Disclaimer: I do not own "Ouran High School Host Club" or any of the characters in this wonderful manga/anime in any way.

Shelter in the Storm

Previously in chapter thirty six: The young mother looked at the couple and smiled, "Give it time. Don't get in too big of a rush, because I can tell that you two will be together for a while. Don't laugh at second sight. Just accept that I can tell that you two are defiantly going to be together for a while… happily together at that. But I have to go get a certain young man in the bath and ready for bed before his father gets home. Thank you again for taking care of Hikari for me. And good luck!" She took her son's hand and they left. Takeshi called for the limo to pick them up and they headed back to the house.

Chapter Thirty Seven

Although he didn't want the night to end, Takeshi was almost giddy at the fact someone had thought that they were a newly-weds. He was also not one to give 'second sight' a second though, usually. But tonight, hearing someone say that they would happily be together for a long time had given his heart wings. Maybe he didn't need to worry about Kyoya after-all. Plus, he would never admit it, not even to himself, but he was glad that young Hikari had interrupted them, because he didn't know which side was going to win of his inner battle. This way, he was able to not overstep any lines, for which he was grateful. The next two weeks having her at the house was going to be a test of his willpower and morals, but he felt that he was up for the battle.

When they two returned to Takeshi's home, Haruhi went to bathe and get ready for bed, but Takeshi's mother caught him as he was on his way to his room. She had seen the ring on Haruhi's hand as she walked past, and there were many questions to ask her son. He filled her in on all the details. One thing about the Morinodzuka family, they were a tight knit family who shared everything… well almost. He told his mother how Kyoya had reacted, about the conversation he had with Haruhi just before they were interrupted, and about how they had found and cared for the young boy as well as what his mother told them. The only thing that he didn't tell his mother was what they had been doing when Haruhi noticed the interruption. That was something he didn't feel his mother needed to be privy to.

Although she wanted to make sure that her son was thinking things through before giving the girl a ring, she was proud of the way he had handled the evening's events. The only thing she was concerned about was the way her son had explained the ring to the Otori boy. She had heard about his ability to manipulate things to his liking over the years that he and her son had been in the host club together. She was concerned that he would still attempt to change Haruhi's mind. That will just not do. I know that Takeshi could probably have another intelligent beauty on his arm in a matter of days if he chose to, but I like this kid. She reminds me of me when I was her age. Well maybe not since I wasn't as ambitious as she seems to be. I just knew who I wanted to be with and made marrying Morinodzuka Akira my priority. She seems to have her eyes set on a much larger prize, since she wants to be a lawyer. She's got spunk, though, that's for sure. Yes, it was obvious that Takeshi's mother wanted to see her son make his girlfriend a part of the family. The last thing Takeshi told his mother was how Haruhi had set his mind at ease. She had told him that she would not be going anywhere, unless he pushed her away. He smiled as he told his mother that that was just not going to happen. There was no way that he would let her get away that easily.

That night Takeshi dreamed of walking the park path with a child of their own between them, much like they had done while helping young Hikari. He could already see what their children would look like. As with most every night since her attack, Haruhi woke from a nightmare of the attack once again. She made her way to the kitchen to get herself some soothing tea, only to find that she was not the only one awake that early morning. Takeshi's mother was also in the kitchen making her self some tea as well. When she saw Haruhi in the doorway, she instantly grabbed another tea cup. The two chatted amicably while sipping on their tea and nibbling on shortbread cookies.

Finally, the curiosity was too much to bear. She knew that she could trust her son and his judgment. However, she didn't know if she believed what he said about Haruhi's words. It was too much for her to bear, so she asked the girl, "Haruhi, may I ask you something rather personal?"

"Certainly, what is it?"

"My son tells me that you had another suitor that you also had feelings for, is that true?"

"Well, it's true that I did care for Takeshi and Kyoya-senpai equally at one point. But since Takeshi confessed to me, I have grown to care more for him than I ever thought that I could. Kyoya is still a very special person to me, but I don't love him the way I love Takeshi. I will tell you what I hope that I got across to your son. The only way that I would ever consider leaving Takeshi is if he tells me to go away. At that point, I would rather leave and maintain a friendship that to have him walk out of my life forever. Like I told him tonight, I am not the flighty type of girl who flits and flirts from one boy to another. I have never been like that, and have no plans of starting to act like that now." Geez, maybe you should go wake up your younger son and your husband so I can tell them too. What is with this family? They both asked me the same question?

That answer was good enough. She was a good and caring mother who was only trying to look out for her eldest son. She was also a woman who believed that her 'woman's intuition' was usually dead on the spot, so she trusted Haruhi. That girl is going to make a fine addition to our family one day. I can already tell. Plus she already has Mitsukuni's admiration. What more could a wife of Takeshi need?

They were walking back to the rooms together when the elder of the two asked, "So what woke you up?"

"A Nightmare. I get them about twice a night now, which is actually better than it used to be. I would be woken up at least five or six times a night a month ago. They aren't as bad now either. I would wake up in a cold sweat, unable to use my voice even though it felt like I was screaming at the top of my lungs. Now mostly I wake up before I get to the screaming part."

"Oh, you poor dear. Are you ok? Is there anything I can do for you?"

"No, I just get me a drink of water and go back to bed. The doctors tell me that it will take some time to get over what I have been through. I know that as well. It's not like I just scraped my knee or something. I just have to be patient and hope that my recovery goes the way the doctors seem to believe that it is going." They walked to their respective doors, and bid each other a good night.