Spring Blooms When I'm With You

As the days passed by, Tsubaki's belly continued to grow. She had also safely entered the second trimester.

Even though her belly was expanding, she didn't have a problem with the wedding dress because Tsubaki had asked Ms. Noman to design the skirt extending from the upper waist loosely. The chiffon would overlay the long skirt, cascading softly until it touched the ground.

"...raise up the ribbon by one inch..."

"Does this seem right?"

"Ah! Be careful! It might break!"

Aunt Kasumi's team of wedding planners and the subordinates were busy with the last bits of preparations for the wedding. As how it was planned, the wedding would be held at the church where Ren's parents initiated their oath while the Garden of Sakuya was where the banquet would be held.

Grandma was in full spirits as she oversaw the preparations even though Aunt Kasumi kept telling her that she shouldn't stay up until late at night for this. Grandma was stubborn as she said since the Fuse family didn't have any wedding for more than a decade, the last one was from a distant relative, she wanted everything to be perfect.

Masami joined the fun as well even though she could only do so for a short time. Tsubaki only relented to her request to go out and see the preparations once her condition improved. Masami had a fever a few days ago and she kept on vomiting what she ate. It made Tsubaki terribly worried.

"I couldn't be there when your sister got married. So, I want to be involved with yours even for a bit."

Her mother's words pricked Tsubaki's heart. This was the reason why she granted her mother's wish.

Mrs. Souma or she was called Aunt Shiori by Tsubaki, didn't immediately go to the beach house that she bought after the divorce. She stayed in the city for the wedding.

One day, Masami and Shiori met. Their meeting ended up in tears as the two women didn't expect to see one another again after more than two decades had passed. Shiori was tremendously shocked when she got to know about Masami's condition.

Tsubaki was the one who arranged for them to meet.

Although her Aunt Shiori regarded her mother as her rival in obtaining President Souma's love, in the end, she helped her mother to escape after realizing her mistake. As Aunt Shiori was freed by her love for her ex-husband, Tsubaki carefully probed her and asked if she wanted to meet her mother.

Since then, the two of them met frequently.

They couldn't be close to each other during their younger years but, right now, it seemed like they were the best of friends.

Tsubaki passed the days ahead of the wedding in leisure. While she only had to worry about eating, resting and nurturing the two babies in her w.o.m.b, her husband didn't have the privilege to be as relaxed as her. His frequency of spending more time in his study after making sure she slept increased.

Ren planned to take Tsubaki for a honeymoon right after the wedding. He used all the time he had before that to complete his job. Even though he had Takuma to help him, there were still things that had to be handled by him himself.

One night, Tsubaki woke up. She stretched out a hand and began to pat on her husband's side of the bed. She inevitably frowned when her fingers only felt the soft sheet underneath.

Tsubaki switched on the crystal lamp beside the bed. She was shocked once she saw the time was already showing two o'clock in the morning.

He is still working?

Tsubaki shook her head, chasing away the last trace of her sleepiness. After getting out of the bed, Tsubaki dr.a.p.ed her shoulders with a cardigan. Then, she quietly made her way to the study while supporting her belly.

Her tummy grew so much in just a few weeks just because she was carrying twins. Even now, Tsubaki could feel her back ached as well as the pains around her joints.

The hallways were illuminated by dim lights. Tsubaki threw her gaze to the floor-to-ceiling windows. The night sky was clear as the moon hanging above the skyscr.a.p.ers.

The tranquility of the night made her smiled.

As expected, the study was still brightly lit. The door wasn't close so Tsubaki was able to see the inside.

Ren was working at the desk. His head was lowered as he was carefully reading the doc.u.ment in his hands. From time to time, his brows would tighten and his expression turned cold or dissatisfied. It was far from how he would usually show his gentle side to her.

Knock! Knock!

The two successive knocking sounds attracted Ren's attention. He was surprised to see his wife was standing at the door while smiling at him.

"Sweetheart?"

Ren immediately stood up and walked to Tsubaki. He quickened his steps. In no time, he was already stood by her side.

"What's wrong? Couldn't sleep? Do you feel pain anywhere?"

Ren knew there were times when sharp pains would rise up suddenly in Tsubaki's body due to her expanding uterus. He couldn't feel it himself so he tried his best to minimize the ache his wife was feeling.

"Hehe, I'm okay ah. There's nothing to worry about."

Tsubaki gave her husband a soft smile. She let him supported her as they made their way to the couch. Tsubaki let out a contented sigh once she sat on the soft couch.

"Sweetheart? Are you okay?" Ren asked cautiously.

Tsubaki looked up to meet her husband's eyes. She felt so sorry when she saw the exhaustion lines on his face.

"Can't you stop now and go to sleep first?" Tsubaki put a palm over Ren's face, "Tomorrow is the weekend. Why not take a break for a day?"

"...the doc.u.ments are important."

Tsubaki narrowed her eyes.

"So important until you have to work on the weekend?"

Ren felt a crisis was heading to him. He quickly shook his head.

"...they can wait."

"Then, let's go to sleep," Tsubaki pulled Ren's hands. Both of them stood up. She said again, "I can feel how sleepy you are right now. Do you think your brain can function well in this state? What if you made an error? It's best to refresh your mind by resting properly before you work again."

"...okay."

In the end, he could only follow her to their bedroom.

Tsubaki slept on her left side with a small pillow supporting her belly. Ren embraced her from behind. His fingers were gently massaging her forearms.

"Stop that," Tsubaki lightly patted his hand, "Go to sleep now. It's already so late."

"I can't wait to bring you to our honeymoon," Ren whispered. This time, his voice was tinged with drowsiness.

"Should I expect a surprise from you on that day?" Tsubaki gave a little laugh.

"Of course, sweetheart. It'd be something you would never forget," replied Ren confidently.

For their honeymoon, Ren had arranged to bring her to a mountain resort town. It was a private land developed by Fuse Corporation. The tourism business on the resort boomed ever since its opening four years ago.

Tsubaki had heard about the resort town before when Chiyo was talking about it but she had never dreamed of going there. The resort town only catered to the upper-middle-class and above. There was no way she could squeeze out some money as she was dealing with Satsuki's illness at that time.

"Okay, I'll just wait and see," Tsubaki let out a yawn. Once again she patted her husband's hands that were now c.a.r.e.s.sing her protruding belly, "Sleep, ah. Grandma wants us to go to the old house tomorrow."

"Hehe, okay," Ren pressed a kiss on the nape of her neck, "Good night, sweetheart."

"Sleep well, darling," Tsubaki yawned again.

Ah, she was so sleepy. If not for worrying about her man, she wouldn't get out of bed in the middle of the night.

Even though the days leading to the wedding were filled with countless things, Tsubaki enjoyed them. But, she didn't expect something would happen the week before the wedding.

President Souma got to know about her mother's appearance.