((ARGH, I had this whole chapter written and then my internet went down because of a horrific storm while I was uploading it and it vanished from my computer. So I rewrote it. This has not been betaed. I'm looking for a proofreader so if you want to help I'd be beyond grateful. As always I don't own this and I am deeply humbled that anyone besides myself seems to be enjoying my story. I haven't written in several years and getting back into it has been enjoyable but slightly intimidating. Thank you for all the love and reviews. I am deeply appreciative for it all. ALSO I'm toying with the idea or writing the ceremony through Monk and Ayako's eyes. If you want that please contact saying as much or PM me and let me know. If no one wants to see it I'll just focus on other stuff. FIXING THIS AND 13-NEVER WRITE WHEN YOU'RE SICK ON NYQUIL))
The morning of the wedding passed with a flurry of activity. There was curling irons, make up brushes and camera's going off in every direction. Despite the anxiety of Naru's promise Ayako had dismissed her fears and assured Mai that if Naru did show up at the wedding that it would be dealt with and would not be a problem. When Ayako hugged her she let the fear she had been carrying since she'd heard her door close that morning go and immersed herself in the happiness of her friend's day.
Now they were at the hotel suite doing the final preparations for the wedding that was less than an hour away. She allowed herself a moment to look at her own reflection as was not displeased at what she saw. The silk of her bride's maid's dress hugged her body and showed the feminine lines that she had developed over the last few years. Mai allowed herself to enjoy the luxury of the cool silk on her skin. When Ayako had first chosen the asymmetrical one shouldered dress Mai had felt herself very daring in it.
The dress was so sheer that Mai had to go without a bra. She smiled as she remembered Ayako and Masako showing her the sticky cups she'd be wearing instead. She blushed just thinking about it. As Ayako was zipped up into her dress and turned to race the women Mai gasped at her friend's beauty.
"Oh, Ayako you look so beautiful. Monk's not gonna know what to say! You are the most beautiful bride ever" It was then Ayako's turn to blush.
"You think he'll like it?"
"I know he will," Mai said with the utmost sincerity and then all the women in the room broke down into giggles. She grasped her friend's hand and smiled. After a moment they released each other and Ayako stood up and turned to the assembled women. They all admired the bride and waited to be called for the ceremony. Mai looked at her friends and realized that she was really enjoying herself. Smiling she sat down and let herself think once again what it would be like if it were her wedding day. Of course there was only one man she could envision waiting for her at the front of the aisle.
A knock at the door and wedding planner's voice broke the day dream.
"Time to go ladies. Lets get you married Miss Matsuzaki!" With a clap of his hands the women lined up and followed. As they walked towards Ayako's future Mai wondered if Naru would be at the ceremony. "Show time ladies! Line up and Miss Taniyama, try not to stumble today."
Oliver sat next to Lin and tried to take in the entire ceremony. Truthfully he'd rather not be here but planning for the case he had to leave on in the morning. He was trying to think of a way to bring Mai along. He finally had found her and was loathe to be away from her. Perhaps if he told her that children were in danger he could get her to come watch the base. That way she'd be with him but out of danger. Would she be able to stay out of danger? Unlikely but at least he could manage it. As he tried to think of how to put the subject to her later he heard the first trains of Pachelbel's Cannon in D minor and was surprised that Ayako and Takigawa had chosen such a western song for their processional.
He looked with the rest of the assembled guests to see the Monk at the front of the room by Father Brown. The men who stood with him; including Yasuhara all trained their eyes on the grand entrance way at the front of the room. Lin and he both turned to see several young women dressed in the softest blue making their way down the aisle towards the men. When Mai crossed the threshold into the room his lips parted in wonder. This was the most beautiful he'd ever seen her. As the piano and violins played gently he could not take his eyes off of her. Even as the room rose to pay tribute to Ayako in her lovely white gown he only had eyes for Mai as she made her way to her spot in the front. She looked out across the guests and Oliver hoped she was looking for him.
When her gaze landed on him he held it and felt his lips lift in a small smile that was only for her. He saw her eyes widen a fraction when she saw it. It wasn't a smile he showed often. She blushed but didn't look away. When Ayako reached her side Mai was forced to break the connection and focus on her friends next to her. It was ok, Oliver knew where her mind was.
As Father Brown began to recite the vows that would bind the Monk and Miko the irony was not lost on him. The shrine maiden was marrying a monk from Mt. Koya in a christian ceremony. He knew that both Martin and Luella would find this very amusing. A glance at Lin assured him that the onmyijoui found the situation funny as well. His eyes kept wondering of Mai's form as she held the bride's flowers and he wondered how the silk she wore would feel under his fingers. He curled his fingers into a fist in an attempt to stop them from reaching out towards her.
As the happy couple leaned in to seal their union with a kiss Mai's eyes sought his and he tried to promise her with his own that he'd be kissing her lips very soon. He rose when Takigawa and Ayako Houshou made their way hand in hand down the red carpet and clapped with the crowd even though his attention was not on the newlyweds but the young woman who'd slept in his arms last night.
Oliver looked to Lin was entirely to smug for his tastes and glared. "What is it Lin?"
"I was just wondering when we'd be back here for you and Miss Taniyama." Lin said as he left to follow the newly married couple into the reception hall. Oliver felt his blood rise but when he considered the thought of marrying Mai he would be bereft to deny that is was something he desired very much. He only hoped that her assault had not left her in fear or all men's touch; or if that was the case if she would ever want his..
Pushing the thought away for the time being he found himself swept up in the tide of people as they flowed towards the reception room. His stomach churned when he saw Mai's hand on Kyo's arm and the thought that Takigawa's brother was only her escort for a little while more was cold comfort. Oliver Davis realized two things when he stared at Mai's fingers on another man's arm. The first being that he was unreasonable jealous when it came to Mai being around other men. The second was the he couldn't find it in him to care that he was being unreasonable.
Just what was Mai doing to him? He really couldn't wait to find out.
As her friends had said their vows and pledged their love to each other Mai wondered what that was like. To know that someone else loved you so much they promised their love and fidelity to you for life, it was her most secret wish. She'd smiled because she was happy but she also was wondering if Naru could ever want her given what had happened and if he'd ever want her enough to make the same pledges as Monk and Ayako. She caught Yasu looking at her and wiggled his eye brows at her. She had to smile at that. Before she knew it Ayako was being kissed and people were cheering.
The wedding party was outside of in the garden, posing among the cherry blossoms, roses and lilies for photographs that would immortalize the day. She thought about how handsome he'd looked in his simple tuxedo and she'd been shocked at how good it had looked on him. The last three years had been kind to Oliver Davis. The last traces of childhood had slipped from his face to be replaced by a masculine face that was classically beautiful. Mai knew more than one women who'd kill for cheek bones and eye lashes like his. It was odd to think of a full grown man as beautiful but he was. He'd always been a dream given breathe but now he was a fantasy that could walk. Mai hated that this would be the last evening she'd get to spend with him. She knew that once the party broke up tonight she had to focus on finding the little girl with dark, ringlet curls and stop whatever was haunting her.
When the photographer announced that he was done for the time being the bridal party drifted towards the ballroom to join Takigawa and Ayako's guests and celebrate. Mai's eyes searched the room for Naru and when they found their quarry he looked up at her making eye contact and without making conscious choice they both began to thread their way through the room to each other. Her heart fluttered when they were but a few feet apart and she reached out a delicate hand towards him only to be cut off..
When Oliver was close enough to smell the notes of Mai's perfume a young woman inserted herself between them. He growled low in frustration and the young woman; who hadn't heard, smiled at him in a way that set his teeth on edge. Where Mai had a sweet smile that was everything good in the world this smile promised sex and games. Oliver wasn't interested in sex with her and he abhorred games of any type. The dress she wore was too short, too tight and too loud for his tastes and he smirked when she attempted to bat her eyes at him in what he assumed was supposed to be an invitation. She was tall and thin. She had very long legs and very red lips. Her blond hair was styled and perfume obnoxiously strong. The women was everything Mai wasn't and none of what she was good.
"Dr. Oliver Davis. Oh My.." the not Mai woman purred as she attempted to entangle her arm with his. He gave her a cool look and she stopped but didn't back away as he'd hoped she would. "I saw your lecture in Westminster last fall. It was incredible. You were so fascinating," the woman said as she attempted to brush her breasts against his arm. He rolled his eyes and barely spared the woman a glance. She grabbed for his hand in an attempt to force his attention onto her and he spared her a withering look.
"If you'll excuse me," he said allowing the contempt he was feeling to ice over his voice and eyes, "my date and I were just going to dance." With that he brushed by her as if she didn't exist and turning towards a blushing Mai. He could see that she'd been jealous and felt a small thrill that he could affect her as she affected him. Without bothering to look at the interloper his arm slid securely around her waist and he steered her towards the dance floor. He allowed his fingers to linger on her exposed flesh, relishing how it felt under his skin.
As he guided her to the dance floor he was aware that more than a few pairs of eyes were on them but as far as he was concerned they could all look. He just didn't care. He was going to dance with Mai.
He remembered when he first had the urge to dance with her. It had been on a rainy afternoon in the original SPR office. There was a lull between cases and Mai was bored because the rain was keeping customer's away. In an effort to stave off boredom she had found some music on her computer and played it while swaying quietly by herself. His office door had been open and he couldn't look away as his pretty assistant had closed her eyes and danced quietly in her place. The smile she had on her face rivaled the sun. She had thrown back her head and laughed and the sound was more musical than the songs coming from her tiny speakers. Oliver had watched her and wanted nothing more than to sweep her into his arms and dance her across the floor. As he warred internally against the compulsion Takigawa had shown up out of the blue and the moment was lost.
Oliver had never forgotten how Mai had moved her hips and leaned into the music. Once they reached the door floor he offered his hand to her and drew her close to dance.
"Give me the honor of this dance?"