I SAW MAKI KISSING NICO NI
Maki's phone went off as she sat on Nico's couch, between Honoka and Cotaro, listening grumpily to Nico and Tsubasa tell another story about the first time they shared a tour bus. Umi and Kotori were cleaning up, and Cocoa and Cocoro were on the floor in front of the couch, eyes wide, obviously in awe of Nico's visitor.
Maki watched Nico, amused by the animated way in which she described the all-night truck plaza they'd decided to shower at in Texas. Maki wasn't listening closely enough to catch all the details; she found herself smirking at how excited Hanayo would have been to switch places with her. And feeling a little sorry for Rin. And so, of course, Hanayo's ringtone went off.
Nico froze, watching to see what Maki would do. Maki gave an apologetic half wave and moved to the kitchen archway, where she could still watch Nico while answering her phone. Nico picked up her story again as if there had been no pause. No one else had moved, although Tsubasa was also watching Maki.
"What is it, Hanayo?" Maki whispered, aware of Umi and Kotori in the kitchen behind her.
Hanayo was a little breathless. "Is she coming?!"
"I don't know."
There was a pause, Maki pictured her partner with the face she made when her terrier got sick. "You didn't ask her?"
"No. Tsubasa Kira showed up…"
Hanayo screamed loud enough to half deafen Maki as well as alert everyone in Nico's house that the person Maki was speaking to was deranged. As Maki caught Nico's eye, she suddenly remembered Nico had said not to mention the video. Oh damn.
Maki put her hand over the phone's mic. "S...sorry. My business partner just got some exciting news. I'll go outside."
Maki tried not to run for outside, but her pace definitely qualified as more sprint than walk. Nico's voice trailed off but Tsubasa stepped in before they lost their audience completely.
"Ask them both. NOW." Hanayo was obviously lost in celebrity dreams. Maki wondered if Rin was close by.
"I can't ask her now. NOW, I have to explain why you screamed like you'd discovered the cure for cancer. And you can't tell ANYONE about Tsubasa. NO ONE. Not even Rin."
If Rin met Nico...and then Maki realized she was hoping that in future, she and Nico and Rin and Hanayo would do something together like go to the symphony or bowling or sightseeing in Nashville. But Rin couldn't keep a secret. And Hanayo would probably have to be tranquilized. Maki sighed. Why couldn't she have not embarrassing friends.
"Maki?" Hanayo squeaked.
"Why are you so crazy about Nico?"
"Ummmm…" Hanayo squeaked, then took a deep breath. "She just loves her fans so much and she's so friendly and nice and cute and talented…"
"Oh my God, you still have a teenage crush on Nico," Maki nearly shouted.
There was silence.
"No. Just no. I am not inviting Nico to the party, I am not bringing Nico to the office, and if you don't reform, I won't invite you to the…" Maki caught herself, horrified.
Hanayo squeaked again, but Maki cut her off. "Do not say anything. Not a word. Ever again. End this call and go tell Rin how much you appreciate her." Maki put her phone in her pocket and sat on Nico's front steps, dropping her head in her hands.
"So teenage crush, huh?" a voice drawled. Maki turned to the right. At some point, Nico had slid the front window open and perched in it.
Of course, Nico heard all that.
"I didn't mean to tell her about Tsubasa. She doesn't know about the video."
Nico nodded. "It's no big deal." Nico held Maki's eyes for a moment, then she smiled. "I trust you."
"Thanks."
Nico hopped to the ground, then sat next to Maki. "So what is this about a party?"
Maki shook her head. "No."
Nico dropped her head onto Maki's shoulder, aglow with wide-eyed innocence. "But it'll make your friend so happy."
Maki took Nico's shoulders in her hands, forcing the other woman to look her in the eyes. "She changed the date of her party to suit your travel schedule. We are not rewarding that behavior."
"We?"
Maki was tired of talking. Nico had what was both the most irritating and irresistible mix of charm and smug dancing in her eyes that Maki had ever seen. And those lips. No more talk.
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS...PIZZA
Maki pulled out of her garage and noticed multiple cars in Nico's driveway, including Tsubasa's Mercedes. That's right, the shoot for Nico's music video was starting today. Nico had gotten in too late to see Maki last night, and Maki wondered what time everything had started this morning since it was 8 a.m. and already there was a bustle of activity.
With a frown at the Mercedes, Maki pulled out into the road. Nico had invited her to stop by after work. Maybe she'd pick up takeout for Nico and they could eat together if Nico got a break.
The entire day was a blur of patients, avoiding Hanayo and wondering what Nico's workday was like. When Maki finally left the office at 7 p.m., she was both exhausted and excited for a chance to see Nico at work. She'd toyed with the thought of driving to a concert, but most had been too far and her workday never ended exactly when it was supposed to. She'd managed to guilt Hanayo into covering the Saturday morning hours in the hopes that she could spend some time with Nico tomorrow. Yes, Nico might be working and too busy to talk, but Maki wanted to know more about the Idol's life. And Honoka had asked if she could stop by on Saturday as well and Nico had agreed, so at least Maki would have someone to talk to if Nico was busy.
Pizza. Surely Nico wouldn't turn down pizza. Maki stopped at the restaurant they'd ordered from Nico's first night in the house, picked one up and drove home. There were even more cars in the driveway and floodlights in the backyard. Maki wondered if Eli had gotten home yet because that might not go well. But surely Nico wouldn't be violating any actual laws. Maybe it was time to have the Nishikinos' lawyers look over the Neighborhood Association Guidelines, Maki decided. They got paid enough. Maki parked in the driveway and wandered into Nico's yard.
There was a small stage, a line of six dancers in short takes on a somewhat-traditional Santa outfit and Nico and Tsubasa in sharp, evergreen suits with matching fedoras tilted over their right eyes and red ties bright as holly berries. Maki heard a sound system blaring "This Christmas" while everyone danced. Maki recognized Nico's voice, pitched lower than usual.
"No, no stop." Someone stepped forward. "The right side's a beat behind."
Tsubasa was on Maki's left, but she stepped forward. "Me too?"
The woman replied with a nod. Tsubasa shook her head and turned around to talk to the three dancers behind her. Nico noticed Maki and waved.
"Hey, Em, can we take a quick break?"
"Sure, Nico. I'll review with Tsubasa and the girls and you can take five."
"Thanks," Nico grinned and jumped off the stage. "Maki!"
Maki nodded, just having noticed a table full of food and drinks against the back of Nico's house and feeling suddenly awkward.
"You bought me dinner?"
Maki muttered something. "I didn't realize…"
Nico popped the box open and grabbed a slice, eating it before Maki could finish her sentence. "This is perfect. Of course, the great Nico Ni gets private catering." Nico winked. "Remind me to tip you later."
Maki blushed.
Nico grabbed a second piece while dragging Maki over to a bench. "This really is perfect. We haven't had a break in hours. We recorded a rough track and are working out the choreography." Nico ate the pizza, then leaned back to stretch. The fedora stayed put. Maki watched it. No movement at all, not a bob, not a slip. Nico turned to see Maki watching the top of her head.
"It doesn't move at all."
"Stapled."
"What?" Maki blurted.
Nico laughed. "Magic of hat pins. Nothing is as it seems." She jumped up, twirled and then bowed from the waist with a flourish. "How do you like the outfit?"
The suit had been tailored for Nico and the green made the red of her eyes seem even brighter. Nico flicked her tie at Maki with a grin. "Girls go crazy for bespoke tailoring, I've heard."
Maki frowned. "Do they? It's very…'50s…" She didn't mean to sound as dubious as the comment came out, but she had a sudden vision of dancers draped around the sharply suited Nico.
"I know," Nico gleamed, excited, then bounced into Maki's lap, "Sinatra right? So cool! I told Tsubasa she could be either Bing Crosby or Sammy Davis, Jr., but she likes Dean Martin."
Maki doubted Sinatra ever bounced into anyone's lap, but she wasn't sorry to feel Nico's arms wrap around her.
"Hey, Maki," Nico's head dropped to Maki's shoulder.
"Yes, Nico?"
"Can we stay like this for a few minutes?"
Maki decided NOT to look around to see how many people were watching them because then she knew she'd stand up, embarrassed, and Nico would end up in the snow, which would be even more embarrassing for both. So she just leaned her head into Nico's hat and hoped she didn't make a dent. "Sure." The rest of the pizza could always be reheated when she got home.
UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE
Maki woke up, her neck stiff and sore. There was a blanket over her. The couch was too short; when she stretched, her feet hit the end. Not her couch. Nico's couch. After Maki had watched the rehearsal for a couple of hours, Nico had sent her inside to wait. Maki must have fallen asleep. She groaned. Why didn't Nico wake her up, what time was it?
Maki sat up.
"Oh good, you're awake," Nico's voice sounded from behind her. Maki yelped and jumped up. Nico stood in the kitchen archway, apron over what looked like pajamas.
"W...what time is it?"
"6 a.m. I didn't want to wake you but I did want to eat breakfast with you..." Nico smiled. "So I'm glad you woke up on your own."
Maki rubbed her neck, frowning. "Do you ever sleep?"
Nico shrugged. "I'll catch up some year."
"You should be more careful. Exhaustion isn't good for your health."
"Thank you, Doctor Nishikino, but I'd rather date you than come to you for medical advice." Nico giggled a little. Maki rolled her eyes. Nico rolled over the couch and kissed Maki thoroughly, pulling her down into the couch. After several minutes of warmth, kissing and wandering hands to wake Maki up, a buzzer went off in the kitchen. Nico pushed off where she'd pinned Maki down. "It's my crazy breakfast casserole. Want some?"
Maki's heart was racing and she was memorizing every detail of Nico's face in the dim light, her hands tracing Nico's hips.
"Hey, Maki!" Nico leaned in to Maki's face, but her voice snapped Maki back out of the haze.
"What?!"
"Breakfast." There was another long kiss, several buzzer reminders and then Nico went into the kitchen. Maki slowly sat up, head buzzing, legs not quite together yet. Food. She was certainly hungry for something.
THEY'RE CAROLING THROUGH THE DAY
Maki had gone home to shower herself awake and change clothes before spending the morning watching Nico work. Even more cars than yesterday, she noticed as she locked her door. Eli was probably searching through the Neighborhood Association Guidelines for something else she could fine Nico for. Maki smiled up at the Santa bobbing on Nico's roof - it got bigger and friendlier every day.
She wandered carefully through Nico's yard, dressed in easy to move in, casual clothes. It might be a long day; she wanted to be ready for anything. First, she caught Nico's eye and waved. Nico nodded, most of her attention on Emily, the choreographer. Tsubasa leaned over Nico, arm on Nico's shoulder; Maki ground her teeth a little. Then she distracted herself by taking in the details of the scene: one video camera on a tripod, two roaming cameras and one photographer taking what were probably candid, behind-the-scenes shots. Maki wondered if Nico was posting any sneak peeks. Hanayo would have probably been harassing her with questions if the Idol had.
Nico was in the same costume as yesterday, hat at exactly the same angle, as far as Maki could tell. Tsubasa had stood up and seemed to be arguing with the choreographer about a move; Nico had grabbed a bottle of something from one of the people roaming the set. Maki looked around for Umi or Nico's siblings or anyone familiar, but except for the people she'd seen yesterday, all the faces were new. Nico hadn't introduced her around, which was fine with Maki, but that left her with a very isolated feeling as everyone else rushed around her with a purpose. Then the music started and Nico's voice began the lyric and Maki felt her attention pulled to the stage. Nico winked and Maki swore it was at her, which caused a flutter in both heart and stomach. And then something slammed into her side and she hit food table as she fell backward.
As Maki was trying to figure out what happened, she heard Honoka's familiar "Sorry, sorry, sorry!" and groaned. Something wet was dripping on Maki's head and a box had fallen to her feet, and what seemed to be doughnuts were scattered all over her.
"Are you all right, Maki?" Suddenly Nico was right there.
"I think so." Maki pushed herself up off the table, but instead collapsed it, taking herself down with it. She landed in something soft and warm, probably the tray of macaroni and cheese she'd noticed.
"Damn." Maki leaned her head back, suddenly tired.
Honoka was whimpering in distress, and another voice joined them. "Is everyone OK?"
Tsubasa, of course. Maki felt a hand reach down and pull something off her torso and saw Tsubasa tasting one of the doughnuts she'd just stolen. Maki glared. Tsubasa grinned and tapped Honoka's shoulder. "Did you make these? They're great."
Honoka had been staring at Maki in shock but turned to the side and smiled at the singer. Maki grumbled and reached a hand down for leverage. Into something wet. Chili. Great. At least she stopped herself before her hand got far enough in to burn it. The Health Department would be happy with the temperatures the food was being kept at, Maki found herself thinking as the heat she felt through the seat of her pants became uncomfortable enough that she rose up off the ground, colliding with Nico, who had bent over to help her up. So now, as Maki caught herself, here she was, looming over Nico, arms tensed in the pushup position, doughnuts scattered over the ground and Nico, clothing a disastrous mess. Nico's eyes were wide and then she just started laughing, hard laughter, crowing laughter, laughter that made her red eyes water. Maki shook her head and glanced to the side. Honoka and Tsubasa were having a nice little chat over a smaller box of pastries. Growling, Maki grabbed a doughnut of her own off Nico's breast and stormed off to her house. This had been more than enough of a day and it wasn't even 10 in the morning. Maybe Rin would want to play Overwatch. Shooting something might be soothing. After she showered again.
JUST BRING MY BABY
It had been a long, long day. Second shower, then heading out to Hanayo's and Rin's for lunch and a whole lot of therapeutic firing of fusion cannons. Both Hanayo and Rin had sensed that something was up, but Maki was grateful that friendship had outweighed curiosity and no questions had been asked. Maki had decided to leave instead of joining them for dinner. Rather than going straight home, she drifted into automatic mode and kept driving past Cherry Blossom Heights, a jazz channel playing on her satellite radio. She really didn't blame Nico for laughing, but Nico hadn't been the only one. Maki had never dealt with embarrassment well - or girls, for that matter, they tended to fluster her, ESPECIALLY if she found them attractive. And Nico always seemed to be surrounded by crowds. The pizza the first night and the drive had been...Maki frowned as she searched for the right word, easily maneuvering her car past a slower driver...well, tantalizing for a start, something about Nico and the gleam of mischief and the way something in Maki had tensed and tightened that first night when Nico had bounced down the couch to hug her. Every kiss, every touch wound that tension tighter, and while Maki suspected that more time with Nico could eventually explode that tension, she had no idea what state the aftermath would leave her in. Back to the overlook. Thanks brain, Maki congratulated herself wryly, and she pulled over, getting out of the car, hands shoved deep in the pockets of her peacoat. Stars. Nico was a star. She could see that in Nico's confidence, Hanayo's reactions and the way people acted around Nico. Maki had been impressed, watching Nico work. And it was work. Even the little time she'd actually spent on the set, she could see how hard Nico was working. But it was a different Nico, well, not a different Nico exactly, a wider Nico, a Nico without dark or deeps, a Nico without shadows, spread thin to reach out to more people. Maki frowned and remembered the Nico in the car, talking about her parents, the feelings of loss not mentioned but coloring her voice. And the happiness that had lightened it when she'd talked about the chance to spend time with her siblings. Love threaded through both of those moments, connecting them. And when Nico had breathed Maki's name into her ear, there had been that same melody in Nico's voice, blending with another feeling Maki had felt travel down her neck, into her chest and further as Nico caught her close, both feeling the shivers.
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS….
Maki had come home to Nico's yard and driveway still full of people and cars. There had been a couple of text messages from Nico and Honoka both, but Maki had ignored them. She'd stood outside thinking so long hot chocolate sounded ideal, so she popped a mocha pod in her coffeemaker. Then upstairs to change into pajama pants and a T-shirt while her favorite appliance worked its magic. She still had some cookies left and a pantry full of Honoka pastries, so skipping dinner and going straight to lemon bars and maybe a nibble of sugar cookie was the right and only choice.
Polar bears in Santa hats pajama pants, a Willie the Wildcat T-shirt and her bathrobe seemed appropriate attire for hot chocolate, not especially healthy calories and something useless on her TV screen. "Elementary"? A puzzle to solve might be nice.
Just as she settled in and took her first sip of mocha, the music started. And Nico's voice. With backup.
"I don't want a lot for Christmas
There is just one thing I need
I don't care about the presents
Underneath the Christmas tree…"
Oh my god, Maki thought as she nearly dropped her drink but caught herself. She would not be taking a third shower tonight because of Nico's damn career. Kitchen window. She pulled the curtain back as Nico continued, still in her costume, but her hat was in her hand. Maki didn't see Tsubasa but all six of the dancers were there, singing back up for Nico, who had dropped to one knee as she continued.
"I don't need to hang my stocking
There upon the fireplace
Santa Claus won't make me happy
With a toy on Christmas Day."
Maki closed the curtain and stepped back. Nico had seen her. She could feel the blush as Nico continued, winding up the song with a big verbal flourish. There was a pause, and Maki thought maybe it was over and Nico would just come knock quietly on the door and tease Maki about her lack of mistletoe, but no, she heard the intro to another Mariah Carey classic. How many Christmas songs has Mariah Carey sung and was Nico going to go through all of them? It would be dawn before she finished. Was she paying the dancers? Maki glanced over at the door from where she had backed up against the kitchen island. She could just walk over to the door. Then Nico started the verse.
"Oh Santa's gonna come and make her mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make her mine, mine (Oh Santa)
Santa's gonna come and make her mine this Christmas
Santa's gonna come and make her mine, mine."
Maki realized if she could just open the door - or even the window - this might stop. But no, she was trapped in her own house, like a sniper had pinned her down. Hiding, that's what she was doing. Was this what dating was really like? This rush of confusion? And was it her fault or Nico's? Then she heard the sirens and realized whatever happened next was going to be Eli's fault.
Maki sat on the bench, staring at the duty sergeant. As soon as she'd heard the sirens, she'd grabbed her coat and raced out the door, but by then Nico had been in a shouting match with the police officer and chose to ignore Maki. Maki had tried to impress upon the police officer that she wouldn't be pressing any charges, but then Eli had shown up and insisted that Nico be arrested for violating the noise ordinance. Maki thought the police officer might have been inclined to give Nico a break, but then Eli made a rude remark and Nico tried to rush her, through the police officer. At that point, Umi had shown up, half asleep, and put Eli in a headlock. The officer decided to remove Nico from the equation, and now Maki was here, in her pajama pants, waiting for Nico, after having paid her bail.
Nico walked out, nodded at the sergeant, sighed when she saw Maki. Her suit was much worse for wear, unbuttoned, with the tie loosened and the collar undone. The fedora had not made the trip.
"You're my ride."
Maki nodded, shy again.
"Don't look so scared. I'm not an actual criminal."
Maki dropped her head. "I'm not scared."
Nico stood there for a long moment, staring down at Maki. Then she put her hand under Maki's chin and made the other woman look at her. "Please take me home, Maki."
Maki nodded.
The ride was silent until Maki drove past Cherry Blossom Heights.
"Hey!" Nico yelped.
Maki finally recovered her voice. "I want to talk to you."
Nico sighed again, crossing her arms over her chest. "Kidnapping is a felony."
Maki decided to just say the stupidest thing she could think of. "Like anyone would miss you."
Nico snorted, laughing. "Really. That's what you decide to start with."
"Ok, I know, I know, the entire world will miss the great Nico Ni, but the only ones I'll feel sorry about are your family."
Maki pulled in to the overlook for the second time that day. This was a day for do overs, Maki thought.
Nico hmphed. "You could have just come outside and kissed me."
There was a pause. Maki drew in a long breath and turned to face Nico. "No, I couldn't have."
Nico started to say something but halted. Maki refused to break eye contact, willing Nico to see the invitation to read emotions Maki suddenly needed to reveal.
Nico reached out a hand to Maki's cheek. "It was too much, wasn't it?"
Maki nodded. Nico's chuckle was rueful. "You are the only person who makes me regret even a little being such a success."
Maki decided sarcasm was going to be her new best friend, a shield against the feelings overwhelming her thoughts. "And so modest about it."
Nico chuckled again. "So is this your bedside manner showing, Doctor?"
Maki felt her stomach try to leap into her throat but she kept pushing herself. Boldness was another new friend. "Try me and find out."
Nico roared. Maki felt herself smile for the first time since that morning.
"I came out here earlier today, to think about things, to think about you," Maki confessed. "I don't want you to regret anything, even a little. And I want you to be with me."
Nico had let her hand fall to Maki's shoulders. "Not in jail?"
"Not in jail," Maki leaned in. "And please, never, never again in my yard with back-up singers."
"Make it worth my while, Nishikino."
Maki's grin was fiercer than Nico remembered ever seeing as the redhead closed. She suddenly felt nervous as Maki's voice melted into her ear. "Oh, I will."
JOLLY, HAPPY SOULS
Eli had been working very hard on convincing her firm to finally make her a full partner. Going in early, coming home later. She missed seeing her wife and daughter and had hoped the holidays would ease her workload, but no, it had just caused another about-to-go-on-vacation partner to drop her caseload on Eli's desk. Because Eli was so reliable. Tired of eating dinner alone, at her desk, Eli had unplugged her laptop, figured out what she could safely work on at home and gotten into her car at 6 p.m. exactly. It would be a nice surprise for Nozomi. And since today was December 1st, the Yazawa disaster wouldn't be the only holiday decorations around.
As she drove up to her house, she saw Mischa and a group of dark-haired children in the yard - Yazawas. Then Alisa came around from the back of a snowman, to help Mischa make a bigger snowball for the head. That's right, Eli remembered, her sister, Alisa, was arriving today for a pre-Christmas visit and to help with the party.
Eli pulled the car into the garage, left her laptop on the seat and went to join the snowman party.
"ELI!" Alisa ran to hug her big sister. Alisa was 18 and finishing up high school.
Eli smiled. She hadn't been able to visit her parents as much this year. "Nozomi said you wouldn't be home until later."
"I wanted to eat dinner at home," Eli stated, "And to see you."
"Yeah! Mischa and I are building the best snowpeople with the help of your cool new neighbors." Alisa dragged Eli over to the oldest Yazawa. "Cocoro, have you met my sister?"
Crimson eyes glared at Eli as Cocoro slammed a Santa hat on the snowman's head. The head rolled off, hitting Eli's boots. Cocoro looked worried. Eli laughed and knelt down, handing the hat to Cocoro, then started to make a snowpile that could be shaped into a ball,"Here, let's make Santa a new head."
"Nico Nico Ni," Eli heard a voice sing. "Now you do it."
Mischa's voice rang clear in the night. "Nico Nico Ni! Nico Nico Ni!"
Eli turned in what felt like slow motion to see her daughter and the two youngest Yazawas doing some kind of a silly dance while parroting those nonsense syllables. Alisa laughed and joined them as Eli's hands stopped what they were working on. She noticed Cocoro watching her closely and tried to relax her suddenly clenched-in-anger shoulders. They were just kids, this was just fun, they were just kids, this was just fun...she would cry later for the corruption the clown dance had inflicted on two years of Michaela's ballet lessons. When there were no children present.
Eli suddenly realized she might have punched in the replacement head when Cocoro knelt down next to her and started moving the snow into a different pile, away from Eli. Eli smiled at her. "Sorry."
Cocoro nodded, her face sad. "Most grownups aren't good at this. Nico says they forget how to have fun."
Eli felt her jaw tense at Nico's name, but then Nozomi appeared in the doorway. "Elichi! You're home!"
The happiness in Nozomi's voice made Eli forget her aggravation with her near neighbor, at least until her near neighbor approached and spoke in that nasally, fake hiss Eli now had nightmares about. It would come out of an oversized, creepily lit, frozen faced, hard plastic Santa doll and say things like "Ho Ho Ho" and "Naughty Naughty Boo Hoo."
"At least your kid has taste," Nico tossed out, smiling at Mischa and going into her "Nico Nico Ni" dance routine. Mischa giggled and tried to follow along. Eli stood, but suddenly Nozomi was there, at her side, her arm around Eli's waist, a brake on any gesture or movement Eli had been considering.
"Hello, Nico. I hope you don't mind. Eli's sister, Alisa, stole your siblings. I think she wanted to talk to someone nearer her own age than me," Nozomi explained.
Nico nodded. "Hi. Alisa. Nice to meet you. Come over any time."
"Thanks!" Alisa and Cocoro both smiled.
Alisa continued. "You should all come to our party next week."
"No." Nico and Eli were in agreement for the first time. Cocoro looked at Nico and Nozomi tightened her grip on Eli.
Nico shook her head and glanced down at her feet. "I"ll be working next week." There was a pause. "But I can have Umi bring everybody else over." Nico reminded herself that children were present and bit her lip on the "unless you're going to have them arrested too" comment she so desperately wanted to make.
Nozomi's hand pinched Eli, who sighed and acquiesced. "I'm sure my wife will give you the details."
"All of you come in and have hot chocolate with us." Nozomi wasn't going to give up an opportunity to finally talk to Cherry Blossom Heights newest resident. "I'd love a chance to talk."
Eli groaned. She's been hoping for a quiet evening with her wife and daughter and here was her little sister arrived and her aggravating neighbor intruding. Eli knew Nozomi lived for gossip and meddling, but she did not want her wife getting involved with the Yazawas.
And of course, Nozomi was watching Eli like she could read every thought in her mind. "Alisa, please take Mischa in while I help your sister get her things out of the car. We'd love it if you and your siblings joined us for a warm drink, Nico."
Nico smiled a professional smile, sharpened. "I'll have to take a rain check, Nozomi. I just pulled dinner out of the oven and this is the only night I have to spend with my siblings for awhile."
Nozomi thought Maki would be unhappy about that while Eli cheered at the thought of Nico being somewhere else. Anywhere else.
I'LL HAVE A FLU CHRISTMAS
Nico coughed. Maki frowned at her. "You're going to lose your voice."
Nico shook her head at Maki and sipped her tea. Maki did really have an excellent collection of herbal teas for someone so addicted to coffee.
"Let me get my stethoscope."
"Girlfriend, not doctor," Nico stated. "Cheer up, not examine."
Maki sighed. Nico was stubborn. She had come over after tucking her siblings into bed but looked hammered. Maki picked up her coffee and led the way to the couch. Nico curled up against Maki and pulled the blanket over herself. Another cough.
"Aren't you exhausted?"
Nico sighed. "Of course, I'm exhausted."
"Then why aren't you home sleeping?"
Nico pushed off Maki and glared. "You really have never dated anyone before, have you?"
"Not true."
Nico rolled her eyes. "OK, then, they didn't enjoy it…"
Maki put her mug down abruptly and went over to the collection of BluRays on her shelf, biting back a sharp response. Nico's assumption had stirred memories of Molly's announcement that they could never seem to move beyond lukewarm.
Maki felt Nico's pull on her shirt. Nico's eyes were concerned. "I'm sorry. This is my only night being here in the evening for awhile, and I don't want to waste it at home, alone, coughing. But I'll go if you think it's best…"
Maki impulsively hugged Nico, triggering yet another burst of coughing. "Pick a movie. I'll make you some more tea."
Nico read titles. "Musicals and martial-arts films?"
"Yeah. So? I like the pacing."
Nico was familiar with most of the musicals but had only heard of a few of the others."'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon'? Didn't that win an Oscar or something?"
"Foreign language, cinematography, score and nominated for a few others. The music is gorgeous, YoYo Ma plays the cello. Plus, Michelle Yeoh is awesome." Maki sounded excited, so Nico decided it would be a good choice. Plus, cello sounded like something that wouldn't interfere with her falling asleep on Maki while looking cute plan. Now if only Maki's practical side wouldn't interfere. Or Nico's cough.
AT THE CHRISTMAS PARTY HOP
Nozomi loved gathering all the neighbors together for their annual Tree Decorating Open House. This year, though, was not her favorite, with Eli on the warpath against everything Nico Ni. As soon as people arrived and Eli sent Alisa off with their coats, she would welcome them, a friendly arm around their shoulder and bring them over to the hot drinks and her petition to have the Santa removed from the Yazawas' roof. Everyone signed, Nozomi suspected Eli's arm might have felt a little heavier on their shoulders when she smilingly told them it was optional.
Most of the regulars were there, as well as Maki, Honoka, and Tsubasa, whom Nico had introduced to Nozomi when Nozomi and Mischa wandered over, curious about the video shoot. No representatives from the Yazawas yet, but then Nozomi saw Alisa gleam at the next guests. The three younger Yazawas and the two women sharing the house with them. Eli had said the dark-haired one's name was Umi Sonada and she was Nico's bodyguard as well as the children's nanny. Eli had been rubbing her neck with a frown during that conversation. The woman with the fawn-colored hair and the clothes that looked like a dream of Josephine Baker's Paris was Kotori Minami, Sonada's wife and a trendy designer. Nozomi had been eager for a conversation.
Eli swung by the kitchen for a quick kiss with Mischa in her arms. She seemed elated.
"Everyone but Maki and the Yazawa group are signing my petition." Then she paused. "And you."
Nozomi nuzzled her daughter's cheek. "That's because I'm not afraid of you, my love. And we love Santa, right, little bear."
"SANTA!" Mischa shouted, while Eli's mood deflated.
"Nozomi!"
Nozomi kissed her wife on the nose. "It's true, Eli. You're just too adorable to intimidate me into intimidating the new neighbors. You look just like Mischa when you're pouting. It's adorable."
Eli hugged her daughter and attempted to divert the conversation. "Your mama thinks we're adorable."
Mischa blew a kiss at Nozomi who laughed. "Take Mischa to say hello to Cotaro and Cocoa. She's been talking about them for days."
"I know." Eli let her daughter down from her arms and grabbed a plate of cookies. "Let's say hello to your new friends, little bear."
Mischa gleamed up at Eli and went into her Nico impression. "Nico Nico Ni." Eli couldn't move fast enough to get away from Nozomi's belly burst of laughter and she even heard Maki snicker as she brushed past where she and Honoka were talking.
Maki couldn't help but be amused by how Eli was being slowly surrounded by people drawn in by Nico's seemingly endless store of charm. And how much Eli hated it.
"I bet Tsubasa and Nico's music video turns out cool," Honoka decided.
"They seemed happy with it," Maki agreed.
"Yeah," Honoka nodded. "I talked to Tsubasa about whether or not I should start a YouTube channel where I take people through my recipes. She thought it was a good idea."
"That's how Nico started, but with singing."
Honoka's eyes widened. "Singing! While mixing."
"I don't think you should mix the two."
"Why not, Maki?"
Honoka's hopeful and honest blue eyes wouldn't let Maki dim their optimism, so she found herself on board with this new plan. "If anyone can make it work, it would probably be you, Honoka."
"That's right. I'm going to tell Tsubaba." And Honoka bounded off before Maki could respond.
"Honoka has so much energy." Kotori had come up next to Maki.
"It is pretty amazing."
"We love when she comes over. She and Cocoa put on concerts for us, when Umi lets them."
"That sounds cute."
"It is."
Maki hadn't really ever had a solo conversation with Kotori before. "It's nice of you to help Nico out for this year."
Kotori beamed. "Oh, it's a great adventure. We love Nico. And," Kotori dropped her voice conspiratorially, "it's part of my plan."
"Plan?" Maki was taken aback by the conspiratorial tone in Kotori's voice. Then she heard Cocoro's voice pipe up from behind her.
"Kotori hopes Umi decides she likes children. We talked about it with Nico one night."
"Yep. That we did," Kotori winked at Cocoro.
Cocoro tapped Maki's forearm. "What do you think about children?"
Kotori giggled into her sleeve.
"They catch the flu a lot," Maki said seriously as Cocoro's eyes narrowed at her. She wondered what else to say and looked for help, but Kotori just shrugged. "S...some of them are OK, I guess."
Umi had wandered up, putting an arm around Kotori's waist. "Some of what are OK?"
Cocoro sighed and shook her head at Maki. "Children."
Kotori dropped her head into Umi's shoulder to hide her laugh. "Nico was right. Maki is a lot of fun."
Maki felt the blush spreading over her face. "Excuse me."
Maki made small talk with a few of the residents she knew and then ducked into the kitchen, where Nozomi caught her.
"So, miss your girlfriend?" Nozomi prodded.
Maki poured herself a mug of coffee and opted for bagel and wafer-thin lox. "If she were in town, I probably wouldn't be in your kitchen."
"Ah, so the great Nico Ni likes to monopolize the pretty doctor," Nozomi winked.
"She says I'm a smart, pretty doctor." Maki stuck out her tongue. "Point: Nico. And your wife would have barred the door."
"True." Nozomi frowned. "Mischa loves her though. Eli's having nightmares where Santas surround her and Nico Ni, I think."
"Is that why she's pushing that stupid petition? My lawyers laughed when they looked at the Association Guidelines. No actual enforcement authority. Eli must know that."
"Really," Nozomi raised an eyebrow. "Are you going to tell Nico?"
Maki smirked. "Of course. And maybe put up a Santa of my own. Eli's a friend, but singling Nico out for harassment is wrong. She never even tried to talk to Nico about it civilly." Maki paused, then admitted, "Not that that would have gone well, but Eli should have tried."
"Eli thinks anyone famous had it easy. And is a complete fake."
Maki started piling things on another bagel chunk. "Nico works hard. I couldn't get her to take a break when it sounded like she was developing bronchitis."
Nozomi nodded at someone else who wandered into the kitchen for sustenance, and Maki took that opportunity to merge back into the crowd around the tree, thinking about Nico, who had flown to Raleigh for two shows. Then there were shows in Richmond and Chicago. The next evening she had free was the night of Hanayo's party, and knowing how busy Nico was now, Maki regretted getting talked into both of them attending. Maybe she could talk Nico out of it when they had breakfast together in two days. But Nico really wanted to meet her friends. Maybe Maki could talk Hanayo out of having the party.
"Maki." The voice was light and entirely too amused. Tsubasa. Maki held back a growl.
"Nico's not here, you know."
Tsubasa grinned and raised her champagne flute full of punch. "Nozomi's invitation was so charming I couldn't not take advantage of her hospitality."
A brown-haired, red-eyed streak threw itself at Tsubasa, and her drink splashed on Maki. "Tsuabasa!" Cocoa sounded happy. "Nico's not here, so you should sing for my friends."
Tsubasa put a gentle hand on Cocoa's head. "This isn't my party, so I can't just take over, Cocoa."
"Nico would have," Cocoa pouted.
"Probably." Tsubasa voiced Maki's exact thought.
Cocoa noticed her. "Hi, Maki."
"Hello, Cocoa." Maki smiled but Cocoa went immediately back to Tsubasa, dragging her into the crowd. "Come on, meet Mischa and Alisa." Maki was surprised to feel a little hurt by the inattention.
And then there was Eli. "They all do that, just drag people willy nilly into things."
"No one is dragging me willy nilly into anything, Eli."
Eli grabbed Maki by the shoulder. "Are you that naive? You are just a temporary distraction. Look at Tsubasa still hanging around. You think there aren't people hanging around after concerts? Or waiting at airports? Don't you have any pride?"
Maki's jaw set, rage flashing in her eyes. She was angry at Eli for assuming things like that about Nico and angrier at herself for having to admit she might be worrying about them too. And Eli's listing them didn't help her steer away from fog of doubt. But she could at least vent some of her frustration and denounce Eli.
Maki didn't bother to control her voice, and drew everyone's attention to their argument. "Eli, first, you don't know what you're talking about, and second, if you say ANYTHING like that about Nico again, to ANYBODY, we are no longer friends. Got it?"
Maki went in search of her coat, ignoring any response from Eli, and met Cocoro on the way. "Can you walk me home, Maki?" She looked in Eli's direction. "I heard what Ms. Ayase said."
Maki got even angrier at Eli's lack of discretion but focused on Cocoro. "Shouldn't we find Umi?"
Cocoro spoke seriously. "I don't want to stay. Or talk to Alisa right now. Nico said you counted as a guardian and we should listen to you. Umi agreed."
Maki stared at Cocoro for a second, surprised. Then she shook herself and smiled at the teenager. "We can get our coats tomorrow. It's not that cold. Do you have a key?"
"Of course."
"Ok, Cocoro. Let's go then. I don't want to stay either. You can text Umi once we get there."
Cocoro nodded and they walked out into the night together.
Maki didn't know what to say so she stared at the stars, occasionally glancing at the young woman next to her. Such a different vibe than Nico - an intense, very serious calm, so unlike Nico's bouncy, impish, endless energy.
"People always make up things about Nico," Cocoro said.
"I believe that."
"You don't believe Ms. Ayase though," Cocoro sounded worried.
"Of course not." Maki considered what to say next. "I haven't known your sister long, but I know she take the people she cares about very seriously and doesn't choose them capriciously. And I know she cares about me."
"Capriciously?"
"On an impulse."
Cocoro smiled. "No, Nico thinks a lot about everything she does. She never takes chances."
Now they were walking through Maki's front yard, snow crunching under their boots. Maki's house was dark. She really should put up decorations. Maybe Nico and her siblings could help. An oversized Santa would be just the thing to tweak Eli. Then she remembered her audience. "Wasn't singing a chance?"
"No," Cocoro shook her head earnestly. "Nico planned everything out. Then she did it again and again if things didn't work out."
Maki wondered if falling in love had been something Nico planned for. Or if she was rethinking everything right now. Then they were at the door. "Let's go in and watch something while we wait for everybody else."
"OK."
YOU SURE DO TREAT ME NICE
"Doughnuts and coffee are not breakfast," Nico glared at Maki. "They're not even Honoka doughnuts."
Maki shrugged. "I got up early to get them. From a very exclusive shop. And I made the coffee. It's really good coffee." Maki raised her mug and took an exaggerated sip.
"You put pods in that overworked coffeemaker and pressed a button. Very labor intensive." Nico twirled her stool around. "How can you have this gorgeous kitchen and never cook."
"It's easy." Maki continued sipping, humming random Christmas music occasionally. "Takes practically no effort at all."
Nico rolled her eyes. "You're in a good mood."
"Coffee," another pointed raise of the mug, "my favorite doughnuts, and you."
"Flatterer."
"Maybe."
Nico leaned across the island, took Maki's mug out of her hands, ignored the redhead's wounded look and kissed her girlfriend three days worth of thoroughly.
"Cocoro told me what you said to Eli."
Maki was now completely awake and wanting not to have to leave for work in 30 minutes. Her eyes unfocused as her mind raced through…
Nico snapped her fingers.
"Huh?"
"What you said to Eli…?"
"Oh, Eli's just being stupid. I'm sure Nozomi at least pointed out how inappropriate that was to say in front of your siblings." Maki's jaw set. "And if she doesn't, I will."
Nico stared at Maki for a moment, "How long before you have to leave for work?"
"An hour…" Maki hedged. Nico pulled her off the stool, dragged her into the front room and pushed them both over the back of the couch, somehow managing to land across Maki's hips.
"I love your couch almost as much as I love your kitchen," Nico announced.
"And me?" Maki hadn't meant to sound so unsure. But crimson eyes met hers immediately and there was nothing but joy and warmth bubbling in them.
"Let me show you."
