Despite the loss of Ren, Darren still needed to prepare himself. Making his way towards Yuriko's home the teen began to ponder the lessons he would have today.
As Yuriko's home came into view, Darren was surprised to see an unfamiliar car in the driveway. Yuriko hadn't mentioned anything about visitors. Knocking on the door, Darren was surprised as a young woman in her twenties now answered the door. "Um is Ms. Yuriko here," he asked.
The woman gave the boy an odd look before turning back towards the house. "Grandma were you expecting someone," she called. Darren now waited as Yuriko made her way to the door, a happy smile on her face. "Darren," she said. "Please come in. I want to introduce you to my granddaughter Yuna."
Darren's eyes went wide as he looked between Yuriko and Yuna. Now understanding who the woman was, Darren could see the family resemblance. Yuna possessed the same dark hair and brown eyes as her grandmother, in fact it was almost spooky how much the woman resembled her grandmother. "Nice to meet you," Darren stated, extending his hand.
"Nice to meet you to," Yuna smiled. "So what brings you to my grandma's house?"
"Training," Darren stated. Yuna sighed, glancing at her grandmother. "Really grandma," she groaned. "I thought you were done with all that."
"I wouldn't be doing this if it wasn't a special circumstance," Yuriko replied. Yuna now pinched the bridge of her nose, obviously distressed by her grandmothers activities. "I don't know how I'm going to explain this to Dashon."
"Her husband," Yuriko said, noticing the look of confusion on Darren's face. "My granddaughter and her husband are in town for a conference. Her husband is actually a teacher. In fact he's touring your school later this week."
"Really," Darren asked, to which Yuna nodded. "Dashon was recently promoted," she said. "The school system is considering adding Soul Drives to the teaching staff. Considering how successful they've been at your school, the district wanted to see first hand. It just so happens my grandma happens to live in the same town."
Darren nodded as Yuna now turned to her grandmother. "You know I'm still trying to figure out how to tell him about Akira and Ayami," she said.
"Dashon has always been a very kind and open minded man," Yuriko stated. "I always liked him."
Yuna simply nodded as the trio now made their way towards the living room. Darren was curious about Yuna, having never met any of Yuriko's children or grandchildren.
"Yuna is my oldest grandchild," Yuriko stated. "Her father is my oldest son Peter. Which reminds how is your father doing?"
"Working too much as always," Yuna chuckled. "It drives mom nuts. Dad just turned 55, mom wants him to start slowing down. After so many years working in business shes ready to have him home. You know mom, she always wants to travel."
"Thats what I liked about her she was more of a free spirit than Peter."
"So," Yuna asked. "Where are Akira and the others? I haven't seen them in forever, really looking forward to catching up."
"They're visiting a friend," Yuriko stated. "I'm sure they'll be back soon." Yuna nodded, shifting nervously as she now looked between her grandmother and Darren. Yuriko immediately caught on to the fact the woman was hiding something, leaning in as she curiously studied her. "Whats on your mind Yuna," she asked.
"Nothing," Yuna said quickly. Yuriko simply raised an eyebrow, a small grin forming on her face. "You know I can tell when your hiding something Yuna," she smirked. "And it has nothing to do with being psychic. Ever since you were a little girl you would always get that look on your face."
Yuna sighed, shaking her head as a smile began to form. "I really wanted to wait til Dashon and the others were here," she sighed. "But knowing you grandma your not going to let it rest."
"Guilty as charged," Yuriko chuckled. "So what is it? I promise I won't say anything to the others."
Yuna smiled, looking into her grandmothers eyes as she took her hand in hers. "Your going to be a great grandmother," she smiled.
Yuriko gasped, half laughing, half crying as she now hugged her granddaughter tightly. "Yuna," she exclaimed. "Thats wonderful! When are you due?"
"Well I'm only a couple monthes along," Yuna stated. "We were going to call but when Dashon found out about this trip we figured we would tell you in person. We were a bit shocked to be honest, I mean we've only been married for a year."
"I couldn't be happier," Yuriko stated. "And I know you're going to be so wonderful mother."
"I hope so," Yuna sighed. "I mean I think I'm still too young to be a mom. I'm only 25."
"Nonsense," Yuriko scoffed. "My aunt was far younger when she became a mother. I'm sure you'll do fine."
"Thanks grandma," Yuna said softly, giving her grandmother a hug as Darren watched. Lessons would obviously be on hold today as Yuriko and her family celebrated this good news.