So so so so sorry, but I was struggling for months trying to write something coherently. The ideas were there but I just couldn't get the words to file. At least the muses seemed to be coming back lately, and I even managed to finish NaNoWriMo this year - which included two more chapters of TUIV. I'm not even sure anyone is reading or cares anymore, but even if it's slow going, there are still stories for this universe that want to be written. So I am. I'm not really a comment whore, but lack of comments on my fiction do seem to be having an effect in getting some writing done. Thank goodness for stats as well as faves and follows. That helps. It really does, so thank you for those who did read, follow and/or fave. Also huge thanks and hugs to RainbowHunter, Gail, AllyPlz for commenting! :)
CHAPTER TWO
August 1, 2006
New York City
It was early afternoon when Ryo entered the living room from the bedroom, stretching. He looked back into the bedroom, satisfied that Dee was still sleeping. They were up earlier that morning when Darin started to cry, waking up Ryoko, needing to be changed. Darin was not ready to go back to sleep after they were fed and was noisy about it, which kept Ryoko up and upset. The babies constant crying had even woke Obāsan.
Dee and Ryo had tried the divide and conquer with Ryo staying in the bedroom with Ryoko while Dee took Darin into the sitting room but it only made the babies fuss more. Both men found themselves in the living room, still attempting to calm them down.
Obāsan had noticed besides the frustration the new fathers felt at being unable to soothe their infants, Dee was looking very nervous. Even his body language was that of a man thinking something was very wrong with his children. Ryo was not quite yet at the precipice of panic yet, but even he was worried. She sat down between the two men, relieving Dee of Darin and starting to assure them that there would be nights and even days like this. It did not matter if they were fed and clean, there would be times like this and that eventually the babies would tire themselves out.
Bikky had come out of his room, unable to sleep with all the crying and asked if they needed anything and sat with them. After Obāsan had gone back to bed at Ryo's insistence, he offered to hold the twins one at a time, giving each of his dads a break from holding the babies for a while. Ryo used his break to use the bathroom and then made herbal tea for them, stating the last thing any of them needed was caffeine. Dee disagreed, saying he needed caffeine if this was to go on any longer. When it was Dee's break, he went to the bathroom and returned almost right away, but instead of taking Ryoko from Bikky, he sat next to the teen and waited until Bikky had enough and gave the baby back to Dee. Dee then suggested that Bikky go back to bed and the teen did not have to feel obligated to stay up with them. Once Bikky went to his room, Dee and Ryo went back to their bedroom, hoping the other two occupants in the apartment would be able to sleep.
Both men ended up staying up after both twins were finally asleep.
By 10 a.m., Obāsan had sent the two exhausted men back to sleep. Dee was so tired by then that he hardly put up any protest and actually fell asleep immediately after his head touched his pillow. Ryo had fallen asleep seconds after Dee.
"Good afternoon Obāsan," Ryo greeted.
"Good afternoon Ryo. I'm happy you got some sleep. Is Dei still sleeping?" Obāsan asked.
"Yes, the last I checked he was. I'm not sure for how much longer."
"I was just getting something to drink when I heard you." Obāsan started to walk into the dining room, toward the den where she left the twins. "Bikky went out with his friends. He said he'll be home for dinner."
Ryo walked in to find them wiggling on their cushioned playmats. She had the twins dressed in diapers and a light shirt, which was the standard way they dressed them in the hot July weather when at home. Only when they were expecting guests or took the babies outside they dressed them in more but in the light clothes which they had plenty of. Akira had Darin dressed in a blue shirt with brown cute mouse heads that opened with Velcro in a diagonal line with a blue and brown striped diaper. Ryoko was dressed similarly but with yellow chicks on a pink shirt and her diaper was yellow and pink plaid.
With a grin, he went into the den and knelt before the two mats. "Hey there, chibis. Are you having fun?" He reached out and grabbed onto Ryoko's foot and lightly tickled it, and then laughed as the baby kicked her foot. Darin was waving his arms around so Ryo grabbed onto a tiny hand. He leaned over and gave the hand a kiss. "It's playtime, huh?"
"The little chibis can't stay in their beds or our laps all day," Obāsan replied with the sage wisdom of her age. "They need some freedom."
Ryo grinned while playing with tiny feet and arms. Obāsan came over with two large cushions Dee and Ryo had received as a wedding gift from one of the Japanese cousins and kept on the couch in the den. She handed one to Ryo and set the other on the floor next to her grandson and sat down. Ryo took her example and rearranged himself to sit on the cushion she handed him. The set was for sitting on the floor, which was the norm in traditional households in Japan. It was an expensive set so Dee and Ryo did not feel right using it to sit on their floors, so they had used them as decoration on their couch until Akira arrived to stay with them for a few weeks. She would use them regularly, especially when she had the babies out of their bassinettes and on the cushioned playmats she had brought with her from Japan upon hearing that Dee had given birth to twins.
With a tender smile she reached out to pick up Darin and settled him on her lap and then she looked at Ryo, who picked up Ryoko to set on his lap. "Before you get too used to having your daughter on your lap the usual way, it's time to start tummy time," she explained.
Ryo looked at his grandmother in confusion for a few moments. Knowing all the material and books he had read during Dee's pregnancy, she waited patiently for Ryo to finally realize what she intended.
"Oh yeah, tummy time," he said.
"Hai. Tummy time," she agreed. "I'm sure you read the many benefits of it and that you should start as early as you can. I've already started with them, but only one at a time, since their little belly buttons are still tender, so it's best to keep them on a lap for at least a few more days. Other than all the good benefits, it gives them a different view of this new world they are discovering. They can't roll over themselves yet, so it is up to us to provide them the change."
Ryo suddenly looked horrified and embarrassed. "I know all this stuff," he stated. "I read and made notes and lists but I can't seem to remember to do most of the things I should be."
Akira sighed and reached out to cup Ryo's chin in her thin hand to lift his head. "Ryo, listen to me. You are far from the only parent that believed while their child was on the way that he would follow everything in the books and yet find it hard to do once the baby is born. In your case, you and Dei suddenly found yourselves with two babies. Even Dei is overwhelmed. I knew you would be. It happens to every new parent even with one baby. That is why I'm here. And why you have Maria's, Elena's and Estelle's support. We're here because we know it's hard. There is no crime to be reminded by someone who is not so overwhelmed but was once in your place. And believe me sometimes new parents can also be overwhelmed in a good way."
Ryo looked down at his wiggling daughter in his lap and then at his son on his grandmother's. His smile was bright and sunny as his eyes glistened. "You so right, Obāsan. Every time I look at either one of them, I'm so happy."
Akira smiled at Ryo. "You're more than just so happy."
"I am, but I don't think I'll find the words." Ryo spoke in Japanese as he would sometimes do when his grandmother was around and Bikky wasn't since his son did not know that much Japanese.
"I understand," Akira said in Japanese. "I felt that way when your mother and each of your aunts and uncles were born. And then for each of my grandchildren." She smiled down at Darin. "I feel that same way again with these two little sweethearts." She turned the baby boy onto his stomach across her crossed legs. "There you go, Darin." She ran a gentle hand down the baby's back.
Ryo chuckled as he watched Darin kick and wiggle his legs. Obāsan placed a hand to help balance his head. He picked up Ryoko just enough to mirror Darin's position on his grandmother on his own lap. Ryoko started to slap her hands on Ryo's leg and kick her feet. As Ryo went to support her head, she lifted her head slightly and started to smile, kicking her feet more.
Akira laughed with delight. "She's going to be a fast developer despite her weight when she was born. Darin will take a little more time, but he'll start developing too," she assured Ryo.
"I know that, but because of the circumstances of his birth, I know I'm going to still be nervous when I see him not developing as fast as Ryoko. And if I'm nervous, then imagine Dee."
"Even under normal circumstances it's very likely that one baby will develop faster than the other. That is just the way, Ryo."
"I know that but it's not so easy to remember when I encounter those things."
"I understand," Akira said.
They both looked up when they heard Dee's voice coming through the dining room. Dee came into sight as he walked through the dining room while speaking on his cell phone. He finished the call as he entered the den and smiled as his eyes settled on his family. "Are we doing tummy time already?" he asked.
"Of course, Dei. They are three weeks old," Akira replied in English. "By next week we should be able to settle them on their tummies on their playmats."
"Maybe even before," Dee replied as he sat on the couch, watching Akira and Ryo play with the twins. "When I changed them earlier I noticed that their belly buttons are just about healed. Perhaps in a few more days."
"That's even better," Akira replied. "I changed them, but I did not have the foresight to check."
Dee chuckled. "I just noticed without looking. I seem to notice everything about those two. I can't help it because I still can't believe they are here."
"Did you get enough sleep Dee?" Ryo asked. "You do look much better than last I saw you earlier this morning."
Dee stretched before replying. "Yeah, I'm awake enough. I probably would have been sleeping more if Darlene didn't call me on my cell. She wanted to let us know that she has a couple of choices for us for Carol's party. Looks like she has two rooftop spaces in Soho."
"Close to home," Ryo mused. "I like that, but when you say rooftop does it mean all outdoors?"
"No, inside space with outdoor decks. She'll fax over the information in a little while. She put tentative holds on both of them. She said she has her preference only because she already has in her mind what she can do with the space. She also wants to know the budget. I told her as long as it doesn't come close to our wedding, we're good."
Ryo laughed. "Yes, that is what we decided. I want this to be a special night for Carol. She's been through so much and yet has such a sunny and wonderful personality. She deserves something special. Elina said she does want to pitch in something for it, like maybe cover the caterers."
"I don't see why we can't let her," Dee agreed. "After all, we're feeding a bunch of teen-agers. It won't be of the same caliber of food that we had at our wedding. Darlene already knows that when looking into caterers."
"Hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers for the few vegans, mac & cheese and we need to slip in veggies somehow," Ryo ticked off.
"Tempura veggies," Dee replied. "Cheap and from what I've seen all of Carol's and Bikky's friends love tempura."
"We might add some norimaki too, some tempura and California rolls, for those who don't like raw fish," Ryo added.
"Pizza," Dee added. "We can't have a party for teens without pizza."
"You are so right," Ryo agreed. "Hell, I'm all for the menu for myself."
"Dude, you and me both," Dee laughed. "I have nothing against fine gourmet dining, but I'm more than good with that menu. I'll tell Darlene exactly what we are expecting just in case, so she understands exactly what we intend to serve for the kids and any adults."
"Why don't we add some Chinese favorites like fried rice, lo mein and something chicken?" Ryo asked.
"Along with beef and broccoli. Those kids love it and again, we're offering some veggies along with the junk food."
"Great idea, Dee. Yes, let her know that and to send us the estimate for the food, just to make sure Elina doesn't over-extend herself," Ryo said. "If needed, we'll let her think she's paying for it all, because there's also the cake."
"Elina said she already ordered the cake. I told her not to let money stop her from getting whatever she thinks Carol will like. She said she'll email us a picture."
"Technology is a wonderful thing," Akira said as she lifted Darin. "You'll be able to plan this party while on vacation."
"I knew it was a wonderful thing when I had you and your family along with Mother's family in Ireland with us on the day we had that sonogram," Dee replied. He smiled at the baby she held up. "Only we were told just that little chibi on Ryo's lap was on her way."
"Speaking off, would you like to finish Darin's tummy time, Dei? You boys should have something to eat. Do you prefer breakfast or lunch?"
"I was just about to go make coffee," Dee replied. "I don't know about Ryo but I can use a cup before anything else."
Ryo nodded his head. "Yes please. Coffee sounds great. Sandwiches will do fine, Obāsan. Don't go through the trouble of making something fancy. Before you know it, it'll be dinner time anyway."
Obāsan stood up and handed Darin to Dee. "I can get the coffee on and make us some sandwiches. Now go sit down there with your son and enjoy tummy time."
Dee chuckled and stood up to take Darin from the elderly Japanese woman, and leaned down to kiss her forehead. "I should try to stop you, but I know better," he said to her in Japanese. "So thank you, Obāsan. For everything."
"Nonsense," she replied back in Japanese. "This is what grandmothers do."
"As well as great-grandmothers apparently," Ryo added also in Japanese, making Dee laugh and Akira smile.
"Yes great-grandmothers too. If I did not want to do these things, you would know," Akira said and with a smile left the den.
Dee sat down on the pillow vacated by Akira and settled Darin down along his lap on his tummy. "It looks like you like the change up, huh little guy?" he asked as Darin started to kick his arms and legs.
"He needs some support on his head, Dee," Ryo said as Dee was already cupping his hand to help support his son's head. "Oh, you're probably used to this already."
"Done this more than a couple of times at the orphanage," Dee said, "but don't let that frustrate you, Ryo." Dee turned so he could look at Ryo with their daughter. "I know it's only three weeks, but you're already a wonderful father, Ryo. Besides, you're not without experience between helping at the orphanage and with Stefan and Danni. You tend to forget that this is not the first time you handled babies."
"Yeah, you're right, I do forget at times. Other times, I realize it's not the same. This is 24/7 and both of these angels are our responsibility. It gets overwhelming at times, especially thinking that we'll have to get them through the next 18 years."
Dee grinned. "It may not seem so, but that's the easy part. As I said before, if we got this far with Bikky, then we're ready for anything."
Ryo had to chuckle a little. "You have a point there. And we did okay with Biks, didn't we?"
"We did more than just okay, especially in this last year. I actually believe that he won't grow up to be a hoodlum now. And I also believe having two loving parents made that difference. It won't be any different with these two, except that they'll also have a loving older brother too."
Ryoko chose that moment to lift her head a little more than she had already done and slap Ryo's leg. "Hey you!" Ryo exclaimed. "Geez, look at her, Dee."
"She's a strong one," Dee said, reaching into his pocket to take out his cell phone and opened the video app. Smiling as he recorded her, he added, "She has to be because she had been protecting her brother for all those months." Dee turned his phone down toward Darin and recorded the baby kicking his legs. "He's a strong one, too. After all he went through coming into this world and look at him now. He might be a little slow on the uptake but he'll get there."
Ryo laughed as he watched Darin. "The way he keeps kicking his feet, I wonder if he'll be swimming before he's crawling."
"That could be," Dee laughed. "Both Obāsan and Mother say we should look into swim classes as soon as they are old enough. It's supposed to help strengthen their muscles and help with coordination, as well as having little fish for kiddies."
Ryo nodded. "We'll look into it. Speaking of swimming, we should finish packing after dinner so we don't have to rush around too much tomorrow morning."
"How much baby stuff should we pack?" Dee asked.
"Not too much, just the personal items. Grandma assured me that there are bassinets, a crib and playmats and a travel playpen at their place. They even have their own room which connects to ours."
"Your grandparents really got on board with this, didn't they? Even your grandfather is different than when he first found out that I was pregnant."
Ryo let out a laugh. "If we didn't already have him on our side before they were born, all he needed to do was look at them. I mean, who could resist these two?"
"Yup, gotta agree with you on that," Dee said, also laughing. "Oh, I smell coffee. Think we should get these two tired out so we can enjoy our coffee and lunch?"
"Sounds like a good idea to me," Ryo said with a smile.
OoOoOoO
After they ate, Dee and Ryo decided to dress the twins and go out for a walk, leaving Akira to get started on their dinner without having them underfoot. There were some days when she welcomed the kitchen help and those times were family bonding moments, especially when they managed to include Bikky. Most times if the teen was around when the adults concentrated on making a meal, Bikky would be watching over the twins, but sometimes Bikky was pulled in. There were also times when Akira threw everyone out of the kitchen. A few times Dee and/or Ryo would manage to take over the kitchen, especially when Akira wanted something that was non-Japanese and did not know how to make it. She usually would be in the kitchen, watching and taking notes so she would be able to share the dish with her family when she was back in Japan.
They each pushed a stroller with a baby in it and slowly walked along the park on Chrystie Street toward Houston Street and then on Houston Street they went up toward The Bowery, where they went into Whole Foods. The twins slept through most of the walk and woke up only when they were enjoying pastries along with cold drinks.
Dee looked down at the gurgle coming from the stroller alongside his chair to find Darin looking up, starting to wave his arms. Dee looked at the face the infant was starting to make and put down his fork to unbuckle the baby from the stroller. He stood up with the baby and gave Ryo a smile. "Looks like it's about to be changing time. It'll probably be your turn by the time we're back."
Ryo chuckled. "Consider me warned. I should change Koko before we leave anyway," he said.
"True. We'll be right back." Dee grabbed the diaper bag and took Darin into the family restroom.
When he returned, Ryo was on the phone, while holding a very much awake Ryoko in his other arm. As Dee sat down, Ryo hung up from the call and looked over at Dee's inquiring gaze. "That was Bikky. He said he wanted to go to Lai's house for dinner, so I told him it was okay. I told him to be home by his curfew and that we'll try to keep some of his favorites for a snack when he gets home."
"I wonder what Lai is having that Bikky is actually giving up one of Obāsan's all-out meals?" Dee asked.
"Well, since the twins were born, Bikky has spent significantly less time with his friends to lead us a hand. So he deserves to spend an evening with his friends if he wants to."
"He should be spending more time with them," Dee agreed. "I know we asked if he would give us a hand, but I hardly expected him to give up his own childhood completely any more than Mother expected me whenever we got a new baby at the orphanage," Dee agreed.
"So we're both good with him being out all night then?" Ryo asked, cautiously looking at Dee.
"It'll be good for him," Dee replied.
"And?" Ryo asked.
Dee shrugged as he put his attention on buckling Darin back into the stroller, feeling his husband's eyes still on him. "I know it should be good for me too. I admit it. Some of the reason Bikky feels like he needs to spend most of his time with us is because he doesn't want to add to my anxiety. I know I've been holding onto him as much as the chibis and I have anxiety about something happening to any of my children, Bikky included. It's time to get used to Biks having a life outside with his other friends. I have no choice but to be okay until his curfew."
"We'll be busy enough," Ryo mused. "Other than the big meal Obāsan is preparing for us, we have to get ready for tomorrow. Being packed and ready by the time we call it a night is the best thing to do anyway."
"If that's what you want," Dee said as he picked up his fork and started to eat the rest of his pastry.
"Not so much what I want," Ryo replied and then looked down when Ryoko let out a cry, starting to fret, "but what we should do. There's more than just Bikky to think about now while preparing for a trip. We have these two and everything that comes with them, even if just for the drive. And on that note, I think this little girl needs to be changed now. I'll be right back."
"We'll be here waiting. Do you want me to call Obāsan and let her know we'll have one less for dinner tonight?" Dee asked.
"If you don't mind, because if you're still up to it, I wouldn't mind walking some more."
"As long as we're back before dinner," Dee said with a wink as he watched Ryo get Ryoko from her stroller and grab the diaper bag.
OoOoOoO
Ryo sat in the den and watched as Dee stared out of the window. It was still early in the evening and Bikky's curfew was not for a few more hours yet, being he was out of school. They had the twins in their bassinettes with them in the den. After dinner, they had chased Akira out of the kitchen to clean up while she rested. Once the kitchen was cleaned, the two men left the babies in Akira's care while they got packed for their trip to the Hamptons the next day. Akira was currently packing because she was to join them for the mini-vacation.
They played with the twins until the infants started to fall asleep and then tucked them in the bassinettes, to settle down on the couch in the lounge, snuggling while listening to music. Not even a half hour later Dee started to get antsy and went over to the window. At first it was only for a few seconds, but the last few times he stayed longer at the window. Ryo knew Dee was looking for Bikky.
Finally Ryo had had enough. "Dee, Bikky isn't due back for another two hours." He got up from the couch and went over to Dee and put his arms around him. "Let's move the chibis into the living room and watch a movie." He started to tug Dee away from the window. When Dee did not move, Ryo added, "You did admit that you have a problem. And you also said you'll allow Bikky to be out until his curfew, and how he deserved it. Let it go for a couple of more hours and then he's going to be stuck with us and some of my relatives for the next four days."
Dee let out a heavy sigh and looked at Ryo. "Yeah, I'm doing it again. I'm sorry."
"Don't apologize," Ryo assured him. "Just help me get the chibis into the living room and let's settle down. You can pick the movie."
"Fine." Dee dared one last glance down the street before he allowed Ryo to pull him away.
OoOoOoO
Dee and Ryo were halfway through the movie when their front door opened. Ryo was not surprised when Dee looked up, expecting it to be Bikky but instead it was Carol. She rushed through the entryway into the living room and dived into Ryo's arms. She was upset and crying.
"What's going on, Carol?" Ryo asked, shocked at the sudden intrusion.
Dee jumped up and looked over at the sobbing girl. "Hey Princess. What's with the waterworks?" Ryo asked as he noticed panic appear in Dee's eyes.
"Bikky!" Carol cried. Before Dee had time to go into a further panic, she blurted out. "He hates me!" She started to sob more into Ryo's chest.
Ryo shared a surprised look with Dee and hugged her tighter. "I doubt that," he said, satisfied that the anxiety on Dee's face was replaced by concern for the young woman they saw as their little sister.
"Tell us what happened," Dee said, leaning in to also rub the distraught young woman's back.
Carol started to tell how Bikky had yelled at her after rescuing her from several men who intended on raping her. She assured the two men, who both looked worried about their son, that Bikky handled the situation well and was fine and that there were police who moved in to arrest the men. She was told that she had to show up at the local precinct the next day to give her statement, and that she expected Bikky was going to be late because he also had to give a statement but had said to the leading officer on the scene that he was to be leaving for vacation with his fathers early in the morning so he would have to do it that night. She also noted that the patrolmen started to treat Bikky nicer once they found out who his fathers were.
"That was very brave of Bikky," Ryo said, watching the anxiety show up on Dee's face again even as the other man nodded his head in agreement and there was a slight glint in his eyes that said he was proud of their son, which Ryo could agree with. However as proud as they were of their son, and it seemed he might follow their footsteps if basketball didn't work out, Ryo was certain that Dee would also agree with him about having a good talking to Bikky when the teen finally got home. "But surely even you can understand why he yelled at you. In fact, I think I would have too. Carol you need to stop going into dangerous neighborhoods alone, especially after dark."
"But I wasn't alone. I was with Jill. She was going alone so I thought two of us would have been better. She said she was only going to be a few minutes, so I thought there would be no harm, but she took longer," Carol explained.
"I don't want to scare you, Princess, but it only takes a second for a gun to fire and 30 seconds for a gang of bad men to descend upon you, which the latter I believe you already know," Dee said seriously, looking concerned for Carol. "We care about you and do not want anything to happen to you. We also know how Bikky would feel if something happened to you. It's no wonder he blew up and yelled at you. Didn't you have enough happen to you over the years to know better?"
"You're right. I'm sorry, Dee," Carol sniffled. "You too, Ryo. I do understand why Bikky yelled at me."
Dee and Ryo shared a confused look. "Then why the tears?" Ryo asked.
"It's obvious that Bikky cares from his reaction," Dee added.
"It's just that he's been avoiding me lately," Carol blurted out.
"Well, he has been a bit busy helping around here," Ryo said. "Besides, I think he just wanted to spend time around his new brother and sister."
"I can understand that too. But the little time that he does spend away from you it's not with me. In fact, the last few days he sees me and he runs away. I call him and he says he has to help you when I know he's not here. I'm certain because I tell him that I can come over and he says that things are too crazy at the moment."
"It's never too crazy that you can't come over for at least a little while," Ryo said.
"According to him, that's not true," Carol said. "So the only thing I can think of is that he's tired of me and he doesn't want to be around me."
"Carol, that is the furthest from the truth ever," Ryo explained. "I know he's crazy about you. In fact these last few days, he's been trying to figure out what to get you for your birthday. He told me it has to be special. Now that doesn't sound like someone who is sick of you, does it?"
"No, I guess not." Carol looked Ryo in his eyes. "Are you sure? I mean, you're not lying to me to protect him because he's your son?"
It was Dee who answered. "Bikky may be our son, but you're almost our daughter, Princess. We want to protect you too."
"What Dee said," Ryo replied, returning her look. "And I'm not lying to protect Bikky."
"Don't worry about it, Carol," Dee said. "He's probably scheming up something for that gift and he'll be back to his usual self after your birthday." He grinned at Carol. "And if he doesn't, I'll knock some sense into his head. Because you're family too, Princess."
Carol's eyes started to well up with tears again and she suddenly threw herself into Dee's arms, and then reached out to include Ryo in the hug. "Thank you. Both of you. You're always so good to me."
"It's easy to, Carol," Ryo replied. "Because you're a good person and we enjoy having you as part of our family."
"In fact, we would have invited you to join us this week if your Aunt didn't have plans for the two of you," Dee said.
"I know. It's a tradition with us before my birthday. We always go and have a girlie day on one of her days off before my birthday, but she said we're taking a few days and has a surprise for me."
"One I'm sure you'll enjoy very much, if we know your Aunt," Ryo stated. He smiled at her. Both Dee and Ryo knew that Elina had plans on spending a day shopping, which would include getting something for Carol to wear for what she thought was going to be a small family gathering for her birthday, and then take her to the spa their wedding party was treated to for a couple of days of being pampered. The two men had given Elina some money to put toward the three days of pampering Carol in preparation for her 18th birthday.
Carol hugged Ryo again. "I'm sure, especially since Aunt Elina seems to have some extra money slipped to her every now and then." She stuck her tongue out at the two men.
Dee and Ryo laughed and Dee stuck his tongue out back at her. "Feelin' better, Princess?" Dee asked.
Carol nodded with a bright smile. "Yeah I am. Thank you. You both always know how to make it better and I love you for it." She kissed each of them and jumped off the couch with a bounce. "Have fun at the Hamptons and I'll see you on Sunday."
"Enjoy your days with Elina," Ryo said.
"See ya," said Dee.
They watched as she waved and left the apartment.
Ryo turned to Dee. "So Bikky is going to most likely be late tonight."
Dee ran his hand through his hair. "Yeah. Sheesh. I don't know what to do about that kid."
Ryo slipped an arm around Dee's shoulder. "Yeah, he scares me too when he pulls stunts like this, but on the other hand catching rapists and getting them off the street is way better than being the one pulling a heist."
Dee sighed. "I honestly don't know which would be worse though, Ryo. Having to get him from juvie or the hospital." He sighed again and looked at Ryo. "But I do know which one makes me prouder of him than I already am."
Ryo smiled. "Yeah, me too. We still need to have a talk with him. That's supposed to be a cop's job, not a teen-age kid."
"Carol did say the police showed up and he's giving a statement but I have to agree with you. We don't need Bikky going vigilante. I know it's a great concept in comics and film, but we both know in real life most times it turns ugly. I don't want Bikky to get caught up in that."
"Let's see if we can get facts from him first. Which leads me to suggest we just play it like he was late and we have no idea why. See what he says," Ryo suggested.
"We'll have to punish him, ya know," Dee remarked.
"He picked a good night to pull a stunt like this," Ryo mused, cuddling closer to Dee. "I mean what are we going to do? Leave him here for 4 days expecting him to lock himself up? Or tell him he has to stay in his rooms at my grandparents?"
"We could leave him at the orphanage, if you really believe he needs to be punished, but I know more than anyone else that if he really wanted to get out, he would." Dee shrugged.
Ryo had to laugh at another admission of Dee's wayward teen-age ways. It also reminded him once again that if Dee had steered his life away from a life of crime, then their oldest son could too. He seemed to be on a good start too, and he decided that it had to do more with Dee's influence than his own even if Bikky would say otherwise – if he would ever admit that either of them had that influence over him. Dee had understood Bikky from the start despite all the fighting and harsh words. There were those times when Dee would become serious and reach Bikky where Ryo had no chance. Dee also knew all the tricks and how to avoid Bikky from doing them or at least repeat them. If Bikky ended up in law enforcement, Ryo suspected it would be more Dee's doing than his own, but it certainly did help having two detectives as fathers.
Suddenly becoming serious, Ryo studied Dee. "So you're suggesting we don't punish him?"
"Ryo, I don't see how we can. True, he might have taken the wrong way about it, and we need to talk to him about it, but he did something very good tonight. How do we punish that? Not only did he save any future intended women from becoming those thugs' victims, but he also saved Carol. Yes, I want to scream and shout at him for being stupid, but I wouldn't feel right because of the bottom line."
"You're right, but he shouldn't get away with it completely," Ryo pointed out.
"He won't, because he'll have to deal with us having a nice little chat with him, which I suggest we do sometime this weekend. Give him enough hints that he's going to have to pay up and then make him wait a day or two before we spring on him. Trust me, just the waiting can be punishment enough. I know it was for me when Mother pulled that tactic on me. You'd think having a reprieve would be a good thing, that much more time before the shit flies, but then you discover that waiting is worse than getting it right at the start."
"You know, my dad pulled that one on me once. Yeah, I get you."
"Great. Now excuse me, because I have a phone call to make."
"Dee?" Ryo asked, looking confused as Dee stood up.
"He's not going to get away with business as usual, and to be honest, I'm surprised we didn't get a call already from the precinct he's at. He's a minor who apprehended rapists, and they pulled him in to give a statement until what time tonight? And not giving his parents a courtesy call? Would you do that?"
"No. I'd call the parents on the way back to the precinct," Ryo automatically replied. "Holy crap. You're right. We should have been called."
"Exactly and I'm going to find out why." Dee gave Ryo a look which said that they were going to be taking a ride that night soon.
"I'll check with Obāsan and ask if she'll keep an eye on the chibis," Ryo said. "Unless you want to take them along?"
"It would be a pain in the ass to have to get them ready and pack everything to take them with us wouldn't it? Especially at this time of the night when everyone should be starting to settle down for bed."
Ryo stared at Dee and laughed. "Fine, I'll start getting them ready while you make that call."
OoOoOoO
AUGUST 2, 2006
Hampton Bays, NY
Bikky strolled along the sand, looking down. He was aware of the adults on the deck surrounding the swimming pool. Dee and Ryo had brought along Mother and Obāsan to the MacLean Estate in the Hamptons. Elena and Rick were already there when they had arrived, along with Stefen and Danni. Of course Franklin and Estelle were there. That first day was to be immediate family.
The sprawling manor was situated on the shores of Shinnecock Bay in Hampton Bays, just east of East Quogue, NY, with a beach along the property.
Bikky had been waiting for the other shoe to drop ever since after he gave his statement, the cops at the station did not allow him to leave without parental supervision. Dee and Ryo showed up after a call was placed to them, the cop assuring that he did not do anything wrong. By the time Dee walked in much sooner than Bikky expected, stating that Ryo was waiting in the van with the twins, it was well past his curfew. Dee had some words for the cops for taking so long to call, and that they were a few blocks from the precinct when Ryo got the call to pick up Bikky. Once Dee was done with his rant, it was the cops' turn. Even if the cops congratulated Dee for raising a find child, he was also slightly reprimanded for allowing his son to be chasing after known dangerous assailants. Dee said he had no idea but it was going to be dealt with. Then Dee shook hands with the cops and escorted Bikky out of the precinct.
The only thing Ryo had said to him was to help him with the twins. It was explained that Obāsan was already asleep when they got the call and they didn't want to wake her asking for her to take care of the twins if they started to cry, so they took the infants along with them.
The only thing Dee had said once they were in the van was, "Well, this is different. At least it wasn't you committing the crime."
Nothing more was said about it, although Dee and Ryo kept a running dialogue about the twins and their trip, drawing Bikky into the conversation. When they got home, Ryo said, "Go to bed, Bikky. We have an early day tomorrow and I don't want to fight getting you up."
Dee just said, "This will be discussed," before leaving the living room with Ryoko in his arms, with Ryo behind him with Darin.
Bikky had remained standing in the middle of the living room, wondering what was going on when he heard Dee's yell of, "Bikky! Bed now!" loud enough he was certain that Obāsan was suddenly awake.
Not wanting to cause any more problems, Bikky rushed through the apartment into his room to get ready for bed.
In the morning, focus was on getting ready to leave. Ryo had talked Dee into heading over to pick up Mother while Bikky was enlisted into helping Ryo, and then they had left. On the ride there, there was lots of talk going on among the adults, while Mother asked Bikky questions on how he was doing since she last saw him. He felt Ryo's eyes on him at that point but Bikky decided it was wise to say nothing about the night before, even if he suspected she knew.
When they arrived, it was all about the family gathering as they sat down for a light mid-morning meal in the big, ornate dining room. Estelle had said things would be mostly more informal, but for that time they would take their meal there. Coffee was served for the adults, except for Estelle, who preferred tea after her initial morning coffee. Bikky and his cousins were served chocolate milk.
After the meal, Danni and Stefen kept Bikky busy while the adults settled in the garden to talk and gush over the twins for the next few hours until Elena found them to take her children inside for a nap. Dani had pouted only a little but it was easy to see she was tired, but was enjoying spending time with her big cousin Bikky. Stefen was still heard complaining that he was not tired and that he was too old to take a nap, and how Bikky didn't have to take a nap until they left the sand and went onto the deck.
It left Bikky on his own for the last hour, while the adults sounded like they were having a great time on the deck. Except Dee, who Bikky had caught a glimpse of bringing Stefen and Dani into the house. Bikky figured Dee was going to take a nap himself because he still tired during the day. Ryo would also nap at times, but not as much as Dee. At his last group meeting the other week, Bikky had listened to the other kids talk about how their Carrier dads would require naps and not be up to par for up to six weeks after birth because their bodies took a while to recover and heal. The meeting leader, a young man who not only gave birth when he was eighteen and was a certified counselor and was usually the one leading the meetings Bikky and Carol would go to, had further explained that Dee might take an extra week or two in recovery because he had given birth to twins. Bikky realized that had to be true and not to worry too much yet because Dee wasn't up to par.
Bikky also knew, but didn't mention during his meeting, that Dee had other issues and that also worried him. It was expected to lose some sleep with babies in the house, but Dee would be up most of the night, keeping Ryo up almost as much. Bikky knew because there were some nights when it would keep Bikky up but he tried to hide it from his fathers. He knew it was the way Darin announced his existence to them and that they had almost lost him shortly after. Bikky saw that Ryo was also shaken but was dealing with it better. Vince had explained that Dee was shaken more because he was the one who had carried both babies for nine months, and that Dee was more emotionally attached to the twins at the moment. It was David who had assured Ryo that as time went on now that they were born emotional bonds with the twins would even, or could change if Ryo found himself spending more time with them than Dee. From what Bikky could see, even if Ryo was able to venture from his family for a few hours, he still made up for it when he returned.
They were all going through some changes and getting used to things, and the twins weren't the only thing. They might be the main reason for the changes, but there were other things. Like the family's new wealth. According to Dee and Ryo, they were multi-millionaires. Some things were decided would not change, like Dee and Ryo remaining detectives and their still living in their apartment. They did have the new van but they could have other cars. At the moment Dee and Ryo would be dealing with the one car, but there was talk about possibly getting a second once Ryo went back to work, but that was only after Ryo went to work and if they felt they could use a second car.
One of the things Dee and Ryo did allow their family to embrace was a better private school for Bikky. He had more new clothes and gadgets, even if Bikky suspected he was showered with all the gifts because he did not feel left out when the twins were born. Bikky appreciated the thought and would never complain about what he had received, but he needed to let his fathers know that they do not have to give him something every time they had to get something for the twins. So far since the twins' births Bikky had never been left out. If anything, when it came to Dee, he felt the hold on him tighten. Otherwise nothing had really changed. Dee and Ryo were still his parents who loved him very much. Their family had only expanded, and with it so did the love that had kept them together over the years since Ryo had taken him in.
Another change was Ryo and Dee wanted to give those closer to them better things with the money. That was why a party was being planned for Carol unlike any she had before. It would be more of the type that Lai and Lass were accustomed to, and Bikky knew Carol would be thrilled with it.
One thing that would not change was how Ryo and Dee disciplined Bikky when he was out of line. It had been happening less in the last couple of years, but Bikky still would find himself in trouble occasionally and having to deal with whatever punishment handed to him.
Which was why Bikky knew the night before would not be forgotten and when he least expected it, one or both of his dads would strike.
A few minutes later when Bikky was nearing the house again, Dee stepped off the deck onto the sand. He had his cell phone with him and called out to Bikky.
Bikky froze for a moment, thinking it was time for his punishment. Instead Dee walked closer and said something into his phone.
"Hey Biks," Dee said as he came up to Bikky, "do you think Carol will like flowers? I mean, yeah we'll have some, but what do you think about giving her a bouquet of something, like roses?"
"Carol's like you, Dee," Bikky replied, "um… I mean about flowers. She's not so keen on roses. You should know that. She likes lilies. All types of them. I think she picked that up from you."
Dee shrugged and then gave Bikky a crooked grin. "Nah. She just has good taste in flowers."
Bikky laughed. "Should I tell Ryo that?"
"Don't even go there, Biks. Sunflowers are not as exotic but they can brighten up a room." Dee got a goofy look as Bikky covered his face. "Just like Ryo can, so they suit him."
"I knew that was coming," Bikky groaned. "Are you trying to traumatize me again, Daddy dearest?"
Dee laughed as he pulled Bikky's hand from his face. "Not at all. Just reminding you again that you have two parents who not only love you, but each other."
"Yeah yeah. I know. I still gotta be traumatized by it, 'cause I'm the kid and all." Bikky looked up at Dee. "And I'll be sure to pass it onto Darin and Koko."
"Aw, that's great, Bikky, but if they don't know they're in a loving family then Ryo and I failed somewhere. Something I hope never happens."
"I doubt you'll fail, but that wasn't what I was talking about. I meant teaching them what it means to be a kid and how to make our perv dads crazy."
"You…." Dee laughed as he shook his head. "I have to admit, I understand where you're coming from. Just ask Mother."
"I know. I doubt Ryo really does though."
Dee shrugged. "I don't know. If you listen to Elena, he was a terror."
"True. We really need to sit down with just Aunt Elena one day and get the juicy details."
"Oh, I already did that, but it's my prerogative as your dad not to share until Elena shares with you."
"You're so wrong, Dee!"
"Yup!" Dee replied as he started to walk along the surf. He was dressed in beige cargo shorts and a sleeveless olive green shirt which was buttoned. "So a beautiful bouquet of various lilies then. You'll give them to her, of course."
Bikky followed after Dee. "Yeah." They walked for a few minutes until Dee sat down on a dune. Bikky sat down next to him.
"Dee? Can I ask you something?"
"You should know by now that you always can."
"Yeah. Um… why can't I get Carol that ring?"
Dee sighed. "It's complicated. I'll guess I'll start with I never thought about giving a ring, even a cheap one to a girl when I was your age."
"You never stuck around long enough for that when you were my age," Bikky replied and he stuck his tongue out.
"That's true," Dee admitted, "but I also believed I was too young to chain myself to one person. I figured I would one day but not then. Biks, the price of the ring is pretty steep and it says something to a young lady. Something that I don't think you need to be confirming at your age. That it's a ring doubles the stakes." Dee turned to face Bikky as the teen started to open his mouth in protest. "Biks, I know you and Carol have been friends forever and in the last five years you do almost everything together. You also know that when you're old enough, Ryo and I both sincerely hope that you settle down with Carol. But on the other hand, I'm concerned if you settle with her without even casually dating other women." He let out a heavy sigh. "It's the same concern that nags me at times that I push away but about Ryo."
"Huh? Ryo said he had girlfriends before. He wasn't a virgin when he met you," Bikky replied, not having a problem having such a conversation with Dee but would be blushing like mad and stammering if Ryo attempted such a discussion. He did see Dee as a father, but there were other times that Dee seemed like a friend, someone who got him, while Ryo was always a father to him.
"No he wasn't, but with women. I'm his first and hopefully the only man he'll be with," Dee said. "But I saw enough with others that sometimes when you settle with your first one, there's no one to compare and decide you really did pick the best one for you. Marriages end up breaking up when one day, the one who was lacking previous experience feeling the need to explore with others. I don't want that to happen to me and Ryo, and I certainly don't want to see that happen to you one day."
"Ryo loves you so much, Dee and he knows how much you love him. I doubt Ryo will want to go anywhere without out," Bikky said.
"I hope you're right, Biks. I know I'm not going to screw it up by letting my fears get to me. I know what we have and I'll keep believing in it."
"I like Carol a lot," Bikky stated.
"Yeah, but do you love her? Do you feel like you can't live without her?"
"Well…."
"I'm sure you most probably will one day. I hope you do, and that she feels the same, but you still have time to get there. A ring says you are, especially an expensive one. There's more."
"Like?"
"What Ryo already told you. He wants you to learn the value of money. He always wanted you to, and now that we're rich, it doesn't mean it doesn't apply anymore. Just because we don't have to watch how we spend as much as before, doesn't mean we're not. You're gonna have to work to get more money other than your allowance."
"What if I can earn the price of the ring?" Bikky asked.
"Dude, if you can pull that off, then you deserve to do whatever you want with that money, especially with the time you have. And no, you can't go begging for handouts from the rest of the family."
"G-ma gave me $100 when we got here," Bikky pointed out, "and I didn't ask. She just gave it to me."
"Yup. And Ryo knows she did. He's going to expect you to put at least half of it away and start saving."
"Crap, you're right."
Dee ruffled Bikky's blond hair. "If it's any consolation, Ryo still takes some of my money to save."
Bikky laughed. "That does sound like Ryo."
Dee looked back toward the house. "It looks like they're gonna be serving lunch soon." He started to laugh. "Oh hell, Elena actually pulled it off. C'mon, sport. There's no way we can miss Grandfather MacLean grilling steaks."
Bikky whipped his head in the direction of the house. "Oh holy hell!" He jumped up at the same time Dee started to stand. "Make sure you get this on video!"
"Sure thing. Right after I call back our party planner about the flowers."
"Make it quick then."
Dee made the call as they walked back to the house. Once they were on the deck with the rest of the family, they joined everyone else in making jokes while Franklin MacLean grilled their steaks. Bikky ended up holding Darin as their lunch cooked, sitting at the long table set in a pavilion along the pool, with an outdoor kitchen, including a state of the art gas grill set to one side of the pavilion.
He had completely forgotten about the impending punishment as the afternoon went on.
OoOoOoO
August 4, 2006
Hampton Bays, NY
Bikky knew he was finally in trouble when late that evening after the adults had gone to their rooms, Bikky wandered out of the house to sit in the poolside pavilion with his laptop, Skyping with Carol. He thought his dads would be in for the night. Normally it would be early for both men, but since the twins were born, both men tended to go to bed earlier while the twins were still sleeping, hoping to get some sleep themselves. Dee had been going to bed earlier at times throughout the pregnancy, especially in the last two months. He was not expecting his dads or any of the other adults to wander out that night.
He heard what sounded like a door opening and peered over to notice Dee and Ryo step outside of the side door to the guest wing. Ryo was in a pair of pajamas and a robe, and Dee in black sleep pants and a loose blue tank top. He had gone back to his preferred style of sleep clothes the other week, now that he was able to wear them again.
The two men walked side by side toward the pavilion. They did not speak but they both stole glances at each other as they neared the structure.
"It's too nice a night to stay inside," Dee remarked pleasantly as they joined Bikky. He sat down in one of the designer wicker chairs that he pulled up by the frosted glass and wood patio table Bikky had the laptop on.
Ryo smiled at Bikky. "I don't blame you for not wanting to stay in your room tonight. It is a lovely night, isn't it?"
Bikky sighed and realized that his luck he run out. He considered himself lucky that Dee did not bring it up during their talk on the beach the other day. He was most likely waiting for a time when Ryo would be included.
Ryo pulled another wicker chair around the table so he was seated across from Dee at the table. It effectively cornered Bikky between his fathers as his sat with his back near the Plexiglas partition. "Say goodnight to Carol, Bikky," said Ryo.
"Carol, I gotta go. My dads want family time, I guess."
"Night Bikky. Will I see you tomorrow night?" Carol asked.
"We'll see, Carol," Dee replied for Bikky. "We'll let him call you with an update of how much freedom he'll have for a while."
Bikky looked up at Dee and then to Carol, he said, "I'll talk to you when I can. Night, Carol." Feeling two sets of eyes on him without looking up at his fathers, he shut down the program. With a sigh, he finally looked at Ryo. "Is this about the other night?"
Ryo nodded. "Yes, it is. I know you were doing a good thing, and I know we once had been called to pick you up for much worse, but we can't let you get away with it."
Dee leaned to rest his arms on the table. "Biks, you do know that we're both proud of what you were doing. To be honest, kiddo, when you are an adult, if you choose to go into law enforcement we'll support you."
"Dee's right," Ryo said. "As long as it's nothing illegal, we will back you on anything you choose to be." Ryo let out a heavy sigh and ran a hand through his hair. "I'll admit we haven't been so great in keeping you out of our work, and I do wish I could say that you're a trouble magnet. Well, you are but that's not the only thing. We do try to keep you out of things unless there is absolutely no other choice. We haven't involved you since we moved in together."
"Why did you do it, Bikky?" Dee asked.
Bikky shrugged. "It was a job. I've been taking odd jobs to get Carol the ring she was looking at for her birthday. I asked around, letting everyone with connections know that I was willing to work. When I told Lai, I was thinking more like messenger boy for his brother's company, but he told me he needed help with his agency. He's got like a private detective agency. I wasn't alone there. Lai and a few others were around. We were staking out the area because there were reports of a gang who liked to rape girls who were alone at night. I wasn't supposed to jump in without back-up. There should have been enough time for all of us to stop them and the police would have been called by then, but then I saw Carol and that gang surrounding her. I lost it." He looked up with big pleading eyes at first Dee and then Ryo. "I didn't think. I just had to save her."
He watched as Dee and Ryo shared a look. He knew what was on their minds. He knew what they would do for each other, for him, for Carol and everyone else they loved. They would understand, he was certain of it.
"Okay, you have a point," Ryo conceded, not disappointing him. "But if you were not there in the first place, working for an agency that has no business hiring minors –"
"Then something could have happened to Carol!" Bikky insisted.
"If she wasn't alone in a bad neighborhood, she wouldn't have been accosted by those rapists," Dee replied. "And yes, we did have a talk to her about that. We made her promise not to pull something like that again. She didn't know you or anyone else working with Lai was around. We told her that she has people who love her and don't want to lose her. She did promise. Now we want you to promise not to take any more jobs like that from Lai, or anyone else. At least not until you're an adult."
"Yeah okay. I promise," Bikky said.
"Thank you," Ryo said. It was quiet for a few seconds, only the sound of the waves lapping the shore not far from them. Suddenly the quiet was broken by Ryo exclaiming, "And what the hell kind of friends do you have who own their own businesses?"
"Lai's 18 and you know his family is loaded. They gave him money to open his own business when he turned 18 and he chose to start a detective agency."
"We're loaded too now and you're going to be lucky to get a car from us when you're 18," Dee remarked. He folded his arms and sat back in his chair.
"Biks, like Dee said, we are proud of you and I'll admit I would have done the same thing if I was in your place, but we can't let you off the hook. There are cops who know we're your parents. We wouldn't be good parents if we didn't. So Dee and I decided that you're grounded for two weeks. You start school on Monday, so you come home right after."
"But Ryo, what about Carol's birthday?" Bikky asked.
"You should have thought about that when you were choosing jobs," said Dee. "However, we agreed that we can't keep you from her party but you will come back home with us."
"And as planned, you'll go with us too since we'll have Carol and Elina with us," Ryo added.
Dee leaned back, stretching his long legs out under the table. He inhaled deeply, his eyes still on Bikky, he gaze never wavering. Bikky tensed, knowing Dee was about to spring something on him. Instead he remained silent as Ryo suddenly leaned forward.
"Is this about us not giving you money to buy that something expensive for Carol's birthday that we talked about the other day?" Ryo asked.
"Yeah, it is. I figured it you won't give me the money, I'll make it," Bikky replied. "And legally too."
Dee let out a snort. "Well, stopping a rapist gang is the opposite of stealing bikes." He looked over at Ryo, raising his eyebrow.
"What?" Ryo asked.
"He's really starting to make it difficult for us these days," Dee replied. "At least back then it was easy to see where he was wrong. Now…," Dee spread his hands, "it's not so cut and dry. 'Cause as much as my gut is saying he was wrong for working for Lai's agency until he's older, I can't get mad at the kid for making the right choice in working for the money."
"What other jobs have you been taking?" Ryo asked softly.
"Whatever I can get. I'm helping out at Mario's because his stock boy broke his leg jumping barrels with his bike. And I was taking any odd jobs someone had, like helping with moving or whatever. All of them legal," he stated.
"I gotta admire the new attitude in getting extra money," Dee replied. "And at least you didn't have school work."
"I have to agree with Dee," Ryo replied, "but you're still going to be punished. However, I think Dee and I need to revisit the increase of your allowance. You are certainly proving that you do know the value of money since you're working for it."
Dee nodded in agreement. "I have to add that we do expect you to take jobs eventually, but more like when you're 16 and it doesn't interfere with school."
"Bikky," Ryo started uneasily, "I know you and Carol have been friends for a long time, and I always did see there could be more. In fact, I found myself hoping that eventually you two would become a couple one day, but I didn't know you were already."
Bikky's gaze shifted slightly toward Dee before he looked at Ryo. "I know it's too soon and I'm too young to be giving her expensive rings, but her face as she looked at the ring. She kept staring at it too. I just wanted to give it to her, especially since she's going to be 18 and it's a big deal and all." Bikky shrugged.
"I understand," Ryo said. "I'm all for getting it for her as a family gift if you believe she wants it, but I still don't think you should be giving her something like that at this time. So then that means you're both still just friends?"
"Well…." Bikky glanced down, blushing slightly. "We kissed, but Carol said she won't go out with anyone until she's 18. That's the age her Mom started to date her Dad."
"So you'll start dating on her birthday?" Dee asked.
"I'm hoping so. She did say I'm the top of her list, but I don't think there's anyone else. At least not now she doesn't."
Ryo looked over at Dee, who returned the look with a smirk.
"I'd rather he be open about it instead of sneaking behind our backs," Dee stated to Ryo.
"I agree. Look Biks, if anything changes on Carol's birthday, you will let us know. Right?"
Bikky nodded. "Yeah, but it might be a little obvious at the party." He started to blush. "I was planning on giving her a big kiss when I give her my gift."
Dee started to chuckle as Ryo grinned. "Now that's going to be interesting," said Dee.
"I'll make sure the photographer captures it," Ryo added, grinning more.
Dee let out a heavy sigh and reached over to take Ryo's hand in his. "We can give him the balance of the money. I know you think he's too young for a big gift like that. I feel the same, but I also know this is something big for him." Dee shrugged and laughed.
Ryo started to open his mouth but Bikky was faster in speaking. "It's okay, Dee. Mario still needs help and I should have enough for the ring."
Ryo squeezed Dee's hand and released it as he leaned back in his chair. "That's admirable, Biks. But how do you intend to work after your first day in a new school?" said Ryo.
"There's still Sunday, and maybe even tomorrow if we get back on time," Bikky replied.
"There's a problem with that plan," Dee said. "Just how do you expect to go out to Mario's if you're grounded?"
"I figured since it's to work and not play, you'll let me," Bikky reasoned.
"You figured wrong, Bikky," Ryo replied. "You did do a good thing, but you were also still in the wrong. The only reprieve you'll get is for Carol's birthday party."
Bikky let out a frustrated huff. "So if you give me the money, how do I get the ring?"
"We can go on Sunday," Ryo said. "No need to wait until Carol's birthday."
"But aren't your cousins coming in on Sunday?" Bikky asked.
"Late evening," said Ryo. "We also need to meet with Sharon to finalize Carol's party on Sunday. We're meeting around noon. We can stop on the way home."
"I guess."
Dee clapped Bikky on his shoulder. "Cheer up, kiddo. At least Carol will have this ring that apparently she loves so much."
"That's true."
"And that's what matters."
"Yeah, okay," Bikky conceded. "Thanks, Dads."
"You're welcome, Bikky," Ryo said.
"Whelp, I think I'm ready for bed now," Dee said as he slapped the table and stood up.
"Me too," Ryo said. "Don't stay out too much longer. We have a busy day tomorrow."
"I won't. Night Dads."
"Good night, Bikky," Ryo said as he leaned over to kiss Bikky's head.
"Night Biks," Dee said, also kissing his son's head. "See ya in the morning."
Bikky watched as his fathers headed toward the house. Once they were out of sight, he went back to speaking to Carol on Skype.
Additional author's notes: To Ally Plz - yes, so far it's only a slice-of-life type thing. After everything Dee and Ryo went through for the first 3 stories, I thought they needed some peace and quiet for a bit while they're are settling down. The first few chapters do have elements of a rewrite of a side story from the manga to fit this universe. So it's not all that peaceful and quiet when they also have Bikky for a son. LOL!