A/N: We will end everything here. You might say, it's the second ending ;)

Chapter 36. Surprises!

Sachiko frowned as she tore her gaze from the computer screen.

Did she just hear a sob?

Puzzled, she looked around the library. Her gaze settled on a small figure hunched on the other table. She had completely forgotten about her presence as she was immersed in her work. Yana had insisted to stay with her so that she had company while working. Yana was with her for an hour already, doing her assignments.

"What's wrong, Yana?" Sachiko asked worriedly as she stood and went to Yana's side and held her daughter's small shoulders.

Yana wiped her tears as more fell from her eyes and looked at Sachiko worriedly.

"I'm sorry, Mommy Love. I didn't mean to ruin it," Yana said as she threw her arms around Sachiko.

Confused, Sachiko hugged Yana and looked around to see what the fuss was about. Her eyes settled on the table and a few books that were damp.

"I wet your books with my water," Yana said, sobbing in her stomach.

"It's okay. It was my fault because I didn't return those books at the shelf," Sachiko said soothingly.

"But they look ugly now," Yana said sadly.

Sachiko smiled.

"Don't worry. We will buy new ones and replaced those books."

"O-okay then."

Sachiko wiped Yana's tears and then let go of her and held her hand.

"Let's see what your Mommy is doing. She's baking a cake, right?"

At once, Yana's face brightened. Sachiko couldn't help but giggle. Yana was still such a child. Together, they left the library to look for Yumi. When they saw the latter, she was also looking for them.

"Let's have a picnic," Yumi suggested when she saw Sachiko and Yana.

"Yay picnic!" Yana exclaimed happily.

Both Sachiko and Yumi chuckled at Yana's excitement. The little girl was already out the door. Smiling, the adults followed their little girl when the ringing of her mobile phone called for Sachiko's attention.

"I'll follow you outside," Sachiko told Yumi as she attended to the phone call.

"Father?"

That was the only word Yumi heard from Sachiko before she had walked outside to follow Yana. She wondered what the call was about, but her attention was immediately diverted to her daughter. She had to watch over Yana or else who knew where she would go or what she would get herself into.

Once they reached their usual destination when they had picnics, Yumi placed a blanket under a tree at a particular place in their property which was overlooking the lake.

After several minutes of watching Yana playing around, Yumi started to worry about Sachiko. And when the latter showed up after a few more minutes, she sighed with relief, only to frown again when she saw Sachiko's calm expression. Sachiko hardly used that expression anymore when she was with her and Yana. Something must have happened.

As soon as Sachiko was seated beside her, Yumi grasped Sachiko's left hand and squeezed it gently.

Sachiko immediately understood the gesture. Yumi had noticed that something was up, but she would wait for her to be ready to talk. It brought a fleeting smile to her lips. Yumi knew her very well.

"Father called," she started. She saw at the corner of her eyes as Yumi nodded, conveying that she was listening.

"Grandfather had his last will and testament changed," Sachiko continued.

That news made Yumi frown and turn to Sachiko with quizzical eyes.

Sachiko cleared her throat before she said the words that truly surprised Yumi.

"He made me his heir to the Ogasawara fortunes."

It was something that they were not expecting after defying the old man, after all that had happened between the three of them. After their visit several months ago asking forgiveness and in turn giving their forgiveness to the old man, they hadn't talk to him again.

"But only 50 percent," Sachiko continued.

Yumi's frown deepened.

"25 percent is to Father and Mother, with the provision that I will inherit it at their death. Another 10 percent to our relatives…" Sachiko trailed off. She gazed at Yumi intently.

"W-what?" Yumi asked anxiously. There was something in Sachiko's eyes that made her heart beat quickly. Not the normal quick heartbeat when they were being tender and intimate with each other but rather something that she couldn't describe. Yet.

"You know, I think it's his way of asking for forgiveness and at the same time giving us his forgiveness. He's just too proud to say sorry so he did what he did," Sachiko said slowly.

"You are the true heir after all so…" Yumi trailed off. There was the look in Sachiko's eyes again, as if she couldn't really believe everything. She squeezed Sachiko's hand and tried to say something but Sachiko beat her.

"Though money couldn't buy what we had lost, I guess it's just fitting. After all, your partner is an Ogasawara," Sachiko said mysteriously, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

"What? Please be more specific," Yumi said, confused.

Sachiko smiled.

"The remaining 15 percent will be to my love, with the provision that it will be transferred to me if that person left me," Sachiko said, gazing intently at Yumi again.

"Your love? Huh?" Yumi said confusedly and jealously.

Sachiko lifted her free hand to cover her lips as she stifled her laughter. Yumi's expression was just too funny to hold on her mirth.

"Yes, my love."

Wide-eyed, Yumi stared at Sachiko incredulously.

"I don't see what's so funny, Sachiko. You…"

It was too much for Sachiko. She burst out laughing, making Yumi glare at her with red cheeks.

Yumi couldn't really believe it. Was Sachiko playing with her? But Sachiko wasn't so cruel to do that to her.

"Well, you don't have plans on leaving me, have you, my love?" Sachiko asked when she was able to control her laughter.

Yumi ignored Sachiko's teasing as she asked the question that was nagging her.

"Y-you mean, h-he'll give me an i-inheritance, too?"

Sachiko nodded.

"You're kidding right?"

Sachiko shook her head.

"You're having fun at my expense, aren't you?"

Sachiko nodded.

"I don't need money!" Yumi blurted.

"Of course. You already have me, so what do you need the money for?" Sachiko asked with raised brows, her countenance a bit smug.

Yumi rolled her eyes and then she became thoughtful and said, "Yes, that would be useful. I'll use that money to get away from someone who's so arrogant, scary, intimidating, demanding and…"

"Weren't you listening, love? If you leave me, your inheritance will be transferred to me?" Sachiko said with a confident smile.

"Right. I'll use it to cheat on you instead," Yumi said, giggling when Sachiko just scoffed at her.

"You'll never do that. It wouldn't even cross your mind, I can assure you that. You love me too much to do that," Sachiko said confidently.

Yumi sighed.

"This is my entire fault. You're arrogant already when I met you and now I've fed it up and made it grow and…hmp…Ahh!!"

Sachiko shut Yumi with a searing kiss. When she pulled away, she tickled Yumi.

"H-hey! Not fair! Sachiko!"

Gaining an upper hand, Sachiko made Yumi squirm and laugh to tears.

"I want to join, too!" Yana exclaimed when she saw the ruckus. She immediately joined Sachiko in tickling Yumi.

When finally Sachiko let Yumi rest, Yumi pulled Yana to her and tickled her.

"You traitor. You should have been my ally," Yumi said as Yana squealed and squirmed.

"I'm sorry, Mom! Mommy Love help!" Yana shrieked.

Laughing, Sachiko pulled Yana away from Yumi's grasp. For some time, the three of them laughed as they basked at the presence of each other. That was, until a little rumbling sound caught their attention. Sachiko looked at Yumi quizzically, but Yumi was equally puzzled. Both of them turned their attention to the young girl beside them and couldn't help but giggle at her flushed cheeks.

"Hungry?" Yumi asked with a laugh.

Yana smiled sheepishly as she nodded.

The three of them enjoyed a sumptuous snack. Afterwards, Yana fell asleep in Sachiko's lap.

For a long time, the two women who remained awake were quiet, just taking a look at their surrounding. Normally, either or both of them would be joining Yana. However, their minds were too busy thinking that napping didn't even cross their minds.

"You weren't lying earlier, were you?" Yumi said, breaking the silence. She didn't need Sachiko's answer, though, because Sachiko would never lie to her about something important like that.

"You're going to accept it, right?" Sachiko asked in return.

"I don't think…" Yumi trailed off when Sachiko grasped her hand. "You want me to accept it?"

"Whether you accept it or not, he had done it already. Besides, I'm sure it's his way of accepting everything."

"I would hurt his feelings if I disagree…" Yumi said with a sigh. She didn't need all that money. All that she needed and wanted, she had them already.

"What are we going to do with all that money?"

"Why worry about it? I'm sure we'll find its use later. For Yana's future, for example," Sachiko said as she gazed at their daughter sleeping peacefully and cutely at her lap.

Sachiko was right. She shouldn't think too much about it. Shifting her thoughts, Yumi reached for Yana and gently combed her hair with her fingers.

"So what happened to her earlier? When you came to find me?" Yumi asked curiously.

Sachiko frowned, before she laughed softly at the memory.

"Just some wet and ugly books, that's all."

"She overreacted, didn't she?" Yumi said, shaking her head with a smile.

"Yes."

"And became hysterical," Yumi continued with a mischievous glint in her eyes which Sachiko missed because she was looking at Yana.

"Almost."

"Sounds like someone I know," Yumi said nonchalantly.

"Really?...Hey!" Sachiko protested when she realized who Yumi was referring to.

Yumi laughed.

"I would have agreed if I'm still like that, but I have changed already you know," Sachiko said with a smile.

"Are you sure?" Yumi teased.

"Perfectly sure, my love," Sachiko said confidently.

"I guess you're right, love," Yumi conceded, gazing at Sachiko tenderly.

Noticing the change in Yumi's tone, Sachiko turned to her and smiled before looking back at Yana.

For quite some time, silence enveloped them.

"I was thinking, Yumi."

"Hmm?"

"Maybe we should give Yana a sibling to play with. It's quite sad growing up alone," Sachiko suggested seriously.

"You're right…Huh? Sibling?" Yumi asked as Sachiko's words sank in.

"I hope he will agree as donor," Sachiko muttered as she pondered about her suggestion.

"Sachiko…you…"

"Since me, the boss, is indispensable at the company, prepare yourself for a long vacation, Yumi," Sachiko teased, though there was seriousness underneath her words.

"Why?" Yumi asked in confusion.

"Simple. I won't allow you to work while pregnant. What would happen to our next child if you stressed out from work?" Sachiko said firmly.

"W-what?!"

"Then we will have another person to spend our money," Sachiko continued.

"Eh?!!"

"What do you want? A boy or a girl? Or we could have both."

"Sachiko!!"

Happy laughter and protests erupted in the clearing, joining the quiet sounds of the wind and the leaves of the trees brushing each other. If the one laughing was determined, then no doubt that her suggestion would happen in the future. However, they still need to talk about it, thoroughly. The one protesting would have to argue her point about it first…

Or did she really have to? Another child to care for and spoil would be nice…

---Wakas---

A/N: Finally we reached the end! I'll surely miss Yana! And Sachiko and Yumi, too!

I guess this story turned out to be the longest one I ever had. Before, it was barely a hundred pages in my file, now it's over 100! This might be the last one ;) …last long story. I don't think I'll write something that long again! Though, who knows what will happen in the future…

Thank you to those who had taken time to read and review. I hope you had fun despite the shortcomings and the sad beginning of the story. I know I can't please everyone (which I did not hope in this story, in any of my stories, or in my life, because it's impossible!) so the stories and the notes are always for those who are enjoying ;) Thanks for the patience and to the fun that we had shared ;)

…

I just remembered, it has been a year since I posted my first story. I've completed 18 stories, and my 19th is on-going…I'm glad that I joined here and decided to post a story. I've gained a lot of friends…Had laughed, smiled, grinned, and frowned on the reviews/messages I got….

Heck I sounded like I'm leaving!...

…which might actually happen after I completed posting my other story…

…but only for a while so don't worry too much, you, who still want to read stories from me. After all, I still have a few Excapades to post ;)

Now then, I'm saying goodbye to this story ;)

---Arvendell---

19 January 2009

4:30 PM