BlueBerryAngel – I'm so masaya too! :P
Kasumi Izukawa – Yup, "Maalaala Mo Kaya" is still alive ^__^
Fuu - *gasps* I am nothing compared to Master Ekai *lol* Ekai's going to kill me if she reads that I'm calling her "master" mwahahaha!
ShoujoAngel – Yeah I know, but let's put it this way…Eriol's SO smart he doesn't need to go to college anymore ^__^ just kidding!
Richelle – I'm hurrying! :P so here it is, the second chappie!
*****I forgot to say this. This fic is dedicated to The Great One, for being my first EVER reviewee (is that right? ) and for being so supportive. And to Mast—erm, Ekai for inspiration.
Chapter 2*****
The door of the apartment swung open and in came Eriol Hiiragizawa and Tomoyo Daidouji. They put their bags down and surveyed the place in silence. The apartment was huge, considering, and it was fully furnished with wall-to-wall carpeting. Eriol nodded in satisfaction.
"Alriiiiiiiight," he said happily. He walked around and disappeared in the kitchens. Tomoyo was left standing there, lost in her thoughts.
"Mother?" Tomoyo said. She and Sonomi were in her room, packing up all her things to be moved.
"Yes Tomoyo?" Sonomi replied. Her head was inside the closet, rummaging through Tomoyo's clothes.
"Mother, what's it like…being married, I mean?"
Sonomi popped her head out and looked at her. She went to sit beside Tomoyo, taking her hands. "Well," she started. "It's very different in your case, dear. I married your father because I loved him. Your marriage—well…"
"Is a marriage of convenience," Tomoyo said quietly.
"Don't worry, love." Sonomi squeezed her hands reassuringly. "It's going to be alright. The first step for your marriage to be a happy one is to get to know him, of course. Someday, you will learn to love him, I'm sure."
Tears started running down Tomoyo's cheeks. "I'm scared, Mother. I'm married to a total stranger—god, I wish I didn't get married to him at all!"
"Oh honey." Sonomi embraced Tomoyo, cradling her head in her lap. "This is all for the best. Besides, it was your father's wish."
"Dad still hates me, doesn't he?" Tomoyo said tearfully, clinging to her mother's skirt.
"He doesn't hate you. You have to understand, Tomoyo. We all do. He was just very hurt. But he loves you very much, dear. And I do too."
"Oh mother!" Tomoyo threw her arms around Sonomi's waist. "I'm so sorry I hurt you…I'm sorry…"
"Wooooooow…" Eriol said in awe. "Mom and Dad thought of everything. Hey, come here and look at all this!"
Tomoyo snapped out of her reverie and walked to the kitchen herself. She did a double take. "Wow is right. You weren't kidding." There was a stove, a microwave oven, a dishwasher, pans and pots, and…she walked over to the drawers and pulled them open. Checked the cupboards. Yep, everything.
Eriol opened the refrigerator and stuck his head inside. "Wow, even the fridge is stocked! Cool."
Tomoyo flushed. Oh my god. Mr. and Mrs. Hiiragizawa paid for all this! She felt so ashamed and so very grateful at the same time. How can she repay them?
Eriol finally turned his attention back to her. "So…" he said, suddenly looking and feeling awkward. He still hadn't got used to the idea that this woman standing in front of him was actually his wife. He made a sweeping gesture towards the whole place. "This is gonna be our home. What do you think, uhm…oh yeah, what's your name?"
"Uh—it's Tomoyo. Tomoyo Daidouji," she added. She felt like fainting. God, we're married and we don't even know each other's names! "And you are…?"
"Eriol Hiiragizawa." He stuck out his hand. She stared at it dumbly for a moment before stretching out her own hand, which he shook vigorously.
"Uhm, Eriol," she said. "I want to—thank you. For doing this. Well…you just don't know how grateful I am and I know you don't—"
He grinned. "Oh, it was nothing, really. I was really contemplating on running away from home when you guys showed up. In fact, I should be thanking you for saving me."
Tomoyo's mouth almost dropped open. So that's why. But still, it was nice of him. Eriol was digging for something in his backpack, finally pulling out a wallet. He took out several bills and handed them to Tomoyo.
"Here," he said. "Mom and Dad are going to give us allowances monthly. I divided it into two, and here's your share. I don't care what you do with your half, and don't inquire on what I do with mine. Okay?"
All she could do was to nod dumbly. "Okay!" he said cheerfully. "I'm off. I'm going out, see ya later!" Picking up his backpack, he strode out the door.
Tomoyo was still staring at the bills in her hand when she suddenly realized that he was leaving. "Hey, wait!" she cried out. Eriol was still walking away. "Where are you going? What am I gonna do here alone?" He just waved at her and disappeared around the corner.
"Geez," she mumbled. She plopped down on the couch and stared forlornly at the television. This is boring. She didn't want to unpack just now. She turned the tv on and channel surfed for a while before turning it off. Sighing, she stood up and went to the kitchen, deciding to vent her energy on baking.
*****
Eriol tiptoed into the house, trying to be silent. He glanced at the clock in the living room—it was one o' clock in the morning. He was sure Tomoyo would be asleep by now. He went into the kitchen to grab a snack. Not bothering to turn on the lights, he almost stumbled into—
"Tomoyo?" She stirred, but did not awaken. Eriol turned on the lights and he could see her sitting there, her head on her arms, sound asleep. He pulled out the chair beside her and sat down. "Tomoyo," he called, shaking her gently. She moved, raising her head a bit, her eyes still clouded with sleep.
"Eriol?" she questioned sleepily.
"What are you doing out here?" he asked. "Why aren't you sleeping in your room?"
She sat up, rubbing her eyes with the back of her hands. She yawned, stretching her hands overhead, and stared at him groggily. "I was waiting for you," she explained.
Something inside of Eriol stirred. "You…did?" How sweet of her. "But why?"
She was looking at him in irritation now, but still sleepily. "What do you mean, why? I was waiting for you so I could open the door for you."
"I have a key, you know," he pointed out.
She yawned again and slumped against her seat.
"And you ended up falling asleep anyway."
"What's your point? That my effort to stay awake and open the door for you was futile and I should never do it again?" She yawned.
He smiled. "Yeah, something like that." He took her arm and tried to get her to stand up. "Come on, off to bed you go." She stood up, only to crumble on the floor. Eriol grabbed her and swept her off of her feet, walking slowly to her room.
"You're heavy," he complained. He stiffened a bit when her arms wrapped instinctively around his neck.
"I'm not," she said, her voice muffled against his neck. "Probably because you're carrying two of us, anyway."
Huh? Oh yeah…the baby. He almost forgot. That's why they're into this situation right now. He was struggling to open the door when he thought he heard her mumble something.
"What did you say?" he grunted, finally turning the knob and kicking the door open.
"I said…" She lifted her face to his. He stared, as if he was seeing her for the first time. He realized that it was the first time that he had looked at her closely. God, she's beautiful. Why didn't I notice before?
"Yes?" he said nervously, walking into her room and putting her on the bed. He noticed that even if he wasn't carrying her anymore, her arms were still wrapped around his neck, keeping their faces close.
She gave him a sleepy smile. "I stayed up because I wanted to make sure you were alright." She leaned forward and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then she slid onto the bed, snuggling under the covers.
He was stunned. Regaining his senses immediately, he reached down to tuck her in. "So you're still going to wait for me every night?" he whispered.
She nodded. He grinned. "Next time, sleep on the couch, okay?" He kissed her on the forehead, this boy who never even kissed his mother in his entire life and squirmed under his mother's kisses. He made sure she was tucked in before turning to leave.
"'Night, Eriol."
He stopped by the door and turned around. "It's already morning," he said seriously, trying not to laugh.
He could hear her mutter something into her pillow, and then "—oh alright, 'Morning, Eriol then."
He chuckled and went out, shutting the door behind him. He stood there for a few moments before realizing he was grinning like an idiot. Maybe this marriage thing wouldn't be so bad after all. With that, he went back to the kitchen to get his almost-forgotten snack.
*****
Eriol slowly opened his eyes, squinting because it was already bright and sunny outside. He flopped back on his bed, trying to sleep some more. No use. He finally got up, stretched for a few moments before grabbing his towel and shuffling to the bathroom. He turned the knob, finding it locked.
He knocked. "Hey!"
"What?!" came Tomoyo's irritated voice over the sound of the shower.
"Hurry up, I wanna use the bathroom."
"Wait your turn, I was here first!"
He knocked on the door loudly a few more times to prove his point. An exasperated scream. "Alright, alright, I'm hurrying already!"
I like her better when she's sleepy. Better yet, when she's asleep. He started to shuffle towards the living room when an ear-piercing scream cut through the air.
"Eeeeeeeeek!!!! Eriol!!!! Heeeeeeeeelp!"
He quickly went back to the bathroom, his heart pounding in his throat. "What's going—" The door of the bathroom flew open, revealing a shaking Tomoyo and lots of water coming out from the shower—where the shower used to be. "—on?" Eriol finished his question.
"Eriol, hurry, do something," Tomoyo whined. He hurriedly went forward to switch the shower off.
"It wasn't my fault," she said immediately. "I swear. I was about to turn it off when the shower came off the wall! I didn't know how it happened! It almost hit me on the head too, and…" she trailed off, realizing that he hasn't said anything in the past five minutes.
He wasn't looking at the mess at all. His eyes were glued to Tomoyo, who was still shaking. She was holding a towel in front of her body, and that was all. She didn't even have the decency to cover herself properly before screeching for him! The towel was covering only the front part of her body, and it was short, very short. He could already see a nice area of her long legs, and he was sure if he looked behind he would get a nice glimpse of her smooth—
I'm a pervert and I hate myself, Eriol thought miserably. He closed his eyes and rubbed his temples.
"Uh—Eriol?" Tomoyo asked worriedly. She stepped forward, peering into his face. His eyes opened, and she was struck by the fury she saw in them.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" he roared. Tomoyo stood there, looking dumbfounded, still clutching the damned towel to her.
"Wha—"
"OUT!" he roared. "Cover yourself and get OUT!" He grabbed a towel and pushed it towards her, then pushed her out of the bathroom, slamming the door shut.
"What was that all about?" she said aloud. She walked to her bedroom, feeling confused. It was only when she shut the door that she realized she was half-naked. Oh. She blushed. But wait a minute—we're married, for God's sake. Why is he making such a big deal out of it?!
"Goddamn man," she muttered, toweling her hair.
"Goddamn woman," Eriol muttered in the bathroom, and proceeded to bang his head on the wall.
*****