(This fiction is based on the characters and settings created by Oyuki Konno)
"Are you sure you're ready for this? We can call and have them meet us somewhere else. You don't have to go back there," Sachiko said to Yumi as they were getting ready to go out.
"I'm going to have to deal with this eventually. It is you parents house after all, and it is not like HE's going to be there anyway." Yumi responded forcing a brave smile on her face, even though she knows her girlfriend could see right through it.
"Well, if you insist. But if you start feeling overwhelmed or uncomfortable, tell me and we'll leave." Sachiko told the younger girl.
The two girls exited the flat and went down the walkway and into the waiting car. Yumi's apprehension built up as they drew closer to the residence. Sachiko, noticing this, placed a comforting hand on her girlfriend's knee. The tension in Yumi let up a little but she was still wound as tight as coiled spring. "We can turn around and go back," the older girl offered.
Yumi replied with determination in her voice. "No, this is something I must do. I can't live in fear anymore."
"Just remember, I'm here if you need me." Sachiko told the younger girl as they pulled up in front of the mansion. The driver opened the door for the two girls. Yumi swallowed hard and got out of the car slowly. Sachiko followed and reached for Yumi's hand. She squeezed it gently, lending support to her brown-haired girlfriend. They walked hand in hand to the door, where they were greeted by Sachiko's mother, Sayako.
"Girls, you finally made it. Come in," the older lady said smiling. "We are all waiting for you in the parlor," Sayako continued as she led the girls to a room off to the left of the foyer. As they entered, they were greeted with a round of congratulations. The two women were emotionally overwhelmed by the sincerity and support expressed by their families at that moment. They were shocked back to reality when Touko spoke up and said, "So when's the wedding?"
With that question, both girls were caught dumbfounded and Yumi made her trademark, "Eh?" sound, which caused everyone to break out in laughter until Sayako stepped in with all seriousness and said, "It is a valid question."
"We never really considered it," Sachiko answered. "After all two women marrying would never be recognized legally or by the church."
"A wedding isn't about that," Yumi's mother, Miki, interjected. "It's about two people declaring their love and commitment to each other in front of their loved ones. That's what a wedding does. And I think Sayako-san would agree that every mother wants to see their daughter walk down the aisle like a princess in a pretty white dress."
Sayako agreed, nodding, "And every girl's father wants to see their little girl placed in the care of someone who loves them, just as much as they do. So when will it be?" Sachiko's mother asked, unrelenting.
Yumi and Sachiko looked at each other questioningly, not wanting to comment for the other. The silence was broken by Suguru, who suggested, 'How about next Saturday, the date of the original wedding."
"It makes sense," Sayako responded. "All the preparations are already scheduled for that date. It would also help the vendors, since we wouldn't be canceling anything."
"I think we have been set up," Sachiko commented to Yumi who just nodded her response.
"You could still say 'no'." Sayako told the two girls, while giving them a stern glance.
Yumi and Sachiko, not wanting to go against the Ogasawara matriarch, acquiesced with just one condition, that the guest list would be comprised only of family and friends.
"I think there is one thing we are forgetting," Miki advised. "There is no way to get a decent wedding dress for Yumi on such short notice."
"Don't worry mom, I already have one." Yumi said guiltily.
It was Miki's turn to be surprised. "Huh?" she expressed doing a double-take, before Yumi explained about the previous change of brides.
"And you were going to keep that from us?" Miki asked in irritation.
Yumi replied contritely, "I would have told you eventually. I was holding off, hoping the situation would change. It did, so there was no harm done."
"I just wonder what else you have been keeping from us?" Miki scolded her daughter who refused to meet her eyes.
"And I just happen to have both dresses upstairs." Sayako stated, changing the subject, "So gentlemen, if you would excuse us." Sayako turned and left the room followed by the four other ladies present, Sachiko, Yumi, Miki, and Touko. They went upstairs to a large sitting room where Sachiko's wedding gown was laid out on a chair and a changing screen set up. "I was right mother, you had this planned as soon as I told you about Yumi and I." Sachiko stated coldly.
"Sachiko, did you think that I would let such a momentous occasion go by without a true celebration?" Sayako bit back smiling.
"I guess not," Sachiko relented petulantly.
Sayako looked around confused, "Oh dear, I must have left Yumi's dress in another bedroom. Could you give me a hand getting it Yumi? We'll be right back," the older lady said, leaving the room with Yumi trailing behind.
Yumi accompanied her girlfriend's mother, as she walked down the hall until Sayako stopped and entered a room to their left. Yumi followed the older woman, who then spoke. "Shut the door, dear." Yumi did as instructed, then faced Sayako, who approached her, cupped her cheek, and looked at her with sad eyes. "You poor dear," Sayako said to her as she was wrapped in a motherly embrace. "I've wanted to do this ever since Sachiko told me what happened, and I also wanted to tell you that you are not alone in this. I've been there too." The older lady finished as she released the younger girl.
Yumi stared, stunned at Sayako's confession, "You mean ..."
Sayako nodded. "It was shortly after Tooru and I were married, and I've never felt so low as I did then, but my maid was there to help me through it. She told me something then, that I'm going to share with you. 'Put on your big girl panties and get over it."
Yumi was shocked by Sayako's cold and stern tone, "What?" She exclaimed.
Sayako's tone softened, "I'm not being insensitive, dear. I felt the same way when she told me those same words. But they do make a lot of sense. You were raped, nothing is going to change that fact. What can change is how you view it. You have a choice. You can dwell on it and let fear rule you the rest of your life, or take back control of your life. I'm not saying that it is going to be easy. In fact it will probably be the hardest thing you've ever done. There is one good thing though, you don't have to do it alone." The older lady took hold of the younger girl's hands and continued, "You have people who love and care about you. Who'll support you, if you let them. If you'll trust them."
Yumi looked down at her feet, feeling embarrassed by her selfishness, "I guess I really haven't been fair to Sachiko. I see her struggles every time we're together. If nothing else, I owe it to her to be honest about my feelings."
Sayako gave Yumi another motherly hug. "Now grab that dress, dear. The others are probably wondering where we went to," the older lady said, indicating the dress laying on a chair. Yumi picked it up and allowed Sayako to lead the way back to Sachiko and the others.
Once the women tried on their wedding dresses, and Sayako's seamstress pinned them for the final alteration, the women went back downstairs to collect the men and get ready for dinner. Yumi pulled Sachiko aside, so that they could talk privately.
"Is everything alright?" Sachiko asked, concerned. "Do you want to leave?"
"I'm fine, I just wanted to thank you. You've been there for me, supporting me, ever since I was raped. You've been so kind and so patient. I just had to tell you how much your love means to me." Yumi said softly, embracing the older girl and resting her head on Sachiko's chest.
Yumi pulled Sachiko into a tight hug before letting go. "Let's get down to dinner, shall we?"
xXx
Sachiko looked up at the bathroom door, for what seemed like the hundredth time since Yumi went in to wash up and change. 'Should I go in and check on her? Is she OK?' the black-haired girl thought. 'I never expected her to want to stay the night. Especially not after … ' Sachiko's thoughts were disturbed by the sound of her bathroom door opening.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Sachiko," the brown-haired girl said as she walked out of the bathroom wearing a tank top and pajama bottoms.
Sachiko smiled. "It's alright Yumi, I was just sitting here thinking," the older girl said as she stood up from the sofa and walked over to the younger girl, put her hands on Yumi's shoulders and looked into her loves soft mocha-eyes. "Are you doing alright?"
"Thank you for your concern, Sachiko. I'm fine. Really," the brown-haired girl assured her girlfriend. "Go, get washed up. I'll wait on the couch." Yumi leaned in and kissed Sachiko's cheek softly before she made for the couch.
"I'll be quick about it." Sachiko stated as she opened the bathroom door.
"Take your time. I'm not going anywhere," Yumi said and Sachiko entered the bathroom and closed the door. Once she heard the lock click into place, Yumi let out a sigh of relief. It had taken Yumi some time to recover control of herself after the panic attack she experienced in the bathroom. The brown-haired girl was worried that her girlfriend was going to walk in and see her in that state. 'Sachiko would have been worried, and that would have interfered with my plans for the night." Yumi thought.
Yumi looked over when she heard the bathroom door open. Her breath caught as she looked upon her beautiful girlfriend, who was walking toward the sofa where she sat. "Are you tired?" The black-haired girl asked, "Do you want to go to bed?"
"I'm fine, Sachiko. Have a seat and lets talk for a minute." Yumi told the older girl, who took a seat on the sofa next to her. "I just want to apologize for the mixed messages that I've been giving off. It's like my body is saying one thing, but my mind gets scared and shuts down."
"It's alright, Yumi. You've been through a lot. I understand," Sachiko said. "I'm sure, in time it will all work out. I can be patient."
"It really isn't fair to you, though," Yumi responded as she leaned over and pressed her lips to the girl's sitting next to her, kissing her softly.
"Oh, Yumi," Sachiko moaned as Yumi broke the kiss, and took hold of the older girl's hand.
"No promises, but let's try something," Yumi said as she took Sachiko's hand and brought it into contact with her right breast. Sachiko stiffened her arm, ready to pull it away at the first sign of distress from the younger girl.
Yumi elicited a soft gasp from Sachiko as her hand cupped the other girl's breast. "Just match my actions," the younger girl instructed. Sachiko nodded her understanding.
Sachiko closed her eyes and purred softly when she felt Yumi's thumb slowly circle her nipple. She did her best to copy the younger girl's actions, and was encourages when Yumi's lips met hers and the other girl's tongue begged for entrance. She parted her lips to deepen the kiss as their tongues playfully battled for dominance.
The older girl brought her other hand into play, as she felt Yumi's hand slowly work it's way along her side, under her top. Yumi gasped when Sachiko's hand gently cupped her breast, feeling the heat of the older girl's palm against her bare skin.
At the sound of her lover's gasp, Sachiko stilled her hand and broke the kiss. She looked at Yumi questioningly and slowly continued her exploration, only after receiving a slight nod of consent from the younger girl.
There were many such stops and starts, as Sachiko relearned how to touch and caress her beloved and Yumi gained trust that the older girl wouldn't force her into anything discomfiting. But in the end it was Sachiko who finally stopped their game, expressing that she was finding it difficult to control herself.
Yumi drew the older girl into a loving embrace. "Thank you , Sachiko," the younger girl said before planting a gentle kiss on her lover's cheek. Sachiko returned the embrace, feeling pleased about the step both of them took tonight.
A/N: I can't say this enough... Thank you for following this story.
