AN: I'm hoping to do the Christmas flashbacks next chapter before doing a time skip to a celebration that the whole family really wants to do (aside Kuon who is neutral to it) and is just before Valentines Day.

Chapter Forty Two

I turn to Julie with a grin as I stand outside the house with the girls. I've told them that we're going to be spending the evening together and there is going to be good food and sparklers and maybe a few fireworks since we can launch some of the smaller ones in our large backyard. I also told them that their Daddy might need to rest just a little longer today to prepare for this afternoon. The girls have been amazing when taking into consideration Kuon's illness.

"Can we give Daddy a gift?" Rose asks and Julie smiles as she starts to organize the items for tonight so we can have fun with the girls. I blink and tilt my head to the side.

"What kind of gift were you thinking of, Rose?" I ask with a smile. I am so appreciative that the two of them still adore Kuon. I know that he's had to keep his distance and refocus his priorities this year and he might seem very different from the active, positive, and happy man that they grew up with. He's trying his hardest though.

"Well, we picked something out," Rose tells me and I continue to watch her.

Ana points to Julie, "Grandma have it," she grins and I look to Julie. The girls are looking at her expectantly and I wonder why they have kept it secret from me. I would feel guilty to say that they couldn't give a gift to their own dad especially since Julie approved of it.

"I think that we can give it to him," I tell them. "Thank you so much for thinking of Daddy."

"We didn't wrap it yet," Rose says nervously and I nod, following her words. Julie gestures that she'll be right back and I look to the two girls.

"That's okay. We can wrap it together," I nod before placing a hand on each of the girls' shoulders. 'Thank you so much for being so considerate and understanding. Thank you for being so nice to Daddy."

"I love Daddy," Ana announces and I grin. I try to stop the tears from pricking in my eyes. The girls are too young to understand everything which is happening to their father but even if they can't grasp all of it, they still want to show Kuon how much they care.

"We both love Daddy very much," Rose tells me as she looks to her sister who nods in agreement.

Julie approaches us and I see that there is a Disney store bag in her hand and I see something with a droopy black ear and yellow and black nose poking out of it. I smile as Julie hands me the toy and I see that it's a toy Pluto but his collar has fireworks on it and it reads 'Happy New Year'. I look at his tag and see it says Pluto on one side and then on the other has next year's year. I look at the toy dog, this looks like a larger size as well.

"This is amazing," I tell them with a grin. "Daddy is going to love him."

"Really?" Ana asks and I nod as I turn Pluto to face me. It's actually a really great idea for the girls to have chosen something like this for him. Pluto will be able to sit on my pillow or on the floor besides Kuon's side of the bed. If he sees the dog or touches him, he'll be reminded that our daughter's still really love him. He's fighting so hard to get back to the person he was before the accident and maybe he never will fully be that person again but he's trying for us.

"So," I tell them as I put Pluto back in the bag. "I'm sorry that I didn't ask you girls this before but how are you feeling about the plan of moving to Japan. I'm going to be working with you on your Japanese before we move. You still remember what me and Daddy and Grandpa have taught you, right?"

"Yeah," Rose nods before moving anxiously, "Most of it. It'll make Daddy happy, right?"

"I think Daddy will hea-" I start to respond but Ana interrupts me.

"I know this much," she tells me before spreading her arms out wide. I laugh and kiss her forehead.

"Maybe you can teach me some?" I joke and Ana nods excitedly. I look back at Rose again. "I think it will be a lot quieter there and that will help Daddy. Plus, we'll be able to show you where we met."

"And fell in love," Rose smiles and I nod before kissing her head again.

"Ye—ah," I hear a voice behind me and immediately give Julie the present so that she can take it indoors where I can wrap it up with the girls. "I…hhho' yy—ou…li-likke ii-" Kuon struggles again but he's interacting with us. He's trying so hard.

Without saying anything, Rose runs and grabs hold of Kuon's leg. Kuon crouches down and as Ana runs over, he pulls both girls into a loving embrace. He squeezes them close to him and Rose smiles blissfully as she lets her head rest on Kuon's shoulder. I'm so happy that he's been able to recover so so much.

KyKuKyKu

I hate to admit that I was a little nervous about today but it's felt amazing. Being done with that….person has helped ease my anxiety and that has helped me heal a little faster as well. I have to believe in those positives. Kyoko made dinner to celebrate the end of the year and how grateful we are to all be together and the girls have just played with sparklers or rather Rose played with one and then Dad played with one with Ana very carefully. I can't even begin to relate how grateful I am for the way my parents have been during my injury and disability.

Dad sits down next to me as the girls and Mom go to a towel and I can see Kyoko starting some small fireworks. I love how independent she is. However, she is still overprotective. I offered to light them but she's worried about me not moving in time and then dying from the explosion. She's got a fair point.

"There's something that I want to ask you," he says and I blink. I gesture for him to sit down and Dad passes me some warm tea. I take it and nod. My parents have agreed with the no alcohol night although I know that I'm the only one who can't have it.

"Okk-ay" I nod, stuttering a little.

"Would you be okay if Julie and I moved with you four to Japan. I don't want to hinder your dreams but we're going to be pretty lonely without you there." Dad says and I look at him, I open my mouth to ask him for the details and he shakes his head. "Right now it's just talk but sometime soon. I'm thinking about doing some projects in Japan and I think if it came to seeing her family board a plane and live off their dreams without her whilst she models and acts and her joining that family and working from home, I know that she'd want us to stay together.'

I freeze. I didn't consider how heartbroken they might be for all of us to just leave. I look at Dad and he sees how guilty I look.

"I think Japan is a better place to heal, it's quieter and generally more respectful there," Dad says and I pause and nod. "It's best for you to be there but we want to be with you too. Would that be okay?"

"Tha-tt…ssoun'…" I turn to him and smile weakly, "Thhan' you"

Dad playfully ruffles my still short hair. "No, thank you. You've worked so hard just to stay alive. We are so proud of you, Kuon. I don't think we can even begin to explain how proud of you we are. So we'll just have to do a housing search."

"Co—comme…li-v—ve wi'…usss" I tell him. I mean, we have a huge inn that can accommodate dozens of people, it would make me feel better if Dad was there too.

"I wouldn't want to intrude on you or Kyoko," Dad says. Before the fireworks are lit, Kyoko looks in our direction and stands, tilting her head as she studies the two of us. I gesture for her to come over and she quickly comes towards us.

"Are you okay? Are you feeling warm enough? Are you too cold? They aren't lit yet so if you're feeling uncomfo-" Kyoko says quickly trying to make sure that I'm okay and I gesture to Dad. Kyoko blinks as she looks between us.

"Ttte-ll hh-er" I smile to Dad who sighs.

"Julie and I are planning on moving back to Japan when you four go, I was just telling Kuon that I would search for a place to live but he said that, if you aren't put out, that we-"

"I would love to live with you Father!" Kyoko squeals as she hugs him and I bow my head. It's going to take a lot of hard work to get there but I think this is all turning out for the best. "So, the girls wanted to give you a New Years gift before we set the fireworks off," Kyoko says and I see Ana and Rose rushing up with a wrapped gift.

I smile as they grin to me. I am so thankful for them. I don't think I could have survived the heartbreak of them being scared to get close to me or them feeling that I hated them or that I didn't love them because these are my daughters, my princesses. I love them unconditionally and infinitely.

"Here," Ana says as she pushes the parcel to me.

"We thought you'd like it," Rose smiles and I start to open the paper. I see that it's something Disney and then see a plush toy inside. I smile as I take a look at it. I don't think I've smiled like this for a while. I pull him out and sit him on my lap. I take a look at the tag and then turn him around to face them.

"Tttha—an' yy-ou….I ll-ovv-e hi-I'" I tell them and the girls give each other a side hug as they study me. It's the truth. I truly love this toy and I feel that he's going to provide me with a lot of comfort. I reach for Ana and Rose and then kneel down with them, being mindful not to get their gift dirty. I wrap my arms around both of them. "Ana," I smile as I kiss her forehead, "R-Rose," I say again as I kiss Rose's forehead and they both giggle. "I ll-ovve y-you bo-tth" I tell them and they smile again.

It's such a thoughtful gift and I love them for it. I love that even when I can't accept who I've become, my girls can. There is nothing in this world that I'm more grateful for than Kyoko and these two little girls.

End of Chapter Forty Two

Thank you for reading, reviews are appreciated

Thank you to the reviewers of Chapter Forty One

Kaname671, kyoko minion