CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE
Laytner-MacLean Penthouse
Roppongi Hills, Tokyo
Japan
November 28, 2006
The first thing they saw when they entered the penthouse from the genkan was a pile of boxes and shopping bags near the couches.
"Geez," Dee exclaimed as they went over to the couches. "We're going to need a moving company to get everything we bought while in Japan to the plane when we're leaving."
Ryo started to laugh. "I'm glad Obāsan had everything we arrived at her house with sent here while we were at Fuji-san."
"And yet we still have enough stuff being placed in the entryway from the van," Dee commented.
"That's because we kept all the baby stuff until we came back here," Ryo replied. "Dafydd, Momo, you can use the same room you had last time, if you like."
"Sure," Dafydd said. "I like that room very much."
"I love that we can see Fuji-san from the window," Momo added. "And it is a very beautiful room."
"Then go get settled in," Dee said. "I'm going to get some coffee on, and Bikky and Carol should be here soon with pan from the bakery downstairs. Join us when you're settled in."
When they arrived at the hotel, as the van was being quickly unloaded so Nobu could continue his way to work, it was decided that they were going to have pan for breakfast and sent Bikky and Carol off to the bakery they liked in the hotel's shopping center.
As Dafydd and Momo headed for their room, Dee placed the baby carrier with Ryoko in it on the floor near the boxes, and Ryo put the one with Darin in it next to it. Dee stepped back and looked at the scene. "Once we get things going, we need to set up the playpen, or take out the mats for these two. I'm not sure how I feel with them there looking like they were just delivered with all our other crap."
Ryo already was in the kitchen and looking in the refrigerator. He looked back and chuckled. "They're fine for now. We know they weren't delivered." He took his phone out of his pocket as he closed the fridge door and moved so he could get a picture of Darin and Ryoko with their shopping. "But it does make a funny picture," he said and laughed.
"Yeah, true. Okay, you two sit tight and we'll get you set up in a bit," Dee said to the babies and went into the kitchen to start making coffee.
"The cold stuff is all where it should be," Ryo announced.
"There's perks to owning a hotel," Dee said with a chuckle. "Like having cold stuff that was delivered placed in the fridge, instead of sitting at the front desk."
"Since Uncle Takehide personally oversaw the delivery, everything went straight from Obāsan's house to the hotel with no stops between. The cold stuff would have never survived if it went by normal delivery since it would arrive the next day or so," Ryo said.
"True. So there's perks in knowing someone who owns an express delivery service too," Dee stated. "How about grabbing the coffee? I don't know about you, but I'm ready for more coffee."
"Yeah, me too," said Ryo. "Let's relax and have breakfast first, and then worry about getting everything out of the living room. After we have babies settled."
"That sounds like a plan to me. Besides meeting the college gang at the Ramen Museum, do we have anything else planned for today?" Dee asked as he started to make coffee.
Ryo was taking out coffee mugs and small plates to set on the counter next to small bowls which held packets of sugar. Next he filled the electric water kettle and set it on the breakfast bar, turning it on, so anyone could have tea if they wanted. Next he placed a container on the counter that had a selection of various tea bags.
"No. Just the Ramen Museum, because not only did we promise Bikky, but we made plans with the other Daigaku Dudes to meet there tonight," Ryo stated. "I should try something different that I haven't had during our travels, but I can't help thinking about having more Hakata ramen since they have a place there."
"You liked that, didn't you?" Dee asked, amused.
Ryo nodded. "I've had tonkotsu ramen before, and liked it a lot, but never in Fukuoka until now. That was some good stuff. Now you have me looking for Hakata based chains."
"Which the Ramen Museum has," Dee stated, "but Ken said they also have ramen from Kumamoto, which is also a tonkotsu ramen."
"Kumamoto is close to Fukuoka," Ryo commented. "Might be interesting to try. Shame we didn't have time to go there during our trip."
"We can always plan a trip there, I guess. Especially since I do have family living there," Dee said. He leaned against the counter as the coffee started brew and sighed. He gazed into the living room and then beyond the wall of windows and patio doors. "It feels like we've come home," he admitted.
"I have to admit, I've been feeling that myself. But it's been almost a month since we were last here," Ryo stated and looked over as Dafydd and Momo walked into the living room from their room.
Dee looked at Dafydd and stated, "Three weeks, actually. That means it's been three weeks since I met most of my family. And about a month since I met my twin brother. It seems both shorter and longer than that somehow."
"It has been an eventful month," Dafydd agreed, coming over to join them by the kitchen, leaving Momo in the living room.
"Wha!" Momo exclaimed. "What are you two doing like that there?"
They looked over to find Momo leaning over Darin and Ryoko, talking to them. Both babies were looking up at her, reaching out.
Dee chuckled. "We wanted to be able to see them while we got things going here before setting them up."
"We can do that," Momo offered. She lifted Ryoko from the carrier and cuddled her. "We don't want you two to end up having issues because of this now." She turned teasing eyes to Dee as Dafydd joined his wife and took Darin out of his carrier.
Dee shrugged and with a smirk stated, "At least all that crap will be going back to New York with us, which means so will they."
Ryo barked out a laugh. "I guess since you have your hands full, I'll get their playpen and mats. Go get comfortable on the couch with them."
By the time Bikky and Carol entered the penthouse, Darin and Ryoko were settled in the playpen, surrounded by some of their toys. Nearby were the bouncy chairs and mats.
"What took so long?" Dee asked from the couch.
Ryo looked at the two and started to laugh. "They bought the bakery," he replied.
"We couldn't make up our minds," Carol said with a slight blush.
"Any idea how to make it last for several days, at the least?" Dee asked.
As Bikky and Carol dropped the large plastic bags on the coffee table, Dafydd started to laugh. "At least there are six of us here."
"Yeah, but I wasn't planning on doing much today until we left for the Ramen Museum, but now it looks like I'll have to get out and do some walking," Dee commented.
"No kidding," Ryo replied. He looked at Bikky and Carol. "You two can go out today. It's up to you to come back here and go with us to Yokohama or meet us at the Shin-Yokohama Station."
"We were hoping to meet our friends, but I don't know what we'll be doing," Bikky said.
"When you're out, call or text on where we'll be seeing you," Ryo said.
"Okay. I'm going to text them now while we finally have breakfast. I'm starving."
"You didn't have breakfast yet?" Momo asked.
Everyone shook their heads. "It was a little hectic this morning, so we settled for a piece of toast and a quick cup of coffee," Ryo replied. "Meaning we're having breakfast now. Did you eat?"
"I managed to pick up a bento with miso-glazed salmon at Nagoya Station before getting on the train," Momo said. "And I had ogura toast before I took Tatsuya and Kiyoshi to school."
"I really want to ride on the shinkansen," Bikky stated. "We've been to all those stations it stops at, and seen them around, but I still haven't been on one yet."
"Next week, Aunts Moriko and Hoshi plan to take you and Carol to Nagano. You'll get to ride it then," Ryo said.
"And then later in the week, which we didn't plan on originally way back when Moriko and Hoshi suggested taking you, we'll be taking the shinkansen to Nagoya. Now that we know we don't need to take everything for the chibis, Ryo and I decided it'll be easier to take the shinkansen."
"Oh cool!" Bikky exclaimed. "I can't wait."
"And we just got home," Ryo sighed.
Dee looked at him, and grinned. "Home?" he asked.
"Well, one of them, yes. This is our Tokyo home, isn't it?"
"Yeah. I was just checking to make sure I wasn't crazy thinking that too," Dee commented.
"No. Not crazy at all," Ryo stated. He reached over to look in one of the bags. "Now let's eat."
OoOoOoO
Sakuragichō Station
Yokohama, Kanagawa
Japan
November 28, 2006
Hide had been at his club for the afternoon, looking in on the final touches done to the theater where Rainbow Over Roppongi would be playing. Being that the club was a few minutes' walk from the hotel, Dee suggested that when Hide was ready to leave that he should come over to the hotel and they could all head to Yokohama together.
They could have transferred to the Blue Line going to Shin-Yokohama at Yokohama Station, but before the group left the penthouse, Ryo got a text from Bikky saying they were at Minato Mirai. Dee called Yuki and Ken, and it was decided to meet Bikky, Carol, Ken and Yuki at Sakuragichō Station, which was the station near Minato Mirai and not far from Yuki's place. When they arrived, Yuki and Jae-Hwa were already there with Bikky and Carol. Dee had gotten a text from Ken saying he was on the way and should be at the station in a few minutes.
After greeting Yuki and Jae-Hwa, Dee stated, "I hope these two weren't making you crazy."
"Oh no," Yuki said with a smile. "Bikky was telling me that sometime next week, his friends want to invade my shop for dinner."
Ryo started to chuckle. "I have to say as much as I love the ramen we've been enjoying while traveling around Japan, your noodle soup is the best of it all."
"At least I don't do ramen," Yuki said and laughed. "I could, I suppose, but udon and soba is enough."
"Dee, now that you know you're from Nagoya," Jae-Hwa stated with amusement, "will you be wanting Yuki to add kishimen?"
"Oh boy!" Bikky exclaimed. "I'll bet if Yuki does, it'll be better than what we had in Nagoya, and that was really awesome."
Dee looked at Dafydd with a smirk. "Biks, try not to insult your uncle. You know how he is about all things Nagoya."
"I'm going to try because I'm expected to," Dafydd said, "but I have to agree with Bikky. Yuki-san, maybe you'd like to come to Nagoya and learn how to make kishimen. I'm sure my grandmother could find someone to teach you."
"Let me concentrate on the expansion first. Maybe your Obāsan would know someone who wants to move to Yokohama by then. They could teach me, just so I know, but would be the primary kishimen maker," Yuki said. He shrugged. "Who knows. It's something to consider in the future." With a teasing glance in Dee's direction, he added, "After all, one of my investors comes from Nagoya."
Ryo stated to laugh. "Yuki's starting to sound like my cousin Emiko and her matcha café in Brooklyn."
"And in a couple of years, she can be serving kishimen at her café," Momo joked.
"I can only wish," Dee sighed.
"Hey Dads, after the Ramen Museum, can we go over by the Landmark Tower?" Bikky asked.
"Sure. I'm always good for walking around there, especially since it's so built up with fascinating things since I lived here," Dee said.
"What do you have in mind?" Ryo asked.
"My friends were telling Carol and me all about the Christmas illuminations around here. When I asked Yuki and Jae-Hwa about it, they said, there's a real cool illumination by Landmark Tower."
"My grandmother said that the Japanese are starting to get more onboard with holiday lighting than I remember," Ryo said. "There's definitely a lot more lighting and decorations at the hotel."
"They are talking about Dockyard Garden," Yuki said to Dee. "It's all done up with lights for the holiday season and at night, every half hour, they have a little light show to a Christmas song."
"We saw some pretty cool light shows at Canal City in Hakata," said Carol, "and a water show."
"I heard about that," Jae-Hwa said. "I keep telling Yuki we need to take a vacation to Fukuoka."
"You should," Dee said. "Yuki, there's a lot more going on at Canal City than when we all went there. And around the city too."
"Maybe if we can't convince you to leave Japan for a honeymoon, you can go to Hakata," Hide suggested.
"There's an idea," Dee agreed. "Also checking out the illumination at Dockyard Garden." He laughed. "It looks like Christmas took over Tokyo and Yokohama while we were gone."
"I didn't really think about it at the time, since I got the impression that Canal City seems to always have water light shows, but that mall was pretty decked out with holiday lighting," Ryo mused. "Much more than I remember malls had when I was stationed here. And they did have that big LED Christmas tree."
"Oh, you're going to love it," Hide said. "Now all the malls play 'Winter' music. The Japanese version of holiday music, but there are some classic Christmas songs tossed in the mix, some in English and some in Japanese. More Japanese singers are doing Christmas songs or even full holiday albums."
"And not only do we have Christmas cake, we also eat chicken from KFC on Christmas Day," Yuki added.
"It's the same in Nagoya," Dafydd said. "Our family has chicken on Christmas day but not from KFC. Our grandfather and uncle make southern fried chicken." He looked at Dee. "It's an eating day for us, because that's what Japanese people started to do. We eat cake and fried chicken. Some also do roast beef or pork instead of chicken, but chicken is pretty much the standard, especially from KFC."
"You still don't see a lot of homes decorated with Christmas lights in Japan, but all the malls and main streets get decorated," Hide explained to Dee. "We decorate our house, but our children go to a Christian school."
Dee looked at Hide in surprise. "Do you go to church now too?"
"Only for Christmas and Easter because of the programs my kids are in. You know Noriko is Christian. She's the church goer, but she also stops to pray in shrines and temples," Hide explained. "We still do the shrine visit for New Year's and then osechi." He gave Dee an evil grin. "Pretty much like you did while living in Yokohama."
Dee's eyes opened wide while Yuki and Ken agreed with Hide. "Yeah, the only times Dee made sure he went to our local church was for Christmas and Easter," Ken said. "But you never did the Ash Wednesday thing."
Dee shrugged. "I only do it when I know I'm going to see Mother within the next couple of days, but yeah, I don't do Lent."
Dafydd and Momo started to laugh.
Ryo let out a loud laugh and as he slipped his arm around Dee's waist, pulling him closer, said, "That's called covering all your bases. Dee has been doing that a lot around here."
"We haven't been in any churches while we've been in Japan," Bikky pointed out.
"Oh, we haven't. That means that you've been going to just shrines and temples, Dee," Ryo said with a teasing smile. "Some of them at your request."
"And saying the same prayers as I always do," Dee remarked. "And yes, I do love visiting shrines and temples. Not only are just purely Japanese culture and really beautiful, but many of them have historic importance, including the ones that have been rebuilt."
"Like that temple in Kyoto that Aunt Masami took us to. The one that was originally built in another part of the city, but the history is still part of the new temple," Bikky pointed out.
"And why is that temple important?" Ryo asked. "And do you remember the name?"
Bikky nodded. "Yeah, I do. Honnōji, and Oda Nobunaga died there," he replied. "I remembered the temple's name from editing the videos from that day." He grinned at Ryo.
"Whatever helps you learn," Dee sighed but then chuckled. "I'm impressed, Biks. Really. Now going back to the original topic of holiday illuminations in Japan?"
"Nagoya will probably start lighting up by Ayaka's birthday," Momo said. "Especially by Nagoya TV tower. We should all go while you're in Nagoya. A lot of streets in Sakae also have street decorations."
"They should have the light show in the observation deck of Nagoya Tower, too," said Dafydd.
"Hopefully we'll have the time," Dee said, "but we'll do our best."
"I hope so," said Bikky. "That sounds like a lot of fun. And cool things to make videos of." He looked at Carol who nodded in agreement.
"If anyone can do holiday lighting, it's the Japanese," Dee said. "Which is why I was so disappointed that there wasn't much holiday lighting while I lived here."
"There is now," Hide stated. "And you're going to love it. There are places all around that not only have lighting, but do light shows."
"You picked the right time to be in Japan, if you were hoping to see holiday lighting finally," Momo said.
"Sweet!" came from Carol. "I would love to do some videos of it too."
"There's Ken," Jae-Hwa said, pointing toward the station exit.
"Since we're getting an early start on dinner, how about when we're done with Ramen Museum, let's not only check out Dockyard Garden, but go up the Landmark Tower?" Dee asked.
"I want!" Bikky agreed.
"Me too," came from Carol.
Dee looked at Darin, who was in a sling. "How about you, little man? Up to it? I guess so, since all you need to do is stay cozy in that." Looking over at Ryoko, in a sling with Ryo, he added, "That goes for you too, little lady."
As Ken joined them, Ryo said, "You should have let us know you are here and stay in the station. Now you have to pay again."
"I don't mind," Ken said. "I would have had to transfer anyway, since I didn't take the Blue line here."
"Then time for you to head back in the station," Dee commented. "We have a night planned after we eat."
"But you also want to make sure you appreciate everything at Ramen Museum," Yuki said. "Where the restaurants are, it's set up to look like 1958 Japan," he explained to Bikky and Carol.
"Wow, that's a pretty random year to replicate," Carol commented.
"1958 is the year instant ramen was invented," Dee replied. With a smirk, he added, "And I learned that from going to the Ramen Museum."
"Same here," Hide replied and laughed. "There's some walking around as well as eating. And there really is a museum part about ramen, too."
"Then we best get on our way now so we can do everything," said Ryo. "I never went there. Somehow I never even heard about it until this trip." He looked at Dee. "You don't have any pictures from your previous times there?"
Dee shrugged. "I have a few photos of all of us eating in one of the ramen shops, but no, I don't have any photos of the other parts of the museum. Remember, I had to be careful with film back then. I tried, but it was too dark for the film I had and didn't want to waste it."
"We're going to fix that," Carol exclaimed. "We'll have lots of photos and videos after today."
"Plus, you'll also have Uncle Dafydd and Aunt Momo, along with your friends in photos of the museum," Bikky added with a grin.
"That does sound great," Dee agreed.
"I heard about the ramen," Momo stated as they headed into the train station. "It really sounds fascinating."
"I found a video of it on YouTube," Dafydd said. "It's hard to imagine it's inside and in basement levels. They call it a food-themed amusement park."
"Well, after tonight, it won't be so much a mystery anymore," Hide said to Dafydd. "And you might even have your own video to upload on YouTube."
"If not, I know Carol will and will probably have us in it," Momo said and giggled.
"Whoever wants, can be in the video," Carol agreed. "I uploaded some of the videos that Bikky was able to get ready and they seem to be really popular."
"I uploaded a few from the last couple of weeks overnight," Bikky said, "and they're already are getting lots of hits."
"Maybe by the time you get all the videos uploaded, you might get a sponsor or two," Dafydd said.
"Oh, I wish," said Carol.
"Hey, one of these days, is anyone interested in going to the Cup Noodles museum?" Ken asked as they entered the gate for the Blue Line.
"There's a Cup of Noodles museum too?" Bikky asked, interested. "Where?"
"Right here in Yokohama, near CosmoWorld," Yuki said. "It will be closed by the time we get back here tonight."
"I don't know if we'll all be able to go," Ryo said, "but Bikky and Carol, if we can't, maybe you can ask your friends to take you."
"Yeah. But I'd rather if we all go," Bikky said.
"We'll try, Biks, but for now, let's concentrate on the Ramen Museum," said Dee.
OoOoOoO
Tokyo Station
Marunouchi, Tokyo
Japan
November 29, 2006
Dee and Dafydd stood outside the Yaesu Central JR gate of Tokyo Station. Saburo had been updating them with text messages on the train's progress. The train had arrived five minutes ago, and they just got a new text that their fathers and grandmother were on their way up toward the gate they waited at. Dee checked to make sure Ryo got that message, so he could start heading back to the station to pull into the pick-up area. Ryo didn't want to stop the van for too long in the pick-up area and decided to drive around until he got a text to come back.
Finally, the twin brothers saw their fathers and grandmother, along with Dafydd's two boys. Once the boys saw their father, they dashed ahead, exclaiming, "Papa!" and "Uncle Daisuke!", causing other people to come to a sudden halt so they don't run into the excited youngsters.
"Tatsuya! Kiyoshi!" Yoshio called out to no avail.
Dee and Dafydd made a dash forward, careful not to get in anyone's way and each one scooped up an armful of energy. The boys hugged the man holding them, and then leaned over to hug the other.
"What do we always tell you about running?" Dafydd asked both boys.
"Don't do it," Kiyoshi replied, looking as cute as he can. He rested a hand on his cheek and canted his head toward his hand and stared at his father with big eyes.
Dee fought not to react at his nephew's cuteness, and instead looked at Tatsuya in his arms. The little boy nodded his head while pouting.
"Then why do you keep doing it?" Dafydd asked.
Both boys threw up their hands as they exclaimed, "Because it's fun!"
Dafydd looked at Dee. "See what you have to look forward to," he commented in English as both boys giggled.
Tatsuya cuddled into Dee. "I missed you, Uncle Daisuke," he said.
"Me too," Kiyoshi exclaimed, still in Dafydd's arms and leaning toward Dee and Tatsuya.
"Don't fall for it," Dafydd warned, still speaking English.
Dee held his nephew tighter. "I missed you, too, Tatsuya. But you have to stop running like that. You can get hurt, and I don't want that to happen. You too, Kiyoshi."
Kiyoshi pouted and attempted to look serious. "We try, but it's hard."
"Why is it hard?" Yoshio asked, coming over to Dee, looking curious.
Kiyoshi touched his head. "We're little."
"Yes, you are little," Saburo said. "That is why you shouldn't run."
Touching his head, Tatsuya said, "Our heads say run."
Dee and Dafydd looked at their fathers, who was looking back at them, before looking at Tatsuya.
"Little brains," Yoshio commented with a snort, trying not to start laughing.
Dee's mouth was twitching as he also tried not to laugh, and further encourage his nephews. "Not that little to come up with that," Dee said in English.
Yoshio ducked his head and covered his mouth to cough. Saburo shook his head, his mouth twitching. Dafydd looked like it was just another day with his kids – half-amused and half not knowing what to do with them.
Dee bit down a laugh, a little too hard, because he actually bit his lip.
"Are you okay, Daisuke?" Saburo asked, concerned
"Yeah," he said and smiled at his father. He hoped it wasn't a bloody smile. "Hi Papa. Thanks for coming."
He managed to put Tatsuya down so he could greet his fathers and grandmother. Dafydd had already put Kiyoshi down and the child scrambled over to cling onto Dee's leg. Tatsuya decided to do the same to his father as Dafydd hugged his fathers and grandmother.
As Saburo hugged him, his father said, "Once Ryo's grandmother invited us, we knew we were coming."
"That's right," Yoshio said. "We wouldn't miss this for anything." He hugged Dee after Saburo pulled away.
Sakura come up to Dee after Yoshio and hugged him. "It made me so happy when Akira invited us to her special meal for you and Ryo."
"I'm glad you're all here for it. Oh!" Dee remarked, after pulling away from his grandmother. "We better get out of here, so Ryo isn't waiting too long in the van."
"Where is he?" Yoshio asked.
"The pick-up area," Dafydd said, "or he should be by now."
"Where's Bikky?" Sakura asked.
"He's right there, coming into the station," Saburo stated, looking amused.
The group started to walk toward Bikky, except for Dafydd's boys, who dashed forward, exclaiming, "Bikky!"
Dafydd sighed heavily. "At least they haven't knocked anyone over."
"Yet," Yoshio added.
"I was trying not to think about that, Chichi. Thanks."
"Ryo's going around the corner again," Bikky said to Dee and then smiled at the others after greeting Kiyoshi and Tatsuya. Dafydd and Dee managed to get the boys under control, so Bikky could properly greet his grandfathers and great-grandmother with hugs.
"Where's Momo?" Sakura asked.
"She decided to stay back at the penthouse and make dinner and Carol is helping," Dafydd replied as the group made their way toward the exit doors. "Ryo's cousins are also at the penthouse."
"Kumi's been with us all day. Uncle Nobu and Tsubasa dropped her off with the van on the way to work this morning," Dee said. "He said we could use the van to pick you up. Tsubasa came back after work, but Ryo's uncle decided to take Aunt Hoshi out for a bit tonight."
"Good for them," Yoshio said. "Your father and I find that very important. We might not be able to have date night every week, but at least once a month. Sometimes we get lucky and go every week."
"Ryo and I had a date night on Sunday," Dee stated as they approached the pick-up area.
Sakura directed her gaze at him, while Bikky made a face. "I hear that did not go very well," she said to Dee.
Dee shrugged. "At least we got through a pleasant meal."
Suddenly the back of his head was being slapped. "Baka!" Saburo exclaimed. "Why were you trying to pull away from us?" His eyes started to glisten. "After all these years, I finally have you back, and I thought you were happy having us?"
Dee got another smack but on his back from Yoshio. "You might think you can pull away from us, but it's never going to happen, because we'll come to you."
"Itaitaitai!" Dee exclaimed at the double strike, the Japanese equivalent to 'ouch'. "Dafydd proved that true when he showed up at Obāsan's house in Kamakura."
"If you ever try that in New York, at least one of us will show up there too." Saburo smacked him again. "Baka! What were you thinking?"
Dee hugged Saburo and looked at Sakura and Yoshio as he said, "I'm sorry. I'll explain it all back at the penthouse."
Dafydd was looking angry as he said with a bit heat in his voice, "You'll understand it when you find out."
"It's nothing any of you did," Dee assured his fathers and grandmother.
Sakura studied her grandsons' faces and then looked at Bikky who also had a dark expression on his face. She folded her arms and asked, "What did your grandfather do now?"
"Later, Obasan. I'll tell you everything when we're at the penthouse. I would tell you on the drive there, but Ryo might lose his temper again and crash the van."
"That bad? Well, it had to be bad to have you decide to have nothing to do with us so suddenly," Yoshio stated.
Dee simply nodded his head.
"We will wait then," Saburo said and then hugged Dee again. "But until then, I just want to tell you that now that we found you, you are stuck with us. Forever!"
"Understood, Papa," Dee said, his eyes filling with tears. He could not believe he had actually tried to extract himself from this family, especially his father, stepfather, twin brother and grandmother. The grandfather, he could do less of having around, but the rest of his family was more than welcome to be part of his life.
"You are aware that going around the corner by Tokyo Station is not the same as going around the corner in New York?" Yoshio asked, to break the rest of the tension.
"Ryo knows his way around," Dee assured his stepfather with a smile.
"Chikaiki, his family's shipping company, is a few blocks from here," Dafydd explained. "We went there to meet his grandmother while we were in Tokyo."
"And got lost getting out of Tokyo Station," Bikky said with a laugh.
Saburo looked at Dafydd. "You got lost in Tokyo Station?" He looked amused.
"Momo and I are used to going out on the Marunouchi side and grabbing a cab in front of the station," Dafydd said.
Dee shrugged. "I was used to transferring at Tokyo Station but not going up to the street. I did that only once or twice. And Ryo forgot that it's easier to stay in the lower levels to get on the Yeasu side. We went up into the station building itself and that has no exit on the back of the building. It's either go down or back to the main entrance on the Marunouchi side. And they really built up this side since Ryo was stationed here."
"Uncle Dafydd finally got us out on the right side," Bikky stated. "Otherwise, we'd still be walking around down there," he added dramatically.
"I doubt that, drama queen," Dee remarked with a laugh.
"If I am, I get that from you, Dad," Bikky quipped, making the others laugh as Dee glared at him.
"I see your van," Sakura said as Ryo made the turn off the street onto the driveway to pick-up passengers.
He stopped the van near them, and leaving it running, got out to quickly greet Dee's family, while Bikky, Dee and Dafydd got their luggage in the van. Soon everyone was settled in for the drive to the hotel.
OoOoOoO
Haneda Airport
Ota City, Tokyo
Japan
November 29, 2006
Nobu and Hoshi were not on a date night, despite what Nobu had told Dee and Ryo. Instead they stood in the international arrivals lobby of Haneda Airport with Akira. Nobu met his mother and Hoshi at the airport, who had arrived in a limousine bus Akira had rented for the night and grabbed a quick bite to eat to hold them over until later.
Akira had received a text that the group they were waiting for had cleared customs and were on their way toward the lobby. Soon enough, Nobu was pointing and stated, "There they are."
Akira looked where her son was pointing and smiled. Ryo's Aunt Elena was waving frantically as they entered the lobby. With her were her husband Rick and their two children. Also with her was Maria, who was smiling brightly and pointing in their direction to Carol's Aunt Elina.
"Well, I was expecting it to be easier noticing you," Nobu said in amusement to Maria as the group came to a stop.
Maria blushed slightly. "It's Elena's fault. She managed to convince me to leave the habit in New York. I am here, after all, as Dee's mother."
Akira hugged her in greeting. "Welcome back to Japan, Maria. I am so happy we were able to convince you to join us."
"Also Elena's fault," Maria said and laughed. "She pointed out that we don't know when we'll be able to meet Dee's family, so when this opportunity arose, we should take it. Thank you for inviting us. This is indeed a very blessed Thanksgiving."
"Originally I had planned to have a Thanksgiving dinner for just Ryo, Dei and our immediate family in Japan. I knew they would forget or neglect it being in Japan. Then when Dei met his family, I knew we really had a reason to give thanks and they had to be a part of it. Then it came to me that it wouldn't be a complete reason to give thanks with Dei without you here, too," Akira explained.
"I am glad I decided to come," Maria said. "Who else knows?" she asked.
"Saburo, Yoshio and Sakura. That's all. We decided to surprise everyone else along with Dei and Ryo." She smiled at Elena and Rick. "Thank you for convincing Maria to join us for this weekend." She went to hug Elena. "Hello Elena."
"It was my pleasure. Thank you for inviting us," she replied with a smile.
Nobu was already talking to Dani and Stefan and after giving Maria a hug, ended up holding Dani in his arms.
"Dani!" Rick exclaimed, embarrassed.
Nobu laughed. "It's no problem at all. I missed your little ones."
"Are we going to stay with cousins Ryo and Dee?" Dani asked.
"Close enough, sweetheart," Elena replied. "We'll be staying in the same hotel as them."
"I want to do stuff with Bikky," Stefan exclaimed.
"Oh, you will," Akira said with a smile. "You can perhaps help him with the other younger children who will be there."
"Darin and Ryoko!" Dani exclaimed, clapping her hands. "I want to help too."
"Yes, Darin and Ryoko are here," Nobu stated in amusement.
"Remember, Dee also has nephews now and you can help with them," Rick said to his son.
"Can I help too?" Dani asked.
"You can play with them," Elena said. "They are your age."
"Oh, yay!" Dani exclaimed.
Akira was laughing at the youngsters as she greeted Elina. "I am so happy you were able to join us."
"How can I pass up an all-expense paid extended weekend to Tokyo?" Elina asked. "I'm thankful I already had used my seniority months ago to get the four-day weekend off for the holiday. Of course, I was thinking I could use the time to do things with Carol. But I was not going to say no to her going to Japan with Dee and Ryo."
"Just as you did not say no to this, so you still get to do things with Carol," Akira stated. "Only it will be in Tokyo. And a few more people."
"And I had to get an extra day off for the flight here. I'm looking forward to it. This is my first time to Japan." Elina looked around. "I never thought I would ever be here. I always thought the furthest I would travel would be to California, but that never happened. Since Carol came to live with me, I never had the chance to take vacations with her as I hoped, which is why I'm so thankful to Dee and Ryo. At least Carol had the chance to travel with them, even before their money."
"I thought since both Dee and Ryo would have family with them, it would be unfair to Carol not to have hers here too," Akira stated.
"And thank you for that, but I also know that Dee and Ryo are family to us, so she wouldn't have been without. Plus you and your family have been so wonderful to her."
Akira hugged Elina again. "We are all family now, Elina." She pulled away from Carol's aunt and to the group continued, "And our family has grown now that we have Dee's family in Japan."
"I am so looking forward to meeting them," Maria said. "I had the chance to talk to them in video chats, which is better than nothing, but it is not the same as being with them."
"Who knows when we'll have the chance again," Elena said. "So here we are. My parents send their best, and regret being unable to join us this weekend."
"I understand they are holding a big Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow?" Nobu said as the group started to head toward the exit.
"Yes, but not the way you are thinking. They are holding a fundraising dinner at the Pierre," Elena explained. "$5000 a seat. They filled up. And there is also going to be a silent auction during the evening to draw in more money. It's for Carrier Support. Proceeds will go where it's needed to assist Carriers, including some to get started on the basics that will be needed when the home opens."
"I can understand why they decided to stay," Akira said. "It wouldn't be a good impression for the hosts to be a no show."
"That's what my father said. Besides, both my parents are still handling the issue of family money going to the ACC. Dad has been busy with lawyers and drawing up a plan, but don't ask me what. He hopes to have it sorted out by the end of the year, so he can roll it out with the New Year."
"I'm sure he also is busy with other things, too," Nobu said. "Franklin has been very busy since he got involved with Carriers."
"Everything has been going smoothly with the new Carrier home," Maria said happily. "Barry and the people they hired has a good handle on things, so all Franklin needs to do is check in once in a while. He'll come to the site once a week to check on progress, ask questions about the planning, and then join me on finalizing the game plan. Both Franklin and Estelle really wanted to meet Dee's fathers, but are hoping Dee is successful in convincing them to come to New York for New Year's Eve, even if that seems to be impossible."
Akira nodded. "It is a busy time for shrines on New Year's Eve," she said. "And with their family shrine being the most famous of Carrier shrines, it is packed from New Year's Eve all through New Year's Day, and even several days after. And Dee's grandmother offers a place to sleep to those who might not have made the trip because they could not afford a hotel. And she has to turn away people at some point because their house is so filled."
"I heard some years, there are people sleeping in the living room, because she didn't have the heart to tell them no," said Hoshi.
Maria was smiling. "Sakura has a good heart. I already know this, and I am so excited to be meeting her."
"She is hoping to find a way to sneak away tonight to say hello, since the others won't know you are here until breakfast tomorrow morning," Akira said. "But that might not be easy since she is staying in the penthouse with Dee and Ryo. They also have Saburo and Yoshio, and Dafydd and Momo staying with them tonight."
Maria laughed with delight. "I still get so excited hearing Dee doing things with his family, especially the mundane things. I do hope she gets a chance, but if not, we'll see her tomorrow."
"Hopefully they won't see us around the hotel tonight," Elina said.
"I doubt it. They have their own elevator from the penthouse to the main lobby, and I doubt they'll be running around once they get back from Tokyo Station," said Akira.
"I doubt I will be leaving my room tonight, even if it was a very comfortable flight here, and took a nap," Maria stated. "I'm ready for bed already."
"I hear you've been staying up much later than your usual time these last few weeks," Nobu commented.
"I can't help it. Dee and Ryo are having such an exciting time in Japan with Dee's family. Even during their road trip, they had Dee's fathers or grandmother with them. And then when they got back to your house, I've been worrying about Dee and his not answering his family's calls."
"It's all handled," Akira said. "And I have to understand why he felt he had to, but he no longer feels that way."
Maria nodded. "Yes, he told me everything, and I have spoken to him since Dafydd showed up at your house. So, he's at Tokyo Station now to pick up his fathers and grandmother?"
"Yes. Which is why we are going to stop along the way and have something to eat. I know the food served on the plane is especially good for flight food, but it is better to stop and have a good meal before getting you settled in your rooms," Nobu explained.
"Sakura is going to send me a text when they are at the hotel, so we don't take a chance of running into them in the lobby," said Akira. She looked at Elina and added, "Besides, everyone but Elina has had a chance to eat in Japan, so now she gets to enjoy a meal. I made reservations at a place that serves kaiseki meals." Looking at Elina, she added, "That is traditional style Japanese food, much like what they serve at traditional ryokans. It originated from the Kyoto area. We have some very skilled chefs in Tokyo that make kaiseki every bit as in Kyoto."
Nobu laughed. "Enjoy it now, because if Dee has his way for the rest of the weekend, you will be eating street food. Not that there's anything wrong with it."
"No, not at all," Akira agreed. "But we thought since everyone needed to eat before retiring for the night, Elina should have a well-rounded Japanese food experience while she is here."
They came to a stop at the pick-up area. "I contacted the driver while we were walking here, and our transportation should be arriving soon," Nobu said.
"I heard about the finer dining from Dee and Ryo during our calls," Elina said, "but all Carol talks about is convenience store bento and side dish bread. Whatever that is."
Nobu and Akira started to laugh. "Bikky and Carol were fascinated with conbini since they arrived, but I assure you they've been enjoying many types of food Japan has to offer," said Nobu. "And yes, they enjoy Japanese pan. I am certain that by tomorrow morning, you will not only know what it is, but get to decide for yourself if you enjoy it too."
"Bikky is still getting used to the Japanese version of Italian food, but at least he was used to a couple of Japanese pasta dishes and enjoys them here," Akira said. "I think the only thing they won't eat here after their first time is pizza," she added with a laugh.
A bus with dark windows pulled up a little way from them. "Oh, here we are," Nobu stated and picking up one of Maria's bags, started to walk toward the bus.
"You didn't!" Maria exclaimed as they entered the bus. Instead of the normal seating, there were couches along the sides of the bus with small tables. The lighting was more subdued than when the bus was rented for parties, with soft lighting, creating the atmosphere of a cozy living room. The driver had gotten off the bus to load their luggage under the bus.
"We did," Nobu said. "Dee and Ryo got our van when they arrived here, but since I gave them the van tonight to pick up Saburo, Yoshio and Sakura, my mother decided to rent a bus for us. Please make yourself comfortable and enjoy as we go through Tokyo. Elina, do not be afraid to take pictures during the drive. We are going to pass several landmarks."
"I plan to take pictures too," said Maria. "And I don't need to take out my camera. This phone that Saburo sent me takes wonderful photos. I especially want to take pictures as we approach the hotel." She smiled.
"It is a beautiful building," Akira said. "And that penthouse they have is very nice."
"I know. They sent me photos inside the penthouse. They are very happy with it. I told Dee several times that it is okay with me if they decided to move to Tokyo, but Dee isn't having any of it. Unless I decide to move too, but I cannot abandon my children, plus all those Carriers who need a place to stay."
"It's not just you, Maria," Nobu assured her. "Dee also has his job that he is unwilling to give up. He says your mayor has put her trust in him and he doesn't want to disappoint her."
"I do understand that. We were all shocked when Dee was named the unit chief, but I also know it was a good choice. Maybe that's just a mother's pride talking. But Dee has had me almost all his life, and now that he has family in Japan, I keep thinking maybe it's best that he gets to spend more time with them."
"I do know moving now is out of the question, but in a few years, depending on how the situation with the ACC turns out, the option is still open to move," Akira stated. "But even then, if they decided, I know Dei is still hoping that you will retire and go with them."
"That is also an open option, but it does depend on how things work out, including finding someone I know would treat the children and Carrier-residents with everything necessary. At least I do not have to worry about the financial side, except for making sure operations stay within budget," Maria explained as the bus made its way from the airport. "And there will be Elina."
"Elina?" Nobu asked. "I thought you were a nurse at one of the county hospitals?" he asked Carol's aunt.
"I am. I have been for almost 15 years, but lately I've been feeling burnt out. It's long hours, and since I had Carol with me, I regret not having more time to spend with her. I have been wanting to move on from the ER for the last couple of years, but I never got around to it."
"She's been too tired to do anything on her off time about it," Rick added.
"And when something comes up in my hospital, they are not willing to let me go, since I'm in charge of the ER. They don't want to let me go. But they're going to have to early next year since I accepted a position of Executive Medical Director for the new children's and Carrier home. I was told I can still treat people but not for 18 hours a day. Ryo's grandfather offered the position to me, but he said it was Ryo's and Dee's decision. So more money with less hours, which means more time with Carol for a while."
"For a while?" Akira asked.
"Carol has mentioned that she's interested in going to college here for at least a semester," Elina replied. "And Dee's fathers said that if she went in Nagoya, she could stay with them."
"I hear that Bikky has opened his options to college in Japan as well," Maria said. "But it might not be so easy for him unless he gets his grades up and learn Japanese, but he can probably get a semester as an exchange student. But then, Dee managed to get accepted at Yokohama National University. He was always smart, but usually found other things more interesting than to study. It was when he had the goal of going to college in Japan that he really started to apply himself to his studies."
"I am glad Bikky and Carol are enjoying their time in Japan," Akira stated with a smile. "We have also been very impressed with how Bikky seems to absorb everything he encounters here. He's even picking up quite a bit of Japanese during his time here."
Nobu let out a laugh. "It's a shame that they teach more than just Japanese history and language in his school in America. But perhaps, like Dee, he does have incentive now and will apply himself more with studies."
"Oh, where are we?" Elina exclaimed, looking out of the window. "Look at that building! We don't have buildings like that in New York."
"We're in Daiba," Nobu answered, "and that is the Fuji TV building. Dee and Ryo were here, but on the other side of this building at Joypolis this afternoon with Dafydd and Momo. I think it's one of Bikky's favorite places. It was his 3rd time, at least, and Dee's, Ryo's, Dafydd's and Momo's 2nd time."
"I think they also went to the Fuji TV building too," Hoshi said. "Ryo said since they were going to Joypolis, it was Daiba Day."
Maria started to laugh. "I do know about Joypolis. I have enough pictures of them from there, including from today. It's a good thing we had phone reception on the plane or else I would have gotten a message from Dee asking why I wasn't answering any of them. I don't answer to every photo, but I at least reply that I received them, and of course, I loved them."
"Same here," Elina said. "Not only from Carol, but Bikky, Dee and Ryo. They have been good with sending me updates with Carol at the many wonderful places they have been to."
"Bikky does love Joypolis," Akira said in amusement.
"He also gets a kick out of the Statue of Liberty nearby," Maria said.
"Oh yes. I remember when he first saw it," Nobu stated and started to laugh. "That was something I was glad to have been part of."
"The first time Carol sent me a picture, it was with no explanation, and all I thought was, 'Excuse me, but aren't you in Japan?'" Elina commented with a laugh.
"I wondered that myself," Maria admitted.
"We will do our best to get you there while you are here," Akira said. "I hope no one isn't up to some sightseeing."
"I do not mind, but I am hoping to see Yokohama again while we are here," Maria stated. "After all, Yokohama was Dee's home for five years. But this is all new since Dee went to college."
"Yes, Daiba has been built up since the time Dee went to college here," Nobu replied. "And since Ryo was stationed here. Back then, it had some office buildings, but not much else. Unless you worked here, there were more exciting places to go around Tokyo. Now it's one of the main tourist attractions."
"Now I remember this," Maria said, looking out of the window. "The Rainbow Bridge. We were able to see it from Tokyo Tower, and then Dee drove over it, but we turned back because there wasn't much else to see. It was a new bridge then. Dee moved here a year before the bridge opened. We should be almost at the hotel, shouldn't we? There is Tokyo Tower and I know Roppongi isn't that far. I remember Dee saying he would love to walk to Roppongi whenever he would go to Tokyo Tower. We took the train to Roppongi when I was here, and then walked around Roppongi a little." She laughed and added, "He took me to Johnny Rockets in Roppongi."
Elina made a small gasp of joy. "I cannot believe I am seeing this, after all the photos I got this last month."
"Not that far at all," Nobu replied, "depending on traffic. Which shouldn't be too bad right now. And Elina, we will be getting closer to Tokyo Tower."
"I hope we can go there this weekend," Elina exclaimed. "I mean, if we can. I don't want to get in the way of anyone's plans."
"I would love to go again," Maria said. "I remember having such a wonderful time with Dee. And not just the observation deck. There is so much to see."
"I think we can do that," Nobu said, smiling. "I'm pretty sure we'll let you and Elina decide on where we will go during your time here."
"What about everyone else?" Elina asked.
Akira laughed. "We live here. Or should I say, we live close enough that when Ryo and Dei arrived with their children, we had a few must-see ideas on where to take them, but it was for them, since we have already seen it all several times."
"I see Tokyo every day since I work here," Nobu said. "So Tokyo Tower is a must-see for first-timers to Tokyo, and since this is Elina's first time, I am certain there will be a stop there."
"We also have a new observation deck in Tokyo," Akira added.
"Two," Nobu commented, "if you include the one in Mori Tower in Roppongi Hills. Which is across the street from the hotel."
"Speaking of Mori Tower, I hope that you were not looking forward getting photos of the hotel while driving into it, Maria," Akira stated. "You will be able to get photos while walking. The bus is going to let us off at Mori Tower, where the restaurant we will be eating at is located, and then we will walk over to the hotel. And do not worry about your luggage. The hotel is aware of an empty bus arriving to offload luggage and I have been assured it will all be placed in our rooms, waiting for us. I have also been assured that no one is to mention it to Ryo or Dei. Not that the two spend much time hanging around and talking to the staff, but just in case, I did not want someone to say anything while they are going through the lobby."
"Walking sounds better," Maria said. "And is the other observation deck the Skytree?"
"Yes, the Tokyo Skytree," Nobu said. "And of course, you and Elina already have pictures from there, since I know Dee and Ryo went there with the kids."
"And had Dafydd and Momo along too," Maria said. "Oh I am so happy you talked me into this. This is going to be a wonderful long weekend. I can't wait to meet Dee's family."
"They are wonderful," Akira said, smiling. "But you already know that."
"I do," Maria replied.
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