Dangerous Lines | Yuzuru Hanyu

65. Unexpected

Yuzu just couldn't wait.

From the moment that the Agent said that it was time to see Yaeko, his heartbeat increased by tenfold.

He was very nervous but also couldn't wait to see them.

The agent guided him to the floor upper-level floor. He tried to keep his heart in check when the door of what was surely her condo was in front of his eyes.

"Ready?" the agent asked him in a whisper.

"More than ever."

Agent Miura gestured for him to keep quiet and smiled as he knocked on the door and opened it with his key.

"Yaeko?" he called out for her, receiving an almost instant reply.

"Living room"

Just hearing her voice made everything a reality, his girl was right there after so long.

Yuzuru couldn't help the silly smile on his face when the agent turned to see how he was doing and to ask him to stay in the same place.
Once Miura was finally within her eyesight, he couldn't help but tease her a bit about it.

"I have a surprise for you"

"Will you let me call Yuzu or is this another disappointment?"

He tried his best to keep his quiet stance as Agent Miura attempted to hold his big grin.

"You know you can't call him, Yae..."

"Hum... disappointing but not surprising. What's this surprise then? Anything actually good?"

The agent laughed at how over-it Yaeko seemed. It was no secret that the girl was tired of being locked in Finland, without a single possible way to speak to the very few people she loved.

"I hope so. Forgive me for keeping this a secret."

Turning around, the agent gestured with his head, inviting Yuzu to step forward and into the room as the woman stared at the agent in confusion.

Yuzuru found her on the couch of a small living room looking even more beautiful than he remembered. She was wearing a simple cardigan and some sweatpants, tired, and her hair in disarray from how busy she had been. For his sore and desperate eyes, she was gorgeous. If anything, the little baby sleeping in her arms only made her more stunning.

He noted every second of her reaction upon seeing him. The surprise in her eyes was quickly replaced by the most beautiful smile he had ever seen. Yuzu knew he was smitten with this woman, but never how much until then.

"Hello, my beautiful girl."

Yaeko wanted to move, wanted to hurry into his warm embrace and make sure it was all real. For a few seconds, she wondered if this was all a dream. She couldn't do all of those things without waking up the small baby that had just fallen asleep after hours of crying.

Yuzuru noticed her expression right away and moved himself. A gesture of his head was all he needed to obtain permission and sit close by her side.

"You're... you're really here."

"I couldn't stay away."

At that moment, Agent Miura knew that they wanted their privacy.

"I'll leave you both to it. If you need anything, you know where I am."

Yaeko looked at him with the most grateful of smiles "Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Thank you. I have no idea how you managed to make this possible but I know you had your hand in it."

"Just doing my job. Yuzuru had the initiative, I just made it happen. Enjoy your time together but please do get some rest."

He left almost right away, allowing the couple some deserved time alone.

His hand found her cheek naturally, almost as if on instinct, and before he knew it, Yuzuru was closing the distance between them, kissing her lips slowly. All he wanted was to make sure to appreciate every moment he had with her. They had been apart for way too long.

Neither of them could stop smiling, looking at one another as if recent lovers who were still in the honeymoon phase.

After an eternity of looking at her face, he finally settled his gaze on the small baby. He looked so peaceful in his mom's lap that it was almost easy to believe he was an angel.

In all due time, Yuzuru would know that he was a nightmare on most days but that's just what being a parent was, appreciating the most valuable moments while enduring the difficult days.

"He's perfect. The most beautiful baby I've ever seen"

Yaeko could only laugh at Yuzuru's words.

"Parents are always biased."

Yuzuru moved to see him better, giving just the softest of touches. 

"What's his name?"

Maybe for most people, that should have been one of the first things to ask but to Yuzu, their connection seemed far more valuable than any names or descriptions.

"I... haven't decided yet."

Yaeko looked at the ground, only for him to grab her head and kiss her lips.

"It's alright, we can do it together."

Hearing Yuzuru say it so easily brought a reassurance that Yae never expected. It was so easy to feel judged or misunderstood when you've been away from most social contact...

She trusted him enough to feel completely at ease with her decisions.

"I've thought of Haruki."

"That... that is perfect, Yae."

"You think so?"

"I do. Like Spring, he's a bright light of hope in our lives. I hope he marks the beginning of a new season, one where we can live more peacefully together."

"You always put so much thought into things like this... I knew I wanted you to be here to name him."

"Seems to me like you had it all figured out without me."

"Not at all, Yuzu. I wish everything was that easy."

He gently placed his arm around her, cuddling her close without making many movements.

"Now it will be, my love. I will make sure of it."