Disclaimer: I do not own these characters. They belong to Sunrise. Please don't sue me, I'm still paying off my student loans.
Hello! This is my inaugural ShizNat story, so I'm nervous as hell. There's not much ShizNat in this chapter, but the next one does!
"Mark my words Ryo, she's going to be a heartbreaker when she's older," a man says and follows the remark with a wink. Ryo looks like the happiest father in the world.
Ryo grins as he nods his head vigorously and beams, "Of course she is Nobuo! Like father, like daughter." I can't believe I'm the father of the most the precious child in the world. He looks affectionately at the infant gripping the edge of the sofa for balance.
The little girl's legs wobble when she tries to take a step and is about to fall but a pair of strong arms envelops her tiny body and pulls her up to eye level.
Her eyes are just like Ryo's piercing crimson, but the petite nose and sandy hair color are definitely mine. You inherited the best of both worlds, Shizuru-chan. "Ara, forgive your father, his advanced age made him forget that he stalk—I mean, loved—me since high school, and I was his first and only girlfriend ever since," the woman teases as she lightly kisses the baby's forehead, earning her several blinks and then a soft laugh. She lowers the baby onto her lap and winks at her husband. The couple sitting next to them tries to stifle their snickers but to no avail.
"Aiko!" he playfully whines with a faint blush adorning his rugged yet youthful face. "Thirty-three is hardly old, and besides, with our looks combined and throw in your grace and my charm, who can resist her?" he proudly challenges.
"Good question. I wonder if our Natsuki can," gleefully replies the nine-month pregnant woman leaning on Nobuo while rubbing her protruding stomach in soothing circles. You can come out anytime now Natsuki-chan. I'm going to love you and spoil you like no other!
Nobuo wraps his arm around her shoulders and chuckles, "We'll just have to wait and see Saeko." His thoughts wholeheartedly echo his wife's sentiments.
The one year old squirms from her mother's lap and crosses the small distance between her and the expectant mother to slowly pat her stomach. All of the adults are in awe of the gentleness of her action. It is as if she knows Saeko has a 'handle with care' sticker plastered over her belly.
"Ara, Shizuru-chan wants to say hello to Natsuki-chan," Aiko says in the softest voice.
Saeko's eyes immediately widen when she experiences a strong kick within her womb. Shizuru stops her ministrations when she feels the pressure against her small fingers.
"Oh my, Natsuki just kicked me!" Not a second later, several kicks register on her left side.
"She keeps kicking me on my left side where Shizuru-chan patted." Needless to say, the adults are fascinated with this new development between the girls.
"Let's do an experiment!" it was Nobuo's eager voice breaks the peaceful silence. "I will see if Natsuki can recognize my touch like Shizuru's." Saeko nods while the other couple has matching grins on their face and now watches their daughter stare at Saeko's stomach with a confused expression.
Nobuo imitates the female infant's gesture minutes ago but is stunned when no kicks could be felt. Saeko shrugs her shoulders and kisses him quite aggressively when she sees him cutely pout. The pink tinge on his cheeks deepens when Ryo gives him the thumbs up sign. Stupid Ryo! But that kiss—wow!
Saeko excitedly claps her hands together, and now it was her turn for an experiment while everyone else watches on with intrigue. She gingerly picks up Shizuru and kisses the girl's right cheek. The infant lets out a string of giggles as she is placed on Saeko's right side between her and Nobuo. The adults understand what she's trying to do.
The one year old reaches out to slowly explore the territory like she had done earlier with gentle pats.
The anticipation is killing them as they scrutinize Saeko's slightest expressions. None realize they held their breaths until three gasps are heard as a hand flew to Saeko's mouth.
"She's kicking me a lot stronger now!" Well, I guess that answers my earlier question. No one can resist Shizuru, not even my little Natsuki-chan. She mentally chuckles thinking what the future has in store for these two.
"I'm telling you, it's the Fujino blood," Ryo crosses his arms and smugly smiles at Nobuo.
Aiko smacks him on the shoulders but her face betrays her attempted reproach. Ryo notices the twinkle in her eyes and the twitch that begs to split into a full on grin. Aiko embraces Shizuru as Saeko hands the infant back to her mother. Ryo's heart swells with nothing but pure joy from watching his wife place noisy kisses on his daughter's face while the baby struggles to escape.
Nobuo's sullen mood vanishes faster than it appears when his wife clasp their hands together to give it a squeeze. I know she wants me to be the bigger man, but damn that Fujino! Natsuki, I hope you inherit my stubbornness!
"Fine, fine, fine. Be it the blood or charm, I'm glad Natsuki-chan already recognizes a lifelong friend…" he quickly looks at Saeko for approval, to which she smiles, and then to Ryo with a mischievious glint, "…friendly rival, I mean."
Saeko and Aiko simultaneously sigh at their respective husband's childish behavior.
"Aiko, remember when these two knuckleheads met," Saeko points to Nobuo and Ryo on the opposite ends of the leather sofa they are sitting on with her and Aiko reclining in the middle, "Nobuo and Ryo held a hot dog eating contest." Honestly, the two men sitting here right now were complete idiots back then. I'm glad they matured into the wonderful men they are today.
Aiko fondly remembers the spectacle because it was the first time she saw the love of her life. "Ara, it was an interesting contest. Until they both started choking at the same time with five hot dogs jammed into their mouth!" Both women shake with mirth while their husbands frown at the memory.
Shizuru stares at her mother blankly and turns to her father with her arms outstretched to the man. Ryo picks up his waiting daughter and twirls her in the air. Her eyes lit up as Ryo starts making funny faces and whooshing noises. He brings her down to his lap with her back against his stomach and holds her right arm to shake it up and down at Aiko.
"Ah see, if it wasn't for us choking, we wouldn't have met you fine ladies, and I couldn't fall hopelessly in love with my savior," he smirks at the sight of Aiko's growing blush. Got a taste of your own medicine, eh Aiko?
"Ha! I still can't believe Aiko and I were the only two in that cafeteria who knew the Heimlich Maneuver," shaking her head in dismay. Besides Aiko, was I always surrounded by idiots?
Nobuo picks up their clasped hands and kisses her knuckles as he watches her expression change from slight annoyance to complete bliss. Challenging Ryo to that stupid contest was probably one of the smartest decisions I'd ever made.
Saeko's face contorts into a grimace a moment later and she yelps catching everyone's attention. Oh my god, I'm going into labor!
Nobuo springs upright from his reclining position and in a panicked voice asked what's wrong.
"I-I think Natsuki wants to meet Shizuru now," Saeko gasps from the sensation of liquid running down her thighs.
Aiko jumps to her feet and helps Nobuo help Saeko stand up. "Your water just broke!" Saeko quickly nods in reply.
Always the calm one in sticky situations and having been through the process already with Shizuru a year ago, Aiko instructs with military precision for Ryo to start the car, strap Shizuru into the car seat and grab the diaper bag, and tells Nobuo to call their OB/GYN.
Saeko begins the breathing technique she'd learn in Lamaze class and Aiko mirrors the breathing to get her into a rhythm. Once the door is locked, Nobuo and Aiko carefully guide Saeko into the waiting car.
It's Sunday afternoon, so traffic isn't so bad. But the streets aren't exactly empty either.
"Damn cars! Why can't they just get the hell out of the way!" Nobuo bellows beside his expectant wife. The adults in the car grin at Nobuo's infamous impatience.
"Lang…language," Saeko manages to squeak at her husband while her contractions progressively get worse.
"Sorry, sorry," he sheepishly apologizes and gently strokes her cheek. Calm down Nobuo. Everything is going to be okay. He repeats the mantra inside his head several times to assuage the rapid beating of his heart.
Saeko clenches Nobuo's hand tighter as another wave of contractions hit her full force. Her once rhythmic breathing escalates into short gasps of pain. Aiko imitates the normal pattern again to guide her back. Several minutes later, Saeko's breathing is under control and her face begins to relax somewhat.
Ryo glances down at his GPS display and sees that they would arrive in ten minutes and relays the message to the other occupants in the SUV. A quick glimpse into the rearview mirror reveal Aiko in the back row checking on Shizuru and a row further up shows Nobuo whispering into Saeko's ear causing her cheeks to momentarily flare with color. Ryo thinks life just couldn't get any better but that is until he remembers who is coming very soon into their lives. Shizuru's best friend is finally here!
As the car pulls up to the hospital's emergency entrance, hospital personnel are already there with a wheelchair for the expectant Saeko. Nobuo helps Saeko exit the vehicle while Ryo calls out that he and Aiko will join them after they park the car.
The nurse wheels Saeko further into the hospital as Nobuo holds her hand looking slightly frantic when he hears howls of pain coming from the ER wing they just passed. They enter the elevator and the nurse presses the appropriate button for the labor and delivery ward.
Nobuo crouches down to Saeko's eye level and gives her the most loving smile he could muster at the moment since his nerves are a tad rattled. This beautiful woman is about to give birth to our daughter and all I can think about now is how not to faint. Where the hell is Ryo when I need him to distract me with his corny jokes?
Speaking of Ryo, he has Shizuru strapped to his chest in a baby carrier with one chiseled arm holding her in place and the other tugging Aiko toward the elevator.
As they pass the lobby, Aiko sees several women swoon at the sight of a very handsome six-foot tall man hugging a little baby protectively to his chest with a lopsided grin on his face. It's practically every woman's dream. Aiko smirks and wraps her arm around Ryo, and he stops briefly to give her a kiss on the cheeks. She laughs silently to herself at the women who were obviously envious of the couple judging from their expressions. Yep, he's all mine ladies!
The elevator doors were closing when a voice calls out to wait for her. The doors open again as a woman clad in a white doctor's coat over blue scrubs stepps in. She is slightly panting from the mini jog to the elevator, but when she regained her composure and met the couple's faces, her eyes immediately lit up.
"Aiko! Ryo! And Shizuru too!" She gives the infant a wide grin.
"How do you do, Dr. Watanabe?" Ryo asks with a serious look but is having a hard time maintaining it as his wife smacks him on the back.
"Cut it out Ryo," the doctor scowls at the formality, "it's like you're talking to my dad."
"Ara, but Kei-san is a great doctor just like her father," she adds with a wink.
"Not you too Aiko! I swear you two get a kick out of teasing me," Kei scoffs and crosses her arms. She didn't particularly care for the traditional honorifics and decorum between friends that the Japanese upheld. It was stifling to her and acted as a barrier between the people communicating. This idea was imprinted in her mind when she accompanied her father to many medical conferences abroad. She witnessed and engaged in the carefree exchanges between friends and felt liberated from not having to mind her tone and politeness.
The couple giggles along with a clueless Shizuru. Kei rolls her eyes at the picture perfect family.
"Anyways, Saeko should be in her room right now. Oh, you'll get to see the revamped rooms with soundproof walls thanks to your generous donation after Shizuru's birth." Her eyes gleams brighter when the doors open to posters of babies plastered on the wall.
"Welcome to my world!" She strolls confidently to the nurse's station and speaks with several of them and then motions for Ryo and Aiko to follow her. They stop at the last room in the hallway.
The trio enter what looks like an upscale waiting room with plush couches and a flat screen TV hanging on the wall. Aiko drops the baby bag on the couch and then enters the adjoining room where Saeko and Nobuo are.
The room resembles a hotel suite with the addition of various medical essentials for women going into labor. Nobuo is relieved his friends are finally here along with their doctor.
"Kei! Do something!" he gestures with his hands toward a labored Saeko.
"All right, all right. The cavalry has arrived." Several nurses chuckle at the eccentric doctor's remark.
"Four centimeters. You're doing a great job Saeko, just remember to keep breathing. I will be back when you're at the magic ten centimeters. Judging from your contractions, I'm thinking four to five more hours!" Kei instructs the nurses and then leaves the room.
"Saeko, you're glowing! Why, if I could bottle the glow right now, I would never have to have sex again," she says nonchalantly but receives three very different reactions. Despite her pained condition, Saeko belly laughs while Nobuo blushes furiously and her husband yells 'What!' and hugs Shizuru closer to his chest mumbling that her mother is evil. He sends his wife a severe look of disapproval.
Aiko gives Saeko's hand a meaningful squeeze and sends the blue-haired woman her strength since she's going to need it very soon. Saeko understands the gesture and grins at Aiko. She resumes her breathing and braces herself for another wave of contractions.
Ryo has a firm grip on Nobuo's shoulder while the two are engaged in a silent conversation with their eyes. You're going to be a father soon Nobuo, but first you need to be strong for Saeko. Man up, soldier!
Nobuo mentally kicks himself for being so distraught earlier. And he's the one who just had to stand there! With a renewed sense of purpose, he nods firmly.
When Aiko is beside her husband, Ryo gives Nobuo a mock salute and a reassuring smile in Saeko's direction. After wishing the Saeko a speedy delivery, they walk out to the waiting room.
The couple sits on the couch where the diaper bag is located. They are surprised to find Shizuru asleep against Ryo's chest. They know they're fortunate they don't have a fussy baby, but Shizuru takes it to another level. She's a well-behaved infant who cries only to be fed or changed.
Aiko leans her head on Ryo's shoulder and entwines their hands together. She watches the slumbering angel breathe in and out and occasionally twitch her nose. Ryo follows her gaze and quietly laughs at the nose twitch.
He's glad the main room has soundproof walls because he doesn't want anything to wake his sleeping angel. His heart goes out to Saeko who must be ready to explode. And Nobuo too, whose hand should be absolutely crushed right now judging from his experience. The last picture in his mind before dozing off is of Nobuo jumping up and down yelling 'My hand! My hand!' as if it's burnt.
Indeed, Nobuo's hand is throbbing in pain, but he continues coaching his wife. Her contractions are lasting longer and getting stronger, which means it's getting closer to show time. Saeko's face contorts in agony and is getting redder by the second. He's afraid she's going to pass out from exertion. He takes an ice chip out of the bucket and glides it around her forehead and down her cheeks.
When the cool sensation hits her burning cheeks, the pressure dulls somewhat from her chest. She squeaks out thanks in between ragged breaths to her husband. A nurse checks the machine monitoring the contractions and notifies them that it's close. She leaves the room to retrieve the doctor.
Four hours into their slumber, Aiko startles when she hears doors opening and closing. Even if the actions are done quietly, nothing escapes Aiko's acute sense of hearing. It's when Kei enters with the nurse in tow that Ryo rouses from his sleep. Kei waggles her eyebrows at the couple and leaves them grinning from ear to ear.
"Well, let's get this show on the road, shall we!" Kei sits at the edge of the bed with a tray of medical instruments to her side.
"Saeko, you're going to have to push now!"
"Oh my god, get this baby out of me! This is all your fault Nobuo!" Her chest heaves up and down from the intense pain and exertion. The heart monitor begins beeping faster and a line of worry crosses Nobuo's face.
"Saeko, you have to calm down." Kei shoots Nobuo a grave look.
Even though his right hand was practically broken from her iron grip, he mustered all of his strength to move it a little and placed his left hand on top.
With strong conviction, he speaks in a gentle voice while looking into her overwhelmed eyes, "Saeko, I love you so much. I know I don't say it enough. I'm not a cheese ball like that Ryo," he stops when the beeping becomes less erratic and thanks the heavens before continuing, "but you have to know that you are the love of my life. You made me the happiest man alive when you said 'I do' and now I'm so happy I get to relive that amazing feeling again when our baby daughter is born."
He has tears running down his face, but before he could say anything else, Kei cuts him off.
"I can see her head! Keep pushing Saeko! You're almost done now!"
Saeko growls mustering up every morsel of energy in her body and gives one final push.
Silence.
A baby's crying rings into the air.
"You were magnificent Saeko," Kei beams while holding the newborn. The nurses take the baby to clean her. Nobuo leans down and kisses Saeko on the lips. The baby returns to Saeko wrapped in a pink blanket.
When the baby slowly opens her eyes, both parents gasp at the sight of shimmering emeralds gazing back at them. Apparently, she has inherited her mother's midnight blue hair and Nobuo's luminous green orbs. The little newborn yawns and once again, both parents shed tears of joy.
Kei trots to the couple and peers at the baby. "Oh man, she's going to be a heartbreaker."
Nobuo laughs while Saeko groans. Kei looks confused at their differing reactions but ignores them as she continues, "Oh yeah, there are three crazy kids waiting outside. Is it okay to send them in or…"
"Please do!" Nobuo exclaims. He couldn't wait to show off the blue-haired beauty to the other couple.
Kei returns with the family of three and says she has to go check on other patients but will return later. They all thank her for delivering their precious daughters. As she turns around to leave, Nobuo says he will be making a donation and smirks at Ryo. The women roll their eyes at the men's rivalry. At least this time, a lot of good is coming out of it.
Shizuru stirs from her slumber and begins fidgeting around. Ryo feels the movements and motions for Aiko to help him release her. The freed little girl is cradled in her mother's arms. Aiko stands closer to Saeko to observe the newborn.
"Ara, so both of our daughters got her mother's hair color and father's eyes." Everyone nods.
Shizuru turns her head and sees another baby reaching her arms out.
"I think Shizuru wants to say hello to Natsuki," Saeko points to the infant focusing on the newborn.
"I agree." Aiko bends down so the little girl could see Natsuki better.
Red eyes meet green.
"Na na."
Shizuru had said the requisite 'mama' and other baby babbles but never so on cue before. The adults are shocked as though the little girl recognized Natsuki. Of course, they all knew this could be a big coincidence that Shizuru decided to put these two letters together. She is a baby after all! But their intuition is telling them they are witnessing something special.
"Ara…that was interesting."
The sound of a door opening and closing brings them out of their trance. A nurse brought identification cards to fill out. Nobuo looks at his new baby girl with all the love a father could give his child.
"World, meet Kuga Natsuki."
Thank you for reading! Reviews/comments are enthusiastically welcomed!
