Extraordinary Girl

Disclaimer: I do not own Digimon, or its characters with which I am using. Inspiration for the story and title is Green Day's song "Extraordinary Girl". However, I do own some of the OC's I have given Ryo for family members. They are of my creation.

A/N: This story will not have the actual Digimon in it, just the Tamers of Season 3. Canon pairings: mainly Ryo/Ruki, but with hints of Jeri/Takato, and Henry/Alice.

I have decided to continue this as a multi-chapter story thanks to my readers. Thank you all.

**Dedicated to my fellow author and friend, Dolce Saito. This is for her! :D ~Eb [formerly Digi_Chick]

~Ruki's POV~

Chapter 10

Here we are; several great weeks have passed since my father's phone call, the day Ryo read his mother's will, and we found out that his parents bought us a home. Engagements are a little overwhelming I will admit, but everything that has happened has been amazing.

Ryo is so sweet. I've awoken to special presents in the morning from flowers and notes to breakfast in bed most days. The man can cook a good meal.

This particular morning I awoke snuggled in his arms. He had become my favorite pillow. We had decided to keep staying at my house since I had the larger bed and we agreed not to move into the house until after our wedding, or honey moon.

His cobalt eyes fluttered open tiredly as I stretched.

I smiled gently kissing his cheek. "Did I wake you?"

"Yes, but I don't mind, I like waking to you." Ryo replied, his voice was slightly deeper and gravelly in the mornings. I found myself liking it more and more. It was kind of sexy.

I ran my fingers through his hair, tangled and messy; it was still perfect on him.

He pulled me back down, playfully turning us over so that I was laying on my back with him hovering over me. Then he slowly lowered himself shifting his weight, kissing me gently at first. Of course that didn't last long. In moments we found ourselves tangled up in a heated, passionate lip-lock.

We had become quite accustomed to sleeping with each other, still in a more innocent way, though mornings like this were happening more frequently.

I let out a surprised squeak. No matter how many times he did this, Ryo still took me aback. But I really didn't mind the "good morning make-out sessions", I enjoyed his kisses. Morning breath included, love is blind they say - and apparently doesn't mind odor.

This morning, however, Ryo decided to take things a bit further than usual.

The past few weeks we had crammed so much information into the other in order to get to know everything. It's not that we don't know that we have a lifetime to learn that much about our significant other, yet it has seemed to help with so much.

That barrier getting in the way before was practically gone. We were being rather transparent in our new, fresh relationship. It was a wonderful thing.

But back to this morning, as with many previous mornings, I have noticed that the passion-filled kisses just don't seem to be enough. They are lovely; he and I could kiss for hours, but something is missing.

His blue eyes are typically very clear and bright, though in those moments they get clouded and dark. Lust, love, or a concoction of both - call it what you may... All I know is, well, how turned on we get.

Of course, it doesn't help that in the mornings he's already so, well you know, horny. That was an interesting conversation several weeks ago! Here I thought I knew enough about men; I was wrong, and slightly embarrassed. He was so sweet, however when he explained everything.

Ryo's touch caused a slight whimper to pass my lips. He grinned at me, gently massaging my abdomen. I traced the muscles of his arms, watching through my eyelashes.

Our breathing had slowed, gaining a heaviness.

"Close your eyes, Kitten," he prompted with an assertiveness that was new to me. I liked when he took control of things, in cases like this, since I was the novice.

I did as he requested, closing my eyes. I was curious; my body was aching. It ached a lot around him, damn hormones.

Suddenly his touch was much more powerful. I wasn't sure if he changed the pressure, or if it was just my body reacting to my heightened senses. Either way, it felt so nice I didn't care the cause. I just didn't want him to stop.

I felt his head dip and his lips made contact with my neck. The sensation sent a burning pulse through my midsection downward. Instinctively my hands clasped his hair; it was the easiest to grab. I felt his lips turn up to a smirk, and then suck gently at a spot on my neck.

My heart raced faster as his hands slid up and down my sides. One slipped under the hem of my tank top, creeping its way higher. He was such a tease. I wriggled under him, suppressing a soft moan from our full body contact.

He chuckled huskily, "Patience is a virtue, Ruki."

"Shut up, you know I can fight just as dirty as you and you wouldn't appreciate me being so slow if our positions were switched."

Ryo smiled his signature grin down at me. "True, but our positions aren't switched."

I reached up to caress his abs, playfully walking my pointer and middle fingers lower.

"Wanna talk or continue?"

He took my hint and his hands ascended, finally coming into contact with their target: my chest. It was a strange sensation, but felt so good my eyes rolled back a little.

The creak of the hallway in front of my bedroom door and a knock stopped us promptly, making me grit my teeth.

"Who is it?" I huffed out, trying to make my mind clear. Ryo grinned slightly, rolling off me. He didn't look pleased that we were being interrupted, but he was respectful enough to discontinue.

"Are you two getting out of bed?" came my mother, Rumiko's, accusatory tone. Every morning she was suspicious of something. Her voice was not what I wanted to hear right now. "It's almost noon!"

I groaned, grumbling some incoherent curse at her. Ryo kissed my cheek.

"We'll have another chance sometime, babe." he whispered.

I knew he was right, but I also knew that we were both extremely lascivious. Nevertheless I nodded, resting my head on his shoulder. His arms slid around my waist instinctively.

"Ruki?"

"I heard you mother!" I called trying to reign in my irritation. I didn't want to be like the sexually charged teenage couples that snuck around their parents. We were adults and could do what we wanted, but I was just frustrated that my mother was so naturally intrusive.

My mother took that as her invitation to barge in my room. Thank goodness Ryo and I were still decent, pajamas on and all.

She took one look at us and blinked, a light flush found its way to her face. "Breakfast is ready. You two should get out of bed," Rumiko spluttered.

We might be decent, but it must have been obvious that we were fooling around.

I rolled my eyes a little, fighting a smirk. "We'll be out soon then."

All my mother did was acknowledge my statement and turn on her heel, exiting my room as quickly as she barged in.

Ryo laughed a little. "I've never seen your mom so flustered."

"She's usually not easily flustered," I kissed Ryo gently, "But she kind of has a weird crush on you."

His lips lingered on mine, though he pulled back with a face. "I've noticed, it is a little disconcerting."

"I know, love. Come on breakfast will be waiting and she'll send my grandmother next if we stay here too long. And it would be my turn to blush if she found us in this state."

Ryo agreed, but still playfully smacked my ass as he rose from bed.

"Hey, hands to yourself handsome, this isn't grab-n-go time," I scolded playfully, laughing despite myself. He just grinned and pulled on some pants and a t-shirt.

I changed into something similar. My favorite jeans and a shirt of his. Yes, I have become accustomed to wearing some of my fiancé's clothing.

It's so much harder to actually threaten him now days, in all seriousness... I just freaking want to jump him.

Ryo took my hand and led me through the house to the dining area. My mother had apparently bounced back from her stunned demeanor and watched us approach suspiciously as she normally did.

Part of me believes that she is stunned because it hasn't happened yet. We still haven't had sex. They are usually morning explorations, but we have never gone all the way. Though we've touched more bases than only first finally. Home is the goal one day.

"So nice of you to join us this morning," Rumiko stated, sipping her coffee.

"Breakfast is a little late this morning, isn't it? I just assumed that we would have been left to make something for ourselves. Sorry." I shot back.

My grandmother, Seiko, glanced from my mother to me. Ryo just gave her a shrug like he didn't know what was going on. It was smart of him; he didn't want to get dragged into argument between the Makino ladies. I squeezed his hand lightly.

Regardless my grandma knew us well enough.
"Rumi, what did you do?"

Rumiko shook her head. "Nothing, Mother."

Seiko raised a brow, "Now you listen here, moments ago you came out with your feathers ruffled and now your daughter and you are arguing again. It keeps happening. Why? I demand an explanation."

I smiled internally. I love my grandma. She always sticks up for me.

My mom didn't like her response though.
"Mother, would you butt out? I love you but seriously! This has nothing to do with you or me."

Ryo cleared his throat, attempting to clear the air.

"If I may, Rumiko would you prefer I not be staying here?"

I didn't expect his question, and neither did my guardians. My mother gazed at him.

"Why would you think that, dear?"

He scratched his head. "That look you give us every morning sends a signal... I've been trying to figure out."

Seiko tapped her firmly on the shoulder with a rolled newspaper. "I knew it was something. Is he correct or not?"

Rumiko exhaled exasperatedly. "No, it's not that. I'm sorry for the look... It's just, I'm worried. Please don't be offended about what I'm about to tell you."

He nodded and I sat, prompting him to sit with me.

"Go ahead, Mom."

She gave a vague smile. All eyes were on her which she usually loved.

"When your father and I were together, he was very charming and I was young and naive. He was slightly older and more experienced in many things... I just see parallels in the relationships, and though I know, Ruki, you and I have different personalities and Ryo is the opposite of your father, I can't help but worry. Please wait... Until you're serious about," she hesitated, "Things, instead of the heat of the moment. That's how I was blessed with you, Honey."

I blushed. She went there... It was in a sincere motherly way, but she still went there. The 'don't have sex until you're serious' talk... I wonder how many other couples, if any at all, get that talk?

Ryo's face was slightly flushed at the subject and comparison as well, but he hid his better. Years of practice, maybe? He gave a nod in acknowledgement.

"We understand that," I got up and hugged her. "Relax, we haven't done anything anyway. You just don't want to be a grandma yet." I teased gently to lighten the mood.

Everyone laughed, including her.

"You might be right. I can't be a grandma yet, I'm not ready," she said with a relieved smile.

Seiko chimed in, "You're not ready? Hey I'll be the great-grandma... Not yet thank you."

I winked, "Coolest great-grandma in town, though."

"Ha ha, damn straight."

We finished breakfast with a much lighter air about the room. There was laughter, joy, teasing.

And then my phone rang, again... With that same number. I hadn't called my father back yet, or bothered to tell my family about it. I guess he wants an answer. Must be a busy man.

I let it go to voicemail so that I had the opportunity to spring the subject on my guardians. Ryo raised a brow at me. I held up a finger.

"So, Mom, that article in your magazine a couple issues back you know the one on our engagement?"

Rumiko gazed at me from across the table. "Yes, I remember it... Why?"

I took a deep breath.

"Well, my father contacted me regarding it. He wants to meet," I responded.

Both my grandma and her eyes widened.

"You told him no, didn't you?"

"I didn't give him an answer at all, except that I would think about it and get back with him..."

My mother leaned closer. "Do you want to meet him again?"

I shrugged. "Yes and no. A girl always wants her father's approval whether he is a bastard or not. I wouldn't go alone, either. I'd take Ryo."

"And if he doesn't approve?"

"Then I'll punch him in the face," I stated as a matter of fact.

Ryo smiled crookedly. "As would I."

The statement seemed to soothe my mother's spirit a little. I knew she wouldn't be happy about my father contacting me, but technically she was part of the reason that he did.

"That wasn't what I intended from the article. I just wanted to show off to my friends that my baby girl was getting married, and to such an eligible bachelor. Jacque was impressed," Rumiko sighed lightly. "I'm sorry, Honey. Your father is such a slime bag… What else did he say?"

I shrugged, "Nothing really. He was calling to congratulate me, or so he said. Then he just spoke of how he hadn't been there for me in life, but requested a meeting if I was to accept it."

"Sounds as though he wants something from his little girl," my grandmother assessed.

Ryo looked over. "Is he that kind of man?"

My mother shrugged.

"That's hard to answer. When I told him that I was pregnant, he distanced himself. After I had Ruki, he disappeared and sent me the signed divorce papers. I figured he didn't want children, though he had never said that upfront. His actions spoke loud and clear. I assumed that he just didn't ever want anything to do with the child he brought into this world. I guess assumptions can be incorrect," she mused, sounding rather irritated with my father.

"I understand. I want her to make the decision herself, but I don't want her to meet him alone. That was the only criteria I requested she consider." Ryo spoke with his gentle concern.

I smiled, listening to my fiancé and guardian's knowledge and concerns. I didn't want to meet him by myself, anyway. My father was a person I didn't understand, and I didn't fully trust myself to make a smart decision if he were to try and dupe me. I did want his approval; well part of me wanted it.

"I already agreed that you will be coming with me, babe." I kissed his cheek, listening to the voice mail my father left. It was similar to the conversation previously. He was straightforward and got to the point immediately. There was no stalling or dilly-dallying. "I'm going to call him back. Wait here with my mom and grandma, will you? If you don't mind."

Ryo agreed, smiling.

"Sure thing. I'll be here."

I walked into the backyard and perched on my favorite stone by the coy pond. This had been my favorite place to contemplate things as a child. The coy pond relaxed me, it was a white noise that reminded me of home.

I took a breath and redialed the callback number to my father's cell.

It rang a mere two times before he picked up.

"Yukari Kiazu," I heard his voice greet. It wasn't friendly sounding, as usual. But a thought struck me. That was my father's name. I hadn't ever asked my mother what it was, nor had I done any digging to figure it out. So Kiazu would have been my birth name, if my mother hadn't gone back to her maiden name.

"Hello, Dad, its Ruki," I replied, deciding to keep things business-like as he preferred.

"Ruki, how are things? I hadn't heard from you."

"I know, sorry. I got busy, things are fine. I just thought I would get back with you on your request." There was a silence as he waited for my answer. He didn't say a thing. "We can meet. When and where?"

"Today is the only time I have a flexible schedule for several weeks. Can you meet this evening at any time? You can choose the place." He responded.

I thought about it for a minute. "Okay, today is probably something I can manage. How about five thirty at the diner down the street from my mother's agency?"

Why not get this little "get-together" over with and see what the old man wants from his daughter? I wasn't going to tell him about bringing Ryo. I was just going to show up with my fiancé. He would recognize him from the magazine I'm sure.

"That quaint little place? I suppose that would suffice. Five thirty is fine on my end. I will see you then, Ruki. I have a meeting to get to, so I must let you go."

I rolled my eyes, making a ripple in the pond and watching the fish flee.

"No worries. I'll be there, bye."

We disconnected mutually and I pushed up from my seated position on the ground. I made my way back into the house. Ryo was helping my grandmother with the dishes. They were talking amiably with my mother. Three pairs of eyes glanced at me as I entered the house again.

My mother's still looked apprehensive.

Ryo's held a similar expression, but he pulled me to his form and planted a kiss on my forehead. "So? What's the verdict, love?"

"We're meeting him at the diner by Mom's agency. It's in our neck of the woods, familiar territory. I thought it would give us an advantage. I guarantee he doesn't hang out in town very often. Especially not over here by the house. He seems like a city slicker, freshly pressed kind of businessman. We'll meet up around five thirty," I rested my head on his shoulder.

My grandmother smiled gently. "That's smart my dear. You handled it maturely, but thought about it thoroughly."

I nodded. "Of course I did. I've been thinking about it for weeks, trying to figure out the best tactic. Oh, I didn't tell him about Ryo tagging along either. I figure he won't be expecting me to have an escort."

"Bravo, Honey," Rumiko hugged me. "You're too grown up. You've handled this situation with such wisdom and skill. I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, Mom."

We helped them finish cleaning up the kitchen, then Ryo and I made it to the room to change and get around for this meeting with my father. I sat on the edge of my bed.

Ryo glanced over as he changed into a nicer undershirt and button up that he left open. He switched from jeans to casual trousers.

"Are you nervous?"

I stared down at my hands, tangled in my lap. He walked over and lifted my chin lightly, causing me to look his way.

"Yes," I replied, my voice was hardly a whisper.

"You sure you want to do this? We can always stand him up." Ryo suggested. He was not completely comfortable with my idea, though I don't think I truly am either. But this was something I felt strongly about. I have to know.

"No, I want to know what his intentions for contacting me were. Even with the article about our engagement, his timing was out of the blue. There was no rhyme or reason to it. I want to give him a piece of my mind if he wants something from me, whatever it may be."

His eyes softened. I didn't have to say anything else about it to convince him otherwise. He understood. We would be meeting my father soon.

Ryo grabbed his keys from the bedside table and put his wallet in his pocket.

"Let's get there early," He kissed my hand.

It helped me relax. I grabbed my purse and left the house with him, hand in hand.

I let him drive us. I was in no condition to get us from point A to point B, and I didn't know emotionally how I was going to handle this meeting… Or should I call it a briefing, that probably sounds more accurate to the man I call "Dad."

I cuddled to Ryo's side as he drove the few minutes to the diner, not ten miles from my home. He had his arm wrapped around my waist. It had become its natural resting spot when the two of us were together. It made me feel secure. I picked nervously at the buttons on his shirt.

I felt his lips press into my hair atop my head.

"Whenever you're ready, beautiful," Ryo said, parking his truck as close to the front doors of the diner as possible, in case we needed a quick getaway.

With a longer than necessary breath, I got out of the truck and waited for Ryo to follow. He was immediately at my side. We strode into the diner and were seated at a four-top booth toward the back.

It was in the corner, in a dark inlet. The lights were dim. It was a rather romantic setting. So I tried to focus on that: being in a nice, sweet diner from my childhood with the love of my life, as opposed to awaiting the father that abandoned me as a girl.

Ryo ordered us some drinks and an appetizer. He watched me as I scanned the crowd. My father would have no problem picking me out at the diner. I looked very similar to my mother. Unfortunately for me, I only had a few pictures and one previous meeting with which to recognize the man that gave me life.

"What does he look like?" I heard Ryo inquire quietly. He was scanning the place too. I had a feeling he was on edge almost as much, if not more, than I was at this moment.

I bit my lip. "The image of him is foggy… I know he has red hair. I get it from him… and he's tall, I remember. He has harsh features, broad shoulders. He will be sporting a designer suit, tie, shoes, etc. I know he has money and a lot of it. My mother always went for rich men."

Ryo's eyes made another round of the diner. No one that was presently seated matched that description in any way. I know my father will stand out in this place. It was a family owned diner, a friendly place for adults and children alike, but it was geared toward the middle-working class families of West Shinjuku.

The bell of the diner sounded, and my eyes came into contact with the dark silhouette of Yukari Kiazu. He was exactly as I described to Ryo. Obviously he came straight from work, but I doubt he would change into something casual for a meeting such as this.

I simply held up my hand to signal him to the back.

His eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he strode to our table. He was trying to figure out who the man I was sitting with was, but it was clear in his features when the realization hit him.

"You must be the infamous Ryo Akiyama," my father stated flatly. He was not amused that I brought him with me.

Ryo didn't budge and his tone matched my father's challengingly.

"That would be me. Unfortunately I don't know your name, Mr…?"

"Kiazu, Yukari Kiazu."

Ryo simply nodded, satisfied. I had a feeling from the burning, determined look in Ryo's eyes that he was going to do some research on this man one of these days in our near future.

My father slid into the booth across from us.

I leaned forward on my elbows, staring right at my dad. "So, what is this meeting about?"

His dark eyes fixed on me finally. He had been focusing on my fiancé's presence.

"To see you, and see in person the young woman you have become."

"That's it?"

"Were you expecting something else? I wish you had left the husband to be home." He asked, folding his arms and leaned back in a disgruntled motion.

Ryo glared.

"Why don't you stop lying to your daughter? What do you want, money? In a tight spot old man? You put on a great show, the suit and everything really sells it."

"Shut your mouth, boy."

I sighed. "Stop it. I don't know what I was expecting, but be civil."

Ryo gave me an apologetic look. I wasn't really angry with him; he was trying to protect me. My father was being an ass to be an ass. His intentions were still unclear to me. Maybe Ryo's accusations were true and that's why my dad was being defensive. Or Ryo was wrong and my father was legitimately annoyed with the accusations.

"Look, I wanted to meet to congratulate you in person. This is for you," he slid an envelope toward us. "It was something I was supposed to give your mother, but never did. You can consider it an early wedding gift."

I tentatively opened the envelope. Inside was a check with a large number on it. I gazed at my father surprised.

"Uh, thank you… What is this for?"

He sighed slightly. "It's technically the child support I owed your mother. I figured I may as well give it to the one that it belonged to in the first place. It should pay for a majority of the wedding. I just wanted to see you one more time."

"One last time?" My tone was confused and unsure. My father didn't make any sense to me. He abandoned us, and now he gave me the "child support" he owed my mother to pay for my wedding.

Yukari gave a curt nod. He was a no-bones man.
"Yes, I'm moving out of the country for business and I might not be traveling back for some time. With the engagement I just felt that since I wasn't there for anything, and won't be attending the wedding that I owed you something for my neglect."

That was basically my Dad's nice way of saying not to bother sending him an invitation or "save the date", which I hadn't planned on. It was a poor assumption on his part.

Ryo looked at the check then at my father. "We don't need your money."

"I didn't say that you needed it. Even if you don't use it for your wedding, the money belongs to Ruki. She can do whatever she wants with the money." He retorted with a shrug.

I put it in my purse. I wasn't sure what I would do with it yet, but Ryo didn't argue with Yukari's last statement.

"Well, thanks." I said. There wasn't honestly anything else for us to talk about. This check made everything clear.

My dad wanted to clear his guilty conscience and he figured money would do the trick. He didn't want anything from me, but he didn't want me to ask anything from him either. It made me sad, but it was relieving also. He would move and I wouldn't have to worry about him.

Yukari nodded. "It's the least I could do."

"You're right, it was the least you could do, but I didn't expect anything more from you Father," I stood pulling Ryo up with me. He twined his fingers with mine. We had heard enough bullshit for today, and were both eager to get away from this man. "Have a great life wherever it brings you. Don't bother contacting us, again."

As I followed Ryo to his truck, I smiled. For the first time I was walking out of my dad's life forever. He didn't have the chance to hurt my mother or me. I felt confident. It felt right, and I had Ryo to thank for that. He made sure I saw through any illusions or pretty words my dad tried to use.

"You okay?" Ryo asked as I leaned my back against the cab of the truck. He faced me, leaning into me with his arms on either side of my body. His hands found their way to my hips.

I gazed up into the beautiful blue eyes of my man and kissed him before responding.
"I'm fine. I needed you there, I'm happy you were with me."

He responded in kind with a deepened kiss.

"I will always be with you when you need me, I promise you that." Ryo rested his forehead against mine. He knew I wasn't entirely fond of public displays of affection, but in this moment I didn't mind at all. It was just us being us.

"Let's go, handsome. I guess we have a check I need to deposit into the bank." I smiled as I pulled the money my father gave me out. "Dinner's on him, jackass."

Ryo chuckled and we made it to the bank, putting the money in savings. We then made our way out for an enjoyable dinner, just my fiancé and me. It was relaxing.

I traced the lines on Ryo's hands while we awaited the check. He was watching me, in my meticulous trance, as I grazed my fingertips over his palms.

"You got quiet again, love." He murmured softly, pushing some hair behind my ear.

I smiled, "I'm just thinking. Things have been so… wonderful lately, it just annoys me that this was all my father had to show, you know? I knew he was a selfish man; no respectful guy would knock a woman up, marry her, and just abandon the family like he had. But this meeting was just for him to basically pay me off."

"Baby, he was a jerk. I'm sorry that you had to witness it first hand— " he started.

"I'm not. Honestly, I feel like that was the best outcome. You saw right through him, and that opened my eyes to something I may have fallen for, naively, if you hadn't been there. Or if this happened when we weren't together."

Ryo caressed my cheek, "I'm glad you see it that way. I am grateful that all he did was give you a check, and he didn't become violent or anything. He won't bother you anymore."

I suddenly felt the urge to leave money and go for a long, adventurous drive somewhere with Ryo and have a night of spontaneity. I must have had a certain look in my eyes, for Ryo's seemed to mirror my thoughts.

"You're ready to leave aren't you?"

"How did you guess?" I teased playfully.

Ryo grinned, "You're easy to read now, Kitten."

I scoffed.

"Are you calling me predictable?"

"Not at all, but your expressions seem to say a lot more than they used to," He replied genuinely pleased about it. He placed money on the table and helped me up.

I rose to my tiptoes to kiss his cheek.

"That's because I realized how silly I was being before, and that you're the safest person for me to share things with."

"About time," He jested back at me.

It made me laugh, our playful banter. We still had it from the old days, but it was laden with a different meaning now. Love, there was love behind it.

"Where to?" Ryo asked as we made our way into the rapidly darkening parking lot.

I tousled his hair, smiling. "Anywhere, let's just not spend the night at my house tonight."

"Hmm, and not my father's place either?"

I shook my head as a confirmation.

Ryo paused, thinking a moment. "Would you prefer a hotel, or do you want to see our house?"

The idea sounded quite nice, but I wanted to wait on seeing our future home. "A hotel, love."

He kissed me, lovingly.

"A hotel it is."

We drove in a comfortable silence to the nicest hotel nearby. Ryo got us a suite and led the way. I was looking forward to spending some time alone with him, away from my mother, grandmother, and his father. They made things feel so awkward sometimes as Ryo and I were getting to know each other as an engaged to be married couple.

I think a few days of vacation from our family will be good for us, a breath of fresh air. Ryo came up behind me as I looked out the French doors onto the balcony. The evening was approaching and there was a lovely view of the sunset from where we were staying. It was quite romantic.

"It's beautiful," I practically whispered for fear of ruining the moment, nestled safely in my fiancé's arms.

Ryo smiled, his cheek resting against mine.

"I've seen more beautiful things," his words were merely a breath by my ear. "I'm holding one of them now."

I gazed up at him, feeling tears fill my eyes.

"That was really sweet."

"It's true. Never forget that, darling."

I turned in his embrace and he gently lifted me bridal-style, taking me back into the room as the sun disappeared below the horizon.

A/N: Okay, I'm going to leave it there in a slight cliff hanger… ;3 So, there you have it: a little limey-fluff in this chapter! Through Ruki's point of view, this is how Ryo and Ruki are starting to become a tight-knit couple. Things are starting to flow better between them and they are starting to find themselves, not only as a person, but together as one, as people in love! Here is where I finished the father aspect that I brought in with the last two chapters. :) Yukari Kiazu is not his real name, I'm sure. Ha! I made that one up. Yes, I made him a jerk for a reason. It gave Ruki closure.

A humongous thank you and shout out to my lovely readers, reviewers, and everyone else supporting this story! Dolce, Anon, Lii-Makino, EVERYBODY! Thank you, thank you, thank you for continuing the love and support. 3 I truly appreciate it! This is for you all :)