Hey! Back again with another chapter!

The morning sun cast bright rays of light into Mai's living room, creating a warm glow in the early morning. One of the first things that drew her to this house in the first place was the openness of the room in general. Mai thought back to when she first saw it and how she had connected to it instantly, already being able to picture what certain rooms would look like with her decorative skill. But on a morning, such as this, clutching a cup of warm coffee and staring out the window over to her garden, Mai relished in the quiet noise throughout her house. Ren and Naru were still asleep, and Mai let them be, not wanting to break her moment of reprieve. Sighing, she sank into her chair, her legs dangling from the side and her body curled in the middle. After she and Naru had their talk, she could hardly sleep. Exhaustion was pulling at her and yet, she did not want to sleep. She'd been worried that if she did close her eyes, then the dream she was currently living in would disappear. In fact, she often thought of the world in much of the same respect. What if life was a dream? At any moment, she'd wake up in a strange place of ethereal otherness, barren from any color or personality. A vast space of nothingness. While she doubted that was the case, she always pondered what she would do if that was the case.

She took another sip and took a look at the clock. Ren would be waking up soon, and if he did wake up, he would likely go wake Naru up. Smiling at the thought, she got up and made her way to the kitchen to start on breakfast, pausing to fill her cup up with more coffee. After a quick moment to think, she figured an easy meal would probably be best considering Ren had school fairly soon. A part of her was slightly nervous to be alone with Naru without Ren as a buffer. Naru had been with the two of them for the whole weekend and Ren was absolutely infatuated with him, making sure Naru was wrapped tightly around his small finger. Mai couldn't blame him though. Naru was making out to be a great father and had been very attentive to Ren's needs.

Currently cracking eggs into a bowl and scrambling them, Mai couldn't help but think back to Naru and her conversation. She wanted to have a life with him and a relationship, but a part of her was very hesitant to do so. The more she thought about it, the more her body tensed and her stomach cramped. She was scared. Of rejection, of disappointment, and of losing her son. Before he was even born, she feared that Naru would miraculously come back and when he was born, Naru would steal him away from her. She would lose her son and along with him, her will to continue with her life. He was her everything and she had done and is still doing, everything in her power to keep Ren safe and secure.

She plated the eggs on two plates and started buttering the toast that had just popped up when she felt little arms loop around her right thigh.

"Mama!" Ren smiled up at her. "Good morning!"

The smile on her lips was due to Ren's contagious one. "Hi, honey!" A thought occurred to her. For the last few days, Ren had a new morning tradition of waking up Naru before both of them came downstairs. Of course, Naru was woken up by Ren jumping on his bed, but Mai wasn't going to lecture him when she thought the annoyance was too good to pass up. "Where is your father?"

Before her son could answer, Naru answered her question. "Right here." He was leaning against the counter with a cocky smirk on his face.

"Careful, Narcissist," Mai said turning back to the plates and setting the toast on them. "I will slap that smirk off your face."

Ren giggled and unlatched himself from Mai and ran over to the table. Naru on the other hand remained at his post but followed Mai after she walked by him and to the table to set their breakfast down.

Looking to the table, Naru noticed that Mai hadn't put a plate at her usual seat.

"Aren't you going to eat with us?" He sat at his usual place and looked at Mai over his tea.

Mai shook her head. "No, I'm way too stressed to eat right now," She placed her chin in her hand and watched Ren munch happily on his toast. "It just feels weird to be in this current position. I still am not entirely sure how to act around you."

Naru leaned back and looked at the table. "I am in a very similar position, Mai." It was the truth and there was no way he was going to lie to her. He had been nervous about coming back to Japan even if it was just to restart SPR. "Regardless of how we feel towards each other, there are a few things we do need to discuss, however." He didn't hesitate and looked her in the eyes.

She knew what he was referring to and it only made her stomach clench tighter, but she managed a small smile. "I know, I told the office I'd be leaving early and that I would be with you at SPR for a while."

Ren gasped. "Can I come?! I want to see where Papa works!" His big eyes pleaded with Mai's and she fought their coercing ways.

"Not this morning – you've school, but after you are done with the day, we can come back and visit." She watched as he smiled.

"Yes!" Shoveling down the last of his breakfast and drinking his juice he quickly stood up. "I've got to get ready so the day can be over faster!"

Mai shook her head at his fast-retreating figure bolting up the stairs and sighed. She looked to Naru to see a small smile on his face. He really was a good father, and that made her happy. Ren would have someone with him if something ever happened to her. The dark thought crossed through her mind and settled into the farthest depths of her consciousness. There, it would wait quietly and appeared when she ever let her thoughts drift.

"Do you want to take him to school today?" She asked Naru, getting up and collecting the finished plates.

Naru sat up straighter. "Can I?"

Mai nodded. "Of course."

"Then yes, I would love to. What time does he need to be there?"

"At the latest 9, but if you could get him there at 8:45, that would be best." She loaded the dishes in the dishwasher and dried off her hands facing Naru. "I can meet you at the office when you're finished. But, Naru, there are some things we need to talk about."

He nodded to her. "I know, and we can do so at the office if you would like." He paused. "Of course, Lin will also be present when we discuss the case, however."

She knew that and figured as much. "I wouldn't have it any other way," She smirked. "Are Ayako and Monk going to be coming as well?"

"I presume later in the evening, especially now that they know you will be coming today."

Mai laughed a little. "I miss them." They had seen the two of them when they all met up at the park, but not since. Mai figured it was to give her and Naru some time to be with Ren together, but she was happy that they still appeared to be invested in continuing a friendship with her.

Mai waved to Ren and Naru as they drove off with Kaito. She had opted to drive herself into work and let Naru and Ren go with Kaito for some added protection. She trusted Naru and knew that he would not let anything happen to Ren, but Kaito was also just a precaution for the time being. It sweetened the deal as well knowing that Kaito knew what schedule they needed to keep and what time to leave.

When she did arrive at her office, she flipped the lights on sighing at the familiar sight and environment. Walking over to her computer, she turned it on and began placing all of her things away while waiting for it to boot up. There was not anything urgent at the moment that had her dreading the day ahead of her, but something was nagging at her and she still felt sick from this morning.

A knock on her door had her glancing up quickly.

"Come in," She said logging into her computer at the same time.

Maki stepped in and took a seat on the chair in front of her desk. "Okay, so spill!" Mai watched her lean forward and place her elbows on her knees and chin in her hands. "How was the weekend with your hot baby-daddy!?"

Mai blushed and leaned back trying to escape Maki's stare. "What are you talking about? Nothing, honestly. Ren and Naru just spent time together."

Maki frowned. "God, you are boring." She stood up and paraded around Mai's office. "You two didn't talk or anything? Is he going to be more involved or was this a one-time thing?"

While her multiple questions were useful when interviewing a convict, Mai never wanted to be on the receiving end of Maki's detective skill.

"We did talk some, we will be talking more today, and he does want to stay in Ren's life. There are still a lot of hurdles that we need to get over, however. This was just the beginning." Mai rubbed her temples.

"Okay, so, have you told him about…" Maki did not finish, but she didn't need to.

"No, but I was planning on talking to him tonight about it after we talk about Ren and their current case."

She nodded to Mai but had a worried face. "If you need me to do anything – watch Ren so you two can have more time, just let me know!"

Mai smiled at her generosity. "Thank you, Maki, I- "

"Oh, and let me know when baby number two is happening!" Maki got up without so much of a second and practically ran out the door to her office. Mai's face was stark red and her mouth hung open.

"'Baby number' WHAT?"

Alright! I will be writing earlier to ensure the future chapters are a bit longer than this, but I will be back next Friday! Review if you can!

Cheers!