It had been weeks since Yelan's visit, and Syaoran could finally let go of the immense guilt he carried for more than a decade. Sakura felt a feeling of happiness and sadness combined. She was happy that Syaoran had found it in his heart to trust her and open up to her more, and she felt awful for what he had gone through as a child. No child should ever have gone through what he had. Syaoran and Sakura, though, talked about it, which allowed a carefree, yet dismal feeling to pass through both their hearts.
The couple had visited the Hiiragizawas when the early June summer night shone with beautiful sparkling stars hanging above them. The breeze swayed past the couple lightly as they walked from the car to the home. Syaoran held Sakura's hand in his lovingly, yet firmly, as the two walked to the short steps to head in the home. Tomoyo watched them with a smile on her face, her eyes shining, and her stomach greatly bulging. The baby was coming within the next two weeks or so.
"I feel like I haven't seen you in a while!" Tomoyo cried as soon as Sakura parted from Syaoran and gave her best friend a hug.
"I know!" Sakura gushed.
As soon as the friends moved apart, Sakura touched the big mound. "Little Syaoran's coming soon, isn't he?"
Tomoyo nodded vigorously. "The doctor said he's coming within two weeks or so, but he's not really certain. The exact due date is June 15, but she said he could come sooner or later. It all depends on how I'm feeling and how I've been treating him," she touched her stomach affectionately.
"Have there been contractions?" Sakura asked.
Tomoyo nodded. "I'm okay, though."
"Don't I get a feel for my namesake too?" Syaoran's deep voice interrupted their conversation, sounding a little teasing. Sakura smiled and moved back a little.
Tomoyo glanced at him and grinned. "Go ahead and feel him move."
Syaoran put his palm on the large bulge and suddenly felt the baby kick. An amazed look appeared on his face, causing the women to laugh. He flushed a little and patted the tummy in fondness. "That's cool."
"I'm glad you think so," Tomoyo replied with a twinkle in her eyes. Sakura laughed beside Syaoran.
"So where's your dear husband?" Syaoran asked dryly.
She ignored his dryness and grinned. "He's just setting the table. Come on," the pregnant woman ushered them in and they entered the warm home.
Sakura took off her jacket with Syaoran's help, and Syaoran placed both of theirs on the coat rack. They sat on the large couches and inspected the large house. Sakura felt a wonderful feeling pass through her at the warmth the house held. In her heart, she wished to have what Tomoyo and Eriol had. Automatically, her gaze flitted to Syaoran's, who was glancing around with a smile in his eyes. No matter how close they were in their relationship, Sakura couldn't help feeling an ache in her heart, as if whatever she had now wasn't enough. How selfish was that?? Sakura shook her head in disbelief at her own self.
"Something the matter, 'Kura?" Tomoyo asked as she passed by her best friend.
"Huh?" Sakura looked up and flashed an embarrassed smile. "Oh nothing…I'm just…thinking of something."
Eriol entered the living room with a bright grin. "Hey guys!! Haven't seen you in a while!!" He hugged the two. "Dinner's ready, so let's eat."
Sakura and Syaoran followed to the dining table, where large plates of fried rice and pork chops were laying.
"Oh wow, you cooked this??" Sakura asked in surprise.
Eriol nodded. "Ever since Tomoyo got pregnant, she couldn't stand cooking."
"So…you went out and signed up for cooking lessons?" Syaoran asked with a brow raised.
"Well…" Eriol cleared his throat.
Sakura and Tomoyo laughed, but Syaoran rolled his eyes at his friend.
"The things you do for women," Eriol said with a small grin.
"I second that." Syaoran muttered.
Sakura laughed as she patted his arm.
"I'm getting hungry," Tomoyo began. "Let's eat now!" She sat on her seat and waited for them.
"Yes, let's," Sakura grinned and took her seat.
The men sat as well, and after they finished their prayer, they began to eat the luxurious food Eriol supplied them with.
----
Eriol and Syaoran hung outside the first-floor balcony, with a couple bottles of beer. Eriol hung his feet on the railing while Syaoran laid back on the rocking chair. They talked about how work was going, catching up on some entertainment stuff, got the complaints about the women, and finally were into the conversation of their plans for the future.
"I heard the baby's coming in a week or something," Syaoran asked, glancing at his friend.
Eriol nodded. "I can't wait. We got the room ready, the stuff, the clothes, everything," he admitted with a bashful grin.
"I'm really happy for you, man," Syaoran replied, looking out at the barren streets.
"Thanks. So what about you? Any plans for the future…?"
"Uh…no, not yet," he lied thickly.
"How long you planning to wait?" Eriol asked, a little surprised.
"We've only been together since August. It's only been 9 months," he defended weakly. "You and Tomoyo have been together for like, what, 2-3 years?"
Eriol nodded. "You have a point. But she and I had a lot of problems. We were always on and off…I mean, we could either stand each other or hate each other. It was this or that. It's only been a few months ago that we agreed on a lot of things." He mused. "I don't see that with you and Sakura. You guys look like you love each other…evenif it's only been 9 months."
Syaoran shifted in his seat, hanging onto his every word, glad someone else agreed with him. "What are you saying?"
Eriol raised his hands, as if to say 'back off', and shrugged. "I'm not saying anything. But at least tell me you've got plans…to…you know…"
"I do think about it," Syaoran said without thinking. "Hell, it's always in my mind." At the confession, he stopped. Oh man, he almost said it out loud.
"Then I don't get it," Eriol said bluntly.
He reddened. "W-Well, uh, no, I mean, I do think about it, but I have no plans in…going for it," he explained vaguely. That didn't even make any sense.
"You mean you think about marrying Sakura, but you don't actually have plans on doing it at all?"
"Uh…" Syaoran stared at his friend, unsure of what to do now. "I don't know…"
"Syaoran, you're hiding something from me. It's really obvious," Eriol stared straight back.
"No I'm not," he started, shoving his hands into his pockets.
"Seriously, you are," Eriol replied back and moved forward. "Tell me, man."
"Tell you what? I'm not hiding anything," he repeated and stood up, walking away from the man.
Eriol narrowed his eyes. "What are you-…oh my God, is Sakura pregnant??"
"What?? NO!" He snapped back and turned to his friend. "She's not pregnant!"
"Then what are you hiding??" Eriol wouldn't give up. His friend was hiding something. It was obvious. "Hell, are you breaking up with her??"
"Eriol, I'll seriously kick your ass if you don't quit," he said back.
"I just want to know."
Syaoran stared at his friend's curious eyes, and thought for a moment or two.
"Come on, just spit it out."
He paused for a second, and looked down. "All right fine."
Eriol didn't say anything.
"Heads up," Syaoran muttered and threw something at Eriol.
He caught it and was shocked to find a black velvet box. "Oh…" He stared at it, taking a while to open it. Once he did, he found a silver bond, with round diamonds sitting together, white, and glittering in real gold above it. "Holy…"
Syaoran scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed.
"When did you buy this?!?" Eriol asked, still staring at the beautiful ring.
"A couple days after my mom left," he replied quietly.
"So you've had this for how long??"
"A month…or something like that."
"When the hell were—are you planning to propose?!" Eriol asked yet again, finally looking back at Syaoran.
"I'm not even thinking straight about it…but…my plan was—is the next night from tomorrow," he kept his eyes at Eriol.
"Whoa…" His friend stared at the ring for a moment, then firmly shut the velvet box and placed it on Syaoran's palm. "And you were throwing it around like a monkey going insane."
"I wasn't throwing it around," he said back, holding the box tightly.
"I can honestly say I'm speechless," Eriol spoke and then turned back to Syaoran.
"Well-"
"Why weren't you going to tell me??" His friend interrupted.
"I…I wanted to be sure…" Syaoran looked down. "I didn't want to have to tell you if she said no to me."
"That's a load of crap," Eriol scoffed.
"Shut up," Syaoran retorted, frowning.
"Where'd you get the idea Sakura would say no?? Do you not see how in love she is with you??"
"Look, there's always a chance she'll say no," Syaoran replied strongly, although his heart was pounding hopefully for Eriol's words.
"And there's an even bigger chance she'll say yes!" Eriol said back. "Grow some confidence, man!"
"I just want to be sure she'll say yes, all right??" He sniped back.
Eriol sighed. "I know," a slow smile appearing. "I felt the same with Tomoyo."
Syaoran stared at the box yet again, and saw Sakura's green eyes blink back at him, with a smile decorating her lovely face. He itched to look for her, but he glanced away and put the box back into the pocket of his jeans. "Weird…"
"What is?"
Syaoran looked up with a wry smirk, directed at himself. "I carry it everywhere."
Eriol chuckled.
----
Sakura opened her eyes slowly, taking in the heavy rays of the sun bursting through the windows. She gave a little moan and turned on the bed, finding Syaoran on his side of the bed, snoring the morning away. It was the last workday of the week, and was only under 7:00am, which meant that she was going to be late. Sakura sat up and crawled over to Syaoran, bending down and kissing him on the cheek, then stood up out of the bed, grabbing her outfit from the table.
She walked to the bathroom and turned on the shower. Sakura stripped off her clothing, entering the bathtub and soaking herself on the lukewarm water that felt good on her bare skin. She closed her eyes and let the water wash away the drowsiness. Her thoughts headed to Tomoyo and the coming baby, and how happy she was for her best friend. Following that thought came the image of herself with a bulging stomach, carrying Syaoran's baby. Her skin warmed and she glanced down at her flat stomach. Feeling an empty emotion creep up on her again, she shook her head and let the water drown out her contemplations.
"Any room there for me?" A teasing voice asked from the door.
Sakura jumped at the voice, but stuck her head out of the shower curtain and saw Syaoran looking down at her amorously. She felt a little relieved to find him still wearing his clothes. "Go away," she said and returned to her shower. She couldn't deal with him. Not now.
"What was that about?" He asked with a frown. He entered the bathroom without her permission and closed the door behind him.
"Syaoran, I mean it. Don't come near me right now," Sakura ordered, not allowing herself to look at him again.
"Something's bugging you, I know it," he said back. "And I'm not going out until you tell me."
"No problems here," she said quickly. "I'm just thinking about work."
"Then why blow up at me??"
"I didn't blow up at you. I said 'go away'," she corrected. "Look, just wait until I finish my bath."
"Fine, fine," he replied.
When she stepped out of the bathtub and wrapped her body with a white towel, he entered the bathroom and wrapped his arms around her lovingly. She shrieked in surprise. "Syaoran!!"
"Done now?" He whispered huskily, looking down at her beautiful emerald eyes.
She glared at him and pushed at his arms. "I meant after I finished dressing up!"
He sent a glare back at her as his gaze flitted from her eyes then to her lips. Without thinking, he let his lips get the better of him, not bothering to wait for her reaction. He caught her lips in his fervently, as he pushed Sakura on the door, shutting it behind them. Sakura still felt angry and wanted to stay angry with him, but she just…couldn't keep her lips away from his. Every kiss they shared was unique, filled with more emotion and passion than before. Sakura ignored every other emotion that whirled in her mind, and let this one emotion course through her body. She wrapped her arms around his neck slowly, and let herself drown in his kiss. His hands ran down the towel, but he kept himself in check and kept the towel on her. As soon as they broke off, Sakura looked up at Syaoran, his eyes dark and full of desire. Hers reflected satisfaction and love so clearly just for him.
"What do you think you're doing, barging in here without permission?" She feigned anger, but it didn't last.
He held a hand on her waist and another to push a strand away from her face. "I didn't see you in bed this morning."
"And that's supposed to make it all better?" Her face betrayed her effort at irritation by showing off a cute smile.
He nodded.
"Now that you've seen me, let me go."
"I'll never let you go."
"Well, let me dress up then," Sakura replied playfully.
Syaoran managed a small chuckle and nodded unwillingly.
Syaoran had a very difficult time peeling himself off of Sakura and allowing her the privacy she needed. He got out of his clothes in the bedroom and changed into his work clothes. He desperately wanted Sakura to be his now and forever, and he knew that that night was the night to ask her. He unconsciously reached the box found in his pants and played with it a little. To have bought a very expensive ring for her meant exactly how much she meant in his life. Despite the rough times, his mother did provide him the money his father had left him in his will. Though it was weird why his father had created a will even before he could turn 50…but then again, the man knew when he was going to die. Suddenly, Syaoran decided not to think of him anymore. He thought of Li Hiroshi for more than weeks. He reminisced with the spirit of his dad, but he was finally allowed to let go, and he did just that.
----
"Uh…"
Syaoran had a hard time finding his voice. The moment Sakura appeared on the pathway, the words in his mouth melted away. She was beyond beautiful. She wore a carnation-pink gown with mini pearls decorating the front in a beautiful floral pattern. A beautiful scarf that came with the dress was wrapped around her dainty neck. Syaoran didn't know what to say. He was at a loss for words. She looked even more beautiful than she did their first date. Sakura twirled around for him, slightly blushing at his reaction. The dress she wore, she had just bought with Tomoyo a week back when she knew Syaoran was taking her out. As soon as she saw the pink dress, she knew she wanted it.
"You look really nice," Syaoran said in a tight voice, trying to loosen his tie.
"Stop that," she walked to him and took his hands. "But thank you for the compliment."
He shook his head. "No…you don't look nice." A flash of mock hurt appeared in her face. Before she could say anything, he continued. "You look…" he whispered. "…don't know…any way to say how beautiful you look…you've got me flustered too many…"
Sakura laughed, with cheeks rich in pink. She put a lingering finger on his lips. "I know what you mean to say, and thank you." She smiled and pecked his lips. "But, let's get going."
He merely nodded, still taking in the sight of her.
----
Sakura's flushed face continued to redden when Syaoran held her in his arms, swung her around, and gave her the best time she could possibly have. She looked up at his dark amber eyes and smiled, pulling her arms from his hold and wrapping them behind his neck. Syaoran kept their intense gaze as his travelled around her waist. They moved closer together, their bodies practically molding each other.
"I've never been to this place before," she said to him, staring deep into his eyes. "How did you find it?"
"Eriol had to go to this store a few blocks away from here, and we had to park about a block away from this place. We passed by it, and I thought it looked good to go to for a date."
"It is a beautiful place," Sakura admitted, glancing around. "That restaurant you brought me on our first date was beautiful too."
He nodded. "I never even knew these restaurants existed until I started dating you," he admitted.
Sakura giggled. "Are you saying you never had a romantic bone in your body until you noticed me?"
"I guess so," he sent her a small smile and bent his head down. "Don't I deserve a kiss for that?"
She shook her head. "You need to do something else, buddy."
"Like what?" He asked, his eyebrows bunching up on his forehead.
Sakura grabbed his hand and turned around, walking out of the ballroom. "I'd like it if we finished the date first before any kisses." She flashed him an innocent smile.
"You're breaking my heart, babe," he groaned as she let go of his hand and sat on her seat. Syaoran dropped on his seat the same time Sakura started laughing.
They began to eat dinner, talked about whatnot. Syaoran could only stare at her beauty shining immensely at the dimming golden lights above them. He glanced around the restaurant, seeing couples everywhere, and he couldn't see any other woman who looked just as or more beautiful than Sakura. But he knew he didn't have eyes for any other woman anymore. He'd never looked before anyway. This time, though, he knew in his heart, he'd never look at a woman twice again. A warm touch brought electricity pumping in his veins, pulling him back down to earth. He looked at Sakura's small, delicate hand on his, and clutched onto it tightly. His gaze travelled to Sakura's emerald eyes and held.
"What are you thinking?" She asked with her sweet voice.
"How lucky I am you're mine," he replied calmly, though his heart pounded.
She reddened. "Syaoran…"
Suddenly, he knew it was time. "Sakura, I need to tell you something."
"Ok," she spoke softly.
Syaoran took a deep breath, felt the box with his other hand and began. He grazed her knuckles with a sweet kiss that got Sakura to shiver unconsciously. "I never thought I could feel as much pain as I did when my dad died again…and ever since we've been together, I have."
Sakura's heart halted. 'What did he mean by that? Was their relationship hurting him a lot?' Sakura swallowed and tried to pull her hand back when he held hers strongly. "Syaoran-" He put a finger on her lips.
"Let me finish," he instructed quietly.
She nodded weakly.
"What I'm talking about…is that pain you feel for loving someone so much that it hurts you, literally. If my mom told me years ago that I'd end up with a woman and love her with my whole heart, I'd have thought she'd gone crazy. My life after his death was worthless and something I wanted to throw away. I seriously considered giving up, because there was nothing for me to live for."
Her heart went out for him with all the hard, rapid beats it gave. She willed her tears back from his words.
"When I met you, everything changed," he continued, taking a mental deep breath. It was hard expressing feelings like that. He'd never done it before, and it was such an emotional, nerve-wracking feeling.
"My life changed a lot too," Sakura whispered.
"After work, I'm happier than I ever could be, because I know I'll see you soon. Your smile makes all my problems go away. When we fight, the only thing I think about is how we're going to make up."
She bit her lip, keeping the tears in. "Me too…" she smiled shakily.
He managed a weak little grin. "What I'm trying to say is…-" One of their cell phones rang.
Sakura's eyes shot at it, willing it to stop, but it wouldn't.
Syaoran felt blood draining his face. He fought the loud growl he wanted to yell at the phone.
"Should I get it?" Sakura asked, her eyes darting back to Syaoran's.
He started to shake his head, but then nodded.
Hesitatingly, she answered. "Hello?" Moments later, a gasp emitted from her mouth. "Are you sure?? When did it happen??"
Syaoran watched her face to know what was happening.
"Yeah, don't worry. We're going to head there right now. Ok, I'll talk to you later. Bye." She closed the cell hurriedly.
"What happened??" Syaoran asked in alarm. What the hell was going on??
"Tomoyo started having contractions an hour ago, and Eriol brought her to the hospital. He thinks the baby's coming now." Sakura's face showed concern. "I can't believe it!!"
"Oh my god," Syaoran muttered in shock. "Oh my god…"
"Yeah. Come on, Syaoran! We've got to go to the hospital!" She grabbed his arm and started running as fast as her high heels would let her.
----
While driving, Syaoran firmly decided that it definitely wasn't the right time to propose when something so serious had just happened. Sakura was unbelievably tense in her seat, almost rigid, really. Her thoughts were jumbled, from what Syaoran's words meant to the fact that Tomoyo was having the baby now! He sped up, unable to control the emotions shooting at his heart. He didn't know what to think, what to do, what to expect. Who knew that just at the moment he would propose, Tomoyo was going in labour? Fate was against their getting engaged, it seemed.
"I honestly don't even know what's going to happen…" Sakura's hands shook. "Isn't the baby coming a little too early?? What if Tomoyo won't be able to conceive for another 24 hours or something?? She'll be in so much pain! What if the baby has to be delivered by C-Section?? If-if Tomoyo is going to have a really hard time delivering the baby, she…she might…she might even die!!"
"Don't say that! Let's just try to have a positive look on this. Most deliveries are performed well and the baby and mother turns out fine," he assured.
Sakura nodded doubtfully, staring out the very dark night. "But I'm really scared, Syaoran. I feel like something's going to happen."
He stared at the road ruefully. He had the same feeling too…that was why he sped up. A lurking feeling settled in his stomach just as he entered the driving seat. As if something was going to happen. He didn't know what, and so believed that Tomoyo might be in trouble.
They drove through an endless road of blind curves, which neither really cared at the moment. Tomoyo and the baby were on their minds. They didn't speak to each other, holding their own thoughts and concerns. Syaoran delved into the pros and cons of pregnancy, and tried to visualize different scenarios of what Tomoyo's baby would appear like. The baby was going to be delivered sooner than expected, which raised the chances of it having some sort of syndrome or diseases…or no…maybe something else. He took a silent deep breath and turned the car as they drove passed another blind curve when suddenly he saw a sudden flash of bright lights.
His eyes travelled to the lights in surprise, the brightness of them almost blinding him. Suddenly, he heard a loud bang that deafened his ears. Sakura shrieked beside him, covering her ears in shock. "What's going on??" She cried. "Syaoran, slow down! Something's happened!" His heart pounded louder every second that ticked by. He wanted to slow down, but having sped the entire drive, he could no longer control it, and the car just kept on going. "Shit!" He cursed as he tried to stop, and suddenly as he turned on the curve, he saw a black car that rammed into the rocks on Sakura's side.
"Oh my god!!!" Sakura yelled. "Syaoran, stop!! Syaoran, stop the car!!" She held her seatbelt to her chest with one hand and the other holding Syaoran's arm tightly.
"I'm trying!!" He pressed hard on the brakes when the tires screeched, skidding on the cemented road and making contact with the damaged car. He heard an even more crashing sound boom in his ears. Then he realized what just happened.
His head hurt like hell, his eyes he could barely open, and the tightness of the seatbelt and the rammed steering wheel pushed on his abdomen. An image of a very hurt Sakura appeared in his mind, making him as awake as he could be. He immediately shifted, despite the burning sting, and turned. "Sakura…" He began in a pained voice. "Sakura, are you all right??" He didn't get a response. He could see her auburn hair slumped by the window, which had thankfully stayed compact. "Goddamnit!" He cried, trying to stretch out his arm, which shot an excruciating pain to his spine. He groaned heavily, but ignored it. "Sakura!" He tried again, his voice now turning hoarse.
"Syaoran…" a whimpering small voice answered.
His heart sped up, the blood pumping his heart at the sound of her voice. "Are you all right?? I can't get to you…tell me how you're feeling…"
"My arm's stuck…and I'm bleeding a lot on the side of my stomach…" her voice was breaking. He knew she was crying.
Hell, he felt like crying too. The woman he loved was hurt because of him!! "Don't worry, babe…I'll get help…all right?" He had trouble talking.
She nodded. "Hurry, Syaor…" then her voice faded.
The fear of her death blocked everything else from his mind. "Sakura, hang in there, " he said to her, but his voice was losing hope. In his mind, he visualized kissing her cheek and holding her tightly to him, protecting her from everything in the world. "Please hang in there," he pleaded, realizing he was a lot more terrified of losing her than losing his life. Syaoran managed to grab his cell and dial 911 quickly. Midway to the conversation, he could no longer hear anything as he slowly went unconscious.