Words aren't the only way we talk to one another.

The memory of my grandfather's words resonated in my mind as Mrs. Kenari's car pulled up into a distantly familiar driveway.

But fear gets in the way of everything…

Nervousness rose like a kaleidoscope of butterflies inside me.

I had no idea what kind of connections my adoptive mother had, but she had been granted permission to foster me for the two remaining months before I turned eighteen. After that, I was legally allowed to live where I wanted, and I chose to stay with the Kenaris.

During that entire time, our detective friends had searched high and low for my grandfather. As soon as she found out the details, Paulina bought plane tickets for all three of us. The next thing I knew, we landed on another continent.

I glanced up at Leo's warm amber eyes as he opened my door. When I took hold of the hand he offered, I felt calmer. Why was I so anxious and worried? Detectives Gyro and Kane had assured us that Grandpa Genbu was safe and sound.

Before my adoptive mom could so much as ring the doorbell, the front door was flung open. Though he was slimmer than I remembered and had a lot more white hair, I recognized him right away.

"Momo!"

"Ji-chan!"

Decorum was cast aside as we held each other in a tight hug and wept.

You have to push past that fear before you can make a worthwhile connection.

"You have a lot of your mother in you," Grandpa Genbu commented a while later as the four of us sat and drank tea together. "She was as strong as she was kind."

I felt my throat close up, but I forced myself to tell him. "Grandpa, dad, he…" I began, but he held a hand up to gently stop me in my tracks.

"My son is serving time due to his own actions," Grandpa Genbu responded. "He cast aside your mother's wishes and hid you from me...from your family." The elderly man did not raise his voice. But, the cup in his aged hands shook. That was the only hint of how he felt. "A part of me still feels I have failed as a father, to have raised such a selfish son."

"But, it wasn't your fault," I countered. "He was unwell. And on top of that, he got wrapped up in drugs. In the end, his decisions were his alone to make, not yours and not mine."

"Momoiro's a resilient and respectful young man despite how your son raised him," Mrs. Kenari pointed out. "So, don't think like that anymore. You did what you thought was right."

"I never stopped looking for you," Grandpa Genbu confessed.

"Goodness, grandpa, no wonder we couldn't find each other. We were on a whole other continent," I declared. "You'd have had to become a detective yourself to have found me, and even then, I imagine it was difficult for the detectives to have gotten this far."

"I was quite surprised with the smaller detective...I could look him right in the eye, he was so petite," the aged man teased.

"Seriously!" Leo piped in. "He's gotta be the smallest detective ever. Hey, Mr. Genbu, would you like to measure him with me next time?"

When the elderly man broke out into laughter, I felt my heart fill with joy. I felt a bit guilty, since it was all at the expense of the detective I admired so much. But, I couldn't remember the last time I heard my grandpa laugh. This was a new memory I wanted to cherish.

Mrs. Kenari had us stay in the living room as she spoke to my grandfather privately in the kitchen. I imagined that she was explaining my current living situation and my desire to live with her and her son. On the subject of Leo, my hand reached out to thread into his as if it were as normal as breathing.

"I have to admit that this is one of the best days I've ever had," I told him softly. "It made all the anxious waiting, the travel plans, and the long lines at the airport worth it."

"It was definitely worth meeting Grandpa Genbu in person," Leo agreed. "I really like him."

"I think he likes you, too."

Leo's face fell a bit. "You think mom's telling him about our soulmate bond?"

"If she doesn't, we can let him know bit by bit if you're frightened," I teased.

"What if he doesn't approve?"

"I'm finally eighteen," I responded as I tried not to feel so amused and superior over not worrying about anyone's approval. "Even here, I'm legally an adult. Why are you so worried? Shouldn't I be the one concerned about all that?"

"He's an important person in your life," Leo explained. "I just don't want him to view us in a bad light."

"Over something we ourselves never had any control over?" I shook my head and stood up, gently tugging on Leo's arm urging him to do the same. "Come on, let's get those worries of yours settled. Right now."

When we walked into the kitchen hand-in-hand, the conversation stopped. A proud smile formed on my adoptive mom's face and she motioned for us to go ahead. Had she truly already told my grandfather about it?

"Grandpa Genbu," I began. "I know this might feel sudden and strange...but, Leonard James Kenari and I are soulmates. Our paths crossed in the past and we've reunited again. I just want you to know how important it is for him to be in my life, and I in his."

Genbu the elder shared a glance with Mrs. Kenari before regarding us. "Momoiro Takiwa," he chided. "Having moved to a foreign land for love and allowed my son to do the same, do you think I am so close-minded that I wouldn't allow my grandson the same decency?"

To my surprise, it was Leo who rushed forward to hug the aged man first. Whispers were exchanged between them. Though I was curious, I didn't want to pry. The rest of our visit was equally as pleasant.

When it was time for us to head out, Grandpa Genbu took me aside.

"I promise I'll come see you every summer and as many holidays as I can," I affirmed, having assumed that it was what he wanted to talk about, but he shook his head.

"Momo, are you truly happy?" Grandpa Genbu questioned softly as he shot a glance towards Mrs. Kenari and Leo. "With your new family?"

"Yes, ji-chan," I whispered back. "I'm very happy."

"Then, this old man is satisfied," my grandfather replied. "Be sure to text or email me as often as you can."

"I will," I promised. We then gave each other one last tight hug.