Three weeks later, Michiru was up early and full of energy. She went downstairs and made herself some toast with a low calorie, no fat butter. Thanks to current technology it tasted just like the real thing. She sat down at the kitchen table with some preserves and tea. Already shivering slightly, the violinist quickly coated her toast with the sweet confection and took her breakfast and magazines back upstairs. Happily ensconced in her nice warm bed, the artist turned on the table lamp and proceeded to pore over her many magazines on wedding and receptions. An arm snaked out from under the covers and wrapped around her waist. Haruka pulled herself closer, contentedly resting her head against Michiru's hip. One teal eye slowly opened, once she became aware of the suspicious munching. "Are you eating in bed?" The blonde raised her head to look incredulously at her fiancée. Michiru didn't answer. She only licked the butter off her thumb as she flipped a page with her other hand. Haruka rolled onto her back and admired her lover's delicate profile. Michiru turned to look at her and then lightly kissed Haruka just where the blonde's shoulder met her neck. She was rewarded with a soft intake of breath. "Now I have crumbs on my neck," the reclining woman teased sleepily. "Oops, gomen." Michiru giggled and leaned back down and licked the spot. Haruka shivered at the sensation. "It's cold downstairs," Michiru informed her mate as she returned her attention to her articles. The blonde sighed. "It's probably even colder outside." "Hai." "Are you going out today?" Haruka wanted to know as she rolled to the edge of the bed. "I think I'm going to be lazy and stay right here where it's warm." "I thought that since I am about to thwart your plans to plunder my precious body heat..." Haruka trailed off as she stretched. "...you might relocate." "Enjoy your run." Michiru smiled while Haruka scowled as she thought about the coming shock to her system. In a few minutes the blonde was dressed in her jogging suit. She went over to Michiru's side of the bed and gave her a quick kiss before stealing a bite of toast and heading out the door. An hour past and the sky had taken on a pearly, gray color. The wind whipped through the claw like branches of the naked trees. Michiru gave a sigh of contentment glad to be warm and safe from the icy bite of the elements. The front door slammed. "Tadaima!" came the energetic shout. Michiru was off the bed and in the bathroom in seconds turning on the hot water. Haruka bounded into the room her cheeks and nose rosy from the cold. "It's snowing!" she said excitedly going to the window. Michiru went to her side and sure enough small flakes were falling from the darkened sky. They stood for a moment like excited children watching their first snowfall in their new home as the gentle falling became a steady flurry. ---------- The blonde finally pulled away and turned toward the bathroom then stopped short when she heard the water running. "Were you going to take a shower?" Michiru smiled coyly, a teasing light in her eyes. "Maybe." "Oh." Teal eyes blinked as the blonde had been anticipating a warm shower to relieve her of her semi-frozen state and make her feel human again. "Baka, that's for you," Michiru scolded her lightly. "It should be hot by now." Haruka smiled and scratched her head. "Arrigatou." "I will admit I'm tempted to join you." "You probably should, I can't promise you how much hot water will be left. I can't feel my fingers." Haruka inspected her hands then quickly pressed one to the back of Michiru's neck. "Shima-tah!" Michiru gasped pulling way. "I thought you liked my hands." Haruka looked sad, however when her head came up her eyes were twinkling. "We need to get you some gloves." "I have gloves," the blonde reminded her. "Ano? And you didn't wear them?? It's freezing!" The incredulous aqua haired woman gave her now laughing fiancée a push toward the bathroom door. "Go take a shower." Haruka bumped her with her hip and Michiru giggled. After the blonde disappeared, Michiru stayed in their room alone for a moment in thought. Then she tossed her silky robe on the bed and followed that with her nightgown before going to join her lover in the shower. Forty-five minutes later Haruka was dressed in flannel pajama bottoms and a loose T-shirt and Michiru was similarly attired though her shirt was long sleeved. They were relaxed on the bed together reading. Haruka had a new novel and Michiru was still digging through wedding publications. The blonde worriedly eyed the growing pile of magazines with marked pages. Her suspicions soon proved correct when Michiru snuggled close and dragged a couple into Haruka's lap. "What do you think of a wedding on the beach?" she asked conversationally opening the pages to an article on the topic. Haruka picked up the handset of their phone and gave it to the violinist. "Nani?" "It's so you can call Setsuna." "I'm not marrying Setsuna." Michiru leaned across Haruka and replaced the receiver. "You can do whatever you want," Haruka declared gallantly. "I'm only concerned with the honeymoon." The blonde grinned and went back to her book. Michiru had been prepared for this and so she opened a book and thrust the page into her mate's face. "What do you think?" "You want to get married in a bikini??" Surprised, Haruka took the magazine and inspected the tiny garment. Michiru's voice was thoughtful. "Ah, no that's not my color. That's for you." Haruka sat bolt upright. "Ok..." she started slowly. "Now... I do reserve the right to choose my own attire." "No bikini?" the violinist said mournfully as she took back the magazine. "You would look so kakkoi in this bikini." "Hai, I would." Haruka stated with a flash of arrogance as she flopped back on her pillows. "In fact, I have one almost identical to it over there in the drawer. I'll even wear it for you, but I am not wearing it in front of a couple hundred people." "You think only a couple hundred will show up?" Michiru sounded surprised. The blonde paused. "How many are you inviting?" "A few," the artist mumbled. Haruka gave up on her book and set it aside. "Ok, Michiru, we need to talk." Blue eyes narrowed. "Aha! So you do care what I do with our wedding." The aqua haired woman pointed an accusing finger at her beloved. Well and truly caught, the blonde hung her head. "Hai." The violinist produced a long checklist from seemingly thin air. "Ok. You're in luck because Setsuna and I have already taken care of the flowers, but you and I need to go over the guest list and what we're serving after the tea ceremony." Haruka was on her back with her arm thrown over her eyes. "Entrapment," she groaned meekly. Michiru poked her in the ribs with her pencil. "Ok first topic of discussion..." The blonde gave a resigned sigh. "Is it too late to elope?" A hour and a half later they were taking a hot cocoa break, Haruka's little reward to herself for being so patient with the incessant wedding planning. She carefully arranged the mini marshmallows in Michiru's mug and handed the steaming cup to her lover. Michiru went to get a spoon and did a double take. Her marshmallow-eyed cocoa was smiling crookedly up at her. "You're so silly." she said affectionately, looping her arm around Haruka's toned waist and squeezing. Haruka smiled and went back to scooping a little extra mix into her mug. The blonde followed up with a handful of marshmallows. They had no sooner sat down at the kitchen table than the power went out. Instinctively, the two senshi tensed. "I don't sense anything." Michiru offered, rising from her chair. Now serious, Haruka flipped on the battery-operated radio. The announcer came on immediately, calming them both. "... -ust received notification that the eastern Crystal Tokyo suburbs have temporarily lost power due to the snow storm and the strain on the grids. We want to assure you that this will be remedied as soon as possible. Again this is WPLTA with your winter weekend news." They both let out relieved sighs, then ignored the matter, instantly shifting gears. "I can't finish this then." The violinist gestured to her pile of wedding papers sounding put out. "Yes, it's terrible!" Haruka sounded far more cheerful than seemed necessary and Michiru shot her a look. The blonde rose and went into the living room where the larger window would allow more light. Her lover went upstairs to get a blanket for them to share as the house grew cooler. They snuggled together and drank their cocoa. Eventually Haruka grew drowsy and lay down. Michiru curled up on top of her. They napped peacefully not even aware when the lights flickered and the power came back on. When Haruka had proposed, she hadn't considered all of the minutia involved in getting a wedding off the ground. Luckily, they didn't have to worry about the reception since the Queen insisted on arraigning that in the huge reception hall of the Palace usually appointed for diplomatic banquets. Although the blonde had much better plans for time spent alone with her love, she didn't find it too difficult to help finalize so many decisions with Michiru's impeccable taste narrowing most choices.She dutifully assisted Michiru in choosing two sets of invitations, one for the big ceremony and another for the smaller intimate gathering the night before. They met with several different caterers and finally decided on one who prepared beautiful and symbolic dishes. They were also quite delicious. At one point, Haruka commented that everything was going to be like Michiru, elegant and beautiful, earning herself a soft kiss. Winter faded to spring and Michiru was off having another dress fitting and Haruka was working off pre-wedding stress with Makoto. The blonde dribbled the ball. "I knew you'd break down and ask her eventually." "Not even she knew." Haruka shifted trying to get past her opponent. Makoto jumped blocking the blonde's shot. "Hm, everyone knows how you feel about her." Haruka feinted to the right but Makoto wasn't fooled and she lunged for the ball her fingers barely brushing it, it was enough to dislodge the ball. Haruka recovered and shot the ball between her legs before jumping to make the basket. Makoto took the ball dribbling lightly. They engaged mid court and Haruka effectively kept the other woman pinned. "I don't recall you anticipating your proposal," the blonde observed. As emerald eyes went a little misty, Haruka made a move to take the ball. However, Mako-chan returned to the present in time to surge away. They struggled against each other neither willing to give an inch. There was little sound besides the occasional squeak of sneakers and deeply taken breaths. The brunette rolled then, charging forward and the ball sailed through the hoop. "Not bad." The blonde huffed as she wiped the sweat from her brow. Makoto grinned. "I don't like to make it too easy for you." "I guess you get better by playing the best," Haruka observed with a cocky grin, shooting a lazy three-point basket. The brunette blew her bangs out of her eyes, resting her hands on her knees. "First one to score two baskets out of three wins. Loser buys lunch." Teal eyes narrowed fiercely. "You're on." Since the wedding party was so small they had opted to skip a rehearsal dinner. Instead they planned to have a formal tea ceremony. It was a ritual in which Haruka and Michiru both took great pleasure. They could think of no better way to celebrate with their friends. Setsuna was excited about being in charge of making the tea. Tea was her favorite drink and she had long ago perfected the elements of the ceremony. The guest list was small mainly consisting of the Royals and the Inner senshi along with their families. The ceremony itself would be followed by Michiru's version of a "light" dinner; so far there were three tables of food. Haruka deftly wrapped her navy silk kimono. She had already donned her hakama skirt and now her hands were on autopilot as they lay the garment lapels left over right. She much preferred the male version of the kimono, as it felt more comfortable to her. Somewhere nearby her future wife was being fitted in a gorgeous aqua article that the blonde had just been able to glimpse before Setsuna and Minako had stuffed it back in the box. Haruka checked her reflection making sure that she had everything in its correct place. A second set of hands lightly rearranged the silk at her collar. The blonde looked down into smiling blue eyes. "There," Michiru whispered with a smile as she smoothed away a small wrinkle. Haruka was awestruck. Michiru's hair was up in an elegant style and decorated with combs. She looked so beautiful in her kimono. She winked at Haruka. The blonde offered her arm to her fiancée and they went to meet their friends. The tea ceremony was wonderful and all that they had hoped. Sensing the mood of reverence and solemnity among the elders, the children paid respectful attention. There was only one near miss with an antique cup. Chibi-Usa flushed scarlet as she quickly recovered her poise. Hotaru got jabbed in the foot for laughing. Michiru knelt next to Haruka and darted looks at her collected partner out of the corner of her eye. Haruka's eyes were closed and she looked breath-takingly beautiful. She was marrying the person that she loved more than anything. She was finally getting married. Truly a dream that was now a sudden wonderful reality. After the last of the tea had been served, Rei blessed the couple of honor. When she finished her impassioned murmuring, all of the candles flared briefly. In the room where the tables were set up, tulle was draped around with strands of small lights running through it. Tall elegant arrangements of lilies dotted the tabletops. The guests supped on a lavish array of food including split oysters with keepsake pearls tucked in the raw flesh, the bride's favorite sashimi, and the traditional pastries that Makoto had made as a favor to the couple. These days it was so difficult to find someone else who possessed the knowledge or the skill to make them. The guests left with small bags of confections including molded white chocolate violins and tiny milk chocolate pianos. "I can't believe this. It's like a dream," Michiru whispered as they drove home after the dinner. Haruka had the convertible's top down and the violinist was letting the wind run through her fingers. Haruka laughed softly. "Why? It was meant to be." "What do you mean?" "You were destined to be mine," Haruka said earnestly as she glanced into her lover's eyes. "Ah." Michiru sighed and her hand went to where Haruka's strong one rested on the gearshift. Slender fingers enfolded lean ones. They didn't speak anymore, but both were aware of a deep feeling of contentment just being together. Once home they kissed lightly then separated. Haruka and Michiru were sleeping in the guest bedrooms until the next evening when they would be officially married. In truth they had considered themselves married for so long that this was a mere formality for them. At eleven thirty that night, Haruka stumbled down the hall to get a glass of water. As she returned to her solitary bed, she glanced to the room where Michiru was sleeping. The door was slightly ajar. The blonde padded down the hall and rested her hand on the latch. She listened for a moment but heard nothing. Assuming her fiancée was lost in her own little world of dreams, she went back to the other guest bedroom. Blue eyes looked up guilty at her from the other side of her bed. "Gomen nasai," Michiru whispered. "I'm weak." She bit her lip. Haruka laughed at that. "You're the strongest person I know. Come on." She held out her hand. "Nani?" Michiru took it, worried that she was about to be exiled back to her lonely bed. Haruka guided them out into the hall then turned right pulling her lover into their bedroom. Together they tossed the decorative pillows on the floor and crawled under the covers. Michiru scooted close and Haruka put her arm around the violinist. They cuddled, smiling at each other. "Michiru." "Hai?" The blonde kissed her fiancée lightly on the forehead. "Goodnight."
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