There has to be an After for Us ~ (shadam / klance)

Chapter 45 - Reaching Out

            

Shiro tried to sleep, but sleep wouldn't come. Too many thoughts swimming around in his head (including that last kiss with Adam.) Finally he gave up on the goal of sleeping. He went to Veronica's room, apologizing for waking her up.

"Twice in one night I've been woken up by your crew," she yawned. Her facemask was pushed back on her head, her face still sporting night cream. "This time better be as fun."

"I'm afraid it's more of a favour," said Shiro.

*****

Just before nine am he joined her in the Communications Room.

"The worldwide communication network is up and running again, but mostly just Garrison bases have access so far," Veronica explained. "Private citizens are difficult to track down, but most cities have done a census of their remaining citizens. I've got calls in to three different bases. Going on their last known location, they're our best bet."

"Thank you, Veronica," said Shiro. "This means the world to me."

"Anything for my favourite half-dead married couple."

Veronica's console lit up with a call. "We've got a hit," she said before answering. "Galaxy Garrison Communications, this is McClain speaking, how may I direct your call?"

"McClain," said the Officer on the screen. "I think we've tracked down one of the people you were asking about. I've got them here."

"Take the wheel," said Veronica, getting up and motioning for Shiro to take her seat.

"You don't want to talk to them too?"

"I'll let you have a moment," she said, heading out the door.

Shiro sat. The Officer that had called had left his seat too so now he was looking at an empty chair on the screen. Shiro's gut clenched with nerves. Seconds stretched into minutes as he waited. Then he heard shuffling as a body came onto screen. A middle-aged African American woman sat down in the chair and looked at him.

"I'm really glad you could join us for break," said Adam's mom, Michelle. She was making eye contact with Shiro in the rearview mirror.

"Watch the road, mom," warned Adam.

Michelle was treating Shiro like he'd been invited and the plan had been all along that he'd go home with Adam. That of course wasn't the case. Shiro was supposed to have gone home with his own parents, but they'd driven off without him after he'd come out to them. Of course that's not how Adam spun it to his parents. He told them he'd scared Shiro's parents so badly with his fabulousness that they drove off in a rush and forgot to bring Shiro. His parents had nodded along knowingly then his mom had said, "Well, we don't want him to have to stay alone at the school over break so indeed we'll have to keep him." Adam's dad had smiled and added, "The more the merrier!"

So that's how Shiro had ended up in the middle back seat of their car, holding Adam's hand while his little brother played video games on the other side of him.

"Adam talks about you all the time, Takashi," said Michelle, glancing in the rearview mirror to make eye contact again but then flitting her eyes back to the road.

Shiro felt his cheeks grow hot, having heard his given name used so casually by Adam's mom.

"Sorry," whispered Adam then he said, "Mom, I should've explained. Given names are personal in Japanese culture. Only I, his amazing boyfriend, may call him Takashi. You Normies, can call him Shiro."

"My bad," said Michelle.

"No, it's okay," said Shiro, pushing through the embarrassment. "I actually don't mind if you do it too."

"Thank you, Takashi," said Michelle, smiling at him in the mirror.

"Uh-uh! No way!" said Adam, sitting up. "That is my special, sexy thing with my boyfriend. Heck, it was how I turned him gay! It was steps 1-5 in my twenty point seduction plan and now my mom is saying it? It sounds like you're hitting on him and furthermore -"

"Adam!" snapped Michelle. "What did I tell you about being a Drama Queen?"

Adam sighed. "To leave the drama to my mama."

"Mmhmm that's right."

Adam's dad laughed and Shiro found himself laughing too, despite the horror that had just occurred with his parents. Michelle caught Shiro's eye in the mirror again and smiled at him. He felt a warmth coming off her and this family. He understood now how Adam got to be so amazing.

"Takashi?" The name came out like an escaped breath. She slapped her hand over her mouth, tears welling up in her eyes and spilling over.

"Michelle," said Shiro, swallowing back a lump in his throat. She was a sight for sore eyes.

Quiet tears quickly turned into sobs. "We thought you were dead," she cried. "We had a funeral."

Shiro had never stopped to consider that a service had been held in his honour. But with the Garrison telling the world he was dead, it made sense. And now he was picturing Adam and his family standing in a cemetery, burying an empty box... Adam touching Shiro's name on the Memorial wall... Now Shiro was sobbing too.

"Back when funerals weren't a luxury," Michelle added between cries. And it struck Shiro what she meant. Adam had died in the first wave of Sendak's invasion. There'd been no service for him. "You know about Adam?" asked Michelle, looking afraid. She thought she had to break the news to him.

"I know," said Shiro, reassuringly. He wanted to add something like 'he died a hero,' but what comfort would that bring a mother? It brought no comfort to Shiro.

"We found out months later," said Michelle, wiping tears away with the sleeve of her sweater. "Through an underground rebel group. We were in hiding at the time."

"I'm so sorry," said Shiro. "Adam was..." Where to even begin? "I miss him." And I just saw him and married him, but that was TMI for the beginning of a conversation.

"I miss him everyday," said Michelle. "But I am so overjoyed to see you, Takashi. You were like a third son to me. It is so, so good to see your face and hear your voice."

"You too, Michelle. You were like a mother to me."

"I want to see you in person," said Michelle, bucking up. "Can I see you?"

"I would love to see you," agreed Shiro. "I'm at the New Galaxy Garrison. It's in the same location as the school used to be."

"That's about a four hour drive from here," said Michelle, looking concerned.

"I'll order a transport," said Shiro. "Are Jacob and Logan with you?" He was hoping her husband and son were able to stick together.

"Yes, we're all here. Logan became a resistance fighter during the invasion. He joined up with Mohammed and Reece. You remember them?"

"Of course!" exclaimed Shiro, feeling a surge of joy just hearing his old roommates' names. "Are they okay?"

"Yes, we're all helping with the rebuild here."

"Bring them all," said Shiro, suddenly invigorated. "Do you think they'll wanna come?"

"To see you, Takashi? Absolutely." Michelle sighed and rested her chin on her palm. "I thought I'd lost you both. In a way, it's like getting Adam back."