A/N: In all honesty I was never going to write a second chapter to this story. I felt like it ended where it needed to and that was it. Several people have asked for another chapter and I never really got inspired to write one… until today. This weekend we are celebrating Memorial Day here in the States and as I thought about my family and everyone that served, it made me think of all of the people that have lost loved ones. So I want to say thank you to everyone that has served, had family members who served, and for the people who died protecting our country. I come from a family with a long military history and I am proud of all of them. Thank you! Here is the second and final chapter to this story…
Epilogue
Had it really been a whole year since that tragic day? Some days it seemed as if time continued to move at warp speed and at other times it felt as if it had finally slowed down to a crawl, but as always it never stopped. It was forever moving forward, and thus the former hosts of the Ouran High School Host Club also had to move forward unable to move backwards or standstill.
On this the anniversary of the loss of their good friend, they planned to gather on that same pier and toast the dear friend they had lost, and who they were convinced brought them back together and still watched over them; they had lost a good friend, but they never again took for granted their friendships. This would become a yearly event.
Back in high school, the Host Club had become a second family to all seven members, and although life had gotten in the way after college (maybe even a little before) and they had let their friendships fall by the wayside, that family was back together and stronger than ever. Not a week went by that they didn't talk to each other by phone or email, and at least once a month they would get together for a meal… regardless of schedules or how busy they were. This was their tribute to Tamaki: to live, love, and be happy together. This is what he would have wanted: to be a family again. If there was anything the former hosts regretted, it was that Tamaki was no longer with them to make memories, joke, go ballistic when the twins harassed Haruhi (not that Kyoya didn't do something about it), and especially now… Now when the lives of his friends would be changing the most, now when he could be the crazy blond that they all knew and loved, now when it matter most, he could only be there in spirit looking down on them from above, guiding them and offering the comforting spiritual embrace… no longer the powerful glomp he once delivered; and yet, the six remaining hosts knew he was with them every day since he tragic accident that stole him from them. He would always be with them living in their hearts and memories.
However, as with many things that involve Tamaki, not everything went according to plan. A few months after they lost the blond in the car accident, Haruhi found out that she and Kyoya were expecting their first child, and everyone had been overjoyed; and the couple felt like Tamaki was also celebrating with them and happy for them. Now as she inched closer to a due date still two weeks away, Haruhi had woken up that very morning with her back hurting. Without waking up Kyoya, because the last thing she wanted to deal with was a demon, she crawled out of bed and walked around the house to try and ease the discomfort… and just as she was going to step into the shower to get ready to go out to the pier for the day, her water broke. This was not the time for this to happen. It was too soon, she still had to go out and celebrate the life of her friend with the others, and she didn't know if she was ready yet. She was supposed to have another two weeks to prepare! Alas, their little girl, did not want to wait.
And that was another thing… Haruhi could have sworn she was having a boy. It was just a feeling she had, and yet the sonogram showed a girl… of course they never got a really good picture and there was always a chance that the sonogram was wrong, but they told her a girl. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling and therefore kept everything in the nursery neutral, even if the twins didn't do that for the baby's wardrobe.
Waddling her way out of the bathroom, she walked over to the bed. There was no hope for it, she was going to have to wake the sleeping beast, "Kyoya… Kyoya, wake up."
"What?!" The sleeping form growled.
Not one to fear the dreaded Shadow King, Haruhi told him, "Kyoya, wake up. My water broke."
That immediately caught his attention and he sat up in bed, eyes wide and staring at the somewhat blurry figure standing next to him, "What?!" This time his question was full of shock and a little terror. Grabbing his glasses, he put them on as he tried to clear his head, "But you aren't due…"
"I know, but even my doctor said this could happen. We have to go to the hospital."
"What about…?"
Haruhi knew immediately what he was alluding to and she shook her head, "We won't make it. Call the others on the way."
Hopping out of bed, Kyoya got dressed, grabbed the packed bag by the door and escorted Haruhi downstairs. Today was the day, and he couldn't help the small smile that graced his face. It was a feeling he got, a feeling that Tamaki was with him today and had somehow picked this day to force Haruhi into labor because that would be just like him. Kyoya could even imagine the name of the plan, "Mission: We Have To Get The Baby Out Because I Want to See It!" There was no doubt in his mind that Tamaki would try something like this, even up there. God how he missed that crazy blond, his smiling face, the overenthusiastic daddy mode, being called mommy, and his friendship. That's what the bespectacled man missed the most: the friendship. Tamaki was the one that helped break through Kyoya's shell, the one to make him realize he was more than his family thought of him, and the one to gift him with Haruhi. On this day more than any other, he wished Tamaki was standing by his side instead of looking down from heaven.
As instructed, on the way to the hospital, Kyoya called the others and let them know what was happening and that they would have to carry on the celebration without the Shadow King or the Host Club's secret princess; and when they finally made it to the hospital after being delayed due to an accident, they found their friends waiting for them at the hospital entrance. "What about the…?"
Mori placed a hand on Kyoya's shoulder, "Tamaki would want us with you."
"That's right Kyo-Chan! We can celebrate him while here too! Although, I think it's so cool that you are having a baby today of all days!" Hunny proclaimed with a beaming smile.
"Well, it might take longer and the baby could be born tomorrow," Kyoya told his friend.
The twins glanced at each other and then at Kyoya and Haruhi and shook their heads, "Nah, Tono is going to get that baby out of Haruhi today!"
Once checked in, Haruhi was taken back to her room in labor and delivery. Her husband followed shortly after, having received a pep talk from the other guys first. A year ago this would not have happened. They might have called the others after the baby was born or possibly just sent an announcement, but things had changed. Now they realized the importance of those friendships in their lives, now they realized how easy it was to lose one of them, and now they realized that they needed each other, just like they needed Tamaki; however with the blond, they would have to settle for having him there in spirit. Haruhi had to brush a stray tear off of her face. Too soon, he had been taken from them too soon, but it was because he had been that the six friends were so close today.
Talk to any doctor and they will say that labor times vary from person to person, but for a first time pregnancy, they expect it to last longer than many, and they certainly don't expect it to last just seven hours. Everyone is different though. Seven hours of labor, of contractions and then finally pushing the last hour or so, and Haruhi was holding her little baby.
Kyoya walked into the waiting room and found his four friends awaiting news about the newest Ootori. Clearing his throat and pushing up his glasses to gain their attention, he smiled, "He's here and Haruhi is fine."
"He's?" Four voices rang out in the room. They had all been expecting a girl.
Chuckling, the Shadow King nodded, "It appears Haruhi was right once again. It's a boy."
"I guess that means we need to make some new clothes," Hikaru looked to his brother.
Kaoru nodded, "It would appear."
"This is going to be fun!" They announced.
Hunny shook his head and giggled, "Always trust Haru-Chan and what she says. Can we see them?"
Nodding, Kyoya answered, "Yes, come with me and I will take you to her room." He led the way and they eventually arrived at Haruhi's room. Knocking gently, he opened the door and grinned when he saw Haruhi's sparkling eyes lock on his face, "I have some visitors here for you."
One by one, the four other former hosts marched into the room and quickly moved over to the bed where their friend and a small baby lay. The baby had a head full of black hair and was currently sleeping peacefully, and every one of the men were captivated.
"Ano, Kyo-Chan, Haru-Chan, what did you name the baby?" Hunny asked softly.
Haruhi's smiling face met the gaze of each of her friends before she answered, "Tamaki. This is Tamaki Ootori."
Tears could be seen in each set of eyes at that moment. One year ago they had lost their best friend and found each other. One year ago they had rekindled their friendship and became a family again. One year ago Tamaki Suoh had become their guardian angel… and today, it felt like a small part of their friend had been returned to them.
"Well, this isn't a pier," Kaoru sniffled.
"But we think the boss wouldn't mind the setting," Hikaru added as he opened up a small cooler that he had with him and pulled out five beers and one apple juice, passing them around.
"Tono would want us to toast this event!" The twins stated together.
When everyone had their drinks, Kyoya was the first to speak, "To my beautiful wife for giving me a precious gift today, to our friends that are with us, thank you for being part of our lives, and to my best friend Tamaki Suoh… I miss you and I know that you are always with me, just as I know you will always watch over my son."
"Tama-Chan, you are the glue that brought us together and held us there and we miss you. You will never be forgotten and we will always honor what you have done for us," Hunny went next.
Mori held up his can, "Tamaki, thank you for everything. It was an honor to know you."
The tears flowed even more.
"Boss, you broke into our world and this past year has been lonely without you in it. We may not have been in contact much before you were taken, but it's sad the world will no longer know of your… exuberance," Hikaru said and chuckles were heard throughout the room.
Wiping his face on his shoulder, Kaoru looked upwards, "We know that although you were taken from us early, you never really left us. We miss you Tono, but we know that a part of you now resides in your namesake."
Haruhi could not stem the tears flowing down her cheeks. Her husband tried to wipe them away for her, but they were immediately replaced. Sniffling, she began, "Tamaki you were always a little crazy, but you loved us all and could always make us smile… even when you acted like an idiot and made us mad. You loved life, you loved to love, and you loved to make people happy. We miss you so much and you will always be in our hearts. I always feel you around me and I know you were with us today. This little man will know who you were. To Tamaki Suoh, to my wonderful husband, to my best friends, and to my little boy, I love you all."
Today was a day set aside to celebrate the life of a friend they had lost, but it was also now a day to celebrate new life. Their friend was missed and they all wished he could be there today of all days, and in a way he was and always would be; and they would pass on to this little baby everything Tamaki taught them about family, friendship, love, and happiness. Tamaki Suoh may be gone from the world, but he will never truly be gone from their lives or hearts. And as a beam of sunlight broke through one cloud and shined through the window, six friends thought they saw their friend standing once again with them, their guardian angel.
