Chapter Ten: A Love for All Time
The wedding was predictable in its execution and outcome. That was fine by Lune and Yuki, as they kissed passionately and all the guests began to cheer. Haru beamed brightly as she clapped, but as usual, her gaze trailed to a certain orange cat, who was standing on the farther side of the groom. He grinned back at her, making a pink tinge cross her face and match her dress.
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By far, the reception was more enjoyable, everyone going crazy on the dance floor. Lune's father had been foolish enough to ask Naoko for a dance, but she was in too good of a mood to do more than say no, since she found his behavior towards Haru disgusting at the very least. But she wasn't at a loss for partners, being a very attractive feline, despite her age. Even Muta was giving her the eye, and managed to sneak a dance or two with her.
Her daughter wasn't at a loss for a partner either, since she and Baron didn't tire easily. The orange cat hadn't really let go of the white one since the cathedral was being cleared out, still unable to restrain himself from frequently hugging her, ecstatic that she was still around.
Suddenly, in the middle of a waltz, Baron gave an evil grin and twirled her around, wrapping a cloth around her eyes. She raised one hand to take it off, but then he swept her into his arms.
"Could you do me a favor, Haru? Keep the blindfold on a little longer. I want to show you something."
She cocked her head at him, but wrapped her arms around his neck as he carried her beyond the music's reach, even the cats' laughter fading behind them. She knew that whatever Baron had planned, she could trust him.
He carried her for quite some distance, not saying a word to her. All she could really tell that there was a change of elevation. Eventually, he adjusted his hold on her so he could set her on the rim of something. She could feel his presence soon join her, and his warm hands unwrapping the cloth.
"Look up, Haru."
She did so, and gasped.
Far above the glare of city lights, the beauty of the night sky was uncompromised, the stars twinkling brightly. It reminded her of the night of the fireflies, with occasional shooting stars. Her eyes overflowed. Her life's love had carried her to the top of the portal tower so she could see this.
"Oh, Baron…" unable to say more, she hugged him fiercely, the tears freely flowing down her cheeks and soaking her fur. He took out his handkerchief and brushed at the salty flood.
"I was hoping you'd like it. I have to admit missing the sight myself, living down there." He looked over the side, the lights below attempting to mimic the sky above.
Haru smiled warmly.
'That's right; he had been created before electric lights started ruining the night sky.'
He probably loved the stars as much as she did. As much as her father did.
"Did Mom tell you that Dad was an astronomer? He wanted to be an astronaut at first, but since that would cut down on his time with Mom and me, he changed his focus a bit. He used to take me up to the mountains all the time, just to look at the stars. Said that it was the closest to heaven we could get in this life."
He kissed her, the stated fact being the reason they were up there. Being a gentleman, he had gone to the mother first with the issue he wished to discuss with Haru, and Naoko had been most cooperative in the matter.
"Actually, your mother did bring that up. But I'm afraid I must disagree with your father."
She cocked her head at him. He took a deep breath.
"Stars are wonderful and beautiful, but they are not heaven. I found the place a little closer to home, something more attainable. If the definition of heaven is the most glorious place anywhere, then it's right here with you." He took her hands and kissed them, making her blush happily.
"I feel the same way about you, Baron. When I thought I was dead and would never see you again, I thought I was in the other place."
He chuckled warmly and squeezed her again. With one hand, he reached into his coat pocket.
"When I thought you were dead, I thought the same thing. And I don't ever want to go back to that. Haru, I know I've mentioned that your new body was made to be my fiancé, but staying engaged seems a little boring, now that you're inside the doll. And the engagement's your decision to make."
She stared at him, hardly daring to believe where the conversation was going. He pulled his closed hand out of his pocket, and held it out to her. He slowly opened his palm…
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Muta passed a cup of fish punch to Naoko, who looked at the fish swimming in the bowl with skepticism.
"You're sure about this?"
He laughed at her nerves while getting a cup for himself, deciding not to gorge himself today.
"Positive. Just trust me."
Baron's line must have worked for him, because she delicately sipped her cup while the fat cat downed his. She pulled the cup away, licking her lips. She laughed at herself.
"I guess my vegetarian days are over."
Muta grinned at her.
"You have the wrong teeth for greens now, anyway."
She smiled at him, and continued sipping her cup.
"You know Baron better than I do; any idea when he'll bring my daughter down?"
The enormous cat put one paw to his chin.
"I'd say before Lune and Yuki leave for their honeymoon, so that would give them a window of about twenty minutes. That is, if he isn't still spouting romantic mush."
Naoko laughed a bit as Lune and Yuki approached, changed into regular clothes for the honeymoon journey, the young Cat King checking his pocket watch.
"I thought Baron promised that he'd be done by now! We can't delay going much longer, and my wife refuses to leave without seeing them first."
Yuki shrugged happily.
"Sister's privilege." She watched Naoko's face while saying it, relieved when the woman beamed at her. The new Cat Queen had very few memories of her birth mother, and was ecstatic that Haru's mother had taken to her so well. She wondered how Lune's mother would have felt about her…
The musicians cut off the sound, making the small group and everyone in the room look up in surprise. Slowly, everyone noticed what the musicians had.
Baron had appeared back into the banquet hall, with a beaming Haru hugging one arm. From her finger glittered a diamond ring.
Muta chuckled evilly.
"Wow, I'm betting no one could see the outcome coming a mile away."
Toto reached over and swiped him with one wing.
"Have you no shame, Marshmallow Boy?"
The fat cat hissed.
"Not about what I'm about to do to you, Birdbrain!"
The Creation couple just rolled their eyes before kissing passionately in front of the appreciative crowd, everyone clapping while trying to avoid the wandering scuffle of the crow Creation and the criminal of the century. Naoko calmly finished her punch, beaming proudly at her daughter and future son-in-law.
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Sorry about not doing this sooner, but my brain was turned off when I updated last. Apologies and thanks go to; Lanari, HyperMint, Watersoul the Head Star Walker, Drifting One, kittydemon18, EagleBlaze954, EarthGurdian, tashie1010, InkyManipulation, Paws.on.scroll, Astrianna, Youkai no Yume, Thundercat, and ArtemisWolfRose for the wonderful reviews. My sister doesn't understand why I check my email so often, but that's okay; she only talks to two people online.
And once again, a special thank you goes out to fairyMei33 for asking me to take her idea and turn it into a story. I read her summary once and ran away with it, because it was so beautiful. Thanks again for giving me your baby to raise as my own, so to speak. 'till the next update, and next story!