"Doctor Ootori, Mr Suou is here. He says he will not go away before you talk to him."
Kyoya sighed. He knew when Tamaki got into that mood, he wouldn't take no for an answer.
"When is my next appointment?"
"After lunch."
"Send him in."
Kyoya pushed up his glasses, and firmly continued working. He loved Tamaki with all his heart, but he annoyed him like no other. And still it was precisely those qualities that annoyed him, that made him love him. He would always be indebted to him, but more than that. Tamaki was his best friend. Thou he would rather die than let him know that.
"Kyoya."
Tamaki, in a whining mood, walked in and fell down in the chair opposite of him.
"What is it now Tamaki?"
Kyoya didn't even take his eyes of the screen.
"You will not believe what happened today. I called Haruhi to invite her for lunch, and she just blew me off."
Kyoya couldn't help but shake his head. For one thing it kind of amused him that Tamaki still hadn't realised the nature of his feelings for their common friend. And two, it was amazing how Tamaki could act so childish at an age 25.
"Did she tell why?"
"No. Well, her assistant told me she had a lunch date already but wouldn't give me any details."
"So technically it wasn't Haruhi who blew you off, but her assistant."
"Well, yeah."
And he is the heir of the Suou Corporation.
"Do you know where she is?"
"Of course I do."
Tamaki had asked the question more as a joke than anything else, but was blown away when Kyoya said he knew.
"You know? Haruhi tells you were she goes?"
"Of course not, but my wife does."
Kyoya dared to peep at him. Tamaki got a sentimental look on his face, as he always did when the subject ventured over to spouses and marriage.
"You heard Hunny's engaged?"
"Yes, I sent him and Rebecca my congratulations this morning."
"I'm so happy for them."
Kyoya shook his head again. Tamaki had a dreamy look on his face, and Kyoya guessed that most likely was he fantasising about his and Haruhi's wedding, and not understanding that it was actually he and Haruhi getting married. Tamaki was smart, Kyoya knew this for a fact, but in some ways he was an imbecile.
"I should also inform you that Ai is pregnant."
Tamaki's scream was so loud Umi opened the door to check that everything was all right. Kyoya gave the poor woman a sign that everything was fine and while shaking her head she closed the door.
"Kyoya why have you kept this a secret."
"It's no secret, we found out today."
"Oh my congratulations."
Tamaki was jumping up and down switching between Japanese and French fraises. Kyoya just tuned him out, as he usually did when he got like that.
"We have to call Haruhi, and Mori and Hunny and the twins and…"
"Actually, Ai's probably telling Haruhi this moment, and she'll tell Mori later today. Mori will inform Hunny and Haruhi will tell the twins, and we are inviting all of you to dine with us next week to celebrate."
"But Kyoya are you not happy?"
Kyoya pushed up his glasses.
"Of course I am Tamaki."
"Then why don't you act like it?"
Kyoya sent Tamaki a look that made him, like most businessmen, take a step back. The look famously known as his devil look.
"Was there anything else Tamaki? Because some of us have work to do."
"Are you so short with Ai too when she wants to talk?"
"Of course not. Ai doesn't talk like an idiot."
"Takashi."Ai ran over and gave the tall man a hug. He froze, and she quickly let go of him. Ai still felt weird about calling him Takashi, and at the same time it felt right.
She knew there were few people who called Mori by his given name, and she also knew that if Hunny hadn't given her permission to do it she wouldn't have been one of them.
One day about a year ago, Hunny, Mori and her had been sitting and talking and Hunny had led the conversation over on the nicknames of him and Mori. That was his way of giving Ai permission to call Mori Takashi, like him. Ai had been uncertain at first, like Mori, but since Hunny had given his permission, and Mori never told her not to, Ai had started to call him Takashi, but only in private.
Mori place a hand on her shoulder, and smiled down at her.
"Ready?"
Ai looked at his outfit, to the studio, and back to his face before shaking her head.
"I'm sorry, but we have to put our training on hold for a while. You see I'm pregnant."
Mori looked at her a second, before a new smile formed on his face.
"But if you want, maybe we can take a walk together."
He looked at her. She had gotten used to his silence, and it was one of the things she cherishes so much about his friendship. He was someone she could not talk to.
"I'll wait while you change."
He turned and left the room, while Ai looked around and a sad smile formed on her lips. She had almost become addicted to her weekly training with Mori, and she was wondering how she would handle having to wait to train again. She sudden got a rush of compassion for Kyoya.
Poor thing really has no idea about what he has in store.
Mori came back and interrupted her train of thought, and with a quick smile they left the training studio.
"Arisu give me back my book."
Kyoya looked up as the longhaired Arisu ran down the stairs with shorthaired Chieko close behind her. In Arisu's arms one could clearly see a notebook. Kyoya crossed his arms and looked at them, something that stopped both girls in their tracks.
"Kyoya."
"We didn't know you were home."
"And therefore you took the opportunity to run and shout like maniacs?"
The girls stood next to one another, a bit higher than him on the stairs. They knew he would never hurt them, but they also knew he had no problem disciplining them. So their best tactic was always the being cutie tactic.
"We're sorry Kyoya."
They said unified. Kyoya pushed his glasses up, knowing quite well what they were doing. He put out his hand and Arisu gave him the book. He quickly flipped through it, just to find it was filled with designs. Now he knew very little about fashion, but he thought they where good. He looked up and saw Chieko blushing.
"You designed these?"
She looked at him, and some of her shyness was gone. A small smile formed on her lips.
"Yes."
"Have you thought about showing this to Hikaru and Kaoru?"
"You think they would like it?"
Kyoya shrugged, not knowing to be honest.
"But if anyone could tell you if they're any good, they can."
He gave her back the book, and now her entire face was glowing. He caressed both the girl's cheeks.
"Now play nice."
"You heard him Chieko, now play nice."
And then Arisu grabbed the book and ran up the stairs.
"Arisu give me back my book."
And then Chieko vanished after her. Kyoya sighed, but smiled. Soon they wouldn't be the only children running through the house.
He walked into the library and sat down on one of the chairs waiting there. He wasn't ready to be a father. What did he know about being a father? He took of his glasses and started to rub the spot between his eyes. Something he only did when he really thought about something.