It was just a simple peck on the lips, and I only did it because, for years, I had hoped to one day see Chikao again.

However, when I had pulled away from him and stood there staring at each other something overtook him and he crashed his lips back on mine. Teasing me with his tongue to open up my mouth, and I gave in.

Hika's hand found it's way to the back of my head, grabbing a handful of my hair.

*Knock - Knock*

Our lips parts with a light smack and Hika backs away from me, while I jump off the desk and walk over to an open space.

"Come in." Hika says in a lightly irritated tone.

In walks Nicole, she catches my eyes with a huge smile and runs up for me to catch her in my arms.

-Daddy found you that means I win! - She signs with excitement.

My eyes widen and I look over at Hika who has his arms crossed and is now leaning against the shelves. 

His face showing that he's clearly amused with the attention Nicole is giving me.

I set her down and kneel down to her level.

-You win! -I smile at her -Can you show me where the kitchen is? I haven't eaten yet.

Nicole hops up and down a few times and grabs my hand.

I look over at Hika and put my free hand up to my mouth, still have the tingling feeling of his kiss on my lips.

He smiles. My first kiss was given by my first love.  Eeeek!

Nicole tugs my hand again, breaking the contact between Hika and I, and dragging me out of the room.

****

The following day, after Nicole's classes and lessons she barges in the room with a handful of the most beautiful and colorful dresses I've ever seen. Hika must've paid a good amount of money for these.

-I don't have any dresses for you. -Nicole signs with a slight frown.

-That's ok. Do you have a tiara or a flower head piece? Seems you forgot the tea set? - I sign with a smile.

Her eyes open wide and with a smile she hops of the bed and runs to her room. She busts through the door again happy as ever carrying, 4 different tiaras and 2 floral crowns, on her wirst. While holding a tub with a porcelain tea set, I hear them clinking around with her movements.

I smile at her and hop off the bed. I lay each dress across the bed, and set the tiaras aside.

I tell Nicole to choose which dress she'd like to wear while I set up the tea party.

She chose a very beautiful blue velvet dress with gorgeous beading around the shoulders and waistline.

I help her zip her dress after she's done putting it on, and reach for the perfect tiara to match.

I grab a floral crown and put it on my head.

-Your Highness -I sign with a deep curtsy

Nicole gives a huge smile and curtsy's back with her dress in her hands. I put one arm behind my back and reach out for hers. She places her hand in my like royalty, and we walk over to the table that's set up. I help her sit down and go to sit on my side. Needless to say, we had a blast together.

Unbeknownst to us, we had a secret audience.

Later that evening it had started to rain, pretty hard.

Lightning lit up the skies with a deep rumble following shortly after.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to drown out the storm. It was keeping me awake.

I was struggling to fall asleep.

James had crossed my mind.

I almost jump out of my skin when I hear the door slowly open.

There stood Nicole, holding her favorite stuffed animal. A light brown bunny with a lilac bow around it's neck.

-Can't sleep either? - I sign.

I give her a smile, pull the covers back and reach my arms out for her. She hops up on my bed and under the covers. We face eachother each on our own pillow but still only a foot or two apart.

I can tell she's still scared of the storm so I make funny faces at her. She smiles at me. She lifts her hands up to touch a little beauty mark that sit next to my left eye.

-You're pretty -She signs.

-You're the prettiest- I sign back.

She gives a sleepy smile and her eyes start blinking heavily. So a caress her hair, and touch my forehead to hers.

The moment I realize she's asleep, I slowly drift off myself.

****

I snapped my eyes open and reached out grabbing on to an arm. Heavily sweating and panting from the bad dream, I realized it was Hika's arm I was clutching.

He had pulled the blanket back trying to pick up Nicole from the bed.

Still with a tight grasp on his arm, I shook my head no with pleading eyes not to take her.

During our sleep Nicole had somehow tangled her body with mine.

An arm over my neck and a leg over my waist.

Hika looked at the both us and half smiled, as he drew back his hand I released my grasp.

I relaxed thinking he was going to leave her in the room with me, he instead kicked off his shoes and climbed into bed with us.

He lay on the other side of the bed leaving Nicole between us.

Nicole had start to stir in her sleep so I caressed her head again, placing a light kiss on her forehead.

After the nightmare I had, I didn't want her away from me.

Hika just lay there staring at me.

I clear my throat with a light cough, and with the lightest whisper, I somewhat speak for the first time in years.

"I've missed you, Chikao."