Aries stood before the mirror in the bridal suite before the wedding was set to begin.

She remembered hearing her father tell her that he looked forward to the day he could walk her down the aisle.

"You're going to be an incredible bride, sweet Elizabeth. Whoever you choose shall be surely blessed." Her father, Horatio, had said.

"I know you'll probably feel nervous, scared or shy, but I promise you my precious child, the day will be wholly yours and you will walk with the surety I can already see you possess." Her mother, Oriana, had told her.

Aries knew that in her heart of hearts, her parents would be happy and proud of her. Once upon a time, not so long ago, she worried to her very spirit that they wouldn't approve of her choice.

But she could see them in herself.

Her mother's mane, her father's eyes.

"I miss you so much, Mum, Da..." She whispered. "When we meet on the silver shores, I'm going to need a really big hug."

Kira Sierra, one of her Bridesmaids, poked her head into the room. "It's time, Aries!" She gently chirped.

Aries wiped her eyes, seeing the loving smiles of her parents...

... and left the room to walk down the aisle to wed Leon Embers.

[Artwork by the wonderful, the talented  LuaZinha