Chapter 131: Family Album

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Skip Beat, for if I did, we would have a Hizuri backstory.

Kuon sat on a lounge chair out on the deck of his parents' home gazing at the stars and reminiscing about the day. His eyes flashed merrily and a small smile played on his lips. It was late but no one was ready to retire for bed just yet. He found himself humming the song Kyoko made him put on repeat earlier.

On the drive home from the amusement park, Kuon was surprised that Kyoko stayed awake the whole drive. She had to be running on pure adrenaline by now.

"You can rest, baby. I'll get us home safely," he promised her.

"I'm not tired," she said with a carefree laugh. Her golden eyes were alight with energy. She rolled down the window and let the cool California night breeze blow on her face. He wasn't sure what the salon used in her hair but that updo was holding strong to keep the little chignon in place.

"Hey, hey Princess! Woohoo! Miss America," Someone yelled in her direction when they pulled up to a stoplight. There were several honks, whistles, and more catcalls following it.

"Miss America?" She turned to him confused.

"Just like Miss Japan for the Miss Universe pageant."

"Ah!" Kyoko replied as a light bulb flashed on in her mind.

She beamed out the window and held her hand up waving exaggeratedly like a beauty queen. This garnered even more attention. Kuon laughed. It was adorable how she chose to keep the tiara on now that they weren't zipping around on roller coasters. These Americans didn't get it wrong, she was a queen. The Queen of my heart.

She stuck her arm back inside when the light turned green but kept her window down. Rather than speaking, fingers tapped and voices hummed to the music playing.

"Can I listen to that one again," she asked cutely. Kuon reached for his phone keeping his eye on the road and pressed the replay button. This go-around she got more into it. She put her hand out the window again this time rolling it up and down so the air caught it.

"You can drive all night, Looking for the answers in the pouring rain, You wanna find peace of mind, Looking for the answer…" She sang along with the song joining in on the catchy chorus. She did have a melodic voice. He could tell her vocal training paid off. He wouldn't be surprised if Kei convinced her to do another song.

Kuon found himself softly singing to the stars while continuing the song at the part that caught his attention for obvious reasons. "Cigarette daydream, You were only seventeen, So sweet with a mean streak, Nearly brought me to my knees…"

He stopped when he heard the sound of footsteps approaching from behind. He tilted his head up as his dad handed him a bottle of beer.

"You always did have a good voice," Kuu complimented.

"What do you mean?" Kuon asked, clinking his bottle in cheers against his dad's and then taking a swig of the cold beverage.

"You used to sing in the shower," Kuu commented.

"Oh!" Kuon's eyes widened. That's embarrassing. Kuu chuckled and sat in the lounge chair next to him.

"What are mom and Kyoko doing?" Kuon asked, trying to cover his embarrassment by changing the subject. He didn't know anyone was listening when he belted a tune or two in the shower.

"Your mother has convinced Kyoko that it would be marvelous to watch her music video on the giant jumbo screen in the media room," Kuu declared. "Watching it repeatedly on our phones and laptop wasn't enough for her. I don't blame her." Kuu said, squirming in his seat. It was still hilarious to see his dad in the tourist outfit.

"Just her?" Kuon raised a brow toward his father. Kuu chuckled again and sipped his beer.

"There will be plenty of chances for me to watch it to my heart's content. Right now I'm chilling with my son."

"You watched it on there already, didn't you?"

"Don't tell your mother," Kuu replied with a grin. "I can't help myself when it comes to you kids." Kuon laughed and drank his beer.

"I'm thrilled that she has such an incredible voice. I've had plenty to brag about at work today. I was bombarded with requests to bring her to the set."

"I'm sure Kyoko would enjoy that very much," Kuon said softly.

Kuu looked over at his son. "I would ask you along but..." Kuon shook his head and smiled at him reassuringly.

"Thanks. Someday I'll be proud to join you on set as your son."

"Maybe we'll even work together," Kuu added with a smile of his own.

"I'd like that," Kuon replied.

A few minutes passed in silence as the father and son sat enjoying their beer.

"There's something I have to tell you," Kuon said seriously, breaking the silence.

Kuu broke out in a cold sweat. He wasn't sure what Kuon wanted to share but his imagination ran wild. Top of his list was that Kuu was going to be a grandfather. But that wouldn't work. If that was the case Julie would be here and the kids would tell them the happy news together. Kuu pushed the other negative scenarios out of his mind.

"I've had a few offers for minor roles in Hollywood films since my role as BJ was announced," Kuon confessed.

"That's great! Congratulations! I'm proud of you, son," Kuu said delightedly. "Have you decided on any of them? I may know the director or the producer. Maybe even the…"

"Dad, I'm sorry. I declined every one of them," Kuon told him grimly. Kuu felt like he was just punched in the gut and tried to hide his disappointment from showing on his face.

"Right, I got ahead of myself...and I'm sorry. I was doing it again." He wanted to make sure no one would hurt or threaten his boy on set, especially if it was any of the people Kuu and Julie deemed unacceptable to work with.

"I know already."

"You do?" Kuon suspected Lory must have told him.

"Callister told me that you or more like Tsuruga Ren declined the offers he sent."

"Callister?" Kuon asked a bit confused. So it wasn't Lory.

"Callister Bennett...American promoter. His son is the Cedric Bennett that you asked me about." Kuu assumed that Cedric was one of the bullies that Kuon mentioned in his journal. He would love nothing more than to wring that guy's neck for the pain he put his son through.

Kuon pursed his lips. He had pushed the memories of Cedric to the far recesses of his mind and basked in the light of Kyoko and his family while here. His violent past was something he didn't want to dwell on. The probability of bumping into Cedric while here was high especially if he considered a meeting with his father. Would the guy, finally, show his true colors now that he was on his home turf? He was glad he didn't cause any trouble in Japan. Kuon wouldn't have sat still if he had.

"What kind of man is Callister?" Kuon asked his father.

"He's an asshole," Kuu blurted without thinking.

"Tell me how you really feel," Kuon chuckled. Kuu joined in his laughter.

"Despite my grievances against the man, he's good at his job. He has a knack for picking out talented people which is why Eltra Duris trusted him with half his agency."

"He works for Eltra, like Eltra, Uncle Tiger?" Kuon asked incredulously.

"Eltra is his father-in-law. Didn't you know? You've met Eltra a few times when you were younger. He helped me get established here with Lory's help. I owe both men a great deal."

He knew Eltra. It took all his acting prowess to keep up the Ren facade in front of the older man at the Happy Grateful Party. It slipped his mind that Cedric was his grandson. It was probably for the best. Had Kuon been conscious of that fact at the time, he probably would have feared being exposed and left the party before giving Kyoko her birthday present.

"Anyway, Kouki Takarada is managing the New York branch," Kuu commented.

Kuon thought about Maria's father who would one day inherit LME whenever Lory chose to retire. It would be nice if the man returned home now for Maria's sake. The little girl needed her father.

"Kyoko and I, well Ren, were asked to attend a meeting with him while we are here. Personal matters aside this is a good opportunity, isn't it? Not only for me but Kyoko." It sounded like being promoted by him would kickstart both their careers in the States but at what cost. If his father thought the man was an asshole how was he professionally. Kuon had worked with unreasonable people before but could he trust himself not to react personally.

After a few moments of contemplation Kuu responded, "I think you two should meet the man and form your own opinions now that you are older and more experienced. I'm afraid my viewpoint right now would only serve to benefit me."

Kuon nodded understanding his father's response. He would want Kuon to stay in the States.

They turned to less serious topics. "Thanks for including us today. We never did get to go back there when you were younger."

"I was lucky to have gone at least once. It was fun experiencing it as a family with Kyoko. It's wonderful seeing the world through her eyes. Everything is new and exciting and appreciated. She's not like other women."

"She is one of a kind. I'm glad you found your special ... when is the wedding?"

"I still have to ask her. I don't want to ask her while I'm still hiding behind Ren."

"I can understand that but don't wait until it's too late." Kuu grimaced, thinking about what Julie had to go through while pregnant with Kuon. He was stuck in Japan while she was in the States for her work. She wouldn't just let him drop all his obligations to be with her.

Kuon sighed and began sharing his plans with his father.

…

"This was Kuon when he was only a month old. Look at those cheeks," Julie cooed. They had moved on from the music video which Kyoko had found out was a recording the Hizuris made when it aired on an American music channel. She assumed it made its way here because it was an English song. Now they were going through the thick photo album that Julie dug up.

"They look so squishy. Like a chipmunk," Kyoko gushed. "I want to pinch them."

"You weren't the only one. The poor thing used to get his cheeks pinched all the time when he was younger. He never cried or complained when his relatives did that to him but it made me angry seeing his inflamed cheeks. I had a go with my aunt once...mean old biddy. God rest her soul."

Kyoko could imagine Julie being fiercely protective of her boy. She doubted Kuon would have suffered so much heartache if his mother knew about it. She understood his stance on not wanting to trouble his parents. They were very much alike in that regard.

Kyoko squealed delightedly along with Julie as they looked through the pictures. She asked Julie, "Is Kuu the one taking the pictures of you two?"

A brief moment of melancholy flashed over the beautiful woman's face. "Kuu was still working in Japan at this time. If we ever get past the millions of photos I have of Kuon the first month or two we'll have more with the three of us as a family."

Kyoko smiled. Fortunately for Kyoko, she had Yayoi to take pictures of her when she was younger. There wasn't much of her as an infant because her mother hadn't bothered. She smiled thinking of how her father was always snapping pictures of her now. She probably would have had albums full if he had been around when she was born.

Kyoko giggled when Julie turned the page to Kuon's obligatory bath photos. Kuon didn't have the luxury of bubble Russian dolls covering his little bits in these photos. "I have two of these," Julie said, removing one of the pictures from the clear sleeve. "You can have this one." Kyoko thanked her profusely and tucked it away. Kuon was not getting his hands on this latest treasure.

They finally got to the part of the album where Kuu joined them. "I was the one taking the photos here. Aren't they adorable?" Kyoko agreed. She saw the sheer joy radiating from a young Kuu as he held his son proudly for the camera. He had to be around Kuon's age now in this picture.

"Oh, this is a beautiful family photo. Kuon looks so precious in his little linen suit. They're matching. He looks like a mini Kuu," Kyoko exclaimed. The boys were in their suits while Julie looked breathtaking in a sleeveless long ivory gown made of vintage lace. The couple gazed into each other's eyes lovingly holding baby Kuon between them. Kuon's green eyes lit up with laughter for the camera.

"This was taken on our wedding day," Julie explained with a smile. She paused waiting for Kyoko to pass judgment but she never did. Yes, she had Kuon before she was married. She had no idea if Kuu would follow through with his promise to come after her. Her family may have been disappointed but they didn't abandon her. Eventually, like her, Kuu won them over with his sincerity.

"You look very happy," Kyoko replied softly. She flipped through the pages slowly soaking up every picture of this happy little family on their special day. It was an intimate affair outdoors under the cover of nature. It looked like their closest family and friends were invited.

"Is that the President?" Kyoko asked incredulously, squinting at the picture of her boss.

"It is. He was Kuu's best man," Julie told her.

"He looks the same then as he does now. What's his secret?"

"He's a soul-sucking vampire that kidnaps children," Julie muttered.

"Pardon?" Kyoko asked, confused. She was confident about her English but sometimes they used phrases that were hard for her to understand.

"I'm joking sweetie. Even I would like to know about Lory's skincare regiment. He's ageless," Julie admitted. "See this woman here." Julie pointed to a stunning dark-haired woman sitting with a young boy on her lap as they posed with Julie. "She was Lory's wife, Maria. She was a remarkable woman so patient and kind. It was a sad day when we received the news of her passing."

"She's very beautiful." Kyoko studied the woman in the picture. The little girl she thought of as a younger sister must have been named after her grandmother. The little boy on her lap had to be Maria's father.

"She introduced me to Kuu. I think Lory received his passion for matchmaking from her."

"Can you tell me a little about it?" Kyoko asked excitedly. She loved fairy tales and something told her that the Hizuris story was a romantic one.

"Are you sure you aren't too tired?" Julie asked, looking over her with concern. They had played most of the day. Kyoko shook her head vigorously until she realized what she was doing.

"Oh, I didn't even think. You must be tired...I'll help you clean this all up." Kyoko tucked in the loose pictures and closed the album.

"I'm fine. Kuu and I usually keep late hours for work," Julie laughed.

"If you're sure..." Kyoko said reluctantly. She didn't want to impose on Julie. She didn't want Kuon's mother to end up disliking her. Julie nodded coaxing her to relax.

Kyoko settled back down and waited for Julie to start. The older woman was quiet for several moments as she thought then chuckled to herself. A smile graced Kyoko's lips. She must have remembered something funny.

"The day that I met Kuu, I thought he was a playboy!" Julie said in a matter of fact tone. "I wanted nothing to do with him.

Kyoko's mouth opened in a wide "o." If Kuon was anything like his father, Kyoko could pretty much guess the impression Kuu made on Julie.

"He didn't greet me. He didn't introduce himself. The first words that tumbled out of his mouth as soon as we made eye contact were…"

"Did it hurt when you fell from heaven?" Kuu said, cutting her off as he walked into the room with Kuon.

Kuon smacked his palm to his forehead with embarrassment. He heard this story before and was still ashamed that his father could be so cheesy. Kyoko's hand shot to her lips to contain her laughter but she failed to hold it in.

"What? That was literally the first thought that entered my mind when I saw this beautiful golden-haired angel standing right in front of me. It was love at first sight only there was just one problem."

"Problem?" Kyoko asked after she recovered from her laughter.

"He already had a girlfriend," Julie confessed. Kyoko gasped. Kuu winced while Kuon sighed. Kuon moved to Kyoko's side of the couch. He sat next to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"It wasn't serious. It was more promotional than anything for a drama we were in together. I told you that," Kuu bemoaned.

"And that is exactly why I wanted nothing to do with him," Julie responded. "Playboy," she said with a knowing look, making Kyoko giggle again.

"So?" Kyoko asked curiously. "How did you win her heart, Dad?"

"With my tenacity," Kuu responded with a charming smile and a wink to Kyoko. "She ignored me for weeks even after I broke up with the other woman."

"No matter how handsome you were, I was not about to be labeled a homewrecker or your rebound." Julie folded her arms over her chest and pouted.

"My ex used the opportunity to gain sympathy points through the media even though it was a mutual breakup. But I refused to give up. I knew I found my soulmate the moment I looked into those beautiful green eyes. Eventually, she gave me a chance. We had a blissful month together before she returned to the States. The moment I finished my commitments in Japan, I buried Hozu Shuuhei and was on a plane to reunite with my little family."

Kyoko sighed dreamily. The man sitting next to her was a living manifestation of their love.

Kuon had his eyes closed with his head resting against her shoulder. It was soothing hearing the voices of those most important to him getting along.

"Hey," she said softly. She brushed her fingertips across his cheek. Kuon hummed with his eyes still closed. "Let's get you to bed."

"Only if you promise I could...," Kyoko clamped her hand over his mouth before he could finish his sentence. She flushed scarlet avoiding eye contact with his parents. "Sorry," she said with her best Okami smile. "He must be deliriously tired." Kyoko stood and pulled Kuon to his feet. They said good night to his parents and went downstairs to get ready for bed.

Cedric tilted the glass of whiskey and drained its contents. The burn felt good sliding down his throat. He tugged at his tie and looked around the private room. He was surrounded by beautiful people and yet he never felt more alone.

"Hey Ric, is this one yours," a male co-star asked, holding up Cedric's cell phone that was thrown on the table with the others. "It's blowing up."

Cedric reached out to retrieve his phone. He used his print to unlock the phone to see who would be bothering him at this late hour.

Hey bro!

How's L.A. treating you?

I miss you!

Don't forget

About the friends

You made in this tiny country.

Cedric chuckled softly to himself. Koga was texting him in that annoying way he adopted recently where he sent a few words at a time rather than just one long text. He claimed it was his new tactic to get Cedric to read them. He had to hand it to him, it worked. Cedric replied just as obnoxiously.

Sup! (Slang for what's up)

All good here. DBD (code for douchebag dad) has been overseas.

Ask me again tomorrow when I have to finally see him.

Miss you too, bro!

He finished up his texting and laughed at the need to provide clarifying content so Koga understood his response.

Cedric stood from the leather seat and said goodbye to his coworkers. He had sent his manager home long ago to be with his family. There was no reason for him to attend this social hour just to babysit him. Cedric assured him that he would show his face, have one drink, and take a cab home. That's exactly what he did and now he was leaving. He breathed in the crisp air once he was outside. It was nice after being cooped up inside for over an hour. He sniffed his jacket, even in a posh location, it reeked of smoke just like any other cheap joint.

"Good evening, Mr. Bennett," the valet greeted. "Would you like me to get your car?"

"No need. I feel like walking for some fresh air." The valet nodded and left him alone. Cedric had one drink. He was perfectly capable of driving himself home but headed down the street instead. It wasn't until he was a block away from the establishment that he felt the hair on the back of his neck stand. He glanced over his shoulder and scanned the area. He didn't see anything out of place. He was hardly alone on the street with cars and pedestrians passing him by yet he felt vulnerable. It was as if someone was watching him but the quick look around yielded no one. He quickened his pace to the end of the street and hailed a cab.

Something gripped his shoulder as he opened the back door of the car. He spun around ready to defend himself from his attacker.

"It's just me! I didn't mean to startle you," his female co-star cried out taking a step back from the anger directed at her.

Cedric composed himself and smiled. "Sorry, Ava. What are you doing out here? It's not safe for a woman to be walking out here alone."

"I followed you. You left before we had a chance to talk. I wanted to see if everything was alright," Ava responded with a friendly smile.

"Yeah, thanks. Everything's fine. I'm just calling it a night," he said dismissively. She stood there awkwardly as if expecting something more from him. He wasn't in the mood.

"Well okay. I'll see you on the set tomorrow. Have a goodnight, Ric." She slowly turned on her heel with a small wave.

"Hey, buddy are you getting in or not?" The cabbie squawked from the driver's seat.

"Just run the meter," he retorted. He ignored the grumbling driver and turned back to the woman walking away.

"Wait," Cedric called out to her. Ava stopped and slowly faced him again. Cedric looked over her shoulder at the two men smoking down the street. "I'll give you a lift back. It's not safe." He held open the door for her and then slid in after her. He told the cabbie to head to the club first. It was less than two blocks away so it didn't take long to get there. To the actress's disbelief, Cedric was entirely serious when he opened the door and helped her out of the car. She stomped off inside after a curt goodnight from him.

"Damn, you're that actor right," the cabbie asked, staring at Cedric in the rearview mirror.

"Yeah, you want an autograph or something?"

"Are you gay? How could you turn away a nice piece of tail like that? She obviously wanted you to take her home."

Cedric chuckled. "I'm not gay! I'm taking a break from women like her."

"Ooooh right….That happened." He probably just remembered the scandal associated with Cedric months ago. The cabbie began to speak again until Cedric cut him off.

"I'll give you an extra hundred bucks if you just drive, quietly," he wasn't in a chatty mood. If he wanted cheap sagely advice he would pull up a stool at his favorite bar and spill his guts to the bartender. At least he wouldn't go thirsty there.

The driver whooped at the prospect of a large tip and turned up the music instead of talking. Cedric watched the city lights pass by as the car continued down familiar streets. He lived here all his life and never once felt fearful of walking the streets at night. Was it really just Ava that made him feel like someone was watching him? Maybe the stress with his father was making him paranoid. He was starting to jump at shadows.

His phone pinged again. Hono-chan should be there tomorrow. Give her a call. This was the best news he's had since returning to the States. If she was here that meant Kyoko and Ren would be here too. It would be ideal if they contacted him maybe then his dad would get off his back.

He thanked the flight attendant after she brought him a cup of coffee. "You're hard at work," she commented, nodding to his laptop.

"It helps make the flight feel shorter," he replied in accented English with a smile. He tilted his computer screen ever so slightly so she couldn't see what he was doing.

"Yes, it does. But I also find sleeping to be the most effective. It's like time travel," she responded in a friendly tone. He scanned the area and found the rest of his cabin mates in the business class section all tucked in for the night.

"Is there anything else I can get for you, Sir?"

"I'm fine for now, thank you very much." The attendant nodded and left him alone.

He pushed up his glasses on the bridge of his nose with a gloved hand then proceeded to add sugar and cream to his coffee before taking a sip.

His inner fangirl screamed with glee at the new pictures posted on his favorite couple's media site. He took his time squealing over Kyoko's pictures at the amusement park. The one garnering the most hits was the picture with the Hizuri's in disguise. The fans were eating it up. He had to agree with the fans though, where was Ren. Surely they could manage a decent selfie with Ren's long arms and if the Hizuris were around why didn't they take their picture together. No matter, he was enjoying the pictures and the places they visited. He would need to resume his duties as the couple's personal photographer once he arrived.

AN: Thank you for sticking with me. I hope sensei shows us more baby Kuon and I can't wait to see his mom. I also think like many of you, I want a Lory backstory too. XD I barely moved them forward this chapter but Yuki is finally coming! I have to thank the discord chat for planting the seed of Kuon being conceived out of wedlock way back when. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

The song in this chapter was "Cigarette Daydreams" by Cage the Elephant.

Until next time, ja ne! ^_^