DISCLAIMER: I own the original writing and all other original characters, like Meredith. All others belong to PR which I do not own.
MISTLETOE
All their friends were in the same room with each other for the first time in nearly six months. They even had new friends that had taken their places as rangers. Zack, who was working on his own record label, had provided the name of a DJ for the party. Their old friend Ernie had catered the entire affair and was currently sitting on one of the couches Rocky had moved into the dojo studio for the guests to sit and talking with Justin Stewart. Meredith had hung mistletoe in the various doorways of the dojo and some above some of the seats around the small bar that Rocky usually had stocked with beverages for his dojo. Tonight it was the bar that allowed the bartenders, Bulk and Skull, to serve the guests. Several times she had been caught under the mistletoe by Rocky and once Meredith had caught Adam.
"Nothing to be embarrassed about," she said, smiling. She and Adam shared a quick peck. Rocky caught the exchange and slid over to his best friend and fiancée. "You stealing my woman, Park," Rocky asked, elbowing Adam.
Adam played along. "If she'd only have me. Meri, you're prince is waiting for you," he said, laughed at the guys. "Oh, Adam," she said, feigning a swoon.
Rocky wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. It was a kiss that earned them a lot of catcalls from their friends and even a 'Cut it out,' from Tommy.
"Well, now that we have everyone's attention, I have an announcement," Rocky said.
Everyone turned to face Rocky and see exactly what he was going to tell them.
"A few months ago, Meri and I were enjoying some rare time alone when we decided on our future. Meredith and I are getting married," Rocky said as Meredith showed everyone her engagement ring.
Tommy and Kimberly rushed up to the couple.
"You neglected to give me this little bit of information," Tommy said."We were waiting until everyone was together. We'll tell our parents tomorrow at dinner," Meredith said.
"So when do we get to do the planning," Kimberly asked. Both gave the couple hugs before Zack and Aisha approached them."I hate to do this to you two, but WE have an announcement to make," Zack said."What's that," Meredith asked.
"Well, we don't want to outshine you both, but Zack and I got married last month when we went back to Angel Grove to see our parents," Aisha said.
The room was totally silent for a few seconds and then Kimberly started screeching and rushed Aisha, practically knocking her down. Meredith was in shock, but she, too, rushed the newlywed and offered her a hug.
Tommy, Rocky and Jason offered handshakes and congratulations to Zack.
"So how did that happen," Adam asked after hugging Aisha and shaking Zack's hand."Well, I proposed to Aisha at her birthday which is about two months before Thanksgiving. She, like Meredith, wanted it to be a secret. Well, when she called her mom to tell her, she was overwhelmed by the amount of work that she was going to have to do," Zack said."School is stressful enough and the last thing I wanted to do was hate my wedding because I was going to be super busy with school and whatnot that I wouldn't enjoy planning it. When I mentioned it to my mom she asked me if I could find a dress. When I said sure, she told me she'd handle it and we could get married at Thanksgiving. My uncle is a minister," Aisha said."So, she went shopping and found her wedding dress and her mom did the planning. We decided that if her mom could do a small ceremony that Aisha was going to like, then we would do it during the holiday. We know you guys would want to be there, but we had this opportunity and took it," Zack said."Mom arranged for us to have the small chapel at the botanical gardens and my uncle married us with just our parents and Zack's sister in attendance. Mom made us promise we'd have a bigger wedding this summer, so we will and you will all be a part of it. Plus my grandmother got to see me married before she died," Aisha said, tearing up. Zack wrapped his arm around his wife and continued, "We didn't want you guys to be mad at us, but it was important, too, that Aisha grandmother got to see her get married. Aisha's wearing her wedding ring that her grandmother gave her when she found out we were getting married during Thanksgiving. We had picked out our own, but Aisha insisted that she use her grandmothers."
The group had been silent during their speech and Tommy was the first to speak. "Well, I'm glad you guys got to do it your way. Without anyone telling you what to do. When you're ready for us to join you, we'll be right there celebrating.""Yeah, I'm supposed to be your bridesmaid," Kimberly said.
"Did you know about this Tanya," Adam asked."No. I was told there was going to be a celebration at Thanksgiving, but you know I didn't make it home. That's why you flew out to see me," she said.
"Well, that's big news. I always thought Tommy and Kimberly would get married first," Meredith said.
"Me, too, but Tommy has to propose first," Kimberly said.
Tommy shot his sister and girlfriend a look.
Tommy was going to propose but he wanted their relationship to be on a surer footing before he did. He knew she was still hurting, despite her assurances that she wasn't.
The rest of the evening was spent talking and dancing with old friends. Meredith danced with Jason and the two talked about old times. Meredith told Jason she'd forgiven him and was ready to move forward in their friendship."I still think what you did was pretty shitty, but I think we need to be friends. I miss having someone I can talk to that isn't my boyfriend or brother. I love confiding in them, but they give me advice that benefits them or that they think I want to here. So, here's to our new foundation of friendship. Besides, Rocky needs some help with the dojo. This thing is really taking off," Meredith said.
"Thanks, Meri. I don't deserve it, but I'm glad that we're moving forward. I have missed you," he song ended and the two shared a hug before going back to their respective dates.
"Things cool with Jason," Rocky asked as he kissed Meredith."Fine. I'm glad that he's a friend again," she said. Rocky wrapped Meredith in a hug and looked around the room at all their friends.
The night finished early the following morning. Zack and Aisha slept in the foldout sofa in Meredith and Rocky's living room. Tommy and Kimberly went back to his place along with Adam and Tanya. Jason and Katherine went to her apartment.
Meredith awoke early the next morning and set about making breakfast for their guests. The group was traveling back to Angel Grove that afternoon to spend Christmas with their families. Meredith, Rocky, Tommy and Kimberly were heading to their hometown together. Meredith and Tommy were spending Christmas with their parents and Rocky was with his parents. Kimberly was hanging out with Tommy since her mom couldn't come home from Paris. Meredith would head to Rocky's parents Christmas Eve and they planned to tell everyone then that they were getting married.
Zack and Aisha showered quickly while Rocky helped Meredith prepare breakfast. While everyone sat down to eat, Meredith ran upstairs to shower.
When she returned, the dishes were done and everyone was ready to head out. Zack and Aisha left first, since Meredith and Rocky were waiting for Tommy and Kimberly.
When they arrived, they loaded their luggage into Rocky's SUV. Tommy and Kimberly got in the back and they headed off for Angel Grove.
Two hours later, they pulled up in front of the Oliver house. Rocky noticed his parents car was in the driveway and was immediately out of the car. When the quartet entered the house, they were greeted by the Oliver's and DeSantos'. "Mama, what are you guys doing here," Rocky asked, giving his mother a hug and shaking his dad's hand.
"We knew you had to drop off the Oliver's and Kimberly, so we decided to come and see you when you got into town," Rocky's mom embraced her parents before turning to Rocky's parents and giving them a hug.
She returned to Rocky's side. "It's perfect that you all are here. We have something we want to share with you," Meredith said."Mami and Papi, Mom and Dad, I asked Meredith to marry me and she said yes," Rocky said. Smiles broke out on every parent's face at the news."We've been expecting this," Rocky's dad said."Really," Rocky asked his parents."Yes and we're fine with it," Jane Oliver said.
The rest of the holiday was spent spending time with both families. Rocky and Meredith put off questions about an actual date and Tommy avoided questions about his actual major. It seemed like the perfect holiday.
Adam and Tanya arrived at his house for dinner with his parents. He was a bit nervous because he really liked Tanya.
When they were all seated for dinner, the thing Adam feared the most, came true."Adam, my child, will you explain why you are not dating an Asian woman? They would certainly understand the culture and tradition that you were raised into," his grandmother said."Grandma, I know you mean well, but I love Tanya and I'm glad she's in my life. She helped me move on after Trini died. So, please, support my decision to be with her," he said. Tanya had been staring down at her plate while his grandmother was speaking. Adam knew it hurt her to have his grandmother saying those horrible things to about her.
"Just know, if you decide to marry her, I will not support the marriage," she said before leaving the table, her food untouched.
The rest of Adam's family stared at him. "Do you all feel this way," he asked."What do you think? We've loved and taught you for years and you thank us by dating a non-Asian girl; a girl who's unworthy," his uncle said.
Adam dropped his fork on the plate with a clatter. He pushed the chair out and threw the napkin across the table. He approached Tanya and held out his hand. Without giving a glance back, he walked out the door to his car.
"Um, exactly where are we going to sleep tonight," Tanya asked."A motel not too far from here," he said. After the two checked in, he called Meredith. They asked if they could join them for the dinner.
"Of course. The more the merrier, you know that," she said.
Adam and Tanya headed to the Oliver's.
As they walked inside the warm and inviting home, they were caught under the mistletoe. As Adam and Tanya shared a kiss, Adam knew that, despite the empty place his family not being around would leave, Tanya filled him with love.
***I know, his parent are awful. I experienced this myself with a guy and was hurt by they way they acted. Next chapter will jump a few years into the future when Meredith and Rocky get married, but something has broken up Kimberly and Tommy, again. What that is will be revealed in the next few chapters.*** -mereditholiver
