Vision Of Hope

"...I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."

The moment Admiral Jetson said these words, Galleth and Lilla embraced each other in a kiss, in the presence of their families and friends. After having heard the news that Thylaia had been liberated, they decided to go ahead with the wedding plans; the event itself was so unique in that it combined the traditions of both the bride and groom's cultures.

It wasn't just the Snoopers and the Thylaians who came to witness the nuptials. Jenny had taken care of inviting almost everyone in the galaxy to the wedding, even her own family. She was very happy for her son and new daughter-in-law; someday those two will raise a family of their own. Of course, that thought alone made her think about her hopes for possibly having another child.

In the distance she could see her husband Snooper talking with his twin brother; earlier before the wedding, the two had finally managed to patch things up and forgive each other for the short feud that happened years ago. It wasn't because Levi wanted to see him again, but it was because he felt the need for redemption from his sorrows, and reassurance that his wife's soul will be safe in the Kingdom. Then she wondered...if Mary did indeed die back in 1983, then what was she doing here in the present day? Did her soul manifest itself in the form of a young woman who helped Snooper escape being executed by the Sith Queen Ravenna? The same young woman who gave up her own life to protect the kittens, only to have them be kidnapped by Drake Blade? No matter the situation, it will always remain a mystery.

"Aunt Jenny?"

That was the one title she hasn't been called in years. She turned to see a familiar face looking towards her, and who else could it be but good ol' Ollie Harrison herself? Jenny said, "Ollie? Ollie, it's you! Good to see you again after all these years. How was Mars University treating you?"

"Very well," replied Ollie, hugging her foster mother/godmother. "In fact, I just graduated several months ago, with honors. A degree in mechanics."

"Wow! Sounds like Doctor Whooves will have yet another assistant in his lab, heh. A real shame we couldn't be there to watch you; let's just say that we've been PREEEETY busy the past few weeks."

"Oh, that's okay. Besides, now that I have my diploma, I'm ready to hit the road as a repairwoman!"

The two ladies continued to chat. Jenny filled Ollie in on everything that had happened after she left for college; they had single-handedly defeated the most dangerous threat to the Galactic Empire, and it felt so good. While they did earn a well-deserved vacation following the grand battle, something told the cat that they would be taken in for another grand adventure. The prophecy of the Chosen One was fulfilled and all the evil in the galaxy--Count Dooku, Ravenna, and now Viperoth--had been eliminated thus far; who knows who the Gold Squad might take on next? There is room for much speculation here, but for now it was time to relax and hope for peace to last.

Ollie smiled and gently rubbed the slightly large baby bump in her middle. She commented, "I never knew I'd be this lucky, getting pregnant on mine and Chip's wedding night."

Jenny looked at the redhead. "You're married?"

"Yes. We were married shortly after Graduation Day. It was a June wedding, private affair, with only a handful of witnesses. You could've been there, too, but I didn't seem to mind not having my family watch me walk down the aisle. Oddly enough, I'm not the same mischievous little girl I used to be."

"I'm sorry," answered Jenny sympathetically. "I always liked your pranks you used to pull on us, even though you drove us nuts at the time."

"No, really, I am surprised that I must have given up my 'evil' ways. It's as if part of me died the minute I said 'I do'; I had lost the freedom to be myself. And now I'm just a wife and mother-to-be with no clear idea on what to do with the rest of my life."

Jenny looked around at all the guests. Her daughter Angel was happy to be reunited with Colin; the young couple have become inseparable ever since. The way it turns out, it won't be long before there's another Snooper wedding in the near future. She then said, "Ollie, the best thing you can do is hope."

"Hope for what?" asked Ollie.

"Hope for the future, and all that it has to offer. Now's not the time to dwell on the demons of the past; moving on can work miracles for you if you just believe. I learned that lesson long ago while I was still upset about not being able to get pregnant again. We'll keep trying until we get the results, and when that happens...I'll be a very happy cat."

Ollie smiled, comforted by the advice. "Thank you, Aunt Jenny. I wish you and Uncle Snooper good luck."

"No problem. Remember, we'll always be there for you, even if you can't see us."

Jenny watched as the young human left to be with her birthfather, grandfather, and husband. It was true what she had said when she confessed she was no longer mischievous; Ollie was really growing up, becoming the smart young woman she wanted to be. And there was not one single foster mother/godmother who could've been any prouder of her than Jenny herself.

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Galleth and Lilla stepped into a small mud-brick hut after the reception was over. Everyone had gone back to their homeworlds for the evening, giving the new couple plenty of time to wind down and prepare for their wedding night. There was much talk involving where they would live; Galleth insisted he take his new bride to live with him on Hanna-Barbera, but Lilla preferred she remain on Thylaia, for there was absolutely no way she would leave the planet again. The subject then changed to thoughts of Luke, concerned about his well-being and what caused him to snap on Imperia.

"I say he's been brainwashed," said Galleth, proceeding to take his tux off. "That's pretty obvious, knowing Viperoth was very good at mentally manipulating people."

Lilla replied, "Or it could be the effects of the war upon his nerves. Did you see how timid he looked the first time it happened?"

"Nah, it couldn't be. But, you know, I kinda feel bad for him. Separated from Victoria because of what happened that day? You could almost hear his heart breaking to pieces. Man...Angel and I worked so hard to get those two together...we never expected it'd end up like this. He would've made a great best man at the wedding."

"Well, I'm sure he will be all right. It takes time for one to recover from his or her emotional wounds. Maybe he'll be back to his old cheerful self next time."

Galleth sat next to her, wearing nothing but his "lucky" pair of boxers. He asked, "Lilla, are you nervous? Are you really sure you want to go through with this?"

The Thylaian princess nodded. "I've always been ready for you."

"100% ready?"

"Quite."

"Good, 'cause once we start, there's no turning back. We have yet to take the road of marital bliss before us."

Lilla chuckled. She replied, "Oh, Galleth! No need to be that poetic. I love you just the way you are--a brave, lovable goofball."

The male cat blushed, turning his head away. He knew what to expect on a wedding night; it wasn't the number of sex ed classes he attended back at the Guardian Academy, it was the anticipation he had for making the girl of his dreams his mate for life. In all due respect, he was more than ready.

He could feel her running her finger up and down his shoulder, tickling him a little and arousing him at the same time. Tiny jolts of electricity sprung up every time this happened, and she felt it. Lilla muttered, "That shock..."

"Sorry, couldn't help it," replied Galleth sheepishly.

She nodded. After a while, a cunning grin was on his face as he put his finger on her shoulder, giving her yet another jolt. "Ouch! Galleth!"

Galleth laughed. He attempted to do it again, but she picked up a pillow and used it as a shield. He said, "What's the matter?"

"Hit me again," she answered, a hint of seriousness in her voice. "And all you'll get is a pillow in the face."

"It's a prank, Lilla. It's not that harmful."

It was only after a short pause that he resumed his little trick. Lilla responded by throwing the pillow at him. He continued, "Oh, so that's how you want our wedding night to begin? If you say so. PILLOW FIGHT!"

He grabbed another pillow and proceeded to whack her playfully with it. The couple laughed as they repeatedly hit each other; before long, the game eventually evolved into lovemaking. It was mostly just cuddles and caresses and kissing, but the big moment was right around the corner. Gazing down at her, Galleth asked, "Now are you ready?"

"Take me," replied Lilla lovingly. "I'm all yours."

He smiled and did just that. From outside the hut, the forest creatures could hear loud cries of passion, echoing in the night. Suddenly, a bright flash of electricity illuminated the hut, followed by what could be the loudest meow Galleth has ever made. As soon as it was over, the interior looked and smelled like it was on fire.

Lilla sat up in the bed and coughed, surprised. She gasped, "What...what in stars was that?!"

Galleth looked around the room. He felt embarrassed that he had unknowingly sent large amounts of electric energy all over the place. He replied uneasily, "Um...uh...this is kinda weird. I didn't know I could electrocute anything if emotionally stimulated. Way too much passion, I guess."

The two of them sat up together, looking out of the nearby window. Lilla said, "It's only our first night as a married couple, Galleth. Very soon we shall become the baron and lady of Reynard."

"And that will happen once your dad steps down?" asked Galleth.

"Perhaps, or when he dies. A prince doesn't become a king until his father gives up the throne."

Galleth nodded, putting his arm around her. "I don't know what the future will bring, but when it comes and it's more than we expected...we'll be ready."

And so they spent the rest of the night stargazing from inside the hut. They were now Mr. and Mrs. Snooper, and life couldn't get any sweeter than that.