((Wednesday, November 4th))

[[EVENING OF MARON'S BIRTHDAY]]

"What's the sur—."

"Shhh," Chiaki cut in as he silently opened the door into their dark apartment. He covered her eyes, turned the lights on and…

"SURPRISE!"

Maron took her boyfriend's hands off her eyes and brightened up seeing the face of Izumi, Stella, Roy and their little baby girl, Violet. It still surprises Maron to this day that Stella knew that her baby was going to be a girl. She went over to Stella and gave her a hug and kissed the little Violet's forehead as the baby giggled, her blue eyes twinkling.

"Maron! It seems like ages since we've last spoken to each other," Stella squealed, tears forming in her eyes.

"Stella, I saw you last week," Maron said, smiling.

"I know, I know, but I feel you've grown up so fast! How's it going? Have you been studying for your exams? How is Naomi? Have you and your friend came up with any ideas for the clothing line?"

"Whoa, whoa, honey, slow down. Maron just got home and it's her birthday. You have the whole night to talk to her," Roy cut in, taking the baby from his wife's arms and smiling genuinely down at Maron, "We all have a surprise for you."

"Yep, we all chipped in to bring it here," Izumi cut in, giving Maron a kiss on the cheek in greeting.

"Okay," she said curiously, "What is it?"

"Hey, I am SO not an it," someone said in the background. Maron's eyes widened in surprise as her friends, who are like family to her, cleared the way. "Are you just going to stand there?"

"I cannot believe it! Miyako, you're here," Maron squealed as both of them hugged each other tightly. "What the hell? I haven't heard from you in months. I know you're working on a script, but what have you been up to all these months."

"Girl, you know what I had to go through. There were interviews, castings, dating and so much other nonsense that I didn't have time and with school and exams on top of it, how the hell would I be able to talk to you?!? Believe me, if you were in my situation you'd do the same thing," Maron was about to protest when she noticed someone behind Miyako. Maron had a smug grin on her face as she looked at Miyako.

"Miyaaako, who is this guy that you haven't introduce to us?"

"Duh, Maron, that's my fiancé, Jared Hillshire! I've already told you about him. Everyone already knows who he is and you might as well meet," she took her friends hand and led her to Jared, "Jared, this is Maron. Maron, Jared."

"Nice to meet you," Maron said, offering a hand as Jared shook it.

"Nice meeting you too. It's always nice to meet one of Miyako's closest friends. She's told me a lot about you and your friend's idea of starting a clothing line. Are you still up for the idea?"

"Of course! My friend and I know this is something we've always wanted to do. I'll show you some of our designs later. Hopefully she'll be able to stop by later after her date. So, how's it going with your new ABO show? I've seen a couple episodes and it seems interesting. You're really good at what you do. You definitely have a talent."

"Thank-you and it really is a success. We've had numerous viewers and a lot of good comments on it. We just finished season one and will be filming the second season during pilot season. Miyako is doing really good with the script. She's always got a great idea and is on top of her work for the most part."

"How did you guys meet?"

"At the college of course," Miyako butted in, "I was lost getting to my class and he was there in the hall. I thought I knew him from somewhere, but I never was able to get his name until one of my friends invited me to one of her friend's parties. Then I knew who he was and hit it off from there."

"Not exactly, Miyako," he argued, "She didn't want to go out with me, which made me more determined. She was the prettiest girl I had ever seen and known, but she was hard headed as well. She said no every time I asked her to come and hang out with me. I can't believe she hadn't realized how ignorant she was being." He glared playfully down at her as he bought her close to him.

"I didn't know I was being hard-headed," Miyako said innocently as she tried to pry herself away from her boyfriend, but he held her firm. Maron rolled her eyes dramatically and left to go catch up with Stella, who was sitting with Violet on her lap. Roy was with Chiaki and Izumi, seeming to talk in secrecy.

"I can't believe Roy left you all alone over here," Maron said as she sat next to her dearest friend, who was like a sister-figure to her. Maron was an only child after all and didn't know how to be loved. Stella, her family and even her boyfriend opened her up to it. "How are you and baby." Stella sighed dramatically and smiled gently, bringing the child closer.

"We're all doing fine. Time is definitely flying. It feels like only yesterday I was in agonizing labor pains and now, here's my beautiful child, already a year and a half and is already walking and learning how to talk!"

"It definitely does go by fast, but at least you're living up to every moment. She's so adorable! Are you thinking of another child?"

"I don't know. Roy wants one, but I don't think I want one yet, but knowing me, it'll end up happening. I just want Roy to be the one going through the pain! Forty hours through labor! It was definitely worth it, but it maddens me that he doesn't understand!"

"Boys will be boys. They're too blind to see what we go through. I got my hair re-layered again and Chiaki didn't even notice!" Stella rolled her eyes, grabbed Maron's shoulder, holding onto the baby a little tighter.

"Honey, you could cut your hair short and they still wouldn't notice."

"True, true."

Everyone continued to talk to each other, catching up on what they missed. They all sat down as Maron opened her presents, letting little Violet help rip the paper off. She blew out the twenty candles on the top of her cake and started to give a piece to each person when Naomi and her boyfriend, Sam, showed up.

Everything went smoothly as everyone relaxed on the couch. Jared brought up the 'designing project' Maron and Naomi were working on and Maron hurriedly went to the bedroom and pulled out a couple designs. Maron, Naomi, Chiaki and Sam all gathered in the living room with Miyako and Jared. Maron had said her good-byes to Izumi, and Stella's family, for Violet fell asleep. Jared studied them and nodded with Miyako leaning to see their work. They all fell in complete silence, waiting for him to say something.

"These are really good and it looks like you two have something. Do you know if you can scan these and send them to me? I know someone in the style business and I'm sure he'll be happy to look them over and help you get yourself out there."

"You'd really do that," Naomi said excitedly as she held her boyfriends hand.

"Yeah, that would such an honor to put my girlfriend and her friend's names out there," San replied, smiling.

"I hope this isn't too much out of your way," Chiaki said, pulling Maron into his lap.

"No, not at all! Anything to help a friend," he said, standing up, "Well, it was nice meeting you."

The boys stood up and shook hands with Jared as he helped Miyako up. "It was nice meeting you too," the boys said. Naomi and Maron said their thank-you's as they hugged Miyako and Jared.

"Sorry I couldn't stay long. It was nice to meet you Naomi, but we have a flight to catch. There's an award ceremony tomorrow and I have to go make appointments and get ready for it. Happy Birthday, Maron and you're definitely coming to my wedding right?"

"Of course!"

"Naomi, you could come too if you want to. It's in the spring, but I'll let you know through invitation. Good night guys!" A half hour later, Naomi and Sam left and it was just Maron and Chiaki. Maron started to clean up the kitchen as Chiaki walked behind and wrapped his arms around her, planting kisses on her neck.

"Chiaki, stop," she said, shaking while she was washing the glasses.

"Why," he purred.

"B-because, you're distracting me!" She blushed as he continued to plant kisses and pressed her even closer.

"Let me do the rest of the cleaning. You're the birthday girl." He sat her down in a chair, as she watched him from the back, enjoying the view as he did his work. He smirked when he noticed her dazed expression. He threw the towel on the dish rack, picked her up bridal style. "Let's go to bed, princess." She snuggled into him as he carried her to their bedroom.

(( Thursday, June 2nd ))

[[ Next Year After ]]

You are cordially invited to the wedding of
Miyako Himura Toudaiji and Jared Brown Hillshire
on Monday afternoon
June the 6th
at five o' clock
Santa Monica Beach
Followed by a reception
R.S.V.P

"Flight 902 is now boarding. I repeat, flight 902 is now boarding from Zoo York to L.A. Please make your way to the door with your ticket."

"That's us," Chiaki said, as he picked up the bags. Maron looked up at him and eyes the door nervously. He looked at her questionably. "Is there something wrong?" She snapped out of it and shook her head, grabbing her pink duffle and getting up.

They made their way on the plane as Chiaki put their bags up above their seats and sat down next to his girlfriend, who was now messing with her ruffled, yellow polka-dotted dress. He wore khaki shorts and a polo and looked at her funny. "Alright, spill it."

"No friggin' way. I never told you about this and I still refuse to." She turned her head away from and watched as the baggage cart rolled away. 'Almost time for departure,' she thought, buckling up, looking as calm as possible.

"The truth will have to come out eventually," he warned as she rolled her eyes and shrugged her shoulders. The intercom came on saying they were about to depart. As unnoticeably as she could, she clutched onto her summer dress and chewed on the inside of her cheek. Chiaki stared amusingly at her and leaned back, closing his eyes. 'Five measly hours to get to the other side of the country,' was his last thought, as sleep drifted.

Once she saw he was dormant, she shut the visor, blocking the sun rise and anything from below. She took out "A Knight in Shining Armor" by Jude Deveraux and buried herself in it. There was nothing left to do and it was only 9:00 in the morning and she needed to waste some time…

Chiaki eyes drifted open as he took his head off Maron's, surprised to see him clutching onto him. His eyes softened as he planted a kiss on her forehead and her lips, causing her to squirm and let out a low moan as if ready to awaken. Her eyes slowly opened and she looked at him with a smile, and snuggled closer.

"Morning," he whispered as she said the same in return, stretching a little. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah," she said, "why wouldn't I be?"

"Because I figured it out."

"What do you mean?"

"You're terrified of planes."

She looked at him flabbergasted. "I am not! You're just saying that just to cover up the fact that you are."

"You're in denial," he sung out.

"Fine! Believe what you want to believe, but I'm not," she crossed her arms and pouted.

"Aw, come on, love. Just tell me the truth."

"You'll just have to be left in the dark with this one."

"Suit yourself," he said, shrugging turning away from her.

"Aw, come on Chiaki," she said, grabbing onto his arm, "This shouldn't get to you." He continued to ignore her. While she was taking this seriously, he was about to burst out laughing. "Ch-chiaki," she said, her sight blurring from tears. She made a sniffing noise and turned over and looked at nothing.

Chiaki turned over, feeling guilty all of a sudden. He lifted up the arm rest separating them and grabbed her waist. "Aw, Maron, I didn't mean to make you sad. I was only joking."

"Then, why'd you do it," she said, blinking back the tears in her eyes, but still didn't turn to face him. He just sighed and kissed her shoulder.

"I just thought you'd take it lightly."

"You have to understand I'm a woman who cares deeply about you and when you did that, I just felt a little shunned. I didn't mean to take it to an extreme. It's like they say, "Big girls don't cry"….I guess I'm a baby." She looked down and avoided any eye contact from him. He smiled and lightly grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him.

"You don't have to be perfect all the time. Even when you cry, you're still perfect. I love you and I'm sorry."

"Me too," she said, leaning on his shoulder, "And I am terrified of plains." He kissed the top of her head and leaned into her ear.

"I know."

Orchestra music playing on the beach, white-table clothed tables and white chairs set up on the sand. A frozen ice statue with a table full of imported fruits, vegetables, pastas and so many other exotic flavors are all around. The sun was setting, giving a perfect view of the ocean with its waves clashing against the shore. People were chattering, laughing and dancing as if this was the best time of their lives.

"This wedding is extraordinary and you definitely deserve it, the both of you," Maron said to Miyako, who had her arm on Jared's. She was definitely beaming with joy and had a twinkle in her eye. She looked stunning with her strapless, cream-colored wedding dress. Her hair was pulled back in a messy bun, with curled strands on each side of her face and was finished off with beautiful white flowers in it. She definitely deserved this with everything that's gone on through the years. The work definitely pays off. "Thanks for inviting us!"

"No, thank you for coming," Miyako said, hugging her friend really quickly, "You're the best friend and made-of-honor a girl could ever have!"

"You too, Miyako. Now get out there and show everyone that you run the wedding!"

"With pleasure," she said, grabbing her husband's hand, who smiled sheepishly. She watched and was suddenly tapped on the shoulder. She turned around to be face to face with boyfriend.

"May I have this dance," he asked, offering a hand. She nodded and took his hand gradually, holding up her pale pink dress, careful not to trip over the fabric and made their way to the dance floor. He put his arms around her waist as she put her arms around his waist, as he pulled her gently to his body. It was as if no one existed and it was as if it was only the two of them swaying to the beat of the music. The song came to an end as she tip toed to his face and planted a soft kiss on his lips as he pushed her closer, giving him better access.

"And now time for the throwing of the bouquet," Miyako said, as everyone squealed and ran over to the middle pushing and shoving. Chiaki looked at her.

"Do you want to go after the bouquet?"

"Nope!"

"Then, follow me." He took her hand and led her off the plat form and on the sand. She paused and took off her shoes, hanging onto him for balance. He already had his off and took her heels and put them in his left pants pocket. She took in the sea breeze and leaned against him, walking along the shore, but careful enough just to feel the moist of the sand. "You having fun?"

"Of course! She's my best friend and I'll be there for her. She's always there for me. Have you got to know Jared?"

"Yep and it seems to me everything is turning out quite fine with the wedding and also the whole fashion career for you. I heard the guy he sent it to liked it and will be contacting you."

"I'm glad."

"There's something else I want to ask," he said as she looked at him. He put his hand in his right pocket, took something out and put it behind his back. "You love me, right?"

"With all my heart, why?"

"Because," he said, kneeling down and looking up at her, "we've been together for a long time and you've made me feel so alive and different that it freaked me out at first. I was naive before, but I've grown into a man and I know what I want."

"Yes?"

"Maron Kirei Kusakabe, will you marry me?"

Hello Readers!

It has definitely been a while! I have uploaded this chapter and I hope you like it! I have no excuse for not uploading any new chapters. I hope you don't hate me! I've been thinking about this story every single day and biting my lip for not getting around to it! But here's the chapter and I'll make sure to get the next one up. Read, review and don't forget to enjoy! =]

*~Crazy Sugar ~*