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Far From The Tree

Chapter 1


HARUHI

"Happy Birthday Angel!" I beamed as my daughter stared at the candles on her cake. She grinned wildly, the joy evident in her bright brown eyes, "Make a wish" I said, kissing her on the top of her head.

I saw the cogs turning in her vibrant little mind as she raced to think of something to wish for, then the candles went out with a huge breath. We clapped, releasing the confetti from our streamers, the room erupting into children's laughter.

4 years old. Where did those years go?

It felt like only yesterday I was looking at that positive pregnancy test and my whole world ignited. Emi became my entire universe, she was my reason to smile, she was my reason to get up in the morning, she was my reason to work so hard at the firm so I could provide her with everything she deserved. My beautiful little girl.

She looked up at me with a grin, her bright smile making my heart warm with complete adoration, pastel coloured confetti hanging from her long mahogany hair. Never before this girl had I been so in love.

My little girl.

It seemed like only yesterday when the doctor had laid her in my arms after so many hours of pain. All the screaming, the tears, the agony, had been forgotten the moment my eyes met hers. I remembered holding her tiny hands, hearing her first little cries, feeling her warmth against my chest. Nothing could ever compare.

And I'd done it alone. Every scan, every ultrasound, every midwife appointment. Dad had been there of course, visiting almost daily to see his granddaughter. He had been there for her first steps, first words, first day of school. But ultimately it had been just Emi and me. And honestly, I treasured every second of it.

She spent the next few hours with her friends. Jumping and dancing in her birthday dress her grandpa had bought her, the biggest grin on her round rosy face. When the evening came and everyone went home we ate cake and explored her new gifts, before a yawn broke through the barrier of her doll like lips and I scooped her up to bed.

"Mommy, do you wanna know what I wished for?" Emi smiled brightly as I tucked her under the pink sheets of her bed.

"You know some people say wishes don't come true if you tell" I teased.

"But it's a really really good one" she pouted, "Is there a rule where I can just tell Mommy?"

"You know you can tell Mommy anything" I stroked a red strand away from her sweet little face, the dimples in her cheeks puckering with her growing grin, "What did you wish for?" I smirked.

Emi's eyes lit up and her arms tightened around her teddy. Whatever it was, it excited her.

"I wished for a Daddy" she said.

My heart dropped, stilling suddenly at the mention. My skin turned cold as I processed her words. A Daddy? Had I heard her right?

I croaked, "For...for a Daddy?"

She nodded eagerly, "Lucy says she goes to the park with her Daddy, and he lets her ride his back like a pony. She says everyone has a Daddy. And Yuri has two Daddies!" she was grinning like it was the most exciting news she'd ever heard, "Why don't I have a Daddy?"

The lump in my throat threatened to choke me. But all I could seem to do was stare into those hopeful brown eyes of hers and stroke her little head. How was I supposed to answer a question like that? How could she possibly understand? Where would I even begin?

"Emi asked why she didn't have a Dad" I slumped down on the couch after settling Emi down with a story. Completely avoiding the subject of her biological father.

Dad frowned, "Well, we knew she'd ask sometime"

"I know, I just...didn't think it would be so soon..."

"She's 4, and she's older than she seems. Plus, she's your daughter which means she's smart far beyond her years"

I smiled to myself, "How do I explain it to her?"

"It's not like sperm donation is something weird. Plenty of people do it"

"She's 4. How will she understand the concept of 'buying sperm'?"

Dad chuckled, sitting down beside me and passing me a glass of wine.

I rubbed my face roughly, "Show me the way Dad"

"Unfortunately sweetheart, I don't have all the answers" he sat down beside me on the couch, "She barely batted an eye when we told her why Grandpa wore dresses, I expect she'll be the same when you tell her how she was conceived"

"She still thinks babies are delivered by the stork" I murmured.

"And in your case. The stork was a Doctor"

"And a turkey baster"

"Don't be crude darling. I still struggle to understand why you didn't just do it the natural way"

"When did I have the time to meet a man? When do I even have the time now?"

"You barely gave dating a chance" Dad rolled his eyes, "You were too busy with work. Besides, you were 24. You had plenty of time"

"That's not what the Doctors said" I mumbled.

I'd been told since puberty that my chances of conceiving naturally was low, and those chances would only get lower the older I got. Apparently I had a limited supply of eggs, eggs that were diminishing and diminishing as the years went by. I made the choice. Have a kid now, or risk not being able to have one later. I didn't have time to wait for a man. I made my choice. And I was glad I did.

"Anyway" I sipped my wine, "How would you suggest I tell her? I hadn't planned on her being so curious this soon"

"I'm sure there's a kids book somewhere that explains all this" Dad offered, "They have children's books on everything these days"

I sighed, sipping my drink instead of answering.

That night when Dad went home I slowly made my way to bed, checking on Emi before resigning myself to the bedroom. She looked so small curled up in bed, her pink night-light illuminating her sleeping face.

As I watched her silently I let my mind contemplate what she'd asked me. I'd always tried so hard to give her everything she could ever need. I never let being a single mother bother me, and never made her feel like she was losing something by only having me here to parent her. But I guessed it was inevitable. She was surrounded by friends in 2 parent households, watching TV shows with Moms and Dads, or 2 Moms, or 2 Dads...of course she would wonder why it was only she and I most of the time. I'd never dated in her lifetime, so she'd never had anyone but myself and Dad providing for her. Yet she never complained or questioned why the other kids got more at Christmas or on Birthdays. She was a happy little girl. But she was older now, more curious...

I sighed sadly to myself, before crawling into my queen sized bed. Alone.


"Did Emi like my present?" Renge beamed from the other side of my desk.

I grinned back, remembering how eager Emi was to rip open the bag Renge had given her the morning of her birthday. It was some figurine from her favourite show she'd been talking about all month.

"It's on her nightstand" I chuckled, "She showed all her friends"

"Were they jealous?"

"You're asking if her 4 year old friends were jealous?"

Renge nodded frantically.

"They were green with envy" I smirked.

Renge grinned and fist pumped the air, "Who's the best Auntie?"

"You are of course"

"Hell yeah I am" she beamed giddily, her bright freckled face morphing around her smile.

Renge and I had been fast friends since the moment I stepped through the doors of Ouran Legal 7 years ago. I'd never met anyone as bubbly and confident as she was. When we'd first been introduced she'd greeted me as if we'd known each other our whole lives, quickly diving into deep conversations and eagerly learning all she could about me. That same evening she took me out for drinks, and since that day we'd been best friends. I don't think she'd ever taken a day off, she was always there in the mornings to greet me by my desk with a coffee, the biggest smile on her face. I saw her everyday.

During my pregnancy journey she had been like a rock to me. She'd earned the name "Auntie Ren Ren" from the moment Emi came into existence. She'd even been the one to come with me when I'd flicked through the donor's files, helping me choose the right one to father Emi. Honestly I wouldn't know what I'd do without her.

Shortly after 10am and Renge had gone back to her work, my boss knocked at my office door.

Yuzuru Suoh was a gentleman. Probably only one of the few men I would ever bless with that title. He had such an air about him that was so inspiring. Since the day he'd hired me straight out of law school I had done everything I could to make him proud. His praise meant a lot to me, it made me want to come to work everyday and do everything I could to succeed and excel the company forwards. He always greeted his employees with a smile - one that wasn't forced or faked. I think that was probably the main reason he had so many loyal workers on his side. I'd heard many horror stories from other neighbouring law firms in the city, where their working environments had been bitter and intense, but never here at Ouran Legal.

I smiled brightly as he entered my office.

That was another thing I liked. A small thing. Barely noticeable. Unlike other bosses, he never called you on the phone and summoned you to his office. No. He always came to find you in person with a grin on his face. He'd happily sit in your safe space, with you behind your own desk, him sat on the other side or on the couch across the room. There was a quiet familiarity in that action, one that made you feel comfortable.

"I have some news" he beamed, adjusting his tie as if he wanted to be at his most presentable for what he was going to tell me.

I perked up, giving him my undivided attention.

"We have a new client" he said. A grin spread across his face, which told me it wasn't just any new client.

"A new client?" I questioned, opening up my planner to take notes. Whatever it was I was ready. A new client meant more work, and I loved my work.

"Have you heard of Hitachiin Corp?" Mr Suoh smiled at me expectantly.

I tilted my head, not sure if I'd heard him right, "Hitachiin Corp?" I repeated, "The computing company?"

Mr Suoh grinned, "They're looking for new legal representation. Someone to monitor contracts, oversee legal trades"

My mouth dropped open, "And they came to us?"

"Of course" Mr Suoh smirked, "Obviously our reputation proceeds us"

I couldn't hold back my excited smile.

This was huge. 'Ouran Legal' wasn't the biggest lawyer firm in the city, but it was definitely progressing towards that title. To hear that big companies such as Hitachiin Corp was seeking us out for representation, was big news. Something like this would give us that push towards the top.

"I'm assigning you of course" Mr Suoh smiled.

"Me?"

My mouth hung open, dumbfounded.

"Who else would I choose?" he chuckled, "You're my star player"

I could hardly hold back the excitement. I felt so much pride wash over me I was practically drowning in it. I was taken back to the joy I'd felt when I'd been assigned my first ever case on my own all those years ago, that feeling of accomplishment, realising that all the work I'd put in had been worth it all. This was such a huge responsibility, and an honour. A tremendous honour.

I knew Mom would be proud of me. My heart swelled at the thought.

"I won't let you down sir" I grinned.


HIKARU

"You're an asshole!" the leggy blonde shouted from the hallway, her silver clutch bag swinging towards my half opened door.

I rolled my eyes, still half asleep from the rude, unwanted awakening, "You're embarrassing yourself in front of my brother"

Koko or Kaia or whatever her name was grit her teeth, then turned anxiously to see Kaoru standing behind her by the elevator doors, a stunned look on his face as he took in the scene playing out in front of him. Koko/Kaia grumbled aloud before stamping her red heeled feet. Kaoru jumped out of the way as she threw herself in the elevator, sticking her middle finger up at me as the doors slowly closed on her.

A deep breath passed my lips in relief as the hall fell silent.

Kaoru let out a whistle, "Do I want to know?"

"Not much to tell" I muttered. Just another woman crawling back for more and not enjoying the rejection. Figures. I wasn't the best at letting people down easy. And I doubted she was too happy to hear that I didn't remember her.

"Bit early for a visitor isn't it? Did you finally let one stay the whole night?" Kaoru asked as I sidestepped to let him inside the apartment.

I scoffed bitterly, "Someone must have let her up in the lobby..."

I grumbled under my breath. I'd have to rehash my rules with the guy on the door. No one is allowed up unless they're my parents or my brother. Anyone else, I have to be in accompaniment. The last thing I wanted was a stranger at my door. Or worse. A one night stand wondering why I never called.

"So" I yawned, wandering back into the penthouse living room as Kaoru followed behind, "What do I owe the pleasure?"

Kaoru frowned at me, clearly not feeling the humour.

"You didn't show up last night"

I raised a brow as I stretched out on the couch, "Last night?"

"Dinner" he stated, "Remember? You were meant to meet with Momoka Kurakano? It's been planned for months"

I whooshed out a breath, "Oh...right...dinner"

"You forgot didn't you?"

"I didn't forget" I lied, "I was busy"

"Busy?" Kaoru raised a brow, "You're lucky I'm the one coming here, Mom wanted to decapitate you when Kurakano called"

"She'll get over it" I murmured.

Over the last year Mom has been trying to play match maker. Ever since Kaoru got married it was like someone had lit a flame under her ass and suddenly she became obsessed with the idea of both myself and brother starting families. Not to mention she was hardly pleased with my attitude towards relationships. I couldn't remember the last time I'd had an actual girlfriend. Even as far back as college I'd spent no more than a night at a time with a woman. I didn't have time for a girlfriend, I was too busy building up the company our Dad had started. No room for distractions.

Kurakano was the daughter of one of Mom's wealthy friends, she'd been dropping hints for me to take her out or meet with her for months now. Honestly, I forgotten all about the date she'd planned moments after she told me about it. I didn't even mention it to my PA to put in my calendar, It just wasn't a priority for me. Kurakano was nice enough. She was pretty, elegant, well educated. But by god was she dull. And I couldn't see myself becoming enamoured with a woman I could barely engage with.

Oh well. No loss there.

After a shower I emerged back out into the kitchen, I found Kaoru hunched over the bar on his phone with a coffee cradled in his palm, a second cup waiting for me in front of him.

He said a quick - "I love you, bye" before hanging up and taking a sip.

"How's Kimiko?" I asked, sitting opposite him.

"Tired" he replied, "The bigger she gets, the harder work is for her"

"When does her maternity start?"

"End of the month"

I let out a low whistle. Her due date was really closing in.

"You ready to be a Dad?" I smirked, sipping my drink.

A grin spread across his face, "You kidding me? I can't wait to meet my boy" he replied, "You ready to be an uncle?"

I grimaced.

"I'm sure you'll feel different when you meet him" Kaoru chuckled.

I snorted. Would I? I don't think I'd ever liked kids. And a baby? What was to like? They were just so noisy, and smelly, and sticky...ugh...

I shuddered at the thought, "Please don't ever ask me to babysit"

Kaoru laughed, "Don't worry. Kimiko already put her foot down about that. She doesn't want our son coming home stinking of whiskey with a full vocab of cuss words"

"Probably for the best" I smirked.

We finished our coffees, before making our way over to the office together.

Kaoru and I worked hard at Hitachiin Corp, but since our Father retired 3 years ago I had taken the reigns of the company. We both preferred it that way. Kaoru never wanted this company to become his life, and signing on the dotted line as co-owner was just a step too far for him. He was happy being my second in command for the time. I however loved the position of power. I remember as a kid seeing Dad in the big chair, with all those employees under him. He looked so strong, so accomplished. I wanted that. Unfortunately with this role came a lot of stresses I hadn't considered. Dad had always looked so in control, happy almost. Maybe I was doing it wrong... But people were getting paid, products were going out. And that at least meant I was doing something right.

"You can't make any business decisions right now, your lawyer quit remember?" Kaoru breathed as he watched me leaf through emails I'd missed since yesterday.

Dammit. I'd forgotten all about Yabu's resignation...

I was surprised the son-of-a-bitch actually went through with it. He'd lasted a good few months longer than the other lawyers I worked with. I don't even think his name was Yabu, I know my first lawyer was called Yabu...but I was on lawyer number...4 now? 5? 5 Yabus over 3 years. What a record.

"Mom's found a new agency, one that will actually assign you representation. I think you bled the other agency dry"

"When does he start?"

"You have a meeting on Tuesday"

"Fuck" I hissed under my breath. It was Friday. And I had a deal to close with the Ootori group within the next week. We even had a golfing trip booked.

"If you hadn't pushed Sakyo to quit you wouldn't be in this position"

"Who?"

Kaoru rolled his eyes, "Sakyo. Your ex-lawyer"

Sakyo. Right. That was his name.

"He was useless" I grumbled.

"You treated him like a PA. You're lucky he put up with the late night and weekend calls for so long"

"He was the one who told me if I had any problems to call him"

"He was being polite. No one wants to unpack a licensing agreement at 2am"

I ran my hand into my hair, ruining all efforts to tame it that morning.

Tuesday. Fine. By Tuesday I'd have a lawyer and I could get back on schedule. For the time being I'd just had to check over the departments and make sure we were on track for the new developments. After that we could close the deal with Ootori's hospitals and go forward with expanding.

I just hoped this new lawyer knew what he was doing.


New story! Oh my god I'm so excited to share this with you! I've been working on this one for a while! After CSC ended I knew I needed another nice romantic story to work on, because what a year it has been! I'm hoping to keep up with this one after the shitshow last year was, I need a project to be proud of again. I hope you guys love this as much as I do.

Stay safe!

Yuli xx