Orihime looked over to Ichigo. His face was that of total satisfaction. He had ordered small portions of over 5 different foods and now he was sitting back, the chocolate cake that had been brought out just for him now in pieces. She reached over and touched his hand. "You're probably going to feel sick tomorrow."

"I don't care." He smiled through heavy breaths. Orihime smiled and looked around. The rest were in conversation with each other, and she wondered if she should join in since Ichigo was already in a food coma. Just then she heard Urahara speak.

"Well everyone, we should be heading back. I'm sure Ichigo would like to get some rest after such a long day." Renji moaned in disapproval in unison with Yoruichi. Everyone finally got up slowly and walked to the carriage.

"Yo Urahra. Are we heading back to your place after this?" Renji asked.

"Yes, we can all go back to my place after we drop these love birds off."

Orihime didn't even hear him. She was too busy helping Ichigo into the carriage. He apologized probably ten times, hiccuping the whole time. The one beer had sent him over the edge due to the new body. She knew life was not going to be like the romance stories she read, so she knew that this was part of their journey ahead. The trip back was a little louder. Kana had Kon install a lamp over the group and everyone looked around to how the lamp was shining on the scenery around them. It made it feel warm despite the cold winds. Everyone except Ichigo felt comfortable and they were able to laugh at Ichigo's attempts to insult Renji while trying to not throw up. They arrived to Orihime's house and everyone waved to them and said their goodbyes. Ichigo got out a wave and then leaned against Orihime for support as she helped him inside. His next apology sent Orihime's heart in a knot.

"Orihime, I'm really sorry I'm like this. I was just so excited to finally be able to eat and drink that I must have gone overboard. I shouldn't have gone to such excess."

Orihime shook her head while helping him up the stairs and through the door. "You were eating small portions, but you didn't know that it would be so difficult the first time. I must admit I've never seen anyone get this drunk over one Sapporo." She chuckled softly as she took off her coat and shoes and helped Ichigo out of his coat and shoes and over to the couch, where he gave a relieved sigh. His head stayed back on the couch and his arms were spread out against the back of the couch. Orihime grabbed some water and Ichigo gladly drank it all. As Orihime was bringing the glass back, she looked back to him. The way the light was hitting him and with such a nice suit on, he looked like some kind of mafia boss or someone that you see in the movies. She blushed and looked away. There was no denying that despite his sickened state, he still looked very handsome. She came back in and sat down next to him. She then noticed the even breaths and realized that he had fallen asleep. She pulled his jacket off and laid him carefully on the pillow and then found a thin blanket to cover him. She turned off the lights and then walked over and touched her lips to his forehead. She ran her hand through his hair and whispered, "Good night." As she stood back up, he spoke in a whisper.

"I love you Orihime."

She knelt back over him and kissed him one more time. "I love you, too. Sleep well. "

The next morning, Orihime walked in her half awake state towards the kitchen. She could smell something cooking and the undeniable smell of coffee. She felt her mouth begin to water and she quickened her pace. As she rounded the corner to the kitchen, she saw that there was in fact food cooking. Ichigo looked up from the stove and smiled. "'Morning Hime."

"Good morning. Thank you for making breakfast." Her body moving towards the coffee and the fridge.

"Sure thing." There was silence for a while. "I got a call this morning that my dad is stopping by."

Orihime stopped before taking a sip of her coffee. She couldn't gauge the tone. "Is that bad?"

Ichigo shook his head. "Not really. I just wasn't expecting him to come over so quickly." Orihime nodded and they ate their breakfast in silence. Orihime was too lost in thought to talk. She wanted to have a good presence for Ichigo's dad. She wanted to make him feel like this was a good decision.

A few hours later, Orihime was dressed and was frantically trying to clean the house while Ichigo sat at the table, fidgeting with a cup of coffee. Finally, there was a knock at the door. Orihime ran into the kitchen to put the cleaning supplies away and wash her hands. Ichigo stood up and answered the door. The weather was actually sunny with not a cloud in the sky. Isshin looked up from under the rim of his fedora and smiled.

"Hi dad."

"Hi Ichigo." He leaned in and gave Ichigo a big hug. They hugged each other tightly without a single word being spoken. Finally he stepped in and took off his hat.

"Welcome Kurosaki-san."

"Hi Orihime-chan. Nice place you have here." They made small talk and she brought everyone tea.

"Dad, where are my sisters? I want to see them." Orihime stopped pouring more tea and could feel the change in energy in the room.

Isshin put down his tea. "I don't want you seeing them Ichigo."

"What?!"

Isshin held in the tears as they tried to escape from his eyes. "This is hard enough for me to handle. After your mother died, I approached Urahara and asked if there was anything he could do. We tried looking for your mother's spirit, but could never find it. Now with you being human again, it makes me overjoyed and yet completely heartbroken that it was possible." He took a deep breath in. "This is why it was so hard for me to accept that you were being basically brought back from the dead. We should not mess with such things, but, you're my son, and I would've given anything to see you again."

"Dad..."

Isshin sniffled and wiped his eyes with his shirt sleeve. Orihime dropped a box of tissues by him and he thanked her. "I don't want you seeing the girls because they have no idea that this sort of thing is possible. Knowing that you are alive again may be too much for them to handle."

"Well let them handle it! I don't want to live my whole life knowing that I have sisters out there that cry themselves to sleep knowing that half their family is gone." His fists tightened. "i just can't."

"Um, excuse me, but don't the sisters live here in Hokkaido? There is a possibility that they may see him. I think it's best if we gradually introduce the idea to them until they can meet him."

Both men sat in silence thinking about it for a moment. "I like the idea dad. It would be better if you just talked to them one night and told them what a gigai is and how it works."

Isshin shook his head. "I don't really know how. Urahara knows. I still don't want to subject them to such knowledge. Some people should be left in the dark so they can move about their day without so much care as to what else is going on."

He looked up at both of them and sighed. "I still don't like the idea; however, they live here too and they should be prepared if they ever see you." They both rejoiced at the decision. Everyone knew it was going to be hard, but it was for the best that Yuzu and Karin know. Isshin spoke up again. "So what are you going to be doing for a job Ichigo? No one would really want to hire someone with a 5 year gap in employment."

"He can work at my shop." Orihime spoke. She really wanted to ask him later, but she didn't want to let the opportunity slip by. "I usually need help in the spring when I first open, and I've wanted to expand the shop to include more merchandise like bakeware and maybe even have more food and drink options. What do you think Ichigo?"

"I'd love to. Thank you." He leaned over and kissed her on the lips softly. Orihime was flustered as she doesn't like public displays of affection, especially in front of a parent she barely knows. Her doubts were crushed quickly as Isshin let out a big laugh and smacked Ichigo in the back rambling about grandchildren and where he would take them. Everyone calmed and then Isshin took out his phone. "I'm going to try and make a three way call to Yuzu and Karin. I'd like to tell them now if possible." They both nodded and sat back. Orihime held Ichigo's hand tight as the phone rang.

"Hello? Yuzu? It's dad. Yeah I'm doing great. Say can you hold on for a minute? I want to get Karin on the phone too. Ok hold on." A few moments pass as Isshin tried to call Karin. "Karin? It's dad. Hold on, let me get Yuzu on the line. Ok, are you both there? Ok, let me put it on speaker." He set the phone down on the table.

"What's going on dad?" Karin's voice had the sound of concern.

"Well girls, let me tell you a story. When someone dies they still have spirit energy that can stay on the Earth for various reasons."

"What are you talking about?"

"Just listen Karin, please. Well sometimes spirits stay on the Earth if they have unfinished business or a deep desire to stay." He exhaled deeply. "This happened to your brother." He heard silence on the other lines, except for a faint gasp from Yuzu. He continued. "I have a friend who is sort of a mad scientist and can do many incredible things. He has an ability to basically create a body with organs and everything and insert that spirit energy in them." Yuzu made a confused sound, but Karin spoke right away.

"is this true dad? Is Ichigo in one of those bodies right now?"

Isshin chuckled. "You catch on quickly Karin. Yes, he is." Everyone could hear them both sobbing on the other line.

"How dad? How is it possible? Will Ichigo be like a normal person again? Will he be just like anyone else?"

"He sure will. He even has a beautiful girlfriend and a nice house to live in here in Hokkaido."

The sisters yelled "Hokkaido?!" in unison.

"Does this mean we can see him and talk to him?" Yuzu's voice was crackling.

Isshin nodded to Ichigo and he moved in closer to the phone.

"Hello Karin, Yuzu."

"Nii-san?" Yuzu's voice was barely audible and Karin could only be heard crying.

"I'm here now girls. It's so glad to hear your voices again. I will be working at Inoue Bakery this spring. Why don't you girls come and see me then?"

"Why would we wait so long to see you? We can go now!" Karin's voice was loud and crackled in the phone.

"I want you two to be safe. My girlfriend and I live far out of town and the roads can be dangerous here. We all know that. I want you to be patient and we can see each other when the weather is better. I can talk on the phone with you as much as you want. I can get the numbers from dad."

"Nii-san," Yuzu still chocked out.

"Nii-san, if you feel that's the best, we can do that." Karin's voice was still scratchy, but she recovered quickly. They made a bit more small talk and hung up. Orihime was even introduced. The phone call ended and They all sat back in a mutual feeling of relief. After an hour more of conversation, Isshin left, hugging both. As he hugged Orihime, he whispered into her ear.

"Take care of my son. I want both of you to be happy."

Orihime teared up and nodded. He left with a wave and the couple hugged as the door shut. "Oh Orihme, I am so glad that turned out ok."

"Me too. I can't wait to meet them. We should be able to go there in about two weeks to start setting up."

Ichigo put his hands on her face. "I have all the time in the world now. As long as I'm with you, there is nothing more important."

Orihime's eyes began to water and he leaned in for a deep kiss. She couldn't wait to finally relax and have a normal life with the man she loved. She couldn't be happier.

Note: Yay to finally being able to sit back and relax. the next chapter will be at the bakery and may possibly be the last. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed it.