Here's the next chapter.

Sorry for the delay. I had a little trouble getting the chapter written.

Enjoy!


Chapter 53- Play

The kids all ran down the stairs for breakfast.

"No running in the house!" Yami shouted.

"Sorry, Dad." came four voices.

The entire group had sat down for breakfast.

"Where's Yugi?" Sophia asked.

"He had to be at work at seven this morning." Yami answered.

"Why is Yugi working so much lately?" Brighton asked.

"Yugi's working all the time because he is scheduled to. There is nothing he can do about that." Yami replied.

"Besides, it's not like he really is working all the time. He's just been having to be at work at six or seven in the morning. He's been home by the time you kids get home from school." Amara said.

"Yeah. You're right." Mitchell said.

The kids had been back in school for a month, and they were all enjoying it so far.

Even Danny was liking preschool, although he was glad that Seth was there with him since he already knew his cousin.

The group soon finished eating their breakfast.

"All right. Move it. I have to get you all to school before I go to work this morning." Yami said.

The kids grabbed their bags, and Sophia and Danny grabbed their lunches before they all trekked out to the car with Yami.

"Have a good day, Atemu." Amara said.

"Thanks, Mom." Yami said before he left the house.

"Well, it looks like we're the ones with the house to ourselves today." Aknankanon remarked.

"I know. Reminds me of when we had the house to ourselves when Atemu was in school." Amara said.

Aknankanon chuckled. "It wasn't that hard to get the house to ourselves since we only had the one child. It's not like we went crazy and decided to have four like our son decided to." Aknankanon said.

"Yes, but you wouldn't trade a one of those children for anything." Amara said as she cleaned up the table.

"No. I wouldn't. I'm just glad that I'm not the one that had to raise four children." Aknankanon said.

"So am I. I think that I would have killed you if we ended up having that many." Amara said.

"That would be why we only had the one." Aknankanon replied.


Yugi walked into his office and sat down at his desk. He started to look over the paperwork that he had to do.

There was a knock on his door.

"Come in!" Yugi called.

The door opened, and Nurse Hennessy walked in. "I have some more paperwork for you." Nurse Hennessy said.

"Thanks." Yugi said as he took it from her.

"You've been working a lot lately, haven't you?" Nurse Hennessy asked.

"Blame Dr. Reynolds. He makes out our schedule, so I work when I am assigned to work." Yugi answered.

"You could always ask him to go easy on you." Nurse Hennessy said."No need. I'm fine with coming in early. Usually, I'm home before the kids get home, or if they're already home, I get home just an hour after they did." Yugi said.

"I'm sure that your husband doesn't like that so much." Nurse Hennessy said.

"Maybe not, but he'll live." Yugi replied.

"Well, I'll leave you to your work." Nurse Hennessy said before she turned and left the room.

Yugi then turned his attention back to his work.


Yami walked into his office and walked over to his desk, sitting down. He looked over his schedule for the day.

'Damn. I forgot that I have three business meetings today.' Yami thought.

The door opened, and Ms. Helmond walked in. "Mr. Sennen, here are the files you requested for your meetings today." Ms. Helmond said.

"Thank you." Yami said, taking them from her.

"And the board is wanting to hold the annual meeting next month." Ms. Helmond said.

"All right. I'll get to scheduling that meeting today." Yami said.

Ms. Helmond fiddled her hand before she said, "Mr. Sennen, I'd like to take two weeks vacation time in October."

Yami looked up. "You do?" Yami asked.

Ms. Helmond nodded.

Yami then noticed the diamond ring on her hand. "Ms. Helmond, are you getting married?" Yami asked her.

"Yes, I am. We're going on a two-week cruise for our honeymoon. That's why I need the two weeks off." Ms. Helmond said.

Yami smiled. "Of course you can have the time off. Just let me know the dates." Yami said.

"I will, and thank you." Ms. Helmond said before she left the office, shutting the door behind her.

'Well, I'd better get to work now.' Yami thought.


Sophia was in her third grade class. She was sitting beside her friend, Kelly.

"Sophia, I'm having a sleepover for my birthday this Saturday. Do you think that you can come?" Kelly asked.

"I don't know. I can ask Daddy and see if he's okay with it." Sophia said.

Kelly handed Sophia an invitation. "I hope you can come. It wouldn't be very fun if my best friend wasn't there." Kelly said.

"I know. I hope that Daddy will let me come." Sophia said.

Their teacher, Mrs. Kizawa, looked at the clock and saw that it was time to start class. "All right, class. It's time to begin." Mrs. Kizawa said.

The entire class settled down before they turned their attention to their teacher.

"Now, before we start any of our work, I have an announcement to make. Our class has been chosen to do a play." Mrs. Kizawa said.

Some of the children in the class cheered while some of them groaned.

Mrs. Kizawa chuckled. She had expected this reaction. "You will receive a grade for this, and everyone has to participate in some way. There is no exception in that." Mrs. Kizawa said.

There were groans.

"I don't want you to act this way. This is meant to be fun." Mrs. Kizawa said.

It was clear that there were a lot of students who were still not happy, especially a number of the boys.

"Did I forget to mention that for the week before the play, you'll only spend half of the day in class? The other half will be spent preparing for the play." Mrs. Kizawa said.

Now, the entire class cheered.

Mrs. Kizawa chuckled. 'No one is going to be upset at the fact that they are going to get to miss class for half the day for an entire week.' Mrs. Kizawa said.

A girl raised her hand.

"Yes, Michelle?" Mrs. Kizawa asked.

"What play are we doing?" Michelle asked.

"The principal decided that we would do the play The Swan Princess." Mrs. Kizawa said.

Several of the boys groaned.

"I know that it might not be your favorite play, but you'll have to deal with it. The principal made his choice." Mrs. Kizawa said.

That particular play had been chosen due to the fact that the number of girls in the class outnumbered the number of boys.

"Who plays what?" a boy asked.

"You need to raise your hand, Michael." Mrs. Kizawa said.

Michael raised his hand.

"Thank you. I won't make you ask the question again. Just remember to raise your hand next time you have a question." Mrs. Kizawa said.

"Yes, ma'am." Michael said.

"Now, I will have who will play what part on Friday. Parts will not be changed under any circumstances. Throughout the week, we'll have little auditions. I'll decide who plays what." Mrs. Kizawa said.

The kids all nodded their heads in understanding.

"Now, let's get to work. Everyone, take out your math books." Mrs. Kizawa said.

The kids took out their books, and the class started.


Sophia and Kelly were sitting on the swings at recess.

"What part do you want, Sophia?" Kelly asked.

"I would like to be the princess, but I don't think that I'll get that." Sophia said.

"Why's that?" Kelly asked.

"Mrs. Kizawa would probably give it to someone else. You know someone like Carla or Lindsey." Sophia said.

"Yeah. They always get the good parts." Kelly said with a frown.

There were several parents in the school who would use their connections to get their kids what they wanted.

"Well, I'll just be glad to be in the play." Sophia said.

"I don't really want to get a big part. You know that I don't like to have a lot of attention on me." Kelly said.

"I wouldn't mind it." Sophia said.

"Yeah. Well, maybe you'll get a good one." Kelly said.

"I hope so." Sophia said.


Yugi was home when Sophia got home from school that day.

"Yugi!" Sophia said as she jumped on the couch.

Yugi smiled as Sophia hugged him. "Hi, Sophia. Did you have a good day at school?" Yugi asked.

"Yes. My class is going to do a play." Sophia said with a smile.

"You are?" Yugi asked.

Sophia nodded her head vigorous. "Yeah, we are. We're doing The Swan Princess." Sophia said.

"Who are you playing?" Yugi asked. He knew the movie since Sophia had it on DVD, and he had watched it a few times.

"I don't know yet. Mrs. Kizawa is going to tell us on Friday." Sophia said.

"Well, maybe you'll get to play the princess." Yugi said.

"I don't think so." Sophia said.

"Why not?" Yugi asked.

"There are other girls who'll probably get the part. They always get what they want. Their parents make sure of it." Sophia said.

"You never know. You might get a good part." Yugi said.

"If I can be in it, I'll be happy." Sophia said, smiling.

Yugi could tell that just the thought of being in the play made Sophia happy. 'Well, at least she is okay with not being the lead if this happens.' Yugi thought. He didn't like it when parents used their connections to get their kids what they wanted, but he was just glad that Sophia wouldn't be upset if she didn't get the lead or one of the more important parts.

"Yugi, are you and Daddy going to come and watch me?" Sophia asked.

"Of course we will. You know that we wouldn't miss this for anything." Yugi said.

Sophia's eyes lit up. "Thank you!" Sophia said.

Yugi chuckled. "Of course." Yugi said.

"Oh, Yugi." Sophia said, digging in her school bag. "Kelly invited me to her sleepover party for her birthday. Do you think I can go?" Sophia asked as she handed the invitation to Yugi.

Yugi looked over it. "Well, I'll talk over it with your father." Yugi said.

"Thank you! I can't wait to tell Daddy about the play." Sophia said before jumped off the couch and headed up the stairs.

Yugi chuckled. 'Sophia's rather excited about this. I'm sure Yami won't mind Sophia going to the sleepover. We know Kelly's parents well.' Yugi thought.


Yami had barely walked in the door when Sophia came barreling at him.

"Daddy!" Sophia said, hugging him.

"Hi, Sophia." Yami said.

"Daddy, something great happened in school today!" Sophia said.

"What's that?" Yami asked as he walked into the living room with Sophia.

"My class is going to be doing a play on The Swan Princess. I'm going to get to be in it!" Sophia said.

"That's great, Sophia." Yami said with a smile as he sat down on the couch beside Yugi. "What part are you playing?" Yami asked.

"I don't know yet. I'll find out on Friday. We're going to be trying out for parts during the week." Sophia said.

"Well, that's good news. I can't wait to see you in it." Yami said.

"Thanks, Daddy." Sophia said before she ran off.

"She seems excited." Yami said.

"She is." Yugi said.

Yami noticed something. "What's bothering you?" Yami asked.

"Sophia thinks she won't get a good part because there are some kids whose parents use their connections to get their kids the parts they want." Yugi said.

Yami sighed. "Even in public school, people do that." Yami said.

"Yeah, but Sophia doesn't seem too bothered by it. I think that she's excited to just be in it." Yugi said.

"And that's all that matters." Yami said.

"There's also this." Yugi said, hanging Yami the sleepover invitation.

"I take it that Sophia wants to go." Yami said.

"Well, Kelly is Sophia's best friend, so I would say that she wants to go." Yugi said.

"Well, I know Kelly's parents well. There's no reason not to. Unless she gets in trouble, that is." Yami said.

There was the sound of fighting coming from upstairs, obviously Brighton and Mitchell.

"Than again, the ones who get in trouble are upstairs." Yami said.

"Boys! Stop fighting!" Yugi called.

"Yes, Yugi!" Brighton and Mitchell said.

"You realize one of us will have to go up there in a little bit." Yami said.

"I know." Yugi said.

A moment later, Sophia came back. "Daddy, I forgot to tell you about Kelly's sleepover." Sophia said.

Yami smiled. "Yugi's already told me about it. You can go to the sleepover." Yami said.

Sophia's eyes lit up. "I can?" Sophia asked.

"Yes." Yami and Yugi said.

"Thank you!" Sophia said, hugging Yami and Yugi before she ran back upstairs.

Yami chuckled. "That made her happy." Yami said.

"I knew it would. You know that Sophia and Kelly are the best of friends." Yugi said.

"I know. They've been friends since preschool." Yami said.

"In any case, it's good that she's going to go to a sleepover." Yugi said.

"Yeah. I just hope that Sophia gets a good part in the play." Yami said.

Yugi placed his hand on Yami's arm. "Yami, as long as Sophia enjoys herself in the play, that's all that matters. Besides, us being in the audience will mean a lot more to her than having a lead part." Yugi said.

"You're right, Yugi." Yami said as he pulled Yugi to him. "I'm glad that you're able to help me think of the positive things instead of dwelling on the negative." Yami said.

"Well, someone has to." Yugi said.

Yami chuckled. "That's a good point." Yami said.


~Friday~

Sophia and Kelly were sitting in their class.

A lot of the girls were talking about the play and wondering what part they were going to play.

"Carla thinks that she got the part of Odette." Kelly muttered.

"She may have.' Sophia said.

"Yeah, but I know the last play she was in, she forgot some of the lines at show time." Kelly said.

"Maybe she's gotten better." Sophia said.

"That was last year. I don't know that she has gotten that much better." Kelly said.

"Come on, Kelly. You should give her the benefit of the doubt." Sophia said.

"I guess I should." Kelly agreed.

"Besides, I don't mind playing a part that doesn't get as much stage time. I'll just be glad to be in the play." Sophia said.

"That's good." Kelly said. She then asked, "Are you going to be able to come to my sleepover?"

"Yeah. Daddy and Yugi said yes last night." Sophia said.

"Great! I can't wait until tomorrow night." Kelly said.

Mrs. Kizawa then stood up in front of the class. "All right, class. Settle down. We need to get started." Mrs. Kizawa said.

The class slowly settled down and turned their attention to their teacher.

"Before we begin, I'll tell everyone what part they are going to play." Mrs. Kizawa said.

There were some groans as well as some cheers.

Mrs. Kizawa smiled before she looked at her list and started to name off names of students and the part that they would play.

There were several students who were happy with the part that they would play while there were others who weren't so thrilled.

"Carla Gallows, you'll be Speed." Mrs. Kizawa said.

The part was of the turtle.

"The turtle Carla asked.

"Yes." Mrs. Kizawa said before moving on.

Kelly stifled a giggle. "I guess she didn't get the part that she wanted after all." Kelly said.

Sophia smiled.

"Kelly Montez, you'll be playing the part of Queen Uberta." Mrs. Kizawa said.

"I play Prince Derek's mother." Kelly murmured.

Sophia smiled. "Looks like you get a big part after all." Sophia said.

"Yeah." Kelly agreed.

"Sophia Sennen, you'll have the part of Princess Odette." Mrs. Kizawa said.

Sophia was shocked. She didn't expect that she would get the lead role of the play.

"That's great, Sophia. You'll make a great princess." Kelly said.

"Thanks." Sophia said.

"All right. Over the next few weeks, I expect you to start learning your parts. Before you are dismissed for the day, I'll give you each a script that has your lines marked. Start practicing. You need to know your lines as soon as possible." Mrs. Kizawa said.

Class then started.


At recess, Sophia and Kelly were talking along with Michelle and Ashley.

"It's great that you got the lead role, Sophia." Ashley said.

"Yeah. You'll do great in the play." Michelle added.

"Thanks. I thought that Carla would have gotten it." Sophia said.

"I'm glad she didn't. She doesn't start trying to memorize anything until the last minute." Kelly said.

"Yeah. You know she messed up a lot in the play last year. It might be why Mrs. Kizawa gave you the part." Ashley said.

"Yeah." Kelly said. She looked at Sophia. "You'll start memorizing your line now, won't you?" Kelly asked.

"Yeah. I want to be ready." Sophia said.

"I would, too." Ashley said.


Yami and Yugi were sitting on the couch in the living room.

Yugi had gotten off at one, so Yami had only worked until twelve so that he and Yugi could spend the say alone together.

"I'm glad that Mom decided to pick up Sophia for us." Yami said as he kissed the back of Yugi's neck.

Yugi giggled. "Probably because she knew what you and I were up to and figured that she'd better get Sophia." Yugi said.

"True." Yami agreed.

The door to the house was opened.

"Daddy! Yugi!" Sophia shouted.

"We're in the living room, Sophia." Yugi called as Yami let go of Yugi.

Sophia ran into the living room and jumped onto the couch with Yami and Yugi. "You're not going to believe this! I'm so excited! I just can't believe it!" Sophia said.

Yami smiled at his daughter. He could tell that she was very excited. "All right, Sophia. Calm down. What has gotten you so excited?" Yami asked as he out Sophia in his lap.

"We found out what parts we are going to play today!" Sophia said happily.

"And what part are you playing, Sophia?" Yugi asked.

"I get to play Odette!" Sophia said.

"Odette?" Yami murmured. He had never paid attention to the movie when he has watched it with Sophia so he had no clue who that was.

Yugi shook his head. "The princess." Yugi said.

"Yeah! I can't believe that I got picked for the part! I got the lead role!" Sophia said.

Yami smiled. "That is great news, Sophia." Yami said, happy for his daughter.

"We got out lines today, so I need to start practicing my lines. Will you help me?" Sophia asked, looking hopefully at her father.

This wasn't something up Yami's alley.

"Of course we will, Sophia." Yugi said.

"Thank you!" Sophia said.

"What part did Kelly get?" Yami asked.

"She's Queen Uberta, Prince Derek's mother." Sophia replied.

"Well, it's good that you both got good parts." Yugi said.

"Thanks." Sophia said before she headed upstairs.

"So, Sophia got the lead role after all." Yami said.

"She seems really excited about it, too." Yugi said.

"Well, I'm glad. I'm sure that Sophia is going to do great." Yami said.

"I know she will." Yami said. He turned to Yugi and said, "But why did you say that we would help with her line?"

"Because as her father, it's your job." Amara said as she walked in the room.

"I guess you know, huh?" Yami said.

"Of course I do. It's all she talked about on the way home." Amara said.

"Well, I guess we'll know the play by heart by the time it comes show time." Yami said.

"And it won't be that big of a deal." Yugi said.

"No. it won't." Yami said.

"I know you two will go to the play, and I know Aknankanon and I will. Are you going to make Brighton and Mitchell go?" Amara asked.

"I don't know yet. If they want to go, I'm not going to stop them." Yami said.

"And if they don't want to go?" Amara asked.

"It's going to depend on if they do anything to get in trouble between now and then." Yami answered.

"So, that would be their punishment?" Amara asked.

"I suppose so." Yami said.


The following day, Yami and Yugi took Sophia over to the Montez house around six for the sleepover.

"Hi, Yami. Yugi." Christine Montez said.

"Hi, Christine." Yami said.

"Hi, Mrs. Montez." Sophia said.

"Hello, Sophia. Kelly and Michelle are already in the living room. You can go on in there if you want." Christine said.

"Thank you." Sophia said before running into the house and to the living room.

"Good luck." Yami said.

"Thank you. I'm going to need it." Christine said.

"What time should we come and get Sophia tomorrow?" Yugi asked.

"I thought that I'd let the girls stay until around twelve." Christine said.

"All right. We'll see you then, Christine." Yami said before he and Yugi left the house.

Christine then closed the door and walked into the living room to find that the girls were already playing together.

There were only going to be Kelly, Sophia, Michelle, and Ashley.

When Ashley arrived, they started the sleepover.


Yugi and Yami had picked Sophia up the next day.

"Did you enjoy yourself?" Yami asked.

"Yeah. We watched movies and played a lot of games we liked. And Mr. Montez dressed up in a pink dress." Sophia said.

Yami started laughing. "Now that would have been a sight." Yami said.

"Yami, I think that I should remind you that you have been in that position." Yugi said.

"I know, and that's why I have the right to laugh about it." Yami said.


Over the next several weeks, Yami and Yugi were helping Sophia practice her lines for the play.

Sophia was learning her lines rather quickly.

After a month, the class started to have rehearsals for the play after school.

Either Yami or Yugi would go to get Sophia after school, and they would usually see the last bit of the performance. They would see how the play got better each time.

Before long, it was the week before the play when the kids would spend half of the school day in class and half of the day practicing for the play.


"How was practice today, Sophia?" Yugi asked as they walked to the car after Sophia was done.

"It was fine. I'm getting nervous about the play, though." Sophia said.

"Don't worry, Sophia. You'll be fine." Yugi assured her.

"You think?" Sophia asked.

"Yes. It will be fine. You know your lines well, and I'm sure that you're acting is great, too." Yugi said.

"Thanks, Yugi." Sophia said as she got in the car.

Yugi also got in the car and headed home.

"Can I give you some advice that my grandfather gave me when I was in a play?" Yugi asked.

"What's that?" Sophia asked.

"When it comes to the actual performance, try not to think about the audience. Act like it's another dress rehearsal. You don't have to think about the fact that there are a lot of people there." Yugi said.

"Does that work?" Sophia asked.

"It did for me. All you have to do is forget that there is an audience. Just do it the way you did in rehearsal." Yugi said.

"Okay. Yugi. Thanks." Sophia said.

Yugi smiled. "Anytime, Sophia." Yugi said.


~Performance Day~

Sophia and the rest of the cast were ready for the show.

"Sophia, are you nervous?" Kelly asked.

"A little." Sophia said.

"I'm terrified. I've never had this big of a part in a play before." Kelly said.

Sophia smiled. "You'll do fine, Kelly." Sophia said.

"I wish I had your confidence." Kelly said.

"Kelly, I think that you could use the same advice that Yugi gave me. Yugi said to forget that the audience is out there and act like this is dress rehearsal." Sophia said.

"Well, it might help." Kelly said.

"Just try it. That's what I'm going to do." Sophia said.


Yugi and Yami were already sitting in the audience, waiting for the play to start.

Aknankanon and Amara were also in the audience along with Solomon, Brighton, Mitchell, and Danny.

To Yami and Yugi's surprise, Seto and Joey had come along with Marik, Malik, Bakura, and Ryou.

"I can't wait to see Sophia in this play." Ryou said.

"Yeah. I wonder if she's as good at acting as you are, Yami." Marik said, looking over at Yami with a smirk.

Yami glared at him. "Knock it off, Marik." Yami said.

"Okay. Calm down. This is about Sophia." Amara said.

"Hi, Yami."

The group looked to see Christine Montez and her husband, Mick.

"Hey, Christine. Mick." Yami said.

"Ready to see how this goes?" Mick asked as the two sat behind them.

"I'm sure that it'll be great. Sophia's been practicing a lot." Yugi said.

"Kelly has, too." Christine said.


The play went off without a hitch.

Sophia and Kelly both did great in their parts. Neither missed a line, and their acting was great for a couple of seven-year-olds.

After the play, the girls met up with their families once they were back in their regular clothes.

"That was a great performance, Sophia." Yami said as he hugged his daughter.

"Thank you, daddy." Sophia said.

"You did excellent, sweetheart. I told you that you would do great with this part." Christine said.

"Thanks, Mommy. It was Sophia's advice that calmed me down." Kelly said.

"What advice?" Yami asked.

"Yugi gave me some advice that I should just pretend this was another dress rehearsal and act like the audience wasn't there so I wouldn't get too nervous." Sophia said.

"I gave you that advice." Solomon said with a smile, looking at his grandson.

"Well, it worked for me, so I thought it might help Sophia." Yugi said.

"It did. Thanks, Yugi." Sophia said.

"Yeah. Thanks." Kelly said.

"You're welcome." Yugi said.

"Well, I think that this play was a complete success." Mick said.

"Yes. It was." Amara agreed.

"All right. Let's leave. I think that we should take these two out for ice cream." Yami said.

Both Sophia and Kelly seemed really happy at that thought.


That night, Yugi and Yami were lying bed.

"I told you that helping Sophia prepare for the play would be a good thing." Yugi said.

"Yeah, and you were right about something else as well." Yami said.

Yugi turned his head to look at Yami. "What's that?" Yugi asked.

"Us being there to watch her was a lot more important to her than what part she got." Yami said.

"Well, for a kid her age, just knowing her parents are there for her and us encouraging her is the most important thing right now." Yugi said.

"Yes. I've noticed that recently." Yami said.

"And you can't say that I didn't enjoy spending the time with Sophia." Yugi said.

"No. I can't. I did enjoy that." Yami agreed.

"So, this play was a very good thing." Yugi said.

"Yeah. It was." Yami agreed.

The two soon went to sleep.


Hope you liked it.

Next: It might be about Mitchell's first date.

R&R.