Hi everyone! I know this story was suppose to be finished, but some of you wanted another follow up chapter! I hope it turned out ok! Thanks for the amazing support that I recieved throught the time I was writing this story! You guys are the best! Well here it goes!
Epiloge
She woke up with a feeling of warmth! She felt warmth all around her. Then she identified this source of heat! A little girl lay snuggled against her front. As she looked at the small face, she thought how much this little girl reminded her of Takashi. She had dark brown, which they had had to force her to grow out. Well that might have been a little bit of her stubbornness there! The small mouth was pouty and when awake would generally be constantly caught between trying to appear solemn like her dad or curved into her mother's rookie natural smile. Her eyes though, they were just like her own. They shone with an inner peace and joy for life that pulled in everybody she met. Takashi told her that that was how she had affected people as well. She didn't really believe him, but it was nice to her. As the little body snuggled in closer to her, she saw a large hand appear on the little girl's shoulder. The long elegant fingers and smooth calloused hand reaching out to her. She felt a flush of love rush through her. That hand was still reaching to her that same way it had reached out to her on that day!
She was actually very excited. The valedictorian ceremony had gone well and she had not had to worry about the preparations for the wedding ceremony. Her father and the twins had done all that, along with Takashi's mother. She had come to love the woman like a mother. It had been the first time in a long time that she had been able to feel comfortable with another woman. She was calm and beautiful and loving and the joy she had felt at having a "daughter" as she put had transferred to Haruhi as well.
The all the preparations had gone well and she was just about to put on the colourful peach and orange wedding dress the twins had made for her when there was a knock on her door!
Seconds later Mrs. Morinozuka entered the room. Behind her came three servants.
"Haruhi dear, I would like to ask you a favour. Our family is slightly more traditional than the average Japanese family and I was wondering if you would mind me giving you this!"
She waved a hand and one of the servants stepped forward. In her arms was the most beautiful shiro-maku that Haruhi had ever seen. The Kimono was pure white with very fine embroidery of flowers covering the bottom half and the sleeves. Haruhi couldn't say anything she stepped forward and fingered the dress. The material was soft and smooth. She realized it was silk.
She looked up at her mother-in-law to be and her eyes filled with tears! All she could do was nod! Mrs. Morinozuka gathers Haruhi in her arms and just rubbed her back. She had come to realize that while this girl always acted strong in front and for the sake of the others she was quiet fragile. Their mother-daughter relationship meant a lot to the both of them but Haruhi had needed it. This was the way it had to be!
"Come dear! Let me help you put it on. We'll leave the Uchikake here for now. One of the girls will bring it down for you to put it on later at the reception."
She let go of Haruhi and they started putting on the Kimono. Mrs. Takashi produced a small bag from her dress.
"Dear, I know your parents were more free spirits and that they had a more normal wedding but I would be honoured if you would wear these!"
She handed Haruhi the bag, who opened it to look inside. A small gasp escaped her lips.
"I couldn't! These must be family heirlooms and worth more than I could ever imagine."
"But I insist! I have no other daughter to pass these down to but you! You are family and they belong to you! Just think what Takashi will say!"
At this Haruhi smiled, still hesitant over accepting these gifts. Seeing her hesitation Mrs. Takashi took the bag and pulled out the beautiful kanzashi ornaments, combs and accessories!
"Your hair has grown out quiet a bit and we should be able to use these!
After doing her hair and putting on her make up she was finally ready. As she got up there was another soft knock on the door.
"Come in"
In through the door stepped Ranka. Only rather this time it was Ryoji. He looked very smart in his suit and tied back hair. But the best part was the stunned expression on his face when he stepped into the room. He had been expecting to see his girl in the orange and peach creation the twins had created. Instead there was this beautiful creation standing in front of him looking like a traditional Japanese bride. Tears sprang to his eyes. At the expression of joy on Haruhi's face he turned to look at Mrs. Morinozuka and nodded his thanks! As he stepped forward to take Haruhi's hand, he was stopped.
Mrs Morinozuka held out her hands to Haruhi.
"The last of the things that you need!"
In her hands was the hakoseko, the small purse style sack and the kaiken, the small encased sword. These were traditional items that were supposed to be present. Lastly, the fan which she put into her obi belt was suppose to symbolize happiness and by gradual widening the open fan implies a happy future. Tears threatened to spill again from her eyes.
"Thank You so much!"
The rest of the wedding ceremony seemed to fly by the walk to the Shinto temple, seeing Takashi in the traditional male kimono and of course that hand that reached out to her pulling her gently away from her father and closer to him. The look of love he gave her made all the beautiful decorations disappear around them. She nearly completely missed the Priest's purifying and the speech Hunny gave on their behalf. She seemed to find herself again as Takashi reached for the ring that Satoshi handed to him.
He hadn't been able to take his eyes off of her. Walking towards him he had at first thought she was an angel. One that was meant just for him. He had only eyes for her.
It was with that same love and devotion he now looked at her as she reached out to take the hand he had held out to her. The meeting of their hands and eyes over the head of their daughter was like the meeting of their hearts. The years seemed to fall away for a moment. That is until a small body turned around and snuggled into her daddy's chest.
For the info about Traditional Japanese weddings I surfed the web and used what I thought would fit best. So some of it is accurate and someof it was left out! But I hoped you enjoyed!