Now was the time for action. It was a little scary at first, but it had to be done. They walked up to the glass doors and each took a handle. Miranda took a deep breath to calm her nerves. Leenalee put a hand on her shoulder. "We're going to be fine, don't worry," she assured her. "We already have the right attitude we just need the license. You can do it Miranda."
Miranda tightened her grip on the handle and pulled the door open. Leenalee looked behind her. "Let's go Cross! We're going inside now." Cross sighed and walked in after Miranda, avoiding eye contact with the younger woman. His reason for being there was a mystery even to himself. Miranda walked up to the front desk where a woman sat typing away at her computer. She stopped as the others came to stand in front of her.
"Good morning," she greeted them with a simple smile.
"G-Good morning," Miranda replied.
"Hello, we would like to sign up for a child care class to get our licenses," Leenalee said.
"Okay, well, you're going to go online to register for that. Are you going to be working under a company or are you starting one on your own?"
"W-We'll be starting our own," Miranda spoke up.
The woman nodded. "Okay, the one who will be in charge has to complete the course for Child Care Director. It's the same as the employee course except you earn your director credentials. Here-" she handed them a paper- "this is the web site you will go to. There you can register online and come back for your courses. Do you have children of your own?"
"Yes, we have two boys," Leenalee said as she handed the paper to Cross. "They are actually orphans but we would like to make them official parts of our family one day."
She smiled at them. "That's so sweet! Are you two newly weds?"
"What? O-Oh! No, no, no! We're not anything," Leenalee answered. "All of us have children of our own so we're going to work together. We're just neighbors."
The woman giggled a little and handed them another paper. "This has information on adoption for whenever you decide to take that next step."
"Th-Thank you," Miranda said.
"Alrighty, have a nice day."
...
They pulled up into a parking space and Leenalee turned the car off. Komui had taken the boys for the day while they went out to take of business. Miranda went up before the others and knocked on the door. Komui answered it quickly and ushered her inside. Cross stayed in the car. Leenalee gasped when she walked into his apartment and realized she could see the floor. "What in the world happened in here?"
"I straightened up a little," he said with a shrug. "I didn't want the guys running around the mess."
Miranda looked around, somewhat surprised by how quiet it was. "Where are the boys Komui?"
"Oh, they're in the back room playing video games with Reever," he answered. "They've been playing all day. I just came up to get some snacks."
Miranda went down the hall to retrieve them. She stopped at a room with the door opened. All four of the boys were sitting around the television screen on a large sheet, shouting. Two boys had controllers and were pushing each other. She didn't recognize one with short, thick hair sitting next to Allen and cheering him on. It was apparently Allen versus Kanda. On the far left sat a man with short, messy brown hair who was watching their antics.
'We're back," Miranda called into the room, catching everyone's attention.
"Miss Mira!" Allen put down the remote and ran to hug her.
"Aww! We gotta leave now?" Alma pouted.
"We could stay a while if you're not ready to go yet," she said as she hugged Allen tightly. "Today was very tiring."
Alma picked up the controller and started to play in Allen's place. "Let's stay!"
Miranda took Allen's hand and he led her into the room where the unfamiliar boy sat. The boy looked up at her, the light setting a glare on his glasses. "This is Miss Mira," he introduced. "Miss Mira, this is Johnny. He lives around here."
"Hello," she said with a smile.
"Oh, are you Allen's mom?"
Miranda suddenly went a vibrant red. "N-No dear, I'm not anything like that to him! I'm, um..."
"She's just his guardian," Reever said.
"R-Right..."
Johnny shook her hand then Miranda left them to their video games. She leaned on the door frame for support. Kids say the most embarrassing things! She went back down the hall and fell back onto Komui's couch. He offered her a bottled water which she kindly accepted. "Were you able to get anything done today? You had been getting the run-around last time you went out."
"Yes, we got a little bit done today," Leenalee replied.
"We have to take a two part course in child care before we can do anything," Miranda said. "I just hope I don't do something stupid to ruin it..."
Komui sat on the couch next to her. "Don't start that Miranda, you're going to do just fine! You love kids so nothing could hold you back from an opportunity like this."
"Yeah," Leenalee sat on her other side. "Just think about the kids whenever you start to doubt yourself."
Miranda nodded. "I'll do my best then."
Reever walked in and retrieved a soda from the refrigerator. "The guys are hooked on Mario now," he said as he joined them. "It's only one player though."
"Hello Reever, it's been awhile since we last saw you," Leenalee said with a smile. "How have things been going for you at the shop?"
Reever shrugged. "I guess it's okay, but I'm looking at other places. It's just time to move on, you know? How have you two been? I heard you're making a decent living since your last job."
"We take care of a business man's daughter," Leenalee answered.
"He pays us a lot for only half a day's work," Miranda said. "Sometimes I wonder if we aren't cheating him..."
"If he offered then it can't really be your fault," Komui said. "But he likes how well you handle Road. She is a rough little girl sometimes."
Reever listened on to their recent happenings. They had done a lot since they last met. Either woman would admit how nice it was sitting around talking like adults. It was even better because they had known each other so long. They laughed and shared stories for hours, forgetting the extra person not in their midst. Out of sight, out of mind. Miranda started when someone banged on the door. Komui answered it, still smiling.
"Oh, hello Cross! What are you doing here?" He asked, genuinely surprised.
"He was in the car waiting for us," Miranda said.
"What's taking so long? I thought you were getting the brats and we were going home."
"This is our neighbor whom we have recently began to work with," Leenalee said. "Cross, Reever- Reever, Cross."
Reever waved at Cross.
"I want to go home," Cross said flatly.
"We're talking! Come sit and talk with us Cross," she said, waving him over.
"I'll get you something to drink," Komui said.
"Don't bother. If it's not wine I don't want it." He sat down next to Leenalee.
Komui brought him a bottled water anyway. The conversation picked back up quickly and they were laughing again. Cross didn't pay much mind to the conversation, but he did give his two-cents every now and then. The hours wild away as they talked until one of boys came from the back groaning. Allen set his eyes on Miranda pleadingly. Leenalee patted his head.
"Okay, maybe it's time we let you guys go," she said.
"No, no, no! We haven't talked like this in so long," Komui whined. "You could even stay the night if you wanted!"
"Really!?" Allen exclaimed.
"Of course! I get lonely too you know..."
Allen hugged Komui as the girls stood. "Alright then, we'll take Cross home and come back. We'll have a sleepover!"
"I don't think they call it a sleepover after a certain age," Reever commented.
The girls took Allen with them and returned Cross home. They asked him if he was sure about staying home instead of hanging out. He apparently had plans for that night anyway. Allen watched him go up the stairs without so much as a glance back. Miranda went up to get a change of clothes for the boys and some extra sheets. She returned soon after with two bags which were put in the trunk. Allen pressed his face against the glass as they pulled out and back onto the road. "I can't believe he would turn down a chance to enjoy each other's company," Miranda said.
Leenalee shook her head. "We know what kind of company he prefers. At least Allen can hang out with the others tonight. Speaking of which, how's that little friend of yours? What was his name...Johnny."
"He lives with his mom but she's at work a lot he said," Allen sighed. "He goes to Komui's house a lot. They hang out all the time. He likes Komui."
They went by the Winn-Dixie to pick up things for dinner and some snacks. "So Komui's been doing the same thing we have," Leenalee mumbled to herself as she paid for their purchases.
"I wonder why he never told us," Miranda thought aloud.
They finished their errands then headed back to Komui's apartment. Reever answered the door and helped them bring in the bags. Komui helped put away the snacks while Miranda put the frozen pizza in the oven. "It'll be ready in about thirty minutes or so," she told Allen, "but take some crackers for now." He took the pack of Ritz crackers and ran to the back room.
"I have the strangest feeling there will probably be a fight in a few minutes," Leenalee said.
"Then I had better go referee," Reever sighed.
Once he was out of the room Leenalee turned on her brother. Komui looked up from his magazine. "Is something wrong Leenalee?"
She sighed then leaned on the counter next to him. "How long have you been looking after that boy?"
Komui closed his magazine. "It was soon after I moved into the apartments that he started to come over. His mother was okay with him coming around since she was at work a lot. Whenever she leaves, he comes here and I watch him without a single complaint."
Miranda joined them on Leenalee's side. "Why didn't you tell us?"
"Why does it matter?" Komui asked. "There was no need to get you two worried about what was going on over here when you had your own problems. I'm suppose to be the one worrying over you."
"So we've been doing the same thing all his time? Why did you keep bringing us things when you were looking after him?" Leenalee inquired.
Komui stood up straight. "I'm your big brother, I get to fret over you all I want."
Leenalee hugged her brother tightly and buried her face into his chest. He had his completely irrational moments, but he was her brother so she had to love him. Miranda shook her head and went to check on the pizza. The night was spent among friends- new and old- with much laughter and food. They were never as content at their place when it was only them and the boys; There was to much empty space.
The boys eventually moved to the front to see what all the noise was and were swept up into the easy atmosphere. It was most surprising that Kanda existed in such a full room and did not start a single fight. He was fairly calm and complacent. However, the situation only fueled Alma's already energetic personality. It was thanks to Reever that he didn't start bouncing off the walls. He gave him a bowl of icecream and he fell asleep afterwards. Miranda surprised everyone when she blurted out how amazing he was. She was fairly sure magic was involved.
Around ten that night someone knocked on the door. The boys and Leenalee were asleep by then. Komui answered the door rather calmly despite the hour, which got Miranda curious. It was a woman who answered when he opened the door.
"I didn't wake you did I? I'm so sorry."
"No, no, you're fine." Komui told her. "Would you like to come in? Johnny is asleep."
"Oh, I couldn't," she replied. "I'm so tired I may pass out any minute."
"Then let me walk you home. It isn't safe to be out this time of night alone."
"A-Are you sure?"
"Of course. I'll carry Johnny."
Komui invited her in while he got ready. She was in her thirties, judging by her softly aging face. Her hair was up in a messy brown bun and she wore a doctor's coat. Miranda moved over on the couch and offered her the seat. She took it gratefully, almost falling into the spot.
"Are you Johnny's mother," Miranda asked quietly.
"Oh, yes, I am," she replied tiredly. "I've been working all day and I haven't seen him since this morning. Are you a friend of Komui's?"
"Yes. Your son is adorable. He also seems to have an interest in what Komui does."
"Really? That's cute."
Komui came back into the room and picked up Johnny from the pile of children. Reever closed the door behind them as they left and sat back down in his chair. Miranda laid down on the couch. "Komui is a very kind person, isn't he?"
"Yeah, he's a great guy, if not incredibly lazy," he remarked. "I suppose he has a few redeeming qualities."
Miranda giggled and pulled the sheets up over herself. "Don't stay up too late," she yawned. "You won't want to get up in the morning."
"Goodnight Miranda," he sighed.
"Goodnight."
