Chapter 51: Grand Opening
"Takumi!" Misaki called, walking into the kitchen. Takumi sat on a stool feeding Hikari sweet potato purée. He patiently scraped the sweet potato off her bottom lip and placed it back in her mouth.
"Yes Beautiful?" Takumi asked.
"Should I wear something more business like?" Misaki fretted, giving Takumi a twirl.
Takumi looked her over. "I think it's fine."
"I'm so glad most of my clothes fit me," Misaki said, pouring herself some tea.
Takumi fed Hikari another spoonful of sweet potato. "Honey," Takumi warned as Misaki began rechecking her bag.
"What?"
"Relax," Takumi reminded her. "Everything will be fine."
"Why hasn't Mom called me?" Misaki said, checking her phone again. Takumi sighed as he was being ignored. "What if her flight got delayed...?" Misaki asked.
"Sweetheart," Takumi said, grabbing her wrist. "Worrying too much will give you wrinkles," he teased. It was something Misaki always teased Takumi about.
Misaki sighed and hugged him from behind.
"Look at our little Hikari," Takumi said, feeding her another bite. "Eating solid foods."
"She is six months," Misaki said, holding out her finger for Hikari to grab. "Time flies so quickly with her."
Takumi nodded. "Such an obedient child too," he added. "I haven't been around that many babies but she doesn't fuss a lot...well until recently. She's been kind of grumpy recently."
"I think specific things irk her," Misaki decided. "Strangers."
"Change in sleeping schedule,"
"Isn't that right, Hikari," Misaki laughed, wiping her daughter's mouth. "When Mommy and Daddy don't put you down on time, you get upset."
Hikari just smiled at them.
"You know, Misaki," Takumi said. "I asked your mom. You smiled a lot as a kid and Hikari's always smiling. I certainly wasn't this cheerful."
Misaki blushed. "Did I?"
Takumi nodded and set the empty bowl on the table. "All done!" he said, unbuckling her from her high chair and lifting her out. There was a knock on the door.
"That must be mom," Misaki said.
"Misaki!" Minako greeted. She gasped. "Hikari is so big now!" she exclaimed.
Hikari kicked her legs around and smiled.
"Can Grandma hold?" Minako asked, holding out her arms.
Takumi handed Hikari over to Minako. "I'll bring your bags to the guest room," he said.
"Thank you," Minako said. "Misaki, you look great too. I would have never guessed you've had a child."
"Thanks Mom," Misaki said, straightening Hikari's bib. "So we're only going to be gone until after lunch. Hikari has lunch at 11:30 and needs to be put down at 12:00. She gets really cranky if she goes down late," Misaki explained. "Also make sure her milk is warm. You don't microwave it but put it in the hot water for-"
Minako laughed. "You've definitely become a mother," she said, rubbing Hikari's back. "So detailed but I've been a mother too," she teased. "I know how the milk thing works."
"Right," Misaki said, embarrassed.
"It's adorable," Takumi said, coming downstairs in a suit.
Minako nodded in agreement. "Our little Misa is a grown up now."
"Don't tease me," Misaki complained. "It's just these maternal instincts all coming out."
"Mhm," Takumi said, kissing the top of her head. "Now lets go before we're late."
"The milk's in the fridge!" Misaki called over her shoulder. "And call me if anything goes wrong."
"Yes yes," Minako said, closing the door. She bounced Hikari a little. "Hikari Chan," Minako cooed. "You are very lucky to have such wonderful parents," she said to the smiling Hikari. "What should we do now?"
Hikari just smiled.
"Oh good, you're here," Ruri said as Misaki and Takumi walked to the front of the building. There was a ton of people along with the press. Misaki smiled as they took pictures.
"Mrs. Walker," a reporter asked. "What inspired you to start this agency?"
"I realized a lot of women could have wonderful careers," Misaki explained. "They just needed a little direction."
"Mrs. Igarashi!" another called. "What will your role be in this business?"
Ruri smiled. "We all have the same role," she said, squeezing Misaki and Sakura's hands. "We'll be the President of the agency."
"How do you feel about a three person leadership, Mrs. Sakurai?" another reporter asked.
"Why not?" Sakura asked. "We already do everything together. I don't see this being problem at all."
"Where is your daughter today?" another reporter asked.
"At home," Misaki replied. "My mom is over to look after her."
"How successful do you think this business will be, Mr. Walker?"
"Very," Takumi said. "My wife doesn't see failure as an option."
The reporter turned the microphone to Tora.
"I know a thing or two about business," he joked. "But like Mr. Walker, there hasn't been something my wife has put her mind to and not accomplished."
After they answered a few more questions, Sakura, Ruri and Misaki walked over to the front glass door. There was a long red ribbon hanging from two rails.
The three girls picked up the oversized gold scissors. They had to smile for more pictures before they clipped the red ribbon together.
The maintenance workers pulled the drape cloth off the sign on the building as Misaki's friends set off party poppers and confetti exploded into the air.
"THC, everyone!" Ruri introduced. "The Housewife Corps."
Everyone clapped as they walked inside. The building was very clean. Misaki saw her own reflection on the ground as she walked.
There were refreshments on long tablecloth covered tables. Misaki sipped a lemonade as she did business talk with people.
"Did you hear," a woman said to her friend. "This agency may seem small but it's backed up by Walker Corps and Igarashi Corps."
Her friend shook her head. "Not only that, UxMishi company is funding too."
"No way," she said.
Misaki shook hands with Takumi's vice CEO, Gordon.
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Gordon said.
"Pleasure to meet you too," Misaki replied. "I've heard excellent things about you."
"Oh really?" Gordon asked rather surprised.
Misaki nodded. "He trusts you," Misaki explained. "Thank you for your hard work."
Gordon looked rather embarrassed. "It's not problem," he said, clearing his throat. "It's my job."
"Misaki," Takumi called.
"Mr. Walker," Gordon said, nodding.
"Gordon," Takumi greeted. "I see you've met my wife."
Gordon nodded. "She is a wonderful lady."
"Misaki, come meet Karl Yamo. She is going to be the manager for whatever section you choose," Takumi explained.
"Nice to meet you," Misaki said, shaking the elderly woman's hand.
"Pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Walker," Karl said.
"How long have you worked at Walker Corps?" Misaki asked.
"Eight years, ma'am," Karl said.
"I'll be depending on you then," Misaki said.
"Mrs. Walker is placing such an important role on my shoulders," Karl said. "I wouldn't dare slack off and disappoint."
Misaki nodded and Takumi led her over to get more punch.
"Am I old enough to be called ma'am?" Misaki asked.
"You're the big boss now," Takumi said, gently elbowing her. "Ma'am."
Misaki rolled her eyes. "Haha," she said, taking a sip of her drink. "Is this how you feel everyday?"
"Like what?"
"Being the boss."
"Mhm," Takumi said. "But being the boss shouldn't be that new to you."
"What do you mean?"
Takumi shrugged. "You're the boss in our family," he said, smirking.
Misaki gave him a look. "You're feeling very funny today, aren't you, Mr. Walker?"
"No ma'am, I wouldn't dare."
Misaki elbowed him as they joined up and Ruri and Sakura.
"This is going superb," Sakura declared. "We did it!" she said, excitedly.
"I'm not surprised at all," Ruri said. "I mean our club has simply been upgraded to Corps."
They all laughed.
Misaki and Takumi finally got home in the evening. Hikari was sitting on her mini plush couch, chewing on something.
"Mom?" Misaki called.
Hikari squealed in delight when she heard Misaki's voice.
"Oh, you're back," Minako said. "How was it?"
Misaki scooped up Hikari. "Everything went great… Mom, what is she chewing on?" Misaki said, taking the circular loop out of Hikari's mouth.
"It's a teething ring," Minako explained.
"Teething?" Misaki asked. She opened Hikari's mouth. "I haven't felt anything."
"You can't always feel it," Minako explained. "She kept chewing on her spoon and getting upset so I put a teething ring in the fridge for her. She's happier now."
"Sorry baby," Misaki said, smoothing down Hikari's hair. "Mommy's bad."
"Did you two eat yet?" Minako asked. "I made some dinner."
"Mom," Misaki said. "You should have waited until we got home. You had to watch Hikari AND cook."
"Your child is so mellow," Minako said. "I put her in her playpen and she didn't cry at all."
Misaki kissed Hikari's cheek. "Takumi must have been a quiet baby."
Takumi ran his hand through his hair and shrugged. He helped Minako set the table for dinner while Misaki set Hikari in her baby high chair. She had half a bottle of formula while everyone else ate dinner.
Hikari held her hand out as Misaki sipped water.
"I think she wants some," Takumi noted.
Misaki filled a baby spoon with water and fed it to Hikari. Everyone watched as she tasted it. Most of it dripped from her mouth onto her bib though.
"Nope, not yet," Misaki said, finishing the rest of her dinner.
After they finished eating, Misaki fed Hikari. She had a little bowl of puréed peas with a rubber headed spoon.
"Ah," Misaki coaxed. Hikari had her own little spoon to bang on the tray while Misaki fed her. "Mmm...peas," Misaki said, feeding her another spoonful.
Her and Takumi switched after Hikari finished the peas. Takumi fed her applesauce. He kept making weird airplane noises to feed her.
"Stop laughing," he said, sticking out his tongue.
Misaki covered her mouth to muffle her laughs as he made more airplane noises. The only person actually buying it was Hikari. She watched him wide eyed as he fed her.
"At least you like my airplane sounds, Princess," Takumi said.
Hikari banged her spoon on the tray in response. "Oh!" she said, holding out her spoon.
"Yes, thank you," Takumi said, taking it and feeding her the last of the applesauce.
Misaki took the bowl while Takumi wiped Hikari's mouth.
"Princess!" Takumi said, lifting her up into the air. Hikari laughed.
"Takumi, she just ate," Misaki complained.
"My bad," Takumi said, kissing Hikari's cheek. "Princess," he said. "My little Princess. Yeah," he said when Hikari touched his nose. "Nose," he said.
"Misaki," Minako said. "I can give Hikari her bath. You two can turn in early," she suggested.
"Mom," Misaki said. "Aren't you worried about exhausting yourself," she said.
"Me?" Minako asked. "Now that you and Suzuna and both gone, I sit at home with retirement all day."
"But weren't you just with Suzuna?" Misaki asked. "You should rest from traveling today."
"How about a compromise?" Takumi interrupted. "I'll give Hikari her bath and Mom can put her down. Hikari is an easy baby. She won't fuss."
Misaki sighed. "Okay," she finally said.
"So protective," Minako teased. "Don't even trust your own mother. I raised you without dropping you on your head."
Misaki blushed. "Takumi is even more protective," she said, defensively. "He won't even let her eat store bought baby food."
"Because there could be preservatives," Takumi pointed out. "You're always afraid someone's going to drop her."
"Because you stress me out!" Misaki said, crossing her arms over her chest. "It worries me when you lift her so high up."
Takumi patted her head. "I would never drop our daughter."
Minako laughed. She had Hikari in her arms who laughed with her.
"Are Mommy and Daddy funny?" she asked Hikari.
Minako placed Hikari in her baby play saucer. It was a circular with all sorts of little devices to play with. Hikari batted at the little plastic flowers and banged on the buttons that made sounds and played music.
"She's such a happy baby," Minako said, sitting down on the couch.
Misaki and Takumi sat on the other couch. Takumi dramatically yawned and wrapped his arm around Misaki's shoulder.
"She's the baby every parent wishes they had," Minako pointed out. "How are Ruri and Sakura?"
"I heard from Tora that Mimi is going to be a diva like Ruri," Takumi said, grinning. "I hope they have a bunch of girls," Takumi said.
"Why?" Misaki asked.
"Because I want to see Tora's face when his daughters hit puberty."
"That's not very nice," Misaki said. "Our daughter is going to hit puberty too."
"I hope we have another daughter," Takumi said.
"One is enough right now," Misaki said, shaking her head.
"You promised six."
"When did I ever promise six?!" Misaki exclaimed.
"Calm down," Takumi said, covering her mouth. "You're going to scare Hikari...and I don't care that you licked my hand," he added.
Misaki pulled his hand off and glared at him.
"I'll give Hikari her bath," Takumi said, lifting up the sleepy Hikari.
"Mom, you can go shower," Misaki said.
Takumi filled a basin with warm water while Misaki undressed Hikari. She slowly placed Hikari in the water feet first. Her bath was really simple. It was practically just a sponge bath. She was still too young to actually get that dirty.
"You got her?" Misaki asked.
"Yeah," Takumi said, lifting her up.
Misaki swaddled her in a towel and took her out to their room. She set Hikari on the bed and unwrapped her to get her dressed. With a clean diaper and soft pajamas on, Misaki passed Hikari to her mom who brought her into the nursery.
"We're still a pretty good tag team," Takumi said, closing their bedroom door.
"I'm getting old," Misaki said, shaking her head.
"You're not even thirty," Takumi said. "How's that old?"
Misaki shrugged. "Being a mom makes me feel old."
"Just think how your mom feels," Takumi joked. "Grandmother."
Misaki rested her head against his chest. "I never expected you to like children so much."
"I don't," Takumi said. "I just like our children."
Misaki snorted. "Really?"
"Mhm," Takumi said, picking her up. "How about we make another baby tonight?"
"No!" Misaki exclaimed, making him put her down. "Hikari is still so young!"
"Okay," Takumi said. "We can just practice then," he said, pulling something out from under the bed.
"What is that?"
Takumi smirked. "Lie down and I'll show you."
"You aren't going to tie me up, are you?" Misaki said, nervously.
Takumi laughed. "Nah," he said. "You'd kick me out of this room for good if I did that."
"So what is that box full of?"
Takumi pulled out a little packet and tossed the box on the ground. He propped the packet up against the alarm clock.
"Oh," Misaki said, blushing. "When did you buy those…?"
"I thought we could use them," Takumi said, grinning. "You know...without having to worry about another baby." He paused to laugh to himself. "Just like high school. Use protection, everyone!"
Misaki face palmed. "You are so embarrassing."
"So about that…"
Misaki wrapped his tie around her hand and pulled him onto the bed. "I call the shots," she said in a low voice.
"Yes Mrs. Walker," Takumi said. "Always."
