Chapter Fourteen-Two Parties
"I'm so tired. Did you know we were up all night last night? Christien and I were planning out a little something for Espa tonight." Jonathan told Mokuba as he,Marik and Mokuba browsed through a few choices at the cake shop. "These cakes are all wrong. I don't like them."
Mokuba laughed. "Neither did Seto. I think we should get Myra to make one for him. She made my birthday cupcakes last year, and they were awesome!"
"Sounds good to me..." Jonathan looked thoughtful. "Hey, do you think Seto would be willing to let us get a few things? Christien and I need supplies for a soup."
"You mean ingredients?" Marik asked. "I would be happy to get them for you." The Egyptian boy smiled.
"Really? Thanks, Marik! We can pick up Christien in a little while. He's probably still at Randi's." Jonathan sighed. "Which reminds me. I need to call Kenny. I was supposed to be at practice tonight, but...well, I don't wanna miss the party."
"Hmm. Maybe you can go to the practice for a while, then come back before the party. What time is it?"
"It starts at three, but the soup takes forty-five minutes to prepare,and three hours to simmer. Christien's not quite good in the kitchen yet,so someone's going to have to stay with him."
"Myra could supervise. She helps me all the time. You really need to be back with your teammates. There's only one game left." Mokuba encouraged his best friend. He might not have been into sports, but it was one of Jonathan's favorite things to do, and he would make sure he didn't miss out on his last chance for the season.
"Maybe..." Jonathan stared over into the soccer field. "Okay. I guess I will go." He smiled now. "But first, I need to get the soup on. It's a Roba tradition! Beans,Cheddar and Vegetable Soup!"
Mokuba chuckled. "Oh yeah..Espa makes it for you guys on your birthdays!" He turned to Marik. "Are you sure you don't mind picking up the stuff? I'm sure Seto wouldn't mind if we used his account.."
"It's quite all right. It's something I can do for Espa too, I suppose." Marik smiled reassuringly, then looked at the town square clock. "It's nearly one o'clock. We best hurry if you're going to make it to practice, Jonathan."
"Right!" The three of them scurried off to Maryanne's Grocers.
The Kaibas and the little Robas were not the only ones planning a party. After getting word Kenny about the reunion, Weevil,Rex and Joey decided they wanted to a throw a party of their own for the whole Roba clan. It was going to be held in the Robas' own house, since both Rex and Joey had a key to it. Joey was sitting on the counter of his kitchen, penciling a list of things they still needed to get. Weevil had already agreed to provide the Pizza and Soda, but he still wanted to have fnger foods, and a little treat for the younger Robas. "Alright, Rex. Do you think Andy would like licorice or lollipops more?"
"Lollipops,definitely. I think Jonathan likes licorice though." Rex replied. He was thinking of other things as well. "I can't believe it's going to be tonight already. I mean...how long were they apart from him?"
"At least eight months, I think. Anyway, do you know anything about Christien?" Joey asked.
"Hmm...not really. I don't spend as much time with him as I do Andrew. I know who would probably know though. We should invite that kid Cedric."
"Good thinking, Raptor." Weevil replied. "I already called Bakura and Mako. They're going to keep Espa busy until Kaiba's dinner party. That'll give us time to get everything ready."
"Nice going, Underpants. Did you happen to call Kaiba too?" Joey asked, opening a soda.
"No. Bakura did. " Weevil replied, taking a soda as well. "Well, we'd better get shopping."
"Yeah. Come on guys. Oh....Joey. I forgot to tell ya. Serenity called while you were in the shower. She's out with Duke, but she'll be at the party."
"Thanks. I'll just leave her a note, in case she gets in early." Joey proceeded to scribble a note.
"Man,you really should work on your writing,Wheeler." Weevil joked.
"Be quiet,bug boy. Let's move out." The three odd friends headed off to do some serious party shopping.
Being awake before five thirty that morning, Espa was exhausted by the time his shift at Bakura's store ended. He took a couple of Tylenol for a nagging headache, before pulling his shoes on. He'd been home for less than two hours when Seto had called to say that he needed t o talk to him about his brothers. A lump formed in his throat, as the worst things came to mind. Atamire probably convinced him to take full custody. I've lost my brothers for good. I know it. He tried to push the horrible thought away, as he put on his rain slicker. He'd be taking a bus to Kaiba's. Or so he thought. When he stepped outside, there was a long black limo waiting for him. "Okay.......so I don't need my bus pass. Oh well." He muttered, as he locked up the house. He got into the limousine without a word. He was nervous about what was to come.
Jonathan greeted him at the door. "Happy birthday, Big Brother!" He hugged Espa gently. "I miss you.."
"I miss you too, Jon. Where are the others?" Espa asked. He wanted to see them first, before Kaiba let the cat out of the bag about them.
"Outside, but you can't go that way. We have to go through the back. " Espa let Jonathan lead him out back. "Andy! EJ!,Espa's here!"
"Espa!!" Andrew shot into the elder Roba's arms, almost knocking him over. "I miss yous !"
"You too,Ands, you too." He noticed how much more articulate Andrew was talking. Wow. Seto must be working with him. Or he's going to a really good kindergarten. "How's school going? Better?"
"Much bedder ." Andrew assured him, as EJ came barreling into his elder brother's arms as well. "EJ!"
"It's all righ t. Andy, I've got plenty of room to hold you both." Espa almost laughed. He'd really missed them fighting over him. "I've missed you all so much."
"Big Brother!" Christien came out now, looking happy. "Happy birthday, Espa."
"Thank you, Chris." Espa reached out an arm to hug Christien. "Look how tall you've all gotten on me. We're going to have to get new clothes for you all...."
"Guess whats , Epa." EJ interrupted him.
"What?" Espa asked him with a smile.
"I go bafroom alone." EJ grinned, obviously proud of himself.
"That's wonderful!" Espa replied, trying to be enthusiastic. In all honesty, he was feeling guilty. It should've been him potty training EJ, not Kaiba or anyone else. "I guess we don't need the diaper bag anymore, do we?"
"Nah." Christien confirmed. "He's very good." He looked towards the house. "Well,I'm...doing something. You can visit with them. I'll see you at dinner." He ran back inside before Espa could ask questions.
"What's he up to?" Espa asked Jonathan. His brother merely shrugged secretively. "Oh well. I guess I'll find out at dinner, won't I?" Espa smiled. He knew when his brothers were plotting.
"Yep." Jonathan smiled. "Come on, Big Brother. Wait till you see this fort Mokuba and I built!" So, they spent the rest of the afternoon catching up, and talking about the old days.
When dinner finally came, the five Robas all sat together. It was as if they had never been apart. Espa was still giving orders to EJ, and Andrew, and Christien and Jonathan still tried to overrule him. However, Espa had noticed one difference. None of them were as wild as before. He figured it was because of all the activities living with the Kaibas provided. Halfway through the meal, Seto cleare d his throat.
"Espa..." He had a folder beside his plate. "I have to tell you something..."
"Yes?" Espa braced himself for the worst. The look on Seto's face wasn't promising. "What is it?"
"Well....I called Atamire a couple of weeks ago. I was going to see if I could pay her to let your brothers come home with you. No such luck."
"Oh... Don't worry about it, Seto. I expected that. She's had it out for me for years, you know..."
"I'm not finished." Seto replied. "She called me back a couple of days later. She wanted to know if I would donate to the Home instead of paying her directly. Of course, I told her no, but then she gave me an offer I could hardly turn down." Now the CEO smiled, digging into the folder. "Espa, they're all yours." He handed h im the paperwork. "The only thing is...you're all moving."
"Moving? I can't afford to move, Seto..." Espa looked over the paperwork. His eyes widened in shock. In the midst of the official paper saying that custody had been given to Espa was a lease agreement. "Oh my........" Espa looked up at Seto. "Are you serious?"
"Yep!" Mokuba replied. "He's building a house for you right now! It's going to be a few miles from here, but Jon won't have to take a bus anymore. Plus! Everything is paid for by KaibaCorp."
Espa was speechless for a minute. "I...don't know what to.....How can I ever thank you, Seto?! This.....it's unbelievable."
"Well, I noticed there was a big difference in their behavior when they had more space to be to themselves. The problem was being crowded into one house with all the same things all the time. So,I decided to have you guys moved into a more accommodating living space. Once the house is built, we'll work on the backyard."
"We're going to have our own rooms, Espa!" Christien was especially happy about this.
"I see." Espa smiled. "So, how long before we can move?" He found himself getting more excited about the move by the minute.
"Well, I'd say by the end of the summer you'll be moved in." Seto replied. "I'll keep them all in line."
"Great." Espa smiled brightly. "I can't belive this day's gotten so much better than it started out."
"When can we go home?" Jonathan asked now. "I really miss my bed!"
"So do I." Christien replied. "But...who's going to take care of Sparky once we leave?" Sparky was their pet eel that Seto had kindly gotten for them.
"I will, of cours e!" Mokuba assured him. "Maybe we can move him into your new house later."
"We can go whenever you four are ready." Espa replied grandly. "But...I do have one question."
"Yeah?" Jonathan asked.
"Who made the BCV Soup?"
"We did." Christien replied. "Didn't we do it right?" He looked worried.
"It's perfect." Espa hugged them. "The Roba Traditions prevail!" Soon after he finished his soup, cake was had. Then it was time to go home. Little did they know, they had another surprise waiting for them.
"They're here!" Weevil hissed, as he, Kenny and Meghan all scrambled into one corner, while Monica, Joey,Lacey, Serenity and Rex hid behind a counter. "Get ready!"
Espa opened the door to the Robas' house, and they all walked in. He flipped the light on, greeted by shouts of congratulations from his friends. "Oh my goodness. This is so surprising.
"It's great to see all of you Robas together officially again." Joey replied. "We had to celebrate."
"Of course." Rex made a toast with Sprite. "To the Robas, and may they be together forever!"
"Yeah!" The four younger Robas immediately began talking to their friends. Espa watched them, with a satisfied smile. "I'm so happy to have them all back."
"Yeah.....I know how it must feel, losing someone you love so much." Rex replied. "See, Meghan and I were like Joey and Serenity. Except, we were never allowed to see each other."
"Horrible." Espa shook his head. "I hope we're never going to be split up again."
"Nothing will ever split us up!" Christien proclaimed. "Nothing." He returned to talking to Randi. He was telling her about Sparky.
"We're going to love this Summer,aren't we?"
"Yeah!" Christien replied. "I'm home with Espa, and that's all I wanted for my birthday. So now I gotta think of something else to ask for!"
"I'm sure you'll come up with something." Miranda laughed. "Anyway...." She shrugged at loss of words, glancing over at Kenny and Jonathan. They were arguing. "It doesn't seem like anything's changed between those two."
"Nope!" Christien l aughed, as Kenny opened a can of shaken soda all over Jonathan. Jonathan quickly retaliated, resulting in all out soda fight. Until Espa called an end to it. The party resumed, even if most of t hem were sticky. He couldn't wait until it ended though. He wanted to spend some time alone with Espa.
It ended soon enough. When it did, Espa gave Andrew and EJ baths, t hen put them to bed. He wa lked downstairs to find Christien asleep, snuggled by Jonathan, who was hugging him. "Hey, Jon..."
"Espa." Jonathan smiled. "It's good to be home with you, Big Brother. I almost forgot what it was like, to be in a small house. It's not so bad, you know..."
"I know. I think Seto is r ight though. This house isn 't big enough anymore. You and Chris aren't little anymore. He's going to be thirteen in a couple of months. He needs his own space. You need your own."
"Are you going to be able to take care of us now, Espa?" Jonathan asked worriedly.
"Of course I am. I learned a lesson about asking for help when I need it. We won't struggle anymore. Not if Seto can help it." He smiled gently. "I'm proud of you and Christien, you know."
"I messed everything up. I almost got Andy killed. " Jon still felt a lot of guilt about that near fatal incident.
"No, Jon. It was an accident. You meant well. Let me tell you a little secret..." Espa sat down beside his younger brother on the other side. "When I first started taking care of you alone...I almost got you killed too."
"How?" Jon's eyes went wide, trying to imagine Espa as anything but irresponsible.
"Well, there were roaches in our house, so laid out rat poison, thinking it would kill them. But I forgot to put it away during the day, and you thought it was candy."
"Eww..." Jonathan shuddered. "I'm sorry...I guess I was a handful back then.."
"You weren't as bad as Christien." Espa chuckled now. "Come on, let's go to bed." So they did, after Espa covered Christien with a blanket. He laid awake in his bed for a long time that night, listening for his younger brothers like he had for many years. Yes, things were back to normal. Well, as normal as they could be for the Robas. Espa finally fell asleep, a smile of satisfaction on his face.
And that wraps up Brothers' Keeper. I tell you. I loved every minute of this fic . Even the parts t hat made me cry. If you haven't noticed, the Robas hold a special place in my heart for cuteness. I have a few thank yous to put out.
Melissa-I owe you so much for your loyalty, and inspiration. Thank yo u for writing A Call from Beyond and No Thanks Dr. Roba. Those two fics started it for me,and I hope one day,one of my Roba fics will start it for someone else.
Daisy-I know this fic was a little sad for you, but I got plenty of happy fics planned, as you well know. Thanks for putting up with my Roba obsession,and reviewing.
Lee Elven-Thanks for reading all my stuff. It is much appreciated.
Ron-Again, thanks for your help in making sure this got uploaded and everything. I owe you,brother. Good luck with your fic dearie .
Anyone else:I don't know all of your Pen names, but I know you're there. Thanks for reading!