Family House
Shaolan came
back into the living room.
“They are on the
way,” he said. Sakura clapped her hands.
“That’s great!”
she said. Shaolan turned on the music from the TV.
“Welcome to our
apartment,” he said. “Sakura-chan, can you come up here for a minute?” Sakura
pushed herself to her feet.
“And we’re
getting married,” she said. The woman held up her hand with the ring.
“When is the
wedding?” Meilin asked.
“We don’t know,”
Shaolan said. “We’re still working on that.” He put his arm around Sakura’s
shoulders. Tomoyo, Touya, and Yukito clapped. Meilin softly clapped herself. The
doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,”
Touya said. He got up and walked up to the door.
“Dad,” the man
said. Sakura turned her head. Touya and Fujitaka walked into the living room.
“Dad!” she said.
She walked over and hugged her dad.
“Hello
sweetheart. How are you?” he greeted her.
“Fine,” Sakura
said. “I’m so glad you made it. How are you?”
“I’m doing
good,” Fujitaka said. He knelt down to her stomach.
“Hey,” he
whispered. “How are you? I can’t wait to meet you.”
“Hello,
Kinomoto-san,” Shaolan said. Fujitaka stood up and turned his focus on him.
“And how are
you?” he asked.
“Good,” the
young man said.
“Come on, take a
seat,” Sakura said. She led her father to the recliner.
“Whoa, easy,” he
said. Sakura seemed to have came to life. She had already descended into chatter
with her father. Shaolan couldn’t help but smile. However, that still left
Meilin. That didn’t feel right to leave things unsaid between them. He at least
owed her an apology.
The doorbell
rang again. The man lifted his head.
“Who is that?”
he asked himself. Shaolan wondered to the front door among the chatter. He
looked out the peephole. His jaw dropped as he opened the door.
“Mom!” Shaolan
said. Yelan, Fuutie, Shiefa, Fanren, and Feimei stood outside.
“You made it!”
he said.
“Of course!”
Yelan said. “You thought we’d miss seeing the new addition to the family?” His
sister crowded around for a hug. Yelan looked up and saw Sakura looking out.
“How are you?”
she asked.
“Good,” Sakura
said.
“And the baby?”
Yelan asked.
“Fine,” the
younger woman answered. “The baby’s fine.” Shaolan led the women inside.
---------
“Look at all of
these people,” Sakura whispered. Shaolan kissed her on the cheek.
“Yes,” he said.
“They are here for us.” The man held her hand.
“This is our
family,” he whispered.
“Our family,”
Sakura repeated.
“Yes,” Shaolan
said. “Our family.” They shared a small kiss. Sakura held his hand back. The
couple smiled at each other.