Chapter 4: Family

"Here Erin, these should look good on the castle."

Erin squinted up to see Kazu handing her big shells. She smiled happily. "Yes! Thank you, this is just what I need!" She said grabbing the shells.

He smiled, taking off his wet shirt and sitting next to her in the sand. "You're welcome. You see the trick is to get past the breakers, that's where you find the best shells. I know you're not the greatest swimmer so I thought I'd grab some for you." He said, running a hand through his wet hair.

She went to work laying the shells over the castle. She smiled. "Well what do you think?"

He looked at the sand castle. "Damn, I mean I know you said you were good at building sand castles, but you didn't say you were that good. It's perfect. Now have you considered going into sand castle building as a profession? I know a bunch of sand people looking for castles to live in."

Erin laughed. "You're such a dork."

"Hey I'm serious!" He laughed, his green eyes bright with humor.

"I'm sure you are. I'm actually surprised you were able to find these shells without your glasses on." She said, going back to the castle.

"Oh come on, I'm not blind." He laughed.

"I've seen you walk into the doorway once without your glasses on." She said matter of factly.

"Yeah well, I might have been a little hungover that day as well." He said rubbing the back of his neck.

She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Of course you were."

"You don't understand, you've never been drunk before."

She laughed. "I have to. I may have accidentally drank too much at a bar once when we went to New York."

Kazu looked at her in surprise. "You're telling me the warden allowed his innocent baby to go to a bar and get drunk?"

She gave him a look. "I'm not a baby… And no, not exactly. He didn't know I went."

"Oh a rebellious phase I see. I guess we all go through one, it's natural." He sneered.

"Oh shut it. It wasn't a rebellious phase." She said, nudging him.

"Sounds like it. Trust me I would know." He laughed.

"Oh I bet. You just exude that bad boy energy." She teased.

He raised his hands and laughed. "Guilty." He smiled and laid back on the warm sand. "But seriously, there was a time when your warden wouldn't have let you anywhere near me."

Erin thought of that. She didn't like the idea of not being able to see Kazu. He was her friend, she genuinely enjoyed his company. He always knew how to make her laugh.

She thought of what Hatori had said. About him not being able to say no to her. Was that really true? If it was, it didn't make sense. Why would he listen to her? She didn't even know why Kazu enjoyed her company, or if he even did.

She looked over to him. She wanted to ask… but she couldn't find the courage to.

She sighed. "Well it's a good thing you changed then, cause then I'd be down a friend. And honestly… Well you're the only one I have outside of Hatori and Jirou, and I don't think they really count." She said quietly, holding her knees to her chest.

He looked up at her from his spot on the ground.

He smiled, before covering his face with his arm. "Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."

She smiled. "Good. Besides Hatori would be sad too if you left, you're like his best friend."

He sat up abruptly. "He said that?"

"No, but I can tell. Your friendship is really important to him. Even if he doesn't want to admit it." She said simply, adding another tower to her castle.

He smiled and laid back down, soaking in the hot sun. "Well I'm glad."

He thought briefly of Hatori in college and smiled. He was his best friend as well.

He went to ask her something else, but was interrupted by a big wave coming up and smacking him in the face with water.

"AH!" He exclaimed sitting up quickly and wiping the salty water from his eyes. "Geez, where did that come from? You good?" He asked looking over at her completely soaked.

"Yeah I'm fine." She laughed, rubbing her eyes. Her eyes widened as she looked down at her flattened castle. "The shells!" She exclaimed watching them getting sucked back into the ocean.

"Shit!" He exclaimed, jumping up from his spot on the ground.

They both scrambled trying to pick them up before the ocean stole them back.

"I think I got them all." She said panting from all the running.

"Yeah." He said looking at how soaked she was.

She put them in the bucket and began to ring out her sun dress.

"So much for staying dry." She laughed.

He grinned devilishly. "Well since you're already wet, you don't mind if I…" He started to say before splashing water at her.

"Hey!" She laughed, kicking a wall of water at him.

He feigned shock and wiped his face. "Oh you're so on now." He said grabbing one of the buckets and filling it with water.

She squealed and ran away as he chased her with the bucket.

Further up on the beach Hatori looked up from his book at the sound of Erin's laughter.

He smiled at the sight of her having fun.

"Geez they're like a couple of kids." Jirou laughed from behind him.

Hatori turned to see Jirou holding two bags. "That they are." He said with a smile.

"I brought lunch for everyone. I figured you all would be hungry." Jirou said, placing the bags in the cooler.

"You didn't have to do that. Let me pay you back." Hatori said, reaching for his wallet.

Jirou waved him off. "Don't worry about it." He sat next to him and pulled a drink from the cooler. He looked over at him contently reading a book. "Good book?" He asked.

Hatori nodded. "Yes. It's one of my cousin's books. Believe it or not he was a good writer. At least when he took it seriously."

"Woah he's an author? That's cool." Jirou said. Writers, doctors, seemed everyone in Hatori's family was something prestigious.

"He was an author. He stopped writing. Too busy with his new job I guess."

"I see." Jirou said, looking over to Erin and Kazu still running around. He laughed. "She looks so happy."

"She's been talking non stop about this beach day." Hatori said with a smile.

"Well I'm glad she's happy. As long as she's happy, I'm happy." Jirou said, taking a sip of his drink.

"You know the other night, she went to bed all on her own and with one blanket." Hatori said.

Jirou looked at him. "Really?"

Hatori nodded. "It surprised me. A year ago she never would've been able to do that."

"You got that right." Jirou said, thinking back to when Hatori left for his business trip. He remembered how he had to pull her from her hiding spot in the closet.

"She's not hiding in closets anymore right?" He asked.

Hatori shook his head. "No not recently."

Jirou smiled. "That's good. That makes me really happy."

"Jirou! You came back!" Erin exclaimed excitedly, running up to them.

They laughed at the sight of her. She was completely soaked and covered in sand.

"Of course I came back you dope. I went and grabbed lunch." He said.

"Oh boy I'm starving!" She said excitedly.

"Here Erin, let's dry you off first." Hatori said, pulling her gently towards him.

He draped a towel over her and began brushing all the sand off her, as Jirou pulled out the sandwiches.

The four of them ate together talking and laughing.

Jirou bursted out in laughter. "No way. You're making that up."

"No I'm telling you she was really a prostitute. I had to pay my friend 50 dollars because I lost the bet." Kazu said, laughing.

Erin laid on her blanket listening happily to their conversation.

Hatori shook his head. "You and that story."

"Hey, it's not like I hooked up with her. I'm sorry is this a sensitive subject for you Mr. Goody two shoes?" Kazu laughed, giving him a nudge.

Hatori raised a brow at this and laughed. "A sensitive subject? No. You're talking to the man who on a school trip, had to forcibly drag his two idiot cousins from a red light district."

The three of them laughed. "Wait really? They had to have gotten caught." Erin said, looking up at him.

"No, they didn't get caught because I got them out before the teacher noticed they separated from the group." He said matter of factly.

Erin thought of Hatori in high school. He probably babysat Ayame and Shigure back then too.

The three of them carried the conversation, but Erin didn't mind. She loved listening to them.

Being here with them… Well it made her unbelievably happy. She looked over at Jirou and Kazu teaming up to pick on Hatori who just laughed and waved them off.

She giggled at their antics.

"Oh Hatori, Little Miss over here told me of her little drunk adventure in New York." Kazu said, finishing his sandwich.

"Mm, You should ask the one who took her." Hatori said, nodding towards Jirou.

Kazu looked at him surprised.

Jirou raised his hands. "Hey, it was Suki's idea. But I'll take some of the blame."

"Eh, It was my fault. I thought I was gonna have one, but well… I thought differently after one." She said, her face turning red.

"Man I would pay to see drunk Erin." Kazu laughed.

"Careful. She strips when she's drunk." Jirou teased.

"Do not!" She exclaimed, her face turning beet red.

Jirou laughed and tousled her hair. "Don't worry, everyone does dumb stuff when they're drunk. That's kinda the point."

"Yeah and think, you'll be 21 this year, you'll be able to drink as much as you'd like then." Kazu said.

"Let's not get crazy." Hatori interceded.

Erin perked up. She had forgotten about that. Although talking about her age made her self conscious. Hatori was going to 30 in January. Jirou just turned 24 in June, and Kazu would be 26 in October. She felt like such a child around them sometimes.

However, they didn't seem to mind. So she shouldn't let it bother her.

"Yeah… only 21. I'm still such a kid." She said.

"Not true. You've grown a lot since I've met you. Wouldn't you say Hatori?" Kazu asked.

Hatori nodded and smiled. "Yes. She has."

She sat up and leaned against Hatori's legs.

She felt him play with her hair lightly as the three of them continued to talk. With the ocean sounds, and the pleasant conversation, Erin was completely relaxed.

She imagined this was what heaven would be like. Being at the ocean, surrounded by people who care about her. It couldn't get any better than this.

She stared back at the ocean. She looked up at Hatori. "I'm gonna go see if I can find any more cool shells."

He nodded. "Just be careful of the ocean alright? Don't go in alone."

She rolled her eyes and smiled. "Hatori, you're doting again." She said, crossing her arms.

He took a breath. "I know, I'm sorry."

She kissed his cheek. "Don't worry I'll be careful." She said before running towards the water.

Kazu sighed. "Damn I feel single right now."

Hatori laughed and rolled his eyes. "Why did I ask you to come again?"

Kazu just smiled. "Because you love me."

Hatori laughed and gave him a look. "I think you may be getting ahead of yourself."

Jirou laughed at their antics. "Now I feel single."

Meanwhile down by the water, Erin narrowed her eyes as she scanned each wave that came in. However, it was hopeless. All the shells that washed up were broken.

She looked out at the ocean as she thought of what Kazu said.

She sighed and sat on the wet sand. If only she could swim well.

She closed her eyes and imagined diving effortlessly through the waves, just like Hatori did.

As she listened to the rhythmic sounds of the ocean, she thought of a memory. A memory from their time on the beach at Okinawa.

The first place they traveled to after they left home.

She remembered she fell asleep under the umbrella. When she woke up she panicked as she noticed Hatori wasn't there.

"Hatori?" She questioned, jolting up.

He left you again. He's gone. You'll never get him back.

She made a small whine as the dark thoughts consumed her. No. He wouldn't leave… He promised.

Do you really believe his promises? He's broken promises before.

She shook her head as she frantically looked around the nearly empty private beach. She was alone.

All alone.

She could hear the waves crashing upon the sand. The sound seemingly pulling her from her thoughts. She turned to look at the ocean.

And there he was.

He was just sitting there, the setting sun in front of him shining its light around him. He was looking out at the sea and letting the water wash over his legs.

She ran over to him. As she reached him, she saw the look of sadness on his face before he hid it.

"You're awake." He said, looking up at her.

"Yeah, I-I…" She tried to explain, scratching her wrist. Her mind was still frazzled from the panic. "I just woke up and you were… gone…" She said pitifully.

"Hey, it's alright. I'm here. I apologize. I shouldn't have left you there. I just… Well…" He tried to explain, but he seemed at a loss for words.

She remembered the sad look on his face before he hid it from her. She kneeled in front of him, the water wetting her knees. "Are you okay? You look sad." She asked, looking into his eyes.

He chuckled slightly. "Yes I'm alright."

"Then why do you look so sad?" She asked.

He sighed and looked back out onto the ocean. "I can't hear them anymore."

She blinked as she looked out onto the water. "Who can't you hear?"

"The seahorses." He said quietly, as if saying it out loud wasn't allowed.

Erin thought back to their trip to the beach house. How he explained how he could sense them.

"Oh, so that makes you sad?" She asked.

He smiled and ran a hand through his hair. "I don't know if sad is the right word. I don't miss being cursed, I just…" He said trailing off. "I'm just used to it. It's weird looking out at the ocean and not hearing them. I can't read the ocean, I can't sense them… All I have is quiet. It's peaceful, but also lonely in a way."

She grabbed his hand

"I understand. It makes sense." She said.

He looked up at her. "You do?"

"Well I mean I guess I can't fully understand, but I can imagine. I mean you lived with it your whole life. Of course it's gonna feel weird now that it's gone. You don't have to feel ashamed for feeling that way." She said, placating him.

He thought about it for a moment, before looking out onto the rolling waves. "I guess you're right."

She smiled. "I know I'm right. Besides, the seahorses are still out there. You're not alone… I mean I know I'm not much but-"

"Stop. Don't even finish that sentence." He said sternly. "You're so much… You're so much more than I deserve, so don't even say things like that." He said plainly.

Her cheeks warmed at his words. "I don't know about that.."

"Well I do." He said brushing the hair out of her face, before pulling her close so he could hold her. "Maybe it feels weird, but I wouldn't change a thing. I can hold you now, and I wouldn't trade that in for anything.

She held him tightly back and buried her face in his chest. "Me neither." She said.

She smiled at the memory, as she vaguely wondered if he still got sad when he looked at the ocean. They never talked about it again after that.

That's when the sound of something crashing into her bucket of shells pulled her from her thoughts.

She startled as she jumped up in surprise. She looked down to see the football by her feet.

"Hey, sorry about that. I'm afraid my friends have terrible aim." A voice said.

Erin looked up to see a guy walking towards her. Her face lit up in surprise. She knew him. He was in her class back in school. "Daisuke?" She questioned.

He smiled. "Oh my god, Erin! I didn't realize it was you. I haven't seen you since graduation, how have you been?" He asked happily.

"Good, busy with college work." She said.

"Same. We took this beach trip to enjoy the little bit of summer break we have left. I have to say, it's really good to see you again." He said, looking at her up and down. "You look well."

Erin smiled. "You look well too. I think you've grown since highschool. I'm pretty sure I used to be taller than you." She teased.

He laughed. "That was only in middle school. You act like I was a midget."

"Hey Daisuke! You coming or what? Stop flirting and let's go!" His friend called running over to them. He smiled at the sight of her. "What's up cutie?"

Her face turned red as all her words flew out the window. How did she answer that?

Daisuke rolled his eyes. "Come on Kenji don't be weird."

He raised his hands. "Hey, I'm just speaking the truth. But I apologize."

Back under the umbrella Jirou scanned the beach. Erin had moved from her spot and now he couldn't see her. Maybe it was because he was a cop now, but he seemed more aware of everyone around him. He analysed everyone until his eyes finally found her. He made a face. She was talking to two guys. Odd.

He knew Erin wasn't one to start conversations with people she didn't know.

Which means they probably approached her.

She looked...uncomfortable. Her face was red and she was definitely babbling nervously. This seemed to amuse the one guy who's eyes lingered on her a little too long for his liking.

"Hatori." Jirou said.

Kazu and Hatori stopped their conversation to look over to him.

He nodded his head over in her direction.

The two men looked over in her direction to see what Jirou was looking at.

"Uh oh. See that's what happens when you let a cute girl like Erin be on the beach alone." Kazu said matter of factly, taking a sip of his drink.

Hatori's eyes narrowed as he watched the interaction. He didn't like the way he was looking at her. Erin didn't look like she was particularly enjoying the conversation either. She kept nervously tugging at her dress.

He took a long breath.

Hatori didn't think of himself as possessive.

Well, at least he never used to.

However, ever since Erin came into his life… Well lets just say he didn't like sharing.

He knew those thoughts weren't particularly polite. He used to always think jealousy was unbecoming. However, that was until he knew what it was like to have someone.

Now he couldn't help it.

They were engaged. In a few short months she was going to be his wife. Erin was his. No one else's. Which made the sight of some other guy flirting with her and talking to her not sit well with him.

"Is he going to talk with her all day?" Hatori questioned curtly, a deep scowl on his face.

"Settle down Hatori, jealousy is very unbecoming." Kazu said, trying not to laugh at the obvious envy radiating off him.

Hatori didn't answer him. He watched the guy run his fingers down her hair ribbon.

That's it. Last straw.

"I'll go get her." Jirou said, about to get up.

"No. I'll handle this." Hatori said sternly, getting up and walking over.

Kazu looked over to Jirou. "Well it's a good thing you're a cop. You may need to cover up a murder."

Jirou laughed slightly. "You're enjoying this way too much."

They both looked over to where Erin stood.

"Erin." Hatori's deep voice cut through the conversation.

She looked back at him surprised. He looked mad… Why?

"Are you alright? I thought you were looking for shells." He said, grabbing her hands and shooting a glare at the young man who had the audacity to touch her.

"Oh, um yeah I'm fine. Daisuke is a friend from school, we were just catching up." She said looking up at him.

"Just catching up? I see, so is that what's going on here?" He asked, not releasing his hold on her.

At the sight of his threatening look Kenji back peddled. "Yeah, nothing funny just talking. In fact Daisuke, we should probably get back to our game."

"Yes I believe that would be wise. Come Erin, let's go." He said, leading her away.

She followed in his wake confused. What aggravated him so much?

Once they were a little ways away, he turned to face her. She watched his eyes look at her up and down.

"Are you alright?" He asked, grabbing her shoulders and leaning forward so he could look at her in the eyes.

She looked at him questionably. "Yeah? Why wouldn't I be?"

"I didn't like the way he was talking to you." He said, shrugging. "You shouldn't entertain people like that. If you don't want to talk to them just leave the conversation."

She wilted. "Well that would be rude."

"What's rude is assholes trying to take advantage of you." He said sternly, fixing the hair ribbon he messed up.

She glanced up at him retying the pink ribbon in her hair. She noticed the odd look on his face. It was one she'd never seen before.

Suddenly it all clicked. "Hatori Sohma, are you jealous?" She asked, a smile playing at her lips.

He gave her a look. "I'm not jealous. I just don't like someone trying to take what's mine." He said quietly.

Erin's heart skipped from his words. Hatori never said things like that. She giggled softly. Did Hatori know how perfect he was? For him to get jealous over some random dude was hilarious.

She hugged him. "Well all I want is you. So don't worry."

He hugged her back. "Well good, but I'll always worry. It's my job."

She smiled and looked up at him. "Careful Hatori. You're gonna be 30 soon. If you keep worrying like this, you'll get grey." She teased.

He scooped her up and spun her around. "Well then stop giving me so many reasons to worry." He said with a smile.

She laughed as he put her down. "Stop being so perfect and making people want to take you away from me." He said, kissing her forehead

"Oh yeah? What about you? Have you seen all the women who basically throw themselves at you?" She said picking up the shells that got knocked out of her bucket.

"You know I detest that." He said, helping her pick up the shells. "All I want is you." He said plainly.

She smiled. "Then we're on the same page."

"Indeed we are." He said, chuckling softly. He looked at all the shells she had. "Find anything good?" He asked.

She sighed. "No. Kazu is right. All the good shells are past the breakers, but I can't swim that far out." She said sadly.

He looked at how sad she looked. It was a sight he didn't like to see. "Well that's easy. I'll just swim out and get some for you." He said simply.

"Oh, you don't have to go through all that trouble." She said, waving her hands.

"It's no trouble at all. I wanted to go for a swim anyway." He said unbuttoning his shirt and taking it off.

Erin stared at the sight of his lean and muscular body. The sight made her entire head go blank. Her eyes trailed down him before she stared at the ground, attempting to regain her composure.

"I'll be right back okay?" He said, laying his shirt on the sand.

She met his gaze tentatively and nodded.

She watched him walk into water. Once he was deep enough he dove into the oncoming wave. She winced at the sight. How he was able to so effortlessly dive under huge waves like they were nothing, was beyond her.

She kept her eyes peeled, but couldn't see him. He was under the water so long she was sure he drowned, before he finally surfaced again. She saw him smile as he pushed the wet hair from his face.

She laughed at how happy he looked. There were few things Hatori actually enjoyed doing. One of them was swimming. He loved it. He was also very good at it. Maybe it was being part sea animal most of his life or maybe it was just natural born talent, but he was amazing in the water. He could swim so fast, and hold his breath forever.

He could dive deep under the water and do a whole bunch of different strokes. Compared to her who could barely keep her head above water, well he was like an Olympic swimmer.

"He's like a fish." Jirou said, walking up beside her.

Erin looked up at him and laughed. "You could say that. Where's Kazu?"

He chuckled and sat on the sand next to her. "Found a group of girls to talk to. You know I only met him a few times in passing, but he's actually pretty cool. Hard to believe he's Hatori's friend."

"Oh stop." She laughed, giving him a nudge.

"I don't mean it in a bad way. Kazu just seems like someone who would bother Hatori" He said , running a hand through his hair.

She thought about it. "Yeah I guess. However, I think it works because they're different. Kazu brings Hatori out of his shell, and Hatori grounds Kazu. It's like me and you."

He raised a brow and smiled. "How so?"

"You know I'm really frazzled and a ditz, and you're responsible level headed." She said, digging a hole in the wet sand.

"You're not a ditz." He said resting his fist on her head.

She smiled as she rested her hands on his. "I kinda am."

He shook his head and retracted his hand. "Hey you alright? Those guys didn't bother you too much did they?"

She sighed and gave him a look. "You and Hatori are insufferable, you know that? I can handle my own problems."

"I know, I know, but I'm your older brother. Looking out for you is my job." He said matter of factly.

"I know… You just don't have to worry about me. I've grown a lot these past 2 years." She said smiling.

He returned it. "Yeah Hatori was telling me about how good you've been doing. I'm proud of you. You've worked hard. I know it hasn't been easy." He said, thinking back on all that's happened.

Her eyes lit up. "You're proud of me?" She asked, looking up at him.

"Of course you dope." He laughed.

They heard someone walking up to them. They looked up to see Hatori standing over them. He smiled as he wiped the water from his face.

"I found a few nice ones." He said kneeling down and laying a few big shells on the sand. "There were probably better ones, but I have to admit I had some trouble seeing them." He said, shrugging.

Erin's eyes widened as she looked over at him. "I completely forgot! I'm sorry! I hope getting these wasn't too much of a hassle."

"Of course it wasn't a hassle. I offered, remember?" He said, sitting on the sand with them.

Jirou thought about it. Guess Hatori didn't have the best eyesight. He wore glasses occasionally, but not all the time. Funny, if his vision was that bad why didn't he wear glasses more often?

He shrugged it off and went back to watching Erin marvel at all the pretty shells, as Kazu rejoined them.

Erin leaned back so she could look up at him. "Find a girlfriend yet?" She asked.

He laughed. "Now Erin, these things take time. I have a strategic system."

She laughed. "How's that system working for you?" She teased.

"Hey, it works. Just because I'm single now doesn't mean I don't have game." He said matter of factly.

Erin smirked. "Well you could be like Jirou and have your twin set you up."

Kazu laughed and Jirou gave her a nudge.

"Sadly I'm an only child." Kazu said, shrugging and looking over the shells. "What's this?" He questioned.

Erin raised her brows before looking at what he was referencing. Her eyes lit up happily. "Oh, Hatori swam out and got some shells for me."

Kazu feigned shock and clutched his chest. "Don't tell me you're cheating on me. Having some other guy get you shells? My envy is deep." He fake cried.

Erin laughed and rolled her eyes. "You're an idiot."

"Well there's only one way to settle this. Hatori, I'll have to challenge you to a shell finding contest." He said matter of factly.

Hatori raised a brow at this and laughed slightly. "Is that what has to happen?"

Kazu nodded.

"You know I'm a better swimmer than you." Hatori said, like it was obvious.

Kazu pulled his shirt off and stretched his arms. "Well I guess you'll have to back that up."

Hatori laughed and shook his head. "Alright I'll entertain you, but only because I wanted to go back in anyway." He said.

"Sweet! Loser buys ice cream." Kazu said happily as he walked towards the water.

Erin and Jirou watched the two of them partake in their competition.

"It's nice to see Hatori relaxed." Jirou said looking over at her.

She nodded happily. "Definitely. He's changed a lot over these past 2 years too. He never smiled like this when I first met him."

"Well he has you. Of course he's happy." He said.

She waved him off. "Oh stop."

"It's the truth… You excited to be married soon? It's coming up. May isn't as far away as you think." He asked, resting his chin on his knees.

"Of course I'm excited! I actually need to go to Ayame's shop soon. I have an appointment in 2 weeks. He's going to make my dress." She said happily.

"Who's Ayame?" He asked.

"Oh, he's one of Hatori's cousins. He owns this shop. I really don't know what kind of shop exactly, but he makes dresses by hand. He's adamant on making my dress for the wedding." She said.

"Wow. He has quite the range of family members." He said.

"You got that right… Although…" She started to say but trailed off.

"What's wrong?"

She shrugged. "It's dumb. I just… I'm a little nervous to go to Ayame's shop all alone. Hatori can't come with me cause I want him to be surprised. But… Well the idea of going alone makes me nervous." She said, her eyes falling to the sand.

Jirou watched her and smiled. "Well the solution is easy. I'll go with you." He said plainly.

Her eyes widened. "Oh no, you don't have to go through all that trouble! I'm sorry I brought it up, I'll be alright."

"Don't be silly. I'd love to go. Besides I would like to meet some of Hatori's family. I'd like to see what kind of people they are." He said, looking back out to the ocean.

Erin thought of Ayame and his "interesting" personality. Would bringing Jirou really be wise?

"Although seeing you in a wedding dress… It might make me cry." He said thinking about it.

Erin laughed and gave him a nudge. "Oh stop, what are you my dad?" She said with a smile.

"Feels like it sometimes. I feel like I'm 40." He laughed.

"You act like you're 40. It's scary sometimes." She laughed, looking up at him. "You sure it won't be a hassle?"

He looked down at her and gave her a smile. "If you need me, I'll be there."

She returned the smile and returned her gaze to Kazu and Hatori swimming.

"No matter what?" She asked.

"No matter what." He answered.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Erin walked down the boardwalk, eating her ice cream happily.

She looked up at Hatori and smiled. "Thanks for the ice cream."

He sighed and smiled. "Well a bet was a bet."

"Ah yes, the underdog rises to the occasion. I never lose a bet." Kazu said, happily eating his ice cream.

Erin laughed, walking backwards so she could face them. "Well I won either way. I got shells and ice cream."

"Ah little miss knows how to get what she wants." Kazu said jokingly.

She smiled and flipped her hair. "I don't wanna brag but, I am pretty smart sometimes."

Hatori smiled. "I believe it, but watch where you're going."

"Yeah Hatori's right. You don't want to trip and drop your ice cream." Jirou said turning her around.

"Now Jirou don't make me wish you and Hatori still didn't like each other." Erin said with a laugh.

Kazu looked at Hatori questionably. "You didn't like each other?"

Erin giggled slightly. "Yes Jirou, tell Kazu how you used to despise his best friend." She said to him.

"I think despise is a strong word to use." He said, scrunching his nose.

"Well what word would be better?" She asked.

He pondered for a moment. "I would say 'strongly dislike'." He said with a smile.

Kazu looked between the two of them, not understanding the English.

"I'm sorry they strongly disliked each other." Erin said, going back to her ice cream.

Jirou rubbed the back of his neck. "It's complicated."

"Yes. Complicated." Hatori agreed, nodding.

"What changed it?" Kazu asked.

Erin thought for a moment, realizing she didn't know that answer either. "Yeah, what did change that?" She asked, looking between the two of them.

Hatori and Jirou glanced at each other. They both knew when it changed. After Erin started going to therapy again. When Hatori tried to say he made everything worse and Jirou finally was able to thank him.

"Well I guess this means we're partners now."

"It appears so."

The memory played through both their minds.

They both shrugged. "Guess we just got to know each other better over time." Jirou said.

"Time does heal all wounds." Hatori said, agreeing with his answer.

"Why do I feel there's more to that story?" Erin asked.

Hatori smiled and placed a hand on her head. "Finish your ice cream before it melts."

There was definitely more to the story, however she didn't want to pry.

They continued to walk down the busy board walk. She listened to Kazu happily ask Jirou questions about his job. He apparently was a huge fan of police shows on tv.

Jirou answered the questions excitedly, and even started going on about different stories he had.

She looked over and saw Hatori open his hand. She happily grabbed on.

He looked down at her and smiled. He loved the way her eyes turned a golden brown color in the light of the sunset. "Did you have fun today?" He asked.

She returned the smile. "Of course! It makes me so happy that we can all be together like this."

"Yes, it is nice. And if you're happy, well that's all I want." He said, closing his eyes for a moment. He felt so at ease.

"I am happy. How could I not be? Next year I'm gonna marry the most amazing person I've ever met." She said, giving his hand a squeeze.

His face warmed slightly and he kissed her forehead. "What a coincidence. Next year I'll be marrying the most amazing person I've ever met as well." He whispered with a smile.

She giggled. A sound that sent butterflies racing through him.

"You know coming here together like this… It's like we're a family." She said quietly.

Hatori looked down at her. He could tell that took a lot of courage to say. He could see it in her face… She was worried he would deny it.

In Hatori's eyes Erin was his family, and once they were married they would legally be a family.

He smiled at the thought.

He looked over at Kazu and Jirou amicably talking.

Actually when the four of them were together like this… Well Erin was right. It did feel like a family. Much more than he ever felt with his own parents, who were usually cold and stern.

"Well we are a family." He said simply.

Erin's face lit up. "You really think so?"

He nodded. "Of course."

She smiled. "Good… I mean I don't have much family… I mean you don't have to consider me part of your family if you don't want to."

"Don't be ridiculous. You always have been and always will be my family Erin." He said matter of factly. "If I didn't think that I wouldn't be marrying you."

"Yeah, you're right." She said looking out at the sunset.

"Hey slow pokes, lets go! I hear that when the sun sets, the crabs come out." Kazu said happily.

Hatori chuckled slightly. "I'm not bandaging you up if one pinches you."

Kazu waved him off. "I'll be fine. I'm a doctor."

They walked back onto the beach just as the sun dipped below the horizon, leaving the sky a purple color.

The sand was cool on her feet now that the sun wasn't out to warm it. She looked out at the gentle evening waves as she thought back to what Hatori had said.

How long had she wished for something like this? How many nights did she dream and hope for people to love her and treat her like this? A family, a real family. It was something she had been searching for for years. And now she finally had it.

People who cared about her.

People who loved her.

People who would never hurt her.

She was so unbelievably happy.

She looked ahead at the three of them walking. Kazu must've been demonstrating how to catch a crab, and Jirou laughed. Even in the darkened sky Erin could see the way his blue eyes shone bright with humor. Hatori stood between them looking at both of their antics. He laughed and explained why Kazu attempting to catch a crab would be a bad idea. She smiled.

The three of them meant the world to her, and she wouldn't trade them for anything.

Hatori looked back at her and extended his hand. "Come on Erin." He called gently.

"Yeah Erin, if you fall behind the crabs will get ya." Kazu said.

She ran up to them happily, grabbing Hatori's open hand.

Yes she was home.

With her family.

o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o

Happy Saturday!

AHH I love this chapter!! I feel like this whole chapter is just fan service to myself LOL. I realized I was on the third book, 46 chapters in, and I realized I never wrote a scene with all 4 of them together. So once I realized that, this chapter was born haha. It's pretty much a light hearted fluff chapter but it builds up the next few chapters. I can't believe we're already on chapter 4! I don't know what I'm gonna do once this book is done haha, I've been writing it for so long.

Anyway I finally uploaded the revised versions on My Winter. Sorry it took so long. They're not too much different. I just fix grammar and flesh it out a little bit and add a few scenes here and there. You don't have to reread them if you don't want to. However I recommend rereading chapter 14: The Gift of My winter. I did add on to Erin and Kazu's scene at the ice cream shop and what they talk about will be covered in the next 2 chapters. You don't have to but I just don't want anyone to be confused. I'm sorry haha I know its probably annoying going back. (Of course if you already read the revised version then you're all set!) This whole thing is a never ending work in progress haha, but I'm so happy I have people coming along for the ride! One day I'll get it just right and finally be finished lol.

Alright this time I didn't forget about my character analysis! Yay! (I went back and added last weeks lol)

Henry

LMAO am I actually doing this? Yes. Yes I am.

Henry is Erin's stuffed octopus.

It's the only thing she has left of her parents as I said, so he's really important to her.

When she ran away from home she accidentally left him behind, and this devastated her. She was so upset by the idea of never seeing him again, even though she knew that sounded childish.

When Hatori got him back for her, she clung to him desperately. Erin's been through a lot and definitely uses him as a comfort object.

She's worried by having the stuffed toy makes her look like a moron in Hatori's eyes, but he never makes any such gesture. As long as she's happy he's happy, and if that's what keeps her calm, than it works for him. Especially with all the stress she used to have about going to bed.

So it's actually kind of funny, but Henry is a real thing LMAO. Like 5-6 years ago my sister bought him from me at Target. (They still sell them. If you walk in the kids furniture section. It's the grey octopus with the stripes on the tentacles. Hahaha.) I literally sleep with him every night. Haha I can't believe I'm considered an adult.

So yeah that's that lololol, In case anyone was wondering where I got inspired for that.

Next weeks chapter is gonna be a little different so I hope you like it!

I'll see you next week for Chapter 5: Dreams!

Love you guys