Jessica was smiling. She’d made a breakthrough with the mana simulator, although really Rachel deserved most of the credit. There had been a tricky mathematical part, one that took forever to calculate, and Rachel had pointed out a shortcut.

As she went to grab her phone to tell Anna the good news, it buzzed to life. A message from Anna. A wedding ceremony? Finally.

“Did he suggest it or did you?”

She wanted to know how mad at Eric she needed to get. She was surprised to hear “Both” in response. It was surprising to hear that Eric had immediately offered to have a ceremony on the spot, but then again, it was unsurprising to hear that Eric suggested an aiport chapel wedding. He just didn’t have any taste, or sense of importance.

Jessica cackled to herself, reading up on Anna’s plan for world domination. If anyone could do it, she could. It would set alight the internet for several months, especially the whole ‘retiring’ part.

Most importantly, she had worked out exactly how mad at Eric she needed to be. His phone was busy the first four times, but on the fifth, he answered. Summoning all the righteous indignation she could muster, Jessica began to yell.

“WHAT’S THIS I HEAR ABOUT GETTING MARRIED WITHOUT INVITING ME.”

“Um. Just the paperwork. I was still going to have a real…”

“THAT’S NOT IMPORTANT ERIC. A WEDDING ISN’T JUST ABOUT YOU. IT’S ABOUT MAKING A PROMISE IN FRONT OF YOUR FRIENDS, YOUR FAMILY, I.E. ME.”

“… but Jessica…”

“NO BUTS. I AM GOING TO PLAN THE SHIT OUT OF THIS WEDDING. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”

“Please don’t go overboard. I just want something small.”

“FIREWORKS. EXPLOSIONS. A Parade…” Jessica broke into laugher. “I know, I know. I’m just teasing you. Glad you finally got around to it, but seriously, an airport chapel Eric?”

“Anna challenged me and I responded.”

“Uhuh. Well I’m glad one of you has sense. Anyway, I am still planning your wedding. I’m going to register as a minister, and marry you myself.”

“What?”

“It’ll be perfect. You, Anna, Me and the minions. Anna won’t even have to wear a disguise. Then we go to the local bar and we get utterly trashed. I’ll bring a karaoke machine.”

“Oh. That sounds…”

“Perfect. I know. There’s a reason I’m not letting you plan things, Eric.”

“Well. Ok. Do it. Book the event, send out the cards. Three months from now, I’ll be Mr Anna Spellman.”

“Already on it, Eric.” Jessica cackled to herself. “Now go catch your flight.”

Jessica was still giggling to herself a few minutes later. She’d thought of the perfect wedding gift. A completed mana simulator, complete with a functioning transfer sigil. Not everything needed for Anna to get home, but a huge step forwards.

Maybe it wouldn’t be ready in three months, but she wouldn’t know unless she tried. Until then, she would keep her improvements a secret. It would all be worth it just for the look on Anna’s face.