Chapter 29

Cat's pov

"So why is your English so good Erika?" My father asked so casually.

I nearly spit out my water. That was a wildly inappropriate question. He couldn't have asked about her favorite show or something?

"Dad let's n-" I started, but was cut off by a little voice.

"I was in a fancy international school where English was used and taught in every class." Erika finished with a smile, "sometimes I feared that my English was better than my Japanese, but in reality neither are really that good." she laughed.

"Honey, you didn't have to answer that." My mother told her as Erika took a bite of her food like nothing ever happened.

Erika shrugged, taking a bite of her eggs. "It's okay. He's just curious. I'm curious about your culture too. I'm sure I've asked Cat so many odd questions—way more odd."

The room lightened with a few chuckles, except for my father, whose mouth twitched into a faint, reluctant smile. My brother Jeremy entered, still in his pajamas, his hair a tousled mess. "Oh good, you didn't start without me," he said, plopping into the chair across from Erika.

Jeremery started to blow bubbles in his orange juice and made direct eye contact with me as he did it. He knew I hated it. But my annoyance tethered as I saw in the corner of my eye a small smile crept on my baby's face started

Soon after she started to blow bubbles in her juice.

"Jeremy, stop." My mom commanded, giving him a stern look, "Stop playing with your food, you're far too old."

"No fair she's doing it." Jeremy pointed at Erika, and the little monkey's face got as red as a ladybug. She slowly took a drink to cover up her actions.

"Yeah baby let's not do that," I said as I reached for a sippy cup in my bag, "I'll put it in this instead, don't want you picking up any of Jeremy's nasty habits."

A smirk appeared on Jer's face, one I didn't like, "Oh don't look so smug, Erika's still a child and you're a fully developed adult Jer." I said as I poured the juice from the glass to the sippy cup. Erika looked down ashamed, with a huge pout. She would never not be adorable.

The smile was knocked right off his face and replaced with an angry glare, "You're sounding just like mom I guess you're getting old!"

"I'm not even old." I retort, though I was feeling a lot older. Relating more with my mother than Jer and Erika.

"36 is pretty old." Jeremy shot back with more spunk.

"You're 30!?" Erika shouts in shock before I could even part my lips. I guess she's not angry about the cup anymore.

The whole table laughed, even a smile cracked out of my father.

"Yes, honey I'm in my thirties and Jeremy just turned 25," I replied, trying not to laugh at her more, "How old did you think I was?"

"I thought you were like 20 something." Erika shyly responded.

"Oh I want her to guess my age now." My father joked, still smiling at Erika. This was a rarity. He doesn't even laugh at Jeremy. And there's a lot to laugh about him.

"Hmm," Erika started, "You look 45!" an innocent smile spreads across her face.

"Ding, Ding, Ding!" Dad yelled, "Correct."

"Oh Richard, don't mess with the poor girl like that." My mom laughed.

With that I coaxed Erika to drink out of her sippy cup. It would be just amazing if she becomes my little baby today. I've missed our closeness.

As I try to bring the pink plastic to her lips she moves her head and whispers, "no I'm okay thanks."

She quickly gets up, but is stopped by Jeremy poking her in the stomach. Giggles escape her little lips until he fully starts tickling her. She collapses to the floor and he still continues as if they're wrestling.

Jeremy will definitely be the fun uncle.

"Jer stop that she just ate she's going to get a stomach ache." My mom scolded. I mouth a 'thank you' to her and she winks at me.

I was quick to get up to help my baby, but apparently my mother was quicker as she was already lifting Erika off the ground.

Erika asked where the bathroom was and my mom took her by the hand and led her there, just as I would have. At least I knew I'd have a babysitter.

The moment Erika got back she was bombarded by more of Jer's stories, "So, Erika, have you heard the story of when Cat tried to run away from home?" He smirked, and I shot him a glare.

Erika perked up, eyes wide with interest. "No! What happened?"

Jeremy launched into the story with exaggerated flair. "She was nine, and Mom told her she couldn't get a kitten. So, she packed a suitcase full of stuffed animals, two granola bars, and a flashlight. She made it all the way to the end of the driveway before she came back."

Laughter erupted around the table, even from my mother, who covered her mouth with her napkin. Erika giggled, and I felt my irritation fade into affection. Seeing her happy, fitting in with my family, made every ounce of uncomfortability feel worth it.

My father, however, remained stoic, sipping his coffee, observing more than participating. He asked a few more questions throughout breakfast, but they carried the same subtle undertone—probing, slightly condescending. In contrast to his earlier interest shown in my monkey.

Erika, to her credit, handled it all with grace.

"Wait, so what Asian are you?" My dad inquired.

A small giggle escaped Erika's mouth, "Japanese." I'm glad she found that amusing, because I certainly didn't.

Dad finished the last of his coffee, "Tokyo?"

"Okinawa." Erika replied immediately.

My dad looked like dots were connecting, "Oh the poor one."

Erika bursted out into a fit of giggles, "I guess my village was." she paused, probably observing my brother and mother's terrified faces, "But, you know, it wasn't all bad. I loved Okinawa. Especially the summers... My cousins and I would spend all day by the ocean. We'd play along the coastline, chase crabs, and sometimes we'd help gather seaweed to dry. The smell of it, mixed with the salty breeze—" Her voice softened, eyes glimmering with nostalgia. "I miss that smell sometimes."

"That sounds beautiful," my mother said warmly. "Do you get to visit often now that you're in America?"

Erika shook her head. "Not really. Since I moved here for school, it's been... complicated."

I squeezed her hand under the table, my poor baby. If her mother couldn't appreciate her, I sure as hell could.

"Well, sweetheart," her mother added gently, "you're always welcome here. We'd love to hear more of your stories anytime."

"Thank you... Grandma." Erika responded.

Mom beamed at the word, but I couldn't even blame her, if Erika called me mom outside of forcing her I'd beam even brighter.

"Wait so if Mom is Grandma, and Dad is Grandpa, what are you and I?" Jeremy asked. I anxiously awaited Erika's response. I hope he didn't make her nervous. That idiot!

Erika's cheeks turned red, but she still opened her mouth, "While Cat's my mom. I think? So you're my uncle I guess."

"Uncle Jeremy," Jer smiled proudly at himself, "I like that." He shot Erika a wink.

"Mom, can you pass me a strawberry?" Erika asked. She asked me? Me! I couldn't contain my pure joy as I grabbed the strawberry. I handed it to her and kissed her forehead.

"What was that for?" She retorted, annoyed, whipping off my kiss.

"Can't a mother just love her daughter?" I questioned, "Or is that uncool now?"

"You're uncool, not me." Erika smirked at me.

"My goodness, you know you just remind me so much of Catherine when she was your age. So sweet, so smart, so-" My mom began but was interrupted by a loud clear of my father's throat.

My dad looked like he was going to speak again but was thankfully cut off by Jeremy, "You think Cat's so smart? She once mistaked a skunk for a cat."

"Oh my lord." Mom gasped, "I remember that I had to bathe her in tomato juice for two days." She laughed and shook her head, "Oh my Catherine."

Erika started to choke on her OJ. "Oh no, arms up honey." I said as I grabbed her arm and lifted it.

The coughing subsided, but the red on her face didn't. I rubbed her back far after she was better, but I heard no objections.

After breakfast, as we helped my mother clear the table, she turned to Erika with a kind smile. "Would you two like to go on an outing? I'm thinking of taking a hike along the beach trail. It's beautiful this time of year."

I replied for both of us,"We'd love to."

"Lovely, be ready at 2:00" Mom's smile was so big you'd think she won the lottery.

I guided Erika by the back. "Okay we're just gonna go get our things together."

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"I've never really been hiking," Erika grunts. She jumps onto the bed and dramatically flails out.

I walked over and sat on the edge of the bed, "Well lucky for you I have been, and there's nothing you have to worry about." I booped her nose. She scrunched it and stuck her tongue out playfully in response.

I stuck my tongue out back at her. She started to scoot over so I could lay down beside her. She turned to face me and I did the same. Looking into her big brown eyes, she was just so innocent. So loveable. How could anyone ever say anything remotely unkind to her.

I tucked a piece of hair behind her ears. A serene smile crossed her face and she closed her eyes.

"Hey monkey," her eyes slowly fluttered open, "you don't have to call me mom outside of our time together if you don't want to." I stroked her arm gently to put her at ease.

"I know mommy." She said as she tucked her head underneath my chin, resting on my chest.

I hugged her tight as tears threatened to spill onto her head. I kissed her forehead, causing my little girl to wipe her head.

"Oh don't like mommy's kisses?" I teased as I kissed her over and over again.

"Mom stoppp." Erika's voice was laced with irritation.

I stopped and laughed, "Who knew I had such a moody baby," I jokingly rolled my eyes, "I guess a certain little one needs a nap before the hike."

I began to stroke her back, knowing this always makes her sleepy.

"No, I'm not tired." She turned her head away from my chest the best she could without me breaking contact with her back.

Cute attempt, but I knew just how to get her to sleep, "Okay but then early bedtime monkey." I tried to put the pacifier I had on me in her mouth.

"Ugh fine." She said with her eyes still wide open. She didn't suckle on it, but did keep it placed between her lips.

I raise an eyebrow, but let it slide, "Close those eyes little one."

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The hike started off well. The path was lined with wildflowers and led to a cliff overlooking the Pacific. My mother took every opportunity to point out different plants, while Jeremy made jokes about her becoming a "flower influencer."

I held Erika's hand as we walked. I brought my camera and occasionally snapped photos of her when she wasn't looking.

She pouted when she caught me but leaned into me all the same. We laughed as she nearly tripped over a root, and I caught her just in time. "You're so clumsy, monkey," I teased.

"Just like you used to be hun." My mom smiled, "Alright that's it. It's my turn to walk with my granddaughter."

"Too late." Jeremy yells as he picks Erika up bridal style. To my surprise Erika giggles, instead of her usual annoyance.

Jeremy spun and spun and more laughs escaped from Erika.

"Jer, be careful," My mom warned.

"If she gets a scratch on her, I will hurt you." I threatened.

With that he gently put her down and helped steady her on the ground. She adorably held his arms. She looked extremely dizzy.

"Honey drink this." My mom held out a sippy cup. This shocked me. I was prepared, but my mother?

Erika took it, probably before even processing what it really was, but she quickly realized because a mix of a sour and embarrassed expression crossed over her face.

Mom took her hand and left on the trail like nothing ever happened.

"So she ditched both of us?" I playfully slapped Jer on the chest.

Jeremy smiled, "No she was forced to leave me, she chose to leave you kitty cat." That reminded me to check on Tsuki for Erika and Carol for me.

"Remember I can still beat you up." I put my knuckles to his chin.

He stood taller and grabbed my fist, "I've grown a lot Catherine, I'm not a little boy anymore."

"But you're always going to be my baby brother." I teased.

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When we reached the beach, we all sat on the sand, watching the waves crash against the shore. The salt air was refreshing, and for a brief moment, everything felt perfect.

Until it wasn't.

"Erika, so you guessed my age, now how old are you?" My father asked.

Erika didn't look at him, but still answered, "I'm 17."

"17 wow. That's old, you know to be adopted." My dad responded sitting next to all of us.

Erika shrugged her shoulders, "Perhaps."

Dad sighed deeply, "Catherine's always been responsible, but not enough to be a mother of a teenager."

Everyone remained in this awkward state of silence.

I bit my tongue, but he pressed on. "And now she's taken on this... responsibility," he gestured vaguely at Erika, "like she always needs something to control."

I felt the blood drain from my face. "She's not a responsibility. She's my baby."

My father scoffed. "Your baby? You adopted a girl you barely know. What is this, some phase? Or is this about something else?"

My chest tightened. I knew where he was going. "Don't."

"Don't what? Bring up her?" he snapped. "That you've always had to be different?"

Silence fell over the group. My mother looked mortified. Jeremy looked ready to punch someone. Erika's face was a mix of shock and confusion.

"Dad, you know I'm not able to have kids of my own," I said, my voice trembling. "And Erika is the perfect kid for me. You can accept that, or you can stay out of it."

My father stood up, brushing sand off his jeans. "I just want what's best for you. This isn't it. I thought you wanted a family. A real family."

Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. "Then you don't know me at all. Because Erika is my real family."

He walked back up the trail alone. My mother followed after a brief, apologetic glance.

Jeremy stayed whispering words in Erika's ear.

Jer placed a hand on my shoulder. "He'll come around," he said.

Erika walked over to me and rested her head on me, "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere."

I looked at her face to see tears streaming down. It hurt me the most to see her hurt.

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i love this little thing sm !!