Hello Again (Sequel)

Party Planning

I sat at my desk, spinning round and round in my chair. Hikaru was still in class and the girls were down for their naps. I hated how empty I felt without him here; I hated how the house felt so small without his presence. I was going stir crazy, and I thought the walls were going to close in on me. Haruhi lounged in an armchair across from me as I pretended to listen to her go through the list. "Adrienne, you're not even listening!" she scolded.

"Yeah, yeah I am. My father, Leah, and baby Alex will be here the day before, and Hikaru is going to pick them up." I sighed. I was met with a scowl and eyes that were silently piercing me with daggers. "That was fifteen minutes ago. I'm already almost all the way down the guest list." I leaned forward against my desk and rubbed my face tiredly. "You, me, and my babies is more than enough of a party for me," I groaned. "I'm sorry. I'm just anxious...ya know, 'bout Hikaru's mom bein' here. She hates my guts! Hell, she's the one that split me and Hikaru up. If only she knew we were living together, he was raising my kids, and he wants to marry me. She'd probably have a stroke!" I laid my head on the desk and let out a pathetic whine. "I know you're worried, but maybe it won't be as bad as you think," she assured with a halfhearted smile. I rolled my eyes. Thanks a lot Haruhi, you're so convincing. "I'm not ready for this," I whimpered. She set down the notepad and reached across the desk, rubbing my arm soothingly. "Hikaru said we don't have to do this until you're ready, so this is all up to you," she sighed. I lifted my head up and grinned hopefully. "So I can wait until like thirty years from now when she's on her death bed?" I said. I was met with another fatal stare. "No, but it's not like we're throwing the party tomorrow." She picked the notebook up again and began going through the checklist. "Hikaru gave a list of caterers. Any of them you're interested in calling?" I smirked, tossing a pen at her and making her drop the pad. "Nope," I replied, popping the 'p' as I continued to spin. "I ain't no boushie housewife, and I ain't gonna act like one. I told him, he wanted this big ol' house, it's gonna be kept and managed by us. No hired help. That includes this. I know how to cook fuh my damn self!" I ranted.

Hikaru came home around 3:30 p.m. in my SUV (he had let Kaoru keep the car), and he wanted an answer about when to throw the party. I was at a complete loss. How was I supposed to tell him when I would be ready to face his mother, when I wasn't even ready to decide on dinner for the night? "So, we've got everything ready, now we just need a date," he sighed, wrapping his arms around me. "Why don't you decide?" I suggested weakly. Haruhi was standing by with an amused look on her face. "These decisions are usually left to the woman of the house," she chirped. I shot a glare her way as the girls came bounding down the stairs. "Daddy!" they cheered. Hikaru let me go and scooped them up in each arm. "How are my two favorite girls?" he chuckled. "We're okay," Lily began, "Just woke up from nap," Rose finished. "Are you excited to meet Daddy's family?" he asked as he carted them off to the kitchen. They squealed happily as he started to tell them all about his family.

I looked at Haruhi helplessly. "I don't wanna do this," I whined. She patted my head and sighed, "Too bad, Adrienne. You have to." I hung my head and walked to the kitchen after them. "Hikaru?" I whispered. He turned to me with apple juice down his shirt and a huge grin. The girls were laughing at him. I smiled weakly and took a deep breath. "Next Saturday would be a fine day to have the party.

I know I haven't updated in FOREVER, but I've been busy with school and my internet got cut off. I'll be back to updating regularly soon.