Just a reminder, I still don't own Ouran. Only the Quints and Kyle. Plus a few more OCs...

(Sara's POV)

Just when I thought I couldn't have any more issues...

"Well, I honestly think that daffodil would suit your bridesmaids. It looks so lovely on most people."

This woman has been prattling on for the last half-hour about the colors for the wedding that is becoming increasingly more permanent by the day. So far, I have made no comment because I am hoping my silence will alert someone that I am not in the slightest bit pleased about what is being decided. And I mean from having to marry Tamaki to picking out colors that my sisters would not appreciate.

Why couldn't Suzette have come? She would have shut this woman up and picked far more flattering colors and dress designs IN ADDITION to arranging a bouquet in less time than she spent discussing the trying and difficult decision of having to choose between pink and salmon.

"OH! But you must have roses! That may clash with your color scheme-"

It takes all of my self-control not to yell at her to shut her mouth and allow me to get my far more qualified sister to help me with the wedding details. But that would only indicate that I actually care about my wedding which means I would be accepting my engagement to my best friend's crush. So instead I stay silent.

Finally her ridiculous monologue ends and she trains a smile at me. "What does our lovely bride think?"

That word makes me finally snap. I smile as sweetly as I can. "I think I am in need of a new wedding planner." And as she stares wide-eyed at me, I stand and bow slightly. "Thank you for your time, but I am not interested in words. I want actions."

Her lips open and close but nothing comes out so I assume that means I can make a clean exit. Well, at least until I have to break the news to my father that I have fired yet another wedding planner.

I allow myself to smile when I remember that I have plans for lunch with him, Tamaki and his father. That seems like the perfect time to announce this one's incompetence and try to argue for Suzette and Susanna to plan my wedding decorations and dress.

Father has been more understanding of me lately since I have threatened to tell Tamaki where my bruises came from. Unlike me, the Suoh family can see to it that he does not make a profit off of them. It was rather risky to threaten him this early on, but thankfully it worked in my favor. He can't pretend to know the first thing about me so he didn't know that I would be too proud to ever tell him such a thing.

As I exit the building I look into the glass doors to view my reflection.

Mother claims I've become more beautiful since the break from school started. And though I am not usually a vain person, I must admit it is true. Now that Suzette and Kyle have chipped in to do paperwork the bags that used to reside under my eyes have all but disappeared. My hair is shinier and a more vibrant shade of brown and if I look closely I can see the faint highlights left from the many trips to pools over the break. For some reason every time I visited my siblings they wanted to go to a pool.

Lastly I look at the pale and most importantly clear skin that has been free from any marks since my last bruises faded. I no longer need to dress in layers and I'm free to wear a tank top and shorts without worrying about who will see what. This is the change I am most proud of...it is also the one I fear will not last long.

That fear is reflected in my deep blue eyes that normally betray no emotion besides coldness. I quickly glance away after that and allow the door to swing shut behind me.

Now is not the time to be admiring myself. I have more important matters to attend to. And one of them is making sure that I spoil Kyle's daughters more than he would like me to. The toys I ordered should be arriving in an hour or two and whatever ones they do not care for will be placed in a box for charity. I know that Julia will hate me for it but I have never had younger siblings to spoil and to be quite honest, I've always had a soft spot for Kyle's daughter Mia. Or perhaps just children in general.

I double check the order on my phone as I enter the open door of the limo waiting for me. "Thank you." Ah, good. Right on schedule so I should text Sakura a reminder in case she's engrossed herself in a book or texting Mori yet again. I resist the urge to roll my eyes when I'm reminded of her not so secret suitor. Father would never dream of upsetting Mori's family so I advised for Mori to get his father to arrange a meeting with my father if he wanted to continue his relationship with my sister. I am afraid if he waits too long someone else will make an offer my father will not refuse and I will be powerless to stop it.

"To the restaurant, ma'am? Or should we stop at a place for you to change?" My driver's voice breaks me from my thoughts.

Oh, right. The lunch should be starting in an hour. "Could we possibly make it home?"

"Not if you wish to be on time."

"Very well. We will stop somewhere close." And I hope that lip gloss will be tolerable enough for both my father and Mr. Suoh because I will not be touching make-up.

"You look lovely, dear." Mr. Suoh smiles brightly at me before lifting my hand to his lips. "You really do look wonderful in that necklace."

Of course he would say that. Tamaki gave it to me just before I left to America so I assume he or his father picked it for me. I'm grateful that one of them has good taste because if it were horrible looking I would not wear it. Although I am more impressed with my dress. Suzette designed it for me and it's a pain to put on, but I love it anyway. It is a shade darker than my eye color and uses two wide straps to create sleeves big enough to cover my shoulders as soon as I tie them behind my neck.

I nod slightly and give a tiny smile of my own. "It is the necklace that is wonderful, not me."

"You're wrong." Tamaki says with wide eyes as he appraises me. "Did you change your hair?"

This is a new development. "No. I do have some unfortunate news though. The latest wedding planner has proved to be a disappointment. It is getting the point where I believe my sisters could do a better job than any of them combined."

Tamaki nods his consent. "If they are up to the challenge they can. Actually, father do you mind if we speak alone?"

Mr. Suoh looks between us with some hope in his eyes. "Of course. Miss Kobayashi, I will inform your father of our plans when he arrives." I send him a grateful smile before turning my attention back to my fiancé.

"What was the looking me over for?" I demand as quietly as I can. "You're not supposed to show any interest ever!"

"I hate to tell you this, Sara-san but when you actually put some effort in you do look-" He gulps. "Nice." When I give him a dubious look he starts to rant. "It's partly your fault too! My father couldn't stop commenting on what a catch you were as you walked towards us! Of course you could never look as cute as my precious Haruhi but you still look attractive and-"

I put up my hand and sigh. "Tamaki...really. You know how dangerous it is to mention her name when our fathers are together." When his expression changes to one of terror I quickly add "I'm sure no one heard, but you best remember that for the future. How are you doing at brightening her image?"

"I'm trying to talk about her without sounding too-" he waves his hand to replace his words and luckily for him I know exactly what he means. "But he only nods and then starts talking about you."

"Then have you had any luck finding what our fathers could possibly be merging on?"

He shakes his head. "No," he replies sadly before brightening again "but maybe if we ask Kyoya-"

"Absolutely not." I snap before crossing my arms. "I thought we went over this. If Kyoya learns of our marriage in the process my side of the plan could be ruined." And my plan involves using his brother to gain access to medical files, mine and my sister's to be exact. If what I learned over the break becomes public that alone could persuade him to back off. But I require more evidence.

Plus, for some reason I think having that damned Otori know would have this seem more real. More real than it is when I am even planning the damned thing!

Tamaki pouts. "But he's so good at finding things out!" He sounds like a toddler when he whines. Luckily I've trained him to be more serious in my presence because I tolerate nothing less, but occasionally he slips back into his old habits.

With a pang, I realize that Haruhi would never try to change him annoying as he is. She should be the one planning a wedding to marry him, not me.

To keep my mind off that subject I concentrate instead on his request. "I don't care, he can't know until the rest of the public knows. Understand?"

Slowly the blond nods. "Fine. But I still can't find out anything so should I keep trying or-" he trails off when he sees my 'really' expression. "I'll keep trying!"

"Very good. Now if anyone asks we were discussing flowers choices. Which should not be too hard to figure out now." If I were honestly looking forward to this, I would have picked a purple flower combination of anemones, carnations, iris, and violets.

"Roses!" Tamaki immediately answers.

My thoughts drift back to the wedding planner and I force down a grimace. But my voice still comes out in a growl when I comment "Fine, but we're dying them purple."

"Can we at least leave some white?" Tamaki whines before I shut him up with a glare.

"Fine."

I hope that if my father has arrived in the time we spent talking he won't be too suspicious.

(Sakura's POV)

My phone buzzes, alerting me that I have a message. My heart races as I put down my book so that I can pick up my phone.

To my disappointment, it's not Mori. But I brighten when I see it's from my sister and feel even happier when it says that the toys will be here on time. I hope that Kyle's girls will like the ones we picked. I never had the chance to spend time with younger children. I've always wondered what it would be like to have a younger sibling. Especially since I'm considered the baby of my family.

My phone buzzes again. This time it is Mori. 'What are you thinking?'

I smile as I re-read it. What are you thinking?

It's nice to have someone who actually cares enough to ask. My siblings are usually aware of my mood, but they don't care like Mori does. Ever since the night of the gala we've been in constant communication. Sara nearly had a heart attack when I told her of our hours of texting the next day. Then I got a lecture on not telling her these things so she could have time to prevent our father from seeing our messages.

My blood boils just at the reminder. What kind of a father reads all of his daughter's text messages and thinks of using them against her?

I quickly type a message back to Mori. 'Remember those girls I told you about? Their toys are arriving soon which means they'll be here soon too.'

Just as I hit the send button the doorbell rings. Those must be the delivery men. I get up and walk toward the front door just as a maid runs past me to open it. She may be more excited than I am. She was absolutely beaming with pride when Sara instructed her to watch the girls when asked.

"Hello, sir may I take your coat?" Her voice sounds oddly formal.

"No, I am looking for my daughter."

I stop walking immediately and glance back toward the door to Sara's office. Would he notice if I retreated back there? Would that even be wise?

"Which daughter sir? Mistress Susanna is sleeping and Mistress Sara has been out since early this morning."

He curses angrily. "Why?"

"I-I don't know sir. She only said not to expect her for lunch since she was eating with acquaintances." The maid's voice sounds meek.

"Why is he here?" Suzette's voice demands from behind me.

I nearly jump from fright. Once she's looking at me I shrug and then gesture to the studies. She nods looking understanding and then walks over to our father to handle that issue.

I only hope that she gets him to leave before the toys arrive. He is not supposed to know about Kyle and his family staying here.

My phone buzzes again and I quickly pull it out. Mori again. 'Will you be free for dinner? My family would like to meet you.'

Despite my worry I can't help but smile. Maybe this means he has succeeded in convincing his family to consider a marriage between us. The only problem I have with this arrangement is that we have to hurry this formality along. It shouldn't have to be like this. I should be happy to spend time with him, getting to know more about his quirks and dislikes. We shouldn't have get engaged so that our relationship can continue.

At least Mori has agreed to ask his father if we could have a long engagement. He and I have agreed to wait a year to see if our feelings remain the same before seriously considering marriage. I hope that Sara can find a solution before long.

"I SAID I WOULD FIND HER SUSANNA! NOW LEAVE!" My father's voice bellows.

I try not to shake from the sharp rush of fear and instead type a quick message to Mori. 'What time?'

I finally got this done. No Kyle in this one, but don't worry he'll be coming in soon enough. Same deal, my schoolwork is huge so don't be expecting another chapter soon.

Tell me what you think!