I might take a short break in updating for a little while just because it looks like some readers haven't quite caught up with the writing. Maybe the readers are just dropping off? That could explain the numbers. But if it is because they only check for updates every few days, I don't want to get so far ahead that I can't write clarifications into the story for parts they deem unclear. I can write more but wait to publish in case I need to edit with further clarifications. That way, I can post several chapters once it's clear all readers, that want to, have had a chance to weigh in. I really appreciate all the reviews and analysis. Honestly! I'm also so glad no body wants to choke me over that last chapter. It just seemed like the most logical reason why he'd go silent.

Chapter 18

It was an odd that Tora had asked to walk a Takumi down to his car, but Misaki wasn't going to look a gift horse in the mouth. From the second Tora had arrived home, the question occupying Misaki's mind was how to hide all those dresses and accessories scattered about their bedroom before a Tora saw them. It wasn't that she wanted to keep secrets from him, but she knew he was on edge and he was suspicious of Takumi's motives. She didn't want to have a fight about it right before this business engagement. Besides, she didn't plan on keeping these clothes so was it so very wrong not to tell Tora about them tonight? In reality, she was just tidying up their bedroom, right? She'd put all these new things away, out of site, because she'd been negligent scattering them about. She wasn't exactly trying to hide anything.

She kept out the one outfit she would be wearing tonight. She was planning to tell Tora that Sakura had lent it to her for the evening and that she'd found the accessories on sale. Okay. Maybe this was a little lie, but Tora was acting a bit unreasonable about Takumi. He'd had only been in Japan for a couple of days and he should be flying home soon. What was the big deal about playing cards with him and letting him do a little cooking? Misaki's mouth started to water at the thought of his cooking. Yep. She definitely couldn't see why letting him cook should be an issue. Since he seemed to like it so much, maybe she could let him prepare a week's worth of meals before he left and she could store them in the freezer. It was important that she help entertain business associates of Tora's, after all, and letting him play around in her kitchen all day was just a way of being polite.

Misaki stuffed the last of the boxes in the far corner of her closet behind several long coats. That should work for now. She'd come up with a better spot once she had the apartment to herself. She looked at her watch. Takumi must have parked a ways away. It was taking Tora a while to get back. Misaki remembered that she hadn't taken her shower yet today. She had been woken up at 11:45 and was stuck entertaining a guest all day so she just hadn't had time. She'd better hurry. She still had to do her hair and makeup and…wasn't there something Tora had asked her to do? She couldn't remember what it was but she had been reminded of it when Takumi was leaving. What was it? Wipe that damn kiss off her check? Stupid perverted space alien! What the hell was that about?

Misaki was in the shower when Tora got back to the apartment. He was glad she couldn't see him. He was still pretty angry and he didn't want her to see it. He took his tux out of the closet and laid it on the bed. He noticed her phone laying on the bed as well. It was out of batteries. Of course. He brought it to the night stand and plugged it in. He reached up and rubbed his chin. He should shave before getting changed. He knocked lightly on the bathroom door, "Misa," he asked, "would it be alright if I shave while you finish up in the shower?"

"Of course. The doors unlocked," she called back.

When he walked in, he could see her beautiful frame through the frosted glass shower doors. All of his anger disappeared. Why would he be angry at a Takumi. He had the girl. She was right here before him and he was the luckiest guy on the planet. If anything, he should pity Takumi. Takumi was the one other man that could fully comprehend just how amazing she was. To have had her and have lost her... it was really quite the tragedy. "I love you Misa." He said as he pulled out his razor and shaving cream.

She smiled. He was truly a great guy. "I love you too, Tora."

As Tora started to shave his mind wandered back to Takumi's accusation that he was stealing or editing Misaki's memories. He still had her journal. Had he been wrong to keep it from her? He was so afraid that she wasn't emotionally strong enough to deal with those pages, but was that really the only reason he had kept it from her? Was it fair for him to decide when she was ready to know her past? If he returned the journal, would she truly crumble and fall into hopeless despair? No. she was no longer the young girl she was three and a half years ago. That girl hadn't been able to envision a life without Takumi. The woman before him had already lived a life without a Takumi. He didn't know how it would change their relationship. He didn't know the level of emotional toil it would take on her. But he knew he had to give her back her journal.

"Misa," he said as he finished up shaving and used a warm towel to remove any remaining traces of shaving cream, "I was hoping after the dinner tonight we could talk." They had to leave for dinner in 30 minutes. There was not enough time to do this now and it would be wrong to subject her to emotional turmoil right before they had to attend this engagement.

"We can talk right now if you'd like," she suggested. She had just gotten out of the shower and was wrapping herself in a towel.

"Well," he said, "it is a rather serious conversation. I would prefer to discuss it with you when we have more time." He splashed after shave on his checks and walked toward the bedroom as he unbuttoned his shirt.

"Is this about a Takumi?" Misaki asked. She hoped not. That topic was becoming a bit exhausting.

"No." Tora replied. "I mean he said something when I walked him out to his car that made me think of it, but no. This is something I should have talked to you about before."

Misaki's mind was swirling. 'Oh my God. He's going to propose!' The last time he had asked her to marry him, she'd told him to wait until they had been dating at least 4 years. It would be 4 years in a few months but this jelousy he was feeling toward Takumi must have prompted him to throw caution to the wind and step up his proposal. Was she ready? Did she want to say yes? Her mind was reeling. What about Takumi? Wait. Why would he figure into this? He was just some guy she used to date that she'd hung out with for a few days recently. Why would he matter any? But her memories. What if she was confused? What if her memories of a Tora were actually memories of Takumi? Would that really matter? She had spent a year and a half post comma and rehab with a Tora. Regardless of their relationship before, she knew that he was a good, caring, wonderful human being. She knew that he would never hurt her. Never lie to her. Never keep things from her. The hidden dresses caused an ache in the pit of her stomach. She felt guilty suddenly for trying to hide something from him.

She went to the sink and pulled out the hair dryer. Right now wasn't the time for all this. She needed to get ready and she'd have all dinner to think about her feelings and what she'd say to him when he asked her to be his wife.

"Hey Misa," Tora popped his head into the bathroom. She turned off the hair dryer so she could hear him. "You're phone just chirped. You have a text. Want me to check it for you."

"Yes. Thanks." Her hair was nearly dry but she still had her makeup. She couldn't be distracted by texts.

Tora picked up her phone. The text was from Takumi. 'I'll be there to get you in 15 minutes. I left my car near your place because I'd had a drink but it's been an hour now so I'll be fine to drive.'

"Misa," Tora popped his head into the bathroom once again. She was doing her makeup now. "Did you remember to tell Takumi I'd drive you to dinner?"

Crap. That was the thing she'd forgotten.