"Lori? What do you mean?" Tamaki asked, trying to pull my hands away from my face.

"After you left, my mother died." I said bluntly, knowing that I voiced his worst fear. He froze. I could feel his hands, still around my wrists, starting to shake. "It was a few months after you left. Th–there was an accident. I didn't know what to do. I was so alone. I couldn't stay in that house with my step-father… it wasn't safe for me."

"Lorraine…" I heard him say, softly. Keeping my eyes down, I dropped my hands and watched him gently wrap his long fingers around them.

"It took me a few months, but I saved up every penny I could get my hands on. There was a bar not far from school that needed a waitress. The news of my mother reached your father and he sent flowers, a card, and enough cash for me to finally get out. I packed everything I could and left in the middle of the night. I bounced between empty classrooms and coworkers' couches. The bar had live music every Friday, but one week the singer didn't show and I volunteered to take her place for extra cash. That's when I met Henri. His father had a record company and he helped launch my career. I fell in love with him, Tamaki. I was so in love with him. Being with him… I wasn't just an orphan anymore. I had a family again. I–I gave myself to him completely. When he's made those comments about us sleeping together… he wasn't making that up. He was my first everything. And then he destroyed me and made me regret every moment we spent together. I was alone again. Alone with no family and so ashamed of everything. You deserve someone pure. Someone who's too smart to get seduced by a monster."

We sat in silence for a moment. My words hung in the air around us as more thunder rumbled above us.

Tamaki's hands separated from mine and I heard him shifting in front of me. I closed my eyes tightly, waiting for him to leave the room and expecting him to be disgusted by me. Instead, I felt him move forward quickly, wrapping his arms around my shaking body and pulling me up onto my knees and into his arms.

"My darling songbird. My sweet Lori. I am so sorry." He said before pressing his lips to the top of my head.

"Please don't think less of me." I begged, gripping his shirt. He kissed the top of my head again.

"You're the strongest person I know, Lori. I think nothing but the world of you."

Relief washed over me as I finally looked into his eyes. I told him everything and he didn't hate me. His look was one of caring, not disgust. My heart was racing under his gaze. No one had ever looked at me this way before. I buried my face into his chest, wrapping my arms as tightly as possible around his torso, feeling completely overwhelmed by the feelings boiling inside of me. He held me tightly, resting his head on top of mine and petting my hair.

"Th–Thank you." I stuttered, inhaling his warm scent. I never wanted this moment to end.

"Lori," he said my name so softly it sounded like a prayer. "You're my family."

I looked up at him, surprised by his words. I felt fresh tears spring to my eyes.

"Tamaki…"

"I'm sorry I wasn't there for you when you needed me the most. I should have known. You endured so much on your own. But never again, ok? You're my family and I will do everything I can to protect you." I buried my face into his warm chest once more, wanting to feel every bit of him. He felt like home.

"You're my family." I repeated. "My chosen family. You have been from day one and I promise I won't forget that."

He smiled, then opened his mouth as if he were about to say something more, but was quickly interrupted by the sound of my stomach growling loudly. I immediately fell away from him, leaning back on my heels and wrapping my arms around my obnoxious belly.

"I–I am so sorry!" I stammered out, feeling more embarrassed than I had all night. I watched as he leaned back on his own heels, laughing into his hands.

"Well, we did miss dinner." He justified, smiling down at me. "There should be enough food left over if you're up for leftovers with me."

"I'm up for anything with you, Tamaki." I smiled back. He stood, helping me to my feet as well. I kept ahold of his hands trying to find the right words to thank him for everything.

"Thank you," he said first, catching me by surprise. "Thank you for sharing everything with me. I want you to be able to trust me. Thank you for letting me in."

"Thank you." I replied, wiping the leftover tears from my eyes.