Sakura was so exhausted that she slept soundly throughout the morning, her body snuggling comfortably in Sebastian’s arms. When she woke again, it was to an empty space beside her and Akira’s voice calling her name.

“Hey, Sleeping Beauty,” Akira said softly. “It’s time to get up.”

Sakura’s eyes fluttered open as she yawned. Then she asked, as she rubbed her tired eyes, “Is it morning already?”

Akira chuckled. “No. It’s not morning, Sakura-chan. You went to bed in the morning. Now it’s noon. Just about time for lunch. Anyway, don’t you remember last night? But never mind about that, we’re departing for Honolulu in an hour.”

Sakura sighed, still feeling exhausted. “Departing for Honolulu? But why? Didn’t we just arrive on St. Thomas Island yesterday? We’re supposed to be here for two weeks, aren’t we?”

Akira wasn’t surprised Sakura had completely forgotten about what had happened last night. The girl had been through a lot, after all, especially when she’d been kidnapped in the middle of the night during a rainstorm, and was nearly murdered by the woman who had tormented her since she’d been a child.

She said, “Didn’t you say you want to see Darcy?”

The moment Darcy’s name was mentioned, Sakura straightened up, and everything that had happened last night came back to her in full force.

“Darcy,” she whispered softly under her breath. She turned to Akira then and asked, “Has Nicolas called? How’s Darcy doing? Did the surgery go smoothly?”

Akira smiled gently and said, “Darcy is fine. Nicolas called a few hours ago to tell us the surgery was a success. Darcy will be in the hospital for a few days, for recovery.”

Sakura sighed in relief upon hearing the good news, and collapsed back against the pillows. That was when she remembered Sebastian was supposed to be beside her in bed. She glanced around the room, more than a little frantic at the thought of losing him. When she remembered they were on St. Thomas Island with family and friends and nothing alarming was going to happen to him, she had to tell herself to calm down. When she managed that, she wondered where the man had gone off to.

Akira said, “Sebastian left about half an hour ago, getting things ready for departure.”

Sakura returned her gaze to Akira and nodded in understanding. “Then I should get up and get ready, too.”

“I’ll help you pack. How about you go and freshen up?”

“Okay,” Sakura said. A moment later, she managed to get herself out of bed and into the bathroom without much drama. Although, she did have to pause for a little while so she didn’t get too dizzy and faint right there in front of Akira, which would be embarrassing.

As she was brushing her teeth in the bathroom, she heard Katherine’s voice, which was followed by Michael coming into the bedroom and greeting Akira. After she’d finished and dressed in a pair of skinny jeans and a T-shirt, she came back out and saw Katherine helping Akira pack.

Michael was sitting on the bed, watching. The moment the boy saw her, he rushed over.

Sakura wrapped her arms around him and said, “Hey, Michael.”

When he moved back, Michael said, “Hey. I’m glad you’re safe, Sakura. I was so scared last night when I saw them take you away.”

Sakura frowned, confused as to what Michael was talking about. “You saw me being taken away?”

At the boy nodding, Sakura uttered, “Oh,” in disbelief.

Michael said, “I followed them, but it was too dark and stormy, so I ran back for help. See, I knew they were bad people the moment I saw them. That’s why I followed them, to save you.”

“Oh, Michael,” Sakura said, her throat dry with emotions. She pulled the boy into her arms again and hugged him tightly. “Thank you so much for helping me. You’re such a brave boy.”

Michael beamed in delight. He couldn’t wait to tell Nicolas how much praise he had received from everyone since this morning. Without him, the Princeton brothers wouldn’t have been able to save her in time. Sakura was glad Michael had insisted on coming to fetch her last night.

After Akira and Katherine were finished with helping her pack, some fifteen minutes later, they and Michael left the room and came into the dining area for a quick lunch. Once they had finished that, and their stomachs were filled, the party departed for the yacht to head back to Honolulu.

When Sakura noticed almost everyone, including Beth, was boarding the vessel, she asked Conrad, “Everyone is coming back to Honolulu? What about the vacation?”

Conrad chuckled. “You’re not the only one who worries about Darcy, you know. Plus, they said it’s not fun when Darcy can’t join them.”

Akira nodded in agreement. “That’s right. Besides, we can always resume our vacation on St. Thomas Island once Darcy is out of the hospital.”

Michael said, “Darcy promised me he’d go snorkeling with me. He told me the coral reef is super awesome.”

Sakura smiled. Darcy was surely loved by family and friends, and that made her heart glow with happiness.

It wasn’t until they were setting sail that Sakura realized neither Daddy James nor Hayden were onboard. Looking up at Sebastian, who was sitting beside her on the couch, she asked, “Daddy James and Hayden?”

Sebastian said, “They left for Honolulu early this morning. They were at the hospital with Nicolas when he called with Darcy’s status.”

Sakura nodded. “I see.” So Daddy James and Hayden had left for Honolulu while she had been asleep. She wasn’t surprised that the head of the family would rush to be by his son’s side in a time such as this. Only, she wished he had asked her to come along with him.

She sighed and rested her head against Sebastian’s shoulder. Then she shut her eyes and made herself comfortable in his arms. They were currently alone in the lounge, while everyone else was outside, enjoying drinks, snacks, and scenery as the vessel sailed across the sea.

Sebastian tightened his arms around her as he watched her. Though still breathtakingly beautiful, he didn’t miss the pale complexion of her skin, dark circles under her brown eyes, and the bruises on her cheeks. He had no doubt those were results of blows to the face by either Tara or Mrs. Clark. Or both. Instantly, he felt anger erupt within his being.

Fuck! If only I had been there with her.

Calming his turmoil, he asked, “Still tired?”

With her eyes shut, she nodded. “A little. Mind if I sleep?”

“Go ahead. In fact, I’ll join you. I didn’t get much sleep either.” He moved over and made himself comfortable by reclining on the couch. Then he pulled her into his arms again and made her rest against him, her face snuggling cozily on his chest. “Comfortable?” At her nod, he smiled.

He watched as she slowly fell asleep, and it wasn’t long before he, too, slipped into a slumber. When he woke again two hours later, it was to see Michael sitting on the armchair opposite them, playing an online game on his smart phone. “Hey, Michael.”

The boy looked up and grinned. “Hi. Did you have a good nap?”

Sebastian nodded.

“Is it nice to have Sakura sleeping with you?”

Sebastian was taken aback by the boy’s question. “Come again?”

Michael, with a serious expression, said, “Dad said it’s nice to have Katherine sleep beside him in bed. He said it’s cozy and it makes him happy. Is it the same with you and Sakura?”

Sebastian thought Michael was asking a rather adult question for someone so young. Boys his age weren’t usually interested in something like that.

“Yes, it makes me happy to be by Sakura’s side. Any more questions?”

Michael grinned cheekily in return. Obviously, he had many more. “Are you going to marry her?”

At this point, Sakura made a soft groan in her sleep. Sebastian gently stroked her arm to soothe her. When she was quiet again, he said, “That’s a rather difficult question to answer.”

Michael frowned. “Why is it difficult? You love her, don’t you? Dad loves Katherine, so he married her. And Peter loves Mary, so he married her. Nicolas loves Akira, so he’s obviously going to marry her. You love Sakura, so why is it hard to decide to marry her?”

Sebastian didn’t know how to answer Michael’s straightforward query. “Our relationship is unconventional.”

Michael cocked his head to one side as he thought about this for a moment. Then he widened his eyes. “Oh, I get it. Darcy loves Sakura, too, right? And Sakura loves you both. Man, that’s hard. If Sakura marries you, then Darcy can’t. And if she marries Darcy, then you can’t.” He giggled. “Like Katherine says to Dad sometimes, you’re stuck in a pickle, aren’t you?”

Sebastian smiled.

Marriage, eh? He knew, for now, the arrangement was out of the question. He and Darcy would have to work it out on a later date, once they had everything settled. They needed to take one step at a time. After all, they didn’t want to scare Sakura away.

Nicolas was right in that the Princeton brothers were hard to deal with when it came to romantic relationships. Despite that, Sakura had known them since they had been young. She hadn’t been that close to them until very recently and, in fact, had never seen any of them in a serious romantic relationship before. It’d be a big surprise for her how possessive they were with their girls.

And in the bedroom behind closed doors? Well, she’d find out soon enough that they were more than a little wild and passionate in that department.

Sebastian said, “We’ll work something out.”

Michael nodded. “Say, Sebastian? You know I like Sakura, right?”

Sebastian raised a brow. “Yes?”

The boy said, “When you and Sakura have a baby, I’m going to be best buddies with him.”

Sebastian chuckled. “You don’t mind the age difference? And what happens if Sakura happens to have a baby girl?”

Michael said, “I don’t mind. I’ll be like an older brother, right? And if the baby is a girl, I’ll still like her as a brother, too.”

Sebastian reached out his hand and tousled his hair. “I’m counting on you, then.”

Michael beamed in delight.

It was then Akira came strutting into the room. “What are you two talking about? Negotiating the future already? Aren’t you a cheeky one, Michael.”

“I’m not cheeky. I’ll be like a brother to yours and Nicolas’s baby, too, when it’s born. Since I like you both.”

Akira had to blink at his words, obviously flabbergasted at the very thought of her and Nicolas becoming an item and, furthermore, having kids together. “I’m sorry. Come again? Nicolas and a baby?”

Sebastian snickered away as Michael proceeded to explain.

It was an hour later when they arrived at Honolulu, and the moment they disembarked the yacht, Sakura suggested to Sebastian that they should go see Darcy at the hospital right away. Knowing how eager she was, Sebastian made a call to Daddy James to ask if Darcy was allowed visitors, in which case James replied with a, “Not yet.”

Sakura was, needless to say, disappointed. When Sebastian saw the disheartened expression on her face, he said, “Want to talk to Dad?”

Sakura smiled and nodded. With Sebastian’s cell near her ear, she said, “Hi, Daddy James.”

“Sakura,” James said from the other end of the line. “Are you feeling better after some sleep?”

She nodded as she said, “Yes. What about Darcy? Is he okay? You saw him, right?”

She heard him chuckling. “Yes, sweetheart. I’ve seen him. Though, he’s still unconscious. Anesthesia. He’s in recovery. Probably won’t be back in the ward until tomorrow morning.”

She sighed. “I see.”

“By the way,” James said. “Guess who’s here with me.”

Sakura frowned. “Hayden? I know. Sebastian told me you left with him.”

She heard her adoptive father laugh again. “Yes... and no.”

Sakura frowned in confusion. “What do you mean?”

James said, “It’s Ned. He just arrived. You want to talk to him?”

The moment Sakura heard the name, she brightened immediately. “Yes, please!”

“Okay.”

Sakura waited, and a moment later, Ned’s voice came through. “Sakura?”

“Yes, Ned, it’s me.”

She heard the man sigh. In relief? A moment later, he said, “James filled me in on what happened.”

“Oh,” Sakura said, her stomach knotting in dread. She could tell Ned was pissed. It wasn’t difficult to notice from the hard tone in his voice.

“I’m just glad you got out of it. If I had been there, those people would not have gotten away without a scratch from me.”

Sakura understood where Ned was coming from. He had loved her since she’d been a little girl, after all, and had treated her like his own daughter. And what father figure wasn’t going to be so pissed when something like that happened? Kidnapping with an intent to murder.

“The police have them now, Ned. Justice is served. They’ll go to prison for what they’ve done.”

She heard him sigh in frustration. “Yes, I know that. But...” He paused, and Sakura could tell he was trying to keep his temper and frustration in check. Suddenly, he changed the subject. “Anyway, I’ll be staying at the Princeton Hotel. I’m coming to see you tonight.”

Sakura nodded. “Okay.”

“And I’ll be giving those damned, useless Princeton brothers an earful about how unsatisfied I am with their behavior. Honestly, they can’t even look after you properly. How the hell am I going to trust them to take care of you from now on?”

Sakura giggled. “They did a fine job, Ned. They risked their lives to save me.”

“Fine job, my ass! If they had done a proper job at protecting you from the beginning, then things wouldn’t have gone that far, and Darcy wouldn’t have been shot in the first place.”

Sakura said adamantly, “Well, they can’t be with me all the time. Besides, they didn’t need to protect me, but they chose to. You can’t fault them for that. They did the best they could.”

Ned chuckled at her hard tone. “I see you’re on their side, eh? What happened? Have you fallen under their charms? Tell me, which brother seduces you and turns you against me?” He demanded. “It must be that flirt Tristan for sure.”

Sakura knew he was teasing her, of course, with his sarcastic, dry sense of humor.

“Anyway, you sound tired. I’ll let you go now. Get some rest.”

Sakura nodded. “See you tonight, then?”

“Yes,” Ned replied. “Bye, now.”

A moment later, she hung up and gave the phone back to Sebastian.

“Ned?” he asked.

Sakura nodded. “He’s coming over to see us tonight at the holiday house.”

Sebastian chuckled. “And to give us brothers an earful, no doubt.”

Sakura nodded, not surprised that Sebastian knew Ned’s temperament so well.

---

When Sakura and the party arrived back at the holiday house, she collapsed on the bed in her shared room with Akira.

Akira asked, “Are you still tired?”

Sakura shook her head. “That sleep on the yacht was good. I feel a lot better after.” She sighed. “I was actually hoping to see Darcy as soon as we got here.”

“Why can’t you go see him now?”

Sakura rose into a sitting position. “He’s still in recovery.”

“Of course,” Akira said. “Then how about us going down to help Beth prepare dinner? It’ll take your mind off Darcy.”

“That sounds like a good idea.” She smiled, and a moment later, the two girls left the bedroom.

It was busy in the kitchen with Sakura, Akira, and Katherine helping Beth and the maids prepare dinner. By the time they were finished, some two hours later, the sun had already set, and of course, being so busy, Sakura’s mind wasn’t preoccupied with the thought of Darcy.

While Sakura was bringing trays of delicious sustenance outside and setting them on the picnic table where everyone could start serving themselves buffet style, James called out to her.

At the sound of his voice, she turned. “Daddy James!” she said in delight, as she rushed over. “You’re back. How’s Darcy doing? Is he back in the ward yet? Or is he still in recovery?”

James laughed. “Slow down. Yes, Darcy is still in recovery,” he said, as he gave her a warm hug.

When he moved back, Sakura noticed Ned Faber behind James. Grinning from ear to ear, she stepped forward and moved into Ned’s open arms.

“Hmm...” Ned tightened his hold around her. “You’re still too thin for my liking. Hasn’t Beth been feeding you properly? That woman! I’ll be giving her an earful for neglecting you.”

Sakura said, “She has been feeding me properly, Ned. It takes time for me to gain weight, you know.”

The man studied her at arm’s length. He noted the bruises on her cheeks and dark circles under her eyes. “I thought I told you to rest. Why do you still look like a zombie?”

Sakura wasn’t surprised Ned would go straight to pointing that out to her. He was worried about her health and welfare, after all, especially after what had happened.

“I did rest on the journey here. I slept for two and a half hours. At least, that’s what Sebastian told me.”

“Two and a half hours isn’t enough. You need more, probably a whole day or two.” He touched the discoloration on her cheek gently, and she winched.

Noting the dark frown and worried expression on his wrinkled face, Sakura said, “It’ll go away. They’re only bruises. And I’m on vacation now, so I’ll be getting lots of rest.”

“I won’t be taking your word for it. Since my business is done in L.A., I’ll be around and keeping an eye on you, young lady,” he said.

Sakura giggled. “Does that mean you’ll be joining us for this vacation?”

He nodded in the affirmative.

At this, Sakura said, “Finally, we’re all together and having fun.”

Ned smiled then, and when he released her from his embrace, Sakura saw both Nicolas and Hayden heading their way, carrying trays of food. Hayden also had a chicken kebab in one hand while the other held a tray of salad. He was eating the kebab at the same time, too. Nicolas was carrying a tray of roasted chicken. Both men looked disheveled and tired, and Sakura knew they hadn’t had any rest since the incident last night.

Once they placed the trays on the table beside her, they both turned their attention to her.

Nicolas said, “How are you feeling, Sakura?”

“I’m fine.” She tucked her long hair behind her ears as she licked her lips. “Thanks, Nicolas, for last night and for taking care of Darcy.”

The man patted her head. “No problem. We’re family.”

Sakura then turned her attention to Hayden. She was about to thank him for last night as well when the man roughly grabbed her into his arms and hugged her, which pleasantly surprised her.

Gosh, I am getting lots of hugs today.

It was then she heard Michael’s voice beside her. She wondered when the boy had gotten there. Probably the moment he’d seen Nicolas emerging from the house.

“Hey, Nicolas,” Michael said. “Did you know that everyone has been praising me today for my bravery?”

Nicolas chuckled as he tousled the boy’s hair. “Good on you, Michael. You’re a hero for doing what you did last night.”

The boy beamed in delight at receiving such a wonderful compliment from his idol.

Ned came down to his knees then and said to little Michael, “So, you’re the one who alerted everyone when Sakura was missing?”

The boy nodded, his cheeks flushing red.

Ned said, “Thanks for helping save Sakura.”

Michael grinned widely, his eyes bright. “It was my job, because I promised Sebastian I’d watch over Sakura when he’s not around.”

“Good boy.”

It was then James said to Ned, “How about a drink?”

Ned nodded as he stood.

Sakura said, “That’s right. You haven’t met my biological mother yet, have you?” She was suddenly excited and grabbed his hand eagerly. “Come on. I’ll introduce her to you.”

Ned rolled his eyes, making a show of reluctance as Sakura led him toward the bar area where a hive of activity was happening; Tristan and Logan served drinks while everyone else was enjoying those drinks and some light snacks before dinner.

Once they reached the area, Sakura came over to Haruka and tapped on the woman’s shoulder, since she was sitting facing the other way in a group with Brenda, Mary, Peter, Jim, Sosuke, Sebastian, and Conrad. When Haruka turned, Sakura gave her a bright smile and said, “There’s someone I’d like you to meet, Mom.”

Haruka raised her brows in curiosity as Sakura moved aside so Ned could come into Haruka’s view.

The moment Haruka’s eyes met Ned’s, she went pale.

Sakura did not miss the shocked expression on her mother’s face, nor the tears that started brewing in her eyes. More than a little curious, she turned her gaze to Ned, who, to her confusion, also looked as shocked as Haruka. It was as if they both had seen a ghost the moment they laid eyes on each other.

Ned said, “Haruka Maiko?”

Her lips quivering, Haruka said, “Edward?”

“My God!” the man said, shaking his head in disbelief. Suddenly, he grabbed the woman into his arms and hugged her as he came down to his knees, which shocked Sakura.

What’s happening?

Of course, all this didn’t go unnoticed by the rest of the people around them. James raised a brow, while the Princeton brothers looked at one another, confused.

Sakura said, “Mom? You know Ned?”

Still shocked stiff, Haruka murmured, “He’s Edward Faber,” she said softly. “He... I... We met when I first came to America. It was in New York, and...” She trailed off, tears rolling down her cheeks.

Ned finally moved back and cupped her face in his hands. “I asked her if she could be a model for my painting,” Ned said, chuckling. “And she agreed. But my God, I can’t believe, after all these years... Not a word from you... And now.”

Haruka wiped tears from her eyes, her attention on Sakura now. “You know Edward?”

Sakura nodded. “He’s like a second father to me.”

Haruka cast her eyes downward then, as more tears flowed down her cheeks. “I see,” she said quietly.

It was at that moment that Akira and Beth came out the door with more trays of food. After they had set them on the table along with the others, Akira said loudly, “Dinner is served, everyone.” When no one was making a move, she and Beth looked at each other, wondering what was going on.

When Beth saw Ned, she sighed. “I see he’s here and no doubt making a fuss over Sakura. He sounded pretty scared when I phoned him about Sakura missing last night.”

Akira asked, “Who’s he?”

“My younger brother,” Beth said. “And he deludes himself into thinking Sakura is his daughter. Treats her like one, too. Loves her to bits, that man. I bet he was worried sick about her. Must have flown here on the first flight he could catch from L.A.”

Akira said, “I see.”

When no one made a move to come for dinner, the two headed over to the bar area. The moment Akira saw her Aunt Haruka crying and the man responsible kneeling in front of the woman, she said, “Aren’t you the man in Oba-chan’s Polaroid photo?”

It was then Sosuke, who was sitting opposite Haruka and had witnessed the whole meeting, said, “That’s right. No wonder I thought I’d seen you somewhere before. You were Oba-chan’s boyfriend, weren’t you? That means...” He shifted his eyes to Sakura.

Akira gasped loudly once she realized Sosuke’s meaning. “Shit!”

That drew not only Nicolas’s and Sebastian’s attention to her, but everyone else’s as well.

Tristan asked, “Shit? Why shit?”

Akira licked her lips nervously as she eyed Haruka. “How about we leave Oba-chan and, erm, Uncle Edward, is it? To do some catching up? After all, they haven’t seen each other for twenty-five years.”

With a raised brow, Hayden asked, “Twenty-five years?”

Conrad said, “Isn’t that Sakura’s age? Ned hasn’t seen Lady Haruka for twenty-five years?”

Akira tried her best at turning everyone’s attention away from the two by saying, “Come on, everyone, dinner.” She even nudged Tristan and Logan, who had left their station behind the bar and joined them, toward the table where an array of mouthwatering food was on display. But of course, no one was making a move.

Logan said, “So, Ned knew Lady Haruka before Sakura was born?”

Ned asked, just to be clear, “Sakura is your daughter?”

Haruka didn’t answer. She simply sat there with tears flowing down her cheeks.

Beth said loudly, “Ah... I see. Lady Haruka was your first love, wasn’t she, Ned? The one you told me about. Back in New York when you were still a university student. The one that suddenly left you. But I thought her name was Haruka Maki, not Haruka Suzuki.”

Ned nodded. “Yes, Haruka Maki. She was definitely this woman.” He squeezed Haruka’s hands in his, begging for an answer.

Sakura said, “But Mom’s maiden name is Haruka Tanaka.” She turned to Ned then. “Remember? You helped me do research on her. You found that name for me. Haruka Tanaka.”

James said, “I think there’s more to it than that.”

Brenda, who was sitting beside Haruka, leaned forward and patted Haruka’s shoulder in comfort. “It’s okay. If you have something to tell Ned and Sakura, now is the time.”

At Brenda’s odd words, Sakura was even more curious as to what was going on. She watched her biological mother carefully as the woman took in a deep breath and shut her eyes. A moment later, when she opened them again, she said, her voice shaking, “Sakura-chan, listen carefully.” She moved one hand out of Ned’s grasp and reached out for Sakura’s, which the girl eagerly took.

“I told you before that your biological father was an artist. That I met him years ago when I was young.” At Sakura nodding her head, Haruka continued. “Well, your biological father is... this man, Edward Faber.”

Sakura absorbed this information silently. Edward Faber, simply known to her as Ned, was her biological father? No. Wait. What?

She licked her lips and then asked, “Ned? My father?”

Haruka nodded. “Yes.”

Sakura turned her attention to Ned then, who could only stare at Haruka in shocked surprise. “I have a daughter? When? How?”

Haruka sighed and then wiped her tears from her eyes. “I lied to you, Edward. My real name back then was Haruka Tanaka. Maki wasn’t my last name, and the reason I ran away twenty-five years ago was because I found out I was pregnant, and... At the time, I had to return home to Japan. I was already engaged to be married to Kenji, and...”

She broke into tears then, and Akira said, “I think Oba-chan needs some space for now.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, and the dazed and confused Sakura helped her mother head back into the house.

---

Across the distance of the sitting room, Sakura silently watched her biological mother being embraced in Ned’s arms as the woman recited her story to her first love. And Sakura had no doubt that she, too, must have played a part of that tale when she had been a baby.

Once again, she still couldn’t believe the fact that she, Sakura, had been by her biological father’s side all along, since she had been seven years old in fact. Could this explain why she had always felt connected to the man, deep down? Was that why she’d always felt safe and comforted when he was around? And the fact that he had always been there for her, and helped her when she had needed someone like a parent the most, reminded her again of how important Ned was in her life.

When Haruka finally finished telling Ned her tale, some fifteen minutes later, Sakura saw Ned comforting her, telling her that he didn’t blame her for what had happened and what she’d done. He told her that he understood what she’d gone through and completely sympathized with her situation.

Then Ned called out to Sakura, and the girl eagerly came over to the couple. Ned roughly grabbed her into his arms and hugged her tight.

He said, “I’ll be damned. You were my daughter all along.” When he moved back and looked at her at arm’s length, he continued. “But it doesn’t change a thing, since I’ve always loved you as a daughter and considered you mine. Only now, it’s official and you can call me Dad instead of Ned.” His eyes twinkled with amusement. “You know, I’ve always been jealous of you calling James Dad.”

Her heart bursting with happiness, Sakura smiled, tears in her eyes. “Really?” she asked. “You’re jealous of Daddy James just because I call him Dad?”

He nodded, unashamed of his feelings. “Yes.” With a bright grin on his face, he demanded, “Now, call me Dad. No, call me Daddy Ned.”

Sakura laughed, as did Haruka, who found the interaction between the two rather endearing.

Sakura said, “Daddy Ned,” as she threw herself into his opened arms once again.

Ned kissed her forehead. “Sakura,” he said. “My daughter.” He pulled Haruka into his arms as well, and the small family hugged tightly, as they were finally together for the first time in twenty-five years.

Across the room, everyone was watching the little reunion, and Beth, particularly, was crying her eyeballs out. Tristan touched the jolly woman about the shoulder to comfort her. Beth patted his hand as she continued to sob severely.

Logan was chuckling as he watched her in amusement. “Come now, Beth. You shouldn’t be crying when your brother is finally reunited with the woman he loves and his daughter.”

Beth muttered, “These are tears of joy, if you must know, Master Logan.”

Tristan said, “Shouldn’t you be joining them?”

Conrad agreed by nodding his head. “Technically, you’re a family member as well.”

Hayden said, “You’re Sakura’s aunt.”

Sakura’s aunt. That got Beth worked up even more, and she threw herself into Sebastian’s arms, who was standing beside her. “I’m Sakura’s aunt. I can’t believe it. I’m her aunt.”

Sebastian patted her shoulder. “You’re all right, Beth.”

When she finally managed to dry her tears and get herself under control again, Beth went over to her little family.

Sakura looked up and said, “I guess you’re my aunt, then, Beth?”

Her words got Beth all worked up again, and the woman collapsed onto her knees as Sakura hugged her.

Beth stroked Sakura’s hair as she said, “Oh Lord, and here I thought it was going to be the end of the line for the Fabers, you know? Ned and I are the only ones left, and we have no other relatives. But now we have you.” She laughed. “I’m your aunt, Sakura. I can’t believe it. Oh, I’m so happy. I’m just so happy.”

Sakura said, “Me, too, Aunt Beth, me, too.”

Aunt Beth. That got Beth crying again. She looked up at the Princeton family and said, her voice shaky, “Sakura just called me Aunt Beth. I’m an aunt.”

Everyone laughed at her reaction because Beth was obviously smitten with the fact that she was now an aunt.

It was some twenty minutes later, when Beth and Ned finally settled down, that Ned reluctantly let go of Haruka, and Sakura, and Beth quieted.

“Shall we have some dinner?” Tristan asked everyone at large.

Logan said, “I’m starving.”

“Me, too,” Hayden said, as everyone started heading back outside.

Dinner was, as usual, delicious and the company cheerful and loud, especially because of the newly reunited Faber family and the news of Darcy’s successful surgery. Then, when the meal was over, Ned wasted no time in whisking Haruka back to the hotel where he could spend time alone with her.

Sakura watched the pair go, a smile playing about her lips. Once they disappeared from her view, she shifted her gaze back to Sebastian, who was standing beside her. She moved into his waiting arms and snuggled her face against his chest. “I still can’t believe Ned is my father and Beth is my aunt.”

Sebastian kissed her forehead. “It’s a small world, isn’t it? They have been with you all along. I personally think it’s fate.”

Fate, eh? She had to agree with that. It was fate that she should be left on the doorstep of Queen Mary Orphanage. It was fate also that she was adopted by the Princeton family. And the Princeton brothers? Was it fate, too, that her life was so intertwined with them? Especially Sebastian and Darcy.

Suddenly, she chuckled. “Looks like I not only have two mothers, but two fathers as well.”

Sebastian grinned, delighted. And soon you’ll have two boyfriends, too. But of course, he didn’t voice that out loud. “It’s getting late. How about sleep? You want to go see Darcy early tomorrow, don’t you?”

She nodded. “Yes.” She raised her face to look up at him and then gave him a light kiss on the lips. “Good night, Sebastian.”

The man grinned in return and said, “Good night, Sakura.”

A few minutes later, she was in her shared room with Akira. After she had showered and changed into her pajamas, Sakura slipped in between the sheets.

Akira said, “Was that surprising for you? Suddenly finding out who your biological father is?”

Sakura nodded. “Very surprising. I just can’t believe it. I mean, I was already giving up on finding the man, you know, and then... there he was, having been there beside me since I was seven. It’s just hard to believe.”

Akira giggled. “Things happen for a reason, Sakura. I’m just glad you’ve found your family.”

Sakura nodded. A moment later she called out, “Akira?”

“Hm?”

“Thanks for always looking after Mom, by the way.”

“No worries, Sakura. It’s my pleasure.”

The two chatted for a while, and when they fell asleep some half an hour later, they each had a grin on their face.