Disclaimer: Read the other chapters… it still applies.

Comments: Ugh. This took me a really long time to write and get to a point where I liked it enough to post it. For some reason I am not very happy with this installment of Baby Talk, but… whatcha' gonna do? I hope that other people like it. Man… it's almost 3:30 am… I sooo need to go to bed now. I have to go to work tomorrow. Bleh. Anyway, thanks for being patient. We'll see when I get around to writing more of this. Perhaps getting over my cold will help me write well again… the sinus headache… it does not help the creative process. Ok. You know the drill. R&R or else Marty will be sad without input. *snoozes*

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I glance over at Ran. He is grinding his teeth again, gripping the wheel tightly. I can tell he's nervous. Scared is more like it. I'm pretty scared myself. I glance down at the clock in the dashboard. Well… it isn't –that- bad. We're only, what, three hours late? I mean Dai can't be that mad… she's only a high schooler after all. What's the worst she can do?

"She's going to kill us," Ran mutters under his breath.

I look over at him again; his eye twitches. "Well, you shouldn't have told her we'd be back by ten," I say matter of factly. He grips the wheel a little harder.

"It was supposed to be a simple mission. Get in, get it done, and get out. But no, Omi gets lost in the ventilation system, Youji sprains his wrist, and you break a claw. Why, why can't things ever go smoothly?!"

"Settle down, koi," I say, chuckling. I reach over and touch his face. Oops… forgot to take off the gloves. A nice bloody streak is left on his cheek. He glares at me out of the corner of his eye. "Sorry," I say lamely. I pull off my gloves and toss them into the back.

"Ken! Not on the leather, Jesus!" Ran cries.

I roll my eyes and lean into the back seat, pushing my gloves off the leather interior and onto the floor. "There, satisfied?"

"Hn."

We drive on. I stare out the window, trying to figure out what we're going to say to Dai. Poor Dai. Never was there a baby-sitter more put upon. Funny thing is she keeps coming back for more. Manx hooked us up with her. She's the daughter of some Kritiker bigwig official … or something. Or was she Manx's niece… cousin maybe? Something like that. Anyway it's nice that she agrees to sit for us, because we don't have to explain the clothes and the weapons and the bloodstains when we come back. But man is she ever a bitch! Good with the kids, but she even scares Ran, and that's saying something.

We park the car. For a few moments we both sit, silent and apprehensive staring at the shop across the street. "Where's Omi when you need him?" Ran hisses under his breath.

"Huh?"

"Omi… Dai likes him. If he were here it wouldn't be so bad, he could just smile at her and be cute and she probably wouldn't rip out our throats. But no, he just –had- to drive Youji to the emergency room to get his wrist looked at," he grumbles.

"Well… it is kinda hard to drive stick shift with only one hand," I say smiling at him.

"Let's get this over with."

My poor koibito. He hates confrontation. I touch his face again and lean over in my seat.

"Kiss for good luck?" I ask quietly. A smile flickers across his face and his eyes soften. I draw his face to mine. Our lips brush, tongues gently touching as they quest for one another. He tastes like honey and vinegar. Sugar and sweat. I shift in closer to him and bring my other hand to his face, pulling him closer. He leans into me and I watch as his eyes flutter shut. I smile against his lips, I love the power I hold over him. His hands tug at my jacket, and then reach inside, searching.

I giggle as his fingers tickle my ribs. I'm notoriously ticklish. I push him away and open the door of the car. "Don't change the subject, koi," I say playfully. "We still have to deal with Dai."

He grumbles, "Tease." He gets out of the car and stands imposingly on the sidewalk. I rummage around in the back and grab my gloves before getting out and shutting the door with my hip.

"What, did you actually want to try to have sex in the front seat of your Porsche? Cause clean up would be all you," I say putting my hands on my hips.

He doesn't answer but walks purposefully towards the shop. He unlocks the front door and holds it open for me. "Oh, such the gentleman."

"No I'm just hoping Dai will see you first."

I snort. "Thanks."

We make our way to the back and up the stairs into our living apartments. Dai is waiting. She's sitting in a chair, staring at the entryway. She says nothing. She doesn't have to. Her eyes say everything for her.

I smile at her weakly. "Hi, Dai-chan…," I begin.

"Don't 'Dai-can' me. Do you know what time it is? It's after one o'clock in the morning! You said you'd be home by ten!" she cries standing up.

"-I- didn't say that…." I reply, nodding my head towards my husband.

Ran punches my back.

"Well –he- did," Dai says dangerously, pointing at Ran. "You know, I don't mind staying late. If you tell me you need me till one, that's fine, I'll stay. I'll bring my homework, I'll bring my laptop, hell I'll bring a goddamned book. But you didn't tell me you would be out until one. You said ten, and so I didn't bring any of those things. Do you know what I have to do when I get home now? I have to do all my homework. The homework that I planned on doing when I got home at ten! I would be in bed by now… homework done… but no. You have to come back three hours late, and you know what? Some people would have just left at ten, but not me. Why? Because I am a nice person, and I have a genuine concern for the well fare of your daughter!" she cries, advancing on us slowly. Amazing how menacing a girl can look while still in her school uniform.

I try to smile, but I fail. Ran backs away towards the door. "Well, you know how things go…," I say lamely.

She snorts and crosses her arms. "I don't want to know how things go with you people. I just want to get home and get my work done so I can go to bed. And I'm charging you time and half for the overtime."

I hear Ran squelch behind me. She goes straight for where it hurts most, the checkbook. She walks towards us, one hand out and the other on her hip.

"So that's the usual 1000 yen an hour plus 1500 extra for the three hour overtime. I've been here since six… so that's 8500 yen… cash," she pushes me aside with her shoulder and stands in front of Ran. She holds out her hand and looks at him expectantly.

He tries to glare at her, but fails. In the end he sighs and nods reluctantly, taking off his gloves and digging into his pocket. I watch as he slowly, painfully pulls out his wallet and counts out the bills placing them into her waiting hand. As soon as the last bill is in her hand she snaps it shut and smiles at us sweetly.

"Thanks guys. Just to let you know, Kaori was fine, as usual, she had a whole bottle and ate some of the banana you left for her. I had a little bit of a time getting to go to sleep, but other than that she was an angel. See ya later!" She flashes us the peace sign and grabs her coat, bounding down the stairs.

Ran watches her go and his eye twitches again. "There's something about that girl…. Talk about split personalities."

"She is a strange one," I say under my breath. "But Kaori likes her, and not having to explain things helps."

I take off my jacket and goggles dropping them in a pile on the floor. I reach up and start to tug Ran's off as well, reaching around him to undo the clasps. It slips from his shoulder and I drop it on top of my clothes. He wears that sexy sleeveless thing underneath. I run a hand over his upper arm, feeling his muscles beneath my fingertips. He purrs softly, turning and tugging on the shirt around my waist, pulling me against him.

"So that's what that stupid shirt is for…," he says into my ear.

I chuckle against him and put my hand around the back of his neck. I play with the hair at the nape. As I lean against him his arm comes up around my back, holding me against him gently, rubbing my sore muscles. We gaze into each other's eyes. I get lost in him.

"I love you, Ken."

I smile at him. "I know."

He raises an eyebrow sharply. "'I know'? Not exactly the answer I was looking for," he growls.

"Well… how about this then," I say silkily, leaning against him, my lips brushing his earlobe. "Lock the shop, you left it open."

He digs his nails into my back. "Smart ass," he snaps, pushing me back. I laugh out loud, grinning at him broadly.

"Sorry, koi, but you did."

"So that Dai could get out."

"Well, now she got out and we need to lock it up again. –You- left it open…."

He narrows his eyes and glares at me. He turns and heads down the stairs. "Sometimes I hate you, aité."

"I know that too," I call after him.

"And don't leave the clothes on the floor! Put them away!"

"Hai!"

I scoop the pile up into my arms and carry them to the laundry closet, dumping them on top of the washing machine. I then untie the shirt from around my waist and place it ceremoniously at the top. Good enough. Ran will yell at me tomorrow, but I don't care. I jog to our room, and hesitate at the door for a moment. When I make my decision I tip toe back down the hallway and nudge Kaori's door open with my toe.

I walk quietly into the room. It smells like baby powder and laundry. Walking to the edge of the crib I look down at my sleeping daughter. Thank God Kaori is sleeping through the night now. Her little hands are balled into small fists and her feet twitch ever so slightly as she dreams. My fingertips brush over the fine, dark hair that covers her little head. I rest my chin on the rim of the crib and smile. My God, I love her so….

Ran comes in behind me and kisses the back of my neck, one hand touching my hip. He looks over my shoulder for a minute, watching Kaori as she sleeps and then he slips away again, kissing my hair as he leaves. I hear him walk down the hallway and turn the bathroom sink on.

I stand over Kaori for a few more moments, my fingers lingering, touching her hair, brushing over her tiny fists, her feet. Smiling I stand, stretch and turn away, closing the door behind me as I walk quickly back to the room I share with Ran.

I whip off my shirt, dumping it into the laundry basket. I kick off my shoes and stretch. When I lower my hands Ran is standing in the doorway, he fixes me with predatory eyes.

Uh oh.

I back towards the bed. He walks towards me slowly, meditating on my bare torso. "Oh, aité, the things you do to me…." He breathes. "And this time you don't have anywhere to go. No excuses."

"Except the sleeping baby…."

"The active word here is 'sleeping.'"

"Just make sure the active word doesn't become 'waking,'" I answer kneeling on the bed. I run a hand over my stomach. "Want some?" I ask, grinning. I lick my lips and look at him with hooded eyes.

"You're asking for it," he growls, shaking his head, but he's smiling.

"Come and get it…."

He glares for a few moments and then lunges at me. He tackles me, bowling me over backwards. I laugh out loud and he giggles huskily. We wrestle, thrashing around, both trying to get the upper hand, but I was loosing this battle before it started and eventually he gets both of my hands pinned against the bed. I try to push him up, but he's putting all of his weight into it.

I have one trick up my sleeves. I wrap my legs around his back and squeeze hard. Not as hard as I can. I could break his ribs if I really wanted to. I just squeeze hard enough to let him know I'm not giving up without a fight.

He grunts and digs his fingers into my wrists. "Jesus, Ken, are you –trying- to damage my kidneys?" he snaps.

I smile up at him wickedly and give him another squeeze.

"Itai! Be nice," he says gruffly.

"Me?" I say incredulously. "Who tackled who?"

He rolls his eyes and looks down at me. "You were asking for it, aité."

I loosen my legs around him and draw him closer. "I know."



* * * * * *



Man this place is huge. Ken, Ran (now that Aya-chan is living with us I really have to keep it straight), Aya-chan, Kao-chan and I are waiting on the front step of Youji's house, the one he lives in with his wife, Rikuko. I guess this was her place originally. She's loaded. We've been invited for dinner. This is the first time we've gotten together with Youji and Rikuko since their wedding more than four months ago. Ugh… the wedding. That was too weird. Like some kind of surreal dream.

Ran looks around at everyone. "Ready? Brace yourselves."

Well nod in tandem. He takes a deep breath and pushes the doorbell. It makes a very low, long gong sound. We look around at each other and Aya- chan stifles a giggle.

None of us really like Rikuko all that much. She's so… conventional and uptight and nit picky. Obsessive compulsive, anyone? Not to mention passive aggressive. All I can say is that the sex must me out of this world, because she and Youtan can't have much else in common. I glance over at Aya-chan again and she sidles up next to me.

"I haven't really met Youji's wife yet. She can't be all that bad, can she?" she whispers to me.

I put my hand in front of my mouth to keep myself from giggling too loudly. I shrug. "Wait and see for yourself. She's not really mean or anything… just kinda… uptight."

Aya-chan nods solemnly and then leans against me, turning her head and cupping a hand against my ear. "Well, if it gets too horrible I say we make a break for your scooter together."

I nod and we both giggle behind our hands. Ran looks over at us and narrows his eyes. "What's so funny?" he snaps.

Aya-chan rolls her eyes. "Nothing, Ran." He looks us both over again and Aya-chan sticks her tongue out at him. He shakes his head and turns back to the door. Ken winks at us. Kaori-chan wiggles in his arms.

The door opens suddenly in a burst of Youji.

"Welcome, kittens, to the home of Youji Kudou," he says smoothly. He bows and motions us inside.

"Hi, Youji," Ken and Ran-kun say together as Kaori shrieks in delight as she recognizes her favorite uncle.

"'Ouji!"

"Well hey there, tater-tot! What a… cute outfit. Maybe Uncle Youji should take you to Baby-Gap…." Youji says and reaches for her, taking her from Ken's arms as Ken begins to fumble with his shoes.

"'Ouji!"

"Hey, Yotan," I chime in.

"Hello again, Kudou-san," Aya-chan says timidly.

Youji looks up and furrows his brows in mock distress. "A pretty girl just called me 'Kudou-san', man now I feel really old."

Well all laugh as we leave our shoes on the porch, and Aya-chan covers her mouth, blushing. Youji smiles. "It's just Youji."

She bows shallowly and nods.

"Everybody in," Youji says dancing away with Kao-chan in his arms. We file into the house. It smells like incense and cooking. The floors are all wood. The rugs are all oriental. The artwork is all expensive and mostly abstract. There is a large, deformed sculpture just outside the entry hall. I peer cautiously down the hallway, which opens into a large, sunken sitting room. I can see the kitchen beyond. Everything is open and airy.

Ken shoves me from behind. "Go on, Omittchi, lead the way."

I walk across the sitting room to the kitchen where Youji is happily bouncing Kaori up and down on the counter. She giggles happily and grabs his hair. I slide across the wooden floor to his elbow. "Nice digs."

Youji snorts through his nose. "Yeah."

I look up at him. He's staring intently at Ken and Ran who are crossing the room hand in hand. Youji turns Kao-chan around. "Look, tater-tot, who's that?" Kaori squeals.

"Daddy! Pa-pa!"

I notice that Aya-chan is hanging back, wandering around, looking at the artwork on the walls. She disappears around a corner.

"Oh, I did hear the doorbell."

I turn around. Rikuko walks through a doorway at the back of the kitchen. Her dark hair is up, brushed out of her face. I smile amiably, like I always do. I dip my head slightly. "Hello, Rikuko-san."

She nods in response. "Welcome. Er… Omi, yes?"

I nod and smile again. Nice to know she cares.

She walks to Youji and leans over, rubbing his back. She kisses his ear and I hear her whisper, "Get the baby off the counter."

Youji rolls his eyes and hoists Kao-chan into his arms. He leans over and kisses Rikuko on the nose. "Yes, dear. Now why don't you say hi to the other guests like a good hostess?"

She looks over at Ken and Ran. She smiles quickly and opens her arms to them, walking quickly out of the kitchen. "Ah, I didn't see you two. Your… daughter is so adorable. She's getting so big. But then they always do, don't they?"

Ken smiles and shakes Rikuko's hand. Ran doesn't bother to do either. "They always do," Ken says.

"Hm," Rikuko answers, smiling back, looking them up and down. Ran puts his arm around Ken's shoulders. Ken smiles awkwardly and I notice that he blushes a little. It's a well-known fact that Rikuko is homophobic, and very uncomfortable with Youji's choice in friends. Her eyes get slightly larger and she forces her self to smile. I almost laugh out loud.

Aya-chan wanders in slowly, and Rikuko sees her for the first time. Her eyebrows shoot up. Aya-chan freezes in her tracks. Ran turns around slowly and looks back at his imouto.

"And who is this?" Rikuko asks in an unnaturally high voice.

"This is my sister, Aya. She is living with us," Ran-kun says motioning to Aya. Aya comes to stand next to him. She bows and then Ran puts his other arm around her shoulder.

"It's very nice to meet you, Rikuko-san," she says politely.

"I hope it is alright that we brought her along, we didn't mean to impose," Ran says. The glint in his eye challenges Rikuko so say anything.

Rikuko tosses her head and laughs thinly. "Of course it's alright. Welcome, Aya-san. Welcome to our home. The more the merrier." She turns quickly and walks back into the kitchen where Youji and I have been watching the whole scene and rolling our eyes at each other. "Can I speak with you in the other room, dear?" she says sweetly, too sweetly, to Youji.

"Of course, my pet," he answers handing Kaori to me. "Wish me luck, Omittchi," he says under his breath.

"I didn't know I wasn't invited," Aya-chan says crossly pulling away from Ran. She sits on the couch and crosses her arms.

"Neither did we," Ken says sitting next to her. "God, what a bitch. I hope Youji had a good reason for asking us all over. This is just uncomfortable."

An elegant looking Siamese cat crosses the sitting area and pauses with a flick of its tail. "Ooh, kitty," Aya-chan says getting onto the floor, beckoning to the cat. "Come here, kitty, come to Aya."

I smile to myself. This evening is going to be one we won't soon forget. I back towards the door where Youji and Rikuko exited. I set Kaori down and she toddles off towards her fathers.

"I thought we were having three for dinner."

"Well… so we add an extra place to the table, not the end of the world, Riku."

"Yes, but that isn't the point. The point is that I asked you who you had invited and you said your 'family' from that shop you work at. So I assumed you meant the bishounen and the okamas*." I feel the hair on the back of my neck stand up and my whole body tenses. I can't believe what I'm hearing! I can't believe that Rikuko would say that… and to Youji!

I hear Youji suck his breath in angrily. "Watch your mouth, Riku. I consider those 'okamas' to be my family."

"Oh come on, Kudou, don't tell me…."

"Not another word about Ken and Ran, and I mean it!"

"Fine. Whatever you want, darling," her voice drips with condescension. "Still you didn't tell me that there was another person coming tonight."

"I told you that the people from the Koneko were coming, and Aya currently lives at the Koneko, so I didn't worry about it."

"Obviously. Well, it's fine, I just wish I had known. Just remember that you were the one who wanted to have this little 'family dinner.'"

"We had your family over, I think it's only fair!"

At this I decide I've eavesdropped enough and make a break for the living room. I plop down next to Aya-chan and grab the cat, pulling it into my lap.

"What's going on back there?" Ken asks. I shrug and stroke the cat. Aya- chan reaches over to scratch its ears. Her hand brushes against my chest. It feels nice. I notice that our hands touch more than once as we pet the cat in tandem. I smile to myself. Aya-chan….

Of course my smile fades as soon as I notice that Ran is rather glaring at us. I clear my throat and hand the cat to Aya, standing up, brushing myself off.

"Where's Kao-chan?" I ask.

Ran and Ken both look around quickly. "I thought she was with you and Youji!" Ken says getting off the couch.

"Well… I put her down, I thought she was headed for you guys."

"Omi!" Ran growls.

"Oh, it's not the end of the world," Aya-chan breaks in.

"This house is –not- baby-proof! And besides I'd hate to think what would happen if Rikuko found out that she's been wandering around unattended," Ken answers running to the end of the room. "Kaori? Kao-chan where are you?!"

A tiny giggle comes from the far end of the room where the huge dining table is set up. Ken jogs over and calls again. Ran hurries after him. "Kaori, come to Daddy…."

"Boo!" she cries jumping out from under the table. Ken scoops her up and she starts to giggle maniacally.

"Oh, Kao-chan, don't do that again. You have to be good in Uncle Youji's house."

Ran audibly sighs in relief and puts his arm around Ken again. They stand for a moment, a family. They're such good parents. So cute. Kaori squirms in Ken's arms and reaches out for Ran. "Pa-pa!" Ken gives her to Ran and they walk back towards us.

"Another disaster avoided," Aya-chan says to the cat. I giggle. She looks up at me. "Help me up, Omi-kun."

She drops the cat and reaches her hand up to me. "Sure," I say, taking her hand in mine and pulling her up. She pushes off the carpet and stands up with a little jump, bumping against me slightly.

"Sorry," she giggles.

I shrug and smile. "It's ok." I feel her hand tighten around mine and then she releases me, walking away towards Ran. Is she doing this on purpose? My dad put you in a coma! That shouldn't matter, but somehow I feel kinda guilty having a crush on her like this. And I do have a crush on her. Not like it's ever going to happen… I don't want to wake up one morning to find a katana shoved up my ass. Ugh.

Rikuko and Youji enter the room again. Rikuko smiles at us warmly. "Well, shall we eat? Everything is ready. Youji will set another spot. Please be seated."

We comply. I sit next to Aya-chan. The food is wonderful, and it's a good thing too, because the conversation is abysmal. 'The talk was small when they talked at all….' That just about sums it up. I don't think I've ever heard anyone talk about foreign politics as enthusiastically as Rikuko Kudou. No matter what subject is started it soon finds a quick end.

At one point Rikuko pipes up after a long pause and says, "Oh, isn't that cute. I hadn't noticed before that you have matching rings. They almost look like wedding bands…how charming."

Ken's salad stops halfway to his mouth and he sits there, mouth open, salad dangling in space. Ran's eyes flash dangerously and Youji almost chokes on his wine.

"Well, we –are- married," Ran says flatly.

Rikuko smiles warily at this and gives a breathy little laugh. This is not going well. "Oh yes, but I mean you aren't… you know… really… married per se. In ceremonial wedlock, that is…. I mean, you people don't really… do that."

Ran's eye twitches several times and Ken slowly places his hand over his husband's as he finally finishes his bite of salad.

"Rikuko, that's enough," Youji says thinly.

She glares at Youji. "What? I haven't said anything…."

Aya coughs once and sips her water. Youji sighs and stares down at his plate.

"You know what, this was a bad idea. I'm sorry, guys. Let's just wrap things up, ok?" He nods and looks down the table at us. He smiles, grinding his teeth. "What we asked you here for tonight was to tell you something very important. We told Rikuko's family a few nights ago, and I wanted to be able to tell –my- family as well, so I invited you all over for this litter dinner. But it isn't turning out quite how I planned, so I'll just get it over with. We're going to have a baby. Rikuko's pregnant," Youji says bluntly.

There is complete silence around the table. Except for Ken who is now choking on that bite of salad. Always the happy peacemaker I blurt, "That's great!" Smile… smile… smile.

Ran hits Ken on the back and he coughs one last time and sits up. Aya-chan spoons Kaori another bite of dinner.

The rest of the meal passes in relative silence. When it's over we stand and thank Rikuko for her hospitality, congratulate her, and smile uncomfortably. Youji leads us to the door.

"I'm sorry, guys. I really wanted this evening to be nice. Rikuko's been… edgy ever since she found out, so don't be too mad at her. Her heart… tries to be in the right place," he says apologetically.

Ran claps him on the back and shakes his hand firmly. "We're happy for you, Youji. Just please… never invite us over again."

Youji nods solemnly.

We congratulate Youji in turn and then file out of the large, yet suffocating house. This is weird. Soon I'll be the only member of Weiss who isn't a parent. Whoa. We put our shoes on and head for the cars.

Aya-chan walks next to me, Kaori holding onto one of her hands. "I feel kinda left out now," I say, chuckling. "Everybody else gets to be a dad."

Aya-chan looks over at me and giggles, "Oh, Omi-kun."

I sit down on my scooter, turning the engine on and backing it out of the driveway. I sit, idling, waiting for the others to get ready. Aya walks Kaori over to Ran and Ken who are fiddling with the car seat. "You want to get in first, Aya-chan?" Ran asks absently.

She hands Kaori over to Ken and bites her lip. Did she just glance at me out of the corner of her eye? "Um… actually… I think I'll ride with Omi- kun. See you at home!" she says hurriedly and runs down the driveway. She throws one leg over the bike behind me and wraps her arms around my middle. Little butterflies dance around in my chest as her arms tighten around me. I smile, turning slightly red.

Ran looks up quickly. "Wait what?!"

"Go!" she says urgently into my ear.

"Er… ok. See you guys later! Bye, Yotan!" I call as we speed away... well as speedy as my scooter gets.

Aya waves behind us and giggles as she wraps her arm back around me. She squeezes. I feel really good. "This is fun, Omi-kun! I'm so glad that I came to stay with you guys, and I'm really glad that you're here!" she says over the sound of the wind and the engine.

I smile and can feel myself blushing, "Me too," I answer.



* * * * * *

You know what? My life is pretty fucking great. Of course I say that now because I am in a good mood. Usually I say that my life sucks and throw myself a little pity party, but just right now, life is good. You wanna know why? Because today is the last day of school before summer break. And after today my son, Kenji, will be spending the entire summer in –my- custody. And you know what else? I have a great wife who loves my son and my 'family.' Wife number two, yes, but she's a keeper. Asami Kudou. Man I love that woman. Oh, hey and another thing too. Omittchi and Aya-chan are getting hitched in a month. Yeah, another wedding. I love weddings. All those flowers that I don't have to arrange. Life is good.

The shop door jingles and Kaori bursts in with a mighty whoop. Her messy pigtails bob as she jumps up and down. "It's over! Over, over, over! Yippee, summer!"

She races around the shop, hugging Ken and Aya. Ken laughs at her and picks her up, tossing her up into the air. Man… she's getting a little big for that. Omi smiles broadly as he finishes arranging a vase of irises.

Kaori rips out her pigtails and tosses her hair loose. "No more pigtails! No more skirts! No more tights! No more stupid dress shoes! No more uniform! I can wear shorts and sneakers every day! Wheee!"

Ken laughs and laughs. He's still a kid at heart. He feels for Kaori. Aya shakes his head, but smiles anyway. I grin. "I always liked my uniform," Omi says thoughtfully. Typical.

Kaori makes the rounds once more and then races into the back. We can hear her footsteps pounding up the stairs. I shake my head and go back to pruning my fichus. I have a special relationship with this plant. It's been here since we moved here, and I'll be damned if we ever sell it. Maybe I ought to just go ahead and buy it… take it home… but then what would I do at work?

The door jingles again and I look up. A goofy grin spread across my face. "Well look at that, the love of my life just walked in."

Asami looks at me over her glasses. "Oh yeah," she says sarcastically fanning herself with one hand, "check me out. Official babe."

"Definitely," I say walking over to her. She takes one of my hands in hers and turns it over, looking at my nails.

"Ooh, you know how much dirt under your nails turns me on. You do these things on purpose…," she teases.

"You know it."

She laughs. It's the most beautiful sound. She pushes me away and walks into the shop hopping up onto one of the counters. She crosses her ankles and swings her legs, letting her high heels fall to the floor. "Hi, everybody," she says waving to the others.

"Hi, Asami!" Ken calls. Aya looks up from the wreath arrangement he's making, and smiles warmly. Omi waves enthusiastically. I go back to clipping my fichus.

"I was just finishing up from some heinously boring meeting and was passing this way so I thought I'd stop. You guys have the life. I wish I could work with flowers all day. But no, poor little me gets sucked into corporate hell everyday. Oh well, at least I have something nice to come home to everyday," she says sweetly, touching my arm. "Oh, speaking of which! Is Kenji here yet?! I really wanted to take him home and get him settled."

"No, Rikuko was going to bring him over sometime this evening. She wants to 'prep him' before she drops him off," I say looking off into space.

"Yeah, right. 'Prep' my ass. She's probably telling him about 'wicked step-mothers' and telling him to spit in my coffee. How did you ever marry that woman?"

I shrug. "It seemed like a good idea at the time."

"Yeah, well. I'm just glad you're the one that got away, because now you belong to me." She hops down from the counter and slips her high heels back on. She leans over and kisses my cheek. "I better get back to work. I think I'm double parked!" She giggles and waves to us again. "Bye everybody!"

Just then Kaori-chan comes racing out of the back. "Aunt Asami!" she screams rushing across the shop. She tosses herself into Asami's startled arms and hugs her tightly. Sure enough the tater-tot's in shorts and a t- shirt already. "You weren't going to leave without saying hi to me where you?"

"Well, I didn't know you were here, sweetheart. I thought you were still in school."

"Nuh uh, it's summer!"

"What are you going to do now?" my wife asks smiling at Kaori.

"I'm going over to play with Aniki," Kaori answers and then looks hastily over her shoulder. "That's ok, right, dads?"

Aya looks like he's going to go into the safety lecture but Ken says, "Sure. Just be back for dinner."

"Yeah! You guys are the best dads in the whole world!" she cries happily running back over to Ken and Aya and giving each of them another hug.

Asami shakes her head and grins. "Hey, Kao-chan, what do you say you and Aniki come get some ice cream with me?"

Kaori's eyes get big. "Whoa, really?!"

"Sure, sweetheart."

"Cool! Aniki just lives down the street I'll run ahead and get him. Thanks, Aunt Asami!" Kaori runs out of the shop and streaks down the sidewalk. Bat outta hell….

Asami shrugs and smiles. "Screw work. It's summer."

The door jingles as she walks out. Yeah, life is good.



* * * * * *

I rush upthe stairs. My shirt is halfway buttoned up; I'm only wearing one sock. I hate it when I lose my cool in front of other people. But somehow we all took naps this afternoon and we all forgot to set our alarms and now we are going to be late for our appointment.

"Ken!? Where did I put my other sock?" I cry hoarsely.

"How the hell would I know?" I hear from the bathroom.

"Cause you're my husband, and husbands are supposed to know that stuff."

"I could say the same about you, koi." I hear him gargle and spit. He comes rushing out of the bathroom. I hate to think about it right now, but he looks incredibly sexy with only dress pants and wife-beater on. He's run some gel through his hair, but it looks like a bird took a dump on his head.

I stare at him blankly. "What the hell have you done to your hair?"

"What? I don't have time to do it right now. I'll do it in the car."

"Oh no, come here, I'll fix it." He walks to me obediently and after a few moments I've got it how I like it, just slightly messy. I run my gelled fingers together and watch them slip over each other. I raise and eyebrow as a thought runs through my head. I look at Ken. "Hey, this stuff is pretty…."

"Ran! This is not the time to think about that!"

I blush. "You're right."

He smiles at me with a smile that says 'later, koi.' I smile back. We linger, looking at each other and then break, both rushing away in opposite directions.

"Aya, where's my sock?" I call.

There's a pause. "Check Omi's laundry. I think I put a single that I didn't recognize in his drawer."

"Where are you?" I call.

"I'm getting Kaori ready. Just go and check in our room, Omi should be in there with the twins."

I run down the hallway and push the door to Omi and Aya's room open. Omi looks up from the bed where he's putting on his shoes with wide, startled eyes. "Ran?"

"I think you have my sock."

Omi points to the dresser. "You can check. Top drawer, left side."

I walk to the dresser and yank the drawer open. I toss out several pairs of knee socks and then discover the object of my search. I grab the black dress sock and immediately sit down on the floor. I pull it on hastily.

"You're funny when you're in a hurry, Ran," Omi laughs from the bed. He stands and stretches. He's ready all ready. Of course he and Aya actually woke up mostly on time and didn't think to check on Ken and I. I stand as well and brush myself off. Omi walks over to me and starts to finish buttoning up my shirt. I stand still and let him. It's amazing, he's almost as tall as I am. He's come a long way from the genki little kid I met all those years ago. He's my brother in law for God's sake. I shudder at the thought. How did I let it happen right under my nose? Oh well, there are worse guys Aya could have fallen in love with. Even though the whole thing is thick with irony.

"There," Omi says happily. "Now all you need is your blazer and you'll be all set. Oh and your shoes."

I nod. There's a quiet squeal from the other side of the room and I look over. I can see the twins lying on a blanket on the floor. One's dressed in pink and the other in blue. Isn't that cute. I smile and walk over to them. I squat down and wave my fingers before their eyes. "Hi there," I coo as best I can. "Hi, Chojiro. Hi, Soushi."

Soushi manages to stick her tongue out part way, but Chojiro just rolls over and snuffles. I love babies. They're so helpless.

"Oh, Ran, will you take one of them downstairs and put them in their carrier? I'll get the other one. I don't want to take both down the stairs at once."

"Sure." I pick up Chojiro and cradle him against my body. He kicks gently and opens his eyes wide, burbling.

I walk past Omi and head down the hallway. Aya pokes her head out the door of Kaori's room. "Oh, Ran, I can take him. You need to finish getting ready."

She comes out of the room and takes Chojiro from me. Kaori follows her. They're both dressed in formal kimonos. Kaori looks so cute; my heart melts. "Don't you look nice, Kaori-hime."

"It's really tight, and it's hard to walk in these sandals!"

"I know, but you can take them off in the car," I say.

She nods solemnly. "Ok." She turns and follows Aya down the stairs. The way they both move, I'm reminded of just how related they really are.

I walk into the room I share with Ken. He's pulling on his shoes, leaning against the dresser. I smile at him softly. "Wish we could have kept napping."

He grins back at me. "Me too. I hate this formal shit."

"Hm." I grab my shoes from the closet and sit down on the bed. I put them on and Ken tosses me my white blazer. It lands on the bed. He walks over to me, ready to go. I look up at him. He stands over me, straddling my legs. I lean forward and let my head rest against his stomach. I sigh. He runs his hands through my hair.

"What is it, koi?" he asks softly. I nuzzle against him and reach up to grasp his shirt. I pull him closer.

"Nothing."

He runs his hands though my hair again. He massages the back of my neck. I can smell him. So soft, his scent. So familiar, so wonderful. "We've got to go, Ran," he says, gently pulling away.

I look up at him, still holding his shirt. "I know." I stand up and he helps me into my blazer. He takes my hand and we walk downstairs together. Omi, Aya, and the kids are waiting by the door. Omi looks out of breath.

"I counted the seats, we can all fit into the mini van!" He exclaims.

Ken and I look at each other and then at Kaori. "We'll take the Porsche and meet you there."

"Yeah!" Kaori cries. Omi looks puzzled.

"Ok, but it would be more fuel efficient to all go together."

We rush to the cars and pile in, strapping down our various precious cargo. Fifteen minutes later we're rushing back out of the cars and into a building. It's just starting to snow.

Youji and his second wife, Asami, are already there with Kenji. Youji's standing by the door and making the hurry up sign with his arm. He flicks his cigarette away as we rush past him and into the room he indicates.

"It's about time," a man clad in black hisses. He arranges us gruffly among the chairs and stools of various heights. When everything is in order I put my hand on Ken's shoulder as I stand behind him. Kaori-chan is on his lap. We all look around and smile at each other. "Face forward, people," the man in black snaps.

We all obey. "Ok, smile." We do. All of us who can, that is. Chojiro and Soushi just sit there. "Perfect. Don't move." We don't.

*Flash, pop, click*

"Ok, people. That's a wrap."

We mill around for a few moments, talking to each other. Kaori-chan has decided we need to get pizza for suffering through this. Ken agrees and I give in. Finally the man walks up to us with a print and holds it out. We all crowd around and look the picture over approvingly. No one is blinking, no one is yawning, and not a hair is out of place. A perfect holiday photo. The greeting on the side reads:

Season's Greetings from our family to yours!

* * * * * *



* okama means 'fag,' a rude way to say homosexual (yes Rikuko is a homophobe)… nobody liked her anyway