Bloom Again

CHAPTER 5

Love means any cost for them.

Sun basks my body as I run through the streets. I had decided this morning to run to see the sunrise as a nice start to my day. I regret it with my entire being. You would think that it would be even slightly cooler during the autumn season, but it just feels dustier. I slow in front of our apartment complex, and walk as calmly as I can up the stairs. I can't help but smile though when I get to our door. Eos and I had put out some small starry looking LED's, wrapped around some evergreen garland for the winter season. I step into the house, and am welcomed with an eerily quiet household. I glance down at my watch. It's eight o'clock. By this time, Eos is typically awake and blasting Twice for her 'perfect morning'. I glance around as I slip my shoes off and quickly wash my face, hands and feet before tiptoeing my way into our bedroom. Eos is curled up on her side, her brown hair cascading around the pillow. Her face is tucked into her sweatpants.

"Bambi?"

No answer. I gently tuck away some of her stray hair, and gently move her so her head is in my lap. I stroke her face gently, trying to coax her from her sleep. She continues to peacefully slumber, and I smile, before gently re tucking her into the sheets, and walking out of the room.

My headphones are tucked carefully over my ears. I'm messing around with the bass line, adding drops and riffs. The track feels like it's coming together, but I still have yet to add the chorus. A knock on the door quickly brings me out of my head, and back into reality.

"Good morning Bambi."

She smiles, as I open my arms. Nestled against me, she takes my headphones off, and places them on her own head. I smile and kiss her cheek, then reach around her to press play. She listens gently, and I know she can hear the mellow feeling of loss as the beat slowly slows once again, and the barely there vocal lines begin to show. Eos turns to me, her eyes widened, and hugs me.

"Bambi? What's with the sudden hug?"

She nuzzles her face into me more, "This song. It's so sad honey. It makes me wanna cry."

I caress her gently, as I remove the headphones from her head. I don't want her to feel saddened or worried at all. No matter what, I want her to feel happy.

It's mid day, and I've started drafting the vocals, and lyrics when my phone rings.

Bambi: Honey, can you go get the package outside please?

I pull off my computer headphones, and pull up my playlist. いきものがかり(Ikimonogakari) fills my headphones, as I pull my sneakers on, and open the door. I take the elevator this time, as I head to our package point. Since our apartment complex is so small, all packages and mail come to this one room, where we pick it up from. I find our apartments number quickly as I retrieve our mail key from my pants, to open our mailbox. I look inside but find nothing but a small sticky note.

Matsuho: Bambi, there's just a post it. Are you sure we have mail? Bambi: read it :)

I pull the sticky note out and look to see Eos' handwriting.

Darl+ing,

I hope to see you soon, where the orange tulips bloom.

Love you,

Eos ♡

I smile, it's such an Eos thing to do, and I love her all the more for the cute handwritten clues to find something. I know immediately where she's talking about. Orange tulips have always been our thing. Since the moment I stumbled into her family's garden, to now, when I give them to her.

I find myself back in her parents house not even thirty minutes later. Eos' mom Chesah is on the front porch sitting relaxed.

"Mama," I say as I sweep into a respectful bow to her.

She looks at me smiling, "Matsuho, you know you needn't be so formal. No matter, go inside, Eos has something to tell you."

As we walk inside, we slip our shoes off, and slip into our house slippers. Eos' dad Theo stands by and as soon as Mama has her shoes on, sweeps her arm and walks her over to the dining room. I quickly follow suit, to find myself surrounded by balloons and a box. In the middle of it all, Eos stands beautiful as ever, wearing a red blouse, and checkered skirt.

"Happy birthday Matsuho!"

I smile, and go and hug her. She caresses my back gently, before whispering softly, "Open the box baby."

"Baby? That's new Bambi, we might need to try that out sometime."

She pushes me gently, and points to the box once more. I give her a quick kiss, and then proceed to open the box. As I tear through the red wrapping paper, I find myself face to face, with a cake, and an envelope. Eos smiles beside me, and pulls out a lighter. The flames begin to burn, and the candle seemingly gets shorter by the second. Our family begins to sing around the table and I blow out the candles with one wish. The same wish it has been for the last ten years. Ever since we started dating, to now, in our third year of marriage, it will forever be my only wish.

I wish for Eos to be happy forever.

I blow my candle out, the twenty seven going dark, and all I can feel is Eos' warmth on me.

"Open the envelope!" Dad says excitedly.

"Dad, let him take his time!" Eos sighs as she berates her father.

I smile as I slide my forefinger in between the lining of the envelope, carefully unsealing the envelope. In it, is a small slip of black and white film. I turn it around carefully, and take the form in a bowl. I look at Eos, and then her stomach.

"You're pregnant?"

She nods, "Seven weeks as of when we went to the hospital."

I feel overwhelmed, and she notices, for she pulls me down to a sitting position, and hugs me close.

"You okay baby?"

I smile, and pull her into the fiercest gentle kiss I can muster.

"I'm better than ever Bambi. I will protect this baby like our love."