-December-

The waves crashed along the shore as a newlywed couple entered the bedroom. Kyouya and Marie smiled at each other before Kyouya's lips crashed into his bride's. She kissed him back eagerly, one hand fisting into his hair and causing her new husband to growl at her. Gently, Kyouya laid Marie on the bed and crawled above her , straddling Marie's hips with his legs.

"Kyouya," she gasped out through the desire, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For waiting until this moment."

Kyouya chuckled.

"Yes, but you know, dear…" he leaned down and whispered in her ear, "I can't wait any longer."

Marie shivered in delight as Kyouya's lips trailed down her jaw, neck, and towards her collar bone. She was so lost in the passion that she failed to notice his deft fingers unbutton and unlace the back of her wedding gown.

"And now, darling, the honeymoon officially begins." he whispered, before blowing out the nearest candle.

-5 Years Later-

Marie sighed happily as she pranced about the kitchen, pulling pans of cookies out of the oven and putting more pans into it. This was the night of the "Unofficial Official Host Club Annual Christmas Extravaganza" according to Tamaki. Everyone would be there; Tamaki and a three months pregnant Haruhi, Hikaru, Kaoru, Takashi (Mori), Mitsukini (Honey, but only behind his back), herself, Nekozawa (he and Marie had had book club once a week after the Akito fiasco), and Kyouya. The party rotated houses every year and this had been Marie and Kyouya's year to host. Marie's favorite Christmas movie, "Elf", was playing in the background and she giggled when she heard Will Ferrell say,

"I'm singing! I'm in a store and I'm siiiiiingiiiiing! I'm in a store and I'm siiiiiingiiiiing!"

At that precise moment, the Ootori house phone decided to ring. After setting the oven timer, Marie waltzed over to the phone and answered it.

"Ootori residence, Marie speaking. How may I help you?"

"Marie? Darling, it's Kyouya."

"KYOUYA! Mon chérie, is everything all right at work?"

"I'm afraid not, dear. I'm taking a break from negotiations right now. It looks like I won't be able to make it to the Christmas party."

"Oh."

Marie was silent for several moments before Kyouya's voice brought her to reality.

"I'm sorry, sweetheart. I'll try to make it but things aren't looking good."

"No…no that's fine, dear. I know things are hectic right now. I'll save you a plate, all right?"

"All right. I love you, Marie."

"I know. I love you, too, Kyouya."

Marie hung up the phone and took a deep breath. She did understand that Kyouya's job was demanding. On the other hand, she also had some very intense news that she couldn't share with the others until Kyouya knew. Sighing, Marie once again began preparing for the evening's party. Later that night, Marie received a pleasant surprise. The party had been in full swing for about thirty minutes when the doorbell rang. Answering the door, Marie was very excited to see her father-in-law, Yoshio.

"Yoshio! Come in, it must be freezing outside!"

Yoshio chuckled as he stepped into the room and removed his coat.

"I'll take it. What brings you here? I thought you were with Fuyumi?"

"I was. But then I heard that Kyouya wouldn't be coming to this little soirée and thought that it would be a good idea to come over."

"Well, that was a lovely thought, but I can handle everything just fine on my-"

"No you can't. Just let me help out. It's the least I can do to repay you for helping my son, and me, see what was truly important."

Marie was silent for a moment before finally conceding to the man's request. The party was going smoothly, with several laughs, stories, and jokes. About half way through the party, Tamaki approached Marie with a solemn expression.

"Marie. Where's Kyouya?"

"Kyouya had a last minute meeting and was unable to reschedule it."

"Ah. I hope this doesn't happen often."

"Of course not. In the five years that we've been married and the two since he began running the company, Kyouya has never failed to miss an important engagement. I can forgive him this one minor date."

"All right. I was only trying to look after my favorite little cousin."

"I'm your only little cousin, Tamaki."

"I know…..and you look so cute tonight!"

Tamaki attempted to catch Marie in one of his death hugs but she merely side stepped him.

"Not in this dress, Tamaki."

Marie was wearing a very expensive evening gown. It was a knee-length green dress, with white fabric that caused it to poof out slightly. Around the waist was a white bow and she wore white ballet flats to complete the look.

"Ah…okay." Tamaki mumbled before going back to dote on Haruhi.

The rest of the night went relatively smoothly, with barely any outbursts from the "Host Club King". By midnight, everyone was saying their good-byes. Yoshio faced Marie one last time that night as he slipped his jacket on.

"Don't worry about Kyouya, Marie. If this begins to happen more often then I'll have a talk with him."

"I'm sure it won't, Yoshio." Marie said, smiling slightly.

She and Yoshio shared a brief embrace before he rode off into the night. Sighing, Marie began to place everything in the fridge, making sure to leave out a plate for Kyouya.