PROMISE ME TOMORROW

-Never Had A Dream Come True-

CHAPTER NINE


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"Good morning, Sis."

That voice. It was her little sister's. She still couldn't believe in her ears so she searched for the voice. She saw her own face looking back at her, smiling.

"My Rosemary." She sat up and enfolded her smaller miniature, tightening. She wanted to make sure she wasn't having another dream. Rukia didn't disappear like the little Rosemary had in her dreams. She sighed, breath shuddering. "You're really here with me."

She felt Rukia's body shake and hers followed. They cried in each other's arms then Rukia moved slightly back. "Sis, you look so pale. Are you OK?"

"Yes, I'm fine. Don't cry, Rosemary." She wiped Rukia's tears with the inside of her sleeve. "I got caught in the rain and got a cold, that's all. I'm well and only staying in bed because there is nothing else. See?"

She turned around to let Rukia see she was recovering and able to move around again. Rukia wasn't convinced. "No, you're not, Sis. Look at you. You look almost like a corpse."

She chuckled, agreeing but disagreeing. "I admit I've lost weight but a corpse doesn't breathe or exude warmth. You felt my warmth when we hugged, right?"

Rukia nodded but still didn't give up. She felt herself being lifted up, she laughed at her little girl's tactic when she announced her verdict. "You may not be a corpse, you're a scarecrow. You might want to consider and change your job. Come with me and get a job as the scarecrow at one of the ranches."

"You're right." She felt exhausted and so went to sit on her bed. "Seeing the kids has become a torture."

She thought she'd said under her breath and Rukia couldn't have heard. Unluckily, Rukia had appointed herself as her bodyguard and stuck next to her like glued. "What did Brother do to you, Sis?"

"What do you mean? He didn't do anything."

She replied then lied down, face away from Rukia to hide her tears. Not again, Hisana. She hated herself for being such a baby. She was crying more than she'd cried during the first ten years of her life. No wonder Aunt Fon hadn't wanted to fall in love. She shouldn't have let her guards down and fall for Byakuya. What was he doing now? Was he kissing that woman she'd seen him with at the National Cherry Blossom Festival? Had they already made out and that woman had fulfilled his needs, the ones she hadn't provided him fulfillment?

"Sis, I'm moving back here."

She sat up and squeezed the breath out of Rukia, hugging. "Really? You're not trying to make me feel better, are you?"

"No, Sis." Smiling, Rukia took a tissue from the nightstand and dried her tears. "Who would have known fairies cry too?"

"Don't. Rukia, please don't call me by that name again."

"Why not?" Rukia asked then stopped. "I promise I won't."

"Thank you." Taking the tissue from Rukia, she tried to smile as she asked. "Where are you going to stay? Are you going to stay with B- your brother?"

Rukia shook her head. "Brother spoke with Mama Yoruichi and I'm to stay here with you. Brother said I can move out on my own or live on campus when I start college of my choice."

"He doesn't want you to go to MIT anymore?"

"No, Brother told me I should study something I'm passionate for and choose the school accordingly. He's suggesting medicine." Rukia told her then looked down, studying her own nails. "Sis, do you think you can forgive Brother? He's really sad and doesn't eat much lately. I think he sleeps only few hours a night. He doesn't work long hours as before. When he's working, I usually find him sit at the dining table, staring into space. There are nights he thinks I'm asleep and he sleeps in the guest room."

"I'm sorry, Rukia, but I can't. It's not something to forgive or not. I was at fault too." She drew in a shuddering breath. "Once the glass broke, it's not the same anymore. Its beauty is gone. It's better for us to go separate ways."

"A broken glass can be beautiful as long as the viewers see its broken lines as a touch of art." Rukia pointed out the window. "Do you see those maples along the street?"

She nodded and Rukia continued. "They look just as beautiful with green leaves as when their leaves change colors then fall off. Bare trees have their beauty too, Sis."

Chuckling at Rukia's philosophy, she differed, "Bare trees don't have broken branches like pieces of broken glass being pieced together."

"When did you become a pessimist, Sis?"

"And when did you become so philosophical? I thought you were interested in law?"

"I don't know what I'm interested in, honestly. I read when I get bored and there aren't that many books in our library that I haven't read already. And reading about law has its benefits." Rukia laughed. "It entertains when I questions Brother's law practice."

"I thought you were a perfect little sis."

"I was. I am." Rukia raised her own hands, pinching her thumb and index finger together. "I'm just this teeny, tiny little not perfect. And Brother isn't a perfect big brother, either. He's left me to have dinner by myself these past months. I saved dinner for him too. What a waste."

"Doesn't he have dinner?" She asked before remembering she shouldn't care whether he had dinner or not. And so she twisted the words around. "If he chooses to eat out, forget about him and don't save him dinner."

Rukia heaved a sigh like an old lady before tugging another heart string of hers. "He doesn't eat out, Sis. He skips evening meals and has only a cup of coffee in the morning before leaving for work. He used to scold me for not having breakfast and yet he's skipping his. And skipping dinner too. So, he's not a perfect big brother like you always said."

"I said that?"

"You mean you don't remember?" Rukia looked at her in disbelief. "You didn't only say it once but many times, Sis."

She shook her head, not remembering. Honestly, she didn't remember what she'd said to him or to Rukia about him. She'd tried and managed to block all memories of him in the deepest recess of her mind these past months. She wondered if she could still recognize him if they crossed path. Then that thought led to another. Rukia had said he'd spoken with Mom. Had he come to the house or spoken on the phone? And why didn't Mom tell her about his plan? Her head started to pound again.

"Why did he decide to let you come here all of a sudden?"

"Brother sold our condo back East and moved in with someone." Rukia sighed. "And so I really am a homeless girl."

She needed to change topic and yet anything and everything in her life had come intertwined with his. Before she'd wished for that to happen and now, she wish. No, be careful with what you wish for, she reminded herself. What had she wanted to wish for just now? A discontinuation of their relationship? It'd already ended. A continuation of it then? It just couldn't be. He'd moved on. She should too. How could she? It was in the genes or what? But she wasn't Mom's biological daughter, the one-man woman gene shouldn't exist in her. What in the world was wrong with her anyway? It wasn't like she had no pursuers.

And she wasn't, definitely not, lovesick and hanging on to the past. She'd been a logical and radical person. This crazy, obsessive, not able to explain love would surely come to pass. She would soon go back to live her carefree life, where a mere presence of a certain guy wouldn't leave her heart beating frantically. Her spirit wouldn't be uplifted just thinking about him or remembering the way he'd smiled at her. And her broken heart shouldn't break again recalling his words to her. Moreover, she shouldn't let those words bother her at all, she was half at fault. She'd acted like an easy and simple minded girl, willing to give herself to a man who had asked to her to prove her love for him. A man like that wasn't worthy of her wholehearted love and complete devotion. And you should have told him about Rosemary before it was too late, Hisana.

"You can stay at the house on Redwood. Half of it is mine."

"Hmm, why didn't I think of that? I'll talk to Brother once he can separate himself from his lady friend."

"Let me know of his decision." She walked to the window and looked outside. "Rukia, I'm sorry to be rude but I need some time alone."

Rukia moved behind her then she felt a hand on her back. "Brother told me everything, you don't have to feel guilty. It must have been hard on you, deciding between telling and not telling. I'm still shocked but other than that, I only feel fortunate to have a brother and sister who care about me. Please take care of yourself, Sis. I don't want to lose my only sister when I just found her."

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Rukia had left but she hadn't said her goodbye. She'd let self-pity to stop her from welcoming her baby sister, truly welcoming like she'd always envisioned. She wasn't worthy to be called a caring big sister as Rukia had said. She was sorry for a big sister. What big sister would cry even at the drop of a hat? Perhaps she was a spoiled princess, who would cry and whine when things didn't go her way. Like the kids had made fun of her throughout high school then first year at LB.

She should have trusted Rukia and told her everything from the beginning. She wouldn't have had to get close to Byakuya then all that had happened wouldn't have happened. Then. Then what? Why was she still sad? Rukia knew the truth and was going to live with her. Why did she still feel upset? Upset about what? She had everything.

What do you want, Hisana?

Your parents love you. Your little brother and sister love you. You have aunts, uncles, and cousins. You had a privileged life and didn't have to work to support yourself through school like him. Your looks and IQ are above average. You have your Master's and a fulfilling career. You owe your own car and half of the house. What more do you want? What else do you need?

I want him. I need him.

She realized then why she was still moping after being acknowledged by her long lost younger sister. She'd been disappointed in herself. She was upset and angry at herself. She hadn't faulted him for that day. It'd been her who had actually wanted him. She'd wanted to be connected with him emotionally, physically and everything else in between since the first moment their eyes had met. She'd been too self-righteous to recognize her own desire for him. He'd been right. He'd been right calling her desire an itch for the moment he'd said he'd wanted her, she'd wanted him too.

"You deserve it, Hisana."

"And what is that you deserve?"

"I deserve to be alone and lonely. I don't deserve you. Stop it, Hisana. You're imagining things again." She reproached herself. "He hates you. He doesn't want to marry you anymore. You're just imagining his voice and the love in it."

"You're going to be the jury as well as the judge?"

"No, Byakuya. You were right when you told me to find someone else to scratch my itch. And that I didn't love you like I thought I did." Hisana turned around so fast and caught by the tablecloth. She could have fallen if he hadn't been quick enough, catching her falling body. She didn't get away as he'd feared she would and had her arms around his neck.

He felt her body shudder slightly as she cried. With arms around her, he kissed her hair. "Do you want to hold hands or make supper with anyone?"

"You," replied Hisana, still not letting go of his neck.

He didn't mind and held her closer, asking. "Do you want kiss any other man when you look at him?"

"No."

Although her one syllable answers did just fine, he still preferred to hear her voice. He missed the timbre of her voice and how her breath caught when she saw him looking at her. "Did you ever imagine yourself sharing a bed with the guys who chased after you?"

"Absolutely not. Some of them were likeable but I didn't feel that way about any of them."

A full sentence finally, he smiled into her hair. Meaning to shock her into action, he whispered into her ear. "So do you feel warm and weak or your body throb when we kiss?"

"You're embarrassing me."

She said then inched away, moving her arms from their grasp at his neck. She turned to hide her burning face but he had other idea. He turned her to him and away from the window. "No, I'm not. That's how I always feel when we kiss."

"Yes, I feel the same way." She admitted in a low voice then added, eyes dropped to the floor. "I realized just recently that I've always wanted you. Although I promised Mom not to get involved before marriage, I know Mom would understand if we became intimate before our wedding. Legally, we're married. And yet I got scared when you asked me to give myself to you to prove my love. I said it in a way that it sounded like an obligation. But it's not true, Byakuya. I wanted you then. I'm so sorry."

"I'm sorry too. When I saw you standing in our bedroom with our wedding photo behind, I wanted you. Really bad. But my promise to you held me back. Then I overheard your conversation with Uncle, I felt disappointed and hurt." Raising her chin with his index, he looked in her eyes, showing his weakness. "I was disappointed in myself, because I'd come back with our marriage bed in mind. And I was hurt because the only girl I ever love didn't trust me enough and hid her past from me. I believed you got close to me just because of Rukia. My pride and sexual frustration clouded my sound judgment I was always proud of. I took my frustration on you. I was too selfish to remember that you had been hurt too by the loss your sister. Also, I have an ulterior motive to be with you. Rukia needs a mother figure and your gentle nature fits the bill perfectly."

She smiled and he thought the dark clouds were finally parting to let the sun shine through. It wasn't. She gazed up, looking hurt. "What about the woman you moved in with?"

"I didn't move in with any woman." He had her face between his palms. "I don't share a bed with any woman but you. An evil sorcerer like me only wants a fairy like you, my fairy."

Eyebrows together, she mused aloud. "But Rukia said you sold the condo back East and moved in with someone."

"I knew it." He slapped himself on the forehead. "I shouldn't have told her to say to you whatever she thought would get some reaction out of you."

"Now I understand why she didn't look at me when she said that."

She chuckled and he thought he heard magical bells ringing in his ears. He hadn't heard that magical sound since that awful day. Taking her hands in his, he gave each of their palms a kiss. "Did it work?"

"It did." Her arms found their way him as they should be. "My heart broke when I saw you with another woman at the festival, but stubbornly my hope didn't want to give up. A part of me still held on to your promise for a morrow. When I heard you'd moved in with someone, I knew the true despair of losing you."

"Why didn't you call out to me when you saw me? I would have come and all the tormented days and torturous nights wouldn't have dragged me down." His eyes clouded as he said, "I felt hopelessness for the first time when I saw you in another man's arms."

"What?" She couldn't believe what he'd just said. She dropped her arms and stared at him, disbelieving. "How could you ever think I would welcome another man's arms? And when did you see another man hugging me? I have never hugged any male other than my family and you."

"Remember the day I went to see you after school? You left me and got in a man's truck. You had your face all over him the minute you got in this car."

He looked hurt. She placed both hands on his chest, her eyes compelling him to believe her words. "I didn't have my face all over any man. He's Uncle Rei, Aunt Retsu's brother and associate. Aunt Retsu asked him to pick me up for a checkup at their clinic. Poor Uncle Rei, he didn't know what to do when I cried on him."

"You could have cried on me."

"That would defeat the purpose, wouldn't it?" Frustrated with his rationalization and its impact on her, she accused, "I was hurt but found it difficult to resist you, so I had to run before my weaker self gave in. A girl has her pride too, you know."

"I'm so sorry for being thickheaded."

"No, it's not your fault. I should have told you everything the morning you put your magical ring on me." She flattened her hands on his chest, face resting on them. "I was so childish to have thought I would lose face to have you know that I chased after you. So I made myself believe I went to D.C. only to see my little sister and make-believe thinking solidified, turning itself into the truth. Then Rukia told me about the incident, I became undecided, not knowing which was better for her. The truth about her parentage or let her live the life she'd known."

He felt warm and secured. "We won't keep any secret from each other onward, agreed?"

"Agreed." Their heads were coming closer for a kiss but she broke away. "What about the woman was with you at the Festival?"

"She's one of our high profile clients and I was appointed to show her around the city. I only shook hand with her in greetings. But, I'm begging you to forgive for I kissed another woman after seeing you with a man. I wanted to know if I could break your spell on me when I kissed someone else. It didn't." He had her back in his arms and face raised. He vowed before taking her mouth for a passionate, longing kiss. "There is no one else for me but you, my fairy."

Out of breath, they broke apart but didn't let each other's embrace. She touched his face lovingly. "What do we do now?"

"We get married."

He told her then picked her up and headed for the door, not giving her any chance to protest. She wasn't going to protested. She'd only wanted to ask him how they were supposed to get married in such a short notice. And it was nighttime, no judge or courthouse opened this late. She opened her mouth, intending to ask him but he kissed her again. It'd been monhts since they had been this close, she kissed him back, reveling in his passionate kisses. Then everything was forgotten until her dazed mind emerged after repeated coughing from somewhere close to them.

"Ahem."

The male coughing stopped. Maybe he was giving them time to gather themselves. Gently, Byakuya let down on her feet then righted his suit. Why is he in a suit? And why didn't she notice that earlier?

Confused, she righted his bow as she voiced her confusion. "Are you attending some black tie event and leaving me again, evil sorcerer?"

"No, my good fairy." He gave the corners of her mouth a kiss each before turning to the shadow behind him. "Good evening, Uncle Shuuhei. Thank you for giving us time."

"Oh, good evening, Uncle."

Belatedly, she greeted Uncle Shuuhei, cheeks flaming hot. They flamed even more when Uncle chuckled and said to another shadow. "I'm glad we didn't let her old man come pick them up. Gosh, your wife would be busy all night stitching up poor Byakuya if he'd come."

"Me too. Me too." Uncle Shunsui laughed and winked at her. "Good evening to you too, Byakuya's bride."

She hid her flaming hot face against Byakuya's chest as she spoke. "Good evening, Uncle Shunsui."

"Chop! Chop!" Uncle Shuuhei clapped his hands. "Let's get going or your mom will come pick you two up herself."

Not understanding anything since her passionate kiss with Byakuya, she studied the three man. "Where are we going?"

"My fairy," Byakuya said while picking her up and followed the uncles, "we're getting married at our home. Our home."

Still dumbfounded. "Our home? You mean we're going to get married now?"

"Yes, we're. And Uncles came at Mother's request. She worries that we'll get distracted and crash on our way there."

Without breaking his stride, he said, looking at her meaningfully. She was too happy to grasp his meaning until he dared a kiss at the base of her throat. His warm lips and breath moved the collar of her shirt, teasing her chest. She giggled and placed a hand on the opening of her shirt to keep it down. Then she remembered what she was wearing. She wasn't in any shape for form to get married. She was in her nightclothes for she'd meant to sleep early. Or at least try to before her parents or brother could have come to check on her.

Worried, she asked Byakuya when he settled her down in the backseat of Uncle Shunsui's SUV. "I'm in my nightclothes. Byakuya, I can't get married in them."

"Don't worry, kiddo." Uncle Shuuhei let her in her own wedding. "Your mom and aunts have everything ready. You only need to show up with your eager bridegroom."

"Yes, he's eager, alright," added Uncle Shunsui, who was behind the wheel and trying not to laugh.

"Uncle!"

"What? Your bridegroom is eager so I say he's eager." Uncle Shunsui looked at them in the rear mirror. "Ask him if you don't believe me."

She looked away from all three and looked out the window. "No, thank you. I think I'll pass."

"Someone is shy."

Uncle Shuuhei said but didn't tease her further. Smiling, she kept her gaze on the passing cars while the trio talked about one or another. She had no idea for her mind was elsewhere, thinking about the night ahead. Her mindset was the same when they got to the home on Redwood. She felt she was gliding instead of walking. For one, Byakuya had carried her over the threshold then their wedding took place in a blur. The first clear moment throughout the night was when their guests came up to her, congratulating and giving her well wishes.

"Alright, everybody, let's give the newly wedded couple some quality time together." Mom shooed everyone out the front door then turned to her, winking. "My child, I stocked your pantry and fridge. So if you have any problem leaving the house, you won't go hungry. Moreover, your Aunt Fon left behind small bills just in case you don't have time to cook and order in. Your Uncle Shuuhei said she almost burned down their house during their months long honeymoon. Honeymoon shouldn't last that long. Go figure."

"Mom!"

Mom laughed then tried to be stern, lips curled up. "Don't Mom me. You're married now and soon to become a wife. Alright, I think it's time for me to disappear. I would hate for you to replace the newly installed floor carpet. Your Aunt Retsu took pride in their pick. She said it's rare and has deep meaning."

She had no idea what Mom meant by replacing the carpet. Then she caught Mom's gaze. Mom was gazing at the hallway, where Byakuya was pacing back and forth. She giggled while Mom laughed out loud. Mom hugged her, whispering. "Three years are a long wait, my child, be ready."

"I wonder if you'll ever stop teasing others when you become a grandma."

"I won't know until I actually become one." Mom kissed her forehead. "I'm going for real this time. I love you, child."

She hugged Mom. "I love you, Mommy. Tell Dad I love him too."

"Now, now, it's your wedding night. Don't call me Mommy or I'll think you're scared." Her tense body relaxed at Mom's teasing. Then all the anxiety was gone when Mom spoke, sharing her wisdom. "Just relax, Hisana. I know first time can be scary, but any pain or discomfort is worthy when you're with the one you love. Your husband is a responsible man, he'll take things at your pace. Let your feelings and instinct guide you, my child."

Mom gave her both cheeks a kiss then waved a goodbye at Byakuya before leaving. She wanted to walk Mom the car where Dad was waiting with Rukia and Toshiro, but Mom told her to come back and be a good wife. She bid Mom goodbye and closed the door behind her. Back against the door, she inhaled then exhaled, preparing herself for the night ahead.

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Byakuya wasn't in their bedroom when she entered. Where is he, she wondered. Then she heard glasses clinking. She turned around to the sound and before her was her husband. Husband. She tasted it on her lips and found the sound very sweet.

"My wife."

She liked how husband felt on her lips but she liked him calling her his wife even more. She stood where she was, admiring the side of him. He'd already changed into pajamas and his hair still wet from his shower. It was sight to behold. What was more alluring was the smile seemed to be glued on his face since their making up at her parents' house. Her parents' house and the house she was going to live in was her husband and hers. She might be looking like a fool for she was looking him while smiling. He wasn't doing or even saying anything. And yet she felt happy and couldn't stop her smile.

"Shall we have our private toast?"

She nodded and took a wine glass from him. Too happy and enchanted by the happiness reflecting in his once expressionless eyes, she forgot to tell him that she couldn't hold any amount of alcohol. She got tipsy easily just by drinking cedars and anything stronger would put her under very soon after the intake. Belatedly she realized she'd followed her husband and drunk a full glass of red wine. But maybe she was too drunk by him to get drunk by alcohol, she comforted herself then told him she would be in the bathroom, getting ready for bed.

After getting her nightly routine done, she looked for her pajamas. She couldn't see them where Rukia had told to find, she saw a lace night dress instead. Not believing her eyes, she turned the dress and a tiny pink sticky note fell out. She picked the pink note up and knew it'd been written by no other than Aunt Fon. On the note, Auntie congratulated and told her to wear the night dress for her new husband. She looked at the dress then back to herself, her face hot. Aunt Fon's night dress was so sheer that she could see her skin, trying on one arm. She sighed. She'd been in a hurry and forgotten to take a bath robe. Either wear the night dress or nothing at all. And so she took a quick shower then put the night dress on, it clung to her body like a second skin.

Fanning her hot face and hopefully her hot skin would cool down and lose its pink. Slowly, she opened the door and peeked out to see where her husband was. He wasn't in the bedroom. Relieved, she exhaled then took a deep breath before running for the bed. She just made it to the bed when her husband walked in. She ducked then dived for the bedcovers and stayed under for safe measure. But it was getting hot under the covers and the silence from her husband started to crack her nerve. Inch by inch, she pulled the cover down from her head and almost jumped off the bed when her face came into contact with her husband's smiling one.

"I didn't know fairies have good taste in lingerie."

Byakuya thought her dress was a nice touch since it was their wedding night. And he knew his wife would never pick something like that. Still, he'd teased her to make her forget the night was their wedding night.

"Humph!" His wife said, throwing the cover over his head. "I didn't buy this one. Aunt Fon gave it to me as of her wedding gifts to me."

"You wouldn't mind me taking it off and putting something else on for you then?"

"Over my dead body."

"Gladly to oblige and come over you." He removed the comforter from his head and glanced at her from his peripheral vision. "But I prefer your warm body better."

He'd waited for her response to that but none had come. Curious, he got in bed and lied down next to her. "Hisana?"

"Hmm?"

"Good fairy?"

She turned over and faced him, eyes half closed. "Yes, evil sorcerer?"

"Sleepy?"

"No." She pried her eyes open but only a little wider than before. "Not really."

He smiled when her eyes closed again, all the way this time. His wife was sleepy. He must be disappointed and grumpy; nevertheless, he felt joy just to be near her again. He moved closer to gather her in his arms. She met him half way and they were each other's arms. Cozy, he felt his own eyes closing but kept them open. He wanted to watch her a little longer.

And he was glad that he hadn't let his own fatigue command his body. His wife rested her face against his chest, murmuring. "Thank you for your spell, my sorcerer."

"And I thank you for finding me, my fairy."

He titled his head back just in time to see the smile on her before she fell into deep sleep. She sighed in contentment and he did the same, letting his heavy eyelids droop.

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Hisana felt toasty and yet not uncomfortable. She felt happy instead. Mind still foggy from sleepiness, she moved her head against something warm and solid. Strange, Dad wouldn't let Mom leave his side at night. And the chest she was feeling was flat. The person couldn't be Mom and was too big for her little brother. Also, Toshiro hadn't come to her room at night since he'd turned five and started kindergarten. Who could it be? She blinked several times to clear her vision and wine induced fogginess. Wine. Yes, a private toast and toast had been her husband's idea. Husband. Eyes sprang open while her heart picked up the pace, beating faster.

"Are Rukia's bunnies hiding in your chest, my fairy? Or the thumping sound is actually your wings fluttering?"

In dim light of dawn, her open eyes were greeted by the bare skin at the collar bones. And her hands were on warm, bare skin as well. But she recalled he'd had his pajamas on while she in a sheer night dress. Although sheer, the sheer lace couldn't be thin as skin. She didn't feel any constriction against her skin. As if. She looked down at herself and found nothing on her front. Her back felt bare as well. She remembered clearly that she'd fallen asleep in her night dress. So how come? Right, she'd gotten toasted during the night and taken it off herself. She giggled, thinking how she'd almost scolded him for undressing her while she'd been asleep. And she'd fallen asleep alone on her wedding night.

"I'm sorry I fell asleep on you."

"I don't mind." Her husband brushed off her apology, smiling. "In fact, I enjoyed watching you sleep."

"But last night was our wedding night."

She felt bad and sorry to have missed out her own wedding night. Would another night be the same as the night after their wedding? Although theirs hadn't been a grand wedding as intended, she'd felt like a true bride and special. Mom and neither of her aunts had had a grand wedding and yet all of three of them were happy with their marriage. Byakuya and her wedding had been held just for formality. Aunt Fon's godfather, Judge Brown had married them. How she'd wished Grandpa had been alive and done the honor instead.

"Who said wedding night only takes place at night?"

She was startled when he moved to lie half on her, his desire was obvious against her leg. She blushed but didn't look away. He leaned forward and captured her lips with his. They had shared passionate kisses before and yet she felt shy when his tongue entered her mouth. It must be the knowledge of what was going to take place next. Her breath caught and he lifted his head, breaking off the kiss.

"We can wait if you're not ready."

He said and he moved to get up. She kept him back by the nape of his neck. "Mom says both men and women have strong desire in the flesh. The only difference between them is that women tend to be more discriminate and selective with whom they share their desire with. And I, Mr. Kuchiki, have waited only for you since I was eighteen to share mine with you."

Then she pulled him down on top of her. She might have been the initiator of their latest kiss but he was the one taking the lead. He gently led her over the threshold of passion and made her what her sub-consciousness had wanted since their first meeting. It had wanted her to become his wife.

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