Title: Her Baby's First Christmas

Pairings: Byakuya/Ukitake

Warnings: None

She should be resting, Ukitake had been told those exact words for the last five hours now. And, really, she should be resting as she was exhausted. The previous ten hours had been excruciatingly painful, draining and just generally tiring.

But she couldn't fall asleep, not now that she was finally holding her baby boy in her arms. She was cradling the ting bundle against her chest as she sat propped up in bed, gazing down tenderly at his sleeping face, mildly aware of the snowflakes drifting outside the window.

He was the perfect early Christmas present, born only five hours ago on Christmas eve, Christmas Day fast approaching.

Oh, how long has she wanted to hold her own flesh and blood in her arms like this?

She had long resigned herself of never having a child of her own as she refused to risk the chance of her babies being born with her debilitating illness. But thanks to Kisuke, Isshin and Unohana working together with the wonders of modern medicine, she was now free of her illness. No longer did she have to hold herself back; no longer did she have to rely on those thick bandages around her chest helping her to breath.

It was a wonderful feeling.

And through is all, Byakuya had been by her side. Ever since her near-death during the Winter Wars, individual priories had shifted and changed amongst the surviving Soul Reapers. The fear that everything they have come to hold dear being ripped away in a second prompted many to take action on their feelings.

That was what happened between her and Byakuya. After being a captain for 2000 years and surviving many past battles, it was a shock to find her in Division Four, near death, with a reason other than her illness.

So now, not only was this beautiful child in her arms her own, but also the heir to the Kuchiki family.

When she first learnt that she was pregnant, she didn't quite know what to think. It most certainly came as a surprise as she didn't suffer any morning sickness previously and had actually felt quite good. But she was elated nonetheless. Byakuya was also pleased when he heard the news, but he also held a small bit of trepidation as he recalled his own upbringing filled with lessons and teaching of what a noble must be and do.

But Ukitake held no such fear. If the Kuchiki's wish to teach her child the lessons of a noble, they'll have to go through her first. And since she's known the Kuchiki family for 2000 years, friend and mentor to Ginrei and Soujin Kuchiki, she knows the elders don't have the guts to try anything funny with her.

Not unless they want to evoke the wrath of Head-Captain Yamamoto, a powerful man who was practically her father.

He's been harping on her for years for grandchildren, and now that she finally bourn her own, she was going to raise him the way her family raise her and the way she felt fit.

Kuchiki elders be damned.

"Juushiro?"

Taking her gaze away from the sleeping bundle in her arms, Ukitake's gentle smile stayed in place when a familiar shadow lingered in the doorway of her bedroom at the Kuchiki estate. "You still haven't rested."

"Byakuya," Ukitake said gently as the father to her son, to their son, moved into the room. "Yes, I know I should be resting, but I can't. Not yet."

An elegant eyebrow rose as Byakuya lowered himself to her side, his hand instantly reaching out to gently touch his new-born son on the head, his fingers playing with the dark strands of his hair. "Why not?"

"I wanted to be awake for our child's first Christmas," she replied, knowing that midnight was mere moments away.

Byakuya looked at her before a smile appeared on his lips, knowing and understanding the significance this moment meant to her, and to him as well. Then, a cheer rang up from around the Seireitei, those partying for the festive season celebrating that it was midnight.

It was officially Christmas.

"Merry Christmas, little one," Ukitake whispered soothingly as she kissed his tiny brow, her child sleeping soundly and completely unaware to all the fuss.

She then turned to Byakuya, who had moved to press himself against her shoulder, also looking down at his son, so small and adorable. He then turned his eyes toward her, shimmering with a warmth that had been hidden away for many years.

"Merry Christmas, Byakuya," she whispered to him before their lips meet in a tender kiss.

"Merry Christmas, Juushiro," Byakuya replied as he pulled her to lay against him, finally letting herself to drift off to sleep.