BladeMasterAd: I don't think anyone won't understand him once he tells them. Or as you will read, tells mimi in hopes she tells everyone for him. I always receive the impression that matt hated confrontment. You know how there are people who find it easier to tell you face to face while other's do better by writing a letter. I'm that way. I prefer to be away from someone when I pour my feelings out. I think Matt's the same why while Tai needs to be there. To explain just in case you don't get it. So I think it will be easier if Matt took the cowardly way out in this one. I will tell you that Mimi will be thrilled. Thank you for the review, I did need it after that chapter. I honestly didn't think it went well. I think this chapter did much better. Tai will meet the red haired lady!
Stained In Negativity: I read this review over and over again and for the longest time couldn't understand what you meant about your story. I read your story "Don't" over and then it dawned on me yesterday. Tk confronted Matt in his room, on the bed while he played the guitar as their mother done so in your story. Matt's father was in the next room and Matt did stop playing, unlike your story but he picked up again later. So your right and I wrote this after I read your story. I hope you didn't think I took some of it, I think more that you inspired it. I love that story. You did a wonderful job on it.
Curtis Zidane Ziraa: I'm glad you believe it's realistic. I guess it is in a way. I wanted the mother to leave. So many times you see mothers raising their children alone. Once in awhile, there are dad's doing it too. I guess I wanted to point out that it doesn't matter who is raising the child it changes their lives. Thank you for your review.
FallenArchangelDD: Brothers and sisters fight all the time. I do wish other people would put siblings bickering in their stories. It happens but when they are close, they forgive each other a lot faster. I've noticed that only children in the household tends to take little arguments more personal then children with siblings. Have you notice that? Maybe it's just me. Thank you for your review. I do appreciate everyone taking the time to give me that pat on the back. And for corrections.
Nikki1: I love Matt and Sora as a couple and it wasn't an accident that I made the mother of Matt's child a red head…I wanted a little of Sora in this lady. I wanted a reason for his attraction. Sora will find out in this chapter about Matt. Izzy also and Tai will actually meet her. I don't think Tai thinks highly of her. Matt and his mother will be slow. Matt won't be pouring out his feelings to her anytime soon if at all in this story but he will cross the line he made many years ago. He will take the first step and she will accept what he is willing to give her with a lot of patience.
gizmo-396: Thank you. I don't think the show ever really went into dealing with that, of course it wasn't a show about Matt and Tk so that may be the reason why they didn't. But I often thought why matt was so bitter and held so much anger against her. When you're a child, promises mean so much and hurt just as much when they are broken.
JyouraKoumi: Aw well that explains it. I don't speak getto.lol, you'll have to help me with your phases from time to time, okay?
Digi-Girl101: Thank you for reading and reviewing. I'm glad you are still enjoying the story.
wolf's lament: Wow thanks. That chapter was very difficult for me to right and I really wanted to just delet the whole chapter and start over but I didn't know where to start! I'm glad you thought it was better then I did.
Sorry everyone the reviews are long. I tend to ramble at times. In this chapter I wanted to write more with Matt and his lady friend but I don't want to offend anyone so Tai helped me. Bless him for being reliable to appear anywhere. I don't know what I'd do if Tai wasn't in my stories. It is long, sorry but I do hope you enjoy it.
Tai watched his best friend swing her racket; a huge twang sound sent the tennis ball over the net into the opponent side. The ball was sent back over the net and then again. Tai rubbed the back of his neck, tired from watching the ball hit the marked pavement. Tennis practice, Tai found out that it was not very bad to watch. He preferred soccer but that was his sport, no longer Sora's. He had to hand it to the game, running back and forth like that did look exhausting.
Sora bounced up to him with her famous smile and her rusty eyes shining brilliantly. "Tai! I thought you would be on your way home."
Tai shook his head and leaned forward on the bench. "We need to talk."
"We do?" Sora glanced over at her tennis mates, "About what?"
Tai looked away from her for a moment, his attention focus on some of Sora's friends.
"Hey Sora are you coming?" One blonde called out.
"In a second!" Sora waved.
"Sora, we really need to talk." Tai locked eyes with her. "Seriously."
"What's wrong Tai? You're scaring me." Sora smiled nervously.
"Please? I will wait after you shower. I don't intend to be callous but you kind of reek."
"No worse then you after practice!" Sora lightly bounced the netted racket off his head.
Tai grabbed her racket from her hand and chased her towards the girls changing area, Sora laugh the whole way, slamming the girls' locker room door in his face. Tai walked across the hall and sank down onto the cold floor while he waited for Sora. He received some smirks from girls he knew from his classes and a few giggles that girls did sometimes behind whispering hands.
"You brake that you'll have to get me another one." Tai was bouncing the side of the racket on the floor when Sora emerged. Sora stood before him in a pair of worn looking jeans and a small pink top.
Tai smiled up at her as he held out his hand that she grasped with out hesitation and helped him horst himself up to his feet. They walked side by side, towards Sora's apartment.
Sora kept glancing at Tai as she tried to make some small talk yet he kept his hands stuffed in his pockets and his head towards the ground.
"Tai, obviously there is something wrong." Sora sighed finally. "You hadn't said one word since we left the tennis court. I can't keep talking to myself, people will start thinking of me in strange ways!"
"I know." Tai stopped walking and scanned his area, finally realizing where they were. "Let's take it to the park." Tai grasped her hand and escorted her across the street and through a side alley to the entrance of the park. He kept pulling her along and with his strides longer then her own, she found herself jogging to keep from falling on her face. Finally, he found a concealed picnic area behind some trees. He sat down at one of the weather tattered tables and Sora sat across from him. She placed her tennis bag on the table, folded her hands together and place them in front of her.
"So, Tai." Sora grin. "What's going on?"
"Okay this isn't easy for me to tell you this." Tai took her hand in his own. "I um…well I've been talking to Matt and he told me something that might be a surprise to you."
"Oh?" Sora frowned. "What is it?"
"Remember when you asked me if he was seeing anyone?"
"Yeah."
"I said no." Tai looked at her for a moment.
"Right. You said no." Sora smiled again but with uncertainly.
"Well I was wrong. He was."
"Was?"
"Yeah. Was. He isn't now but he was at the time."
"So he is still not seeing anyone." Sora shrugged her shoulders. "Was it serious? Is that what you mean? That they broke up and he's taking it hard or something?"
"No. He said that he never loved her or anything like that. He just…made love to her." Tai felt a blush rising on his cheeks.
"Oh." Sora unfolded her hands. "Well I never expected him to be a virgin, Tai. And if it is over then maybe I can still tell him how I feel."
"It's over but things are a little more complicated." Tai rubbed his forehead. "You see, this girl he was seeing is pregnant and he is the father."
"Pregnant?" Sora echoed her friend. "Is he sure?"
"Convinced enough to make me feel certain." Tai nodded his head. "There's more."
"How could there be more?" Sora looked up at the sky, blinking back the tears she didn't want to shed.
"She doesn't want the kid but he does. He's going to be a single father, Sor." Tai watched her for a moment. "The chance is there if you still want it but now it's a little more complicated. You have to ask yourself if you want to be with him and a baby, someone else's baby. I know how you feel about Matt but do you want involved in that kind of relationship? He might not even be ready for someone, not with a baby one the way."
Sora nodded her head; tears still threaten to escape from her eyes. "How is he doing with all of this?"
"He's scared. I would be too but his father is talking to him. He even asked my Mum to be a nanny! Can you believe it, my mother?"
"She would be good at it. She did a good job with you." Sora gave him a shaky smile, wiping tears away from her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Sor." Tai climb over the table to sit next to her and positioned her into his arms while she wrestled with her tears. "I know how much you care for him and I know you were just waiting for him to come about. I told you the damn boy is blind!" Tai made small circles on her back as she leaned against his shoulder.
"Gwad, I don't even know why I'm crying. We're not even dating and I'm acting as though he cheated on me.'' Sora's voice was muffled against Tai's shoulder. "I feel so stupid." Sora gave a small hic-up when she pushed Tai away. "I shouldn't have waited. Maybe I should have been more aggressive and just went after him like the other girls."
"You're not stupid Sora. It's too late to worry on what might have been." Tai wiped her tears away with his thumb. "Just think of what you want to do. Maybe wait until this kid is born and see if you want that kind of romance or even if Matt is ready to be in one. Who knows, maybe you might think that Matt isn't really what you are after. I'm sure this new ordeal will change the guy. I know it would me."
Sora nodded against his hand. She sniffled a little. "You know, maybe this is a lesson to you."
"To me?" His chocolate eyes filled with confusion.
"Maybe this will make you do something now before it's too late for you and Mimi." Sora stood up, her legs felt like Jell-O. "Maybe you should tell her how you feel before it's too late and something comes between you and what you want." She bent down and gave Tai a kiss on the cheeks. "I need to go home and think. Thank you for telling me, Tai."
Tai watched her walk away and after a moment called out, "I love you!"
Sora turned around to walk backwards. She blew him a kiss, "Love you too!"
Matt ranged the small white button beside Izzy's door and turned as an old man walked out of the elevator to shuffle down the hall before he turned his head towards the door as it opened.
"Matt." Izzy looked surpised. "Just you?" He asked as he tried to peek over Matt's shoulder.
"Just me." Matt smirked, clearly amused by Izzy's behaviour.
"Oh. Well it's just that you never come over by yourself." Izzy opened the door wider for Matt to walk through.
"Don't I?" Matt frowned as he thought back to all his visits with Izzy.
"No. Have a seat." Izzy pointed to the sofa.
"You're right. I never do come over alone." Matt sat on the sofa cushion. "Sorry. I guess I should work on that."
"It really isn't a big deal. I know we don't have much in common. Do you need a drink or something to eat?" Izzy asked and Matt shook his head. Izzy sat down across from him, uncertain what to do. Matt was not exactly the easiest person to entertain. "I made a new computer game!"
"Did you? What is it about?" Matt asked.
"Well it wouldn't be something you would be interested in I guess. I enter this contest to design an educational computer game for grade school level."
"What is the subject you focused on?"
"Fractions, history, science and language. I threw a little of everything in there." Izzy shrugged, as it was not a big deal.
"That's great Izzy. I didn't even realize you were working on something like that. I know Tai loves the games you make for him and I enjoyed mine greatly. I'm sure you will be recognized for your efforts. Computer games seemed to make learning fun in my opinion. Better then a teacher droning on."
"I've been working on it for a few months now. Davis has been coming over to check it out. Unfortunately for me, he is a lot brighter then he looks or acts. He clicks the right answers with out hesitation" Izzy sighed, "I might have to actually borrow someone's kid from down the hall to try it out. Anything new with you?"
"I received my acceptance from the college I wanted to attend." Matt told him.
"You did? That's great Matt!" Izzy beamed. "Did you tell your dad yet?"
"No." Matt shook his head, "I um…had other news to tell him. I'm not sure if I can attend this school now."
"Why not? Your dad will be thrilled. He knows how much this means to you. Besides, he has even told you that you should not rely on just your band. Musicians have fall outs all the time."
"I know and your right. I thought about what I would want to do if the band ever split or something along those lines." Matt nodded his head. "Hey Iz, the real reason that I came over is to apologies to you about our little row last month."
"Oh. Honestly I nearly forgotten about that." Izzy frowned. Even though Matt would never admit it, Izzy had observed a long time ago that Matt tends to dwell on the past to often. The past always seemed to be Matt's shadow, following him as it was apart of him, almost haunting the boy. "But your apology is accepted if it makes you feel better."
Matt smiled and nodded. "You see I should have just asked your opinion about being adopted. I thought since you were adopted, you would be the best candid and I just turned it into an argument."
"Well you are an argumentum person." Izzy teased and waited for Matt to say more. "But I don't understand. What does being adopted have to do with anything?"
"Iz I'm going to be a father in about four-five months." Matt played with the end of the sofa armrest.
"A father?" Izzy whistled. "Wow. Is this good?"
"I'm not sure." Matt laughed about his own uncertainty.
"Do you love her?" Izzy asked and Matt shook his head no. "So what are you going to do?"
"Keep the child. The mother does not want it. She was going to give it up for adoption which was why I quizzed you so badly about your thoughts on adoption. Adoption was an option for me. It isn't any longer." Matt sighed. "Joe knows and Tai. Of course Tk and my father know of the baby also."
"How about your mother?"
"Dad told her and I have to tell my grandparents. I keep putting it off."
"When are you going to tell the others?"
"I was going to do it during one of our get together but I thought of another way." Matt licked his lip, "It's a cowardly way but it's an easier way. I am going to tell Mimi. Mimi will tell everyone and plus!"
"Has the mother told anyone?" Izzy watched his friend shake his head.
"Really there isn't that many more people that need to know. Tons that will want to know. I have to tell my band mates yet. I've told you and Tai wanted to tell Sora…"
"Oh Sora." Izzy groaned.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"No, it's something. What?"
"You can be so blind sometimes." Izzy looked over at Matt. "Sora is in love with you. She's been in love with you a long time."
Matt shook his head, "No her and Tai…"
"Are just friends." Izzy interrupted. "She's always gone out of her way on your birthdays or any big event that showed up in your life. She has always made it a point to be there for you."
"Friends do that for friends."
"She had never made me anything for Valentines Day and Christmas or arranged a whole party just because she thought I was feeling a little down."
"Tai has done that, doesn't mean he's in love with me."
"Tai is strange to begin with and he knows Sora is in love with you. He knows and that is the reason he is telling her and not you. Think about it Matt. Look back at all the signs, there are all there." Izzy sighed.
"Great, now I feel a thousand times worse." Matt mumbled.
"Don't. It's not your fault. No one ever claim that you are a good representative against blondes being airheads." Izzy smirked as Matt glared at him.
Matt slid his key slowly into the key hole and heard the lock click open. The day was not even over and it felt as if it was never going to end. He felt drained of energy and yet, he felt lighter as if he an overloaded backpack that he had been carrying was tossed along the path. He started to push the door open when he felt slender, warm arms slip around his waist, small hands slid up and down his stomach.
"I've missed you." A voice purred from behind him. He felt the warmth of another body push against his back. With a smile, Matt turned around, his back now at the door to face the intruder.
"Did you?"
"Oh very much." The red hair woman slid her hand up his chest to rest behind his neck. She pushed his mouth against her own, sliding her tongue over his lips before slipping pass to caress his tongue. Matt felt her painted lips curl as he moaned into her mouth. She slid her other hand down below his waist. "I see that you've missed me too."
Matt placed a hand behind his back to turn the doorknob. The apartment's door swung open and Matt pulled the young woman into the room with him. "Are you staying or just dropping by?" Matt asked between her kisses. He shut the door while he backed her up towards the sofa.
"Just dropping by," She moaned as she dropped his pocket book near the door.
"Hmmm." Matt kissed the base of her neck as he pulled his blouse loose from her skirt.
"Is your father home?" She asked as she worked the zipper of his jeans.
"What do you think?" Matt smiled as he slid her blouse down her shoulders and planted a kiss between her breast.
"I think you should read the note on your refrigerator." A voice came from the doorway of the kitchen.
"Tai!" Matt spun around. The girl that was in his arms swiftly bent down to retrieve her blouse from the floor.
"If you did take time to read the note, then you would know that your father only went to pick up a few groceries. But the way you two are going at it, I bet it's over before he comes home."
Matt turned around to assist the red head as she fumbled at the buttons on her blouse.
"Now tell me if I'm wrong." Tai pushed himself away from the door that he was leaning on. "But isn't this how the two of you got into this mess in the first place?"
"What the hell are you doing here?" Matt asked with out looking at his friend.
"Looks like I'm saving your ass from embracement once your father enters through the door with a bag of food in his arms. Lets not forget that, though don't hold me to this but I'm pretty sure he can get his beautiful young lady here arrested for chid molesting or whatever law is that they will incline she has broken to have her way with you. Now," Tai held up his hands, "I'm on your side. We are old enough to make that decision ourselves but you know how parents can be…as matter of fact you'll be one." Tai looked over at girl beside Matt who now stood fully clothed in front of him. He extended his hand out towards her, "Nice to meet you. I'm Tai, the godfather."
"The what?" The girl looked up at Matt and back at Tai.
"The child you are clearly caring is my godchild." Tai smiled and patted her stomach. "Hard to believe that you'll be delivering in a few months."
"I um…I need to go." The girl took Tai's hand away from her slightly swollen belly and looked over at Matt. "I just dropped by to give you this." She walked over to her purse and held up an envelope that she placed against Matt's chest.
Matt placed his hand over the envelope with out looking at it. "I'm sorry. He doesn't knock he just….walks out from behind closed doors." Matt apologized to her while he sent daggers at Tai's directions. Tai gave him his best smile and a slight shrug as asking what did he expect.
"I have to get going anyways." The girl gave Matt a quick kiss on the cheek before slamming the door behind her.
"Well that went nicely, don't you think? I can certainly see how you became attracted to her. Legs like that and her breast!" Tai made a gesture with his hands in front of him.
"What do you want?" Matt hissed.
"Do I detect a note of hostility?" Tai's brown eyes grew huge. "After I just saved your ass from getting booted by your father's shoe?"
"Tai." Matt warned.
"You know what I don't get?" Tai went on, as he did not hear a word Matt said. "She seems to have time to screw you but what happens when the child is born? Is she just going to come by to fuck you and not see her kid?"
"She's moving back home once the child is born." Matt moved passed him, placing the envelope on the coffee table.
"Ah, well that clears that up." Tai rolled his brown eyes and threw his hands up in the air. "I can't believe you're okay with her just leaving. To continue on her life as though nothing changed. Am I wrong to believe that having a kid is suppose to be a big deal."
"Everything is a big deal with you." Matt took a seat on the sofa. "In reality, it doesn't matter what I think, Tai. We are not married nor do we want to be, not to each other. She could have just left me out of the loop altogether. I might not have even known I was going to be a father. She could have told me and then left, dropping the kid off on her way back home. I can't change her mind."
Tai sat down beside him and leaned back into the sofa. He levered his head up with the palm of his hand. "You might want to zipper up before your father comes home."
"You forgot to tell me what you are doing here." Matt stood up to zipper his pants.
"You're dad left me in by the way. I didn't just barge in as you seem to think." Tai stated.
"Still what are you doing here?" Matt asked as he opened the envelope that the girl gave him.
"I forgot a book the other day." Tai shrugged. "What did she give you?"
"I have no idea." Matt frowned.
Tai leaned over "It looks like one of those ink blob pictures. If you squint at it, you can see an elephant riding a bicycle. A broken bicycle but nevertheless, a bicycle."
"What the hell?" Matt flipped the small picture around. "Which way does it go?"
"This way." Tai flipped it around, "Or you can put it this way." He then flipped it once more. "But I like it this way…"
"Tai." Matt put the picture back into the envelope.
"What? I was trying to help."
"Well your not." Matt bit the bottom of his lip. "What do you suppose these series of numbers mean down below?"
"Ah well we over looked those didn't we? Well it's clear to me that those numbers are suppose to help you in figuring out which way the photo goes. See, if the numbers are upside down, then the picture is as well. Very cleaver, these picture making people are."
Matt turned and stared at Tai for a long time.
"What?" Tai asked.
Matt only shook his head.