Leaning against the wall, Uo watched Emi, who was currently sitting in the corner of the room with a basket of flowers on her lap. Emi had obviously been chosen to be the flower girl at Yuki and Tohru's wedding, but from the looks of it, the young girl didn't place much importance on this momentous occasion from the way she was acting. Uo laughed as Emi pulled a flower petal out of her mouth, leaving a trail of floral blood trickling down her lips. The two-year-old peered at the fading colors on the formerly red petal before innocently tossing it back into her wooden basket and selecting a new petal. She placed it into her mouth curiously, nibbling on it before spitting it back. Despite her clear indifference to the taste, Emi grabbed a fistful of the flowers and attempted to fit them all into the small crevice. Giggling as her attempt failed, Emi let the petals flutter to the ground, not bothering to collect the ones that missed the target.
Walking by, Yuki groaned when he spotted that Emi had been using flowers as makeshift lipstick. With a deep sigh, he trod over and swept her up into his arms, shaking his head when she laughed and swung the basket around playfully. Trying to keep the red stains from seeping onto his tuxedo, he held her a few inches from himself, but he had to give this up when he noticed a petal stuck to the corner of her mouth. Settling her against his chest with one arm, he used his free one to pluck the flower off her face and wipe as much of the botanic fluid from her skin as he could.
Yuki turned around to head for the sink in the dressing room he had exited a few minutes ago, but before he could even come within a foot of the door, Hana appeared, seemingly out of nowhere, in front of the door, blocking his exit with her arms folded firmly across her chest. The ominous look Yuki received from her made him retreat a few steps while Emi cheerfully flopped her stained hands at Hana in a partial wave. Hana smiled dearly at the child, patting her on the head, before resuming her glowering at Yuki.
"No seeing the bride before the ceremony. It's bad luck," Hana warned him.
"But- Hanajima-san…" Yuki muttered before sighing and pointing at Emi for an explanation.
"Bad luck," she repeated gravely.
"Baaaa wuuk!" Emi chimed in with glee.
"Would you help her get cleaned up then, Hanajima-san?" Yuki inquired, exasperated, watching Emi shove her fist into her mouth.
"I charge one thousand yen," Hana replied, extending her hand.
"I don't have-" Yuki started before giving in, "Oh fine. Here."
He reached into his pocket and fished out the amount she requested. Only after she had pocketed the money would she receive Emi. Hana opened the door a crack and sent him another threatening glare before she slipped through it. After Hana was inside for five seconds, Yuki heard Tohru muffle a scream. He assumed Emi's flower eating adventure was the cause. He could tolerate that, but when he heard a crash that sounded very much like Tohru falling to the ground, Yuki almost burst through the forbidden door, only to be yanked back by Kagura and Uo. They pushed him away before slipping into the room themselves to check on Tohru, making sure to lock the door behind them. Yuki scowled at the door, considering breaking it down.
When they finally returned, Yuki nearly jumped on them for answers, but seeing Emi trot out of there happy and unharmed, he assumed nothing had gone wrong. Emi latched herself to his leg with a giggle. Upon seeing her, Yuki tilted her chin up, inspecting her now clean face. As if Emi knew what he was doing, Emi wiped her face against his pants. With a slight shake of his head, Yuki patted her head and wiped a trail of drool from Emi's chin. She scowled at him as he did so and fluttered away, running off to get her flower basket back from Uo, who had taken it from her while she was getting cleaned up.
Yuki grimaced, chasing after her and locking her in his arms before she reached her botanic snack again. Emi wiggled about in vain, reaching for her petals, but Yuki easily distracted her with her stuffed mouse. She soon made a game of dropping the plush rat and making Yuki bend over and pick it up repeatedly. He sighed but kept at it, preferring to torture himself and the battered toy rather than risking a repeat of the previous mess.
It was only a little while anyways, until Akira wandered over and took Emi's hand, dragging the reluctant girl over to the door. Realizing that the wedding was only minutes away from commencing, Yuki rushed out to position himself at the altar after kissing Emi on top of her head in attempt to coax her into being more docile. Emi pouted at him and stomped her feet, but her temper tantrum soon faded when her father left. The tears that began to well up in her eyes only vanished when the basket of flowers was returned to her.
Then the music started and the two of them were ushered out.
A heartwarming smile spread across the faces of every occupant in the room as the large, arched, double doors opened to let Emi and Akira through. Emi, in her light pink dress, walked slowly with her eyes on the ground, simpering shyly as she tossed a few flowers around. Dressed in a tiny two piece suit, Akira walked beside her with a white pillow baring two rings and his arm linked with Emi's free one. He seemed to be guiding Emi along since she kept her eyes averted, but when he tugged a bit too suddenly, he managed to make her stumble and lift her eyes.
The first thing she noticed was her father, standing about twenty feet away, clad in black. Forgetting about the people around her and discarding her role in the wedding, Emi broke out of Akira's hold and darted over to Yuki as quickly as she could without tripping. Despite Yuki's gestures for her to stop and return to her duties, Emi continued over to him with a wide grin. She hopped up at his feet and grasped his shirt, tugging on the jacket until he lifted her up. She smiled in his arms, glad to be away from the staring crowd.
"Dada!" Emi cried.
"Emi, what are you doing? Remember what we practiced yesterday?" Yuki murmured to her.
Emi shook her head fervently, wrapping her arms and legs around him tightly. She clung to him with all her limbs as if she were afraid he would send her to the gallows instead of back to the aisle, where the procession had temporarily halted.
"Emi! Come back!" Akira cried urgently.
Regardless of his cries, Emi kept shaking her head in refusal.
Seeing as Akira continued ahead, diligently following his role as ring bearer, and as the music hadn't stopped yet, the rest of the line of people hurried forward, trying to reach the place they would have been at if there hadn't been a pause. Tohru's cue was about only a couple of seconds away, and they didn't want her to realize the event had already gone amiss. Sharing their same thoughts, Yuki wrestled Emi out of his arms, attempting to urge her back to her place without leaving his, but Emi attached herself to his leg and refused to let go until a flutter of white reached the threshold.
Yuki grimaced, just short of panicking now. Still fighting to get Emi back to tossing flowers, he was nearly pushing Emi down the short stairs, but Emi shoved back, using his refusal her to her advantage. Yuki groaned in defeat and let her rebind herself to his leg. He could already see Tohru, frozen by the doors and gawking at the sight before her. She looked ready to drop her flowers, retreat back behind the doors, and pinch her cheeks to wake herself from this nightmare. If her arm weren't linked to her grandfather's, Tohru surely would have fallen by now. Yuki frowned apologetically to her, but she didn't seem to notice.
Bowing his head, Yuki mouthed another unseen apology to her. He couldn't even appreciate how beautiful she looked in the pure white gown with her long tresses curled and pinned back. Yuki was unable to admire anything when the smile he had anticipated that had been etched in her face a second ago disappeared. Though there was only confusion painted across her face and though she wasn't frowning, Yuki knew she had had certain expectations for her dream day, as she had so deemed this day. She had been fussing over messing up the occasion herself with her clumsiness, but now, Emi was the one making the scene.
Noticing the uncomfortable aura stifling the room, Emi turned around. Spotting Tohru, Emi gasped excitedly and released Yuki's numb legs. Laughing wildly, Emi raced down the aisle, her basket swinging around her arm as she dodged the frozen wedding participants on her way to her mother. Grinning widely, Emi locked her fists around the silk and lace flowing around Tohru's legs. Emi lifted her arms up, demanding to be held. Tohru acquiesced with a faint smile, picking Emi up.
"Pweety!" Emi cried, gripping Tohru's veil as she hugged her.
Tohru stroked Emi's back calmly, but she immediately pulled away when Emi tried to lift the veil. Carefully, Tohru tried to pry Emi's fingers off of the lace without upsetting her. To her relief, Emi just peered back at her, perplexed. She was soon distracted anyways when her grandfather reached up and placed his hand on her back. Emi grinned. In Tohru's arms, Emi reached over and patted her great-grandfather's bald head. The elderly man glanced up at the child with an adoring smile, returning the favor with pats on her hair gently.
"Gam-paaa!" Emi cried, stretching her arms towards him.
With an expression completely opposite of Emi's, Akira stomped over with his arms on his hips and the pillow and ring sticking out of his pockets. He extended his puny index finger up at Emi, which made her fidget and squirm in Tohru's arms nervously. As if she understood Akira's purpose, Emi clung to Tohru, making her attitude clear with her bottom lip jutting out and trembling as she buried her head against Tohru's neck under the veil. Tohru tightened her grip on Emi reassuringly, but Emi refused to be consoled, whimpering and shaking as Tohru paused in her steps.
"Emi-chan! No!" Akira scolded.
Tohru beamed at the small boy, "It's all right, Akira-kun. It's fine like this."
Akira frowned but returned to his position at the front of the line and the wedding resumed, albeit taking half an hour longer to get to the altar than expected. Five paces from the short steps, Tohru set Emi on the floor, letting Akira, who had just finished delivering the rings to Yuki, pull her toward their seats in the front row by Kagura and Kyo. Anxiously, Tohru held her breath before daring to lift her eyes. First, she glanced at the sides of the altar, where the bridesmaids and groomsmen were lined up then at the arc itself. Her eyes followed the woven pattern of flowers and ribbons slowly.
Before she dared to shift her eyes over to the left side of the arc, Tohru sucked in a deep breath and held it and finally dared to glance over at who would be her spouse in a matter of hours. When their eyes locked, a smile broke out across her face, reflecting Yuki's excited expression.
The ceremony began again after Emi was pacified enough to stop calling for her mother.
Once Yuki had extended his hand out to Tohru, her grandfather took Tohru's gloved one and placed it in Yuki's before retreating to his designated spot by the groomsmen. Timidly, Tohru could only peek up at him as Yuki carefully led her up the steps. Never had she been so grateful for the veil that covered a bride's face. Although positive the scarlet tint to her cheeks bled through the lace, Tohru was also sure that the diaphanous white lace lightened her flushed cheeks. Tohru let out a deep breath when she made it up the steps without tripping. Settling in her position beside Yuki with her hands locked in his. She smiled, facing the priest as he began the ceremony.
Tohru listened diligently, giving a slight nod every so often to vows she especially believed in. Absorbed in the matrimonial words, Tohru hardly even noticed that the ceremony was drawing to a close until she felt a pressure on her left ring finger. Glancing down, she found Yuki sliding a second diamond studded silver band to join her engagement ring. She could barely recall even saying those two sacred words. Peering up at her through his bangs, he smiled faintly before reaching forward to lift the veil from her face. Her flushed face glowed scarlet as the white lace was draped over the back of her head, and Yuki bent forward to place a chaste peck on her lips.
Before Yuki could even pull away, Emi somehow escaped from Kagura's watchful eye and stole forward to the altar. Hopping up and down, Emi tugged on Tohru's dress, squeaking impatiently until Tohru blushed and picked her up. Hoisted in Tohru's arms, Emi leaned forward, mimicking Yuki as she pressed her lips to Tohru's cheek. Shyly, she giggled, covering her cheeks with both her hands as she had seen her mother do countless times before. Soon forgetting about the audience and her embarrassment, Emi planted a kiss on Yuki's cheek too.
When laughs and applauses erupted from the audience, Emi blinked in confusion before timidly leaning over Tohru's shoulder and grabbing the lacey veil to cover her face. Yuki chuckled under his breath, covering Emi's light brown locks with his hand. Tohru smiled too, but that quickly vanished behind a flood of scarlet when she was swept off the ground and into Yuki's arms. She let out a soft squeal that even made Emi pull her face from Tohru's shoulder. Finding herself a good distance from the ground, Emi's hands tightened around Tohru's dress until she noticed her father. Spotting her protector, Emi chirped happily.
Her jubilant squeaks brought a bright smile to everyone's face, especially Tohru's and Yuki's, which in turn, sent off a cascade of blinding lights. With her gloved hand, Tohru tried to shield her and Emi's eyes, but Emi shoved Tohru's hands away, enthralled by the bright flashes. She smiled and pointed at one of photographers.
"Dada?" she asked.
Tohru laughed, "No, sweetheart, that's not your daddy. He does take a lot of pictures of you though, doesn't he?"
Emi glanced back at the photographers as if she didn't believe what her mother had said then gazed at her father strangely. She laughed gleefully before frowning as she was set back on her feet. Emi peered up at her now upright mother, begging to be held once more, but as soon as Tohru obliged, Kagura snatched Emi out of Tohru's arms. In response to both Emi and Tohru's baffled and nearly hurt expressions, Kagura waved her index finger at them and shifted Emi away from Tohru, despite Emi's effort to climb around Kagura to return to her mother.
"Tohru-chan, you can't possibly babysit on your wedding day," Kagura grinned, "I'll feed Emi-chan, and you can eat with Yun-chan!"
"But-" Tohru attempted to protest, but Kagura refused to listen.
Kagura gently shoved Tohru towards Yuki, but she couldn't escape before Tohru began instructing her on how Emi preferred to eat.
"She can't eat whole foods yet, and she won't eat unless you cut everything into tiny pieces! Nothing too sweet, please! Or salty! She doesn't drink soda either! Oh! Emi-chan doesn't like seafood or-" Tohru squeaked after them feebly.
"Tohru," Yuki spoke to her gently, "Relax. If Kagura needs help, she can come back."
Tohru nodded, but her eyes lingered after Emi, who had begun to cry. Chewing on her bottom lip worriedly, Tohru gazed up at Yuki, begging him to stop Kagura. After one quick glance at the frown engraved into his new wife's face, Yuki sighed and called out to Kagura. Emi, however, had already escaped Kagura's grasp. By how close Kagura was to the table, Yuki could deduce that Emi had slid out and onto the table. The two-year old was currently running across the long table in Tohru's direction, but surprisingly not over to Tohru. Singing as she raced across the table, Emi skipped over to a large, five layer cake covered with white frosting. Too frozen in shock, nobody made a move to stop the grinning toddler until Emi had sunk her fingers into the dessert.
With a shrill laugh, Emi shoved her frosting coated fingers into her mouth. After licking her fingers, Emi extended the crumbs of cake and icing out to Tohru with a smile.
"Mama, num num!" Emi cried.
Tohru stared at her daughter in horror, unable to even force a smile on her face for her daughter's sake. The happiness melted off of Emi's face and the cake bits soon became a peace offering. Her eyes appeared ready to sprout fountains. With her bottom lip quivering, Emi dropped the pieces of cake, and her sugar coated hands soon covered her face, leaving frosting all over her pale skin. Tears began to ebb out, mixing with the white cream and trickling down her cheeks. Snapping out of her reverie, Tohru swiped at the dribble of tears across her own face before rushing over to Emi and taking her into her arms.
"Emi-chan! Don't cry! It's okay!" Tohru tried to soothe her daughter to no avail.
Trying to make Emi feel better, Yuki approached them and stuck his finger into the cake too, but the toddler barely noticed through the hazy film of tears coating her thick eyelashes. After a quick glance over at Tohru, Yuki smeared the frosting over Tohru's nose, making Tohru blink in confusion and a smile break out on Emi's tearstained face.
"See, Emi? Everything's all right. No more crying," Yuki told her.
Completely astounded by the fact that Yuki would even dare to do such a thing to her, Tohru peered at Yuki for a moment before she too took a handful of cake and shoved it into his face with a vengeful giggle. She had Emi in her arms and was headed off towards the bathroom before Yuki even realized she had retaliated, but unbeknownst to either of them, a picture had been snapped of the three of them, matching with their frosting masks. Yuki could only stare flabbergasted at Tohru's retreating figure, gazing uncomprehendingly at the woman he had once deemed incapable of a retort as he trailed his fingers down the frosting coating his cheeks.
"Let's get cleaned up, Emi-chan," Tohru suggested.
Emi didn't protest as she was carried off to the bathroom. After they had washed the icing off their hands and faces and exited the washroom, they found Yuki waiting for them, a grin replacing the frosting that had previously painted his face a paler white than normal. He offered them his arm, which Tohru took, but not without a suspicious look. Yuki brushed it off with an innocent chuckle, averting her eyes cautiously. He kept his gaze on Emi instead, who was glancing all around the room innocently, already having forgotten the cake and was now mesmerized by the hundreds of flowers dangling on the walls.
"Yuki-kun! No more frosting games! We haven't gotten a picture of the cake yet!" Tohru exclaimed when they neared the cake.
"Wouldn't think of it, love," Yuki reassured her.
Tohru eyed him curiously, but she followed obediently and sat down in the chair he pulled out for her.
"I'll get us some food," Yuki offered.
"Okay," Tohru agreed.
She watched him saunter off before she checked her surroundings, trying to find something out of place, but all she saw was the long table covered with lacey white tablecloth and entwined ribbons. With a sigh, she gave up her investigation and set Emi down in the decorated highchair beside her. Emi happily smacked her hands against the chair, playing with her plastic plate and forks. Kagura made no move to take Emi away again, keeping her distance as she eyed Emi strangely while the toddler tried to eat her empty plate. Emi wiggled in her chair after finally dropping the plate out of her mouth in distaste when the smell of the buffet stand wafted over to her.
"Mama, num num! Num!" Emi cried, stretching out of her chair to point at plates of food people were returning with.
Tohru stroked Emi's arm soothingly, getting her to settle back in her chair.
"I know, sweetie. You can eat soon," Tohru promised, "Daddy is getting your food."
"Dadaaaa!" Emi called, whacking her fork against her plate impatiently.
"Emi!" Tohru hissed.
Tohru took Emi into her arms, quieting the fussy child. Emi relaxed, but as soon as she spotted Yuki, she was standing on Tohru's legs and holding her arms out to him. Yuki laughed, taking her into his arms and placing her back into her seat after he had set down the two full plates he was holding. Emi could hardly contain herself as Yuki was placing food on her plate and Tohru was cutting for her. Dropping her utensils on the tray in front of her, Emi shoved food into her mouth with her fingers, instantly forgetting all mannerisms her parents had tried to teach her.
Tohru sighed while Yuki chuckled and sat down in the seat next to hers.
"What are you so happy about?" Tohru questioned.
"What? I can't be happy on my own wedding day?" Yuki inquired, "I did just marry the woman I love more than anything else in the world, you know."
Fighting back her flush, Tohru eyed him cautiously.
"Aren't you happy?" he inquired.
"Of course I am!" she exclaimed.
Cupping her chin with his hand, he smiled, caressing her pale skin as he leaned forward to kiss her cheek. Tohru's already scarlet skin darkened further when the clicking of the cameras resumed in rapid fire. She was about to push him away in humiliation when he leaned over further, bringing his lips to her ear, and the tingling, cool air of his breath sent shivers down her spine and goose bumps to her skin as he spoke to her quietly, in a tone she could barely hear.
He whispered, "I figure this is punishment enough."
"Punishment? But you take pictures of me all the time!" she pointed out.
"Yes, but I've noticed that you're always more uncomfortable when other people take your picture."
Tohru didn't comment, facing her thin white high heels timidly, but that didn't prevent him from tugging her back against his chest, giving the photographers more scenes to take pictures of. She was appalled by how many excuses for photos he could come up with, and that was excluding the hundred with the cake. By the time she got a break, she wasn't sure if those splotches of color covering the corners of her vision would ever leave, and she was left wondering how she had ever doubted that this was a punishment.
And then, Shigure just had to say something that shoved the pictures to the back of her mind. The sane person would have run the moment he saw the half crazed look across Shigure's face, but Tohru sat there unsuspectingly, welcoming him over with a half wave while Yuki watched her, unaware of the looming danger.
"Tohruuuu! Yuuuuki! It's time to take off the garter!" Shigure announced wryly, bouncing over from his spot in the table beside theirs.
"She's not wearing one," Yuki retorted curtly without even turning to face him.
"But- I- Um…" Tohru stuttered nervously.
She looked away with flushed cheeks, unable to meet her new husband's incredulous expression. Subconsciously, she fiddled with her dress, wrapping the lacy skirt around her fingers and grazing her fingers against her thigh. Turning her head away, she hid a small grimace as she felt the slight raise in her skirt that told her she hadn't been dreaming when Uo had talked her into this. She had really agreed and acquiesced without the slightest protest, and from her reflection she caught in the shining silverware she was staring at, she truly appeared feverish, and Yuki was actually appalled from his frozen tense posture she could catch out of the edge of her sight.
"Y-You're actually wearing one?" Yuki choked out.
"Um! I-I- Uo-chan told me that it's bad luck if I-I don't! And she told me that if we wanted our marriage to last longer than a week you have to take it off!" Tohru explained embarrassedly in a rushed voice.
"Tohru…" Yuki groaned halfheartedly.
"But Uo-chan said that you don't love me if you refuse to take it off!"
"Tohru, I wouldn't have married you if I didn't love you."
After gaping at him for a moment, she turned away, hiding her blush.
"Hey, Prince! How can you expect her to believe that you find her physically attractive if you won't even take an innocent opportunity to put your face to her thigh?" Uo snapped.
Tohru glanced over at him worriedly, as if all her self-consciousness from the early days of their relationships had returned. Reluctantly, he positioned himself beside Tohru, ready to obey if it'd assure Tohru of his love. He somehow managed to hide most of his discomfort, but his heard thumped rapidly within its cavity. Yuki all but lost his cool as he uneasily lifted the lacy hem of her dress and noticed how high the garter was positioned. For a minute, all he could do was stare at it, trying to figure out how he could get that thing off without making Tohru uncomfortable. His careful considerations had the opposite effect, seeing as everyone else misinterpreted his scrutinizing, and that humiliated Tohru to no end. He swore he could see hints of her blush across her legs.
Finally, he took in a shallow breath before grasping the garter between his teeth and yanking it down as rapidly as he could. In attempt to keep Shigure from getting anywhere near the garter, Yuki tossed it in the opposite direction, but forgot that his brother was there until the garter landed on his head. Ayame blinked in confusion before taking it with a grin and rushed over to Shigure.
"Oh, Gure! We must get married immediately!" Ayame crooned.
"Of course, Aya!" Shigure agreed.
Shigure began skipping over to Ayame, but Akito soon tripped him, and Shigure came face to face with Akito's darkened eyes. He laughed uneasily as he tried unsuccessfully to crawl away.
Yuki simply stared, unable to react to what had just occurred. He didn't even realize that he was still holding Tohru's dress up until Haru approached and curiously peered at the newlyweds, who were both avoiding a glance in the other's direction. Clearly amused by their behavior, Haru bent over, placing his head at the same level as Yuki's and leaning towards Tohru until his nose nearly grazed her leg. Suddenly noting Haru's presence, Yuki flinched, dropping Tohru's dress immediately before glaring at his cousin.
"You know, I've never paid much attention before, but Honda-san has really nice legs," Haru commented.
"Don't look at her like that!" Yuki snapped.
"You're the one making a spectacle of her legs," Haru responded nonchalantly.
"I am not-" Yuki began to protest until Uo interrupted.
"Excuse me, boys. But if you're done checking Tohru's limbs out, it's time to toss the bouquet," Uo announced.
Uo tugged Tohru away with a smug grin, snickering at the faint pink tint tainting Yuki's pale face, but his blush was no match for Tohru's. Tohru was practically hiding behind her bouquet, not daring to peek out until Uo let her stop at the front of the room. She noticed all the females were lined up behind her already, with the exception of the few that were married. After Uo had hastened back to her spot, Tohru quickly glanced over her shoulder before she smiled and tossed her bouquet over her shoulders. The flowers soared past all the woman lined up behind Tohru, bounced off Emi's head, and landed on the floor, beside her stubby legs. Emi stared at the flowers before laughing and taking them into her arms.
"Flou Flou!" Emi chirped excitedly.
Uo approached the child, amused to find Emi chomping on the flower buds once again.
"Who are you gonna marry, princess?" Uo teased her.
"Mama!" Emi answered promptly.
"No, no. You can't marry your mommy. She's married to your daddy."
"Dada?" Emi questioned.
"No, no. He's married too. How about someone your age?"
"Aki-chan!" Emi squealed.
Hearing her nickname for him, Akira left Akito's side and raced over to Emi, who in turn waved the flowers at him jubilantly. Akira grinned at her, holding the garter that his father had just placed into his hands moments ago. Emi peered at it with a peculiar expression. Putting her finger to her bottom lip, Emi glanced up at her mother, recognizing the lacy ring from a prior scene involving her parents but not quite sure. Pointing her finger to it, she cocked her head to the side and voiced her question, "Mama?"
Akira shook his head in denial, "No! Mine!"
"Flou Flou?" Emi asked, offering him three of the flowers in her bouquet.
Akira inspected the roses carefully before finally holding up five fingers, indicating his desire for half of the bouquet. Emi frowned, confused by his gesture. She hugged the bouquet back against her chest, peering at Akira with her thin eyebrows furrowed. Akira gave a dramatic sigh as he pulled out two more flowers and taking the ones in her outstretched hand. Satisfied, he smiled and handed her the garter before walking over to Yuki and Tohru. Emi chased after him, clutching the garter triumphantly.
"Emi no know numb-wers!" Akira declared.
"No, she doesn't. Not yet. She's too little," Tohru smiled as Emi approached them too.
"Lookie, Mama!" Emi cried, holding up the garter.
Flushing, Tohru stuttered, "Where did you get that, Emi-chan?"
Emi pointed at Akira, who pursed his lips in a half scowl at her.
"Emi!" Akira screeched.
"It's all right, Akira, Tohru," Yuki comforted both of them before bending down to Emi.
He slid the garter gently from her fingers, partially shocked that she let him take it from her. When Emi began to panic and reach back for the lacy band, Yuki slid it around her wrist, wrapping it around several times to make a bracelet out of it. When he finished, Emi giggled, raising her arm up proudly to flaunt her new accessory that had now overtaken nearly her entire arm. She hopped up and down excitedly, bragging wordlessly about her new accessory to anyone who'd look her way. Yuki patted her head with a smile before standing up, clearly satisfied with the arrangement.
"Yuki!" Tohru hissed, "Emi can't play with that!"
"Would you rather Shigure have it?" Yuki queried.
"No, but-"
"This way is best then. Emi won't let anyone take that from her without a fight," he chuckled.
Sure enough, when Shigure did try to get Emi to give him the garter back, Emi slapped his hand and darted back to Tohru, ducking under Tohru's gown. Emi sat on the ground under her makeshift tent, leaning against Tohru's legs. Shigure followed Emi, just beginning to lift the bottom of Tohru's gown when he heard Yuki clear his throat. Shigure froze, grimacing to himself as he dropped the hem. He smoothened the edge of Tohru's dress and backed away with an innocent smile. Tohru peered at them, unsure of whether she was more frustrated or humiliated at the moment, but she grasped Yuki's hand, restraining him in case that glare hinted at any desire to harm Shigure as his next words did.
"What do you think you're doing to Tohru, my wife?" Yuki demanded.
"Nothing! Nothing at all!" Shigure laughed uneasily.
Shigure didn't stay long enough for Yuki to get in another word. He raced off, disappearing amongst the crowd. Tohru hardly noticed, too absorbed in trying to coax Emi out.
"Emi, come out, sweetie. No more hiding under mama's skirts, please," Tohru pled.
"No!" Emi squealed.
"Emi, no one is going to take your things," Tohru assured her.
"No! No!" Emi cried again.
With a frown, Tohru took a few steps forward, letting the bottom of her dress slide over Emi. Emi grabbed onto the hem before it got away, falling onto her back when Tohru took another step. Giggling, Emi let Tohru drag her a few paces ahead in delight while Tohru gave a huff of frustration. Before Emi could notice, Tohru hurried back and grabbed Emi, lifting her up and breaking her hold on the dress. Emi pouted, but she let Tohru carry her back to Yuki, where Emi demanded to switch carriers. She climbed into Yuki's arms, snuggling against him with a bright smile.
"Hi, Dada!" she greeted loudly.
"Hey, my little baby," he responded lightly, only to receive a frown from her.
"Emi no baby!" she squeaked.
"No?" he inquired, "Then where's my baby?"
He set her down teasingly, but Emi clung to him.
"Emi! Emi! Dada! Emi dada!" she wailed.
"Are you my baby?" Yuki asked with a smile.
"Mmm!" Emi exclaimed with a nod.
Yuki bent down and kissed her on top of her head, chuckling at her extended arms. Though she could walk better than most toddlers, she forced them to carry her more often than not, not that they minded. Emi hugged him, wrapping her chubby arms around his neck and slobbering all over his shoulder before pulling away and pointing her finger at the speaker beside them that had suddenly started to play a love song. Emi stared at the machine with her mouth agape, listening in wonder and curiosity. Yuki smiled at her, taking one of her balled up fists in his hands.
"That's a speaker, Emi, and it plays music so people can dance. Are you going to dance with daddy?" Yuki asked.
Emi tilted her head to the side in a confused manner, and her thin brows furrowed at the strange new words. A laugh soon replaced her puzzled expression when Yuki began to swing her around. Her hands locked around his jacket, clinging on for dear life as he twirled her around and lowered her towards the ground for the dip. By then she was shaking hysterically, kicking her legs and swinging her arms in delight. Tohru couldn't even manage a sigh of frustration at how most of Emi's locks hung out of her pigtails or how her barrettes were clinging on to thin strands of hair. Emi's jubilant, flushed face wouldn't allow anything but a smile to form on Tohru's face.
"Dan-zing!" Emi chirped.
"Yes, Emi. Dancing," Yuki smiled at her.
Emi simpered bashfully back at him as she shielded her face with his fist. A pair of arms soon slithered under her arms and slid her out of Yuki's arms. Emi blinked in confusion for a moment before thrashing about, yanking on Yuki's hand desperately. She settled down a bit when she realized it was Uo, but continued to whimper for her parents. Uo shifted Emi to the side to cut Yuki and Tohru out of her sight and distracted her by bouncing her up and down while she shoved Yuki back over to Tohru in a not so gentle manner.
"Hey, today you gotta focus on your new wife. Leave Emi to her billions of relatives and friends, right Emi?" Uo crooned to the toddler.
Emi smiled, "Dan-zing?"
"You wanna dance, precious?" Uo asked, beginning to walk away without even waiting for Yuki's response.
Emi nodded with a smile while Yuki stood back there, partly gaping with his hand extended out to stop them in vain, but Uo didn't even look back. Yuki raked his fingers through his hair in dejection, having been abandoned by his daughter before turning to Tohru, who stood at his side with an equally confound expression. He tossed her an apologetic smile, acknowledging what Uo had said as true, at least partially. He should have been devoting himself to Tohru completely. Lifting her gloved hand to his face, he kissed it gently, keeping his lips pressed against the silky material for a moment before gazing at her.
"Do I get the first dance?" he inquired.
Tohru looked down shyly but nodded as he lowered their hands. He led her towards the middle of the room, coming to a stop before her and taking both her hands in his. He drew her against his chest, and Tohru contently leaned her head against his shoulder, letting him lead her to the slow dance. She beamed joyfully, perfectly at ease, until she remembered the photographers that surrounded them, and then she quickly grew subconscious of her stumbling and awkward dancing. She knew she had already tripped over his and her own feet several times already, but Yuki kept her upright and seemingly graceful, and for that, he received frequent pecks on the check.
It wasn't long, about their third dance, before Emi broke out of Uo's hold and darted back over to Tohru and Yuki, grasping onto Yuki's pants and Tohru's skirt ecstatically.
"Daaaaaaanzing!" she chimed, proudly showing off her new word.
"Right, Emi. You know, we never finished our dance, did we?" Yuki asked her.
Emi shook her head fervently and extended her arms up at him. Yuki chuckled, releasing his hold on Tohru when he noticed her grandfather walking up towards them. After he picked Emi up, Yuki gestured to Tohru that her grandfather was behind her. Tohru nearly jumped out of shock, but she quickly recomposed herself in fear that her stumble would have been caught on film. Her grandfather helped her steady herself with a warm expression.
"Tohru-chan, I hope you don't mind me taking Katsuya's part and dancing with you instead," her grandfather smiled.
"Of course not! I would love to dance with you, grandpa!" Tohru exclaimed.
As her grandpa took her hands and began the dance slowly, Tohru could see Emi whirl about in Yuki's arms with a huge smile overtaking her face. Yuki swung Emi around on the dance floor, grinning as she laughed. Emi's shrill giggles filled the room as her feet dangled off the floor. Tohru watched over the shoulder of her grandfather, somewhat jealous that Emi had already danced longer with Yuki than Tohru had and after snatching him from her own arms too. She couldn't envy her daughter for long, however, not with Emi's lips curved up in a smile that made her heart swell with joy.
Besides, Yuki was soon returned to Tohru as Akira claimed Emi's next dance. Tohru let out a deep breath, relieved that the photographers were distracted for a moment, snapping pictures of the two toddlers mimicking the dancing grownups around them and falling all over the place. Tohru pressed her head against Yuki's chest, happily watching her daughter.
"Perfect. Everything's perfect… Thank you, Yuki-kun… I love you," she breathed dreamily.
"I love you too."
After hours of dancing and chatting, the two tired newlyweds were standing at the door, bidding farewell to all their guests as they all sauntered out the exit with warm wishes to the couple. Once everyone had gone, Tohru glanced back at the chair where Emi was curled up, sleeping under her father's jacket. Tohru scooped up the child and let Yuki lead them both to the limousine they had rented to take them home. Inside, after strapping Emi into the baby seat, they both waved farewell to the crowd of their friends and family. The car started softly, driving off with strings of empty cans and bells trailing behind it and streamers of flowers fluttering in the wind. Yuki's hand inched towards Tohru's before clasping her hand in his and squeezing it comfortingly. Tohru glanced at him with a warm smile, and he pecked her head before they both turned away, averting their bashful eyes the rest of the ride.
---
"Looks like our little wedding crasher is done for the night," Yuki chuckled, "She looks so innocent, doesn't she?"
Emi lay in her crib, curled up under her fleece, pink blanket, still in her flower girl dress with her pajamas lying on top of her pillow, her favorite stuffed mouse under her arm, and her thumb in her mouth. Yuki and Tohru were leaning against the crib, both watching the child's chest rise and fall slowly as she slept soundly. Emi hadn't even fluttered an eye open since she had fallen asleep at the party, much to Tohru's distress. With tears threatening to spill over the short dams of her eyes, Tohru fought back her guilty sobs only to keep from disturbing Emi's peaceful slumber.
"She must have worn herself out at the party. She couldn't even wake up to put on her pajamas. Poor Emi-chan!" Tohru cried worriedly, "It's all my fault, Yuki-kun! I shouldn't have insisted that she stay the whole time!"
"Tohru, relax. She had fun."
Tohru didn't seem the least bit consoled. Sniffling, she stroked Emi's knotted locks. Emi stirred, fidgeting around before flipping over and resuming her soft snoring peacefully. She clutched her mouse plush closely, mumbling mama in her sleep. Yuki doubted that relieved Tohru's excessive fears, but Emi sure knew how to distract her mother, regardless of her state of consciousness. Yuki could have sworn the very corners of Tohru's mouth had twitched upwards, but it vanished before he could be positive. Her body did seem to be hunched over the crib less tensely though.
"See? She's fine," Yuki assured her.
"I-I guess," Tohru agreed as a content smile crossed Emi's face.
The creases across Tohru's forehead slowly faded away as she watched Emi smile in her slumber. Wearily, she stroked Emi's arm one last time before slowly taking a step back and finally retreating from the room. Yuki followed, flicking off the lights and shutting the door gently behind him.
---
After two weeks of marriage, Tohru hadn't noticed any big changes in her life. Yuki still couldn't get up before noon when he didn't have classes to go to, Emi still got up before six in the morning, and well she was still the happiest woman in the world. Today was just like any other day. It was nine-o-clock, Yuki was still slumbering soundly and Emi was sitting in her high chair, banging her fork against her plate, demanding the food Tohru was now cooking. Emi froze, however, when she heard the doorbell ring. Leaning back in her chair, she stared at the door with curious eyes and began to flail her arms when she noticed a person beyond the window.
"Ding doooong!" Emi cried to Tohru.
"Emi-chan, don't lean back! You'll fall!" Tohru warned fretfully.
Tohru lifted Emi out of her chair and carried her to the front of the house. As soon as they were close enough to the door, Emi grasped the door knob, trying in vain to open it. Tohru shook her head with a faint smile, setting Emi on her feet to pull open the door herself, but as soon as Emi's bare feet touched the rug, she plopped herself on the floor and tried to squeeze through the mail slot in the door. With a gasp, Tohru tugged the child out and immediately hugged Emi, relieved her arms had slid out easily. When they finally opened the door, a stack of boxes on the poor greeted them. A delivery man, meanwhile, squeezed past them over to Tohru, holding out a clipboard to her. Tohru took it quizzically.
"Are you Mrs. Sohma?" he asked, out of breath.
"Y-Yes!" Tohru squeaked, slightly embarrassed at the sound of her newly acquired last name.
"I'll need you to sign these forms then. These are your wedding pictures. As you requested, we have two of every copy, the film, the video, and a digital copy of all your pictures," the man explained.
Tohru's eyes widened, "All of those?!"
"Yes. Unless you believe there's a mistake?" he inquired.
"No, no! I'm sure these are ours," Tohru responded.
Humiliated, Tohru could only stare at the three boxes of pictures. More copying her mother than actually reacting, Emi, too, gazed at the stack with her eyebrows raised and her jaw dropped, but unlike Tohru, Emi soon burst into a fit of giggles. Emi quickly quieted down when she realized no one else was making a sound. Pursing her lips in confusion, Emi peered up at her mother's serious expression, puzzled, as she fidgeted awkwardly and played with the straps of her overalls. The child began to pull on her mother's fingers to get her attention, but all Tohru could do was stare at the boxes.
"Mama?" Emi called, tugging on Tohru's skirt.
"Yes, sweetie?" Tohru asked.
"Mine?" she asked, extending one chubby finger at the boxes.
"No, honey, but mama will show you what's inside after breakfast, okay?"
"Mama! Num num!" Emi cried, remembering food at the sound of breakfast.
"Yes, Emi-chan. Mama hasn't forgotten," Tohru assured the child.
"Your daughter is adorable," the deliveryman commented with a smile
When he reached forward to pat Emi on the head, however, Emi ducked behind Tohru and immediately hid as best she could under Tohru's knee length skirt, though it only covered a couple of inches of her head. To Tohru's humiliation, Emi tried to pull down her skirt to cover more of herself, unsuccessfully to Tohru's relief. Giving up, Emi wrapped her arms around Tohru's leg and whimpered, making the delivery man withdraw with a guilty expression. Emi peeked up at him for a second before ducking back behind her hiding place and holding her mother tighter.
"Thank you," Tohru smiled at him before tugging Emi out, "Emi, what did mommy say about hiding when people talk to you?"
Emi peered at her for a moment before running back inside the house, calling, "Dada!"
Tohru watched with a sigh as Emi stumbled towards the stairs and began crawling the rest of the way up the steps after she fell to where Yuki was sleeping, crying for him all the while. Tohru grimaced when she heard a crash, wincing at the thud that followed. Hearing Emi continue to call for Yuki, Tohru assumed Emi had awoken Yuki, and Yuki had just run into a wall. She shook her head and bowed apologetically to the delivery man before signing the form attached to the clipboard and returning it to him.
"Thank you," he responded before sauntering away uncomfortably.
Tohru glanced at the heavy boxes before turning back inside the house, smiling when she saw Emi dragging an only semiconscious Yuki to the doorway. Leaning back on the edges of her heels, Emi was yanking on his arm, using every ounce of her body to move him along. Yuki was still rubbing his droopy eyes, only half awake and only partially aware of where he was at the moment. After a minute, Emi gave up, let go of his hand, and dropped onto her bottom. She stood up and hurried back over to Tohru when she noticed the deliveryman was gone. Yuki's eyes followed Emi to Tohru, whom he stared at for a moment, before they settled on the boxes behind her and widened.
"The pictures?" he mumbled.
Tohru nodded and gestured to the boxes with a half smile.
"Do you want me to get those?" he offered.
"Yes, please. They are your pictures," she smiled.
"My pictures? Of my wedding with my beautiful wife?" he asked.
"Your wife didn't want you to get three boxes full of pictures. She wanted one nice photo album! Not fifty!" Tohru exclaimed, exasperated.
Tohru folded her arms across her chest and tried to narrow her eyes at him and frown, but she couldn't, not with Emi copying her actions and dramatically folding her arms and pouting at Yuki. Yuki peered hesitantly at Tohru, gauging how upset she was before cupping her cheek and pressing his lips to her forehead, replacing all wrinkles of frustration with a tint of pink. He playfully tugged on one of her long tresses before bending over towards Emi. Patting her head gently, he gestured to the boxes.
"Are you going to help daddy bring the boxes in?"
Emi's head bobbed up and down as she eagerly hopped outside and wrapped her arms around the bottom box, her face scrunching together as she tried to tug it out in vain. Yuki laughed as he bent over to help her carry the pile inside, letting Emi walk under it with her arms lifted up, so she believed she had finally managed to lift the boxes. Tohru shook her head as she slid Emi out from under the heavy pile to avoid a possible accident. Beaming proudly, Emi climbed into Tohru's arms and hugged her. Tohru crushed Emi against her chest and tugged Yuki down to join them.
Looking at her husband and daughter with a serene smile, Tohru asked, "Could there be anyone in the world that's happier than me?"
"Yep," Yuki answered nonchalantly.
"What? Who?!" Tohru cried, nearly outraged.
"Me," he answered.
"Emi!" Emi piped in, mistaking Yuki's response for her name.
"I love my family!" Tohru exclaimed in delight.
Tohru laughed and squeezed her small family into a tight embrace, holding them both closely and planting kisses on both of their heads. Squished between the torsos of her parents, Emi squealed and tried to squirm out, pushing and prodding at her parents until she interrupted the kiss they had just initiated and made them separate enough so she could poke her head out. Peering at her beaming parents, Emi could only giggle as she stood, climbed up onto Yuki's legs and planted wet smooches on both her parents' cheeks, bursting into hysterics when they both scooped her up and walked hand in hand back to the forgotten meal in the kitchen.
The wedding c: For Twilight Cherry. Happy Half Birthday?? D: Sorry. I procrastinated BIG time. c: I hope you enjoyed. Review and correct my mistakes please.