Forever yours,

Words that fall on loving ears

*Ume*

Yuzu's mother was sitting on the couch reading a book when she heard a knock at the door. She got up and exclaimed "I'm coming! Just a moment please."

Ume opened the door and to her surprise, found two of her daughters friends, "hello girls, come in, I'll let Yuzu know you're here," she said with a smile.

"Oh we can just go see her, no need to go through the trouble," Harumi said to her.

"Well okay, let me know if you're staying, I'll be making dinner shortly." Turning to walk away, Ume went to the living room and read a book for a while. A half hour passed, Ume looked at the clock and decided to ask Harumi and Matsuri if they were staying for dinner, getting up from the couch she walked towards Yuzu's room. She could hear the three of them talking about something and paused briefly, "She loves you too Yuzu, I really think you should try to get her back," this was Harumi's voice, " she doesn't want to marry him, she wants to be with you.. look I know you don't believe us but you should talk to Mei. You both need this."

"Yuzu, you love her right? Then talk to her, you have to-"

"I CAN'T, SHE MADE UP HER MIND, SHE DOESNT WANT ME!" Yuzu sounded upset.

"Not only that, but what will our mom think! Or her dad! They're married and no one else would understand. My parents wouldn't understand.. I just.. I feel empty."

Ume reared up at the words her daughter was saying, she left the door needing to calm down, heading to the bathroom she washed her face and composed herself. Leaving the bathroom she went to knock on her daughters door now that the conversation has stopped, " Hey girls? Are you hungry? I'm starting dinner if you would like to join Yuzu and I? You could even stay the night if you like and head to school together in the morning." Her daughter needed friends right now.

The door opened and Yuzu, Matsuri and Harumi emerged, Yuzu's eyes looked a little puffy but she looked calm now, "Is it really alright mama? You don't have to do that." Yuzu said with a sad smile.

"Of course dear, but some help with dinner would be nice too, and you know I love your friends, why don't we all hang out and cook together? Then if their parents say it's okay we can watch a movie together before you sleep."

All at once the three girls said, "Yes! Let's do it!"

Smiling at them, Ume suggested they wash before they start dinner. Harumi and Matsuri headed to the bathroom to wash their hands right away, while Yuzu lagged behind, "Something you need darling?" Ume asked.

"No just.." Yuzu hugged her mom tight and she felt tears begin to form in the back of her throat again, "I love you mama, thank you for this."

"No problem baby, you know I love you no matter what right?"

"Yeah I know.." Yuzu let go and went to go wash up, turning quickly to give her mom a smile then disappearing into the bathroom.

She needed to call her husband before talking to Yuzu about what she heard.. but for tonight she let the matter go.