Night Blooming Jasmine, Part 3
Many thanks to sonofgodzilla for beta reading
Title: Night Blooming Jasmine 3: Wedding Day Blues (And Yellows)
Genre: Het, drabble
Series: Tokusou Sentai Dekaranger
Pairing: Tekkan “Tetsu” Aira (DekaBreak), Marika “Jasmine” Reimon (DekaYellow)
Rating: U
Disclaimer: Toei owns all rights
Notes: Okay, Jasmine and Tetsu’s wedding will be split into three parts
Jasmine sighed as she looked at her reflection in the vanity mirror in the bedroom of the apartment she shared with Tetsu, her bare hands folded neatly in her lap. Her gaze turned from her reflection to the pair of elegant white silk opera gloves sitting on the vanity table.
These were the gloves she was to wear with her lovely white portrait collar wedding dress and beautiful diamond choker.
And Jasmine didn’t want to put these gloves on.
Jasmine was sick of wearing gloves to keep her power in check. She sometimes felt that she’d been born wearing gloves and over time they’d fused to her skin. It was like they’d become a part of her anatomy. And she was tired of it. She was tired of having to take off her gloves to admire the ring that Tetsu had given her. She hated not being able to truly be intimate with the man she loved and she despised never being able to feel his skin against her own.
She clenched her hands into fists and looked down at them, trying not to cry and ruin the makeup she and Umeko worked so hard on.
“Stupid powers.” She muttered under her breath.
“Jasmine!” She heard Umeko call. “Jasmine, are you ready yet? It’s almost time to go to the church!”
Jasmine sighed, picked up the gloves and slipped them on. She had to admit, they did feel nice. Just as she stood up to leave for the church, her SP License rang. She picked it up and said, “Jasmine.”
“Jasmine, it’s Gyoku.” Came the voice on the other end of the line. It was Gyoku Ryo.
“Gyoku-san!” Jasmine said, delightedly. “How are you? Are you and Ban coming to my wedding today?”
There was a sigh and somehow, Jasmine knew that something was wrong. “What’s wrong, Gyoku?” she asked.
“Jasmine, I know that this is probably the worst possible time to tell you this, because I know that Ban was supposed to be in the wedding party, but Ban and I won’t be able to make it to your wedding.”
Jasmine’s heart plummeted into her stomach. She knew that Tetsu had been looking forward to having Ban be his best man and she’d been looking forward to seeing Ban again, too. “Why not?” She asked.
“Well, an emergency situation came up and the Fire Squad, all members, no exceptions, was called into action.” Gyoku said. “So, even though it broke my heart to do so, I had to tell Ban that he couldn’t come to see you get married.”
“Oh, well, these things happen.” Jasmine said, softly.
“Anyway, he sends his love.” Gyoku went on. “And of course, I send mine. I’m really sorry that I can’t be there today to watch you marry Tekkan Aira. I’m sure you look absolutely beautiful.”
Jasmine managed a small smile. “Thank you, Gyoku-san. That was really sweet of you to say.”
“We also sent you wedding gifts.” Gyoku said. “I’m sure by now that you’ve received them.”
Jasmine remembered the packages that she and Tetsu had received a couple of days earlier, one from Gyoku and one from Ban and she said, “Yes, we did, but we were still hoping to see you both.”
“I am sorry, Jasmine.” Gyoku said. “But you do have my blessing. I hope you and Tekkan have many happy years together.”
“Thank you Gyoku-san.” Jasmine said. “I’ll send you pictures, I promise. But, I have to leave. It’s time for me to leave for the church. I’ll speak to you another time.”
She could almost hear his smile. “Goodbye, Jasmine. Be happy.”
There was a ‘click’ as the connection was cut off.
She sighed and picked up the tiara with her attached veil. “Umeko!” She called. “Umeko, come in here!”
There was a pause and suddenly Umeko appeared, dressed in a lovely pink dress, her hair done up in a stylish, upswept bun. She was smiling until she saw the look on Jasmine’s face.
“What’s wrong, Jasmine?” she asked. “Wedding day jitters?”
Jasmine shook her head. “Ban and Gyoku Ryo aren’t coming.” She said, sadly. “Something involving the Fire Squad came up and they had to take care of it.”
“Ban isn’t going to make it?” Umeko looked sad. “Oh, we were all looking forward to seeing him again!”
“Tetsu is going to be so disappointed.” Jasmine said as she picked up her SP License.
“Don’t call him.” Umeko pulled out her license. “I will.” She gave Jasmine a sad little smile and pressed a button.
“Tetsu?” She heard Umeko ask.
“Umeko-san!” Tetsu said. “How is my beautiful bride to be?”
Jasmine, despite her sadness, managed a small smile.
“Jasmine is fine, but we have some bad news.” Umeko said.
“What sort of bad news?” Tetsu asked.
“Gyoku Ryo-san called and said that he and Ban won’t be able to make it to the wedding.” Umeko said. “Something involving the Fire Squad came up suddenly and they had to cancel their plans to come.”
“Oh.” Tetsu sounded a little sad. “I’ll just tell Hoji-san to prepare to be my best man.”
There was a ‘click’ and Umeko sighed.
She came back in the room, smiling. “Everything’s going to be all right, Jasmine.” She said, coming over to adjust the curls in Jasmine’s black hair. “Maybe Ban will be able to make it. Maybe there will be a miracle or something will happen!”
Jasmine smiled and she was greeted by Umeko’s brilliant grin.
“Thank you, Umeko. I feel better now.” Jasmine said, standing up and putting on her veil, smoothing it out over her lovely, pale and perfectly made up face.
“You look like something out of a fairy tale.” Umeko said, adoringly. “Tetsu is going to faint dead away when he sees you!”
Jasmine twirled around for effect, the smile returning to her face. “I’m getting married!”
“Come on!” Umeko said, pulling on Jasmine’s gloved hand. “Let’s go get you wed.”
A few moments later, Jasmine and Umeko had left the apartment and were heading towards the limo that waited to ferry Jasmine to her wedding.
Once they arrived at the church, Jasmine went back in another room to finish preparing for her wedding day.
Just as Jasmine was putting on her earrings, there was a knock at the door. “Unless you’re Tetsu, you can come in!” she called.
Sen-chan and Hoji entered, looking wonderfully handsome in their tuxedos.
“Jasmine, you look like a goddess.” Hoji said, a smile on his face. “Tetsu is going to collapse when he sees you.”
“You look very pretty, Jasmine.” Sen said with a tiny smile. “I hope Umeko looks as beautiful on our wedding day.”
Hoji and Jasmine looked at Sen with raised eyebrows. It was no secret that Sen and Umeko had been seriously dating for around the same amount of time as Jasmine and Tetsu (Author’s Note: I swear, I’ll get to the story explaining about Sen and Umeko, soon!) but, the news of them having a wedding was something new.
“Your wedding day?” Jasmine asked, putting in her left earring.
Sen blushed and produced a small black box. He opened it up to show Hoji and Jasmine a pretty diamond engagement ring. “I’m going to ask Umeko for her hand during the wedding reception.”
“She’ll be thrilled!” Jasmine said, clapping her gloved hands together.
“You think so?” Sen asked, pocketing the box again.
Hoji nodded and then he sighed. “Jasmine, are you sure you heard Gyoku-san correctly?” he asked.
Jasmine nodded sadly. “He was very clear when he said that he and Ban were not going to be able to come to the wedding.” She sighed. “How did Tetsu take it?”
“I think he cried a little.” Sen said. “Hoji and I aren’t really sure what he did. After he stopped talking to Umeko, he asked us to leave him alone for a little while.”
“He was very sad.” Hoji supplied.
Jasmine bit her lip and sighed. “Well, the show must go on.” She said, standing up and smoothing out her dress and placing her veil on her head. “Time for me to marry Tekkan Aira.”
“You really do make a lovely bride.” Sen said, kissing her cheek gently.
“Thank you, Sen.” Jasmine said with a smile.
“Where did Umeko go, anyway?” Hoji asked suddenly, looking around.
Just then, Umeko came in, holding her bouquet and Jasmine’s bouquet. “The florist is here!” she announced. “There you two are!” She said to Sen and Hoji. “Tetsu’s looking for you! Time to put on your flowers!” She shooed them out of the room and shut the door, causing Jasmine to giggle.
“There’s a smile!” Umeko said cheerfully, adjusting the pink roses in her hair and placing her and Jasmine’s bouquets on a table in front of Jasmine. “I know you’re all sad that Ban isn’t going to be here today, but at least you know that he wouldn’t blow the wedding off. He would LOVE to be here, but that whole thing with the Fire Squad…”
“Thank you, Umeko.” Jasmine said, smiling warmly. “I really appreciate your kindness and cheerfulness today.”
Umeko smiled and brushed her hair out of her eyes. “Aww, it was nothing, Jasmine.” She said. “I just wanted to make your wedding day special, that’s all.”
“I’ll be sure to return the favor.” Jasmine said with a tiny knowing smile. “Are we ready?”
“The question is, Jasmine…are YOU ready?”
Jasmine closed her eyes for a moment and thought it over for a moment.
“Yes, “ She said, picking up her white and yellow rose bouquet. “I’m ready,”
Just then, Canon in D began to play on the organ and Jasmine took a deep breath. “Umeko, that’s your cue.”
Umeko smiled and headed out of the room, to where Hoji, taking Ban’s spot as best man, was waiting to lead her down the aisle.
Once she was alone, Jasmine took another deep breath and slowly left the room to stand outside the double doors leading to the chapel. She gave herself a small smile as she heard the Bridal Chorus begin and the doors slowly opened. She could see Umeko, Sen, Hoji, and Boss and Swan sitting there in the small chapel, all awaiting her slow walk down the aisle to stand at Tetsu’s side.
Well… She thought, Here goes nothing.
Strange Relationship - Darren Hayes