Its February 14, 2009, and in sunny Angel Grove, a wedding is about to take place. Hundreds of people fill up the church, as the groom plays anxiously with his bow tie. He adjusts the shimmering red rose on his white jacket pocket, and smiles. Beside him stands his best man, Jason Lee, who seems as nervous as Tom. Jason rocks on the soles of his black shoes, glancing occasionally at his wife Emily. In the front row on the groom's side, Trevor Monroe sits next to his son Anthony. On Trevor's other side is an empty seat, where Kimberly, the maid of honor, would sit. Beside Anthony was Zack, Rocky, and Adam, with an empty seat beside him. On the other side was Eddie Drew, with two empty seats beside him. Then sat William, with an empty seat beside him. The other guests at this party included friends and collegues of both the bride and groom, old karate students, the bride's mother and brother, and the groom's adoptive parents and sister. Then, Aisha Drew, one of the bridesmaids, poked her head through the door and signaled a thubs up to the pianist. Eugene Skullovich, world famous classical musician and composer, began the ceremonial march theme, adding a few of his own improvements. At the sound of the piano, Tom and Jason stopped fidgetting and stood still. The priest stood at the podium and watched as the two large mahogany doors parted, and a small, dark, young girl entered the room. Regina Drew had a basket of flower petals, and she began sprinkling the pink and white petals on the red carpet. When she was half way across the room, Katherine entered the room, holding the arm of her father. Behind her marched Kimberly, who was wearing a beautiful pale yellow gown with yellow roses on the hem and hair. Kim held the tail of the magnificent wedding gown that Katherine wore. Behind Kim walked the other bridesmaids-- Aisha Drew, Tanya Sloan, and Trini Mitchell. All were wearing pale yellow gowns similiar to Kim's but without the flowers. They each carried bouquets of yellow roses. When Regina reached the altar, she walked gracefully to her seat beside her father Eddie, who gave her a big hug. Then, Mr. Hillard left Katherine at the altar, and sat down beside his wife. Kimberly stood beside Katherine, and Aisha and Trini both took their seats. Eugene stopped playing the song, and the room fell into a calm silence.
"Dearly beloved," started the priest, "we are gathered here today to unite this man and this woman in the bonds of holy matrimony..."
As the priest uttered the familiar speech, Kimberly's doe eyes scanned the room. She noticed how closely Aisha and her husband sat, as well as how adorable Regina was sitting between her parents. I've always wanted a girl, she thought with a silent sigh, Well, we'll see. She then noticed her other friends, all dressed so elegantly, and many of them wearing Hart fashions. Wow, we really have grown up. Its hard to believe we were ever as young as the rangers from 1997. We always had such fun back then, at the Youth Center, or the park, or the beach. Its been twelve years since I've been to Ernie's. Gosh, its amazing! Its funny, you always think you'll be young forever, and then one day it hits you-- you're an adult.
Tom stands beside Katherine, listening as intently as he could to the priest's speech. Of course, it is the same one he gave during the practice runs, he thought, I can't believe it, I'm actually getting married! I'm over thirty years old-- I didn't think I'd ever tie the knot. Not since Kim-- why am I thinking about this now? I'm here, beside the woman I love, living the last few seconds of my bachelor days, and I'm thinking about Kim dumping me! Well, I have to admit, that was probably the most important occurance in my life, besides becoming a Power Ranger. After we broke up, my whole life changed. I don't know if its for better or worse, but I do know that I'm happy now. Happier than I've been in a long time.
Tom glances at Kat, who returns his glance with a shining smile. For Katherine, this is the happiest moment in her life, the moment she has dreamed about for over thirteen years, since the day her eyes first fell on the gallant leader of the Power Rangers. I can't believe its really happening! I'm actually marrying him! I was so shocked when he first kissed me, and even more so when he asked for my hand. Still, I always had this lingering fear that somehow, Kim would take him away from me. When Trevor vanished, I was certain that Kim would fall back in love with Tom, and his love would be rekindled. I was wrong, though. In the end, I got what I wanted the most out of life. It worked out best for all of us.
"Thomas Oliver," said the priest, "do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, for better or worse, for rich or for poor, through sickness and health, now and forever, until death do you part?"
"I do."
"Katherine Hillard, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and honor, for better or worse, for rich or for poor, through sickness and health, now and forever, until death do you part?"
"I do."
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
As Tom's and Kat's lips touched in the kiss that would seal the marriage vows, the crowds of people began applauding enthusiastically. Kimberly ran to Trevor, and kissed him with as much gusto as Kat kissed Tom. Then, Tom and Kat ran out of the church, with tons of rice being hurled at them mercilessly. They entered the white limo, with the "Just Married" sign, and they were on their way to the hotel, where the reception would be in about an hour. Kim, Trevor, Anthony, Jason, Emily, Zack, Adam, Tanya, Aisha, Eddie, Regina, Rocky, Trini, and Will all stood and watched the limo drive out of sight. The group all stood happily, still cheering that their two friends have finally found love. After a few more minutes of conversation, the group dispersed, heading to the reception. The rangers and their families piled into a massive white limo, driven by Trevor's chauffeur.
"Let's get going, Miles," said Trevor, "We don't want to be late."
"Yes sir," said Miles, pulling onto the main road.
"That was a beautiful ceremony," said Aisha, dabbing her moist eyes with a yellow hankerchief. Eddie wrapped his arm around his wife's shoulders and smiled fondly at her.
"And great outfits, Kim," said Adam, "Tom and Kat really stood out tonight!"
"Yeah!" chimed Tanya, "They looked like royals! You know you have to make my wedding gown when I get married!"
"When are you two getting married?" Kimberly asked. Adam blushed a deep shade of red, while Tanya grinned and took his hand in hers.
"Next October," she said happily, "I'm so excited." "Its about time, Girl!" shrieked Aisha, reaching over to hug Tanya warmly, "Now, all we have to do is find wives for these two declared bachelors." Both Zack and Rocky looked up, their smiles falling. "Hey Miles!" called Rocky, trying to change the subject, "How long will it take to get to the hotel?"
"About half an hour, Sir," answered Miles.
"Well, put the pedal to the metal Miles, 'cause I'm starved!!"
"Same here!" Zack chimed. The two bachelors gave each other enthusiastic high fives.
"I pity the poor women who end up having to feed you two," Jason quipped.
"Unbelievable," said Trini with a laugh, "Some things never change!"
It's February 14, 1997, and the sun is setting in Angel Grove. Young Tommy Oliver stands on a rock beside the dazzling lake in Angel Grove Park, looking out onto the water, which was reflecting the pink and orange light on the horizon. He sighed and looked at his watch. It was five minutes before six.
This must be the first time I was ever EARLY for something, he thought with a small smile, Boy this is gonna be hard for me...
He turned around when he heard the rustling of the leaves in the trees. Kimberly approached him, her caramel hair blowing in the cool breeze. She was wearing a cute pink and white sundress, and to Tommy, she looked exceptionally beautiful in the pale light of sunset.
She's so beautiful, so alive. So... perfect. There is nothing about her I would want to change. Not a single flaw I can see...
"Hey Tommy," she said sweetly, glancing down at her watch, "Wow, you're early! You wanted to meet me here at six, so I expected you to be here by about a quarter after."
"Yeah, well, I didn't want you to have to wait for me," he said, not looking her in the eye.
"What is it?" she asked, trying to make eye contact, "What's wrong?"
"Kim," he started, "I... I have something to... to say."
"Does it have anything to do with Annie and Trevor?" she asked knowingly. Tommy nodded.
"Kim, meeting Annie really made me think. About me, about you, and about 'us'. We've been friends for over two years, and a we've been... more than friends for most of that time. When I met Annie, I came to the realization that, well, we may not always be together. I mean, I never really gave much thought to the future. I guess I always thought that we'd always be here at Angel Grove High, killing monsters and sipping shakes at Ernie's-- that everything will always be status quo. Well, that's not true. The future contains many possibilities, and I can't say I was too happy about the one Annie came from."
Kim nodded, looking down to her feet. Oh my God, he's gonna dump me. He's gonna let me go before I can let him go! Oh please, no...
"I... I guess its fitting that its Valentine's Day," Tommy continued, "Of course, its also your birthday. So, I... I have something for you. I actually bought it awhile ago, but I never had the nerve to give it to you. Until today."
Tommy dug into his pants pocket and pulled out a small square box wrapped in pink and yellow wrapping paper. Kimberly hestitantly accepted the gift, and unwrapped it slowly. Much to her surprise, it was a black velvet jewelry box. She opened it carefully, and her eyes widened to see a delicate gold band with a small diamond set in the middle of a small golden heart.
"Tommy," she said quietly, "this looks alot like... an engagement ring."
"Kim," he said, taking her other hand in his, "I'm not asking you for eternal devotion or anything. We're both pretty young, and we have things to do before we settle down. We both have college in the future, and I am planning on searching for the meaning of the arrowhead even before that. We have lives to live, and they may very well lead us in different directions. Its kinda scary."
"Yeah," she said, looking down at the ring, "You're right. We don't live the most normal of lives, and we never know if the next battle will be our last, or anything. And, my Mom expects me to go to France after college..."
"Kim, I want you to have this ring because I want you to remember that, no matter what happens, or where we go, I'll always love you. Maybe, when we're older, we may decide to spend our lives together. I don't know-- we're too young to make that kind of decision. I just wanted to say exactly how I feel about you."
Kim looked up into Tommy's hazel eyes, her own doe-brown eyes shining with tears.
"Tommy," she said quietly, hugging him tightly, "you don't know how long I've been waiting for you to tell me that!"
They stood there, holding each other as if their lives depended on it, atop the rock on the edge of the lake, for a long time. Behind them, the orange sun continued on its trek beneath the horizon. They stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, happy to just feel the warmth of the other. And so they stood, feeling safe and secure, as if nothing could ever hurt them. Time stood still, just for them, and they both knew that their love for each other will guide them through anything. Trial after trial. Battle after battle. Year after year. Time after time.
