Dinner and a Song
Chapter 19: Love and Trust
August, September, October, November, and December came and Tomoyo and Eriol hadn't seen each other. Tomoyo was finished packing. She looked around her small apartment and smiled seeing her suitcase filled. Her train was leaving in two hours and she called everyone she knew and said that she was leaving. Rika was going to be their along with Nobu-san and some other people she befriended in the city. Tomoyo sighed and picked up the two keys she had and hung them on the door and walked out with all her clothes and things shutting the door.
Eriol on the other hand was sitting at his desk sighing his three hundredth Merry Christmas card he was going to send away and he finally finished his Christmas shopping. His mind was still stuck on Tomoyo no matter how many beautiful women he was introduced to. They were uninteresting to him, even though they thought he was interesting. Almost every night he'd have a nightmare about Tomoyo in pain and he would wake in a cold sweat. He sighed putting down the card he was sending to Andre. Eriol looked to his clock it was 4:13pm. Eriol got up and walked out his apartment not wanting to be in it after all those hours of sighing cards. It was snowing out and had been snowing for several hours. Eriol put on his heavy wool trench coat and leather gloves and headed for the cafe down the street for something warm.
Tomoyo was at the train station feeling anxious to finally getting home. Rika came running with Dave in the station. "Tomoyo!" She called. She was holding a large silver parcel and Tomoyo smiled. "Rika, I'm glad you two came to see me off." She said. Rika hugged Tomoyo and then Dave hugged her afterwards . "It's not going to be much fun without you working with us." He said. Tomoyo smiled. "Don't worry I'll be back and I got you both something but you have to promise me you won't open it until Christmas." She smiled handing them their gifts. "We promise and this is for you." She said.
"I won't open it." Tomoyo winked seeing Nobu-san walking over to her. Tomoyo waved and he came over and hugged her. "I'm gonna miss ya kid." He said. Tomoyo smiled. "This is for you." She said handing him a small box. "It's for Christmas."
"My Christmas present you don't have to open, when you come back your job will be waiting for you and you can have fifteen minute breaks." He smiled. Tomoyo laughed and thanked him and more people came to see Tomoyo off. People she worked with at the Theater and old friends. Tomoyo's chest tightened feeling like she wanted to stay and she turned around hearing that her train was coming.
Tomoyo was half hoping Eriol would come and see her off but she instantly got angry and pushed the thought away. The Train zoomed in and Tomoyo felt tears go down her cheek and she hugged and kissed everyone on last time before she got on the train, it was a large train, larger then she remembered. She opened her window and waved as the train pulled off blowing everyone kisses. Rika ran and waved to her best friend and Tomoyo sighed once she disappeared around the corner. Tomoyo closed her window and sat down holding her Christmas gifts.
Tomoyo sighed feeling a note under Rika's gift and she opened it:
To a very good friend, thanks for talking with me and hanging out and going dancing hopefully you'll use this and remember I'm just a phone call away, you can open it now if you want.
Your dear friend, Rika.
Tomoyo put her other gifts on the small make-shift table and opened the box revealing a purple cell phone. Tomoyo smiled and took out of the box and activated it and though out the ride home she programmed all her friends phone number into her phone.
Eriol got his hot black coffee and walked around seeing people rushing to get their shopping done and kids playing in the snow enjoying the snow day. Eriol walked down the street to Tomoyo's apartment. It was colder here because it was right next to the beach. He began to wonder what day it was so he walked into the apartment complex feeling nervous and hopeful and when he got to the floor he walked down the hall seeing the keys to the apartment hanging on the door with a Christmas card attached to them. Eriol opened the door seeing the apartment was quiet, lifeless.
Eriol looked around the room and he could still smell Tomoyo, he walked to the kitchen counter that was usually filled with pictures and a book with small flowers but it was bare, he slowly walked to the room and it was dark and empty. He sighed. It's December first, she must have left already.
"Are you planning on renting?" Said a old squeaky voice. Eriol turned around seeing an old women with a clipboard in her hand and large glasses. "N-no, I was just looking. I knew someone who use to live here." He said assuming that this was the land lady. "A wonderful girl by the name of Tomoyo use to live her, just moved out today. Good girl." The old women smiled not actually hearing what Eriol said, but he simply nodded. "You knew her huh?" She smiled. "Pretty ain't she." She smiled jabbed Eriol in the arm. "Beautiful." He muttered to himself looking to the foggy window seeing the small snow flakes falling.
Eriol walked out the apartment complex feeling even more like he lost someone he loved but he felt suddenly hopeless. Eriol went back to his apartment and watched the rest of his Twilight Zone DVD's.
It was about ten o'clock when Tomoyo arrived in Tomoeda and it was cold and the stars were out. Tomoyo smiled and inhaled the fresh cool air that felt so good inside her. Tomoyo walked down the street seeing that the small town was preparing for the winter festival. She walked down the street slowly not wanting to catch a cab. She hadn't taken a quiet walk at night in a long time. Tomoyo looked ahead feeling happy that was almost home. She stopped looking to a path of ice. It was a traditional trick that the little kids in school played on the choir's. Tomoyo walked around the ice patch and walked up the stairs taking out her old key and opening the door slowly putting in all her stuff. "Mom?!" She called and she heard a rustle in the din and her Mother came rushing in.
Sonomi was in her night gown with her robe around her. She smiled to her only daughter and held out her arms. Tomoyo ran over and hugged her mother tightly feeling happy tears forming in her eyes. "Oh, baby I'm so glad you here." Her mother sighed smoothing Tomoyo's hair from her face. Tomoyo looked to her Mother and smiled. "I'm so glad your here. I didn't mean to be so late the train had to stop for an hour or two." She sighed.
"Your doing okay about . . . him?" Sonomi said referring to Tomoyo about Eriol. Tomoyo looked down sadly and nodded. "I'll be fine." She smiled half-heartedly. "You can talk to me honey." Sonomi said leading her daughter into the living room where the huge Christmas tree stood and the whole house was decorated. Tomoyo sat on the small cream couch near the front window looking to the sparkling snow. "Don't tell me we have another Shin?" Sonomi heading to the kitchen making some hot chocolate. "Something like that." Tomoyo sighed laying down. "Expect mom, I loved him more. I thought he was something special, but he was rich and took me for granted." She said and her mother came back in the room holding the purple cup with flowers on it.
"Oh honey, I'm sorry." She sighed sitting on the couch with her. Tomoyo felt instantly energized after taking a careful sip of the hot chocolate. "He was so handsome mom and he could cook. You have one of his cook books. Hiiragizawa." Tomoyo huffed. "Him!" Sonomi said in surprise. She knew he was rich but she didn't know that she was talking about the actual cook Eriol Hiiragizawa. "Honey, why? He was rich and handsome and rich?" She said. "Mom I'm not shallow. I suppose you can call me a romantic because I want to be loved for who I am. But not I sick of love, I'd rather be single." She said taking another sip of the creamy hot chocolate.
"Why? That's like cutting God out of your life. God wants everyone to love and be loved because he loves you too." She said smoothing Tomoyo's bangs from her face. Tomoyo nodded. "Well, then I just don't want intimate love." She said technically. Her Mother sighed. "Ever since you were a baby you were always so technical." She sighed. Tomoyo smiled and sat up completely holding the warm mug.
"I'm surprised he hasn't gone after you, it's been what? Four months?" She said. Tomoyo nodded. "I can't help but miss him but I'm so angry with him." She said gripping her cup as her Mother went to the hallway and got Tomoyo's gifts and put them under the tree. "Don't worry love, you can see Daniel Lee again." She smiled. "Daniel Lee?" Tomoyo said surprised. Her Mother nodded. "He came back for winter festival. He missed being here too much and he wanted to see you as well, I invited him over for dinner and our Christmas party." She smiled.
"Mom, I'm not in the mood for match-maker." Tomoyo groaned. "I'm not playing match-maker, he wanted to see you. He was the one who called." She smiled. Tomoyo sighed. "I guess. I haven't seen Daniel in so long. I wonder what he looks like?" She smiled to the memory of the younger Daniel Lee and her first kiss. "Damn fine, I heard." Sonomi giggled. Tomoyo laughed and took another sip of her hot chocolate.
Eriol laid in his bed that night after he finished enveloping all the cards and sending them off. He looked to the small pile of Christmas gifts her was giving to people he knew. That night he felt like Tomoyo was a million miles from him and the distant was just as painful as not having her with him. He looked to his clock and sighed getting under his covers thinking about to the fun they had at the park one morning:
Flashback
Tomoyo and Eriol were on their morning walk and Tomoyo was happy to finally finished all her cleaning around her apartment. She was sporting long pants with wedges and a tee shirt while Eriol was wearing capri pants and a blue tee-shirt. Tomoyo sighed and looked to a willowy tree and started to climb. "Um. . . I didn't know you were a tree climber." Eriol said looking to Tomoyo as she sat on a high strong branch. "C'mon, it's a nice view." She smiled. "Mind you Tomoyo, I don't climb trees." He said. Tomoyo laughed. "Aw, poor old man's back can't handle it?" She teased. Eriol blushed not even remembering climbing a tree. Eriol sighed and rubbed his hands together and started slowly climbing the tree. Tomoyo laughed as he almost slipped. "Almost there." She said swing her legs. Eriol grunted and he was right under her and hopped up to the branch and Tomoyo smiled.
"See that wasn't too hard." She said moving closer to him and kissing him cheek. Eriol chuckled. "I don't climb trees. At least I don't recall climbing any." He said. Tomoyo sat to the side next to Eriol and frowned. "Not even when you were a kid?" She asked. "No, remember I lived in city's most of my life." He said. Tomoyo smiled. "That makes coming to my home town even more fun, it's really nice there." She said taking his hand and lacing her fingers through his hand. Eriol leaned toward Tomoyo about to kiss her and Tomoyo back away a little teasing him. "You shouldn't think you can kiss me when ever you want." She whispered. "Oh really." Eriol said back capturing Tomoyo's lips.
Tomoyo sighed and her other hand touched his cheek. Eriol broke away with a smile. "If I was a much more passionate kisser then you wouldn't mind me kissing you all the time." He smiled. Tomoyo laughed and turned facing him. "I just teasing." She smiled. Eriol leaned toward her and kissed her cheek. "I know." He smiled and kissed her once more and then he started to slip. Tomoyo smiled letting him slip. "Ah!" Eriol shouted and fell on his back. Tomoyo laughed and jumped down a little worried seeing Eriol s groan. "Well, that was terribly romantic." She said helping him up. "I bet you liked that." Eriol groaned rubbing his head. Tomoyo smiled and kissed his cheek. "You have to work on your tree sitting skills." She said and they continued walking.
End of flashback
Eriol laughed slightly to the memory and then the pain came flooding back to him. He didn't know how much longer he could stand this, he was ready to throw himself in front of a car at any moment. Eriol turned on his back and sighed putting his arm over his eyes and tried to get some sleep.
The next morning Tomoyo was happy to be in her old room. It was lavender with matching curtains, mirror front closet, and her Chinese paper lanterns around the room and photos of everyone. She called Rika and told her she got their safe and thanked her for the cell phone. Tomoyo walked down the stairs in a white fluffy sweater and skinny jeans. Sonomi was laughing about something someone said and Tomoyo went into the dining room seeing a blond man holding a bowl. "Mom?" She said and Sonomi turned to her daughter and smiled. "Tomoyo, you remember Daniel right?" She said. Tomoyo gasped and Daniel smiled slyly. "Daniel!" She said surprised and walked over to Daniel who put the bowl down and they both hugged each other. "Forgive me, my Japanese is a little rusty." He smiled. Tomoyo laughed. "Oh, my goodness. Your tall." She smiled. "Well, I hope you didn't expect me to stay a little kid forever." He said.
Tomoyo shook he head. "You look amazing Tomoyo." He said with a smile. "And your hair is so much longer then I remember." He said ruffling it. "I know, I'm getting it cut a little this afternoon. My God you are fine. I bet you have a flock of ladies after you." Tomoyo smiled. Daniel blushed. "Actually, I'm about to ask someone the question in about a month." He blushed. Tomoyo and Sonomi squealed and hugged Daniel tightly. "Congrats, do we know her?" Tomoyo asked sitting down along with Daniel and her mother.
"No. But she's a figure skater actually, I met her a few years ago." He said with a small blush. "Your blushing, she doesn't know does she?" Sonomi smiled. Daniel shook his head. "I want to ask her on her Birthday in January." He said. "But I have to wait until the company is done with the ring, I'm planning the whole night."
"I'm so happy for you, Danny." Tomoyo smiled and hugged him again. A bell went off in the kitchen and Sonomi jumped. "Oh, that must be breakfast." She smiled and rushed to the kitchen. "I really am happy for you Daniel." Tomoyo said taking his hand. "I am too. I'm not normally shy but she's so strong and out-going and. . ." He sighed with a smile. "Well she better treat you good because if not I'm coming after her." She smiled. "Thanks." He said. "No, thank you for giving me my first kiss." Tomoyo stood and set the table.
"Did I really?" He asked surprised. "Yeah, and it was really good from what I remember." She laughed. "I heard you were seeing someone famous guy named Eriol something, right?" He questioned. Tomoyo sighed and nodded. "It's over now." She said feeling the pain in though words. "Oh, I'm sorry to hear that." Daniel said helping Tomoyo set the table. "Don't worry, I'm going to be saying that all holiday season. Everyone in town must know I was dating some rich guy." Tomoyo smiled trying to be in good humor. Daniel put a hand on her shoulder and nodded. "Don't worry about it, you'll find someone." He nodded to her. Tomoyo smiled, "That's really nice of you but I don't think so."
Eriol was sitting at the dining table with Sakura and Syaoran as they were talking about their Christmas party. Sakura had a notebook of people to invite. But Eriol's mind was some place else. He hadn't been concentrating on his restaurant much but he was getting most of his work done. He finished his book and was getting the rest of it edited and in a month it was going to be published just in time for the new year but he was thinking about waiting a little longer before publishing it, he thought he might want to add a few more recipes.
"I was also thinking we should invite Indigo." Sakura said slowly. "Huh?" Eriol said getting out of his train of thought. "What? Are you nuts?" Syaoran said looking to Sakura surprised. "I just want to invite her so we can get some payback." Sakura smiled. Syaoran thought for a moment and nodded. "Sweet." He laughed. "Invite who?" Eriol asked with an annoyed sigh.
"Eriol, we could invite Indigo and totally make her look bad." Sakura said rubbing her hands together. "No, Sakura that's immature and stupid." He said getting up and walking to the refrigerator for a bottle of apple juice. "Why? She ruined your life, why not mess up her life too." Sakura replied and Syaoran nodded. "It's not going to change anything, besides that's giving the reporters what they want." He sighed leaning on the counter looking aimlessly. Sakura looked to Syaoran and he nodded.
"Eriol in all seriousness; it's been four months. If you wanted her back you would have gone after her by now." Syaoran said seriously. Sakura took hold of Syaoran's hand and Eriol turned around slowly putting the half empty bottle of apple juice on the counter. "She doesn't want to see me, so I won't disrespect her wishes." He said in a quiet voice. "Screw that Eriol, you love her. Your only hurting yourself and whatever is left of the relationship." Syaoran grimaced at Eriol's attitude. "No, If she won't see me then I won't force her." He said looking to Syaoran angrily. "Eriol, just tell her. The more you wait the more your connection with her is disappearing. Just tell her." Sakura said softly. Eriol sighed.
"Look, I don't want to talk about it, okay?" Eriol said calmly. Sakura nodded and Syaoran sighed frustrated.
The days past quicker then Tomoyo ever thought she got to see all her old friends and catch up with them and now she was in the town church fanning a nervous Chiharu along with her old school friend Chelsea. "Oh God, I'm getting married!" She panted as Chelsea and Tomoyo fanned her. "Chi just breath, this is the man of your dreams. Your getting married. Be happy." Chelsea said while fanning her still. Tomoyo nodded. "This is your special day." Tomoyo continued. "And night." Rika and Chelsea laughed. "Just remember, smile." Tomoyo advised calmly. Chiharu stood up and smiled. "Okay." She breathed. Tomoyo fixed the long white gown she was wearing with her hair down and she had a small white cape around her shoulders.
Music played in the back round and Chiharu tensed. "Maybe I can't do this?" She said nervously. "C'mon it's going to be fine." Tomoyo said. Tomoyo and Chelsea walked out the room smiling to the guys walking past. "Everything alright?" One asked clearly checking Tomoyo out. Tomoyo smiled and nodded, "Just a small case of the nerves."
The guys nodded and continued walking down the hall. Tomoyo and Chelsea walked to the altar and took their places with a sigh. It was cold outside. When Chiharu came in she was smiling and the groom beamed as Chiharu's father came to walk her to the altar. Tomoyo smiled seeing how happy the couple was. It was amazing that love can to nice to you but also mean at the same time or was it just mean to her?
Eriol was at the restaurant cleaning the table closing up for the night feeling must more tired and drain then ever. "Mr. Eriol?" Said a voice behind him. Eriol turned around seeing Kala, a young man with a dream of learning to make every food in the world and have a book just like Eriol. "Ah, Kala I thought you'd be gone already." Eriol said putting the last chair on the table and turning to him completely. "Well, sir I . .. actually we, as in the whole kitchen, were wondering what happened to you?" He began nervously clutching his backpack. "What do you mean?" Eriol said pretending Kala wasn't asking him what he thought he was asking him.
"Sir, please we are concerned. You seemed distant and lost sometimes, your cutting has been slower almost dream like and you hardly speak. It is about a women? Something in your family? Reporters?" Kala went on. Eriol sighed turning off the kitchen light now it was dim. "I just went though a bad relationship okay?" Eriol sighed. "It was nothing."
"Well, that's a lie. It was the Tomoyo women that use to perform here, I knew it!" He smiled smugly. Eriol walked toward the door picking up his coat. "You know sir, she was very nice. She even shared a cleaning secret about getting the pots to shine." He smiled at the thought. "It's over between us Kala so please don't gossip." Eriol said putting on his heavy wool trench coat on and his black scarf. "Sir, with all respect I think you liked her much more then you let on in the beginning." He smiled putting on his down sports coat. Eriol paused and looked at him. "I don't believe your telling that truth about your assumptions on my business." He said narrowing his eyes. "W-well, we just put a lot of thought in it." He smiled. "I'm sure you did." Eriol said sarcastically.
"But the point is sir that you loved her and you should tell her. I nearly lost my girlfriend that way I felt bad for weeks. You shouldn't put yourself through it." Kala patted Eriol on the back and walked out with him. "I'll see you later, Mr. Eriol." He called running of to his car that was down the street. Eriol sighed and went to his car and got in shivering slightly, he opened his cell phone and looked to Tomoyo's smiling face once more. 'What should I do?' He thought and put the phone back in his pocket. Eriol started and drove home.
December 20th, only five more days until Christmas and the Winter festival was marvelous. Tomoyo sang with the small church choir and finished her shopping. It was night time and she just finished sending out the invitations to the Christmas party they were having the next day. Chiharu was still adjusting to married life since she finally discovered her husband likes to hog the blankets. Tomoyo sighed and her Mother came in the room. "Honey, I'm going to Mrs. Ku's place for a minute I have to give her this recipes for bread she wants." She said putting on her hat, scarf, and coat. "Mom, it's ten at night. Isn't that a little late?" Tomoyo said sitting on the couch. Sonomi came back in the room holding a folded piece of paper.
"She'll be waiting anyway and besides your a big girl." She teased and kissed her daughters cheek. Tomoyo smiled. "I'll be awake, hopefully, when you come back. We can finish wrapping gifts." She said. Sonomi smiled. "I'll be back in a jiffy." She said and was gone. Tomoyo laid on the couch feeling the ring in her pants pocket. Tomoyo took the right out and looked at it. 'Well, your my girl.' Eriol voice echoed in her mind. Tomoyo held the ring to the light and looked to it and smiled slightly remembering something:
Flashback
It was a usually hot day that day but hardly anyone was out expect to go from place to place and to the pool that weren't filled and the beach. Tomoyo was wearing her sports bar under a tank top with a Capri pants and Eriol was wearing a black wife beater and his swim trunks. They were at the beach for and while and when it got to crowded they headed back to Tomoyo's apartment. Eriol sighed heavily and sat on the cool kitchen chair as Tomoyo went to the refrigerator getting out some fruit and carrots. "Man, it's hot." Eriol said pushing his damp hair from his face. Tomoyo laughed. "It sucks that the beach is crowed, all those people." Tomoyo sighed getting a knife and cutting the carrots. Eriol smiled and walked over to Tomoyo and put his hands around her waist.
Tomoyo giggled. "Eriol stop, it's too hot." She said. Eriol frowned. "Why?" He said and kissed Tomoyo neck making her shiver. "Because it is." She said. Eriol sighed and walked over to the sink and sat on the counter watching Tomoyo carefully cutting the carrots and putting them in a bowl and then to the apples she had. Eriol reached over and picked up a carrot slice eating it. "You know what I was thinking?" Tomoyo said looking to Eriol for a moment. "What?" He asked picking up a apple slice and eating that. "I was thinking we should go ice skating." She smiled.
"Ice skating? In the bloody summer?" He said puzzled. Tomoyo nodded. "It's cool isn't it." She said. "Ah." Eriol nodded realizing what she meant. "I would have never thought of that." He said with a sly smile. Tomoyo laughed. "Are all British men so simple minded." She teased. Eriol chuckled and got off the counter. "Nope, only me I suppose. Maybe we should go snowboarding as well." He smiled sitting back on the kitchen chair by the counter. "Yeah and let's get tattooed a well." Tomoyo said sarcastically. Eriol laughed. "Funny thing really, I have a tattoo." He smiled. Tomoyo finished cutting and looked to Eriol in surprise. "Seriously?" She said. Eriol nodded and took off his wife beater. Tomoyo blushed at his lean tone muscles and he turned around and Tomoyo saw it on his shoulder blade.
Tomoyo stepped forward and touched it. "I got it back in my last year of cooking school. I guess it was like a mark or something everyone male student got when they were top of the class before graduation." He explained. Tomoyo smiled looking to the small soup spoon and chief knife on his back that was colored and detailed with small designs on the ends.
"Did it hurt?" Tomoyo asked. "I'd be lying to you if it didn't." He smiled turning around. "I'm so plain. I haven't a exotic piercing or tattoo anywhere." She sighed. Eriol laughed and pulled Tomoyo toward him as he sat down. "Your fine." He sighed. Tomoyo smiled. "I almost thought you were going to say you had nipple piercing before." Tomoyo blushed with a laugh. "I knew a girl from my class got some." He said. Tomoyo winced. "That must hurt." She said with a laugh. Eriol nodded and made a face. "I try to avoid something to over the top."
Tomoyo leaned over to the counter still in Eriol arms and took an apple slice and fed it to him. "You know," Tomoyo said walking out of Eriol's arm. "I was thinking we should also see a movie soon." She said getting some cold water. Eriol ignored what she was saying a moment and walked over to her kissing her softly. Tomoyo broke away. "Eriol stop seriously, it's too hot." She complained but Eriol ignored her and kissed her cheek. "Eriol." She said as Eriol moved a little closer.
"Eriol." Tomoyo said putting a hand to his hot bare chest. "What?" He said annoyed. "Stop, really. We'll die of heat stroke." She said. Eriol grinned. "You say you want me to stop, but you know you don't really want me to, do you?." He whispered against her skin making her shiver. "Eriol." Tomoyo said in a whisper but she could feel herself giving into Eriol's charm. "You don't really want me to stop do you?" He said again smiling lightly and then kissing Tomoyo's jaw line. Tomoyo's eyes closed and Eriol knew he had her. Tomoyo's arms slowly wrapped around him as Eriol pulled her a little closer. Eriol smiled and pulled away and Tomoyo suddenly opened her eyes surprised. "What was that for?" Tomoyo sighed feeling suddenly hot taking off her tank top revealing her black sports bra.
"Nothing." Eriol said innocently sitting back on the cool chair and spinning it around. Tomoyo frowned and walked over to him. "You like doing that don't you?" She said and Eriol stopped spinning and laughed. "Your like putty in my hand. My devilish charms are too impossibly for you to resist." He smiled. Tomoyo laughed and put a hand on Eriol chest and circled around him. "Hmm." She said and put both her hands on his shoulders. "I don't know, I just pretended." She teased. Eriol scoffed. "Whatever Tomoyo. Passionately your putty with me." He said smugly. "Really I've seen better." She continued to tease. Eriol turned around and took capturing Tomoyo's lip. Tomoyo smiled and pulled away.
"You seriously think I find you that devilishly charming." Tomoyo said strutting past him seeing that he was bother by that. Tomoyo took a carrot and bit into it smiling to Eriol. Eriol walked toward Tomoyo and chuckled. "You love teasing me, you know you shouldn't." He said. Tomoyo laughed feeding Eriol another carrot. "Because I'm too proud." He smiled. Tomoyo laughed again and kissed Eriol this time. Eriol broke away. "Promise me you won't tease me too much then." He said smoothing her hair from her face. Tomoyo nodded. "Fine, you big baby." She smiled and kissed Eriol again. Eriol's thumb wandered to the side of the stomach tickling her. Tomoyo broke away and laughed putting her arms around Eriol and then kissed again with more passion.
End of Flashback
Tomoyo smiled at the memory and slipped the ring back on her finger looking to her hand. It suited it but it was also painful. Tomoyo bit her bottom lip and she was about to take off the ring. She use to ask herself continuously why she even kept it? but she came to the conclusion that she grew attached to it because it was special to her. It made her remember everything she learned from Eriol and how much she loved him. 'Do I still love him?' She thought resting her hand on her stomach as she looked to the dark sky and the street light glowing.
Tomoyo lifted her hand and looked to the ring again. 'Am I supposed to still love him?' She thought sitting up. Tomoyo then pushed her thought to think about the cookies she had to make for the Christmas party. Tomoyo sighed and got up from the couch and walked to the craft room. It was a small room that had colored papers, glue, and their small computer they worked so hard to get. Tomoyo got out the wrapping paper and thought she should finish gift wrapping before the night was completely over.
Eriol tossed and turned in his bed with voice's playing in his head over lapping each other ' tell her, tell her, see her!' they said over and over again. Eriol opened his eyes and sat up rubbing his head. It was a strange nightmare but he secretly agreed with them. He loved her wasn't that enough. 'No.' Eriol thought, 'It's never enough, I have been more careful. I should have seen what would happen. Following Indigo was betraying Tomoyo's trust, I did take her for granted.' He thought grimly.
I never knew
I never knew that everything was falling through
That everyone I knew was waiting on a queue
To turn and run when all I needed was the truth
But that's how it's got to be
It's coming down to nothing more than apathy
I'd rather run the other way than stay and see
The smoke and who's still standing when it clears
Eriol looking to his watch and got out his bed and took a quick shower. 'I have to see her I have to tell her I love her before it's too late.' He thought and rushed out the bathroom dressed and grabbed something quick to eat and rushed out the apartment with just his wallet and keys.
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind
Eriol ran to his car nearly slipping on the snow. Eriol started his car and screeched down the street to the train station. He parked his car somewhere close and ran to the station pushing through the crowd of people heading home for the holidays. Eriol halted at the desk surprising a women. "O-oh, good morning sir how may I help you?" She smiled. Eriol swallowed trying to catch his breath. "I need a bullet train ticket to Tomoeda, the easiest you can get me." He said handing her his credit card. "Um . . . the seven thirty train just left and the next train isn't for another hour and that's booked completely I think," She paused.
Let's rearrange
I wish you were a stranger I could disengage
Say that we agree and then never change
Soften a bit until we all just get along
But that's disregard
Find another friend and you discard
As you lose the argument in a cable car
Hanging above as the canyon comes between
Eriol slammed his hand on the desk. "Look lady I'm in a hurray, I'm going to lose the only women I've ever loved if you don't MOVE IT!" He shouted and the women sighed. "We have a seat left in the ten-thirty train." She said nervously. Eriol looked to his watch and sighed. "I'll take it, a few hours of waiting is fine." He said calmly. Moment's later he was sitting outside in the cold waiting for the train. It was maddening. Eriol was thinking about what he was going to say to her. Would she even listen? Maybe she'd slap him a couple times. He looking to his watch and sighed in disappointment and started pacing.
Would she ever still feel the same? he wondered and glanced at this sports watch again. Fifteen more minutes, he groaned. Fifteen minutes seemed like forever. Eriol looked to his ring and smiled. 'I have to wait, I'll be in Tomoeda in a few hours." He said to himself turning up his collar from the cold. When the train finally arrived, Eriol rushed to his seat which was by a window. He watched the speeding slights and felt suddenly relaxed. Nearly there. Eriol sighed and rested his head back and unconsciously fell asleep.
It was a quick ride, Eriol felt the train stop and he opened his eyes seeing the old man getting up that was next to him. Eriol rubbed his face and blinked seeing the small station where people were looking for their loved ones. Eriol stood and rushed to the nearest door.
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind
Eriol rushed out of the station and looked around at Tomoeda. Eriol's heart was racing as he ran down the street to the Penguin Park Tomoyo told her about and then he stopped. "Shit I don't know her address." He said to himself. Eriol looked around seeing a group of guys talking and laughing about something. Eriol rushed over to them taking out his cell phone. "Excuse me, could you help me?" Eriol said and the group stopped looking to Eriol's expensive wool coat. "Sure." One of them said. Eriol turned on his phone and opened it. "Do you know this women, about this tall." He said explaining with his hand. "Dude, that's Tomoyo." Said another. Eriol's heart quickened. Some luck finally.
"Man, she was totally hot at the winter festival." He said and all the guys agreed. Eriol sighed. "I'd marry her in a second." One joked. "Do you know where she lives?" Eriol asked hopefully.
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind
"Your not some stocker." A bale one eyed Eriol. "No I just have to see her, please where does she live?" He asked again a little impatiently. "She lives on Plum street house number 178. It's a good thing we got invited to her party, I'd totally hook up with her." The group of guys laughed. "Thank you!" Eriol called running off looking to the streets. Eriol stopped when he Saw plum street but it was a North, South, East, and South Plum street. Eriol sighed and looked left then his right.
And suddenly I become a part of your past
I'm becoming the part that don't last
I'm losing you and its effortless
Without a sound we lose sight of the ground
In the throw around
Never thought that you wanted to bring it down
I won't let it go down till we torch it ourselves
Eriol looked ahead feeling a nagging feeling that he should go straight. Eriol took a doubtful step and then stopped looking to his left side then his right side. 'Straight ahead.' He thought and began running ahead looking to the house numbers. Eriol didn't have time to admire the clean little town and all the trees. It was high afternoon and Eriol could have swore he saw a little boy with a elf costume on. 'Strange.' He thought and stopped seeing house number 113.
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind
He smiled seeing he was going the right way. He was running faster now and then he stopped, what side of the street, left of right? Eriol stayed on the right side of the street and started counting off the number. "148 . . .159. ." The number went up and he smiled panting seeing 161 and then suddenly he slipped.
Everyone knows I'm in
Over my head
Over my head
With eight seconds left in overtime
She's on your mind
She's on your mind
Eriol groaned looking to the gray sky, his head and back were throbbing. He heard a hoot of laughs somewhere and decided that he wouldn't sue the kids just yet. Eriol slowly got up rubbing his head and he walked around it slowly being careful not to hurt his back anymore then it already was. Eriol grunted feeling hearing a few bones pop. He looked ahead and smiled weakly seeing the house number 178. Eriol touched the cold gate taking off his gloves and knocking on the door while trying to catch his breath ignoring the pain shooting in his back that was subsiding a little.
Tomoyo was in the kitchen with some of the neighborhood kids and Chelsea and Sonomi were getting ready for the party. Tomoyo smiled. "No, don't touch it's hot." Tomoyo told a little girl. "I want everyone to making a line and wash your hands before we decorate them." Tomoyo said and all the kids crowed around the sink. No exactly a neat line. Tomoyo smiled and heard someone knocking at the door. "Mom, can you get that?" Tomoyo smiled. "I'll be back, don't break anything." She smiled. "We won't!" Choired the kids sweetly.
Sonomi laughed and walked to the door opening it seeing Eriol was finally caught his breath. "Miss Sonomi?" He asked. Sonomi nodded. "And you are?" She said recalling his face. "I'm Eriol Hiiragizawa, I need to speak with your daughter if she's here." He said quickly and Sonomi's eyes widened in realization and she started to shut the door. "Wait." Eriol said putting a strong hand on the door. "Tomoyo doesn't want to see you." Sonomi grunted trying to shut the door. "Please, I have to speak with her." But Sonomi shut the door.
Tomoyo came out the kitchen and smiled to her Mother in the hallway. "Who was that?" She asked walking up the stairs slowly. "Um . . . just another elf mail boy." She smiled nervously with her back to the door. A Elf Mail boy was just a little kid dressed in a elf suit and their job was to go around and give cards that neighbors gave to deliver to their neighbors and say 'Merry Christmas'. It was cute, I guess. "Another one?" Tomoyo sighed and walked up the stairs. "Yeah, where are you going?" Her mother asked. "I'm going to get dressed. The guest should be here soon and Chelsea has the kids decorating the cookies, I'll be back down." Tomoyo said and rushing to her room.
Eriol frowned and knocked on the door again. Sonomi opened the door a little. "Go away. She doesn't want to see you, Eriol." Sonomi hissed in a whisper. "You don't understand I have to talk to her, please." He said calmly although he was getting annoyed. "No." She said and was about to shut the door. Eriol put his hand to the door but Sonomi fought against him strength.
Tomoyo slipped on her red dress that had a velvet gold sash that she tied into a neat bow in front and she put on her Christmas earrings. She smiled being completely festive when it came to Christmas.
Eriol grunted as the Mother pushed on the door. "I need to speak with her!" He grunted changing his position to his back and pushing. "No." Sonomi panted and pushed a little harder.
Tomoyo brushed her hair and used a pressing comb and to give her hair a gloss shine. Tomoyo smiled to her reflection and put on her make-up and grabbed her green simple pumps and opened her door and walked down the hall. "Mom, I feel some cold air. Is someone at the door? Your letting out the cookie smell I love." She said and turned putting on her first heel and then hopping down the hall. Eriol pushed finally into the house making Sonomi stumble but he caught her. "You can't be here." She hissed. Tomoyo stopped at the top the stairs looking to Eriol as she was beginning to slip on her next heel.
"What is this?" Tomoyo asked surprised she put her foot to the floor that was sporting both her shoes. Eriol looked up to Tomoyo almost relieved. "I-I-I don't know." Sonomi stammered shutting the door. Sonomi rushed to the kitchen and came back with Chelsea and the kids decided to follow behind them. "Tomoyo I need to speak to you." Eriol said pleadingly. Tomoyo turned picked up the cordless phone. "Leave Eriol or I'll call the police." She said. Sonomi and Chelsea starting telling Eriol to leave but he didn't move. "Please Tomoyo, I want to say I was sorry." He said quickly taking a step.
Chelsea and Sonomi silenced and the kids watched following what was happening with interest. "After four months now you come crawling back to say sorry, I don't think so." Tomoyo said coldly. "Please you have to understand I didn't want to disrespect your request, I just want to tell you that I'm sorry." He said again. "Too little too late, Eriol you should have said something the night you were with her. How dare you show your face to me after what you did." Tomoyo spat gripping the phone.
"I wasn't cheating on you, it was a mistakes. I might have taken you for granted and betrayed your trust-" Tomoyo talked over him. "Betrayed my trust? you did that long before you were with that women, you should have asked me to come with you!" Tomoyo shouted. Eriol stayed calm. "I told you I didn't want you there because I knew you wouldn't like it." He said. "Basically your saying you didn't want the entire entertainment world seeing that you were dating some poor country girl." She said. "No, I didn't want you there because you-" Tomoyo interrupted him again. "Did you think I was going to embarrass you?" She said.
"No, I didn't want you there because it was fake!" He shouted feeling suddenly frustrated. Sonomi and Chelsea jumped with surprise. "I didn't want you there because it was fake, all that glamour and snobby rich people I knew you wouldn't like that. I didn't want you in that world because you were the only thing that seemed real to me out of all those people. You were the only women that was real to me. I-I was afraid I would lose you to that world, I never wanted you there because it would have seemed like you were a burden and not my escape from all that." He said and paused. Tomoyo narrowed her slimmer eyes. "I'm call the police." She said pushing the on button. "No, wait!" Chelsea and Sonomi said along with the kids telling Tomoyo to stop.
Tomoyo stopped leaving the phone on looking to her peers. "Tomoyo please, I can admit that I only lied to you once." He said. Tomoyo glared at him. "I never liked you," He said to her firmly. Tomoyo's stomach churned with heart ache. "I lied about that. I loved you." He said finally. Tomoyo's hand shook slightly at his word. " No I love you. I love you. I love you, I can't say it any other way. I loved you the moment I met you but I didn't know it. I'm sorry Tomoyo that I put you in so much pain and I'm so sick of saying I'm sorry because I want you to be happy," He paused and looked down for a moment and gave a small laugh. "Even if it's not with me." He said.
Tomoyo took a step down the steps and pushed another button and her mother, Chelsea and the kids began telling her not to call the police. Tomoyo took a another few steps and stopped. "Do you expect me to believe you?" She said feeling tears welling in her eyes. "I don't care that you don't believe me, Tomoyo. I just want you to know that. I feel horrible for not telling your from the beginning, maybe I wouldn't be here. But I just had to tell you and I don't care if you've moved on. I promise I'll be happy for you and won't get in the way but I can't promise that I won't stop loving you." He said seriously.
"Why didn't you tell me this before? you could have prevent all of this." She said trying to control her shaking hand. "I was scared that you would have thought I was some kind of nut and you would leave me. That's the truth." He said. "I wanted to wait."
"I can't believe you. You put me through all of this because you were scared? I trusted you Eriol. I would have done anything for you and you just took me for granted, never thinking about what would happen to us." She said feeling a tear slip down her cheek. "I didn't know how to act around you sometimes. You were so surprising and adventurous." He said. Tomoyo walked down a few more stairs and pushed another button. Chelsea, Sonomi, and the kids once again starting talking over each other telling Tomoyo to stop and not call the police.
Eriol looked straight into Tomoyo's eyes and she saw the pain in his eyes. "Tomoyo if you still love me take my hand, I can't bare you not letting me know anything. Just tell me if there's anything left for us to save." He pleaded. This was like in his nightmare, but Tomoyo wasn't holding a knife. Eriol extended his hand to her and Tomoyo's heart began beating like a drum and her head filled up with Chelsea, Sonomi, and the kids telling her to think about what she was going and not to not call the police. Eriol just looked to her.
She caused him so much pain she could see it in his eyes and how he stood. It was painful she wanted to say yes but the better part of her said that he wasn't any good for her and her peers continued to protest. Tomoyo stepped down the stairs and was on the last on and push the next button. Everyone groaned in disappointment. Eriol's hand slowly went down along with his head. He thought she might have found someone else. She was too wonderful a person to be left along.
"Je'taime? What does that mean?" Tomoyo said trying to steady voice. "It's French for 'I love you'." Eriol answered not wanting to look to her. He knew the police were coming.
Everyone was silent. "Why didn't you just tell me that night?" She said in a calmer voice. "I told you I was afraid. " He confessed. Tomoyo dropped the phone and Eriol looked up in confusion. Indeed Tomoyo pushed a button but it the was the off button. "Why did you make me wait?" She asked her voice breaking slightly and she took Eriol's hand. Eriol was surprised and confused at this gesture. "What?" Eriol said puzzled but his heart was pounding feeling Tomoyo's smooth hand. "I love you." She said softly. Eriol's breathing became slightly heavy and it seemed like it was only them in the room. "B-but why? After what I did?" He said feeling ashamed looking away from her.
"I understand you Eriol," Tomoyo began." I forgive you I should have been more understanding in the beginning but I was so quick to think of worst of you because you took so much for granted." She said and turned his gently making his look to her. "But I did. I didn't appreciate you enough, how can you still want me?" He said coldly. "Because I should have seen the kind and wonderful person that you are Eriol, I love and trust you. I always have even when I told myself I didn't." She said. Eriol looked to Tomoyo hair was a shorter but still down her back and she smelled like he remembered her. Eriol smoothed her hair back and Tomoyo looked to him with a small smile. "I'm sorry." She whispered. Eriol shook his head. "Don't be, I'm really tired of sorry." He smiled. Tomoyo hugged Eriol tightly and then they kissed. "Eww!" The kids choirs. Chelsea sighed happily and ushered the kids back into the kitchen.
Eriol broke away whipping the tears from Tomoyo's cheeks and kissing her again lightly. "I'll try to be a better person." Eriol said quickly and happily putting his arms around Tomoyo's waist. "I love you the way you are, Eriol." She said. Eriol looked to her hands that were on his chest seeing the glimmering ring on her finger. "You kept the ring." He said surprised and Tomoyo led him to the stairs and they sat holding each other's hand. "I kept it because I still believed in you." She said and smiled. "And besides, I'm your girl."
Eriol smiled at that and kissed her passionately feeling the pain in his chest lifting and the pain in his back became unnoticeable. Eriol broke away and Tomoyo sighed. "I'm going to need a million of those." She said. Eriol chuckled. "That might be a while." He said. Tomoyo smiled moving closer to him. "I've got time." She said and they kissed once more. "You guys need a room." Said a small voice. Tomoyo and Eriol broke their kiss and looked to the little boy who was grimacing. "Not a bad idea, Jerry." Tomoyo smiled and took Eriol's hand and rushing him up to her room.
Whoa! After writing this I'm beat. And I hope everyone likes this one and sorry for taking so long to post after writing it and proofing it then proofing again it's alot. Looks like this is part one of the happy ending now that your noticing I haven't finished it yet. But sorry if I have some spelling and grammar problems but I hope this is long enough and you all like it. I look forward to your reviews. (harry potter rules!) Sorry I had to put that in. And I'll post the final chapter soon.
Peace.
Sakura