Chapter 7

The sun sank down behind the trees, casting shadows across the green hills behind the apartment. Mello had made a simple fish broth soup with shrimp for dinner, setting the bowls down on the table in the coffee room. Matt took a sip, smiling.

"It's great, love." Mello grinned.

"I'm glad you like it." He took a sip of his own and looked back up at Matt.

"So… how's the belly?"

"Good, I've just been really tired lately." He placed his hand on top of his stomach.

"Does that mean you won't want to maybe join me in the bath after dinner?" Mello looked up, his cheeks turning pink.

"Well….. I'm sure I have enough energy for that….." Matt grinned and finished his soup quickly, washing the dishes before helping Mello up. He led the blonde into the bathroom, the large circular tub waiting for them. Matt turned the handle, hot water pouring into the bath. Steam rose up and filled the bathroom as Matt lit the candles surrounding the tub, casting a romantic glow as he turned off the lights. Mello smiled as Matt pulled his t-shirt off, unbuttoning his pants next. He got down to his boxers and reached out to unbutton Mello's shirt. As it fell to the floor Matt stood back, smiling.

"You look great babe." Mello blushed, cradling his stomach.

"Thanks Mail." He felt Matt's hands going to work on unbuttoning his pants.

"Sexy as always." The redhead kissed Mello, hugging him to his body. The blonde stepped out of his jeans and pulled his boxers off, stepping into the tub, water sloshing around him. Matt followed him, pulling Mello close.

"So……" Matt whispered in Mello's ear, his lips almost touching the lobe. "Have your hormones been giving you any 'thoughts' lately?" Mello pushed Matt back, water spilling out onto the floor.

"You could at least try to be more casual about it." The blonde grinned and leaned over Matt, their noses touching. "But…. yes, you could say that." A look of joy and triumph appeared in Matt's eyes, his mouth widening into a smile.

"Great." He picked Mello up and lay him gently on his back in the tub, pulling his legs up over his shoulders. Mello blushed.

"Wow Matt you've got a lot to let out huh?" Matt nodded.

"Going for two months without feeling you like this? Oh boy." He laughed. "But every second I spend with you is Heaven. You know that." Mello smiled and nodded.

Matt bent down and kissed the blonde's chest, his strong hand closing around Mello's hard on, starting to pump. Mello moaned loudly, his back arching out of the water. Matt increased his speed, lowering his head to take the blonde's manhood in his mouth.

"Ah! Oh God!" Mello's long fingers combed through Matt's wet hair as he moved his head up and down, slowly, his tongue playing a skillful role in pleasing his lover. Whenever he had extra room his hand went to work at the base, keeping every inch of Mello tingling. "I'm….. I'm so….. ah!" Mello screamed, his cheeks bright red. Matt straightened up, his hands moving to Mello's hips.

"I want you to enjoy this with me." He moved into position. Mello nodded, his eyes blurry from pleasure. Matt slowly entered him, moving his hips forward and back. He felt Mello's hand grip his wrist and looked into the blonde's eyes.

"Faster." Mello demanded. And Matt obeyed. He started with short, quick thrusts but moved into long, tense seconds without any movement at all before thrusting forward hard, driving himself deep into Mello. The blonde screamed and moaned, drowning out the sound of water sloshing out onto the floor from the vigorous activity taking place in the bath. Matt grunted and thrust forward, emptying himself into Mello, causing the blonde to come as well. Matt fell into the hot water, crawling up behind Mello to cradle him in his lap, his hands resting on Mello's large stomach. Finally the water began to cool down, so Matt stood up, helping Mello out and draining the tub. He wrapped the blonde in a towel and picked him up, carrying him to the bed. Mello sank into the sheets, pulling Matt to him. He wrapped his arms around the redhead and kissed him, smiling. Matt pulled the blankets over them and hugged Mello. He could hear his lover's steady breath, slowing as he fell asleep.

Matt opened his eyes, sunlight flooding through the window. He sat up, looking over at the beautiful boy who slept beside him, his hand resting on his stomach. Matt leaned down and kissed Mello's cheek, laying back down to watch him wake up. Slowly, Mello's eyes opened and he smiled.

"Morning Mail." He yawned and scratched his head sleepily.

"Morning babe." Matt kissed him again, his hand resting on top of Mello's hip.

The blonde sat up slowly and stretching, his muscles tensing up then relaxing. He stood up and pulled his black bath robe on, walking into the living room. Matt followed, not bothering to cover up. He knew Mello loved watching him cook in the nude. And he was always more than willing to do so. He smiled as he walked into the living space, seeing Mello resting on the couch.

"What's for breakfast?" Mello smiled.

"Whatever you want, love." Matt opened the fridge, looking back at Mello. The blonde paused for a moment before answering.

"Can you make me some ham and put maple syrup on it?" Matt grinned.

"Sure thing." He pulled the ham out of the freezer and set it out to thaw, heating up a pan while he waited. Tossing a small amount of butter into the hot pan, it sizzled and covered the surface of the pan. Matt put the ham in and listened as it hissed from the heat. Mello watched him, his hands resting on his stomach. Matt put the steaming ham onto a plate and set it on the table. "Come and get it." Mello sat down at the table taking a bite from the ham.

"Mmmmm…. it's great." He took another bite.

"Good. I'm afraid I've gotta go to work in a few minutes but I'll be home around 5 p.m. okay?" Mello nodded.

"Have a good day." He watched Matt leave and went back to his ham, finishing it quickly. He washed the dish and went into the bedroom to get dressed, pulling a large t-shirt over his stomach. Even though it was an extra large the fabric stretched across his mid section. Suddenly he heard a faint knocking coming from the living room Maybe Matt forgot his keys. Mello ran to the door.

"Did you forget something hon…." He trailed off as his eyes met with Near's. The young man sat at the door, like he always did. Mello had never really seen him walk much. Near's long index finger played with his silver locks as he stared up at the surprised blonde.

"Wha….? Why….?" Mello couldn't seem to force a single sentence through his teeth as he stared down at Near.

"Hello Mello. Leone said you'd be here."

"Leone?"

"He'd overheard you two talking and, with some persuasion, Gevanni and I learned where you and Matt had gone off to. I assume you didn't want to catch Kira anymore?"

"N….. no. Near…."

"I just wanted to visit. Might I come in?" Mello nodded and stood aside, letting Near enter, he straightened up, his posture surprisingly good for someone who slouches all the time. "I want you to know that Kira has been caught. He died shortly after we unveiled him." Mello looked around at Near.

"He's….. dead?" Near nodded.

"Light Yagami, 26, male. He seemed so sane whenever we talked, but no matter what he appeared to be he was still just a crazy serial killer." Near sat down on the couch, resuming his usual slouching position.

"So…. is that the only reason you came?" Mello already knew the answer to that, but he might as well ask.

"No…. to be honest there was some…. strange evidence we found when searching your old hideout."

"You what?!?" Mello blushed. "You went through my old house?"

"Yes. We found a rather strange test for someone such as yourself to have in their bin." He held out a plastic bag, containing the pregnancy test. "I can now see I was right in my assumption and you are in fact….. pregnant." He stared at Mello's stomach with a child like curiosity. Mello blushed, his hands instinctively resting on the large bump. He sighed.

"Is that it then?" He felt Near's small hand rest on his stomach, feeling it.

"Fascinating." He mumbled. "Mello….. seeing as I'm off the Kira case and, at the moment, the world doesn't need me, I've bought the apartment below yours. I'm sure we'll grow to be very good neighbors." Mello stared at him for a moment before smiling.

"You know, Near." Near looked up at him. "A few months ago I'd have killed you as soon as you entered my line of sight…. but now things are different. I hope we do become friends." Near smiled. It was only when he smiled that he looked like a ten year old.

"I'm so glad you see it that way, because there's someone else I'd like you to meet. Gevanni!" Mello heard the door open then close and a tall man entered the living room, his black hair swept down to his shoulders, his face had an elegant quality to it. He smiled at the sight of Near. "Mello, this is former SPK member, Stephen Loud, better known as Gevanni." Mello nodded at the man.

"Nice to meet you Gevanni."

"Same." The man knelt down and kissed Near's cheek, causing his pale cheeks to turn pink.

"Are you two….?"

"Yes. Gevanni asked me if I wished to join him for dinner about a week after Kira's death, and of course I accepted. It was a wonderful evening."

"Our first kiss." Gevanni smiled. Mello couldn't help but feel happy for Near. He never really fit in back at Wammy's, and was often very lonely. It was good for him to find someone who loved him. They stayed throughout the day and talked. Near and Gevanni showered Mello with questions about how the pregnancy had effected him and what his thoughts and feelings were towards what was to come, and he answered as many as he could. He often asked them his own assortment of questions such as how their relationship was going and if they wanted to take the next step.

"Well, we moved out here so we could live together. We hope that the peaceful nature of Hikome will make our lives even better." Mello smiled.

"I know it's helped me and Matt, you'll love it here. It's very tranquil." As he said this the clock over the small dining table struck 3 o' clock.

"Oh my, we've got to go. We haven't unpacked yet." Near stood up, his small fingers wrapping around Gevanni's hand. "We'll see you tomorrow Mello."

"Okay Near have a nice evening." Mello smiled and waved as they walked down to their car. He watched for a minute as they unloaded, then walked back inside, shutting the door. All at once the cool spring breeze ceased to flow through the house and all was quiet. Mello lay back on the couch and closed his eyes, his hand resting on his stomach.

He felt something smooth and warm brush up against his lips. He opened his eyes to see Matt's smiling face staring down at him.

"Wakey wakey sleeping beauty." Matt kissed Mello again and helped him sit up. Mello rubbed his eyes and yawned.

"How was your day?"

"Very good, but this has been the best part so far." He sat down next to Mello, pulling him closer. "Did you see the car parked outside? Someone's moved in."

"Yeah I know."

"We'll have to welcome them tomorrow then." Matt kissed Mello's forehead.

"Actually, I already talked to them today."

"Oh really? Who are they?"

"It turns out that the Kira case has been solved, so a certain detective and his new boyfriend have moved out here to relax."

"Near?!? He's moved in? With who?"

"Gevanni. They seem very happy together." Matt chuckled and took out a cigarette, putting it to his lips. "No Matt…." Mello gently took the cigarette from Matt and tossed it into the bin. "Not with the baby in the house." Matt sighed.

"It's a hard habit. Damn why can't they be less addicting?"

"You're doing very well."

"If I didn't love you so fucking much this house would be full of smoke right now." Matt laughed and kissed Mello.

"I love you too."

DOWNSTAIRS WITH NEAR AND GEVANNI

Near finished putting away his clothes before placing his toys up on the shelf, positioning them exactly. They had to be perfect. Gevanni walked in with a large box of CD's, setting it down in the corner.

"I think we can stop for the night. We're almost done anyway." Near nodded and walked over to Gevanni, kissing him. The raven-haired man returned the kiss, a smile creeping across his face.

"Gevanni….." Near looked down, his cheeks turning pink. When he looked back up at the man, his face was serious, but had a childish look to it. "Do you like kids?"