Chapter Five: Ricky & Taranee
"I can't believe I'm actually here in Universal Studios Theme Park!", said a very excited Taranee Cook as she and Ricky walked through the entrance of the famous theme park.
"Well, you are!", Ricky said happy that Taranee was having a great time. "So what do you want to do first?"
"Well, what do you suggest?", Taranee asked.
"Hmmmmmm...", Ricky said thinking. "I may have a ride or two in mind."
"Lead the way!", Taranee said smiling.
Two hours later...
"You okay, Taranee.", Ricky asked his girlfriend as they sat on a bench.
"Y-Y-Yeah.", Taranee said as she gathered herself. "I'm just gathering myself. Those rides were a bit much."
"Really?", Ricky questioned. "Let's see. We went on King Kong 360 attraction, JAWS, Earthquake, and Curse of the Mummy. Yeah. I can see how those rides can be a bit much for someone. But after all the weird stuff we've been through, I would think you could take those rides."
"Nope.", Taranee said as she leaned back on the bench. "When I go Guardian, I'm a lot more braver than I am now.", she explained.
"Are you kidding me?", Ricky questioned with a raised eyebrow. "You're one of the bravest girls I know.", he said getting a raised eyebrow from. "I mean it! You could have stopped being a Guardian a long LONG time ago. But you didn't. You stuck with it. And because of that, you've helped a lot of people and helped stop a lot of evil from growing. And I'm guessing that you've become a much stronger person than you were before you became a Guardian."
"I guess you can say that.", Taranee said thinking about her life ever since she became a Guardian. "Yeah! I have changed!"
"And because of you being a Guardian, we met.", Ricky said with a smile as he held her hand. "And look at us now."
"That is a major plus.", Taranee said before they shared a loving kiss.
"So do you want to go on some more rides or go see some shows?", Ricky said they stood up and began to walk around the area.
"Some more rides would be nice.", Taranee said smiling. "I think I can take it."
"Then let the fun continue!", Ricky said as they headed to one of the rides there.
For the next two hours they had fun on the other rides there. They went on rides like The Simpsons Ride, Jurassic Park: The Ride, Transformers: The Ride, and a few others before they took a break for lunch. After they had their lunch, Ricky decided to take Taranee to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Needless to say that Taranee was more than starstruck by all the names there.
"Wow! Micheal Jackson! The Jackson Five!", Taranee said as she took pictures of the stars. "Kernit the Frog! Big Bird! The Muppets! I forgot they had a star here! Oh! Vanessa Williams!", she shouted happily as she continued to take pictures of the stars on the Walk of Fame.
"I take it that you're happy.", Ricky said glad that Taranee was enjoying herself.
"Sorry.", Taranee said with a slight blush. "It's just that I never thought that I'd be here. I mean I figured that the other girls would be the first to come here before me."
"And yet you're the first one here.", Ricky said making Taranee smile. "So, you ready to see more?"
"Yes, please.", Taranee said as they headed to Ricky's father's car that he let him use.
For the rest of the day, Ricky and Taranee saw most of Hollywood they ended their sightseeing with Mann's Chinese Theatre. Soon it was sunset in which Ricky and Taranee returned back to Ricky's home which Taranee thought was a lovely place. The house was a two story home with a nice size porch in the front and a large patio in the back. It had a two door garage, and attic and basement. There were two bathrooms and seven bedrooms. In the back of the house, was a large backyard with a lake that connected to a river. Further on was a small forest that was fenced off from the rest of the world to keep large wild animals away. There was a small dock to the lake and a rope swing tied to a large tree for those who wanted to have fun swinging into the water. Taranee knew that Ricky and his brothers had fun with that.
"I still think it's amazing that you dad designed you home., Taranee said as they sat in the porch of the house on one of the swing benches there.
"Yeah. It's pretty cool.", Ricky said. "I plan on designing my own home one day."
"Oh! So you do plan on going to college one day.", Eric Smith said as he and his wife, Helen came out onto the porch and sat on the other swing bench. "Cause that's one of the only places you'll learn about being an architect."
"Yeah, I know.", Ricky said with a grin. "I realise that I need a good education to get by in the world."
"Thank the Lord!", Helen said. "It took you long enough!"
"Mom!", Ricky said.
"I'm sorry. But I was getting worried about you for a minute there.", Hellen said.
"We both were, son.", Eric said. "But I'm glad you decided to work at going to college."
"I didn't know that you weren't thinking about going to college.", Taranee said.
"Well, at first I wanted to go see the world first.", Ricky said. "But after a while I figured that I'd do college first then see the world. I've seen so many other worlds, yet I haven't seen much of this one."
"Well when you do decided to see the world, I hope you have room for one more to join you.", Taranee said with a small smile.
"Are you kidding me?", Ricky said. "I couldn't think of anybody else I'd take the journey with, my Little Fire Nymph.", he said before they shared a loving kiss.
"Ah! To be young and in love.", Eric said with a smile.
"Those were the days.", Helen said as Hank came walking up to them.
"Hey guys!", Hank said with a smile.
"Hey, big Bro!", Ricky said. "Shouldn't you be in Spain?"
"Not yet.", Hank said. "I go to get Rosseta tomorrow morning."
"And do you still plan on popping the question?", Helen asked. "A woman can only wait for so long, son."
"Don't worry, mom.", Hank said. "If things go well, then Rosseta and I will be getting married sometime next year."
"Me and Tommy. Brothers.", Ricky said with a grin. "He's going to flip when he finds out about you and his sister being engaged.", he said getting a giggle out of Taranee.
"I still don't see why you two bicker so much.", Eric said.
"Weren't you and Yoh the same way, when you were younger?", Helen questioned.
"That's different.", Eric said. "Yoh-Yoh needed to lighten up back in the day. And I was the guy to get him to do it."
"I find it funny that whether it's Guardians or Defenders, there's alway two among the group that bicker.", Taranee said with a grin.
"It helps keep things interesting.", Ricky said smiling.
"No argument there.", Taranee said which got everyone laughing.
"So where is Luke?", Hank asked.
"In Japan with Mai, who will be coming here for Valentine's Day.", Helen explained.
"And they'll be bringing some of that great tuna!", Eric said rubbing his hands together. "So I hope you all have a craving for fish tomorrow!"
"Thank the Lord I'm going to Hawaii.", Hank said. "Where they cook some nice size pancakes!"
"Are you insulting my cooking?", Eric asked his oldest son.
"No. But when you get to grilling, you tend to go a bit nuts, pop.", Hank said.
"And then some.", Ricky added.
"Hmmmmm... Sounds like my dad when he has cookouts.", Taranee said with a laugh.
"Well, for tonight I'm doing the cooking.", Helen said. "And to night we're having cheeseburgers and homemade fries with a side salad. Which is done and ready to be eaten. So inside! All of you!"
"Yes, Ma'am!", Ricky and Taranee said as they headed inside the house.
"I'm glad Ricky met Taranee.", Helen said. "He's become better because of her."
"He's always been a good boy, dear.", Eric said. "He just needed a push to make him improve himself."
"And Taranee helped make that happen.", Hank said. "Just like Mia is doing for Luke."
"And Rosseta has done for you.", Helen said with a giggle.
"True.", Hank said as they headed inside. "Now all I have to do is pop the question and hope she says yes."
"Don't worry, son.", Eric said as he patted his son on the shoulder. "The love is there. No matter what happens."
"Thanks, dad.", Hank said as they walked inside the house.
And so after a good dinner and playing a long yet fun game of Monopoly, the Smiths and Taranee went to bed looking forward to a very interesting Valentine's Day. The next morning, Taranee woke up to the sound of the alarm clock in her room. After taking a shower and getting dressed in a pair of gray jeans with a violet shirt and brown hiking boots, she headed downstairs to find Ricky eating breakfast with his parents and older brother.
"Good morning, Taranee.", Helen said with a smile. "We were going to let you get some more sleep."
"I was actually going to bring you breakfast in bed.", Ricky said as Taranee sat next to him.
"What did you do to my brother, Taranee?", Hank asked with a grin. "Breakfast in bed? That's new!", as Helen set Taranee's plate in front of her.
"Whatever you've done to him, don't stop!", Eric said with a laugh making Taranee blush a bit.
"Oh brother.", Ricky said before eating some of his eggs.
"So, what are we going to be doing today?", Taranee asked Ricky as she began to eat her breakfast.
"Well, I figured that we could take a walk through the forest in the backyard followed by some fun in the lake after a picnic. You know. A nice, calm Valentine's Day.", Ricky suggested. "Then can enjoy the cookout pop is having."
"I like that.", Taranee said making Ricky smile a bit.
"As for you and me, we're having lunch at your favorite restaurant.", Eric said to his wife.
"The one with the strawberry pie?", Helen questioned getting a nod from Eric. "This is going to be a good day!", she said with a beaming smile.
"Indeed it is.", Eric said with a smile of his own before all of them went back to eating their breakfast.
After they all finished their breakfast, Eric, Hank, and Ricky we nt to get cleaned up while Taranee helped Helen with the dishes.
"So what do you think of your time here so far, Taranee?", Helen asked the young Fire Guardian as he handed her a plate to dry.
"I'm enjoying my time here.", Taranee said with a small smile. "I'm still amazed that my parents let me come here. They can be a bit overprotective sometimes."
"All parents are my dear.", Helen said with a giggle. "Believe me when I say that I was a bit of a nervous wreck when I found out that Ricky was going to be a Defender like his father was. After all the things Eric has been through, I was scared for Ricky. But after a while, I got use to it all."
"But that doesn't mean you still don't worry about him.", Taranee said.
"I take it that your mother is the same way.", Helen said.
"Yeah.", Taranee said with a grin as Helen handled her a dish to dry. "But you know something. "When we first got to know Ricky and the guys, I was a bit envious when they told us that you and the other families knew about them being Defenders. Granted with them it's always been a family thing, but..."
"With their families knowing about it all, meant that they could alway go to family about their troubles.", Helen finished for Taranee who nodded.
"How did you handle knowing about Mr. Smith being a Defender?", Taranee asked as she dried another dish and put it on a rack to dry.
"Well, at first I was shocked and a scared out of my mind.", Helen replied. "But after a while, I remembered that Eric was still Eric. And my love for him hasn't stopped. And because of that love we have not only three wonderful sons but a great life together.", she said with a smile.
"Wow!", Taranee said. "I hope I can have a love like that.", she said with a look that Helen knew all to well.
"You love him don't you?", Helen asked Taranee who knew who she was talking about.
"Yeah. I do.", Taranee said with a slight blush. "I just don't know how to tell him.", she said as they finished the last of the dishes.
"Just follow your heart, dear.", Helen said with a kind smile. "Cause if I know my son, he feels the same about you, too."
"You think so?", Taranee asked.
"Look at what he's done for you so far, Hun!", Helen said with a grin. "He actually brought you here for Valentine's Day. And he has a whole day planned for the both of you. If I'm right, he plans on saying those three little words sometime soon."
"I... I never thought about that.", Taranee said.
"None of us see it coming, dear.", Helen said. "But I'll say this. I'm glad Ricky has met you, Taranee Cook. Because of you, he's become a better person. Eric and I were really worried about Ricky. I guess that all he needed was a good woman to help set him straight. So thank you.", she said before giving Taranee a hug that she returned.
"You're welcome.", Taranee said not knowing what to say which Helen caught on to which made her giggle a bit.
"I'm sorry.", Helen said with a smile as they pulled away from each other. "I didn't mean to make you nervous or anything. it's just that..."
"It's okay, Mrs. Smith.", Taranee said with a kind smile of her own. "Most girls, like myself, like it when their boyfriend's mother likes them. So, I'm taking it all in.", she said making Helen smile.
"Did I miss something?", Ricky asked as he came walking into the Kitchen.
"Not at all.", Helen said with a smile. "Just telling Taranee how glad I am that you two met."
"Wow! Really?", Ricky questioned. "Well that's good to hear.", Ricky said with a smile as he walked up to Taranee. "So you ready to set up for our picnic?"
"Sure.", Taranee said.
"Then let's go.", Ricky said as he went to the fridge and began to pull out what they would need for their picnic.
"You two have fun!", Helen said as she left the Kitchen with a cup of coffee.
"Thanks, mom.", Ricky said.
"See ya, Mrs. Smith!", Taranee said with a smile.
"Have fun you two!", Helen said as she left the Kitchen and into the Living Room.
Once in the Living Room, Helen sat on one of the couches and began to drink some of her coffee.
"Thank you for having my son getting with a girl like Taranee, Lord.", Helen said as drank a sip of coffee. "May what they have last a very long time."
Two hours later, Ricky and Taranee were walking through the forest that was in the back of the Smith's home. Taranee was amazed by all the wildlife that was there. From the little squirrels to the graceful deers the forest was full of life. She was glad that she brought her camera with her to take pictures.
"It's so beautiful here.", Taranee said as she sat on a log with Ricky ready to have their picnic.
"Yeah.", Ricky said as he looked around the area. "I remember coming out here a lot before I left to live in Fadden Hills with the guys. "But whenever I came back home to visit my family, I alway made time to come ou there at least once or twice."
"Well, we can come out here a few more times before we have to head back to Heatherfield.", Taranee said. "Being out here reminds me of the times I go camping with my family."
"The only problem I have with camping is the bugs.", Ricky said with a grin. "Other than that, it's all good."
"On that we can agree.", Taranee said with a smile. "Hey! Why don't you come with me and my family the next time we go camping this Summer!"
"I'd like that.", Ricky said with a smile that Taranee returned before they began their picnic.
After their picnic, Ricky and Taranee made their way back to the backyard of the Smith's home where Ricky's younger brother, Luke was there with Mai Ling, Sho's younger sister. They were standing at the dock of the lake there. Luke was dressed in a pair of blue swim trunks while Mai was dressed in a red swimsuit. Mia was the first to spot Ricky and Taranee.
"Yeah, Taranee!", Mai said while waving to Taranee.
"Yeah, Mai!", Taranee said returning the wave. "When did you uses get here?"
"About an hour ago.", Luke said. "Dad said that you two were in the forest having a picnic."
"Yeah.", Ricky said. "I figured that we should have some something different before the cookout."
"Oh yeah.", Luke said. "I see a lot of seafood this evening."
"What do you mean?", Taranee asked.
"Let's go get changed to go swimming and I'll explain everything.", Ricky said as they headed inside the house.
A few minutes later they came back out ready to go swimming in the lake with Luke and Mai. Ricky was dressed in a pair of red swim trunks while Taranee was dressed in a baby blue swimsuit. Soon all four of them were in the lake having fun. But it didn't take long for Mai to bring up the question that had been bugging her.
"So what's up with your dad and cookouts?", she asked.
"Well... At most cookouts you see more than one type of food being cooked. Right?", Luke asked. "You see fish, beef, chicken, and even pork for those who have different taste.", he said getting nods from Mai and Taranee.
"Well, there are times when dad just has one type of food.", Ricky said.
"And he made it perfectly clear that this cookout was going to be a seafood cookout.", Luke said. "He even bought a salmon steak to cook!", he said as the four of them floated in the water.
"I even saw some shrimp cabobs in the fridge this morning.", Ricky replied.
"But the shrimp were wrapped in bacon.", Luke said.
"True.", Ricky said. "I just hope dad doesn't go overboard with all off this."
"I'm sure it'll all be okay.", Taranee said before swimming around the lake.
Soon all four of them were having some fun in the lake. Taranee even used the rope swing to swing into the lake. She'd never thought she'd do something like that, but she did. And it was exciting for her! After having some fun in the lake, Taranee and Mai decided to lay on some beach towels and relax by the lake while Ricky and Luke went to help set up things for the cookout.
"So what brings you here, Mai?", Taranee asked. "I know you and Luke care for each other a lot. But I figured that you two would be somewhere else today."
"Well, Luke suggested that we'd go to Hawaii with Hank and Rosseta, but I like coming here.", Mai explained. "It's more peaceful here."
"I like it here, too.", Taranee said. "You can feel calm and at peace here. But I wouldn't mind visiting Japan someday.", she said with a small smile.
"Yeah well, Will's getting her fair share of Tokyo.", Mai said with a grin. "She actually came with me and my family to get the tuna steaks I brought here for Mr. Smith's cookout."
"How big are they anyway?", Taranee asked. "From what I've read, tuna can grow to be huge!"
"Well, these tuna steaks came from a twenty pound tuns." Mai said.
"Wow! That's big.", Taranee said.
Yeah!", Mai said. "You should of seen Will's face when she saw the many tunas there.", she said with a giggle. "She couldn't believe that they could grow that big!"
"I didn't know they could grow big until I saw a documentary on Tokyo.", Taranee said. "It blew my mind when I saw the huge tuna the fishermen caught."
"Well when you get the chance to come to Tokyo, you can come with us to the pier to see the tuna first hand.", Mai said.
"Thanks.", Taranee said.
"No problem.", Mai said as they continued to relax in the Sun.
"So, you plan on telling Taranee how you feel about here?", Luke asked his older brother.
"If things go well, I'll be tell her those three little words.", Ricky said as they set up the grill.
"Well, good luck.", Luke said.
"Thanks.", Ricky said.
Later that evening, the Smith's Taranee and Mai were all having fun at the cookout. Taranee help with getting the grill started with her fire power. As for the food Eric had grilled Salmon, shrimp cabobs with the shrimp wrapped in bacon and grilled tuna steak. As for side dishes, there was grilled corn on the cob along with other grilled vegetables. They even had pasta salad with pieces of crab meat in it. Needless to say that it was a seafood cookout. But it was a good cookout none the less. As for Ricky, he was enjoying the cookout mainly because Taranee was there with him. As he continued to watch her talk with Mai, he couldn't help but feel his love for her grow. Taranee was dressed in a pair of white shorts with white sandals and a yellow short sleeved blouse. He knew that he had to tell her how he felt before he'd lose it. So, he got up and walked up to Taranee and.
"Hey, Taranee.", he said getting hr attention. "Can we talk? Alone."
"Sure, Ricky.", Taranee said with a loving smile that made Ricky smile.
As they walked away from the others, Helen and Eric smiled at each other knowing what Ricky was about to do.
"About time.", Mai said.
"What are you talking about?", Luke asked.
"Don't act like you don't know.", Mai said with a smirk. "Ricky is about to tell Taranee that he loves her."
"That obvious, huh?", Luke questioned.
"Uh-huh.", Mai said. "Now if only another Smith would say those three little words.", she replied looking at Luke.
"Well I... ummmm.", Luke said nervously getting a giggle out of Mai.
"Don't get so nervous, Luke.", Mai said. "We're a bit to young for either of us to be saying those three little words.", she said with a smiel before giving him a quick kiss. "I like thing just the way they are. I can wait."
"Thanks, Mai.", Luke said before giving her a kiss that she returned.
"Love is definitely in the air.", Eric said to his wife who smiled at him.
"It sure is.", Helen said before they shared a loving kiss. "I love you, Eric Smith."
"And I love you, Helen Smith.", Eric said making his wife smile.
As for Ricky and Taranee, they were standing under the tree the rope swing was tied to as the sun was setting. As it was doing this, Ricky could see how the Sun's rays painted the sky with different colors. A smile grew on his face knowing that it was now or never.
"Okay, Taranee.", Ricky said before taking a deep breath. "I've been waiting to say this for a while now and knew that this was the day to say it. Taranee Cook... I..."
"I love you, Ricky!", Taranee said surprising her boyfriend.
"Say what now?", Ricky asked.
"I love you.", Taranee said as he cheeks warmed up from her blush. "I've been wanting to tell you this for a long time now. I just didn't know how to tell you the right way. So, I figured that..."
"It was either now or never.", Ricky finished for Taranee who nodded. "Well, I know how you feel cause I love you too.", he said causing Taranee to look at him with widened eyes. "I've been waiting for the right time to tell you and figured that today would be the right day to tell you. I just had to pick the right time. But it looks like you were feeling the same way.", he said with a smile that Taranee returned.
"So, what happens now?", Taranee asked.
"We continue with our relationship and see what happens next.", Ricky said. "Who knows where that'll lead."
"No. I mean, right now.", Taranee said.
"Oh! Well, I think we do this.", Ricky said before giving Taranee a loving kiss that she happily returned.
"I love you Taranee Cook. My little Fire Nymph."
"And I love you, Ricky Smith. My brave Hydro Knight."
They both smiled at each other before sharing another loving kiss. They then returned to the cookout hand in hand knowing that their relationship had grown more.
A/N: And that folks is Ricky and Taranee's Valentine's Day. Hope you liked it, cause I had fun writting it. Next up is Sho and Will. How will our favorite red-head handle the busy city of Tokyo, Japan? Only one way to find out!
Please review.