Settling in

Parting ways from his hug wasn't easy when it was such a pleasant experience but thankfully she knew that the skater would be a constant in her life for the next two weeks.

Not long after Yuzuru guided them to a car, taking the bags from Mia's hands and carrying them himself before she could even complain.

The driver bowed slightly and opened the door before securely placing the bags in the boot.

He asked something to Yuzuru but since it was Japanese, Mia was completely clueless.

"Everything okay?" She asked concerned.

"Yes, he was just asking where should he take us."

"And?"

"Well, I figured you would want to settle in your hotel room and rest for a bit but if you want to do something else, we can always change the plans."

"I'm sure you have better things to do than to deal with us. Thank you for the ride."

"Nonsense, I'm all yours for these 2 weeks."

Mia raised a brow at that, after all, the skater had shows to do but he just shrugged.

"I guess I have to attend a few of the rehearsals and do the shows, but that's all. After them, I'm free."

She highly doubted he didn't have anything to do, she saw his schedule once and it was completely chaotic, had he cleared it for them?

"Let's get the hotel and see then. Is it far from yours?"

"Across the road" he said laughing and she immediately stared him down.

"Are you serious?"

"Hey! You booked the hotel, I was as surprised as you when I saw where it was."

"Nice coincidence."

"I agree... On other topics, I told my parents you were here."

"You what? Yuzu..."

"I had to explain why I was going to Narita in the middle of the day."

"Ok, but..."

"You worry too much. I told you they don't bite."

"I doubt they will like me."

"I'm sure they will. "

"I don't speak Japanese."

"They speak English."

"They do?" Mias was genuinely surprised by this, she knew that Japanese people were very keen on their language and avoided English if they could.

"My mom lived with me in Toronto for 8 years, her English is probably better than mine and my father is a teacher so he likes to learn things."

Mia had no idea about Yuzuru's mom being in Toronto for so long, he was a mommy's boy after all.

"What?" He asked when he saw the sneaky smile on her face.

"8 years with your mom, really?" Mia couldn't help but laugh like a madwoman as she teased Yuzuru, loving his every reaction.

It didn't even take too long for Alex to join.

"I was a high-level athlete. She helped a lot with stuff."

"Working for you, you mean."

"Mia... Don't tease. I'm very thankful for everything she has done for me."

"I'm sure she was happy to help."

"It's a mom thing... Sacrificing yourself for your child."

Suddenly it seemed like the conversation wasn't just about his mother and he apologetically smiled at her when Mia's expression shifted.

Yuzuru had told his mom everything about Mia, including how completely enamored he was. He told her about Alex and the tragic story that came along with him and in the end, Yumi hugged him and wished him good luck. For what he wasn't entirely sure but he just nodded and kissed her cheek.

So no, the skater wasn't at all worried about his parent's reaction to her, he even looked forward to their meeting.

He already knew her mother after all...

The whole ride was filled with Alex's questions about the show and Mia just mindlessly stayed with her own thoughts, trying to sort out things in her head.

They arrived at the hotel at almost noon and it surprised her that they allowed her to check in that early. After carefully placing her bags inside the room, Mia ignored the exhaustion that was already consuming her. In Canada, it would be night now so it was only natural for Jetlag to start kicking in.

"You look tired" she heard him say as he placed the last bag inside the hotel room.

"Jetlagg. I'm not so young anymore." She joked and he smiled.

"You can rest if you want."

"Alex is still full of energy."

"I can take care of him for a while."

"Yuzu..."

"I beg of you to let someone take the burden off you for just a little while."

"Alex is not a burden and he isn't your responsibility either."

Those words hurt Yuzuru more than she intended them to, she saw it immediately on his face.

"He isn't my son, but it doesn't mean I can't help." He quickly said making her eyes widen at the implication. "Just let me in, Mia. Don't you trust me?"

"I do. I just don't want you to feel like you have to do this."

"I don't, I never did. So how about we order room service for lunch and you get a bit of rest while I watch Alex?"

"You're sure you have nowhere to go?"

"No. Rehearsal is finished for today."

Rehearsal? Yuzuru had been with her since the morning. The realization that he had skipped it to welcome her at the airport made Mia gasp.

"Yuzu! Did you actually miss rehearsal?"

"I rarely attend ensemble days. I know most of the choreo anyways. It's not just because of you, you just gave me an excuse to avoid what I didn't want to attend either way."

"I swear you are going to kill me someday with your craziness."

"At least it would be a sweet death."