Chapter One: The Beginning

I woke up lying next to Nagisa. Her brown hair, had began to grow long. It covered her face, but not entirely. I raised my hand and swept it from out of her face.

"Well good morning." Nagisa said softer than usual.

"Are you alright?" I said feeling her forehead.

"Yes, Okazaki, I'm find. I just feel a little weaker than usual."

I could tell she was lying. She looked frail, and she could hardly get out of the bed. I leaned over and handed her, her orange Dango toy, and made her stay lying down.

"But Tomoya, I feel fine. I'm just a little weak, I need to get to work."

"No." I demanded.

"Ushio?" I said as I entered her room. She looked identical to Nagisa. Her hair was short, and brown, and her eyes were wide just like her mothers. Ushio had gained great health, but Nagisa's condition got worse. It wasn't completely worse, but she got sick more often, than before she had Ushio. I don't blame either of them. I'm just thankful that Ushio has good health and that Nagisa survived pregnancy. I rubbed her head and kissed it. She rolled over and said,

"Daddy, is mommy sick again?" The sunlight hit her eyes making them glisten.

"I'm afraid so. But you know what that means?"

"Yup! I get to be a big girl and help mommy while you're at work."

"That's right. I'll stop by the daycare and and let your teacher know you won't be attending today, is that alright?"

"No!" she yelled rolling over. I tilted my head towards the right, and looked at her confused.

"I want to call her, and talk to her, and maybe let her talk to mommy."

"Alright, how about this; I'll stop by and tell her to give you and mommy a call just to check up on you."

"OK!" She hopped out of bed and kissed my cheek. She ran into the bathroom, and closed the door loudly behind her. I sat there a moment thinking about how wonderful life is beginning to be.

"Nagisa?" I said as I rushed to her side. She was trying to get dress, but she was too weak.

"Nagisa, it'll be find. I'll go to work, and handle everything else. All you need to do is lye here and watch Ushio for us." She didn't like the fact that she couldn't do anything, but she slowly undressed, and returned to the bed.

"OK, Tomoya, be careful." I leaned down and kissed her.

"OK." I said gently.

"Don't ware yourself out alright?"

"I won't."

"Ushio, you know Sanae's number, she'll be here in a heart beat if you need her. Try not to make a lot of noise so mommy can sleep; and make sure you tend to mommy. I'll stop by on my break OK?"

"OK, daddy. I love you."

"I love you too. Bye now." I said as I slowly walked out of the house backwards.

3 3 3

I pulled into the parking lot at my job. I couldn't help but think the worse of what might happen, while I'm gone. I don't know why I'm feeling so scared. She's done this before. Oh well. I stepped out of the car and leaned to fix my laces when I started to feel like I forgot something.

"Huh!" I gasped. I slung my head back and hit on the edge of the car door.

"Ouch! Darnet it all!" I slung the door close and started up the car. I sped off and my tires gave a burnt smell. I was driving fast. I turned the corner sharply. I finally got there. I pulled up to the daycare, and jumped out.

"You're late Okazaki." A voice said in a naturally angry tone.

"Sorry Kyou, but Ushio won't be able to attend daycare, Nagisa's sick again." Her face went soft.

"Oh I see." She looked a little sad.

"Well I got to get back to work. I guess I'll see you later then."

"Yeah, sure."

"Oh and if you don't mind can you give Ushio a call, she'd really like that."

"OK, I will."

"Alright then, thanks a bunch." I waved and got into my car. Off to work I was. I felt a little better after talking with Fujibashi. I saw her try to hide her sadness about Nagisa, but she wasn't very good at it. I knew she was still sad. She brightened a little more after I asked her to call Ushio.

3 3 3

Work was a bust, I thought on my way home.

"We need some groceries." I thought aloud as I pulled into grocer store's lot. I got out the car, and cool windy night made me shiver. I hurried into the store, only to see Kotomi walking holding a small basket.

"Kotomi!" I said

"Okazaki! I'm glad to see. It's been a very long time since I've seen you and Nagisa."

"Oh it's not just us anymore."

"There's a baby Nagisa and Okazaki?"

"No, just a baby Nagisa. Her name is Ushio."

"That's beautiful, congrats."

"Thanks. How's thing back in America?"

"Oh, well you see, I moved up here."

"You moved back to Japan?"

"Yeah."

"Oh that's fantastic."

"Yeah, and I have another big surprise."

"Alright try me."

"I'm married and pregnant with twins." I was silent for a minute, I couldn't register the words right. Kotomi, the very shy librarian, I couldn't believe it.

"Oh wow! That's great! When did this happen?"

"Well, I was in America when…!"

"Wait! Who are you married to?" I could see a black haired young man approaching quickly. He had a smile as big as Texas, and a sort of maturity, but silliness about him as he came closer I could recognize him more clearly.

I looked at Kotomi, and she smiled. I'd just noticed how big she was, and that she didn't have the usual two pony tails. Her long radiant purple hair swept over her lower back. She was smiling hard. The man started to draw nearer and I couldn't believe it. He grabbed Kotomi's hand said,

"I see you still look the same."

"Sunohara! You finally settle down and got a wife, let alone a family. Welcome to the world of dad!"

"Yeah. You remember when I asked you how does it feel to become a dad; I think I can understand now."

It was great to see my old friends again. They seemed to be living a good life. The only people I have yet to see is Ryou, and Tomoyo. Now it's time to go home.