With a stunning waterfront, there came people that wished to view it, whether it be an ocean or sea, a river or lake. The wide flowing river that curved and stretched through the city was no exception. Along the sides of the waters, areas had been renovated for those people with luxury apartments and restaurants. But most of the restaurants that Kazuhiko had ever been to were expensive Michelin star places, with exquisite tiny portions of food plated and presented over several courses served with wine or saki. Not really suitable for children. And so Kazuhiko had roped in a Rishu to help him find a good place to eat, preferably not a cheap chain eatery, that also catered for little ones. Rishu in turn had spoken to his sister. The quaint little restaurant happened to serve Chinese food and was just a short distance from the renovated and award winning waterfront located North of where Jun lived, it's views of the waterfront mostly obscured by new buildings. Yet, even from the narrowed street, there was a warm and lively atmosphere eminating from it. Upon opening the doors, a visitor would first be hit with the scent of food that instantly caused a reaction in mouths and the constant need to swallow and then the smiling hostess guided them to a table, though they would have to squeeze past others as chairs were taken from tables and families would squeeze around the smallest of spaces to remain together. Yet in one corner, there was a cute family of four, comfortably sitting upon three chairs and one high chair around a circular table, with a revolving centre. A selection of Dim Sum plates were scattered upon the revolving table, perfect for a young boy who had never tried this cuisine to test his palate with new flavours, while the toddler ate congee with flaky pieces of fish and cooling bun filled with softened vegetables. The air around them was pink and warm, the fact that the two adults; including the one known as 'mummy' were both men seemed to matter the least. Jun glanced up through his dark lashes as his chopsticks grabbed a steamed dumpling before dipping it into a sweet and sour sauce then bringing it to his lips. But his eyes weren't really looking at the food, but the man sitting opposite him, who would then realise he was being stared at and turn to look at him. He quickly glanced away, not noticing the satisfied smile creeping up on Kazuhiko's lips, before it altered into that held by a proud father as his son questioned what a different dish was. And so Jun's eyes would creep back to enjoy the view once more. It had been a day to remember; greeted upon opening one's eyes with birthday wishes and kisses from father and eldest son, followed by gifts and cuddles from Kou, who didn't really know what was going on, but it seemed exciting. His heart had skipped a beat when receiving his first birthday gift from Kazuhiko, a brand watch, that was both stylish and practical as well as a new set of clippers. And it had felt touched when he received a photo album with his precious collection of pictures of his son filling the first few pages, an image of Kazuhiko, Kei and Kou on the next, followed by the ultrascan picture. And then he'd opened a gift from Keiichi, a plate he had painted with his daddy when mummy was working. It was naturally unique and in Jun's eyes the most beautiful thing he'd seen since Kei was a baby in his arms. Tears began to spill, worrying the protective boy and the child had to be reassured that he was happy. "Happy Birthday, mummy," Kei had said once more, causing Jun to burst into tears again as he remembered that this was the first time that Kei had wished him that, for it had not quite been a year since he regained custody of his little boy. And he probably wouldn't have heard those words this time if it had not been for the man hovering over both of them. The kiss he had placed upon Kazuhiko's lips was filled with promise and tasted of salt. There had been one more gift, unwrapped and in a small box that could easily fit in one's palm. Kazuhiko had claimed that it was not for today, it was for when Jun said the word 'yes.' It had only been known about as Kazuhiko wished for Jun to realise how serious he was about marrying him. Not for his sons and not for the baby nestling below Jun's heart, but for Jun himself. Jun had already known he'd begun to waver from his resolve, keeping a distance, raising a wall, all of these had proved impossible due to Kazuhiko's gestures over the past few weeks. Even that morning... Jun found himself after, sitting at a table with just the rusk eating baby for company, after a breakfast of freshly cut fruit, yogurt and slices of honey coated toast, none of which had been made by his own hand, sipping on freshly brewed green tea. Kazuhiko had been in the shower, Keiichi had been getting dressed in his room and Jun had risen to his feet to reach for the little box high upon the bookshelf. Glancing to check there were no other witnesses, apart from Kou who couldn't speak of what he saw, Jun had opened the box and saw it held a ring of platinum with small emeralds embedded in the metal. It was very beautiful and Jun had felt his resolve alter to something new as he tried to imagine himself wearing it. He had later put it in his inner coat pocket as they had left for the restaurant. And as they began to walk along the waterfront, him holding Kou in his arms while Kazuhiko pushed his pram and Keiichi walked between them grasping a hand of each parent, he paused, let go of Kei's hand to take it from his pocket and hand it to the startled Kazuhiko. "Ask me again," he said, softly, while Kei looked curiously at the odd interactions of his parents. "Jun," Kazuhiko began, his voice breaking on his lover's name. "Will you..." "So that's it!" A shrill voice shrieked loudly, interrupting the moment. Both men sighed, thinking nothing more of it, but smiling anyway as did it really matter how the words were spoken? They both knew what they wanted. However, it turned out that unhappy person was not done yet. "I always knew that there was something behind your rejection of my daughter, Kazuhiko Fumiko!" Now the woman, who was several metres away, but reducing that gap, had their attention. The Alpha frowned as Jun glanced up at him. "Kazuhiko, what's going on?" He whispered. Kazuhiko felt rising anger in his gut. How dare the woman disturb him from proposing to his beloved due to her own petty concerns, but his anger quickly morphed into something else as he witnessed his parents stepping out of the restaurant nearby with Mrs Hoashi's husband and daughter, while a man about his own age with features seven points similar to the blustering woman stood staring in their direction. It was not that he was worried about his parent's reaction to meeting his lover and soon to be fiancé, he just would have preferred introductions to be made in a less dramatic fashion, especially as there was his secret child involved. "Mrs Hoashi," Kazuhiko decided to deal with the woman first, her dramatics were attraction the attention of outsiders, but there was little he could do about that. The woman clearly wanted this. "There was nothing hidden behind me refusing to take Kurea as a bride. I was not long divorced and she is close to a decade my junior and barely an adult. What are you trying to imply?" She pointed with an accusing finger towards Keiichi, who flinched and grabbed Jun's coat in comfort. "Obviously this is the real reason your wife divorced you!" She accused unjustly. Jun knelt down and gathered his baby to his side, while Kazuhiko stepped in front of them. "Raising a child outside of your marriage! I take it that that is an Omega!" Her eyes narrowed when looking at Jun, her nose raised in as much disgust as poured through her words. "Is your second brat even Esme's at all or is this the real reason you have an Omega son?" On cue, Kou burst into tears, his little face going red as the atmosphere around them became increasingly negative. "Mother!" The younger man behind her tried to warn her, as Kurea clapped her hands in front of her mouth and proceeded to look shocked. He rolled his eyes and looked imploringly at his father, who just shook his head wanting to stay out of it. In contrast, Kazuhiko's parents came up beside the unpleasant woman, his mother paling, her eyes wide in question, while his father eyes held more interest for his newly discovered grandchild and that child's parent. Hmm, his son had good taste, the young man was very good looking and held crying Kou with as much care and comfort as was directed to his own son. "Kazuhiko," Madam Fumiko said finally. "What is going on here?" "Mother, Father," Kazuhiko greeted his parents, startling Jun. "I will explain everything later, but here is not the place." Jun glanced at the two adults as he rocked Kou in his arm, while hugging Kei to him as well, and could see that the older man was who Kazuhiko and Kei resembled most. They had never spoken much about his parents, except that they had certain expectations and valued their arts, much like his own mother had once been. But Kazuhiko had had many disagreements with his mother since Kou had been born, the woman had wanted to adopt the baby out. Despite her coldness, Madam Midori had at least allowed him to be raised under her roof before cutting their family ties. "You are right, son," the older man agreed and turned to Mrs Hoashi, her face still red with unleashed bitterness; Kazuhiko had ruined all her plans with his frivolousness! "Mrs Hoashi, while I wanted to thank you for you hospitality this evening, I don't appreciate you smearing my son's, grandson's nor my former daughter-in-law's name with such ridiculous notions. If you will excuse us." He placed his arm about his wife's shoulders, knowing that she could become as easily riled as her cousin under such circumstances and say things that could harm her relationship with her son more so. As if realising that her words had cut worse into the path she wanted for her daughter than Kazuhiko's actions, she glanced at Madam Fumiko. "Cousin..." "I'm sorry, Shizue," the woman said with a sigh, tapping her husband's hand upon her shoulder to reassure him, she was not going to make a fool of herself here, "but, I never claimed that your daughter would be my successor with or without Kazuhiko's consent. Good day to you." She glanced at her son and sighed, aware now that this was the reasons for the mysterious phone calls, the sudden absences and such like. "Seeing as you clearly have much to discuss with us, when can I expect you home?" "Tomorrow," Kazuhiko promised after glancing at Jun who nodded his agreement. Tomorrow, Jun would greet his future-in-laws, but today he had two upset children to settle.