216 Epilogue

-- SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2027 --

Taking a deep breath, I looked at BJ and gave him a shrug. "So you kinda understand why I wouldn't want to drop all of that on you until you were mature enough to understand it. It's not every day a kid learns that when his mother was his age, she had a submissive personality that made life kinda complicated for those that cared about her. And things weren't all smooth sailing from there. Your mom turned out to have the same genetic disorder that killed your grandma, and it could have killed your mom too if we hadn't caught it in time. That's the only reason why I never gave her any more children, and it's part of why your grandfather is around so much, why he has always been deeply invested in your development, and why he's been super-protective of you."

BJ snorted. "Overprotective of me."

I shrugged. "He loves you. And he still means the world to your mom. It's why she named you for both of us: Benjamin Junsaku Fukuzaki."

"Yeah, but Sofu is still annoyed 'Junsaku' isn't my first name, like his and Uncle John's. But then, I think that's just because he's still annoyed Uncle John named his firstborn 'Samuel'."

I chuckled. "Naming you was entirely your mother's decision: respecting her father AND symbolically breaking free at the same time."

"Yeah, but it's still a mouthful."

I arched an eyebrow. "That a sex joke about your nickname?"

BJ blushed, rolled his eyes, and groaned, "Daaaad."

I clapped my hands together and sat up. "So that's it. That's the story of how your Mom and I got together ... sort of."

"But your romantic life certainly didn't stop there. I mean, I know Mom moved in with you and you raised me together and you've always been there as my Dad. But did you think I never noticed just how many 'Aunties' have always been around?"

I arched an eyebrow. "Your point?"

"I wanna know how all that happened. How did you do it? Juggling all those different women in your life?"

"You looking for pointers on how to juggle your own tangled web of romance?"

BJ blushed and gave me a sheepish grin. "Well, maybe. Is it so bad for me to go to my old man for advice on the subject?"

"Of course not. Certainly, I'll tell you everything I can that might help you avoid some of the heartaches I went through, to learn from the bad mistakes I made, if you're willing to listen."

"Absolutely. But I'm also really curious about something ... something I've been wondering about for a long time. And since you were willing to tell me the truth about the strange circumstances that led to MY birth, I'm hoping you'll tell me the truth about something else."

"What's that?"

BJ sat up straight, took a deep breath, and gave me a direct look in the eye. "How many half-siblings do I really have? It's more than two, isn't it?"

I smiled, glanced down at my lap for a moment, and thought about how I should respond. I glanced at the clock, took note of the time, and took a deep breath. "The short answer to your question is: Yes, it's more than two."

"Which ones? Tell me about them. I have some guesses, but--"

"No, no, no," I cut him off, waving my hands. "I think I've spent long enough tonight telling you stories about my history."

"But Daaad..."

I held up a hand palm-out and gave him a serious look. "I'm not saying I won't tell you. I'm just saying I won't tell you right now."

"Tomorrow?"

I laughed and shook my head. "You've got classes tomorrow."

BJ's shoulders slumped.

"Maybe not tomorrow. Maybe not next week, or even next year. You have to remember, these aren't just my secrets, and knowing them will shape the way you view the people around you." I paused and took a deep breath. "But ... well ... someday ... When you're ready ... Yeah, I'll tell you everything."

BJ groaned, but before he could complain any further, Adrienne knocked at the door before poking her head in. "You boys just about finished?"

"Just about," I replied with a smile.

Adrienne nodded and looked at BJ. "Your mother sent me up here to tell you that dinner's almost ready." She looked at us both before returning to BJ. "Are you hungry?"

He shook his head. "She must've meant Dad. I'm going out with April tonight; Mom knows that."

"Oh, right." Adrienne smiled. "Just April? Or April AND Celine?"

BJ blushed and groaned, "Aunt Adrienne..."

Adrienne sighed with a smile. "Just like his father."

I head-nodded BJ toward the door. "Go on, get out of here. Don't keep your woman waiting."

BJ smirked and got up to leave. He paused to peck Adrienne on the cheek before walking out the door, calling over his shoulder, "Laters..."

I called after him, "Tell April's mom we said 'hi'."

"Will do, Dad," he yelled back, again without turning around. I already heard his footsteps going down the stairs.

I stood up, and wrapping an arm around Adrienne's waist, I started for the door while asking, "So what's Kim making for dinner tonight?"

Adrienne shook her head and tugged me back. "Kim's not making dinner; she just sent me up here to tell you that dinner's almost ready. Sasha's making your favorite."

I smirked. We both knew that 'my favorite' was whatever one of my ladies decided to make for me.

"Besides," Adrienne continued as she grabbed me by the waist and pushed me back down into my chair. Kneeling on the floor, she reached for my fly and finished, "Kim said that dinner's almost ready. But it's not ready yet."