It only took a few minutes to make it back to Earth in the transport vessel. When she saw Alabama coming into view outside the window, her heart jumped.

So much had happened since she’d left for her job interview just a few days ago. She knew her grandma would be worried sick. Loretta hadn’t checked in since the first day in the city. The whole time she’d been on the ship, all she’d wanted to do was forget about all her worries and relax with Mylash.

Now, the guilt of avoiding her responsibilities hit her with a hard crash. They landed at the consulate in Montgomery and took a hover car out to her grandmas’ house out in the country. It didn’t take them more than a few hours to get from the ship to her grandmother’s front drive.

It was an old neighborhood and a lot of the houses were in disrepair. Loretta noticed a new car in the driveway and assumed that it was someone from the bank here about foreclosing the house. She took a sharp breath as she climbed out of the car. Mylash was there beside her, holding her hand as she walked to the front door.

It burst open and her younger brother and sister ran out into the front walk. They crashed into her, giving her hugs of greeting. “We didn’t know what happened to you,” her sister said. The twins were eleven years younger than Loretta, only fifteen. Her grandmother threw her arms around Loretta. The woman had two young teens to care for, and Loretta had left her without word for days.

“Hush now, children, give your sister some room.” Her siblings pulled away, and her grandma gave her another hug.

Loretta finally managed to introduce Mylash to the family, but her grandmother stopped her. “We already know him. He brought us the money we needed a few days ago.”

“You did?” Loretta asked, putting her hand to her mouth.

“I knew that you were exhausted. I wanted to take care of anything that might worry you so you could recuperate. I know how much your family means to you.”

She threw her arms around him and hugged him tightly. “Oh Mylash, I couldn’t ask for a better mate.”

“I heard you two went and got married and didn’t invite your old granny,” her grandmother chided.

“I’m so sorry…”

Her grandmother just laughed and slapped her with a kitchen towel. “I’m playing with you, child. I know it’s complicated. But we’re going to set up a gathering at the church for the two of you today. You can wear your mama’s wedding dress.”

“Grandma, really, it’s fine.”

“This isn’t for you honey, this is for the rest of us. Now come on in the house and get ready.”

Loretta’s sister grabbed her hand and tugged her into the house. They found their way into her old bedroom that she’d shared with her sister, the dress already spread out on the bed.

Loretta stepped into the wedding dress her mother had worn on her wedding day. The photographs still hung on the walls of her grandmother’s house. Her heart did flip flops in her chest as she gazed at herself in the mirror. It wasn’t the uber-chic designer fashions she and the other brides had access to, but it was the most special dress she’d ever worn.

Her sister slipped into a fancy dress as well and they helped each other with their hair and makeup. There was a knock at the door an hour later and her grandmother opened it.

“Everything’s set, let’s go.”

“I can’t believe you guys are doing this,” she said, laughing as her grandmother led her by the hand out to the new car.

“It isn’t every day your granddaughter marries the man who will bring peace to the planet.”

She sighed wistfully. “No, it’s not,” she whispered.

They made it to the old Baptist church where she’d spent most of the Sundays of her childhood and piled out of the car. Her brother had gone with Mylash to help him get ready at the church. Loretta’s grandma and sister helped her out of the car and up the front steps. They waited in the front lobby. Loretta peaked through the doors that led into the altar room. She could see Mylash standing in front of the altar.

That was an image she never expected to witness. She stepped back and laughed. Everything was turning out more beautifully than she could have ever imagined. Mylash was the sexiest, sweetest, most powerful man. They loved each other so deeply sometimes it hurt. Now, here she was with her family at church, ready to take vows in front of all her oldest friends.

Her sister and grandma waited with her until the music started. First her sister went through with her bouquet in hand. Then Loretta walked with her grandmother down the aisle toward Mylash. He stood there in his Draconian uniform, looking sexy and nervous at the same time.

He took her hand as she came to the altar. She stepped forward and faced him in front of the preacher. The ceremony was a blur, but Loretta had never felt happier in her life. Mylash repeated the vows and so did she. At the end, he slipped a massive diamond on her finger. It glistened in the candlelight. After everything else he’d done, a ring like this was a small token.

They said “I do” and walked hand in hand down the aisle. Everyone smiled and cheered for them. At the reception, the true colors of her church came out. Everyone was singing and dancing to the band. Champagne, cake, and delicious food filled everyone’s bellies.

“I don’t understand how my grandma organized all this in two hours,” she said to Mylash as they slow danced at the center of the floor.

“She didn’t. I told her to organize it days ago.”

“I didn’t ask you to come down here until a few hours ago.”

“I was going to offer right after I asked you to manage our six-hundred trillion-dollar investment portfolio.”

“I still can’t even imagine that number. Don’t you think you want someone more qualified than me?”

“You are exactly the person I want handling this. You understand more than anyone how important it is. Society must focus on peace and prosperity. I need your help to make that happen.”

“Mylash. I can’t believe your faith in me.”

“My beloved little mate. I’ve had that much faith in you since the moment we met.”