A/N: In the Second Time Around universe, Y'shtola and Rydia are treated to a Mother's Day they will not forget, and for the best reasons. Pairings: Lightning/Fang (married), Y'shtola/Lyse (married) and Rydia/Edge (married).
Circle of Friends
"Y'shtola, you have everything ready for Kurasame and Odin...? Never mind, everything's in the car and ready to go..." Lyse mused to herself with humour in her tone, forgetting that her wife and their daughter Yda (named after Lyse's older but deceased sister) and son Thancred, plus the Miq'ote, were all in the car and ready to go to the Yun-Farron household, complete with varying toys and children's books in the cargo space. The plan they knew about was that they were going to Rydia and Edge's house to get varying items sorted before making the final drive to the Yun-Farron household. What they didn't know was that as Lyse was about to start the initial drive, Edge and Rydia, plus their son Cecil, showed up at their place. Before either Lyse or Y'shtola had the chance to ask, Edge informed them that he lost a bet to Fang last week. Loser had to help Y'shtola and Lyse with varying items for baby Kurasame and Odin the cat. All the while Rydia was in the van with Cecil, which a window was open to ensure they had fresh air. "I'll gladly be a man and do my part as I lost the damn bet to Snaggletooth and before you two ask, Serah's still giving Rydia shit over the baby shower gift..." Edge announced to the married couple, which saw both Y'shtola and Lyse laughing so hard to the point where Edge had to keep a close eye on Y'shtola, and for good reason that Lyse was surprised Edge knew about. Fortunately, Y'shtola got her laughter under control although it was after Lyse beat her to that.
Once everything was settled, the two families started the very long drive over to the Yun-Farron household, to meet Lightning and Fang's newborn son Kurasame and for the kids to have playtime with Odin, their favourite cat. In the 'soccer dad' van, Edge had a very quiet ride. Cecil was taking a nap and Rydia was STILL looking at the photo Lightning sent her shortly after Kurasame was born - it was a photo of Lightning and Fang lovingly looking at their newborn son, but also having nothing to say at all: not only did she not want to wake up Cecil during his nap, but she also wanted Edge to focus on the long drive. This silence, combined with traffic and construction, meant the world to Edge. It was during this drive that gave the Eblan native another reason why he married the Mist native. The silent drive wasn't present in the SUV Lyse drove. With the kids constantly asking how far they are from the Yun-Farron household to Y'shtola laughing her arse off for every time Lyse answered that question, they had a far more entertaining drive, especially when one considers that Lyse was right behind the soccer dad van. It was the antics from the SUV that kept Edge entertained throughout the drive - even when they were briefly separated, which Edge did a complete stop so that they can wait for Lyse to catch up with them - something that Edge would do for those he cared about, which includes Seven and Maria (both of whom were on their honeymoon; Seven and Sice had their ceremony with Maria and Firion on the same day a few days ago).
After a three hour drive, they all arrived at the Yun-Farron household, with Lyse and Edge doing all of the heavy lifting of the books and toys meant for baby Kurasame and Odin. Rydia had her system with the kids while sorting out the lighter items, while Y'shtola had only her usual tote bag (which was cake since Fang was doing the cooking which the Yun-Farron household also had juice and soda for all) and her bookbag that had a secret item for Lightning (it was a baby shower gift from Maria and Firion that arrived the day before the honeymoon; Seven and Sice already had given their gift when they found out Lightning was pregnant), as both Lyse and Edge insisted that Y'shtola give Lightning and Fang the gift from Maria and Firion and neither of them wanted to put certain burdens on the Miq'ote which those around them knew about what's going on with Y'shtola and Lightning already expressing her concerns about it.
The two families would be in for a pleasant shock by the end of the day.
XXX
"And the crew is all here...and let me grab that from ya, Y'sh. How are the kiddos doing today?" Fang greeted the two families, with Odin already greeting Y'shtola moments before Lyse could say anything. Before long, Odin was one purr factory for the Miq'ote, as Y'shtola was one of his favourite guests whenever she made her visit with whoever was with her. As for the kids, they were happy to be there, with Cecil FINALLY waking up from his nap, which the Oerban native taking note of but choosing not to say anything about it, out of respect for Edge and Rydia. It was a few minutes later that Odin was taking up the love and attention from the kids since they, as well as Y'shtola, were giving him love and kisses, something Odin LOVES to get from his favourite people. Rydia took note that the food was ready and they all can have a Mother's Day meal together, as a Circle of Friends - while laughing at Serah's latest text which gave the Mist native shit as Serah was outdone by one who works with the oldest Farron sister. It was Lyse who first spotted a flash of pink hair holding a small figure in her arms, and the cooing the blonde started caught on quicker than Lightning's name sake, with the kids jumping up and down as their new friend made an appearance. Both Lightning and Kurasame had just woken up from a nap, with Y'shtola just smiling at the scene despite Lightning's hair being all over the place. As a result, Rydia made her hair look as similar to Lightning's as she could, causing Edge to release a laugh not heard of for several hours.
With the food being passed around, there was some conversation going on, with baby Kurasame being the main topic alongside Lyse giving Fang silly faces for the varying pictures she and Y'shtola were given after Kurasame was born. Rydia, being the sneaky one in the group, was able to record video of the Lyse/Fang faceoff for Seven (the silver haired woman made that specific request for personal reasons) while Edge followed suit for not only Maria, but Snow and Vanille as well. The kids couldn't stop giggling at the scene as well, but the fact that the group was able to eat well spoke volumes, Edge included as he was the only male adult in the Yun-Farron household on Mother's Day. "And now we have CAKE! Time for cake!" Lyse announced, which caused everyone else to laugh their arses off to the point where Edge REALLY had to catch Y'shtola as the Miq'ote was close to falling on the floor from laughter this time around. To everyone's surprise it was Lightning who was able to cut the cake in a way where everyone had at least one piece. It was this gesture that reminded Fang of why Lightning and her are truly meant for each other. It was after the cake was distributed that everyone ate in silence. A serene scene if you will, as Odin watched the humans eat their piece of cake before tackling his cat food in peace. The next 30 minutes were spent on the humans eating the cake and Odin being his feline self while distracting the kids with his cuteness - the latter being a first for Y'shtola.
What would happen next will change everything.
XXX
Two hours passed, with Lightning and Fang getting most of the remaining gifts for Kurasame and Odin from Lyse and Y'shtola. Everyone knew that what the Hext-Rhul couple ordered for the Yun-Farron family would arrive after Kurasame's birth, making the reason why they didn't come to the baby shower with the items completely understandable for everyone who knew them as a check for a good sum of money from Lyse and Y'shtola was "more than enough" according to Lightning. Tears of happiness came from Fang, immediately being grateful for the friendship they have. Even Serah understood as the items were quite hard to find. There was chatter of varying topics amongst the adults, which was cut short upon seeing something that had them all smiling from ear to ear. Each of the kids were reading the books to baby Kurasame, while Odin was reading along. It was little Yda who was able to get the books set up so that she and the other kids could read them to their new friend and favourite cat. Odin couldn't help but feel and take the love the kids have for him. Lightning, in a rare moment, set her cheek on Fang's shoulder, grateful that their son has already has people who would protect him as well as herself and Fang. Being the supportive wife, Fang placed her cheek on top of Lightning's head, while gently petting the infamous pink hair she LOVED to touch.
"What did we do to deserve such great people...?" Lightning asked, which very surprisingly, Rydia had heard the question loud and clear, alongside Y'shtola, who was thinking the same thing. It would be Rydia who would speak next, with her reply. "Claire 'Lightning' Farron, you've done so much for many people for ages, Serah and Seven included. You and Fang helped all of us here - Maria too - this is the least we could do to say thanks. You yourself helped Edge and I land our dream home to raise Cecil. Fang... I mean Snaggletooth... used colourful language while defending Ysh AND Lyse on quite a few occasions..." the Mist native started, with Y'shtola chiming in to help.
"The two of you managed to get Maria's older brother Leon a good job with the Guardian Corps despite knowledge of his past. That alone speaks volumes about you two, the compassion you both have for others. Even finding out that what Leon did was a result of a bad case of the Stockhom Syndrome, you stuck out your necks for him. Why do you think Maria is beyond grateful for you two in their lives, just as much as we all are? Fang and Claire... sorry Light, I need to address you by your real name this time... be proud of who you are, and what you've done for us. We would do the same for you in return, always know that... and continue to stay away from my tail. That's all I have to say." Y'shtola finished Rydia's thoughts, with the nods from Edge and Lyse echoing what was said to both Lightning and Fang, ensuring that they'll help each other out to the best of their abilities for every lifetime they're together, as friends.
With the kids sharing their toys with Kurasame and Odin, Y'shtola gets to her bag, for the last gift was still inside, from Maria and Firion. It was an one of a kind item from their hometown of Fynn. It was a matching set of bands that celebrated a certain milestone of marriage, something that was fast approaching for Lightning and Fang. There were two other boxes, which were meant for Kurasame when he is older and ready to wed whoever. Maria clearly thought of them while buying this for them, making her the one who bought the most expensive item for the Yun-Farron family, something even more expensive than what Rydia bought. It was Firion's idea, and with Fang having recently buying a fireproof safe for varying items, this would be of great value to the Yun-Farron household. The photo album, however, was from Leon, who managed to attach a card saying thanks for helping him get his name cleared.
When it was all said and done, Lightning and Fang were able to get the new toys in the toy box that Rydia, Edge and Leon teamed up to both buy and assemble. Later on in the evening, the Yun-Farron couple found a way to preserve the last of the cake for Seven and Sice while storing leftovers for the newlyweds. After tucking Kurasame into his crib (thank you Rydia for buying the entire nursery), Odin joined his baby brother in getting some sleep.
As for Lightning and Fang, they looked at the photo album from Leon more closely, with one of the photos being the one he himself took of Fang holding her wife and newborn son in a protective manner, with the brunette kissing the baby's temple in a loving matter. "Thanks Leon, for everything..." Lightning quietly said to herself before sleep was calling her. It would be Fang who looked at the note from Leon one more time before quietly saying "You're stuck with us now mate. You got our backs with Kurasame, we have yours until we die." As Fang looked at the letter from Firion and Maria, it became clear to the brunette that the trio from Fynn earned their spots in Fang and Lightning's Circle of Friends.
The one circle that stands the test of time.
FIN
A/N #2: Next story is from the Paying it Forward universe...and it's the direct sequel to "Belated Birthday Bash", where Lasswell and Celes plan something for Seven and Sice, who recently became a couple. Are they on their own, or will a new school buddy of both Lasswell and Seven help them out which convinces Lightning and Fang to act?
