Another Battle For the Wolf – The Reunion Part 4
There is nothing better to welcome a man home, than a fully cooperative wife, and mine is all of that if not more. I will always be thankful that in this life she and I are bonded together in marriage.
*****
We are now both sitting with our backs to the side of the furo after celebrating Hajime's return in the best way possible. Sighing contentedly, I snuggle against him, trailing my fingers along the length of his arm, enjoying the warmth of the water and just being near him. Time seems to stop, as I revel in the closeness we share this afternoon. As long as he is with me, he will lend me his strength whenever I run short of my own.
His kiss to the top of my head and the little nudge he gives me are his signals that it is time for us to leave this warm cocoon. I look at him with a warm smile, silently thanking him for our time together. I know that he has cherished it as much as I have, even though he won't say it. As much as I would like to, we cannot spend the remaining hours of the day in here. We have responsibilities that cannot be neglected. It is almost time for Tsutomu to eat, and both Hajime and I need dinner, and some rest. I'm sure it has been a very long day for my husband, and he does have to report back to work in the morning. With any luck Hashimoto-san has worn Tsutomu out by playing with him. I have a feeling that our whole family will turn in for the night a little earlier than usual.
Reluctantly, I move out of the warmth of the furo. The air inside the bathhouse is cool enough to raise a few goose bumps on my skin. Hajime was out first and reaches to give me a hand out of the tub. Both of us hastily dry and dress in the fresh yukata that Hashimoto-san left on the shelf. I then wrap a clean towel around my head. I will finish drying my hair once I return to our room. I have a feeling that dinner will be waiting for us when we get back there. Hajime doesn't know it yet, but he isn't quite finished with my hair. It still needs combing. That puts a smile on my face.
I glance at the dirty laundry in the baskets, knowing that one of the girls who is employed by the ryoken will take care of it. It is nice to have someone to do it for me tonight. Taking Hajime's hand, I let him guide me back inside the main building so we can finish what remains of our day with our son. The pleasant memories of this afternoon with him will sustain me the next time he has to leave town. The best part of having him gone on an assignment is the day I welcome him back.
*****
Unfortunately, this interlude with Tokio needs to come to an end. We can continue this sort of very pleasant 'business' once we get back to our house. My former troops aren't the only ones who have a two week furlough before heading back to their precincts. I have an idea that my wife and I will be spending the whole time I have off at home, quite occupied.
There are a few things yet to do to get ready for work tomorrow, not to mention that I don't want to impose on Hashimoto-san's hospitality for too long, even though she was the one who insisted on keeping our son for us. I give Tokio a little nudge after kissing the top of her head. I think she was falling asleep on my shoulder. That puts a satisfied smirk on my lips. A man isn't a man unless he can put his wife to sleep after some vigorous activity.
I'm the first one out of the furo, and I extend a hand to help her over the edge of the tub. The last thing I want is my wife slipping and hurting herself. She's a bit groggy from her 'almost' nap, so she's a little unsteady on her feet. It reminds me of how she moves when she is expecting, and as her lithe form steps from the tub, I can't help but wonder when she'll become pregnant again. Not only does Tsutomu need a little brother, I need another student or two for the family dojo. Perhaps it happened this afternoon; I can only hope.
Before I slip into one myself, I pick a clean yukata from the shelf, shake it open and hold it up so Tokio can slip her arms through the sleeves as soon as she finishes toweling herself. I noticed her shiver a bit; the cool evening air is beginning to seep into the small structure now that the water in the furo is cooling. Stepping outside, I lean over and pick up the cigarette butt I dropped earlier. My other hand takes one of hers, as she comes down the bathhouse steps, so I can lead her back through the garden.
A homecoming such as this one, which was carefully planned and masterfully executed by my wife, certainly makes me feel happy to be back. To be wanted and needed by his family has to be a man's greatest joy.