July 27th

Last minute arrangements were quickly taken care of before the arrival of the guests. Avery made sure the flower arrangements were set precisely atop pedestals that lined the aisle.

A red carpet was thrown across the grass, and the trellised arch was in full bloom behind the last row of chairs.

Monk gave Christopher the rundown on what songs to play before the ceremony. .

Lin and Anson moved a giant ice sculpture of a dancing couple on top of a gurgling free flowing champagne fountain. Lin glanced at the clock on the wall in the ballroom and excused himself to go dress in his tuxedo.

Clara, Cynthia, and Dan finished stringing up the last of the streamers in the ballroom with little white wedding bells hanging from the arc of each streamer.

Rebecca rolled the cake in as Anson and Avery sat the tables in place and put a small floating candle on each along with souvenir mints with Mai and Naru's names on them and today's date.

Naru dressed in his tuxedo, his fingers fumbled with the black bow tie. Outwardly, he wore the aura of perfect calm. However, inside he was a bundle of nerves. Giving up on the bow tie, he pulled at the sleeve of the navy blue shirt pulling out imaginary wrinkles. He pulled the vest on and his fingers pushed the three buttons through the buttonholes.

Naru turned at a knock at the door as it opened and Lin stepped through the threshold. Lin gazed over the young man's appearance. "I see you still have problems with bow ties."

"Mai thought a clip on wouldn't do for today and wanted me to wear a real one," he growled at the offending piece of cloth.

"Here," Lin said as he stood in front of Naru and worked on the tie. He finished and allowed Naru last look at his reflection. "I must say Mai was right about the bow tie. It looks better than a clip on."

Naru smirked as he pushed his arms into the jacket sleeves. "She has impeccable taste especially when she decided to marry me."

Lin chuckled. "You're not one bit conceited are you?"

Naru glared at his friend, "Who me?"

Mai was trying to get dressed but her nerves were getting the best of her and turning her fingers into a fumbling mess. She sat on the dresser in her underwear and slip with her head in her hands. She sighed as she heard a knock at the door. "Come in."

Madoka flew into the room. "I figured your nerves were getting the best of you, looks like I'm right. Now let's get you dressed." Madoka moved like a pink haired tornado, and before Mai knew it, she was dressed as Madoka finished snapping the silver butterfly buckle to the thin belt that fit around Mai's waist.

The white dress had belonged to her mother but Madoka smiled at how good it looked on Mai. A simple spaghetti strap dress reached just above Mai's ankles. The bodice itself was covered in a simple paisley designed see-through lace that covered the chest, shoulders, and arms.

Both women heard a knock at the door and had to stifle a giggle as a man with hair wrapped in a turban and skin so dark it had a blue tinge to it. He flashed a quick wink at Madoka as he examined Mai's dress. "Oh, my dear don't you look lovely, but now it's time to make you look absolutely ravishing for that cutie your marrying today. How you hooked into him, I'll never know. I tried a couple of times myself, but each time he just gave me the cold shoulder."

He pushed Mai down into a chair and pulled out the tools of his trade from his large bag. Several curling irons, steamrollers, mousse, hair spray, and a large makeup case. Moving behind her he grabbed his brush and brushed her hair pulling it back and then grabbed the now hot steamrollers and put them into her hair. As they worked their magic, he grabbed his smaller curling iron and expertly curled her hair that had escaped the rollers.

Once they cooled, he pulled the rollers out. Clucking his tongue, he put some mousse into his hand, rubbed the hands together applying it to her hair, and put the rollers back into the hair. He leaned forward, looking into Mai's face. "I'm really sorry for putting you through all this, but Japanese hair can be so stubborn and I'm planning on making you look like an image of Aphrodite herself so bear with me dear."

Once satisfied he removed the rollers and brushed out her hair as he hummed a tune from his home country. Grabbing the hairspray, he sprayed his result, picked up the pure silver tiara, and put it into her hair. Her hair fell in the back with cascading curls that were designed into a complex type curly braid, which did look like something from ancient Greece.

Opening his makeup case, he quickly applied a very light makeup scheme to bring out her natural beauty. He followed that with waterproof mascara and eyeliner so that if she cried tears of joy they wouldn't smear or run, and she wouldn't look like a raccoon. He finished the look off with a light pink lipstick to her lips. Stepping back, he gave her the once over admiring his work.

Madoka gazed at the girl and couldn't stop herself. "Oh, Mai you look absolutely gorgeous."

Mai turned and looked at herself in the mirror. She really did look like she belonged in Zeus's court.

Madoka up her veil and put it over Mai's head and grabbed Mai's arm and placed her bracelet over Mai's wrist. "Something borrowed," and the older woman reached over and pulled out a pair of white shoes with silver glitter that caught the light. "Here's something new." The dress since it had belonged to her mother covered the something old and the blue teardrop diamond of her engagement ring covered the something blue.

Mai felt safe and warm as she felt her mother's presence in the room. She glanced in a corner of the room and saw three people standing there that no one else could see. Her mother, her father, and Gene all three had smiles on their faces and she was grateful they were there to share in her happiness.

Mai joined the wedding party as they lined up. As the song began to announce the arrival of the wedding party, Yasu escorted Masako down the aisle to the altar, followed by Keisuke and Carley, and Takigawa and Ayako.

Mai tried her best to fight her nerves as she felt Lin grip her hand and squeezed offering her hi silent support. He lifted his arm offering it to her and she slid her arm around his as the wedding march played. Lin leaned over to her. "If Noll doesn't treat you right let me know and I'll throttle him for you."

Mai couldn't stifle the giggle that escaped her lips as the pair took their first step out onto the red carpet. The guests rose to get a glimpse of the girl that was taking the world renowned Oliver Davis off the market of eligible bachelors. There were ooh's and aww's as they gazed at the girl. Oliver's cousins kept a civil tongue in their mouths after the threat of what their aunt Luella would do. Not to mention the fact that their parents had taken the day off from their busy schedules to join in the celebration, Helen and Edward sighed and rolled their eyes.

As the pair reached the altar, Lin stepped backward as Mai stood next to Ayako across from Naru. John opened his Bible and smiled at the couple. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation to join this man and this woman in holy matrimony.

"Do you Oliver Davis take Mai Taniyama to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do."

John turned to Mai. "Do you Mai Taniyama take Oliver Davis to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do you part?"

"I do."

John gazed upon the congregation. "Who gives this woman to be married?"

Lin rose from his seat next to Madoka, "I Kojou Lin do."

John nodded, "The rings please," John glanced at the best man and the maid of honor.

Keisuke pulled the ring for Mai out of his pocket and handed it Naru, as Ayako hands Mai's her ring for Naru. .

John motions for Naru to place the ring on Mai's finger. Mai giggles nervously as some light laughter joined in from the assembled throng.

"Oliver repeat after me," Johns said. "With this ring, I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow, in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

John nods to Mai and motions for her to place the ring on Naru's finger, "and repeat after me. With this ring, I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow, in the name of the father, the son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

"I now pronounce you man and wife, you may kiss the bride."

Oliver raises Mai's veil and gently presses his lips to hers, and she responds in kind, as John coughs into his hand. A bashful smile crosses his face as a round of giggles ripple through the guests along with a couple of wolf whistles and one Atta boy from somewhere.

A pink glow colors Mai's cheeks as her face grew hot both she and Naru turn toward the assembled throng and John announces, "May I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Davis."

A photographer stepped out as the wedding party moved over to the cupid fountain and he took several pictures of the group as a whole. Photos were taken of Mai and Naru together along with several pictures of Mai and Naru with Luella, Martin, and Lin.

The newly married couple finally joined their guests in the ballroom and passed by a small podium. Mai couldn't help but glance at Naru and whisper, "speeches?"

"Yes, it's something that's done at weddings."

Mai nodded as she made her way over to the table and Naru pulled her chair out for her to sit down and he pushed it in, pulled his out, and took his seat next to her. She noticed Martin had stopped at the podium.

Martin tapped the microphone causing a little squeal of feedback. "Is this on?" Martin asked as laughter emitted from the guests. "I'm so pleased to see so many friends and family that have taken the time to come here today to help celebrate Mai and Oliver's wedding.

"I remember when Luella and I adopted Eugene and Oliver. The twins were like two different sides of the same coin. Eugene was friendly and outgoing while Oliver was reserved and standoffish. Both boys had high IQ's though Oliver got his Ph.D. at the age of 15.

"As most of you know Eugene was taken from us, his death affected Oliver the worst. He became emotionally closed off to everyone, including us.

"However, he met a girl, Mai Taniyama, who swept him off his feet and helped to thaw his frozen heart," Martin smiled at Mai, who was now his daughter-in-law. Mai's face turned a beet red as she lowered her eyes.

"Because of her, we have our youngest son back." He raised a champagne glass that had found its way into his hand. "I'm going to stop now, but can I ask you all to stand and raise your glasses to Oliver and Mai Davis."

Martin moved over to his seat after taking a sip of the alcoholic drink and sat down next to the love of his life. Luella reached out and hugged her man tightly, "That was such a sweet toast."

Martin chuckled, "It was all true."

Lin rose from his seat and moved over to the podium. "I would like to make this short but to the point," the tall and intimidating Chinese man blushed slightly. Public speaking was not a skill he possessed. "I am Kojou Lin, but I am not the father of the bride. I first met her while working with Oliver in Japan. We got off to a rocky start but by our seventh case, she was starting to grow on me though I swore I'd never befriend a Japanese person." He let out a soft chuckle. "It was during that case she actually stood up to me and told me off. It was also during that case that I discovered she was an orphan. Over a year later she had broken through my barriers and earned a place in my heart. I'm still amazed to this day, that she can continue to stay so upbeat all the time especially with losing her parents. In closing I'd like to say, Oliver take good care of her or you will be answering to me."

Mai smiled at the tall man as she wiped a touch of moisture from her eye. She felt Naru's arm around her shoulders. He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

Keisuke rose from his seat and strode to the podium. "I know you're all hungry so this will be short. I hadn't known Oliver and Mai for a long time and was extremely flattered when Oliver asked me to be his best man.

"I have learned something about them, though. They actually love each other and will do anything to protect the other and I think that's what real love is all about. Nevertheless, what can I say, I'm still single.

"Without any more fuss, let's make another toast to Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Davis. May your married life be the happiest possible."

Dan, Anson, and Rebecca served everyone their meals. Mai dipped her spoon into her soup and stirred. Leaning forward she brought the spoon up to her mouth and slipped it in as the flavor touched her tongue and the warm liquid slid down her throat. She closed her eyes as she smiled and couldn't find one flaw in it.

She leaned over to Naru, "I wish we could take Alexander back with us when we return to Japan."

Naru smirked at her, "I don't think Cynthia would let us."

Mai giggled, "You're right."

Takigawa strode over to his laptop, which he moved over to the podium and brought up his playlist.

Leaning over and speaking into the microphone. "Can we get Mai and Naru on the dance floor please for the first dance?"

When they stepped onto the floor, he started the music, which was N'SYNC's God Must Have Spent A Little More Time on You.

Mai and Naru slid across the floor as the room swirled around them in one big blur. They moved in circles never taking their eyes off each other. Their bodies were so close Mai could feel Naru's hot breath on her cheek. As the final notes of the song played Naru circled, his arm around Mai's waist and leaned her back into a huge dip her head almost touching the floor. She gasped as he gave her his sweet smile he reserved only for her. As he pulled her back up, he pressed his lips to hers.

Madoka leaned over to Lin, "This is so sweet what you're doing for Mai."

Lin smiled softly at the love of his life. "She's special and I want her to remember this day."

Madoka giggled, "I bet if she were younger you would have insisted on adopting her."

He leaned forward and kissed Madoka on the temple as he murmured, "You know I would have."

"Can we have Mai and Lin out on the dance floor? It's time for the father-daughter dance."

Lin rose from his seat and stepped onto the dance floor as he held his hand out towards Mai. Shyly she stepped forward and placed her hand in his. He gently pulled her towards him leaving a space between their bodies as the first notes began to play of Roy Miner's A Dad's Song to His Daughter. The pair moved across the floor in time to the slow music like skilled craftsmen creating a centerpiece. As the last notes played, Lin pulled Mai into a gentle hug. "I hope I was an excellent surrogate father, Mai."

Mai blushed and bowed respectfully to him. "I think my dad would have liked you a lot, Lin." Then on impulse, she threw herself into his arms and hugged him tightly as she whispered, "Thank you, Lin."

"Now it's time for the mother-son dance. Oliver and Luella report to the dance floor please."

Luella's grin spread wide across her face as she whispered a yes and fist pumped. She rose from her seat and practically ran to the dance floor. Oliver walked out to meet her and cocked an eyebrow at her. "Do you have to make a scene, mother."

Luella smiled at her youngest son. "It's a parent's prerogative."

Oliver reached out and took his mother's hand in his as Jim Brickman's song A Mother's Love began to play.

Mai couldn't help but giggle at Luella's display as her new mother-in-law tried to embrace her son.

Martin sat down next to Mai, "Having a good time?"

Mai smiled as she nodded, "Yes, I am."

Once the dance was over Takigawa, set his playlist to play automatically and he strode over to Ayako. "May I have this dance?"

Ayako giggled, "Who thought you could be such a gentleman?"

Monk chuckled, "I am always a gentleman. You just take some of the things I say the wrong way." They joined other couples who were now out on the dance floor.

After several dances, Luella stepped up to Takigawa and whispered something into the man's ear. A slow grin spread across his face as he nodded. He kissed Ayako on the cheek, "Duty calls," and he moved over to his laptop stopping the music. "It's time for the bride and groom to cut the cake."

Naru and Mai stepped over to the cake. Mai thought it was too cute to cut but Alexander placed a knife in her hand as Naru gripped her hand steadying it as they cut two small pieces as the photographer snapped off several pictures.

Yasu yelled, "Smash the cake in his face, Mai."

Masako sent a well-aimed elbow into his ribs.

He smiled at Masako, "It's for luck. Superstition says that if they smash the cake in each other's faces, they will have a long happy marriage." He gave her a peck on the cheek as he pulled out his cell phone to snap off some pictures to send home to his parents.

Mai blushed as a slight coral tinged her cheeks as she raised her hand holding the piece of wedding cake and lifted it towards Naru's face. She felt a hand on her elbow that shoved the cake forward into Naru's face. Yasu snapped the picture catching the smirk on Luella's face and the horrified expression on Mai's face and Naru using a napkin to wipe the mess off his face.

Naru picked his piece up and smashed it into Mai's face. He leaned over and licked some of the cake and icing off her chin. He proceeded to kiss her as the crumbs of cake and some icing transferred to his mouth.

They gathered the women around Mai as she turned her back facing them and threw the bouquet backward over her shoulder. Maybe it was fate that Jessica caught it.

The guys were gathered around Naru and Mai and some whistled as Naru reached up her thigh and removed the garter belt from her leg. He threw it and Takigawa caught it.

Champagne and wine flowed as everyone continued to enjoy himself or herself at the reception. Unseen by everyone Naru snuck away with Mai in tow and pulled her upstairs to what was now their bedroom. He turned the knob, opened the door, reached over, and picked Mai up into his arms as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

As he carried her over the threshold he kicked, the door closed behind him and used his PK to turn the lock. Sitting her down on the bed, he removed the tiara from her hair. He leaned forward and kissed her intensely she matched his passion with her own. As they parted, he smiled softly, "Welcome to Forever Mrs. Davis."

She smiled back in return, "I love you Mr. Davis, and I'm looking forward to forever with you."