Mother's day ficlet for Chazz. Because unconventional mothers deserve some love too.

Reminded

As soon as she was placed on the ground, the little girl toddled over to Chazz, offering him a small box.

"Hewe Mama."

Chazz looked from his daughter to her father, and back again.

"What's this for?"

Zane gave him a slightly exasperated look.

"Don't you remember what today is Chazz?"

He thought about it, pulling two year old Rune into his lap. After several minutes, he caved.

"I can't think of anything special."

Defeated, Zane sighed.

"Just open your present. Maybe then you'll get it."

Still confused, Chazz did as instructed, gently taking the box from his tiny daughter and tugging the ribbon off.

Inside was a folded up note and a slim silver chain with a locket. Opening the locket, he discovered a picture of himself and Zane back at Duel Academy on one side, and a picture of the two of them and Rune on the other. Grey eyes glanced up at Zane, still standing in the doorway, a much larger box in hand.

"Wha-?"

"Read the note," Zane prompted.

Slender fingers unfolded the piece of paper, only to find an odd message.

'Look on the desk.'

There was only one desk in the house. That was the one in the den. Picking Rune up and carrying her with him, Chazz moved to the other room, returning shortly with a brightly wrapped package and a card.

"You lost me somewhere Zane."

"Open it," was the only response.

So Chazz set the small girl down and removed the wrapping, finding a picture of their entire 'family' in a beautiful wood frame. Surprised, Chazz picked up the card. 'I knew you'd forget' was written on the envelope. Now thoroughly befuddled, he tugged the card out of the envelope and gasped.

'Happy Mother's Day' graced the card in gold script, an angel in the background.

"Remember now?" Zane grinned.

"Can't believe I forgot," Chazz muttered, more to himself than anyone. "But one last question."

"Yes?"

"What's in the box you have?"

The smile widened, "your cake."

Chazz gave him a disbelieving look.

"Hope you don't mind a few strays followed me home," the elder added, looking over his shoulder.

Jaden and Syrus poked around the corner.

"Well if you'd move big bro, maybe we could come in."

Zane did, and now Chazz could see not only Jaden and Syrus behind him, but Atticus, Alexis and Bastion as well.

"What's all this?"

"You don't expect us to eat this whole cake by ourselves do you?"

Chazz smiled and started laughing, scooping Rune back up.

"No, no I don't."

owari

Confuzzed Chazz. I love it. Oh, and Rune's mine, neh? So no stealing please. I first wrote her in theme 22 of the Thirty kisses, but it's not up yet.

Zane/Chazz is wonderful. Royalshipping all the way! (waves flag) Plot? What's that? (j/k I think...)