Ch 3 The Party
Two hours passed from when Usagi and Mamoru sat in each other's arms.
"Mamo-chan, that looks so awesome." Usagi complemented his choice in the deep blue table cloth he had just spread over the table.
Mamoru smiled, still taking in how much his Usako had grown since he went away.
"Now, Mamo-chan, I have to get ready for the party. You are in charge. Do not let the food in the oven burn. Check the temperature every four minutes if I it takes too long for me to dress." Usagi took off the white apron with pink lacing around the edges and handed it to Mamoru.
Mamoru stood, speechless.
Usagi took her leave. She shut the door to the bedroom, and began to peruse the closet of clothes. "What do I want to wear to this event?"
Miracle romance drifted through the apartment. Mamoru, finding the culprit, Usagi's cell phone, picked it up and knocked gently on the door. He opened the door just a crack to extend his arm through, hoping that Usagi would come for it, and she did.
"Thank you Mamoru." She took the phone from his hand and once he retracted the arm from the doorway, she shut the door once more.
Usagi looked at the text message she had received. It was from Rei, her and Yuichiro were on their way over.
"Uhm, Mamo-chan?" Usagi poked her head through the bedroom door and hollered out.
"Yes, Usako?" He called back.
"Rei-chan and Yuichiro are on their way over. Can you not be around until everyone comes?" I mean like you can be here in the apartment, but not in sight? I told Rei-chan that you were back but I am not sure that the others know yet."
Mamoru smiled at his Usagi. She wanted him to be a surprise for the group, so he would please her.
Usagi quickly picked an outfit from the closet. One she had yet to wear, that she bought with Rei and the girls on their last shopping spree. This happened to be a dress, a white halter top dress that had small cherry blossoms sporadically around the hem.
Usagi felt the excitement well up inside of her as she dressed. She was cooking, hosting a party, and Mamoru was there to see it all. After dressing, Usagi moved to her hair. The only style she was used to with this new hair style was pulling it back into a pony tail, but she wanted something a little more refined for this event. Rummaging through the various storage bins, she found what she was looking for. Because the bathroom had a larger mirror, and her make-up was there as well, Usagi moved herself to the bathroom.
Hearing the door to the bedroom open, Mamoru headed that direction. "Usako?" he called.
"Yes, Mamo-chan?" she responded.
"If I start getting ready now, will the dinner be alright on a low setting?"
Usagi thought for a moment. "It should be, so go ahead and get ready. I'll look after it." Usagi waved Mamoru away and continued preparing herself for the party to come.
As Usagi finished putting the last of her handmade curls into place, there was a dinging coming from the doorbell. She hastily made her way to the door and unlocked the deadbolt to let in her friends.
Rei stood there ready to ring the bell one more time when the door opened. "Its about time, Usagi!" She chided.
"Sorry I was working on my hair." Usagi replied. As she let the couple in, she took time to observe what they were wearing. Rei wore a black sundress that had pink peonies on it in a unique design that only she would be able to pull off. Yuichiro looked sharp in his black slacks, crimson red shirt with a black and red striped tie.
"I hope you didn't burn the food this time Usagi!" Rei called as she headed for the kitchen to place her ambrosia salad in the fridge.
Usagi stopped gawking at how wonderful the couple looked together and shut the door. She hurried to the kitchen to open the oven and check on the duck. "No, it looks good. I will turn it and take it out closer to when everyone is here."
"May I have some tea, Miss Usagi?" Yuichiro asked politely.
"But of course." Usagi smiled at Yuichiro and turned to find a glass. She was sure that she picked them up at the store earlier when she was out. "It appears I forgot to pick up glasses and things at the store." Usagi giggled nervously.
"Honestly, how are you going to be in charge of a kingdom when you can't even remember a few cups?" Rei stuck out her tongue.
"I can get them for you guys." Yuichiro offered. "It would be a pleasure to serve the future queen."
"Sure, go on and get them then." Rei waved him away.
"Rei, you are guests, I would never impose such an impolite thing onto a guest. I will go." Usagi spoke up.
"Nonsense, who would watch the duck? Surely not me!" Rei laughed. "Looks like you go after all Yuichiro." She ushered him to the door. "Pick up some of the plastic cups for drinks, then look in the party aisle for the champagne glasses." Rei looked over to Usagi, "You did get the Champagne and Wine, right?" When Usagi shook her head no, Rei nodded. "Okay best pick up some bubbly and wine, the good stuff this time Yuichiro."
Rei waved goodbye to her boyfriend and shut the door. She walked over to where Usagi was tossing salad into a bowl and playfully smacked her upside the back of her head.
"Ow, Rei, that hurt! And look, you made my curl go out of place!" Usagi took the strand and pulled it back into the bobby pin with the rest of the curls.
"Usagi, you are such a forgetful klutz. This is a party to bring in the new year, and you forgot the celebratory drinks?" Rei hushed her voice. "Is he still here?"
Usagi nodded her head towards the bedroom.
"So what you are just going to make him stay in there? You really are a scatter brain." Rei began walking towards the bedroom when Usagi grabbed her arm.
"I want him to come out with everyone here, not just one at a time. That way there are no interruptions and no stories to start and stop. Besides, he had to get ready too, right?" Usagi smiled and went back to tossing the salad.
The doorbell chimed once more and Rei walked to get it.
"Ami-chan, Ryo, welcome!" Usagi wiped her hands and walked to greet her friends. Greg was dressed similar to Yuichiro with black slacks and a deep blue polo top. No tie for Greg, Usagi noted. Ami looked wonderful once her winter coat was shed. She was wearing a deep blue sundress with light blue markings that seemed to look like waves when she walked.
"I brought some utensils and plates, if that is okay?" Ami asked.
"Of course, Ami." Rei smiled.
"Where is Yuichiro, Rei?" Ryo asked.
Usagi and Rei looked at each other and began laughing.
"In my haste to get the food together, I forgot a few things. He offered to go to the store for me and retrieve them." Usagi explained.
"How nice of him." Ami said as she sat down on couch.
There was no time to continue the conversation. The doorbell rang once more. Usagi stationed herself as hostess right at the door.
Minako and Makoto where at the door. Mina wearing a bright yellow dress with a brown woven belt at the waist and Makoto in a purple, blue, green and black dress with a geometric design.
Usagi barely had time to smile a welcome when Setsuna, Michiru, and Haruka were at the door.
Michiru looked regal as always. She wore a blue tights under a tan skirt and a blue tube top with a white, long sleeved, crocheted over shirt. Setsuna was in a purple dress with spaghetti straps made of yarn it seemed. Haruka, always the male form, wore grey pants with a yellow top. There was no telling if it was sleeveless or not, because she wore her motorcycle coat over it.
"Usagi, this duck looks fantastic. Glad to see that you are doing well in your cooking." Matoko complemented her.
"Thank you, I have been trying."
Mamoru could hear everything going on in the living room between the friends. He had missed out on a lot. Now, he wanted to make certain to not miss out on anything else. As he waited, he made himself look presentable. Picking a pair of black slacks, and a black shirt, he looked around for something to complete the look. The white tie he had in his collection proved to be a major contrast and he liked it. Smiling at his reflection in the mirror, he sat on the bed, awaiting Usagi's voice that would either announce him or her coming to drag him out.
Yuichiro rang the doorbell, his hands full of things from various stores. Rei answered and chastised him for taking so long. She ushered him into the kitchen where a leaf was added to the table so that all the dishes would fit on it. Usagi and Matoko helped them unpack the bags.
"Oh it's so cute!" Usagi cried out as she found a hat that said, "Happy New Year's" in green, pink and yellow polka dots.
"You can have it if you like it." Yuichiro said.
"Thank you!" Usagi placed the hat on her head. "Is everyone here?" Usagi asked
Ami confirmed that yes, everyone was present.
"Then I have a surprise for you all before we begin eating and celebrating." Usagi knew that she had everyone's attention at that point. Fidgeting with the ring on her finger, she looked towards Rei and silently pleaded for the strength and the courage. She wasn't afraid of the reaction, she just didn't know the right words.
"Continue, Usagi." Mina pestered.
Usagi needed no help at this point. A click was heard and the bedroom door opened.
The group became silent as they watched Mamoru emerge from the bedroom.