A/N: Had some free time, so I typed up part two.

Song: My Little Girl
By: Tim McGraw

Song lyrics in italics.
Normal font is the story.

Chapter 9: The Mizuno Family: Part 2

Ami and Makoto arrived at her father's house finding Jadeite outside waiting to be picked up by Saeko. Makoto had decided to take her truck separate in case her and Ami had to go anyplace. Saeko didn't wait around telling Ami goodbye and taking her leave as soon her son finally entered the car, leaving Ami and Makoto behind wishing them good luck. Ami sighed at the way her mother acted at times like this. The hurt in her mother's eyes could only be called heart wrenching. If Ami had any real hate for her dad that was where it stemmed from. The pain in her mother's eyes from when he had walked away. She walked up the steps and put her key into the door. This was where she and Makoto would be staying for the weekend. That was part of their family complexity, although the details weren't something Makoto knew well. Things like this simply weren't talked about since divorce was a sort of taboo. Minako thought very little of it, but she was the only friend who didn't have somewhat adverse feelings with the man known as Ami's father. The blond said that where she came from most of her friends came from single parent families and that they had made out all right growing up. Ami had done well too, more or less.

"Dad must be working." Ami said as she opened the front door. "Usually he waits outside for me unless it's his day to work late." Inside the house was rather spacious being the fact that the man lived in the suburbs and not the inner city. "Well here it is. My second home." That's what Ami had come to call it after she had forgiven her father, welcoming him back into her life. The sitting room and dining room were an open style floor plan that was extremely western in tastes, almost as much so as the house Minako had grown up in. The kitchen was small and bare. It wasn't like the one in the apartment, not by a long shot. The stove was old and the microwave looked dilapidated. The fridge looked second hand and in reality it was a far cry from what the living area had looked like. A small office was covered in video games and two computers. You could barely see the floor and a laundry basket seemed to find its place near the wall with an overt amount of clothes that belonged to a teenage boy. The bathroom was plain and clean if one overlooked the water spots on the mirror or the toothpaste tube that was missing its cap. That was only the downstairs. "Sorry, if it looks like it lacks a woman's touch around here since my dad doesn't think about some things and Jadeite is a slob."

"I'm not worried. I know all about that." Makoto recalled when Zoisite was still getting acclimated to living with his little sister in the house. Makoto had to endure weeks of his inability on various levels. "Why is his laundry basket in here though?" She asked pointing to the fact that it looked clean. "Doesn't he put them away?"

"This is Jadeite we're talking about." Ami sighed picking up her brother's basket to carry it upstairs. "He's not picky about where he gets dressed or if his clothes are wrinkled." Makoto followed Ami up to the second floor of the house where four doors sat in the hallway. One was open and clearly leading to the bathroom and the other three remained closed. It was easy to see that Jadeite's room was the door nearest to the stairs being that his was missing a door handle. Ami kicked it open with her foot as a cat came running like a bat out of hell from the messy inside. She plopped the clean basket onto the middle of the room even if she couldn't see the floor in the sea of dirty clothes. "See what I mean about being a slob?" She sighed as she closed the door again looking at the annoyed cat who was now growling as she licked her fur.

"They own a cat?" Makoto gawked as the cat continued to lick its fur in annoyance.
"More like the cat owns them." Ami bent down clicking her tongue and it climbed up into her arms. "I call her Luna. She's a feral cat so be careful."
"Then why is it letting you hold her?" Makoto asked confused. "I thought feral cats don't like humans." She got her answer as she was hissed at for getting too close.
"Normally they don't. She sees me as someone who feeds her." Ami explained stroking the cat's fur. "I provide food, thus I'm good in her eyes."
"I see." Makoto backed away from the cat slowly so not to anger her more. "How did it end up here then?"

"Those two love animals, but can't even keep a plant alive, let alone care for a cat. She is a stray no doubt. She comes and goes as she pleases but seems to gravitate towards this house a lot since she gets food. They took her to the vet once and they said she checked out clean. Ever since then my dad says that she's their cat in progress." Ami put the cat down and it scampered under the table continuing to give Makoto the evil eye. "I swear I would take her to the apartment if they allowed pets." She went on to say as she opened her room that she had at her dad's. It was very plain and slightly dusty from lack of use over the past two weeks. "My dad is hardly home during the day, he's usually gets off work by seven." Ami looked at the clock and then shook her head. "But, it seems tonight is his late night this week so we won't see him until about nine. That gives us a few hours. What would you like to do?"

They settled on watching T.V. in the main room. Makoto had a fondness of being a couch potato on occasion and today happened to be the day it seemed. Her head was resting in Ami's lap, the latter running her fingers through locks of brown hair as they watched the evening news and then a few sitcoms. They talked lightly throughout the programs, talking about their favorite characters or thinking about world events. It seemed Rei's father was in town giving a speech and according to the news report would be here for a few weeks due to the conference being held. They ate in front of the T.V. and remained all around lazy the entire evening. Finally Ami's father returned from work.

Gotta hold on easy as I let you go
Gonna tell you how much I love you
Though you think you already know
I remember I thought you looked like an angel wrapped in pink so soft and warm
You've had me wrapped around your finger since the day you were born

"Ami." He said smiling softly. His little girl had grown up so much. "How have you been?" He asked as he gave her a hug. "I'm sorry I wasn't here when you arrived. Work ran late."

"That's alright." Ami said also with a smile on her face. "Dad, this is Makoto." She said as she placed her arms around the tall brunette hugging her from the side. "The one I've been telling you about."

"Hello sir." Makoto said with a somewhat quiet voice as she shook his hand. Intimidation didn't suit Makoto, but surely that was she was. Funny that Saeko didn't frighten her in the least, yet this man did. Perhaps it was the way his white smock covered in paint made him look like a blue collar worker much like Zoisite. It could have been the fact that he was a rather stern looking man despite what she had been told about Saeko being the one who was more nitpicky. Either way, she felt as if she should be an ant hiding under a rock, even if by stature she was just as tall as him.

"You're the one are you?" His voice drawled out with a slight twang. He was a slow talking man and it was funny to him that this girl seemed to be afraid of him. Then again, his son had met Makoto before and that boy wasn't exactly a joy to deal with. "Please take a seat." He went to the fridge and pulled out a beer and did the same, manners eluding him by nature. He wasn't an outwardly rude man, but in his eyes if you wanted something you went and got it. His household wasn't one where formalities were normality. He took off the top of his smock where a plain white shirt was underneath. "So, how's life been for you?" He said as he popped the top on the can.

It was obvious he was overtly avoiding the nature of the relationship. In Makoto's eyes she really didn't mind. It wasn't as if he had freaked out. It was just like Ami had said; he just tried to avoid it if he could. "We're fine dad. You look tired though. Has work been rough on you lightly?" Ami didn't want to push the topic and Makoto quickly noticed and decided that it was just fine by her. He seemed pleasant enough, but she decided to remain quiet just the same.

"Aw you know how it is. Pays not the best, but its work." He saw apprehension in emerald eyes and sighed. He knew Saeko would pull this on him one day. Enough was enough. He knew it, but, he still couldn't believe it was happening. He figured he'd start easy. "What about you there Makoto, what do you do for a living?"

"Um." She froze not fully sure what to say. "I've been doing some repairs on a house as of right now. I haven't been able to find a good paying job that'll remain steady." She looked downcast. She didn't want to lie to him, but she knew that most likely wasn't what he had wanted to hear. She awaited a reprimand that never came; instead he just chuckled from deep in his belly.

"I've been there before kiddo." He said taking a sip of his beer. "Still am in fact." He was much more casual than Saeko had ever been as he just leaned back and put his feet up in the footrest with his work boots still on. "Not all of us can be like Ami and Saeko ya' know." He laughed again before looking at Makoto with a keen eye. "In this house we live as we please and do as we like. I know I may come off as slightly rude so please tell me if I do something to offend you." He lulled back in his chair a bit. "I know I've gotten used to livin' a more western style, so scuse' me if I do something stupid. I know some people round here aren't a fan of my Yankee behavior."

"No it's quite alright." Makoto squeaked and Ami sighed and put a hand too her face. This was one reason why her friends didn't come around to her father's house. He was embarrassing given the fact that he never exactly got back into the swing of living in Japan. Ami felt like even Minako had more tact than he did when it came to this sort of thing. Some things he did were just outright rude to anyone raised in a traditional household.

You beautiful baby from the outside in
Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again
Go on, take on this whole world
But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl

"Hey, Ami do me a favor." He said addressing his daughter. "I got my computer that needs a fix. Why don't you go take a look at it and give me and Makoto here a chance to chat a bit?" She nodded to him knowing full well what it was that he wanted to talk about. "She's a good kid." He said as he then looked up at a few photos on the wall. "Least she was years ago. Seems I've lost track of time someplace, she grew up before I knew it. Guess that's normal though. Right?"

Makoto nodded but refused to speak. She was afraid to make in idiot of herself. This man seemed to find it funny for whatever reason but still she remained quiet. Her track record with parents was never the best and often she had to redeem herself from the ashes. This man didn't seem to care though, being quite rough around the edges himself. "Look." He said as he pulled a photo from the shelf. It was one of Ami and him reading a book. "You see that there Makoto, that's my little girl." He smiled at the memory. "I wasn't the smartest tool in the shed, I grew up with parents who wanted me to achieve greatness, but, that wasn't what happened. Saeko, now she could go places and she proved that. Just look at her now. Ami can too one day. I'm sure of it. Least I was sure at one point. Now I'm not so sure." He stopped with Makoto looked up at him surprised and he just smiled.

"She's so smart and loving." Makoto was confused. How could he say that she couldn't be great? What was that even about? "She has so much talent and-" he cut her off with when he held up his hand to shush her.

"Ya didn't me finish." He said pointing to the photo. "Now, look at that. See that little girl? That little girl was what I remember to a degree but she's not the girl you love now." He said explaining his point of view. "She's grown up into a fine woman, but, she wants new things now. Seems to me she wants exactly opposite of what Saeko wanted for her to have. She came to terms with it long ago though, knowin' Ami would probably stay here with ya instead of goin' to school." He smiled down at the photo. "But the little woman in there fixing a non broken computer isn't the girl I walked away from long ago. She doesn't need daddy around like she used to. Guess that's my fault, but, just to let you know, that's why we hadn't had this talk sooner."

"What are you talking about?" Makoto drilled at him now. "She's always needed you. When you came back she started talking to you again. That has to count for something."

"Yea, it does." The man said. "But that don't mean she needs me like she used too."

When you were in trouble that crooked little smile could melt my heart of stone
Now look at you, I've turned around and you've almost grown
Sometimes you're asleep I whisper "I Love You" in the moonlight at your door
As I walk away, I hear you say, "Daddy Love You More"

"My little girl was the one in this photo." He took a drink of his beer. "She looked innocent, even when she got herself into trouble, as rarely as it happened, until her brother was born. She's so different now. I remember a time when I would read to her children's books and even mess up reading. Back then she would correct me. She was so smart even back then. I told her I loved her every night and she would say the same to me. She would want to be with me when I went to work to paint, but, a starving artist doesn't really count as an occupation. Her mother was forced to work while I stayed home with the kids. After all, I wasn't a very smart man back then and even now there are sharper sticks in the woodpile. She's got her mother's good looks and her natural ability to learn easily. That wasn't things she got from me. Those days, like the ones in this here photo, were the ones I miss the most."

"When her mother and I started fighting we both knew it was best to part ways. I went off to America to see if I could make it selling my art and she stayed here. I couldn't be gone for long though and when I came back my baby girl wasn't a baby anymore and my son wasn't that little baby boy I left behind. By that time they were both old enough to make their own choices. Her brother wanted to come live with me, and I had wanted to take him with me in the first place anyway believing that Saeko would be unable to raise a son properly without his father. When he said he wanted to come here she didn't deny him. Ami chose to stay with her and Jadeite chose to live with me. Every other weekend they switch houses for a visit. I wanted my kids back in my life and I don't fault Ami for wanting her mother to stay her guardian, just as Saeko doesn't fault our son for wanting to stay with me. They were old enough to choose and had done what they felt was right."

Your beautiful baby from the outside in
Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again
Go on, take on this whole world
But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl

"However I've missed out on a lot in her life." He sighed. "I want to know how she's doing. I guess that means it'll include you Makoto." He sat back and relaxed and sighed. "So, with that bein' said I guess you need to tell me about yourself." He waved his hand to give her the floor to talk.

She looked on ahead at the man and she sighed. "I don't have much I can tell you. I don't know what you want to know about me. I love your daughter, but you already know that much."

"Do I now?" he asked amused. "Go ahead and tell me what you want to tell me. Don't tell me what you don't. That's how it goes in this house. You are what ya are. You'll be what you'll be. That's my one rule on this house. You just are, don't ever justify what you do. Say what you will and keep to yourself what you won't." He chortled hoping that would clear some tension.

"I don't have much to offer." She still shook her head. "I guess I'm in the same boat as you are when it comes to the fact that Ami's the one who'll achieve greatness. I just can't believe she allows someone like me to be around her." She sighed not sure what to tell him. She could spill her guts, but why? She had done that enough in her life. The man just laughed.

Someday, some boy will come and ask me for your hand
But I won't say "yes" to him unless I know, he's the half
That makes you whole, he has a poet's soul, and the heart of a man's man
I know he'll say that he's in love
But between you and me
He won't be good enough

"Let me let you in on a secret Makoto. One I thing you're the only one who doesn't know about." He stood up. "Come with me." He said rather pointedly. He led them out the back door and into the back yard where an old porch swing creaked in the breeze "See that sky up there?" he asked looking up. "That sky isn't as brilliant as it is in other places. Pretend that one of those stars is you, a small glimmer in the big expanse of things. Now look at that moon that shines no matter what. For a father no star will ever shine bright enough for their daughter because she will shine brighter than anyone else. You'll have hopes and dreams for her that may or may not come true. Over time ya learn that the thing that matters most is the one thing that makes her the most radiant she could ever be. Do you have any idea what that thing is?"

"No sir. I don't" Makoto looked to the ground. "I never had a father, so I don't know about that."

"As a father you learn that she's the most radiant when she's smiling. When you're little girl is happy she shines brighter than that entire sky in a father's eyes. Now in regards to Ami, you do that. You make her happy. She shines because of you. She doesn't want greatness like her mother did. What she wants is you."

Your beautiful baby from the outside in
Chase your dreams but always know the road that'll lead you home again
Go on, take on this whole world
But to me you know you'll always be, my little girl

"I give you my blessing although you never really needed it in the first place. Ami will do as she will do. You'll be at her side. All will be right in her world. Only word of advice I can give you is to stop worrying about greatness. Throw caution to the wind, that's what she wants and you can give her that. Now, go on inside and take her in your arms, give her a kiss and get ta' bed before she takes the entire computer apart."

"Why would she do that?" Makoto looked at him as if he had just lost his mind.

"Because Jadeite has the chipy thingy. It won't even turn on let alone work. She don't know that though." He laughed. "Now get goin' one thing I do know is never keep a lady waitin'."

He chuckled as he pushed Makoto back into the house as he shook his head and looked at a wallet photo of his ex-wife and just smirked. "I wonder what it is about them Mizuno women that get them caught up with fools like me and Makoto." He shrugged. "Aw well, guess I'll never know."

TBC-

Part three will come when I have a chance to type it out. Please leave me a review.