Thinking of you as left behind
Chapter 2
The limo pulled up to the Muto residence. They walked inside just as everyone was finishing breakfast. Several things happened at once. Mrs. Muto caught Tea's eye; Tea shook her head "no" to the unasked question. Mrs. Muto braced herself for the worst. Early morning phone calls are rarely a good sign. She was angry at the authorities for taking so long to inform Tea of the accident. Tea never went to bed last night. She was pacing the floor. Yugi was always home by 10:30 PM at the latest. It was well past Midnight when she fell asleep on the couch. Tea woke up to the phone ringing. Mrs. Muto woke up to Tea's panicked voice. The worse fear on an icy night came true. Mrs. Muto prayed that the news wasn't what she heard twice before.
The children were confused. Grandma didn't tell where their parents were she just got them breakfast. Also, their uncles were there instead of Daddy. Kaien walked up to Seto and reached up. Uncle Seto picked up the one year old. When Yugi wasn't around, the baby wanted his Uncle Seto. Joey thought how good Seto was with children. A memory flashed through his mind. He pushed it aside to think on later. The children shouted at once:
"Mommy's home!"
"Where's Daddy, Mommy?"
"Hi Uncle Joey, Hi Uncle Seto."
"Why are you guys here?"
Joey laughed and Seto shook his head at the suspicious and rude question. Now was the moment Tea dreaded. She asked everyone to go into the living room. She had something important to tell them.
An hour later, Tea was on the couch with her two oldest children cuddled up next to her. They finished crying and were just clinging to her. She looked over to Seto, still holding the baby. What a good baby Kaien is, so quiet and contented to just observe. Tea smiled at a memory from six months ago. They were all at the Kaiba mansion in the former game room. The room was converted as a playroom when Rukia was born. They were on the floor. Rukia and Renji were learning Duel Monsters from Daddy and Uncle Joey and Seto was observing and correcting their play. Tea had the baby on her lap watching the proceedings. All of the sudden Kaien got out of her lap and crawled over to Seto and got into his lap. Ever since then, the baby wanted to be held by Uncle Seto. It was as if Kaien recognized a kindred spirit. Tea looked to her left. Collapsed on the chair was her mother in law. She didn't take the news well and fainted. Seto called his personal physician. Joey laid a cool towel on her forehead. Joey and Seto. How could she have gotten through this without them? They helped her to explain what happened and helped to deal with the aftermath. Thank the gods for her friends. Back in high school, she never expected Joey to be strong and steady enough to depend on. It must be Seto's influence on him. And there was Seto who would have thought such a stoic, standoffish boy could grow up to be a good friend. He laughs and goofs around now. He is so good with the children, she understood now what Mokuba meant by Seto being a great brother. The gang did notice the Kaiba brothers were always together, so he couldn't be all bad. Of course Joey had a great influence on Seto too. All he had to do was be open to friendship and love. Once he relaxed enough to see the gang as they really were and not as he presumed them to be. That was the moment he saw Joey in a new light, a golden light that bounced of his blond hair, handsome face, sparkling personality, and sexy body. He NOTICED Joey like he never saw him before, and really he never had. Joey noticed the change in Seto and of course was interested. Seto has many fine qualities. All he had to do was "accidently" mention he was actually gay and only used Mai as a beard (with her permission of course). That was all Seto needed to know, and he asked the flirting boy out. The media calls them high school sweethearts. Seto and Joey think it might seem old fashioned to marry your high school crush, but it was common in their group. There was Joey and Seto, Tea and Yugi, and Tristan and Serenity, though the last couple barely qualifies. Tristan crushed on her when he was in high school and she dated him while she was in high school. They did break up a year later; it was years later before they got back together. But that is a story for another day, for just then the doorbell rang.
Joey let the doctor in; Tea forgot he was coming over. Doctor Inoue bowed to the widow and said:
"My condolences Madam, do be careful when you leave the house, the media is camped outside I'm afraid."
The children ran to the window. Sure enough they were outside. The doctor turned to tend to the patient. Seto looked at his husband, understanding passed between them.
"I think it's time we made a move, but first we promised to call certain people."
All too soon their loved ones will hear about the accident and they wanted to tell them personally. Tea shooed the children out of the room to pack their bags. She took the baby to her room to call her mother. Joey called his sister and started to close up the house, by washing up and tossing out the garbage. Seto called Mokuba who already heard the rumor but refused to believe it until Seto called. He promised to inform Duke and Mai who were living together. Mokuba will also settle things in Kaiba Corp. America before flying home with his wife, Rebecca. Doctor Inoue was a wise man, he knows Mrs. Muto needed something to focus on, the children needed her. When he saw the sparkle of resolve in her eyes, he knew she will be fine. Seto was satisfied as well. That spark of determination was a trait Yugi, and then Rukia inherited. Renji had Tea's enthusiasm for life. Where Kaien got his reserve no one knew. Seto showed the doctor out. They were going to need Roland and the limo to move the Muto family out.
An hour later, they were in the limo on the way to the game shop to pack a bag for Mrs. Muto. Joey placed a sign stating the store will be closed for an undetermined time. A similar sign was posted on Tea's dance studio. Her classes were cancelled. Seto had all of his projects at Kaiba Corp. suspended. Joey found a substitute for his job. Since he worked in the Kaiba Corp. art dept. it wasn't difficult to get time off. Not much would get done until the King of Games is buried.
The Kaiba mansion staff was surprised to learn of the sudden guests. Rooms were prepared and lunch planned for six plus baby food for Kaien. The mystery was solved when the chef heard a news report on the radio. The gossipy chef quickly spread the word. He planned for comfort foods.
The men brought in the bags and baby furniture. Tea didn't protest, she was too exhausted by the long night of pacing. Tomorrow the remaining Muto's were going to her parents' house. May the gods give her strength. Mrs. Gardner was the only one to object to her marrying Yugi. She wanted her daughter to marry if not Seto, then someone very similar. The idea was so laughable. She thought her mother was joking the first time she suggested it. To be the wife of a gay man, who is in love with one of her friends, impossible. After Seto married Joey in New York City, Mrs. Gardner suggested the playboy Duke Devlin. Never mind that Tea was engaged to Yugi, (they were waiting until Tea finished school) he was never good enough for her. Seto Kaiba was the ideal tall, smart, rich, and handsome. He was wasted on that gang banger, Joey. No matter how much sophistication Joey developed under Seto's wing, it was never enough. Duke Devlin was second best, beautiful, rich and straight. Yes, Yugi was not good enough for her daughter. He wasn't rich enough; the children will be short and weird looking. What was she thinking falling for that guy? Tea prayed her mother will have the sense to not promote Duke now that she was free. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. She went to bed right after lunch.
A few hours later, Joey shook Tea awake.
"Hey, Tea, you want to come downstairs for dinner? Or do you want it brought up? Tristan and Serenity are here do you want to see them? They can…"
"Joey, give me a chance to answer…I'll come down, just give me a few minutes to freshen up."
"Ok, we will see you in a few."
Tea went into the adjoining bathroom she will share with her children. She cried in her sleep judging by the tear tracks. She cleaned up and headed downstairs. A very pregnant Serenity hugged her.
"Oh, Tea, how are you feeling?"
"Fine, considering."
"I can see you are ok, just so you know we are here for you."
"Thanks guys, let's eat."
"Great I'm starving."
Serenity moved toward the dining room. Tea turned to do the same when Tristan stopped her.
"Are you really OK?"
"Yeah, I'm fine, I have Joey looking after me and all of you guy's supporting me." She said with a weak smile.
"Good. By the way, I tried to keep Serenity at home, considering how pregnant she is, but she wouldn't rest until she saw you."
"I understand, I would be the same way."
Tea gave Tristan a quick hug, and then moved to the dining room. Tristan was worried, but knew Joey would take good care of her. Kaiba certainly had the resources and the staff to care for their needs. He and his wife were updated on what was happening after their arrival this afternoon.
They ate dinner and spent the remainder of the evening watching a silly kid rated movie. Tristan and Serenity were shown their room. Tristan, even after all of these years, still can't believe he is Seto Kaiba's brother in law. They decided to leave their three year old daughter with Grandma Wheeler. Probably for the best, for such a large house it was already getting crowed. This wasn't Gozaburo's house; Tristan knew Kaiba sold that place long ago. Never the less it was still bigger than average, it had six bed rooms and they are or will be all occupied. They were in the room next to Mrs. Muto and the baby, which could be awkward. Across from them was Yugi's children's room, which was empty, because they elected to sleep with their mommy. Mokuba and Rebecca will occupy his old room and the master bedroom was Joey and Kaiba's of course. Tristan supposed Duke and Mai would stay at his parents' house. They have both settled at last in California with each other. It is the ultimate mystery. How do two of the flightiest people in the world get on so well?
In the master bedroom Seto and Joey were settling down at last. Seto was on the phone all day making arrangements with his security team, the police and other persons of power. The public was informed to bring flowers and messages to the Kaiba mansion instead of the scene of the accident. Extra security and staff were hired to deal with it. Flowers in vases were everywhere in the mansion, Seto secretly loved flowers and only two people in the world knew. The Muto mail was redirected to the house to be checked and sorted. The police informed them that there are no signs of foul play. It was a freak one car accident nothing more. Security was sent to the Muto residence, the game shop, and Tea's dance studio. This is just a precaution against over enthusiastic fans. Seto sighed; everything else could be dealt with tomorrow. He turned off the phone and lay down. Joey came in from the bathroom. He got under the covers and snuggled against his husband, holding him tighter than usual.
"Joey, please I can't breathe." He loosened the hold.
"Sorry, I'm tense."
"Try not to think about it."
"I'll try." Joey lay on top of Seto, so he could hear his heartbeat. Seto knew what he was doing and stroked his hair.
"Seto?"
"Hm?"
"There is one thing on my mind."
"What?"
"Do you remember when we first got married?"
"mmm yes, I do." Seto said lovingly cuddling Joey more.
"No, Seto do you remember what we promised?"
"You'll have to be more specific."
"We said when the time was right; we would adopt a little girl."
"Oh, yes…you are ready for that?"
"We can never be completely ready, but yeah I think I am."
"What brought this on?"
"Yugi."
"Yugi?"
"Yeah, it was one of those "you never know when you'll kick off, so better get it done" kind of feeling."
"An epiphany moment."
"Yeah, one of those, of course it has been in the back of my mind for months, maybe since I first saw you holding Kaien, that time we were playing Duel Monsters."
"Oh, I see…"
Seto thought for a bit. Joey learned years ago it was best to let Seto think things through. Sooner than expected he had an answer.
"Fair enough, we'll call an agency next week."
"Really!"
"Yes, really, there is no reason not to. The timing will never be perfect. We'll always be busy. We don't lack resources. The house has been a bit empty since Mokuba married. And we are not getting any younger…"
"Thirty is hardly old age." Joey laughed and Seto chuckled. Joey continued:
"Yeah, no reason to put it off anymore."
Joey slipped into dreamland with a smile on his face. Seto smiled down at his lovers face. He turned out the bedside light, and snuggled down and pulled Joey close.
ceoceoceoceoceoceoceo
Ah, a happier ending for chapter 2. No worries, no more character death, everyone will travel in safety. No injuries of any sort. Can't guarantee Tea won't get a headache from her mother. The final chapter will feature babies and the hope for the future. But we are not there yet.
Review please.
