Even after three months, it's hard to think of myself as a father of two. But I didn't realize that I'd forgotten how fun it is to have an infant in the house. The tiny fingers, the happy cooing…
"TK!"
…the dirty diapers.
"Have I ever told you how happy I am that you are potty trained?" I asked Nori as I laid Akima on the changing table.
"Free times," he informed me.
"Right."
The doorbell rang. "You'd better get that," I told Nori. He ran off, and our Christmas party began.
Kari had Akima dressed in a red and green Christmas dress that looked more like a tent on her. But I guess that's the way all baby dresses are. Kari said she looked cute, anyway. Soooo cute, as a matter of fact.
"Izzy!" I greeted my friend as I walked into the living room with Akima in one arm.
"Hey!" He smiled at us.
"How's Mimi?" I asked.
"Mommy? Can I have a candy cane?" Ren asked her mother while Amane looked up hopefully.
"No. Candy is unhealthy. No one should eat candy!" Mimi replied, her mouth sticky and her own half-eaten candy cane in her hand.
"Pregnant," Izzy sighed.
Mimi and Izzy had announced their big news in October. Mimi claimed that everyone else was having kids, and she felt left out. If you ask me, she's crazy. Three kids? Wow.
Tai, Sora, and little Rini arrived next. Rini arrived holding on to her parents' hands. She's still trying to get the hang of walking, and Tai and Sora informed me that it was a very slow walk from their car to our front door.
Matt was not far behind Tai, which wasn't surprising to me. They've known each other so long I sometimes think that they share the same brainwaves. Matt had Kai in tow, and she and Rini were soon toddling around the living room, getting into presents, stockings, decorations… just about everything.
"I haven't been so fit since high school!" Matt told me, diving at his daughter right before she knocked a glass of milk off the coffee table.
Joe arrived shortly after, with his new girlfriend, Nami. They were the dressed the nicest of all the people in the room. Coincidentally, they were also the only ones with no kids.
Next through our front door was Davis. He naturally started talking with Matt at first ("Us single guys gotta stick together!"). Davis is getting ready to go on an international soccer tour for a few months next spring, so it seems like he's too involved in his job to get into a relationship right now.
Matt and Davis had a third added to their group when Cody came in. To my relief, he took Akima and held her for a while, leaving me to help Kari cook in peace. Do you have any idea how hard it is to take things out of the oven with an infant in one arm?
Yolei and Ken arrived last, completing our party. Yolei put the seven-month-old Hiroshi down on the carpet and let him crawl around while Sam rushed to Nori's room to play with the other kids. Then Yolei came into the kitchen with us to talk to Kari.
"So Kari," Yolei asked casually, "Do you think you'll have any more kids?"
"What are you talking about? I just got rid of one!" Kari exclaimed.
"I know that! I mean in the future."
"Well…" Kari said slowly. I waited for the answer even though she didn't think I was listening. "I don't think so. I always just wanted two kids. And I feel accomplished now that I have a boy and a girl."
I sighed with relief. Any more than two kids didn't sound like a walk in the park to me.
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Yolei agreed, "I'm quitting now too."
"YES!" Ken cheered from the living room.
Yolei looked through the doorway suspiciously. "Were you listening to our conversation, Ken?" She asked.
"Of course not honey," Ken lied evenly, "I was cheering about the game. Quick, Tai!" he hissed, "Turn on the game!"
I guess I'm not the only one who's tired of pregnant women and childbirth.
Yep, I was done carrying kids. At least in my stomach. I have a feeling I'll be carrying them in my arms for a while.
CRASH!
"Kari, could you hold Rini while I clean up this mess?"
Case in point…
Anyway, I think Akima is the most beautiful baby girl I've ever seen (but don't tell Tai). Nori likes her too, just not as much as I thought he would. He likes her most when she's asleep, when she's quiet and not occupying our attention, so he's forever asking if it's time to put her to bed yet. I don't think he anticipated life to change this much, but he's getting used to having to share us with another kid. I can't wait until she can walk and talk. Then it's really going to get interesting.
I finally finished the dishes and took Akima from Cody. We sat down. Nori rushed in and sat on my lap, determined not to let his sister have all the fun.
This is all I ever wanted for Christmas, I thought as I sat with my two children. After all, who could ask for more?
A/N: Thanks to all my reviewers! Since this is my last chapter, I would usually thank you all individually, but I guess I can't do that anymore. But I like the little review reply things, so I'll give those a try! Cool!
So there you have it, folks. Generation Two: The Sequel. But for those of you who like the series, never fear! Kari is not quite as done with pregnancy as she thought. Stay tuned for Generation Two: The Three-quel! Hmm… I'm not sure I like that much… Maybe Generation Two: Take Three? I don't know. We'll see.
Until then, farewell!