// Can you tell us about Alma's husband? What kind of person was he? Were they happily married?
For the sake of character development, feel free to ask me anything you would like to know or are unsure of about my muse.
Note: this applies only to the cinematic verse.
I have never given any real thought to her husband, but I guess I can do it now.
I know she never took his last name, not to spite him but as a way of her own individualism and independence. It does not mean she loved, and still loves, him less than he loved her. It’s simply who she is. Anyway.
What kind of person was he?
Considering the woman he had as wife, he had to be supportive and understanding. Someone capable of taking in stride his wife’s success (and ambition) as both a member of the army and being the highest ranking official (four star general), as well as the President. A man who is not intimidated or doesn’t feel emasculated by her power. Also someone able to take orders, and I don’t mean only in their work life as Alma can be bossy in her personal life but more in a playful way.
He also had to be intelligent and able to challenge Alma that way, be able to converse about different topics. Be able to stand for his views even if they clashed with hers, stand his ground and defend his points of view. They can’t agree on everything, so they were able to agree to disagree and get done with it.
And something really important: be able to see the difference between his wife and his President. Very different sides of her. As well as being commited to their relationship, as Alma is not an easy person due to her stubbornness and dedication to her job/cause. But if he was able to woo her, keep her attention, and making her fall for him then he simply had to consider their relationship, and later on marriage, an important aspect of his life.
Were they happily married?
Yes, they were. Like every other couple they had their arguments and quarrels, being the ‘power couple’ of D13 made no difference. They are as human as everyone else.
Their marriage was simply a formatily, making it official that they were on it for the long run. As stated in canon, marriage in 13 only has two steps: sign the form and move into living quarters together. Due to Alma’s status, they shared something better than the standard living quarters seen in the movie (like Effie’s for example.)
One thing they were determined to do, was always spend time together during Reflection - as it is that mandatory time of the day the people dedicate to their families. It didn’t matter what they were working on prior to that. This time of the day is vital to their relationship, they can be themselves with each other. In fact, when they are in their home it is a rule that the President persona stays outside; the President is not allowed at home, as a way to tell the woman and the President apart as I mentioned above.
I am certain some people will disagree, but Alma only ever marries if she loves the person she’s with. And if she marries she is going to fight tooth and nail to make her marriage work, something she also expects from her husband. She’s not a quitter, failure is never an option in any aspect of her life and this includes her marriage.
So, yes, she did everything in her power to make it work and keep it a happy one. As much as the circumstances of 13 allowed it to be. The fact that she loves her husband as deeply as she does, and wants to be with him, is a testament to make the most of it. Even after his death she still loves him, though losing him completely broke her heart.
