Chapter 4: Accepted

Haruka entered the bathroom, looking at her daughter smiling. Hotaru looked up at her, her  mouth all foamy from brushing her teeth, and grinned. "Glblgl Dbladbly." Haruka frowned and asked: "What was that?" Hotaru giggled, with foam flying everywhere, and spit a mouthful of foam into the basin before she repeated: "Hello Daddy." Haruka smiled again and went down on her knees. "Hey." She spoke. Hotaru climbed on her lap, happy when Haruka hugged her. "So, Hotaru, how was your day?" "Really cool!" Hotaru beamed. "Michiru is such a nice person! Can she be my new nanny?" Haruka smiled at her daughter and nodded. "If you want her to, I see no problem." "Yay!" Hotaru squealed, hugging her daddy. "I'm so happy! But Daddy, Michiru was right. You look sick." Haruka shrugged it off and replied: "I don't have time to be sick now." "But Daddy!" Hotaru scolded. "You can't plan it to become ill! If you're ill, you have to stay in bed." Haruka shook her head, causing her headache to increase. "Ow." She groaned, squeezing her eyes shut. Concerned, Hotaru placed one hand against her daddys forehead. "You have a fever, Daddy. Get into bed, now!" Haruka sighed and stood up. "Fine. But first, I'll have a talk with Michiru." Hotaru agreed on that, insisting on coming with her Daddy. The two left the bathroom and, after some looking, found Michiru in the kitchen, where she just finished preparing dinner. "He, Michiru." Haruka spoke, causing the aqua haired girl to flinch. Michiru turned around and looked at the blonde. "Yes, Tenoh-san?" "Hotaru is satisfied with what you did for her today." Haruka started, leaning against the doorframe. "So, you've got the job. Congrats." Michiru smiled and bowed. "Thank you very much, Tenoh-san." Haruka waved her hand and replied: "Better not thank me too early. If Hotaru thinks that you aren't good enough anymore, you'll be fired." Michiru gulped and nodded. "I see." She smiled and bowed again. "I promise that I'll do my best to keep your daughter happy, Tenoh-san." Haruka nodded, looking satisfied. "Good." She peered at the oven, and Michiru took this as a signal. "Dinner will be ready in five minutes." She announced. Haruka nodded again and sat down at the huge dining table, Hotaru taking a seat next to her. Soon, Michiru served the dinner, then politely said her goodbye and left. Haruka and Hotaru ate, Haruka cleaned the kitchen afterwards and sent Hotaru to bed. As soon as the little girl had vanished in her room, Haruka walked into her own, standing in front of the huge double bed in sadness. "I just wish you were here." The blonde whispered, gently running one hand down the photo that stood on her night desk. It showed Miko and herself at their wedding day; Haruka was wearing a white tuxedo, matching Mikos white dress, and both were grinning into the camera, their eyes shining with happiness. Haruka remembered the way she had been before she had met Miko: cold and uncaring. Miko had managed to change her, had made her a caring, lovable and loving person. And now that she was dead…Haruka knew that she slowly returned to her old ways. Soon, she would be the walking ice cube again, like her employees had called her behind her back…but she didn't care. The only thing she cared about was Hotaru. If that meant that she went back to her cold self, fine. Haruka let out a sigh, looking at the picture one last time, before she dressed into her pajamas and went to bed herself.

The next morning, Hotaru woke her Daddy up by jumping into the room and yelling: "Daddy!" Haruka jerked out of her sweet dreams, wide-eyed. "What? What is it?" she asked, groggily rubbing her eyes. "Nothing. I just wanted to wake you, so you're not late for work." Hotaru replied, sitting down on the bed. Haruka yawned and checked her watch. "Aw Hotaru…you woke me up too early. Come back in in half an hour, okay?" "Okay!" Hotaru replied, running out of the room. Haruka let herself fall back and doze off. She heard how the doorbell rang, how Hotaru opened and greeted her Nanny. "Man, that woman comes too early too." Haruka mumbled into her pillow, opening her eyes. Sighing, the blonde got out of the bed and walked down into the kitchen, where Michiru already was cooking coffee. "Morning." The blonde grumbled, sitting down. Michiru turned to look at her and smiled. "Good morning, Tenoh-san. Would you like some coffee?" Haruka nodded, leaning her head in her hands. Her headache had vanished during the night, but now, her nose was running and she had to cough now and then. Michiru of course noticed, but she knew better than to say anything. After all, she was glad that Haruka and Hotaru had accepted her as the new nanny; she really needed that job, and she didn't want to lose it.