Hank settled Serenity into her allotted space, and flicked the com. “We’re down, Mal.”

“You’re getting to be okay at this,” Mal said dryly from the cargo bay. “Hardly didn’t even feel a bump this time.”

“Light as a feather.” Hank grinned and switched off, making sure the Firefly was locked down tight before hurrying to join the rest of the crew.

“How are you feeling, ai ren?” Simon asked, his arm around Kaylee.

“Odd,” she admitted. “Only actually been married a day, but it feels strange to take the ring off.”

“We could tell them.”

Kaylee shook her head firmly. “Not with what my momma has been doing. It’d break her heart.”

“Then we won’t.” He squeezed gently.

“We all here?” Mal asked, his hand on the button to lower the ramp.

“Except for Freya,” Hank said as he jumped down the last of the steps. “The link’s up and running so she can watch.” He held up a small vidcam. “I still can’t say she’s ecstatic over this though.”

“She’ll get over it.” Mal looked around the bay and nodded. “Time to go, people,” he said, and pressed firmly with his palm. “And don’t forget the cake,” he added. ---

“Kaylee, sweetie, you know you said you didn’t want anything in the way of anything special to wear?” Mrs Frye said diffidently as she brushed her daughter’s hair.

“And I meant it, momma.” She smoothed her floral dress. “I got me a best outfit, and that’s fine.”

“That’s something of a pity, then,” Eleanor Frye said, putting the brush down on the dressing table.

“Why, momma? What have you done?” Kaylee said, turning in the seat to look at her.

“Well, ever since you came that first time, told us you were pregnant, I’ve been putting a little away each week, just a couple of …” She gazed at her daughter, then hurried to the wardrobe in the corner of the room, taking a large box from inside and placing it on the bed. “Only there was enough to get this.”

“Momma, you shouldn’t,” Kaylee protested. “Pa’s paying for all this, and there ain’t the money to waste on -”

“It ain’t no waste,” her mother reprimanded. “Your father’s happy to do this, and it ain’t all coming out of his pocket. The rest of the family wanted to be involved too, your uncles and aunts, cousins and such like. They all chipped in. But this,” she patted the box. “This is from me to you. For you to keep until little Bethany is old enough to walk down the aisle.”

Kaylee got up and approached the box as if it might explode. “Momma, what did you …”

“Open it and find out.”

The bride-to-be took a deep breath and lifted the lid. “Oh, momma …”

“Do you like it?”

“It’s beautiful.”

“I know red’s traditional, but not in my family. I got married in white, and I figured you should too.”

Kaylee lifted the dress out and held it against her, turning to look in the mirror. Thin straps held up a cupped bodice, while the heavy fabric flowed down to the ground like cream. “Oh, momma,” she repeated.

“There’s a cape too, in lace.” Mrs Frye couldn’t stop a tear slipping down her cheek. Her little girl was all grown up, and about to get married, and she’d only really just noticed.

“Do you think it’ll fit?”

“Honey, I know how big you are. And if you’re anything like the rest of the women in my family, you’ve got a bit more up top than you used to have, on account of Bethany.”

Kaylee blushed a little. “Ain’t that the truth,” she muttered. She turned to her mother. “Thank you,” she said sincerely. “Simon’s gonna have a heart attack when he sees this.”

“I hope not,” Mrs Frye said, smiling. “Now, you’ve only got a few minutes to get ready properly.”

Kaylee grinned and laid the dress carefully on the bed. ---

“You know what you’re taking on?” asked Joe, the youngest of the Frye boys. He was leaning on the wall of the living room, his arms crossed, surveying the packed ranks of the family all waiting for Kaylee to arrive.

Simon rubbed his hands together for the twentieth time in the last five minutes. “Taking on?” he asked.

“Becoming Kaylee’s husband. She ain’t exactly the easiest of people to live with.”

Bill, his older brother, hit him across the back of the head. “Don’t you go trying to put the good doctor off,” he admonished. “He knows a good thing when he sees it, and Kaylee’s a damn good thing. Most of the time.”

“I love her,” Simon said, staring at the thirty-odd people jammed into the small room, and wishing this were all over. “I want to be with her for the rest of my life.”

“Then that’s fine,” Bill said, grinning widely. “That’ll make up for anything else.”

“Else?” Simon echoed faintly.

“They’re winding you up, doc,” Mal said, next to him. “You know there ain’t nothing wrong with Kaylee.”

“No, of course not.” Simon looked at him gratefully. “Isn’t it time yet?”

The sound of a chord being played on the portable organ grabbed everyone’s attention and saved Mal from having to respond. They all turned to look at the door at the back of the room and Kaylee coming in on the arm of her father to some tune or other.

“You feeling okay?” Mal whispered in Simon‘s ear. “Only you’ve gone kinda pale.”

“She’s meili,” Simon managed to say, watching them make their way forward.

Mal grinned. “That she is. And it don’t take no fancy dresses to prove that. Though I’ll admit, that one is pretty special.”

Kaylee reached the front, and her father took her hand and placed it in Simon’s as the local preacher took his place.

In her room back on Serenity, Freya let the tears fall as she watched her friends marry - again. Hank, who appeared to be the person using the cam, seeing as he wasn’t in any of the pictures, was doing a damn good job, and the sound was good enough so that Freya could hear Kaylee’s joyful “I do,” and Simon’s quieter but equally sincere version. She had to laugh, though, when Mal stepped forward with the rings. Probably something to do with being captain, but he’d somehow gotten to be best man and marriage performer. He was going to have a head the size of a basketball by the time he got back.

As the ceremony finished there was a concerted rush to be the first to congratulate the happy couple, and the picture went a little haywire for a while with people pushing Hank out of the way, but eventually it settled down as everyone left the house and walked through the streets to the small park on the edge of town where the reception was taking place. Two large fires were already lit, and huge tables of food and drink were waiting.

“Isn’t this rather a lot?” Simon asked his wife. “I mean, for just us.”

“Ain’t just us,” Kaylee contradicted him.

“I thought you said it was only going to be small,” he said faintly. “You told me -”

“I didn’t want to upset you,” Kaylee said, patting his arm. “And it was small. The ceremony. But I’ve got a lot of kin, and they all wanted to come celebrate with us.”

“All?”

She laughed. “Simon, sweetie, we’re married now. I am Dr Tam’s wife. Kaylee Tam.” She twirled in the light of the setting sun, her joy totally unconfined. “Don’t that sound great?”

He grabbed hold of her and pulled her close, his lips just above hers. “It sounds perfect,” he said huskily. “Mrs Tam.” He kissed her softly. “Can’t we just go back to Serenity and enjoy our wedding night?”

“Technically you’ve already had one,” Mal said, passing them by and slapping the young man on the back.

“Hey, does having another ceremony mean they’ve cancelled each other out and you’re living in sin again?” Hank asked.

“Ain’t like they’ve not had the practice,” Jayne put in, striding by with one of the Frye cousins on his arm. ---

“Thank you, Pa,” Kaylee said sincerely, pausing for a moment in the dancing to give her feet a chance to rest and watching as Simon was whirled past by her Aunt Celine.

“What for, little Winnie?” he asked, puffing on his cigar. “It’s what any father would do for his daughter.”

“Thanks anyway.”

“Hell, weren’t no trouble. When the family heard you’d finally named the day, they came over all generous and insisted on helping out.”

“So momma said.”

“It’s ‘cause they all love you.”

“I know.” She smiled.

“They’re all pretty curious as to how come you seemed to be so … relaxed, though.”

Kaylee looked up guiltily. “Did I?”

“That you did. I figured you’d be chewing your nails off as you walked down the aisle, but you were as cool as a cucumber.”

“I didn’t think -”

“So that got me to wondering.” He blew a large smoke ring.

“Um, what was that, Pa?”

“Whether something had happened we don’t know about.”

Kaylee looked about for someone to come and rescue her, but they were all otherwise engaged. “Um …”

“Ain’t like you to be stuck for words, neither.”

She sighed. “All right, Pa. Yeah. Simon and me, we got married yesterday. Mal - the Cap’n - performed the ceremony before we even got here.”

“And why was that?” Edmondos Frye looked down at his only daughter. “I mean, you know all the trouble your Ma’s gone to.”

“Don’t tell her, please!” Kaylee implored. “It was just … Freya, well, she’s pregnant only Simon figured the excitement might not do her or the baby any good, and she so wanted to see us get married, and I thought maybe it might take the edge off for Simon, and then I remembered something he’d said about ship’s captains being able to marry people, and I kinda thought it might … be … a … good idea …” Her voice faded away.

“I see.” Her father puffed a couple more times on his cigar and Kaylee waited anxiously for his response. Finally, “You know, this is a mighty fine specimen here,” he said, holding out the cigar and examining it carefully. “Your friend Jayne gave it to me. He’s a good man.”

Kaylee nodded, not sure where this was going. “I think he could be.”

“He said it was to celebrate his friend’s wedding. You. And Freya’s your friend, ain’t she?”

“That she is.”

“And she thinks of you as her mei-mei, called you it before.”

“Um …”

Mr Frye looked down at her. “It’s okay, Kaylee.” He smiled. “I understand. We ain’t your only family no more, and what you did was for them. But you’re right, there ain’t no way we’re gonna tell your Ma.” Kaylee threw her arms around his neck and felt him wrap his around her. He lifted her into the air. “It was your decision, Kaylee, ‘cause you’re a grown woman now. A married woman with a baby.”

“Not Winnie no more?”

He put her down and looked into her eyes. “Not unless you want to be.”

“Pa, I think I’ll always be Winnie to you,” she said astutely.

He laughed. “I don’t doubt that.” ---

The sun had long since set, but the dancing went on.

“Bethany’s tired,” River said, holding a disgruntled baby. Her face was screwing up then relaxing, as if she wasn’t sure whether to bawl or not.

“We’ll take her back to Serenity,” Zoe said. “Put her to bed. We can always come back. Freya‘s there.”

River looked undecided, until Hank said, “We’ll take good care of her,” and held out his arms.

“Okay,” River said, handing Bethany over before being whisked away by one of Kaylee’s brothers to join in the dance.

The little girl twisted in his arms and looked after her aunt, then giggled and grabbed hold of Hank’s hair.

“Hey!” he said, trying to pull free. “She’s got some grip on her.”

Zoe gently untangled Bethany’s fingers. “She’s just playing.”

“That’s fine,” Hank said. “But I’d rather not end up bald again.”

“Again?”

They headed back for the ship. “It was a bad bet,” Hank explained, jiggling the baby on his hip as he walked. “Which, by a long and circuitous route, ended up with me having my head shaved.” He laughed. “Not a good look, believe me.”

Zoe looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “No, I shouldn’t think it was.”

“Risa wouldn’t let me in the house for hours. It got so late I thought I was going to have to live in the outhouse until it grew back.”

“But she took pity on you?”

“Eventually. I think she got cold in bed.”

Zoe smiled. “The most Wash ever got shaved was his moustache. And I did that.”

“He had a moustache? I don‘t recall anyone ever mentioning that.” He stroked his top lip. “Think I should try one?”

“You do and you won’t be kissing me.”

“I don’t know,” he said thoughtfully. “It could look distinguished.”

“Hank, I shaved off Wash’s moustache because it was hideous. You think I’m gonna let you grow one?”

“Does that mean you like kissing me?”

“I wouldn’t do it if I didn’t.”

“So any chance of us trying out something else, just to see if you like that too?”

“Come on,” Zoe said, not answering. “We need to get this little girl to bed.”

“Almost exactly what I was thinking.” ---

“How is she?”

“Asleep,” Zoe said, stepping into the nursery, having just checked on Freya. “I think watching all the festivities tired her out.”

“Not surprised. But I’m glad she’s not awake. We forgot her cake.”

Zoe smiled. “I think Mal’ll remember. He tends to, nowadays.”

”That he does.” Hank rolled up the used diaper and dropped it into the bin.

“How often have you changed a baby?” Zoe asked in surprise as he deftly slid a clean nappy under Bethany.

“I had cousins,” he explained. “And my Ma used to sit for ‘em, so I had to learn.”

“You’ve not told Simon or Kaylee.”

He glanced over his shoulder and laughed. “Would you?” He nodded towards the bin. “Knowing that would be in your future?”

Zoe wrinkled her nose. “It certainly can smell.”

“And that’s on a good day.” He pinned the diaper into place and lifted Bethany into his arms. “There you go, squirt. All ready for bed.” Bethany gurgled and grabbed his hair again. “Ow!” he yelped as she pulled. “What fascination has she got for my hair?”

“It’s ‘cause no-one else lets her do it.”

“I don’t let her!”

“You don’t tell her off when she tries.”

“So she thinks I’m a soft touch?”

“I’m not sure she’s wrong.” Once again Zoe pulled the little girl’s hands free.

”Thanks. I think.” Hank laid her in her crib and pulled the comforter up. He smiled. “She is such a dumpling,” he said, touching her cheek, her eyes already closing.

“I want children,” Zoe said quietly. “Wanted children,” she corrected. “When Wash and I were …”

Hank turned to her, seeing the sadness still in her eyes. “I know what you mean. Risa and I were trying, but … and seeing Bethany like this …” He looked down. “Kinda makes you sad as to what you missed.”

“I can’t say it’s too late,” Zoe pointed out.

Hank smiled. “Depends on lots of things, though, don’t it?” He gazed at her, her dark eyes not blinking. “You wanna go back to the party?” he asked at last. “I’m sure it’s still going on.”

“I’m sure it is. From what Kaylee says, these things go on until the sun comes up.”

“Plenty of time, then.”

“Mmn.” She took hold of his hand and pulled him outside the nursery. “Plenty of time.” She closed the door quietly. “Course, Freya’s asleep, so she’s not exactly the best of babysitters.”

“No, true.” He stepped closer to her, putting his hands tentatively on her hips. “So best not to go too far.”

“Not too far.”

He glanced over her shoulder. “We could always sit in one of the guest rooms. Just to be close by.”

“We could.”

They looked at each other for a moment, then Hank said in exasperation, “Are we talking about the same thing here?”

“What’re you talking about?”

“Zoe …” He let go and stepped back. “Okay. But I’m not going to play these games. I’m not exactly in the mood to guess what you’ve got on your mind, so unless you tell me, I’m just gonna -”

“Kiss me.”

“What?” He stared at her.

“Kiss me.”

“Where?” he demanded.

“All over.”

His jaw dropped. “What?”

“I want you to make love to me,” Zoe said slowly and clearly.

“You want …” He swallowed. “Can I just ask one question?”

“If you must.”

“Are you drunk?”

Zoe laughed throatily. “No. Hardly had a thing to drink. You?”

“Nope. Barely wet my throat.”

“Then we can’t claim it was alcohol, can we?” She smiled at him.

“Are you being serious?”

She stepped forward. “More serious than I’ve been in years. It’s time.”

“T … time?” Hank stammered. “I ain’t just the most convenient male, am I?”

“Well, Jayne isn’t around, and all the other men on board are taken, so …” She chuckled. “No, Hank. I don’t want any of the other men on board, or anywhere else. I want you to make love to me.”

“Oh.” He stood motionless.

“Is that a problem?”

“No. No. Of course not.”

“Sure sounds like it might be.”

“I … just don’t want to be taking advantage. Or for you to be taking advantage of me.” He sounded crazy to his own ears, but he had to say it. “I’m not sleeping with you just for the sake of it.”

“Do you love me?” Zoe asked, moving even closer until only a breath separated them.

“Yes.” He couldn’t breathe. “But you don’t love me.”

“Maybe not. Not quite. But you mean more to me than I really want to admit.” She put her hand on his chest. “Do you think I’d buy body armour for just anyone?”

“You nearly love me?” Hank could feel the heat of her body, and the pressure on his breastbone was almost more than he could stand.

“The next step, Hank.” And suddenly she was kissing him, her hands in his hair, not pulling like Bethany had done, but caressing, holding, touching …

*

“Your father’s been giving me some odd looks,” Simon said as he leaned against the drinks table, his feet aching.

“He knows about us.”

“I should think he does.”

“No, I mean about us getting married already.” Kaylee sipped a pink concoction that tasted like cotton candy.

He looked at her. “You told him?”

“He guessed. Said I was too relaxed.”

“Just because you weren’t climbing the walls didn’t mean -”

“He’s okay with it,” she said, smiling. “But no-one else should say anything. ‘Specially to my momma.”

“I’m sure they won’t, but I’ll remind them.” He lifted one foot from the ground.

“They been treading on you?” Kaylee asked sympathetically.

“Are all your family quite so … enthusiastic?” He changed feet.

Kaylee grinned. “They like you. They all want to dance with you.”

“I must have danced with everyone at least twice.”

“Except for me.”

“No.” He sighed. “Do you want to dance?”

“Of course.”

“Then …” He held out his arms.

“But not like this.” Kaylee looked around and saw Inara talking to Mal. She managed to catch her eye and nodded towards the small band. Inara smiled encouragingly and excused herself, stepping up to the small dais and speaking to the fiddle player. The music stopped, and after a moment so did the dancers, looking around in confusion.

Inara cleared her throat and spoke clearly. “Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the happy couple to have their first dance, and for that I would ask you to clear the floor.”

There was the murmur of conversation as everyone moved out of the way.

“Kaylee?” Simon whispered.

“It’s okay,” she said, smiling. “Trust me.” She took his hand and led him out onto the improvised floor.

**

He undressed her slowly, revealing her dusky and muscular body, his breath catching in his throat at her litheness. Her skin was almost unblemished, save for a few pale lines. He ran his finger across them and heard her sigh.

She reached up and undid the buttons on his shirt, pushing it from his shoulders so it fell to the floor. He too had scars, not least the latest in his chest, still raised. She stroked it before undoing his pants, sliding them from his hips and finding another scar on his hip.

“That where she shot you? Risa?” she asked.

“Not sure where she was aiming,” he admitted with a shaky smile. “Could have totally ruined my day if she’d moved just a little to the left.”

“If I shoot you, I’ll be more careful,” she promised, running her hands down his back and pulling him closer.

***

Kaylee pulled him to the centre, then moved out of his way, standing two feet from him.

“Kaylee?” Simon said again.

His wife just smiled then glanced at Inara, who nodded at the fiddle player. Immediately a sedate tune began, a much slower beat than they’d been dancing to previously. She curtsied, dropping her head slightly, and he found himself bowing. Then she stood straight, moving to her side and putting up her hand. Without conscious thought he took her hand in his and moved sideways, mirroring her steps. He knew this. Diyu, he knew this.

****

He didn’t know what she liked, but he was willing to try anything. Her skin fascinated him, the different colours, tones, but he couldn’t take his time, not now. He wanted to be buried in her, and as she reached for him, he knew she felt the same.

*****

Everyone was watching, but it was as if there was no-one in the ‘verse but the two of them. As Kaylee dipped and curved inside his arms, Simon could see she was concentrating hard on the steps to the Core dance, but it made his heart beat faster. She’d learned this for him, just for him.

******

It had been so long since a man had touched her, and yet he seemed to know what she liked, skimming across her skin as if he were learning every inch. As they finally joined, she groaned in pleasure, knowing with every fibre of her being that this was what it should be, what it always had been, and she shouldn’t be afraid of it any longer.

*******

The music stopped and they came to a halt, facing each other, slightly out of breath.

“How …” Simon began.

“Inara taught me,” Kaylee said. “I wanted to give you something. To make this day special.”

“Oh, Kaylee,” he groaned, pulling her into his embrace. “You think this day isn’t special anyway?”

“I just wanted you to know we ain’t totally uncivilised out here,” she murmured, holding him tight.

“Thank you,” he said, releasing her enough so he could see into her eyes. “You are amazing.”

She smiled. “Just remember that,” she agreed.

“I’ll never forget.” ---

Mal stepped down into his bunk, the wrapped plate carefully held against his chest, and looked at his wife. She seemed to be asleep, but as he put the china down on the table he heard her voice.

“That for me?” she asked.

He turned, and saw her smiling at him. “Cake. I gather there would have been dire consequences if I hadn’t brought any back.”

“Absolutely.” She sat up and the blanket moved down a little. “Did you have a good time?” she asked, nodding towards the screen. “You seemed to be.”

“Were you watching all the time?” He sat down on the edge of the bed.

“Mostly. I did fall asleep, though, just about when you were enjoying yourself with some blonde.”

“Blonde?” Mal asked ingenuously. “Don’t seem to recall her.”

“Who said it was a her?”

Mal laughed and leaned down to kiss her. “As if I’d be with anyone else,” he said softly.

“Good.” She put her head on his knee. “So who was taking the pictures after Hank and Zoe came back?”

“Did they?” He thought for a moment. “Come to think of it, I do seem to recall seeing one of Kaylee’s brothers with the cam. Hank must have handed it over at some point.”

“Probably just before they returned to Serenity and went to bed.”

“Yeah, right,” Mal said, laughing. “As if …” He stopped at the look on her face. “Are you being serious?”

“I think they’re in one of the guest quarters.”

He glanced towards the ladder. “You mean they …” He glared at her. “How do you know?”

“Just accept that I do.” She stroked the inside of his thigh. “So, you gonna throw Hank out of the airlock?”

Her fingers traced his crotch and he caught his breath. “Maybe not right now,” he admitted.

“Glad to hear it.” She sat up, the blankets falling from her breasts. “Got far better things to do than that.”