Extraordinary Girl

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon, or its characters with which I am using. Inspiration for the story and title is Green Day's song "Extraordinary Girl". However, I do own some of the OC's I have given Ryo for family members. They are of my creation.

A/N: This story will not have the actual Digimon in it, just the Tamers of Season 3. Canon pairings: mainly Ryo/Ruki, but with hints of Jeri/Takato, and Henry/Alice.

I have decided to continue this as a multi-chapter story thanks to my readers. Thank you all.

**Dedicated to my fellow author and friend, Dolce Saito. This is for her! :D ~Eb [formerly Digi_Chick]

~Ryo's POV~

Chapter 11

Taking Rumiko's advice was one of the first things Ruki and I took into consideration while we spent our little vacation in West Shinjuku, away from our families. It was just us, alone, and the feeling can't be described with fancy words. I am enjoying getting to know Ruki without any awkward, or unintentional, interruptions. We were taking things slower; I say that because our morning romps haven't exactly stopped. We just agreed not to go all the way and have sex until it was in our mutual interest; I also wanted us to be ready for it.

I unfortunately cannot say that I will be a virgin with my bride on our wedding day, thanks to too many hard alcohol shots at a frat party some friends from college dragged me to. I own it; I know it was my own stupid fault for even attending. This was one of the conversations that have come up between Ruki and me.

Ruki and I were lying in bed the morning, following the dinner with her estranged father, after a spicy wake up call. She was being rather quiet again, lost somewhere in the depths of her mind. I love to watch her during her musings. She is so focused.

I gently tilted her chin up so she was looking at me, causing her thoughts to return to the present moment. Ruki gave me a soft smile.

"Yes?" she asked as she curled her body so it molded to my side.

"What is on your mind? You look so serene, but as if something is bothering you deep inside."

Ruki's brows furrowed for a split second, but smoothed in a content way immediately, and a laugh jostled us both.

"You really can see through me, now. Wow, I'm amazed Ryo," She spoke meeting my fixed gaze.

"What do you mean?" I was uncertain where she was coming from.

She smiled.

"Something is, well, it isn't bothering me, but I am curious about something."

"Anything, you can ask me anything Ruki."

"I know; that's why I'm bringing it up, love." Ruki responded, she shuffled a little so that we were almost facing one another. I did the same. This had to be something important; well, everything she says is important to me, but I really didn't know what she was going to ask.

I nodded my head, "Go ahead, Pumpkin. I'm all ears."

Ruki bit her lip nervously, suddenly going quiet for a few minutes. I waited for her to start the conversation. Finally she took a deep breath.

"Have you…" she paused. "I don't want to offend you, but have you been with anyone before? Have you had sex?"

The question threw me a little; it came out of left field, but not so much that I wasn't expecting us to have this conversation at some point. It was my turn to take a deep breath.

"I have… Yes, I have had sex before," I watched her face falter slightly, but she was quick to put the mask up. Her wall would start building again and there would be a barrier between us. It hurt to admit. I hated the fact that it happened the way that it did. My frown matched hers. She had been hoping for a 'no' and I desperately wanted to give her that confirmation.

"Oh," was all she could muster.

"I, can I explain?" I asked.

Ruki gave a nod, looking intensely into my eyes. I felt the tension in the room thickening and my throat tightened.

"I won't give you excuses. My experience happened at the hand of my own poor judgment. It was not supposed to happen, however, it did regardless." I replied, never letting my gaze fall from hers. She had my full attention. "It happened last year. I attended a party with some classmates at school. My roommate is friends with one of the top fraternity alumni. They invited him to a party and said he could bring some friends, which he chose me. It was my intention to be the designated driver and not drink at all during this party. Unfortunately, I had a glass of punch that was spiked, and I fell, to my own dismay, and had several shots of hard alcohol afterward. The time between that is still foggy. At some point in the night I was completely drunk and Patrick left me to spend a night with one of the girls invited. I woke up the next day in bed with some chick also and a massive hangover. I didn't need to remember details to figure out what I did."

Ruki was silent as the grave as I finished my explanation. In my head, it sounded as though I was making excuses. I knew I made a mistake that day, and it has haunted me since then. Her expression was almost calculating, and focused. It was very intense.

I waited quietly, listening to the clock on the wall of our hotel suite tick. With every passing second my mind recited my own words. I had meant for Ruki to be the first and only woman I would be with, and in a foolish inebriated state I had stupidly messed up my desire and possibly wedged a block in Ruki and my relationship. I knew very well that she was still a virgin.

I glanced up to find her staring at me, though I had looked down at my lap.

"You don't remember the experience itself?" was all she asked.

I shook my head, "Not at all. Minus the severe headache, but no I don't remember having sex with the girl."

She took my left hand, gingerly tracing around the spot on my ring finger where my wedding band would be at a later date.

"I can't tell you that I'm not a little disappointed, but I'm relieved that you don't consciously remember that girl having you. Thank you for being honest." Her guard was slowly being let down.

"Ruki, I will never lie to you, especially not in an area that we will share so intimately one day. I am sorry that I was foolish. My judgment was clouded, and I knew I shouldn't have gone to the party in the first place. If I could rewind time, I would rewind back to that moment and not have drunk anything at the party. I can't do that, though. But I want you to know that my thoughts have always been purely focused on you."

Her smile had returned. The conversation was a big plunge and it had made the tone heavy, but her smile lightened the mood.

"I know you wouldn't. That is the past, babe don't dwell and beat yourself up about it. That was an accident and a mistake, but a hangover, and your virginity, was the price you paid. Everything is okay between us. I was just stunned at hearing what happened. I'm not mad at you," Ruki kissed my cheek, "Besides, we have only our future to look forward to."

It was a relief to hear Ruki say that she forgave my actions. I kissed her lips gently, glad that I hadn't fucked up my chance to let our relationship blossom.

"Thank you, I won't let it bother me."

She smiled, snuggling to my side. Then her eyes met mine again, and there was another nervous emotion hiding deep in them.

"Talk to me, Pumpkin. I can only read you so well."

"I… I haven't ever done anything."

"I'm aware of that; do you think that that is a bad thing?" I asked with concern. I wouldn't be offended if she had had sex before. We were human, she had just shown me grace for a mistake I made, and I would give her the same without a doubt. I wouldn't even bat an eye. She was everything to me.

Ruki paused, considering my inquiry. "Uh, I did… It's not, is it?" she returned with a sheepish grin.

I chuckled.

"It's not bad, baby. I know you have limited experience in relationships like ours. Honestly, I don't have as much experience as everyone seems to assume that I do. Yes, I had "fan girls", but I wasn't a player or anything. I was cocky around you because I thought I could impress you that way." I replied gently. It was true. "But our banter, back in the Digital World and once we returned, only showed me the way into your heart. You don't like cocky, smart ass guys that flaunt themselves."

A sparkle found its way into her amethyst orbs; it was an expression that I have seen in her eyes before but I don't know how to place it or what it means yet.

"That's not entirely true, Your Majesty," she winked at me. I really liked that nickname and she was my queen, so it could go both ways. "I did fall for the cocky, smart ass guy that flaunted himself. The only difference was you had all the other characteristics that I liked, and you had the talent to back up your cockiness. You blew me away in the Digital World, I really liked you then I just didn't want to admit it. Especially to you, since you were so cocky and outgoing. I knew I wouldn't hear the end of it."

We laughed together for a long while. Ruki was right about that. I had worked my ass off to impress her, but she hadn't given me the satisfaction of knowing that it worked until recently.

My arms encircled her waist.

"Why did you bring that up," I asked lightly. I was curious to see if she thought we were moving too quick or how she felt our relationship was moving along.

She glanced up at me. She bit her lip, that cute pout, with the same nervousness as before.

"It just seemed like something that we should get out in the open." Ruki said with her voice hardly above a whisper. She was showing this side of vulnerability that was alluringly sexy to me.

"I agree with you, inevitably we would have had to talk about this stuff."

"It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be."

"Did your mom tell you that it would be hard?" I inquired, playing with the soft auburn strands of her hair. Her red hair was such a lovely compliment to the alabaster tone of her skin, and it was just as silky. I tend to get lost in the beauty that makes up my fiancée, inside as much as, if not more than, her outward appearance. She is the most beautiful woman I have ever stumbled across.

A faint blush found its way onto her cheeks.

"No," Ruki admitted smiling, "That was probably a misconception that I believed on my own. I'm just relieved that it is incorrect. Everything is so simple with you. I can't believe I waited so long to be yours."

"Neither can I!" I teased playfully.

Her pure, heartfelt laugh resounded through our suite. It made me smile. I love seeing her like this: relaxed and care-free. It was remarkable.

"Shut up," Ruki jested back, smacking my chest with an emphasis that she was joking. It wasn't hard, just to say that she was kidding.

I raised my hands jokingly in mock surrender. She smiled and wriggled out of my embrace. I watched her crawl down to the edge of the bed in her little "booty" shorts and a T-shirt of mine, one of my old, well broken-in band shirts.

She glanced over her shoulder as she got out of bed. I sat up, moving to follow her, but she pushed me back into the pillows.

"Stay. I will be back in a few moments, okay?"

I blinked, but nodded.

"I'm not going anywhere."

Ruki grinned and disappeared into the kitchen. I waited in contentment, listening to the sound of her bustling about the kitchenette in the suite. I heard her gather pans, plates, cups, silverware, and open and shut the fridge several times.

Minutes later there was a delicious aroma wafting my way from her direction. I inhaled deeply… Oh yeah, my future wife can cook I assume. She gets that from her family, a fantastic trait that we both share. That could be a fun activity for us to pursue together as a couple one day.

"Need any help, baby?" I called, trying to gauge her reaction. Was I being facetious? Yes I was.

I heard her scoff. She knew me as well as I knew her.

"No, darling," Ruki replied with coy sarcasm. "I don't need your help. Watch out or you won't be receiving any of this divine food I cooked up to share. I mean I can eat it all if I have to." She added a throaty moan when she took a sample of her culinary creation.

I shook my head with a chuckle. She was the sexiest woman ever!

"That's not funny, you know?"

Ruki appeared in the arch of the opening to the kitchen, smirking at me.

"Which part?"

"You know well the part I speak of," I said pointedly, though in a joking undertone.

She giggled and sauntered back into the kitchen with a swish of her hips.

All I could do was stare at the ceiling and hope to the heavens that I could control my hormones. It's not exactly easy to will away a boner once it's erupted. Come on, this won't be the proper time to showcase anything. Damn it… I'm suddenly not hungry for dinner.

Ruki walked into the room carrying a lap tray and dinner. Just like breakfast in bed, only this was dinner in bed. As she placed it over my lap her eyes darted from below to my face, and I gave her a sheepish grin.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine, babe."

"You sure, that looks… painful," she blushed.

I chuckled, "No, well yeah they can be. I'm okay. This food is distracting it enough, and a cold shower will do the trick."

That smirk played her features once more and she winked at me before going back to retrieve a meal for her. I swear, I think Ruki likes to tease me at times. This seemed to be one of them. I have mixed feelings about it. Part of me is turned on, obviously, but the other part isn't so fond. Teasing us isn't nice. Women don't like to intentionally get their motors running if nothing is going to happen.

Hmmm. I wonder if this is going to become one of our little games. Ruki is competitive. Would this be something she would so boldly take on as a challenge? I thought as we ate in a comfortable silence.

Ruki had returned to her place by my side in bed.

"This is delicious, love," I complimented. She was an amazing chef. I think home-cooked meals will be our specialty. I look forward to possibly making husband and wife, tag-teamed, dinners with her. I remember my parents doing that in my early years. It was a great thing to bond over.

She smiled at me genuinely grateful. "Thank you. My grandmother taught me this recipe. It's my favorite. I thought you would be the perfect person to share it with."

"What's your secret?" I asked, grinning.

"Can't tell you that, handsome. It's Grandma's secret recipe. All I can say is that it only tastes good if there is love involved." She glanced at me out of the corner of her eye, smiling.

"That's a good secret, regardless." I kissed her, gathering our now empty plates. She made a pout as I pulled away to take them back into the kitchenette to do the dishes and clean up the kitchen.

I felt her hug me from behind as I washed the dishes. Her chin could barely reach my shoulders to perch. I chuckled and she playfully smacked me, which was really more of a pat. Either way, it was really cute.

As I dried the last dish, Ruki unplugged the drain and scooped out some sudsy bubbles into her hands.

I raised a brow at her.

"What are you doing?' I asked curiously.

"What does it look like?" She just smiled innocently, but behind her eyes I saw a mischievous glint.

I like how Ruki tries to act innocent and naive, which in reality she is both innocent and naive; however, there is something I find intriguing. Ruki's eyes hold knowledge and though she has never physically done anything with a guy, she knows a lot about that aspect.

I figure I may have to teach her some of the technical parts of being intimate, and love-making. She will also have to teach me about her as well, as I teach her about me. This is something together we mutually have to agree that we're ready for as I said before.

In the technical sense, both Ruki and I are ready. Our bodies react to the attraction from one another. The hormones are raging like crazy, but mentally I think she and I have a way to go.

Our friends had a few years to get comfortable with each other. I don't want us to rush, just because I proposed, into the intimacy the others worked with their partner to gain. It takes time, and I intend to give us all the time we need or want.

I held up a towel. "You really want to play this game?"

Ruki blew the bubbles at my face, laughing as they popped and I made a face.

"Ha, ha you're funny," I tried to sound not amused, but it was rather difficult. So instead I splashed her with the remaining water in the sink.

Ruki squeaked at the sudden coolness of the water.

"Hey! I just blew bubbles at you," she objected, still giggling.

So, that pretty much started a war, one that I won of course. Ruki put up a strong fight; she nearly had me beat. We ended up moving the war into the bathroom from the kitchen. There was an extending shower-head that kicked things up a level. We made quite the water mess throughout the hotel suite.

We were soaked down to the bone by the end.

Ruki was glowing and glistening as she held my hand, walking out from the bathroom to the bed.

I brushed my hair back, peeling off my drenched shirt.

Ruki sat on the bed. Her head tilted as she watched me. I bent over to kiss her gently on the lips. She smiled returning the gesture. "As pointless as that was, it was fun."

I plopped down in bed beside her. "Sometimes the pointless fun is the most fun, beautiful."

Ruki curled up to me for warmth and pulled the covers over us, shaking with chills from the air conditioning.

"I'll take your word for it, handsome," she murmured, yawning.

I felt my eyes getting heavy as well. Good food and playtime with my fiancée, although not the play either of us planned on, really took its toll on us. We needed a nice long nap, which is just what we did.

Ruki and I had been up since late in the morning, that was the time her and I tended to awake the past few mornings, and when I awoke the sun was high in the sky. It was late afternoon, heading into the early evening around six, as the sun began its dissent toward the horizon.

My phone was buzzing like crazy on vibrate. I grabbed blindly for it.

Ruki stirred in my arms as my fingers grasped the damn phone.

"Is someone calling you?" she asked through a yawn as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

"Yeah, I think so," I pulled the phone into view and checked the missed call. "Oh, it was my cousin."

I sat up slightly and Ruki followed my lead, staying nestled between my arms. "Brooke?"

"Yes," I smiled. My two favorite ladies got along just fine. I really wanted to have Brooke hang with us so the girls could get to know one another better. "She left me a message. I bet you anything that it is long."

Ruki giggled.

"She is a talker, I noticed."

"Yes… like me," I chuckled as I listened to Brooke's five minute long message. It was long, elaborate, and didn't tell me diddly squat about what she was calling for. She always talks and talks and talks to get me to call back immediately to find out the real reason for her call.

Ruki pulled her hair up. Now that it was dry, it had waved because of the water fight. Which I will admit, was quite adorable.

"What did she want?" She asked.

"She likes to ramble on about nonsense. She has done this since we were children. It used to annoy the hell out of me. So, I still don't know." I muttered with a grin, "The brat."

I hit redial, listening to Ruki laugh. She was amused by our 'sibling' rivalry. It rang for a couple seconds before Brooke picked it up.

"Ryo!" Brooke exclaimed, as she greeted me. I miss hanging out with her. She is the closest thing I have ever had to a sibling and her mother is the closest thing I have had to a mother. They were the leading ladies in my life after my mother's death. That is also when Brooke and I became as close to each other as we were. "Took you long enough to call me back."

"Of course it did with that message you left me, you're lucky I was able to call you back timely." I joked. "You are the complete opposite of my Dad. His messages are literally 'call me back' 'click'."

Brooke laughed. She had been on the other end of his phone calls many times in our childhood. "I remember, and I'm sorry… I just couldn't resist." She replied sheepishly.

"I figured," I said with a smile, "So, what is up? You did call me for a particular reason didn't you? Not that I don't like your 'just because' calls."

Brooke paused for a moment, sounding as if she was contemplating my statement.

"Well, actually it is kind of a just because call. I wanted to catch up. We haven't heard from you since the family barbeque at your father's place. How are you and the wife-to-be?"

There was a smile in her tone and an anxiousness to hang out with us. I knew from the family barbeque that Brooke became attached to Ruki. She had not only told me that she thought Ruki was a good choice for me, but she showed it when she took Ruki under her wing around all my extended family. I was still grateful for that. She had made Ruki feel welcome, invited, and a part of the family.

I grinned, leaning back with Ruki. She was listening contently to our conversation, playing with my wild hair.

"A lot has happened actually. Ruki and I have a place of our own. My parents bought us a house for starters."

"A house? Wow! Are you all moved in and ready?"

"Nah, we're waiting until after our honeymoon to settle into our place and move our things together." I knew Brooke would be happy about that. She would want to help move. It will be the perfect bonding time, that and planning the wedding. I know Brooke wants to help us.

"Oh, perfect," Brooke responded thoughtfully. "Are you any further with the plans for the wedding?"

"Not yet. Ruki and I are relaxing a little, getting away from the families."

Brooke laughed. "Are your parents wigging out about everything yet?"

"A little bit, the realization is hitting them, I think." I thought back to my dad sharing my mother's will and Rumiko freaking about finding us in bed, even though we hadn't done anything. "Yes, they're wigged out."

Brooke was smiling, it reflected in her cheery tone. Ruki smiled at me. "She sounds so happy." She whispered. I nodded my agreement. This conversation was much needed.

"That's sweet," Brooke replied gently. "My mom still wants to meet Ruki though. She's been asking about you two. Oh! That was why I called! I remember now."

It was just like Brooke to forget something like that. I love her to pieces.

Ruki gingerly took the phone from my hand, having heard Brooke's outburst. I let her without any protest.

"Brooke? It's Ruki, when would be a good time for us to meet your mother and you?"

I heard Brooke practically squeal from the other side of the call. Ruki had surprised her by taking over the phone.

"I should have realized you were in on our convo! Hey Ruki, first off it is great to speak to you again. Um, I think we are free tomorrow all day. I work the next few days after and I know she is really busy with her work also. New project or something along those lines. Would you and Ryo be able to meet us? You could come to the house."

Ruki tilted her head to glance over at me in question. I shrugged casually. "We have all the time in the world I don't think it would hurt us to spend some time with them if it is okay with you."

"Tomorrow would be perfect," Ruki said with a big smile. I think she was looking forward to getting to know my cousin better. The two of them were going to be close, I could feel it.

"Great, I will text Ryo with a time tomorrow. Will that be okay?"

I leaned forward so that Brooke would be able to hear me. "Yes, that would be fine. We will talk to you then. Love you B."

"Love you too, Ry-Ry."

I took the phone from Ruki, scoffing. "You would."

"Yep, talk to you tomorrow. Bye," She just laughed and hung up.

Ruki was looking at me as I disconnected my end. I took a breath. "It was something she called me when we were kids."

"It's cute."

"I guess," I kissed her.

All in all, the day was one of my favorite we had together thus far in our relationship since we returned from camp this summer. Time was going by at a steady pace, but it was giving us just enough time to start to really bond.

I would have never seen this coming years ago. I hadn't really, after the D-Reaper incident. I knew that Ruki and I had made it to 'almost friends' back then. In high school we grew a little closer, but she had still been very distant. Once I had graduated I thought I had lost my chance with her forever.

I remember Patrick telling me to get over Ruki when we started rooming together at the university. I'm glad I didn't listen to him, I had never intended to either. Part of me always knew that Ruki was my one true love, if there is such a thing. I believe that there is, and I probably get that from my mother. My father didn't think the same way. He had also told me to get over the Makino girl.

Ruki was watching me.

"What are you thinking?" she asked softly. The lights were dimmed in our room, and it was creating a serene glow as the sun started to fall below the horizon finally.

"Just about us, about how everyone told me that I should get over you and move on." She nodded her head like she had agreed with that, which made me laugh. "I couldn't. If you had told me 'no' this time around, I think I might have actually snapped. I would have let you go, but I never could have forgotten you. Never."

Ruki cupped my face in her soft hands, and I nuzzled into them. Her eyes twinkled with an emotion I can only sort as love. "Before camp I know I had thought that you should get over me. I kind of thought you were obsessed, though I was really only in denial. I was afraid to let you in and find love. But I thank you for not giving up on me. Everyday we've spent together has shown me so much of what I could have had back then. This happiness we share, I don't want it to ever go away."

"It won't, and hey," I rested my forehead against hers staring deeply into her eyes. "Like you told me earlier, don't dwell on the past. We were both foolish and made a mistake here and there, but we have each other now. We have a future together and we have plenty of time to plan and create a life for ourselves."

Ruki must have liked that encouragement because she kissed me feverishly.

"Have I told you what I want our wedding to be like?"

I shook my head, pulling her close. "No, but I would love to hear about your thoughts about the wedding."

She smiled. "As a girl I didn't really have a dream wedding, but recently I have been thinking of things I like and things I want in the wedding." I nodded for her to continue. "I want it to be a mixture of modern and traditional elements. I'm seeing us having an evening wedding, though I'm not sure what sparked that idea. I also think I want it to be a black-tie affair, none of that semi-casual stuff. My mother would be very proud of me."

I chuckled, "So do I. So far it sounds perfect. I think you are a mixture of traditional and modern, which comes from being raised by your mother and your grandmother. I like the evening idea a lot, but I'd be open to whatever time of day you chose. And black-tie, huh? You want it to be that fancy? I have to say that I like the idea, I just never saw you choosing it."

Ruki's smile was met with a light blush.

"Well, neither did I, but I think it will work for us and I really want to see you in a tuxedo."

"I want to see you in a wedding gown. What else do you see for our wedding, my love?" I asked, very intrigued by her sudden inspiration to share her wedding desires with me.

Ruki thought for a moment, before speaking again.

"I want the theme to be Japanese garden, but done elegantly and I want it indoors. So our wedding planner better be able to pull it off the way I see it in my head. I want the traditional lanterns and lights, like stars in the sky, draped all around the reception hall. I don't know what venue I want, yet, but something extravagant. I want the fabric to be modern, but have a soft and romantic feel about them, light and flowing. I was thinking of the flowers to be Sakura blossoms and possibly have branches around the room for decoration, along with the other flora I choose. I haven't decided on everything. Other than that all I know is the colors will be — and I know this will shock you — pink, light green, white and silver for accents."

I took a minute as I listened to her paint the picture of our wedding day to see everything she wanted in my head. My imagination was good, but this was a stretch for me. I don't usually think up wedding details. All I knew was I wanted us to be at an altar, have Ruki in a white dress, and our family to be there. That was the extent of my idea of a wedding. Ruki's ideal wedding was well thought out and sounded beautiful.

I was truly touched at how much thought she was taking to think about our wedding. I wanted to be there throughout the whole process. I want to know the things that Ruki likes and dislikes about a wedding. From the fabric of her wedding dress, to the cake, to the venue, to who her wedding party will be. Everything, I want to know it all.

"Wow, Ruk, that sounds amazing. The Akiyama-Makino wedding will hopefully start a trend and will be the wedding of the year to watch." I replied. "Can I be there for things while you plan?"

"For support?"

"If that's all you want me there for, I suppose," I hadn't thought of that. I wonder if Ruki will become one of those so-called "Bridezilla's". She was a perfectionist and wanted it her way. We will have to wait and see.

Her face beamed with joy. "No, I would love to have you join in on the wedding plans. Do you like my ideas on our wedding so far?"

"I love them. They sound very us."

"That was the plan."

I laughed, "I know. So we have the theme, the colors, and some of the flowers and décor that you have in mind. That is actually a very good start. Do you want our wedding to be large?"

"I was thinking it could be average. I think with my family, your family, and our friends that will be a small wedding, but I'm sure they will help us with the guest list. I don't know all the people that we need to invite. I know I have extended family and friends that my mother and grandmother will want to reach out to, as will your dad, right?"

"I guarantee it. Especially some of his work buddies that I grew up knowing. Plus I want to invite my military colleagues, my squad became like family to me while I was away in the Special Forces."

She smiled, "Well, good. Then average size will fit I think. The cake and the dresses and tuxedos and things can be decided at a later date. We have a lot to start thinking of. My mother gave me several bridal magazines and a book to start to piece things together. Some of that gave me the inspiration for what I want our wedding to be like."

"That is perfect. We have more than enough time to come up with everything. Oh, while we are on the marriage topic, how long do you want to be engaged?" I was curious to know her answer. I mean I would wait a lifetime for her, but I wanted to know her honest opinion on it.

Ruki gazed at her hands, "I was thinking a year, or a little over a year. I'm not sure. Is that unreasonable?"

"Not at all, I didn't mean for you to think of it that way. I was just wondering what your thoughts were on the subject. A year or even eighteen months would be more than enough time, plus we can always decide on a date later rather than sooner. Whatever you are comfortable with."

She kissed my cheek, out of relief and gratefulness. "Have I told you how much I love you?"

"Not within the last hour or so, Kitten," I winked. Life is good.

Ruki straddled me, looking me straight in the eye. Her expression wasn't determined, it wasn't challenging. She was content, she was elated. Her lips captured mine before I could blink.

"I love you so much, Ryo." It was music to my ears.

"I love you too, Ruki. Mrs. Akiyama-to-be," and with that I flipped the light switch, and rolled over with her. Altogether, tonight was a fantastic night.

A/N: Wedding plans have begun in the wonderful Ryo-and-Ruki-love-fest we have going on here. And yes, I only alluded to a limey scene here. No big stuff until the wedding happens or closer to the wedding. I haven't decided when anything is really going to heat up between our love birds. Ryo and Ruki are getting to know each other without their family or friends to interrupt, while staying at a nice hotel in town. Here I decided to let some things come out into the open, a bit of pre-marital counseling you could call it.

Let me know how you feel about this slightly more feminine Ruki coming out. I'm trying to keep her totally in character, but show her maturing and growing comfortable enough with Ryo that she can let down her guard and be the fiancée and wife that she wants to be, and is capable of being. I always thought Ruki had a big heart; it was just so full of hurt in the series, but Renamon becoming her partner, the Tamers becoming her friends, her relationship with her mother and grandmother being mended after the D-Reaper incident, and Ryo coming back into her life, I thought the girl was more open to happiness. What do you think?

Also, the wedding plans and ideas are coming to me as I write this story. Hopefully they aren't too corny. Haha. I am not married, nor have I had any practice in planning a wedding, so forgive me if anything comes off as inexperienced or made-up, because it might be. I will try and research some things before I post those chapters later on. I want it to be believable!

Anyway, much love and big shout outs to my friends, readers, and reviewers: Dolce Saito, Anon, Lii Makino, and everyone else. Thank you for reading, following, reviewing and leaving commentary, any and all of the above. This story has been my pride and joy for some time and it is for you all. Leave me a review please and let me know what you think!