When meeting with an ex, it could go good or bad. You were intimate with the other, probably shared things you haven't with anyone. It can also lead to moments that awkward, fun, or really anything. Especially since it's clear one has feelings for the other. Ichigo and Emily have an understand of all that. After spending an intimate night together, the two of them will have to sort things out. Ichigo began to wake up and noticed Emily sleeping on top of him and now has no idea what to do now.
"Morning." Emily said as she woke up. "That really felt like old times."
"I'll say." Ichigo said, but that was all either of them could say. They were just caught up in what happened the other day and it brought them to this moment.
"I can see you have a lot to think about." Emily said. She had hoped they would get back together, but she understand that it just doesn't work like that.
"Maybe. I would like for us to be together again, but something about this just feels off." Ichigo said. "A lot happened since we broke up."
"So, what are you saying?" Emily said as she was feeling rather nervous about where Ichigo was going with this.
"I think we both should just take some time and think about if this is what we really both want. Should we really try this again?" Ichigo said.
"I already know my answer, but you're right. We can't just jump back to where we were like nothing happened." Emily said. "Just...let me know soon." She gave him one more kiss before she got out of bed and gathered her clothes together. Ichigo had to be sure about this.
"I was tempted to get back with Emily. We've known each other for so long and have a lot of history. She was also kind, beautiful, and so much more. No matter how much she wanted to be with me, she respected my wishes and gave me the space I needed. Still, I didn't know if I should. If she cheated on me before, what would stop her from doing that again? I just wasn't sure being with her again was what I wanted again."
...
Later
Ichigo had a lot to think about. He just sat in his apartment and tried to think about what he was going to do. When he heard the door open up, he saw Renji came back.
"There you are. Where have you been?" Ichigo asked.
"Sorry. I ended up meeting this cute girl named Rukia and we really hit it off." Renji said. "So, anything happened with Emily the other day?"
"Actually..." Ichigo said. He started to explain to Renji what happened.
"I told you so!" Renji said. "I knew something was going to happen between the two of you. So, what's going on? Are you two actually going to get back together?"
"I don't know." Ichigo said. "Emily and and I have a lot in common, but I'm not sure if I do want to get back together with her. A lot has happened since we broke up. Should I really go back to something I had once before when I've moved past it? What do you think I should do?"
"I can't tell you. This has to be your decision." Renji said. Ichigo had a feeling Renji would say something like that. That just made this more difficult. "Well, maybe you could think about it with this." He took out a card and tossed it over to Ichigo. Ichigo looked at it and saw it was an invitation to a party.
"You're getting promoted?!" Ichigo said.
"Oh yeah. I forgot to mention. Renji graduated from the academy a long time ago. This party was to celebrate him going from a local officer to an actual detective."
"Way to leave out an important part to me." Renji complained.
"Sorry."
"Yep! I'm being promoted. This guy is actually a detective." Renji said.
"Unreal! That's incredible!" Ichigo claimed.
"Anyway, it's not going to be too big. Just some friends." Renji said. "Try and focusing on some things rather than your chaotic love life." Ichigo figured that would do some good for him. Plus, Renji's been one of his best friends for a long time. He knew he just had to go.
...
Renji's Party
A few days later, Renji's party to celebrate his promotion was underway. There were some people there and all of them appeared to be having a good time. The man of the hour showed with his best friend and it became a real party.
"Can I throw a party or what?" Renji said as it looked like he did a great job.
"It does look great." Ichigo said.
"Renji Abarai..." Renji turned around and he was surprised to see Emily was there. He know he didn't give her an invite.
"Emily! Hi!" Renji said as he acted friendly and gave her a gentle hug.
"I'm not technically crashing. Ichigo did say I could come by. If it makes you uncomfortable, I can leave." Emily said.
"No. Help yourself. We've been friends for a long time, so there shouldn't really be any problem." Renji said as he tried being the bigger person. Emily was glad to hear that as he allowed her in and she went to mingle. "You invited her?!"
"We talked a little and I did mention it. I figured it wouldn't be a problem." Ichigo said, but Renji had a feeling there was something more to it. Ichigo knew what Renji was thinking and he was getting annoyed. "Renji, what's the problem? Why do you seem to be against this?"
"She's why." Renji said as he pointed across the room. Ichigo looked over there and he was surprised to see Emma was there. Emma spotted him and actually gave him a friendly wave.
"Emma's here?! You talked her into coming?!" Ichigo said.
"Yep." Renji admitted. "I invited her in hopes of you two working things out."
"But what does she have to do with Emily?" Ichigo asked.
"Ichigo, when you were down, Emma was the one that picked you up." Renji said. "You always had a lot of fun her. Even when you and Emily broke up or when you were together, she was there. You were always so happy with her. When you were with Teresa, you could tell something was bothering her. I have a feeling that she's also the reason you didn't jump back to being with Emily."
"What are you saying? I'm in love with Emma without even knowing it?" Ichigo questioned.
"I'm afraid only you can really answer that." Renji said and just went to enjoy his party. That had Ichigo do some thinking. Is is possible he's really in love with Emma? At the same time, what if he's still in love with Emily. He looked at both girls and thought they were incredible, but he doesn't know which one he would rather be with. He has history with Emily, but Emma has been a great friend. Needing air to think about this, he stepped outside and wasn't sure what he was going to do.
"Hey." Ichigo turned around and saw Emma walking out. "Are you okay? You just got here."
"Yeah. I just needed a moment for some air." Ichigo said. At least this gives him the chance to talk to her "I'm surprised to see you here. I figured you were mad." Still feeling guilty about before he had to do something. "Emma, I'm sorry about what happened the last time we met."
"I won't lie. It did hurt a little." Emma said. "I haven't returned your cards because I figured that deep down you wanted me to leave you alone."
"Are you kidding? You were there to help me at some of my lowest points before." Ichigo said.
"By the way, I saw Emily back in there. Are things between you and her okay?" Emma asked.
"I don't know. She wants to get back together." Ichigo said. "I'm not so sure if that's really what I want or if I'm just trying to go back to something that was easy. Renji even has this idea that I don't want that because..." He couldn't really say it.
"What did Renji say?" Emma asked, but he couldn't really say it. "Ichigo, whatever it is I'm sure it's okay. I have this saying that helps. You might have a few dark clouds, but the sunlight always has a way to come through." She said as she caressed the side of his face. It triggered some sort of feeling inside him that he couldn't ignore. As the two of them stared at each other, they couldn't help it as they finally kissed each other.
"Wait!" Kazui said.
...
Present Day
"I know which one is Mom now!" Kazui said as he believes he has the right answer.
"Do you?" Ichigo questioned.
"Yes! I'm sure of it! It was what Emma said about the sunlight." Kazui said as he looked to Orihime. "Mom, you use to say the same thing whenever I cried! Mom, you're Emma in the story!" He claimed his final answer with the parents smiling.
"You got it right!" Orihime said as she hugged her son.
"So, Emma was Mrs. Kurosaki the whole time?" Ichika said.
"That's right. The school "Emma" was going to was to help her become a nurse. Orihime had trouble with her parents and had to support herself." Ichigo explained. "Everything that went on with Emma in the story was really my wife."
"So, what happened next?" Kazui asked.
"Just as I told you. We dated for a while, got married, then had you." Ichigo said as he ruffled his son's hair.
"None of it would happened if I hadn't pointed it out." Renji said as he tried boasting, but none of them really indulged him in it.
"What about Emily and Teresa? What happened to them?" Ichika asked.
"I'm not really sure. I haven't seen or heard from them in years." Ichigo said. At least Kazui was able to figure out which one was really his mother and he rather enjoyed it.
"Well, this was a fun story, but we should get going." Rukia said as she grabbed Ichika's hand and her family was getting ready to go. "We have a lot to do. At least you got a good story out of all of this."
"I'll see you later, Kazui." Ichika said as the Abarai's left. Ichika rather enjoyed the story herself and thought it was fun. It has made her curious as to how her own parents met.
"We should get going ourselves. We have some shopping to do." Orihime said as she grabbed Kazui's hand and was getting ready to go. "Ichigo, are you coming?"
"Actually, you two go on ahead." Ichigo said. "I think I'm going to just stroll around."
"Okay." Orihime said. Orihime just allowed it and she and Kazui started walking. Ichigo saw his family off. He was happy he had them in his life, but talking about the past like has had him thinking. Ichigo starting walking and thinking. He thought how different his life could have been if he made some different choices. He loves his wife and son a lot, but he can't stop thinking how different his life would have been if he did something different. While he was walking through the park, he spotted something and he almost couldn't believe it.
"You've got to be kidding me." Ichigo said with amusement. In a big city where thousands of people live, the chances seem difficult that you'll see someone you know. However, they show up when you least expect it. In Ichigo's case, it happened when you think about them too. Ichigo looked through the park and couldn't believe his eyes when he spotted a woman playing around with a little girl. It wasn't any woman; it was actually Emily. When she looked in his direction, she couldn't believe it herself. As she smiled in his direction, Ichigo might have found some answers to his own questions.
