WHAT IF...? Scenario 7: Family downtime.
A small, pink petal landed on the sleeping Shinigami's cheek.
His eyes shot wide open.
"What's wrong?" his companion asked, while her slender hand gently brushed the offending foliage away.
Ichigo propped himself up using his elbows and gave his wife a sheepish smile; apologetic for causing her to worry.
"Sorry, I thought Byakuya unleashed Senbonzakura on me again."
Rukia shook her head in disbelief. "After all this time? I thought you'd be over this irrational fear by now."
"You never know with him. He might just change his mind about me."
She smiled, her eyes with a teasing glint in them. "Isn't it a little too late for that?"
He chuckled as he reached to rub her stomach - the baby bump still not obvious despite being several weeks into the pregnancy's second trimester.
"Maybe. But you can't blame me for being cautious."
Ichigo leaned forward so that he could capture her lips with his own, only to pull away when he saw some sort of movement.
Rukia turned to look at what caught his attention then giggled.
It was always a sight to see her boys sleep.
The twins barely had any part of their bodies covered; the blanket that they had intended to share during their nap was twisted and folded in several places. The only one who seemed to benefit from the covering was Kon - still the mod-soul in the lion plush and their playmate and guardian - who was nestled securely between them.
She began to reach to try to set order to the bundle of mess but her husband stopped her.
"They don't seem to mind."
He moved so that he would be behind her and slowly eased her into his embrace; her back against his chest, as he leaned on the trunk of the blossoming Sakura tree where they had settled for their family picnic.
"How about we enjoy the quiet while we can? Everyone will be here soon and you know how hyper they get when dad is around."
Rukia mumbled an incoherent reply; making herself comfortable in his hold, her eyes already closed.
"IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIICHIIIIIIIIIIIIGOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Ichigo sighed.
So much for that idea.
- END -
Author's Note: Color me orange, but, I can actually imagine Ichigo and Rukia entrusting Kon with their kids. He'd probably be a bad influence, yes, but overall, he would be responsible and (as) protective. Byakuya would still get on Ichigo's nerves (intentionally and unintentionally at the same time) even after being married to Rukia for years (and years to come) because he is a loving big brother that way. And of course, the kids would adore Isshin because he's a fun (albeit weird) grandfather.
