So, greetings people of the fanfiction world! (if y'all still out there lol). I am back and somewhat better than ever. I haven't really been into writing much due to my ongoing health issues and working like mad. I'm still working towards my goal of finishing all my unfinished stories at some point and I have yet to still decide if I'm going to walk away from writing fanfiction for good. Anyway, not many people reviewed the last chapter which is a bummer but it is what it is. I know the one person who did review mentioned that I've 'Americanized' the last chapter (and I'm not name dropping either, there's no need to), and there wasn't much of a point using the Japanese names.
In regards to that, I've done some research with writing this story other than the obvious YGO canon content. I know that there are holidays in the United States and Japan that may or may not be observed. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are celebrated in Japan; however, it's not celebrated exactly like in the United States, especially being that it's not a religious holiday in Japan. Christmas Eve is actually more celebrated in Japan and also their holiday starts on December 23rd since the Emperor's birthday is on that date (correct me if I'm wrong and I have the wrong sources). I say all that to that this chapter isn't about the holidays or it being Americanized, it's about Anzu and Seto coming together as a small family with their daughter, despite their shit circumstances. There are more layers other than what's sprinkled on the surface.
Anyway, let's move on with this chapter for real this time! Hopefully this will be to your liking as we see more Anzu and Seto interactions.
Dinner was surprisingly not as awkward as Yugi had assumed it would go. If he had to offer his opinion, the sole reason things were going well was simply because of alcohol. No one was hammered, but his longtime rival was definitely not as wound tight as he would be without the liquor. His other assumption would be that Mokuba rubbed off on him in the last few years.
They all slowly moved onto decorating sugar cookies eventually, also indulging in Seto breaking open an expensive bottle of tequila, thus having spiked hot chocolate. Both parents to his god-daughter excused themselves to get her ready for bed while the rest of the gang enjoyed the beginning of the festivities and soft Christmas music in the background. The King of Games being able to see his childhood best friend interact with his rival was the most odd and fascinating thing he ever saw.
He remembered years ago how everyone had assumed he and Anzu would get together after high school, considering everything the gang has been through. To his shock, she had admitted that she once held feelings for Atemu at one point, but it was silly high school girl crush she outgrew. When she finally revealed to them all that she and Seto had hit it off, the reception was a bit icy on Jonouchi and Honda's end more than his, much to their chagrin.
What could he honestly say? He had known Anzu since childhood and she was the fierce, headstrong, outgoing, bright, and loyal to a fault friend that was going to do what she wanted and how she wanted regardless of those around her. As a good friend back to her, he expressed that as long as she was content in her relationship with his rival, who was he to get in the middle of that?
"Yugi! Take a shot with us!" Ryuuji snapped him out of his thoughts, pouring everyone a shot in the expensive shot glasses on the island counter.
"I thought we were waiting for Anzu to come back." Jonouchi watched the game shop owner carefully pouring the liquor without a spill.
"Let them be parents. My brother is making up for lost time and shockingly..., he loves putting the baby to bed." Mokuba admitted, looking around for his safety. If Seto knew he told the gang about that, he'd lose an arm.
"That's just adorable!" Shizuka couldn't help but coo.
"Meh, that's fine, more pricey liquor for us." Honda grumbled, as he threw back another shot.
All the while their guests were downstairs, Anzu was looking through the drawers of baby clothes while Seto was drying off Morgan after her bath. She caught on quickly that bed time was father and daughter time, so she respectfully let him have that time to bond with the baby. She was initially hesitant to do so, but after a couple nights at the mansion he picked up quickly on her routine. Her hands finally found the garment that she wanted to put the baby in most for Christmas Day. Mokuba had found a cute little Blue Eyes onesie prior to her and Morgan's arrival several days ago and she thought it was genius.
Even though he hates the cartoon version created by Pegasus, I'm sure Morgan will be his favorite little dragon.
"Fresh and clean, courtesy of yours truly." The CEO held the small bundle of giggles in his arms, with a towel wrapped around everything but her face.
"Look at what Mokuba got her, isn't this the cutest thing you've ever seen?" Anzu held up the onesie, feeling the room get quiet.
Seto stared and blinked at the onesie, immediately snatching it out her hands and returning to the in-suite bathroom attached to Morgan's nursery. Anzu couldn't help but scoff. "Seto! SETO! Get back out here!"
Knowing that she was being ignored, Anzu relented and sat in the recliner adjacent to Morgan's crib. She was still struggling with her...relationship...co-parenting..., friendship...situationship with the eldest Kaiba. The last week that she had been in the mansion was an emotional rollercoaster for her. Having to resolve past trauma and trying to prevent future trauma that may or may not be repairable. Then on top of that, having to still figure out where exactly Seto fit into her and Morgan's future.
There's always going to be love because of Morgan. I know deep down, Seto isn't the monster or bad person that the world thinks he is. I've been let in before to witness what many don't get to see. I just...
Did she still love him? Well of course she did. She wouldn't have agreed to take things slowly and start dating him all over again if she didn't. Given that, she was still apprehensive and anxious with how dating each other again would really be. Being that Seto was a true Scorpio, he quickly observed that Anzu's love languages were words of affirmation and quality time. He would clear his schedule last minute to spend time with her, like going to a movie, surprise her with dinner, or take a day trip out of the city. He was the first person to congratulate her when she got the keys to her house, tell her how proud he was when she persevered and followed her dreams to earn her Master's degree, and how loyal, kind, and compassionate of a person she was to himself and others. Would he still do those things now? Would he put in any effort or will she have to carry his weight and hers?
I don't know what to do or how to feel anymore man. I swear this was not how I imagined our relationship would turn out.
Finally, the young CEO and their daughter finally appeared from the bathroom, making Anzu's face light up at Morgan actually wearing her Blue Eyes White Dragon onesie. "OH MY GOD, YOU'RE SO CUUUUUUUTTTTEEEEE!"
"Is it actually pathetic that I figured out this glows in the dark?" Seto couldn't help but cut the switch off, as both parents watched the onesie give off a fluorescent, neon blue glow.
"Ooooohhhh!" Morgan could also see the glow on her pajamas, her little hands reaching out in the air.
"Mokuba really did it with this one. I don't know if she's going to go to sleep now from being so distracted," Anzu gently adjust the dragon head portion of the pajamas on top of her head, "Seto...are...are you...crying?"
"No. My eyes are dry and clearly I don't have eye drops in a baby proof room." He grumbled, holding the baby closer to him. He didn't shed tears. Those were for the weak.
Anzu couldn't help but roll her eyes, as she put the remaining towel in the laundry basket. "You know it's not the end of the world if you think your daughter is cute in her pajamas. And come on! We know how obsessed you are with anything Blue Eyes related."
Seto was still holding Morgan closely to his chest, refusing to admit that she was right. "First of all, I'm not obsessed with the Blue Eyes. Secondly, you tell anyone that I agree this is the cutest thing in the entire world, I will deny it and ask for child support."
"Yeah, because the court of law would actually give that to someone who's net worth is twenty times higher than mine." Anzu just shook her head at his level of petty. Typical Kaiba fashion, "I'm going to check on the gang while you read to her. I know you don't need me watching you like a hawk."
Seto expressed faux shock. "You're finally admitting to my superiority? Life must be good."
"Don't get too horny over that." Anzu threw over her shoulder, walking out the door and down the hall. She asked herself on a daily how the hell she found someone like Seto Kaiba so damn charming? She still didn't know to this day and she had his child.
"Oh, hey!" Anzu heard Mai's voice coming from out of the guest room that she and Shizuka were sharing.
"Hey! Having fun? I know the clowns downstairs are." Anzu couldn't help but giggle and pray they didn't break anything. She didn't want to hear him call them dogs and third-rate duelists for the umpteenth time in the last six years.
"Absolutely, but I wanted to talk to you." Mai gently pulled her arm into the guest room shutting the door, "How are things going between you and him so far?"
Anzu gave a smile. "They're better than last week. It's been refreshing to see how Seto is bonding with the baby. He's probably reading her a bedtime story."
"I meant with you, Anzu. How are you feeling? I'm glad that the baby and Seto are bonding, but I'm worried about you." Mai asked more pointedly. Although happy for the progress, she needed the meat and potatoes.
Anzu knew that the blonde cornering her was going to happen at some point. She let out a sigh before speaking. "Honestly? Overwhelmed. I've felt so many emotions in the last few weeks that I'm just all over the place. Like, clearly, I hold some affection for him because he's the father of my daughter, so he's family whether I like it or not. I've held resentment in my heart for him since before Morgan was born, and I've been finally able to let some of that go after having a conversation with him and Mokuba, at different times.
"You know I've tried dating after she was born and I've hooked up a couple times with randoms, but that never fulfilled me. None of those guys want to really deal with a woman who has a child already. I wanted to have a happy family with my baby and for a while I thought that was just a distant dream until now."
Anzu could feel the tears streaming down her face, as her epiphany hit her like a freight train. "I realized at some point during this week and even before now, there's no one I'm going to love more than Seto Kaiba. He's my soulmate, my person, my confidant, and so much more. I had a child with this man in the prayers that we would start a beautiful family as one. I feel like now, ...that's very much a possibility. It scares me TO DEATH to let him back in again, but if I don't do it now, I'm going to lose him forever."
Mai couldn't help but hand her a handkerchief. She had known ever since the two of them started dating that Anzu and Seto were meant for each other. Their chemistry was something that she had never seen between a man and a woman, especially considering the history they had between each other. The whole world knew Seto Kaiba to be the hard, ice cold, cut throat multi-billionaire and world duel monsters champion. Anzu herself with a fiery, passionate, and authentic personality showed up with Thor's hammer and shattered the ice walls that Seto put around himself. She peeled the layers of his soul that no other had done, ever. Mai could tell that she allowed him to face his past traumas instead of compartmentalizing them as he had done for years. She carried his burdens as if they were hers, offered a shoulder for him to lean on without fear or judgment, and overall changed him for the better.
It pissed the older woman off when Anzu had driven to her apartment bawling in tears when she thought he was cheating on her with the McGowan model many months ago. The pain, frustration, murderous, and crushed look in her eyes as she was grappling with betrayal of the worst kind infuriated Mai. She truly thought Seto Kaiba had broken Anzu in the worst way. Anzu had stopped crying after a week and decided to carry on, just having started her Master's program. The brunette had been carrying on in a somewhat normal fashion, understanding that he would no longer be in her life.
Until she found out she was pregnant. That was the switch that sent Anzu down the rabbit hole once again. Her pregnancy was what worried Mai the most, considering she observed her friend experiencing a lot of mental health related issues and poor coping mechanisms. She had told her that Seto deserved to know she was pregnant, despite herself and the gang agreeing that it wasn't a good idea, especially if he was intimately involved with another woman. The fight was on rotation through their group of friends, further isolating the poor girl away from them, which made her state worse. Mai was terrified when she received a call from Anzu's mother that she was having a common theme of suicide running through her mind and even speaking of ways she could drown off the docks, puncture a major artery with a butcher knife, or throwing herself off the top of the Kaiba Corp building in front of Seto.
Then the gang was told the baby was a girl. Anzu's fighting spirit had returned tenfold, grinding with every project she had up until she was due to deliver. Even despite the fact that her unborn child had been called a bastard by a bitch who starved herself to remain thin, Anzu accepted the situation for what it was and made sure to provide the best for herself first and then her daughter. Anzu had actively gone to therapy for the third trimester of her pregnancy, to which the rest of the gang agreed was good for her. Although she was against the gang helping her in any way, Mai and Shizuka had still planned her an intimate baby shower with so much pink it made the guys sick. Nevertheless, if it meant that Anzu's spirits were brighter and made her pregnancy just a bit more exciting, then the blonde would do it again.
A crazy, terrible, traumatizing, and yet victorious battle you fought. I can't even imagine. "As long as you're happy, Anzu, that's all we care about. We all have our own bone to pick with Seto, but none of that will matter anymore. You matter most to us, and I know from what I've observed, the man honestly loves you and that baby more than he loves his deck and company by a landslide. He screwed up majorly, but if you both put in the work to overcome this, it will make you a stronger couple and family."
"Thank you! You've been the greatest friend through this whole situation and I don't know where I'd be without you or the gang right now. I don't know how I got so lucky, but you guys are phenomenal." Anzu and Mai exchanged hugs, knowing the magnitude of the support one gave the other.
"Okay, guys! Haul ass into the living room." Anzu finally got to meeting the gang downstairs, after grabbing her huge, dark green wrapped secret Santa gift.
"Finally! Gifts that keep on giving!" Jonouchi slid down the banister once more, finally landing on his feet.
"Damn, I was hoping that you'd fall off." Seto rolled his eyes, passing by the blonde male casually.
"Kaiba...," Jonouchi couldn't help but ball his fist, fighting the urge to punch the man.
"Hush and sit down like the rest of us." Shizuka scolded her brother, as the rest of the gang shuffled into the living room.
Anzu plopped on the lux couch as if she were at home, flipping her dark locks behind her. "So, I know that not all of us tend to get along the best and quite frankly, some of us want to throw hands if it were possible. Nevertheless, I appreciate you guys for still coming and Seto for being a do..., ummm, so kind as to be courteous and host everyone at the last minute."
"Come on, Anzu, don't stroke his ego more than he already has. His head might explode." Ryuuji said, noticing both Kaiba brothers glare at him.
"Anyway, I'll take one for the team and hand out the first gift. It looks like this...rustic, chic, bag is for..., Mokuba." Anzu could see the tag was written in Shizuka's handwriting. This was going to be an interesting rest of the night.
"Wonder what it could be." Mokuba was taking out the black tissue paper from the bag, revealing what looked to be a. "Wow! It's the Hiroshi Fujiwara Air Force 1's! He's legit the father of streetwear in Japan."
Shizuka couldn't help but smile at the younger boy's excitement. It was contagious. "I'm lucky I know someone who collects shoes as a pricey hobby. He somehow got two pairs and I figured you'd like them."
Mokuba couldn't help but smile at the younger Jonouchi. "Thanks, Shizuka! I'm sure these will enhance my better fashion sense in this household."
"Okay, so Mai, this apparently is for you." Honda handed Mai a mid-sized purple gift bag with hot pink tissue paper sticking out the top.
"I hope it's that perfume that's Rihanna's favorite scent*." Mai couldn't help but pull the box out of the bag. Once Mai got to the box, she unwrapped the paper and her eyes nearly bugged out of her eyes, as did Anzu's and everyone else.
"Oh shit!" Anzu shouted, immediately covering her mouth.
"Oh my God!" Yugi's violet eyes were burning at the sight of the gift. He wasn't sure if he should laugh or cry.
"Why?" Shizuka looked away in disgust.
"Brooooo!" Honda couldn't contain his laughter and neither could Ryuuji.
"Noooooooo!" Mokuba got up, holding both of his hands behind his head walking away.
"My eyes are burning." Seto drank straight from his bottle of scotch that was sitting on the end table next to the couch.
"Who thought this was funny? I mean, I'll use it..., but still," Mai growled, gripping the new, Rabbit light pink vibrator that someone had gifted her.
Yugi nearly collapsed once he heard the word 'use', Anzu's mouth was agape, Honda and Ryuuji were still rolling on the ground in a laughing fit, Shizuka was keeping her laughs at bay, Mokuba was chuckling himself, and Seto knocked back the whole decanter of scotch in his hand.
"Okay, okay, I will admit to getting that gift, but I had no idea that this moment would be so hilarious. I figured Jonouchi could use some help since he's so clueless." Ryuuji finally stopped coughing from laughing. Seto couldn't help but snort at the words being taken out his mouth.
Jonouchi was balling his fist, just itching to punch the green-eyed male. "Watch it! I've been hittin' that nightly for the last-,"
"Please!" Yugi felt like his ears were going to bleed if he had to hear anything more about his two friends' sexual encounters.
"Oh fuck, why did I picture it?" Mokuba shouted, bending over to attempt at curing his nausea.
"Mokuba!" Seto's tone was one of scolding. He knew his brother had a mouth, but not at the expense of waking up his child that wailed louder than a megaphone.
"Just wait, Otogi. When you least expect it, I will get you." Mai growled, putting her gift back in the bag it came in.
Anzu threw her hair up in a high pony with the black satin scrunchie on her wrist. "Anyway, I think it's a unanimous vote to forget the last two minutes of our lives."
The exchanging continued, as more laughs, hugs, and thanks were shared. Jonouchi had received a kit for mixing drinks from Yugi, Yugi got an expensive looking glass globe from Mokuba, Mai gave Honda a shaving kit (not that he had much hair, she added). Honda felt like he scored points with Shizuka by getting her a deluxe bath set and fleece robe, much to her brother's and Ryuuji's dismay.
"Well, Kaiba, I'm guessing this gigantic rectangle is yours." Yugi mentioned, sliding it over to him.
The CEO raised a brow, trying to logically think of what it could be. He noticed that Anzu, nor himself, or Jonouchi had admitted who they gave gifts to yet. As he started tearing the wrapping paper, his azure eyes widened at a picture of what looked like a newborn Morgan. He continued taking the wrapping paper off and realized the canvas had pictures of Morgan from birth until she was seven months old, beautiful black and white, along with some color photographs of his daughter and her mother. All the pictures were edited and blending together flawlessly.
He looked at another picture from when Morgan was two months old. She was held close to Anzu's breasts, realizing that both were naked in the black and white headshot. Anzu's raven hair was straightened without a single strand out of place, with the most genuine smile on her face, that was captured on a diagonal angle. Seto didn't need to be told who this canvas was from.
"Anzu, that's fucking amazing." Mokuba couldn't help but be in awe of all the beautiful shots of his niece at each month of her life thus far. Anzu really outdid herself with this one. Not even her previous birthday gifts to his brother could top this one.
"Wow, Anzu, you really did all that?" Honda wouldn't call himself an artist, but he could recognize that his long-time friend's talent was unmatched.
"Of course, she did. Who else can put together something so awesome."? Jonouchi added, looking at the pictures of his baby niece.
Shizuka was cooing at the early pictures of the baby. "It's the sweetest thing. Can you believe how small she was?"
"It's truly a work of art, Anzu." Yugi couldn't help but marvel at the one-of-a-kind gift.
Anzu sat up a little in her spot right next to him as he continued looking at the canvas. "All the photographs were taken by me, except for the ones that have me in them. Kiyoko did all the ones of Morgan and I. I've been compiling all these moments since the summer just to have for myself, but I thought this would be nice for you to have."
Seto knew that she was talented, but this was completely different. Never had he seen professional level photographs expertly combined with a canvas before. "Thank you, Anzu. It's irreplaceable. I cannot repay you for this."
Anzu couldn't help but smile, gently placing her hand on top of his. "There's no need. You're here now. There's room to make more memories."
"Well, seeing as how I didn't get the third-rate duelist anything, I got this for you." Seto handed her a sleek box wrapped in gold wrapping paper.
Anzu gave him a look of mild suspicion, deciding to unwrap it. The box looked as if it were a purchase from Tiffany and Co, but the long velvet box was completely empty. "Are you fucking with me right now? Honestly? You're going to give me an empty ass-,"
"I lied; this is actually your gift." Seto opened a red satin box that had what looked to be at least a 2.5 carat diamond ring with rose gold gems surrounding the band.
"Damn, look at that rock!" Mai and Shizuka looked on at the shiny jewel that caught the Christmas lights at the perfect angle.
"Of course, he's got to one up on all of us. Son of a bitch." Ryuuji grumbled, getting another glare from Mokuba.
"Go sip your haterade in the kitchen." Mokuba rolled his eyes, focusing his attention back on his brother and sister. He wasn't going to let the gang take away this moment from his brother.
Anzu was in shock, doing her best not to cry in front of all her friends. "Seto..., I...,"
He gently took her left hand, placing the ring just below the small heart tattoo on her left middle finger. "It's not an engagement ring. I don't particularly like to relive that night, but this was supposed to be the promise ring that I gave you. You know how much you mean to me and there's no one else on this Earth I'd be willing to keep a promise to, other than our daughter."
"I think this is where we make our exit." Shizuka and the others agreed, leaving the young couple alone, with Jonouchi and Honda fighting for the last bit of pasta in the kitchen.
"Anzu, let this be symbol of a new beginning, new found hope, and a sign that our family can no longer be divided. I promise to be faithful to you, and only you for the rest of our days. I will protect our daughter until I can no longer breathe. We're Kaiba's and that will never change."
"Seto, it's truly beautiful. Honestly, thank you, I love it." Anzu eventually slid into his lap, out of reach of her friends, placing her hands into his, "In turn, I promise to love you, protect you, and support you without question. I promise to protect you and our daughter the best way I can. I want to take this beautiful journey with you through life, as the family we should be."
She didn't need mistletoe to allow her lips to meet his, wrapping her arms around his neck. His slick tongue entered her mouth once more, not missing a beat after all this time. She could feel his hands sitting comfortable on her hips, keeping her steady as he dominated their kiss as always. This man truly held her heart and no one would ever come close to him. Anzu couldn't see her future going forward without him, not just because of their daughter, but because her very spirit knew that it would only be Seto.
Although she didn't officially say 'I love you', Anzu was thankful that she didn't have to. The vibe lingered between both bodies and she was content.
Christmas Day had finally arrived in the Kaiba mansion. Anzu had been up early at 6 am starting to prep for Christmas dinner since she agreed to take charge with the task. She was sporting a high bun at the top of her head and instead of wearing her red, black plaid onesie from the night before, she was wearing a solid black onesie instead. Thankfully, she did a lot of prepping yesterday before everyone went to bed, so she had more time to spend with her friends and little family. She was currently making the strawberry shortcake that she had mastered over the years when celebrating Yugi and the others. Eventually, she would get started on everything once she, Seto, and Mokuba opened gifts with Morgan and everyone had breakfast.
I can trust the gang to watch over the baby while I finish cooking. Not that she was a master chef or anything, but Anzu learned well from her relatives how to cook. She really wanted to test her skills and finally decided to make spinach stuffed salmon, potato salad, rice balls, roasted vegetables, and yoshoku. Thankfully, Shizuka offered to make more baked goods a little later.
"Why do you insist on being up so early?" She could feel the eldest Kaiba's hands wrap around her torso.
"Says the main early riser." Anzu smiled as he pecked her lips, "Your coffee is done."
"You're sure acting domesticated all of a sudden." Seto grabbed the creamer out the fridge, slapping her large butt in the process.
She immediately smacked his arm. "Don't push it, Kaiba. Consider yourself lucky I didn't lace any poison in it."
"If you were willing to face life in prison, sure you would." He gently stirred the spoon in his coffee mug. Anzu was doing her best to not be distracted by the fact that he was dressed in an emerald green turtleneck, fitted black pants, and black boots; similar to his fit from Battle City, without the cringeworthy white trench coat.
"You would bail me out. You wouldn't have anyone to help you keep Morgan from being a sweet pea to a dragon when she's crying loud enough to rupture your eardrums." Anzu stuck the finished cake to set in the fridge.
"Point taken." He nearly cringed the first time he ever heard Morgan cry for an hour straight. He was in his office finishing some last-minute work before going to bed the other night, when Morgan started crying. The CEO did not know how such a small little human had the lungs of a full-grown adult at nine months old.
What her mother didn't know is that being as brilliant as he is, the father figured out the magic touch to get his baby girl to stop wailing. At that moment, all she wanted was to be held, comforted, and release some gas. He easily forgot that at the time, but the baby was in new territory and her surroundings weren't familiar. Seto whispered comforting words and placed gentle kisses on his daughter's forehead, watching his mini me fall back asleep.
The only being in the entire universe that could make me go soft, little Morgan.
"Not that this isn't fun, but I'm going to shower before Mo wakes up. Don't miss me too much." Anzu patted his cheek before departing the kitchen. Even though she knew they were dating again, she meant what she said about taking it slow. And the last thing she needed was for him to be jumping her in the kitchen when any of the others could easily come down at any time. No matter how much she could use the big dick energy, she didn't think it was wise.
I'd rather not jump into shit again, especially considering what happened last time...
Maybe that was her problem to begin with. She hadn't really been in a serious relationship before Seto wandered into the art studio that summer almost three years ago. Sure, she had some hook ups here and there, but again, nothing to speak of and nothing that sparked her spirit. After the heartbreak of Atemu leaving, she just focused mostly on school and trying to move on with her life. She would've never guessed that after high school, she would date Domino's most desired bachelor, CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company, duel monsters champion, and pioneer in the gaming industry. Then to turn around and have his child that the world had yet to know about?
Only to break up and then seemingly get back together. What is my life coming to? Her hand reached to turn the knob in the shower, letting the water come out of the infinity head above her and wash her momentary troubles away.
Mokuba had been awake for a little while, just having freshened up and dressed for the day. The youngest Kaiba sibling ended up hearing Morgan whimpering for Anzu. Since he figured both parents were preoccupied, Mokuba greeted his niece by slowly cracking open the curtains in her room. "Merry Christmas, Mo!"
Morgan's little laugh put a smile on the young man's face, as he lifted her out of her crib. He couldn't help but grin even more when he saw her in the Blue Eyes onesie, he got her before she and Anzu stayed at the mansion for the holiday. He didn't know much about what to buy a baby, but thankfully their new secretary Kokone was resourceful in ordering and expediting what Morgan would need. When he found the Blue Eyes onesie when he was out buying diapers, he knew he had to get it for his brother's sake.
"While your mom is probably getting dressed, let's go have Mo and Mokie time and open your gifts from me." Mokuba carried her down the hall, realizing that the gang was starting to wake up themselves. The grandfather clock at the end of the hall read a little after seven, which was a little early for Morgan, but he remembered Seto put her down earlier than normal.
Once he got into the living room, he realized that the tree was already lit, letting the pearl, gold, and silver bulbs come to life. It was an overcast day outside, with some light snow coming down. At least his niece would have a little more snow on her first Christmas. "Alright, Mo, do you want to see your first present from Uncle Mokie?"
"Not without her mother, you won't." Finally, Anzu appeared from the other side of the family room. Her raven hair was fully dried, shiny, and had a natural wave to it that reached her lower back. She sported a slate grey, bluish hoodie that had the image of the Blue Eyes White Dragon card on it and baggy sweatpants in the same color that settled perfectly on her wide hips.
"Oh, look, Mo! Mama and Baba are here." Mokuba kindly and gently handing the baby to Anzu.
"You are just so cute, my little Blue Eyes!" Anzu cooed, giving her baby smooches. She just couldn't get over the little hood that had the dragon's head on it and her cute little cheeks, it was too adorable.
"Did Seto cry seeing her in it?" Mokuba asked, receiving a death glare from his brother.
The eldest Kaiba brother rolled up the sleeves on his turtleneck. "I'll have you know it'll take more than a Blue Eyes onesie to make me shed any kind of tears."
"It's not going to take a peg at your manhood to show some type of emotions towards your child." Mokuba couldn't help but roll his eyes. Some things never changed with his brother.
"Aren't we supposed to be opening the, I don't know, twenty gifts we got for her?" Seto quickly changed the subject. He knew how his brother felt about being emotional, especially considering Anzu's friends were upstairs and did not want to be vulnerable to any of them. For them to use it against him later? Naaahhh.
The small family enjoyed the next hour and a half opening presents and doting on the baby. For Mokuba, it was a beautiful and comforting sight to see between his brother and Anzu interact with baby Morgan. They hadn't experienced a family vibe in the Kaiba mansion over the years with Gozaburo's physical, mental, and emotional abuse of his brother and even himself. It pained Mokuba to see his brother makes this gruesome and harsh transition from the older brother who smiled and knew how to have fun, to a taller shell of the person he once was.
Time truly healed wounds, especially once Anzu became a constant person in his life. He remembered when he found out that all the so called 'late meetings' he would have after work hours were dates with Anzu. Watching the warm-hearted, fierce, and loving person that he knew her to be completely lift the dark skies from over his brother and make him into a better person, brother, and partner was a feat that he wasn't sure anyone was capable of. Anyone that got too close either got fired or he shunned them forever. Seto was always picking everyone else apart, trying to dissect them and observe them until he had a good read and all the mental notes he needed at his disposal. Fortunately for him and Anzu, she was impossible to figure out, which made her all the more attractive to his brother.
He's got a second chance at this. Seto, I really hope that you don't screw this up. Knowing they would regret it if they don't get any pictures, Mokuba took the pleasure of capturing some Christmas Day pictures for their small family, witnessing what was a miracle in the Kaiba household.
Three hours had passed since Anzu and Seto opened presents with Morgan. Seeing as how he wasn't going to be working until after the first of the year, Seto managed to sneak away into the family room to take a nap, seeing as how he only managed 4 hours of sleep nightly. Thankfully it wasn't his daughter that was keeping him awake at night, but his child's mother was a different matter.
She had accepted his promise ring without much hesitation, which was a good sign for him. Anzu had always piqued his curiosity and puzzled him ever since they reconnected two years after high school. She was always following behind Yugi and the others closely, preaching about bonds and friendship till Jesus came back. Nevertheless, they tolerated each other and could manage to be cordial through their youth. That reconnection with her reflected a different young woman; one more reserved and classier, but still held the same fiery, warm-hearted, compassionate, and kind heart she always had.
After their breakup, he truly thought that would be the last he ever saw her again, not even knowing that she tried to be transparent about her pregnancy before she was due ten months ago. The possibility that they could have reconnected as a family months ago irked him to no end, because of a desperate psychopath. Or maybe even then, they would have remained separated and continued to co-parent. These last few days he had to admit were some of the best days he's had in his life since they were together, the best being when he found he was a father.
Knowing that the love they had was still there, despite Anzu's very stubborn nature to keep him at arm's length, was comforting to him. She had good reason to keep him at a distance when she didn't completely trust him. She had just enough to know that he would not let any harm come to his family, but to hold her heart again? To be reassured she had unconditional love from him? That, she didn't trust as far as she could throw Yugi.
He knew he was in for a war with getting her back fully, but it was a fight he was willing to bear if it also meant that his daughter could grow up in a stable household, be that financially, emotionally, and otherwise. Morgan caused him to reflect back on his childhood quite a bit and it tore him apart to even imagine her going through what Gozaburo put him and Mokuba through. It was hell and then some, and to know he had the power to ensure his daughter was happy made him feel like he was on top of the world.
Seto's eyes momentarily looked up at the ceiling, hearing the soprano laugh coming from the other room of a happy and healthy baby. She was surrounded by love from those in his home. As much as he couldn't stand his rival and his friends being in his house, he owed them as well (not that he would admit that either). Those same weirdos looked out for Anzu and Morgan when he wasn't present, which he was eternally grateful for. Anzu wasn't always the type to accept help from what he knew, so things had to have been rocky if she relented in letting anyone assist her.
I will make it up to you, Anzu. You can best believe that.
"Man, I regret taking her out in the snow! Now she won't stop crying." Honda was covering his ears, as was the rest of the gang, as they went around the house to go back inside.
Mokuba has suggested that he and the gang go outside to play with Morgan, since Anzu had to just wait on the food cooking in the oven. He had gifted his niece with a snowsuit, scarf, mittens, hat, and boots and figured it would be more memorable to share Morgan's first snow. Jonouchi suggested a snowball fight between the guys, while Anzu was holding Morgan's hands and encouraging her to walk again. Regrettably, the snowball that Ryuuji threw pelted the baby square in the tummy, causing her to fall on her butt in the snow and start crying. If she didn't stop, eventually his brother would wake up from the nap that he was taking until dinner was done.
"Fucking baka! Why the hell couldn't you watch what you were doing?" Mai sucker punched Ryuuji in his stomach, watching him squirm to the ground.
"It was an accident, Mai! I didn't think Honda's reflexes were that good that it would hit her." Ryuuji was clutching his stomach and rolling on the carpet.
"It's okay, baby, it's okay. Shhhhhh." Anzu was gently trying to put her daughter at ease, but nothing was working. Poor little thing was still taken by surprise. After Anzu checked her out a little bit, she felt comfort knowing that the snowball didn't hit her too hard.
"We've got to figure out a way to get her to stop crying. Here, Mo, here's your binky." Mokuba put her little Kuriboh pacifier in her mouth, when Morgan suddenly spit it out so hard it went flying into Jonouchi's eye.
"Ahhh, sh-," Jonouchi clutched his eye, nearly about to drop curses.
"Language." Shizuka hissed, dragging her brother by the ear. She nearly winced hearing Morgan's cry go up another octave.
"Aww, it's going to be okay, sweetie. Uncle Ryuuji didn't mean to scare you." Anzu was still rubbing the baby's back soothingly.
"Why is my child crying right now?" Seto finally appeared into the sun room, where everyone was gathered and frozen that the CEO woke up.
"Nothing at all, she's just...hungry." Honda lied, bit his lip in apprehension. He could see the CEO knew that he was bullshitting him and may just kill him on the spot.
"It's not like someone threw a snowball at her and made her fall on her butt." Jonouchi added, hearing everyone groan under their breath.
"What?" He asked, so quietly that you could hear a pen drop.
"I'm going to go now before I'm involved in something I didn't cause." Yugi quickly excused himself, as did Mai and Shizuka.
"As much as I agree with you beating them to a bloody pulp, can you please help me calm her down? I'm starting to see stars and I'd rather not drop her." Anzu winced, as the baby was screaming bloody murder at this point.
"Everyone remove yourselves from my presence, especially you dead rodents in the corner, so I may calm my daughter." Seto growled, watching the three remaining males run out the room, while Anzu and Mokuba walked calmly behind them.
"So, remind me again why I can't be present with my own baby?" Anzu asked, raising an eyebrow as she now held her winter coat in her arms.
Mokuba shrugged, just happy to get out the room. "Seto has a method he doesn't want anyone to know of."
"But I'm her mom!" Anzu still didn't get it. They were acting like this was national security level business.
"Do I have to explain this to you? He always wants to be ten steps ahead of everyone, you know this." Mokuba rolled his eyes. At this point, he didn't want to be a part of this situation anymore.
Seto continued rocking and holding Morgan, letting her get the last of her tears and oxygen out of her system before lying her down on the black, sectional couch that was up against the wall closest to the yard. He gently grabbed her little legs, moving them in such a way as if she were riding bicycle. The young father slowly continued and Morgan finally stopped crying, as her matching azure eyes stared into his matching ones. She started smiling and giggling, causing the corners of his mouth to move into a smile of his own.
"See? Now was that so bad?" He gently pinched her cheeks, causing her to laugh again; his favorite sound in the world. Now that the baby was calm, it was time to slaughter the idiots who thought it was okay to be reckless and throw a snowball at his little girl. Heads were going to roll if he didn't get a confession.
"Oh, thank God! She's calm." Anzu saw him walking into the kitchen.
"Of course, she is, no thanks to the other losers." Seto was stroking her back subconsciously. He was attempting at this point not to kill her friends.
Anzu noticed that the baby was now dressed in her Christmas sweater and little red pants. He gently placed the baby in her arms. "You really are the baby whisperer, huh?"
He chuckled at that. "I'll gladly take that to add to the other things I'm exceptional at."
"Like we need to inflate your ego anymore that it already is. And I know you want to punish the guys, but I've already taken care of it." Anzu mentioned, grabbing a bottle out the fridge with Morgan's milk.
"So, you've finally shot them? How did you know where my guns are?" The CEO could feel his heart go all warm and fuzzy inside. Did this woman make his best dreams come true on Christmas Day?
Anzu's gave him a blank stare, still holding the baby's bottle in her hand. "First of all, I don't even want to get into how pissed I'm going to be if that's true. Two, I said that Jonouchi, Honda, and Ryuuji can't eat dinner until the rest of us have sat down to eat for ten minutes. They hit my baby in the stomach, well, I'll make sure they nearly starve to death."
"I've never been more turned on than I have in this moment." The CEO's voice was very much husky and deep in each syllable.
Anzu couldn't help but laugh a little at that. Always the charmer. "That's a lie, but I appreciate the sentiment regardless. I'm going to get her fed and changed, and then I'm changing."
"It's not a formal dinner though. What you're wearing is fine." He never understood women, and Anzu was no exception. Why did she need to change for the umpteenth time today?
"Okay, you're only saying that because it has a Blue Eyes on it. I'd much rather somewhat look cute and delicious for you to fawn over me." Anzu swiftly took the baby with her upstairs to change.
Once she was out of his sight, Anzu finally let out the breath she had been holding in. Being around that man was frustrating, sexy, exhilarating, and annoying all at the same time. He could get on her nerves and yet still have her blushing like a school girl, just like he did when they started dating.
Get it together, Anzu! You're a grown woman now with a child. You have different priorities. She shook her head, setting the baby down in the bassinet next to her guest bed.
She sat down at the vanity that was in the guest room she was inhabiting during her stay for the holiday. It was the same guest room that she stayed in sometimes when she and Seto first started dating. She surely made him work for the sex because she was not having it when he first invited her to stay in the mansion. It was creme colored walls with modern beige accents. The furniture was always clean and fresh, which was nice for her after spending a long day with him or working through much of her day and she wanted a break from it all.
The good thing was that her room and Morgan's room shared the same in suite bathroom, there were just two doors on each side of the bathroom. She was trying to decide how to style her hair, as that would take the longest to do. She loved barrel curls ever since she decided to grow her hair out, but she had seldom straightened it. She had her outfit picked out for dinner; a mocha brown turtle neck, olive colored cargo pants that tapered at the bottom, and beige heels. She was sure to set her promise ring aside to get started on her makeup.
"Need a hand getting ready?" Mai poked her head in, joined by the younger redhead.
"Always." Anzu smiled, as Shizuka cut on the Christmas music from the mini stereo on the bedside stand.
"Reminds me of old times before the baby. Do you ever miss it?" Shizuka asked, straightening out her green pleated skirt. She was also sporting a creme colored sweater and silver necklace.
"Sometimes, but I wouldn't have it any other way. It's nice to kind of settle down and just be with my baby." Anzu mentioned, letting Mai straighten her hair.
Mail couldn't help but feel melancholy. "I'm going to be completely honest. I've thought about settling down at some point. I mean, I've been in the league for years now and I still model in my spare time, but I'm in my thirties."
"There's nothing wrong with that, Mai. Women are starting to have children later since there's more working-class women. It's not the same as when we were growing up." Anzu had to try not rolling her eyes. When she was younger, she assumed the same thing until she had the aspiration to become a professional dancer. It's no longer a far-fetched idea for women to be a part of the working class, especially for herself who was in a male dominated industry and was making a mark of her own.
"Plus, it's about time you and my brother settled down. I have faith he'll get in the leagues sooner than we all think. You've both been together for a while now." Shizuka had to hold back a laugh as the blonde nearly fell over.
Mai sighed, not knowing what else to say. "I don't know, Shizuka, I don't want to ruin his chances with a baby in the picture before he has a chance. He's going to be on the road a lot if he becomes popular enough and I know I'm going to want him home with a newborn."
Anzu could relate to her friend's concerns, as she had some of the same reservations when she and Seto were together, except Seto didn't do as much dueling as he had when they were teenagers. "It's something you'll have to talk about with Jou then. I know we tease him a lot, but he's an Aquarius male, he's got some serious intellect when you really sit down and have a conversation with him. There's no doubt that he's ready to take the next steps with you."
"I'm not going to worry too much about it now. I want him to be happy and I know this journey to the leagues is what he wants." Mai continued meticulously straightening her friend's hair.
The girls all went on to get ready for dinner, laughing and making more fun memories together. Anzu was finally dressed in her outfit and had on a light face of makeup, since she was blessed with not needing much. A little eyeliner, groomed brows, and a brown lip for the aesthetic. Her straightened hair was slightly longer than when curled, but she was in love with how Mai styled it into a half up, half down style.
Anzu had kept Morgan in her Christmas sweater and red pants, but gently adjusted her brown locks into a little ponytail, securing it with a small red ribbon. Little stray hairs graced the side of her face, reminding her of her former bob hair cut in high school. "Well, baby girl, it's time to go have dinner."
Dinner went relatively smooth, with the exception of three males moaning and groaning for food. Finally relenting, Anzu let Jonouchi, Honda, and Ryuuji finally fix their plates to join everyone else for dinner, causing Seto to roll his eyes in irritation. Mokuba continued his quest to tease his brother about not complimenting Anzu's outfit and how he's been such a polite host, making the older Kaiba a bit more hostile than normal. Anzu was trying to keep Morgan from making a mess of her small plate, since the baby was more interested in a potential food fight than nourishment. Once everyone was done eating and Mokuba offered to clean up, everyone went off to exchange gifts between each other, leaving the Kaiba family to themselves in the family room with a comfortably lit fireplace.
"Well, I've got to say, Christmas was actually pretty cool this year. Seto managed to have his rivals in his own house and not kill them." Mokuba marveled at his brother's impossible feat.
"It's kind of like hell froze over, but it didn't at the same time. I'm just glad Morgan gets to have this to look back on when she's a little older and realize a lot of people love her, but more importantly her family loves her most." Anzu couldn't help but look down at her little booger that was already knocked out for the evening.
"I'm just glad we even know her at all. It's crazy that we've only been a part of her life for such a short time." Seto treaded carefully with his words, which was odd for him. He was much more used to saying whatever was on his mind, not caring if it were blunt or not, didn't care if it hurt your feelings or not. Maybe part of him didn't want to ruin a pretty good day?
"We all know why, but let's not live it again. What's important is she finally has both of her parents now." Mokuba knew he brought up a good point, but this also acted as a way to diffuse any possible arguing.
Anzu gently settled the baby in Seto's arms, somewhat cuddling closer to him. "He's right you know. I'm immensely happy you've both bonded with her. This was all I ever wanted when I found out I was pregnant. Just for her to have the best life she deserves. No struggling, not feeling inadequate, or any of what we all experienced."
Anzu lied her head on his shoulder, feeling his shoulders tense ever so slightly. Just being with the two Kaiba brothers and her baby made her feel content. Despite the back and forth she was mentally struggling with, just to be with him in this moment she would cherish. It sometimes brought back positive memories from before the baby, but to fully immerse herself in the nostalgia felt like it would be taken from her at any moment.
The last few days have been so great and I can't wait to see if we can make more memories as a family, but there's so much more that comes with it too. Is the celebrity life for me or can I continue my peaceful life in my family-oriented neighborhood?
The last question felt very uneasy. Just to think of the scandalous headlines about Seto Kaiba having a secret love child and them hounding her and Morgan every single day for information and photographs. Was her history with Seto truly worth having her privacy invaded on a day to day? Then what Mokuba said to her previously also held true as well.
If you keep stringing him along, he may never open up to anyone ever again...
Anzu let out a sigh, slightly shaking her head. Honestly, what was a girl to do?
*= Mai is referring to the fragrance by Killian 'Love Don't Be Shy'. Rihanna uses that fragrance, but it was sold out once people figured out what it was, but this was within the last few years that it was confirmed. People have been wondering for several years what she uses to smell good.
I know this was long. VERY LONG, but if you made it to the end, give yourselves a round of applause (yay!). It's kind of funny that I seem to post new chapters around the holidays and never just on a regular day, but battling with depression and anxiety leaves me sometimes with little no motivation to do much of anything, especially things I typically enjoy. I'm speaking positively to myself when I say that I'm happy that I was able to update this after five months.
So, I think I've driven the point home that Anzu is rather indecisive during this whole Christmas holiday; struggling between reforming the family she should have or maintaining her independence and moving forward. The next few chapters will be more centered on the Anzu and the Kaiba brothers as the holiday season comes to a close. There may be some diabolical, psychopath, jealous model plot going on as well. Let me know what you guys think, like, follow, and more importantly review! I hope you guys stay safe as we go into the new year.
Cherries