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Chapter 30: Surprise #2

Misaki walked through the mist, wondering where she was. Her bare feet felt cold and mud oozed between her toes. Misaki could see her breath as she exhaled. Her hand lightly touched the cracked stone wall.

"Mommy?" a voice whispered.

Misaki looked around. "Where are you?" she called back.

"Mommy?"

"Hello?"

"Mommy..."

Misaki gasped as a tiny child materialized before her.

"Mommy..." he sang.

He smiled and fangs appeared. Misaki jerked back, stumbling and falling backwards.

"I'm hungry," the child rasped, leering at her.

Misaki tried to get away but she was stuck in the mud. "Help!" she cried out. "HELP!"

"Mommy... Misaki..."

"No!" Misaki screamed as she felt herself sinking into the mud. "No!"

"Misaki..."

"Get away from me!"

"Misaki!"

"Misaki!"

Misaki jerked up, clenching the blanket to herself.

"Misaki," Takumi said, keeping his hand on her leg.

Misaki's breathing was ragged as she looked around.

"You were yelling in your sleep," Takumi said. "Were you having a bad dream?"

Misaki swallowed, unable to form words.

"You're okay," Takumi soothed. "It was just a dream. It's not real, honey. Here have some water," he said, passing her the glass by the bedside.

Misaki chugged down the water before her dry mouth started to moisten again.

"You want to talk about it?" Takumi asked, laying back down on his side.

Misaki cringed. "I had a horrible dream where I had a vampire baby..."

Takumi nodded with a straight face. "I see..."

"He looked so creepy," Misaki said, leaning against the headboard.

Takumi had all the lights on and Misaki's speeding heart rate was beginning to slow.

"You probably shouldn't have watched that movie then," Takumi said, rubbing her leg.

"But that was during the day..."

"It's still on your mind," Takumi reminded her. He stifled a yawn. "Don't worry, sweetheart. I assure you our baby isn't a vampire."

"Comforting..." Misaki said, wiping her sweaty hands on her pajama pants. "Are you tired...?" she asked, poking the half asleep Takumi.

"Not if you don't want me to be..."

"Can you make me some hot cocoa?" Misaki asked.

"Yes I can," Takumi said, opening his eyes. "You want it in bed or in the kitchen?"

"I'll come with you," Misaki said, sliding out from under the covers and wrapped her robe around herself.

Takumi slid on his glasses and robe and they walked downstairs together.

"How's our baby?" he asked, gently stroking Misaki's stomach.

"Hungry... I think..." Misaki said. "At least I am..."

Takumi good humoredly made Misaki a steaming mug of hot chocolate and a plate of buttered toast.

"I'm so sorry," Misaki said, through a mouthful of toast. "It's 4 am..."

Takumi had a glint in his eye. "You can make it up to me, Misa Chan," he said, happily. "I love surprises," he added.

"Really...?" Misaki asked.

"Really!" Takumi winked. "But you can't do rose petals. I already did that."

"But I don't have any good ideas-"

"You won't know until you try!"

"Fine," Misaki said, after finishing the last sip. "You'll be so surprised that you will be speechless," she promised.

Surprising Takumi was easier said then done. Misaki realized she didn't have a single good idea so she need her friends' help.

"What's the occasion?" Ruri asked.

They were all at Sakura's for a brunch. Misaki knew her friends would have better ideas than her.

"Well..." Misaki said. "He surprised me last time with this very romantic evening and now I want to do the same back."

"Details!" Sakura ordered.

Misaki blushed as she told them about the candles, the rose petals and the spa idea.

"Whoa!" Ruri said. "Full body massage?"

Misaki nodded.

"Romantic food, music, wooing..." Ruri ticked off on her fingers. "He went ALL out... I need to get Tora to come up with something like that."

Sakura agreed. "It's a classic candle light evening with roses. I didn't expect Misaki to be the kind of girl to like that kind of thing."

"I didn't either," Misaki admitted. "But it was just so romantic. Everything was just so laid back and relaxing. You just kind of end up going with the flow..."

"Uh huh..." Sakura said, tapping her chin. "So you have to top that..."

"Hmm..." Ruri said. She snapped her fingers together. "You have to cook," she said.

Misaki cringed. "My cooking will ruin the evening," she informed them.

"So cook something good," Ruri said as if it was obvious.

"I can't!" Misaki exclaimed. "I almost set the kitchen on fire last time!"

"But Takumi would be so touched if you made him a meal."

"He'd be in the hospital..."

"Misaki!" Sakura said, laughing. "You could dress up like a maid and serve him his meal. I think Takumi would get a kick out of that..."

"Ugh..." Misaki groaned. "No one lets me forget about the maid thing."

"But that's where you met Takumi," Sakura cooed, clapping her hands together.

"Reenact your first meeting?" Ruri suggested.

"That was me yelling at him..." Misaki mumbled under her breath.

"Okay, scratch that," Ruri said. "Maybe you could dance with him."

"The maid to the lady!" Sakura added. "You could leave and then change into a gorgeous dress and have music going."

"And then you two can slow dance and talk in fancy English..." Ruri continued.

"Then!" Sakura said. "The music fades and you can have blankets laid out on the floor with chocolate covered cherries or something."

Misaki tapped her nails on the table. "It just seems so complicated. Takumi's just flowed right to the other so naturally."

"Nope," Sakura said, popping the "p" sound. "He had it all planned out. He made you think he was just going with the flow but I'd bet my white gold hoop earrings that Takumi knew what he was doing."

Misaki sighed. "Okay... I'll come up with something."

"You'll knock his pants off!" Sakura encouraged.

Ruri laughed and Misaki blushed.

During the week, Misaki kept thinking about what to do for Takumi. She knew it had to be on Friday because Takumi had a meeting that day so he'd be home late- which gave Misaki the most time to get ready.

Misaki couldn't risk spoiling everything with her rancid cooking. She ordered sushi instead and arranged the plates on the coffee table. Beside the table, she spread out large blanket and a couple pillows.

The last part consisted of Misaki once again dressing up as a maid. She absolutely refused to let Ruri pick out a maid outfit for her knowing that the outfit would probably not have very much fabric.

After considerate thinking, Misaki choose a short but still modest dress with a ruffled apron. It had a sweetheart neckline and bejeweled straps. Her hair was just left down and pulled back by the headpiece.

"Welcome back, Master," Misaki chirped as Takumi walked through the door.

That got a smile out of him as he slowly closed the door.

"May I take your jacket?" Misaki asked, holding out her arms.

Takumi, without a word, took it off and handed it to her. Misaki hung the jacket up.

"This way, Master," she said, cheerfully. "I have prepared your dinner."

Misaki guided Takumi over to her coffee table of food.

"Did you make this?" Takumi asked, winking.

Misaki tried not to roll her eyes. "Misa Chan is not that talented in the kitchen," she said through her teeth.

Takumi kissed her on the cheek and sat down. Misaki sat down next to him and poured him a glass of wine. She was about to stand up when Takumi laid a hand on her shoulder.

"Don't tire yourself out," Takumi said. "Master wants you to sit down and eat with him."

Misaki smiled and nodded. Takumi scanned the plates of sushi.

"Here," he said, holding one out with his chopsticks.

Misaki opened her mouth and Takumi fed it to her.

"How does it taste...?"

Misaki swallowed. "Good... Here let me," she said, picking up her own chopsticks.

Takumi quietly observed as Misaki picked up a sushi roll and held it out to him. He gently took it and quietly chewed. They took turns feeding each other but mostly stayed silent. Takumi kept trying to make eye contact with Misaki but she kept looking away.

"You know," Takumi said, sipping his wine. "You'd never have done this for me back in high school."

Misaki blushed. "I suppose we're a little closer now..."

Takumi drained his glass and set it on the table.

"I say we're very close," he said, good humoredly.

Misaki filled his glass again and held it out to him.

"Well, I am kind of having your baby..."

"Uh huh..." Takumi said, taking another sip. "Are you trying to drug me?" he asked when Misaki filled his glass again.

"No," Misaki said, setting the bottle down on the table. "Besides, I thought you could handle a few drinks."

"I bet you're trying to get me drunk for your little evil plan," Takumi teased.

"I don't have an evil plan," Misaki said, placing her hand over his.

Takumi placed his other hand over her's.

"You look just like you did in high school," Takumi said. "You haven't aged a day."

Misaki frowned. "That's something cute you say to me when I'm 40... I'm not even 30 yet!"

Takumi chuckled. "What ever," he said. "You're beautiful."

Misaki blushed and stood up, gently pulling Takumi up too.

"Wait here," she said, dropping his hands.

Misaki hurried into the bathroom and changed into the dress hanging behind the door. Misaki took off the head piece and put her hair into a messy bun with a floral head band.

Taking a deep breath," Misaki walked back to the living room. Takumi thought Misaki looked like an angel in her pearly white dress. Misaki took his hand and pressed the remote behind her back. Soft music began playing from the speakers.

"The last time we danced was at our wedding," Misaki reminded him. "I hated dancing but I don't mind when it's with you," she said, shyly.

Takumi smiled and took her hand.

"May I have the honor of this dance then?"

"Yes..."

They slowly moved around the open space in their living room. After a while it wasn't really dancing anymore, more like swaying in place. Misaki pressed her cheek to Takumi's chest as they swayed to the lulling music.

"This feeling is just like our first dance together as man and wife," Takumi said, softly. "I could only see you. I had you memorized. Your hair was curled and pinned to the side. You had your mom's pearl earrings and flawless make up on. Your dress was one of a kind. You won't be able to find a duplicate in the entire world... Just like you, one of a kind. "

Misaki squeezed Takumi's hand.

"I'm suppose to be wooing you with the romantic memories," she sighed.

Takumi smiled. "Tell me how you felt then," he encouraged.

"It's not romantic at all..." Misaki muttered. "I kept worrying if I'd step on your foot or if I'd trip over my dress. I also felt my hands get really sweaty so I kept wiping them on the shoulder of your tux-"

Takumi laughed. "You really are one of a kind, Misaki," he said.

Misaki just smiled and turned off the music. "Let's sit down," she said, pulling him over back to the coffee table. "How about we play a game?"

"I like games," Takumi said, sitting cross legged on the ground. "Tell me."

Misaki pretended to think about it. "I'll ask you a question. If you get it wrong… you have to drink," Misaki decided, filling up his glass.

"And if I get it right?"

"What do you want the prize to be?" Misaki asked.

"You have to feed me a chocolate covered cherry...with your mouth," Takumi decided.

"What's the population of Australia?"

"What?" Takumi asked. "What kind of question is that?!"

"My question," Misaki said, smirking.

"I have no idea…"

"22.68 million," Misaki said, smugly handing him the glass.

Takumi just shook his head and took a few sips. "That's not fair."

"Its very fair," Misaki said, smiling. "Ready for your next question?"

"Sure,"

"What's my blood type?"

"B," Takumi said, confidently. "Cherry please."

Misaki glared at him and gently put a cherry between her teeth. She leaned over and fed it to him.

"I like this game," Takumi decided. "Next question please."

"My biggest fear?"

"Heh… ghosts that aren't real."

"Favorite food?"

"Curry rice- extra spicey… where are you getting these questions from," Takumi asked, taking a cherry from Misaki's mouth.

Misaki blushed. "Sakura and Ruri came up with a whole list. I'm just picking and choosing."

"Let me pick one," Takumi said, stealing Misaki's phone from under the table.

"Hey!"

"If it's about you, I bet I can answer every one of them," Takumi said, confidently.

"That's not true!"

"This is like the couples game we played at our one year party," Takumi said, scrolling through the pages. "See, Ruri even linked the game below if we want to play."

Misaki felt her eye twitch. "GIVE ME THE PHONE!"

"Nope," Takumi said, looking at the questions. "Okay, question #1-"

"I don't want to play!"

"What's one secret you've been too embarrassed to tell me?"

"I'm not telling you!"

"Have you ever stalked me?"

"You're the stalker!"

"I want to know the secret question," Takumi decided.

He leaned his face really close to Misaki's.

"What is one secret...you've been too embarrassed to tell me…?" he whispered.

"I don't have any secrets!"

"Everyone has secrets…"

"Fine, what's your's then," Misaki said, crossing her arms.

"Tell you mine if you tell me your's."

"No!" Misaki said, blushing.

"Oh, so you do have an embarrassing secret," Takumi said, amused.

"No!"

"Denial…" Takumi sang. "Tell me, baby,"

"Why do you care?!" Misaki said, backing up a little.

"I care about everything if it has to do with you," Takumi said, moving closer.

"Its nothing,"

"What's nothing?"

"Nothing is...nothing. Its not even technically a secret because a lot of people knew-"

"But I didn't?"

"No…"

"When was this?"

"My bachelorette party…" Misaki muttered under her breath.

Takumi raised an eyebrow. "This is going to be good. What's the secret? I promise I won't be mad."

"I think you would. How do you feel about a male stripper?" Misaki squeaked out.

A pause.

"Was he good looking?"

"TAKUMI!" Misaki exclaimed, smacking him over the head. She paused. "I actually don't remember what he looked like. I was too drunk to remember anything actually…" she admitted. "Its all just blurry memories."

Takumi just grinned. "Good."

"Why aren't you mad?"

"Because I think its funny. My poor wife… I'm guessing Ruri and Sakura have pictures?"

"NO!"

Takumi tsked. "And I thought you didn't like that stuff considering how shy you are in bed," he teased.

"I don't like that stuff!" Misaki argued, red in the face. "It was all Ruri and Sakura!"

"Its okay if you have that guilty pleasure," Takumi said, patting her head. "I'll even indulge you…"

"Takumi, stop it!" Misaki ordered as Takumi dramatically pulled his shirt over his head while making weird faces.

"Like the view?"

"SHUT UP YOU PERVERT AND KEEP YOUR CLOTHES ON!"