Disclaimer: I do not own Haruka and Michiru's characters, they belong to Naoko Takeuchi. All other characters and this story belong to me.

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AN: Okay, so here's the deal, and don't take this as me being upset, it's just to answer all of your future questions as to Haruka. First, let me quote myself:

"This one will be different because the first (at this point 5 chapters) are about Michiru."

So technically, those of you who read ID should not have even asked me about Haruka at this point. But it's okay if you did. See, when I wrote my previous stories, they were centered around Haruka, well, because I like it that way. I did not realize that the rest of you are as biased as I am. As it is, though, there are too many things from Michiru's background that I need to include before Haruka joins the story full-time.

We're on Ch 6 right now, this one and the next are still a bit slow. In Ch 8 the pace will pick up, in Ch 9 most of you will be so outraged by what I did that you will forget all about Haruka, and in Ch 10 the blonde will permanently join the cast.

Now, it's still not too late to stop reading if this isn't quite what you expected and/or if it's too slow. I don't view this story as H&M hook up, issues, happy ending. It's on a grander scale in terms of issues, it involves other people from their life, primarily Michiru's life, which is why you have to read through all the background chapters. Okay. There it is. Chapter 10. That's FOUR chapters from now. [the back button is generally located in the top left-hand-side corner of your browser and you may close the window by clicking an "x" on the right side of the window or a red dot on the left side of your window.] No harsh feelings.

petiyaka: you know, I did not connect the dots about the tenor until you mentioned it. I promise, no relation. Yes, I only really care about Alan and Max from the band, the rest are just furniture. Well, Mark will have his role overall, but that's about it.

Tenoh and Kaioh: yeah, I lost my drama touch for a little while, I'll make up for it soon

SeraEris: xe xe… keep guessing… and no, Haruka will not be in a coma

Mantaray: She'll have her random meetings, they will even talk in the next chapter :)

Back…

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Chapter 6

In the first year of her studies, Michiru auditioned for the required placements. She was a member of the Juilliard String Quartet which gave her an opportunity to learn how to be a part of an ensemble and how to work on her rehearsal techniques. To her, that was not nearly enough. Propelled by being set in the shadow of Paradigm, Michiru auditioned and was chosen for Juilliard Orchestra and prepared for international competitions. Of the three she originally set herself for, Michiru advanced to one. She got into Fritz Kreisler International Violin Competition in Vienna. It was scheduled for last week of September and she spent every day not otherwise occupied by the Quartet, the Orchestra, or the band practicing for the competition.

Though feeling slightly guilty, she praised the day when Paradigm was set to depart for West Coast. It meant that she had one less obligation to fulfill. She woke up the morning after the band departed alone in her bed, for the first time in two months. It felt quite odd, but Michiru shook off the sadness and got to her morning routine. After the workout and shower she knocked on Amanda's door, no longer trying the knob. Even though Max was out of town, Michiru had a felling that it would be locked and she was not nosy enough to find out why. She walked into the kitchen and brewed some fresh coffee. By the time Amanda emerged from the shower, her cup of coffee sat on the table next to a bowl of cereal with pieces of freshly cut peach.

"Have I mentioned that I love you?"

"Yes, every morning." Michiru sipped on her green tea. "Don't worry, I love you every evening when you make dinner."

They ate in silence and then put the dishes away. "Are you going to go to the store?"

"What store?" Michiru looked at Amanda, confusion clearly written in her face.

"Hello, it's August first. Your single is coming out today." Amanda pointed to a large calendar on the wall that had writings in six different colors all over it.

"It's not my single and I'm not a groupie, why would I go to a store to buy something I already have, know how to play with my eyes closed and ears muffed, and will probably have to play many more times to the point of cringing at the mention of it."

"Whoa you have issues." Amanda shook her head disapprovingly.

"Yeah, so you keep telling me."

"Someone has to."

"Come on, Mandy, we have to go."

"Don't call me that." Amanda pointed an accusing finger in Michiru's nose.

"Then stop lecturing me." Michiru replied, closing the door to the apartment shut behind them.

x x x

Paradigm came back to New York two days before the beginning of classes. They were visibly thinner, tanner, and tired. Amanda and Michiru did not look too different either.

"I'm glad to know we all had a very refreshing summer." Rob summarized sarcastically.

"Yeah, better use this weekend wisely." Mark responded in kind. "Anyone want to party by the pool in the Hamptons?"

"No, sorry, but once was enough with your mother." Max shook her head.

"Mandy?"

"Absolutely not. If I wanted to party by the pool, I would've gone to LA with you."

"Anyone?"

"I'll go with you." Rob shrugged. "It's hot and sticky. Reminds me of home. Only I don't like New York's beaches as much."

"That's settled then."

x x x

While Mark and Rob were away, Amanda shopping for school, and Max out and about, no one knew where, Alan and Michiru went on a date. They had a picnic at the park and just relaxed, catching up on the events of the past month.

"Is everything okay?" Michiru finally asked as a nagging feeling that something indeed was wrong prompted her to do so. Alan was unusually quiet, as though something was weighing heavily on his chest.

"Everything is fine." He smiled at Michiru from her lap.

She leaned back on her outstretched arms. "You're lying."

"I'm not!"

"Then what are you hiding?"

"I'm not hiding anything."

"Alan." Michiru drew out warningly.

Alan sighed. "Fine. You know, patience is really not one of your virtues." He sat up and pulled a flower out of the basket.

Michiru had no idea when he had an opportunity to sneak it in. He handed the red rose to her, still sitting perpendicular to her. She smiled and took the beautiful flower in, bringing it to her nose to smell the fragrant scent. Between the blood-red petals, a diamond sparkled in the sun. She stared at it dumbly as Alan cupped her cheek.

"We did that tour and you weren't with us. I understand that what you did for us was more of a favor than anything else and that you will not always be there as our careers go separate ways, but it scared me. I don't want to lose you, Michiru. I don't want to lose what we have, what we have away from the music scene. I don't want our successes to affect our relationship. I want to always love you and for you to always love me back. I want you to be my wife. Will you marry me?"

She blinked her tears away. Michiru felt like a terrible person for thinking that he overshadowed her. All Alan ever did was provide her with opportunities she would not have for a long time, maybe never. He showed her a whole new world of music, and how did she repay him? By trying to compete with his success. She used the month they spent apart to work on her skills to the point of exhaustion, only to show him how good she was when he came back. Amanda was right, Michiru did have issues. She leaned in and kissed him passionately on the lips.

"Of course I will marry you."

He visibly relaxed and hugged her around the waist, bringing her closer into the kiss. Once they parted, he took the ring out of the rose and put it on Michiru's finger. She looked at the ring. It was a two-carat round cut diamond set in a simple platinum band. It looked enormous on her small hand and she wondered how Alan could afford it. The answer that she would never find out was simple. Paradigm members got half of what they were each promised under the contract after the last performance in California. Alan spent most of it on the ring.

They spent the rest of the day talking about their plans for the future, the fact that they have not met each other's parents and the general questions, such as which country they would even have the wedding in. They answered the last question first, figuring that they would do a small wedding right here in New York. The details depended largely on their parents.

x x x

When they came back home, Amanda just finished making dinner for the four of them. As the radiant bride walked into the dining room, the first words out of her mouth were "Mandy, I want you to be my maid of honor."

Michiru wiped her left hand and held it for both women to see the diamond that was hard to miss. Amanda dropped the plate she was holding and it shattered on the hardwood floor. Max got up quickly and started picking up the pieces as Amanda just stood there, rooted to the spot.

"Are you freaking nuts?"

"Excuse me?" Michiru lowered her hand down.

"You're what, nineteen now? And you want to get married?"

"So?"

"What's the rush?"

"What's your problem?"

"Michiru, you're too young to get married. What's the point of doing it now? Are you pregnant?"

"No."

"Then why? You're both still in school, you both haven't seen life. Do that before you settle in."

"Are you saying that we should shop around before committing?" Alan asked, appalled.

"Yes!"

"Not everybody is like you, Amanda." Michiru said quietly and turned around, leaving the three watch her walk to the bedroom and shut the door.

Amanda bit on her lip and ran to the bedroom, likewise slamming the door. Alan picked the broom and helped Max get the rest of the broken plate out. He looked at the meal regretfully, knowing that none of them had any appetite anymore. He put the broom away as Max inspected their job. They looked at each other and sighed almost simultaneously.

"I'll go calm mine down, you take care of yours." Max's eyebrows shut to her forehead, but Alan already turned away and left. He made his way to the bedroom and found Michiru sitting on the floor in the corner, staring furiously into space.

x x x

Amanda lay on the bed on her stomach, with her face buried in the pillow. Max walked in and locked the door behind her. She walked up and squatted next to the crying girl.

"What is it this time, Amanda?" She moved Amanda's long hair to the side to see her profile. "Are you now upset that you're not engaged?"

"No!" Amanda sat up so fast that Max ended up sitting on the floor to avoid being hit in the process. "You don't get it, do you? None of you get it!" She wiped her wet cheeks. "They will be just like my parents. They will marry young, without experiencing life and then they will run in opposite directions, tired of each other."

"I'm sorry that happened to your parents, but it doesn't mean it will happen to them."

"Have you met Michiru? She has so many things to learn in life! She just got out of her small town a year ago, look how much she changed already. Alan isn't her first, but she treats all of her relationships seriously, so how many do you think she's had in her life? Two? Three?"

"What does any of it have to do with the fact that they're in love and want to be together?"

"Everything! They can be together, they don't have to get married for that. They both need to grow as individual people, they can't do that if they lock themselves into a relationship this early on. Not everyone matures like you did, Max. They're not as mature, they need to go fight their own battles before they become adults capable of making a decision to stay together for the rest of their lives!"

"Why are you crying?"

"W-what?"

"If they are the ones making a mistake, it's their mistake to learn. Part of their path, their battles. Why are you crying?"

"Because I care!" Amanda buried her face in the palms of her hands.

Max climbed on the bed behind Amanda and hugged her by the waist, putting her forehead at the back of Amanda's neck. "You're taking this too much to heart. You warned them, you voiced your opinion. You're a good friend. But good friends don't make decisions for their friends. They take a step back and support the decision. So if Michiru still wants to marry Alan after everything you said, you can't keep berating her about it. You have to be her maid of honor, because you are her best friend." Amanda was sobbing quietly. "Unless there is something else."

Amanda took her hands off of her face and turned to face Max. "What do you mean?"

"Unless you feel something more than a best friend would for her."

"Max!"

Max's facial expression was void of any emotion. "You went crying through the streets of New York when you found out that Michiru was dating Alan, you yelled at her and went crying in your room when you found out that they got engaged. I'm just drawing conclusions."

Amanda wiped her tears away. "They're wrong conclusions. This is all about her stupid choice. The first time was about me. I was miserable because I didn't know where we stand."

"Where do we stand?"

Amanda swallowed, Michiru's problems temporarily forgotten as she stared in the face that was still devoid of any feeling. It made her really worry. "We sit on top of the bed in an apartment we're sharing with our friends."

Max shook her head, her lips did not curve up one bit. "That's my line, not yours."

"We're together, Max. We've been together for almost a year… I love you."

Max leaned in closer and captured the lips of her lover. Amanda let out a sigh and wrapped her hands around Max's neck, playing with the tips of her hair. They leaned down on their double bed and Max made Amanda forget all about Michiru, Alan and weddings.

x x x

A room away, Michiru and Alan heard every shout that escaped Amanda's lips, all the way through 'Max.' They sat quietly, brewing on her words, understanding more what she meant and where she was coming from. As the apartment turned quiet, Alan turned to Michiru.

"We can wait as long as you want to."

"I don't want to wait." She put her head on his shoulder. "I love you, I don't care what others think. If we make a mistake, we'll cross that bridge when we get there."

He kissed her forehead and chuckled when her stomach growled. "That dinner Amanda made looked delicious. You want some?"

Michiru smiled shyly. "Yes."

Alan got up and pulled her with him. As they made their way into the living room, he flipped on the TV and brought the volume up.

"What are you doing?" Michiru quizzed him from the kitchen.

"Just setting some background noise." He smiled innocently.

"Animal Planet?"

That was not Alan's choice, it happened to be the channel the TV was left on, but Michiru's quizzical expression and the context in which animal noises created 'background noise' made him double with laughter. Gaining his composure back, Alan switched to MTV and let the music fill the apartment as him and Michiru settled in for dinner.

x x x

In the room next door Max firmly held her hand against Amanda's mouth. First when the latter started giggling at the sound of the show on Animal Planet, then when the giggling turned into sensual moans. The blasting pop music was awful to their ears, but much more fitting for their activity.

Some time later Max lay on her stomach as Amanda traced the numbers under the second to last barcode on Max's back. It was the date of Valentine's Day that year. Max gave Amanda a necklace and got herself something she would remember Amanda by for much longer than a piece of jewelry would last.

"Are you ready to go make peace with your bf?" Max asked with her eyes closed.

Amanda sighed and slowly nodded. "I can't see that." Max observed with her eyes still closed, sensing the motion.

"Yes."

"That's better." Max got up in one swift motion and put on a pair of sweatpants and a t-shirt. She looked at Amanda who threw her dress and underwear back on and was heading out of the door. "Make sure to stop by the bathroom first."

Amanda rolled her eyes. "Yes, mother."

Max smirked and walked to the second bathroom. When they came out to the living room, one behind the other, Amanda walked up to Michiru, while Max mouthed 'thank you' to Alan. He winked and relocated to the couch, leaving the two friends alone in the dining room. Max sat down in her chair and took possession of the remote.

"Hey, I was watching that!" Alan complained as Max changed the channel in the middle of a Britney Spears video.

She gave him a completely unbelieving look and put on CNN. "How long have you known?" She asked quietly, the proximity of the couch on which he sat allowing her to make sure that they were out of Michiru and Amanda's earshot.

"I figured it out when I saw you check out Michiru's ass."

Max nodded, pursing her lips. "So I take it you won't mind keeping it the same way you have in the past three months?"

"Aye. Can I just ask why?"

"It's complicated."

"It always is."

"More so when your girlfriend is hiding behind all her girly dresses in the closet."

Alan sighed. "Good luck."

"Yeah, thanks."

x x x

Amanda sat down across from Michiru and they just stared down at the table for a while. Finally, Amanda gathered enough courage to speak up.

"I'm sorry, Mich." She looked up to find Michiru still staring at the empty plate in front of her. "I'm sorry that I passed judgment, it just comes from painful personal experiences. I don't want you to suffer."

"I know." Michiru looked up. "I'm sorry too."

"Friends?"

Michiru forced a smile. "Friends."

"So when is the wedding?"

Michiru shrugged. "I have no idea. We need to tell our parents first."

"Well, I doubt anyone's reaction could top mine." Amanda chuckled and Michiru smiled in return, this time genuinely.

x x x

My best friend's reaction to my decision to marry at such a young age was a combination of waterworks and harsh criticism. Afterwards, we both thought that no one could top that off. We were wrong. While Alan's parents needed some time to digest the news, they got set with the idea of their second son getting married quite quickly. My parents, on the other hand… To my utter surprise, they lectured me on the same things as Amanda. They proved once again that there was little traditional in their point of view. It was not about the fact that Alan was Irish or that they have not met him to date. It was because they felt that I was rushing into things.

We had that recurring argument all the way through September, when left for my competition in Vienna. The heavy thoughts and doubts about my decision to marry that plagued me all the way to the stage in the end affected my concentration. Or, at least, I keep telling myself that it was my distraught state that made me perform as bad as I did. I left the competition without ever reaching finals. When I got back to New York, I was almost ready to call the whole thing off. I turned back to blaming Alan for all my failures. When I came home, a surprise waited for me.

x x x

Paradigm was doing a scheduled promotional event the day Michiru got back into town. Getting used to being on her own, she made her way back home and was stunned to find both of her parents sitting in the living room. Amanda was serving them tea at the moment.

"Thank god, you're here. They don't speak much English." Amanda whispered on her way out of the room.

Michiru shook herself out of her stupor and greeted her parents. "What are you doing here?"

"We came to meet your fiancé." Her mother answered.

Michiru was at a loss of words. To the best of her knowledge, her parents have never left Japan before. She did not even know how they got into the United States in a first place. Michiru was asked dozens of questions she has not answered before about Alan, his family, how they met and so on. It all seemed to be going well until Paradigm members found their way home and Michiru's parents realized that the six of them lived together. The wrath that was unleashed on her was one Michiru has never known her parents were capable of.

After she was berated for her immoral living arrangements and repercussions of living with three men specifically and five people in general, her parents left before her father's frail heart failed on him. The experience turned out to be too much for everybody involved. Alan was formally introduced to her parents, but they were so far gone at that point that he could have been an ideal son-in-law and they would not have noticed.

Both Alan and Amanda tried to calm shaking Michiru down as tears seemed to not have an end. Strangely, the encounter with her parents only made Michiru make a final decision. Instead of doubting her every step, she decided that she will marry Alan within a year, whether her parents came to approve the marriage or not.

Michiru announced so to her parents the next day when they hastily decided to rebook their flight home and depart the United States. In an absolutely normal tone of voice Michiru's father reminded her that she lived off of the money they sent and that they paid for her schooling. Not wanting to believe her ears, Michiru put her pride up as a shield and announced that she did not care if she had to be a street performer to make her living, but her relationship with Alan was more important to her than her relationship with her parents.

Both parties having reached their absolute limits, Michiru's parents left as she hid herself in one of the practice rooms back at school and played her heart out.

x x x

Despite Alan's initial resistance and advice of all of their friends against rash judgments, Michiru set the date of their wedding for the weekend at the end of the spring semester. She sent an invitation to her parents along with a Christmas gift. In return, the payment for her spring semester tuition did not go through.

Having expected this turn of events, Michiru did two things after her parents left: she contacted Simon Frank and entered another competition scheduled for December. During her meeting with Simon, Michiru somewhat belatedly negotiated compensation for her performances with the band and the recording time. She did so right after their second single was released and made its way to America's Top 100. For a new band it was a huge success and she did not know if it was that or her distraught state that made Simon take a pity on her and write her a check for her contribution. He gave her $8,000, half of what she had to pay for tuition, not to mention the apartment costs. Michiru had no idea how she could even afford to live, let alone get married, at that point.

With no other hope in sight, Michiru spent day in and day out in the practice room, rehearsing for her competition. Her determination paid off. It was a small competition, organized by a local philanthropist. The first prize was $25,000, the second was $15,000, and the third was $5,000. Michiru accomplished two things: she performed on stage by herself and she took the first place.

As she paid for the celebratory dinner with her friends out on the town, Michiru breathed out freely for the first time in months. At least she now knew that she had the means to exist through the summer. More importantly, for the first time in her life she achieved something completely on her own and she got what she deserved. It made her finally feel like she was unstoppable.

x x x

Later on I would thank my parents for what they did. If they did not take such a drastic step, I probably would have still been miserable, crying about how staying in the shadow of my significant other was a terrible burden. I wanted to make something of myself. My parents' action propelled me to do something. I did it for money because otherwise I had no means of living. I have never felt as humiliated as when I went to see Simon Frank, not even when I was forced to undress in front of a stranger.

Begging for money was not something I have ever done before then or would ever want to do since. It took all my guts to go to his office, without telling anyone about it, primarily because I was afraid that they would stop me. I grew to admire him after or encounter. We may have all felt like he was a tyrant or a schmuck at some points, but he helped me out when I needed it and I never forgot that. I just did not realize that the way I would have to pay back would hurt so many people in the process. My respect for him diminished as quickly as it appeared, only years later.

Having had the taste of solo performance and the indescribable rush of adrenalin to my head when I won (so much more than a live performance in front of hyped audience), I was determined to get what I wanted. While Paradigm recorded their new tracks throughout January, I researched all viable violin competitions around the world. Since those awarding recording contracts at the end were complicated in nature, I realized that I would have to prepare far in advance. All thanks to the argument with my parents.

x x x

The ordeal with Michiru's parents had a side effect. Max, whose name was on the lease and who knew very well that if Michiru was unable to pay rent, Max would have had to absorb her portion, decided to look into her finances as well. While drums had extreme personal significance in her life, she has never envisioned herself playing in a band for a living or for a while. As she told Michiru shortly after they met, she just grabbed opportunities as they came.

Once the younger Paradigm members began school at the beginning of the year, Max shopped for more opportunities. This time, she concentrated on something she always wanted to do: mix music. She made a few friends and got to DJ at one of the small Manhattan clubs once a week. Though it was not much and the club was not one mentioned in any guides, it gave her a start. She was able to play around with different styles and see what people on the dance floor liked. Soon, she noticed that the amount of people doubled on the nights she was at the club. Three months later, she had two other offers to play at bigger clubs. Though the extra money she made with intent to pay Michiru's portion of the rent ended up not needed, that move put the beginning to Max Du Bois' deejaying career.

x x x

The wedding day was set to Saturday, June third. Neither Alan nor Michiru have thought about it until spring break, when they went to Albany once again and Linda started asking them about the details of the wedding, which was just a little over two and a half months away.

Alan's family surprised them all by coming down for the same week. They arrived the day after Alan and Michiru and the latter was thrown in the midst of it all. Michiru met the parents, Liam and Sheila, and Alan's youngest sibling, his sister Maura. She could not describe the experience as anything other than falling in love with them. Especially contrasted by the estranged relationship with her own parents.

They spent a lot of time together, exploring New York's capital and its surroundings. They went to Niagara Falls, back to the gorge at Watkins Glen, and the St. Patrick's Day Parade. Devin, who was now studying in Albany full time, did not even mention the racing track during that visit.

As Michiru started to think of the upcoming wedding, she learned that it was too late to book any venue in New York City or its vicinity. People did so years in advance. Frustrated by the unexpected complications, she sat quietly at the dinner table, half-listening to what the Carey family members were talking about.

"You know, it doesn't have to be in New York." Alan suggested, noting how quiet Michiru got.

"But then where?"

"You're the bride, where would you like it to be? We're both Catholic, do you want it to be in a church? Do you want it to be on a beach, in the backyard? You tell me."

"I've always wanted a huge ceremony in a church." Maura shared from her end of the table.

Michiru never really had a dream wedding in mind. She did not give it any thought even after Alan proposed, she was too busy defending her acceptance and concentrating on her music. Michiru sighed. "What about an outdoor wedding?"

Alan shrugged. "It's in June, outside will probably be very nice. Where were you thinking of?"

"I wonder if we can get married at the gorge, in front of the waterfall."

A few eyebrows shut up to the middle of the foreheads and then excited chatter spread through the table.

"I think it's a fabulous idea. Let me see if the park allows it and who can perform the ceremony." Linda offered.

"You don't have to do that, we'll figure it out." Alan assured.

"Alan, dear, you guys have a lot of things on your mind as it is. Let us help you. I will make some calls on Monday and then I will let you know."

"Thanks, Linda." Michiru walked up and hugged her future sister-in-law.

x x x

At the end of April Paradigm was summoned to the label's office. They sat around the conference room table, awaiting news on their future. The original contract expired on May first. Simon Frank walked in, as always dressed in his signature navy suit. He sat down at the head of the table and looked at each one of them in turn.

"Well, I still remember your faces, that's good. Apparently so do your audiences." A collective sigh of relief escaped them. Simon threw four copies of a report on the table. "We conducted a poll and it seems that majority of the people we asked have heard of Paradigm in one context or the other. You'll find the results in the reports, that's for your own peace of mind." Simon stood up. "Congratulations, you've graduated from nobodies to someone people have interest in. Now, let's make you a household name." He walked to the side table and took a set of documents printed on legal-sized paper. "We would like to offer you a new contract for three years."

Simon passed the contract to Alan, who looked over it with Max.

"I'll give you time to read it over, but here is the gist. Three year term, renewable annually therefrom upon mutual agreement. Two albums. One composed of the four tracks that have been released previously and six new ones that you have to come up with within a year. The first album will be released next summer, promoted by a nationwide tour. Some of the shows will be in conjunction with other musicians and some will be your own. You will release another album within a year and a half, your touring schedule will fit many more shows once you graduate next summer. If you agree to the terms, we will start by shooting a video to one of your songs and some promotional material. You'll start performing live mid-June, just like last year."

"Compensation?" Alan asked, as the chosen leader of the band.

Simon smiled. "Fifty thousand each as a base salary, increasing by as much every year for these three years. Ten percent of the sales of the albums, also each. The shows will be compensated based on how well you rile up the crowds. Naturally, your own shows will be compensated at a higher rate. We will provide living quarters for you on both coasts, your transportation, rehearsal, and wardrobe expenses will be taken care of."

He gave them a moment to digest.

"We have a lease until the end of June." It was the first thing that came to Max's mind.

"That's fine. You'll get your own assistant for the band, she will take care of all these details."

"I thought that was your job."

"No, I make decisions that affect whether people recognize you on the street. My staff deals with other arrangements." Simon got up. "Read over the contract, see if you have any questions, I'll be back shortly."

They watched him leave and then stared back at the set of papers.

"Shouldn't we have a lawyer look at this?" Mark suggested.

"Or someone who would negotiate other terms?" Rob agreed.

"Should we get our own agent, considering that Simon is with the label?" Max wondered.

"Are we even in the position to negotiate? They agreed to our original request to let us finish school while working, I'd say that's pretty rare. They're paying us decent money, something we would get at best if we were looking for a job right out of school? We know they're gonna get more off of us than we will, but that's show biz for you." Alan reasoned. "Look, it's been a year and Simon didn't screw us over, not once. Why doubt him now and lawyer up?"

"You have a point, but so does every one of us."

"Are you guys unwilling to sign it until we get someone else? Are you willing to risk them changing their mind?"

"Fine." Rob threw his hands in the air. "At least read it to make sure that what Simon said is even in the contract."

"On it already." Max moved the papers she was reading closer to Alan.

After reading through the whole eleven pages of legal mumbo jumbo, members of Paradigm somewhat wearily signed the contract that pretty much set out their lives in black and white for the next three years.

x x x

With Linda's help, Alan and Michiru arranged for the wedding to take place at the gorge and chose a local restaurant for the reception. Their guest list was not long, including only Alan's family, Paradigm members, Amanda, and Michiru's parents. Michiru did not know if her parents would come, she assumed they would not since they have not answered her phone calls and have not sent her any money for almost six months. Nevertheless, she sent them the details of the wedding location, just in case they changed their minds.

The semester whined down and with a week to go before the wedding, Michiru and Amanda left for Albany to work on last minute organizational things. They picked up the wedding gown and the dresses for the maid of honor and the bridesmaids (Linda and Max). Linda booked a bed and breakfast for the bridal party and the parents by the gorge for the whole weekend the day she got an okay for the gorge. In a long run that proved to be most wise.

Alan and the rest of the band members came down to Albany on Thursday. His family flew in from Ireland the night before and Michiru's parents were a no-show. Friday morning they all set out for the short trip down to Watkins Glen to get everything set for the day after.

x x x

I lay in bed the night before my wedding and thought about the step I was about to make. It was the first time I doubted my decision since the argument with my parents. You may call it a call of consciousness or the standard pre-wedding psychopathy. Whatever it was, it kept me up all night. In those eight sleepless hours, I never once doubted that I loved Alan and that I wanted to be with him. But, Amanda's words and the words of my parents kept repeating themselves in the back of my mind. I only started to experience life, I have had only one relationship before Alan. My personality was still developing. In the end, my feelings for Alan won over.

When all hell broke loose all these years later, all kinds of accusations and speculations were made. Front pages of magazines and newspapers accused me of marrying because of Alan's success, because I was falling behind and wanted to make sure that he pulled me through, some even accused me of marrying him to get citizenship. Well, only the last one was even in the vicinity of benefits I got, even though it never crossed my mind before the wedding. I didn't even know he had dual citizenship.

I married Alan Carey for one reason and one reason only: I loved him.