Chapter 17

If anyone asked him how he felt standing before the door that led to her home, her inner sanctum, he would answer that he was more nervous than he'd ever felt in his entire life. What lay beyond that door was someone and something that would definitely change his life. It already had two years ago, but now it was even more of a change. More concrete and tangible. Before, he was not a wanted factor in their lives, but now he was being granted access.

Doorbell… Lift your hand, and ring the doorbell. He commanded internally, then watched his hand rise as if in slow-motion and pressed the little silver button.

"Come in, Kuon. Sorry I can't meet you at the door, but I'm a little tied up right now." She called through the little intercom. She was actually in the kitchen, fighting off her nervousness and anxiety over the meeting by cooking what she knew were Shin's favorite snacks and treats.

He didn't know whether to be upset or not, regarding the fact that she just let him in like that. How was he to know that she had a security system that would record everything and everyone that came to her door? He didn't know about the camera hidden inside the little ringer or the several around her property, and the people that the recordings always went to, her bodyguards: Javier, her attractive and very resourceful assistant from Spain; Matthew, her doting bodyguard from Australia; Sacha, her bodyguard from Russia, and formerly military special forces; finally Anita, her American assistant that had an arm's-length list of qualifications that would impress even Ruto and Lory. Of course because of Shin's unique little personality, they all needed to be special. Each had experience guarding and managing her and caring for Shin. The only reason he hadn't met them personally yet, was because at the moment, she was being taken care of by Anita. Each were capable of managing her and protecting her and Shin.

~xoxo~

Shin bolted from his bedroom to answer the door before Kuon was even able to turn the doorknob. Certainly Kyoko had told him to clean his room, but that was irrelevant now. It was cleaner than one would expect from a five, almost six, year-old. He didn't do that particular chore willingly to impress anyone, he did it so that Kyoko wouldn't be viewed as a parent that actually needed help with anything. Shin wanted anyone that visited, meaning Kuon, to know that she was a good mother and didn't need anyone else to come in and take over or assist in taking care of him.

He flung open the door to a surprised Kuon Hizuri. "Good morning, Mr. Hizuri. Please come in." He greeted politely with a perfect little gentlemanly Japanese bow. He was not going to give his father any reason to believe that Kyoko hadn't taught him proper manners.

Kuon looked at him with a little surprise. He'd somewhat expected the boy to be abrasive and indifferent, due to his last interaction with him and then he remembered the rather large gift he'd brought with him. "I brought something for you, Shin." He held it out for him, hoping that Kyoko wouldn't object to something like this.

Shin's eyes went wide. Honestly, he didn't expect it. He hadn't snooped through his father's electronics since that day that he had his epiphany and a full afternoon of coddling by his Uncle Sho. "I-It's for me?" His little voice was filled with incredulity, and awe. Perhaps having a doting father wouldn't be as bad as he had anticipated. Not that he would be won over by trivial material goods, but it certainly was a hell of a start.

Kuon felt his heart swell from the look his son had on his face. He wanted to pick the child up and hug him until he popped. Although, he had a hunch that neither Kyoko nor Shin would appreciate something like that. Now he knew exactly how his own parents felt. He smiled and nodded. "Of course it's for you. I hope you like it."

Shin nibbled his little lips anxiously. "It would probably be best to get permission from The Queen." He whispered a little conspiratorially.

Kuon chuckled. "Yeah… That would probably be for the best." He agreed as Shin guided him to the living room, after he'd removed his shoes. Her floors and house were practically clean enough to eat off of and he certainly didn't wish to track in even a speck of dirt.

His eyes wandered his surroundings casually as his son left the room to get The Queen, and he'd noticed all the little details: the photo collages of her and Shin's life for the past six years; awards from her works; commendations from charities that he didn't even know she'd been a part of; handmade throw pillows with embroidery; even the lacy little doilies beneath the plethora of plants she had strategically placed about for maximum décor and sunlight absorption. Everything was perfectly placed and tastefully decorated. Her home looked as if it had sprung from the pages of a magazine and gave off a warm, homey feeling as he sunk into the soft cushions of her incredibly comfortable sofa.

~xoxo~

"Mom… Mom… Mommy! Psst!" He tugged the corner of her apron, whispering loudly to get her attention, but not loud enough to reach his father's ears in the living room.

Kyoko dried her hands and turned to him. "What is it, Sweetie?"

"He's here." He seemed a little flustered, and excited about the mysterious package that was waiting for him on the coffee table. "And… He brought me a present."

Kyoko gave him a surprised look and then smiled softly. Yes, from what she remembered about Kuon's nature, something like that was to be expected. She nodded. "Did you tell him thank you?"

Shin's eyes went wide, and his little shoulders sank. "I forgot to."

"Hmmm…" She tapped her lower lip and gave him a discerning look. "Why don't you take in the snacks while I get the drinks and you can thank him then." She suggested. She wasn't going to be too hard on him for something like that. He was still very young, forgetful, and still learning.

He nodded enthusiastically and quickly grabbed the tray. "Thank you!" He called back to her as he left the room.

She was very proud of him. He was taking the situation infinitely better than she'd expected. One shouldn't think for a moment that she didn't know what a scamp her son was. Although she wasn't completely aware of his technological prowess, she certainly knew how much of a pain in the ass he could be to an unwanted suitor. She had fielded many complaints about his antics more times than she could count. Modeling clay, pointy objects, and anything that oozed had been banned from his little bag of tricks long ago, as well as any little creature that had scales, venom or more than four legs. She had hoped that she'd nipped his violent streak in the bud after they had lived in Spain for a year, but one never knows and he was really good at hiding things from her. She was certain he'd been in fights at school more than once with bullies, but she hadn't received any complaints and if he was defending himself, she wasn't going to discourage him. He knew the rules and he essentially followed them, she hoped.

~xoxo~

Kuon sat nervously in the living room, awaiting his fate. Yes, he'd heard many a tale of his son's over-protectiveness from the men that had attempted to woo her in the past two years. He had to admit, if he weren't so proud and impressed, he would have been worried for his personal safety. Shin really didn't seem wary of him when he'd invited him in, in fact the child had been rather accepting and cordial, if not a bit shy. However, the jury would be out on his fate until their day had ended. If he made it out sans insects in his food, accidental hits to sensitive parts of his body or, reptiles, small sharp objects or slime in his shoes, he would consider it a successful day. Although, he would consider it successful if he'd only received just one of those little gifts.

Wouldn't it be nice if he called me Daddy by the end of the day? He pondered with a hopeful heart. He certainly wasn't going to expect or demand something like that. He was going to be a realist about it. Shin barely knew him and he didn't think that he'd earned something like that quite yet. It was a bit of wishful thinking on his part.

He was pulled from his musings as a very large plate filled to the edges was sat next to the gift on a tray. It was almost overflowing with treats and it somewhat reminded him of his father. He winced inwardly at the memory of two years ago. He glanced up and saw the sheepish grin of his son.

"Um… I would like to say thank you for the gift, Mr. Hizuri. I was so excited that I completely forgot. Sorry for being so rude." Shin apologized.

Kuon smiled softly. "It's okay. I understand. Would you like to open it now?" He asked patting him on the head.

Shin's eyes went wide and he glanced up at Kyoko as she entered the room carrying a small tray with drinks. "Can I?" He asked Kyoko.

Kyoko let out a cross-between a giggle and a sigh. Kuon hadn't mentioned getting Shin anything, but as noted before, it was in his nature to spoil. She had learned that lesson during her time as Setsuka Heel all those years ago. She nodded as she handed Kuon his iced tea and gave the man a hidden stern look. "Of course you can." Both males practically glowed with excitement at her answer.