It wasn't long after news got out of Asuka's pregnancy and Rei's engagement that an additional surprise came forth: Hikari was also pregnant. Once she and Toji had found out they immediately went forward to their parents with the news, and while Hikari's conservative father was pleased at the prospects of a new grandchild he was also quite insistent on an immediate wedding. It was not until the family's private ceremony that the rest of the gang learned about Hikari and Toji's union.
In Hikari's circumstances her's and Toji's families had close relations already, even living in adjoining houses in Osaka-2, so no one was particularly shocked by the news. Hikari and Toji both took their early exit and college entrance exams and quietly left high school at the end of the term in late March. Attending university in the spring would allow the flexibility to manage a pregnancy and upbringing, especially with the support of the whole family behind them.
Asuka's case was a much different matter. That Shinji would propose marriage right after hearing the news wasn't an issue: he had been planning on doing so anyway "at the right time." But Asuka wanted a big fairytale wedding and wasn't about to do one with "a huge-ass baby bump under my gown." That meant NERV again sprang into action. With the rapid efficiency reminiscent of such complex and race-the-clock operations like Project Yashima, Misato quickly organized all the trappings of a Storybook Wedding NERV style using the GeoFront as the wedding and reception grounds, NERV's logistics capability to work out the receptions, and their high technology communications assets to coordinate attendees, some of which were flown in from Germany at NERV's own aircraft. Even Asuka's wedding gown was fabricated at NERV's material sciences laboratory, allowing for a completely custom-made and quite delicate and elaborate white silk gown that fit her perfectly.
About a month after the last battle, Asuka and Shinji said their vows at the shores of Lake Ashii as hundreds of guests watched and cheered them on. Misato was careful about everything including the timing, and picked the actual April date on the forecasted start of sakura blossoms in the Hakone region. Nature fully cooperated and the outdoor wedding was decorated with millions of tiny pink pedals riding the gentle winds around the ceremony grounds, making for a uniquely memorable occasion.
With a wedding of her own to plan Rei didn't immediately return to the US for school, and neither did the Forrestal Twins or Zummy. Instead they spent time in Hakone as Misato arranged for the two couples to stay at a nearby traditional onsen. Unburdened by school or work the four of them relaxed and enjoyed all of the pleasures the region had to offer during early springtime. Patrick and Rei caught up with friends and visited old favorite haunts such as the little Hakone café where their first date took place, while they noticed that Erin and Zummy were spending more and more time together, sometimes even being gone for days at a time.
Not long after Asuka and Shinji made off for their honeymoon to Italy, Rei and Patrick sat down with Misato to decide the location and schedule of their own event. Misato had planned on doing everything for Rei that she had pulled off for Asuka, including using NERV's grounds as the venue. Rei however had other ideas.
"You want what?" asked Misato as they sat at the dining table in the Kaji household, the three of them sipping tea and going over catalogs while Akira and PenPen played in the living room.
"Less," Rei replied.
Misato was puzzled. "Less, as in, less wedding?"
"Less as in less extravagance," said Rei.
"Well…Rei, these are very special events. You hopefully only get married once in your life. You want it to be memorable. I wasn't planning on doing everything exactly like Asuka's wedding but…"
Patrick however was in full agreement with Rei on this issue. "That was the most Over the Top event I've ever been to," he opinioned. They all knew what he meant.
"Suitable for her," said Rei, "but not for us."
"What would like instead, then?"
"Something more meaningful but much more simple. I think the word in English is sublime."
Misato sighed. "Well, you're the bride and you're allowed to have the wedding you want, within reason."
"Either that, or we just go down to city hall and get it done there," Patrick quipped.
Rei turned to him and in absolutely seriousness asked Patrick. "Can we do that?"
"No,' Misato interjected. "You're special to us, and because of that you need this to be rewarding for both you and those of us who are your family. That's not going to be done at city hall with a picnic on paper plates and convenience store sushi afterwards."
"But Misato that would be so unique," said Patrick with a smirk, knowing he was being annoying to the bride's stand-in mother.
"Dame," said Misato firmly, crossing her arms to show deep dissaproval. "Besides, I live for this stuff. We're doing a real wedding with a real reception afterwards that's gonna knock everyone's socks off."
"Misato-san," Rei said in reply, "if this is my only wedding, it should bear my identity should it not? I don't think my identity is based on removing the socks of the attendees."
"She didn't mean that literally," Patrick said to Rei.
"I meant it to be sarcastic," she replied.
"Oh, there's sarcasm from her now," Misato said coyly. "Patrick, what are you teaching her?"
"She learned that on her own," he said smugly. "But she's right, a 'knock-your-socks-off' event is not really her, or me for that matter."
"Okay, okay," said Misato. "Please give me something to work with here. We need to think of your guests for this also, what you think as sublime they might interpret as either tacky or as us giving you a short shrift compared to Asuka. I don't want people to think that we made Rei lower priority and they might do that with a wedding that's too plain."
Patrick had an idea and pulled out his mobile phone, showing Rei a series of photos that peaked her interest. "What do you think," he asked her. "This place?"
Rei smiled slightly. "I'd like that," she said to him with a twinkle in her eye. Patrick then slid the phone over to Misato, who picked it up and looked at the photos for the venue Patrick was suggesting.
Misato winced. "Here, really? This place looks kind of small, not to mention a bit dumpy."
"It's meaningful," Patrick replied, and Rei took his hand and met Misato's glance. "It's settled," she said.
Realizing defeat, Misato took a second look at the photos. "I'll see about this, then. But we do a big, fancy reception afterwards. I don't want anyone saying I'm cheap when it comes to you."
The couple looked at each other and read each other's thoughts, then said in unison "agreed."
Once the date was set Rei, Zummy, and the twins returned to Cambridge and started the next school term. Patrick was reinstated as a student at TNI with no black marks on his record, and now took a more general education pathway instead of a heavily scientific one. He also attended to his studies much more seriously than before. Apart from a single meeting with his agency heads he was not called up once for duties that term.
Rei continued her intensive school load while balancing her time at the laboratory, dance, and working at the daycare center. Erin on the other hand spent her term starting up TNI's gymnastics program as sports were now introduced to the school by student demand. She found herself working more as coach now and less as a competitor, a role she didn't mind one bit. Erin also got Zummy assigned to TNI's MAGI system as a student operator, and the two of them spent much of their time together at studies, at work, or doing "nothing" together.
In all the "Quad" as they thought of themselves had a very quiet spring unmarred by terrorist attacks, kidnapping plots or runaway robots. The four of them hung out together often, even learning how to play Mahjong over the weekends. Every day that went by brought Patrick and Rei closer to their appointed date, and for Patrick especially it proved a long wait indeed.
Finally June came and as the spring started to melt into summer all of the plans made came to the fore, and the four of them again found themselves on a plane headed for Japan.
Kumamoto
Erin exited the taxi and after paying the driver walked over to the restaurant that Misato had picked out for the Bachelorette Party. It was already dark and somewhat cold, and the city's nightlife had sprung up all around as restaurants and clubs lit up their neon and LCD signs, some of them massive, in a flashy display of joi d'vivre.
She breathed in the cold night air, happy to be a part of what was going on and certainly happy for both her brother and Rei. Wearing a black dress with matching tights and polished heels, and with a faux fur jacket coat, she was ready to take the celebration on the town. Although, as this was Rei's bachelorette party, she was wondering what Rei would consider to be "taking on the town" as opposed to Misato's interpretation of it.
Standing and waiting in front of the restaurant was a familiar figure, and once she recognized her Erin came running, shouting out "Lusty!" She ran right to her and threw her arms around the auburn-haired girl.
"How are you, old Tigress?" said Mari as she embraced Erin. She wore a denim pants suit with a white, broad collared shirt and tie, and her hair was worn long and without anything tying it back.
"I'm so glad to see you, it's been so long!" Indeed, Mari didn't show up to Asuka and Shinji's wedding, apologizing and informing everyone she was still being treated for injuries suffered during the assault on the volcano base weeks before. Now to Erin Mari looked fit and healthy as ever before.
"Sorry, they were fixing me up a bit," Mari explained. "But I couldn't miss this. You look wonderful!"
"Thanks!" Erin said bashfully.
"And I've heard that you've gotten along quite well with someone."
Erin perked up. "Oh, yeah. I've been seeing David since I was here last."
"Well you're absolutely beaming," said Mari. "Jolly good. Should we go inside?" The two girls went into the restaurant and after inquiring with the matre d' they were directed to a room in the back, lavishly decorated for a celebration with blue and white balloons put all around. Already In the room were Kodama Horaki and Maya Hyuga, who were placing the finishing touches on the room's décor. Each of them wore a formal dress and were both on stools hanging a banner that read in English "CONGRATULATIONS!"
"Hello, everyone!" greeted Mari as they entered.
"Lusty!" answered Kodama. "You're back!" She quickly tied up her end of the banner and got down from the stool to go and embrace Mari.
"Hello, Mari-chan. You look well," said Maya as she also came down from her own stool.
"I feel great," she replied. "How is your little boy?"
"Oh, he's wonderful. Just a little angel," said Maya. "Sakura and Nozomi's watching over him and Akemi tonight so I can come do this." Maya then turned to Erin. "You look happy too, Miss Erin."
"Thanks! I think we're gonna have a lot of fun tonight!"
"Did Rei-chan come with you?"
"Um, no. She was still in her room when I left the hotel. I asked her if she wanted to come along with me and she said she was getting ready and would be out later on." Erin shrugged. "I didn't want to bother her too much, she's probably nervous."
Kodama cocked her head. "How could you tell if she was nervous?"
"If she gets all quiet and puts that AT Field up," Erin explained. "I'm pretty sure she just wants some solitude for a little while. Anyway, I asked her to let Asuka know so they could go together. She should be here soon."
"Good evening, ladies!" a voice came from the doorway and everyone turned to see Misato walking in the ballroom. She wore a silk strapless blue dress with high heels, sheer holographic hose, and her hair done elegantly long and in curls. "Are we all ready for a celebration tonight?" As she came into the room, Misato held onto two bottles of champagne.
"Hello, Misato," said Mari and Erin in unison.
"Hello, girls! Lusty, it's good to have you back!"
Mari smiled. "It's great being back. Are we ready to party?"
"We're not all here yet," said Misato. "Asuka told me she was on the way soon, I'm sure she'll find a way to be fashionably late."
"Where are the boys?" asked Kodama.
"At a host club," answered Maya.
"Really?!" Erin said with eyes wide. "Kaji took them there?"
"I'm sure he'll keep them out of trouble," Misato said with a wink. "Mostly."
The ballroom doors opened again and another pair of guests entered the room. Asuka came in a bright red dress that rode up to her mid-thigh, and her bump was starting to show through the dress. She was already swollen up on her ankles enough to need to wear flats for the party. Hikari came with her, dressed somewhat more conservatively in a gold-colored long-sleeved dress with long pleated skirt, but she too was showing through. Both girls chatted with each other as they entered the room, and then Asuka cheerfully called out "hello everyone!"
Now with nearly everyone invited present, there were embraces and catch-ups, and the room was lively with conversation. But one person was noticed to still be absent.
"Asuka," asked Erin. "Where's Rei?"
"How the hell would I know," she suddenly scowled.
"She didn't come with you?"
"Was she supposed to?" Hikari interjected.
Erin became suddenly suspicious and she eyed Misato at the other end of the ballroom. She noticed her serious glance immediately. "Erin, what is it?" Misato asked her.
"Where's Rei? She didn't come with Asuka."
"Oh, no," said Hikari. "You don't think…"
"Let's find out," said Misato in a serious tone as she pulled out her mobile phone. Erin did the same, calling Patrick.
At the Moon Bunny Supper Club in Tetorihoncho, the nightlife district of Kumamoto city, Patrick was somewhat busy when Erin's call came in. While he sat at a table with Kaji, Shinji, Toji, Makoto, and David he was being spoon-fed by a voluptuous Japanese girl dressed in a bunny outfit consisting of a black bodysuit and fishnet tights, and giant black bunny ears worn on her head. "Here you go, Mister Groom," she said in heavily-accented English.
Patrick took down the impromptu spoonful with a grin, striving to avoid getting ice cream over his face. He laughed along with the other boys at the experience, which he figured was playful but harmless. "Thanks!" he told the girl.
"You're welcome, Mr Groom! We're gonna make sure you have a good time tonight! And what about bashful boy here?" The bunny girl turned to David, who was sitting next to Patrick. David was sweating bullets of nervous perspiration.
"Um…I'm good, really!"
"No, you're not!" said Patrick. "It's your turn now!"
Zummy was very anxious as he was surrounded by two more bunny girls, both of them attempting to spoon feed him blue-colored ice cream as he reluctantly crouched in between them.
"What's the matter, Zummy? Patrick teased as the others at the table laughed. "Are these girls too three-dimensional for you?"
Everyone at the table laughed at that joke, even Zummy himself. He finally relented by opening his mouth and getting two spoonfulls of ice cream. Kaji smiled at the whole proceedings and turned to Shinji. "Now it's your turn!"
"Dear God, Asuka better not see this or I am so dead," Shinji replied back to him. Toji swung his arm around Shinji and squeezed him tight. "Ain't that the truth! We love our ladies but sometimes a man's gotta be a man!"
Just as another squad of Bunny girls started to work on Shinji and Toji, Patrick noticed his phone was buzzing on the table, showing Erin's caller ID. He quickly picked it up. "Hey, Sis!"
"Patrick, do you know where Rei is?" Over the loud noises of the club he could barely hear his sister's voice.
"WHAT?"
"DO YOU KNOW WHERE REI IS? SHE DIDN'T SHOW UP!"
Patrick quickly excused himself and stood up from the table, making his way to a quiet spot at the edge of the club's dining room while speaking on the phone.
"Did you call her?"
"Misato just tried. Her phone's turned off. She also said her security detail didn't spot her leaving the hotel room but there's no one inside the room."
"Oh, shit," said Patrick. And we're in Kumamoto too. Maybe this wasn't the best choice of location for the wedding after all.
"Patrick, I'm kinda scared. Do you think they got to her again?"
He finally walked briskly outside the club and into the night air and neon-lined street around the club's entrance. "Don't panic, sis. We'll get to the bottom of this quickly. Just stand by and give me a minute."
"Okay, but please find her. I won't forgive myself for leaving her alone if something bad happened!"
"I'm on it, will call back soon. Bye."
Patrick immediately hung up the call and made another call, this one to Alliance Intel central operations in Tokyo-3. A young lady promptly answered the phone in English.
"Operations. What is your enquiry?"
"My Agent ID number is 004711," said Patrick calmly. "I need a 1020 on ANGEL red priority."
"Hold one, please," was the reply from the operator. Patrick waited but then someone suddenly reached out and touched his phone. Patrick looked up and saw Moria Wellington.
"Wellie?"
Moria smiled as she touched the phone's screen, ending the call. She wore a brown leather jacket and matching pants, along with high boots. "Don't worry about her, mate. She's fine."
"Where's Rei?"
"She has a pre-arranged engagement tonight, something off the books," Moria explained. "I've already had a word with your boss. Just hang in there and don't worry, she'll be on time tomorrow."
"Is that all you're going to tell me?"
"She asked me to tell you it was for the best that she does this part alone, and that she will be there for you later," answered Moria. "Don't tell me you don't have faith in your girl?"
"I do but…"
"I suppose she's still got things to sort out, Pats. It's probably not very easy for a god to become a human, right?"
Patrick gulped a bit, he didn't like the feeling of not knowing Rei's whereabouts. "Okay, okay. Then we play along."
Wellington smiled. "Right. You have a good evening, young man, and congratulations!" She then walked off and down the street, leaving Patrick on the sidewalk wondering what was happening.
Kumamoto Castle was located at the direct center of Kumamoto city, a five-story tall traditional Japanese castle with sweeping roof corners from its towering central tower, it had been a symbol of the city for centuries until destroyed in the aftermath of Second Impact.
The castle that existed now was a rebuilt version which kept all the ancient design and appearance but was located on a modern cement keep that was now earthquake reinforced. The castle still looked very impressive and was accepted as the city's link to its past despite it being a reproduction. At night the castle was lit by floodlights and could be seen from all corners of the city.
Visiting hours were finished by sundown but Rei walked alone towards the steps that led to the main castle tower. Dressed in a navy blue rain coat worn over her dress and black heels, and wrapped with a silk scarf around her neck, she was at least warm against the strong ocean winds that came up during the evenings in Kumamoto city. Climbing the steps, she ended up at the base of the castle tower.
She stood at the keep's edge and saw the night lights of Kumamoto in front, and from there Kumamoto Bay. Ships of all types still sailed through the harbor during the evenings, and Rei curiously followed a few of them with her eyes as she waited.
A few minutes later she heard footsteps to her right but she didn't look right away to see who it was. She already knew from the gait of the steps who it was. She'd know that person anywhere.
"Good evening," the man said to her. "It's been a while." Rei glanced at the man standing a few feet to her right. The former commander of NERV, the one previously known as Gendo Ikari, had now joined her at the castle wall.
"Good evening" Rei replied, her eyes still focused on the harbor. "How are you?"
"I'm well," Gendo told her. Like her he was bundled up against the evening ocean winds in Kumamoto with a black wool coat and white scarf. "And you?"
"I'm quite well," she said. Rei then turned to Gendo. To her he looked older. Grey hairs now appeared at his temples, and his already thin figure appeared more gaunt to her. Since he had been set free in the aftermath of the Angel Wars, Gendo had shaved off his beard and was still clean-faced now. "How is your work?"
Gendo gave her a slight smile. "Fulfilling," he said. "Perhaps I've changed but I find the academic life much more comfortable now. How was school in America?"
She didn't smile but softened her expression. "Enjoyable, mostly," she said. "Thank you for coming to see me."
"It wasn't any trouble."
The two of them stood facing each other now. Rei's own emotions were stirring inside her. Gendo was her first "other," the first one who showed her affection during her short life. For that her heart still went out to him. But he was also the first one to show her violation as well, to betray her trust. She had wanted to forgive and tried very hard to forgive, but at times she could still feel the wound inside of her, the one inside her heart that could not heal.
She looked at his eyes, eyes that despite their darkness could still show kindness. At this moment they showed great kindness to her. Kindness, and also regret.
He is different now, she knew, but some parts still the same. Can I learn again to trust him? Should I?
"I suppose this is quite some surprise," he said to her, "seeing you here to get married."
"No one is more surprised than I," Rei replied.
"Even so, you will make a wonderful bride."
"May I ask you a question?"
Gendo shrugged. "Go ahead."
"Why didn't you stop me before? When Forri-kun came to Japan, the first time, you allowed him to pursue me. Why did you do that?"
The old commander thought back to three years before, to the events when Patrick Forrestal first came to Japan and NERV. "I was concerned that the Americans were trying to penetrate our security," he told her. "He seemed interested in you and I assumed this was with ulterior motives in mind. We certainly knew that his father was dangerous."
"I was bait," Rei realized.
"Yes."
"What about the train? The man who tried to touch me."
"On my orders," said Gendo. Rei cocked her head curiously as he explained further. "That man was from Section Two. We saw that Forrestal's son had followed you to the train and we wanted to see how he would react. You were never in any particular danger."
"So you had me under surveillance the entire time Forri-kun was there?"
"Yes, I saw everything," said Gendo. "Including your date."
"Then you knew?"
"I knew what happened. I also knew it would not be going any further. In the end Dr. Forrestal truly was a danger. But much was going on at that time, and NERV-2's disappearance proved to be a convenient way to close the chapter, so it was never brought up again."
"And then?"
"When the Alliance took me into custody, General Sheffield showed me a photograph of the pilots. I saw the boy next to you and how he looked at you, and that's when I knew. Frankly," Gendo chuckled a little, "If he could come back from what happened at NERV-2, he wasn't ever going to let go of you."
"That's true," Rei surmised.
"And you are very lucky to have someone like that in your life."
She fondled her small cross around her neck. "I don't think it was luck."
Gendo took one step closer to Rei. "When did you know?"
"Know what?"
"That you would do this? That you would live simply as a woman, not as what you could have been?"
Rei thought for a long moment, wondering when was the one moment that she knew Forri-kun would be hers for as long as she wanted. "I'm not actually sure," she finally told him. "I remember seeing him on the hospital stretcher after he was wounded during the N2 missile attack on the GeoFront, seeing his face damaged like that. I remember that I would miss seeing that face. When Foch-sensei was able to use the tissue from the other clones to restore him, the tissues coming from the same place that I came from, it meant that we were linked together. There would be a bond between us because of it. And then that made me think of what else was between Forri-kun and I, and I realized that other connections were already forming. At first I feared this. Then I realized there was no longer a reason to be afraid. Instead I found I could live with someone, and for someone. And I liked that feeling very much."
"And so here you are," Gendo said to her. Rei smiled at him, but said nothing else.
"I also heard about what happened with your fertility issues," Gendo told her. "I'm quite sorry for that."
Rei looked away from him. "It couldn't be helped."
"In a great way I feel responsible," he told her. "It was me who started all of this."
"But it was me who wished to change things," Rei said to him. "Even at great risk."
"Will you try again?"
"I do not know," she told him sincerely.
The two of them went back to silently observing the city and harbor below them. They did this for a few more minutes. Then Rei spoke to him again.
"Commander? Will you come tomorrow?"
Gendo shook his head. "No. I think if I was there it would prove to be a distraction. Tomorrow should be your day. But thank you for the sentiment."
"I could see how it would be difficult for the others," she told him. "It is difficult for Forri-kun. They still fear you, if not revile you."
"I earned their fear," said Gendo. "And their enmity."
"But you are not that way now," said Rei. Gendo again shrugged. "It doesn't really matter. I live only under grace and providence at this moment, and while it's humbling it's also quite liberating. I'm alright with that."
"Does Onii-chan write you now?"
"Not formally. But I get the occasional post card from him. I suppose that's a start."
The wind from the ocean picked up and blew her coat upwards. Rei stood through it gust as it blew here hair forcefully. "Not everyone will understand us," she said to him.
"It's not necessary that they do," Gendo replied. "But if you're happy with your circumstances then that's all you can ask."
Rei recalled a phrase that was buried deep in her memory. "Anywhere can be heaven if you have the will to live." Gendo's eyebrows raised when he heard it, for it was not the first time. She truly is Yui's daughter.
"Very well spoken."
In the morning all of the ladies in the wedding party piled into a single van cab and made their way to the church. Rei had not returned to the hotel the previous evening and the group of them was worried, including Misato who despite assurances from Moria Wellington that Rei was alright still found herself very concerned.
"Will she show up?" asked Hikari as she spoke to the others.
"I was told that she would," said Misato. "God, I hope I don't regret letting her go like this."
"But Kaji said she would be okay," quipped Mari. "I would think he'd take this seriously, especially after all that's happened."
"I know, so we just got to take this all on faith," Misato told her. "It's her own wedding, if she's still good with it she'll be there."
Erin turned to Asuka. "I really do hope she shows up. I couldn't sleep last night. Do you think she'll come?"
Asuka turned to her and smirked. "I keep wondering when she's gonna finally freak out. Today might be the day."
The van arrived at the little Orthodox church and the group of them all exited the vehicle. Each of them was already dressed in the bridesmaid's outfits, an azure blue chiffon dress matched with blue heels and blue-tinted holographic hose. Auska and Hikari wore specially-tailored outfits for their own condition, matching with flats instead of heels. Only Mari was dressed any differently, with a much longer skirt on her outfit to cover up her legs. The weather outside was still cloudy, with a bit of a chill that morning.
"What a cute little church!" said Satsuki. "Who picked this out?"
"Patrick went here while he was hunting for Rei," Erin told her. "She decided this was the spot."
"This shabby place?" observed Asuka. "Figures she'd like something that reminds her of her old apartment."
The group went through the front gates. There were already photographers present in the courtyard, but otherwise no one else was yet present outside the church. The ladies made their way inside through the open front doors, finding the sanctuary and then walking towards the back with Misato in the lead.
In a wing of the building to the rear there were a series of rooms that were normally used for classes or offices, and Misato looked for the one reserved for the bride's party. She noted that the groom's party had not yet arrived, as their room was the first along the hallway and it was completely empty. At the rear of the hallway was the bride's, indicated by a hastily taped sign on the door in English and Japanese.
"I hope this doesn't end up being a disaster," said Misato under her breath as she opened up the door. The room itself was already lit.
Misato went inside three steps and then suddenly stopped, as did all of the others behind her. Seated at a chair along a makeup table was Rei. She was already wearing her white wedding gown. Rei looked at the others and smiled bashfully.
"Rei!" said Misato, elated to find her here. "You made it!" She hurried up to see her up close along with the others.
"I'm ready," she said to her in her whisper-like voice. Her red eyes were wide and bright.
While most of the girls were glad to see her ready to go, Asuka was quite annoyed. "Where the hell were you last night? You had us all worried!"
"I just needed to be alone," Rei answered.
"It's alright," said Misato. "We all had a good time even without you." She then called the other bridesmaids to attention. "Let's get this operation going! Everybody, check in! Hikari?"
Hikari came forward first. "I've confirmed the reception in Shin-Kagoshima City already," she said. "After the ceremony we all pile into the bus except for the couple, they get the limo. It's about two hours drive to the Grand hotel."
"Good. Satsuki?"
Satsuki now came forward, holding a large clothes bag in her hand. "The second dress is here."
"Second dress?" Erin asked.
"Yes. That wedding gown of hers is pretty big, we didn't want her to damage it trying to squeeze it all into the limo or walking around outside, so we got her this. It's really cute!" Satsuki unzipped the case to reveal a much more shorter-hemmed ivory colored silk wedding dress.
"Wow! You're gonna look great in that!" Erin told Rei. Rei didn't say anything but she still blushed a little at all of the attention.
"I'll put it in here," said Satsuki, hanging the dress on a hook at the back side of the front door. "Rei-chan, after the ceremony please come in here to change before you go to the limousine, okay?" Rei nodded in the affirmative.
Misato put her hands together. "Great. Kodama?"
Hikari's older sister now stepped forward. "Bouquet is right here, colonel." She presented an elaborate bouquet of blue-colored roses to Rei. "Blue, of course," she told her with a smile. Rei took the bouquet and held it in her hand as the others continued the preparations.
"Excellent. And the music?"
Asuka then pulled out her mobile phone and made one call. A voice answered. "Hello?"
"Baka? You didn't forget your new cello, did you?"
"Nope," said Shinji's voice. "Got it with me in the trunk of our cab. We'll be there in ten minutes from now."
"Gotcha. Don't be late," She then hung up the phone. "He'll be here."
Misato was very pleased at how all of this was coming together. "Check that off then. Nozomi?"
"Sakura and I will hold the veil when she goes down the aisle," Hikari's younger sister answered nervously. "Um, where is it, anyway?"
"I've got it!" said Sakura from the back, holding up a white box. She came to the front of the group and unpacked the box that held Rei's wedding veil and took part of it out. "Three meters of custom-made pure lace, complements of NERV's advanced materials lab."
"Don't drop that," Misato warned. "It's really delicate and one of a kind! Sakura, what about the flower squad?"
"As you already know, Akira-chan and Akemi-chan are coming here with Hyuga-sensei. I'll get them organized, I just hope they don't get too distracted!"
"Great. I saw the photographers out in the courtyard so I figure that's good. What's left?"
"Travel," said Erin. "Limo is arranged and will be here in about an hour. The NERV G650 is at Kagoshima airport. Patrick called the pilots before we left the hotel, the jet will be ready tonight. After the reception they take the limo to the jet and off they go."
"Where's the honeymoon?" Kodama asked.
"Okinawa, or somewhere close to there, on their own island" Erin told him. "I'm jealous already."
"Sound good. Are we missing anything?"
"Good luck charms," answered Mari. "Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. A six-pence in your shoe!"
Nozomi was curious. "What does that mean?"
"It's an old English tradition to bring good luck for the bride," Mari told her. "First we need something old."
Misato dug inside of her handbag. "I think I can manage that." After some searching she came up with a surprising find. "I think I carry this stuff around with me just because I don't want to forget how we all got here," she said as she laid out the three cards on the table. It was the older NERV ID cards for Shinji, Rei, and Asuka.
"What is she gonna do," asked Asuka. "Wear her ID badge on her gown?"
"Maybe more like this," said Hikari, who promptly took Rei's badge and buried it inside of the bouquet of blue roses. "I stuck it inside, it shouldn't fall out."
"That should do," said Mari. "Now something new."
"The dress!" cried out Nozomi. "Her wedding gown is brand new!"
Erin wondered "Does that count?" Mari nodded in the affirmative and then continued on. "Something borrowed."
"Easy" said Erin, who took a hairpin out of her hair and handed it to Rei. "Take mine, bring it back to me when you're done." Somewhat bewildered, Rei took the hairpin and promptly stuck it in her own hair, behind her right ear.
"Now something blue."
"That's easy," said Asuka. "She's blue!"
"So is the bouquet," offered Kodama.
"Of course, so that's covered. That just leaves the six-pence." Mari reached into her own handbag and pulled out a coin purse. From there she pulled out a small, shiny silver coin. "I got this for a job I did not long ago, as sort of a bonus," Mari told Rei. "Now, Angel darling, allow me?" Mari crouched down and Rei lifted her left foot from her heeled shoe, allowing Mari to gently drop in the coin. "There we go," she said with a smile as Rei slipped her foot back inside. "Now you're ready."
Patrick stood at the altar, dressed up in a cream-colored morning suit complete with top hat, and felt like melting. After returning from his bachelor party more than a little drunk he passed out in his hotel room and was promptly awakened at seven by his alarm. On his phone there were messages of congratulations from many friends and acquaintances but not a single message from Rei. He wasn't quite sure what to do about it, not wanting to break traditions about seeing or even contacting the bride before the wedding but knowing only that his faith in her mattered. So instead he got dressed and travelled alone to the church.
He paced in the empty sanctuary and ended up at the altar. The candles were still there as before, but not yet lit. Patrick thought to light them but realized that he didn't have his matches inside of his suit pocket when he went to go look for them.
Looking around for anything to light them with, he turned around and then he saw the girl. Seventeen years old, with a violet dress and heels, and now flowing black hair. She was in much better shape than the last time he saw her, with her skin tone now looking healthier than before and a relaxed look on her face. In her hands she held a stick lighter.
"Kaori!" Patrick said. "Hello!"
"Hello, Forrestal-san," the girl replied, smiling at him.
"You look great! They said you're living in Hakone now."
"I am," she said as she walked over to the candles to light them. "Kaji-san, Misato-san that is, has seen to it that I'm well taken care of. Things for me are much better now."
"I'm happy to hear that," said Patrick.
"Thank you so much," she said after finishing lighting the candles on the table, "for helping me in such a situation." Kaori then gently bowed to him. Patrick returned the bow, but then reached out to her, placing both of his hands on her arms. "No, thank you," he told her with sincerity. "Without your help none of this," he waived his hand around, motioning to all of the wedding decorations that were already in place, "would have been possible."
"I'm grateful."
"Will you stay to watch?"
"Of course. Luchini-kun took me here, everyone else is just waiting outside."
"Then please find yourself a seat and then hopefully this thing gets started soon." Kaori nodded and then left the altar, walking briskly back to the front door. As she left, Erin came from the side rooms and ran up to Patrick.
"Wow, you look good," Patrick said to her as she greeted him with a small kiss.
"And you look handsome. Perfect, except," she promptly popped off his top hat and set it on the altar. "No wearing hats inside."
"Oh good, I thought I looked dorky with that anyway. So, did she?"
"Yes, she did," Erin informed him. "She was here early, already dressed when we got to the room this morning. She can't wait to do this."
Patrick let out a long breath of relief. "That's two of us," he said. "How does she look?"
"Oh, I'm not going to spoil that for you," said Erin. "But you are one lucky man."
"Great, so let's get this started." At that point David Zumwalt, dressed up in a marble-grey version of the morning suit Patrick was wearing, came up to them both. "Hey there," he said to Erin first.
"Ah, good morning, Zee!" Erin promptly threw her arms around him and gave him a big smooch on the lips. "I was saving that up from last night. Did they do terrible things to bro here?" she asked him.
David smiled at her. "He was sorely tempted but I think he came out okay."
"You drank more than I did!" Patrick told him and Zummy blushed a little in embarrassment. He then asked Erin "what did you girls do without Rei last night, did you still have the party?"
"Yeah, it was just a crazy night," said Erin. "Most of us drank a bit, of course Asuka and Hikari can't really do that so we ended up just going out on the town. Misato said really not to worry, and sure enough Rei showed up today."
Erin saw more activity behind them as guests started to file into the church through the front door. "I'd better go get things moving on our end. Won't be long now." She then gave Patrick a tight embrace and the two of them held each other for a long while at the altar. Erin looked up at him, whispering softly "I love you, bro."
"I love you too, sis," he said to her.
She then playfully pounded on his chest. "Knock 'em dead!" Erin then took Zummy's hand and told him "Come on, let's go."
"Wait a sec," said Patrick. "Zummy, you got the ring?"
"Gave it to Kaji," he told him, "He's said he had something special planned for it during the ceremony,"
"Ooookay," said Patrick, and he watched as Erin led Zummy to the back of the church. He watched as the couple made their way to the rear of the church and then found a quiet spot for themselves in a corner as other guests started to file in. Erin again put her arms around Zummy and gave him several kisses and then embraced him tightly. The look on his sister's face was one of pure joy, Patrick thought, as after so many misfires Erin had finally found someone she could be close to, someone she could trust and keep. She looks so happy now and today of all days she's like this. I couldn't ask for more.
A moment later he was joined by Shinji and Toji, both dressed in groomsmen's outfits. Shinij held a polished-wood cello in one hand and a bow in the other. "So, are you ready?!" Toji said to Patrick as he playfully punched him in the arm.
"Ready as I'll ever be," he said.
"You'll be alright," he said with a wink. Shinji then spoke to him. "In case I forget after everything gets too busy, congratulations!"
"Thanks! For both of us."
"I'd better get set up," Shinji said and excused himself. He walked over to a nearby chair so he could tune up his cello. Toji patted Patrick on the back and said "Me too, the Missus is coming in with my folks. See ya at the after party!" Toji then walked away and towards Hikari, who was helping Toji's elderly grandfather enter the church through the front door. Patrick watched as Hikari greeted Toji with a warm smile, and he also helped the octogenarian walk carefully to find a pew and get seated. They were surrounded by their family, from both Hikari's side and Toji's side, who by this point were merged together in nearly everything they did from their business ventures to their personal lives. To Patrick they both looked happy and in place with where they seemed to belong.
Patrick turned to see Shinji seated on his chair and tuning up. Asuka had come to see him, her baby belly bump just visible through her bridesmaids' dress. While the two of them had a reputation for always being in some sort of conflict or another, as Patrick watched they were both warm and friendly with each other as if they were two old friends. Shinji gently felt her tummy as Asuka beamed and brushed his hair with her hands. Another happy couple, he thought.
He looked up at the decoration behind the church altar, the one of the Angel that Patrick noticed the first time he was here. What was Evangelion about anyway, he wondered. All this conflict, all of this turmoil, all of those horrible things that happened. Yet here we are now in this weirdly pleasant future. No one back then thought it would end up like this. Not to mention, all of us, the pilots, all seemed to find each other out of it.
Perhaps Evangelion was never about the Impacts or the EVAs or all of that. Maybe it was just all about us children, some way how to bring us all together to create a future for everyone else. Is that too far-fetched or fantastic to consider?
Three years ago I was locked away inside of a giant human golem, sunken in some sort of alternative dimension or wherever the hell I was. Even now no one can answer the question about where Unit 04 went and what it was doing for all that time we went missing. Somehow I got back here, and then things changed. A lot of things changed. What really happened to me back then? And how did I manage to come back?
Misato came from the back rooms of the church into the sanctuary, shouting "Okay, everyone. She's ready! Take your places!" There was a commotion and all the remaining guests shuffled to find their place among the pews.
Today's not the day to find a way to complete that puzzle, Patrick realized, but one day I'm going to want to find out what really happened to Dad and NERV-2. But not today.
Misato gave hand signals as the wedding party got into their places. On the altar, Patrick was joined by Toji and Zummy, while Shinji was seated and ready to play. Lastly, the officiating minister, dressed in the robes of an Eastern Orthodox priest, stood at the head of the altar. He smiled to Patrick and Patrick smiled back.
"Good to see you again, Father Nicolai," Patrick whispered.
"I'm glad to see you, my son" he replied. "So let us move ahead with God's grace into this." The father then waived to Misato and the ceremony began.
The music that came from Shinji's cello wasn't "Here Comes the Bride," as was common for weddings, but instead "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desire," by J.S. Bach. Earlier when Shinji had asked the two of them what they wanted him to play, Rei had requested the piece. Shinji played it beautifully, drawing his bow and holding the stem and producing sweetness and light out of his instrument that filled the chapel. The procession then began.
Leading the way were two little children carrying baskets of flowers. Misato and Kaji's son Akira was dressed up in a little black tuxedo and haphazardly threw flowers into the aisle. Alongside him was Akemi, Maya and Huyga's daughter, dressed in a white dress of her own and tossing out flowers from the basket on her side as Maya coached them both from the front pew. Despite a few missteps the two toddlers did their job well and were quickly ushered away by Maya once they reached the end.
Following the flower children were two bridesmaids each holding a candle. Mari and Kodama both walked gently down the aisle, smiling to everyone as they made the bride's path clear. A few steps behind them them were another pair, Asuka and Hikari, who together held flower bouquets and walked forward and then to each side when they reached the front.
Finally, the bride came. Patrick looked with great anticipation as Rei arrived, clothed in a large and elaborate white silk gown that looked more suitable for a royal wedding in a cathedral than for this small chapel. Her face was barely visible behind the veil that stretched out several feet behind her. Alongside was Doctor Foch, taking the place of the father of the bride, and Rei gently held his arm as she walked slowing down the aisle. Walking just a few feet behind her were Nozomi and Sakura, who held the tail end of the lengthy veil in their hands and brought up the rear of the processing.
As Rei walked downwards nearly everyone in the pews stood up in silence. There were a few whispers among the guests, and Patrick overheard phrases from the crowd such as "she's so beautiful," and "I can't believe this is really happening." He didn't think of himself as being lucky any longer as he watched Rei moving towards him. For Patrick this was nothing short of a miracle.
On the other side of the altar stood Erin, who was serving this wedding as chief bridesmaid and who was responsible for helping Rei steer herself at the altar once she arrived, given that the veil was difficult to see through. When Rei arrived, Erin quickly and gently turned her in the right direction, making sure she was facing Patrick as he stood across from her. The guests all return to their seats and on cue, Bernard Foch now played his part in the procession.
"Who gives this woman away?" asked Father Nicolai.
"I do," said Foch. He then faced Patrick.
"Congratulations, young man. Congratulations to you both."
Patrick nodded with sincerity at the man who had twice saved his face in a very literal way. "Thank you, sir."
"My dear," Foch said to Rei. "I'm so happy to see this for you." Rei squeezed his arm and smiled through the veil at him. "Thank you, sensei," she said in a whisper. With that Foch stepped away and back to the pews, and Rei gave both of her gloved hands to Patrick who gently took them. Patrick looked at the veil trying to at least get eye contact with Rei, and just barely seeing her bright red eyes through the fabric. He became nervous, but just held her hands as Father Nicolai spoke. Rei herself squeezed his hands tightly, as she was nervous too.
The next few moments for Patrick were a blur of listening to Father Nicolai and then reciting the vows that he and Rei were led through by the priest. The ceremony was blessedly short, and Patrick's own heart was beating so fast he could barely hear what was being said. He kept his eyes focused on Rei however the entire time.
"And now," suddenly the priest called out, "Do we have a ring?" That was enough to wake Patrick out of his trance.
"We do," said Kaji from the side of the chapel. Misato then gently pushed the ring bearer towards the couple as PenPen waddled to the altar. There were chuckles and outright laughter from the guests as the little bird made his way forward, wearing a blue bow-tie along with his ever-present backpack.
The penguin managed to find his way to the couple and stopped, and then Patrick gently knelt over and removed a necklace around his neck that contained a pair of gold rings. He handed one to Rei and he took the other, and PenPen quickly returned to Misato who was waiting on the sideline with a fish in her hand for his reward.
"Please say after me 'with this ring, I thee wed." Patrick led first, gently sliding the ring onto Rei's gloved finger. "With this ring, I thee wed." Rei then followed him, sliding her ring onto his finger and saying in her whisper like voice "with this ring, I thee wed." There were audible sighs from the guests. One person suddenly got ahead of themselves and clapped once, then stopped.
With a pleased expression on his face, Nicolai then looked at the couple and said "Then I now pronounce you husband and wife." He then smiled at Patrick. "She's yours now, you may kiss her if you like!"
Patrick couldn't help but giggle at that and let out his nervousness with a small laugh. Then gently he lifted Rei's veil and revealed her face to him. She was looking right at him with her deep red eyes and smiling.
It didn't take them long to do it as they both held the kiss for quite a while as everyone looked on. Then finally they released and took each other's hand at the altar, turning to face the guests. The whole body of them stood up and applauded.
"Thank you!" Patrick said to them. "Thank you so much!" There were cheers and shouts from the crowd, and the couple looked at each other with smiles, the same thought on both of their minds. We're together now, for good.
Rei and Patrick made the walk back down the aisle as Shinji started another song. This one was not one Patrick knew, and he realized as they were walking downward that it was in fact an original piece: Shinji must have come up with a new musical composition for the wedding. Mental note: thank him for this, big time.
The two of them proceeded down toward the church doors and Patrick could make out guests from where they sat. Commander Burke was there with his daughter and Aoi Mogami. Former Commander Vinson was also there along with Maria Vinson, and both were very happy to see them. On the other side of the church were Makoto Huyga (who wore his Alliance Space Force uniform), Satsuki, and Koji the agent that had helped him at Mount Aso. He was glad to see all of them here and waived to them as they walked past.
They reached the end of the aisle and there were already crowds waiting for them both. Immediately Rei was approached by little Akira, who threw his arms out wide and hugged her by the legs. Rei quickly picked him up.
"Ane-san! Wut did you do?"
"I got married!" Rei told him. Misato quickly gave Rei an embrace of her own. "Congratulations! I'm so happy for you!" The blue-haired bride blushed as others all now crowded in to wish her well.
Patrick was surrounded by well-wishers of his own, as Toji quickly mobbed him first. "Dude, you did it! We're all hooked up at last!"
"I guess we are," said Patrick.
Shinji came next, at first offering his hand but then Patrick pulled him into a firm man-hug. "Thank you for doing that," he whispered in his ear. "I heard the music."
"I wrote it just for this," said Shinji as he released himself from Patrick's grip. Following him was the "parents" of the groom, Mister and Missus Vinson, who alternatively shook his hand and embraced him. "Congratulations, son," said the Admiral.
"Thank you! Thank both of you!"
There seemed to be more people crowing in to him to wish him well, and he looked over his shoulder at Rei, who was now surrounded by so many guests it was hard to see her in the middle of the group. Patrick looked forward and saw another familiar face. "Oh, Chairman Itsuki! You're here?"
"Of course! Your director extended me an invitation and I was certainly not going to refuse," said the older man. "Here you go," he handed Patrick an envelope.
"What's that?"
"Something you'd appreciate. A lifetime supply of Itsuki instant ramen."
"Um, thanks! Pardon me, but it's not just one flavor, is it?"
It took Patrick a couple more minutes to get through well-wishers, handshakes and embraces. He had only been married five minutes and already it seemed overwhelming. He had his priorities, however, and looked for his bride.
Next to him were another group of ladies, and Patrick heard one say to another "Where is the bride? She's disappeared!"
Don't panic. Find someone who'd know where she was. Patrick looked for Erin and found her among the other bridesmaids. Upon seeing him Erin immediately thrust herself forward to him.
"Hey! You looked great up there!"
"Thanks, Have you seen, you know, the Missus?"
Erin nudged her head towards the back rooms. "That way. She has to change her outfit for the reception."
"Got it, see you in a bit." The two of them gave each other a small kiss and Patrick then briskly moved toward the back rooms.
If anything, Patrick thought, Rei certainly knew how to evade a crowd. He found the room that the bride used to prepare for the wedding and quickly opened it without knocking, then after entering he locked and shut it behind him.
Seated in front of him was Rei, sitting in the makeup table's chair and gently straightening her open veil. She gently smiled at Patrick as he approached her, and then bent over to give her a slow, meaningful kiss. The two of them let out a deep breath at the end of it.
"So glad that's done," he said to her. "You look absolutely wonderful." Rei was still silent, but smiled wider and blinked her eyes at him as she blushed a deeper shade of red.
"Were you going to get changed for the reception?"
The bride had other ideas. "Forri?" she asked him. "Is there any way we can avoid this?"
Patrick looked around the room and noticed the small frosted glass window at the back. From the light he determined that the room faced the outside of the church on the opposite wing from the front doors. From that, he quickly formulated a plan.
"How long do you think it would take for you to get changed and out that window over there?"
Rei thought about it briefly. "Three minutes and twenty-five seconds."
"See you on the other side," he told her and winked, and they kissed again before he left the room.
Back down the hallway and into the sanctuary Patrick went looking for one of the guests as he noticed others had left the church and were now standing outside in anticipation of when the couple would exit. Hikari quickly approached him.
"Patrick! We're going to do a confetti throw of you and Rei when you leave the church. Is she ready to go?"
"Um, not just yet," he told her. "I need to find someone. Be right back!"
It took him another few seconds until he spotted his target's carefully and elaborately sculpted black hair towering high over his head. Luchini, the boy from the convenience store that had helped in his search, was standing and talking with another guest when Patrick approached him.
"Hey, Luchini-kun!" Patrick called out to him.
"What's up, Forrestal-san!" the boy said as he offered his hand. "Congratulations and let me say what a real beauty you've got there!" Patrick shook his hand and spoke to him. "Yeah, she is, isn't she? Anyway I wanted to ask you a favor."
The boy was surprised. "Like, what?"
Patrick looked at him with all seriousness. "Did you come here on your bike?"
Rei was good on her schedule, as at three minutes and twenty-five seconds she was changed out of the white wedding dress and into the ivory party dress that was much shorter and easier for her to move around in. As she squeezed through the open window on the back wall her legs, clad with elegantly patterned white tights, went through first followed by the rest of her. By the time she was mostly out of the window Patrick had already pushed Luchini's motorcycle to directly below her, somehow managing to avoid being spotted by the crowd of guests in the front of the church.
Patrick stood at the bottom of the wall and Rei dropped out the window and about three meters down into his waiting arms. She held her white heeled pumps in one hand and her bouquet of blue roses in the other as she dropped.
"Great, right on time," he told her as she landed on her feet and quickly slipped her shoes on. Patrick then handed her a helmet, thanking the stars that Luchini had given Kaori a ride on the bike to the church that morning, and therefore allowing him an extra helmet for their escape.
As they both strapped up their helmets they turned to find that a crowd of guests, led by Misato, had finally spotted them. Behind the crowd Patrick could spot a double-decker red-painted party bus, with gigantic animated LED signs on its side loudly proclaiming CONGRATULATIONS REI & PATRICK!
"There they are!" Misato shouted as she pointed a finger at the couple. She then shouted at them as she ran forward "Where are you going?!"
Patrick quickly hopped on the motorcycle and Rei followed him, seating herself behind. "We got a plane to catch!" he shouted back.
"You can't go now!" said Misato, "We have the reception first!"
"Great! You all go and have fun," he said to her while he started up the bike and revved the engine. "We'll see you when we get back." As Misato and the crowd approached closer Patrick gave the bike a good pull of the throttle and promptly took off, running the motorcycle to the right of the crowd and moving through the church's small courtyard. As he turned towards the crowd, Patrick saw many of the guests take the confetti they were saving for their grand exit and throw it towards them, leaving the couple in a snow of colored paper as they left the church yard. But at the top of the stairs Patrick spotted Father Nicolai standing alone. The priest simply gestured with his hand in what Patrick figured was a blessing, and with that he smiled and gave the bike more gas. The engine roared as they raced out of the courtyard.
Misato however was still quite upset about her well-laid plans for a wedding reception extravaganza being ruined by the evasive couple. "But what about Rei?" she called out. "She still has to…"
A bouquet flew back the other direction high in the air, and over the motorcycle engine noise Misato just barely heard Rei answer her.
"Bye!"
Rushing to catch the bouquet were several of the blue-clad bridesmaids who now pushed over Misato and reached for the blue roses. The first to grasp the bunch was Mari, who managed to tip it with her fingers. Then the bouquet bounced off and landed promptly in Erin's hands. Elatedly, Erin jumped for joy as she watched Patrick and Rei ride away into the city streets.
"OH MY GOD, YEA! WAY TO GO BRO! GOOD LUCK POPPING REI'S CHERRY!"
After coming back down to earth, an excited Erin looked around and saw horrified expressions from several of the other girls in the party, clearly embarrassed by what she said. Erin was at a loss to explain how all of that had suddenly came out of her mouth.
"But," she said sheepishly as Mari winked and smirked at her from nearby, "that's what they're gonna do, right?"
There's rarely been a chapter that I've been more excited or happy to write than this one, the cumulation of all of these years of developing these characters and bringing them together. It felt good to finally get this one out.
Very little to go now, perhaps two short chapters left to wrap things up. Had some current family issues to work around (a close relative died recently) but I believe we can get all of it done in a matter of a few days. Stay tuned and hang on until the very end. Thanks!