HI AGAIN! it's been really longQ i had problem with my mothers computer. just when i was transfering the doc from her pc to my usb it shut down. IT had a virus and i couldn't get the file out of there. sooo, finally... almost a life after that my dad finaly fix er computer and i have my chapter back! i'm so exited about it taht i'm starting the final chapter now. this was supposed to be the last one but it's been so long that one more chapter won't hurt right? so i divided this chapter in two parts. one and two.

-Enjoy-............... PART ONE

I looked for my keys. They must be somewhere in my pocket but anyway it took me a while to found me. Mimi had warned me about it. she told me to put my keys somewhere easy to found, so I wouldn't stand outside my apartment like an idiot, just like right now.

I opened the door and got with my bag and the two cases I borrowed from Mimi. She took me on a shopping day while I was there and who would guess I was the one buying everything everywhere.

Who would know that almost 5 months passed bay so damn fast? A minute ago I was waking up in bed with her and now I was miles away.

Who would say that before meeting Mimi I was living a life that wasn't really mine? Just almost 5 months with her and I could feel like if I was starting a new life. She made me breathe when I was drowning. She saved me.

But anyway, something doesn't felt right. There was something missing and I knew what it was.

"Just a week" I told myself. "Wait a week and it's going to be fine again" I put the keys on the little table next to the door. I left my bags and cases near the couch, jumped over it and lay on it, try to relax and think about my life. I closed my eyes and instantly I saw her long curly caramel hair dancing with the wind. Her smile on her face made her look so beautiful…

"Matt?" I heard a woman's voice calling my name. I sat up and looked back at the door.

"Hey Kari!" I exclaimed smiling brightly while I was standing up. She dropped the shopping bag she was carrying and run up to me.

"I never thought you'd be home so soon!" she said while hugged me.

"Of course, I am. How I'm supposed to write a song, prepare a bachelor party before you guys get married and deal with some things before the big day if I am not here?" I looked down and bet Kari was about to cry. I smiled softly. She was the hell worried about me and now she was pretty happy because I was happy.

"I'm so glad!" she exclaimed hugging me tight.

"Kari?" TK worried tone of voice came from the hallway. "Are you alright sweetheart?!" We could hear TK dropping something he was caring over the floor and started running. And just before Kari could answer him, he asked again. "Is something wrong with the baby?" he yelled. "Is he ok?" and then he showed up on the open door.

"A baby?" I said staring at a blushed Kari. "Are you pregnant?"

"Matt! It's you!" exclaimed TK surprise that I was back.

"You are the hell pregnant!" Kari couldn't still say something.

"We never thought you would be back so soon!"

"I'm gone just for almost 5 months and you make a baby without letting me know about it?" I said trying to sound upset but the smile on my face was really working with me. "How could you?"

"I'm glad you are back bro" TK told me and hugged me.

"Me too. I can't believe I'm going to be an uncle" I said. Kari stared at me smiling.

"You mean a godfather" she smiled brightly.

"No way!"

"Hell yeah" Who would guess it. I'm gone for not so long and my brother is already building a new family behind my backs. He was certainly hurried; he didn't wait after the weeding to start to think about it.

The water crashed against my bare skin. I was trying to relax. I have recently arrive home and everything was going on well. But I know it's not going to last much. Most probably she was going to know I was home again, and most likely she would start a discussion of what I should do with my life. That's the problem with most of women, the only thing they have in mind is to control somebody else's life. But I was going to change that.

I already have.

The phone rang. I wrapped myself in a towel and picked up the ringing phone.

"Yeah?" I said calmly. I have already seen the number of the caller but I was not going to let myself being manipulate again.

"Sweatheart? Are you home! I can't believe this. I thought Tk was staying in your apartment while you were gone. I didn't know you'll be home so early"

"Me nether" I knew she was lying. She always lies about those sort of things. She knew I was home, she knew it because TK wasn't staying here. He only came by checking everything once a day.

"Well honey, I have to see you! You have lots of things to talk us about. What do you think if you meet us tonight for dinner in Digiovanni's?" she pronounced the name with more enthusiasms than necessary. I knew I couldn't get out of this.

"I have nothing to talk about really. But I'll meet you there, ok? Just on thing" there was a paused and none of them talked. "There is nothing to discuss. Past is past, and I'm telling you I'm not going back there"

After a long discussion through the phone I could finally hang up and get dress.

"Are you alright?" TK was standing at the frame of my bedroom's door. I had my boxers on and was trying my jeans.

"Yeah, it's always hard to talk to her, no matter what is in discussion."

"I'm sorry"

"You told her I was home?"

"She was stalking me since we told you the day of our wedding. And she overheard a phone conversation I had with Kari when I visit dad yesterday in the beach house.

"Nah, forget about it. It's ok. If it was not today she would find out soon eventually. "

"Are you going to meet her?"

"Yes, tonight at Digiovanni's" I told him. TK stared at me.

"Do you know what she wants?"

"Ruin my life?" TK smiled softly.

"Do you want me to come with you?"

"That's not necessary. Take care of Kari. I'm done with Sora. She know's that. But she won't accept it. I know she wants to convince me so we get back together but there's nothing she can say or do to make me change my mind."

TK watched his older brother for a while. There was something different in him. There was a small smile painted in his face and a spike of glow in his eyes, he has never seen before.

"There's something different in you" he told me.

"Really?" the small smile turned bigger.

"Really. You have change"

"No, I haven't. I just remember the guy I really am and not what I am supposed to be."

"How?"

"Because I found a reason to"

"Really? I would love to meet that reason soon. Invite her to my wedding. I bet she is lovely"

Matt couldn't help it but smile brightly at TK comment. "I already have" thinking about Mimi made it all easier. He felt relax and calm. Everything was going to be alright. There was nothing that could happened tonight that would make him change his mind. She was perfect for him.

I walked along from the parking lot to the restaurants door. As always it was full. I knew already why she picked this place. A public place is perfect for discussions. She knows perfectly that I'm not the kind of man who starts drama in front of people. My not-engagement party was the only one exception.

I walked in and the waitress smiled at me. "Excuse me, Mr. Ishida?"

"The one and only" I told her smiling brightly. With time I got used to the waitress remembering me. I found it quiet an honor but that was not reason I was smiling this bright.

"Your table is ready and they are already here." She told me with a worried tone.

"Don't worry Millie" I told the waitress. "It's ok. Can you please order a piece of cheesecake to go? I don't think I'll make it for dessert!"

I used to come to this restaurant with my family for years. Six years ago Millie started working here. She is pretty nice young lady in the middle of his 22. We met one day after I had a discussion with my parents. I left the restaurant angrily and once I was out she came after me running with a doggy-bag in her hands.

"It wasn't my intention to hear… I hope this can make it better"

She gave me the doggy-bag and run back to the restaurant. She was new at that time, she was young with 16 years, helping a 24 year-old rich kiddo with his drama with a piece of cheesecake.

Millie guided me to the table and left. I took a deep breath and looked at them. I was hoping she would show up alone but having the two of them, was going to make it more tedious to deal with.

"Mom, dad" I greet them. I had no intention to sound warm because the occasion wasn't calling it.

"Sweety!" my mother exclaimed. "I'm glad you are already here but earlier than what we have expected--" then my father start talking so my mother would shut up.

"Son, I'm happy you are back" but her mother couldn't cut it so she kept on with it.

"I'm impressed you came on time. Usually you came an hour late to our dinners in restaurants" My father sighed. I knew he didn't want to start with the topic right after I arrived. I knew he would have like to hear something about my little trip but my mother was a different story.

"Yes, and that's because there nothing holding me back, making me wait to find the perfect eye lasher for half an hour, anymore." I said smiling.

The entrance arrived. There was already wine on my cup. As always, my parents had ordered without me for me.

"Oh dear but it was funnier then because you always had a story to tell us because of your delay" she said giggling at the memory.

"No mom. The one with the stories was Sora, not me. I was always on time but late because of her"

"Oh I'm glad you mention her because you know I was talking to her the other night and I'm wondering when you guys are going to make up. She said as soon as you came back you'll set the date for the wedding. I mean you can't get married if you are not together, right honey?" she giggled again looking happily at her husband who just sighed and drank a long zip from his wine.

"Tk's wedding is on Friday; rehearsal dinner Thursday; bachelor party Tuesday. I'm the best man. There is no other wedding on my mind" I told her coldly. It was irritating. She did not talk straightly about what she wanted to talk but at the same time she did not care about my feelings about the situation at all.

"You know how i feel about Sora, she is a great girl but-" his mother cut his father off.

"Your father is right, you should marry her" his mother exclaimed "I mean you won't find another girl like her again"

"Son" his father change the subject. his mother was driving both crazy, so he was trying to make dinner work "I heard you travelled to Alaska"

"…New Zeland actually." I took a long zip. Thankfully my dad was changing the subject… at least trying to. I really can't remember a peacefully dinner with mom since ever.

"Wow, you went pretty far, didn't you? And how was it?" A normal question, why couldn't my mom start a conversation with something like that?

"It was great actually and I'm planning on going back very soon. There are some things I left unfinished there, so…"

"Oh my god, I bet Sora will love that trip! Let me call her—"

"Claire" My dad warned. But my mother could care less about it. it was not until she got the cell phone out of her purse that I lost my patience.

"Cut it!" I told her. My dad was about to say something but I shut him up too. "Just cut it ok?" I was getting tired of it.

"Son just"

"No dad. Mom, why don't you understand? Why can't you understand? What on earth make it so difficult for you to understand?! I'm not getting back with Sora. I've told you that on the phone. You should know that. You shouldn't be talking about her right now. You should be asking me how I am instead of worrying about the poor Sora who cheated on me and can't get me back!"

"I know you are upset, I'm sorry." And just when I thought my mother as a real human being…"But Sora loves you" she just had to keep it going.

"Shut up mom. You don't know anything. Ok? She loves Tai, she always has. I was just the perfect hand to play and she had her damn poker face on. And you know what? That's fine because I can see now what had happened with me in all of this last years. And I'm over it "

"You have to forgive her. That's what couples do"

"I don't give a shit mom if dad forgave you. I bet he did it because of business. And yes your marriage is a damn business." I blurted out. For the first time my mother was shut "I don't wanna get married because of what's the best for the family company. I have my own company built out of nowhere. I don't care about your damn money. I have my own. For years I have been trying to please you because I thought I had to. I thought I need to"

My mother looked horrified and my dad was in silence. He was always in silence.

"But the truth is, I don't have to because there's nothing I have to prove to you. I have everything I ever wanted and I just 5 months I realized I had even more but a real family. I don't care if I'm not the kid you wanted me to be. But I bet you I'm more of what you think I'll ever be. I'm in love mom but not with Sora. I'm in love with a girl who really loves me back, who is real. And I don't care if she fits in your world or not. Because she's part of my world now but you are welcome in it if you want to be a part of it. Maybe it's not what you have expected but it's my life mom." I sat up and put my jacket on.

"Son, please don't go" my dad told me. He looked embarrassed. My mom sat still in silence, in shock.

"For a long time I let you ruled my life the way you wanted. I made everything like you wanted, like you told me to but not anymore. I thought you dad would be happy to know I moved on and convinced mom to shut the hell up about the whole topic, but deep inside I knew you wouldn't." I looked for my keys on my pocket and looked once again at them both.

"I am happy" I heard my dad whispered. I couldn't help it but sighed heavily.

"I have to go. Tomorrow I have a very early meeting with the company, so I need some rest so I won't show up tomorrow all stressed up." I smiled at them. "Thanks for dinner, lovely as always." I said in sarcasm. They knew this was going to happen. Well my dad knew. I believe my mother was still hoping that in some sort of parallel dimension I would be desperate on going back with Sora. But there was no way in time I would go back to that hell of no-life.

I turned around and walked myself to the door. My parents sat there quietly and seconds later the waiter came with their plates. I walked out and realized it was raining. Suddenly an umbrella stopped the drops from crushing against me.

"It is no good to drive home wet. The insides of you car could end messed up." I looked at Millie standing next to me.

"Thank you Mill" I told her nicely.

"There's no problem sir." She said walking me to the car.

"You know you can call me Matt." I said smirking.

"It's uncalled for an employee to call our customers by so personal names."

"I'm not customer if I'm not inside the restaurant."

"You are always going to be a customer, Matt; inside the restaurant or not." She said holding my door.

"Ok, Miss Johnson. You win." She smiled at me.

"Here is you dessert sir" she giggled. "And I added dinner too, if that's ok. I figured you wouldn't enjoy dinner so…"

"Thank you Millie"

"You welcome Matt" we couldn't help it but laughed. After that she closed the door and run back to the restaurant.

My pillow was soft and clean. I had missed my bed. Yesterday I was so tired I slept on the couch watching a movie. I'll have to remember to set a TV on my bedroom so I stop sleeping in the freaking couch.

I faced the ceiling and the louver above me. I could not remember one day I looked so deep in thoughts staring through it at the dark sky. I did not remember that my apartment was that high, that I could still watch the blue night sky in the middle of the city.

Mimi.

I filled my mind with her. I smiled brightly. I can still feel her touch warm and soft. Her lips, her hair dancing with the breeze or it all over her face when she had it loose and drove with the open window. Her laughter, her sweet voice… I missed her.

I heard steps in the living room but I could care less. Just 5 more days and I'll be with her unless she decided to read the letter I left for her. Thinking about it I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

"Coffee?" I heard a voice saying softly. I whispered Mimi's name still asleep. I hugged the pillow tightly. I got used on hugging her every morning… it was awkward not to.

I opened one eye once I woke up and realized I wasn't in bed with Mimi. TK sat next to me with a smile and a coffee mug on one hand.

"Thank you" I said sleepily. I sat up and drank.

"It's hard when Mimi is not around huh?" I left the mug on the night table and stared at my brother.

"I never told you her name" I said stretching my arms and letting myself relax.

"You just did" I frowned. "You were murmuring her name while sleeping"

"You know, its creepy watching someone sleeps, creepier if it's your brother"

"Whatever but yesterday you called me, remember?"

"I called you?" I run my fingers through my hair but didn't remember a thing about it.

"Yes, after dinner with mom and dad? You called me. You asked me to arrange another meeting for you, instead of in the morning after lunch at 4."

"Did i?" I lay back. "Did you?"

"Yes"

"So what are you doing here this earlier?"

"It's 3:45pm. You sleep the freaking whole day!"

"What?" I jumped out off bed grabbed my jean and jacket, put them one, find my keys and disappeared through my door. TK sat a while with the mug still on his hand. He sighed and drank the rest of his coffee. Then he sighed heavily.

-END OF PART ONE-

that's it! there's one more comming up soon. same next on as the last one.

REVIEWS

love,

-M