Lucy scrutinized Chizu's brightly colored kimono, checking the fit and making sure her sash was properly tied and her head dress was fluffed out. Having this chance to be alone with her, Lucy said, "Chizu, dear, there is something I've always wanted to ask you."

"Yes, Gramma Lucy?" Chizu asked, staying still under Lucy's inspection.

Working her way around to face Chizu, Lucy squatted down to come face to face with Chizu. "Why did you kill your Mama Sarah?" she asked.

Chizu gapped at Lucy. She swallowed and her face reddened.

Gently, Lucy said, "I know you did, dear. You are not in trouble. I just need to know why."

A tear came to Chizu's eye. She bowed her head. In a tiny voice, she said, "I ... didn't mean to. Mom had tried to shoot Daddy before... we thought she was being controlled by bad wizards... I was afraid, and you were coming... she was waking up ... she said something about killing him...she tried to get up ... I ... couldn't let her kill Daddy.. I just wanted to keep her in place...but I pushed down too hard ... and ... she exploded."

"Chizu dear, look at me," Lucy coaxed. Chizu's head stayed down, so she gently picked up Chizu's chin and said, "You should know by now, we cannot control people's action. What someone does is their own responsibility. Sarah acted on her own. You made a bad mistake, but I think you know how to keep that from happening again."

"I'm so sorry! I was afraid I was going to lose Daddy too," Chizu cried as her face scrunched up in pain.

Lucy hugged her. Chizu hugged her back and broke down in tears. Chizu cried for a while. When her tears subsided, Lucy said, "You're not the only one, Chizu. When I was young, I made bad mistakes too. Please, dear, understand that you are not, nor ever will be alone. I refuse to let that happen to you."

"You're not going to hurt Daddy, are you, Gramma Lucy?" Chizu asked in a meek voice.

Lucy chuckled and said, "No dear. I may treat him roughly for his own good, but I won't truly harm him. Hey, he's going to be my son now. How can a mother hurt her son?"

Chizu squeezed Lucy a bit tighter. "Thank you, Gramma Lucy."

"Come on, no more about it. This stays between us. Forever, understand?"

Chizu nodded as she pulled back. Gazing at Lucy, Chizu saw Lucy bore a sad smile. She returned Lucy's smile. For the first time, she saw Lucy as her real Grandmother.

.

Lucy was on her way out when she was hailed by a White Robe in the hallway. "Lady Lucy, a moment, please?"

Seeing the White Robe standing by an older human couple, Lucy went over to them. The man gapped at her. The woman asked, "You are Lucy, this Chika's mother?"

"Yes, and you are?" Lucy asked.

With a confused look, the woman said, "My name is Angela, I am Billy's mother. Billy has told us some ... wild tales. I normally do not interfere with the lives of others, but you may want to talk some sense into your daughter. I fear I can't trust our son!"

A bright smile lit Lucy's face. "I sympathize completely, Lady Parkson," Lucy agreed. "Please do not be overly concerned, my Chika will keep him on the straight and narrow."

"It is your Chika I am worried about," Bill's mother insisted. "Billy ... is not right in the head!"

Lucy immediately grew fond of this woman. She also noticed Bill was coming. She clasped Angela's hand. "Yes, Billy is quite trying, isn't he?" she said, greatly enjoying this conversation.

"Dad, Mom, this is Lady Lucy that I was telling you about," Bill said as he came up to them.

"Billy, stop that, she's right here," his mother scolded. "And no more about you having all those wives. What am I to do with you?"

Lucy let out a sigh and put a hand on his mother's shoulder as she said, "Lady Parkson, Billy can be very trying, but even so, we still must care for our children."

"Yes, we must," Bill's mother agreed in a sad tone.

"Mom," Bill said firmly, "This IS Queen Lucy."

Frowning at Bill, his mother said, "Billy! There is no reason to make a scene. She told us her name."

"Lady Parkson, would you care to join me in a snack?" Lucy asked pleasantly. Flicking her eyes at Bill, she added, "To get away from the stress for a moment?"

"Yes, please. Perhaps you can tell me what Billy has really been up to."

"It would be my pleasure," Lucy said with a wide smile. There was a twinkle in her eye as she told Bill, "I will return her soon ... Billy."

Bills' father kept staring at Lucy until she and his wife went into the dinning room. Still wearing a slack jawed gape, he said, "That... was Queen Lucy."

"That's what I've been trying to tell you, Dad," Bill said heavily.

"That really was Queen Lucy!" he said again.

"Yeah, want to join them?" Bill asked.

.

Kouta had made up with Chika. Although it had felt wonderful to know his daughter didn't hate him for his terrible behavior, he now had to fulfill her only request of him. He had to make friends with Bill.

When Mayu got married, Kouta was happy for her. He been greatly relieved that she could finally trust others. When Mariko got married to Hisoka, he had known for a long time that they were meant to be together. When Kanae married Junso, it was a joy to see they were finally admitting their true feelings for each other. It had been with great joy that he had walked all his daughters up the isle to hand them over to the good and decent men he knew would care for them.

This wedding was different. Instead of happiness for Chika, Kouta felt like he was being forced to swallow glass. It was her choice, but he wasn't happy about it. His enraged attempt to drive Bill away had the opposite effect. He had thrust Chika firmly right into Bill's arms. Kouta cursed himself for his stupid actions. He did not want to walk Chika up the isle, not to that man. He dreaded it. He cringed at the fact that man would have his little girl for his wife.

Kouta had meant to get a cup of saki laced tea to stiffen himself with before facing Bill as Chika had requested. Wandering into the dinning room, he noticed Lucy sitting beside an older woman in an animated conversation. Across from them, Bill sat looking down at the table as the man by him gazed at Lucy in wonder.

"I promised," Kouta reminded himself. He walked over and sat down beside Lucy to face Bill.

Seeing him, Lucy was all smiles. "Kouta! Lady Parkson, this is my husband Kouta."

Kouta exchanged greetings with Bill's mother. He greeted Bill's father. The stary eyed look on the man's face told Kouta very little they said registered with him. Kouta then took on the hardest task he ever had to do.

"Bill," Kouta said firmly, "I must ask forgiveness for my behavior the last time we met." He paused, gathering the strength to continue. "I ... hope we can put any unpleasantness behind us," he got out. Despite Chika's request, he couldn't bring himself to ask Bill to be friends with him. Although it was something he didn't want to do, he put his hand out on the table towards Bill.

Bill clasped his hand in a handshake. Sincerely, he said, "Thank you, Kouta. I know you're not very fond of me, and with good reason. Please be assured I will do everything I can to ensure Chika's happiness."

"I will expect no less," Kouta said. He knew he should have thanked Bill for his concern, but the words came out on their own.

Leaning over to whisper in Kouta's ear, Lucy said, "Everyone deserves a second chance, my love."

Kouta nodded, although he didn't agree. "May you have a happy life together," he said, forcing the words out.

"And no more keeping children that are not your own!" Bill's mother scolded.

"Yes, Mom," Bill said with a sigh.

Having done what he needed to do, Kouta got up. "It has been a pleasure meeting you," he said with a stiff bow. "So sorry, but I must be going."

"We understand, Mr. Kouta," Bill's mother said sadly. To Lucy she asked, "When may we meet the bride?"

"I was heading home to check her wedding kimonos. Would you like to come with me?" Lucy asked brightly.

"That would be wonderful," Bill's mother beamed. Glancing at Bill, she said, "And of course the groom can't see the bride before the ceremony, it would be bad luck."

"VERY bad luck for him," Lucy agreed. "We'll leave the men here. I have a hover-car our visitors lent to me. You can get a great view of the city along the way."

Bills' father watched them leave, then turned to Bill. "You are marrying Queen Lucy's daughter. What do you get? A palace? Servants?" he asked eagerly.

Bill frowned and said, "Just the mother-in-law from hell."

.

"Gramma, there is our house!" Chizu said from Angela's lap, pointing down as they flew over the city in the hovercar. Meant for Annunaki, their feet dangled far off the floor in the tall seats.

"Ah, I see dear," Bill's mother said, taking in the view. "Are you making friends here in Japan?"

"OH yeah! Everyone at the center is really cool! We got in trouble a lot at first, but that was because we didn't know how things were done here. It's much different that at home," Chizu explained.

"Yeah, Gramma. We miss being home, but now we're used to it, Kamakura is nice too," Kyoko agreed.

"I am very happy for you girls," Bill's mother said sincerely. "You are lucky to have seen so much at such a young age. Enjoy every minute of it. And if you get the chance, come visit some time. I'll make that Fruityglop you like so much."

"Fruityglop... really?" Kyoko asked with a bright smile.

"Fruityglop?" Lucy asked with a raised eyebrow from the control seat.

Bill's mother smiled and said, "Yes, one day Bill and Sarah brought the girls by. I had no snacks ready, so I chopped some apples, pears, put in a few orange chunks and watermelon in a bowl, then stirred in some whip cream and just a bit of cinnamon. They called it 'fruity-glop'. The name stuck."

"We can make Fruityglop, can't we, Mama Mariko?" Chizu asked excitedly.

"Yes, we can," Mariko assured her.

"OK, we're coming down," Lucy announced. They began to descend.

"Coming down to Fruityglop!" Kyoko announced happily.

Upon landing in the courtyard, Lady Himari came out to meet them. Once the introductions were made, Kyoko and Chizu towed Mariko off to the kitchen to show her how Fruityglop was made. Bills' mother met Yoko and Lady Himari, then scrutinized Chika.

"Just like Suzanne, you are the spitting image of your mother. Are you sure about this wedding, dear?" she asked cautiously.

Chika nodded and said, "Yes, Mama Parkson. Bill is a good, kind man, and I know he will be a good father."

"Mama Parkson?" Bill's mother asked. She smiled at Chika and said, "OH, that's sweet of you, dear." Looking at Chika seriously, Bill's mother added, "You know, Billy is not right in the head. You may have a tough time with him. Don't let him bring home any babies that aren't yours! If you have trouble, I'm sure your family will help, but please call on me if you feel the need."

"Thank you, Mama Parkson," Chika said tentatively.

In a conspiratory tone, she added, "And don't allow him to be a pervert. You whack him if you have to! Being married does not mean you have to throw away your dignity."

"I ... ummm, understand," Chika said slowly.

"Your Mama Lucy is a great woman. I'm sure you will be also. Don't let anyone, even Billy, tell you any differently!"

Beside them, Lucy was glowing with satisfaction. Chika glanced at her realizing she wasn't going to be any help. To get off the subject, she said, "Umm, Mama Parkson, could you show me how to make this .. fruit glop?"

"Of course, child," Bill's mother said gently, and patted her hand. Raising a finger, she said, "While we're at it, Billy and the girls love gooberglop too."

"Gooberglop?" Chika asked, not believing the names she had for food.

"Diane named that concoction. It is quite simple to make. Just fry up hamburger with a large onion, one summer squash, and a pepper, all sliced thin, then add a jar of spaghetti sauce and one can of mushroom soup. It tastes better than it sounds." Casting Chika a grin, she said, "And scrambled potatoes is a favorite also."

Trying to smile, Chika guessed, "You mean ... mashed potatoes?'

"No, dear, scrambled potatoes with ham or sausage chunks in it," Angela explained.

Chika stared at her briefly, then motioned to the house. "Why don't we go in and sit for a moment," she offered.

Chika walked beside Mama Parkson into the house, taking glances at Mama Lucy, who seemed to be very happy with Chika's new mother-in-law.