Gerald

I silently thanked the cashier as she handed me my grocery bags, giving a few to Arnold to carry. Tonight he and I were planning to cook a homemade dinner for the girls as the start of a new family tradition. I was not sure how to make traditional Japanese cuisine- my last attempt being an epic failure seeing as how I nearly burned down my apartment trying to use a wok- so I was sticking to a simple meal of ramen, microwavable dumplings, and Hotpockets. Every evening Phoebe would have dinner prepared for me when I got home from my late evening classes and Haruhi would rush up to greet me. I was really getting used to playing 'house' and wanted to make things permanent since things between Phoebe and I have been going great. I have not seen her smile so much or laugh as hard as she does now than when we were teens. Every day, she would get up and make a quick breakfast as I got Haruhi ready for school. Then we would trade off as I kissed her goodbye and wished my two favorite girls to have a good day in school as I scarfed down the rice and eggs Phoebe would make; sneaking in my own few pieces of bacon and toast when Phoebe left. Japan was too healthy for me.

I could not have been happier these past few weeks. Ever since that night with Phoebe, things between us have been anything close to perfect. The following morning, Phoebe and I were awoken by a puzzled Haruhi as she asked us "why was 'okasaan' screaming out papa Gerald's name last night?" Phoebe blushed and hid under the covers as I made up a quick lie about Phoebe yelling at me to kill a spider. Haruhi naively bought the lie and skipped off into the kitchen while screaming that she wanted cereal and juice. Despite Phoebe's embarrassment, that morning after breakfast Haruhi, Phoebe, and I spent the day together at the ice-rink and later went tobogganing down one of Japan's steepest winter slopes. That evening after a cold, icy, agonizing day filled with falling on my ass and tumbling down a steep hill as Haruhi and Phoebe heartily laughed at my expense, the three of us snuggled up against a fire, drank hot-chocolate with fluffy marshmallows, and watched a cute Japanese anime movie together- as a real family. Initially, I could tell Phoebe was skeptical in allowing her and Haruhi to development quite the attachment towards me, but brick by brick, I slowly broke down Phoebe's walls she had guarding her broken heart and allowed her to see and realize that the boy she dated almost four years ago was now officially a man that was not ever going to hurt her again.

"Ready to go cook?" asked Arnold, obviously being sarcastic. "These hotpockets look mighty hard to make."

I nudged him playfully as I grabbed the paper bag on the counter, putting on my hat as I braced myself for the bitter winds of Japan. It was late February, early March and although winter was dying down and turning itself into the beginnings of spring, the occasional flurry storm and below zero winds would come coursing through and cause a sudden chill. "Shut up. You are the one who suggested we cook."

"I felt bad just watching the girls do all the cooking. Helga was the one who came in an unplugged the game saying that this was not the 1950's and we needed to get our lazy asses up and do some housework."

I chuckled, pushing up against the store door to allow Arnold and I outside. "That's your fiancée." I chided, laughing at the memory. Rob, Robert, Arnold, and I were playing Alien Invaders 7 when Helga came barging in, chucking the television remote at us as she unplugged the television set and barked orders at us. Phoebe and Haruhi giggled in the doorway as they mixed a bowl of cake batter for the cupcakes that were for dessert. "You have to deal with that for the rest of your life."

Arnold laughed. "Don't remind me. But you do as well. That is Phoebe's best friend you know. I bet during the wedding reception Helga would bar you from touching Phoebe inappropriately in any kind of way."

I gave the idea a thought. Over the past few weeks, I have been wondering the right time to talk to Phoebe about us getting 'officially' back together. Kato has been trying to get in contact with her but since she blocked his calls, her parents relay the messages he leaves with them and they are not too happy about that; especially since they heard I was back in the picture. I did not want to bring up the idea of divorce immediately, but the conversation was becoming inevitable. My time here in Japan was slowly dwindling down into nothing more than a little over two months. I considered relocating here for Phoebe and Haruhi, but wanted to discuss the option of going back to Hillwood to start fresh and begin a new life- just the three of us. I have gotten paid internship offers from the American ambassador program in Tokyo, Japan, as well as scholarship opportunities to attend law school in Japan for a fraction of the cost it would normally be, and the pay the equivalent of a six-figure job back in America; but I would miss my family and friends way too much. Arnold, Helga, and the gang would all return to America and I would not be able to see my family as much as I would like to. Not only that, but the culture shock here in Japan in much different than in the states. As vibrant, unique, and often time weird as Japan can be, there was nothing that could compare to my home of Hilwood.

"I haven't even brought up the idea of divorce to Phoebe yet."

Arnold raised an eyebrow. "So…she has no plans on divorcing this prick?"

I shrugged, rebalancing the bags of groceries. "I tend to not dwell on that subject too much. But I do think it's time I ask her about it."

Arnold nodded. "Yeah, we leave in early May."

"Don't remind me, man." My voice trailed off.

I watched Arnold give a sympathetic look before forgetting the subject altogether. I hated talking about it but Arnold was right; I needed to find the right time and place to set Phoebe down and ask her where she plans to see us go from here. Not only have I fallen deeper in love with her all over again, I have come to love her daughter as my own. Even the thought of not having either of them in my life made me cringe as the familiar ping of jealousy reared its ugly green head. I could not allow myself to let Phoebe go a second time, not after everything that has happened to rebuild and strengthen what we had before she left. I began kicking a few stray piles of snow to clear my mind before a beautiful African-American woman came and approached Arnold and I. She was dressed warmly in a black leopard coat and matching earmuffs, whispering something against the wind as she signaled for Arnold and I to follow her into the neighboring limousine that was parked alongside the curb. We looked at each other before debating on what our next move should be. Arnold suggested we make a break for it but the sight of two big, burly guard looking men stepping out the front and passenger sides of the car made Arnold and I freeze still. I was confused as to what was happening but as the beautiful woman reappeared, sticking her head outside the car door to beckon us once more, I did not question it and slowly made my way into the vehicle.

Arnold got in first and then I stepped in. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust to the rather bright lighting but we managed as a stern, masculine voice dimmed the lights as he asked if we cared for some sake or vodka from his mini bar. It was Kato.

"Gentleman, drinks?"

"No thank you." Arnold replied politely.

I, on the latter, was quite rude. "They drugged so you can kill us?"

Kato laughed, signaling for the beautiful black girl to pour him a glass of vodka and cranberry. She slinked off her coat to reveal a very sensual sheer, metallic dress with Red and gold glitter pumps. She kissed him upon his lips before making his drink to order. "Now why would you think that, Gerald?"

"You know my name?

He nodded, taking a sip of his drink. "I know quite a bit about you…and your best pal Arnold, as well."

Arnold and I looked at each other from the corner of our eyes, staring back at Kato. He took another sip, shuffling between the thick layers of his black leather trench coat. "Why did you stop us?" Arnold asked.

"To have a friendly discussion with Gerald here about my wife, Phoebe."

"What about her?" I shot back. "Don't forget your daughter."

He scoffed, motioning for the African-American woman beside him to hop into his lap. She happily obliged, beginning to suck on his neck and unbuckle his pants. I became uncomfortable. "Haruhi was an unplanned mistake. I never wanted that little bitch anyway."

That caught me off-guard, causing me to instantly grow angry. "Don't you dare call her out of her name."

"Attached are we?"

I grew quiet. "She deserves a father, not some dick that will only abandon her and abuse her mother."

Kato chuckled as the beautiful woman traveled lower. "Phoebe was a sweet little play thing when I first met her, but after a while she grew too…needy. She began telling me how much you hurt her and how much she was afraid to love another man; like I gave a damn about her sob story. I just wanted that sweet, innocent ass."

I clenched my fist, gritting my teeth as I refrained from punching the lowlife in the face. "Do not disrespect Phoebe."

"Please." He scoffed again, downing the last of his drink. "You are the last person to talk to me about disrespecting or hurting Phoebe. Aren't you the real reason why she chose to move here in the first place?"

I grew mute. "Gerald and Phoebe broke up on mutual terms." Arnold interjected, saving my ass. "But why does their relationship hold significance to you?" Arnold paused, glaring at the women in between his legs…awkwardly. "You clearly have your interest elsewhere."

"A man needs options doesn't he?" he directed his question towards me. "If I recall correctly, Ariel was an option of yours during the time you and Phoebe were an item."

"You know nothing about me or my relationship with Ariel and/or Phoebe." I drew in a sharp breath. "Cut to the chase. What exactly do you want?"

"Simple, you to cut ties with Phoebe and bring that wench and her bastard daughter home so I can look like a family man."

I was taken aback by his blunt, cold demeanor; the young woman giving him fellatio in the middle of our car ride not really helping either. I cleared my throat. "Excuse me?"

He sighed, reaching to his left to grab a bottle of Don Juan. He took a sip directly out of the bottle. "Let Phoebe and Haruhi come home."

"Like hell that will happen." I scoffed, leaning back further into my seat. "You beat on a defenseless woman and expect me to hand her and her daughter back over to you like its Christmas? Man, you buggin'."

Kato chuckled. There was a small air of silence as we ventured closer towards my apartment. I found it a bit creepy and odd that he knew exactly where I lived and knew a bit about me that only those close to me would know. I began wondering if Phoebe may have brought our situation up in passing during a conversation but she was never the one to really gossip or throw dirt on someone's name-even if they did her wrong. I quickly dismissed all thoughts as a small, cynical smile peered across his lips. "Gerald, I am trying to have a civil conversation and talk man to man. Don't make this difficult."

"No, you are making the absurd request. Why should I let Phoebe go?"

"For one, I'm her husband and by law she and I are legally married. You are simply the…how do I word this…boyfriend."

I had to admit, that stung. It was ironic how the roles were reversed this time around. I was finally getting a taste of my own medicine and, boy, it is a tough one to swallow. "Phoebe talked about divorcing you." I blurted out without thinking. The look on his face went from amused to quite interested, he pushing the woman from in between his legs to his far right as he composed himself.

"She talked about…what?"

"Divorce." I said again, this time earning a glance from Arnold. "She does not want to be married anymore."

"Really?" He paused. "So…has she begun to talk to lawyers? Will she try and gain any of my personal assets?"

"No." I answered sternly, lying through my teeth. "She simply want to cut all ties with you and begin a new life in Hilwood…with me."

"And Haruhi?"

"She desires full-custody."

"Gerald!" Arnold yelled. "What?!"

Kato grew stoic, almost lifeless as he approached the apartment complex. The two burly guards got out of the limo and opened the door for us. I stared at Kato, he staring at me in an unwitting battle for dominance. He finally blinked, clearing his throat as he turned away and pulled the dark-skinned woman closer to his frame. "Enjoy your evening gentlemen."

"You do the same." I retorted, getting out of the car and walking towards the front steps. I waited for Arnold to be in full-view, the limousine pulling all the way down the block before I unlocked the main door and ventured up the steps to our shared apartment. I felt Arnold tug at my jacket.

"What the hell was that!?"

"Me thinking on my feet, I don't know!" I sighed, cursing. "What was I supposed to say?"

"Gerald, did you see how he looked at you?"

I paused, remembering. Unlike most fathers who would fear losing their wife and child, Kato looked calculating and malicious; like he was planning something. I could not really explain it but I certainly had an uneasy feeling about that man. I sighed again, marching up to our floor. "I'm not worried about it." I lied.

"Gerald, this is no time to bullshit!" Arnold said in panic, fear laced in his voice. He set his bags down and pulled me to the side away from the front door and any prying ears. Everyone in the building knew the walls were paper thin and even the sound of a rat pissing could be hear from the first floor. "He looked as if he was planning something."

"Arnold, you worry too much."

"And you are playing with fire here. You haven't even spoken to Phoebe, let alone gotten word as to what her plans are for her dysfunctional marriage. Then you bring up Haruhi and full-custody?! What the hell, Gerald?"

"It was impromptu thinking, dammit!" I yelled, getting frustrated. As much as I knew Arnold was right, it did not seem like the big deal. Kato was no organized criminal or anything; just a scorned husband that happens to be a narcissist. "I didn't know what else to say. I was too distracted by the blonde giving him a blowjob to really concentrate."

"You need to tell Phoebe about this."

"No!" I roared, quickly calming myself after I apologized to Arnold. I took in a small breath, clearing and organizing my thoughts. "I mean it is not that serious to let her know about it."

"At least let someone know." Arnold pleaded. "I have a bad feeling about this guy. He was too calm for my taste and certainly did not react the way a normal husband and father would act once they find out they stand the chance of losing both their wife and kid."

"I know…"

"I'll alert the authorities just to start a paper trail."

"Arnold" I sighed, getting irritated. I know Arnold meant well but it could be sometimes frustrating to see him take things over the top. As much as I felt Kato's behavior was a tad bit peculiar, there was nothing really out of the ordinary. He did not seem like a sociopath or a serial killer, just an apathetic bastard that didn't care about his wife or kid. He is entitled to that right, even if it is not a favored one. "I appreciate the concern but you are blowing this out of proportion."

"Gerald-"

I interrupted. "It's settled Arnold. Nothing is going to happen. If he was planning something ruthless he would have done it when he had me in the car. The worse he could do postpone and contest the divorce…if Phoebe decides to go through with one."

"Are you sure?" Arnold sighed, giving up his fight as he picked up his bags and headed back towards our apartment. "Should we let Phoebe know?"

I nodded, reaching in my back pocket for my keys. "Positive and leave Phoebe out of this and let me handle the situation. Now let's make these noodles, I'm starving." I unlocked the door and forced myself into the house. I just hoped I was right about this guy.

A/N: I did not forget about you Miss MorganTaylor. You cameo was actually going to be the mistress but I decided against it. I have another part that I feel will fit perfectly. I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I wanted to give you all a little something to nibble on as I composed the next one. We are halfway through with this story so I hope you guys like it. I am planning a H&A story based off my Purple Elephants franchise. In the meantime, please provide honest feedback and constructive criticism. I look to always better myself as a writer. Also, thank you to my newest reviewer, freaktrains. I love and appreciate you feedback. It is very much appreciated and I am humbly grateful. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND! -SensuallyPassionate