Francisco Otani--Chapter 3

Otani, age 25
Job: Magazine Editor
*taxes paid $2,500

Otani still could not believe that his father was no longer with them. It was hard to imagine his father gone. He had so much to say to his father but now that opportunity was gone. His mother was even more distraught but she was managing. It had already been two years since his dad Francisco died. More than anything Otani missed his father's laugh.

Otani had been dating and met Shelby Downie. At the time they met they were both trying to settle down and start a serious relationship. No matter how much Otani loved his space he knew there was something missing. Shelby and him began dating and it was like everything fell in to place all at once. Shelby was busy with her career in event planning and he was busy in his journalism career. Before he knew it Shelby told him that she had a job offer in another city. Otani knew that she wasnt trying to trap him but he couldnt risk her leaving. He made the decision right then and there to ask her to move in with him. She was excited at his proposal but wanted to make sure it was thought out.

"Are you sure?"
"Why would I be Shelby. I love you and I want us to be together."
"OK. I accept. Wow I cant believe that were moving in together after meeting six months ago. Otani I love you so much."
They were in love and they knew that they would do anything possible to nurture the love they felt for each other.

Ethan was a regular visit to Otani's apartment. It was no wonder that he was shocked that his brother actually asked Shelby to move in. Ethan joked and asked if he could be there when Otani told their mother.
"Mom is going to kill you. You know she wants you to marry first then live together."
"First off im 27 and I know what im doing. Second mind your business. Besides what about you? Your fresh off of college and dont know what your going to do with your life."
"Ya ...ya."
Ethan did know what he wanted to do but was not willing to let his brother forget how their mother was going to react.

* * * *

A couple of weeks after Shelby moved in, he approached her about having his mother and Juno over for dinner. Shelby was nervous but excited to finally meet his mother. She had met Juno before and they hit it off rather quickly.


Monica came over with Juno and enjoyed a wonderful breakfast at her son's house. Juno helped to gently break the news that Shelby and Otani were now living together. Much to everyones surprise she was fine with it. She just wanted her children to be happy and in turn that made her happy.
"Wow mom, I actually was expecting another reaction. Either way I invited you both here to meet Shelby but to also ask her if she wants to marry me."
Shelby almost choked on her pancake that she was devouring. "Propose? Your actually proposing?"
"Oh Otani. This is wonderful news" said Monica.
"Well Shelby waht do you say?"asked Otani.
"I say YES!"
With one word Shelby managed to remove all the anxiety that Otani had been feeling. Juno looked at her baby brother and smiled. She was so happy to see that they were getting married.

"I still cant believe were getting married"
"Neither can I. I hope that we have a wonderful marriage like my mother and father had. Shelby you love me right?"
"Otani, of course I love you. I think that you and I will live a wonderful life together. I love you more than words can say."

* * * *

Otani looked at the wonderful flowers he got for Shelby. It was their 6 month anniversay since she moved in. Their apartment was over taken by wedding supplies and wedding ideas. He was getting nervous to see the bill for this wedding. He just wanted his bride to be to be happy as he was.

Shelby and Juno got along so well that she asked Juno to be her maid of honor. Juno agreed and was happy that she got along with her new sister-in-law to be. There were a lot of things to get settled. After all she was marrying the legacy heir and that required a lot of preparation. Juno loved seeing how ecstatic Shelby was. It reminded her of her own wedding to Jade. It seemed like it was yesterday that they too were getting married. Now they were mostly at home with their two toddlers causing a mess.

Monica came over to help plan the wedding. She too was happy with the choice Otani made. Finally the Legacy would create the third generation. At least she hoped so. With her two eldest and one of her youngest children married or soon to be, she was happy as a clam.