Hi everyone! I'm so happy to see that you guys didn't abandon this story since I was so late on the updates! But thankfully this time around, I was a little more prompt. Haha, anyway, thanks again for all the positive reviews and I hope you enjoy this chapter! Please Read and Review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Skip Beat or any of its characters.

The sunlight from the open window basked the living room in a cheerful glow, giving off a very homey feel to the spacious space. Mahogany furniture, smooth wooden floors, and numerous shelves filled with books surrounded Kyoko as she comfortably sat upon the couch. Usually, she would have walked around and explored the place, but the large photo album in her hands had taken up all of her interest.

Kyoko smiled as she gingerly flipped the laminated page. The book sitting on her lap must have weighed at least five pounds from all the photos that were neatly placed inside. It was like having a timeline unfold right before her very eyes.

Scanning over the many different scenes, she casually landed upon a photo of a young, blond boy in the far corner. He was holding a large trophy high in the air, grinning with pride.

"That was taken when he won the third grade spelling bee."

Kyoko looked up at the sound of her chiming voice and smiled brightly. "First place?" she inquired innocently.

"Absolutely," Julie replied with a proud laugh as she sat down next to her daughter-in-law upon the velvet couch, leaning towards the colossal photo album. "He loved to read as a child; I could barely get him to come to the dining table without a book permanently attached to his hand. Spelling came easy to him from all those words he was reading already."

"What kinds of books did he like to read?"

Julie warmly wrapped an arm around Kyoko's shoulders and gave them a tiny squeeze which elicited a smile from the actress's lips. "Just about any really," she continued in the same motherly voice, "nonfiction, mystery, suspense, paranormal, and even the occasional romance."

Kyoko giggled. "Really? At that age?"

Laughing, Julie nodded and said, "Oh yes, Kuon was somewhat of a romantic when he was younger. He probably got that trait from his father. You wouldn't believe the number of girls he charmed."

Kyoko's smile darkened. "Unfortunately, I can."

Julie let out another delightful laugh at her bitter response, giving another affectionate squeeze of her slender shoulders. "Now don't you worry dear," she began reassuringly, "he was never interested in any of them from the start."

"Why was that?"

Julie furrowed her eyebrows and questioningly raised her blue gaze to the high ceiling. "To be honest, I really have no idea. He was the perfect little gentleman, flashing brilliant smiles and giving out compliments like the breeze, but no girl could ever hold his interest."

Kyoko gave a wary shake of her head, realizing her husband hadn't changed at all as he grew up. Even now, she could still recall moments on set when he was completely unfazed by the opposite gender's antics. It was almost like he was completely immune to anything they tried. As a fellow female, Kyoko sometimes couldn't help but feel bad for them.

"Although," Julie continued in a playful tone, "to say no girl ever caught his interest would be highly inaccurate. After all, my son is married, isn't he?"

The young actress blushed scarlet as her mother-in-law's smile grew more pronounced at her lack of a reply. To hear other people speak so freely about her marriage always seemed to make her embarrassed. Not to say her marriage was a source of humiliation, but Kyoko would have preferred to keep her "love" out of the conversation.

So in hopes to distract Julie, Kyoko blindly pointed at another photo and asked, "What about this one?"

Julie looked down at her inquiry and laughed reminiscently. "Ah, that was a mother's day breakfast-in-bed surprise."

Kyoko's gaze softened as she stared down at a happy picture of a somewhat frazzled Julie in bed with Kuu on one side and a young Kuon on the other, both planting a kiss upon her cheeks. It was the sweetest family photo she had ever seen. And Kyoko couldn't help but gawk at how utterly beautiful they all were. Silky blond hair, sparkling eyes—the family practically glowed with perfection.

Julie suddenly let out a sigh as she gently caressed the photo with her fingertips. "Looking at these pictures sure makes me see how time really does fly."

Kyoko nodded in agreement, closing the book and placing it upon the wooden table. "Everything goes by so fast."

"But loving every minute of it, right?" Julie asked with a wink.

She laughed and moved her head in earnest agreement. "Of course and I've never been happier."

"Good," Julie replied. "Now, why don't you tell me all about this modeling job of yours? Kuon told me you have been doing very well, but he failed to provide any of the details. Has it been busy?"

Instinctively angling herself towards Julie, Kyoko replied, "It's been very busy actually. And I'm quite ashamed to say this, but I thought modeling would be easier."

"Oh you're not the only one, Kyoko dear. When I started out, I thought all you needed was a pretty smile."

"Well, smiling does get the job done," Kyoko agreed.

Julie laughed. "But these are the gems," she corrected as she gently placed a finger upon the corners of Kyoko's golden eyes. "A true model speaks with her eyes and nothing more."

Kyoko nodded, recalling the same lesson taught to her by Emi.

"And seeing as how beautiful your eyes are, you probably did everything perfectly," she complimented.

Blushing once more, Kyoko whined in a tiny voice, "Mom…"

"What? A mother can't compliment her daughter?"

She warily shook her head. "If we're going to start the rain of compliments again, can we please go back to talking about Kuon?" Kyoko asked, shyly averting her gaze from Julie's ever growing grin.

"Credit should be given where it's deserved," Julie stated as she tenderly tucked a strand of hair behind Kyoko's ear.

The actress smiled gently. She remembered the same exact phrase coming from her husband's lips. In more ways than one, he was becoming more and more like his parents. Regardless of the distance, their connection remained intact.

And luckily for Kyoko, everything worked out perfectly when she was given a break from work so that she and Ren could come out and visit them. Even though it had only been a few months since the last time she saw her "parents", Kyoko realized she missed seeing Julie and Kuu more than she thought. So she could probably only imagine how much Ren had missed them and took comfort knowing that he was enjoying the one-on-one time with his dad right at that moment.

In fact, Kyoko would prefer it that way. She sometimes felt that she got in the way of his relationship with his parents and although she appreciated the feeling of being genuinely accepted into the Hizuri family, Kyoko was well aware of her boundaries.

Of course, Julie made no kind of distinction between her and Ren. From the minute she first stepped through the front door, she pampered and fussed over Kyoko like she was a princess (to much of the actress's dismay). Nevertheless, Kyoko couldn't deny the warmth that spread straight to her fingertips every time Julie showed her a motherly smile or tenderly squeezed her hand. For the first time in her life, Kyoko felt like a daughter.

So with her heart already swelled with emotion, Kyoko turned back to Julie and murmured in a quiet voice, "Thank you, Mom."

Julie raised an eyebrow in surprise at the sudden change in topic. "For what?"

Kyoko laughed gently and held her hands together in her lap. "Making me feel at home, making me feel like part of the family…it means the world to me," she confessed.

Julie clicked her tongue in disapproval as she replied, "Sweetheart, you are family. There's no reason to thank me for that."

"But I—"

"No buts," she interrupted sternly, but with a tiny smile at the corner of her lips. "You're as much of my daughter as Kuon is my son. Besides, it's because of you I finally have my family again."

Kyoko sat speechless as Julie suddenly sighed and leaned back against the couch. "If any thanking is to be done around here, I believe it should come from me," she replied.

Julie patted Kyoko's smooth hand and murmured, "You're the one I should be thanking."

Kyoko shook her head. "Kuon would have returned home without me," she insisted as she followed suit and leaned back against the couch until her head was right besides Julie's smooth, golden hair.

"Possibly, but because of you he had enough strength to come back sooner and that right there is valuable in itself."

Kyoko smiled.

"You know, I don't think I have ever seen him as happy as when he is with you," Julie pointed out with kind eyes. "He's practically beaming."

"I feel the same way about him too," Kyoko said in a tender tone. "He's such an integral part of my life now. I can't imagine it without him."

The corner of her eyes crinkled in pure joy as Julie asked, "So I take it that married life is going well?"

Kyoko nodded eagerly. "It's been perfect."

"No problems?"

"Nothing we couldn't figure out on our own," she reassured.

Julie laughed at the strong, confident look in her eyes and gave her a slight pinch on the cheek. "That's my girl."

But before Kyoko could say a word, two male voices could suddenly be heard coming up the back porch steps. Julie instinctively straightened up at the sound and murmured in a cheerful voice, "Sounds like they're home."

And right on cue, Ren walked through the door with Kuu not trailing too far behind. Keeping his brown locks this time around, he stepped inside the cool room wearing casual shorts and a fitted t-shirt with a towel over his naked shoulders. Kuu wore similar athletic clothing while holding a basketball between his arm and body.

Kyoko was going to give them both a happy greeting when she suddenly caught the look on her husband's face. To her surprise, he looked somewhat annoyed.

"We're not having this conversation," Ren answered with a shake of his head as he closed the heavy glass door behind them. "Especially now."

"What do you mean? It's the perfect time to talk about this!" Kuu disagreed.

"Father, I mean it. I'm not talking about this."

Shaking his head warily, Kuu said, "Kuon, it's really not as early as you think it is. Besides, this is the logical next step, isn't it?"

"What's logical?" Julie asked as she stood up and walked around the coffee table.

Kuu stood beside his wife and naturally wrapped an arm around her waist, smiling widely without answering her question.

Even though Julie was in no way called a short woman, the top of her head only reached to about her husband's shoulder. Standing side by side, the couple truly looked like a fairy tale King and Queen. Kyoko let out a small smile at the sight.

But bringing her focus back to the conversation, she heard Ren reply, "It's not about logic, it's about timing. Hi sweetie." He easily plopped himself down beside Kyoko and placed a quick kiss upon her temple.

She blushed, murmuring breathlessly, "Hi."

"Then why don't we ask Kyoko?" Kuu suddenly offered, kneeling down upon his knees until he and Kyoko were at eye level.

"Ask me what?"

"What you think about—"

"Father," Ren interrupted, his eyes flashing in warning. "Don't."

Kuu sighed heavily, his head hanging low in exasperation. "Are you really against this plan that much?"

"I'm against how it's being brought up."

"I'm sorry, I'm really not following," Kyoko cut in with confused eyes. "What plan?"

Ren grasped her hand. "Don't worry about it, sweetheart."

"You know, your mother and I had you our first year," Kuu suddenly added in a nonchalant voice.

"Father!"

Julie perched herself upon the armrest besides Kyoko. "Kids?" she asked in a surprised voice. "Are you talking about having kids?"

Kuu grinned widely and tapped his nose with a finger.

Dragging his hand down his now tired face, Ren let out a small groan as Kyoko turned to him with wide eyes. He looked up at her with a sheepish expression, not saying a word.

"Kyoko, do you object?"

The actress turned towards a beaming Kuu whose smile seemed to grow ever larger. She cleared her throat and stammered, "T-t-t-to be honest, I never r-r-really thought about it."

"Then this is the perfect time!" he insisted with twinkling eyes. "Isn't the whole purpose of getting married is to start a family together?"

Julie nodded thoughtfully. "That's true."

Pleased that he had his wife's support, Kuu grasped her hand and smiled brightly.

"Besides, I don't see any problem," he continued. "You both love each other, your careers are very stable, and you even have wonderful parents to help you when you need."

Kyoko turned to Ren to see what he thought. They never really discussed this topic before and now that it was brought up, she wondered what his stance on the matter was.

But to her astonishment, he suddenly sighed deeply and shook his head. "I don't want to have this conversation right now."

"Why not? There's nothing to be embarrassed about!"

Then, as if hit by an instant realization at his son's stubborn silence, Kuu slowly leaned in and whispered in a serious tone, "Unless…there are…other physical problems?"

Kyoko slapped her hand over her mouth in surprise as Ren's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. But Julie reacted much faster than the both of them because in a swift movement, she had Kuu's ear in between her sharp fingers and pulled him to his feet.

"I can't believe you!" she shrieked in horror. "WHAT KIND OF QUESTION IS THAT?"

"It's a father's concern!" Kuu replied in haste, wincing from the pain.

"Well, your moment of concern is over! That was completely uncalled for!"

"I didn't mean to—!"

Julie tugged harder, clamping Kuu's mouth shut.

"I don't care what your intentions were! You just earned yourself the honor of making dinner tonight!"

"I thought we were eating out!"

"NOT ANYMORE!"

Pulling an obviously apologetic Kuu towards the kitchen, Julie said through gritted teeth, "To think you said that and in front of Kyoko nonetheless!"

"I'm sorry! But Julie sweetheart, can you let go? This really—! Argh!"

Her grip must have only gotten tighter because all that could be heard down the hallway was Kuu's whining voice of pain before the kitchen door closed with a thud. Kyoko timidly turned to the man beside her and saw how he had his face in his hands. She giggled silently at the sight of it and ran her fingers through his hair.

Ren raised his head and smiled warily. "That was—something."

Kyoko nodded.

"And now that it's been brought up, there's no way I can ignore it, so let me ask before I chicken out. Forget the fact that I'm incredibly vulnerable right now, but are there any…?"

Smiling at his apparent and ridiculous anxiety, Kyoko reached over and wrapped her arms around his torso, routinely snuggling her face into the crook of his neck. She placed a trail of kisses across his collarbone, up his neck, and finally down his masculine jaw line before stopping at his lips. Parting her mouth, Kyoko moved her hands to his strong shoulders as his hand naturally cupped the back of her head, putting her at an angle that left her completely at his mercy.

Breathless and charged, the couple slowly released each other, only to be greeted with the other's hazy gaze. Kyoko let out a tiny giggle and said, "That should answer your question."

With a groan, Ren pulled Kyoko onto his lap until she rested her head against his shoulder. "What you do to me, Kyoko."

She laughed and shook her head. "I could say the same to you," Kyoko murmured.

Then remembering the thorn that was nagging in the back of her mind, she raised her head and stared into his eyes. She tentatively ran her fingers down his face and asked, "You really don't want to talk about this, do you?"

Ren's jaw slightly tightened in understanding before he shook his head. "That's not it. I just don't want to pressure you."

Her eyes widen in surprise. Even after all this time, it still amazed her how deeply Ren understood her inner thoughts. How did he know that this topic was incredibly sensitive to her? The fact that she never once said a word and how he still knew were crippling her ability to speak. Kyoko was absolutely choked with emotion.

But now that the box was open, she couldn't help thinking about it. Her father was right; this was something they should discuss.

But from out of the blue, Ren suddenly let out a small chuckle and tucked her head beneath his chin. Kyoko comfortably settled down and heard him whisper, "Don't worry about it. There's no need to talk about this now."

She looked up at his kind gaze.

"Another time, okay?"

Unable to say anything, Kyoko slowly nodded as he placed a kiss upon her head.

Unfortunately, she couldn't forget it. Even after Kuu apologized for over-stepping his boundaries during his home-made dinner and Ren had insisted that there was plenty of time in the future, Kyoko couldn't forget. The idea of having kids both excited and scared her because Kuu was right; she married Ren for the purpose of becoming his family.

Therefore, it would be a total lie if she said the notion of having children never crossed her mind. But whenever the idea did come up, she would just push the thought away because there was a part of her that didn't want to face the serious problem that came along with it.

Yet in her selfishness, Kyoko never once considered what Ren thought. Of course, from what he said earlier today, she realized it was because he didn't want to scare her. And although she was thankful for his thoughtfulness, Kyoko detested the fact that he was holding back because of her.

So when she heard the bathroom door click from behind, she resolutely turned away from the open window and twisted her head around to look at him.

Kyoko froze.

She wasn't ready. No matter how long they had been together, Kyoko could never get her heartbeat to slow when he so easily left himself exposed. He walked out in nothing but a white robe that was loosely tied around his body, leaving most of his chest bare. The droplets of water glistened as it dripped down his hair and body. The heat that pooled in her lower stomach was practically burning a hole through her skin.

She couldn't say anything. Kyoko could only sit on the white bed in complete silence.

"Did you take a look at the pool outside?" Ren casually asked as he walked over to the dresser, not noticing the reaction of his wife.

"T-t-t-the what?" Kyoko stammered.

"The pool. You said you were going to take dip."

"I did?"

Ren turned around with arched eyebrows. "Yeah, you did. Did you forget?"

Feeling her heart do a somersault at his stare, Kyoko quickly turned away and tightly held her hands together in her lap. "Yeah, I guess so."

The sounds of his muffled footsteps echoed on blast as he made his way around the large white bed. Kyoko instinctively raised her eyes to his and nearly squealed at the sight. He towered over like a Greek god. The power that emanated from him nearly swallowed her up whole.

Slowly, Ren leaned down and met her astonished gaze. He stroked her cheek with the back of his hand with confusion.

"What's wrong?"

Kyoko shook her head in earnest. "Nothing! Nothing's wrong!"

In an instant, Ren understood. He knew this reaction of hers well. The pitchiness in her voice, the way her eyes wouldn't blink, her inability to look at him for more than two seconds, Ren understood all of these signs. Feeling the corner of his lips turn upward at her innocence, he raised his hand to her hair and wound a lock around his fingers.

"Really? Nothing's wrong?" he asked in a voice that was lower than needed.

She froze at his movement.

"Nothing at all?" Ren murmured, leaning in closer.

Kyoko squeaked when his arm snaked around her waist, his scent enveloping her completely.

"Nothing's wrong!" she replied in a breathless haste as she accidentally placed both of her hands upon his naked chest.

He smiled wickedly when her unblinking eyes trailed to her hands. Unable to hold back, Ren pushed her onto the bed until she was fully under him. "Really? Because I have a feeling something is very wrong," he whispered against her neck.

At the touch of his lips, Kyoko stopped breathing. The electricity around the both of them crackled dangerously. Bit by bit, she was losing her control especially when Ren's hands began to travel knowingly up her body. Fearlessly, she reached a hand between the lapels of the robe and ran her fingernails across his chest.

Satisfied to hear a hiss escape his lips, Kyoko relaxed and met his eyes. However, the knots in her stomach seemed to coil even tighter when she saw how intense he was. The lust in his eyes was so strong. But remembering that she had something important to discuss, Kyoko gave a slight shake of her head and said in the steadiest voice she could muster, "Actually, there is something I want to talk about."

"By all means," he murmured as he gently took her earlobe into his mouth, "talk all you want. I want to hear your voice."

She blushed deeply when she realized his double meaning. Of course, if the subject wasn't so serious, Kyoko would have given in. Just the nipping at her ear had her almost completely undone. Ren knew her oh-too-well.

But taking in a deep breath, she reached for his face and firmly held them between her hands. "I mean it, Ren. It's important."

"So is this," he insisted, kissing her fingers.

An unwilling sigh of contentment escaped her lips when he took her finger into his mouth. Shaking her head vigorously to clear her now fuzzy thoughts, Kyoko stammered, "I p-p-promise it's related."

"To this?" Ren asked with a deep chuckle, biting gently.

She nodded as her heart forcefully reacted.

Clearly interested now, he moved around her slender body until he was lying down beside her, her back pressed to his front. He placed an arm over her stomach and hooked his chin into her shoulder. "Alright, you wore me down."

Kyoko laughed breathlessly and laced her fingers through his. "I was going to say the same."

Ren chuckled, innocently kissing her hair.

Breathing in a now much needed breath or air and intuitively squeezing his hand, Kyoko asked in barely a whisper, "Have you thought about it?"

He didn't reply.

She turned around and saw the puzzled look in his eyes. "Having kids?"

His eyes widened for just a second before he let out a tired smile. Ren moved his head from side to side and pulled her closer. "I knew it. Father, pressured you, didn't he?"

"No, he didn't! It's not pressure at all! I just—I want to know."

Something in her face must have reassured him of her reasons because Ren softly let out a sigh and nodded. "I have," he murmured quietly.

"And…?" Kyoko asked.

He smiled guiltily. "It sounds nice." But with a fervent shake of his head, Ren said, "Don't take this as me pushing you though, Kyoko. If you don't—"

She quickly placed a finger to his lips. "What if I do?"

"Really?" Ren inquired with wide eyes. "You do?"

Kyoko nodded as she snuggled closer to his chest. "I think so. Having a child with you seems, to put it your way, nice." She raised her head and saw his softened and somewhat-amused gaze. "But at the same time, I'm concerned."

"About what?"

Breathing in deeply, Kyoko mumbled, "I don't exactly have a good background when it comes to…mothering."

Ren froze. After the four years they had been together, Kyoko had never once brought up her mother. It was almost like a taboo subject. Ren had no idea of the details of what truly happened between Kyoko and her, but it wasn't like he needed to hear it. Ren was more than aware of the emotional trauma that she had left upon her young daughter after abandoning her. Even now, he could feel the resentment rising up his throat.

But the more important matter at hand was how fragile Kyoko was. He could only fathom how hard it was for her to speak the words, let alone admit them. Feeling compassion for his wife more than ever, Ren tightened his arms around her as she pressed her face into his chest. And determinedly wanting to fix this, he suddenly whispered into the dark:

"Want to hear a story?"

Kyoko raised her eyes in surprise. "A story?"

Ren nodded and at her still confused expression, added, "I promise it's related."

Smiling at his teasing reply, she made a show of getting comfortable and said, "I'm all ears."

"Well, do you remember the time when you were assigned as my personal manager after Yashiro got sick?"

Her eyes widened in remembrance as she nodded. "Yeah, I do. Why?"

"Did I ever tell you that that was one of the first moments I fell in love with you?"

Kyoko's jaw dropped in surprise. Even though it was quite a selfish thought, she couldn't help but say in the safety of her own mind, "That early?"

Ren must have understood what she was thinking because he suddenly let out a laugh and touched his nose to hers. "Yes, I was already infatuated with you then," he admitted. "Is that pathetic?"

"Of course not! I'm just really—flattered."

He smiled. "Well, you gave me a good reason to be."

She furrowed her eyebrows, silently asking her question.

"You took care of me, didn't you?" he answered.

Recalling his childish refusal of not being sick before the impending flu, Kyoko rolled her eyes and replied, "I wouldn't have had to if you just listened. I never met a man who was so stubborn."

"But if I wasn't sick, there wouldn't have been a reason for you to stay over, now would there?"

Kyoko blushed at the thought.

"And I wouldn't have come to realize just how amazing you are."

"Now that's really pushing it," Kyoko murmured in embarrassment.

Shaking his head, Ren replied, "No, that's an understatement. At the time, you probably hated me for all of the things I've done to you, but no matter what, you did everything you could to help me feel better. You completely went out of your way to buy me medicine and prepare dinner, even staying over just to make sure I was okay. That is truly and utterly amazing."

She stared at him shyly and mumbled, "I didn't hate you."

Ren chuckled. "You're missing the point, sweetheart."

Exhaling deeply, Kyoko replied in defense, "I only did all of that because I was worried about you. I was responsible for what happened to you and I needed to do my part."

"And that right there is what a mother is."

Kyoko's head sprang up in surprise. "What?"

Ren smiled and squeezed her body to his. "Kyoko, a mother is someone who not only worries and cares for her child, but also whole-heartedly understands her role in that child's life. From the very start, you had that ability. You did everything you could for a man you probably didn't care much for. Can you imagine how you would be for your own child?"

She couldn't respond. His kind words ran through her head, filling her with a hope that made her feel so incredibly light and free.

"You're selfless, kind, and warm. You put everything you have into helping others and what's even more incredible is that you do it unconditionally. Tell me did you ever once think that I needed to repay you?"

Kyoko shook her head.

Ren smiled at her honesty, murmuring, "Exactly because that's who you naturally are. So despite the painful past you endured, you still have a heart that's greater and more pure than anyone's in this world."

Seeing her eyes glisten, Ren tenderly rubbed his thumb across her cheek and whispered, "You will be a great mother."

The tears spilled over before she could help it. Never in her life had she felt these kinds of emotions that flowed through her like an endless river. Clutching to Ren, Kyoko allowed the long-awaited tears to stream down her face. She never realized how much she wanted and needed to hear these words. Even though she had denied the pain for so long, Kyoko was still crippled from her past memories. But to hear such tender words had completely liberated her. And the fact that it came from the man she loved more than life itself made it even more heart-wrenching.

Tightly holding her in silent support, Ren planted kisses upon her hair as he whispered soothingly into her ear. When the shaking in her shoulders finally slowed and a few long minutes had passed, Kyoko raised her tear-stricken eyes to his. He smiled gently and kissed her on the lips.

"Sorry," Kyoko murmured tearfully when he leaned back.

He shook his head with a smile. "Don't be."

Feeling a slight embarrassment for crying, Kyoko placed her cheek over his heart and took a great comfort from his steady heartbeats. Then absent-mindedly running her fingers up and down his arm, she murmured steadily, "How is it that you always know what to say to me?"

"Years of practice, darling," Ren replied with ease.

She smiled and raised her head, playfully asking in a mocking voice, "Are you insinuating that I'm difficult?"

"Nope, you're just an art worth studying."

Arching an eyebrow at his eloquent response, Kyoko rolled over until she straddled his hips. She placed both of her hands upon his bare chest and stared down at his bemused expression. "Well then, I guess you'll have a good answer for what I'm going to ask next."

He blinked in surprise. "Which is?"

"Why did you really subtract ten points that day after I was relieved from being your manager?"

And to her utmost pleasure, she saw her husband's face blanch in alarm when he realized to his horror that she actually remembered. Grinning from ear to ear, Kyoko leaned in, asking in an interrogating voice, "Well? Your reply, Mr. I-Have-A-Good-Response-For-Everything?"

He averted his eyes and mumbled quickly, "I told you, because I used the wrong stamp."

Kyoko narrowed her eyes, unconvinced.

Trying another route, he replied again, "It was so long ago, sweetheart. I don't even remember anymore."

"Kuon…"

Ren cautiously returned his nervous gaze to hers. Whenever Kyoko murmured his real name in such a low voice, he knew she wasn't playing games. She was absolutely relentless at times like these. So with a defeated sigh, he ran a hand through his damp hair and said, "You're not going to like it."

"Try me," she answered with crossed arms.

And knowing he had no other choice, he confessed in a barely audible whisper, "I was frustrated…when you admitted so honestly that everything you did wasn't actually for me, but because it was your duty to."

Her eyes widen. "Really?"

Ren groaned in humiliation at her shocked tone and threw an arm over his eyes. "I know. I'm pathetic, I'm childish, and I in no way had any right to do that."

"Wow, I never knew. I thought you did it to spite me."

He laughed darkly. "Yeah, like that's any better."

Giggling now, she tugged his arm away and looked down at his guilty expression. She then leaned forward and kissed his unmoving lips. "Then I guess this is a first," Kyoko said.

"First what?" he asked uncertainly.

"The first time I'm actually happy I didn't get a perfect score."

Ren stopped as he looked up at Kyoko who was smiling as brightly as the stars behind her. Surprised, he reached a hand to her face and asked, "You're not disappointed?"

She shrugged. "Why should I be? It's in the past. Besides, if you hadn't done that, I wouldn't have tried so hard to get 100 points from you."

He smiled. "You have more than 100 points."

"Oh yeah?" Kyoko asked humorously. "How many do I have?"

Chuckling, Ren easily propped himself into a sitting position and gently cradled her face within his strong hands. He placed a kiss upon her forehead and murmured, "You have my everything."

She smiled warmly at his sincerity and whispered, "As do you."