It was Friday afternoon. Lincoln was in the living room with Marcel. He could hear talk on the phone to Zuzanna. He didn't know what they were saying of course, because he didn't speak Polish. After a while, he got off the phone.
"So, what's going on between you and Zuzanna?" Lincoln asked. "Oh, we're planning on going on this little date together. It will be around Nagano." Marcel said. "That sounds like fun." Lincoln said. "It is. We went on amazing dates together." Marcel said, he then realized something, "You know, you can come along too with that girl. A little double date.". "Akari? I don't know. We are just friends. We're not anything serious." Lincoln said. "I know, but I think the 4 of us could have some fun together sometime." Marcel said. "I'll talk to Akari about it. Sounds like fun." Lincoln said. Marcel smiled and said, "Glad you consider it.". He then went back on his phone and called Zuzanna. Lincoln couldn't hear what they were saying still. He was assuming they were about the whole double date thing. He shrugged it off.
Lincoln walked in the kitchen and saw Krysia making some homemade perogies. "Hey, Aunt Krysia. Are you making perogies?" Lincoln said. "Yep. Homemade. Old Nowak recipe. Our family invented it when we were being invaded by Germany and Russia during World War II. Our ancestors lived right on the boarder of both occupations. They were hit terribly hard. The food was running low and all that was left were these perogies that were stashed. They found them, changed up the recipe and tutaj jesteśmy! Nowak perogies! Also, I will tell you the recipe. The only living people are me, your father (If he is alive), Marcel, Liliana, and our cousins, Johanna and Hilda who know about it. No one else can know. When you have children, you can tell them too." Krysia said. "Can my mother know?" Lincoln asked. "Nope. I am sorry, kochane, but she cannot know. Nowak family secret." Krysia said. Lincoln understood.
It cuts to after dinnertime when Lincoln is in his pajamas, knocking on his mother's door. The door opens up for Lincoln to see his mother in a nightgown. "Hey, koibito, what do you need?" Suziko asked her son. "I got a question, Mama." Lincoln said. "What is it, honey?" Suziko asked. "How did you and dad first meet?" Lincoln asked. Suziko stood for a moment and spoke, "Well, come in and I will tell you.". Lincoln nodded and walked in.
After walking in, Suziko said, "Now, sit on the bed.". Lincoln did so. Suziko sat next to him. "Well, it all started 20 years ago...".
September 8th, 2003
It was 2003. Suziko was 18 years old. It was her first day at her university in America. She hadn't been to America in a while now. She missed it. America was a beautiful place to her. New opportunities, a place where second chances are for everyone, it was wonderful to her. She was at Colorado State University. The ashen-haired hapa teen girl was looking for her new dorm room. She was holding her belongings and walking. That's when she ran into a boy with short black hair, green eyes, pale skin and a goatee. He was wearing a red t-shirt with white undersleeves, the same cross necklace that Lincoln wears to this day, baggy jeans, and sneakers. He looked no older than 21 and she thought he was cute.
"Oh, my goodness! I am so sorry!" the boy said. She noticed he had what sounded like a Slavic accent. "Oh, it's no problem." Suziko said as she picked up some of her stuff. "Let me help you." the boy said as he picked up some of her things for her. "Aaw, thank you." Suziko said. "So, where is your dorm?" the boy asked. "Um... it should be on this floor. Only a... few more doors and we should be there." Suziko said. "Alright then." the boy said.
After walking a little bit, they were at the door now. "This is it." Suziko said. She then took out a key and opened the door. "Yep. This is the one." She said as they walked in. She then set her backpack and suitcase on the floor. She also set her belongings she was carrying on the floor too. The boy also set her stuff that he was carrying down too. It was an empty room. "Well, that's it. Thank you." Suziko said. "You're welcome. Before I go, I didn't get your name." the boy said. "Oh, it's Sumiko Weber. But you can call me Suziko. Everyone I know calls me that. It's my nickname." Suziko said. "Suziko... well, I'm Antoni. Antoni Nowak. It's a pleasure to meet you." Antoni said as he offered his hand. "Nice to meet you, too, Antoni." Suziko said as she shook it, "Before I go, can I get your number? I was thinking about hanging out later tonight and you just seem like a cool guy." Suziko said as she took out her flip phone. (Remember, it's 2003). "Sure." Antoni said as he took her phone and put his number in her contacts. He then gave it back to her. "Thank you, Antoni." Suziko said as she took it back. "You're very welcome, Suziko." Antoni said. Suziko smiled.
It cuts to present day.
"And that's the time me and your father first met. I still remember it like yesterday." Suziko said. "Wow. Known each other since college." Lincoln said. "Yep. I still remember the day you were born. It was the best day of our lives. Oh, he loved you. He was a wonderful husband and father. It's just that one day, he... he disappeared. I don't know what happened to him..." Suziko said in a sad tone, "I wish I knew where he was... I wish we could've raised you together.". Lincoln took all of this in. "Well, I know it's not complete without him and I know It's been 9 years, but you have me back now." Lincoln said, trying to cheer her up. "You're right, koibito." Suziko said as she turned and smiled at him, "You're right. I have you. You are my son and I love you. I am so happy to have you back into my life and away from that demon called "Rita".". That's when they heard a feminine Slavic voice, "You know...". They turn to see Krysia in her nightgown. "Every time I see Lincoln, I see a perfect combination of you and Antoni. A perfect 50/50.". Krysia said. This made Suziko and Lincoln smile.
"You and Antoni look exactly alike." Suziko said. "I know." Krysia said. "Marcel and Liliana look just like their mother. Every time I look at them, they look just like you. They look like each other too." Suziko said. This made Krysia smile. "You know what's crazy is that Lincoln, Marcel, and Liliana all have hazel eyes. Crazy how genetics work." Krysia said. "Very crazy. My *cousins*, Leni and Lily have the bluest eyes ever. Lucy has very green eyes." Lincoln said. "Speaking of them, where do you think they are now?" Suziko asked.
It cuts to Royal Woods retirement home, Leni, Lucy and Lily are all packed up and ready to go.
"Alright, Pop-pop, we now have new luggages since we found out our old ones have been bugged. We even got new clothes, just in case. We checked our regular stuff IN AND OUT and nothing is chipped. We are good and ready to go to Japan." Leni said. "Good. I want you to go to your grandmother's. She will take care of you guys. And remember, please go to a good school. I want you to finish up your high schooling there, Leni. Then, I recommend you go to Tokyo University." Albert said. "Thank you, Pop-pop." Leni said. "Wait, where are you going to go, Pop-pop?" Lucy asked. "I am going to Canada for a bit. I am tired of living in a nursing home. I want to live my last years under MY own rule." Albert said, "I will see you girls eventually.". The girls nodded. "Well, we got to go. The taxi is outside waiting for us." Lucy said. "Goodbye girls, I will see you eventually." Pop-pop said. The girls said their goodbyes to Albert and went into the car.
"Well, here we go, Lucy. We're living in Japan. Remember what Pop-pop said, go to Grandma Ema's." Leni said. "Grandma Ema... I wonder if she's nice..." Lucy said. "I wonder too... and I wonder what school we will go to..." Leni said.
To be continued...
End of chapter 41. Hope you all enjoyed!