Ch 7

Kaede spent a couple days at home to relax before going back to work. Inari was more that happy to babysit Kanae for her. The Monday Kaede returned to work, Inari started her morning by tending to Kanae. She shooed Kaede off to work with a hug and a, "Git goin, ya doan wanna be late!"

Secretly, Kaede would rather stay home with her new baby, but Rachel was counting on her. Inari also looked happy taking care of Kanae.

Some things changed, some stayed the same. Kaede swore that when she walked into the Lenui, she'd never left. It was like the Inn itself had paused, waiting for her to return. Rachel was on the same stool reading the paper and waiting for the first customers of the day when Kaede came in the back.

"Morning Rachel," Kaede beamed as she waved.

Rachel looked over and offered her a smile. "Hey, Kaede, how was the US?"

"Nay excitin, but worth the trip. Got ta see couple'a Dad's old friends. Good ta be back though," Kaede replied. She took a stool across from Rachel on the customer side of the bar. "So what's been happenin here?"

"Same-0, Same-0. Haven't seen Angus in a few." Rachel said thoughtfully. "Hope he's doin OK."

"I kin run over ta his place later if ya want me ta check on'im," Kaede offered.

"Ya doan hafta do that. Course, if he doan show taday, ya kin if ya want," Rachel said with a shrug.

"Aye, think I will," Kaede replied. She knew something wasn't right if Angus was changing his routine. Despite his spryness, she also knew Angus was getting old. How old, no one could pry out of him, but he was at least 70 if he was a day.

The door opened and a male voice called, "Morning, ladies!"

"Morning, Eddie. Breakfast?" Rachel asked.

"Yes, your egg and sausage sandwich with OJ, please!" Eddie' said replied.

"Comin right up," Rachel told him.

Kaede stared at 'Eddie'. It was her MI-6 agent. She watched him claim a stool a couple down from hers. He nodded and said, "Morning. You work here?"

Kaede flicked her eyes to be sure Rachel had gone into the kitchen, then asked in a hush, "What ya doin here?"

Eddie grinned and said, "Rachel makes a good, cheap breakfast, and it's on my way to work. Found this place last week when I moved here. I opened a shop in town, small leather goods place. Coats, hats, boots, that type of thing. I do make special order things. If there's something you like, come see me."

"Welcome to town," Kaede offered blankly. What she wanted to do is get up and smack him a few times and demand why after meeting her in odd places and swearing they could never be seen together, why was he sitting here so close to her.

"Thank you. I have found this is a very nice town with good people," Eddie said pleasantly.

"I'm sure you'll fit right in," Rachel said as she came back out. "Give me five minutes, and you'll be set."

"Thanks, Rachel!" Eddie beamed.

Rachel set his Orange Juice down and went back in the kitchen. Kaede got up and asked, "Kin I git ya anything else?"

"No, miss, I'm fine," Eddie assured her.

Right, he was pretending not to know her. Kaede ignored him as well. 'Eddie' had his breakfast, bid them a good day and went off to work.

Late morning, Doogal came in for a brew. Kaede served him.

"Ahh, good ta see ya back, lass!" Doogal announced. "How's the wee one?"

"She's fine. Active and curious," Kaede replied. "So, ya hear anythin from Angus lately?"

Doogal cast her a lost look and said, "Nay."

"Somethin happen?" Kaede asked, keying on his sudden downcast look.

"Nothing I kin tell ya," Doogal replied, looking at his ale.

Kaede sat down by him. "Doogal?" she prodded.

"Really, lass, Can't say what I doan know," Doogal said firmly.

"Kaede, leave Doogal in peace," Rachel called over.

Kaede eyed Rachel. She looked a little frightened. Getting up, she asked, "Rachel, ya know somethin?"

"Nay, just Doogal doan look in a good mood taday."

"Aye, right after I mentioned Angus," Kaede agreed.

"Everyone's just missin'im," Rachel explained with a forced smile.

The whole day, people came in and welcomed Kaede back. conversation was light until she asked about Angus. It was like tossing water on a fire, people's moods dimmed immediately. Kaede had a feeling everyone but her knew why Angus wasn't up and around, but they were keeping quiet about it. After the lunch crowd had filtered out, Kaede called Kouta and asked if he could check on Angus during his runs. Kouta agreed.

Not long after cleaning up after the lunch crowd, Rachel called Kaede into the back room. Twisting her fingers together, Rachel asked, "Kaede, please, stop askin about Angus. I'm sure he'll be fine."

"Somethin did happen ta Angus," Kaede stated.

In an exhale, Rachel said, "Aye. Ya doan hafta go worryin about it."

Thinking out loud, Kaede said, "If Angus was sick, or if he had an accident, there's no reason for folks ta be so secretive. So, who attacked Angus?"

Rachel flinched. "Kaede, it's bein taken care of. Angus is doin OK."

"Rachel, who attacked Angus?" Kaede asked again, more firmly this time.

"I dunno, and our concern needs ta be with Angus," Rachel replied firmly.

"Aye, My concern is. So, where is Angus?" Kaede asked.

"Fred stopped by, he told me that Angus said he didn't want ya ta know nothing about it. He said Angus is fearin ya'll go slaughter ... them."

"Angus is right," Kaede said in a hard tone. "Angus is an old man who never did anyone harm. Fact is he's helped me and Kouta at times. I'll have no one abusin him. Is Angus at home?"

"I doan know."

"Ya gonna make be search for'im?" Kaede asked.

"I'll call Fred an see."

"Thank ya," Kaede said a little softer. "I'll go make sure we're ready fer the dinner crowd."

.

The dinner crowd was winding down when Fred came in. Instead of a table, he came over and sat a the bar. Kaede came over to stand beside him and asked, "Hey Fred, where's yer Dad?"

Fred let out a sigh and said, "Hospital. Kaede, if ya wanna go see'm, that's great, but please doan go askin'im about what happened."

"Promise," Kaede said firmly. "Got a room number?"

"Room 214. I'm serious Kaede, Dad is very worried what ya might do," Fred explained.

"Aye, I woan do nothin ta git'im upset. Promise," Kaede stated. "I just wanna see'im."

Fred nodded and offered her a smile. "Ya got a good heart, Kaede."

"Thanks. Kin I get ya somethin?"

"Nay, I'm fine. I just came ta let ya know where dad was, an make sure ya doan git'im upset."

"I wouldn't do that ta Angus."

"Aye. Glad ta see ya back," Fred said then left.

.

When Kaede was done for the day, she had Kouta give her a ride to the hospital. He went in with her. Going up to room 214, Kaede noticed the two guards on Angus's room. The police bracketing the door also notice Kaede coming towards them.

"Angus awake?" she asked.

The one patrolman looked in. "Aye, one visitor at a time."

"Go ahead, Kaede," Kouta told her.

Kaede went in and stopped short in shock. Angus' head was wrapped up, he had casts on both arms and his lower left leg. Tubes were in his nose and he had one of those IV bags plugged into his arm.

Despite his bruised face, he smiled. "Ahh, an angel came ta visit!" he said weakly.

Kaede had to swallow her rage at seeing him like this and forced a smile as she sat down beside him. "I've seen ya lookin bett'r. How ya feelin?" she asked.

"Like yer hubby ran me over wit his truck. Gittin bett'r though," he offered.

"Missed ya at the Inn," Kaede offered. "Narly had ta twist someone's arm ta find out where ya were."

Casting Kaede a serious look, he said, "Kaede, I'm gonna heal up. I doan want ya ta git involved."

"I'm not," she assured him, "But I am worried about ya. So yer gonna hafta put up with me coming ta see ya now an then. Anything I can do for ya?"

"Nay, lest ya kin fix me up quicker," he said with a grin.

Kaede shrugged and said, "Ain't learned how yet. If I knew, I'd be doin it. If I kin learn soon, you'll be my first guinea pig ta test on."

That made Angus laugh. It was a short laugh that ended in a pained looking cough. "Doan make me laugh," he said in a groan.

Kaede talked to him for a while, sticking to family things and telling him about little Kanae. The nurse came in to do vitals and some 'evening' things. Kaede left and went straight to another person who might have some information.

.

Walking into the leather goods store that didn't have any customers, Kaede strode up to Eddie and demanded, "Tell me what ya know bout who attacked Angus Mc Leod."

The agent cast her a surprised look. "Who?"

"Old man, he was beaten within an inch of his life a few days ago. I wanna know who did it," Kaede stated flatly. "You kin find out, or I'll find out. I think ya know I won't be too diplomatic about it, either."

Eddie let out a huff and said, "We got the suspects in jail. There's a private investigator on the case, and as you have probably guessed, I'm here for a reason. We need those me to talk. This is much bigger than one old man."

"Did I say I cared?" Kaede asked. "You need'em ta talk? I kin get'im ta talk. Be happy to. Just gimme a bit'o time with'em alone."

Eddie held his hands up and said, "It's not that simple. They had all gotten some high-priced lawyers. The only reason they are still in jail is because of you. Their lawyer knows who you are and the fact Angus is a relative. Their lawyer and the prosecutor both are afraid if they get let out on bail, you're going to appear and give them a pretty messy death. It was instilled in them that you are to be feared. If the cells and all the doors were left opened up, I don't think they would even try to escape."

"Then tell'em, talk or ya let'em go," Kaede said.

"That's not a bad idea," Eddie said in a mussing tone. "The private investigator on the case is McDowell. He has a new rookie named Vasquez, she's from America."

"Roberta Vasquez?" Kaede asked.

"Yes, you know her?"

"Aye. What's she got ta do with this?"

"Well, if they happen to find out you're gunning for these guys, and just happened to find out you discovered their names, I'm sure they could use that as leverage to get those scum bags to open up."

"What are the names?" Kaede asked.

Eddie smiled and said, "I'll tell ya, and tell ya how you got the information on them, cause I'm just a shop owner."

.

Finally getting home, Kaede apologized to Kouta for keeping him out and running around for so long. She then had to apologize to Inari for not being home on time. She offered to reheat up food for her and Kouta, but Inari told her to see after Kanae and go relax until dinner was ready.

Roberta had set up her home office in a first floor room they weren't using. Luckily, Roberta was there. Holding Kanae, Kaede came in and sat down beside the desk.

"Hi Kaede, what's up?" Roberta asked.

"Heard rumor those lads that beat up Angus might be gettin outta jail," Kaede stated.

Roerta cocked her head and asked, "Where did you hear that?"

Kaede smirked and said, "When I was eves droppin in the police station. Got their names and a peek at their mug shots too. Went to the jail while I was at it ta eyeball'em, those bastards plan on boltin the second they git out. Ain't gonna do'em no good though. If the law can't handl'em, they become my problem, and they ain't gittin away."

Roberta took on a worried look. " Kaede, what do you plan on doing?" she asked weakly.

"They badly beat a harmless old man narly ta death, so they'll git the same. I promised not ta touch'em so long as the law kin put'em away. They git out though, and someone is sure ta find three new blood eagles stretched out someplace," Kaede said, then sported a quick sadistic smile. "They hurt me family, and they're gonna pay the price. One way or t'other."

Roberta's face paled.

Kaede got up and said, "Just fair warnin in case ya find'em hangin an screamin." On her way out, Kaede saw Roberta pick up her phone.

.

Eddie's idea worked. Wednesday, he came in for lunch. Kaede served him. He didn't say anything out of the ordinary, but left her a tip. In between the folded bills was a note.

'The birds are singing their hearts out. Good Job'

.

Kaede half expected a hit order to come in not long after that. The next week, there was a spot on the news about some Businessman in Gourick getting arrested for drug running and running a prostitution ring along with some employees and several others. A cache of coke and meth work millions of pounds was found in one of his warehouses as well as a meth lab. The men who'd beat up Angus went to court and pleaded guilty and threw themselves on the mercy of the court. It was a good outcome.

Kaede went to see Angus again. He still had his casts on, but was looking better. He also complained about the silly rule they had about not allowing any alcohol in the hospital, so she knew he was feeling better. He was counting the days until he could reclaim his seat at the Lenui Inn.

.

Nana and Mayu had a good week at school too. During 'free gym time', and some after school, they worked hard at practicing their balance. While Jeff got decent at doing hand-stands, Nana managed cartwheels and also got standing in her hands down, Mayu discovered she was good a flips. Mayu did a line if six forward flips in a row, which got her applause. The trio even got involved in a mixed volleyball game. For some reason, the coaches were not as strict about the separation of girls and boys as long as they were doing only 'general' activities.

Nana also discovered something nice. Saturday, she bounded off to Jeff's house to spend some time with him. Relaxing with Jeff as they were watching another anime Nana leaned back into Jeff to get comfortable. He put an arm around her over her shoulder. Engrossed in the anime, she didn't think he realized a couple of his fingers were toughing her breast.

Nana grabbed his hand and planted it firmer in place. Jeff gave it a squeeze, then looked at what he was doing. He flushed red and jerked back.

"Sorry!" he cried.

"Doan be," Nana said and slid down some and put his hand back in place. "Nana likes that. Under if ya want."

"Really?" Jeff asked with flushed cheeks.

"Uh-uh," Nana assured him.

Nana found she really liked breast-rubs. Jeff was gentle. His breathing grew into near pants, and he seemed to forget about the anime all together as he gently groped her. Brushing his fingers over her nipple was a sensation Nana liked and got her nips hard.

Clara was out with her friends, so there was no danger of them trying to sneak in. Feeling brave, Nana cast a play-frown at Jeff and said, "Ohh, you made Nana's nips all hard and sore. Kiss them and make them better?"

"Really?" Jeff asked in a squeak.

Nana nodded and lifted up her shirt and bra. She had to grin at the look on Jeff's face. It was like he was gazing at a treasure. Softly, he petted her breasts then leaned over to kiss one. Nana laid down with Jeff at her chest. Holding him, she reveled in the sensation as he suckled on her. Nana petted his hair as he nursed. This felt really nice.

Suddenly, Jeff moved in a spasm and let out a moan. Nana didn't know what happened but he gasped a few breaths and gazing lovingly at her. They kissed for a while, Jeff's hand seemed to be glued to her breast.

"Jeff really likes that?" Nana asked softly.

"Oh yeah," Jeff said in a breath. They kissed again.

Clara's call of, "Jeff, quit playin with yer girlfriend!" made them jump apart and Nana quickly got her clothes together.

"I'll... be right back," Jeff said and hurried out of the room. Nana giggled and looked for another anime to watch.

Nana had to be back by dinner time. Jeff saw her to the door. Stepping outside with her, he pulled Nana into a hug and whispered, "I love you, Nana". Then they shared a long kiss. They parted slowly, holding hands. Blushing herself now, Nana quietly said, "Nana loves Jeff." One last kiss, then Nana vaulted over the street and bounced off the neighbor's roof. She had a great time at Jeff's house today!

For some reason, Nana put extra energy into her leaps on the way home. One leap and she cleared the forest between the road and the ground surrounding the castle. The next one put her right in the courtyard. She skipped up to the door and went in.

"Nana's home!" she announced loudly as she went in, and skipped to the dinning room.

Mayu was setting the table. Seeing Nana, she said, "Ya look happy."

"Nana is! Nana will do that," Nana said used her Arms to distribute the silverware as Mayu eyed her.

"Ya just went ta see Jeff, why ya so happy?" Mayu asked suspiciously.

Beaming Mayu a wide smile, Nana replied, "And Jeff saw Nana!"

"WHAT!" Mayu cried, her face open in shock.

Realizing she couldn't tell Mayu things like that, Nana giggled and said, "Well if Nana saw Jeff, why wouldn't Jeff see Nana?"

Casting Nana an accusing gaze, Mayu said, "The way ya said that, Ya made me think ya saw each other naked."

"Nay," Nana said with a frown. "Nana didn't get naked."

"Did Jeff?" Mayu asked.

"Nay, why would he?" Nana asked innocently. Pointing a finger at Mayu, Nana stated, "Jeff and Nana doan do things like that." Then thought, 'Not completely naked, anyway, so I'm telling the truth.'

"Ya just seem too happy," Mayu noted sourly.

Nana grinned and said, "Nana got lots of kisses," then giggled again.

"Ohhh, Nana got kisses?" Inari asked as she came out with the food.

"Nana did!" Nana announced. Eager to say something about the great time she had at Jeff's house, she said, "We watched some anime and well, just started kissing. That was really nice."

Inari eyed Nana and said, "Just be careful, Nana. I know you an Jeff really like each other, but ya gotta take it slow."

"Ya gotta be careful," Mayu added in a firm tone.

"Nana will," Nana said defensively.

"An doan go tryin ta make a baby!" Mayu said firmly.

Nana blinked at her. "Nana thinks Mayu is imaginin things."

.

Coming home, Kaede could tell right away that 'something' had happened with Nana today. Nana was usually cheerful, but tonight, Nana was over-the-top happy. Silently smirking at Nana, she listened to Nana's account at Nana's time at Jeff's house. Nana seemed to be leaving something out. Kaede bided hr time, and at the end of dinner, Kanae was hungry again. Kaede sat farther down at the table to feed Kanae, tucking her up and under her shirt as the table was being cleared.

When she was done helping to clear the table, Nana came down and sat across from Kaede, elbow in the table chin planted on her hand and watched Kanae feed with a smile on her face.

"Ya want yer own little lass, Nana?" Kaede asked, casting Nana her smirk.

"Nay, Nana just thinks that's so cute." Nana said dreamily.

"Feels really nice, doan it?" Kaede asked.

"Aye, it does," Nana agreed with a sleepy smile.

Kaede looked to make sure Mayu was out of the room before she asked, "So, how long ya been practicin with Jeff?"

Nana shrugged and said, "Doan know if it was practicin, but, just taday..." She then stopped, open mouth as she stared at Kaede.

Kaede laughed and said, "Figured as much."

Quickly, Nana looked around then leaned forward and begged, "Mom, please Doan tell Mayu! Mayu might hurt Jeff!"

"Me lips are sealed. Nana, there is some things we do gotta talk about," Kaede told her evenly.

"That's all Nana an Jeff did, honest," Nana said quietly, looking a bit guilty.

"It's nay about that, it's about you, Nana," Kaede told her. "Do ya know how old ya are?"

"Nana's fifteen."

Kaede shook her head and told her, "Nay. Nana is growing up very fast. Dad an I talked fore your last birthday. Ya do look like about that age, but yer only 12, Nana. To everyone else, ya are fifteen so ya kin have somewhat of a normal life. Fer every year, ya age a year an three months. Doan seem like much, but over time, yer body will age faster then normal folks. Ya also can't have yer own kids. I doan know if those bastards at the facility did it to ya, or it just happened. That's the way i'tis though."

Nana gaped at Kaede. "Why?" she asked weakly.

"Doan know. I've talked with Cassandra about it, she said there's nothin we kin do," Kaede said. "I doan like it either, but what is, is."

Nana stared at nothing for a moment, then said, "Nana kin never have a baby."

"Nay. I doan mean ta ruin yer day, Nana, but yer gittin ta the age where ya need ta know, specially if you an Jeff keep goin the way yer goin," Kaede explained.

Nana swallowed and stared at the table for a moment, then asked, "Does Nana tell Jeff?"

"It's up ta you."

"Do ya think Jeff might stop Likin Nana if Jeff knows?" Nana asked weakly.

"Only one who kin answer that, is Jeff," Kaede said.

A tear dripped down Nana's cheek. "Nana's scared," she said weakly.

"Of Jeff rejectin ya?" Kaede asked.

"Aye."

Firmly, Kaede said, "Nana, if Jeff really wants ta be with ya, it ain't gonna matter ta him. I got the feelin it won't. He already knows what ya are an doan seem ta care."

Nana looked up at Kaede and asked, "Were ya scared about Kouta ... finding out about ya?"

"Aye, I was terrified," Kaede admitted. "I kin feel yer ya, Nana. Think of this as a test. If Jeff kin accept ya like ya are, then most likely ya'll be tagether fer a very long time. If that's what ya want."

"Aye, i'tis. Nana's still scared."

Kanae was done, Kaede put the baby to her shoulder with the pad and burped her. Thinking about herself and Kouta, Kaede told Nana, "Yer gonna hafta tell'im sooner or later. Sooner's bett'r."

.

Nana didn't sleep very well that night. Waking up from a nightmare where Jeff was telling her how he wanted at least three kids, Nana found she couldn't go back to sleep. Morning wasn't kind to Nana either. Tired and feeling a bit sick to her stomach, Nana didn't eat much breakfast. She was glad it was Sunday, she didn't have to go to school.

"Nana, Jeff's on the phone fer ya!" Richie called.

Nana went into the living room where Uncle Richie and Roberta were relaxing on the couch. She took the phone with a "Thank ya Uncle Richie."

"Nana."

Hey Nana, it's a nice day out," Jeff said happily. "Wanna go hang out some place with me?"

Nana went into one of the unused rooms. "Jeff ... Nana's not feelin the best taday."

"Why? What's wrong, Nana?"

Sitting down against a wall. Nana brought her knees up to her chest and hugged her legs with her free arm. "Nana ... got news. Nana's afraid to say."

After a pause, Jeff asked, "Bad news? What is it?"

"Jeff ... Nana really doesn't wanna say."

"Ya kin tell me Nana. Please, if yer feeling bad, I wanna know why," Jeff replied in a plea.

"Nana's scared to."

"Nana yer home right? I'll be there soon," Jeff said and hung up.

"Jeff ya ..." Nana said, but he'd already hung up. "Ohhh!"she whined.

.

"Claire, I'm borrowin yer scooter!" Jeff said as he snapped up her keys and ran through the kitchen.

Claire frowned at him and yelled, "Doan ya think ya should ASK!"

"Nay time! Something's wrong with Nana," he called back and fled out the door.

Claire frowned at the door and let out a huff. Right, Jeff's honey was in trouble. She'd yell at him when he got back.

.

Nana took the phone back to Uncle Richie. Seeing her hand shaking, he eyed her and asked, "Nana, what's up? Have a fight with Jeff?"

Mayu took that time to come in the room.

"Nay, Jeff's on his way," Nana said in a dull tone.

"So, is that a bad thing?" Richie asked, confused.

"Nana doan know yet,"

Mayu quickly picked up on Nana's mood and the fact Jeff was coming. "Nana, did Jeff do something to ya?" Mayu asked.

Nana turned to Mayu and loudly said, "Mayu, it's not the time yer that! This is serious, Mayu! I doan wanna listen ta yer hatred of Jeff, so when he gets here, leave'im alone!"

Mayu, Richie an Roberta stared at Nana as she stormed out. Nana was angry and yelled at Mayu .

"Never seen that happen before," Richie noted.

"Something had Nana fired up," Roberta agreed. "Nana's usually a happy girl."

"Hey, Mayu?" Richie said, "You might want to do as Nana asked. I think she's a little stressed out right now."

.

Jeff motored up to the castle as fast as the scooter would go. He drove into the courtyard to see Nana sitting on the front steps hugging her legs to her chest and looking at the ground. He stopped and went over to Nana, kneeling in front of her.

"Nana?" he asked gently.

Nana scrunched into herself a little tighter. Quietly, she said, "Jeff, there's some things about Nana ... Mom said Nana has ta tell you."

Jeff clasped her hands that were hugging her legs. "It's OK, Nana. Promise," he said gently.

"Mom said she doan know what those men at the facility did ta Nana ... but Nana isn't normal."

Cracking a grin Jeff said, "I kin see that. Wait, what facility?" he asked.

With a sniffle, Nana said, "When Nana was young ... up to a few years ago, Nana was in this big facility, chained to a wall where they shot stuff at Nana, and lied ta Nana..."

As Nana told him about her time in the facility, and how they used her, Jeff's jaw went slack. He sat next to her and hugged her close. Tears came to his eyes. He swore his heart was breaking fro what Nana had gone through.

" ... an Nana doan know when, but they did somethin ta Nana, so Nana can't have any babies ... and Nana ages faster than anyone else. Nana's really only 12 years old."

Jeff was openly crying as he hugged Nana to him. Nana hugged him back and half crawled into his lap. "I'm so sorry, Nana," he choked out.

"Nana is scared that Jeff won't like Nana any more," Nana said in a sniffle.

"Nay, that's never gonna happen!" Jeff said firmly. "Ya can't help what people done to ya. I'm only sorry ya had ta go through that. I love you Nana, that's not gonna change."

Snuggling close, Nana whispered, "Nana loves Jeff. Nana needs Jeff."

Jeff kissed her hair. "I will be here for you, Nana. I want ya ta have a good life and I'll do whatever I can fer ya."

Nana hugged him tighter and said, "Thank ya, Jeff. Yer nay disappointed Nana can't have babies?"

"No, I feel sorry for you that you can't. Who were those people who did that ta ya? Kin ya get them arrested or somethin?"

"Nay. Mom, Dad, Grampa Duncan an gramma Inari destroyed that place. They're gone now," Nana told him.

"That's good," Jeff said vacantly. Seeing Nana was holding him tight and still looking down, he gently lifted her chin to look at him. "Nana, I can't do the things ya do, but know this, I will do everythin I kin ta protect ya. I doan wanna see ya suffer any more."

Nana blushed and gave him a smile. They came together in a kiss.

.

Watching out the nearest window, Kaede smiled and said, "I knew Jeff wouldn't reject her."

"Jeff's a good boy," Inari said, looking over Kaede's shoulder.

"They ever gonna come up for air?" Richie asked in a chuckle from behind Duncan's shoulder.

"They hafta some time," Duncan said with a grin.

Mayu stopped short on her way to the door. Kaede looked over at her and said, "Yer nay goin out there."

"But Mom!" Mayu cried.

"I said no," Kaede told her flatly.

.

Nana was in bliss. Jeff was accepting her as she was. They finally had to stop kissing so they could breathe. Holding Jeff tight, Nana put her head in his shoulder, relishing the feeling of being Jeff's arms. Opening her eyes sleepily, Nana noted the window by them was full of faces. "Ohh, Nana's embarrassed!"' She cried and tucked her face into Jeff's neck.

"Why?" Jeff asked, confused.

"Cause eveyone's wachin!"