Wow, guys, over 50 reviews and 50 pages. Thanks so much for the support! It makes my day! And here, just for you, is another chapter. Enjoy!
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The delightful morning sickness came back in full-force. So, we spent most of our mornings in the bathroom and bought stock in the cracker companies. When we hit the fifth week, I took the day off and brought Rukia to the doctor, the apprehension eating at me.
"Ichigo, you're shaking," she squeezed my hand harder.
"I'm okay." But I wasn't that okay. Maybe it was Rukia in that paper gown, or those crazy looking stirrups attached to the bed… but man, was I starting to freak out. It can't be another miscarriage this time.
The doctor entered, smiling at us. "You must be Mr. Kurosaki. It's nice to finally meet you." He extended a hand to me and I shook it, hoping he didn't notice the sweaty palms and the trembling, though I doubt it's something he hasn't seen before. "So, I'm just going to do an ultrasound and a pelvic exam to see how your baby's doing."
He took a sheet out of one of the drawers, draping it over her legs. Rukia propped her legs in the foot rests and laid back, turning her head to look at me. "You okay?" I reached out and touched her face.
"Mm hm." She shut her eyes.
The doctor was busy poking around between her legs (something I wasn't that fond of). "Everything's looking good." He stood up and pulled the sheet down. "Now, with the ultrasound, we'll see the baby's heartbeat."
I held my breath as he moved the machine towards Rukia. She lifted the gown and pushed down the sheet, exposing her stomach. He greased her up, rubbing the wand against her belly. I watched the screen intently, my heart seizing. "Well, looks like we have a heartbeat. Actually…" The doctor took a good look at the screen, moving the wand some more. "Yup, there are two heartbeats."
"Two?" I squeaked. "As in two babies?"
"Yup. Congratulations, you're having twins."
My heart started beating rapidly. Two babies! Holy shit! "Rukia…" I turned my eyes to her, seeing her watching the ultrasound, this unbelievably big smile on her face.
"They look good. They're the right size, development looks good. You're following the diet?"
"Yes," Rukia murmured, her smile growing larger. "But I'm still getting the morning sickness."
"That's natural. It'll subside by the second trimester. My only suggestion is to try to eat several small meals a day rather than the normal three."
"Alright."
The doctor put back the wand, starting to rub the gel off of Rukia's stomach. "Now, because of what happened last time, I'd rather you come back every week. Just to make sure."
"Of course."
"As long as you stick to the diet and avoid strenuous activity, I see no reason why you won't have two healthy babies in thirty five weeks." The doctor smiled.
"Thank you." I stood quickly and shook his hand. The doctor excused himself and shut the door, leaving us alone. I was almost sure this was a dream. Rukia scooted off the table and stood there for a moment, touching her stomach tenderly. "Rukia…" I turned to her, wrapping my arms around her and lifting her from the floor.
She flung her arms around my neck, laughing softly. "I can't believe it…"
"Neither can I." I nuzzled my nose to hers. "I love you so much."
"I love you, too." Rukia kissed me softly. "Do you think… we can tell everyone now?"
"You heard the doctor. We're going to have two, healthy babies. I think it's safe."
"Alright…" Rukia smiled widely. "But you're telling the Soul Society."
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I knocked on the door softly, waiting with my hands in my pockets. Byakuya slid the door open, actually looking like he could tolerate my presence. "Hello, Ichigo."
"Yo," I grinned. "You have some time for me?"
"I suppose." He turned and I followed him into the office, taking a seat in the chair in front of his desk. "How is Rukia?"
"Pretty good. She wanted to come today but she couldn't. She said she'd be by Wednesday for lunch." In order to give him time to cool-down if he didn't take this well.
"So, what is it that you want, Ichigo?" His eyes were actually less harsh than usual, scaring me only slightly.
"I came to tell you some big news." I took a deep breath, my smile naturally spreading wider. "Rukia is pregnant. With twins."
Byakuya's eyes widened slightly, but the rest of his face didn't change.
"It's still early, she's only seven weeks along… but we wanted you to be the first to know over here." I was starting to get uncomfortable by his lack of reaction, his lack of everything. He could at least say something.
"Congratulations," he said softly, looking away from me.
I couldn't decide whether to be more nervous or be pissed… so I decided on my happy, I'm-going-to-be-a-dad attitude. "Thanks. And don't worry, she'll be taking some time off. I mean, by the time they get here I'll have graduated and I've already been scouting out jobs…" I almost felt pathetic, trying to convince Byakuya I could take care of Rukia, but I had no idea what he was thinking! It would be nice if he either told me that having a baby now was ridiculous or a miracle.
"That's good." He seemed to be spacing out.
I didn't know if I should mention what I had been thinking about since Rukia got pregnant the first time, but… maybe it would get some real reaction out of him. "Byakuya, I wanted to ask you something, about the kids."
"What is it?"
"I wasn't sure whether or not I should bring it up with Rukia, so I thought I should ask you first. I was thinking that if one of them was a girl… maybe we should name her Hisana." I readied myself for a beating.
Byakuya's eyes came back to me… and he almost looked kind of sad. I had never really seen Byakuya gloomy before, so I really couldn't read his expression. We didn't speak for a few minutes, just Byakuya staring at me, making me sweat. Finally, he closed his eyes, rubbing his hand over his face. "Has Rukia told you much about her sister?"
"Only… only that you were married to her and that she was the reason you adopted Rukia." I couldn't bring myself to say that she had died, especially not to the husband she left behind.
"Hisana… Hisana abandoned Rukia when she was very young."
What? I was about to rethink naming the kid Hisana, but Byakuya continued.
"Hisana died of the grief of it and the blame she placed on herself." Byakuya sighed. "I don't know whether or not Rukia blames her for any of this, so I don't know if I should tell you that your suggestion would be a good idea."
I sat in thought for a moment, trying to take it all in. I took a deep breath. "Rukia had a miscarriage."
"What?"
"The first baby didn't make it through the fifth week. Afterwards, when we were alone, she'd always have the same look on her face, like she'd lost something that she'd always want back." It was painful to remember that, but it might be something he needed to hear. "When she looks at Hisana's ring, she gets the same exact expression." I never really thought I'd be trying to comfort Byakuya, especially since he never seemed to like me and I was definitely not fond of him in the beginning, but… her pain and his was connect. "I don't think Rukia blames her at all… and I think she doesn't blame you, either."
"I didn't say she blamed me." For the first time since I'd known him, he sounded upset.
"Alright." I didn't want to fight him. If he wanted to talk about it… if he was ready to talk about it, he would, and probably to Rukia, not me. "All I'm saying is that I still think it's a good idea… and I was wondering if you'd talk to her about it."
"If you think it's best."
"I do."
"Alright." Byakuya cleared his throat. "I'm sorry to cut this short, but I have work to do."
"I understand." I stood up, still smiling.
"Tell Rukia that I'm happy for her."
"You can tell her yourself on Wednesday."
