Okay, I'm a little late with this, because I ended up changing directions a bit after it was written, so I'm not sure if it is as smooth as I would like it to be. I wanted to get it up because you all are waiting so patiently for this, that I felt a little bad for keeping you waiting. I'll edit this later as I intend to do for all the previous chapters, but here's something to tie you over for now. Thank you for the reviews, keep letting me know what you think, it is helping me get my ideas flowing further. This chapter is a little longer than the others because like I said, I switched gears and still wanted to get the birth over with since the actual baby, not the pregnancy plays more of a major role in the building of the relationship.
Disclaimer hasn't changed yet.
Chapter 3
Pretending not to be pregnant while in school was agony. Trying to fend off questions as to why she didn't spend all her time cheering on, or chasing after Ryoma-kun anymore was pure torture.
Tezuka hadn't really said a word to her at all since it had been agreed that they would marry in a small ceremony. But he had been kind enough to walk her home everyday after club practices.
They were seen together enough that people started to get an inkling that something was going on between the pair. No one knew exactly for sure though.
They were married, with only their family members present. It was well before Sakuno's belly had grown larger, but all present had behaved as if she were already close to her due date.
Tezuka moved into the Ryuzaki home, as promised, sharing a room with his wife. He wasn't sure how he was ever going to explain the change in residence to his closest friends. He and Oishi liked to hang out after school some times, so without having that option, things would be different almost dramatically.
"What the hell is going on with you Sakuno," Tomoka asked her again this afternoon. Sakuno sighed, dropping her eyes to the floor.
She had gained weight again, forcing her to change the size of her uniform. Everyday, her worry about others finding out the truth had grown worse. There were those, who probably suspected what was going on. And apparently, Tomoka was one of the people.
"Don't tell me you've turned into one of those girls."
"I…don't understand what you mean," she said quietly. She smoothed down the front of her uniform shirt, seeking to hide her stomach more. Tears began to pool into her eyes as she listened to Tomoka begin to tear her apart.
Tomoka growled in frustration. "See, that's what I mean. I know you've been sleeping around, just because Ryoma isn't interested in you. You're the whore of Seigaku. I don't see how we can be friends with the way you're acting."
Sakuno stepped back in surprise. The way she was acting? She was getting a little sick and tired of Tomoka always putting everything on her, as Sakuno was always the problem in everything.
Call it the pregnancy hormones or what ever, but she was more than ready to just call it quits with Tomoka, regardless of how long they'd been friends. "How dare you?" she cried. "I've not done a thing to you for you to treat me this way."
"Ryuzaki," she heard said from behind her before she could go into a complete speech. She turned to see Tezuka standing there. She startled, not having expected he would want to talk to her.
"I need to speak with you."
"There's beginning to be some talk around the school," he said as soon as he led her to a private corner.
Sakuno said nothing, having already heard some of the rumors. For the most part, she could say that it was anger from the fans of Tezuka who disliked that she was seen with the tennis captain. Then there were the rumors from the fans of Ryoma who considered her a traitor. Both were vicious in their need to upset her.
"What do you think I should do then?" Her grandmother had been talking more about her leaving Seishun Gakuen for the last two months when she began to show her pregnancy more. It was her, who had fought against her grandmother's wishes, thinking that she wanted more time to spend with Tomoka.
Now, she wasn't so sure if it weren't a better idea to leave the school. At least, if she were at home she wouldn't have to deal with the nasty looks.
"Be on your guard if you choose to stay. I doubt things will improve as time moves on and it becomes apparent that you're with child." Sakuno's head dropped to hear the assessment she'd only been telling herself for a while now.
It was hopeless. She didn't want to get Tezuka more involved than he'd been, but by not letting it be known that she had only slept with one person and had married him, she would only further tarnish her own name, and by association her grandmother as well.
She returned to class, sitting in her seat that placed her behind Ryoma. For a moment, she allowed herself to wonder what he thought about all of the rumors. It had started because she was too weak-willed when it came to him.
Did he believe the rumors? Did he think she was now tainted somehow? Did he absolutely hate her? And really, why did she care what he thought? She was carrying Tezuka's baby.
Not only was she carrying his baby, she had now secretly been married to him. How could she possibly ever think to betray Tezuka, even if she though she was in love with Ryoma-kun?
She sighed, feeling depressed. This was going to be so difficult to get through.
Sakuno sat at the desk pouring over the books she would need to read if she ever hoped to catch up to the others that would have been in her class.
Someone had almost found out about the pregnancy. It had been a complete accident of course, when she was changing into her gym uniform, but it was much too close for comfort.
Her eyes were attracted to the ring once again. Married. She had been married fore about five months now, seven months into her pregnancy. She barely left the house for fear of being seen by her friends.
As the summer had grown nearer, Sakuno's grandmother had been forced to create an excuse that left Sakuno needing home schooling.
Tezuka had no trouble continuing on with his regular everyday life. He wasn't the one carrying a child, growing larger by the day and fearing that he would never find joy in life.
She'd had to redecorate everything after Tezuka made it clear he refused to sleep in a room where pink was the color of choice. It was difficult at first, dealing with more neutral colors, but she'd somehow gotten over it.
Oh, she sighed, there was some joy in her life. Her grandmother had been helpful with the pregnancy once she got over her disappointment. She'd given them the small room next door to her bedroom for a nursery.
Tezuka's parents had also been a big help to her, visiting nearly everyday to get to know her and making sure that she wasn't too lonely waiting for everyone else to return from the school.
She ran her hand over her belly, finding the new addition an interesting experience. She was almost… excited about the baby coming.
Her grandmother had promised to allow her more freedoms once she had given birth and it was safe to bring the baby out. By her calculations, the baby should be born by the time of the first regulars' selection.
From there, she'd be able to begin her new job as the club manager, helping her grandmother help the boys improve their skills.
"Ryuzaki," she heard called from downstairs. She set her pen down on top of the book. She struggled to lift her new weight from the chair. This was one thing she was not going to miss after the baby was born.
"Yes, Tezuka-senpai," she yelled from the top of the stairs. Her husband appeared at the bottom of the staircase, carrying his case with his racquets over one shoulder.
"Ryuzaki-sensei says that she will return home later this evening. She suggests we eat dinner without her."
Sakuno nodded. It wasn't very comfortable trying to make her way down the stairs with the extra girth, but she made it without help. She was proud of herself, for learning to be so strong about this, when it felt as if she wanted to cry every other minute of the day.
"Well," she said, "I haven't pulled anything out yet for dinner. What would you like to eat? I'm not particularly craving anything."
He seemed to think for a moment. Finally, he led her to the kitchen and the refrigerator that was nearly empty of anything edible. Someone had yet to shop for the groceries.
"Perhaps we should go out," he said once they both saw the pickings were slim.
Sakuno ran her hands over her stomach, unsure. "But then what if we are seen by someone we know? I thought we had decided not to take any risks."
Her husband shrugged. "We need to eat. The baby must have proper nourishment and it won't find that here. Besides, I should think you would want to get out of the house for a bit."
When put that way Sakuno gave in. She was pretty hungry and the baby did need to eat. Plus she really did want to get out of the house. So what if she was seen at this point, with all the rumors it wasn't as if people weren't going to be surprised.
Tezuka helped Sakuno put her shoes on her feet. He had been surprisingly helpful this whole time, doing small things for her that she would have never thought him capable of doing for her.
Every morning he brought her breakfast. When she grew sick, he'd often take care of her, sometimes calling in sick to school just to make sure she was okay. He always made sure she ate something, and was the prime reason she'd gained so much weight in the first place.
At night he'd sometimes massage her feet before she went to bed. But then she often did things for him too. She would often make sure that he didn't overuse his left arm. She always had dinner for him and her grandmother.
She left him alone when he had homework to do, or something team related. It was surprising easy for them to get along if they simply set aside the fact that they were forced into a marriage and were having a baby.
She knew some of his hobbies, not much as he was a very private person. It was okay considering she learned to talk enough for the both of them. He probably knew everything about her if he had actually listened to whatever she'd said.
Tezuka put her jacket on her since it was relatively cold outside and he didn't want her getting sick. He opened the door for her letting her make her way outside first while he locked the house while she waited for him at the end of the sidewalk.
He was enough of a gentleman to walk on the side of the street as he escorted her to the restaurant. They said nothing as they walked; the silence comfortable for both for once.
Sakuno watched the faces of the people they passed, looking for the tell tale sign that she was being judged. She'd discovered as she grew in size that she was always being judged because of her pregnancy.
Tezuka didn't seem to either notice or particularly care what anyone thought of him when he was with her. Watching him continue on as usual tended to bring her esteem higher, thus allowing her to affect the same attitude. After all, what did she have to be ashamed now that she was married?
Still, she couldn't help but assess the people around her. The frowns always made her feel as if she should be hanging her head.
"Stop it," Tezuka told her. She turned her attention to him. His eyes remained forward. "It doesn't matter what they think. You're a wife, not a single mother." With that said, he fell into silence once more.
Sakuno couldn't help the smile that touched her lips. Somehow, she knew he would say that. She stopped looking at the faces of strangers and concentrated on getting to where the food was.
The restaurant they visited was more of a café. Ten spotless tables were all that could be supported by the structure. The menu was small, but there seemed plenty that Sakuno found enticing for her growing appetite.
Tezuka was kind enough to go over to the counter to put in the order for both. Sakuno watched him, trying to blend in and not feel awkward.
He returned shortly with a cup of juice for her to start. Looking at him, something occurred to her, forcing her to ask. "Will you be able to attend the doctor's appointment next week?"
So close to time she just wanted to have his support. Her grandmother could only do so much and it made her feel bad to have to force her grandmother to continuously look after her. On top of that, the last time she went with her grandmother, other people had assumed she was a single parent.
"Yes," he said. She released the breath she didn't know she was holding.
The rest of the dinner was easy to handle now that she had one less worry. They talked a little about school and what might be expected once tennis began again after the winter.
Inui-senpai had everyone on a strict regiment. Tezuka had been getting home later than usual because of his duties as captain, plus his own private workouts.
She wasn't sure what it was her husband did to train, but whatever it was she had seen a major improvement in his body structure. He'd built up some serious muscles since working with Inui.
She couldn't wait to be able to go back to witness how his tennis had further evolved, even if she had to do with the baby. She missed the cheering and watching volleys. She missed sitting on the sidelines, worrying about how the guys were going to win their matches without getting hurt.
There was so much she didn't get to do right now, that she was almost afraid that she was going to lose her mind when she finally did get the chance to go back to the school.
"Tezuka, I thought that was you," she heard a voice say behind her. She watched as Tezuka froze for a slight moment, before nodding carefully.
"Atobe, I wouldn't have expected you here."
Sakuno froze, knowing she was too late to try and hide her appearance. Her heart felt like it was trying to escape from her chest, she was so frightened by what he might say to her.
Tezuka stood, seemingly unconcerned to be caught by his "rival". She felt eyes on the back of her head. Her twin braids probably gave her away and she regretted, not for the first time, that she had yet to change her hairstyle.
"You remember Ryuzaki-sensei's granddaughter," Tezuka pointed to her. When Atobe nodded Tezuka helped her to stand. The tennis captain of Hyotei's eyes were glued to the protrusion in from of Sakuno as Tezuka bit her to step outside for a moment.
"What was that?" Atobe said as soon as she was out of hearing. "I see you have been busy."
Tezuka turned toward him, standing tall. "She's my wife. So if you think I'm supposed to be ashamed of my behavior then you are sorely mistaken." He headed toward the door, where Sakuno stood waiting for him. Just before he left he turned back toward Atobe to say, "I would inform you to hold your tongue, but that would imply that I'm hiding. I don't care who knows, but I do care if she comes to harm from your words."
Let him think on that for a while.
Sakuno was worried if she were doing the right thing. She was heavily pregnant, and supposed to be in hiding, but her grandmother forgot important paperwork.
She waddled her way along, fighting to keep her head held high as she passed students who stared at her, recognizing her by the twin braids she had yet to do anything about.
'I can do this,' she said quietly. She glanced down at the ring on her left hand. She was a married woman, not a fallen woman. No matter what they could say, she had married the father of her child.
The whispers began before she had gone very far. The tears came to her eyes as she fought to keep them steady.
More and more students came to watch her. She tried not to falter. She tried desperately to make herself believe that none of this bothered her, but it was so hard when all she wanted to do was hide away and never show her face again.
A figure stepped in front of her just as her head drop. She didn't notice until she felt hands gripping her shoulders. "What are you doing here?" Tezuka demanded.
Sakuno held up the folder she had been carrying for her husband to see. Tezuka allowed her to hide her face in his chest as she lost the battle with her tears, determining it to be his duty not to allow her to suffer the jeering students on her own. He would never be rid on his own disgrace.
"Do you want me to take the notebook to Ryuzaki-sensei?" She shook her head. She was going to get through this, no matter what. She could do it, if she just tried hard enough.
Oishi, who Tezuka had finally confided in, stood transfixed by the actual evidence of Ryuzaki's granddaughter carrying Tezuka's child. "I…I can take it," he said finally. "You take your wife home. I'll tell Ryuzaki-sensei."
Oishi hadn't realized his error, until he heard the massive cries of, "wife" float through the crowd.
Tezuka retrieved the papers from Sakuno's grip. In a way he was glad to have Oishi announce the news. It made whatever cruel rumors that might have spread, would now be checked by Sakuno's status as married.
And when the apparent father was someone respected…well, everyone knew better than to speak ill of Tezuka.
Tezuka guided Sakuno off the grounds as swiftly as possible. He did need to get back to practice.
The contractions began shortly before noon. Being alone in the house, Sakuno slowly made her way toward the hospital, just glad that her water hadn't broken yet.
By three, she was in so much pain she didn't know how to handle it. She'd had the nurse call her grandmother at the school hours ago, but no one had made it there yet. She was all alone and she hated that feeling.
"Tezuka," Ryuzaki-sensei said to him once she pulled him aside. "You have to get to the hospital immediately."
She needn't say anymore before he took off, jogging past his friends in his tennis regulars uniform.
He was too deeply in his thoughts to notice Kikamaru dragging Fuji after him as both sought to keep up with Tezuka. The two close friends were concerned to see their captain taking off at such speeds, clearly worried about something.
"What do you think is wrong?" Fuji asked quietly as they kept pace together. His friend shrugged. Surprisingly, neither had heard about Sakuno's visit to the school.
They didn't grow concerned until they saw him entering the hospital. They glanced at each other, wondering if Tezuka was having problems with his arm again. It had been a long while since he'd shown signs of having pain, so they'd assumed they would never have to worry again.
They hurried their steps, finding their captain turning toward the elevators. They ran to catch up, making it inside the same elevator with him just before the doors closed. "So Tezuka," Fuji said, "Are we going to see the doctor?"
Tezuka closed his eyes as he felt a headache begin to pound in his head.
"Eh?" he heard come from Eiji, "This is the button for the Maternity ward that's lit." Both men turned to their captain.
Tezuka sighed, wondering how the two could have missed all the commotion from eariler. These two he'd never get rid of unless he told the truth. "My wife is giving birth."
"Wife," both yelled. Tezuka nodded once.
"Ryuzaki's granddaughter, Sakuno is here about to give birth to my child. That is why I am here at the hospital and not on my way to practice." He tried to suggest that the two head back to the school and practice, but neither would have that.
Both were eager to question their friend about what happened to have caused this new development. Everyone knew that Sakuno had always had a thing for Echizen, so to have her suddenly married to some one else and about to give birth to a child was big news indeed.
"A baby Tezuka huh?" Eiji said, his mind imagining a mini Tezuka. Fuji's smile increased greatly. They were gong to have so much fun with a baby around. And he'd get to be "uncle" Fuji. "I have to see this."
Tezuka went into the birthing room with his wife once the elevator door opened. The other two sat in the waiting room to wait for the verdict of boy or girl.
"It's amazing isn't it?" Fuji said once they were alone. "A baby."
Eiji nodded. "I never would have expected it of our stoic Tezuka. It's no wonder his relationship with Ryuzaki-sensei was a little strained for a while. She must have been really angry when she found out."
All Fuji could say in reply was, "I bet she was."
Sakuno felt like she couldn't push anymore. Her body had worked so hard to get the baby out, but she still had more to go.
Tezuka stood besides her, calmly holding her hand as she squeezed and screamed all while trying to push out what felt like a huge boulder. He'd said not a word since he arrived, simply taking his place and waiting for it to be over.
"The head is crowning," she heard the doctor say. "One more push should be all we need."
She felt tears pricking her eyes. She didn't want to push. She was tired of pushing and felt that if she had to push one more time, she was going to pass out. "Push," Tezuka said calmly.
That one command seemed to give her the energy she needed to bear down one last time. She gritted her teeth, her voice feeling strained from all the screaming from earlier.
Finally, she heard the tiny cry signifying that it was over. "It's a boy," someone, possibly the doctor, said. Something wet and squirming was settled on her chest. Everything after that was a blur.
She was aware of her husband slowly reaching out to run a finger along the line of their son's face, as if he too couldn't believe what they had accomplished together. The baby opened his eyes slowly, staring up at her. Sakuno's heart skipped a beat she was so in awe.
He was perfect. And he was her baby.
