"Kazui, are you ready to go?!" Ichigo called. It was a brand new day, it was the weekend, but all that matter to Kazui was finishing the story. He and Ichika want to know how the story finishes.

"Why are we going to the park?" Kazui asked as he and Orihime got their stuff together. "Aren't Ichika and her parents coming back here?"

"We just figured going to the park would be better than you two just hanging around here all day." Orihime said. "Besides, does it really matter where you hear the story? I bet you still haven't figured out which one I am in the story."

"Come on, Dad. Tell me more of the story." Kazui pleaded as he wanted to know more.

"We will when we get to the park. Let's go." Ichigo said as they gathered all they needed and headed out the door.

...

The Park

The Kurosakis headed for the park to meet with Ichika and her family. Kazui kept his eyes open like a hawk because the sooner they find them, the sooner they can hear the story. They soon spotted the three of them on a park bench and met up with them.

"There you are! Now we can get back to the story!" Ichika said.

"Ichika's really into the story. She could barely sleep without knowing what happens next." Rukia said.

"When she couldn't sleep, she tried her best to figure out which character is really your wife." Renji said.

"Is that so?" Ichigo said to give the kids a tough time. "Well? Do you two have anything yet?"

"It's hard to say." Ichika said. "We don't know much about Teresa, but you imply that it might be her. You and Emma got along great, but she left. There's also Emily, but she cheated on you. Does she even come back?"

"She does. We'll get to that part soon." Ichigo said.

"Since Teresa was just introduced, we don't know much about her." Kazui said. "It might help if you tell us more about her."

"I have to say that I'm rather interested my self. I want to hear how this all plays out." Rukia said.

"Right. On with the story." Ichigo said as the kids took a seat on a bench. "Where did I leave off?"

"We learned that Teresa was married to her grandfather." Ichika said with disgust.

"Not her actual grandfather. He was just old enough to be him." Ichigo said. "Anyway, I'll tell you what happened when I learned the truth..."

...

The Story

"Husband?!" Ichigo said with complete shock when he learned Teresa was married and to such an old man. "You're married?! Does he even know we're here?"

"Maybe. It's hard to tell." Teresa said as she acted like it was nothing. "Let's just take this outside." Once she made sure everything was well, she had Ichigo leave the room and took her work with her. She closed the door and made sure her husband wouldn't be disturbed. "Okay. Now we can start the interview. What's the first question?"

"How's this? What?!" Ichigo said as he really didn't know what to think.

"I know it looks strange, but what can you do?" Teresa said as the two of them moved to a different room and had a seat on the couch.

"You can start by giving me a decent explanation. How did you he and he even meet?" Ichigo asked.

"I was doing some mandatory volunteer work for school." Teresa said. "He was checking the place out, but he said he wasn't really interested. He claimed he wasn't that old. We ended up meeting, got to talking, and it actually ended up becoming a great thing. As soon as I turned eighteen, he asked me to move in with him and he would take care of me."

"He looks like he's the one that needs to be taken care of." Ichigo said. "Why would you agree to marry him?"

"The guy has a lot of money and I needed that at the time." Teresa said.

"So you agreed to be a trophy wife?!" Ichigo said as he couldn't believe this. He thought the girl had more decency and self-respect than that. Turns out this girl has some flaws like how she married an old guy for money.

"Don't get the wrong idea. He really is a nice guy and I really do enjoy his company." Teresa said. "When I'm not working, I keep an eye on him and do everything I can to take care of him. Ever since he's been bedridden, he can't move, doesn't really eat, and I can barely tell if he's conscious. It's some sort of miracle he's lasted this long."

"So...stopping by the café, all this paperwork, anything you do outside..." Ichigo listed to try and get an understand of what she does.

"I usually step outside after I make sure he's going to be fine for an hour or two. I work from home, but when I am outside, I check on him." Teresa said. "I haven't been to any clubs, parties, or spend time with my friends for more than an hour for a long time."

"To last this long, he must have a strong will or something." Ichigo said. He was started to get impressed with her again. She might be in an unfavorable marriage, but it seems like she spends almost all her time taking care of her husband.

"I know what you probably think. My parents weren't happy about the marriage themselves." Teresa said. "I haven't even spoken to them in years. It's tough, tiring, but I've got to do what I got to do." Ichigo was rather impressed with her. Not only does she spend all her time taking care of this guy, but she's also taken some responsibility for her choices.

"Maybe it would be easier if you had some help." Ichigo said as he was willing to help her out with all of this. Teresa was surprised that he would offer, but she greatly appreciated it.

...

Present Day

"Wow, Dad. I can't believe you actually did that for someone you just met." Kazui said.

"Well, I was moved by her dedication." Ichigo said.

"I do have to admit something. I'm not sure I like Teresa." Ichika said. "If it turns out that Teresa is really Mrs. Kurosaki, I'm not sure I'll be able to look at her the same way. I know I said that about Emily, but this feels a little more unsettling." It did have Kazui a little concerned as he looked towards his mother. He was a little unsettled about the idea himself.

"It could be her. Teresa said she hasn't heard from her parents and I never met my grandparents from Mom's side." Kazui said.

"True, but Emma didn't really get along with her parents either. Remember that she had to support herself." Ichigo said. "That means she had to take care of herself."

"But Teresa has more evidence of her actually being your mother, Kazui." Ichika said.

"Is Mom really Teresa?" Kazui said.

"She might or might not be." Ichigo taunted with the kids rethinking things again.

"Stop doing that!" Ichika said.

"You better get to the end soon or else these kids are going to go crazy." Renji said as the adults were finding amusement in this.

"Well, I helped Teresa take care of her husband. That went on for a couple months until he passed away." Ichigo said. "When he did, I was there for her."

...

The Story

Teresa's husband passed away. She was sad by it, but she was doing a good job of keeping it together. She just sat in her home and cleaned the tears from her face. Luckily, she wasn't alone. Ichigo was there to comfort her and he didn't leave her side.

"You doing okay?" Ichigo asked.

"It's a little hard, but I will be fine." Teresa said. Ichigo could tell that Teresa really did care for that old man from the tears she had. "He really was a great man. He gave me a home when it didn't feel like that with my parents. I'll miss him. Still, I knew this was going to come eventually. All that caring I did helped me prepare for this. I suppose the bright side is that I can finally clear that stuff away and I now have an extra room available."

"Look at you. You're already trying to think positive." Ichigo said. He was impressed with how Teresa was holding herself together, but he could tell that she was torn up about it inside. "Hey... Are you free this weekend? Maybe we can do something to help take your mind off it." Teresa actually did like the sound of that. That was just the start.

...

Ichigo's Apartment

"You're doing what?" Renji asked as he was told of what Ichigo was doing. "The girl is recently widowed and you're taking her on a date?"

"It's not a date." Ichigo said as he was getting himself ready. "I'm just trying to help her through this. I'm not going to try anything on her."

"Are we in a romcom? That sounds like something in a romcom a person would say, but they end up jinxing it." Renji said.

"Renji, it's all going to be fine." Ichigo said as he sure all of it was and just headed on out. Despite what Ichigo claims, Renji could just see how this was going to go.

...

Ichigo and Teresa

That weekend night, the two of them decided to hit the town. They grabbed something to eat, drink, and had a good time. As they walked down the streets together, the two of them had great fun together. Teresa's tears turned into laughter just from being around him.

"You're kidding. You have to be making this one up." Ichigo chuckled.

"No. I really think that guy with the hot dog cart is sleeping with the mayor. Why else would he give out free dogs, even if it is the mayor." Teresa said.

"That's crazy. The mayor would do so much better than him. Plus, isn't the mayor married?" Ichigo said.

"Yeah, and all marriages have problems. You saw me in mine." Teresa said. "I do have to admit that I'm having a lot of fun." She said as she grabbed a light post and twirled around on it. "This is the most fun I had in a long time. I am going to miss that old timer, but I am glad I did this."

"Oh yeah?" Ichigo asked.

"Yeah." Teresa said as they both leaned against the post. "I've got you to thank. These past couple months, you've been really kind."

"Well, I guess I was touched by your story." Ichigo said. "Speaking of which, I would like to get a hold of some your research. I told the guys I work with about what you do. They have a hard time believing it."

"No problem." Teresa said. "I am serious about this. I'm really grateful for what you've done. No one has been this kind to me."

"Well, I just wanted to be a good friend." Ichigo said.

"I think this is more than just that." Teresa said as they looked right into each other's eyes. For the past couple months, Ichigo has helped out Teresa a lot. During the time, the two of them grew closer and closer. Even though Teresa was technically married, she couldn't resist what she felt. That's why she kissed him. Ichigo was taken in for a moment, but he pulled back.

"Wait. I don't think this is a good idea." Ichigo said. "You just recently lost your husband. I'm not too we should be doing this." Teresa understood that, but she wanted this. "Come on. I'll at least take you home." Ichigo escorted Teresa home and still hoped this all worked out for the better.

...

Teresa's Apartment

The two of them made it back to Teresa's apartment while keeping things platonic. They walked in the door and just kept to themselves.

"I'll just grab some of that research of yours." Ichigo said as he made his way to one of the rooms. Teresa leaned against the door, but she couldn't help how she was feeling. She followed Ichigo into the room as he grabbed some of the paperwork she had. "Thanks for letting me have this. I'll give it back when..." Ichigo didn't finish as Teresa kissed him once again. She pushed back and had him fall on the bed as the two of them stayed like that. As Teresa tried opening up his shirt and kissed his neck, Ichigo tried to resist. However, he felt what she felt and accepted it rather than resist it. After some time, the two of them found themselves under the covers, no clothes, and breathing hard.

"Wow..." Teresa said as she felt like her breath was taken away.

"I thought I made it clear this wasn't a good idea, but the bad ideas usually feel like good ones." Ichigo said.

"I know, but you have to understand. I haven't had an actual man give me a good orgasm in a long time, so I'm a little edgy." Teresa said. "I know I lost my husband recently, but it felt like he was already gone. It's like I said, all that caring I did for him helped me prepare for that moment. I know most people usually wait in situations like this, but it seems like I already found a great friend."

"With me?" Ichigo said as he felt flattered.

"Depending on how you look at it, I say we're in the clear." Teresa said as she snuggled up to him. "I just want to know if you're really in." Ichigo thought about it. He hasn't done much dating himself lately since he and Emily broke up. It seems like he's got a good thing with Teresa.

"The truth is that I actually want to because I think you're really something special." Ichigo said.

"Good because I'm ready for another round." Teresa said as she climbed on top of him and kissed him again with them going again. With that, the two of them started their own relationship