Sealed With a Kiss - Chapter 5
::sigh:: The last chapter already? I'd like to make this longer, but it just refuses to drag out anymore than it already has... ^_^;; Well, I hope you all enjoy the final chapter of "SWAK," and thanks for staying till the end. Luv ya all! ::smoochies::
Fuu, Ferio and all those other wonderful characters are © CLAMP; "SWAK" is © 2001 suzanami...
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"Geo, are ya sure that you're okay?" Zazu said, giving his brother a concerned look. "You haven't been as cheerful as usual and Fuu hasn't been around... Oh!" His eyes widened. "Somethin' happened between you and Fuu, right?"
Geo frowned, not looking from the TV screen. He had always been able to talk to his brother about anything. Why should this be any different? He sighed, turning off the TV with the remote. "Well, yeah. You might wanna sit down. This is kinda a long story."
Zazu did, listening to his older brother tell him about how he had slowly been falling in love with Fuu, and how he had hurt her. Twenty minutes later, Zazu was slumped in his chair. "That poor guy."
"Huh?"
"You stole his girlfriend," Zazu said. "I feel bad for him."
"I didn't steal *anyone's* girlfriend!" Geo said loudly. "I fell in love with Fuu, yes. The feelings aren't mutual, though. But her boyfriend is gonna kick my ass anyway!"
"I'm just teasing," Zazu said in defense. "Look, do you really think Fuu would be in love with someone insensitive? You *know* her. I bet her boyfriend'll be cool to ya." He rolled his eyes. "Besides, you big dolt, I highly doubt he's anywhere near as tall as you."
"Yeah, but those little guys can be really fast."
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"Ferio, remember, you promised to be good," Fuu reminded him sternly as they stood in front of Geo's house.
Ferio nodded, slipping his arm around her shoulder. "Come on, let's get this over with," he grumbled, knocking on the door.
"Hey, Fuu," Zazu said opening the door.
Ferio turned to Fuu. "Fuu, he's fifteen freaking years old!" he said, gesturing with his hand to Zazu. He frowned as she started to giggle. "What's so funny?"
"Ferio, that's Zazu-san, Geo-san's brother." Ferio blinked, feeling like a fool. "Um, *this* is Geo-san," Fuu added.
Ferio looked back to the door and squeaked. 'This guy is *built,* not to mention tall,' he thought, his body tensing up. 'I better not have to fight him...'
"C'mon in," Geo said.
Ferio felt Fuu take his hand gently and lead him into the house. "Ferio, don't look so nervous. Geo-san is a very sweet person," she whispered, letting go of his hand as he put his arm around her waist possessively. "Trust me."
Ferio nodded, sitting down on the sofa with Fuu as Geo motioned for them to. "I'll just say this right off, er..."
"Ferio," Fuu supplied, touching Ferio's arm lightly.
"Ferio," Geo said, ignoring the obvious affection between the two. "I *do* love Fuu, but I don't think that I could ever love her as much as I can see that you do." Ferio blinked at him. "Even if she loved me back, I would want her to be with you. I can tell by the look in your eyes when you came in that you'd do anythin' for her, and I can't say confidently that I would."
"Geo-san..." Fuu whispered.
"And I can't apologize enough to *you,* Fuu," Geo continued. "I feel terrible for having to make you so uncomfortable..."
"It's all right," Fuu murmured. She turned to Ferio. "Maybe you and Geo-san should talk alone for a few minutes, hm?"
"Fuu-chan..."
She stood, cutting him off. "I will go out on the front porch and talk with Zazu-san until you two are finished," she said, nodding to Zazu. He jumped up and follwed her outside.
Ferio turned to Geo. "Sooo... You'll really give her up that easily?"
Geo leaned his elbow in his knee and rested his chin in his palm. "Well, she was never mine to give up. Anyways, you know more than anyone how easy it is to fall in love with her." Ferio nodded. "Well, when you love someone, ya want them to be happy, right?" Ferio nodded again. "Well, I love Fuu, but she belongs with you, where she's happy."
Ferio managed a grin. "You're actually a pretty cool guy, Geo."
Geo smirked. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Ferio rolled his eyes and tousled his hair nervously. 'This guy could still turn on me,' he told himself. 'Keep your guard, Ferio...'
"Hungry?"
"H... huh?"
Geo stood. "Go get Fuu and Zazu. That is, unless you still hate me."
Ferio stood as well. "I never hated you. I was just being over-possessive."
"You had a right to be," Geo said. "I've put Fuu in a very difficult position, and I feel terrible. I can't seem to apologize enough to you two."
Ferio smiled and slowly shook his head. "Apologizing once was plenty. Fuu-chan obviously forgives you. Now..." His voice rose to a joking tone. "If Fuu *didn't* forgive you..." He cracked his knuckles and Geo laughed, cuffing him on the back, causing Ferio to get the wind slightly knocked out of him by Geo's strong hand.
"I see why Fuu loves ya. So," he said. "I reiterate: Hungry? I think there's still some doughnuts in the kitchen."
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"Maybe that went too well," Fuu murmured thoughtfully as she and Ferio walked back to her apartment.
Ferio polished off the rest of his doughnut. "You think too much, Fuu-chan."
Fuu laughed gently, reaching up and brushing crumbs off of his lip with two fingers. "So, you and Geo-san are going to try to become friends, right?"
"Or at least tolerate each other... Ow..." he winced as Fuu poked him in the ribs. He smiled. "Kidding..."
Fuu beamed back at him, linking her arm through his. "This has all been so confusing and stressful... I need to unwind, to relax." She blinked as Ferio turned opposite the way that they should have turned to get to Fuu's apartment. "Where are you going?"
"My place," he replied. "You need to chill, we'll watch TV or a movie or something." He kissed her head lightly. "And snuggle."
Fuu giggled, moving a little closer as they walked. Ferio was so good to her. He wasn't even holding a grudge against Geo, instead he was trying to be as friendly as he could.
They finally reached Ferio's apartment and Ferio asked her to sit on the couch while he changed. "Unless you wanna watch," he added, raising an eyebrow.
Fuu's face flushed deep crimson. "N-no, I don't want to... I mean, it wouldn't be proper... I mean... Oh, dear..."
Ferio just chuckled and shook his head, going into his room. Fuu looked after him longingly then slumped onto the deep couch. "Ugh, these cushions are *awful,*" she remembered as she sunk deep into the couch. "Ferio needs new furniture."
"Nah, it's just right," she heard him say as he sat next to her. He pulled his blushing beauty into his lap, gazing lovingly at her and stroking her soft, shiny curls. Fuu looked into his eyes, melting into his arms as he embraced her. She snuggled deep into his chest, smiling at the sound of his heart thudding on his ribcage, beating for her and only her. After a moment, she brought her face up to his, smiling. "What're *you* smiling about, beautiful?"
She gave him a light kiss on the bridge of his nose, right over his scar. "I'm just so happy that everything is working out..."
Ferio groaned. "Wouldya just shut up about the whole 'Geo incident' and kiss me already?" Fuu giggled, lightly kissing him twice on his lips. "Is that it?"
Fuu ran her hand down his cheek, smiling. "You have doughnut breath."
"C'mere, you..." Ferio growled, pulling her lips to his and kissing her fiercely. Fuu let out a soft whimper but found herself enjoying the way he was kissing her. She kissed him back, trying to keep up with his pace, then...
The doorbell rang.
Fuu went to pull away, but Ferio tightened his grip. "Ferio, it could be important..."
"Screw important," he scoffed. "*This* is important."
Fuu smiled and managed to work her way out of his warm arms and walk to the door. She opened it, only to see Umi. "Hey, Fuu, I--" Fuu slammed the door back shut and walked back to the living room.
"Who was it?"
His eyes widened as Fuu leaned on him, forcing him to lie back on the couch. She brought her face close to his, whispering, "No one important... Where were we?..."
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"It's so hot," Fuu murmured, fanning herself with an envelope.
Hikaru peeked her face out of the freezer where she had been trying to keep cool. "Did you say something, Fuu-chan?"
Fuu shook her head as the doorbell rang. "Never mind. I'll get that," she added, referring to the door. She opened the door and smiled. "'Morning Ferio."
She giggled as he pulled her into his arms and planted a long kiss on her lips. "Ugh, you're sweaty, Fuu-chan," he teased.
Fuu raised an eyebrow. "So are you. That kiss tasted salty."
"Care to try again?"
Fuu grinned.
"Ferio!" Umi exclaimed entering the entranceway. "Nice to see ya... again," she added with a wink. "You've been hanging around here an awful lot lately." She poked Fuu in the ribs.
Fuu slid out of Ferio's arms, shaking her head slowly. "Umi-san, Umi-san, Umi-san... Couldn't you be a little more tolerant of my fianceé?"
Umi's cerulean eyes widened, darting to Ferio's. Ferio nodded, a small smile on his lips. She laughed, throwing her arms around Fuu. "Ahh, why didn't you tell me?!" she gushed, hugging her friend tight. Fuu laughed and Umi turned to Ferio, mock-glaring at him. "And *you.*" In one swift movement, she had him in a headlock and was digging her fist into his head. "Why didn't *you* tell me that you were gonna propose?!"
"Agh, no noogies, no noogies," Ferio whined, shoving Umi away.
Fuu laughed and attempted to smooth Ferio's hair. "My poor Ferio..."
Ferio glared at Umi who laughed and darted out of the room crying out, "Hikaruuu! Fuu has some news for ya!"
Fuu turned to Ferio, taking his hand. "Are you coming to Geo-san's with us later today?"
He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. "Weelll... I guess so, since you'll be there." He grinned and kissed her again, lightly.
She smiled at him. "Don't you ever get tired of kissing me, Ferio?"
His eyes widened in pretend shock. "Tire of kissing you?" he echoed. "Who ever heard of such a thing?" An impish grin spread across his face and Fuu yelped playfully, bolting away before he could grab her. He chased her into the living room and tackled her on the couch, tickling her.
"Uncle, uncle!" Fuu surrendered, looking up at him, giggling and trying to catch her breath.
"Your lips are too sweet to stop kissing," Ferio said, giving her a quick, single kiss. "I love you." Another kiss. "And I always will." Yet another kiss, this one longer.
Fuu pressed her hands to his chest, smiling, her cheeks tinted pink. "As much as I'm enjoying this... Hikaru-san and Umi-san *are* home..."
"Aw, heck with 'em," Ferio replied, pressing his lips to hers again.
"Ex-*cuse* me?" Fuu and Ferio's heads turned towards Umi's voice, their faces warm, Fuu's more so. Umi snickered. "So *this* is what you two do when I'm not home."
Hikaru popped out from behind Umi. "Umi-chan? What are Fuu-chan and Ferio-kun doing?"
Umi patted Hikaru's wild crimson hair. "It's okay, Hikaru, you'll understand someday." She turned back to the blushing couple on the couch. "C'mon, c'mon, are you two gonna stay like that all day? We gotta get to Geo's!"
"Is Zazu gonna be there?" Hikaru piped up. "'Cause it creeps me out when he stares at me..."
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"Fuu, push!" Ferio insisted.
"I *am!*" she screamed back, crushing his hand again.
"Oww!"
"C'mon, miss," the doctor said gently. "Almost there. Just a few more..."
Fuu cried out again. She had known that having a baby was painful... But she had never imagined anything could hurt like this. Ferio had tried suggesting that she try to think of something else, but *he* wasn't trying to squeeze something the size of a watermelon out of a tiny hole, damnit!
She paused for a moment, breathing heavily. "Ferio, I can't do this!"
"Fuu, you can't carry her around the rest of your life!" Ferio said, trying to be gentle. "Come on, now." He wiped sweat off her forehead. "Come on, Fuu. Think of why you're like this right now. Because I love you. And you love me. More than *anything.*" He laced his fingers through hers.
Fuu nodded and pushed again, and Ferio yelled as she squeezed his hand again. "Fuu, I love you and I want to comfort you but I'm going to *need * this * hand!*"
"You're... *not*... helping!" Fuu yelled back.
"One more, Fuu," the doctor said.
"Fuu, just one more," Ferio murmured. "Fuu, come *on,* I know you're stronger than this! Do it!"
"*You* try this!"
"Honey, if you love that baby you'll *do * it!*" he insisted, a little hurt that she was yelling at him, even though he knew that she was under a lot of stress right now.
"I *can't*..." she moaned.
"Fuu, please, you have to," the doctor interjected.
Fuu surrendered, taking a deep breath and pushing hard. Ferio winced as she cried out again, very loudly. It hurt him to think that he had put her in this pain. He was shaken from his thoughts when he heard the doctor say, "She's out!"
'Oh, God, oh, God, oh, God...' was all Ferio could think as the doctors tended to his and Fuu's child. 'That's my baby...' His mind flashed back to the day Fuu had told him she was pregnant. The joy he had felt then was overshadowed only by the joy he felt now.
Fuu fell back onto the pillows, her head turned in Ferio's direction, utterly exhausted. He looked at her. Her eyes were squeezed shut and her chest was rising and falling from her panting. And yet, even with her hair clinging to her worn-out, sweaty face... she was as beautiful as ever.
Fuu slowly opened her eyes and smiled at Ferio weakly. "Ferio, I love you..."
He kissed her weak hand. "I know, and I love you too. Now even more than ever. I can't believe you went through all that." He brushed her hair off of her face. A nurse gave him a cold, wet cloth and he wiped her forehead with it. "You're so amazing..."
Fuu put a hand to her face, taking a deep breath. "I'd do it all over again to make you happy," she whispered. "The throwing up, the discomfort, the twenty hours of labor..."
"Ma'am?"
Fuu's eyes snapped open, suddenly hearing the crying of a newborn. "My baby!..."
The doctor came over to Fuu. "Here she is," she said.
"Oh... Come to Mommy..." Fuu whispered, cradling the tiny girl in her arms. She felt her heart stop as she looked down at her child... Hers and Ferio's... "Shh, don't cry," she murmured, touching her thin green hair lightly. A sob tore through her and tears fell down her cheeks. She didn't know what else to do but cry. "My baby," she sobbed, not knowing what else to say. "My baby... *our* baby..."
Ferio looked at his wife, then at their child. "Fuu-chan..." he whispered. "We created life?" Fuu raised her eyes to meet his. All he could do was stare into the depths of her deep, green eyes. Their pure, loving passion had brought a new life into the world. It was something that really made him think.
Their gaze broke as the baby started to fuss. Ferio realized that the doctors had said that they would be right outside if they needed them.
"No, no, don't cry..." Fuu murmured as the child's sobs subsided and she fell asleep in her mother's arms. "Oh, God, Ferio... I'm so happy..."
Ferio sat on the edge of the bed, close to Fuu. He curled a finger under her delicate chin and leaned over, kissing her softly. Then he turned to his daughter. "Fuu, she's gorgeous..." He reached over touching her tiny hand, tears gathering behind his golden eyes as her little fist closed instinctively around his finger.
"It was worth all I went through," Fuu murmured, leaning on Ferio's shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her. "I was so afraid there would be a problem... Since women's bodies aren't at their best for childbirth until they're twenty-three or so, and I'm only twenty..."
"You worry too much..."
She giggled and pecked him on the cheek. "You'll be trying to lose weight with me, Daddy," she said. "You put on almost as much weight as me!"
Ferio frowned. "So I ate a lot."
"You've gotten fat," Fuu teased.
Ferio had an urge the grab her around the waist and tickle her until she took that back, but this obviously wasn't the time and place for it. Instead, he said, "Fuu-chan, what should we name her?"
Fuu hugged the baby closer to her, wanting to look into those green eyes again. "Kazeka," she whispered after a few moments.
"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl, picked by a beautiful woman," Ferio said softly. Fuu blushed and he kissed her forehead. "You look so perfect with her in your arms, Fuu. You've done it again."
"What?"
"Made me the happiest man alive, of course," Ferio said gently. "You did when you first said you loved me, you did when you married me... You did when we *concieved* this child," he said, getting another blush from her. "And now, with you holding our child in your arms."
"Oh, Ferio..." Fuu sighed. They looked down at their sleeping child for a few minutes, the only sound Kazeka's soft breathing and their beating hearts.
Ferio again felt hot, joyous tears sting his eyes as he looked at his daughter. Before she had fallen asleep, he had seen her eyes. They were deep, green and beautiful, exactly like her mother's. He wanted to hold her and kiss her and never put her down. He was a *father,* a daddy! He didn't know whether to laugh or cry or both.
Fuu broke the silence. "Do you want to hold her?" she whispered.
"Hell yeah, but..." Ferio hesitated. "*You're* her mother."
"Ferio, she's just as much yours as she is mine."
Ferio nodded as Fuu slipped the baby into his arms, praying he wouldn't break her or something. He felt his heart melt into nothing as he looked at Kazeka, the tears now rolling down his cheeks.
"Ferio..." Fuu whispered, her breath finally slowing. She shifted in the hospital bed to get more comfortable, her body still aching. She slipped her arm around his waist and wiped his tears with her other hand, her fingertips brushing his cheeks ever so lightly.
"Fuu..." Ferio murmured, not looking from his child. "Thank you so much... Thank you for her."
Fuu kissed his cheek. "Thank *you.*"
Ferio sighed and reluctantly looked up as a nurse knocked on the door. "We have to take her now, I'm sorry. She needs to be cleaned and--"
"I know," Ferio interrupted. He glanced at Fuu. "Please take her quickly or I won't be able to let her go." The nurse did, being very careful with the baby. The parents stared longingly after the nurse as she left. Ferio turned to Fuu only to see her eyes filling with tears. "Fuu, shh, we'll see her soon."
Fuu wiped her eyes. "I am sorry... I don't know--"
Ferio shushed her with a soft kiss, his lips opening and closing against hers. She closed her eyes and kissed him back. He broke the kiss and pushed her gently back onto the pillows. "Your body must be killing you," he said softly. "Just rest, okay?"
Fuu nodded as he took her hand, tying their fingers through each other's. She sighed softly. She felt like she could sleep for hours... With her husband by her side... The man that she had mothered a child by. The man that she loved. For always. "Ferio..."
"Hm?"
"I promise you that I'll be the best mother that I possibly can."
Ferio smiled. "And I promise that I'll be the best father I can and help you raise her well..."
Fuu smiled back. "Want to seal that promise with a kiss?"
"Oh, yeah," he grinned, leaning down to kiss her.
End ~
::sigh:: The last chapter already? I'd like to make this longer, but it just refuses to drag out anymore than it already has... ^_^;; Well, I hope you all enjoy the final chapter of "SWAK," and thanks for staying till the end. Luv ya all! ::smoochies::
Fuu, Ferio and all those other wonderful characters are © CLAMP; "SWAK" is © 2001 suzanami...
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"Geo, are ya sure that you're okay?" Zazu said, giving his brother a concerned look. "You haven't been as cheerful as usual and Fuu hasn't been around... Oh!" His eyes widened. "Somethin' happened between you and Fuu, right?"
Geo frowned, not looking from the TV screen. He had always been able to talk to his brother about anything. Why should this be any different? He sighed, turning off the TV with the remote. "Well, yeah. You might wanna sit down. This is kinda a long story."
Zazu did, listening to his older brother tell him about how he had slowly been falling in love with Fuu, and how he had hurt her. Twenty minutes later, Zazu was slumped in his chair. "That poor guy."
"Huh?"
"You stole his girlfriend," Zazu said. "I feel bad for him."
"I didn't steal *anyone's* girlfriend!" Geo said loudly. "I fell in love with Fuu, yes. The feelings aren't mutual, though. But her boyfriend is gonna kick my ass anyway!"
"I'm just teasing," Zazu said in defense. "Look, do you really think Fuu would be in love with someone insensitive? You *know* her. I bet her boyfriend'll be cool to ya." He rolled his eyes. "Besides, you big dolt, I highly doubt he's anywhere near as tall as you."
"Yeah, but those little guys can be really fast."
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"Ferio, remember, you promised to be good," Fuu reminded him sternly as they stood in front of Geo's house.
Ferio nodded, slipping his arm around her shoulder. "Come on, let's get this over with," he grumbled, knocking on the door.
"Hey, Fuu," Zazu said opening the door.
Ferio turned to Fuu. "Fuu, he's fifteen freaking years old!" he said, gesturing with his hand to Zazu. He frowned as she started to giggle. "What's so funny?"
"Ferio, that's Zazu-san, Geo-san's brother." Ferio blinked, feeling like a fool. "Um, *this* is Geo-san," Fuu added.
Ferio looked back to the door and squeaked. 'This guy is *built,* not to mention tall,' he thought, his body tensing up. 'I better not have to fight him...'
"C'mon in," Geo said.
Ferio felt Fuu take his hand gently and lead him into the house. "Ferio, don't look so nervous. Geo-san is a very sweet person," she whispered, letting go of his hand as he put his arm around her waist possessively. "Trust me."
Ferio nodded, sitting down on the sofa with Fuu as Geo motioned for them to. "I'll just say this right off, er..."
"Ferio," Fuu supplied, touching Ferio's arm lightly.
"Ferio," Geo said, ignoring the obvious affection between the two. "I *do* love Fuu, but I don't think that I could ever love her as much as I can see that you do." Ferio blinked at him. "Even if she loved me back, I would want her to be with you. I can tell by the look in your eyes when you came in that you'd do anythin' for her, and I can't say confidently that I would."
"Geo-san..." Fuu whispered.
"And I can't apologize enough to *you,* Fuu," Geo continued. "I feel terrible for having to make you so uncomfortable..."
"It's all right," Fuu murmured. She turned to Ferio. "Maybe you and Geo-san should talk alone for a few minutes, hm?"
"Fuu-chan..."
She stood, cutting him off. "I will go out on the front porch and talk with Zazu-san until you two are finished," she said, nodding to Zazu. He jumped up and follwed her outside.
Ferio turned to Geo. "Sooo... You'll really give her up that easily?"
Geo leaned his elbow in his knee and rested his chin in his palm. "Well, she was never mine to give up. Anyways, you know more than anyone how easy it is to fall in love with her." Ferio nodded. "Well, when you love someone, ya want them to be happy, right?" Ferio nodded again. "Well, I love Fuu, but she belongs with you, where she's happy."
Ferio managed a grin. "You're actually a pretty cool guy, Geo."
Geo smirked. "Why wouldn't I be?"
Ferio rolled his eyes and tousled his hair nervously. 'This guy could still turn on me,' he told himself. 'Keep your guard, Ferio...'
"Hungry?"
"H... huh?"
Geo stood. "Go get Fuu and Zazu. That is, unless you still hate me."
Ferio stood as well. "I never hated you. I was just being over-possessive."
"You had a right to be," Geo said. "I've put Fuu in a very difficult position, and I feel terrible. I can't seem to apologize enough to you two."
Ferio smiled and slowly shook his head. "Apologizing once was plenty. Fuu-chan obviously forgives you. Now..." His voice rose to a joking tone. "If Fuu *didn't* forgive you..." He cracked his knuckles and Geo laughed, cuffing him on the back, causing Ferio to get the wind slightly knocked out of him by Geo's strong hand.
"I see why Fuu loves ya. So," he said. "I reiterate: Hungry? I think there's still some doughnuts in the kitchen."
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"Maybe that went too well," Fuu murmured thoughtfully as she and Ferio walked back to her apartment.
Ferio polished off the rest of his doughnut. "You think too much, Fuu-chan."
Fuu laughed gently, reaching up and brushing crumbs off of his lip with two fingers. "So, you and Geo-san are going to try to become friends, right?"
"Or at least tolerate each other... Ow..." he winced as Fuu poked him in the ribs. He smiled. "Kidding..."
Fuu beamed back at him, linking her arm through his. "This has all been so confusing and stressful... I need to unwind, to relax." She blinked as Ferio turned opposite the way that they should have turned to get to Fuu's apartment. "Where are you going?"
"My place," he replied. "You need to chill, we'll watch TV or a movie or something." He kissed her head lightly. "And snuggle."
Fuu giggled, moving a little closer as they walked. Ferio was so good to her. He wasn't even holding a grudge against Geo, instead he was trying to be as friendly as he could.
They finally reached Ferio's apartment and Ferio asked her to sit on the couch while he changed. "Unless you wanna watch," he added, raising an eyebrow.
Fuu's face flushed deep crimson. "N-no, I don't want to... I mean, it wouldn't be proper... I mean... Oh, dear..."
Ferio just chuckled and shook his head, going into his room. Fuu looked after him longingly then slumped onto the deep couch. "Ugh, these cushions are *awful,*" she remembered as she sunk deep into the couch. "Ferio needs new furniture."
"Nah, it's just right," she heard him say as he sat next to her. He pulled his blushing beauty into his lap, gazing lovingly at her and stroking her soft, shiny curls. Fuu looked into his eyes, melting into his arms as he embraced her. She snuggled deep into his chest, smiling at the sound of his heart thudding on his ribcage, beating for her and only her. After a moment, she brought her face up to his, smiling. "What're *you* smiling about, beautiful?"
She gave him a light kiss on the bridge of his nose, right over his scar. "I'm just so happy that everything is working out..."
Ferio groaned. "Wouldya just shut up about the whole 'Geo incident' and kiss me already?" Fuu giggled, lightly kissing him twice on his lips. "Is that it?"
Fuu ran her hand down his cheek, smiling. "You have doughnut breath."
"C'mere, you..." Ferio growled, pulling her lips to his and kissing her fiercely. Fuu let out a soft whimper but found herself enjoying the way he was kissing her. She kissed him back, trying to keep up with his pace, then...
The doorbell rang.
Fuu went to pull away, but Ferio tightened his grip. "Ferio, it could be important..."
"Screw important," he scoffed. "*This* is important."
Fuu smiled and managed to work her way out of his warm arms and walk to the door. She opened it, only to see Umi. "Hey, Fuu, I--" Fuu slammed the door back shut and walked back to the living room.
"Who was it?"
His eyes widened as Fuu leaned on him, forcing him to lie back on the couch. She brought her face close to his, whispering, "No one important... Where were we?..."
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"It's so hot," Fuu murmured, fanning herself with an envelope.
Hikaru peeked her face out of the freezer where she had been trying to keep cool. "Did you say something, Fuu-chan?"
Fuu shook her head as the doorbell rang. "Never mind. I'll get that," she added, referring to the door. She opened the door and smiled. "'Morning Ferio."
She giggled as he pulled her into his arms and planted a long kiss on her lips. "Ugh, you're sweaty, Fuu-chan," he teased.
Fuu raised an eyebrow. "So are you. That kiss tasted salty."
"Care to try again?"
Fuu grinned.
"Ferio!" Umi exclaimed entering the entranceway. "Nice to see ya... again," she added with a wink. "You've been hanging around here an awful lot lately." She poked Fuu in the ribs.
Fuu slid out of Ferio's arms, shaking her head slowly. "Umi-san, Umi-san, Umi-san... Couldn't you be a little more tolerant of my fianceé?"
Umi's cerulean eyes widened, darting to Ferio's. Ferio nodded, a small smile on his lips. She laughed, throwing her arms around Fuu. "Ahh, why didn't you tell me?!" she gushed, hugging her friend tight. Fuu laughed and Umi turned to Ferio, mock-glaring at him. "And *you.*" In one swift movement, she had him in a headlock and was digging her fist into his head. "Why didn't *you* tell me that you were gonna propose?!"
"Agh, no noogies, no noogies," Ferio whined, shoving Umi away.
Fuu laughed and attempted to smooth Ferio's hair. "My poor Ferio..."
Ferio glared at Umi who laughed and darted out of the room crying out, "Hikaruuu! Fuu has some news for ya!"
Fuu turned to Ferio, taking his hand. "Are you coming to Geo-san's with us later today?"
He rubbed the back of her hand with his thumb. "Weelll... I guess so, since you'll be there." He grinned and kissed her again, lightly.
She smiled at him. "Don't you ever get tired of kissing me, Ferio?"
His eyes widened in pretend shock. "Tire of kissing you?" he echoed. "Who ever heard of such a thing?" An impish grin spread across his face and Fuu yelped playfully, bolting away before he could grab her. He chased her into the living room and tackled her on the couch, tickling her.
"Uncle, uncle!" Fuu surrendered, looking up at him, giggling and trying to catch her breath.
"Your lips are too sweet to stop kissing," Ferio said, giving her a quick, single kiss. "I love you." Another kiss. "And I always will." Yet another kiss, this one longer.
Fuu pressed her hands to his chest, smiling, her cheeks tinted pink. "As much as I'm enjoying this... Hikaru-san and Umi-san *are* home..."
"Aw, heck with 'em," Ferio replied, pressing his lips to hers again.
"Ex-*cuse* me?" Fuu and Ferio's heads turned towards Umi's voice, their faces warm, Fuu's more so. Umi snickered. "So *this* is what you two do when I'm not home."
Hikaru popped out from behind Umi. "Umi-chan? What are Fuu-chan and Ferio-kun doing?"
Umi patted Hikaru's wild crimson hair. "It's okay, Hikaru, you'll understand someday." She turned back to the blushing couple on the couch. "C'mon, c'mon, are you two gonna stay like that all day? We gotta get to Geo's!"
"Is Zazu gonna be there?" Hikaru piped up. "'Cause it creeps me out when he stares at me..."
___________________________________________________
"Fuu, push!" Ferio insisted.
"I *am!*" she screamed back, crushing his hand again.
"Oww!"
"C'mon, miss," the doctor said gently. "Almost there. Just a few more..."
Fuu cried out again. She had known that having a baby was painful... But she had never imagined anything could hurt like this. Ferio had tried suggesting that she try to think of something else, but *he* wasn't trying to squeeze something the size of a watermelon out of a tiny hole, damnit!
She paused for a moment, breathing heavily. "Ferio, I can't do this!"
"Fuu, you can't carry her around the rest of your life!" Ferio said, trying to be gentle. "Come on, now." He wiped sweat off her forehead. "Come on, Fuu. Think of why you're like this right now. Because I love you. And you love me. More than *anything.*" He laced his fingers through hers.
Fuu nodded and pushed again, and Ferio yelled as she squeezed his hand again. "Fuu, I love you and I want to comfort you but I'm going to *need * this * hand!*"
"You're... *not*... helping!" Fuu yelled back.
"One more, Fuu," the doctor said.
"Fuu, just one more," Ferio murmured. "Fuu, come *on,* I know you're stronger than this! Do it!"
"*You* try this!"
"Honey, if you love that baby you'll *do * it!*" he insisted, a little hurt that she was yelling at him, even though he knew that she was under a lot of stress right now.
"I *can't*..." she moaned.
"Fuu, please, you have to," the doctor interjected.
Fuu surrendered, taking a deep breath and pushing hard. Ferio winced as she cried out again, very loudly. It hurt him to think that he had put her in this pain. He was shaken from his thoughts when he heard the doctor say, "She's out!"
'Oh, God, oh, God, oh, God...' was all Ferio could think as the doctors tended to his and Fuu's child. 'That's my baby...' His mind flashed back to the day Fuu had told him she was pregnant. The joy he had felt then was overshadowed only by the joy he felt now.
Fuu fell back onto the pillows, her head turned in Ferio's direction, utterly exhausted. He looked at her. Her eyes were squeezed shut and her chest was rising and falling from her panting. And yet, even with her hair clinging to her worn-out, sweaty face... she was as beautiful as ever.
Fuu slowly opened her eyes and smiled at Ferio weakly. "Ferio, I love you..."
He kissed her weak hand. "I know, and I love you too. Now even more than ever. I can't believe you went through all that." He brushed her hair off of her face. A nurse gave him a cold, wet cloth and he wiped her forehead with it. "You're so amazing..."
Fuu put a hand to her face, taking a deep breath. "I'd do it all over again to make you happy," she whispered. "The throwing up, the discomfort, the twenty hours of labor..."
"Ma'am?"
Fuu's eyes snapped open, suddenly hearing the crying of a newborn. "My baby!..."
The doctor came over to Fuu. "Here she is," she said.
"Oh... Come to Mommy..." Fuu whispered, cradling the tiny girl in her arms. She felt her heart stop as she looked down at her child... Hers and Ferio's... "Shh, don't cry," she murmured, touching her thin green hair lightly. A sob tore through her and tears fell down her cheeks. She didn't know what else to do but cry. "My baby," she sobbed, not knowing what else to say. "My baby... *our* baby..."
Ferio looked at his wife, then at their child. "Fuu-chan..." he whispered. "We created life?" Fuu raised her eyes to meet his. All he could do was stare into the depths of her deep, green eyes. Their pure, loving passion had brought a new life into the world. It was something that really made him think.
Their gaze broke as the baby started to fuss. Ferio realized that the doctors had said that they would be right outside if they needed them.
"No, no, don't cry..." Fuu murmured as the child's sobs subsided and she fell asleep in her mother's arms. "Oh, God, Ferio... I'm so happy..."
Ferio sat on the edge of the bed, close to Fuu. He curled a finger under her delicate chin and leaned over, kissing her softly. Then he turned to his daughter. "Fuu, she's gorgeous..." He reached over touching her tiny hand, tears gathering behind his golden eyes as her little fist closed instinctively around his finger.
"It was worth all I went through," Fuu murmured, leaning on Ferio's shoulder as he wrapped his arm around her. "I was so afraid there would be a problem... Since women's bodies aren't at their best for childbirth until they're twenty-three or so, and I'm only twenty..."
"You worry too much..."
She giggled and pecked him on the cheek. "You'll be trying to lose weight with me, Daddy," she said. "You put on almost as much weight as me!"
Ferio frowned. "So I ate a lot."
"You've gotten fat," Fuu teased.
Ferio had an urge the grab her around the waist and tickle her until she took that back, but this obviously wasn't the time and place for it. Instead, he said, "Fuu-chan, what should we name her?"
Fuu hugged the baby closer to her, wanting to look into those green eyes again. "Kazeka," she whispered after a few moments.
"A beautiful name for a beautiful girl, picked by a beautiful woman," Ferio said softly. Fuu blushed and he kissed her forehead. "You look so perfect with her in your arms, Fuu. You've done it again."
"What?"
"Made me the happiest man alive, of course," Ferio said gently. "You did when you first said you loved me, you did when you married me... You did when we *concieved* this child," he said, getting another blush from her. "And now, with you holding our child in your arms."
"Oh, Ferio..." Fuu sighed. They looked down at their sleeping child for a few minutes, the only sound Kazeka's soft breathing and their beating hearts.
Ferio again felt hot, joyous tears sting his eyes as he looked at his daughter. Before she had fallen asleep, he had seen her eyes. They were deep, green and beautiful, exactly like her mother's. He wanted to hold her and kiss her and never put her down. He was a *father,* a daddy! He didn't know whether to laugh or cry or both.
Fuu broke the silence. "Do you want to hold her?" she whispered.
"Hell yeah, but..." Ferio hesitated. "*You're* her mother."
"Ferio, she's just as much yours as she is mine."
Ferio nodded as Fuu slipped the baby into his arms, praying he wouldn't break her or something. He felt his heart melt into nothing as he looked at Kazeka, the tears now rolling down his cheeks.
"Ferio..." Fuu whispered, her breath finally slowing. She shifted in the hospital bed to get more comfortable, her body still aching. She slipped her arm around his waist and wiped his tears with her other hand, her fingertips brushing his cheeks ever so lightly.
"Fuu..." Ferio murmured, not looking from his child. "Thank you so much... Thank you for her."
Fuu kissed his cheek. "Thank *you.*"
Ferio sighed and reluctantly looked up as a nurse knocked on the door. "We have to take her now, I'm sorry. She needs to be cleaned and--"
"I know," Ferio interrupted. He glanced at Fuu. "Please take her quickly or I won't be able to let her go." The nurse did, being very careful with the baby. The parents stared longingly after the nurse as she left. Ferio turned to Fuu only to see her eyes filling with tears. "Fuu, shh, we'll see her soon."
Fuu wiped her eyes. "I am sorry... I don't know--"
Ferio shushed her with a soft kiss, his lips opening and closing against hers. She closed her eyes and kissed him back. He broke the kiss and pushed her gently back onto the pillows. "Your body must be killing you," he said softly. "Just rest, okay?"
Fuu nodded as he took her hand, tying their fingers through each other's. She sighed softly. She felt like she could sleep for hours... With her husband by her side... The man that she had mothered a child by. The man that she loved. For always. "Ferio..."
"Hm?"
"I promise you that I'll be the best mother that I possibly can."
Ferio smiled. "And I promise that I'll be the best father I can and help you raise her well..."
Fuu smiled back. "Want to seal that promise with a kiss?"
"Oh, yeah," he grinned, leaning down to kiss her.
End ~