o-o-o

Twenty Five.

o-o-o

Sora came out fifteen minutes later, briefcase in hand as he locked the place up and made his way to his car. He acknowledged my presence with a short sigh, proceeding to place his briefcase into the backseat before turning back to me.

"Listen, about everything I've done… I'm terribly sorry. I don't think you'll forgive me, but I truly regret it. I made empty threats because I thought I was in love, and I even trespassed and burned some sentimental things to you."

"You also hit my car, and tried to run me over. Those damages weren't cheap to fix."

"I'm sorry for that too, but actually, it was Riku that hit you."

"Figures. Where is he?"

"Mr. Hikari bailed him out too, at my request. He hasn't talked to me lately, though."

Crossing my arms, I leaned against my car and tried to piece all of this together, but it still wasn't making much sense. "Why would he bail you out?"

Sora shrugged. "He wanted to know where his daughter was, and I wanted to get out of jail. Once I realized that he wasn't the bad guy, I was able to trust him and tell him where Kairi was staying."

So that was why he knew where I lived. But how did he come to trust him?

"He came to my house," I informed him.

"Naturally. Look, I advise that you stay away from Kairi. She's… not a good person."

"You're one to talk. Where did you come up with that conclusion?"

"Mr. Hikari told me a lot of things on the way home from jail. I also met her mother, someone that was apparently non-existent since her teenage years. She works as a nurse down at the memorial hospital. Go see for yourself."

"What did he tell you?"

"I can't say right now."

I hesitated for a moment, still attempting to understand. "So, why would you work for her father?"

"He offered me a job because he pitied me, I guess. I wanted to get my life on track. All of those things I did to you… I feel really bad for them. I wasn't myself."

Recalling the story Kairi told me about the fight that Sora got into with her father, seeing everything for what it was now made that seem like a lie. Why would Mr. Hikari hire someone that previously tried to kill him?

Gah, this was so confusing…

"Did you ever burn down Mr. Hikari's office?" I asked, assuming that he didn't because the building was made up of fairly old architecture. Sora gave me an odd look.

"No, did Kairi tell you that?"

I nodded, but stayed quiet. First, Mr. Hikari was oblivious to my allegations, and now Sora was too?

Something wasn't right…

"Mr. Ishida, I know it's hard to believe me, especially after everything that I've done, but I think Kairi is doing the same thing to you that she did to me."

I eyed him for a moment. "And what is that?"

"She's using you for her own personal gain," he said as he opened his car door, but I was too astounded to stop him.

All of this new information was baffling to say the least. Kairi? Using me? For what? Before I could ask him anymore questions, Sora got into his car and drove off.

I guess I needed to go straight to the source. All of these accusations were floating around, getting jumbled in my head, and it was only confusing me more and driving me crazy. I really didn't think that Kairi was a liar…

Maybe I just didn't want to think that…

I had been through so much with this girl in such a short amount of time. I could honestly say that I really, really cared about her, and that I didn't want to lose her. Kairi made me happy, even if we did fight more than I was comfortable with. I wanted to believe in her. I wanted her to be with me, and for us to live a good life with our child…

Damn it. I really needed to see her now…

Making my way back home, the thoughts lingered. What if everything Sora was saying was true? What if Mr. Hikari was a good person, and everything up until this point was a lie? Also, who was her mother? Didn't she leave her?

The details weren't adding up…

Kairi and Caesar were outside when I got home. Caesar noticed me right away and came running, while Kairi remained on the front step as she smiled and waved over at me.

She couldn't have been lying. She loved me. Just look at her. She lit up at the sight of me…

"How was work?" Kairi asked, nearly losing her balance as she got up and held onto her belly.

"Kairi, tell me something right now," I said, sounding more desperate than I meant to be. She blinked a few times as she looked up at me. "Tell me that I'm not crazy, and that loving you is perfectly okay, because you've been completely truthful and you love me just as much…"

Her mouth gaped open, and I realized that I basically just confessed to her. I could hardly breathe upon waiting for her response, and I just wanted to hear those words once again.

"Ven, you really do love me?"

"You were right, I guess…" I said, chuckling a little as I pulled her in for a hug. "I can trust you, can't I?"

"Where is this coming from?" Kairi asked, a little wary. I didn't want to get her all worked up about Sora, so I didn't mention him this time. Instead, I just shook my head and kissed her.

"I missed you a lot today. That's all."

"You could have texted… or called. Silly."

"I know, but it's not the same as being here with you right now."

"Geeze, you're such a sap," Kairi said, giggling as she held onto me. "I love you."

Smiling, I ran my fingers through her hair as I took a few steady breaths. Just like before, I wasn't going to let Sora get to me. I would not be taken for a fool.

"I… love you, too."

o-o-o

Now that we were in the last month of pregnancy, prenatal visits were set up every week up until delivery. I made sure to make it to each and every one of these, because I wanted to be there. Kairi and I had not fought for an entire week, and life was absolutely perfect right now.

I think that was a new record.

Waiting in Dr. Gainsborough's office, Kairi leaned her head on my shoulder.

"I can't believe that I'm having a baby next month. I think this is week 37?"

"Yeah, he'll will be arriving any time now," I responded, rubbing her back. A few minutes later, Dr. Gainsborough entered the room. She shook both of our hands before sitting down in front of the computer and typing some things out.

"Kairi, how have you been feeling? I bet you can't wait for this little sucker to be born."

"Yeah. He's been kicking and punching me a lot. I'm also hungry all the time. Is that normal?"

"Certainly. Remember, these last few weeks may be some of the hardest, and that's mainly because you anxieties and mixed emotions up until delivery. Just breathe and remember, every worry you have will dissolve the moment you hold him in your arms. Have you been stressed at all?"

Kairi looked to me and smiled before shaking her head back at the doctor. A tint of red appeared in my cheeks.

"Great. Keep that positive outlook and things should go fine. Can you lay on the table for me? I'm going to do a few physical exams."

As Dr. Gainsborough ran her normal procedures, I held onto Kairi's hand and tried to give her as much support as I could. I couldn't even imagine what things would be like once her water breaks, so for now, all I could do was be right by her side.

"Your baby is a normal size for this point in the pregnancy, and everything should be going according to plan. Get lots and lots of rest, but also make sure to get a healthy amount of exercise. By now, you should have your hospital bag packed for when the time comes, and just make sure to not stress over the little things. From what I can see, everything is going quite well and you've taken splendid care of him inside the womb."

"Really? Thank you," Kairi said as she sat up.

Dr. Gainsborough explained a few more things to Kairi before leaving. After the appointment was over, I went to the administration desk to check out. The bill for the visit was quite high, but thankfully, I would be able to cover it since I got this new job. Still, it was a strain on my finances, so I had to be careful. My insurance was pretty decent, I thought, but it didn't cover everything. Kairi came out of the bathroom and locked arms with me.

"Ven, I'm hungry."

"You ate before we came."

"Did you not hear me? This baby makes me eat more. Please, can we just go and get some lunch?" She pouted, clinging to my arm.

"Do you mind if I invite Vanitas and Lilah?"

"I don't care. I just want to eat something."

o-o-o

My brother and niece met us at a barbeque restaurant about thirty minutes later. I probably should have considered my choices a little better, because now I was expected to pay for everyone.

This was right after I had decided to be a little more careful with my money. Good job.

Oh well. I get paid next week.

"I want the double Angus burger!" Kairi told the waitress cheerfully. I knew right away that she would not be able to finish that. After we all put in our orders, I sipped on my water as Lilah colored a picture.

"Damn, Kairi. Every time I see you, your belly gets bigger," Vanitas said. "No offense."

"Yeah, well, we're pretty close to the due date."

"Have you thought of a name yet?"

We both shook our heads. "We can't decide."

"You should name him Logan!" Lilah suggested, waving her orange crayon in the air.

"That's too common," Kairi shot down.

"But Logan is the name of my crush at daycare!"

"Crush? What is this about? Are you talking to boys?" Vanitas scolded. We laughed.

"Yeah, he shares his lunchables with me!"

"I'm not letting you share spit with some boy. I'm going up there first thing tomorrow to tell those stupid daycare ladies a thing or two," Vanitas grumbled.

"Come on, Van. It's harmless," I pointed out, still finding amusement in his disapproval. The funny thing was, I would probably be the same way. After he got over his little temper, he straightened up and looked back to us.

"Anyway, how about… Roger?"

Kairi's face scrunched and I just shook my head.

"Zen?"

"Nah," I countered.

"Oh! Name him Samuel!" Lilah called out. "That's my other crush. He gives me his toys!"

Vanitas grunted once more.

"I like the name Shuhei," Kairi chimed in, looking to me as if she was waiting for approval. I shrugged and thought about it for a moment.

"I like that, but I like Ryohei more."

"Ryo…" Kairi leaned her head on her hand as she considered it. Vanitas watched as we both tried to make a decision.

"Yeah, I like Ryo. I think it's a badass name."

"Ryo and I will be best buddies!" Lilah exclaimed, setting her crayon on the table.

"Well, I guess it's decided, then," I said, exchanging positive glances with her. Kairi placed both hands on her belly and rubbed it.

"What do you think of Ryo? Do you like that name?" She asked as she continued to rub. Suddenly, she flinched.

"What?" I asked.

"He kicked me. I think he likes—" She was cut off as she winced again.

"Ryohei Ishida," Vanitas finalized. My nerves surfaced, but also, it was getting harder to contain my excitement. Choosing a name seemed a lot more official, and I could only anticipate that when the day came, I would be more prepared. I didn't want to spend the first few hours of his life trying to name him, so I was glad that we finally came to a mutual decision.

Little Ryo. I like that.

o-o-o

Vanitas invited us to the house for a little bit. Kairi reluctantly agreed, but came anyway. I assured her that we wouldn't stay too long. Both of my parents were home for once, and I wasn't really sure how all of this would go with them and Kairi.

My dad sat in his recliner, watching TV here and there as he read his newspaper. He always did this in the middle of the day for some reason if he was home. My mom was dusting around the house.

"Anything I can help you with?" I asked just to ease the tension. My mom was about to refuse, but then Lilah jumped in.

"I want to dust, grandma!"

I couldn't argue with her offer, so I just followed Vanitas and Kairi into the living room. Kairi sat rather close to me on the couch, taking a few deep breaths as she sat down.

"Are you alright?" Vanitas asked as he seated himself on the couch across from us. My dad glanced up from his newspaper.

"Yeah. Breathing is a little easier this month, but every now and then, I still get shortness of breath."

"Delilah had the same problems."

"Have you heard from her lately?" My dad asked.

"I heard that she moved back to the islands, but I don't know where. She definitely hasn't tried to contact me or see her daughter. I don't think I would let her, anyway."

My dad set his newspaper aside and looked to Kairi and me.

"I hope you two can work things out and take care of this child together. Be adults, and do what you have to do. I don't think I have to remind you, Ven, but the child comes first."

"I know," I said, a little thrown off by the random advice. Vanitas rolled his eyes and focused on the TV. Just then, my mother and Lilah came into the room and sat down. Lilah pulled out her blocks on the floor and started arranging them. She was being quieter than usual.

My mom eyed Kairi a little more than she was comfortable with.

"So, are you guys ready for this baby?" She asked. It seemed like everyone was asking that question.

"More or less," I responded.

"Hey, why didn't you guys have a baby shower?" Vanitas questioned.

"Yeah, why didn't we?" I said, as if it was the most obvious thing ever, but the look on Kairi's face made me realize why. She didn't think that anyone would come.

"Ven, I'm starting to hurt," Kairi told me, but I think it was just a plea to get out of this situation, so we took our leave. I helped Kairi into the car and then went around to my side.

I could hardly wait for this baby to be born. After everything that has happened up to this point, my optimism had only grown stronger, but I also believed that I had gotten stronger over these past few months, as weird as that seemed. I was happier than I had been in years, and even a little change here and there didn't scare me as much as it used to.

I had fallen in love once again, something that I previously didn't think was even remotely possible. Yeah, I may have told myself that I would eventually, but deep down, I didn't believe it until Kairi and I got closer.

Intertwining my fingers with hers, I held on tightly as I focused on the road with a huge grin on my face. My mom was just going to have to accept that Kairi would be part of my life from here on out, and maybe someday she'll be able to trust her. Vanitas and my dad were already on her side, and I was glad for that.

But as smitten as I was, I still couldn't deny that there were times where we didn't get along. Every couple had its challenges, and I knew that Kairi wasn't the best when it came to compromising or letting things go. I'll admit, she made me angrier at times than I had ever been, and I normally would just let things pan out and cool down rather than fighting about it.

Love makes you do things you never thought you would otherwise.

In order to be absolutely sure that I was sitting next to a person that I could trust, there was just one more thing that I had to do. Even though I didn't want to believe what Sora said two weeks ago, it still lingered on my mind. I had originally gone there to talk with her father, and I still wanted to do that.

I've had a chance to calm down and rationalize everything.

As soon as we got home that afternoon, Kairi went straight to the bathroom, so I saw it as a window of opportunity to make a phone call to his office. I went out into the backyard and dialed the number.

"Thank you for calling Hikari Real Estate, this is Sora! How may I help you?"

"Sora, it's me. Is Mr. Hikari around?"

I had to do this for my own sake. I had to make sure that Kairi was telling the truth and that I didn't have anything to worry about. I wanted to be able to love her, but I couldn't fully do so while I had all of this on my mind.

"Um, he just went home…" Sora responded, sounding just as suspicious as he did that day. "Do you want me to call him and let him know?"

"Nah, I'll just go by his house."

With that, I hung up and got ready to leave.

o-o-o
o-o-o

A/N: So, you get a new chapter early because I was done with it and cats decided to pee on things that they should not have, so I had to come back to my parent's house to wash things. I feel so gross.

I get internet on Tuesday!

Does anyone have a cat or two? My boyfriend and I have three (one is mine).

Please leave a review. Things are gonna get intense, folks. Thanks to all those that suggested names for the baby! Snow x fairy wins this one!

Also, go to facebook and like Princess-Xion's Decoden Page! Just type facebook and then "kingdomheartsdecoden" in the URL!