Chapter 3 - The future
Kathryn and Shannon both show up to the restaurant just after me. It's Kathryn's input I'm soliciting, but I'm happy to see her girlfriend. Mandy arrives a few minutes later, with the scowl she's been wearing since I told her I wanted to have a private conversation. She smiles at Kathryn and Shannon.
"I hope you're going to explain why you invited us behind Lauren's back," Mandy says, sourly. "Does she know where we are?"
"She thinks I'm working in my studio, taking care of what I need to do before our trip," I say. "I think you'll understand. Let's get comfortable first."
We order. This isn't an inexpensive place, which puts Mandy's back up further. Understandably so. After a little persuasion they all take me at my word to order whatever they like. I'm sure Kathryn and Shannon are used to doing just that. I endure Mandy's suspicious glares until the main course arrives, and our wine is refreshed.
"You know that Lauren's completely no-contact with her family, right?" I ask the group.
Mandy almost explodes. "You're not going to try to make her see them, are you? Do you know what they put her through?"
"I do, Mandy, don't worry. Lauren's family is hers to deal with. I grieve for her that she has no blood relatives she can count on."
I try to give Mandy an understanding smile. "Years ago, I thought I might have to distance myself from my parents. They're conservative - I should say traditional, really. My mum is less so, but she lets Dad take the lead, and he was in denial that his daughter could be gay, and that I wouldn't be marrying a salaryman and giving him sons to be proud of. They sacrificed to put me through school, and I felt guilty about cutting myself off from them, but I would have done it."
"What happened?" Mandy seems interested in spite of herself.
"Mum worked on him, I was polite and respectful, and I think Nicole cast the spell that allowed them to accept who I was. They fell in love with her. They came over for the wedding. They... they returned for her funeral. They've both told me how much they like Lauren, and how they're looking forward to meeting her. Dad's still stuffy, but I can tell he's happy for me, and Mum's over the moon. But the thing is, they're still very traditional."
"They still disapprove, after all that?" Mandy asks.
"No, they don't," I say. "But they won't approve of me asking Lauren to marry me without first asking her family's permission."
There was a crash as Mandy's fork landed on her plate. She grabbed it and glanced around. "You're going to propose?"
I nod. "Yes. In Japan. And I can't ask her parents for their blessing, which will disappoint my father. He wouldn't stand in my way, I'm sure of that, now, but I think I can show him I have done my best to meet his expectations by asking her best friends instead." I glance between Mandy and Kathryn. "You two are the closest people Lauren has to family. I would like to ask for your permission to marry your sister."
"Well, shit," says Mandy. "Will you evict me if I say no?"
"I'm bribing you with an expensive dinner to say yes," I say, primly. "Do you think I'd stop at a little extortion to get the right answer?" Then I grin. "Of course not. You love Lauren. You want the best for her." I held up my hand before either of them could respond. "Please take it seriously, though. You may think we're perfect together, but that it's still too soon. I'll respect your answer either way."
"Anyone who'll extort a friend for love has my vote," says Mandy. "Obviously."
"It's Lauren's choice," says Kathryn. "I'd like to get to know you better, but I've seen how you are with Lauren, so for her sake it's an easy choice, and I'm not obligating her to say yes, so, like our fairy friend says, obviously. Besides," she adds, "I'm older and wiser than all of you, and I think you make a good couple."
"I question the 'wiser,' babe," says her partner.
"Will you forgive me for recruiting you without Lauren's knowledge?" I ask Mandy.
She sighs theatrically. "Only if I can see the ring."
"Mmm, that's a problem," I say. "I'm having it made for her by a craftswoman in Tokyo that my father selected. I've worked with her on the design, and I've given her Lauren's ring size, but I haven't seen it. I can show you the design," I say, taking out my phone.
"So your dad is fully aware you'll be proposing?" Shannon asks.
"He's aware, he's involved by his own choice, and he'll still expect me to meet my obligations," I say, as I scroll through my phone. "He agreed to work with someone who will use an ethically sourced emerald with Japanese gold. I want him to feel more a part of the process than he did with Nicole, which was very rushed. And honestly, the way he's become supportive, I want to grant his wishes. He plans to present each of us with a kimono, and I will propose when we are both wearing them."
"Oh, my God," says Mandy. "I think I'm going to cry."
Of course there are no signs of tears on her face. I grin, then show her the ring design. She makes appreciative sounds, then passes the phone on to the others as I dig around in my purse to extract a baggie. "And I made this box to offer it to her."
I take a small, wooden, lined box out of the baggie. It has a lightly carved outline of two faces, oriented toward each other, one Lauren's, the other mine. The design began life as a random doodle that I thought could become more.
"I hope that all of the planning doesn't put too much pressure on her to say yes," I say. "I dislike public proposals for that. It's better to agree beforehand than be pressured into avoiding embarrassment. But I have to offset that with the romance of the gesture. I think she will appreciate it."
Kathryn and Mandy nod agreement.
"I plan to ask her outside my parents' house, so that it will be outdoors, but not public. Depending on the weather we may have to do it indoors. I hope not. Dad has found a ninja photographer, and it might be hard to explain a black-clad figure hanging from the drapes. We'll be tying in Nicole's parents by Google Meet."
"Wait, what about us?" asks Mandy, frowning at me sharply. "If we're family, and everyone else is there, we should be, too!"
"Oh, God," I say, feeling my eyes widen, "you're right! Yes, you should all be present. Could you maybe gather at the house? We can do a three-way meet."
"When would this be?" Shannon asks.
"I'm thinking Christmas Eve, our time," I say, "mid-morning, which would be the evening of the twenty-third for you."
"Neither of us has a Christmas convention, right, honey?" Kathryn asks her girlfriend, who shakes her head.
"I'll be with friends on Christmas Eve, but not the day before," says Mandy. "Yeah, I'll be there. The three of us can break into your liquor cabinet and have ourselves a fine time."
"I'll be sure to have Lauren hide our porn stash before we leave," I say.
The last few days have flown by. We took a breather after the show, but since then it has been constant last-minute prep for our trip. Lauren for her job, me for wrapping up my commitments before mid-January.
I emailed my dad to let him know how I asked permission of Lauren's chosen family, and he seemed both heartbroken to know about Lauren's issues with her bio-family, and inordinately pleased that I found a way around them. But then, he's come to accept that my in-laws are part of my chosen family. He's become a very progressive traditionalist.
I didn't attempt to correct Courtney's errors. Her review posted as expected, with errors, no mention of a "lesbian agenda," and my photos being tolerable if not exciting. Anyone who visits the gallery can see Lauren's name on the sketchbook and read "Timezones" on the plaque on the sculpture. All I really care about is that my first review isn't a career-ending disaster. With that behind me, future critic snubs will have less impact.
If I'd thought of Lauren as a bit of a mother hen last year when I was travelling, she's many times more this year, having checked multiple times that her travel documents are on her phone, that she knows where her passport is, that she has all of her ID prepared, credit cards, cash, that her wallet is in her purse, that her phone service will be valid in Japan, and anything else she can think of to relieve her stress by preparation. This will be her first international trip, and I understand that it's overwhelming. She'll calm down once we're airborne, which will be in less than twenty-four hours. She isn't panicking, just overpreparing.
She gives me a rueful look when I see her opening the phone to review her checklist again. She knows everything on the list is ready, but she keeps trying to convince herself she hasn't left anything off the list itself. She has her toiletries packed, and a minimum of clothing, though she does have a dress to change into to meet my parents. I've encouraged her to explore the styles in Tokyo and buy what she needs rather than take clothing from here, because then she'll return with new and interesting wardrobe items.
Of course she'll be returning with the kimono that my father will be giving to her. While I haven't seen what he's planned for us, I think it's fair to expect that they will be winter formal and quite heavy. We might buy an extra suitcase or two to return with as checked baggage. She knows none of this, though.
She finally closes the app, and, in a remarkable act of acceptance, turns off her phone. She can check for messages in the morning, but she's finally persuaded herself that she's ready.
Taking her hand, I lead her to the bedroom, turning off all lights on the way. "You know," I say, "we're not going to have much opportunity for intimacy for the next three weeks."
She turns to me, slipping her fingers under my tee. "I can survive, because I know we'll have all the time we need when we return. Separate rooms don't upset me."
My parents keep a room for me, though Mum usually uses it for her hobbies, and there's a guest room. I told Mum we weren't expecting them to let us sleep in the same room. She seemed relieved by that.
"It does mean we should take advantage of the time we have before we leave," Lauren adds, slowly lifting the hem of my shirt as her hands travel higher.
"You read my mind," I say, as I raise my arms for her to take off my tee shirt. Again, I find myself a little bemused by her wonder at my wiry build and small tits, but I feel fortunate that she likes me as I am. And my breasts being small doesn't stop them becoming achingly sensitive to her touch, as she rests her fingers against them, her thumbs pressing into my nipples when she leans forward to kiss me.
Moaning softly at the rush of desire, I return the kiss, closing my eyes while I slide my hands under her shirt, moving them straight to her bra catch. We haven't even come up for air when I cup her rounded breasts under her loosened bra, her nipples pebbling beneath my circling thumbs.
Lauren moves her lips from mine, drawing them over my cheek, kissing the line of my jaw, before whispering, "I want you."
"You can have me," I reply. Her breath catches. Usually, I say, "I want you, too," but I want her to know that I'm hers. Completely hers. She turns, grabbing my hand as it falls away from her breast, then marches me to the bedroom, tugging off my shorts and knickers before pushing me back against the bed. She only permits me to rest my backside on the edge of the mattress, not to lie back, then she drops to her knees and runs her tongue over hair trimmed earlier today.
I'm not ready. I feel like we've barely even kissed. Yet already I can tell that the way her tongue glides over me isn't only due to its natural wetness. I feel a faint heartbeat in my labia. Maybe I'm more turned on than I'd thought. And when Lauren hooks my ankles over her shoulders I barely manage to hold a moan inside.
The pulsing is speeding up and becoming more noticeable. Lauren's holding my thighs higher, allowing her to press her face close against my sex, my ankles still high on her back. She parts my folds with her fingers, pressing her tongue further inside, and the moan I'd held back slips out as she pushes her tongue into my vagina, sliding it around.
She leans back, smiling at me with lust as she slides a single finger into me. She twists her hand, her finger describing an arc inside me, then settling on my G-spot, pressing on it and moving against it. Her other hand rises to pinch my nipple, and her lips close gently around my clit as her tongue rubs against it.
Far from not being ready, I need more of her. I'm propped upright with my hands on the bed, and I tilt my hips to give her fuller access. Her finger continues to stroke my G-spot with firm pressure, and I start to pant. This feeling is incredible.
Groaning with need, I support myself on only my left hand, sliding my right down my body until I can lift my hood a little, Lauren's tongue able to lap more fully.
It's too much. I feel myself on the edge for seconds, my passage tightening around Lauren's finger, until I suddenly need to grasp the bed with both hands as my body explodes in spasms of delight. I feel how tightly I contract around Lauren's single finger, ripples of joy continuing to flood into me as her fingers and lips don't let up.
I feel her trying to drive me into another climax, but I want her to share my pleasure. I grab her arms, forcing her to release me, then free her of her top and bra, before dragging her down onto me, tasting myself on her lips and tongue as I kiss her fiercely.
Her hands are occupied with stripping off her pants and underwear, her body shifting against mine until she's naked, her sex jammed against my thigh as she thrusts against me. Her breasts smother mine as we writhe together. I lift my thigh to increase the pressure against her clit, feeling her skin slick against mine. She seems frantic to have more of me, and I feel my need of her fuel the upwelling of emotion within me. I'm still trying to suppress that need when she breaks the kiss to cry aloud, her thighs tensing around mine.
Thrilled by the change in my lover's body, I abandon restraint and come with her. Her mouth merges again with mine, and I feel the excitement deep within her, mirroring my own.
Hours later, we've explored each other as fully as we ever have, but she's again stretched out on my body, sighing in bliss. I caress her back with both hands, occasionally letting my fingers drift over her breasts or her bum. She's soft everywhere, though with strength beneath the silkiness.
"Are you still nervous?" I ask, my voice soft.
"I'm not nervous," she says. "I just want to be ready. I need to have all of the tees crossed and eyes dotted."
I barely have the energy to chuckle, but I do. "I'm sure that your thoroughness serves you well at your job, but we're going to be fine," I say. "Nothing is allowed to go wrong on our trip." Including the answer you're going to give me. I'm certain of that. Well, nearly certain. That can't go wrong. That answer will define the rest of my life. I stroke my fingers down her bum to her upper thighs.
"I'm not worried," she says. "I trust you."
She nuzzles my neck as I run my fingers over the firm muscles at the top of her left thigh. She's still damp at the center, and I moisten my fingers with her wetness, then slide them over the back of her thighs again. I feel rather than hear the contentment in her chest. I imagine I can feel her lips smiling against my neck. I shift her body a little higher, so that I don't have to stretch so far to feel the damp skin, then I draw her left leg outward so that her knee slips down to the bed, and start drawing circles on her pussy, running a fingertip up one side of her slit, then down the other. I love the way her body feels to my touch. As exhausted as I am, feeling the delicious softness and excited firmness of her body against mine, I just can't resist touching her.
Lauren snuggles even closer, her lips brushing my neck. Her labia feel slippery under my fingertips. As I continue lightly brushing her sex with my fingertips, I feel her hips moving slowly, pressing the uppermost part of her sex into my thigh. She makes a soft sound, her lips parting against my neck. I slide my fingers inside her entrance, feeling her warmth. Her teeth graze the base of my neck, and she tilts her hips again, bearing down on my fingers.
Her breathing becomes deeper, and her sex rocks against my leg. She's pushing into my fingers, her breasts compacting mine. I return the pressure of her body against my fingers, letting them slide into her. I feel her breath against my neck, her lips and tongue dancing over my skin. If she leaves a hickey I'm going to have to hide it from my parents, but I'm not going to deny her whatever she wants.
Her whole body is rocking now, driving herself down onto my hand. My thigh is damp beneath her now, my fingers moving easily inside her. She's starting to moan. Her mouth is open, wide kisses engulfing my jaw and my neck, teeth closing on my earlobe. The motion of her hips is jerky and fast as she uses my stationary finger and my thigh against her clit to grind herself to orgasm.
Lauren cries out, then buries her face into my neck as her body shakes above me. With each wave, her breasts quiver against mine. She snuffles as her breathing slows. I love the feel of her body against mine even as she slumps down onto me, the final traces of energy leaching away.
"God, Mika," she whispers, when I'm all but certain she's fallen asleep on me. "I love you so much."
"I love you, too," I whisper back. "I always will."
As far as I can tell, Lauren still has no inkling of my plans for today. Our plans, because my parents, my in-laws, and Lauren's best friends are all prepared. She may still be feeling surprised about the gift Dad presented to each of us. Her furisode kimono was a pale rose with a traditional plum blossom design, symbolizing resilience, while mine was bright red, with a phoenix pattern, the symbol of rebirth and renewal.
Lauren did not return Dad's bow, but her joy at seeing the gift seemed to please him anyway. I returned his bow with appropriate respect. Then Mum led Lauren away to show her how to dress. It would be highly inappropriate for me to do that, of course. I'm dressing myself, though Mum ties my obi and binds my hair, as she's done for Lauren.
My girlfriend's face lights up when she sees me. More than usual, I mean. And I'm probably looking as awestruck as she is. She looks incredible.
"There's some people want to see you both, pet," Mum says to Lauren. Her accent, when she speaks English, is still Geordie-inflected. "Friends o' yours, an' Nicole's mum an' dad."
Lauren looks shocked. "What? How? Where are they?"
"The other end of a video call, love," I say. "We thought they'd like to see us in our new clothes."
"You had this planned?" Lauren tries to sound offended, but she's clearly thrilled.
"Of course we did," I say. "We knew everyone would like to share the experience. They're waiting outside."
Mum opens the back door, and we file out.
My parents' house is a little larger than mine, but narrow with two stories. It has a small garden, but Mum keeps it planted, and even though the bushes are dormant, it's attractive. The property next door is a few feet lower, so the garden is enclosed by a fence of shaped wooden poles. My tablet is anchored with rubber bands to two of the poles. It displays a split screen, with Mandy, Kathryn and Shannon in the left pane, and Morgan and Rick in the right.
We exchange greetings, while my father stands rigidly to my right, and my mother to Lauren's left. They ask Lauren how our trip is going and she gives a very brief synopsis, "And then this," she finishes, sweeping a hand down her kimono.
Everyone agrees that the kimono suits her, and that we look good together. After the chatter has subsided, Mandy says, "Yes, you both look very good," in a "move it along" tone. Shannon nudges her and they bicker briefly, but she's right. If we waste more time, Lauren's going to get suspicious.
I look around for the photographer who's supposed to be capturing my proposal, but see no one. Since I trust Dad to ensure that the arrangements are reliable, I can only assume that the ninja is good at their job.
Taking Lauren's right arm, I gently turn her to face me, as I face her. Her expression is faintly puzzled, but I look at her as if deciding how she looks in the kimono, and she returns my smile. I begin to lower myself to the ground, but the kimono isn't designed to go down on one knee.
"Mum, help me out?" I ask. She hurries over and lets me take her arm to help me kneel. Lauren's eyes have gone wide. She starts to raise a hand to her face, but stops. Perhaps the way the flowing sleeves billow with the movement distracts her.
Dad hands me the little box. I open it before Lauren. I ask my question first in Japanese, then translate my words.
"Lauren Graham, will you be my wife?"
Her eyes fix on the green stone set into the ring. She reaches out a finger and lightly touches it. This is her third shock of the day, clearly dwarfing the other two, and for a moment she just stares at me.
Why has she not spoken? Surely I haven't misread her, have I? I know she loves me, is marrying not something she wants?
She tries to lower herself to my height, looking to my mother for help, holding her arm until she's on both knees, accidentally finding the correct way to kneel in kimono.
Lauren reaches out her hand, not for the ring, but to feel the cloth of my sleeves.
"Can we wear these at our wedding?" she asks.
My dad barks out a deep laugh, the old fraud, then says a few words. Lauren gives me a curious look.
"He says I found my match," I translate.
"You did, honey," she says, finally reaching to take the ring. She studies it for half a minute, then slips it onto her ring finger, before examining it again in place. Not only does it look amazing on her - the craftswoman really came through with the design - but the green of the leaves in her plum blossom pattern enhances the emerald, just as the rust in the petals makes her coppery bun pop. Clearly Mum had a hand in the clothing selection.
Both still kneeling, we hug each other tightly, then help each other to our feet. Dad looks as stoic as usual, while Mum is trying to hide her tears. I hug her, then, casting tradition to the winds, hug him, too. After a moment, he returns the hug, while I hear Mum finally lose her composure, crying into Lauren's shoulder.
After we step back from my parents, I present Lauren the ring box, using both hands. She takes it from me, studies it for a moment, then wraps her arms around me, still holding the box. After she releases me, I take her hand again to lead her up to the tablet, surprised to see that Mandy's eyes are red, and she's wiping her nose on a tissue.
I tap on the right pane, expanding it to full screen. "How are you doing, Morgan? Rick?" I ask, softly. Among everyone present, real or virtual, they are the only ones as close to Nicole as I was. I was engaged and then married to their daughter. Now I'm engaged again. They must be suffering conflicting emotions.
"We're happy for you, dear," Morgan says. Her hand is in her husband's. "You know we love you, don't you?"
"I do," I say. "You'll always be family. Truth is, you'll always be my only in-laws." Out of the corner of my eye, I catch Lauren nodding agreement.
"I - we - want you to have a place of honor at our wedding," Lauren interjects. She glances at me for confirmation, but with no uncertainty. Though we haven't spoken about this, or about anything at all wedding-related, she knows we're of the same mind here.
I direct my deep bow toward the tablet camera. "Will you bless us with your presence?" I ask.
"We would love that," Morgan says.
"I'm going to go now," I say. "Lauren needs to talk to her virtual family. We'll see you as soon as we can, to bring you to the show."
With a final farewell, I push the inset image to maximize it. Mandy's looking more composed. They talk with Lauren for a while, wishing her well, and asking to see the ring. Lauren holds her finger to the camera, then takes the ring off and shows just that.
"Did you know what was going to happen?" Lauren asks.
"Of course we did," Mandy says. "We know everything. Your fiancée showed us the ring."
"The designs for it," I say. "I didn't see the ring myself until a few days ago. I think it's perfect."
"I think it's perfect," Lauren says, admiring the ring, now back on her finger.
"Mika?" The voice is Shannon's. "I'm going to go back to see your piece at the gallery. I think I feel it a little more, now. You've both brought light to our little gathering."
There's a spluttering sound through the speaker, and Mandy's wiping her eyes again. "Oh, shaddup," she says, between sobs. "Shaddup. I'm not even crying for them."
"Then why are you crying?" Lauren asks.
"Because I just had a nasty thought," says Mandy. I recognize traces of her elfin grin as she wipes the tears away. "Where the hell are we going to find you a wedding photographer?"
The deceptively simple ending chords build to a place both expected and unusual as the final fraught note resolves into completion.