23 Dream (2/2)

”Ugh, don't remind me. I met him a few years ago when I was… Anyway, the point is, he is weird, to begin with. Both him and his sister.”

”That's not my point, Sarah. It's true it used to be taboo to have familial relationships, but that was mainly because of the birth defects children would have. With the new gene clinics popping up, that isn't such a big deal anymore. If anything, it now holds a similar stigma same-sex couples had several years ago.”

”I know that, but still…”

”You are just using that as an excuse to run away from your feelings. You are afraid of getting hurt again, so you cling to any excuse to avoid any chance of happiness. You know just as well as I do, there are many people out there already in these kinds of relationships. You are just disgracing Yuki by thinking she will do the same thing as Kaito.”

I laid there in silence with Alex's words ringing in my ears. I hated knowing how right she was. I love Yuki very much, and I know she would go through hell or high water for me, but…I just can't.

*Sigh*

”You are right. I will think about this properly. I will have to apologize to Yuki tomorrow. I just need some time to sort out my thoughts.”

”That's all I ask. Whatever answer you come to, I want it to be because you truly want that. Not just some excuse or wishy-washy answer.”

”Thanks sis. You always did know what to say to me.”

Alex pulled me into a hug and kissed my forehead.

”Idiot. You know you think too much at times? Now let's get some sleep.”

***

”Mommy! Look what I found!”

A cute girl about 8 years old with messy short brown hair, pointed ears, and large green eyes stared up at me in excitement. She was holding a horned rabbit in her hands as it struggled to free itself.

”Kairi! What are you doing with that? Give it to mommy. Those things are pests and destroy the garden.”

The girl looked up at me with sadness in her eyes.

”But I want to keep it. It's cute!”

Those eyes get me every time, but I must remain strong. Just then, a voice rang out from behind me.

”Sweetie, you have to listen to mommy. Ok?”

Lenora came from behind me and was patting the girl on her head.

”If you want a pet that badly, mommy and I will go catch a kirin for you.”

The small girl immediately perked up to that.

”Ok, mommy. I won't catch any more rabbits.”

The girl skipped away with the rabbit in hand back to the tree line near the house.

”Thank you, dear. She always listens to you better than me.”

Lenora motioned me to come near her. Once I did, she pulled me into a deep kiss. Several moments later, we finally separated.

”Nonsense, babe. She listens to you plenty. She is a good girl.”

”Yes, she is, but you spoil her too much.”

”I know I do, but every time I look at her, I just think about how our love created her.”

Giggling, I give Lenora another kiss.

”Come one, Lenora, let's grab Kairi and go inside. Emiko probably has lunch ready.”

***

The sunlight was creeping into the room, waking me up. I look over and saw Alex was still deeply asleep, partially drooling.

I sat in bed for a moment, thinking back on that dream. It was a really nice dream, and it filled me with happiness. Yuki and I had a daughter together, and we were with Emiko. It was all so real, but I am not sure how I feel about it. This will need more time to process.