A Mothers Secret Chapter 35: Heir Apparent
Ian walks around the chairman's office at the school. As he walks he looks at the various items on the shelves. He sees numerous awards for excellence in education. He wanders over to the desk and sees a picture of three people. In the picture was an old man with a stern look sitting in a chair. A younger man was standing beside the older man. In front of both men stood a little girl with black hair and bright lavender eyes.
"Mother Mei was a little cutie back then." he thought to himself, "I see where Neoko gets her looks."
He then decides to sit on the couch beside the door. The evening sunlight was flooding the area with a yellowish glow.
The door of the office opened and Neoko slowly entered with a folder. She yawned as slumped into the couch beside Ian. Then she slowly laid down with her head on Ian's lap. She just came from another school board meeting that she was attending for her mother.
"How's my little chairwoman today?" asked Ian.
"Exhausted, how did mother do it when she had to when great-grandfather was ill?" mused Neoko.
"Not too well sometimes, Ma told me a story of her collapsing on the stairs and that she carried her to the nurse," replied Ian.
"Well anyway, I got the board's recommendations for her in the folder. I'll get her input and make decisions then." yawn Neoko.
Ian sat there with Neoko's head on his lap. He stroked her hair toward the back of her head. She closed her eyes and let a satisfied moan as he did.
"Ian"
"Yes, Love?"
"Is Mother Yuzu still upset with Mother?" asked Neoko.
"Well, maybe a little, but not as bad as she was at the hospital," answered Ian.
"Do you think they will be ok?" asked Neoko.
"Oh yes, they need to just give it time. Before you know it, they will be their happy, touchy-feely, selves," said Ian.
"I just worry about them sometimes," said Neoko.
"Well don't worry. Ma worked too hard for this relationship. She won't let it go without a fight." Ian said.
They sat in silence for awhile. Neoko then repositioned herself. She sat on Ian's lap sideways and put her arms around him laying her head on his shoulder.
"Can we stay this way forever Ian?" asked Neoko.
"If we didn't need to leave the school before closing I would say yes." smiled Ian.
Neoko picked up her head, put her hands on the side of Ian's head and laid a gentle kiss on his lips. Ian returned her affections with a more passionate kiss of his own. They touched foreheads for what seemed an eternity.
"Come, Love, we better get that folder to Mother Mei," said Ian.
Neoko made a small whine, got slowly up, took the folder, and took Ian's hand as he got up. The duo went out the door, down the hall, down the stairs, and out the main door. Isako was waiting for them, surprising them both.
"Isako were you waiting for us?" asked Ian.
"Oh yeah, I figured you may need help carrying a book or two," replied Isako.
Neoko wasted no time she handed Isako the folder, then jumped on Ian's back, and wrapped her arms around his neck. She then rested her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes. Ian looked back and smiled.
The trio walked to Aihara Mansion. Ian gladly carrying Neoko the whole way. Isako holding folders and some books. Upon arriving, Isako opened the gate and then the front door for the teenage pair. Ian gently set Neoko down next to Mei on the couch. Isako gave Mei the folder for Neoko.
Mei looked at Neoko. How did she get so mature? And Ian, How did he become Neoko's tower of support? And Isako always there supporting them both.
"Are you kids hungry?" asked Yuzu coming in from the kitchen.
"I am, always!" answered Ian.
"Oh not me, I got to get home now. Thank you though," replied Isako.
Neoko didn't answer, she was too tired to. Mei, seeing her daughter work so hard in her place started to feel great guilt. She remembered how she worked for her grandfather and for her father to preserve the academy. Now Neoko was doing just that, for her.
Yuzu placed food on the table for Ian, then went to the home office to finish some work for her job. They were gracious enough to allow Yuzu work from home while Mei needs her help recovering. Mei got on her crutches and hopped to the office where Yuzu was.
Yuzu was on the phone when Mei entered. Yuzu hung up as Mei slowly made her way to her. Mei placed her hand on Yuzu's shoulder. Yuzu placed her hand on top of Mei's.
"I know what you want Mei. I really understand you regret everything. But I can't right now. I want to, I really do, but I can't right now." Yuzu said softly.
Mei nodded as if she understood and slowly went to a downstairs room. Mei sat restlessly in a chair. She then heard Yuzu close the door of the office and go upstairs to the mother's bedroom.
Mei exited her room and made her way down a darkened hallway. She looked at the flight of stairs with hesitation. Suddenly her grew determined. She turned and sat on the stairs, using her arms and the one good leg, and somehow holding crutches, she worked her way up the stairs. Her face grimaced at the effort involved. She was going to get Yuzu to understand somehow, someway.
Finally, in what seemed like hours she made it to the top. Mei then made her way slowly to the mother's bedroom. She entered as quietly as possible with the crutches. She then knelt on the bed trying to get to Yuzu.
"You know its impossible to be sneaky with crutches," said Yuzu as she rolled over and faced Mei.
Mei's eyes spoke volumes at that moment. It was as if every word used to say "sorry" was used in that look she gave Yuzu. Yuzu eyes watered a little.
"I guess you really want to be forgiven huh?" asked Yuzu.
Mei nodded.
Yuzu opens the blanket to Mei, who laid her head on Yuzu's shoulder. The Yuzu put her arms around a silently weeping Mei.
"It's ok Mei. I forgive you, It ok now."