Hello Again (Sequel)

The Party

A.J. P.O.V.

"Oh my god, oh my god. I'm so nervous!" I cried, pacing my room. Haruhi stood there in her pink summer dress, glaring at me. "She's not even here yet, but most of the other guests are, and Hikaru's dad is dying to meet you!" she responded, grabbing my arm and trying to drag me out of the room. My hair was done in a waterfall style, falling over my shoulders carefully. I was in a simple green and white dress that made my eyes glow jade, and white lace ballet flats. I stared at myself in the mirror self consciously, tugging my arm back. "I look so...plain!" I whined. "He's not gonna like me." She rolled her eyes and pulled even harder. "Yes he is, now let's GO!" With one final tug, she pulled me out of my room and down the hall. Mr. & Ms. Hitachiin lived separately because Mr. Hitachiin was always at work, but they were still married. Hikaru had told me all about his father the night before, and despite his frequent absence, he spoke of him with reverence. He described Mr. Hitachiin as a very loving and easygoing man.

"Ah, there she is, the lady of the hour!" Hikaru exclaimed. He was in a white button down and black dress pants, his tie hanging loosely around his neck. Haruhi handed me off to him as she made her way downstairs to greet everyone. "Where are the girls?" I fretted, wringing the fabric of my dress in my hands. "They're with their Uncle Tamaki, don't worry. He's bringing them down right now to meet everyone," he assured. As if on cue, I could hear Tamaki bellow dramatically, "Introducing the ladies of the home, Miss Lily and Miss Rose Breaux!" I took a deep breath, scowling at Hikaru's lazy grin. He had nothing to worry about. My parents wouldn't be holding him under a microscope. I fixed his tie, doing anything to keep my hands busy and stall for time. "It'll be alright," he cooed, brushing his fingers across my cheek. "I'll be right here with you." His hand trailed down my neck to my shoulder and all the way down my side, reaching out and squeezing my waist. I forced a smile as he led me to the staircase. I made my way down carefully. Standing in the ballroom was my family, my and Hikaru's mutual friends, Kaoru, and a man I did not know. He looked much like Hikaru and Kaoru, but his hair was black and his eyes were coffee-colored. He had a goatee, and was about half a head taller than his sons, his features sharper and more defined than the boys'. "Mr. Hitachiin, it's a pleasure to meet you," I murmured shyly when we reached the base of the stairs, holding my hand out to him. He took it gently in both of his hands and bowed slightly.

"The pleasure is all mine, Miss Breaux," he replied, straightening and looking me up and down. He was inspecting me, and I could not mistake the surprise in his eyes when he saw my piercings and tattoos. "Such a colorful woman," he chuckled. I guess he noticed my embarrassment, because his eyes widened and he immediately corrected himself. "No no no! I don't mean it in a bad way at all! I am glad my son has found someone to brighten his life." His smile was warm, and I instantly knew that I liked him. "Dad, there's a couple people I want you to meet," Hikaru said. Mr. Hitachiin waved his hand dismissively and sighed, "Son, I've met all of your friends." Kaoru had Lily and Rose in each arm, grinning as he approached his father from behind. "Mr. Hitachiin-"

"Please, call me Akio," he interrupted me. "Akio, um..." My voice trailed off and I pointed behind him. He turned to Kaoru and his face lit up in a bright grin. "These are the little girls Tamaki brought down," he mused, looking over his shoulder at me. "These are your daughters, yes?" I nodded, and I felt Hikaru shift nervously beside me. "Actually, they're mine too, Dad." His face went blank, and it was quiet for a moment. The silence dragged on until, finally, he burst into joyous laughter. "Actually yours, as in they're not just going to be your stepchildren?!" Hikaru nodded, grinning proudly. "Yes, sir. I told you about A.J. and I dating in high school, do you remember? Well, these are our daughters." Mr. Hitachiin smiled even wider and held his arms out. Lily and Rose buried their heads in Kaoru's shoulders. "Un'le Kaowu," they whimpered. He chuckled and offered them to Mr. Hitachiin. "That's mine and your daddy's dad. He's your grandpa," he whispered. Rose was the first to peek up at him. She glanced across the room and pointed to my father. "Like Pepe Alex?" she asked. Kaoru nodded. "Exactly like your Pepe," Kaoru answered. "Except it's your daddy's dad."