When they came to pick Kairi up they found her sitting huddled in the corner of Dr. Vexen's office, facing the adjacent wall and holding Neo in a death grip.

"I was afraid of this," Roxas said softly, as he turned to the therapist. "Can you help us talk to her? I realize that you're off the clock, but-"

"Of course," Vexen replied warmly, pushing his glasses up off the bridge of his nose. He then took a seat back in his chair and waved to the couches, encouraging everyone to sit.

Axel and Roxas remained standing however, and the blonde stepped away from his boyfriend, approaching Kairi and sitting down cross-legged beside her.

"Hey, sweetie. How are you?" He put a hand on her shoulder, but frowned slightly when she shrugged it gently away. The blonde had to consciously tell himself not to be hurt, because this wasn't a rejection. Kairi still loved him, despite what she may be feeling, and he was determined to help her understand.

"Kairi, we'd like to talk to you," Axel said, coming over and joining the two of them on the floor. "Please tell us what's wrong. If you're mad, it's okay."

The little girl's lip quivered, and as she turned to look at them, her watery blue eyes showed something deeper than anger. It was betrayal, though she might not even know that that's what it was.

"'m not mad."

"She really is her fathers' daughter," Sora whispered to Riku on the couch. "Adorably stubborn."

"Yeah, you're one to talk..."

The brunet was about to slap his fiance, but behaved himself when he got a downright chilly look from Vexen. The man had that kind of face that could turn creepy on a dime, if he wanted it to.

"Yes, you are. And that's okay," Roxas replied, reaffirming Axel's sentiment. "We just wanted you to know that this new baby surprised us too. We don't love you any less than we did before."

"But you had to make the baby, right?" she asked, making her parents both blush and Sora to snort, holding in a hysterical laugh.

"If you can't keep calm and be sensitive to your niece's needs, I will ask you to leave the room," Vexen reminded him, as Sora gave a sheepish look.

"He'll behave," Riku said calmly.

"Yes, well..." Axel said with a cough, "Parents do make babies, but the way they do it isn't just for making babies."

His daughter blinked up at him uncomprehendingly.

"What Axel is trying to say is that you can have sex to make babies, and you can also have sex because you love each other and want to show it. Sometimes when trying to express your love, a baby is made, even if you weren't trying to make one," Roxas said, his own blush still firmly in place.

"Can you unmake a baby?" Kairi asked, half-pouting and half-curious.

"Yes," Roxas said, with only the slightest hint of hesitation. "Some people choose to. I don't think there is any shame in it as long as they are careful and think about it really hard, but I can't do it."

"Won't, or can't?"

Roxas blinked. He was surprised to hear such a question from her, not because of the subject matter, but because she was seemingly able to understand the subtle distinction of two very different versions of denial.

Sometimes he forgot how fast she was growing up.

"Both," he replied quietly, hoping that she would understand.

"We love this baby," Axel said. "We love it too much to get rid of it. It's no different than when your daddy found out he was having you."

"And we love you both equally."

"But I was here first!" Kairi exclaimed, turning to fully face her parents.

"Kairi," Sora called over from the couch, "I understand what you're going through. When your daddy was going to be born, I didn't want a little brother. But your grandpa showed me that he still loved me plenty, so much so that he wanted to give me someone to play with. And Roxas was really cute and fun to play with.

I was scared that getting a brother would change things. And it did, but it changed things in a good way. I wouldn't trade your daddy for anything."

Kairi looked down at her lap, biting her lip and beginning to trace her finger along the carpet.

"Sweetie, we love you so much," Roxas said then, pulling her into his lap and hugging her. She didn't return the hug, but she didn't resist it either.

"It's okay to be upset," Axel said, folding his arms around both of them, "but we want you to know that we're not having a baby to upset you or replace you. We love you more than anything in the world."

The little girl nodded, then laid her hand on Roxas's belly. She stared at it for a few moments, seeming to decide something.

"...How big is the baby now?" she asked softly.

"It's really tiny," the blonde said with a smile, placing his hand over hers. "Probably about the size of a pea."

"Was I that small too?"

"Yes, at first, but you grew up so big. This baby will too, but I have to feed it and grow it carefully, just like I did with you. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but you can help me if you want." Roxas gave her a hopeful smile. He was thankful that her insatiable curiosity seemed to be getting the better of her emotions.

Kairi hugged him back, sniffling. "Okay."

Roxas nodded. "You're so sweet and grown up, Kairi. I couldn't have asked for a better child than you."

"We're always here for you," Axel said, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "You can talk to us or your uncles anytime. Dr. Vexen is always here to listen too."

The therapist smiled encouragingly. "Of course. And if you ever find that you really need me, just tell your father and he will tell me. I will get busier soon, but I will do my best to make time for you."

The little redhead nodded, smiling just a little bit.

"Will I have a brother or sister?"

"We don't know yet," the blonde said, running his fingers through her hair and cuddling her. "Babies grow slowly, and they start out without hair or arms or legs."

"Weird..."

Sora laughed at that, but this time Dr. Vexen left him alone.

They talked for a while, mostly answering Kairi's suddenly endless supply of baby-related queries. Thankfully, Dr. Vexen didn't have any other clients this evening, but though he had to charge them for the extra time, he was nice enough to discount it for them.

"We really appreciate it," Axel told the man, as his family stood outside waiting for them. His arm was resting lazily around Roxas's shoulder, but the younger man felt immensely comforted by it.

"Yes, thank you. This turn of events didn't come at the best possible time."

"So few things in life do," the therapist replied, as he shook their hands. "But your courage and commitment is commendable. I think that with patience and time, Kairi will be just fine."

"I hope you're right," Roxas said anxiously. He smiled as he looked out the door and saw his daughter being held by the hands and swung back and forth by her uncles, laughing. Neo was sitting on Riku's shoulders, clinging very well despite the breeze and jostling.

"It's like I always say." Axel guided him out the door, and they both waved before Vexen shut it. "But we'll be here to help her along too."

The blonde felt his heart swelling then. Despite everything, he felt so blessed. He had a wonderful family that was thriving despite its challenges, and Axel was there to lift everyone up, no matter how much time and effort it would take him.

Roxas pulled his surprised lover in for a kiss, chuckling a little when the redhead immediately reciprocated.

Things were going to turn out all right. At this point, they just had to.