Note: Sorry for the lateness, but good news; I just finished writing the rest of the story, only four more chapters to go!

As The Season Changes

Chapter Fourteen

Although Ai had lost some of her tan, she glowed with good health tonight. The lighting illuminated her face as she leaned forward in her seat, absorbed by the action onstage. Keigo smiled as her lips moved silently with the music. Alone with her in the small secluded box overlooking the stage, he couldn't resist running his hand lightly up her back, letting his fingers rest under the thick fall of her hair. She wore a tangerine-colored dress with translucent sleeves and straps that crossed her smooth back. Her long coral-and-jet earrings made a soft tinkling sound against the back of his hand.

Ai turned, giving him the special smile that touched his heart. His fingers tightened slightly and her smile widened. "Phantom is absolutely wonderful," she whispered, her breath soft against his face as she leaned over. In the flickering light Ai's eyes sparkled. "Thank you so much for bringing me t—"

She was just too damn hard to resist. He kissed her. Not the way he needed to. That would have them thrown out of the theater. Keigo simply ran his tongue back and forth over her lower lip, tasting the liquid sunshine of her smile. The arm of the plush seat dug into his ribs.

The theater and music disappeared. She moaned as he pushed aside the hem of her dress and slid his hand up her thigh.

The audience applauded and the house lights came up.

Ai giggled as they abruptly parted. Keigo leaned back in his seat, and pushed his hair back with both hands in a frustrated attempt at control. He felt his own lips twitch in response to her amusement.

"You're going to get us arrested one of these day." Frustration made his voice low.

Ai's big brown eyes widened mockingly, dancing with naughty highlights. "Who me?" She pulled her skirt down over her knees. "It's not my fault you can't keep your hands to yourself."

"Yes, it is." Keigo untangled an earring from her hair. "What the hell am I going to do with you, Ai? When I'm around you I behave like a randy schoolboy." And when he wasn't around her he thought like one.

Ai traced his mouth with her fingertips, bringing him sharply back into focus. "And I behave like a randy schoolgirl. So what?" She rose out of her seat, her slender body sensuous and graceful as she reached down to take his hand. "It's hot in here. Come on. Let's go downstairs for something cold to drink during intermission."

By the time they traversed the crowds and descended the stairs to the lobby, Ai looked pale under her makeup. Keigo thought she'd been feeling better since they'd returned from Monte Carlo a few days ago. He didn't like worrying about her. He wasn't used to worrying about anyone.

"I'm taking you home."

Ai looked up at him sharply. "Why?"

"You look like you're about to pass out."

"I'm not. It's just warm in here." She licked her lips. "I'm loving the play. I'm fine, truly, Keigo. Let's stand outside for a little bit and get some fresh air. Okay?"

"It's freezing out there. Wait here. I'll get your coat." He stopped when he heard her gasp. "What? What's wrong?" She lost her smile, lips thinning, he held her arm as he glanced to where she was staring.

He didn't recognize the couple. The man was as tall as Keigo and with dark hair and by the bored look on his face, Keigo could tell his disinterest in the woman next to him. Petite and light-haired, she wore discreetly elegant, understated clothes. She looked dull and far too controlled, seemed soulless against Ai's vibrancy.

And they've been spotted, or Ai was. Who were these people to her? Keigo's hand tightened at Ai's waist as she leaned against him. He gave her a worried glance before glancing back at the other couple coming towards them.

The man's dark eyes flickered from Keigo to Ai and then, dismissing him, back to Ai. Keigo noticed he and his companion stood several feet apart.

"Aiko-san, what a coincidence to see you here."

She nodded shortly, then made introductions. "Keigo, this is my cousin, Watanabe Osamu." Dispassionately she asked her cousin, "You've met Atobe Keigo?"

Watanabe? Shit, that was her mother's maiden name. Out of the corner of his eye, Keigo saw a faint sheen on Ai's face. The room was hot and crowded. The last thing he wanted was to make an unfortunate scene. The two men greeted each other moderately by shaking hands. Keigo felt as though a spider had crawled along his sleeve.

Watanabe looked at Ai from head to toe. "I see you've reduced yourself to being a calender girl."

Ai held on to him tight. He didn't give a damn anymore. Now all Keigo wanted to do was put his hands around this man's throat and squeeze. Hard.

Watanabe shot him an amused look. "No need to be angry, Atobe-san. It is an indisputable fact you only keep your mistresses for a year."

Ai stroked Keigo's arm. "We were just on our way outside for a breath of fresh air." She bowed slightly. "Nice seeing you, Osamu-kun."

Not a second later, Keigo held on to Ai as he moved through the crowd to the doors leading to the street. The foyer was packed, body to body. There was no moving quickly, no matter how much he wanted to. As people gave way, Keigo kept a careful arm around Ai's waist. Her face was paler now and damp strands of dark hair clung to the moisture at her temples.

"Do you need to sit down again?" He felt her slender body tremble against his arm and saw her swallow convulsively. "Bathroom?" He was already steering her in that direction as Ai nodded mutely.

It seemed as if she were inside for hours. Keigo held up the wall. Ignoring the few people now lingering about the lobby, Keigo finally pushed open the door to the ladies' room.

"Oh, my God, Keigo! You can't come in here!" Ai looked up from where she leaned against the vanity counter, a damp tissue at her throat. Her color was back, and she had fixed her hair and applied lipstick.

"You've been in here for hours." The carpet felt plush underfoot as he walked toward her, his gaze fixed on her face. The room smelled of woman. Combined perfumes and powders, silks and furs, the lighting flatteringly muted.

Ai met him halfway, slipping her hand into his. "Thank you for coming to find me." Her eyes danced. "Is the coast clear out there? Can we go and see the last act?"

"You don't want to go home to bed?" Keigo pushed open the door, ignoring the stares as he ushered Ai across the lobby and upstairs.

"Nah. I feel great I was just a little wonky for a minute."

Keigo settled in his seat beside her just as the opening bar of music began. He took her hand, placing it against his knee. He inhaled deeply her scent of fresh peach and joy.

"I'm sorry he took those shots at you."

"They didn't bother me," Keigo assured her. Perplexed at her apology, since the insults had been directed at her not him. Keigo closed his eyes as the music swelled in time with his heart. Only Ai could feel sorry at something that wasn't her fault. Bringing their clasped hands to his chest, Keigo leaned back to enjoy the rest of the play, Ai's hand against his heart.

His biggest concern right now was Ai's health. These weak spells were happening with alarming regularity. He didn't like Ai being sick. Tomorrow he would insist she see a specialist.

On the way home, she dozed contentedly beside him in the car. But when he was about to take his freeway exit, she'd asked sleepily to be taken to her home instead. He could tell that, although she was no longer pale, she was distracted.

He insisted on going upstairs with her, because he wanted to make sure she was really fine. They made love with slow, delicious languor and fell asleep in each others arms.

Keigo was rudely jerked awake by Ai's alarm clock. She mumbled in her sleep, waking slowly and stretching before going into her bathroom to start preparing for her workday, as he dressed and let himself out.

It was icy cold and pitch-dark, as he climbed into the car and stuck the key in the ignition. Damn. The engine turned over, loud in the absolute silence. He rested his hands on the top of the steering wheel and stared out his dark windows.

He felt... cheap.

He glanced at the clock on the dash then started to laugh.

It was 3:00 am.

ATSC

The weather was cold and sharply crisp. While Ai cooked a roast, Keigo sat in her kitchen. She smiled as he meticulously folded linen napkins and stuffed them into the little copper napkin rings she'd given him.

Ai opened the oven to baste the meat. The apartment was already filled with the mouthwatering scents of the meal.

Keigo, finished with the table, poured two glasses of wine. He set hers on the counter where she'd been cutting the vegetables. "I'm starving," he complained, tying a towel around her waist, pulling her towards him.

"Take the roast out so it can rest, then we can eat." She waited until he'd set the heavy pan on the counter before saying casually, "How do you feel about Christmas?"

His eyebrows rose. "Christmas?"

"Yes. The holiday that comes in December?"

He smiled indulgently. "I don't care, one way or the other. Why?"

"I love Christmas. I was thinking we could go up to Karuizawa."

"Sure. I don't see why not."

Ai mentally started planning. She wanted the holiday to be perfect. There would be a large banquet with all of Keigo's favorite foods... this Christmas had to be Keigo's best. She wanted to give him good holiday memories to store up.

The roast leg of lamb turned out perfectly, moist and tender, the potatoes fluffy and the carrots glazed to perfection.

Keigo laughed. "You are the only woman I know who sounds as if she's having sex when she's eating."

She loved seeing him so completely relaxed. He was wearing the jeans she'd bought him last time and a fisherman knit sweater that did very nice things to his shoulders. She felt warm and dreamy and so content she could melt.

After being told to take her wine into the living room, she lounged in her comfy couch while Keigo cleaned up the kitchen. An amazing feat, Keigo had gotten used to helping her in menial tasks. He came and sat on the other end of the couch, pulling her feet into his lap. He massaged her toes through her thick, wool socks.

"When I was a kid," she said watching him through lidded eyes, "I had a scrapbook. I'd look for food pictures and holiday pictures and paste them into my special book. I loved pictures of families the best. You know the ones? Happy moms and kids eating lavishly in a big kitchen."

He stopped kneading. "What happened to the book?"

She felt herself blush and looked away. "I still have it. Silly, huh?"

"No." His voice sounded rough, and she turned her head back at him. "It's damn sad. Why have you never married and had the family you so obviously want, Ai?"

Tell him, she thought. Oh, god, this was the perfect opportunity to tell him. The words gathered and dispersed in her mind. All the food coupled with the wine and the warmth of the fire had dulled her brain. The moment passed.

"I fell in love with the wrong knight."

"How old were you?"

"Fifteen."

"So young. Did he break your heart forever?" he asked roughly, setting her feet aside so he could turn his body her way. She watched the sweater stretch over his broad shoulders, lovingly embracing his upper body.

"At the time I thought so." I had no idea how much worse it could get.

"I never thought such a thing as love really existed." He picked up her feet, pulling off her socks. He tossed them on the floor. His hands, big and warm closed over her bare toes. "It hardly seems worth the risk of a broken heart."

"What you get from love is greater than the risk of never loving at all." She would have this year to remember for the rest of her life.

"If you get to know someone too well, you can see all their faults and failings." He stared at something beyond her, his jaw set. Outside, the darkness pressed against the windows, cocooning them in a suddenly very small world.

"Or you can learn to care?" she said softly.

He shrugged, looking uncomfortable. "I despise anyone weak."

"Perhaps they were just human?" Who was he talking about?

A muscle jumped in his jaw but otherwise stayed silent. Then like a grim confession, he said, "The thought of being that weak again terrifies me."

Ai's heart ached for him. "Love makes people strong, Keigo. The love of a mother for a child, or a man for a woman. We all need someone to care about us. We all try to attain that special place where we feel loved and safe."

"People are exactly where they want to be." His eyes appeared particularly pale as he turned to her. "The choices we all make lead us to where we are at any given time. If a person doesn't like where they are then they should make different choices, shouldn't they, Ai?"

"I suppose so," she answered drowsily. She'd certainly made a series of bad choices. His logic seemed rather convoluted, but then she was almost asleep.

Keigo's fingers kneaded her instep. Ai floated in a warm haze.

"Let's have a party," Keigo said out of the blue.

"Mmm, 'kay."

"I want a big party, Ai. We'll invite everyone we know. You can boss around the caterers and staff to you heart's content. This one will be spectacular."

Ai felt a small smile curve her mouth. On the precipice of sleep, she asked around a yawn. "Keigo, why are you having a party?"

ATSC

"Good timing. I just woke up from a nap. Oh goodie, chocolate." Ai reached for a cookie off the plate. Hana, her best friend, had arrived unannounced at her apartment bearing chocolate chip cookies.

"How are arrangements going for the party tomorrow?" Hana asked offhandedly, after removing her coat and scarf. Ai led Hana into her small kitchen, as she absently tied her hair in a knot.

"Great." She poured Hana coffee and for herself a glass of milk. "I love bossing people around. I've found I have a real knack for it." She sat down and took another bite of her cookie. "In fact, I'm going over there in a couple of hours to check on things and have dinner with Keigo. It's so sweet of him to have a party to show off the house."

"Yeah," Hana said dryly. "Sweet."

"Well, it is."

"He's proud of the job you did," her friend pointed out. "He wants to showcase your talent."

"What a nice thing to say." She licked chocolate off her thumb as the two women lapsed into a rather loud silence. Right now she felt as if she were in the hot seat as a set of eyes bored into the center of her forehead.

"What did the doctor say?" Hana demanded impatiently.

Ai smiled. Her friend could be so easy to read sometimes.

"Well?" Hana prodded when she didn't say anything for a few moments.

"Is this why you made your special cookies?"

"Don't hedge. You've been with your man for months, it's been a long time since it's just been the two of us, phone conversations excluded. I want to know everything down to the dirtiest detail."

She sighed, her heart fluttering. "... I'm pregnant."

"I though you decided to start using birth control. That you'd rather spend all the time you can with Atobe-kun than worrying about conception."

Ai pulled a wry face. "I did use, most of the time in the last few months."

"It's supposed to be used every time," Hana pointed out unnecessarily.

"Sometimes there was no time."

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, well, another little thing gone awry with life," Hana said drolly, patting her hand. She gave her a small smile, grabbing a cookie and handing it over. "Here have another cookie."

Ai took it, biting into the chocolate goodness. Hana only ever made these cookies for two reasons. For the happy occasions or heartbreak situations. She wondered which category she was in. Her emotions were so mixed up. Elation. Sorrow. Joy. Dread. Ai bit into another cookie. "Tonight I'm going to tell Keigo everything—"

"Everything?" Hana's eyebrows rose.

"Everything." Ai rose to stand by the window. The city looked so sad and gloomy below. The trees were bare, there weren't any flowers. The grayness of winter shadowing every corner. She had to try to remember that after winter, came spring. No matter what. "What a mess. I'm ecstatic about the baby. Thrilled. Over the moon. But I'm terrified of Keigo's reaction."

"Isn't that a little like the thief that's sorry after he's caught?" Hana asked soberly.

"I wasn't caught." Ai chewed her thumbnail. "I really thought I could pull this off, but you were right." She leaned back against the windowsill, braced by her arms. She wore her fluffy pink robe but her feet were bare, and cold, on the wood floor. She shivered.

"I should have been up front from the beginning. I thought I'd get pregnant faster. I never planned on this." She swallowed the lump in her throat with difficulty before she managed to say what they both knew already. "All I've done is fall more deeply in love with Keigo." Ai sighed. "This is going to cut what little time we had left short. Finding out he's about to become a father won't send him dancing through the streets in celebration."

She pushed away from the window, crossed back to sit at the table and pulled her feet up beneath her. She wrapped her arms around her knees.

"The game was fine when it was just the two of us. But I'm not going to play games with our baby. I can't lie by omission anymore. Besides—" she rested her chin on her knees "—how can I expect Keigo to make a rational decision about us when he doesn't know all the facts?"

"He'll be furious," Hana warned.

"I know," Ai said calmly. "But I still have to tell him."


TBC...