Dawn and Kenny exchanged awkward glances as they stood at the makeshift altar, a cascade of flower decorations clearly sourced from someone’s backyard tied haphazardly around the room. Mia, standing proudly in a bright yellow dress she likely claimed was “ceremonial,” clapped her hands to gather everyone's attention.

“Alright, everyone!” Mia announced, her voice ringing with authority far beyond her ten years. “We are gathered here today to witness the union of Aunt Dawn and Uncle Kenny!”

“WHAT?!” Dawn and Kenny yelled in unison, their voices drowning out the polite cough from Brock and the confused murmurs from the rest of the gathered guests.

“Shhh!” Mia scolded, pointing her finger sternly. “The bride and groom are not allowed to object. Mommy said so.”

“I’m going to kill your mommy,” Dawn muttered under her breath.

“Save it for after the vows, Aunt Dawn,” Mia chirped before motioning to Avery. The younger girl toddled up with a glittery notebook in her hands. “Avery has the vows prepared. Uncle Kenny, you first.”

“Wait, what do you mean ‘vows prepared’?!” Kenny exclaimed, trying to step away from the spotlight. Unfortunately, Avery was already holding the notebook up to his face with wide, expectant eyes.

“Read it, Uncle Kenny!” Avery said, her tiny hands pushing the notebook closer.

Kenny sighed, his face a deep red. “Fine.” He cleared his throat and began to read.

“Dawn, from the moment I met you, I knew you were special. Your strength, your kindness, and even your stubbornness make you—uh—amazing. You are the dawn in my darkest nights, the light that guides me home—”

“WHAT?!” Dawn shouted, her face turning as red as a Tamato Berry.

“Shhh! Let him finish!” Mia said sharply, glaring at Dawn before turning back to Kenny with a big smile. “Go on.”

Kenny gritted his teeth, clearly mortified, but continued. “…The way you care for everyone around you makes my heart—ugh—skip a beat. I promise to stand by you, to laugh with you, and to—this is too much!—love you forever and always.”

The room fell silent except for the sound of Ash choking on his drink and Misty unsuccessfully trying to stifle her giggles.

“Your turn, Aunt Dawn!” Mia announced, grinning.

“I’m not saying that!” Dawn protested, crossing her arms.

“Oh, really?” Mia asked innocently, pulling a very real pair of wedding rings from a box. “Because I don’t think the bride can say no when the rings are already here.”

“Where did you even get those?!” Kenny asked, his eyes wide.

“eBay,” Mia said matter-of-factly. “Aunt Dawn, read your vows!”

Dawn groaned, took the notebook Avery handed her, and began reluctantly.

“Kenny, you have always been there for me… like, always. Even when I’ve been impossible, you never gave up on me. Your loyalty and patience—uh—make you one of the best people I know. You challenge me to be better, to believe in myself, and—oh, Arceus, I can’t say this—”

“Keep going!” Mia demanded, her hands on her hips.

Dawn sighed dramatically and kept reading. “I promise to always keep you laughing, to support your dreams, and—this is ridiculous—to love you even when you’re being an annoying know-it-all. Forever and always.”

The silence that followed was thick enough to cut with a knife. Avery clapped enthusiastically, completely unbothered by the awkwardness.

“Okay! Uncle Kenny, Aunt Dawn, you may kiss!” Mia declared triumphantly.

“No way,” Kenny and Dawn said simultaneously, taking a step back from each other.

Avery frowned. “But you have to. Mommy said that’s what makes it official.”

“Mia,” Dawn started, trying to regain some authority, “this has gone far enough—”

But before she could finish, Avery grabbed the back of Kenny’s shirt and pushed him forward, sending him stumbling right into Dawn. Their foreheads bumped, and both turned an even deeper shade of red.

“JUST DO IT!” Mia yelled.

With no way out and every pair of eyes in the room on them, Dawn and Kenny leaned in ever so slightly and gave the world’s quickest, most awkward peck on the lips. The second it was over, they stepped back like they’d been shocked by a Thunderbolt.

“Happy now?!” Dawn exclaimed.

Mia clapped her hands, grinning ear to ear. “Perfect! You’re officially married!”

“We are not married!” Kenny yelled, throwing his hands in the air.

But Mia ignored him, turning to their bewildered guests. “Reception time!” she shouted.

“Reception?!” Dawn groaned. “Oh, I am definitely calling your mother.”

The chaos continued as Mia dragged them through the “first dance” and cake cutting. By the time the ordeal was over, both Dawn and Kenny were exhausted, covered in frosting, and silently planning their revenge on Mia’s mom.