Part XVI

Jae smiles as he sits in a pool of sunlight in Diana's room, letting her kneed away the tension in his shoulders and back.

"You have very strong hands, Diana."

Diana giggles softly, "Thank you."

"Diana?"

"Hai?"

"Have you ever thought of having kids?"

She blinks and her hands stop. "Well...once I get older and get married, I want to have kids...but not now.

Uh...why do you ask?"

"I've always wanted to have children...a family," Jae answers softly, wistfully, "when you get older, and the time is right, I'd like to have that family with you, Diana."

Diana gasps slightly and he turns around, caressing her cheek.

"Oh, Jae," she whispers, "I'd love for that to happen!"

He grins and pulls her into his arms, hugging her tightly.

"I'll break free of the Dark Kingdom when you say it's time. Your love makes me strong."

Diana smiles radiantly. "I can get away from this flowered prison and we can both be free at last!"

Ding-Dong!

"I'll get it, mom," HLM cries, heading to the door and opening it.

"Maxfield!" she exclaims with a smile, her eyes lighting up.

"Hello, HLM," Neph answers, a smile on his handsome face. He didn't know why, but he just had to see this young woman again.

"Well, ah, come in! What brings you to this neck of the woods?" HLM asks, stepping aside.

HLM's mom steps in wiping her hands on a dishtowel and stopping dead in her tracks when she sees who's standing there.

"Oh! Mr. Stanton! Hello! HLM didn't say she was expecting you," Mariko exclaims in surprise.

Neph chuckles. "She wasn't expecting me. You're her mother, ne?"

Mariko chuckles, "Hai, Mariko Lee," she smiles proudly, putting a hand on her daughter's shoulder.

Neph smiles, "You are a lovely woman as is your daughter. Which reminds me, I come bearing gifts!"

HLM giggles softly. "That's very sweet of you. Would you like a seat?"

Neph smiles and sits in the offered seat, taking out two packages.

"Can I get you something to eat or drink?" Mariko asks.

"Ah...thank you, but no, I only have time to give you lovely ladies your gifts, then I must go to a meeting," he tells them, handing them each a package.

HLM and her mother open the packages to find a beautiful silk kimono in each.

"Oh...Stanton-kun...arigato...you really didn't have to do this," HLM's mother says in a hushed voice.

"Yes, these are so beautiful," HLM comments, awed.

Neph chuckles softly, kissing first Mariko's and then HLM's hands, holding HLM's hand just a little longer than necessary.

"For ladies as lovely as you two? It's my pleasure.

Have you had any more problems from those punks, M-chan?"

HLM blushes as her mom gives her a look.

"Umm, well, no," she smiles sheepishly at her mom, "I uh...I'll tell you about it later, mom."

"You better."

Neph stifles a laugh.

"Ahem, well, if you ladies will excuse me, I must be on my way."

"Oh, well, Mr. Stanton, thank you for dropping by and giving us these...magnificent...kimonos," Mariko says, giving HLM another look, "I'm afraid my daughter and I have some business to attend to as well."

HLM erks slightly and gives Neph a sheepish grin. "It's been great seeing you again, Maxfield."

"It's been wonderful seeing you, too, M-chan," he leans over and kisses her forehead.

As he leaves the building, he hears HLM's plaintive voice, "Aw Mom!"

He can't help but giving in and laughing.

Part XV
Part XVII
Beginnings and Endings Index