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Anna smiled, "so are you, Tim. your mothers and i have kept in contact, but i've missed you." she gently pat his head as she passed, "you are my family too, you know." she went to the living room to find Daren's more pink bandaids than skin.

"They decided to cover every bump and bruise," he muttered, and she smiled at him.

When Tim came out, Anna put the salad on the table and got the turkey, dinner ready. "come and eat."

Anna smiled, "anytime, dear. whenever you don't feel like cooking come on over, i always make too much!" she always knew it would be too much when she was making it, but that was ok. if there was too much then that meant everyone was full when left her table and there was nothing that made her happier than knowing everyone around her was full and happy.

Testu had refused to leave Daren's lap, dinner being no exception. he ate from there, making it harder for Daren, but not caring, he wasn't letting the man leave him again.

Yuki had been excited to see them again, but he was blushing every time he looked at Tim and quickly looked away. finally he signed to Ame who translated, "Tim? Yuki wants to apologize. he used the drawing he made of you, Daren and the twins for the contest without your permission."

Yuki blushed, his eyes filling with tears before he signed 'thank you' emphatically, his sister translating.

Daren smiled a bit, "i should get you something too, make a list of supplies you've always wanted and i'll get you something from that, ok?" Yuki slowly nodded and Daren nodded back. "maybe we should all go and see it together."

Tatre was sitting next to Tim. his years as a parent to hurt and broken children had mad it so he was sensitive to when someone was trying to hold back overwhelming emotions. he gently put a hand on Tim's shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze and letting it rest their comfortingly, "that sounds like a great plan. maybe we could go next weekend. you should invite your moms, Tim. i do love a big family outing."

"That sounds wonderful!" Anna said, clapping her hands, "maybe next weekend? that will work for us, but let us know about your moms, ok?" she was excited to arrange a meeting, that meant Daren wasn't going to be going anywhere. right now she didn't trust him to not disappear again.

Daren nodded, "that works for me. i'm not sure if i will be able to get my job back, but if i do, i'm going to take the week off, so that will work for me."

Tetsu looked up at him, "you're staying?"

Daren nodded, "i'm not leaving again."

Tetsu nodded, "good." he finished eating and settled against Daren, his eyes slowly closing, sleepy.

"he hasn't been able to sleep well since you left," Anna said softly, "he's probably exhausted." the woman shook her head, Tetsu had been worrying her as much as Daren had, but at least Taiga had been there to help his brother.

Daren stroked Tetsu's hair, soothing him into sleep, "so next weekend we'll meet on whatever days works for Tim's parents. we'll let you know as soon as we do." he glanced at Tim, "this means we have to tell them i'm back. not looking forward to that. think you can keep them from killing me?" he was completely serious when he asked.

"Yeah-" Saren looked down, "maybe i should go and talk to them and just take it like a man?" he chuckled and cut another bite of turkey, "not like i can get any more beat up than i am."

Anna and Tarte shared looked, "i could talk to them, hun," she said softly. "you know, maybe break the ice?"

Taiga looked up at Daren, "i'll go with you. they are nice people, can't hurt you when a kid is watching right?"

Daren grinned at them, "Naw, that's ok. thanks, but i think this is something i just have to do." he wasn't looking forward to it. pissed off women were bad enough, but he could deal with them. pissed off moms? that was something of his nightmares. "tomorrow, i'll go tomorrow. it's a sunday, so they won't have work, right? that might be fore the best."

Ame and Hana shared looks, "come and see us afterwards. we have some more pink bandages if you need them."

Daren nodded, "thanks. we'll see." he took the last bite of his dinner and sighed, "That was amazing, thank you Anna! let us help you clean up and then we'll get out of your hair."

Anna stood, "don't you worry about cleaning up, it's Hana and Yuki's turn anyways. just wait here one second, i'll br right back." she went to the kitchen, placing two apple dumplings into a container for them to take home.

Tarte stood and took Tetsu from Daren, "i'll put him to bed, you two have a good night. see you soon," he smiled and head upstairs, Taiga trailing after him, giving a small wave to Daren and Tim as they left.

Yuki and Hana got up, clearing the table as was their chore for the week.

Daren nodded, "right, guess it's time to go, huh?"

Anna came back and pressed the container into Tim's hands before giving them both a hug, "you take care and come back to see us often, you hear?" she ordered.

Daren smiled and nodded, "of course. take care, Anna." he inclined his head so she could kiss his cheek, Tim getting one after him, before going to the door. he waved to the kids, giving his goodbyes and held the door for Tim first and following after. "that was-" he looked at the container, "that was a bit rough." he smiled at Tim as he walked back towards the park, "so, you're going to hold back your parents? means you are going with me, then?"