Hello! Sorry if this update is a little late! I've been pretty excited to finally update this chapter! Enjoy!
Mai gritted her teeth the whole ride home. Her mind was spinning and she didn't think that she would ever have to face something like this in her life. Then again, she never expected an unexpected pregnancy either.
Putting her head in her hands she welcomed the silence in her house. She and Ren had just gotten back to the house and he had immediately bombarded her with questions. She didn't blame him but she also had questions. She told him not to worry about it and that it was not something he had to be concerned with. However, she also knew the problem concerned him directly, and that she couldn't keep things from her son.
She'd been stressed before, it wasn't a rare occurrence, but this time threw her off a bit.
A door could be heard opening upstairs and her son appeared at the top of them.
"Mama," His little hands held on to the banister and he looked ready to cry. "I know that you are mad at me right now, but are you okay?"
Mai watched him with a confused expression. "Oh, God, honey," She stood from her spot on the stool next to her kitchen island. "Come here,"
He made his way down the stairs one hand on the rail and one step at a time and stood in front of her. He had taken his school jacket off when they had gotten in the car, but his outfit was more or less the same from this morning.
Taking his hands in hers, she crouched down to his level. "Honey, I will never be mad at you. I will never stop loving you." She took a breath. "There will be times that I might be upset at your behavior, but never your person."
He thought over what she said and looked up at his mother. "Who was that man?"
Mai felt anxiousness rise to her head. She knew this talk would be coming, but this was a little too soon than what Mai assumed. At some points, she had never even thought that she would see Naru again.
"Do you remember what I told you about your father?" Mai remembered her laughable excuse she told him one day. He was about to turn five, and a few of his friends at school were talking about their dads. He came home and asked where his dad was.
"He can't be with us right now?"
She smiled at his expression. "Yes," A horrible excuse, but Mai didn't want to lie directly. "He was very busy and wasn't with us." She readied herself for what she was about to say. "That man that we saw was your dad, honey."
A smile broke out on his face. "I knew it!" Mai's mouth dropped open a bit. "I was looking through the photo book," Mai almost slapped herself. She knew she also stored pictures of when she worked for SPR. All of the team members were on there. It wouldn't be that hard to put it together. "I saw him before! Actually, the other man and the red hair woman too. I didn't want you to be mad, so I didn't say anything."
Mai let go of his hands and sat back on her heels. "How did you assume that he was your dad?"
"We look alike." He looked at Mai like she was crazy and she groaned internally. He was just as perceptive as Naru was. But then he quickly sobered, shifted his feet, and avoided eye contact. Something he did when he was going to say something that he had been keeping a secret. Mai figured it out when she heard a strange meowing coming from his closet. The kitten he had found in their neighborhood was cared for by them temporarily and then promptly given to a caring owner. "He also looks like the guy in my dreams."
Mai's heart stopped. She shut her eyes and tried to rationalize what he was saying. While she knew it was a possibility, she hoped that her abilities were never inherited.
"Dream-?" She cleared her throat. "What happened in these dreams, honey? This is very important so make sure you tell the truth and tell me all of it, okay?" She placed her hands on his shoulders to emphasize the gravity of what he was saying.
Ren nodded but Mai knew he was too young to really grasp what this all meant.
"Sometimes, when I sleep, I can see me sleeping," He looked away in thought. "I walk through the house and see you working at night."
"When do you see the man?"
"He's always close to you, so when I look for you, I see him!" A smile broke out on his face. "But I don't know why."
Mai sighed. "Does he take you anywhere?" Her hands started trembling a little. She thought all about the dreams she had, and the ones she still has.
Ren put a finger to his chin in thought. "No, but the area changes," Mai gave him a questioning look.
"What do you mean?"
"One time we were in your office watching you for a moment, but the area changed and we were at my play park! He and I played and then when I got tired, we stopped and he told me stories of you and daddy!"
Mai felt immediate relief and sent a brief thanks to her dark-haired spirit guide.
"Mama, who is he? He looks like daddy, but daddy is wayyy older now." Ren stretched out his arms to emphasize how old Naru was, and Mai laughed at the mannerisms.
"Let me show you," Mai got up from her position and held onto Ren's hand. She walked into her home office and over to the bookshelf in the space. Pulling out a photo album, she then made her way to her couch to the side. "Come here."
Mai hefted up her son and placed him on her lap. On top of both of them, she placed the book down and opened it to the first page. Back when she was younger, Mai made it a point to commemorate every case they solved. She believed that it was proof that evil can be conquered and fought.
Ren pointed at one of the pictures with the whole group. "I've seen these!"
Mai smiled at him. "Yes, but have you seen this one?" She flipped a few more pages and found the picture that Oliver had given her before he left. Gene and Naru were extremely young when it was taken, but the obvious recognition shown on Ren's face told Mai that he knew it was his father. For a moment, Mai truly did recognize just how similar Ren looked to his father at a young age.
"Is that daddy?"
"Yes, him and his brother, Eugene."
Ren's little mouth dropped open. "Brother?!"
Mai looked at the photo fondly. "Yes, that is your uncle."
"Where is he now?" Ren looked up at his mother from his position on her lap.
"Do you know how I told you that my mom and dad passed away?" Ren nodded. "Well, uncle Gene has passed away as well."
Ren looked back at the picture. "But I wanted to see him." He pouted and his eyes watered.
"Honey," Mai wrapped her arms around him. "You do see him."
Understanding appeared on his face. "My dreams?"
"Yes." Mai looked at him. "He also used to help mommy with her job."
"Really?" Ren smiled big and looked back at Mai. "I can't wait to see him again! I have to tell him all about school!"
After dinner, a quick bath, and a reading of his favorite storybook, Ren fell asleep relatively quickly, which allowed Mai time to finish up some write-ups.
A few minutes into working, her cell phone began to vibrate and chirp with her ringtone. Picking it up, but not recognizing the number, Mai pressed the green button on the screen and placed the phone up to her ear.
"Hello?"
"Mai, it's Lin."
She wasn't the least bit surprised to hear his voice on the other line. "Hello Lin, I hope you and Madoka are doing well from the last time I saw you."
Lin had accompanied Naru on his trip to the conference and after asking about his wedding band, he revealed that he had married Madoka a few months prior.
"We are both doing fine," He paused briefly. "I am calling to set up a meeting with you and your child."
"Right," Mai leaned back in her chair. "To be completely honest, I would rather you meet with both of us at the same time."
"That works for me. Did you have a place in mind?"
Mai sighed. "Yes, actually. There is a park not far from your office building, I typically take him there to play, and he is familiar with the area."
"Yes, I am aware of the park you are talking about," Mai could hear him typing something on the keyboard. "Would you be opposed to a few of the team members coming along as well?"
Mai bit her lip. She wanted to say no, but she knew that getting this meeting out of the way would be less stressful for her. "That is fine." She thought again. "I am actually going to be bringing a colleague of mine along as well. She is Ren's godmother and she can keep an eye on him while we talk."
"Understood, what day works for you?"
"Any weekend, honestly."
Lin hummed over the phone. "How does this weekend look for you?"
Mai looked at her calendar hanging next to her desk. "I'm free whenever."
"Alright, let's say Saturday around noon."
"I will see you all then." Mai hung up after Lin said his goodbyes and she sat up and placed her head in her hands.
This was a meeting she was not looking forward to, for several reasons. She remembered a few weeks after she found out about Ren, she woke to the astral plane and a known face she had not seen for years. After a few minutes of catching up with her spirit guide, it dawned on Mai that her abilities could be inherited. If that was the case, the chances that Naru's abilities were heritable as well existed.
Due to this, Mai had constantly monitored Ren's behavior and any reactions he had that could imply the existence of any type of ability.
She believed that that was not the case considering Ren had grown up fine. There was no levitating of any objects when he was upset, and, aside from strict rules, he grew up relatively stress-free, reducing the likelihood that an episode of PK would occur. Despite this, Mai kept accounts of Ren's development and had a folder dedicated to him.
Lifting her head, Mai looked at her phone and decided to call Maki, explaining to her what was happening and then asking her to accompany Mai to the park.
The sun was high in the air, and Mai detested the blinding light bouncing off of the concrete, despite her sunglasses blocking most of its intensity. She currently had Ren's hand in hers, and a bag containing a few snacks as well as accounts of Ren's behavior over his development.
They approached the park and Mai had to hang on to Ren's hand tighter as they crossed the street due to his excitement upon seeing the bright colors of the iron bars.
"Ren, what do we do when we cross the street?" Mai sank to his level.
"Look both ways and cross!"
Mai nodded and watched as her son did just that.
Not too far off from the park, Mai noticed Maki standing off to the side with her purse. Because of her current job, and the education she received in order to be good at her job, Mai noticed that Maki also brought along her pistol and had it concealed under her jacket in its holster.
Mai felt the tiniest bit of relief knowing that Maki had brought her gun as she had asked. Not that she distrusted any of her old coworkers, but due to her current job, Mai had to be extra vigilant any time she and Ren were out in public.
"Mai! Ren!" After seeing the pair coming towards her, Maki had started waving and flagging them down.
When they were in close enough proximity, Mai released Ren's hand, and he ran happily into Maki's arms.
"Maki!" He squealed into her legs.
"Hey, kiddo!" Maki lifted Ren like he was nothing and gave a look to Mai. "Why on earth are you dressed like that when you know you're going to be running around with us?"
Mai raised her eyebrow and looked down at her current outfit. She had opted for a pair of skinny jeans, and a black V-neck shirt. Her shoes were simple slip-on tennis shoes. "I have no idea what you find wrong with my outfit, but I think you know I will not be running anywhere."
Maki stuck her tongue out at her. "Whatever! Ren and I will just have to have all the fun, right, Ren?"
He nodded his head and smiled just as big as Maki did. Mai was thankful for Maki's amazing personality. She wished she could bounce back from some of the cases that they had as Maki could, and she tried to smile around Ren. Some of their cases had destroyed a piece of her.
"Let's go!" After handing Mai her coat and holster gun, Maki marched towards the park and Ren happily hung onto her arm after she had placed him down.
Finding a picnic table along the outskirts of the park, Mai sat and watched the two play. Surprisingly, and thankfully, the park was very empty. Mai assumed most people would be out enjoying the sun, but not many wanted to come to the park apparently.
"Mai," Lin approached her on her left and she noticed Naru, Ayako, and Monk following behind him.
"Please, sit," She waved to the empty bench in front of her. "I hope you all are okay with coming to this location, I know it is not everyone's scene."
Monk shook his head. "Not at all! We don't mind, it was not a far walk from the office."
They all sat, the men across from her and Ayako.
Ayako turned to face her. "Mai, where have you been?" At the look on her face, Ayako continued. "When Naru left, we kept in touch for a while, but then after that, we didn't hear from you much."
Mai sighed. "I understand, and I sincerely apologize." Mai looked at Ayako and then at Monk. "I tried to keep in touch, honestly, but I was working three jobs and going to university. It was hard to keep up with most people. However, I did send you both an invite to my conference."
Ayako sighed. "I know you did." Ayako thought back on the day she received it and was wracked with guilt for not being in attendance. "I had surgery the next day and my shift before was a long 14 hours. I couldn't attend. I am so sorry, Mai. I never wanted to make you feel like you were alone, especially now that I know about your son."
Monk nodded along with Ayako. "She's right, Mai. I had prior arraignments with John and a case he was working on. But that does not excuse your feelings. I am also sorry."
Both of their heads were down with shame and a lump, filled Mai's throat. While her past personality might have contradicted her now, she was always one to jump to conclusions and think of the worst in people considering her job, so she had thought that they were done with her.
She cleared her throat. "Apology accepted." Mai smiled at the two.
"So where is he anyway?" Monk asked looking around. "Ren? Is that his name?"
Mai nodded. "Yes, that is correct," She looked to the playground and saw Ren running away from Maki who was making loud noises like a monster. "He is over there playing. Oh, Lin," Lin turned to Mai. "I brought with me some accounts of Ren's behavior over his life. I don't know if it will help much, but I'm also not an expert on determining what could be considered abnormal." Mai handed him a folder.
Lin smiled at her. "Thank you, Mai. I will look over these."
"So, who is she?" Ayako asked watching as Maki tried to grab Ren, who was climbing up a small rock wall to the second story of the playground.
"That's Maki, she's a coworker of mine on my team," A thought came to her. "Also, just so you are aware, Maki brought her gun with her, it is holstered and on safety. Plus, she and I do not keep clips in our gun until absolutely necessary after Ren was born, but I think it is always necessary to disclose any weapons we have on us." She showed them the gun under Maki's coat.
They nodded and Mai watched as Monk shifted.
"Well, we should let you guys talk." Monk rose from his seat, and Ayako and Lin followed soon after. "I'm going to go play with your son!" Monk ran, like he wasn't an adult, towards the playground, while Ayako and Lin walked alongside each other. Lin choose a place on a bench next to the playground, and Ayako stood by him watching Monk. He and Ren seemed to get along almost immediately, and Maki's own playful personality fueled Monk's.
Mai looked back to the table and avoided looking at Naru until she absolutely had to. But it couldn't be ignored forever, so biting the bullet, Mai looked him right in the eye.
"You are Ren's father."
Yeah, the ending is not that surprising... I've read other stories where the revealing of the birth father is a big to-do, but Naru's character is so logical and is hardly a blockhead to ignore the similarities between the two.
Anyhow! I hope you enjoyed and I will bring you all a new update next week!
Cheers!