Slim: Book 6

Prologue

I forgave Naru for holding the blankest face known to mankind while I walked up the isle when he gave a heartbreaking smile to John's question, one that could have been too intimate for the rows of onlookers. All our friends, family, and even a splattering of old SPR clients, filled the benches of the chapel. It was the very same chapel where we had solved the case of the mute ghost for Christmas so many years ago.

"I do."

Yeah, I was more or less melting in my heels and trying not to scream in excitement when John turned to me with a soft smile. Though it had been agreed from the start of our engagement that he would be the initiator of our ceremony, I was still surprised when he showed up all the way from Australia, dressed in his ceremonial robes and ready with a whole speech of council to give us that didn't include "screw this up and I'll shoot you, Naru."

Heh heh...heh...yeah, I thought it was funny.

"Mai Taniyama, do you take Oliver Davis to be your lawful wedded husband, to have and to hold, through sickness and health, until death do you part?"

I thought about taking some time to answer this, just to screw with Naru for not looking all goo goo when he first saw me in my wedding dress coming towards him all, you know, wed-able, but he still had that smile on his face that was all Naru, not a flick of Gene, and so handsome it should be illegal.

For what had to be the billionth time that morning, I wondered why I wasn't more nervous. I had always heard about the pre-wedding jitters and brides or groom running for it, but I couldn't fathom what I should be so afraid of. I wanted to spend my life with Naru, and since there was only one of those, it wasn't like I'd be missing out on anything. I was getting exactly what I want—with a cake and a big pretty Victorian dress made of soft cotton.

Which was why no one had been able to talk to me the entire time they had been dolling me up and tying up my dress. I had been too busy squealing.

"I do."

It should have been impossible, but Naru somehow managed to make his smile even more happy. He actually started to show all his teeth and crinkle up his eyes.

"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may not kiss the bride."

It was a good thing Naru didn't hesitate on drawing in to kiss me. Not because I would have been offended, but because I could feel another squeal coming on, which might have ruined the whole reverent mood.

A general applause issued, spiked with cheers and other obnoxious noises from Monk and Yasu, who defied any attempts on Ayako's part to quiet them. I pulled away from Naru and opened my eyes to find John beaming like the angel he was. He turned to Naru, his hand outstretched.

"You take care of her, Oliver."

Naru shook John's hand firmly, but he didn't seem able to say anything. Just smiled.

The congregation was throwing flower petals and rice as we walked back down the aisle, hand in hand. We made our way out of the chapel, followed by wedding goers, back outside where a small red Toyota that had been rented for the occasion waited for us. Yasu and Takigawa must have snuck out some time before the ceremony, because they had dressed up the car according to tradition: streamers trailed behind it and a white substance of sorts had been used to write 'Just Married' on the back.

I'd always heard stories of weddings not going to plan, but this? This was movie perfect. The reception had been planned for the next week, after Naru and I had had our honeymoon, where much eating and merry making would be had.