AN: So plan is one or two more holiday chapters (flashbacks in next) and then the meeting with Sho and the lawyers to settle the case
Chapter Thirty Eight
So today is my birthday. I can think about previous birthdays. Sometimes Kuon would take the family on a trip where we could spend the day together. Sometimes he would do something elegant here and invite our loved ones. Sometimes there were special moments he spent months planning for just the two of us. Honestly, I'm not expecting those types of things this year especially when he's given me something so precious already.
Almost seven months ago was when I saw him crumpled on the ground like a ragdoll after saving my life. He's been through comas, gotten sick to the point where he almost died, someone attempted to murder him, and he has disabilities which limit how he lives day to day and he feels ashamed of. He's had to go through all of those things in less than a year and yet he's here, asleep in the bed right next to me. I smile before hearing the phone ring.
Somebody is wanting to talk to me on Christmas? I hear Kuon groan and move his face into his pillow. I quickly muffle the sound of the phone and stand up. Maybe it would be best to take the call since it might be the only two people we invited to dinner this year, Father and Julie. I tuck the blankets around Kuon before whispering on the phone.
"Hello, this is Kyoko speaking," I say as I slowly close the door so I don't disturb Kuon and wake him up. He needs more sleep than any of us and I know he's trying to hide how excited he is to give me my birthday present. I know that he'll most likely need to take a nap later on anyway but the more sleep I can offer him, the more I want to.
"Kyoko, I'm glad that I caught you," Eric says, Eric is the lawyer for our business transactions but fortunately he has agreed to speak with Spencer and they are both working on pursuing legal action against Shotaro. Eric has been spending time in Japan and Spenser in the US. "Merry Christmas. I was hoping that we could talk for a quick moment."
"If it's quick," I tell him feeling nervous. I don't want to prioritize anything above my family today but this likely has to do with the lawsuit against Shotaro.
"As you know, there is a monetary damages part to the lawsuit," Eric tells me and I shift uncomfortably. I would prefer for Father to be here beside me as this is told to me. "The family wants to ask for a settlement with the case. Now, this is not binding for right now but I would like for us all to sit down, both parties to discuss."
I take a deep breath in and close my eyes, "I don't want Kuon in the same room as Shotaro," I tell him since I don't want for Kuon to feel insecure and under attack. That could easily happen with Shotaro exposure.
"Understood," Eric replies, "In which case, I need to request that Mr. Kuu Hizuri is to join us."
I take a deep inhale, Father has told me already that he wants to be informed about this case and anything to do with Kuon. He would cancel any work engagement to appear on Kuon's behalf. "What's the deal they want to make?" I ask not wanting to let my sympathy and bias take away from Kuon what he deserves.
"They are asking that instead of appearing in court, Mr. Shotaro Fuwa is going to have a thirty year prison sentence in a Japanese prison, there is a parole element so that if he does reform he can exit prison but there will be a lifelong restraining order when it comes to your family. In terms of monetary damages, the family wanted to request something different in order to not fall into bankruptcy." I look away, Sho's family is wealthy, they own several successful ryokans, I doubt bankruptcy is in their favor. "They have agreed to pay all medical expenses for your husband's injuries. They also agreed to a 500,000,000 yen settlement." I blink. I didn't expect for them to have that much money, they must be doing well since I left Japan but if that is the lower price how much were we entitled to get. "They also want to transfer the ownership of their property in Kyoto to you, they specifically said your name but I'm sure we can change it to Kuon's."
I take a deep breath as I think about Kuon's request to move back to Japan.
We're going to have Shotaro locked behind bars for at least a number of years after which he will be violating the law if he comes close to a HIzuri family member. Kuon and I won't have to worry about the staggering medical bills which I would have gladly taken care of in any account. Then we are receiving just over $4.5 million dollars and the place I grew up. It's incredible. It's not anything that makes up for the pain and trauma Kuon has gone through but it's an offer that I wouldn't believe.
"They want to do a private settlement, that is one of the conditions. They want to protect the Fuwa name from bad publicity," I take a deep breath. I can understand that. I don't have anything against Yayoi-san and her husband.
"Agreed," I tell him. "I mean, I have to make sure that Kuon agrees with it but I think that that sounds reasonable." I hear movement from the bedroom and grab the phone. "I'm sorry. I have to go now, thank you for calling me about this."
I go back to the room and see Kuon waking up, he pushes himself up to the wall and smiles to me.
"Happpy Bir'ay," he says before I grab his chin before he can look down in disappointment at the sound of his voice. I kiss him passionately and romantically as I drape my arms over his shoulders and snuggle in close.
"Merry Christmas," I tell him and he hugs me. I love being embraced by him. "I've got something to tell you," I say before explaining the call with Spenser, I look up at him not sure what his response would be. I watch him and then he looks forward.
"I wan'na be…th-there," he says trying to slow his speech and speak in a quieter tone because that helps him. If he puts too much emotion in his speech and gets stressed out, that's when he starts losing consonants. "Bu' yesss, I' soun-ddds goo'"
I look down worried about that. I know that Kuon owns Corn's forest, our forest so we have our special place to spend time in so close to where we'll now be living but for him to be in the same room as Shotaro makes me scared. "Can we ask Father too?" I ask knowing that Kuu will provide a protectiveness that we both need. Kuu-sama might even be able to turn into an alpha wolf to protect his pup. Kuon nods to this request. I hope that will bring both of us comfort.
….
….
I have to admit, the offer sounds more than what we were looking for and at least it will mean my not being in court and as scared as I will be to sit across from him, it'll be a relief to finalize this and I'm sure that there will be security as well. When Kyoko asks about Dad coming I feel safer. Dad almost had charges pressed against him when he decided to take revenge for the pain I was caused. I'm glad that the police somehow didn't punish him aside from a small fine.
I want to move on from this conversation though. This isn't what today is about. Last night we celebrated under the tree by giving each of the girls a gift. They were both toys. Rose received a toy Lady from Lady and the Tramp and then Ana got an Olaf toy from Frozen. They were both so happy. I really want to make It up to them that I haven't been the ideal father this year.
Now I can grab something. I reach under the bed for a wrapped box which I'm positive she's seen before and I give it to her from where I'm sitting. She takes it, a wide grin over her face and I'm glad that I have given her some happiness. "I's no' much," I tell her self-consciously but she shakes her head. "Ha—ppy Bir-t-day" I struggle. Even though I've been practicing, that's the best that I can do.
"Thank you so much, Corn," she whispers as she presses her head to my cheek, nuzzling my neck. She opens it carefully. I'm glad that Dad asked the store to gift wrap it, it makes it more special that way. As she opens it, I get a bit nervous. Dad showed me pictures of it before it was put in the box just to make sure that it's what I wanted for her. I hate relying on Dad and Kyoko but I'm thankful he could do this for me.
She opens the main box to see a smaller box inside of it and too wrapped items in bubble wrap. She sets the jewelry box to the side and picks up the larger item. She looks at it and notices the Swarovski name inside the box. Yes, I'm not going to buy something less for her. The first item is a crystal vase with pictures of fairies on it in different rainbow shades, it's very subtle and classic but it goes with the item next to it. Kyoko turns the vase in her hands with a huge smile. She then turns to the longer and thinner item and carefully takes it out. The smile widens and there are tears in her eyes as she unwraps a rose very similar to the one I got for her when she turned seventeen.
"Oh my gosh," she says as she puts her hands to her mouth after setting the rose down. "They are beautiful, Kuon," she tells me before kissing my lips lovingly. "Thank you." She says and there's a genuineness to her words. "I love them so much," she tells me and looks at the red crystal shards in the different lights.
She then sets it carefully into the vase and puts them both on the nightstand next to her. She then takes the jewelry box into her hands and opens it to see a more expensive set with a white gold chain and pink gems. The earrings have drops in a diamond shape and then the necklace is a pink heart that changes under different light. I feel a little nervous that she's been hoping for more.
She looks at the pieces before crying and my eyes widen. Did I cause her pain? Was she hoping for something else? I can't remember her telling me that she wanted anything in particular this year. Usually I can pick up on the hints that she gives me. This year has been different in a lot of ways.
"They're perfect," she says as she picks up the necklace and turns it in the light. "I'm putting this on and I am never taking it off," she tells me before slipping it around her neck. She puts her hand over it and tears fall down her face. I look at her worried. Did I do something that hurt her? I've been really trying my best to not burden her but it feels impossible. Was it not enough?
"You—re..cry'ing" I tell her worried and she throws her arms around me.
"I'm just so happy," she whispers into my chest. "Corn, I know how much you've been suffering and for how long it's felt but you gave me something absolutely amazing again," she tries to laugh but chokes a little. "This heart proves how much you love me," she tells me as she keeps her hand over it, tears still flowing down her cheeks. "I love you so so much," she tells me and I watch her feeling a little guilty that I have put her through so much this year. This gift was only something small in contrast to that.
"As I told you," she sniffs, "the best gift that you can give me is to continue fighting but I love this. Thank you, my prince." She kisses me again and I deepen it. I love her. Of course I'm going to do all that I can for her even though it's much less these days than I used to. "Corn, I'm so…I don't have words to describe how happy I am that you didn't…" she struggles to complete that sentence and I feel guilty that I ever tried to shoot myself. I see now that she might not have recovered from that. All that I've been doing is doing this for her but it never felt like enough.
"Thank you for always fighting to not leave me. You're the only person in my life who has done that for me and I am so grateful that it's you that I fell in love with. You've never let me down." She curls up close to me again and I wrap my arms around her gently. Please don't take these precious moments from me.
End of Chapter Thirty Eight
Thank you for reading, reviews are appreciated
Thank you to the reviewers of Chapter Thirty Seven
Kaname671, kyoko minion