Chapter Seventeen

Leonard

"So, kitten? After ice cream, would you like to go with me to upgrade my weapon?"

She looked at me. "The weapon store? After we go to the weapon store, can we go visit momma at work?"

"I don't get why we couldn't. Let me call her and see if that would be good."

The girl grabbed my phone from the seat, quick dialing Grace, handing me the phone. After one ring, I heard the smile in her tone. "See, Leonard, one ring and you have got me to answer. What's up?"

"Kourtney and I were going to visit you at work. Is Rufus going to be fine with that, or will I have to dodge him, trying to give me a job?"

"ShinRa let us off early. Yazoo and I are at the bar. Do you want to meet us? Kourt can hang out with Marlene and Denzel. Don't forget, we have to be preparing for moving arrangements. Tifa agreed to keep Kourtney while we moved."

"I'm certain my father would love to take care of her for a while. No need to have Tifa and the children up late. Kourtney wished to stick around with him until I suggested taking her out for ice cream."

"Sounds like a plan. Do you need me to call and ask him?"

"No, we're meeting up tonight. I can bring her along and see if she can hang with him until morning. We'll meet you after we get some ice cream and get my weapon upgraded."

"You wish to get your weapon upgraded? Is that a healthy solution with recent circumstances?"

I sighed. "Yes, Grace. I'm positive something tells me we will all need to get our weapons in tune." I glanced at the minor, who was looking out the window. "Cloud suggests that Kadaj and his relatives wish to resurrect an old threat."

She sighed. "Why would he suspect that?"

"Presumptions. He assumes that their visit to the ruins is them aiming for a Sephiroth grand entry."

She sighed. "I'm surrounded by suspicions. I assume I settled one, and another pokes its head out. But what would give him that theory? Is everybody who visits ruins scheming evil thoughts?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose. "It angered me when my father mentioned this. It didn't sit nicely with me. The boys have done nothing to show anyone the idea of them wishing to cause the city any sabotage. Yazoo is going on dates, that's a plus for a guy who lives in fantasy land, Loz if he were contemplating evil, he could do it and no one would think it was him, when a teenage boy lies down on the floor with a five-year-old and observes cartoons, and presents more concern to them than the child. Kadaj has his flaws, however, he doesn't provide me with Sephiroth vibes. Are you plotting a reunion with your father and not telling us? Your brothers are all cleared."

I grinned. As Graceona sighed. "Last time I checked, I never had plans for anything that big. My current plans are to try to find some entertainment at Reno's expense. It's free and he would have done it with or without me being here, so no, I don't have plans to cause chaos. Also, if I were planning something like that, why would you assume I would tell you or my brother's? Seems more fun leaving you guys in suspense. Besides, what grand reunion would it be if I had everyone trying to stop me and hindering something that would never spark? Why would I waste my time on a lost cause? My father is nuts. There will never be a relationship with us." I heard a smile in her tone. "Since you're the one pointing fingers my way, what is your defense? We're all in the clear."

I laughed. "I'm too lazy to resurrect the craziness that is your father. Plus, why would I put those I try to protect in harm's way, because of the actions of just doing something like that?"

"That's the only excuse you got? Come on, I thought you could have been a little more original than that. I'm disappointed in that, though you spoke the truth. You can be lazy when you want to be, however, you enjoy a fight. I think you would have Sephiroth vibes, just for some entertainment. Can't say I blame you there. Though my father is unhinged, he knows how to bring excitement into this small city."

"Perhaps a little too much entertainment."

"True."

"Listen, I'm going to let you go have your fun. Kourtney and I are almost in the city. We're going to have some ice cream, then I need to come back home and get my weapon. We'll see you soon, alright?"

"Alright. Love you."

"I love you, too."

The two of us hung up as I looked at Kourtney, who waited. She looked at me with a smile. "Daddy?"

"What's up, Kitten?"

"Why is bubby Kadaj, and Loz not home? Did I make them go away? Don't they love us anymore?"

"Teens will be teens. They love us. You did nothing wrong. I promise." I looked back at the road as the city came into view. Upon arriving home, I parked the truck, getting out. Once I got to the door, I found it was already unlocked. I walked into the home, Loz was eating cereal, and Kadaj was asleep on the couch. "Loz, did you two decide to come back home? Are you well?"

The older brother looked at me. "Yeah, we did some picture taking for Grace's new book cover. Kadaj got banged up, so we came back home." I walked to the living room, kneeling to Kadaj.

"Hey, wake up."

The teen opened his eyes. "What do you want, Leonard? I'm exhausted."

He turned on his back, rubbing his eyes. "What is this I hear about you being injured?"

"It's nothing, Leonard. I'll be fine."

"Look, Kadaj. About the fight the other day, I never wanted to make the two of you leave. That wasn't our intent." The teen looked at me. "We just wanted you to stop playing mind-games with Yazoo. Grace and I know you are struggling with Sephiroth, but as I told you years ago, you don't have to suffer it alone. I'm still the same man you wanted to be your father."

The teen sighed. "Leonard, you did nothing wrong. From what I gathered, that was Graceona's idea. You shouldn't have to take the blame for something you had nothing to do with. You may be the same man as back then. If that were the case, why did you tell us to stop calling you father? You have changed."

I sighed. "You're right, I have changed. And things in my life have made me realize I have three sons that I would do anything for. You can love adopted children as much as your children. I want to be the father to you I was back then. If you three will have me, be that once more."

The teen looked at me, sitting up with a smile. I wrapped my arms around him as he returned the hug.