Love You Today, Tomorrow, & Always
11
Looking at the reflection in the mirror, Natsuki rested her hand over her abdomen carefully. "Hey little one," She whispered softly, a smile on her face after realizing how silly she used to think pregnant women were. She used to make fun of Akane when she would talk to her unborn child but now she realized it wasn't silly at all.
"I know its been kind of hectic out here," she continued, "but hopefully it will all be okay soon." Natsuki buttoned her black slacks and grabbed the white blouse that she had chosen earlier that day on her quick shopping trip with Shizuru. "Your mommy Shizuru and I are getting married this afternoon, which means you and I can stay here in Windbloom." She finished buttoning up the blouse and turned once again to her reflection, her hand traveling to her abdomen which had yet to begin showing, "It also means that your mommy Shizuru and I will be together for the rest of our lives and we will love you and take care of you."
Shizuru opened the door to the bathroom and couldn't hide her smile upon hearing the last of Natsuki's words to their child. Standing behind Natsuki, wearing a black knee-length skirt and white blouse covered by a blazer, Shizuru wrapped her arms around Natsuki's waist lovingly, "Mommy Shizuru loves your mommy Natsuki very much and we will both love you very much as well."
Natsuki smiled and turned in Shizuru's arms, placing a loving kiss on her fiancée's lips. "Is the lady ready for our impending vows?" Shizuru asked when Natsuki ended the kiss. Natsuki smirked, "You don't suppose I could still make a run for it do you?"
"Ara ara, Why does Natsuki wound me?" Shizuru pouted, "How could my damsel in distress have turned into the evil dragon in such a short period of time?"
A towel landed on Shizuru's face, "Baka." Natsuki laughed but their antics were cut short when there was a knock on the door.
Shizuru and Natsuki both went quiet and shared a worried look before Shizuru motioned for Natsuki to stay in place as she walked over quietly towards the door.
Natsuki could feel her heart beating loudly as she watched Shizuru looking through the peephole. A long silent moment passed before she saw a smile spread on Shizuru's lips as she quickly opened the door.
"Ojiisan!" Shizuru wasted no time as she hugged her grandfather who enveloped her in a strong hug. Shizuru felt a rush of emotion as she realized how much she had missed her grandfather and how much she needed her family to help her through this.
Yukino and Haruka waited patiently in the hall as the two Violas reconnected after the turn of events that had landed everyone here. The two had arrived at Shizuru's grandparent's house the day before and had explained to Hiro the situation. He immediately wanted to go look for Shizuru but the two women were able to convince him to stay put until they heard from Shizuru, who had instructed Haruka to wait until further notice. That afternoon, Shizuru had called them from a public phone and told them of the plan and asked for them to come the next day.
Once Hiro released her, Shizuru allowed them into the room. Natsuki stepped out from the bathroom as Shizuru greeted Yukino and Haruka. Within seconds, Natsuki found herself in a tight embrace from the older Viola in the room to the amusement of Haruka and Yukino who had never seen anyone but Shizuru permitted inside her personal space.
"Natsuki-kun,you don't know how happy I am to hear that you are going to officially be a part of my family!" Natsuki smiled weakly, still not used to Hiro's energy. "Thank you, Hiro-sama." Hiro released the bluenette, "No need for formalities, Natsuki-kun! You are marrying my Shizu-chan and giving me a great-grandchild!"
Shizuru and Natsuki were both relieved to know Hiro supported them and was happy about the news. Haruka and Yukino greeted Natsuki before Haruka pulled Shizuru out to the room's balcony, leaving Yukino and Hiro engaged in conversation while Natsuki finished getting ready.
"Is something the matter Haruka-chan?" Shizuru asked once Haruka slid the glass door shut. Haruka was silent for a second, her gaze set on the waters below, "Are you sure about this, Shizuru?"
"Sure about what?" Shizuru was confused, but had an idea what her friend was talking about, "About marrying Natsuki?"
Haruka turned, her violet eyes staring into Shizuru's crimson, "Are you doing it for the right reasons?"
Shizuru was speechless.
"Shizuru, I know you love Natsuki but I would hate to see you go into a commitment like this just to keep Natsuki here." Haruka continued, "I understand that you want your child and her with you but marriage is a big step. Its major actually. If you go into this just because its the only way to keep them here, I'm afraid your marriage won't last."
The silence from Shizuru worried Haruka, "Listen, we can try to find another way to keep Natsuki here, I'm sure-"
Before Haruka continued, Shizuru interrupted her, "I love her, Haruka-chan. Keeping her here isn't the only reason why I asked her to marry me."
Haruka listened intently as Shizuru glanced out to the sea, "The first time I saw Natsuki, I was enthralled by her beauty. When I first began to know her, I was intrigued with a woman who was so beautiful but yet so mysterious to me. I thought it was a challenge at first, to get closer to her than anyone had. I wanted her to be mine, but as she opened up to me, I began to open myself up to her as well. It was when I fell in love with her that I realized it was not that I wanted to make her mine, but I wanted to be hers. I wanted to be hers completely, to be with her for the rest of my life."
Shizuru wiped a tear from her eye before turning to Haruka, "I have always known I wanted to be with her. Loving her, and being loved by her is the most natural thing I've ever felt. As though I was born for that sole purpose. Now that we are expecting a life we created with our love, it was just the right time to ask her to marry me and spend the rest of our days together. Had she not been pregnant, it would have only been a matter of time before I asked her to marry me."
"Well my friend," Haruka hugged Shizuru tightly, "we have an appointment with the rest of your life to get to."
After a short drive to the city hall, and a couple of signatures later, Shizuru and Natsuki were officially married. Knowing they no longer needed to hide, they began their trip back to Fuuka to celebrate with their family, whom Hiro took care of calling on the way back home.
Aika was silent the majority of the trip to Windbloom. Sumika and Katashi had invited her to stay at their estate as soon as they heard from Hiro that the girls would be home soon. Aika had accepted and had been careful to not alert her daughter of her departure from the island. She had not seen her daughter after Saeko found out about Aika's involvement with Natsuki's escape, so it had been fairly easy to leave without Saeko knowing.
She found Shizuru's parents to be very polite and kind, but Shizuru's grandmother kept glaring at her during the entire trip. Although she expected as much since her daughter had incarcerated Shizuru, Aika hoped that since finding out the girls were okay, that Kamiko would be more agreeable to her. Unfortunately, that was not the case.
Haruka and Yukino had gone back to the Academy, deeming it proper for it to be a family-only evening since Shizuru and Natsuki had asked Hiro to not tell the family of their nuptials over the phone.
When the three arrived at the Viola estate, they saw the limousine outside and knew that their family was home. Natsuki grabbed Shizuru's hand nervously as they made their way inside, not sure how the Violas or her own grandmother would react to the news.
Stepping into the living room where their family awaited, Shizuru and Natsuki were both quickly wrapped in a hug by Sumika. "I am so glad you are both okay," She breathed, "We were so worried."
Sumika stepped back and allowed for her husband and Kamiko who also voiced their concern for the girls. Lastly, Aika hugged the girls as well, "Thank you for taking care of my Natsuki, Shizuru."
Shizuru smiled as Aika released them, "It is you whom I should thank for helping us back in Kruger." Hiro cleared his throat, motioning with his eyes towards the family. He did not want them to wait any longer to tell them the news, knowing Kamiko would not be very happy to know he kept that from her.
"Family," Shizuru grabbed Natsuki's hand which she had released when they were greeted coming in, "There is something we must tell you."
Natsuki's eyes locked with her grandmother's as Shizuru continued, "This afternoon, Natsuki and I became legally married by the law of Windbloom. We did not do this for the sole purpose of keeping Natsuki in the country, but because we love each other and want to spend the rest of our lives together."
A long second of silence followed Shizuru's announcement, filling the girls with fear that the family would reject them but that worry banished when Kamiko suddenly got up from her seat and hugged Natsuki tightly, "Welcome to the family, Natsuki."
A/N: This marks the end of the first part of Love You Today Tomorrow & Always. Thank you for sticking with me so far and prepare for the next part coming in January! I hope you all have an amazing new year and that you spend it reading a lot of fanfiction ;)
See you next year!
Up next: Shizuru and Natsuki must return to Fuuka Academy and face the struggles that await there.