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Chelsea remembers bits and pieces over her life in America. She was born in California to her Father and Mama. Her father is from Japan and her mother being Hispanic-born American. All her relatives used to say she looks a lot like her Mama. Preschool was kind of a blur but her Mama had told her she didn’t have many friends. They said Chelsea was too mean even though Chelsea was just trying to be honest. After school her Mama would make her feel better by teaching Chelsea some Spanish. It was a simple life. Living next to her Abuela and Abuelo. The yummy food Mama would make her. The parties the block would have. Well… to Chelsea it was a simple life. Slowly her parents seemed to be more and more stressed over something. So when her parents told them they were moving to a new place, Chelsea just went along with it.
How far?
Would they see Abuela and Abuelo as much?
But there was something else. Chelsea was always a curious child so she wanted to know about this “New place” they were moving to. Chelsea was 4 when she got on her first plane. The airport was messy and there were a lot of stops at LAX. A lot of people too.
“Chelsea, dear,” Her mother sat Chelsea down in one of the chairs. “We’re moving to a new country. Where your father was born,”
“Ohhh Japan right?” Chelsea’s eyes lit up.
“Yes Mija, We’re going to Japan. Father had a new job opportunity there and he took it,” Chelsea’s mother slowly spoke to her.
“What about abuela and abuelo?” Chelsea asked.
“They- They aren’t coming with us, but you get to see your other grandparents at the airport,”
“... Mama,”
“Yes Mija?”
“Will this help you and father to be less worried?” Chelsea asked,
“Yes dear,” Chelsea’s mother replied.
So they moved to Japan. Chelsea only knew a few words so it was even harder to fit in at school and her parents' worry seemed to be better but her other grandparents were over a lot to look after Chelsea and help to teach her new things. Soon her Mama and father seemed to be there less and less. One day her grandparents couldn’t take care of her so they left Chelsea with one of her father’s Coworkers husband and child.
“Ahhh you must be Chelsea chan,” The man with two colored hair stated.
“Did you do that to your hair?” Chelsea pointed to the man’s hair and asked in English.
“Chelsea,” Her father scolded her.
“Yes, I did,” Gen replied in English. “It’s fine Sato san,” Gen waved off.
“Ohhhh you speak English?” Chelsea marveled.
Gen let Chelsea and her father in.
“Yeah, I was raised in Texas with my Dads,” Gen explained.
“Ohhhh! I was born in California!” Chelsea’s beamed.
Slowly Chelsea saw more and more of Gen and then met his husband, Senkuu, and played with the daughter Suika.
“Mija, How are Mr. Gen and Senkuu treating you?” Chelsea’s Mama asked.
“Ohhh they’re really nice! Suika even calle dme her sister! OH and Mr. Gen are making learning japanese so much easier,” Chelsea said.
The day her Mama and Father signed the paper to give custody of Chelsea to Senkuu and Gen, Chelsea didn’t feel resentment . Her birth parents were still going to be in her life. Gen and Senkuu told Chelsea to think of them as guardians if that helped.
“Mr. Senkku, Mr. Gen, I’m going to give you nicknames!” Chelsea hummed at the dinner table one day.
“Ohhh? Really now?” Senkuu smirked.
“Yeah! You’re Dad and Mr. Gen is Papa,” Chelsea smiled. “It’s so asier eay to call you guys that,” Chelsea huffed. “And Suika is my sister,”
Chelsea loved her new family members. She met her Dad’s and Papa’s adoptive parents (giving them nicknames as well) The aunties Kohaku, Ruri, Amaryllis, Uncle Chrome, second cousins Kinro and Ginro, and their partners, plus a third cousin who was more Chelsea’s age, Namari . Plus she always sees her birth parents as well.. They’d listen as Chelsea tells them the new thing she and Suika found on their walks to school.
“I and Suika found this cool do-hickey on a trip to school. Dad says it looked like a part of a car. With more of the parts, Dad says we could build a whole car,” Chelsea giggled at the memory. “But Papa got onto Dad for that but Dad said Grandpa Byakuya let him do it,”
“Remind me to have a talk to your dad…,” Chelsea’s mom sighed.
“But it sounds like you're having fun Chelsea,” Her father pointed out.
The three were coming back from a parent-daughter date and were in the car going back to Chelsea’s house.
“Yeah! I got to go to one of Papa’s shows. There were a few people with cameras but for the most part, I had a fun time,” Chelsea fiddled with the new hairclip she got.
“As long as you had fun,” Chelsea’s Mama hummed from the front seat.
“You should meet Granddad and Grandpop. Granddad is fun to tease and sometimes Grandpop joins in. Papa says they’ve always been like that,” Chelsea chuckled.
“Now Chelsea, you weren’t mean to them were you?” Her father raised an eyebrow.
“Nooooo~ Papa was laughing too,” Chelsea defended herself.
Her Mama and father light heartily sighed. They caught up more as her father drove them back to Chelsea’s home.
Gen heard a knock at the door. “Ohh Chelsea’s home,” Gen nudged Senkuu awake.
“Ughh mhm?” Senkuu grumbled.
Gen helped pull his husband up off the couch “Coming,” Gen called.
There were tiny stomps coming down the stairs. Before Gen could reach the door Suika was already there to welcome her sister.
“Chelsea, welcome home!” Suika hugged her sister.
“I’m home, I’m home,” Chelsea hugged her sister back.
“Welcome home Chelsea,” Senkuu yawned.
“Sorry we’re so late, Chelsea wanted to stop by 31’s,” Chelsea’s Mama explained.
“Hehe,” Chelsea awkwardly laughed.
“I had a feeling,” Gen sighed.
“That’s enough for one night,” Senkuu stated “Chelsea tell your Father and Mama goodnight,”
“Night Mama, night father,” Chelsea warmly embraced each parent. “See you Monday for my play at school?” Chelsea questioned.
“Of course,” Chelsea’s father said.
“We’ll be there,” Chelsea’s Mama reassured.
“Yay!” Chelsea clapped. “Ohhh Suika let me show you what I got!” Chelsea pulled her sister along.
“Ohhh before I forget,” Chelsea’s Mama, Rose, commented. “Thanks for everything,”
“Rose chan, I keep saying it’s okay,” Gen smiled. “Chelsea is an amazing kid,”
“After everything, I’m glad Chelsea seems happy,” Chelsea’s father, Ichiro, added.
“I’m guessing you saw how excited she is for Monday?” Senkuu asked.
“She basically told us the plot of the play,” Ichiro replied.
“Would you like to come in? I know it’s a bit late but it will be nice to catch up,” Gen offered.
“Ohh do you still have that tea from last time?” Rose asked.
“Yup! Just went to the store for some more this afternoon,” Gen replied.
.
.
.
Chelsea’s birth parents said their goodbyes and left Senkuu and Gen to relax a bit before bed. Both returned to their spots on the couch. Gen leaning his head on Senkuu’s chest and Senkuu had his arm around Gen’s shoulder to hold him there.
“Hey Senkuu chan,”
“Yeah?” Senkuu replied.
“Do you love me?” Gen teased.
“Mentalist… We’ve been married for years, we have 2 kids together, and you’re fidgeting with your wedding ring,” Senkuu pointed out.
“Hmmmmm… You’re not answering the question,” Gen hummed. “How ruel- cay Senkuu chan. I’m taking the kids,” Gen dramatically whinnied.
“Shut up mentalist,” Senkuu kissed the top of his husband’s head. “You just want attention,”
“Hmmmm maybe,” Gen shrugged and threw his leg over Senkuu’s lap. “Carry me,”
“Wha?? Gen you know I can’t,” Senkuu deadpanned,
“Fine,” Gen huffed. “Stand up,”
Senkuu pushed Gen’s legs off his lap and stood up, a bit confused. Gen bent down and picked up Senkuu bridal style.
“Wha?! Gen put me down,” Senkuu hissed.
“Nah, I think it’s late enough. Time to go to bed,” Gen playfully pointed out.
“Well put me down first,”
“Nah, you’re cute like this,” Gen smiled.
"You're annoying," Senkuu sighed
"And you're a brat," Gen replied playfully.
Senkuu was happily resting his head in his and Gen's bed, but something was on his mind he just wanted to say.
"Hey Gen,"
"Hmm?"
"I'm glad I married you and I love our family," Senkuu bluntly stated.
It wasn't flowery like would know how to put it but Senkuuknew the message got through like that.
Senkuu heard Gen sheepishly hummed in agreement. "Aww dear," Gen lightly kissed the top of Senkuu's head. "I love you and the kids too,"
The two snuggled together and were drifting off when-
"Dad, Papa...," They heard their youngest voice.
Gen rumped his eyes and looked over at the doorway. Suika stood there looking very tired.
"Hm yes, Suika?" Gen sat up.
Suika clutched her stuffed dog, Chalk, more tightly. "Can I sleep here with you?"
"Sure Suika," Gen patted the pillow in between him and Senkuu.
Suika climbed her way onto the bed and slipped under the blanket.
"Bad dream?" Gen asked.
"Hmum," Suika nodded. "A monster was chasing us and there was flashing lights," Suika held Chalk to her chest.
"Hey hey," Gen tried to soothe his daughter. "It's ok. There's no monster and me and dad are right here,"
"Promise?"
"Promise,"