By Didi
Disclaimers: Characters are owned not be writer of this particular fan fiction. Please do not sue me for I'm definitely not making any money off of this story and is for amusement only.
Warning: Rated R for violence and strong language.
Note: This is my sequel to "What Lurks Beneath," where we learn much about the lives of our former Power Rangers as they rush to save the world from a creature out of their past. Set eight months later, we face a new terror, of man-made this time. The title should give it away some.
Age check: Billy, Tommy, Jason- 28. Adam, Rocky, Trini, Zack-27. Aisha, Katherine, Tonya, Kimberly-26. Justin – 20.
Author's Note: This is my way of distracting myself when schoolwork becomes too much of a pain after a while. The universe created here is not the same of the one in Saban so anything you think is strange just blame it on my imagination. It would also help for you to read "What Lurks Beneath" where I first created this universe. Sometimes I forget and add things from there, so it makes more since when you have the context from the other story to go on. J
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Chapter Fourteen – The Surprise
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December 24, 2002 – 7:22 p.m. PST
1680 Clay Hill Ave. – Oliver Residence
Angel Grove, California
The gathering for the former rangers together at the Oliver's house was a festive one filled with laugher and warmth that comes from years of being together and understanding the situations in life that they must deal with. The only one missing was Justin who was spending the night with his father and getting ready to go to midnight mass.
Jason sat on the couch holding his namesake in the crook of his arm. "When you get older, your dad and I are going to teach all the different martial arts form. We're going to train you to be the next generation of power rangers."
"Don't scare the kid." Trini said with a smile as she took a seat next to him. "Our godson can be whatever he wants to be in life as long as it makes him happy."
"Absolutely." Jason kissed her temple and pulled her close. It was nice, cozy.
"Well don't you guys make a sweet looking picture?" Tommy said with a laugh snapping his camera at them. "But you're going to have to get your own." Taking his son from Jason, he made a gesture toward Trini. "I'm sure you two can produce one soon enough at the rate you guys are going."
The two looked at each other rather wistfully as Kimberly came over and punched her husband lightly in the side. "Tommy!" she hissed the warning.
Tommy lost his grin as her warning belatedly trigger something in his mind. "Oh god. I'm sorry guys, I didn't mean… I forgot."
"It's okay, Tommy." Trini nodded her head reassuringly. "It's not that I can never have kids. It's just harder, that's all."
Jason hugged her hard. "But we'll keep trying until it happens."
"If not," she said with a hopeful smile. "We can always adopt?"
"Absolutely." He could feel his heart swell with love for this wonderful woman next to him. "You are so wonderful."
She said nothing but attacked his lips with her own.
"Get a room!" Rocky said as he sat down next to the couple.
"Who wants eggnog?" Aisha asked as she brought in a big bowl.
"Hey, who put up that thing?" Kat said as she ducked underneath the sprig of green hanging in the doorway on her way to the kitchen.
"Who do you think?" Billy laughed as he tossed popcorn at Kimberly who was laughing with great fun.
Tommy glanced at his watch with a smile. It was almost time.
At eight o'clock exactly, the phone rang.
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December 24, 2002 – 8:07 p.m. PST
Jason's Land Rover
Angel Grove, California
"Did he say anything else?" Jason asked as he drove with is usual grace, man and machine becomes one.
"Nothing." Tommy said exchanging glances with his wife over their son's head in the back seat. "All he said was to get there as quickly as possible."
Trini frowned at the traffic. "I don't get it. Why would anyone break into the Botanical Garden?"
"Something about poisonous plants?" Kimberly offered rather cryptically.
"The only poisonous plants there are atropa belladonna, fagoypyrum esculentum, sambucus Canadensis, digitalis purpurea, convallaria majalis, and toxicodendron radicans."
Kimberly made a face. "What?"
"Belladonna, buckwheat, elderberries, foxglove, lily of the valley, and poison ivy." Trini explained absentmindedly. "Why can't I just get a nice holiday off?" She complained with exasperation.
"Cause you happen to the only toxicologist they knew how to get a hold of tonight." Jason explained with a smile.
"That's it, we're moving to Scotland." Trini exclaimed as she sulk in her seat.
"Don't worry, honey. I'm sure it won't take long. We'll be back in time to finish the party and enjoy the rest of Christmas Eve."
"I hope so." Trini sighed and reached over for Jason's hand. "Can we have sex tonight?"
"Hey!" Kimberly cried from the backseat. "Kid on board."
"Sorry!" Trini said with a grin. "Don't worry, JD. You're mother isn't always such a prig."
Tommy laughed as Kimberly scowled at her best friend.
"What's with all the police?" Jason asked as he pulled up slowly toward the garden.
"Honey, those aren't police." Trini said with grave concern. "Those are marines."
"Marine?" Jason did not like the sound of this at all. "Now what?"
"Stop sir." The smartly dressed marine officer in green stepped up to the window. "May I have your… Oh, it's you Mr. Scott. Please go on."
"How did you… Never mind." Jason shook his head and moved the car forward. "Why do I get a feeling that ISS is behind all this?"
"Other than the fact that the marine knew you by face?" Trini asked with a small smile. "Oh, I can't think of a reason why?"
"Smart ass." Jason muttered.
"That's why you love." Trini replied feeling somewhat more cheerful now.
"That and the little black dress with no back." Jason said with a smile for his beloved.
Trini sighed dramatically. "And I this time I thought it was cause of my irresistible personality."
"Are you two done flirting?" Tommy asked with a grin.
"Not by half, bro." Jason said pulling into parking. "Now let's get this over with. You might want to keep the baby out here in case there is danger."
"Oh I doubt that." Kimberly said climbing out.
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December 24, 2002 – 8:24 p.m. PST
Angel's Haven Botanical Garden
Angel Grove, California
Trini stood there stunned. The garden was brightly lit with millions of twinkle lights hung on every bush, tree, and hedge there was. Rolls and rolls of white chairs were set up with wonderfully soft color garlands. An arch of white and pink climbing roses was created at the front, laid heavily with more twinkle lights. A string quartet played softly to one side while family and friends were all gathered, finely dressed and smiling at her.
"What is going on?" Jason asked as he too was stunned by the décor.
"Surprise!" Tommy and Kimberly said at the exact same moment.
"Dr. Kwan, Mr. Scott." Director Jonathan Emmerman made his way toward the stupefied couple. "Welcome to your wedding."
"What?"
Direct Richard Ballard appeared from the side, dressed in a wonderful three piece tuxedo and carrying a piece of paper that resembled the marriage certificate Jason had applied for not too long ago. "Hey you two. Since the media has destroyed what could have potentially been a beautiful wedding, Mr. Oliver suggested that we owed you for all the things you've done for ISS."
"So," Emmerman said gesturing to the wonderfully decorated garden. "We thought we would make it up to you by throwing you a surprise wedding that no media in their right mind is going to crash."
Tommy grinned with amusement. "Especially not with armed marines guarding the front gates."
"Curtsey for General Hammond of the Pentagon." Kimberly added with a smile while jostling her baby.
Trini and Jason held hands. "We're not sure what to say."
"Well," Billy said coming up from behind them. "The only thing the two of you really have to say is 'I do.' You can leave the rest for later."
"Come on Trini," Aisha said as gestured her head toward the east end of the garden. "Time to make you even more beautiful than you already are."
Trini laughed as Kimberly and the girls pulled her away from Jason toward the dressing room set up for her use. Jason cheerfully waved good-bye to her as the men pushed him toward the opposite end of the garden where they have the groom's tuxedo waiting for him.
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December 24, 2002 – 8:45 p.m. PST
Angel's Haven Botanical Garden – Bride's Dressing Room
Angel Grove, California
"You look beautiful." Mrs. Kwan took her daughter's hands into her own. "May the light in the sky dim and go dark before the love you share with this man die." She touched her daughter's cheeks with her fingertips before fastening three uneven strings of pearls around her neck. "Your grandmother wore this on her wedding day as I wore it on mine. Now I pass it on to you for your wedding day."
"Oh mom." Trini touched the perfectly matched pearls around her throat and felt her eyes tear up with such deep gratitude and love. "Thank you."
"You must not cry," Mrs. Kwan whispered with a serene smile. "Kimberly spent much time on those eyes of yours. She will be very unhappy if you were to make your mascara run."
The bride laughed and hugged her mother. "I love you, Mom."
"And I, you." She returned the hug. "Now I leave you to your friends."
"Thanks Mrs. Kwan." Kimberly said before handing her son over to her. "You be good, JD."
"You have a beautiful child." Mrs. Kwan tucked the cooing infant into her arms and left.
"Oh god," Trini fanned at her face. "I think I'm going to cry."
"Oh no you don't!" Tanya said in all mock seriousness. "You mess up that make up before the ceremony and you are on your own girl."
The others laughed. Trini sat in front of the mirror with her friends fussing over her like mother hens. The off the shoulder white gown with the full skirt and three yard train had been an invention of Kimberly's from her teenage days. Trini had always loved it so much that she had kept a copy of it and had been used to create the gown she wore today. Kimberly somehow managed to find out where Trini was having her dress made and got the designer to cooperate with their surprise-wedding plan.
A long white laced veil that once belonged to Jason's grandmother had been placed on Trini's carefully coiffed hair, creating a vision in white. A wreath of white morning-star flowers completed the ensemble.
"Okay, since your mother provided the something old with your grandmother's pearls, we're going to complete the other parts of the tradition." Aisha said with a smile. "This pair of finally crafted silver ears was finished two days ago by a very good friend. The design is something you will recognize if you look carefully. This is your something new."
Trini took the earring into her hands. They were delicate dropped earring with a pearl on top and a small silver disk on the bottom. Looking carefully, Trini could just make out the symbol of the saber tooth tiger on them. "Oh my god!"
Aisha smiled with delight as Trini's eyes lit up brightly. "I thought them appropriate."
"Thank you."
Kat and Tanya stepped forward and each put a silver bracelet around each of Trini wrists. Tanya pointed to the circlet attached to her bracelet. "It was a present from Billy before he left. Don't lose it cause I want it back."
Kat touched the heart on her bracelet looked at Trini. "It was my grandmother's lucky charm. I want you to wear it today, but I want it returned. These are your something borrowed."
Trini looked at the small silver chains on her wrists and felt honored that they would trust her with beloved gifts from their friends and family. "Thank you, I'll make sure to take good care of them."
"And last but certainly not least." Kimberly said as she moved toward with a huge bouquet of white roses wrapped by silver ribbons that trailed down her hand. "Something blue."
"Kim," Aisha frowned at the flowers. "That's not blue."
"Patience," Kimberly said with a wrinkle of her nose. She turned the bouquet to the side, pinned to the handle was a small blue object. "This was JD's hospital ID bracelet. I thought you might like to have it for today. It may bring you luck and fertility."
With eyes that shone with gratitude and wonder, she hugged her best friend. "I don't know what to say to any of this."
"Say you're happy." Kimberly smiled and patted her friend's cheek. "That's all we want for you and Jason."
Fighting back the tears, she nodded. "I'm more than happy if there is such a thing. I couldn't have possibly asked for better friends or a more miraculous Christmas present."
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December 24, 2002 – 8:51 p.m. PST
Angel's Haven Botanical Garden – Groom's Dressing Room
Angel Grove, California
"You look nervous." Tommy commented as he helped to put the cuff links through his friend's sleeves. "Stop fidgeting."
"Jason, what's wrong with you?" Billy teased as he watched his friend stomp his dress shoes on. "You look like someone pulled the rug out from under you."
"I'm just a little anxious." Jason said swallowing hard.
"It's going to be beautiful." Adam said with a smile as he tied his tie on. "Everything's been planed to the last T."
"This time tomorrow," Rocky said with a grin, "You'd be in bed with your wife."
"You think so?" Jason asked nervously.
"What' the matter with you?" Tommy asked as he could see the panic in Jason's eyes now. "I thought this is what you wanted."
"It is." Jason's answer revealed his state of panic. "I just hope to god that she doesn't change her mind about marrying me. I don't know if I can handle it if she was to run out here and…"
"Jason!" Tommy took his best friend by the shoulder and shook his arm. "It's just pre-wedding jitters. Trini loves you, she's going to marry you."
"Tommy, bro, I will be completely honest with you. I would rather face an entire squad of Rita's Putties naked right now than get up in front our friends and family and not have Trini show up."
Rocky made a face. "Great, that's an image that's going to haunt me for the rest of the night."
"Shut up, Rocky." Adam said elbowing his friend.
"Jason," Tommy laughed. "Once you see Trini dressed in her wedding gown, walking down the asile toward you, you are going to laugh at this."
Billy handed Jason some water. "She's going to have that smile on her face that says 'you are the one.' And you going to stand there staring until your lung burn and you're ready to pass out from sheer lightheadedness of happiness for the love you have for her. It's going to be so beautiful."
"You guys think so?"
"Jason, we know so."
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December 24, 2002 – 9:00 p.m. PST
Angel's Haven Botanical Garden
Angel Grove, California
Knowing Trini's horror for the traditional wedding march, Kimberly had instructed the string quartet to play something a little different, the canon from 'Ordinary People.' It was soft and sweet without having been over played.
Jason stood in the front with the justice of the peace looking very nervous as the music began. Tommy stood behind him watching his son with Jason's parents. Billy stood behind Tommy with his hands clasped in front of him and a serene smile on his face. Adam stood behind him looking at the crowd with obvious anticipation. Rocky stood behind Adam with a grin that threatened to split his face.
Tanya came down the aisle first dressed in marigold with yellow daisies in her hair. She smiled at the crowd as she sprinkled dark yellow rose petals on the walkway. Aisha came next dressed in sunshine yellow with sparkling eyes and reflected her happiness in life. She carried with her a basket similar to Tanya's sprinkling yellow petals of a slightly lighter shade on the walkway. Kat came next dressed in a pale yellow gown that reached her ankles. She smiled as she too sprinkled rose petals of a pale yellow on the ground as she came down the aisle. Kimberly followed her fellow former pink ranger. The matron of honor was clothed in a barely yellow dressed that was tied over her now almost completely deflated stomach. She came down the aisle slowly dropping white rose petals on the ground and had eyes only for her husband
"You look great." Jason said as Kimberly came near.
"Thanks but I don't think you're going to notice me in a few more seconds." Kimberly replied with a grin.
"Why would you say…" Jason's breath caught in his throat as the Trini stepped into view.
"See?" Kimberly said for the now deaf ears of the groom.
She stood completely in white. Jason's heart felt too big with love in his chest as he watched her step up slowly behind her father who turned with seriously sad eyes and handed his only child over to the man that obviously adored her. "Take good care of her."
Jason swallowed the limp in his throat and could only nod as he took Trini's delicate hand into his own.
The justice of the peace stood there beaming at those that have come to see their friends be joined. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered today…"
Jason couldn't hear anything but the thumping of his heart. It was his wedding day; he was going to marry Trini, the most wonderful, beautiful woman in the world.
Trini stood her with heart in her eyes as she gazed at her friend and lover. She never thought that this day would come. Nor had she ever expect to feel so loved and to have so much love to give to one person.
"If there's anyone present today, who can give any reasons why these two should not be joined, speak now or forever hold your peace."
Rocky snickered. "Like anyone would be stupid enough to object."
The men all turned as one. "Rocky!" The women merely laughed.
The Justice of the peace looked at the two in front of him. "I believe Mrs. Oliver said something about you wanting to say a few words?"
The groom nodded his head and swallowed audibly. "Trini, I have never known love until the day I woke up and realized that I loved you. You have so much spirit and goodness that you challenge me everyday to be the best man that I can be. I love you with all my heart and soul. As friends, I valued your opinion and your judgment. As lovers, I wake up everyday knowing that I want to spend more time with you than do anything else in the world. As your husband, I am going to spend the rest of my life treasuring you and giving you everything within my power to give. I stand before our friend and family and I put myself at her feet. If you will have me, I am forever yours."
The bride cried silently with a smile that could break a man's heart. "Jason, you and I have seen and done things that I can honestly say that few have. We were friends for so long and this love has been growing for such a long time that I didn't even know when I fell in love with you. When you came to London, you gave me so much strength in your conviction that I would succeed. You had more faith in me that I had in myself; I wanted to make it right for you. You are my strength, my heart, and my soul. Without you, I don't know how to go on. Today, in front of everyone that's ever known me, I commit my body, heart and soul to you. If you will have me, I am yours forever.
"Do you, Jason Lee Scott, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
"I do."
"Do you, Trini Kwan, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
"I do.'
"The rings please?" The exchanging of the wedding rings was accompanied by many sniffles and fond smiles.
"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Jason smiled. "The best part of the ceremony."
A wild cheer accompanied the kiss that was hot enough to scorch those seated in the last roll.
"I present to you, Mister and Misses Jason Scott."
"Hey, shouldn't it be Mister and Doctor Jason Scott?"
"ROCKY!!!"
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The End…
