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Of Butterfly Wings

Chapter Fifty-Six: A Mother's Concern

Touya sat across from his mother.

His visits to the hospital had grown less frequent but he'd been permitted to call her in place of coming in person. So he'd been making weekly phone calls to her, updating her on all the different things happening in their lives including the progress of their house and wedding.

"Have the doctors decided?" He questioned, peering up at his parent curiously.

Their guest list wasn't finalized yet and he knew the reason why. It'd be easy to place all of the blame at his father's feet for their current predicament but he knew that it was far more complex than just that. He had his own fair share of guilt to bear for this.

"They're concerned about a few things." Rei started in a wavering tone.

He knew exactly what their concerns would be.

"We didn't disinvite dad but he wasn't formally invited either." Touya explained, "We've been waiting to hear from your doctors before we made that decision. I know it would really mean a lot to everyone if you were able to come. Especially Shouto."

Shouto clung to Kagome whenever she came over but he knew that a part of him always missed their mother. Kagome filled a small gap in the void Rei's absence left behind, but he knew that his youngest really wanted Rei back home with them. That future wouldn't be possible with Endeavor living in that house. However if it were a different house then maybe…

"Shouto…?" His mother's voice trembled.

Touya clasped his hands together. He knew that seeing her youngest son again would be hard for her. Seeing the scar she'd left on his face would likely hurt her. Yet he also knew that Shouto never once blamed her for what'd happened. She'd been pushed beyond her breaking point by their father and his youngest brother was ultimately the victim of their circumstances.

"He wants to see you, you know." Touya threw her a wry smile. "He gets upset a lot because he hasn't been allowed to visit. Kagome has been keeping him company but he misses you."

There'd be no point in beating around the bush when it came to this. If his mother was going to be at their wedding, then he would need to assure her that there would be no one there who'd blame her or harm her.

"He's going to be the ring bearer." Touya gave a small laugh, "I actually got a picture of him during his fitting. He was so damn proud of himself. He's a good kid."

He passed his phone over to his mother. On its screen was Shouto dressed to the nines in a suit. The boy was pulling at the lapel of his jacket while his chin was tipped up with a look of pride.

"His scar…" Rei touched the mark over his eye. The picture swiped to the side, pulling up another image. This one of Shouto hugging Kagome and smiling widely.

"You know," Touya gestured towards his own scars. "I've got scars too but I found someone that doesn't mind them." He then reached over to swipe to the next photo. This one of Fuyumi, Natsuo and Shouto playing a card game together. "Unlike a lot of families, we wear our scars with pride. We've been through a lot and it's going to be a long time before we can figure out our footing, but at least we're all in this together."

Touya swiped it once more, this time revealing an image of Kagome and Fuyumi clinging onto each other while they watched a horror movie. His smile widened. He barely managed to get that picture. Kagome had spotted him just as he'd pulled out his phone. It'd honestly become one of his favorites since then.

"The old man is going to have to work his ass off if he ever wants to be forgiven. Even then, that doesn't mean that you can't have a relationship with us." Touya pressed his palm over his mother's hand, "Mom, we need you with us."

It was a fact that he shouldn't have had to say.

Shouto needed her. Natsuo and Fuyumi needed her. He needed her. Kagome also needed her as well.

His smile softened, "You've got a future daughter-in-law picking out the best room in our house for you to move into when you finally get released from this hospital. She keeps bugging me about what sort of hobbies you like and what your preferences are." Touya laughed lightly at his mother's look of shock. "She wants you to have a place you can look forward to coming home to." He grinned, "You can take a look around at the wedding and decide for yourself."

Kagome had voiced the same concerns he had regarding his mother. Rei was making strides in getting better and the doctors had stated that she could be released in the coming months. Going back to his father's estate would be a recipe for disaster. So he hadn't been entirely too surprised when his fiancée had suggested opening up their own home to Rei. That way she could still be with family and not be forced to relive her worst memories at the estate.

His mother pressed her palm against her eye, wiping stray tears as she struggled to form an answer.

Touya held her hand, silently waiting until she was ready to speak.

Whatever came next would be entirely his mother's decision. They wanted her with them. Both at their wedding and later when she was released from this damned place. Yet only she could make that choice.

"I'll be there." Rei gave him a watery smile, "At the wedding. I'll go." She then gave a shaky laugh, "I'm not sure it'd be wise for me to move in though. You two need some privacy during your honeymoon phase."

Touya rolled his shoulders in a nonchalant shrug, "Well we'll just figure that out when it gets closer to time. How does that sound?"

Rei laughed again, "That sounds wonderful."

It wasn't much but this would be their first step forward as a family. He would need to talk to his father and discuss things with him, but other than that, he doubted that the man would take issue with it.

"I hope you like the ocean." Touya grinned, "And cats."

With that he fell into a casual conversation as he relayed to her how they'd adopted their feline companion.

Come what may, they were all in this together.