A Reunion of Friends

Chapter # A Friends Sacrifice

As the train pulled up to the Tokyo-3 train station, Shinji and Rei were looking for their family and friends.
When they spotted each other a dozen hands waved back to the two on the train.

As the couple made their way towards the entrance, Shinji whispered;
"Remember Hon, don't be rude, especially Asuka and Touji. I'll be here for you, I'll...."
" I know my love. Your just nervous. Here hold Yui, and we'll be fine."
She kissed him full on the lips. For a few moments, nothing mattered to him,
except the baby in his arms, and the woman he was kissing right then and there.
All his nervousness left in a heartbeat.

After helping him down the train's stairs, both Shinji and Rei were for any better term
attacked with hugs, kisses and hearty handshakes as Misato, Kaji, Hikari, Kensuke, Ritsuko, Maya Ibuki,
and Makoto were there to greet them.
They both noticed two things, first Asuka was missing, then they spotted Touji on the opposite side
of the wildly waving group from Hikari. They also noticed that right next to Hikari was
Kensuke holding a young toddler, who was reaching for ...Hikari.

After the greetings were over with all headed for their respective cars ,to Shinji's and Rei's surprise,
Misato headed for a Nissan Mini-van. "What happen to your Renault?" Asked Shinji?

Misato smiled at Kaji, then turned her head back to the couple seated now in back of the van.
"I'm Pregnant!"
Shinji and Rei, both launched themselves at Misato hugging and congratulating her.
Kaji got the hug attack next, and all they talked about was about the changes a baby can make.
"Mother, I can say for these last 2 months, I have never been happier than to have my Shinji, and little Yui in my arms. I hope you and Kaji will have the same experiences as I and Shinji have."
Rei now had some emotion in her voice as she spoke. Not only because she had changed from what she was, but because she was speaking to those she loved. Misato was her mother, and Rei now knew that the love of a mother for her child, and now Misato was going to have another child. This time from the beginning of it's life Both of them regret that they could have those years back. But now they both can raise their children together, not just as a mother and daughter, but as friends.

Then Shinji asked about Asuka's absence, and what was going on with Touji and Hikari to Misato and Kaji.
They looked at each other and Kaji spoke as he drove.
"Well, Asuka wanted to greet the two of you at our apartment. She wanted to be here, but insisted on making your welcoming dinner. Plus, she wanted to talk to you alone after our little get together, and she needed some time to... prepare!"

They knew Asuka had many problems in her life, more so since the Third Impact. But both Shinji, and Rei had a feeling why she wanted to talk, so they nodded, and Misato then continued the conversation.
Well, About the time you two left, Hikari and Touji broke up, about 2 months after that Kensuke and her started dating.
Shinji felt bad about the turn of events, but knew that Kensuke would have needed a stabilizing force in Hikari. "But Touji seemed very happy at the station, wouldn't he be a little sad at seeing them together?" asked Shinji.
"Well, you see Touji is married now, so he now considers them his friends. Remember, Hikari and him broke up before Kensuke started dating her." Replied Kaji from the driver's seat.
"Ok, I'd like to find out who Touji married. Man it has to be someone with a lot of patience.
That's why I thought Hikari would have made a perfect wife for him." stated Shinji.
"Aahh, well, you can ask him when we get there, Ok Shinji?" Said Misato
"All right mom-in-law, (He said with a smile) or should I say Grandma!" Kaji, Shinji, and Rei smiled and laughed at the teasing of Misato's status. Misato pouted, "I'm too young to be a Grandma." She shook her head as a wail was heard
"Yui is hungry (A foul smell them joined the baby crying) and messy." stated Rei.

As the young couple maneuvered their child to clean and change it's diaper in the van's middle seat, Kaji was pulling up to his apartment complex. "We're here!" he said. As the rest of their friends parked nearby and the men got the luggage from the back of the van, the women surrounded Rei and the baby as they made their way towards the elevators of the apartment building. It was the same apartment that 5 years ago Shinji Misato and Asuka shared. The group which was split into 2 took separate elevators, made their way to the front door as Misato swiped her key card, then opened the door.
"We're here!" Misato yelled out and a second later, a red headed blur came into view. Asuka was in a lovely blue evening dress that came to her knees, while covered with an apron. "Shinji, Rei" was all she said as she went over to hug her former co-pilots. She was crying and hugging the two fiercely, but patted her back as they made their way to the living room.
"I made a mixed dinner for you, Some western, some traditional Japanese." She was telling them. "Is that Yui?" Who was in her grandmother Misato's arms. "Can I hold her?" asked an exited Asuka. "Of course her godmother can hold her. " replied Rei as Asuka took hold of the baby. Then everyone noticed two things, The Apron coming off Asuka, showing her bulging stomach, and that Touji was beside her with an arm on her shoulder, making faces at little Yui.
"Can someone fill us in here?" Asked Shinji

Well, Remember I said that Touji is now married," Both Rei and Shinji nodded yes," meet Mrs. Suzahara!" She pointed to Asuka. Shinji face faulted, Rei had a very puzzled look as she stared at the couple playing with her daughter.
After getting up, Shinji pulled Kaji close and whispered "Did they have to?" pointing to Asuka's stomach.
"No, that was after they got hitched!" answered Kaji
"Wow, and I thought they'd have a problem because we had chosen Touji as Yui's godfather." said Shinji.
"Well, now you won't have that problem, will you My son-in-law!"
At the news of being godparents to Yui, both Asuka and Touji had smiles and hugs for the parents.
"God, they have changed" thought Shinji, until they gathered for dinner. Where Touji said;
"Asuka, when's the grub ready?"
"It's ready when It's ready Leipshin, so keep the stomach at bay, ok!" she raised the volume as she spoke.
"Well, you better have it soon, or I'll have to come in there and help myself!" said a now irritated Touji.
"Step in this kitchen, and the sausage won't be the only weenier cut tonight!"
"Hey, now you leave my favorite dish out of this woman!"
As the shouting escalated Rei asked her mother, "Do they do this all the time?"
"Why do you think I helped them get a house away from this area?"
"Oh." was Rei's simple answer.

As the dinner progressed and everyone enjoyed the food and the conversation, Rei and Shinji learned that Hikari and Kensuke did get married a month into their dating as much as for love and having a child. The toddler was their child, Hikado was his name. The 2 year old was on the floor playing near his parents as all continued to talk.
They also learned that Touji had been with Asuka since he broke up with Hikari.
"But that meant you two were together when you helped us with Yui." Said Rei.
"And you knew about what Asuka did, and you were ok with it?" Shinji Asked Touji
As long as it was ok with Asuka, it's ok with me. Plus I would have been honored to help you guys, so I'm plenty proud of her too! Asuka unusually quiet, was blushing and slapped Touji of the back of the head lightly
"Dumkoph, you embarrassing me in front of everyone!"
"Don't be mad at him Asuka, husbands do say things like that, you just have to be forgiving sometimes." Hikari reminded.
"Well, Just this once!" Then she whispered to Touji "We'll talk at home, Hun!" Touji shuttered!
To deflect any more problems Shinji asks; "So, when are you due Asuka?"
"In 2 months."
"You look good for being a 7 months pregnant Demon!" Said Kensuke
"You don't want to talk like that while I have a knife in my hands stooge!" Replied Asuka
"Point taken, I just shut up now!" Finished Kensuke, who had a bruised rib from an elbow from Hikari.
"Ok, now that's settled why don't we all hit the hay, cause we need to go shopping for gifts tomorrow" Reminded Misato.
Mom, Can you watch Yui, in the morning, Shinji and I have to go to visit His mother's grave." Asked Rei
That's no problem honey, you just get yourselves to bed. and I'll keep on eye on my little peanut here."  answered Misato.
"Do you need a ride? " asked Kaji
"No, We'll take the maglev and walk from there, plus Rei wants to see her old apartment"
"Shinji, It's gone. Her apartment building is gone, it's a memorial park now!" Said Kaji
Rei sighed while Shinji looked down for a moment. "That's ok Well just see how it looks now."
said Shinji. He then said his good nights and escorted Rei and Yui to his old bedroom.
The others sat and talked into the night. As he and Rei got comfortable in the now queen sized bed as she fed the baby, Shinji thought of what tomorrow could bring. Will the memories return? He didn't know but now he knew he could sleep with no help from Sake' or anything else.