A/N 2007: I think I got most of the errors and stuff out. And I'm totally aware of what was going on in my story again D Right now, I've already started on chapter 14, so I'm hoping to be able to put it up in the next two weeks (but no promises!)

A/N: Eheheheh...sweatdrops I can't possibly explain this urm... late update... looks nervously at the readers who are left Eh... have fun reading? hides behind the dustbins

Chapter 13

The next morning, during breakfast, Sakura told Mei Lin the whole story. Mei Lin didn't seem surprised.

"Thank God," she said with a sly smile.

As if she had something to do with it, Sakura thought surprised.

"I told you, you three look like a family," Mei Lin continued, "and I always thought that you two were destined for each other."

"But it isn't going to be a real marriage. It's just for Hao."

"Don't give me that crap. I've seen how Syaoran looks at you. If that isn't going to be a real marriage... What I'm trying to say is: I know my cousin and I just know he loves you." Sakura opened her mouth to protest but Mei Lin raised her hand. "And don't tell me I'm wrong! You might not believe it but give it some time."

Sakura nodded and kept her feelings to herself. Mei Lin wouldn't understand it. She never did.

Syaoran came by with Hao and after Mei Lin had congratulated them he said: "Well, Hao. Tell aunt Sakura what you told me when you heard we were going to get married."

Hao pushed his glasses back up. "I said that I kinda like it." he mumbled.

"Was that all?" Syaoran asked him teasingly, "you kinda like it?"

Hao shuffled shyly with his feet. "That I kinda like it," he mumbled again, " and if you could hurry up with marrying each other."

"Oh Hao," Sakura kneeled in front of him and gave him a hug, "It'll happen soon," she promised, "and I kinda like it too, you know."

Hao hugged Sakura back before they let go of each other again. Mei Lin asked if he would like some soda. Hao nodded and went to sit at the kitchen table. Sakura stood up again and turned towards Syaoran. He was looking at her with a strange look. Did he notice the tears glistering in her eyes?

"Morning," she mumbled.

"Hello Sakura," he closed what little distance there was between them and gave her a kiss on the lips. His lips tasted sweet and fresh, and his fingers were caressing her cheek, wiping the stray locks behind her ear. Sakura swallowed the lump in her throat. She heard Mei Lin asking if Syaoran wanted some coffee.

When Syaoran and Hao finished their drinks, Syaoran stood up and excused themselves. "I promised Mamoru and Hao that we're going sailing today," he explained, "and teach them how to fish." he looked at Sakura smiling, "I would take you with us but this is a guy thing."

"Good, because Sakura and I are going to town to have a 'girl thing'." Mei Lin answered and shoved the guys playfully out of the cottage.

It was well after noon when Mei Lin and Sakura returned. Mei Lin went inside and Sakura walked towards the beach, after parking the car. With her hand raised to shield her eyes against the bright sun she scanned the water. Syaoran's boat wasn't in sight, but she expected him to return within half an hour. She walked back to the cottage. Mei Lin had changed her clothes and was currently busy getting the chicken dish out of the oven that Sakura put in earlier.

"My, it smells delicious!" Mei Lin praised, "I feel a lot better today and I'm starving!"

"Well what are you waiting for then?" Sakura asked, while setting the table, "I made this especially for you so dig in."

"Don't need to tell me twice!" Mei Lin fished a spoon out of one of the drawers and scooped her plate full, before giving the spoon to Sakura. And together they ate in comfortable silence.

After washing the dishes Sakura was peering out of the window in the kitchen and saw Syaoran's boat. She hung the drying cloth on a peg and asked Mei Lin: "Are you really feeling better?"

"Yes, I feel fine." Mei Lin smiled.

"Would you mind me going home then? So much has happened this weekend and I need to think..."

"I don't mind, but I don't know what Syaoran might say."

Sakura shrugged. "If he has problems he'll just have to call me." she mumbled.

"Are you coming next weekend?" Mei Lin wanted to know.

"I'm not sure... There's still a lot to do."

"Well I know that Tomoyo has a dress for you, so that's one less thing to worry about. Can I do anything to help?" Mei Lin asked eagerly, "I can do the catering! I know this wonderful caterer! her name is Yui. And she's really good!"

Sakura laughed. "Fine, you can do the catering if you like.

"It wont be easy though," Mei Lin sighed, "To prepare everything in four weeks."

"Don't worry. We'll get it done. Four weeks will be enough."

On Thursday afternoon Syaoran appeared suddenly at Sakura's school. Sakura was sitting behind her desk, grading her student's papers when he knocked on the door and entered. She dropped her pen on the desk and immediately asked where Hao was.

"Home, meaning the cottage with the nanny." Syaoran answered leaning casually against the doorframe.

"Oh, I didn't know you would hire her so soon."

"She started on Monday and she loves it."

"That's good to hear." she picked her pen up again and continued grading the papers." It's nice of you to stop by," she began without looking up, "but I still have a lot to do. I never knew there would be so much to take care of. Of course Mei Lin and Tomoyo are helping, but the church is booked 'till November. And the reception, well-"

Syaoran stopped her nervous stream of words and walked towards her desk. "That's why I've taken care of something. I've been looking for a house and I think I've found one that both of us and Hao will like. we should go take a look."

"Can't it wait?" Sakura pushed her hair behind her ear, still not looking up. "I don't really have the time and I'm sure your choice is good enough."

"Sakura, don't start to panic."

"I'm not!" Her voice trembled treacherously.

Syaoran laid his hand above hers, stopping her from writing further. "Yes you are. Come on. This won't take long." Syaoran grabbed her purse standing on the desk. "Just a few hours, that's all."

Sakura finally looked up at him and he smiled at her charmingly. How could she refuse that smile? Sakura agreed. "Alright, just a few hours." she repeated.

The house was situated in Yadori, a few miles away from Tomoeda. It was made out of red bricks and was two stories high. The woodwork was painted salmon, and the front garden was full of colour. A sea of wild flowers gave the garden a red and purple glow with an occasional white dot in it. The path that led toward the front door curved its way through the ocean of colour. Sakura immediately fell in love with the house.

The real estate agent waited patiently for the two of them to make their way through the garden to the front door.

"Shall we go in?" she asked.

The two of them nodded and the real estate agent opened the impressive oak doors. They creaked, but not in an eerie way. The sound gave the house an aura of cosiness.

"You might have heard of Makiko Suzuhara," she started.

"You mean the interior decorator?" Sakura walked into the front parlour and awed at the carvings.

"Yes. She decorated the whole place. It stood in the last issue of 'Home Style', with picture and all."

"No wonder it looks so familiar," Sakura breathed.

"Yes, she was planning on living here herself, but for some unknown reason she decided to sell it. Rumour is that her boyfriend broke up with her." the real estate agent winked at her, "Either way, we've got a lot of admirers for this house." The real estate agent showed them around in the house, taking them from room to room and explaining and answering the questions the couple had. The tour ended in the main bedroom.

"This concludes the tour," she said, "Please, take your time if you want to look around the house again. I'll wait downstairs."

Sakura looked around and cleared her throat shyly when she spotted the bed. She walked towards the window and gasped at the view it gave.

Syaoran went to stand behind her and laid his hands lightly on her hips. "Look there..." he pointed, "it's the ideal spot for the ceremony and on that lawn nearby the pool, we can have the reception in a large tent with a dance floor. Isn't this the perfect place for a wedding, Sakura?"

"Yeah," she sighed dreamily. A perfect place. But as long as Syaoran didn't change his opinion about her, it would never be the perfect marriage. He said he liked her but that was just because he had no choice. He had to marry her or lose Hao. She knew it and blinked away her tears.

Syaoran pulled her in his arms and let his chin rest on her head. "Do you like it?" he asked.

Yes, she loved being in his arms! "Yes," she said softly, "but will you be able to buy it this quickly? I mean with all the contracts and stuff..." she could feel his heart beat against her back.

"It will be okay..." his grip on her tightened for a second. "I'm looking forward to finally get what I want... the sooner the better."

Sakura closed her eyes - the way he said those words, made it clear that he wasn't talking about the house... Once they were married she needed to make it clear to him that they wouldn't make love, or have sex at all.

She shivered, pushed his hands off her and took a few steps away from him. "It's a lovely house, Syaoran." she had trouble speaking, "If you really want it, it's okay with me. Shall we take a look at the garden?"

That evening Syaoran called Sakura to tell her that the buy was made - they could move in next Monday. Sakura listened to him like a lifeless doll. Soon, her old life would be over and she would start a new one. A new one with Syaoran and Hao.

Would she ever fit in? She wondered. Would she win Syaoran's heart? Or would they forever be cold and formal to each other? These questions plagued her mind as she went to bed that evening. And in the comfort of her apartment, she wished she never made that promise. And her last thought of that evening was: 'If only I had never met Syaoran...'

TBC
Well, I know this is chapter is short, but I thought to update again. Better something than nothing at all right? Well I'll try to update this vacation again but I can't promise anything ; I'm a real lazy person, not to mention slow ; And I know there are probably a LOT of mistakes now, because it's been so long since I've updated. I will get them out eventually(I think). But first I wanna finish the story. Anyway tell me what you think.