LOVE OF AGES
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 9
~*~*~*~
"Hurry, Meiling!!!" Tomoyo called. It had been quite a few weeks since the incident between Naoko and Tyson, and the women were on their way to pick up Sakura and Syaoran at the airport.
"I'm here, I'm here." Meiling groaned, racing down the staircase and out the front door. The girls piled into the limo and it rushed off. They got there just moments before Sakura's flight touched down, and then they waited anxiously for some sign of the couple in the large crowd exiting the plane.
Then chestnut colored hair appeared at the back of the group and the girls immediately recognized Syaoran's face.
"SYAORAN!!!" The three young women shrieked, throwing themselves into his arms. He chuckled deeply and returned it, while Sakura watched on in amusement.
"SAKURA!!!" Tomoyo cried again, rocketing into Sakura's waiting arms. The auburn haired woman laughed and hugged back tightly.
"We missed you so much. You'll never believe all of the things that have happened!" Meiling commented as the ushered the two guests to the limo. Sakura and Syaoran frowned in confusion.
"What?" Sakura asked. Naoko, Meiling and Tomoyo shared a sly look.
"You'll see!"
~*~*~*~
"TOUYA!!!" Sakura shrieked, as the form of her brother entered the sitting room. The three girls had ushered them in there as soon as they had arrived, telling Philipe to take the guests luggage up to their rooms. They had sat in there, talking for about half an hour, when the said person entered the room, grinning.
Touya braced himself as his little sister threw herself into his arms. Behind them, Syaoran turned slightly pale at the 'surprise', because he and Touya had never really gotten along...
"Where have you been? How are you? What's the surprise you wanted to show me?" Sakura asked eagerly. Touya smiled, a smile softer than any she had ever seen on him (being a father does that to you!).
"Hold on. I'll go get it." He murmured. As Sakura watched him exit the room, Tomoyo quickly laid the picture of Touya and his little family face- down on the mantle, so she wouldn't see it.
"What on earth could he surprise me with, more than himself?" Sakura asked timidly. Tomoyo grinned and shook her head, while Meiling stifled a giggle and Naoko hid a smile. Then, a tiny 'ahh-oooo' rippled through the room, and a soft laugh was heard. Sakura and Syaoran watched in shock as Touya entered with a tiny baby boy in his arms.
"Sakura, this is your nephew, Seamus. Seamus, this is your Auntie Sakura!" Touya introduced. Sakura looked as if she would faint, and Syaoran held her waist protectively.
"Touya! How...who's the mother?" Sakura asked helplessly. Touya grinned.
"A wonderful woman, my wife, Nakuru." He stated. Sakura turned even paler at this, then her face twisted in hurt.
"You didn't even tell us you had a son! I mean, I know you were married, but...he's beautiful!" Sakura exclaimed, causing the other's in the room to sweat-drop. Sakura had changed from one subject to the other without even batting an eyelash. Touya gently handed his son over to his sister, and Sakura held the baby tenderly, her eyes soft. Tomoyo gasped and then tilted her head in wonder.
"Sakura, you're pregnant!" She exclaimed. Sakura looked up and turned red.
"What?"
"WHAT?!" This came from Syaoran, who's eyes were now wider than pizza platters.
"That is the look only a mother could have. Trust me, I've seen it plenty before." Touya stated, looking not at all surprised. Sakura turned pale.
"But...but how is that possible? Shouldn't I have known?" She asked shakily. Tomoyo smiled.
"Maybe, maybe not. Either way, you *are* pregnant and I will prove it to you by tomorrow." Tomoyo laughed. Syaoran looked faint, but he was smiling foolishly. To everyone's surprise, Touya put an arm around his shoulders.
"Man, I pity you. Having a kaijuu as a wife, and now a kaijuu in the making, you are going to have a lot of trouble!" Touya chuckled as Sakura shot him a glare and Syaoran began to look sick. This made the whole room erupt in laughter once again.
~*~*~*~
"I'M PREGNANT!" Sakura shrieked a few hours later, racing from Tomoyo's bathroom. Tomoyo had had a feeling something like this might happen, so she had gotten a pregnancy test, just in case. Sure enough, there was a plus sign on the stem, and Sakura's face was glowing. Syaoran had long gotten over his shock, and was now smothering his wife with kisses.
"Congratulations! Wait until Er...um...our host finds out!" Meiling squealed. Omata had returned from an errand, and was now holding her around the waist, while Naoko, Touya and Seamus were seated on the bed, anxiously awaiting the outcome.
"That reminds me. Who *is* our host?" Syaoran asked curiously, cutting off his snogging session with his wife. The group smiled slyly and simply motioned them from the room. Once they were down in the sitting room again, it was only a matter of minutes before the front door opened and steps were heard. Tomoyo clutched her hands in anticipation as the door swung open and a tall young man with dark black hair and blue eyes entered the room.
For a moment, Syaoran and Sakura both stared, their eyes wide. Then Sakura did a slow turn towards the mantel, and picked up the group photograph of all her friends. With shaky hands she looked from the picture, back to the man, then at the picture again. Finally, she pressed it into Tomoyo's waiting hands and rushed towards Eriol, tears falling from her face.
"You're alive. We were so afraid that...oh, Eriol! We missed you so much!" Sakura whimpered, burying her face in his shoulder. Eriol smiled and held his dear friend close. Syaoran stood nearby, his face deathly pale.
"Eriol? Buddy?" He whispered, not believing what he was seeing. Eriol nodded and Syaoran passed a shaky hand over his eyes, then looked again. When the image did not change, Syaoran's face broke into a smile and he quickly went over and patted Eriol on the back.
"We missed you, man. Oh, and hands off the lady. A pregnant woman needs her space." Syaoran stated slyly, pulling his wife close as Eriol released her. Eriol stood, stunned for a moment, then he broke into a grin.
"Why you old rogue! First you marry her, then you get her pregnant. What next?" He rolled his eyes over-dramatically and Syaoran blushed. Tomoyo slapped Eriol's arm just as another person entered the room.
"Honey, Milly and I just got back and...OH!!!" Nakuru stopped on the threshold, her hand on her throat. She had not been expecting the crowd.
"Darling, this is Sakura, my sister." Touya said, putting his arm around his wife's waist. Sakura quickly moved forward to hug Nakuru gently, and Nakuru also seemed to get the same instinct that Tomoyo had.
"You're pregnant!"
"Ugh! Does *everyone* know how to tell but me?" Sakura groaned. Nakuru laughed.
"Well, darling, don't you worry! I have plenty of helpful advice on how to be a mom. Just come to me if you need any help!" She giggled. Sakura nodded and they were soon in a big discussion about motherhood.
Tomoyo watched this and sighed softly, wistfully. Eriol, who was standing next to her, was the only one who noticed her lonely gaze on the baby Seamus, and his heart flipped once again.
~*~*~*~
Tomoyo sighed as she watched Naoko read silently the next day. The young woman had been avoiding Tyson Burnside at all costs, and poor Tyson was trying harder than ever to make her see his side of things. Naoko, being the stubborn thing she was, refused to see it.
"Naoko?"
"Um-hum?"
"Mother, Meiling, Omata and I are going out to dinner. Eriol is at his business meeting and won't get home till late. Touya and Nakuru have taken Sakura and Syaoran out to dinner, and Milly is out at a meeting as well. So would you like to come with us?" Tomoyo asked hesitantly. Naoko shook her head.
"I'm fine, thanks. I think I'll just stay here again." She murmured, her nose still buried in her book. Tomoyo sighed again and nodded in understanding.
"All right, then. Well, I'll see you later, I suppose." She murmured, leaving the room. Naoko nodded again and went back to her book, never once thinking that this might again be a plot against her. After about half an hour, Naoko was still reading, though her eyes were becoming tired.
"Alone again?" Came a soft voice from behind her. Naoko gave a yelp and jumped up from the couch, her hand over her heart.
"You've got to stop doing that!" She exclaimed to a grinning Tyson. He chuckled.
"Wait...I thought you had a meeting!"
"I didn't. Eriol did. So I decided to come over here and entertain myself again. I didn't know that you'd be here alone again, though. Quite a coincidence, really." He murmured. Naoko raised an eyebrow.
"I suppose..."
"Good, now that that's settled, why don't I take you over to my house for dinner?" He suggested, pulling her towards the door. Naoko groaned.
"It's a conspiracy!"
"You'd better believe it!" He laughed, pulling her out the front doors and onto the grounds. They walked in silence, enjoying the view, until they finally reached his home. It was just as big as Eriol's, though it looked less lived-in and formal. They quickly made their way to the huge dinning room, where Tyson sat her down at the long, narrow table and called to one of the waiters. It was just about then that something hit Naoko.
"Oh! I forgot to tell them that I was leaving! They'll be worried if I am not there when they return..."
"No worries. I told Philipe where we were going, when I learned that you were alone." He stated, a slight grin coming to his lips. Naoko smiled slightly.
"You had this planned down to the last detail, didn't you?"
"Yup." His childish grin made her laugh and he knew that his folly was forgiven. That is, until a bottle of wine was set between them.
"Oh, no! I am *not* getting 'mellowed' again." She stated, gazing at the bottle in distaste. He smirked and poured two long-stemmed glass fulls. Taking a sip, he closed his eyes in delight and smiled.
"Too bad. It's even better this time." He murmured, holding the second glass to her lips. She pursed them, refusing, but when the slightly cool liquid touched her lips, she instinctively opened them and took a drink. He was right. It was wonderful.
"I'm going to get drunk again." She moaned, taking the drink. He smiled.
"Not drunk, mellowed." He reminded her, running a hand through his blonde hair. Naoko watched this and her mouth went slightly dry, causing her to take another drink of her wine. He smirked and his blue eyes twinkled into her brown ones. Soon, the dinner came and they were both involved in eating and talking about the very interesting subject of...stocks.
Again, it took them quite a while to finish their meal, and when they did, the wine had dwindled dangerously low, though not so low as last time. Naoko felt a bit more in-balance then last time as well, which is why she allowed him to lead her to one of his favorite rooms in the house, his study.
It was a quiet little room, with bookshelves along two walls and a fireplace on a third. There was a desk with a computer on it in the far corner, and a cozy little sitting area was arranged in front of the fireplace. The floor, instead of being covered with marble, as were the halls, was covered in a warm, light brown carpet with a huge, circular oriental rug over it.
"Come and sit." He murmured, patting to the seat next to him. Naoko sat, her eyes taking in the room.
"Does it please the lady?"
"Oh, yes! I've never been in such a room like this...well, except at Eriol's, and his wasn't half as cozy as this." She murmured. He smiled in contentment.
"I'm glad. When I was small, this used to be one of my hiding places when my parents had parties. It was quite a comfort to have, since I didn't know of Eriol at that time." He mussed, his eyes glued to her face. Naoko smiled, a bit uncomfortably.
"That must have been nice."
"It was. Here, I actually felt as if something loved me...even if they were just books." He chuckled at this, and Naoko smiled, then noticed something and leaned closer to get a better look. No, she hadn't been wrong! There it was, plain as day!
"You read my books?" She asked in a shocked voice. One of her most famous books was lying open the table next to her. He leaned over to see it, deliberately leaning close to her at the same time; Naoko's cheeks warmed.
"I do. I like them. They are very well written, and your characters are priceless." He gushed, imitating a woman. Naoko laughed but suddenly stopped as she realized how close they were to each other. His face was mere inches away, and she felt her cheeks warm. Perhaps they had had a bit too much wine again?
But this and all other thoughts flew from her head as his lips covered hers. Her mind spun again, and her body jerked with awareness. His hand was gently trailing around her waist, pulling her out of the chair and nearer to him. Naoko's breath came out as a whimper as his lips parted hers for the first time. At this, she clung to his arms, trying to gain some control...any control!
He, however, seemed quite intent on making her mindless. Finally, when they were forced to pull away for air, and Naoko's mind gained some sanity, she realized that she was now straddled over his lap.
"Tyson, what..." She trailed off as his finger gently began to trace her lips.
"Do you realize how beautiful you are, Naoko?" He asked softly, his voice holding no humor anymore. Naoko shook her head, unable to do anything else.
"Very. Enough to drive me crazy." He informed her, gently trailing kisses across her mouth. Naoko moaned and he pulled her closer.
"Why do you run, Naoko? Why do you avoid me?" He asked. Naoko shivered.
"It can't happen. People will talk. And you're so wealthy..."
"My wealth has nothing to do with this. All I care about is you, love." At this, he gently kissed her again, making her mind spin. She weakly pushed him away.
"But..."
"No 'buts'. I don't care what other people think, I love you." He stated, his eyes never leaving hers. This was too much for poor Naoko, and tears filled her eyes.
"Why me?"
"Why not you? You're smart, funny, everything I could ever dream for." He murmured, moving his lips to her neck. Naoko whimpered once again and gently dug her nails into his back.
"But could you ever care for me?" He asked, his eyes down-turned. Naoko became breathless.
"I do...I love you." She finally whispered, flushing. His face beamed into a smile and he pulled her close, ravaging her mouth. Naoko moaned again, and to her surprise, he picked her up and then started to walk towards one of the bookcases. Reaching for a book, he tilted it outwards, and the whole shelf slid back into itself, revealing a dark room beyond.
"Sometimes its good to have a study attached to your bedroom." He murmured, capturing her lips once again in a passionate kiss, and carrying her over to the bed.
~*~*~*~
"Where on earth is Naoko?! Philipe told us she went over to Tyson's for 'dinner'." Meiling sighed, sinking down onto the couch next to Omata. Tomoyo grinned and met Eriol's sparkling eyes.
"Why do I get the feeling 'dinner' was only the half of it?" Tomoyo whispered to him. He smirked.
"I have a feeling it was. Tyson truly loves her, and I have a feeling that he didn't let her go, last night, until she realized it." He murmured back. Tomoyo gasped, her eyes widening.
"You don't think..."
"Yes, I do, and no, I won't mention it to anyone. What they do is *their* business, even through it would be fun to tease them about it!" He chuckled. Tomoyo smiled.
"To think, Naoko's found love after all these years. And she deserves it. She was always there for us, even when she was struggling the most." She sighed.
"Tyson needs her too. Even though she may not have been rich, she had a loving family, which is something that he never had. Tyson's told me on numerous occasions that if he ever were to marry, he would want someone loving, who would love not only him, but his children as well." Eriol murmured. Tomoyo sighed.
"Then its all right. Naoko can give him that, and Tyson can give her the love, comfort and luxury that she has only been able to dream about before now. They are the perfect couple!" She squealed softly. Eriol smiled at her enthusiasm, but his face grew serious as Tomoyo's face dropped, and her eyes became sad.
"What is it, Tomoyo-chan?" He asked softly. Tomoyo looked up startled, then forced a smile.
"Robert asked me for a date, and since my mother was right there, she answered for me. So tomorrow night, I am going on a date with him." She looked like she would rather be in a garbage-dump. Eriol scowled.
"Lovely. Just when I finally had you convinced not to accept him..."
"And I won't. If he mentions it...I'll change the subject, somehow." She muttered. He raised an eyebrow.
"I can just imagine. 'Will you marry me?', 'Oh! Look! Aren't the stars kawaii tonight?'" Eriol mimicked her voice and she slapped his arm, grinning.
"Be nice. I only have a few days left here, you know." She murmured. Eriol's face hardened as realization hit him.
"What?"
"Did you forget? I leave next Wednesday. And today's Thursday." Tomoyo commented, her voice remorseful. Eriol felt a flash of panic leak through his veins. He had completely forgotten! And it seemed like only yesterday she had stepped back into his life, as sweet and blossoming as when he had left her.
"No, I suppose I didn't. I just wanted to forget." He murmured. She smiled sadly.
"Well, we have two whole days this weekend to be together. And some of next week." She whispered. Eriol smiled sadly as well.
"No. Mr. Rock-di*k has you tomorrow night." He commented. This sent her into peals of laughter and earned him another slap on the arm.
"Eriol, really!"
~*~*~*~
With a yawn, Tyson Burnside awoke to one of the most wonderful sights he had ever seen in his entire life. There, in his arms, lay the girl of his dreams. Her long brown hair cascaded over his arm, and her head rested on his chest. Her warm body was pressed close to his, and he felt shivers of delight fill him.
Then, with a soft moan and a stretch, she joined him in the conscious world. Naoko's brown eyes looked around in confusion for a moment, then she relaxed, realizing where she was. Her eyes found his and held them.
"Morning, beautiful." He murmured, gently kissing her forehead. She smiled and snuggled closer, warmth rising in her chest.
"Morning." She whispered. He smiled, and then began to chuckle as a thought struck him.
"They are probably wondering where you are..." He trailed off as his beautiful lover sat up with a gasp, the satin sheets held tightly against her front.
"OH! Tomoyo's going to kill me!" She cried, about to get out of the bed. He quickly grasped her arms and gently pulled her back towards him.
"She won't. I have a feeling she'll put two and two together, if I know her. And if she doesn't, Eriol will!" He stated. Naoko groaned and pressed her head to her knees, hiding her smile.
"I'll never live this down." She muttered. He laughed outright.
"Nope. I certainly hope we don't. I wouldn't have traded last night for any night of my entire life." He announced, giving her a sound kiss on the lips. Naoko grinned and nestled into his arms.
"Really? Why?"
"Yes, and because you shared it with me. I meant what I said last night. I love you, my Naoko." He whispered, placing a kiss on her lips. Naoko sighed in contentment and snuggled even closer.
Thus began a life both of them had only dreamed of before now.
~*~*~*~
"So...where were you?" Tomoyo asked slyly, as Naoko came in that night. Naoko smiled.
"You're smart, Tomoyo. I think you know." She murmured, a blush rising to her cheeks. Tomoyo gave a happy squeal and threw herself into her friend's arms.
"Naoko, I'm so happy for you! He loves you a lot, you know." Tomoyo whispered. Naoko smiled.
"He told me. But we both agreed that we wouldn't do...that again...until we were sure that..." She trailed off, her face tomato red and unable to go on. Tomoyo smiled and nodded.
"I understand. And Naoko, don't run away from this one. He is different than most men." She stated. Naoko nodded, her grin returning.
"I have no intention of running away."
"Good. Now, where were you the rest of the day?"
"With him. Tyson called in sick this morning and we spent the day picnicking on his grounds and...he took me horseback riding. It was fun!" Naoko's face glowed as she mentioned this, and Tomoyo smiled. The girl was finally beginning to live!
"Then what?"
"He walked me home and here we are." Naoko stated. Then she went pale.
"OH NO! I completely forgot your photo-shoot this afternoon! I'm sorry..."
"Don't apologize! Meiling took over your job, and we got along just fine. Besides. You needed that time alone with him." Tomoyo murmured. Naoko nodded.
"We also talked about what was going to happen when I have to go back to Japan. You know my job is not that versatile, unless I am with you." Naoko sighed.
"And?"
"And we're going to keep it at a long-distance relationship for a while, see how things go, then go on from there." Naoko told her. They had wandered into Tomoyo's room, and were now sitting on the bed.
"That's a good idea. But Naoko, you shouldn't have to be away from him. I'm sure that I could get you a similar job out here..."
"No. I want to stay with you and the company. I feel more comfortable. Now, if you had a branch out here, then I might consider it." She grinned. Tomoyo laughed.
"Well, that may become a reality. They are already trying to get me to sign a contract so we can get an office over here. Perhaps you could take a job here, and then you wouldn't have to be away from him." Tomoyo's voice was happy for Naoko, but a slight undertone of sorrow managed to creep through; Naoko noticed.
"Tomoyo-chan, what is it?" She asked softly, putting an arm around her friend. Tomoyo winced and shifted uncomfortably.
"Mother's wrangled me into a date with Robert...and Eriol's not pleased." She admitted. Naoko raised an eyebrow.
"Eriol? What does he have to do with it?"
"He's my friend, Naoko. And he cares about what happens to me. He...doesn't like Robert much, and has told me so quite openly." Tomoyo stated. Naoko frowned, but it slowly unfurled as a realization hit her. Something so shocking that she could barely contain herself.
"Eriol's opinion means a lot to you, doesn't it, Tomoyo?"
"Of course!"
"Why?" Naoko asked, eyeing her keenly. Tomoyo looked startled.
"Well, he's my friend! And...and..." Tomoyo trailed off, as she began to understand what Naoko was trying to point out. Why did she rely on Eriol's opinion so much? What was it about his opinion that made her want to please him?
"Tomoyo..." Naoko trailed off, shaking her head. She slowly stood up and walked over to the door. Opening it, she turned back and smiled sadly at her friend.
"The reason you rely on his opinion so much is because...you love him." She whispered, before closing the door gently. Tomoyo stared after her in absolute incredulity, her eyes wide.
"Well of course I love him! He's my best friend, besides Sakura!" She muttered, going into her bathroom and brushing her teeth. Then she quickly slipped into her nightgown and climbed into bed, her mind whirling with the simple information Naoko had thrust there.
'I love him...as a friend. I love him, he's my friend. I love him...I love him.' Tomoyo's mind repeated. With a soft cry, she sat up in bed, her face stricken.
It was true. She loved Eriol Hiiragizawa.
Not just as a friend, anymore.
She loved Eriol.
That night, Tomoyo got no sleep. Her mind kept running through everything that had happened between her and Eriol throughout her stay with him. She always came to the same conclusion. Even when she was seeing him for the first time in all those years...she had loved him.
Even as a child, young and innocently 'loving' him because he was her best friend, she had LOVED him. That kiss she had given him before he had gone...it was one of pure love. Not the love of a friend, but the love she had for the boy of her dreams.
"Eriol..." Tomoyo managed to whimper, before bursting into tears and smothering her face in her pillow.
And with tomorrow, came another day.
~*~*~*~
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 9
~*~*~*~
"Hurry, Meiling!!!" Tomoyo called. It had been quite a few weeks since the incident between Naoko and Tyson, and the women were on their way to pick up Sakura and Syaoran at the airport.
"I'm here, I'm here." Meiling groaned, racing down the staircase and out the front door. The girls piled into the limo and it rushed off. They got there just moments before Sakura's flight touched down, and then they waited anxiously for some sign of the couple in the large crowd exiting the plane.
Then chestnut colored hair appeared at the back of the group and the girls immediately recognized Syaoran's face.
"SYAORAN!!!" The three young women shrieked, throwing themselves into his arms. He chuckled deeply and returned it, while Sakura watched on in amusement.
"SAKURA!!!" Tomoyo cried again, rocketing into Sakura's waiting arms. The auburn haired woman laughed and hugged back tightly.
"We missed you so much. You'll never believe all of the things that have happened!" Meiling commented as the ushered the two guests to the limo. Sakura and Syaoran frowned in confusion.
"What?" Sakura asked. Naoko, Meiling and Tomoyo shared a sly look.
"You'll see!"
~*~*~*~
"TOUYA!!!" Sakura shrieked, as the form of her brother entered the sitting room. The three girls had ushered them in there as soon as they had arrived, telling Philipe to take the guests luggage up to their rooms. They had sat in there, talking for about half an hour, when the said person entered the room, grinning.
Touya braced himself as his little sister threw herself into his arms. Behind them, Syaoran turned slightly pale at the 'surprise', because he and Touya had never really gotten along...
"Where have you been? How are you? What's the surprise you wanted to show me?" Sakura asked eagerly. Touya smiled, a smile softer than any she had ever seen on him (being a father does that to you!).
"Hold on. I'll go get it." He murmured. As Sakura watched him exit the room, Tomoyo quickly laid the picture of Touya and his little family face- down on the mantle, so she wouldn't see it.
"What on earth could he surprise me with, more than himself?" Sakura asked timidly. Tomoyo grinned and shook her head, while Meiling stifled a giggle and Naoko hid a smile. Then, a tiny 'ahh-oooo' rippled through the room, and a soft laugh was heard. Sakura and Syaoran watched in shock as Touya entered with a tiny baby boy in his arms.
"Sakura, this is your nephew, Seamus. Seamus, this is your Auntie Sakura!" Touya introduced. Sakura looked as if she would faint, and Syaoran held her waist protectively.
"Touya! How...who's the mother?" Sakura asked helplessly. Touya grinned.
"A wonderful woman, my wife, Nakuru." He stated. Sakura turned even paler at this, then her face twisted in hurt.
"You didn't even tell us you had a son! I mean, I know you were married, but...he's beautiful!" Sakura exclaimed, causing the other's in the room to sweat-drop. Sakura had changed from one subject to the other without even batting an eyelash. Touya gently handed his son over to his sister, and Sakura held the baby tenderly, her eyes soft. Tomoyo gasped and then tilted her head in wonder.
"Sakura, you're pregnant!" She exclaimed. Sakura looked up and turned red.
"What?"
"WHAT?!" This came from Syaoran, who's eyes were now wider than pizza platters.
"That is the look only a mother could have. Trust me, I've seen it plenty before." Touya stated, looking not at all surprised. Sakura turned pale.
"But...but how is that possible? Shouldn't I have known?" She asked shakily. Tomoyo smiled.
"Maybe, maybe not. Either way, you *are* pregnant and I will prove it to you by tomorrow." Tomoyo laughed. Syaoran looked faint, but he was smiling foolishly. To everyone's surprise, Touya put an arm around his shoulders.
"Man, I pity you. Having a kaijuu as a wife, and now a kaijuu in the making, you are going to have a lot of trouble!" Touya chuckled as Sakura shot him a glare and Syaoran began to look sick. This made the whole room erupt in laughter once again.
~*~*~*~
"I'M PREGNANT!" Sakura shrieked a few hours later, racing from Tomoyo's bathroom. Tomoyo had had a feeling something like this might happen, so she had gotten a pregnancy test, just in case. Sure enough, there was a plus sign on the stem, and Sakura's face was glowing. Syaoran had long gotten over his shock, and was now smothering his wife with kisses.
"Congratulations! Wait until Er...um...our host finds out!" Meiling squealed. Omata had returned from an errand, and was now holding her around the waist, while Naoko, Touya and Seamus were seated on the bed, anxiously awaiting the outcome.
"That reminds me. Who *is* our host?" Syaoran asked curiously, cutting off his snogging session with his wife. The group smiled slyly and simply motioned them from the room. Once they were down in the sitting room again, it was only a matter of minutes before the front door opened and steps were heard. Tomoyo clutched her hands in anticipation as the door swung open and a tall young man with dark black hair and blue eyes entered the room.
For a moment, Syaoran and Sakura both stared, their eyes wide. Then Sakura did a slow turn towards the mantel, and picked up the group photograph of all her friends. With shaky hands she looked from the picture, back to the man, then at the picture again. Finally, she pressed it into Tomoyo's waiting hands and rushed towards Eriol, tears falling from her face.
"You're alive. We were so afraid that...oh, Eriol! We missed you so much!" Sakura whimpered, burying her face in his shoulder. Eriol smiled and held his dear friend close. Syaoran stood nearby, his face deathly pale.
"Eriol? Buddy?" He whispered, not believing what he was seeing. Eriol nodded and Syaoran passed a shaky hand over his eyes, then looked again. When the image did not change, Syaoran's face broke into a smile and he quickly went over and patted Eriol on the back.
"We missed you, man. Oh, and hands off the lady. A pregnant woman needs her space." Syaoran stated slyly, pulling his wife close as Eriol released her. Eriol stood, stunned for a moment, then he broke into a grin.
"Why you old rogue! First you marry her, then you get her pregnant. What next?" He rolled his eyes over-dramatically and Syaoran blushed. Tomoyo slapped Eriol's arm just as another person entered the room.
"Honey, Milly and I just got back and...OH!!!" Nakuru stopped on the threshold, her hand on her throat. She had not been expecting the crowd.
"Darling, this is Sakura, my sister." Touya said, putting his arm around his wife's waist. Sakura quickly moved forward to hug Nakuru gently, and Nakuru also seemed to get the same instinct that Tomoyo had.
"You're pregnant!"
"Ugh! Does *everyone* know how to tell but me?" Sakura groaned. Nakuru laughed.
"Well, darling, don't you worry! I have plenty of helpful advice on how to be a mom. Just come to me if you need any help!" She giggled. Sakura nodded and they were soon in a big discussion about motherhood.
Tomoyo watched this and sighed softly, wistfully. Eriol, who was standing next to her, was the only one who noticed her lonely gaze on the baby Seamus, and his heart flipped once again.
~*~*~*~
Tomoyo sighed as she watched Naoko read silently the next day. The young woman had been avoiding Tyson Burnside at all costs, and poor Tyson was trying harder than ever to make her see his side of things. Naoko, being the stubborn thing she was, refused to see it.
"Naoko?"
"Um-hum?"
"Mother, Meiling, Omata and I are going out to dinner. Eriol is at his business meeting and won't get home till late. Touya and Nakuru have taken Sakura and Syaoran out to dinner, and Milly is out at a meeting as well. So would you like to come with us?" Tomoyo asked hesitantly. Naoko shook her head.
"I'm fine, thanks. I think I'll just stay here again." She murmured, her nose still buried in her book. Tomoyo sighed again and nodded in understanding.
"All right, then. Well, I'll see you later, I suppose." She murmured, leaving the room. Naoko nodded again and went back to her book, never once thinking that this might again be a plot against her. After about half an hour, Naoko was still reading, though her eyes were becoming tired.
"Alone again?" Came a soft voice from behind her. Naoko gave a yelp and jumped up from the couch, her hand over her heart.
"You've got to stop doing that!" She exclaimed to a grinning Tyson. He chuckled.
"Wait...I thought you had a meeting!"
"I didn't. Eriol did. So I decided to come over here and entertain myself again. I didn't know that you'd be here alone again, though. Quite a coincidence, really." He murmured. Naoko raised an eyebrow.
"I suppose..."
"Good, now that that's settled, why don't I take you over to my house for dinner?" He suggested, pulling her towards the door. Naoko groaned.
"It's a conspiracy!"
"You'd better believe it!" He laughed, pulling her out the front doors and onto the grounds. They walked in silence, enjoying the view, until they finally reached his home. It was just as big as Eriol's, though it looked less lived-in and formal. They quickly made their way to the huge dinning room, where Tyson sat her down at the long, narrow table and called to one of the waiters. It was just about then that something hit Naoko.
"Oh! I forgot to tell them that I was leaving! They'll be worried if I am not there when they return..."
"No worries. I told Philipe where we were going, when I learned that you were alone." He stated, a slight grin coming to his lips. Naoko smiled slightly.
"You had this planned down to the last detail, didn't you?"
"Yup." His childish grin made her laugh and he knew that his folly was forgiven. That is, until a bottle of wine was set between them.
"Oh, no! I am *not* getting 'mellowed' again." She stated, gazing at the bottle in distaste. He smirked and poured two long-stemmed glass fulls. Taking a sip, he closed his eyes in delight and smiled.
"Too bad. It's even better this time." He murmured, holding the second glass to her lips. She pursed them, refusing, but when the slightly cool liquid touched her lips, she instinctively opened them and took a drink. He was right. It was wonderful.
"I'm going to get drunk again." She moaned, taking the drink. He smiled.
"Not drunk, mellowed." He reminded her, running a hand through his blonde hair. Naoko watched this and her mouth went slightly dry, causing her to take another drink of her wine. He smirked and his blue eyes twinkled into her brown ones. Soon, the dinner came and they were both involved in eating and talking about the very interesting subject of...stocks.
Again, it took them quite a while to finish their meal, and when they did, the wine had dwindled dangerously low, though not so low as last time. Naoko felt a bit more in-balance then last time as well, which is why she allowed him to lead her to one of his favorite rooms in the house, his study.
It was a quiet little room, with bookshelves along two walls and a fireplace on a third. There was a desk with a computer on it in the far corner, and a cozy little sitting area was arranged in front of the fireplace. The floor, instead of being covered with marble, as were the halls, was covered in a warm, light brown carpet with a huge, circular oriental rug over it.
"Come and sit." He murmured, patting to the seat next to him. Naoko sat, her eyes taking in the room.
"Does it please the lady?"
"Oh, yes! I've never been in such a room like this...well, except at Eriol's, and his wasn't half as cozy as this." She murmured. He smiled in contentment.
"I'm glad. When I was small, this used to be one of my hiding places when my parents had parties. It was quite a comfort to have, since I didn't know of Eriol at that time." He mussed, his eyes glued to her face. Naoko smiled, a bit uncomfortably.
"That must have been nice."
"It was. Here, I actually felt as if something loved me...even if they were just books." He chuckled at this, and Naoko smiled, then noticed something and leaned closer to get a better look. No, she hadn't been wrong! There it was, plain as day!
"You read my books?" She asked in a shocked voice. One of her most famous books was lying open the table next to her. He leaned over to see it, deliberately leaning close to her at the same time; Naoko's cheeks warmed.
"I do. I like them. They are very well written, and your characters are priceless." He gushed, imitating a woman. Naoko laughed but suddenly stopped as she realized how close they were to each other. His face was mere inches away, and she felt her cheeks warm. Perhaps they had had a bit too much wine again?
But this and all other thoughts flew from her head as his lips covered hers. Her mind spun again, and her body jerked with awareness. His hand was gently trailing around her waist, pulling her out of the chair and nearer to him. Naoko's breath came out as a whimper as his lips parted hers for the first time. At this, she clung to his arms, trying to gain some control...any control!
He, however, seemed quite intent on making her mindless. Finally, when they were forced to pull away for air, and Naoko's mind gained some sanity, she realized that she was now straddled over his lap.
"Tyson, what..." She trailed off as his finger gently began to trace her lips.
"Do you realize how beautiful you are, Naoko?" He asked softly, his voice holding no humor anymore. Naoko shook her head, unable to do anything else.
"Very. Enough to drive me crazy." He informed her, gently trailing kisses across her mouth. Naoko moaned and he pulled her closer.
"Why do you run, Naoko? Why do you avoid me?" He asked. Naoko shivered.
"It can't happen. People will talk. And you're so wealthy..."
"My wealth has nothing to do with this. All I care about is you, love." At this, he gently kissed her again, making her mind spin. She weakly pushed him away.
"But..."
"No 'buts'. I don't care what other people think, I love you." He stated, his eyes never leaving hers. This was too much for poor Naoko, and tears filled her eyes.
"Why me?"
"Why not you? You're smart, funny, everything I could ever dream for." He murmured, moving his lips to her neck. Naoko whimpered once again and gently dug her nails into his back.
"But could you ever care for me?" He asked, his eyes down-turned. Naoko became breathless.
"I do...I love you." She finally whispered, flushing. His face beamed into a smile and he pulled her close, ravaging her mouth. Naoko moaned again, and to her surprise, he picked her up and then started to walk towards one of the bookcases. Reaching for a book, he tilted it outwards, and the whole shelf slid back into itself, revealing a dark room beyond.
"Sometimes its good to have a study attached to your bedroom." He murmured, capturing her lips once again in a passionate kiss, and carrying her over to the bed.
~*~*~*~
"Where on earth is Naoko?! Philipe told us she went over to Tyson's for 'dinner'." Meiling sighed, sinking down onto the couch next to Omata. Tomoyo grinned and met Eriol's sparkling eyes.
"Why do I get the feeling 'dinner' was only the half of it?" Tomoyo whispered to him. He smirked.
"I have a feeling it was. Tyson truly loves her, and I have a feeling that he didn't let her go, last night, until she realized it." He murmured back. Tomoyo gasped, her eyes widening.
"You don't think..."
"Yes, I do, and no, I won't mention it to anyone. What they do is *their* business, even through it would be fun to tease them about it!" He chuckled. Tomoyo smiled.
"To think, Naoko's found love after all these years. And she deserves it. She was always there for us, even when she was struggling the most." She sighed.
"Tyson needs her too. Even though she may not have been rich, she had a loving family, which is something that he never had. Tyson's told me on numerous occasions that if he ever were to marry, he would want someone loving, who would love not only him, but his children as well." Eriol murmured. Tomoyo sighed.
"Then its all right. Naoko can give him that, and Tyson can give her the love, comfort and luxury that she has only been able to dream about before now. They are the perfect couple!" She squealed softly. Eriol smiled at her enthusiasm, but his face grew serious as Tomoyo's face dropped, and her eyes became sad.
"What is it, Tomoyo-chan?" He asked softly. Tomoyo looked up startled, then forced a smile.
"Robert asked me for a date, and since my mother was right there, she answered for me. So tomorrow night, I am going on a date with him." She looked like she would rather be in a garbage-dump. Eriol scowled.
"Lovely. Just when I finally had you convinced not to accept him..."
"And I won't. If he mentions it...I'll change the subject, somehow." She muttered. He raised an eyebrow.
"I can just imagine. 'Will you marry me?', 'Oh! Look! Aren't the stars kawaii tonight?'" Eriol mimicked her voice and she slapped his arm, grinning.
"Be nice. I only have a few days left here, you know." She murmured. Eriol's face hardened as realization hit him.
"What?"
"Did you forget? I leave next Wednesday. And today's Thursday." Tomoyo commented, her voice remorseful. Eriol felt a flash of panic leak through his veins. He had completely forgotten! And it seemed like only yesterday she had stepped back into his life, as sweet and blossoming as when he had left her.
"No, I suppose I didn't. I just wanted to forget." He murmured. She smiled sadly.
"Well, we have two whole days this weekend to be together. And some of next week." She whispered. Eriol smiled sadly as well.
"No. Mr. Rock-di*k has you tomorrow night." He commented. This sent her into peals of laughter and earned him another slap on the arm.
"Eriol, really!"
~*~*~*~
With a yawn, Tyson Burnside awoke to one of the most wonderful sights he had ever seen in his entire life. There, in his arms, lay the girl of his dreams. Her long brown hair cascaded over his arm, and her head rested on his chest. Her warm body was pressed close to his, and he felt shivers of delight fill him.
Then, with a soft moan and a stretch, she joined him in the conscious world. Naoko's brown eyes looked around in confusion for a moment, then she relaxed, realizing where she was. Her eyes found his and held them.
"Morning, beautiful." He murmured, gently kissing her forehead. She smiled and snuggled closer, warmth rising in her chest.
"Morning." She whispered. He smiled, and then began to chuckle as a thought struck him.
"They are probably wondering where you are..." He trailed off as his beautiful lover sat up with a gasp, the satin sheets held tightly against her front.
"OH! Tomoyo's going to kill me!" She cried, about to get out of the bed. He quickly grasped her arms and gently pulled her back towards him.
"She won't. I have a feeling she'll put two and two together, if I know her. And if she doesn't, Eriol will!" He stated. Naoko groaned and pressed her head to her knees, hiding her smile.
"I'll never live this down." She muttered. He laughed outright.
"Nope. I certainly hope we don't. I wouldn't have traded last night for any night of my entire life." He announced, giving her a sound kiss on the lips. Naoko grinned and nestled into his arms.
"Really? Why?"
"Yes, and because you shared it with me. I meant what I said last night. I love you, my Naoko." He whispered, placing a kiss on her lips. Naoko sighed in contentment and snuggled even closer.
Thus began a life both of them had only dreamed of before now.
~*~*~*~
"So...where were you?" Tomoyo asked slyly, as Naoko came in that night. Naoko smiled.
"You're smart, Tomoyo. I think you know." She murmured, a blush rising to her cheeks. Tomoyo gave a happy squeal and threw herself into her friend's arms.
"Naoko, I'm so happy for you! He loves you a lot, you know." Tomoyo whispered. Naoko smiled.
"He told me. But we both agreed that we wouldn't do...that again...until we were sure that..." She trailed off, her face tomato red and unable to go on. Tomoyo smiled and nodded.
"I understand. And Naoko, don't run away from this one. He is different than most men." She stated. Naoko nodded, her grin returning.
"I have no intention of running away."
"Good. Now, where were you the rest of the day?"
"With him. Tyson called in sick this morning and we spent the day picnicking on his grounds and...he took me horseback riding. It was fun!" Naoko's face glowed as she mentioned this, and Tomoyo smiled. The girl was finally beginning to live!
"Then what?"
"He walked me home and here we are." Naoko stated. Then she went pale.
"OH NO! I completely forgot your photo-shoot this afternoon! I'm sorry..."
"Don't apologize! Meiling took over your job, and we got along just fine. Besides. You needed that time alone with him." Tomoyo murmured. Naoko nodded.
"We also talked about what was going to happen when I have to go back to Japan. You know my job is not that versatile, unless I am with you." Naoko sighed.
"And?"
"And we're going to keep it at a long-distance relationship for a while, see how things go, then go on from there." Naoko told her. They had wandered into Tomoyo's room, and were now sitting on the bed.
"That's a good idea. But Naoko, you shouldn't have to be away from him. I'm sure that I could get you a similar job out here..."
"No. I want to stay with you and the company. I feel more comfortable. Now, if you had a branch out here, then I might consider it." She grinned. Tomoyo laughed.
"Well, that may become a reality. They are already trying to get me to sign a contract so we can get an office over here. Perhaps you could take a job here, and then you wouldn't have to be away from him." Tomoyo's voice was happy for Naoko, but a slight undertone of sorrow managed to creep through; Naoko noticed.
"Tomoyo-chan, what is it?" She asked softly, putting an arm around her friend. Tomoyo winced and shifted uncomfortably.
"Mother's wrangled me into a date with Robert...and Eriol's not pleased." She admitted. Naoko raised an eyebrow.
"Eriol? What does he have to do with it?"
"He's my friend, Naoko. And he cares about what happens to me. He...doesn't like Robert much, and has told me so quite openly." Tomoyo stated. Naoko frowned, but it slowly unfurled as a realization hit her. Something so shocking that she could barely contain herself.
"Eriol's opinion means a lot to you, doesn't it, Tomoyo?"
"Of course!"
"Why?" Naoko asked, eyeing her keenly. Tomoyo looked startled.
"Well, he's my friend! And...and..." Tomoyo trailed off, as she began to understand what Naoko was trying to point out. Why did she rely on Eriol's opinion so much? What was it about his opinion that made her want to please him?
"Tomoyo..." Naoko trailed off, shaking her head. She slowly stood up and walked over to the door. Opening it, she turned back and smiled sadly at her friend.
"The reason you rely on his opinion so much is because...you love him." She whispered, before closing the door gently. Tomoyo stared after her in absolute incredulity, her eyes wide.
"Well of course I love him! He's my best friend, besides Sakura!" She muttered, going into her bathroom and brushing her teeth. Then she quickly slipped into her nightgown and climbed into bed, her mind whirling with the simple information Naoko had thrust there.
'I love him...as a friend. I love him, he's my friend. I love him...I love him.' Tomoyo's mind repeated. With a soft cry, she sat up in bed, her face stricken.
It was true. She loved Eriol Hiiragizawa.
Not just as a friend, anymore.
She loved Eriol.
That night, Tomoyo got no sleep. Her mind kept running through everything that had happened between her and Eriol throughout her stay with him. She always came to the same conclusion. Even when she was seeing him for the first time in all those years...she had loved him.
Even as a child, young and innocently 'loving' him because he was her best friend, she had LOVED him. That kiss she had given him before he had gone...it was one of pure love. Not the love of a friend, but the love she had for the boy of her dreams.
"Eriol..." Tomoyo managed to whimper, before bursting into tears and smothering her face in her pillow.
And with tomorrow, came another day.
~*~*~*~
