by Jessie Wolf
“Ok if that’s true then we had better get out of this shower. Then get dressed and head over to the main house to face the music.” With that we got out and began to dry off. Back in her bedroom I just activated my armor figuring that I would just wear that back to the house and my bedroom where I would get changed. As I was waiting for Alice to get dressed there was a knock at her room door. “Will you get that love?” she asked from her bathroom where she was doing her makeup. Not seeing any reason not to get the door for her I did just that.
When I open the door I found all three of my maids. Each one was wearing a small smile. Kina and Gin each had a kimono in their hands. “Ah love!” I called out to Alice. “Don’t worry about getting a uniform together.”
“Why? You want me to go to breakfast in my birthday suit? Not a bad idea but I don’t think your mama would appreciate it.” I could have died right then and there from embarrassment.
Calling out to her. “No I don’t think that would be a good idea. However my maids are here with our clothes for the day.”
I hear a very load squeak followed by “did you say your maids are here?”
“Yes I did and they have our clothes for the rest of the day.”
A very embarrassed Alice stepped out from her bath room with her robe wrapped tightly around her. When Gin sees this she immediately hands the kimono she is carrying to Nia and marches straight up to Alice and yanks her robe off. “We do not have time for this foolishness child. You don’t have anything that we haven’t seen before.” Rounding on me, she begins to tell me to get of my armor, but I already have it deactivating. “Very good, Lady Maiha. I see that you have finally realized who’s in charge here.”
“Gin, I love you, you know that. Besides it only took one time for me to get the hint not to fight with my maids.”
“Maiha! Are you just going to stand there and do nothing? They may be your maids, but they are not mine!” Alice hissed at me.
“Honey whether you like it or not as long as we are together they are. So you might as well get used to it.”
“Are you joking?” she asked. I think the look on Gin’s, Kina’s, and Nia’s face’s put the lie to that question. Only one problem I knew she wouldn’t give up without a fight. “Well they can dress you if they want, but if they come near me I’ll…..” and that was as far as she got before Gin had her by the ear. “YEEEWWWOOOWW!!!” the next thing I knew my lover was bent over Gin’s lap and the spanking commenced. I tried to warn her, but I knew she was going to be pigheaded about this. All I can do is stand by and wait for her first lesson in being a Lady of the Nakatoma Family is finished. After about a dozen well placed blows Gin stands her up. Seeing the tears running down her face I pull her into a very long and passionate kiss and hug. When we separate I look into her eyes and kiss away her tears.
“I’m sorry you had to go through that, but the first rule you need to learn as a Lady of House Nakatoma is this. While they may defer to you in public, your maids are the ones in charge in the bedroom and bathroom. They know more about how to dress you as a noble woman than we do. They spend their whole lives learning what is proper, and what is not when it comes to the appearance for a High Families Lady. Now dry your eyes and let them do their job, honey. I know it’s a pain in the backside; just go with the flow for now. Do it for me. Please?”
Sniffling she looks at me with down cast eyes. “Ok, I’ll do it, but why did that hateful old woman have to spank me like that?”
Before I can say anything Gin pulls her from me and into a huge hug. “Oh honey child. I didn’t do it to be mean. I did that to get your attention and to make sure you won’t fight us as we get you ready to meet your new mother-in-law to be.”
“WHAT?!” we both yell at the same time.
“You heard me perfectly clearly Lady Maiha. She is to meet her future mother-in-law this morning. The Lady Dai Etsu has already seen it. So please try not to fight it.”
Alice looks at me in shock. Not that I blame her I was in shock as well. Before me knew what is going on my maids descended on us. With practiced ease they quickly dress us from the skin out to be followed by perfect makeup and hair. Before long we are the picture of High Families Ladies. The next thing I know we’re being escorted by my maids to the main house. As we pass members of the House military many of them wish us congratulations on our upcoming union. The civilians are more open about it by saying that they are so happy to hear of our engagement. I don’t know who is more at a loss for words, me or Alice?
We can’t just say that they’re mistaken. That we’re only girlfriends that we haven’t even proposed to each other yet. When we finally get to the main house we are surrounded by the household staff that do nothing but wish us well. This is getting out of hand. I need to talk to mama before this goes too far. I mean we’ve only known each other for a few days. Granted I met and fell in love with Matsu and proposed all in three days, but that was over seventy years ago. I haven’t looked at another woman in all that time. Then again there is something about Alice that just makes me want to hold on to her for the rest of time. Maybe, just maybe, mama is right. Reaching over I take her hand in mine. When she looks over at me all I see is love. Right then and there I knew that I was going to marry this beautiful creature. I was not going to let her get away. For the second time in my life I was in love.
Who cares if were two women. If they don’t like, well then they can just kiss my ass on the corner of Main St and 1st Avenue in downtown Hades Capital City. Once we are in the private quarter’s area with only our maids around me stop and kneel down taking her hand in both of mine. “Alice I know that there is an age difference between us and we have only known each other for a short period of time, but I have to know something.” Taking a deep I look up at her shining face. “Will you be my wife? I know I don’t have a ring to give you right now and it might be a while before I can get you one, but will you marry me anyway?”
The look of shock and amazement on her face is all I need to see to know that I just screwed the pooch when she doesn’t answer me. As I look down at the floor and start to get up my heart starting to break I heard a very small and quiet “Yes, my love.”
My head must have looked like a Jack-in-the-box with the way it snapped up. “Did you just say yes?” looking up at her Alice just nods her head yes.
Before I can say a word Nia swats Alice on the butt saying. “Well don’t keep the girl on pins and needles. Tell her again. I don’t think she heard you, child.”
Alice gives her a dark look then sticks out her tongue at her. Looking back down at me with a smile on her beautiful face and in a louder voice this time. “Yes, my love. I will marry you.”
I come up from my kneeling position and pick her up by the waist and spin her around to her very surprised and happy squeals. Sitting down I give this young woman that I have fallen madly in love with the kiss of a lifetime. When we break our kiss my, OUR maids all have this look of I told you so on their faces. “You know you three don’t have to be so smug about it you know?”
However it was Alice who came to the rescue. “Leave them alone, love. Just because you didn’t see it at first is no need to be bitchy about things.”
“Lady Allison, ladies do not use that type of language. Please do not do so again. Because if you do, we believe in the time honored method of a hairbrush to the backside to correct such language.” Nia told her.
With a frightened look in her eyes Alice whisper in my ear. “Is she joking honey?” when I shake my head no her eyes get as big as dinner plates.
“Love, I got my own backside tanned royally yesterday afternoon. So please watch your language. I hate to tell you this but you are no longer a simple APS pilot, dear. You’re now the fiancé’ of the Head of House for Family Nakatoma and the First Lady of the Death Dealers for this system.”
“So what does that have to do with me, or for that matter the price of tea?” she asked in bewilderment.
“What that means my dear is
this. You are now a defacto' High Families Lady. It means you are now a member of the aristocracy.” Kina tells her.
A look of OH SHIT!! Crosses her face as she realizes just what she agreed to by saying yes to my marriage proposal. To save her from thinking about it too much I pull her to me and give her a hug. Then I turn her toward mama’s rooms. “Come on let’s go introduce you to mama. If there is one thing I do know, you don’t keep Nakatoma Dai Etsu waiting. That woman can get really mean if kept waiting; she is a real stickler about punctuality.” So taking her by the hand I led the way with our maid falling in behind. Once we get to mama’s door I stop and check her hair and makeup. I don’t want her first meeting with mama to start off with a bad first impression.
“Maiha, hold still and let me make sure you look ok here.” The next thing I hear is giggling coming from our maids. She quickly looks over at them with one of those you’re on thin ice looks that all girls learn growing up.
Gin quickly steps up. “Please allow us to give you a hand, Ladies. No need to appear unkempt for your meeting with your mother.” I have got to learn how to do that. I mean with just one look my fiancé’ put them all in their place without a word. Damn that was so cool. Ahhhh! I go almost a full day without that damn behavioral program popping up and then wham! Out of the backfield it gets me. Oh well nothing I can do about it anyway but to deal with it.
“Come on love, it’s time to face the music.”
“Oh don’t be so melodramatic. Just how bad can meeting your mother be?”
Before I can say one word Nia giggles as she tells my fiancé “Oh just the fact that the Grand lady Dai Etsu has been known to gut those who wish to court those in her care.”
Knowing that mama has the same Death Dealer abilities as myself Alice turns white as a sheet. Looking over at me in a quiet voice asks me. “Would she really do that?”
Giving Nia and the rest of our maids a dirty look for terrorizing the woman I love. “No love, they’re just trying to scare you and have a little fun at your expense. Lady Nakatoma Dai Etsu does not believe in violence. She will more than likely try to talk you out of marrying me. Come on now where is that cocky APS pilot that I know and love? The one that pit a scout class against a heavy and won.”
“Oh she’s right here dresses like some bit of High Family fluff, and right now I would love to be facing off against as full lance of heavies, than walk through that door right now.” She had the look of a condemned man. I smile up at her, then give her a quick kiss on the check and open the door. Pulling her along with me I head inside to face mama head on.
What I was not expecting to find was 1st Sergeant Bailey sitting at her small private dining table. When we come into view mama and Top Bailey look up at us. “So this is the young lady that has captured the heart of my oldest. Tell me dear, what was it about Death’s own Daughter that drew you to her?” I she could have found a more embarrassing way to greet us I don’t know of it. I mean of all the questions for her to ask that was one that I didn’t expect. That and the fact she called me in front of Alice, Death’s own Daughter.
“Mama! Please give her time to at least get something to eat before you badger her about her intentions.” I swear by all that’s holy I sounded like a whiney little girl, not the ninety-seven year old adult that I really am. Damn that behavioral program. I know I’ve said it before and I’ll probably say it again. If I ever get my hands on the asshole who wrote that piece of shit program I’ll gut him just for the pleasure of teaching him a lesson.
Giggling, mama just smiles at us. “Very well, Maiha I won’t badger the poor girl. Though I must admit that she is quite the catch, my dear.” Waving for us to take our seats she turned to her new maids. “If you’ll please bring us a pot of tea for me and the girls and one of coffee for James, please?”
Hearing mama call Top Bailey James caused both of us to stop half way into our seats. Looking over at Alice I silently mouth ‘James’. When she just shrugs her shoulders and sits down. Now if there is one thing I know it is this. Dai Etsu Nakatoma is one of the most beautiful women I know. That she would snag one the most eligible bachelors on the planet is no big surprise. It must have been the look of bewilderment I had on my face that prompted mama to comment.
“Oh please! Maiha, you of all people should know that I have had my biological clock reset. Why shouldn’t I enjoy myself just a little bit?”
“It’s not that mama. I’m just shocked at how quick you snagged Top here. From what everyone was saying last night he hasn’t looked at a woman in over fifteen years.”
Alice chimes in with her own input on this. “That’s right Top. Everyone knows that the last woman you dated was that gal down in New Haven Port. So what’s up with you and the Lady Dai Etsu?”
At that point in time mama and Top were the ones turning red with embarrassment. Ah yes the sweet, sweat smell of revenge. If they want to play the ‘Let’s embarrass the kids’ card, we can fight back just as dirty. Thankfully Alice knew just were to strike when it came to Top Bailey. Now mama was the unknown factor in all this. I just don’t know what she’ll do since leaving the Temple and her vows.
The next thing I hear is a giggle at first, then a chuckle, followed by all out laughter. I can’t help myself; I join in with everyone else having a good old fashioned laugh over the situation. Here we are two couples in love and we’re each trying to play the embarrassment card on each other.
Wiping the tears from her eyes mama has this look of total contentment on her face. For the first time in my life I see my former sister-in-law smiling and enjoying life. All those years spent being something she never has been wore her down, but she was too proud to say anything about how she felt.
“Mama, are you happy?”
“Oh, yes child. I truly am. For the first time I have everything I always wished for. I have a gentleman who loves me for me, not what my family name can do for him. The way Matsu had with her beloved J.J. I have four very beautiful daughters, one of which is now the rightful Head of House for our family. Yes, I know that was not the original plan, but life has a way of changing the best laid plans of mice and men. I have lived to see my family’s honor restored and the people of my home freed from the oppressive rule of those who did their best to grind them into dust or slavery. Lastly thanks to you I will have a hand in bringing that about with the gifts that you have given me in the form of this wonderful new youthful body, with all of its wondrous Death Dealer up grades, and a life partner in Snow Mountain Guardian. All of this thanks to you my dear. You may not be my daughter by birth, I know that you are far older than you appear to be, I don’t care how you came to be my great niece, but you have become a daughter to me.” When I hear her talk about my past, I become very nervous and look over at Top Bailey and Alice. “Do not worry about James, Maiha. I told him all about you and how you came to be first my niece then my daughter. I also know that if you wish to continue with Allison as your better half then you need to tell her everything about yourself. Now I’ll be right here beside you as you tell her.”
I know she’s right. I just wasn’t ready to tell her that until just a little over a week ago I was a ninety-seven year old widower. One who had at one time two children and a wife. That it was that connection to the Nakatoma family that got me where I am now. However that was exactly what I had to do if we’re ever to truly have a real foundation for our marriage. Turning to the maids I command them to leave us and that we are not to be interrupted for anything short of life or death. When mamas didn’t leave with mine, I stood up and walked over to them. “Ladies I gave you an order to leave. Would you care to explain to me why you haven’t?”
One of them looked at me with a smug look on her face. “We do not work for you little girl. We are the lady maids for the Lady Nakatoma Dai Etsu.” Even mama cringed on hearing this. Everyone must have expected me to rip this arrogant bitch into little pieces. However I do have better control of my temper than that.
Looking them over I see
that they are still in the robes from the Temple. From the looks of them I would say that they were all novices. So that means they probably weren’t at my coronation. Time to educate these young ladies about who is the boss around here. “I take it that you believe that my mama is the Head of House for this family?” when they nod their heads I hear a groan from mama. Yup, time to set them straight. “I really hate to tell you this, on second thought no I don’t. The Lady Dai Etsu is not the Head of House. I am! Now get out before you find yourselves on the street! I have no tolerance for stupidity. If you can’t or won’t keep yourselves appraised of what is going on in the household then you do not have what it takes to be proper lady maids. Now get out of my sight!” with that I go back over to the table.
When they still hadn’t moved mama stepped in before I lost my temper any further. “My daughter told you three to leave! But for some reason you still do not understand that she is the one in charge of this household and is the Head of House for the Nakatoma Family. Very well then you may return to the Temple. When you get there tell Sister Mary Agnes I would like to speak with her. Now leave!”
As they walk out the door mama looks over at me with a small smile on her face. “You’re quite right about a lady’s maid knowing more about what goes on in the house than her lady does. I must remember that fact. Now daughter I believe you have something to tell the woman you love?”
“Yes mama.” Looking over at Alice I take a depth breathe. “Alice everything I’m about to tell you is the absolute truth. I only ask for one thing. Hold all of your questions until I’m done, please.” When she promises me that she will I launch into my story. I tell her everything, and I do mean everything. By the time I’m done I’m an emotional wreck. I just know that Alice will leave me now that she knows that I am basically a cyborg along with the rest of my family. I’m just waiting for her to get up and leave.
