Disclaimer: Ouran High School Host Club belongs to Bisco Hatori.
"Anne! My dear Anne!" called Yuzuru, clutching a bouquet of white roses. His lover stood by a row of lilacs, gazing at the flowers until her deep blue eyes landed on his form.
"Y-Yuzuru!"
The older man took her into his arms, and she returned the embrace with equal longing. Anne looked up, a sad but questioning smile plastered on her lips.
"What brings you here?" she asked.
Yuzuru brought her closer, planting light kisses on her golden hair. Anne giggled.
"To see you, of course." Anne smiled and began to lead him through the lush garden. The two chatted quite happily.
"How are things going with your family?" inquired Anne, strolling hand in hand with the Suoh head. Said company head merely gave the French woman a forlorn look.
"The usual," he answered. Anne's smile faded a little, until Yuzuru grasped her hands with a bright grin. "However, I did settle a matter as of recent."
"Oh?"
Yuzuru nodded joyfully.
"I officially divorced with my wife a few days ago." Anne gasped in response, hands clamped on her mouth in surprise.
"Y-you . . ." Anne sputtered. "How is your mother taking this?"
"Terribly. But," he said, "I did it for you and our little angel."
"Yuzuru! You didn't have to do that!"
The caramel-haired man smiled wistfully, eyes filled with love as he looked and Anne.
"I wish to bring you and Tamaki with me to Japan. But I also want to make our love official." Yuzuru kneeled and presented the blonde-haired woman a velvet box, opening it to reveal a beautiful diamond ring. Anne teared up, holding back a sob with her pale hands. "Anne-Sophie—Anne, my love, my missing half, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?"
"Yuzuru, I . . ." She lunged for him, hugging his kneeling form. "Yes!"
The man laughed as he gazed at his teary-eyed now-fiancée.
The two simply revelled in each other's company, switching back and forth between talking about their new visions of a brighter future with their son and whispering sweet nothings to each other. It was a mutually cherished moment, a time disregarding familial feuds and rare diseases. All that mattered was the love and warmth shared between Yuzuru Suoh and Anne-Sophie de Grantaine—one successful and wealthy, the other on the brink of hospitalization. Near-destitution was a different story.
Anne grinned softly at the memory. She watched as her four-year-old son ran past the rose bushes, dragging his teddy bear with him. The light in her eyes faded a little.
Yuzuru kept Anne in his arms, tears flowing out of his eyes.
"I'm so sorry, Anne." The French woman merely kept her eyes closed.
"I know."
"Oh, why must Mother be so controlling of my life? First, the arranged marriage and now this!" He gestured towards his wife, who was seated against the pillows and headrest of her bed. Anne rested her hand on Yuzuru's shoulder, a reassuring smile gracing her lips.
"It's all right, dear," said Anne, calmly.
Yuzuru sighed.
"I just want what's best for you and Tamaki," he said, his eyes landing on the crib that held his dozing son. "And yet, my mother doesn't even acknowledge our son's existence. Our marriage is considered unofficial, and your health is starting to decline. Can things get any worse for us?"
"I hope they don't," Anne replied, her gaze following Yuzuru's and landing on Tamaki. "But even so, we must look at the positive side of things. Maybe your mother simply finds France a better place for René."
Her husband shook his head.
"No. My mother only cares about not tarnishing the Suoh name. Our son is technically illegitimate, in spite of being born from our love. Scandals and rumours would arise out of his publicity, which is something my mother absolutely does not want. I'm sure you already know that." Anne shrugged.
"I was only bringing up a possibility."
"And I'm frustrated that my two angels"—Anne chuckled—"couldn't come along with me!" Yuzuru huffed, and Anne patted him comfortingly.
"Relax, dear. Things will look up eventually, I just know it." Her assurance caused Yuzuru to visibly relax.
"Right. Thank you, Anne." The blonde-haired woman beamed.
"You're welcome, dear."
"Maman!"
The jovial voice snapped Anne out of her thoughts. She looked at her son, who held out a tiny bouquet of dandelions as bright and golden as his hair.
"What's this?" Anne asked, feigning cluelessness.
"Fo' you!"
"For me?" Anne repeated, pointing to herself. She smiled as she gracefully took the bouquet from the grinning four-year-wold. "Why, thank you! Aren't you such a gentleman?"
The woman laughed as Tamaki hugged one of her legs.
"I gent'man! I gent'man!"
She loved her son with all her heart. They would play games together, with Yuzuru sometimes joining in. There was also the consistent stroll through the gardens, in which Tamaki would eye each flower with never-ending interest. But what her son really loved was listening to her play the piano. Tamaki's undivided attention would always be on the music coming from the large instrument, as well as the serene expression on his mother's face as she worked her magic.
Anne could only hope Tamaki would remain as pure and wonderful as he was at the young age of four, even through the darkness of the struggles happening behind the scenes.
"Yes, you are a gentleman, René. And a very good one, too," she complimented. I hope you remain that way as well.