"Japanese Speaking"
"English Speaking"
Takumi unloaded the luggage from the revolving belt. His beige dress pants were crumpled from the long flight and his once ironed shirt was sticking out in odd places. Misaki as well was in a disheveled state. Her black pants were stained with coke from the knees down and her white shirt was completely untucked. In a rush to hold on to their rambunctious kids, Misaki pulled her hair up into a messy bun to keep it out of the way.
"Akiyo, stay still!" She held her daughter's arm firmly. "Koemi! Come back here!"
As Takumi lugged the last piece of baggage off the belt, Misaki lifted Akiyo into his arms and hurried after Koemi. "Hold on to her." was all Takumi heard as she ran off.
"Emi! Emi!" She called, searching through the crowd.
Misaki couldn't find her anywhere. She called almost frantically for her younger daughter, hoping she hadn't gotten too lost. Misaki found Koemi clinging to the leg of a woman near the 'Arrivals' area crying out for her.
"Kaa-san!" she wailed over and over.
The woman by her kneeled down to take the girl up in her arms, cradling Koemi gently. She was short compared to Misaki, but was of average build. She had wavy blond hair that rolled down her back and stunning ocean blue eyes. Koemi looked ridiculous in her arms. The woman wore a shining blue dress that stopped at the knees while Koemi wailed in her arms, hair slightly tangled and wearing a teddy bear shirt and jeans, flip-flops dangling from her toes.
"Kaa-san! Tou-san!" she continued to wail.
"There, there." The woman soothed her. "Feeling better?"
"Who're you?" Koemi sniffed, green eyes staring at the woman.
"I'm afraid I don't understand you." The blond said, confused.
"Where's my Kaa-san!" She stared crying again.
"No, no! Don't cry!" The blond panicked.
"Koemi!" Misaki ran for them. "Koemi." she smiled as she lifted the girl out of the stranger's arms. "Its okay, its okay. Kaa-san's got you. I told you not to run off." she calmed her, rocking Koemi in her arms.
The woman stood dumbfounded at Misaki.
"Excuse me, are you her mother?" she asked.
"Yes. Thank you very much for you help. I'm sorry for the inconvenience." Misaki apologized. She was about to bow until she realized that it was not custom here and extended her arm instead.
"No problem. Its quite all right." She shook Misaki's hand in apology.
Misaki turned to find Takumi and Akiyo pushing the cart of luggage and searching for them. She thanked the woman one more time before turning to call for her husband.
"Takumi, I found her!" She walked over.
The blond woman turned around as Misaki walked away.
"Takumi?" she questioned to herself.
Before heading through the 'Arrivals' door, Misaki and Takumi fixed up everyone. They tucked in their shirts and wiped away travel stains. Misaki pulled out her hurried bun and cleaned of the girls of crumbs and stains from the long flight before taking in a deep breath and exhaling silently. Takumi held Akiyo in his arms and Misaki pushed the luggage, Koemi sitting happily atop the cart.
"You ready?" Takumi asked, not wanting the girls to know what they were thinking.
"At this point, does it even matter?" Misaki looked up at him.
"Not really." Takumi chuckled. "Well then Madame, shall we?" he grinned.
"Yeah." she answered lamely.
Together, the four of them went through the intimidating 'Arrivals' door. They looked out for the first person who knew they were coming, Gerard. They found him at the end of the crowd, tapping his foot, eager to leave. He was practically shining from top to bottom in a crisp black suit that was even darker than his hair. He had on a white shirt and emerald green tie to match his eyes. His piercing eyes kept flicking around the crowd before returning to gaze at his watch, probably checking the time in his impatience. Behind him stood a well known helper. Cedric stood, blond hair slicked back and as always, was staring forward with a blank frown.
"Gerard!" Takumi called to him as they approached.
Misaki stayed behind as Takumi carried Akiyo with him. Gerard looked up from his watch to see a smiling Takumi and...a little girl?
"Takumi." he stated, eyeing the girl in his half-brother's arms as if she were an illusion. "You're late."
"Sorry, we were held u-"
"Tou-san, who's he?" Akiyo cowered into Takumi's arms at the sight of the stranger.
"Hahahaha. Akiyo, meet your Uncle, Gerard." Takumi addressed his brother next. "Onii-sama, meet your niece, Akiyo."
"You had a child?" Gerard stood dumbfounded, yet composed. "AND you neglected to tell me?" He glared at Takumi.
"We didn't just have one child, Gerard-san." Misaki smirked nervously as she wheeled the cart of luggage into his view, Koemi sitting on top.
"Oh my goodness." He stared at both of them. "Takumi, have you even thought about how grandfather is going to take this? He was trying to arrange a marriage for you himself. One that is beneficial to him. I can only wonder what he's going to say to this."
"Its not like we've done anything wrong, Gerard. Its our lives." Takumi's strenuous smile dropped into a serious frown.
"Tou-san, I'm sleepy." Koemi yawned, lying down on the bed of suitcases.
"I think it would be best to get these two in bed soon, Takumi. They're tired from the long trip." Misaki was talking to Takumi, but the comment was obviously directed at Gerard, who hastily turned, guiding them towards the waiting limousine. Cedric was ordered to take the luggage and he pushed the cart away, getting it loaded into the back of the vehicle.
As they approached the door opened and someone exited the vehicle.
"Mr Gerard, I was waiting. What took so long. Oh, its you!"
In front of them stood the blond woman who'd found Koemi.
"Oh my, you!" Misaki mimicked unintentionally.
"Brother, Sister-in-law, this is Janet. During you extensive stay in London, she will guide you through the schedule, specific arrangements, managing your time and so on." Gerard introduced. "Janet, meet my brother, Takumi Usui and my sister-in-law, Misaki Usui." Gerard coughed nervously before continuing. "And these are their daughters...uh..."
"Koemi and Akiyo." Takumi finished. "At least remember the names of you nieces." he whispered into Gerard's ear.
"I won't be forgetting them any time soon, dear brother." Gerard glared back.
"Ahem!" Janet cleared her throat. "Shall we be on our way?" she gestured to the open door of the black vehicle. "We'll continue this conversation when we arrive at the Ritz, and in English."