God's in 7th Heaven, All's Right with the World

By Cypher

Chapter Eleven: Reconciliation

"He wasn't at school again today." Matt hung up the phone and looked at his father, who was standing in the hall. "That makes three days. How long are you going to just leave this be? Ever since Saturday you and mom have done nothing about this. You can't just dismiss Simon."

Eric sighed. "I know, but it's not something we can just accept, either. Do you know I've reread the bible five times in the last three days, and each time I try and find some sort of...of acceptance."

"If you can't, maybe Terry's right and you're too narrow-minded in your interpretations." Lucy opened the fridge and pulled out an apple. "I think you should just live with what's happened, and eventually you'll get used to it."

"Easy for you to say. You knew before all of us." Matt crossed his arms.

"It wasn't easy at first. Terry sat me down and talked me through it, explained it."

"And that convinced you?" Eric pulled out a cup from the cupboard.

Lucy faltered a moment. "No."

"Then what was it? His looks? The fact he's a model?" Eric poured himself a bit of coffee.

Lucy shook her head. "Dad! That has nothing to do with it!"

"Then what, Luce?" Matt eyed his sister. "What is it that convinced you that this was Simon?"

"More than anything? It was Simon himself."

Eric raised his eyebrow. "He wasn't very convincing to us."

"You didn't see him when he knew I saw him and Terry. He was terrified of what would happen, and his face..." Lucy stared past the kitchen for a moment, at a memory only she could see.

Matt leaned forward. "Luce?"

Lucy jumped slightly, startled out of her memories. "His actions spoke louder than anything that he or Terry said. That's how I came to realize I had to look past my biases and accept what was happening." She headed for the stairs. "If you just gave them a chance, you might realize that it isn't that bad, considering the alternatives that could've happened."

Eric watched her retreat upstairs, then looked at Matt. "Since when did my kids get wiser than me?"

"Don't ask me. I've been saying it for years." Matt patted his father's shoulder and headed down the hall.

~*()*~

"Must you do that inside?"

Terry looked at his upside-down brother. "It's been raining for days on end. If I go outside, I'd slip."

Jordon eyed his younger sibling, who was currently hanging from a support beam in the garage by his legs. "While I sympathize, I can't reach the dryer without hitting you."

Terry shrugged. "It can wait a few minutes."

Jordon rolled his eyes. "It also unnerves your boyfriend. He's afraid you're going to fall and hit your head."

Terry tilted his head, before pulling himself up, flipping over, and landing on his feet in a crouch. "Why didn't you say so?" Terry grabbed a towel on top of the washer and wiped his face. "I've been out here long enough anyway."

Jordon pushed his brother aside. "Now go shower. You reek."

Terry wrinkled his nose. "This from the person who forgets to bathe on a daily basis?"

Jordon blinked a moment, then glanced back at Terry. "The rain doesn't count as a shower?"

Terry through his arms up. "Baka! I'm living with a baka!" He left the garage.

Jordon smirked and went back to pulling clothes out of the dryer.

Terry, patting his arms dry, came across Simon sitting on the couch in the living room. He was watching television, but the far away look in his eyes informed Terry that his mind was elsewhere. Resting the towel around his neck, he sat next to the blond and muted the sound.

Simon, startled at the sudden lack of sound and human contact, jumped a few inches off the couch. "Terry! Don't do that..."

Terry chuckled and kissed Simon on the cheek. "Sorry, but you looked too serious."

Simon sighed and leaned back. "It's just....it's Tuesday and they still haven't called, haven't given any indication they want me back. What if...what if they don't want me?"

Terry rested his chin on a fist, watching Simon. "It took Luce a good two weeks before she was comfortable with us."

"But I don't have two weeks! I need to get back to school! I...I..." Simon sniffed and looked at Terry, noticing for the first time that the sandy-haired youth was wearing a damp tank top and black shorts. "What have you been doing?"

"Oh, working out a bit. Just because I'm taking a break doesn't mean I can slack off. Besides, endorphins are natural boosters, and I always feel re-energized once I have them flowing."

To Simon, the sweat glistening off the teen made him even more beautiful, and the smell of him, it made him more attracted to the male model. It was completely uninhibited, and its musky odor was one of the best smells Simon had ever experienced. Without thinking about it, he leaned forward and kissed Terry, drinking him in, feeling the heated body against his own, forgetting about his worries.

Terry was surprised, but closed his eyes and returned in kind, wrapping an arm around Simon to make them both more comfortable. Maybe I should work out more often.

That's when the water hit. Both Simon and Terry gasped and fell off the couch, surprised.

Terry sputtered a bit and looked towards the kitchen door. His eyes narrowed. Aniki...

Jordon, the smirk from earlier still on his face, was holding a small squirt bottle, still aimed at the two of them. "I leave you two alone for a few minutes..."

Simon was beet red, still aroused from the kiss, and embarrassed about being caught.

Terry was also red, but in his case, it was more in anger than in embarrassment. "Omae o korosu."

Jordon laughed and shook his head. "I'd like to see you try. If you're going to get so hot and heavy, try not to do it on the couch. You never know when we might have guests."

"Next time Sakura calls, you're gonna get it."

Jordon shrugged. "It's worth it to see the look on your face."

"That's it!" Terry stood and ran towards his brother.

Jordon yelped and ran down the hall, heading for the back door.

Terry followed, then backtracked and looked at Simon. "We'll continue later, ne?" He smiled, then turned and ran after his brother.

Simon kept blushing. Outside, he could hear Terry and Jordon going at it, even caught a few glimpses of the battle through the window. All he was thinking, though, was how much he wanted Terry at that moment. I guess this settles any further doubts I have. He heard a yelp from Terry and noticed Jordon was using the water bottle again, despite the fact that both of them were soaked from the rain. Seeing the clothes stick to Terry's lithe form didn't help Simon any. I...think I'll take a cold shower. And with that, he headed for the bathroom.

~*()*~

"So we're agreed? We talk it out, and though we'll probably still disagree, we take him back, and not push him to anything?"

Annie nodded slowly. Days without her son she could handle, but the possibility of never seeing him again finally struck home after eavesdropping on Lucy and Mary as she was putting away laundry.

"You mean you've talked to him?"

"To Terry. Simon was asleep."

"And? Is he okay?"

"Emotionally traumatized, but alright. I'm sure it'll help when he knows we all support him, and it's just mom and dad we have to convince."

"Well, I'm not completely convinced, but Dax was right about one thing: Simon needs us."

"Let's just hope mom and dad realize that soon."

"Why? Terry can't keep Simon forever."

"Actually, he said that if it came to it, he would. He's already having a restraining order being drawn up in case things start going down hill."

"He can't be serious! Against his family? No way. No judge would allow it."

"He's done this before, Mary. He knows what he's doing. I just hope mom and dad don't force the issue. I'd hate to have the family torn apart like that."

"Wow...so, this is really happening."

"We just need to get mom and dad to understand. Especially mom. She doesn't realize how much she's hurting not just Simon, but the family by banishing him."

"No kidding."

"What brought you to this decision, anyway?" Eric fiddled with his glasses, looking over his wife.

"Just some thinking, that's all. I mean, Dax is a nice guy, and...Simon is our son. We accepted Matt's smoking, dealt with Mary's problems, helped Lucy through her fiancé troubles...we can handle Simon being gay. At least it's not drugs, right?" Annie wasn't sure if she was trying to convince Eric or herself. "Besides, Matt's leaving for medical school..."

Eric nodded slightly. "You don't want to lose both of them."
Annie nodded. "Among other things."

Eric sighed and picked up the phone. "Should you or I make the call?"

"You do it. I-I have to deal with dinner."

Eric watched his wife leave, then stared at the phone. Putting his glasses back on, he closed his Bible and looked through his phone book. Then he paused and looked to the ceiling. "I hope this is the right thing." Glancing down and finding the page he was searching for, he dialed Terry's number.

~*()*~

Terry hung up the phone and took a deep breath. That's a good sign.

"What did they want?"

Terry looked over at Simon. Simon had come in when he heard Terry mention his father's name, and had taken a slow seat on the couch cornering the other one. "He wants to talk. Both of them do."

Simon looked a little relieved, but there was also some fear in his blue eyes. "So...when?"

"I invited them over tomorrow afternoon. That gives them time to prepare, us as well." He reached out and push the hair out of Simon's face. "I have a good feeling it'll go well."

"I hope so."

Terry looked at his watch. "Where is he?"

Simon blinked, lost at the sudden change of subject. Then he realized what Terry meant. "Well, it's still raining."

"It's drizzling. And it's not like I hurt him THAT much."

Simon scratched his arm. When he had gotten out of the shower, he had found the brothers just coming in, both soaked, both covered in mud, but both were laughing and joking. They had gone into the bathroom to clean up, and shortly afterward, Terry, dressed in jeans and a black turtleneck, sent his brother on some errand. "Where'd he go, anyway?"

Terry smiled. "A surprise."

Simon frowned. "A surprise for who?"

Terry opened his mouth to respond, but Jordon stumbling in with a huge box in his hands interrupted him. Terry stood and went over to Jordon, helping the elder brother, who was also swearing profusely in Japanese, get the box in and shut the door. Jordon set the box down and pushed back his hood, glaring at his brother. "I shouldn't have gone. I hate malls."

"Hai hai." Terry looked over the box. "They packed it?"

"They gave it to me for protection from the weather." Jordon took off his jacket. "I'm gonna go dry off. Excuse me." He went to the bathroom.

Simon stood and knelt by Terry. "What's this?"

Terry finally figured out how to open the box, did so, and pulled out a long case. "A gift. For you."

Simon sat back, finally recognizing what the rectangular case was. "You didn't."

"Well, you said you've been wanting your own instead of using your dad's, and since it's likely I won't see you for Christmas..." Terry set the case in front of Simon. "Merry Christmas."

Simon shook his head. "I-I can't accept this. It's too much."

Terry sat by Simon and rested his chin on Simon's shoulder. "I'd really like it if we could play together. I have some pieces of music that are beautiful, but need a guitar."

Simon hesitated, then undid the locks and opened his gift. Inside was a guitar, one he had actually been contemplating buying on his own. It was more stylish than his fathers, and had a red tint to it. "How did you-"

"I saw a picture of it in a magazine you had, and how you had it marked." Terry picked it up and held it before Simon. "Well?"

Simon gingerly took the instrument and rested it on his legs, arranging his fingers, feeling over the strings. "I...I don't have anything to give you. Terry, this is too much, after everything you did-"

Terry silenced Simon with a kiss, pulling back when he was sure he'd get no more protests. "I wanted to, Simon. Even if we separate, by choice or by force, I wanted you to have something to always remind you of me." He ran his hand through Simon's blond locks. "Play."

Simon blinked. "Play?"
Terry chuckled and patted the guitar gently. "Play something."

Simon blushed slightly. "Oh, play. Right." He ran his fingers over the strings, eliciting their sounds. It took him a few minutes to get ready, and when he was, he played the piece he knew he could play perfectly, without any music.

He played 'Three Blind Mice.'

Terry chuckled, patting Simon's back. "We'll work on it together. Here, hold on." Terry stood and went to his room.

Simon hunched his shoulders. Okay, so maybe I need to work a bit harder. Get to know some real music.

Terry returned and sat near Simon, flute in his hand. "Play it again. I'll accompany."

"Terry, this is silly-"

"Play it again. Just keep going in a cycle."

Simon sighed, but played the piece again.

Terry closed his eyes, listening to the music a few minutes, before raising his own silver instrument to his mouth and playing along, a more complex version, but still 'Three Blind Mice.'

After five rounds of the song, Jordon finally vocalized his opinion on the continued repetition. "URUSAI!"

Simon stopped abruptly, looking towards the bathroom.

Terry sighed and set the flute down. "I guess he got sick of hearing the same song."

Simon nodded. His cheeks were flushed. "Thank you. For everything."

Terry simply offered a warm smile. Both remained silent for a few more minutes. Terry finally glanced at the hallway. "Say, do you know 'Mary Had a Little Lamb'?"

Simon smirked and nodded, practically reading Terry's mind. Revenge for breaking us up earlier.

~*()*~

Terry blinked and glanced towards his door. Both he and Simon had turned in early, around nine, so that they would have time to pack Simon's things and prepare themselves for whatever may come the next day. Currently, it was 10:30, and Jordon was leaning in his doorway, arms crossed. "Yes?"

Jordon walked in and sat by Terry. "I thought you wanted to turn in early."

Terry shrugged slightly, book marking his place in a history textbook he had been reading. "When I return, I need to be prepared to face my teachers' scrutiny."

"Glad to see you do intend to return to the school." Jordon looked out the door, towards the guest bedroom. "So tomorrow's the day, huh?"

"I think it'll go well."
"You've thought that before and the situation only got worse."

Terry shook his head. "I can't think like that. I don't want to lose Simon, and thinking about the failures will only screw things up tomorrow."

Jordon leaned forward, resting an arm by Terry's pillow. "Ototou, be realistic. This isn't some fantasy book or anime story. This is life. It doesn't always end happily."

"You think I don't know that?" Terry looked away, his golden eyes shining with pain. "You think I don't remember them? That I haven't learned that sometimes intervening makes things worse?"

"No, I don't think you have." Jordon ran a hand through Terry's hair. "You have too kind a soul, and it dulls the pain of the past, makes you reach out and help those who are suffering."

Terry's head snapped back to face his brother. "But I feel he's it! He's not like the others! I felt...felt a connection, something far deeper than any other boy I've been with!"

Jordon eyed Terry. "That doesn't mean it'll be easy. I've been watching him. He also has a gentle soul, one that's strong, but not strong enough to handle just how badly things could turn out."

Terry lowered his eyes. "I know. That's why I can't let things go bad."

Jordon sighed and patted his brother's head.

Terry remained silent, calming the inner storm his elder brother had raised.

"Sakura says hi."

Terry let out a slow breath through his nose and looked up. "How is she?"

"Doing well. Not nearly as nervous as she should be for her tests."

"She doesn't get nervous. If she did, I doubt she'd have asked you out in the first place."

Jordon blushed slightly. "Yeah, well, I'm still worried."

"What've you got to be worried about? You'll probably be free for another year before they make you tie the knot."

Jordon whapped his brother lightly. "Hush, you, or I won't tell you what she thought about you and Simon."

Terry chuckled. Sakura, Jordon's current and only girlfriend, was of the Shinto religion, and as such, believed in reincarnation. "So who was he according to her? Wait, let me guess. Let's see, my last boyfriend was the reincarnation of the horse I rode when I was a feudal warrior. The one before that was a fox I killed on a hunt. So by my estimation, Simon must've been an elephant or a whale."

Jordon rolled his eyes. He was actually converting to Shinto after he moved. Granted, reincarnation was a dubious prospect to him, but it led to some interesting conversations. "No, actually. He's different. Remember when she told you that in a past life you had a forbidden love?"

Terry frowned a moment, concentrating. He snapped his fingers. "When I was that kitchen servant. I was in love with a countess or something?"

"Yes, and you planned to meet her in a neighboring region to run away and be wed together."

Terry nodded. "Except the lord I served found out and had me executed, and she committed suicide. So?"

Jordon waited, knowing it would hit home in a moment.

Terry waited as well, for his brother's explanation. When none came, his mind fit the pieces together. He blinked once, then twice, then he started laughing.

That wasn't the reaction Jordon was expecting. "What's so funny?"

"The fact that you think Simon was a woman I loved in a past life. Baka. Baka baka baka." Terry kept laughing, bending over slightly.

Jordon frowned. "I happen to believe in the reincarnation thing this time. It makes sense. Look at the parallels. She was from a prestigious family, Simon comes from something that has just as much attention. It was a forbidden love, you and Simon are forbidden to be together in many people's minds. She-"

"Aniki," Terry placed a hand on Jordon's wrist, "stop before you say something stupid. I don't believe in reincarnation. I believe our souls were destined to meet, yes. I believe that God had this planned and it was His divine will that led me here to meet Simon, yes. I cannot believe, though, that Simon and I were...reincarnated."

Jordon sighed and rubbed his forehead. "I guess I shouldn't have shared it with you. That's what I get for revealing my soft side."

"Baka." Terry squeezed Jordon's hand. "I still love you, and I love Sakura, and I respect her religion. But this whole past life thing...it's a bit far out for me to swallow."

"Why?"

Terry tilted his head in thought. "Why don't I have any memories of it? Why was Simon reincarnated from a woman? It would've been easier to make me straight and keep him a girl."

"Love transcends time and space. You've seen that theme played out dozens of times."

"Doesn't mean I believe it's actually happened."

Jordon looked up at the ceiling.

Terry knew that look and calmed down enough to control his laughing. "I like listening to the stories, aniki, but I don't believe a word of them. I believe in one God, and he doesn't have reincarnation."

"Doesn't mean Sakura couldn't be right. Maybe Shinto is the right religion."

Terry shrugged. "The way I look at it, we'll find out when we're dead, and until then, we believe what we believe."

"Even when it's wrong?"

"Let's not get into that whole Muslim doctrine debate again." Terry set his book on his end table and looked at his brother. "I'm going to bed now."

"Right, right." Jordon rose and headed for the door. He paused at it and glanced back. "Good luck."

"Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow night." Terry turned off the bedside lamp.

Jordon nodded and closed the door.

~*()*~

For Simon, the night ended too quickly. Granted, that's because his dreams were filled with him and Terry finishing what they had started yesterday in the living room. If I'm going to stay with him, I'm going to have to find some way to stop these dreams. Granted, Simon knew he was a teenage boy, and as such, was going to experience these dreams for a while. Before, when he thought they were supposed to be girls and it was his friends, it disturbed him. Now he actually, and somewhat guiltily, admitted to himself that he enjoyed them. At least it's with the man I love.

Man. The man I love.

Simon knew that he wanted to be with Terry a long time, and that the feelings were deeper than the normal crush. But to say that phrase, that casual phrase usually attached to any date, meant more than anything before. He knew that, come Hell or high water, he wanted to be with Terry. If it meant sacrificing his family, he would. And he would tell his parents that. He ran away last time, because he was still unsure if Terry was the right one. That and he was scared. But he wanted to become a man, and realizing just how important Terry was, and knowing he could say it without caring of the consequences, he knew he had taken a big step in that direction.

Terry had come in to call Simon to breakfast around nine. Simon detected that Terry was slightly distracted, but he had also heard Terry and Jordon talking the night before, and assumed it was about that. Through the day, Terry helped Simon pack up, coached him on how to approach subjects, how to explain things in a neutral manner, and every now and then, picking up their respective instruments and playing together.

When the doorbell rang at three in the afternoon, the confidence Simon had felt earlier, to his surprise, was still there. There was fear, anger, relief, and a mingle of other feelings as well, but the confidence was overpowering them, reflecting in his eyes as they tinted green in the afternoon light.

Terry kissed Simon one last, brief time, and gave him an encouraging smile. Here's hoping. Turning, he went to the front door and opened it.

Eric and Annie were on the other side, neither smiling or frowning. Both had a look of concern, worry.

They're unsure of themselves, Simon realized. They're treading in unknown waters. Nothing with Matt or Mary or Lucy or at the church prepared them for something like this. He stood taller, offering both of them a small smile as they took a seat on the couch facing the television.

"Would any of you like a drink? I have tea, coffee, soda, anything?"

Annie waved her hand.

"I'll have some water."

Simon nodded at Terry, indicating he wanted one as well.

Terry got the message and went into the kitchen. He returned a moment later, handing both Simon and Eric a water bottle, and setting a forth in front of Annie. "Just in case. You never know." Terry took a seat by Simon, then set his bottle down and rested his arms in his lap. "So...it's good to see you two again. Is Matt okay? I didn't mean to hurt him if I did, but at the time I just..." Terry curled his hands into fists a moment.

Eric nodded. "He's fine. Just a sprained wrist. And, he had it coming in some respects."
"Still, I'll apologize to him. I'm not usually violent. But after what you did..."

"We understand, somewhat. We've been in the same position before." Annie tapped her fingers on her knees.

"What we don't understand," Eric leaned forward, looking at Simon instead of Terry, "is how you became...gay."

Terry looked at Simon, squeezing his hand briefly before leaning back. You can do this, Simon.

Simon took a deep breath. It's now or never. "Well, mom, dad, I think I've always been gay. I just didn't...realize it until I hit puberty. And I didn't know how to deal with it. I mean, Mary and Lucy liked guys, and Matt liked girls. And the Bible and everything...I just didn't know how to interpret all the signals. I didn't realize that I was gay because I had never seen it, and it's been suppressed in our house, if not the community."

Eric looked over to Annie.

Annie frowned, looking between Terry and Simon a moment. "So Dax helped you understand what you were feeling. But how do you know this isn't some phase? Or how do we know that Dax didn't manipulate you?"

"Mom, you know Terry. You met him and his brother, and interrogated him at that dinner. He's not a manipulator. He's known for years he's gay, and he's been helping people realize who they are since he knew." Simon closed his eyes a moment, thinking. "How I know this isn't a phase is...was more difficult for me to identify. Terry never pressured me, in fact he encouraged me to go out with girls still, see if I felt anything for them."

Eric tilted his head. "And?"

"And...I felt nothing. I mean, yeah, I was attracted one a couple levels, but if anything, they were feelings I thought were supposed to be there, what Matt had always told me it was supposed to be like." Simon shook his head. "It was either what I heard from Matt, or from some primal level. But guys...and especially Terry," Simon looked over at Terry, "I felt more attracted to them. I won't go into details, but it just felt more right. And Terry..." Simon took Terry's hand and entwined his fingers with the other teen's. "Terry always let me know that if it didn't work out, he wouldn't be hurt, and would encourage me in whatever I chose. And now I know I'm not straight, and I'm not leaving Terry."

Annie was obviously trying very hard not to frown, if not explode. On one hand, Simon had been straightforward, and seemed happier than he had been in a long time. On the other, though, he was gay.

"It's not like we're asking for the whole community to know." Terry sat forward a bit. "I know better than any of you just how a revelation like this can destroy a person's life, if not a town's life. Simon and I will continue to be discreet, but we want you to be a part of our lives. Family is important to Simon. Granted, it was my brother who pushed us into telling you, but I did want you to know soon. Keeping this secret was hard on me, but I knew it was even harder for Simon, who loves all of you."

"What about the Bible? The religious interpretations?" Eric crossed his arms. "They all say they're wrong."

Simon picked up a book from the coffee table. Terry had set out books, a couple Simon had read, others he hadn't, regarding the views of homosexuality and religion, among other things. "That's one interpretation, dad." He set the book before Eric. "There are others. Terry had me read this book, to see if I even wanted to consider exploring the feelings I was having. If I thought that those interpretations were wrong or bogus or crazy, I wouldn't have continued to explore. But they weren't. They made a lot of sense, and they helped me make peace with God about my orientation."

Eric hesitated, then picked up the book. He turned it over and scanned the back.

Annie fixated her gaze upon Terry's face, his eyes in particular. She still remembered the burning fury behind them the afternoon he had come and threatened them. They had struck her, as if he had slapped her himself, but they also made her realize just how much the boy cared for her son, no matter what she thought of them. "So what is it you want, Dax? Simon?"

"Simon's happiness. I realize that I make Simon happy on many levels, but if he didn't have his family, there would be a hole in his heart I could never fill." Terry took his hand away from Simon's and leaned forward.

Simon sat back. He had been dreading this part of the confrontation, where his mother and Terry would have a battle of wills.

"What if I say we'll take him back but not you?"

"If you treat him as you should and respect him, I'll forego my happiness for his."

"And what of the world? When they find out-"

"I'll protect him in every way I can. He's stronger than you think, though. He's not just your little boy anymore. He's becoming a man. You have to let go and allow him to become who he is, not who you want him to be, or how you want him to be."

Annie locked eyes with Terry. "And if we reject him?"

Simon felt a weight fall into his stomach. He hadn't really expected that, and it hit harder than any other question.

"Then I will use all in my power to protect Simon, and help him through this time of grieving. If necessary, move him away, to where we would be accepted."

Annie leaned back and stared at Simon.

Simon shrank back almost unconsciously. He knew his mother and her gazes. This one felt like it would burn a hole through him. Does this mean...I can't go home?

Eric set the book down and looked at Simon as well.

Simon couldn't take the brunt of both stares and averted his gaze.

Terry held in his breath.

"We'll...try to understand, to accept you," Annie's face softened slightly and glanced at Terry, "and you."

"If you don't mind, though, we would like to talk with you about this and these books." Eric looked far less upset than Annie, though his face betrayed the hint of discomfort he had.

Terry let out the air he had been storing in his lungs and nodded. "Of course. You should talk to Lucy too."

Eric nodded. "Oh, I intend to."

Annie hesitated, then got up and embraced Simon.

Simon, who was still recovering from the bombshell question his mother had dropped, felt the energy drain out of him and he hugged his mother back, tears he hadn't even realized had gathered sliding down his face silently.

Eric got up and rubbed Simon's back, before awkwardly hugging Simon as well.

Terry watched the three a moment, glad that they were giving Simon a chance. He looked up to the ceiling. Thank you. Thank you a million times over.

Annie pulled away from Simon as the teen fell back to the couch, tired from the emotion tension of the past few days. She walked over to Terry.

Terry stood to meet her, not expecting a hug or anything. "Annie."

Annie looked him up and down, then patted his arm. "Thanks for taking care of him."
Terry glanced over Annie's shoulder to the resting Simon. "Always." He looked back at Annie. "Thanks for giving him a chance, giving us a chance."

Annie's face hardened a moment. "If you ever hurt him, or threaten my family again, though-"

Terry held up his hands. "I won't, and I'm sorry about that. When it comes to the ones I love, I'm very protective."

"As am I."

Eric stepped forwards, next to Annie. "This is...difficult for us to accept. All of us. I'm still not even sure how I'm going to explain this to the twins."

Terry smiled and shrugged. "We're both grateful that you're making an attempt of understanding. It may be difficult, and it may take a while, but I hope we can come to an understanding one day."

Eric nodded.

Annie looked back at Simon. "So, ready to come home?"

Simon smiled, wiping the tears off on the sleeve of his sweater. "Yeah. I'm ready."

Terry left the room a moment, returning minutes later with a bag and the guitar case. He handed them both to Simon, leaned forward, then paused. "I assume you two don't want to see us kissing?"

Eric and Annie quickly shook their heads.

"If you don't mind."

"If you avoided doing that, actually."

Terry sighed, and was pretty sure he heard a disappointed whine from Simon. We'll find our moments. "Until next time, Simon." He hugged the blond.

Simon hugged him back, closing his eyes and whispering, "Thank you."

"I love you, Simon," Terry whispered back. "Always."

Simon swallowed and pulled back, wiping his tears away once more. He sniffed and picked up his things. "I'm ready."

~*()*~

"Well? Can you see them?"

Matt waved his arm and looked to the back seat at Lucy. "No, and if you keep asking, I'll miss it."

"He was smart to pull the curtains." Robbie, sitting in the passenger seat, kept his eyes scanning the front of Terry's house.

Though Eric and Annie had tried to keep the meeting secret, it wasn't long before all the kids knew of it. Shortly after their parents had left, Matt, Lucy, and Robbie had decided to wait across the street. If their parents had failed, they'd be there to offer support to Simon, and devise a way to change their parents' minds. Mary had opted to remain home and baby sit the twins and Ruthie.

"The door's opening."

Lucy leaned between the seats and looked towards the house. "There's mom...and dad..."

Robbie sat up a bit higher to see over Lucy's head. "They don't look that mad. Your dad's carrying some sort of book."

"Mom doesn't look that pissed." Matt narrowed his eyes at the front door. "Someone's coming..."

Lucy crossed her fingers.

Robbie made out the figure first and nodded. "It's Simon."

"Yes!" Lucy sat back in her seat.

Matt nodded as well, though wasn't sure how he felt. True, he knew he should be there for Simon for advice or guidance or even just support, but the gay factor was still a little disturbing to him. As long as he's happy, I suppose. I can't fault him for following his heart. Starting the car, Matt pulled out of the space and drove off, heading for home.

Lucy, grinning in the back, watched the scenery as they drove.

Robbie was watching the traffic. "You know..."

Matt glanced at him, and Lucy sat up a bit.

"This is going to be an interesting year."

Lucy laughed lightly.

Matt rolled his eyes skyward. Interesting, yes. Let's hope that this is the extent of our troubles, though.

Outside, the storm clouds finally began to break apart, blowing away. The storm had finally passed, making room for the sun to shine though, and for future storms.

~*()*~
~*()*~
~*()*~

Baka: idiot

Aniki: older brother

Ne: right, okay

Hai: yes, yeah

Urusai: shut up

Ototou: little brother

Omae o korosu: I will kill you

Author's Prattle: Hello hello! As I said in the last prattle, this isn't the end of the fic! However, I will be starting the second semester of college, so I figure I'll be out of writing for a couple days. Furthermore, I've been neglecting some other duties in the fic world I have. So while I'll continue writing this timeline, I'm going to try and finish a brief Fushigi Yugi fic, hammer out the next segment of my futuristic Ronin Warriors fic, and start a new 7th Heaven fic as well. Thus, this fic line may be put on hold for up to a week, possibly two. That isn't to say I've quit it entirely! Chapter twelve should be up in a day or two, so keep an eye out! As always, feedback is appreciated, but above that, enjoy!