CHAPTER SIXTY
Laytner-MacLean Penthouse
Roppongi Hills, Tokyo
Japan
November 29, 2006
When they arrived at the hotel, Saburo, Yoshio and Sakura were all very impressed with the building's architecture. Sakura believed that the hotel was more impressive than Mori Tower across the street, but then Dee figured it could just be a grandmother's right to be biased. Fathers too, because Saburo and Yoshio agreed with Sakura. The hotel staff was already informed that Dee's fathers and grandmother were arriving that evening. Management were already informed that Dee's grandmother was the wife of Ryoichi Fujioka of GPN Communications, which obviously made Dee his grandson.
The general manager met them outside the entrance and gave the attention he felt Sakura and Dee's fathers deserved. Dee and Ryo also had noticed since the hotel staff found out who Dee's family was, they started to treat Dee with even more respect as one of the hotel owners. As part of the welcome, Sakura, Saburo and Yoshio were given a quick tour of the facilities, which was a request Ryo made earlier in the day, wanting Dee's family to see everything this hotel had that the others they stayed in did not. Dee had to agree, since it was the flagship hotel of the Japanese division and had more than a few restaurants, cafes and a couple of stores for gift shopping.
Kiyoshi and Tatsuya seemed anxious to finally get where they were going as they were given a brief tour of the hotel's shopping center and lobby and shown the walkway that went to Mori Tower and the rest of Roppongi Hills.
"I want to see where Uncle Daisuke lives," Tatsuya whined, tugging on Dafydd's hand.
"Me too," added Kiyoshi, who's hand was held by Sakura. "There's stores everywhere."
Dafydd rolled his eyes. "You may not be interested, but Ojiisans and Oobaa want to see the building that Uncles Daisuke and Ryo own."
"Oh," Kiyoshi said, and his mouth dropped a little. "You own all this, Ojisans?" he asked Dee and Ryo.
"We own the building all of this is in," Dee replied, "and the hotel. But not the stores."
"They own the space the stores are in," Dafydd explained, "but the stores belong to their owners."
Yoshio was looking around. "I would love to see the shopping mall, too," he said. "Perhaps if space becomes available, we can consider this location for a Tokyo store. We'll pay full price for rent, of course. I just think it would be nice to have a store on your property."
"Oh, I love that idea," Saburo said. "Even more than opening a store in GPN Square."
"Are you?" Dee asked.
"We've been thinking about it," Saburo replied, "but right now there are no spaces available, and we refuse to let my father pick a store to evict for us."
"If we do open a store there, it will be an express store. There is not enough space to open a full-size store at GPN Square," Yoshio added.
"You might have to open only an express store here," Ryo said. "We don't have any really big size stores in the mall, but we can have corporate get you in touch with the real estate people who handle renting out store space."
They paused as they heard a little sigh come from Tatsuya, followed by Kiyoshi.
"Well, that excitement died down fast," Dee commented with a laugh.
"We also want to see Mama," Kiyoshi said. "We miss her."
"And we didn't get to talk to her last night," Tatsuya added.
"It was only a day," Dafydd said to his sons. "You saw her yesterday."
"In the morning, and it's today in the night," Tatsuya said.
Sakura was smiling and laughed as she looked at the two little boys. "Patience. We will be in their home soon enough. And see your Mama too."
"I guess we can look around later tonight or tomorrow morning," Saburo said. "I think the little ones are tired. It's near their bedtime."
"Sorry, Papa and Chichi," Dafydd said, glaring at his sons.
"No worries, Dafydd. Besides, seeing where Daisuke and his family call home in Japan is also very exciting and I can't wait," Saburo said.
"Next stop, your penthouse, please," Yoshio said. He shared a knowing smile with Saburo and Sakura.
"Oh, that's a beautiful view of Tokyo!" Saburo exclaimed as they entered the penthouse from the genkan, where they left their shoes and put on slippers. "Look, that's Tokyo Tower."
"We can see Fuji-san from our room," Dafydd said.
"You can?" Saburo asked.
"You can also see it from the back terrace," Ryo said. "And the side terrace too."
"Which you can go on from the door in the Japanese room," Dee added. "It's the only room here that has fusuma and engawa."
"If you open the fusuma, there are windows and a door going to the terrace," Ryo added. "The previous owner made that room as traditional as possible, given that the rest of the penthouse is very modern."
"Japanese modern," Dafydd said with a teasing grin directed to Dee. "You have a very Japanese apartment."
"This is Japan, Dafydd," Dee remarked with a smirk. "I expect it to be Japanese." He stuck his tongue out at his twin, who returned the gesture, making Ryo and Yoshio laugh.
"This is beautiful, Daisuke," Sakura said happily.
"You're just seeing the living area," Dee said with a laugh. "Please put your bags down for now."
"Your other suitcases arrived this afternoon," Kumi said, who joined them unnoticed from the hallway leading to the bedrooms, "and are in your rooms."
"Thank you," Sakura said with a slight bow and smile. "And you must be Kumi. Hajimemashite. I am pleased to finally meet you."
"Hajimemashite. I am pleased too. I really wanted to meet Dee's family," said Kumi, who also bowed in greeting.
As Dee introduced Kumi to his fathers, Kiyoshi and Tatsuya went over to greet Momo as she came out of the kitchen. Momo introduced her sons to Kumi and watched as they also said hello to Kento and Aya, having met them at the party in Nagoya a couple of weeks ago. Then both boys gave Momo big pleading eyes, which made their mother laugh.
"Do you have them?" Momo asked in Japanese, while Saburo, Yoshio and Sakura greeted Kumi, Tsubasa and Carol.
"Yes! It's right in my bag," Tatsuya exclaimed, pointing to his rucksack that he had put down near his feet.
"Me too. In my bag too!" Kiyoshi stated.
"Okay, you can take them out then," Momo said, her voice filled with amusement.
"What's going on?" Dee asked in Japanese.
"I'll let these two explain," Momo replied.
"Which will also explain why they have been so rude since we got out of the van," Dafydd said. "Hopefully. Well? Go ahead."
Both boys started to open their bags and first Kiyoshi and then Tatsuya pulled out colorful gift bags. Together, they turned to Ryo. "Uncle Ryo, a picture of a picture isn't really a gift," Tatsuya said in Japanese.
"But we wanted to give you something on your birthday," Kiyoshi said, also in Japanese.
Ryo started to smile. Not only because of what they said, but because it sounded like the two boys had worked our whatever presentation they were up to.
They held out the bags to Ryo. "It's a little late, but Happy Birthday again, Uncle Ryo." The boys spoke together, and in heavily accented English.
The two definitely worked out their presentation and had to do a lot of practicing. It made the moment even more special.
Ryo suddenly had an idea what was in the bags, but to his surprise, they were a little heavier than to have just paper in them.
"What do you have there, Ryo?" Dee asked, coming close to them.
"Birthday gifts from your nephews," Ryo replied.
"That's obvious," Dee remarked with amusement. "Let's see."
Ryo had a bag in each hand. He handed one to Dee. "Hold this for me, please," and looked inside the bag he still held from Tatsuya. To his surprise, it was a frame. It looked like a plain frame from a 100-yen store, but it was also decorated with plastic cutout blue and gold stars and squares attached to the frame in decoration. In the frame was the picture Tatsuya drew. His smile grew as he held it up, and then handed it to Dee to take the other bag. It was another frame but with plastic silver and yellow moons and circles with Kiyoshi's picture. He gave the empty bag to Dee and now held both framed pictures up to show everyone in the room. "I love it!" he exclaimed as he got down on his knees. Changing to Japanese, he continued, "I loved it when your Mama took a picture of them and sent to me for you, but you're right. This is much better."
Both boys jumped up and down, clapping, happy at Ryo's reaction. They were even happier when Ryo pulled them both in for a hug, being careful of the framed pictures in his hands. "Domo arigatou gozaimasu, Kiyoshi and Tatsuya."
"You're new, Uncle Ryo, so we didn't have much time to make you better presents," Tatsuya said in Japanese.
"Next year, we will," Kiyoshi said, continuing the conversation in Japanese. "And we'll know what you really like by then."
"You know what?" Ryo asked them, still grinning. "If it comes from you two, I know I'll love it, no matter what it is."
"Really?" Kiyoshi asked.
"Really," Ryo replied and hugged them again. "Since I love you both, I'll love anything you give me."
Both boys hugged Ryo tightly, laughing with glee. "I love you, too, Uncle Ryo," Kiyoshi said happily in English.
"Me too!" came from Tatsuya.
"That's why they were a little buggy," Dafydd said in English, knowing his sons wouldn't know what they were saying. "We told them that they had to wait until they got here to give you your presents."
"We reminded them as we got off the train," Sakura said, "especially after we found out that Ryo was driving."
To Momo, Saburo said, "Instead of coming right up here, we wanted to see some of the hotel lobby and its shops."
Momo looked sternly at her sons. In Japanese, she asked them, "So you started to get rude because you wanted to come right up here?"
Both boys hung their heads. "A little," Kiyoshi admitted.
"A little?" Dafydd said. He scooped down to the boys' level and looking right at them, said, "You're lucky we all knew you just wanted to give Uncle Ryo his gift. But try to work on your patience, at least a little."
"But we waited since before Uncle Ryo's birthday when we were done with everything!" Tatsuya exclaimed.
"Voice there, little one," Dafydd warned.
"Sorry, Papa," Tatsuya apologized.
"And Uncle Ryo loves your gifts! YAY!" Saburo exclaimed, making everyone smile again and laugh.
"He does, Ojiisan," Kiyoshi said happily.
"Yes, I really do," Ryo said. "Do you mind if instead of putting them up here, I take them to New York and put them up where I can see them every day when we're back in New York?"
"They're yours, Uncle Ryo," Tatsuya said. "You can take them anywhere you want."
"That makes me happy to hear. Thank you."
"Dinner is ready," Momo said. "And it's getting near bedtime for little ones, but we don't want to send them to bed without dinner."
"No, we don't," Ryo agreed. "What's for dinner tonight?"
"We have hanbāgu for little ones, and shabu shabu for adults," Kumi said with a smile.
Momo started to laugh. She turned the conversation back to English so Bikky and Carol could understand. "We made extra hanbāgu in case some adults want with their shabu shabu," she added.
"Oh good," Dafydd said. "I really didn't want to steal from the kids."
Dee broke out in laughter. "I was just thinking the same thing."
"No surprise there," Ryo said in amusement. "But we're also being rude to your fathers and grandmother, Dee. We haven't shown you to your rooms to settle yet," he said to Saburo, Yoshio and Sakura.
"We're fine," Sakura assured him. "If you do not mind our bags in your living area while we eat, I do not mind leaving them here for now. The important thing was you getting your gifts from Tatsuya and Kiyoshi."
"Papa, Chichi, I'm still feeling bad giving you futons to sleep in our Japanese room," Dee said in concern.
"Yes, Saburo-san, Yoshio-san," Carol said. "I have no problem letting you use the room I sleep in."
"We would have asked Bikky, but since he has the bunks beds…." Dee said and laughed. Looking at his nephews, he added in Japanese, "It just seemed best to leave Biks in his room and let Kiyoshi and Tatsuya crash with him."
"We're staying in Bikky's room?" Kiyoshi asked, excited.
"Yeah, you are," Bikky said slowly, and laughed. "I told you I also have bunkbeds."
"You did!" Tatsuya exclaimed in English and then in Japanese added, "And we get to see them. YAY!"
"After we eat," Saburo said. "And it was at our suggestion, Daisuke. I believe we are Japanese enough not to mind futons. In fact, we insist, so after dinner, show us your Japanese room and futons and we will get settled."
"Now that that's settled, let's go eat," Tsubasa said.
"What my cousin said," Ryo agreed and started toward the dining room.
Later that evening, Ryo sat on the couch in the living room with Dee's family. They were not expecting Nobu and Hoshi to come to the penthouse that night. Ryo's aunt and uncle planned to make a late night and go to their suite when they finally got to the hotel. Tsubasa and Kumi stayed a while after dinner, enjoying the time with Dee's fathers and grandmother and watch as Dee's nephews played with Kento and Aya. Kento and Aya seemed to be extremely happy to see Kiyoshi and Tatsuya again. They even asked about Kyoka. Since Dee was Kento's and Aya's cousin through marriage, all the adults decided that during initial introductions in Nagoya, they made sure all the children knew they were now cousins. When it was time to get Aya and Kento ready for bed, Tsubasa and Kumi excused themselves and left for their suite.
Kiyoshi and Tatsuya were tucked in the bottom bed in Bikky's room, after Dafydd and Momo read to them until the fell asleep. While Dafydd and Momo were with their boys, Dee and Ryo got Darin and Ryoko ready for bed and left the babies asleep in their crib in the sectioned off area of the master bedroom.
After the younger ones were sleeping, Dee said down with his fathers and grandmother. He told his family why he had been acting the way he was, and they were just beside themselves in horror. Saburo and Sakura broke out in tears that Ryoichi could say such things to Dee and making him believe it. Yoshio swore if he didn't know his father-in-law was going to be there the next day, he was tempted to take the next train to Nagoya and give the man a piece of his mind. Ryo had admitted he would have been right there with him. Sakura nearly called her husband to tell him to stay home but decided that it was better to have it out with him with the family present. They were all affected, especially Dee, and she was going to make sure nothing of the sort came from him ever again. She also sat Dee down and along with Saburo and Yoshio, made sure he would never ever believe they would turn their backs on him or cast him out of the family. He was Fujioka, no matter where he lived, or how often they actually saw each other. He was Sakura's eldest grandson, and Saburo's firstborn son. And they were all so ecstatic to find out he was alive and was back with them. Dee had spent enough time apart from his family, but never again.
Now, Bikky and Carol were on the patio, with hot cocoa and melon pan, enjoying the night view of Tokyo as they listened to a Tokyo radio station. The adults settled in the living room and had the news on the television.
Dee sat next to Ryo, leaning comfortably in his embrace, while Saburo and Yoshio sat on the other couch, also sitting close. Dee and Ryo shared the couch with Sakura. Dafydd and Momo chose to sit on the floor against one of the easy chairs, with Momo cuddled up to Dafydd.
Ryo suddenly sat up as a report on the news got his attention. He felt Dee sit up quickly and take his hand. Dee and Dafydd shared a concerned look, while Saburo and Yoshio looked horrified.
"It's bad enough that those Anti-Carriers are starting to deface buildings with graffiti of their hatred, but this is more heinous than defacing a shrine," Yoshio exclaimed.
"Shush Chichi," Dafydd commented, leaning forward to continue to listen to the news report.
The Victims Memorial Cenotaph at Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima was found graffitied in Japanese denouncing Carriers. Shortly after the discovery, a video on the ACC's YouTube channel was released. The news played the video with Japanese subtitles where the ACC owned up to the defacement. They claimed there will be many truths about Carriers that will be told during the next Anti-Carrier conference. They also had things to say about Japan at that conference, and what they had discovered about Japan was the reason behind the message left on the cenotaph. The message was that all Japanese should have died by atomic bomb during WWII.
Everyone in the room looked horrified, and Ryo guessed all over Japan were equally horrified people. And angry, just as he was feeling. That sentiment included his grandmother, and Dee's grandparents.
"Fuckin' ACC!" Dee exclaimed. "I know they hate Carriers, but that's genocide!"
"That's how I felt when that ass in school said all Carriers deserved to die," they heard Bikky say. All the cursing ceased, and everyone looked at Bikky.
"How long have you been standing there, Bikky?" Saburo asked.
"Long enough to hear what they wrote on that thing in the Peace Park. We have pictures with Oobaa by it," Bikky said. He was sounding upset. "If everyone died during the war, that would have meant Obāsan, and Oobaa and Oojii." His eyes went from Ryo to everyone else in the room. "That would mean none of you would be born and I wouldn't be here with everyone right now."
Ryo jumped up and went across the room to pull Bikky into a hug. Bikky held onto him tightly. When he was able to pull away enough to move them across the room, he sat Bikky down between him and Dee.
"As much as they want to think, that didn't happen Bikky and we're all here," Dee said, putting his arm around Bikky's shoulders. "And there's no way in hell, we're going to let them commit genocide, whether it's Carriers or Japanese."
"Your father is right," Dafydd said. "That's not going to happen. And I requested to be on the investigation of the graffiti in Nagoya."
"That makes me happy, but also be careful," said Bikky to Dafydd. "The ACC almost killed my dad, and they better not try again. To anyone here."
Dee tightened his hold. "Ferguson wasn't ACC, Bikky. He was anti-Carrier, sure, but not part of the organization."
Ryo nodded his head. "He did it to revenge his sister, and his sister worked independently because she had her twisted reasons. She was getting money from that son of a bitch Richard, but she had nothing to do with the start of the ACC. He was working on that and her." He paused for a moment to check his emotions. At least at that moment, surrounded by the people he was, that ill feeling did not show. He studied Dee. Dee managed to mention his assailant's name without a stumble, and he also seemed fine.
Perhaps they were finally healing. It did good being surrounded by people who loved them, and that Ryo and Dee trusted. Ryo never figured Dee's family would be part of it if he thought about it, and they were still new in their lives, but Ryo trusted the Fujiokas. At least most of them, but after watching Dee's grandfather with the twins the night of the last party in Nagoya, they might have to watch what the elder Fujioka might say to them when they got old enough, but he had to admit he felt safe leaving them with him too. Ryoichi Fujioka might have a lot of faults, and currently was at the top of his shit list for what he did to Dee, but on the other hand, the man would never physically harm any of his family, including Dee and extending to his husband and children. He had to give the old man that.
Ryo found himself smiling at Dee's fathers, twin brother and his own cousin-turned-sister-in-law. "We're going to be fine, Bikky," he said, squeezing his son's shoulders. "We have many reasons to be now."
Bikky looked up at him with curiosity and saw where Ryo was looking. "Oh yeah. You're right. Besides, the way Oojii talks, I'll beat he'll also kick the ACC's ass."
"It's very possible Ojiisan won't be here tomorrow after all," Dafydd said. Looking at his fathers, he added, "You know how he gets about Carrier hate crimes, and now that it's in Japan, it'll be worse to him."
"Let's hope we can keep this situation isolated," Dee said. "I don't want their hate to be loose here. So if there's anything our grandfather can do to make sure it doesn't, than I have to support him. Including if he can't make it tomorrow."
"You are right, Daisuke," Saburo said. "I also know our police will put much effort in keeping things as they are here."
"At least now the police here will finally have something to do besides hang out at Krispy Kreme and Mr. Donut," Yoshio said with a teasing tone.
"Chichi!" Dafydd yelped, scandalized. "I have plenty to do. It might all be petty crimes, but it still keeps us busy."
"I can assure you our labs are also kept busy enough, so nobody is sitting around eating donuts all day," Momo added. And then with a sly side glance in her husband's direction added, "Or in curry shops."
Dafydd gave her a glare. "That's called lunch."
"Okay, if you insist." She batted her eyelashes sweetly at Dafydd.
Carol started to laugh, and then everyone else followed. And the tension over the news report was released.
"Look, I already know when we get back, we're going to be busy and it's going to get harder," Dee said, "but I'll be damned if the ACC wins on my watch."
"What Dee said!" Ryo crowed.
Yoshio lifted his beer bottle. "I'll drink to that. Kanpai!"
Everyone who had a drink near them picked it up and called out, "Kanpai!"
And that was also probably why they were healing during their time in Japan. How can you not with people who could turn a tense situation into one of unity?
Laytner-MacLean Penthouse
Roppongi Hills, Tokyo
Japan
November 30, 2006
Ryo was sitting with Dee's fathers, grandmother, Momo, Tsubasa and Kumi in the living room. Tatsuya and Kiyoshi were currently in Bikky's room, playing with Kento and Aya. Bikky and Carol were also in the living room, sitting on the couch facing the TV screen, watching a morning variety show. Everyone was drinking coffee and enjoying the rice crackers Sakura had bought from the shrine's omiyage shop.
Dafydd, who had woken up later than everyone else, was currently getting his hair the way he liked it after taking a shower, and Dee was in the bedroom he shared with Ryo, checking their email.
"What time is Obāsan going to come up here?" Momo asked Ryo.
"I'm right here, Momo," Sakura stated in a teasing tone.
"I know that, Obāsan. I meant Ryo's grandmother, who got me and Dafydd calling her Obāsan too."
Ryo laughed. "It might start getting a little confusing when she gets here. My grandmother likes to be everyone's grandmother. She had Dee calling her Obāsan by the time he hung up from talking to her on the phone the first time, and that was before she knew Dee and I were a couple."
"Don't stop calling her that on my account," Sakura said. "We survived the Naming Ceremony and party in Nagoya. Many families have two grandmothers they call Obāsan. This is just another one. I'll make sure Daisuke remembers, just in case he gets any ideas that he shouldn't be calling Akira that around me," she added with a wink. "He should know better than that, but I also know he's still thinking he might insult me, which he won't."
"She'll be here any minute," Tsubasa replied. "I just got a text that they were settling in their suites and will be on their way up in a few."
Ryo got up and went into the genkan to let his family in. When he pushed the button to open the elevator doors, he watched as they slid open and his mouth dropped as he realized it wasn't his grandmother, aunts and uncles in the elevator.
"Oh shit!" Ryo gasped in surprise and immediately covered his mouth, his eyes on Mother. "Oh, I'm sorry. I wasn't expecting…" he then noticed his Aunt Elena, Uncle Rick and Elina with Mother, "all of you."
Mother laughed with delight. "You were supposed to be surprised, darling," she said as Ryo bend over to hug her.
"Geez, everyone get off the elevator and come in," he said, hugging Elena and then Rick. "I suppose Dee doesn't know?" he asked as last he hugged Elina.
"The only ones who know besides Akira are Dee's fathers and Sakura," Maria replied.
Ryo had been looking down greeting Dani and Stefan when he looked up at Maria. "Are you telling me they were sitting in there with us, knowing all this time?" he asked.
"I assume so," said Maria with a sly grin. "Your grandmother sent us up first. She'll be on the next elevator."
"I hope everyone doesn't mind taking off their shoes before going the rest of the way in," Ryo said apologetically.
Elena let out a huff. "Please. Ever since you moved in with Dee, your loose rule about shoes inside was left at the door."
"Nothing new going into your apartment," said Maria with amusement. "I figured since you are actually in Japan, then you definitely stick to the rule."
"I was figuring since it was a hotel, we didn't have to," Rick commented and then let out a huff when Elena elbowed him in his stomach.
Ryo supplied slippers to those who preferred and was about to bring them into the penthouse when the bell on the elevator rang again. "That's Obāsan, I suppose." He let the door open to discover his grandmother, aunts and uncles.
Akira handed Ryo a large colorful box. Judging from the name and the writing on the box, Ryo assumed there were sweets inside. After she greeted Ryo, she said, "We saw the cutest bakery by the restaurant we had dinner last night over in Mori Tower. Maria and I couldn't resist getting for everyone. Not the healthiest of breakfast, we admit, but we'll make up for that later."
"We were just having some rice crackers Dee's family bought from Hinotsuke Shrine's gift shop. We were thinking not so big a breakfast in light of later, unless anyone here objects. Otherwise, this will be just fine. Are you ready to go in?" Ryo asked.
"I can't wait to see this apartment of yours. It's already lovely and we're just in the foyer," Maria stated with delight.
"Wow, I can't believe you're here!" Ryo exclaimed in glee. "Welcome to Tokyo, Mother. Elina, you too."
"Not my first time, but it's been a while," Maria said, all smiles.
When Ryo led them in, Sakura, Saburo and Yoshio stood up and went over to greet Maria with hugs.
"What the…?" Momo exclaimed as she stared at the Americans. "Oh my goodness! It's Mother Lane-san!" She jumped up from the couch to join the group.
Tsubasa and Kumi started laughing. "It should surprise me, but it doesn't that Obāsan pulled this off," Tsubasa said, laughing more as his parents, aunt and uncle came over to join them on the couch.
"What's…" Bikky asked, pulling away from the TV. "Grandma!" He jumped off the couch and rushed over to hug Maria, before greeting Elena and Rick.
At the same time, Carol had looked over, expecting just to see Ryo's grandmother and aunts and uncles. She let out a gasp and with a cry of "Aunt Elina," she also ran over to the group and hugged her aunt.
Dee came from the hallway from their bedroom. "I'm guessing Obāsan made it, but that's some damn commotion going….." He suddenly stopped talking as his mouth hung open when he noticed his mother.
Amused, Tsubasa and Kumi made sure there was a clear path as Dee wordlessly rushed over and enveloped his mother in a crushing hug. "Oh my God! Mother, what are you doing here?"
"Elena and Akira weren't taking no for an answer, especially since there was a private flight coming to Tokyo and there was room for me," Maria replied. "And I am so glad I did."
Dee looked away from Mother to notice Rick, Elena and Elina. Carol was still standing next to her aunt, while Ryo stood with Dani in his arms. He felt a tug on his pants leg and looked down to notice Stefan.
The boy jumped up, waving his arms in the air, as he exclaimed, "SURPRISE!"
Everyone laughed as Dee ruffled his hair. "Yeah, you're telling me, Stefan. This really is a surprise. Aunt Elena, Uncle Rick," Dee smiled at them. "And Elina. So nice also see you finally out of New York. This is more than a surprise. This is a treat." He looked around and saw his fathers and grandmother among the group. "Mother, have you met my fathers and grandmother yet?"
"We just got to say hello, yes," Maria replied, grinning. "But they weren't surprised as the rest of you were."
"Why are we all standing here?" Saburo asked, coming over to Mother's other side. "Get comfortable. This is a beautiful place, isn't it? Our son has a very beautiful Tokyo apartment." He started to escort her toward the couches.
"As lovely as the apartment in New York is, this is a huge step up for Dee and Ryo," Maria said. "I'm looking forward to staying here over the next few days."
Dee shook his head and looked at Ryo. Dani reached out for him and he took Ryo's cousin in his arms.
"Dani, you're getting too old for that," Rick admonished.
Dani shook her head. "No, I'm not. I'm still little."
"She's fine for now," Dee said. "You heard my father, go find somewhere to sit." To Ryo he said, "We might have to have the hotel staff send up more chairs."
"You have zaisu?" Yoshio asked.
"Yeah, we do, Chichi. And extra zabuton. In the tatami room."
"I'll get them," Tsubasa offered.
"Me and your father will give you a hand," Takehide offered. "Dee, go join everyone. We got it."
As everyone was getting seated, Dafydd came into the living room. "It sounds like Obāsan and her family are here."
"Plus more," Momo said to her husband in amusement. "Look at who Obāsan came in with."
Dafydd looked on the couch where Dee was seated with their fathers and his eyes opened wide. "What? Mother-san! Is that really you?"
Mother looked over and immediately got to her feet. "There he is! As if I couldn't already tell from the photos and video, but if I didn't look at your eyes, I could get you confused for Dee." She pulled him into a tight hug. "Hello Dafydd. I am so glad to finally meet you."
"As I am you. Wow! I can't believe you are here. This is wonderful!" He grinned at her, which made Maria laugh in delight.
"You even smile much like Dee."
"I have noticed that too," Saburo said. "Somehow they got almost the same smile."
"But not as much as their smirks," Momo added. "Their smiles do have differences, but they have the same exact smirk."
"Yeah, you're right," Ryo said and laughed. "They do."
"And who else is here?" Dafydd asked as he joined the others with Maria by his side.
"This is my Aunt Elena and Uncle Rick," Ryo introduced to Dee's family. "Their two children Dani and Stefan. And this is Carol's Aunt Elina."
"I thought it would be nice for Carol to also have her family with her," Akira stated, smiling as she looked at Carol sitting next to her aunt.
Dani came over to Dafydd and stared at him with wide eyes and an open mouth. Finally she asked, "Why do you look like Cousin Dee?"
"Because he's Dee's twin," Stefan said, also coming over. "I heard Momma and Daddy talk about it."
"Really?" Dani asked.
Dafydd squatted down and nodded, smiling at the children. "Yes, I am Dee's twin brother, Dafydd."
"Are you Japanese?" Stefan asked.
"But cousin Dee isn't," Dani said, looking back at Dee.
Among the laughter, Dee replied, "Yes Dani. I am Japanese too."
"No, you're not!" Dani insisted. "You're Irish because Mother is Irish, because you said you didn't know what nationality you were."
"He does now, Dani," Dafydd said. "Dee and I are Japanese and Welsh." He pointed over to their fathers. "See those two men there? They are Dee's and my fathers."
Dani looked back. "Oh! They look very Japanese."
"I am their stepfather," Yoshio said, looking very amused. "Their other father was Welsh and didn't look Japanese at all."
"Dani, can you let poor Dafydd sit down and you can ask questions later?" Elena asked.
"Hey, I have an idea," Bikky said, getting up and coming over to them. "Kento and Aya are in my room. Do you remember them from this summer?"
"Yeah," Dani said. "I like Aya. She's almost my age."
"Aya is cool," Stefan stated. "Kento's a squirt, but he's cool too."
Bikky started to laugh, noticing the adults were chuckling with amusement. "Dafydd's two boys are also in my room. They're around Dani's age. Do you want to meet them? They are your cousins."
Dani nibbled on her finger for a moment before nodding her head. "Yeah." She looked up at Dafydd, lifting her arms. "Up please, Cousin Dafydd?"
"Dani!" Elena exclaimed, sounding scandalized.
Dafydd laughed as he lifted Dani. "It's okay, Elena-san. I will take Dani to meet her cousins and come back here. Stefan, do you want to go too?"
"Yes please."
As Dafydd took Stefan's hand, he said, "I'll be right back," to everyone else.
"How in the he—heck did you end up in Tokyo?" Dee asked his mother.
"Blame Akira," she replied with a giggle.
Akira explained how it was supposed to be a simple meal for the immediate family in the area, but once she heard Dee's family had accepted him, and had even contacted her, she decided to include them, and decided some family from New York should also be invited.
"So since we had one of the corporate jets booked, Maria had no choice but to come. She had no excuses about spending money on airfare," Elena added.
"And where's your habit?" Dee asked his mother.
"Blame Elena for that," Maria replied as Elena raised her hand. "She convinced me, that like for your wedding, I was coming here simply as your mother, I did not need to wear it."
"I took her shopping last weekend to pick up a few nice things that she felt comfortable wearing," Elena said. "And brought Elina along. We had fun."
"Does that mean I might be able to take you to Ginza and buy you a few more nice things for future times you want to just be my mother?" Dee asked. "How long are you here?"
"We're going back Sunday night," Maria replied.
"No chance of convincing you to stay longer?" Dee asked.
"Not without disappointing Mayor Blum. I have a couple of meetings with her next week on the Carrier home."
Dee took her hand in his. "I'm sorry for dumping all this on you."
"What are you talking about, Dee?"
"You're stuck with dealing with everything back at New York. Ryo and I were part of the decision for the Carrier home and then run off to Japan, leaving you to deal with it."
"Nonsense, Dee. It was my decision to be part of this. It is what I do. There are more than just children without homes, there are adults, and even some who are not quite yet adults, who are pregnant. I wanted to help, and I still do." Maria patted Dee's hand with a smile. "You really are not needed in this part of planning, except to know where we are with the project. Your job is to head your unit when you come home. Until then, it is to enjoy the rest of your wonderful vacation while getting to know your family. And I insist. No more questioning."
Yoshio had a broad grin and said, "I like her."
Saburo shook his head with a chuckle. "It is no wonder Mother-san and my mother will become very good friends."
"That's what worries me," Dee said with a gulp.
Saburo placed his hand on Dee's shoulder. "Your mother said to stop worrying. I agree. Instead, concentrate that she is here with you for a few days and enjoy it."
"You're right, Papa." Dee smiled at his father, and then to Maria. "Only if you'll let me buy you at least a new hat in Ginza while you are here."
"I'll accept that," Maria said with a smile.
Dee leaned back and rubbed his hands together. "Alrighty then. I have a few days with my mother, fathers and grandmother in Tokyo. This is going to be great." He looked at all their guests. "Does anyone who just arrived want a tour of our Tokyo home before having some breakfast?"
After the new arrivals answered with sounding yes, Ryo said, "Why don't you show them around while I get more coffee on and boil some water in case anyone wants tea. Mother and Obāsan bought some delicious looking cakes that we're having for breakfast."
Standing up, Dee said, "That sounds great. Let's go." He held out his hand for Mother and helped her up.
When Dee returned with their visitors from New York, he found Ryo sitting with the others who already knew the apartment and stayed in the living room. They were all drinking coffee and eating cake. Instead of in the box, the rest of the cakes were on a platter they had bought in Nagoya, and the small plates picked up in various shops during their travels were set out along with mugs. Instead of buying a whole cake or two, Akira and Maria had selected a couple of dozen of various small cakes, some square, some round, and others in different shapes. The fillings ranged from fruit and cream to custards to preserves to red bean and white bean paste, assuring everyone would find something they would want to eat.
The group engaged in conversation while they ate, Mother sitting between Saburo and Yoshio on one couch, with Sakura in an easy chair next to the couch. Dee could not help picking up his camera and getting a photo of his mother, fathers and grandmother sitting together, laughing and enjoying getting to know each other in person. Elena and Elina were sitting on another couch, each holding a baby, joined by Akira.
All the children had joined them, and were sitting on the floor, enjoying milk and cake and seeming to bond, which made Dee happy. They were all cousins through Ryo and Dee. Bikky and Carol also sat on the floor with Dafydd and Momo. Dee and Ryo decided to join the floor crew. It made it seem easier to be in the middle of everything.
Dee marveled at it. They were once four families – Lane, MacLean, Aoki and Fujioka, and now they were all one family. He could not help smiling at Akira.
"What?" Akira asked, noticing Dee's gaze on her.
"Thank you, Obāsan. I'm looking around this room, and we do truly have something to be thankful for. Heck, I have a list of everything I am thankful for."
"We better not let you lead the toasts at dinner then," Elena quipped, but smiled at Dee. "You and Ryo have really been through a lot since last year when we got together for Thanksgiving. Some bad, but thankfully, most of it very good. Babies, a wedding, Dee finding his real family, and that's the shortlist." She laughed. "I'm so happy for my boys."
"I am too," Akira stated. "When Ryo finally told me about his upcoming marriage and Dei being pregnant, I had a feeling it was the beginning of something wonderful. Of course, I was thinking that was only because a wedding and new babies are always that, but it became so much more." She raised her coffee cup. "It might be a little early, but I am glad for new family." She looked first at Darin and Ryoko, and then over at Dee's family. "Kanpai!"
Everyone followed suit and lifted their cups. "Kanpai!" they all responded, except Maria, who said, "Amen!"
"Do you know what time the others are expected?" Akira asked after a couple of minutes of comfortable silence.
"Kennosuke and Takahiro will be here around one, or so they are hoping," Sakura replied.
"Is Yasu and her family also coming?" Dee asked his grandmother.
"Yes, Yasu, Fumio, Chouko and Yuuki are coming," Sakura replied.
"What about the shrine?" Dee asked. "Uncle Takahiro and Yasu are the chief priest and priestess."
"It's only for the day," Sakura assured him. "They will be arriving soon and leaving tonight. There are no ceremonies planned for today, and there are others there who can be of assistance if a priest is needed."
"Tsukiko would have been here already, but she was waiting for Ayaka so they could go together," Saburo stated. "Tomoko and Kimi decided to come here with Tsukiko and Ayaka. Ayaka had to do some filming this morning and then she is free until Saturday, so she will be staying tonight and joining us for most of the day tomorrow. Tomoko and Kumi, unfortunately will have to leave tonight. They had no events at the park today, but they did have a meeting this morning for a very big event they were hoping to book. Tomorrow they have a corporate event all day."
"Tsukiko just sent me a text," Yoshio updated as he looked at his phone. "Ayaka just finished and they are getting ready to leave for Nagoya Station."
"Aunt Hanako will be with Uncle Kennosuke, I assume," said Dee.
"Yes, you are correct. It will be just the two of them. Jirou and Eri wanted to come," Yoshio said.
"Jirou has a meeting with several of the designers for the new clothing line, and we were unable to reschedule the meeting," Saburo explained. "We set this meeting up a couple of months ago, and many of them are coming to Nagoya from other cities and had already made arrangements."
"There is also a team flying in from Okinawa who already had purchased their plane tickets," Yoshio added. "Jirou insisted he could handle things so we could be here today."
Sakura smiled at Dee. "Your brother felt it was more important you had your fathers here, and he is looking forward to seeing you again for Ayaka's birthday. Your grandfather also had a meeting set up for him and Tomiji to attend. And then your grandfather has Tomiji in and out of meetings for the rest of the day. Honestly, I swear he did that in spite because I told him he has no choice but to show up," Sakura stated.
"That's a shame," Ryo said.
"Yeah. It would have been nice to have Tomiji, Jirou, Eri and Kyoka with us today," Dee said. "I know Koji is probably back at school in Ise, so I wouldn't expect him today."
"You are correct," said Yoshio. "To be honest, we knew what his answer would have been, knowing he has classes today and then study at the shrine there, so we didn't ask him."
Dee shrugged. "He was really different at the party."
"That is Koji away from school and shrine," Yoshio said. "When he's in school and study mode, he tends to be very serious, but when you get him away from it, that's when I see the boy your father and I raised."
"The key phrase is when you get him away. It is hard to do that," Saburo stated. "He was only at the party because I told him there was no option. And then your uncle called him, saying Koji was expected to be part of the ceremony."
"Then once he was in Nagoya, and out of his priest robes after the ceremony, he finally became just Koji?" Dee asked.
"Exactly," Sakura said. "Koji is a complicated person. He reminds me more of your grandfather than your fathers, and I have to admit that it scares me. Your grandfather should be arriving just in time to eat, and he will be leaving tonight."
"Are you staying tonight, Sakura?" Maria asked.
"Yes. I will be going back with Saburo and Yoshio on Sunday night."
"That is delightful. I am looking forward to spending this weekend with you."
"We are too, Maria," Sakura replied with a smile.
And then Dee found he had to wipe his eyes because his vision suddenly got blurry. Ryo shoved something in his hand, and he found it was a soft cloth napkin. When he looked at Ryo, his husband gave him a soft smile. Dee returned it and wiped his eyes with the napkin. He looked over at his father, who was still engaged in conversation with his mother and grandmother. By then they had changed the conversation to include Ryo's family and Maria had Ryoko on her lap while Sakura had Darin. His father's dark brown eyes were clear with no signs of tears. He had been wishing that for his father, but it seems now it was Dee's turn to get misty at times. Geez!
When the group was done eating their breakfast, Akira stood up. "I should be going to look in on the turkeys."
Saburo looked surprised. "What? We are having turkey?"
Akira laughed. "Of course, we are. What else should we have for an American style Thanksgiving Day?"
"Ham?" Ryo asked. He looked as surprised as Saburo.
"Chicken?" Dee added, also looking shocked. "We are in Japan, after all. We can't just walk into a supermarket here and buy a turkey."
"You mentioned celebrating Thanksgiving with your friends while you lived here," Akira said to Dee. Then to Ryo, she added, "I know you did. So be quiet. You should know the answer to that." She smirked at the face Ryo made, which said he didn't know.
Bikky raised his hand. "I know. The turkeys were on the plane with Grandma and everyone."
"Wrong answer, but good guess," Akira said, looking amused. "Dei, what did you have?"
"Sometimes we had chicken," Dee said. "And a couple of times, a Navy friend got us a turkey from the commissary."
Suddenly Ryo's face reflected understanding. "Oh! But I would bring the turkey with me, which I bought at the commissary at Zama. How did you?" he asked his grandmother.
Tsubasa started to laugh. He was smirking the entire time. "One of our friends in Kamakura is Navy and stationed at Yokosuka. Obāsan had me ask them to buy some turkeys, which they did. We kept them at our house."
Dee and Ryo looked at each other and sighed. "Well, yup, that was obvious," Dee admitted and started to laugh along with Ryo. "So where are they now? I doubt you are cooking them in your suite."
"You could have used our oven," Ryo said. "Our kitchen might be small, but we do have an actual full-size oven. Two, actually."
"And they will be used shortly," Akira said. "We will be eating downstairs in the ballroom. Not the entire ballroom, but they are able to section off an area large enough to fit everyone. And I am using the ovens in the ballroom prep kitchen. I put the turkeys in this morning."
"That explains it," Dee said. "I was wondering how we were going to fit everyone to eat. And that also answers that."
Ryo started to laugh. "I'll bet the event staff here knows you very well by now, Obāsan."
"They do," Akira remarked with a wink and a wicked smile. "And they are also very aware who my grandson is," she stated with a laugh.
As Akira got ready to leave, the penthouse phone started to ring. Ryo got up to answer it.
"Hey, it's the front desk," he said to Dee with amusement. "They said there are two men down there claiming to be one of the owner's uncles, and apparently they also have a few other people with them." With a smirk he added, "They claim they are from Osaka."
"Oh my God!" Dee exclaimed. "Uncles Hitoshi and Kyoshii? They're here too?"
Saburo looked shocked. "I mentioned it to Uncle Hitoshi, but I didn't think they would come here for dinner from Osaka."
"I guess they're also taking advantage of extra time to spend with Daisuke," Yoshio stated, looking pleased.
Ryo started to laugh. "Does that mean to tell the front desk to send them up?"
"Yes!" Dee, Saburo and Yoshio replied at the same time.
Still laughing, Ryo said, "Fine. I'll tell them."
"You don't look surprised, Akira," Sakura said.
"They contacted me yesterday asking if it was too late to say they were coming," Akira said. "If they are making the trip from Osaka to spend this special holiday with Dei, then they are definitely welcome. I'll stay just long enough to say hello and I must go down to the ballroom," Akira said. "Kumi, when they are ready, could you give Elena and Maria a hand with their dishes please?"
Kumi nodded. "I have been willing and waiting. This is my first American Thanksgiving, and I'm so excited."
"The last time we did a Thanksgiving meal was the last Thanksgiving Ryo was at Zama," Tsubasa explained. "But back then, we had a lot less people at the table. Not that I'm complaining. This is going to be a party."
"Good, then you can assist whenever needed, too, as before," Akira said as they bell rang. "I'll get that. I can greet your new guests on the way out and hope I don't look rude."
"That's fine, Obāsan," Dee said and stood up as Akira went into the entryway.
