"So now what are we going to do?" Kai asked once they left the clinic.
"We're going to head to the store to get things for the picnic; and then we're going to go the zoo and park. And then we're going to go from there." Ryou said as they go in the car.
"Ok." "Otay." Kai and Mai said at the same time.
Half an Hour Later:
They had just got to the store to get everything they needed when they ran into Sakura and Shintaro.
"Oh hey Ichigo, Ryou, Kai and Little Mai." Sakura said happily while Shintaro and Ichigo stood there with their faces in their hands.
"Hey mom; what are you doing here?" Ichigo asked as calmly as she could.
"Oh you know…just a little grocery shopping. What brings you all here?" Sakura asked politely.
"Picnic shopping; I'm taking the twins on their first picnic and trip to the zoo." Ryou said calmly.
"Den we gowing to da park." Mai said happily.
"That's kind of weird that you wouldn't have stuff for a picnic with you…what's going on there?" Shintaro asked curious.
"Daddy…" Ichigo started out annoyed.
"Shintaro, that's rude…" Sakura sighed annoyed.
"No, it's fine; the twins had their first round of therapy or whatever you want to call it. They have another round next month. I didn't know how long we'd be with the therapists, so I didn't pack any lunch so that it didn't go bad. I just figured I'd pick some stuff up at the store." Ryou said as he placed Mai in a cart.
"So how did it go?" Sakura asked politely.
'Now who's being nosy?' Shintaro asked himself while looking at his wife.
"As well as expected. Kai is a talker…until it comes to his mother or past. He really likes to read and do puzzles; and I guess he did a one hundred piece puzzle in ten minutes. He is at a sixth grade reading level and is doing fourth grade math; and he also very independent. And with Mai…she had a major panic attack and she's very dependent on Kai and she doesn't seem to be on the same intellectual level; she's just developing at a slower pace. She really likes to try to write; she wrote down the alphabet for them…and apparently her penmanship is almost perfect…but she holds a pencil wrong I guess." Ryou started explaining.
"But that's just when they're not in the same room. Once in the same room she's calmed down…and he became super protective. I guess they talked and it came out that she was terrified that I was going to leave them there…that I didn't want them anymore. But Kai explained that that wasn't going to happen. She calmed down and opened up a lot; and he I guess they said it seemed like to him nothing else but Mai mattered to him." Ryou continued explaining.
"So what does that mean?" Shintaro asked as they entered the store.
"They said that they need to have separate time; they need to be separated more. They said because of their intellectual differences and differences in interests, they would most likely be in different classes. And allowing them to be in different classes will allow them to make their own friends. They then said unless I'm planning on home schooling them…which I'm not; they need to be able to make friends…and their own friends. I think I'm going to try to get them into Kindergarten together at least…maybe. Maybe start them in separate classes sooner rather than later…I'm not sure…" Ryou sighed.
"They have different rooms correct?" Sakura asked calmly.
"Yes." Ryou replied.
"Then they should be ok for a few hours. Sure, the first days will be hell, but after that they'll get used to it. And hey, maybe when they get a little older, you let one of them spend the night somewhere without the other. See how they do…" Sakura suggested while Ryou looked for a picnic basket, plastic cups, forks, spoons and such before moving onto the food.
"That sounds like a good idea… Ok. So I know you said you had grocery shopping to do, but would you like to come with us on our picnic and such? Ichigo, would you mind?" Ryou asked looking at Sakura and Shintaro and then Ichigo.
"No, I don't mind." Ichigo said calmly; it made it so much easier to be around him not knowing how she felt about him just yet.
"I would love to. Shintaro?" Sakura exclaimed and then asked her husband, hopeful.
"Yeah, sure why not." Shintaro said calmly.
"Ichigo, sweetheart; can I speak with you alone please?" Sakura asked calmly.
"Yes actually. I was going to ask if I could talk to you alone." Ichigo said just as calm.
"Ok, we're going to use the rest room really quick; we'll be right back; Sakura said as she and Ichigo walked to the bathroom.
"What was that all about?" Ryou asked as Mai looked around.
"What's wrong baby?" Ryou asked looking at Mai.
"I has to potty." Mai said wiggling around.
"Oh. Ok…umm…" Ryou said looking at how far Ichigo and Sakura were.
"I'll take her." Shintaro said knowing he could get there faster.
"Ok. Thanks." Ryou said as he handed Mai to Shintaro.
"No problem." Shintaro said taking Mai to Sakura and Ichigo.
"Hey!" Shintaro called right before the girls got the bathroom.
"Shintaro; what's wrong?" Sakura asked confused.
"This one has to use the bathroom." Shintaro said holding Mai out like a doll.
"Oh. Ok." Sakura said taking Mai.
With Ichigo, Sakura & Mai:
"Ok…here we go." Ichigo said as she placed one of those protective seat covers down before setting Mai on the toilet; Mai went right away and for a good minute or two.
"Ichi?" Mai asked when they were by the washing station.
"Yes, what is it Mai?" Ichigo asked kindly.
"Do you wuv my daddy?" Mai asked softly with a little hopefulness in her eyes and voice…also causing Ichigo to blush and nearly fall over.
"Actually Ichigo…I was going to ask the same thing." Sakura said as Mai washed her hands.
"Mom!" Ichigo exclaimed embarrassed.
"Ichi?" Mai asked tugging on Ichigo's arm.
"Oh Mai…yes, I love your daddy. But I don't think anything's going to happen because I don't think he loves me like that." Ichigo said sadly to the little confused girl.
"How do you know that?" Sakura asked seriously.
"He's never said anything to me; nor do I get that feeling from him. Now, let's keep this conversation between the three of us. That means don't tell daddy." Ichigo said looking at Mai.
"Otay…" Mai said sadly.
When they got out of the bathroom, the guys were standing there looking shocked.
"Umm…what's wrong?" Ichigo asked looking at Ryou and her dad and a laughing Kai.
"Shintaro dear; why don't we let these two talk? We can take the kids, and go find them some cute picnic outfits." Sakura said happily.
"Why dey need talk alone?" Mai asked confused.
"They just do. Come on." Sakura said as she placed Mai in the cart next to her brother and headed off to the kids clothing section.
With Ryou & Ichigo:
"What's up Ryou?" Ichigo asked nervously.
"Is it true Ichigo? I didn't mean to eavesdrop; I was just waiting for Mai…but there was an echo. Ichigo…" Ryou started.
"I'm sorry Ryou…" Ichigo started.
"For what?" Ryou asked confused.
"For how I feel; I really do love you. But I know you don't feel the same…" Ichigo said looking at Ryou.
"How do you know how I feel or don't feel?" Ryou asked looking at Ichigo.
"What do you mean?" Ichigo asked confused.
"Ichigo, do you know why I call you "Strawberry" all the time?" Ryou asked looking at Ichigo.
"You like to tease me…" Ichigo said looking at Ryou.
"No…well yes; but it's also because I love you. I have loved you since the first time I seen you. But you've always been with Masaya, so I've left you alone…and that's why I always teased and picked on you. It made it easier to be around you without being with you." Ryou said seriously.
"Ryou…" Ichigo said, her eyes becoming watery.
"If you wouldn't mind, could we not do this in a store where everyone can see us?" Ryou asked seriously, looking at Ichigo.
"Yes, I agree." Ichigo said as they went go find her parents.
When they found them Ryou stared in shock at his cart; there was a crap ton of clothes in the cart.
"Hi daddy." Mai said smiling while looking at Ryou, holding onto a stuff rabbit while Kai held onto a stuffed dinosaur…