Twenty years have come and gone sense Linna came back into Josh's life and Brought Ayame with her. Through the years there were ups and downs. Josh, Mike, Sharon, Timothy and Kim finishes out their service in the Army and retired. Mike, Sharon, Kenny, Terry, Timothy and Kim all moved to Tokyo so their kids could grow up together. Timothy and Kim were married two years after the shoot out with Kevin. They were on their way to a restaurant one night when a drunk driver lost control and hit them in a head on collision. Both Timothy and Kim were killed instantly. The drunk driver walked away from the crash with minor injuries. And was serving 60 years to life in prison for two counts of man slaughter. Until it was later discovered that Kim was 2 months pregnant when she was killed. He is now serving life without the possibility of parole. Ayame grew to be a fine young woman along with her friends Lilly and Andrew McNickle, Josh Stingray, Linna Chambers and Rosemary Kerkmen. Josh and Linna got their jobs back with the accounting firm with Nesay. Leon retired from the APD after Priss and her band scored a record contract and went on tour. Nene and Mackey started their own garage for both car and computer repair and are doing rather well. Nigel closed his garage after he was permanently injured when a car rolled off its jacks and crushed his right leg. Syila had more than enough money to support the family and with Rosemary's help was able to open a seconded store. Ayame and her friends all graduated from Yamamoto High School at the same time. Everyone got jobs except Ayame who went to collage for a few years. One day when Linna was feeling sick Josh was on his way to work when a tire on the car blew sending him into a wall.
One week later
A chill wind blew threw the trees. The silence only broken by the sound sobs from the people sitting around the casket. Four men in US Army uniforms were folding an American flag and handed it to the commanding officer. The officer saluted and took the flag. He walked over to a woman with slightly graying hair.
"On behalf of a grateful nation I present to you this flag as a token of our gratitude to your husband's years of service." He said and handed the woman the flag and stepped back and snapped a salute.
Linna wiped the tears from her eyes as a soldier far behind her played taps as the honor guard readied for the twenty-one gun salute.
"Ready!" A man yelled. "Fire."
Seven guns fired as one. Linna and Ayame jumped at the roar of the rifles. Mike, Terry, Jack and Kenny stood in their uniforms holding a salute. Sylia held a handkerchief to her eyes and sobbed to herself. Priss was trying not to cry but was still sobbing. Nene was a wrack crying freely, Nigel was fighting back the tears. Mackey was holding Nene's hand trying to comfort her. Leon being a cop was in his uniform and saluting. Lilly was holding Ayame's hand as she started to cry. Linna (Kenny and Terry's daughter) was letting her tears fall freely as Josh (Nene and Mackey's son) had his arm around her. Rosemary was sitting straight up so not to cry as Andrew sunk low in his chair to hide the fact that he was crying.
"Aim fire." The man yelled again and the guns roared. "Aim fire"
The rifles fell silent as the sound of taps slowly faded. Everyone stood as the honor guard walked off the grass and into the US government car they arrived in and drove off. Linna walked up to the casket holding her husbands body and placed her hand over the casket.
"Twenty-fours years together was not long enough." She said and walked down to her car.
Ayame still holding Lilly's hand kissed her hand and placed it on the casket.
"Goodbye dad." She said and walked to her mother's car and got in leaving Lilly to wait for her parents.
As Linna and Ayame were driving home not a word was spoken. Linna unlocked the door and stepped in. Ayame walked into her room and closed the door. Linna sat on the couch holding a pillow to her chest and rocking slowly. After a few minutes Ayame walked into the living room and opened the door to leave.
"Where are you going?" Linna asked.
"Out." Ayame said.
"When will you be back?" Linna asked.
"Later." Ayame said and closed the door.
Linna started to cry again not about Josh's death but for Ayame.
'They were very close.' She thought.
Linna sat on the couch for a few minutes then stood up. She walked down the hallway into her room. She opened the closet and reached in. after a moment of searching she found what she was looking for. From out of a box she pulled Josh's US Army .45 caliber hand gun.
"I'm sorry Ayame." She said as she raised the gun to her head.
She closed her eyes and with a trembling hand she pulled the trigger. BANG!! The gun fired and Linna fell to the floor dead.
Linna and Josh's
The sound of the alarm stirred Linna from her dream. She turned off the alarm and sat up.
"OOHGOD" She said as she stretched.
"You were dreaming again." Josh said.
"I know." Linna said.
"The same dream?" Josh asked.
"Yea." Linna answered.
"The doctor says once your fever breaks the dreams should stop." Josh said.
"They better. I cant take them much longer." Linna said.
She stood up and walked into the kitchen to get some coffee. Ayame was sitting at the table drinking some coffee and eating a small breakfast.
"Your up early." Linna said.
"I'm going job hunting." Ayame said.
"Its about time." Linna joked as she poured a cup of coffee. "When will you be back?" Linna asked.
"At about 3:00 in the afternoon." Ayame said.
"What about lunch?" Linna asked.
"Lilly is gonna meet me for lunch. She said she wants to talk to me about somthing" Ayame said.
"Oh I see." Linna said.
"Oh I got to go mom or I'm gonna be late." Ayame said jumping up and kissing her mom on the cheek. "Bye daddy."
She kissed Josh as he was walking into the living room.
"Umm bye." Josh said watching her leave. "Where is she going?"
"Job hunting." Linna said.
"Well it's about time." Josh laughed and headed to the coffee pot.
Around Tokyo
Ayame searched for hours without any luck. She was just about to give up when a man in a business suit walked up to her.
"Excuse me Miss." He said. "I represent a beginning Corporation and we are in need of employees."
"What kind of corporation?" Ayame asked taking a business card.
"Boomer technology." The man said.
"What are my chances of getting a job?" Ayame asked.
"If you show up tomorrow at 6am you'll be hired." The man said. "And depending on your credentials is the job you get."
"Ok I'll be there." Ayame said.
"Great see you then." The man said and shook her hand and walked away.
As Ayame was walking away her phone made its distinctive ring,
"Hello." She said picking it up.
"Ayame its Lilly." Lilly said.
"Hi Lilly what's up?" Ayame said.
"Where do you want to meet for lunch?" Lilly asked.
"Wherever." Ayame said.
"How about Tyler's Taste of Texas that new American food place?" Lilly asked.
"Sounds good to me." Ayame said. "I'm right around the corner from there."
"Good I'll meet you there in five minutes ok?" Lilly asked.
"Ok sounds good see you soon." Ayame said and hung up.
Ayame walked around the corner to the restaurant and saw Lilly walking down the street.
"Hey Lilly." Ayame shouted jumping up and down.
"Hey." Lilly said running up to her.
"They met by the front door of the restaurant and hugged. Lilly pulled back and looked into Ayame's eyes.
"Boy I missed those eyes." She said and kissed her on the lips.
"You saw them last night remember?" Ayame asked and returned the kiss.
"I remember." Lilly said. "How could I forget? I get lost in them every time I look into them."
"Lets go inside I'm starving." Ayame said and they walked in hand in hand.
They were brought to a table and seated. After they had ordered the waiter left them alone.
"So what did you want to talk about?" Ayame asked.
"Us." Lilly said.
"What about us?" Ayame asked.
"When are we gonna tell our parents?" Lilly asked.
"Sigh I don't know." Ayame said.
"There's any reason to hide this is there?" Lilly asked.
"Not at all." Ayame said.
"Then let's tell them." Lilly said.
"Ok but lets tell them together." Ayame said. "Let's tell my parents first so we can hopefully have some backup for when we tell our mom."
"Good idea." Lilly said.
Ayame and Lilly walked back to Ayame's house and walked through the door.
"I'm home." Ayame said closing the door.
"You're early." Linna said from the kitchen.
"Yea I know." Ayame said. "Where's dad?"
"In our room. Why?" Linna asked.
"I have something I need to say." Ayame said walking down the hall.
Josh was sitting on the bed reading a book when Ayame walked in.
"Daddy can you come into the living room?" Ayame asked.
"Sure what's up?" Josh asked.
"Just come on." Ayame said and walked into the living room.
Linna was sitting on the couch and Lilly was on the loveseat. Josh sat next to Linna and Ayame sat next to Lilly.
"Umm." She began. "There's something I've been needing to tell you for a while"
"And what's that?" Josh asked.
"You know how your always making fun of me because I've never been in love?" Ayame asked.
"Yea that's the most fun I really have lately. Why?" Josh asked.
"Well I met some one and fell in love." Ayame said.
"That's great." Linna said.
"Well it's gotten a little serious." Ayame said.
"Oh my God you're pregnant." Linna said closing her eyes and shaking her head.
"No I'm not pregnant." Ayame said.
"Then what's up why did you want to talk to us?" Josh asked.
"So who is he?" Linna asked.
Ayame was silent trying to find the words to tell them. Lilly looked over at her and could see she was about to break down.
"It's me." Lilly said.
"What?!" Linna asked her eyes opening and looking at her daughter who's head was bowed.
"We're in love." Lilly said putting her arm around Ayame.
Josh's jaw almost hit the ground with shock.
"Are you sure this is the way the two of you really feel or are you just experimenting?" Josh asked.
"We've been dating for almost eight months." Lilly said.
Linna stood up and walked into the bedroom without saying a word. Josh stood up and walked over to Ayame and sat down.
"You ok?" He asked.
"I'm sorry." Ayame said through her tears.
"There's nothing to be sorry about." Josh said. "You are the way you are, stay that way."
Ayame looked up and cleared away her tears.
"Where did mom go?" She asked.
"Into the room don't worry she'll be alright." Josh said.
"She must hate me." Ayame said.
"I severely doubt that." Josh said. "It was just a shock that's all."
"I hope so." Ayame said.
"Mr. Thompson." Lilly said. "Don't blame her I was the one that made the first move."
"I don't blame anyone." Josh said.
"We need to go." Lilly said. "We have to tell my parents."
"That could be deadly." Josh said. "I'll come with you."
Josh stood up and walked into the bedroom where Linna was looking at pictures of Ayame when she was a little girl.
"I can't believe it." Linna said.
"Are you ok." Josh asked.
"I don't know." Linna said. "Our little girl is gay."
"Your best friend is gay." Josh said.
"I know." Linna said. "But I don't thing Nesay has anything to do with this."
"I know." Josh said. "Listen Ayame, Lilly and I are gonna go tell Priss and Leon we may need some backup to stop Priss."
"Ok I'll go." Linna said with a sigh.
