To my readers:After a long halt on this project, I decided to check out the reviews. I don't know why, but I am no longer e-mailed an alert when I get a review. When I actually got those alerts, I gladly replied to all of my reviewers. Would it be safe to say that my computer hates me? That's what I get for having a Toshiba. Anyway, the point is that I read all of my reviews. I cried. I simply broke down and had my self a nice set of water-works. I was utterly touched to read so many positive requests how some of you even asked me privately that I be a mentor to you in writing. Not only did the positive comments put a smile on my face, but the criticism to, because that helped me build character as a writer. I have given this story over a year and a half of struggle, re-writes and patience, and it is ALL thanks to each and every one of you that I have made it this far. Through my eyes, a writer isn't totally complete without the wondrous support of their readers. When I am told that I have fans, a fire erupts in me and burns for my passion to continue my work and reach the end. It is a great honor to have readers like you by my side. Thank you. Thank you.

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Month 9

"Well? Do you know if it's a boy or a girl yet?"

Ren switched his cell from one hand to the other and yawned.

"No, Kyoko wants it to be a surprise. That would be why we painted the nursery yellow." He replied, stretching out his legs. It was too damn early to be up. Actually, it was past four in the morning. Kyoko had woken up a few hours earlier with minor contractions. She was not in a good mood.

He stifled another yawn as he listened to his parents quibble on the other line. Of course they were on speaker phone. Hands free is the way to be. Telling them the news of his wife's pregnancy was difficult. They especially didn't appreciate how he waited nearly two months to tell them. His mother was ecstatic; his father was…ill at ease- gladly though, he warmed up to the thought of being a grandparent. He was hellbent on believing that it would be a boy. His mother on the other hand was thinking pink. It was uncomfortable for Ren to hear his mother say that the baby was hands-down a girl, judging Kyoko's slightly swollen breasts after he had sent them a picture; they just had to see what the soon-to-be-mommy looked like at six months.

"Kuon! Are you listening?"

He jumped at the sound of his name. "Huh?" was his reply.

"Have the two of you decided on names yet?" His mother asked. He could somewhat here the clinking of a coffee pot in the background.

"We've thought of a few. Kyoko thinks Sururugi is a nice girl's name. That or Ai."

"How precious!" his mother gabbed. Ren was tempted to hold the ohone from his ear as she chimed on and on on how cute she thought 'Ai' was.

He thought Ai to a rather pretty name. To the public: Ai Tsuruga. To family and friends: Ai Hizuri. Being an actor, his true identity was still necessary to keep secret. Aside from his fear of being an unfit father, Ren worried daily whether the life of fame was anywhere near right for a child. He or she would always be treated differently from other children and by other children. Would they be happy? Hmm.

"Mr. Tsuruga? You may come in now." A nurse said chirp-like as she poked her head out of a door. He nodded and told his parents that he would call them back sometime tomorrow and flipped his cell closed. As he stood, the nurse's face flushed red and she bit her bottom lip. No. A life of fame was not what he wanted for his child.

"Right this way." The jumpy nurse guided. He nodded to her again in thanks as she lead him down the hall. The tiles were white and blue, the walls cream. His eyes hurt.

Room 204 wasn't far from the waiting area. The door was proped open and as the nurse lead him inside, Ren smiled. Kyoko sat of the edge of the bed fussing with her socks. Her hair, now black again, was tustled in a way that flattered her. Her round, pregnant belly made it awkward for her to get her socks on but all in all, she flashed him that magnificent smile that always set him at ease.

"Well, everything is fine. The baby was just kicking a little extra hard is all. No biggy." She asured him, finally winning the battle of the sock. Suddenly she jumped in her seat and layed her hand on her belly and muttered "ouch"- And that did notmake him feel better. The farther along she was, the anstyer he got. Literally. The smallest things threw him into a state of paranoia. He didn't even like the idea of her taking her usual walks by her self. The worst thought came to mind and he absolutely had to be there. Sure, maybe he was being a little over protective, but come on, he's about to become a father and damn it, he is going to climb the walls!

"Are you alright?" He asked her, striding quickly to her side. The nurse was gone, giving them some privacy. Damn.

"Here, feel." Kyoko said as she grabbed his hand and placed it on the side of her stomach. That was when he felt a good sturdy kick. His mouth fell open as he felt one kick after another. It wasn't very often that he felt the baby moving around like this. Maybe once a week or so. This was the most he/she has moved. And he could feel it.

"Wow." Was all Ren could manage to say. Kyoko laughed softly then asked a question she had never asked him before. "Do you want to listen?" Listen?Actually listen to the baby while it was running on energy? What can a -be-father say to that? Nothing.

Ren eased onto his knees beside the bed with his large palm stroking the side of her stomach. A moment like this didn't seem to need any words as Kyoko gently smoothed out his hair and coaxed him to press his ear against her belly.

Through the thin layer of cloth that was her nightshirt, he listened to the audible movements of their baby. Those sounds pulled at the strings of his heart and he smiled.

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End of Chapter 6. I am sorry that I was so short, but Chapter 7 is planned to be LONG. My goal for the next chapter is to have it up and posted in less than a month. I hate making you all wait 4-5-6 months at a time for a chapter. Now tell me…Who's ready for Sho to make another apearance? And who is ready to find out the 'Unexpected Surprise'?

---sango51893---