Hey all! Me again!
Thank you for your reviews, favourites and follows.
So, who's ready to meet Mya?
Enjoy!
The next morning came quickly for Tai. He was up at first light, jumping in the shower and getting changed. He checked his phone to see a message form Matt telling him they were all already downstairs at breakfast. He sent a quick reply and put his phone in his pocket and grabbed a jacket before leaving the room.
He made his way into the restaurant area and was hit with the smell of food, his stomach gave a loud growl as he saw his friends wave him over. He gave a '2 second' signal before walking over to grab some food and a coffee from the buffet provided. Once he had his breakfast he made his way back over to the table.
"So? Excited?" Kari asked him, he gave her a quick glance before shoving a forkful of food into his mouth. "What?"
"About seeing Mya! Your little girl! Today your life will change forever, you're going to be a dad! Heck, you are a dad!" She giggled before continuing. "Who would have thought you and Mimi would be the first out of the Digi-destined to have a child!" She rambled.
"I know, I always had my money on Joe being first, well… him or these two." TK laughed pointing at his brother and girlfriend.
"Hey! What's that supposed to mean?!" Matt asked incredulously. TK held up his hands in defence.
"Sorry bro, I just figured what with you having the longest relationship and all…" He trailed off, Sora's face was burning red and the tips of Matt's ears had turned pink. But Tai wasn't paying attention to the petty squabble; his sister's words were buzzing round his head.
'Life will change forever.'
'Little girl.'
'You're going to be a dad.'
'Dad.'
"Tai are you okay?" Kari asked, Tai looked at her.
"Do I look freaking okay?! I'm a dad to a person I've never met! Oh god what if she hates me? What if I can't step up?! Wha- What if I can't handle it?! A girl? I bet she's just like her mother, she'll be in dresses playing girly things, what am I going to do?! Of course Mimi had to have a girl! A boy no problem! I can relate to a little dude but a freaking GIRL?! How- what-"
Smack.
Tai's head whipped to the side as his hand flew to his throbbing cheek. "What the fuck was that for?!" He cried. Matt shrugged. "You were freaking out." Tai snorted.
"Taichi Yagami does not freak out."
"Sure about that? 'Daddy'?" Matt countered, Tai's face dropped.
"Oh Matt shut up!" Sora scolded. "Tai, listen to me. You have nothing to worry about. Once you see her you'll be fine! She's so lovely I could just steal her away! She even gets Matt to smile!"
"Oh ha ha, very funny." Matt huffed. Tai released a breath but he still wasn't convinced.
"I want a paternity test."
Sora rolled her eyes before throwing her hands up in defeat. "Fine say that now, but I guarantee you'll change your mind once you meet her."
"I doubt that."
They arrived at Mimi's apartment and Tai's palms were getting sweaty, they arrived earlier than planned but Tai wanted answers and he wanted them now. He was slightly reassured that Mya was out this morning, so he had some time to prepare before that meeting. After his little 'episode' this morning he didn't think seeing her now would do him any favours.
Sora knocked on the door and a few seconds later Mimi answered looking completely different to how she did less than 12 hour earlier. She had on a floral summer dress which stopped mid knee, a small cream cardigan wrapped around her petite torso and she was wearing white wedges. Her hair was up in a high ponytail and her make-up was fresh and natural. It other words she looked stunning.
"You're early." Was all she said looking a little like a deer caught in headlights.
"Sorry Meems but someone couldn't wait." Sora said shooting Tai a pointed stare. Tai glared back. Sora walked in and the others followed. Tai was struck at the magnitude of the place. He always knew Mimi liked the finer things in life; but back then it wasn't her who was working for it.
The apartment was spacious, a huge kitchen and island on one side and a living area on the other with a small hallway leading off to the side. He noticed near the kitchen there was a large window with a glass door at the side (which was baby-proofed) that led out onto a huge balcony. Toys were scattered around the place, dolls, colouring books, teddy's etc.
Mimi was still looking at them all worriedly.
"Meems are you okay?" Sora asked.
Mimi spanned out of whatever daydream she was lost in. "Huh? Oh! Yes perfect. Right then how about me and Tai go out to talk and you guys stay here? Make yourself comfortable? But firstly, Sora I need to talk with you real quick for just a second." Mimi rushed grabbing Sora and pulling her away slightly.
"Where's Mya?" Kari asked, Mimi halted her mouth hanging open.
"Uhmmmm, Out!" She laughed nervously. "She at a… uhm… play group, and-"
"Mummy!"
Tai froze as did Mimi as a little girl came racing out into the living room. That's not what nearly made Tai's knees give way though. Oh no. It was what she was wearing. The little girl looked strikingly like her mother, however there were no mistaking where those chocolate eyes and those dark brown locks came from. Her hair was long and hanging down her back; she was smiling showing a row of baby milk teeth and dimples! Dimples! She had dimples! Tai resisted the urge to gush.
But back to the matter of what she was wearing as this adorable little girl came running out in a soccer kit!
"Mummy! I can't find my soccer boots." She said.
Tai couldn't hold back the gasp and his eyes were wide as dinner plates. Mimi couldn't even look at him so gave her full attention to her daughter.
Matt nudged him and whispered in his ear. "Still want that paternity test?"
Tai shot him a nasty glare.
"They're on the shoe rack with all your other shoes sweetheart." Mimi said in a shockingly soothing voice Tai had never heard before. The little girl- who Tai was 100% certain was Mya was about to respond when she suddenly seemed to realise it wasn't just her and her mother in their home.
"Aunty Sora!" She squealed before hurtling at the redhead who had bent down to scoop the little girl into her waiting arms.
"Mini-me! I've missed you!" Sora said giving her a cuddle, Mya pulled away and looked over her shoulders.
"U'cle Matt!" She cried with her arms out and Matt took the small child from his girlfriend.
"Are you here for my birthday?!" She cried giddily, Matt grinned.
"Sure am kiddo."
Mya squealed again and then realised there were strangers here also.
"Who are you?" She asked bluntly looking at Kari, TK and Tai. Kari had the biggest, soppiest grin on her face and TK was looking at the little girl amused. Tai on the other hand was still trying to process that this little girl was supposedly his.
"Mya!" Mimi scolded, Matt put her down as she faced her mother. "That was very rude."
"Sorry mummy." Mya said before turning back to look at the 3 people she didn't know.
"Hello, please to meet you. My name is Mya." She said in the sweetest voice. Kari let her own squeal slip and bent down to her level.
"Hello Mya! My name is Kari."
"Kari is my middle name!" Mya giggled. Kari gasped in shocked, Tai was amazed that Mimi had named her daughter after his sister. Kari was on the verge of tears so TK quickly jumped in.
"Hi Mya, my name is TK!"
"TC! Your name is the same as Top Cat!" Mya cried amazed. The adults laughed while Mimi looked on awkwardly. Even Tai cracked a smile!
"No, TK sweetie." Mimi corrected. Mya nodded not paying much attention as new people were here and turned to face Tai waiting for his introduction. Tai just stared at this little girl not knowing what to say.
"Can you speak?" Mya asked with a little sass, Tai's mouth curled into a grin before leaning down to be eye level with her. Two sets of identical eyes meeting for the first time.
"I can, my names Tai I'm- um…" Tai trailed off not really knowing how to explain himself. Mya looked at him questioningly.
"Tai? You're mummy's friend!" She cried, Mimi's eyes bugged out and pulled Mya away from him.
"Okay Mya! Now go get your boots from the cupboard or you'll be late." Mimi quickly instructed her daughter. Tai stood up and looked at her.
"Friend? You've mentioned me?"
Mya ran off to find her soccer boots and Mimi turn to him.
"No. Ugh I'll explain later. Look I need to take her to her soccer game, I was going to do it before you came over-"
"She plays soccer?" Tai asked amazed.
"Yes." Mimi clipped. "Look shall I meet up with you guys once I've dropped her off?"
"No." Tai said immediately.
"Excuse me?" Mimi spluttered.
"Look…" Tai began walking closer to her to speak privately. His eyes roamed over her face and he felt his stomach flip. No! Stop it! Focus Yagami, you're not here to make mistakes. "Answer me one question now then we'll talk later."
Mimi blinked not sure what he was getting at. "Which is?"
Tai released a breath. Here goes… "Is Mya my daughter?"
Mimi just stared at him, speechless. A rarity for her. She knew this day would always come but she hoped or wished it would have been on her terms and not sprung on her. The question threw her for a loop. Would he try and take her from her out of spite? Claim she was an unfit mother? She was well aware he was the top lawyer in Odiaba who's saying he couldn't do it? But she'd been hiding this horrible secret for so long maybe Mya deserved to know her father? The man she once loved with all her heart?
"Will you take her from me?" Mimi asked in a small voice.
"No." He responded immediately, sure he was flat out furious that she had been hidden from him but it did not justify him taking her from Mimi. Two wrongs did not make a right. She needed a mother as much as she needed a father.
Mimi felt relived, so she nodded slightly. "Yes. She's yours."
"Right then. Looks like we're off to a soccer game." Tai said turning around to face everyone.
"What?!" Mimi cried, Tai turned back to her.
"You heard, I'm off to Mya's soccer match. You know I was half expecting her to be running around in princess dresses. Looks like she takes after her dad after all." Tai grinned smugly. Mimi stared at him her mouth hanging open.
Matt laughed while the other 3 had similar smiles on their faces. Mya then came racing back into the room, football boots firmly on her little feet.
"I'm ready! Oh wait! I need my headband!" She cried before racing off again. Mimi whipped back to face Tai rushing over to him.
"Okay! We'll go, but please, please don't tell her you're her father. She's too young to understand."
"But you are going to tell her?" Tai clarified strongly. Those fatherly instincts he mentioned before? Wow had they hit him hard!
"I- I will but in my time. This is so overwhelming for me and she's my first priority. She always comes first." Mimi said strongly, Tai nodded his head.
"Okay, I won't say anything but we are still having that talk."
Mimi nodded grimly, knowing it was not going to be an easy conversation and she was not looking forward to it. Mya then came racing back in, her goggle headband on her head pushing her hair out of her face. "Ready mummy!"
Tai stared at her, then looked back at Mimi with the biggest grin on his face. Mimi rolled her eyes.
"Don't start! Let's just go." Mimi groaned knowing already she was never going to hear the end of it.
The soccer game had been a success. Mya's team had won 3-0 with Mya scoring one of the goals. Tai was immersed in the game, shouting advice to Mya from the side-lines who took what he was saying on board… well the best she could for a 5-year-old. Mimi noticed a few of the other parents looking oddly at the man at her side talking to her daughter so she decided to turn a blind eye to them.
Shockingly after the game ended Mya came running over and gave Tai a big hug. Tai taken by surprise faltered for all of a second before returning the hug with a giant sappy smile on his face.
Mya chatted the entire way home to her mother happily, she asked if Tai could come to all her games. Mimi just responded with 'we'll see' not wanting to promise anything.
Tai and the others had gone back to their hotel and Mimi was taking Mya back to their home to get ready for her birthday party. It was her actual birthday on the 17th of April but she couldn't arrange the party for a Monday.
Once they arrived home Mimi bathed and dried Mya and let her watch some cartoons while she jumped in the shower.
The hot water cascaded down her body while she tried to let the stress roll off her. If only she was that lucky. She didn't sleep a wink last night and had to use her best concealer to hide the dark circles under her eyes. All she kept thinking of was what he was going to do and say. When she first laid eyes on him back stage in The Lounge she knew her time was up. She just knew he knew about Mya, otherwise why would he have bothered tagging along?
Her mind was working overtime. How would they manage this situation? She had no intention of getting back with him… or at least she didn't think she did. She would be lying if she said the years hadn't been good to him. Even though she was absolutely mortified that he was here she couldn't deny he looked good. God, she thought she'd left that part of her life behind! That this was a fresh start for her and things were going well- uh okay maybe 'well' wasn't the best word to use right now, not with Marcus- No! Stop. Don't think of him he'll ruin your mood.
Mimi sigh and turned off the shower before stepping out and grabbing a towel. Once she had dried herself she set to work on doing her hair and gently re-applying a bit of make-up. Once she was dressed and ready she started getting Mya ready.
She curled her hair lightly letting it flow softly down her back and picked out a little green party dress for her. Once they were both ready she picked up her keys and off they went.
They arrived at the venue 'Mr Mickey's' and Mya jumped out. She held her hand and they walked in together. The venue was a children's 'playhouse' which hosted parties. Mimi realised that a few children were here already and noticed their parents sat down with a drink chatting idly. Mimi gave them a wave in acknowledgment which they returned as she and Mya walked in, Mimi then realise that Sora and the gang already was here, sat down with drinks in front of them. She had to supress a giggle as Matt and Tai looked completely out of place in such a facility. As soon as Mya spotted them she released Mimi's hand and rushed over.
"Mr. Tai!" She cried launching herself at him, Tai grinned and caught her placing her back on her feet.
"Hey squirt."
Mimi tried not to let it bother her how quickly they had taken to each other so placed her bag down and took a seat next to Sora.
"Hey, how you doing?" Sora asked.
"Peachy." Mimi grumbled, Sora gave her a worried look but Mimi waved it off. "No, I'm okay just… still a bit overwhelmed."
Sora nodded in understanding. "Drink?"
"Please, soft though no alcohol." Sora nodded and stood up to go get the drink.
"Mummy? Can I go play with Li?" Mya asked looking at her mother, Mimi saw her daughter's best friend, a boy, from her play group.
"Sure sweetie." Mya took her shoes off and threw them at her mother before racing off into the play house. Mimi noticed how Tai watched fondly as she went to play and a pang of guilt hit her. Sora placed a drink of cola in front of her and she broke her gaze.
"I'm really sorry for putting you in this position Mi." Sora said. Mimi waved her off.
"It' fine Sor, honestly I mean it was going to happen at some point." Mimi said trying to reassure her friend.
The soft playing of children's music flitted through the place as children's excited squeals and yells overshadowed the songs. Mimi was brought away from watching Mya when Kari asked her a question.
"So, how's it been? You know raising her by yourself?"
Mimi blinked and quickly shifted her eyes to the brunette male at the table, who was thankfully engaged in conversation with Matt and TK. She shifted uncomfortably.
"Oh, uhm it's been okay…"
"Bullshit."
Mimi started at Sora curiously amid her outburst, Sora was taking a sip of her drink and looked at Mimi innocently.
"Excuse me?"
Sora put her drink down and look at the younger female. "Oh come on! Remember that time you called me at 3 in the morning crying because you had no sleep and Mya wouldn't stop crying?"
Mimi opened her mouth to defend herself but Sora beat her too it. "Or the time Mya got her hands on a pair of scissors and cut up your favourite shirt?"
"Yes but-"
"OR the time she threw up on you and you were so horrified that you went and threw up in the toilet!"
"I mean that wasn't my-"
"What about the time she walked out of play group with the wrong kid?" Matt joined in.
"Matt! That- It's not-"
"Yes! Or the time she was removed from Antonio's restaurant because Mya kept throwing her food everywhere?"
"And that one-time Mya walked into-"
"OKAY! I think that's enough stories thank you!" Mimi yelled glaring at her two older friends who looked unfazed by their scolding.
"Wow Meems that seems really tough." Kari said sympathetically.
"Wouldn't have been so tough if she didn't do it alone." Tai mumbled.
"Something to say Yagami?" Mimi snapped.
"Oh plenty." He hissed, Mimi narrowed her eyes and took a sip of her drink wishing it was stronger.
Suddenly a load of squeals erupted from the play house and frightened children came running out to their parents. Mimi immediately stood up as did the other adults at the commotion, Mimi began frantically searching for her daughter.
"Mya?!"
"What's going on?" TK asked. Tai joined Mimi's side looking for Mya when she emerged calm walking towards the group of adults, her little hands clasped together tightly. Any child near her instantly ran away screaming.
"Mya, what-" Mimi began when Mya interrupted.
"They nearly killed him mummy! I had to save him!"
"What are you talking about sweetie?" Sora asked.
Mya opened her hands and a giant spider started crawling over her hands, Mimi went pale and backed up loudly into the table.
"Oh- Oh g-good girl… n-now take it o-outside." Mimi said fearfully.
"I can't mummy! I can't reach the handle." Mya replied pointing to the door while the giant arachnid scurried around her hand.
"O-oh r-right." Mimi said taking a big breath when a hand on her arm stopped her.
"I'll do it." Tai said walking over to the small girl and leading her away from her terrified mother and children.
"I don't get why everyone is scared of him Mr Tai. He wouldn't hurt anyone." Mya said innocently. Tai smiled.
"Oh he won't, and you're such a brave girl helping it- er I mean him out." They reached the door which Tai opened as they stepped outside, Mya put her hand down for the spider to crawl away but he didn't seem to want to get off.
"He tickles! Come on Mr Spider you gots to go!" She said tiddling her little fingers trying to get it off.
"Here." Tai said kneeling down and brushing it off her, the spider quickly scattered off and Mya stood back up proudly.
"Goodbye Mr Spider!" She waved and Tai nearly melted. He was so overcome at how much he was smitten by this wonderful little girl. He couldn't believe he was so scared he wouldn't be able to step up and be her father. After just a few hours of meeting her he already knew he would do anything for this child and how much he wanted to be a part of her life.
"Come on squirt, let's get you back to your party."
"Yay!" Mya cheered turning and running back into the play house.
Tai made his way back over to the table and sat down looking at a much calmer Mimi.
"So how is it your daughter has absolutely no fear of spiders, yet you're petrified of them?" He asks. Mimi sat straighter and cleared her throat.
"Being fearful of spiders is one of my biggest flaws I'll be the first to admit. So, I figured if ever came the situation where there was one in the house or car that needed getting out, I would need someone to do it."
"That someone being your daughter?" Matt asked.
"Well yeah! She was the only other person there! So, the first time one popped up she must have been oh I don't know… 3? 4? Anyway, I had to 'pretend' they were the greatest, cutest things ever. Naturally Mya instantly wanted to pick it up -which she did- then I told her they live outside and would die if they didn't. So she's not scared of them and she gets them out." Mimi finished crossing her arms with a triumphant smile.
"You pretended to like spiders?" Tai asked disbelievingly, living with her he was all too familiar with her biggest fear that he found it hard to believe she would do such a thing.
"Yep." She replied popping the 'p'. "Scariest 5 minutes of my life." She said matter-of-factly.
"That's- that's genius!" Kari cried. Mimi smiled smugly.
"Yes well…" She said flicking her hair over her shoulder confidently. Mya then came running up to her from the play house.
"Dear god she better not have another one." Mimi muttered while the others laughed.
"Mummy! Can we do the cake?" She asked looking at her with big hopeful eyes.
"Wow she really does have your eyes Tai." Kari said quietly to her brother, Tai just nodded still amazed.
"Sure, uhm… one second baby I'll go and get it." Mimi said standing up. "Sora a hand?"
Sora stood up and the two women went to go and grab the cake.
"I'm going to have the first bit!" A tubby boy cried. Mya wrinkled her nose, a perfect copy of her mother and turned to face the boy.
"Nu-huh Jason! It's my birthday so I get the first bit!" She told him, the boy however was not listening to the smaller girl.
"I am! You're just a shortie! Shorties can't have cake!" He snapped sticking his tongue out. Mya's face scrunched up in anger.
"Don't you need to stop eating cake?" She said sassily. Tai couldn't help it and let a loud laugh escape, Matt and TK were smirking and Kari was covering her smile with her hand.
"Well she certainly has Mimi's sass." TK snickered, Tai couldn't help but feel proud.
'Jason' looked angry and stomped his foot and stormed off. Mya then turned to the adults her eyes pleading.
"Please don't tell mummy! She gets upset when I'm rude."
"Don't sweat it squirt, our lips are sealed." Tai promised while the others agreed. Mya grinned and went back to talking to her other friends.
Just then Mimi and Sora came back with the cake which had the candles lit on top, they started singing 'Happy Birthday' as everyone joined in. They put the cake down on the table and Mimi picked up Mya in her arms, Mya and Mimi looked so happy as Mimi lent down to let Mya blow out her candles. Everyone cheered as Mimi gave her a kiss on her cheek and put her down. The kids ran off to continue playing while the cake was split up and put into goodie bags.
A few hours later, children and their parents started leaving. Mimi bid them goodbye and thanked them for coming, the guys had offered to help her put Mya's presents into Mimi's car while Mya had fallen asleep on one of the sofa's.
"So Meems… do you have time for that talk?" Tai asked walking over to Mimi his hands in his pockets.
Mimi was fully ready to say no and they could another day, however after talking about raising Mya most of the afternoon she thought her guilt might kill her this time if she said no.
"Alright, but not for too long. It's been a long day."
Tai nodded and turned round to tell the other's he was going to back to Mimi's.
"Okay, don't do anything I wouldn't do." Matt smirked, Tai rolled his eyes.
"Just be careful Tai, please don't go upsetting her." Sora pleaded.
"I won't, I won't." Tai promised. He gave Kari a hug and patted TK as they made their way past him to go back to the hotel. Tai watched as Mimi scooped up the sleeping girl and re-adjusted her so she could walk.
"Ready?" He asked, Mimi nodded.
They walked out to her car and Mimi set Mya into her car seat, careful not to wake her. Once she was buckled in she got into the driver's seat and Tai got into the passenger seat.
The drive wasn't long but to Tai it felt like hours. To say the tension was thick was an understatement, he could practically see it! If someone had told him last week that he would be sitting in a car with his ex and his daughter, he would have probably laughed and then punched them. But fate had a sneaky way of catching you off guard.
They finally arrived and Tai agreed to take the gifts up while Mimi carried Mya. Once they arrived Tai put the presents down and Mimi told him to wait in the living room while she put Mya to bed.
Tai took the time to inspect her home. The living room was filled with pictures, most of them of Mimi and Mya. Nearly all the pictures were of them smiling together that Tai couldn't help but smile. One picture however made him do a double take mainly because he was in it. Well not just him, she was there too and Sora and Matt and the other Digi-destined; it must have been taken around the time they came back from the Digi World the first time. Mimi's giant pink cowgirl hat stood out, his hair was wild and bushy -heh no change there then. They all looked so young and carefree which was strange considering what they had just gone through, he recognised the picture had been taken at Izzy's birthday party. It slightly warmed him that she still had it and felt it was worth framing.
His eyes skimmed over to another picture which pulled a warm smile to his face. It was Mya around the age she is now stood proudly in her soccer kit, Tai picked up the frame to examine the picture.
"I didn't tell her to pay soccer."
Mimi's voice made him jump slightly as he looked over, she was standing in the doorway watching him. She walked over and sat down on the couch. Tai put the picture down and walked over to join her.
"What?"
"I never told her to play, I just picked her up from play group one day and she had the flyer for a under 5's team. She told me she found it fun and really wanted to play. At first I wasn't going to let her but I didn't have the heart. She absolutely loves it." Mimi smiled fondly looking at the picture.
"How come you wasn't going to let her play?" Tai asked.
There was a silence.
"It reminded me of you." She replied softly.
Their eyes locked, Tai was the first to break the contact.
"So, guess we should start."
"Yes." Mimi sigh, knowing this wasn't going to be easy. "I guess we should."
Well there we go! I hope you all like Mya! She's so much fun to write and she gets so much better!
Reviews!
Honter11 – So what did you think? You were spot on with the football thing! (I'm british so I also see it as football but for ease I write soccer). Mya is so mischievous and I like to think of her as a perfect blend of Mimi's sass and Tai's cheekiness. Thank you for you review!
dbzfan the first – Thank you! I hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Well then looks like Tai and Mimi have a tricky talk ahead of them, plus they need to work out what happens now?
Please review!
Loves
Cornelia.x
