Chapter 42

Two days later…

Regina called her.

"Hey, wha-"

"Are you pregnant?"

"No, why-"

"Oh, just making sure it wasn't something else you failed to tell us. Bye." She hung up.

"Why do I always attract weird friends?"

Takumi pulled up at the location Twilight sent him. It was in a neighbourhood six blocks away from their apartment. The house was just as ordinary as the other ones.

"Excuse us for a moment," He pulled her to the side, out of earshot.

"Alright, whose house did you break into?"

"What?"

"Based on all the things you're capable of, I wouldn't be surprised. So, whose house did you break into?"

"No one's, I swear. And cut me some slack, I'm not that crazy."

"Then explain all this. Actually, I'm not sure I want to know."

"Long story short, I asked Regina to work her magic, literally. She not only made the house appear but also altered the local people's memories so that they think that my dad and I have been living here for years to be on the safe side. But it'll only last for about a day. So yeah, that's pretty much it."

"It's better than finding out that you locked the owners in a basement or something. Mind doing me a favour?"

"Depends on what it is."

"Please don't mind my mom too much like last time. Just try to ignore her if she irks you."

"I can try to tolerate her, but don't expect me to be all buddy-buddy with her."

"As long as things and/or people don't get thrown around, it's good enough for me."

Later…

"What do you do for a living?" His mom asked her dad.

"I'm an alligator wrestler."

"Really?" Twilight mind-linked him.

"What?"

"You know what, I think I'm more concerned with the fact that you said it with a straight face. You had the whole day yesterday to come up with something, and that's all you had?"

"I thought I'd spice things up a little."

"Geez, we're not trying to impress them. You could've gone with something standard like a teacher. I knew I should've rehearsed with you."

"An alligator wrestler?" His mom asked.

"But at night, of course. But it's more of a hobby that I just so happen to be paid for. I'm actually a cop, an inspector to be specific."

"Nice damage control," She asked. "And yes, I'm being sarcastic."

"No wonder she's so unruly. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

"You can say whatever you want, but don't go around badmouthing my dad. Sure, he's not some big-shot attorney, and my mom isn't around, but at least he didn't let me spend the majority of my childhood with nannies and babysitters. You can only dream of being half the parent he's been."

She stood up.

"I'm going to get some fresh air."

"Mom, that was out of line. I'll go after her."

"You know, I tried. I really did. I've been as patient as someone like me can be. And I've seriously gone way beyond my limits. I was so close to flipping the table and throwing hands."

"I know." He pulled her in for a hug. "As proud as I am that you were able to keep your cool for that long, I shouldn't have asked you to."

"It's not your fault."

"So, an alligator wrestler, huh?"

"Don't ask."

"You know, from the way our dads crack jokes, you'd swear they're long-lost brothers or something."

"You weren't the only one thinking that."

He kissed her forehead. "Let's head back inside."

"Actually, I want to stay out here a little longer."

"Ok." He left her alone.

Takumi's mom came and sat down next to her.

"If you didn't finish off earlier, you might as well do it now."

"I came to apologise."

Twilight frantically looked around her.

"What are you doing?"

"I thought someone would jump out of nowhere and tell me that I've been pranked or something like that."

"I mean it."

"Oh. In my defence, we don't exactly have the best of relationships."

"I thought we should change that since we're going to be a family. All I've ever wanted was what's best for my children. Takumi seems happy with you, and denying my own child his happiness wouldn't be the right thing to do. Nowadays, it's not easy to find someone who genuinely loves you. I was afraid that they might end up in one-sided relationships, so I was a little too overprotective at times. But now I see that what you two have isn't one-sided at all. It's something built purely on love, and I'm glad about that. Not to mention, you might be the only girl he'll ever love the way he does now. I apologise for all the times I offended you."

"I guess I kinda get it. I mean, my dad might've threatened him a few times about laying a hand on me. All those...uh...questionable things that I said before weren't true. Kind of." She said that last part in her head. "I only said them to get on your nerves."

"I understand. So, your father's hobby is wrestling alligators?"

"He's just a maverick by nature. Believe me, you'll get used to his quirkiness."

Meanwhile…

"Son, it's time I taught you tips and tricks for how to have a happy marriage and avoid nights on the couch. There's a reason why they say happy wife, happy life."

"It makes so much sense that it rhymes." Twilight's dad commented.

"First, never keep secrets, unless it's a surprise, and never lie to her, except when she asks if wearing a certain pair of jeans makes her look fat or something like that. Or, if you're really brave, tell the truth: "No, the dress doesn't make you look fat, your fat makes you look fat." Then, duck and run. Run fast. Duck often. Keep running and ducking. Eventually, her throwing arm will get tired. Eventually."

"Or she'll calculate which way you'll be running and learn to aim better."

"Next, never say that her cooking is terrible. Even if it is, just finish all of it, ask for seconds if you have to and pray that you don't get food poisoning."

"Also, always say: "yes, dear" even if she's wrong and doesn't want to admit it because you know how stubborn she is."

"Next, if she's mad, do something or get her something that she'll love. Even if it means emptying your bank account, it'll be worth it and try to sneak in an: I love you if you can."

"I think I've heard enough. I think I should go look for mom and Twilight. They've been gone for a while."

"I hope my mom is still alive," He thought.

When he found them, he saw something he thought he'd never see. They were not trying to kill each other. Instead, they were laughing about something.

"Am I missing something?" He asked. "Or have you two finally gone insane?"

"Don't be ridiculous," His mom said. "We just sorted out our differences."

"And you, my guy, have some very cute naked baby pictures."

"What the...mom, you showed her?"

"I'm your mother. Everyone I know has seen them."

"Not only that, but she gave me copies too. Hard to believe that such a cute little thing turned out to be so...you."

"Speaking of, when can we expect grandkids?"

"The day I get my pride back," Takumi answered.