Chapter 3 A week later—Night Before the Ceremony
Possible Household
Kim sat at the table in her second best blouse and slacks to prepare for the relatives' arrival. School had ended with less than a whimper—other than the expected cattle rush at the final bell. She was relieved strangely enough that Barkin had stifled the annual food fight before it could happen. (flying mashed potatoes and mystery meat—ewww!!)
Despite her BF's reassurances, she still felt insecure about the next day's events and their deeper meaning. What's waiting on the other side? Hearing the Kimmunicator beeping at her, she took it out. "Go, Wade."
"Hey, Kim. Just thought you'd like to know that your grandmother, uncle and Joss just landed at the airport," he informed her.
"Thanks for the 411. Hey, any cases that need doing?" she inquired wanting a distraction.
"Nope. Everything's normal here," the genius informed her.
"Not even a cat in a tree?"
He shook his head. "Not a peep. Maybe the villains decided to play nice for graduation?"
She chuckled at that comment, not believing that other than Shego and maybe Monkey Fist, the others would even care about declaring a truce for the sake of a big event. "More than likely GJ's keeping things clear. I'd like something to keep my mind off of this stuff."
"Hey, it'll be over by tomorrow."
She glared at the video screen. "So not helping."
"Sorry. I'll beep again if I hear anything. Hang in there," he told her.
She shut the Kimmunicator off and stuck it back in her pocket. You really shouldn't have harshed on Wade like that. It won't be that bad! You know Ron won't let it be. She put her head in her hands and reminisced about some of his bigger hair brained bumbles and stumbles. Despite the embarrassment at the time, she knew Ron was being Ron. He could liven up missions with the Ron Factor. The Middleton Mad Dog brought out a reaction in everyone.
But it was that sheer boyishness that she missed in her friend….
And now even he's growing up.
She didn't hear the door open and shut behind her.
"Aw shucks! What's goin' on with my fay-vorite niece?" Slim Possible demanded.
"Give her a minute, Slim. It's a big day after all," Nana chided as she meandered across the room. "What's wrong, Kim?"
"Nothing now, Nana. Thanks," Kim assured her while forcing a smile onto her face. She hugged each of the newcomers. "How were the flights?"
"The wait in Salt Lake poked by. Other than that, shoot! It weren't nothin'!" Joss replied. "Least ways Ah can see what's comin' up. Where's Ron?"
"He'll be here tomorrow. Cross-Pacific flights and all of that," Kim replied.
"Can't believe that boy's been over in Japan all of this year," Slim declared.
"Wait until you see him. It's done him a world of good," Anne indicated.
"And Ah finally get to meet Yori?" Joss asked expectantly. "This is gonna be so cool!"
"Yes, Yori will be here. Can't keep the fiancée away," James declared.
"Fiancée? That boy's too young to be getting engaged!" Nana argued.
"They're taking their time. Besides, Mr. Sensei at their boarding school's got an eye on things," Kim explained. "So what's the sitch with everyone?"
"The ranch's about the same, Kim," Slim assured her.
"School's positively boring. Wish there were some nice guys," Joss added, eliciting a look from her father and Uncle Jim.
"Looks like the boy bug's bitten Joss too," Nana supposed.
"Ah still like my pony too, Nana. Don't worry," Joss replied. "Mind if Ah sack with ya'll, Kim?"
"Air mattress is set upstairs. Wade tweaked it a bit for you," Kim reported.
"Sweet! Help me with this stuff. Then maybe we can get some of that Mex'can food?" Joss supposed.
Kim looked to her parents and got nods from both. "Let's get the bag upstairs. Then we can head for BN. Rick can meet us there." She took her cousin's bag and headed toward her room.
"And Ron?"
"I'll beep him before we jet," Kim's voice reassured her.
"Those two are like two peas in a pod, ain't they?" Slim queried.
"I think it's great myself," Nana indicated. "Meantime, we can all catch up too."
Base of Mount Yamanuchi—a half an hour later
A/N: Alicia Baker is from Smallville which belongs to DC and the CW.
Ron and Yori emerged from the cave passage between the school and the road feeling ready for the Middleton madness and family stuff related to it. At Sensei's suggestion, they packed fairly lightly for the journey bearing only their formal wear and the regalia.
"Are you certain we are not late, Ron San?" Yori asked him.
He checked his watch. "Nah. We're cool. Hope she can find us okay."
As he said that, a cloud of emerald mist formed and coalesced into the form of their new friend, Alicia Baker. "Hi, guys. Everyone sends their best. Ready for the big event tomorrow?"
"Oh yeah! The Ron Man's gonna take the town by storm!" he bragged, getting eye rolls from both girls.
"Yeah!" Rufus cheered from Ron's pocket carrier.
"Figured as much. Wade told us that Kim and the others are waiting at some taco place for you," Alicia informed them.
"Nacos! BOO YEAH! I eat good tonight!" Ron exclaimed.
"It is called Bueno Nacho, Baker San," Yori cut in dryly.
"Enthusiasm's a good thing. Don't worry about it," Alicia assured them with a warm smile. "Bueno Nacho it is." She teleported them away in another emerald poof of mist.
Bueno Nacho—Five minutes later
Joss bit into her naco, savoring the unique blend of tastes inside of the wrap. "Ron really invented this? It's dee-lic-ious!"
"That he did," Rick affirmed wryly. "And became addicted soon thereafter."
Kim had to chuckle at her BF's observation. "He does have the craving for the Tex-Mex. You all eat this stuff at the ranch."
"Not like this. Dad's cool but with his heart, we kind of have to watch this stuff. It's super to eat this, Cousin," Joss noted in between additional bites.
"Heart? What's with that?" Kim asked.
"Doc told him to ease up on the greasy stuff. It's been hard for him but I kind of keep an eye on him," Joss explained. "No more franks and beans."
"Ouch." Kim winced, recalling her uncle's penchant for that dish.
"Yeah but don't mention it to 'im. He wants to be his old self for ya'll," Joss advised. "Tarnation! It's only seven? Shoot!" She looked in surprise at the door. "Uh, Kim?"
"Hey! Hey!" Ron announced as he and Yori walked into his culinary sanctuary. "The boy and his lady are back in town!" He helped her with the garment bags, setting them in an adjacent booth. "Hey, Joss! Can't believe this!"
"Ya think Ah was gonna miss this? 'Mere, Poke!" Joss retorted before grabbing onto Ron in a fierce bear hug. "An' this here's your gal?"
"Yeah. Joss Possible, this is Yori Matsumaru, my fiancée. Yori, Kim's cousin, Joss," Ron introduced.
"Pleasure, Yori," Joss assured while shaking the ninja's hand.
"And mine, Joss San," Yori agreed.
"Joss is from Montana. You should see her Dad's ranch. It's bondiggity!" Ron declared. "You want your salad?"
"Domo, Ron San. Hai," Yori agreed.
He set Rufus on the table and took off to visit with Ned at the counter.
"Rufus! There ya are!" Joss realized while rubbing his head gently.
"Hi!" Rufus greeted with a big grin.
"Gang's all here," Rick indicated while hugging his GF's shoulders.
"Ah thought ya'll weren't comin' till tomorrow," Joss supposed.
"Earlier flight came open, right?" Rick inquired.
"Yes, it did," Yori agreed as Ron returned with their dinners. "Domo, Ron San."
"No sweat," Ron assured her while setting them and Rufus up with their treats. "So what are the parents up to?"
"Probably gabbing about us," Joss indicated.
"So the truth," Kim realized.
"I hope your parents are all right," Yori wished, looking to Ron. "We should have gone there first."
"Dad's usually not home until nine anyhow," Ron indicated. "Mom's picking out a new dress for tomorrow more than likely."
"Can't believe ya asked 'er already, Ron. That's goin' for the gusto," Joss pointed out while studying the sparkling ring on Yori's hand.
"When you've got a good thing, you go for it, Joss." Ron took Yori's hand and gazed into her eyes. "Yori's awesome."
"As are you," his fiancée concurred before kissing him on the cheek.
"Boy's got it real bad. That principal of yours still doin' the PDA alerts?" Joss teased.
"Oh yeah," Rick agreed. "Just wait, Joss, your time is coming."
"Not if Dad's got anythin' to say 'bout it. He's lockin' me up tight," Joss lamented.
"Or importing his brother's black hole," Rick interjected.
Everyone laughed, relaxing and digging into their meals. The atmosphere was definitely set for the next day's festivities.