A Promise Kept
Disclaimer: The lyrics below in quotations are not my own. It is from the song "At My Most Beautiful" by R.E.M.
Chapter 7 – A New Beginning
The next thing I know, Setsuna and Hotaru are staring down at me. Their anxious faces are blurry at first, but slowly regain its clarity.
"What happened?" I ask, still a little confused. My head is throbbing.
"You fainted," Setsuna explains as a matter of fact, with a hint of amusement. "But the doctor says you're okay. You just need to relax and get some food into your system." Suddenly, it all comes back to me.
"How's Michiru? Where is she?!" I cry immediately. My head pounds even harder as I jerk up into a sitting position. As she steps out of the way, I turn to see that you and the baby are sitting in a bed only a few feet away from me. Without thinking, I climb out of my bed only to be hit with the biggest head rush. Setsuna catches me just in time and holds me steady. Slowly, I make my way towards you and Hotaru pulls a chair over.
"C'mon, Hotaru," Setsuna beckons, once I am seated. "Let's go get something to eat." Saying a short good-bye to the baby, Hotaru takes Setsuna's hand and walk out of the room, closing the door behind them. My head begins to calm down. At first, all I could do is stare at the precious little thing in your arms, utterly speechless. Finally, you let out a small giggle.
"Do you want to hold her?" You ask me softly, moving the baby towards me.
"Uhh…" I'm not sure if it's such a good idea but- before I know it, you have put her gently in my arms.
"Isn't she a darling?" You ask admiringly. "She-she's beautiful," I muster after a moment of awe, then adding. "Just like her mother." I look up at you lovingly. You look as beautiful as ever. Suddenly, feeling movements at my arms, I turn my attention back to the newborn.
"She's a feisty one," I say jokingly, fully composed by this time. "What should we name her?" I try to scour my brain for suitable names, but then again, making up names were never my strong point.
"Actually, Hotaru suggested a wonderful one," you tell me thoughtfully. "Naomi." Naomi. I repeat the name with wonder over and over in my head, looking down at the baby in my arms.
"It's perfect," I murmur at last. Then I start to play with little Naomi; her soft hands are so small I am afraid I might break them. I can't say that I've ever been so gentle in my life, but seeing as how small and fragile she is, I just can't help myself.
"Heh, I can get used to this," I say calmly with amusement, my eyes locked on the little face. Then I feel a warm hand on my knee and look up to see your bright eyes.
"You'll make a great parent," you assure me confidently.
"We'll be great parents," I correct you with a smile. I don't think I've been this happy in months. And with smiling faces, both of us shower little Naomi with love and affection until Setsuna and Hotaru returns.
"I've found a way to make you
I've found a way
A way to make you smile
At my most beautiful I count your eyelashes secretly
With every one, whisper I love you I let you sleep.
I know you're closed eye watching me
Listening
I thought I saw a smile
I've found a way to make you
I've found a way
A way to make you smile"
Sigh. After so many days in the hospital you can finally come home. Our baby is healthy, you're healthy; it's all I care about. I look at the clock and see that it's a little past 1 a.m. Little Naomi is sleeping soundly in her crib next to you by our bed. I can see you clearly even in the dark. I can hear your even breathing and I dare not awake you from your peaceful slumber. Instead, I gently remove a piece of hair from your pretty face and let my hand delicately trace the outline of it. You clasp yours around mine and hold it in place.
"Go to sleep, Haruka," you say softly without opening your eyes. Heh. Your intuition never ceases to amaze me. With some resignation, I lean in to kiss you on the forehead and whisper "good night" before re-adjusting my position slightly.
I feel that I have this great responsibility now, but I know, with you by my side, I could handle anything and everything. Don't you worry, Michiru. I will always protect you and little Naomi. If I have to risk everything to do it, I will never let anything bad happen to either of you. I promise. I realize now what is truly important in my life and I won't let anyone ruin our chances of happiness.
Thinking back, I realize that I've been selfish in the past. I forget, not everyone is as selfless as you. But from now on, I promise not to keep everything bottled up. You will know all that goes on in my mind. To be honest, I've always wanted to tell you everything, it just that something always keeps me back. But now, thanks to you, I am free of my struggles. Free to love you with all my heart.
"I love you," I whisper, thinking you are asleep by now, and yet I can't help thinking that I saw a slight smile on your lips. Oh well. If it makes you smile to hear it then I'm glad to say it. And I'd say it a million times if I have to too. Finally, I feel myself drifting into unconsciousness but not before I take one last look on the bedside table. Smiling with satisfaction, I let my eyelids fall.
Sitting beside the electronic clock is a small, red velvet box. Its contents represent every promise that was ever made. But it is late and the receiver would behold it when morning comes.
The End
Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is the end. I hope you all had as much fun reading it as I had writing about it. It's been great and I enjoyed reading all your little comments. 'Til next time then. Cheers.