Author's Note: Rick's turn to be a stellar daddy! Well, kind of... Would it really be a story about Rick without Kai being somehow involved as a rival? Not as much fluff as Happy Home, but I think it turned out for the best.

Read, review, and enjoy!

--

Against the Forces of Family

The air hung heavily over the young man's head as he tossed feed to the excitable hens. The birds were gossiping among themselves over their meal, yet everything outside of this was eerily silent as if the blasted humidity had absorbed all the usual peaceful sounds that blanketed the large farm. Over the lofty corn fields, he could see the livestock grazing leisurely in their pasture where his wife happened to be sheering her sheep.

A slight shiver ran down his spine as he saw the animal. Though his younger sister found his fear of sheep rather amusing, Claire had never done so, for she understood his reasonings. Yes, the creatures were certainly harmless, being nothing more than a body of fluff, but... their eyes disturbed him greatly. The way their pupils were horizontal dashes just... ugh... It wasn't natural. Therefore, although he would've done his best, his wife had never once asked him to assist her in the barn.

Not that he really needed the extra work anyway while dealing with both the Poultry Farm and Golden Acres, but he continued to feel rather inadequate when it came to serving Claire's needs. She hardly asked anything of him. Even while caring for her farm, she made a substantial effort to be a loving wife, mother, and daughter-in-law. Though it was certainly remarkable given her obligations, there wasn't anywhere for his help, and he felt a little... unnecessary.

"Grandma!" a small shrill voice called, bouncing with the girl's scurrying. He watched as a sickly woman with soft and flowing pastel pink curls knelt down to hug her eager granddaughter, and he soon abandoned the hens and their clucking rumors to greet her.

"Hiya, Mom. Isn't it too hot for you to be up and walking around outside?"

"Ah, Rick," the older woman beamed at her son, brushing away his concern. "Why didn't you tell me my grand-baby was getting so big?"

"Dad says he wants me to be his 'little girl' forever," answered the grubby, strawberry blonde with a cheeky grin. Her two front teeth were missing which gave her the most endearing quality of unbarred youthfulness. She had been so proud of herself after her father fainted once she showed him her bloody prize...

"Now Abigail, don't tease your father like that," scolded her mother who'd decided to join her family near the mailbox. She feigned a disapproving look, but the child only giggled, putting her hands behind her back and leaning onto her bare heels. Both mother and daughter always wore their trusty denim overalls, and their eyes were the clearest blue of a winter's sky. Much to Rick's grief, they also had the same stubborn streak.

"Claire, dear, you've been well, I hope?"

"Yeah, I've been doing just fine, Lillia. Thanks. How about yourself?"

"Oh," she replied casually, her smile never fading, "I'm feeling a tad better these days now that Popuri's home for the season. Of course, she and Kai will be leaving again soon."

"Mom, you know you're always welcome to stay here if you need to," Rick offered. His mother's health was getting noticeably worse this year, and he'd begun to fear she may not last long enough to see her granddaughter grow into adulthood, or in the most grim of circumstances, even her teens. He was sure she needed to retire to the modest farm to live with them. At least then she wouldn't be left so alone.

"We have more than enough room if you'd like to move in with us," Claire agreed, holding tight to her husband's large hand. She was as concerned as he was about her mother-in-law's fragile state. Just a few nights before, she had cried herself to sleep in his arms after another tragic diagnosis from the doctor. Though it caused them both great heartache, the married couple were committed to joining the ill woman to her check-ups, and every Sunday things seemed to be getting harder and harder to bear. Even so, he did his best to be there to comfort his wife while healing his own wounds in the process.

"You two have enough to fret about," Lillia assured them as Abigail scampered off behind her onto the road leading to town. "I'm doing well enough on my own. As long as Rick keeps helping with the chickens, I can handle the business aspects."

"But-"

"Hey, Mom and Dad! Uncle Kai and Aunt Poppy are here!" cried the little girl, dragging her relatives along with her in the middle. The young father had to stifle a groan as his brother-in-law laughed at Abby's antics. Although her dad clearly loathed her uncle, she was convinced the man would be the coolest to have as a father. After all, Uncle Kai had been around the whole world which meant his stories were the best! Of course, she never noticed how much this hurt her actual father in the process. She was too busy having fun to worry about any of that. He was an adult; he'd get over it.

"Popuri!" Claire cheered, eagerly embracing her sister-in-law. The younger woman's pink locks were so silky to the touch, smelling of fresh flowers and summer breezes, that the dirt clad woman couldn't help but want to get closer. She was a beautiful woman now, after all. The farmer never tired of seeing her during the all too brief season that she and Kai visited Mineral Town. "Thank you guys for coming!"

"Wait," her husband interrupted, "you invited them over?"

"It is the Firework Festival tonight, and I though it'd be more fun if we all went as a family."

"That's great an' all, but why are they here now?" Rick protested. She knew he despised his sister's husband with a passion, but she still decided to invite them over... for the entire damn day!

"Aw, c'mon buddy," Kai tried to convince him. "I promised I'd fix lunch today."

"Do we get snow cones, Uncle Kai?" Abby asked expectantly, her blue eyes wide with hope.

"Sure thing!" he agreed, ruffling her dirty hair without flinching at the grit. She had such a mischievous streak in her, most likely from her mother since Rick wasn't much of a thriller.

"It'll be okay, dear," Claire reassured him, patting his arm gently. Even her gaze was pleading him to let the man stay for the afternoon.

With a miffed sigh, the young poultry farmer could see he was beat. Why was it his daughter preferred her uncle anyway? What had Kai ever done for Abby besides tell her stupid lies about what he'd done and, more importantly, where he'd been? Kai didn't put food on the table, Kai never kissed her boo-boos, and Kai certainly wasn't around during most of the year. What was there to love about a playboy for an uncle?

--

As the three ladies took to chatting in the shade of the apple tree, Abby and Kai played in the river which wrapped its way around the property. Rick, on the other hand, was busy with work as usual. From the Poultry Farm, he could watch the happenings of Golden Acres over the stream. In fact, it had been because of this fact that he had grown to admire his wife.

Claire had been a hard worker from the first time she'd come to the town. Although she was a city girl, slaving away on a farm never appeared to bother her. If anything, it made her exhilarated. Her first animal had even been a chicken named Ruby, and she'd often come to him for advice on its care. It appeared she thought just as highly of him as he did her, and so with their like-minded work ethic they began a friendship.

However, it had always been her family-oriented desires that had set his heart aflutter. She loved his protective nature over their daughter, just as she had when it came to his sister although she had also admitted she really did mind Kai all that much. Rick was willing to forgive her for that, though, since she agreed it was irresponsible to have Lillia left to care for the shop without Popuri. She understood responsibility, and she never shirked it even once.

Abby's fitful giggles drifting on the stale air as he made his way back home. Summer was the hardest for him as a father. He rarely saw his daughter during the season because she'd run down to the beach as soon as her mother woke her every morning. She obviously wanted to spend every waking moment with her uncle Kai, being that she never would go there otherwise. The poor girl couldn't swim.

"Are you hungry, Rick?" his mother asked, offering him some baked corn on the cob and grilled fish. "Kai's cooking is really something else."

The long-haired young man took the plate uncertainly, frowning at the large slices of pineapple laying on top of his fish. He hated pineapple something awful, but he knew better than to throw a fuss about it. He slowly began lifting them off and setting them on the side. It was bad enough that the meal would still taste of the junk.

"Hey, man, you aren't gonna eat those?" Kai asked indignantly, pointing at the discarded pieces.

"No," was the sharp reply as he continued to remove them with a steady level of determination.

"Rick doesn't like pineapple," Claire explained, nibbling on her corn. Their daughter simply nodded as she got to work on her snow cone after sneaking her fish to Bowser, the family dog. The only reason the fruit had even been in the house was because it was Kai's favorite. When he and Popuri would visit, their sister-in-law would always have some sliced on the table for them to enjoy. She loved having company, even if it was only family, and she did everything she could to make them feel right at home. In his home.

"That's a shame..." the bandana clad man sighed, shaking his head.

"Here, Rick, I'll take them," Popuri offered her plate, smiling kindly. Goddess he missed her sorely while she was off traveling, but he had to admit she was certainly more mature now that she had begun to see the outside world. It was about the only good thing that had come out her marriage in his opinion.

"Wow, sweetie, you've been eating a lot more lately," Lillia commented gently, recalling her daughter devouring four medium-sized fish and two cobs of corn, plus those extra slices of pineapple.

The young woman merely blushed and held her husband's hand warmly. "Well... you see... we're..."

"Expecting," Kai finished proudly, hugging his wife cheerfully while she let a giggle slip.

"What?!" Rick shrieked, flying up out of his chair, his glasses nearly sliding off his nose.

"Congratulations!" Claire squealed, pulling her spouse back down before he tried to strangle his brother-in-law. "How far are you along then?"

"Barely a season" Popuri confessed while blushing sheepishly as Lillia held her close. "We actually just found out today from the doctor."

"That's wonderful, honey," her mother beamed, taking her hand into her own.

Only Abby seemed unimpressed, toying with the idea of asking for another snow cone in all the fuss. Grown-ups sure got excited about the strangest things. It wasn't like the baby was going to be old enough for her to enjoy. What's the fun in something that does nothing but scream and wet itself?

--

Evening came rather quickly with all the joy surrounding the soon-to-be parents. Rick was still in a state of shock as Claire led him down with the whole family to see the fireworks as his little sister was going to be a mother. Popuri was going to be a mother which meant Kai was going to be a father. The whole notion of his brother-in-law raising a child was... impossible. What good would come of a baby born on the go? There was no permanence to act as a solid base to form a well-rounded individual! Not to mention the infant would grow up without its sensible uncle around to teach it right from wrong while being in the care of a man who threw caution to the wind. And-

"Honey, just try to be happy for them," his wife pleaded, "if only for Popuri and your mother's sake. Besides, you've seen how Kai is with Abby. I'm sure he'll be a wonderful father."

"I don't know..." he grumbled. If that man was so great with his daughter, then where did that leave him? Was he a worthless, over-protective parent?

At last, the party made it to the sandy shoreline where the town's other couples had already gathered. Although the beach was a tad crowded, the group had no trouble finding a spot near the Snack Shack where they could watch the fireworks without bothering those looking for a romantic evening. Karen waved, beer in hand, to her childhood companion, but she was busy talking to Gotz the woodsman who had surprisingly come down from the mountains to see the show after she'd begged him to join her. Rick vaguely wondered if she'd fallen for the bear of a man...

"Oh my, I haven't come here since I was a young woman," Lillia recalled dreamily, no doubt thinking of her husband Rod. Both of her children exchanged worried glances, neither one wanting to even think about their father so far from home.

However, their concerns were short-lived as Zack hurried over to accompany them. He had obviously seen her lovely visage from his home beside the docks, and he had hurried to see her. She welcomed him warmly, and the two began to chat merrily beside one another, a noticeable tinge of red on his smiling cheeks. Rick found himself breathing a sigh of some relief. Lillia always seemed to fare better when the shipper was around.

Claire smiled holding his hand in hers and sneaking a small kiss on his lips. She adored her speckled husband and his long silky hair. While he was so serious, she had to love his determination to be a supportive son, husband, and father. Even being as over-protective as he was of everyone in his family, she knew it was just his way of expressing love for all of them, and she also understood how hurt her was to see his daughter take favor in her uncle, the very man he loathed for stealing away his sister.

Abby and Kai had strayed to the end of the dock where she happened to be teetering dangerously at the edge. Normally, she was terrified of the water, being that she couldn't swim, but because her beloved uncle was at her side, she wanted to be brave. After all, Uncle Kai might not like her anymore if he knew she was afraid of the very thing he loved. Still...

Suddenly, Rick heard a familiar scream, followed by a distinctive splash. Abby! Without a word, he shot up and flew down the planks of wood. Kai was already jumping over the edge of the dock, but the poultry farmer beat him to it and dived into the salty water. His little girl swirled in the rip tides while cries came from the shore as the crowd realized what was happening. He didn't hear a thing as he swam over to her thrashing body.

Although his heavy sweater and long apron dragged him down, he had enough strength to take a hold of her and make his way towards land. Luckily, she hadn't fallen too far out, but even so, he struggled to haul her back with her panicking. She hadn't even grasped that she was being rescued. Her arms continued to flail wildly about in his grip.

Finally, the young father brought her to her feet once the water was shallow enough for her to stand. She looked like a miserably wet puppy, but she refused to cry, couching up sea water and seaweed. He rubbed her back gently and tried to calm her as she rubbed her eyes, shaking like a leaf. She certainly had been frightened although he caught a small smile of gratitude before he held her tight.

"You're safe now, Abby. It's okay. It's okay..."

"Oh, Rick, Abby, are you both all right?" his wife asked, concern filling her eyes as she brushed her daughter's hair out of her small face.

"Yes, Mama..." she whimpered, still clinging to her father.

"Rick, man," the traveler apologized with a towel in handl, "I'm so sorry I didn't catch her. I-"

"It's... okay, Kai," the farmer assured him, taking the cloth and drying off his little girl.

"But-"

"You couldn't have done anything," he continued, smiling faintly. "Accidents happen." He really couldn't blame his brother-in-law for Abby's tumble. She was always getting into some kind of trouble which was exactly why he had to keep a constant eye on her. It had once been his brotherly instinct to keep his sister safe, and now it had simply transfered into his parental duties. He was well suited for the job.

Just as he thought this, a brilliant dazzling display lit up the sky with a green flash and a loud boom cascaded over the ocean. The whole family's eyes gazed up in wonder as another stream of light fell in the night. One right after another they watched in silence while the splendor continued into the late hours of the night. The incident was put promptly behind them in the presence of the summer marvel.

Rick didn't have a care in the world as Claire held his hand, her head resting on his shoulder tenderly. Though Kai had returned to the end of the dock with Popuri, back a ways from the very edge, it was only the two of them lingering there together. Abby had chosen to stay by her father's side, his hand caressing her hair gently while she clung to his pant leg, leaning into him.

This was the family he loved... all together as one.

--

Final Author's Note: I always felt Rick would probably be a good father because he cares so passionately for his family already. However, I'm sure Kai, being the womanizer he is, would steal his niece's heart away. XD We've all had that uncle that's nothing but fun to be with... unless your his kid, and then you just think your dad is weird and can't understand what your cousin's see in him.