Chapter Four

By the time Sunday rolled around, Makoto, Minako, and Haruka had heard about the mysterious baby showing up on Hotaru's doorsteps. Michiru walked into Makoto's restaurant, holding Hikaru and Kaimu's hands. Aito walked in behind her. Michiru's stomach began to twist and roll when she spotted Haruka cooing over the new baby. Minako was sitting across the booth from Hotaru, with her daughter, Taylor.

At a small table next to them, there sat the children. Hana was coloring on Ginny's arm with a green marker. Morgan was reading a book and trying to stay out of trouble. She was quite aware what her little sister was doing, but didn't want to cause a scene. Besides Ginny's mother would soon find out.

Makoto saw Michiru and her family standing by the counter and got up to help them. Hikaru's arms were wrapped around her mother's leg and Kaimu was still holding his mother's hand. Aito stood a few feet away from his family. Michiru started ordering the food. When she was about to call Aito's order he kissed Michiru's cheek and said,

"I have to get to work early. Enjoy your day," and before Michiru could fully understand what he had just said or done he was gone.

Makoto smiled at Michiru and she returned the smile. Michiru ushered her children to go over and sit down by the other children. Michiru could actually feel relief inside of her. She was here with all her friends- even Minako- And Aito wasn't here to ruin it. He had left and Michiru didn't even care.

"Mikino!" Makoto hollered through a swinging door.

"Yes ma'am?" a petit girl emerged from the door and looked at Makoto, puzzled.

"You take the front, I'm going on a break," Makoto explained.

"Yes ma'am," Mikino replied. She took Michiru's order to the chef in the back and then proceeded to help the customers that came after Michiru. Makoto and Michiru went and took their seats at the booth.

"Michiru, isn't the baby Kawaii?" Haruka beamed brightly as she had him in her arms. "I always wanted a son. Me and Daichi were trying for one. Knowing my luck I'd get another girl though. Hana was a boy all the way up until her birth. I was for sure they gave me the wrong newborn,"

"HEY!" Hana screamed from the kids table. "I was a girl the whole time!"

Hotaru caught sight of Ginny's arm, "Genevieve Mae Tomoe. What have you done to your arm?"

Ginny pointed her finger at Hana and coward. Hana tried to quickly hide the marker, but Haruka took it from her and then moved her to a table by herself. Hotaru took Ginny into the bathroom and attempted to wash the green marker off her arm.

"Genevieve, how many times have I told you not to let Hana draw on you?" Hotaru asked her four-year-old.

"A bunch," Ginny replied. "But mommy it feels funny."

Hotaru raised an eyebrow, "Don't let it happen again, okay?"

"Yes ma'am," Ginny replied.

Hotaru picked up her daughter and toted her on her hip. Matthew and Hotaru had tried to have at least one more child, but Hotaru's ovaries weren't up to par. Matthew was ecstatic when Hotaru introduced Kaemon to him. There had only been three incidents where Matthew cried. Once, when he asked Hotaru to marry him and she said, "Yes,". He had been terrified that she'd say no and when she said yes, he said to her that, that instant she had made all his dreams come true. The second time he had cried was when he held Genevieve in his arms. And then when Kaemon came into their lives.

Hotaru had been extremely petrified that he'd say no to Kaemon because he had just shown up and Kaemon wasn't their child. As Hotaru explained the circumstances to him and that he was probably Setsuna's baby, he had taken Kaemon out of his car seat and was holding him. He gently rocked him back and forth and gazed into his green eyes. A tear fell down his face and landed on the infant.

"Well, Setsuna has a good heart and she must've known he'd be welcomed here. After all, weren't you an orphan and she helped raise you? She must trust you Hotaru-Chan," he had interrupted Hotaru's explanation completely.

Hotaru looked at him and saw that he was crying. She was completely shocked, as she didn't know Matthew would be so accepting.

"Isn't he just the sweetest little boy you've ever met?" Matthew asked Hotaru and plopped him up on his knee. "Just look at him Hotaru,"

Matthew had to be to work by six in the mornings, which is why he rarely was able to come to lunches with his family. Hotaru sat Ginny back down in her chair. Hana was still sitting by herself, moping.

"I saw Rei the other day," Michiru was saying as Hotaru sat back down. Taylor had gone outside to be by herself. Michiru hadn't wanted to say anything in front of her, so when the girl left, she decided now was the best time to say anything.

Minako's eyes widened, "She has the most adorable children,"

"She said one of them was turning five. She was in the antique store getting her daughter a present. Her birthday must be close to mine," Michiru stated.

Everyone gasped in horror, "Your birthday! I completely forgot!" Haruka frowned.

"It's fine. Aito wouldn't have let me go out anyway. I was surprised when he let me pick out a gift and Hotaru came over anyway when she found out about the baby," Michiru explained.

"I should've at least called you and wished you a happy birthday," Minako sighed. "Taylor had another concert to go to and it just didn't cross my mind."

"It's amazing though. How different our lives are and to think what brought us together was our Destinies," Makoto said day dreamily. "I wonder sometimes what would've happened if we had decided to live in the Palace. What would our lives be like?"

"I probably wouldn't have children," Michiru stated sadly. "Arranged marriages are pointless."

"I don't get that chance to spend every waking moment with Hiro," Minako replied gloomily. "I love him dearly, but we've basically sacrificed our love for our daughter's dreams. Though, it does make every moment that I get to spend time with him a little more meaningful, but then it hurts when I have to pull away from him to go on tour with Taylor."

"I'm pretty happy with my life…" Hotaru said hesitantly. "And if we did live in the Palace I don't think it'd be any different. Matthew's love for me, and my love for him, is real,"

Makoto eye's saddened. Hotaru's husband was the only one that had not been blessed with eternal life or power. Unfortunately, for Michiru, Aito was a Knight Senshi and would always be there.

Hikaru snuck out of her chair and went and sat down next to Hana. Hana perked up as soon as she came and sat down. "Where'd your evil daddy go?" Hana asked.

Hikaru glared at her cousin, "He's not evil!"

"Papa says he is," Hana replied. Hana shrugged and picked at the side of the table. It was peeling off a little and Hana was bored, so she started picking at it. Hikaru watched lazily.

"Well guys, I have to get back to work. It's been wonderful talking and catching up with you all," Makoto explained as she stood up. She was just about to go back into the kitchen when her daughter and son came rushing in.

"Mama! Lilac cut her hand on a rusty nail," Isamu said, his eyes welding up with tears. Isamu was quite protective of his younger sister. Makoto smiled gently and ruffled his light brown hair.

"Come on Lilac. We'll get you washed up real good and then if in infection starts we'll have to take you to the doctors," Makoto ushered her daughter to the bathroom and started cleaning up the cut quickly. Lilac was trying hard not to start crying all over again. Makoto reached into the supplies cabinet and pulled out a band-aid. She placed it over Lilac's hand and then planted a kiss over it. "It wasn't deep, so I don't think we're going to have to go to the doctors. Be careful though, if it does start to hurt then we'll have someone look at it."

Lilac nodded. Makoto bent down so Lilac could give her a kiss. Lilac kissed her mother and then wrapped her arms around her neck, "I love you mama,"

"And I love you too,"

Lilac smiled, showing her missing tooth. She opened the bathroom door and skipped back to her brother. She gave him a big hug and said, "Momma said I'll be okay. Now let's go play!"

"Mommy, I wanna go play," whined Kaimu.

"Me too," Ginny piped up.

"Alright, alright," Michiru said, getting up and attending to her son. She glanced over at Hana's table to find her daughter, with her head on the table, bored out of her mind. Michiru lifted Kaimu up. His head immediately went on her shoulder, she could tell he was tired.

"You can play for a little while, but we're going home soon so we can take our naps," Michiru explained to her son. He nodded his head in agreement. Michiru kissed his head and sent him on his way.

Kaemon was getting a bit fussy. Hotaru dug inside the diaper bag and took out a bottle. She plopped it in his mouth and became quiet at once. She then attended to Ginny, making sure she made it to the playground with Morgan.

Haruka was amazed as to how Hotaru had so quickly adjusted to taking care of two children, both with very much different needs. Michiru went over to her daughter and sat down next to her. The two children scooted over and Hana stopped picking at the table.

"If you want to go to the park you may go now. When we get home you're going to take a nap," Michiru explained.

"That's not fair!" Hikaru snapped. "Daddy doesn't make me take naps!"

Michiru shook her head frustrated, "I'm your mother and I said you need a nap,"

"No!" Hikaru screamed. "I hate you!"

"Hikaru Kaioh! You do not say such hateful things to other people,"

"But I hate you!" Hikaru screamed and went under the table and out the door. Haruka ran after her and caught her. The little girl kicked and screamed, wanting to be put down.

"Listen Hikaru, your mother is very exhausted right now. Do you know what happens when you tell someone you hate them?" Haruka asked.

Hikaru shook her head, looking up into Haruka's eyes.

"It hurts them very bad inside their heart," Haruka explained.

Hikaru gasped and wiggled out of Haruka's arms. She slid down and went back inside. She ran up to her mother and threw herself onto her leg, "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to make your heart hurt!"

Michiru smiled, "It's alright. I forgive you, but don't use the word hate,"

"I won't," Hikaru promised and then ran outside to play.

Hana was hiding behind Michiru, as her mother neared her. Michiru stepped away from Hana and Haruka picked her daughter up. "Hey Squirt,"

"Hi papa! Sorry, I'm not a boy,"

Haruka laughed, "Go play Squirt,"

She set her daughter down and she quickly disappeared out the door and toward the playground. Haruka smiled and sat down back at the booth. Michiru took a seat as well. Minako and Hotaru were both talking about Kaemon.

Minako's daughter came inside, "Mamma, I want to go home. I'm really tired and exhausted,"

Minako nodded and said goodbye to everyone. She quickly stole a kiss from the baby and went on her way. Taylor sometimes wondered if she hadn't of found her voice if she'd have another brother or sister. Taylor glanced back at the playground as they headed away from it. The children were hollering and having a great deal of fun. Taylor wished she could have that- the freedom.