Part XXI: Next to Forever

Sometimes she wondered if she was going to lose the one she loves over her decisions. But then if that someone loves you just as much, you'd be surprised.

They might be willing to trade the rest of the human population just to be with you.

Or just to be with a cute baby.

Haruka leaned against the doorway as she watched her fiancé sing a lullaby to Hotaru. The little girl seemed more comfortable sleeping in Michiru's arms the past few days. The young violinist, ever happy to oblige the baby, did not leave Haruka's hotel room since the two of them met. The blonde assumed that Michiru was going to spoil their daughter all the way.

Their daughter…

Haruka smiled.

She hoped Michiru was on board with the idea since she had never left them. The tension that had loomed over their conversations on the past has been forgotten. Hotaru has this power over the two of them.

Hotaru made their world stop.

They could only see the three of them. The cares and worries seemed to fade when she was around. Michiru had gone from unsure to this loving mother figure in Haruka's midst. It was a wonder.

The young Kaioh was the youngest and had no nieces or nephews to take care of. But how she handled Hotaru like a real mother surprised not only Haruka but also herself.

There were times Haruka concluded it was all because of the charities she had done for orphanages.

Then again, maybe Michiru's maternal instincts kicked in when she finally held Hotaru.

"Michi-chan…" Haruka straightened herself and walked over to Michiru.

She kissed Hotaru's forehead then allowed her fiancé to place the little girl on her crib.

"You grandmother called. She's asking when you will be coming home…"

"Why?" Michiru asked, smiling as she let go of her baby.

Her baby, the thought made her smile wider this time.

Hotaru is her baby.

"Well, they are looking for you, Michiru. You've been spending too much time here you actually forgot to go home."

Michiru didn't bother calling her family about her whereabouts. Although, her grandmother did know she was with the baby. The older Kaioh kept tabs on her through her fiancé.

Fiance…

Michiru was now looking at the blonde whose eyes were on Hotaru's sleeping form.

Fiance…

Michiru didn't want a fiancé out of Haruka.

She wanted to adopt Hotaru and be with Haruka.

She wanted her own family.

"I didn't forget." The violinist finally replied then let out a smile.

She walked closer to Haruka then gave her a peck on the cheek. Her hand slid to cover Haruka's own clasping them together in one tender motion.

"I've been meaning to ask you, Ruka…"

"Hmmm…"

"Marry me?"

Seiya stood silently in front of the hotel window. He was in the living room as Taiki and Yaten had their conversations.

"They're still alright, huh?" Taiki asked sipping his tea.

"So far so good, I guess. Haruka gambled but seemed to have paid off." Yaten agreed.

"I wonder what's next."

"Though the Kaioh name seems to have bearings in Japan, Michiru-san still has to have a breakthrough in the American music scene. Considering their policies, I think they would be a little lenient."

"I'd rather have Haruka stray away from all the publicity. She doesn't need it. Not right now."

"She's been good. She'll get through."

"She has been perfect with her choices recently. Have you giving her advice, Seiya?" Yaten asked.

"How could he? He wasn't even able to save his own engagement." Taiki snorted earning a glare from Seiya who was now facing them.

"I think you're right."

"Stop it." Seiya mumbled and his hands now balled into fists.

"Well it's true. With your track record, Haruka would not even ask advices from you. It's just a fact Seiya. It's nothing personal." Taiki replied oblivious to Seiya's demeanor.

"You know nothing so shut up!" Seiya snarled then stomped out of the room.

The two men left in the room stared at the closed door then to each other. They shrugged their heads not really understand Seiya's reactions.

"He's been uptight."

"Maybe Kakyuu said something he hasn't gotten over yet."

"You think Haruka knows?"

"I doubt he would tell Haruka considering what's happening to his best friend, Taiki."

"Should be talk to him?"

"He'll talk when he's ready."

"Yeah… You're probably right. He'll tell us when he's ready."

The head of the Kaioh clan paced aimlessly across their New York penthouse as the minutes ticked. His granddaughter has not returned home and his wife was not making things easy for him. Apparently his spouse had now placed full confidence to Tenou Haruka despite allegations of early indiscretions. There was a time his wife agreed with him about Tenou Haruka. What does she see in him that she cannot seem to find in Chiba Kouji?

His son was not of help at all. His son wanted his daughter married to Tenou Haruka. It seemed like Hajime's way or the highway. Never did his son go against his will. But again, Tenou Haruka made him confident enough to have his own decision with the matter.

Tenou Haruka.

It has become a thorn on his side.

Somehow he knew he had to anticipate more of this sort.

They have apparently found their voice.

It was all because of Tenou Haruka.

But he was the head his clan for a reason.

And his still had a card up his sleeve.

"Michi…"

"I don't know how this works Ruka… But I can't help it…" She smiled taking the blonde's hand.

"There was a time I thought I could do without you. After all, you picked Hotaru-chan over us."

"Michiru, I didn't. That wasn't my…" Haruka tried to explain but she stopped when fingers were placed on her lips.

"Then I asked myself why did you stay? Why did you have her fly over here? Then it got me thinking. You didn't leave because that's what I asked. I told you that if you left, it was over. It took a while before I found out. The rest of the press made a big deal of the circumstances. Yet you remained distant. You had your thoughts to yourself… You never called to confirm. You never called to deny…"

"I thought about the repercussions of taking in Hotaru. That included the fact that you may not agree…"

"Yet you stayed. Not knowing if I still wanted you."

"Because I would stay in love with you even if you didn't." The blonde let out a sad smile.

"But I love you. And you amaze me… You are amazing, Ruka…" Words were whispered into Haruka ear and then lips connected with hers.

"Marry me…"

"Michi…"

"This is New York."

"They will know." Noses grazed and foreheads touched.

"I don't care anymore."

"You may lose your family."

"I have my own now."

"Michi…"

"I want us to get married before we officially adopt Hotaru."

"Michi…"

"Say yes… Haruka…" Their eyes were half-lidded and their kisses grew more passionate.

"Say yes… And be my wife…"

Kouji strode his way to a full size mirror in their family apartment. For two days now, the young man had been preparing for the public announcement of his and Michiru's wedding date. He wasn't known in Wallstreet yet, unlike Haruka who had the chance to talk to New York's tycoons during his stay. But with Michiru's concerts earning the nod, he was sure to get the same amount of spotlight.

His imaginings were rudely interrupted and his brother came in with his new wife in tow, Tsukino Usagi.

"What are you doing here?" He asked letting the tie fall into his couch.

He barely gave Usagi the attention. Walking over the kitchen, Mamoru merely shouted his reply.

"Didn't you hear?"

"Hear what?" He shouted back.

"Michiru-san and Haruka-kun are getting married tomorrow and Usagi is part of the entourage."