Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Paradise ❯ Welcome Home ( Chapter 47 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Welcome Home

The woman sat beside her boy’s grave, slowly running her fingers through the lush grass beside her.  The slightly raised pile of soil before her had been seeded with grass, but was still a grim reminder of where her son lay.  Miranda wiped away the tears crawling down her face.  It should have been me....she said to herself.  Daniel and I had four children...and now they are all gone.
“Robbie, your father misses you terribly,” Miranda whispered as her eyes remained fixed on the gravestone.  “He sits on your bed and holds your cane.  He would never admit it, but I know he is grief-stricken.”
Miranda sighed as a gentle wind blew through her hair.  “You were such a beautiful soul, Robbie.  Your father and I had high hopes for you.  We miss you terribly, baby.”
Miranda closed her eyes as memories flashed in her mind. It’s a boy, Ms. Morgan. “Daniel and I were so happy.” Your son will never walk, Mrs. Morgan. “I knew when you took your first step you would prove them wrong.” Mommy, I met a new friend at school today! His name is Aten! “That was how it all began. You were excited about everything.” Young Robbie’s smiling face looked up at her from within her memory. His eyes, full of wonder, and his smile, happy and carefree.
Miranda lowered her head, trying to remove those images from the forefront of her mind, but failing. She wiped more tears from her eyes when a shadow cast over her. She looked beside her and saw black boots and blue jeans.  Miranda raised her head slowly to see a purple shirt with a black leather jacket with dangling chains shimmering in the sun, along with a gold Millennium Rod. “Hello, Marik.”
The blond, spiky-haired yami sat beside Miranda and put his arm around her shoulders. “Good morning, kitten.”
Miranda looked at the grave stone. “I can’t believe he’s gone, Marik. I miss him terribly.”
Marik nodded. “I know you do, kitten. We all miss him.”
“Are you here alone?”
“Marik go anywhere alone? Not likely,” Bakura said, sitting on Miranda’s opposite side. “Where Marik goes, trouble follows.” Bakura put his arm around her back.
Marik sighed. “That seems to be the norm, isn’t it?”
“We brought our Lights here to Aten’s grave.”
Miranda sniffled and placed her head on Marik’s shoulders. “I buried four children, Marik.  With Heaven’s health, I fear I’ll have to bury her soon, too.”
“Is she sick?” Bakura asked.
“No, but I wouldn’t be surprised if she does die early.”
Marik sighed. “Robbie and Aten took good care of her.  I think they helped her through the most dangerous time.”
“Robbie would carry that baby girl through the hallway when she was screaming and crying.  He would sing to her and sit by her cradle when she would shake from withdrawal.  Robbie was so happy when Aten began to assume the role of caretaker.  Aten held that baby girl as if she were made of glass.”
Marik nodded. “He was afraid of becoming his grandfather.”
“Aten was a good boy,” Bakura said. “He didn’t want to become what he hated.”
“The house is so quiet without the boys,” the woman said. “I miss them both.” Miranda chuckled. “There were days when he would wake up from his nap and his hair would look like yours, Marik.”
“You should have seen him when he was a little boy and he would come downstairs with blond and white spiky hair,” Marik snickered. “It was the cutest thing to see that boy yawn and climb down the stairs with his hair like mine.”
Miranda wiped her eyes as she smiled. “He was so funny.”
Marik turned his head to see Malik crying in Ryou’s arms. “Kitten, I have to go to Malik. Bakura, take over.”
“You got it, partner,” Bakura said as Marik kissed Miranda’s forehead.
Marik stood and walked toward the Bakura grave.  Bakura moved his arm around Miranda’s shoulder.
“He still calls you 'partner?’”
“Marik and I will always be partners. I have his back,” Bakura said.
Miranda sighed as she put her arm around Bakura’s back. “Thank you for staying with me.”
“You’re family,” Bakura said. “Why isn’t Danny Boy here with you?”
“He’s home. Robbie’s death has really hit him hard.  He sits in Robbie’s room, clutching Robbie’s cane.  Daniel and I haven’t talked to each other very much since Robbie’s death.”
Bakura heard the woman sniffle and begin to cry softly.  Miranda turned and put her hand on Bakura’s chest. The white-haired yami kissed Miranda’s forehead and held her.  “Miranda, it will be alright.”
“I’ve buried all my children, Bakura,” Miranda sobbed. “Why did Robbie have to die?”
Bakura sighed. “Miranda, he’s in no more pain.  He’s happy.”
“I wish I could speak to him one more time.”
“Miranda, Marik and I would like to talk to you and Daniel about something very important.”
Miranda sniffled and wiped her eye. “What is it?”
“This is something that we need to say to both of you,” Bakura said.
“Why don’t you come over for dinner tonight? Heaven will be happy to see her grandfathers.”
Bakura nodded as Ryou stepped beside them. “Hello, angel.”
Miranda looked up at Ryou. “Hi, Ryou. How are you holding up?”
“Nevermind about me,” Ryou said. “I’m more concerned about you.”
Miranda smiled. “You are a good friend, Ryou.”
Ryou kneeled beside Miranda and hugged her. “I’m always here for you.”
Miranda smiled. “Thank you, Ryou.”
Ryou kissed Miranda’s cheek and returned to his son’s grave. Miranda smiled.
“You’re very lucky, Bakura,” Miranda said.
“I didn’t always think so,” the yami said. “It’s his heart that I have fallen in love with.  I can’t live without Ryou...I don’t want to live without Ryou.”
Miranda sighed. “Daniel can’t live without his son.”
“I know how hard it is,” Bakura said, looking down at the loose soil.  
“What do you want to talk to us about, Bakura?”
“Itemri, it’s time to go,” Marik called.
“We’ll talk tonight, Miranda,” Bakura said. Bakura stood up as Miranda took his hand.  “What is it?”
Miranda looked up at Bakura. “Can Marik and Malik stay here with me?”
“I don’t think that will be a problem,” Bakura said. “We’ll see you tonight.”
Bakura walked to Marik and held out his hands for the keys. Marik and Malik looked over at the Morgan grave. The blond yami hugged Bakura and pat his lover’s back.
Ryou waited at the car and saw only Bakura approaching. “Marik and Malik are going to stay with Miranda?”
Bakura nodded. “They’ll take Miranda home when she’s ready to go. Tonight we have to go to the Morgan house for dinner.”
Ryou watched Marik and Malik approach Miranda and sit beside her. “Do you think she and Daniel will want their son to return?”
“Who wouldn’t want their son to return from the grave, if even only for a moment?”
Ryou looked up at Bakura and saw the yami’s spiky hair flowing in the gentle breeze.  Bakura looked into the distance and lowered his head.
“Baby?”
Bakura sighed. “Let’s go home, baby.”
Ryou sat in the car and returned home with his yami.  When they arrived home, Ryou watched Bakura climb the stairs quietly. //I would have given anything to have him back.  If I could, I would have cut the pharaoh’s throat just as he had done to my son.//
Ryou watched Bakura sadly as he walked up the stairs. /Yami..../
The yami wandered to his bedroom and laid down on his back. Bakura closed his eyes.  //The baby didn’t stand a chance.  He never saw the sun.  He never felt the wind on his face.  He spent his entire life in a dungeon cell.  The only time he saw the sun was after he died.// Bakura covered his eyes. //I remember hearing the dogs growl outside my cell window.  The sounds of tearing flesh and snarling dogs outside my window told me of my dead son’s fate. Yami fed my son’s fresh corpse to his dogs.// “He was a butcher.”
“Yami?”
Bakura gasped and jumped as he felt a hand on his chest.  Ryou sat beside him, rubbing Bakura’s chest lightly. “Yami, are you alright?”
Bakura relaxed against the bed. “Yes, baby.”
“You never told me.”
“I couldn’t, Ry.  I haven’t spoken of him for five thousand years, but every year I visit him in the underworld on the day he died.”
Ryou reached for Bakura’s cheek and caressed it lovingly. “I’m sorry, baby.”
Bakura kissed Ryou’s wrist. “I know how Miranda feels.  I thought the same things as she when Ilthien died. I would have done anything to bring him back.”
Ryou laid beside Bakura. “I know you would have.”
“When I died, I remember crossing into the Underworld with Marik.  My boy ran up to me when I arrived and he jumped into my arms.  Despite death, he never spoke to me.  Not once have I heard my son’s voice.”
Ryou took Bakura’s hand. “He was a beautiful boy, just like his father,” Ryou said, caressing Bakura’s cheek. “I know he has his father’s heart.”
“And his mother’s smile,” Bakura added with a smile.  Bakura looked into Ryou’s chocolate brown eyes.
Ryou closed his eyes as Bakura leaned close to him and kissed him.  Ryou’s fingertips lightly caressed his lover’s cheek as Bakura shifted closer to Ryou.  
Ryou continued to kiss Bakura as his yami unbuttoned his shirt.  The yami’s hand reached under the material and stroked Ryou’s side.
//I love you, Ry.//
Ryou whimpered into the kiss as he felt his yami’s slowly drift towards his buttocks. Bakura’s skin twitched under Ryou’s hand as Ryou reached under his lover’s shirt. Ryou closed his eyes as Bakura kissed his earlobe and down his neck.
Ryou reached between Bakura’s legs and lightly groped his husband through the material. Ryou turned his head towards Bakura as the yami pulled back. Both sets of chocolate eyes met silently.  The yami’s fingers caressed Ryou’s cheek.
“Do you want me, baby?”
A smile grew on Ryou’s cheeks lightly. “How could I not? You are beautiful and perfect, angel.”
Ryou smiled at Bakura. “So are you, my beautiful boy.”
Bakura removed his shirt over his head and leaned down to kiss his lover again. Ryou’s fingers deftly unbuttoned Bakura’s pants and slid them over his hips. With his hands, Bakura reached back and pulled his pants from his legs.  The yami kissed down the front of Ryou’s throat and tenderly kissed Ryou’s chest.  
Ryou buried his fingers in Bakura’s spiky, white hair.  Bakura’s fingertips brushed across Ryou’s sides.  
Whimpers from Ryou were accompanied with sharper gasps for air as Bakura kissed Ryou’s stomach and swallowed around his manhood. Ryou’s hands fell from Bakura’s hair and gripped the sheets.
//Grab the lotion, Ry.//
Ryou reached into the side-drawer and sat up in the bed. Bakura kneeled before Ryou and kissed Ryou’s lips. Ryou slowly pulled from the kiss and kissed Bakura’s stomach. Bakura bit his lip as Ryou absorbed him into his warmth. His hands touched Ryou’s shoulders as his lover swallowed around him, pulled back, and kissed his arousal. Ryou kissed to Bakura’s base towards the tip, taking care to lightly tease Bakura with each touch of his lips.
The yami’s breath staggered as his body thrust into Ryou’s heat. Ryou felt Bakura’s warm breath against the back of his neck.
Ryou’s eyes raised as he gave Bakura’s arousal one last kiss before raising his head.  Bakura caressed Ryou’s hair and looked into his lover’s eyes. “I didn’t want to live without you, Ryou.  I...I couldn’t go on without you.”
“I was surprised to see you come for me in the Underworld.”
“I honestly didn’t know if you would want to return to me.”
Ryou reached up for Bakura’s chest and caressed Bakura’s cheek. “Now we have an eternity together. Yami is in the Shadow Realm.  We have each other forever.”
Bakura kissed Ryou’s cheek and down towards Ryou’s stomach.  Bakura laid on top of Ryou and reached between his lover’s legs. He carefully began to prepare his lover.
Ryou slowly thrust against his lover as Bakura teased his lover, enticing his lover to new heights of ecstasy.  
Bakura kissed up his lover’s body until arriving at Ryou’s sweet lips.  Ryou whimpered and gasped for air as Bakura entered him. The hikari thrust up against his lover, allowing Bakura to bury himself deep inside him.
Ryou reached between himself and his lover, touching himself lightly.  Bakura breathed in sharp gasps through his nose as he thrust into Ryou. The hikari wrapped his legs around his lover and met his lover’s movements.
Ryou’s head tilted back as Bakura thrust harder and faster into his lover.  Ryou held Bakura against him tightly as his lover’s body thrust harder. The yami buried his face in the side of Ryou’s neck and panted heavily as he continued to pound into Ryou hard.  
Bakura felt his body tremble as his mind swirled with sensations of pleasure.  
Ryou closed his eyes tightly as Bakura buried himself deep in his body.  Bakura released hard as his body thrust into his lover beyond his control.
The hikari whimpered as he held onto Bakura tightly and climaxed between them. Bakura collapsed on top of his panting, whimpering hikari. Ryou kissed Bakura’s ear.  “My beautiful boy.”
Bakura caught his breath and shifted off his lover. He gathered Ryou into his arms and held him close.  “I love you so much, Ry.”
The hikari smiled and sighed against Bakura. “I love you, too, baby.”
Bakura kissed Ryou’s forehead. “Do you think the Ishtars will behave with Miranda?”
“Miranda is very upset with Robbie’s death. I doubt Marik would be naughty.”
Bakura chuckled. “Naughty is Ishtar’s middle name.”
A giggle escaped the hikari. “Yes, I’m afraid you’re right.” Ryou curled a lock of Bakura’s spiky hair between his fingers. “Do you think Miranda and Daniel will want their son back from the underworld?”
Bakura rubbed Ryou’s back and shrugged. “It’s hard to say. Daniel is very dedicated to his faith. I think Miranda will be more receptive to the idea.” The yami heard a quiet yawn from his lover.  “Go to sleep, angel. You need your rest.”
Bakura felt Ryou’s body slowly relax and Ryou’s warm breath against his chest. The yami kissed Ryou’s forehead as his lover slipped into slumber.
********************
Miranda brought the chicken to the table and peeked into the living room.  Bakura growled into the baby girl’s neck playfully.  “Dinner’s ready, guys.”
“Let’s go, peanut,” Bakura said, bringing Heaven into his arms.
Marik and Daniel walked into the kitchen where Ryou and Malik were sitting down.
Daniel sat at the head of the table while Miranda sat on the opposite side. The yamis and hikaris sat across from each other at the table. Bakura placed Heaven beside Miranda.
“Everything looks really good, Miranda,” Malik said.  “Thank you for letting us come over.”
“You’re always welcome in our home,” Daniel said.
Marik placed the Millennium Rod on the table beside his plate. “You are gracious hosts.”
Everyone around the table began to eat the dinner. Ryou and Malik shifted their eyes as Miranda and Daniel ate quietly.  
/It’s not like them to be so quiet during dinner./ Malik thought to his yami.
//Remember Miranda said Daniel has been very quiet and distanced? No doubt he is thinking about his son.//
/It looks like Ryou is noticing the same./
“How are you holding up, Daniel?” Marik asked before chewing on a piece of chicken.
Daniel’s head snapped up as if he was snapped from a daydream. “Trying my best to keep it all together.”
Malik nodded. “Has Heaven been a good girl for you both?”
“She hasn’t been doing much.”
“She keeps looking up the steps for Robbie to come downstairs,” Daniel said quietly.
Marik leaned back in his chair. “Aten used to do that when I would leave for work.”
Ryou used his napkin to wipe his mouth clean from sipping his milk. “One day Aria watched Marik leave for work and she started crying when he shut the door behind him.”
“That was a long morning,” Malik said.
“Aria crying would set her brother off and soon we would have both of the babies wailing.”
Marik shook his head. “I’d felt bad when I heard them crying, but I had to support my family.”
Miranda sighed. “Heaven sometimes cries at night and she has a hard time settling down. Robbie would get up in the middle of the night and take care of her.  She expects him to walk in, but....” Ryou and Malik watched Miranda lower her head. “Excuse me.”
Ryou watched sadly as Miranda left.  /I’ll be back, yami.”
Bakura nodded quietly as he spooned more carrots onto his plate.
Ryou followed Miranda into the living room and saw the mother crying into her hands.  The hikari approached Miranda and put his arms around her supportively. “I’m so sorry, Miranda.”
“Ryou, you’re such a good friend,” Miranda cried. “I know this must be hard on you. You lost your boy, too.”
Ryou rubbed Miranda’s back. “I know it’s difficult, but there’s something Bakura and all of us wish to discuss with you.”
Miranda sniffled. “What?”
“Come back to the table and we’ll talk.”
Ryou took Miranda’s hand and lead her towards the table. Malik raised his head, looking at Ryou with concern.
“This dinner is delicious, Miranda,” Marik said, spearing another chicken breast with his fork.
Miranda and Ryou sat down. “Thank you, Marik. I know you enjoy chicken, so I knew you’d like it.”
“Miranda, Daniel, we would like to talk to you about Robbie and Aten.”
Miranda slowly shook her head. “Ryou, I...it’s too hard to talk about them.”
“What if I said that you can have them back?”
Miranda and Daniel looked at Bakura in surprise. “Bakura, this is not a joke.”
“This is not a joke.  I’m being serious. We have a scroll that can bring them back from the Underworld,” Bakura said.
Daniel sat back in his chair and looked at Bakura. “How can I answer that? How can we have our son back?”
“The same way we brought my son back from the grave,” Marik chimed in.
Ryou took Miranda’s hand. “I know this is a difficult question.”
Daniel closed his eyes. “Is this the right thing to do?”
Miranda looked at Heaven beside her.  The baby girl looked at her curiously. Ryou recognized the same look Aria used to give when the baby was listening intently to an adult conversation, but not comprehending the severity of the situation.  
Marik looked at Daniel. “We know this can’t be an easy decision for you.  If you do not wish your son back from the grave, we understand.  My family and I will leave and never speak of it again.”
“Daniel,” Miranda said quietly. “We have a chance to have our son back.  We could get our baby back.”
“What about Christa and Angel? Why shouldn’t we bring them back, too?” Daniel asked.
Miranda’s eyes widened. “Christa?”
Bakura raised his hand. “If you choose to bring back your other children, they will be perpetual infants. When you are brought back from the dead, you don’t age. You remain the same age as you were when you died.”
Marik nodded. “I’ll be twenty years old for eternity.”
Bakura nodded. “I’ll never be older than nineteen.”
“How old was Yami when he died?”  Ryou asked.
Bakura and Marik exchanged glances.  Marik leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. Bakura shrugged. “I know Aria’s son sealed Yami away and mummified his body. Did she ever say how old he was?”
“According to the ancient scriptures, Yami passed in the twentieth year of his reign. He would have been....” Marik’s eyes raised to the ceiling and counted in his head. “He was probably around 40 years old.”
“Old fart,” Bakura said, shaking his head.
“Yeah, that was considered ancient,” Malik added.
Miranda sighed and lowered her head. “I miss my babies.”
“Mira, I don’t see how we can take care of two infants for the rest of our life. Heaven will demand much attention as she grows older,” Daniel said. “Aten and Robbie will be eighteen for eternity. They will be here for Heaven for the rest of her life.”
“You’re right, Daniel. Heaven will need alot of attention.”
Daniel looked Miranda in the eyes. “I think we should do it.”
“Really?”
Daniel nodded. “I want our son back, Miranda.  Heaven needs her fathers.”
Miranda slowly turned to Marik and Bakura. “Okay, guys. Bring Robbie and Aten back home.”
Bakura and Marik exchanged nods. “Alright, Miranda. We’ll bring them back.  We will be back later tonight.” The yamis stood and walked around the table to their hikaris.
“I’ll be home later tonight, baby,” Bakura said, giving Ryou a gentle kiss on the lips. “I love you, baby.”
Ryou smiled. “Bring our son home, angel.”
“Let’s go, Ishtar....Ishtar?”
“See you later tonight, sexy,” Yami Marik said.  
“Bye, Mar-.”
Yami Marik pressed his lips hungrily against Malik and began an intense make-out session with his husband.  Miranda and Daniel raised their eyebrows as Marik rubbed Malik’s chest.
“Umm, Ishtar?”
“Oh, my,” Ryou said as Malik buried his fingers in Marik’s spiky, blond hair.
“Ishtar,” Bakura said, snapping his fingers. “Let your husband breathe for Osiris’ sake!”
Marik quickly broke the kiss with his husband. “He doesn’t need to breathe.”
“Let’s go, Ishtar.”
Marik sighed and grabbed the Millennium Rod. “Very well.”
Malik watched Bakura and Marik leave. All eyes focused on him as he giggled.
“He’s a good kisser.”
*************************
Bakura stood beside the bodies which had exhumed with Marik and his own combined magic.  Bakura stood beside Robbie’s body and lightly brushed his hand against the corpse’s hair.  The corpse’s body laid motionless beside its former lover.  Robbie’s rosary remained clasped in his hands. “We’ll get you back.” Bakura sighed with boredom and walked around to Aten’s corpse laying on the altar. Bakura looked at the dead teen’s corpse. “Poor Aten. Your family misses you,” Bakura said, caressing Aten’s cold cheek.
Bakura’s head snapped up as a bright light appeared in the corner of the room. The thief grabbed his dagger and ran in front of the altar.
Marik stepped from the light, coughing and holding his leather sack. “I shouldn’t have placed the Puzzle piece in a volcano. That was the hardest piece to find.” Marik turned to the portal and held the Millennium Rod. The portal closed behind him.
“Did you get all the pieces?”
Marik nodded as he approached the altar. “Yes. Now I can understand why it took Yugi such a long time to assemble this piece of crap.”
Marik looked at Aten and Robbie’s corpses on the altar. “I hope you’re right that they want to be resurrected, Itemri.”
Bakura grabbed Marik’s bag and took the pieces in his hand. “They told me they would be willing.”
Bakura and Marik worked to solve the puzzle. Marik took the last piece and held it in his hand.  Both yamis stared at the puzzle piece in Marik’s hand. “Do we solve it?”
“Yami can be summoned if we do.”
“We need the puzzle for the spell to work.”
Marik slipped the piece slightly into place.  “Let’s try the spell.”
Bakura nodded as he snapped the necklace around his throat and held the eye and key.
Marik wore the Puzzle and held the scales and Rod.
Bakura unrolled the scroll and nodded with Marik.
The blond licked his lips and read from the scroll. Bakura felt the wind pick up as Marik read.  “Bring these souls from Osiris’ grip!” Marik said, raising the Rod and Scales.
Bakura watched as the Millennium Items glow.  Bakura raised the Eye and Key over Robbie’s body.
Marik closed his eyes as the wind whipped through his hair.  He continued to chant from the scriptures his host had committed to memory in his childhood home.  
Bakura watched Robbie’s corpse slowly make a fist around the rosary.  The corpses on the altar began to glow with the Millennium Items.  Bakura and Marik winced in pain as they felt the Items grip onto them and rip away energy from their bodies.
Aten and Robbie began to scream on the altar as the yamis watched their energy seep into the bodies before them.  
Robbie’s eyes shot open as he turned to Bakura. “Ba...Baku...ra.”
Bakura took Robbie’s hands and leaned over, caressing Robbie’s hair. “Relax, the pain will subside soon.”
“It hurts, Bakura...”
Bakura continued to caress Robbie’s hair as his own pain started to subside. “I know, Robbie. Your body has to adjust to starting again.”
Aten opened his eyes as his corpse began to tremble. Aten stared wide-eyed at his father. “Daddy...”
Marik gathered his son into his arms and held him close. Marik felt the pain in his body diminish as he held his body against him. “Son? Aten is that really you?”
Aten slowly raised a shaking hand to his father’s face. “Daddy.” Aten hugged his father tightly as his body shivered.
“Shh, my boy,” Marik whispered. “You’re going to be alright.”
Bakura held Robbie in his arms as he looked at Marik with a small smile. “We have the boys back, Marik. Our family is whole again.”
**********************
Malik carried Heaven in his arms.  The Egyptian hikari sang songs that he remembered from the tomb.  His sister would carry him and sing to him after their mother died in childbirth.  The baby girl was light in his arms as he laid her on her back.
“Goodnight, baby girl.”
Malik turned and saw Ryou standing in the doorway. “Hi, Ry. Do you think the spell worked?”
Ryou sighed. “I hope they don’t come home alone. Daniel and Miranda would be heartbroken if we can’t deliver their son.” Ryou stepped toward the crib and smiled at the infant. “She will be happy to see their daddies.”
“I’ll be happy to see Aten again. What about you?”
Ryou smiled. “I love my son, Malik. I will be very happy to see him again.”
//Malik, come downstairs.//
Malik’s head snapped up. “Marik’s here, Ry!”
Ryou and Malik turned from the crib and ran out of the room.  They rushed down half the steps to find Robbie in his mother and father’s arms.  Daniel was kissing Robbie’s forehead, tears streaming down his face. “My boy....My boy is home.”
Miranda gripped onto Robbie tightly as she hugged him. “My Robbie...my brave little soldier is home.”
Ryou saw Aten standing at the bottom of the steps. The teen was smiling up at his mother and bowed his head. “Hello, mother.”
Ryou covered his mouth and ran down the stairs,hugging Aten when he reached the bottom. “My baby boy...”
Malik smiled and joined Ryou in embracing the teen.
Marik put his arm around Bakura and smiled. “We did good, partner.”
Bakura grinned. “Yes, we did.”
“It’s good to be home,” Robbie said.
“Robbie, I wish we could have done more for you.”
Robbie sighed. “Mom, when I was dying in the street, I felt bad about leaving you. I saw you crying and I tried to hold on as much as I could.”
“I know you did,” Daniel said.
“How is Heaven?” Aten asked.
Malik and Ryou stepped aside. “We just tucked her into bed.”
Aten climbed the stairs slowly as Robbie followed behind. The teens quietly entered the room and saw Heaven asleep in her crib.
Robbie smiled happily at the sleeping baby in her crib. “Daddy’s home, pumpkin,” Robbie whispered, caressing Heaven’s cheek.
Aten covered Robbie’s hand with his own.  “We’re home, Robbie.”
Robbie turned to Aten and caressed his cheek. “Here’s to eternity together.” Robbie leaned forward and kissed his lover on the lips.  
************************
Two months later......
Yugi took the small golden box from Yami Marik and looked at the object uneasily.  Yugi’s hand touched the golden lid with uncertainty. “Are you sure, Marik? Don’t you want to hide the pieces again?”
“If you want me to hide the pieces, I can,” Marik said as he sat across from Yugi. “The Millennium Puzzle rightfully belongs to you.”
Bakura walked into the kitchen with Malik. “I’m telling you, Ishtar, I’m fine.”
“You were pacing in the hallway. What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” Bakura said. “Oh, hello, Pharaoh’s Light. What brings you here?”
Yugi looked up at Bakura. “Marik  is returning my Puzzle pieces.”
“Are you sure you want to do that, Marik?”
Yugi looked at the golden box. “I don’t want to assemble the Puzzle, Bakura. I’ll just put it in the attic.”
“Yami was an asshole, but Yugi has the right to own his item.”
Bakura shrugged. “Protect that box, Yugi. We don’t want the pharaoh returning.”
Yugi nodded. “I’ll make sure that it is safe.” Yugi looked around. “Where is Ryou?”
“Ryou had to run an errand,” Bakura said.  
“I think Ryou has the flu,” Marik said. “Didn’t he have an appointment to see Zira? I’m surprised you aren’t there, Bakura.”
“Ryou wanted to go alone.”
Bakura poured himself a cup of cranberry juice when he grabbed onto the countertop. Sensations from Ryou flooded through his body and he shifted uncomfortably on his feet.
Malik walked to Yugi and put his hand on Yugi’s shoulder. “I’m glad you’re here, Yugi. You don’t come over very much.”
“Well, Marik said he wanted to see me.”
Marik crossed his arms. “I wanted to give you the option, Yugi. Do you want me to take the pieces and hide them for you?”
Yugi shook his head. “My grandpa gave me this. It’s important to me. Thank you, Marik.”
Bakura closed his eyes and tried to connect to his mindlink to Ryou. /Okay, Ryou, it’s official..../
Bakura felt Ryou cut the mindlink. //Ryou? What’s going on?//
/I want it to be a surprise./
//Ryou?//
/I’ll see you when I get home, love. I love you./
Bakura sighed as Ryou cut the mindlink. ‘I hope he’s alright.’
“Itemri?”
Bakura turned his head. “Yes?”
Malik stood behind Bakura. “Are you alright?”
Bakura nodded. “I’m fine. I just need some air.”
Bakura walked outside and found himself followed by Malik. Bakura sat on the front step with his cup.  Malik smiled as he walked around the front garden.
Bakura shifted on the ground uncomfortably. ‘I hope Ryou is okay.’
Malik ran to Robbie and Aten as they walked Heaven in her stroller. Aten waved to Bakura with a smile.
“Hello, Little Ishtar. Nice to see you and Robbie out and about.”
“It’s a nice day, Father Bakura.”
Aten and Robbie invited Malik to accompany them on their walk. Bakura watched the hikari walk away with Aten and Robbie.
Bakura waited for Ryou’s arrival anxiously.  When Ryou pulled into the driveway, the yami jumped to his feet.  Ryou closed the door of the car and walked towards Bakura slowly.
“What did Dr. Zira say?"
Ryou smiled and caressed Bakura’s cheek. “Yami...” Ryou leaned into Bakura’s ear. “Congratulations....daddy.”
Bakura’s eyes widened and pulled Ryou against him quickly. “Ryou! The doctor said for certain?”
Ryou nodded. “The morning sickness is more than enough sign for me.”
Bakura smiled. “I’m going to be a daddy. Ryou, you make me so happy.”
“We have an eternity, baby,” Ryou kissed Bakura’s lips. “I’m going to lay down.”
Bakura followed Ryou inside, who stopped when he heard Yugi inside. Ryou went into the kitchen.
“Yugi? What brings you here?”
“Marik wanted to return my Puzzle pieces to me. I’m taking them home and putting them in my attic.”
Ryou’s eyes wandered to the golden box nervously.
“What did the doctor say, Ry?” Marik asked.
“He said that I just have....a cold.”
Marik stood and walked towards Ryou. The yami leaned over and kissed Ryou’s forehead. “Go upstairs and lay down. We’ll wake you up for dinner.”
“Thank you, Marik.”
Ryou turned and took Bakura’s hand. The hikari lead Bakura upstairs to the bedroom. Bakura laid on his side of the bed as Ryou shifted against him. Bakura snuggled against Ryou’s back and reached around his lover to rub his stomach.
“When did Dr. Zira say the baby is due?”
Ryou yawned as he felt Bakura caress his stomach.  “June 16th.”
Bakura swallowed as he cuddled against Ryou’s back. Ryou felt the yami hold him close.
“Bakura, are you alright?”
//That was the month.....//
/What month?/
//My son was born....five thousand years ago.//
Ryou covered Bakura’s hand with his own. “I’m sorry.”
“Why did you not tell Ishtar?”
“Malik wasn’t there. I didn’t want to tell him without Malik.”
Bakura kissed the back of Ryou’s neck.  “My beautiful Ryou...I love you so much.”
Ryou smiled. “I can’t believe it, baby.”
“First steps, first day of school,” Bakura said. “What do you think the Ishtars will say?”
“Marik will miss the days when he could just make out in the Living Room and bend Malik over the couch and screw him senseless.”
Ryou giggled. “Well, they can do that when the baby is spending the night with Seto, Aten, or Aria.”
“We can make some popcorn and just watch them. I think they qualify as cheap, but delightful entertainment." Bakura kissed Ryou’s neck again. “With Yami locked away in the Shadow Realm, there’s nothing to interfere with our baby again.”
Ryou turned around to face Bakura and caressed his lover’s cheek. “We’ll have to make Aten’s room into the nursery.”
Bakura smiled. “I cannot believe it.”
“Believe it, ‘Kura,” Ryou whispered and kissed Bakura’s lips.
Bakura sighed as Ryou cuddled against him and fell asleep in his arms. Bakura’s hand lightly brushed against his lover’s side. Bakura kissed Ryou’s forehead and closed his eyes with a contented sigh.
*********************
Glenn locked the Game Shop door behind him and found a light glowing at the top of the stairs.  “Yugi?” Glenn slowly climbed the steps as the ladder to the attic slowly came into view.  ‘I wonder what Yugi wants up there.’
Glenn climbed the steps into the attic and saw Yugi sitting and holding onto Grandpa’s bandana. “Yugi, what are you doing up here?”
Yugi raised his head. “I was just thinking about how things used to be with Yami and I. Yami would help in the store when Grandpa and I would go out together. But then....”
Yugi lowered his head and sniffled. He rubbed his eyes as he thought of the policemen coming to his door and telling him that Grandpa had been found dead and his wallet missing.  
“What happened?”
“One of Bakura’s men robbed and killed him. Bakura found out who it was and killed him for his crime.”
Glenn sat beside Yugi and looked at the golden box sitting in front of him. “Is that the Puzzle box?”
Yugi nodded slowly. “I’m going to keep it up here so nobody can assemble it again.”
“Are you sure you want to keep it?”
“Yami has been a big part of my life, but he has hurt my friends.  Nobody will find it up here. It’s safe.”
Glenn sighed. “Perhaps it would be best if you bury the thing in the backyard and forget it.”
“Perhaps...in time,” Yugi said, caressing the golden box lightly.
Glenn covered Yugi’s hand with his own. “Come to bed, Yugi. It’s getting late.” Glenn descended the stairs.
Yugi sighed. “Alright.” Yugi placed Grandpa’s bandana over the golden box. “We used to have it all, Yami. I loved you.  Perhaps one day you will have learned your lesson, but until then, in this attic will you stay.”
Yugi stood and walked down the steps.  The golden box was slowly shrouded in darkness as the door to the attic closed tight.

Author’s Notes: Look for the sequel “Soul of The Night.”