I've Wasted Too Much Time Away From You

Because of the emotional turmoil burdening her weak body, it wasn't long before Masami fell asleep once again. Tsubaki remained by the bedside, watching her mother sleeping. Her eyes were swollen yet the smile on her face was enough to brighten her entire countenance.

"I could finally hold her hand, you see?" Tsubaki chuckled lightly. Both of her hands were fiddling with her mother's fingers.

Ren drew a faint smile, "En."

He had seen for himself the joy exuded from her eyes when Tsubaki and Masami talked for a bit before the latter was urged to rest. His wife was sad, it was undeniable but, the joy that came afterward overcame her sorrow.

Coming here was a good choice.

"What is your next plan?" Ren swept his gaze to his mother-in-law, "I know you two still have lots to talk about, but, it'd take a toll on your body if you wanted to come here every day."

Amamiya Sanatorium was isolated from the busyness of the city. If Tsubaki came here every two or three days, he wouldn't object to it yet, if she decided to visit her mother every day, Ren would definitely ask her to think otherwise. Especially because she was pregnant right now.

Tsubaki pursed her lips tight. She understood her husband's concerns. Even though she wanted to be with her mother every day, she knew her body couldn't stand it.

"You could talk with Mother once she wakes up," Ren gently brushed her hair, "It's possible if you want to stay in one of the hotels around here for the time being. Or, if your mother agrees, we could transfer her to the city."

Both of the choices had their pros and cons, that was what Tsubaki thought.

If she chose to live here for a while, Tsubaki understood there was no way Ren would allow her to stay here alone, even with the bodyguards and attendants with her. He himself would have to sacrifice more of his time either by having to work here or going back and forth to the company.

If her mother agreed to follow them to the city, Tsubaki and Ren had to ensure President Souma wouldn't even get a wind of her mother's appearance. With the massive resources of the Fuse family, it was an easy task.

To Tsubaki, the second choice outweighed the first one but, she still had to ask her mother first.

What if, her mother herself was reluctant to return to the city?

"I'll ask Mother," Tsubaki gave her husband a reassuring smile.

Ren nodded. He didn't say anything more.

This time, Masami didn't sleep for long. She woke up just at the right time for lunch. The mother and daughter had lunch together with Ren by Tsubaki's side. The two of them didn't talk much. They simply enjoyed their time together.

It was the first time they were dining together.

After lunch, Tsubaki and Ren brought Masami out to the garden. Mr. Souma was nowhere to be found. He didn't even say that he would leave earlier.

"Let's take a shade here," Ren wheeled the wheelchair to a tree. A long bench was placed under it.

Ren gently squeezed Tsubaki's arm. Tsubaki nodded in understanding.

Tsubaki sat on the bench while Masami, who was in a wheelchair, fondly looking at her grown-up daughter. Ever since she woke up and found that it was not a dream, she had been smiling nonstop.

"Mother, I have something to ask you," Tsubaki gently opened the topic, "I know we have just met but, I still want to ask. Would you like to go back to the city with me?"

Masami was slightly surprised, "Going back... to the city?"

Tsubaki nodded.

"I know, you don't have fond memories of the city but, if possible, I want you to stop hiding here. Mr. Souma brought you here before to hide you from President Souma. I know that. If that's one of your worries, please rest assured that Ren could continue doing so even in the city."

Her mother had been living her life by assuming the identity of Nakamura Sumire. Tsubaki really hoped to be able to give her her real identity back. It would be hard, but, she really hoped so.

"My son-in-law is so capable, en?" Masami smiled, contrary to what Tsubaki expected, "Alright. I'll follow you."

"You would?" It was Tsubaki's turn to be surprised.

"Yes," Masami nodded decisively.

Tsubaki blinked. She was totally baffled by the sudden development.

Even though her mother was surprised by her suggestion, she didn't expect to see her looking so carefree with a soft smile like that. Her mother had even accepted her suggestion without thinking for too long.

"Tsubaki," Masami's eyes softened. She reached out for her daughter's hands.

They were as big as her hands, unlike the small ones she remembered in her memory.

"I am so happy when I could finally see you," Masami continued, "I've wasted too much time away from you and your sister. Now, I'm on my final days. If I don't agree with you, I might regret it if... today would be my last day."

"Mother! Don't say that!" Tsubaki was horrified.

She had known the extent of her mother's illness. Her mother might have one year at most if her body could stand the pain and torment due to her sickness.

Tsubaki was terribly shocked when she heard the truth but, her mother's doctor had verified it to her more than two times. She could only learn to accept the hard truth.

"Didn't you say your wedding would be held next month? I would love to see you walking down the aisle. Your father would be extremely proud of you. You'd be the most beautiful bride," Masami lifted up a hand. She weakly pinched her daughter's cheek, "You've grown up. You would even be a mother soon. My last wish is to be able to see my grandchild, bear by my daughter."

Because of that, Masami didn't want to think much.

She was ashamed when she saw how tender her daughter treated her even though today was their first meeting. She couldn't do much during her children's childhood.

If this was what Tsubaki wished for, she would gladly grant it.

"You are the bride's mother," Tsubaki sniffled, "Of course, you have to look beautiful too. Mother, I really hope you could be at my wedding."

"Of course, I will," Masami smiled, "Ah, don't cry. Mother will go with you, en? I will be close to you from now on."

Tsubaki nodded. She laughed and cried at the same time.

What her mother said was right.

Nothing could make up for the lost time. But, she would gladly extent more efforts to at least make her mother happy before she was gone forever.

She still had time and means to do so.

"Be careful on your way back."

It was already close to six o'clock when Tsubaki and Ren left. Tsubaki actually wanted to have dinner with her mother but Masami urged the husband and wife to go back before the night fell.

"Mother, are you sure..." Tsubaki was reluctant to leave even though she had been here since morning.

"Go back now," Masami chuckled. Her laugh brightened her pale and haggard face, "You couldn't rest much today. Make sure to sleep early. Think of your babies."

Masami was delighted when Tsubaki told her that she was carrying a pair of twins. Her countenance even regained more vitality because of the good news.

"Alright... Then, I'll come back tomorrow."

Tsubaki could only agree. She herself could feel how tired her body currently was even though she tried to mask her exhaustion.

"You don't have to rush," Masami kneaded her daughter's hands, "We could talk on the phone. There's no need for you to come here again tomorrow."

"Mother, I'll arrange for you to be transferred to the city as soon as possible," Ren promised.

"Then, I'll wait for you to come on the day of the transfer," Masami gave her son-in-law a grateful smile.

"It's decided then," Ren was happy to achieve an understanding with his mother-in-law.

Tsubaki could only agree when she saw both her husband and mother had formed an alliance. Even so, happiness bloomed in her heart because her mother wholeheartedly accepted Ren as her husband.

They had just met but her mother already had abundant praises for her husband.

Tsubaki gave Masami a hug before she and Ren left the room. To the carer who stood next to the bed, Tsubaki asked for her to call her if anything happened to her mother. The young carer gladly promised to do so.

Click.

The door was closed, shielding the couple from view. Masami was smiling but her hands were tightly gripping the quilt covering her body.

"Your daughter is so beautiful. She's a perfect match with her husband," The carer smiled while she was helping Masami to lie down.

"Yes," Masami smiled in contentment, "She has grown up so well. I'm glad to see that."

Her eyes were dazedly staring out of the window, to the clear night sky.

Takahisa.

Our daughter has come to see me.

Allow me to accompany her for a while, before I go to you and Hinata.

That night, once again, she had a pleasant dream.