Disclaimer: I do NOT own Ghost Hunt
Chapter Seventy-four: Uncle Lin
Mai Pov
The breath in my lungs left me, as Lin's words played in my head.
"T... Ten... Ten... minutes," I stuttered so badly, not believing this at all
"Are you sure, only ten minutes?" Naru asks Lin to make sure that he heard right. Lin nods, taking a step forward.
"Yes, about ten minutes you two disappeared, why? Err, Naru, Mai!" He extends his arm towards me as my world began to disappear around me.
"MAI!" Naru wraps his arm around my waist, trying his best to hold me. I took a hold of his arm as tears welled up in my eyes.
"He... Said ten minutes... Naru! I... Ten minutes... The hell we... We went through was only... Ten minutes." I couldn't even breathe as I took a hold of my chest with my free hand.
"Mai breath," Naru turns towards Lin and hands over our babies since I wasn't in the shape to hold them. After that, I finally fell to the ground as my tears fall holding in my chest, I couldn't breathe at all.
"Mai, look at me," Naru's voice is stern, filled with concern but demanding. I couldn't even look at him.
"Ten minutes... I..." I couldn't even speak as I broke down. Naru gently lays his hand on my arms and began to rub them finally catching my attention. I lift my gaze at him as our eyes connect, he looks so hurt and broken as well, as I finally realized that he is in pure anxiety from our joined hearts.
"N... Naru... Ten minutes..." I sobbed out with pure agony since he's in pain as well.
"I know, I know," he said as he scoots me into his arms and protectively wrapped his arms around me, almost shielding me from everything as I took a hold of his shirt.
Naru tried his best to calm me down, by rubbing my back, as I cried out my heart out, not believing this. Naru pressed his head against mine and close his eyes, but let me cry out my agony as our joined hearts just pound in agony, yet Naru doesn't shed a tear.
Lin blinks now not sure how to gather this at Naru's sudden display towards me or my weird reaction.
"We'll face this as anything we did for the last ten years, Mai. Just think of it as part of The Black Lagoon trying to survive." Naru said, bringing me back to reality, after some time. I wipe my tears, and slowly lift my gaze to lock eyes with my husband. He looks so tired but trying to hold it together.
My poor Naru looks in shock as well, I need to be strong for him for our babies.
"I'm sorry!" My voice felt broken, but he shook his head and cup my right cheek.
"It's normal Mai, ten minutes is a shock," He simply said as I felt this impulse and wrap my arm around his broad shoulder and pulled him into my arms, and rub his back.
"Oh Naru," I gasped out, as he wrapped his arm around me, and without caring, he pulls me closer to him and somehow picks me up, making me wrap my legs around his waist. I held him tight, afraid if I let go, he'll disappear from me.
"Just rest." He simply said as I nod back, closing my eyes laying my head on his shoulder, and then Naru turns towards Lin.
"Can you bring the babies back to Mai's old... I mean room, as you can see Mai is a bit out of it at the moment, this has affected her a lot," he explains.
Lin nods slowly as he watches Naru carry me towards my old room, but stopped and blinks rapidly, and turns towards Lin once again.
"Err, I know this sounds strange, but where was Mai's room?" Naru asks, as I opened my eyes and look around, now that I look, really look, even though we've been here, everything felt unfamiliar and the fact that we weren't too long on the ship, felt our memories a bit Muggle.
"This way," Lin stated as he led us towards my old room. Naru places his hand over my head and pushes my head down so I can lay down.
I closed my eyes, trying to calm down, after all this is a big shock to us.
...
...
...
"Thank you, Lin, you can come back after an hour," I heard Naru state as he places me down on top of the bed, next to our babies, then Naru bends down in front of me. Lin nods slowly, shaking his head with great confusion scratching the back of his head, but leaves us be.
"Do you feel light-headed?" he asks me. I nodded as I turned to see our babies crawling towards us.
"A bit, sorry, I didn't mean to..." but Naru shook his head, as he went to pick up Ayame.
"I was in shock as well, just let us rest, okay, we need to adapt to this new information and adjust to the new environment especially for our kids," he said to me. I nodded as I grabbed Gene and place him on top of my lap. He looks up at me, looking a bit concerned. I brush his bushy hair and held him tightly.
"Sorry, my little ones, Ayame, Gene, Mama got scared, but Papa made it better," I kiss the top of his head multiple times, feeling a sense of relief, as I leaned forward and kiss my daughter's cheek. She pulls her body towards me, wanting to be held.
"Ma!" she calls out. I used my other hand and pull her into me, now holding my two babies. Naru smiles gently at us and rubs my leg.
"Let's just change and sleep a bit okay?" He stated. I nodded at him, as we just get rid of the towels, and Naru wave his hands getting rid of our old wet clothes, and changed us to dry ones.
"I know, it's strange for you guys, but this is a mattress to sleep on," I told Gene and Ayako as they rolled on their backs, at the foreign object testing it. I giggle as Naru sneaks behind me, and snakes his arm around my waist, pulling me into his chest. I snuggled into him, without removing my eyes from our kids. I began to rub their backs to make them fall asleep faster. Naru kept staring at us, with a tender look. I sniffed since my nose was stuffed from the crying. Naru began to rub my arm.
"Go and sleep, I'll watch over you three," Naru whispers into my ear, as he loveling nudge my head with his nose, as he wraps his leg around me and somehow we ended up falling into a deep slumber, feeling so protected under Naru.
Naru Pov
I awoke by someone stroking my face with tenderness. I opened my eyes and rubbed them to adjust my vision. The first thing I see is Mai, looking at me making my heart flutter.
"Hi," she smiles at me tenderly. I groaned, pulling her closer, and place my face in the junction of her neck, breathing her in.
"Hi," I said with a hoarse voice, causing her to giggle. I felt her rub my arm, pressing her cheek against the side of my head.
She rubs her thumb across my cheek, then looks at our babies so did I. Both were deep asleep, looking so peaceful.
"Must be heaven for them to sleep in something comfortable. I just hope they don't get sick." Mai said.
"If so, I can get those herbs, they help last time..." but I stopped when I look around the room.
"I was thinking the same Naru, we aren't back at our home, we are back to civilization, what took for us ten years, it was only ten minutes for everyone back here. We can't just ask, so how were the last ten minutes of your life? Not something that we can ask." Mai said sadly.
"Hard to get used to, I was in shock, to be honest," I admit as Mai nods, and caresses my cheek.
"My poor Naru, I wasn't even helping to console you. I'm sorry, I don't know what happened to me. I'm sorry Naru," she looks remorseful, but I shook my head and took her hand and kiss it.
"It's not your fault, you did comfort me, don't worry," I admit, she doesn't look convinced, but wormed herself to me, and hugged me tightly making my heart warm up with hers. Knowing that she means this from the bottom of her heart. I felt much comfort. She lifts her head and I couldn't help but give her a tender kiss on her forehead causing her to blush.
"When we reach the port, we have to take them to see a doctor, especially you Mai, you suffered more than I ever did. Then go shopping for baby clothes and then somehow tell the other and..." but Mai turns and press her finger on my lips to stop me from talking.
"My love, a step at a time, we have to re-educate ourselves and get them at least not have a panic attack, they have never seen cars or anything that we are used to." I nodded at her, and sigh.
"Why is returning already is harder than just surviving the island? Back then it was so hard, now it seems so easy, then going back to the city," Mai shrugs at me.
"I already miss the Treehouse," Mai and I said in unison, catching us by surprise. We both chuckled at the mention and held her tightly when I made sure the babies are safe, I pop Mai and myself into the bathroom.
Immediately took Mai's waist and picked her up to sit her on top of the light brown counter.
"Naru?" she gasps in surprise. I move my hand and got my toothbrush and hers. Remembering that is still in my luggage and taking a big guess on hers. When I showed her, her eyes grew big and surprised.
"Oh wow, a toothbrush and toothpaste, I haven't forgotten about these," she claps happily and takes her from my hands and pops open the tube, and places the paste on top of her brush. Then she pops it on her mouth and smiles moaning in pure heaven.
I followed her lead doing the same minus the moaning.
Wow, this feels good. I forgot how this felt.
"I forgot how this feels. Oh, Civilization. No more apples or those suds leave." She admits with a giggle.
I nodded in agreement. I move my hand to the right and grasp a glass from the corner of the sink and filled it up with tap water. I handed it to her, and she smiles at me taking it.
"Thanks." she spits some suds out landing on my face. I scrunch my face, as Mai giggles and extends her hand to brush the suds away.
"Sorry," she laughs in a giddy way, warming my heart. I just shook my head and kept on brushing my teeth. I felt years out of my mouth. After we finished, I place everything back, and I suddenly sigh, placing my head on her lap. I felt her small hands running through my hair.
"How are you feeling?" she asks.
"Mentally tired; I don't know how to explain this to them, or how to adjust or comprehend the ten minutes, it's been ten years for us Mai," I admit to her. Mai presses her cheek on top of my head as I began to rub the side of her leg.
"You finally admit it; I was waiting for you to break down." I didn't say anything because she's right, Mai kisses my head as I lift my head to look at her.
"Geez, you make it sound like that's a good thing," Mai shrugs at my statement and lowers her head to kiss my forehead.
"It is because it won't' drive you crazy, just bottling it up, my love," she said to me. I rolled my eyes at her as she stole another kiss from me, catching me by surprise, as she smirks in a flirty way feeling my heart flutter.
"Let's go," she whispers. I straighten up and grasp her waist to slide her down. Giving our children, one more look, making sure they are okay, we went into the shower, feeling strange by this.
"I miss the waterfall, but hot water," she said as we stepped in after undressing, and rapidly began to wash using her shampoo and soap, not caring to be honest if I smell like her. I felt Mai wash my back with soap.
"I just hope we didn't develop some allergy after so long," I said as I rinse my hair, then turned, to wash Mai. I put shampoo on my palm and began to wash her hair, as she stood there, enjoying my treatment.
"You think so?" Mai asks to turn to look at me. I shrugged my shoulders, not sure myself. After rinsing her hair, I began washing her body, now use to it. Not sure when we got the habit, but at this point, anything to remain together and a good excuse to touch each other without being lustful, just enjoying each other.
"It can happen," I stated as we continued to wash, now that I look at the showerhead, it felt strange, no more swimming around, feeling the cold water, or smelling the earthy ground. I slump my shoulders when I felt Mai wrap her arms around me, pressing her wet cheek against my back as the hot water poured over us. I press my hand on her arm, feeling her sadness as well. I turned around to face her, I move my fingers and brush her wet hair away, and pulled her into my arms, hugging her, feeling her wrap her arms around me once again.
Mai knew that I broke, so she rubs my bareback and kisses my chest where my heart lies, laying her cheek on it, as I press my cheek on top of her head as my tears mixed with the shower, not wanting to hold it anymore.
Mai, I'm so sorry...
"I know my love, me too, I miss it already, cry all you want, it's only between us."
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...
...
As we reach the bed, after our shower and with fresh normal clothes, (and I recovered, of course,) I went back to my black clothes, while Mai wore her blue jeans and a loose pink shirt that fits her nicely with some black flats.
"Feels strange to be back in our normal clothes, I actually like the ones we had back home. Especially the clothes you wore, they made you so handsome Naru, I mean you still are, no matter what you wore, but it gave you a charm, I can't explain it." She admits.
"I know what you mean, those dresses made you look enchanted, we'll go shopping soon and buy some replicas, I'm actually a bit uncomfortable with these after so long, geez, the older we get our tastes changes as well. I like old man clothes now." I admit to her.
"Me too," she giggles while heading towards her handmade bag she made me years ago. (I place the bag on the floor next to the bed earlier.) Suddenly I move faster and took it away from her and opened it, Mai did a double-take at my sudden action.
"What's wrong?" she asks as I sat on the edge of the bed and place the bag on top of my lap.
"I have this strange feeling, I can't name it," I told her as I search, scavenging through the things I manage to save, even her gifts, our twin's toys, and some books that I enjoy. Then I manage to find it, the gloves, those gloves that have been bothering me for months now.
"Oi?" Mai took the gloves out and stares at them, ignoring the fact that someone began to knock at our door.
"Did you save this as well?"
"No, I couldn't even manage to find your wedding dress," I told her the truth. Mai frowns as sadness, past her eyes.
"Oh, no, well," we paused when the knock on the door became harsher so both of us stare at each other.
"That's going too hard to get used to, no one ever visited us besides Ayame and she just floated in." Mai giggles, placing the gloves on top of the bed. Suddenly a hard tumble causes Mai and me to stumble, she falls backward and I forward, making me fall on top of her, making the mattress bounce.
Now hovering on top of my arms on each side of her, holding myself up, as my leg is between her parted legs, while my knee sank into the mattress. Yet that didn't stop my heart from beating hard against my chest. I look down at her to see her look at me with wide eyes, as her wet hair plaster down, her face fluster, but she looks soft and tempting.
I suddenly swallowed heavily. I didn't even notice I was getting lost in her eyes.
Why does this feel familiar?
"Why does this look familiar?" Mai asks my thoughts, but more to herself.
"Naru? A... Are you okay?" She said a bit breathless.
"Yes, you?" I asked, not wanting to move.
"Fine, are the little ones okay?" Mai's eyes landed on the babies, noticing the fear in her eyes. I gave them a brief look, to see them like rocks in their sleep.
"Yes, remember they are heavy sleepers when they are not waking up in the middle of the night," I told her. She turns her gaze at me, and our gaze locks once again.
That strange sensation passed my heart, a pulse, something familiar that I can't put my finger on just yet.
This is so familiar, why? Why is this so familiar? Ignoring the hard knocks, I lay down, pressing myself against her, she smiles gently, brushing my wet hair.
"Wanted to hug me?" Mai questions me.
"You're soft and warm," I simply said, causing her to giggle.
"Good, I thought I would be hard and cold." she teased, causing me to close my eyes, enjoying this, just her caresses and snuggling into her, was pure heaven.
It made me feel more at ease than ever, I have a headache, but I haven't told her that.
"I'll make you tea soon, to ease your headache," Mai read my thoughts.
"Hmm," I just nodded like a child, thanking God, that she understood me too much.
After a few minutes, I move away and helped her stand up. Yet, as soon as our hands made the connection a spark of electricity shocked us both going down our spine making us shiver in this strange sensation. I heard Mai gasp. I look at my hand, confused by this arching a brow. I turned to look at Mai, noticing that she still staring at me with a strange longing, love-struck look which gave me goosebumps.
"I remember now before we went overboard, you landed on top of me," I let her words sink in, thinking back for a moment, then it dawned on me and my eyes widened.
"I remember now, also the bird poop," I whispered. Mai smacks my shoulder.
"I have forgotten about that," I chuckled when Mai run her hands up my shoulder to my cheeks, as I press my forehead against hers as we say side to side.
"I thought you were going to kiss me. You have no idea how nervous I was that day," she explains a bit breathlessly.
"Don't worry, I felt the same, Mai, that day, I was going crazy, you have no idea how much I ached to kiss you, but I held back,"
"Then I'm glad you did, if not I would have been so confused," she admits. I inch closer to her.
"Then, if I kiss you now, will you be confused?"
"I don't know, will I? Don't you have a headache?" she teased but look a bit concerned.
"What headache?" I playfully smirk at her, and she rolled her eyes knowing that I was teasing her. Without another word, I pulled her towards me, and captured her lips with mine, giving her a soft kiss. Slowly our kiss becomes deeper, losing reason of reality, as our heartbeats increase. All thought left me, forgetting everything for a moment, just feeling her, feeling her hands run through my hair, pulling me against her, kissing me hungrily, with a deep passion for her love for me as I did the same.
"Naru!"
"Mai!" I gasped out, as I began to remove my black shirt, feeling Mai running her warm hands against my skin, making me ache even more for her, loving her touches, which I can't ever get enough of.
I began to travel down her jawline, now my hands running up her leg, pushing her pelvis against mine, enjoying the feel of her curves and her heat, hearing her moan in pleasure, but then Mai gasps out, gently picking up my head, so she can stare at me. I blinked a bit disappointed by this action.
"Di... did I hurt you?" I asked a bit concerned, but she shook her head.
"No my love...never." She said, breathless, making me feel relief since sometimes I get nervous if I push it too hard on her, I don't want to open any memory of what happened to her three years ago. I'm still pissed by that.
All of these thoughts came into my mind, as Mai blushes hard, and leans down to kiss my lips and my dark thoughts went away replaced with her sweetness.
After all these years, I still am afraid of Mai being forced on something she doesn't want to. I can't stop thinking of what I witnessed what he tried to do to her. I don't get it, I really don't, making love is the sweetest thing I have ever experienced with Mai. It should be mutual consent and love. I want her to always feel safe with me.
I move to kiss between her breasts, hating the fact that I can't feel her skin due to her shirt, but she seems to enjoy it, and I this point I didn't care, I want her, to assure her that I will never harm her and feel safe every time she gives herself to not only living together as a couple but when we make love as well.
"My love, I... I know, but not now, I… guest… Someone…" Mai couldn't even talk as she was breathless as I continue to seduce her.
"Guest?" I blink confused by this, as I rose myself up.
"What do you mean?" I question her breathing a bit heavy, trying to comprehend. Mai kisses my cheek as she pushed my shirt up, and straightens to fix it.
"My love, we aren't in The Black Lagoon," she said to me, kissing my cheek. I stare at her for a brief moment, trying to comprehend it. Then she points around to show where we are and it dawns on me.
Damn, I'm not used to this anymore.
"Right," I simply said as Mai kisses my lips.
"Just hold on okay, if we could hold up for a few months, then we can hold on a few more. Even though right now I wish to be back at our home, just laying naked on the beach with you after making love and talking while bathing in the sun," she looks so sad and longing for me and our home.
"Just like last time," I smirked at the memory and she blushed but nodded, I was about to say something when the knocking was harsh, but then it stopped when suddenly the doorknob turns, making a squeaking noise.
Mai's eyes widen in panic, and I move out of the way before we get caught. Adjusting ourselves, I sat next to Mai. Mai straightens up, adjusting her shirt, and hair, to make it as though we just didn't make out.
I suddenly turn to face the gloves, and to my surprise, they disappear.
Did they go back in time? Or did Ayame take them?
I heard the door open, and I turn my gaze to see Lin entering the room and arched a brow as soon his gaze landed on us.
"Lin. Sorry, we fell asleep and err." I could tell Mai is blushing from embarrassment and stuttering.
"Do you feel better?" Lin was a bit stiff on what to ask, but Mai nods at him.
"I'm fine Lin, thank you for asking. Naru helped me compose myself." She blushes hard, lowering her head like a shy teenager. Lin nods and clears his throat.
"Well, I'm glad to hear you are better, as well, Noll, I came to tell you that we just arrived at the port, that's why there was a bit of a bump a few minutes ago. I'll be sending you both to the hospital and the babies as well." He mentions, looking at me then at the twins behind us. He suddenly shook his head and murmured something under his breath. I couldn't tell, but something in the lines.
"Maybe I'm thinking too much or something like that."
"The others are already downstairs waiting for us, I let them know the situation," Lin concludes as I nodded.
"Lin, when you have time buy some diapers, and some baby clothes, they are one year old and four months, I know they look smaller, so get smaller sizes for now," I order as he nods.
Thank God, he doesn't question much, he trusts my judgment.
Mai began to rub her arms and turns to look at me, in her eyes, I can tell she is scared. I just shook my head slightly.
Me to Mai, I'm scared as well, but don't worry, while we are together we can pass this as well.
"Don't worry Noll, I have asked Ms. Matsuzaki to bring some baby supplies and clothes." Mai bounced up going to Lin and took a hold of his right arm, Lin became startled by this sudden action of hers.
"Mai?" he questions.
"Oh, thank you. Naru and I are so grateful." I nodded at Lin a thank you. Lin gave us a confused look, but nods either way. Ayame starts to awaken making small noises. Automatically I stretch my body forward and smiled at her. She opens her small eyes and suddenly becomes fussy, wiggling herself towards me.
"Hi there my little worm, you're just like your mom, are you hungry?" I asked as she stretches her chubby arms for me. I picked her up and she holds onto my shoulders.
"Pa!" she said, stretching her body, then lays her head down on my shoulder.
"Mai, Aya is hungry," I stood up and Mai went up to her and stretched her hands out.
"Is Aya hungry?" she asks and Ayame nods, stretching her body towards her mother.
"Ga!" it's her yes, as Mai picks her up and holds her gently in her arms. She turns to face Lin.
Lin gave me a secret look as to say, 'Did you just pick up that child and showed emotion? In front of Mai? ' I shrug at him as Mai kisses her small cheek. I felt a sweat drop behind, my head.
I think we need to tell Lin, he can help us to keep this low, for now, we need help, I don't think Mai and I can adapt to this without help.
"Lin, let me introduce you to Ayame. Aya, this is Lin Koujo, err..." but I took Mai's arm and pulled her back. She looks at me and arched a brow confused.
"Ne, Naru?" she asks as I leaned forward and whispered into her ear.
"I think we can tell Lin about Gene and Ayame, err, at least somewhat of it. We need help, I don't think we can do much without his help and the others questioning us will be a headache. We aren't mentally stable as it is Mai, but if you don't want to then I respect that." I asked for her opinion. She thought about it for a few minutes and nodded.
"I agree, if Ayame and Gene helped us, then I wouldn't have anyone else to help us, but Lin at this moment until we tell the others, this is big news for everyone. Always a step ahead isn't you, my love," she winks, causing me to roll my eyes at her.
"Of course, if not, you'll be running around like a chicken without a head." I teased flicking her forehead. She scrunches her face and takes out her tongue at me.
"Mai!" I slip my arm around her waist and pull her towards me, tilting forward to capture her tongue forgetting that Lin is there.
"I told you I would do something with your tongue," I teased as she squeals a bit delightfully, but stopped mid-way and went wide-eyed when I heard a clear of a throat. We both turned to see Lin with bugged-out eyes at the display. Both of us turn so red, that we jump out of each other embrace, clearing our throat, looking anywhere but each other or Lin. I rubbed the back of my neck.
I forgot Lin was there for a second. I need to control myself.
"Did I enter the twilight zone? You were about to kiss Mai?" He questions with disbelieve. Mai and I sigh shaking our heads.
"We keep forgetting that we aren't alone anymore. Err, Lin, before we go downstairs, can you have a seat, we have something to tell you." We invited him.
"I'm perfectly fine standing, now tell me what's going on, I normally don't pry, but something is strange between you two, and those two babies. Noll, what happened after you went to save Mai? It was only ten minutes, how did you manage to find a small boat and two kids? Did you guys find it after you resurface and found the babies?" Lin asks and guessed. I licked my lips as I heard Mai say.
"Well, after we tell you, then I'm sure you'll sit down and how I wish it was that simple Lin," Mai said as we both took a breath and raise our hands to show him our wedding rings.
"Lin, for you, for everyone, even my parents, we've been missing for only ten minutes, right?" I began. He nods, as he takes a step closer to look at the wedding rings.
"Yes, what about it? What happened and why do you have a couple rings? Don't tell me you had those secretly stashed in your pockets wanting to ask Mai to be your girlfriend?" He arched a brow.
"Oh, that would be the less shocking way to receive them," Mai told Lin. He looks at her.
"What do you mean?" he questions as Ayame bounce again.
"Ma, Ma,"
"I know, I know you're hungry my little one, just give us a moment, okay," she kisses Ayame's forehead and turns to face Lin.
"Let's cut this short, Lin, I know what you saw was ten minutes ago earlier, but for us, it wasn't ten minutes that we fell out this ship Lin, but ten years. We've been gone for ten years and Mai isn't my girlfriend but my legal wife, well, I have to get the paper works out, but we have been married since God blessed our union and these two are our twins, they came out of our um, union. They are a year old with four months, and Mai gave birth to them last year during my twenty-eight birthday."
Lin stares at us as though we grew a second head or something.
"Noll, I'm not in the mood for jokes, take it seriously, what happened to you two, and..." but Mai shook her head.
"Lin, you know I don't joke around," I said seriously, but Lin didn't believe me or refused to.
"Lin I know it's hard to believe and we are not joking, you know how serious Naru is, but we are already married for ten years and have two kids. We were stuck on the island for ten years, we missed you guys for ten long years, not ten minutes. Please believe us." She begs Lin. I was about to say something when Gene burst out crying. I turned around and went up to my son.
"It's alright Gene, it's alright buddy, your Papa is here," I told him as I picked him up and began to bounce him.
"See, Papa is here," I told him as I went up to Lin and turn to show him.
"Look buddy, this is uncle Lin," I told him.
"PA!" Gene continued to cry harder as Mai sighs.
"He must be really hungry, before the fire, we didn't even have breakfast. I'll feed him first, just entertain Aya," Mai said as we switch babies.
"Now Ayame, play with papa, Mama has to feed your younger brother, okay." Ayame didn't like it and turns towards her mother.
"MA!" she calls out extending her body. I sigh in frustration.
"I'll try to calm down Aya, go and feed Gene first okay..." but Lin again interrupted.
"So, those two... Really yours? You're a father Noll?" Mai? You're a mother? he barely spoke and we nodded at him.
"I know it's hard to believe Lin, never expected to become a father either, but do you believe now? Do you think two children will be calling us Ma and Pa after ten minutes of meeting Lin? We've been parents since the moment Mai became pregnant. And Lin..."
"Our lives since the moment you saw us go overboard became a living hell for the first eight years." Mai burst out crying, so I wrap my arm around them, to give her comfort, Gene stopped crying and looks at his mama, and hugs her. Mai rubs his small back.
"We missed you guys so much, but we aren't the same anymore Lin. So we need your help, to keep this a secret from the others until we find a way to tell them, we can't keep this secret forever. We need to adapt back to society or at least back to as normal as possible because I'm positive we will never be normal again."
"You know now that I look at the boy, he looks almost like you Noll, how do you plan to hide this and, wait give me a moment, this is hard for me to adjust, it's only been ten minutes, and yet you come to me saying that you're married and have kids. Ten years?" Lin's face is pale and he finally sat down.
"It's a long story, Lin, trust us when we say it wasn't part of our plans to get married, we had no other choice. We'll explain it all to you if you give us a chance." Mai said as she went up to him. Lin lifts his gaze as Mai wipes her eyes.
"Please Lin, give us a chance and help us. We've been so alone for so many years and our only companion was Ayame, but she was a ghost. Naru and I can't be separated even if it's only for five minutes. We only have each other, but I know how much Naru treasure your friendship and trust you so do I. So please help us, I'm begging you, we can't function in society for ten years."
"There you go again, ten years Mai, it's hard to believe, but I will keep this a secret from the others due to the respect you too. Yet you have to give me every detail to understand this okay?" he tells me. Mai breathes out in relief as I went up to her, and she turns to look at me.
"Is this a dream? He's not going to betray us?" Mai asks as the tears kept running down her eyes.
"No Mai, he isn't like him or anyone on the island. This is real, not a dream." I simply told her, Mai lets out a relief cry, circling her arm around me, burying her face on my chest.
"Him? The others?" Lin questions, Mai's body tense at the mention of him,(William) that I look at her.
"Sorry Mai, I forgot, don't think about it okay. It's my fault, just don't think of it." I rub his arm as Mai looks at me.
She shook her head, grabs my hand, and gives my palm a small kiss.
"I understand my love, don't worry, I'm alright," she assured me and I turned to look at Lin.
"Do you have time, after we feed Gene and Ayako, then we will tell you everything," Lin nods, as he stood up, his face is pale and unbelieving.
"Noll, you're my partner and my boss, of course, I have time, you pay me. Also, I'm your friend and mentor, I'm here for you two. I see Mai as my younger sister. I don't understand what Mai meant by that, but one thing is for sure, this has to be one hell of a story. Ten minutes were ten years? We aren't even near the Bermuda triangle, we just went for a case... Suddenly they come back married and with two kids? I must have drank too much sake the other night and I'm still out of it. Never in my life, not even in the paranormal field, I heard of this only in fiction books." I heard him talk to himself as he left us. Mai and I turned to look at each other.
"This is going to be hard to explain."
...
...
...
After calming our kids, and feeding them, we now sat in front of Lin. Mai is edgy and scared so she sat next to me, not sure how to react to seeing people around and not trying to harm her.
Lin got us a stroller since the gang is waiting for us back at the docks and brought lots of baby things, in the hour we spent coming back to the port. We were amazed that Gene and Ayame liked it and didn't fuss about it, but it was a war to put on their diapers, luckily I knew how to put one on and thought Mai how to do it. Gene kept throwing it away, not wanting them, Ayame was a bit calmer, after the twentieth attempt. Yet finally both got used to it after a long battle.
So now we sat near the chores, around some round white tables that face the waters, seeing little bystanders walk and such. I felt anxious, not used to this. Missing so much our solitude.
This feels so weird now.
Lin made an excuse for us before we can meet the others since we weren't ready and he wants to know what happened. Lin was eager to hear our story.
"So this is Eugene Shibuya Davis Taniyama and this is Ayame Davis Taniyama, and this is Uncle Lin," Mai introduced our kids to Lin and vice versa. Lin awkwardly waves at them and sighs.
"This is going to be hard to get used to, ten minutes," he only said and turns towards me. I am sitting back against the chair enjoying the breeze which calmed me a lot.
"You're telling us, it's been ten years, you're the first real human no offense that we met, so where do you want us to begin?" I asked.
"From the beginning Noll, from the moment you went to save Mai," he said as he crosses his arms and eyed us since he was sitting in front of us. Mai looks down at her old scar wound, moving her two working fingers, and looks at me.
She doesn't want to relieve that.
I rub my palm against hers and gave her a tender smile. She couldn't help but brighten up and smile back at me, with tender eyes, feeling our hearts beat at peace finally. I turn to face Lin, he just shook his head.
"So weird to see you two so love dove, normally you two are arguing about something while secretly crushing on each other. Either way, begin then," he said.
"So you know?" Mai asked,
"About?" Lin asks a bit confused.
"That Naru loves me?" Mai asks him. He let out dry laughter and nodded.
"Of course, even the dead could tell he's crazy about you Mai. I think is more now than before the way he looks at you. When we were back in England last year, he was so depressed he couldn't even concentrate on his work and sometimes slipped out your name when wanted tea or just to talk. That boy is madly in love with you, you and he were the only ones that didn't know at the time. Now that you two are married, I'm sure you express it all the time," he said, clearing his throat, I felt my cheeks warm up a bit, and Mai blushed hard but smiled at me gently.
"Geez, the first year on the island was a nightmare making me believe that you love another woman, geez, tonight you'll be sleeping in our hammock... Err, right couch, I think," she said, letting go of my hand. I blinked, looking at her, knowing that she was not really mad, but teasing me in a way.
"Oi, the first four months then the other five months I was in a coma due to Alack, and Kyoko, so I couldn't defend myself and you should be the one to talk, you made me believe that you were in love with another man. So we are even, if it wasn't for Ayame, I would never guess that you love me."
"That's because I thought you were going to die, she tricked me and.."
"Enough!" Lin interrupted us causing us to look at him.
"Wow, now I'm convinced that you two haven't changed a bit, but act more like an old married couple if that makes sense, also a coma?" Lin questions me a bit worried. I shrugged at him, not sure how to explain it.
"Sorry, we aren't used to being with others, normally Naru and I talk to each other all the time. It's going to take some time, please understand, being on an isolated island with no one around but each other and only having a ghost and evil ghouls as your neighbors, makes you forget how to socialize with others so long." Mai said to him. Lin crosses his arms and nods.
"So from the beginning, so what happened, what is this island you mentioned? We have never seen one while searching for you two."
"Seriously? I swear I have seen the ship and even Naru saw it a few months ago." Mai puts as Lin shook his head.
"I guarantee you we haven't seen anything, from our point of view, after Noll jumped after you Mai, you two just disappeared, we even thought that the prepares of the ship sucked you in, so the Captain had it checked, but didn't find anything." He explains.
"Then after ten minutes of intense search we found the ship you two were on, simple as that and you know the rest," he explains. Mai looks at me once again, and I can feel her heart grow anxious. I rub her hand and gave her a confident smile making her relax a bit.
"My love, do I start or do you?" Mai asked, I suddenly smirk, and she knew I would take over. She gave me a thank you look, as she leans her head on my arm and I look straight at Lin as Mai and I intertwined our fingers, feeling her supporting me, knowing that this won't be easy for me to say, yet, I want her to be assured that I won't be mentioning that bastard.
"That drenched hell-bent cursed island that brought us pure nightmare somehow became our home Lin, and that island name is The Black Lagoon and you're about to hear about our dark past."
Thank you for the reviews: Yes Lin knows, he'll help them. Let's see how they adapt...
I hope you guys enjoy this chapter and the reactions felt realistic. I hope I continue to kept them in character.