Dark Waters / Joe's Story
Part 3/ Blind and Burning
Summary: A twisted future...An adventurous past...Joe Kido is reunited with the Digidestined, wanting an explanation for Mimi's past...Maybe it's time he knew the truth...
AN: My explanation of the Digidestined's future, and their children!
***********************************************************************************
Joe found Mimi in the kitchen, her two little helpers sitting on the stove as she cleaned up.
He took a moment to enjoy the scene. The beautiful young women, an adorable spot of flour on her perfect nose, her hair tied in a bun, serving the two flour covered young men their pizza, as they thanked her and ate hungrily.
He leaned against the doorway, smiling as he loosened his collar.
"Well, I see you started without me..."
Mimi spun, eyes wide. Linden and Kier jumped off their stools, welcoming him home gleefully, before returning to their meals.
Joe raised smoky blue eyes to his paramour. Reminding her of their earlier conversation, and the promise of its continuation.
"Save any for a starving doctor?"
Mimi nodded, breathless, and busied herself by getting him a plate and dinner. Joe smiled, glad she had made herself at home, despite the intense longing he suffered whenever she was near.
Still...She had hurt him so badly...And he, her...
Mimi happily set the plate before him, and he thanked her.
"Alfredo? You remembered my favorite!"
Mimi watched as he wearily unbuttoned his collar, looking tired but happy. She wished for all the world that her small hand had the right to brush that strand of indigo hair off his forehead.
She looked at him sadly. "There are some things you don't forget Joe..."
He looked up from his food, his eyes pained.
His throat constricted, and he whispered huskily. "I know that Mimi, probably better then anyone..."
For a moment they stared at each other, a battle of hearts and souls. The chatter of the newfound brothers faded away, but the silence of the adults was just as loud.
Then, Mimi blushed, turning away to hide her tears.
"Um...M-my agent called. He said that they're going to run reruns for 5 months, then I have to come back...It's going to be considered my 'summer break' so I can come back for the new season all rested up!"
Joe cleared his throat, sorry at the loss of the eye contact. Those beautiful, ever changing shades of gold and daffodil always so filled with a thousand emotions. Glittering like flower fields and butterflies...
To his left, Linden tapped his shoulder.
"Daddy? Domowow can we go do dat pa'k wike yo' pwomised? An' den da wa'er"
Joe turned to his son, smiling. "Sure kiddo, if you and Kier and your mother want to go..."
He looked at Mimi, as she busied herself with the dishes, Kier drying, waiting for Lindy to put them away.
His new son grinned, his serious features happy. "Yea! I want to go!"
Mimi nodded.
"Of course we'll go..."
It was later that night, when the boys were tucked in, and the house dark, when Joe confronted Mimi.
She sat curled in a chair, a baby album spread out on her lap.
When he entered the room, she fidgeted, twirling her hair around her fingers like she had done when she was younger.
"I hope you don't mind...I wanted to see what I missed. I brought Kier's to..."
She gestured to the table, where several tidy albums rested. Joe wanted to see the years he had missed through the eyes of the mother, but he ached for the mother herself.
He watched her, dying inside, and she looked down, closing the book.
"I was unpacking, and I found another album." She looked at him, her eyes the shade of a sandy, sun lit beach. "Your album."
She picked up the mentioned item beside her chair. Joe recognized it immediately. That book contained years of memories. He had filled its pages with all the Digidestined. And stopped after she had left.
He had pictures of their later times together, but had left the tainted history to a differently era.
He nodded, sitting on the couch beside her "I thought I had lost that...Thank you..."
They sat in silence, lost within their own passions, before Joe stood, ready to cross the room.
"Joe, wait!"
He turned, and the lose in his dark eyes struck her,
"Joe...I...Don't know what...To do anymore!"
The doctor closed his eyes, running a hand through his navy hair. Nervous and exasperarated.
"I know, Meems...I know!"
She stepped closer to him, the attraction to be near his body both familiar and powerful.
He watched her movement, waging an edgy war within. "Mimi...Unless you want what I do...I suggest you don't come any closer..."
Her breath caught, as she watched his chest heave and his sapphire eyes darken further.
"Joe...I know I do..."
In a split second he had dragged her into his fierce embrace, letting out a groan of despair and longing.
She whimpered, her hands curling around his neck, slipping through the soft strands of dark blue. His lips were firm and torturous, as their tongues danced and slid against one another. He crushed her against him, her breasts meeting his hard chest.
Her soft lips welcomed the ache and pang of his own, as he bled his fears and agony into her mouth. His hands roamed her slender body, becoming familiar with the body he had worshiped 6 years prior, and a thousand times before.
Mimi accepted his emotions without reservation, softening their blow with the warmth and comfort of her own. His kiss turned less forceful, more passionate, and she melted against him.
Joe's heart beat a rapid staccato against her own, as their breathing grew labored and heavy. She was everywhere. Surrounding her in the love and sincerity that she embodied.
He molded her curves to the sturdy plains of his own, wanting and lost and found...
He let out a cry, breaking the contact as tears rolled down his face.
"Mimi, I-"
He looked at her, wide-eyed and frantic. The man swallowed a semblance of sanity returning to his passion-clouded mind. God, but he wanted to pick her up and bring her to his room...
Mimi could read it in his face. The conflict of feeling as he struggled within himself. Desire and hurt, anger and fear.
She mirrored them, her soul burning with confusion and longing. She pushed past him, fleeing his gaze and seeking the solace of her room.
Joe didn't follow, instead, collapsing onto the couch, burying his face in his hands.
Needless to say, neither of them got to sleep that night.
"Moooommmmiiieeee!!!" The wail came from Kier, who stood tearfully beside his suitcase. Linden stood beside the weeping boy, patting his shoulder.
Joe came into the room, anxious at the sound of his son's voice. Joe wasn't acquainted with the intricacies of his youngest son's temperament yet, and so he went into the situation unprepared.
When he came into the room, the teary six year old latched himself onto his father's knee.
"Daaaaddddiiieeee!!!" He wailed, and Linden offered an explanation.
"Kiew can' find his favowite s'oes, an' he 'as to'd hisewf dat da monste' unde' da bed 'as go' dem, an' he' cwying now..."
Joe chuckled as he knelt beside his son, hefting him into his arms.
"Kier, kiddo. Why do you think the monsters under the bed got them?"
The little boy stuck out his lower lip, wiping his tears with the back of his hand.
"I t-think it got them, c'cause I saw the laces last n-nighty, and now they're g-goonnee!!"
His tears renewed, and Joe rubbed his tiny back. "Don't cry, son. We can find them! And we can buy you a new pair at the store today!"
The sobbing ceased, and Kiernen peered down at the ground, eyeing the doctor's shiny black Martins.
"C-can they be l-like yours...?"
Joe grinned, "If you want."
"With skinny laces..?"
"Sure, kiddo!"
The navy haired man put his son down and turned to Linden. "Hey little man, what about you? Do you want a pair of shoes?"
Linden tilted his head, thinking of his wardrobe. "Nah, I aweady go' 'oes fo' my biwfday fwom Unc'e 'Hin...Ca' I ge' a shiwt wit digimon on i' ins'ead?"
Joe thought about the garbled speech of his son for a minute, before relenting. "Alright son, because you're such a good new brother, and my responsible little guy!"
Linden scrunched up his face when Joe ruffled his blue hair, and waved off his hands. "C'mo' Dad! Now I go'a bwush my hai' agai'!" Joe laughed and turned to the door, finding Mimi in the doorway.
She looked away shyly, her wonderful eyes the colour of liquid honey.
He watched her lips for a moment, remembering the kiss they had shared. Her eyes darkened. Evidently she did to.
Joe closed the door behind him, leaving the two now happy children to play.
Mimi walked down the hall with him, silent.
They ended up in the kitchen, Mimi with several hot, blueberry muffins baking.
"Smells great, Mimi" he stated. She leaned close to him, appreciatively.
"So do you..."
Joe smiled, sitting in a stool. "Thank, I think it's called Ebony Poison, or something stupid like that."
Mimi bit her lip, her fingers itching to move that stray lock of cerulean that hung across his forehead tantalizingly.
Unwittingly, her hand lifted to his forehead, and he caught it within his grasp. His dark eyes smoldered, searching her own.
"Meems...About last night..."
He kissed her palm, softly. Sending warm passion sliding through her body. Her breath caught, and she shuddered.
"Tell me, Mimi, that you didn't want me to."
She sighed as his talented mouth roamed up her arm, as he pulled her between his knees, capturing her.
Mimi's other hand found his hair, caressing the softness of it before falling down his face, stroking his full bottom lip.
Joe's arm snaked around her, bringing her into sweet contact with evidence of his longing. She leaned close to him, his shaky breath smoothing across her cheek.
"You know I did, Joe..."
Just then, Kier came crashing through the doorway, jarring his parents quickly apart.
"Lindy and I are ready to go, Mommy and Daddy!"
Mimi brought her cool palms to her blushing cheeks, feeling slightly weak kneed and light headed. It infuriated her that Joe merely stood, nodding at his son with a calm coolness that irked her.
After that intense moment? And he can just get up and walk away! She glowered at his retreating form.
Joe grabbed his coat and Mimi's, returning to the kitchen.
"Are you ready to go, Mimi?"
She turned even redder, if possible, turning to the stove. "T-the muffins are ready, let me get them out and then we can go."
Joe came up behind her as she put on her pink oven mitt's, breathing down her neck in a silky, husky whisper. ""This isn't over, Meems. Not by a long shot."
Mimi drew in a long breath, not turning until he had left the room.
Shakily, she drew the muffin tin from the steaming recesses of his stove.
"Until you forgive me, Joe. I think it is..."
Joe mentally berated himself as he unlocked the Jaguar and helped Kier buckle himself in. Linden did it himself, but Joe checked just to be sure.
What was he thinking?! To go after Mimi like that! To stir those never forgotten feelings again!
He closed his eyes, dimming the giggling chatter of his sons, and leaning his head against the cool leather apholstery.
It was to soon! It was stupid to be with her again! After all the years of pain and aching sadness over the loss of her, to finally have her in his arms and home and heart again...It would be madness just as much as a dream...
And he craved it, craved her...With a love and passion that had never died...
"Daddy tiwed?" came the sympathetic voice of his blue haired son. Joe turned, grinning nostalgically.
"You could say that, Linden..."
Just then, Mimi opened the passenger side door and slid her leggy figure into the car.
Joe took a moment to enjoy the view of sleek pale legs and shining brown hair let loose about her shoulders like an untamed gypsy.
He was the one to tame her. He promised himself that.
Mimi opened the door, admiring the gigantic mall that beckoned her. She let out an awed sigh.
"I'm glad I brought my credit cards, bank cards, and cash!"
Behind her, Joe chuckled, shaking his head cynically. "Same old Mimi, huh?
She sniffed, crossing her arms.
"I just came prepared, you can't hold 'that' against me!"
Joe shook his head again, agreeing with her. "Guess not, but just remember. I didn't bring the mini van, just the Jaguar, and it won't hold much."
Mimi eyed Joe. "A mini van? Why would you...?"
Joe held onto Kiernens small hand, Mimi taking hold of Lindens. They began to cross the large parking lot to the mall entrance.
"Linden has baseball practice most Saturdays, and I usually bring the team around if Coach Foster can't."
Mimi wondered at buying a mini van for the sole purpose of team pooling, but she remained silent.
She almost drooled at the sight of the numerous stores and design stores, Linden tugged at her hand.
"ca' we go do Doys R' Us??"
Mimi glanced up, spotting the large toy store at the far end, to the left.
"Wow Linden! I think we both have the same favorite store!"
Beside them, Kier stuck out his tongue. "Can Daddy take me to the book store then meet you in Toys R' Us?"
Joe was surprised the young boy wanted to look at books, not toys, but he just grinned.
"Yea, can he?" He chuckled, and Mimi smiled, avoiding his gaze.
"Well, we'll see you in 2o minutes then. Shall we, Honey?"
The two left, Linden talking animatedly about the new toy he had seen on television, and how he was going to buy his father one for Christmas. Which was months and months away.
Kier immediately went to the book section of his choice, deciding on a Franklin book when Joe offered to get him one.
Kier continued to peruse at his leisure, under the watchful eyes of his father.
Joe listened to the soft music of the radio, playing an older song.
He wondered at that, and the fact Franklin the turtle books still lived.
The lyrics seemed to fit the constant swirl of emotions spinning his heart out his closed fist, and he hummed along, eyeing his precious new family member.
Family...Yes that was what he wanted.
To forgive Mimi, and forget the past, move on...
Mimi and Linden gleefully searched the tore for toys and trinkets, Mimi finally torn between a pouty looking blue bunny, and a pink Hello Kitty. She bought both, also picking Linden up a new video game he wanted, and a puzzle game she knew Kier had been eyeing.
She looked at her prizes, a smile lighting her face.
"Linden...Do you think your Dad would enjoy a companion in the form of Mr. Carrot here?"
Linden giggled, looking at the rabbit. "I' kind of weminds me o' Daddy...He wooks wike dat 'ometimes!"
Mimi laughed at the sulking stuffy.
"It's settled then, this little guy goes to Joe, and I keep Hello Kitty!"
Just then, Mimi spotted the doctor and the tiny 6 year old.
Kier smiled and waved, clutching his prize with one chubby hand.
He let go of his father, darting to his mother. "Look! Mommy! New Daddy bought me a Franklin book!"
Mimi gasped appreciatively at the shiny cover.
"Wow! I like that, Kier!" Linden meanwhile, rushed over to his father, cheekily handing over Mr. Carrots.
"Mommy bough' di fo' yo' cause iw remin's he' of yo'!" Joe looked at the rabbit skeptically. Unwittingly mirroring the bunny's expression.
"Not a thing like me!" He grumbled, and tugged Linden along.
"C'mon Meems, Kier. It's time we headed back if we want to get lunch!"
Mimi giggled, taking Kier's fingers. "Daddy," She laughed. "Doesn't like the bunny!"
Joe casually meandered through the living room, checking up on Linden and Kier before he went to find Mimi.
It was time they talked.
The doctor found her in her bedroom, curled upon her bed with a romance novel. He knocked, cautiously opening the guest room door.
She welcomed him inside with a nervous smile, as if sensing his reason for being there.
"Do you always read that trash?" He chuckled, and Mimi closed the steamy book, blushing prettily.
"Well, I have to have some romance in my life..."
Joe cleared his throat at the abrupt, awkward silence.
"I guess...I've been pushing away our problems lately, huh?"
The young women on the bed uncurled her legs, hanging them over the blue spread and dangling her white-socked feet onto the shiny waxed floor.
"No more then me..."
Sitting down beside her, Joe swallowed, closing his eyes.
"Will you tell me why? I've waited so many years to find out..."
Mimi turned away, hiding her face. "Joe...You know why..."
Abruptly, Joe's anger flared. Snarling, he threw himself away from her.
"All I know is that I wanted to start a life with you, a family! And you walked out on me and your three year old son!"
Mimi stood, his words like a slap in the face."You know, as well as I do, that that isn't the way it happened..."
Joe hung his indigo head, his anger fading into pain.
"Isn't it? My God...I would have given anything to make you turn back...All you told me was-"
"All I told you was the truth..."
Joe turned her to him, forcing her to see the anguish in his soul.
"All you told me was that you weren't ready to start a family, after three years...All you told me, was that you didn't want a family with 'me'." He whispered quietly.
The young women's hands flew to her mouth, and her voice grew hoarse with pain.
"T-that's what you thought?"
The doctor sighed,"Well what was I supposed to believe! You left your son and I without an explanation...And after that night...I got you pregnant again, and you didn't even tell me!"
Mimi felt her frustration and anger peak, as she thought of Ken and Yolei, Sora and Matt...All their happiness...
"I didn't tell you about Kier, because of what 'you' told 'me' that very night!"
Her eyes filled with tears, and her soft voice broke.
"I loved you! I loved you so much! And you told me that one was all you could handle! You knew I wanted children! You knew I wanted 'your' children! And then we fought...And I-"
She broke off, sobbing, and Joe looked away, running a hand through his hair.
"We fought, because we were young and unready...You were only 21! I wanted you to find out what you wanted to do with your life...If I was what you really wanted."
He strode over to the weeping girl, dragging her off the floor and into his arms.
"Do you think I wanted to let you go? It killed me to let you walk away! But you did, and Iknew you weren't ready to marry me-"
He stopped, blinking back tears, and Mimi choked on her tears.
"M-marry you!? You were going to ask me to marry you?"
Joe let her go, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I-I had the ring...In my pocket...But you left...If you had come back, I was going to ask."
The wome's tears softened, and she smiled bitterly.
"You made the decision for me, Joe. When you told me you wanted me to go." She wiped her eyes, angry and hurt. "What was I supposed to think? Here was the man I had been in love with with everything I had! Everything I was, and he was telling me to leave him! To walk away!"
Mimi sighed, looking at her ringless fingers.
"And my baby...My little boy. You told me to leave Linden, and come back when I knew what I wanted...You might have just shoved me out the front door and told me to come back when 'you' wanted me to!"
The man frowned, shaking his head.
"Obviously...Neither of us was ready to be together..."
"I had a baby. Your baby. I was ready to be with you from the day you said you would stay with me in the Digital world."
Joe rubbed his face with his hands, leaning against the door.
"Where the fuck did we go so wrong, Meems? Why didn't we just trust our feelings?"
A loud thump hit the wall, followed by a chorus of boyish laughter, and squealing.
"We didn't go all wrong, Joe. We had two beautiful babies...But are we ready to start again?"
For a moment, they stared at each other. The silence deafening.
"Meems..."
Joe strode to her, grasping her face in his hands.
"Mimi...Do you know what you're saying?"
reaching up, her arms crept around his shoulders, dragging his face to hers.
"I know I'm saying I love you. I want to be with you."
With a groan, Joe's mouth met hers, a crescendo of longing and anguish crashing against their lips.
She felt lost in the swirling smoke of sensations. Curling and twisting in an anguished braid of hope and defeat. A sparking tinder of years lost and moments regained.
"Mimi!" Joe cried as he broke apart. "Mimi, I love you to. I always have!"
Kissing her again, his intentions deepened, grew more evident. His hands swept over her skin, aching for closer contact, and her fingers danced along his body.
Whimpering, Mimi drew herself closer to him, dying and living for the contact. She was crushed to him, torn against him, as his hands fell eagerly across her breasts.
She moaned, inviting him, encouraging him, but with restraint born of six years alone, he let her go.
With a cry, Mimi opened her eyes, searching for his mouth.
"Mimi!" Joe panted, chuckling. "The boys! We can't just-"
His protests were cut short be her searching hands, and Joe gasped, his knee's almost buckling.
"Christ Meems! There's no lock on the door and I..I um...I forget..."
Mimi's exploration stopped, her fingers removed, and Joe began to protest, this time for the opposite reason.
"Maybe you're right, Joe..." She purred, her honey eyes glinting with mirth and desire.
She stepped away, trying to cool her heated cheeks.
"Later we can..."
With a mock growl, Joe leaned his head against the wall. "I'm a grown man! Don't be such a tease!"
HE made a playful lunge for Mimi, who let herself be caught.
They smiled, relieved and joyful for the first time in years
Joe's face turned serious as he searched her eyes.
"Mimi? Are we doing the right thing?"
She raised a finger to his mouth, silencing him.
"This is right. It always has been."
Joe kissed her softly, "I still love you."
Mimi smiled, "I know...It's been so long, but...I love you to."
Part 3/ Blind and Burning
Summary: A twisted future...An adventurous past...Joe Kido is reunited with the Digidestined, wanting an explanation for Mimi's past...Maybe it's time he knew the truth...
AN: My explanation of the Digidestined's future, and their children!
***********************************************************************************
Joe found Mimi in the kitchen, her two little helpers sitting on the stove as she cleaned up.
He took a moment to enjoy the scene. The beautiful young women, an adorable spot of flour on her perfect nose, her hair tied in a bun, serving the two flour covered young men their pizza, as they thanked her and ate hungrily.
He leaned against the doorway, smiling as he loosened his collar.
"Well, I see you started without me..."
Mimi spun, eyes wide. Linden and Kier jumped off their stools, welcoming him home gleefully, before returning to their meals.
Joe raised smoky blue eyes to his paramour. Reminding her of their earlier conversation, and the promise of its continuation.
"Save any for a starving doctor?"
Mimi nodded, breathless, and busied herself by getting him a plate and dinner. Joe smiled, glad she had made herself at home, despite the intense longing he suffered whenever she was near.
Still...She had hurt him so badly...And he, her...
Mimi happily set the plate before him, and he thanked her.
"Alfredo? You remembered my favorite!"
Mimi watched as he wearily unbuttoned his collar, looking tired but happy. She wished for all the world that her small hand had the right to brush that strand of indigo hair off his forehead.
She looked at him sadly. "There are some things you don't forget Joe..."
He looked up from his food, his eyes pained.
His throat constricted, and he whispered huskily. "I know that Mimi, probably better then anyone..."
For a moment they stared at each other, a battle of hearts and souls. The chatter of the newfound brothers faded away, but the silence of the adults was just as loud.
Then, Mimi blushed, turning away to hide her tears.
"Um...M-my agent called. He said that they're going to run reruns for 5 months, then I have to come back...It's going to be considered my 'summer break' so I can come back for the new season all rested up!"
Joe cleared his throat, sorry at the loss of the eye contact. Those beautiful, ever changing shades of gold and daffodil always so filled with a thousand emotions. Glittering like flower fields and butterflies...
To his left, Linden tapped his shoulder.
"Daddy? Domowow can we go do dat pa'k wike yo' pwomised? An' den da wa'er"
Joe turned to his son, smiling. "Sure kiddo, if you and Kier and your mother want to go..."
He looked at Mimi, as she busied herself with the dishes, Kier drying, waiting for Lindy to put them away.
His new son grinned, his serious features happy. "Yea! I want to go!"
Mimi nodded.
"Of course we'll go..."
It was later that night, when the boys were tucked in, and the house dark, when Joe confronted Mimi.
She sat curled in a chair, a baby album spread out on her lap.
When he entered the room, she fidgeted, twirling her hair around her fingers like she had done when she was younger.
"I hope you don't mind...I wanted to see what I missed. I brought Kier's to..."
She gestured to the table, where several tidy albums rested. Joe wanted to see the years he had missed through the eyes of the mother, but he ached for the mother herself.
He watched her, dying inside, and she looked down, closing the book.
"I was unpacking, and I found another album." She looked at him, her eyes the shade of a sandy, sun lit beach. "Your album."
She picked up the mentioned item beside her chair. Joe recognized it immediately. That book contained years of memories. He had filled its pages with all the Digidestined. And stopped after she had left.
He had pictures of their later times together, but had left the tainted history to a differently era.
He nodded, sitting on the couch beside her "I thought I had lost that...Thank you..."
They sat in silence, lost within their own passions, before Joe stood, ready to cross the room.
"Joe, wait!"
He turned, and the lose in his dark eyes struck her,
"Joe...I...Don't know what...To do anymore!"
The doctor closed his eyes, running a hand through his navy hair. Nervous and exasperarated.
"I know, Meems...I know!"
She stepped closer to him, the attraction to be near his body both familiar and powerful.
He watched her movement, waging an edgy war within. "Mimi...Unless you want what I do...I suggest you don't come any closer..."
Her breath caught, as she watched his chest heave and his sapphire eyes darken further.
"Joe...I know I do..."
In a split second he had dragged her into his fierce embrace, letting out a groan of despair and longing.
She whimpered, her hands curling around his neck, slipping through the soft strands of dark blue. His lips were firm and torturous, as their tongues danced and slid against one another. He crushed her against him, her breasts meeting his hard chest.
Her soft lips welcomed the ache and pang of his own, as he bled his fears and agony into her mouth. His hands roamed her slender body, becoming familiar with the body he had worshiped 6 years prior, and a thousand times before.
Mimi accepted his emotions without reservation, softening their blow with the warmth and comfort of her own. His kiss turned less forceful, more passionate, and she melted against him.
Joe's heart beat a rapid staccato against her own, as their breathing grew labored and heavy. She was everywhere. Surrounding her in the love and sincerity that she embodied.
He molded her curves to the sturdy plains of his own, wanting and lost and found...
He let out a cry, breaking the contact as tears rolled down his face.
"Mimi, I-"
He looked at her, wide-eyed and frantic. The man swallowed a semblance of sanity returning to his passion-clouded mind. God, but he wanted to pick her up and bring her to his room...
Mimi could read it in his face. The conflict of feeling as he struggled within himself. Desire and hurt, anger and fear.
She mirrored them, her soul burning with confusion and longing. She pushed past him, fleeing his gaze and seeking the solace of her room.
Joe didn't follow, instead, collapsing onto the couch, burying his face in his hands.
Needless to say, neither of them got to sleep that night.
"Moooommmmiiieeee!!!" The wail came from Kier, who stood tearfully beside his suitcase. Linden stood beside the weeping boy, patting his shoulder.
Joe came into the room, anxious at the sound of his son's voice. Joe wasn't acquainted with the intricacies of his youngest son's temperament yet, and so he went into the situation unprepared.
When he came into the room, the teary six year old latched himself onto his father's knee.
"Daaaaddddiiieeee!!!" He wailed, and Linden offered an explanation.
"Kiew can' find his favowite s'oes, an' he 'as to'd hisewf dat da monste' unde' da bed 'as go' dem, an' he' cwying now..."
Joe chuckled as he knelt beside his son, hefting him into his arms.
"Kier, kiddo. Why do you think the monsters under the bed got them?"
The little boy stuck out his lower lip, wiping his tears with the back of his hand.
"I t-think it got them, c'cause I saw the laces last n-nighty, and now they're g-goonnee!!"
His tears renewed, and Joe rubbed his tiny back. "Don't cry, son. We can find them! And we can buy you a new pair at the store today!"
The sobbing ceased, and Kiernen peered down at the ground, eyeing the doctor's shiny black Martins.
"C-can they be l-like yours...?"
Joe grinned, "If you want."
"With skinny laces..?"
"Sure, kiddo!"
The navy haired man put his son down and turned to Linden. "Hey little man, what about you? Do you want a pair of shoes?"
Linden tilted his head, thinking of his wardrobe. "Nah, I aweady go' 'oes fo' my biwfday fwom Unc'e 'Hin...Ca' I ge' a shiwt wit digimon on i' ins'ead?"
Joe thought about the garbled speech of his son for a minute, before relenting. "Alright son, because you're such a good new brother, and my responsible little guy!"
Linden scrunched up his face when Joe ruffled his blue hair, and waved off his hands. "C'mo' Dad! Now I go'a bwush my hai' agai'!" Joe laughed and turned to the door, finding Mimi in the doorway.
She looked away shyly, her wonderful eyes the colour of liquid honey.
He watched her lips for a moment, remembering the kiss they had shared. Her eyes darkened. Evidently she did to.
Joe closed the door behind him, leaving the two now happy children to play.
Mimi walked down the hall with him, silent.
They ended up in the kitchen, Mimi with several hot, blueberry muffins baking.
"Smells great, Mimi" he stated. She leaned close to him, appreciatively.
"So do you..."
Joe smiled, sitting in a stool. "Thank, I think it's called Ebony Poison, or something stupid like that."
Mimi bit her lip, her fingers itching to move that stray lock of cerulean that hung across his forehead tantalizingly.
Unwittingly, her hand lifted to his forehead, and he caught it within his grasp. His dark eyes smoldered, searching her own.
"Meems...About last night..."
He kissed her palm, softly. Sending warm passion sliding through her body. Her breath caught, and she shuddered.
"Tell me, Mimi, that you didn't want me to."
She sighed as his talented mouth roamed up her arm, as he pulled her between his knees, capturing her.
Mimi's other hand found his hair, caressing the softness of it before falling down his face, stroking his full bottom lip.
Joe's arm snaked around her, bringing her into sweet contact with evidence of his longing. She leaned close to him, his shaky breath smoothing across her cheek.
"You know I did, Joe..."
Just then, Kier came crashing through the doorway, jarring his parents quickly apart.
"Lindy and I are ready to go, Mommy and Daddy!"
Mimi brought her cool palms to her blushing cheeks, feeling slightly weak kneed and light headed. It infuriated her that Joe merely stood, nodding at his son with a calm coolness that irked her.
After that intense moment? And he can just get up and walk away! She glowered at his retreating form.
Joe grabbed his coat and Mimi's, returning to the kitchen.
"Are you ready to go, Mimi?"
She turned even redder, if possible, turning to the stove. "T-the muffins are ready, let me get them out and then we can go."
Joe came up behind her as she put on her pink oven mitt's, breathing down her neck in a silky, husky whisper. ""This isn't over, Meems. Not by a long shot."
Mimi drew in a long breath, not turning until he had left the room.
Shakily, she drew the muffin tin from the steaming recesses of his stove.
"Until you forgive me, Joe. I think it is..."
Joe mentally berated himself as he unlocked the Jaguar and helped Kier buckle himself in. Linden did it himself, but Joe checked just to be sure.
What was he thinking?! To go after Mimi like that! To stir those never forgotten feelings again!
He closed his eyes, dimming the giggling chatter of his sons, and leaning his head against the cool leather apholstery.
It was to soon! It was stupid to be with her again! After all the years of pain and aching sadness over the loss of her, to finally have her in his arms and home and heart again...It would be madness just as much as a dream...
And he craved it, craved her...With a love and passion that had never died...
"Daddy tiwed?" came the sympathetic voice of his blue haired son. Joe turned, grinning nostalgically.
"You could say that, Linden..."
Just then, Mimi opened the passenger side door and slid her leggy figure into the car.
Joe took a moment to enjoy the view of sleek pale legs and shining brown hair let loose about her shoulders like an untamed gypsy.
He was the one to tame her. He promised himself that.
Mimi opened the door, admiring the gigantic mall that beckoned her. She let out an awed sigh.
"I'm glad I brought my credit cards, bank cards, and cash!"
Behind her, Joe chuckled, shaking his head cynically. "Same old Mimi, huh?
She sniffed, crossing her arms.
"I just came prepared, you can't hold 'that' against me!"
Joe shook his head again, agreeing with her. "Guess not, but just remember. I didn't bring the mini van, just the Jaguar, and it won't hold much."
Mimi eyed Joe. "A mini van? Why would you...?"
Joe held onto Kiernens small hand, Mimi taking hold of Lindens. They began to cross the large parking lot to the mall entrance.
"Linden has baseball practice most Saturdays, and I usually bring the team around if Coach Foster can't."
Mimi wondered at buying a mini van for the sole purpose of team pooling, but she remained silent.
She almost drooled at the sight of the numerous stores and design stores, Linden tugged at her hand.
"ca' we go do Doys R' Us??"
Mimi glanced up, spotting the large toy store at the far end, to the left.
"Wow Linden! I think we both have the same favorite store!"
Beside them, Kier stuck out his tongue. "Can Daddy take me to the book store then meet you in Toys R' Us?"
Joe was surprised the young boy wanted to look at books, not toys, but he just grinned.
"Yea, can he?" He chuckled, and Mimi smiled, avoiding his gaze.
"Well, we'll see you in 2o minutes then. Shall we, Honey?"
The two left, Linden talking animatedly about the new toy he had seen on television, and how he was going to buy his father one for Christmas. Which was months and months away.
Kier immediately went to the book section of his choice, deciding on a Franklin book when Joe offered to get him one.
Kier continued to peruse at his leisure, under the watchful eyes of his father.
Joe listened to the soft music of the radio, playing an older song.
He wondered at that, and the fact Franklin the turtle books still lived.
The lyrics seemed to fit the constant swirl of emotions spinning his heart out his closed fist, and he hummed along, eyeing his precious new family member.
Family...Yes that was what he wanted.
To forgive Mimi, and forget the past, move on...
Mimi and Linden gleefully searched the tore for toys and trinkets, Mimi finally torn between a pouty looking blue bunny, and a pink Hello Kitty. She bought both, also picking Linden up a new video game he wanted, and a puzzle game she knew Kier had been eyeing.
She looked at her prizes, a smile lighting her face.
"Linden...Do you think your Dad would enjoy a companion in the form of Mr. Carrot here?"
Linden giggled, looking at the rabbit. "I' kind of weminds me o' Daddy...He wooks wike dat 'ometimes!"
Mimi laughed at the sulking stuffy.
"It's settled then, this little guy goes to Joe, and I keep Hello Kitty!"
Just then, Mimi spotted the doctor and the tiny 6 year old.
Kier smiled and waved, clutching his prize with one chubby hand.
He let go of his father, darting to his mother. "Look! Mommy! New Daddy bought me a Franklin book!"
Mimi gasped appreciatively at the shiny cover.
"Wow! I like that, Kier!" Linden meanwhile, rushed over to his father, cheekily handing over Mr. Carrots.
"Mommy bough' di fo' yo' cause iw remin's he' of yo'!" Joe looked at the rabbit skeptically. Unwittingly mirroring the bunny's expression.
"Not a thing like me!" He grumbled, and tugged Linden along.
"C'mon Meems, Kier. It's time we headed back if we want to get lunch!"
Mimi giggled, taking Kier's fingers. "Daddy," She laughed. "Doesn't like the bunny!"
Joe casually meandered through the living room, checking up on Linden and Kier before he went to find Mimi.
It was time they talked.
The doctor found her in her bedroom, curled upon her bed with a romance novel. He knocked, cautiously opening the guest room door.
She welcomed him inside with a nervous smile, as if sensing his reason for being there.
"Do you always read that trash?" He chuckled, and Mimi closed the steamy book, blushing prettily.
"Well, I have to have some romance in my life..."
Joe cleared his throat at the abrupt, awkward silence.
"I guess...I've been pushing away our problems lately, huh?"
The young women on the bed uncurled her legs, hanging them over the blue spread and dangling her white-socked feet onto the shiny waxed floor.
"No more then me..."
Sitting down beside her, Joe swallowed, closing his eyes.
"Will you tell me why? I've waited so many years to find out..."
Mimi turned away, hiding her face. "Joe...You know why..."
Abruptly, Joe's anger flared. Snarling, he threw himself away from her.
"All I know is that I wanted to start a life with you, a family! And you walked out on me and your three year old son!"
Mimi stood, his words like a slap in the face."You know, as well as I do, that that isn't the way it happened..."
Joe hung his indigo head, his anger fading into pain.
"Isn't it? My God...I would have given anything to make you turn back...All you told me was-"
"All I told you was the truth..."
Joe turned her to him, forcing her to see the anguish in his soul.
"All you told me was that you weren't ready to start a family, after three years...All you told me, was that you didn't want a family with 'me'." He whispered quietly.
The young women's hands flew to her mouth, and her voice grew hoarse with pain.
"T-that's what you thought?"
The doctor sighed,"Well what was I supposed to believe! You left your son and I without an explanation...And after that night...I got you pregnant again, and you didn't even tell me!"
Mimi felt her frustration and anger peak, as she thought of Ken and Yolei, Sora and Matt...All their happiness...
"I didn't tell you about Kier, because of what 'you' told 'me' that very night!"
Her eyes filled with tears, and her soft voice broke.
"I loved you! I loved you so much! And you told me that one was all you could handle! You knew I wanted children! You knew I wanted 'your' children! And then we fought...And I-"
She broke off, sobbing, and Joe looked away, running a hand through his hair.
"We fought, because we were young and unready...You were only 21! I wanted you to find out what you wanted to do with your life...If I was what you really wanted."
He strode over to the weeping girl, dragging her off the floor and into his arms.
"Do you think I wanted to let you go? It killed me to let you walk away! But you did, and Iknew you weren't ready to marry me-"
He stopped, blinking back tears, and Mimi choked on her tears.
"M-marry you!? You were going to ask me to marry you?"
Joe let her go, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I-I had the ring...In my pocket...But you left...If you had come back, I was going to ask."
The wome's tears softened, and she smiled bitterly.
"You made the decision for me, Joe. When you told me you wanted me to go." She wiped her eyes, angry and hurt. "What was I supposed to think? Here was the man I had been in love with with everything I had! Everything I was, and he was telling me to leave him! To walk away!"
Mimi sighed, looking at her ringless fingers.
"And my baby...My little boy. You told me to leave Linden, and come back when I knew what I wanted...You might have just shoved me out the front door and told me to come back when 'you' wanted me to!"
The man frowned, shaking his head.
"Obviously...Neither of us was ready to be together..."
"I had a baby. Your baby. I was ready to be with you from the day you said you would stay with me in the Digital world."
Joe rubbed his face with his hands, leaning against the door.
"Where the fuck did we go so wrong, Meems? Why didn't we just trust our feelings?"
A loud thump hit the wall, followed by a chorus of boyish laughter, and squealing.
"We didn't go all wrong, Joe. We had two beautiful babies...But are we ready to start again?"
For a moment, they stared at each other. The silence deafening.
"Meems..."
Joe strode to her, grasping her face in his hands.
"Mimi...Do you know what you're saying?"
reaching up, her arms crept around his shoulders, dragging his face to hers.
"I know I'm saying I love you. I want to be with you."
With a groan, Joe's mouth met hers, a crescendo of longing and anguish crashing against their lips.
She felt lost in the swirling smoke of sensations. Curling and twisting in an anguished braid of hope and defeat. A sparking tinder of years lost and moments regained.
"Mimi!" Joe cried as he broke apart. "Mimi, I love you to. I always have!"
Kissing her again, his intentions deepened, grew more evident. His hands swept over her skin, aching for closer contact, and her fingers danced along his body.
Whimpering, Mimi drew herself closer to him, dying and living for the contact. She was crushed to him, torn against him, as his hands fell eagerly across her breasts.
She moaned, inviting him, encouraging him, but with restraint born of six years alone, he let her go.
With a cry, Mimi opened her eyes, searching for his mouth.
"Mimi!" Joe panted, chuckling. "The boys! We can't just-"
His protests were cut short be her searching hands, and Joe gasped, his knee's almost buckling.
"Christ Meems! There's no lock on the door and I..I um...I forget..."
Mimi's exploration stopped, her fingers removed, and Joe began to protest, this time for the opposite reason.
"Maybe you're right, Joe..." She purred, her honey eyes glinting with mirth and desire.
She stepped away, trying to cool her heated cheeks.
"Later we can..."
With a mock growl, Joe leaned his head against the wall. "I'm a grown man! Don't be such a tease!"
HE made a playful lunge for Mimi, who let herself be caught.
They smiled, relieved and joyful for the first time in years
Joe's face turned serious as he searched her eyes.
"Mimi? Are we doing the right thing?"
She raised a finger to his mouth, silencing him.
"This is right. It always has been."
Joe kissed her softly, "I still love you."
Mimi smiled, "I know...It's been so long, but...I love you to."