I Just Can't Stop Loving You (13 page)

“What do you suggest?” she asked.

“The smoked oysters are delicious,” he told her. “They are also good for the libido.”

“My libido is fine, thank you very much.”

“Then I would suggest the veal parmesan.”

She wasn’t in the mood for veal or anything in tomato sauce. They served blackened redfish. “Ooh, this looks good.” She showed him the picture.

“You’re right. That does look good and it is probably healthier than veal.”

The waiter returned, took their order, and left again. They continued to talk while they waited on their meal to be prepared.

“How is Europe?” Tae asked.

“Entertaining,” Cristal answered. “We’ve been very busy.” She sipped her imported water.

“So I’ve heard,” Tae replied. “I’m surprised they let you out of jail so soon.”

Cristal nearly choked on the water in her mouth. “You know?”

Tae nodded. “You guys made world news.”

That meant Mr. Niigata also knew. She and Aomori were in deep shit.

“I told you that Satoshi is nothing but trouble,” Tae replied.

“To be fair, it wasn’t his fault. Some guys were cheating at cards and he called them on it.”

“That was chivalrous of him, but he should not have been gambling in the first place. And he should not have brought you along for the ride.”

“First of all, he did not bring me. I was the one who suggested it to him.”

“Let’s not argue,” Tae said, dismissing her. “So you are a woman with her own mind. I can deal with that.”

She didn’t care whether he could deal or not. It was just dinner, which didn’t constitute a relationship or understanding.

The waiter brought their food. Everything looked good, including the arrogant guy seated across from her. Even though she didn’t want to admit it, he was a good conversationalist too. Before she knew it, the meal had ended and they were back in the car and on their way back to her apartment. Tae didn’t try anything once they got there. He just gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and left her standing dumbfounded at the door.

 The doctor finished examining Shaundra and closed the file he’d been writing in. “You’re recovering nicely and your vitals are stable.”

“So, I’ll still be able to go home tomorrow?” Shaundra asked.
Please say yes
.

“Yes,” Doctor Sou told her. “You might need help getting around for the next couple of weeks and no sex for the next five weeks until I examine you again.”

“That part I can handle,” Shaundra said. In a couple of days, Aomori would be going back to Europe, taking their blue-eyed temptation with them. She’d have to put up with him today until they named the babies and then a few days at the farmhouse, and then she’d be alone again.

“Good, I think you will make a full recovery.” The doctor headed toward the door. “Remember, no sex.”

“Don’t worry. I’m not in the mood for being bothered with anyone but me and the twins.”

The doctor smiled at her and left her room.

Shaundra adjusted the bed. She had showered, changed into a clean gown, and had combed her hair. Now she could relax and go over her plans for the next couple of days. Her cell phone rang. Shaundra lifted it for the nightstand. “Hello?”

“Hello, beautiful lady.”

“Hey, Harper. What’s going on?”

“I just called to see how you’re doing.”

“Apparently, I’m doing fine. They’re releasing us out of this hospital tomorrow.”

“That’s good news,” Harper said. “But I just called to tell you that I’ll be out of the country for the next two weeks.”

“Oh, where are you going?” Shaundra asked.

Harper hesitated for a moment and then answered. “Home.”

“Oh,” Shaundra said sadly. She’d known it would eventually happen.

“It’s only going to be for two weeks. The University called and wants me there for a meeting to discuss Damien.”

“What’s he done now?” Shaundra asked.

“He’s on academic probation. The only class he managed to pass is Humanities. He scored one hundred percent on the test and didn’t even bother writing his name on the other tests.”

“Wow, he really must love the Arts.”

“Damien could have aced all his tests if he really tried, but the Dean seems to think he’s distracted by something.”

“Or someone,” Shaundra said. “He’s twenty-four. You know what that’s like.” She paused. “So what are you going to do?”

“Pack him up and bring him back here. He can retake his last semester at one of the local universities.” He sighed. “I just don’t understand him. It was his idea to go to graduate school. He could have gone straight to work after he got his Business degree.”

“We had these kids, but we don’t understand them,” Shaundra said. “I hope the two new additions make up their minds early what they want to be.”

“I don’t think you have to worry much about that,” Harper replied. “Mr. Niigata will have them on stage by the time they’re sixteen.”

Shaundra chuckled. “I guess you’re right. They’ll be a hot commodity. Twin six-foot tall, gorgeous idols.”

“It’s going to be fine, Shaundra. You won’t have to go through this alone.”

“How do you know what I’m thinking?”

“Because we’re friends,” Harper said.

“Do me a favor. Check up on Tricia for me while you’re there. She was supposed to come for a visit, but got bogged down with her exams.”

“Will do,” Harper said. “Try not to kill Ich while I’m gone.”

“He’ll be dropping in shortly,” Shaundra told him. “We have to name the babies today.”

“Can you handle it? I mean, you haven’t seen him since you tried to strangle him in the delivery room.”

“Yeah, I can handle it. I can’t have sex for five or six weeks so I won’t be swayed by anything he has to say. He’ll just sign the papers and I’ll send him on his way.”

“I’ve contacted Dae-Hyun. The nursery is ready and he’s awaiting your arrival.”

“Thanks,” Shaundra said. “I’ll call him as soon as Aomori is back into the air.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Harper asked.

“Very sure,” Shaundra said. “If Ichiro wants my love, he has to work for it.”

“That’s my girl. You take care.”

“You too. Have a safe trip home and tell Charlotte hello. I’ll try to call her in a couple of days.”

“I will. I’ll call you as soon as I can,” Harper said. “Bye.” He disconnected the call.

Shaundra pressed the red button on her phone and put in back on the nightstand, jealous that Harper was leaving while she had to remain in Japan.

The door opened and Daichi, Hana, and Estuko Yoshida appeared.

“What are you guys doing here?”

All three came over to hug her.

“We came for the naming of our nephews,” Daichi said. “We know you don’t have any family here so we came to show support.”

“Thanks,” Shaundra said. “Have a seat. The nurses should be in shortly with the boys.”

“What time is Ichiro scheduled to arrive?” Hana asked.

Shaundra shrugged.

“Awe, don’t tell me the two of you still aren’t speaking.”

“Okay, I won’t tell you,” Shaundra said. Hana and Estuko knew what had happened, but she didn’t know if they had told Daichi.

The nurses came in with the babies a few seconds later, ending the conversation. Both aunts quickly reached for a baby. They cooed at the boys and spoke to them in Japanese. Thank God she’d been studying and practicing her Japanese since she’d returned to the farmhouse. She was going to get more proficient if she expected to be able to communicate with her sons.

“I hate to say this, Shaundra, but I don’t see you in these kids,” Hana said. “Are you sure they’re yours? Both boys look exactly like Ichiro, right down to the blue eyes.”

“Well, their skin color won’t be as porcelain as Ich, but yes, they’re mine.”

The door opened again. Shaundra looked toward it. Her heart melted as the father of her twins entered looking quite kawaii and mature in a black suit and a white shirt. His hair was neatly braided and hung down his back. And he had tightened up on his mustache and beard.

Ichiro bowed to her and his family. “Good evening,” he said in Japanese.

“Konnichi wa,” the three siblings responded.

Shaundra couldn’t say a word, afraid her heart would make something stupid come out of her mouth.

Ichiro walked over and kissed her on the forehead.

The scent of his cologne made her heart thud heavily in her chest.
Damn, not fair
.

“How are you feeling?”

“I’m fine,” Shaundra said quickly
. Don’t you dare fall for his charm
.

Ichiro smiled at her and stepped away. “And how are my big boys?” He took the baby from Hana and cuddled him in his arms.

Shaundra’s defenses startled to crumble as she watched the tender scene unfold. She bit her bottom lip to keep the tears from falling. Her big baby looked so happy holding his son.

Daichi gazed over at her and pleaded forgiveness with his eyes.

Shaundra shook her head and looked away. She could not forgive Ichiro. The thought of her innocent baby lying in some other woman’s arms made her ballistic.

The other baby started to cry and Estuko rocked him gently, but he baby fidgeted and squalled in her arms. Estuko got up and brought the baby to Shaundra.

Shaundra cuddled him near her breast and the baby moved his head around at the scent of her milk. “Excuse me,” she said, draping a receiving blanket over her left shoulder. Pulling one of her breasts out the gown, she began nursing her son. The baby latched onto the nipple, making loud, smacking sounds. Shaundra brushed a jet black lock of hair out of the child’s eye and cooed at him. When she looked up, everyone was watching her intently, including Ichiro. Those almond shaped blue eyes locked on her. Heat radiated from them, searing her skin.

The other baby began to cry. Ichiro rocked him gently. “Shush,” he said. “Mama is busy. You have to wait your turn.”

The baby refused to quiet.

“Greedy boys,” Shaundra said, beckoning Ichiro to bring the baby over to her.

Ichiro hesitated at first and then he walked over to the bed. He put the baby in Shaundra’s right arm, exposed the breast with shaky hands, and the baby latched onto the dark brown nipple. “Ooh,” Ichiro said. “Easy.”

The baby ignored him and made sounds like his brother.

A camera flashed in the room.

Both she and Ichiro looked up.

Daichi had taken a picture. “For the christening book,” he explained.

“But I look like a hot mess,” Shaundra protested.

“No, you don’t,” Ichiro said. “I’ve never seen you look lovelier.”

Shaundra stared at him blankly. For a moment, she almost faltered. “Thank you. You are most kind,” she told him in fluent Japanese.

Ichiro raised an eyebrow, but did not comment. Neither did the siblings.

Two nurses entered, accompanied by an older Japanese woman.

“Greedy boys,” one of the nurses said. “It’s not feeding time yet.” She took the baby from Shaundra’s left breast while the other nurse took the one from the right.

Shaundra covered herself. When she looked up, Ichiro was still watching intently. Shaundra rolled her eyes at him, knowing he was contemplating latching onto one of her swollen nipples.

The nurses left with the babies and the other lady approached and introduced herself. “I’ve come to register the babies’ names.” Of course she said it in Japanese, which Ichiro translated.

The woman handed Ichiro a clipboard and a pen with the forms.

“Have you chosen names?” Ichiro asked her.

Shaundra retrieved a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to him.

Ichiro looked over the names and beamed. “I’m so glad you decided to use the ones we discussed.” He quickly filled out the forms and signed his name. He handed the clipboard to her and she stared down at the neat Japanese characters. She signed her name and handed the clipboard to the woman who bowed and left.

“So what did you guys name them?” Estuko asked excitedly.

“The first born is named Raiden Takumijo Yoshida and his younger brother is Ryoto Satoshi Yoshida,” Ichiro told her.

“Japanese names?” Hana asked.

Shaundra nodded. “They are Japanese citizens. They’d get teased if we named them Bill and Phil.”

Daichi chuckled and agreed. “You two have chosen splendid names.” He rose. “I think it’s time for us to go. We have to get back to the restaurant and Shaundra needs her rest.”

The two sisters rose too.

Oh God, they are going to leave me alone with Ichiro
.

He must have seen the horrified expression on her face. “I will be back tomorrow to bring you and my sons home.” He leaned down and kissed her on the head again. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.