Flights of Angels
Part 3
1st they went shopping and bought Van a whole bunch of clothes to use whenever he came to Earth, Ukarie told them that they would be happy to keep those clothes at their house. Then they separated, Amondo and Van went to the sword arena while Hitomi and Ukarie went to look for wedding dresses.
"Do you know how to use a sword Amondo?" Van asked.
"I know how to fence. But I'm not that good. I'm better at the bow and arrow. Plus I love music. Do you play any instruments?" Amondo questioned.
"Yes, I play what you call a violin. Hitomi says I'm really good but I don't think so." Van answered.
"Well I have a violin at home, I'll listen when we get back. Can you read sheet music? I have one I can't master and if you could show me how then I would be very grateful. Well here we are, The Sword Arena." Amondo explained as they stopped in front of a huge building. They went in and signed up for a fencing and sword class.
"I would like to take on your champion swordsman." Van told the women at the front desk.
"Amondo! Is this guy for real! He can't take on Kenji!" She laughed.
"Reiko, believe me Van can take him on and beat him." Amondo told her.
"Uh… okay if you say so. I'll call for Kenji." She replied. They waited while she turned the microphone on. "Kenji! Kenji! You have a young man wanting to battle with you. He says he can beat you without breaking a sweat!" She announced. 5 minutes later a man appeared before them.
"I am Kenji, which of the 2 of you thinks he can beat me without breaking a sweat?" Kenji asked.
"I can. This shouldn't take more than 10 minutes, just to make it interesting. Really I could beat you in 5 but give people something to watch." Van replied with a smile.
"Why you little! Fine, let us go and battle then we will see who is the best." Kenji told him. They walked into the ring, a small crowd had gathered around the ring and one of them ran out to bring Kenji his sword.
"I hate a man who doesn't even have guts enough to carry his own sword." Van said pulling his sword out of its sheath. He held his sword just like Allen and Balgus had taught him, lose wrist and tight but lose grip. The bell dinged and the match started. Van toyed with Kenji's mind for the 1st 5 minutes but then got down to the fun part. Beating him in front of all of his friends. Kenji came running at him but he stopped when Van jumped up in the air. As he came back down Van knocked Kenji down and pinned his neck with his knee then held his sword against Kenji's throat.
"You win!" Kenji yelled. Van let him up and sheathed his sword.
"I've had plenty of tougher opponents. You bore me." Van told him.
"How did you do it? No one has been able to beat me yet?" Kenji questioned.
"Training is the best way to learn. I had the best master." Van replied as he and Amondo walked out of the building, leaving Kenji to roll in his self-shame.
"I am very impressed. I never saw anyone use those moves." Amondo said as they walked down the street.
"Well you will get a chance to see more. Hitomi wants to take you and Ukarie back to Gaea for the wedding. She was going to take her parents but they don't like me very well at the moment." Van explained as he stopped to look in a jewelry store window.
"What you looking at?" Amondo asked.
"That necklace, the one in the middle. My mother used to have one like it. It was made of pure sliver with the bluest sapphire in the middle, two emeralds and two diamonds on each side of the sapphire. It is customary to give your bride to be a necklace before you marry. I will get this one for Hitomi." Van told Amondo.
"Van! That necklace is $2,000!" Amondo yelled.
"I have that much on me." Van replied. Amondo stood amazed on the street as Van went in the store and bought Hitomi the necklace. 2 hours later when they meet back at the apartment Van presented the necklace to Hitomi. She screamed and then fainted.
"Hitomi! Hitomi" Van yelled shaking her gently.
"Oh… Van I thought you just bought me a $2,000 necklace!" Hitomi gasped sitting up.
"I guess you didn't like it then?" Van asked looking sad.
"You… you mean… you actually bought it for me! The necklace is real!" Hitomi squealed.
"Yes my love. It is customary on Gaea for a man to give his bride a gift before the wedding. And I got this for you." Van replied.
"Van… I love you and the necklace is beautiful, I will wear it with honor." Hitomi told him. Van smiled and they hugged.
"Awe… it's a Kodak moment." Ukarie sighed. Just then the buzzer rang.
"Who could that be?" Amondo mumbled. He answered the buzzer and disappeared for a few minutes. When he came back Hitomi's Mother and Father were with him.
"Hello Hitomi." Her mother said. Van quickly excused himself and went out on the balcony. Hitomi's Mother followed him and closed the door behind them. Ukarie and Amondo left the room to give Hitomi and her Father some privacy. "Hitomi… I want to apologize for the way I acted the other night. I was very stupid and should have talked to Van before judging him. I love you and only want the best for you. And if the best thing for you is Van then I'm all for it. Do you really love him? Is he the best for you? And can he take care of you?" Her Father questioned.
"Daddy, I love you to and yes I love Van with all my heart. I would be heartbroken without him, and yes he can take care of me. Remember I told you that he is the King of Fanilea." Hitomi explained. Her Father smiled and they shared a warm and understanding hug. Meanwhile out on the balcony Hitomi's Mother and Van talked.
"Ma' dam I do not wish to take your daughter away from you but I have always been taught to act on my feelings. And my feelings are telling me now that I am deeply in love with your daughter." Van explained.
"I understand, I have had that feeling. The feeling that you can over come anyone or anything that stands in your way. I must know, will I get to see my daughter again?" Mother asked.
"Yes, of course. I could never and would never dream of keeping her away from you. I grew up most of my life not having a mother or father, they both died when I was young. And then my older brother disappeared leaving me with no family; I was raised by my father's most trusted friend. I will do everything in my power to make Hitomi happy and will join her as often as I can when she comes here. But I do have many responsibilities to keep up as King." Van explained.
"I'm glad to hear it. I would be happy to have you as my son-in-law. Now where are you having the wedding?" Mother asked. Van smiled knowing that he had her approval.
"We are planning on taking you and your husband plus Ukarie and Amondo back to Gaea for the wedding. I hope you don't mind." Van told her.
"I don't mind at all, I would love to see this Fanilea of yours." Mother said with a smile.
"Just one thing, we shall have to get you both some new clothes once we get there." Van replied. Then he walked back into the living room, where Hitomi's father gave him a warm welcome and his approval of the wedding. "Great! When do we go back? I want to see how Allen and Millerna are doing," Van explained.
"Who is Allen and Millerna?" Ukarie asked.
"Friends of ours. King Allen and Queen Millerna of Austria." Hitomi answered.
"Oh! I can't wait. And we get new clothes!" Ukarie squealed.
"How about we leave tomorrow afternoon? That way you guys can call into work and take some time off?" Hitomi suggested.
"Perfect!" Amondo cheered. Then he went and got his violin and the sheet music. As he handed them to Van, Van looked at them curiously. "You promised." Amondo said. Van nodded. He put the fat end of the violin in the crook of his neck and held the other in his hand putting his fingers on the strings. After a few seconds he started playing a low sad tune of Mozart. It was perfect in every way and everyone in the room was amazed. When he stopped playing Hitomi put her arms around his neck and hugged tightly.
"You told you that you could play good." Hitomi told him.
"Wow I've never heard anyone play it that perfect." Ukarie complemented.
"Thanks." Van replied blushing. Later they each called into work and told them that they wouldn't be there for awhile. Then the next afternoon they each held each other's hands.
"Wish with all your heart that we were on Gaea. In Fanilea." Hitomi whispered. They all wished and the blue light fell over them. Then they were transported to Gaea.
"Good it is dark" Van whispered as the blue light disappeared.
"Why is that good?" Mother asked.
"People would think ill of you if they saw you in those clothes." Hitomi explained.
"Come! And be quiet, we don't want to attract attention until morning." Van told them. He led them to the castle where Gadus had seen the light and were waiting for them.
"My lord! It is good to have to back!" Gadus said.
"Gadus! It is good to be home. Please call Queen Millerna to help find our new quests some clothes." Van requested.
"Sire!" Gadus answered bowing and then leaving to get Millerna.
"Hitomi, I'm going to find Allen and talk about what's going on. Show your family and friends around once they have new clothes and then show them where they will sleep." Van told her.
"I will do just that Van." Hitomi replied. Van then accused himself to go find Allen.
"Hitomi! It is so good your back! I hear that I am to find clothes for our guest." Millerna said walking up to her.
"Yes, allow me to introduce you. Millerna, this is my Mother and Father, plus my best friend and her husband. Junko, Yoshio, also Ukaire and Amondo." Hitomi explained.
"It is nice to meet all of you. Gadus will take you men to get your clothes, ladies come with us." Millerna told them as she and Hitomi started walking away. 30 minutes later they met back up in the main hall.
"These clothes are a lot like what people in the medevil ages wore on Earth, isn't it Hitomi?" Ukarie asked.
"They do look like that don't they?" Hitomi questioned with a laugh. Meanwhile Van talked to Allen in his study.
"So how's this war threat coming?" Van asked.
"Nothing new since you left. If we're lucky they'll back down. But what will you do if they don't?" Allen questioned.
"I guess I'll decide when it comes, if it comes." Van replied.
"Well tomorrow Millerna and I must head back to Austria. And we shall return in 2 months for your wedding." Allen said.
"Very well, may you have a safe trip home. And until 2 months from now." Van assured him. Allen left then and Van went to bed. Hitomi soon followed going to her own room, she had made sure that her parents and friends were comfortable now they slept which she would soon do as well. Over the next few weeks Van was busied by the war threat and Hitomi, her mother, and Ukarie busied themselves with wedding plans. Amondo had fun learning swords-man ship from Gadus. Hitomi had found her dress on Earth and tried it on with the cape Meril brought her of Fanilea's colors.
"Thank you Meril. Where have you been?" Hitomi asked one day.
"Lord Van didn't tell you?" Meril questioned.
"No, what did he not tell me?" Hitomi wondered as she fastened the clasp of the cape.
"I have a husband now. We were married soon after you went home after your summer break. We live just outside the castle." Meril explained.
"Meril! That is great! I'm so happy for you!" Hitomi squealed.
"We are very happy. Just one thing, you had better take good care of Lord Van. If you don't I'll scratch your eyes out." Meril warned as she left. Hitomi smiled and looked at herself in the mirror. The dress was made out of a beautiful white ivory lace. The vial would fall 5 feet behind her and she would carry a bundle of forget-me-nots. The wedding day was coming upon them quickly and Hitomi's mother sent out invitations to the people on a list Hitomi gave her. And then on the 16th of April Hitomi Kanzacie became Queen Hitomi Fanel. Van looked very regal in his cape of blue and best outfit. Once they kissed everyone in the kingdom cheered and began the 3-day celebration.
"I love you my queen." Van whispered as they walked down the aisle.
"As do I, as do I." Hitomi whispered back with a smile. That night at the party that was being held in the castle Van asked to speak with King Allen, King Ched and Prince Drydon.
"You wanted to see us?" They asked walking up to him.
"Yes, Allen the war threat has gotten worse, they have begun attacking towns on the outer limits of Fanilea's territory. I don't want anyone killed but for what they are doing I must avenge the people who lost their lives because of them. I just wanted to make sure I had your help." Van explained.
"Of course you have our help." They each answered.
"Thank you." Van replied. Just then Hitomi came up to him and pulled him away to dance. Hitomi's guest left to go back to Earth that night, they had been away for 2 months and were missing home. Hitomi couldn't be very sad as she and Van danced. He made her feel so free. So they danced the night away until they were both spent. But once in their room that night, it was not as peaceful as you may think.
Over the next 2 years small fighting went on and Fanilea became victorious many times. Allen and Millerna came to visit and present their 2 year-old son Damien.
"I'm sorry we haven't been able to come to Austria but with this war going on Van doesn't get much free time." Hitomi told them when they arrived.
"That is all right. War is a very bad business." Millerna replied. Allen had greeted Hitomi and then ran to find Van.
"Are you feeling all right Hitomi?" Millerna asked as they sat on the balcony. Hitomi was playing ball with Damien.
"Actually, I feel awful. I haven't been able to eat a thing all morning. But I didn't dare tell Van. He has enough on his mind right now." Hitomi explained.
"Ah… I have had those days. But only when I was about 2 months pregnant." Millerna said and she looked at Hitomi.
"What? Oh no! I'm not… I mean…" Hitomi stuttered.
"You and Van don't want children?" Millerna asked shocked.
"No! I mean yes but we haven't, we hadn't planned on it happening so soon." Hitomi stated.
"Well it has, when will you tell him?" Millerna questioned.
"Not now that's for sure. He hasn't been sleeping well and not very much at that. I don't want to worry him with this." Hitomi told her. Just then Gadus came running out to them.
"My lady, you must come quickly!" Gadus gasped.
"What? What are you saying? What has happened?" Hitomi asked standing.
"My lord has collapsed out in the hall! You must come to him!" Gadus told her. Hitomi followed him to where they had brought Van and laid him down on their bed.
"I told him he needed to get more sleep. He's been up late every night and then finally when he does fall asleep it isn't a restful sleep. Allen could you handle everything for him today? I would like him to just rest for the rest of the day." Hitomi explained.
"I will Hitomi. Just make sure he rests up." Allen replied. He then guided everyone out of the room, all but Millerna, Damien and of course Hitomi.
"I should have made him get more sleep." Hitomi whispered.
"There was nothing you could do. Van does what he wants and he has his own mind. You just have to be there for him." Millerna explained.
"Oh your right. When he wakes up I think I'll ask him if I could go home for a few days. Just to get away from the fighting." Hitomi sighed.
"And what about the baby?" Millerna questioned laying Damien down for his nap.
"I don't know. I don't want to put this on him now but… I'll go home and tell my parents first. I'll get their advice. And then when I come back I'll tell him." Hitomi explained.
"It sounds like a good plan. But don't wait to long to tell him. Van will be able to tell, Allen sure could tell when I was. I hadn't even told him when he confronted me about it." Millerna told her with a laugh. Hitomi giggled also. Van slept until 5 that afternoon. When he sat up Hitomi was at his side in a second.
"Van! Are you okay?" Hitomi asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. What happened?" Van replied.
"You pasted out today in the hall. I told you that you needed more sleep than what you were getting. Allen has been taking care of everything today." Hitomi explained.
"I'll have to thank him." Van answered.
"Van, I'm going to Earth in 2 days. I miss my parents and I want to get away from this fighting." Hitomi told him.
"I wish I could go with you but I can't. Please give my regards to your parents." Van said as he stood.
"I will and don't worry. I'm only going to stay for a week and then I'll be back." Hitomi replied.
"Take as long as you need, if anything bad happens here I won't have to worry about you getting hurt." Van said. Hitomi nodded and went to get ready. 2 days later Van waved goodbye as the blue light fell over her and took her to Earth.
The beam left her in her parents back yard. She got the key from under the mat and unlocked the door. "Mom! Dad! I'm home!" Hitomi yelled from the kitchen.
"Hitomi? She's here!" Her father screamed as he ran to hug his daughter.
"Hi daddy. I've missed you so much." Hitomi told him.
"We have wondered when you were coming for a visit." Her father replied.
"I have some wonderful news to tell, call Ukarie and Amondo. Please tell them to come so I can spread the news." Hitomi said as she sat on the couch. She smiled remembering how much Van had liked Amondo's couch.
"How long will you be here for?" Her mother asked.
"Only a week I didn't want to stay away from Van to long. And he says to send his regards. That he's sorry he couldn't come with me." Hitomi explained.
"I see. And my couldn't my son-in-law come?" Her mother questioned.
"Oh it is the worst mess, the RR wants to go to war with Fanilea. But Van doesn't want a war. They've been attacking towns on the outer limits of Fanilea's borders. And Van is doing all he can to get them to back down." Hitomi sighed. 30 minutes later Ukarie and Amondo came running in.
"Okay! So what's the big news?" Ukaire exclaimed as she caught her breath.
"Okay, I wanted you all here so I could tell you that… I'm 2 months pregnant." Hitomi told them. Everyone ran up to hug her.
"Congratulations!" Amondo told her.
"Thank you." Hitomi replied.
"Does Van know yet?" Her mother asked.
"Sadly no. He just got so much on his mind right now I didn't want to bother him with this." Hitomi said.
"Honey it won't be a bother to him. Van will be overjoyed when you tell him. I know I was when your mother told me about you." Her father explained.
"Your right. I'll tell him as soon as I get back." Hitomi replied. The week went on and her mother took her to the doctor just to make sure everything was going okay.
"You are coming along just fine young lady." The doctor had said. Hitomi was thrilled and by the time it was for her to go back to Gaea she was ready to tell Van. That Saturday she stood in the back yard smiling at her family and friends. Her mother had tears running down her cheeks as the blue light fell over Hitomi. She waved goodbye to her daughter until the time she disappeared. Hitomi had promised to come back soon after the baby had been born.
The beam left her at the same place from where she had left, the palace garden. A few seconds after the beam left Van ran out and hugged her. "Hitomi! I have the best news! The RR have taken back their war threat and fallen!" Van told her excitedly.
"Oh Van! That's terrific! And I have some news for you." Hitomi replied.
"Are your parents and friends all right?" Van asked.
"Yes they are just fine. But this is more important." Hitomi said as she sat down.
"What is it my love? You know you can tell me anything." Van answered.
"I know and what I want to tell you is… we are going to be parents." Hitomi told him.
"What!!!" Van screamed.
"I knew this would…" Hitomi started.
"That's great!" Van said smiling.
"Wha… what?" Hitomi questioned.
"I said that's great. When did you find out?" Van asked.
"Well… Millerna told me before I left for Earth. I told her what I felt like and she told me that's what she felt like when she was 2 months pregnant." Hitomi explained.
"I can't believe we're going to be parents. You must promise me one thing." Van started.
"And what is that?" Hitomi asked leaning her back on his chest.
"When we have boys you shall name them and I shall name the girls, if we have any." Van told her.
"It is a promise. And if we have a girl what will you name her?" Hitomi questioned.
"A heavenly name that means youthful, Juliana." Van replied.
"That is a heavenly name. I will have to choose between Akira and Ryan. Ryan means, little King. Perfect if he one day takes the throne." Hitomi whispered. Van smiled as a little more of her weight leaned on him, she had fallen asleep. Van carried his Queen to their bedroom and laid her on the bed.
"Sleep well my Queen, for once you have our child you will need all the rest you can get." Van thought as he closed the door. He then walked to his study where Gadus was waiting for him.
"Good afternoon Sire. How is Lady Hitomi?" Gadus asked.
"Very well, she is sleeping." Van answered smiling.
"Why are you smiling Sire?" Gadus questioned.
"I am going to be a father." Van stated looking at Gadus. Gadus stared wide-eyed at Van.
"Good for you and my lady Sire!" Gadus congratulated him.
"Thank you Gadus. Take the rest of the day off after you spread the word throughout Fanilea." Van said.
"Yes sir! Thank you!" Gadus yelled as he ran out the door. Van then wrote a letter to Allen, and Ched telling them of the child Hitomi was carrying. He called a messenger to take the letters to them. After the messenger had left Van went a laid down beside Hitomi. Van soon fell asleep himself.