Takumijo stepped out of the shower and dried off. He was meeting Osamu and some of their friends for drinks at the club and he didn't want to be late. He supposed this would be the last time they would be together for a while because he and Osamu were busy filming their new drama. He'd been in a couple of dramas before and found the work interesting but it would never replace singing. Well, it would if his voice ever gave out.

Someone knocked on the door. "Come in."

Satoshi sauntered in and flopped down on his bed. "Going out?"

Takumijo nodded. "It's been a long week and a couple of my friends and I are going to make the rounds."

"Same old Takumijo. When are you going to give up all this partying and settle down?"

"Right before I die," Takumijo said pulling on a pair of tight black jeans. He didn't have a problem dressing in front of other guys and besides Satoshi was harmless. "What's up with you this evening?"

"Nothing," Satoshi said. "I was thinking about calling it an early night since everyone is going out for the evening."

"Not everyone," Takumijo said. "Why don't you take Cristal out?"

Satoshi shook his head. "She won't go out with me. She's still hung on Yi-jun."

"How do you know this? She seemed awfully glad to see you at the airport."

"And where would I take her on such short notice?"

Satoshi asked.

"To a movie or out for a stroll somewhere away from the farmhouse."

"Or I could just stay here and have my way with her,"

Satoshi said.

"We're talking Cristal here. Not some club floozy."

"Floozy? Where are you and Ich learning these words? But I do get the drift."

Takumijo pulled on a sleeveless tee shirt and then a silky black jersey. He added a silver cross with one half of a broken heart and then added a broken heart earring to his left ear, followed by a silver ring.

"How is the production of the drama coming?" Satoshi asked.

"Fine," Takumijo replied as he added some cologne to his wrists and behind his ears. "I'm having fun and the cast members are great."

"That's good," Satoshi said. "But don't enjoy it too much."

"Don't worry, I'm not leaving Aomori. Despite what everyone thinks, our group comes before anything and everyone."

"Even Osamu?" Satoshi asked.

Takumijo nodded. "I'm too selfish to put anyone before me. My life is Aomori and you guys. Acting is a hobby and maybe something to fall back on if I can no longer sing or dance. Now stop stalling and go ask Cristal out."

Satoshi nodded and moved forward toward the door.

"What is the worst thing that can happen?"

"She can slam the door in your face." Takumijo replied with a chuckle.

"Had that happen to me a time or two before." Satoshi walked out leaving Takumijo to finish dressing.

Satoshi walked to his room. A date? Where could he take her that would impress her? A festival? To the movies? To dinner? He reached for the phone and made a couple of inquiries. There were a lot of things going on around Osaka, but he wondered what Cristal would enjoy doing. He picked up the phone and called her. Cristal picked her phone up on one ring.

"Hello."

"Hello beautiful Cristal."

There was a pause.

"Are you there?" Satoshi asked.

"Yes," Cristal answered. "I'm polishing my toes."

"What color?" Satoshi asked curiously.

"Firehouse red."

Something inside his loins stirred. "I can't wait to see them on our date tonight."

Sounded like she dropped the phone. "We have a date? I don't see it on my calendar."

"Ah, come on. What else do you have to do?"

"Let me see." She paused. "Nothing, but that does not mean I'm available."

"Don't make me beg," Satoshi pleaded. "I'll let you pick out the place."

Cristal chuckled. "You must be desperate if you're allowing me to make a decision."

"Not desperate, but lonely. Suddenly I've discovered that I don't have a life."

"I know what you mean," Cristal replied.

He knew they had something in common. "So what do you want to do?"

"I'd like to find out about you," Cristal said.

"Meaning?" Satoshi asked intrigued.

"I'd like to meet your family."

Satoshi eyes widened. "Of all the things in the world you could have chose, why this?"

"Because other than the obvious, I've discovered that I know absolutely nothing about you."

"That's not true," Satoshi said. "You know that I'm charming, cute, have a great sense of humor, and I find you interesting."

Cristal laughed. "True, but I want to see where you reside, meet your people, and find out what you were like as a child."

He'd never been presented such a request before. "Hold on a moment. Let me see if my parents are at home." He put Cristal on hold and dialed his parents, who were delighted to hear from him and wondered if he was in trouble again. "No, a friend of mine would like to meet you," he told his mother.

"A girl friend?" His father asked over the speakerphone.

Satoshi hoped they weren't entertaining other dignitaries.

"Yes."

His mother squealed. "Bring her. We can have dinner together."

"See you shortly," he told her. He disconnected the call and got back to Cristal. "They're expecting us," he said. "And wear a dress. My father is a leg man."

"Hum, now I see where it comes from. I'll be ready in thirty minutes."

"I'll meet you in the foyer," Satoshi said feeling a bit nervous. He'd never brought a girl home to meet his parents before. What did it mean?

Cristal tore through her closet trying to find something appropriate to wear to meet the ambassador and his wife.

Pants were definitely out, and she didn't want to be too dressy especially at this late hour. What had she been thinking? Meeting a man's parents was a big step in a relationship.

Cristal chose an outfit and eased her freshly painted toes into her high-heeled sandals. She decided to wear her shoulder-length hair down. Lucky she had just gone to the hairdresser earlier that day. She walked down the stairs thirty minutes later and found Satoshi waiting.

"Oh my God, look at you," she teased. He looked simply angelic in a rust-colored double-breasted suit. He wore his hair loose and combed back from his forehead. He had accessorized his outfit with a silver tie tack and rust colored shoes.

"I'm too busy looking at you," Satoshi replied. He held out his hand to her. "You are simply gorgeous."

Cristal hoped she had selected correctly. She wore a two- pieced yellow skirt set, accessorized with a white pearl necklace and earrings. She added white sandaled pumps and a matching clutch to complete the look. "Do I look okay?" she asked.

Satoshi nodded. "My folks are going to love you. Come on, let's go."

Cristal nodded and accepted his hand.

Satoshi's red sports car waited out at the curb. If she wasn't mistaken, it was the first time that the two of them had ever been somewhere together alone without Kenshin, Takumijo, or the bodyguards. "Where do your parents live?"

Cristal asked.

"Fine time for you to ask," Satoshi said. "For all you know they might live on the moon."

"I didn't bring an overnight bag," she replied.

"No need. They live here in Osaka."

Cristal chucked. "Are they afraid to cut the apron strings?"

"Yes. I am their baby. They keep me near so I'll keep out of trouble. It's much easier than flying in from the United States to bail me out of jail."

"I hope you're kidding."

Satoshi just smiled at her but did not answer.

The little red car had a lot of get up and go, and Satoshi wheeled it like an expert.

They drove up to what could only be described as a Japanese version of an American mansion. "Is this your home?" Cristal asked Satoshi.

"No. It's my parents' home. I live with you, remember?"

"You know what I mean," Cristal said admiring the stately home. It was white with a slanted red roof, awnings, and window shutters. There was a huge porch and outer buildings.

It reminded her of a place she'd seen in a magazine once.

What was it? Oh yes, the Imperial Palace.

Satoshi turned off the car, got out, and came around to help her out.

"Wow," Cristal said as they walked past a Japanese fountain filled with tiny bonsai trees and water lilies. "This is gorgeous."

"It doesn't take much to impress you, does it?"

"Aw, come on, don't say that. This place is beautiful."

Satoshi shrugged, took her hand, and led her to the front door. He rang the bell.

Odd, she had a key to her parents place to let herself in and out.

The door was quickly answered. She expected to see a butler but instead a handsomely dressed older Japanese woman appeared.

"Satoshi," the woman squealed.

Satoshi bowed. "Mother."

The woman had her arms around him before he could straighten up. He towered over her. "What's with the formal greeting?" she asked squeezing him tightly. "I'm still your Mommy."

Satoshi eased her arms from around him. "Mother, this is Cristal Gentry. Cristal, this is my mother."

Mrs. Hayashi took her attention off her baby and peered over at her. A big smile appeared. "She's gorgeous," she told Satoshi, pushing him aside. She pulled Cristal in her arms and hugged her.

Cristal looked to Satoshi for help but he just smiled and ignored her.

Mrs. Hayashi finally released her. "Here, let me look at you." She turned Cristal around slowly. "Where are you from, my dear?" she asked as she linked arms with her and led her in.

"Los Angeles, California," Cristal replied. Satoshi was left to close the door and follow them in.

"Your home is so lovely."

"Thank you," Mrs. Hayashi said.

The rest of the mansion was just as magnificent as the outside. They passed through many rooms. Most of them were decorated in typical traditional Japanese style with low tables, rugs, and art on the walls. But some, like the parlor and piano rooms were more American traditional. They finally entered a small cozy dining room with a brown wooden table that could seat eight comfortably. The walls were painted a buttery yellow, and there was brown crown molding around the brown draped windows and the doors. The chairs were upholstered in gold, red, and green brocade. Two men sat at the table. They rose when they entered.

"Cristal Gentry, this is my husband, Ambassador Hayashi and my eldest son."

My, my, my, Satoshi is full of surprises. She knew him, what, nearly a year and he never mentioned that he had a handsome older brother.

"And this beautiful young woman is Cristal Gentry, a friend of Satoshi."

The older man approached and took her hand. He was dressed in a dark brown business suit and light brown tie. He was very tall. He resembled Satoshi around the eyes and forehead, but Satoshi had inherited his delicate features from his mother. "It is nice to meet a friend of Satoshi's," the ambassador said. He bowed again. "Welcome to our home, Miss Gentry." His chocolate brown eyes, Satoshi's eyes, twinkled merrily. He introduced his eldest son. "This is Tae."

Cristal turned to face the other man. He also shared those beautiful brown eyes, but he had taken his handsome looks from his father. Unlike Satoshi, his looks were more masculine and refined. He wore a black business suit that fitted his muscular shoulders and rugged build. His straight black hair was fashionably cut short and looked manly.

"It is nice to meet you, Miss Gentry," Tae said. He too spoke English, but it was more accented than the others. He raised his eyes checking her out.

Cristal never broke the gaze.

Tae smirked.

If he thought she was some empty-headed broad, he was surely mistaken.

The ambassador took her over to the table and helped her into a seat. He did the same for his wife and then sat down.

His two grown sons sat down after them. Satoshi sat next to her, while Tae sat across from her. They continued to talk and to get to know each other until the maid entered with the food. The young woman took one looked at Satoshi, blushed, and put her head down. Cristal knew exactly how the young woman felt. Satoshi was just too much to take in at one time.

"What do you do for a living?" Tae asked Cristal.

"I'm a journalist and Aomori's publicist," Cristal answered.

Tae lifted his chopsticks. "Ah, mixing business with pleasure. I see."

"Not exactly," she said knowing exactly what he meant. "I enjoy my work. It's challenging and not always fun. But there are a few times when you can say it has been pleasurable."

She waited for the elder Hayashis to begin eating before sampling the meal.

"How long have you and Satoshi been dating?" Tae asked.

"Ms. Gentry and I are friends," Satoshi answered his brother. He picked up his bowl of rice and scooped some into his mouth.

She might be an outsider but she could tell that there were some problems between the brothers. She supposed it could just be sibling rivalry, but she felt this tension between them.

The usually talkative Satoshi hadn't said very much since they arrived.

"What does a publicist do?" Mrs. Hayashi asked.

"I plan and organize Aomori's public appearances and help schedule events. I take care of their speeches and keep the public abreast of what the group is doing, like appearances and television shows."

"Isn't it also your job to keep them out of trouble?" Tae asked.

The food sank to the pit of her stomach. "No," Cristal replied. "They are grown men. They can do that for themselves. My job is just to keep it from being publicized."

"Satoshi must keep you pretty busy," he said sarcastically.

"Not especially," Cristal replied, picking up the fact that he was trying to insult his younger brother. "I find his zest for life charming."

Mrs. Hayashi chuckled, while the ambassador cleared his throat.

"What do your parents do?" Mrs. Hayashi asked.

"Both of my parents have retired from the United States Marine Corps. My father was a general and my mother was a colonel."

"You're a military brat?" Tae asked.

Satoshi glared at him but did not comment.

"Yes," Cristal replied proudly. "What do you do for a living?"

"Tae is a corporate lawyer," Satoshi answered.

"Yes, I work for one of the largest law firms in Osaka. It's not as glamorous as being a pop singer, but I make a decent living."

Cristal knew a slight when she heard one. What was up with him? "Satoshi is a gifted singer and pianist," Cristal said in her friend's defense. "He's also a talented dancer. And..."

"A troublemaker," Tae finished. "Has he told you how many times he's been arrested?"

"Yes, I know all about that, but it's not like he's murdered anyone. Young men, especially those who are entertainers, tend to be a bit undisciplined because of the rigorous training and sacrifice they make for their craft. Do you have any idea what it's like to be an idol? He can't go anywhere or do things normal people do. I'm surprised we weren't mobbed on the way here. Satoshi and the others have to give up on having normal lives. So if he goes a little wild at times, it's perfectly understandable."

"Well said, young lady," the ambassador said to her. "You certainly seem to know a lot about my son. And you must be the reason we haven't had to bail him out of jail this past year."

Satoshi smirked.

"It's my job to know them," Cristal said. "And they're not very different from any other twenty-year-old men. You don't have to worry about him. He's a fine young man and very responsible. He's the backbone of Aomori."

Satoshi lifted an eyebrow to her.

"In what way?" Tae asked still not convinced that his brother wasn't a criminal.

"Everyone goes to him with their problems. He's a very good listener and very compassionate. And he'd do anything for a friend, even introduce him to a good woman."

"Remind me to tell Masaaki to give you a raise," Satoshi replied as he sipped his tea.

"See," Mrs. Hayashi said. "He is not a thug."

Cristal chuckled. "No, not a thug. He's a dear friend."

Satoshi winked at her and went back to his meal.

Shaundra and Ichiro arrived at his restaurant in Osaka around six, and found the parking lot jammed packed with patrons. Ichiro parked in his personal spot and then came around to help her out of the car.

"I can't wait to introduce you to my family," he said excitedly.

Shaundra sighed. How was she going to make a good first impression pregnant and looking like she had a watermelon stuffed beneath the red-and-white maternity outfit Harper had purchased for her? It had gotten to the point that she could barely balance herself on heels, and her breasts were getting so big they literally spilled over the neckline of her blouse.

Ichiro helped her up the stairs, being very careful not to jostle her. So much attention smothered her but she didn't mention it because his feelings were still too fragile.

Ichiro opened the door and they stepped inside.

Shaundra's eyes widened. The restaurant looked a lot different now than it had when he first showed it to her right after they met. She expected it to be done in traditional Japanese fashion with pillows on the floors, but no, it was very modern with tables and booths and romantic lighting.

Delicious aromas filtered out from the kitchen and from the tabletop hibachis. The babies moved around in her stomach as if anxious to sample each and every dish. Sometimes she wondered if she actually carried babies inside of her. She was always hungry now, even though most of it came back up right after she ate it. Hopefully that would not happen tonight.

A young, pretty Japanese woman came toward them. She had long shoulder-length black hair and she wore a yellow kimono. "Ichiro," she squealed and hugged him.

"Down brat," Ichiro told her. "You act like you've never seen me before."

The young woman chuckled and then peered over at her.

"Shaundra?"

Who else? Shaundra wondered.

"Who else," Ichiro replied as if reading her mind. He took her hand and tugged her forward. "Shaundra, this is my sister Etsuko. Etsuko, this is my wife, Shaundra."

"Konnichiwa," Etsuko said in Japanese.

"Konnichiwa," Shaundra repeated. At least she knew enough of the language to recognize the warm and friendly greeting.

"You are very beautiful," Etsuko said in English. "Welcome to our family." She bowed respectfully.

Shaundra bowed back even though she couldn't bend down as low as the younger woman.

"Come and meet the others," Etsuko said taking Shaundra's hand and leading her further into the restaurant past the other diners. "I have read some of your books. I like the ones you have published here in Japan."

She spoke English a lot better than Shaundra imagined.

She hadn't published any contemporary romances in Japan so she meant the yaoi or gay novels. "You like yaoi?"

Etsuko nodded. "What's not to like about two handsome men and a lot of romantic action?"

Shaundra chuckled. This one she liked. Etsuko and Ichiro resembled each other around the eyes and mouth but Etsuko's eyes were a deep chocolate brown instead of blue.

She pulled another young woman away from a counter.

"Hana," this is Ichiro's wife, Shaundra. Shaundra this is my older sister Hana." The young woman whom Hana was talking to once they arrived, looked her over, bowed, and then left.

But not before Shaundra noticed the smile she gave Ichiro.

Ichiro's other sister was gorgeous and slender with short brown hair and brown eyes. She wore a classy black skirt set with an emblem of a dragon on the pocket. She bowed first and then hugged Shaundra.

"It is very nice to finally meet you." She broke the embrace, stepped back, and looked at Shaundra. "The pregnancy agrees with you. Your skin is glowing. No wonder my brother has been floating on a cloud since he married you."

"Thank you," Shaundra said. She never expected such warmth and love.

"Where's Daichi?" Ichiro asked.

"He's in the kitchen," Hana answered. "I will get him." She left and then returned a few minutes later accompanied by a man dressed in a brown suit, with short black hair and baring a striking resemblance to Ichiro. Hana introduced him.

"Konnichiwa," he said to Shaundra in Japanese. He bowed.

"Konnichiwa," Shaundra repeated. There was no denying the resemblance. Daichi was gorgeous.

"Ichiro is a very lucky man," he said taking her arm and leading her up the hall.

Ichiro just shrugged and followed. They entered a private dining room. Shaundra's eyes landed on a loving family portrait of the four siblings and felt a pang of jealousy.

"The chefs have prepared a wonderful meal for you,"

Daichi told her. "No salt and light on the seasonings."

He helped her into a seat. "Thank you," she said. So Ich had filled him in on her condition. She supposed she should be thankful. He sat down next to her for a few minutes while Ichiro sat across from them. The two sisters left and went back to work.

"Ichiro should have brought you around sooner," Daichi said.

"I went missing for a couple of months," Shaundra said trying to make light of the situation.

"No, before the earthquake. You've been married for quite a while now and he knows we've been dying to meet you."

"I've been busy," Ichiro said in his own defense. "She's here now; can't you be happy with that?"

"I'm very happy with this," Daichi said. "She is now the matriarch of the family and there is so much for her to learn."

Matriarch. Why did that make her seem like an ancient relic? "What do I have to learn?"

"Family traditions and history, and there are many relatives to meet. They are all anxious to get to know you."

Shaundra scowled. Ichiro hadn't mentioned any of this.

"When are the babies due?"

"In October," Shaundra said.

"What? That only gives us a few months to prepare."

"Prepare for what?" Shaundra asked.

"For the formal christening," Daichi told her. "There will be an elaborate ceremony to welcome you and them into the Yoshida family. And then there's the formal registering of their birth."

Shaundra looked over at Ichiro. He looked terribly guilty about something. "It all sounds so exciting," Shaundra lied.

She'd only come there for a meal, and now she had to put aside most of her plans to prepare for a christening.

"She's supposed to be on bed rest," Ichiro finally said.

"She can't participate in much of the celebration. She's very delicate."

"I understand," Daichi said. "And we will take every precaution."

They made it sound like she was about to be crowned queen of Japan or something. Wait, no, empress. She had to get her female monarchies straight.

The door opened and two waiters appeared with their meal.

"I have to get back to work," Daichi said rising. "Please enjoy the meal." He lifted Shaundra's hand and kissed it.

Their eyes met and Shaundra's widened by what she saw in his. "Ichiro is a very lucky man."

Shaundra also caught the look of surprise on Ichiro's face as his brother released her hand and left the room. Is he jealous? Good!

The waiters left, leaving her alone with Ichiro. He moved over to the seat Daichi vacated. "My brother seems much taken with you," he said as he tested the food before serving it to her. She knew he did it to check for salt and MSG.

"He is just being nice," Shaundra said, not taking her eyes off him.

"He's never been this nice before," Ichiro said as he dished up their food.

"Are you jealous?" Shaundra asked.

Ichiro lifted those exquisite eyes to her and her pussy watered. "Yes, my brother is quite handsome."

"Yes, he is," Shaundra replied. "But not as handsome as you, baby."

Heat blistered in those sapphire eyes.

Shaundra gulped. He desperately wanted her. Maybe she had strung him along sexually long enough.

"I want to make the night special," he told her. "Let's start our lives over again."

She was down for that at the moment. But even she knew that they could not go back to the way things were. Too much time had passed, and she had put into her mind to just take this one day at a time until she made a decision to stay or leave.

The club was jumping with young people dancing uninhibited to music played by a disc jockey. Takumijo had met up with Osamu and some of the other cast members and were seated at a table by themselves drinking Tequila and discussing their parts.

Tomorrow's script called for him and Osamu to enter a burning building. They'd also be doing some high-flying martial art movements, and there was a romantic love scene in which he was supposed to participate.

"Where is the rest of your group?" Osamu asked him as they did a couple of gelatin shots.

"Yori is visiting his in-laws, Satoshi is out on a date with our publicist and Ichiro and his wife have gone away from the weekend."

Osamu chuckled. "Ichiro with a wife. I can't even imagine that."

Takumijo shook his head. "I couldn't either at first, but he is a loving husband and will make a great father."

"They're expecting?" Osamu asked.

Takumijo nodded. "She's six months pregnant."

"She is very pretty for an older woman."

"I suppose," Takumijo replied. "She is just what Ichiro needs."

"At the moment," Osamu said. "But you and I know better than that."

Takumijo looked over at his friend. "I don't understand what you mean."

"Ichiro is quite attractive. Sooner or later someone else might catch his eye and bring him over to the dark side."

Takumijo chuckled. "I doubt that. Ichiro is very much into women."

"How do you know this?" Osamu asked, raising his glass for a toast.

Takumijo saluted back with his drink. "I just know. There's no way he'd fall for a man, despite his looks. Ich is into breasts, not dicks."

"Speaking of dicks, did you say that Satoshi is out on a date with Ms. Gentry? I thought she was Yi-jun's woman."

"Yi-jun is a very busy actor. He is filming in the United States at the moment and doesn't have time for Cristal."

"So Satoshi is moving in on Yi-jun's territory?"

"No, she does not belong to Yi-jun. Cristal is the woman of Satoshi's dreams. He is just too stupid to realize it." He chuckled. "I'd guess he's feeling very confused right about now. She's probably stringing him along and making him pay for fixing her up with Yi-jun. I still don't understand why he did that. I noticed the chemistry between them the moment they met."

Osamu laughed. "That's funny because I felt the same thing between him and Ichiro."

"Well, that's true, but Ichiro is our maknae and would kick Satoshi's ass if he made a play for him."

"And what about you?"

"What about me?" Takumijo asked.

"Would he kick your ass too?"

"Probably not, since I'm so irresistible and charming."

A young woman approached. "May I have this dance?" she asked Takumijo.

He looked down at her. She had the cutest eyes and the sweetest smile, and Osamu's questions were starting to make him nervous. "Sure," he said. "See," he told Osamu. "No one can resist me." He winked and followed the young woman onto the dance floor.

Your family is certainly interesting," Cristal said to Satoshi as they drove back to the farmhouse.

He peered over at her. "And you made quite an impression on them, but unfortunately now they expect me to act like a gentleman and stay out of trouble."

"What's wrong with that?" Cristal asked settling back in her seat.

"It's so boring," Satoshi said. "What's life without a little adventure?"

"My life," Cristal replied with a sigh. All a part of being an upstanding citizen in society."

"Tae likes you."

Cristal shook her head. "Good for him and before you try to fix me up with him, I'm not interested."

Satoshi smirked. "Now why would I do something like that?"

Cristal rolled her eyes at him. "You are so full of yourself."

"So, did you have a nice time on our date?"

"Yes, a real nice time. I especially liked the stories your father told me about you as a child. I can't believe you were that innocent. Where did all the sweetness go to?"

"No, I'm not that same little boy, but I'm still sweet, you just haven't sampled it yet." He paused. "I've grown up a lot since returning from the United States."

"Yes, I can tell, and they're right. You haven't been in jail not since we've met."

He laughed. "That has nothing to do with you. Jail is not what it's cracked up to be. They throw you in with hardened criminals. Some of them who haven't seen a woman in a long time."

Cristal laughed. "I can see where that might pose a problem for you guys."

"Don't let these pretty looks fool you. Beneath this perfect exterior beats the lust of a man."

"I will take that into consideration if the need ever arise,"

Cristal told him.

Satoshi shook his head. "You are quite the character, Cristal. Now I see why Yi-jun is in love with you."

"Yi-jun is not in love with me. Yi-jun is in lust with me.

Kind of like you guys are with Shaundra."

"What's the difference?" Satoshi asked.

"Love is what Shaundra and Ichiro have. He puts her first most of the time, and he worships the ground she walks on.

Shaundra will sacrifice her happiness with him just so he can be happy. That, my friend, is what love is all about."

Satoshi sat quiet for a moment. "Do you really think so?"

"But of course. The two of them may have their share of problems but they are very much in love with each other. I can see it in their eyes when they look at each other and I can't wait until the babies are born."

"Why? You don't seem like the motherly type."

"Are you crazy? Babies are cute and they smell good and what do you mean I'm not the motherly type? I am so the motherly type."

"Would you like to have a baby?"

"One of these days," Cristal said. "If I can find the right man."

Satoshi drove onto the compound, got the good-to-go from the guard and drove up to the farmhouse. He got out and helped Cristal out and they walked up the stairs together.

"It's been fun," Cristal said as they entered the house.

"It doesn't have to end," Satoshi said taking her hand and leading her up the stairs toward the bedrooms.

"What do you mean?"

"We can get a jump start on making that baby," he told her.

Cristal froze. Was he saying what she thought he was saying? "What?"

Satoshi pulled her to him and looked deeply into her eyes.

"Let me make love to you, Cristal."

The night might have turned out differently if her cell phone hadn't gone off. She pulled it out of her pocket while he continued to stare into her eyes. "Hello."

"Hi Cristal, this is Yi-jun."