^Calypso's point of view^

I looked at my wife as she came down the aisle with Pa. She looked stunning and I became aware that she was wearing gay converse sneakers with very colorful socks under her skirt. That caused me to laugh a little bit. Mercy stood next to me, holding my hand at the alter. She wore a big smile on her face. I hid my nervousness and excitement the best I could, trying to stay still and not stim really hard.

Mercy sent a thought my way.

Go ahead and move if you need to, dear.

I started flapping one of my hands, still holding Mercy's hand as I did. My tail swished back and forth like a dog's does.

Charlie started her sermon that she prepared for this occasion: "Queerly beloved, we are gathered here togay to join these two raging queers in unholy matrimony."

Charlie talked for a while before letting Mercy and I recite our vows.

I recited a passage from The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, like I did in the classroom where Mercy and I met while in kindergarten, but this time I did it with much more emotion behind it.

"'What is REAL?' asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nanna came to tidy the room. 'Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?'

"'Real isn't how you are made,' said the Skin Horse. 'It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real.'

"'Does it hurt?' asked the Rabbit.

"'Sometimes,' said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. 'When you are Real you don't mind being hurt.'

"'Does it happen all at once, like being wound up,' he asked, 'or bit by bit?'

"'It doesn't happen all at once,' said the Skin Horse. 'You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen all at once to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand.'" I cleared my throat. "Mercy, you have made me Real and I love that you put in the time and effort to do that for me. I love you so much and I look forward to holding your hand to Tomorrow, wherever that may be."

Mercy smiled, trying not to become a weepy mess.

"I didn't really prepare as well as I should've, my fault. I was busy helping shape the world. But, I did write a little poem for you." Mercy laughed. 

"You are the reason I strive to go forward,

encouraging me to keep going by loving me.

You are a perfect word,

a single beautiful melody.

We reach for Mars,

never quite making it,

leaving us dancing among the stars,

but we still work towards it bit by bit.

Our union is proof enough that soulmates exist,

whether far or near.

I hoped that I wouldn't have missed

but I stand with you right here.

I guess I really didn't miss.

Otherwise, I wouldn't be standing with you.

I love you." Mercy finished. I hugged her, burying my nose in her skin.

"And now for the exchange of rings." Charlie said, waving Ash to the front. Ash came to the front with the rings in a little wooden box. I put Mercy's ring on her finger and she put mine on my finger.

"Go ahead and kiss. You two have proven your loyalty to each other enough." Charlie said before grabbing the bible that we always threw out the window on every formal wedding. She threw it so hard this time, shattering the window that we opened to prevent that from happening.

Mercy and I kissed. I could feel Mercy smiling into the kiss. Pa was happy crying with Alastor as Angel cooed at how adorable we were. Dad was holding the twins in his lap, his smile radiant as he watched Mercy and I.

"May I have the pleasure of your hand in this dance?" Mercy asked.

"Yes." I giggled.

A/N: Aw. Raging queers.

Yeah, this qualifies as one of our happiest moments, right, Mercy?

Definitely. My poem might not be completely original, but dammit. I was doing my best.

We appreciate that. Uh. The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams is a real book, a children's book that I love dearly because. The message is sweet. Y'know. I don't claim her work as mine, but I will recommend you check it out.

Y'all are just doing your best. We appreciate it.