The mini-bus finally arrived at the hotel, and the cheers and laughter could be heard all the way from the lobby as the Rangers finally reached their destination.
There had been a few tears at the beginning of their journey, when they first left the Shiba House. Given the time frame, they had just left the house for the last time. By the time they left the hotel, they would be going their separate ways to begin their new lives. They all knew they would be in the city, or at least close enough that they would stay in contact, but having lived together for so long, they knew they would miss seeing each other every day.
The tears had since subsided though, as they became excited over Lauren's party. She had arranged for their families to come to the hotel, so that they would all be together for Christmas. It was an exciting prospect for all of them. For most, they hadn't seen their families in two long years. There was so much they wanted to catch up on. Many of them would be meeting their future in-laws for the first time, and of course, they also had their future plans to discuss. All in, they were all grateful for the fact Lauren had booked out the hotel, since it not only meant that they had room for everyone to be together, it also gave everyone maximum time with their families, since they didn't have to worry about things like catering or cleaning.
Mike and Emily were the first ones out of the coach, virtually bouncing with excitement. They were always the most excitable around the holidays anyway, but more than any of them, they were elated at the prospect of the party.
"Would you two calm down?" Serena giggled as she grabbed her sister, trying to restrain her.
"We don't even know if our parents are here yet." Kevin reminded them, straightening out his shirt for seemingly the millionth time. Mia held his hand, fidgeting nervously. Both of them had opted to dress rather formally, and while they were excited about the party, both of them were more noticeably nervous. Kevin especially couldn't stand still, being nervous about meeting his future in-laws. Mia had only told her parents about the engagement over the phone because of the no-contact clause. The prospect of meeting his future in-laws had Kevin in a full-blown stress over ensuring he made a good first impression.
"They're here." Jayden answered as he and Lauren came out of the hotel to meet them. "They're in the bar getting reacquainted."
"They're here? They're really here?" Emily squealed. "Come on Mike we..."
"Whoa there squirt." Serena chuckled, holding her back. "We still have to check in remember?"
"Aw...but..."
"It'll only take a moment." Jayden assured them as some bell hops came to collect their luggage. "The rooms are all pre-allocated, and the bell staff will take your bags up. All you need to do is sign your registration cards."
They headed through into the lobby, finding the desk, where the receptionist got their registration cards ready. She started looking them out.
"Mike Barnes and Emily Godfrey?" She asked.
"That's us." Mike announced as he and Emily stepped forward, accepting their registration card and a pen.
"Kevin Chambers and Mia Watanabe?" The receptionist continued. Kevin took the card and a pen, taking Mia aside to sign it.
"Serena Godfrey." They called out next, at which Serena stepped forward. "And finally, Terry Watanabe."
Terry signed into his room, at which Emily just raised an eyebrow. She looked to Serena a little curiously.
"Um...Serena, why are you signing into different...?"
"Hey mom!" Serena called out, silencing her sister as Ava came back into the lobby, in search of a bathroom. Seeing her girls, she ran over, being joined quickly by Emily and Serena. They all collided in a massive hug, hitting each other so quickly; it looked more like something that wouldn't be out of place on a football field. Kevin just leaned over to Mike, and smiled.
"I guess the tackle-hug is a family trait." He told him. Mike smoothed down his hair as much as he could, and headed over to join them.
"Serena, Emily, it's so good to see you again! Here, let me take a better look at you!" She gushed, standing and inspecting her daughters thoughtfully. "Your dad will be so thrilled to see you both."
"Um...Mrs Godfrey?" Mike announced as he stepped forward, offering her a handshake. Ava took his hand, shaking it gently.
"Mom, this is Mike." She introduced him. Ava took a long look at Mike and smiled.
"Oh, you're...you're Parry's boy." She said, still smiling as she seemed to be sizing him up. "I think you've done well for yourself there Emily, he's a cute one."
"Uh...thanks." Mike responded. "You look really great tonight. Lauren's told us a lot about you."
"Only the good stuff I hope." Ava chuckled as she put an arm around each of her girls. "All of you, head on through please. We're all just having a little drink before we head for dinner. I'll be there in a little bit."
As they started to head through to the bar, while Ava visited the bathroom, Jayden noticed that Antonio was hanging back a little. He came across, looking to him sympathetically.
"Antonio, come on." Jayden told him. "It'll be fun."
"I'm sure it will be." He sighed. Jayden knew what the issue was. Although Antonio loved the thought of spending the holidays with his friends, by the time the final battle was done, and Antonio contacted his father, he had already made plans. He was in Alaska on a fishing trip that he had intended to take in for years. It was unfortunate timing, and he couldn't exactly ask him to give up the trip of a lifetime. Jayden just patted him on the shoulder.
"I know you wish he was here." Jayden said quietly. "At least we're all still here."
"Yeah, I know." Antonio sighed. "Look, I'm stoked about this. Really I am. I guess I just miss him."
"We'll invite him over soon." Jayden assured him. "I'm sure once he's back from Alaska, he'll be more than happy to come and visit."
Antonio hugged him, taking comfort in his arms. He missed his father dreadfully, and he wanted him to be there, but he had the next best thing. The rest of his family was there. As he parted from Jayden a little and kissed him, they didn't notice Baron heading through the hall, also in search of a bathroom. He paused as he saw them, and stumbled a little, losing his grip on his cane. They only became aware of him as they heard the cane rattle on the floor.
"Mr Chambers." Jayden stated as he came over, bending down to pick up the cane. He reached out, handing it back to him.
"I'm sorry, I..." He stammered as he steadied himself on a chair. "I just...I guess the floor was a little slippery."
"Oh, Antonio, this is Baron Chambers, Kevin's dad." Jayden introduced him, guiding Antonio towards him. "He was the Blue Ranger on my dad's team. Mr Chambers, this is Antonio. He was the first Gold Ranger."
"It's a pleasure to meet you." Antonio said, extending a hand. Baron stood, looking at his hand for a while, before eventually reaching forward, taking Antonio's hand, shaking it.
"Well, it's a pleasure to meet you." Baron replied, gesturing to the bathroom. "Um...well...I should really be going. I'll meet you both in there?"
"Of course." Jayden answered with a smile. As Baron left, heading for the bathroom, Jayden was about to head to the bar, but Antonio stopped him. Jayden just looked to him.
"Antonio?" He asked. "What is it?"
"Did you see that?" Antonio asked him. Jayden just shrugged.
"He was on his way to the bathroom." Jayden answered. Antonio just looked at him.
"Not that, I mean the way he was with me." Antonio clarified as he came closer. "Do you think...?"
"Antonio, I'm sure it's nothing. I mean, sure, this might have been a bit of a surprise for him, he hasn't seen me since I was six." Jayden reminded him. "He did just walk in on the floor show. At least the others had a little while to get used to it."
Antonio didn't seem convinced, but he really didn't want to cause a scene. He just nodded in the direction of the bar.
"I guess the others will be waiting." Antonio stated. "How about we order a couple of Bloody Marys?"
"I think that sounds great." Jayden answered as they left.
In the bar, Mia found her mom and dad, bringing Kevin with her. Kevin couldn't stop fidgeting as she brought him over.
"Mom, dad, I really missed you!" She began, hugging them both tightly. She had told Kevin that in her household, they had tended to use Japanese as their first language, and often spoke it among themselves. Everyone in the Watanabe household was fluent in both English and Japanese, but by habit, they usually spoke Japanese to each other.
"You look amazing sweetheart." Grant complimented her.
"Mom, dad, this is Kevin." She introduced him, guiding Kevin forward as he started to shiver a little. "Kevin, this is my parents."
"Mr Watanabe, I am pleased and honoured to meet you." Kevin began, shaking Grant's hand. He took Sadie's hand, kissing it softly. "Mrs Watanabe, I can see where your daughter gets her beauty from. I would love to get to know you both better, and hope to be welcomed into your family."
"Wow, your...your Japanese is excellent." Sadie commented, retrieving her hand from him. "Not to mention you really are a charmer."
"Please, come and have a drink with us." Grant invited him. Kevin smiled as he accepted a glass of champagne.
"There's no need to be so nervous. I've known Baron for years. I'm certain you'll take good care of our little angel." Sadie assured him. "Speaking of which, I'm sure Michelle is around here somewhere, and Baron just stepped out to the bathroom."
"I'm sure the waiters will allow us to sit together." Grant told him. "I think we have quite a bit to discuss."
Kevin was relieved that his introduction had gone so well. He raised his glass, indicating that he wanted to propose a toast. He said something in Japanese, only to see the expressions on their faces change. For a long moment, his heart froze. It took him a moment to realise what he had said. Eventually though, they just laughed.
"Um...I didn't mean...uh..."
"Well, you almost made it." Mia chuckled, finding it adorable how nervous he was. "It's adorable that you tried."
"I guess my Japanese gets a little mixed up when I'm nervous." He answered as he reached forward. "Um...how about we just forget that part and say cheers instead?"
"Cheers." Sadie and Grant chorused, touching their glasses together.
In another area, Mike was talking with his dad, when Emily came over. He smiled as he put his arm around her.
Ava watched from a corner as Emily introduced herself to Mike's dad, smiling as she thought about it. Her youngest daughter had grown so much, she almost couldn't recognise her. She had left them her little girl, and come back to them a confident, beautiful young woman. She almost didn't notice as Grant came across on his way to the bar.
"Ava, would you like another glass before we head up to the dining room?" He asked her. She just shook her head.
"It's alright; I'm good for the moment." She answered, seeing Terry with him. She knew a little bit about the rift that had occurred in Terry's family. Although Terry had proven himself to them, and they had accepted him back in the family, it was obvious that there was still a little bit of distance between him and his father. They had since accepted that there had been a misunderstanding, but when all was said and done, a lot of things had been said that couldn't be unsaid. It was slow going getting things back to the way they were. "Terry, I heard you're going back to medical school soon."
"Well, at the beginning of term, but until then I have some work lined up." Terry told her. "Not to mention a few gigs. The band's got a really big show coming up. We're opening for Kira Ford!"
"Wow, that's really great!" She answered. "Serena, did you hear that? You're going to be staying with a real pop star!"
"I know mom, it's great." Serena told her. "He's already promised me an autograph."
"It's really good of you to let Serena stay with you." Ava stated. "I'd really have hated the idea of her having to find an apartment on her own or staying with some stranger. Isn't it great Grant?"
"Of course, it's always good to room with friends." He answered. Serena just forced a smile. Terry did the same. They didn't realise that Emily was nearby and had heard. She ran over to Mike, and took him aside. Once he excused himself from his conversation, he looked to Emily.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Mike, do you want to have a little fun?" She asked. Mike just furrowed his brows.
"Em...our folks are just over..."
"No, not like that!" Emily giggled. "I just overheard something really interesting."
"What?" Mike asked her.
"I know why Serena and Terry signed into different rooms." She whispered with a mischievous grin. "My parents and Mia's all think she's just going to stay with Terry."
"Yeah so?" Mike asked her.
"Mom was just going on about how great it is she'll be staying with a friend." Emily told him. Mike's face split into a grin as the penny dropped.
"Terry and Serena haven't told them yet." He surmised. Emily just nodded. "Oh, we are going to have so much fun with that."
Meanwhile, Antonio was in a corner, sitting at a table with Jayden, quietly sipping a drink. He couldn't help glancing over to where Baron was with his son, and his wife, talking to Mia. Jayden noticed his gaze, and just sighed.
"Look, I'm sure it was nothing." Jayden repeated. "I'm sure it was just a surprise. I mean, I'm sure in the few times he was allowed to contact his dad my love life was hardly the most pressing of things for him to talk about."
"It's just...I've seen stuff like this before." He explained. "I've been out a lot longer than you."
"Antonio, I'm sure it was nothing." Jayden answered.
Just then, Jayden looked up and smiled.
"I'll tell you what; I bet there's something that'll take your mind off it." He stated. "Look over to the door."
As Antonio looked up, his smile lit up the room.
"Dad!" He called out excitedly, running across. Mr Garcia was a large man, a little rotund, with weathered skin that betrayed the climate in Alaska. Antonio grabbed him in a tight hug. "I didn't...you were...I..."
"Alaska will still be there next year." Mr Garcia chuckled as he released his son. "Jayden here was kind enough to arrange for a plane ticket to be delivered. I checked in just a few minutes ago."
"Mr Garcia, it's been a long time." Jayden said with a smile as he shook his hand. Mr Garcia just shook his head.
"I don't think Mr Garcia is necessary, call me Alano." He answered as he hugged Jayden. "Wow, I can't believe you're the little boy in the kimono that used to hang around my fish stand."
"Well, we've all grown and changed over the years." Jayden responded.
"Well, I'm really pleased my boy found someone that makes him so happy." Alano answered. "Wow, there are a lot of people here."
"I'll introduce you around!" Antonio announced excitedly, taking his dad by the hand. He dragged him into the room. "Hey Mike, Emily, meet my dad!"
As he took a long sip of his drink, Jayden couldn't help watching Antonio, thankful that he had managed to give him this surprise.
"Wow, that really made him happy." Lauren stated as she arrived, sitting next to her brother. Jayden just shrugged.
"I figured he deserved to have his dad here." Jayden told her. "This time's all about family right?"
"I guess it is." Lauren answered, putting her arm around her brother. "I have a feeling I'm really going to like Christmas."
"I have a feeling I'm going to like it too." Jayden answered.
