Haruhi was making lunch when she heard the doorbell ring. Her eyebrows knitted together before she washed her hands. The pregnant woman went to answer the door with curiosity mounting.
"Haru-chan!" Honey exclaimed as he threw himself at her. She stepped backwards a bit before she hugged him just as tightly. "Let's play! I missed you, Haru-chan!"
"I missed you too Honey-senpai," she said, laughing. "You're so tall now!"
"Aw," Honey pouted "My height caught up with me after all!"
"What are you doing here?" she asked, curious. "You didn't have the time to visit me anymore…"
"There's a school holiday! Takashi and I wanted to see you so much!" Honey looked back to smile at his elder cousin. Mori smiled back. He then turned sparkling brown eyes to Haruhi. "Aw! We're so happy to see you! You too, baby!"
They all stared when Honey leaned down and patted her swollen stomach very gently. "We can't wait to see you. You should be very pretty like your Mommy…" he cooed.
She looked past the golden-blond haired boy to see the rest of the Host Club behind him. Mori was smiling serenely. Hikaru was standing next to Kasanoda with an amused smile. Her eyes scanned the group before she realized that they were missing two members…
"Where's Kaoru?" Haruhi asked, looking straight at the dark-haired twin.
Hikaru shrugged. "He's away."
"But you never separate," she murmured when Honey let her go. The girl stepped back and let them in. But she didn't move until Hikaru came in. "Where is he?"
"Kaoru went to help Mother in the atelier," the lonely twin answered. He stared into her worried eyes. "Don't worry."
Haruhi sighed. "You're so obvious."
Hikaru looked flustered. He looked away so that he won't meet her steady gaze. It was a crazy plan. He was the one who thought it up but he didn't know if it would work. "I don't know what you're talking about."
They went quiet. The other three had settled themselves quite comfortably on the living room and was watching television. Mori had left a big box of chocolate cake and sweets on the kitchen counter. She was surprised that they were comfortable enough to move around her house as though they owned the place.
"Checking up on Tamaki, are you?" she said point-blank. "I figured as much. You guys never go too far from each other if you can help it…"
"You're almost due," he said helpfully. "He's got to know sometime."
She glared at him.
Hikaru flinched.
"I know that," Haruhi snapped. "I was going to tell him soon…"
"When you're in the delivery room, maybe," Hikaru retorted. He crossed his arms. "You're our friend. We care about you. That's why Kaoru and I did it. No, don't get mad at me like that. We had to do it. Even Kyouya-senpai agreed…"
"Kyouya!" She looked up at him in silent outrage. "W-What did he tell you to do this time?"
The dark-haired twin raised an eyebrow at the loss of diminutive. He wondered why he ever thought he had a chance. With two opponents like Tamaki and Kyouya, he had no shot at all. It was so unfair.
"Nothing," he lied.
Haruhi glared at his back, hands on her hips. She was furious! They didn't have a right to go to France and tell her lover that he had to go back home because she was pregnant. As far as she knew, that was not qualified as a good reason.
Not when she wasn't as important as his dying mother.
"What about Kyouya-senpai?" she asked, deliberately calm. "Where is he?"
The boys exchanged nervous glances. It was Mori who spoke up. "He's busy. He said he's sorry he can't see you today."
Haruhi ignored the fleeting pang of pain. Without Kyouya around, she felt unbalanced. It was not right. If he wasn't around, she wasn't sure. She forced a smile when she noticed the boys staring at her.
She closed the door behind her.
"We've got a gift for you, Haru-chan, but we don't have it now!" Honey said brightly. He winked at the blushing young woman as he got up to follow her to the kitchen. "Do you have a crib for your baby?"
Haruhi shook her head. She returned to chopping the vegetables. Flushing, she murmured "I haven't started setting up the room yet. It's rather hard because I don't know what to do…"
"We'll help you!" Honey volunteered. He took her hands and stared up at her eyes seriously. She was delighted and surprised by his firm grip. "Do you want to do it on the weekend? We'll be very glad to help you out!"
"But I don't have any money to redecorate…" she mumbled, blushing hard in embarrassment. It was an abstract idea to the rich young men. Poverty might be a hard concept to grasp when they were wealthy. "It's all right. Daddy and I have some plans though…"
Honey shook his head firmly.
"You should know that you can't stop the Host Club," Hikaru said, grinning mischievously. "We'll decorate your bedroom to become more baby-friendly. Leave it to us."
"I'd be glad to help, Fujioka," Kasanoda said straightforwardly. He even smiled. "Maybe you can use my toys when I was a kid. The samurai my father lent to me. Was a good training tool…"
"That's morbid, Bossa Nova-chii," Hikaru teased. "That kid might learn to kill before learning to walk."
"I'm so sorry!"
Haruhi smiled as her heart welled up with gratitude. They were always so kind to her. She couldn't believe that she was so lucky to have friends like them. Then she remembered that she missed them a lot.
Home-schooling was not bad but she truly missed going to school.
She rubbed her stomach tenderly. Ryoji had agreed to let her go back after the baby was born. He wanted to be the doting grandfather to compete with the Suohs no doubt. It seemed like a long time ago when she used to joke and hang out with them.
"You're pretty, Haru-chan," Honey said gently. "Tama-chan is lucky."
"T-Thank you Honey-senpai," she murmured, blushing lightly. The college freshman gave out compliments to everyone like they were candies. He was always so confident and so cute; he lived with the knowledge that he was always loved. "That boosted my self-esteem."
"When are you due?" Kasanoda asked, curious. His bright brown eyes stared at her expectantly. Seeing his thin and boyish ex-crush wearing an apron over a yellow baby-doll dress was still a pleasant shock. She suited motherhood very well.
Haruhi continued on her cooking. With a grin, she said "Around the sixteenth or maybe earlier… Who knows? Murasaki-sensei mentioned that I should be prepared beforehand."
"Aren't you excited?" Honey jumped in, chuckling. He gazed at her fondly. "I know I am!"
"Sure you are," Haruhi nodded. "Can you put these into the pot?"
Seeing that Honey was the only one who tried to help her cook, she seized the opportunity. It was slightly hard to move as quickly as she used to when there was a child swimming in amniotic fluid inside her. But it was great because Honey didn't even complain.
Kasanoda also got up to help. Hikaru and Mori remained seated in the table. They were content to watch the three run the kitchen. It was a sight that they missed. Haruhi lost her sad and tired look. They watched her become happier while she basked in their attention.
"I can't wait either," Haruhi smiled. "I can't wait to meet this little baby."
"Don't you know the gender yet?" Honey asked, frowning a bit. "When you went to Kyouya for ultrasound, didn't you have the chance to find out?"
She nodded. "But I chose not to. I want it to be a surprise."
"We ended up buying equal amounts of boy and girl baby clothes," Hikaru let out a long-suffering sigh. "She drove us crazy."
"You drove me crazy," the pregnant young woman retorted "I'm never going shopping with you and Daddy ever again. The baby doesn't need three closets worth of clothes…"
Honey and Kasanoda laughed.
"What will you name it?" Mori asked suddenly.
Haruhi stopped stirring the soup. She looked at the steaming liquid thoughtfully. Now that she thought about it, she didn't have a name for the baby yet. It was quite strange because expectant mothers always went into a frenzy of choosing baby names.
She wanted Tamaki to name it with her.
Honey noticed the sadness returning into her eyes so he perked up. Deliberately cheerful, he said loudly "I can't wait to start decorating! Do you like bunnies, Haru-chan?"
She nodded.
"It's settled!" the brown-haired freshman laughed "I'll lend Usa-chan to you if you need him when you give birth. He'll calm you down, I promise!"
Haruhi smiled. Deep inside her heart, she knew she needed Tamaki to stay calm.
oOoOoOo
An evening in Paris was just what she needed.
Renge watched the City of Lights pass by through the limousine window. It was a beautiful night with sparkling stars that competed with the famed city lights. The Eiffel Tower glittered in the distance.
The car drove smoothly through the traffic to bring her to one of the most fashionable hotels in the city. It was de rigueur for the elite society to host the grandest and most sumptuous events. Even though it was just a class reunion for an exclusive private boarding school for girls, it was a formal black-tie event.
She sighed as she stared at her reflection. When she was younger, she hated attending those kinds of events. She didn't like mingling and chatting with people in parties although she was required to. Her father was kind. He spared her from it as soon as she learned to refuse.
Her life was not all sunshine and roses either. Without a mother, she grew up in the hands of an old nursemaid. She loved the old woman until she had to retire. Then her father sent her away to boarding school.
Renge was lonely so she learned to cope with her father's constant business trips by playing games. Fascinated with her Japanese origins, she took lots of trips to Japan and acquired an extensive collection of games and anime. Her fashionable French friends didn't understand it but she didn't care. She slowly drifted away from them.
Thus she was known as Renge the recluse.
It didn't matter anymore. She loved Ouran more. At least she knew she had true friends there.
"We're almost there," the kindly old chauffer said. He'd been in their family's service for years so she was quite grateful to him. The old man had been very kind to her by buying her ice cream or brownies to calm her down whenever they brought her father to the airport.
"Thank you," she murmured. Her eyes landed on her sleek pink cell-phone. It was blinking furiously. She opened it to check on her messages to drive away her nervousness.
A smile lit up her face as she read the sender. Kaoru.
Where are you? It asked.
She typed back hurriedly, I'm almost there. See you.
The brown-haired girl was happy that she had the chance to spend some time with the twin. He was very nice and very sweet to agree to her proposition. She was glad that she could get to know him better while he was her escort.
Kaoru was waiting for her there.
Renge's heart was in her ears as the limousine drove up the driveway. She ran a hand through the smooth fabric of her dress and checked her reflection for the last time. It had been a long time since she last saw her old friends. She wanted to show them how much she'd changed.
"Thank you," she said aloud. The chauffer smiled back. A valet came forward and unlocked the door. She swung her legs sideward and planted her heels firmly on the pavement. A deep breath was exhaled.
Her brown eyes widened when a hand appeared beside her. She glanced up to see Kaoru standing there with a smile. He looked very handsome in his black suit and red tie that matched his hair. His hand closed around hers but his eyes never left her.
Renge looked down on her dress, suddenly self-conscious.
The classic scarlet red evening dress had a deep v-neckline and a pleated bodice that showed off her full breasts and tiny waist. The empire waist is accented with a large beaded diamond that glittered and sparkled; it was made of beautiful material that felt sleek to the touch. The sleek skirt is fitted through the hip then loosens to flow gracefully with the hem skimming the floor. She felt fiery and sultry like a seductress in heat.
"You look stunning," Kaoru breathed.
He'd seen it on her, of course.
But seeing it on her tonight with her hair in a chic chignon with diamonds glittering on her ears, she stole his breath away. She stood a good few inches taller than she usually did because of her impossible-to-stand in designer heels. He was quite pleased to see that she didn't wobble at all.
"Thank you," Renge murmured as they ascended the steps that led into the brightly lit lobby. They were led into one of the huge halls that were especially booked for the event. The couple walked among the beautiful and stylishly dressed people with ease.
Crystal chandeliers glittered like the jewels of the distinguished guests. Snow-white tablecloths covered round tables. Most of the guests had arrived. They lingered at the entrance before a waiter hurried forward to assist them.
Kaoru helped Renge into her chair before sitting down himself. Most of the women looked rather green when they stared at Renge. The redheaded young man was amazed again by the pettiness of women. But he glanced at his date and noticed that she was looking down at her hands.
"You're beautiful," he murmured huskily as he leaned closer to her. To others, they looked like they were exchanging intimidate words. "Don't mind them."
"Are you really all right with escorting me?" she whispered back.
"I won't be here if it wasn't," he replied, smiling handsomely. "Relax. I'm here."
They stopped talking when they noticed a waiter leading another guest to their table.
Kaoru's eyes widened as he recognized his design on her.
The elegant off-the-shoulder dress had a sexy sheer slip as the outer layer creating an alluring shimmering look. The strapless sweetheart bodice and a beaded empire waist brought the eyes towards the deep cleavage and the simple silver necklace with a diamond the size of a marble.
"Kanoya-chan," Rengre said, surprised. "It's wonderful to see you."
Kaoru stared at the new guest with interested eyes. She had silky shoulder-length black hair, creamy skin and amber eyes. His first thought was a sweet and innocent dove. But as he stared at her longer, he realized that she reminded him of someone…
"Hoshakuji-san," the other woman said with a sweet smile. "I'm so glad that we're on the same table."
"Oh, me too," the brown-haired girl turned to Kaoru "this is my date, Kaoru Hitachiin. Her name is Megumi Kanoya, an old friend of mine."
"Nice to meet you," Kaoru said with a smile.
The other women in their table sighed dreamily. He saw their dates look away. The twin didn't know if he should laugh or not. The class reunion was becoming a prime opportunity to network.
Their conversation was cut short when dinner was announced.
Kaoru turned to the agitated young woman. "Are you all right?" he asked softly.
Megumi smiled uncomfortably. "Y-Yes, thank you."
"You've been checking your phone since you came in," he observed. She looked up with her face red. Guilt was written all over her face. "Is there anything wrong?"
Renge glanced at her friend, slightly worried.
Megumi shook her head. "My date is late."
They nodded in understanding.
"I hope nothing's happened to him," she said quietly.
oOoOoOo
Tamaki was late, late, late!
He ran up the stairs of the venue after bolting out of the limousine. The party started over an hour ago. It wasn't his fault that his mother needed an emergency operation that afternoon and the hotel was at the other side of the city. Plus the traffic was terrible.
Yuzuru had calmed him down before reassuring him that it would be all right for him to attend the event. He made a promise to his friend. A promise was always a promise. Tamaki couldn't forget the stern look that his father gave him when he was reminded that he was a host. He was a host first and foremost! He couldn't neglect a young woman in need!
With a heavy heart, he left the hospital.
He straightened his tie, took a deep breath and mentally prepared himself to enter the hall. But before he could take another step, his cell-phone rang. The blond noticed the caller ID and immediately stepped out into the garden through the double doors to take the call.
"Haruhi!" he exclaimed. "My darling daughter, you called me!"
"Is there any law preventing me?" Haruhi retorted. He closed his eyes as he savored the sound of her voice. Knees weak, he sat down on of the benches and held the phone to his ear with trembling hands. "You haven't called me yet."
"I've been busy," he said wearily "but I'm sorry, my love. How are you?"
"All right for the most part," she answered grudgingly "but what about you? What's been keeping you busy?"
"Mother does," he answered gently. A deep breath before his mask broke down. With a broken voice he said, "She's in an operation right now. The doctors said that if they don't take the new tumor out as soon as possible, it might spread out even further. Then we can't save her at all…"
"The chemo didn't work," she breathed out. He couldn't stop the tears from falling. "I'm so sorry Tamaki…"
"I'm all right but she isn't. Father flew in when I called him. He's with her in the hospital… Oh God, Haruhi, I'm so scared!" Tamaki said in a frightened voice. His hands couldn't stop shaking. The sounds of the silverware, glass, strains of an orchestra and happy laughter seemed cruel to him. "She can't die yet… Not before she can be proud of me…"
"Oh, Tamaki," Haruhi said softly. He could hear the ragged sigh and the clenching fists. "I was just about to tell you that…"
He didn't hear anything after that.
"Tamaki-san!"
His attention was caught. The blond host turned to his left to see Megumi walking towards him. She walked as quickly as her high heels allowed her. He instantly noticed her worried expression and her tight grip on her cell-phone.
"I'm sorry," he murmured to Haruhi before he snaps the gadget shut. "Megumi-hime!"
"Where have you been? I've been looking all over for you." She said as her worry melted into relief. The black-haired girl sat down beside him with a relieved smile. "The concierge told me you arrived. Why didn't you come in?"
Tamaki smiled smoothly. There were no tears or sadness in his face anymore. He was still a host, wasn't he? "I had to take a call."
"Is Madame ill?" Megumi caught on immediately.
He nodded noncommittally. "Shall we go in? I hear a waltz coming on. Do you want to dance? I'd love to dance with a divinity like you…"
Megumi shook her head.
"I don't like dancing," she said quietly. Then she turned her amber eyes upwards to gaze up at the night. "I'd rather watch the moon with you."
Tamaki closed his eyes as he turned his face to the bright moon. He wished with all of his heart that it watched over his mother and lover too.
oOoOoOo
Haruhi stared at her cell-phone numbly.
He hung up on her.
The dark-haired girl bit her lip to prevent herself from crying aloud. Why did he do that? What was he playing at? Didn't he know she was just about to tell him something important?
She wanted to tell him already.
It didn't matter if his mother was admitted to surgery or that he was busy. She was tired of waiting. She couldn't afford to be patient anymore. The talk with the other Hosts made her realize that. Tamaki needed to be told. Tamaki needed to be here.
Anne-Sophie would get better. In a number of days, she would recover. Tamaki could go home. She knew that. He would come home as soon as his mother was well.
Haruhi told Yuzuru that she wanted to be the one to break the news. She wanted to show them that she was strong. She wanted to share the most mind-blowing news of their life. She was the lover. She was the mother. Haruhi deserved it.
But she was sorely disappointed by his actions.
If he loved her, he wouldn't do that. If he cared for her, he'd listen to what she had to say. If he was still faithful to her, he would come home…
Haruhi wanted him home.
Tamaki hung up the phone. Tamaki didn't want to hear it.
She started to cry. Kaoru must have told him! That was why he didn't want to hear it from her… Maybe he didn't even want to take the responsibility. Her crying got harder. Kyouya had even said that Tamaki was compromised…
The room went dark. She didn't even pause to light candles for the temporary power blackout. It was very late.
The front door opened.
Haruhi was still crying with her head on her arms in the small table when she felt warm hands on her back. She didn't know why but she felt instantly relieved to know that someone was there for her.
That someone was definitely not her father. She would've known by the sound of his high heels or the way he opened the door. She would've recognized the footsteps and the presence. Instead it was someone else.
Yet he was still welcome.
"Haruhi," Kyouya said as he stared at her. "What's the matter? Why are you crying?"
She longed for tenderness so she didn't stop herself. The shadow king let her rest her head on his chest to weep. He was warm and solid; he was so real. Her tears dampened the front of his expensive shirt. His scent- clean, faintly spicy- enveloped her in a familiar embrace.
Kyouya sat down to a more comfortable position with his legs stretched out on either side of her. His arms awkwardly wrapped around her. She didn't protest. He relaxed.
They stayed that way for a long time.
"Are you better now?" he asked very gently when he was sure that she was finished crying. His tone was as calm and straightforward as though he was asking her if she was finished with her meal. "What's wrong?"
"He doesn't want to talk to me," she hiccupped.
Kyouya gazed down at her reddened eyes, bright red cheeks and sad expression. He realized that it was his chance. The shadow king pushed her bangs aside and cupped the side of her face gently. His eyes were gentle.
There they were in the middle of the dark room with moonlight streaming in from an open window. She saw the glint of his glasses, the deep and knowing mystery of his eyes. She stared at the purity of facial features that made Kyouya gentle and vulnerable under the loving moonlight.
"I'm here," he said as he pulled her back to his embrace. The dark-haired man tightened his hold on her and kissed her head. "I'm here, Haruhi."
oOoOoOo
Kaoru and Renge had left the hall to get a breath of fresh air. It was a beautiful night. The hotel had served excellent champagne. Liquor flowed freely too. They both had a little too much to drink so they decided it was best to leave the party for a while.
As the red-headed twin supported his date, he wondered what to say to Tamaki tomorrow. It had been months since they last saw each other. He missed his blond friend. He laughed when he realized that he could tell him that Haruhi was pregnant…
They rounded on a corner of the maze made of tall bushes before they came upon an affecting scene. The two stopped in their tracks.
He squinted in the bright moonlight to see clearly.
What was he saying to Renge right before that? Ah, yes, a pregnant Haruhi was waiting for him. Tamaki should go home… Tamaki should be told. Kaoru should go to Tamaki...
In fact, there was Tamaki now. That was strange- Haruhi was with him. When did Haruhi have long shoulder-length hair? Wait, she was wearing the dress that he made…
Renge gripped his arm tightly. She gazed up at him with fierce brown eyes. In a hushed voice she said, "Isn't that Tamaki-sama?"
He nodded, not trusting his voice.
"Why is Kanoya-san with him?" she asked wonderingly.
Their eyes widened when they saw Tamaki get up. He was about to leave the garden when Megumi grabbed his arm. Then they couldn't believe their eyes at what they saw after that.
Kaoru's vision went red.
oOoOoOo
A/N: Hey everyone. Still sitting there? Good.
I'm very happy to read your reviews and your theories. It makes my day a lot. While it makes me sad to know that some of you are still stuck in school, I'm glad I can make it easy with an update. Work hard, everyone!
The chapter is dedicated to Ken-chan, Warrior Nun, PrincessJaded, Grey's Princess 2, PhantomoftheWickedCats,springblossem, Dark Inu Fan, LookOutShe'sGotAPen, aPpLecHeRrY, Ladyrouge21 and Bishounen_10! (Whew~!) I want to tell you guys how much I appreciate your reviews every chapter and all of your good comments. It keep me going, you know. Stay cool!
On to the message portion for our general questions…
Ken-chan: Wow! You love Kaoru too! I do! I think he just looks adorable next to Renge!
PandoraNC: Hi there! Thanks for making your presence known! KyouxHaru gets another vote! Yay!
PrincessJaded 2 and Warrior Nun: Yes, we all love to hate that granny.
Saphire766: Hi! You're back! Hehehe! Glad you liked Renge and Kaoru… Seems like everyone does… You'll have to wait and see what Kaoru can do though!
HitokiriHERO: You're baaack! I missed you! *glomps* Get ready for more!
Bishounen_10: Renge and Kaoru are becoming popular. Wow. It amazed me. Anyway, I'm very glad you love the story as much as we do!
GhibliGirl91: Well here it is. I don't want to kill you with suspense yet!!! But thank you for telling me what you liked!
Kmixan: Aw! You poor thing! School ate you alive, didn't it? Well, it gets complicated from here. What's your theory now? *smiles* Good luck on school work though!
BornOnTheBreakOfDawn: The inclusion of Kaoru and Renge was kind of an accident. But it worked out well. Now I have something new to fangirl over.
LookOutShe'sGotAPen: *laughs* wish granted!
Dark Inu Fan: The plot thickens now. Kaoru caught them!
HerMemoriesErased: You'll have to wait and see, my friend. Wait and see.
PhantomoftheWickedCats: Hi! Good luck on those lines! Renge and Kaoru are so cute!!
