Just to let you know, "Amazing Grace" is a SERIES. You have to read the previous installments before you read this one if you want to understand the plot. You can go on and begin with this part, but you will be very, very confused to where the plot is going. The series is as follow: Amazing Grace: Take a Picture Amazing Grace: Facing Mother(hood) *newest part* Amazing Grace: The One in a Million *in progress: title might change* Be thankful you discovered the series now. Just think about it when there are six or seven parts to it and people will have to read all of them to know the plot... But I hope they'll stick to it. ^_^ Well, the egg man fell down off his shelf. All the good king's men with all their help struggled 'til the end for a shell they couldn't mend. You know where this will lead, to hush and rock in the nursery for the kicking one inside of me. I eat for two, walk for two, breathe for two now. ~ 10,000 Maniacs, "Eat For Two" Amazing Grace: Facing Mother(hood) By: Masked Maiden Chapter One: Mistakes Spring, 1969 Tokyo, Japan Before the name Chiba Hitori was ever mentioned, there was Watabe Joben -- the one that walked away. The reason he walked away was a reason that no one, for the time being, knew. But one thing was for sure; he broke the heart of the woman he loved. That woman was Mitsukai Megumi, a native of Kobe and a current student at the Bunkyo-ku University in Tokyo. She lived in a quaint apartment just off the college campus with none other than her fiancé, the man who would soon leave her, and for reasons that will for now remain as an unsolved mystery that no one can elucidate. 'Tis no fun when the narrator knows something you don't know, ne? On that particular evening Megumi was lounging on the love seat as she leafed through one of several catalogues she had obtained earlier that day. Each colorful page was filled with elegant white dresses and everything necessary to make the little girls dream and the young ladies' childhood dreams come true. With every turn of a page the smile on Megumi's face seemed to flourish more and more. Just like every bride to be, she was searching for the prefect wedding dress. Next week Megumi and her best friend had plans to visit the bridal shop and try on the dresses she chose. There was one, slightly minor problem. It was miniscule, an unimportant obstacle Megumi prayed would not block the path she wanted to travel. But that certain obstacle, which took the shape of a female figure, couldn't realize how much Megumi and Joben loved each other, and how desperately they wanted to get married. The young and so-in-love couple was tired of hearing the overused excuses about their youthful ages and the hardships that would follow them like their own shadows if they were to marry. There was also the ancient phrase "If you two really love each other then you can wait a couple of years!" She, the obstacle, couldn't understand and wouldn't understand! She was determined to look through the eyes of society and categorized Megumi and Joben in a stereotypical world as another statistic waiting to happen. And whom is the narrator referring to, you may ask? Who else, but Megumi's mother. Mitsukai Anjeru had been against her youngest daughter moving in with her boyfriend (now fiancé) from the very beginning. And it was no surprise to Megumi or Joben that she would be against their engagement, let alone their wedding. The only highlight her mother saw in the "unnecessary" holy matrimony was the realization that her daughter would no longer be seen as a walking taboo in the Japanese society. Though let it be said right now that the one who sees a problem is sometimes the one with blind eyes and a blind heart. The younger generation had become more rebellious than the previous ones. Hundreds of years of tradition were becoming less a part of their lives, yet still held onto their roots. Other unmarried couples were living together. Megumi saw no reason, and no harm, in living together with her fiancé. And speaking of her dear fiancé... wasn't he supposed to be home by now? Megumi looked up at the clock. Ten minutes to six o'clock. Joben usually strolled in around that time. She hoped he remembered to bring something home to eat. It was Friday night, after all, and that meant it was take out night. A couple of minutes after the big hand was on twelve and the little hand was on six, Joben came home from work. At once Megumi could spot two problems. First of all, there were no small paper bags of food, but that was the least of her concerns. That problem could be solved with a date to their favorite diner. What held Megumi's concern was the expression on Joben's face. He looked as if someone had given him a death sentence. "Joe, what's wrong?" she asked, referring to Joben by his pet name. His sad smile was of no comfort to her. "Nothing," he said, wanting to assure her that was the truth. "You sure?" "I'm positive." A touch of gloom faded from his smile. "Sorry about dinner. I forgot it was Friday until I got on the elevator." The days of the week weren't the only things Joben had forgotten recently. For the past couple of weeks he'd forgotten a gathering with their friends, an appointment at the tailor's for a tuxedo fitting, and a couple of other things. Megumi knew something was troubling him. Countless of times she had tried to get him to tell her, but it was to avail. In surrender she left it up to him to tell her when he felt it was time. "That's okay. We'll just go out to eat," Megumi smiled. "Where would you like to go?" Like any male of the human race, he answered, "Doesn't matter to me. Wherever you want to go." "Same place as usual? Or somewhere else?" "I said it didn't matter." Megumi was about to ask once again if something was wrong, but she decided against it. "We'll go to the diner then. Let me get my jacket." Joben merely nodded and waited for his fiancée as she retrieved her jacket from their bedroom. He noted to himself how fast the three months he lived with Megumi had gone by. Time began to have new meaning to him -- it was more precious than he could ever comprehend. People who raced the clock every day, complaining about not enough hours in a day, the same people who wasted time, would one day realize the same thing. Megumi returned, wearing her jacket, as Joben caught a glance at the catalogues on the floor. "Find anything you like?" Joben asked her. She rolled her eyes at his question. "I can't make my mind up on which ones I like the best. I'll probably find the best one when Setsuko and I go to the bridal shop next week." "Next week? I thought it was this weekend." "It was, but Setsuko had to change the date. Kosaku-kun is coming tomorrow and she wants to spend the day with him." "Oh... well, can't blame her." "Me neither." Setsuko had been Megumi's best friend since grade school. They had been through everything together, it seemed. Kosaku was Setsuko's boyfriend who still lived in Kobe. Megumi had the assumption the title of boyfriend would be replaced with fiancé in a matter of weeks - maybe a month or two. How odd it was for love to find both her and Setsuko at nearly the same time. The couple left for their unplanned date at the diner downtown. Megumi gradually began to saw a change in her Joe's mood. He seemed less dispirited and more his usual self. He was able to enjoy himself. Their conversation over dinner was filled with laughter and joy the whole time. Megumi had to wonder if something had only put him in a bad mood before he left for home. That thought became her conclusion. Late that night, they returned to their apartment. Joben kissed her as the door closed behind them. "I've got an idea," he whispered in her ear. "Why don't we turn in early tonight?" Megumi grinned. "I like that idea," she replied. He made love to her that night. It was be the last time. At the break of dawn Joben crawled out of bed, abandoning his love's side as she slept peacefully under the warm covers. He gave his sleeping beauty one last kiss -- a goodbye kiss -- as he placed a folded letter next to her pillow. Leaving their bedroom, he headed for the door. With one final look around he closed the door behind him. An hour or so later Megumi awoke. She rolled over and reached for her Joe, only to find his side of the bed vacant. Her fingers came across the folded piece of paper. She sat up and read the letter. A teardrop fell on the letter and smeared the ink. Several other teardrops soon accompanied it. Before the letter was illegible, her hand wiped the away the tears that fell from her eyes. "M-Masaka..." Megumi grabbed her bathrobe, got out of bed and hurried to the living quarters of the apartment. She meticulously surveyed the small kitchen and the living room. In the center she stood, with one foot on carpet and another foot on vinyl, desperately seeking for a sign that proved the letter was part of a hoax. Yes, it had to be a hoax. At any moment she believed that her Joben would walk out of the bathroom with a guilty smile on his face, apologize about the heartless prank and kiss her in repentance. Surely, that would happen! For ten minutes she stood in silence. Nothing occurred. "Joe..." she uttered, hoping the sound of his name would bring him back home. Again, nothing occurred. "Joe...!" Once more, nothing occurred. "JOE!" Megumi fell to her knees and wept in indescribable sorrow. That was six months ago, and much has happened since then... ~*~*~ November 28, 1969 Tokyo, Japan Ijirashii Hanako was said to have a sixth sense when it came to unexpected predicaments. Whether it was a blessing or a curse, something in the air (or something in the water), that sixth sense always prepared her for whatever was to come. That day's dilemma was soon to happen - this she knew. What was to happen, however, was unbeknownst to her. It would be later on until she openly admitted just how it affected her personally, and in a way many people would not think of. Hanako was nibbling on a sugar cookie while talking on the phone with Megumi, one of her employees and a good friend. Megumi was calling from a pay phone across the street from a doctor's office on the other side of downtown Bunkyo-ku. "So what did your doctor say?" Hanako inquired, her mouth half full of the sweet delectable. "He said that everything's fine and that I should go back in about three to four weeks. I think I might be late getting back to the shop, though. The appointment took longer than I expected." "Let me guess. You spent more time in the waiting room than in the examination room." "Your guess would be correct." "Well, don't rush but get here as soon as you can. Business has been kind of slow, but we've had a few customers." "I get what you're saying. I'll be there in about fifteen minutes, twenty at the most. I'll see you then." "All right. Take care, Megumi-chan." As Hanako got off the phone with Megumi, she heard the silver bell tied to the entrance of the floral shop jingle. She left the back room and stood behind the counter. "Can I help you, ma'am?" Hanako asked, politely bowing. A woman of thirty-nine years of age gazed around the floral shop, taking in the scenery. She was a tall woman with delicate features, her hair done up in a single bun and her tailored clothes a symbol of wealth and luxury. For some reason, Hanako viewed the woman as a steel magnolia. Although her outer appearance gave off the aura of grace and dignity, she undoubtedly had the tolerance and temperament of an old, crabby high school math teacher who found great joy in tormenting her pupils. When the woman never answered her question, Hanako raised her voice slightly and asked, "Uh, ma'am, is there something I could help you with?" The woman turned to Hanako, her chocolate eyes staring at her directly. "Pardon me," she apologized. "I'm Mitsukai Anjeru. I believe my daughter is one of your employees." "Mitsukai... Oh, you must be Megumi-chan's mother." "Yes, I am. Is Megumi expected to arrive for work today?" "She called me a moment ago and said she would be here in about fifteen minutes. Is something wrong?" "No, no. Today is Megumi's birthday. I wanted to surprise her and take her out to dinner with the family tonight." "Oh..." Why did Hanako get the feeling her predicted dilemma was going to happen in about fifteen minutes? "Well, that sounds nice." "You don't mind if I wait for her, do you?" "No, not at all. I'll be in the back room most of the time, working on several flower arrangements. Some customers are supposed to pick up their orders today and we've been behind schedule since Megumi-chan usually does that job. You can have a seat on this stool if you'd like." As Hanako spoke she moved a barstool from behind the counter to beside it for Anjeru to sit on. Anjeru barely bowed at the younger woman. "Thank you." It was roughly twenty minutes before that tiny silver bell chimed once more. "Konnichi wa, Hanako-san! Sorry that it took me longer than I said, but there was an car wreck and the police..." Her words escaped her mind when she saw her mother, whom she hadn't seen since spring break, sitting by the counter right in front of her. "Oka-san!?" At first, Anjeru had a broad smile on her face. When she turned to see her youngest daughter standing by the doorway, it did a 180-degree flip and somehow disappeared into thin air. This was not the same Megumi that Anjeru left behind in Tokyo nearly eight months ago during those two weeks of spring break. This Megumi was six months pregnant, with a round belly that would grow (though "expand" would probably be a more fitting word) as the months progressed. Her daughter was a young, attractive nineteen-year-old lady who was engaged to a decent man that certainly proved his love for her. This lady, though still young and attractive, was... Well, they looked the same, acted the same, had the same voice... Anjeru couldn't argue with herself anymore. Her baby girl was having baby. What irony! Anjeru had rode on a train for three hours straight from Kobe to Tokyo and then hailed a cab to surprise her daughter on her birthday, only to be surprised in return. And there was only one way Anjeru could react to such news. In complete hysteria! "OH MY GOD!" Megumi's face reddened, clearly indicating her embarrassment and her anger. This was not the way she wanted to spend her birthday -- explaining everything to her mother and hearing what she knew was to come. "Hello, Mother," Megumi scoffed. "Nice weather we're having, ne?" The cultured woman of aristocracy tossed all her dignity out the window. "I couldn't give a damn about the weather right now! Do you mind explaining *this* to me!" Her expressive hand motions gave her words more emotion than they needed. "Oka-san, could you at least calm down?" "No, I will not calm down! Now explain this to me right this instant!" "What's to explain? I'm pregnant." Obviously that wasn't the kind of explanation Anjeru wanted. "I can see that. Explain to me how this happened!" "You mean you don't know?" "Mitsukai Megumi..." That combination of hearing one's full name being spoken by their mother in *that* tone scared more children around the world than the Boogie Man and scary movies put together. "Can it at least wait until I'm off from work?" "No. Tell me now." "But, Oka--" "Megumi-chan?" Hanako interrupted. She stepped behind the counter and did her best to sound cheerful. "You know that day off you asked about?" Megumi, though grateful for a time out, became puzzled. "What day off? I haven't asked for a day off." "Well, you're getting today off! And don't come back until tomorrow afternoon at your scheduled time!" "But--" "Go!" Hanako made a shooing motion with her hands. "Leave! Shoo! Get out of here!" There appeared to be no room for arguing. Mother and daughter spoke not a word to each other as Megumi drove back to her apartment in downtown Tokyo. She was, in a way, thankful her mother had no more words to say to her for the time being. Silence was not always a curse. On the contrary, the silence during the drive home and up the elevator to her apartment was almost a Godsend. When the door to the apartment closed behind her, however, Anjeru regained her voice and used it to its full advantage. "When were you going to tell me?" she asked, her inquiring mind wanting to know what smart remark her daughter would come up with. "When the child had graduated from high school? Or perhaps college. That sounds a lot more suitable than high school." Megumi purposely made all the noise she could while preparing her mother and herself some tea. Even when she was ready to punch her mother's lights out, she wanted to at least show that at least one of them could remain calm... in the matter of not yelling, that is. "In all honesty, I was going to wait until a couple of weeks after the baby was born," Megumi replied, and that was the truth. "Why would you do such a thing? Why would you keep something as big as this from your own family?" "It's not the whole family. I've wanted to tell Papa and Karei from the beginning. It's *you* that I've been keeping this from." "And why is that? Don't you think I have a right to know these things?" "Oh, I'll agree you do have the right." She slammed the teapot on the stove and turned the burner on high. "It's just I didn't want to hear your lecture about the importance of the Mitsukai name and about adoption." Anjeru fell silent for the second time that afternoon. She sat down at the kitchen table and remained quiet; but only for a few minutes. As the silence took over the room, she looked around the apartment. Except for a few boxes in the corner of the living area, the place was clean. From the living area was a hallway, which also had an opening from the kitchen. The hallway led to the bathroom and the two bedrooms. Anjeru knew that the second bedroom was being turned into a nursery for the child her daughter was carrying. From the writing on the boxes in the corner, she knew that at least the crib and the changing table had been set up. Two of the other boxes, one for a highchair and the other for a car seat, were unopened. "So you're what... six months along?" "You finally speak. I thought you were dead." Anjeru shook her head disapprovingly. "You're not as clever as you think you are, Megumi." "Yes." "Yes what?" "Yes, I'm six months along. Would you also like to know the baby's gender?" "I suppose so." "It's a girl." A granddaughter. Anjeru wasn't even forty years old. In three months she would be a grandmother. "So where's that fiancé of yours. At work, I assume?" It was Megumi's turn to fall short of words. She stood by the stove, waiting for the teakettle to start hissing. "It is yours and Joben-san's child, isn't it?" Megumi nodded. Her throat started to feel tight. She managed to squeak a solitary "Yes." "Then where is he? It's a simple question." "I-I don't know..." Her answer floored her. "You don't know?" "No... H-He left about a month before I knew I was pregnant." "You're telling me you were planning to take care of this child by yourself?!" "No, Oka-san, I *plan* to take care of this child by myself. Not you or anyone else is going to talk me into giving my baby up for adoption. I told you that was the reason why I wanted to wait to tell you this! You would and will try to convince me that adoption is the best thing. Well, it's not going to work. Face it, Oka-san. You care more about yourself than your own daughters. Your nineteen-year-old daughter is pregnant out of wedlock and your reputation with the ladies at the country club is kaput." The hissing teakettle perfectly reflected the mood as the tension started to grow more intense. Megumi took it off the eye and placed it on the counter, never taking her eyes off her mother. She knew she was right, and she wasn't going to let her mother get the best of her. Anjeru was nearly breathing fire. She stood and marched up to her daughter with her finger pointing directly in her face. Though it wasn't the first or last occasion, every time her mother got in that stance Megumi was intimidated. "Now you listen to me, young lady," Anjeru seethed. "I was against you and Joben moving in together from the very beginning and I can see that I was right about him the whole time. You made one big mistake in your life. Don't make another one. You are an intelligent young woman who has her whole future to look forward to. You have two more years of college to attend and you have your dreams of becoming a music teacher. I will not allow you to drop out because of this child. You are halfway through college and you are going to finish it. You are also financially unable to care for a child and you are too young to be burdened with a baby. Do not make the mistake of keeping it. There are plenty of couples that would give it a good home. So stop acting selfish and think through this more clearly. You are unable to care for this child and you should give it up for adoption." Megumi had been listening, but she wasn't going to let Anjeru have the last word. She mimicked her mother and pointed her finger directly in her face. "And you listen to me," she declared. "This is *my* baby! *My* daughter. She's mine! And no one is going to tell me what I can or can't do. Especially you. Since I moved out you've had no jurisdiction over the way I lead my life. That hasn't changed. I'm keeping this baby. I'm going to finish college, and I'm going to become a teacher. I am determined to do all these things and I will find a way to make it all happen. If not for myself then just to prove you wrong and make you look bad in front of you all your so-called friends! I'm not making a mistake. My child is not a mistake. And if you ever say one more word about adoption then so help me God I'll see to it that I'll never speak to you again!" Anjeru had heard enough. Eyes sharp as daggers, overflowing with anger, she gave her daughter one final look before grabbing her purse and storming toward the door. She wrapped her hand around the doorknob before speaking once more. "Your father and your sister will be expecting you at the Blooming Flower tonight at eight-thirty. It was supposed to be a surprised birthday dinner but I guess I should tell you. You can break the news about your mistake to them tonight." "Wouldn't miss it for the world." She heard the slamming of the door after that. Megumi felt the stinging hot tears start to form. She went to the bathroom and splashed cold water on her face, drying it with a hand towel. She looked at her reflection in the mirror. Her face was almost completely red, and not from scrubbing too hard. "Selfish... how can she be so selfish...?" she thought. "The only person she cares about is herself. I know I've made some mistakes in my life, but I know this isn't one of them." Megumi bowed her head and looked down at her every-changing body. Her hands moved tenderly over her abdomen and stopped to feel a tiny foot press against her palm. How, she wondered, could a woman possibly give her child to someone else after feeling that first kick? That was what made her determined to keep her baby. That was over a month or so ago. Three more months from then, she would be able to hold that precious being kicking inside of her. "You're probably the best thing that's ever happened to me..." ====== End of Chapter One