Another flashback! I didn't plan for it to be so long but the writing got away from me and this chapter is the longest so far in this story. Whoops... Also, remember when I said we were approaching the end? That was a lie. I didn't intend for it to go on so long but I want to show Lyric and Hugo's struggles with their child being in the NICU and I'm planning more stuff for Blossom... but I'm still thinking that over so we'll see. Enjoy!

Chapter Thirty-Two

A Guilty Duo

The air was surprisingly warm that evening. Although the sun was struggling to stay up the air was still warmed and not even the slight breeze that only ran around the harbor could spoil it. He would've thought and hoped the air to make him feel somewhat better, but the dark feeling hitting his gut still remained. He was at least breathing fine. His short breathes were quite the improvement from how he was breathing just an hour before when the doctor so joyfully told them they were having twins.

He wondered how she could've been so happy. Then again, most couples would be thrilled to find out they were going to be having twins. Certainly not the case with them. He had never seen her cry. In the two long, wonderful years they'd been dating he had never seen her cry once. Even when they found out she was pregnant she hadn't cried, not even sniffled. But the moment that car door shut she lost it. Her incomprehensible words along with long sobs made his heart swell. But the worst part was he felt useless.

Sure he held her and they sat in the parking lot for who knows how long. He let her cry it out and didn't start driving until she was okay, well, okay enough. But he hadn't been able to assure her things would be fine like he had when the first found out. Things were different now. They'd been struggling with a plan of action. He was already planning to not go to college and had picked up another job. They'd still been working things out with Tomoe who practically every time they saw one another would demand she get an abortion. They were still undecided on a living situation, unsure if they should save up and stay at home for the first while, or go ahead and buy an apartment.

All of that, flushed down the drain in a single day.

Now there were two babies they had to worry about. Two small babies who'd they'd have to care for and provide for. He couldn't tell her things would be fine since he had absolutely no clue what they should do.

Luka sighed, leaning back in the chair. The sun was beginning to fall behind the towering buildings that felt suffocating. He couldn't say he was excited to be a dad but hoped one day they'd be able to escape the suffocating city he'd grown up in. He had no clue where they'd go, but if he was going to be a dad, he wanted to give his children the best possible life.

He closed his eyes, trying to pull his thoughts away from their small situation for just a moment. Sadly, any attempt to derail his thoughts just lead him back to where he'd started. He sighed again this time in defeat. From behind, part of his brain comprehended the quiet footsteps inching towards him but the other part chose to not take action. Soon enough, a pair of dainty arms draped over his shoulder.

"Hi," she whispered, her voice still scratchy from crying. Kagami rested her chin on top of his head, frowning at his hesitation before responding.

"Hi," he eventually said through another sigh.

"How are you doing?"

Luka shrugged, part of him feeling warmer as she wrapped her arms around him. He appreciated it, especially since she wasn't someone who liked being touched much." Just thinking," he said, stroking her soft hand. He eyed the fresh coat of dark blue nail polish that Juleka had done the other night. To avoid dealing with her mother and he demands to get an abortion, Kagami had been spending almost all of her time over his house for the past few weeks. He was surprised how chill his mother and sister were about it all and neither of them seemed to be upset with her.

A stronger breeze pushed her short hair from its spot behind her ears. With the same frown in place, she tucked the strands back in, staring down at him. She wasn't used to seeing him so upset and although she was fully aware it wasn't at her, she couldn't help but feel bad. Maybe she should have just taken the test on her own, then she could've gotten an abortion without him having to know. He could still go to college and their lives could go as they'd planned.

"I'm sorry all of this had to happen," she said quietly, fighting the urge to break down into tears again. Pregnancy hormones sure were no joke.

"Don't apologize, Tune, we're both to blame." He didn't like how the word blame sat. It was no mystery getting pregnant had been a mistake and getting pregnant with twins had certainly not been their intention. But even though he wasn't very excited at the moment, he wouldn't use the word blame to describe their situation and the accident they made.

Kagami turned her eyes up from him and stared out at the water. Coming over to his house had always felt like an escape from her mother and the stress and expectations she placed on her. The fact she was with Luka was freeing enough but being right on the water made it feel like they weren't in the city anymore. The loud noises were still there but it was always somewhat drowned out by the water beating against the boat's sides. Pulling her arms away, she walked around the chair to meet him. She tugged down on her sweater, trying to cover up her relatively normal-looking stomach. Luka had noticed her doing it with any shirt since they found out and he only wondered what she'd be like once she actually began showing.

Sitting down on his lap, she nestled her head into his shoulder. She felt safe with him, a feeling she'd had to get used to over the years. Although she rarely said it she loved him and she wished she could make herself say it more since he deserved to hear it. A sudden laugh from above made her jump. She stared up at her boyfriend, confusion in her gaze.

Luka continued laughing, mainly in terror." What the hell is your mom going to do to me?" he asked, wincing at the mere thought of what Tomoe would do when she found out she was having twins. The woman had been ready to murder him when Kagami had first blurted out that she was pregnant. Thinking back, she probably would've if a just as shocked Anarka hadn't gotten between them.

"She won't-" Kagami began to speak but was cut off again by another laugh.

"Can you believe that was a month ago?" he asked, staring down into her deep brown eyes he could get lost in for hours.

"What?" she asked, a puzzled expression in place.

"When we told them," he said, wanting to frown at the memory. They had planned on waiting to tell anyone, but one late afternoon when Tomoe was fetching Kagami for her fencing lesson a fight had begun and the girl had shouted out that she was pregnant like she was telling them her favorite color. Of course, all hell had broken loose from Tomoe's side and she was ready to turn him inside out. Luckily Anarka had gotten in the way and began talking with the woman. Juleka, who dead pale, pulled both of them inside where they waited until Tomoe had managed to calm down a little.

Kagami frowned at the memory but she nodded her head."I know, so much has happened... since then."

Luka could see the pain in her expression as she spoke and he felt his heart swell again. Leaning forward he cupped her cheek."We'll manage," he whispered, wiping a single tear away. The tender kindness in his voice and pure love in his gaze made her want to cry more. Before Luka, she hadn't understood love, and it certainly confused her how the kindest most caring person she knew had fallen in love with her, while she still struggled to stay I love you. Luka leaned in, pressing a kiss against his lips. Kagami's cheeks burned and she could feel tears streaming from her eyes, but she didn't care. She forced him to hold her close, acting as if she'd fall off the side of the boat if he let go. Eventually, she pulled herself away, laughing in embarrassment as she wiped her water-filled eyes.

"Fricken hormones," she mumbled, face continuing to burn even as the tears didn't stop running.

Luka smiled towards her, able to stills ee the clear hurt and worry in her face but to see her smile brought him some joy." I love you," he whispered to her, holding her free hand in his.

"Mhmm," Kagami hummed, resting her forehead against his. Luka smiled, well aware she was saying I love you, just in her own way.

Luka stared down at her hands, gently rubbing them. He was glad to hear her laughing even if it was just to cover up how fearful she was and he hated turning the conversation back towards their little issue, but it was something that needed to be discussed." Kagami," he began, clearing the frog in his throat." I don't know what to do, but I promise that we're going to do it together." he said, looking at her dead in the eyes."I'll be here with you every step of the way, I promise."

She stared at him, another round of tears sputtering up. Raising her sleeve to her face again she didn't try to hide her sob."Thank you," she cried, cursing at herself for being such a mess.

Luka smiled weakly at her, wiping away some of her tears."You don't need to thank me," he whispered, eyes trailing down to her sweater. It was out of pure curiosity he stared. Even before everything Kagami hadn't liked being touched, him being an exception but if one of his hands was remotely close to her stomach she'd immediately squirm away. Kagami eventually managed to control herself, sighing at the wet mess that was the cuffs of her sweater."Do you mind," Luka asked, hesitantly.

Kagami stared at him for a moment, but after some time it clicked. She eyed her sweater and her lips pursed together." I-" she stuttered, panicking ensuing. Her mind was telling her to say no but this was Luka, the guy who was the first to show they cared about her, the guy who was the first to say I love you to her, and the father of her children."Sure,"

He could tell she was uncomfortable as he ran his hands under her sweater but he was glad she'd said yes. Only once before he'd gotten to hance to feel but with the knowledge, two babies(if they weren't even babies yet) were in there. On her petite frame, her bloated stomach was obvious. Still, she could easily hide it from the public eye with a sweater or shirt. He wanted to sit there for hours, just the two of them, but the sound of a car breaking shattered the moment. Kagami pushed his hand away and pulled down her shirt as terror dawned over her. She stared at the car, parked patiently but she could tell her mother was inside.

"Tune," he whispered, frowning as she picked up her backpack. She fell paler when the door of the car opened and her mother stepped out. Kagami forced herself to keep a straight face as she walked towards the car and with every bit of her being she prayed her mother wouldn't ask.

"What did the doctor say about abortion timings?" Tomoe asked, her stone-cold expression in place.

Kagami winced at the question and Luka scowled. He told himself not to intervene, well aware Kagami could handle the situation." I-I didn't ask," she said quietly, wishing that every conversation with her mother could be about something other than getting an abortion.

Although she was blind, Kagami could feel her mother glaring at her."I'll contact your doctor so we can discuss timings."

Her lips fell into a frown as she watched her mother turn to et back into the car."I already told you, we're keeping them."

"No, you aren't." She stated it so bluntly and seriously, fear trickled through the girl. She'd never spoken back to her mother and had been taught to obey, but this was her children's lives and it was her and Luka's choice if they kept them or not.

"No." Kagami stated, hands trembling around the straps of her bag."Luka and I decided to k-"

"You whore!" Tomoe cursed, Kagami stepping back at the yell."I knew I should have never let you date that tramp. Now you are coming home, and you are getting an abortion. Do you hear me?" Her voice fell from its yell but it was still terrifying to listen to.

She was well aware her mother was upset with her, but she never expected her to say such things. Yes, she'd been yelled at multiple times for getting pregnant, but how could her own mother hate her enough to call her such a thing? It took her a moment to realize Luk was holding her from behind and that both Anarka and Juleka had heard the fight breaking loose.

"It's a choice we made," Luka stated, clear anger and frustration in his tone. Tears stung her eyes again as she stared out at her mother. There wasn't an ounce of remorse for her. She wasn't worried about what they were thinking, she was worried about herself and doing what she thought was right. It was never about her and it would never be about her. To her mother, she was nothing but someone she pushed around to make the Tsurugi family look good. A teenage pregnancy would sure do the opposite.

"A choice neither of you should have say in! Kagami, get in the car, we are leaving." Luka's grip on her tensed and she watched through blurry eyes as her mother turned back towards them."Get in this car. Now."

"Now, this ain't mine or your choice to make," Anarka said with her hands on her hips."They made their choice, now you outta accept it."

Tomoe gritted her teeth together. She walked up to her daughter, hand grasping around her wrist so she could easily tug the girl away from Luka."I am the only one who can make choices for her." Tomoe raised her arm up, still holding onto Kagami's wrist."You are going to get into that car. And you are getting rid of that thing."

"Things," she mumbled, tears streaming down her face.

"Excuse me," Tomoe asked, her face still red.

Kagami turned up at her mother, lips fell into a deep frown." I'm having twins! And we're keeping them!" she yelled, pulling her wrist away. Turning away, she tried to run but staggered over to Luka who held her close in a loving hug. She wasn't going to try and hide her cries. She'd already made a fool of herself so there was no point in keeping her sobs in. Still crying, she managed to raise her head to look back at her mother, but what she saw left her stunned. She'd expected more yells from Tomoe or her coming at her to grab her again, but no. Tomoe was in the car and within a matter of seconds, the car was gone.

If she'd wanted to not cry, she was doing a horrible job. Luka hadn't let go of her as they walked down into the houseboat and she hadn't stopped crying. It truly baffled her how her mother could hate her so much. What had she done wrong? She always listened and done everything her mother wanted but the one time she messes up she bails. Did her mother ever love her? How can you just leave your own child? Especially when they're going through the hardest times of their life?

Luka held her close, fighting tears of his own as she continued to sob into his shirt. He gently stroked her back, barely moving as she burrowed her face into his chest. He wanted to punch her. Tomoe could be pissed at him all they wanted but he wouldn't let her say such horrible things to her daughter. When they'd first got together Kagami rarely spoke about how poorly her mother treated her but as their relationship grew he became more and more aware of Tomoe's horrible parenting and how manipulative she was of her daughter.

He ran his hand across her cheek, wiping away the tears. He was relieved that she'd fallen asleep, easily deserving it. She'd been texting him about how bad her morning sickness had been and no knowing they were having twins he could only imagine how crappy she felt.

"So you guys are having twins," Juleka said, sitting down on her bed. She stared over at her brother, a frown in place as he held Kagami close to him.

"Ya, we are," he sighed, rubbing her back. Things had already been tough and stressful for the two of them, now there being two only made things worse.

"You good with that?" Juleka asked, still not the most comfortable talking about it all with her brother. She knew Luka would be an incredible dad, mainly since he'd been her dad in a way, but she wasn't the best at deep conversations so most of the time opted to avoid the conversation subject. But it seemed now more than ever he needed her support.

Luka shrugged, pressing a kiss on top of her head." I'm not sure," he said softly.

"She asleep?" Anarka asked from the doorway, weakly smiling towards her son. Luka nodded, tugging his blanket over her. She nestled into him, dead asleep. Anarka frowned at the sight, letting out a sigh as she stepped in with a suitcase in hand."Do you know if this is hers?"

Luka looked up, his heart sinking at the sight of the black suitcase he recognized from her bedroom. Tears surfacing he nodded."Ya, it's hers."

Anarka nodded, glaring down at the object." It was left at the door." she explained, sitting down at the foot of his bed. Anarka raised her hand forward, rubbing Kagami's lower back." She can stay with us," she said, smiling sweetly up at her son.

Luka stared at her. Part of him felt happy, but the other felt horrible. It had been ade clear Tomoe would've never been that loving grandma, but at least she was still in Kagami's life. She might've not been the most caring but at least Kagami had her mother there. Not anymore. It made his blood boil at how easily that woman would leave her and it made him so sad thinking about how many more tears Kagami would cry when she found out her mother had left her.

Blossom looked around the premice. The place she'd suggested was a relatively nice restaurant with flowers flourishing the entrance. She sat at a booth, waiting impatiently for her to arrive. It had been shockingly easy to convince her parents that her piano teacher had scheduled an extra lesson and with the two of them still worrying over Lyric, the baby, and of course money, they hadn't even second-guessed it. She eyed the menu, trying to focus on that rather than the entrance to the restaurant. She needed to seem calm and like she had some control. This was an insane thing she was asking after all. She and her grandma had never met, so why the heck should she help them? She'd left her mom's life years ago and was sure neither had tried to make amends, so why should she help her?

Guilt. She could only hope the guilt of leaving her mother all alone would sway her to help them. But even if it didn't, she had one trick up her sleeve.

Shifting in her cream-colored shirt that she'd made sure fit, Blossom let out a sigh at zero sight of the woman. Maybe she had bailed? There was no real reason for them to be meeting, at least on her end so it wouldn't surprise Blossom if she did decide to not make any contact with her grandchildren. It was only ten past noon so she held onto hope. This lunch had to work out, for not only her parent's sake but Lyric and Hugo's sake. As not only an aunt but as a sister she worried how the baby's medical issues would affect the two of them. Things had already been tough as it is, and now they'd have to deal with so much more. The relief that they could support their daughter would hopefully lift some stress from their shoulders.

The sound of a throat clearing from above caught her attention and she immediately paled at the sight of a woman who she recognized from the sites, praising well-known fencers. Blossom reminded herself to remain calm and not show fear. so with a brave face in place she spoke."M-Miss. Tsurugi?" she asked, not entirely sure what to call her. They were certainly not on a Grandma level, only having spoken once over email, but she didn't feel comfortable calling her Miss.

"Yes, Miss. Couffaine." There was a way she spoke her last name that sent shivers down her spine. She'd picked up that even before the whole 'teenage pregnancy situation' Tomoe hadn't been a fan of her dad. She wasn't sure why but by the way she said their last name she could tell her hatred for him ran deep.

"Uh Blossom," she said, watching as the woman sat down in the seat across from her.

Tomoe's lips angled into a frown at the girl's words."You're here to ask me for money?"

Blossom hadn't expected her to be so straight forward but it seemed she wouldn't have to endure an awkward leading conversation. Her fingers gripped down on the envelope she kept hidden in her lap and she puffed her chest out."Yes." she stated without hesitation. She knew if her mom found out what she was doing she'd be dead. Kagami never asked for help and if she knew she was getting help from Tomoe of all people she'd be grounded until she was thirty. But she wasn't doing this to slander her parent's dignity, she just wanted to help them in the small way she could.

Through her light blocking glasses, Tomoe glared at the girl."And I take Kagami is unable to provide that money?"

Anger filled the teen at the question but she didn't try to cool it like her therapist would've told her to. This woman didn't deserve her mercy."No actually, my parents refuse to ask for help because they can afford it. I'll have you know though they could barely afford an apartment they apid for me and my sister's lessons because they made us happy. So let it be clear I'm not here because my parents need money. If they knew I was here I'd be grounded."

"Then why are you here and why did you ask me here?" Tomoe asked, gripping her spindly fingers around the glass." If they can afford it all then why am I here?" she asked, taking a long sip of the iced water. Blossom's mouth hung open as she tried to think up an answer."You're just wasting my time, now do you have an answer or not?"

"I do!" Blossom blurted out, slapping both hands down on the table. The sound earned a few stares from people sitting around them and it caused the envelope to fall out from her shirt. Trying to save what little dignity she had left she picked up the letter and tucked her hair back behind her ear. Staring down at the envelope she sighed, aware of the contents within."My parents have sacrificed everything to give my siblings and me the best life. They're the greatest parents and they work so hard for us, this would just help them a little."

Blossom looked up, saddened when the woman's expression was unchanged by her small speech." Here, I doubt it'll change your mind but I hoped maybe it would." she set the shite envelope down on the table, resting both her hands back into her lap. Glare still strong Tomoe took hold of the letter. She undid the top and was momentarily taken back at the contents within. Something that normal people would shrug at and not even notice but something that left Tomoe wanting to cry. But she knew better than to cry and not even a single tear was shed. Her stone-cold expression didn't change a bit as she closed the envelope and set it in her lap.

Blossom had been staring at her and was thoroughly disappointed at her reaction. She hadn't broke a smile or let her expression change at all."We're both bitches." she stated.

Tomoe broke from her moment of pure shock and she mentally glared at the girl once more."What gives you any right to think you can say that to me? I'm not surprised Kagami didn't te-"

"That's why your a bitch," Blossom sighed, taking a sip of her water before continuing."You assume since my parents had me and Lyric young that they're awful parents. You know that they didn't try to get pregnant right?" she asked, raising an eyebrow."I get being upset, but you understand my sister and I were mistakes right? We were never meant to be born and easily might've not. But we were and sure we probably ruined our parent's lives but at the same time we made them better and they're the greatest parents in the world."

"Without even seeing her parent you've assumed my mom's a shit mother because you want to believe that but I can easily say she's a better one than you were. How do I know that? Because my sister and her boyfriend messed up too. She got pregnant but my mom didn't abandon her. She's been there for her and hasn't been assuming she'd going to be a horrible mother." Blossom turned to her."That's how you're a bitch."

"How I'm a bitch is I was stupid. I was stupid enough to think no one loved me. Rather than talking about it I hooked up with some idiot and got pregnant." she chuckled to herself."Guess it's a family thing, but anyway I was then an even bigger idiot and didn't tell anyone and got an abortion cause I was scared. Then I was a bitch to everyone I knew. I called my sister slut and whore when I'm the slut and whore. And though she forgave me that doesn't mean I still didn't hurt her. That's how I'm a bitch."

Blossom continued to stare down at the palms of her hand, gently resting them against her flat stomach. Around now she would've been 7 months. Things would've been so different if she'd just told her mom, dad, or sister she was pregnant. She might still have a baby on the way or she might've chosen to go through with the abortion. Either way, someone would've known and she would've had some support through it all.

"If your mother asks you to return this tell her that's not an option," Tomoe stated, setting a check down on the table. Blossom took hold of the sheet of paper stunned by the number in front of her. It was more than she'd ever expected and more than her parents would ever accept. Wanting to say thank you, Blossom looked up but the woman had already begun exiting the restaurant.

Sitting back down in her car, Tomoe reopened the envelope. Legally she was blind but on good days she could make out some objects, and she could make out some clear shapes in the picture she held. The amount of white in the image stuck out and she could make out two smaller patches with light pinks held between two figures. Initially, she couldn't be sure what it was but the writing written with a heavy hand made her able to understand. Running her finger over the writing she could vaguely make out it had been taken nearly 15 years ago and the words wedding stuck out.

It didn't take long for it to click what the image was of. It was her daughter on her wedding day. Smiling happily across from the man she loved, in between them their one-year-old daughters. Nothing extravagant. A dress bought from a thrift shop and fixed up by Marinette. Wedding held on the deck of Luka's house and no fancy wedding band but their friend Nino acting as DJ. Not the ideal marriage but without any knowledge of the day and without being able to see the image clearly, she could sense the joy exuding from the image.

She'd never liked how happy Luka made her daughter. It saddened her how she was unable to do that. to do the one thing parents were supposed to. Bring joy to their children's lives. And although her daughter had had twins as a teenager, she'd made both of them very happy, unlike how she'd only ever made her daughter upset and feel worthless.

She hated how right her granddaughter was. She was and had always been a bitch to her daughter and the time of fixing things was long gone. She should've been there to provide her daughter a shoulder to cry on when she found out she would have to raise twins. She should've been there to give her daughter an ideal wedding. And she should've been there to make her smile. From day one her intention should've been to bring joy to that little girl's life but she'd done the opposite.

She was grateful Luka had been there to make her smile.