For Matt there was no escaping. He continued to open the gifts the girls placed in front of him. The presents kept coming, some gifts were things he needed but did not know he needed them, others were just things that would sit around and never acquire a usage, and then there were the gifts that would find a new home in a toy drive.

He would never admit it to anyone, not even by torture, but he liked the attention the girls were giving him. Their serving him was a bonus. He grinned at the plate of food someone placed beside him with a drink. He never even asked. He smiled as the girls even gave his father the same attention. Yes, this was indeed nice. Swarmed by girls…giggling girls but never the less he was enjoying their company.

The girls would place a hand on his shoulder, his arm; one even boldly patted his leg as she told a joke that he did not understand -which lead to blond jokes. They would lean over him, brushing against him in with innocent flirtation. The flirting was not anything new to Matt and he kept it as it was, friendly. Girls just did not have a chance when they were in his presence, he sighed inwardly.

Yet when his eyes fell upon brownish red eyes, he forgot to breath and he felt his heart beat race. Matt held the girl's stare, searching the depths of those autumn colour orbs. Every time, no matter whom he was with or what he was doing, those eyes always held his attention.

Sora broke her eyes away, focusing them on the infant that now found his way to her arms. She could feel a blush rising to her cheeks as those deep violet blue eyes held her own stare. Every time she looked into those eyes, she felt herself melting as he searched deep within her, searching for something that may be there. If only he searched before all this had happen, before Ryoko had happen.

She could never hold the child responsible for what could have been but the child did complicated things. She had her dreams of furthering her education, she had to make her own way to find where she belong in the world and she wasn't sure if she could do that with a baby, someone else's baby at that.

Besides, what if it didn't work? What if she was overwhelmed? If she ended a relationship with him, she would be not only be hurting Matt but Ryoko too. On the other hand, how would she cope if Matt decided he was not in love with her? He would take Ryoko from her. To lose one person is anguishing enough but to lose two - how would she continue to exist?

"I believe your friend needs to go out for some fresh air." Hiroaki broke into his son's thoughts. He kept quiet and tried to stand by and let Matt make his own decisions, but he was not a fool. He saw the exchange of glances; he felt the connection between the young red head and his son. Most importantly, he saw the doubt in the eyes of both.

"I could use some air myself." Matt stood up. "Make sure they don't…you know." Matt waved his hands over the girls.

Hiroaki nodded his head and smiled as all the girls stuck their tongues out at the blond.

XXXXXXXXXX

"This is, by far, the best baby-shower I have ever been invited to attend." Takashi stood near the balcony window; the wall was his supporter, keeping his slender frame from falling as he leaned against the smooth surface taking a sip of juice.

The juice held his attention as he tried to figure out what exactly its flavour was supposed to be. He swoosh the juice around in his mouth, trying to pick between grape and cherry. It was indeed a mystery.

His light brown eyes caught sight of his young band member around some of Matt's other acquaintances that stood by the buffet table. Most likely the group of boys were in a deep discussion about sandwich making, no doubt.

His other friend was in the mist of the group of females, no surprise there. Takashi never meant a quieter person then Matt. If possible, Matt would do his best to get away with only saying three words, which were usually 'Leave me alone'. Yet, even with the lack of his conversation, girls hung by his side like fly to honey. Takashi smiled, dimples etching both cheeks, his blond friend would not think highly of him as he compared the younger boy to an insect. He glanced up observe his friend once more but now Matt had vanished from his view.

Takashi shrugged and shifted his view to the guitarist. Of course, Akira was easy to find. Sitting on the floor with his knees drawn close to his chest and his head pressed close to a small gap between the balcony doors, trying to calm his own fear by feeling the open space nearby. His deep, intense green eyes laid closed as he, no doubt, concentrated on breathing.

"Humour me my dear friend by informing me on how many baby showers you have attended…" Akira moaned at his spot on the floor. "And why?"

"Thank you, Takashi in your relation to the small but delightful little party." Tai glared at the other boy rooted in front of the balcony doors. They both tried for the sake of Matt, but he and Akira could never see eye to eye. "I have to admit that at first I was puzzled on how I should arrange the tables. After a few minor adjustment, my opinion of the snack table…"

"You broke my back dragging that bloody table all over the place!" Davis hissed over at Tai from his spot at the table.

"A few little movements and the lad believes he has broken his back." Tai rolled his eyes.

Takashi smirked before turning his attention at his grouchy friend. "How you holding up, Akira?"

"Still breathing!" Akira barely looked up.

"Much to our disappointment." Tai mumbled. "Show some care that Hiroaki doesn't vociferously discuses his displeasure with you holding the balcony doors open, even if it is barely a crack. Drafts are nasty to children, so I am told." Tai scratched his fluffed head.

"Since when did you become an expert on raising children?" Akira snarled.

"Becoming the god-father of little Ryoko, I made my business to read up on these things." Tai sighed as it was obvious and the question was a waste of his explanation.

"Have I ever told you, God-Father, that on my free time, I think of ways to hide bodies?" Akira warned Tai.

Tai glanced up at Takashi who nodded his head to confirm the statement.

"Sometimes, he seems normal but other times, well frankly he scares the hell out of me." Takashi sighed as he looked down at his white foam cup. "After hearing one of his disturbing ideas, I must admit that I am more then a bit afraid of walking home at nights." Takashi raised his juice to his friend in a silent toast. Akira returned the gesture with a glare that would have made Matt proud. "Don't pay him any care, he tends to get this way in closed in spaces."

"Claustrophobia?" Tai raised his eyebrows.

Takashi nodded his head, "Among other things. He is getting better. He can go into elevators now. Well he does need that extra push, shall we say? Then he paces and chatters, which make the split second of the trip, seem everlasting and everyone else nervous. What the bloody hell am I drinking?"

"Um…lemonade I think." Tai peered at the cup.

"This is not lemonade. It's purple!"

"Purple lemonade?" Tai shrugged.

"No." Takashi frowned, "No, this can not be lemonade."

"Davis!" Tk called over to the boy at the table. "What are we drinking?"

"Lemonade!" Davis replied.

"See."

"And other stuff!" Davis turned back to his awe stuck friends as they watch him complete his sandwich.