I Want U Chapter 14: A Very Digi-Xmas Remix
"Are you ready for this?" Bobby asked his fellow dancers. "Because with this routine we have, Marron's money is as good as ours!"
"Hell yeah!" Ricky hi-fived his friend. "Christmas is next month and I'm ready to spend it all!"
"We have to perform outside in the damned cold!" Mark complained.
"Consider today's finals a plateau we have to climb in order to succeed. No weather, no matter how cold it is, is going to keep me from ¥700,000." Jun spoke while she applied the final additions to her makeup and hair.
Today is the day for their final round of the competition. And much to Mimi's dismay, Jun declined her offer to help her with the outfit, hair, and makeup. Today's challenge is about showing your personality, and Jun wanted everyone to see a side of her they have never knew existed.
After that kiss a few weeks ago, Jason never confronted Jun about starting over. And Jun was more than relieved. She and Joe are still seeing each other, but not admitting that they're really seeing each other. It didn't really matter, considering all of their friends knew, anyway.
Now the members of Destiny were cramped in a small, abandoned warehouse waiting to perform.
"I'm done!" Jun squealed as she nodded appreciatively at her appearance in the mirror. Her short, black hair was now streaked with violet highlights, and her dark makeup matched. She wore a thin, long-sleeved black sweater with a picture of her at the age of twelve spray-painted on the front. Baggy purple jeans hung from her curvy frame with obscene words spray-painted on them, and a pair of black Timberlands covered her feet.
Slipping her fingers into a pair of black, finger-less gloves, Jun turned around and smiled at her friends who also wore their clothes in the same color scheme. "I'm ready."
"I meant to ask you this earlier, but I didn't get the chance." Ricky told her. "What's up with the picture of you on your shirt?"
Jun looked down at her sweater and shrugged. "It simply represents who I used to be compared to who I am, now. People told this young girl that she'll never amount to anything and no one would care about her. Now she has great friends, a boyfriend who's-not-really-her-boyfriend, and much support throughout the city. And she's going home ¥700,000 richer today."
"Man," Bobby nodded in fascination. "That's deep."
Jason scoffed at his friend. "No it's not."
Picking up her tube of purple lipstick, Jun hurled it at him. "Yes it is," she joked. Walking towards the door, she opened it and looked back at her fellow dancers. "Let's go. We got money to make."
- - - - -
"Man the suspense is killing me." Tai spoke as he wrapped his arms around his torso to keep warm. "What's taking them so long? That Marron girl finished dancing ages ago!"
"Good things come to those who wait, Tai." Sora smiled.
"Look," Matt pointed to the open area that everyone outside surrounded and saw Prima standing in the middle. "That lady's about to speak."
"Again I thank each and every one of you all for attending this event in this weather."
There were a few scattered laughs heard throughout the crowd. Chuckling herself, Prima continued. "I won't take up any more of your time because it's very cold. So…I present to you…Destiny!"
The crowd began to cheer when Jun and her dancers walked outside, stood in the area and got in their positions. Each of the held rigid postures, although they wanted nothing more than to curl up beside a fireplace and get warm.
"This better be worth it," Jason muttered to Jun.
"Today's payday," she assured him.
Immediately a voice was heard. "I order a frappachino, where's my fucking frappachino?"
A few laughs were heard, immediately followed by a series of shouts. "Oh my gosh!" a girl screamed excitedly. "Do y'all realize what they're going to dance to?"
Jay-Z/Linkin Park's "Dirt of Your Shoulder/Lying from You" started to play and immediately Jun and her dancers began to do various, complicated moves, automatically gaining the audience's attention from the start.
When Chaz's solo came up, Destiny pointed to the crowd and everyone shouted, "Y-Y-Y-O-O-O-U-U-U-!!!" along with the music.
But that routine didn't last very long one the music stopped, because there was a pause and the members of Destiny huddled together in a group. "I wonder what we should do next." Ricky said aloud.
"I don't know," Jun shrugged nonchalantly. "Maybe we should do this…"
The beat to "Jigga What/Faint" began to play and the crowd exploded! Jun tried her best to keep her expression neutral, but she felt a blush creep on her face.
Again, when the infectious beat to the song began to play, Destiny displayed another series of complicated moves. There was so much energy reflecting from them that the audience had no choice but to join in, as well.
They began to shout out the lyrics along with the song, and when the lyric "I can't fail, the way I did before, don't turn your back on me…" Jun and her dancers pointed towards the audience, and they cheered, "I WON'T BE IGNORED!!!"
When the song finished all of the dancers gathered around, again to talk once more. "Do y'all want us to stop?" Jason asked the crowd.
"No!" they all shouted in unison.
Jun looked at her friends and grinned. "I guess this means we keep going."
A slow instrumental started to play and the members of Destiny shouted, "Can I get an encore, do you want more…?" as the lyrics of "Numb/Encore" blared out of the speakers.
"So for one last time I need y'all to roar…!" The crowd roared at the top of their lungs with excitement. Again, they chanted each verse from the song while the group danced to the music.
When that performance ended, Jun scanned the crowd until her burgundy eyes met with a pair of blue ones. Smiling naughtily, she said, "And don't think we've forgotten about you, Morron. As a matter of fact we have a song dedicated just for you!"
"If you're having girl problems, I feel bad for you, son; I got 99 problems and a bitch ain't one!" All of the members of Destiny pointed and shouted at the angry-faced blonde. They continued to repeat the words until the audience joined in, and The Roses stormed away in humiliation.
When their performance finally ended, JM's group stood in the middle of the crowded area, motionless with unblinking eyes, and neutral expressions. The crowd shouted Jun's name until Prima once again, stood in the area to speak again.
"I'm so proud of each and every one of you." She spoke into her microphone. "And now we need The Roses to come back out, again."
Marron's group hesitantly stepped in the area, flinching from the boo's they were receiving.
"Both of you performed exceptionally well today, but only one of you can leave here the winner," Prima said. "This time we're going to allow the audience to decide who the best of the best is!"
"Jun…Jun…Jun…!" the crowd shouted together.
Marron's eyes widened in horror, while Jun and her dancers smirked knowingly.
Chuckling, Prima stated, "I guess I don't have to announce who's the winner for today's final round!"
"Jun…Jun…Jun…!"
Marron's face twisted in anger but she swallowed hard to compose herself. "Fine," she spat out angrily. "I can accept defeat! Staci?"
The same redhead from before walked towards the blonde carrying a briefcase. The male members of Destiny rubbed their hands together, nodded, and murmured in anticipation.
Marron snatched the briefcase and shoved it in Jun's hands. "You got the money, and you've proven yourself. Are you happy now?" She fought hard to control the tears that were starting to form in her eyes.
"This entire contest was your idea!" Jun yelled. "I didn't want to have anything to do with it, but you got your way, so I relented. Now, if you're expecting sympathy fro me, forget it! Here," she thrust the case into Ricky's hands. "Have fun with it, because I don't want to have anything to do with that money."
"We're not complaining," Ricky grinned happily. "This just means more for us!"
"You're giving away my money?" Marron cried horrifically.
"No, I'm giving away my money!" Jun corrected her.
"You-fucking-bitch!" Marron lunged forward at the dark-haired dancer, but Jun easily stepped out of the way.
Balling her right hand, Jun's fist connected with Marron's left cheek. The entire crowd gasped when the blonde cried out and landed on the ground with a thud.
"My face! My beautiful face!" Marron screamed as her dancers rushed to her aid. "How could you? My face!"
"Ugh!" Jun rolled her eyes in disgust, walked away, and headed towards her friends. When she approached them, she gave everyone a mocking grin, and said, "I swear I waited so long to do that! And you know what? I'm not cold anymore!"
"Her face is definitely going to swell in the morning." Mimi spoke as she snuggled closer to Matt to keep warm.
"I believe it's swelling, now." Tai craned his neck to get a view of Marron's face. Everyone turned in the direction and cringed at the large, black, purple, and blue bruise on Marron's jaw.
Jun cracked her knuckles and shrugged. "She had it coming. I'm starved, let's go eat!"
"Before we leave, I would like to why you didn't accept the money." Sora wondered. "You worked awfully hard for it."
"Because I already proven that I'm the better dancer." Jun shrugged, again. "And that's enough for me. Besides, did you see the look on her face when I gave away the prize money? No amount of money can buy that! It was priceless!" She doubled over from laughter, and promptly rose when she sensed another presence.
Scowling at the group of people who approached her, Jun rolled her eyes and asked, "What are you doing here?"
"I invited them." Dai shot back. "Gotta problem with it?"
"Jun, we just wanted to congratulate you," Motomiya Ryota told her. "Your performance was spectacular."
"And," Motomiya Maiko added. "That was very honorable of you to decline that girl's prize money. We're so proud of…"
"Save it." Jun wrapped her arms around her body, suddenly feeling the winter chill against her body.
Joe noticed this and he quickly rushed to Jun's side and embraced her so she could get warm from his coat.
"I get it. You're proud of me." Jun rested her head on Joe's shoulder and gave her family one final look. "I have to get going." She started to walk away with her friends following, leaving her family behind.
"Jun, wait!" Maiko cried out, but Dai grabbed her hand and shook his head.
"I'm sorry," he apologized. "I really thought she would've came around by now."
"Oh, Daisuke, do you think she'll ever forgive us?" Maiko sobbed into her husband's shoulder.
"I thought if we gave her some space and time, she'll come around. But now," Ryota heaved a deep sigh. "I'm not so sure."
Dai never replied. He just stared at his sister's back as she walked away with her friends.
- - - - -
Tai stretched his arms above his head to place the angel on top of the Takenouchi's Christmas tree. Both Sora and Tai were at her apartment setting up Christmas decorations for her parents.
"Have you decided on a present for me?" Sora asked her boyfriend while she placed ornaments on the tree. "Not that I'm trying to give out hints, but I did see a pair of sneakers at the mall I wanted…" she wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.
After securing the angel on the tree, Tai looked at Sora and gave her a silly, lopsided grin. "As a matter of fact I have decided on your Christmas gift."
"Really?" Sora squealed, dropping a few ornaments on the floor to give her boyfriend a hug. "You…don't…even…have…to…give…me…the…shoes…for…Christmas…" she gasped between kisses. "I…could use them…now…"
"Whoa…slow down…" Tai chuckled at his girlfriend. "I'll give you a hint: it's not the sneakers."
"Huh?" Sora pulled her lips from his, but her arms remained around his neck. "Then what is it?"
"It's me!" he grinned wickedly. "It's me, all wrapped up in a bow! It's the gift that keeps on giving!"
"What?" Sora playfully smacked Tai on his head, which he yelped in pain. "You're cheap."
"I'm poor," he retorted with a laugh. "But…if you really want to give gifts…we can start on the baby-making process, like we discussed last month, now."
"Tai!" Sora playfully shouted. "I said I want kids someday…not today!"
"But isn't' a child the greatest gift of all?" He gave Sora his famous Yagami grin, and he knew from the look in Sora's eyes that she melted. "I'm not trying to get you pregnant now," he continued. "But we can still practice! And you know what they say: 'Practice makes perfect'!"
"Now you're just being ridiculous!" she giggled, although she felt her body warm in anticipation. "Besides, we still have to finish decorating before my parents come home!"
"Pffft!" Tai dismissed Sora's last sentence with a wave of his hand. "We have hours before your folks get home." Tai grabbed Sora's hand and led her towards her bedroom. "And that's plenty of time for us to practice."
Shaking her head as she allowed Tai to lead the way, Sora asked, "What am I going to do with you?"
"Love me."
- - - - -
"I know it's none of my business, but you're sure you don't want to spend Christmas with your family?" Joe asked Jun. They sat on the sofa in Joe's apartment together watching the Macy's Christmas Day parade. "This is supposed to be that time when people forgive each other and spend it with the one's they love."
Jun blushed at Joe's words. I'm spending Christmas with Joe. Does that mean…nah! No way, we're…just…friends! "All the more reason why I'm not with my family."
"Are you saying you don't love them?"
"I'm saying I don't want to talk about it!" Jun snapped, and instantly regretted it. "I'm sorry; I didn't mean to yell at you. My mother and I…we had an argument this morning, and I just left. I didn't want to be bothered. Holidays with my family are pretty much non-existent. They're just regular days to us. There's nothing special about them."
"Wow." Joe pushed his glasses past the bridge of his nose and nodded.
"I don't really celebrate Christmas, anyway." Jun closed her eyes and shrugged. Opening them, she said, "No one really knows when Jesus was born, and Santa is nothing more than an old, fat pedophile who's real name is Satan. There's nothing cool about a man who watches your every move everyday throughout the years. Not to mention he breaks into your home and makes little, unsuspecting kids sit in his lap. It's quite unnerving when you think about it."
"I see." Joe replied simply. "I'm guessing something happened to you on Christmas when you were younger."
Dammit! Why is he so smart? Jun pursed her lips together and shrugged, again. "Maybe, maybe not. Who really cares?"
"I do." Standing up, Joe grabbed Jun's hand and pulled her up as well.
"What are you doing?" she yelled at the dark-haired teen.
"What I'm going to do is teach you the meaning of Christmas." Letting her go, he told her, "Grab your coat. We're going out."
"I already told you what I think about Christmas." Jun replied, but she did as she was told, anyway. "And this is completely stupid."
They both shrugged into their coats and Joe held the front door open for her. "Perhaps, but I believe in faith. Everyone needs to have something to believe in. Without faith, how can you keep on living?"
"By living day-to-day." Jun told him as he closed and locked the door. "Whatever happens happens. That's what life has taught me."
"Then it's time you have a new lesson."
- - - - -
"I feel really stupid right now." Jun muttered as she examined her outfit. She and Joe were both dressed alike as Santa's elves. With the tights, silly hats, curly toe shoes, and all. Both of their faces were caked with heavy makeup, and they sat in the waiting room on the pediatric floor of the hospital.
Folding her arms and glaring at her friend, she asked, "Why did you bring me here on Christmas?"
"I usually volunteer here whenever I have some free time." Joe said.
"And…?" Jun prompted him for more information.
"And that's all I'm going to tell you."
Growling in frustration, Jun rolled her eyes and turned away from him. "Whatever."
A nurse entered the waiting room and told them the children were ready. Both Joe and Jun stood and gathered the large, green bags of toys, and followed the nurse out of the room.
Near the reception's area was a medium-sized Christmas tree, an old man and woman dressed as Santa and Mrs. Claus sitting in rocking chairs, and small children in hospital gowns sitting in a circle surrounding them.
"I need you to stand behind Mr. and Mrs. Claus," the nurse whispered to them.
"Alright." Joe replied. He used his free hand to link his fingers with Jun's, and they stood behind the merry couple.
"Now boys and girls, I'm going to tell you all a story," Santa began as he looked at the children's hopeful faces.
The young children gathered closer as they listened intently.
Santa cleared his throat and began to speak. "'Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the house; not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…"
"This is really stupid!" Jun angrily hissed at Joe under her breath. "I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'd rather spend today with my family!"
Joe looked at her with his brow rose. "That's what I'm hoping."
"Huh?" Jun stared confusingly at him, not understanding his meaning. "Wha…?"
"Shh…" he pressed his finger against his lips to silence her. They both turned their heads and paid attention to Santa's story.
When Santa was finished, all of the children applauded and cheered. They all stood up and formed a line in front of Mr. and Mrs. Claus. "Alright boys and girls, now I want you to tell you what you all want for Christmas."
A little brown haired girl who looked no more than seven approached Santa first. She smiled shyly as she sat on his lap to tell him her Christmas wish.
"What's wrong with her face? She looks…beaten…" Jun whispered to Joe as she inspected the bruises covering the girl's face, arms, and legs.
"Her name's Keiko." Joe answered. "She's irresponsive to pain. And her stepfather takes advantage of that."
"Oh, no!" Jun covered her mouth to suppress her gasp of surprise. "How could…"
Joe nudged her with his elbow. "She's waiting for her gift. Your bag has all of the girls' toys in it."
Jun cleared her head and looked down at the girl who was patiently waiting for her present. Untying the bag, Jun reached in and retrieved a doll. She handed it to Keiko, who smiled and wrapped her arms around Jun in an appreciative embrace.
"Thank you," she whispered. Keiko clutched her doll and walked away.
"Y…you're…welcome…" Jun stammered.
She and Joe watched as a young blonde boy who appeared ten approached Santa next in a wheelchair. "Name's Keisuke." Joe whispered to Jun. He's a victim of a hit-and-run. It happened a week before today, and he just found out that he'll never be able to walk again."
"Oh, my gosh…" Jun looked at Joe and watched as he handed Keisuke his gift from his bag of toys.
The next child to sit in Santa's lap was another young bald boy who was around four years old, and Joe began to explain his condition to Jun. "His name is Toshi, and he's diagnosed with leukemia."
"Cancer? At such a young age?" Jun blinked at the boy who happily told Santa everything he wanted for Christmas. "But…he…he's barely had a chance to live…"
"You're right," Joe nodded. Toshi stood in front of Joe, and Joe reached inside of his bag and handed him a large, yellow truck.
"Cool!" Toshi shouted as he waved the truck around in the air. "Look at what Santa's elf gave me, everyone!" he shouted to the remanding children who were waiting in line. They all smiled as Toshi happily ran away, carrying his toy.
Every child received their gift and their gift until there was one child remanding. Jun stared at a young, pretty blonde girl whose blue eyes held a dull, depressed expression. Jun noticed that the girl didn't have any bruises on her, there were absolutely no tell-tell signs that she appeared sick or disabled. As a matter of fact, the girl looked perfectly healthy.
The girl sighed heavily and slowly advanced towards Santa. She stood in front of him, but did not make another move.
Santa outstretched his hands to welcome the young child, but she appeared reluctant to get closer to him. She shook her head and Jun looked at Joe for answers. "What's wrong with her?" she whispered.
This time Joe did not answer and Jun only sighed. She turned her head when she heard the child speak.
"I don't wanna make you sick because I'm sick," she told Santa. "I was told I would make other people get sick if I get close to them."
Shaking his head, Santa replied, "My child, that's impossible! You can't make me sick. And I'm here for you, so you shouldn't have any reason to worry about anything."
"Uh…" the girl still appeared a little cautious to get near him.
Santa held out his palm for the girl to accept it. "Trust me," he told her. "You won't hurt me. I promise you. Trust me." He gave the girl a warm, friendly smile, and she finally rushed into his arms.
She held Santa tight and for a few minutes, neither of them said anything. Jun looked at Mrs. Claus who smiled at the display of affection, nodding approvingly.
"Tell me, what is it that you want for Christmas this year?" Santa stroked the girl's hair as she rested her head against his shoulder.
"I just want to be normal…" she whispered softly into his suit. "I want to be like to other children. I want to play with the other kids and not worry about making them sick, too…"
"Huh?" Again, Jun looked at Joe who finally rested his eyes on her.
"Her name's Atsuko," he said. "She's six years old…" Joe swallowed hard and stole a glance at the girl for a moment. He looked Jun in her eyes again, and said, "And she was born HIV-positive."
"Oh, God!" Jun cried and covered her mouth. Her heart began to race against her ribcage and she turned around and ran from the receptionist area.
"Jun!" Joe called after her as he followed her down the corridors. He trailed behind her until they was alone in the waiting room, again.
He slowly walked towards Jun, whose back was facing him as she looked out of the window. He stood behind her shaking form and reached forward to touch her shoulder.
Jun whipped around and wiped the tears that slid down her cheeks. "What are you trying do, huh? What are you trying to prove?" she screamed at him.
"I'm trying to let you know that no matter what you may have gone through in your past with your family, there's always someone out there who's been through worst." Joe replied simply. "A lot of those kids you've seen today probably won't live to see next Christmas, and yet they still haven't lost their faith. That's what I'm trying show you. Don't be so hard on your family, they love you. You and I both know that. So just…forgive them, at least for today before it's too late. Tomorrow's not promised to anyone, and I hate to see you distance yourself from the one's who love you. Especially when there are people out there who'll literally kill to be in your shoes.
"Life is precious, Jun, don't waste it by hating those who are here for you." Joe circled his arms around Jun, who cried into his chest.
"I'm so sorry," she sobbed, soaking his costume. "I didn't even realize how selfish I was acting…"
"You're not selfish," Joe assured her as he cradled her head. "I just thought you needed to see things in a different perspective, that's all. I apologize if I upset you, I didn't intend to."
"Don't apologize." Jun whispered into his chest. "I needed today's experience to open my eyes. I didn't realize how I was acting until you brought me here to witness this. Thank you, Joe."
"You're ready to go home?" He asked her.
Jun nodded.
- - - - -
Together Joe and Jun stood in front of Jun's apartment door without speaking. Taking a deep breath, Jun balled her hand and knocked on the heavy wood. In a few short seconds, Maiko opened the front door and gasped at her daughter. "J…Jun…?"
Jun swallowed the lump in her throat and nodded without replying.
Joe wrapped his arm around her and spoke to her mother. "We…we went to volunteer at the hospital, today… And, I brought her home…"
"T…thank you," Maiko smiled at him. Opening the door wider, she stepped aside and said, "Please, please come in."
Both teens entered the apartment in silence.
- - - - -
The Takenouchi's gathered around the Yagami's living room for their Christmas celebration with their families. Kari sat in a far corner next to TK, who she invited at the last minute so she wouldn't be alone, the adults were joking amongst each other, and Tai and Sora were cuddled on the sofa watching holiday cartoons.
"I swear I hate it when we have this…thing every year," Kari whispered to her boyfriend. "It's so boring. Every year it's the same thing… We get together to play stupid family games, we talk about the most embarrassing times of our parent's youth, and…it's just gotten so predictable."
TK chuckled at his girlfriend. "Well, that's a lot better than what my family has planned every year. I don't get to see my Dad often, so for the holidays I go to his place and he tries to cook for me and Matt." TK sighed, and then shuddered in disgust from the memories. "Let's just say that it's obvious where Matt gets his culinary skills."
Kari giggled and rested her head on TK's shoulder as she listened to him.
"The food always comes out lousy, and we always end up ordering out, instead." He continued. "We don't really talk much, but I guess it isn't so bad," he shrugged. "But this year Matt decided to hang out with Mimi, and…of course I'm over here with you!" TK grinned at Kari, who smiled admiringly at him in return.
"And I wouldn't have it any other way." She told him. Kari watched at her and Sora's parents turned on some rap music and began to form a conga line.
"Come on everybody," Sora's father, Haruhiko yelled above the music. "Let's conga!"
Kari covered her red face in humiliation.
TK only laughed at the display. "Rap music and conga dancing? Well that's new!"
"They're drunk!" she groaned into her palm. "Please big brother, do something about this!"
"O…kay…" Tai winced when he saw his parents, along with Sora's, conga dancing to Kayne West. Turning to Sora, he said, "Your father started it."
"But your parents followed." Sora replied. "So they're just as responsible."
Standing up, Tai loudly cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention. "Excuse me!"
His mother Yuuko stopped the music to address her son. "Yes, Tai?"
"I have an announcement I would like to make." He said. Looking at Sora, he said, "Could you come here for a minute, please?"
Sora rose from the sofa and stood next to her boyfriend. "Yes, Tai?"
"I wanted to give you your Christmas present, now."
"Aww…lookie there!" Yuuko gushed at the two teens. "How cute!"
"Those two are going to make us some proud grandparents someday!" Toshiko, Sora's mother grinned.
Both Tai and Sora's faces shaded a deep red. "Um, if I could continue, please." Tai said.
"Sure, son," his father, Susumu replied. "You go right on, ahead."
Tai nodded. Turning to face Sora, again, he inhaled deeply and grabbed her hand. "Sora, I just wanted to you know that I've loved you for the longest time, and I'm glad that we're spending this Christmas together as a couple, and not as friends."
"Me too, Tai," she wiped away the tears that gathered around her eyes.
"And I wanted to give you this for a while now, but I wasn't exactly sure if the time was right. Now I'm sure. Sora," got down on one knee as he held her left hand.
"Oh-my-God!" Kari cried as she watched her brother kneel in front of Sora. "Please don't tell me…"
"I'm no good with words, so I guess I'm going to just say it." Tai reached in his pocket and pulled out a small, black velvet box. He squeezed Sora's hand tighter as he felt it become damp due to her nervousness.
"I love you, Sora, and I know that you love me. And I want to know if you'll make my life complete by accepting this ring." He inhaled deeply as he felt his heart beat wildly in his chest. Gathering courage from within, Tai opened the velvet box to reveal a small, ring-shaped charm.
"You were right that day when I first gave you the charm bracelet. There was a charm missing, and it was this one. Takenouchi Sora…will you marry me?"
The tears fell endlessly down Sora's cheeks as she nodded. "Yes, Yagami Taichi, yes!" she cried happily.
- - - - -
Mimi sat on the floor in her living room next to the large Christmas tree sipping a virgin eggnog. She was completely decked out in a feminine Santa suit, with the matching Santa hat, and knee-high Santa boots. A headband with some mistletoe attached to it dangled above her forehead, and she gave the father of her unborn child of three months a come-hither stare.
"I know you're not going to make me come over there where you are!" she grinned naughtily at him.
Matt only snorted his reply from his position on the large sofa. "Maybe. That depends if you've been naughty or nice this year."
"I've been very nice this year," she joked. "It's you who's the naughty one!" She pointed an accusing finger at him. "And for that, Mister, you deserve nothing this year for Christmas!"
"Not even you?" He raised a mocking eyebrow.
"Humph," she looked away and snorted. "Especially me! I was just…generous this year, that's all!"
"Have it your way then, Princess." Matt shrugged laid on the sofa. "And to think, I went through all of this trouble to get you this."
"A present, for me?" Mimi squealed excitedly. She gathered all of her strength and lifted herself from the floor. She walked towards Matt and settled herself down next to him on the sofa. "What did you get me, huh? Tell me, please…"
"Now, why would I do that," he grinned evilly. "After all, I have been naughty this year!"
"Oh, come on, I was just kidding!" Mimi shoved his shoulder, but Matt wouldn't relent. The doorbell suddenly rang, and Mimi rose from the sofa. "Oh, dinner's ready!"
"What?" Matt looked at his baby's mother as she headed towards the front door.
"I ordered pizza today!" she beamed, and then gave him knowing look. "Not unless you want me to cook…"
"Pizza's fine," Matt quickly replied.
"Good." Opening the door, Mimi's eyes widened in shock when she delivery guy she expected wasn't standing there. Instead, she stared into the face her curly, blonde-haired, blue-eyed, American boyfriend.
"I see you're wearing mistletoe! I knew you were expecting me!" Michael ginned at his girlfriend. He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a long, hard kiss. When he separated his lips from hers, Mimi's eyes rolled back in her head and she fainted on the floor.
"MIMI!" he cried out. He entered the Tachikawa mansion to kneel down and help her. He immediately frowned when he saw another guy wrap his arms around his girlfriend.
"Get your hands off of my girl!" Michael shouted at the guy.
Matt looked at Michael and said, "Well, your girl just happens to be the mother of my child, so that means I can put my hands on her if I want to!"