InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Enlightenment ❯ Chapter 10 ( Chapter 10 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Chapter Ten

Kagome nodded and smiled at Kouga as he continued to tell her about his business ventures for the last half-hour. She just wanted this day to end! She was grateful that he sent her all those flowers and took her out to lunch. But it's not like she wanted to go out to lunch with him. The only reason being was that she wanted to show her gratitude.

“Kagome?”

Kagome blinked once and then twice, to actually get the glazed look of boredom out of her eyes. Kouga was looking at her with deep concern and she had to give him a sheepish smile. At least he was more considerate than other people living in her household… “I'm sorry. I guess I didn't get enough sleep last night. It was my son's birthday and we took him out to the park.” Well at least half of it wasn't a lie. She was tired but she had gotten the best sleep she's had for the last few weeks.

Kouga just nodded his head and reassured her it was alright. He was always so worried about her and even when she gave him signs that she wasn't interested. “I'll get the bill. Don't be silly Kagome. It's your birthday,” he said stopping her from picking up the slip of paper.

“Thanks Kouga. I really appreciate this. I know we haven't known each other that long or very well, but you're a great friend,” she said trying to emphasize the word `friend'. She noticed as Kouga fumbled with his wallet and fell on the floor by her feet.

“I'm sorry. You just distracted me that's all,” he smirked at her.

Kagome rolled her eyes at him as she reached down to grab his wallet. His wallet sure looked bulky. It felt kind of heavy too she realized when she finally grasped it. The moment she lifted it up, at least about one meter long, were pictures in protective cases stuck inside his wallet.

“Kagome!” he sounded alarmed but since she was still stooping down to the floor, she couldn't see his expression.

They were pictures… of a little girl. She gathered the pictures up and set them on the table. “Is she your daughter Kouga?”

“Yeah,” he answered sheepishly.

Kagome tried to recall if he ever mentioned having a child during their conversations, but she didn't think he ever brought it up. She knew he was divorced but she didn't know he had a daughter. “Why didn't you tell me you have a little girl?”

“Well… I… I thought- I don't know…” he said rubbing the back of his head.

“Wow… she sure takes after you…” she whispered. There were pictures of his daughter when she was just born, some when she was a few months old. She had Kouga's jet, black hair, his tanned skin, his pointed nose… But her eyes were different. They were green while Kouga's were blue.

“Her name is Chiyo. She lives with her mother in Kyoto but she's coming to visit me for a few months,” he said finally speaking up. “Ayame never lets her out of her sight but Chiyo convinced her that she can handle herself. Not bad for a seven year old huh?”

The whole time Kagome was astonished with the change that suddenly took over Kouga. He was actually prideful of something other than himself. She could tell the he must be really fond of his daughter to carry practically a photo album in his wallet. He had more pictures of her than he had credit cards. “You must miss her huh?”

“Yeah. But I make sure I call her every night before she goes to sleep,” he grinned. “She's really excited about coming to visit and the fact that she'll have another room.”

“Ever the affectionate father huh?” she asked teasingly.

“You know it. My little girl is my pride and joy to put it bluntly,” he said trying to smile.

“It must be hard to live so far away from her,” Kagome said softly.

“Yeah it is. I hate coming home to an empty house you know? But it was my ex-wife's and my decision that it would be best if Chiyo lived with her mother. I don't get to see her often because of the distance and work, but I fly in to see her whenever I can,” he explained as he took his wallet from Kagome.

“A child needs both parents. I don't know what I'd do if Inuyasha took Tai away or if we lived a great distance apart,” she sighed.

But Kouga's expression hadn't changed. He continued to sit looking down at his lap while he fiddled with his napkin resting on his plate. She decided that she didn't like this Kouga very much. She preferred the cocky, over-bearing man sitting in front of her before she decided to open her big mouth. Kagome reached her hand across the table and placed it atop his. She felt her face heat up the moment she held his hand in hers. He slowly lifted up his head to look at her and gave her possibly the shyest smile that has ever crossed his handsome features. All she could do was smile back.

“DADDY!” screamed Tai.

Inuyasha quickly whipped out his handy dandy fire extinguisher and aimed for the flames inside the oven. Ever since they got home from visiting Kagome's office, he had decided that he would have dinner ready by the time she got home. His idea proved to be easier thought up than actually attempting it. He and Tai had gone to buy groceries and a cookbook for that matter. He decided that he would make her barbecued ribs, which was why he had the grill brought over to the backyard. Tai was of course eager to help and he was given the duty of watching the ribs and the grill. But currently, both were too busy trying to extinguish the fire in the oven because he decided he might as well bake her a cake too. Tai was just yelling at him to aim to the left or right. Damn kid sounded like his mother…

“You can stop now,” he said dryly.

“Mommy won't be happy when she finds out…”tsked Tai.

“Who says that your mother, or anyone for that matter, has to know?” he asked cocking up a brow at his son. Their conversation was interrupted when Inuyasha had to aim the extinguisher into the oven again because of a little flame. “That's it. We're buying a cake.” When Inuyasha looked over at Tai he already had his coat on. Inuyasha gave his son a dry look.

Kagome and Kouga walked out of the restaurant feeling slightly better and Kagome, surprisingly, liked the fact that her and Kouga had something in common. They walked to his car and he walked to her side to open the door for her. She smiled and thanked him for his kind gesture and got in the car. Now she really didn't know what to think of him. Sure he was arrogant but so was Inuyasha and she ended up having a relationship with the guy for twelve years. She wasn't even sure if she was ready to get into a relationship just yet. She growled to herself. Why should she have the conscience to think that when Inuyasha must have a line of women waiting for him to move back into his own house so he'd be able to go out again? Why was she always the only one out of the two of them who seemed to slightly care?

“Kagome? We're here,” said Kouga gently shaking her. “Are you okay?”

Kagome blinked herself out of her trance. She hadn't realized that they were already in front of her building nor was she aware of the scowl she wore on her face. “I'm fine Kouga. I'm sorry… just thinking about things,” she smiled.

“You looked like you wanted to bite my head off for a second,” he laughed.

She laughed along with him. She really did have a good time today. Maybe she shouldn't be so quick to judge people… That had never been a problem before she met Inuyasha. So what happened?

“Hey, you're getting that look again,” he said gently. “Are you sure you're okay?”

“I'm fine,” she said shaking her head. “Kouga… thank you for taking me out today.”

Kouga straightened up in his seat and began to tighten his tie to look more professional. He was teasing her and she knew it. It was noticeable with that fine smirk he wore on his face.

“Stop that!” she laughed slapping him lightly on his arm.

“Okay, okay. It was no problem taking you out today. It was my pleasure. To be honest, I wasn't too sure whether or not you'd say yes. But I'm glad you decided to accept my invitation,” he said running a hand through his bangs.

“It was a great surprise and I loved the flowers. Well… I better get in,” she said turning to open the door.

“Yeah… oh wait!” he sighed.

“Yes?” she asked trying to sound as casual as possible.

“I know it's short notice, but I was wondering if you wouldn't mind joining me for dinner. I know that you've probably had enough of me today but I would really like to see you again tonight,” he asked hopefully.

Kagome paused for a moment. Well it's not like she had other plans for tonight. And Inuyasha would be home to take care of Tai. Come to think of it she really needed sometime to just sit with someone. And Kouga seemed like the person for this because she found that she liked talking to him. She hadn't really spoken to anyone about her divorce and coping with it but she found that with Kouga. “I'd love to,” she smiled.

“Okay. I'll pick you up here after work then?”

“Sounds good to me,” waved Kagome before running inside her building.

Kagome paused for a moment after she opened the door. She slowly turned to Kouga and leaned in to give him a peck on the cheek. “Thank you for today.” And with that, she tried to keep her cool as she walked to the front doors. Kouga who wore a priceless look of shock on his face touched a hand gently to the cheek she had just kissed. He grinned to himself as he drove off.

“DAMN IT!” cried Inuyasha out of frustration. He and Tai were in the poultry section of the grocery store and they were out of chicken. It was bad enough that he had burned all the ribs Kagome had in the freezer, but how could a grocery store be out of chicken for heaven's sake!

“Daddy?” whined Tai tugging on his father's pants.

“What?” asked Inuyasha running his hand through his hair. He was even more dismayed to find that his claw were stuck in a tangle he must've missed while coming. Darn it. Just when he thought he at least succeeded in one thing…

“Can we go get gummy bears?” asked Tai.

“Sorry buddy, maybe tomorrow. We still have to buy your mommy her favorite cake, remember?” Inuyasha said pushing the grocery cart along. Inuyasha saw the disappointed look on his son's face and sighed. “Tell you what. If we have time we'll get your gummy bears okay? But if we don't, I'll take you and mommy out for ice cream okay?” he said hauling Tai up to sit on his shoulders. As always, it worked. Tai giggled and nodded in agreement to the deal.

So far things weren't going as planned. The one thing he's wanted to do for Kagome was not going right at all. At times like these he wished he could call his mother-in-law for some help, but even she had turned her back on him after the divorce. Yes, he admitted that it was something expected but she had always been a mother figure to him. Not only that, but Souta who once looked up at him as a hero now thought of him as scum. He missed them. It's just that he needed help and his `family' was always there when it came to things like these.

Mrs. Higurashi, mom, would have loved to help out for this surprise. She loved planning surprises with him for Kagome. Souta would serve as a distraction for Kagome and grandpa well… he'd help Souta by trying to tell stories, which most of the time didn't work. He had come to recognize Kagome's family as his own. When they had filed for a divorce, he hadn't thought through what else would change except his marital status. How stupid was that?

Their whole family, or should he say Kagome's, had come to help her move out of the house that day. He had listened to Kagome's conversation with her mother and at the time he wouldn't admit it, but he was overcome with guilt.

“Inuyasha? Of all people? Darling I would have never expected it. He loved you with all his heart. I don't see how one girl could change that…” said her voice from the other end of the line.

“Well mama… I guess he got bored. Inuyasha never had been the type to settle down. I guess it was only a matter of time…” sighed Kagome.

“You know we're here for you right? The whole family. Oh honey… I'm sorry you've had to go through that. I really thought that Inuyasha was the man for you when he had asked my permission to marry you… If I knew…” she trailed off.

That was the point where he had stopped listening. He couldn't take it any longer. Hearing the disappointment and shame that laced his `mother's' voice was different from what was left of his conscience at the time. He hadn't realized that he could lose the only family he's ever had…

He was right. The next day the Higurashis had come and all tried to avoid his gaze as they moved quickly around the house. He tried to speak to mama, as he called her, but was cut off by her hand silencing him. She told him that it was inexcusable and she expected better from him. That was when she made it clear that formalities were back on and he was no longer to call her mom, but Mrs. Higurashi. He found Souta carrying heavy boxes and offered to help but he grumbled something under his breath and marched off. He turned to see grandpa who completely ignored him. He didn't even bother to look at him as any type of acknowledgement.

“DADDY!” screamed Tai pulling on his ears.

Inuyasha blinked away his daydream and focused on his son. “OW! Yeah?”

“How about that one?” asked Tai holding pointing to a chocolate cake.

“Perfect. Let's go pay for these,” he said dropping the cake into their shopping cart. Now he just had to find a main course for their dinner.

Kagome tapped her fingers impatiently on her desk as she held the phone against her left ear. She had been calling Inuyasha for the past ten minutes and no one would answer the phone. She thought the two might've been sleeping or something but she had a lot of work to finish up so she left a message on the answering machine.

Ever since she got back from lunch she couldn't stop smiling. Could it be that she was starting to have feelings for Kouga? Isn't it too soon to get into a relationship since the divorce not only two months ago? Kagome quickly frowned at her own conscience. Her conscience sure got in the way of everything. Inuyasha sure had no trouble ignoring his while they were married AND having a relationship with another woman so why should she? Still… it really nagged her to think that way just as a form of revenge. She was just so confused. Maybe she was starting to like Kouga more after their lunch but that didn't mean that she was ready for a relationship. It was just great to talk to another male aside from Miroku who seemed to have morals.

Her thoughts wandered back to this morning when she had found Inuyasha in bed with her. What was that all about? The only reason why she put up with him was for Tai's sake. She invited him to stay with them for Tai. Tai had missed enough time with her father as it is and having to spend only two weeks at a time wasn't helping things along for the young boy. He needed his father and it was great seeing progress between them. Just because she and Inuyasha couldn't work things out didn't mean that his relationship with Tai should be led to ruins. He was still after all, Tai's father. She just didn't know what's been going through his head lately. Why does he all of a sudden act as if everything was they way it was before the whole mess started? It drove her absolutely insane having the time to actually think about it now. He can't just wake up one day and decide to forget that he had a family and then come back as if nothing ever happened when things had already been broken. Kagome shook her head furiously. Maybe she was just over reacting. Maybe Inuyasha was just doing those things for Tai as well. She hoped he was right, if she was, that would mean he had grown a conscience with some backbone.

“Yes I'd like a large bacon and cheese pizza with a side of buffalo wings. What? Oh drinks… coke would be fine. Forty-five minutes? Okay bye,” said Inuyasha as he finished his conversation with the pizza parlor. Yes he knew he was pathetic. All the restaurants they've been to couldn't spare any chicken because they were either out catering or they didn't allow take-out. There goes his candle-lit dinner for Kagome. He blew his bangs out of his eyes out of frustration and drummed his claws on the kitchen counter. Things had not gone as planned. He'd had the worst luck today. First he forgot that it was her birthday, second he was outdone by that darn wolf, third he almost burned down the kitchen, fourth he couldn't find a main dish, and fifth… he fucking had to order pizza that's what! His hands immediately went to his hair out of anger.

“Daddy? Can I go watch some TV?” asked Tai peeking inside the kitchen doorway.

Inuyasha sighed and looked over at his son. He beckoned for him to come and sit on his lap. He had dragged the kid everywhere with him today and he was surprised he wasn't showing the slightest bit of fatigue judging by his age. But then again he was a quarter demon. “Are you tired?” he asked playfully ruffling Tai's thick silver mane. Tai shook his head no. “Sorry about the gummy bears. We can go tomorrow since I have to go buy some groceries for my place anyway.” Inuyasha sighed. He and Tai would be leaving to move back to their, or his, old house since the plumbing was fixed and everything was sent back from the dry cleaners. He was just starting to get used to things…

“It's okay daddy,” chirped Tai. “Maybe we can take mommy with us and she can buy me gummy bears too!”

Inuyasha chuckled at his son's attempt to double his gummy bears. “We'll see squirt.”

Tai wrinkled his nose at the name and pulled on Inuyasha's forelocks hanging just above his face. “I can't wait till mommy gets home and sees her surprise!”

Inuyasha grimaced at the thought of Kagome coming home to a lovely dinner of pizza and coke for her birthday. Pardon the sarcasm. “Do you think she'd like it?” He didn't know why he cared so much about what she thought. Maybe he was just feeling obligated because she put a roof over his head and the fact that she had tolerated him with great strain. Oh he noticed that very well. He was so ashamed that he even asked that stupid question but he wasn't sure if Kagome still enjoyed the simple pleasures in life the way he remembered she used to.

Tai nodded his head. “Mommy says that it's the thought that counts,” he smiled.

“Go on and watch some TV squirt. Your mom will be coming home soon and I have to get the table ready by then,” he said lowering Tai to the floor and sending him out of the kitchen.

One hour later…

Inuyasha paced the living room impatiently as he and Tai waited for Kagome. Damn it. She was supposed to be home half an hour ago. Even the pizza made it before her! What could be taking her so long? The table was set and the pizza (not that he was proud of it or anything) was waiting for them. He growled as he continued to pace the room. He had called Kagome's office fifteen minutes ago and her secretary said that she left already. What could be taking her so long?

“Daddy… I'm hungry…” whined Tai rubbing his growling stomach.

“I told you. We have to go wait for your mom to get here. Here have another oreo,” said Inuyasha handing Tai half an oreo that he had been munching on as he stopped in front of the window. Stupid woman… He had dinner ready for them and her favorite chick flick movie in the VCR for crying out loud!

They continued to wait a little longer and Inuyasha swore that if she wasn't home in fifteen minutes that he'd go and sniff her out. The clock's incessant ticking made everything harder. He considered ripping it off the wall but Kagome would have his ass if he did. Tai had kept asking for more oreos and he just got tired of going back and forth to the kitchen so he brought the whole pack to the living room. “Hey! What are you doing!”

“What?” asked Tai cocking his head to the side with an oreo in one hand.

“Why are you eating your oreos like that?” asked Inuyasha. He had watched Tai repeatedly twist the top of the cookie off and only ate the side that ended up with the cream and returned the cookie that didn't have the cream back in the package.

“The kid and the old man on TV do it all the time,” he shrugged. “Can I have some milk?”

Inuyasha rolled his eyes at his son. He already felt sorry for the kid for nearly starving him so he grunted and nodded for permission. He watched as Tai ran gleefully in the kitchen. He looked down at the creamless cookies in the package and frowned. He was starting to get hungry too and the pizza was starting to get cold. Why didn't Kagome call if she was going to come home late? He growled and decided to join Tai in the kitchen for a cold glass of milk. Maybe that would calm him down. He dropped the oreos beside the phone and walked to the kitchen. About to enter the kitchen, he back-pedaled and noticed that the red light on the answering machine was blinking. He always did forget to check those things. With the tip of his claw he pressed the button to play the pre-recorded message from that afternoon. He frowned. That was around the same time he and Tai were out.

“Inuyasha? Okay… I guess you and Tai aren't home right now. I hope you get this seeing as how you always never check the answering machine,” her voice snorted.

“Keh!”

“I might be home a bit late tonight. I'm going out with a friend tonight for dinner. Don't let Tai eat too much sugar and there's some ramen left in the kitchen in one of the cupboards. Don't let Tai stay up too late!” and her message ended.

Inuyasha felt like throwing the answering machine against the wall. He was so angry with Kagome. Here he was running around all day just to surprise her for her birthday and she's not even coming home for dinner!

“Daddy? Was that mommy who called?” asked Tai holding a large glass of milk and sporting a milk moustache.

Inuyasha sighed. “Yeah kid, that was your mom. She left a message saying that she won't be coming home for dinner.”

“So we can eat the pizza?” asked Tai his ears perking up.

“Knock yourself out,” he answered.

Tai ran back to the kitchen and made a beeline for the pizza. Inuyasha ran his hand through his hair and leaned against the wall from exhaustion.

It was nearly midnight when he heard a car door slam shut and the sound of keys at the front door. Kagome was home. Inuyasha sat in the kitchen table as he waited for Kagome to get in. He had been waiting since after he put Tai to bed, which was three hours ago. He'd give her a piece of his mind… He continued to listen as she took of her shoes and slipped on her slippers and made her way through the living room. He cleared his throat to get her into the kitchen faster.

“Inuyasha?” she asked appearing at the doorway.

“Yeah?” he said acting casually.

“Is Tai sleeping?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he grunted.

“Okay,” she said with a shrug and turned to leave.

Inuyasha couldn't hold it in anymore. He wanted her to explain why she'd rather have dinner with some friend than come home for her birthday and spend it with her family damn it. He wanted explanations and he wanted them now. He'd be damned if he didn't make her the slightest bit guilty for staring them. “Why didn't you come home?” he blurted out.

“What?” she asked turning around to face him for the first time that night looking him directly in the eye. She didn't like that look in his eyes. It meant that he was upset and annoyed. She left a message!

“You heard me! Why didn't you come home for dinner?” he asked crossing his arms over his chest.

“Didn't you get my message?” she asked glancing back at the phone.

“Of course I did!”

“Then you know that I was out with a friend. I don't see what the problem is,” she said with a yawn.

“Keh!” he exclaimed getting up from his seat and walking up to her. He wrinkled his nose as he caught her scent. “Who were you with?” he asked narrowing his eyes.

“A friend,” she said trying to keep her cool.

“You were with that wolf again weren't you!” he growled.

“Kouga invited me for dinner and I accepted,” she said rubbing her eyes tiredly.

“You accepted? You should've come straight home!” he argued.

“I don't know why you're reacting like this but I'm allowed to have some fun aren't I!” she was really tired and she just wanted to go to bed.

“Tai and I went to your office today and you weren't there! Instead we were greeted by a fucking garden! Care to explain that?” he screamed.

“It was from Kouga, who was kind enough to send me flowers on my birthday for someone who hasn't know me that long if you must know!” she yelled back her face inching closer to his.

“Were you out with him at lunch too?” he yelled.

“What if I was?” she challenged.

“Damn it Kagome. We went to your office only to find that you weren't there and then you don't come home for dinner!” he said throwing his arms up in the air like a lunatic.

“Why do you find it so wrong that I have other plans?” she asked trying to regain her composure.

Inuyasha realized he wasn't going to win this. He couldn't explain it to himself why it had been so important to him that they spend birthdays together, never mind attempting to explain it to her. He didn't know what was going on with him. And until he found out or realized what his problem is, then he might consider telling her. But until then…

“I'm sorry I forgot your birthday…” he said quietly.

“What was that?” she asked leaning a bit closer to him.

“I said I'm sorry I forgot your birthday,” he sighed. “It was important to me…”he paused “and Tai that you came home for dinner,” he quickly added.

Kagome's expression softened and she backed off away from him. “I'm sorry…”

“Keh! Even the pizza got here before you did,” he frowned.

“You ordered pizza?” she asked.

Inuyasha rolled his eyes and motioned to the table with his arm. “We waited for you for over an hour until I finally got your message.” He noticed Kagome's deathly glare aimed at home. “Or… that was when I checked the answering machine,” he grumbled.

“I didn't know you had anything planned nor did I expect you to. That was why I didn't think you or Tai would mind if I stayed out tonight,” Kagome replied slowly.

An awkward silence filled the air as the two remained unmoving and tried to get out of their current predicament. Inuyasha jammed his hands in his pockets and cast his gaze towards the floor to avoid meeting Kagome's eyes. He felt ashamed that after knowing each other for such a long period of time and the fact that they were once lovers, that he forgot her birthday. And just a couple of minutes ago he was yelling at her for not coming home early enough. He felt terrible for expecting her to spend her birthday with them when the year before he didn't even care. And what was worse was that he wished that she didn't have to spend it with that wolf. He was extremely confused by his thoughts and emotions that suddenly dawned on him. Did he even have a right to be jealous?

“Well… I guess a slice of pizza won't hurt…” said Kagome breaking the silence.

Inuyasha watched as she lifted a slice out of a box. He always knew that Kagome never liked eating again especially after dates because she had a small stomach. But then again… maybe he could tempt her for a bite of cake… “It's okay. We'll save the pizza tomorrow. There's one surprise that I didn't let Tai eat before you got home though,” he said walking over to the fridge.

Kagome watched him curiously as he took out a large white box out of the fridge. He grinned at her and told her to close her eyes as he looked for something in his pocket. She was really curious to what he was up to but he kept a close watch on her and had to repeatedly tell her to keep her eyes closed until she's told to open them. In a matter of seconds, Inuyasha finally told Kagome to open her eyes.

“Happy birthday Kagome,” he grinned. In his hand was the chocolate cake him and Tai had bought that afternoon. He placed candles on them and lit them before he turned off the lights. At least this part wasn't ruined.

“Happy birthday Kagome,'” read Kagome. On the cake was that written on the top of the cake and pictures of all three of them that she distinguished to be Tai's work. She recognized the sloppy handwriting in icing was Inuaysha's. She looked up at him to meet his amber orbs and smiled at him warmly. Were they friends? “Thank you.”

“Tai wanted to stay up for this but he said it would be okay if you got to eat it if you get home late. After all I didn't think he'd be in the mood for chocolate cake after finishing a whole bag of oreos,” he smirked.

“A whole bag of oreos? Inuyasha! What did I tell you about feeding him too much sweets?” cried Kagome.

“The kid was hungry and we were eating oreos as appetizers until the point I played your message,” he sighed.

“I'll let you two get away with it just once…” she threatened.

“Blow out your candles and make a wish,” he whispered.

Kagome nodded her head and closed her eyes. What was there for her to wish for? She was drawing up a blank. She didn't know if there were things left to wish for. Before, all her previous wishes included spending the rest of her life happily with Inuyasha and raising a family. Then when Tai was born she wished that their life would be filled with more happiness if possible. Now she realized how completely worthless that all meant. She couldn't rely on wishes or trusting that everything would be okay. She needed to find something that will secure her happiness if possible. Even if it was just as tiny as this moment. A wish wasn't necessary if she was capable of making her own wishes come true.

“Kagome? Your candles are melting,” said Inuyasha.

Kagome opened her eyes and blew out her candles. “Thanks again Inuyasha. I guess I'll turn in for the night,” she said faking a yawn. “Good night.”

“Kagome?” asked Inuyhasha before she was out of the kitchen.

“Yeah?” she said turning her head to him.

“You'll help me move back in the house tomorrow right?” he asked hopefully.

“If you want me to,” she yawned.

“Thanks… Good night…” he said forcing a smile. He listened as her footstep vanished down the hall and up the stairs to her bedroom. It just occurred to him that he'd be moving back to `the' house. He didn't really know what to call it. Whether if it was `his' or `theirs'. But he wasn't about ready to move out just yet. He wished that the plumbers would've worked slower…