[ RF ] A father and daughter talk as he prepares to walk her down the aisle .

My wife was jittery when I got up, `` Do you remember our wedding day?'' 
 
 Holy crap, do I. I wore a Kimono and bunned up my hair for the first time like a traditional Japanese man, I'm a Native American from South Dakota, we braid our hair or let it flow. Her dad watched me the whole time like he was ready to stab me with their family sword. He reminded me of a more built version of Hiroyuki Sanada. Although, when I looked at her, she was like a cool drink of water after being thirsty, the feeling after a nice night's sleep, or a cuddle after great sex. Now, I still look at her like we are in our 20's and always will, she was a international student a the college and I took a leap of faith at a bar. 
 
 My daughter is marrying her friend from high school, they went to college together, even got an apartment while she was in for her master's degree and he was working at a local company's firm. I hate the beaty eye'd prick. His hair is red, I swear to god he does n't brush his teeth, and he always seems like the type to follow'trends'. Like when the hologram thing took off, but it broke down during our christmas morning and he sat for like three hours while we waited for him to turn the damned thing back on again so we could open our presents. I feel like he needs a good smack, he tried to bond with me, oh did he try! 
 
 `` Stop it, Luther'', my wife was preparing my Kimono again, her parents, our daughter's Jiji and Baba, were still alive. Just to my luck the old man is coming all the way from Kyoto. `` He is a good boy, my parents love him, and they accepted you. Our family is good.'' 
 
 `` Accepted is generous, Ayeka. He is only alive this long because he wants to out live me, he do n't even respect my traditions! When I tried to take Aki to become a man for one of our ceremonies, he, of all freaking people, was saying I was n't doing it right!! Also, who goes out of their way to find their own Lakota Spiritual man a whole ocean away, and interview them!? He freaking hates me.'' I say as she ties my kimono. 
 
 `` He just does that to keep you on your toes. He loves you.'' She says smiling at me, I know I should let it go but I ca n't help it. `` Besides, it's our daughter's day. Be kind to the boy, otherwise you'll just be like my father.'' 
 
 `` SEE! I KNEW IT! HE HATES ME!'' 
 
 When we pull up the temple looks amazing, and I ca n't believe my daughter is marrying today. This is surreal, who knew I would have such amazing children. My wife takes me into the area and I can see the groom freaking out with his boys standing near by, they look like they are cosplaying Jedi in their traditional garbs. Nerds. I walk into my daughter's final room as one of my household. 
 
 `` My baby girl.'' I carry myself with some pride into her room, she looks amazing with her make-up. Her mother's Japanese features, My Native American skin and Hair, she had all of our best qualities. Well, except her occasional clumsy/klutzy moves. 
 
 `` Hey dad,'' She turns and smiles at me, `` I am so nervous. Today is amazing! Did Baba and Jiji arrive?! I ca n't wait to see them.'' 
 
 `` He will be out there, I'm so happy for you my baby.'' I look at her eyes, just like her moms. `` You know, it's not too late to back out. I could get your grandpa to pull out his sword and scare the white people.'' I chuckle at that image. 
 
 `` Daaaaad! Do n't say that, cause he might. Did my sisters arrive yet?!'' She looks at the clock on the wall. 
 
 `` You mean my favorite and our family's pride?'' I say jokingly, but her face makes her pouty face, my daughter figured out how to work me when she was teen. If it was n't for my wife, she probably would have destroyed many of our cars. `` No, Nikki and Harumi have n't gotten here yet. I know Nikki will be here soon, but Harumi said she will be at the reception. They both got something from your wedding registry. Your brother, Aki, he is sorry he could n't but he wanted me to play a video for him at the reception. Do n't worry, I made sure is was at least PG-13... Maybe PG-15, I am still thinking about playing the G rated version, but I am waiting until I show your mom after the wedding portion.'' 
 
 `` Dad. I know you do n't get along with him, but I want you two to be better than you are with Jiji-sama's relationship. He is my best friend, I have never loved anyone like this and probably wo n't ever again. He is good to me.'' She had her head down. I remember all of my moments with Katashi: That New Years, when Aya and I were three years married, and we ended up getting drunk and shouting at each other, waking up our daughter Nikki, which was the part of why we argued about because she was n't named like a Japanese girl. The time I tried to have thanksgiving, and Katashi was upset that I did n't let Aya cook the food and called me a woman. Finally our worst, when we did n't go and pray at their family temple properly, so he shouted at me for about two hours and my mother in-law showed me everything very throughly. I look at my daughter and made a promise, I lift her chin up with two fingers. 
 
 `` I will do my best Riri.'' I kiss her on her hand, `` He has to stop being a introvert, when I take him hunting or to a ceremony! I tried hunting with him but he could n't shoot a damn thing because he was a pacifist. He fainted when we shot and cut open a deer, how does he eat turkey, chicken and beef knowing where it comes from!? I've taken you hunting and you've done it easily, even your mother, and she even taught you how to butcher!?'' 
 
 `` Dad, your blood pressure,'' She sits back down with a roll over eyes and turns back to her mirror. I'm happy I've raised such an amazing woman with my wife. She catches my eye and says, `` Dad, I have to tell you something.'' 
 
 I stop for a moment and look at her through the mirror. `` Okay, are you okay? We can leave, now. We got the car and your mom will fight us but we can persuade her with Aki somehow.'' 
 
 `` Stop, dad, please?'' She has her look on, like when she told me about her bad grades in her undergrad. `` When we were in high school, I stuck up for him for class one day and he remembered that for years, since we were in junior high. Do you remember that boy, Rodney, from the football team? You liked him for a while after I brought him over. You never asked why I broke up with him.'' 
 
 I knew what was coming but I kept eye contact with her, I remember that boy and even brought him up a few times after they broke up. 
 
 `` He tried to rape me, Alex was passing by Rodney's truck when I was shouting in the parking lot. All his teammates where near by cheering Rodney on, but Alex fought three boys to get to the truck. After he fought off Alex, he was swollen in his face and had cuts and bruises on his body. Rodney never got his chance because Alex saved me, and he kept doing it when we were in high school. I used him once after that, but he caught on and talked to me about it. He was a man, like the ones you describe: they talk and communicate, but get things done. Alex does n't have too much in the brawn area but I know he will try his hardest and he will fetch the moon for me, if I ask. We have had our bumps and even major scrapes, but we always can be together and get stuff done. If the end of the world comes, I'll hunt and he will tend to everything else, but he will also protect me. He will fight for me dad.'' I had my hands on her shoulders and I could feel my respect for him getting stronger. If she could trust him this much, I think she made the best choice in the world. 
 
 `` Okay.'' I say, I love her and respect her, but I know now I need to try with Alex. I walk over to the seat by the door and think while she gets ready. 
 
 She finishes up with her make up and her bridesmaids come in to assist her, I hold out my arm like a western wedding and prepare for this next portion of our lives. One of my daughters is leaving my care, but she will always be my baby. When we get outside to see the gathering of people, his family dressed in suits and ours in traditional garbs and attire, Native Americans and Japanese on one side and westerners on the other, I've never been so interested and yet happy until now. Also, I had to say this to my daughter. 
 
 `` They look like they are cosplaying Jedi, sweetie.'' I whisper while we are out of earshot. 
 
 `` Shut up dad, crap. Now how am I suppose to take him seriously through this entire ceremony.'' She giggles and we begin to walk towards the alter. 
 
 When we get to the alter, I turn and look at her in the eye. I know she can see me crying, but I smile and mouth the words,'we could turn and walk out?' She smiles and whispers, `` I love you dad, but I am marrying a Jedi.'' 
 
 My baby girl, Riri.
