( Sometimes, she's too much )


Title: The Mother and the Bride
Theme: Character-A-Day: Day 10: Ikuko, sm_monthly, March 2008
Genre: General/Angst
Rating: PG


Ikuko rested her hands on her lower back and arched, stretching her back into a deep bow. When she finally collapsed back into her slightly stooped posture, she set about making dinner.

She had just finished running around the city: the dress had to be taken in just the slightest; the flowers arrangements had been decided, though centerpieces remained uncertain; the shawls for the bridesmaids rested safely in the closet, and the veil had been forgone for a tiara.

Times like these, Ikuko could almost imagine that the bride was Usagi, and all the preparations were for Usagi's wedding. She could almost pretend that she was a part of that the "vital organization" of where the band would go and the "important decision-making" of who would be made to suffer who in terms of seating arrangements. She wondered if Usagi would have considered her advice and opinions, or if it would've been disregarded like "future mother-in-law's interference."

She was too much of a mother to begrudge Shingo's fiancée a preference for her own mother's advice, and she had long since forgiven Usagi the lies and the sneaking around.

But the exclusion from the wedding planning? The fact that Usagi had to call to make sure they were coming, as they had not responded to the ceremonial invitation that required an RSVP? She had not even helped Usagi get ready. She had been seated in the front and been treated like a guest. Even her picture with Usagi had been set up formally. No candids. No time.

No time for mothers and such when the world needed saving and kingdoms needed building.

No one ever mentioned the phasing out of the family.

Instead, Ikuko had been the happy mother, smiling and crying for the cameras that had never worried about Usagi's safety or future but had taken Ikuko's place at the wedding.

She never told anyone how painful that wedding had been, to be so distant from something so personal: allowed into the house but banned from touching or enjoying, only there to look and observe.

Maybe this wedding would be different, and this time, she'd really cry for joy. Maybe Serenity would even be able to make it. They hadn't RVSP'ed yet.

Shingo didn't know. Ikuko hadn't told him. She didn't have the heart, and she still hoped they'd turn up.

Sometimes, she was too much of a mother.


end