Here's the new chapter!
"Good morning, Kim!" Aisha sang as she opened the curtains in Kim's bedroom, allowing the sun to pour in. "Time to get up! It's wedding time!"
Kim groaned, rolling over to cover her eyes. "I'm sure Tommy will understand if I don't get up after last night."
"No, no, no," Aisha sang again, pulling the covers off of Kim. "Time to get up! We have to start getting ready!"
" 'Sha...what time is it?" Kim lifted her head and pressed a button on her phone. "It's 7:00 AM, 'Sha! The wedding's not till 5 and the minister said we don't have to be there until then."
"I know...but we have to be ready! Can't look like you just rolled out of bed on your wedding day. Besides, you skipped out on the last fitting for your dress and we have to make sure that it fits before you wear it down the aisle later on." Aisha pulled Kim's arms up. "Come on, Kim. Trini, Amy, Hayley, and Kira are all downstairs and ready to go."
Kim winced at Aisha talking about the dress. She never had the heart to tell Aisha that she hated the dress. 'Oh well,' Kim thought. 'If anything, I'll ban all pictures, videos and cell phones from the ceremony and reception.' Kim sat up and swung her legs around the bed. "Trini and everyone are here, already?"
Aisha nodded vigorously. "Come on, let's start with breakfast! But first, I want to show you the dress. And you have to try it on now."
Kim rolled her eyes. "Can I use the bathroom first?"
"You know what, Kim, I think the dress'll fit, actually. Last time you tried it on, it was good, right? And we've got the shoes, your jewelry...so let's just go down and have some breakfast with the others."
Kim eyed her suspiciously as she stood up from her bed. "You're way too happy this morning. What's up?"
"Nothing," Aisha exclaimed as she jumped toward the door. "It's gonna be the greatest, most happiest day for two of my bestest friends! What's there to not be happy about? I'll meet you downstairs."
Aisha bounded happily down the stairs and frowned when she saw Trini, Amy, and Kira with their heads on the table. "Uh, guys? It's the KT wedding day, AKA the wedding of the century, you guys can't be tired!"
Hayley laughed as she began spreading the spinach and mushroom omelettes onto five plates. "Come on, ladies, I've got the coffee brewing, the sun's shining and like 'Sha said, it's the wedding of the century day!"
Amy and Kira slowly lifted their heads and blearily stared at Hayley and Aisha.
"Does it have to start so early, though?" Kira asked. "The life of a musician doesn't start until after noon. Kim knows that."
"I sure do," Kim said, running into the kitchen. She went around the table and hugged each of her friends. "I'm glad you're here."
"What are you doing so awake?" Trini asked.
"Not sure, maid of honor, but I'm up."
"Yeah, after I practically dragged you out of your bed!' exclaimed Aisha. "So, I was thinking that we'll relax today, get ready here, hair and make-up, but we'll get dressed at the church. How does that sound?"
"Whatever you say, lady," Trini said, picking up her fork and shoving it into her mouth. Amy and Kira raised their mugs of coffee toward Aisha in agreement.
Tommy's eyes shot open as if he were waking up from an awful dream. But instead of having that feeling of dread come over him, he felt nothing but contentment and happiness. And for a split second, he could not remember why. His eyes slowly gazed at the clock hanging on his wall.
10:20.
He sat up in bed and felt as if he were late. He quickly hurried out to the kitchen, where he saw Rocky, Adam, and Jason eating breakfast around the kitchen table.
"Hey, buddy," Rocky said with his mouth full of toast. "Mr. Domestic over here made some breakfast for us."
"Actually," Adam said. "I made it for the two of us, but these two dodo brains decided to come over and sponge off our food since 'Sha dragged all the girls over to Kim's early this morning."
"Thanks, man," Tommy said, pulling up a chair and sitting down.
"So...you ready, man?" Rocky asked, clapping a hand to Tommy's back. "You want to sing a little something or whatever? Get your feelings out? On the morning of my wedding day, I couldn't stop singing."
Tommy, Jason, and Adam all cringed at the memory.
"Yeah, Rock," Tommy said. "I remember. And I think...I think I'm good. No need to sing or whatever."
"That's good," Adam said. "You remember in high school when you and Tanya were stuck singing all day? Now, that was hilarious!"
"High school...that's something to forget."
"Oh, come on," argued Rocky. "High school wasn't that bad. Who doesn't want to say that they were able to save the world everyday?"
Tommy shrugged. "I'm just looking forward to later."
"Well, you have a funny way of showing it. I like to express myself in song."
Tommy, Jason, and Adam looked at each other and shook their heads, continuing to eat.
A few hours later, Kim gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She smiled at herself as she thought about the song she was forming in her mind.
So many years have gone by
Always strong, tried not to cry
Never felt like I needed any man
To comfort me in life
"Hey, girl," Aisha said, excitedly, walking into the room and coming up behind her in the mirror. "So...what do you think of the final product?" She gestured toward the white gown that Kim was wearing.
"I think...I think it's amazing, Aisha." Kim turned to smile and hug one of her closest friends. "I love it. And you surprised me to no end. I was about to rip your head off if you were really going to put me in that thing you made me try on over the past few weeks."
Kim gazed in astonishment at her reflection, with Aisha smiling at her through the mirror. The dress was long and cut right before it touched the floor. It was sleeveless and had a dropped waist, making Kim look taller and longer than she was. It was made of white satin and was embellished with intricate designs of a falcon and a crane along the hemline in pink beading, matching the color of the dresses of the bridesmaids.
Aisha laughed. "There was no way I was going to put you in that on your wedding day! Girl, please!"
"So, you were just gonna torture me?"
"No! Not torture you. Just so I could see the look on your face the moment you looked at it and put it on." Aisha stepped onto the platform to be next to Kim and gave her a tight hug. "I'm so happy for you. For you and Tommy. Talk about never giving up, huh?"
Kim smiled as she returned Aisha's hug. She looked at the rest of her bridesmaids sitting in the room, smiling at each one of them - Aisha, Hayley, Kira, and Amy each of them wearing identical pink dresses. Trini wore a dress of the same color, but a slightly different design.
"Yeah," Kim replied. "Who would've thought that we'd be here today? Me and Tommy. Finally getting married after how long?"
Everyone laughed.
"Yeah," Trini said. "You and Tommy. Me and Jason. Aisha and Rocky." She looked at Hayley and Amy, winking at each of them. "Which one's next? Hayles? Amy?"
"Uh...let's just get through this day, okay," Amy said, smiling. "Besides, until I can be sure that Adam's not gonna run off at during the reception and save the world again, then we could think about it."
"Hey," Kira said, "As far as I know, there are no plans. Unless he's hiding something from me."
Kim listened her friends continue to talk. She thought about how far she's come in the last couple of years and some months. Her life had changed in so many ways, all for the better, she knew. She thought about the first concert in LA, when she and the others reconnected with Tommy, Zack, and Billy. She thought about how she was a major singing star, touring the country. Now, just a short couple years later, she was content to let to turn her attention to song writing and producing. Adam, her best friend and former manager, has largely become her partner in the studio, moving from behind the scenes in handling the stars to helping out in the studio and the two have become a couple of the most sought after producers. She hummed out a tune.
But I'm all made up today
A veil upon my face
But no father stands beside me
To give this bride away
"You look beautiful, Kim," Trini said, fixing Kim's veil around her head.
Kim smiled at her, but didn't say anything. Trini, her oldest girlfriend, was her matron of honor. The three best friends: Kim, Trini, and Aisha agreed to trade off being the other's maid of honor. She gave Trini a tight hug before making an announcement to the room.
"I have something for you guys," Kim said, turning to face all of them. She pulled out five identical boxes and passed it out to Trini, Aisha, Hayley, Kira, and Amy.
"Wow, Kim," exclaimed Amy. The others echoed her sentiment. They each pulled out a diamond necklace, complete with matching earrings and two frames. One contained a collage of the wedding party while they were going through all the preparations. Amy laughed, seeing the picture of a group of them and Alpha. She remembered how Tommy proposed to Kim. The other was a picture of Kim and the bridesmaid who received the gift.
"I hope you all like it."
"Of course, Kim," Hayley said, engrossed in the collage.
"Wow, there's even stuff from the rehearsal dinner," said Kira.
"Well, I do have Adam to thank." Kim put her arm around Amy. "Your boyfriend is a great person. And I don't think I tell him enough."
Amy laughed. "You don't need to. You know he loves you."
"So...your parents are really not coming? Aisha asked.
Kim shook her head. "My dad...not really a big factor in my life. And honestly, my mom hasn't been either, but she didn't want to come. She said make sure we send her pictures and the video."
"What?" everyone exclaimed in surprise.
Kim nodded. "I think she's afraid of flying now. Which is ironic because she had to fly out there anyway. But still, it's okay. I have my family with me." She smiled at her friends. "And besides, Tommy and I are going to be visiting her later." She looked at each of her friends. "I'm just glad that each of you are here. That's all I need."
Everyone smiled and gave each other a group hug.
"Oh, come on now. NO TEARS, EVERYONE!" yelled Trini. "Don't mess up your beautiful faces until during the ceremony!"
Aisha looked at Trini in surprise. "Should I be turning the reins over to you?"
Trini rolled her eyes. "Whatever," she said.
Everyone laughed again as they heard a knocking at the door.
"Come in," called Kim, staring at her reflection in the mirror once again.
Jason walked into the room, grinning. "How's my favorite little sister doing?"
"I'm awesome, Jase." She smiled at him.
"That you are, Kim. That you are."
"How are the guys doing?"
"They're good." Jason leaned over to kiss Trini on the cheek and hugged everyone in the room before enveloping Kim into a giant bear hug. "So, you about ready? The minister's ready to start whenever you are. And we've got a chapel full of people to see the legendary ranger couple finally get hitched."
Kim playfully hit Jason. "I wouldn't call us legendary." Jason shrugged. "But I think I am about ready." She looked at her bridesmaids, who were scrambling around to get their bouquets.
"Here you go, Kim," Trini said, handing Kim her own elaborately decorated bouquet. It was a bouquet of pink roses, surrounding three white roses. Trini and the others held bouquets of the opposite - white roses surrounding the pink.
"Thanks." Kim smiled at Trini and gave everyone one last hug.
"Well, let's go then." Jason pointed toward the door. Hayley, Kira, Amy, Aisha, and Trini all walked out, meeting Zack, Adam, Rocky, and Billy in the foyer of the church. Jason extended his arm to Kim.
She graciously took it and smiled. "Thanks for doing this for me, Jase. You're the only person I ever imagined walking me down that aisle." She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. "I love you."
Jason smiled at her. "I love you, too." They hugged. "Remind me to tell you about the time when I freaked out Aisha, making her think that you hadn't asked me to walk you down the aisle."
"Oh no, you didn't."
"I sure did. And I have the battle wounds on my arm to show for it."
"Well deserved."
They walked out into the foyer, meeting up with the rest of their friends. Kim thought back to the song she was writing in her head.
Well, I'm standing in the chapel
Wearing my white dress
I have waited for this moment
With tears of happiness
Here I leave behind my past
By taking the chance
"You look great, Kim," Adam said, walking forward and giving her a big hug and a kiss on the cheek. He was followed by Rocky, Billy, and Zack.
"Aww...little Kimmy is all growed up," Zack said, hugging her.
She grinned at them. "You all don't look have bad, yourself." The guys were wearing identical black suits with a black tie and pink designs of a falcon and a crane on it to match the bridesmaids.
Kim took a moment and thought about Zack and Billy. She was sure that she, along with help from the others, could persuade Billy and Hayley to move to Florida to be with the rest of the gang. She knew that Zack was way too invested in Los Angeles to be able to pick up and move, but she hoped that Billy and Hayley would be able to join them, soon. She was glad that Zack's television show about the rangers was doing extremely well and knew that Zack belonged in Hollywood. He'd always been a bit more flashy than the rest of them. But also the most humble.
Everyone turned around and smiled at each other as they prepared to walk down the aisle. The doors to the church sanctuary opened.
Zack stood at the end of the aisle, walking down when he heard the cue from the wedding coordinator. Adam followed Zack, smiling down the asile. Billy came next and Rocky rounded out the rest of the groomsmen.
The girls lined up and took their places as the guys made their way through the sanctuary. Trini squeezed Kim's arm and grinned at Jason before getting into line.
Kira walked down the aisle first and Kim grinned at the sight of her best girlfriends. Amy followed Kira, with Hayley behind her. Aisha looked at Kim before heading into the sanctuary, giving her a wink before making her way. Trini brought up the rear, grinning as she followed the others into the sanctuary.
The doors to the sanctuary closed briefly and Kim and Jason took their places behind it. She entwined her arm into Jason's and squeezed his arm. "Here we go," she whispered excitedly.
The doors opened and the familiar tune of "Here Comes The Bride" came on. Kim immediately stared straight at the end of the aisle and grinned as she exhaled when she saw Tommy. She grinned even wider as she began her walk down the aisle.
I finally found the right man.
Kim's eyes started watering when she saw him. He was standing at the end of the aisle, dressed in an all-white suit, grinning at Kim, with his own eyes watering. She held on tightly to Jason, grateful that he was there to guide her down. Kim ignored the flashes going on around her, not feeling any sort of pain or discomfort. She kept her eyes on Tommy the whole time, except for when she almost reached the end of the aisle and looked at Jason's parents to her left, who were sitting where her own parents should've been.
When they reached the end of the aisle, Tommy stepped forward. He and Jason gave each other a long hug and Tommy waited as Jason took Kim's hands into his own. Jason smiled at Kim, lifting her veil briefly and giving her a kiss on the cheek. Jason took Kim's hand and entwined into Tommy's, grinning as he joined the rest of the groomsmen at the altar as Tommy's best man.
Tommy helped Kim up tot he alter and they both waited as the minister began the ceremony.
Now I'm standing at four corners
To have and to hold
Now, my love, you stand beside me
To walk life's winding road
And I owe it all to you
For taking that chance
Kim stole a glance at Tommy and smiled.
I finally found the right man.
Okay, one more chapter after this...I think. =) Hope you all liked. Song is "The Right Man" by Christina Aguilera.
