Between Us, Rings - Chapter 39

Lea sat at her family’s dining room table. That’s what she always referred to it as. Her families. Not since she was a child, had Lea called anything outside of her room her own. She felt absolutely no connection to anything in the large house. All the paintings, vases, shelves, and furniture were always just a little too clean. A little too perfect. The house had always felt more like a museum than a living space. Like everything was on display, not actually theirs. In direct contrast, she always kept her room untidy. Not a mess, but everything was just slightly out of place, not quite where it should be. It was her oasis.

Her breakfast was going just as well as it always did. The family sat a table that was just a little too large for the four of them. Same as every morning.</i< Lea sat up perfectly straight, as did her parents and younger brother, Tyler. Not a word was spoken between them, and she and Tyler knew not to speak unless spoken too.

Their father was a high ranking businessman, a tycoon in the business world, yet timid when it came to his wife and family. Always wearing a crisp purple suite and his jet black hair slicked back. Tyler was only ten and already started to look like him, crooked nose and all. Lea looked more like her mother. They shared their gem like jade coloured eyes and long wavy hair.

Her mother’s eyes darted up from her plate, studying what her daughter was wearing. Always one for appearances, she never once let her children out in public without her approval.

“What is that you’re wearing?” Her voice was like thunder, cracking suddenly and without warning. At first Lea didn’t know it was directed towards her, but the lack of an answer from anyone else made her realize quickly that it was.

“It’s a scarf.” Wanting to try something different, Lea tied a sky blue scarf around her hair in a bonnet like style. She thought that it would be a welcomed change, softening up her usual look.

“I can see it’s a scarf. What I mean is why are you wearing it?”

“Well I like it. I wanted to try something new. Doesn’t it look pretty?” Lea was actually quite proud of it. She had stared at herself in the mirror for nearly a half hour before breakfast to get it just right.

“It’s ugly.” As usual, her mother’s words were harsh and unrelenting. “Take it off before you go anywhere.”

“But-“

“No ‘buts,’ missy. I will not have you tarnish our reputation.”

The conversation was over. Barely even an argument, there was no point in saying anymore. Once her mother’s mind was made up there was no changing it. Her stubbornness was what made her the successful owner of a clothes store chain across the country.

A cold silence swept over the table. Lea stared at her food, listening to the light sounds of chewing around her. Every now and then a screech would come from a knife gliding across the porcelain plates, making her flinch. A sudden beeping and vibration replaced the lack of noise, making Lea wish she wasn’t there any longer.

“Hello.” Lea’s mom answered her ringing phone almost instantly, not caring to keep her work matters private. She began talking to whoever it was a little louder than necessary. She had always used volume to command respect. After the conversation had ended, she slammed the flip phone shut, placing it gently back into her pocket. “Lea, I need you to take your brother to his appointment for me.”

“What?” They both said together before glaring at one another. Lea and Tyler had never gotten along. She always hated how he would conform to their parents every whim, and he disliked how she seemed to act like she was better than them all.

“Moooooooom.” Tyler began to whine. “Why does she have to take me? You’re the one that always goes with me. She’ll just screw it up somehow.”

Lea had already had enough of her brother and it was only the beginning of the day. “Oh please.” She wished her piercing eyes fazed him, even just a little. She wished he feared her like so many others. “I already have plans today, mother. I can’t take him.”

“Cancel them or go after. Either way, you’re taking him.”

“But I really need to-“

“Leanne Kimberly Byres!” Her mother yelled her full name, causing Lea to stop in fear. It wasn’t often Lea’s full name was used. Whenever she head it, she knew to stop anything that she was doing. “I said you are taking him. Don’t disobey my orders.” Seeing that her point had been made, she stood up to take her leave. “Now then. If you’ll excuse me, I have an important meeting to get to.”

The siblings glared at each other, wishing they didn’t have to spend time together. Lea gave her dad a small pout. She hoped that the puppy dog face would get her out of looking after her brother. Her dad saw what she was doing and quickly made his leave as well.

“Looks like we’re stuck together.” She looked away from Tyler and crossed her arms. She made it as apparent as possible that she wasn’t going to enjoy this.


“Thanks for dropping us off guys. It’s really appreciated.” Reuben carefully helped Angel out of the buggy. They had just finished up another check up with Jumba, and it was clear the initial walk to the ship had drained the girl.

“Isa no problem.” Stitch quickly ran around to the other side, offering support for Angel to get down from the vehicle. Lilo had run ahead to get her a drink for when she was back in the house.

It had only been a few months since Angel had found out she was pregnant, but she looked like she was only weeks away from having her baby. Every movement was strained and it was getting hard to walk. Reuben happily waited on her hand and foot. Never before had he worked so constantly and diligently, not even when working as Gantu’s Galley Officer. He was sure it would be good practice for him as he was sure he’d get even less time for rest once the baby was born.

With Angel safely seated back in her house, she thanked everyone for their help.

“Don’t mention it.” Lilo handed her a glass of water, which she happily drank down in one gulp. Taking the empty glass back, Lilo quickly ran off to refill it.

“Is there anything else you need, sweet bean?” Reuben wanted to make sure she was as comfortable as possible. Angel wished she was able to do more for herself, sometimes feeling Reuben took things a little too far. She remembered the day that she said she was a little hungrier than usual and he had made enough sandwiches to feed almost all the cousins. Ultimately, she found the gesture sweet and really liked the attention. “I could fluff your pillow. Make you something to eat. Run to the store for your favorite juice. Make you a comfier chair…” The list went on and on, getting more elaborate each second.

“Reuben. Rueben, honey! ” Angel snapped him out of his sudden excitement, calming him back down. “I’m fine. Water will be enough. You worry too much.” She gave him a lick on his cheek, reassuring him that she was okay.

Lilo set the glass of water she had just fetched on a table beside Angel. It was clear that Angel needed her rest, but she insisted on Lilo and Stitch staying for a little while. She really missed getting to spend a lot of time with them, and wanted to hear about how things had been for them recently.

To get things out of the way, Reuben explained what Jumba had told them just before. It appeared that the pregnancy term was far shorter than humans, and most alien species for that matter. Where it takes humans nine months to develop, the next generation of experiments would only take three to four months. Jumba set the baby’s due date just days before Nani and David’s wedding. Despite the quick development, everything seemed to be going well. The biggest surprise was that he found that Angel and Reuben would actually be having twins. The news was shocking but not unwelcome. When he asked them if they wanted to know the genders, the couple quickly declined. For them, the surprise could only add to the experience.

What became an even greater surprise for Lilo and Stitch, was that Angel and Reuben asked them to be the children’s god parents. At first they didn’t know what to say, but after the initial shock, they happily accepted. After all, the two children would be a part of their ‘ohana anyway. Being there for them whenever they needed to be wouldn’t be any issue at all.

“So? Has anything new happened with you two?” Angel finally asked. Having patiently waited through Reuben’s long explanation, she was eager to finally hear from their guests.

Their guest’s news wasn’t as happy as theirs was, however. Lilo recounted what Nani had said to her a few nights before. It was really like they all had initially thought. While they disliked keeping the relationship between Lilo and Stitch a secret, it seemed like the idea of it wouldn’t be as welcome as it was to some others. Reuben told them that they shouldn’t worry about it so much. In truth, ever since he first found out, it wasn’t Nani that he thought they should be concerned over. However, he kept his suspicions to himself, in hopes that he was only over thinking it all.

“Reuben’s right.” Angel nodded in agreement. “Once all is said and done, I’m sure Nani will understand.”

“We know.” Lilo felt Stitch’s hand on her own. Everyone was being as supportive and hopeful as they could. Really, it mattered the most to her. Nani was her sister, she wanted to have her blessings just as much as she had wanted hers with David. “It’s just hard. We plan to tell her soon, and this sort of put a damper on the whole situation.”

“You’re going tell her already?”

“Isa been four years.” Said Stich. “If there was nothing to worry about, weega would have told her already.”

“Has it really been four years?” Angel was amazed at how much time had flown by. It still only felt like yesterday that she and Reuben had gotten together, and just the day before that she had been activated.

“It’s amazing how fast things happen.” Reuben was just as surprised, he could still remember all the days he spent with Gantu. Some days he would wake up and think it was all a dream, and that he would still be working for Hamsterveil. “So? When are you telling her?”

“After the wedding.” Lilo sounded confident, but you could tell she was worried. Her eyes flashed with all the ideas of what could go wrong. The things that could be said, the things that could be done. “It’s close. But I think we’ll feel a lot better once it’s over and done with.”

Wanting to change the subject to something a little happier. Stitch told his cousins what had recently happened to him during his day as Styles. The two had heard a few things about Sam, and knew a lot about Myrtle. It didn’t take long for them to know that Sam was bad news. The thought of her trying to steal Stitch from Lilo was downright laughable. They wish they could have seen her face when Stitch turned her down. It made a nice segway into some other funny stories. Angel teased her boojiboo by talking about the days he went overboard in preparation for the baby. It was slightly embarrassing for him, but everyone thought it was cute and funny.

They relished in being able to all sit and laugh together. Soon things would go back to normal and they could spend days out on the beach like they used to. What made the thought even more inviting was the idea of having two more additions to the fun and games.


“Sit still!” Lea pulled her brother back into his seat. Every few moments he would try to run off, unhappy about needing to be there. “You know mom will kill us if you don’t do this.”

“Like I care. She’ll only be mad at you for messing up again.” He stuck his tongue out at her and she had clearly had enough of him.

“Tyler Byers?” The receptionist calling his name was like music to her ears. Lea happily stood and dragged Tyler to the office the lady led them to. “Dr. Usano will be with you shortly.” Her smile seemed genuine, but Lea could tell she was happy to get Tyler out of the lobby. Before she had gotten control over him, he had made a mess of the magazine display and play area.

There was clearly less things for Tyler to mess around with in the actual office. With nothing to do he sat in a chair with his arms folded, pouting. Finally. Some peace and quiet. Lea was relieved to have a breather. She hoped the actual appointment would go by quick, then she could get out of there. Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait long. After only a few more minutes, the doctor let himself in, gaining Lea’s attention instantly.

It wasn’t the old man that had caught her eye, though. The large gray and white rabbit like animal that followed behind him was what had gained her full attention. It’s one of those things! She sat and watched patiently as the doctor went through his usual round of questions. Lea only answered when Tyler didn’t know what to say. Every now and then the animal would catch her staring at her and advert her own eyes.

“Alright. We’re ready to start the checkup.” The doctor turned from his computer and helped Tyler up on the examination table. “I hope you don’t mind. Monochrome here loves to help out. She’s quite a good nurse actually.”

Lea continued to watch silently as the animal the doctor called ‘Monochrome’ helped with the whole appointment. It’s really amazing what it’s been trained to do. She had seen trained animals do tricks and shows before, but never had she seen one actually help take notes and do things like check blood pressure. Almost like it isn’t an animal at all.

With the examination coming to a close, Monochrome had less to do. She had seen the tall girl stare at her the entire time and decided to go be friendly to her. Most of the people who came into the clinic were friendly, but she had always been shy and nervous. The girl flinched away from her when she approached.

“Don’t worry. Monochrome’s really friendly. No need to be scared.” The doctor assured Lea, adjusting his glasses on his nose.

“O-okay.” Lea put out a hand and petted the rabbit. Gaining a huge smile from her. She was amazed at how soft and fluffy the fur was. It didn’t feel like the fur of the pet bunnies she had seen in pet stores. “You really are friendly aren’t you?” Monochrome nodded her head and closed her eyes, enjoying the treatment she was getting.

With the appointment over, Lea quickly took her brother home. She was eager to tell the others of what she had just found. Her face contorted into an evil grin as the wheels started turning in her head. It appeared she had just found exactly what they needed for their plan against Lilo. Really friendly indeed.