Chapter 12: Family Visit
"Amelia…" Howard Wolfe's voice called out. Amelia rolled over, seeing her father sitting beside her bed. He reached out his hand, smile on his face. She heard the ringing of a phone. At first it was faint, but then it grew louder. Her father looked over at her ringing cell phone. Amelia looked at her father tiredly as he put a hand on her arm.
"It's time to get up darling," he replied sweetly. The ringing got louder and even louder.
"Imai wake up."
"Imai," Isao's voice whispered, shaking her gently. Amelia's eyes opened, seeing Isao at the side of her bed smiling. Amelia sat up slowly yawning.
"What time is it? It's Sunday," she groaned. Isao smile widened.
"Your friends are here to pick you up," Isao mentioned. Amelia's eyes widened, waking up and looking at him.
"Friends?" she repeated in confusion.
"Yes they're downstairs. They said they were picking you up to see one of your other friends," Isao explained. He walked to the door. "I have breakfast to go and coffee in a travel mug downstairs on the kitchen counter."
Amelia watched Isao in confusion as he left. She got up from her bed in her tank top and sleep pants, peeking out of her room. Kyoya, Tamaki, Honey and Mori were downstairs in the living room. Isao greeted them offering them coffee. She furrowed her brows. Where's…?
"Morning Imai!" the twins popped in front of her causing her to jump. She rolled her eyes pulling them into her room.
"Whoa!" they laughed as she closed the door behind them. Amelia crossed her arms about her chest.
"What are you guys doing here without telling me? Isn't this my day off?" Amelia questioned tiredly.
"Milord wants to go to Haruhi's house," Hikaru replied.
"He kind of insisted we go see where she lives," Kaoru added. Amelia looked between them bewildered.
"So…you come by without calling me?" Amelia questioned.
"We did call you," the twins replied. "Isao picked up your cell and told us to come in if we were coming by."
He's letting the twins in the house without asking me first? That's odd for him, Amelia thought. She rubbed her eyes tiredly.
"Looks like you just got up. I wouldn't wear that outside if I were you," Hikaru mentioned, pointing to her black fitting tank top and sleep pants. Amelia rolled her eyes.
"Fine let me get changed," Amelia groaned. The twins looked at each other and grinned.
"We can help you change," they grinned mischievously. They started going through her closet and her drawers. She watched not knowing what to do until they threw black jeans at her, a purple tank top, a gray sweater and her black knee high boots.
"This'll work. Now we can help you change!" they insisted but she grabbed them dragging to the door.
"I have a better idea…wait outside," she pushed.
"Aww, do you want to keep your feminine physique a secret?" Hikaru grinned mischievously.
"I think she doesn't want us to have our hands all over her Hikaru," Kaoru added with the same grin.
"We promise if you show us we won't tell," the twins teased. Amelia turned red, opening the door and pushing them out. She closed and locked the door behind her.
Those two have way too much wishful thinking… she thought as she grabbed the clothes the twins threw at her and changed quickly. She added her wolf necklace, a bracelet and earrings, scrunching her hair so it's not straight and her short black wool coat before heading out.
…
After the summer, it seemed like the days were getting slower, especially after Halloween. She could feel autumn creeping into winter. Thankfully after vacation, she and Tamaki made up after the beach incident. She didn't have to worry about him having weird moods around her. Hikaru and Kaoru even on the weekends were starting to get bored. Closer towards the winter season that they have been asking her to come over. However, she had her own things to worry about, catching up with homework seemed to be the biggest reason (especially in her music studies).
Amelia rode with the twins after eating her breakfast rather quickly. She tried to wake up with coffee but it wasn't that fast. Finally, they arrived in a rather casual, common suburban neighborhood. She got out of the car joining the others outside of the apartments. The rest of the Host Club members stared in awe at the complex. Amelia started noticing people gathering from the area. It was starting to make her nervous.
"What's with the cars?" the people asked amongst themselves.
"Wow that's a lot of rooms!" Honey exclaimed.
"Haruhi's unit is only one of the rooms," Kyoya corrected. Tamaki was pacing, glancing irritably at the others.
"Kyoya why did you invite EVERYONE?!" the king questioned frustrated. It was bad enough he was nervous. Amelia rolled her eyes at their behavior. Haruhi coming down the sidewalk with a few grocery bags. Amelia noticed, swallowing hard at Haruhi's furious expression.
"Uh guys…" she started to warn but they were ignoring her.
"Don't use words cramped, crumbling, or miserable! We are here to visit and we don't want to be kicked out of Haruhi's home," Tamaki ordered in a matter of fact way.
"Go home!" Haruhi growled, her face fuming. Amelia was the only one that seemed to be calm and almost equally annoyed. The guys looked at Haruhi seeing her rather feminine plaid patterned jacket.
"The beauty of simplicity!" the boys chimed giving Haruhi thumbs up for her fashion sense, avoiding the anger.
"Shut up! Get lost!" Haruhi growled, ignoring their compliment.
"Well looks like your plans failed miserably and I got up way too early on my day off," Amelia sighed. She was about to call for her driver, until Tamaki convinced the landlady that they were friends of Haruhi. Within a few seconds she was taken in by his charm and allowed the whole group to be let in. Kyoya walked up in front.
"Apartment 203," Kyoya announced as the group started up the stairs. Amelia sighed looking at Haruhi.
"Sorry about this…" Amelia apologized standing next to her. "They can be insistent sometimes."
"You have no idea…" Haruhi groaned as she and Amelia walked next to each other.
"Okay one peak and then go home got it?" Haruhi ordered plainly.
"But we brought cake! Strawberry and chocolate," Honey grinned.
"Fine we eat cake, then you go home," Haruhi gave in, opening her door and letting herself in with the others following behind. Tamaki seemed to instantly relax.
"If you don't mind take your shoes off, there's tatami mats so just be careful," Haruhi asked politely. Amelia took off her boots, putting them closer to the door, taking off her jacket and hanging it up. Haruhi went into the kitchen starting to make some tea, as the others seemed to be searching the house until she ordered them to go in the sitting room. The guys all hugged their legs.
"It'll conserve space if we sit like this," Tamaki chimed. Amelia looked at all of them halfway amused before the twins grabbed her making her sit between them.
"I can't believe you guys are fascinated by an apartment. At least hers is bigger than a townhouse where my mother used to live…" Amelia sighed. "You guys are so sheltered."
"I'm going to make some tea," Haruhi announced kind of reluctantly. Hikaru and Kaoru looked over taking a bag out of their jacket pocket.
"Here why don't you try this? It's tea from Africa," Hikaru suggested handing Haruhi the bag.
"Thanks," Haruhi said, taking it from them.
"It goes great with milk. Do you have some?" Kaoru asked smiling.
"I do have milk…but…" Haruhi began looking out thoughtfully. She started working around the kitchen. Amelia got up.
"Here let me help," she insisted before the twins could grab her. She made her way into the kitchen taking directions from Haruhi on where the cups were. Amelia tried to ignore the frantic whispering behind them. She watched Haruhi as she set up a tray of cups and a teapot.
"You sure you're okay with them here?" Amelia questioned in a whisper. Haruhi shrugged.
"If I don't indulge them they're just going to keep insisting on coming over until they see it," Haruhi sighed she grabbed the whistling tea kettle pouring the tea as Amelia poured the milk.
"Yeah I guess you're right on that one," Amelia giggled.
"Wait Haruhi, that wasn't actually a gift. Can I have it back?" Hikaru suddenly intervened. Amelia turned around raising a brow at him.
"I already poured some," Haruhi showed with the cups steaming with new tea.
"Oh well…never mind," the twins accepted.
"Weird," Amelia scoffed, helping Haruhi carry another tray of cups to the sitting area and handing them out to half of the group while Haruhi was at the other half.
"There you go guys," Amelia commented, handing two to the twins, grabbing one for herself, sitting herself between Hikaru and Kyoya.
"Sorry they're not all Japanese tea cups," Haruhi apologized.
"Pick your cake Haru!" Honey exclaimed, opening the box of cakes. Haruhi picked strawberry and Amelia looked over seeing the twins and Tamaki acting anxious but not saying anything.
"Is there something wrong with those three?" Amelia questioned to Kyoya leaning over as she sipped her tea.
"They're making a competition out of everything…including manners," Kyoya whispered. "Just ignore them it's their way of having fun apparently."
She could see the boys being all red, staring at Haruhi. She laughed a bit. She realized that they were all a little sweet on Haruhi. Although…it seemed odd that the twins as well as Tamaki were sweet on Haruhi. Am I…? Amelia started to question but then shrugged it off. Maybe it was just a phase. The others finished their cake ignoring the three lunatics. Honey sighed in satisfaction.
"Ah that cake sure made me hungry," he commented. Amelia's stomach rumbled. Honey looked at her.
"Amelia did you not eat cake?" Honey asked.
"No…" she admitted looking embarrassed.
"Well it's past noon by now," Hikaru mentioned.
"What's for lunch?" the twins and Tamaki chimed in unison.
"We'll pay for lunch since we did drop by without warning," Kyoya offered, reaching into his pocket for a credit card. "Just order some sushi, anything you want. It's coming out of the profits of your photos."
"Well if that's what you want. There is a sushi shop nearby," Haruhi mentioned as she headed towards the phone. Amelia looked over noticing Tamaki writing a note and passing it to Haruhi. She grabbed more tea rolling her eyes. What is he up to now?
Haruhi tossed the note in the trash looking very annoyed at Tamaki.
"I know that idiot," she growled flatly.
"I was trying not to embarrass you!" Tamaki fussed.
"What if you made us something instead of ordering Haru?" Honey asked delightfully.
"That's…fine but it'll take a while. And I'll have to go to the supermarket for ingredients…again," Haruhi mentioned.
"We'll go with you!" the others announced.
"We want to shop with the commoners," the twins grinned in excitement.
Amelia sighed, sipping the rest of her tea before grabbing her coat, putting on her boots and following the others out the door.
"Yay! Commoner's supermarket! Commoners supermarket!" the twins sang as they ran down the stairs. Amelia buttoned up her jacket as she followed the others tiredly.
"Hey Imai, you think they have instant coffee?" Hikaru asked.
She didn't seem to be paying attention. Something was bothering her. Why was she feeling off about them being so anxious with Haruhi? I mean the others only approached her door when she left early or they had to apologize. Not actually to stay over for company. What makes Haruhi so different other than she's a "commoner"? Would they be any different to her if she lived in a small apartment?
Probably not, everyone would just feel sorry for her and make her feel bad like they would with Haruhi, Amelia concluded as she brushed by a rather sharply dressed woman by accident.
"Oh I'm sorry," she mumbled.
"Don't mind me," Ranka remarked, passing them to the stairs of the apartment complex. Kyoya looked back and furrowed his brows.
"Are Tamaki and Haruhi not coming?" he questioned. He noticed Ranka standing at the door of Apartment 203 before walking in.
"Hold on, did that person just go into Haruhi's house?" Kaoru mentioned. The whole group stopped walking to the supermarket immediately heading back to the apartment.
Sure enough, it was Haruhi's cross dressing father, and Tamaki was already making a fool of himself.
…
Tamaki insisted on staying away from the group as they sat around the sitting room making introductions Haruhi's father, Ranka.
"You're Mitsukuni and Mori the third years, Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin the first years right? Unfortunately I can't tell which one is which. I heard a lot about you," Ranka grinned.
"So Haruhi told you about us?" Kaoru asked.
"Nope, I heard a lot about you through Kyoya emailing me and calling on the phone!" Ranka grinned happily. "You're even more handsome in person."
"You're more beautiful as well Ranka," Kyoya complimented.
"Dad! You were talking to Kyoya behind my back?!" Haruhi yelled angrily. Amelia sat between Haruhi and Hikaru. She could understand why Haruhi was upset.
"Haruhi you're so cute when you're angry!" Ranka doted, grabbing Haruhi and forcing her into a hug. Amelia giggled a bit.
"I'm going to go to the supermarket," Haruhi announced, breaking off from Ranka's grip. "I'm shopping alone, so stay here and behave."
"Hey Haruhi! We want to go-" Hikaru yelled but the door slammed behind Haruhi finalizing the argument.
"Don't worry about her, she always wants to do things on her own," Ranka mentioned. "Sometimes I wish she was more dependent on me. But I'm grateful that she has you, she seems to be doing well. She's actually happy at school. And it helps that you even though she looks like a boy, you see her as a cute girl. Right Tamaki Suoh?"
Tamaki came out of his hiding spot in Haruhi's closet, grinning.
"But you still thought she was a boy, yes? And even smacked her on the head. You are unbelievable, the worst," Ranka spat calmly. Tamaki ran out the door in tears.
Ranka looked at Amelia.
"Although even though Haruhi has all of you around, it's nice to see she has a female friend as well," Ranka mentioned. Amelia looked over, realizing Ranka was talking about her. "Amelia Wolfe? Howard Wolfe's daughter? A lot of my clients love his music success. You're basically a celebrity. And those covers you did on the magazines were nothing but exquisite."
Ranka grinned. Amelia laughed.
"Thank you. Really," Amelia thanked smiling back.
"Maybe Haruhi can learn from your female fashion sense hm?" Ranka asked with a smiled. "Until then, everyone are you up for some fun?"
…
Amelia followed the others as Ranka insisted that "fun" was basically a stalking game. They followed Tamaki and Haruhi all the way to the supermarket. Everyone then split doing their own thing in the store. Amelia stood next to Ranka, watching as the club split into various pairs.
"Sometimes I wonder if they are way too easily entertained or just extremely sheltered," Amelia commented. Ranka giggled watching Haruhi and Tamaki.
"Oh Amelia, Kyoya told me about your background when I asked why another girl was in the club. I didn't realize you were in the same situation as my daughter," Ranka mentioned. "He said that you were living with a caretaker."
"Yeah, Isao takes care of Dad's estate while I'm gone," Amelia informed. Ranka crossed his arms across his chest.
"What about your mother? I heard in the news that your father passed away, is she not with you?" Ranka asked.
"Mom is away on business. She works in entertainment but requires more traveling. It's how Dad and her divorced. They just…couldn't see each other. Dad didn't want me traveling all the time so apparently he didn't require Mom to take me in after he died," Amelia replied. Ranka teared up.
"So you're all alone?" Ranka questioned, crying. Amelia looked at him, immediately putting up her hands.
"Oh I'm sorry I don't need sympathy!" she replied hastily. She turned back to the others, smiling as she watched the twins.
"Besides…I don't feel alone all the time," Amelia mentioned. Ranka noticed her line of sight, smiling in return.
"So, you have a thing for those two, hm?" Ranka teased. Amelia blushed hard and laughed nervously.
"No, no! They just…helped me a lot is all. Besides even if I did I don't think they'd notice. They seem to be having eyes on others anyway," Amelia concluded, as she watched the twins. Ranka giggled a bit and winked at her.
"Whatever you say darling, but I think some people might surprise you," Ranka mentioned as the members gathered in front of the store. Haruhi began collecting her things and heading out the door after paying. Amelia followed far behind.
Might surprise me huh? I'll believe it when I see it…
…
After that crazy exhausting day, the twins dropped her off at her house.
"Thanks guys, I'll see you tomorrow," Amelia informed as she hopped out of the car.
"You sure you don't want to come over?" Hikaru asked. "We can play a few games if you want."
"Is one of them letting your mother dress me up?" Amelia questioned looking amused. Kaoru looked behind her noticing an unfamiliar car.
"Hey Amelia, who's car is that?" Kaoru asked pointing at a rather cheap looking Honda. Amelia turned around in confusion as she spotted a parked car next to her drivers limo.
"Uh…not sure," Amelia replied in confusion.
"AMELIA!" Gina, Amelia's mother, sang from the side yard. Isao was following her from behind. Amelia looked over, eyes widening.
"Mom? What are you doing here? I thought you were in San Diego?" Amelia questioned. The twins hopped out of the car, leaning on the car.
"Looks like that's Amelia's mother," Hikaru observed.
"I can see a bit of a resemblance," Kaoru whispered back. Gina was shorter than Amelia, fair skin, she had the same eyes and facial features, and bright auburn hair that she cut short in a pixie cut. She was dressed in business clothes as if she just got off of work. Definitely cut from the same cloth.
"I had another few days off from the business trip so I figured I would give you something before I head to Hong Kong tomorrow. Maybe we can order dinner here later?" Gina suggested smiling at her, giving Amelia a wrapped package. She glanced noticing the twins.
"Amelia? Who are your friends?" she questioned. Amelia blushed glancing behind her and laughing nervously.
"Oh right. This is Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin," Amelia introduced pointing at each of them. The twins took Gina's hand shaking it with a grin.
"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Wolfe," the twins greeted. "Now we know where Amelia's good looks come from."
"Oh please it's Miss Pinto or Gina. I haven't been called Mrs. Wolfe in a very long time. And I am very flattered," Gina greeted, accepting their handshake. "But I honestly think she looks more like her father than me."
"You're welcome Miss Pinto," they grinned.
The twins laughed a bit politely. Amelia looked between them nervously.
"Well if you two don't mind do you want to join us for dinner?" Gina asked.
"We would but we have some things to take care of," Hikaru mentioned. Amelia looked at them rather confused.
"We don't mind honest," Amelia tried.
"It's okay Imai, spend time with you're mom, we'll talk to you tomorrow," Kaoru insisted. Gina grinned.
"I'll see what menus you have. I'll be inside while you say goodbye to your friends," Gina mentioned going inside with Isao. Amelia walked up to the twins as they headed back into the car.
"Wait, you guys don't have to run off," Amelia insisted, peeking into the car that was still open. "I'm sure she'll like you."
"Imai it's fine," Hikaru smiled. "Go spend time with your mom."
"But…" Amelia swallowed and Kaoru put a finger on her lips.
"You don't get to see her. We can talk about your visit with her later," Kaoru insisted.
"We promise we'll visit the next time she's over okay?" the twins offered. Amelia suddenly blushed.
"Promise?" she asked.
"Promise," the twins replied. "Now go have fun!"
The twins gently pushed her out of the car, closing the door and opening the window.
"See you tomorrow!" they called out as they drove off. Amelia waved her hand as they left before going back into the house.
…
"Those boys seemed nice," Gina mentioned as they ate take out in the sitting room rather late that night. "I think I've heard of Hitachiin. What is their mother's line of work?"
"Fashion I think," Amelia replied.
"That's right, I was covering a fashion run in Paris and her line was there. Nice lady, met her in person," Gina smiled. Amelia smiled as she ate.
"I haven't met her yet," Amelia admitted.
"The boys look just like her now that I think about it, maybe they got their manners from her too," Gina commented. Amelia laughed a bit. Only I know that this isn't their normal behavior. She has no idea of their frequent mischief.
"How is the estate? Getting used to it here?" Gina inquired looking around. "I forgot how big this place was."
"I'm fine. Isao is here and the Dad's old servants," Amelia answered. Gina smiled slightly.
"How are you holding up with him gone?" Gina asked almost sadly.
"Mom…I'm fine," Amelia replied lightly.
"Look Amelia, I'm just making sure you're all right, you know that. I know being alone for you is rough. I just want to make sure you're doing fine in Japan. I'm just sorry I'm not around a lot," Gina admitted sadly.
"I don't mind Mom. You have to work. I understand," Amelia reassured. "Besides you and Dad were right. Ouran Academy really is a good school and…I really enjoy it there."
"You seem to be making a lot of friends from the emails you sent me," Gina laughed. "And getting involved with clubs and things."
Amelia laughed a bit. Gina leaned in hugging her tightly.
"I love you Amelia. You always do so much without even realizing it. I'm proud of you for taking this step. And…you're growing a lot from it," Gina complimented. Amelia hugged her back.
"Thanks mom," Amelia thanked. Gina stretched and yawned.
"I might hit the hay early. My flight is at 5am tomorrow so I probably should get sleep unless I want to accidentally miss the flight," Gina informed, getting up and collecting the bowls. She kissed Amelia's head before clearing the dishes and heading up to a spare bedroom. Amelia waved to her as she left. She suddenly felt more at home in Japan, realizing it was now her home. And…the people she was with made it a lot better.