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Koji, grinning mischievously, was quick to interject. "Oh no, no—she must know about the family initiation."

Maxie tilted her head curiously, caught between amusement and mild concern. "Initiation?"

Kenzo's eyes twinkled with mischief identical to his twin's. "Fear not, my dear. It's entirely harmless... mostly."

"Mostly?" she echoed, raising an eyebrow at Kai, who now looked thoroughly exasperated. "What exactly have I gotten myself into?"

"Group hugs and fashion advice," the man told her soberly.

"Those I can definitely handle," she assured him just as soberly.

While the men adjourned to another room to drink scotch and discuss business, Akemi led the way into a beautiful and cozy drawing room with matching rose pink sofas and a round table already set out with a delightful tea service and some delicate pastries.

"What a lovely room."

"It's my own sanctuary." Akemi poured tea and handed her a cup so delicate, Maxie feared it might crumble in her fingers.

"Please sit." She gestured to the sofa and settled in one corner.

"The men are welcome to their boring talks of business and bawdy jokes," she said with a smile as she took a sip of her tea and watched Maxie over the rim.

"You're wondering about our tradition. I have been brought up to be a submissive wife, one who knows her place. "

Taking a sip of the herbal tea which to her surprise, she found very soothing and delicious, Maxie wondered what to make of that comment and what to say to it.

"I do wonder, yes. And I admire a woman who can hand over the reins entirely to a man."

"But you're not that woman."

Maxie laughed softly. Picking up a sugary biscuit, she bit into it and closed her eyes.

"These are absolutely delicious. No," she shook her head.

"I am a born American and more than that, I am a black woman which means I am very opinionated.

Kai knows that about me and does not mind.

Granted, he can be arrogant and high-handed because of the way he was brought up, but I can deal with it.

" She glanced at Akemi curiously. "You haven't asked if I'm in love with him.

In fact, I am very surprised you've accepted me. "

The woman put away her cup carefully. "I love my son and am very proud of him.

If my husband was alive, there would have been a fight and a quarrel about traditions and sticking to our own kind.

But he would not have won. Possibly when Kai was younger, yes, but not now.

" A faint smile touched her lips. "Kai is stubborn and willful and determined to go his own way.

My husband was chosen for me." She gave an elegant shrug.

"I had no say in the matter, but I grew to love him.

He was kind to me and gentle. He had ways of dealing with our son that I did not approve of. "

"But you were not allowed to intervene."

"No," she shook her head. "The rearing of a son was strictly the man's domain."

Putting the cup down, Maxie folded her hands in her lap.

"That's where we're different. I cannot simply just hand over the reins to another person.

I have to have a say in how things are going.

" She shrugged. "But that's my deal, the way I was brought up.

I love your son." Her expression turned dreamy as she glanced down at the rock on her finger.

"Ever since I was seventeen years old. He broke my heart, shattered it to pieces when he left without a word.

" She lifted her head to the woman who had her undivided attention.

"He's the only man for me. Has been the only man for me because I could not bear the idea of another man touching me.

" She smiled slightly. "I know of his reputation and the initiation your husband forced on him to prove his manhood.

Anyway," she shook her head. "None of that matters.

And if it's assurance you need about my absolute devotion to him, you have it.

I don't care about his money. I love him for who he is. "

"That's why I welcomed you with open arms," the woman assured her softly. Putting her cup down, she reached for Maxie's hands. "I looked into your eyes and saw the truth of it."

She gave the woman an intriguing look. "Is that a Japanese thing?"

"No," Akemi laughed. "It's a mother's thing."

"I really like them," she murmured much later after a very heated bout of lovemaking. She was naked, except for the ring that was shooting lights around the room each time she moved her hand.

"You sound surprised." Kai had his hands wrapped possessively around her still quivering curves as he waited for his heart to stop pounding.

"I am." Lifting her head, she smiled at him. "That was my greatest fear—not being accepted by your family."

"Now, I fear being accepted by yours." He flicked a finger over her nose, expression sober. "I'm assuming they knew I was the one who broke your heart back then?"

"Of course." She grinned at his pained expression. "My mother wanted to boil you in oil and my dad, well, he wanted to shoot you."

"Great." He shifted uncomfortably. "Are you going to clear things up before I see them?"

"Why should I?"

"Maxie—"

"I already did." She laughed at the look on his face.

"I told them you have made up for what happened in the past and would very much love it if they could make it home before the wedding.

" She spread her hand over his chest and gazed at the ring.

"Ten years ago, I would have done anything to have you say you love me and that you'll be in my life for the rest of it. "

"And now here I am, still cannot believe you love me."

Kai's lips twitched into a faint smile as he leaned down, brushing a kiss over her forehead. "You know I love you, Maxie. I think I've loved you from the moment you walked into my life." His voice softened, tinged with sincerity. "I was just too young and stupid to realize how much."

Her eyes sparkled as she propped herself up on her forearm, gazing at him with a mixture of amusement and warmth. "And now? Are you still young and stupid?" she teased.

"Not young anymore," he replied with a smirk, running his hand down her back, tracing lazy circles against her skin. "And as for stupid, well, you're the one marrying me, so what does that say?"

She laughed, the sound light and genuine, before settling back against him. "It says I've got a thing for complicated men with big hearts and even bigger egos."

"Guilty as charged," he murmured, his tone playful but laced with affection. They lay in comfortable silence for a moment, the rhythmic beat of their hearts filling the room.

Breaking the quiet, Maxie shifted slightly. "Do you think we'll be happy, Kai?" Her question was soft, almost hesitant, as though voicing it might shatter the fragile moment.

He looked into her eyes, seeing both hope and vulnerability reflected there. "I think happiness is something we'll build together, Maxie. Brick by brick, step by step. And with you, I know it'll be worth every effort."

She smiled, the kind of smile that reached into the depths of her soul. "You always did have a way with words," she quipped, resting her head against his chest. "But don't think that gets you out of seeing my parents."

"Wouldn't dream of it," he said, though his grin hinted at a touch of nervousness. "But if I survive your mother's wrath and your father's glares, I think we'll be unstoppable."

Maxie's laughter filled the room once more, a sound so full of life it felt as though it could chase away any shadow. "You better be," she said softly, her fingers tracing the lines of his face. "Because I'm not letting you go this time."

"I wouldn't let you, even if you tried," Kai whispered, sealing his words with a kiss that spoke of promises, redemption, and a love that had endured the test of time.

Yvette stared at the ring as if mesmerized. As soon as she arrived at the store, Maxie had called her to come over.

"You got me out of bed at an ungodly hour and before I had a chance to feed our dog, and bitch, I have to say it's entirely worth it."

"Do you mind keeping Brutus a bit longer? I have so much to do that it's going to take up all of my time."

"Of course, I don't mind. We're bonding.

" She grabbed her friend's hand and lifted it to the light.

"It's the most beautiful ring I have ever seen.

" She glanced at her friend. "And you're serious about getting married in December?

Honey, you have shows lined up for the season.

How on earth are you going to pull off a December wedding? "

"With my best friend's help and a team of wedding planners that Kai is hiring," she declared with a laugh.

It was early yet, and her staff had not arrived for their shifts.

December had blown in with gusty winds and icy temperature, giving an indication of what the winter was going to be like.

"And Kai's mother would like to be part of the planning.

She's such a sweet woman. A bit subservient for my taste, but I really like her. "

"And she likes you."

Maxie nodded, still quite not able to believe that she had crossed that particular hurdle.

"His uncles are adorable. They are flying back to Japan tomorrow but will be back in time for the wedding."

"I cannot wait to meet them. I am seriously happy for you darling," her friend told her sincerely. "Who would have thought that after ten years of having your heart shattered—it would be healed by the same man who caused all of the heartbreak."

"We've come full circle," Maxie murmured dreamily. "I never dreamed I would ever see him again or even at the point of becoming his wife. And now here we are."

"Happy endings. I'm a sucker for them."