It had been a week since I last saw Hikaru. He ran away and I was too scared to go after him. Haruhi had told me to call him and invite him to the party Tamaki and she were throwing for me, but I never got around to it. Now I was sitting at home in front of my laptop, researching information and statistics for a new department I wanted to start at Heart of Evangeline. Lily and Rose were on the living room floor, playing with their dolls. The loud default melody of my phone snapped me out of whatever thoughts I was having. "Adrienne speaking," I answered in my professional voice. I didn't know the number, and whoever was on the other end wasn't talking. "Hello?" More silence. Right before I was going to hang up, they decided to speak. "A.J...hi. I got your number from Haruhi and I was wondering if-- uh, I mean-- I don't have class today, so I was wondering if you wanted to go have breakfast or something," he stammered. I could just picture the soft pink blush rising to his cheeks as he scratched the back of his head nervously. "Hold on," I replied before turning my attention to the girls. "Lily, Rose, do you want to go get breakfast with an old friend of mine?" They immediately jumped up from the floor and ran to get dressed, squealing happily the whole way. I put the phone back to my ear and giggled, "Sounds like we're thrilled to go." He chuckled softly and sighed, "Great. Do you guys want to meet me at the park near campus in...oh, maybe an hour?" I bit my lip, bouncing on the couch. I couldn't believe after all this time, he still wanted to see me. "Sounds good. See you then," I said before hanging up. He was my first love, my only love. Ever since high school, I didn't want to date; I was scared someone would hurt me again, like he had. I was too afraid to trust anyone. But Hikaru, he was the only person I trusted that way. "Mommy, help!" Lily whined, her back facing me as she pointed at the zipper on her dress. Why did that man always have to distract me? I hadn't even noticed she was in front of me. "Of course babydoll," I smiled as I tugged the zipper up. It was a white long-sleeved dress with ruffles at the ends of the sleeves and a small ribbon around the back. She had brown leggings and a pair of brown boots. Rose had on practically the same outfit: grey long-sleeved dress, black tights, and black boots. Rose was holding a brush. I patted the spot on the floor in front of me and both of them sat down as I started working on Rose's hair first. It was so soft and wavy, nothing like mine at all. I usually left her hair down; it was always prettier that way. She was the only good thing I got from what he had done. "Mommy, are we gon' see da man we meeted at da rest'want?" Rose asked, tilting her head back to look at me. "Yes missy, we are," I answered as I started to pull Lily's hair back in a braid. "He's a funny man Momma," Lily said, making a silly face. I giggled and shook my head at her. She didn't even know the half of it.

Fifty-eight and a half minutes later, we pulled up at the park and my heart started to pound rapidly. Why was I so nervous? Hikaru was someone I knew. He stood under an oak tree, a large basket on his arm. He was in a light grey sweater and dark blue jeans, his hair slightly tousled from the wind. I sighed and got out of "the big black bus", which was what my daughters called my Yukon. "Mommy! Out!" they yelled as I came around to the other side and unbuckled them from their car seats in the back. They clambered out of the vehicle and took off across the grass. "Hi Misser Hik'ru!" Rose grinned. "What's in the basket?" Lily asked, standing on her tiptoes as she tried to look inside. I smiled as I walked behind them leisurely. "Food. We're going on a picnic," he replied politely.

"A pi'nic?" Lily repeated, following close behind him. He looked at her in a way I couldn't really understand, but his eyes softened and he smiled. "Yes. Your mommy used to cook for me all the time, and I never got the chance to repay her. I made French toast, sausage, bacon, and scrambled eggs. It's all still nice and warm, too," he spoke as he stopped in a sunny part of the large field, laying out the blanket that had been tucked in between his arm and the basket. "Hik'ru, were you Mommy's honey?" Rose asked, looking up at him with her wide earth and ivy eyes. "Her what?" he asked incredulously, raising an eyebrow at her. I sat down on the blanket and smiled up at him, my cheeks heating up in embarrassment. "She means were you my boyfriend," I explained bashfully. "Oh," he breathed, his eyes widening before he burst into deep, rumbling laughter. "Yes, I was your mommy's honey. Back in high school," he answered. "Are you gonna be her honey again?" Lily continued. Sure enough, if one had a question then the other would have a follow-up. We exchanged an awkward glance and I turned to the girls with a weak smile. "Okay! Who's hungry?" I squeaked, desperate to change the conversation. They turned to Hikaru again with wide eyes, silently begging for the breakfast they had been promised. He smiled softly and started taking out tupperware bowls, plastic utensils, and paper plates.

After they had finished eating, the girls were running around the park. They were currently playing on an old swingset. I sprawled out on the blanket, watching them carefully. I was always so scared to take my eyes off of them for even a second. "A.J..." Hikaru whispered. I started to laugh, and he looked at me in confusion. "No one calls me that anymore. Only you," I sighed. I looked up at him and he smiled a little. That smile is what has made my heart skip a beat on many occasions, but now, it completely stopped it. I was hypnotized, completely drawn to this man. "Well, no matter how much you change, you're always A.J. to me," he murmured. I sat up, tucking my knees to my chest. I started to play with my hair nervously. "Haruhi and Tamaki are throwing a welcome home party for me tonight. I wanted to invite you," I whispered, staring at the ground. "I'd love to go," he said. I looked up to see that signature smirk that I knew all too well. "But if you've been back for a few months, why now?" he asked. I giggled, playing with the sleeves of my sweater. "You really wanna know why? As of this week, I've officially moved back. I finally finished unpacking," I admitted. "You know, you never did answer me the other day. Are Lily and Rose adopted?" he suddenly asked. "No," I answered warily. "And they're four years old?" I nodded slightly. "Then that means you got pregnant with them right around graduation?" he continued. I nodded again. Finally, he asked the question I had been dreading for over five years. "Are they mine?" I quickly jumped up and yelled, "Lily, Rose, were leaving!" They started walking toward the car, sulking and whining. "A.J., wait! Why won't you answer me, dammit? I deserve to know," he growled. "You're better off not knowing the truth," I sighed before running to my car. Running away, it's what I did best.

*later on that night*

"Just have fun. It's your party," Ranka assured me when I dropped the girls off at his and Auntie's place. They were in their pajamas, glued to the TV as they munched on pizza and junk food. Auntie and Ranka always spoiled them. "Night girls. Mommy loves you," I called as I started to leave. "Bye Mommy!" they shouted in unison. I ran downstairs to the car and headed home to get ready.

I checked my phone. Fifteen missed calls, all from Hikaru. I ignored them and dialed Haruhi's number. "Hello?" she sighed. "Hey, I'm about to leave the house. I'm wearing a blue dress, but I can't find the right shade of shoes to match so...black heels or white flats?" I asked, checking myself out in the mirror. "Is the dress dark blue or light blue?" she asked. "Dark blue," I sighed, adjusting the dress. "Then black heels. Definitely the black," she answered. "Thanks, see you soon," I murmured before hanging up. I was in a royal blue dress that stopped just above my knees. It hugged my curves well, dipping low around the swell of my breasts. It was a halter dress, the string trailing down my bare back. It made both the brown and green in my eyes stand out, like they were glowing. I slipped into my heels and grabbed my purse before heading out.

I got to Tamaki and Haruhi's house at 9:30 p.m. I arrived at the party half an hour late. Then again, I would never be late to my own party; everyone else was just early. Honey and Mori were eating; Tamaki and Haruhi were dancing; and the last people I expected to see were standing at the edge of the dance floor: Kaoru and Hikaru. There were several other people I vaguely remembered, some employees of mine, and some people I didn't know at all. I scurried over to Tamaki and whispered, "May I steal your wife for a moment?" He smiled and stepped aside, Haruhi offering her hand. I took it and yanked her away, off to the dining room. "Why are they here?" I hissed. "Who? The twins? I thought you invited them," she replied. "I did, but Jesus Christ, I didn't expect them to show up!" I shrieked. I was cut short by a soft, familiar voice. "Addie-chan! Come dance with me!" I giggled and let Honey drag me off to the dance floor. He was taller than me now, but he was still so adorable. I saw Hikaru flirting with someone, her hands running along the buttons of his light blue shirt. Even now, it made my blood boil to see him with someone else. I mingled for a while, but soon grew bored. I danced with Haruhi for a while and then, surprisingly, Kyoya. My eyes never left Hikaru though. Kaoru cut in, waltzing me out of sight from his brother. "I know you're upset. I know it hurts. You don't have to act like it doesn't bother you," he murmured softly. "Whatever," I scoffed. His brows scrunched up and he glared. "And why didn't you tell me about my nieces?" I shoved away from him. "What?" I shouted. "You don't know what you're talking about!" He grabbed my hand and pulled me back to him. "Yes I do. Lily and Rose, they're my brother's children, aren't they? Why won't you tell the truth?" he cried, the music drowning out our conversation. I yanked my arm back. "It's none of your business Kaoru. Stay out of it!" I sneered, stomping off toward the bar.

"Hey there gorgeous," someone sighed, wrapping their arms around my waist. I turned around ready to swing, and it was Dylan. "Dylan!!" I squealed, hugging him tightly. "Where are my two favorite little girls?" he asked. "With Auntie," I sighed. "And thank God, because I am drunk off my ass." He snickered and hugged me even tighter. "I can tell. C'mon, I want to introduce you to my Mancreature," he chuckled, guiding me away from the bar. I grabbed my drink, a margarita, and slurped greedily as I followed him. "I thought Mancreature was what we called Hunter," I yelled over the music. "Oh, god! You still remember that? I haven't been with him in years," he shrieked. "No, this is Ronnie. God, he's beautiful. I swear, if he wasn't gayer than Peter Pan in a pair of tights on ice skates, every girl would be all over him." I giggled, stumbling after him. He led me to a tall, well-built, gorgeous man. He had jet black hair that was pulled into a low ponytail and midnight blue eyes. "Ronnie, I want to introduce you to my best friend Adrienne," Dylan grinned. "It's nice to meet you," he smiled, offering his hand. I shook it and turned to Dylan with a sly smile. "You were ri-right. He's absolutely gorgeous," I hiccuped, leaning on him for support. "I'll be back, Ronnie. Seems the lady of the hour needs to retire for the night," Dylan chuckled. I couldn't help but laugh along. He tugged me away and guided me upstairs. Everything was fuzzy and discombobulated as I followed him into one of the many guest rooms. He shoved me onto the bed and sighed, "You can come back downstairs when you sober up, or whenever the party is over. Whichever happens first." After that, he turned around and left me in the empty room. I laid down, trying to stop my head from spinning. The door opened then closed, and I heard a loud thud. "Shit!" someone hissed. I could see them start to get up off the floor and I giggled. It was an embarrassing sound and I immediately stopped when said person turned to glare at me. It was Hikaru. His gaze softened and he whispered, "A.J.?" I sat up, my back against the headboard and my knees to my chest. "I've been looking for you everywhere," he said. I rolled my eyes and began playing with my hair. "Sure you were. Don't look like I was in any of them girls you were hittin' on," I blurted. In my intoxicated state, I wasn't even embarrassed that I was saying these things. I was only angry at him. "A.J., no. No no no," he whispered, crawling in the bed and sitting on his knees in front of me. "I love you so much. I never stopped. I have wanted you since I made the mistake of leaving you. I fucked up, and now you don't want me at all." He sniffled a little and I leaned forward, trying to see him in the dark. Was he crying? "It's not that Hikaru. Don't ever think that. It's just...complicated," I sighed. I froze when he reached out and caressed my cheek. "Stop making it complicated," he breathed before his lips pressed against mine. Hot, greedy, wanting, passionate. It was all these things and more. Sex had always been incredible with Hikaru. When he touched me, flames danced on my skin. When he kissed me, there were fireworks. But I had been without his love for years. No one had touched me since him. The thought of him made my skin crawl and my stomach turn, but Hikaru chased the fear away. Yes, it was drunk sex. No, it was not very wise of me. But after all this time? Screw the flames and fireworks. It was an explosion, a supernova. My whole body was touched and worshipped by him. He claimed me in the most animalistic sort of way. I was his, I was always his. No matter how hard I had tried to deny it.

I have been so excited writing this sequel, but I have no idea how long that I'm going to make it. Right now I'm still trying to figure out how to finish up Redeemed and I'm starting another FMA fanfic, so any input would be appreciated. Any suggestions, ideas, anything.