Nita's turn! Trust me, the plot will eventually get somewhere. I just have to finish laying groundwork first. Diane Duane owns these characters, but she probably wouldn't marry them off.
-Kaze Child
"I really think it's too early to start doing this, Mama." Nita protested, to no avail. Mrs. Rodriguez didn't even pause as she drug her future daughter-in-law towards the department store with a blissful smile on her face.
"It's never too early if you want to get something good!" Kit's mother stated empathetically.
Nita sighed, and decided to change tack and fall back on reason. "But, Mama, we're just engaged! We're not actually planning on getting married for a year; maybe even two!" Mrs. Rodriguez paused as the automatic doors swung open in front of them.
"I don't know why you would want a long engagement, Bonita." Nita grinned at the use of the pet name and the implied pun. "Long waits only make people tense. Best just to get it over with fast."
Nita smiled wryly. "It's not like we're gonna change our minds, or anything. But we sorta thought that Kit should at least be old enough to legally drink at the reception."
"Well, if that's the case, you'd only have to wait half a year or so. And anyway, no matter when you have it, it doesn't change the fact that you will definitely need," she suddenly stopped and looked around her triumphantly. "A dress."
Nita suppressed a groan.
The next few hours went past in a blur of white. It was everywhere; white silks, snowy satins, creamy laces. Nita was drowning in the stuff. A tall sales lady with a perky little name tag that proclaimed her name to be Myra had born down on them as soon as they had set foot in the department, and ushered them after a few breathless pleasantries into a small room in the back that contained nothing but a few chairs, a small table, a bookcase stuffed with binders, and a triptych mirror. There was a plain door set into the back left corner of the room, and it was through this that the clouds and billows of marital white emerged.
Blushing, Nita tried each gown on with Mrs. Rodriguez and Myra as spectators, clucking observations in the background and summarily categorizing each dress on taste, expense, and attractiveness. Her face flamed anew every time Kit's mother cooed another compliment, or Myra approached, pins in hand, to adjust the fit of this or that and croon; "Dearie, this looks just darling on you! I'm sure your young man'll love it!" Nita could only nod, mortified. Her very own "young man." A couple of years ago, she and Kit would've laughed themselves silly over hearing someone saying that. Now, she could barely keep her face straight. She just wasn't used to it!
*Jeez,* she thought. *What are you gonna do when people start calling you, "Mrs. Rodriguez?"* Nita winced.
"Oh, I'm sorry sweetheart!" Myra exclaimed. "Did I get ya?" She held up a pin.
"No, no." Nita hastily denied. "Look, I don't think this one's gonna work. That's the fifth time you've had to adjust it..."
"Honey, we can make anything work." Myra assured her. "You just need a little talent. But, if you don't like it..." Almost before she knew how it happened, the gown had been whisked away behind the plain door, and another bundle of filmy material had been dumped in her arms. Myra resumed her seat next to Mrs. Rodriguez as Nita sighed and struggled to find the entry zipper on this one. Mrs. Rodriguez blissfully continued with the monologue that she'd had to break off, namely, the one about how Kit met Nita.
"I knew she was perfect for him the minute he showed her to us. Of course, that's not what we were actually thinking about at the time. We were so glad he finally had a friend that we didn't really think that far ahead, but- No Bonita, I don't really think that gown suits you.- But, it was just one of those things you know...."
Myra nodded wisely as she scooted towards the door. Nita just rolled her eyes.
"...so anyway, we were having this party, well, just a little neighborly get together, nothing fancy, and they show up, and BOOM, they're engaged! Just like that! Here we were, afraid that they'd never get enough courage to even go on a date, and.... Oh! Nita, it's perfect!"
Nita shifted nervously, face red as she stared at her reflection in the triple mirrors. Could she really wear something like THIS to her wedding? It had a much more subtly beauty than the ones before it, but Kit's mother was right. Nita even thought it was perfect. Briefly, she had to imagine the look on Kit's face if she walked down the aisle wearing THIS. She couldn't stop the smile that pushed onto her face.
"That's the one!" Mrs. Rodriguez crowed. "That 's the one we want!"
Pushing aside the pleasing imaged of his smile when he saw her, Nita hesitated.
"Mama,"
The older Hispanic lady was almost giddy. "I don't care what it cost, Nita, it's lovely on you. After all, we don't want my son to forget what a good thing he got, huh?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief as Nita's face glowed red again.
"Mama, really, it's just too early." she shot another longing look in the mirror. "I like this dress..." *I really like this dress!* "But, I don't want to make up my mind too early, and do something I might regret." *I hope I don't regret this...*
Mrs. Rodriguez gave her a long look, and sighed. "All right, Bonita, how bout a compromise?" she turned to the vaguely pouting saleslady. "Can you keep this on hold? I think we'll be coming back for it later."
Her mood clearing almost immediately, Myra mouthed an "Of course," and swept the dress into the back with the rejects. Nita pulled her jeans and top on with relief, glad that it was over. She felt a comfortable arm drape over her shoulders, and Mrs. Rodriguez warm, maternal voice in her ear.
"What do you think?" she asked. "More shopping, or home?"
Nita squeezed the older woman around the waist. "Actually, home sounds pretty good..."
Mrs. Rodriguez laughed, and lead her out of the room, and back into the bright fluorescent light of the store at large. Nita stretched her arms over her head and rolled her neck back as the drifted towards the exit. She smiled as a childish giggle caught her attention. Looking around for the source, Nita saw a mischievous face peep out at her from between the rows. Dark hair fell into a face that had a slightly Hispanic cast, except for the large, striking eyes. That face was.... familiar. And, was it just her, or were those eyes silver....?
"Are you the one who wants me?"
*That was the Speech!* Nita opened her mouth, but before she could form a coherent sentence, the little imp winked at her, and then disappeared back into the jungle of clothes.
"Hey!" Unthinking, Nita ducked after him. Her eyes scanned the area quickly, but there was no little boy in sight. Frowning, Nita was about to prowl around after him, when the sound of muffled laughter from behind her made her spin.
Mrs. Rodriguez was unsuccessfully fighting a grin. "Bonita," she chuckled. "If it's too early to buy a wedding dress, don't you think it's a little too early to start planning for the honeymoon...?'
"Wha....?" Nita glanced up. There was a sign next to her head that boldly proclaimed what was sold there in large curvy letters; "Intimates."
*Oh God...!*
The color of her face was never going to be the same, Nita was sure.
" But, I thought I saw...."
Nits cringed at the sound of her future mother-in-law's knowing laugh.
Nita appeared in his room with a muted 'pop,' and accepted his greetings with a weary smile. Her pulled her into a possessive embrace and she slumped gratefully against him.
"So, how'd your day go?"
*Ye Powers, I must look pathetic. He's already laughing at me...!*
Fingers pushing a few stray hairs out of her face, she looked up at him and half-smiled.
"My day was.... interesting."
"Interesting?"
"Yeah," She let her head fall back against his shoulder with a thump. "Remind me not to go shopping with Mama again without some sort of backup."
He chuckled deep in his throat, a sound that had secretly thrilled her ever since his voice had changed. He rarely ever used that laugh, but when he did it made her heart speed up. "Considering that the backup would probably be either Mela or Dari, you're probably better off without."
Nita rolled her gray eyes to the ceiling. "Why can't I win...?"
Still laughing, he leaned down to kiss her. He'd become remarkably adept at that in a short period of time. H braced her body against his, and twisted his fingers in her hair, holding her tight. He had never seemed to understand the concept of a quick kiss; with him, every kiss was passionate. Probably one of the reasons why they'd never kissed in front of anybody else. The wine-deep, soothing colors of his mind whispered endearments to her, and lulled her as he gently tipped her head back and nudged his tongue into her mouth. Nita reached inside of him, and felt his love for her radiating like a fire against her mental fingertips. Kit made a soft sound as he leaned in a little more deeply.
Nita's day was getting better already.
It was a full, blissful minute before they parted, and her heart was pounding dangerously. Despite everything, she was still startled when she found herself gasping for air. When she kissed him, she forgot that breathing was important. Oddly though, for what seemed like the first time that day, she wasn't blushing. Kit's eyes smiled at her.
"Mmm?" He murmured.
"Well," she pretended to consider while she pulled him down again. "It's a start."
Yeah! I finally got around to some honest-to-goodness fluff. Fun, huh?
I just realized that I'll be in school when the seventh book comes out.
Man that's depressing.
-Kaze Child
"I really think it's too early to start doing this, Mama." Nita protested, to no avail. Mrs. Rodriguez didn't even pause as she drug her future daughter-in-law towards the department store with a blissful smile on her face.
"It's never too early if you want to get something good!" Kit's mother stated empathetically.
Nita sighed, and decided to change tack and fall back on reason. "But, Mama, we're just engaged! We're not actually planning on getting married for a year; maybe even two!" Mrs. Rodriguez paused as the automatic doors swung open in front of them.
"I don't know why you would want a long engagement, Bonita." Nita grinned at the use of the pet name and the implied pun. "Long waits only make people tense. Best just to get it over with fast."
Nita smiled wryly. "It's not like we're gonna change our minds, or anything. But we sorta thought that Kit should at least be old enough to legally drink at the reception."
"Well, if that's the case, you'd only have to wait half a year or so. And anyway, no matter when you have it, it doesn't change the fact that you will definitely need," she suddenly stopped and looked around her triumphantly. "A dress."
Nita suppressed a groan.
The next few hours went past in a blur of white. It was everywhere; white silks, snowy satins, creamy laces. Nita was drowning in the stuff. A tall sales lady with a perky little name tag that proclaimed her name to be Myra had born down on them as soon as they had set foot in the department, and ushered them after a few breathless pleasantries into a small room in the back that contained nothing but a few chairs, a small table, a bookcase stuffed with binders, and a triptych mirror. There was a plain door set into the back left corner of the room, and it was through this that the clouds and billows of marital white emerged.
Blushing, Nita tried each gown on with Mrs. Rodriguez and Myra as spectators, clucking observations in the background and summarily categorizing each dress on taste, expense, and attractiveness. Her face flamed anew every time Kit's mother cooed another compliment, or Myra approached, pins in hand, to adjust the fit of this or that and croon; "Dearie, this looks just darling on you! I'm sure your young man'll love it!" Nita could only nod, mortified. Her very own "young man." A couple of years ago, she and Kit would've laughed themselves silly over hearing someone saying that. Now, she could barely keep her face straight. She just wasn't used to it!
*Jeez,* she thought. *What are you gonna do when people start calling you, "Mrs. Rodriguez?"* Nita winced.
"Oh, I'm sorry sweetheart!" Myra exclaimed. "Did I get ya?" She held up a pin.
"No, no." Nita hastily denied. "Look, I don't think this one's gonna work. That's the fifth time you've had to adjust it..."
"Honey, we can make anything work." Myra assured her. "You just need a little talent. But, if you don't like it..." Almost before she knew how it happened, the gown had been whisked away behind the plain door, and another bundle of filmy material had been dumped in her arms. Myra resumed her seat next to Mrs. Rodriguez as Nita sighed and struggled to find the entry zipper on this one. Mrs. Rodriguez blissfully continued with the monologue that she'd had to break off, namely, the one about how Kit met Nita.
"I knew she was perfect for him the minute he showed her to us. Of course, that's not what we were actually thinking about at the time. We were so glad he finally had a friend that we didn't really think that far ahead, but- No Bonita, I don't really think that gown suits you.- But, it was just one of those things you know...."
Myra nodded wisely as she scooted towards the door. Nita just rolled her eyes.
"...so anyway, we were having this party, well, just a little neighborly get together, nothing fancy, and they show up, and BOOM, they're engaged! Just like that! Here we were, afraid that they'd never get enough courage to even go on a date, and.... Oh! Nita, it's perfect!"
Nita shifted nervously, face red as she stared at her reflection in the triple mirrors. Could she really wear something like THIS to her wedding? It had a much more subtly beauty than the ones before it, but Kit's mother was right. Nita even thought it was perfect. Briefly, she had to imagine the look on Kit's face if she walked down the aisle wearing THIS. She couldn't stop the smile that pushed onto her face.
"That's the one!" Mrs. Rodriguez crowed. "That 's the one we want!"
Pushing aside the pleasing imaged of his smile when he saw her, Nita hesitated.
"Mama,"
The older Hispanic lady was almost giddy. "I don't care what it cost, Nita, it's lovely on you. After all, we don't want my son to forget what a good thing he got, huh?" Her eyes sparkled with mischief as Nita's face glowed red again.
"Mama, really, it's just too early." she shot another longing look in the mirror. "I like this dress..." *I really like this dress!* "But, I don't want to make up my mind too early, and do something I might regret." *I hope I don't regret this...*
Mrs. Rodriguez gave her a long look, and sighed. "All right, Bonita, how bout a compromise?" she turned to the vaguely pouting saleslady. "Can you keep this on hold? I think we'll be coming back for it later."
Her mood clearing almost immediately, Myra mouthed an "Of course," and swept the dress into the back with the rejects. Nita pulled her jeans and top on with relief, glad that it was over. She felt a comfortable arm drape over her shoulders, and Mrs. Rodriguez warm, maternal voice in her ear.
"What do you think?" she asked. "More shopping, or home?"
Nita squeezed the older woman around the waist. "Actually, home sounds pretty good..."
Mrs. Rodriguez laughed, and lead her out of the room, and back into the bright fluorescent light of the store at large. Nita stretched her arms over her head and rolled her neck back as the drifted towards the exit. She smiled as a childish giggle caught her attention. Looking around for the source, Nita saw a mischievous face peep out at her from between the rows. Dark hair fell into a face that had a slightly Hispanic cast, except for the large, striking eyes. That face was.... familiar. And, was it just her, or were those eyes silver....?
"Are you the one who wants me?"
*That was the Speech!* Nita opened her mouth, but before she could form a coherent sentence, the little imp winked at her, and then disappeared back into the jungle of clothes.
"Hey!" Unthinking, Nita ducked after him. Her eyes scanned the area quickly, but there was no little boy in sight. Frowning, Nita was about to prowl around after him, when the sound of muffled laughter from behind her made her spin.
Mrs. Rodriguez was unsuccessfully fighting a grin. "Bonita," she chuckled. "If it's too early to buy a wedding dress, don't you think it's a little too early to start planning for the honeymoon...?'
"Wha....?" Nita glanced up. There was a sign next to her head that boldly proclaimed what was sold there in large curvy letters; "Intimates."
*Oh God...!*
The color of her face was never going to be the same, Nita was sure.
" But, I thought I saw...."
Nits cringed at the sound of her future mother-in-law's knowing laugh.
Nita appeared in his room with a muted 'pop,' and accepted his greetings with a weary smile. Her pulled her into a possessive embrace and she slumped gratefully against him.
"So, how'd your day go?"
*Ye Powers, I must look pathetic. He's already laughing at me...!*
Fingers pushing a few stray hairs out of her face, she looked up at him and half-smiled.
"My day was.... interesting."
"Interesting?"
"Yeah," She let her head fall back against his shoulder with a thump. "Remind me not to go shopping with Mama again without some sort of backup."
He chuckled deep in his throat, a sound that had secretly thrilled her ever since his voice had changed. He rarely ever used that laugh, but when he did it made her heart speed up. "Considering that the backup would probably be either Mela or Dari, you're probably better off without."
Nita rolled her gray eyes to the ceiling. "Why can't I win...?"
Still laughing, he leaned down to kiss her. He'd become remarkably adept at that in a short period of time. H braced her body against his, and twisted his fingers in her hair, holding her tight. He had never seemed to understand the concept of a quick kiss; with him, every kiss was passionate. Probably one of the reasons why they'd never kissed in front of anybody else. The wine-deep, soothing colors of his mind whispered endearments to her, and lulled her as he gently tipped her head back and nudged his tongue into her mouth. Nita reached inside of him, and felt his love for her radiating like a fire against her mental fingertips. Kit made a soft sound as he leaned in a little more deeply.
Nita's day was getting better already.
It was a full, blissful minute before they parted, and her heart was pounding dangerously. Despite everything, she was still startled when she found herself gasping for air. When she kissed him, she forgot that breathing was important. Oddly though, for what seemed like the first time that day, she wasn't blushing. Kit's eyes smiled at her.
"Mmm?" He murmured.
"Well," she pretended to consider while she pulled him down again. "It's a start."
Yeah! I finally got around to some honest-to-goodness fluff. Fun, huh?
I just realized that I'll be in school when the seventh book comes out.
Man that's depressing.