Laura Rowland: The Iris Fan

“It doesn’t matter,” Reiko said with quiet passion. “When I saw you losing the fight with Yanagisawa … well, I didn’t try to save you from him because I wanted to be free of you. We belong together.”

Sano was glad to learn that, but he said, “Before you decide whether you really want to be with me, hear this: If I had it all to do over again, I would do it the same way.” Coming close to losing what he held dearest changed a man, but not entirely. Reiko was motionless, quiet, listening. “If you stay with me, I promise to do the best by you and the children that I can. But”-voicing the truth that would never change, he faltered over words whose solemn formality didn’t come naturally to him-“I’m just as married to honor as I am to you.”

Reiko tilted up her head to look at him. “I wouldn’t want you any other way.” Her smile was serene with a hint of the mischief he hadn’t seen in years. “Before you decide whether you really want me, hear this: If I ever think you’re doing something wrong, I will tell you.”

Her warning meant more than that she would never be a conventional wife; she would always put their family ahead of honor and duty. A revelation during a life-and-death crisis hadn’t changed her entirely, and Sano was glad. He wouldn’t want her any other way. He laughed with exhilarated humor. “Fair enough.”

They were both laughing now, tearfully, their emotions spent. They both knew that life in the inner circle of the new shogun’s court wouldn’t be easy, but being together on any terms was better than what had almost happened-losing each other forever.

Akiko rushed into the room, breathless with excitement. “Masahiro and Taeko have something to tell you!”

* * *

Masahiro and Taeko came in, solemn and frightened. Midori trailed them, wringing her hands under her sleeves. Reiko stepped away from Sano, reluctant to leave the newfound warmth of his embrace. Her gaze flew to Masahiro’s and Taeko’s clasped hands.

“We’re getting married,” Masahiro announced.

It was so soon after Kikuko’s death, but Reiko was glad to see him and Taeko reunited. She wouldn’t deny them the mutual comfort of their love. They deserved it, after Masahiro’s first brief marriage that had been forced on them, that had ended so disastrously.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” she said.

Masahiro and Taeko smiled, but they knew that Reiko’s opinion wasn’t the one that counted. They turned anxiously to Sano. His expression was sad, fond, and regretful.

“Please let them!” Midori begged, extending her clasped hands to Sano. Frantic to secure her daughter’s happiness, she called in the favor that his family owed hers. “Taeko’s father sacrificed his life for you. That ought to make her good enough to marry your son even though she can’t bring you a big dowry or important connections!”

“I did what you wanted last time,” Masahiro said. “This time I’m going to marry Taeko and nobody else.”

This was the first test of Sano’s promise to do his best by the children. Reiko held her breath, afraid he didn’t understand, wouldn’t pass the test. Then he said mildly, “I think it’s a wonderful idea, too. In fact, I was going to suggest it.” He added with a wry smile, “I’m sure the shogun won’t have any objections, either.”

Now that he was in control of the shogun and the government, he could afford the risk of letting his son marry for love and foregoing a politically advantageous match. Reiko exhaled and Midori wept with relief. Masahiro and Taeko laughed and jumped up and down.

“The wedding has to be soon,” Masahiro said. “Taeko is going to have a baby.”

Reiko’s breath caught. She and Sano gaped at Masahiro, who looked proud and sheepish, and at Taeko, who blushed, clasped her stomach, and looked at the floor. They turned to Midori and Akiko, who beamed-they’d already been told. Sano and Reiko looked at each other, not really surprised by the news of the pregnancy but astonished to realize they were going to be grandparents.

“She’s so young, she won’t know what to do with a baby,” Midori said, putting her arm around Taeko, “but that’s all right.” She seemed at peace with Hirata’s death and ready to forgive Sano and his family for the sake of her daughter. “I’m going to live with her and Masahiro and help her take care of it. She’ll learn.”

The thought of a baby evoked the familiar surge of emotions in Reiko, but the tears that fell were tears of joy that diluted her sorrow for the baby she’d lost. She felt Akiko tug her hand, and knew that the vestige of emptiness inside her would soon be filled by her first grandchild.

“I have news, too,” Sano said. “Masahiro is the shogun’s new chief investigator. Which means he’ll not only have a good stipend, but he and his new family can live in our old estate inside Edo Castle.”

Everyone expressed delight, including Reiko, but she was alarmed by the thought of her son taking on such an important, responsible position. “But he’s so young and inexperienced.”

“I can handle it, Mother,” Masahiro said, brashly confident. Taeko beheld him with love, pride, and trust.

“He’ll have you and me to advise him and Detective Marume as his assistant. He’ll learn.” Sano looked at Reiko; they smiled as they remembered the hard lessons of the past and looked ahead to the challenges of the future.

“We all did,” Sano said. “We all will.”