House Rules

Chapter Three- Quality Time

"And where do you think you're going?" Lulu asked watching Wakka put on his shoes. They had returned from the port earlier that day.

"Da Park… wanna come?"

"You have to get ready for your mother to come."

"Ah I'll do it later."

"I'll do it later usually means I'll forget and you'll do it later. Come on Wakka."

Wakka put his shoe down. "Alright alright." He kicked off his other shoe. Lulu smiled. "Yuh evil Lu y'know dat?" He asked with a chuckle.

"Oh you have only began to see my worst"

Wakka laughed and walked over to give her a quick kiss then head up the stairs to get the guest room ready. Lulu shook her head and then walked back into the kitchen where she was getting ready for that nights dinner. It felt very strange cooking a smaller portion of food. She was in the process of putting something in the fridge when Wakka came into the kitchen.

"Guess what he forgot."

Lulu looked from what she was doing. "His toothbrush?"

Wakka nodded as he pulled the yellow toothbrush from behind his back with a sad little laugh.

Lulu shook her head. "I'll have to remember to tell Yuna that."

"Dey didn't call when I was cleaning?"

"No."

"Well how long is the flight ya?"

Lulu washed her hands off and walked over to the island that he was leaning on. "A couple of hours."

"Hours? Geez, I'm glad I'm not going."

"Why because you can't sit still for more than ten minutes?"

"No…" Wakka smiled as he made a move to stand behind Lulu and wrap both arms around her waist. "Cause I wanna stay here with you." He placed a little kiss on her neck. "…and I owe you." He kissed her again on the neck. "mm and I love you." He kissed her again this time on her cheek."

"All of this?" Lulu asked Wakka nodded. She turned around in his arms and rested her hands on his shoulders. "Well you do owe me…" Wakka began to grin.

After a little while Wakka picked her up and put her on the island. And then all of a sudden they both just started laughing in between kisses. It got to the point of them not even being able to kiss. Lulu put both hands on his face and looked at his happy face. "I love you." It was barely audible. Wakka's wide smile turned to a closed mouth one as he looked at his wife.

"I love you too Lu." He touched her face. "so much." He leaned forward and hugged her close to him. Right when the hug was about to be over Wakka surprised her by picking her up off the island bridal style. He began walking her out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

"Try and not loose focus this time honey."

Wakka chuckled. "Ouch."

"Want me to set the timer for ten?"

Wakka laughed. "Y'know we'll see who crackin' jokes when the only name you can remember is mine."

Lulu rolled her eyes. "We'll see who want's to cuddle first."

"Oh Wakka,. No don't stop." Wakka mimicked in a high-pitched voice

"I do not sound like that." Lulu made a face.

"You will." Wakka smirked.

Needless to say neither made fun of the other.

"I miss them."

Wakka chuckled cutely as he held her hand. "I do too… it's too quiet." Their room was completely dark save for the minimal light coming from the moon outside their window. Wakka lay on his back and Lulu curled at his side. He held her hand on his bare stomach looking at it in the shadow of the moon as they talked.

"It is…too clean."

Wakka smiled "Isn't that supposed to be a good thing?"

"Yes but…all their toys are put away…"

"Aaaww Lu." Wakka leaned over and gave her a little kiss. "Bet dey miss their moma too."

"Poor Tidus."

"What?"

"He's not built like you, they'll run him ragged."

Wakka laughed. "Dat is true… He's gonna come back bald with all they hair Nadia pulls."

"Does she really pull it out?"

Wakka shook his head. "No, but it feels like it sometimes."

"She's a daddy's girl."

"What's wrong wit dat ya?"

Lulu laughed. "Nothing calm down." They were quiet for a little while.. Wakka put his arm around Lulu and she rested their hands on his chest. "How did the talk with Vidina go?"

"Hm?" Wakka asked sounding sleepy. "Oh, I think I did good…we talked about the different types of love."

"Did you?"

"Mhm."

"Sounds complex…" She teased.

"Well I think I handled it well thank you very much."

"He gave me a kiss on the cheek and said it was aloud."

"Yeah? I missed dat one."

They soon fell asleep after talking about their children a little more. Wakka slept soundly Lulu on the other hand was a light sleeper and woke around midnight to loud knocking noises.

She pried herself out of Wakka's comforting grip and quickly put on her robe for the nights air was just too much for her bare skin to handle. She made her way down the stairs stopping her self first from checking on the kids. The noise somehow increased as she neared the living room.

"At this hour?" Lulu thought aloud wondering who it might be. She moved aside the curtain and groaned audibly at whom she saw. She turned right around and headed upstairs and turned her bedroom lights on. "Get up." She ordered.

Wakka moved around a little.

"Wakka!"

"What baby?" He asked in his sleepiest of voices. He still had his eyes closed. "Turn off da light."

Lulu went over to the bed and looked down at him. "Your mother is here."

"No she's not…."

"Yes, she is, listen…" They both heard the loud knocking. Wakka groaned and sat up.

"What she doin' ya?" He looked at the clock. "It's 12 somethin' in the mornin'."

Lulu crossed her arms.

"Alright alright I'm goin'." He stood and began walking out of the room.

"Wakka."

He was already down the hall.

"Wakka." Lulu repeated as she went to stand at the top of the staircase. Wakka had his hand on the doorknob. He turned around and looked up at her.

"What's up Lu?" He voice still very sleepy.

"You might want to put some pants on first."

Wakka looked confused then looked down then up at her again. "Ya dat would be a good idea huh?"

Lulu chuckled "yeah."

After pulling some shorts on Wakka finally answered the door revealing a woman about Lulu's height with dark brown hair and electric blue eyes she was a little lighter than Wakka in the complexion department and was wearing a vibrant sun dress… at night.

"Ay ma…." Wakka smiled slightly.

"Wakka." She smiled back.

Wakka moved aside to let her in. "Eh how come you didn't say nothing about coming early?" He asked as he took her bag and put it by the couch.

"Well I wanted to surprise you and Lulu…. By the way where is she?"

Wakka shrugged. "Lu!?"

"I'm in the kitchen."

"She's in the kitchen." Wakka said to his mother.

"Good good, so how are you, you look beat, she treating you right?"

Wakka sat down rubbing his face. "Course , Lu is amazing. Just tired…. It is early."

The woman nodded. Just then Lulu walked into the room with three cups of tea. "Lulu, it's nice of you to show your face hm?"

"Very nice to see you as well." Lulu said politely handing her a cup of tea.

"Are you pregnant again?"

Lulu looked surprised. "I beg your pardon?"

Wakka looked surprised. Did his mom notice something he didn't?

"Oh it's just that you look bigger than I remember." Wakka winced.

"I assure you, I am not." Lulu said before excusing herself into the kitchen

Wakka was giving his mother a look. "What ya? She looked bigger, and I know you can't keep it in—"

"Ay ma c'mon."

"What?"

"Lu's tryin' here, I don't know why she even has to, but could you just be nice, for me?"

His mother sighed. "You're asking too much Wakka. It's obvious she doesn't respect you enough to join us in the living room."

Wakka put his hands to his face. "You called her fat ma."

"So she runs? It was an honest mistake."

After talking a little while longer Wakka excused himself to get his mother more tea. He went into the kitchen to find Lulu sitting at the table drinking tea and reading yesterdays' newspaper. She looked up when she heard him enter.

"Sorry…"

"For what?" She asked looking puzzled.

"Shes just a lil cranky from the trip y'know?"

Lulu shook her head and went back to her paper. He was always making excuses. Wakka slouched and stared at her for a second more, when she said nothing he refilled his mother's cup and went back into the living room. Lulu entered a little while later.

"It's getting late, goodnight."

"Goodnight dear." Wakka's mother said paying her no mind.

Wakka stood. "You goin' to bed now?"

"It's almost three Wakka."

Wakka stepped up to her. "You want me to um…"

"Stay with your mother."

Wakka nodded a little. "Ok, I'll be up shortly though." He leaned forward and gave her a little kiss. "Night." He smiled.

Lulu nodded and turned to head upstairs. Wakka watched her leave and sighed. "It's getting' late ma, want me to show you your room now?"

"Nonsense Wakka, come and tell me more about this new work."

Wakka got into bed at four. Lulu woke early that morning and went down into the kitchen and was surprised to see Wakka's mother wide-awake.

"Good morning."

"Lulu, good morning. I trust Wakka is still sleepin'?"

Lulu walked into the room cautiously. "Yes, he tends to sleep in longer than I."

The woman nodded and sighed sadly.

Lulu just knew it was a trap; the woman was an emotional wreck. She stayed quiet as she began making breakfast. Wakka's mother sighed again, this time louder until Lulu just couldn't take it.

"Is there something wrong?"

"Wrong? No no I am just so…"

Crazy?

"Depressed, today is just one of those days."

"Saturday?"

"Chappu died Friday night, I found out Saturday morning."

Lulu felt a little bad. "I'm sorry."

"Sorry….you are sorry?"

"Well, yes now that I have children I understand how—

"You could never understand." She shot back. Lulu raised her brows in surprise. So much for trying to be nice. She went back to making breakfast.

"Maybe if Wakka drove him… if he had called Wakka to drive him than he would still be here." The old woman mumbled. "But where was Wakka… with you."

Lulu turned around, "Are you saying that it is my fault?"

The woman didn't look at her "He would have driven him home." She just sipped her tea. Lulu could feel herself tighten up inside. How in all of Spira was it her fault that Chappu was drunk and driving!?

"Maybe if he wasn't drunk…"

"Excuse me?" The woman asked bitterly.

Lulu shook her head. It was none of her business; she should not have said anything at all. "Nothing."

Just then Wakka ran into the room with a grin on his face. "Ay Lu c'mere ya? They're back!" He grabbed her arm and quickly pulled her out of the kitchen and into the small backyard.

"Wakka what in the world are yo- aw." Lulu smiled at the family of small ducklings waddling aimlessly around the yard looking for their mother. They always seemed to wonder onto Lulu and Wakka's property.

"See?"

"Where is their mother?" Lulu asked looking around for the big duck that they usually followed.

"I picked her up." Wakka said excitedly watching the little ducklings look around.

Lulu looked at him. "You what?"

"I got her in diss crate ya?" He made a box with his hands as he watched the ducks.

"Wakka you can't just take their mother away… those poor things, put her back."

"Look at em' lookin' for her…."

"Wakka!"

"Ya?"

"Give them their mother back."

"Na Lu cause then they'll stay this time… you can be their new mommy."

"I already have to children I don't want six more."

"You don't?" He looked at her.

"Wakka."

Wakka laughed. "Ok ok." He watched the little ducklings a little longer before going to the side of the house to get the crate. Lulu went back inside shaking her head.

Wakka was watching the ducks fall back into a line behind their mother and waddle out of the yard when he heard Lulu call him. He said good morning to his mother who was just eating quietly. She observed them interact and remembered that she and her husband would goof around the same way before he died. This only mad her dislike Lulu more.

"What's up?"

"Don't forget that you have to go and pay that bill today."

"Yeah I got it."

"Good… and" Just then the phone began to ring in the other room. Wakka made a motion to get it but Lulu waved him away. "Go and eat." She didn't want to left alone with his mother again. Lulu picked up the phone and smiled when she heard the familiar voice saying hello.

"Hi mommy!" It was Vidina.

"Hey Viddy, hows my little boy doing?"

"I'm not little anymore mommy." He said happily.

"Oh I'm sorry, yes your using a phone and everything now."

"Yeah I'm using it."

"So what other girls are you going to call after we hang up?"

"Noo, I'm only calling you."

"Oh ok I was worried for a second there." Vidina only laughed. Lulu's smile somehow grew larger, he had his fathers smile. "So how the trip going?"

"We ate diss stuff and it was good."

"You ate this stuff and it was good?"

"Ah huh, Nadie spit up some though."

"Did she? Are you taking care of her?"

"I tried to wipe it off but I got it on my hands den." Lulu laughed.

"Do you know what you forgot honey?"

"Yeah… don't tell daddy."

"Vidina Aubri I don't know where you get the notion that your father is going to be mad at you." She said in a light tone.

"But I forgot."

"And that's ok, everyone forgets sometimes."

"O..ok…. Nadie and I miss daddy."

"Oh yeah?"

"Uncle Teedus got hurt cause when we were playing I twipped him."

"On purpose?"

"Nooo."

"Did you say sorry?"

"It just happened… I'll tell him now."

"Vid— and just liked that Lulu's six year old son put her on hold. Just then Waklka came into the room.

"Who was it?"

"Your son."

"He using phones now too?"

"I'm sure Yuna called for him." Wakka nodded.

"Tell mommy dat I said sorry…." Lulu heard then Tidus came on the phone.

"You got some kid here."

"Are you hurt badly?"

"No it was nothing."

"Are they behaving?"

"Yeah their great actually, I'm sure Viddy here told you about Nadia."

"Yes, how is she feeling?"

"She's napping now, Vidina keeps running into the room to check on her. Yuna thinks it's adorable."

Lulu smiled. "That's good to hear."

"Here's Viddy…. Yeah it's mommy again….."

"Mommy?"

"Yeah honey."

"Can..if can I talk to daddy now?"

"Of course." Wakka was standing next to her listening the whole time.

"Hey buddy!"

"Daddy!"

Wakka chuckled and for a little while all Lulu could hear was Vidina chuckling and Wakka chuckling.

"Was going on ya?"

"Nadie got sick and spit up."

"Yeah? How she doing?"

"She's sleepin' now…" Yuna's voice was heard in the background. "…but she don't have a fever Antie Wuna said so."

"That's good to hear. You know you left your toothbrush here."

"Yeah I sorry."

"I know buddy it's alright."

"Daddy!"

"What's up."

"You know what I saw? I saw it was a …bwitzball."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah and it was yellow."

"Yeah? Ya favorite color too ay?"

"Yeah." Vidina smiled. "But it's not as big as yours."

"Dat's ok."

"Yeah but Uncle Teedus got it for me and he said he said when I come back you me and he could play wit it."

"Sounds like a plan to me."

"He said yes…." Vidina told Tidus. "Daddy what you and mommy doin?"

"Well we were eating breakfast wit grandma."

"Grama dere now!?" He asked excitedly.

"Yeah and she misses you and Nadia."

"I miss her too….what else?"

"What else we doin?"

"Yeah."

"Well we saw dem duckies you like so much, they came by this morning."

"Da duckies came!"

"Yeah all six of em'." Wakka was wearing the biggest smile ever. He remembered the look on Vidina's face when they first saw the ducklings on morning together.

"Where was da mommy?"

"I had her by da side of the house and they were looking for her."

"Das not nice daddy, I bet mommy didn't like that."

"Wakka chuckled. "Yeah she didn't."

"Nadie was lookin' for mommy."

"Here dat Lu, Nadia was looking for you last night."

"Aww, don't tell me that Wakka."

"Daddy I'm gon go Antie Wuna said dat she dat I had to eat den we gonna go roll my bawl."

"Alright buddy be safe, love you."

"Bye daddy…. Wheres mommy she not gonna hear me." Wakka moved the phone for Lulu to hear him clearly.

"I'm here Vid."

"Bye mommy and daddy."

"Bye bud."

"Bye sweetie."

And just like that he hung up.

"Our little boy is using a phone." Wakka smiled.

Lulu chuckled. "I asked him if he was going to call some girls."

"What Lu? Now you just encouraging him."

Lulu smiled and shook her head. "They'll be calling him before he calls them."

"Yup cause he's got my looks y'know?" They were walking back into the kitchen. Lulu laughed at that. "What? If I do remember right you called me."

"Once, and only because you called and hung up."

"It's all in da charm Lu."

"I didn't even know it was you."

"Dat's what they all say…"

"Where did your mother go?"

Wakka shrugged. "I dunno." He looked out the window. "Ay shes in your garden Lu."

"Poisoning my flowers."

"Ay c'mon, she likes flowers too…. that's it!"

"What?"

Wakka came behind Lulu and gently pushed her toward the back door. "Go talk to her."

"Are you kidding me? She thinks I killed your brother."

"She didn't say that."

"Yes, she did." Wakka was still guiding her outside. "Wakka."

"C'mon it would mean a lot to me." Lulu was giving him a look. "C'mon Lu….please."

They were outside, Wakka was about to turn around and lock her out when his mother looked up and called them both over. Well she called Wakka but he grabbed Lulu's hand and dragged her along. Lulu squeezed his hand hard when they reached her.

"Lulu was just talking about needing a little help in the garden."

Lulu shot him a look. Her garden was just fine. It was actually rather beautiful with the many different types of flowers.

"I can see why dear these flowers are hideous ya? Who picked the type?" His mother said looking up at Lulu. She really adored the garden, but she wanted to get a hit in where she could.

"Eh,I did." Wakka put forth knowing very well that he didn't. "Guess I'm no good to you experts." He said backing away quickly. He cringed at the look Lulu gave him as he did this.

AN: Hope you guys are enjoying this little fic. I'm glad I heard from some of you and I'd love to hear from all of you at some point. Tell me what you think.

KathleenDee