Disclaimer: I don't own them.

*Italic indicates thought

Chapter Forty-Three: Kevin's Choice

A/N: Hello again. I know it's been a while again, but hey, I'm trying. Anyways, I hope you enjoy!

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on." -Robert Frost

Kevin paced back and forth in his apartment. He kept going over the possible outcomes in his head. There were plenty of pros and cons to keeping/giving up the baby. It would possibly ruin his family's name. Con. It was his responsibility. Pro. It was his responsibility. Con. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a picture. It was the latest sonogram of the baby. Pro. He smiled as he looked at the slightly alien shaped person that was his son. He sat down in a chair and stared at the picture in awe. He sighed. "I promise little baby, whatever I decide, it will be the best decision for you."

The picture didn't answer, but he didn't expect it to. Why was life so much simpler when I was fighting monsters every week? He pulled out his phone. "Hey Lauren," he said when his friend answered. "I need your help with something."

-Samurai Ranger Life-

The next day Kevin was the first to arrive at the law office of Mr. George Minsky. He walked into the building and took the elevator up to the floor where the lawyer's office was. He nervously tapped his legs as he ascended. He stopped and pulled out the picture of the sonogram again. He felt a strong pull in his heart. My baby boy. The doors opened and he stepped out into the foyer of the offices. The receptionist's desk was immediately on his right. She regarded him carefully.

"Can I help you?" she asked, peering over her glasses at him.

"I have a meeting with Mr. Metesky," Kevin replied. "Uh...I think the appointment is under my ex-girlfriend's name. Brooke-"

"Yes I found her. I keep an immaculate record of Mr. Metesky's clients."

"Okay."

"Take a seat over there," she gestured vaguely to a small waiting area in the far corner a few feet from her desk.

"Alright, thank you." Kevin went over to the small collection of three chairs and two loveseats arranged in a square around a small table. He sat in one of the chairs and looked at the picture again. He glanced around again and saw some magazines on law. He moved them around a bit, then smiled at what he found underneath. The "Highlights" magazine looked the same as when he was six. He smiled as he opened it and flipped lightly through the pages. He remembered his dad reading highlights with him when he was little; and later on his grandfather when his dad had to be a samurai ranger. He chuckled quietly to himself. He'd always thought that reading these would be something he'd do with his own children too. He put the magazine down quickly as the elevator dinged. He looked up as Brooke and Jeff came in.

"We're here to see-" Brooke began, but the aged receptionist cut her off.

"Mr. Metesky, I know." She pointed to the waiting area where Kevin was sitting with her pen without looking up from whatever she was doing. "He'll be with you in a minute. You can go join your ex over there."

"Thanks," Jeff muttered as he put his arm around Brooke and led her over to the waiting area. "Kevin."

"Jeff. Brooke," Kevin greeted.

"Kevin." Brooke and Jeff sat as far away from Kevin as they could. He tried to ignore them and instead looked at his picture. He tried to imagine what the baby looked like, or rather what he thought it would like once it had been born. He hoped it looked like him. He, Kevin reminded himself gently. He's not an it, he's a he.

The door on the wall opposite them opened and a middle-aged man came out. "Pease come in," he told them.

"Don't scuff up the floor!" the receptionist snapped at them.

Jeff and Brooke gave each other looks of disbelief while Kevin simply rolled his eyes. After living in the Shiba House for two years, he'd learned no one could scold like Ji.

"Just ignore Dorris," the lawyer said to them. "She's...a little short-tempered these days." He closed the door as the three adults sat in chairs on one side of his desk. "So, which of you are the parents?"

"Me and him," Brooke replied pointing to Kevin.

"Ok, and the two of you wish to place your baby up for adoption?"

"Yes, we do."

The lawyer nodded and opened a file. "Well, everything seems in order here. All I need is both your signatures, here and once it's born the baby is no longer your responsibility."

"He," Kevin corrected automatically.

"Excuse me?"

"The baby is a he."

"Sorry, he."

"Why does it matter?" Brooke asked him irritably as she picked up a pen. Kevin watched silently as she unapologetically signed her parental rights away. She slid the folder over to him; along with the pen.

Kevin picked it up carefully like it was a bomb of some kind. He sighed, very aware of the fact that everyone was staring at him.

"What's the hold up?" Jeff asked, obviously ready to put this whole ordeal behind him.

"Nothing," Kevin replied. He set the tip of the pen to the line on the paper.

"If it's nothing than just sign to damn paper!"

Kevin closed his eyes for a brief minute...then dropped his hand and set the pen down. "I can't."

"What?!"

"What the hell do you mean you can't?!" Brooke demanded. "Kevin we decided-"

"No you decided!" Kevin snapped back. "You decided! My dad decided! Everyone decided but me!" He slid the pen away. "I don't want to give the baby up. I want to keep him."

Mr. Metesky looked at them skeptically. "If he wants to keep the baby, as the father that is his right." He looked at the former blue ranger specifically. "You do realize what you're doing?"

"Yes, I do."

"Alright." He took the folder from Kevin and closed it. "I will keep this on file, if you should ever change your mind before the baby is born."

"Thank you, but that won't be necessary. I've made up my mind. I want to keep the baby. I'm going to raise him."

Brooke rolled her eyes and stood up. "Whatever. Have fun ruining your life." She stormed out, Jeff following quickly.

Mr. Metesky gave Kevin a look of sympathy. "I'm sorry-"

"Oh, it's fine," he replied dismissively. "That's not your fault."

"hm. Well, good luck. And close the door on your way out."

"Yes Sir. Have a nice day Sir." Kevin left the office; shutting the door after he left as instructed. He headed for the elevator, trying not to make eye contact with the receptionist as he passed.

-Samurai Ranger Life-

Once he was outside, Kevin was both unsurprised and relieved that Brooke and Jeff were no where to be seen. He shivered a little despite the oppressive California sun that beat down on him. He set off for home, glad he'd decided to walk. He didn't think driving would be a good idea when he was in this state of mind. He smiled, pulling the photo out of his pocket again. He grinned at it. "My baby boy," he whispered. "I'm going to be a father." He started laughing. "i'm going to be a dad!"