Dedication: This is dedicated to all those who reveiwed or read "Can't Leave You Alone"
and "Truly Madly Deeply". I hope I have done a good job here, but if I have it was
only because of the encouragment I received from all of you.
Chapter 21: Epilouge
"The couple has chosen to write thier own vows." The justice said before he nodded toward
Haruka to go first. Though they had gone through rehersals the two had not spoken thier self writen
vows until today.
"I, Ten'ou Haruka, promise to love and cherish you, Kaioh Michiru, for all the rest of
my days. I promise to show you how much I love and trust you, even when I can't bring
myself to say the words at times." Haruka said and Michiru smiled just a bit, it felt like the
remark was an inside joke between the two. "Almost two years ago we met. Hardly knowing
me you still leant me your ear, doing your best to help me through a rough time. You gave me
your friendship, never asking anything in return. When I left the US you helped me return home
to Tokyo, helped me find a place of my own. You made me your partner and helped me mend
my heart."
"Now, standing here today, all I can think of is how greatful I am that we met. I love you
and I can't wait to spend the rest of our lives together, the good parts and the bad. You have
my heart and soul." Haruka finished, not even noticing that a few people in the audiance were
extremly touched. To the tall blonde no one exsisted besides Michiru and herself standing before
the justice.
"When we met I knew there was something special about you, Ruka." Michiru
started with a happy shine to her deep blue eyes. "I remember thinking how lucky your wife
was and how alive you seemed. When you were blaming yourself I wanted to help you mend
your heart, wanted in some small part to erase those things which had hurt you so."
"As we got to know each other, while we travled together and after we returned to
Japan, I started to truly see how fun and caring you could be. I valued you as a partner,
cherished you as a friend, and treasure every moment we are together."
"I vow not to hurt you, never to brake the trust which you have put in me. I love you,
every car racing, piano playing or just ceiling watching aspect of you." Here both smiled and
someone hid a laugh behind a cough. "You can trust me with your heart because you already
have mine."
Later that night a reception was held for the couple in a sort of meeting hall. The large
room had mirror on every wall and a third of the floor was covered with long tables set with
food, drink, and one smaller one covered with gifts. Slow music played lightly from speakers
hidden under some tables and the open part of the floor became a dance floor. Haruka and
Michiru danced together with happy smiles on their faces as Setsuna watched them.
"So, how long do you think it will be before they sneak off to head for the honeymoon?"
Reed asked as she walked up beside Setsuna. The red eyed woman smiled at her, noticing
that Reed's tie was already undone.
"I'm not sure Reed-san, but I am happy for them."
"True, if two people ever deserved to have a happy ending they seem to be it." Reed
pushed her clear lensed glasses up and smiled wickedly at Setsuna. "May I have this dance?"
"If it keeps you from torturing the bride and groom's manager." Setsuna joked as she
was led out to the floor.
"Now, now. I have plenty of time to torture that usher, the night is still young after all."
Half way through the reception Haruka and Michiru quietly left. Haruka smiled as they
finally were seated on a plane and waited for take off. Michiru rested her head on the blonde's
shoulder and closed her eyes with a content smile.
"So, Love." Haruka whispered, one arm wrapped around Michiru's shoulders. "What
do you want to do first when we get there?"
"Anything, as long as we get to do it together Ruka." Michiru replied in a playful voice.
Before either could continue a flight attendant caught their attention. Before the woman stood
a little girl with dark hair and deep violet eyes, her skin pale and her appearance shy.
"She's an unmonitered minor and her seat is slotted next to you." The attendant said
with a hopeful smile. "Hope you two wont mind sharing a row with a quiet little girl."
"Hey there Hime, what's your name?" Haruka asked, noticing a few things about this
girl that looked decidely Japanesse. Michiru gazed at the girl with a welcoming smile as well.
"Tomoe Hotaru." She supplied shyly as she tried to climb into the isle seat next to
Haruka. The blonde grinned and helpped her into her seat before buckling Hotaru's belt for
her. She gently tweaked the little girl's notice and received a giggle and a small smile for it.
"Nice to meet you, I'm Ten'ou Haruka and this beautiful woman is Kaioh Michiru."
Haruka said as Michiru leaned forward a bit to smile at the young girl.
"Nice to meet you Hotaru-chan."
Hotaru tried to hide her smile but couldn't and Michiru poked Haruka with a raised
brow. The look she gave the blonde said "Too cute for her own good" and Haruka nodded.
"So we'll be travling buddies then." Haruka said, holding out her hand with a very
serious look which Hotaru tried to mirror. Hotaru took the offered hand and shook it happily.
"Where are you going on your trip Hotaru-chan?"
"I live in a building with a lot of other kids." Hotaru said as she looked down, seeming
to lose her smile completely as she looked at her little black shoes. "I had to come here for
an operation and they let me stay until I recovered all the way."
"What about your parents?" Michiru asked in a quiet voice.
"They went to heaven when I was really small. The lady that takes care of the kids
where I live said they had a car accident."
"Hold on, Hime-chan." Haruka smiled as she turned so she could whisper to Michiru
with out Hotaru hearing them. "Seems sad to leave such a cute little girl in an orphanage."
"And we do have quite a bit of extra room." Michiru whispered back and was happy to
see the blonde's smiled. Michiru leaned forward again and looked at the little girl. "Hotaru-chan,
if your caretaker is okay with it how would you like to come live with Haruka and I?"
"We have pets." Haruka threw in as a seeming bribe and Michiru poked her again. Hotaru
looked up at them with wide violet eyes.
"Nobody ever wants to take me home." She said as she showed them the little hospital
barcelet she held. "I always need too many doctor's visits."
"Well, that's okay." Haruka said and ruffled the girl's hair. "We happen to know a very
good doctor."
"So, what do you say Hotaru-chan?" Michiru watched as the girl smiled and hugged Haruka's
arm. Theu both grinned, figuring that was a good enough anwser.
AN.
I couldn't resist putting Hotaru in. Much as it makes me sad to anouce this, this is the
final chapter. I'd love to continue, but every good story has to leave a point for the characters to
go live their lives, right? B-) Thank you for all the support and advice, it's you folkes that kept
me writing.
Review responces:
Wicked Desire: Well, there it is... Let me know what you think.
AmyMcClair: I think I am really bad at writing weddign chapters... But I hope this was
at least passable. Thank you again for your advice, it helped a lot. I had writer's block about
these last two chapters for way too long.
lilazndevangel: I hope you liked this one as well. Weddings are special, I just have weird
luck whenever I go to one...
bahamut's king: Don't worry about not reviewing a few chapters, you suport still helped
keep me writing. I hope you liked the ending... And I think I may work on "A World Apart"
next... Though after I wrap that one and "Beyond the Grave" up I might step away from
Haruka and Michiru stroies for a while. I don't want to write so many that it's all the same.
Kuro no Kaze: Thank you for the encouragement, I hope you liked the ending. Also I hope
you'll get a chance to review my next story.
And that wraps up "Truly Madly Deeply"... I feel like a senior on the last day of school, that
time where all your old friends are heading off to different things and life just seems to
change... (Shakes head) I hope you've enjoyed this story, thank you for all the reviews.
Take care,
Haruka's Knight