Alone Now Ch 12 Pt 1

 “Dad?”

“Yes, Haruhi dear.”

“I want to tell you something.”

“Anything, my darling daughter.  What kind of good news is it?”

Haruhi had woken up on the day of Hunny’s wedding with a good feeling in her gut.  She felt at peace with herself, now that she had openly admitted her feelings for Kyoya.  It was just a little ironic and sad that the last two people to find out were the two most important ones in this case. 

Haruhi was determined to change that, and it put a smile on her face that would have inspired many squeals of joy had the fangirls seen their natural host.  As it was, it put her dad in a good mood.

“It’s about Kyoya.”

“Oh?” he said, leaning forward and taking his daughter’s hands as he said, “What has he said?”

“It’s nothing exactly that he has said, only made clear from his actions.  I think he cares a lot about me, maybe even loves me.  I can’t be certain yet, but I want to find out.  The truth is that I love him.”

Ranka gave Haruhi a soul-crushing hug after getting up and rushing to her side, all smiles and daisies bursting spontaneously from him.  It was with some relief to Haruhi that his screech of joy was drowned out by him leaning into Haruhi.

After Ranka had sufficiently spent himself in hugging Haruhi with joy, he responded with some measure of rationality.

“This is the best news I have ever heard! It’s about time for you two.  I’ve been hoping for so long that something would happen.  You couldn’t have picked a better man to marry.  I’m going to be so proud to call Kyoya-kun my boy.”

“Thanks, Dad.  I’m glad you’re so happy.”

“I can already see you two growing old together, the fiercest in your workforce, and even fiercer in your love for one another.  It’s going to be so beautiful!”

Haruhi tried not to giggle as she watched her dad fan himself from the excitement and then plaster his hands to his face as he imagined Haruhi and Kyoya as a couple, followed quickly by images of them with their beautiful children.  It was all just too much.

“Now, Dad, before you start planning my wedding-“

“Too late!”

Haruhi sweat-dropped before trying to convince her dad to calm down, but to no avail.

“He hasn’t even proposed to me yet, and there’s no guarantee he’s going to soon, especially with all the work he’s got going on-“

“Oh, pish posh! He wants to; I just know it! I bet he’s just waiting for the right moment.  Never fear, my sweet daughter, he loves you.  I could tell for some time now.  The way he keeps bringing you to his family dinners, as though preparing you for your future together…..yes, it’s going to be lovely!”

“Okay, Dad, but still, at least wait until he proposes.”

“But there’s so much to do! There’s a dress to find and choose, not to mention a good place to hold the ceremony, food, guests, and so much more! There’s no time to waste! I’ve been saving money in preparation for this, and I fully intend to make it a splendid event to remember for both of us.  You’re going to be a happy, beautiful, stress-free bride with my help.”

Haruhi hugged her dad.  There were many things she expected of her dad, whether it was the frilly dresses or outrageous theme ideas for the wedding.  But, her dad had never rolled in the money, and for him to save like that instead of spending on new outfits, it was saying something.

“Thanks, Dad.  I appreciate you looking out for me.”

“I’m here for you, Haruhi.  Now, you need to get going, or else you’re going to be late.  You’ve got a wedding to attend!”

“Hopefully I can calm everyone down.  I have no doubt Reiko is worried, and I fear what the twins are doing right now.”

“Go save the day, dear.  And let me know if any other good news comes as soon as you know!”

Ignoring the last part of his statement, Haruhi said, “Good-bye, Dad.  I’ll take pictures of the ceremony for you.”

“Excellent! I need more ideas for color schemes as it is.”

Haruhi walked out the door to find Renge waiting in a limo for her.  Hopping in, the two girls talked about the wedding, though Renge was significantly louder in her opinions.  

For once, Renge did not talk about Kyoya at all, which Haruhi found odd.  But she did not know that Tamaki had told Renge about the dare Kyoya received, and Renge had high hopes of convincing Kyoya, with her Tamaki’s help, to propose by the end of the day.  However, she did not want to hint at anything special that might be happening, so she did not bring up Kyoya, which Haruhi was just fine with.

Meanwhile, peeking through a window until Haruhi was gone, Ranka decided that it was time to start planning his only daughter’s wedding. 

“It’s a good thing I’ve been receiving that bridal magazine for the last year.  Haruhi’s going to need all the help she can get! Although, I’m going to have to narrow my recommended list of dresses for Haruhi to try on.  Let’s see, right now there are…..300 dresses.  Hmm, yes, top thirty will do nicely.  Now, how to get a hold of all of them…. I’m sure Kyoya–kun has some friends or can order them for us.  If not, then I’m sure those lovely twins can help.  It’s a good thing that their dress design is number three on my list.  Very fortunate.”

Meanwhile, in a mansion across town, Kyoya was just waking up.  He had been up too late celebrating with Hunny, and now he was tired.  But, thoughts of Haruhi dressed in the sweetheart-neckline red dress, smiling and walking down the aisle with him got him out of bed with a smile on his face.  

Thankfully, it was too early for anyone to be up, so he ate in silence as he considered how best to proceed in confessing his feelings for her.  So far, no good opportunities had presented themselves, and he hoped it was different today.  Love was in the air, after all. 

Right before Kyoya walked out the door, his father appeared, reading the news.  Upon seeing Kyoya, he beckoned Kyoya to join him in his study. 

“Good morning, father.”

“Is it a good morning? Yes, for you it is.  There’s a wedding today, isn’t there?”

Kyoya had an air of impatience about him, with his straight back turned just so toward the door.  His father showed no concern at his son’s impatience as he sat down and asked questions.

“Yes, I need to leave soon to make sure I’m on time to help with last minute preparations.”

“I doubt they need more help.  The families being who they are, I’m sure they have servants and family a-plenty to help.”

“True.”

Kyoya took a backward step toward the door since his father paused, seemingly done asking him questions.

“Then why the rush?”

Kyoya took several steps forward to prepare for more questions.  He knew a long discussion when he heard it.

“Perhaps I’m eager to see Haruhi today.”

“That seems the much more likely reason.  I’m sure she’ll be dressed well.”

“The dress is perfect for her.”

“But is she for you?”

Kyoya stood in thought for several moments, trying to understand what his father was getting at.  He had already given his blessing months ago, practically pushed him to bring her to all the family dinners imaginable, so why that? Why now? Had he changed his mind?

“Father-“

“Is she the type of girl you need? Will she do her duty toward you and this family? Does she respect us?”

Kyoya’s face scrunched slightly under such questions.

“Yes, she does.  She has nothing but the highest respect for you and mother, and loves Fuyumi.  She actually enjoys attending dinners here, and you’ve seen how well she fits into the conversation.”

“Does she support you? Will she understand when you stay late at work multiple times a week, and then disappear halfway across the world at a moment’s notice? Will she want you to stay at work permanently, or come home all the time? Does she understand all the responsibility that you have?”

The eldest Ootori’s face was calm and impassive, while Kyoya’s face tried to restrain all the feeling flitting through his eyes.

“Yes, she’s more than aware of all that I have to do.  She knows I enjoy it, and she supports me every step of the way.  She’s willing to wait.  She’ll come to me, just as she knows that if she really needed me, I would come to her.”

“Is she willing to join our ranks in society? Is she prepared for the attention? Will she put on a good face to maintain the family name? Will she always stand by your side, or will she run?”

Kyoya stepped forward at that question.  He did not care for what his father implied about Haruhi.

“She cares about me and would never hurt me.  She at first was not fond of the attention, but she’s a natural around others.  She has grown to enjoy it, and she charms all, from the gossiping masses to the elders in the company.  She stands proudly by my side.”

Yoshio Ootori continued to look up at his son.  Once upon a time, he showed no emotions and was a strong fortress of intelligence.  Now, he showed his intelligence well as he fought to use his self-control.  Now, he truly cared about someone, was passionate about her.  It would only translate better into his work to have that much passion and reason to succeed, to make her proud.

“Does she love you?”

Kyoya did not flinch as he answered.

“I can’t say with one hundred percent certainty that she does, but I have reasons to believe it.”

“Then why do you wait? Do you want her to escape you again?”

“No, I don’t.  I’m going to stop waiting, today.  This is my proof,” he said, holding out the ring box.

“Then go.  You need a strong woman at your side, someone who will push you to succeed and keep you honest.  She does that well.”

Kyoya did not need to be told twice to leave.  He was gone in a moment, ready to leave his father’s inquisitive presence.

Once Kyoya left the home, his father took his breakfast in the study.  After opening up a worn, black notebook and searching for information among his handwritten notes, he enjoyed his breakfast and started making the necessary phone calls. 

“Yes, Lin? Good morning.  Remember that time a few years ago when I leant you some of my private force for that ambassador’s visit?”

After a pause for Lin, he continued, “Good.  I need you to return that favor, seeing as you own the largest hotel/conference center in the country.  When is your next opening for a wedding on that gazebo of yours?”

He did not bat an eye when he responded back, “Three years you say?”

Yoshio Ootori just smiled his own version of a Shadow King smile as he continued, leaning back in his chair.

“Good, glad to hear that business is booming.  See, my son’s getting married, so you can imagine all the work and people I’ll need to make it happen.  I need a weekend six months from now.  Yes, give or take a week from that as preparations need be, but I need the entire center available for all of the guests I expect to come.”

He started to write some information in his notebook as he waited for the answer.  After a short time, he smiled as though agreeing to a business deal.

“Excellent.  I thought you might have an opening that you overlooked.  I’ll have my secretary email you all of the necessary information as it becomes available.  You’ll be well-paid for your troubles.  Good day.”

That small detail taken care of, he then opened the black notebook to another section, checking off another item on his list.  Yes, the list was old, dating back to the end of Kyoya’s second year at Ouran, but it had paid off in the end when that Suoh missed his chance.  

He would finally secure Haruhi Fujioka for his daughter-in-law.  It was time to make more phone calls, but seeing as he had a large list of debts owed to him, he was not all that concerned.  And so the planning continued.