Chapter Thirty Seven

Christmas

"Merry Christmas!" Mitsuru said with a proud smile. "All my family is here, and I'm grateful," he said, raising his breakfast tea as everyone sat around him. Although Tarou did say he'll come by later for lunch.

Atobe was looking fresh, while Akari was at the table eating but Fay looked sick and grim as she couldn't stop coughing. The whole day yesterday was spent in bed for her.

Fay kept coughing as her family exchanged greetings, and hugs. They were awaken early morning. Fay was wearing a soft cap sleeve tee and multiple stripe/pink tee silky-smooth sateen pant. She had a pashmina around her as everyone talked.

In a few minutes, they headed to the family room and sat down by the massive decorated tree. All of them exchanged gifts, and Fay was even more surprised when her elder brother gave her a wrapped gift. "Here," he said, not looking at her.

Wow! He got me something? She thought surprised. She opened the wrapper which revealed a Cartier Box. Opening it, it was a Diamants Legers white hold with diamond bracelet. "I love…" she whispered, "It's so… ME!' she hugged him excitedly, 'thank you. Thank you. Thank you."

Atobe pushed her away slightly and hated himself for noticing that his father and aunt were grinning at the scene. Well, I did my deed. I don't owe her anything anymore.

Fay tapped his shoulder, and handed him a present.

Another one? She just gave me a present two weeks ago. He thought, annoyed. Gawd! Am I supposed to open it in front of them? He thought. He unwrapped it, and noted that it was a Fendi box. Hmm… what did she get me?

"I got you and father the same, but in different colors," she said in a hoarse voice, as she handed her father a wrapped box as well.

"A wallet? Nice lather," he said, observing it. I like it. It's so sleek, and manly.

"Thank you, Fay. I love it," Mitsuru said, hugging his daughter. Fay really is still sick, she's still feverish. We need to make this short, so I can send her upstairs to rest some more.

'I want to see my presents," Akari said, waving her arms.

They all exchanged some more, including Atobe and loved all the things they got. Finally when it was done, Fay stood up. "I'll excuse myself, I need to sleep."

Mitsuru seemed surprised, "but we're not done."

"Not done?" Atobe asked. 'We already exchanged…"

"I haven't given you my gifts yet," Mitsuru stood up. "One second, I'll need to get them."

Get them? Atobe thought.

Fay looked at her brother, weird… get what?

A few minutes later, they saw Mitsuru walk back towards them holding a box. He placed it on the floor, and opened it. Out came a puppy, and kitten's head.

"Oh my god!" Fay squealed.

Even Atobe looked surprised.

Mitsuru grinned. I always need to outdo myself when it comes to gifts. "So what do you think?"

Akari smiled at the scene. Mitsuru sure spoils his children.

"I love! I love!' Fay wheezed.

Atobe nodded, and then he looked at his father then at Fay. "So which is for whom?"

"Well, obviously kitten for you, and puppy for Fay," Mitsuru said.

Atobe and Fay both paused. They bit their lips, and looked at each other. A moment of silence was exchanged between them then Atobe took the puppy. "We're exchanging gifts."

"I want the kitten," Fay said with a smile.

The puppy in front of Atobe was an Alaskan Malamute, pure white with shades of gray on top of its head. "Does he have a name?" Atobe asked.

"I'll leave that to you," Mitsuru said. "By the way, there's another box with all their play things, blankets, collars, clothes, etc… I will ask the help to bring it to your rooms."

Fay picked up the kitten, and held it in front of her face. "I'm going to spoil you rotten," she told the pure white Persian kitten. "Thanks, father." She said smiling. She stood up, hugging the kitten. "I really have a headache now, so will go back to sleep."

They all nodded and spent time with each other. It was a good hour when the doorbell rang. "Must be Tarou," Mitsuru said, standing up.

He walked towards the door as he had given the butler a day off and opened it. Instead of his brother Tarou, he saw four people with two young children with them. "Merry Christmas!" they exclaimed.

Mitsuru smiled, out of the bunch he only recognized Takeda Ren.

Takeda bowed down, and greeted him. "We've come to get Fay, we're going to the snow festival."

She would be really disappointed. "I'm sorry, Ren, but Fay's really sick today. She's under strict bed rest."

"Aww!' Sawada said, "That sucks!"

Sakamoto bowed, "please give her our regards then, and we wish her well."

Mitsuru nodded.

"Wait! Wait!" Akari, stopped Mitsuru from closing the door. "Why don't you guys come upstairs and see her a bit. I'm sure she'll love some company." Fay would love it if she got to see Ren for Christmas.

They all grinned and nodded excitedly.

Akari grinned at Mitsuru and let them in. "Let's go upstairs," she said, walking through the stairway path. Are those Jin's twins? She thought, noticing that Sakamoto was carrying twin children. They look too cute, she smiled.

Akari told them to wait at the open hall upstairs while she went to get Fay.

Sawada and Tanaka looked around the hall. "It's too big, this place," Tanaka remarked.

"Yeah," Sawada agreed. A bit creepy with all the wood furniture.

Takeda was quiet the entire time as he waited with them. His thoughts were unreadable.

Ten minutes later, Fay came out to them. "Oh my! Why are you all here?" she asked. She was still dressed in her pajamas, with her hair tied to the side. She looked sick and tired but in a cute way.

"Oh my God! You look so cute!" Sawada exclaimed, hugging her. "Merry Christmas!" she said. "We had to see you."

Fay smiled, and hugged her back. "Thank you."

The others all greeted her as well, except for Takeda who kept his distance. Fay was also introduced to Takeda's other sister, Yui who was Yuu's twin. She seemed a bit hostile towards Fay while Yuu was in love.

"Guys, lets go to my room," Fay said, leading them to her room.

They got in, and Tanaka whistled. "so this is what a princess's room looks like?" he whispered, noticing the grand décor and expensive carpentry. It wasn't huge room as expected but it had a cozy element to it and a small seating area by the balcony.

"Ooh! Kitty!" Yui exclaimed as she noticed a small kitten on the floor half asleep.

Fay coughed a bit, and sat down next to the kitten. "Want to play with it?" she asked.

Yui hesitated but Takeda pushed her towards Fay. "It's alright."

Yui petted the kitten, and hugged it while Yuu watched. The twins were busy with the kitten when Fay finally sat down with her friends. She held the pashmina around her. "Sorry, can't join you at the festival," she said with a cough.

"Don't worry," Sawada said, "we came to give you our presents." She took out a wrapped gift from her bag and handed it to her. "These are ours," Sakamoto and Tanaka said as well.

Oh… How cute of them, she thought. I didn't think I was getting anything from them.

"I'm sorry I left your gift at home," Takeda said sheepishly. He was starting to feel edgy. Watching her sick, being in her room… his heart was starting to race as well.

Fay shook her head slightly. "Don't let it bother you." She stood up, "let me get you your stuff," she said, walking to her dressing room. She looked for the bag that carried their gifts and walked back out. She was feeling a bit dizzy but inside was very happy at the situation. This is the first time I've spent Christmas with friends…

The same time Fay sat down, the maid knocked on the door and served them hot chocolate and biscuits. "Yum," Tanaka said, sipping it. "This is delish!"

Sawada poked him. "Everything that touches your lips is delicious," she joked.

Tanaka hugged her slightly. "You want to taste these lips," he joked back.

Sakamoto smacked him in the head while Fay laughed softly.

Fay took out the content of the bag, and placed a gift in front of everyone. "I don't know you all that well, but tried my best to figure out what you'd like."

"Wow!' Sawada said, "They're so prettily wrapped." Opening her gift, she saw a box and opened it. "Oh! NO FREAKING WAY!" she said, pulling out a designer bag. "I got you the same thing but in beige!"

Fay blinked, and began opening her own gift that she got from Sawada. "Oh!" Fay began laughing at the coincidence.

Takeda seemed to like the atmosphere. "Aya rarely holds bags, Fay but I'm sure she'll love your gift."

Sawada pushed her tongue out at him. "I'll carry it. It's black, and suits everything."

Fay noticed that both Tanaka and Sakamoto opened their gifts and loved it. She looked at the unopened gift in front of Takeda, "you will not open yours?"

Takeda didn't get the chance to say anything. Sawada spoke on his behalf, "Ren never opens gifts in front of anyone, bad habit of his."

"Oh," Fay said, a bit disappointed. "I guess everyone has their reasons."

Sakamoto nudged Takeda, "open it," he hissed.

Takeda ignored him.

Tanaka looked at his watch, "hey, we should go if we want to catch the opening."

Sakamoto nodded, and stood up. "Yes, he's right. Yo, kids. Leave the kitty, we're going."

Sawada hugged Fay, "feel better, you're coming with us next time and thank you so much for the gift."

Fay seemed disappointed again that they were leaving, but nodded. Takeda stood up as well, hesitating and then a few minutes later sat back down. "You guys go ahead. I'll catch up with you later."

Tanaka blinked.

Sawada grinned.

Sakamoto remained emotionless.

"Don't stare," Takeda said annoyed. "Take Yuu and Yui with you," he said. "I'll see you later."

They all waved goodbye with a grin and left leaving Takeda alone with Fay.

"Umm…" Fay began surprised at his stay. Why didn't he go? I'm not complaining, but… "Ren?"

Takeda seemed embarrassed. He took the gift Fay got him, and opened it in front of her. It revealed a Burberry box, and inside was a scarf. He pulled it out and tried it on. "I like it."

Fay raised an eyebrow. "I thought you didn't open gifts in public."

"You looked disappointed," he said, and then he placed his hand inside his jacket. 'I lied earlier," he said, pulling out a gift. "Here, I couldn't give this to you in front of everyone. Aya would've killed me if she knew what I got you."

Fay's eyes widened. "You didn't have to get me anything," she said, taking it from him.

"I wanted to."

Fay's heart began racing again. She opened the gift carefully, and revealed the box underneath. Cartier? Oh, same as Keigo's gift. She opened the gift and felt her breath caught in her throat. It was a pink gold Love chain bracelet. This is really expensive, why would he… she looked up at him. "Ren…"

He took the box from her, and pulled the bracelet out. 'Give me your hand," he ordered quietly.

Fay hesitated, but did so. She watched him as he clasped it around her wrist. Fay admired her wrist; it was now sporting her brother's gift and Takeda's. "I… I love it but why would you buy me such a thing?"

Takeda wasn't looking at her. "I guess… Well, I wanted to. You're special to me."

Fay seemed sad. He can't say it… Fay stood up, and walked towards the balcony window. She coughed again, and turned around. She found him in front of her. What I want… Fay went for it. She hugged him tightly, catching him off guard. "Thank you, Ren. It was a nice gesture. Thanks for keeping me company as well."

Takeda stood stiff, but then put his arms around her slowly so she was engulfed by him.

Fay realized that this was the first time she was being held by him like this. The other times when he had kissed her it was different. She didn't want to let go but knew she should. She gave him a tender smile, and then sat down on the sofa. Life really sucks, and he is giving me a lot of mixed feelings.

"Fay?"

Takeda sat down next to her. "What if… What if I told you that I don't mind giving this a try?"

Fay looked at him confused

Takeda chuckled a bit "My father got a nanny for the twins yesterday and threw me out of the house. He told me to go out and do what eighteen year olds do."

Fay still didn't say anything.

Takeda leaned forward thinking, "it then made me realize that I really have been a loser. Always babysitting, always putting the twins first… I never gave myself a chance to be me."

Fay held his hand, "never a loser, Ren. You did the responsible thing for your family."

Takeda held her hand, "but then you came along and told me that you had feelings for me. What did I do? I shut you out. Twice."

Fay's heart stung at that. Don't remind me, she thought annoyed. She leaned on the sofa and crossed her arms. "So what are you telling me?" she asked.

Takeda went quiet a bit then chuckled at the silliness of the situation. "I'm asking you to be my girlfriend, are you up for it?" he touched his face slightly.

Am… am I up for it? Hmm… I want this, but why would he sound it this way … she glanced up and found him looking at her. "You're weird, that's not the way you should be asking me out," she muttered annoyed.

Takeda frowned, crossing his arms as he leaned against the sofa. "I guess you're right, he said in agreement. "Anyway, think about it," he said, standing up. "I should catch up to the others."

"I don't need to think about it," Fay interrupted. "I know I want to say yes." This is what I want. I want Takeda Ren as my boyfriend. I want this.

Takeda stood still. He eyed her as she stood there telling him exactly what he wanted to hear. "Umm…" he mumbled, rubbing the back of his head.

"Shut up," she said coughing. "Come here and give me a hug."

Takeda smirked. He walked towards her and hugged her tightly. "This is not bad, Atobe Fay," he said, "I can get used to this."

Fay blushed as she hugged him.