Musical Dismay
Chapter 12
"I can't believe it's time for you to pack up and leave already." The blonde handed the last of Michiru's shirts to her to be packed.
"These last few weeks have flown by. I wish you could come with me."
"I wish she was going too. For the next month all I'll hear is how much she misses you." Setsuna stood in the doorway to the bedroom.
"Why must you always embarrass me Sets?" Haruka took a step back from the smaller woman she was helping.
"Shouldn't you two be getting ready for dinner? Don't you have reservations tonight at that fancy place near the water?"
"Yes, they're not until 8 and it's only 5." Haruka kissed Michiru before walking from the room, dragging Setsuna with her. "Did you pick it up for me?"
"Yes, I got it while in town. I don't understand why you got her a necklace instead of a ring." They walked into the green-haired woman's bedroom.
"A necklace is less noticeable to her mother. Her mother still hates me you know. We have to wait til just the right time to tell her."
Haruka accepted the box that was offered to her. She lifted the lid off to inspect it. Inside was a heart shaped aquamarine pendant on a solid white gold chain. On the back of the pendant it was engraved 'Yours Forever –H'
"I still can't believe you're going to do it. Honestly, I think you're being stupid."
"Isn't love stupid though? You don't know until you take a chance." She closed the box before looking up at her friend. "I'm so nervous."
"At least you're doing it the day before she leaves. So if she says no...she's leaving tomorrow." Setsuna rested her hands on the blonde's shoulders. "You should go and get ready..." Haruka started to walk away. "And Ruka..." She stopped and turned around. "...good luck."
"Tenou...reservation for two." Haruka spoke to the clerk at the front reception area of the restaurant. The man quickly scanned his registrar and waved for a waiter to lead them to a table. "You look beautiful tonight Michiru." She spoke when they were seated.
The black satin dress hugged to each of Michiru's curves. Her hair was pulled up in a bun, held in place by a few strategically placed pins. "You look quite handsome yourself Ruka." She shot back and accepted the menu when offered to her.
"Can I see a wine list please." Haruka spoke softly to the waiter when she received her own menu. He nodded and disappeared to retrieve it. "Order whatever you'd like."
She gasped softly as her eyes skimmed the menu. "Haruka it's so expensive." She flipped the page, not noticing as the blonde ordered a 10 year old bottle of wine. "Are you sure?"
"Yes...I'm sure. Order whatever you'd like." She closed her own menu, already deciding on the steak dinner she wanted.
They both placed their order with the waiter when he returned and poured their glasses of wine. Haruka couldn't find any words to speak as they ate. Her mind was running in a million different directions as she tried to put her words together. Finally, when she had them in an order she was satisfied with, she spoke.
"I've never fallen so madly in love with another person like I have with you." She saw a blush rise to her cheeks as she sipped her wine. "Ever since I first met you I've been attracted to you." The blonde pulled a box from her jacket pocket. "I'm in love with you Michiru. I don't want to lose you." She calmly handed the box across the table.
"Ruka, what's this?" Michiru placed her wine glass back on the table and pulled the ribbon from the box to open it. "Oh my god...it's gorgeous." She looked back across the table, her eyes locking with Haruka's as she spoke.
"I want you to be mine forever Michi...Say you'll marry me."
"What about..." she fumbled with her own words, her heart racing. "Yes." She pulled the necklace from the box. "Will you help me put it on?"
Haruka stood and moved around to the other side to help her new fiancée with the pendant. "After we figure out how to tell your mother I'll get you a proper ring." Before she could speak again she was pulled into a deep, passionate kiss.
"Now we just need to tell me mom...How about after we're back in school?" Michiru smiled.
"Yes, when we're safe at school...or...well, when I'm safe at school." She chuckled.
"Mom, I told Ruka I'd call her when I got home." Michiru sighed the next afternoon as she looked at her mother. She wanted nothing more than to stay the entire vacation with her love.
"I don't see why you have to report in with her anyway." Ayame spoke as she helped her daughter with her bags from the vehicle.
"I'm going upstairs to call her." The younger woman practically ran up the steps, blindly dialing the familiar number as she went.
"Hey there beautiful."
Michiru smiled at the sound of the voice on the other end. "I just got here. I figured I'd give you a call real quick while mom was downstairs."
"I'm glad you made it alright. I miss you already Michi."
"I miss you too Ruka." She lowered her voice. "I should probably get off of here before she comes up."
"Ok, I love you Michi. I'll call you later."
Michiru smiled again, as she had been the whole conversation. "I love you too Ruka." She hung up the phone.
She didn't realize though, that Ayame was standing in the hallway outside her room. "What did you just say Michiru!?"
The younger woman's body froze. "I didn't say anything mom." She tried to defend herself.
Her mother snapped. "I KNEW it! You spent too much time with that...that thing you call a person. She changed you Michiru."
"No she didn't mother." She fought back, her voice becoming louder.
"She turned you into one of them. She has you brainwashed Michiru. Either you cut off all contact with her or get the hell out of my house." Ayame didn't wait for a response before dropping the box in her hands to the floor and storming off.
Michiru slowly sank to the bed. It wasn't exactly how she had been planning to tell her mother of her relationship. She gently wrapped her fingers around the pendant that rested on her chest and closed her eyes to think.