A.J. P.O.V.

"Oh my god, oh my god. I'm so nervous!" I cried, pacing my room. Haruhi stood there in her pink summer dress, glaring at me. "She's not even here yet, but most of the other guests are, and Hikaru's dad is dying to meet you!" she responded, grabbing my arm and trying to drag me out of the room. My hair was done in a waterfall style, falling over my shoulders carefully. I was in a simple green and white dress that made my eyes glow jade, and white lace ballet flats. I stared at myself in the mirror self consciously, tugging my arm back. "I look so...plain!" I whined. "He's not gonna like me." She rolled her eyes and pulled even harder. "Yes he is, now let's GO!" With one final tug, she pulled me out of my room and down the hall. Mr. & Ms. Hitachiin lived separately because Mr. Hitachiin was always at work, but they were still married. Hikaru had told me all about his father the night before, and despite his frequent absence, he spoke of him with reverence. He described Mr. Hitachiin as a very loving and easygoing man.

"Ah, there she is, the lady of the hour!" Hikaru exclaimed. He was in a white button down and black dress pants, his tie hanging loosely around his neck. Haruhi handed me off to him as she made her way downstairs to greet everyone. "Where are the girls?" I fretted, wringing the fabric of my dress in my hands. "They're with their Uncle Tamaki, don't worry. He's bringing them down right now to meet everyone," he assured. As if on cue, I could hear Tamaki bellow dramatically, "Introducing the ladies of the home, Miss Lily and Miss Rose Breaux!" I took a deep breath, scowling at Hikaru's lazy grin. He had nothing to worry about. My parents wouldn't be holding him under a microscope. I fixed his tie, doing anything to keep my hands busy and stall for time. "It'll be alright," he cooed, brushing his fingers across my cheek. "I'll be right here with you." His hand trailed down my neck to my shoulder and all the way down my side, reaching out and squeezing my waist. I forced a smile as he led me to the staircase. I made my way down carefully. Standing in the ballroom was my family, my and Hikaru's mutual friends, Kaoru, and a man I did not know. He looked much like Hikaru and Kaoru, but his hair was black and his eyes were coffee-colored. He had a goatee, and was about half a head taller than his sons, his features sharper and more defined than the boys'. "Mr. Hitachiin, it's a pleasure to meet you," I murmured shyly when we reached the base of the stairs, holding my hand out to him. He took it gently in both of his hands and bowed slightly.

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Breaux," he replied, straightening and looking me up and down. He was inspecting me, and I could not mistake the surprise in his eyes when he saw my piercings and tattoos. "Such a colorful woman," he chuckled. I guess he noticed my embarrassment, because his eyes widened and he immediately corrected himself. "No no no! I don't mean it in a bad way at all! I am glad my son has found someone to brighten his life." His smile was warm, and I instantly knew that I liked him. "Dad, there's a couple people I want you to meet," Hikaru said. Mr. Hitachiin waved his hand dismissively and sighed, "Son, I've met all of your friends." Kaoru had Lily and Rose in each arm, grinning as he approached his father from behind. "Mr. Hitachiin-"

"Please, call me Akio," he interrupted me. "Akio, um..." My voice trailed off and I pointed behind him. He turned to Kaoru and his face lit up in a bright grin. "These are the little girls Tamaki brought down," he mused, looking over his shoulder at me. "These are your daughters, yes?" I nodded, and I felt Hikaru shift nervously beside me. "Actually, they're mine too, Dad." His face went blank, and it was quiet for a moment. The silence dragged on until, finally, he burst into joyous laughter. "Actually yours, as in they're not just going to be your stepchildren?!" Hikaru nodded, grinning proudly. "Yes, sir. I told you about A.J. and I dating in high school, do you remember? Well, these are our daughters." Mr. Hitachiin smiled even wider and held his arms out. Lily and Rose buried their heads in Kaoru's shoulders. "Un'le Kaowu," they whimpered. He chuckled and offered them to Mr. Hitachiin. "That's mine and your daddy's dad. He's your grandpa," he whispered. Rose was the first to peek up at him. She glanced across the room and pointed to my father. "Like Pepe Alex?" she asked. Kaoru nodded. "Exactly like your Pepe," Kaoru answered. "Except it's your daddy's dad."

Lily peeked up at him and smiled, reaching for him. He took both girls, laughing as they touched his face and mussed his hair. I took the opportunity to get the attention of the rest of our guests. "If you all want to come into the dining room, I have dinner ready," I said. They all started to migrate to the other room. Hikaru nudged his father and I caught the tail end of their conversation. "...so stubborn. She made everything herself." I felt my face grow warm, and I followed them into the other room. Potato salad, baked beans, deviled eggs, homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, steamed vegetables, roasted chicken, ham, lobster, collard greens, and an array of desserts covered a table against the far wall, while the dinner table was set with precision and care. I wanted everything to be perfect. While everyone socialized, Hikaru helped me serve plates. Kaoru approached us with an uneasy expression. I think he said something to his twin, but I didn't see his mouth move, and it must've been too low for me to hear. Hikaru looked at me anxiously, and uttered three words that made my heart drop to my stomach. "Mother is here." Mrs. Hitachiin glided into the room, the picture of grace and sophistication. She was in a sharp black suit that flaunted her shape, her stilettos clacking against the tile. Her short hair was gelled up in drastic spikes. "Yuzuha, darling! So glad you made it," Mr. Hitachiin cheered. "Akio," she sighed happily, going over to him and kissing him passionately. I hid behind Hikaru, too scared to face her just yet. She looked around, taking in the appearance of the house. "How nice to see our sons doing so well," she commented.

"Actually, Mom," Kaoru interjected, "Hikaru and I don't share this house." She rose an eyebrow at her son. "Oh? Then Hikaru lives here by himself?" she commented. "No, not at all. Dear, he invited us here to meet his fiancee, and his daughters," Mr. Hitachiin answered. "H-his fiancee? D-daughters?" she balked. "Mom..." Hikaru pulled me out from behind him. Her face paled. "A.J. and I intend to get married. And these are our children, Lily and Rose. Girls, say hi to your grandmother." She turned to the girls, and her expression of horror grew. Rose smiled politely, and Lily hid her face in Mr. Hitachiin's arm. "Hello Grandma," Rose said. Yuzuha looked like she was going to faint. Hikaru tried to guide me over to her, but I dug my heels and wouldn't budge. She looked at me with so much disdain; I felt like I was going to vomit, have an anxiety attack, or both. Everyone was so engrossed in their banter and conversation that they did not notice when I excused myself. I could hear Hikaru not too far behind me, and Yuzuha as he guided her out of the dining room. I was ready to flee up the stairs, but the words I heard struck me hard enough to make me halt. "You're marrying her? Honestly, Hikaru, I thought you were over this," she sighed in exasperation. I grabbed the stair railing, turning around and unleashing all of the venom and fury I had been holding back.

"I am not American trash, as you so enjoy calling me. I am not nothing; I am the founder of an amazing and successful company that is changing the world. And I love Hikaru, I've loved him since I was sixteen years old! He loves me, too, and we have two bright, amazing daughters that I have had to carry and raise by myself for the past four years because of you, because you threatened him. You threatened to disown him because of who he loved!! I will not stand by in my own home and be judged by you." I felt the tears coming, but I did not let them fall. She didn't deserve the satisfaction of seeing me cry. "He doesn't know what love is. He's too young," she scoffed. "I have two children in there that are adored by my friends, cherished by their uncles, loved by their parents, and praised by their grandparents, Akio included. If you don't want to accept me, then you don't accept your granddaughters either." I turned away and started up the stairs. She grabbed my wrist. "Adrienne, I...I'm sorry. I always felt you weren't good enough for my Hikaru. Then again, what mother thinks anyone is good enough for their child?" she laughed humorlessly. "I-I apologize for how I've treated you. Please, tell me how I can make amends for my horrid behavior." It looked like the words physically hurt her to say. I looked at Hikaru, who looked so nervous yet so hopeful. I managed a cordial smile and murmured, "You can start by going in there and getting to know your granddaughters."

Dinner was over all too quickly, and most of the party had migrated to the ballroom again, as Tamaki had hooked his phone up and started to play music. I stayed behind to clean the dining room, smiling as the girls danced with Hikaru and Kaoru. They beamed proudly at everyone as they stepped and spun on top of their father's and uncle's feet. Yuzuha entered the dining room and my smile quickly vanished. She had been enjoying her time with her newfound grandchildren, but still was cold toward me. "Do you...do you need any help?" she asked softly, sounding scared. She was no longer in the safety of her own home; this was my playing field, and she couldn't chase me away this time. "Sure," I replied, stacking a bunch of plates on one arm before going to the kitchen. Thank God for those years as a waitress. I had half of the table cleared before Yuzuha even came in.

"He really is wonderful with those two," she laughed, her voice light and careful. She was walking on egg shells with me; I had never seen her as anything other than calm, cool, and in control. I would be lying if I said the situation didn't bring me a slight bit of satisfaction. "I didn't want to tell him about them when I first came back," I admitted. "Why?" she asked. "Why I moved back or why I didn't tell him?" I quipped. "Both," she sighed as she started rinsing the dishes I set in the right side of the sink. "Heart of Saint Evangeline is my life...Evangeline was my mother who died when I was a child. I made the organization in her honor, but what actually motivated me to start was the horrible things I saw: children starving, families sleeping under park benches in the winter with no more than a jacket to keep warm with, women being abused by their spouses. I wanted to change all that. I wanted to 'save the world'. Although it seems like a cliché dream, I've done a good job so far. It wasn't easy by any means, but it was worth it. I moved back here because all of my friends and family that helped me were here."

She looked at me with sorrow. "And the other?" she urged. I would settle for a half-truth, because Hikaru and I had decided that we wouldn't tell anyone about Rose's biological father. "Kaoru told me about how you had threatened Hikaru, and why we broke up. He didn't tell me until after, though. It was over and done with between him and me, and I was honestly scared to death of what you might do to him if he disobeyed you. He came to me, the day he left for college. He came to me and told me he would stay, for me. I was seven weeks pregnant then, and I was moving back to the States. I was 18 years old, and I didn't want to ruin his life, so I didn't tell him. After I came back, I tried to avoid him. He persisted though. Finally, I couldn't lie to him anymore." After a long moment, she cut off the water and turned to me. I didn't want to look up and meet her piercing eyes, but I did. There were tears there. "It was because of me. He missed the first four years of his children's lives because of me?" she sobbed. I didn't answer, and she cried even more. "It's all my fault!" she wailed. "What did you do to Mom?" Kaoru chuckled as he walked in. Hikaru was right behind him. "I'm so sorry Hikaru!" she sobbed, throwing herself at Kaoru. "You call yourself our mother," Hikaru scoffed playfully, holding his arms open. She blushed lightly and let go of the younger twin, hugging the correct one this time.

Throughout the night, Yuzuha would gently pat the girls' hair or smooth out their dresses, cooing softly to them. Me? She treated me a hell of a lot better after her breakdown in the kitchen. "Finally melted the Ice Queen's heart?" Haruhi murmured as we stood on the edge of the dance floor, watching her dance with Rose. "Maybe," I snickered. Tamaki approached us, bowing deeply before he took Haruhi's hand. "If you'll excuse me madamoiselle, I'd like to steal my wife," he declared, his voice as slick as oil on a track. "By all means, take her monsieur," I giggled. Kaoru came over next, offering his hand. "May I ask my bride-to-be to dance?" I could see Hikaru dancing with Lily, trying to hide his smirk. "You may dance with your possible-maybe-one-day-sister-in-law," I replied, grinning up at him. He deflated and I took his hand, guiding him to the dance floor. "Did you really think an old switch-trick would work on me?" I snorted. "I've always been able to tell you two apart." He smiled as he wrapped an arm around my waist and waltzed me around the floor. "Possible-maybe-one-day-sister-in-law? Why not definite?" he murmured. It had always been easy to talk to Kaoru; he was the big brother I always dreamed of. So were the other former Host Boys, but it was always Kaoru who I was closest to. "It's complicated," I sighed. "My mind and my head aren't exactly in agreement." He spun me once, twice, and then brought me back to him. "What do you mean?" he whispered. "I love him, Lord knows I do, but I'm scared...for a lot of reasons," I admitted. He nodded, pressing his lips to my forehead as the song came to a close. "I know. Hikaru told me all about it," he said in a low voice. He spun me and let go. Hikaru caught me, smooth as silk. "Adrienne," he breathed, his voice reverent and heartfelt, Just that one word, my name, sent my heart into a frenzy. "Is there something you want to say to me?" His voice was no longer sweet, but playful and condescending. I wanted to smack the stupid grin right off of his face; yet, at the same time, I wanted to kiss those gorgeous lips. "Today wasn't as bad as I thought," I confessed. "Is that so?" he smirked. I felt the blush rising to my cheeks and I ducked my head, nodding a bit.

OH MY GODDDDDDDDDDD!! THE WIFI IS BACK ON HALLELUJAH!!! I'LL BE POSTING ALMOST DAILY!!!!!!! EXCUSE MY CAPS-SCREAMING I'M HAPPPPPPYYYYYYY!!