A/N: Quick update, I know! That's because I've already completed the story to chapter 6, but I won't be posting them all at once. Or maybe I should? ~


Recap:

Usui said, "You're so cute when you get mad like this Misa chan. And even after so long, I haven't got used to it." He lowered his face and kissed her warmly on the lips, once, twice, till he heard a girl's voice saying tonelessly,"If you guys don't mind, would you please stop that? Its still early in the morning."

Usui and Misaki broke apart to see a small girl standing in the doorway of the kitchen, her blonde hair tousled and her hand rubbing one eye. She yawned and opening her green eyes, she said, "I'm hungry. Can we have breakfast now?"


Saying this, she walked over to the dining table, pulled out a chair and sat down. She looked on as Misaki jumped out of Usui's arms, stuttering, "Eh.. .ahh... I-I'll get you s-some juice..." and hid behind the fridge door. Usui smiled and said, "Good morning, Michi."

"Good morning..."

"How come you're awake so early?"

"Mom's 'sweet soprano' right now woke me up and made me want to see why she's 'singing' so early in the morning. And oh," she turned to Misaki as she placed a glass of orange juice on the table, "I don't think you're useless."

"Hmmph! Thank you very much dear!" Misaki replied, grimacing.

"This is my daughter, Michiko Usui. She might look like an eight year old, but," thought Misaki to herself, watching the said person chugging down her juice, "her mind is too wise for her years. She takes after her father completely. Her face, way of speaking( or lack of it ), mannerisms are just like Takumi's! So naturally, she's inherited all his talents. She doesn't talk a lot, interacts with others even less, always tops her grade, rarely causes any trouble, loves reading and shows little emotion. A bit worrying, really. But on the other hand, she's very attached to her close ones, though she doesn't display it. She's kind too. Once, she'd brought an injured puppy into the house and taken care of it all by herself for two days, without anyone finding out. When the puppy healed, it had to go. That day she'd cried. She's really hard to understand, mainly because she's so reserved and doesn't speak her thoughts much. But she's always thoughtful, never forgets a birthday, or anniversary... so how come she hasn't wished us-"
Misaki's internal monologue was interrupted by the sound of running footsteps in the hallway.

A moment later, a small figure burst into the kitchen, his golden eyes flashing and his black locks disarrayed. Spotting Michi on the chair, he yelled at her, "Why didn't you wait for me? You knew I wanted to do this together, and here you are, sitting coolly! How do you expect to surprise them now?"

"Well then, lets just get on with it. Although, I haven't told them anything as yet, so you're the one spoiling it, Tasuku," said Michi, jumping down from the chair. Tasuku, his face flushing a bit, said, "Don't you take that condescending tone with me, you oba-san!"

"What did you say, you little-"

"Now, now, don't start quarreling you two!" Misaki uttered, frowning.

Both of them paid no attention to her. A blood vessel appeared on Misaki's forehead. "Hey! Cut the crap right now!"

Usui turned the gas off and taking out some plates, sighed to himself, "Another normal morning in the Usui household." Aloud, he said, "Anyone who wants breakfast will have to stop shouting!" The kids fell quiet, still eyeing each other in hostility, but Misaki continued to lecture them, ranting about proper behaviour, sibling love and the consequences of not listening to her. So Usui said, "That goes for you as well, Misaki."

At this Tasuku laughed, Michi managed to crack a smile, while Misaki looked sheepish. They sat down at the table to eat a hearty breakfast.

"Ah, we both wanted to say something!" said Tasuku, glancing at Michi. Usui and Misaki pretended to look curious.

"Happy 10th Marriage Anniversary!" they sang in unison.

"Oh...thank you kids!" said Misaki and Usui asked, smiling, "So you remembered?"

"Of course! We even made a card for you! Here-" and he produced a big, colourful card. It had two figures drawn on it, a yellow haired guy and a dark haired girl, arm-in-arm, with lots of bright flowers surrounding them and a huge number '10' emblazoned above their heads. Inside the card, written in big, bold letters was-

"To Mom & Dad-

A VERY HAPPY 10TH MARRIAGE ANNIVERSARY!

-Lots of LOVE, Michi & Tasuku."

A warm glow filled Misaki. She looked up at Usui gazing tenderly at the card. They both smiled at each other.

"How is it?" asked Tasuku, his golden eyes shining eagerly. Michi was staring outside the window, as if she couldn't care less but Usui could see her peeking at them from the corner of her eyes. Seeing this, his smile broadened and he leaned over to ruffle her hair as next to him Misaki said, "Its lovely! Thank you Tasuku and thank you Michi." Usui drew back and said, "We really love it."

Tasuku grinned triumphantly. He turned to Michi, saying "See, they like it!"

"So...?"

"So what? Aren't you glad they liked the card we made?"

"Hmmm... maybe."

"Ehh... what kind of an answer is that?"

This way they continued their banter all through breakfast, watched on by Usui and Misaki. After breakfast, when Misaki was putting the dirty dishes in the dishwater, Tasuku began, "About this evening, mom did y-" but broke off as he received a violent kick on the shin from Michi. "Ooow! What did you do that f-" and Michi gave him a look that said "Shut up right now, or else!" Tasuku quieted down, rubbing his shin, tears in his eyes. Misaki glanced at them suspiciously. Before she could ask anything, Usui popped up next to her and said, "Shouldn't you be getting ready for office now?"

"Yeah, I should be getting along. But the kids-"
"Hey," Usui leaned close and murmured in her ear, "are you waiting for me to join you in the shower?"

Misaki blushed furiously. "What are you saying!"

"I'm saying that I'll join you in the shower, just as soon as I clean up the kitchen. And," flashing her a seductive smile, "then I'll come and soap your back... how about it?"

Blushing to the roots of her hair, she pushed him back and snapped, "No, thank you!" and stormed out of the kitchen.

Usui waited till he heard the bathroom door slam and the water running before he turned to Tasuku and said, "You almost gave the game away. If it hadn't been for Michi's timely action, the cat would have been out of the bag."

Tasuku looked suitably abashed. "So, you know what you guys have to do today," said Usui briskly. Michi nodded. He continued, "After school ends, you won't be coming back home. Auntie Suzuna will pick you up and you'll be staying over at her house tonight. Next day, we'll come over and get you back. Is that all clear?"

But Tasuku hadn't given up. "I just think that mom should know."

"And why do you think that? You were the one who was all about 'giving them a surprise' in the first place!" replied Michi.

"I know that! But this other idea, well..."

"What about it?"

"Well, I hope you remember what happened the last time Michi and I disappeared?" asked Tasuku of Usui.

In the minds of all three came the same old memory.

That day Michi and Tasuku had been playing with a friend in the neighbourhood park, when their friend's dad had come and invited them to a treat. So, they'd all gone to a restaurant to get some ramen noodles and ice cream. Meanwhile, Misaki, seeing that it was about to rain, had gone to the park to fetch the kids. On not finding them there, she decided to wait. Soon it began raining.

The kids were stuck in the restaurant with their friend's dad as they didn't have any umbrellas and decided to wait there till the rain stopped.

On the other hand, Misaki grew more worried with the children's non-appearance. She rushed home in a state of panic and asked Usui to call up the police. Together with a policeman, they went to the park. By now the rain had stopped. But the kids were still missing and Misaki's panic was mounting. They started searching for the three children.

As soon as the rain had stopped, the four who were stuck in the restaurant hurried back. On the way, Tasuku slid on the wet road and fell, hurting himself badly. He started crying. The friend's father picked him up and tried to comfort the squirming Tasuku, as Michi and their friend looked on, worried.

Misaki, who was close by, heard the familiar cry and rushed to the place. She turned a corner and saw Michi and her friend with their backs towards her. But the sight which incensed her was of a man struggling with her crying son. Misaki charged toward them, snatched Tasuku away and grabbing the man by his collar, she heaved him over her shoulder and tossed him onto the ground with all her strength, yelling ''Kidnapper!" at the top of her lungs.

Later, when the misunderstanding was cleared up, both Misaki and Usui apologised profusely. But needless to say, their friend's dad was still bemused and after that incident, had developed a back problem.

"So, don't you think that mom is better off without such a surprise?" asked Tasuku, bringing them back to the present.

"Pffft! Tasuku, you worry too much."

"Yeah, leave mom to dad, you mama's boy. He knows how to handle her."

"But-"

"Tasuku its too late to make new plans," said Usui gently. "Don't worry so much. Or is it that you don't believe in your dad's abilities?" he asked teasingly.

"O-of course n-not! I-It's not that! I-I just, well... its just that I worry about mom too. She gets so hyped over little things, especially when it concerns us. I don't think we should cause her unneccesary worry like this," admitted Tasuku, his face getting redder with every word.

Usui looked at his son and sighed internally. "He's Misaki's son through and through. It becomes even more obvious at times like this when he so strongly reminds me of her, trying to voice out his real feelings. Thinking of others before himself, not causing any troubles for anyone, always caring and concerned about his family and friends. Although he didn't know, but Misaki and I had already found out that they were planning to wake up earlier so they could wish us today. Self sacrificing, just like her. He'll gives his all in doing anything in which he believes. Hard working, comes first in studies as well as sports. I'd never got to see how Misaki was like in her childhood. And he's like the six-year old vision of Misaki. His looks, his words, his actions, his smiles, even his blushes are inherited from Misaki. I can watch him all day and night, and never get tired. Every laugh of his fills me with happiness."

Usui smiled softly. "I know how much you care for your mom and I want you to know that I care for her too, just like you do. I can never intentionally cause her any pain or worries. The love that we have for her will never let us hurt her. So you just relax. I'll take good care of your mom."

Tasuku returned the smile, convinced by his father's words and his love for his mother. "I'm sure you will."

"Then, since we're all in agreement," said Usui, gazing at Michi and Tasuku, "we'll go according to the plan, won't we?"

Tasuku nodded enthusiastically, as Michi smiled and winked at him.

"So, here we go!"


A/N: That was the end of chapter 2. Please R&R! :) The next chapter will be posted very, very soon.