Daphne: Yayayayayayayayay!!!!! It is summer break! (At least for me! ^__^)
Anyway, here is the second-to-last chapter of this part of the story, so
enjoy. An explanation about the sequel will be in the next chapter, so
please be patient...but look forward to it!!! ^__^
~*~*~*~
LOVE OF AGES
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 11.
~*~*~*~
"Tomoyo! Oh, Tomoyo, my dear!"
Tomoyo looked up, alarmed. It was two days later, and she and Eriol had been reclining on the sofa...no, Eriol had been sitting. *Tomoyo* had been laying over his lap with his strong arm propping her up, reading one of her favorite books to him. Eriol's other hand paused in its act of stroking her hair, and Tomoyo stumbled over one of her favorite lines in the whole book. Sitting up in alarm, Tomoyo looked at Eriol and frowned.
"Mother? I'm in here!" She called, as Eriol stoked her back comfortingly. Sonomi Daidouji burst into the room, her face pale.
"Darling, I just heard! Robert was arrested! Whatever could have brought this about?" Sonomi gasped. Tomoyo bit her lip. The thought of that night was still painful up until she had woken up again. Eriol stiffened behind her.
"I can tell you. Robert lured Tomoyo into his room, then proceeded to attempt to rape her. The police got there just in time." He stated. Sonomi turned even more pale and her hand fluttered to her throat.
"TOMOYO! OH MY POOR LITTLE GIRL!" Sonomi shrieked, pulling Tomoyo off the couch and into a monster hug. Tomoyo realized that this was probably the only apology she was going to get, so she made the most of it by hugging her mother back, tightly.
"What? What's the matter?" Sakura asked, walking into the room along with a laughing Meiling and Naoko. Sonomi turned to face them, her face distraught.
"TOMOYO WAS RAPED!"
"WHAT?!?!" The three girls shrieked, turning to their dear friend who was now rolling her eyes.
"I was not!"
"You almost were. But it's over now. Let's just let it be." As Eriol said this, he slipped his arm around Tomoyo's waist and she could feel him shaking in anger. The incident was a little to fresh on his mind, as well.
"What's all the yelling about?" Syaoran asked, coming into the room along with Tyson, Omata, Touya and Naoko. Sakura, who was now hugging Tomoyo, burst into tears.
"Robert tried to rape Tomoyo." She sobbed, throwing herself into Syaoran's arms; she had already guessed who had done it. All of the men turned red with rage, Syaoran and Touya especially. In fact, their faces were so angry, Sakura backed up a few spaces from her husband, uncertainly. Tomoyo sighed.
"It's over now. He's taken care of, and I'd rather not talk about it." She murmured. Eriol's arm tightened and he helped her back onto the couch.
"Well, as long as you're alright." Meiling said hesitantly. Tomoyo let out a gurgle of laughter.
"As if Eriol would ever allow me to come to harm. He's the one who called the police in the first place." She announced. Eriol reddened and shook his head, saying nothing. The other's decided not to comment.
"How was your outing?" Tomoyo asked, to end the uncomfortable silence. Everyone's faces visibly lit up.
"Lovely!"
"We stayed in Eriol's country manor. Oh, Tomoyo! I wish you could have seen it. It was even bigger than this house!" Sakura squealed. Tomoyo raised an eyebrow in her love's direction and he shrugged.
"And there was a barn full of horses!" Meiling added.
"And there is this nice, large grove of trees just beyond the back gardens. It was so refreshing to walk through. And there was a swing!" Sakura added. Syaoran laughed.
"Yeah, my arms are still tired from pushing her half the day." He muttered to Eriol. Sakura overheard and smacked his arm.
"So what did you do while we were away?" Meiling asked slyly.
"Well, Naoko and I took picnics on my grounds." Tyson told them.
"I read a lot." Tomoyo added.
"And I...listened to her read a lot." Eriol commented cheekily. Syaoran shot him a suspicious look, but Eriol simply smirked at him.
"Aww! No action at all?" Meiling asked.
"I wouldn't say that." Eriol said, raising a suggestive eyebrow at Tomoyo, who began to giggle hysterically.
That was all the group was able to get out of them.
~*~*~*~
I said the group. Not Sakura.
"Tomoyo, what exactly happened to you this weekend? I should think you'd be a little more upset about what happened." Sakura murmured as she snuck into Tomoyo's room that night. Tomoyo was sitting on her bed, her arms wrapped around her knees and her chin resting on her knees.
"Do you really want to know?" Tomoyo asked softly. Sakura nodded and sat across from her, tucking her legs underneath her body. Tomoyo sighed.
"I threw myself into hysterics."
"WHAT?!"
"Sakura...you knew that I loved him, didn't you? You and Naoko." Tomoyo finally managed. Sakura nodded.
"For once Meiling was the dense one. She hasn't a clue. But Naoko and I have known for...forever. You were always looking at his picture with *that* look in your eyes, and you were always sad whenever you thought of him. Sure, friends miss each other, but not like that." Sakura stated. Tomoyo nodded.
"I didn't have any idea until the night before you went to the country. And only then, it was Naoko who pointed it out to me. Then I spent the whole night awake, trying to convince myself that I wasn't in love with my best friend."
"And?"
"And it didn't work. While I was on my date with Mr. Roderick, all I could think about was him. Then, after he saved me..." Tomoyo trailed off. Sakura sighed.
"Tell me the whole story."
"There's not much to tell. He carried me out to the limo, I blacked out again, and when I woke up, I was back in my bed, with Eriol by my side. I asked him how he had managed to get the police there in time, and he told me." Tomoyo caught her breath.
"Then I started to cry, I suppose from the shock. He put his arms around me and kissed me forehead...it was then that I realized he had done the whole thing out of friendship. That made me loose it. I don't know what came over me, but I went hysterical and made a fool of myself...then he kissed me! On the lips." Tomoyo announced, her voice trailing off dreamily. Sakura gave a squeal.
"Then I couldn't hold back any longer. I told him that I loved him, and he returned it! Oh, Sakura! He loves me!" Tomoyo squealed. Sakura laughed happily and hugged her best friend.
"I'm so glad for you, Tomoyo. But...nothing else happened?" She asked slyly. Tomoyo shook her head.
"We were tempted, but no. We'll wait till marriage." Tomoyo answered. Sakura's eyes lit up.
"Has he..."
"Not yet. I don't even know if he will. We haven't really talked about it."
"Oh, well, I'm sure that he will. You two deserve each other." Sakura stated. She hugged Tomoyo once more, then yawned.
"I'd better go to sleep." She stated, getting up. Tomoyo laughed.
"Being a pregnant woman is very tiring, isn't it?" She teased. Sakura simply nodded and exited the room. Tomoyo laid back on her bed, thinking about this conversation. Would Eriol ever ask her to marry him? Or were they destined to be kept apart?
"Tomoyo?" Came a soft voice from the doorway. There stood Eriol, Spinel snuggled in his arms. Tomoyo smiled.
"What are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to say goodnight." He murmured, coming over to the side of the bed and kissing her gently. Spinel wiggled out of his hold and plopped down onto her lap, curling up into a tiny ball. He had grown a little the last month, but not much.
"Goodnight, my Eriol." She whispered. He smiled and kissed her once more, before going back over to the door and starting to shut it behind him.
"Goodnight, my tenshi. Sweet dreams."
~*~*~*~
"So...you and Tomoyo, huh?" Tyson asked thoughtfully, as he lounged on Eriol's office couch the next day. Eriol couldn't seem to keep from smiling, and Tyson saw the difference in his friend right away.
"Yes, Tomoyo and I. What of it?" Eriol asked, grinning. Tyson smirked.
"So, have you asked her the 'big question'?" He asked. Eriol blushed.
"I want to make it special."
"You've only got three days to do that 'special' something." Tyson reminded him. Eriol sighed and his face lost some of it's light.
"I know. And I have that big dinner that I have to attend the night they leave." Eriol groaned.
"Well, you'd better think of something, fast." Tyson stated. Eriol glared at him, then smirked.
"What about you and Naoko?" He asked. Tyson's face fell and he looked at his hands.
"I love her, Eriol. We both know that. And I want to marry her. But with our job situations, I don't see how it could be possible."
"They're building a branch of Tomoyo's company out here, you know. Naoko could work there..."
"Yes...but that could take upwards of a year or more. I want to marry her now!" Tyson said impatiently.
"So..."
"So she brought up long-distance relationships, and we decided to try that...even though I'd rather marry her now." Tyson screwed up his face like a little boy who didn't get the cookie he'd wanted, and Eriol laughed.
"Well, I'm sure you'll think of something. You know, if Naoko, Tomoyo and Meiling can work from here while Harrods and those other places were looking at Tomoyo's work, why can't they stay here permanently?" He suddenly thought. Tyson's face lit up.
"That's a thought..."
"I'll talk to Meiling about it tonight. She's in on this too, you know." Eriol reminded him. Tyson frowned.
"How did she find out?"
"She cornered me in the dinning room and made me tell. She threatened to beat me up if I didn't, and I can tell you, she doesn't give idle threats." Eriol shuddered and Tyson's smile returned.
"We are in a whole lot of trouble, aren't we buddy?" Tyson asked.
"Yup." Touya stated from the doorway, grinning.
He had heard their whole conversation.
~*~*~*~
"See you tomorrow, Eriol." Tyson called the next day, as the office closed. Eriol had decided to stay after to work on some things.
All right, the truth was, he had stayed after to make his plan for proposing to Tomoyo.
"Stick it into her drink? No, she might accidentally swallow it. Pull her out into the gardens? No, it might be raining. Ugh, how am I supposed to do this?" Eriol groaned, pacing his office while he held the tiny purple- velvet box in his right hand.
He held it out in front of himself and wondered for the umpteenth time if she would like it. Would she say 'yes'? Would she stay with him when she learned of Meiling's plan? Would Sonomi approve?
With a sigh, Eriol continued to pace, which is why he didn't notice someone sneaking into his office and coming up behind him. A hand slid around his waist and he turned with a yell.
"Shhh! It's just me." Came the voice of Kaho. Eriol was immediately on his guard.
"What are you doing in here. I forbade you from coming." He snapped. She looked down.
"I had to, Eriol. I love you. I can't stand it that you don't see that. You need me, I know you do. And I need you too." She murmured, her hands sliding closer to his belt. Eriol moved away.
"I do not 'need' you, Kaho. I never did and I never will." He stated. She smirked and moved closer, her fingers trying to undo his belt. He shoved her hands away and grabbed her wrist.
"Stop that."
"I can't help it! I need you." Kaho breathed. Eriol wrinkled his nose in disgust, then jumped as her other hand tried to pull his shirt out of his pants.
Now, Eriol was a gentleman. He never stuck a woman, unless it was completely necessary, like she was dying or something. He would move away and avoid contact, but he would never strike a woman. The same went for now. No matter how much he wanted to, he would not strike her. Instead, he grabbed her other wrist and held them up.
"I told you to stop. I don't love you, Kaho." He hissed. She moved closer, her brown eyes shining.
"I can't. You could learn to love me. Who would give you what I am giving you? Just give me what I need. What I long for."
"Tomoyo would give it to me." He said shortly. Her eyes flashed.
"She would, would she? Would it be out of love, like me? Or out of pity because she felt sorry for you?" Kaho asked. This stopped Eriol in his tracks. Pain filled his heart. Had Tomoyo done it out of pity?
"Out, Kaho." He was beyond angry now. Kaho laughed.
"Come on, Eriol. You know you don't want me to..."
"OUT!! GET OUT! YOU'RE FIRED!" Eriol bellowed. Kaho shrank back, her eyes wide with shock.
"What?"
"You. Are. Fired. Good day, and good luck finding a job." He spat, pushing her out the door and slamming it behind her. His shoulders heaved with anger.
*RING!*
*RING!*
"Hello?" Eriol asked in a tired voice, as he picked up his phone.
"What's the matter, love?" Came a soft voice across the wire. Immediately, all thoughts of Tomoyo loving him for 'pity' were washed away.
"Kaho tried it again. Only this time, she went so far as to try to undress me." He told her. Tomoyo caught her breath.
"Oh, Eriol. I'm sorry. Is she gone?"
"Yes. Gone and fired. Good riddance." Eriol growled. Tomoyo giggled.
"Hurry home. Milly cooked tonight, and she's making us wait for you." Tomoyo murmured. Eriol's heart warmed as she said the words 'hurry home'. Home. Home with her.
"I will. I'll be there soon." He murmured.
"I love you." She whispered.
"I love you too."
It was then that it hit him, and he smiled. He knew exactly how he was going to propose!
~*~*~*~
"I can't believe the we're leaving tonight." Naoko sighed, leaning back against Tyson. They were sitting in a grove of trees behind his house, watching the sun come up. Tyson was leaning against a large tree, and Naoko was leaning against his chest with his arms around her waist.
"Do you want to leave?" He asked softly. She looked thoughtful.
"Yes and no. Yes, because my mother is there and my job. No, because you are here." She whispered. He grinned.
"Our lives were so much easier before we got onto that plane, weren't they?" He teased. She rolled her eyes.
"It certainly was. I called mother last night and told her. She wants to meet you, to make sure you're good enough for me." Naoko said this last part a bit sarcastically, and his face fell.
"Then she won't like me. I'll never be good enough for you." He murmured. Naoko snuggled closer and shook her head.
"You're wrong. It is me that is not good enough for *you*." Naoko argued. Tyson pulled he close and placed light kisses in her hair.
"You are too. Well just have to be good enough for each other, then. If I'm good enough for you, you're good enough for me." He chuckled. She smiled and kissed him on his jaw.
"I love you." She whispered. He smiled.
"I love you to. And I have to ask you something." He told her, pushing her gently out of his arms and standing up.
"What?" She asked. Tyson looked at the horizon and noticed that the sun was just about to slip into view. The sky was a brilliant blue, touched with orange. Perfect. Slowly, he knelt on one knee and her eyes widened in confusion.
"Naoko, you mean more to me than my own life, and even though it will be difficult, I would like to know...Would you marry me?" He asked softly, taking her hand. Tears filled Naoko's eyes, and her lips quivered. For a moment, a shot of fear raced through Tyson. Would she refuse?
No.
"Of course I'll marry you. Oh, Tyson! I love you so much!" Naoko cried, hugging him tightly. Tyson smiled and pulled a tiny blue velvet box out of his pocket.
"Open it." He commanded. Naoko laughed, happy tears in her eyes. She obediently opened the box and gasped. A large diamond set into a delicate gold band, surrounded by tinier diamonds was what met her eyes.
"Only the best for *my* girl." Tyson whispered, slipping the ring on her finger. Naoko's tears flowed and she clung to him.
"I love you, Tyson. I love you!" She whimpered into his neck. He smiled blissfully.
"I love you, my princess." He murmured back.
~*~*~*~
~*~*~*~
LOVE OF AGES
by: Daphne Li
Chapter 11.
~*~*~*~
"Tomoyo! Oh, Tomoyo, my dear!"
Tomoyo looked up, alarmed. It was two days later, and she and Eriol had been reclining on the sofa...no, Eriol had been sitting. *Tomoyo* had been laying over his lap with his strong arm propping her up, reading one of her favorite books to him. Eriol's other hand paused in its act of stroking her hair, and Tomoyo stumbled over one of her favorite lines in the whole book. Sitting up in alarm, Tomoyo looked at Eriol and frowned.
"Mother? I'm in here!" She called, as Eriol stoked her back comfortingly. Sonomi Daidouji burst into the room, her face pale.
"Darling, I just heard! Robert was arrested! Whatever could have brought this about?" Sonomi gasped. Tomoyo bit her lip. The thought of that night was still painful up until she had woken up again. Eriol stiffened behind her.
"I can tell you. Robert lured Tomoyo into his room, then proceeded to attempt to rape her. The police got there just in time." He stated. Sonomi turned even more pale and her hand fluttered to her throat.
"TOMOYO! OH MY POOR LITTLE GIRL!" Sonomi shrieked, pulling Tomoyo off the couch and into a monster hug. Tomoyo realized that this was probably the only apology she was going to get, so she made the most of it by hugging her mother back, tightly.
"What? What's the matter?" Sakura asked, walking into the room along with a laughing Meiling and Naoko. Sonomi turned to face them, her face distraught.
"TOMOYO WAS RAPED!"
"WHAT?!?!" The three girls shrieked, turning to their dear friend who was now rolling her eyes.
"I was not!"
"You almost were. But it's over now. Let's just let it be." As Eriol said this, he slipped his arm around Tomoyo's waist and she could feel him shaking in anger. The incident was a little to fresh on his mind, as well.
"What's all the yelling about?" Syaoran asked, coming into the room along with Tyson, Omata, Touya and Naoko. Sakura, who was now hugging Tomoyo, burst into tears.
"Robert tried to rape Tomoyo." She sobbed, throwing herself into Syaoran's arms; she had already guessed who had done it. All of the men turned red with rage, Syaoran and Touya especially. In fact, their faces were so angry, Sakura backed up a few spaces from her husband, uncertainly. Tomoyo sighed.
"It's over now. He's taken care of, and I'd rather not talk about it." She murmured. Eriol's arm tightened and he helped her back onto the couch.
"Well, as long as you're alright." Meiling said hesitantly. Tomoyo let out a gurgle of laughter.
"As if Eriol would ever allow me to come to harm. He's the one who called the police in the first place." She announced. Eriol reddened and shook his head, saying nothing. The other's decided not to comment.
"How was your outing?" Tomoyo asked, to end the uncomfortable silence. Everyone's faces visibly lit up.
"Lovely!"
"We stayed in Eriol's country manor. Oh, Tomoyo! I wish you could have seen it. It was even bigger than this house!" Sakura squealed. Tomoyo raised an eyebrow in her love's direction and he shrugged.
"And there was a barn full of horses!" Meiling added.
"And there is this nice, large grove of trees just beyond the back gardens. It was so refreshing to walk through. And there was a swing!" Sakura added. Syaoran laughed.
"Yeah, my arms are still tired from pushing her half the day." He muttered to Eriol. Sakura overheard and smacked his arm.
"So what did you do while we were away?" Meiling asked slyly.
"Well, Naoko and I took picnics on my grounds." Tyson told them.
"I read a lot." Tomoyo added.
"And I...listened to her read a lot." Eriol commented cheekily. Syaoran shot him a suspicious look, but Eriol simply smirked at him.
"Aww! No action at all?" Meiling asked.
"I wouldn't say that." Eriol said, raising a suggestive eyebrow at Tomoyo, who began to giggle hysterically.
That was all the group was able to get out of them.
~*~*~*~
I said the group. Not Sakura.
"Tomoyo, what exactly happened to you this weekend? I should think you'd be a little more upset about what happened." Sakura murmured as she snuck into Tomoyo's room that night. Tomoyo was sitting on her bed, her arms wrapped around her knees and her chin resting on her knees.
"Do you really want to know?" Tomoyo asked softly. Sakura nodded and sat across from her, tucking her legs underneath her body. Tomoyo sighed.
"I threw myself into hysterics."
"WHAT?!"
"Sakura...you knew that I loved him, didn't you? You and Naoko." Tomoyo finally managed. Sakura nodded.
"For once Meiling was the dense one. She hasn't a clue. But Naoko and I have known for...forever. You were always looking at his picture with *that* look in your eyes, and you were always sad whenever you thought of him. Sure, friends miss each other, but not like that." Sakura stated. Tomoyo nodded.
"I didn't have any idea until the night before you went to the country. And only then, it was Naoko who pointed it out to me. Then I spent the whole night awake, trying to convince myself that I wasn't in love with my best friend."
"And?"
"And it didn't work. While I was on my date with Mr. Roderick, all I could think about was him. Then, after he saved me..." Tomoyo trailed off. Sakura sighed.
"Tell me the whole story."
"There's not much to tell. He carried me out to the limo, I blacked out again, and when I woke up, I was back in my bed, with Eriol by my side. I asked him how he had managed to get the police there in time, and he told me." Tomoyo caught her breath.
"Then I started to cry, I suppose from the shock. He put his arms around me and kissed me forehead...it was then that I realized he had done the whole thing out of friendship. That made me loose it. I don't know what came over me, but I went hysterical and made a fool of myself...then he kissed me! On the lips." Tomoyo announced, her voice trailing off dreamily. Sakura gave a squeal.
"Then I couldn't hold back any longer. I told him that I loved him, and he returned it! Oh, Sakura! He loves me!" Tomoyo squealed. Sakura laughed happily and hugged her best friend.
"I'm so glad for you, Tomoyo. But...nothing else happened?" She asked slyly. Tomoyo shook her head.
"We were tempted, but no. We'll wait till marriage." Tomoyo answered. Sakura's eyes lit up.
"Has he..."
"Not yet. I don't even know if he will. We haven't really talked about it."
"Oh, well, I'm sure that he will. You two deserve each other." Sakura stated. She hugged Tomoyo once more, then yawned.
"I'd better go to sleep." She stated, getting up. Tomoyo laughed.
"Being a pregnant woman is very tiring, isn't it?" She teased. Sakura simply nodded and exited the room. Tomoyo laid back on her bed, thinking about this conversation. Would Eriol ever ask her to marry him? Or were they destined to be kept apart?
"Tomoyo?" Came a soft voice from the doorway. There stood Eriol, Spinel snuggled in his arms. Tomoyo smiled.
"What are you doing here?"
"I just wanted to say goodnight." He murmured, coming over to the side of the bed and kissing her gently. Spinel wiggled out of his hold and plopped down onto her lap, curling up into a tiny ball. He had grown a little the last month, but not much.
"Goodnight, my Eriol." She whispered. He smiled and kissed her once more, before going back over to the door and starting to shut it behind him.
"Goodnight, my tenshi. Sweet dreams."
~*~*~*~
"So...you and Tomoyo, huh?" Tyson asked thoughtfully, as he lounged on Eriol's office couch the next day. Eriol couldn't seem to keep from smiling, and Tyson saw the difference in his friend right away.
"Yes, Tomoyo and I. What of it?" Eriol asked, grinning. Tyson smirked.
"So, have you asked her the 'big question'?" He asked. Eriol blushed.
"I want to make it special."
"You've only got three days to do that 'special' something." Tyson reminded him. Eriol sighed and his face lost some of it's light.
"I know. And I have that big dinner that I have to attend the night they leave." Eriol groaned.
"Well, you'd better think of something, fast." Tyson stated. Eriol glared at him, then smirked.
"What about you and Naoko?" He asked. Tyson's face fell and he looked at his hands.
"I love her, Eriol. We both know that. And I want to marry her. But with our job situations, I don't see how it could be possible."
"They're building a branch of Tomoyo's company out here, you know. Naoko could work there..."
"Yes...but that could take upwards of a year or more. I want to marry her now!" Tyson said impatiently.
"So..."
"So she brought up long-distance relationships, and we decided to try that...even though I'd rather marry her now." Tyson screwed up his face like a little boy who didn't get the cookie he'd wanted, and Eriol laughed.
"Well, I'm sure you'll think of something. You know, if Naoko, Tomoyo and Meiling can work from here while Harrods and those other places were looking at Tomoyo's work, why can't they stay here permanently?" He suddenly thought. Tyson's face lit up.
"That's a thought..."
"I'll talk to Meiling about it tonight. She's in on this too, you know." Eriol reminded him. Tyson frowned.
"How did she find out?"
"She cornered me in the dinning room and made me tell. She threatened to beat me up if I didn't, and I can tell you, she doesn't give idle threats." Eriol shuddered and Tyson's smile returned.
"We are in a whole lot of trouble, aren't we buddy?" Tyson asked.
"Yup." Touya stated from the doorway, grinning.
He had heard their whole conversation.
~*~*~*~
"See you tomorrow, Eriol." Tyson called the next day, as the office closed. Eriol had decided to stay after to work on some things.
All right, the truth was, he had stayed after to make his plan for proposing to Tomoyo.
"Stick it into her drink? No, she might accidentally swallow it. Pull her out into the gardens? No, it might be raining. Ugh, how am I supposed to do this?" Eriol groaned, pacing his office while he held the tiny purple- velvet box in his right hand.
He held it out in front of himself and wondered for the umpteenth time if she would like it. Would she say 'yes'? Would she stay with him when she learned of Meiling's plan? Would Sonomi approve?
With a sigh, Eriol continued to pace, which is why he didn't notice someone sneaking into his office and coming up behind him. A hand slid around his waist and he turned with a yell.
"Shhh! It's just me." Came the voice of Kaho. Eriol was immediately on his guard.
"What are you doing in here. I forbade you from coming." He snapped. She looked down.
"I had to, Eriol. I love you. I can't stand it that you don't see that. You need me, I know you do. And I need you too." She murmured, her hands sliding closer to his belt. Eriol moved away.
"I do not 'need' you, Kaho. I never did and I never will." He stated. She smirked and moved closer, her fingers trying to undo his belt. He shoved her hands away and grabbed her wrist.
"Stop that."
"I can't help it! I need you." Kaho breathed. Eriol wrinkled his nose in disgust, then jumped as her other hand tried to pull his shirt out of his pants.
Now, Eriol was a gentleman. He never stuck a woman, unless it was completely necessary, like she was dying or something. He would move away and avoid contact, but he would never strike a woman. The same went for now. No matter how much he wanted to, he would not strike her. Instead, he grabbed her other wrist and held them up.
"I told you to stop. I don't love you, Kaho." He hissed. She moved closer, her brown eyes shining.
"I can't. You could learn to love me. Who would give you what I am giving you? Just give me what I need. What I long for."
"Tomoyo would give it to me." He said shortly. Her eyes flashed.
"She would, would she? Would it be out of love, like me? Or out of pity because she felt sorry for you?" Kaho asked. This stopped Eriol in his tracks. Pain filled his heart. Had Tomoyo done it out of pity?
"Out, Kaho." He was beyond angry now. Kaho laughed.
"Come on, Eriol. You know you don't want me to..."
"OUT!! GET OUT! YOU'RE FIRED!" Eriol bellowed. Kaho shrank back, her eyes wide with shock.
"What?"
"You. Are. Fired. Good day, and good luck finding a job." He spat, pushing her out the door and slamming it behind her. His shoulders heaved with anger.
*RING!*
*RING!*
"Hello?" Eriol asked in a tired voice, as he picked up his phone.
"What's the matter, love?" Came a soft voice across the wire. Immediately, all thoughts of Tomoyo loving him for 'pity' were washed away.
"Kaho tried it again. Only this time, she went so far as to try to undress me." He told her. Tomoyo caught her breath.
"Oh, Eriol. I'm sorry. Is she gone?"
"Yes. Gone and fired. Good riddance." Eriol growled. Tomoyo giggled.
"Hurry home. Milly cooked tonight, and she's making us wait for you." Tomoyo murmured. Eriol's heart warmed as she said the words 'hurry home'. Home. Home with her.
"I will. I'll be there soon." He murmured.
"I love you." She whispered.
"I love you too."
It was then that it hit him, and he smiled. He knew exactly how he was going to propose!
~*~*~*~
"I can't believe the we're leaving tonight." Naoko sighed, leaning back against Tyson. They were sitting in a grove of trees behind his house, watching the sun come up. Tyson was leaning against a large tree, and Naoko was leaning against his chest with his arms around her waist.
"Do you want to leave?" He asked softly. She looked thoughtful.
"Yes and no. Yes, because my mother is there and my job. No, because you are here." She whispered. He grinned.
"Our lives were so much easier before we got onto that plane, weren't they?" He teased. She rolled her eyes.
"It certainly was. I called mother last night and told her. She wants to meet you, to make sure you're good enough for me." Naoko said this last part a bit sarcastically, and his face fell.
"Then she won't like me. I'll never be good enough for you." He murmured. Naoko snuggled closer and shook her head.
"You're wrong. It is me that is not good enough for *you*." Naoko argued. Tyson pulled he close and placed light kisses in her hair.
"You are too. Well just have to be good enough for each other, then. If I'm good enough for you, you're good enough for me." He chuckled. She smiled and kissed him on his jaw.
"I love you." She whispered. He smiled.
"I love you to. And I have to ask you something." He told her, pushing her gently out of his arms and standing up.
"What?" She asked. Tyson looked at the horizon and noticed that the sun was just about to slip into view. The sky was a brilliant blue, touched with orange. Perfect. Slowly, he knelt on one knee and her eyes widened in confusion.
"Naoko, you mean more to me than my own life, and even though it will be difficult, I would like to know...Would you marry me?" He asked softly, taking her hand. Tears filled Naoko's eyes, and her lips quivered. For a moment, a shot of fear raced through Tyson. Would she refuse?
No.
"Of course I'll marry you. Oh, Tyson! I love you so much!" Naoko cried, hugging him tightly. Tyson smiled and pulled a tiny blue velvet box out of his pocket.
"Open it." He commanded. Naoko laughed, happy tears in her eyes. She obediently opened the box and gasped. A large diamond set into a delicate gold band, surrounded by tinier diamonds was what met her eyes.
"Only the best for *my* girl." Tyson whispered, slipping the ring on her finger. Naoko's tears flowed and she clung to him.
"I love you, Tyson. I love you!" She whimpered into his neck. He smiled blissfully.
"I love you, my princess." He murmured back.
~*~*~*~
