“I come bearing gifts,” Mikoto called, the mother peeking over the boxes she had piled up in her arms.
There were four packages. Two for Ino, one for her son and one for their household.
Two for her daughter-in-law, because… Well. The mother had always felt ever so guilty when she learned (rather belatedly) that Ino’s birthday had come to pass, and she had not given the girl a single thing.
Granted, she had gifted the couple with a generous sum during their wedding, but still…
She lifted the load she was carrying ever so slightly, smiling now that her daughter-in-law was in sight.
“There you are. Merry Christmas,” she said cheerily in greeting. “The top two boxes are yours, and the third is for your house. You can go ahead and open all three of them, dear.”
Inside the ones that were meant for Ino were two rather fashionable pieces of clothing: a stunning red coat and a vibrant purple jacket, just as what Mikoto had noticed fell in line with Ino’s sense of style.
As for the final package, there laid a portable soup warmer for the couple to use. There was no doubt that the both of them would find it especially useful in the kitchen.
Ino gasped, but it was one with delight. As elegant as she tried to appear, the florist could never hide her immense pleasure at receiving gifts. And Mikoto had so many for just two people.
“Oh, Mikoto-San… these are too much!” Ino told her, but her eyes were already trying to make out what could possibly be inside the packages based on the shape and weight alone. In addition, she quite liked Mikoto’s sense of giving gifts. The woman, much like Yoshino, often gave Ino very nice items to use.
“Two for me?!” Ino grinned. “Hey, Itachi might get jealous.” He was such a mama’s boy, but she dare not voice that out loud – just in case she got coal next year- but in general Ino fashion, she relieved Mikoto from the load and offered the dark-haired woman an enthusiastic hug.
There was nothing like presents to win her heart.
“Thank you so much! I hope that… you like yours,” Ino added hopefully. After all, jewellery would always look magnificent on Mikoto.
After cups of tea were traded, Ino could open the presents and really- she thought all three of them were for Ino. The coat and jacket were both an instant hit, as well as the soup warmer. It would be good to lose weight after the baby.
Itachi’s mother was very generous. Hopefully she could find an even better gift for the woman. Well… by that time, the woman would have a grandchild and Ino knew she would adore it to bits.
