Chapter 9

Just when she thought he couldn't possibly get any more attractive, he managed to do so and surprise her. Her man, yes... Her man was sitting in the nursery in a plain old t-shirt and jeans trying to figure out how on Earth the manufacturer got tab a to go into slot b without jamming it in there and breaking it off, not that he had done that. It was just a tight fit and it was getting frustrating for him. He wanted everything to be perfect for his beautiful wife and his perfect son.

Kyoko giggled, sat his iced tea next to him and kissed his cheek. "It's coming together nicely." She commented as she opened the drapes and slid open the window to bring in light and fresh air. "You're doing a wonderful job, Corn."

He chuckled then sighed as he took another look at the instructions for the crib then compared them to what was online. "Certainly doesn't feel like it."

She sat in her new cushioned rocking chair with her hand on her belly and smiled. "Well... You are. Why don't you take a break from that?"

He stood with his drink, walked over and kissed his cute wife. "I suppose I could use a small break, but I really want to finish this before the baby's born."

She laughed. "Kuon, we've got almost a month and a half to go. You have plenty of time." She scolded.

He sighed. "I know that... It's... It's just I want to be ready in case he decides to surprise us." He explained as he sat on the floor in front of her then started gently rubbing her feet.

"Mmm... That feels nice." She moaned softly.

"Does it now?" The Emperor asked as his lips softly touched the inside of her ankle.

She giggled. "Kuon... What are you doing?" She asked as he nibbled up to her knee.

"Just making my dear wife's sore muscles feel better." He told her with a feigned innocence.

She rolled her eyes and the baby's room would wait another day to be finished.

"Heh... I knew she wouldn't make it! Looks like Tsuruga's dropped off the map too." Sho gloated as he scanned through the tabloids he snuck out to pick up. He would definitely need to call his parents inn and gloat later. Make sure he cemented her in her place.

Shoko rolled her eyes. Is he really this stupid? Seeing that they had a couple of weeks off, she was hoping to get away from his obsession over Kyoko-chan while she relaxed. No such luck. They were holed up in this rinky-dink little hotel in the middle of nowhere in a small town during a torrential downpour. If she didn't have to deal with him later, she would have been tempted to show him the stack of magazines that had complete photo spreads of the happy and obviously expectant couple. She sincerely hoped she wouldn't have to deal with him when they got back. The President had promised her a new charge if she successfully pulled him through this tour. Nine more months of this. She groaned internally.

Well this sucks. Lory thought as he scanned his options on his new love simulation game. He was no longer allowed to toy with favorite couple and everyone else was extra cautious around him now. How was he supposed to find love for his favorite children if they kept avoiding him? Well, at least he had the rest of the LoveMe Section to work with. Then a thought came to mind. I still haven't thrown her a baby shower!

"Ruto! Have Kotonami-kun and Amamiya-kun come to my office as soon as they have some free time. I want them here together if possible." He told his stoic bodyguard and assistant.

Ruto nodded and made his way to the LoveMe locker room to fetch the two unsuspecting females.

Lory sifted through website after website to get ideas on what to do. Sadly, since he was still unaware of the sex of the baby he had no idea on the colors or, theme to go with. He finally decided, since it was Kyoko-chan after all, he would go with fairy tale themes: princes and princesses, pink and blue roses, ribbons in a rainbow of pastel shades. He stopped and thought of all of the things he had full control of in the past. Hmm, perhaps I should just let the girls handle this. He sighed deeply and made the decision to allow the LoveMe girls handle everything. It would probably brighten their day. He nodded to himself and crumbled up the piece of paper that he had been furiously scribbling on and tossed it into the garbage.

The girls were in shock. Lory had tasked them to do something that they had actually wanted to do for Kyoko and his only interferences would be to provide the venue and keep the men occupied during the event. It was a little eerie to say the least, but who where they to question it?

When they were finished decorating the large conference room it was bathed in royal blues, pastel blues golds and whites. Ribbons, Iris and roses of the same colors dotted every surface and the large 3-tiered cake was made to look like a royal display topped by a gold crown made of marzipan. At the very back of the room, hung blue velvet drapes, tied back with gold ties and a royal blue throne sat on a dais in front of them. Two tables covered in matching royal blue satin and edged with gold cording sat in the room. The table with the treats sat on one side of the room and the table for the gifts sat by the door with a open leather bound book to record the names of the visitors.

Kanae took one last look as Chiori filled the punch bowl with sherbet, soda and pineapple juice. "Mo! I hope she likes it."

"I think she will. I just hope she isn't upset with us for revealing Nobuyuki's gender." Chiori commented as she stirred.

Kanae winced. "I forgot about that. Well, too late now. At least she won't be getting pink for him."

Chiori giggled. "You want to get everyone or, do you want to get her?"

"I'll get her while you bring everyone in. They're all waiting in conference room 12. Let me know when everyone's here and ready to surprise her." Kanae instructed.

"Got it." She giggled. "I hope this doesn't put her in labor." She called back as they went their separate ways. One to conference room 12 and the other to Yashiro's office.

At 36 weeks going into 37, on September 4th, Kyoko Hizuri/ Kyoko Tsuruga was escorted by her lady-in-waiting to her royal throne to be treated like a queen and showered with gifts by her friends, for her little prince. It was the first time, that she could remember, that someone had thrown her a party that she didn't have to plan herself or, share with anyone else. It was a gift from her two best friends that she would never forget as she beamed with joy while tiny tears of happiness flowed.

She wrapped her two best friends in the tightest hug her pregnant body would allow. "Moko-san... Chi-chan, Thank you sooo much."

So through the several hours of party games, talking about current gossip and projects, and enjoying friendships and eating miscellaneous goodies, Kyoko and all of her closest friends enjoyed each other's company, unwrapped gifts and finally in the end said their good-byes and good lucks.

After escorting Kyoko back to Yashiro's office and filling the boot of Ren's car with all of her plunder, Kanae and Chiori lay spent, sprawled across some chairs they had put together to lay across. "MO! I am beat..."

Chiori sighed. "I really don't feel like cleaning up this mess right now." She groaned.

"Ahem..." Ruto cleared his throat to get their attention. "That won't be necessary ladies. Takarada-sama has requested the cleaning staff. He has asked me to tell you, that you have the rest of the day to yourselves." Then he quickly left as silently as he came.

Chiori chuckled, got up and grabbed an overly decorated, royal cupcake and took a lick of frosting. "You don't have to tell me twice."

"Mo, I agree." Kanae grabbed a celery stick from one of the relish trays and both the girls made their way back to the LoveMe Locker room to grab their bags and leave.