Happy After Turkey Day!! (In English, that means Happy Late Thanksgiving! ^_^) Okay, okay, I know that it's been a while sense I've updated, but you gotta understand that I have a very, very good excuse! (Actually you could say excuses…)
First, my computer went crazy! We had to take everything off (that meant deleting all of my files!) and then reprogram the entire computer! UGH!
Second, my Internet decided it was going to be a royal pain in the rear and it quit on me!
Third, my dad and I got sick! We were running fever, coughing, and everything else! (Not to mention, I developed an earache that I haven't been able to shake! GRR!)
And fourth, there was Thanksgiving and my family was here!
Whoo! Talk about the last two weeks! I'm telling you, they will be one to remember!
And I really am sorry about the late update, as you can tell, I've been trying to update at least once a week! And I guess I fell behind on this week, huh? *puts on puppy face* Don't be mad!!
Now here is the last chapter for this story! EEK! I'm so excited! I'm finally going to be finished with this story! And I'm going to dedicate this story to all of the people who ever reviewed this story!
SabineballZ- I would never put Van with anyone other than Hitomi! They belong together forever! ^_^
Avelyn Lauren- I hope I did a good job with the wedding scene! And I so winged it! Hope you like it!
Alleydog9- Watch no more! The new chapter has arrived! I hope you like it!
aradow- I know it was a little fast with how they got together, but like you said, this is meant to be a short story! I hope you like this chapter!
.- I guess it is kinda off balance for a story, but a lot of people who read my story "Coming Home" wanted to know how Hitomi and Van met, etc. Sorry for the confusion!
Wink57CS- I know it was short, but it was fluffy, wasn't it? ^_^ I love fluff! Anyway, about Gaea, well, if you want to find out, you'll have to mosey on over to my story "Coming Home" to find out! Hehe! ^_^
Sailor Hope- I'm so glad you like my story! And aren't Van and Hitomi fluff's the best! BTW, great new chapter on "Souls of the Past"! Totally into it! Anyway, hope you like this new chapter!
Now I just put shout-outs for everyone who reviewed the last chapter, but for everyone else, THANKS! I loved each and every one of your reviews! They meant a lot and offered loads of motivation! C-ya! ^_^
Okay, here's the new and last chapter! I hope you guys like it!
Title: Coming Home: The Prequel, Chapter Five: Nineteen
Author: Tevrah
Email: writergirl852@yahoo.com (drop me a line anytime!)
***
Chapter Five: Nineteen
Van gulped. His hands were shaking as he reached up and straightened his tie. He took a deep breath and observed himself in the mirror. He let out his breath in a whoosh. What was wrong with him? He shouldn't be so damn nervous! This was a joyous occasion, there was nothing to worry about.
A knock sounded on the door behind him and he watched in the mirror as Amono stepped inside. He grinned when he saw Van. Van glared at him in the mirror.
"How are you doing?" Amono asked innocently.
"Not right now, Ken," Van said sarcastically, using the nickname he had given Amono a while back.
Amono chuckled and slapped Van on the shoulder. "If it's any consolation, I was ten times worse than you are right now when I asked Yukari to marry me last night."
"Really?" Van asked, as smile curving his lips. "It's about time you finally asked her."
Amono shrugged and cleared his throat uneasily. "So have you calmed down any?"
Van nodded. "Yeah. Talking about you making an idiot of yourself helps. Tell me more."
Amono glared at him and Van laughed. He was defiantly feeling better.
Van took pity on his friend. "How long are you going to wait?" he asked.
Amono grinned. "We've set the date for the week you and Hitomi get back from your honeymoon."
Van exhaled a laugh. "You don't plan on waiting long, do you?"
Amono shrugged. "I still can't see why you waited so long to marry Hitomi. I mean you guys waited an entire year."
"We wanted to be sure our future was set before we made our commitment to one another," Van defended. "Besides, I wanted this to be a day Hitomi will never forget for as long as she lives."
Amono smirked. "Oh, I think she'll remember it. Let's see, what's happened to her today? Oh, yeah, first she didn't get any sleep. Second, she tripped and fell into the water fountain in the park. Third, she got bird poop in her hair. Fourth—"
"I don't want to know," Van interrupted. "I'm getting nervous again. What if Hitomi decides that she doesn't want to go through with it? What if she decides that she's better off without me? What if she—"
"Whoa, whoa," Amono said, placing his hand in the air in front of him. "Look, Hitomi loves you with all of her heart. There's no way she's going to change her mind. Besides, you shouldn't be having these worries. Hitomi's worrying about you wanting to leave her, and trust me, she worries enough for an entire country."
"Why would she be thinking that I would be leaving her?" Van asked. "I love her."
Amono shrugged. "Pre-wedding jitters, I guess. Besides, worrying is a pastime for Hitomi."
Van ran a hand through his unruly hair. "I have to see her, talk to her. I want her to know that everything is all right."
"But it's bad luck for the bride and groom to see each other before the wedding," Amono said. He was awarded with a glare from Van. Amono laughed. "Tell you what, I'll see what I can do about getting the room cleared out so you can have a few minutes along with the future Mrs. Fanel. Just stand by the door and wait for my signal." He slipped out the door.
Van removed his tie and unbuttoned the top three buttons of his shirt. He waited by the door for Amono. He could hear footsteps and then Amono's voice floated through the door. "I'm telling you ladies, the chipmunks were talking to me. I swear!"
Van grinned. Amono was a good friend. He waited until the voices disappeared and he opened the door. He looked out to make sure that no one would catch him and made his way to the door at the end of the hall. He turned the knob silently and walked in, closing the door behind him. What he saw nearly broke his heart.
Hitomi was curled up in a ball on the floor, crying. Since it was still a few hours until the wedding, her hair was down and she was only wearing a housecoat. He walked over to her and gathered her in his arms. She clung to him and cried all over his shirt. He rocked her back and forth, saying soothing words to her. When she finally grew silent, she picked her head up and looked at him.
"Everything's going to be all right, isn't it, Van?" she asked, looking him in the eyes.
He cupped her cheek and watched as she leaned into his touch. "Everything's going to more than all right, love," he said softly. "I love you, Hitomi, and nothing will ever change that. You're my heart."
Hitomi smiled at him. "I love you, too, Van, more than anything."
"I know," Van said. "Now, stop worrying. I'll never leave you, just like I've always promised."
Hitomi nodded. "I know," she sighed. "I just like to worry, I guess."
Van grinned. "I know," he said. "It's a hobby for you."
She slapped his lightly on his shoulder and laughed. "I guess it is."
Van leaned down to kiss her. The door burst open and Yukari screamed. "Van Fanel! It's bad luck to see the bride before the wedding! Get out!"
Van was drug from the room and thrown out. He looked up just in time to see Hitomi smile and get the door slammed in his face. He stood there staring at the closed door for a while. A hand fell on his shoulder.
"The chipmunks were talking to you, Amono?" Van asked with a smile in his voice.
Amono laughed. "It worked, didn't it?"
Van smiled as he and his friend walked back to his room. "Yeah, it worked."
He buttoned his shirt and put his tie back on with a smile this time. He was feeling a whole lot better.
***
Two hours later, Van stood by the priest as he waited for his wedding to begin. Amono stood beside him. Suddenly music began to play and everyone turned to look at the church doors. They opened and an angel with a white dress walked in. Van was captivated with her. He couldn't take his eyes from her beautiful face.
Her dress was the purest white he had ever seen. It was modest, with a neckline that only went to right above her breasts. It flowed all the way down past her ankles and skirted along the floor, and Van had an idea that Hitomi didn't have any shoes on under that dress. She hated heels. The sleeves of the dress went to her fingertips and hung loose.
No veil covered her hair and face. Her hair was fixed atop her head with a pearl comb. Two strands hung down beside her face. Her eyes were alive and her face was flushed. She was the most gorgeous thing Van had ever seen. She was being escorted down the aisle by Mr. Uchida, as was her request. He had proved to be a second father to her.
They stopped directly in front of Van and the priest asked, "Who gives this woman away to marriage?"
"I do," Mr. Uchida said and lovingly kissed Hitomi on her cheek. He gave her hand to Van and took his seat, but not before Van saw his eyes mist up.
Van smiled at him with thanks, and then turned his attention to Hitomi. She was looking at him. She was even more beautiful close up. He was brought back to the present by the priest talking to the audience.
"Marriage is a sacred commitment two people make. It is binding and true. Let us take a moment to ponder over the revelation of marriage."
Hitomi's mind began to wonder as the priest droned on and on about how marriage was binding and true. She knew all of this. She wouldn't be standing here if she didn't know that. She wished he would just get to the point. Her bare feet were getting cold. Van smiled at her. She smiled back. Lord he had such a beautiful smile. And he loved her. She held back tears. She was so wonderfully happy.
Van watched as Hitomi struggled with her tears and smile at her. He wished he could take her into his arms and hold her close, but he couldn't right now. He wished the priest would hurry it up. He wanted to kiss Hitomi so badly right now.
"Do you Hitomi Iris Kanzaki take this man as your lawfully wedded husband, to honor and to cherish until death do you part?"
"I do," Hitomi said with a smile.
"And do you Van Fanel take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife, to honor and to cherish until death do you part?"
"I do," Van answered.
"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Van leaned down and kissed his wife. Hitomi put her hands on his chest and closed her eyes. He kissed like heaven. When they pulled apart, Van ran his fingers down her cheek and took her hand. They faced the audience.
"I present the new Mr. and Mrs. Van Fanel."
***
Hitomi placed her hand over Van's as they cut the cake. They were still in their wedding clothes and were at the reception. As soon as the first cake was sliced, the people surrounding them clapped. They 'oohed' and 'aahed' as the newly married couple fed one another a bite of the cake, then kissed.
"May I have your attention please," Yukari's voice came over the loudspeaker. She was standing on the stage. "It's now time for the bride and groom to have their first dance. So everybody clear out and give them some space to move."
Everyone chuckled as the redhead as she told the band to hit it. Music floated through the speakers as a man's voice came over the crowd.
"It was no accident,
Me finding you
Someone had a hand in it
Long before we ever knew
Now I just can't believe
You're in my life
Heaven's smiling down on you
As I look at you tonight
I tip my hat
To the keeper of the stars
He sure knew what he was doing
When he joined these two hearts
And I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms
I've got all I'll ever need
Thanks to the keeper of the stars
Soft moonlight on your face
Oh, how you shine
It takes my breath away
Just to look into your eyes
And I know I don't deserve
A treasure like you
There really are no words
To show my gratitude
So I tip my hat
To the keeper of the stars
He sure knew what he was doing
When he joined these two hearts
I hold everything
When I hold you in my arms
I've got all I'll ever need
Thanks to the keeper of the stars
It was no accident
Me finding you
Someone had a hand in it
Long before we ever knew…"
The song ended and Van and Hitomi stared into one another's eyes, oblivious to everything but each other. Their foreheads touched.
"I love you," Van whispered.
"I love you, too," Hitomi whispered back.
They smiled at one another, saying nothing else. Their lives were finally complete.
***
Van watched the moon in the sky as it reflected off of the water in the ocean. Behind him, Hitomi was sleeping in the small cabin they had rented for two weeks for their honeymoon.
Van's mind wandered to Gaea. He wondered what Merle was up to, and how the people of Fanelia were doing. He wondered if Dryden and Millerna finally got married, and if Allen found someone to settle down with. He sighed. He missed everyone so much. He wanted to see them so badly. Most of all, he wished that they could have been here today, to see him marry the love of his life.
Arms wrapped around his waist and a chin propped itself on his shoulder. "Hey," Hitomi whispered to him.
"Hey," he said back, kissing her on her head.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked. "You seemed kind of in another world."
Van smiled and turned around, taking his new wife into his arms. "I was thinking about how much I love you, and how beautiful you are."
Hitomi fought her blush as she answered, "You're not to bad yourself."
Van smiled. "I love you," he said again.
Hitomi looked into his eyes. "I love you, too," she whispered.
She grabbed his hand and gently pulled him toward the cabin. Van smiled at her lovingly and followed her, his thoughts off of Gaea. He would think about it later.
Right now he had more important things to do.
What did you guys think? Please let me know! Thanks for everyone who has stuck with this story, and if you want to know if Van and Hitomi go to Gaea, just go and check out my other story "Coming Home".
Luv you guys! Tevrah