The Fairy Folk and The Samurai - The Yamadas, India, Michael, Kaitlin and Yuki

Sakura paces the living room looking at the clock over the mantle impatiently. "It's time. Where are they?"

Hiroshi sits on the couch and chuckles "You'll wear a hole in the floor. They're on their way. Ryan and India have a newborn. It takes as long as it takes remember?"

Sakura smiles "I remember, and they're excused, for years, but the rest of them...." She jokes.

Garrett pulls into the long driveway and looks around "Huh. We're first." He smiles at Ziven "No booze tonight. I promise."

Ryan is still running around packing things into the diaper bag like they've never left the house before "Maybe we need more wipes....do you think we need more wipes?"


Stephanie sits in the back with Tristan watching him absently play his DS and smiling to herself. She had happily given up the front passenger seat to Kaitlin when they went to get her. Now they were pulling in just behind Garrett and Ziven just as the other car's lights went out and the ignition was shut off.

Tristan was deep in a game "Oh man I'm dyin here.......no no....jump.....jump.....argh!!!"

Yuki was still en route in a taxi having a hilarious conversation with an old Punjabi Vancouver cab driver. They laughed and talked and exchanged stories about life as Yuki was able to befriend anyone for life in literally 20 minutes.

Ziven turns to his beloved and listens to his promise.  Sliding a hand in his pocket, he brings out a small, wrapped syringe.  "You can drink, baby."  he shakes the syringe.  "But if you go to far ........"  he winks.  It is clearly a threat, but one made in love and with humor.  A hazard of being in love with an animal doctor.

India watches Ryan move around the house with a slight smile on her face.  She glances at Jayla and kisses her forehead.  "You get used to him."  she whispers.  Then she looks over at Ryan.  "No more wipes.  I seem to remember your parents have these really cool things called washcloths.  Worse comes to worse, they can be used to wipe."  she zips up the little baby bag she put Jayla in, then in the car seat, which will snap into the car itself.  "Now come on.  We keep packing things they're gonna think we're moving in."

Kaitlin looks out of the window as they drive and then back at her phone.  "Oh!  The dot follows the car!"  she giggles, realizing she is very easily entertained, but loving it.  She glances back at Tristan and, once she realizes he is neither jumping or dying, returns her focus to the GPS map.

Michael chuckles and glances back at Stephanie.  "Yea Mom.  I can never use the excuse of 'I couldn't find the place' again."  he looks at Tristan in the rear view and grins before returning his attention to the car in front of them.  "Garrett beat us." he huffs.  "This is it, Mom."

Kaitlin looks out of the window and her eyes grow wide, but she doesn't say anything.  Her expression says it all.  Awe.

Garrett gulps at the syringe "You're a little scary sometimes Ziven." He leans over and kisses him on the lips, not hearing the other car yet "But I love you. this is a baby party, not a booze party. No tranquilizers necessary." And with that he leans back and opens the door. He sees the other car and smiles and waves.

Stephanie giggles at Kaitlin's new love of her technology and nods and Michael. Then she is just stepping out of Mike's car after he parks and sees Garrett and Ziven kiss and then Garrett get out. She waves back and teases "You'll steam up your windows loverboys." Tristan is still in his game and she reaches in and pokes him "Shut it down please."

Tristan whines "Just two more minutes!"

Ryan zips the bag and shoulders it "OK ok....sorry.....still new at this." He kisses India on the mouth lightly and then Jayla on the forehead and watches her go into her car seat "She's gonna scream again......I hate making her stress but we have to."

Yuki's cab pulls into the end of the driveway while all this is happening and he gets out and walks around to the driver's window, still talking. It looks like the men are exchanging business cards and the cabbie's voice can be heard saying in a thick Indian accent "Ah fish and chips...I love fish and chips. No charge for you at my restaurant Yuki Tanaka." The older man's eyes sparkle "Now go to your friends and have fun!"

Yuki shakes the man's hand and says "And no charge for you at mine Parvinder. Best cab ride ever!" He lets go and walks forward to the groups emerging from their cars and says "Hello Yamadas and Reinhardt's and ....what's the vet guy's name again?"

Sakura can't stand to wait an is on the step waving them in "Hello!" she calls out looking delighted so many have arrived at once. Behind her is Hiro with a big smile on his face too, holding a paper pizza menu in his hand.

Ziven smiles and winks.  "All part of the training, my dear."  he enjoys the kiss and steps out of the car.  He calls over to Stephanie.  "A good steam bath will open the pours and let in love and light .... or some shit like that."  he sees Sakura and waves at her.  "Ziven Ayala."  he calls over to Yuki, who he remembers fondly.

Kaitlin is still looking at the house but when she hears Stephanie chide Tristan, she moves.  Discipline, in her mind, is still a fathers job and she isn't sure she wants to see how Michael will discipline in his role as father figure.  She gets out of the car and sees Sakura and smiles, but isn't moving.  But she closes the car door, just in case there is screaming.

Michael is grinning at Ziven and Garrett but hears Stephanie.  He glances back at Tristan and steps in, sort of.  "You heard your mother."  he intones.  Knowing Stephanie has it in hand if Tristan disobeys, he only gets out of the car and stands by watching as Yuki gets out of the cab.

India grins.  "I'm not sure it gets easier." she winks.  "Well, she can't be in her sling ALL the time."  she protests and shoulders the bag, so Ryan can get the car seat.  "Let's go."  and as soon as she walks away and opens the door, two things happen.  Jayla begins crying, getting a bit more upset with each second and, across the hallway comes the sound of April, meowing in sympathy.

Kaitlin moves a little forward, still taking in the house.  "Oh .... it's so pretty."  she looks towards Michael and her new friend Yuki.  "Is this what Japan looks like?"

Yuki grins at Ziven "I did remember your first name Ziven. I'm not sure I ever knew your last. No pets. I catch a fish....well I eat it." He looks pleased by his own joke and then shakes his head with a chuckle at Kaitlin "Not when I saw it. But I went to Tokyo. this is much more peaceful, and we're not all crammed together like sardines."

Sakura steps out to literally herd her family in with a bit of good hearted hen pecking. She hugs both Ziven and Garrett and then gives Garrett a little steer towards the door, hoping he takes Ziven in his wake. Stephanie and Michael are already working on Tristan so she lets them do their thing and moves immediately to Kaitlin extending a hand to shake and then looking at her hand and deciding to offer a hug instead "We've been looking so forward to meeting you. I'm Sakura."

Tristan looks between his mother and Michael and sighs and then turns off the game dutifully but with a little edge to his "Fine." He trots into the house and gets stopped in the web of a quick hug from Hiro. It does get rid of the attitude and make Tristan smile. When his mother, and father to be catch up he feel bad for his cheek and mutters a humble "Sorry."

Stephanie looks at her son and smiles "Thank you and accepted. Hi Dad." She hugs her father after Tristan while Sakura is greeting Kaitlin.

Ryan blinks at the cat meowing along as they descend the stairs and fit Jayla's bucket seat into the car "Good baby, you're making the cat cranky." He can't help but feel an odd satisfaction at that since April seemed to despise him. He made sure she was in and got in the driver's seat. It wasn't a long drive, but from the cars already there, it was clear they were the last to get there.

Ziven grins back.  "So you don't even have a pet fish?"  he asks with a smirk.  "That's a shame, sir."  He hugs Sakura and watches her herd Garrett in and follows.

Kaitlin is nodding when Sakura shakes her hand and the hugs.  It may look simply accepting to the others, but Kaitlin's return hug is firm and grateful.  "Oh, I'm so glad to hear that."  she looks again at the house and sighs.  "It's beautiful."

Michael considers Tristan's tone, but he apologizes quick enough.  "Accepted, T." he watches his mother interacting with Sakura as if he expected nothing less than the hugs.

India chuckles at April and listened the entire ride, as if Jayla were being massacred in the back seat.  The moment Ryan parks, she is out of the car and leaning over her child, who refuses to be happy until she is being held again.  By the time they are at the door, baby Jayla is an angel.

Sakura is glad Kaitlin is so open and reciprocating of her gesture. She puts an arm around the other woman and faces the house "We like it. It's served the family well. Do you garden Kaitlin?" She asks, walking her to the door and easing her arm off so she has freedom of movement again "We have a great space out back. Hiro's the green thumb. I just get to enjoy his work."

Hiro greets Kaitlin at the door too by reaching out and clasping her hands with an involuntary bow "Welcome Kaitlin. Our house is your house." He lets go after and steps back so he's not impeding entry. He had clapped both Garrett and Ziven on the back each as they passed and looked at Yuki, whispering to Ziven "He found Nemo...and ate him...." Stephanie and Michael had seemed to be resolving a child conflict with Tristan so he had given the two of them their space to do what they needed to but smiled at them knowingly.

Yuki snorts and catches up, coming in behind Kaitlin as she and Sakura pass Hiro "You're an ass...." He said in greeting and hugged his old friend. Hiro just laughed and hugged him back.

Ryan sees the group go in with Yuki at the end and follows once they have Jayla and India is holding her. Everyone turns as Hiro sees them and says "Baby alert! Oh look at her..."

It takes great will power not to swarm and steal the baby as she melts the hearts of everyone in the room immediately.

Kaitlin looks around, soundly impressed.  "Oh, no.  I never gardened.  Oddly, Heinrich got into it after he retired and was VERY good at it."  she makes it sound like a miracle of some kind.  She smiles at Hiro and keeps herself from bowing, not wanting to insult.  "It is lovely.  So peaceful."

Ziven chuckles.  "No wonder he's so thin." he juts his chin at Yuki.  "He should try shark meat."  he nods.

Michael grins, watching his mom with the family and looks over at Yuki.  "There's an idea.  Start serving shark meat!

India walks in with Jaylaa nd smiles, seeing most trying to avoid swarming.  "Grandparents first."  is the only thing she says, handing the baby to Sakura.  Then she heads straight for a couch.

Sakura cradles Jayla carefully and coos at her "Oh you precious angel." She looks at her granddaughter like she's the only thing in the room.

Hiro walks over to them and puts a gentle hand on the baby's head, just soaking in the aura of baby.

Yuki peers at the baby with a twinkly eyed smile "Made a good one kids." He says to India and Ryan. Then he chuckles at Ziven and Michael "Shark? Yeah that'll scare the tourists. they can't eat you if you eat them.....no please come back...I'll double your fries..." He catches Kaitlin's eye and grins at her.

Stephanie circles her parents like a shark, peering at the sweet baby "Auntie's next right Indy?"

Hiro pretends to elbow his daughter "Stay in the line. Grandpa's next...." He jokes and then Sakura hands him the baby and he just melts.

Ryan sits by India watching his family and smiling "Betcha we're off diaper duty all night..." He muses.

Tristan stays by Michael looking curiously at his new cousin from afar.

Kaitlin grins back at Yuki, but moves away from the crowd and towards the new parents.  She sits nearby, but quietly watches.

Ziven  arches his brows, catching glimpses of the baby around its immediate relatives.

Michael rests his hand on Tristan's shoulder.  "Want to meet your cousin?"  he asks, softly.

India chuckles a bit.  "God, I hope so."  she sighs softly and looks at Kaitlin.  "You must be Kaitlin."  she offers her hand.  "I'm sorry I haven't managed to get over there.  Been a little busy."

Kaitlin smiles and shakes hands.  "Oh, I understand.  But if you need anything, please ... I remember how hard it can be with a new baby."  she offers.  "I know there relatives but ... in an emergency."

India smiles and nods.  "Sounds like a deal.  Thank you."  she's heard a lot about this woman through Ryan and she seems quite nice.

Jayla looks up at people with large eyes not sure whats going on, but content enough.

Ryan winks at Yuki and then smiles gratefully at Kaitlin and nods. He stresses about India alone with the baby even though he's not far away and another person down the hall who cares is a relief. "We both appreciate that Kaitlin. Thank you."

Yuki settles into a chair near Ziven "So....do you treat sharks? " He teases. "Bet they can be a real pain in the ass."

Hiro makes a series of ridiculous faces at Jayla that people only seem to make at babies and then reluctantly passes her to Stephanie's waiting arms.

Stephanie drinks in the baby smell "Oh my goodness you're just scrumptious!" She squeals quietly. She had overheard Micheal and head juts at them to join her "Come here. She won't bite...yet...."

Tristan nods at Michael and then his mother and goes over and looks closer "She's spitting something down her face..." He says looking a little grossed out.

Stephanie laughs "Yeah they do that. You did too kiddo."

Sakura steps away from the baby love and grabs the pizza menu "What kind of pizza do you all like?"

Kaitlin smiles softly and sits watching everyone for a moment before she goes into her large purse and brings out some crocheting.  The yarn is in shades of pink and purple and rectangular.  "You are very welcome.  I have time on my hands now, so someone should get use of it."  she smiles as she begins crocheting, glancing up and down from her crocheting to the people around her.  "Oh, I can tolerate just about anything on a pizza, I think."

Ziven shakes his head.  "I haven't had the privilege."  he admits.  Mostly land based animals.  A few turtles and a couple of pet lizards and snakes.  Wilder animals for the Parks Department."  he scans the room looking for Garrett, who seems to be missing.  "As many vegetables as possible." he orders.

Michael chuckles.  "The spit isn't the worst of it."  he looks at the little baby.  "She IS pretty."  he glances over his shoulder.  "Got that from Mama."  he teases.  "I'm for garbage pizza!"  he proclaims.

India watches Kaitlin, curiously and then turns in Sakura's direction.  "I don't care as long as I can eat it with TWO hands."  she jokes and goes back to watching Michael's mother crocheting.  She was FAST!


Garrett had slipped away to use the bathroom down the hall and came back seeing less of his family crowding Jayla so he walked up just as Stephanie was setting the baby into Tristan's arms.

Tristan looked nervous and held her a bit stiffly for a few minutes. Stephanie couldn't help herself and felt compelled to take a quick photo before saying "Do you want to pass her to someone else or keep holding her?"

"Pass." He replied in relief and looked at Michael and then at his Uncle Garrett. He also answered his grandmother about pizza "Bacon and mushroom please!"

Garrett deferred to Michael "I can wait if you're ready to take a turn."

Yuki nodded at Ziven and then said "Whatever's going."  To Sakura. He noticed Kaitlin's fast work on the crochet with a casual glance.

She was circling and underlining on the paper menu and then saw Kaitlin's project "Oh I've always wanted to learn to do that."

Ryan rubbed lightly at India's back as they sat together watching everyone fawn over Jayla. It was both a nice break but he also felt like he was missing her near them already. Belatedly, he chimed in about pizza "vegetarian is good with me too. And maybe some kind of salad please?"

Michael watches Tristan with the baby and half a grin on his face.  At Tristan's 'pass' he looks at Garrett.  "DNA before in-laws."  he winks and pats Tristan lightly.  He only takes Jayla long enough to hand her to her uncle.  "You have to learn the faces of all those people besides Daddy who will spoil you."  he winks at Stephanie.  "You got the pic where he looked like he'd just been handed a ticking time bomb that would go off any moment?  That HAS to go in the album."

Ziven laughs and looks at Garrett, curiously.  He can't help but wonder how his lover handles babies.

Kaitlin chuckles softly, still crocheting like its a timed Olympic sport.  "She might be more fun once she grows up a little."  she murmurs, glancing at Tristan.  "You're the big cousin.  Almost like a big brother.  Could wind up as close ad Michael and his brother."  she giggles a little.  "You looked as nervous as John did when he first held Michael.  Of course, Michael is bigger now."

India laughs and looks at Michael.  "I just can't imagine you as a baby ...."  she muses.  "But I can see Jayla admiring her cousin." she smiles, taking advantage and resting as much as she can.  Looking again at Kaitlin, she can't help but ask.  "What are you making?  That's such a pretty color .. the pink and the purple."

Kaitlin glances at India and back at her work, never dropping a stitch.  "Oh, I am glad you like the colors."  she replies.  "It's going to be a sort of blanket.  But until she is old enough to have her own bed, it can be used as what they called a privacy sheet.  You know so you don't have to wander off and hide in a bathroom or closet to nurse."  she smiles.  "I am so glad women don't have to do that anymore."

India smiles, looking touched.  "Oh thats so sweet of you."  she blinks.  Technically Kaitlin isn't really related to her or Jayla, or Ryan ... the family is growing so much.  She blinks and sniffs.

Tristan sits in the empty chair near Kaitlin "She's so little...." He quietly marvels at the life of babies, forgetting entirely what it was like at his age.

Stephanie giggles at Michael "Oh yes it will. "

Ryan snorts "Mike what was Tamela's theory? That you hatched from some alien pod?"

Yuki cracks up "That's why he's glass proof!"

Hiro had been quiet for some time but now piped up "And he'll be sitting at the opposite side of the table tonight just in case."

Sakura nodded at her husband but laughed too.

Garrett took the baby carefully and looked at her sweetly as he held her like a pro. Both he and Ryan had done lots of it when Tristan was small. Jayla made a little squeak and he parroted the noise back at her.

Michael huffs.  "Yes.  Alien pod."  he rolls his eyes.  "I am the result of demon spawn and a beautiful Irish princess."  he declares.  "And I have a WITNESS!"  he looks mock offended.  "But I brought the cash to replace any broken windows.  I thought I was trusted now." he hitches a mock sob.

Kaitlin laughs.  "Well, I don't know about the princess part, but the demon spawn is right on the money."  she hasn't stopped her crocheting, but glances up.  "But you're STILL my Christmas Angel, Michael."  she smirks, innocently.

India begins to giggle a little bit.  "That is too cute to be allowed.  Christmas angel.  Awwww."

Ziven watches Garrett with the baby, impressed.  Then he hears the term 'Christmas Angel' and looks at Michael, opening and closing his mouth.  In a moment, he finds words.  "Oh ... mothers ...."

Micheal snorts.  "Where's that damn pizza?"  but he grins at Kaitlin.

Yuki slaps his leg "I didn't even have to TELL them. Christmas Angle!" He beams at Kaitlin for bringing it up again.

Sakura had just heard it when she came back in from calling for the pizza and looked at Michael like he was an overgrown puppy "Awww...."

Garrett chuckled as he held the baby and it jostled Jayla enough so she looked momentarily unhappy. He readjusted her and swayed a bit.

Hiro snorted "Oh yeah we trust you Mr. Angel."

Ryan just laughed hard at the whole idea. He knew Michael too well and dared not comment.

Tristen giggled quietly.

Stephanie gave a short laugh and then looked sympathetically at Michael "You want me to save you from this by distracting them with other news?" she asked quietly.

Ziven coughs and then laughs softly, watching the family with interest.

India's mouth falls open and her reaction is much like Sakura's.  "Awwwww  that is ADORABLE!"

Kaitlin grins at both her son and Yuki.  Her crochet hook keeps going, but she pauses to hold it up in front of her, look from Garrett holding Jayla to India and back to work.

Michael face palms and shakes his head in defeat.  He moves over to Stephanie and kisses her cheek.  "Yes, PLEASE."

Stephanie pulls Michael's arms around her, standing in front of him, almost protectively from the taunting and looks around at the family "Alright, you've had your fun kids. Now we have something to say. Mike and I are getting married, and Mike's adopting Tristan." She waits for it to sink in and she leans back into her beloved.

Garrett's eyes go wide and then he grins, still holding Jayla "Congratulations, all of you."

Tristan walk over to his mom and hugs both of his parents sort of half around their waists from the side.

Sakura was tearing up and when Tristan moves and hugs them she bursts into happy tears. Hiro quietly does the same and puts his arm around his wife speaking for both of them "We're so happy to hear that."

Ryan smiles broadly and nods at them just saying "Good...and congrats."

Yuki gives them all a twinkly eyed smile. This was wonderful for this family. They needed this. He stays quiet as a guest and friend though, just letting them have their moments.

Ziven smiles and nods at the news.  He watches Garrett, holding the baby.  "Congratulations!"

India perks up.  "Oh that's GREAT!!"  she pauses.  "Big wedding or small wedding?"  and she looks at Tristan.  He seems so happy.

Kaitlin actually stops crocheting and stares at Michael and his family.  "Oh ...."  she blinks and drops her crocheting.  "Michael!"  she begins to cry as well.

Michael hugs his son and Steph and sees the reactions.  He looks over at his mother and bites his lip.  "I know, mom.  I know."  he can almost feel her happiness and relief.

Stephanie gets teary eyed at the sight of her parents and Kaitlin crying but isn't sobbing at this point. She smiles lovingly at all of them and then tries to answer India's question "We haven't even gotten to those choices yet India but probably just the people close to us would be my preference."

Tristan eases off his grip on the hug but just kind of leans on Michael, listening to the grown ups talk.

Jayla starts to fuss a bit of Garrett, rooting on him a little and rather annoyed he doesn't have the goods. He chuckles at her "I'm not the droids you're looking for."

Ryan gives the other new family forming a big grin and then walks to his daughter, offering to be transport to the mother ship "Don't let her reach down your shirt, she'll get pinchy on you..." He jokes and brings her to India with a guilty look to end her break "I think she wants you Love."

Yuki watches the family react and the baby go by with a look of contentment for his old and new friends.

Hiro pats his wife on the back as she blows her nose and offers to Michael and Stephanie "We'll help with whatever you need." Sakura nods as she wipes and then passes the kleenex box Kaitlin's way.

Ziven watches the little one be transported from uncle to mother.  It was an interesting little family.

India arches a brow at Ryan.  "I think she might."

Kaitlin sniffs and takes the kleenex box with a soft thank you not.  Dabbin her eyes, she quickly gets her tears under control.  She clears her throat and picks up her crocheting.  "Half a second, please India."  she quickly finishes off the row and ties it off.

Taking Jayla, India juggles her a little.  "My union coffee break over?"  she glances around and realizes that, besides Michalle and Ryan, no one here has seen her nursing.  She'd been pretty free, but now she found herself unaccountably shy.

Kaitlin stands with the blanket. and moves over to India.  "Here."  she holds it up.  "I can cover you and you don't have to go anywhere."  she's seen and recognized the look.

India looks up at Michael's mother and smiles.  "Thank you.  I didn't think I'd get shy."  she laughs a little bit, moving Jayla into place, unbuttoning her blouse and setting her daughter to nurse.

Kaitlin loosely drapes the new blanket, made of soft homespun yarn, over the shoulder and baby, tucking it a little under India's elbow.  "Oh that makes sense.  People can be very modest or very ... well ... not modest."

Jayla settles in, not seeming to care much one way or another about the soft blanket.  She settles in to nurse happily.

Michael watches this, setting a hand on Tristan's shoulder.  Then he looks at Hiro.  "Simple works for me, too"  he admits.  "I'm only doing this once.  Hopefully right."

Kaitlin backs away as soon as the baby is covered an returns to her chair.  "You saw how to NOT do it, Michael.  And watched your brother do it right."  she folds her hands in her lap and rubs them.  "Don't worry about him .... that part is over."  she smiles at him, and watches the picture her son and this family make.

Sakura gives India a reassuring look "You can nurse anywhere in our home, whatever makes you the most comfortable. If anyone dares object, they can have THEIR supper in the bathroom. It's a natural and beautiful way to feed your baby. I nursed all three of mine. But I understand the shyness. I was shy with my first one but by Ryan, I'm pretty sure half the town saw me do it. He would never let me keep a blanket on him either...." She laughs looking at Ryan "You were determined to look around. You would even waves at people when they stared."

Hiro nods and laughs, concurring.

Ryan blushes and hisses out "Mom!" and then laughs.

Stephanie gives Michael a little kiss on the cheek and a nod to Kaitlin and then laughs at her mother "I remember that. And yes India, you decide what works for you. We'll support your choices completely."

Garrett makes a respectful point of not looking India's way as she's expressing feeling shy about nursing. He sits down by Ziven and takes his hand, looking at Stephanie and Micheal instead.

Yuki does look at India but keep his eyes on her face "It's just how babies eat." He says in a matter of fact tone.

Tristan peer around Michael at the cover up conversation, half curious and half squeamish looking.

Ziven takes Garretts hand and takes in the whole family with a grin.

India chuckles and looks at Ryan.  "So curious."  she teases.  She pulls herself onto the couch completely, sitting Indian style.  "Did he fall asleep nursing, but wake up when you tried to take yourself back, like I wasn't done?"  she moves side to side a little bit.

Kaitlin giggles.  "Well, I don't know about Ryan or Jayla, but Michael did that.  Both boys did.  Didn't want to be too far from me.  Very flattering in many ways."

Michael blushes a little bit.  "Mom .. seriously."  he looks at Ryan.  "We can stick to Ryan's nursing habits, thanks."

Sakura nods "Oh yes." She looks between India and Kaitlin and Stephanie, bonding as women who've all had babes at the breast "But it's all worth it for the health of our children."

Ryan gives Michael a mock glare and then says "I was no Christmas Angel though." in jest.

Hiro snickers "Never living that one down now."

Yuki joins the joke "Don't stick him on top of the tree....it'll go right through the window." He makes a swooping motion with his hand and then a crash noise. Hiro laughs harder now and Garrett joins in too.

Stephanie draws a warning finger between her father and his old friend "Shall we call Nick for YOUR drinking stories? I do believe there was something about a dare that involved streaking naked through town once before jumping in the ocean?"

Hiro and Yuki blush in unison and look a little contrite.

Tristan looks wide eyed at his grandfather and then laughs.

Sakura nods "I could tell the second half of that one but we'd need Nick for the first...if he even remembers...."

Ziven sighs, almost dramatically.  "I missed the window treatment."  he teases Garrett with a wink.

India nods in agreement, lifting the blanket slightly to peek at her baby, who is still nursing away eyes closed.  Then she looks up.  "Oh ... so its a family history of drunken antics?  More stories, please."  she grins.

Michael points at Ryan.  "OK, new Dad.  I see how ..."  he stops when the Christmas Angel thing comes up.  "I swear ... next thanksgiving I am paying for my Christmas window in ADVANCE!"  he considers.  "I wonder .. maybe we could have it over at John's .... Logan will be 19 by then ...."  he stops in his planning and looks between Hiro and Yuki, leaning into Stephanie.  "God, I love you."  and he looks at them again.  "I think we shall.  Hell, we can even have Nick over again."  he looks at India.  "Isn't he Jayla's god grandfather?  Why isnt he here to tell stories?"

Kaitlin looks intrigued.  She giggles at them.  "Ah boys."  she murmurs, softly.

Garrett nods "Yep...although you had to haul my sorry ass home and I thank you for it."

Hiro and Yuki both hide their faces in their hands, again in almost unison.

Sakura chuckles "We could call Nick if you want. And hey if we'd all fit at your brother's Michael, we can trek out there. Alexandra right? It's been a long time. They have a lovely festival every winter."

Tristan pipes up "And Seamus and I can play. I wanna go back!"

Stephanie looks at her son and then at Michael "You realize he's going to be your cousin now....that's how it works kiddo."

Tristan's smile grows "Cool! There's so many of them...and Jayla of course too." He looks at the baby who he can only see by feet now.

Ryan laughs "Yep, but she can't play  with lego yet. You'll have to be patient with that. Come on Mom, just tell it."

Sakura looks around "Hiro and Yuki decided to teach our dear Nick to drink Saki. They were JUST 19, all of them. Nick may have even been underage. There was a party at the community centre. It was still the church then, St. Joseph's. Anglican I think it was. Anyhow, they were out in the garden drinking and one of them got a bright idea....." She looks pointedly at her husband who is trying to become one with his armchair and dissappaear. "I was inside, dancing...because it was a dance and heard a sort of battle cry.....we all went out and saw three bare bottoms running off towards the docks, one tall man, one medium, and one short..." She looks at Yuki, who shrinks down even more. "Rei and I went after them because we figured they might drown, and Hiro almost did. The other two were trying to pull him out when we got there and we helped just in time. Rei debated taking pictures since she had a camera but we decided cold water does enough cruel things to the male parts without the whole town knowing the details..."

Ziven listens and nods, putting an arm around Garrett.  "Yup.  Next time, I am just going to tranquilize you and prop you in a corner with a lampshade on your head.  I will miss NO MORE stories!"  he declares.

India smiles and rocks back and forth a little bit.  "Layla will want to chew on the legos before she will want to play with them."  she predicts.  "So you have to help watch out for her, Tristan."

Michael nods.  "We'll all fit."  he declares.  "John knows the firs chief, and we can always just do the thing outside."  he looks at Tristan.  "And you know, T ... I think Seamus REALLY needs a good Lego partner to keep him out of trouble.  Good job for his little cousin."  Then he listens to the story, and then looks at Sakura.  "Oh ... yes ... it's like ... my birthday and Christmas all rolled into one."  he wipes away a mock tear.

Kaitlin listens to it all nodding and giggling like a girl at the story.  She looks between the men, but her eyes linger on Yuki a bit longer than Hiro.  "Sometimes you DO have to feel pity for males ...."  she cracks a grin and looks at Sakura.  "But only when they deserve it."

Garrett cracks up at Ziven and leans into his arm, still getting over the story. He's heard it of course, but it hasn't lost it's power.

Ryan just smirks, shaking his head. He loves this story.

Stephanie pokes Michael and laughs hard.

Tristan makes a face. the idea of the naked grown ups is both funny and gross.

Hiro blushes furiously at smiles at Sakura "And you STILL married me."

She walks over to her husband and kisses him lightly after returning Kaitlin's smile "Only when they deserve it."

Yuki can feel Kaitlin's stare and is trying not to look at her as he focuses on the floor looking appropriately embarrassed.

The doorbell rings for the pizza and Sakura spins around to go answer "Saved by food, this time."

Ziven just holds Garret close, stroking his hair, looking thoughtful.

India peeks under the blanked, noting that Jayla has fallen asleep when the doorbell rings.  The challenge now is separating the baby from the breast without the baby making an international scandal out of it.

Michael pulls Stephanie close and kisses her.  He still feels he has been given a great gift.

Kaitlin looks at Yuki a moment and then tears her eyes away.  "Is there anything I can do to help, Sakura?"  she asks.

Sakura takes the pizzas and sets them aside to dig in her purse "I've got this part if folks could set the table." She calls back cheerfully.

Hiro stands, looking happy to have a task but waves off Kaitlin "You're a guest. You get to rest." He teases and then pokes Yuki as he passes "Streakers unite?"

Yuki gets up to help his friend "Oh shutup." He quips back, still  a bit pink in the cheeks.

Ryan watches India "Is she down?"

Tristan follows his grandpa and Yuki to the kitchen.

Stephanie kisses Michael back like the room and the world have fallen away and they're the only ones there.

Garrett feels Ziven's arms and hand in his hair and watches his sister, and then Ryan. He thinks about his parents too and realizes how truly blessed they all are right now.

Michael kisses Stephanie for a long time before he breaks it.  He looks at her for a second and kisses her again.

Kaitlin is halfway up when she is told she's a guest again and sits with a slight chuckle.  Then she stands and follows.  "I've never watched naked men set a table before."  she teases.

India nods.  "She is, but I don't know if I dare move her yet."  she sighs and rises carefully.  "Maybe if I put her in the carrier and have her right beside me?"

Ziven nudges Garrett and stands.  "I can help too.  If I can stay dressed."  he offers.

Hiro was handing Yuki a stack of plates that he almost drops at Kaitlin's words. Hiro laughs at his friend and grins at Kaitlin "Yuki's a little shy sometimes."

Tristan chimes in like he's some kind of expert "It's OK Yuki, I'm shy around girls too." Hiro laughs even harder.

Yuki just clears his throat and walks by to the table, completely beet red and awkwardly puts plates around.

Garrett wiggles his brows at Ziven and whispers "Tease."

Ryan nods "I'll go get it and we can try. If she resists, I'll walk with her first OK?" He knows how much India gives all day when he's at work and he tries to do as much as he can when he's home with her to balance it out.

Sakura walks through the living room with pizzas now and laughs at Stephanie and Micheal "We're gonna eat..if you're ever done there."

Stephanie hears her mother but keeps kissing her fiance for awhile longer and then finally breaks it "I suppose we do need to do that now and then..." she jokes.

India sighs and looks a little nervous as she heads for the table and sits with the baby in her lap.

Kaitlin hears Tristan and Hiro and laughs softly.  "Well, I don't have much experience with shy boys."  she motions in Michael's direction.  "But I will try and be kinder, although that is a LOVELY shade of red, Yuki."

Michael sighs when the kiss is broken.  "Just to refuel."  he grants.

Ziven chuckles.  "You'd know."  he murmurs and leads him to the table.

Ryan comes to sit by India, putting the car seat between them "We'll make it work, don't worry Babe."

Stephanie grins at Micheal and then goes to India's other side "You guys have extra adults here too. If you need helpers, we're happy to take her for a bit." She looks at Ryan "I still owe you and Garrett for all the times you walked with Tris so I could get a bite of food back in the day."

Garrett had been blushing at Ziven's reply and nodded at Ryan "Yep, and I'll happily do it again too."

Sakura stacks the boxes on the table "Do what again?"

Ryan chuckles "Entertain the baby."

Sakura beams "Just say the word India. I used to eat with them in my lap too though. Then they grab you and you drop food on their heads, logical consequences." She laughs and then looks at Yuki, who's still blushing "What's with you?"

Yuki sits down quickly and laughs "Nothing."

Hiro hands Kaitlin a stack of salad bowls and makes to follow her with the cutlery and napkins "Ooooh we got him good this time."

Tristan follows them both and then sits near Michael eyeing the pizza boxes.

Ziven chuckles as they get settled.  "I think babysitting would be a fine thing to watch you do, Garrett."  he looks over at Michael and Stephanie.  "So have you two considered your wedding plans?"  he asks.  "Do I need to start watching my diet so I can look decent in a tux?

Kaitlin smiles softly and looks around, keeping quiet.  She offered her services.  Ryan's family is also close by and willing to help.  It's an enviable family in her eyes.

India nods and smiles.  "I don't want to ... I know it's not brushing her off on others, but ... shouldn't I do it all?  Me and Ryan?"

Kaitlin looks over at India.  "That is overrated.  Believe me."  she tells her.  "If you are allowed the help, then take the help."  she isn't' exactly aware of her wording, she has gotten so comfortable.

Michael smiles.  "My offer to babysit stands."  he tells them.  "I really AM good at it, even if I look like the world champion baby dropper."  he looks at Ziven and then at Stephanie.  "Have we?"  he wonders.  They hadn't really talked about plans for a wedding.

Sakura opens up the pizza boxes now "OK dig in kids. We're not formal here." She sits down though to let the others take some first and smiles warmly at Kaitlin and adds to her words, looking at India "Haven't you heard the it takes a village idea? We all love Jayla, and we all love you and Ryan. We're family, we're here to help each other." She heard the exact words Kaitlin said but also remembered what Yuki had told them.

Tristan doesn't hesitate and seeks out a piece of bacon mushroom like he's on a life or death mission to get it first.

Garrett defends himself while reaching for a piece of  pizza from the nearby everything combo "Hey, I'm a good babysitter. Tristan's a live." He says grinning.

Hiro laughs "Alive, that's impressive Gar." He snorts at Ziven and then also takes a piece from the bacon and mushroom.

Stephanie nods along with her mother and Kaitlin and then answers Ziven "Well we're not religious or anything, so not a church. I guess we could find a hall or a hotel ballroom.....although that seems kinda cliche.....we haven't really figured any of it out." She looks at Micheal and shrugs "Do you have preferences?"

Ryan rubs India's back about the accepting help conversation and then teases Michael "You're on Christmas Angel......And as for the wedding....A room with no glass?"

The Yamada's all crack up and so does Yuki but he pipes up and says "But not a dry wedding because we'll sneak it in like bathtub gin!'

Michael looks at Stephanie.  "Someplace with meaning."  he murmurs.  He pulls his head back as Tristan dives for pizza.  He watches his mother, who is not moving, any more than Sakura is.  Birds of a feather.  Then he snorts.  "Smart ass Yamadas."  he shakes his head.

Ziven considers, helping himself to the vegetarian pizza.  "Well, unless I am totally blind, it began for you two on Falcon Island when Stephanie went to put lipstick on you."  he says it casually, as if women do this to men every day.

"Jesus Ziven.  Really?"  Michael shakes his head and gets some of the everything combo.  "HAD to say that LIKE that?"

Ziven half shrugs, looking like as innocent as the sleeping Jayla.

India reaches for the everything as well, and when it is in front of her, mock bounces up and down while clapping like a child.  "Oh goody!  More Uncle Mikey stories.  Yea!!!"

Kaitlin sits still, her hands in her lap, not making a move for any of the food, just watching the interactions, happily.  But she looks curiously a her son.  Clearly, he had not mentioned the time Stephanie put lipstick on him.

Stephanie cringes "I think that's actually more of a shot at me story...." She laughs and looks at Ziven, shaking her head "Michael was innocently sleeping and I tried to prank him. Then he kissed me and I forgot my whole plan. There, told and done." She reaches for a piece of vegetarian too and looks at her mother and Kaitlin "You know we're vultures if you wait too long..." She pushes the box towards them "Don't be martyrs." Then she thinks about Falcon Island and looks at Ziven with questions "It's like a provincial park though right? Do people get married there? Would you have to book through the parks department?"

Sakura takes the box but hold it out to Kaitlin first, digging her heels in her martyrdom and listening.

Ryan takes a piece of the Everything as it's still close by too and chuckles at his sister "Why lipstick? What not the hand in warm water?"

Stephanie looks incredulous "Because Anna and I were sharing a cabin with him and if the water had worked we'd have to smell the result....and I mighta had some wine..."

Garrett points at his sister "Aha!"

Tristan laughs hard now "Mike would pee the bed! Gross!!"

Yuki chuckles as he chews and glances over at Kaitlin to see if she or Sakura will hold out longer. Hiro watches too, happily eating and looking amused by the story from the island.

Michael appears slightly vindicated.  "Then I invited her to breakfast and asked her .. out."  and he looks at Ziven, curious himself.

Ziven holds up his hands.  "Not a shot at you .. never!"  he proclaims.  "But it was funny."  he smiles and nods.  "Sure you can get married there.  My friend Jeff married his wife there.  And it's a place of meaning for you, which is important.  Not that I have a lot of experience with getting married, but ... so I hear."

India smiles and takes a bite of pizza.  "Don't care.  Love their stories.  Even when they DON"T end with naked men or falling through windows."

Kaitlin looks from the box to Sakura and back again a couple of times, then closes her eyes and says, almost as if reciting a mantra.  "I am the guest." and finally takes a piece.

Sakura looks like she's very happy with Kaitlin's concession and finally takes a piece herself, laughing "You are. But now you're family too." She pats her on the arm and takes a bite of her own pizza.

Garrett looks highly amused by his sister and Michael "You should totally get hitched there. But put lipstick on him as you exchange the vows."

Ryan cracks up "Yes PLEASE!" He reaches forward and holds up his hand for a high five to his older brother and Garrett obliges and slaps it. Garrett gives Ziven a sweet little look after, thinking about what he said.

Yuki elbows Hiro "And they think we had a wild youth?"

Hiro nods "I know right!"

Tristan laughs as he eats into a little goofy giggle. It's too much for him. It's hard to say which is funnier, Mike peeing the bed or wearing lipstick.

Stephanie rolls her eyes at her brothers and discreetly scratches the side of her face in their general direction with her middle finger when Tristan is looking down giggling. She drops the hand and looks at Michael "It is really nice there, and there's enough cabins to even put some people up....oh my god your brother's family though...we need to do a head count....can people bring tents if we max out on cabins?" She directs the last part at Ziven.

Michael groans.  "Nothing more than lip gloss.  I'm a redhead.  Most colors clash."  he rolls his eyes and then considers.  "Um .. wow ... yea ... four kids, John and his wife.  Her brother Jude isn't a real social animal, so he's bound to pass.  Maybe Vincent, Fiona's boyfriend .. no .. if John thinks I'm giving that boy ideas, you'll be a widow before I finish taking my vows."  he teases.  "Charlotte and her father.  All of you ... yea ... tents .. lots and lots of tents ...."  he sees Tristan laughing.  "And of course, there has to be a kilt for Tristan.  I'm sure he has the knees for it."  he deadpans.

Ziven chuckles.  "Party of 100 on Falcon Island.  No problem."  he considers.  "Oh you know I could TOTALLY do your make up.  "Yours too, if you want, Stephanie."  he teases them.  "I can flame on at will.  I just don't."
 
India eats uninterrupted, for now.  "And you know Kagiso will do any music you want.  And if you want a song ... maybe I will get some creativity back if its not all sucked out of me."

Kaitlin finished her food quickly, as if from habit.  She looks at Sakura with a twinkle in her dark green eyes.  "Well, if I am family now, then I can help clean up after this lot."  she teases.

Stephanie grins "Small is good. And you can totally do my makeup if you want Ziven." She laughs and then looks between Tristan and Michael now and then asks her beloved "Are YOU going to wear a kilt too?"

Garrett raises a brow at Ziven "Flame on?" He smirks.

Tristan looks confused "My knees? What about my knees?" He's not old enough to be body conscious yet.

Ryan laughs and watches to see where it all goes and then peers around for the salad and points at Yuki and then to the salad in a signed request to pass.

Yuki pretends not to understand Ryan and  smiles and nods with a  cheeky grin, opening the salad and holding his fork over it like he's going to just eat it all. After a wink he does pass it to Ryan.

Hiro snickers as he watched Ryan and Yuki.

Sakura shakes her head at Stephanie, Michael and Ziven and then looks at India "And I wasn't allowed to make everyone dress up for a holiday picture." She considers Kaitlin's bargaining and then nods at her "Alright." she says with a chuckle.

Michael laughs.  "You know I will give you anything in my power to give, baby."  he chuckles.  "Although ... is it a yukata?  Hide more leg?"

Ziven smirks and winks at Garrett.  "Now I am wondering if Michael has the legs for ... anything.  Then again ... "  he looks at the older men.  "There all sorts of legs that could be shown off at this thing."  he laughs.
 
India shakes her head and just happily watches.  And soon Jayla begins to stir, grunting a bit but not crying.  India tries to ignore her.  Not to be mean, of course.  More to see if she will be alright being near her mother but not in physical contact.

Kaitlin chuckles.  "Oh my, that is an interesting idea.  Kilts."  she shakes her head and looks towards Sakura.  "No holiday pictures?"  she sounds almost disappointed..

Stephanie makes a face "No Kimonos...male or female. Let's just wear shorts and t shirts?" She laughs and then looks at Ziven "Or we could all dress like Park Rangers and Mom could get her weird Christmas theme early."

Sakura hangs her head but is still addressing Kaitlin "They're rebelling against me. Too many themes." She looks up mischievously "I have pictures from previous years though, and slides...."

Garrett pokes Ziven and laughs "Behave now." then he hears his mother and begs Kaitlin "Don't let her get out the slides....it'll go all night and end up back at all of us as babies in the bath!"

Hiro looks down at his legs in his jeans and says to Garrett and Ziven "I have nice legs. It's why Sakura married me." He smacks Yuki beside him and says to the group as if it's scandalous "Chicken legs." Yuki blushes and then clucks at Hiro and laughs.

Sakura gives her husband a little eyebrow wiggle "Something like that....Park Rangers...hmmmm...."

Tristan calls out "Or Power Rangers!"

Ryan smirks as he eats salad and tries not to get pulled into the madness, sneaking looks at Jayla to see if he needs to scoop her up for a walk. She seems to be stirring.

Michael grins.  "I can do shorts, as long as we get married before next winter.  Don't believe that crap about red heads being all warm no matter what."

Kaitlin grins and looks at Garrett.  "Oh I bet you were a darling baby in the bath."  she tell him.  Then she looks at Yuki, as if trying to imagine his legs .. and Hiro's before she turns her attention to Sakura.  "I would love to and, thanks to my daughter-in-law Colleen, I have pictures of Michael as a baby.  The only thing I took from the house was pictures and she scanned them for me while she scanned all the others.  Such a dear."

Ziven grins and looks at Michael and Stephanie.  "I think shorts and shirts would be better than park rangers ... AND Power rangers."
 
India glances at her daughter.   "You're next on the embarrassing picture taking tour."  she giggles and, since Jayla is still sort of restless, she begins to softly sing a lullaby Sakura taught her, although it sounds a little more like the neo-soul she is more accustomed to.

Stephanie grins "I'll bring you sunscreen. I've seen Anna after the beach...I know how it goes." She smiles at the song and looks at her mom.

Sakura looks around her house trying to imagine a life that would make her leave everything but the pictures. Her house was so full of happy memories and love. She almost felt guilt thinking of Kaitlin's and then replied "Glad you got your pictures. We do remember it all but it's still fun to see years later." Sakura gives a nod about the alternate version of her song, looking like she appreciates it.

Yuki gives Kaitlin a kind smile before turning to look at and listen to India. Hiro tilts his head and listens too while he eats his last slice.

Ryan closes his eyes while still chewing his salad. The old familiar song in India's voice and style is perfection to him.

Garrett wipes his hands on a napkin and chuckles at Kaitlin's words to him, blushing a  bit and then tuning into the song.

Tristan is aware of the goings on around him but mostly just eats with gusto.

India sings, only half listening to the talk.  Jayla settles down at the sound of the singing.  Not going to sleep again, but not making any more demands either.

Michael snorts.  "Yes.  I really don't want a massive sunburn before my honeymoon.  Shit.  Honeymoon!"  he says as if just realizing he'd even want one.

India glances up and, still singing, replies to that.  "Consider it a gift from Ryan and me and little Jayla."  she's done this at home, talking to Ryan when Jayla was happy with the singing.  Because if mom stopped it was not always good times.  Once the sentence is out of her mouth, she returns to the lullaby.

Kaitlin smiles at the offer from India and reaches for salad, since it looks the most neglected.  She has a large one, enjoying it.  "I loved a lot of my boys childhood.  We DID have some good times, the three of us."  apparently Heinrich was not part of those good times.

Ziven grins and polishes off a second piece of the vegetarian.  "Give me a date and I'll set it all up ... including the flight."

Stephanie giggles at Michael and then blinks at India "Sorry, what?"

Ryan's used to India now, still appreciating her though, and just grins at his sister and Michael before watching his little girl with absolute adoration.

Sakura gives India an inquisitive look as well as does Hiro and Yuki, all their heads craning in a slightly the same time.

Tristan sits back like he's slowly coming out of a pizza trance.

Garrett swivels his head between India and Ziven, looking unsure what's happening here.

Michael blinks and just stares at India, unsure he heard correctly.  He takes Stephanie's hand.

India stops singing, but reaches down to physically touch Jayla.  Looking at Michael and Stephanie, she is very relaxed, the Ebonics flowing freely.  "I ain't stuttah."  she winks.  "We got this.  No way we gonna give a honeymoon to Adum and his wive and not you guys too."  she smiles.  "Anywhere you want to go ... its on us."  she looks at Ryans parents and Yuki.  "They ... don't know?  seriously?  You never TOLD them?"  she sounds surprised and amused they didn't know she was independently wealthy and so, by extension, was Ryan.

Kaitlin cants her head and then goes on with her salad, amused at India's diction more than her words.

Ziven arches his brows and looks at Garrett's rather confused look.  "Seriously?  She's India frickin Tor."  he's not a die hard fan, but he knows who she is .. or was.

Ryan just grins and shrugs "I tell everyone what I told you....I'm with you for your body." He winks at India teasingly. "What else do they need to know?"

Stephanie laughs "Well I knew you had a lot of albums out and a successful career. I guess that's how it goes. That's still incredibly generous to offer..." She looks a little self conscious.

Yuki just gives a wide eyed nod as if to say well who knew.

Sakura blinks a few times and then laughs "That is what Ryan told us....just like his father."

Hiro gives an impressed nod at India and then banters back to his wife "No, you're with me for MY body right?"

Sakura gives her man a little pinch on the behind and he jumps.

Garrett shrugs at Ziven and then cringes at his parents.

Tristan takes it all in stride and just says "Cool."

Michael laughs.  "I knew."  he shrugs.  "I just never thought ... I mean ...."  he smiles.  "Thanks India.  Really.  Now I won't even charge for babysitting."

India laughs and playfully slaps Ryan on the arm.  "Baka!"  she shows off her Japanese.  "Yea ... I'm no Prince but I don't have to work anymore as long as I ain't tryin to live in some big ass mansion with staff and taxes."

Kaitlin giggles a little at the banter.  "If you've got it, flaunt it, right?"  she teases, sill working on her salad.

Ziven sees Garrett's cringe and snorts.  "Hell ...  I wasn't attracted to you because you had your MOTHER'S stunning body."

Suddenly, all the Yamada's eyes and Yuki's look between Garrett, Hiro and Ziven in a mix of utter amusement and a little bit of giggly awkwardness.

Garrett reacts with an immediate crimson blush, looking sideways at Ziven.

Hiro is a little slower to react. He grins at first and nods like yeah that's right and then thinks about it and his eyes go wide before he laughs "Oh!"

Yuki almost falls out of his chair now, like a mad little imp "So that's what happens if a guy checks you out?"

Hiro blushes as deeply as Garrett now and there's much more laughter.

Michael laughs richly and grins wide.  Hiro's reaction, in particular strikes him.

India begins to giggle.  "God I love this family."  she announces.

Kaitlin stares between Ziven and Hiro for a long time and then begins to giggle and blush madly.

Ziven looks unashamed.  He leans over to Garrett and gives him a one-armed hug and a quick kiss on the cheek.

Garrett leans into the kiss looking truly happier than his family has ever seen so visibly on his face.

Hiro can't help but be a little touched by the sight and then take Sakura's hand and looks at Ryan and Stephanie in turn and reflect "All our children are very loved." He says sweetly.

Ryan beams at his parents and then looks down at Jayla "Yep, and I finally understand how much you love us. It's just immeasurable when you have a child...." He puts an arm around India and gives her a squeeze.

Stephanie finds her eyes watering "Dammit Ryan. I was determined not to cry today..." She says laughing and leans on Michael's arm. Tristan looks at his mother and Mike and gives a little half grin.

Yuki's eyes get misty watching his long time friends and their kids and he sighs "You're going to make me call both of mine..." He laughs with a small sniff.

Sakura squeezes her husband's hand "You big mush ball, look what you've started now." She teases and looks around "Our family is growing in wonderful ways. Now let's go look at some slides that make the kids wish they didn't know us."

Ziven leans his head against Garrett's head and smiles at them all.

Michael grins and winks at Tristan.  He arches his brows at Sakura and smiles at the idea of seeing pictures.

India grins and gets ready to stand.  "Ohhh yea ....  baby pics.  I'm not missin THIS for NOTHIN."

Kaitlin finishes her salad and sighs.  "They are life."  she murmurs and clears her throat.  "I can get the dishes, or let them wait."  she looks at Sakura.  "Because I think I can figure out how to get those pictures of Michael on your television."

Michael blinks.  "I beg your pardon?"  he looks mildly alarmed.

"Your baby pictures.  Oh and when you were older.  I'm pretty sure that one where you went streaking down the street naked is in that pile.  Oh!  And when you decided you were going to go to that nice school in Alexandra with your brother."  she chuckles to herself.

Stephanie smirks at Michael "Can't save you from this one...and I don't even want to."

Yuki looks at Michael and then Hiro "See it's not just us!"

Hiro snorts "Yes but much funnier when it's babies streaking, and less likely to get arrested."

Garrett chuckles "Totally gotta see this."

Tristan makes a face "You mean he was naked?"

Ryan laughs "It's OK Tris, sounds like it wasn't a recent picture."

Sakura laughs and laughs "We'll help you with your technology Kaitlin. I think your collection might be the winner today. To the slide show!"

Out of the Ashes - Hank and Ford

Ford Stanley is still marveling at the surprising lack of carnage after a new babysitter with the twins. This Hani kid was clearly made of tougher stuff. As he marveled, it dawned on him he had never followed up on his message to his father, the one he left before Wendy set up Hani so they could face parent teacher conferences.  Those were always their own trip with their diabolical twins. Mason had hacked the PA system computer, which when you didn't look at it for delinquency was fairly impressive. Mabel had been caught on the roof again. How did she even get up there? He sighed and dialed his father's cell on a break, waiting for him to pick up and half expecting the machine if his dad was working, which he probably was. He was always working.

Hank Stanley was sitting on his couch, testing out his new HDMI cable.  Modernization was coming relatively simply for him and he had been quite pleased when he selected the right HDMI channel and the picture of his laptop desktop appeared.  Now he could watch movies or even look at his work on a larger screen if he wanted to.  Today ... he wanted to sort some recipes he found in PDF form and saved in a folder on 'the cloud' .. a concept he didn't exactly understand, but it meant less clutter in his house and the whole idea of minimizing appealed to him.  He was about to open up 'the cloud' when his phone rang.  Looking at the time, he knew it couldn't be Judith ... and when he looked at the phone, he saw it was Ford's number.  He sighed.  So much for using the cloud to avoid calling Ford.  He answered.  "Hello."

Ford tensed every so slightly as he always did at hearing his father's voice. "Hi Dad. How are you?" His tone was formal but polite.

Hank looked at his screen and stood, beginning to walk, which he did often when he talked to Ford.  "I'm .... excellent, actually.  On my 48.  Beautiful day.  Life is .. wonderful."  he still has this walking on air feeling about himself.  "And ... how are you?  Wendy?  The baby?  The twins?  I didn't see them on the news, so I'm assuming that's a good thing."

Ford can't help but laugh and be curious about his father's beautiful wonderful mood. Maybe he was just glad to have a tiny bit of time off. We're good here. I'm sorry I didn't get back to you about the sitter night. Wendy found a teenage they actually didn't try to drive to a  nervous breakdown. Who knew it was possible. anyway, we'll hire this kid again so I won't call you in a panic so much."

Hank smiles as he walks to look out of his kitchen window.  "That's alright.  I'm glad you found someone brave enough to handle the twins."  he pauses.  "He can use the breaks and ....  I ... "  he hesitates again, realizing hes actually nervous about telling Ford about Judith.  "My weekends might not be as ... free ... as they used to be."  maybe Ford would simply accept that, although Hank was feeling like a coward.  He hadn't dated after Elizabeth died.  It was too much like work.

Ford twirled a pen from his desk "Oh? Keeping you extra busy over at the Fire Department right now? You short staffed? I just had a few quit myself. Pain in the ass eh."

Hank straightened a few things on his kitchen counter.  "No ... no ... everything is great at work."  he pauses for a longer moment.  "I've been ... seeing someone ..."  he confesses.  "And it's getting pretty serious."  not that Judith and he had out and out used "the L word" but that's how he felt, at least.

Ford drops the pen and a little tap can be heard as it hits the desk "You've been WHAT?" He shakes his head around, knowing that was the wrong way to ask so he back peddles "Sorry.....when did you...how...who is she?" He fumbles it all out and then clenches his jaw.

Hank tenses at the initial tone, as if he'd just confessed to being a serial killer.  He stands straighter and looks out his window at the back of the clinic building.  Then Ford backpedals a bit.  "Actually she is one of the people Mason and Mabel chose when they opened that account on that dating site .. Table For Two?  She and I .. really got along from the beginning .. well, once I changed my profile from the miracle fireman Mason made me out to be."  he licks his lips.  "She's a teacher in Theta."

Ford exhales in a little grunt "Yes, that was very...helpful...of them..." He laughs a bit derisively "A teacher? Is this a younger woman?"

Hank relaxes a bit.  "Well, I didn't plan to use it.  I sent off about six messages to the women he'd contacted.  Judith was one of them."  he arches a brow at the derisive tone.  "She's the same age as I am."

Ford is notably surprised by this and says "Oh. Well OK then. As long as you're happy right?" There's an ever so subtle bite to it but he'll never come right out and say what he's thinking. For years though Ford has had this unspoken edge about his father and women, including all topics related to his mother, who is long passed away.

Hank has a curious look on his face.  "Well, yes.  I mean your mother was younger than I was and the few I dated before I married her.  But its only a few years older so ..."  he realizes after he says it that maybe bringing up Elizabeth wasn't such a great idea, but ... it was out now.  "But yes.  I'm VERY happy now.  Happier than I've been ... in .. a while."

Ford slumps at the topic of his mother, closing off to the whole conversation now and saying flatly "Well that's good Dad. you do what works for you. Listen, I think my time is up here and I need to get back to work. Good luck with it all." There's no suggestion that he has any interest in talking about any of it beyond this brief conversation.

Hank considers a moment, but where he may have simply, just as shortly, ended the conversation, he instead sighs.  "We're going to have to talk about this sooner or later, Ford.  Judith is in my life ... hopefully to stay."  its been years and years of this.  "I know you loved your mother and I know you BOTH blame ME for what happened to the both of us."  although he always felt they both blamed him for what happened to Ford ... and Ford alone.  "We need to have that conversation, Ford.  Soon."  he sighs,  "Have a good day, son."  and cuts the call off, dropping his head in one scarred hand.

Trying to go back to what he'd planned to do, Hank tried to just forget it.  Maybe talk to Ford later.  But .. later with Ford could well be never.  And after he had lunch, he decided he would just ... do it.  Judith wasn't going anywhere ... Hank knew it.  She felt more right than anyone in his life and he planned to be happy ... at long last.

Locking up his place, he left his apartment and headed for his car and the ferry, hoping as he headed for Cedar Point, that he was't being forced to choose between Ford and his family ... and possibly having love in his life for the first time in literal decades.

Ford looked at the phone in his hand as his father cut the call in rare but absolute fury. He slammed it down as his foreman came in with a clipboard "Is this a bad time Ford?" he asked awkwardly.

Ford took a long breath and took the clipboard "No it's fine. Just fine Will. You need me to sign off on that?"

"Yes Sir." Will said carefully. He'd never seen his boss mad, which made it extra scary. He took the clipboard back and smiled nervously.

Ford chuckled a bit "I don't bite. I'm going to go take a long walk though. If anyone's looking for me, you can tell them to do the same....just kidding...I have my cell. If it's urgent, call me OK?" He patted Will on the arm and stepped out of the office.

Hank drove into Cedar Point effectively meditating behind the wheel.  He parked near the cop shop and walked into the factory office.  "Hello.  I am Hank Stanley, looking for Ford Stanley, please?"

Will overhears the older man, who looks like an older version of Ford with some serious scars on his face. He approaches the desk clerk who is reacting to the scars and staring and saves her from embarrassing herself and making Ford's father feel uncomfortable. He steps in and puts out a hand to shake "Will Palmer Mr. Stanley. I'm the foreman. Ford just stepped out to run some errands for the shop....but he's around town if you want to try him on his cell. Nice to meet you."

At this point Ford is looking out from the lighthouse grounds at the ocean and feeling the sea spray soaked wind smacking at him as the waves crash against the cliffs below.

Hank can see the clerk nearing her saturation level.  It happened.  But she was saved by the man who introduced himself as Will Palmer.  He shakes his hand, hoping the man wont freak over the completely scarred hand and smiles.  "I'll do that.  Thanks.  Have a great day."  and he leaves immediately, going back to his car and leaning on it.  This is his chance to just leave town, but .. this needs doing.  Pulling out his phone he sends Ford a text.  "I'm here.  Where are you?"

Ford feels the buzz of his phone in his pocket and assumed it was something work related from Will. He saw his father's text and looked down at the town breathlessly. They were going to do this TODAY? Shit. He texted back one word "Lighthouse."

Hank looks at the reply and then looks up and around, spotting the lighthouse with ease.  Instead of replying, he gets in the car and drives there.  Once he is parked, he gets out and looks around for Ford.

Ford hears the car and walks out from behind the lighthouse, around the side with the entrance "Hi.....didn't expect you to drive over here Dad." He shoves his hands in his pockets like a schoolboy and head juts at the lighthouse "It's closed half the time but I come up here for peace and quiet."

Hank looks around the place as Ford comes around.  "I didn't either, to be honest."  he admits.  He looks around.  "It's beautiful here.  Every town should have a lighthouse."  he murmurs.  Then he takes a deep breath.  "You shut me out, Ford.  That's why I had to come out.  This time ... well this is important to me."  usually he just lets it go so he and Ford don't fight.  "And maybe ... it's time for us to clear the air."  he motions to the lighthouse.  "In a peaceful setting."  if only it were that easy.  He prays it is.

Ford looks apprehensive "Alright. I'm sorry if I was rude about your girlfriend. I just didn't know what to say....." He shifts his stance side to side and rubs at the back of his neck, turning his head away.

Hank sighs and looks at the view.  "I suppose I was hoping for 'Oh that's great, Dad.  Can't wait to meet her.' or something."  he admits, honestly.  "It's been ... nearly 20 years since your mother died, Ford.  And this is the first relationship that ..."  he falters a bit.  "That's even been comfortable for me."

Ford sighs and faces his father "You and mom weren't exactly....." He starts walking around "Dad, I don't even know how to do this with you. I don't want to fight....that's why I shut you out. I don't want you to not be happy...I just don't know how to..." He turns right away now with his back to Hank and his hands on the back of his hips, thinking.

Hank closes his eyes when Ford turns his back.  "Just TALK to me, Ford."  he asks.  "We haven't had a talk since ....  a real talk since before the fire."  that damn fire that, in hindsight, took everything EXCEPT his life.


Ford turns back around to face his father, again with that rare look of fury he kept so bottled up and spat out "I don't blame you for the fire. I never have. That's not what I shut you out about....it's what you did to Mom I can't forgive you for, after the fire."

Hank sees the fury, but for a moment is drawing a blank.  "What are you talking about?"  hes always thought it was the fire.  It always had been for Elizabeth.

Ford's fury is staying on the surface. He couldn't shove it back in now if he tried. "I don't know why the fire changed YOU. Mom stayed with you, she tried, and the first chance you got with someone, you screwed around on HER!" He gestures in the air with his open hand "I SAW YOU!! I was 15 and I walked to the hospital to surprise you after one of your rehab sessions and I saw your car in the parking lot......and you in it....with that nurse. I can't even remember her name....I don't want to....." On the last sentence his voice goes hoarse and his eyes fill with tears. He finally manages to ask the question that's burned him more deeply than the flames in a strained whisper "After all Mom went through watching us both suffer...HOW COULD YOU?"

Hank's jaw drops and he stares at Ford as his anger spills.  "Henrietta....."  he whispers, remembering the nurse perfectly.  "The fire ... it only changed my physical ...."  he closes his eyes and takes in a deep breath, not wanting to get angry in return.  Needing his professional calm to meld with his natural calm and help him.  "Ford."  he begins.  "What do you remember about your Mom and me ... especially AFTER the fire."  he wonders if Ford may have a false memory or two.  "Like ... did you mom visit me while I was in the hospital.?"  he stops there.  Elizabeth had been absent ... his Captain and a doctor had told her what had happened.  How he would look.  Ford's burns were less ... obvious.  And Elizabeth had been so vain.

Ford looks confused, and still angry "Of course she visited you! What are you talking about? She visited you when she visited me.....and then when I was home we sometimes went at different times but I know she went. She told me she went. Did YOU forget?" His reply shows that his perspective, and what he was told do not match his father's.

Hank inhales slowly and exhales.  "Well the first few days I was under a morphine blanket, but ..."  he blows out a breath.  "She didn't visit me, Ford.  And when I got out of the hospital ... she came that day while you were in school.  I'll never forget the look on her face when she looked at mine."  he tightens his jaw.  "She told you it was MY idea to sleep on the couch?"  it is more question than statement of fact.  He is getting angry, but not at Ford.

Ford shakes his head and looks like he's been punched "That can't be right...she loved you. She was probably just upset about how close you came to dying. I was.....I still feel guilty that it happened because of me..." He swallows again and looks away "I never should have followed Danny Fenkel up those stairs...."

Hank sighs deeply.  "Maybe...."  he doesn't finish that thought but moves on to another.  "Danny Fenkel ... meant well.  But that was just a fluke you and I got caught up in but ... son ...."  he sighs yet again.  "Think back all of your life.  Not just after the fire, but before it."  as those are the sections of Hank's life at least.  Before and After the fire.  "How many times did you see your mom and I hug?  Kiss?"  his voice is gentle, but tinged with something like .. resentment.

Ford thinks for awhile and then just looks up at his father "I thought you guys were just really...private about it. I mean some people just don't.....but I guess now that I think about it....it IS weird that you didn't." He has a sinking feeling and has to ask "Did you and Mom fall out of love and stay together for ME?"

Hank shakes his head and then shrugs.  "I would have KILLED to hug and kiss your mother the way it was when we first got married."  he blows out another breath and leans heavily against his car.  "I .. don't know.  I know your mother loved my job.  My ... looks and body.  She first saw me in a fireman's calendar in my probationary year."  he bites his lip.  "And she did amateur modeling ... until she got pregnant, of course.  Then ... you wouldn't remember Charlie Avery ..  my Captain back then.  He got burned and your mother saw him ... and then he died and ... "  he blinks and clears his throat, looking around for something to look at.  "There were a lot of realities in your first three or so years of life, Ford.  I didn't quit my job, but I begged her to ... yes .. to stay with me for you.  You know my father took off on my mother."  he holds his hands up, helplessly.  "Anyway ..."  he clears the emotion from his throat again.  "She stayed .. on HER terms.  Not the least of which was I would have a vasectomy.  She said she'd be damned if I widowed her with a bunch of babies to raise on her own."

Ford just looked pained as his father goes on and then stutters out "Dad...I didn't know....why didn't you tell me after she died at least? I've been pissed at you for fuckin years.....I'm sorry." He looks truly at a loss.

Hank shrugs.  "Well before the fire, I wasn't interested in sharing my one way love life with you.  After the fire I wasn't interested in telling you I'd been completely cut off from any kind of affection."  he scoffs.  "And after she died ... It never seemed to be the right time to tell you how it was.  She was faithful to ... well hell your a man .. my tongue before the fire and afterwards she just wanted you to worship her.  Even if you hated me .. maybe even it was better that way."  he sighs and drops his head.  "You didn't need to know about her vanity, or affairs, or .. any of that.  And I am ... I'm not sorry about Henrietta.  I tried to be, but ... I thought I was a monster after the fire, Ford.  Horrible to look at ... disgusting to touch .. and sex ... forget about it.  She made me feel .. human again.  And I STILL gave that up trying to save my family."  he lifts a hand to cover his face.  "I'm so sorry, Ford."

Ford was literally swaying in place, like a rug had been ripped out from under him, because it had been. His mother was falling from grace, hard and fast and his father....his father was human, so much more so now than ever. He shook his head slowly, walking forward and then with no words or warning, hugged his Dad hard and cried into his shoulder.

The hug was unexpected and for half a second Hank did not respond.  Then he was hugging Ford back, as if he was just being reunited with him.  "I'm so sorry, Ford."  he croaks and then he is hugging harder, almost clinging to a son he felt he'd lost to a fire in a school.  "So sorry."

Ford lets everything he'd been holding in for years go and just sobs managing at one point to get out the words "Me too......"

Hank holds and cries with his son for long minutes before he pulls back.  "No ... Ford.  You didn't know."  he swallows hard.  "I knew .. she married my career and couldn't handle it. But I was afraid if I left ... even when you were a boy ... I ... I was afraid I wouldn't get custody.  Most men don't.  And we were so close." he sighs and claps him on the shoulder.  "Our perfect little boy.  I thought I had ruined it ... ruined YOU ....  scarred you."  he runs his hand through his hair.  "God I am playing so much back now ....  God."

Ford shakes his head "You didn't ruin me Dad. She lied to me and I saw something I didn't understand.....so I became a real jerk. Wendy's been working on me for years or I'd be worse..." He chuckles and swipes at his face "If this Judith makes you feel as happy as you says she does, I do want to meet her. We can't take back the past. We can only work on what we have now."

Hank nods and wipes at his own face.  "Wendy .. oh Ford, she is the best thing ... to ever happen to you."  he nods.  "I'll make that happen.  Meeting Judith.  As soon as I can."  he tries to smile.  "I sort of owe Mason .. it's all because of that little hacker of yours."  even though Mason didn't exactly hack anything.

Ford has to laugh now "He's brilliant and dangerous, that boy. He hacked the school's PA system they told us at the parent teacher conference......I had to force myself not to grin. Then they tell me Mabel keeps getting caught on the roof. I don't even know how she gets up there. She's got some hidden grappling hook under a tree or something. Wendy is the BEST. If we survive the children it'll be a small miracle, but we'll have each other."

Hank laughs.  "Well, I talked to my crew and they told me how to pus a password on my laptops.  Not that it will stop Mason."  he groans a little.  "I worry about Mabel ... If I didn't know better I'd think she was born in a rising lift."  he smiles.  "Wendy IS the best.  She's been so patient.  With both of us."

Ford waves off the idea of password protection "Yeah child's play...other people's children. I've been imagine that Mabel might secretly be able to levitate......news of the weird...... Who knew Wendy and I could combine to create the twins. Bless them. Robbie seems normal so far but who knows right?" He laughs "Did you warn Judith that it goes beyond signing you up for a dating site? I mean I bet she's glad about that part. Does she have grand-kids? You said she's a teacher, maybe she's seen it all...."

Hank laughs.  "I don't now how you did it.  Maybe they are just freaks of nature.  And Robbie ..."  he mock groans.  "I don't want to think about what he could do under the loving training of his siblings."  he shakes his head.  "Not really.  But now that he's hacking the school computers ..  I had better.  She has two little granddaughters.  Six and two.  They sound sweet and computer illiterate."  he chuckles.  "I'll bring her over some weekend ... one of my whole weekends off maybe.  Not sure.  We can stay at a hotel."  he holds up his hand to stem any protest from him.  "And if Wendy tries to blame you for that tell her that you have a thirty five year record of NOT seeing me having sex ... why mess with perfection?"

Ford laughs awkwardly "I don't think I even want to say those words. Wendy will think it's FAR too amusing. I'm determined not to get hung up on the past...but Mom...you said she had relations outside your marriage too. Did she tell you about them...or did you.... catch her?" He looks horrified at the thought.

Hank chuckles a little.  "Yes ...  Wendy would ..."  and then he flushes a little and drops his head again.  "Remember, Ford.  Your mother was very vain.  Beautiful and vain.  And ... she had a mean streak."  he bites his lip.  "She ... told me ... all attractive men.  You know ... "  he sighs deeply.  "Unscarred."

Ford's fury flashes again, just for a second "You should have divorced her. We'd probably still be here doing this....I'm sorry. That was not OK that she talked to you like that. Clearly Judith doesn't see your scars as something to use to hurt you."

Hank sighs and looks at his son.  "I had my own issues about a broken home.  And it may have been worse if I had divorced her when you were 5."  he smiles.  "No ... she doesn't.  It's like ... and you know I am not a religious man ... like its meant to be for us ... now ... not when we were young."  he shrugs.  "You know ... It was Henrietta who suggested I council other burn victims.  Once she helped me ... not the WAY she helped me, of course, but ... thats how I got into it.  I never loved Henrietta but ... she was a good friend when I needed her and .. I'm not sure I would have LIVED to meet Judith if not for that nurse."

Ford smiles at his father. It's genuine and it reaches right to his eyes. It's the first real smile, the first real conversation they've had in a very long time "Then I'm glad for Henrietta. Funny about the name. And I get it. Judith is like your Wendy. But it all happened since Christmas? New Years? Shit, it's January 27th...." The timeline dawns on him and he starts laughing "when did you meet Judith?"

Hank loves that smile.  "Well ... Mason contacted her first .. but I apologized for it on New Years Day."  he clears his throat.  "I know it feels fast, but ....  well ... I love her Ford.  It feels like I've been with her for 40 years."

Ford keeps smiling and sighs at him "I seem to have blown off work so let's go for a beer or something? I should at least text Will and tell him I couldn't find the right washer heads for the conveyor or something so he can cover for me. Best guy I ever hired that Will Palmer."

Hank grins.  "I would LOVE that."  he realizes then .. he and his son have never done that ... ever.  "I liked that young man.  I'm afraid I may have given your clerk a few nightmares, however.  I'm sorry.  Mr Palmer stepped in before she could say anything ... which may have been less than polite.  Poor girl."

Ford rolls his eyes "Yeah Sheila. Jury's still out on her if she can't be polite to you, and if your scars freak her out, what will happen when some new kid lops off a finger or a part of a hand on the chopping line?" He starts walking towards his Dad's car and jokes "Just so you know, we charge extra for the cans from THOSE days." Ford had of course joked after the fire but never with  the sense of connection he was feeling now. He had missed it.

Hank comes close to chiding, but as Ford says it, it makes sense.  "Scream like Robbie when he doesn't get his way?"  he winces.  "I'll be sure to watch the news out of here carefully and avoid canned goods for the next year."  he mock shudders.  "One drink, because I have to drive back.  But I wouldn't miss this one beer for anything."

A Ring Around The Question

Michael climbed the steps of the Lavender B&B very casually.  He was off duty, out of uniform and, theoretically, on his way home.  Asking Ryan about Steph's ring size had seemed like a good idea, but he was completely distracted by Jayla, which made sense, but didn't help Michael out much.  So he decided to approach Anna.  They were still friends and, maybe more importantly, Anna was also friends with Steph.  So all he had to do was ask Anna for Steph's ring size.

Easy peasy.

Opening the door, he peered around to see if he could see Anna or not.

Anna was at the front desk ringing someone through as Bronwyn had to book off for a dental appointment. She could be heard down the hall talking to the customer though, giving directions for their next destination "And you want to get off the 99 before 16th so you can go west to route 15...which will take you right back up to the Trans Canada. Good luck in the mountains you guys and have a safe drive."

Michael heads down the narrow hallway and into Anna's sight, looking very casual and at his ease.  He leans against a wall and simply watches her work.  As if he did this three times a week.

Anna was making a little notation on a receipt and looked up to see Michael with a raised eyebrow "Well that's not creepy at all. Hi...." She laughs.

Michael straightens and can't help but look a little guilty.  "Hi .. what?"  he shrugs.  "I can't visit a friend on my way home from work?"

Anna smiles "What are you up to Michael? I'm not opposed to a hello, but no text and you're lurking. Is Steph mad at you or something? Just so you know she hates carnations and poetry."

Michael tries to look innocent.  "I am not lurking."  he denies.  "And I'm not in trouble.  I figured that much.  Just .. you know."  he steps closer to her.  "On my way home and thought I'd say hi."  he reaches for her hand.  "Poetry .. like I can recite poetry."

Anna looks at him reaching for her hand in confusion "You're being VERY odd. And for YOU that's saying something. Is everything alright?"

Michael snorts and tries to look nonchalant.  "Everything is fine."  he thinks.  "I was just ... thinking ... "  and he has to because he is working without a plan. "Thinking of maybe getting my mom a ring or something.  You know."  he shoves his hands in his jeans pockets.  "But I think Steph might be closer to my moms ring size.  You know what ring size Steph is?"  he asks her casually.

Anna licks her lips and then traces in the air as she repeats what he's just said to her "So you want to get your MOM a ring......but STEPH has the same sized..... hands....so therefore, you're asking ME...about STEPH's hands? Do I have that right?" A tiny smile is fighting it's way to live on Anna's face but she's working to suppress it.

Michael shrugs, his eyes darting around the room.  "Well..  I thought your hands might work.  You know."  he offers.  "But ... yea ... I think your hands are too big.  So .. I figured I would ask if you knew Steph's ring size."

Anna can't fight her smile any longer "Did it dawn on you to ask Steph? You know since she owns her hands and all.....just a thought."

Michael looks panicked for a minute.  "Oh I can't ask HER."  he backpedals.  "This means you don't know, doesn't it?"  he sighs and turns.  "Know what.  Never mind.  I'll figure her ring size out somehow.  Thanks Anna."  he heads for the door.  "Catch you later." his shoulders are slumped as he wonders .. where to next?  Maybe Sakura?  No ... he couldn't go there.

Anna giggles "Nope, I don't know. Have a good one Michael." She watches him go with a loud exhale and then grabs her phone and dials Steph the second he's out of sight.

"Pizza Hut." Steph answers as their standard joke "30 minutes or it's free."

Anna laughs "Are you busy? Because something interesting just happened..."

Steph seems to be clicking at something "No I'm just trying to reset the Apple TV....."

"Mom, you've got the wrong remote! Gimme that!"

"Oi manners.....you do it then. Sorry, Anna, what?"

Anna sighs "Maybe I shouldn't even say it...but your boyfriend was just here being really nervous and asking me if I knew YOUR ring size. Just a heads up on that."

There's a very long pause.

"Steph?"

Stephanie inhales audibly "Oh my god....I could give a shit about the ring part...but oh my god......"

Anna's grin can be heard in her speech "So it's a good thing?"

Steph sniffs "Yeah......oh god dammit I have to not be crying about this when he walks in the door. It's a very good thing. Thank you Anna. I'll text you."

Anna gives a little squeal and then says "You better. Can I call Tams?"

Steph laughs "Yes, now shutup....I gotta go stick my head in the freezer or something. Bye!"

Michael got in his car and headed home.  His mission had failed, and as he drove, he wondered if he could to that string thing.  Get it while Stephanie slept.  He considers Vaughn's words from a few days back.  Maybe it wasn't that important.  Maybe he should just .. just do it.  Stop trying to be clever and just do it.  But he had always been under the impression that women liked things like engagement rings, even if he thought the whole thing was a racket.  Finally, he makes it home, parks the car and heads inside, getting through the door and automatically taking off coat and shoes.

When Michael walks in Tristan yells out "MIKE! You gotta see this Minecraft playthough....it's so awesome!!!!"

Stephanie hears the greeting and  finishes powdering her nose after fixing her eye makeup a bit. She hadn't worn tons today but it had gotten mucky. She stepped out of the bathroom and casually said "Oh hi, you're home. I was was thinking of chicken nuggets. Do you want chicken nuggets? I'll put them in..." She's sort of rambling quickly and then disappears into the kitchen.

Michael looks at Tristan.  "One second, bud."  he heads into the kitchen after Steph and takes her by the waist, nuzzling her neck.  "I'd love chicken nuggets.  Thanks." he kisses it, then heads back into Tristan.  "OK, kisses given.  Show me this play through, unless you want me to kiss YOU too."  he teases.

Steph feels Michael's hands on her waist and kisses and has to fight to not just burst into tears. She hugs him lightly and fumbles through with a nervous laugh "OK then..." She closes her eyes and stands in front of the stove, getting her bearings.

Tristan is oblivious and makes a yuck face "No man! Don't kiss me!" He scooches away on the couch and hits play. "See it's starts out all dark......oooh..."

Michael snorts like whatever and leans back to watch.  "Oh ... that's cool.  I really need to practice more, I know."  then he settles down to watch it, nodding in some places and sounding interested in the right places.  It really was an interesting game, he had to admit.

Stephanie does manage to put the chicken in and a pan of fries and watches from the kitchen door to see when the video ends. She knows they're often short but left to their own devices Tristan will show Mike 10 more before she can get a word in.

Tristan laughs as the main point of the video happens and it all ends in a ridiculous amount of TNT explosions "Man....look at that....the whole island......oh no...the pigs.....oh the carnage...."

As the credits roll Steph intercedes "Hey, I'm stealing Mike for a second K Tris."

"Awwwww...."

Steph smiles "Just for a sec. Can I I check in with you in the bedroom?" She asks Michael, trying to sound casual.

Michael had settled in for the long haul, not expecting to get up until it was time to set the table or eat.  He looks curiously at Stephanie and then back at Tristan.  "Maybe two."  he offers a smile and stands, heading into the bedroom and closing the door, looking at her curiously and trying to guess  what the meeting could be about.  "What's up?"

Stephanie takes one of Michael's big hands and looks at it "You know I was thinking of taking up....knitting and I had this idea that I might start with gloves. It would be far easier if I had your ring size...which might come in handy for other things. Unless you're like me and you don't really give a shit about that stuff and you're way more into the idea of just asking the questions and saying screw the knitting anyway. Do you know what I mean?" She's dropped her gaze from him but her face is suddenly wet with tears again and she can't stop smiling.

Michael understands immediately that he is busted as he listens to her.  Her face drops and he reaches up to her chin and to tilt her face up to look at him.  "In that case...."  he rumbles and swallows hard.  "And since neither of us can knit."  he sighs.  "Would you accept my apology for trying to be sneaky ....and marry me?"  he searches her wet eyes, knowing he should know her answer but still a bit anxious.

Stephanie starts laughing through her tears and nods "Yes and yes." She throws her arms around him and kisses him fiercely, crying happily into the kiss.

Michael lifts her up and kisses her back.  Finally he sets her back on her feet.  "So ..... no ring, right"  he grins.  "I had a couple people tell me to just ask but ....."  he shrugs.  "So has Anna let everyone know yet?"  he teases and pulls her close.

Stephanie lands and nods "No ring. We can do bands if you want but we already got the more permanent than a ring tattoos. And she was only calling Tams..." She thinks about it and laughs "Oh yeah...you might get it at work..." She laughs "But we could tell the kid down the hall?" She presses against him enjoying the closeness.

Michael groans.  "We'll see."  he laughs.  "God.  Tams.  Yea ...  I might get it."  he looks at the door.  "Yea ... lets tell him."  but he holds her back a minute.  "Not now ... because we probably have to be married first but ..."  he bites his lip.  "Would you mind ... or think Tristan would mind if ..."  he pauses for a eat.  "What if I adopted him?"  it wasn't just marriage he'd been thinking about.

Stephanie had been just composing herself from her last round of tears and now totally lost it and fell into Michael's arms. She knew he was willing to raise Tristan with her but some part of her had been afraid he was in it for her but trying to make it work with the kid. She knew Michael cared about Tristan but this was an admission that he WANTED Tristan, that she was not longer a single parent.

Michael wraps his arms around her.  He had come to love Tristan and the idea of adopting him had felt right.  It was the one thing he had not bounced off of anyone,  There was no need.  "I love you."  he rumbles into her ear.  "Both."

Stephanie nods into him, unable to speak right away and just hangs onto him as years of uncertainty and loneliness in her life with Tristan wash away with her tears. Finally after catching her breath she says "I love you too....I want you to be his Dad. He has to want it too though, so we have to ask him."

Michael nods and offers a slight grin.  "Well ... first you have to tell him why you came in here with me and came out crying."  he tells her.  "Come on.  Lets tackle that first.  Ready?"  he can't scream it from the rooftops until then.

Stephanie wipes at her face and nods "Yes. Let's go." She takes Michael's hand and leads him to the living room and then taps Tristan and says "Bud, can you pause your video?"

Tristan does and looks up worried at his mother's tear stained face "What happened? You're crying....."

Stephanie lets go of Micheal and leans down, partly squatting "Not for sad reasons. Mike and I are going to get married. Would that be ok with you?"

Tristan looks between them with wide eyes and then beams and hugs his mother "YES!!!"

Michael watches them and can't help but smile.  He really did love them both.  And it was a relief that Tristan didn't object to their becoming a family.

Stephanie kisses Tristan on the cheek and then lets him go and then turns to Michael, not sure how to bring up the other question herself.

Tristan just grins at Michael about the first one.

Michael reaches for Stephanie's hand.  "There's one more thing I want to do, T."  he considers how to ask and looks at Stephanie for help.  "After your mom and I get married ..."

Tristan looks between them, worried "We're not moving, are we?"

Stephanie shakes her head, holds Michael's hand and lets Michael ask it.

Michael shakes his head.  "I don't think we need to move."  he agrees.  "But, I was thinking ...."  he pauses.  "Tristan, so you know what adoption is?"  he asks, not wanting to talk down to the boy.

Tristan nods "Yeah, Jackson in my class is adopted because his mom and dad can't have babies." He looks a little put out "Aren't you supposed to try and have a baby first....you know...the OTHER way?" He's thinking they want a baby, which is the last thing he wants from this plan.

Michael smiles.  He's got it more or less right, but then he holds up his hand.  "Not always."  he explains.  "If you and your mother agree, I can adopt you as my son.  You'd be Reinhardt too and I think my name would go on your birth certificate ... as your father."

Tristan is completely unprepared for this and just stares open mouthed at Michael for a long time and then says quietly "You....want...Me? To be your son?" He looks at his Mom for confirmation and she nods, with tears in her eyes. Tristan feels a lump in his throat and waits for Michael's answer.

Michael nods.  "Yea.  I do."  he tells him.  "I want to be your father."

Tristan inhales quickly into a small sob and just nods as he walks to Michael and hugs him hard. Stephanie bursts into tears quietly watching the two of them and her son finally feel a connection he'd missed his whole life, Micheal too from a new perspective.

Michael lifts Tristan off of his feet, hugging him hard and clearing his throat.  He smiles at Stephanie.  She was going to be his wife.  Tristan was going to be his son.  It was a life he never imagined for himself before Stephanie came along.  Now, he can't imagine his life any other way.