Disclaimer: I do not own Ouran High School Host Club
The private cemetery was situated on the old Grantaine estate, so it was only a short trek to the wake being held in a pavilion erected for the occasion. Haruhi guided her son to a restroom to clean up, trying to avoid eye contact with anyone. Upon exiting the bathroom, however, Haruhi was immediately accosted by a tiny girl in a grey chiffon dress. She had large brown eyes and curly blonde ringlets.
"Fumiko!" exclaimed her son, "Mom didn't tell me you were coming!" Fumiko simply smiled and grabbed Kazuki's hand, dragging him in off to play. Haruhi watched them run off together. When she turned her attention to the wake, the Host Club was waiting. They all must have followed closely when she left the cemetery. She lowered her gaze, silent, not that she knew what to say anyway. She didn't trust herself not to start crying again. After all, these men knew her the best in all the world now.
Hunny was the first to speak up. "Fumiko was excited the whole trip to see Kazuki again. I see she's already found him and pulled him away."
"Yes, your little girl wasted no time at all. Did Reiko make the trip?"
After that, the conversation ran more smoothly. Hunny's wife, Reiko, joined them, as did Kaoru's pregnant wife Hayame.
Mori apologized for his wife's absence, but she just couldn't bear to leave their infant son for more than an overnight trip. Haruhi understood. She had been the same way after Kazuki was born. She'd even had a bassinet set up in her home office so he would be close as she worked.
Kyoya introduced his fiance, Suzume, to the club. Everyone understood the match had been arranged by their fathers, but Kyoya wouldn't be going through with it if the girl didn't have any redeeming qualities.
Hikaru was conspicuously alone. Now a notorious ladies' man, he normally had a different model on his arm at every event when they all met. However, he didn't think this was appropriate place for a date.
Though the conversation was often interrupted by visitors wishing condolences, the group settled into a comfortable ease in a far corner of the pavilion. Haruhi knew she should mingle more and thank people for coming – there were a lot of important business associates and clients in attendance – but she found she didn't want to leave the safety of her circle of friends. Besides, Tamaki's father, grandmother, and maternal grandparents were doing a fine job, and holding it together far better than she felt. Her own father was there as well, but he'd been warned not to make a scene by fussing over Haruhi. Instead, he attended to Risa, playing with her, and then rocking her (and Beary) until she fell asleep.
The afternoon faded to evening, and all the guests left. The Host Club were the last to depart. Hunny had some trouble separating Fumiko from Kazuki. They had been playing house, and she had nearly convinced him to eat her amazing mud pie. Though nearly a year apart, the two were quite attached. Hunny and Tamaki had made efforts to visit one another with the children every few months, since they were the only Host Club members who had kids. Haruhi made a mental note she would have to be the one to arrange these visits now. Plus, Mori now had a son, and Kaoru was going to have his own soon. The thought of travelling between France and Japan unnerved Haruhi, so she pushed it out of her mind for now.
That night, only family remained on the estate. She had offered lodging to the Host Club, but they had already made arrangements. Of course they had. They were all adults now. She wasn't thinking straight. Once she returned to her home, all she wanted to do was sleep. She went straight to bed, but couldn't calm her nerves. She navigated the dark, sleeping house to make some tea in the kitchen. The warmth of the tea relaxed her a bit. She went to each of the kids' rooms to tuck them in and kiss them on their foreheads. These two darlings were the best things she and Tamaki had done.
Without them, she thought, I don't think I could do this. She returned to her own room and fell into a restless sleep. Tomorrow would be a new life.
Thank you for the reviews wonderland212, Chalice13, Mamabug, and luxartisan! I underestimated how awesome it would be to have feedback.
Note: I struggled whether to call Tamaki's teddy bear Kuma-bear, which I have seen elsewhere, but the bear is called Beary in the manga I own.
