Title: A Sweet Tyranny

Warning: It's an AU fic with OOC moments, adult situations

Disclaimer: I wish the boys were mine, but they're not! I borrowed the characters from the incomparable Takanaga-sensei.

Epilogue

The day would be beautiful. The weather forecast was for clear skies, gentle breezes and a high of 75°F; no one could hope for a better wedding day. Kanako was almost sorry they'd decided to have an indoor ceremony. All three of her closest male relatives were grateful that the day was here so they could just get it over with and let her go back to normal. She was so nervous about everything going well; she was driving them all insane. Tetsuhiro was the only one who could talk any sense to her and he seemed to thoroughly enjoy the hullabaloo. The Tatsumi males were more than willing to let him run interference for them.

The phone began to ring at 6am the morning of the big day. Souichi groaned as he reached for the damn thing while Tetsuhiro tried to burrow under the covers, "What is it now Kanako!?" He listened for a bit and huffed, "So what if Dad is bringing a guest? …Really?" the younger man poked his head out from the blankets at his partner's tone. "Huh, well I guess we'll find out then, won't we? Look Kana, it's too early for this shit! You woke us up; call it good for now! We'll see you later at the chapel….Bye."

"What was all that about?" Tetsuhiro asked in amusement as he watched Souichi scrub his hands through his hair and sigh heavily.

"Seems the old man managed to throw her for a loop; he told her last night he was bringing a guest to the wedding, and just now left for the airport to pick her up. Kanako is completely freaking out," Souichi was sitting up and grinning at the thought of his sister's words. "She's upset because she's going to be out of town for a week-long honeymoon and won't be able to get to know her 'future step-mom,' her words not mine!"

"Is your father really dating?" Tetsuhiro asked with a grin.

"How should I know? She's probably his assistant; I think he had a female one the last time we talked about his work," Souichi yawned and lay down again. "Could you make the coffee this morning, I really want to be lazy for a bit longer."

The younger man's expression softened as he leaned over to kiss his lover, "Sure; let me spoil you a little today."

The blonde gave a soft snort, "You spoil me too much as it is."

"Just 'cause I love you."

Souichi and Tetsuhiro arrived at the chapel early enough to talk to Kanako and as they were getting their bearings two hands reached through the door next to them and yanked them inside the dressing room. The young woman looked absolutely lovely draped in soft white lace. The dress was empire style and the skirt flared around her every time she moved. Tetsuhiro noticed Tomoe off in a corner and decided to leave the brothers alone with their sister. He kissed her on the cheek and murmured to Souichi, "I'll find us some seats," as he left.

"Ok, Kanako, give us the details," Souichi grunted as he sat down on a loveseat. She sat down next to him with a frown.

"What do you think of Daddy dating?" she asked in a worried tone.

"So you think he's found someone?" Souichi leaned forward and then glanced toward Tomoe. "Would that be so bad, you two?" As far as he knew, their father had never even looked at another woman after their mother died. He felt it was about time the old coot got back in the saddle again; however, he wasn't sure that was the reality here. He'd always felt as if a large part of his dad had died with their mother. "Personally, I hope he's dating and serious about her!" He added as he saw their surprised looks, "It would keep him out of our hair, right?"

"Nii-san!" Kanako jumped up and looked like she wasn't sure if she should chastise him or laugh. "It's fine if she's worth it and makes him happy, but why bring her today? It's not like she's family or anything!"

"Then should I tell Mitsugu to go home?" Tomoe walked forward to ask.

"And what about Morinaga, is he not welcome either?" Souichi threw his two cents in for good measure. He knew what her reaction would be and he was right.

"Of course not! Don't you two dare do that!" she whispered fiercely as the two men shared a look. "They're both members of my family, I know and love them….I have no clue who this woman is. She'd better be good enough for him!"

"You also don't know exactly what she is to Dad. You may be right; but what if she is just his assistant? You really need to stop assuming," Tomoe answered with a gentle smile. "I don't want Dad to be alone anymore, so I'm hoping for a full-on love affair," he added for good measure.

"Oh, you two are…! I never thought I'd see the day you both became hopeless romantics!" she chuckled still torn between amusement and frustration.

The door opened before anyone could say more, "Can I join in?" their father smiled as he closed the door behind him.

As Tetsuhiro walked into the chapel, he looked around for a good place to sit and see the whole ceremony. There was room on the bride's side, fairly close to the front so he chose a seat and put the program on the bench next to him to save a place for Souichi. As he relaxed and waited for his lover to join him, he noticed a woman sitting in the row in front of him. She was looking around with bright eyes, smiling and greeting anyone who caught her eye. She looked over her shoulder at him and grinned, "Hello, it's a lovely day isn't it?"

Tetsuhiro returned her grin, "Yes, it is…perfect for a wedding!"

About then some of Kanako's friends came up to him to say hello and the lady heard them call him Sensei so after they walked off she continued, "Are you the bride's brother, Souichi? I know she has a brother who's a teacher."

"No, I'm his assistant and also a sensei," Tetsuhiro answered. "My name's Tetsuhiro Morinaga…and you are?" he held out a hand as he looked at her curiously.

She flushed a bit but answered, "I'm Soujin's personal assistant, Elizabeth Hall. We've worked together since he came to teach in England."

'Ahhh, so she's the one Kana's so wound up about,' he thought as they continued to talk. She was fluent in Japanese with only a very slight accent, blonde, blue-eyed, and at a guess he'd have put her in her forties. She was also very well-spoken and bubbly; he figured the women would get along great once they met.

They had just entered a very lively discussion of the different teaching methods between their home countries when Souichi walked over and sat down. Tetsuhiro quickly made introductions and the two shook hands before she turned back to the front.

"So, how did it go?" the brunette murmured.

Souichi gave him a droll look as he leaned over to whisper, "We snapped her out of it, she'll be fine." He indicated the woman in front of them and raised an eyebrow as if to ask, 'What do you think of her?' His lover gave the thumbs up sign and the blonde visibly relaxed. Shortly after that Tomoe joined them and was introduced; the four chatted amicably until the music began, signaling the beginning of the ceremony.

Everyone stood as the bride entered. Kanako looked breathtaking; Tetsuhiro could feel tears at the back of his eyes and valiantly tried not to let them show. Souichi just handed him a handkerchief and rolled his eyes while his lover sniffled beside him. As the music ended and the couple took their places at the front; one very proud papa placed his only daughter's hand into the hand of her husband and turned to sit down. He noticed Morinaga-kun unashamedly wiping his eyes as his son simultaneously patted him on the back and tried to look like he didn't know who the idiot was.

The older man considered his three children and how not one of them had chosen a spouse or partner he would have picked for them if he'd been that kind of parent. Thank the gods he wasn't such a heavy-handed jerk for all his children had found their soul-mates if he was any judge, and he couldn't have been prouder of them. So, Soujin could only swallow a grin as he sat beside his future, held her hand and watched his last child leave the nest.

A/N: I just wanted to say 'thank you' to all who've favorited, followed and reviewed! It makes me very happy to know that my efforts are enjoyed!