XI – Congratulations
An emerald eyed woman is engrossed reading some tips from the Lancôme™ online newsletter when a "You got new mail" toast-window appears in her screen, to what she clicks open her inbox. With a smile adorning her gorgeous face at the sender of said mail she moves her mouse around to open it.
"To: Sakura-chan
From: Tomoyo
Subject: You won't believe this…
Ohayo Sakura-chan! How's everything going on there? grins HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! hugs and kisses You certainly won't believe this… I'M GETTING MARRIED!!!
Love,
Tomoyo"
Speechless she was, her eyes wide as saucers and then her mouth curved to form a huge grin, emerald orbs shinning in delight. Grabbing a silver-plated cordless phone she dials her raven best friend's phone number quickly and waits, excitement growing bigger with each ring.
In the beautiful town of Tomoeda, the insistent sound of a communicational device gets Tomoyo out of her train of thoughts. Eyeing the small LCD screen she instantly recognizes the caller ID and smiles widely, putting her laptop aside.
"Hello Sakura-chan! to what I owe the honor of your call?" she says politely as a joke. "Hoooeee?!" comes the voice out of the speaker and Tomoyo fights the urge to laugh at her friend's reaction. "I'm so glad to hear your voice! How are you doing?" the dark haired lady sits more comfortably in the creamy-beige couch. "We're fine… I don't know how we made it to survive through Yelan-kaasan Christmas Party and Syaoran's sisters… but that's not the point! How is that you're getting married?" her voice was a mixture of excitement and incredulity. "Do I know the lucky man? No way! Don't tell me it's Eriol-kun!" Sakura beamed through the phone while her husband cocked an eyebrow at the mention of his ancestor's name, cradling his baby-girl in his strong arms. "What's the matter Ying-Fa? you seem startled" his deep male voice echoed in the room and his hazel eyes fell upon his wife who is taking a seat in a loveseat beside the small telephone table. She covers the mouth-piece of the device and turns to her husband. "Tomoyo-chan is getting married!" she says in a whisper and Syaoran's expression becomes blank, evidently putting two-and-two together.
"Well Tomoyo-chan?" Sakura resumes talking to her friend, waiting for a confirmation to her deduction. "Oh my, yes Sakura-chan! He's the lucky man or rather I'm the lucky girl!" Tomoyo says radiantly giggling in joy. "I just can't believe it! maa maa, you two are really fast!" grinning at her husband who had recovered his composure at the moment. "Not that I didn't know you two would end together someday!" she adds in a merry, half-proud voice placing a strand of honey-gold hair behind her ear. "Oh really? And how did you know that Sakura-chan?" asks the amethyst-eyed interlocutor at the other side of the phone line, curiosity present in her sweet soprano voice. "Well, I'm not THAT naïve you know?" answers the other girl indignantly. "But tell me, when and where is the wedding to be hold? you must tell me every single detail of his proposal!" the jade-eyed woman squealed happily, making herself comfortably for this is going to be a long girl talk.
It's been two months since that call took place and Tomoyo is busy as hell trying to do all of her paperwork in order to have at least two weeks off for a "decent" honeymoon. "Tomoyo-sama?" asks her assistant through the black speakerphone. "Yes, what is it?" she replies absent-mindedly, her eyes fixed in the flat monitor of her PowerMac G5. "Tokio-san called from Plum Blossoms to inform that your wedding dress, the maid of honor's and the bridesmaid's dresses are done" says the woman and Tomoyo's bothered expression transforms into a bright one. "Those are really good news! Please ask Tokio-san to send them to my house with all the accessories" she commands kindly, straightening her numb body. "Hai!" and the communication ends.
In London things were the same. Eriol was busier than ever wanting to ride himself from the dull paperwork while Nakuru helped him to get things done with the wedding. His fiancée and he had decided to split the work since they were pretty busy people and that seemed to be working so far. Specially with Nakuru's persistence and Spinel's patience to keep him sane. "We did it Eriol! The beach is all yours!" cried out Nakuru storming into his office with Spinel trailing behind with a relieved look in his face. It took both of them a lot of work to get the perfect location for the ceremony and the celebration. "Excellent! I'm sure Tomoyo will be extremely happy when we tell her" he says looking at his guardians with a satisfied smile. "Oh and we also confirmed the priest and the violin trio…" informs the brunette looking at her note-pad. "Thank God everything is running so smoothly…" comments the man forgetting his pile of work for a moment. "What else is on the list?" "Nothing much since Tomoyo-sama is in charge of the decoration and the dresses. Just to make the arrangement for the guests and the reservations for the honeymoon" explains the winged cat sitting in one leather chair in front of his master's desk. At the mention of said "holiday" Eriol's lips draws his famous mischievous smirk. "Have you thought about it?" he hears Spinel ask. Of course he had thought about it, so many times he has lost count. Unfortunately for the soon-to-be married couple, they didn't have much time to spend. "Yes… please arrange reservations for a week at The Venetian in Vegas" he said to Nakuru who was taking note eyeing him with mischief. "Wow, the sin city… feeling wild and gambling, are we not?" she said, half-giggling at her master who still had that look in his handsome face. "Well, consider it as done… time to go and pick up the young mistress Nakuru" said Spinel looking at the clock in Eriol's desk. Moments later they were gone.
Dawn broke at six sharp that blissful day of April. Her wedding day. The alarm clock went on but the sleeping figure doesn't seem to care, for she is already awake. In fact, she couldn't sleep last night because of too much excitement. A pale slender finger presses the button of said torture machine to make it stop and then stretches her body, covering a yawn with her hand. Walking in the bathroom she turns on the light and splashing cold water in her flawless face she smiles at her reflection. "Today is the day".
They all were in blossoming Japan, covered with the exquisite scent of spring flowers. The couple had decided to set a Japanese beach as their wedding location since that country is their homeland. Some of them were born there, some were not, but that's the land that saw them grow, made them meet and is kept in their hearts as their wonderland.
The ceremony was scheduled to be at six in the afternoon just to have the marvelous dusk as background for their holy vows. However they needed to be up early, especially the bride, to get the last things done.
Tomoyo took a long bubble bath as is tradition in the female members of some families and then slipped in a comfortable spring dress that was buttoned at her back. Drying her hair enough to not damp the fabric of her dress, she sits in the window sill of her bedroom humming softly to herself a merry tone. "Okaa-san, how I wish you could be here with me". Her eyes saddened for a while before they sparkled again, recovering her mood. "Silly Tomoyo, I know you're here… kaa-san".
"Tomoyo-chan, are you ready?" she recognizes her best-friend's voice even muffled by the door. "Coming!" she says loudly enough for the girl to hear and placing the towel back in its hanger she exits the room to join Sakura in the hallway. "How are you feeling?" curiosity in the bright-green eyed woman causing Tomoyo to smile. "Never felt better, but I have this feeling in my chest… I don't know what it is, nervousness? Anxiety perhaps?" she replies uncertain, hoping that the married woman could give her some comfort. "Don't worry, it is normal for the brides to be nervous on their wedding day!" giving her dark haired friend a tight hug. "Do you remember how nervous I was that day? I think I drove the entire Li household nuts!" laughing good-heartedly at the memory. "All you have to do is have a nice breakfast and then we're going to that wonderful spa to get ourselves pampered… relax, everything is going to be alright!" she assured with a wide smile, walking down the stairs to get to the front door.
"Morning Tomoyo-chan, Sakura-chan!" greets a brown-reddish haired woman when they enter the lounge of the Daidouji manor. "Ohayo Nakuru! is Annette still asleep?". Asks the raven lady noticing that there's no one else aside themselves in the spacious room while Sakura says her greetings to the hyper guardian. "Yes she is, but I think she will be awake in a couple of hours now" the elder woman informed. "Well, in that case I'm going to kidnap Tomoyo-chan right now, see ya!" says Sakura grabbing her friend by the wrist and walking away to put on their shoes. "Bye!" shouts Nakuru from the room before heading herself to the kitchen to then go upstairs and check on both girls, Annette and Nadeshiko.
Three days ago, the Londoners came over along with the Chinese-Japanese family. They made arrangements so that Annette, Nakuru and Sakura with little Nadeshiko stayed at Tomoyo's place while Eriol, Syaoran and Spinel were in a Hotel. The card-mistress's husband wasn't all that happy with the settings but gave in after Sakura played some persuasive tricks on him. He was to be there with Eriol to keep him and Spinel company and to help if needed. They had also booked some rooms for their few guests that had to travel to the country from overseas.
The childhood friends enjoyed themselves for six hours in the best spa in Tokyo with all kind of relaxing and beauty treatments they offered. "This sure is life! I love this spa so much! I'm an assiduous client of its branch in Hong Kong…" said a smiling Sakura receiving her credit card and signing the receipt she was handed. "I must admit this is the first time I come here, but I'm totally in love with it!" beamed the amethyst eyed woman radiantly. "You must be kidding me!… you haven't been in a spa before?" asked Sakura dumbfounded walking towards her friend's silver-plated E Class Mercedes, opening the door for her because it was Tomoyo's day and she wasn't allowed to do anything. The girls and the household had unanimously settled it. "Honest!" the dark haired lady replies getting inside the luxurious car and Sakura closed the door once she was seated. "I just can't believe it! you from all people, I thought you practically lived in there" she continues fastening the seat-belt. "Hey! I'm not that spoiled… besides I've always been very busy you know" Tomoyo retaliates with a light frown while the honey-gold haired woman turns the ignition key on. "True, but that's when their benefits are greatly appreciated… it can literally make you forget about everything!" "Oh sure it can!" the soon to be bride agrees with a satisfied smile, fastening her seat-belt. "Now that we agree with that, let's go to Tokyo's greatest beauty salon, the hair-stylist there is truly gifted!… not that you need that much of a work since you're my beautiful best friend!" the girl in front of the steering-wheel exclaimed in a sing-song voice, winking at Tomoyo who just smiled and turned the radio on.
In the Tokyo Intercontinental Hotel a young man casually dressed is watching TV trying to untangle himself from a net of nervousness that suddenly took over him. Spinel wasn't there, he had decided to take a "fly" and leave his master alone with his thoughts. Someone is knocking on the door and recognizing his descendant's aura he lets him in. "Hello there my cute descendant! missing the sweet cherry blossom?" he greets with that patented smile of his, getting on Syaoran's nerves. "Stop calling me that for God's sake! I came here to check on you since you haven't been out the whole day" he explains his reasons closing the door noiselessly behind him. "Maa maa, concerned, aren't we?" the black-blue haired man replies with that same smirk and the Li Clan leader fights the urge to wipe it off his face. "Look Hiiragizawa, please go easy on me… today I'm not feeling that patient" he says sitting by the window giving the magician a stern look. "I'm sure you miss her VERY badly…" Eriol said with mischievous azure eyes and his descendant blushes bright red. "Anyway, I'm glad you're here" seriousness in his rich male voice and Syaoran looks at him doubtfully. "Is that so?" he asks trying to figure out the mind of the mysterious man seated across him. "Positive… believe it or not I'm feeling kind of weird lately" and the messy chocolate-brown haired man can't help but laugh. "Well, I guess that not even you can escape from pre-wedding anxiety" smiling a bit at his "friend". "Yeah, I suppose so… anyway, it's about time to get ready now" Eriol says turning the TV off with the remote. "Need help?" offered Syaoran unsure. "Sure!" and the other man smiled.
The white-sand beach looked magnificent that afternoon. A few round tables covered with pearl-white tablecloth were disposed inside a white marquee. Simple yet beautiful paper lamps were buried along the shore, making it glow with their dim light. The entire decoration revolved around the sea so it was all simple, elegant, refreshing and natural at the same time. There also was an altar from which a priest was going to lead the holy ceremony, covered with the most beautiful white flowers to thank the heavens and God for the soon-to-be married couple's happiness. It wasn't that much of a crowded wedding. The guests were mainly their closest friends, some fellow workers and family relatives. They both had decided against a fancy wedding since they wanted it to be intimate with only their loved ones to share that special once in a lifetime moment.
"Dear boy! You look absolutely gorgeous tonight Eriol!" complimented Nakuru after giving him the infamous up-and-down stare. "She's right daddy!" squeals Annette with a proud sparkle in her gray-blue eyes.
The false form of the moon guardian was dressed in one of Tomoyo's creations in her position as maid of honor. Her dress has various layers. First, there is like a simple sketch of the dress which is made of aquamarine satin. Over it are three layers of the finest chiffon in three shades of blue. It has a low loose neckline inspired from the Greek tunics and spaghetti straps that fall down her shoulders but still manages to keep it upright. The fabric clings at her womanly curves and then it becomes less tight down her hips to form a loose skirt. The silky layers have openings in different places that go from the hips and downwards giving mobility to it when the evening breeze plays with it. Tiny pearls and swarosky rocks are embroidered carefully all over the dress like drops of water. She wears flat, dressy shoes specially made for the occasion since high-heels tend to get stuck in the sand making it uncomfortably to walk. Her rich brown-reddish hair is in pulled up in a French twist fastened with pearl pins and some curly strands fall freely from the bun to her shoulders and back, while her makeup is natural and simple in blue and peach tones.
Annette, being the flower girl and the one who held their wedding rings was nicely dressed in the same colors and fabrics as Nakuru but her design was more like the one of a young princess. Her hair was curled and sprinkled with tiny pearls.
"You two are lovely this evening!" he exclaimed smiling gallantly. "Really? Tomoyo-chan designed these dresses, she's so talented!" said the little girl with starry-eyes. "We should be taking our places now, it's about time… how exciting!" and Nakuru left. "You know dad? this is the happiest day of our lives!" she says giving him a peck on the cheek and hugging him tightly before following the maid of honor.
Eriol walks towards the altar with an uneasy expression in his face and then looks at his wristwatch. "Take it easy man, it's only six!" said his best man patting him at the back. "I know… I just can't help it… what if something happens and she doesn't show up?" he confessed his most inner and feared thoughts. "Geez man, that won't happen… not in this lifetime, you just have…" and he was interrupted by his cell phone. "Sakura dear, where are you? Hiiragizawa here is about to jump off a bridge and I can't hold him any longer…" he said half-jokingly eyeing his dark haired friend. "Hai, hai… okay then…" he laughed. "Aishiteru koiishi!" he said before pressing the "end" button in his Samsung™ phone. "They are here…" he announced with a smirk.
The skillful violinist began to play the wedding march and Annette made her appearance throwing flowers everywhere from her basket followed by Nakuru. When they were in the middle of the path, the bride in her full glory entered their line of sight with the bridesmaid behind holding the veil that reached the floor. Tomoyo is dressed up in pure blinding white that brings her dark tresses out. The wedding dress is all made of chiffon and serves as a cover for the small bikini set underneath. It wasn't scandalous, just sensual because of the many layers of the silky fabric that wrapped her body as a second skin and the skirt was wide enough to let her walk comfortably. It's a strapless and sleeveless gown but she has an over coat that is like a simple dress also made of chiffon that holds her arms a few inches down her shoulders and it's secured by a silk ribbon just below her breasts leaving the rest open. It has long and wide sleeves like a kimono and the fabric of this over-dress in sparkled with pearls and tiny diamonds. Her black-purplish hair was down and curled with the whitest pearls adorning it as dew. A tiara firmly placed on her forehead holds the long veil that reaches the floor, carefully embroidered with tiny swarosky rocks. Her makeup is natural but sophisticated in peach and light-lavender tones while her slender hands holds a bouquet of white orchids gracefully inserted in a short bamboo stick.
Eriol was speechless and stunned at the sight of his bride. "When on earth Aphrodite herself decided to join and grace our mortal presence?" he thought inwardly completely dumbfounded and Tomoyo smiled under her veil. "Mission accomplished". Soon she was at Eriol's side in front of the altar and the ceremony began. Sakura, wearing a dress that was a delicate mixture between Nakuru's and Annette's models that graced her figure like no other design would do; decided to join her husband's side who had their little baby-girl in his arms.
"The wedding rings please" asked kindly the old father and Annette stands up from her chair and walks towards him with a small velvet cushion with the jewels. "It's time to exchange vows" he announced and gave Eriol a golden ring. "I, Eriol Hiiragizawa, take you, Tomoyo Daidouji, as my beloved wife, to love you and respect you, through health and illness, through richness and poverty, until death tears us apart" he said seriously, looking straight at her liquid eyes while placing the jewel in her left ring finger. "I, Tomoyo Daidouji, take you, Eriol Hiiragizawa, as my beloved husband, to love you and respect you, through health and illness, through richness and poverty, until death separates us" Amethyst still locked with sapphire, smiling so adoringly at him, placing the wedding ring in his left ring finger. "Now, what God's has reunited, no man can ever separate… and by the power bestowed upon me, I declare you husband and wife… you might kiss the bride now" the priest says smiling fatherly at the young married couple.
The British man lifts the veil of his newly wedded wife and their faces close the distance between them, their lips meeting in a tender, intimate kiss. The crowd applauded and cheered. Annette ran to them and Eriol took her in arms. "Congratulations daddy, mommy" giving them a tight hug to then kiss their cheeks and the handsome bridegroom places her down to the floor. "Omodetô Tomoyo-chan!" beams the emerald-eyed bridesmaid giving her a tight hug while the best man does the same with the bridegroom. "Arigatô Sakura-chan!" welcomes the bride with a sparkling smile and they changes partners for now Tomoyo is being embraced by her best male friend Syaoran, who she loves as a brother while Eriol is being suffocated by his would-be daughter's tight hug. After hearing the best of wishes everybody had for them, they moved to another area in the beach to enjoy the celebration.
After five hours of partying, at two am, the gathering was over. The first to leave were the newly wedded couple when everybody had said their farewells. Inside a black Mercedes-Benz limo with a sprawling white bouquet of flowers on its hood they made their way through the streets of the Japanese capital to the Hotel were they were supposed to spend their first night together. "What are you thinking about my dear?" Eriol asks to his suddenly quiet wife and she leans her head on his left shoulder with a content sigh. "Nothing really… I'm just feeling a little bit tired, that's all" she answers closing her wonderful eyes to rest a little, his nearness giving her chills up and down her spine, filling her inside with indescribable warmness. "It's alright…" he says placing a hand on her shoulder to close the space between them, giving her a light squeeze while his senses get intoxicated by the scent of vanilla and lavender. It takes them fifteen minutes to get to Tokyo Intercontinental Hotel where he had changed his previous suite to the wedding one. A man dressed in black and bottle-green opens the door of the vehicle with a white gloved hand and they step outside. "Welcome sir" he greets and bows making the couple smile. Once inside Eriol walks towards the reception area arm-in-arm with his gorgeous wife at which the few people in the lounge smiled and looked at, wishing them the very best in their hearts. "Congratulations please enjoy your stay!" says the receptionist in turn, a cheerful girl with straight jet-black hair and almond colored eyes. They thanked her and headed towards the elevators. Once at the top floor, he takes Tomoyo in his arms and the empty hallway is filled with her merry giggles. With one hand he opens the door and enters the spacious and luxurious suite, closing the wooden door behind them. He puts Tomoyo down carefully and she walks around to explore her surroundings. "It's very beautiful Eriol!" she says amazed at the great view of the city below. He approaches her from behind and embraces her, giving her butterfly kisses in the neck and neckline making her giggle because of the ticklish feeling.
"Let's go get some sleep darling, we must get up pretty early tomorrow to catch our flight…" she says between giggles, melting in her husband's arms. "I don't think I can close an eye with you beside me, not tonight" he replies with a mischievous smile and smirking eyes, capturing her sweet lips with his in a passionate but still sweet kiss, their tongues dancing and caressing each other. "My, my, feeling restless, are we not?" she asks seductively when they broke the kiss to catch their breath. "I guess so…" he replies leaning in again, his strong and gifted hands making wonders in Tomoyo's back, and she moaned in delight.
Soon they were engrossed in their mutual devotion.