Chapter 4 – Future

Sorry this took so long to update but I was really stuck with what to write for this prompt :\

I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as you have the previous ones, warning fluffiness will ensue at the end.

Naru is quite OOC in this prompt, I hope you don't mind.

Thank you to everybody who reviewed and/or Favourited/Followed me or this story!

Prompt 004: FUTURE

Not too long ago the future had seemed so far away, yet now it was staring her in the face and she had no choice but to take notice.

Yes the future had confronted her in the form of a small piece of plastic with a little '+' sign on it.

Pregnant... the word echoed through her head over and over, she wasn't going to question how it was possible; she knew the mechanics of it after all.

Still, she could not seem to associate the term 'Mother' with herself. To think that in a mere 8 months she and Naru would have a child of their own to look after.

Now that her mind had strayed to Naru she started to doubt that he would even want a child, they hadn't ever talked about it and it wasn't something that he had said he specifically wanted.

She knew he would make a good father, she just didn't know whether he wanted to be a father full stop.

She knew she would eventually have to tell him, after all, he always knew when she was keeping something from him and he didn't take well to being lied to.

It wasn't like she could avoid him either; they did work in the same building and was even now anticipating the tea he had sent her to make.

At least she had an explanation for the fatigue and nausea she had been feeling lately; she had been beginning to think that something was seriously wrong with her.

It had been Masako that had eventually convinced her to take the test and Mai had complied even though she didn't really even consider it a possibility, it was a good thing she did.

Breathing deeply, she stood up from the bathroom floor and walked into the kitchen and setting the kettle on the stove to begin heating up.

While waiting for the water to boil she sent a quick text to Masako,

To: Hara Masako

From: Taniyama Mai

Subject: Test

Sent: 15:47pm from xxx xxx xx

It was Positive Masako, what am I going to do? I don't think I have the courage to tell Naru right now. Mai xx

She didn't have to wait long for a reply because her phone beeped with an oncoming message just as she was pouring Naru's tea.

To: Taniyama Mai

From: Hara Masako

Subject: Test

Sent: 15: 51pm from xxx xxx xx

I think you should just tell him, he won't be mad because he loves you. I know Naru's always wanted a big family because he always used to feel so alone. Masako xx

Mai sighed while slipping the phone back into her pocket and proceeding to take the tray with Naru's precious tea on it to his office.

Knocking gently she waiting for conformation that she could enter before stepping inside when she heard him mutter 'come in' quietly.

"Here's your tea Naru", she said, trying her best to keep a bright smile on her face and not show him just how worried she was. It didn't work, Naru caught her arm just as she was about to walk away.

"What's wrong? You seem upset about something." He asked, turning her back around to face him.

Mai tried to force the smile to stay on her face but her mask was cracking. "Nothing's wrong, I guess I'm just feeling a little under the weather today, that's all." Her voice didn't come out sounding as steady as she would have hoped and she knew that Naru had noticed.

He pulled her down onto his lap and wound his arms around her waist, which promptly reminded her of the topic that had her so worried in the first place.

"Please tell me what's wrong", he breathed into her ear, making a shiver go down her spine.

She felt her eyes fill with tears as she thought about everything she could lose if Naru didn't want this child.

Shaking her head, she brought a hand up to wipe away her tears in an attempt to stop crying before Naru noticed. It would have worked if he hadn't noticed the way her shoulder shook ever so slightly.

He pulled her tighter against him and rubbed soothing circles on her back, hoping that she would tell him what was wrong.

Mai seemed content to just sit there in his embrace until he realised that he breathing had evened out, she had fallen asleep.

Softly and quietly so as not to wake her, he lifted her from his lap and carried her over to the sofa. After setting her down in a comfortable position he took as seat beside her and began stroking her hair softly. Mai rarely got upset and he wondered what had managed to get her in such a state.

He watched her sleep, hoping that the peaceful slumber would not be interrupted by any psychic visions. She hadn't been sleeping lately, that was obvious by the dark circles under her eyes.

He watched as her hands came to rest on her stomach in an almost protective gesture and wondered if it had something to do with the dream she was currently having.

Eventually he stood and walked back over to his desk with the intention of finishing the work he had been doing before Mai came in.

~ FUTURE ~

When Mai awoke it was dark outside and wondered when exactly she had fallen asleep. Sitting up and glancing at her surroundings, she realised that she was on the sofa in Naru's office.

Naru himself was sitting at his desk but he didn't seem to be working, instead, he seemed to be looking at a photograph with his lips turned up into a small smile and a fond look in his eyes.

She stood and made her way over to him, surprised when he didn't hear her approach, she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

He turned to look at her, the fond look never leaving his eyes as he gave a soft peck on the lips.

"I have something to tell you", Mai whispered, looking at the photograph he had been staring at. It was of him and Gene when they where maybe about 12.

He looked at her expectantly, waiting for her to speak.

She cleared her throat before starting to speak, "It seems that I'm pregnant."

At first he didn't reply and she was afraid that he was unhappy or even angry about the news but then he turned around and hugged her tightly, not uttering a single word in the silence that followed.

Finally he pulled back and kissed her firmly, she could feel every ounce of emotion that he poured into the kiss; every bit of love and happiness that he was feeling.

"Thank you", he finally murmured, pulling her close once again. She felt rather than saw the tear drop land on her shoulder and smiled slightly.

"Thank you", he whispered one last time, his voice thick with emotion.

To show that he was very welcome, she placed one last kiss on his lips and snuggled into his shoulder.

Well that's the end of FUTURE I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it!

Please leave me a review to let me know if there is anything in particular that you'd like to see in upcoming chapters. I'm open to taking Prompt words for chapters from reviewers.

Until next time,

Saika-Chan Xxx