"I'm gonna get you!" Takado exclaimed, chasing after Damien as he ran through the living room.
"No Da! No!" Damien shrieked through his laughter. Kitty laughed softly, rocking Nadine's sleeping baby in her arms.
"I still can't believe you named him after something Takado, of all people, said."
"I know." Nadine giggled. She brushed a strand of fiery orange hair out of the baby's face.
"But after Takado said we were rising from the ashes, I couldn't think of anything more perfect than Phoenix."
Blade nodded in agreement beside Nadine, resting her arm over the feline's shoulders.
"Da! Pi! Pi Da!" Damien screamed, pulling on Takado's hair.
"Relax Damien, Aunt Spikes will be here soon enough." Takado sighed, holding his son at arm's length.
"Pi!" Damien screamed again, bursting into tears as he struggled to escape his father's arms.
"I told you not to tell him in advance, Tako." Kitty sighed heavily. She stood from her seat, handing Phoenix back to Nadine and taking her own son from her husband.
"You know how excited he gets. I don't want him to be let down again."
Takado frowned as his eyes met Kitty's. He knew she wasn't just talking about Damien, not that she would admit to it.
"I'm sorry Sweetheart."
"It's fine." Kitty sat down again, softly humming to Damien. She smiled as he stopped crying and laid his head against her.
"Ma, Pi." Damien whimpered softly. Kitty kissed his forehead. Takado sat down beside his wife, reaching over to pet his son's head.
"Don't worry. Mommy will beat up Aunt Spikes if she doesn't make it again, ok?" Kitty grinned, tickling Damien lightly.
"Do you want to play with Phoenix? He just woke up." Nadine offered. She set Phoenix onto the ground as he rubbed his eyes.
"Phee!" Damien shouted, squirming out of his mother's lap.
"Don't forget to be gentle with the baby." Kitty reminded her son. Damien smiled back at her as he helped Phoenix onto his feet.
"What's going on with you two and Spikes?" Blade asked as the boys stepped aside to play with their toys.
"Nothing. She's just always busy and canceling plans to visit, and I can't help but feel like she's avoiding me." Kitty sighed heavily, leaning on Takado's shoulder.
"I highly doubt it's you she's avoiding." Takado spoke softly though there was a bitterness to his tone.
"Well she's not exactly good with or comfortable around kids." Blade chuckled.
"And yet my son adores her regardless."
"Okay where is my godson?" Sabbith sang out as she burst through the door, Gabriel following quietly behind her.
"Sa!" Damien screamed as he ran for the door. Sabbith eagerly lifted Damien into her arms and spun him around.
"How's the birthday boy?" Sabbith beamed.
"I brought presents for you."
Damien grinned eagerly hugging Sabbith before pointing to Phoenix and began to squirm from her arms.
"I can't believe he's already a year old." Sabbith sighed, sitting down beside Kitty.
"It feels like just yesterday you were bringing him home for the first time. He was so small, and frail."
"And now he's a tiny terror." Takado cut in, laughing as the two girls turned to stick their tongues out at him.
"Spikes isn't here yet?" Sabbith asked quietly, glancing around the living room.
Blade shook her head, frowning slightly.
"Well you know Vincent will be here no matter what, and I doubt he'd let Spikes miss Damien's birthday." Sabbith poked Kitty's arm. Kitty smiled softly at her and leaned her head on the kitsune's shoulder.
"Spikes won't let you down, Kitty." Nadine said gently.
"I don't care if she lets me down anymore." Kitty's voice was barely above a whisper.
"I just don't want Damien to feel the way I have before."
"I know you're worried, Kitty." Takado rest his hand on her thigh.
"Try to have a little more faith in her though, okay? She may be a brat, and she may not know how to handle most situations, but she loves you and our little boy with everything she has."
Kitty's eyes softened, letting out a small sigh as she rest her head against his shoulder.
"I do need to talk you though Kitty." Sabbith put her hand over the cat's her cheeks slightly flushed.
"You know I hate asking for things, but I was really hoping you'd maybe help me with a business idea of mine."
"Sabbith you don't have to worry about asking me." Kitty rolled her eyes, her smile sad.
"Just tell me how much money you need. I'll write up a check."
"Actually I don't really need money." Sabbith admitted, her eyes on her shuffling feet.
"I've been thinking about it a lot and I really want to start up a bakery. It sounds fun, and I just... I'd really love it if maybe you'd run it with me."
"What?" Kitty's eyes were wide and unblinking as she stared at Sabbith.
"You... You want me to run it with you?"
"Well yeah. It'd take the stress off of trying to do everything myself, and honestly." Sabbith paused, smiling at Kitty as she took hold of her hands.
"I can't imagine anything more fun than us working at our own bakery together."
Kitty nearly launched off of the couch as she wrapped her arms around Sabbith neck, squealing with excitement as tears fell from her eyes.
"You really want to do this together?" Kitty beamed with excitement, bouncing in her seat.
"I wouldn't ask if I didn't want to, Goof-ball." Sabbith grinned, flicking Kitty's nose gently.
"So are you in?"
"Of course I am!" Kitty hugged Sabbith tightly. She turned to Takado, still beaming.
"Looks like you'll be getting a lot more one-on-one time with Damien."
"Why do I always have to share you with Sabbith?" Takado pretending to pout. He kissed Kitty's cheek before stand up and heading towards the door.
"Tako, what are you-" Kitty paused at the sound of knocking on the door.
"How do you do that?"
Takado laughed, pointing to his nose before opening the door. Spikes stepped through, holding a small gift bag in her hand, followed closely by Vincent.
"Hey sorry I'm late for the little tyke's birthday bash." Spikes walked through the living room taking a seat beside Kitty.
"I had some stuff I needed to take care of at The Den and it took longer than anticipated."
Kitty laughed as she spotted her brother already on the floor playing with Damien and Phoenix.
"I don't know what I'm going to do with him." Spikes laughed softly as she watched him.
"Well we're glad you finally made it, Sis." Takado smiled gently.
"Damien had been asking for you earlier."
"Okay." Spikes responded curtly. She didn't bother to glance at her brother.
Kitty watched Takado sigh and shake his head, taking a seat beside Nadine. She frowned as she looked between the two siblings.
Sabbith reached over, lightly squeezing Kitty's hand. Kitty smiled back at her and stood up from her seat,
"Alright, let's eat some cake."
...
Kitty pulled Damien out of his car seat. She flinched as he whined softly. Takado chuckled, kissing her forehead and pulling his diaper bag out of the truck.
"I feel like we haven't been here in so long." Kitty sighed softly, glancing up at Spikes and Vincent's new home.
Takado wrapped an arm around her, his eyes lingering on the window to their living room.
"It has been a while." Takado nodded in agreement before walking up to the front door.
Kitty stood behind him, rocking Damien in her arms.
"Hey guys." Vincent grinned as he opened the door for them.
"Thanks for watching Damien for us, Man." Takado sighed. He tossed the bag down, giving Vincent a quick one-armed hug.
"He'll probably wake up in an hour and be hungry. Any chance you guys have mac and cheese?" Kitty shifted her weight.
"He was saying he wanted some before he fell asleep."
Vincent chuckled, running his fingers through Damien's tawny hair.
"I always have some microwavable mac hidden away for him."
"What's wrong?" Kitty's sudden question caught both men off guard. They stared at her, confused for a moment before Vincent sighed softly.
"Nothing's wrong. At least not yet."
Kitty frowned at her brother before stomping into the living room. She threw herself down on the couch, glaring at him as she continued to rock Damien in her arms.
"Well, now she's not leaving until you talk." Takado laughed weakly.
Vincent rolled his eyes, a small smile on his face. He stepped into the living room, sitting across from Kitty.
"It's really nothing, Kitty." Vincent tried to convince himself more than his sister.
"I've just been doing a lot of thinking about my future with Spikes lately."
"What do you mean?" Takado asked, taking a seat next to Kitty, pulling Damien into his arms.
Vincent looked up at both of them. His sister and his best friend, happily married with a beautiful son.
Everything he wanted, and was convinced he'd never receive.
"I love Carissa. She's amazing, beautiful, kind, and I love her with everything I have in me." Vincent sighed, his eyes falling to the floor.
"All I ever wanted, even as a kid, was to be married and have my own family."
Kitty's eyes widened. She stood up, rushing to her brother's side and gently stroked his arm. Takado raised an eyebrow, glancing between the two.
"I don't understand, why is that bad?"
"Carissa doesn't want to get married. She doesn't want a family." Vincent ran his hands through his hair, gripping his head as he struggled to keep tears back.
"I'm madly in love with a woman who doesn't even want to marry me."
Kitty hugged Vincent, and he leaned his head against her shoulder.
"Why doesn't she want to marry you?" Takado asked. He glanced down at Damien, and back up to Kitty.
"Carissa loves you. Why wouldn't she want to marry you?"
"She doesn't see the point to it." Vincent lifted his eyes to Takado's.
"We don't need it for taxes, or insurance. It's a waste of money. It's not important to her. She wants to be with me, forever, but not marry me."
"But even if she doesn't want to get married, she does love you." Kitty encouraged him, frowning as he shook his head.
"You don't have to be married to be together forever."
"Would you be satisfied if Takado never asked you? If you two never got married?" Vincent turned to look at her.
His eyes weren't malicious, just hurt.
"No..." Kitty's eyes fell to the floor. She looked up at Takado, chuckling weakly.
"And we all remember how badly I reacted to being pregnant when I thought he didn't want kids."
"What are you going to do?"
Vincent inhaled deeply, lowering his hands. Pulling a velvet box from his pocket and setting it on the coffee table.
"I love her... Love is sacrifice. I'll get over it."
"Vincent... I love you. I know you love her, but I don't think you can get over this." Kitty whispered, taking his hand in hers.
"You have always wanted kids, even when you were a kid. You can't give up something so precious to you, for anyone."
"Having a family doesn't mean anything if it's not with her."
"But being with her means nothing if you're unsatisfied." Takado chimed in. Kitty stood up, taking her son from Takado's arms.
"Why does it sound like you two are trying to convince me to leave her?" Vincent started to growl.
"No one is saying that Vince." Kitty said softly, kneeling in front of him. She held out Damien, resting him softly in her brother's arms.
"We're just saying don't do something that will leave you with regrets. Don't stay with her just because you love her, and the resent her later because you never got what you wanted."
Vincent smiled softly at the sleeping one and a half year old, running his finger's along his soft cheek. Kitty grinned, turning around to pick up the small box from the coffee table.
"Love isn't sacrifice, Vincent. It's compromise." Takado said, leaning back in his seat.
"You can't always be the one sacrificing. She needs to as well. Don't let yourself become like... Like David was."
Kitty flinched, but nodded with agreement.
"Talk to her Vince. Maybe things will end one day, but maybe, just maybe."
She placed the box in his hand, resting her hand over it. She placed her other hand against her sleeping son's head.
"You could get everything you've ever dreamed of."
...
Spikes’ steps were brisk as she made her way to the front door of what was now just her and her mates home. Her heart raced as she fumbled with her keys, trying to contain her excitement for the night she had planned.
She hadn’t told anyone, not even Kitty, no one knew she had made her decision and she hoped it would help.
“Hey Hun, I’m home!” she hollered setting her bag and coat by the front door.
“I hope you’re hungry, I made reservations at that nice seafood restaurant in the city.”
Her voice echoed as he made her way to the living room.
“You’ve been talking about wanting to go there, did you know you have to make a reservation a month...” her voice trailed as she looked up to see Kitty and Takado in her living room.
“in advance...” she finished quietly.
“Why didn’t you ask me, I know what place you’re talking about, I never need a reservation.” Kitty said happily.
“Thanks Kitty...” Spikes sighed. She walked over to Vince who was holding a sleeping Damien and lightly kissed her mates forehead.
“I didn’t realize we were having company.”
She did her best to sound cheerful.
“Sorry we were just getting ready to leave actually.” Takado chimed in getting a slight flinch for a reaction from Spikes.
“The reservation I made isn’t till 8 so it’s okay, you guys can stay a bit.” Spikes smiled, trying to keep her spirits up for her plans.
“I’m sorry Spikes, but I already promised Kitty and Takado I would watch Damien tonight.” Vincent’s voice was soft. Spikes’ eyes widened, her pulse immediately shooting up.
“What...” her voice barely above a whisper. She could feel her body starting to shake, trying desperately to keep herself calm enough to not wake up the baby.
“I’m sorry, we should have asked ahead of time.” Kitty cut in quickly, noticing the panic in the canine’s eyes.
“I can get you in tomorrow night! And I’ll pay for your night!”
Spikes stared wide eyed at the feline, trying to not blow up. She knew no one was aware of her plans, she couldn’t get mad at them for not knowing.
“Kitty, I hate doing this, but is there any way you guys can move your plans to tomorrow, please tonight is really important to me.” Spikes pleaded with doe eyes.
“Spikes if it was so important why are you only telling me now?” Vince questioned. Spikes spun around looking downward at her mate who was still seated with the sleeping baby in his arms.
“I- it...it was supposed to be a surprise.” she said softly, the sadness threatening her in the form of tears edging to fall.
“Then why didn’t you at least tell me to keep the night open?” he questioned again furrowing his brows slightly.
“Because I know how you cats can be...ya know curiosity killed the cat?” she slightly chuckled fighting back her tears as she locked eyes with him.
“Satisfaction brought it back!” the two felines shouted in unison. The quiet of the room was broken by Damien softly starting to cry.
“Shit, I’m sorry!” Vincent quickly apologized, trying to gently calm the fussing baby.
“It’s okay, you both woke him.” Takado chuckled, eyeing his wife before picking up his son.
“Look Spikes, I’m happy you wanted to do something nice for us, but you really should have told me.” Vince said calmly as he walked over to her,
“We’ll just go tomorrow night, Kitty said she could get us in so it works out. See it’s not the end of the world.”
He lightly cupped her cheek wiping away the tear that began to fall from her eye. She closed her eyes tight and crinkled her nose, fighting the tears with her entire body.
“I guess...” her voice was almost inaudible. Vincent looked at her with sudden concern, her eyes were dull as she attempted to smile up at him.
“I’ll just cancel everything else.”
She pulled away from him, quickly wiping away any more tears about to fall.
“Spikes, wait, theres something more going on.” Vincent said quickly grabbing her wrist. He wasn’t the only one shocked at her calm reaction.
She paused, her arm limp in his hand, she looked back at him trying to smile.
“Its fine...It will be, I shouldn’t be selfish....I-I gotta go makes some calls before there’s no chance of any refunds.” her voice was as weak as her spirit at this point, she could barely look her mate in the eyes. Vincent quickly reached and grabbed her other wrist pulling her to him forcing her to look at him.
“No, its not fine. Talk to me Carissa... What’s going on?” His voice was stern but filled with worry as he searched her eyes for answers.
“This isn’t how I wanted this to happen...” she sighed, hanging her head in defeat.
She slowly pulled back her hand and reached into her her pants pocket. She hesitated as she looked over to see Kitty and Takado watching intently.
“But maybe it’s best I don’t beat around the bush.”
She inhaled sharply as she looked up at him, her eyes filled with tears, her small mouth forming a smile.
“What? What are you talking about.” Vincent questioned, his own heart racing.
“I-I’m not good with words...and um I-I don’t know what I’m doing right now, o-or ever really do actually.” her voice was shaking as she fumbled to get her hand out of her pocket, closed around something.
Kitty couldn’t help but giggle as she watched the dog struggle.
“Oh my god, she’s worse than you!” Kitty whispered sharply bringing her hand to her mouth to try to suppress her giggles.
“Shut up cat! I can hear you!” Spikes barked glaring at the cat. She quickly inhaled again before turning back to her mate.
“I-I know I’m crazy, like really fucking crazy, I will never understand what it is you saw in me but-”
“Carissa stop.” she was cut off by Vincent’s soft voice. She stared up at him, tears starting to stream down her face. He smiled softly as he got down on one knee.
“Wha-what are you doing...” she asked voice cracking as she brought her right hand to her mouth, still clenching her fist.
“What I’ve been wanting to do for years.” he smiled up at her, eyes filling with tears. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small white gold diamond ring.
“You say you don’t know what I could see in you, I don’t know how you can’t see it. I’ve told you so many times and I intend to tell you how ever many times it takes, you are an amazing woman Spikes.
You are strong, and confident, you are so caring and love people with such passion; I can’t describe in words how lucky I feel to be on the receiving end of that.”
“Oh my god...” Spikes squeaked through her tears, her entire body trembling as he took her left hand into his..
“Carissa Rovain, I have loved you for so many years, you’ve made me happier than I could have ever thought possible.
You’ve brought me to my own family, and now I want to ask you; though I know you finally feel the same; but will you take that next step with me, and be my wife?” his voice was shaking along with his hands as he looked up at her.
“You idiot, of course!” she squealed in excitement before tackling him to the ground, crushing her lips against his.
She giggled against his lips as he sat them both back up, his hands still shaking as he slid the ring onto her finger.
“So...Did that really just happen?” Kitty whispered leaning against Takado.
“Yeah...it did.” he responded, taken aback by what had just happened.
“So yeah,” Spikes said breathlessly, a stupid grin plastered on her face, “We’re getting married.”
“Congrats man.” Takado smiled as he reached over and helped Vince onto his feet, firmly shaking his hand. “You too Carissa.” he smiled as he turned to Spikes and lightly patted her head.
“Yeah, thanks.” her voice was still cold with him, but she managed to smile as she made eye contact with him.
“Congratulations Vince!” Kitty said happily, hugging her brother with one arm, securely holding Damien in the other.
“I told you.” she whispered in his ear before releasing their hug. He couldn’t help but smile before looking over at his fiance talking with her brother.
“Yeah, yeah you did.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Only ten more days Spikes! Why aren’t you more excited?!” Kitty whined to the dog as they walked down the street from the bridal store.
“ I am excited Kitty, but I think I’m more stressed than anything right now.” Spikes sighed as the cat violently shook her arm in protest.
“It’s not that bad Spikes, so you put on a little weight, they said it isn’t going to really affect how the dress looks on you.” she smiled trying to calm the dog down.
“I know, I know.” she sighed again before looking at the cat. “It’s just so weird, maybe it’s all the stress.”
“Maybe your pregnant?” Kitty teased, quickly bursting into a fit of laughter.
“Pfft, don’t even joke dude.” Spikes chuckled. “That would be just my luck, pregnant on my wedding day.” she joked trying to hide the fear in the back of her mind.
“Happy wedding Vince I’m pregnant, that’ll go great...”
“But it would go great, Vince loves kids!” Kitty said happily grabbing the dog's arm again trying to shake the stress away. "Surprisingly so does Takado. Did I tell you he mentioned wanting another one?"
"Seriously? Takado? My brother? Wants another little rugrat?" Spikes laughed, sighing softly
“Yeah...how did I end up with a guy that wants a full litter?”
“Because you loooooove him.” the cat continued to tease as they got to their cars.
“Yeah, yeah I do.” Spikes couldn’t help but smile and feel her cheeks flush.
“And you say I’m the hopelessly in love one.” Kitty joked receiving a playful hit on the arm from Spikes.
“Hey it’s cute! But seriously dude, calm down. It’s just a little weight, you’re still going to look amazing,Vince is going to think you are stunning no matter what, so take a damn chill pill.”
“Yeah you’re right, any way, is there any other place we need to stop?” Spikes asked leaning up against her jeep.
“You! Need to go home and take a bubble bath or something, and I have to go home and relieve the boys of babysitting duty.” Kitty smiled hugging the dog.
“Vince can stay if he wants to, bath time is way more relaxing when he’s not home to be honest, especially with the wedding so close.” Spikes laughed as she opened the door of her car.
“Good point, anyway drive safe!”
“You too!” Spikes waved, watching her best friend drive off.
It won’t hurt to make a stop before home...
Spikes walked into the empty home and quickly made her way to the master bathroom, chugging 30 ounces of iced tea wasn’t one of her better ideas, but she didn’t want to wait.
She fumbled with the package, quickly reading how to use the stick properly. She paced for what seemed like an hour in the 3 minutes she had to wait. Her alarm went off and she quickly grabbed the test to see the results.
“Nope.” the only word that made it out of her mouth before she bolted from her room, grabbing her car keys, barely remembering to lock the front door behind her.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“Fuck.” Spikes’ eyes quickly shifted from side to side, sweat dripping down her temple.
“Fuck.”
Ten pregnancy tests were laid out before her on the bathroom sink. Her body trembled as she read them for what seemed to be the millionth time.
“Fuck...”
Each test reading the same, whether the simple plus sign, or happy face of the ‘good’ news; they all read the same. Spikes was pregnant.
“...Fuck”
