Haruka sat in the chapel for quite sometime. Her hands and legs shaking almost violently after such a bold action. She wanted to take it back but how weak would that have been? She held back any tears that wanted to escape but when memories of her life with Michiru replayed in her thoughts over and over, it made the pain that much harder and more real.
"Sorry I'm late."
Haruka didn't bother to look up. She was just glad her friend came. "Setsuna..." Haruka began but no other words wanted to come out. So she repeated Setsuna's name, as she cried openly. Heels echoed in the chapel as Setsuna came to comfort Haruka. Her arms embraced her, holding her close. "I don't know how it got to this." Haruka finally spilled.
"Everyone makes mistakes Haruka," she paused as she calmed dear friend down. "You can't hold Mamoru and Michiru accountable forever."
"Huh..."
Setsuna gave a soft smile. "I know it's difficult but give it time-"
"I don't..."
Setsuna cut her off as she wiped a few of Haruka's tears away. "We're human after all and despite what they did was wrong eventually...Haruka?" She watched as the woman stood up.
"How did you know?"
"Hm? Oh well...I -"
"You knew? You knew all this time and you couldn't tell me?" She began to raise her voice. Setsuna tried to calm her down again. "How long?"
"You're over reacting. You're upset..."
"Tell me how long you knew, damn it!"
Still sitting Setsuna looked at the wooden seat. "Mamoru told me...after the first time."
Haruka paced around. She began to laugh. "Are you serious? So I'm the only who was clueless, well me and Usagi. Its alright to have this in your thoughts while we-" Haruka broke her sentence. Setsuna got up and attempted to talk to her. "What the hell is wrong with all of you? I thought we were friends, how could you not tell us we were being betrayed?!"
" I wasn't sure how to exactly!" Haruka couldn't believe the words that came from her mouth. Setsuna could tell. "It's not an easy topic to start, Haruka, both you and Usagi are dear to me. It was a lot and when Mamoru told me about Michiru's pregnancy I couldn't believe. Adultery is one thing but having a baby with another woman makes it so much more complicated."
"Shut the fuck up! Just-" she stopped herself.
Haruka didn't know how to respond as she paced about. Without going off, without lashing hours of confusion and anger at the wrong person. Instead she walked away from Setsuna. Even after she called her to come back.
"Ms. Tenoh." A doctor approach her. "I need to speak with you."
She didn't want to hear it but she would be beyond cruel if she didn't. "Is everything okay?" She tried to sound genuine but it came off too fake, even for her.
"I've explained to Ms. Kaioh but she wanted me to let you know being her...uhh..."
"Just tell me."
"Right, even though she's a few weeks earlier we feel it would be best to wait a week or two, if possible. It seems she went through something that put the baby in distress. We've slowed the contractions, both her and the baby are stable."
Haruka sighed, at least one of them was fine. "Is that it?"
"Well no. There's a chance she can still give birth sooner than expected. Only if it will cause more harm than good. We might have to speed up her labor. Unfortunately, the baby has yet to get in the right position for a vaginal birth. While she stays here we hope the baby will get in position itself but if not there's a chance for a C-section."
Biting her lower lip she felt her anger die down a little. "Only if it's necessary, right?" The doctor nodded. "Alright. Look I need to get some air, so if you wouldn't mind." Haruka walked away, leaving the hospital. It was early evening, the sun barely setting. She strolled in the parking lot trying to get her mind in the right place. She still cared for Michiru there was no doubt about that. It was the cheating and lying part she hated. Haruka has never been treated like this so she wasn't 100% sure how to take this. She gripped her short hair and paced around even more. Now she had to come to terms that Setsuna had knew about for months and never once tried to say a damn word.
These were the two she knew nearly her whole life. She has been around them for more than ten years how could they? How could people so close to her do this? Was it truly just to keep her from being hurt or just their own selfishness? Haruka shoved her hands in he pockets and felt her car keys. It was a sudden and crazy thought but she isn't think it could hurt. She got in her car, turned the engine on but say there with the car running. Getting her cell she made a call. It rung a few times before a voice said 'hello'.
"Usagi." Haruka whispered.
"Is something wrong?" She asked, her voice sweet to Haruka's ear.
"You could say, I was wondering... you remember a few years ago. Before you married Mamoru?"
Usagi grew quiet, "I do."
"You remember what I told you?"
Again silence from the young Queen. "Haruka..."
"I know I told you I was kidding, that it was a joke. But say I am being serious. Right now."
Haruka heard a breath from the other end. " I'm married Haruka. Plus you have Michiru."
"I don't know that I do Usagi! She hurt me so bad." She cried. This not how she wanted to be. Sitting in her Ferrari, balling her eyes out to someone. She explained everything to the Queen. Everything but Mamoru's involvement and Setsuna's knowing. "I don't know what to do. She's in the hospital and I'm too scared to go back." Tears streamed down her cheeks.
Usagi was speechless, never in this time she thought Michiru could do such a thing."Haruka I don't know what to say. I can't even picture that. You two make such the perfect couple." She paused. "Don't go anywhere, I'll be there. I'll bring Mamoru too."
Before Haruka could tell her no, Usagi had already hung up. Her world was crashing and the people who caused it were going to be near her. She knew Usagi would make them get in that room together. All four of them. No, she couldn't do that. Haruka put her car into drive and left. She needed a place to think it through and what to do. Being around Mamoru and Michiru would not make it better.
It took an hour of driving but she made it to the complex and stood outside the door. She could hear the sounds of the TV going off. Footsteps going back and forth and such. Voices were mumbled behind the door. Haruka raised a hand and knocked on the door a few times. She waited then she knocked again even louder. Footsteps came closer until the person behind door unlocked it and opened.
Haruka met with a well made up face. The woman quickly stepped outside. "Haruka-" her talking was cut off by Haruka's lips. She quickly pushed her away, her eyes widen and most of her spiral curled hair a mess. "The hell are you doing?!"
"What did I read the signs wrong?" She questioned.
Neiva kept the door cracked. Her eyes still on Haruka. "If I was sending anything I would let you know but-"
"Then what? You're into men?" She asked.
"No. It has nothing to do with that. Its just for one you're in a relationship no matter how crappy it is at the moment and I'm ..."
Haruka leaned on the railing. "I left Michiru. She's at the hospital, she being watched but I confronted her and.. I can't stay with her." Haruka then walked to Neiva. "That's why I thought-"
"What!? No no no! You go back and do whatever. Haruka you're in a sensitive place and try to have a fling is not the answer. Plus I have too much respect for myself to be someone's rebound!" Neiva told her.
"Go back to what?! An ex that cheated on me, lied to me, and had no plans to tell me a damn thing?"
Neiva raised her hands up when she let go of her front door. "Trust me, its never the easiest thing to say."
Haruka frowned, "you're sounding like Setsuna."
"Who?" She shook her head. "Never mind, listen you think this is what you want but its not. Haruka you need to be with other friends or family." She said, concerned for Haruka's well being.
"I don't want to. I've cried enough today I just. Can I come in?" Haruka asked exhausted. Neiva fiddled with her hands. "What?" Now Haruka felt like a fool again. Was she seeing someone as well? That man at the race track? Neiva made no mention of it. If she was then-
"Haruka I can't. I just-"
The door opened. "Mommy! I said I wanted it in color order! I can't eat dinner if its chaos on my plate!"
Haruka was surprise to see a small girl run out the apartment. Dressed in a pink and white ballet outfit. Hair pinned up in a bun. Large curls mixed with colors of brown and red. The same eyes as Nevia. The child look at Haruka. "What chu want!?"
"Go inside."
"Mommy!" She pouted.
"Evelyn!" The child went back inside. Neiva closed the door. "Anyway..."
"You have a daughter?" Haruka asked even though it was obvious.
Crossing her arms over her chest Neiva looked at the tall blonde in her eyes. "Yeah. I do and I just don't let anyone come into my home. Friends or not."
Haruka looked at her. That image of a vibrant attractive single woman vanished. She now saw for what Neiva is: a single mother. She could tell Neiva was being protective as her body stood in front of the door.
"Look, I get it. Its not perfect but I deal with it. So you can walk away as if this," she pointed at her lips. "Never happened."
"What?"
Neiva rolled her eyes, " its not the first. I'm always friends with someone then they want to get serious, or in your cause a bad choice, find out I have a six year old and they're gone. Now you have to patch up whatever and I have to find a sitter before work."
Standing there quietly as Neiva started to go inside it seemed as if her body reacted on its own. Haruka found her hand on the door. " I can if you like." She mumbled.
"What?"
"I'll go back. I just need time but I've raised a child, if-"
"You just tried to get in what I can only assume is my bed, after you forced yourself on me. Now you see I have a kid and you want to watch her? This just screams red flag."
"You don't need to pay me." Haruka added.
"Free sitter? Why not." Neiva opened the door for her to come in. As she closed and locked the door. She leaned on it. "Where did she learn to kiss like that?" She whispered. Then she snapped back to reality when a doll was tossed at the door. "And here's real life." Neiva said with a dreadful tone.
I woke up to a pair of blue eyes and blonde hair. Though when I realized who it was my heart broke. "Usagi?"
She held my hand. "Michiru don't worry. Haruka will be here just rest." She told me running her free hand through my curls. "Setsuna's here too." She smiled.
"Huh, why?"
"Haruka called her. Mamoru and her are talking outside the room.I can't believe. Guess I'll be going to the class alone." Usagi said.
I tried to smile but with her not knowing. The only one in the dark, I had too. I couldn't tell Haruka and see how that turned out? I let the tears roll down my face. "Usagi...don't hate me. Please, don't." I grabbed her hand tightly.
"Why would I? So your baby will be older that's fine."
I shook my head 'no', "it's not that."
"I already know. Haruka told me. Michiru whatever happened, we all make mistakes. Even if they just those we love." She patted my pregnant belly. "Regardless of how this beautiful child got here both you and Haruka will raise it with love and care."
My voice cracked as her words comforted me. "She gave back her ring Usagi. I don't know if she'll still be in my future. I didn't mean to it just happened, I still love her!" I cried.
Usagi stayed by my side. Telling me it would be fine. Haruka would come around and that she needs space. That and time to remember why Haruka fell in love with me. "Mamoru is so lucky."
Usagi shrugged her shoulders. "He is."
"You're too kind. Even being here knowing I'm about to give birth to his child." I said.
"Ye- what?"
"Haruka didn't take it well. I don't blame her but you. I couldn't ask for a better friend Usagi." Her eyes seem to stare off in the air. Usagi took her hand away from my belly. Then she looked out the window of the door. "Usagi?" I wiped the remaining tears away.
"You...and Mamoru...this is his baby?" She said in a trance like state.
I nodded. "You said Haruka told you...right?"
The machines in the room made noises. The heart rate machine show I was fine and the machine for the baby. It was good. I felt like a huge weight had been lifted from me. I know we hurt them but I'm hoping things will work out. Usagi stood up, her hands on her belly. She looked ready to give birth as well. "I'll be back." She said to me but didn't look at me.
The Queen walked out of the room like she had been summoned. After she closed the door. I didn't hear anything. I went to turn on the TV when I heard Setsuna's voice shout, "Usagi!" Accompanied by sounds of equipment and trays hitting the floor. Nurses rushed over from the sounds of footsteps.
"How could you!? I love you Mamoru! I did everything for you!"
That was Usagi's voice.
Oops.
