Dear Half-Brother and Sister-in-law,

I have not heard spoken to either of you since your wedding almost 5 years ago. Alas, I do not wish to speak with you, but I am in need of your presence here in London. You are hereby invited to my wedding on August 5th at the St Paul's Cathedral at 1pm sharp. Takumi, this might be a good time to introduce Misaki to Father and Grandfather, considering they knows nothing about your relationship. I did not want to invite you, since you have cut all ties with the Walker family, but my fiancé is very eager to meet you...and Misaki-san. You are also needed because I am in need of a best man, and she thought my brother would be the best choice. Therefore, I am expecting to see you soon. Please send your response to this address:

"150 Piccadilly, London, England

The Ritz London

The Trafalgar Suite"

If you can't reply by letters, you still remember my cell number, right? Though I would prefer you didn't not call me. Please send your reply before the end of the month. I will have a room at the hotel prepared for you two.

Sincerely,

Gerrard Walker

"-an? Kaa-san?" Misaki snapped out of her reverie and stared at the black television screen, white ending credits from the movie scrolling down the screen. "Kaa-san, look!"

Misaki looked down at the bouncing Akiyo.

"Look at what Akiyo?" Misaki expressed gently.

"I can turn the TV off!" Akiyo jumped from the living room couch and pressed the "power" button. The TV flashed and went black with a soft hum. Akiyo giggled happily, as if she had just done the most amazing thing in the world.

"Wow, Kiyo, that's amazing!" Misaki whispered excitedly.

Absently, Misaki stroked Koemi's hair. She slept soundly in Misaki's lap. Takumi stood, giving Misaki a gentle look. He knew what she was thinking. They weren't in a good situation. He turned to pick up Akiyo as Misaki stood, cradling Koemi.

"Time for bed, Akiyo. Look, Emi's already asleep." Takumi gestured to the sleeping girl, hair blocking her face.

"Aww, but Tou-san!" Akiyo whined.

"Uh un, Akiyo. If you don't sleep now, you won't wake up tomorrow morning. Its already past your bed time."

With a bit of fussing, mostly from Misaki, they managed to get Akiyo into bed. Once they were sure both girls were assuredly asleep, Misaki and Takumi returned to their room in silence. They had experienced this silence before. The tense but needy atmosphere. They quietly got under the covers of their bed and laid facing away from each other. The heavy air pressed down on them. Misaki sucked in a breath and her soft voice cut the air.

"What are we going to do?"

"What do you want me to do?" Takumi answered back.

Misaki turned to face his back. "Takumi, be serious. Your father and grandparents don't know you're married, let alone have kids. If we go, we have to take the girls with us, and if we don't, Gerrard-san will haunt us until we regret it."

"Misaki." Takumi turned and looked into her amber eyes. "There's nothing we can do."

"What do you mean?" Misaki tensed up.

"That letter probably took a good week or two to reach here from London. Most likely, Gerrard has already confirmed with the family that I will be attending. So we're going to have to go."

"But what abo-"

"You are coming with me, so are the girls." He was determined to convince her.

Misaki took a deep breath and swallowed. "Explain." she demanded.

"No matter what anyone says, you are my wife, my lover. Koemi and Akiyo are my precious daughters. This is my family. I'm not going to lie to anyone about that."

"But I'm just worr-"

Takumi crashed his lips to hers to silence her. Misaki finally realized why he kept stopping her from saying it; "What if your family doesn't approve?" He was just as worried as she was, if not more. Takumi slid his right hand under Misaki to lock around her waist. His left hand rested on her cheek, stroking it soothingly. Misaki's left hand was gripping his shirt, right one locked around his neck, pulling him closer. They didn't want to let go. They wanted to comfort each other, to be comforted. But, like every other human being, they needed air. And so, they parted. They dropped their heads to the pillows, foreheads pressed together, noses brushing with every breath they took.

"Takumi?" Misaki whispered.

"hmm?" he hummed in response.

"I love you, Idiot" she smiled lopsidedly at him.

"Misaki?" he grinned softly.

"Yeah?" she asked.

Slowly, Takumi rolled her onto her back. He leaned over her, lips millimeters from hers.

"I'm not letting you sleep tonight."