Surrender

Chapter 9: Seven Years Later

WHOOSH!

A plate erupted into flames. A young girl screamed. “Mommy! Natsu isn’t eating! He lit his food on fire, AGAIN!” Her mother turned her head from her sink and glared at her daughter. “Put it out yourself if you’re going to complain.” She flatly told her daughter.

The girl screamed in frustration. She motioned with her hands and the flames disappeared. The toddler began to cry. “Why, Mika? I don’t wanna eat!” The boy complained with a grumpy look on his face.

The children’s father walked into the kitchen. After hearing the commotion, he wanted to investigate. He evaluated the scene.

He looked to Mika, his six year old daughter. She was scowling at her brother. Her crimson eyes sparkled with rage and her honey brown hair practically stood on end. He then looked to Natsu, his three year old son. His hazel eyes brooded. His dark black hair was in disarray. His plate in front of him was steaming.

‘So Natsu doesn’t want to eat.’ He walked up to his son and glared at him. “Eat. Now.” He demanded. Natsu’s eyes filled with tears but he obeyed. The father looked to Mika, “Thank you, Mika.” He gave her a smirk.

He heard the sink running and turned his head. There he saw the beautiful back of his darling wife, with her honey brown hair streaming down it. He snuck over to her and sneakily pinched her behind. “Ouch!” She screamed. She turned to see her husband’s crimson eyes gleaming back at her. She playfully hit him shouting, “Pervert!” Her husband quickly drew her into a passionate kiss. “Good morning, Polkadots.” He grinned at her. Mikan rolled her eyes, but smiled.

“Don’t be such a pervert in front of the children.” She retorted. Natsume nodded. He gently turned her and rubbed her small pregnant tummy. He bent down and kissed it. He proceeded to grab a plate of food and sat down at the table.

A silent young man sauntered sleepily into the room. His silver hair had yet to be brushed. He rubbed his green eyes sleepily. “What’s with all the commotion?” He asked. Mika jumped up from the table to greet him, “You-onii-chan!” She beamed as she clung to his leg. Youichi smiled down at her. He took her in his arms and spun her around. “Good morning, Mika!”

Mikan turned to face Youichi. “Good morning You-chan! How is your first day out of the Academy?” She said sweetly as she hugged him along with her daughter. Youichi smirked, “Loud.” He joked. He joined the family at the table.

Natsume heard knocking at the front door. His eyes narrowed in annoyance. “Who the hell is that?” He asked out loud, as he went to answer the door. He opened the door. A dark haired woman with cold violet eyes stared at him, “Move.” She demanded. Natsume glared back at her, before stepping out of the way, “Hello, Hotaru.”

Behind Hotaru trailed a dashing blonde man. He smiled at Natsume and hugged him like a man. “Hi, Natsume!” Natsume smirked as he hugged his best friend, “Hi, Ruka.” He invited the two inside for breakfast.

Hotaru entered the kitchen. Mikan glanced up at her and her eyes widened. “Hotaru!” She exclaimed. Her face beamed as she pounced on her best friend. “It’s been seven years! I’ve missed you so much!” Mikan cried into Hotaru’s shoulder. Hotaru patted her on the back. “I’ve missed you too, Baka.”

Ruka entered the room with Natsume trailing behind him. Mikan saw him, “Ruka-pyon!” She exclaimed as she hugged him. “Hi, Mikan. It’s good to see you.”

Ruka and Hotaru turned their gaze to the busy table. They greeted Youichi. Mika and Natsu stared at the two strangers. Mika spoke up, “Mommy, who are they?” She asked. Mikan was speechless. Luckily for her, Natsume saved her from another episode of tears. “Mika, you know who they are. They are mommy and daddy’s friends, Hotaru and Ruka. Remember the pictures?” Mika thought for a moment, “Oh yeah! I remember now! Hi auntie Hotaru! Hi uncle Ruka!” Mika beamed at them.

Hotaru and Ruka looked to Mikan. “Just like the baka.” Hotaru muttered. Ruka smiled. Mikan regained her composure. “Hotaru, Ruka, these are our children, Mika and Natsu. Mika, Natsu, this is auntie Hotaru and uncle Ruka.” They said hi to each other before joining the bustling table in breakfast.

Hotaru glared at Mikan’s pregnant tummy, then the children, and turned her evil glare towards Natsume. “Are you trying to make her a baby maker?” She asked Natsume coldly. Natsume was as sharp as ever, “If she’s a baby maker, would that make you a black widow?” He taunted her. They glared at each other, and silently called it even. Ruka smiled sheepishly, “So, your third? How many more are you guys planning on having?”

Mikan blushed, “Well, this will be the last one. We made sure of that. Natsume got… umm, what was it?” She asked her loving husband innocently. Natsume grumbled, “I got a vasectomy, Baka. How many times do I have to tell you that?” Mikan returned his rudeness with a bright smile, “Oh yeah, a vas-ect-omy.” Clumsily stumbling over the word that she still couldn’t wrap her head around.

Ruka paled at the thought of a vasectomy. “But Mikan could still get pregnant then.” He stated, wondering about the decision. Natsume glared at him, “Not by me. And no one else would be able to get her pregnant because I would burn them.” Natsume growled the last words and the room temperature raised a few degrees before returning to normal. Ruka jumped a little, then chuckled. “Oh, I guess you’re right.” Natsume relaxed, “Besides, it’s safer and more reliable than her getting her tubes tied.” The group murmured.

Mikan interrupted everyone’s train of thought, “So! Are you guys moving back here? What are your plans?” Hotaru and Ruka looked at each other. Ruka broke the news, “We bought the lot next door! I’m going to start my veterinary clinic, and Hotaru is going to have her own lab!” Ruka said with an excited smile on his face.

Mikan’s jaw dropped. Her children stared at her in wonder. Mikan’s eyes grew teary and she began to cry. She hugged Hotaru and smiled as she tears streamed down her face. “I’m so happy we’re going to live next door. Hotaru! I love you so much!” Hotaru patted her on the back, showing Mikan that she was happy as well.

Ruka looked at Natsume, but Natsume was already smiling at his darling, pregnant, crying wife as she cried in joy on her best friend’s shoulder.

The End