Just a warning I am Dyslexic so my stories will not be perfect my new beta reader Rochelle Diall is working her way through my work but as you can understand there is a bit of it to go through and that's not even starting on Living for her
(God now I feel evil -_-)
Hello my sweeties :)
so midnight onwards :P
Enjoy..
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As midnight approached no one failed to notice as Ren got more and more nervous. Kyoko took his hand softly and he jumped.
"What's wrong Ren?" she asked as Toru now in Kyoko's arms leaned on her shoulder, his eyes and smile showed how he once again was becoming sleepy.
Just the simple feeling of her holding his hand made him feel calmer.
"It's nothing princess, I just have a bad feeling your Dad is planning something." Kyoko giggled as she too looked around. Lory was nowhere in sight.
"I'll be right back." he said kissing her hand and walking off towards one of the side rooms.
Kyoko shook her head and was instantly caught up in a conversation with Ogata. Kanae and Chiori where standing with Yashiro watching the couple.
"1,000 yen says he's going to propose to her at midnight." Chiori said smiling as Kanae thought about the possibility before turning to Chiori.
"Your on! 1,000 yen says it's something else. He doesn't want to rush her and if he was going to propose he would have left there coupling announcement til then also." Chiori nodded her head at these words.
"I still think he's going to propose." Yashiro just stood there gaping at the women.
"Are you really betting on whether our friends are going to propose or not?" he asked, shock showing on his face as he stared at them. Kanae smiled.
"Yeah, you in?" she asked with a cheeky glint in her eyes as Yashiro grabbed Chiori's outstretched hand.
"1,000 yen says he doesn't propose tonight but he will within the next 3 months." the small crowd laughed as the clock struck midnight.
Party cannons exploded from 8 different places around the room, filling the air with shimmering stars as they rained down upon the guests. The grand doors opened as trumpets blared, revealing Lory on a pure white horse. He was leading along a small, dapple grey pony and a spotted miniature Shetland, both with large red ribbons around their necks. Ren who had returned to Kyoko's side without him realising sighed audibly, making Kyoko jump slightly as the band struck up the tune for Happy Birthday and the crowd began to sing along. Two cakes were brought in from either side of the room. Toru's was a knight on a spotted horse while Kyoko's was a large number 18.
Even as they sang, the crowd made a walkway for Lory who was happily singing along while riding through the room towards his daughter and grandson. Maria appeared beside Kyoko ushered over by uncle Tiger.
"Oh God what's he doing now?" Maria asked completely embarrassed while Kyoko just laughed.
"Well you were right Ren, he was planning something." she turned to Ren who held out a large Bouquet of roses all large and beautiful Queen Rosas.
"Happy Birthday. princess." he said kissing her lips softly, just as Lory got close enough to speak to them also.
"Can you put my daughter down long enough for me to wish her Happy Birthday too!" Lory asked as he pouted.
"What's the point of my big entrance if you steal my limelight." everyone around laughed and chuckled as Lory smiled down at his small family.
Kyoko blushed again and Ren smiled, wrapping his arm around Kyoko's waist as Toru, now completely awake after the confetti and the horse and ponies, was giggling.
"Now my little beauties." Lory said leaning forwards.
"What's a prince and princess without his or her own pony?" Maria's eyes opened wide as she looked at the little dapple grey pony.
"Really?" She shouted excitedly as she looked ready to run over to the pony but hung back a little.
"Really." Lory added his eyes sparkling as Maria ran forwards, slowing as she approached the pony before throwing her arms around its neck as it snorted good naturedly.
Putting Toru down she held his hand and walked him over to the miniature Shetland. He was nervous but with encouragement she managed to get him to stroke the small pony with the biggest smile on his little face. The crowd clapped and after a few minutes the ponies and Lory's horse were walked from the room. Lory promised Maria and Toru they would both be getting lessons and that he had stables built with all the needed amenities on his own estate.
When everyone had calmed down, the candles were blown out and the cakes were placed and cut Lory turned to Kyoko. She was surrounded now by her closest friends and family. They all hugged her and Toru. Most of the presents would be given tomorrow evening at a family party Lory had planned for them, but still it seemed there were some presents to be given tonight. Ren stepped forwards with a large rectangular gift wrapped in silver paper with a white bow. Handing it to Kyoko she looked at him and everyone else.
"This is a joint present from me and your father. I wanted something special I could give you, a memory that would last forever. So we have worked together and this is what we came up with." She looked a little confused as Lory smiled.
"It was mainly Ren's idea, I just helped with some little things along the way."
Kyoko nodded as she slowly ripped off the paper. Everyone around them was watching as she pulled the paper apart and gasped. Silent tears began to pour from her eyes as she took in the meaning of what she was holding. She threw her arms around Kuon's neck and jumped into his arms.
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!" She cried as he held her tight smiling.
"I would do anything for you Kyoko." he whispered as she released him and jumped at Lory too, thanking him in the same way.
Losing patience Kanae finally snapped.
"Mo! Let us in on the good news, would you?" she said as Kyoko, trying to control her excitement fully unwrapped what now appeared to be a book and handed it to her best friend.
All eyes in the little circle looked down at what Kanae held in her hands. It was a script, but what made it so special was the note attached securely to the front
'Kyoko's Début'
Then the name of the production on the front of the script
'Beauty and the Beast'
'A Modern day Retelling'
Kanae and the everyone else all smiled. This was the perfect present for Kyoko. They all knew it as she again was in Ren's arms still stammering her thank you.
"She finally got her princess role." Kanae half whispered as she watched Ren spinning Kyoko around.
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The next day was a slow start. The party ended at half past one in the morning when all the guests had finally gone home. It was just after 9 when Toru woke, Kuon silently slipped from the bed, trying not to wake Kyoko as he slipped into the nursery and picked up his giggling son.
"What are you up to, you little monster?" he playfully growled as Toru bounced in his arms.
"Who's a big boy, huh? Who's a big boy?" he said, tickling his tummy and sides before blowing raspberries on his neck.
"Who's a big one year old?" Toru's laughter got louder the more he and Kuon played as Kuon instantly began the morning routine, changing Toru's nappy first before looking through his closet for some clothes for his little man.
Kyoko watched from the doorway as Kuon played, tickled and dressed their son. She loved to watch them together and even though she berated herself, she couldn't help but wonder if one day she would be watching Kuon do this with their real children?
She shook her head, clearing the thought. Yes she was his girlfriend, but did she have any right to think about that? Ren turned with the fully dressed Toru only to stop in shock at the sight of her smiling form as she leant against the doorframe, watching them.
"Morning" she said with a sweet smile that made his heart skip. As his momentary shock left him he smiled back at her.
"Good morning, princess." he walked over and kissed her softly as she smiled up at him. Kyoko kissed Toru, who kissed her back giggling.
"Mama hugs." he said as he reached out for her and she took him from Kuon.
"Good morning my angel. Are you ready for your birthday party?" Toru smiled and nodded.
Even if he wasn't sure what his birthday party was, Lory and Maria had been talking about it for so long that even Toru had picked up on the excitement it created.
Between the two of them, they kept Toru playing while they each showered and dressed before walking down for breakfast with the family and friends who had spent the night. Kyoko was amazed that nearly all the mess and set up from the night before had gone. A few people were still running around tidying up. They all bowed to the couple and Toru as they entered one of the dining rooms. Julie, Kuu, Lory and Ogata sat at the table eating and talking as Kuu put away his usual 50 portions .Julie insisted she help Toru as she had finished her breakfast. She fished out one of the presents from the pile, checking that it was OK before she allowed Toru to rip the present open. Kyoko just smiled at the bib and crown set saying 'Number One Birthday Boy.'
Kyouko smiled. Now both of her men were number one. Kuon and Kyoko sat, joining in the conversation when required but mostly listening to the others talk. Slowly Chiori, Kanae, Yashiro and even Mimori filtered into the room. Maria it seemed was already up and out with her pony Apple with Sebastian watching over her. The conversation slowly turned to Kyoko's début, and Kuon couldn't help but smile at the far away look his girlfriend got as Lory started talking about the beautiful love story.
"So we all know Kyoko will be playing Belle." Yashiro said nodding to her as she smiled back.
"Have the other cast members been decided?" Lory smiled as Ren cleared his throat.
"Well I'm playing the beast" there was a shocked silence as Lory smiled
"Well that was a given. We all know you'd be a monster to any leading man who played against Kyoko-chan from now on." Yashiro said matter of factly as everyone laughed. They had all thought it though only Yashiro had the courage to say it out loud.
"There are also roles for Kanae-san and Chiori-san." Ogata said softly.
The Love Me women were excited to be working together.
"And also if Mimori-san is looking to expand her horizons there's a role for her too." All eyes turned to the silent girl at the end of the table, who looked stunned. Looking between Lory who had spoken and Kyoko who's début it was she said quietly.
"I don't think that would be wise." Kyoko looked shocked.
"But why wouldn't it, Mimori-san?" She asked as all eyes looked between the two girls.
"Because you nearly lost your career because of me. Offering me a chance to expand my own career in your début just seems wrong."
Kyoko thought about it for a moment. Truthfully, at this point she wasn't angry with Mimori. The girl was working hard and was doing well with LME. Kanae and Chiori both spoke well of her.
"Mimori-san, sometimes we have to put our past behind us and move forwards, no matter how uncertain or bad our pasts may be. As long as we strive to make our futures better than we are already doing the right thing. Don't give up on an opportunity because of who you were. Instead, grasp it with both hands because of who you're going to be."
Everyone at the table took deep breaths
How could one so young be so wise?
Lory wondered and not for the first time as Chiori elbowed Mimori who with tears in her eyes nodded and the happy talk continued. Chiori leaned over and whispered into Mimori's ear. tHe girl smiled and nodded. Kyoko smiled at Kanae who nodded to her, she felt good.
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It was a little later that day as everyone was walking down to the newly built stables that Kuon snuck Kyoko away from the group and into the ornamental gardens.
"Kuon what are we doing?" she asked laughing as they stopped running and sat on a bench inside one of the circular pagodas. Together Kuon tried to regain his breath as he smiled at the girl he loved.
"I just wanted to give you something." he answered quietly as he pulled a small blue box from his pocket.
Opening the box for her, it held a ring of 2 interlocking platinum bands with 12 diamonds on one band. The engraving read, 'Today, Tomorrow, and Always.'
Inside the band with diamonds the engraving there read,
Kuon & Kyoko.
Kuon watched as Kyoko covered her mouth with one hand, tears welled in her eyes as she looked at Kuon and the beautiful ring.
"This is my promise, Kyoko. I cannot with a clear mind ask you to marry me when I've yet to tell the world who I truly am, but as soon as I have completed my purpose this is my promise that I will ask you to be my wife. Will you accept and wear my promise ring, Kyoko?"
Kyoko nodded since she didnt trust herself to speak at that moment as Kuon slowly slipped the ring out of the box and onto Kyoko's finger. Then he kissed her hand.
"When I am worthy of you Kyoko, I promise I will make you my wife." she flung her arms around him and held him tight.
"No matter what you call yourself Kuon I will always love you. I've never not thought of you as not worthy." They stayed in each other's embrace for awhile, simply being happy together.
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Sorry guys no wedding bells just yet hehe :P
Neh xxx
Comments and reviews please