Chapter 12

"Oh, I just can't wait to hear this one."

Derek, Peter and Fujin just laughed at Arrian's discomfort.

"Uncle Pete, it's been a long time since I've seen you... it was the day of your funeral. We've missed you."

"I know sport, I've missed you as well, you'd think I'd be in hell for the things I've done. Guess somebody up there really liked something I did."

Derek watched as his son and best friend chatted. He knew their time was limited.

"Okay, enough with catching up, Arrian, Pete and I need to tell you something, and I know it will be a shock." Derek warned.

Peter told Arrian a similar story to the one Miranda had told the girls.

"Sam's Mom is the one you always loved?" Arrian said awe struck.

"Yes, but there is more to it, than that. When Derek and I were on our mission, I knew deep down, I wouldn't be returning alive. I asked Derek, that if he ever found Miranda, to find someone to love her like I did, if she needed it."

"Okay, so what did Dad do?"

"I didn't so anything Arrian. I died long before I got the chance to find Miranda. You, however, did find her. So, I am asking you to keep my promise to Peter, except not the way he originally intended."

Arrian was puzzled; he looked at both adults with questioning eyes. He had no idea where this conversation was going.

"Arrian, I want you to be the man in Miranda's life."

Arrian was glad that only his mind was here. Had his body been here, he was sure he would have collapsed instantly. He could feel himself pale and shiver with shock with what he was being asked to do. He responded with the first thing that t came to mind.

"Oh Shit!"

Derek saw the worry and doubt in his son's eyes, he felt he needed to try and make him better understand.

"Arrian, I know that you have done as I asked with Helen, and I also know what you and Kai have gotten yourselves into," he chuckled. "Son, we would not ask you to do this, if we felt it was not possible or that you could not handle it." Peter wanted to throw in his two cents, "Arrian, although Miranda does not really recognize it yet, she is falling in love with you. You have given her something she hasn't had in a long time, you have looked after her by willingly risking your life to save hers."

If Arrian looked pale before, he looked ghostly now. Sam's mom was falling for him!

"What about Mom?"

"That is were Peter and I come in; we will take care of that when it's time. First, you need to heal. Then, we will deal with everything else."

"Fujin, you have been rather quiet. Don't you have something to say?" Arrian asked.

"Samurai, this is a matter of your personal life, I cannot and will not dictate that, I brought Helen's problems to your attention to help you avoid problems as a result of losing her."

"What do I do now? Do I tell them what you've told me today?"

"No son; like I said, at the right moment, you will know what to do."

Arrian bowed to his father's advice. He hugged his father and uncle and for some reason bowed to Fujin. He slowly began to drift from that plane of existence. He was conscious of a sharp pain again, and he knew he was back in his body.

For the next two days, Arrian was in the hospital; he had heard nothing about the slaughter at the Ellis home. Still, he knew it would not go away that easily; with Helen, Kailynn, or Sam to keep him company he was rarely alone or bored.

If he predicted the pattern right, he guessed Helen would walk through his door in exactly... three... two... one

Only it wasn't Helen, it was Miranda. She looked better than she had the night Arrian went to rescue her.

She looked better, but Arrian knew that there were things that still troubled her.

"Hi Mrs. Richards," Arrian greeted her.

"Hello Arrian... I would like to speak privately with you."

"Is this about what I did?"

Miranda was shocked; she didn't think Arrian would be so open about the events of that dark day in her life.

"Yes, it's about that."

"Please, sit down, I have a feeling this will take a while."

She pulled an empty chair closer to him by the bed.

"What exactly is it that is troubling you?"

"What do you mean?" she asked not fully understanding his question.

"Was it me seeing you almost naked, or lying about it to the hospital, or the powers you've seen me use, what exactly?"

She noticed he made no mention of the men he killed that day, "What about the men you killed?"

"That is something that I will deal with alone; you don't have to worry about that."

"What do you mean I shouldn't worry about it? You killed them to save me!" she said exasperatedly.

"You said it yourself, just now, I killed them, not you. Is that all that was bothering you?"

"You just said you killed people to save me, that's the problem. I-"

"My father once told me, that a time would come when I would use the training and skills he taught me to protect people I cared about. He gave me his training; I don't know if you know about my father's training or not, but when applied it rarely will let the enemy survive."

"You say that rather coldly, almost as if this is normal for you," Miranda said eyeing his body language to gauge his reactions.

"I know that the significance of the events of recent weeks have yet to settle on my shoulders, I know they will eventually and I'm sure that if I need it, you will give me your support."

"That goes without question Arrian, after all you did save my life. Oh, that reminds me your sister and Sam, have spoken with your teacher and explained about dinner this past Friday. She says a rain check will be fine."

"Thanks, I wanted to make sure they didn't think that I didn't want them at the house."

Miranda was surprised by his attentive manner to those around him. It stirred feelings in her. She thought she had forgotten; the feelings were like the ones she had for Peter.

"I'm going home today when Helen comes to pick me up. Could you please be at our home tomorrow afternoon? I have to speak with you all after dinner."

"Okay, we'll be there."

She began to get up, but some unseen force made her stop. She turned to look at Arrian before she slowly leaned down and planted a soft kiss on his lips. Arrian wasn't shocked at all, after having that conversation with his father and uncle. He trusted that they would not lead him down the wrong path.

Miranda blushed a fierce red, before she left his room.

Arrian walked into his home, on either side of him were Helen and Kailynn. He was almost fully healed. The bruising on his face was just a memory; his ribs still ached, but nothing when compared to when he entered the hospital... They turned into the kitchen, sat at the counter, and drank some iced tea.

Kailynn excused herself to go to bed. Arrian had a feeling he knew why.

"Honey, are you feeling okay?"

Arrian noticed her tone as she asked him, "Yeah, I feel fine. I think I can resume my training soon."

Helen ran her hand up and down Arrian's arm very provocatively. Arrian grinned he knew what she wanted.

"Helen, I've been in a hospital for three days, let's go upstairs and I'll ravish you!" He reached his hands out to grab her breasts.

"Ah, ah, ah. If you want me, you have to catch me." She teased as she ran out of the kitchen and up the stairs.

Arrian smiled knowing he could catch her at any moment, still it was fun to play games. And catch her he did; it's not like Helen tried too hard to get away. They enjoyed a night of slow lovemaking.

Arrian was sitting in the living room; he was waiting for his family and their guest to join him. A loud yell and giggle informed him that Sarah had been let out of her chair, and was rushing to him at this moment. In a heartbeat Sarah was rushing him, and he placed her on his lap and cuddled with her while they waited for all the others s to join them.

Arrian was a little apprehensive about this evening's meeting... He was not sure how it would work out, but he knew, just like his father said; that it was the right time. Cindy walked in after a few minutes and stared at Sarah cuddled up on Arrian's lap. He would occasionally brush her hair with his fingers and she would just sigh in contentment. It melted Cindy's heart; she felt so lonely and needed a man in her life.

Sarah's arms tightened around Arrian's chiseled abs as she nuzzled her face into his chest.

"I love you Daddy."

Arrian felt his heart jump into his throat. He looked at Cindy for help; she merely stared at them and gave Arrian a positive smile.

"I love you too, Sarah."

Cindy had a small tear running down her cheek, as she watched her daughter pick her father. Cindy felt Sarah could not have made a better choice. All the other women began walking into the living room at this moment. Arrian motioned all of them to sit on the couch. He rose to his feet; his arms were full with a five-year-old girl who just found her daddy.

"Please have a seat, I will try to explain why I've asked you all here. Cindy, I asked you here because I felt you needed to be here, and hear what I have to say."

Arrian moved to face them all.

"Sarah, would you please go and sit with mommy."

"Okay, Daddy, but can we play later?"

All the women, with the exception of Cindy, had unbelieving expressions on their faces.

"Sure, honey. Whatever you want."

Sarah squealed and kissed him on the cheek before climbing down from his arms and running to Cindy.

"I'll explain later," Arrian said, as he gestured at Sarah with a smile.

"Okay, I asked you all here because I need to explain some things to you all. It pertains to my Dad and Uncle Peter."

Miranda looked curious; everyone else was not sure what he meant.

"When I was in the hospital, after Mrs. Richards and I got back, I had a talk with Dad and Uncle Peter. Mom, do you know what Dad's promise to Uncle Peter was?"

"No, your father never said anything about it."

"He promised him that he would find Uncle Peter's long lost love, and if she was single, he would help her find a good man, or if she was married to help insure her happiness."

Miranda gasped. Helen's and everyone else's eyes popped out of their heads. Cindy had been told about Peter and Miranda's past history during dinner.

"How do you know that Arrian?" asked Helen.

Arrian suddenly went stiff; his head slumped and gazed at the floor. Ever so slowly he looked up.