by Imari Jade
Ichiro spared no cost when it came to catering the repast. He’d even brought over workers from his other restaurants to help out. He also sent food over to the Niigata mansion so Akari Niigata didn’t have to worry about cooking. He also sent some food home to Dae-Hyun, which Tricia thought was awfully sweet.
Satoshi and Izanagi handled the music. They didn’t play any sad songs and people ate and talked. Both she and Kevin spent a lot of time with a young lady named Ikenai Hirogi. Tricia thought someone had told her that Ikenai was a chauffeur for Kazumi.
“Let’s go take a walk outside,” Kevin said to her after everyone had been served and they had eaten.
“Okay,” Tricia agreed. She followed Kevin outside and he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
“I’ve been waiting to do that all evening.”
They were still hugging when Damien exited the restaurant with Barbara.
“See, I told you,” Barbara said to Damien. “I told you they were in love.”
Kevin kissed her again. “You were right, Miss Peters. We’re also married.”
Damien glared at both of them and then walked over and shook Kevin’s hand. “Congratulations. Take good care of her.”
“I will,” Kevin said.
Damien led Barbara away.
“That went surprisingly well,” Tricia said. “I expected a little bloodshed.”
“Damien’s not stupid,” Kevin said. “He’ll be mad for a little while, but we’re still brothers.”
“Juanda would have kicked my ass up and down Japan.”
“Is her divorce final?” Kevin asked.
“Yes, but I don’t think my mother knows yet.”
“Do you think she’ll be coming to Osaka?”
“Oh, yes,” Tricia said. “She and those bad ass kids.”
“No offense but my apartment isn’t big enough for guests.”
“You don’t have to worry about that. There is no way in the world I’d ever live with her again. She’s bossy and selfish and—”
Kevin kissed her before she could finish. “I love you, Tricia Kehoe.”
“I love you too, Kevin Kehoe.”
“Do you want to go home now and continue trying to make a baby?”
Tricia nodded. She would be starting her new job in two weeks and she couldn’t wait to be surrounded by kids.
Chapter Twenty
“Are you nervous?” Shaundra asked Cristal as she placed the bridal veil on Cristal’s head.
“Very much so,” Cristal answered.
“Well, you look beautiful.”
Saburo had designed the bridal gown and worked his ass off with Mrs. Ito to get it ready on time. They both did a good job of disguising Cristal’s pregnancy which everyone already knew about but she was still embarrassed.
Cristal and Kioshi’s parents and family had flown in from California, bringing Kioshi’s younger brother with them. Other family members had complained because Cristal didn’t come back home to be married so they could attend the wedding. But it was cheaper and made sense just to fly the immediate family to Osaka to spend some time with them.
Gifts and congratulations had been coming in from all over the world. The fan girls had been on their best behavior too. They still hated Shaundra but they had always loved Cristal.
“All you’re missing is something blue,” Shaundra said.
She pulled out a little bag in her purse and pulled out a blue garter.
“Girl, you think of everything,” Cristal said to her.
Yori, Takumijo, Satoshi, Kenshin, Hiroyuki, and Ichiro were serving as groomsmen.
Dolisa, her friend Maria, Estuke, Hana, Ikenai, and Tricia were serving as bridesmaids.
She was the matron of honor and Izanagi was the best man. No doubt Ichiro would be keeping an eye on him to make sure he kept his hands off of her butt.
Shiro and Saburo were ushers. There would be no kids at the wedding or the reception so Cristal didn’t choose a traditional flower girl or ring bearer. The honor went to Terrie. He was short and cute enough to carry the blessed rings down the aisle. He had done Cristal’s makeup earlier.
Cristal’s mother came through the door. “Hey, baby, how are you doing?”
“I’m scared, Mama.”
Cristal’s mother was as beautiful as her daughter, just a little darker in complexion, but every bit the Amazon queen.
“You’re going to do just fine.” She giggled. “That Kioshi is so gorgeous. Our grandbaby will be doubly blessed.”
“Do you really like him, Mama?” Cristal asked.
“What’s not to like? He’s charming, employed and he loves you.”
Shaundra nodded in agreement. “And he’s young and has a strong back.”
Cristal chuckled wickedly. “Leave it to you to point that out.”
“I agree with Shaundra,” Mrs. Gentry said. “Age is nothing but a number. The man is building you a grand manor and he and your father get along.”
Music began to play in the church. Cristal’s father came through the door dressed in his military uniform.
“Are you ready, baby?” he asked Cristal. “I think they’re playing your song.”
Cristal stood from the vanity. “I’m ready.” She took her father’s arm.
Mrs. Gentry opened the door. The bridesmaids were waiting in the lobby of the church. They were dressed in corresponding colors of red and black. Cristal wasn’t a pastel type of girl. Dolisa headed down the aisle first and a smiling Yori was waiting to meet her dressed dapperly in a black tux with tails.
The rest of the bridesmaids followed her down the aisle to meet their prospective groomsmen.
Terrie went next with the rings. He wore a white tuxedo with a white derby.
Cristal’s mother and Kioshi’s mother were escorted down next by Shiro and Saburo.
Shaundra waited her turn. She marched out in an off-white gown to meet a smiling Izanagi. Damn if he didn’t look fine in a tuxedo. Her next life was going to be great.
The music changed to the traditional wedding march, or the bridal chorus, ‘Here Comes the Bride.’ Everyone in the audience stood up and turned their attention to the door as General Gentry escorted Cristal down the aisle to Kioshi, who also wore a black tuxedo with tails. He’d dyed his hair back to the original black color with the understanding that he would once again change it to platinum when he went back on tour. Either way, Shaundra thought he would make an interesting character in her next book.
A catholic priest performed the ceremony. Kioshi had to go up a step to kiss his taller bride once they were pronounced husband and wife. Every camera in the church captured their image. Shaundra thought it was the best wedding she had ever attended.
****
The wedding reception was held in the biggest hall Niigata Enterprises could rent. Not all of the employees were able to make it to the wedding but they all showed up to hear Aomori and Distraction perform. The members of the wedding party posed for numerous pictures and then Kioshi went off to change into his costume to sing with his group. He surprised everyone with a song he’d penned for Cristal. His bride cried and smiled throughout the entire song. He changed back into his tuxedo to cut the wedding cake and kept it on the rest of the evening while he danced the night away with his sweetie.
“May I have this dance?”
Shaundra looked up to find Satoshi standing before her. She looked over toward Ichiro.
“Go ahead, but no belly rubbing,” he told them.
“Dude, you are so trusting,” Izanagi said to Ichiro. “Can I dance with her next?”
“I’ll think about it,” Ichiro said.
Shaundra stood and walked with Satoshi to the dance floor. The hired band began playing, Barry White’s ‘I Found Someone.’ Kenshin sang the song.
“How much did you pay Kenshin to learn that song?” Shaundra asked as he slow danced her around the floor.
“Enough that he wouldn’t tell Ichiro that I requested it,” Satoshi said. “I do
know it’s your favorite.”
“It’s amazing that you know more about me than my husband,” Shaundra said.
The song ended but Kenshin continued with Barry’s ‘Oh, What a Night for Dancing’ and Satoshi two-stepped and waltzed her around the floor. He dipped her.
“Oh,” Shaundra said. She giggled foolishly like a school girl. The song ended and Ichiro tapped Satoshi on the shoulder.
“My turn stud,” he said.
Satoshi bowed and retreated.
The band played Smokey Robinson and the Miracles’, ‘Oh, Baby Baby.’ Hiroyuki was up at the mic now with that pretty girly voice.
She’d taught Ichiro how to slow drag and now he was rolling his body into hers, making her weak in the knees.
“Kenshin sold Satoshi out for a bottle of twenty year old cognac,” Ichiro said.
Shaundra chuckled. “You can’t blame a guy for trying.”
“Yes, I can,” Ichiro bragged.
Izanagi tapped him on the shoulder. “My turn,” he announced bravely.
Kenshin and the band started rocking the house with Lou Bega’s, ‘Mambo Number 5.’
Izanagi’s hips were lethal as he boogied with her.
“How much did you pay Kenshin?”
“No money. I offered him electronics,” Izanagi said.
Shaundra laughed and second-lined his little ass down to the floor and followed it up with some hot and heavy Latin dancing to Ricky Martin’s, ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca.’
“I think you nearly gave the poor young man a heart attack on that dance floor,” Cristal told her later as they sipped sparkling soda.
“Serves him right for thinking I’d be that easy to handle,” Shaundra said.
Kenshin and the band broke down with a little Pharrell Williams’, ‘Happy.’
“I think this is our dance, girlfriend,” Shaundra said to Cristal.
“Just as long as you let me lead,” Cristal said following her to the dance floor.
And for the rest the evening, she and her BFF showed the rest of the guests how cougars rule.
The End
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
