A couple of nights in the new house weren't enough to turn it into a home, but Emily was excited to get her new life started. She missed having a busy house and being surrounded by the people she loved, but as James warned her when she helped him babysit Terran for the day, it was best to enjoy it before the twins arrived. Already she and James had their hands full with one, one year old. Two newborns were going to going to be two handfuls and then some. Mike would have to keep working, so unfortunately he would be gone most days, leaving Emily by herself with two little screamers. Fortunately for her, James offered his help whenever the young couple would need it, and Serena was already always available for anything. The rest of the Samurai family, past and current generations, were also more than ready to lend a hand. Even little Riley was excited at the idea of having two new cousins, and offered to help only if there was a girl. She wasn't interested in stinky boys.

But that was still in the future. For now, Emily could still work and she still had some time to herself. Knowing she and Mike would need money, Emily was willing to jump in wherever possible to earn a few extra bucks. Jayden and Lauren were generous enough to offer her a teaching position at the dojo. It wasn't opened yet, but would be soon enough. Emily could use the time to help with any last minute ideas or help coach the two unofficial students the dojo had already picked up.

James didn't need her help with Terran for the day so Emily decided to swing by the dojo while Mike was at school. Since fainting after Mia's wedding, she had started on a new diet that would boost her iron intake and hopefully prevent another scare from happening, but there were never any certainties in medicine so for the next few weeks, Emily was not allowed to be on her own for long periods of time. It was a bit of a chore having to check in with Mike every couple of hours, or constantly being asked how she was feeling by whoever she was with, but Emily did appreciate everyone looking out for her. Fainting had been terrifying, and with her health and the health of both of her children on the line, she didn't want to take any chances.

Instead of spending the day with James, she would stay with Lauren and Jayden. Even if they didn't need her, it couldn't hurt to hang around the dojo until Mike was home from school.

"This place," she said as she walked in, "looks incredible."

Lauren was midway through a lesson with Troy and Riley when she saw her cousin walking in. She had heard through the grapevine that everything with Emily and the twins was okay and the problem was manageable with supplements and a balanced diet, but it was the first time Lauren saw Emily since she had fainted. Ducking under a punch from Troy and throwing her student off balance, Lauren ran to Emily while Troy face-planted into the mat.

"Don't you ever scare me like that again," Lauren squeezed Emily tightly. Family was still very new to Lauren, but she was a quick learner and had made some irreplaceable bonds with all her Samurai friends. The thought of losing one of them was unbearable.

Riley, seeing her aunt, raced to her back-pack. She wasn't sure when she was going to run into Emily and so carried around the get-well card she had made for her. It was a little bent out of shape from being brought everywhere, but the intent was still there.

Riley's family was strange for her too. Most of her aunts and uncles were still merely just acquaintances to her. She did like them and happily referred to them as her aunts and uncles, but it was something to get used to; something she would happily get used to.

"I maded you a card, Aunt Emy," Riley smiled as she hugged Emily, "I drawed a rainbow so you get better! Did it work?"

"You know," Emily knelt and gave Riley a bright smile, "in the hospital, I told Uncle Mickey someone must have drawn me a very special rainbow because I felt amazing. Thank you, Riley."

Riley happily turned to Lauren with a knowing look, "I told you rainbows make people feel better."

"Go ask Troy how to do a proper warm up," Lauren said, signalling for Riley to get back to her lesson while rolling her eyes. Then she and Emily walked to Antonio's kitchenette and took a seat, "What brings you around?"

"You know that job you offered me? I want to take it. I want to start as soon as I can."

"The dojo's not open yet," Lauren shook her head, "I don't think I can start hiring people yet… I mean, Jayden and Antonio go over that businessy stuff so…"

"Mike and I got a place."

"I thought…"

"Kevin's parents were nice enough to let us rent their safe-house. It's affordable, even for us, but we need some extra money coming in. Mike's busting his butt trying to keep our expenses covered but he needs help. I don't have any qualifications to work anywhere else and even if I did, I don't think I could start a job and then leave and take some of their money with me. It doesn't feel right to me. I know I can't paint… though it looks like all the renovations are done already but I can do anything you need me to do before it starts and I'll work hard, I…"

"I want to help," Lauren nodded and gave Emily a smile, "Relax, the dojo's hopefully opening soon and I promise, you'll have the perfect job waiting for you, but let me talk to Jayden about getting you started on something now."

"Thank you," Emily leaned forward and hugged Lauren tightly, "Mike and I really need the help and this would be… amazing! You're amazing! Even if I just get like… five bucks a day…"

"I spent more on ice-cream for Riley on the way over here," Lauren frowned and shook her head, "No way. You'll at least get… ten dollars."

Lauren's smirk made Emily laugh. She gave her cousin one more hug before looking over at the two "students". Troy was trying his best with Riley, but it seemed martial arts wasn't a natural talent for her – at least, not the sit down and focus part. Lauren didn't want to push Riley too hard before she was officially a student and while Mia and Kevin were out of the country and Riley was under her watch, so most of Riley's routines were learning how to warm up properly and how to calm the mind, practice focus, and improve concentration. Understandably, the five year old didn't find these lessons fun at all and preferred learning to kick ass.

Because that wouldn't happen, and Riley was a pain in the ass even on her good days, she was giving her teachers trouble. Troy was showing her how to meditate but Riley kept opening her eyes and sticking her fingers in Troy's nose, ears, or mouth.

"I think I can help," Emily said to Lauren with a smile, "With the kid. I was a bit like her when I first started learning. You know, because of the whole second born thing. Being a Samurai just didn't… come naturally. And I had a few attention problems too. Ask Serena, keeping me still for long periods of time was a war. Never mind trying to teach me Japanese symbols before I could tell the difference between a little "p" and a little "b" or little "d" in English. I got Riley, you take… the big kid."

"Troy," Lauren nodded and shook hands with Emily. "You get Riley to meditate for ten minutes and I don't care what Jayden says. You're hired today."

Emily smirked and got up from the chair, "Hey, Riles, I've got a fun game to play. Do you know how to play imagination?"

Riley looked over and pulled her finger from Troy's ear, "No. Is it fun?"

"When I was little, I thought it was a lot of fun. Go find a corner and sit down. I'll show you what we do."