A/N: I'll have you all know, this chapter is the very first time I've written in a story that features pregnancy as the main topic of a chapter (or a part of the story). Anyway, enjoy~!

Disclaimer: Ouran High School Host Club belongs to Bisco Hatori.


"This can't be."

Kotoko stood in front of the bathroom mirror, chocolate eyes staring directly at the stick in her hand. Her gaze was specifically glaring at the two lines that were displayed.

The alumna had recently married—it was a simple, private wedding that occurred almost two weeks ago—but she still resided in her apartment for a small amount of time. The boxes that littered the living space served as proof for her upcoming transfer. And it seemed that personal belongings weren't the only things Kotoko was bringing with her to her husband's home.

"He has to know," she whispered. The enjoyable, albeit cheap, honeymoon was a memorable time; but it most likely wasn't when the tiny life growing within Kotoko was conceived, as the time was too short for the symptoms to start appearing. Unless . . .

Kotoko groaned, settling the test by the sink as she slumped down the wall. Things did not go as planned. She had many goals: graduate into a splendid lawyer, make a living, remain financially secure, take a greater step towards independence, and several more. Having a child after graduating law school was not a part of her list. She wasn't even a part of any law firms yet!

"Just great," she mumbled disappointedly.

The days passed by as swiftly as a fish swimming through a current, and Kotoko stood in the kitchen of her new home. It wasn't too bad—sure, it needed a little touches here and there, but overall the Fujioka apartment was a decent enough place to accommodate. Kotoko cooked some omelettes, contemplating as to what she should do after.

"That's right, I can finish unpacking," she decided. The woman didn't notice the pair of arms that wrapped around her waist.

"Boo," a masculine voice whispered, in her ear.

Kotoko gasped, nearly dropping the spatula. She turned to the source, finding a groggy Ryoji. The woman gave his head a light smack.

"I nearly ruined our breakfast!" she exclaimed, turning back to the eggs.

"Sorry," apologized Ryoji, before moving to the dining room.

Kotoko sighed, transferring the omelettes onto two separate plates.

Breakfast went by smoothly for the newlyweds; words exchanged and conversations ended. Sometimes they spoke of plans with their future—Kotoko brought up her job application plans, and Ryoji thought of working at the liquor store full-time; he recently dropped out of college, much to the disapproval of his wife. They became just like any other married couple. It wasn't until Kotoko rushed hastily towards the bathroom that the tranquility of the moment fell apart.

"Kotoko!" shouted Ryoji as he followed his wife, who was hunched over the toilet.

The brunette rinsed her mouth soon after she finished regurgitating her breakfast.

"What was that about?" Ryoji questioned worriedly, rubbing her back. "Please tell me. This has been going on for days. I need to know whatever it so that's ailing you."

The newlyweds returned to the dining room. Kotoko sighed as she leaned on her husband's shoulder.

"Remember one of our conversation topics minutes ago?" she asked? "About having a family one day?"

Ryoji nodded.

"Yes," he answered. "But what does that have to do with this?"

It's now or never, Kotoko thought. "I—I'm pregnant."

Time seemed to stop, except for Ryoji's eyes as he directed his gaze towards his wife.

"What?"

"I'm pregnant with your child," she repeated bluntly.

The only sound that came after was the thud as Ryoji fainted.


Ryoji couldn't believe it. He was going to be a father. A father!

He laughed to himself. Even after three months of knowing that fact, he still found it too good to be true. Of course, it was too be expected; he was married after all. But it was too soon. Regardless, Ryoji didn't care and all he wanted to do was hold his baby already.

With Kotoko in her fifth month, life for the twenty-year-old was male hectic than usual. He learned to not argue with whatever his wife asked for, especially when it came to food; he shouldn't argue with pregnant women, and he learned that the hard way.

Kotoko may have been pregnant, but she excelled with her job as a lawyer. The mother to-be made decent pay and helped provide for the family in a big way. The only money-drainer for the Fujiokas was the food expenses to satisfy Kotoko's obscenely large appetite, but then again she had to eat for two, one of which was herself—something they found out when they went to the doctor's one time: but they left the gender ambiguous until the baby's birth.

The twenty-six-year-old woman entered through the door, and Ryoji greeted her warmly.

"Welcome back!" He kissed his wife. "And it's good to see you too, sweetie!" he

crooned as he kissed Kotoko's noticeable baby bump. Ryoji looked back at his wife. "How was work?"

"Got a dispute settled," was her answer as she chucked off her heels and went towards the bathroom. She exited later and grabbed one of he odd food combinations stored in the fridge. Ryoji cringed as he eyed his wife munching on the mixed mush, which she finished seconds later.

"So," he began, "anything else interesting at work?"

"No," she answered bluntly.

"I see, I see."

The pregnant woman sighed, before settling a hand on her forehead in exasperation.

"I really can't wait for this baby to pop out. This child is draining the heck out of me. Life has been so tiring and I've been so, so hungry. I just wanna—"

Her rant was interrupted when Ryoji carried her bridal-style towards their shared room. He settled her carefully on the bed, before walking towards the entryway.

"What would you like to eat? Of course, other than that garbage you just finished."

Kotoko's bewildered look became amused and thoughtful as she looked at her husband.

"Ootoro," she answered, "and it better be good."

Ryoji half-feigned a wince. He was a terrible enough cook as is.

"Oh, that's going to be a hard one. But that's all right," he said. "Anything for you, love."

Kotoko laughed.

"Right, right. Now get moving. After all, you don't want to make me angry, now do you?" It was no threat, but rather, a warning.

Husband and wife shared a laugh—the husband's laugh being more half-frightened—before the former exited the room to begin grocery shopping. Ryoji did so quickly and efficiently, fearing the wrath of his pregnant wife.


Eight months along, and Kotoko was getting impatient. She wanted nothing more than to give birth to the baby and have the pregnancy all over with, despite it being a long, painful process.

The brunette tossed about, becoming antsy. It was fortunate that the constant nausea and cravings were all gone, as it was one of the many causes of suffering during her pregnancy. Kotoko thought back to the night a month ago, when she and Ryoji discussed names in bed; they never managed to settle for one, so they decided to do it after their child was born—to find a name suitable for them.

Minutes ticked by as the pregnant woman eyed the TV screen. More commercials later, she felt a strong jolt in her abdomen.

"Another Braxton Hicks?" she mumbled questioningly. She had been having contractions recently—stronger than the tiny kicks months ago, which got Ryoji fawning over the baby's liveliness.

Kotoko shrugged and directed her focus back on the screen, until another bout of pain came, each one becoming more and more excruciating.

"These contractions . . . !" exclaimed the woman, but her words were debunked the moment she felt something flow down her legs, and through her pants.

Kotoko's eyes widened in realization.

"RYOJI!"

Fortunately Ryoji wasn't supposed to head for work in an hour, and he came rushing in as fast as lightning. He was panting heavily.

"W-what is it?"

"Bring me to the hospital. Now!" his wife ordered. "My water just broke!"

"What?!"

Ryoji became frantic, and he and his wife started to head towards the hospital.

It was time.