Disclaimer: The Author does not own Aliens.

Stand by Us

by

CelfwrDderwydd

Chapter One

Kyle sighed as he adjusted his clothes, looking in the mirror. He didn't know why he was nervous, but he was, all the same. He felt a familiar, gentle presence caress his mind tenderly, calming him.

It's okay, Kyle. I'm right here, said Sophie. He smiled and felt most of the tension leave him. He looked at his reflection, and he could almost feel Sophie's purr. You look wonderful, she said as Kyle looked at his reflected form.

Kyle was wearing clothes in various shades of golds, yellows and bronzes. A tunic that reached his knees, pants that flowed gracefully, and a sash held at his shoulder by a small brooch. On his right wrist, he wore a silver bracelet. He adjusted the sash and bracelet a tiny bit.

Kyle felt someone else touch his mind. He turned and looked as Selene poked her head in the window.

Oh, Kyle. You look so handsome, Selene gently crooned. Kyle smiled at her.

"Thanks, Selene." She purred deeply. Kyle walked over to her, her long arm reaching in and her long fingers gently caressing his hair, smoothing it and grooming it.

You look wonderful. You don't need to be nervous, Kyle. It's just a ceremony. What really matters is how much you love Sophie. Kyle smiled and nodded at Selene's motherly tenderness.

Selene was now three months old, but she was already over twelve feet tall, and far too big to come inside Kyle and Sophie's house. As she had grown, so had her personality, and her wisdom. She truly was a Mother, and Kyle was honored to know her.

"Where's Seth?" Kyle asked.

Helping Sophie, Seth replied through the Bond. Kyle felt amusement from Sophie, along with some confusion.

I still find human traditions odd, Sophie commented as Kyle felt her adjusting her clothing as well, Seth helping. Kyle smiled at the feelings.

So do I, Sophie. Kyle felt her amusement, and it helped further ease his tension. Kyle also felt some amusement from Seth.

Come on outside, you two, said Seth. Selene smiled at Kyle, who returned the smile.

"Meet you outside," he said as he turned to head out.

XXX

Outside, the sun was shining and the air was warm, but nice. Eramore Island was far from quiet, though, as many people were helping set up tables and tents on the grass, people setting out food and chairs. Kyle looked around, a little bewildered as Selene came up and gently touched his back with her hand, her mind gently touching his. Selene was amused and curious about the goings-on.

"Kyle! There you are!" called a voice. He looked up as Sam came walking up, smiling at him. Sam was dressed in a pretty butter-yellow dress and had flowers and ribbons in her hair.

"Hi, Sam," Kyle greeted. She hugged him, and Selene hugged them both, purring. "Where's Mac?" Kyle asked.

"Helping set up the pavilion and things," she replied. Kyle nodded as he looked around. He could hardly believe what was going on. Sam giggled at his look.

"Kyle, I'm so excited for you two! You're finally getting married!" Kyle smiled at Sam.

"Yeah, hard to believe," he replied. Selene snickered at this.

"Kyle eena to bolu beela!" Kyle looked up as Shiloh scampered up and almost leaped into his arms, giggling as she did. Kyle laughed and Selene crooned. "Kyle, I'm so happy for you!" Kyle hugged his Milurian friend.

"Thanks, Shiloh. You and Leon have been a huge help." Shiloh cooed as she nuzzled him.

"Oh, when you see Sophie, I'm sure you'll be amazed! She looks so beautiful!" Kyle's smile widened.

"She always does, but I have no doubt she looks amazing." Shiloh giggled into her hands, tail waving back and forth.

"Oy, you lot! You having a celebration without us?" called a deep voice. They looked up, surprised as Brennus and a whole band of Celtic Tribesmen walked up. Many were carrying huge barrels of wine and beer on their shoulders, some had boars and other meats, all wore huge smiles.

"Brennus! We weren't sure you could make it!" said Kyle. Shiloh squealed and ran to hug the tall Celt, who chuckled and hugged her back.

"I worked to clear my calendar," he said with a wink. Kyle smiled. Selene purred, and Kyle felt her hunger at the scent of cooked pork and other meats the Celts had brought. Kyle also noted how the Celts reacted to Selene.

Kyle was not an expert in Celtic languages, but he heard a few whispers in English of "Black Dragon". Quite fitting. Brennus set down the smoked boar he was carrying, and walked forward and stood in front of Selene, hand to his heart and head bowed. "It's an honor to meet you, Lady Selene. I bid deep peace to you and your Tribe from my own." Selene bowed her head in reply and repeated his gesture with her hands. Kyle smiled at Brennus.

"She says the same to you, and is glad to be friends," said Kyle, translating for her. The Celts grinned happily at this, and began to take their food and gifts to the pavilion area.

"It's nice to meet you in person, Brennus. I've heard about you from Kyle and Sophie," said Sam as she offered her hand, which he shook.

"I apologize I was so busy. That whole mess with the Nazis, Serrex attacks. I hardly had a peaceful day for months!" Kyle noticed the more elaborate gold torc Brennus wore around his neck, and his different clothes.

"Say, did you get a promotion in rank? I hope so, you deserve it for everything you do for your people. And everyone else." Brennus looked a little embarrassed and scratched his head.

"You could say that," he replied, looking a bit unsure. Selene crooned curiously. Brennus cleared his throat and looked at all four of them. "I have been elected Chieftain of my Tribe." They all stopped and stared at that. Kyle, Sam and Shiloh blinked rather owlishly. Shiloh was the first to recover, and smiled.

"That's so wonderful! You are the perfect person for the job!" Shiloh gushed. Brennus still looked a bit embarrassed, but smiled at her.

"Thank you. But, please, don't look at me any differently. I'm not here as Chieftain of the AurAul Tribe. I'm here as a friend." Kyle smiled and nodded, Selene grinning.

"And you and your people are very welcome here," said Kyle. Selene nodded her agreement. Leon and Seth came walking up then.

"Hey, you bunch! Come on! It's almost time!" Brennus smiled, picked up the smoked boar, and followed. Selene was drooling a bit.

No snacking before the feast, Seth lightly scolded. Selene gave a small whine and crossed her small arms in a pout.

XXX

Everything was at last set up. Everyone was there. Brother Shaun was waiting at the end of the isle. All the guests were seated. Kyle took a deep breath, and exhaled slowly. Selene put a comforting hand on his shoulder. Kyle smiled as her mind gently caressed his in comfort. He also felt Sophie's mind touch his, lovingly intertwining with his heart and soul. With a final nod, Kyle took Selene's hand and began to walk.

Selene held Kyle's hand as they walked down the isle, to where Brother Shaun waited, smiling. Brother Dan'l was also there, as were several other monks. In Dan'l's hands was Josey, who had a cute ribbon tied to a collar, to act as "Best Bunny". Hamish and Evra were in the front row, grinning and giving him thumbs up. Kyle felt a bit sad that Granny Rose and Gur couldn't be there, but they were off-world on personal business. Their seats next to Peter were left empty, just in case. Selene and Kyle stopped near Brother Shaun. Kyle heard a few gasps and murmurs, and he looked up and stared at his beautiful mate.

Sophie was clad in lovely, transparent green silks. A robe of them wound around her body, delicately tied at her waist with a belt hung with flowers. Silk streamers and ribbons were tied along her tail. Seth held Sophie's hand as he walked her down the isle, several little Milurian girls held some of her silks off the ground, giggling and cooing. On Sophie's left wrist, she wore a bracelet of gold. In her hands, she held a bouquet of fresh and lovely flowers. Kyle was truly stunned and awed at how beautiful she looked. Sophie was filled with happiness and all smiles as she walked down the isle.

Sergei grinned from where he sat, so glad the Ossian robe design had fit Sophie so perfectly well. Seth stopped and Sophie walked forward. Kyle reached out his hand to her, which she took tenderly, purring lovingly as their minds intertwined. Seth smiled as he joined Selene. Kyle and Sophie were still for several moments, looking at each other, sharing how wonderful they thought the other looked, how proud they were of them, how much they loved and appreciated them. All these things they shared in a few beats of a heart. Then, they turned to Brother Shaun, who smiled. He held a book, but didn't need it. He knew all the passages by heart.

"Dearly beloved, friends, loved ones, we are gathered here today to join Kyle and Sophie together in lawful marriage." He paused and looked at the crowd, and grinned. "But, we cannot do so until all our guests are seated," he said. Everyone was surprised at this.

"Thank you, Shaun, for waiting," said a voice Kyle and Sophie recognized. They turned and broke into huge grins at who it was.

"Granny Rose!" It was, indeed, her. She smiled as she walked up next to Gur. What stunned them, though, was a man and a woman with them, as well as four smaller children, between the ages of about seven to ten. They all hurried to take their places, a few guests making room for the new arrivals, some of the Celts gladly giving their seats to the children. Kyle and Sophie were all smiles as Granny Rose smiled and Gur chirped.

"Now, as you were saying, Shauny-boy." This drew some laughter, and a red face from Brother Shaun, who cleared his throat and continued.

"Yes. A-hem. Kyle, do you take Sophie to be your lawful wife? To have and to hold? In sickness, and health? In happiness, and sorrow? For rich, or for poor, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," said Kyle. Brother Shaun smiled as he turned to Sophie.

"Sophie, do you take Kyle as your lawful husband? To have and to hold? In sickness, and health? In happiness, and sorrow? For rich, or for poor, as long as you both shall live?" Sophie purred and nodded. "Then, by the power vested in me, and in front of all the witnesses here today, I proudly pronounce thee lawfully wed! Now, seal thy love with a kiss." Kyle turned to Sophie, holding her hand as they gently kissed, the crowd cheering. Selene cooed as she hugged Seth, who smiled serenely at the scene. Kyle and Sophie turned to the crowd. Sophie had seen how humans did this, and tossed her bouquet at the crowd. Several females prepared to catch it, but a great black hand easily snatched it out of the air. Selene purred as she looked at Seth and grinned. Seth could only smile softly, a very tiny blush coloring his cheeks.

The whole crowd was cheering and clapping for Kyle and Sophie as they stood from their seats.

"All right, now let's have that feast!" yelled out Brennus, the Celts cheering.

XXX

Sophie purred as she tied the last of her silk ribbons to the tail of one of her Milurian ladies in waiting, the cute, bubbly Milurian giggling as she swayed her tail and sashayed away proudly. Kyle hugged Sophie, so proud to call her his wife. She hugged him back, purring and cooing.

Currently, Kyle and Sophie were sitting at a large table. There were several cooking fires lit, lots of meat and stew, a good amount of alcohol, and lots of gifts. The most important thing, though, was their most treasured friends were close. Granny Rose, Gur and the others all sat next to them.

"So, Granny, where were you two, if you don't mind our asking?" said Kyle. Mac sat next to Sam, and nodded.

"Yeah. We were all worried when you two just up and left, and then the Krauts showed up and all the rest of the mess," said Mac. Granny Rose nodded.

"I do apologize for our abrupt departure, but we had very important personal matters to attend to," said Granny Rose. Gur typed on his keyboard.

"Family, children, grandchildren, safe, escape, Bad King," said Gur. Granny Rose smiled as she motioned to a young woman sitting next to her.

"This is our daughter, Zelda," said Granny as she introduced her. She had auburn hair in a long braid down her back and fierce green eyes. Zelda gently shook Kyle and Sophie's hands.

"Granny and Gur had so many wonderful things to say about you two." Gur motioned for the man about Kyle's age to come closer.

"Son-In-Law, Taran. Good Man, Good son." Taran was a little shorter than Kyle, and had curly black hair.

"Very nice to meet you and see your wonderful world," he said with a distinctive British accent. Granny Rose grinned as she motioned to the four children.

"And these are our grandchildren. Heather, Josh, Janette and Morgan." Sophie was melting inside.

Oh, Kyle, they're adorable! Sophie cooed. Kyle was all smiles. Zelda knelt among her children and looked at them.

"It's okay, guys. Sophie's really nice. You don't need to be afraid," she encouraged. The children came forward, a little skittish at first. Sophie cooed and purred, getting down as low as she could, so as not to scare them.

"Hi," said Josh, a cute little boy with blonde hair. Sophie was wriggling with delight as she gently offered her hand.

Hello, little one, she crooned in reply. Kyle couldn't keep the smile from his face as Sophie held the little boy's hand tenderly. Zelda and Taran smiled as they hugged Granny Rose and Gur. Kyle smiled at them as Sophie cooed and fawned over the children.

"We're happy to welcome you here to Zerichs II. We hope it will be the same sanctuary to you as it has been for us," said Kyle.

"We lift our lamp beside the Golden Door," said Sam as Mac hugged her.

XXX

The rest of the day was filled with celebration and laughter. The delightful food the Celts brought made for a wonderful feast, and while Kyle and Sophie were not drinkers, the Elderberry wine was very nice, and the honey mead tasted wonderful. When the sun set, Brother Shaun declared that the sun was setting on an old life, and would rise to begin a new one. As the last light of the setting sun turned the whole world hues of gold, mauve and pink, Sophie hugged Kyle, and he her, surrounded by friends and family. Kyle looked at her and smiled.

"I love you, Sophie." She nuzzled him happily.

And I love you Kyle, my sweet husband. My Bonded One.

Author's note:

So, at long last, I am finally doing something set after Heart of the Hive. Fitting that it comes in time for the 40th anniversary of the release of Alien. I have had the idea for Kyle and Sophie's wedding in my mind for some time, but was never able to think of the rest of the story, or a fitting title. As well, the issues and struggles in real life made writing a happy, fluffy story very hard.

I hope it lives up to expectations, and you all enjoy it.

Please read, review and enjoy.