Chapter 8: The Bet

Christmas arrived that year cold and blustery with snow in the forecast. The gang arrived at the mansion and a maid let them in. "Hi guys, welcome." Ishizu greeted, giving the women hugs.

"Can I sit down? This bum leg is better but it ain't perfect." Joey complained. "I almost slipped twice going up those damn stairs."

"Take it easy Joey, you are going to hurt yourself again, you big idiot." Luna said punching him lightly in the arm.

"Hi Ishizu" she smiled.

Joey hobbled over to the couch and eased himself down, setting the crutches aside. "That's better."

"Ishizu?" Ryan looked up at Ishizu.

"Are you ok Ryan, whats wrong little one" Ishizu smiled looking down at the young boy

"Where are the cookies? Mommy says you make good cookies." Ryan grinned up at her.

"There is a plate full in the kitchen that you & your brother can help yourselves to" Ishizu said pointing in the direction.

"Now son, it's not polite to just ask for things like that. You should wait till they are offered to you." Atem scolded folding his arms across his chest and tapping his foot.

"I'm sorry, Ishizu." Ryan apologized, shuffling his foot a little, his head down.

"He certainly will be like his Father when he grows up" Ishizu giggled as Atem rolled his eyes

"Thats ok , I said you could have some. Sorry for not asking you two first, you are his parents" Ishizu smiled at them sheepishly

"He has his father's charm, as you can tell." Hali giggled.

"Thats ok , I said you could have some. Sorry for not asking you two first, you are his parents" Ishizu smiled at them sheepishly

"He certainly will be like his father when he grows up." Ishizu giggled as Atem rolled his eyes

"What about the other kids? I don't want them to be jealous." Hailey asked, as Alisa tried not to look hopeful watching Ryan scamper into the kitchen.

"Sorry Hailey you are, you can tell them that they are more than welcome to the cookies as well. I made enough for everyone."

Before their parents could say otherwise, the kids scampered to the kitchen, making their parents laugh. "I guess they didn't want to chance us saying no."

"Thank you, Auntie Ishi" Menkura said stopping in front of Ishizu an bowing.

"Your very welcome Menkura, such lovely manners" Ishizu smiled.

Marik snorted. "He remembers his manners when he's around you. He tends to forget them when it comes to us, right Kura?" He gave his son a knowing smile, ruffling his blond hair.

"Dadda, not the hair" Menkura complained running away from his father

"Dont worry about it Marik, he's only a child. He's just like you at that age." Ishizu smiled elbowing her brother.

"Yeah, I'm realizing since I've had kids they're taking the worst qualities of me and throwing it back tenfold." Atem chuckled.

"Um I hate to break it to you Pharaoh, but you have five kids. That is one reason why Loretta & I are stopping at two" Marik chuckled looking at his wife out of the corner of his eye.

"She's your wife now." Atem shrugged, immediately changing the subject as the kids returned. "Hey, were the cookies good?"

Ryan nodded. "Do you think Sammie would want one?"

"I think she might be a bit young but thank you for the thought Ryan. That was very kind of you." Hali giggled as Marik walked away.

Ryan got up on the couch between Sammie's car seat and Joey and touched Sammie's hand. "You're my baby sister and I'll beat anyone up that tries to be mean." he promised in a serious voice.

"Yep, he's your son." Hali smirked at him.

As Hailey watched Ryan she thought of having another baby. Then she thought back to the past month and realized something. "Hali, can I talk to you?" she asked quietly.

"Good boy Ryan" Atem smiled

"Whats wrong sis?" Hali asked raising an eyebrow at her sister.

"I just need to talk to you." Hailey pulled her by the hand toward the kitchen.

"Oh? Whats up?"

"I think I'm pregnant."

"Woah congrats, have you told Yugi yet? Hali said giving Hailey a hug.

"I said I think."

"Well have you been feeling sick or anything recently?"

"No, but that's not unusual. My doctor said that every pregnancy is different. However, I missed my period last week."

"Oh, well I won't tell anyone until you know for sure." Hali nodded.

"Can you sneak out and get a test? Say you're getting feminine products and none of the guys will ask." Hailey giggled.

"Sure, I think I'm in need of them anyway." Hali giggled.

Hali and Hailey headed back. "I gotta go pick up some girl supplies at the pharmacy, I'll be back."

"Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" Atem asked coming over to Hali and touching her arm.

Hali leveled a look at him. "Do you really want to go get feminine hygiene products with me?"

"Well no. Is everything ok?" Atem asked gesturing to Hailey with his eyes.

"Yes, just need to get a few things." Hali gave him a quick kiss and headed out of the mansion.

"Ok be safe Hali." Atem sighed watching them leave.

"Hey Atem, where are the girls going?" Yugi asked feeling left out of the loop.

Atem looked over Yugi with a smirk. "Have you two been doing the beast with two backs lately?"

"What? Oh...no." Yugi said sheepishly going bright red.

"I am guessing it's not pads they are going for."

"What do you know, that I dont, Pharaoh?" Yugi said narrowing his eyes at Atem.

"He's asking if you had sex with your wife in the last month." Seto said bluntly, entering the room.

"Atem!" Yugi fumed looking even more embarrassed.

"I'd say that's a yes." Atem smirked at Seto. "Wouldn't you?"

"Would you two mind your own business?" Yugi said storming off.

"I never imagined I'd be teasing him with you. I thought you would be more into protecting his fragile ego."

"He needs to tough up a bit anyway. Plus he will forgive me once he cools off." Atem chuckled.

"Better not be a boy then. Or we'll have to teach him to be tough." Seto chuckled.

"I wouldn't mind betting it will be a boy."

"Oh?" Seto raised an eyebrow. "How much can you handle?"

"I have two sons and have had to fight Bakura and Yami Marik numerous times. Try me." Atem smirked.

"Okay, whoever loses has to change the diaper for a month. Whenever Yugi asks."

"Your on Kaiba! This is gonna be fun." Atem said rubbing his hands together.

"We'll tell Yugi after the bet is decided."

"It may be better that I tell him. You can be abit abrasive sometimes Kaiba" Atem chuckled.

"I'll agree to that. And what are you going to tell me, Atem?" Yugi asked, appearing at the door.

Atem looked sheepish. "Well, we made a bet. If Hailey is having a baby, whoever picked the gender wrong has to do diaper duty when you want."

"And what did you bet?" Yugi raised an eyebrow at Atem.

"Boy. And of course Seto picked girl." Atem replied. "You're the only one that doesn't have a boy yet."

"Hey can I get I get in on the bet?" Yugi asked.

By the time Hailey and Hali had returned, the bet had been upped to the loser doing diaper duty until the baby was potty trained. Hailey cleared her throat. "I don't care how it got out that I might be pregnant, but would anyone care to find out if there is a baby before pinning anyone to diaper duty on a possibly imaginary child?" she asked, annoyed.

"Sorry Hailey." Yugi replied sheepishly. "It's the old rivalry. We'll give you some privacy to take the test."

Hailey went into the bathroom and shut the door. Yugi bit his nails anxiously while the guys gave each other knowing looks. "I know that look well." Atem grinned at Joey.

"Yeah, the I'm waiting to find out if I'm going to be a father look."

"Or more accurately going to be a father again look. It's harder to spot unless you know." Atem smirked. "I was more obvious with Sammie.

Hali snorted. "I thought you were going to pass out."

"I was not going to pass out." Atem scowled at her.

The door opened and Hailey came out, pale as a sheet. "I'm pregnant."

Yugi hugged her tightly. "That's great." He murmured, kissing her.

"Did you get in the bet for us already?" Hailey asked, smirking as she nodded toward Seto.

"Oh, if he loses we'll call him a lot." Yugi grinned.

"Good." Hailey giggled.