Chapter 2

Monika sat down at her table at a diner, checking her phone as she waited.

"Ey, Nik!" Natsuki waved with a grin, waking over.

"Sup, Ski?" Monika high fived her with a chuckle.

"Been a while since we last hung out together, huh?" Natsuki rested her chin on her fists, planting both elbows firmly on the table.

"You're telling me." Monika agreed.

The two had decided to meet up for a lunch date since their wives were busy on their day off this week.

"How's work?" Monika asked after the food arrived.

"Good. I've only been called into the station twice this week and the bakery's been super slow lately." Natsuki sighed from boredom.

"Sounds dull." Monika laughed.

"Too dull. What about you?" Natsuki asked next.

"Good. Hasn't been a lot of emergencies, so for the most part everyone's been goofing around the station." Monika shrugged.

"In fact, it's been so quiet lately I've had time to pick up piano again while I'm there." Monika smiled.

"Awesome! You should play me something sometime!" Natsuki giggled.

"Will do. Maybe on our next 'date'." Monika airquoted.

"Definitely. Although, for a date, this isn't very romantic." Natsuki said, sounding serious.

"Oh my gosh, you're so right. Next time I'll be sure to bring at least three bouquets of flowers and about five boxes of chocolate." Monika nodded back, straight-faced.

"That's more like it." Natsuki said.

The two looked at each other for a moment before bursting into laughter.

"Hey, you ever think Sayo and Yuri get upset when they find out we hang out without them?" Natsuki pondered.

"I dunno. Maybe?" Monika shrugged, dismissing the idea.

"Oh! How're the kids, by the way?" Natsuki asked.

Monika's face lit up, perking her head up at the mention of her children.

"Well, Marcus is great! He just joined the hockey team at school, actually!" Monika's eyes shone.

"That's so awesome! He's growing up too fast." Natsuki shook her head.

"You should come over more often. Marcus won't stop asking when you and his godmother are coming." Monika said.

"Yeah. How's my little Jess doing?" Natsuki wondered next.

"Oh, she's great! Sayori's trying to get her to read her favourite book, Ulterior Motives." Monika said, grinning.

"Awe, sweet." Natsuki giggled, "How old is she now?"

"She'll be nine next month." Monika giggled.

"Damn, they get bigger everytime I see them! They need to stop growing." Natsuki scoffed.

"I know what you mean..." Monika said, "So have you and Yuri...?"

"Um, not recently." Natsuki shook her head.

Though I definitely wouldn't mind a kid of my own...

"Oh, sorry." Monika scratched her neck sheepishly.

"No no, it's okay." Natsuki smiled sadly.

"Shoot, look at the time! I have to get home before the kids get off the bus." Monika stood.

"I'd better go, too. I have no clue when Yuri gets out of her substitute class today." Natsuki shrugged, pushing her own chair in.

"Remember to bring Yuri and stop by later this week, okay?" Monika waved.

"Will do!" Natsuki called over her motorbike engine.

"Love ya!" Natsuki yelled again.

"You too!" Monika chuckled as the pinkette drove away.

~~~

(Meanwhile)

"Yuri!" Sayori squealed, running to jump into her friend's arms.

"Hello, Sayori." Yuri grinned, placing the girl on the ground.

"Ah! I've missed youuuu!" Sayori nuzzled closer, burying her face in Yuri's neck.

"I've missed you, too." Yuri chuckled, patting the childish woman on the back.

Some things just don't change...

"Your hair's so short now! It reminds me of Nat's first haircut." Sayori said, playing with a few strands of Yuri's violet hair.

"Is that so?" Yuri chuckled.

"Yup! I should know, I was there when Dev gave it to her." Sayori nodded matter-of-factly.

"Of course you were." Yuri nudged her playfully.

"So how have you been?" Yuri asked as the two began strolling through the park.

"Great! I got a new patient yesterday and he's the spunkiest kid I've dealt with in months." Sayori giggled.

"Sounds like a handful, indeed." Yuri agreed.

"What about your book? Is Sam still giving you a hard time?" Sayori crossed her arms.

"He has to. He's my boss." Yuri rolled her eyes at the mention of her friend.

"Whaaat? But I thought he was like, a family friend or something." Sayori puffed her cheeks.

"He's not that bad. The book is going along well, actually. I think I'll have it finished by September." Yuri stated.

"Just in time for Monika's birthday! Could I preorder two copies?" Sayori clung to her friend's arm to plead.

"Sayori, that wasn't an 'it is going to be finished no matter what'. That was a 'maybe I'll have it done by then' at most." Yuri patted Sayori's arm.

"I know. I'm just excited! I always love your stories. The kids, too." Sayori grinned, "But don't worry, I skip passed the scenes that they shouldn't hear." she added quietly.

"That's a relief. I thought I was going to have to explain what murder was to a nine year old. Again." Yuri smirked.

"Okay, that was a mistake! I forgot to put the book away and Mark could already read!" Sayori whined, blushing softly.

"I know." Yuri giggled.

"How are those two, by the way?" Yuri changed the subject.

"Well, Moni's teaching Marcus how to play a song on piano and Jessica and I are reading a book about horse care this week." Sayori smiled broadly as she spoke of her family.

"With his mother teaching him I'm sure he'll be a pro in no time." Yuri commented.

"I know, right? Like when I tried to teach him a hand stand? He had figured it out before I turned around to help him! He's too smart for his own good." Sayori sighed, shaking her head with a grin.

"I should ask Natsuki if she has time to come with me sometime this week. I'd love to see Jessica and my little godson." Yuri smiled warmly.

"Yeah, I'll talk to Nat, too. Jess has been dying to bake with her God-Ma." Sayori said.

"You know? Sometimes, I just miss the good old days. When the four of us would just chill together. No jobs, no responsibilities; Just club and maybe pop quizzes to worry about." Sayori leaned her head against Yuri's shoulder.

"You know, I do, too. But I'm also happy for the life I have now. Because I have Natsuki, a wonderful godson and neice, and the two best friends I could ever ask for." Yuri wrapped an arm around Sayori's shoulders, rubbing up and down her arm.

"Yeah. I wouldn't change a thing." Sayori agreed, "Well, maybe a shorter trip to work, but that would be it."

The two chuckled at Sayori's added remark.

"Oh, dang! It's almost three o'clock! I've gotta run before Moni and the kids get home!" Sayori said loudly.

"I should go, too. I'm not sure when Natsuki will be home and I should get back to my book." Yuri waved.

"See ya!" Sayori kissed her friend on the cheek before sprinting home.

Yuri shook her head at her friend's antics before deciding to walk to her own house for the day.

~~~

(Please no one freak out and have a cow. I'm a multishipper so I like including things other than my OTPs in my stories occasionally. I love Monuki and Sayuri too, guys!)