A/N: Okay, I get it, eight months was a long time, but I needed Ayaka to be old enough to form sentences. It was so cute, wasn't it? WASN'T IT?!

Nickpotter: Originally, I was planning Roxas' ending to be a whole lot worse, honestly. (suicide) But the clue lies in the description of this story! :P

I ain't gon' explain myself no more.

(This makes me want to write a Nami/Riku story where Namine is a southern bell).

Random thoughts over. SUPER LONG LAST CHAPTER, COMMENCE! (okay, it's long to me, so hush)

Hehe!

o.o.o

Follow Me Home

Chapter Forty: Final

o.o.o

"Let's rewrite an ending that fits instead of a Hollywood horror..."

o.o.o

Two weeks later, Ventus took Roxas down to the auto shop that their father owned. After helping him get into his wheelchair, Roxas followed behind him as he went into the garage. There were a few people there doing various things, one of them a long time family friend named Cid.

"Well, I'll be darned. Look who decided to show up, it's the Yonehara brothers!" Cid washed his hands off, "but what happened to you?" he examined Roxas.

"Long story..."

"I see. Hmm. Well, I already know why you're here. Your mama told me that Mr. Yonehara's wish was for you two to take over the shop, eh?"

"Yeah, well... I think Roxas would do much better than me, even if he is like this." Ventus said.

"Wait, what can I do?" Roxas glared at his brother, "I thought we were only coming here to visit!"

"You seem to forget, Roxas, you have a child now. Gotta support her somehow." Ventus winked.

"Oh, well that puts this on a whole new level." Cid walked around to the counter and grabbed the wireless phone. "In that case, you can answer the phone, hand me stuff, deal with customers..."

"So I'm a secretary?" Roxas sighed.

"Well, you ain't gonna get manager overnight."

Ventus faced his brother. "What do you think?"

"Your dad may have been an architect, but this shop was his real dream. And Roxas, I know you loved working here when you were a teenager. You were here all the time. I'm giving you a chance. Take it or leave it." Cid said.

He wasn't in a position to refuse.

Even though things weren't perfect with Xion, that didn't stop them from putting aside their differences for Ayaka's sake. Maybe someday he would learn to love Xion, but for now, his main focus was set.

"I'll take it." Roxas shook hands with Cid.

As Ventus wheeled Roxas back to the car, he said, "Dad will be happy. You'll do great."

"Whatever."

"Roxas, don't you think you should let go of your teenage-like angst? The fights you had with our parents were all normal things that everyone goes through. Why do you have to hold such a grudge against them?"

"I don't. I just hate myself for the way that I acted and I don't know how to say that I'm sorry."

Shocked, Ventus cleared his throat as he lifted Roxas into the passengers seat. "Don't say it, then. Show it." he glanced back at the shop, then at Roxas again before shutting the door and going around to the other side. Roxas rested his head on the seat and sighed.

He would often wonder how Kairi was doing.

But he knew that she was nothing more than a memory. Refusing Sora's offer to talk to her was like saying goodbye.

Strangely, he didn't regret it.

Once they got back to Xion's apartment, Ventus waited until Roxas was safely into the elevator before driving off. The doors closed and Roxas pressed the button to go to the appropriate floor. He was slowly adjusting to this new life, but it still sucked. He kept telling himself that this was temporary and he would be able to stand up again, but every time it was in vain. He would just have to find a way to live with it. He was lucky to even be alive.

Roxas made his way over to the door and got out his key. He could hear Ayaka crying and Xion trying to calm her. Hesitating to open the door, Roxas just sat there and listened. Taking a deep breath, after unlocking it he reached for the doorknob and opened it, then pushed himself inside.

"There you are! Ugh, finally! Here, just take her!" Xion set Ayaka in his lap and went back to her room. Ayaka stopped crying.

"Daddy, is mommy mad at me?"

"No, of course not. Mommy... is just tired."

Roxas didn't know how to handle children, but he tried his best.

Xion emerged a few minutes later, a sense of shame on her face. "Sorry."

She really did need him.

Roxas put Ayaka down and went over to her. "We'll... get through this."

"Yeah..."

He had to give Xion credit—raising Ayaka on her own (well, Ienzo helped but that wasn't the same) must have been extremely difficult. How Roxas would have felt if he found out about this sooner, he didn't know, but he believed the timing couldn't have been better. He was slowly, but surely, letting Kairi go and replacing her with love for this child.

He finally had a purpose.

o.o.o

Namine poked Riku's face. He didn't move.

She poked him again.

And again.

"Ugh... five more minutes..." Riku rolled over in the bed.

"No! You need to wake up and help me put this party together! It's already two in the afternoon! You contacted everyone, right?"

"Hmm? Mhm..."

Namine squealed and jumped out of the bed. Riku grunted and rolled so far he nearly fell out, but was able to save himself from imminent doom right before going over the edge. As if his efforts to get a few more moments of shut eye after a night of booze and stupid rich girls were useless, his son came running into the room, also apparently excited about this little 'secret' party for Sora and Kairi that Namine so desperately wanted to throw. He danced around the bed, thus finally making Riku sit up in a disheveled state.

"Dad! Will there be cake at the party?"

"Huh? Yeah, sure."

"And ice-cream?"

"Most likely."

Ken was in need of a haircut; his light blonde hair was touching his shoulders and he had trouble keeping it out of his face. Riku insisted that because he was his son, he was allowed to have long and sexy hair, but Namine didn't like the constant misunderstandings about their son's gender from strangers. She was afraid that it would mess with Ken's psyche and confuse him, but generally was ignored because Ken would side with his father. Kids don't give a damn about their looks, Riku would reason, but Namine was persistent and ordered him to cut his son's hair before the party.

After a long shower, Riku was ready for the day ahead of cleaning, decorating and apparently turning into a barber for ten minutes. Namine wouldn't let him rest for one second; her perfectionist side was in full swing and he had no choice but to go along with her antics.

He loved his wife—really.

But did they really need a huge banner sprawled across their glass door outside? Balloons throughout the house that were helium jokes waiting to happen? A feast for the gods? Probably not. However, Namine wasn't going to back down. This was for Kairi, the one that she only recently fully reconciled with. They were like best friends once again and Namine felt like she was back in high school, giggling about silly gossip that the two shared, most likely about their significant others. She was excited about some sort of news that she only told Riku about the day before, thus making him invite everyone over in a day's notice.

Ken completed all of his miniature duties with pride; he was truly turning into a great kid. He picked up his toys off of the floor, dusted anything he could reach and made origami ducks that he named Donald.

"Riku, can you preheat the oven?" Namine called from the bathroom; she was scrubbing the floor meticulously, making sure it was spotless. Riku looked down at her from the doorway, amazed that she was going to all of this trouble.

"Yes, sweetie, but you'll have to do something for me."

"Can't you see I'm busy?" Namine polished the counters with some lemony stuff.

"Yes, but you look so cute. Couldn't you wear a maid outfit instead? It would be more fitting... and I may enjoy this cleaning the whole house thing even though the main party will be outside a little more."

"Hell no. Go start the oven. We only have three hours left. And then give Ken a haircut."

"You do realize that I will be cutting his hair in this very bathroom?"

Namine stopped scrubbing for a moment and gave him a stern look that said, 'go do what I said before I kill you.'

Riku trotted off at his wife's demand. Was he whipped? He didn't want to think so.

Not that it mattered, anyway. He just loved to mess with her.

o.o.o

Kairi and Sora were expecting to join Namine and Riku at their house for dinner that night, so they tried to portion their meals throughout the day. Not that Kairi was exactly in the mood to eat—she had something itching on her mind that made her cringe at just the thought of certain foods.

Sora was tucked away in the computer room, playing some sort of game that he referred to as "WoW," something Kairi knew nothing about, but she was glad that he was able to occupy himself and she didn't have to face him at the moment. Just a few days prior, she and Namine found out something—something that was going to change Kairi and Sora's life forever.

She was pregnant.

Wait—that wasn't all.

She was pregnant with twins.

Yes, that's right, there were two little ones growing inside of her. Two.

And it overwhelmed the hell out of her.

Not only was she afraid of history repeating itself, she was also afraid of what was to come if she did go full term.

There was one thing that comforted her, though.

There was no doubt in her mind that Sora was the father.

In the past eight months, even though it wasn't all rainbows and butterflies, Sora and Kairi found new ways to compromise and come to mutual agreements that only strengthened their relationship. Sometimes Sora would question her too much before she left, but she understood why he was doing it. He wasn't acting as badly as he previously anticipated, but he was still a bit insecure. She could truly see that he was trying, though. She wanted to put in just as much effort.

"AW, DAMN IT!" Sora yelled from the other room, probably meaning he lost or something. After a few moments, he came out. "Well, I'm ready to go if you are."

Kairi chuckled, "I am."

o.o.o

"Riku, did you set the plates outside?"

"Yes."

"Napkins? Forks? Cups?"

"Yes, dear."

"Protective bug barrier thing is in place?"

"Covered."

"Table for the presents-"

Riku placed his hands on Namine's tense shoulders and put his face close to hers, "Namine, everything is ready."

Namine thought for a moment, "Hmm... what about the pie?"

"I thought you were taking care of that."

"RIKU!" Namine rushed into the kitchen. Riku just laughed. The doorbell rang.

"Let's get this party started..."

Mr. and Mrs. Yamada, Leon, Yuffie, Tifa, Cloud, Zack and Genesis were all crowded in front of his door; he was surprised they all got here at the same time. Aqua and Terra were walking up the driveway; they had come all the way from Twilight Town just to see Kairi. Leon seemed to be doing okay.

"Riku, did you make the travel arrangements for Kairi's-"Namine stopped when she realized everyone was standing in the doorway.

"Yes, I was about to go and get her if you would let me breathe."

"Alright, everyone..." Namine laughed nervously as she set the pie down on the table, "now, this is a surprise party, as you know, so..."

"Mommy, am I the only kid here?" Ken tugged on her shirt.

"No, Uncle Sora is coming over."

"YAY!" he ran off into his room.

Mrs. Yamada didn't look the least bit pleased, but agreed to come simply because she would be getting grandchildren. It was a little iffy for Namine to invite her, but she did anyway in hopes that maybe she and Kairi will finally come to some sort of understanding.

"Well, everyone... Sora and Kairi should be here soon! Um... I'm still putting the final touches on everything. Presents go on that table outside. I hope you bought double!" Namine directed everyone to the back yard.

o.o.o

Twenty minutes later, Sora and Kairi finally arrived. Everyone else was hiding outside. Riku hadn't returned with the special guest yet, so Namine was getting a little fidgety, but nevertheless, she was able to compose herself for the main guests. Sora and Kairi were very confused upon their arrival; noticing the over the top decorations, the cleanliness of the house, balloons and a dinner that looked fit for twenty people. Kairi quickly understood what was going on, but Sora didn't have a clue. She frantically pulled Namine aside.

"Namine?! What is this?!"

"Your very early baby shower!"

Kairi's mouth gaped open; she wasn't ready to tell Sora yet. Naturally, her hormones caused her to break into tears, but they were short lived when Riku returned—with someone she hadn't seen in years.

"G-Grandma...?" Kairi was shocked as Riku helped the old woman into the house.

"Whoa!" Sora greeted her immediately and gave her a chair.

"I don't need that, boy." Kairi's grandmother went over to Kairi and took her hands in hers. "Congratulations, honey."

"She knows?" Kairi glanced back at Namine.

"How else would I have gotten her here?" Riku asked, heading outside. "Come on."

They all followed Riku outside.

Aqua broke the silence. "Alright, everyone!"

"SURPRISE!"

"Congratulations, Sora and Kairi!" Tifa jumped up and down.

"Am I missing something?" Sora noticed his parents in the crowd. "You're here too?!"

Kairi froze; this was all so nice of them, but at the same time she was terrified of telling Sora, even though she knew that he would be happy. And now she had an audience. She glared at Namine, who only laughed innocently back at her. She knew Namine's intentions were good, but did she really have to invite Mrs. Yamada? Something bad was bound to happen...

"Kairi, I'm so happy for you." Aqua and Terra appeared in front of her.

"Can someone tell me what's going on?" Sora pestered. Everyone turned their attention to Kairi.

"Umm... well..."

Kairi wanted someone to blurt it out for her, but that wasn't happening.

"Kairi, show him the pictures." Namine whispered, "You brought them, didn't you?"

"They're... in my purse..." Kairi said. She slowly reached into her purse and pulled out the ultrasound pictures.

"What is that?" Sora was starting to get impatient. Kairi handed them to him; her eyes locked on the ground.

Wait for it—wait for it...

"OH MY GOD, KAIRI, YOU'RE PREGNANT?!"

"Geeze, boy, what did you think this was? A birthday party?" Kairi's grandmother asked, shaking her head.

"Yeah... three months along... but Sora, look closer." Kairi said in shy manner, going over to clarify what he was looking at. "There's... two."

"TWO?!"

Everyone laughed at Sora's sudden shock. Even Kairi lit up a little.

"This is your fault for having the twin gene." Kairi joked.

"My mother was a twin." Kairi's grandmother mentioned.

"This... this is just... AMAZING!" Sora threw his arms around Kairi, nearly knocking her over. He was ecstatic.

"Sora has always wanted kids." Tifa giggled.

"Oh my gosh, I've gotta tell everyone! Wait... everyone's here. They already know. I'm the last to know. Wait, they're mine, right? Namine, you planned this, didn't you? What am I saying? I don't know what I'm saying..." he hugged Kairi again, "YEAH!"

"Okay, he had the right to ask that," Riku whispered to Namine.

Sora's excitement didn't waver throughout the rest of the party. After everyone had a look at the ultrasound, ate and chatted for a while, it was time to open the presents. Namine set out two chairs by the table for Sora and Kairi.

"Just so you know, my present is me. You'll just have to live with that." Kairi's grandmother said.

"I wouldn't want it any other way!" Kairi exclaimed, loving her grandmother's blunt attitude. Namine handed her the first present.

Everything was doubled. There were toys for both genders; Kairi didn't know what she was having yet.

"Kairi, what would you name them?" Tifa asked.

"Hmm... I haven't really thought about it."

"How about this," Namine started, "if both are boys, Kairi names them. If both are girls, Sora does. If there's a boy and a girl, well, you both get to choose!"

"We all know that the lady has the final say." Riku's eyes shifted to his wife, who only giggled.

"Hmm... if boys..." Kairi pondered, "Akira... and Kosuke."

"Those are perfect names for twins!" Tifa said.

"I like that," Sora said, "but don't expect me to come up with names. I won't know until I see them."

As the presents piled up and the table became emptier, there was only one present left. Mrs. Yamada stepped forward, picked it up and handed it to Kairi.

"Is this... from you?" Kairi asked, taking it. Mrs. Yamada looked away.

"Just open it."

Inside were three picture frames, along with an empty album. Kairi thanked her.

"I hope... you keep both of them." Mrs. Yamada walked back over to her husband.

"Of... course we will..." Kairi said, a little confused.

"Thanks, mom." Sora smiled, completely understanding what she meant. Even though his brother was the devil in disguise, he knew that his mother loved him and it was probably very hard for her to give him up. Maybe if Sora had a chance to grow up with Vanitas, he would not have turned out to be so... insane. But then again, Sora liked the way things were. He liked being here with his friends, family and wonderful girlfriend. And now—he was going to be a father—something he had wanted for a long time.

"Is it cake time?" Ken whined, interrupting the sense of awe throughout the adult's faces. Sora grinned and picked him up.

"You bet it is!"

And that was how Kairi knew that Sora was going to be a great father. Hell, he worked at a toy company for god sakes. Half of the items given to them probably came from there. Nevertheless, his optimism gave her that comfort that she so desperately needed. And with all of these people around her—that actually didn't hate her, it was nice.

Very nice.

She didn't expect them to like her—but they did.

"Tifa, are you and Cloud dating or something?" Yuffie interrupted her thoughts.

"You noticed? Turns out, Cloud was never married. He only said that because he was afraid of a broken heart!"

"Tifa, why do you have to tell everyone everything?!"

Kairi went over to Sora. He was still holding Ken as he cut the cake.

"Alright, Ken. Ready?"

The boy nodded. Kairi stood right next to them.

"Now!"

Cake was shoved into her face by the three year old—or Sora—who could tell? Kairi gasped and almost fell over. Everyone laughed and Kairi was immediately given napkins.

"Sora, I'm going to kill you!"

"You can't die twice!" he ran as she chased him around the backyard.

Oh Sora, she just loves your dark sense of humor.

But, pipe down. You might get hurt.

Sora let her catch him; he didn't want Kairi to put the babies in danger somehow. Much to his surprise, Kairi tackled him to the ground. This was when she wished she had her own cake ammo, but instead, she just ended up getting lost in his eyes.

"Ahem, there is a child present." Namine said.

"I love you, idiot." Kairi said, getting off of him.

"I love you too." he flashed a cheesy smile.

This was where she was supposed to be.

With Sora by her side, anything was possible.

They had been to hell and back, but for some reason, it was all worth it.

The future didn't scare them at all.

o.o.o

o.o.o

Fin

o.o.o

A/N: Oh. God. It's done. It's over with. Critique me later for things I missed, k? Just let me come to terms with the fact that it's finally finished.

Okay, done with that. BRING IT ON!

Yay for double meanings in the chapter title.

(If anyone noticed my other story reference, kudos!)

But a few things first:

I could have touched up a little more on Roxas' family situation, but really, it was kind of just a ploy to get him to meet his daughter. As well as part of the reason he was so into Kairi.

Vanitas was more explained in part one than two. I wanted part two to be more SoKai-ish.

That's all I got.

o_o_o

I WOULD LIKE TO GIVE SPECIAL THANKS TO

Englishhedgehog13, J1210, Crush-Chan17, Sookdeo, Ian, FarmerD, PurgeJuls and EVERYONE that followed, reviewed and favorited this story! I couldn't have done it without you guys. Really.

Now, as I try to figure out what to do with my life, I hope you leave one more review!

Resurrection on "abc" looks like it will be interesting...

Pokemon is on Netflix...

Oh who am I kidding? I'll have a new story out soon enough...