Karlie
***
September. I never thought this month would take October's place in our hearts. Taylor sat on the engawa, looking up at the full moon. Tonight was Tsukimi, the moon-viewing festival. A time for gratitude for the harvest and to reflect on the beauty of nature. We made dango to honor tradition. And as I placed the small, chewy rice cake balls on the plate, I thanked the universe for the past five years.
The best years of my life, waking up every day to the person I loved most. On my way to the porch, I smiled at the view. Taylor braced herself on both hands, leaning back. Then small palms were touching her arm. Instantly, she turned to her side, and the cutest smile met her. I watched them, holding the dessert the three of us had prepared earlier today.
"Isn't the moon pretty, honey?" Taylor brushed his dark brown waves away from his forehead. "Utsukushii ne, Rui-chan?"
Rui beamed before pointing at the moon. "Sugoi!" his voice echoed around our Kamakura compound.
"Ii ne," I said from behind and asked if he wanted to eat his favorite dessert. "Dango tabetai, Rui?"
He rushed to me, hugging my legs. "Dango tabetai!"
"God, you're lucky our neighbors love you," I said, shaking my head and looking at Taylor. "What did we say about the yelling?"
"I try, baby," she replied with a soft laugh. "Believe me, I try."
"Dango tabetai!" a voice echoed from somewhere. And I instantly rolled my eyes.
Taylor peered down the dark path across our porch while laughing. "See, he gets it from them."
"Fuck's sake, Cara," I muttered under my breath. Rui was still holding on to me, wanting his dango.
"What did we say about the swearing?" Taylor warned, but she was holding back a smile.
"Hm." I grinned, slowly dropping to my knees, preparing to offer Rui one small piece of dango. Then I waited.
"Itadakimasu!" he exclaimed, louder this time, and I tousled his hair as I laughed.
"I swear to god, Rui," Taylor whispered.
We watched him bite into his festival treat, now absorbed and quiet. Taylor reached over to tie the side cords of Rui's jinbei, the loose-fitting loungewear we all had on. It was a casual variation of a kimono top. Breathable, rough-textured weave designed to keep us cool in the humid weather. Sometimes I still could not believe we had gotten this far in our marriage. It felt just like yesterday when we had our wedding in the garden.
"Oishii," Rui mumbled, chewing his food while he watched Taylor's hands. "Dango tabetai, Mama?"
"Later, honey," Taylor said before smiling. "After your mom brings me my hojicha."
Rui beamed at me. "Mama, hojicha kudasai!"
"Oh my god," I said, on my way back to the kitchen to make my wife's roasted green tea. "I can't believe the yelling's part of my every day."
From the kitchen island, I saw Taylor framing Rui's tiny face with her hands. "That's Karlie Speak for she loves you." She pressed a soft kiss on his forehead. "Now, where's Aki and Benji?" They scanned the grounds for our pets. "Doko?"
The yelling. The bigger he got, the louder the yelling became. Our property was vast, but his voice was loud enough to reach the homes closest to us. Who could even be mad at him, though? Rui got away with it with his charm. While waiting for Taylor's tea to steep, I went to the living room to find Benji curled inside his dome. And I carried our cat in my arms, "Are you tired of watching the moon with us? Your best friend misses you," I whispered and made my way back to the porch.
"Go on," I said, placing Benji beside Rui.
Taylor smiled at me before observing Rui. "No more eating with your hands if you're playing with Benji."
"Wakarimashita," Rui agreed, stroking Benji's back. "Aki-chan wa? Where is he?"
"Ah, Eigo jouzu." I grinned. "We love it when you speak English."
Taylor pinched his chin. "Can we use it more? Hm?"
Rui shook his head. "Mama, Nihongo benkyou!" he argued, saying Taylor had to practice her Japanese.
"Oh, you have a point." Taylor laughed. "You're lucky I love you."
"I love you," Rui whispered in return, getting distracted by the moon once more.
With her hojicha ready, I took my place beside Taylor. "Here you go, Tay."
"Thank you, baby." She kissed my cheek. "Shall we talk about the birthday party?"
The moment he heard the words, Rui jumped to his feet, scaring Benji away. "Yatta! Ashita wa otanjoubi!" he yelled, letting the whole coastal town know tomorrow was his big day.
Four years ago, as everyone celebrated Tsukimi, I gave birth to our adorable little boy who had changed our lives forever. The decision came so quickly, but so naturally after the wedding. Looking back on the days we first moved here from the Roppongi penthouse in Tokyo, the thought of having a family with Taylor had consumed my mind. Not that I was not content with Aki-chan and Benji. In fact, the day they brought Aki home, I thought that was Taylor's way of saying she wanted to wait. It was only after the wedding that I realized the dream of having our own child had not faded for her either.
From our New York days, we had promised each other the gift of someday. When we were both ready. Or at least not buried in our careers. Thanks to me, it had taken us a really long time. But giving birth at thirty-two was just perfect for us, and we could not have asked for anything more. Our little one's birth fulfilled the promise at the right time. And the chaos that came with raising a tiny human had been the most exhausting and rewarding journey we had taken as a couple. At four years old, this was only the beginning. But his personality was showing, and I never thought I could love him even more. Seeing him grow into a loving mirror image of Taylor, it was impossible not to. The name Rui meant "deep blue gemstone moon" in Kanji. Inspired by the full moon when he was born and the striking color of his eyes.
He was now flat on his back on the engawa, staring at the moon with a wide smile on his face. "Mama, atarashii hon?" He grabbed Taylor's hand. "New book for Rui."
Taylor held his small hand in her palm. "Is that the only thing you want?"
"Un," he nodded and looked at us. "Ato wa... Yuki-san no taiyaki..."
I chuckled. "Ato wa? What else?"
"Ato wa... dango everywhere!" He threw his hands in the air. "Ato wa... Famichiki!"
We both laughed, and Taylor tickled his rib cage. "It's your birthday. Not ours."
Squealing with joy, he sat up and hugged Taylor from the side. "Mama's kare raisu," he admitted. "Curry and rice, please."
"Aw, of course I'll make that for you," Taylor had him sit on her lap. "Ato wa? And?"
He beamed at me. "Neko onigiri!" he yelled again, requesting the cat-shaped rice balls I loved making for Taylor.
"Deal." I grinned and pinched his cheek.
"Mama, Mama, and Rui." He leaned into Taylor's embrace. "Umi no jikan," he added. Wanting time to walk on the beach, just the three of us.
We shared a look before Taylor kissed the top of his head. "We'd love that, honey."
"Always," I agreed, looking at him getting sleepy from Taylor's warmth. Leaning over, I kissed Taylor's temple. "He's so much like you."
"I love you for bringing him into our world," she whispered. "There's nothing quite like having you both in my life."
We stayed on the engawa longer, eating our dango and drinking hojicha while Rui fell asleep in Taylor's arms. Our home had now become a blend of floral and musk, vanilla, roasted coffee and jasmine, and his powdery scent that clung to our clothes. Our atmosphere's holy trinity infused with its most loving addition. And it was so distinct that I could not imagine not smelling it everywhere we went. I could never have predicted our family life would be this wonderful. That our little boy would be this precious. Then again, my wife was Taylor Swift. Her presence alone filled us with so much grace and affection. I fell in love with her all over again the day I saw her in that white dress. But I fell in love even more the day she became a mother to Rui. Nothing could ever compare to having her this way.
"It's getting late for him," I whispered, preparing to carry Rui. "But we skipped ofuro tonight."
Taylor chuckled, helping me take our child into my arms. "It's his birthday eve, baby. We can skip bath time once a year."
"Hm." I held him, his head resting on my shoulder as we walked inside the house, all the way to his room down the hall.
Sprawled on Rui's bedroom floor, we found Aki-chan sleeping. "There you are," Taylor whispered to our dog.
"We've been looking for you." I chuckled. "You missed Tsukimi this year."
Rui sleepily opened his eyes as I was placing him down on his bed. "Mama," he mumbled, shaking his head and clinging to me. "This room, nai!" he complained.
I turned to Taylor, and I already knew the answer. "He doesn't wanna be alone, baby," she said, watching him get upset.
"We want the house to be ready for your party, Rui," I tried again.
"No!" He opened his arms to Taylor. "Issho ni neyo!"
"Okay... okay," Taylor gave in and brushed his hair away from his face. "Without the yelling, sweetheart, please."
"Un," he agreed and buried his face in the crook of my neck. "Mama, ii yo, it's okay," he prodded.
I shook my head at Taylor, but grinned at his subtle command. "God, he's so much like you."
This had been a recurring theme for us. Rui refused to sleep in his bedroom at night. Well, it was the universal norm here in Japan. All of his peers at kindergarten had the same setup. Soine was the traditional co-sleeping culture, as he demanded. Kids would share a room with their parents until they were old enough to separate from the group. Like most of their deeply ingrained practices, this created a sense of collective safety and belonging. It was already glaring enough that he looked like an outsider in Kamakura. But at least in these shared moments, it was clear he was a local at heart.
On the way to our bedroom, I said, "He's so stubborn. He just wants to be with you."
"Genuinely curious where he gets that from," Taylor replied, touching the small of my back.
I laughed and whispered, "Sorry, honey," when Rui shifted in my arms.
"He loves being with us," Taylor added. "I'm not forcing him to sleep alone."
"You can't handle the distance anyway," I nodded.
"Of course not," she slid our bedroom door open. "And you could never win."
Rui hummed in agreement. "Rui wins," he whispered, making both of us laugh.
Since he was born, our bedroom had morphed completely to allow for a much larger bed than what we had when we first moved in. The photos displayed around were a mix of everything from New York, the penthouse, Tokyo, our wedding, and Rui's mundane moments. Taylor kept our history vivid for us. And for this little bundle of joy who loved listening to all his mom's stories.
Taylor pulled the sheets back and fixed Rui's pillow in the middle. "He's growing up too fast."
"I know, baby." I placed him down gently. "Before we know it, we're talking elementary school events."
"Oh my god," she whispered, tucking him in. "Already? Can't we keep him this way?"
I sat on the opposite side. "Trust me, sometimes I want time to stop too."
She was watching him, gently stroking his hair. "He's you in so many ways."
"I hope that's a good thing." I grinned and kissed his forehead.
Taylor let out a soft laugh. "My favorite things about him, actually."
"Oyasuminasai," Rui mumbled his victorious good night with a smile on his face.
Taylor and I prepared the house for tomorrow's birthday party after making sure he was deep in sleep. Rui had grown to love the simplest of things. Even on his birthday, he would not mind it being a small celebration. Everyone else always wanted more, though. They had been showering Rui with so much love. And as wives, we could not help but be grateful that this kind of warmth surrounded him.
"Have you talked to your mom today?" Taylor asked as we stuck the string of birthday letters on the wall.
I nodded, focusing on my task. "You know how it is. They want more time with him."
She let out a soft laugh and made sure the banner was perfect. "Mom and Dad literally said the same thing."
"It's funny when they still ask us to reconsider." Chuckling, I started pumping the balloons. "I'm like... Japan's been my home for a decade now. This is our world."
"So much so that our kid was even born in Tokyo." Taylor switched to displaying Rui's best photos since he was born. "But he was made in New York."
We both laughed after a brief pause. "Oh my god, you didn't just say that."
"It sounded normal in my head." She held a blown-up portrait from Rui's first birthday. "Aw, baby, this feels like forever ago."
Sensing her tone, I placed the balloons down and walked to her. The photo showed us sitting on the engawa, holding up Rui wrapped in his kimono with a wide smile on his face. The bright full moon in the background made it the perfect Tsukimi birthday portrait.
"I'm here, baby." I took the frame from her and put it on the couch.
Taylor went in for a hug and pressed her face into my neck. "It's crazy, the way he changed our lives."
"I never thought it would feel this way, either." I tightened my arms around her. "Remember when I was the only stubborn person in the room?"
"I swear to god, you both drive me mad," she said, leaving a soft kiss on my neck.
I laughed. "But you love us for it."
"I love this version of you so much," Taylor said, pulling away to look into my eyes.
Her blue eyes still did things to my heart, even after all this time. As I brushed my thumb along her cheek, I said, "I'm still so in love with you, Tay. I love how you love him."
"Come here," she whispered, pulling me back in.
Taylor wrapped her arms around my neck, and mine hugged her waist. I just kept falling in love with every version of her over the years. Things were so different now, but Taylor's love had remained my constant source of warmth. The way she kissed me still made me glitch. Her touch still calmed my racing mind. It was crazy how drawn I had been to her from the start, and whatever spell she had cast on me stayed for eighteen long years since I met her. What could I even do? This was Taylor. She was always two steps ahead.
Thankfully, Rui slept through the night and was curled up between us when we finally got into bed. But as soon as he felt our presence, he rolled onto his side, and his small arm draped over Taylor's waist. A soft laugh escaped us both before I did the same, hugging him from behind. Taylor pecked me on the lips and kissed Rui's cheek good night. Then she settled on her side, her arm meeting mine to keep our little boy comfortable in the middle.
As I drifted to sleep, I admitted, "I prefer soine too."
"I know, baby," Taylor whispered and squeezed my hand. "Good night."
Of course she did. She always knew.
I woke up to the faint sound of whispering and a soft palm touching my cheek, making me bury my face into the pillow. As I grumbled, I heard them giggling. The moment between them was too special, so I kept my eyes closed. Listening to their morning conversations always put a smile on my face.
"Not too harsh, honey," Taylor whispered. "You know Mama needs time."
Rui gently poked my shoulder. "Mama, wake up... okiru."
Taylor's knuckles brushed my cheek when she added, "Now we have to wait."
It was quiet for a moment until Rui said, "Mama, you love the morning." He paused. "Asa daisuki, nande?"
Taylor said, "Because it's quiet in the morning and I love watching the sunrise, it's beautiful." She went on. "Look, the sky is kin iro... That color is gold."
"Gold, utsukushii," Rui replied in his soft voice. "It's beautiful. My birthday morning."
"Aw, are you happy, honey?" Taylor asked. "Ureshii?"
"Un! Yes!" Rui got excited. "Kyou wa tanjoubi! Ureshii!"
"Oh my god," Taylor whispered. "I'm sorry, baby. You have to get up now."
Rui hugged me then. "Okiru, Mama!"
"I swear to god," Taylor said, but she was already losing.
"Mama!" he tried again, planting a soft kiss on my cheek. "Ohayou!"
Finally, I opened my eyes and grinned at him. "Happy birthday... Otanjoubi omedetou!"
Before he could respond, I tackled him. Taylor squealed in surprise too, and soon the room filled with Rui's high-pitched laughter. Both of us tickled him from each side until he got away, racing to the living room. Then came more yelling when he saw the decorations we put up last night.
"Sugoi!" he said from the other room. "Wow!"
Taylor was catching her breath when she crawled into my arms. "Oh my god."
We listened to Rui admiring his colorful birthday banner and balloons, the different photos of himself, and he even talked to our pets about his birthday. "Kyou wa tanjoubi da yo, Aki-chan," he said. "The sky is gold, and it's beautiful... for my birthday." There was another pause. "I love Mama and Mama. Daisuki."
Taylor gripped my shirt. "Aw, he's so sweet."
"I know, baby." I smiled. "Genuinely curious where he gets that from."
From the bedroom, we marveled at the moment. Sometimes we would let him wander in his own world like this, and the stories he would share with his best friends were the most entertaining anecdotes from his innocent perspective on life. But even being this young, I saw Taylor in him through and through.
"Morning." I kissed Taylor's forehead.
She looked up to kiss my jaw. "Morning."
"I bet his new favorite color is gold now." I looked out the window. "Utsukushii."
"But he only gets up early on special days." She sat up and interlocked our fingers. "Just like you."
We walked to the living room hand in hand. "I love your morning stories," I defended.
"I love my morning coffee." She kissed my knuckles. "That my wife makes."
Rui beamed when he saw us approaching. And when he ran to me, I lifted him high. "Mama, pancakes tabetai!"
"Pancakes tabetai," I agreed, carrying him in my arms. "Mama's making that for us. You're helping me with the coffee."
"You remember what that's called, honey?" Taylor asked when we got to the kitchen, pointing at the coffeemaker.
Rui nodded and got comfortable on his kitchen step stool between us. "Siphon." He observed it. "Like science."
"And who loves science and math?" She asked while preparing the pancake batter. "Certainly not me."
I laughed, focusing on the coffeemaker and prompting Rui, "Go on, answer the question."
"Mama da yo!" He touched my arm. "Mama Karlie's math brain."
Taylor could not help but laugh and kiss his cheek. "My adorable, tiny birthday human."
We got to explore Rui's mind this way because Taylor never hesitated to talk to him about everything. As soon as he grew aware, she initiated conversations in our routines. Rui mainly listened to us at first. But as time passed, he felt comfortable enough to respond. Obviously, the yelling, the stubborn negotiations, and quiet stories when left alone resulted from this. They easily became the best part of my day. And I had my lovely wife to thank for that.
When Taylor finished up with the bacon, I moved Rui's stool beside her and handed him a small spoon. "Ii yo, go on," I said.
He nodded and dipped his spoon into the jar of strawberry jam, following Taylor's lead as she did the same with the peanut butter. "Ichigo daisuki," he mumbled, saying he loved strawberries, trying his best to pull the spoon out and spread the jam on his pancakes.
"You're better at it now, jouzu," Taylor praised when he did it again. "Your mom loves peanut butter, see?" She added another dollop to my plate.
"Un... Mama loves maple syrup." He reached for the bottle and turned to me. "Tasukete kudasai. Help, please."
With a smile on my face, I flipped the lid open for him before sliding Taylor's plate closer. "Careful with that, honey, not too much for your mom."
"Hai," he whispered and watched the syrup trickle over the pancakes. We stayed quiet, waiting for him until he asked if Taylor wanted more. "Mama, motto?"
"Yes, please, thank you," Taylor watched, smiling at his focus. "Ii yo, that's enough, sweetheart."
Rui placed the bottle gently on the counter, then he looked at our plates. "Strawberry, peanut butter, maple syrup... Jaa, tabemasho! Let's eat!"
Taylor and I laughed, carrying the plates to the dining table while Rui rushed to his seat. The morning breeze came through our wide-open shoji doors, and it was cool enough to enjoy a comfortable breakfast. Five years of looking at this view of Mount Fuji and the ocean, and I would still get lost in it.
Once I set our coffees down, I poured Rui a glass of milk. "Hai, douzo."
"Arigatou, Mama," he said, sitting up from his spot across from us as they both waited for me.
After taking my place beside Taylor, she put her hand on my thigh and kissed my temple. "Thank you, baby."
I nodded, and we all said, "Itadakimasu!"
Rui beamed at his plate, digging into his food, carefully slicing the pancake with his fork. We watched him as we savored ours and drank our morning coffee. I could never tire of these pancakes, and now they were Rui's favorite too.
"School really helps with his focus," Taylor said before sipping her drink. "Look at him."
"It's amazing. And I don't know how they do it." Chewing slowly, I reached for my cup. "He's more than ready for today, don't you think?"
Taylor beamed at me and lowered her voice. "Austin's ready to film him. It's exciting."
After swallowing his food, Rui looked at us. "Hm? Himitsu?"
We laughed, and Taylor nodded. "Yes, honey. We're keeping it a secret for now."
"Hm." He went back to eating before drinking his milk. "Why is it a secret?"
I bit into a piece of bacon. "You'll find out later. Tanoshii yo."
"So much fun," Taylor agreed. "It's your birthday surprise."
Finally, he got excited again. "Yatta!" He dropped his fork and got to his feet. "Ima umi no jikan!" Our little human was already thinking about the beach.
"Rui-chan," I warned, looking at his unfinished plate of pancakes and half-glass of milk. "Mada taberu yo. You're not done yet."
"Finish your food, honey," Taylor laughed softly. "Then we'll go for a walk."
He sat down and gladly complied. "Gomen," he apologized.
Taylor put her head on my shoulder before leaving another piece of bacon on my plate. "It's okay, sweetheart. Everyone's as excited as you."
"Ii ne, you know how to listen." I grinned, wrapping my arm around Taylor's waist. "Rui-chan, daisuki."
Smiling as he ate, he finished his food in silence. After making sure his plate was clean, he placed his fork down and drank the rest of his milk. All the way to wiping his mouth with a napkin.
When he was ready, he said, "Gochisosamadeshita! Thank you for making me breakfast, Mama. Daisuki."
"I love you, honey," Taylor smiled sweetly as she opened her arms to him, and he walked around the table for a hug. "You helped us make all of that. Thank you for not wasting food." She kissed the top of his head.
Rui reached for my hand. "Mama, daisuki."
Taylor watched us, her eyes glistening with how easily he made our hearts burst. And I felt as emotional thinking about how Taylor's heart had shaped his in so many ways.
"God, you're wonderful," I whispered and kissed Rui's forehead. "Thank you for being you."
After cleaning up, we prepared for Rui's requested walk on the beach. Luckily, today was a clear day. Even with its warm temperatures, September was peak typhoon season in Kamakura, but we got clear blue skies in between. As the two of them got dressed, I gave Benji and Aki-chan their much-awaited morning treats. Benji was in the corner beside the turntable, while Aki lazed by the front door, away from the tatami mats.
"Sorry, guys. He said Mama, Mama, and Rui," I mumbled, walking around to give them their treats with their Japanese food plushies. "We'll have the party anyway... which reminds me," I looked around. "Don't ruin our setup... Okay, you know what?" After deciding, I approached Aki and opened the front door. "Maybe you should stay outside."
Aki-chan was the most Japanese in this household, and it showed in how calm he was. Taylor had always appreciated that he was not loud and hyperactive, but she still wondered how that was possible at all. She would even say he seemed like a huge cat. Honestly, this was why I wanted one like him. I knew they were fiercely loyal, but they were also known to be gentle and disciplined. Well, we trained him that way, but he was a natural. He sat beside the main entrance, enjoying the morning breeze and quietly guarding the house. Of course, I knew that if I ever wanted a dog with Taylor, it had to be a calm one. Otherwise, it would have already driven her mad.
"Baby, I need you," Taylor called out.
I gave Aki his last-minute instructions, then I went to the bedroom. "I'm here, baby. Are we good to go?"
Taylor stood in front of the mirror. She had a white sundress on, necklace in hand. "You're still in your black shirt."
"Hm," I helped her with the necklace. And I was already getting lost in her scent. "You always look pretty in a sundress."
She met my gaze in the mirror, a smile forming on her red lips. "That's why I love them, because you do."
Before I could even kiss her, Rui said, "Mama, onegai."
We looked down, and he was handing Taylor a bottle of sunscreen. He had a fresh set of jinbei on for the beach. It was a white one with koi prints. Taylor and Derek loved getting him clothes, and I loved seeing how adorable he was in them.
Taylor knelt in front of him, smoothing his top first and untangling the side cords he had attempted to tie on his own. "I have a feeling your mom did it this way when she was your age," she whispered. "It's a challenge to undo it, honey, but I'm proud of you for trying."
"Hm? Nande?" he asked, watching Taylor's hands. "It's wrong?"
"It's not wrong, sweetheart, it's just different," Taylor said, taking her time to show him slowly. As she finished, she said, "See, doesn't this look nice?"
"Ii ne!" Rui beamed, observing the neatly tied knot. "Mama, jouzu!"
"You'll learn how to do that, too." She tapped his nose with her finger. "Now, let's get you safe under the sun," she added, taking the bottle of sunscreen from him. "I love this scent. It's your scent."
"Smells like powder," Rui agreed, making Taylor smile.
"That's right, honey." She started with his face. "Your mom chose this for you. And I love her for it."
I laughed softly, listening to them and walking to the bathroom to get ready. This day was already incredible without the celebration. And I could just watch Rui and Taylor go about their normal routines that filled our home with tenderness. Especially on weekends, when we would intentionally forget about our empire to focus on us. At least for now, we had family time and his birthday party.
The morning sun was getting warmer when we stepped outside, and the rest were only getting up to welcome this brand new day. After all, Taylor had been the only one in the compound to wake up early every day. When we reached the Lexus, I opened the door and prepared the child seat, grinning at Taylor's reaction.
"I swear to god, you have it customized every week. When did you get this done?" Taylor blinked at the newly installed bullet train-inspired leather seat for Rui, designed and customized after Japan's famous Hayabusa.
When I lifted Rui off the ground, he shrieked with excitement. "Wow! Shinkansen! Sugoi!"
"You like it, honey?" I smiled, strapping him in for the drive and letting him get comfortable. "You're growing fast. I have to switch things up and upgrade your stuff."
"Kakkoii!" He shifted from side to side, getting pulled in by how cool it was and how it felt. "Daisuki!"
"Yokatta ne. I'm happy you love it." Tousling his hair, I added, "I know your mom does too because it's premium. And the car's always clean. She loves it this way."
Taylor was still shocked, but she finally laughed and kissed me on the cheek. "You're very charming, and we love you."
I closed the door, and the heavy thud instantly muffled Rui's excited noises inside. Through the tinted glass, I could see him distracted, happily occupied with the design and tracing the leather seams of his mini Shinkansen seat.
Stepping closer to block the window, I faced Taylor. "Can I get a proper kiss then?"
She smiled, pinching my chin. "You look so gorgeous in white, baby, I can't lie."
"Well, I have to match my beautiful wife, don't I?" Today, I had chosen an all-white, two-piece pleated ensemble with a V-neck button shirt and wide-leg trousers. Something for golden-hour strolls on the beach. "You love the old-money look on me."
"Oh my god, it's a hot look. It's hard not to," she laughed, wrapping her arms around my neck before running her thumb along my lower lip. "I've been waiting for this."
For a moment, we got lost in the kiss. The familiar warmth of the ocean breeze, with the smell of salt, reminded me of our wedding day. And somehow, seeing Taylor in plain white still made my heart jump.
"Mama, osoi!" Rui complained from inside the car, bringing us back to earth.
Even with him getting impatient about us taking too long, Taylor held on to me, slowly breaking the kiss and leaving one final peck on my lips. "It's his birthday. He'll forget about this easily," she whispered.
I looked back into her blue eyes and wrapped my arms around her. "You're sweet, and we love you."
Rui loved driving to the coast for everything he got to see on the way. His surprisingly quiet observations of the world around him filled our usual trips. Sometimes we would hear him humming along with the songs, but he almost always got lost in his little bubble. While Taylor and I got lost in the bubble of simply being present with him.
We parked near the shoreline not long after, and the second his little feet touched the sand, Rui's face lit up. He held onto each of our hands, bouncing around between us with the most exciting squeals we had heard from him this month. Taylor and I chuckled as we watched him watch his feet getting swallowed by the soft, white sand before the water washed it away.
"Tsumetai!" he said in surprise when the water hit his skin. "It's cold!"
We grinned, and before the next round of small waves reached him, Taylor and I lifted him as he jumped. The joy in his laughter was contagious, making us laugh when he continued to jump over the waves.
Taylor fixed his sun hat, saying, "He's going to be exhausted before the party even begins."
"I can totally see him napping through the whole thing," I said before laughing. "This is the proper party he wants."
Rui hopped over the gentle tides longer before he let go of Taylor's hand and reached up to me, asking to be carried. "Mama, issho ni!"
I grinned and helped him rinse his feet in the water first, then Taylor wiped them dry. When he was ready, we let him climb onto my shoulders. As soon as I straightened up, he shrieked. "Takai!" he yelled into the morning sky about how high he was now above the water. "Fuji-san, utsukushii!"
"Oh my god, Tokyo can hear him at that rate," Taylor said with a soft laugh as we walked into the ocean.
"Hm," I held onto Rui's small thighs to keep his balance. "I love that our umi no jikan excites him."
She draped her arm around my waist. "When I used to dream about this, I never imagined a kid yelling into the Pacific Ocean... let alone in fluent Japanese."
I laughed, looking up at Rui, who was now peacefully taking in the surrounding view. "Somehow, I always wished for one with your eyes and your heart. Guess I got lucky."
Taylor was also quiet now, but she hugged me from the side. And that stillness extended when the three of us savored the serene morning we got to experience on this special day. My thoughts wandered to the very first time we walked along this coast before we got married, and I recalled how my pulse raced at the simple thought of calling Taylor my wife. Five years into living that dream, and I still found it surreal that we actually had Rui now.
When I used to chase my ambition, I could never clearly see how beautiful this kind of life was. Now that I had been living in its beauty, I could never imagine being away from it for a second. How could I, when giving him shoulder rides gave me more reasons to appreciate the simple things that brought him joy? Or watching him and Taylor get lost in conversations while they built sandcastles was the simplest thing that brought me joy? Or seeing Taylor's smile on the drive back was the only proof that all I wanted now was to do right by them?
We got home a couple of hours after lingering at the beach, and unsurprisingly, Rui fell asleep in the car. Time flew after that. In a flash, we got his neko onigiri and kare raisu ready. Everyone arrived with gifts and cake and positive energy, while our tiny birthday human slept through the first few hours of his supposed birthday party. If there was one thing Taylor would never allow, that was disrupting his natural rest cycle throughout the day. Yes, my wife would never let our child grow up with my bad habits. And I loved her for it. That meant we got to enjoy the birthday treats and drinks all to ourselves.
"I can't believe we're stuck here with you," Derek complained in his high-quality silk ensemble, biting into another piece of taiyaki. "Where is our queen and the little prince?"
I rolled my eyes, reaching for my third Famichiki. "You know she won't sacrifice his rest for anything. Especially not for you."
The rest laughed, and Jack handed me a glass of whisky. "But she allows day-drinking on special occasions. Kanpai."
"Kanpai." We clinked our glasses together. As I sipped my drink, I watched Cara and Este on the couch, playing with Benji. "I thought we requested Makku?"
"Yeah, we got them." Este smiled. "But not until Taylor's here. Otherwise you'll get through her chicken nuggets, and I don't want a disappointed Taylor Swift on her son's birthday."
"Whatever she says, boss," Cara mumbled, chugging her drink.
Brandon offered me fries instead. "This will do for now. And I love your white ensemble. That means the queen has a white dress on."
Derek clapped his hands together. "Ah, I got Rui his white birthday jinbei. Aw, I can't wait for your photoshoot, K!"
"Like you're the one taking photos," Austin said, draping his arm around my shoulders. "How does it feel to be this old?"
"Oh, for fuck's sake, AK," I replied and finished my drink.
"Shut up!" Derek shot back, rolling his eyes at Austin.
Our bickering went on until Kimby and Kariann arrived with Yuki-san all the way from Tokyo. The twins now spent most of the year in the big city, managing their rental business. And of course, they were regulars at Yuki's cafe.
Kimby placed more gifts beside the pile we had by the turntable. "That's from the three of us."
"And from home," Kariann added before looking at Austin. "Your mom sent so much stuff, it's in the car."
Austin furrowed his brow. "You mean for Rui?"
"For everyone." Kariann looked at me. "For you, mostly."
The entire team cheered, expecting every Western fix they needed straight from New York. "Positive energy!"
"Yatta!" I grinned, thinking about all the kitchen upgrades we were bound to unpack. "Taylor requested them."
"Brat," Derek said, narrowing his eyes at me. "You're such a brat."
Austin agreed, "Taylor could never say no to her."
I chuckled and turned to Yuki instead. "Yuki-san, arigatou."
"Ii yo," Yuki waved her hand. "Birthday boy, doko?"
To everyone's delight, Taylor and Rui finally emerged from the bedroom just as the guests from his kindergarten were about to arrive. I could never tire of this image. Taylor always looked beautiful. Light makeup, her classic red lips, and blonde hair falling right onto her shoulders. Rui beside her made the view even more precious. He was in a fresh white jinbei with no prints to match our monochrome aesthetic. Taylor had styled his thick, wavy crown in a trendy center part, making the natural smooth waves curtain over his forehead and frame his soft features. But it was Rui's curly eyelashes and deep blue eyes that stole the show every time.
Taylor held his hand as they walked. "Omatase," she apologized for making us wait and offered a small bow. "He was up so early playing at the beach."
"Omatase," Rui echoed, bowing to us, making Taylor smile.
"Kawaii!" Derek and Brandon said, adoring Rui in his white jinbei.
Cara leaned closer to whisper, "Fuck my life, you've got a lovely family."
I chuckled, eyes on them. "I know."
Without fail, the team got their classic pull-string confetti out. "Rui-chan, otanjoubi omedetou!"
As soon as he heard them and saw the colorful confetti in the air, Rui jumped up and down, shrieking. Then he ran to me. "Mama, issho ni!"
Taylor laughed softly, approaching me to take the glass of whisky from my hand and giving me a peck on the lips. "He was looking for you."
"Gomen ne." I took Rui in my arms. "Let's get this party started then."
Satisfied, Rui demanded, "Taiyaki tabetai!"
All of us laughed, and Yuki gleefully gave him one. "Rui-chan, otanjoubi omedetou. Douzo."
"Arigatou gozaimasu!" He bowed to her. "Yuki-san no taiyaki, daisuki!"
The house exploded in birthday greetings, Taylor walking around to catch up with them, everyone snacking on our treats, and Rui stubbornly wanting to be carried the whole time. It was not until other kids showed up that he finally agreed to play outside. Aki-chan was his best friend in the garden, and our property soon turned into a makeshift kindergarten playground. With little children and their pets running around, screaming at the top of their lungs, playing whatever game came to mind.
While my wife entertained the adults, I checked on the kids with Austin and the twins. We stood under one of our sakura trees, which looked ordinary without their flowering cherry blossoms. I never anticipated my sisters eventually living here, but I was glad they took the business opportunity seriously with the akiya rentals. Now they had the freedom to visit whenever and however long they wanted.
"Damn, you've been together for so long," Austin said.
"You know what's really crazy?" Kimby looked at me. "Taylor doesn't get sick of you."
We laughed, and I raised my glass. "I don't know how she does it either."
"Please," Kariann said before chuckling. "She looks at you the same way. It was always obvious how much she loved you."
"Honestly, though," Austin nodded. "We couldn't be happier seeing her with Rui. You gave her this life, KK. And we're grateful."
"Nobody deserves this more than she does." I watched Rui playing with his friends. "She's so wonderful with him. I'm a very lucky woman."
"Oh, we know," the twins said.
Austin chuckled and finished his drink. "For the record, she can't shut up about you being the hottest mom to that stunning boy," he said, walking away.
"Ooh," Kimby teased. "Klossanova's still burning with desire."
Kariann poked my cheek. "Yep. Still hot for her."
"For fuck's sake," I swatted her hand and made my way back to the house. "Shut up."
They called out my swearing, laughing while I shook my head. I was grinning until I walked into the living room, and there I found Taylor talking to some mothers from school. The kindergarten was an international school, and a few of Rui's friends had parents like us who had built a life here in Japan. Most of them were Japanese, though. And watching Taylor comfortably host them in our home could be the proudest I had been of her since she first arrived in the country. In our five years of living in Kamakura, we had built a small community outside this compound mainly because Taylor and Derek actively sparked these bonds whenever they could. Especially after Rui was born.
Taylor caught my eye across the room. We shared a smile before I showed her my empty glass and pointed to the kitchen. When I got there, I poured my drink, bracing my hands on the kitchen island. From the open engawa where the team was hanging out, we could all see Rui having the time of his life.
Este spotted me, and she grabbed a plate of chicken nuggets to place on the counter. "From Her Majesty."
I laughed and said, "Finally," immediately digging in.
Este sipped her drink before asking, "I've heard your love story a million times. But how did you know she was the one?"
Surprised, I stopped chewing. "I knew the first time we met. Her blue eyes trapped me."
"Aw," she replied. "But, like, how did that feel?"
I raised an eyebrow. "Is she writing another book? Or were you tasked to deploy a mind game?"
"Oh my god," Este laughed. "No, this is purely personal."
"Huh." With another chicken nugget in my mouth, I glanced outside where Cara was laughing with the group. "When we met, my mind raced, but Taylor also calmed it with her presence."
Este nodded, waiting for me to go on.
"Tay's been reading me from the start. She knows my soul better than anyone. I don't really know how to describe that feeling. Words aren't my thing." I looked at Cara again, then at Este. "But you probably already know how that feels too."
Este closed her eyes before she gulped her drink. "Oh my god, she's trapped me now."
"Finally," I mumbled before I could stop myself.
"Sorry?" Este looked at me, taken aback.
With my whisky and plate of chicken nuggets, I was ready to escape. Until Taylor walked in on us. "Great," I whispered.
Taylor filled her glass with more umeshu, silently reading the room. As she enjoyed her drink, she observed Este, then her eyes finally roamed over my face. "You didn't."
Este's cheeks were flushed now. "Oh my god... Was I the only one..."
"What did I tell you?" I said to Este. "She reads my soul."
This could not have been the perfect time for a slip-up. Since our wedding, Taylor had been watching these two women push their feelings aside for the sake of their friendship. But from the time they approached me at the yakitori bar a decade ago, I already knew. And I had watched Cara look at Este a certain way all those years, quietly admiring her. A decade. They could have been married at this point. But no. They kept choosing not to ruin the friendship.
To my shock, Taylor peeked outside. "Cara, won't you come over here for a second?" Then she finished her drink.
"Baby," I whispered, now beside Taylor. "What're you doing?"
Taylor wrapped her arm around my waist. "Saving you."
"Hm," I let her steal a piece of chicken nugget. "I hope this ends well."
Cara walked over, beer in hand. "Yeah?"
"Oh my god," Este whispered again, making Cara look at her.
Taylor watched them for the last time, going from Cara to Este, and back. Then she said, "Karlie thinks a conversation is long overdue."
"What?" the three of us replied.
When Taylor tugged on my hand, I cleared my throat. "Taylor's been reading me from the start. She knows my soul better than anyone. I think you found that in each other."
The air turned awkward with Cara clutching her beer so tight it looked like it was about to shatter in her hand. But before they could say a word to each other, Taylor dragged me by the arm onto the engawa. Then we slid the shoji doors closed.
"Oh my god, that was smooth," Taylor said before breathing out.
"You said you were saving me!" I complained.
She gripped my arm. "I just did, Karlie."
"No, I had to save myself." Noticing the rest were watching us, I shrugged. "They're having the talk. At least we hope so."
"Yatta!" Jack thrust his fist into the air. "You owe me, Brandon."
"Ten thousand yen is nothing," Brandon smirked at us. "Finally!"
"See?" Taylor stole another piece of my food. "You're still the hero."
"You're lucky I love you," I muttered under my breath.
Taylor laughed softly and kissed my cheek. "I love you too."
"Ugh," Derek made an ugly face. "Gross married couple shenanigans! Now we have more!"
Austin instantly glared at him. "Shut up, Derek," making us all laugh.
"I'm sorry, but nobody asked you," Derek retaliated.
For a split second, Taylor and I shared another look. Then we both shook our heads, knowing it would take a miracle to even have these other two look at each other in a different light.
"Not a chance in hell," I whispered.
Taylor chuckled. "I know, baby."
When the shoji doors slid open again, Cara and Este were gone. Our little Rui appeared from the kitchen this time, running to Taylor. His jinbei had turned dirty white, he was soaked in sweat, and his cheeks were burning red.
"There you are," Taylor knelt in front of him, brushing his hair away from his face. "Are you having fun?"
"Un!" Rui nodded, grabbing Taylor's hands. "Tsukareta. I'm tired now, Mama."
"I can see that, sweetheart, and you need to freshen up," Taylor smoothed out his clothes. "Whatever happened to your white ensemble? Hm?" she gently pinched his cheek. "How are we taking photos with you looking like this?"
Rui giggled and launched into a playful hug. "Mama, daisuki!"
"Oh my god," Taylor whispered as his sweaty, dirty clothes now clung to her white dress. "Now I need to change too. Okay, let's go." She carried him and looked at me. "I swear to god, he's just like you."
I laughed with the rest of the group when Rui wrapped his arms around her neck. "Ii yo, Mama! I miss you."
"See?" I grinned. "You're still the hero."
"You're lucky I love you," Taylor said, walking back inside the house.
"I love you too," I called after them. "We'll be here waiting!"
Rui's birthday party culminated in devouring the Shinkansen-themed cake from Derek, our birthday photoshoot tradition with Austin, and opening Rui's presents on our living room floor. After we offered our guests afternoon tea and coffee, they finally said goodbye, and the kids promised to see each other the next day at school. But we had one last surprise for him, an important milestone that the rest of us had been looking forward to since last year. Yuki was most excited about it.
"Rui-chan, oide," I asked him to come over.
"Hm?" Looking up from his new book, he ran to us by the front door. "Himitsu? My secret surprise?"
Taylor laughed before she knelt. "You remembered."
"Matteta yo!" Rui beamed. "I was waiting!"
"Ii ne. Thank you for being patient. We love that." I grinned, sitting on the floor to face him. "We have a birthday mission for you."
His eyes sparkled with excitement, but he waited for us to tell him everything.
Taylor smiled. "Remember your favorite dango shop?"
"Un," he nodded as he thought about the place we would walk to after he came home from school.
"And you remember how to get there from here?" Taylor asked, observing his expression.
Rui's brows knit together, and we allowed him time to think. "Walk on the sidewalk... follow the flowers..."
Taylor's face lit up. "That's it! I think you have an amazing brain, sweetheart," she said, turning to me. "Like your mom."
Letting out a soft laugh, I pinched Rui's cheek. "Now we need your amazing brain to buy us more dango from your favorite shop."
Rui nodded, then he realized what I meant. "Hm? Hitori?"
"Sou," I nodded. "By yourself. It's your solo birthday mission."
Like every other kid, he hesitated at first. But after a while, he got himself ready. "Mama wants more dango?"
"Yes, please, honey," Taylor said before smiling. "We need more dango everywhere."
Rui giggled and threw his hands in the air. "Dango everywhere!"
We both laughed, then I reached for Rui's small bag before slinging it across his body. When I unzipped it, I pulled out one 5,000-yen note and looked at him. "Kore wa ikura, Rui-chan?" I asked.
He observed it and said, "Gosen-en da! Five thousand yen."
"Jouzu!" I grinned and placed it back inside. "However many mitarashi dango sticks you can buy from the fancy shop," I mumbled, thinking about the ones covered in sweet soy sauce glaze.
Taylor laughed softly, touching my arm. "We'd love to have ten sticks, please, honey."
"Mitarashi dango jyu-ppon kudasai," Rui practiced his line. "Ten mitarashi dango sticks, please."
"Kanpeki!" Taylor and I said in unison. "Perfect."
"Yatta! Let's go!" he got to his feet and grabbed each of our hands. "Mama mo soto kuru? Will you go outside?"
Taylor kissed his cheek. "Of course, we'll wait for you outside. C'mon."
Hajimete no otsukai, or "the first errand", is a huge cultural milestone in Japan. A young child's step toward community independence, social responsibility, and self-reliance. One thing I adored about parenting Rui was Taylor's openness to raising him with these values, contrasting with our own roots. We both knew that because we loved him so much, teaching him to love the culture he was born into instead of forcing him to be like us was one of the greatest acts of love we could ever offer. And encouraging Rui to rely on himself was Taylor's way of showing we trusted and respected his mind, even at his age.
We walked hand in hand to the gate where everyone was already waiting to wave him goodbye. "Ganbatte, Rui-chan!" they all cheered, making him even more excited. Then it was time for him to carry out his mission.
I watched him and said, "Don't forget your aisatsu, honey," reminding him to greet the owner politely.
"Hai!" Rui said, looking at the path he was about to take. Then he looked at Taylor. "Hm? Mama?"
Taylor softly laughed before nodding at him. "Ii yo, you're brave enough to do that, sweetheart. We'll be here waiting."
He beamed and started walking away. "Bye-bye!"
"Kiotsukete!" We all waved, telling him to be careful.
Taylor called Austin, who had been secretly waiting along the path to film him discreetly. Yuki could not be prouder of Rui doing it like a local without us following him around. She had always treated him like her own grandchild, and we had been learning so much from her to keep Rui grounded in their culture. If not for capturing his milestones, we would have trusted our community to send him off unsupervised. But we agreed to do that next time instead.
"Aren't you even a little scared?" Kariann asked from behind us.
I smiled, draping my arm around Taylor's shoulders. "They operate under a shared understanding of community safety. Even without Austin, he'll be fine."
"Anyway, he memorized that path so quickly when he started school," Taylor added. "And he understands more than he lets on."
Kimby stood beside me. "Sounds like Taylor Swift's kid," making all of us laugh.
Derek suggested, "Next year we'll send him to Yuki's cafe."
"Muri!" Yuki reacted, shaking her head. "Impossible, too young."
While we waited, Taylor's phone buzzed in her hand. "Baby, look," she said, showing me a photo from Austin.
"I wonder what he's thinking," I mumbled.
"Dango for Mama," Taylor replied.
As I laughed, I looked at the photo again. Rui was walking solo, clutching his bag. Probably a little nervous, but he kept at it. He might not have an older sibling, but at least he was learning to navigate the world on his own.
It took about twenty minutes before we finally saw Rui coming. The shop owner, whom we had talked to beforehand to organize the meeting, must have taught him to balance the box in his small hands. Taylor had ordered ten sticks, and the packaging came out bigger than expected.
"Oh no," Taylor mumbled, watching our child carrying a box the size of a laptop. "How is he not dropping that? Baby, I didn't realize the box would be that huge."
"It's the fancy shops and their packaging," I said before chuckling. "Doesn't seem to bother him at all."
Yuki-san clapped her hands together. "Ii ne! Tsuyoi! Very strong!"
All of us smiled at how proud she was of Rui. And when I looked at Taylor, she had the same look on her face. When he got closer, we were already cheering for his return. Rui looked flushed from the walk with the massive box, but he had a wide smile on his face.
"Dango everywhere for Mama!" he announced, offering the box to me.
Grinning, I took it from him. "Oh, this is heavy. Chanto motte koreta ne, you carried it so well."
"Yoku gambarimashita, Rui-chan!" We all cheered, telling him he had done a great job.
Yuki patted his head and smiled. "Yoku ganbatta ne!"
"Arigatou!" He bowed to us before looking at Taylor. "Omoi! It was heavy!"
"I'm sorry, honey," Taylor laughed and pulled him into a tight hug. "But you did amazing, and I'm proud of you," she said, planting a kiss on his forehead.
When he turned to me again, he said, "Mama, tsukareta!"
I laughed, and Taylor took the box from me to open my arms to him. "Jaa, oide. Let's get inside."
He walked to me, and I lifted him off the ground. "Rui-chan, daisuki," I said before pressing a kiss on his cheek.
He looked around for Taylor, who was talking to Yuki, but she quickly walked beside us. "I'm here, sweetheart," she said, cupping his cheek. "Daisuki."
"Hm," Rui hummed, snuggling my neck. "Rui wins."
Finally, Austin walked closer to film the three of us walking back into the compound, then he whispered, "Look how far they've come."
When evening came, we had leftovers from the party, and Rui devoured every last drop of the curry Taylor made. My mind was already drifting to the office. Thinking about what we had on the agenda for tomorrow when Taylor came out of the bedroom with a wooden, rectangular box. It was almost the same size as the dango box.
"Time to open your gift, honey," Taylor called to Rui, who had been reading his new books beside Benji's dome.
I stared at my wife from where I sat on the couch. "Aren't we done with that?"
Taylor looked at me with a specific smile. "That was for the party."
"Hm?" Rui rushed to her side when Taylor placed the box on the living room floor. "More gifts for Rui?"
"Of course, sweetheart," Taylor said with a soft laugh, looking at him. "It's your new book. Didn't you want one?"
He looked at the pile he had just abandoned. "Hm..." Then he turned to me. "Himitsu?"
"God, you've trapped him now." Chuckling at his confusion, I nodded. "Yes, honey. Your mom loves secrets and surprises."
"Wow! Motto!" Now convinced, he studied the wooden box again. "OK, Mama?"
Taylor smiled. "Ii yo. Open it."
Curious, I sat beside Rui and watched his small hands lift the wooden lid. I recognized the piece of Kamakura-bori instantly, the town's traditional local craft that used seasoned wood and hand-carved bold patterns. He placed the lid on the floor, and for the first time, he did not squeal in surprise. He quickly became absorbed in what was in front of him.
"Kakkoii manga," Rui whispered, tracing the cover with his fingers.
It was Japan's version of a comic book. They had them in traditional Kanji, but this was in English. With one glance, I already knew Taylor had collaborated a local artist to have this drawn just for him. How did I even believe she only bought him his favorite collections? Of course she would write a book for Rui. This was Taylor Swift. And I was married to her. Somehow, I got lost in that realization too.
"You like it, sweetheart?" Taylor prompted, combing his hair with her hand. "Suki?"
"Daisuki!" Rui finally let out. "Mama no hon? Did you write this for me?" he asked, tracing her name at the bottom.
Taylor nodded, hugging him from behind and lifting the book from the box. "Only for you. You're the only one who has this manga in the world."
"Uwa," he gushed, feeling the matte-coated specialty paper that smelled of premium ink. "Sugoi."
I sat in silence as Taylor started reading and flipping through the pages. While Rui got lost in the magic of the world Taylor had dreamed up for him, I got lost in the magic of this world I lived in. With my lovely wife, our adorable child, and everything we could ever be.