Chapter 17

Above & Below


"They are really good for business." The building manager chuckled as he filed the paperwork for his two new tenants, referring to the young celebrity couple that moved in a few months ago. What Kuon knew and Kyoko did not, was that the two new tenants would be happy grandparents. One set on the floor below and the other set on the floor above. She probably would have had a stroke and given them a long lecture about not wanting to interrupt their work or, how they shouldn't be uprooting themselves just for her.

At 30 weeks, they wanted to be as close as possible. The event was growing closer and closer and they didn't want to miss a single moment. Juliella had insisted to Kuu that if she didn't get to see her new grandchildren every day it would kill her instantly, Kuu agreed. He didn't think he would make it either. Saena decided that she wanted to make up for lost time with her daughter and Stephen. She had felt she had spent enough time alone and wanted a family now, she would agree that this was the second truly selfish thing she was going to do in her life, this time it was a good one and it filled her with a strong feeling that she thought had been long dead. Maybe a little late in coming but, it was there.


Kanae was pacing about the LoveMe room like a wild animal trapped in a cage. She was a little over four months pregnant and luckily she hadn't started to show yet, but it was only a matter of weeks before that happened. If she didn't do something soon, poor Hiou-kun would be getting blamed by the President for this. She sighed. She needed to try and convince Maria-chan to come clean, but how difficult was that going to be?

"Kanae-san? Is there something wrong?" Thirteen year old asked with worry as she watched the young woman pace back and forth mumbling to herself.

"Maria-chan... I need to ask you a favor." She started with worry in her voice.

"Anything, you've done so much for me and Hiou." She told her with honesty.

"I need you to tell your grandfather about your relationship." There it was finally said.

Maria stood in shock, "I..I can't. You know what he will do."

"Maria-chan, I really need you to do this. It's very important. I can't continue to hide it." Kanae begged.

"But, why?" Maria asked sadly.

"Maria.. I'm pregnant and Yashiro-san and I are getting married in a couple of weeks." Ah, she finally told someone other than Kyoko and Kuon. "If you don't tell him, he'll think that Hiou-kun is responsible." Kanae explained.

Maria's eyes grew wide. "But, he's not!"

"I know that. We need to fix this now. Okay?" She told her gently.

Maria nodded in agreement. Hiou would be in a lot more trouble than just dating her if she said nothing. She didn't want a rumor of him ever being responsible for something like that if he wasn't married, especially to her. "We'll tell him."

"Tell who what?" A thunderous male voice entered the room and startled the girls.

"Umm, Grandfather can we discuss this in your office?" She pleaded with doe eyes effectively rendering her grandfather defenseless.

"Alright, I will meet you in my office in 30 minutes young lady." He left the room.

"Kanae-san, can you come with me?" She begged.

"Of course." She told her as she rubbed the young teens shoulder.

"Thank you." She smiled weakly in anxiety.


"Well Roxy-san, one of the babies has dropped and you have dilated a little bit. You could very well see your little bundles of joy within the next two weeks." The doctor announced.

She was shocked and worried. "Um, is that bad or, good?" Kuon squeezed her hand for comfort.

"Oh sorry, it's perfectly normal. You and the babies are doing exceptionally well. You are at the point now where you could go into labor tomorrow or, not for another two months. So please keep staying off your feet, no more work and remember that I'm not saying this for your health but, the health of your children. The longer they stay, the more developed they will be." He reminded her and then left.

She sighed.

"Almost there Babe." Kuon cooed to her rubbing her shoulders and back.

"I know.. I just feel so fat." She whined.

"You aren't fat.. It's all babies. You have still have sexy legs, you still have a cute butt," He patted her backside and smirked. "a delicious neck," he nibbled on her neck, "and there is not an ounce of fat on you." he flashed her an Emperor of The Night look.

"Kuon, stop that!" She playfully slapped him on the chest. "We're still at the doctor's office."

"Hmm, does that mean you want to play later?" He breathed into her ear.

"May~be." She told him giggling.


"Ojiichan, sorry I didn't tell you but, Hiou-kun and I are dating." She told him as she examined the cracks between the tiles on the floor.

Lory laughed, Maria's gaze shot to him. "Maria, I already knew. I was just waiting for you to tell me." He told her softly. "Why didn't you tell me? And Kotonami-kun when are you and Yashiro-kun due?"

Kanae looked up in shock. "How?" She sputtered.

"Well Maria, young ladies behave differently when in love and I've seen you hanging out with Hiou-kun a lot lately. Does that answer your question? And to answer your next question before you ask, love is much more fun when it develops naturally." He gave her a soft smile.

"Kotonami-kun, you have been glowing for the past two months and you and Yashiro-kun haven't exactly been very secretive about your relationship." He patted her shoulder.

Kanae sighed in relief then removed her engagement ring from the chain that it hung from and placed it on the proper finger. "I can finally wear this."

"Yes, you can." He smiled.


"I feel like a criminal trying to sneak into our apartment." She giggled as she tossed her keys to the table. "I hope he likes what I did with it." Her brow furrowed a little. She had never tried so hard for someone else in her life, except for work. This was different. This is where they would finally live together. She sighed as she took a long drink of the water she had taken from the refrigerator and stared out the balcony window at the now snow covered city. Her thoughts darkened. Snowy days like this always brought pain and regret for her. I'm changing that now. Her hand clenched her opposite arm in a half self hug. Yes, I'm making that better now. She sighed. Almost three. She took her keys and walked out the door to the elevator down the hall and rode it down one floor.

"Kyoko." She called out as she opened the door.

"I'm in the living-room Okasan." She sounded frustrated.

Saena entered to find Kyoko attempting to pull herself up from the deep sofa and being very unsuccessful at it.

Offering her hand and helping her up, "Here let me help."

"Thank you." She smiled weakly. "I feel like I need a forklift."

Saena giggled, "It's not that bad. What do you need? I can get it for you."

Kyoko sighed, "I want to make dinner."

"No, I'll do that. You.. sit... read a book, watch TV or, something." Saena commanded.

"Fine.." Kyoko submitted.