A Skip Beat! fanfic

Married Life

Chapter 3: Meeting the In-laws

Disclaimer: Applies to all chapters-I never did, and never will, own Skip Beat! *Sulks in a corner*

Happy Reading!

He first noticed he saw her chewing on her lips. Then he saw her wringing her hands. Next was her raking a hand through her hair, several times.

He watched in mild amusement as the process repeated itself a couple more times, before he grabbed hold of one hand, which was on its way to her hair, and made her stop in surprise.

"What's the matter? I've never seen you this fidgety before… Are you, perhaps, nervous?"

Ren looked at his wife, his eyes twinkling with amusement, as she tried to explain her actions.

With one hand still in his grip, Kyouko waved her free one in denial.

"Of course not… I'm not ner-ner-ner …" She cleared her throat, "Nervous. I'm not. Nervous, that is."

A smile made its way across Ren's face. He cocked his head, directing the full glare of his smile towards Kyouko.

"Really…?"

Kyouko's eyes widened, and she visibly shuddered at the glare. She got up, and bowed.

"I'm sorry!"

Silence.

Kyouko sensed many pairs of eyes were staring at her. She then remembered where she was.

"M-Ma'am? C-can I help y-you?"

She looked up in embarrassment, at the bewildered air-stewardess, and around the cabin, where every single passenger were staring.

At her.

She cringed, and shook her head in embarrassment. She gave little nods of apology around and sat back down.

Ren was looking away from Kyouko, one hand still holding on to hers, while the other was in a fist on his mouth. His shoulders were shaking visibly.

"Ppfft!" He tried to cover his slip with a cough.

Kyouko pouted, and tried to tug her hand away, which brought his attention back to her.

Kyouko glared balefully at her husband.

"Thanks so much for your support, mister. I really appreciated it."

It got him wanting to laugh again. But he held it in, and looking at the sulking lady next to him, he tried to pacify her.

"I'm sorry… I didn't expect you to react that way… Ppfft…" He cleared his throat again, "I mean, it's okay, you know. Just tell me that you're nervous. I'm not angry or anything…"

He pulled her towards him, and gave her a kiss on her forehead.

"So… Are you nervous?"

A crease appeared on her forehead, and she sighed.

"Yeah…"

"What's there to be nervous about? They like you a lot… Sometimes, I think even more than me…" He added the last bit in a mumble, and Kyouko missed it.

She looked away, and nodded her head rather absently.

"Yeah… I guess. It's just… Well, I can't help it. It has been some time since I last saw them… So…" Her shoulders slumped a little.

Ren tried to sooth her anxiety. He wrapped an arm around her, and whispered into ear.

"How about I teach you a method to lessen your nervousness? Yashiro-san taught me this…" He cringed, not really wanting to relive that moment. "Well, you just have to draw smiley faces on your palm…"

Kyouko looked up at Ren, surprised.

"Ehhh?! I know that method. Moko-san taught me that before… Wait. Why would Yashiro-san teach you? Were you nervous before? When?"

She was incredulous. The great Tsuruga Ren was ever nervous before?

He should have seen it coming. Ren kicked himself mentally again, for slipping up. Thankfully, he was saved from answering when the announcement came on for them to buckle up.

Kyouko forgot her question, and her anxiety, as she looked out of the window in interest at their descent. Ren breathed a quiet sigh of relief, and looked out as well at the airport looming nearer.

It was a familiar sight. One that he hasn't seen in years.

Hizuri Kuon was finally returning home.

Ren looked, exasperated and a little annoyed, as Hizuri Kuu practically pushed him out of the way to give Kyouko a big hug.

His father has not even looked his way yet. But he was secretly grateful, since Ren had no plans to reveal his true identity just yet.

He then felt a tiny pair of hands tugging on his. He looked down, and gave a small smile when Julie gave him a hug.

With her small stature, it probably looked like a koala hugging a tree.

She tiptoed and whispered softly the words meant for his ears only.

"Welcome home, son."

A/n: WOW! I'm completely bowled over by the reviews I've gotten. Seriously, you guys are the best!!! Anyway, as momoirousagichan had pointed out, a honeymoon in Hawaii is rather old-fashioned. So I think I might have a couple of chapters on the honeymoon, where they travelled elsewhere. Any opinions on that?

Feel free to point out any mistakes I might have made in a review. I love getting them. They encourage me to write =) I always look at the reviews as I write, so please review. Thanks =)

Huge thanks to all my reviewers =)