Atem had received the tidbit of information from the gods about the danger posed to the Gardeners. They had been curious as to why when he explained about the connection to the Kaibas they were more amendable.
"We cannot tell all Pharaoh but, they will be in danger within a year after Tea graduates from Julliard. A man with a grudge against her will try to strike at her through them." The voice of Ra spoke.
"Have I met this enemy of hers?" Atem questioned honestly, the voices echoed, "Ask the father…he will know." Atem graciously thanked the gods before breaking from his meditative state. He looked up at the clock and moved towards his phone dialing the number for Seto.
"Hello?" He heard Mokuba answer as he picked up the line. "Hello Mokuba, is your brother there?" Mokuba could be heard moving around, "Seto, Atem is on the phone for you." He heard the phone being transferred to another hand.
"Kaiba here, did you find out anything?" The man was obviously busy but stopped to talk. "Yes, the family is safe until within the year following Tea's graduation from the School of Arts in New York." He heard the scratch of a pen on paper and noted that Kaiba was writing down what he was told. "Anything else like who causes it?"
Atem sighed, "Someone who is an enemy of hers but, I don't think she would realize it. They recommended I speaking with her father about it."
"I will handle the Gardeners you focus on finally talking to Tea." He bristled at the order in the other man's voice. "You owe her a conversation at the very least since you haven't really spent any time with her since you got a body of your own."
Atem sighed, "Yes, I plan on inviting her out after I speak with her father." Seto laughed, "Good Luck Mutou…you're going to need it." Atem stared at the phone as he heard the dial tone from Seto hanging up, "Thanks Kaiba, that makes everything so much simpler."
Atem looked to Solomon who smiled, "Going to the Gardener's home? Good luck Atem my boy." Atem smiled at Solomon, "Thank you Grandpa." Atem moved around after checking he had his wallet and his jacket.
Solomon laughed as the boy left the store before picking up the phone, "Hey Tobi, yes looks like Atem has finally mustered the courage to come speak with you." The old man chuckled as the younger man groaned in denial, "I told you he is serious about dating your daughter and making her happy. Just don't give him too much trouble, Tea would never forgive you."
The man replied causing Solomon to crack up again, "True Maya won't let you do it either. She'd sooner marry them herself." The older man hung up the phone and began wiping off the display cases for the cards and figurines in his shop chuckling to himself.
~At the Gardener Home~
Tea had already been distracted by her mother who insisted on taking her shopping for some summer clothes. Maya had heard the call and wanted to leave her husband with the boy after a stern warning about not scaring him off since she knows Tea really likes him. He gave a dejected sigh as he looked at the clock he had about 10 minutes before the boy arrived. He started looking at the photos on the mantle with a smile as a Chuck Wicks song came to mind.
"She was playing Cinderella, She was riding her first bike, Bouncing on the bed and looking for a pillow fight, Running through the sprinkler with a big popsicle grin, Dancing with her dad, looking up at me,
In her eyes he's Prince Charming, But to me he's just some fella, Riding in and stealing Cinderella." He sang to himself as he pulled out a small glass of sake to prepare his nerves for this conversation.
"After tonight she won't just be my little girl anymore…man she grew up so fast." Tobi heard the knock on the door and cleaned the glass out before answering. "Come on in Atem, I've been wondering when you'd show."
Atem looked surprised before he chuckled, "Grandpa told you I was coming." Tobi looked pleasantly surprised. "Of course, she's my little girl he tells me everything concerning her. I thought it would be Yugi coming for a heart to heart but, it's you instead." He looked into the eyes of the younger man, "I'm not surprised though…she always said Yugi was a sweet little brother."
Tobi gestured towards the couch, "Take a seat." He sat himself down across from the man and looked him over critically. "What do you want to talk about?" Atem gave a small smile, "I wish to have your blessing to court Tea." Tobi quirked a brow at Atem, "Just to date my daughter you came all this way? Most boys would just ask the girl directly."
Atem looked up at Tobi, "Ah but, I intend for my courtship to end in marriage to Tea. I know she dreams of Julliard School of Arts and dancing on Broadway. I intend to be at her side all the way." Tobi just hummed thoughtfully, "What kind of future do you have to offer her?"
Atem gave a soft smile, "A future filled with love and all the trials and obstacles that come with it. I will be at her side for the rest of our lives and even beyond." Tobi understood the feelings and depth the boy felt but, he needed more. "How will you provide for her? How will you care for any children you may have?" Atem answered honestly, "The future isn't set in stone but, I duel in a tournament which brings an income in and I also intend to partner with the Ishtar family to remain in charge of their Egyptian exhibits both here and in New York. I may even do some side work with Seto Kaiba."
Tobi nodded and resigned himself to speak with Seto about keeping an eye on the young man, "I will approve for now…you will come to me before asking her to marry you. I am not the only one you need approval from young man." Atem nodded in agreement understanding, "Just know this Mr. Gardener…I love Tea with all that I am and will ever be. Not even the gods would dare to keep us apart." Tobi couldn't help but respect the definitiveness of his statement. 'Good man…you'll need that resolve in order to keep my precious daughter.'