Chapter 21

Sorry for the late update, but I had a little trouble with this chapter :S and I was writing an Amuto Christmas one-shot (which I already uploaded)

I hope you like it :) and Happy New Year! :)

I do NOT own Shugo Chara.

A week had gone by and the rosette had refused to utter a word to Ikuto other than what was necessary. Hopefully the silent treatment would end soon since Ikuto had planned long and hard for what was to come. It would be something completely special and that would show the rosette that her loved her and wanted he wanted to spend the rest of their lives together.

All the gang had helped in some way or another but all the credit was given to the man, who was dying of nervousness inside though his outer character betrayed none of that. The first step would be initiated by Kukai at the office, and Ikuto prayed that everything went well.

So that morning as soon as Amu closed the door, once again without saying anything to the Ikuto, Akane rushed to her dad excitement overflowing from her. She hadn't slept a wink the previous night with the overdose of excitement that was plaguing her mind. Finally her parents would be happy and in love! Hearing the giggles from his daughter Ikuto smiled and ruffled her hair before asking, "You excited?" He stood up and checked that he had everything he needed. "Yup!," exclaimed the pinkette as she rushed to the kitchen and grabbed a small basket they had prepared beforehand. The man chuckled as the little flew past him to his car. He closed the door whispering, "Let's do this."

When the rosette got to work she out her belongings in their rightful place. Nothing out of the ordinary but somehow she had a strange feeling that something was not 'normal'. Shrugging her shoulders in dismissal she flopped on her seat when Kukai popped out from the elevator. Sporting his usual grin he pointed his index fingers towards her, "Amu! Just who I was looking for." A thin pink eyebrow raised in questioning she awkwardly replied, "Yeah?" If his grin could get any bigger it did, "Can you get me a glass of water?" The woman stared at her friend. Was he really looking for her just to ask for water? Seeing the indifferent look on her golden eyes the brunette added a simple, "Please," before disappearing through a hall way.

The rosette stood up with a roll of her eyes but none the less headed to the lounge to retrieve the said item. The things she did for her friends. When she got there she saw an envelope with her name on it in big messy yet elegant writing in red ink. "What the?," she muttered to herself as she hesitantly walk to the envelope as if it contained a time bomb. She reached for it and curious about what was inside she opened it carefully. Inside was a red lollipop with a pink ribbon around it and a note. Finding the content a little weird the rosette looked around the room thinking that was a weird prank and someone was spying on her. But she found no one so shrugging her shoulders she read the note out loud, "Up and down I go, never with a thirteen stop. I usually reflect your image on my four walls and I play tunes to pass the time. With a push of a button I open allowing you to find your next clue."

Amu stared at the messy lettering trying to figure out what the 'riddle' meant. The pinkette went to her desk with the note and lollipop in her hands. Taking a seat she started thinking of all the things the note could be pointing to. Then a ring resonated through the room and realization dawned on her golden orbs. "The elevator," she whispered as she rushed the moving cubicle. Sure enough there was another envelope with her name on it. Excited she grabbed it and ripped it open. She found a pocket watch and another note. Unfolding the little piece of paper and seeing the same handwriting as in the first she read the note out loud, "I have delicious deserts but not for the lactose-intolerant. I make you day in the hot summer days and comfort you in the sad ones. With red booths and spicy waffle smell I welcome you with the ring of a bell to where your next clue will be."

Putting the lollipop and the pocket watch in the envelope the woman pressed the first floor button, completely forgetting about the glass of water she was going to get and the work that had to be done. Little did the rosette now that two of the males she worked with were smirking as they saw the elevator doors close. When she reached the first floor she paced back and forth in front of the reception desk, mumbling under her breath trying to find her next destination. The clicking of her heels and constant sighing was driving the woman behind the desk insane. She had always thought Amu was a little annoying but she was crossing the line now. Letting out a frustrated growl the blonde seethed though clenched teeth, "Amu, what are you doing?"

A surprised squeak escaping her lips at the sudden voice the pinkette turned to see a red-faced Lulu. "Oh Lulu I didn't see you. Was I bothering you?," asked the pinkette with a smile, oblivious to the fact that she was indeed bothering the blonde. With a disbelieving look Lulu shook her head and resigned to the fact that she wouldn't get anything positive from being angry, "That aside, can I help you with your obvious problem?"

The rosette's eyes lit up at the offered help as she scurried to the blonde's side and showed her the note. "I can't figure out what this is pointing to," explained Amu as she rubbed her neck sheepishly, "I was never good with riddles." Giggling a little at the woman's actions Lulu read the note and with a small smile and bluntly said, "It's talking about ice cream obviously." The pinkette looked at her in shock, "Are you serious?" Could this girl really be that dense? "Of course I'm serious. Look lactose-intolerant, dessert, hot days. It's pretty obvious," explained the blonde as she looked at the various reactions the pinkette was displaying. Feeling utterly stupid Amu laughed nervously before whispering, "Well thank you. Um so I'll see you later."

Already knowing where to go the pinkette left the building and an amused Lulu behind. Fast-walking to the ice cream parlor where Nagihiko worked her thoughts strayed back to the lollipop and pocket watch she had received. Shaking her head and deciding that the meaning of the two object would be explained later on she stopped midway and took of her heels before full-out running to the parlor. Huffing and puffing she arrived to the building.

Opening the door with a jingling of a bell she walked up the empty counter. Unknown to her was Nagihiko hiding behind the fridge hoping that the rosette would see the envelope and leave soon since his body was cramping up in the confined space he was in. Seeing no one and no envelope on the counter the pinkette turned to look around. She saw the white envelope with a little a little blue cup beside it on the booth she, Ikuto, and Akane had used. Taking the little tea cup and putting it in her coat pocket she proceeded to open up the envelope. Taking out the piece of paper she expected to be in there she read:

"Surrounded by benches and green trees I see pigeons eating and people enjoying. With water as clear as day, a beautiful sight I offer. Pennies as giving to me as wishes and as you wish your next clue will be with me."

"Water, trees, and pennies," muttered Amu as she exited the ice cream parlor. The woman observed her surroundings trying to look for what the note pointed too. Then she spotted the green foliage of trees from a park not very far away. "Trees," she whispered when her lips slowly formed a smile, " the fountain!"

She once again sprinted to the her new destination. Seeing the think forest green of the trees coming closer and closer she sped up her pace until she abruptly stopped in front of the fountain she suspected had her next clue. Starting to walk around the fountain she found the familiar envelope with her name on it. Eagerly opening it up she took out a chocolate bar and a the note to her next clue. Getting completely excited for the game she seemed to be playing the pinkette giggled before reading the note out loud, "I see little kids almost all day. Sliding down and flying up. With sand castles and bridges I welcome you to your childhood wishes. Here your next clue you will find."

A little confused by the 'riddle' once again the woman huffed in frustration. She went to sit down in a bench nearby when two kids ran past her. She continued to look at the kids with a smile as their forms became smaller and smaller. Turning once again to the note the words 'childhood' caught her attention. Glancing to where the kids had disappeared she rubbed her chin in thought. "Sand and kids all day," muttered the rosette, "Could it be…"

She stood up and slowly trotted to where the kids had disappeared to, with her heels, the notes, and the other items in her hands. She reached a fork on the way, and now longer being able to see the kids she didn't know which way to take. Her pinks locks swaying with the slight breeze Amu eyed the letter once again and decided to take the right path. After all if there wasn't anything there she could go back and take the left. Reaching the end of the path she stopped at a little hill but nothing was there. She turned back and reaching the fork once again she took the other path. Soon she could hear distant laughter. Thinking that maybe that was her destination she started fast-walking .

Reaching the play-ground with swings, sand box, and a slide she looked around. "Mommy!," exclaimed a little pinkette as she rushed to the woman. "Akane? What are you doing here?" asked Amu bewildered by seeing her daughter at the park and no Ikuto around to watch her, "Where's Ikuto?" She was about to take the girl in her arms but Akane shoved the basket she had grabbed that morning in her mom's face. Taking the basket from the smiling girl, the woman opened it to see a plate with pancakes in it. Okay the things she was receiving today were a little unusual for a gift. "Why did you…," started the rosette while raising her head to look at her daughter, but no replica of her could be found. Starting to panic she was about to yell for her but a distant 'Mommy' was heard and she spotted the girl a some meters away. Following the girl up the path took the basket and the rest of her belongings with her.

They reached a small clearing with a bench surrounded by flowers, and on the bench was the blue-haired man she was imparting the silent treatment on. "Daddy!," exclaimed Akane as she pointed to her mom who was completely confused with what was going on. Ikuto in turn turned around and smiled when he saw the woman with all his little 'presents'.

"Ikuto, did you do all this?" she asked as she raised her hands that were full with all the notes and items she had found that day. The man just nodded as he walked up to her and Akane walked a little fyrther away from the two but still in hearing range. "Why? I don't get this," stated the rosette confusion plaguing her eyes. The man chuckled as he suddenly brought her to his chest, "You're finally talk to me."

Pulling herself away from his hold the pinkette was blushing madly as she tried to form a sentence. A few seconds of opening and closing her mouth she responded with a small glare, "Psh as if." The man laughed and shook his head, stubborn as mule. "Do you want me to explain?" offered Ikuto a smirk playing on his lips and his eye shining with amusement. It was always a sight to see the woman frustrated and acting as if she didn't care at all when it was the opposite. Her golden eyes stared at the things she was holding, her body telling her that she should just walk away and ignore the man but her mind implying the opposite, that she should clear up and her confusions and just listen o him. Letting out the air she was unknowingly holding in causing her bangs to fly upwards she muttered a small, "Fine."

The man chuckled and rubbed his neck, quite nervous for what he was about to do. "Okay so this," he started taking the lollipop from her hands, "is representing your sweet and caring nature. I know a little cheesy seeing that lollipops are always sweet." The woman looked at him and for the first time in her life saw a little tint of pink gracing his cheeks. A small smile crawled its way to her lips and she nodded asking him to continue. "The pocket watch," he said as he played with the said item in his big hands, "is for time. Time we have spent together and time we will hopefully spend together, time that we lost when you went away and time that we enjoyed when you got back."

Her eyes started to sting but she controlled her emotions and slightly nodded her head. She raised the tea cup next and handed to him. "The tea cup is for memories. Memories that we had, like at the amusement park when we were younger, the dancing tea cups," he chuckled as he remembered he barely fit on the huge cup but he continued, "and memories we will create if you let me." Biting her lip trying to contain the tears in her eyes she nodded once again as she continued to stare at the small blue tea cup.

The man reached for the chocolate bar and he played with it in his hands for a few seconds. "This chocolate is for the warm feelings you create in me," smiled as he placed the bar in her hand again and held it in his, "You know how chocolate usually makes you feel good and happy, that's how you make me feel only better." She looked up at him through blurry eyes as he looked down at her with a sincere smile his blue eyes shining brightly.

Continuing with his explanation he grabbed the pancake full basket from her and said, "And pancakes according to our little angel are how you show her you love her, so here I give you a basket full of them." Amu couldn't contain her tears anymore so she rubbed at her eyes as a few laughs escaped her lips. "Ikuto," she started only to be interrupted by the said man, "I haven't finished." Looking at him with wide eyes, "There's more?" The man just nodded as he took her hand and reached for something in his pocket. Finding the velvety square item he was looking for her chuckled and closed his eyes. Opening them up again he could her the small squeals coming from his daughter and the beating of his heart in his ears. It was now or never.

"And this," he said opening up the box in front her, revealing a silver ring with a medium sized diamond in the middle, "ring, if you accept it, is a promise of handing myself to you forever. A promise of committing myself to you. A promise of loving you with all my heart and all my being. A promise that I hope you will cherish and give back with as much joy as I will do."

The woman laughed as new tears sprung from her eyes as she covered her mouth. She pinched herself suddenly, believing all was a dream seeing how her day had being. But no the pain was as real as the happiness she was feeling. "So?" asked Ikuto as he took out the ring from its box and lifted it up to his eyes. The rosette laughed again before jumping on the man and exclaiming an exciting, "Yes!"

"Really?" asked Ikuto incredulous to the whole thing. He was hoping for her to say yes but he wasn't really expecting her to accept for some unknown reason. "Yes dummy!," exclaimed the woman punching him lightly on the shoulder. The man laughed before taking her hand and with shaking hands placing the ring on her ring finger. He took her in his arms kissing the crown of her head as she laughed in his chest sending the vibrations down his spine.

Cheering brought them back to the real world as they both turned to look at their daughter fist-pumping the air and jumping excitedly. Ikuto bent down and opened his arms wide for her to jump and embrace him, "We did it!" The girl smiled and nodded, "We did it!", she repeated as she ran towards him. Amu all the while laughing and happy tears rolling down her eyes as she fanned her hands in front of her eyes trying to control her blush.

"Mommy!," exclaimed the girl as she wound one arm around each parents neck, bringing both of them together. His midnight blue eyes met with her honey-colored eyes but they soon turned away shyly before chuckling lightly. A few minutes later they put Akane down and started walking aimlessly.

"Did you really have to make me run all round?" asked Amu out of the blue. The man just shrugged his shoulders, "No but you have to admit that it was special." The woman giggled and turned to look at Akane who was a few feet ahead and skipping. "It was," she replied humming. Ikuto smirked and flung his head to the side his bangs swaying with the motion, "But you know that's all part of my charm." The rosette rolled her eyes at his conceitedness, "You wish."

He was about to retort but his phone rand answering it with a small 'hello' he stopped walking to which Amu did too. "Hey dude did it work?" asked the other voice quite loudly. "Yes Kukai it did," replied Ikuto bluntly. "Awesome. See guys he told you it would work?" said the brunette before he hung up without a 'goodbye'. Shaking his head the man put away his phone before being startled by a small fingers lacing up with his own. He looked down at the pinkette with an eyebrow raised.

"I love you," she stated with a smile that was turned into a twitching one. "Took you long enough to say that," stated Ikuto with a smirk, but his concealed ears and the nape of his neck red from the sudden confession. Noticing the glare the man ruffled her hair, "I was just kidding. I love you too," he whispered before lowering his head and kissing her full lips sweetly.

Blushing she huffed crossing her arms before pushing him. A stunned look on his face he looked at her, but she just smiled and motioned him to look ahead. Waiting for them was the little pinkette waving her arms. Ikuto gained his footing again he ran towards his little angel who started running away and screaming in joy. Sighing Amu dashed behind them but not before looking at the ring on her hand with a splendid smile. She was glad she had come back.

The End

Yes so this was the last chapter. I hope you liked it:) I might do an epilogue I'm still not sure.

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