Dear diary,

Today's the big day! Justin and I are getting
married! I'm glad it didn't take much longer, otherwise I wouldn't have fitted
in my dress anymore. Nanny had to remake already. Just another two months and
I'll become a mother! I cannot believe it! Justin is so happy! He hasn't left
my side ever since we found out about the baby. I cannot wait to take it in my
arms. But that has to wait. We are stepping into another adventure today. I've
been longing for the moment that he'll take my hand and slide his ring onto my
finger. I'll be Mrs. Justin King today... Yes, that's Justin's last name! King!
We really had some laughs about it when he told me. So I'll be the King's Queen
today and forever! Oh, I almost forgot! The Brisby's are here, too! Justin
secretly had Jeremy picking
them up.
I can't wait to see them again!

Love,

Wendy Elisabeth Victoria Emma King (well,
almost!)

‘Wendy! Wendy where are you?' Nanny rushed into
Wendy's room and found the young rat-lady behind Justin's desk.

‘Nan, we still have plenty of time! Please, it seems
as if you are the one who's getting married!'

‘Yes, I guess you are right, dear. But you seem a lot
more relaxed since you are pregnant.'

‘Haha, I'll take that as a compliment, Nan.'

‘But you should! I can see that you are far less
‘jumpy' since you found your mate. You're eyes now reflect security, love and
happiness. I love to see that you are doing so well, now. And it's because of
your Justin, but most of all because of you. I mean, look at you! You've
changed so much since the first time we met. You were scared, un-socialized and
angry. Now you are a hero, a respected member of our community and a mother-to-be.
I really feel privileged to have met you, and to have become your friend.'

‘Oh Nanny! You are far more than just a friend to me!
I consider you as my mother. I love you with all my heart. If it hadn't been
for you....'

‘You would have done fine, dear. And I love you too,
more than you'll ever know.' Nanny said with tears in her eyes. ‘Let's get you
dressed up! You don't want to be late on your own wedding, now do you?' Nanny
said, and she smiled. It would be typical Wendy to be late on her own wedding
as well. She was always late, but she even learned to love that bad habit.

Justin was nervous. Nicodemus and Arthur were with him
in his room. They could both feel his tension. ‘Stand still, Justin! I can't
attach your batches when you keep on moving all this time.' Arthur said, while
he was standing on a chair. The much taller Justin just couldn't help standing
still. But he was happy. He was happy because he was going to marry the love of
his life and the mother-of-his-child-to-be. But Nicodemus had other things on
his mind. He woke up after an extremely troubled night. Even this morning he
had troubled feelings which he couldn't get out of his system. He didn't want
to feel this way. He couldn't. The two rats that mattered to him most in the
colony were getting married today. He had to feel happy, he had to feel proud!
He shouldn't let negative feelings get to him. But somehow he couldn't help
feeling like this. He was scared.

‘Nicodemus!' Justin shouted.

‘Sorry my son, I was sunken into thoughts.'

‘That's ok, I'm not blaming you. I'm rather disturbed
myself.' Justin said, while he checked his looks in the mirror. ‘How do I
look?' He continued as he turned towards Nicodemus again.

‘Like a strong, brave, proud leader.' Nicodemus said
with a smile, but in his heart he felt fear, nothing but fear...

The new Main Hall was decorated nicely with flowers.
It was already crowded with rats. All the rats of the colony were invited to
the wedding of their Leader and the First Lady. They were all in their best
clothes, hoping to catch a glimpse of Wendy's dress soon. Justin was already in
the Main Hall, standing in the front of it. He was talking to Mr. Ages and
Arthur. Nicodemus was preparing the ceremony, for he was going to marry his two
most precious rats. Justin's eyes searched the Brisby family. For some reason
their presents made him relax a bit. He spotted Cynthia Brisby first; she was
dressed up in a pink dress. She was holding her doll ‘Wendy' firmly in her
arms. Timothy Brisby was up and well, looking a lot stronger than the last time
he saw him. Martin and Theresa were staring at Justin. He raised his hand and
waved at the kids. Martin waved back enthusiastically, but his sister was
immediately inspecting her tail. She was obviously still in love with him. Mrs.
Brisby was on the right of her family. She was smiling and gave Justin a wink.
She could clearly see his nerves. Justin gave her a wink back and stared at the
huge doors that could open any minute, although he suspected Wendy to be a
little late, as usual. Suddenly the doors opened and Nanny entered the Main
Hall. She was wearing a pillow with the two rings which would connect Justin
and Wendy. A moment later, she was followed by Wendy Elisabeth, who looked
absolutely breathtaking. Her off-white wedding-dress was simple, but the way
she was glowing made it so special. Justin realized he had stopped breathing
the entire time and as she finally stood next to him, he gasped for air.

‘Wow, you are so beautiful.' Justin whispered.

‘No, you look beautiful, eh I mean handsome,
sexy and irresistible....'

‘I don't know how you do it, but you can still make me
blush like an idiot.'

Wendy smiled and started to blush a bit as well.

Nicodemus cleared his throat and started the ceremony
by welcoming the rats in the Main Hall.

‘My dear friends, we have gathered here to bind these
two very special rats in Holy Matrimony. The two of you have met under extreme
circumstances in the laboratories of NIMH. We have traveled an enormous
distance before we finally reached our destination. During this journey, we
have faced problems, joy, loss, enemies, friends and love. Both Justin and
Wendy know what I mean by that. Wendy has been through a lot in her young life
and therefore had some problems with trusting others. Her rough childhood
started in London, England. Justin was born at the Market Place where our
adventure started. He was the youngest of four and was outside with his older
brother when NIMH came to get us. His brother was lucky enough to escape.'
Nicodemus paused and looked at Justin's face. He was biting the tears away.
Nicodemus knew how much he missed his family. ‘Wendy found the market Place by
accident. Unfortunately she was discovered by wrong rats when she arrived. My
brother and I found Wendy more dead than alive. Fortunately she recovered, but
as if bad luck had been chasing her, she was captured by NIMH, like the rest of
us. She had been quiet all during our stay, not drawing any attention. I didn't
even know that she was also captured until shortly before we left NIMH. Justin,
who had figured the way out of the cage, was also the one who persuaded Wendy
to leave her cage and to join us with our adventure. The Boniface Estate was
the place where Wendy and Nanny started their friendship, a friendship which
will last forever. After the Boniface Estate we've seen many places but we
finally found peace at the Rosebush. But, after having lived there for five
years, we decided to leave the Rosebush and start a new life, one without
stealing. Unfortunately there were opponents to our Plan. One of them almost
took our beloved Wendy away from us. That's why this day is so special, not
only for you Justin and Wendy, but for all of us. And now it's time to take the
vows.'

Nicodemus paused and cleared his voice.

‘Justin, will you take Wendy Elisabeth Victoria Emma
Kenmare, to be you lawful wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in
health, in good times and in bad, for as long as you both shall live?' Justin
gazed deeply into Wendy's eyes and before answering.

‘I have longed and waited so long for this moment. I
fell in love with you the very first time I laid my eyes on you. From that
moment on, I knew that you were going to be special to me, to us. We've been
through so much together; our escape from NIMH, our journey to the Rosebush,
our trip to London... the night that nearly made this day impossible... it's like
I've known you all my life. And now look at us! We are getting married at this
very moment and you are carrying my child. I love you so much that words cannot
even begin to describe it. Yes, I want to be your husband so badly! I never
wanted anything more than that... So my answer is; yes... I do. ‘

Wendy smiled at Justin with tears in her eyes.
Nicodemus smiled and continued the ceremony.

‘Wendy Elisabeth Victoria Emma Kenmare, will you take
Justin King to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness
and in health, in good times and in bad, for as long as you both shall live?'

‘Oh yes, I do... I owe so much to you. You've made me
into what I am today. It's because of you that I can look at myself in the
mirror and be proud of what I see. You complete me, you make me feel safe, but
most of all you've put me under a magic spell for these past ten years. I've
loved you ever since you appeared inside my cage at NIMH. I'm proud of the fact
that you want to be my husband, so yes, I do want to be your wife. You make me
so happy.'

‘Then I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may
kiss your bride.'

But as Justin prepared to kiss his bride the ceremony
was brutally interrupted.

‘Justin, Justin! It's Brutus! He's dead!'