TIMES HAVE CHANGED

"I'm not saying there will be that kind of outcome–" Narumi paused as he struggled to find the words. His voice sounded troubled, something Natsume expected. "–I'm just saying the results aren't good. Someone I know specializes in a newfound medicine technique that may be successful but that's a risk you have to determine whether or not you're willing to take."

Natsume gave his thanks and hung up just as he was walking into the parking garage connected to his workplace. For a while now, symptoms have been resurfacing and a part of him prayed it wasn't what he thought it was. Clearly it was and now he didn't know what to make of it. If he was younger, he wouldn't care. He would continue to live recklessly without attempting to change a single thing. He would go on taking missions in secret, severely damaging his health. There was no one he truly cared for so what did it matter? No one truly had him in their hearts, so why have them in his? It was easy to make a decision like that. But, over the years, things have changed. Situations have changed. He has changed. Every minor aspect about his life just wasn't the same anymore and he was coming to find that he liked this change. He didn't want to let it go.

The younger Natsume went back to a cold and empty room, one where he would sleep the throbbing pain of every mission away. It was like a jail cell that he was only allowed to leave for discipline and manipulation. That room was a constant reminder of how he had nothing at all. How he was nothing at all. Nothing but a soldier for the wrong cause. But things have changed. Now, when he is driving home, his heart is pounding in anticipation. On the other side of his front door was an entirely different world. On the other side was his heaven on earth. Upon opening the door, especially in this cold winter, he felt the kind of warmth that could only be produced by delicate care. Every tense muscle was instantly put at ease. Every stressful thought floated away and the workplace was completely not existent. This place was home.

The younger Natsume had no one to return to. His sister was being kept away from him and, in any case, it was far too dangerous to come close to him anyway. He hadn't seen his father for what felt like forever and his mother was no longer walking among the living. Family just wasn't a factor that he was allowed to have in his life. But now he has a family. Now he has Mikan. When Mikan became his wife, he felt as though he was taking a shot in complete darkness. He had never wanted someone as much as he wanted her, and it terrified him to know that this inexperience could lead to disaster. But what he forgot was that she wanted him just as he wanted her and that was what made their chemistry to surreal to all outsiders. Many of their old friends silently agreed that her passion for him drove her to be the best wife a man could ever ask for, and Natsume would completely agree that there wasn't any other woman he would want (if you asked him on a good day). For Natsume, every day was perfect and everyday was the same:

Natsume walked into the house, already shrugging his coat and kicking off his shoes. All he wanted was a delicious home-cooked meal (which he could already smell) and a night of relaxation in order to prepare for the following day. Almost immediately after walking into his home, Mikan came bustling around the corner in her apron. Even past the cloth Natsume could see her swollen belly and he'd be lying if he said the sight didn't make him puff his chest a little in pride. Her smile was wide and genuine as she said, "Welcome back! How was work?"

She would receive her answer after he enveloped her in his arms and kissed her softly on her cheek. "Horrific," he muttered as he breathed in her citrus scent. "Glad I'm home."

Mikan pulled away too soon for her liking, something she could see on his face so she laughed and pulled him after her by her hand, taking him to the kitchen. "I'm glad you're home too! I'm making your favorite." She would continue on speaking as though he was truly listening, and she knew he wasn't. When she stopped, she simply sighed with a very glowing smile as Natsume (like usual) had wrapped his arms around her and caressed her stomach so softly and lovingly.

It was pretty clear to Natsume now that he had Mikan as his family and he was never going to give that up. Oh, and not to mention the new member on the way. Mikan was working on her eighth month though she looked like she had nothing more than a bad case of bloating. For a man who didn't want kids before, Natsume was rather excited. When Mikan presented him with the little stick that tested positive, he didn't know what to feel. There was going to be a bouncing baby within his household that, once it could speak, would call him some variation of dad. Then it hit him in the most positive way possible that he was going to be a father. He was going to be a father and Mikan was going to be the mother. If the wide smile that graced his face didn't scream happiness, then Mikan didn't know what did. The man was clearly ecstatic and the large, squeezing hug proved her point.

On his way home, Natsume thought of all of this and he continued to do so as Mikan greeted him and they went through their usual afternoon. It wasn't until she was already in bed while he was in the kitchen that he finally realized how much he has changed. He wasn't the same self-sacrificial kid he was all those years ago. No, he was pretty selfish now. He didn't want to let go of a lot of things. Though he hated the stress that came with it, his job was most fitting for him. Though they bickered every now and again (and always over stupid things) Mikan was his and he would like to keep it that way. And though baby spit-up and suits don't go well together, his child needed a father in its life and he was darn well going to be present.

Natsume took out his cell-phone and hit speed-dial. "Narumi," Natsume said when he heard Narumi answer on the other end of the line. He walked toward the hallway and turned to look toward the bedroom where Mikan was inevitably sleeping soundly. He thought about her and his life that was now perfect as he said, "Tell the guy you know that Natsume Hyuuga wants to meet with him."

Narumi sighed, "This is a big risk–"

"–I'm willing to take the risk," Natsume interrupted. "Things have changed, and I've got things that I'm not ready to lose." Needless to say he held Mikan a bit tighter that night and, when he felt his child kick in response to the touch of its father, Natsume knew he made the right decision.