Kenshin actually doesn't pay much attention to his own birthday. He's not one to make a big deal out of celebrating himself, and usually, Kaoru reminds him of the day's importance even if he has remembered.
But today, it's seemed to have slipped her mind as well. He can't exactly blame her for that, not when she's like this. Her pregnancy had been mostly uneventful but the summer temperatures have made her uncomfortable. Muscle spasms seize her every hour too, her body unused to constantly carrying this extra weight.
And yet, he can't help but admire his beautiful wife, walking around the yard to make up for her hiatus from teaching. She's taken to wearing her hakama at all hours of the day, and beneath the baggy cloth, she is round with his child.
Their child.
He ducks his head, and his reflection in the laundry tub has a giddy smile.
"What are you grinning at?" She gingerly sits down beside him, a playful note in her voice.
He pretends to be startled. "Oro?"
"Kenshin." She says, exasperated, and worms her way into his arms with a sigh.
"This one is just happy." He replies and starts to hum a snatch of lullaby, but he's not even halfway through the song when she gasps.
His first thought is: the baby? Is the baby fine, is Kaoru fine?
"It's your birthday, isn't it?! Kenshin, I'm so sorry, I keep losing track of the days and the heat's killing me! I'll make it up to you, okay? What do you want as a present? Money's not a problem, just tell me."
He nearly chokes in relief and counteracts the trivial excitement by smoothing his hands over her belly. He likes doing this, trying to convey that he's here too for this child.
This life, that he and Kaoru have made.
She turns her head so she can look him in the eyes, her mouth quirking in a frown and still almost unbearably lovely. He only touches her forehead with his, kisses her lips, and laughs. "It's alright. This one has everything he could ever want, Kaoru."