"Jubilation, would you get away from the window please?"

"Yes, ma'am!" Jubilee saluted Monet smartly. "Whatever you say, ma'am!"

"Don't tempt me," Monet said, a wicked little smirk forming at the corner of her mouth.

A knock came from the other side of the door. "Ya decent, Summer?"

"Yeah, come on in, Paige," I called out.

The door opened and Paige and Beth entered. I turned from the mirror I was standing in front of to face them.

"Emily, you look just heavenly," Beth breathed. She sighed. "I still can't believe you're getting married! Oh! I think I'm gonna cry."

"Don't do that, you'll make me cry if you do," I warned her, giving her a hug.

"Congratulations," she whispered in my ear.

"Thanks," I whispered back. "Have you seen Momma?"

"Yeah, she was in the bathroom bawling," Paige told me.

I shook my head, laughing. "Poor Momma, she's so nervous."

"Aren't you nervous, Summer? I would be if I were you," M asked.

"Yeah," I admitted. "But I thought I'd be worse than this."

"Be glad, then," Beth said. Everyone nodded.

The door opened again and Mom came in. "Summer, sweetie, everyone's gone and sat down. It's time."

Instantly I felt my stomach twist and my heart started pounding vigorously as the nervousness I thought I'd been spared hit me. I started breathing faster. "Oh, boy..." I sat down in a chair and turned into my ice form.

Everyone shrieked. "Summer don't! Ya might ruin yer dress!" Paige exclaimed. Sheepishly I went to my human-form.

"Sorry," I said, biting my lip. "I guess I'm catchin' up on all that nervousness I didn't have earlier..."

"Cold feet?" I heard Jubilee ask. Everyone laughed, and I felt a bit better. Mom just smiled.

"I know, honey." She took my other hand in her own. "But you love him, don't you."

"Yes, very much," I told her.

"And you want to be his wife, don't you?"

"More than anything!" I exclaimed.

She smiled. "Then you go walk up that aisle. Once you're there and he takes your hands in his and looks into your eyes, you'll forget all about being scared," she told me. "You'll see."

I was completely surprised; I hadn't thought my mother liked Angelo very much at all. "Thanks, Momma," I said, standing up and straightening up my dress a bit.

"That's my girl," she said, giving me a kiss on the forehead. "Here's your bouquet, sweetie."

I took it and stood patiently while she looked me over one last time.

"You look beautiful Summer." She bit her lip and blinked back a few tears. "Ready now?"

I nodded. "Yeah. Let's do this."

"Don't forget your veil," Paige reminded me.

"Oh!" I reached up to pull it down. Mom helped me position it and opened the door.

We filed outside and headed for a small tent that had been set up for us to wait in right outside the biosphere. Dad was already there.

"Great timing, ladies," he told us. "They're just about ready to begin."

After a few final instructions, Mom left and the girls lined up in the order they'd walk out. The music started, and Monet went first, followed by Paige. Beth went a few moments after Paige. Jubilee came over to me and hugged me.

"Gotta go, bye!" she whispered.

"Ready, Summer?" Dad asked, offering me his arm.

I managed a nervous smile and nodded. "Just like practice. Only this is the real thing," I responded.

"You'll be fine, sweetheart," he assured me. "Okay, there's our cue." He led me a step forward into the Biosphere. For a moment, my head seemed to swim and I felt a bit disoriented. I dropped my body temperature a few degrees and felt better. My eyes swept the crowd and over the bridesmaids and groomsmen before settling on Angelo. I stumbled a bit. Daddy patted my arm.

Suddenly I noticed the crowd, seemed to realize there were people all around me. Funny, I hadn't really noticed then before. I didn't recognize about a quarter of them, various X-Teams...I spotted some blue fur and a red-head or two that seemed familiar. I saw Kris watching me, he was sitting next to Moira...they were friends, I think. I thought maybe he might cry...or at least tear up.

I caught his glance. I guess he could tell how nervous I was, because he smiled and gave a little wave. He bit his lip and blinked a couple of times. I saw Moira hand him a Kleenex.

I could hear muffled sighs and whispers of admiration from the guests. Well, I guess I picked the right dress, I mused, glancing up to the platform where Angelo was waiting.

As he saw me, his eyes widened and his jaw disengaged ever so slightly. Jono must have said something to him, because his mouth shut abruptly and he swallowed.

I managed to hide my reaction. Oh, yeah. This is definitely the right dress! For a moment, I tried to see myself through Angelo's eyes, I nearly stumbled and went back to my head.

I felt the color drain from my face and my eyes go wide, I was so nervous! He was wearing a black tux, with the infamous gray cummerbund. His skin was very taut...probably the equivalent of clenched fists. He grinned suddenly and Everett did as well. That wasn't fair, they were having a little "conversation". I was afraid if I tried to talk to anyone I'd trip, I was so nervous.

We reached the end of the aisle. "I love you, honey," Dad whispered in my ear, giving me a kiss on the cheek. His voice was choked with emotion.

"I love you too, Daddy," I whispered back as he left to take his seat.

I turned to face Angelo and gave him a shy smile as we reached for each other's hands. His were probably as cold as mine, and that was saying something.

"Dearly beloved..." As the minister started talking, I found myself staring deeply into Angelo's eyes, oblivious to everything and everyone around us. Angelo was completely entranced and gazed at me with a lopey, lovesick look on his face.

The reverie we shared was broken as we realized the minister had addressed us directly.

"Angelo?"

"Huh?" Angelo's head snapped up and he looked at the minister sheepishly. "I do."

A few people chuckled.

I squeezed Ange's hands in reassurance before stating my own vows. The rings were exchanged, and before I knew it, he'd pronounced us man and wife.

"You may--"

Without a moment's hesitation, Angelo lifted my veil, took me in his arms, and kissed me deeply. I wrapped my arms around his neck, returning the kiss with enthusiasm.

"--kiss the bride..."

"Eager kids, ain't they?" a voice came from the back.

Definite laughter rippled through the audience as everyone started clapping.

"Wolvie..." I heard Jubilee sigh in embarrassment.

A part of Shades of Gray

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