Chapter Three
Sora looked at her watch impatiently, trying not to stand up from the subway seat and pace nervously. Yamato had asked her to call before she left her mother's, but she wanted to surprise him; she had some news that just couldn't be told over the phone, but she knew if she heard his voice, it would all just spill out. Her whole body tingled with excitement and she hoped that Yamato was home, because she didn't think she'd have the patience to wait for him to get back or look for him. I wonder how he'll take it? She thought smiling, will he pass out, or cheer, or cry? Will he be excited… or angry? That last thought dashed her happy mood and she began to think of all the negative possibilities while she placed her hand on her still flat stomach.
She sighed and looked at her watch with more that a hint of dread running like water acrossed her face. What if he suggests I get an abortion? What if he wants to put the baby up for adoption? What if he leaves me, just called off the wedding and leave? We never really talked about starting a family, what if he didn't really wanted one? God, please, don't let him be angry about having a child? I hope he's happy about it, I've wanted a family of my own since I was old enough to know they weren't delivered by the stork, please let him feel the same.
The subway train slowed, then came to a shuddering halt; a woman's voice announced that this was her stop. She hesitantly picked up her one suitcase and exited through the door that slid open for her, stepping off the train with a sigh of relief. She hated the stuffy things. Now to catch a cab. She sighed again, this time exasperated. One bad thing about not calling Yamato, he's not here to pick me up.
She walked slowly up the steps and stood by the road, ready to flag down a taxi when they drove by. Three passed before one finally stopped and an old, fat man got out and slammed the door just as she was reaching for it. She shook her head at his manners when he shouldered past her as if she wasn't there. She pulled opened the door, casting one last look over her shoulder at the rude old man before settling into the seat.
"Where to ma'am?" the greasy haired driver asked her, looking her up and down in the rearview mirror, his eyes undressing her lustily. Gross! She thought, not bothering to hide her disgust. He probably has an erection too! I think I'm going to be sick!
"9618 Anakoku Lane please" she replied impatiently, placing her purse on her lap to feel the leather touch her bare skin. Damn you, you had to wear the skirt didn't you Sora! She berated herself. No wonder the guy is practically masturbating! Yamato always told you, you had great legs, you never believed him. Well, now I guess you do.
"Money!" he gruffed, holding out a hand behind him. Sora took some bills out of her purse and made as if to give them to him. But when he snatched hungrily at them, she snapped her hand back, bringing the money just out of his reach.
"Not a cent until I arrive safely at my fiancé's apartment." She told him sternly, and made a show of sticking the bills back. The dirty, probably drug-addicted driver grunted, started the taxi, then floored onto the freeway, and Sora found herself gripping the edge of her seat and praying for her life.
*****
Taichi walked around the corner with an arm full of presents, two from him, Kisha, and Kari, one from Takeru, one from Jyou and Koushiro, and a couple from the other group of digidestined; but for some reason, Yamato hadn't been available. They were all happy to see that Mimi had come back to Japan, and were planning a surprise welcome-back party, but he was the messenger for the first, and most intimate gifts.
He stopped infront of the door with the apartment number Kari had given him on it. He rang the door bell and hoped he hadn't gotten the numbers scrambled somehow. There was no answer and he rung the bell a second time. Again no answer. In frustration, he hit the small button as hard as he could with his index finger and pushed, keeping his finger there until it started to ache. For a long time, there was no answer; then, when he was just about to turn around and walk away, the door burst open and a woman poked her head out. Her hair looked as though it had been brushed through hastily with her hands, and a thin sheen of sweat was smeared acrossed her forehead where she'd tried to wipe it away.
It took him a few moments where he blinked in confusion at her familiar face until recognition came when she tentatively asked, "Taichi?" then squealed and threw the door open with a loud "bang!" and embraced him enthusiastically.
"Mimi! My God, I barely recognized you!" He greeted, a smile stretched his mouth to it's limit as he juggled the gifts so that they wouldn't fall. "I can't believe how much I've missed you!"
~* before Taichi *~
"Shit!" Yamato exclaimed as the doorbell echoed into the bedroom, they both hurried to retrieve their clothing from the night before. Mimi tied a robe firmly at her waist as the bell rang a second time, she cursed under her breath and raked a hand hastily through her hair, attempting to make it look somewhat presentable. Yamato, wearing only a pair of boxers -for lack of being able to find the rest of his cloths- walked to the kitchen seemingly to find something to eat, and glanced over his shoulder as Mimi walked towards the door, she looked back at the same time then smiled and winked, "I'll get rid of em."
The doorbell rang a third time with a long, annoyed drawl that grated on his nerves. Mimi bit off another curse and sprinted for the door, wiping the sweat that had accumulated on her forehead with the back of her hand.
Yamato was just about to get two cans of Pepsi from the refrigerator, when he heard Mimi squeal and after, Taichi's voice (though not what he said). He halted in his short walk across the small room, and with something akin to panic, dashed into Mimi's bedroom, leaving the door slightly ajar so that he could peer out into the common room.
Mimi led Taichi into the room and sat him down on the couch where he put his burden down on the coffee table. "Wait there while I go get something on okay?" He nodded absently, looking around the room in amazement.
Yamato saw her coming in his direction, but couldn't get out of the way before the door hit him in the side of the head. He forced down a yelp of pain and held his head in one hand while quietly muttering senselessly. Mimi placed her hands on her hips reproachfully and glared down at him as he stood half doubled over.
"Why are you hiding in here Yamato?" she asked with a hint of amusement behind her exasperated tone; loud enough that, surely, Taichi had heard clearly.
"Mimi-" he started, but she cut him off as if he'd never even tried to speak.
"Taichi is here, go out and keep him company while I find something a little more substantial than a robe." She gently but forcefully pushed him out the door, then purposely shut and locked it behind him.
*****
Taichi stared in dumbfounded shock, his mind not registering what Yamato, barely dressed, at Mimi's apartment this early in the morning meant. "What are you doing here?" he asked, the question torn from him before he could stop it.
"I…hee…uh…um-" He stuttered, trying to think of a reasonable excuse. Suddenly Taichi's mind clicked into gear and his eyes widened.
"You didn't! With Mimi!? What about Sora?!" He stood up from the couch and faced Yamato, who blushed, paled, bushed again, then blanched.
"I-I-I…" Taichi gave him a stern look and he found himself trailing off.
"Why?" he asked, lowering back down into his seat, Yamato shrugged helplessly and sat beside him.
"It just…kinda happened." He said, resting his elbows on his legs, letting his arms fall limply between them.
"I thought you loved Sora?" Taichi accused, Yamato sighed and placed a hand over his eyes.
"So did I." Taichi looked at him and sighed himself, his anger evaporating.
"What are you going to do now?" Yamato brought his other hand to join his first, completely covering his face.
"I don't know." He whispered into his palms, "I'll just have to tell her and hope she doesn't take it to badly."
~* At Yamato's apartment *~
Yamato opened his apartment door that was, quite mysteriously, unlocked; but he was so tired that he was just grateful that he didn't have to fumble in the dark of the hallway for his key. Hanging his coat on a rack by the door, he didn't even remove his shoes as he walked through the short corridor that led from the entrance to the kitchen, not bothering to turn on the lights and dazzle his eyes; stumbling along from memory. But when he reached the living room, he remembered that Sora had rearranged it before she'd left for her mother's and he hadn't been home enough to memorize it. Not wanting any injuries because of his stupidity, he reached up and traveled the wall with his fingers until his hand found the switch panel and flipped it up.
For a moment, all he saw was blinding whiteness as he clenched his eyes shut; but gradually, as he squinted around the room, they adjusted and he almost wished they hadn't.
Laying on his comfortable old couch, with her head supported by limp hands, was Sora, a peaceful smile turning up the corners of her lips. He watched her breathing, her shoulders moving slowly up and down with the rise and fall of her chest. He looked over her face, beautiful in it's serenity, and wondered absently how he had ever thought that he was in love with her, in her innocence, it seemed almost a fatal sin. Sighing hopelessly, he went to fetch a blanket from a closet in his room to cover her with, but when he returned, laden with a large folded comforter, he saw that she was sitting up and rubbing her left eye drowsily.
"Yamato?" she asked, suddenly coming awake and starring at him curiously, he gulped audibly and nodded. "Yamato, where have you been, I've been waiting here since noon? It's now after…" she looked infront of her at the clock on the wall over his television. "Well after midnight." She folded her hands on her lap and leaned back into the couch.
"We… were… uh… just at Mimi's house." He said, sitting the blanket down on one of the two chairs and then claiming the other.
"Mimi? But she lives in…" Her face suddenly brightened and she leaned forward eagerly. "Is she visiting?… No, you said her house! Is she here to stay?" Yamato looked down at his hands as if they were the most interesting things and nodded.
"As far as we know." He replied, not meeting her eyes. She squealed with delight and he covered a grimace. One day with Mimi's and suddenly no other girl's as perfect. He mused silently, still studying the tiny lines on his hand like they were fascinating.