CHAPTER FORTY-EIGHT
Namba, Osaka
Japan
November 11, 2006
When they got on the bus, everyone was loaded down with shopping bags. Bikky talked about some of the things his grandfathers and great-grandmother bought for him. Dee's fathers and grandmother also bought some things for Carol. They also bought some more clothes for Darin and Ryoko. Sakura explained that they bought only a couple of things they could wear now, and everything else was for when they were a little older and growing out of the clothes they wore now.
Dee and Ryo also learned that they went into a couple of the game centers. Yoshio and Sakura watched as Bikky, Carol, Kenny, Mami and Saburo played video games. When they were in Taito station, Yoshio showed Bikky and Carol how to play the UFO games and get the good prizes. Bikky and Carol didn't do very bad, having a bag filled with smaller things and a couple of the better prizes. Mami and Kenny had more better ones than the small ones. Yoshio and Saburo had bags filled with good prizes. Kiyoshi and Tatsuya also had a bag each from the UFO games. They didn't play but everyone who was put some of their prizes in bags for the two little boys. Dee thought that was great. The little boys were happily showing off the prizes, especially the ones from Bikky and Carol.
Thinking they could actually spend money while they shopped, it turned out that Hitoshi and Kyoshii paid for most of their purchases, claiming they owed the couple wedding gifts. Dafydd was amused by it all, and later assured Dee that he was being treated no differently than anyone else in the family. The only difference was the Fujiokas were not able to gift Dee and Ryo at the time of their wedding. Kyoshii added that there were also birthdays they had missed out on and needed to get caught up with.
Dee gave Dafydd a sly grin and asking his great-uncles, "So that means Ryo and I also have birthdays and anniversaries to make up for. Meaning you have to let us pay at some point."
"Wait for it," Dafydd whispered, looking amused.
Hitoshi waved Dee off. "We are the elders, so it is our pleasure to gift then next generations. You do know owe us anything."
Saburo started to laugh. "What my uncle said, Daisuke. But if you feel obliged to do something to make up for missed anniversaries and birthdays, you make sure you're at the next one."
"You and Chichi's definitely. Also Obāsan's and Ojiisan's. And Dafydd and Momo. I will make my best effort for Ojiisans Hitoshi's and Kyoshii's," Dee said. "And hope for the best for everyone else, especially my siblings," Dee said.
Ryo shook his head and started to laugh. "We might as well move here then. I don't see how we're going to have much time to spend in New York in between all the anniversaries and birthdays in your family, Dee."
Dee's fathers, great-uncles and grandmother were laughing. "Do not stress yourself for other than your immediate family," Hitoshi said. "A card will do just as nicely for us." Kyoshii nodded his head in agreement with his husband.
"We'll figure something out," Dee said. "But for now, thank you for all the great things we have in the bags back there." Dee indicated the back section of the bus where all their shopping for the day was stored until they got back to the hotel.
He noticed that Saburo still had a shopping bag with him. His father noticed what he was looking at.
"This seems like a good time to give this to you and your family," Saburo said, handing the large colorful plastic shopping bag to Dee. "I managed to slip off on my own, but Yoshio sent me off knowing we both could never get away with it without Bikky seeing. This is just a little something we wanted you to have for the rest of your trip, and beyond. Enjoy."
Dee looked in the bag, moving the striped tissue paper the bag was packed with and his mouth dropped. He looked at his father. "I think I know what you did, Papa."
"What is it?" Bikky asked, leaning over Dee's shoulder, standing up from his seat behind Dee and Ryo.
"Yeah, Dee. Show us," Ryo said, trying to look in the bag.
Dee was counting as he looked in the bag. "Okay." He pulled out a box and handed it to Bikky. "I'm guessing this is for you." He handed an identical box to Ryo. "And this is for you." He took out another of the same box. "Carol, you got one too. And there's one left in the bag for me." He looked at his father for confirmation.
"I know you could do well without, but I really wanted you to have the best, especially during your time with our family," Saburo said.
"Oh wow!" Bikky exclaimed. "It's one of those camera/video things you told us about. Thank you, Ojiisan!"
"You are way too kind to include me, Saburo-san. Thank you very much. Yoshio-san, you too," Carol said.
"Are we able to try these out at Umeda?" Dee asked. "Thank you, Papa and Chichi."
"I made sure new batteries were put in the cameras as I bought them," Saburo said. "Umeda is a great place to try out the cameras for the first time."
"I was looking at cameras, but Dafydd pulled me away, insisting to show us some new karaoke machines," Ryo said. Dee started to laugh. "Now we know why. Thank you very much, Papa and Chichi. That is most kind of you. We will definitely be using these cameras a lot."
"I am glad you like," Saburo said. "They are the best of the best. You do not need to switch between a camera and your camcorder anymore. These cameras will have the best high definition quality photo and video."
"That is much appreciated, Papa," Dee said. "And Chichi, since I know you were in on it too." Dee took his out of the box and looked at it. Saburo leaned over from his seat on the other side and gave Dee some pointers in using it, while Ryo, Bikky and Carol watched. Finally, Saburo took the box from Dee to remove the strap, and then took the camera. Once the strap was securely fastened on the camera, he placed the strap around Dee's neck.
Dee lifted the camera, pointing it at the bus window, looking to find something to take a photo of. He could have just snapped, but this was the first photo of a great camera given to him by his biological father, so it had to be special. It then dawned on him.
Before he had a chance to turn in the direction he wanted, he heard Ryo say, "And it's official. Dee's Japanese."
Dafydd and Momo started to laugh and clapped their hands. Bikky and Carol were also laughing.
Dee grinned at Ryo. "Apparently I am." He turned to face his fathers, getting both of them in focus in the viewfinder. "And there's my Japanese daddies." His response made Saburo and Yoshio smile and laugh and Dee took the picture.
The bus let them off at the Umeda Sky Building. Hitoshi said that they were a little early because traffic was better than expected getting there, so they should go up. The rest of the family were going to meet up at the Hanging Garden since it would be more convenient than gathering in the plaza. The plaza seemed large enough. In fact, there was a tour group now gathered in the plaza for the building, getting ready to go up. Maybe it was better for the smaller groups to go up as they arrived and form the large family gathering at the Hanging Garden. Not that Dee had any idea about how big it was, since this was his first time going, but as he looked up at the disc that seemed to float between the two towers, it did seem big enough to hold several large groups.
On the way up to the floor where they would get the escalators to the garden, Hitoshi said that Katsuru's and Kika's restaurant was in a department store by Osaka Station. Already knowing this, Saburo assured them that the bus would be waiting to pick them up when they were done with the Hanging Garden.
Only the relatives Dee did not meet yet were to meet up at the garden. Everyone else would be heading over to the restaurant, which was closed for the night. There were still others he was yet to meet. Their daughter Kiyoko, who was born in Nagoya but never moved back to Japan from San Francisco obviously couldn't make it that night, but Hitoshi said he had spoken to her and she wanted him to call her later that night so her and her family could say hello. She was married to an Irish-American man named Thomas McKennitt. Then there was one of their twin daughters who lived in Kumamoto, Mitsuko, who hoped they could meet for at least a meal when Dee and his family was in Kyushu, the southern island that made up mainland Japan, where Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita and Fukouka were located. Mitsuko's twin sister, Shoji, lived in Kobe and was able to come to Osaka for the evening and they would be meeting at the Hanging Garden. Last was their daughter Mie, who was born in San Francisco, but living in Nagasaki with her husband, who was retired JMSDF and their children. He was posted in Nagasaki shortly after they were married and when he retired, they decided to stay.
When they reached the Hanging Garden, Hitoshi got a text and started looking around. With a smile, he directed the group to his daughter Shoji, who started to wave as they came in sight. Shoji was born in Nagoya but grew up in San Francisco before moving back with most of the family when Kyoshii got the job offer in Osaka that was too good to pass up and had Hitoshi's agreement that Kyoshii should take it and they would make the move to Osaka.
Hitoshi introduced them to Dee and his family, and then the rest of the family now travelling with the Laytner-MacLeans said their hellos. Sakura asked if they planned to be in Nagoya for the party the next weekend, and they confirmed, stating that their children would be with them. For the day, they left their youngest with their older siblings and came to Osaka just the two of them.
"Are you planning on staying here for the night?" Kyoshii asked.
"Yes, we are. Yuuto said he had no problem watching our younger ones. He has the evening news this week," Shoji said. "Katashi is going to watch Yori, Hiromasa and Hotoka when Yuuto leaves for work."
"Yori is Shoji's and Yoshikazu's 16-year old son, and Hiromasa and Hotoka are their 10-year-old twins," Kyoshii said. "Yoshikazu is also from a family with the twin gene and he carried their twins."
"I feel sorry for our children," Shoji stated with amusement. "They have the double zap of the twin gene. But I fell in love with Yoshikazu and we both wanted a family."
"The boys will always have at least two children, and even their daughters stand a chance of multiple pregnancies," Hitoshi said.
"Ouch," Dee commented. "Let's hope your children want big families when they're ready to have children." He looked at Ryo. "It's a good thing we know you don't have the twin gene," he said to Ryo. "And at least the next time we're expecting a baby, it will be just one, since you're up the next time."
"Yes, I am," Ryo said.
"What does Yuuto do that he has a night shift?" Dee asked.
"Yuuto is a cameraman for a news channel in Osaka," Hitoshi proudly replied.
"In the studio or out?" Ryo asked, interested.
"Both," Yoshikazu replied. "He's in the studio unless there is something happening that his team needs to cover. He's been sent overseas a couple of times. Paris and London. He would really love to be one of those adventure journalists one day."
"My Aunt Elena, my father's sister, and her husband are a camera team and travel all over to do documentaries and report news," Ryo said.
"Nice," Hitoshi said. "Maybe one day they can give Yuuto tips on getting out on his own."
"He'll need some money to live on for a while until he can start selling stories," Ryo said. "My aunt and uncle have all sorts of stories of before they started making money." He started to laugh.
"I'm sure. He'll have that if he decides to go on his own," Shoji said. "But for now, he's enjoying what he's doing. He says he's getting great experience. He's been told that if things continue to escalate in America with the Anti-Carrier Coalition, his team is going to be sent to several cities to cover it."
"If they make it to New York, we'll make sure they have a great time in between working," Dee said. "In fact, we might even be able to get them in to talk to our unit."
"Daisuke is chief of a very important unit that protects Carriers," Sakura stated proudly. "And Ryo is his second."
"Oh, that's important," Shoji stated. "I'll be sure to make sure you and Yuuto are in touch long before that, so if you can do that, you won't be strangers with your cousin."
"If he's going to be in Nagoya, I'll make sure to talk to him about it," Dee promised.
"Yes, he is. He wants to do some filming at the party too, if you don't mind," Yoshikazu stated.
"I look forward to meeting him," Dee said with a smile.
"Before then, we are going to make a stop in Kobe before coming back to Nagoya," Ryo said. "Perhaps we can meet for a meal or something. We won't be there long. Mostly for a night and the next morning," Ryo said.
"Even better. Give us a call when you know for sure and we'll work something out," Shoji said.
"Shoji, will you and Yoshikazu be coming to the house for the night? We can prepare your room no problem," Kyoshii asked.
Shoji blushed prettily as she lowered her head and covered her mouth. Even Yoshikazu had a slight tinge of pink.
Dee started to laugh. "I'm sorry," he apologized. "It's just that I know what's going on."
Dafydd was laughing with Dee. "Ojiisan, they left all the children at home and plan to stay the night in Osaka."
Hitoshi started to grin at his daughter and son-in-law, making them blush more. "Second honeymoon?" he asked.
"Yes, Daddy. It was time for a getaway," Shoji replied. "I wouldn't call it a second honeymoon. That was many getaways ago, but it has been a while since the last one." She grinned at her father.
"That's okay, darling. I understand. So will your father. You got a nice room somewhere, I hope?"
"We have a suite at the Westin," she replied. "Not far from here, but we are interested in going to Dotonbori for a while, if you will have us join you."
"We will," Dee said. "The more, the merrier."
"We're sorry for being late," Dee heard a woman say and turned around to find two women who looked like they were in their late 20's with two young children.
"Nobutake!" Hitoshi exclaimed happily. "I'm so glad you and Masami were able to make it from Wakayama. Dee, this is your cousin Nobutake and her wife, Masami. And their children Daichi and Yuka."
Nobutake and Masami were introduced to Dee and his family, and then greeted the family members they knew. Everyone fell into comfortable conversation. About ten minutes later, Kyoshii started to smile as a group approached them. "Ah, and here's the last of them, I think."
Once Dee saw the approaching group, he knew immediately that they were cousins. He also knew they had to be Chiasa's daughters. Kenny rushing over to greet his older sisters was not a giveaway at all. Even if Kenny didn't go over to his sisters, it was still obvious, since they were closer to Bikky's skin tone than the average Japanese.
The oldest, Luna, was there with her husband, Ken, and their 2 children. They were not yet finished with their family as Ken was in his second trimester.
As Ken was introduced by them by Kyoshii, he said, "Ken's family also has the twin gene, which you were told earlier means sometimes combined with a Fujioka, even female, you get more than one. Ken is having triplets."
Dee winced, feeling sorry for the poor guy. It was no wonder Luna and Ken didn't join them earlier. Dee imagined it must be hell being that pregnant with triplets getting around most of the places they went to. The poor guy just got there and already he looked like he was ready to sit down. At least he was in the late stages of his pregnancy in the cooler weather. "Hajimemashite," he said to Ken with a slight bow, but held out a hand to stop Ken from bowing to him. "Triplets? I can't imagine. It was bad enough Carrying twins, even if I didn't know it at the time."
"That must have been a huge shock when they were born," Ken agreed. "I hear twins in America are very rare."
Dee nodded. "I had no idea I had the Japanese twin gene, and no family reference at the time to suspect I was having anything more than one. Hell, I didn't even know there was such a thing as a twin gene until we got to Japan. I thought the extra weight was from too many cravings." He indicated Ryo. "Twins don't run in my husband's family, even if he is half-Japanese, so we were expecting just one."
"Ultrasounds in America aren't as advanced as in Japan," Luna commented. "Otherwise, you would have known."
"No kidding. I had three of them and yet no indication of twins until Darin was born. We need to do something about that," Dee said. "But without giving away any secrets, I don't see that happening anytime soon."
"I was under the impression that there was only one Carrier gene," Ryo said. "My family gave no hint otherwise until we came here for this vacation. Dee and I didn't know we were Carriers until Dee got pregnant."
"Oh, that had to be a huge shock too," Luna commented, trying not to laugh.
Dee laughed and winked at her, which gave her permission to laugh with him. "It was. I knew there were Carriers out there, but I never considered that I could be until I found myself pregnant. We thought it was a good idea for Ryo to be tested, just in case since I was already pregnant. He's going to have the next one." He let out a sigh. "It's a completely different world when it comes to Carriers in Japan compared to America. I'm glad we decided to come here. Not only did we learn about different genes, and that Ryo actually has the Japanese gene, but as a bonus I learned that I had the twin gene thanks to finding my biological family."
"All those big shocks," Luna mused.
"Yeah, they are huge, but at least they were good shocks," Dee said. "And now here I am meeting another cousin and her family who live in Osaka."
With a huge grin, Luna stated, "I am American by birth. I was born in Los Angeles."
"Are you a Japanese national now?" Ryo asked. "I mean, if you're living in Japan and your mother is Japanese."
"My great-grandfather is Ryoichi Fujioka," Luna replied.
When Dee looked confused, Hitoshi started to laugh. "It means I got my older brother to use his clout with the government and all my children and grandchildren born in America have dual citizenship."
Ryo let out a whistle. "That's some clout. I didn't know anyone could have dual citizenship here. Japan is big on those applying for Japanese citizenship to renounce their other nationality."
"Fujiokas are the exception," Dafydd said. "Don't look at me that way. I'm Japanese National only. I might be half-Welsh, but I have no Welsh citizenship."
"Dafydd, like you Daisuke, was born in Japan, obviously since you're twins, and we were in America on an extended visa obtained by my father," Saburo said. "We did not need to apply for citizenship. Now Uncle Hitoshi has dual citizenship."
Hitoshi nodded. "I couldn't stay 20 years in San Francisco on a visa. We didn't have to keep returning to Japan and enter the US again after a certain amount of time. Again, Fujioka influence. However, we did go to Japan at times of our choosing, like vacations, special family events, that type of thing."
"What your brother needs to do next is to get Daisuke dual citizenship, Hitoshi," Sakura said to her brother-in-law. "I understand why Daisuke would not want to give up his American citizenship." Looking at Dee, she continued, "You did live almost all your life in New York as an American. No one should expect you to drop it just because you recently found out that you were born in Japan. I need to work on your grandfather to be flexible and allow you to keep your American citizenship but still allow you to have everything that is your right being born in Japan."
"If Grandfather could do that, I think I would accept that offer," Dee said.
"I will speak to him when I'm back in Nagoya," Sakura said.
"If you can get him to listen," Dee commented. "Somehow I don't see my grandfather becoming flexible in matters non-Japanese."
"He has to start learning how to be so," Sakura said.
The group moved near some benches looking out to the inside of the circular walkways of the Hanging Garden so Ken could sit down and relax while the rest of the family got to know each other. Ken ended up with Darin and was tickling and kissing the baby boy, making him laugh and squeal with joy.
Luna had Ryoko, who was smiling and patting Luna's nose. "These babies are so happy," she exclaimed and kissed Ryoko's nose.
"You haven't been around them some nights," Dee remarked. "Especially our little guy, but when he's upset and crying, it does start up his sister."
"They've been sleeping well since you arrived in Nagoya," Saburo stated.
"They've been conked out before we were done running all over the place too," Dee said to his father. "And there's also all the loving from the family. By the time we put them in their crib at night they're already asleep and too tired to even think about crying a fit."
"Until they're hungry," Ryo added.
"There is that. At least they seem to be more or less on a schedule," Dee agreed.
"Speaking of, I think it's almost feeding time," Ryo said.
"If you do not mind, me and your father can do that, while you continue to know your cousins," Sakura offered, holding out her arms toward Luna.
"Darin is already with Ken," Saburo said. "Not that I don't like feeding my grandchildren, but if Ken would like to, I am fine with it."
"How do they react to strangers feeding them?" Ken asked, slightly concerned.
"As long as they are being fed when they are hungry, it doesn't matter who is holding the bottle," Ryo replied. "Besides, we all might have just met, but I'm starting to notice when Darin and Ryoko are sensing family. Darin is showing all the signs that he's enjoying meeting a new family member."
Dee nodded in agreement. "Yeah, ever since we started meeting Fujiokas, the chibis seem to sense all these new people are family and taking to everyone extremely well. Even Grandfather. Well, I wouldn't say extremely well, but they sense he's family too."
Hitoshi snorted loudly making some of the family laugh. "Sakura, even if I didn't know already, what I just heard tells me that Dee met my older brother."
Sakura rolled her eyes and sighed. "He was acting like a jackass," she simply said. "And he still had things to say about it after. So, I told him he better change his tune by the time I get back to Nagoya." She went over to Dee and slipped her arm through his. "I decided that I much rather spend time with my grandson that I haven't seen since he was four months old instead of listening to my husband go on about having more gaijin family."
"I'm glad you did, Obāsan," Dee said tenderly, giving his grandmother a warm smile. "It was a nice surprise that you were joining Dafydd and Momo. Okay, Dafydd and Momo coming here today was also a nice surprise."
"Daisuke found out we were joining them today when we were on the shinkansen," Sakura explained to the family who had confused looks on their faces.
"We met them at Tsuruhashi Station," Hitoshi explained.
"And you're stuck with us until tomorrow night," Dafydd remarked to Dee with a smirk.
"You're annoying sometimes," Dee commented, "but I suck because I'm glad to have you around for a couple of days."
The relatives around them laughed at Dee as Dafydd hugged Dee.
Dee guided Sakura to the bench to sit next to Ken with Ryoko and then took the bottles in a warmer out of the bag and turned it on. He set it down on the bench next to his grandmother.
"Oh, I see you are using our bottle warmers," Sakura exclaimed happily.
"We got a couple at the store," Dee said. "I didn't know there was something like that, but now I don't know how we got around without it."
"I wish we had them when your grandfather and I had akachans to feed," she said.
"I wish we had them for Daisuke and Dafydd, and Jirou," Saburo said. "Yoshio did too, which is why he thought of it." He let out a laugh, winking at his husband, who grinned.
Sakura checked the warmer. "It's feeding time. You go and get to know your cousins more, Daisuke. And also take time to enjoy this unusual observation deck."
"Oh we will, Obāsan," Dee said. On impulse, he leaned down and kissed his grandmother's forehead.
Dee went back to the newcomers, who Ryo and Bikky were already talking to. Naomi was another of Chiasa's and Sam's daughters who was born in Los Angeles. She had her husband, Hotaka. Naomi explained that they left their 2-year-old daughter home with their grandmother, Hotaka's mother. Also there was SJ's twin sister, Midori, and like her twin was also born in Los Angeles, and her fiancé, Chiyo.
After Sakura and Ken assured Dee and Ryo that they were fine sitting with the babies until they were done feeding, the group started to wander along the garden. It wasn't exactly a disc, where there was a middle section as part of the garden. The Hanging Garden reminded Dee more of the spaceships where the ship was round, and the halls curved to form a circle. The walkway was much wider, and instead of high metal walls, there were lower railings. The railings were designed to be safe but made it easier to lean against and enjoy the view of the city from there.
At one point after Dee took some pictures of Bikky with his new cousins, he leaned against the railing, looking out at the city. He felt Dafydd stand next to him and turned to find his twin leaning on the railing.
"It's beautiful from up here, isn't it?" Dafydd asked.
"Yeah, it really is," Dee had to agree.
"I told Carol that we should do a short segment for her channel if she wants up here."
"It looks like they are doing an all kid segment right now," Dee said, looking back. "These cameras are great."
"Papa swears by them. Even though Momo and I had good cameras, we didn't have that one, so Papa bought one for each of us for an anniversary gift. I have to admit it is better."
"I don't think we have anything like this in America yet," Dee said.
"Carol said when they are done, she will come over to us," Dafydd stated. "This is one of the places, Dee. We came here a lot since it opened, and for some reason as I stared out at Osaka below, I would wonder how it would feel being here, looking with you."
"Oh…." Dee turned to face his brother. "I understand." He smiled. "And here we are."
"It makes me so happy."
"I never knew this would be so important to me, but it makes me very happy too. I mean," Dee gestured toward Osaka below. "Such a beautiful city, and not only do I get to share the experience with my husband and son, but with my twin brother too. Thanks for coming today, Dafydd. And for bringing Obāsan."
"When I told her last night that we were thinking of going to Osaka, I think she already started to pack her bags," Dafydd said. "She still is really steamed at Ojiisan. I don't think I heard her call anyone an ass before, but she's been saying it a lot about Ojiisan since you left Nagoya."
"He is an ass. I do know enough now, especially after meeting this family, that he does have his good side, but his generosity still doesn't give him the right talk down to family just because they aren't full Japanese. It's no wonder Uncle Hitoshi lives here in Osaka with his family. After 20 years living in America, I'll bet that makes him gaijin to Grandfather."
"Ojiisan loves Uncle Hitoshi very much, but yes, he does have something to say at times about how American they are."
"I like them," Dee said about the family in Osaka.
"You would," Dafydd teased. "You're American too."
Dee started to laugh. "Yes, I am. I am your American twin. Gonna do something about it?"
"Yeah. I'm going to have to go to New York sometime early next year and go up to the top of the Empire State Building."
Dee stared at his brother in confusion. "Okay. Not that I'm complaining about you coming to New York, but that's a bit random."
"Not random at all. You see, when I was living in New York, I would go up there a lot. It was a good place to go at night to think about things. About you. I would go during the day at times too. And I would stare out across the city from all sides, imagining that somewhere you were down there."
"I was in Yokohama instead," Dee commented.
"I know now," Dafydd said. "I didn't when I was in university in New York. But like here, I want to go up to the top of the Empire State Building with you and stare out at the city together."
"We should," Dee agreed. "I didn't know back when I was in university that I had a twin, but I did go to university in Yokohama, and we did get a chance to stare out at Yokohama together from the Landmark Tower." Dee sighed. "Dafydd, I really wish you and Momo would come to New York with your boys for New Years. If Ryo's grandparents hadn't already went through so much to have this party, I would have gladly gone back to New York for the orphanage's Christmas party and then back to Nagoya for New Year, but I can't. And it's going to suck being in New York, knowing I finally have a family and a twin brother and can't be with any of them."
"I can't either. Ojiisan never lets anyone go anywhere. New Year in Japan is a family holiday. And then there are all those men who want to have babies who seem to make pilgrimages to visit the shrine on New Year with their families. It's a busy time, and Uncle Takahiro needs all hands-on deck. And since Ojisan is Ojiisan's twin, then Ojiisan lays down the rule that we all must be in Nagoya and helping out at the shrine. Then in the afternoon on New Year's Day, we all have osechi at Obāsan's and Ojiisan's house. It's just the way it is. And gaijin or not, you're going to be expected to be part of it next year."
"We're planning on it already, but not because our grandfather demands it. I just want to be with my family."
Dafydd moved to hug him. "We'll work it out somehow this year. Maybe not exactly how we would like, but we'll be together."
"I know."
"Um… is this a bad time?" they heard Carol say.
Dee and Dafydd turned around. "No, not at all, Princess," Dafydd said to her. "Are you ready for us now?"
"Yup. Bikky's going to use his camera, while we do this segment."
Bikky came over. "Do both of you know enough of what's down there to point things out?" he asked. "I was thinking that after Uncle Dafydd says his thing, then he can either point out things to you, Dad. And then it would be cool if you can point out a few things to Uncle Dafydd."
Dee glanced down at the city and nodded. "Yeah, I know a few things from up here. I don't know if your uncle will point them out first."
"If I do, then you interrupt and tell me what I'm pointing to," Dafydd suggested.
"Okay. Yeah, cool." Dee looked at Bikky. "My son the producer," he said with a smile. "That's a great idea, Biks."
"Thanks Dad."
OoOoOoO
Sakura sat on the bench, finished feeding Ryoko and cuddled the baby close to her. Ken was also done and the bottles were back in the warmer unit with the unit turned off. She was watching across the walkway where Dafydd and Daisuke seemed to be having one of those twin moments. She smiled warmly as she watched and had to use the tissue that Yoshio offered her when her oldest twin grandsons hugged. She still couldn't believe that Daisuke was alive and was back with their family. Once he left Nagoya, it seemed surreal to her, like a pleasant dream and afraid to wake up to a reality where they still believed Daisuke was dead. Even knowing that the reason Saburo and Yoshio were not in Nagoya was to go to Kyoto and Osaka with Daisuke and his family.
It was the reason why when she had heard of Dafydd's tentative plans to take his family to Osaka and meet up with Daisuke and their fathers, she came to a quick decision. She was already at her wit's end hearing her husband complain and moan about how American his oldest grandson was. Daisuke, along with Dafydd, were originally the family heirs. They no longer were, but Sakura suspected they still had the rights to some of the family legacy, especially listening to her husband talk, but to her husband it was a disgrace that a Fujioka would be American. She didn't understand and pointed out that Daisuke was not the first American Fujioka. They had their niece and nephew in Chicago, and then there was this family, one of the matriarchs of this branch being one of Ryoichi's younger brothers. She even pointed out that Hitoshi wasn't the only one of Ryoichi's family to live in America. Ryoichi, Hitoshi and the rest of their siblings all had spent some time growing up in America's south while their fathers and uncles worked on the Carrier Project. She had to wonder if something so terrible happened during that time to turn her husband so against America. If there was, she was never able to find out. Not from Ryoichi and not from any of his siblings. It was just something they didn't talk about. The time in America was something never discussed with their children and their children's children. Sakura was ordered by her father-in-law to never mention it, and Ryoichi reinforced the order after his father's death.
And yet the silly man would sometimes decide to make dinner for the family that included country fried steak with sausage gravy and biscuits. He would have mustard greens sent in from America at times to complete the meal. Takahiro also made the best Southern fried chicken, but her husband was able to make some very good fried chicken that was very un-Japanese. Between the two, it meant that in the last few years, when KFC had gained popularity as a Christmas Day meal in Japan, that the Fujiokas who were able to make it to their house on Christmas Day had fried chicken that was in Sakura's opinion much better than the chain franchise from America. Both Takahiro and Ryoichi would be up early, starting on the biscuits and the gravy, seasoning chicken to be fried later. Turnip and mustard greens would be made, seasoned like it was in the South, and there was also macaroni and cheese made just like in America more than the Japanese way. Southern seasoned cabbage also would be on the menu. The only things Japanese they had for Christmas meal was the potato salad, which Sakura always insisted on making, and miso soup. Other than the meal itself, it was a huge deal on a day that really had no other significance other than the rest of Japan seemed to feel that a special meal was to be eaten that day, and for some reason that special meal for most of the country seemed to be chicken ordered from a franchise that originated in America. At least it was so for Shinto and Buddhists because Christmas did not have the same significance as those who were Christians in Japan. And in the Fujioka family, there were no Christians. Everyone was Shinto and also were open to Japanese Buddhism.
Until last Sunday when Daisuke showed up. The only Fujioka currently in Japan who was Christian, at least. There were Hajime's twins in Chicago who had converted to their spouses' religions.
But she was getting off the track. Or maybe not. All she had heard during the week from her husband was how Daisuke was American, and was Catholic, and how much that was a disgrace to their family.
She had heard enough by the time she spoke to Dafydd last night. And for once in her life, instead of asking for her husband's permission to travel somewhere, and then to wait at least a few days so they would plan for the time she would be gone, Sakura Fujioka said she would be going too. Which seemed to make Dafydd's mind up to definitely go. When she hung up the phone, she pulled out her suitcases and packed. Dafydd was on his way to pick her up, to take her back to his house where she would spend the night so they could get an early start the next morning. Ryoichi was still at the office when Dafydd arrived.
Yasu and Yuuki looked surprised when she entered the living room with her suitcases. The two were starting to make preparations for dinner and asked if she would be eating with them. When Dafydd arrived, she told Yasu and Yuuki that she was going to spend a few days with Daisuke and his family, wanting to spend as much time with him as possible while he was still in Japan, and that she had left a letter for her husband in his study.
As Dafydd put her suitcases in his car, she noticed that he had a couple of suitcases already in the back. He stopped at a Lawsons on the way to his house so that they could ship their larger suitcases to the L-M Hotel in Osaka. That way they only needed to take their carry-ons and whatever they needed for Tatsuya and Kiyoshi. By the time they finally returned to the hotel that evening, their luggage should be waiting for them.
Dafydd didn't ask any questions during the drive to his house, even if she knew he had to have been surprised about her decision. However, after dinner Ryoichi called her, demanding that she come home and wait the week until Daisuke was back in Nagoya. He even tried to tell her that she was needed in Nagoya to plan his party, but Sakura had faith in Tomoko and Kimi, knowing that they did not need help in planning it, and if they did have questions about anything Sakura might prefer, they would call her. She would not have to go to their offices and watch over them as they planned the party. Her granddaughter and her wife were extremely competent professionals who was able to handle any size event, even if they had a couple of days to do it. Look what they had managed to pull together last Sunday with only a few hours to work on the party.
Sakura went out into the garden for most of the call, holding her ground. It wasn't as if Ryoichi was one of those men who would starve if she didn't cook for him. Her husband could cook quite well when he wanted, including some Japanese dishes, even if his specialty seemed to be American Southern food. They didn't shout at each other. They never did, but they did exchange a few words before she finally told him that she'll talk to him next when she was back in Nagoya and hung up. Despite her moving the call away from Dafydd and his family, they had heard enough to know there were issues. That was when Dafydd mentioned his being surprised at her sudden decision to go with them. She told Dafydd and Momo that she was so tired of hearing her husband talk about their grandson who, as far as what they believed, came back from the dead. Not that Daisuke had died, and she was so thankful to find out that he was not killed with poor Alun, but the poor dear had lived all his life knowing nothing about this family. She needed see Daisuke again, assure herself that she wasn't dreaming and that he really was in Osaka with his fathers. She needed to make sure Daisuke knew he had at least a grandmother who loved him dearly. She would also do what she could to make sure Daisuke knew that there was a time when his grandfather loved him every bit as much, and that he still did, even if he had a stupid way of showing it.
She was glad she came to Osaka. She was also glad that her decision made Dafydd make up his mind. When he called, he said they were thinking about going, but nothing was decided. By the time they hung up, it was decided. It was a good thing one didn't need to buy tickets ahead of time for the shinkansen. They still had to show their passes at the JR ticket office to get seats on the next available train to Osaka. There was a 45-minute wait for the train they had seats on, which was fine. It gave them time to get bento and drinks for the train, a newspaper and a couple of magazines, and finally some coffee and pastry and still have time to make their way to the track at a leisurely pace.
Ryoichi did try to call several times that day, but since she knew when he was calling, having all his numbers on her phone, she ignored them. Dafydd ended up blocking calls from Ryoichi and Momo did the same.
She had a wonderful day watching as Daisuke got to meet the more American side of their family. Bikky and Kenny seemed to hit it off great and could see the two boys were becoming friends as well as family. Even though Bikky was adopted by Daisuke and Ryo, as she watched the two boys, she mused that they did look like cousins. She thought it was a great idea that they allowed Kenny to stay the day with everyone. That way, Bikky had a friend besides Carol. And Carol had another girl her age to relate to, which was good also. Together, all four made a nice group of friends who were family.
Everyone was talking, getting to know Daisuke and his family. Photos were being taken, and as a bonus, they were all enjoying the lovely view of Osaka from their perch above the city.
And now there was Daisuke and Dafydd sharing a moment that only twins could share. She knew Dafydd needed it. Once again, she felt guilty for not believing Dafydd. They should have known better with twins. Dafydd would have known if his twin was dead, but instead, since he was little, he had been insisting all these years that Daisuke was alive. But her husband did say he had done all he could, contacted all authorities he was able to and went to the police in Nagoya. Ryoichi was very certain that Daisuke was killed along with Alun. She had no reason to doubt he believed it, for on that day, her husband sat down and wept. He cried with the rest of the family over losing the infant and mourned for a long time after. Ryoichi kept Saburo in San Diego as long as he did because he hoped not being in Nagoya with a family who was still crying at the mention of Daisuke's name or looking at a photo would help with his own healing. How could Saburo get the strength to carry on for Dafydd if he was prompted to cry every time a family member had. She wasn't sure it was the right thing to do, but Ryoichi was her husband and it was her duty to obey her husband's wishes.
Not that it would have done them any good believing that he was alive, she guessed. Daisuke was still lost to them, and if they couldn't get the New York police to help with a Japanese-Welsh infant who belonged in Nagoya, they still would have gone all these years without him.
Back when Daisuke went missing, she was a different woman. She truly did believe that her husband's word was as good as law and it was her duty to obey. That was then. Times were changing, and so was she. Sitting where she was, was proof of that. Instead of feeling guilty and wondering what if's, she was going to do everything she could to make up for lost time, getting to know her grandson, making him as much a part of their family even from New York as the rest of the family in Japan. Which was another reason she was there.
When Daisuke and Dafydd were done making a video with Carol, and at one point, Bikky while Carol filmed, she decided it was time for the next part of her plan. Only she knew what she was thinking from the time she hung up the phone with Dafydd last night.
Looking at Ken, she said, "I'm going to get back into the party. Do you want me to have someone take Darin from you?"
"I'm good with sitting here with the little one until someone decides I had too much time with him and it's their turn," Ken replied with a grin.
Sakura laughed. "Enjoy your time with my great-grandson."
Momo was standing not far away, talking to Ryo and Luna and came over to take Ryoko from her. Ryo was close and was helping her to her feet.
"Thank you, both of you, but do I seem so frail to need help getting up?"
Ryo blinked, looking shocked for a moment and then started to laugh. "I also do this for my soba, and she tells me the same exact thing!"
Sakura and Momo started to laugh with Ryo. Sakura hugged Ryo. "I'm glad you're my grandson's husband, Ryo. And I really do need to reach out to Aoki-san one day soon."
"I already told her to be expecting a call from you. But when I speak to her tomorrow morning, I'll tell her not this weekend," Ryo said with a laugh.
She smiled at Ryo. "I need to speak to my grandson for a moment, and then hopefully, I can talk to you, too."
"Of course. Whatever you want. I'll be here or somewhere here on this platform." He smiled at her.
She took her leave from Ryo and Momo and noticed as she went toward her eldest grandsons that Ryo must have felt it was time for him to finally hold one of his twins.
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As they finished the video, Nobutake and Masami came over to him and started to ask him questions that were not answered on Tomoko's FAQ. They were curious on how they felt about the differences of male pregnancies in Japan compared to in America. Dee was telling them that in Japan, he definitely did not feel the tension there was, and the last thing Japan needed was a specialized unit to handle Carrier hate crimes, along with most issues involving police with Carriers. It was also an accepted term to call men who had babies Carriers, while in Japan, Carrier was used mostly around foreigners who were used to the term.
He noticed his grandmother coming over to them. With a smile, she came over to his side and softly said in Japanese, "Do you mind if we can have a couple of minutes together? I won't keep you too long away from getting to know more of your family."
Dee looked at his grandmother in concern. "Is everything okay, Obāsan?" he asked.
"Nothing to worry about, Daisuke. At least I don't think so. I hope it's not for you. Which is why I need a few minutes of your time."
"You have it, Obāsan," Dee said. Looking at the others by him, including Dafydd, who was looking on curiously, he said, "If you'll excuse me for a bit. We'll be right back."
They walked away from the group, and while there were plenty of people around the other areas, they were all strangers and seemed of no concern to his grandmother. Sakura pointed out an empty bench and they went over to it and sat down.
"If nothing is wrong, then what is it, Obāsan?" Dee asked.
"I just have a question for you. You do not need to answer now, because you will probably want to talk to your husband first," Sakura said.
"Okay. You have my curiosity now."
Sakura took a deep breath. "I know you are thinking that everyone will be going back to Nagoya tomorrow night, leaving your husband and children on your own for the rest of the trip. I do not know how much you want it to be just you, Ryo and your children."
"Obāsan, do you want to travel with us longer than tomorrow night?" Dee asked.
"If you do not mind."
"I definitely do not mind. In fact, I love the idea. For how long?"
"Until you go back to Nagoya? Again, you do not need to answer now."
"I know what my answer is. I'm also certain I know what Ryo's will be too, but if it makes you better, I will talk to him first. And Bikky. Is that okay?"
"It's what I want you to always do. Never forget the needs of that family of yours."
"But you're family too. I say I would love to have you with us for the trip. When Dafydd said you were all coming today, I realized that maybe I should have asked you too to join us."
"Don't worry, Daisuke. It was good. I would have said no at that point. Mostly because as much as I wanted to spend as much time with you, convince myself this is not a wonderful dream that I'll be waking up from, I know the time with your fathers was very important. You needed it. We had most of today and then tomorrow with all of us together. And if I could, then I could be with you and your family for the rest of the trip. I know if Saburo and Yoshio could, they would stay on the road with you longer."
"How are you with clothes?" Dee asked.
"I packed with the possibility in mind. I should have enough and if I don't, that's what shopping is for."
Starting to frown a little, Dee asked, "And what would Grandfather have to say about it?"
"I don't care," Sakura insisted. "I want to spend time with you. If your grandfather can't clear some time to spend with you, then it's his loss."
"Will he be mad at you?"
"He will. He already is. Don't you worry. We had bigger differences over the years. This might be new for me to go running off like this, but it's not the worse we've disagreed over. Besides, despite what I might have been made to believe back when we were first married, I am not his servant or something he owns. I am his wife but I am also my own person. Something your grandfather has been becoming painfully aware of in the last few years." She grinned impishly at him. "I can handle him, Daisuke, don't you worry."
Dee returned her smile. "I have no doubt you can. It was obvious from the first time I saw you and my grandfather." He let out a chuckle. "All the family, except for my grandfather, knows who is really in charge."
"And they are not wrong," Sakura quipped.
"Well then, I guess I need to talk to Ryo and Bikky. Would you like to join me?"
"I don't want them to feel like they have to say yes because I'm there," Sakura said.
"Believe me, they wouldn't. Especially Bikky. Besides, even if it was just me, Ryo could still say yes because he knows that's what I want. I'll know if it's something he doesn't really want, but I highly doubt that. He's thrilled that I have a chance to get to know my family, and up to changing plans so I could have more time because that's what he wants too," he assured his grandmother. "Shall we?" He offered her his arm.
"You know your family well," Sakura said as she took his offered arm. "This is good."
"They know me just as well. Especially Ryo."
"Then you are doing better than your grandfather," said Sakura with a small grin. "I know my husband loves me, but he does not know me as well as he believes he does." As they headed toward where Ryo stood with Luna, Ken and Hitoshi, having an animated conversation, she continued. "I can also tell you why you should not worry about your grandfather's reaction to my sudden going away for a week. He will get angry, and he will say heated things. One thing he will not do is yell at me. We just do not do that in all our years of marriage. That doesn't mean we don't exchange words, sometimes words we both regret, but we always apologize after. He's already angry. We exchanged words last night, but nothing we regret, and I am sure when I listen to his voicemails, I will hear the anger in his words. But then he moves on from anger. He becomes defensive. He knows he did something wrong but cannot admit it to himself. He starts defending himself and his actions. If I ignore it, he then moves onto the last stage." She started to smile more.
"What's that, Obāsan?" Dee asked.
"He gets worried that I will finally leave him. I know I never will, but he doesn't. As I said, he doesn't know me as well as he believes. I know him well enough that I know he doesn't want me to leave him. He loves me too much. And he will do everything he can, including begging, to keep me from leaving. As if I would," he said. She studied Dee when she looked up at Dee. "Why the face, Daisuke?"
It didn't surprise Dee. He pretty much knew his face reflected his thoughts. He let out a heavy sigh. "I guess I have something in common with my grandfather after all."
"You mean other than your birth family name, that you are both male, give births to twins, have dark hair and…."
Dee had to laugh. "Okay, okay! I get it, Obāsan. But I mean other than the obvious or what I get from being his grandson. I mean, I get like that with Ryo," he admitted. "And then when I realize how stupid I am, I do fear losing him. Only I don't know him that well, yet. Maybe in time, but we're still newlyweds, you know. So yes, I worry that I'll push him away eventually. I want to believe he would never leave me."
Sakura stopped them and guided them closer to the railing looking outside the circle of the observation deck. "How long have you known each other?" she asked.
"Six years."
"And the first two, you were trying to get him to love you?" she asked. When Dee nodded. "Have you always been like this with him? I mean, like your grandfather gets?"
"Um… yeah. I guess so. I know when I'm being stupid or unreasonable, but I can't stop myself, and then I end up standing my ground until I start thinking I went too far. That's when the groveling sets in."
Sakura laughed as she hugged him. "And yet he married you. Willing to continue to raise the one son that you both already were raising together even back when you weren't a couple, along with newborn twins."
"To be fair, Ryo didn't know there were twins in the deal at the time he married me," Dee said but had to smile at her.
"I firmly believe he will not leave you, nor will you leave him, no matter how angry you two might get at each other. Even if you shout at each other. I can see that when I look at you and Ryo. I see how you look at him, and how he looks at you. He might have waited until you found out that you were pregnant, but from talking to him, I know that was only because before then he worried about what people would think about him. He wasn't comfortable yet with who he was, even if he was very comfortable being with you."
"I know. If I doubted his reasons to marry, I would have said no," Dee admitted. "I knew once he got past his fears, it was a possibility. I kinda figured I'd be the one doing the asking at that time. I'm pretty happy that it turned out it was him who asked me."
"Oh Daisuke, I'm so sorry for everything," Sakura said sadly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"Huh? You didn't do anything, Obāsan," Dee assured her. "Well, maybe making me realize I do have something in common with my grandfather. Other than the obvious."
"I'm sorry because we weren't there for you all this time. I know you have a very wonderful mother, and you had a father's love. I also know you wouldn't trade the life you had, if you had a choice, and I respect that. But still," she reached up to place her palm on Dee's chest, "somewhere inside there, there is this scared, insecure little boy who all these years believed his parents didn't want him. And it causes you to have insecurities when you least expect them."
Dee's breath caught as he stared at this woman who was his biological grandmother. A grandmother he had only met a week before and spent less time with than he did with Dafydd and his fathers. And yet, she knew him. He bent his head to kiss her forehead. "I am fine now, Obāsan. I know the truth now. I know how much my family did love me. It's humbling, but it's also pretty awesome."
"I know you know the truth now but be careful. Habit of instinct can be hard to break, and when you least expect it, that insecurity could show up again. I know you're mostly fine, but I suspect your worry of Ryo leaving you one day is because you don't believe you could always be as happy as you now because you don't deserve it. Because you were left in an alley as an infant. Try to be aware of that. Look at your fathers, at me, your siblings and many uncles and aunts and cousins who love you and are so glad to have you back with us and use that as a defense to change how you think."
Dee let out a heavy sigh. "I know you're right. And I have to admit it's easier said than done." He looked over to his great-uncles and cousins who were milling about, talking to Ryo, holding his twins and getting to know Bikky, and even Carol. "But I can tell you that since last Sunday, to right now, all I can feel is love from my family and it feels great."
Sakura hugged him. "I'm so glad, Daisuke. If you ever need to talk, I don't care if you wake me up, call me, and I'll assure you over and over just how much we love you. Even your grandfather."
"He has a funny way of showing it," Dee commented.
"Oh, that's because your grandfather can be an ass sometimes." She smiled up at him.
"Ouch, Obāsan," Dee remarked, wincing.
"What? I didn't say anything," she said innocently.
"Let's go talk to Ryo and Bikky, Obāsan," Dee said. He knew his grandmother gave him a lot to think about. That would be later, either when he was in bed or at some point in the future when he had some time to himself. For now, he was going to enjoy the moment with his family.
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