Chapter 1- Second Chance

The soup in the pot was bubbling, slightly spilling over the brim. I quickly ran over to turn down the heat. Hotaru came into the kitchen, following the smell of food.

"Haruka-papa, what are you making? When did you learn to cook?"

I winked at the small child. "Is Michiru-mama still taking a nap? This might take me a while; I just read it in mama's cookbook."

Hotaru pulled a chair closer to the stove and climbed up. "Haruka-papa, you are supposed to peel the potatoes. Also, you are burning the fish."

"Ahhh…" Darn. I did burn the fish. I wonder if Michiru would notice if I just scrape off the burnt part. How did this get so difficult? I just wanted to cook a dinner for my wife. When she came back from her art class, she looked exhausted. The students must have been a handful today…

Ding Dong. "Hotaru, could you help me open the door? Setsuna-mama must have forgotten her keys again." I asked as I dumped the burnt fish into the garbage.

Hotaru ran to the door. I could hear the front door open and a weirdly familiar voice talking to my daughter. It wasn't Setsuna.

I turned off the stoves and walked out of the kitchen. My heart stopped when I saw who she was talking to. Standing at my door, awkwardly clutching her handbag, looking so much older than before, was my mother.

"Papa, she has the same last name as you. Who is she?"

I tried to speak but I had become mute. Anger flashed through me, mixed in with sadness and regret.

"Hello, Haruka. How are you?" With a slight tremor in her voice, mom asked gently.

"Fine. What are you doing here?" I said coldly. Hotaru was looking at me with her puzzling eyes but she could recognize my anger. She excused herself, giving me the privacy to deal with my mother.

"May I come in?"

Reluctantly, I nodded. That was when I noticed that she was wearing a black kimono and she wasn't wearing any jewellery. She must have came straight from a funeral. "Who died?" I asked.

Surprised by the coldness in my voice, tears welled up in her eyes. "Your father. He died of a heart attack last week. The funeral was beautiful, if you are wondering…." Her voice trailed off.

A stabbing pain pierced my heart. So he's dead. I felt the sudden urge to scream and punch something. He made our lives miserable, why would I feel sad for him?

"Haruka, I know we haven't seen or speak to each other for years now. Perhaps it's too late, but I would like a second chance. Please let me be your mother again?" Her eyes pleaded silently.

I looked at the familiar stranger in front of me and I clenched my fists. The hurt of betrayal lingered in my heart all these years, could I trust her again?

Just then, Michiru walked up and put an arm around me. Protective as always, I could always count on her to side with me. Then, to my complete and utter surprise, Michiru walked up to my mother and extended her hand. "Hi, my name is Kaioh Michiru. I am your daughter's partner. Nice to meet you."

My mom shook Michiru's hand awkwardly.

"Would you like to stay for dinner?"Michiru asked nicely. I gave her a look, begging her to stop. I didn't want my mother in this house. I didn't want my mother to be in my life. I thought I had put all of that in my past, now that I had my own family.

Gratefully, my mother accepted Michiru's invitation.

Hotaru ran up to Michiru and peered at the old woman curiously. "Oh, and this is our daughter Hotaru."

My mother gasped and looked at Hotaru with awe. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and then she knelt down and pulled Hotaru into a tight embrace. "Hi, sweety. I am your grandmother."

I walked back into the kitchen. If they wanted to have a happy reunion, then fine. I didn't want to be part of it. Frustrated, I banged my head against the wall. Why did she have to show up now? My life was pretty perfect, I didn't need her to come up and mess it up. Could she really accept Michiru and Hotaru?

Michiru wrapped her arms around me and rested her head on my back. "Haruka, let's give her a chance."

Urgh. I couldn't ever say no to Michiru. I turned and gave my wife a lingering kiss. I needed to feel her, as if to validate my relationship with her.

"We have faced the Messiah of Silence. I think we can handle your mother, Haruka." Michi said with a cocky smile. "Also, what happened in the kitchen? It looked like a war had happened here."

"Oh, I was trying to make dinner. Key word tried. We need to get takeout. Ramen?" I pulled out the take out menu binder and handed it to my wife.

"I will go ask your mother what she wants." Michiru ran out of the kitchen before I could protest.

I took a deep breath and tried to will myself to calm down. Michiru was right. We helped saved the world. Whatever was to happen with my mother, we could endure that too. Right?