A Bump in the Road (COMPLETE)

Chapter Twelve

We stayed for several hours, talking about the years that had passed and how our lives were at that moment. Like Hoshiko said, Ruiji was so excited to finally meet me and get to know me. Staying for dinner and then coffee, it was just about the time for the final train when Yamato finally said it was time for us to leave.

"I'm so sorry, I don't mean to cut things off but there's still so much we have to do at home," he frowned. He knew that if it were left up to me I would probably stay there through the holidays.

"No it's understandable," Ruiji smiled, standing with him, "we didn't mean to keep the two of you here for so long,"

"It's totally fine," he shook his hand, "we should have picked a better time to come done and visit,"

"Come visit any time," Hoshiko smiled as she placed her hands on my arms, "really, any time you want we'll be here,"

Hearing her say that, I couldn't help but tear up again as I pulled her into another hug. It had felt like forever since I had felt the love of a parent and now that I knew that I had ones that were still in this world I couldn't help but feel moved.

"It's alright," she said softly, placing her hand against my head, "everything is fine now,"

"If you guys want," Ruiji began hesitantly, "you're more than welcome to join us for Christmas. Since it's just the two of us here it won't be two crowded or anything,"

"Would you be willing to come up to Tokyo?" I blurted out without thinking, "I mean... there's just so many people that I want you two to meet and... I guess that I just want all my family together..."

"I'll be off of work for the holidays so we should be able to," he smiled, pulling me into a hug and kissing me on the top of my head, "anything to make you happy,"

"Thank you guys so much and I'm sorry again for just dropping in unannounced,"

"Please don't be," they both smiled, "honestly, this was something we had been waiting on for such a long time,"

"Ok," I stopped at the door once my coat was on, not wanting to leave, "well, you have my number if you need anything..."

"Yes, and you have ours," she smiled again, "and we'll see you in a couple days,"

There was still so much I wanted to talk about with them and I didn't want to leave, but I knew that Yamato still had so much work he had to do for work. With a short nod, I walked out of the house and into the snow with him, Hoshiko and Ruiji standing in the doorway watching us leave. Considering how I had woken up that morning with only half a plan of action, I was still surprised by how smooth everything had been. The two of them reminded me so much of my parents it was almost like I was talking with them again. I knew that their love and this family wasn't going to be the same as the one that I grew up with, but I knew that it was going to be just as loving and supportive as that one.

As we walked, Yamato reached down for my hand, bringing it up to his lips and kissing it lightly. I looked up at him and saw him smiling.

"I'm really glad you did this," he said, "I think this was really good for you after all that's happened,"

"Thank you," I smiled back, "I'm sorry I dragged you out here,"

"No, it's fine. I had Hikaru finish my rounds for me,"

"Who's Hikaru?"

"You may have met him already actually. He's a doctor that comes into the school to work in the infirmary but he also lives in our building,"