Chapter 4
"Sanosuke-nii-san, what's going on?"
"What do you mean, Reyke?"
"Why are there so many people in my mommy and daddy's house? Is it someone's birthday?"
"Oh, haha!" Nine-year-old Sanosuke laughed, shaking his head and patting his two-year-old cousin on the head. He hadn't expected his only cousin to know what was going on; Sanosuke didn't even know until Sakura, his mother, told him exactly why they were going to his aunt and uncle's house on April 4th, and why they had to look 'presentable', as she put it.
"Ah, Reyke, it's your mom and dad's wedding anniversary!" Sanosuke gave a smile while Reyke tilted his head in confusion.
"What's that?"
"It's to celebrate when your parents got married. Aunt Asuna and Uncle Itachi have been married for ten years now! Just like my mom and dad!"
"Why?"
Sanosuke blinked as Reyke stared at him. "Well... your parents love each other."
"Why?"
"B-Because..."
"Why?"
Sasuke gave a nervous laugh, taking Reyke's hand and walking down the hall with him back to the party.
"Well... I don't know. But, my mom and dad love each because they've known each other since they were your age, and they decided to get married when they got older. I guess your dad and mom are the same." Even though aunt Asuna is a couple years younger than uncle Itachi...
Reyke stuck out his lower lip, still staring at Sanosuke. "That doesn't make sense, nii-san. Why do momma and daddy love each other?"
Sanosuke shrugged. "They just do."
"Why?"
The nine-year-old sighed, shaking his head. I love my cousin, really, but... come on.
+!+
Reyke hummed to himself as he sat out on the front porch, popsicle in his mouth, swinging his feet back and forth while he waited for Itachi to return home for the day. After his parents' anniversary party, Reyke had been dying to ask Itachi why and how he fell in love with Asuna, but hadn't gotten the chance to because he was always busy when Reyke thought about it.
Asuna had told Reyke that Itachi was busy with a major computer programming assignment he had at work, and that was why he had been so very busy lately.
But momma said daddy's finishing his project today! I'll get to ask him right when he gets home!
Reyke finished off his popsicle, dropping the stick on the porch and standing up and squinting his eyes a bit, hoping to see Itachi start walking up the sidewalk soon. Not seeing the person he had been hours to see, Reyke plopped back down on the wooden porch with a sigh, sitting cross legged as he continued to wait and watch.
"Reyke, it's dinner time!"
The two-year-old looked at the door, seeing Asuna smile at him while gave a frown.
"But... daddy's not-"
"We can wait for him together after we eat, ok? Daddy called me a moment ago to tell me he would be a little late and that we could go on without him, all right?"
Reyke pouted, looking down the sidewalk before standing up and looking up at Asuna. "When?"
"He said about another hour. But," Asuna grabbed a hold of Reyke's hand and started leading him inside. "Just because we have a time does not mean that you can scarf down your dinner. I don't want you sick, ok?"
Reyke nodded, looking back once more.
"OK, momma."
+!+
"Reyke, sit down." Asuna laughed as Reyke pouted, staring down the sidewalk as he waited for Itachi. She made extra sure that her small son did not wolf down his food, and it took him half an hour to finish because of that. Now, the two were waiting on the porch for Itachi so Reyke could ask him whatever it was that was so important.
"Momma, there's daddy!" Reyke jumped up and down, before climbing off the porch and running right for Itachi, who barely had enough time to grab his small son before he jumped up at him.
"Reyke, what are you doing?"
"We've been waiting!" Reyke pointed back at Asuna, who gave a smile and wave to her husband. "I wanted to ask you something!"
Itachi nodded, picking Reyke up and walking back to porch, sitting beside Asuna while still holding their child.
"Welcome home."
"Thank you. Now, Reyke. What did you want to ask me?"
Reyke looked up at Itachi with a bright smile. "How did you fall in love with momma?"
Both adults were silent, looking at each other before looking at their two-year-old.
"Reyke," Asuna started, as Itachi was still thinking through the question. "Why are you asking your father this? What... why do you need to know?"
Reyke turned his hear towards Asuna, giving a smile. "Sanosuke-nii-san said you got married because you love each other... I wanna know why!"
Asuna blinked, while Itachi nodded.
"Your mother and I have known each other since she was two and I was seven. That was well over twenty years ago when we met, nearly thirty."
Asuna sighed, shaking her head. "That makes me feel so old..."
"Be quiet, Asuna." Itachi smirked as his wife's pout, realizing for the first time that Reyke's match hers exactly. "Anyway, your mother and I were friends for a long time before we started dating. And-"
"What's dating, daddy?"
"Well... how about I explain that to you in a few years?"
Asuna scoffed while Reyke nodded.
Dang kid. I expected you to badger him more!
"When we did start dating," Itachi ignored Asuna's scoff before he continued on. "I was twenty-three and your mother was eighteen. We were at the same college and were able to spend more time together that we had previously been able to. Your mother was elated to be close to me again."
"You had been gone for five years! I barely saw you during breaks!"
Itachi rolled his eyes, looking at Asuna. "Asuna-"
"I know. 'Be quiet'. Don't have to tell me twice, love."
He nodded, looking back at Reyke. "Reyke, I love your mother because of who she is. She's insane, yes-"
"Hey!"
"-but I love her all the same. She's my best friend and the only person I will allow to mess with me for any reason."
Reyke blinked, smiling and giggling. "OK! Momma's turn! Why do you love daddy?"
Asuna smiled at Reyke, sighing as she wrapped her arms around Itachi's left arm and leaned against him. "I love your dad because he loves me. I am an impossible person to love, I have many issues, but your daddy loved me despite all that and gave me the best gift I could have ever for."
"What's that?"
"You, sweetheart."
"Oh..." Reyke gave a big smile, nodding. "OK!"
"Reyke, can momma ask you a question?"
"Uh-huh!"
"Why do you love us?"
The small child blinked, before speaking. "I love momma and daddy because they take care of me and love me and make sure I'm safe!"
Asuna felt tears jump to her eyes and she kissed Reyke on the forehead, making Itachi smile slightly.
"I love you so, so, so much Reyke."
"As do I, Reyke."
Reyke smiled, pulling his parents into a hug and giggling as he did so. "Love you both!"
Because you love me and you love each other!
END CHAPTER 4
Author's Note: Yay, a finished chapter~! :D
My heart, she aches after chapter 662. ;-; I don't want my babies to die, noo~
If you all have anything you'd like to see in this fanfic, please tell me and I'll see what I can do! :)
See you all next time~!