Ch. 2 The baby shower

Her belly was growing and with it strange cravings. They became bad that even Tomoe threw up at the sight of some of her meals. They we so happy and Tomoe even more from the day he felt his child kick and practically glowed with pride smiling from ear to ear. Nanami was happy to indulge him whenever he asked to feel but as the day grew closer to the birth any sign that she may be in labor Tomoe was about to lose it and Nanami losing her lunch from laughing to hard. Since Kamehime the dragon kings wife found out that Nanami had become pregnant her and Himemiko decided to be her midwives and moved in until the time of the birth comes.
"So have you decided the date for the baby shower Nanami?" Ami asked. "Oh I had forgotten about it how about this weekend ow Yui stop!" Nanami squealed as the one year old pulled at Nanami's hair from behind. He was the most adorable toddler and you couldn't stay mad at him for long. His looks were thanks to his father Kurama with his handsomeness and his mother Ami with her cuteness. His wings much to their surprise and his father's pride were growing strong and quickly but had yet to try and fly. His mother gently picked him up and wrapped him in a hug and listened to him giggle in protest.
"I wish my baby were here so I can hold him too. He's driving my taste buds crazy with this aftertaste from his cravings." The girls giggled.
"I remember when Yui gave me the same problems I guess it's a demon thing." She shrugged and as Nanami started getting up helped her up. "Plus the sooner he gets out the sooner I don't look like a beached whale I miss my feet." Then a sliding of a door and Tomoe came waltzing in. "You are not a beached whale, you are pregnant with my child and extremely beautiful if I might add." As he gave her a peck on the cheek and rubbed her protruding belly. "Gosh you know how to flatter a pregnant woman my Tomoe." Ami said in envy. He purred into her neck planting small kisses. Reading the situation Ami gives them privacy and takes Yui to go outside to play. "Just a little longer we can enjoy silence but then we'll be woken up by him or her every two hours." She said but he couldn't be wavered from his joy. "Then he or she shall love me more as I will come to their every beck and call." She smiled knowing full and well he would just to be close to his pup as she had come to call it. "Am I going to be jealous of this child who is going to take away my husband's affection and attention?" She said tauntingly. He smiled and gave her another melting kiss. Before he could do another she stopped him and said." I'm having a baby shower with the girls this weekend and no boys allowed so you'll have to do something with the guys this weekend ok?" He seemed sad about missing a day with his beloved family but knew the importance of her human traditions. "All right but if one thing doesn't feel right or if any trouble commences you call me immediately." She nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck guiding him down for another kiss when the baby kicked and they both laughed mid kiss. To please his angry child he kissed the belly and talked to him. Nanami loved the fatherly side of him it was so sweet to the point she could hold him forever.
The weekend came and the men went to town to get their own gifts and for Kurama to give his advice on the baby or in Tomoe's terms brag about his child and raising skills. Katorou seemed to hold better advice with his 2 children and told Tomoe just to love his children and hope they become more confident and stronger than you. With those words it would seem that Tomoe gave him his respect.
The girls were having a lovely time. Nanami was extremely happy as she was tended by Onikiri and Kotesu handing her gifts and treats and massaging her aching feet. She received boy and girl clothes but mostly girls and was a little depressed. Her family only had girls but with Mikage's assurance of safety with the child she was hoping to have a boy for Tomoe and herself to ease her worries but didn't let it worry her with this happy event as Tomoe always had her do.
"So how far along are you exactly Nanami?" Asked Himemiko.
"I would say around 7 months or so but it feels much longer." She giggled. Himemiko nodded. "My children took their time but when they each came early I thought Katarou would die of a heart attack." They all came into laughter at the thought. He was indeed a good man but it seemed he could only take so much. "Well I have something I would like to share in this happy company if I may." Kamehime announced. She took a breath then blushed. "I'm with child now as well." They squealed with Joy and surrounded her congratulating her. "This day should be about Nanami I'm sorry it's just I want to share my joy as well." Nanami rolled her eyes and said. "Please I've had 7 months to have people dote over me besides this is your first baby. Have you told the king yet?" She shook her head and explained she was going to surprise him when she returns home. Nanami like many times excused herself to the restroom when a sudden cramp like others from that morning hit her. She doubled over for the 3rd time that day and the pain subsided but before she could make to the bathroom a small stream streamed down her leg. She cursed but when reached the restroom found it not to be pee but that her water broke. "HIMEMIKO!" She heard the pounding of feet and the sliding of the door to find Himemiko. "The baby is coming send for Tomoe hurry!" At that instant everything was a blur the girls helped move her to the birthing room. The contractions were random and not lining up but still hurt like hell an each time whining for Tomoe. The girls stayed with her trying to ease the pain as she thought just a little longer.
Meanwhile the guys are lounging around in a demon restaurant much to Katarou's fear but still didn't mind. "So what are you hoping for Tomoe a girl, boy maybe?" Asked Kurama taking a swig of sake. Although he found the tengu annoying he smiled and said. "Just as long as he or she is healthy I don't mind but I think the thing that we fear the most is Nanami dying during or a few years later after the birth. I just want her to be happy at this moment so I don't really mind." Kurama put his arm around Tomoe's neck and shook him like a dear friend while saying." You are so sappy you know that." While the two were bickering they didn't notice Onikiri and Kotesu run around looking for Tomoe. They spotted him and yelled to the top of their lungs. "MASTER TOMOE, LADY NANAMI IS IN LABOR COME HOME NOW!" Tomoe turned in fear tipping his chair over and sprinted out the door with the rest not far behind. All that ran through his mind was the early coming of his child it couldn't have been more than 7 months along what the hell is going on it was supposed to be a simple day.
By the time he reached the shrine men were no longer allowed in the room. He went to the screen as he heard the painful wails that stung his ears from his beloved. "Nanami I'm here, I'm here you're going to be fine do your best. I'm going to be right here." She heard his voice and a new swell of tears entered her eyes. "I'm ok he's just taking a while is all... (Contraction)...he'll be along soon don't worry Tomoe I've got it. Another hour or two and it was the last leg. "All right Nanami I can see the baby just a few more ok." Said Himemiko as she stared at Nanami's privates which weren't so private anymore. Kamehime was beside Nanami during the beginning of her labor but now with the baby in sight was preparing for its cleaning leaving Nanami to cling to her sheets . "Nanami the head is out one more push Nanami now!" Tomoe heard these words and cringed at her air ripping scream. He then screamed "NANAMI!" As he closed his eyes as fearful tears filled his eyes but then his eyes flashed open at the new sound the strong scared wail of a babe.
"Nanami look at your baby." Himemiko keeping the gender silent knowing Nanami wanted to tell Tomoe herself but let her look. Nanami almost started to sob as she saw a little baby boy with silver hairs and ears. The first boy who knew in how long. She held him to her hearing him coo and sniffling as he took in air, his skin a light pink and hands feet and checks just so tiny. She looked up to Himemiko smiled and nodded as Kamehime gave her a large pillow allowing her to lay back and sit up.
Tomoe was on pins and needles as he waited to see his baby. The cries had died down and now but the agony was becoming too much. Then the door opened to reveal Himemiko she smiled and placed her hand on his chest and said to be slow and calm. He nodded and walked into a sight that nearly tore his heart out. His child lay in her arms squirming weakly after the recent events and snuggled closer to his mother's warmth. She looked to him as he kneeled down. "His name is Himetarou." She said in a soft voice. He scoffed at the name. "The same name you gave me while tending to me in the past?" She gave a guilty look but nodded. "He reminds me of a little you at that time sort of but also I never want to forget all that we have done together. Yet mostly it's because it just suits him." She giggled as Tomoe seemed perturbed by the whole thing. After a few minutes of Tomoe sitting beside her looking in awe she gently pulled him away from her body cradling his head and body and offered him to Tomoe. "Hold his head, and wrap your arm around him were your hand is at his neck or by his back." She watched as he carefully took him into his arms fearing as if he may hurt him. She leaned back into the pillow and drifted instantly to sleep after her long day.
As Tomoe held his son he looked up to find Nanami fast asleep. For an instant he had fear until she took a heavy sigh and sunk deeper into the pillow. He looked to his son and smiled." Let's let mommy sleep for a bit ok." The ever waited crowd awaited his arrival and cooed at him and expressed their congratulations before leaving the family to themselves. Yet before Tomoe could reach the room Tarou began crying. Not knowing what to do he hustled to Nanami who awoke to her child's cry and laughed at the frightened foxes face as he watched his wife care over their child taking in every detail to care for him later on.
When night time came after they had washed the day away and laid in bed with their child they felt totally at ease. "I feel so empty without him inside me now. It's so strange." She said softly. "Then we'll have to keep having children to ease that emptiness." She grimaced at the thought of giving birth again. "Do you think you could wait I think I would like not giving birth and getting pregnant all the time ok?" He smiled understanding her pains but only to an extent. "I just wish to relive this joy over and over." She chuckled at the new faces she had seen about their son and wonder what other faces he would make later on.
"I bet he's going to be a little you Nanami." She shook her head. "I think he's going to have some of both of us maybe he'll take on your strengths like Yui did with his father and his mother in innocence. Ours I think is going to surprise us, you know?" He smiled and nodded. "I just hope he leads an honest path better than mine." He grimaced at his past sins that he committed but was brought back as Nanami gripped his hand. "Luckily his father will lead him the way away from that. I still love all that you were and all that you are now but like you say let's enjoy this happiness." He nodded and drifted to sleep along with her until was awoken by his son's whimpers; he smiled then hushed to sleep as he went to prepare him a few bottles for the night. Walking back he gazed up at the moon who had long been his friend in his loneliness and that in his most loving moments. At its sight he wondered would his days be filled with such a happiness that would nearly break his heart from this overwhelming emotion.