Chapter 13 - Plans

Since so much has happened in the past year, everyone decided to gather for Thanksgiving at the Suoh Mansion #2 (they still celebrate it for Izumi) ... plus it was an excuse to see Haruhi as she was now 8 months pregnant and everyone knew that things would be different after she gave birth.

It was a pajama party, mostly because Haruhi didn't want to move much to get dressed and Tamaki didn't want her feeling left out. Of course, the twins made pajamas for everyone. They were all kiddy like with cute chibby characters all over them.

Everyone ate in the sitting room, strewned all over the floor and kotatsus.

"Oh the tryptophan is kicking in!" Reiko said while stretching. "Where are we sleeping?"

Tamaki looked up, "Oh I was figuring we'd just all sleep down here. Like a big old puppy pile!"

"Tamaki, could it be that you're using us to practice for having kids?" Kyoya asked rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Oh, that reminds me... speaking of sleep, Takashi, I have the mock up brochures for the new onsen."

Takashi scooted over to Kyoya and went through the brochures with him. "It is pretty much 100% traditional Japanese architecture. However, it was constructed so that each room has it's own outdoor bath. Even though there's a community garden, the whole place was designed in a way that every room could be open to the garden; however, no one will be able to see into another's room."

The layout was gorgeous and the mock-ups included fabric samples of the interior. This is really decadent. Completely Ootori style. I wonder how Izumi would like this? I hope it wouldn't make her feel uncomfortable...

"Each room has it's own assistant for your service. Turn down, food calls, etc. They also do concierge running, so if you forget something, they'll run out and buy it. All the chefs are top of the line and there is one that specializes in nearly every food category such as French, Italian, Greek, Mediterranean, Lebanese...and don't worry, traditional Japanese. You can have your grilled sanma... So what do you think?"

"Are you sure it'll be okay?"

"Absolutely. You always give good feedback and they'll be interested in hearing Izumi's thoughts as an 'international guest.' But your family is known for it's traditionalism, so we're definitely keen on hearing your opinion."

Takashi looked over at Izumi, who was with Reiko and Haruhi. He couldn't believe this was going to happen. In a few weeks, he'd be proposing to Izumi. One day, it will be Izumi, pregnant and lying on a couch with Reiko and Haruhi beside her. One day, it will be them … their house …

"So how are you feeling?"

"Just a few Braxton Hicks, but nothing serious. I'm just tired of being pregnant. I feel like a whale."

"Well you are small."

"I can't get Tamaki to stop fussing over me. It's kind of annoying."

"Oh, it's not that bad. It's better than being a single mom because the dad's just a dead beat."

Haruhi's face changed for just an instant. Oh shit, she's thinking about her dad!

"So um... have you decided about the delivery? At home, in the hospital? Whose going to be watching?"

Haruhi shuddered. "Regardless of where I give birth, I don't want anyone watching."

"Really?" The girls sang in unison? "Not even Tamaki."

"Nope. Not even him."

"Have you told him that?"

"Nope."

[silence]

"Aw, Haruhi, what's wrong?" Izumi asked.

"Nothing's wrong?"

"Really Haruhi," Reiko tried, "what's bothering you?"

Haruhi looked around and in a soft voice said, "I really want my mom to be with me. And if it's not her, I want to do it alone. Don't...don't say anything."

And it took everything they had to not burst into tears.

"It really stinks that Thanksgiving isn't a holiday here. I have to go to work tomorrow!"

"The food was good though wasn't it?"

"Oh I know! I love the homemade pumpkin pie. I mean, how easy is it to get pumpkins here?"

Takashi chuckled. "Oh, that reminds me, here's the brochure that Kyoya gave me. What do you think?"

Izumi let out a low whistle. "Damn that's swanky. Ummm, how much does this cost?"

"Normally speaking, probably a few thousand US dollars per night...maybe even ten?" he gave a non-commital shrug. "But for us it will be free since it's a test run before they open in the new year."

"Wow, even fabric samples! Oooohhhhh so soft! Oh My God! Chefs with nearly every expertise? Ooooh, can we please do Indian one night? I love paneer masala!"

"Anything you want..." he sat across from Izumi, watching her get excited. She's like a little kid in a candy store. It's so cute... "Izumi?"

"Hrm?" she said without taking her eyes off the brochure.

"Why doesn't this bother you?"

"What?" she looked up, "Why doesn't what bother me?"

"The decadence of it all."

"Oh, because it's free."

Takashi laughed to himself, she thinks just like Haruhi sometimes."You know, almost everything is fr-"

"And i'm not talking about it being free because you're ridiculously wealthy or your name gets us stuff without you even uttering a word. I mean, it's free to anyone who goes for the test run. So with or without your name or money, it's free."

Takashi decided to leave it at that. He didn't want to say it was because he knew Kyoya, or that his family, known for their traditionalism, helped in securing a coveted test run spot. Nor did he want to say that most of the guests going would be only the upper echelon of the rich, famous, powerful, political, etc.

I wonder if I should write Lucas and let him know of my plans.

"So when is the test run?"

"Winter break."

"That's perfect, I won't have to miss any school!"

I guess i should tell Lucas, he gave me so many ideas... he's probably waiting to hear, well, anything... I wonder if I should tell Mitskuni...