(A/N: I regret to inform you that this will be the last chapter Here it is, Chapter 14. I do NOT own Shugo Chara. Please review!)
Chapter 14
Amu walked into Ikuto's room and opened the door. She stood in the door way and smiled at seeing her boyfriend sleeping soundly in his bed. Amu walked in quietly and knelt beside him. She gently brushed the bangs out of his face and gave him a soft kiss on the forehead.
His eyes snapped open. "Amu?"
She smiled at him. "Sorry, but I had to wake you. Yaya is having a party and invited us. Do you want to go?"
"Who's going to be there?" he asked, half asleep. He sounded so cute when he was drowsy!
"Yaya, Rima, Kukai, Nagihiko-kun, Kairi-kun, and Utau-chan," Amu said softly. "And me."
"Hmm…. I guess if my girlfriend is going a should go to," he said in a low voice.
Amu smiled. "You don't have to. I just thought you should know."
Ikuto shook his head and sat up. "No, no, I'll go." He looked at the clock on his bedside table. "Dammit… why is her party so early?"
"Not to mention unexpected," Amu agreed. "Sometimes Yaya just really wants an excuse of having everyone over and eating sweets for hours on end."
"How about half an hour and then me and you go to the movies?"
Amu smiled. Movie date. "That sounds nice."
Ikuto nodded, his eyes closed. "I thought you'd like that."
He yawned and Amu had the urge to exclaim, "Awwww!" but she held it together.
"Get dressed and I'll meet you down stairs," Amu said, standing up, giving him a quick kiss on the lips before leaving.
She was humming a song she couldn't find the name of as she walked down the stairs and into the kitchen. She was surprised to see her mother there.
"Oh, hey Mom!" Amu said with a smile, giving her mom a kiss on her cheek.
"Good morning, sweetie. You seem in a wonderful mood today! Have a nice sleep?"
Amu nodded and smiled. "Oh, hey Mom, it's okay if Ikuto and I go over to Yaya's house for a small party, right?"
Midori nodded with a smile. "Yes, of course! Oh, I love how you and Ikuto get along so well!"
Amu looked at her mom and gave her a small smile. "Oh you have no idea, Mom."
That's when Ikuto walked into the kitchen and walked over to the fridge to get some milk.
"Good morning, Ikuto," Midori said with a smile.
"Morning," Ikuto responded. He drank a glass of milk before grabbing his car keys and taking Amu's hand and leading her to his car.
They got in and drove to Yaya's house. When they got there, Maroon 5 was blaring out of the stereo system so loudly that they could hear it from outside.
Amu rang the doorbell and they waited for a while. She rang again and she heard someone call out. "I'll get it!"
Yaya opened the door and smiled at them. "Hey! Amu-chi! Ikuto-kun! You made it! Come in, come in! Yaya is so happy you guys could make it!"
Yaya led them to the living room where the others sat on the couches or on the carpeted floor. Yaya went over to the stereo and turned it off. The others greeted them and Ikuto and Amu sat on a couch with Utau and Kukai. Amu noticed that Kukai's arm was around Utau's shoulder. Amu smiled. She was really happy for him.
"Hey! Yaya thinks we should all do karaoke!" Yaya exclaimed.
The others were hesitant with that idea, but it was hard to change Yaya's mind once she was set on something.
"I hate karaoke," Utau stated.
Kukai laughed. "Really? Utau, you're like the best singer I've ever heard!"
Utau blushed slightly.
"Utau, don't lie," Ikuto said. "We all know that you love singing in front of others."
"Just shut up, Ikuto, okay?" she grouched. She then turned to Kukai slightly. "You, uh… really think I'm a good singer?"
Kukai smiled at her. "Would I lie to you?"
"Depends on the circumstances."
Kukai laughed and Utau blushed.
"Who wants to go first?" asked Yaya excitedly.
"Utau does," Nagi said. Utau shot him a dirty look.
Yaya skipped over to her and handed her a microphone and her iPod. "Pick whatever song you want under 'Karaoke.'"
Yaya sat on the floor next to Kairi as Utau made her selection.
The music started playing and Utau began to sing Mine by Taylor Swift. Kukai wasn't kidding. She was really amazing.
"You were in college working part time waiting tables," she sang. "Left a small town never looked back. I was a flight risk, with a fear of falling, wondering why we bother with love if it never lasts. I say, can you believe it? As we're lying on the couch. The moment I could see it, yes, yes, I could see it now.
"Do you remember we were sitting there by the water? You put your arm around me for the first time. You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter. You are the best thing that's ever been mine!
Utau smiled at Kukai and his eyes widened. Was she… directing the song to him? His cheeks reddened. But… did her parent's fight a lot? Since he was thinking about it… He didn't remember her dad being at the wedding…
"Flash forward and we're taking on the world together," she continued. "And there's a draw of my things at your place." Kukai's eyes widened even more. Did she want to move in with him? He didn't even have his own place! "You learn my secrets and you figure out why I'm guarded. You say we'll never make my parent's mistakes. But we got bills to pay. We got nothing figured out. When it was hard to take, yes, yes, this is what I thought about:
"Do you remember we were sitting there by the water? You put your arm around me for the first time. You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter. You are the best thing that's ever been mine! Do you remember all the city lights on the water? You made me start to believe for the first time. You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter. You are the best thing's that's ever been mine!
"And I remember that fight 2:30 a.m., you said everything was slipping right out of our hands! I ran out and you followed me out into the street. Braced myself for the good bye. 'Cause that's all I've ever known. Then you took me by surprise. You said I'll never leave you alone.
"You said, I remember how we felt sitting by the water. And every time I look at you, it's like the first time. I fell in love with a careless man's careful daughter. She is the best thing that's ever been mine!
"Hold on and make it last. Hold on and never turn back. You made a rebel of a careless man's careful daughter! You are the best thing that's ever been mine! Do you believe it? We're going to make it now! I can see it! I can see it now…"
Every one applauded as the music faded away and the song ended. Utau went back to her seat next to Kukai who was still wide-eyed.
Did Utau want to spend the rest of her life with him? Was he ready for that? They were old enough to move in together… but… Kukai loved Utau but that was a big step, and he hadn't really thought of the future. He had mixed emotions about the whole thing. On the one hand, he was really happy she chose that song and directed it to him. That meant she really cared for him. But on the other hand, it seemed like she was expecting him to propose to her. Kukai looked at the ground, confused.
Utau meant the world to him… But that was a lot for a seventeen year old guy. Kukai shook his head. He loved Utau so if she wanted to spend the rest of her life with him, that was perfect with him. He smiled at the thought of having a family with her… and living together… and growing old together. He smiled even wider. He couldn't believe a girl like her cared about him that much and wanted to be together with him forever.
"Hey, Utau? Can I speak with you in the kitchen?" he said to her.
Utau shrugged and nodded, following him into the kitchen just as Yaya started singing.
When they were in the kitchen, he looked at her and suddenly felt uncomfortable. His face was bright red. What if she wanted to start right away? What if she was upset because he wasn't giving her everything she was hoping for?
"So, what?" Utau asked.
"I… uh, I liked your singing," Kukai said.
Utau gave him a smile. "Thank you."
"Nice, um, song you picked there…"
Utau raised an eyebrow at him. "Yeah, I liked it… Kukai is something wrong?"
"Yeah, uh, no! I mean no! Just…" He relaxed and smiled at her. "I will."
"Huh?"
"I want to spend the rest of my life with you too. And I'm happy you feel that way about me." He looked at her, waiting for her to say something, but she just stared at him, completely baffled with a light blush on her cheeks.
"Kukai… what are you talking about?"
Kukai took her hand. "Your song."
Utau looked at him for a while longer, and then her eyes widened in realization. "You thought I meant-?! K-Kukai, I didn't—I mean, I wasn't trying to say that, but—" Kukai's heart sank. Did that mean… she didn't want to spend the rest of her life with him? Did that mean she didn't actually love him?
"So… you were just… singing the song," Kukai said. "It wasn't true at all?"
Utau sighed and sat down on the kitchen chair. Kukai stood in front of her. "Kukai… listen, my parent's fought a lot, okay? So I was a little uneasy about love. But something about you made it different, made me happy. I really do love you Kukai, and…" She blushed. "I would love spending the rest of my life with you… But I wasn't intending to say that message in the song! I mean, we're still young and all!"
Kukai smiled. He had just worried about nothing. "Okay."
Utau stood and took his hand. "Let's go back to the party, okay?"
Kukai nodded, kissing her gently. "Okay."
After a few more songs, Ikuto stood up. "We have to go now."
"What?!" exclaimed Yaya. "But Yaya's party isn't over yet!"
Amu smiled at her. "I'm sorry, Yaya… but, um…"
"I'm taking Amu out," Ikuto said simply, leading Amu to the door.
"BUT YAYA'S PARTY ISN'T OVER!" Yaya yelled at them from the living room.
"Let them go, Yaya," Rima said smiling slightly. Finally, she thought.
"You weren't very nice to Yaya," Amu commented as they drove to the movie theatre in Ikuto's car.
He shrugged. "The movie's going to start soon."
"What are we going to watch, anyway?"
"It's a surprise, Amu-koi."
She rolled her eyes but smiled as she looked at him. He was smiling as well. He then held her hand, keeping only one hand on the steering wheel.
"Didn't your father ever tell you to keep to hands on the wheel?" Amu teased.
"I'm sorry, do you not want me to hold your hand? I thought that's what people in a relationship do." He squeezed her hand and smirked at her.
"Shut it Tsukiyomi."
"Right back at you, Hinamori. Or are you a Tsukiyomi now?"
Amu shook her head. "My mom might have changed her last name to Tsukiyomi but not me."
Ikuto smiled as he stared at the street. "Yet."
"Hmm?" Amu asked, not having heard what Ikuto had said.
"Oh, nothing, Amu-koi."
They reached the theatre and Ikuto parked the car.
When they got inside, Ikuto bought the tickets to 'Get Smart' with Steve Carell, Anne Hathaway, and Dwayne Johnson which Amu had not seen before, but wanted to see. The movie was a comedy/adventure which she enjoyed. She especially wanted to see it because it had two of her favorite actors as the lead characters.
They went in and purchased the popcorn and drinks and went into the theatre 5 where Get Smart was playing.
Ikuto led her to the back row and they took their seats. The movie started and Amu found it really funny.
It was about a secret agency. Steve Carell played a character that was trying to become a field agent. His character, Maxwell Smart, finally gets his chance when an evil organization, Chaos, finds out the identities of all the field agents. He teams up with Anne Hathaway who plays Agent 99 to try and stop them.
"This is so funny, right Ikuto?" she whispered with a smile. She turned to him and was surprised to see him staring at her intently, not even paying attention to the movie. "Ikuto?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you like the movie?"
He nodded.
"Well then why aren't you watching it?" Amu asked.
He shrugged. "There are more… interesting things to watch."
She blushed as he said this. He hoped the darkness of the theatre kept it hidden from him. She turned back to the movie and felt him put his arm around her and her as close as he could to him. She smiled. She was lucky to have him…
The movie ended and Ikuto led her to his car. She got in and thanked him for the movie.
He smirked at her. "I'm glad you liked it, Amu-koi."
"I did, Ikuto-koi. Nice pick."
Ikuto winked at her as he started the car. They drove for a while until they stopped outside of their house. They moved to the backseats of the car and Amu laid her head on Ikuto's shoulder as Ikuto held her and stroked her arm.
"You know we should tell them," Ikuto said softly.
"Hmm?" Amu asked. "Tell who what?"
Ikuto laughed gently. "Our parents, Amu-koi. They should that we're together."
Amu turned and buried her head into Ikuto's chest. "I don't want to…"
Ikuto smirked. "Amu, our parents hadn't gotten married and you were dating me, would you tell your mom?"
Amu frowned. "Sure, but that's different. I mean, we have the same parents now… and… you know…"
"I know. I think they deserve to know, though."
"But what if they don't approve?"
"I'm not asking for their approval, Amu. I just believe they have a right to know who their children are dating. Especially if it's with each other." Amu frowned and Ikuto kissed the top of her head. "I won't force you to tell them, but sooner or later they're going to find out."
Amu sighed. "I know… You're right…" She sat up. "Okay, let's go tell our parents."
They walked together hand in hand and found Aruto and Midori sitting on the couch watching a movie.
"Hello, Amu, Ikuto!" Midori greeted them.
"Hello, children. Enjoy the party?" Aruto asked with a smile. They nodded and sat on the couch across from their parents.
"Mom, Dad… we have something we need to tell you," started Amu, her cheeks a light pink.
"Yes, what is it, Honey?" Midori asked.
Amu started shifting her feet uncomfortably and stared at the ground. "Um…"
"Mom, Dad, Amu and I are together," Ikuto said.
Midori and Aruto stared at them. They looked both shocked and taken aback.
"What…?" Midori asked.
"Mom, I'm dating Amu," Ikuto said. "Amu is my girlfriend and I'm her boyfriend." Amu was blushing like crazy as they waited to see how Aruto and Midori would respond.
"Well… this is… a… um—" Midori started, completely surprised.
"Surprise," Aruto finished. "Have you been seeing each other for a while now?"
"I fell in love with her before the marriage and as every day passed, I fell in love with her more," Ikuto said. "We only just made it official because Amu thought it was wrong for us to be together."
"Which… makes sense," Midori said.
"But then I got some good advice," Amu said with a small smile towards Ikuto. "And I decided to follow my heart. Mom, I'm in love with Ikuto."
Midori and Aruto looked at each other for a moment.
"B-but your step-siblings," Midori said hesitantly. "You live in the same house!"
"I don't care anymore," Amu said. "I was already in love with him before the marriage. It… just took some time to figure that out."
Aruto smiled at them and at Midori. "Midori, our children have fallen in love. We should know how love works out by now. You can't exactly control it."
There was a moment of silence before Midori spoke. "I… always hoped that my daughter would find someone in her life that would love her and make her feel special. Who better than my own step-son?"
Amu smiled widely and so did Ikuto. Ikuto embraced her and he kissed her.
"Guess what?" he whispered, so only she could hear. "They approved."
"I know," she whispered back with a smile. "Aren't our parents just wonderful?"
"I know someone else who's pretty wonderful."
She smiled at him.
He gently pressed his lips against hers and she kissed back, but they were in front of their parents, so it was a small, sweet kiss.
"I love you, sis," Ikuto said with a smile.
"I love you, too bro," Amu said, smiling back at her boyfriend. And hey, he was her step-brother as well. But she didn't find any problem with that.
THE END
(A/N: And that concludes the Amuto story, My New Family. I hope you all enjoyed this as much as I did )