Kevin
and his younger brother Liam share pointed barbs throughout the saga, although
it is equally apparent that they feel great familial love for one another.
Kevin always refers to Liam as "Neddy" (an Irish term for a fool), while Liam gleefully calls Kevin
"you old sod."
When
Kevin finally marries his longtime love Mariko Woods in The Twilight, the
"dressing" ritual before the ceremony beings out the best in the two
brothers:
EARLIER IN THE DAY, Liam snuck Kevin into the
mansion, coordinating their entry with Shannon while Mariko was safely ensconced
in her own room. The two brothers made a beeline for Kevin's bedroom on the
fourth floor to prepare for the wedding. Shannon left them a tray with a
decanter of cognac and two snifters in a thoughtful gesture, hoping it would
help keep Kevin calm on his special day.
But Kevin declined a drink. "I had enough
hooch last night, thanks. I want to be clear-headed when I lumber across the
foyer in my twinky get-up."
"It wasn't much of a bachelor party,"
Liam complained. "Twenty men crammed into the keeper's cottage, taking
shots of whiskey and playing poker. The Coven would have been better…"
"Yeah, but it would have been much harder
to pry me out of the Coven," Kevin grinned. "This way we're close at
hand and semi-sober." He pointed to the garment bag draped over his bed.
"Grab my clothes, will you? Let's get this over with. I'm warning you,
though, if you laugh at me in my get-up, I'll hurt you really bad. I'd like to see your
bony little ass in one of these outfits."
Liam tried to keep a straight face as he helped
his brother slip into the black montsuki
haori full-length kimono, split
between the legs, and baggy pants known as hakama.
Kevin tucked a white sash into the pants, and then admired the Larkin family
crest embroidered on the breast pocket of the kimono.
"Look at me, will you?" Kevin snorted.
"I waited fifty-eight years to get married, and it's come to this. I'm
going to face Father Hunter and all our guests looking like an Irish samurai. All I need is a sword swinging
at my side to appear the part."
Liam couldn't hold back his laughter. After he
regained a semblance of control, in part spurred on by Kevin's fierce glare, he
offered a positive note: "At least Mariko made the outfit large enough to
cover your frame comfortably."
"She is
something, isn't she?"
Liam sobered, catching the solemn tone of his
brother's voice. Clearing his throat, Liam stood behind Kevin at the bedroom
mirror and looked at his reflection. "I know I've said this before, but
I'm glad you found Mariko. She's the best. She's understated and serene, yet so
funny and wise. I love her to bits, and she'll make a wonderful addition to our
family. However, if you asked me ten years ago…I never thought you'd give up
tall blondes and bleary bar flies for a tiny Japanese lady who brooks very
little nonsense. It took you long enough, but you deserve all the happiness in
the world. You've earned it, and then some."
"For once I agree with you, neddy."
"Just be happy," Liam insisted.
"I'm very happy, and thank you."
The brothers were uncomfortable with frilly
sentiment, unused to sibling displays of deep affection, so they let their
personal comments rest there.
Click here to read more excerpts from The Twilight.
