Tsubaki slept throughout their journey back to the city. Ren opened a compartment under their seat, took out a throw blanket and covered her with it. His wife snuggled closer to him as if she sensed him near to her. Ren inevitably smiled seeing that.
The driver was being careful while driving the car. The expressways were quite packed with countless vehicles as it was reaching the peak hour.
After making sure she was comfortable, Ren leaned back next to her. His mind began to recount every detail he had confirmed by meeting his mother-in-law today.
Ren couldn't help but be amazed by how level-headed his mother-in-law was. Even though at first she was totally shocked by Tsubaki's appearance and had even cried her heart out, it didn't take her long to stabilize her emotions and accepted that her daughter had finally found her.
Maybe it was due to the hardships she had to endure most of her life. Those hard days helped to mature her mind.
Before Mr. Souma brought her to the sanatorium to receive treatment, his mother-in-law lived her days by working odd jobs and living in a cramped apartment room.
He hated to say it but, even though some of his actions brought a bad taste to his mouth, Mr. Souma had done well in keeping his mother-in-law hidden in a comfortable place.
Ren fished out the phone. He immediately called Hibiki.
"About the matter that I told you before, how it is?"
The man's voice steadily answered, "Mr. Souma sent his assistant to the company before I could contact him."
Ren raised up his brows in amusement, "That man really knows what we're thinking. Okay. Deal with it as soon as possible but, be discreet about it."
"Understood, Master."
Ren threw his gaze at his sleeping wife. He was contented with what he heard.
After Tsubaki told him that her mother agreed to move to the city, he immediately contacted Hibiki and instructed him to find a place for his mother-in-law.
It should be equipped with the best medical care as well as top-notch in privacy to avoid President Souma knew about Masami's reappearance.
Ren tried to call Mr. Souma beforehand but his calls went unanswered. He didn't know what the man was up to after leaving the sanatorium but, it seemed like Mr. Souma already got an inkling of what they planned to do.
Although everything had been settled, he was still uneasy because he still couldn't unearth the truth of the accident. Because it wasn't premeditated, Ren could only blame it on Fate.
At half-past eight o'clock, the husband and wife arrived at Spring Garden. Tsubaki was still exhausted even after sleeping for a while. Ren supported his wife as they made their way to their unit.
"Sweetheart, you've been smiling nonstop," Ren pointed out with a light chuckle.
"Am I?" Tsubaki touched her face. She grinned, "Hehe, I'm just so happy."
All of her worries that haunted her before meeting her mother finally dispersed. Tsubaki was grateful because nothing bad happened throughout the day. Even though it was short, she was still able to spend quite a few hours with her mother.
"Mr. Souma has done bad things, but, I couldn't deny he did help Mother," Tsubaki let out a sigh.
"Even so, we still have to be careful of him," Ren still couldn't put his guard down around that crooked man.
Tsubaki and Ren placed their shoes in the shoe cabinet and wore the home slippers. Bright lights illuminating every inch of the duplex condominium unit once Ren switched on all the lights.
"You should have a bath first," Ren pushed open the door of their bedroom, "I'll prepare the bath for you. Lie down on the bed. Ah, what do you want to eat? I'll prepare the dinner while you're bathing."
"Darling, don't cook tonight. Let's just order takeouts," Tsubaki plopped on the bed. She stared at her husband who was taking off his jacket.
She wasn't the only one who was exhausted. Her husband was tired as well. It was better if he saved some energy by not cooking tonight.
Ren drew a smile, "Alright. What do you want to eat?"
There was a newly opened restaurant near Spring Garden. Hibiki had gone there once and praised the food. He could take this opportunity to let his foodie wife try it.
"I want..."
Tsubaki began listing down the food she wanted. Ren laughed out loud when the list came down to five dishes; two meat dishes, one egg-based dish, one soup while the last one was dessert.
"Are you sure you could finish that?" Ren was doubtful even though he had understood how big the capacity of his wife's belly now.
"Our babies are hungry," Tsubaki blinked her eyes innocently while patting her bulging tummy.
Ren tried hard to not continue laughing, "Okay, okay. I'll order them now."
Ren asked for the restaurant to send the food one hour from now as the two of them had yet to bathe. Once he made the order, Ren hurried to the washroom to prepare the bath. He picked a lemon-vanilla bath bomb for tonight. Its refreshing and citrusy scent immediately filled the entire bathroom.
The husband and wife enjoyed their time relaxing in the bath. Tsubaki had almost fallen asleep while leaning on her husband's chest. She just let him massaging her sore limbs.
"...Darling?" Tsubaki lazily opened her eyes.
"En?" Ren's voice came from her back. He was putting pressure on her shoulders.
He could proudly say his massage skills were improving day by day. He had even eager to attend the parenting class with his wife soon. He wanted to learn all the things he had to know about handling a baby.
"How should we tell Grandma and the others about Mother?" Tsubaki turned her head slightly and stared at Ren, "I don't want to surprise them, but..."
This matter was so complicated.
Grandma, Aunt Kasumi and the rest of the Fuse family only knew that she was an orphan. If she suddenly revealed that her mother was a fallen noble who lived in hiding because of the Souma family, how would they react?
"We should bring Mother here first, let her familiarize herself with her new surroundings," Ren spoke after thinking for a moment, "Only then, we'll introduce Mother to Grandma and the others. I'm sure they would understand."
Ren had perfectly understood his grandmother's temperament. He could safely say this matter would make Grandma loved and cared for Tsubaki more.
"I want to tell Granny Sumiko as well," Tsubaki thought of the old lady, "And, if it's alright, why don't we reallocate Granny Sumiko to be with Mother? It's more convenient for Granny if she's in a place near to the city hospital."
From the first time they met until now, Tsubaki would call the old lady whenever she had free time. The caretakers hired by her husband were excellent in their job but, Tsubaki would be more at ease if Granny Sumiko would be near to her.
"It's indeed more convenient if Granny stays in the city," Ren was quick to agree, "We'll settle it one by one. Granny would be surprised if we suddenly tell her about Mother and her condition. And, I think Mother would be happy if she could meet Kouichi as well."
"Okay," Tsubaki hummed.
Her mother had mentioned Kouichi during their talk earlier. She said the first and last time she saw the young boy was during Hinata's funeral. Aside from that, she could only see his photos taken secretly by Mr. Souma's subordinates.
Tsubaki thought she had gained more after retracing her past.
Despite the heartache, she met new people who loved her.
Even though it was impossible for her to meet her father and sister, at the very least, she was still able to spend her life with her mother.
She would accompany her mother until the end of her time.
After bathing, Tsubaki fiddled with her phone. She had saved her mother's personal number. Her heart bloomed when she saw the number was listed under 'Mother'.
Her finger tapped on the 'Call' icon.
Ring... Ring...
Her heart was pounding hard while she was waiting for the call to be connected. Tsubaki couldn't help but anticipate hearing her mother's voice.
"...Tsubaki?"
Tsubaki's eyes lit up.
"Mother... Am I bothering you? Are you sleeping?" She suppressed her excitement by clutching tight on her nightgown.
Masami's laugh came from the end of the line, "I reckon you've safely arrived. Have you had dinner? Do my grandchildren make you hungry?"
"Hehe, we just ordered takeaways tonight. We haven't..."
One by one, Tsubaki spoke with her mother. Her voice was light and airy as her face brightened. It was a stark contrast to how she was when she cried badly before.
Ren had just entered the room to say the food had arrived before he dropped his intention. From where he stood, he saw how lively his wife's smile was as she was talking on the phone.
Sweetheart, I'm glad.
You could finally breathe in relief.