Disclaimer: Don't own Sword Art Online in any form, or any of it's characters.

Rating: T

Really nothing to add; enjoy

Yup, the biggest party ever with all of their friends.

Of course, despite knowing many of them, introductions still had to be made again, since Yui had only seen all of them virtually in the past (with the exception of Klein now). And not only that, while their avatars basically stayed the same, it had been five years out here, so some details had changed. So for himself and Asuna himself, this was like repeating stuff that they already knew, but for Yui it was mostly different. Anyway, first up had been their little close-knit group of friends from ALO:

Silcia had grown a bit, and her smile was the same, but the biggest change had been her hair length. Usually it'd been enough for the small pigtails she'd sported, but now those reached down past her chest - and as she said, she hadn't worn her hair like this for awhile, but did so to help Yui recognize her. Lisbeth was basically the same confident woman, and she'd maintained her hair length, but there'd been a lot of attention to the otherwise-mundane color - well, she got her avatar's hair pink with a rare dye, but out here it was an unnatural hair color (in her own words, a shame). Yui had been surprised, but slowly giggled as she agreed.

Klein was skipped entirely, by his own words, because they'd already met - to the family's little sheepish smiles. Agil was pretty much exactly as she remembered, just slightly taller - but don't let that fool you; Yui got along great with Agil's gentle nature. Suguha she had a bit of trouble recognizing, but as he gently explained, she knew his cousin much better as Leafa. After that, Yui had pretty much rushed right at her and said she was part of the family (his that was, and so now part of hers). Suguha had been curiously mixed about this, but mostly cheerful overall, welcoming Yui to the real world.

Yeah, things were still complicated there, but getting better.

Up next had been Sinon - his good friend from GGO. As he explained to Yui, their friendship had started off a bit rocky ("-because you pretended to be a girl!-"), and lead everyone laughed at his expense for that. But still, she was kind enough and welcomed Yui.

Then of course, they went to the seen-less-often-but-no-less-of-friends group, which consisted of Recon, the married couple of Thinker and Yulier, then the 'highly-ranked' group of Sakuya, Alicia, and Eugene. Recon went first, and Yui was profuse in her thanks over his efforts to help her daddy and Leafa (well, Suguha, she corrected) save her mommy - he'd been sheepish, saying it was nothing, but he'd still gladly do it again. Yui had been glad to see Yulier and Thinker again, as had they; after all, Yui had come with her parents to help rescue him, and so they still owed her for that. Yui however said they didn't owe her anything, just that she was happy that everything is okay.

Then of course came the other three, who Yui still had the same trouble at recognizing until introduced... eh, blame ALO's character creation randomizing their appearances. Alicia's hair was considerably longer, and brunette, but she still had the hands-behind-her-head aspect down pat - and when she laughed, the cat smile/smirk as well. Sakuya's coincidentally black hair wasn't floor-length, or even really too long, but the dignified and calmly nice demeanor was the same. Eugune's hair was even shorter, and blond, but he was still a big guy.

Yui also thanked Sakuya and Alicia for helping in the final battle, to which they playfully teased that they had to, with all the money he gave it would have rude otherwise. She wasn't sure about Eugune, as he had tried to hurt her daddy, but he said that's in the past - he respected Kazuto's skills, and they have friendly fights every now and then. It helped that the little girl was almost incapable of holding a grudge.

Sooo - after the very long info-dumpy round of re-introductions - there they were now, with the party ready and set up.

Whew

So everyone had gathered around, Yui at the head of the table, provided with a party hat on top of her head (Klein's idea) - and they all watched as her parents set the candles, and lit them as well. They'd stopped at five because, technicalities aside, Yui was five or so in chronological age, even if not bodily age.

"Okay, Yui" Asuna breathed softly. "Make a wish."

"Huh?"

He leaned beside her, drawing her attention. "It's a tradition for birthdays" he added gently. "You wish for something you want more than anything else in the world, say the wish in your mind, then you blow out the candles. All at once if possible."

She was interested, then tilted her head a bit. "Will it not come true if I say it aloud?" she asked, a little worried.

He smiled. "Well, some people think it is jinked if you say it out loud" he admitted. "But whatever you wish for, it's your decision to make come true or not, even if it takes time."

With that, he gently stepped back, giving Yui her space to decide - during this time, Asuna stepped closer to him, taking his arm.

"I think I know exactly what she's wishing for" she breathed, so faint only he could have heard it, in a voice full of happiness and tears.

He slowly smiled, bumping his head against hers, and holding her hand (she returned both of them). "If I were in her place, I don't think I'd wish any differently" he agreed softly, smiling.

While they talked, Yui had closed her eyes, hands together in front of her - everyone else waited with soft, bated breath.

Then she opened her eyes, took in a breath and blew out hard - the first four candles went out almost instantly, but the fifth somehow withstood her breath, barely. Yui made a little sound and quickly blew it out, with little gestures that she hoped no one had noticed this.

They had, but no one cared; their rounds of applause and cheers were too overwhelming to be so. This lead to a moment of wonder at them doing all this for her, then a little sheepish-but-genuine smile.

"Now, you get to open this massive pile of presents" he said cheerfully, gesturing at it, and getting mild playful looks for his use of massive.

"Huh?" Yui breathed, curiously confused. "But don't we eat right after I blow them out?"

"That's how it'd normally go" Asuna said gently, in the middle of removing the candles (and soon to cut the cake). "But you also have a lot of presents to open."

"Oh-huh?" she breathed, first at this, then the surprise at being offered a present by Klein (with a nod from him) - she slowly took it with a smile.

"Make sure you rip it good" he said mildly, holding up a recording camera over Yui; his daughter's happiness needed to be recorded for prosperity, or whatever it was.

"I can do that?"

"It's a special occasion, and one of the few that allows it."

/

"-and one of the few that allows it."

She slowly rolled her eyes playfully, but not looking at her husband as he made that comment; Yui's happiness and curiosity made her much happier than any annoyance he could ever give her. So in short order, she removed the candles from the cake, and made sure to cut it into even pieces - the large size made that difficult even with the big knife, but she managed, giving the first one to Klein. Got give at least one piece to everyone of their friends after all the presents were open... still, she knew exactly which piece she'd offer Yui; the one with flower frosting.

So yeah, that one was off-limits.

But of course, by listening the sounds of hesitant tearing paper, she made sure to keep an eye on Yui's reactions. First up, Klein's gift (who she was gonna kill if he gave her something inappropriate)... which turned out to be this really adorable whale plushie as big as her arms. Yui absolutely squeed on the spot, loudly and happily as she squeezed the thing, making everyone grin and laugh.

It was absolute music to her ears, and made her so happy - still, she had a job to do.

Even as Yui giggled happily, her father was by her side even as the little girl grinned, thanking Klein (who said it was nothing; he knew how much she liked whales). After that, they continued the process of unwrapping gifts, herself offering cake piece-by-piece to the gift-givers, who were physically bringing their presents.

A win-win as far as she was concerned.

"Here you go; enjoy" Lisbeth said, taking her piece of cake, but sticking around for the reaction. Yui was less hesitant on tearing the paper this time, but that seemed to be because no one was bothered by it. So, she opened it and breathed out, getting a closer look... before pulling out what seemed to be a keychain. However-

She jolted; it was this silver bracelet, but it also had a unique keychain attachment. Attached to the bracelet through a tiny hole and hanging straight down, was a miniature metal replica of her own Lambent Light from SAO. Fused to the front of the blade itself were two other swords – Kazuto's Elucidator and Dark Repulsor, set in an X-shape. Yui breathed out again as she also recognized them.

Lisbeth had a knowing smile. "You like, don't you" she said gently, before sheepishly rubbing her head. "Maybe I can't metalwork out here, but, I DO know a guy who can – and it was well worth it."

"Wow, that's incredible Lis" her husband said, leaning forward to view it up-close. "You got a lot of the little details right and everything!"

"Hey, I did make them myself" she added with a little smirk. "Maybe not here, but you know what I mean."

Despite herself, she giggled, and she wasn't the only one to laugh – Yui just hugged the bracelet to her heart, eyes sparkling. "Thank you, so much" she said to Lis, who nodded before she leaned over, gently showing Yui how to put it on (and they both did). "It's incredible, really" she just managed to say, but didn't see Lis's reaction; Yui's happiness was all she did see.

"No problem."

Then Lisbeth retreated a bit from the head of the table, but not back to where she'd originally stood... meanwhile, Silica approached with her gift, which was a fairly big box (but apparently still light). "I know you'll like this one" she said gently, brushing the longer pigtails behind her. Yui gave a little 'Mmh-hmm', before she hesitantly worked on the unwrapped box itself, not used to such a thing. However, she soon got it, and Yui gasped when she saw what was inside.

Curious herself, she leaned over, and: "Pina!?"

Silica held her hands behind her back when she snapped up, smile soft, but also a little sad. "Actually, just a statue of him" she said. "Lisbeth's friend is very, very skilled."

She looked at her, something not clicking right. "But, even if he is that skilled, he couldn't have made this so well in just a day!"

"He didn't, Asuna" she admitted, before looking at Yui. "He made them years ago, at my request – I have two of Pina's likeness, including this one. And I thought you might like to have it, Yui."

"Are you sure?" Yui asked, a little worried, "I mean, you went to a lot of trouble-"

Silica just smiled. "I'll be fine" she said mildly, gently. "And I can always ask him to make another."

Yui slowly smiled back, before she reached down into the box, pulling out Pina's carved statue with tender care. And truly Lis's friend was skilled; the curves and the paint all managed to convey a living sense, as if Pina was really right there with them.

"Thank you" Yui breathed, so happy.

Silica nodded gently, then after getting her piece of cake, moved to stand over with Lisbeth.

Next up, Agil, who approached with his gift behind his back - Yui noticed this, but looked up at him. He merely smiled, "Well, my gift is small enough, that I thought wrapping paper would be a waste. So, here you go."

Then he extended his hand, Yui looking at the small dome thing that appeared.

Kazuto spoke what she was thinking, though more blunt: "Uh, Agil, a snowglobe?"

"Maybe it's not as big as the others, but look closely" he said, completely assured, then Yui gasped. Quickly getting closer, as well as her husband, they both were astonished - inside the apparently-dull snowglobe was a near-perfect representation of Alfheim's World Tree, Arun right around it... and floating around inside, a golden-painted Aincrad.

"See? What I tell you?"

"It's amazing" she admitted, sheepish, slowly handing him his piece of cake after a little. Beside her, Yui just marveled at such a thing, especially how small it was, but the level of detail that was put upon them - Kazuto didn't say anything, but his expression said enough. Agil just nodded, patting the little girl's shoulder, getting her attention again. "And just wait till you shake it" he added, winking briefly, before he stepped off.

"Shake it?" Yui wondered, looking at her newest gift. "Won't that harm these things?"

"Nah, they're a lot softer than they look" her husband said gently. "And also, you can do that all you want later - your next gift-giver is waiting."

/

Next gift-giver? His good friend Sinon, least that was her name in GGO, who had helped him end the BoB tournament by killing them both with a grenade.

"Nice to see you again" he said mildly.

She slowly smiled back. "Nice you to see you again, ma'am" she answered, to his little grunt; she still wasn't gonna let that go. And it only further annoyed him when his wife had to stifle a giggle over this aspect - least the others made an 'attempt' to stifle their grins.

"Anyway" Sinon said, turning her attention to Yui. "I haven't known you as long as the others Yui, but uh, I'm glad to see you so happy. And also... maybe it's a bit lame compared to the other gifts, but, I've gotten you something to help you experience real life a little more."

"Really?" Yui said, excited, and even more so when she handed her gift over. A small gift-wrap tearing later, Yui looked curiously at something that was quite familiar to him and everyone else at the party... except her. "What is it?"

"It's a music player" Sinon explained gently. "As you might soon find out, there's a lot of people out there who like listening to music, and there's many different kinds. It's uh, better experienced than explained."

"Still, thank you" Asuna said gently, giving Sinon her piece of cake, even as Yui's finger accidentally pressed a button (which opened the lid), startling her briefly. "I'm sure she'll like it."

He got closer, right next to Yui. "It's gonna take awhile to 'really' introduce you to music, but yeah, I'm sure you'll like a few" he said, gently ruffling his daughter's hair - something that made her both happy and playfully annoyed, hehe.

Still, when he stood up, the next gift-givers had come forward; Recon, and his cousin, Suguha. And for a sec, Suguha glanced at him before quickly looking back at Yui - mentally, he sighed a bit, but kept up the smile. "Hey, Yui" she said anyway.

Yui smiled. "Hey there, Le-oh!" she started to say, before touching her hands to her mouth, a little embarrassed. "Hey, Sugu... huh?"

"'Ha'" he corrected gently, when she looked at him. "But you can call her Sugu, if she's okay with it" he continued, patting her head, looking at his cousin.

She fidgeted a bit, before Recon elbowed her a little, giving her a little look. Inside, he was a little surprised; that wasn't quite like the guy. However, after a small glare, Suguha just sighed before she looked back at him. "I guess it'd be okay" she said, a little sheepish. "After all, Yui, you're part of our family... it's cool."

Inwardly, he saw the struggle, as did Asuna - and for a moment, he thought Yui had an inkling. However, the little girl just smiled happily, nodding. "Okay" she said softly.

"Anyway" Recon added, holding up their boxes, Suguha slowly taking hers from atop his own. "We have our own gifts. They're not that big, like-like Sinon's, but we hope you'll enjoy them for years. Here-"

An eager Yui took them, working to get the paper and box stuff off, as she'd been getting experience lately. Then-

"Wow!" Yui breathed, curious, pulling out this really brightly-colored ball thing. It looked to be made of this really bouncy material, slightly bigger than either a basketball or soccer ball. "It's so pretty! But, what it's for?"

"Sports" Suguha slowly said, touching a hand to her head, still sheepish. "Or rather, games you can play, you know, with your parents."

Yeah, yeah he could see that himself - it wasn't any proper ball for sports, a bit light or not heavy enough, but they could make do. Simple, seemingly not big, but had a worth beyond the cost/appearance, just like Agil's. He merely had to look at Asuna, who saw what he saw just as easily, smiling. And it reminded him, perhaps Yui might like chalk as well... he'd have to get some later.

Yui herself brightened. "I don't know much about sports, but games are fun!" she said excitedly, testing the ball's weight in her arms. "I can't wait to try this out!"

Recon just grinned, easily taking the pieces of cake from him and Suguha - she needed a little coaxing, which involved more than a few nudges.

Mmph... yeah, this was gonna stay difficult, he thought to himself. His relationship with his cousin was still good, as was her friendship with Asuna and everyone else - but this would continue to shadow her for awhile.

When he came out of his moment though, he quickly held up the video camera again. Yui's next gift-givers were Yuilier and Thinker, who were holding hands, and holding their combined present box with their other hands.

"Ah, it's so nice to see you two again" Yui breathed, happy. "I hope you'll continue to be happy!"

"Thank you, Yui, but without your parents, none of this would have been possible" Thinker said gently, glancing at him and Asuna. "We still owe them."

"As we do you, Yui" Yulier added, squeezing Thinker's hand (he squeezed back). "Earlier, Asuna told us how she was helping model your room - when I heard that, I just thought-"

"-that it was a good coincidence" Thinker said for her, but softly.

She quickly nodded, smiling a bit. "It's not much, but please, we hope it'll spice up your room."

Even more curious at that, Yui took the box from them, making a little sound under it's weight sensation before she put it on the table. Then she worked to open it, peering inside with wonder, before taking out... a pillow? Wait, it wasn't just blank; it had SAO and Alfhiem imagery all over it.

"T-To help you sleep at night, Yui" Yuiler added, a little worried about her reaction.

Yui just breathed out, happy as she held it closer. "It's so soft" she whispered, her fingers moving over the fabric. "Thank you!"

At that, the married couple looked happily relieved - he merely smiled, happy that Yui liked it. Any comments he 'might' have had about them getting a better gift were better left unsaid, obviously.

And Asuna was also glad, offering them their cake. "It'll fit right in" she assured them, completely pleased herself. "And I was just thinking she might have needed a few more, just in case."

"Yeah, it's all good" he thought, looking at Yui, who was contently enjoying the feel of the fabric for a little longer. After she was done marveling over the fabric, and when he looked up, Yuiler and Thinker had stepped back with their pieces of cake, leaving the last round of gift-givers: Alicia, Sakuya, and Eugene.

"You know, you guys didn't have to bring gifts" he said mildly.

"Didn't have to!?" Alicia asked, like she couldn't believer her non-existent-in-this-world cat ears. "We still owe you for all the money you gave us on the World Tree raid!"

A sweat-drop ran down his head. "That was about five years ago!" he argued sheepishly. "You'd think such things would be payed off by then!"

"Oh, it isn't just that han- uh, Kazuto."

"Hmm?" he asked, secretly glad that Alicia had avoided saying 'handsome' in front of Asuna and Yui; unfortunately, she liked to tease him that way.

Sakuya put a hand on Alicia's shoulder, smiling. "Perhaps the money is payed off for, but everyone in Alfhiem owes you for exposing the fake Grand Quest, not to mention putting in a new one at that only days later" she said amicably, but still with a teasing hint. "And being able to fly indefinitely is worth more than any money you could have provided."

"I second that" Eugene agreed, also smiling, though his was more one-sided. "All of it. You have no idea how much more fun aerial combat is when you don't have to worry about your wings giving out."

"I'll agree to that" Asuna said from beside him, jolting him. His wife merely looked at him, smiling, squeezing his hand for a moment - that was enough for him.

"Okay okay, guess I lose that argument" he said mildly. "So you guys still owe me. A lot."

They all just laughed, including Yui after a moment, because she was happy to see them all like this.

"Anyway, welcome to the real world, Yui" Sakuya said, nodding her head to Yui, who quickly returned it with a smile. "Our gift is a combined one, and we hope you'll enjoy it. Eugene?"

He reached over, taking the only present left; a very big box, though only in length. "Right here" he said, setting it down carefully beside Yui's chair, one end facing her. "Open it at the sides."

"Okay" she breathed, a little confused, but curious anyway as she worked at it. When it opened though, she made a sound, as if unsure what she saw, before she looked in closer.

"What is it, Yui?" he gently prodded.

"I'm not quite sure" she said, before slowly reaching her hand in. "I see them, but it's kinda dark" she continued, groping around inside.

Them?

Yui pulled her arm back... and the family gasped a little as it was revealed; a near-perfect replica of Excaliber from ALO! However, on closer inspection, it wasn't a real sword... there were way too many soft edges, and the texture was slightly off.

"You gave her a foam Excaliber?" Asuna asked, surprised.

"So you can train her, if you like" Eugene said, shrugging his shoulders.

"Yeah!" Alicia added, hands behind her head. "It'd be good exercise, and even without a sword, it would help develop her reflexes when she's older; you can always use those!"

He breathed out, looking over at Asuna; they both remembered how Yui had initially struggled to open their car door yesterday. "That's- pretty clever" he admitted, but smiling. "Not only would it be fun, but it'd help out in other ways."

Sakuya nodded. "That was the plan."

A sorta-great rumble came as Yui unexpectedly shook the box again, spilling out everything else in the box... which included foam replicas of his Elucidator/Dark Repulsor, and Asuna's Lambent Light.

"Ah!" Yui breathed out, picking them up in her arms; luckily they didn't weigh much. "They're so great, and daddy said I'd make a fine swordswoman one day! Thank you so much!"

Of course they had grins, or a smile in Sakuya's case. Still, even as Asuna gave them their cake, he touched his hand to Yui's shoulder, making her look up with a 'Huh?' - he merely smiled warmly, to which she gave him a truly big grin.

"Okay, everyone got their cake?" his wife called, drawing both their attention.

*general chorus of 'yeah!'*

"Very well" she continued, smiling as she held up the last one, with the flower icing on it. "Yui, this one's yours" she breathed gently, setting it down. "The moment you eat the first bite, everyone else has permission to eat theirs."

"I-Is that another tradiation?"

"Nah, just one specific to this day" he said mildly. "Everyone here wants to see your reaction to what cake tastes like, and it won't take that long anyway."

With a little 'Oh', Yui slowly turned her attention to her cake, slowly picking up her fork... though, she was unsure if she was supposed to poke into it, so she looked up at Asuna (who mimed what to do). Then, hesitantly, she slowly worked to use the flat part of her fork to take off a piece. Slowly, gently, she put the first piece in her mouth-

"Mmph! Ah! It's so sweet, that stuff on the top!" she breathed, excited, before making a sound, she worked her mouth... obviously new with a few sensations. "And it's sticky!"

"Yeah, frosting is sweet like that" he said gently, by her side. "But don't worry about the stickiness; feel your mouth getting wetter? ('Uh? -mmh-hmm.") Well, just work it around, and it'll pass."

"My mouth makes water?"

"Sorta."

Still, just after she finished, Yui just giggled and eagerly helped herself to another piece - everyone was already grinning, eating their own cake, but he only had eyes for his family. And without prompt, Asuna touched herself against his arm, both of them looking at Yui enjoying herself.

Hours later

Ahh, ahh, what a party! The presents, the cake (delicious!), how everyone had changed - they'd been the greatest!

Leaning in her chair, she looked again at the gathered presents on the table.

On one side was her adorable whale 'plushie' from Klein, Pina's statue from Silica, the charm bracelet she wore from Lisbeth, Sinon's music player, and Agil's snowglobe (which she thought was utterly cool, the way the stuff swirled around). On another side was everyone elses' gifts, including Recon + Suguha's colorful 'bouncy' ball, Yulier + Thinker's really soft pillow, along with Sakuya + Alicia + Eugune's foam weapons (the idea of playful family fights excited her).

She smiled, hands in front of her, just feeling warm. Every day so far had been the best of her life, and now she was here, for real...

"Yui?"

"Hmm?" she breathed, looking up, seeing the smiling face of her mommy (along with daddy nearby).

"I don't think we need to ask, but, how do you feel?" she asked, entirely gentle, holding daddy's hand in her own.

She couldn't even begin to express how much this meant to her, so breathing out a little, she held her hands up, wanting to hold her mommy. The two of them smiled even more, mommy reaching forward and pulling her up/into a big hug. She worried that she was heavy, but mommy held her up well enough, even as daddy joined in on the hug (even better!)

"Mommy, daddy" she breathed, shaking a little from happiness. "This was so great, I can't tell you, but... thank you!"

"You're welcome" daddy breathed, once they pulled apart, she still in her mommy's arms. "But Yui, there's still one more present to give."

"There is?" she wondered. "But I thought I got all of them?"

He smiled, reaching into his pocket. "All from our friends, yes you did" he answered. "But not from your mommy and me."

"It's your first birthday here, Yui" she said gently, drawing her attention. "We wanted to give you something special as well."

"Y-You didn't have to do that" she mumbled, but happy. "I'm just glad to be here, with you two."

Daddy merely smiled more. "We know" he merely said, before he pulled out the thing in his pocket... she breathed out.

A silver necklace, complete with interlocking chain, holding up this beautiful silver heart.

"It's silver, because that's one possibility between combining my favorite color, and your mommy's" he said softly, looking at it himself. "The heart should say it all. Yui?"

She could barely see it; her tears were falling.

"I- I-" she breathed, just overwhelmed, and so happy!

Even as she tried to say it, tears falling, her mommy and daddy just shared a look – it was a sparkling look, different for both of them, but still saying it all. Even as mommy gently helped with her tears, daddy gently stepped forward, putting the necklace over her heart – and he also gently moved her hair so that the chain wouldn't catch on it.

This made her even happier, but she couldn't speak; she just hugged them both so tight.

Neither minded at all; they were just so glad to finally be with her, in the real world. They must have been in the hug for minutes, before she gently looked up at her mommy, brushing her fingers against her own tears - like she'd seen them do sometimes. It definitely helped her see better, at least.

"Now" mommy breathed gently. "What's say we have fun with your presents?"

"Really!?" she breathed, excited. "Already!?"

"Sure, why not?" daddy answered, with a 'why wait?' tone.

"Eeeeeeee!"

/

Mmh... umm...

Was- was she sleepy? The last thing she remembered, she'd been playing, and now... this.

She made a sound; someone was carrying her upstairs. Slowly opening her eyes, she looked up, vision blurry until; "Daddy?" she breathed.

He smiled down at her, soft and warm. "Hey, Yui" he breathed, stopping at the top of the stairs, still holding her body in his arms. "You kinda dozed off there."

She did?

Making a small sound, she tried to remember... the memory didn't come immediately. Being so used to data coming at her call, she still found it a little worrying, but soon-

Daddy teaching her how to play with the ball, in a variety of sports. One where you just used your feet (she nearly slipped, before being caught by mommy), one where you needed to bounce it constantly (her size made that harder), and other such things.

She'd been running, giggling and squealing as her mommy caught her, spinning her around on the spot. Then just like that, they'd fallen onto the ground, but still happy and laughing as she snuggled in closer.

Daddy and mommy going at each other with what they called 'foam' swords - they had still retained their skills, and showed them off for her before they asked if she wanted to learn. Wanting to protect herself if she could, she'd said yes immediately!

"Oh" she thought, blinking a little; she must have worn out her energy, and briefly fell asleep... or 'dozed off', as daddy put it. Still, though she remembered it all vividly, it felt like time had gone by so fast! She had felt this as an AI, but always knew it wasn't really changing... now though, she knew exactly what they meant when they said time 'flew' or 'slowed to a crawl'.

"I-I was just so happy" she breathed, putting her arms up around his neck. "I didn't mean to worry you."

"Nah" he breathed gently. "We understood perfectly."

"Mmm. Mommy?"

"Right here, Yui" she said softly, appearing beside daddy easily.

She smiled, even wider than usual, but her eyes full of tears. "Daddy, mommy" she whispered, overcome once again. "Thank you!" she breathed, burying her head in daddy's chest, so happy it was a good overwhelming!

They didn't say anything, but they didn't have to; she could feel their warmth from here.

Daddy moved slowly, her making a sound as he slowly put her down, right onto her bed as she realized it - mommy had helped pull down the covers, so that she could slip in. Now she drew them over her, looking so happy as her fingers brushed against her cheek, before gently kissing her forehead and pulling away. Already, she felt warm, but daddy knelt down next to her.

"Your mommy did say tonight would be my turn" he said gently, his fingers touching her hair. "Goodnight, Yui."

Her warmth and happiness only got better. "Goodnight, daddy" she breathed lovingly, "Mommy."

"Sweet dreams" mommy said, before gently putting her whale plushie right next to her.

Even more happy, she held it close to her side, slowly closing her eyes... daddy then kissed her cheek, and she could tell he was smiling. It made her feel even warmer, and she curled even more under the covers.

Still, a lot to learn, to experience, being in the real world... but with mommy and daddy? She couldn't ask for more, even if she wouldn't say no to it either!

And like I said in the last chapter, this one was the last one, least for this story :) But don't worry: as I see it, it definitely leaves room for more moments, via one-shots or other multi-chaptered works. I just thought they deserve their own attention and such, and that way they wouldn't risk disrupting the flow of this one, or seem tacked-on.

No concrete dates on when of course, but it's very likely XD