Disclaimer: Author owns nothing. Mai-Hime belongs to Sunrise.
Epilogue
Japan
It was the day after their wedding and the couple was still snuggled in bed.
Natsuki was admiring her wife's serene face for a couple of minutes already. Her messy hair and slow breathing were a sight that she wanted to be forever imbedded in her mind. She knew that it was probably past eight in the morning, given how the sunlight that slipped through the curtains was illuminating her wife's immaculate face, but she had no intention of getting out of bed any time soon. She fixed a loose strand of Shizuru's mane that get in the way of her view.
"Natsuki is staring again." Shizuru pulled the blanket to cover her naked body. Slowly she opened her eyes and she was greeted by Natsuki's fond smile.
"Good morning, my beautiful Mrs. Kruger." Natsuki gave her a peck on the lips. "Why is my baby being shy now?" She tried pulling the blanket away from Shizuru's body but the woman just held it in place.
Shizuru looked at her wife who was shamelessly lying naked beside her. She reached for the scar on Natsuki's head which she felt during their moment of intimacy that night. She could feel the absence of hair on that particular part of Natsuki's head. She looked at the woman with pure concern before sliding down to her chest where another scar was. "What happened?"
Natsuki held Shizuru's hand which was holding her scar. "I got into a mess on the day of your premier night. I had a traumatic brain injury which caused me to be in a comatose stage for more than a month. I had a temporary memory loss. They had to bring me to Germany to treat me. I woke up three months ago thanks to the people who helped me. But my memory was a mess. I'm sorry that I didn't make it to the premier night. And I'm sorry that I only showed up yesterday." She explained briefly, leaving some details out because the incident was still confidential and she herself did not know what transpired after she lost consciousness. Nobody told her any more details about the incident.
"Kami-sama! Thank God you are still alive, Natsuki." Shizuru said in shocked. "Are you certain that you are truly healed? Do you not have any post-traumatic therapy that you need to undergo? Is there anything that I should learn in order to take care of you properly? Are you certain you are not overexerting yourself? Kami-sama, you should have informed me last night. We might have strained your body." She asked in genuine concern, examining Natsuki for any sign of pain or discomfort.
"Shizuru, sssshhh." Natsuki held the woman's neck. "Baby, I'm fine now. Last night was the best night of my life. I don't mind even if I overdid myself. I won't do it any other way. You are the best thing that ever happened to me. I love you so much, Shizuru. I really do." She said, looking into concern crimson orbs.
"But you should tell me next time, Natsuki. Please inform me if you are not feeling well or if I am hurting you." Shizuru pleaded as she snuggled closer to her wife. She buried her face on Natsuki's chest.
"I think I should be the one to make you promise to tell me when I am hurting you, Shizuru." Natsuki said upon seeing the blood stains on Shizuru's side of the bed. "Are you in any pain now?"
"Just a little bit sore but I will be fine, Natsuki." Shizuru looked up at Natsuki.
"Sorry about that. I'll get some pain relievers for you." Natsuki scratched her chin before starting to get up but Shizuru was not letting her go yet.
"Ara, why is Natsuki apologizing? I had a magical experience and a little pain will not change how I feel about Natsuki's treatment last night. If anything, I should be thanking Natsuki for her hard work." Shizuru winked at Natsuki who sported a blush on her face. "Who is being shy now?"
"What a tease." Natsuki said before pulling her wife into a passionate kiss.
New York
Six Months Ago
It was more than a month since Natsuki had gained consciousness but Alyssa was still paranoid in monitoring her recovery. Natsuki had not been showing any signs of deviation from her normal behavior except her recent complaint about her intermittent headaches and dreams. She also became aloof and more confined to her own thoughts. They decided to stay in Alyssa's apartment since it was closer to SEARRS Corporation and to the hospital where Alyssa worked. The arrangement was for the benefit of both Saeko and Alyssa so, they can come to Natsuki's aid at the shortest possible time when the needs arise. Despite Alyssa's decision to take a break from work to take care of Natsuki, the woman was not having it and was keen on telling her that she was fine and there was no need to babysit her.
One day, Alyssa went home to a very messy living room full of sketches as it was Natsuki's way of remembering her dreams and retrieving her memories little by little.
"Another dream?" Alyssa sat on the sofa, looking down at the distraught Natsuki whose hands were cradling her bandaged head.
"I don't get it, Alyssa." Natsuki said with obvious frustration before throwing the sketches she made on the coffee table. "Why is this woman always in my dreams? Everytime I tried to remember what happened in between, I was expecting to see memories of you and me. But then, this woman always showed up in them. I couldn't even tell whether those are my memories or just my dreams or maybe just an imagination. She's always in my dreams recently." She said, massaging her forehead. "I don't know anymore. Why is she in my memory? Where were you? You should be in my memory and not her." She asked, looking at Alyssa as if the woman had all the answers she was looking for.
Alyssa retrieved a very clear portrait of a woman. This time, her features were as vivid as when seen in person. "And here I thought that brain is the organ responsible for storing memories. Science did not teach us that the heart can also do that function." She said with a sad smile, patting Natsuki's slumped shoulders.
"What are you saying, Alyssa? I don't understand. Aren't you my wife? I married you, right? Please tell me that I didn't marry someone else." Natsuki looked at Alyssa who stood to retrieve something from the opposite sofa.
"I didn't expect this to happen this soon." Alyssa said, retrieving a magazine and a brown envelope from her bag before placing them on the coffee table. She sat on the sofa opposite Natsuki who was sitting on the floor. "Yes, Natsuki. You married me but our marriage had been void since six months ago. You petitioned for divorce a few days after we got married." She pushed the brown envelope in Natsuki's direction.
Natsuki scanned the documents inside only to find out that it was their divorce papers.
"Why-why would I do that?" Natsuki asked with surprise and confusion, putting down the documents. "Why would I leave you just after Alex died?" She asked Alyssa who just looked at her with hurt.
"I have the same question, Natsuki. Trust me I have been asking that question for months until I learned your reason on my own." Alyssa replied, looking at the magazine. "That arrived this morning. It was a photoshoot you did for a certain magazine in Italy. The woman on the cover with you is Shizuru Viola. You also worked with her on a movie project in Japan. I am afraid I cannot tell you what transpired between the two of you. But what I know for sure is that I have lost you when you went to Japan."
Natsuki flipped through the magazine spreads and her heartbeats raced in rhythm with her flipping. "This can't be…"
"I vowed to support you and make you happy, Natsuki. That's why I have to let you go. I love you so much that I would rather see you happy with her than you being miserable with me. If you are going to be mine, I want you wholly. I want your mind, body, and soul. You can't be with me when your heart is longing for her. Jealousy is inherent in women, Natsuki. If your heart is already occupied by her then, I don't see any space for me in there." Alyssa said as tears started to fall down her cheeks.
Natsuki stood up and sat on the coffee table opposite Alyssa. She held the woman's face and started wiping her tears off. "Don't say that, Alyssa. You will always have a space in my heart. You are my first love, remember? I still can't remember everything about Shizuru but thank you for helping me remember her. I don't know what the future holds but please don't shut your door on me. You are special to me and will always be." She finished before pulling Alyssa into a warm embrace.
"I wanted to be selfish for once and just take you away from her Natsuki but I can't. Not after knowing what she did when she thought you left her." Alyssa removed herself from the embrace and held Natsuki's face. "She has been coming to your apartment almost every single day, Natsuki. I don't think it is doing her health well given the difficulty she has in travelling by air. I don't know if you know anything about it but someone sent all her data to me including her medical records. She only did a little well when she met you. I know I shouldn't be saying these if I still want you back but my conscience won't just let me. Shizuru needs you Natsuki so, hurry up and try to remember her."
"But what about you, Alyssa?" Natsuki was at a lost for word, overwhelmed by the information.
"I will be fine, Natsuki. It will hurt but I should be fine. I should accept that you are not mine in this lifetime." Alyssa held Natsuki's hands which were holding her face. She gave her a sad smile which earned her a soft nod from Natsuki.
"You will let me know once you met him or her, right?" Natsuki asked.
"I will, Natsuki." Alyssa answered.
New York
Three Years Later
Natsuki was pacing back and forth outside the delivery room when a suited man approached her.
"How is she?" The man inquired, running out of breath.
"You, bastard. Where the hell were you? Your wife was due anytime and you still wandered around?" Natsuki seethed, grabbing the man's collar.
"I was in a hearing and I immediately get out of there as soon as I can." The man defended himself. His crimson orbs were starting to darken in anger.
Shizuru who was seating with Shizuki on the waiting chairs decided to intervene after seeing her cousin's demeanor. She knew when a Viola man is ready to go berserk and the result will not be good for both her wife and him.
"Natsuki, that is enough. He is here now. You are scaring Shi-chan. Please calm down." Shizuru said as she held Natsuki's arms and tried to sooth her.
"You chose your work over her? Your wife? You're unbelievable." Natsuki released the man. Disappointment was obvious in her tone.
"You know Alyssa very well, Natsuki. The case is personal to her. If it wasn't for that I would have ditched the final hearing. Hell, I would even stay with her and not leave her side even for a second. But she cares too much for those rape victims and she believes in me. I'm sorry but I never wanted to disappoint my wife." The man defended as he tried to straighten up his clothes.
Right then, the door to the delivery room opened and out came a young female doctor who was probably in her late twenties. "Is Mr. Viola around?" she inquired looking at the people waiting outside.
"Yes, Doc. That will be me." The man hurriedly went to the doctor. "How's my wife?"
"Congratulations, Mr. Viola. She delivered a healthy baby boy. He will be at the nursery in a moment. Your wife is doing fine. We did not encounter any problem at all. She will be transferred to her room once everything has been taken care of." The young doctor smiled at the man who looked ecstatic.
"Thank you so much, Doc!" The man said, teary-eyed. "Thank you, Jesus!".
"I'll be on my way then, Mr. Viola. Congratulations again." The young doctor said once again. Happy about the delivery's outcome.
"Natsuki, I am a father now! And –and that makes you an aunt. Oh my God!" The man announced proudly before hugging Natsuki like there was no tomorrow, completely forgetting their previous arguments.
"Yes, you are Nicco. Congratulations." Natsuki said in French since the man turned to his mother tongue without even realizing.
A few more documents were signed before Natsuki and the rests were allowed to enter Alyssa's room.
"How are you feeling?" Shizuru sat on Alyssa's bedside when Natsuki and Nicco were done pestering the woman with unnecessary worries. The three were now preoccupied with the bundle of joy that their attention was fully on him now. The child's mother was almost completely forgotten.
"Tired but I am happy. Truly happy." Alyssa said weakly as she casted a glance at the three people who were playing with the child. Nicco was carrying him while Natsuki was carrying the six –year-old Shizuki whose crimson orbs were so mesmerized by the baby.
"I am glad. Congratulations." Shizuru said shortly before turning her head towards the baby's direction.
Alyssa reached for Shizuru's hand before gently squeezing it. "Don't you think it's time for you to carry Natsuki's child already?"
"I do not know Natsuki's view about having a sperm donor. The topic never came into discussion." Shizuru replied, looking at Natsuki and the baby.
"Wait, sperm donor? Why would you need -?" Alyssa asked in confusion. "Oh my God." She said, face-palming upon realizing what Shizuru's words meant. "I think you should discuss the matter with Natsuki herself when the circumstances permit. She could be an over-thinker most of the time."
Right on cue, Shizuki spoke, "Nat-chan, when will you have a baby with Onee-sama? I want to be an aunt already?" she pouted.
Natsuki just gave a nervous laugh when she noticed that everyone's attention was on her. She noticed Alyssa's arched eyebrow, giving her a knowing look and Shizuru's expectant look. "Well, you are an aunt already. Isn't she, Nicco?" She asked the man who just chuckled at her and shook his head with amusement.
He understood Natsuki's predicament and knew everything about her. The two became good friends though they started on bad terms. For Nicco was Alyssa's lawyer who took care of their divorce. Suffice it to say that he became Alyssa's confidante and friend during those rough moments in her life. But the surprise of his lifetime came when he found out that Natsuki married none other than his cousin Shizuru.
"Yeah, you're already an Aunt, Shizuki." Nicco agreed, smiling at Natsuki's relieved look.
"Besides you're my baby, aren't you Shizuki?" Natsuki lifted Shizuki higher to show her point. She could see the disappointment in Shizuru's face in her periphery.
"But I am no longer a baby, Nat-chan. I'm big already." Shizuki further pouted.
"How about I buy you that puppy we saw earlier?" Natsuki decided for a different tactic.
"Really? Are you really going to buy me one?" Shizuki asked eagerly, completely forgetting the baby topic.
"Yup. Anything for my baby." Natsuki beamed before Shizuki threw her arms around her neck and hugged her tightly.
"You should talk to her. Make sure she understands what you want, Shizuru." Alyssa gently squeezed Shizuru's hands upon noticing her crestfallen face.
Tokyo, Japan.
A few days later.
It was already past eleven in the evening and Shizuru decided to get out of bed, knowing that sleep won't visit her anytime soon. She looked at the woman beside her and released a sigh. She stood up and wrapped a silky robe around her body before going to the balcony.
It was one of the houses that they had in Japan. Natsuki was keen on purchasing a small one and not staying on one of the Viola mansions. She insisted that it will be more practical given that there will only be two of them so, there was not much need for a big space. Shizuki often visited them but still stayed with Shizuru's grandparents since she was still doing school. She also wanted privacy so, she chose a secluded and secured area. Shizuru signing to SEARRS Corporation for some projects caused them arguments but that was settled when Shizuru agreed that Natsuki will purchase her real estates in Japan so, they can still stay there whenever Shizuru felt homesick. She didn't want to uproot Shizuru from her homeland just to be with her. So they ended up having a compromise which resulted to them doing country hopping every now and then.
Shizuru closed her eyes and allowed the cold night air to touch her skin. Her hands were on the railings as she enjoyed the atmosphere. A few seconds later, she heard muted footsteps before arms were wrapped around her waist.
"Can't sleep?" Natsuki asked as she nuzzled Shizuru's neck and inhaled her scent. The woman just tilted her neck to give her more access.
"I want to bear Natsuki's child." Shizuru confessed. She felt Natsuki stiffened before the woman withdrew herself.
"Is that why you have been quiet since we came from the hospital?" Natsuki asked as she leaned her back on the railings. She stood beside Shizuru and looked at her wife's side profile.
"I have been taking things into consideration. I want to have a baby with Natsuki but I am not certain about Natsuki's thoughts with the available methods." Shizuru explained, looking at her wife's thoughtful look.
Natsuki slowly approached Shizuru and tugged her robe to untie it. "Let's start making babies, then." She said before starting to shower Shizuru's neck with kisses.
"Natsuki, I am talking about a serious matter here." Shizuru said before pushing Natsuki away.
"So am I." Natsuki dismissed before resuming her previous work.
"I do not think Natsuki understood what I said." Shizuru distanced herself from Natsuki before tying her robe back.
"I do. Go back to sleep, Shizuru. It's late already and you still have a music recording tomorrow." Natsuki said before striding back inside, leaving a stunned and hurt Shizuru at the balcony.
Days have passed and Natsuki received nothing but cold shoulder from Shizuru. The woman did not sleep in their shared room on that night but instead slept in another room and stayed there whenever she was home. Not a single word came out from the woman ever since that night. Shizuru was doing everything to avoid having any interaction with Natsuki to the extent of going to the studio and interviews way earlier before her wife could even wake up. Natsuki tried to leave her that way, believing that she will soon understand her point of view despite her not explaining anything at all.
When Natsuki realized that Shizuru won't be coming to speaking terms with her anytime soon, she decided to make the move. She was just glad that Shizuru had nothing scheduled on that Monday morning. She glanced at the clock and saw that it was past nine o'clock in the morning and yet her wife was yet to come down for breakfast. She released a sigh before going to the kitchen. She prepared a warm green tea, a glass of orange juice, an apple and finally she threw some toasted bread on the platter to complete her breakfast set.
"Here we go." Natsuki uttered to herself, looking at the closed bedroom door where Shizuru had been sleeping for days already. She placed the platter on the bedside table before joining the woman on the bed.
"I missed you, Shizuru." Natsuki whispered into Shizuru's ear before wrapping her arms around her wife's body and pulled her closer. Shizuru just pulled the blanket over her head and remained silent. "Will my wife talk to me already? I missed her voice so much. I hate this cold shoulder that she is giving me." She continued to speak as she buried her face on Shizuru's left shoulder.
Shizuru felt her shoulder getting damped and soon she heard soft and silent sobs from Natsuki. Despite her still being mad, she couldn't stand hearing the love of her life crying. The woman rarely cried and it always turned her heart all mushy whenever she witnessed her in a helpless mess.
"Why is Natsuki crying?" Shizuru asked with her back still facing Natsuki.
"Because my wife hates me and she is not talking to me." Natsuki said through sobs as she buried her face further and hugged Shizuru a little tighter.
"That is because Natsuki did not take me seriously when I expressed my intention of carrying her baby." Shizuru explained and she noticed that Natsuki had released her from the tight embrace.
"You're not yet ready, Shizuru." Natsuki stated as she wiped her tears away.
"That is for me to tell, Natsuki." Shizuru got up and glared at her wife who was surprised with her sudden reaction. Truth be told, she was fed up already. Add the fact that it took Natsuki days before she confronted her.
"I can give you children as many as you want, Shizuru. I'm just considering your career. You're too young for big responsibilities." Natsuki explained but soon regret it the moment she saw Shizuru's reaction.
"I don't care about my career, Natsuki! Building a family with you is my dream right now. But it seems that even my own wife doubts my capacity and maturity. I am not who I was years ago, Natsuki. I thought you should have at least seen that. I guess I was wrong after all. You still treat me like a child." Shizuru got up from the bed and started to walk towards the bathroom's direction.
Natsuki was left on the bed, both hands were cradling her head. Million thoughts were running in her head. It took her minutes before she decided to follow Shizuru in the bathroom. She was relieved to find the door unlocked. Perhaps Shizuru thought that she will leave her alone again just like what she used to do whenever they had arguments.
She stripped off her clothes before approaching a naked Shizuru who was enjoying the water as it rushed down her face. Crimson orbs were hidden as she tried to calm herself.
"Let's have a baby." Natsuki hovered above her wife, blocking the water from the shower. The height difference was giving her the advantage in the situation. She placed her hands on the wall behind Shizuru therefore, trapping the woman therein.
"I do not want Natsuki to force herself into agreement with me if her heart says otherwise." Shizuru looked up at the determined emerald orbs above her.
"I'm not forcing myself, Shizuru. I've been meaning to tell you something." Natsuki reached for Shizuru's face and caressed it. "Please don't hate me."
"Natsuki can tell me anything." Shizuru noticed Natsuki's nerves were starting to crawl on the latter woman's skin.
Natsuki turned off the shower before looking Shizuru in the eyes. "I am capable of giving you a child without the need for a sperm donor, Shizuru."
Shizuru blinked thrice at what she heard before she looked down at Natsuki's lower limbs and then, looked up at Natsuki's face with a questioning look. "Ara?"
"I have a Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome. It's a weird genetic disorder and the symptoms and conditions vary among the affected patients. In my case, I have the female genitalia as you can clearly see but I also produce sperms. It is also manifested in my physical feature. My height and my body built. Too masculine for a woman, don't you think?" Natsuki held Shizuru's hand and let her touch her body from her jawline down to her broad shoulder to her small breasts and finally rested her wife's hand on her waist. "I have a huge appetite and consumed a lot but never get fattened up." She guided Shizuru's palm on her toned abdomen. "I have to spend hours doing heavy work outs because I have too much energy and I have to exhaust myself otherwise, I will stay widely awake at nights. You have witnessed that during our intimate nights." She looked at Shizuru who seemed to be in thought. "My menstrual cycle is irregular. I'm not fit to carry a child, Shizuru. So, if you want it. I don't think I can bear one for you."
"Natsuki doesn't have to." Shizuru wrapped her arms around her wife's waist. "Why did Natsuki keep this from me? We could have started a family earlier."
"I thought that I would freak you out and you might divorce me." Natsuki smiled when Shizuru slapped her bottom.
"I will never do that to Natsuki. I love Natsuki so much." Shizuru pulled from the embrace, looking up at Natsuki.
"Plus I thought that Shizuki was your daughter so, I don't see the need for another child." Natsuki scratched her jaw before looking away from Shizuru in embarrassment.
"Ara, if my memory serves me right, I believe that I informed Natsuki how inexperienced I was on the matter of the bed. So, Natsuki did not believe me, then?" Shizuru arched a questioning eyebrow at her wife.
"She called you Mama, Shizuru and she looked like your exact replica. Just a cute and chubby version, though." Natsuki defended herself before looking at Shizuru seductively. "So, should we start testing your knowledge on the matter of the bed as you put it so, we can start with our child one of five?" She said before flushing her body against Shizuru's.
"Ara, I cannot recall asking Natsuki to give me a basketball team. I am just asking for one child now." Shizuru was able to reply before she lost her senses to Natsuki's touches.
"Let's start working on that one now." Natsuki said before capturing her wife's mouth, leaving her no opportunity to answer.
New York
Seventeen years later.
Natsuki was sipping her cup of coffee when the door suddenly burst opened and her son came with his nose flaring. He was the exact replica of Natsuki and one will wonder if she got any of Shizuru's genes at all. He went straight to his room without even saying a word.
Shizuru arched a questioning brow at her wife who gave her a no idea shrug. She decided to have an early retirement from her on screen career but instead worked behind it by being a producer, a businesswoman and sometimes a writer. Both songs and storylines. Her wife continued to direct some selected movies while still ensuring that she had more time for her family than work. Natsuki was also managing some of her own business ventures. Shizuru managed to convince Natsuki that they should move to New York for their children's education.
"Shizuki, what happened?" Shizuru asked her sister who came after the rampaging teenager.
Shizuki retrieved an apple from the table before settling opposite Natsuki. "Med school is fine, Mom. Thanks for asking."
"Shizuki." Natsuki shot a warning look at the now twenty-three-year-old woman who just rolled her eyes. "Fine. Mr. Fuckboy there got busted and lost her little girlfriend. Poor boy." She finished, smirking at Natsuki.
"Shizuki!" Both Shizuru and Natsuki reprimanded in unison.
"Watch your language young lady." Shizuru gave her younger sister a stern cold glare.
"Have you been hanging around with Nao recently, Shizuki?" Natsuki asked with suspicion.
"Sorry." Shizuki muttered, looking down at the apple in her hand.
"And where are you going young man?" Shizuru asked when her son came out of his room in a full baseball attire.
"I'm going to Aunt Alyssa's place. Nick agreed to help me practice, Mom." Nate explained, playing with the bat in hand.
"Aren't you forgetting something, Nate?" Natsuki said after taking a sip from her cup of dark coffee.
"Oh, yes! I'll have dinner at Aunt Alyssa's and we'll be having a sleepover so, I'll be home tomorrow." Nate added which caused Natsuki to spill her coffee and Shizuki to laugh hysterically.
"Oh my God!" Shizuki clutched her stomach. "Why did I bother coming here if you would just ditch us?"
"What? You always come here often not until recently." Nate pointed out, not understanding what was so funny about the situation.
Shizuru just giggled before retrieving the cake that she herself baked. "Happy birthday, honey." She said as Natsuki stood to light the candles.
"Oh, Shit!" Nate cursed as he pulled his hat down, wanting to dissolve right then and there. "I'm so sorry Mama. I completely forgot."
"It's alright, Nate. We know what heartbreaks can do. Happy birthday, kiddo." Shizuki came from behind him and ruffled his hat.
"Mom, I'm sorry." He looked at Natsuki who was looking at him with amusement. He went to give Shizuru a kiss on the cheek before hugging her tightly. He did the same for Natsuki.
"Aren't you gonna give me a hug and a kiss too?" Shizuki teased him.
"Shut up! Go ask your boyfriend for that." Nate retorted.
"Ara? Am I missing something here?" Shizuru looked at Natsuki who sucked a breath at Nate's words.
"Why don't you just blow the candles, Nate? Onee-sama is waiting." Shizuki urged him before giving him a little push towards Shizuru.
"Happy birthday, honey!" Shizuru smiled at Nate who hugged her mother once again.
"Thanks Mom and Mama. I love you both. I'll call Nick to tell him I'm not coming." Nate said before retrieving his phone and starting to dial Nick's number.
"While you are at it, can you invite them over for dinner? We'll do the usual party here unless you have other plans with friends?" Natsuki asked tentatively.
"No, Mom. Birthdays should be spent with family. I'll invite them over. Excuse me, I'll just make a call." Nate went on fumbling with his phone.
"Shizuki, why don't you invite your friend to come over?" Shizuru suggested, though it was more of a command. This caused both Natsuki and Shizuki to gulp visibly.
The woman had been so overprotective of her younger sister ever since the younger woman experienced a bad break-up that resulted to her not talking to anyone for weeks. It was only after Natsuki's persuasion and efforts that she finally started to go on with life. Shizuru didn't want another incident to occur ever again.
"Okay, Onee-sama." Shizuki agreed, looking at Natsuki for help.
She was more comfortable confiding with Natsuki regarding her romantic relationships because the woman did not freak out every time unlike her elder sister who usually went into a scary FBI agent mode whenever she learned about her new love interest.
"I believe we have something to discuss, honey." Shizuru whispered when she passed by Natsuki to place the cake on the table.
"Hello, everyone! I hope we aren't too late. We brought some groceries for later. I'll help cook." Mai announced as she entered the Krugers' humble abode. She was holding two paper bags full of groceries. Her husband came in tow, holding the same amount of grocery items on hand.
"Aunt Mai, let me take these." Nate came hurriedly to the woman's help.
"Thanks, Nate. Happy birthday." Mai thanked the boy before giving him a peck on the cheek.
"Thank you, Aunt Mai." Nate said before going to the kitchen counter to deposit the grocery items.
"Sergay, the kids." Mai glanced at her husband who was waiting for the kids.
"Zhang got them." Sergay answered as he entered. "Hi, everyone. Sorry, we got delayed a little. My flight got messed up. Happy birthday, Nate." He said, tapping Nate's shoulder.
"Thanks, Uncle Sergay." Nate fist bumped the man who followed Mai to the kitchen after greeting him.
Sergay was a businessman whom Mai met in London during a conference that she attended. The two hit it off right at first meeting. But soon they found out that they were actually childhood acquaintances and went to almost the same business conferences without them knowing. She was blessed with three kids but two of them were still on their flight to New York since both were studying in London. Their youngest son was with them though because he was residing with them in New York.
"Hello there, princess." Nate beamed at his younger sister who shared the same eyes with him but the rest of her features were taken from Shizuru. She could pass as Shizuru and Shizuki's younger sister had it not been for her emerald eyes.
"How's violin class, Ojou-sama?" Nate picked-up his eleven-year-old sister before lifting her up.
"Nate you're so mean. Put me down. I'm not a child anymore." The little girl pouted, glancing at the young boy who was holding her violin case. A full-blown blush adorned her cute cheeks.
"Oh? Says who? Your little boyfriend here?" Nate wiggled his eyebrows at her little sister who turned redder than a fully ripe tomato.
The eleven year-old little boy adjusted his glasses, fidgeting at the violin's case handle. He suddenly found his feet more interesting than anything else in the house. "Ahm, happy birthday, Nate."
"Nate! You're embarrassing him." The little girl reprimanded after glancing at her friend.
"Thank you, Shun." Nate said before turning his attention back to his little sister. "Okay, okay. Can I get my birthday kiss now?" He laughed before tapping his right cheek.
"Happy birthday, Nate." The little girl gave him a lingering kiss before wrapping her arms around her brother's neck.
"Thank you, princess." Nate hugged her little sister before putting her down.
"Happy birthday, kid." Nao came in ruffling Nate's hair. "Here's my advanced present. Thank me later when you put it to good use already." She winked at Nate, handling him a box of condoms.
"Nao, what are you doing?" Natsuki snatched the box from Nate's hands before discretely glancing at Shizuru who was looking intently at the item in Natsuki's hands. "Are you trying to get Nate grounded?" she whispered at Nao who looked nonchalant.
"Oh come on. He's a grown-up ass now. Aren't you, Nate?" Nao asked the young man who nervously scratched his neck while glancing at Shizuru.
"I'm sure you don't want to be a grandma yet, Kruger. I know you're old but it's still too early don't you think so?" Nao smirked when Natsuki cringed.
"Is everything alright, Natsuki?" Shizuru approached but was distracted by her youngest child who came rushing to hug her.
"Yeah, everything is cool. Nao is just telling us that her fiancé will be running a little late. He still got a concert to finish." She spurted what she remembered about Nao's earlier mail to her. "Excuse me. I just need to use the bathroom." Natsuki smiled, hiding the object behind her. She passed by Shizuru and her daughter to give the child a kiss on the forehead before she went her way to the bathroom.
"Mom, we got stars from teacher today!" The little girl beamed before showing her left hand to her mother.
"Wow. That's great, princess. I'm proud of both of you." Shizuru smiled genuinely at the little girl in her arms. "Now, why don't you play with Shun-kun first while we start with Nate's birthday preparation?" She suggested, putting down her daughter.
"Okay, Mom." The little girl beamed before grabbing the little man's hand and leading him to the living room.
"Thank you, Aunt Shizuru." The little man shyly uttered before following Shizuru's child.
Shizuru looked at the people around her with contentment for she knew in her heart that there was nothing more that she can ask for. She had an amazing wife who gave her two loving children. Her career was doing great and she was surrounded with both old and new friends who treated her like family. A lone tear slid down her face without her noticing it.
"Is everything okay, baby? You're crying." Natsuki asked her wife with worry evident in her voice. She wiped the lone tear away.
"Ara, I am just happy my Natsuki. I love you." Shizuru replied, smiling at her wife.
"And I love you more." Natsuki planted a soft kiss on Shizuru's forehead before leading her to the kitchen where Mai was starting to prepare the ingredients for her recipes. "Haruka sent me a mail. She and her daughter are on the same flight with Mai's daughters. Yukino is just waiting for her son's basketball game to finish. She'll be here at around six. Their husbands will be running late though." She informed Shizuru who just nodded at her.
Author's Notes:
Everyone, that's a wrap! If you still have any further questions, I will try answering them in the review section. Too bad that I can't directly reply to your comments but rest assured that I do read them. Thank you so much for being with me until the very end.
I'm leaving their children's names to your creativity. I just want to make a little shout out to my readers in the Philippines. Mahal ko kayo! I hope I got that right. HAHA. To all my readers from other countries, I love you all. Watashi wa, anata o aishiteimasu. Je t'aime. Te quiero mucho. 'Ahbak Jiddaan. Te amo mucho. Eu te amo. Ti amo.