A/N: I Kinda missed writing about L and Light and the younger versions of the three little terrors, so I started this story. I also really wanted another family reunion thing to go with this series, but I missed the boat until now. :)

Anyway, hope you enjoy!

(And yes, I'll be continuing the other stories soon!)


(Light P.O.V)

With the little ball of white fluff fast asleep in his bed, Mello and Matt following suit, I was able to sneak out and return to my room right away. The three were heavy sleepers, and Mello hadn't had a nightmare in months. I'd even gotten Matt to stop playing video games way past his bedtime so the red head was sleeping soundlessly in bed more often than not. The only person I had trouble getting into bed anymore…

…was L.

Not that the man didn't sleep at all, but I'd prefer it if he didn't stay up for days on end working on some case that could be left for later. The detective barely spent any time out of his room anyway, and the only time we'd been together alone was that small vacation we took before the boys were kidnapped. The security on my boys was heightened due to this, but I couldn't help how overprotective I was of them.

I loved my boys.

I strode through the dark halls of the Wammy house, passing one or two adults as they checked on the rooms to make sure kids were in their beds. I liked how peaceful the place was at night. No screaming children, no busying adults scrambling to get work done, and no whining and complaining from a certain blonde because I didn't let him have chocolate.

I sighed, muttering to myself, "Mello is a handful."

L had spoiled the three rotten before I came into the picture. Matt had all the video games he could play, Mello had mountains of chocolate on demand, and even Near was given any gadget or toy he wished. The moment I took a stand at this did the whining begin, but it didn't last long since I offered a moderation with their little obsessions. Mello got his chocolate once every few days, Matt was allowed an hour of video games each day, and Near could still cuddle with his plushies… just not all of them in his bed.

I had a strange family… but I loved them.

Near was intelligent and sweet, always looking to cuddle up to me when he was lonely or bored. He was like a little plushie himself with how cute and cuddly he could be some days. Of course it was because he was seven and small in stature so it wouldn't last forever, but I enjoyed it while I could.

Matt was also a very sweet young man, always hugging me and telling me he loved me… when he wasn't playing video games. He never fought me or made excuses with me, and I was more than impressed with his honesty towards me. He was a stand up young man, and I greatly appreciated this fact about him.

Mello was… err… as I said, a handful. He gave me the most trouble out of the three, always whining about something, always getting himself into bad situations, and always running to me to help him out of a jam. For someone as smart as him, he was quite dependent on others to get him out of trouble. Other than that though, he fought for what was correct and just, and he never deliberately hurt someone out of anger. The only time he'd ever hurt someone was when he'd bitten me in his sleep due to a nightmare… and he still didn't forgive himself for it.

I quietly stepped into the room I shared with L and found the detective in his chair and hunched over his laptop. Once again he'd be working on a case throughout the night and not getting any sleep. Not only that but he'd be waking me up with his maddeningly loud tapping of his keyboard. It's like he was unaware that I slept at all in the same room as him.

I sighed heavily to myself. "Can't you put the laptop away for the night, Ryuzaki? I have to get up early tomorrow to take the boys to the doctor's office."

"They're alright, Light." He reasoned. "There's nothing wrong with them. I don't know why you insist on taking them to a doctor anyway."

I scoffed at this. "Because Mello is having throat infections left, right, and center, Matt has been complaining of his ankle hurting ever since he fell out of that tree yesterday, and Near has been getting headaches that I can't solve."

"Tonsils need to some out, Matt broke his ankle, Near is faking it." The man answered. "Problem solved. Now might I get back to work?"

I swift knock to the head got the man to look away from his screen and up at me.

I felt my nostrils flare. "You're not funny, and I demand you put the laptop away for tonight."

A small smirk appeared on his face. "Alright, but I demand a price. I am giving up some work time you know."

I grumbled, my eyes rolling. "Not tonight, but I promise you that tomorrow I'm all yours."

"Were you anyone else I would not believe your word on this, but seeing as how you're in as much need of it as I am…"

"Then again I could just go to a hotel and forget this deal altogether." I interrupted.

With L knowing my threats were never half-assed, he quickly shut his mouth before saving his documents and closing his laptop.

"There, happy?" He asked begrudgingly.

I hummed, giving him a small peck to the temple. "Very much so."

As I began to get ready for bed, laying out my pajamas and such, the detective reminded me of a certain email I got from my father just the other day.

"So have you confirmed or denied his request?"

I thought about it for a moment before turning to him.

"L, the family on my father's side is… well… not very understanding of our relationship. Of course I want to see them all again, but I just know there's going to be repercussions if I introduce you and the boys to them. My father's side of the family is harsh and if we were to go to this reunion it would only end in anger regret."

"But Light, it's been so long since you've seen them last. If it worries you that much then leave us behind and go see them for yourself. We won't hate you for that if we know you don't want us getting hurt in the process."

I suddenly hugged the man close to me, him still in his chair. "You're part of my family now. You and the boys. If I left you behind I'd feel awful, so don't you suggest that to me. If I were to go, I'd take you and the boys with me. I love you all, and I'd want everyone to know that while we were there."

He leaned into me slightly. "Then we should go."

Before I could argue he looked straight at me, his round and darkened eyes stopping me from speaking.

"We love you too, Light. And if you love us as much as we do with you, then it shouldn't matter what they say about us or what happens while we're there. Your father loves the boys, your mother and sister are more than welcoming of us, so it wouldn't matter what anyone else says. We're still a family… however odd we look."

I stared at him for a good minute before sighing heavily and turning away to crawl into bed. L didn't even make to change into anything to sleep in and merely crawled in beside me. I had to admit though, the man made a good point before.

No matter how odd our family was, or how harrowing it was to take care of them all, we still loved each other. Near, Matt, and Mello… they were my boys. L was my partner. We were stronger together than we were apart and no one from my father's side of the family could change that.

I took a breath and grinned. "I suppose we should go to the reunion to catch up with mom, dad, and Sayu. I haven't seen them since the kidnapping incident and I'm more than curious to hear what's been going on with them."

The detective smiled happily. "I knew I could change your mind."

I went in for a punch but was stopped by a small knocking at the bedroom door.

Getting up and out of bed to see who it was, I opened the door to see a small blonde standing there with tears in his eyes. I knew exactly what was wrong.

I kneeled down and pulled him into a hug. "Nightmare?"

He shook slightly, his breath shallow and raspy. "Bad one."

Mello was eleven now, close to twelve, but he was plagued with so many nightmares and night terrors it scared him to death. The poor child was suffering with the real world and the dream world all at once. It just wasn't fair.

I kissed the top of his head lovingly. "Come on, I'll take you to the kitchen and we'll get you something to soothe your nerves."

He sniffled. "Hot chocolate?"

I grinned slightly at his rather small yet adorable voice. The only time he was ever truly himself, was when it came to his fears and those he loved most.

I gave one last squeeze to the hug and nodded. "With milk and marshmallows. It should help with your throat infection too."

He backed away smiling. "Thank you, Light."

I merely grinned before guiding him out the door and down the hall.

Yes, Mello was a handful… but he was a sweetheart at the very core of his being. All of my boys were. And if my family wouldn't see it when they met them, then it was their loss.

My family was perfect the way it was.