Now and Forever
by Hidden Tala


xi. what's happening now

"What's going on?"

She felt her father's aura even before he reached the Manor's gates but she had been utterly confounded when she sensed that distinct aura of her mother close by. She knitted her brows in confusion as she looked left and right at her parents' direction.

"Mum, what are you doing here?"

Her father sent her a reproachful look making her clamp her mouth shut. She resisted the urge to stick out her tongue. She knew he turns harpy when she does that.

"I'm tired," she heard her mother say in an I-don't-want-to-talk-about-it tone. "Let's talk about this after I get some rest."

She sent a meaningful look to her father who was busy studying the girl beside him. "Dad?"

He lifted his eyes to meet hers and she was surprised by the anger she saw in them. "Your mother is right. Let her get some rest. Take her to my room. I'll just call Sakura to tell her mom that she's sleeping over."

"I can't take your room," Tomoyo argued weakly. "I'm just going to sleep at the twins' room."

Nami snickered. Eriol shut her up by sending the You-better-show-some-manners-young-lady glare.

"They're sleeping with me."

"Dad, that's just so wrong in so many levels." Nami tried to stifle a laugh but couldn't. "What? It's funny."

Tomoyo, who was gloomy seconds ago, joined in the laughter.

"Are you quite done?" Eriol spat in annoyance.

"Stop annoying your father," Tomoyo mock-scolded, her eyes finally showing some life. "The old man doesn't have a sense of humor."

Eriol was glad to see it but he held up a front. He stared t her intensely then shook his head in an afterthought. "So that's where you got it from."

"Got what from?" Tomoyo bobbed her head to the side in confusion.

"Not you, her," he said, pointing at Nami.

"What is it, Dad?"

"Your sick and corny jokes. You got it from your mother."

Tomoyo looked appalled and ready to defend herself. Eriol answered it with a raised brow and a challenging stare.

"Dad, you're watching Barney with the twins," Nami deadpanned.

He growled. She saw her mother shake her head in amusement.

"Anyway, are you okay now, Mum? Are you hurt or something?"

"I'm okay. I-"

"WHERE'S MOM?!"

They all swung their head in the direction of the bellowing voice.

Nami clucked her tongue in disapproval. Her father looked amused. Her mother hid behind Eriol, covering her face, afraid of the newcomers.

Akira marched to the living room, panic in his eyes. Tama followed suit looking more composed but worry marred his young face.

Eriol heard her heave a defeated sigh behind him. She went out from her hiding place and inhaled before pouring out her speech.

"I'm okay. I'm not hurt. Your father got to me before that person did something untoward to me," she explained wearily, not giving Akira the chance to say his piece. "I'm okay, Akira. Do not fuss. Please."

"But—"

"Stop harassing your mother, Akira," interrupted the authoritative voice of the head of the Hiiragizawa family. "You can grill her later after she gets some sleep."

Akira felt his back stiffen at the command. It was the tone his father used that meant his word is law and it is final. He wanted to argue but Eriol Hiiragizawa is not and will never be his match. If he was protective of his family, his father was ten times better than him. And because of that, he respects him.

"Yes, sir," he mumbled.


It had been more than hour since she woke from her slumber and the Hiiragizawas are still hovering above her, asking her so many questions all at once. Eriol conveniently excused himself after a heated argument with Akira about the bruise he found on her arm. So she was left alone with the pack of exasperating, inquisitive wolves.

"I've told you this time and time again, I'm fine," she whined, aggravated. "My arm doesn't hurt that much. Akira, cut it out. Go to your Dad and apologize for your bad behavior."

Akira stared at her in suspicion and disbelief.

"What?" she snapped in irritation.

"You're defending Dad," he said reluctantly. "That's very odd."

"Mum, are you still in shock?" Nami asked not hiding the surprise in her tone. "Are you sure you don't want a doctor?"

"I'm fine," she moaned, and covered her whole self in the blanket. "If somebody asks that again, I'm going to scream!"

"All right," came the angry voice of Eriol at the doorway. "Get out of my room right now."

The Hiiragazawa children, including a reluctant Akira, filed a single line by the bed.

Yumi was giggling beside his twin while Yuri looked like she was about to cry. Tama had taken a sudden interest on the ceiling. Nami was fidgeting beside her older brother. And Akira was trying to keep a straight, unafraid face. Their father hardly uses that tone to them. And when he does, things aren't usually pretty.

"Stay where you are," Eriol ordered when he saw Tomoyo moving from the bed.

Eriol was seething, anyone could tell. And the siblings were relieved to find that it was not because of them. Maybe Akira, but that's one out of five.

"Nami, take your sisters in your room," Eriol barked, making Nami scramble to her feet, taking the twin's hands in hers.

"Daddy, can I sleep with Mommy today?" asked the little voice of Yumi. "And Yuri too!"

Yuri was sniffling, obviously aware of the tension inside the room. Eriol knew that his daughter was an empath but he couldn't control his temper when he gets this angry. That's why he had to excuse himself earlier when Akira found the bruise on Tomoyo's arm. He was not angry at his son. He was angry at himself for not noticing it first. He was angry because he couldn't arrive earlier.

He squatted to pat Yuri on the head. He breathed in her power to help him soothe his nerves. The little girl let out a pleased sigh. "Maybe tomorrow, Yumi-chan? Mommy needs to have her rest tonight and she can't have that when you're both kicking her sides."

Yumi pouted then giggled babyishly at him. "Daddy, you're funny. Kicking is for frogs. And Jackie Chan!"

Yuri finally broke out a smile and hugged her father. "Do that again, Daddy. My hair feels funny."

He patted her again and hugged the twins. "Okay, follow your sister now. And go to sleep early. No more Barney shows, please."

The pair of identical faces pouted at him. Nami sighed in relief.

"Come on, brats, you heard what Daddy said." Nami took their hands and started to march outside the room.

"Akira," he bellowed, making the rest of them wince. "You and your brother will take the rooms in the left wing."

"Yes, sir," Akira grumbled.

"And don't pester your mother again," Eriol warned.

"I won't, sir," he grumbled again.

They all made a move to leave, afraid to face the wrath of their father. Until—

"Umm, wait." Tomoyo reached out a flinching hand to them. "Umm, don't I get a good night kiss before you go?"

The Hiiragizawa children and Eriol himself looked at her in surprise. Then the kids shrugged their shoulders.

The boys, Akira and Tama, trapped her in a bear hug while Nami was squealing because she didn't get there first. Nami squeezed her mother in a tight hug and kissed her on the cheek. The twins voiced their complaints because they were last.

"But Mommy," Yuri complained in her baby voice. "Why can't you get a kiss from Daddy too?"

Everyone stared at her, waiting. Eriol was going green.

She smiled shyly. "Maybe because Daddy's the one getting a kiss from me?"

Akira and Tama coughed their laughter. Nami hooted for her father. The twins didn't care.

"Daddy," Yumi whined, "don't just stand there."

"Are you really four years old?" Eriol muttered to himself, walking towards the bed.

"Daidouji," he said when he reached her.

"Hiiragizawa," Tomoyo returned in a shy-awkward tone. "You can call me by name now. You already did that back there."

Eriol nodded stiffly. "And you as well."

"Is this how they court a person in Dad's time?" Tama whispered to his older brother. "Why can't I see the Hiiragizawa charm?"

Akira smirked. "Because, brother, it doesn't exist."

"They're so lame," Tama commented, eyeing his parents. "Back at home, they'll be jumping at each other right now."

"At least we could still keep our rating PG," Akira replied. "And shut up. Dad can hear us."

"Eriol," she said after clearing her throat. "Thanks for today. You saved my life."

Again, he nodded. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

She nodded too.

"This is lame," Nami remarked as she watched her parents together. "All you do is nod and be polite with each other. Mum, you said you're gonna kiss him!"

"Okay! Okay!" Tomoyo exclaimed, flushed. "Umm, Eriol, could you look away?"

Eriol sent her a suspicious look. "You're not going to take your clothes off, are you?"

"Just look away!"

"All right!"

Tomoyo knew that she owe him so much. So much that she offered him a truce. And now, her trust. She did not expect for everything to go back to normal because he hurt her and no one's ever hurt her like that before. But she couldn't deny that there is something that draws her to him. Maybe it was the children. They connect her to him. Sometimes she feels that there's something more. Maybe fate. But she didn't believe in that.

She touched his cheek, startling him in the process. But he calmed down when he felt her make circular patterns with her thumb. She was biding her time, she knew, despite the impatient looks her children were giving her. But she didn't know what to do. She moved closer, removing her hand on his face. And closer, until her face was on his cheek. She could feel her own breath hot on his cheek. She only had to lean forward and let it happen.

"Thank you," she whispered before kissing his cheek.

She could have sworn Eriol sighed when she did it.


Author's Note: God, that felt so good. I hope that made you happy. Took me a year to get that together. I'll be back, I promise. Don't give up on me yet! :)

And while you're at it, drop me a review. It keeps me going.