Chapter 15

She was wearing a grey, long-sleeved, knitted, off the shoulder, mini-dress, that fit her like a well tailored glove. Black over the knee boots with four inch stacked heels, and a thin, dark alligator skin belt around her tiny waist. All topped off by a pair of tortoise shell sunglasses, large silver hoop earrings, and stylish tote that matched her belt. No leggings, no stockings. Just a beautiful expanse of bare skin on her luscious, lightly tanned thighs. She was even wearing makeup. She kept her hair chestnut colored, but he could tell it had grown out quite a bit. It wasn't as long as Setsuka's, but it was a bit past her shoulders now. She looked amazing. She looked like a goddess as she confidently strutted out from the lobby to the baggage claim area where he and Kuu were waiting.

"Daddy!"

"Kuon!"

Before the two men knew it, they were being mauled with hugs and kisses from their two females. Kuon by Juli and Kuu by Kyoko. Then the girls switched and the snuggling began. Kuon was stunned by the little fairy tightly wrapped in his arms. It was definitely something he'd never expected. For Kyoko to leap into his arms and kiss him, but one certainly wouldn't see him complaining about it. It felt good, really good. She fit perfectly, just as he'd originally thought.

"Oh! Mom, our bags are coming out!" Kyoko exclaimed and both grabbed their men and dragged them with them to pick up their luggage.

Juli giggled when she saw how happy her son was. It was a look she'd never seen on him before. Not to this degree anyway. She had caught that look dialed down a bit back in Tokyo when she'd seen him last and they were talking about Kyoko, but right now he was practically glowing while he followed the flitting little fairy as she darted from designer suitcase to designer suitcase, taking inventory of what they'd brought home with them.

"Are these all yours?" He asked, a little shocked, looking at the seven bags in front of them. She didn't usually travel with so much.

She giggled. "No, only four of them. The rest are Mom's. We sent most of our stuff home when we were traveling." She explained pointing out the four black with brown leather designer luggage.

"This should make it easier." Kuu announced as he walked up, pulling a luggage trolley behind him with a smile. Now this was something he was accustomed to.

Fortunately for the two couples, Kuu had the forethought to bring the Hummer Limo or they wouldn't have been able to fit all of the luggage in. Two couples sat in the back facing each other, and quietly talking to their lovers as they cuddled.

Kuon didn't know how his mother did it, but this was not the Kyoko that had left Tokyo. There was still some of her left, but the stiff, insecure, overly modest girl was gone. This was a confident, affectionate, extroverted Kyoko. Possibly the Kyoko that existed before she started being trained to be the Okami of the Fuwa Ryokan. This was the bubbly, exuberant, outwardly affectionate, extroverted Kyoko-chan from the creek. He smiled softly at those thoughts.

"Oh! I have your birthday present in my luggage." She whispered sneakily in his ear, leaning up with her hand on his thigh for leverage. "I hope you like it. There's nothing else like it anywhere else." She smiled mischievously with a light blush on her cheeks.

He cocked a brow, wondering exactly what it could be to make her blush. "What is it?" He asked curiously.

She giggled and pressed her perfectly manicured, slender finger to his lips. "It's a secret, Kuon." She whispered sweetly with an inconspicuous glance at the older pair. She snuggled back into his arms and quietly purred. He joined her soon after, causing Kuu to believe that he needed to have the mechanic take a look at the limo later due to the steady low, quiet rumble. It was almost like a cat's purr but just a little bigger than a house cat's.

"Your birthday was before mine… So, I would like to give you your gift before I open mine." He told her, referring to small, wallet sized box, wrapped in silver gift wrap and topped with a red bow.

She nodded with a bit of surprise. She'd completely forgotten her own birthday, regardless of the big deal Juli had made of it with her gift of the trip, the clothes, the makeover, and the list went on of all of the things Mom had done for her these past few months.

She watched as he pulled a small, white, leather box from his pocket. He took her hand and lay the box in her palm, then looked at her expectantly. "You can open it now." He chuckled when she gave him a confused look.

"Oh…" She replied staring at the little container with her heart in her throat.

She squirmed a little nervously, then gradually opened the small box. Inside lay two platinum and rose-gold rings decorated with diamonds. One small and the other large. Both had the look of a crown. Her eyes went wide and she let out a small giggle. "They look like tiny crowns." They're perfect. She thought, nearly drifting into her little fairy princess mode, as Juli like to call it.

He took the smaller one and gently slid it onto the third finger of her right hand, then kissed it. "I know we talked about it before… about me being your boyfriend, but would you allow me to call you my girlfriend?" He asked quietly.

She smiled softly, took the larger ring and did the same as he did. She shook her head. "Silly, fairy prince… I've always thought of myself as that from that first day. You don't even need to ask." She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, stunning him.

He chuckled. "Can I open this one now?" He was really curious as to what it could be.

Now that she had more time to think about it, the thought of him opening it around her was actually making her really nervous. She blushed brightly. "I-I think you should wait… and maybe open it when you're alone." She finished quietly.

Now he was practically dying to know what it was, taking into consideration her reaction. What on Earth could it be? He smiled a little slyly. "Okay…" He chuckled, as he gave her another hug and kissed her forehead.

~xoxo~

"Well, what did she get for him?" Kuu plead with Juli.

"That is not for me to tell, my handsome King." She giggled and gave him a playful poke in his side.

"Aw, come on. I told you what he got for her." He begged.

Juli gave him a serious look. "Kuu, she asked me not to tell. It's private." She scolded.

Kuu cocked a brow. "Then I'll just ask him." He pouted defeatedly.

Juli giggled. She was certain, beyond a doubt that Kuon would not tell.