A/N: Unfortunately we have sad news. This is the last chappie for Market. It's been such a fun story. Enjoy and please R&R!
Chapter 7
Time passed, slowly or swiftly, depending on your perspective.
Everyone was living moderately happier lives. Especially with all the kids on the way.
Yugi walked around, bouncing Miya on his hip. He gnawed his lip worriedly. He had the ring...he just hoped Yami would say yes.
"Are you ok?" Yami asked in concern as he had walked down to make breakfast.
"Y...yea...of course!" Yugi smiled. Slipping the ring into Miya's hand, he held her out to Yami. "Can you look at Miya's hand?"
"Oh sure," he said, looking down in surprise. "Aw, Yugi, you know I will marry you."
Yugi let out a huge breath. Hugging Yami, he whispered, "No...I didn't. You could have changed your mind." Amethyst eyes looked up at Yami.
"Oh Yugi," he said softly, hugging him back. "I love you. I wouldn't change my mind about that or being with you for the rest of my life."
Yugi smiled back huge. "Should...should we look at getting our own house?" He giggled.
"Sure, if you want," he said softly. "It might be easier with Aria visiting."
"We should start looking then." Miya cooed, pulling on Yami's hair.
"Hmm, yes," he murmured, looking down at their daughter, wondering what she wanted.
Miya giggled. "Dada!" Miya turned to Yugi. "Mama!" Yugi put on a pout.
Yami smiled softly, "Aw, we love you so much, Miya."
Yugi frowned. "But seriously, I am a dada too." Miya grinned at Yugi. "Mama!"
"Uh, I guess she thinks you're the mom," he sweat dropped.
"What about Aria?" Yugi worried on his bottom lip more.
"Who knows," he shrugged.
Sighing, Yugi went to the door, answering the knocking. Smiling at Aria, he handed Miya to her, picking up a bag and handing that as well.
"I'll bring her back on Monday," she promised.
Yugi smiled. Nodding, Miya grabbed Aria's hair. "Mama!" She cooed.
She smiled, "Thanks, I'll see you then, Yugi."
Yami closed the door when she left. He was glad Miya still recognized Aria as her mother, but also knew Yugi is too.
Yugi frowned. "How come I'm the mama? I could be the dada." He frowned adorably.
"It's because you're more of a mother," he said simply. "Come, let's go have breakfast."
Yugi nodded. He felt happier than he had in a long time. Well, in forever. He had his husband, and his baby. Life was good.
\/\/\/
Bakura rubbed his eyes as he woke up. He has been having a few restless nights.
Marik woke up. "Is the baby coming?"
"Should be today," he grumbled.
"Of course." Getting up, he hugged Bakura. "I'll get you some breakfast, you stay right here."
He did. Though while Marik was away he started having contractions. He cursed under his breath, glad he can get this out of him.
Marik came back up, noticing Bakura in pain. Setting the tray down, he quickly called for Ryou. Rushing up to Bakura, he grabbed his hand. "Ryou's coming. He'll help get the baby out."
"Thanks," he breathed out, hearing the rush of footsteps as Ryou came in.
Ryou had Marik hold the bunny on his head. He had adopted it from one day when Malik and he had taken a walk.
Marik worriedly looked at his lover. He knew how painful childbirth was. He prayed Bakura and the baby would be okay. That baby was Bakura's, and Marik would love the baby as his own.
"Ok, take deep breaths," Ryou said calmly as Bakura did so and began to try pushing the baby out.
The baby girl came out with no problems, screaming to beat the band.
Ryou cut the cord, slapping her butt to make sure there was no problems. He smiled, handing her over to Bakura.
"She looks exactly like you," Ryou said softly, taking his bunny back before leaving them in peace.
"Thanks," he breathed out.
Marik came up. "She is beautiful, Bakura. What do you want to name her?" Marik smiled down as the little girl opened her lilac eyes. Marik was confused as to how Dartz's baby could have lilac eyes, but he just shrugged.
"Amane," he replied.
"Hello, Amane. Your daddies love you bunches." He kissed her forehead gently.
"Indeed we do," he chuckled lightly.
Kissing Bakura's head, he went and got the tray and brought it over. "You need to eat. Let me go get you some washcloths to wipe you down." Marik scurried out.
"Ok," he agreed, eating the food brought to him.
Marik brought in a bowl of water, setting it down, he wet a washcloth and started wiping Bakura's forehead.
"Thanks," he said when Marik finished.
Marik smiled. "Anything else you need? Oh, shit! Amane! The formula!" Marik rushed out.
"Marik, what's wrong?" he asked, too tired to get up and he has his daughter cradled in his arms too.
Marik rushed back in with a bottle. "I forgot the formula downstairs in the bottle! She's probably starving." He offered the bottle to Bakura.
"It's ok, thanks," he began to feed Amane.
Marik smiled at the two. "You know I'd sacrifice my life for you, right?" Marik stated quietly. "Both of you. You both are my life."
"I know, love. I'd do the same for you and our little one," he said softly.
Marik let out a soft sigh. He was worried about Bakura's feelings for the baby, since he had been so angry the last few weeks.
Yes, but that was just due to the mood swings. He had also been cranky with the kicks and cramps.
Marik crawled carefully on the bed after making sure Bakura and Amane were okay. He put an arm around Bakura, smoothing Amane's hair down. "That's why you had so much heartburn...her full head of beautiful hair, just like yours."
Bakura gave a crooked smile, "Yep, she's definitely a snow princess."
Marik cuddled up with his family. He was slightly sad Lilly wasn't here to see her sister, but he was happy with his mate and their baby.
\/\/\/
Ryou returned to where Malik was. He carried their son in his arms, giggling as the bunny shifted back. He loves his bunny baby. He smiled, sitting down next to his lover.
Malik grinned, yawning. "Psycho better now that he lost about ten pounds?" Malik tickled his son as well.
"Yep," Ryou giggled.
"So...when we're getting married?" Malik asked, sitting up and stretching as he pulled Ryou and babybunnyboy up with him.
"Whenever you want," he said softly, nuzzling Malik's neck as he felt truly happy.
"Okay." He grabbed Ryou's hand. Holding it tightly, Malik put it to his chest. Getting a rare, but remarkably serious look on his face, He leaned over, kissing Ryou's lips gently. "I love you. I'm yours forever, and you're mine." Ryou felt a stinging on his ring finger. Malik leaned back and winked.
Ryou blushed, "Of course I'm yours. Love you too, crazy."
Malik nodded to the finger. There was a purplish intricate ring tattooed on Ryou's skin. Malik held up his hand and he had a matching one.
Ryou smiled, liking the marking, "Aw, it's lovely, Mal'."
"Not as lovely as you." Malik grinned, winking. "C'mon, let me show you your wedding present." He tugged Ryou out of the house, down a path, and behind a waterfall to a beautiful house hidden in the cave.
"Wow," he was awestruck at the place.
Malik showed that he had paid attention to detail...even a room for bunnyboy.
"Aw, thanks Mal'," he kissed him tenderly.
"Everything for mine." Malik swore.
"Is this going to be our house?" he asked.
"Yup. I don't want to share with Fluffers and his litter." Malik grinned. He even pointed to the straw men hanging on the one side, throwing a knife. "Targets!"
Ryou giggled, holding their baby in his arms, "Good, sounds fine to me."
Malik pulled Ryou to their bed, laying down with their son. He was so very glad he went to the market that day. It truly changed his whole, psychotic life.
\/\/\/
Akefia laid on his side. He yawned, feeling content with his kids and lover.
Atem nuzzled his neck, putting an arm around Akefia, his chest against Akefia's back.
"Need to get up," he mumbled, grabbing the kittens into his arms gently to go feed them.
Atem got up too. "Let me help." Atem took to fatherhood much better than expected. Taking one of the twins, he smiled.
"Ok," he smiled gratefully, going down to the fridge to take out two bottles of formula.
Atem took one, heating it to the appropriate temperature, feeding the girl. Kissing her head, he smiled at Akefia. "I love how our daughter looks so much like you but has my eyes."
"Mm, same with our son. He looks like you," he murmured, feeding the other kitten.
Atem grinned. "Yep. So...at least our children got some handsomeness in their genes...from you." Atem ducked down, kissing the downy hair.
Akefia chuckled lightly, "Indeed."
"My time with Arashi." Atem stated, handing Tyrasu to Akefia.
Akefia switched, handing over their son as he received their daughter. He held her in his arms.
"Mmm, such a snow princess," he mused, knowing they'd grow to be amazing kids though he thought it's probably because of his brother or Atem they came out as nekos.
Tyrasu sneezed. She had been almost asleep. The sneeze scared her, and suddenly, Akefia saw her blend into his coloring as her kitten ears twitched nervously.
"It's ok, sweetie," he said softly, pleasantly surprised she has his chameleon ability. "You just sneezed. Let's get you some medicine to ensure you won't get a cold."
She meowed quietly, snuggling into his arms.
Akefia grabbed the baby medicine. He gave some to Tyrasu. He went back to Atem when he was done.
"Arashi seems fine." Atem noted.
"Ok, seems Tyrasu can use my ability," he told him.
Atem smiled at Akefia. He was happy, as he knew that Akefia was slightly troubled that no chameleon abilities had seemed to be passed down. "Good."
"Yep," he nodded. "Though it's weird how they came out as kittens."
"I know. But it probably made it easier to give birth." Atem noted.
Akefia scowled, "You weren't the one who had to give birth."
Atem kept from rolling his eyes. "I didn't say it would make it easy, just a bit less painful, 'Keifa."
"Uh huh," he huffed, sitting down with Tyrasu in his arms.
"What?" Atem asked, baffled at the mood swing.
"It was still unpleasant," he said, giving a light kiss to their daughter's forehead as they'd probably be sleepy soon.
"I'm sorry 'Keifa. I'll get a vasectomy." Atem looked away, confused by Akefia's swift change in mood.
"Don't you dare," he said softly. "Sorry, 'Tem."
Atem just looked down. "I'm sorry for whatever I did."
"Honey, you did nothing wrong. I'm just venting a bit," he smiled gently.
"Okay." Atem smiled up at Akefia. "I love you, 'Keifa. I really do."
"I love you too," he vowed to him.
\/\/\/
Seto heard the baby crying. Waking up, he got up to check on Jonouchi and the baby...he had made no advances on Jonouchi after failing him and being rejected by him. He had fallen more in love with the mutt everyday, but refused to act upon it.
Jonouchi yawned, rocking the baby to calm her. He looked up to see Seto coming in.
"Don't worry I can handle it," he assured.
"You look dead to the world. I can get her back to sleep. You take a nap." Seto came over, putting his arms out to take the baby.
He wasn't sure about it, but nodded. He handed their kid over.
"Thanks," he said, rolling over onto his side. "Wake me up later please."
"Will do." Seto sat down in the rocker, rocking the baby to sleep. He sighed, watching Jonouchi sleep. He made such a mess of things. After holding the sleeping babe for awhile, he dozed, the baby on his chest.
Jonouchi woke up later. He smiled fondly at seeing Seto dozing with the baby close to him. It was so cute.
The baby gurgled and whimpered in her sleep. Seto held her closer, reflexively, rubbing her back. "Shh..." He didn't open his eyes.
Jonouchi watched them. He thought it was adorable seeing them.
Seto opened an eye. "I didn't hurt her." Getting up, he took her to him.
"I trust you," he said softly. "I just couldn't help, but watch. You looked so cute holding her."
Seto smiled softly. "She's adorable. She looks just like you." He looked down, kissing her forehead.
"Yep, though she has your eyes," he smiled.
Seto smirked. "Impressive since I was of no help in her conception." He chuckled, handing her the rest of the way to Jonouchi, making sure he had her securely before letting go. His voice turning serious, he looked up at Jonouchi. "But I would very much like to help raise her, taking care of you both." Seto's face studied Jonouchi's as his brain registered surprise at what he just did.
Jonouchi softened at hearing that, holding her in his arms as Seto gave her back to him, "Genes have a funny way of doing things. I would love that, Seto."
Seto smiled. "So...could you and I go on a date sometime?"
Hoping he hadn't jumped way to ahead
"Yep," he grinned.
Seto smiled. He may have screwed up royally, but having persistence and patience just may have paid off...he may actually get that family he had secretly always wanted. His cousins were happy and Jonouchi and the baby were safe. Maybe the gods were forgiving after all. Seto had made a lot of mistakes in his life, but maybe, just maybe, he could spend the rest of his life trying to make it right.