Several days passed, and then a few more.
Shota was torn.
Hitoshi was right, and so was Kayama. He was lonely, wanting more from life. But he was selfish, scared, and had possibly taken too long to properly woo the woman of his dreams.
He spent his days with his kids and his nights texting Elly in bed while they both drifted off to sleep. They chatted about art, movies and current events. And though she never pressed him for a visit, she started to sound sad as she answered back. Shota realized then that even if she wasn't upset, he was at the thought that she might be. He never wanted her to be unhappy, and while he recognized that was unreasonable, he knew what he had to do.
The next night after dinner, he decided to talk with his daughter.
She was playing with a large dollhouse next to the couch, moving furniture around and talking in different voices for each figure she held. Shota waited patiently until she came to a pause and then called her name.
"Eri."
"What is it?" She dropped the daddy doll and turned around to face him.
"I've got a question for you."
"M'kay."
"Would you like to meet the lady I've been seeing?" He phrased it cautiously, leaving her the options of a simple yes or no answer.
Eri squinted up at him, her white hair shining in the bright lights of the living room. She set her doll aside and faced him seriously. And, of course, completely ignored his question and instead asked one of her own.
"Will you let me?"
Shota blinked, startled. "What do you mean by that?"
She drew her mouth into a frowny pout. "You never talk to me about her," she complained. "I know you like her."
He almost laughed but shook his head in amusement instead, picking her up and lifting her onto his lap. Pretty soon she would outgrow this and he did it every chance he got. "I do like her," he agreed. "And I think she would like you, too."
"Then <i>why</i> hasn't she come here yet?"
"Because daddy is an idiot," he said wryly. "Listen - I'm not promising anything, but how would it be if this weekend we all had dinner together?"
"Yay!" She threw her arms around his neck with a loud, happy cry.
And that was that.
Except now he would have to invite her. They hadn't seen each other in almost a week, and although they had been texting it wasn't enough. He couldn't just meet her to bring her home; they had to talk, among other things.
Definitely other things. He wouldn't be able to hold back when he saw her. In fact, he picked up his phone and slipped into the bathroom for a moment.
<b>Baby</b>: <i>Hey there</i>
<b>Cheshire</b>: <i>Hey baby!</i> ♡ <i>You doing ok?</i>
<b>Baby</b>: <i>I think so, yes. I want to see you tomorrow if possible</i>
<b>Cheshire</b>: <i>At the hotel?</i>
<b>Baby</b>: <i>Yes</i>
<b>Cheshire</b>: <i>Just say the time and I'm there!</i>
He laughed softly. They texted back and forth a few more times until he heard Eri calling for him and excused himself offline for the night.
<b>Cheshire</b>: <i>Goodnight, baby. Sleep well</i> ♡
<b>Baby</b>: <i>You too</i>
He hesitated, his fingers over the silly little emotes he so hated using, and then forced himself. His finger tapped the button.
<b>Baby</b>: ♡
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