy added, reminiscing in turn. - We were so different and so much has happened.

-I don't think we haven't changed in the main," - his interlocutor said jocularly. - We're still great looking guys. – He laughed and his friend with him. -

-Yes, that's true, ha, ha! - Roy agreed, who, however, added with more seriousness and a reflective tone. -But now we have more responsibilities and from tomorrow even more important. After today we can't turn back. It's funny, but I'm more afraid to compromise than to fight.

- You can't complain. You've had the chance that no one else has. - Tom said encouragingly. - You've seen your son become an adult; you've been able to be proud of him. It's very encouraging for your prospects.

          His friend, however, instead of being relieved, replied in a somewhat uneasy tone.

-Not exactly, Tommy. The truth is, that was another timeline where I didn't know him. I didn't get to see him born or grow up. - Roy objected to wish hopefully. - Now I want to be the one to raise him and watch him become a man, along with Bertie. If we have a son now, maybe that has changed. - He conjectured to add as if he really feared it. - You know, when I recovered my memories of the past, I realized that we couldn't get married then as we should have, because the invasion of the forces of evil thwarted it. Maybe that's why we were reincarnated with that outstanding debt. It is curious, Beruche remembers having been Lorein in her past life. And her sisters, on the other hand, don't remember anything.

-Maybe that's precisely why. Possibly they closed the circle of their previous lives. - Tom mused. -

His colleague nodded, then added.

-Now I hope nothing comes between Bertie and me. But enough about me and my fears. You're nervous, too, aren't you, I say? - He inquired, not quite sure of it, in view of the optimism of his trial companion. -

- You can't imagine! - His friend confessed with a heartfelt exclamation and they both laughed, now relaxed. - You see," - Tom added more seriously. - I also want to start a family and be happy with Connie. Leval told me that in the future we had a son and a daughter. Now I hope that everything goes well, and we get to have even more. - He wished with a smile. -

His companion nodded with an amused gesture and then exclaimed.

- Even more kids? You're certainly a guy who can't be discouraged. Ha, ha! Well, that comes through perseverance in... you know, practice!

              Both boys were now laughing uncontrollably. Finally, it was Roy who was able to stop first as he reminded his friend by looking at his watch.

-The others will be here soon, we must hurry. And here it's no good being late and apologizing with, "I missed the bus."

-Well, no, considering we'll be taking a cab. - His betrothal partner smiled hurriedly. -

And they hurried, for within half an hour, they were all there. They certainly had a good time. In the meantime, the girls went to the two brides, whom they helped with alacrity to get them ready and radiant. They had a hard time getting Cooan completely clear.

-Come on, sis. - Petz said to her between affectionate and amused. - You can't stand up poor Tommy.

-We could send a droid with your appearance to marry him. - Emerald joked. -

- Droida? - Cooan mused, putting a hand to her forehead. - What's that all about now?

-If you had heard yourself last night, the things you said! - Her interlocutor laughed. -

That really finished the poor bride off, though. Between her headache and the model's histrionic laughter, she was a wreck.

-Sorry, Cooan. - An embarrassed Emerald apologized. -

- Oh, my God! I don't even want to imagine what I could have said... - The alluded one sighed as she took off her pajamas. - I just know that now I need a bath...

            She wandered in bewilderment towards the bathroom. Fortunately, Petz helped her into the bathtub. In the meantime, Emerald was going over her dress.

-Well, little Cooan's wedding dress is perfect. - The model declared and designer, adding. - Now let me see yours, Bertie.

The girl, who had already gone through the bathtub before her sister and was putting it on with Amanda's help, approached....

- How do you see it?

-Turn around. - Her companion asked her, using her most professional tone as she put a hand to her chin in a reflexive attitude. - Let's see, turn around a little more...

The girl obeyed; Emerald nodded satisfied to assess.

-I'll adjust your waist a little bit and perfect... As soon as I'm done with you, it's Annie's turn.

Annie was also trying it on. Although it was difficult for her to put on that delicate human dress. Once again, the helpful Amanda came to the aid of another of the brides.

-You look beautiful. - The reporter smiled -

-Thank you. - The young woman was able to say, blushing. - The truth is that now I look like an ordinary human.

-A human, yes, but there's nothing ordinary about you. - The journalist smiled, praising her once again. - You look beautiful.

-And that's from a Lady, isn't it... Lady Amanda Patricia Thompson Ashby? - Emerald smiled. -

-You know that's not my thing. - She was affably reprimanded by the questioned one. -

- You call yourself all that? - Annie was astonished. -

-Yes, it is. - The journalist admitted who immediately wanted to change the subject to declare. - But it's not about me, it's about how beautiful and elegant you look right now. I'm telling you for real. There wouldn't be a woman in high society who wouldn't envy you.

             Her companion smiled, thanking her for the compliment. The truth was that she was very happy to see herself dressed like that.

-Of course, you could pass for human. In fact, you haven't changed into your real appearance since you came here. - Emerald commented. -

-Both Ail and I must get used to it. - The girl responded. - There are going to be human guests at this wedding who don't know us.

-By the way. - Bertie wanted to know. - Where did you leave Giaal?

-Well, he's being looked after by our sailor friends. - The alien smiled. - I left his bottle and diapers with them and they assured me that, between them, they would be able to keep an eye on him. And I believe it... I still remember how Usagi, and Mamoru took care of that little guy...

Her companions nodded; they had already been told that story. At that moment Cooan came out of the bathtub wrapped in a towel. She was feeling a little better. Her sister Petz accompanied her. With some creams she had brought from her store, together with Amanda's help with her make-up, they left her with hardly any traces of the previous night's rampage. Afterwards, the two also lent a hand to Annie and Bertie, although these two were able to manage better.

-Very good. All three of you are ready. Beautiful brides! - Emerald declared approvingly. -

- I wish Mother could see you now! - Petz sighed with emotion. -

-And Kalie too..." - Bertie remembered between sobs. - Who knows where she is!

That was seriously threatening to become a problem for the newly placed makeup, with all three sisters crying now. Annie, Emerald, and Amanda immediately tried to cheer them up.

-Come on, girls. - The journalist said - You can't think about things that make you sad now. It's your day.

-Of course. - Emerald agreed. - Both your mother and Karaberasu would be very happy for you and would not want you to be bitter about this moment.

-We know, but it's hard. - Cooan sighed, wiping away a few tears. -

-Mom's been gone a long time. And we got over it. She was able to say goodbye to us. But without our sister we are not complete. - Petz supported her. -

-I'm sure she's fine. Your sailor friends would never let anything bad happen to her. -Amanda affirmed with commendable assurance. -

-They must not even know where she is. - Bertie commented, now turning to the reporter, and asked her with interest. - You're a journalist, maybe you could find out something.

-Well, I..." - Amanda sighed, seeing herself in a bind. -

And that those girls didn't know what she really did for a living. And that, in fact, she knew a lot more than she could reveal. In any case, she could not compromise herself. However, to get out of the way, she immediately said in an encouraging tone.

-Now is not the time for you to think about that, I will see later if I can contact a colleague and some of my sources in missing persons. Both from the United States and Britain. It's not much, but I'll see what I can find out.

-Thank you very much. - Petz smiled at her now, taking her by the hands. –

          The British woman felt very bad, especially since she knew a lot more about Karaberasu than she was letting on. And her conscience hit her even harder when both Bertie and Cooan smiled at her in return. Even Emerald laid a hand on her right shoulder and said, addressing the girls.

-Amanda is an excellent reporter. I'm sure she'll find out something. But she's right. Now you have something more urgent to worry about.

The boys for their part went with Tom and Roy. They had agreed to meet at the church so as not to see the bride and groom before the wedding. They hired a procession of cabs and arrived. This was certainly no ordinary parish, but St. Patrick's Cathedral itself. Surely those feds they had contacted had pulled some strings. Roy remembered that, after his son's departure from the future, one of them approached him at the end of a training session, when he was on his way home.

-Mr. Malden. - The brown-haired man called out to him. -

Roy turned to look at him and immediately recognized him. He didn't think it was very funny, but luckily there were no more of his colleagues around.

- What's the matter, not another world emergency? - he asked with the real fear that it was. -

-No, don't worry. - That guy smiled, who told him in a rather jovial way. - I'm a big basketball fan. I used to play some in high school and sometimes it helps me to relax when I have complicated cases. I came to say hello and thank you.

- Thank you? - his conversation partner repeated, although he soon realized where he was going with this. - They don't deserve it. My friends and I are the first ones interested in not being annihilated by alien invaders.

-I guess so. - That guy agreed. -

-Well, in that case it's all settled, sir..." - Roy hesitated, he didn't know the man's last name, although it sounded like his own. -

-Mulder. - He reminded him. -

-Well, that's it. Luckily everything went well. Now all I want is to be happy with my girlfriend. And to marry her soon.

- And would you like a particular place to celebrate the ceremony? - His interlocutor asked. -

That question took him by surprise. With all the hustle and bustle of the battle and the emotions, all he could think of was to ask Bertie to marry him now. But of course, he hadn't even seriously thought about all the preparations that that entailed. Although a childhood longing, he did have.

-I'd love it if we could get married in St. Patrick's Cathedral. - He said, more humorously than anything else, judging it very unlikely. -

However, this guy nodded, declaring in all seriousness.

-I'll talk to my superiors; we'll see what can be done. For someone who has defeated a demonic and an alien invasion, saving the Earth twice, I don't think the Church is going to put any impediment.

And with hardly any more words exchanged, that guy said goodbye. Now, as he left the room and walked through part of the cathedral, Roy saw him there, next to his red-haired companion. They were sitting on benches somewhat apart.

-Perhaps we should have invited them. They don't look like bad people. - He said to himself. -

            Although they kept in a very discreet background, without even greeting him. Soon, with the bustle and the people Roy lost sight of them, forgetting about them for the moment. He had to join his companions and the other grooms. So, he did. The men were all very smart in their tuxedos and tails, it was curious to see Roy himself so well dressed. He didn't really like that kind of clothes, but a day is a day, he said to himself. And even more so an important one like that.

-Well, now let's wait for the girls. - Tom commented. -

           The young man nervously checked his tuxedo jacket as the two of them and Ail entered a room reserved for the bride and groom.

- Don't be so nervous, you Kansas hick! You'd think you'd never been married before. Ha, ha! - Roy joked, giving him a light, affectionate pat on the back. -

                  His friend smiled, encouraged by that. The truth is that the jokes of that jerk came well to relieve the tension of the moment.

- What about your parents and your brother? - Roy wanted to know. -

-They are already at the church. - His interlocutor told him. - They wanted to pray a little and wait for the ceremony to begin. You know...

- Do your parents and brother know anything about who we are or what we have done? - Ail asked. -

-No, they forgot like most people. - Tom replied adding after sighing. - And I prefer it that way. They are normal people, with quiet lives.

-They are wonderful people and very brave. - Roy said, now without a joking tone, to make a statement. - In the hardest moments they showed great mettle.

-Yes, and I know that my mother is very happy with the idea of taking me to the altar. - His friend affirmed. –

-I'm happy for you, I really wish mine could be here! - His interlocutor sighed with a hint of sadness. -

-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. - His interlocutor commented, feeling bad for his companion. -

-Don't worry about it. I know they'll be watching it in the best seats up there. - Roy hastened to say and added. - It will be Ami, in her role as godmother, who will take me. I think she's promised Bertie that if I try to escape, she'll throw a freeze ray at me. Ha, ha!

After laughing a little, it was Ail who commented....

-We don't have parents, the Makaiju gave us life. Although he can't come to take us to the altar.

-Man, if he were an Ent," - Roy smiled, declaring amused. - Sure, he could!...

- A what? - His alien friend asked blankly. -

-Nothing, let it go. That's just the stuff of this fool. - Tom smiled in turn, shaking his head good-naturedly. -

                And so, they waited for another twenty minutes, and at last Beruche, Cooan and Annie arrived, looking beautiful in their white bridal gowns, and Petz, Amanda and Emerald in their very elegant turquoise blue suits designed by the latter, which did not detract at all. So did the rest of the boys, dressed in identical ball gowns as the bride and groom.

-We are handsome. - Nephrite commented, looking at himself in a window near the parish. -

-Of course. - Diamond agreed assertively. - I always dress with elegance, my friend. Besides, I'm acting as best man to take Bertie to the altar. My brother will do the same for Annie.

-And I'll take care of Cooan. - His companion said. - Now all that remains is to wait for the time and for everyone to arrive.

And indeed, the guests were already gathered. Usagi, Makoto, Minako, Ami, Rei, and Mamoru, had arrived in turn and were elegant, wearing dresses reminiscent of their princesses. Also, Chibiusa, her group of four escort girls, Luna, and Artemis, with a very funny little kitten that they introduced as their daughter Diana. The boys came out to greet them.

-Even the cat has a family here. - Roy whispered to Tom. -

           However, Tom shook his head and smiled and commented.

-That was a bad one, even for you.

-That's true. -His friend admitted with a chuckling expression, before adding.  -Then I won't say that less than four cats will come to our wedding.

-I say, if Bertie hears you, she'll be the one to plant you at the altar, as if you were a cactus! - said Tom.

             They both laughed at even those bad jokes since they were in a great mood. And as for those felines, it was true that they were invited to the ceremony. The bad thing was that animals (even if they were intelligent and talkative) were forbidden inside. So, the latter three were put in wicker baskets so that they could enter the cathedral and witness the ceremony. Sometime later Haruka, Setsuna and Michiru arrived, along with Hotaru, who was accompanied by her father Dr. Tomoe. They could not show up there earlier since they had some things to do. Once the sailors were reunited, they congratulated the couples effusively. The truth is that they were looking forward to being together with their companions who had also been invited to the weddings. Although they had many commitments and issues to resolve, they did their best to attend. Michiru had to cancel a violin concert she was supposed to give that same day and Haruka skipped a motorcycle grand prix race. In any case, they were happy to do so because they were very appreciative of the couples who were going to tie the knot. To tell the truth, their presence was also worthwhile for the others. All of them were also wearing beautiful Emerald designs, except for Haruka who was also wearing a tuxedo. Although this one was cream colored and with the sleeve and chest edges, formed by small, flowered ruffles. The group greeted each other by taking seats in the pews of the large church. Ami, Rei and Usagi were to be Beruche, Cooan and Annie's respective godmothers. The boys, for their part, settled into their pews. As the boys had said, the godparents would be, for Roy, Diamond and for Tom, Nephrite. Since between them they did not want to be, as they were getting married at the same time and were afraid of getting mixed up with the rings. For Ail, it would be Sapphire. And as bridesmaids, the not so little Chibiusa already and her group of the Amazon quartet for the three girls. So, once the wedding march had sounded and the three bride and groom were led down the aisle, their fiancées stood at the church doors. The boys were already waiting with growing excitement as they waited for their groomsmen to hand them over. At that moment the priest entered with a group of altar boys. Once everyone was present, the wedding was about to begin.

-I'm very nervous, Cooan. - Beruche confessed to her sister in a quiet voice. - Today is the most important day of my life.

-And for me too. - Her interlocutor admitted who whispered to her. - I'm trembling, my legs can hardly hold me up and my heart is more of a bouncing than a beating. It's a good thing my hangover headache has gone a little.

-Well, I don't think you should be so nervous. - Annie said with less affectation than they did, but with obvious good judgment in assessing from their point of view. - This, as momentous as it may seem, is only a ceremony. Our love for our sweethearts will be the same now as it will be in a few moments when they are our husbands.

-Don't worry. You look great, really. - Chibiusa encouraged them, adding jovially. - All three of you are beautiful and look like princesses.

-It's true, you have a royal bearing!  - Cere - Cere agreed with evident admiration. -

-What you also have is a lot of luck. They are very handsome boys," - Jun Jun said, appraising the bride and groom with her eyes. -

-It almost makes you want to get married too. - Ves-Ves declared with a smile. - It's one of the good parts of becoming an adult.

-Yes. Besides, it looks like a lot of fun. And then there's even a banquet. I'm going to have to get a boyfriend! – Para-Para finished off, clapping her hands with childish enthusiasm, sentencing herself to elicit smiles from the brides. - And I can eat all I want!

-Thank you all. I'm sure your time will come someday. - Bertie answered them kindly. - Isn't that right, girlfriends? - And both her sister and Annie nodded with smiles, then her interlocutor harangued them. - Now let's calm down and go to meet the men we love without hesitation. Or they'll think we've had second thoughts.

-Don't tempt me. - Cooan sighed. -

              That made them laugh a little, which didn't hurt to relieve the tension of the moment. At last, they were ready, but their nerves could not be controlled so easily. The groomsmen arrived with them to lead them to the altar, where the boys were already waiting for them escorted by the bridesmaids. The bridesmaids, ready, picked up the tails of the brides' dresses. The only thing missing was the sound of the wedding march again for the bride and groom. The great moment had finally arrived.

**START**