The Unexpected III

Title: The Unexpected III
Chapter 12 – Attempting Normalcy
Word Count:7138
Rating: R
Fandom: FAKE
Pairings: Ryo/Dee
Warnings: Yaoi, Male/male, MPREG, AU If you don’t like, don’t read! Cursing, mature themes, graphic insinuations of violent death, torture and violence.
Disclaimer: FAKE is not mine. We have Sanami Matoh for giving us Dee, Ryo and the rest of the 27th precinct characters and for respecting her characters unlike certain TV writers. Any OCs appearing in this fic are mine.
Summary: Dee is out of the hospital, but it's getting harder to put aside prejudice against Carriers, especially when Bikky is involved.
Beta by my most wonderful partner in crime, Grace_Musica, who I had an awesome time doing Comic-Con with (and meeting John Barrowman again with!).


Dee and Ryo entered the admin office outside of Mrs. Pritney’s office. The man who was working there looked up when they entered. “May I help you?” His eyes went wide as they went past Ryo and rested on Dee. “Gentlemen?”

Dee glanced down at himself, dressed in a loose short sleeved thin tee-shirt and pull on pants. He glanced up again. “Yes. Gentleman. Don’t let the baby throw you off.” Before Ryo could turn to calm Dee down, he went over to stand before the assistant. “We’re here for our son, Bikky Laytner-MacLean. We’re his fathers.”

“Yes. Of course, I should have known that.” His eyes fell to the swell of Dee’s belly again. “I’ll let Mrs. Pritney know you’re here.”

“Where’s Bikky?” Ryo asked.

“He’s around. Relax, Mr. Laytner-MacLean.” The assistant practically brushed him off and entered the inner office with a knock.

With an annoyed look on his face, Ryo looked at Dee. “Please don’t tell me he’s one of those who avoids the news when it concerns Carriers.”

“Why do you think that?” Dee asked.

Ryo snorted. “Are you kidding? Hello? You’re a local celebrity. Worse, something tells me it’s common knowledge why Mark and his friends started on Biks, and yet he tried to act surprised that you’re pregnant?”

“Ask me, he knew, but coming face to face with me was a different story.” He took Ryo by his arm. “I suggest we speak to Bikky tonight about transferring him to a different school for next fall. Apparently this school has serious problems with Carriers. They barely tolerated that Bikky has two dads. This,” he indicated the baby bump, “is too much for them to handle.”

“I think you’re right.”

The assistant returned to the office. “You can go in now.”

“Thanks,” Ryo remarked as he took Dee’s hand and they entered the principal’s office.

Mrs. Pritney stood up as they entered. “Mr. and Mr. Laytner-MacLean, please sit down.”

Dee looked around the office. “Where’s our son?” he asked, looking concerned.

“He had a minor injury and he’s down in the nurse’s office.”

“Minor injury,” Ryo asked, his voice raising. “What kind of minor injury? What happened?”

“Please, gentlemen, sit down and I’ll explain everything. Bikky is not hurt badly. Just a scrape. Nothing that even normally would warrant a call to his parents.”

“Then why are we here?” Ryo asked, guiding Dee to sit down. He pushed Dee gently into the seat and the only reason he did the same in the seat next to Dee was to place a calming hand on Dee’s arm.

“Bikky managed to upset four boys to the point of violence.”

“Oh?” Ryo asked. “And tell us just how he did that?”

“He insisted in pushing your unconventional lifestyle in the other boys’ faces.”

“That’s all?” Dee asked.

“Mr. Laytner-MacLean, shouldn’t that be enough?”

“I believe the full story will be enough. Not just one condescending, close-minded opinion,” Dee remarked, barely restraining himself from snapping at the principal. He wanted to go into a rant, but now realizing what exactly they were up against, he knew he could not give in to what her opinion of them were. “Are all the children involved around? I’d like to sit down with all of them and hear the story.”

“I’m afraid they are all upset and their parents are coming to take them home.”

“And our son isn’t?” Ryo asked. He stood up. “You know what, Mrs. Pritney? I was on the way from bringing my husband here home from the hospital. I’m sure you heard of the hate crime attack on him and how he was almost killed by someone with prejudices against Carriers?” Ryo’s tone become condescending. “I’m sure Mark and his little cohorts heard it too. As well as their parents. Dee’s supposed to be on complete bed rest, but he did not want me to take the time out to drop him at home so I could get here as fast as possible. I would like to get him home and in bed before there’s any further endangerment to our unborn daughter, or him. So we’re going to the nurse’s office and get our son. And he will not be in on Monday. However, I do expect to be here, in conference with every single parent of the children that were involved. And if they are not, believe me, I will take it upon myself to visit each and every one of them. Then we will discuss some changes this school will have to undertake.”

“I’m sure you believe you are right, Mr. Laytner-MacLean, and you and your husband have my deepest sympathy on his unfortunate attack this week. However, that does not change the fact that there are some lifestyles other parents do not want their children subjected to. Bikky is welcome to this school, but he does not have to push your lifestyle onto his classmates.”

Ryo’s eyebrows shot up and his eyes hardened. Dee jumped up and placed a hand on Ryo. “There’s nothing illegal about our relationship,” Dee remarked. His free hand went to his swell and he started to rub it. He was starting to feel nauseous and his head spun slightly from moving so quickly. “There’s nothing illegal about my having this baby. If someone doesn’t like it, too bad. It’s a fact of life, so get over it.” He looked at Ryo. “Let’s get Bikky and get out of here.”

Ryo nodded and noticed Dee’s face. “Are you okay?”

“I just need to get out of here,” Dee replied. “At least the nurse’s office is on the way out.”

“I think the parents have a big say on what their children are subjected to,” Mrs. Pritney said.

“This is a public school, Mrs. Pritney. Free for all. And as I said, there’s nothing illegal about our lifestyle or our family,” Dee remarked and then swayed.

Ryo put a protective arm around Dee. “We need to go, but it’s not the last you heard from me, Mrs. Pritney.” As he started to guide Dee to the door, Dee’s cell phone rang.

Dee took it out of his pocket and looked at the caller ID. His face became unreadable as he stared directly at the principal. “Excuse me, I need to take this call.” He indicated that he wanted to sit down again.

Ryo looked at Dee, giving him a look that he wanted to leave right then.

“Mayor Blum,” Dee greeted, ignoring Ryo. “Yes, of course, Sheila. How are you holding up?” He listened some. “We’d be honored to have you over tomorrow afternoon. Please no, you don’t have to bring food. Okay, if you insist. Yes, I have a special diet these days. I’ll tell him to expect your call later today. Listen, Sheila, I need to go right now. On the way home from the hospital, Ryo and I had to stop at Bikky’s school. There was a bit of trouble. Oh no, nothing we can’t handle, Sheila.” Dee’s eyes shifted to the suddenly uncomfortable woman behind her desk. He watched as she picked up the phone. When he looked over to Ryo, he found a smug look on his husband’s face. “Anyway, I really should be getting home and resting. We’ll see you around 3 then. Good bye, Sheila, and remember, if you need something, even to talk, we’re here. Bye.” He disconnected the call and looked up at Ryo. “Gilbert’s funeral is arranged, and she wants to come over tomorrow, with food, to have that discussion we were supposed to have with her and Gilbert this week at her residence.”

“How are you doing?” Ryo asked softly,

“Ready to get Bikky and go home. I’m starting to feel a little ill and tired.”

“I knew this was a bad idea not taking you home first.” Ryo turned and glared at the principal as if he blamed her entirely.

There was a knock on the office door and it opened. The assistant’s head stuck in and he announced, “Bikky is here, Mrs. Pritney.”

“Wonderful. Gentlemen, I will be in touch with you as soon as I can contact the other parents for your conference. Your son is waiting for you outside.”

“Great. C’mon Dee. Let’s get you home to bed.” Ryo helped Dee to his feet and they left the office without another word.

Outside Ryo saw Bikky and he immediately went over to the boy, and hugged him. Dee joined them.

“What the hell happened?” Dee asked, running his fingers through Bikky’s hair.

“Are you hurt?” Ryo asked.

“I’ve got some bruises on my side. The nurse says it’s nothing.”

“What happened?”

“I was jumped,” Bikky blurted out. “I was in the hallway when Mark and his friends jumped me. They said that I contaminated the school because of my dad. And that a good, innocent man died because of him.” He looked up at Dee with wide blue eyes.

Dee closed his eyes as the room started to spin and he sat down as he felt his blood pressure rise. He saw red behind his closed eyelids, and it had nothing to do with his physical being and everything to do with Mark and his friends.
“Bikky,” Ryo said gently. “This is very important, so answer me truthfully. Did you do anything to them? Like throw a punch or smack them? Anything like that?”

Bikky shook his head. “Dee doesn’t look good. And I didn’t do anything to them. Only this morning. Mark and his friends started up between periods about how it’s Dee’s fault that son of a bitch was killed. And I told them that Dee was a victim to a bad man, and worse he was a cop and yet he took the law into his own hands. I guess I got upset, but I yelled at them that my dads loved me more than their parents did. Then they said that you guys were fags and it was wrong.”

Ryo took a deep breath. “Let’s go home now. You can tell us all about it on the ride home.” He went over to Dee. “Okay? Can you make it to the car? Or should I call….”

“No. I’m fine. I just felt my blood pressure go up too far, too fast. I just ran through the exercises they taught me for when I feel the stress building up. Once we get home, and I’m on my back and on the phone, I’ll be fine.”

“Let’s go then.” Ryo helped Dee slowly get to his feet, and they left the school.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

“Dee, are you sure you’re going to be okay?” Ryo asked as he sat on the edge of their bed.

“Yes. I’ll try to sleep, while you go with Bikky and handle this situation. That was out and out assault from those hoodlums.”

“Exactly. They have no idea exactly who’s kid they were fucking with. We’re going to file this with our unit.”

“Good.”

Ryo leaned over to lightly kiss Dee’s lips. “Rest up and I’ll take care of this. I’m going to see what we can do to keep Bikky out for the rest of the year. Next week, we’ll look into schools for next year.”

Dee snagged Ryo’s head with his hand in the back and pulled him down for another brief kiss. “I’m feeling better already. When you get back, promise me you’ll hold me and give me lots of sweet kisses?”

“If that’s what it takes to make you better. Just remember what we can’t do,” Ryo reminded him. He patted Dee’s cheek.

Dee groaned. “Ryo?”

“What?”

“Bikky did work hard this year. He has been bringing in mostly B’s, and even a couple of A’s. I don’t want them to hold him back just because of one week. I’m sure if it was any other school, we wouldn’t have this problem, but knowing that ice queen principal, she’ll hold it against him.”

“Yeah, I thought of that.”

“Do you think it’ll be okay for us to use family power just this once? For Bikky’s sake?”

“I think we’ll have more than our grandparents if we just let it slip what happened today into small talk tomorrow.”

Dee grinned up at Ryo. “I like how you think. Normally, I’d prefer we get by on our own, but we do have a powerful family and powerful friends when we really need it.”

“And I agree with you. Bikky is worth taking the big guns out for. Now Mother is making dinner. Biks and me might be late, so don’t wait for us. I’m going to have Bikky get looked at by one of the doctors we utilize for the unit. Elina should be by too to look in on you. Then when I get back, I’ll hold you for the entire night.”

“Go take care of our boy.”

Ryo kissed Dee again, resting his hand on Dee’s belly. Smiling softly, he rubbed a small circle. “She’s moving,” he said.

“She’s a busy little girl,” Dee said with a soft smile.

Ryo kissed the bump. “Have fun, baby girl, but be good for Daddy. Later, sweetheart.”

One more kiss for Dee and Ryo left the room, to collect Bikky and let Mother know they were leaving.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Drake looked up from the file he reading when Ryo walked in with Bikky. “Hey dude, I thought you were done for the day,” he said.

“I thought I was too,” Ryo said, indicating for Bikky to take a seat. “Apparently I’m here as the parent of a victim this time.”

“What? What happened?” Dana asked, standing up from her seat to join Ryo and Bikky by Drake’s desk.

“Bikky was assaulted today by five classmates. Why? Because of Dee. Because Bikky’s dad is a Carrier.”

“Also because an innocent man was killed because of a Carrier,” Bikky interjected.

“Who?” Dana asked.

“Ferguson,” Ryo growled.

“Innocent?” Drake sputtered. “Ferguson? He tried to kill Dee. He killed Gilbert Blum, and McFadden’s husband, and several others at the start of Carriers Inc.”

“Yeah, well just take my son’s statement if you want more bullshit,” Ryo commented.

Dana gently touched Bikky’s shoulder. “Bikky, do you mind if I ask you a lot of questions?”

Bikky shook his head. “Don’t worry. I know how it goes. I’ve done this before. My real dad was killed. That’s how I met Ryo and Dee.”

Dana smiled at him. “Come on and sit with me at my desk and we’ll get this done.”

Bikky nodded and looked up at Ryo.

“Go ahead. Dana and your dad are the ones who usually take the statements for new cases,” Ryo said, ruffling Bikky’s hair.

As Bikky went over to Dana’s desk, Ryo sat down by Drake’s. “I want a medical appointment for him,” he stated. “He’s got some pretty nasty bruises on his side. He said they were kicking him. I just want to make sure there’s no internal injuries.”

“Sure, Ryo. Pictures of what he does have will help.” He entered some information in his computer, and then picked up the phone to dial a number. As the phone to the doctor who was available rang, Drake looked over at Ryo. “Good thing we’ve dealt with kids already. At least we have procedures on how to handle this.”

“Yeah.”

“What does he have? Another week of school?”

“He did.” Ryo paused when Drake held up his hand and made arrangements for Bikky to get a physical once he was finished with Dana.

As Drake hung up the phone, he said, “You were saying?”

“There’s no way I want him to go back into that school, and Dee agrees with me. That reminds me, I want to file an official report against the principal. Supposedly the students had sensitivity training, but it’s not good enough. I’m going to contact the School Superintendent’s office and make sure everyone from the principal down gets proper training. I’m also going to bring it up to Mayor Blum tomorrow when we have our roundtable.”

“You’re still having that roundtable with the Mayor?” Drake asked, amazed.

“I know. I wasn’t expecting it so quickly, but I think doing things that Gilbert wanted is helping her cope. It’s as if he’s still with her, I think. Whatever helps her get through this. Oh, and the funeral is Monday afternoon. She’s going to call Rose, so he’ll probably be sending out an email for at least this unit to be there.”

Drake rolled his eyes. “And that means JJ will be grabbing one of my suits and fussing to make sure I won’t embarrass him. This is happening way too much with all the press conferences lately.”

Ryo laughed. “I’m glad I never had to go that far with Dee. He knows how to dress himself. I just have to give him some incentive to dress up at times.” Ryo winked.

Drake broke out in laughter. “Oh Ryo, how far have you come.”

Ryo grinned at Drake. “When will I be able to say the same about you?”

“Getting there. Hush now.”

Ryo stood up. “I’m going to use Andy’s desk to make that call and make sure Mrs. Pritney gets a reminder of what sensitivity means.”

“Knock yourself out, Ryo.” Drake smiled up at him. “You know we’ll do everything we can to those kids and the parents. Because it always comes from the parents.”

“From what Bikky told me, it definitely came from the parents.”

As Ryo hung up the phone, with a satisfied look on his face, Dana came over to join them. “We’ll take care of the assholes, Ryo. Don’t worry. Did you make an appointment for Bikky to be looked at?”

“Yeah. If you’re finished with him, we’ll be on our way.”

Dana reached up to hug Ryo. “Go, and have them send his report to me. Then you both go home and take it easy.”

“Thanks,” Ryo replied hugging him back. “And since I’m off until Monday, tell Jack Happy Father’s Day from me and Dee.”

“I will.” Dana’s smile got wide. “His first Father’s Day, and it’s because he brought our beautiful son into this world.”

“When are you going back on baby leave?”

“I’m going to work one more week to make sure you’re settled in, and then take off again for at least a few more weeks.”

“Okay. So, I’ll see you Monday?”

“Yeah. But I’ll call you if there’s any development with Bikky’s case. We’re looking at juvenile charges for all the kids, and possible criminal charges for Mark’s father at least.”

“Great.” Ryo looked to Bikky. “Ready to go, kid?”

“Yeah.” Bikky smiled at Dana. “Thanks, Dana.”

She smiled at winked at Bikky. “You’re welcome. Now go get checked up and then have some family time with your dads.”

Bikky and Ryo waved as they left the office, leaving Dana to sit down with Drake, while they started to look into their new case.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

When Ryo and Bikky got home, Mother was waiting for them. She swooped on Bikky, hugging him and led him to the couch, explaining dinner was ready, asking how he was, did he want anything. Ryo smiled as he watched her fuss like the loving grandmother that she was. When they got home and explained what had happened to delay their arrival, she was furious and immediately took to cuddling Bikky. Dee and Ryo allowed her. For one, she was his grandmother and her right. For another, it gave them a chance to discuss their plan of action concerning the incident after Ryo had Dee comfortable in the bed.

Ryo came over to them. “Smells wonderful here. Is that Shepard’s Pie I smell?”

Mother glanced over at Ryo, smiling. “Of course it is. And we’re having waffles with fresh strawberries tomorrow for breakfast.”

“Ooh yum!” Bikky exclaimed from his spot on the couch. “Awesome!”

Ryo laughed as he sat next to Bikky on the couch. “I’m guessing it’s also comfort food for Bikky.”

“I can’t help it if Dee has all the good things for comfort food,” Bikky remarked.

“No. You’re becoming his son, you know that, Biks,” Ryo teased, ruffling his son’s hair.

Bikky glanced up at Ryo, his face suddenly serious. “But I am. Aren’t I? Dee’s son?”

Ryo studied the face and for the first time saw something he had never seen since the adoption. There was insecurity there and a touch of fear. Ryo looked up at Mother.

“I’m going to prepare your plates,” Mother said. “I’ll bet you’re both hungry. Come to the dining room when you’re ready. Bikky, would you like juice with it?” She started toward the dining room.

“Yes, please,” Bikky replied.

Once Ryo heard her in the kitchen, he put his arm around Bikky and pulled him close. “Of course, you’re Dee’s son. You’re mine. Always have since I decided I wasn’t going to give you up. And you’re also Dee’s. If he didn’t want you to be, he’d have never wanted his name on your adoption papers.”

“That was before you and Dee discovered you can have babies of your own.”

Ryo sighed heavily. “Biks, we’ve said this from the start. It doesn’t change anything about you. You’re going to have a sister. I know you’ve been an only child all your life, and that’s going to change. You’ll have to share our attention once the baby is born. At times we might give more attention to the baby, only because she is a baby and needs more than you do. But we’re hoping you’ll help us give what the baby needs. Not because we want to drop chores on you.” Ryo smiled tenderly. “But because we’re hoping to do this like we do everything, like a family.”

Bikky nodded, resting his head against Ryo’s shoulder.

“Also, my grandparents accept you as a MacLean. That means good things for your future. You already have a trust fund set up when you’re 21, just like every other MacLean. You’ll have a share in the family holdings.”

“But Koko is the MacLean heir.”

“Does that bother you?”

“No. Well, not the way it might seem. It’s only because she’s your blood daughter. Your first one.”

Ryo hugged Bikky tightly. “Okay, there are some differences. She’s our blood daughter, created by me and Dee. Just as we all know that as much as you’re our son now, you had real parents once. Parents that you still love and miss. That doesn’t change how you feel with us, does it?”

Bikky shook his head.

“We also know you do and notice Dee and I have never made you denounce them, or make you stop loving them. We never tried to replace your parents. We’re just your parents now. You’re lucky, bud. You can say you had four parents who loved you.”

“Yeah.”

“You see what I mean. Yes, we’re going to have a biological child, but you also have biological parents. It doesn’t change what we have now. And yes, Koko’s going to have some things because she’s our biological daughter, but Dee and I will do what we can to make up for that and even it out. Besides, it seems Dee and I will have our own family fortune eventually. Everything we have will be divided up evenly between all you kids.”

“All?” Bikky peered up at Ryo curious.

“Well, you know in a couple of years or so, I’d like to try to have a baby. That would make three of you. Right?”

“Right.”

“Biks, was there anything today that made you feel like we pushed you aside?”

Bikky shook his head. “No. It’s just… when I said Dee was my Dad, one of Mark’s friends said that you and Dee really aren’t my fathers, and once the baby was born, you’d get rid of me. He said that is why I shouldn’t defend Dee.”

“When did he say that?”

“Earlier. Before they jumped me. I told Dana that.”

“Good boy. I’m glad you didn’t leave anything out. Look, Biks. Dee and I are pissed off royally over what they did to you. You could be our biological son as far as how we feel about you. And as well as what we can do through our unit, we’re going to pull in family favors for you. Because you are family. You’re our son, Bikky.”

Bikky smiled up at Ryo and hugged him.

“Are we okay now?” Ryo asked.

“Yeah.” After a moment’s pause. “Ryo?”

“Yeah bud?”

“You know, when the baby is born, you’re going to be Papa and Daddy to the baby.”

“Yeah, we are.”

“But when I talk to her about you two, it’ll be weird if I call you by your names.”

“I guess.” Ryo cupped Bikky’s chin and pulled his head to look at him. “Hey, whatever you want to call us is fine by us. We don’t mind if you call us Dad or something.”

Bikky shrugged. “I called my real father Papa.” Bikky looked up at Ryo slightly embarrassed. “I’d like to keep it just for him.”

Ryo nodded. “Of course. I take it now you understand what we just discussed?”

“Yeah.” He looked thoughtful. “I can’t call you both Dad because that would get confusing.”

“Yeah, it would.”

“I guess before we really became a family, I’ve seen you more like ‘Dad’ and Dee more like ‘Dee’.”

“Is that still true?”

“No. You’re both Dad to me. But… I guess if Dee’s going to be Daddy to Koko, then Dee should be Dad for me.”

“If that’s what you want.” Ryo decided to just encourage the boy and let him make his own decisions. That way whatever is decided, Bikky would feel more comfortable rather than Ryo slapping labels on him and Dee and making Bikky use it.

“Well, you’re gonna be Papa.”

“That’s what Dee and I decided.”

“Do you like it?”

Ryo smiled. “Daddy, Papa, it all means the same thing. But yes, for some reason I don’t have the time to explain, I really do like Papa.”

Bikky snorted. “It doesn’t take much time to explain that it makes you not the girl in your relationship with Dee.”

Ryo reddened slightly, but the kid hit it right on the mark.

“Male relationships are complicated, Biks. As far as Dee and I are concerned, we’re equal, regardless of what we do in private.” He laughed when Bikky made a face. “And that’s all I’m going to say on that topic.” He bopped Bikky on his nose. “But other people feel the need to label what we are, and yeah, they seem to latch on that I’m the ‘woman’.”

“But Dee’s pregnant.”

Ryo chuckled. “I know. It made others close to us change what they think, to Dee’s chagrin. But then, Dee is better at handling it than I am. If someone indicates that he’s the woman in our relationship, he sticks his pregnant belly in their faces and ask them what their point is.”

“That’s Dee,” Bikky laughed.

“Anyway, so yeah, I guess in a relationship like me and Dee’s, Papa seems more masculine.”

“Can I call you Pops, Pops?” Bikky asked.

Ryo laughed and hugged him. “If that’s what you want, yes. I can be Pops to you.”

“Are you sure?”

Ryo looked at Bikky serious. “Biks, whatever you want. Whatever makes you comfortable. I’m good with it.”

“Okay then. You’re Pops and Dee is Dad.”

“It’s a plan then. Now let’s go eat. And after, I want you to take a bath and then we’ll invade Dee and keep him company. We can also tell him what we just decided then too.”

“So it’s okay to start now.”

“Effective immediately, we’re Pops and Dad. Besides, you’ve been calling Mother Maria Grandma pretty often.”

“Think I should all the time?”

“Yup. Sounds good too. Especially since Elena and Rick have always been your Aunt and Uncle.”

“What about Obasan?”

Ryo laughed. “Obasan will always be Obasan. Doesn’t matter if she’s my grandmother or your great-grandmother. It’s Obasan.”

“Got it. What about your other grandparents?”

Ryo’s stomach grumbled, making him laugh. “Kid, I’m starving. Let’s discuss this while we eat.”

“Okay.”

With a hand on Bikky’s shoulder, they went toward the dining room to find Mother already putting their plates on the table.

Bikky smiled up at the elderly nun. “Thank you, Grandma.”

Mother smiled fondly, ruffling his hair as he sat down. “You’re very welcome, my grandson.”

Ryo sat down, grinning like a fool.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dee looked up in surprise at the boy next to him on the bed.

The results of Bikky’s physical indicated that he was bruised, but no serious damage. The doctor did prescribe that he relax for the rest of the day. So once Ryo and Bikky had finished their dinner, Ryo checked in on Dee to find him just waking from a nap while Bikky took a bath in Epson salts. When Bikky came out of the bath and changed into his sleep clothes, he came in to join Dee and Ryo. By then, Ryo had filled Dee in on the physical and the time spent filing Bikky’s statement.

Ryo had ushered Bikky into the bed next to Dee as he sat cross-legged on the other side of Bikky.

“Are you sure this is really what you want?” Dee asked. “I mean, I have no problem with it, if you don’t.”

“Yeah, I really do,” Bikky replied, nodding.

“And you’re really cool with me being Dad?”

“If it doesn’t bother you.”

“No. It doesn’t. I’m good with that. As long as it’s what you really want.”

“I really do. You’re Dad and Ryo’s Pops. From now on.”

Dee pushed stray hair from his face and looked at Bikky, with a modest smile. “I’d like that.”

“Really?” Bikky asked.

“Really,” Dee assured him.

“That’s awesome, Dad.”

Dee reached out to hug Bikky. “You are our son, Biks. You have every right to call us that if you’re comfortable with it.”

“I know.” Bikky studied Dee and started to giggle.

“What brat?” Dee asked.

“That looks weird. When she’s really active. Does it feel funny?”

“It feels weird,” Dee explained, “but then again, it’s comforting. It tells me she’s okay.” Dee winked at her. “I like how it feels actually. She can tire me out at times feeling her when she’s really restless.”

“Can I touch her?” Bikky asked.

“Of course,” Dee replied, pulling the sheet aside. “Go ahead. Touch your sister.”

Ryo was smiling broadly as he watched Bikky touch Dee’s belly and the look of amazement on the teen’s face. Dee gazed affectionately at Bikky.

“This is nice,” Dee said contentedly.

“What?” Ryo asked.

“Something I once started to believe I’d never have, and here we are. With an extra I never considered.”

“What’s that?”

“A family. A husband, a son, and a baby on the way. If I ever considered a baby on the way, I always figured it’d be from a wife. Not by me.” He glanced over at Ryo. “With the man who is my life.”

Ryo reached over Bikky to take Dee’s hand. “I know what you mean. Me too. Well, except for having the baby myself. Yet. But… I never gave thought to fathering a baby with another man. No complaints.” He ruffled Bikky’s hair as he held onto Dee’s hand. “This is much better.”

“Agreed,” Dee said.

The family settled down to relaxing as they first talked small talk. After a while, the topic changed to Bikky going to a new school come the next school year. Ryo went out of the room to invite Mother to sit with them for a while.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

At some point before midnight, Bikky got up to go to bed. Ryo followed Bikky to check around the apartment. Mother was sleeping in Bikky’s room because the guest room was close to becoming a nursery. He made sure there was sufficient bedding on the window seat for Bikky to be comfortable. With Bikky in bed, he checked the locks on the front door, and then wandered over to the kitchen. As he expected, everything was cleaned spotless, even if he had told Mother that he would handle the clean up. The kitchen was pristine, almost sparkling. Ryo had to grin. As much as he was the one most likely to be cleaning up after Dee and Bikky, when Dee put his mind to the task of cleaning, the results would make Ryo envious. It was obvious Dee learned how to clean from Mother. The kitchen looked as if Dee had gone through it in one of his whirlwind cleaning marathons when the mood took him.

Unable to resist, Ryo poked in the fridge, looking for a quick snack. He ended up making chicken sandwiches, using cooked chicken breast instead of cold cuts. Dee was advised against luncheon meats throughout the pregnancy, but Vince insisted on it along with his other conditions of releasing Dee from the hospital. It was extremely crucial to Dee’s continued recovery that he stick exactly to the nutrition guide Vince provided until they were told otherwise. He poured the iced peppermint tea into two glasses and went back to join Dee in the bedroom.

Dee’s face lit up when he saw Ryo enter with the snack. They sat in the bed side by side, sometimes one hugging the other as they ate. Keeping his earlier promise to Dee, while they ate and then after until they fell asleep, they shared kisses.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

To Dee and Ryo’s surprise, when Sheila Blum arrived at 3 pm, not only was she without her usual entourage, but she was accompanied by Tony. Ryo greeted the two of them and invited them into the apartment.

Having the Mayor of New York City enter their apartment, he felt humbled. He wanted to smack himself immediately after rambling, “Please don’t mind the mess, Mayor Blum.”

“How many times do I have to tell you? It’s Sheila,” the mayor replied with a friendly smile. “And this is a very charming apartment. Nothing to apologize for.” She leaned toward Ryo and in a lowered tone said, “I grew up in a four room railroad flat on the South Side of Brooklyn. This is much better than that.”

Ryo chuckled. “We probably could have something nicer, but Dee and I like to make do on our own money and not lean heavily on my family.”

She patted Ryo’s arm. “And you did very well with that.” Ryo offered her his arm, and when her arm was wrapped around his, he guided her through to the dining room. “Dee’s in the den with Mother Maria. We’ll take dinner in the dining room.”

Tony dropped the two large Zabar’s shopping bags in the dining room by the window looking into the kitchen.

“Lovely,” the mayor exclaimed as they walked through. “Not that I’m here to critique your furnishings, but this is very lovely. And cozy.” A wistful look came over her face. “As wonderful as people believe it to be, living in such a big place as Gracie Mansion sometimes feels so impersonal. And lately it’s been feeling too big without my Gilbert.”

Ryo squeezed her hand in sympathy. “I know it’s hard, Sheila. Gilbert was a wonderful man. Dee and I didn’t know him long, but we miss him.” Ryo glanced over to Tony and offered him a sympathetic smile.

“Thank you.” Sheila patted Ryo’s arm. “My Gilbert was so full of life. He knew how much I thought the mansion was cold, no matter what I could do to make it home. We had plans. Gilbert and Tony were going to buy a house, and once this term was over, I was going to live with them and my grandchild.” She waved it off before either Ryo or Tony could say anything. “Never mind my ramblings. I drifted. As I was saying, Gilbert had so much life to give, so much love. And I know he would hate it if I drowned in sorrow for very long. So I intend to honor my son by celebrating his life. He had dreams, and I intend to see them come to be. Tony has promised to help me. Which is why we’re here.”

They were standing in the den and she smiled at Dee. “I understand you have a thing for Zabar’s. So do I; so we stopped by on the way here to pick up dinner for us. There should be something for everyone, including that darling boy of yours. Oh, don’t try to stand up, Dee.” She went over to hug him and kissed his cheek. “How are you doing, sweetheart? I was so relieved to hear that you and the baby will recover. We were already robbed of Gilbert and my grandchild, but there’s still you. And I vow that I will do everything within my power to assure you and that child have a happy and healthy life.”

“I’m doing very good, ma…Sheila. I’m not as incapacitated as I appear. It’s just advised I remain off my feet as much as possible. But I do intend to be at the funeral on Monday.”

“Are you certain?” Sheila asked.

“You couldn’t keep me away, Sheila. Gilbert was a friend,” Dee stated. Green eyes glistened as he spoke, and his voice cracked.

“I’ll make sure you stay off your feet until you have to leave,” the mayor assured Dee. She turned to Mother. “Mother Maria, so good to see you again. And under much better circumstances than the last we met.”

Mother hugged the mayor smiling. “I appreciate everything, including your support when things seemed uncertain for Dee. Especially in light of your own personal tragedy.”

“Living true to what I know my son would want. Besides, Dee has become someone special to me, so that means his family is too.”

“Still thank you, Sheila,” Mother said.

Dee was in a big easy chair with his feet up and Mother sat in her favorite chair. Ryo closed the door to the dining room and indicated for Sheila and Tony to take the small couch, while he pulled up a hard back chair with armrests and sat down.

“We’re in this room because it’s cooler. We can run an air-conditioner in the windows, unlike in the living room,” Dee explained. “The only gripe I have about this place is that the building isn’t equipped for central air.”

“Especially in the last few weeks,” Ryo added. “It seems Dee’s metabolism lately does not agree with the rising heat.”

“I’ll bet you’re thankful you don’t have to go through the entire summer pregnant,” Sheila said.

Dee nodded. ‘Oh yes, indeed. But they tell me that it’ll take a few more weeks for my metabolism to completely drop and regulate again. At least it won’t have the added complications of being late in the pregnancy throughout the summer.”

They talked more on general topics and the mayor asked Dee and Ryo questions. At one point, Ryo called Bikky to come out of his room and join them. The mayor seemed surprised to realize Bikky had been home all that time.

“Shouldn’t you be in school, young man?” she asked in curiosity.

“My dads said it was okay for me to stay home today.”

“Are you ill?” she asked. She realized that Dee, Ryo and Mother all were frowning. “What happened?” she asked to the adults.

“Someone jumped him yesterday after lunch,” Dee stated, his tone serious. “Actually several little hoodlums. If it was just one, Biks would have been able to stand his own. As it was, he ended up with bruises and Ryo took him to the station to file a statement.”

“Why did they attack you?” Tony asked. “Or is this just your average bratpack type of attack?”

“Because of Dee,” Mother replied instead. “Because Bikky stood up for his father, those little monsters decided to beat him up.”

“What? Because he’s a Carrier?” Sheila asked, outraged.

Bikky nodded. He blurted out everything to the mayor, while the older woman’s face grew pale, while looking more outraged.

“Pops took me to file with his unit,” Bikky concluded.

“As you should,” the mayor emphatically agreed.

Ryo nodded. “Of course. Bikky may not be a Carrier, but it’s still a Carrier hate crime against Bikky and Dee. I’m not going to stand for it. Apparently we also have some trouble with his school’s administration because his principal seems to think it was his fault. Oh, and ours,” he added, meaning him and Dee. “Because we’re gay and dare to raise a son. And that Bikky has no right to talk about his family the same way everyone else does.”

“That’s wrong. You go to Center, don’t you, Bikky?”

“Yes, ma’am. I do,” Bikky replied from his spot sitting on the floor next to Dee’s chair.

“Ryo spoke to the school superintendent office,” Dee said. “Spoke to the Superintendent, actually. We’re keeping Bikky out of school for the rest of the school year. His last day would have been this Friday anyway. He has two finals he should take on Monday, but Ryo is taking him to take the tests at the Superintendent’s office. They are also going to investigate into the matter. Meanwhile, our unit has already contacted all parents of kids involved and informed them that they are all currently under investigation. I understand two parents have already had visits for questioning. Since it had to go to this level, Ryo and I decided to sit it out, except for updates on the case.”

“Problem is the parents will probably get a warning. I’m pressing for a juvenile arrest as far as two of the kids go,” Ryo explained. “We can only go as far as the law allows us. Thankfully, we already had a case like this to give us precedence on how to proceed.”

Sheila looked at Tony. “Please put this down as one of our agenda’s. Follow the proceedings carefully. We might have to look into changing some laws concerning children of Carriers, too. If this has happened twice that we know of already, be certain it will happen again.”

“It’s already done, Ma,” Tony replied.

Shortly after, Ryo and Tony went to set out the food and then called everyone to the dining room for dinner. After dinner was done, Ryo and Dee let Bikky go out with his friends for the night while everyone else settled down to get to the business of what new laws were needed to protect Carriers and their families.