A/N: I know, I know, two updates in one day? Yes, I love you guys that much AND I will be quite the busy bee this week so I will be taking a small hiatus. Don't panic, I shall update in two weeks, but with my first week of Senior year done, I am up to my neck in papers, homework, and studying for this damn GRE test. College sucks. SN: To BlackRob88, I figured you would do as much. I think you will like he next chappy chapter hon ;-). And MorganTaylorM3, I haven't forgotten u missy. Also, if you haven't noticed, I am a Political-Science major and I LOVE talking about it so feel free to call me a nerd. I'm glad you all like this story as much as I enjoy writing it. Enjoy your weekend and holidays and I hope you all eat some good barbeque. I know I am. I have been craving barbeque sauce and peanut butter. Don't judge, I'm pregnant. Enjoy my twisted dark fantasies. Happy Reading!

WARNING: SEMI-GRAPHIC CONTENT.

Phoebe

I took one last look in the mirror before pronouncing that I was ready. I didn't want to be too long because it was already late, the sitter needed to be home by two in order to make it on time for classes in the morning by seven, and I had my graduate college entrance exams to study for. I was planning on using my degree in sociology and going into Public-Health. I found that by using my sociology degree and going into the Public Health field, I could be more of a valuable asset in studying social behaviors that cause harm to the body and overall health of a population. I mainly wanted to work with minority groups such as Latinos and African-Americans to get to the root of social disarray within their communities. Ever since I dated Gerald, I have become fascinated in learning why the vast disparities in health, education, and social opportunities exist. I never truly realized how skewed some of the resources were to ethnic minorities-even Asian. I was initially a psychology major but I switched because for the life of me I could not stay awake for more than ten minutes. The talk of chemical imbalance within the brain and opiates only get a girl so much energy.

I took a quick spin and put on my pumps. The red, lace dress I wore was figure-flattering; extenuating my newfound curves and ample bosom I received from childrearing and endless nights of nursing a very fidgety Haruhi. The dress was a deep, blood red with lace embroidery and a deep V-neck plunge that showed my breasts in all of their glory. I allowed my hair to remain straight and rest down my back while I settled for a deep, red lip, some blush, eye-liner, and mascara instead of my full face I usually wear when I go out. It's very seldom I get dressed up but when I do I tend to look my best. The only times I ever found a reason to get dolled up was when Kato invited me to a few of his work-related functions. It was rare he ever went, but when he did it was expected he bring his wife and not his obvious, yet inconceivable mistress. I popped in a quick peppermint and called down to Gerald standing in the foyer that I was ready.

Initially I was not planning to take him up on his offer in going to a club with Arnold, Helga, and the gang for a little 'fun' but after the day we had, I could not say no. Today reminded me of when Gerald and I were seventeen, when we were at our peak in love and our relationship was at its highest. He was the perfect gentleman; attending to not only my needs but as well as Haruhi's. I was a bit anxious in allowing her to spend time with Gerald in fear of having her project her desires for a father figure onto him unintentionally. Kato was a good father, but was hardly ever home. His work schedule prevented him from having Sunday's off, holidays on certain occasions, even vacations. The money he made was good, but not worth neglecting his family over. Today was the first day in a long time that I felt like a family. I knew Gerald would turn out to be a perfect father someday, but seeing him with Haruhi made me ponder on if I had done things a bit differently.

"Can I have some cotton candy?!"

I shook my head, giving Haruhi a steamed pork dumpling dipped in soy sauce. "No sugar. You just had some juice."

"But mommy, I want cotton candy!"

"What's a little cotton candy, Phoebe?" Gerald cosigned, grinning as he fed Haruhi a small piece. She happily obliged and allowed the confectionary to melt on her tongue instantly. I rolled my eyes.

"She is going to get hyped on sugar and I am the one who will have to deal with it, not you."

"Who says I won't?" he countered, taking a small bite out of his large wad of bubble-gum pink cotton candy. He winked at me before giving Haruhi a huge piece of her own to finish off. I sighed, taking a small bite out of my steamed dumpling.

"Fine. But when she is bouncing everywhere, I will call you to fix it."

"As long as that is a promise."

I remained quiet as I watched him lift Haruhi upon his shoulder and walk over towards one of the many booths to play a game. I glanced at my purse and stared at the stuffed bear, crocodile, and dragon Gerald had already won Haruhi. He won them all at ring toss, bottle toss, and basketball respectively. Towards the end of the basketball game, he gained quite a small following and had his picture taken with a few local athletes that admired his skilled. A few of them thought he was a famous U.S. player and asked for his autograph in which he certainly did not disappoint. I smiled in memory, watching from the sidelines as Gerald began winning the water-racing game at the booth. Haruhi cheered happily as his little motor boat sped past all of its competitors to hit the little gold bell at the very top. Once the large, red flashing light went off and screamed 'winner' Haruhi hugged Gerald by his neck as she chose a stuffed panda bear this time as her prize. After their boat game, Haruhi directed Gerald to another booth where there were racing koi fish. Of course Gerald's fish won and instead of a stuffed animal, Haruhi was allowed to take one of the koi fish as a prize. I shot her thumbs up as she began shaking the bag enthusiastically at the thought of her very first pet. Kato and I were supposed to buy her a puppy as she grew older, but never truly got around to it.

After the koi fish race, there was a turtle race, then a balloon popping contest, then finally a fun house photo booth. I was reluctant to take the photographs but Gerald Haruhi insisted, rather shoving me into the dark booth to take pictures. We made funny faces, scary faces, goofy faces, side faces, every expression thought of until our cheeks grew sore. The last photograph was of me, Gerald, and Haruhi, smiling as if we were one big family. I chose that as my favorite.

"Mommy, can I keep the pictures and put them on my wall?"

My heart dropped at the very thought. If Kato even found out I was with Gerald today and not with Helga as I originally told him, he would certainly come home in rage. Though Kato never expressed any violence against me, he had a temper that made me fearful of the day where he may think to lay hands on me. One evening, he came home from work to no dinner prepared. I was exhausted from all day course work, helping Haruhi with her homework and spending time with her, as well as work. I used to be a service clerk at a local convenience store before Kato made me quit to focus more on my domestic duties. I was asleep at the kitchen table when I heard him slam the door. I shot up to see what was going on but was not fast enough before he yanked me by my ponytail and dragged me into the kitchen. He was drunk which is why I did not make a big fuss over it but I vowed to never experience it again.

"I'll keep these, honey." I spoke gently, taking one of the two strips of photographs and putting them into my purse. I gave the other strip to Gerald to keep. "I'll frame them in a special place, okay?"

"Okay!" she nodded happily, beginning to skip off towards another food stand. This time she wanted frozen yogurt.

Gerald shoved his left hand in his pocket before draping his right arm around me, bringing us closer together. Before I could even question it, he placed a small kiss on my cheek. I grew still, almost lifeless. I felt a familiar spark that I thought died a long time ago. "G-Gerald…"

"Consider it a 'Thank You'."

"For?"

"Coming out this afternoon; I know you had your doubts."

"Of course I did." I muffled, fixing my wool hat to keep the sudden breeze from nipping at my ears. "I hope you did not take offense."

He shook his head. "No, it was to be expected; however, I am just glad you and Haruhi came out. I really wanted to get to know her…and you all over again."

That shocked me. "You wanted to get to know my…daughter?"

"Yes, why is that so hard to believe?"

I shrugged, beginning to walk towards the frozen yogurt stand where Haruhi impatiently awaited her strawberry treat. I signaled to her to hold on for a minute and stop giving the owner of the booth such a hassle. I knew how Haruhi could get once she grew hungry. "I guess I just never figured anyone would make a conscience effort to get to know someone's kid…especially an…ex."

There was a small pause before either of us spoke. Gerald reached out to grab my bare hand, kissing it gently. "Haruhi is a part of you, therefore if I want to reconnect with you make you happy, I will do the same for Haruhi." He paused, taking a quick glance at Haruhi, waving. She waved back frantically. "Besides, I'm already in love with her…but that's not surprising."

"Oh?" I questioned. "And why is that?"

He winked before treading off to meet Haruhi at the frozen yogurt stand. "Because it didn't take long for me to fall in love with her mother."

I took the strip of pictures from the carnival out of my purse, gazing at them lovingly. Though I thought I would never see Gerald Johanessen again, I never truly got over him. I forced myself to bury my feelings under the hurt and paint he caused me but I never dealt with the issues head on. I tended to avoid them; even with Kato. When I married Kato, it was not because of love but because I was pregnant with Haruhi. Our families wanted to see us together long before I moved to Japan. He was the sexy Asian man at Rhonda's party that I spilled punch all over as well as the same guy that came over my house for dinner when I invited Gerald over the evening he and my father got into a verbal altercation. I found out he was only visiting family for a few weeks but lived and went to school in Tokyo. Once his parents learned about my arrival, they immediately felt it was only proper to set us up. I was not ready for any type of relationship, let alone commitment to another person. I was still so stuck on my breakup with Gerald to even focus on another human being. However, our families insisted and one date turned into two, then three, then four, then family gatherings, then sleeping over, then finally sex. I latched onto Kato a lot quicker than I hoped I would; mainly because I was still hurt by Gerald and at the time, Kato looked nothing short than my prince in shining Armani. However, once he learned about my pregnancy, my pumpkin turned back into dust as the clock stroked midnight. The gentleman I knew was now an angry, vicious, selfish creature that would often curse me for ruining his life. We only married because my mother and father did not want me to have a child in wedlock so they decided it best we marry and find ways to make our marriage everlasting. I fingered the strip of pictures between my thumb before I placed them deep inside my intimates drawer. I took once last glance at myself, grabbed my jacket, and headed downstairs to meet a handsome Gerald dressed in an all-black ensemble that just made him look too irresistible. I had to contain myself as I scanned over his black button-down towards his black slacks. He certainly toned since the last time we seen each other.

The ride to the club was a short one, only about ten minutes that were filled with light conversation and laughter about the day Gerald and I had. He seemed to really enjoy being in Haruhi's company and relished in the fact that I allowed him to spend time with me and my daughter. The conversation almost steered into something serious- our breakup- but the loud, vibrating bass of loud techno and j-pop drowned it out. I saw Helga and Arnold wave towards Gerald and I as we parked the car. Helga was in a skin-tight pink halter dress and yellow pumps as Arnold wore a pair of jeans, a nice blue and red stripped button-up, and Dockers. We followed them in shortly after to be met with the loud, sweaty bas of Far East Movement and Utada. Gerald reached behind him to grab my hand as he led us through the crowd over to the table where Arnold and Helga sat. I passed by a few of our friends but they were too busy dancing to notice Gerald and I pass them through the crowd. I began to feel uneasy. I was never a party kind of girl and always found parties somewhat intimidating. The only party I ever really went to was Rhonda's back in senior year of high-school when Helga dragged me against my will in the most provocative outfit she could muster. The thought of guys eyeing me made me feel like a sex object and I was far beyond that. Though my outfit did not help in the least, it still was much more fabric than most of the women that gyrated beside me.

"Phoebes, you made it!" Helga squeaked, sipping on a vodka and cranberry. "Here, let me get your drink for you."

Helga reached in front of me to pour a shot glass full of liquor before she flicked her wrist, twitching her left ring-finger. I noticed it was no longer bare, but graced a rather gorgeous princess cut diamond laced within a white-gold band. I squealed as I grabbed her hand, scanning her finger for any flaws. The ring was beautiful. "Helga, congratulations!"

"Thank you, Phoebes." She embraced me in a small hug as Gerald congratulated Arnold with their signature handshake they had since they were kids. "Finally ol' Football head proposed. Took him long enough."

Arnold chuckled, kissing Helga on the cheek. "I was going to propose two weeks ago but things happened." He said, looking at Gerald. Gerald just grabbed a beer from the table, shrugging.

"Not my fault, man. I told you to give me the keys to the car but you insisted you would be able tom pick me up."

"How did he propose?"

Helga began whispering in my ear, earning small gasps and fits of giggles. I never knew Arnold could be so…creative. Apparently it involved whip cream, cherry topping, and soy sauce. I smiled, reaching to hug Arnold. "Congrats. I am so happy for you two. Any plans to celebrate?"

Helga lifted a mischievous brow before gnawing at her bottom lip, reaching for Arnold's crotch; giving it a quick squeeze to his dismay. "If ol' Football head would stop being so prude, we could celebrate right now."

"Helga!" he shouted, clearly embarrassed. Gerald and I snickered. "We are in public!"

"So? There are hundreds of people grinding on each other as we speak so why can't we take it a simple step further." She paused, leaning towards Arnold's right ear, purring as she straddled him. "All you have to do is move my panties aside and…"

"Helga!"

"Phoebe, maybe we should get our own table and allow these love birds to…celebrate." Gerald grumbled, laughing as he stood to grab my hand and lead me towards an empty table a few feet right.

I watched helplessly as I was pulled away from the groping couple and into an empty booth filled with liquor and the stale smoke of cigarettes. The music began to grow louder as the ceiling lights went out, leaving only neon-colored strobe lights to strike every crevice of the club. My favorite song by Crystal Kay 'Candy' began to blast through the speakers and infect me with its plagued rhythm. I took a quick shot before I reached out to the reluctant Gerald and dragged him to the dance floor. He was stiff as a board before I had to force him to move with the rhythm. I never understood why men always felt shy in dancing in public but I was not going to just allow Gerald to stand there. He began doing the robot and the cabbage patch kid, earning a fit of ignorant laughter from me in good-hearted fun. I decided to put him out of his misery and began grinding my hips against his to the sweet rhythmic sounds of a bass drum.

Gerald turned me around and wrapped his arms around me, lowering his palms to the girth of my hips and backside; taking a small squeeze. I reached and arm back and allowed my body to flow in sync with his to the beat of the DJ. I did not mind that Gerald began suckling on my neck and palming my breasts because the way that things were going, I did not want it to stop. The heat made my skin crawl, the sweat causing the thin fabric of my dress to cling to every curve my body had to offer as the sensual, orchestrated movements between Gerald's groin and my plump backside made me…lustful. I have not had the fire for a man in almost two years that I almost forgot how great it felt. Gerald's hands glided against my erected nipples, landing within the valley of my breasts, to the fine contours of my taunt stomach, then finally the mountains of my thighs. I let out a small cannibalistic growl as he clung me closer, inching his pelvis deeper into me to feel everything he had to offer. I began to have nasty, dirty thoughts; thoughts that I would normally ignore, but not tonight. I spun around to face Gerald, grabbing him by his shirt collar for a deep, passionate kiss. He picked me up, wrapping my legs around his waist as he made his way back to our booth. He and I both shoved the empty bottles of liquor on the floor, not caring if they cracked against the hard cement floor below. I felt carnal, ravenous, hungry like I never felt for Gerald before and it drove me almost insane. He laid me against the cool table, never once breaking our heated kiss. His expert fingers roamed the outer fabric of my virgin lace panties, slowly moving them aside to rest his thumb against the damp tundra of my raven curls. I croaked back a moan and forced myself to remain calm and contained as I felt him begin to pleasure me with those movements I dearly missed. I closed my eyes, squirming at the way his trained hands could make my body succumb to his will on command. I could hear him whisper dirty thoughts into my ear as his movement grew faster, rougher. I opened my eyes, ready to meet his luscious brown ones as I glided over the euphoric wave of my climax, but was instead met with the hard, stoic gaze of husband; standing above me in the balcony with three of his colleagues.