Hello all! Thank you for reading and commenting on my stories! It is much appreciated. Thanks to Donalde and Avare for beta reading and catching those pesky name changes. There are no historical facts at the end of this chapter, but there will be at the end of the next one. Oh and there also is very little sex in this chapter as well.
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It was time to start getting ready for the holidays. Because she was carrying a full course load, Patricia began delegating. She had Niko and Marie begin making decorations for the house and Christmas tree. Abby and Hattie were in charge of the cookie baking, Sally, Dianne and Eli helped wherever they were needed and Nick and Hana were in charge of making sure that everyone had whatever supplies they needed. In one more week she would be able to help with the final preparations. Also Kenji would be home. Miraculously, he was going to be home for Thanksgiving and Christmas both.
Patricia forced herself back to her studies. She had two finals on one day and two on another. She wasn't particularly worried, but if she wanted to get into med school, she had to keep her grades up. She smiled when she heard Niko and Marie giggling. It seemed as though things were as they should be-normal.
Although there were still some problems at school, Niko was happy. He had finally made other friends in addition to Florrie who Patricia had yet to meet. Marie seemed to have settled down after the incident with the broken figurine and once Niko stopped taking the blame for things that she had done wrong. The only thing that blighted their otherwise happy life was an intern by the name of Mai Kabata.
Patricia had seen the intern at a distance whenever she had lunch with Kenji. The intern never approached them, but watched with an expression that contained curiosity, dislike and disgust. She had mentioned the intern to Penny during one of their weekly phone calls.
"Have you mentioned anything to Kenji?" Penny asked.
"No, I don't want to come across like a jealous wife who doesn't trust her husband," Patricia replied. "I told you about the first time I met the woman, Kenji sent her a clear message."
"It doesn't sound as if she's received it, but Patricia; know that you have nothing to worry about don't you? Remember when I told you that Kenji could be fully dressed in a roomful of naked men?"
"I remember," Patricia said chuckling.
"The same goes for Kenji regarding you. Mai or whatever her name is doesn't stand a chance against you. But, it you're really bothered about it, I would suggest that you talk to Kenji about it. I had to talk with a nurse the other day about Joel."
"Really? What happened?" Patricia asked.
"This particular nurse had taken a shine to Joel meaning that she's always putting her hand on his arm or standing so close that the man could hardly breathe. Well, I yanked her skinny butt into an empty room and told her that if she touches my husband one more time, I was going to break her fingers."
"You didn't!" Patricia exclaimed laughing.
"I most certainly did and then I told Joel about it. His reaction was pretty much like yours."
"Did she get the message?" Patricia asked.
"Loud and clear- every time she sees me, she puts her hands in her pockets."
"You know, I think I will say something to Kenji when he comes home this time. I wish that you guys were here."
"Believe you me, so do we! It's so damned cold! Which reminds me, we're planning to take the train out this summer- can we stay with you guys?"
"Of course you can! When are you coming?" Patricia asked excitedly.
"I'm not sure of the exact dates; it depends on when our rotation is over. We thought about doing a summer rotation, but we want to take the summer off."
"I can't wait to tell Kenji and the others! But you know Kenji will do the summer rotation."
"I suspected as much, but we're still coming."
Patricia smiled at the memory of the phone call. She hadn't told Kenji yet. She wanted to surprise him when he came home.
"Focus!" she chided herself.
She studied until it was time for dinner, the smell of meatloaf making her stomach growl. She closed her books, went to the kitchen and washed her hands and helped her mother finish dinner.
"Where's daddy?"
"Out back playing with the kids," Hattie replied. "Supper will be ready soon."
"I'll set the table," Patricia said as she headed for the cabinet.
"It's done, Niko and Marie did it," Hattie said as she mashed the potatoes. "Sit down and tell me about school."
"I love it!" Patricia said with a smile. "Some of the classes are challenging, but I'm learning so much."
"We're so proud of you," Hattie said. "You believed that it could happen when we didn't and look at you! You're going to be a doctor and you're married to one!"
They chatted until the kids came running in followed by John.
"Where's dinner?" he demanded with mock severity. "You've got hungry people here! Right kids!"
"Go wash your hands," Hattie said laughing, "It'll be ready by the time you get back."
Patricia watched as her father herded the kids to the sink so that they could wash their hands. It was hard to believe that for a short time, he had disowned her. Now he considered Kenji a son although he still hadn't forgiven Hiroshi for what he and Joben tried to do to her. She had stopped talking to him about it and had to be satisfied with the fact that he was at least civil to him. Dai and Hiro were another matter altogether. John doted on the little boy and was kind to Dai because he didn't hold them responsible for Hiroshi's wrong doings.
"Let's eat! He bellowed making Marie and Niko laugh.
Patricia laughed too, but then frowned. Something wasn't quite right with her father. He looked alright, he was acting alright, but something was off. She watched him throughout dinner taking note of how much he was eating and drinking... something wasn't right.
Later when they were washing the dishes, Patricia asked her mother about it.
"Mama, is daddy alright?"
"He's fine, why?"
"He ate so much and drank so much water at dinner. How long has he been doing that?"
"I don't know... a week or so," Hattie replied with a shrug.
Patricia looked toward the living room where John was reading to the kids and made a mental note to tell Kenji what she had seen when he called. Abby came by around eight to pick John and Hattie up to take them home.
"I'll be back around nine to take care of Marie so that you can study," Abby said.
Soon after they were gone the phone rang. It was Kenji calling to talk to the children. He talked to Marie first and then Niko. After talking to them, he spoke to Patricia.
"I will call you back around nine," he told her. "I love you."
