Note: Hit that 7 month mark. Honestly, really surprised I got an update out for both May and June. I do want to say that I am employed again, so while that is my main priority, I will be trying to keep this monthly update system going. Also, there's another OC in this chapter as well as some mentions of others, again, some credit goes to AzikaRue394.

Speaking of which, my biggest inspiration for an update was AzikaRue394! Today is her birthday and so I felt it was my duty to have an update out. Thank you for being, honestly, the most amazing friend I have ever had. Staying up to 4 am just talking or letting me pick your brain on anything and everything. I wouldn't trade you for the world.

In addition to AzikaRue394, I want to thank Player Zero, Kenrai, and MidnightStarr for the reviews! Much appreciated, as always.

Disclaimer: I don't own Beyblade.

Opal

Meeting in the park wasn't much different from being kids now that they were adults.

"Hey Tyson!"

"Maxie!" An exaggerated wave accompanied with a grin as the capped boy pushed his small companion on the swing. "Gracie, can you say hi to Uncle Max?"

Okay, maybe some things were different.

Max bent over, hands on his knees as he looked at the beaming toddler to say hello. She squeaked along as her father continued to push her on the swing. She waved slightly as her hands were raised gleefully in delight, poking just slightly outside of her pink coat.

"Some daddy-daughter time?"

"You bet." Tyson puffed up his chest, always the doting father. He listened to the squeals of his daughter, her attempts to look over her shoulder in her giggle fit, Tyson scrunching his face together in different faces. "Counting down the days until baby number three, aren't you? Gotta be real soon."

Max sighed, giving a solid nod. He straightened himself up, studying Gracie – a spitting image of Hilary – as she continued to shriek in content. Mariam was due in another week or so and it left the blond on edge. Seemed that even after welcoming kids one and two there was not enough experience in the world that would ease his nerves.

Tyson raised an eyebrow at his friend. "What? Nervous?" Max shrugged. "Hil told me you guys don't know what you're having, right? Hoping for another boy? Or you think you're going to finally get a girl?"

Max's eyes remained on Gracie as if he was in deep concentration. "We don't know officially," the boy admitted. There was something about not knowing for sure and they never knew with either Maddox or Marlowe. "Mariam's mom thinks it will be a girl."

Tyson frowned trying to study his friend's expression. "You say that like it's a bad thing." He laughed, readjusting his hat as he gave another push of the swing. "You need more estrogen in that house, at least Mariam does. What Hil says anyway."

"I know it's not a bad thing." Max let out a deep breath, his nerves on edge. "I just don't know how to handle a girl."

Tyson stared at him incredulously and then snorted. "Dude, you coming to me for girl advice?" Max cracked a smile, he couldn't quite believe it himself. "Why does she think it's gonna be a girl?"

"I don't know, something about those weird tests they do." Tyson rolled his eyes at Max's explanation. "I don't know Tyson, she was right about both the boys."

"Huh," he said in response, scratching his chin. "Speaking of, thought you were going to bring Marlowe?"

"Nah, didn't want to leave Mommy. He's been super protective lately so he's chilling with Mariam at my Dad's."

"Nervous about not being the youngest anymore, you think?"

"Could be, I know Maddox isn't exactly thrilled. Tried bartering with us the other day saying instead of another little brother or sister, we could just get him a guitar."

Tyson grinned with a shake of his head. "Well, he's got his priorities straight, I guess."

Max laughed, watching as Gracie turned to look at her dad as the swing started to lose momentum. She smiled at Tyson, kicking her legs in plea. Pulling the swing back and giving her a kiss on the nose, Tyson let go once again to a shriek of giggles.

"Marlowe's just been a bit clingy. Wants to cuddle with Mariam a lot. Don't know if it's because I've been doting on her a lot lately since she's due pretty soon or what."

Tyson had a giant grin on his face, listening to his daughter's laughter. "I don't know, sounds just like Marlowe to me."

"A little," Max admitted. Out of his two sons, Marlowe was the one that stuck very close to him and Mariam. "I just hope he doesn't have a hard time when the baby comes."

"He'll be fine." Tyson waved him off. "Go into big brother mode in no time."

"Hopefully."

"Girls aren't that much different," Tyson stated with a shrug, his friend obviously still nervous. Max looked over to him with a tight smile. "Gracie and Marlowe play together all the time."

"I know. I just don't want to mess it up."

The swing began to lose momentum again and instead of giving his daughter another push, Tyson picked her up out of the seat. She gave her father a slight pout as Tyson bounced her in his arms. "You'll be fine," he reassured his friend. "Girls like swings and ice cream just as much as boys."

"Ice cream!"

Max smiled at Gracie's sudden outburst, trying to wiggle out of her dad's arms. Tyson held her out at arm's length, her pink jacket still a little big for her body. Tyson tossed her playfully into the air.

"I guess."

"I'd be more nervous you'll have three kids under the age of six if I were you."

Max put his hands in his jacket's pockets, the brisk autumn weather just starting to kick into gear with a gust of wind. He shook his head at the thought. "It's crazy, what happened?"

"Grew up." Tyson hugged his daughter closer to his chest.

"Ice cream…?"

Max laughed as Tyson looked down to the pouting toddler. "Ice cream?" the former world champion repeated. "What a great idea!"

The blond couldn't help but roll his eyes. "You sure mommy would approve?"

"Daddy approves."

"Ice cream!"

"Ice cream!" Tyson shouted, pumping a fist into the air while his other arm held onto Gracie. She threw her hands into the air in victory making Max shake his head. For a kid that looked so much like Hilary, she sure did have Tyson's personality. Tyson looked to the blond. "Dude, you'll be fine. Girl or boy."

Max gave a sigh, nodding at his friend. "Thanks, Tyson. I appreciate it. I knew I could count on you."

"Anytime buddy." Tyson hefted Gracie up on his shoulders ready to give her a piggyback ride. "But I mean, if you want to buy us ice cream as thanks, I won't complain…."

Some things never change.