Having a Life: Family Reunion

“I don’t want to do this, I don’t want to do this, I REALLY don’t want to do-”

“Gabe, I hate to do this but just so you’ll stop saying that.”

SLAP!

“OW!” Gabe held his cheek, pouting a bit at his wife. “Lisa…”

Lisa sighed.

“Sorry, just… it’s not like you to get nervous like that.”

“Lisa, this is my family we’re talking… MY family. The crazy Cunninghams. You know how weird we are.”

“Your point?” Lisa cocked an eyebrow.

“... Okay yeah… just…”

“Dad… You can’t run forever.” Joshua crossed his arms. “Since for one, they’re in that house waiting… and second… they want to see you.”

“Riiight. Last I checked most of them didn’t care.”

“Dad, you’ve clearly been out of touch for way too long.”

“And I want to meet the rest of the family.” Elly pouted. “Surely they’ll go easy on you when they see me, won’t they?”

“Well…. My parents always DID like the idea of grandkids…” Gabe sighed. “It depends. If Maru’s there all bets are off cause brother or not he has no qualms hitting his own CO-WORKERS.”

“Dad… Amy’s in there.” Joshua gave a look. “You have any idea how much you being gone devastated her AND her mother?”

Gabe sighed.

“... I honestly don’t know… Like I said, last time I saw them… I figured no one would care if I was gone.”

“Why don’t you just try? Besides… You can outrun them right? You trained like a Data Child.” Elly gave her best puppy eyed look. “... Pleeeeaaase Papa?”

Gabe cringed a bit before sighing, giving a nod.

“Alright… I just don’t think this is going to end well.”

“Hey, we have Elly and you and I being back together to act as a cushion for any rage they might have.” Lisa kissed the cheek she had slapped. “If all else fails, I’ll get Dreamster to help.”

Gabe smiled, kissing hers in return.

“Thanks, Lisa…”

“Anytime… Now, come on. They’re waiting.”

Gabe took a deep breath before heading  up to the house. He couldn't remember the last time he had been here. There were many memories of him and his siblings growing up together here and then when they grew up, visiting during the holidays. It was his home still… but he still couldn’t help but feel tense.

Joshua went up to the door, giving a knock. They were greeted by a man who shared a resemblance to Gabe. It was his father, Wes Cunningham.

“Ah, you’re here.” He smiled, looking at Joshua before his eyes landed right on Gabe. “And so are you.”

Gabe gulped a bit. “H-Hey Dad… Long time no see…”

Lisa elbowed him lightly.

“And really sorry I didn’t call… Work grabbed me by the collar…”

“It’s fine, come in.” Wes lead them inside to the living room.

In there, there were a few families gathered… His siblings families…. And one cousin.

“Oh look he showed up.” One piped up, a man with long brown hair that was pulled into a small ponytail, as they saw Gabe come into the room. He smirked, noting Lisa. “And lookie, Lisa’s here too with her boy!”

Elly stayed behind Joshua, not wanting to show herself just yet.

“I’m waiting till Dad sorts this out.” she whispered.

Joshua nodded silently. “Good to see you too Uncle Maru..”

“Yeah… Hey bro… Greeeaaat welcome-Ow! Lisa!”

“I’m trying to keep your sarcasm from killing you.”

“YOU!” A young woman with green hair like Gabe’s came charging up to him… throwing her arms around him. “You… freaking… idiot!”

Gabe gave her a surprised look before his gaze softened, hugging her.

“Hey Ames…”

Amy sniffled, burying her face in his shoulder.

“Dummy… Went and disappeared on us like it was no big deal.”

“I can agree.”

Mary was present now, giving Gabe a look he knew all too well that she used during court cases. The, “You better not be telling me lies.” look.

Gabe sighed. “I’m really…. REALLY sorry… I… I had a lot going on…”

Mary sighed, walking over to him… giving a small slap upside the head before bringing her arms around him.

“C’mere you big fuzz head.”

Gabe hugged her as well. “Missed ya too junior fuzz head.”

Wonder if I should’ve brought a football helmet like the one in that game the kids like…

“Alright, my turn!”

Mary and Amy pulled away as Maru came over… a wrench in one of his hands.

“Uh… Maru, I just got back please don’t give me brain damage!” Gabe brought his arms up a little. “I’ve already been through enough!”

“Who said I was gunning for you head?” Maru gave the wrench a good swing, smacking Gabe hard in the left hand.

“OW!!!” He yelled grabbing his hand. “Oh for the love of-Yeah maybe I SHOULD’VE not come and just Skyped you guys!”

“Maru!” The woman sitting on the couch hissed. “We talked about violence in front of the kids!”

Maru cringed.

“S-Sorry Dottie.. Just… Okay… I got my hit in.” Maru hugged Gabe tightly. “You jerk.”

“If you weren’t my brother I’d kill you slowly right now.” Gabe hugged him back. “I know… I’m an idiot…”

“Just… don't’ do that again. You broke the kids’ hearts… and you scared me too. You’re mine and Mary’s big brother for Pete’s sake.”

Gabe felt guilt swell up lowering his head.

“I’m… So… Sorry… I swear… I just… I have nothing… I was an idiot…”

“Hai, baka.”

Gabe swallowed hard hearing the voice right behind him.

“... An idiot who juuust remembered I forgot my keys in the ignition-”

“Oh no!” Gabe was pulled away from Maru by his shirt collar, his eyes meeting with that of an older man with eyes similar to Gabe. “Not this time, cousin!”

“Yabu! Great to see ya! Have you done something with your hair?” Distract, DISTRACT!!!

“You ain’t getting out of this one.”

To Joshua and Elly… They grew very confused…. While Gabe and Yabu sounded perfectly normal to each other…

English was not what they heard.

“Dad…. Speaks Japanese?” Joshua asked surprised.

“Is that what me and him used to sound like?” Elly asked tilting her head. “When we speak my native language?”

“I forgot about that.” Lisa rubbed the back of her neck. “He rarely uses it but I do remember him being fluent thanks to growing up with Yabu there.”

“I’m sorry okay! I get it! Stop assaulting me in Japanese!”

“Fine! I’ll get you some other way you idiot!” Yabu went to smack him upside the head… As Gabe caught his wrist without blinking.

“Oh no. Not a fourth time! We’re doing this the way we did as kids…” He hugged him. “Just… I’m sorry…”

Yabu was tense for a moment before finally bringing his arms around him, hugging him tightly.

“I’m sorry too… I shouldn’t have lost my temper like that.”

“It’s okay… I should’ve called as soon as I got back… I… Guess I just thought you guys wouldn’t want me around anymore…”

“Tell that to your parents over there.”

Gabe looked behind them, seeing Wes along with Gabe’s mother, waiting on the couch on the other end of the room. Wes had a gentle look, his mother, Madison… a look of relief and some sadness.

Oh Mom and Dad…

The siblings gathered around again, hugging their brother tightly, Yabu doing the same.

“You’re loved more than you think, knucklehead.” Yabu smiled a bit. “We all missed you.”

“Now go talk to Mom and Dad.” Maru shoved Gabe over to them.

“I’m goin’... Have fun with your new niece.” He smirked a bit over his shoulder.

The others all got a confused look before they finally noticed Elly. Whatever their responses was, Gabe didn’t hear it as he walked over to his parents. Both got up, Madison being the first one to walk up to him, bringing her hands to both of his cheeks.

“Gabriel…”

Gabe leaned into her hands closing his eyes for a moment. “I missed you too Mom… I missed all of you so much it hurt somedays…”

Madison smiled, tearing up a bit.

“I’m just glad you’re okay… Oh my boy.” Madison brought her arms around him, sobbing a bit. “My Gabriel…”

Gabe hugged her tightly, burying part of his face in her hair… Trying to hide the tears that came to his eyes.

“I love you Mom…”

“I love you too… So much.”

Wes joined in, bringing his arms around both of them.

“Our boy has come home…” He looked to the others. “Everyone, I believe this is a time for celebration.”

“Indeed, including a welcoming.” Yabu was holding Elly in his arms. “We have a new member in our family.”

Elly waved a smile on her face. “Hi Grandma and Grandpa!”

“.... Oh she’s so tiny.” Madison squealed a bit. “Gabriel where were you hiding her!?”

“Behind Joshua!” He laughed.

“And.” Joshua smiled. “Guess who’s back together?”

Lisa blushed a bit, showing her new wedding band.

“Oh ho ho ho.” Maru howled. “Nice one bro!”

Gabe grinned showing his own. “I know~” He took notice of a bundle in Dottie’s arms. “Busy yourself eh?”

Maru blushed a bit.

“Yeah… we had one more… Little Cypher.”

“I see.”

“Either way.” Wes cleared his throat. “What matters, if we’re all here. Come on, let’s get caught up.”

Everyone nodded, finding a place to sit in the living room. For Gabe, things were now relatively calm… Well, as calm as things could get for his family when they were telling stories. He found himself laughing a lot and as did the others at whatever was being shared.

Though Gabe had a hard time hiding the surprise in his eyes.

They’re welcoming me back so easily… even after all that’s happened… and not too mention… I wasn’t exactly the nicest person around the block before all this… They… really missed me that much?

“Gabriel?” Wes spoke up standing up. “We decided to just order in for this event, can you help me find the phone? Your mother “misplaced it” again.”


“Well excuuuse me for being busy!”

Gabe rolled his eyes, following his father out.

“Of course.”

They went to a separate part of the house, a bit farther from everyone else. Out of earshot at this point… Gabe knew the signs.

Oh boy… What’s he gonna say? This is generally how Dad treated talking to us about things. Get you separated from everyone else then let it rip.

Gabe braced himself a bit, pretending to look around.

“So.” Wes started, taking off his glasses polishing them. “Heard you were off saving a world.”

Gabe gave him a stunned look before he leaned against the wall crossing his arms.

“Who told you?”

“Joseph.” Wes put his glasses back on. “When I heard from Joshua you were back, I figured I’d just go straight to the one man I know who would know something.”

“Of course…” Gabe smiled a bit.. A sad look in his eyes. “Joseph’s my best friend… And part of why I decided to stay there… Or rather just go in the first place… I had to help him… I couldn’t let him and his family die…”

“And I can understand that… but Gabriel.” Wes placed a hand on his shoulder. “There’s… one thing I admit I didn’t like hearing from him about what happened.”

“Y-Yeah?”

“Never.. Ever… think that you’re that you’re disposable. You mean a lot to me and your mother… to everyone in this family. We know you made mistakes in the past and we didn’t agree with everything you were doing.” Wes got a saddened look. “I didn’t agree with you leaving Lisa and Joshua behind. I didn’t agree with you picking up smoking to cope with PTSD but I never stopped loving you and neither did they. You’re my son… My oldest. You mean just as much to me as anyone else.”

Gabe wiped at his eyes quickly. He hated doing this to his family. He still felt awful about it.

“I just… Made a lot of mistakes… I thought might as well do one last thing…”

Wes brought hand to his cheek.

“Losing you was not easy on anyone. I’m so happy to see you again… see you alive, and on top of that, you look so much better than you did before. You have life in your eyes again, you look happy… and that little girl. She has a lot of you in her and from what I can tell you mean everything to her.”

“And her to me… She really helped me wake up Dad… She’s my little girl…. She needed me… and I needed her too.” Gabe looked up. “She’s had it rough but she’s a fighter… Just like me.”

“And you’ve come back on top.” Wes smiled softly. “I’m so proud of you Gabe, I hope you know that.”

Gabe smiled warmly. “Thanks Dad… Means a lot…” He hugged him. “Seriously… Thank you. I’m so glad to be home…”

Wes hugged him tightly, keeping him close.

“It’s good to have you home. Back where you belong.”

“Good to be home.”

I’ll never take my family for granted… EVER again…

Wes gave him a kiss on the head before pulling back.

“So… pizza?” Wes chuckled.

“You know me too well!”