CH.13: A wedding to remember

Ezra groaned as he stood in the dressing room for the guys. He was never one for dressing up but on this day he had no choice. There were still headaches from what happened to him during the escape from Nar Shadda. Obi-Wan seemed to know what he was doing and he had a stable hand as he removed his left eye. It hurt like hell still and seeing out of one eye was like permanently squinting. If he winked now people would wonder if he is hinting at something or he was just blinking. He had chosen to opt out of the cybernetic eye…at least for now. The tux fit him nicely and as he came out he saw Kanan was already in his.

"So when they ask if anyone objects…what will you say?" Kanan asks as he looks over at him. Since their battle things had gotten back to normal between them, well mostly, seeing how Kanan had him meditating most of the time to get back in touch with the force.

"Relax Kanan…I'm taken," winking at the man he walks to the mirror to see himself in it. Taking a breath he remembered the parting of Obi-Wan and Lando as they went to join up with Bail. They could not stay for the wedding even though it was on Bail's planet of Alderaan. It was a beautiful scenic paradise filled with wonderfully kind people and they were so understanding of Hera and Sabine's union to be. Bail had volunteered to officiate the wedding after all they had done.

Lando said he would be heading off for parts unknown so it would be a while till they saw him again, but, he told them if another adventure came up he would be game. Obi-Wan was heading home but he made sure to give Ezra a present before he left. Attached to his belt was a new lightsaber and the crystal was blue. Obi-Wan told him to take good care of this lightsaber and to remember the force was always with him…even when he thought it wasn't. Ezra held that close at heart and he was slowly beginning the healing process after being steeped in evil all this time.

Elicia had woken up sometime on their way to Alderaan and he heard from Sabine that she never left his side. It felt nice and it reminded him that when one door closed…another opened. He asked Elicia if she would consider being his girlfriend and she told him they would start off slow with her being his date for the wedding. Ezra took a breath as he realized things were actually looking up for him after a long struggle.

"You have matured nicely Ezra…but do not think the Dark Side won't tempt you again and lead you astray. The Inquisitor has planted some dark seed in you and even if you think you can walk the path of dark and light together…it will be tricky. These powers of yours, the Dark Side of the force…it drains you and you will need to find a medium of sorts, a middle ground to keep yourself from slipping. From here on out I will be your Master once again."

"I understand…Master." Ezra cracked a smile and the two of them shared a moment before the wedding march could be heard. "Aren't you supposed to be walking Hera down the aisle?"

"I knew I was forgetting something…ok wish me luck." Kanan ran off then and nearly bumped into Zeb who was coming out of his fitting with a suit that looked strained on him.

"What is his rush…ugh…can't believe Hera is having me wear this suit. My kind weren't supposed to wear constricting costumes. How you doing kid?" Zeb asked as he went to look in the mirror…though he had to bend down slightly.

"You know what…I've never been better." At least he hoped so…even with the Inquisitor gone he still felt lingering of anger residing in him. Boba Fett had shot Hera and tried to kill his friends then bring them in to the Empire. He could feel the fatigue washing over him but he did his best to keep these feelings at bay. He had a wedding to attend.

Hera stood in her wedding dress waiting for Kanan to show up. Since her own father was not here she had asked Kanan if he would walk her down the aisle. She was not sure if it would be awkward or not but he had agreed to do it. Now he wasn't here…sheesh…did men not know to keep a lady waiting? Hera was about to send Chopper looking for him when he dashed in looking like he had ran a mile.

"I'm sorry I was late Hera…lost track of time…it won't happen again," He wore a small smile and she rolled her eyes.

"Well it better not…I don't plan on getting married twice. You look handsome by the way…I bet there are a lot of ladies here just dying to ask you to dance with them." Hera gave him an elbow in the side with a teasing smile as she held out her arm to him.

"There have been a few…but…I'm Ezra's Master again and I don't think love was up my alley. Did you hear about him and Elicia?" He asks as he nears the curtain that would reveal the audience and Sabine waiting near Bail.

"Yes I think it is good for him…it gets his mind off Sabine and we won't have any outbursts from him. Elicia is a sweet girl and she brings out the old Ezra from before everything happened. Do you think he is ok though…you know-?"

Kanan shrugged as he usually did and he seemed to be staring ahead. "Ezra still has a long road ahead of him regarding finding that piece of mind not tainted by the Dark Side. Even now I fear he is only in remission…but let us talk no more on it…you have a wedding you need to be a part of."

Hera nodded her head as she watched the curtain fall away revealing the audience as they stand up to see her. Her dress is quite something, so full of colorful gems that represented unity and happiness according to those here on Alderaan. Bail had brought his daughter to the wedding to be the flower girl and she was quite a sight to see. She was still young but there was this fire in her eyes and Hera knew someday she'd really set the galaxy on fire.

Standing near Bail she saw Sabine wearing a dress of her own variance. Her hair color had changed as well from her usual rebel attitude to brown. It was hard to tell if that was her real hair color or not but it made her smile. Most of Alderaan was here to see the wedding and she thought she saw someone wearing a cloak but as she looked again they weren't there. Returning her attention up front she watches Kanan leave her side and she is left looking into the face of her love.

"Dearly beloved…we are gathered here on Alderaan to see these two wed in holy matrimony. I realize for many the love of two women is viewed as a travesty and it has no place in our Universe…but you couldn't be more wrong. Love has always been between two people and if that love is strong and if the two people are willing to fight for it…why deny them happiness? Alderaan has always been accepting of people's passion whether a person wishes to pursue art but fixes ships for a living or a person wishes to marry an alien when they are human. Today it is about these two…and they each have written their own vows they wish to read to each other. Hera."

Hera calmed her beating heart after hearing that lovely speech by Bail. Closing her eyes she listens to the words in her head and speaks them when she has calmed. "Sabine…our journey has been long and painful from being stranded on Tatootine, to Hoth…and finally on Nar Shadda. However our love has shone through and with each struggle our love has gained ground. I cannot see myself up here with anyone but you…you are my life, my center, my everything. Through all our adventures of being stranded I realize I would not want to be stranded with anyone but you…but…let us not do that again." This earned few chuckles and Hera continued. "Sabine, I love you so much and no matter where we go…I'll always be by your side."

Sabine cleared her throat as she seemed to be choking up. The audience was quite receptive and encouraging of them not asking them to hurry it up or any heckler who did not believe in their love. Through all their setbacks to this wedding they had finally made it to the altar and that meant proper closure to one part of their life…and the beginning of another. When Sabine finally spoke she saw the girl disappear replaced by a hardened woman so much more mature than the first day they met.

"Hera…you are my special part of me I never want to lose…you give me hope when I lose it…you give me courage in the bleak situations that I falter in. I never knew love before you came…did not know where I belonged let alone whose life I would make some importance in. You bring out the creative flare in me, the passion for life that just won't stop. I will be yours from here on out…forever and more, through thick and thin…you are never getting rid of me babe."

Hera began to cry a bit as that was about as moving as it got. Bail continued speaking but all she could do was stare into Sabine's face and feel that tranquility and love take over. When her veil was lifted and they exchanged rings she leaned in kissing her lips at the appropriate time. Sabine lifted her up and the two of them just went at it for a bit. When the kissing ended Hera caught her breath and placed her hands on her face. She had found her happiness. She had found her home.

The party after the wedding was filled with Alderaan's best food and the music was classical, perfect for slow dancing. Ezra was dancing with Elicia who just looked stunning in her dress. The two of them were dancing a bit away from all the other couples as they had this moment to themselves. "So what did you think of the wedding?"

"I think it was great Ezra…your friends looked quite comfortable with each other. I'm glad everyone is finding their place…not sure where mine is though…"

"Stay on the Ghost…I mean…why don't you stay on the Ghost for a while. I mean with Hera and Sabine leaving we will need someone to help out and I'm sure you have some talent that could be used to help out. Nar Shadda has been your home for a long time…but you can't go back. I'd really like it if you came with us."

Elicia became silent and Ezra could only take that as she was thinking deeply about this. He loved her deeply and he wanted her to be with him. The two just clicked…so she had to say yes right?

"Ezra…while I do love you…I can't go with you. You still killed my father…and that will take time to heal. I thought I had moved past it…thought that I could forgive you and let the past be done with. You are a sweet guy Ezra, and your path to being a Jedi will take most of your time…and for that my being in your life will only complicate things. You belong with them…I don't-."

"No don't say that…I need you Elicia…please stay with me I don't care if I spend the rest of my life earning your forgiveness…can't you see I was forced into killing your father…you have Jedi blood in you-."

"I don't want any part in being a Jedi…good or bad it is all the same. And while this Inquisitor had some involvement in tainting your soul…you were still the one who drove that weapon into my father…and that is on you. Far as where I'll be…I'll be here on Alderaan…your friend Bail offered me a position on his security force…and I took him up on it. I do hope you find someone out there Ezra…I really do…good bye."

Ezra could feel a tear roll down his single eye and as he felt her kiss on his lips he wanted to hold her and keep her by his side. He felt cold inside…he felt like he was being abandoned as he had been when he was a child. Everyone seemed to leave him…and as the music ended Elicia pulled away and ran off. Not feeling quite into the wedding scene he wonders off to stand on a bridge overlooking the water. Hearing the footsteps behind him he doesn't need to lift his head to know who it is.

"Elicia…she is not coming with us," Ezra spoke softly as he clenched and unclenched his hands at his side.

"I heard…and I'm sorry Ezra. I realize you are in a deep place right now but you need to let go. You are still young and you may very well find someone out there for you. I am not going anywhere Ezra…together you and I will fix things and get you back on track. Come on I hear Hera has an important speech to make…and she wants us there."

Ezra half nods his head as he follows after Kanan not telling him that the reflection he saw in the water was twisted and in despair. It was hard to tell how to read his reflection but perhaps due to his emotional state it could mean things weren't as fine as he thought. Standing beside Kanan he looks up as Hera taps her glass.

"Thank you all for coming…your open support of my marriage to my love shows that if one planet can accept this…in time others will as well. To my family here, members of the Ghost crew, I'd like to thank you for your acceptance and love…and your sacrifice to help make this possible. I have talked it over with Sabine and Bail and he has given us a wedding gift…a ship of our own. I don't know anyplace I'd rather be than with Sabine…and Sabine concurs so that is why we have decided to stick with the Ghost…for the time being. It is our home, our family, and our honeymoon will be spent helping out those in need…like always. To family, friends, and the future!"

Ezra was glad to hear they would be sticking around…but that still left them without a pilot. Perhaps he would talk to Hera about training him…it wouldn't hurt. Holding up his glass he went to sip it and watched as Sabine and Hera shared a kiss. While his future remained uncertain one thing he could say…Hera and Sabine's romance was one of a kind…and he hoped it lasted for a very long time.

THE END

Authors note: And that loyal readers is that. I was at a dilemma in how to bring Ezra's story to a close and there was one part of me that wanted it to end on a happy note…but the dramatic part of me looks back at Ezra's journey and realizes that Ezra still needs to mature and grow and having him reunite with Kanan and reconnect that dynamic…that was important. I wanted Hera and Sabine to go off into the sunset as their relationship has been tested and tried for three stories and if anyone got a happy ending it was them. Far as Elicia…I don't think I need to tell what her fate is. As to Ezra and his emotional state and possibly hinting at the road that awaits him…I can only speculate on that. Anyway I thank you all for reading and following this trilogy. As I said I'm not sure what I am doing next or what pairing may come up but one can never tell…so long for now.