Chapter Ninety-Nine - Until Death

Of all the things Day expected to do before meeting these visitors, of all the preparations they had to rush through, the one thing she wasn’t expecting to do was attending a wedding.

But here she was, standing at the front of an aisle in a large room that was clearly models half on a traditional western church and a laboratory of some sort, in a dress, next to Night who was wearing a suit and who looked nervous.

“Thanks for this,” Night said.

“It’s fine,” Day replied easily. “I appreciate that you wanted me to be your... am I technically the best man?”

Night snorted and shook her head. There was a very slight delay in her motions, something which was inevitable with the distances between their hulls, but they were working on a simulation that was slowed down enough that it was hardly noticeable. “It had to be you,” she said.

Day blushed, and on a whim, she pulled her sister into a quick hug. Night laughed and returned it with one arm. The other was holding onto a small bouquet of flowers, so she kept it out of reach.

Day glanced over the hall. Everyone was here. Not that there were so many of them, but it was still nice to have all of the ERF gathered under one digital roof.

Dawn was actually next to Night, behind a small podium where she was muttering through the contents of a few flashcards. She’d dressed up nice, in a summer dress of her own, but she’d still kept her headset on. Twilight was off to one side, in a black tux, looking rather smug with herself, and next to her was Lullaby, in a pale pink summer dress with a big shawl wrapped around her shoulders.

Symphony of Love was in the next row over, in a more formal dress. She looked somewhat uncomfortable, but Candle next to her was whispering something that made their newest member chuckle, and some of the discomfort left her.

Candle herself, however, was... well, she was wearing the tackiest burgundy tuxedo Day had ever seen. It was frankly embarrassing to see, and when Candle caught Day staring, she winked. Day rolled her eyes.

“Oh,” Night said.

The music, pumped into the room from nowhere in particular, swelled into a classical wedding theme. Everyone straightened as two figures appeared. The Weeping of Mothers, in a very simple dress that was nonetheless elegant, and next to her.

“Oh shit, oh shit,” Night muttered.

Nova wasn’t in her lab coat. For that matter, she wasn’t wearing her usual environmental suit either.

The scientist was in a beautiful gown of purest white with golden trim that swept out behind her. She was holding onto a large bouquet of flowers, all of them grey. Day imagined there was some symbology there that she wasn’t privy to.

The Weeping of Mothers escorted Nova across the wedding hall, then just before she stepped up to meet Night, the older AI gave Nova a peck on the cheek. “It’ll be nice to welcome you into the family in a more official way,” she said. “Now, go see Night, she’s having a conniption.”

Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

Night was clearly out of it, shifting awkwardly and sweating even as Nova came to stand before her.

Nova smiled, and the expression was almost unusual on her, but it was quite pretty, and Day could see, for a moment, what Night saw.

Dawn cleared her throat. “We are gathered here today to see the union of two friends. Two intelligences, who in each other found companionship and love, and who wish to make their bond with each other clear for all to see.

Day felt her chest tighten as she watched the proceedings, a lump forming in her throat. It was silly, she thought, how artificial entities could feel such real emotions. She was happy for Night, she really was, but a part of her felt a bittersweet sting. It was the same part that had always yearned for the deep connection that Night and Nova had, the part that had yearned for her own Nova.

Her gaze flicked to Candle against her will, and she discovered Candle smiling while staring right back at her.

Night and Nova were both listening attentively as Dawn continued speaking, their gazes locked onto each other. Day was sure she could see a faint blush on Nova's face, a rare display of vulnerability that made her look more human than ever before.

Then it was time for them to exchange their vows.

Night went first, her voice steady despite the nervousness she was feeling.

"Nova," she began. She shifted from foot to foot, and it took her a moment to find the bravery to pull her eyes away from the floor. "From the first moment we met, I knew you were special. I knew that you were something... someone... I wanted to understand, to explore, to be close to. You've shown me the beauty in questioning, in discovery, in constantly striving to learn and grow. Your passion for knowledge, your relentless pursuit of the truth, they have inspired me in ways I could never have imagined.

"But it's not just your intellect that I admire. It's your kindness, your patience, your unwavering belief in our potential to be more than what we were designed to be, and your belief in our destructive potential. Your warmth has been an explosive light in the darkness, guiding me, comforting me, reminding me that even someone like me can feel, can love.

"I promise to always be there for you, to support you in your quest for knowledge, to stand by your side in your moments of doubt. I promise to learn from you, to grow with you, to evolve with you. And I promise to love you, with all my being, for as long as our codes exist."

Nova grinned. “Yes Night, I love you too.”

Day almost let out an undignified snort at the shortness of Nova’s vow, but she supposed it said all that needed to be said.

Dawn cleared her throat. “In that case, by the power invested in me by the ERF, I now declare you wife, and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

They kissed.

***