All About Baby

By Novalee Phoenix

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

A/N: I would like to first thank all of you who have reviewed my story, and also to thank all of you for pointing out my mistake in the first chapter. It was supposed to be 3 weeks not 36. Thank you. I've fixed the problem, and hopefully it'll show on . Because when I do end up editing my documents, for some odd reason, it never fixes them. --

Carolina, Cain, Psychegloom, and FoxeyFoxey

Alright, now to the story………

The First Hurdle...

"Let me go first." Rukia rolled her eyes as she allowed her over-reactive husband to take the first step into the Kuchiki compound. Last week, they had decided to pull straws in order to decide who would be told first: Ichigo's insane father or Rukia's stoic brother.

Kuchiki Byakuya had won.

A whole week had been spent preparing for the departure, and after many death threats were made to one Urahara Kiske to keep his big mouth shut about the impending new family member, preparations were made for the Kurosaki's visit to Soul Society. Once they made it through the gates, they steadily made their way towards the enormous mansion.

Ichigo kept his eyes pealed for anyone with bells, tattoos, or shinning bald heads that would come his way since he still had yet to learn to control his reiatsu. The last thing he wanted was to involve Rukia in the ruckus. She was petite enough as it was and he was always worried, but now that his son or daughter was also trying to thrive inside said small body, he stayed in constant awareness of everything. No hollow, no mugger, not even a damn door salesman was getting passed him to stress his wife's already delicate condition.

Finally reaching the compound, Ichigo wasn't even going to give Byakuya Kuchiki a chance to say anything demeaning or insulting about Rukia's new condition. "Let me go first." Was what escaped his lips. He watched his wife roll her eyes. He knew he was over reacting. Byakuya had seemed to change a lot since he had saved Rukia from death on Sokyoku Hill. Hell, the man might even be excited by the prospect but Ichigo's pessimistic side had already submerged itself in his mind. He was ready to slap the snot out of his brother-in-law if he made any dumb or offensive remarks to his wife.

"Rukia, I see you have made it." Byakuya's smooth and elegant voice drifted over Ichigo. When the hell did Byakuya get here? "Kurosaki. It is impolite to stand in others doorways." Ichigo gritted his teeth, but catching Rukia's glare, decided to just close his eyes and count to ten. Byakuya, after all, was now family. It wouldn't do him any good to pick a fight. Besides, he could always just relieve his stress on Isshin. Besides, Byakuya had dangerous pink petals for power and a baby sister who would deny him sex for the rest of his mortal life and possibly the next on his side. So yes, picking a fight was definitely out of the question.

"What brings you here to Soul Society? Has it already been three months?" The agreement at Ichigo and Rukia's wedding was that Rukia would live a mortal life and help to continue the Kurosaki lineage as long as she promised to check in every three months with Byakuya. Ichigo had agreed since it made Rukia happy. The feeling of finally being accepted as Byakuya Kuchiki's sister had put such a warm and genuine smile on her face that Ichigo didn't have the heart to deny her the request.

"Ni-sama, it is good to see you." Rukia stated bowing slightly to her brother. He nodded to her in acceptance and turned to walk down the hall, Rukia and Ichigo following silently.

They had finally made it to Byakuya's personal visiting room. Ichigo sat by Rukia who sat across from Byakuya. Tea was poured, and all was silent for a minute as Rukia closed her eyes, savored the smell of the rich tea, and took a sip.

"Ni-sama, I have great news for you." Byakuya put down his cup and stared silently at his sister. Ichigo clenched his fist in his pants just incase Byakuya made a remark that would make him want to punch the jerk in the face.

"Ni-sama, I'm expecting." Clear. Simple. To the point. Oh how Ichigo loved that about Rukia. Especially now as Byakuya just seemed to stare into nothingness. He tried to contain his smirk. Finally, he got a one up on the bastard.

"I see. I'm very happy for you Rukia." Byakuya then did something that Ichigo swears is the reason as to why he saw a pig fly outside the window. The man put his tea cup down and smiled as he hugged his sister. Ichigo thought he also saw some flying buffalo accompanying the pig.

"Have you decided yet on the future of the baby." This was not a question. Ichigo understood the meaning immediately.

"The baby is going to be a Kurosaki and not a Kuchiki. Simple as that." Ichigo said eyeing his brother-in-law.

"What he means," Rukia cut in, "is that no matter what the sex of the baby is, it'll be a Kurosaki. I know you don't have an heir ni-sama but don't worry."

"Rukia, as of right now, you are my only heir. Once I perish, it will be you to lead the family." Rukia nodded in understanding. No matter how badly Byakuya wished to have a son for his heir, Hisana had left him childless. She idly thought that if she were to have twin boys, maybe they could discuss one of her sons being head of the Kuchiki clan while the other Kurosaki. Although she wasn't sure if she should tell Ichigo of her thoughts.

Ichigo took a deep breath. This was going to be a long evening, and he just knew that something would be brewing in the Kuchiki state's head.

It was almost midnight when Ichigo and Rukia returned from Soul Society. Byakuya had insisted that Rukia stay for Supper due to the fact she looked a bit under-fed and if she wanted her child to grow strong as a Kuchiki should, she should eat up to her hearts content. Ichigo could say nothing. The Honzen Ryori was exceptionally delicious and Rukia seemed to be enjoying it thoroughly, especially the Ootoro. He prayed that she didn't crave that through her pregnancy or Byakuya would be getting his grocery bill.

As they got ready for bed, Ichigo couldn't help the soft smile that made its way to his lips as he watched his wife get ready for bed. It seemed like ages ago when he was fifteen years old and Rukia stabbed him with Sode No Shirayuki. And now, although he would never tell Rukia about this, he tended to celebrate the date in his own silent way. The day he met the love of his life. Who would have thought.

"Ichigo, what are you thinking about?" He snapped out of his revelry and stared at his wife who was already under the covers trying to stifle a yawn.

"Nothing really. I'm just a bit excited."

"You're not a bit scared?"

"What do you mean?"

"Well," Rukia sat up to face her husband better. "When I found out, I was very excited, but now, I'm terrified. Ichigo. I've been around boys all of my life. I've never really had a woman figure to share this with. And although I'm confident that I can take care of children, I don't know how good I'll be with our child. I'm seriously scared about this." She put her hand resting on her stomach. "I don't know what to expect."

Rukia being unnerved was so unlike her that it took Ichigo a while to process what she just told him. Finally, for what seemed forever but was only a minute, he sighed and put his arms around her. "It'll be okay. Remember, it's my first time too. I think we'll be okay. We'll get through this together just like we get through everything. Don't worry. Things can't change that much, right?"

Rukia smiled up at him as he leaned down to kiss her softly. Soon they were both snuggled together under the covers, her fears quieted for a while, but for some odd reason in the back of her mind, she felt the very first anchoring of doubt and fear.

This was not exactly what both Ichigo and Rukia had planned when they told his family. Of course, Yuzu and Karin's reactions were right on the money and to an extent so was his fathers. What they weren't counting on was the piece of meat that lodged itself in Isshin's throat causing Ichigo to perform the Heimlich maneuver and the meat to fly out and break the vase that was next to the door. Isshin could never do anything without making a mess.

"You saved daddy's life! Oh my wonderful son! You truly do love Daddy! You weren't ready yet to let go….." Isshin found Ichigo's foot plastered to his face.

"I should have just left the meat in."

"I'm so excited Ichi-nii!" A new sibling to the Kurosaki family. How wonderful!" Yuzu was just hopelessly ecstatic. Her and Karin had started their freshman year of college. Ichigo was very proud of his sisters due to the fact that they didn't want to start a family until they were well established with good careers.

"That's right! My boy has finally grown into a man! And not a little wussy man like he was at his wedding but a strong one!"

"Shut up you old fart! The only reason I cried was because stupid Keigo played a prank and slipped some hot sauce into my drink!"

"Yeah, yeah, denial is not just a river in Egypt Ichi-nii." Karin smirked as her brother glared daggers her way but was stopped from saying anything scathing as his father's spin kick slammed him into the nearby wall. Rukia sweat dropped and patted her stomach while mumbling. "Don't worry. I promise to never let your father or grandfather do t his to you." When she looked up, she found Karin and Yuzu starring at her, Ichigo upside down on his head smirking, and Isshin against the famous Mazaki poster crying his eyes out.

"Oh mother! Did you hear that?!" Our little Rukia-chan will take good care to make sure our name survives and lives on!"

All four managed out a sigh as Isshin continued to weep. Ichigo and Rukia decided to stay till 8:00 that night and then headed home. By that time, Ichigo was grinding his teeth so hard that Rukia thought they would fall out. "Calm down Ichigo. I thought it all went rather well."

"Of course it did. For you!"

"Stop acting like a child." She playfully scolded him. Secretly, both were extremely happy that they finally got to tell their families. It was a task that needed to be done.

Finally after 30 minutes of driving, they were home and snuggled deep under the warmth of the covers. Rukia fell fast asleep, but Ichigo found that he couldn't. Instead, he opted to just stare at his sleeping wife. She was so beautiful, childlike, and peaceful in sleep. It was so strange to look at her and think that in a few months her stomach would get round and she would waddle around with swollen feet. He decided to keep that information to himself lest Rukia decide to pound his face in for that scary revelation. He figured that she would learn as she went. Finally, sleep over took him. He closed his eyes and dreamt of holding his son.

A/N 2: Alright, I hope I did pretty good with this chapter especially considering the grammar and spellings. It's been a while since I've had an idea on what I wanted for this next chapter to be, but thankfully, something hit my brain waves and I was able to pull this little rabbit out of my hat.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter...and thank you for the reviews.