Dafydd and Momo Fujioka House
Higashi, Nagoya
Japan
November 18, 2006
Dee and Ryo came downstairs to find Momo in the kitchen preparing breakfast. Minutes before, Dafydd had knocked on their door, calling out that breakfast was almost ready. Bikky and Carol were sitting in the living room, watching anime with Kiyoshi and Tatsuya. The two younger boys sat on each side of Bikky, resting their heads on his arm. Whenever Bikky made an exclamation in English, Kiyoshi and Tatsuya repeated it. Bikky also repeated whatever Kiyoshi and Tatsuya exclaimed. Darin and Ryoko were on their mats on the floor near Bikky, the babies wiggling in place and amusing themselves with the various toys that dangled from the arches of their mats. Darin's penguin was clenched in one of his hands that rested on the floor. If the sounds were any indication, both babies were enjoying themselves. Dee noticed that Ayaka was also in the room, sitting next to Carol. The two girls were looking at the latest issue of Ageha, a fashion and beauty magazine for young women.
Ayaka looked up with a smile. "Good morning, Oniisan! Good morning to you too, Ryo!"
"Good morning, little sister," Dee greeted with a grin.
Ryo chuckled and said, "Good morning, Ayaka."
"Hey Dads," Bikky greeted from his place on the couch.
"Ohayo Dee and Ryo," Carol greeted with a bright smile.
Bikky and Carol were already dressed for the day, both of them in nicer clothes for the ceremony. Dafydd had given them yukatas to wear over their clothes so they wouldn't get them soiled, especially while they ate, along with playing with babies and puppies. Ayaka also wore a yukata to protect her clothes. Ryoko and Darin, having been bathed the night before by Yoshio, were just in diapers and onsies for the time.
Dee noticed his brother and started to laugh. Dafydd was also on the floor, laying down with a couple of puppies not being amused by the others in the room, crawling on him, while he hugged Michi, who was settled down next to him, her head settled on his chest and obviously enjoying the attention.
Dafydd's boys noticed the newcomers and jumped off the couch. "Uncle Daisuke! Uncle Ryo! Ohayo!" they exclaimed.
"Ohayo Kiyoshi. Ohayo Tatsuya," Dee greeted with a smile, looking down at the young boys.
"Ohayo," Ryo greeted.
"Kiyoshi, Tatsuya, sit down until Mama says breakfast is ready," Dafydd said in Japanese. "There will be plenty of time for cuddles with your uncles."
"Aw…," came from Kiyoshi.
"Okay Papa," Tatsuya said. "Come on, Kiyoshi. Don't get Papa mad. Today is a special day for Ryoko and Darin."
Kiyoshi nodded and after waving at Dee and Ryo went back to the couch. Bikky and Carol helped them get back on the couch.
Raising an eyebrow, Dee stared at his brother. Dafydd laughed and lifted his head. "They've been hearing that all week from everyone stuck in Nagoya while you were off traveling the country with Obāsan. We've been busy helping Tomoko and Kimi and we found something for them to do, because they insisted they wanted to help."
Momo came out from the dining room doors and smiled. "This is a typical morning off around here," she remarked and laughed. "Especially when the puppies started to get around. Before the puppies it was just Michi getting hugged or sometimes draped across Dafydd or Dafydd resting his head on Michi, while he watched anime with our boys." With a smirk, she added, "Of course I pulled my husband out of bed much earlier than on his days off because today is a special day."
"I also had to get up extra early last Saturday so we could go to Osaka," Dafydd commented, "but it was worth it." He sat up, putting the puppies on the floor after giving Michi one last hug and noticed Ryo's eyes on the babies. "Don't worry, we're watching puppies and babies. So far everyone is getting along."
"Darin and Ryoko got to pet Mochi. They like him too," Bikky said with a grin. "Mochi even licked Darin, making him laugh after he was shocked for a moment. But he didn't start to cry."
"Yeah. I think it just shocked him a little because it was something new," Dafydd said, standing up. "Ryoko also got some licks from these other little imps. These puppies are going to be very good family dogs." He went over to Ryoko and put her in a sitting position and watched as one of the puppies came up to her. Ryoko reached out to touch the puppies head and started to laugh as the puppy yapped happily, wagging its tiny tail.
"Oh, that's just adorable," Ryo gushed. "I wish we had that on video."
"We have some video, Pops, don't worry," Bikky said. "Uncle Dafydd took some video with my camera Ojiisan bought in Osaka while we played with the puppies."
"And was close enough to jump in if I needed to break up baby and puppy," Dafydd said. "Believe me, we went through this with our boys. Michi was a puppy when I had them."
"I took video too," Ayaka stated, holding up her phone and smiled.
"We played with Ryoko and Darin too," Kiyoshi exclaimed happily.
Dafydd grinned in amusement. "Yes, because playing with their cousins is the same as their cousins playing with puppies." He stuck his tongue out at his son.
Kiyoshi giggled. "Papa!" he exclaimed and stuck his tongue out at his father.
"Don't you start, Biks," Ryo warned Bikky in amusement.
"As if that would stop him," Dee remarked.
Ryo poked Dee in his side. "You should talk."
With a wicked grin, Dee gestured to Dafydd. "Hey, at least I'm not the only twin who sticks his tongue out at his son."
"True that," Ryo sighed.
"I know everyone is having fun, but breakfast is ready and getting cold," Momo stated.
"Breakfast! YAY!" Tatsuya exclaimed, jumping up from the couch and pulling his brother, who nearly took a dive off the couch if Bikky didn't reach out and catch him.
"Tatsuya, easy. Dame!" Bikky said, using the Japanese word telling Tatsuya that was bad.
"Aa!" Tatsuya covered his opened mouth with his hand. "Gomenaisai Kiyoshi. Arigato Bikky," he said with a little bow, his two hands clasped before him.
Dee and Ryo bent over to pick up Darin and Ryoko as Carol and Ayaka also stood. Seeing Bikky had control of Kiyoshi, Carol followed Ayako over to Momo.
Kiyoshi hugged Bikky. "Arigato Bikky!" He smiled at Bikky.
"Daijoubu Kiyoshi?" Bikky asked.
"Hai! Daijoubu Bikky." He gave a little bow and toddled off toward Momo, who had just finished saying something to Tatsuya, which had the little boy hanging his head until Momo scooped down to hug him, and then Kiyoshi. Holding each of her sons' hands, she led everyone into the dining room through the door in the living room.
OoOoOoO
Breakfast was a traditional Japanese breakfast of broiled fish, rice, tamagoyaki and miso soup. Momo broiled tuna with hatcho miso glaze, which was a local favorite in Nagoya, but the miso soup was made with shiro miso. Momo was an excellent cook. Ryo completely enjoyed their dinner the evening before and now their breakfast. As they ate, he reflected back to how he had decided he wanted to stay in touch with his distant cousin this time, but never thought he would be sitting in her house enjoying wonderful meals made by her so soon. Then again when they had set off to Japan, Ryo never considered that they would be sitting in Dee's twin brother's house, enjoying meals made by his distant cousin.
It was still too amazing, and at times Ryo had to take a deep breath. He was not alone, because he knew Dee was doing the same. The only one who seemed to be taking it all in stride without much pause was Bikky. Ryo was glad of that.
Momo also had coffee and tea for the adults and orange juice for Tatsuya and Kiyoshi. Much to Ryo's surprise, Bikky decided to have orange juice too, but told his fathers that he already had some coffee when he first came downstairs to join Dafydd and Momo.
The low frames with baby seats were still among the zaisu that were arranged around the table. It was the answer to highchairs for traditional Japanese seating. A regular highchair wouldn't do with the dining table Dafydd and Momo had, because it would place the babies far above them. These chairs allowed the babies to be at the same level as they ate. Momo said that when Tatsuya and Kiyoshi were younger, they used those low chairs in the dining room, but also had highchairs they used when they ate at the table in the kitchen.
While they ate, Dee looked at his sister. "I thought we were meeting you at Obāsan's house," he asked in Japanese.
"I was supposed to go with Papa and Chichi, but since I didn't see you last night because I had a show, I couldn't wait until then. So, I told Papa and Chichi I was coming here for breakfast and I'll see them at Obāsan's and Ojiisan's house." Ayaka smiled at Dee. "I also got to talk to Carol while we waited for you sleepyheads to wake up."
"And I helped," Dafydd said in a fake exaggerated Southern accent, making everyone laugh.
"Not all of it," Ayaka replied in heavily accented English.
"No. You're getting better," Dafydd said in English. "But she still has a long way to go."
Kiyoshi raised his hand. "I speak English too."
Dafydd held up his hand with a little space between his index finger and thumb. "Sukoshi eigo," he said in Japanese. "But you and Tatsuya are getting better." To Dee, Ryo, Bikky and Carol, he said in English, "They have been practicing since you left for Kyoto with Papa and Chichi."
"They're still at a good age that they'll learn pretty fast," Momo said. "I was their age when my mother decided I should be bilingual. They teach English in school, but they won't see much except for the alphabet and simple words for another year or two."
"So how is it that every one of our siblings speak English except for Ayaka?" Dee asked.
"She did speak it more before she joined TKY," Dafydd replied, "more than now but less than the rest of us did. It was like she wasn't confident to speak it. Then when she moved to Tokyo with Tomoko, they hardly spoke English. It was all Japanese with the group and English wasn't included in her studies, so by the time she came back to Nagoya, she forgot a lot that she did know. Tomoko took a couple of classes in English, including advanced English and English literature, and had American and British students as friends. Papa and Chichi mostly speak Japanese at home, so they didn't push Ayaka too much, until the last year when talk started up about going to America for shows and their manager felt it would be nice if the girls could actually speak to their fans. So, they have been learning English. Ayaka still has confidence issues speaking it, but she said she has a reason to try harder now." He repeated what he said to Ayaka in Japanese.
"Carol won't laugh at me," Ayaka said in English.
"We won't either, Ayaka," Dee said. "Bikky? If he does, you just punch him."
"I won't laugh at you, Aunt Ayaka," Bikky said. "I promise."
Ayaka nodded her head. "Okay."
"Did you enjoy sleeping in some this morning?" Momo asked Dee and Ryo. "We decided to let you sleep until breakfast is ready. We would have let you sleep longer, but now you won't have to rush to get ready when we have to leave."
"As much fun as we had this last week, it felt good to stay in bed a little longer instead of waking up obnoxiously early so we could get in as much sightseeing as we could," Dee replied.
"Or need to be in another city by a certain time," Ryo added.
"If you took shinkansen, it would have taken you much less time getting around, and more time to see things," Ayaka pointed out in Japanese.
"We thought about it before coming to Japan," Dee admitted in Japanese, "but with two babies and Carol and Bikky, and everything we needed, we figured it was easier just to drive. I'm glad we did, because we picked up a lot that we didn't leave with."
Ayaka laughed. "That is true. Have you taken shinkansen?" she asked Dee and Ryo.
"Yes, I used it a lot when I lived in Yokohama," Dee replied.
With a mischievous grin, Dafydd added, "Especially for promotional tours, right Dee?"
"Yes, we used it and also had buses," Dee replied.
"We use both too," Ayaka said in English and then in Japanese added, "They reserve a car just for us when we travel by shinkansen."
"We didn't get that," Dee said. "Besides, since no one knew what we looked like, we were able to travel like everyone else. We did get the green cars, which was nice."
"I travelled on shinkansen, too," Ryo said. "Bikky and Carol are supposed to go with my aunts to Nagano so they could ride on the shinkansen. They get the bonus of exploring Matsumoto with my aunts."
"Oh, that sounds fun," Momo stated. "That's Hoshi-san and Moriko-san taking you, yes?" she asked Bikky.
"Yeah," Bikky replied. "We're looking forward to it. I love seeing different parts of Japan. And Aunts Hoshi and Moriko are really cool."
"I would like to meet Hoshi-san and Moriko-san," Ayaka said.
Dee and Dafydd started to laugh as Ryo replied, "I know they would love to meet you."
"They might faint," Dafydd teased. "They are TKY and NGY fans."
"Really? I would love to meet them," Ayaka said.
"I'm sure you will eventually," Ryo said with a smile.
After breakfast, Dafydd and Momo got Kiyoshi and Tatsuya ready for the day while Dee and Ryo took quick showers and got dressed in suits. Dafydd already had his clothes on except for his jacket and tie, so he sat with Ayaka, Bikky and Carol, making sure his sons didn't ruin their clothes.
OoOoOoO
Fujioka Family Home
Meito, Nagoya
Japan
November 18, 2006
Like the first time they went to Dee's grandparents' house, the gate from the street was open, indicating they were expecting guests. There were more cars parked in the parking area than the first time they went to the house.
As they approached the main entrance to the house, not only were all the itado and amado doors open, but the front door was as well. Dafydd said he usually just walked in, and had a key if the house was shut and front door locked, but with the house all open as it was, it meant everyone was invited to just walk in.
Inside, they saw Ryoichi and Takahiro first. Ryoichi was dressed in formal men's kimono, and Takahiro was in his priest robes. Takahiro turned and smiled. Much to Dee's surprise, noticing where his twin was looking, Ryoichi also turned in their direction and smiled.
"There they are," Ryoichi greeted, "the stars of our first act. And their happy fathers too." Ryoichi came up to them and held out his arms.
Even more shocking Darin laughed and held his arm out toward Ryoichi. Ryo was trying hard not to visibly react. Dee could see that and knew how his husband was feeling as Ryoichi took Darin from Ryo. Takahiro also came over and took Ryoko from Dee.
"Welcome to this glorious day," Takahiro greeted in Japanese, and rubbed his nose against Ryoko's as the baby laughed and smiled.
Darin was reaching up to touch Ryoichi's nose and Ryoichi grabbed his little hand and kissed the palm. Darin started to happily coo and babble at Ryoichi.
Ryoichi and Takahiro greeted the rest of them and then Ryoichi looked at Dee and Ryo. "You both look very good. Much like proud fathers dressed for such a special occasion in their children's lives. But once she notices you, I'm afraid your grandmother will have a request for the ceremony."
Dee nodded his head. "We had already discussed it and agreed to wear the kimono she has selected for us. I noticed in the pictures of Dafydd's and my Naming Ceremony, that both of our fathers also wore kimono."
"Alun had no problem with traditional ceremony and he proudly wore the kimono your grandmother had selected for him," Takahiro said. "That is one of the things that made your grandfather accept him into our family."
"His father had started the process to become a Japanese citizen, and Alun willingly followed his father's example," Ryoichi said. "I did not think you and your husband will have issues with it. Your husband was raised with Japanese values, and while you were raised in New York, I see your time living in Yokohama encouraged you to embrace what you know now is your Japanese side. We will watch Darin and Ryoko while you seek out your grandmother."
"And probably will also have to share with the other relatives who are here already," Takahiro said in amusement. "Also, I must warn you that while I am sure Momo provided everyone with a delicious breakfast, your grandmother insisted that there should be mochi and rice crackers placed around the house." He looked at Bikky. "She also made sure there is pan too."
Bikky started to smile. "Never too full for mochi and pan," he said.
Ryoichi chuckled. Takehide started to laugh. Looking at his twin brother, he said to them, "Usually we have mochi and pan around here because my brother and I agree with Bikky. Today we have much more than usual, but I do not believe any of it will go to waste."
"Bikky has also agreed to wear kimono," Ryo said. "So, he'll have to wait while we get ready before mochi and pan."
"I am glad to hear your son is embracing Japanese culture." To Dee Ryoichi said, "Your fathers are not here yet, but I am sure they will take over Darin and Ryoko to dress them in their clothes," Ryoichi stated.
"I must be leaving shortly, but I will see you at the shrine," Takahiro said with a smile. He started to walk away with Ryoko.
"Are you forgetting something, Uncle Takahiro?" Dee asked with amusement.
"Not at all. I will have to pass other relatives, one of whom, I am certain, will happily take this akachan before I step out of the house," Takahiro said.
Dee shook his head in amusement as he shared a look with Ryo, and then the two men excused themselves from Ryoichi.
As they walked through the house toward the room Ryoichi said Sakura was in, they saw Hitoshi come from the kitchen holding a coffee cup and a platter with vegetable, cheese and egg pan and a piece of daifuku mochi. "Dee! Ryo! I am glad to see you again."
"Uncle Hitoshi," Dee greeted going up to the man. "I was hoping you would make it."
"Why would I not? I told you I'd be here, and here I am. I was not going to miss this, especially after having spent time with you and your family," Hitoshi said with smile. "How are you Ryo?"
"A little nervous, but excited. This looks like it's going to be something special," Ryo replied. "It is good to see you again."
"A Naming Ceremony is usually special, but since you have Takahiro as your leading priest and will involve Yasu and Koji, it is a very special event. Not everyone has family conducting the ceremony."
Dee looked surprised at the mention of Koji. "Koji? He's here? And will be part of it?"
"Of course. He had already left for the shrine with Yuuki and Yasu. He is your brother, so of course he will be part of the ceremony." Hitoshi gave Dee a knowing look. "He's not as bad as what I believe is your first impression of him. He does tend to take more after your grandfather, but he does have enough of your father's upbringing to make him human. You'll see, especially now that he knows you aren't going to sweep in and take the maintenance of the shrine away from him," said Hitoshi.
"Well, it wasn't like we didn't get along when we met in Ise, but I did sense he was a bit stand-offish with us. I wrote it down as that I'm pretty much gaijin compared to the rest of the family," Dee admitted.
"Give him another chance," Hitoshi said. "After all, he is your brother. I know, he's really your half-brother, but you do share one father and that's enough to let go of that half stuff in this family."
"I know that from meeting the rest of my brothers and sisters. I find it hard to think of them as anything else but kyodai," Dee admitted, using the Japanese word for siblings.
"I am glad to hear that. I better let you head off to find your grandmother. Do you know where she is?"
"My grandfather said that she's in her drawing room," Dee replied.
"Then you are going in the right direction. She is there with my sister Natsuko and her sister Sumiko, who you did not meet yet. Kennosuke and Fumio is also up there waiting to assist you, if you need," Hitoshi said. "You will need it, believe me. Even my brother needs assistance with the kimono your grandparents picked out for you. We all do," he said and laughed.
"It reminds me of when we dressed Edo style for a dinner cruise in Tokyo," Dee said with a chuckle.
"It's damn near to Edo period, but thankfully not that complicated," Hitoshi said. "I will see you later. And Bikky, we'll talk later, yes? Chiasa and Sam with their family will be at the party."
"Cool! Yes, Uncle Hitoshi. We'll talk later," said Bikky.
Hitoshi handed Bikky his platter. "There you go kiddo, some fortification will do you good." He grinned as he started to walk away, heading back into the kitchen, making Dee and Ryo laugh.
"Uncle Hitoshi is really cool," Bikky said.
"Yes, he really is," Dee had to agree.
As they reached the stairs, they heard, "Dee, wait up."
They turned to find Dafydd and Momo rush up to them. "Ojiisan said that we're supposed to be in kimono too, since we will also be presenting Darin and Ryoko with you."
"I was wondering what was taking you two so long to join us," Dee said with a grin. "Obāsan explained to us that not only grandparents will present the babies, but a couple of our choosing, something like godparents for a Christening. She said that is normally family, but close friends have also been selected. For me and Ryo, it only made sense that it should be my twin brother and his wife, especially since said wife is also family to my husband." He smiled at Dafydd and Momo. "Not to mention, you're both the first I met from our family." He hugged Dafydd.
"It is our honor," Dafydd said with a bow.
Momo also bowed with her husband and smiled as she said, "As my husband said."
"The next set of twins we have, you and Ryo will present them," Dafydd promised. "That also means that you will have to be here for their Naming Ceremony."
"We will be honored, and we look forward to it," Dee said. "Let's go see what Obāsan has for us."
OoOoOoO
Instead of her craft room on the first level, Sakura was using her drawing room that was on the second level next to the master bedroom for changing into kimono because it was larger than her craft room. Ryo was thankful that Kennosuke and Fumio offered to help them put on the kimono. By now, both Ryo and Dee were no strangers to kimono, thanks to Ryo's grandmother, but like the ones worn for the dinner cruise, a helping hand sure was appreciated. Ryo thanked Fumio several times, and he heard Dee do the same to his uncle. Kennosuke also got Bikky into his before turning his attention to Dee and Dafydd.
When Dee and Ryo got back downstairs, there were more family members. Bikky got pulled over by Nori and his twin sister Nagisa, to sit with him, Carol and Ayaka, who were enjoying mochi and matcha. Saburo and Yoshio had arrived minutes before. They stood across the room holding Ryoko and Darin, who were in white gowns. Colorful traditional quilts that were to be draped over each infant were set aside on a nearby small table. Both men were in traditional men's kimono in fine quality fabric. Tomiji and Tsukiko stood with their fathers, fawning over their baby niece and nephew.
Much to Ryo's surprise, he noticed a few familiar faces other than Dee's family. He nudged Dee, in shock and uttered, "Oh my God!"
"What?" Dee asked and then also looked shocked for a moment before he started to smile.
With a huge smile, Ryo watched his grandmother come over to them. "Obāsan! I didn't expect you to be here!" He hugged his grandmother tightly. He did not realize just how important the ceremony was to him until he found himself speaking with both of Dee's grandparents the night before, and then later at Dafydd's house, when Dafydd and Momo gave them some pointers to get through the ceremony. Originally Dee and Ryo had agreed to it for Dee's newfound family who had missed Dee growing up, getting married and giving birth to Darin and Ryoko. By the time they arrived at Dee's grandparents' house, Ryo felt that he, at least, now saw the ceremony to celebrate their twins in a ceremony from his Mother's family's religion, and also being a part of Dee's wonderful family. It became very important to him.
He had wished his grandmother could be part of the day since Dee and he first agreed to the ceremony but did not dare show disrespect to the Fujiokas by asking. After all, his grandmother got to be in New York when Darin and Ryoko were not even a full day old and had spent their first few months helping with them. She had also been in New York for their wedding. Dee had agreed to the ceremony because it was for his newfound family, and to allow them to partake in something special considering all they had missed out on.
Saburo came over, all smiles, holding Darin. "How could we have a proper ceremony without the other father's family? It should not be all just Fujioka. So, I called Akira-san once we knew there was going to be a ceremony and invited her. We decided it should be a surprise. My parents knew but promised not to say anything until now."
"Saburo was also generous enough to allow me to bring Nobu and Hoshi, and Takehide and Moriko along," Akira said with a warm smile. "Tsubasa will be here later and join us at the party. And Emiko is jealous that she can't be here. But she can commiserate with Kumi, who unfortunately isn't feeling well today and decided to stay at home. Tsubasa is bringing Aya and Kento to allow Kumi to get the rest she needs."
"That's too bad about Kumi," Dee said. "I hope it's nothing serious."
"It looks like it's a stomach flu," Akira said. "I dropped off plenty of soup and broth at her house before leaving this morning. She should be fine in a day or two."
"Kumi is going to miss out on meeting Ayaka," Ryo said. "She's probably disappointed about that."
"She is, but feeling better is more important," Akira said sagely.
Nobu, Hoshi, Takehide and Moriko came over to greet Dee and Ryo. Akira, Moriko and Hoshi were dressed in their finest kimono, while Nobu and Takehide wore expensive custom suits. Akira also complimented Ryo and Dee, stating how handsome they looked in their kimono.
"Your grandmother will stand with my parents during the ceremony," Saburo said to Ryo. "And your family, Ryo, are the reason why we were a bit late, and why Ayaka came over to Dafydd's house this morning. She also knew but was sworn to secrecy. We sent Jirou here with the outfits so the akachans can be dressed for the ceremony, while Yoshio and I went to Nagoya Station to pick up Akira-san and her family."
"Saburo, we are family now, ne?" Akira asked with a gentle smile.
"Hai. Yes, we are, Akira. And Nobu, Takehide, Hoshi and Moriko." Saburo bowed his head and grinned at them.
"That is much better," Akira said and laughed. She went over to hug Dee. "I have so enjoyed the ride from the station with your fathers, Dei. I am truly happy that they are your fathers."
With a big smile, Dee returned the hug. "So am I, Obāsan. I love them both."
Akira's smile was brilliant as she gazed at Dee. "That makes me so happy to hear that, Dei." She hugged him again.
Ryo noticed Sakura return, along with Ryoichi, her sister-in-law, Natsuko and her sister, Sumiko. "Obāsan, do you want to say hello to Dee's grandparents?" Ryo asked.
"I would like that." With a wink to Saburo, she added, "I will behave myself. I promise."
"Thank you both," Ryo said to Saburo and Yoshio, "for bringing my grandmother here, along with my aunts and uncles."
"My mother agreed with me when I told her, this ceremony would not be complete if you did not have family here, especially since you have family living here in Japan," Saburo stated. "Please allow me to introduce you to my parents," he said to Akira.
Ryo started to laugh and took his grandmother by her arm. "Let's go before it's time to go over to the shrine."
"I am looking forward to finally seeing this very famous shrine," Akira said as they walked across the room toward Sakura, who now stood with Ryoichi. "It is a great honor that my great-grandchildren will have their official Naming Ceremony at Hinotsuke Jingu. I am so happy and excited." She looked at Ryo and Dee. "Thank you both for allowing your family to do this. Especially you, Dei."
"They're my family," Dee said. "And they missed out on so much, they deserve the chance to do this."
Both Sakura and Ryoichi warmly greeted Akira, Nobu, Hoshi, Takehide and Moriko. In a way it shouldn't have been a surprise of the warm reception from Dee's grumpy grandfather, because he always spoke very highly of Akira Aoki. It would most likely be a different type of greeting should Ryoichi meet Franklin MacLean. However, for the day, Ryo was going to take the warm reception for his grandmother and his closest Japanese uncles and aunts.
Sakura offered to take Ryo's family around and introduce them to the various great aunts and great uncles, aunts, uncles, siblings and some older cousins of the Fujioka family.
At one point, Ryo, Akira and Sakura were talking to Hitoshi, Kyoshii and Tsukiko, Dee came over to them with a huge grin. He was between Kiyoshi and Tatsuya, holding each boy's hand. "Obāsan," he said in Japanese. "There are someones who want to meet the nice lady who their parents got to spend the better part of a week with in Tokyo."
"Papa and Mama told us many great things!" Tatsuya exclaimed in Japanese excited, jumping up and down.
"Uncle Daisuke and Uncle Ryo told us too," added Kiyoshi happily also in Japanese.
The two elder women turned around. Sakura laughed. "I will let Daisuke with the introductions."
"Obāsan, these are Dafydd's and Momo's sons, Kiyoshi and Tatsuya," Dee said.
"Hello, Kiyoshi and Tatsuya," Akira said with a smile. "I too have heard many wonderful things about you."
Both little boys bowed. "Hajimemashite Obāsan Akira," they said in unison, making the adults smile.
"You do look a lot like your father, and your uncle," Akira said. "I'll bet Darin will look more like your little brother than cousin."
"I can't wait for Darin to grow up more so we could play," Tatsuya said.
"Ryoko too," Kiyoshi added.
Dee laughed. "Speaking of, should we go see if Ryoko and Darin are ready?" he asked his nephews.
"Yes. Can we get mochi too?" Kiyoshi asked.
"Mochi, like the sticky rice sweet yes, but our dog is back at your house," Dee said.
Both boys laughed. "We know that, Uncle Daisuke!" Tatsuya said.
Akira's eyes went wide, staring at Ryo, as Sakura laughed. "I will let them explain that your grandson and his family now has a family dog they will we be returning to New York with," Sakura stated with amusement.
"It's an interesting story," Ryo stated. "I blame Bikky and Dee."
"I look forward to hearing it all later," Akira said and laughed. "I also love the name you have given your new family member."
"Hopefully you'll meet Mochi before you head back to Kamakura," Dee said, "but if not, we have pictures to show you later when we tell you how this happened. You will most likely also see Mochi when we are leaving for New York, since Dafydd promised he'll come to Tokyo with Mochi at the time."
"We're coming too, to say goodbye to everyone," Kiyoshi said.
"Until we go to New York or Ojisans come back to Japan," said Tatsuya.
Smiling, Ryo stood by and watched as Dee excused himself when Saburo's older brother Nori, who just arrived from Toshijima with his husband, Tomoseki, arrived and called for Dee's attention. As Dee went over to his uncle, still with his nephews in tow, to Akira and Sakura, Ryo said, "Being an uncle is suiting him."
"Very much so," Sakura said. She paused as they heard a chime and she took out her phone. "If you will excuse me now, I should start getting everyone prepared to leave. I just got a text that Yasu will be on her way here to lead our walk to the shrine. We also need to get pictures in the garden before we leave. Please head to the garden and I will see you there shortly." She smiled with a slight bow and headed across the room toward where Ryoichi stood talking to his sister Aiko, who was Hitoshi's twin sister, and her husband Takeshi. Aiko and her family came in from Kobe. Her children were also milling about with their families but were not attending the ceremony.
After Sakura left, Ryo grinned. "I heard that Aunt Hoshi and Aunt Moriko met Ayaka."
"Oh my! They didn't think about it until Saburo introduced Ayaka to them." Akira laughed.
"What about you, Obāsan?"
"She's a lovely girl," Akira replied. "I can see she is Saburo's and Yoshio's daughter. I hear next to Dafydd, Ayaka is the closest sibling to Dee."
Ryo nodded. "Yeah, but Dee adores his other siblings, except Koji, but hopefully they will have a better chance to get to know each other today. When are you going back to Kamakura?"
"Tomorrow night," Akira replied. "We will be staying at Dee's fathers' house tonight."
"They have enough room for all of you," Ryo said with a laugh. "We're supposed to stay another night at Dafydd's and Momo's house. In a way, that makes me fear leaving you alone with Dee's fathers."
"Oh, I am going to enjoy the time," Akira stated with a wicked grin. She looked around the house they stood in. "And Dafydd was acting like he was not used to big houses."
Ryo really started to laugh. "Momo did warn us that this house was huge, and it really is."
"It is beautiful, but considering that their grandfather owns GPN, I was not expecting something small," Akira stated.
"That is true. You should see Dafydd's and Momo's house. It's not as big as this or Saburo's, but it isn't the typical small house that the average family has in Japan. It's beautiful. Did you see Saburo's house? The one Dafydd grew up in?"
"Yes, I did. We stopped so we could leave our luggage in our rooms and then came over here." She hugged Ryo. "It makes me so happy to see Dei with his family. And Dafydd's and Momo's boys are so kawaii." She looked across the room where Dee stood, now holding Kyoka as he talked to Nori, Tomoseki, Dafydd, Momo, Kennosuke, Hanako, Jirou and Eri. Nearby, Bikky stood now having charge of Kiyoshi and Tatsuya while speaking to Saburo and Masami, who came in from Kyoto for the day. With a warm smile, she said, "Today is going to be a great day and I'm glad to be here."
"I am too." Ryo hugged his grandmother again.
"Bikky looks like he's popular," Akira stated.
"Dee's family has been great accepting him as his son, just as you and our family did," Ryo stated. "They've been great with him. Hell, he's been getting spoiled. More than with you. Dee's fathers and many of his family feel they have to make up for lost time."
"Meaning you and Dei have been getting spoiled too?" Akira asked slyly.
"Well, okay yeah, we have been whether we want it or not."
"Just enjoy it. They can afford to spoil your family. It's still new to them, and it is obvious they are happy to have Dei back with them, even after all these years. There will be a time when you can spoil them, even if it is years from now."
Ryo nodded his head slowly. "Yeah. I know you are right. Thank you, Obāsan."
"Shall we head to the garden for the family photos? I see others starting for the door."
Ryo held his arm out for his grandmother to take. "Wouldn't be good if I wasn't in the pictures," he joked.
OoOoOoO
The ceremony was beautiful. Saburo and Yoshio held the twins for the presenting part of the ceremony. Dee knew grandparents held the infants, so Saburo was a given. Dee and Saburo had a talk the weekend before at Universal Osaka, and then Dee and Ryo sat down with Yoshio, asking if he would hold one of the twins as their second grandparent. Being that Yoshio was not Dee's biological father, it was not a given that he would stand with Saburo unless he was acknowledged by Dee and Ryo as one of Ryoko's and Darin's grandfathers. Yoshio was honored to tears.
Dee could not believe all these people who were strangers to him two – three weeks ago moved him as they participated in the ceremony. He did not even realize it was important to him, as he did not consider himself Shinto, but he always said he was open minded. If this was important to his biological father and grandparents, then Dee realized it was important to him. Even more, was watching Saburo and Yoshio, then his grandparents and Ryo's grandmother, hold Darin and Ryoko, and along with Dafydd and Momo as all the closer family members gathered with them. Dee was even moved by his grandfather who had been in a good mood all day. Dee might still be uncertain about his relationship with his grandfather, but by the time they made their way back to the house, he had no doubt that Ryoichi Fujioka truly did love Darin and Ryoko, and perhaps even him.
It was a Fujioka tradition for one of their family priests or priestesses come to the house and lead the family who was to attend the ceremony from the house to the shrine. Yasu arrived as they were outside the house taking photos in the garden. Yasu joined the group for a few photos before she led the large group out of the gate to the house and down the street toward the shrine. Dee carried Ryoko, and Ryo had Darin, the babies dressed in the white gowns that over 30 years earlier, Dee and Dafydd wore for their ceremony, and six years ago, Tatsuya and Kiyoshi wore for theirs. The gowns were new for Dee and Dafydd's ceremony, but the colorful traditional quilts tucked into Darin's and Ryoko's slings that gave a pop of color to the twins' white gowns, Dee's green and brown and Ryo's brown and black kimono were passed down from Ryoichi's and Takahiro's ceremony, Dee and Ryo wearing Dee's great-grandfathers' kimono from that ceremony. Bikky walked between them in blue and black kimono. In front of them walked Saburo and Yoshio, who were behind Ryoichi who was between Sakura and Akira with Yasu in the lead. Saburo, Ryoichi and Sakura were wearing the same kimono worn for Dee's and Dafydd's ceremony. Behind them walked Dafydd and Momo, followed by the rest of their siblings, except Koji, who was already at the shrine, some of Ryoichi's and Sakura's siblings and spouses, including Hitoshi and Kyoshii, and his brother and sisters who lived in Nagoya and the rest of the family who were invited to the ceremony. The number of people invited were limited to Ryoichi's, Sakura's, Saburo's and Dee's siblings and their families, as well as Akira and her family because it was traditionally attended only by the closest family, but with the Fujioka family, that was still a sizable group that caught the attention of others walking along the street and at the shrine.
During the ceremony, Dee realized that over 30 years ago, Dafydd and he were the babies to be presented at this very shrine in the same outfits his twins wore, with many of the same older relatives surrounding them. He had to smile as he watched Akira as she stood with his grandparents, dabbing her eyes with a soft handkerchief, looking so happy and proud. His grandmother also clenched a handkerchief to dab her eyes, too, but despite getting closer to her in the past week, he was still getting to know his grandmother, but had known Ryo's grandmother for a while now. It meant a lot to Dee knowing his father reached out to Ryo's grandmother so she could be here now. It made him love his father more for thinking of it.
After the ceremony, everyone went back to the house, where they mingled and relaxed over tea, coffee and the rest of the treats leftover from earlier. The relatives already started to share photos, gathered in groups and looking at each other's phones and cameras, smiling and making exclamations. The one advantage of GPN phones for family was the family cloud that photos taken on the phones could be set to automatically upload to. That day everyone had the setting on to upload for the day. Later, Dee and Ryo, and everyone in the family with access to the cloud account would be able to view, download and print any photo they wished.
Those who were in kimono for the ceremony went to get changed into Western clothes, which for most of the younger generation was more comfortable for the party that was to start later that afternoon. Akira, like Sakura, opted to remain in kimono, but Ryoichi decided to go change. Dee and Ryo changed back into their suits, deciding to gradually go down to just their shirts and trousers, like many of the other men who were present. For now, ties were included with suits.
Dafydd came up to Dee, holding Darin. "I managed to get my hands on this cute little guy for a few minutes," Dafydd said amused.
"Ryoko is over there with Tomoko," Dee pointed out. "She wants some holding time because she has to leave soon and make sure everything is ready for us at the Park."
Dafydd started to laugh. "As if she won't be holding one of these celebrities of the day later."
"Who knows," Momo said amused. "After all, at the Park, almost every Fujioka in Japan will be there, and even some Chiyoshi family too. That's more than double the number who came to dinner the last time."
"I'm glad that I have met most of them already," Dee commented as he grabbed a little hand that extended toward him as Darin let out a happy screech once he recognized Dee.
"There are still many you are yet to meet," Dafydd said amused. "Did you notice that Ojiisan is in a very good mood. Not that I thought he would be a sourpuss for the ceremony, since I know he looked forward to it, but he's in an extremely good mood." He grinned at Dee.
"Don't say it, Dafydd." Looking down at his son, he said, "Don't listen, Darin. Uncle Dafydd is about to get vulgar."
Dafydd laughed. "Me? Nah. I was only going to say to be prepared because I foresee Ojiisan singing a lot of Tom Jones tonight."
"Oh geez," Dee commented and laughed with his brother and sister-in-law.
"Unfortunately, I'm going to have to give up holding Darin because I'm here to get you away from everyone and join the rest of our brothers and sisters in a little rehearsing of the numbers we're going to do for Papa tonight. I know you're familiar with the steps, but we want to run through it a few times with all of us together."
"That means this is where I get to have my turn with my nephew while you go have some fun with your siblings," Momo said, taking Darin from Dafydd.
"Let Ryo know where I am if he asks?" Dee asked Momo.
"Of course, as long as he's not with Papa. Even if Papa suspects something will be done, since it is now tradition at family parties," Momo replied with a laugh. "I'll see you two later. Dafydd, be easy on Dee."
"I'll try," Dafydd quipped and bent down to briefly kiss Momo. "I can't promise for the others. You behave."
"I'll try," Momo said with a wink and walked away from them with Darin.
OoOoOoO
"Did you have fun?" Ryo asked as Dee came over to him with Dafydd, Jirou and Ayaka. They had broken away from the rest of siblings. Ryo had watched as all nine appeared and continued to talk for a while before the four came over to join Ryo and Jirou's wife, Eri. Ryo was holding Jirou's and Eri's daughter, Kyoka, who was no longer shy around Dee and Ryo. She was currently cuddled against Ryo after telling him how much fun she was having, much to his enjoyment.
"It was interesting," Dee replied. "Yeah. We had fun."
Dee's brothers and sister nodded. "Dee knew the moves already, so it was just figuring out where everyone is going to be," Jirou said.
"Dee helped in us figuring it out," Ayaka said in Japanese. "Papa's going to be so pleased!" She smiled brightly as she hugged on Dee's arm.
"I should have known," Dafydd said. "Hey, nobody tell Papa that or else Dee will become his favorite."
"Dee already is his favorite," Jirou stated. "At least for now. Maybe in about 30 years, we'll all be equal again." He winked at Dee and laughed.
"True," Dafydd said. "And I'm Papa's second favorite because I found Dee and brought him home."
"You wish," Tomoko said, coming up behind him, slapping his head. "I'm Papa's second favorite for today because I put together the party to end all parties to celebrate Dee's return to our family."
Jirou put his arm around his sister. "You are probably right. Oh well. At least he changes his mind every day."
"This is going to be fun," Dee said. "Even more fun than it was practicing."
"And I have props I'll be giving out before karaoke to select family members for the right moments in the song," Tomoko stated.
"Oh oh," Ryo commented. "I know that song well and hear about stuff being thrown."
"Good, because you're one of the select family members," Tomoko said to Ryo while the others laughed.
"Oh great," Ryo said with a put-upon sigh. "Just what I always wanted. If Bikky sees me… geez."
Everyone started to laugh at Ryo's reaction.
"Do not worry, Ryo. Bikky will be too busy because he said he'll help too," Tomoko stated with a laugh, causing more laughter. "Carol, too. They saw video of the song live and knows what happens and want to be part of the fun."
"Blame Dee. He's the one who has TUBE's concert DVDs and plays them," Ryo said. "Not that I complain. Bikky and Carol seem to enjoy it too. Sometimes TUBE, sometimes NGY or TKY concert videos is a nice change from watching a movie for family TV time."
"I love that idea," Ayaka said.
"We also have other groups we watch too, like L'Arc~En~Ciel and Kome Kome Club. We tend to watch Japanese groups together as a family, and the American and British ones individually, or Carol and Bikky will watch with their friends," Dee said. "Speaking of Bikky, where's our kids?"
"Where else? Your family has them and probably not letting them go until it's time for us to leave for the party," Ryo replied. "Shortly after you went off with your brothers and sisters, your Uncle Isamu and his wife came over and left with Darin and Ryoko," Ryo said. "He said he didn't get a chance to hold them yet, and that was wrong being he's your grandmother's twin brother."
"I hardly got a chance to speak to him," Dee said. "We spoke a little before we left for the shrine and again briefly at the shrine."
"So, let's go find him," Jirou suggested. "Even if they don't have your babies still, you can still talk to Uncle Isamu and Aunt Satoshi for a while. Since he is Obāsan's twin, it is right that he gets to spend time with Darin and Ryoko, and you and Ryo as well."
"Oh, I got to talk to them for a bit," Ryo said. "They're great. You'll like them, Dee."
"From the little bit I got to talk to Uncle Isamu, I could tell he's much like Obāsan," Dee said.
"Yes. They are very much alike," Ayaka said with a nod.
"Then let's go find them," Dafydd said. "Besides, you should mingle a bit here, even if you'll see everyone at the party."
"Yeah, everyone here plus almost all the rest of the family, including Obāsan's," Jirou said.
"I'm guessing you're using the whole place for this party?" Dee asked Tomoko.
"Of course. We have to fit everyone," Tomoko replied with a laugh. "At least it won't seem like everyone is crowded in one place, since they will be everywhere."
Before they got to leave, Dee caught a glimpse of Sakura and Akira. Akira had her phone out and currently they were speaking to Takahiro, who directed his attention to Akira's phone. "What's going on over there?" Dee asked.
"Oh," Ryo started, looking amused. Until then, he was content to stand by quietly as he watched Dee and his siblings talk. He realized that Dee blended in with them, just another of siblings seeming to all have been together all their lives rather than Dee being the newcomer. "Our grandmothers decided that Mother had to be included in today's festivities. So, they are on face time with her, introducing her to your family. They are also helping her with all the features of Mother's new phone that your father had sent to her this week."
"You're kidding?" Dee said, amazed.
"No. No kidding. Mother has a GPN phone and service now," Ryo explained.
"Oh yeah, Papa said he told Mama-san Maria that she is family now, so she has the Fujioka family plan," Tomoko explained.
"Really?" Dee asked, starting to smile. It was just another thing that made Dee realize just what a wonderful father he had and how much he loved this man. "He did tell me he was getting her a phone but for him to say she's family… well, I think that's awesome. So now she's getting to know my grandmother?"
"Worse than that, I'm afraid, from what I've been observing," Ryo said. "My guess is that Obāsan and Mother already have pulled your grandmother into their alliance. There was talk about reaching out to Grandma later," Ryo said.
"Now that will be a scary force to reckon with," Dee commented with a shiver and then laughed.
"Something tells me for more than just you and me. None of your siblings will be safe either knowing all four women," Ryo stated.
Dee looked at his brothers and sisters with them. "You all have no idea what's in store for you now," he said. "But you'll love it in the end. I promise."
"That sounds ominous," Jirou stated, "but hearing from Dafydd about Ryo's grandmother and Dee's mother, if Obāsan is pulled into that, I think it will get very interesting."
"Scary," Dafydd stated, "but Dee is right. We'll love it, especially when we get those four strong women on our side. And do our best never to get on their wrong one." He smiled at his brothers and sisters while Dee and Ryo laughed.
"Did they get to Uncle Isamu yet?" Tomoko asked when she stopped laughing.
"I don't think so. They called Mother sometime after Ryo got to speak to Uncle Isamu," Eri replied.
"New plan then. Dee, why don't you and Ryo go over there and join them. Jirou and Ayaka, you should go too, since you didn't get to meet Dee's mother yet. Dafydd you go too and say hello to Dee's Mama again. Meanwhile I'll find Uncle Isamu and bring him over so we could say hello," Tomoko decided.
"Yeah, that sounds like a good idea," Dee remarked with a smile. He hugged his sister. "Thanks, Tomoko."
"Does that mean I'm your favorite sister today?" she asked with a smirk.
"For the same reason you are Papa's today, for now, yeah," Dee remarked with a matching smirk, making everyone laugh.
"I'll take that," Tomoko replied with a laugh. "I'll see you in a few minutes."
As Tomoko started to walk away, the rest of the group headed over toward Akira and Sakura.
Sakura noticed them and started to smile more. "Oh, look who we have coming over here!" she exclaimed. "Daisuke, come and say hello to your mother."
Dee went to his grandmother's side and hugged her as Akira held out her phone. "Hi Mom. I take it you met my wonderful grandmother?" He kissed the side of Sakura's head.
"Oh, I did and I'm so happy, Dee," Maria gushed. "I also got to meet many of your uncles and aunts. It makes me so happy to see your wonderful family. And they are all here for a special ceremony, I am told."
Dee nodded. "It was important to them, especially since they missed when Koko and Darin were born," he explained. "They are just a little older than it is normal for a Naming Ceremony, but considering the circumstances, it was overlooked."
"Traditionally, this is true, but these days, I have held Naming Ceremonies for babies up to six months," Takahiro said. "Some parents want the ceremony to be here, but do not live in Nagoya. We have had Japanese families from America also come with children up to two years old for a Naming Ceremony because it was the first chance they had to come to Nagoya. I find I cannot say no to such requests."
Dee nodded his head and then started to laugh. "Hey Mom, it looks like I'm surrounded by clergy by both of my families."
"It does seem like that," Maria agreed and then added with a smile, "but it doesn't surprise me because you are a blessing."
"Oh, I agree, Maria," Sakura said. "Again, I thank you for giving my grandson so much love when we could not. I am honored that he calls you his mother." She hugged Dee warmly with tears in her eyes. "Maria, you have no idea how happy I am that he's here with us now. I have been praying my deep thanks every day for the last two weeks."
Maria was dabbing her eyes with a tissue. "It warms my heart so much seeing you two together. I am so happy to see Dee has a family who loves him so much."
"Speaking of family," Akira said with a smile. "Dei has some of his siblings here too. Shall we introduce them to you?"
"Please do. I already spoke to Ayaka several times but did not get to do a video call with her yet," Maria said.
"Well, you are now," Dee said, pulling his sister over as Akira moved the phone to include her. "This is Ayaka. And on the other side of me, is Jirou. He's the next born after me and Dafydd."
"How delightful to meet you both," Maria said. "I do see the family resemblance. I see Saburo in all three of you, but I also see Yoshio in Jirou and Ayaka. You are definitely brothers and sister." She smiled. "Dee, you appear more Japanese there with your family. I knew I sensed some Asian in you. Yes, maybe Japanese, which is why I encouraged you to learn Japanese when you had the chance and go to college in Yokohama."
Dee shrugged, blushing slightly as Jirou quickly translated to Ayaka. "I just thought I was interested in the culture, but never thought to consider that I am Japanese."
"You are," Sakura stated. "And you and Dafydd are also half-Welsh, despite how Japanese Dafydd acts."
"He acts more Japanese than all other Japanese," Ayaka said in broken English and laughed.
"No need to be insulting," Dafydd commented, but had to grin at his youngest sister. "Hello Mama-san," he said with a wave to the phone.
"Hello Dafydd. Nice to see you again," Maria greeted with a warm smile.
"I see Tomoko with your aunt and uncle coming over," Ryo said. "Do these phones have wide angle?"
"They are GPN phones," Sakura said proudly. "Of course, they do. We can do a group shot once everyone gets to say their hellos. Oh, I see the uncle with Tomoko is Isamu. He is my twin brother," she explained to Maria. As Tomoko, Isamu and Isamu's wife joined the group, Sakura continued, "Isamu, say hello to Daisuke's mother, Sister Maria-san."
"Maria, please, Isamu. You are Dee's biological family, which I hope makes us all family," Maria said. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Isamu."
"It is more my pleasure, Maria," Isamu said with a low bow. "You might be tired of hearing it, but I do have to thank you for keeping Daisuke safe and giving him a loving family in our absence."
"Believe me, the moment Dee was put in my arms that night he was found, I had no choice but to love him and keep him safe," Maria said.
Isamu hugged Dee with one arm. "I remember him at that age, both him and Dafydd. They were both such sweet akachans. I can understand you feeling that way," he said to Maria as Sakura and Akira smiled." As he pulled away from Dee, he took the hand of the woman who came over with Isamu and Tomoko. "Please, this is my wife, Satoshi."
"Hello, Satoshi," Maria greeted pleasantly. "You have no idea how much I am enjoying being able to see everyone while we talk, especially watching Daisuke there with his family."
"Mother!" Dee said, starting to blush a little, but he smiled warmly at his family. "I don't think I have to tell you that I am having the time of a lifetime getting to know everyone." His smile grew as he gushed happily, "This is a great family and I'm glad they are mine."
Ryo felt tears come to his eyes at that moment. He was so happy for Dee he couldn't put it into words. It was something they never expected, since Dee never had interest in searching for his biological family because how he believed he had ended up in the alley as a baby. Knowing the truth and seeing the Fujiokas reactions to Dee showing up in Nagoya two weeks ago was truly amazing. He had to agree with Dee that the Fujiokas were a great family and he was so happy that Dee was Fujioka too.
Maria's eyes were filled with tears and she had to dab her eyes. With a loving smile, she said, "You have no idea how much it warms my heart to hear you say that, Dee. I can see they love you very much and you better love them back."
"I do," Dee said, his dark green eyes glistening, overcome with emotion. He smiled warmly at his grandmother.
"We are so happy having you back," Sakura said, pulling Dee close to her for a hug and kissing his cheek. Tears fell down her cheeks as her smile was bright and loving. Dee had to bend over some once he realized what his grandmother wanted to do and smiled more.
Dee found that he loved this family even more as they continued to acknowledge Maria as his mother. He knew by then that having his family did not lessen what he shared with the woman he saw as his mother, but the Fujiokas did not have to acknowledge Maria as his mother now that they had him back, but they did. She was referred to as his mother when the family mentioned her, and as relatives came over during their video call, it was how she was introduced. Even Ryoichi acknowledged her as his mother. The man had many faults but trying to cheapen what Dee shared with Maria was not one of them. His grandfather was just as grateful to her as the rest of the family. Even better, the Fujiokas now considered Maria as family too.
The group continued to talk a while, including Dee getting to say more than hello to his grandmother's twin brother and his wife. As more relatives who were there came over, they were also introduced to Maria. Tomoko finally excused herself, saying she had to make her way over to the Park for final touch-ups and make sure everything was as she expected.
Soon after, they said goodbye to Maria until later that day, because Sakura promised to call her while they were at the party.
OoOoOoO