The pair sat on the couch side by side, thighs touching as they decided how they were going to tell their children the news about their new relationship.
"I would like it to be a bit private. Most of your life is already public so I would like this to be something for us and not the press."
Besides that Misaki was already tired with the men waiting in the lobby, if they could crowd in front of her door they would but couldn't for security purposes.
She continued, "I mean, it is not like you are proposing to me." she joked and playfully slapped his chest as if hinting that would be a bad idea as of right now.
There was a glint in Takumi's emerald eyes, he was surprised at the fact that Misaki was enthusiastic with the idea. He pulled her closer to his chest and offered an idea, "A garden, a nice meal and then a walk in a garden. To bad we can't go today because of all the paparazzi crowding the entrance of my place."
Misaki leaned her cheek on his chest and smiled, "A garden sounds nice, I suggest we do it at your house, of course not today but hopefully next weekend. The only people there will be us and the service, the garden would do just fine."
Takumi frowned at the thought, "Next week? They are going to notice how our relationship changed. Also, maybe we shouldn't do it in the rose garden. It is to plain and the dead roses would be depressing to announce our new relationship to our children. You deserve more than a sad and lonely place."
Sadly, that was true. For some reason, every part of the mansion was well kept the trees were pruned and the grass was green but the garden of roses was a complete disaster. Each bud died as they choked without water, their lungs burned as the petals begged for it. Yet, no one cared to tend the roses as closely as the other plants in other areas. The rose arch withered away and the fountain covered in Moss no longer shining with the same light it once had. The right wing of the angel shattered by brute force, stopped the workers from paying any attention to that area. To bad such beauty was destroyed by a beauty herself.
Misaki nodded,"I know. Our relationship changed a long time ago, you would have to be blind not to see it. Besides, they already know. The girls called and demanded that I explain what was on the front cover of the magazine. We just haven't made things official yet, and I would feel much better if it came out of my mouth than from a stupid article. Though, I do deserve more than a dried up rose garden. Just a thought but, have you ever thought of changing the flowers?"
Takumi smiled smugly as he lifted her chin and pecked her lips. Although miniscule the soft and gentle kiss lit up her chest like a warm fire in the winter."What took you so long to see how we changed? By the way, what is your favorite flower?"
She kissed his cheek," I knew...I just didn't know what to do exactly although now I understand why those flowers dried. Roses are a sign of passion that like a fire burns bright and hot though, like a fire it eventually has to be put out. I like sunflowers and I think those are better suiting for the garden, like the sun is always in the sky our love with always be here." In embarrassment she buried her face in his shirt, "At least that is what I heard."
He caringly rubbed her back, and voiced his thoughts," And I thought I was the sappy one", he smiled as Misaki peeked up and placed a hand on his forehead, "You should go and lie down, you still feel warm."
He slipped his hands under her and carried her as he walked towards her bedroom, "I will, as long as you are next to me."
She smiled at his sappy filled words as they chipped away at her core. It was starting to become very difficult not to respond in the way her body craved than her mind it is nice to feel needed, wanted and loved again. She looked into his green eyes and without her mind's consent she nodded, her cheek pressed against his chest adding to the warm feelings already present between them. Sure, this was not the first time they were together on the same bed but, somehow this time was different. Maybe it was the fact that they are now dating, or maybe it was because each desired company from one another. Everything was just, different. Between them there was almost an unspoken vow each made to the other as physical intimacy did not mean sex and sex did not mean love, a concept that both adults finally are starting to understand from their own point of view.
As he laid her gently on the bed beside him he found himself smiling as she cuddled next to him which surprised him the more than Misaki's quiet consent for a kiss she gave yesterday. For once she was affectionate, of course she blushed with embarrassment but, for once she took the first step.
"What did you talk about with Gerald?" Misaki asked, curious to know the reason why Takumi looked troubled.
Takumi brushed it off by saying,"Oh, he called to inform me of a business trip I have to make to England."
"Really? When? Is it serious?",she said in concern.
"Next week, I'm leaving on Tuesday and I should be back by Sunday, it is nothing serious so don't worry. I just have to get a few things cleared up and then I can come back." he embraced her tightly for a second than flattered and asked, "Anything new happen to you?"
"Not really, I am still Tora's secretary but, he did give me an invitation for his wedding in a couple of months. Children are not allowed to attend because of the equipment of the press."
"A wedding sounds fun, I do not mind attending as well, if that was what you were hinting at?"
"It would be good if you attended the wedding of your best friend, he would love to see you there. I will give you the invitation so at least one of us can go." she smiled sincerely and just as she was going to pull away from him Takumi pulled her back to his chest.
"You are not going to attend?"
She smiled while shaking her head. "No, children can't attend and I do not want to go dress shopping again, I already have two dresses that I am never going to wear again and I do not need a third."
He began to rhythmically stroke her hair, "Everything is going to be okay if we leave them for a night, besides the wedding isn't until a few months so we can hold off the dress shopping till then. Also, before the time comes we can start looking for some babysitters and we are all set."
"Takumi." she said after chuckling, "I am the babysitter, remember?"
"Not anymore, you are my girlfriend." still stroking her hair as he finds himself drifting to sleep, "We can hold interviews for the position...you, me and the girls...together."
His grip slackened and Misaki got out of his embrace placing his hand around her waist on his chest as she went to the kitchen to wash the dishes from breakfast when she got a call on her cellphone. Occupied with her task she did not stop to check the number and answered it right away.
"Hello?"
No one answered her on the other line.
"Hello?" she checked the phone to see if the person calling her hung up but, no they were still on the line.
She heard a short breath and the call ended.
"That was weird." Misaki said as she brushed it off as some weird occurrence and moved onto getting settled on the couch to watch a movie.
Takumi slept until the next morning, his fever in addition to his horrible sleeping schedule due to his work as he tries to balance the boring parts of life with the fun parts.
"How did you sleep?" Asked Misaki as she entered into the driver's seat.
"Good, so what are we going to tell them when we pick them up?" Takumi said as he kept a certain distance from her.
"Nothing, we have not talked about the important stuff yet."
"What important stuff? Our children accept our relationship already, we will move in together again when you are ready, I already pick up the girls after school, and the most important thing we are in love. What else am I missing?" Takumi questioned her.
"I think that maybe you should stop cutting your work short at the office to attend to the girls. You already have your hands full with that new project you mentioned and you still have to finished what you don't do at the company in your home office at such ungodly hours of the night. You take both Mina to ballet and Sakura to therapy which is why I think you got sick because, you overwork yourself like a madman every day. I want to help take some of the responsibility off your shoulders, Takumi."
"I am fine. It was just a little cold, besides after the meetings there is nothing for me to do except sit and stare at a computer for hours which is why I like doing things like that. Getting distracted for a few hours won't affect me overall and it is best that you keep at what you are doing currently. I am fine, don't worry."
"I do worry, I love you. So I do worry about you a lot."
"I love you to."
"How was your trip girls?",asked Misaki as she stared at the road.
"Good, we caught some fish with a net teacher made and in our cabin the other girls told ghost stories." ,said Sakura.
"I personally hated it, there was no Wifi, it was to hot, and my hair got ruined so i had to put it in a ponytail. I do not know how you liked being in the middle of nowhere with all that sand that gets everywhere.",complained Mina.
"That's good to hear you both had fun" said Takumi underhandedly teasing Mina.
"We have good news and bad news, pick one." said Misaki.
"Bad news." said Mina.
"Well, Takumi and I are dating."
The air was quiet for a short moment.
"Okay." said Mina.
Still digesting what her mother had said Sakura stood quiet.
"What do you think Sakura? Are you happy?" asked Takumi, worried that since she is younger she might not like the idea very much.
"I like it." She finally said, "Why did you guys take so long?",she asked.
"We just did." Misaki said softly as she peeked at the rear view mirror to look at her expression.
"Are we going to live together again now that you two are dating?" Mina asked very bluntly.
Takumi shook his head, "Nope. Everything stays the same except the obvious things, ya know, Misaki and I might kiss once in awhile and sleep together and- ow"
Keeping her cool she punched Takumi's arm but the pink tint growing in her cheeks were visible as she stared at the road.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxoxoxxo
Arriving at her apartment as she unlocked the door she kicked off her shoes and went straight to sit on the couch.
"Mommy? If you and Mr. Usui are dating than is he like my daddy now?"
"Not if you don't want to. We are not married so he's like a friend."
"When will he be my daddy?"
Misaki chuckled then spoke, "Is that what you were worried about? If he would be your daddy or not? Hmm..." Misaki bit her bottom lip, "I need to remind you that he can not replace your real daddy, okay?"
The therapist warned her something like this might happen but, what is she supposed to do? Tell Takumi to stop treating her the way he does, she actually enjoys how they are with one another. Probably more than Takumi thinks but it gives her hope that their relationship might really work out.
"I know, but, i just really like Takumi so I just want him to be my daddy to so than Mina and i can be sisters and we can all be a family."
"You want a family?"
"Yes!" Sakura jumped up and down excitedly, "I want it to be all of us together so than we can have fun and play games all the time!"
Misaki smiled at her daughter's innocent little dream,"I do to. Now go take a shower and get ready for bed."
XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO
Like every weekday, Takumi got out of work early and picked up the girls from school to take them to their after school activities, although some might be more fun than others for the girls.
"I wish all I had to do was sit and talk to a lady for an hour, ballet is boring and too slow for me." complained Mina.
"I wish I had ballet instead of talking to a lady for a long time, she asks to much questions and it never stops." complained Sakura.
"I know you both don't like going to your after school activities, but I promise that after Mina's ballet practice I will buy you both ice cream." he said trying to calm the storm.
"Fine." Both girls said in unison.
"You have to wait in the hallway, okay? The therapist lady wants to talk to you after she finishes talking to me." Said Sakura, a little bit concerned as she does not know what she did wrong.
XOXOXOXOXOXO
During the hour long session Sakura sat on a couch and laid down, tired from today's running and talking from school.
With a notebook in her hand she began to write, "So tell me Sakura, how are your nightmares?"
"Scary, like always." Sakura said passively, "The only good thing is that I get to sleep with Mina or Mommy when I get scared."
Xoxoxoxox
Meanwhile, as promised takumi and Mina are waiting outside of the office door as they sit on a bench.
"I could have dropped you off early if you wanted", stated Takumi.
"What for? I would be alone waiting for an hour as I get attacked by leeches."
"Princess, your classmates are not leeches, they are spoiled little brats who only do what their parents tell them to do. At least you argue back with me when you don't want to do something and sometimes you win." Takumi joked yet, at the same time complimented her.
"At least you don't order me around as much, the old man is the one that does all the ordering" Mina said dryly letting her father touch her hair as he styled it for her next hour of torture.
"About Great-Grandfather, I am going to England. Would you like to go with me?"
In an instant she gave her reply, "Absolutely not." and smiled politely. "I know what he is going to say" Mimicking him in a raspy but comedic voice she continues, "Mina Walker, you are growing up to be a fine young lady. You look like your grandmother. You should come and live in this castle with me instead of that little handout mansion your father doesn't deserve. He could not even keep his marriage to your mother." She switches back into her normal voice, "I hate him."
Takumi's lips curled into a frown, "Don't say that princess, he is your Great-grandfather. Even though we may not like the things he says or does he is still our family and we have to respect him."
Spitefully Mina says, "Before he is my Great-grandfather he is the Duke. Besides, you and Uncle Gerald both dislike him so what is the difference? I know once he know about Misaki and Sakura he is going to hate them because they are not like us. I hate him for being so pretentious all the time, like if he was Mr. perfect and did everything right."
Takumi looked at his daughter in amazement, she is starting to resemble him more and more with her intuitiveness. "At times like these it amazes me how you are my daughter, you catch on things so quickly it is reassuring."
She smiled at the compliment and went to her usual insults, "It amazes me how my father who also has a big brain won't tell Misaki what is happening. Did you at least tell her about your trip to England?"
'Scratch that, too intuitive it's scary' Takumi tied a simple pink ribbon in her hair,"I did but, I had to lie and say it was for a business trip, I can't tell her 'The trip is to have an argument with my Grandfather about my relationship with you' she would feel guilty and possibly break up with me...we just got into our relationship, I do not want it to end like that and because of Grandfather for that matter."
Mina nodded understandingly, "That's true, Misaki's conscious is too easily manipulated. If only she did not feel guilty about such meaningless things, like your relationship with the Duke."
The image of Misaki lying in bed next to him, her lovely hair out of place, her eyes directed towards him, it appeared to him when he thought of her. "That's what makes her different."
XOXOXOX
Sakura sat there with her head rested on the back of her hand as she gave her answers. Almost the same questions everyday, sometimes they change, most of the time they don't. Same questions except in different words, all she could think about was her tasty reward for enduring such a tedious and boring task of answering these questions.
"About what we talked about last session, what do you feel about seeing your real daddy? Have you thought about it?"
She nodded, "I don't know what you are talking about, I only have a mommy and-", her tone higher in excitement, "She is finally dating Papa!" she jumps up and down, "Than, they will get married and we all live happily ever after!"
"Papa? You mean Mr. Walker? Why do you call him that?"
"Mr. Usui is dating mommy now and that kind of makes him my daddy to, but I already have a daddy so he is just my papa."
"You already have a father Sakura, he's in jail. Mr. Walker will never replace your real father, do you understand?"
She nodded sadly but also in confusion, "Why can't I have two daddies? In my class, a boy named Tommy has two mommies when his real mommy went to the sky and daddy got married again. If he is happy with his new mommy, why can't I have two daddies?"
"That's different. Your daddy is still alive and you are pretending like he isn't. You don't talk about him anymore, you say you want to see him, but you really don't I am supposed to make you better, but you make it sound like it never happened."
"Why do you hate me!? You always want to make me sad, why do you always want to talk about it!? That happened a long time ago and now I just want to be happy with everybody else."
"Our session is over, call Mr. Walker in."
Walking in he observed the therapist, "I guess today's session did not go well." he thought as we walked over to the mini office situated in the corner of the room consisting of a narrow grey and blue rectangle table with one chair on one side and two on the other.
After clearing her throat, she asked, "How are you doing today?"
"She doesn't really care about my day." Takumi thought and said, "What do you want to talk about?" completely ignoring her question but nonetheless adding, "My daughter, Mina, she has ballet in 20 minutes, I hope our conversation will not be that long."
"It's not." She said innocent yet, bluntly stated, "Sakura is confused."
As she let that sink in she continued, "she is tricking her mind to think her father's abuse never happened. She is hostile to change. I think she should come to terms with what happened, than the healing process can begin. I can't get her to open up anymore than I could on the first day and that was three months ago, I am saying that because for a 7 year old girl that is not normal. She used to love to draw, she doesn't do that anymore, yet, she says she is bored. At school her irritability increased, gradually, as her interest in playing with her friends is decreasing, she said today that she doesn't want to play with her friends anymore because it's boring. 3 months ago, if I let her she was able to talk about them for sessions on end, I think she is suffering from depression and needs to be started on medications."
He stood up abruptly clenching his fist in denial in contrast to his calm facial expression and said, "I need to talk with her mother first. Thank you and have a nice day."
Walking out he left words dangling on the tip of her tongue as she was not done explaining to him about her childish father complex with Takumi.
XOXOXOXOXOXOXXOXOX
On a day where none of the mothers and especially the father felt like doting over their children during practice as not even Takumi's overwhelming presence in the small relaxing room mattered. Mina gracefully slipped on her ballet shoes and haughtily walked into class, Sakura sat by the enormous window that gave the viewer a front row seat to the practice session. While Takumi, sitting in the most comfortable sofa chair with a ballet bag next to him, constantly checked his cell phone for a reply to his text message.
'I will see you later, drive safely, I love you.'
Although, the message says 'read' he was rather disappointed when he didn't get a reply back.
He looked up from his constant checking and noticed Sakura following the steps to the dance with precision.
"Princess, do you want to be in ballet class like Mina?" He asked as he smiled like a proud father.
Focused on the performance on the other side of the glass she shook her head without response.
"Why? You dance really well.", Takumi said softly with a hint of concern.
"I'm just bored, there's nothing to do." Sakura said as she sat on the couch and covered her face with a pillow in a bored frustration.
"Don't do that honey." Takumi lightly scolded Sakura, "How was school today?"
"Boring, we had to run today and I hated it."
Takumi corrected her,"Dislike, hate is a strong word."
"Okay, dislike. Papa, what did the lady tell you?"
"She told me that you telled at her."
"Well...she was annoying me!" She justified herself with the first thing that popped into her head. As she walked over to Takumi's side to get something from her bag.
"You can't just yell at anybody because you are angry Sakura, that is very unlady like."
"Okay i'm sorry" she said with a hint of attitude in her voice.
Ignoring her tone he asked he asked, "Why did you stop drawing? You always drew me very beautiful pictures, why did you stop?"
Finally she pulled out a tiny camera and took random photos, "It got boring, I only do it sometimes now."
Takumi nodded, "What do you want to be now?"
"I want to be a photographer."
"How are your friends?"
"Good, how many stars do you think are in the sky?" She said as she laid down, looking at the greenish glow in the dark stars glued to the ceiling.
"To many to count...princess, are you feeling okay?"
She nodded passively while quite annoyed with the questions shot in her direction. As she took a last picture and ran out of the film.
XOXOXOXOX
As Misaki entered the door she kicked her low heeled gray pumps off and put on her house slippers and went to greet the girls. Walking into the living room she found a mess of toys scattered throughout the room: dolls, plastic tea sets, stuffed animals, even the princess castle in Mina's room was brought downstairs. Overwhelmed by the mess she went upstairs to the only pink door in the mansion and opened the door to find the two in the dark in a makeshift tent illuminating with an orange light made of both Mina's and Sakura's pink and lavender sheets. Curious, she crouched onto the floor and surprised the two who had flashlights in their faces.
The pair quickly noticed who it was and rushed to embrace her, "I missed you so much Misaki", said Mina as she placed an endearing kiss on her cheek.
"Mommy, at school today we had a contest and guess what, I won!"
Misaki sat up in the cramped little area filled with pillows and a comforter, "I missed you both to, and really Sakura, that's so good! I am so proud of you honey." She gave each a kiss on the cheek and started her motherly questions, "Did each of you finish your homework."
"You already know I did, Sakura finished but, her teacher told father that she is not cooperating with the other children."
"Yes I am! The teacher is confused, because I am!"
Misaki sighed, "We will all talk about that later, you two just keep playing until I come back from talking to Takumi."
Mina, in the mood to tease Misaki smiled and said, "send him a kiss from my part, and don't forget to sit on Santa's lap when you-"
Blushing furiously Misaki covered her mouth, 'You are definitely Takumi's daughter' she thought as felt her cheeks turn hot.
"How can Santa come if it's not Christmas yet?"
Quickly Misaki interjected, "Honey, Mina was just making a joke don't pay attention to it."
As docile as Sakura is, she nodded and agreed that Mina is a bit confusing at times.
Xoxoxoxoxoxoxox
Misaki knocked on the door, her heart thumping and fluttering as she is both nervous and excited to see Takumi after a long day at work. Even though she seen his face millions of times and even today in the morning as he kissed her cheek when he woke up as he slipped into her room before the girls did and again that same morning when he embarrassed her in front of the girls as he blew her a kiss before she entered her car. Both time she blushed madly and maybe, fell more in love by the moment. These simple gestures consistently made her heart beat wildly as this sweet man with his sweet gestures made her feel something that was not lust or forced upon her because of her position. She was genuinely nervous like she had been many years ago on her first date except this time...it's Takumi.
"Come in", Takumi said too focused on his work to look up.
"How was running an entire multi-billion dollar company today, Mr. Walker?" she said as she walked over and sat on a corner of his desk without any paper on it.
His lips curved at the sound of her voice yet, still focused on his work,"Everything you don't expect it to be, piles of paperwork before I go on vacation, no less."
" Sounds like fun, the less I get to see you, the better."
He stifled a laugh and said, " I'm sure it is" His tone dry.
"Takumi"
His name on her lips sounded like an angel calling him to heaven.
"Takumi, what's wrong?"
Looking in her eyes, he was speechless.
"Something is wrong, you aren't being a pervert."
With a grave expression on his face he said, "We have to talk, but I think we should talk after dinner." His tone serious yet, he placed a hand on Misaki's as he closed the computer, " I haven't told Sakura about my trip yet, because she is the youngest I would rather we both tell her."
Noting his calm outer shell she still felt like something was wrong, "Okay" She gave a lightweight smile, still not convinced she inched closer to Takumi's face and mustered up all the bravery she had. This moment, where he is rarely vulnerable, she wanted to cheer him up, make him feel better. Slowly, her heart pounded her chest in a resolve to get her to stop listening to her head that only spouted the most boring of logic and to listen to her thumping heart for once.
Avoiding any eye contact with Takumi, as just looking at him made her embarrassed though she knew he was staring at her, studying her every move, with those mesmerizing green eyes of his.
She closed her eyes and let out a breath through her nose and brushed her lips onto his. Nervously taking her time with every action she parted her lips slightly and kissed his.
Hesitant yet experienced, she placed a hand on his cheek and in the course of 10 seconds it glided down to the back of his neck.
The same goes for Takumi, who took Misaki's small gesture as an invitation to touch her, as he took it as an invitation to touch her, as he placed a hand on her waist keeping the steady pace of fervent yet, delicate kisses placed upon the strawberry flavored lips.
Out of breath and extremely embarrassed, Misaki pulled back and straightened herself out as she smoothed her pantsuit even though there were not any wrinkles.
Avoiding eye contact she could not help but take a quick glance at Takumi's face, his lips glossy from her lip balm, his eyes wide with a blissful yet dumbfounded look.
Misaki covered her face as she cracked a small smile seeing as how stupid he looks, she quickly returned back to her usual calm expression except with the difference of her blushed cheeks.
Before walking out she turned around and said, "I'm going to...get changed."
Takumi stupidly nodded as he was in loss of words with Misaki's rare forward action.
As she As she walked out, closing the door behind her, takumi lightly smacked his face to get himself back in planet earth.
'Stupid Usui, you nodded...you could have said something witty, you waisted your chance.' Takumi thought as he berated himself for not keeping himself together from just a simple kiss.
XOXOXOX
Dressed in some sweatpants and an old T-shirt Misaki sat at the large rectangle dinner table across from takumi as the girls sat at their usual spots. The maids began to serve dinner as those sitting around the table began their dinner conversations.
"I am going to miss my lovely girls when I leave tomorrow on the trip."
Since, Mina already knew about this she brushed it off as her father begging for attention like always. While Misaki rolled her eyes, 'Did he really announce it like that? I am really starting to question my taste in men at this point.'
"You're leaving!?" Sakura's eyes widened as she tries to understand what she just been told.
'Here we go again, stupid father and his golden retriever tendencies.' Thought Mina as she popped a piece of bread in her mouth.
"I have to pack tonight in order to leave tomorrow" Takumi says as he takes a sip of his red wine.
"Really!? Well, when are you coming back?" asked Sakura saddened and disappointed.
"Hopefully by Sunday but, I promise that I will bring back some really beautiful souvenirs." he said as he took a bite into his spaghetti.
"I don't care, I don't want you to go!" Sakura whined as she frowned and furrowed her brows.
"Stop being such a princess you're being annoying!"
"Stop being such a princess you are being annoying" Mocked Sakura as she made a sour face to match Mina "Meh meh meh meh meh" she added as she stabbed her noodles and mumbled as she twirled them on her fork.
Impulsively Mina picked out a smaller meatball and flung it horizontal to her, hitting Sakura's white lace shirt.
"MINA! UGH!"
"I don't know why you are so mad, your shirt was already dirty from the ice cream you dropped on it."
Misaki lifted her brow, "Ice cream?" She said as she accusingly looked at Takumi.
Like a puppy who digged through the trash can while its owner was away, Takumi avoided Misaki's gaze and focused on the girls as a meatball flung from Sakura's side.
"Mocking others is childish Sakura." is the comeback Mina had.
"Ice cream Takumi, really? We talked about this before. I told you to stop spoiling them."
"Don't get mad mommy, I asked for it."
"Exactly how you asked for a meatball to your face",said Mina before she flung hers toward Sakura, it was originally intended for her until it flung on Takumi's light green dress shirt.
As if time stopped, no one spoke for a moment until Takumi burst out in laughter, soon after so did the girls and last Misaki.
"Nice shot" Takumi said encouragingly to Mina
XOXOXOXOXOX
Looking through his drawers he picked out several different shirts and spread them on the bed.
"I like that one." Misaki said as she pointed to a gray long sleeved cotton t-shirt.
"That one it is" smiled Takumi as he folded the article of clothing neatly and placed it in his suitcase.
"So, what did you want to talk about?"
"You should sit down."
"Is it that serious?"
He only nodded.
"Okay."
"So, today Sakura's therapist wanted to talk to me about her development."
"What about it?"
He took a deep breath, "She said, she might be developing depression and might need medication."
"What? But she doesn't look depressed, she looks happy"
"I know, but she said she noticed some signs, the fact that she isn't drawing anymore, doesn't talk about her friends, so on and so forth."
"Just get her a better therapist, because she is not taking medication. Have you read the side effects on this bottles?" She shook her head, "She just needs therapy, not drugs."
"I disagree, I think medication would be good option for her, at least it could be used as a backup just in case-"
"Nothing is just in case Takumi, sure it starts that way, then it becomes dependance. No. Just no."
"You're being selfish Misaki, you could be wrong about this and then what happened when she has a breakdown? She is going to have to suffer because of your mistake."
"She could be wrong to. I said no, end of discussion."
As she was about to walk out he threw his arms around her waist and pulled her back close to his chest.
"Don't leave...I understand how you feel, I didn't mean to make you upset. Just...don't leave."
"This time you aren't going to convince me with your sweet words, I'm still upset." In contrast to her actions as she ran her thumb over the back of his hand.
"What can I do to make you feel better?"
"Nothing, absolutely nothing at all"
"So you are going to stay upset with me even though you won't be able to see me for three days, which to me will feel like three years."
"Stop exaggerating...Mina's right when she says you are annoying sometimes"
"At least I made you smile..." He gave a boyish grin.
She turned around in his arms," I have to read the girls a story, don't wait up for me. I am definitely not coming back."
Amused he nodded and opened up the door for her and without warning carried her bridal style.
"What are you doing!? Put me down, what if the girls see us."
"Oh, so if they weren't here you would let me do these things to you? You're such a pervert Misaki, don't think I forgot about that kiss you gave me. We should try that again when the girls are asleep and you are in something more-"
Misaki pinched his shoulder.
"Oh my goodness, just kiss already so you can read us a story."
"Ewww, Mina but, boys have cooties. I don't want Papa to give his cooties to my mommy."
" I'm not going to do that you two, she hurt her ankle and needed help getting up the stairs."
Misaki hit his arm and hid her tinted cheeks in the crook of his neck.
"You see, she hit me because it hurts so much she wants me to feel her pain."
"Suuuuure. Keep telling yourself that, hurry up before I decided to read it myself."
Walking up the stairs Misaki whispered into Takumi's ear, "I hate you so much right now."
"I love you to my love."
She groaned out of how cheesy Takumi's words were.
Xoxoxoxoxo
After the story and both girls were tucked into their respective beds, it left the adults to have their conversation.
"What is the business deal about? Are you going to talk to some investors?"
"You can say that."
"You aren't going to give me any specific details are you."
He shook his head, "It's best if I don't"
"Right, I do work for the competition."
"Of course, it would be different if you worked under me, which I could set up."
Taking no time at all she answered no.
Putting the last of his things in his suitcase he closed it and placed it close to his closet, "I'm sorry about today, the ice cream, Sakura, and what I told you after. You aren't selfish I was just upset and I shouldn't have said that."
"I forgive you for that." Misaki leaned her head on his arm, " You have to let me Go now, we have to get up early if you want us to see you off tomorrow."
"You're coming tomorrow to drop me off at the airport?"
"Unless you don't want us to." She shrugged
"No, I'm actually excited. I am happy to see you three before I board my flight and lift up into the sky for thousands of miles."
She chuckled and said, "Stop exaggerating, now let me go."
He let her go for a few seconds and slyly carried her again as he did previously, "Now you are going to have to sleep with me."
"Takumi, no." Her eyes wide as her thoughts went wild with the dozens of scenes playing in her head.
"Stop imagining things Misaki, I don't mean that types of sleep. Unless of course, you want to which I am completely not against at all."
She shook her head, "What if the girls-"
"Aww, pleeease. We slept together too many time already, just spoil me for tonight since you won't see me for 3 days."
"Only for tonight."
Like a child who received some candy Takumi's face brightened as he repeated what she said bringing her close in his arms.
"I love it when you blush, it gives me a purpose." He said as he buried his body in her scent so he could remember it when he is forced to sleep alone and under surveillance in England.
"What's your purpose?" She glanced upwards searching for a smirk and got nothing.
"Finding new ways to make you blush everyday." His words sincere as they touched her like light feather kisses down her neck.
"You are such an alien from the planet pheromones." She said as she pulled herself deeper into his embrace.
"I'm going to miss this, I'm going to miss you, I'm going to miss our daughters and their crazy little antics like at dinner."
"You haven't left yet..." Misaki said as she ran her fingers through his hair
"I feel like I have…" He placed his hand on her cheek, "About that kiss in the office..." he inched his face closer to hers, "...your lips were soft, I enjoyed the gloss on my lips."
"Takumi..."
"Only one kiss." he said as he leaned in, one kiss transformed into many. His hands glide under the hem of her shirt not daring to go any higher, as she carefully placed a kiss on his chest to embarrassed to do anymore.
Testing the waters, Takumi slid his hand a few centimeters higher as she closed her eyes her breathing hitched and she arched her back. He smirked and placed butterfly kisses along her neck as his hands slipped higher.
As Misaki's eyes were still closed she clenched her teeth and furiously shook her head.
As quickly as she rejected him he pulled away from her.
"I'm sorry...I can't...I just can't..." Misaki said full of sadness
"It is completely fine, I understand." Completely disheveled he pulled her close and kissed her forehead.
"I'm sorry..." she said almost in a whisper as she hugged him tighter.
"Shh...don't apologize." He kissed her lips, "That doesn't matter to me, you matter to me."
XOXOXOXOXXO
Waking up the next morning, Takumi's strong arm wrapped around her torso with her back faced to him, his steady breathing as his torso rose and fell against her back. Coconut scented hair tickled his nose as she pulled the covers closer to her body as the clock chimed its morning tune, time for a new day to begin.
Waking up he caressed her arm, admiring her sleeping form before she woke up and let his side. The constant caressing soothed her to the point where she didn't want to wake up but was forced to as she glanced at the clock.
"Time to get ready quickly before you miss your flight."
"We have enough time to get there and eat breakfast as you get very beautiful for me." teased Takumi as he rested his cheek on her stomach
Sorry if it's long, I just wanted to push in the FLUFF! To kamisamaneko, YOU ALONG WITH THE REST OF MY READERS INSPIRE ME TO KEEP ON WRITING! I love you guys so much and hope you guys still stick with me till the end. Bye bye, stay tuned for the next chapter of THE BABYSITTER! :P