Blessing
Something Light did no think he would get used to would be coming home to both Misa and L, finding them in the same room or at least close enough, finding dinner warming on the stove and think that this is how it should be. Yet he is used to it. He has walked in on that scene so many times over the last ten months that he finds it strange when it does not happen or is different slightly. That is why he is scared when he does not see that scene greeting him when he gets home that day.
"Hello?" calls Light as he puts his briefcase down in the kitchen, walking cautiously between a couple of rooms, not seeing any sign that his husband or Misa are still here. Suddenly his phone vibrates, catching him off guard but he is quick to grab it, more than a little surprised to see Matsuda's name on the screen. "Matsuda, what is it?"
"Oh Light, thank god," says Matsuda, obviously relieved. "I tried to reach you sooner but your phone must have been in a dead zone."
"Matsuda, what is it?" repeats Light, not happy to have this distraction while he is trying to locate L and the woman pregnant with their child. "Make it fast."
"Oh right," says Matsuda. "Ryuzaki called about ten minutes after you left, you need to get to the hospital as soon as you can, Misa went into labor."
Before Light can form a sentence he is running back into the kitchen, grabbing his keys and halfway to the door when his mind finally catches up with him. "How long has she been there? When did this happen? Why didn't Ryuzaki try to call me?"
Matsuda is quick to comply with his partner's demands. "They've been there maybe forty-five minutes, it happened almost an hour ago now. Ryuzaki said he tried to call you but your phone was off so he called everyone else instead trying to get a hold of you. I'm with the Chief now speeding down the road towards the hospital. Your mother and Sayu are on their way as well."
Light tries not to panic as he gets back into his car, becoming a little frantic when it does not start right away. "Okay, so everyone is headed to the hospital and I'm the only one with egg on my face, brilliant." He tries to make his heart stop racing at the speed of sound, the only thought in his mind besides cursing his car is the fact Misa is two weeks early.
"You don't have egg on your face, Light," says Matsuda calmly as Light's car starts. "That would be if you missed the whole thing and didn't get to meet your daughter first."
"Matsuda, are you trying to cheer me up?" asks Light as he puts his phone on speaker then drives out of the driveway. "Because if so, you aren't doing a spectacular job at it. Did you call Raku to let her know where you would be?"
Matsuda burst out laughing. "Are you kidding me? She's the one picking up your mom and Sayu. Koji is really excited about meeting his baby cousin."
Light grins at this, when they explained to Koji about the baby that was coming, they said he could consider it his cousin since he thought of Light, L, and Misa as his aunt and uncles. He agreed right away and started calling the baby 'cousin' whenever he saw Misa's belly, he even said he would bring in the baby for show-and-tell once she was born. "Well, at least I won't have to make any phone calls. How far are you from the hospital?"
"About two minutes," replies Matsuda, a smile in his voice. "You dad turned on the sirens and blew through every red light between there and the station."
"Well, it's not everyday my grandchild is born," Light hears his father say and he cannot help but let his heart fill with love for his father. During the early months of his relationship with L, his father had not exactly been thrilled with the fact that his only son had come out as gay, and had been uncomfortable to be around until the day Light and L married. That day he showed up at the courthouse dressed in his best and said that he gave his blessing, something Light had never needed but always wanted regarding his marriage. During the reception at the botanical gardens, he had given a moving speech and welcomed L fully into the family; now he was excited about welcoming his first grandchild into the family beside his son and his son-in-law.
"Tell Dad to calm down," says Light as he stops at a stop light, wishing he were in a police car instead of his personal vehicle. "We don't need him having another stressed induced heart attack."
There is silence on the other end as Matsuda is presumably relaying Light's message to his father.
"Light, I'll be fine," says Soichiro, surprising Light. "I have no plans on missing my granddaughter's entrance into the world. Now, we've just arrived at the hospital, your focus needs to be on getting here as well. If we have any news, Matsuda will call you. I love you, son."
"I love you too, Dad," says Light with the tiniest hitch in his voice. The line goes dead and he hangs up, mentally going through how long it will be until he reaches the hospital. He has an agonizing thirteen minutes to go.
When Light finally arrives at the hospital, he sprints inside, barely aware of all the eyes watching him as he hurries to the front desk asking for directions to the maternity ward. The woman behind the desk directs him to the elevator, saying it is on the fifth floor and to make sure he gets a pass at the desk there. Light nods then continues on to the elevator, his hands shaking as he presses the button for the fifth floor; the entire ride up he is cursing the slowness of the machine as it seems to be moving down rather than up. The sight of a desk and a friendly looking woman sitting behind it greets him when finally the doors open.
"I'm looking for Misa Amane's room," says Light in a slightly hushed voice. "I'm the father of the baby."
The woman nods and hands him a pass, smiling brightly up at him, she could tell that he was the father without him saying so; his shaking hands and wild look gave it away immediately. "She's in the last room on the far left with her friend. We made sure to have a few security guards present, though with half of the police force in the waiting room it seems a little excessive. Her private physician is here as well, working closely with Dr. Tanaka. If you need anything, please don't hesitate to ask."
Light nods as he slips the pass over his head, bowing to the woman before heading down the hall towards Misa's room that is until he is ambushed by a small, strong being.
"Light!" squeals Sayu as she hugs her brother. "Oh Light, I can't believe it! I'm going to be an aunt and you're going to be a dad!"
He smiles kindly as he embraces his sister. "I know it's pretty crazy." He looks up and sees that the receptionist was not kidding about half of the police force being here; his father, Matsuda, Aizawa, Mogi, and Ide are all waiting around with amused expressions on their faces. Most of them are accomplished fathers and know what Light is going through, so they all have the courtesy not to tease him right away.
Sachiko materializes beside her daughter, taking the opportunity to embrace her son. "This is such a happy day, Light. My baby's having a baby, what a wonderful moment. I'm sure Misa will be fine and you'll be holding your little girl in no time at all!"
Light wraps an arm around his mother, smiling as she kisses his cheek repeatedly. "Thanks Mom, I appreciate the thought." He then looks up and sees his dad approaching. "Hi Dad, it's good to see you."
Soichiro manages somehow to pat his son on his shoulder, his eyes slightly clouded over with tears as he looks at his eldest child. "It'll be fine, Light, just be there to support her when she needs you. We're all for you and Ryuzaki, this is a momentous occasion and we wouldn't miss this for the world."
"Thanks, Dad," says Light, a genuine smile gracing his lips. "Guess I had best go in there and see how everything's going." With that, Light manages to disentangle himself from his mother and sister, waving to everyone as he heads into the maternity room, bracing himself for whatever is on the other side of the door.
"Light!" shouts Misa when she sees him enter. She is already lying in bed, hooked up to a couple of monitors, her hair pulled back in a very neat braid, her designer hospital gown peeking out from the blanket. "Thank god, I thought you'd never get here."
Before Light can speak, he is more or less tackled in a tight embrace from a familiar dark haired shape. "I'm so happy to see you, I didn't know if you'd make it and I didn't want you to miss this."
"I know, Ryuzaki," says Light as he returns the gesture, kissing his mop of hair. "How many times did you try calling me before you went on calling everyone else?"
L looks up and shrugs. "Nine and a half times, you must have had your phone away from your person for quite some time. Now, Misa's water has broken and she is approximately six and a half centimeters dilated, her contractions are two minutes apart."
"He's been annoying the doctors," sighs Misa with a slight grimace. "They say I'm progressing well, despite the fact I'm about two weeks early, and the baby should be here in a matter of hours. I hope she hurries up and gets out soon, I'm dying to meet her!"
Light and L walk up to Misa's bed, the former putting his hand on her shoulder in a friendly manner. "It's good to see you in such high spirits, Misa. Now tell me, where exactly were you two when your water broke?"
"We were on a walk," replies Misa. "I had been feeling some contractions, nothing serious but still somewhat intense, so Ryuzaki suggested we go for a walk to help with their progression. Watari followed behind us in the car in case I got too tired or something happened, and as we rounded a corner I felt like I wet my pants only I realized it was more fluid than that. I told Ryuzaki and he quickly shoved me into the car, calling you and everyone else as we headed to the hospital."
Light smiles at his husband who is sheepishly biting his thumb. "That was some pretty quick thinking, Ryuzaki. I'm impressed you were able to react so quickly."
L rolls his eyes. "Light, when have you ever known me to be lax in a time of crisis? Misa clearly needed to get to the hospital and I and Watari were the only ones there at the time."
"I know," chuckles Light, kissing his cheek, "I just enjoy teasing you. Speaking of Watari, where is he? I didn't see him in the waiting room."
"Calling the boys at Wammy's House," says L with a shrug as he slinks into a chair beside Misa's bed. "I thought they should know that they are about to be replaced."
Light laughs as he sits beside L in the other chair. "You have impossibly high expectations for this little girl, don't you?"
"Of course I do," says L fondly as he stares at Misa's belly, "she is to be our child after all."
Misa's labor progresses slowly over the next couple of hours and it is evident that she is losing her strength, luckily when the doctors come in they declare that it is time for Misa to begin pushing. Somehow, someway she manages to sit up in the bed, slipping her feet into the stirrups as the doctors prepare for the arrival of the baby instructing Light and L to leave the room during this time.
"No!" protests Misa, her voice strong despite her tired body. "This is their baby, they need to be here for this. I can't do it without them here."
L and Light share a touching look as they each take a post on either side of Misa, taking one of her hands in theirs; she looks up at them with sparkling eyes, so far they have done this together and it is not about to change. Without further a due the doctors begin instructing Misa on how to push and before long she is bearing down, gripping L and Light's hands to the point they are turning purple at the fingertips. After each push Misa practically collapses, the two men having to support her in between bouts, neither one sure what is going to happen once the baby is born but they are concerned for her wellbeing all the while.
"One more push, Miss Amane," says Dr. Tanaka almost imploringly. "The head is right there, one more push and she's here."
Misa shook her head, barely able to keep herself upright. "I can't . . . I can't do it . . . please . . . help me . . ."
Concern fills Light's face as he looks at the defeated expression on Misa's face, she looks so small and fragile as she leans against him, her face flushed and sweaty as she clings to what little strength she has left. "Misa, you have to do this," says Light sternly, though kindness laces his words as he strokes her hair. "Not for me, not for you, but for the baby. She needs you to do this, Misa and fast. You're the only one who can give her life."
His words reach Misa and she screws her face up in determination, leaning up she bears down one last time and something slides from between her legs, something that gives a cry that brings tears to everyone's eyes. Looking down, Misa sees the small baby squirming in the doctor's arms and can tell despite her unclean appearance, she has brown hair just like her dream. Then that is the last thing she sees before her vision goes black.
Suddenly her monitors start going off, Light looks and sees that her breathing rate is erratic and she is not taking full breaths. 'The pushing must have taken everything out of her,' he thinks as he holds her in his arms. 'The preeclampsia probably prevented her from getting adequate air flow.'
L leaves Misa's side to go look at the baby, just as he draws close, a nurse places her in a plastic bassinet and rushes her out of the room. "Our baby!" cries L as he watches. "Light, they're taking out baby!"
Light looks up just as L runs out of the room, chasing after the doctor that has wheeled the baby away; he thinks about joining him but looking at Misa's broken form keeps him rooted to the spot. One of the nurses attaches an oxygen mask to her face and her breathing somewhat stabilizes while the doctors continue to work on her, their faces grim as they come up with their gloved hands covered in blood.
"What the hell happened to her?" asks Light, panic rising in his tone.
"She's hemorrhaging," replies Dr. Tanaka. "We're working as fast as we can to stop the bleeding, is she still breathing?"
Light checks for a pulse and finds it, though it is really weak. "She's not breathing much. Does this have anything to do with her preeclampsia?"
"It's likely," says Dr. Tanaka, her tone noncommittal as she works. "Right now would be a good time to pray."
'Damn it all to hell,' thinks Light with a slight groan. 'I hope L is having better luck than I am with the baby.'
L finally chases down the nurse that took the baby from the room, slipping into the NICU behind her, he watches silently from a corner as the baby is picked up by one of the staff. The staff member, probably a technician, takes the baby over to a washing area where she wipes away the blood and cleans her hair; even from this distance L can see that their daughter inherited Light's hair color exactly. The technician then puts a diaper on the hardly moving infant; all the while crooning to her in a voice so annoying L can understand why the baby does not want to acknowledge her presence. She is then hooked up to a couple of monitors then the technician leaves, presumably to check on the other babies in the ward, and L approaches the baby's side, finger pressed against his lips as he looks down at the small baby.
"Who are you?" asks the technician, having returned and L is not surprised that it took them this long to discover his presence.
"The baby's father," replies L, his eyes still focused on the baby girl. "Well, technically her second father, my husband is her biological father."
The technician looks at him critically then relents. "Fine, you can stay, just don't touch anything."
L nods his understanding and the technician moves on once again.
"Why won't you open your eyes?" he wonders aloud as he continues to observe the girl, noticing that she is hardly moving, which is hardly normal for a newborn. From what he read in the number of parenting books Light insisted on, babies are supposed to be a little active when they are first born but this baby is lying completely still hardly even twitching. He thinks for a moment, remembering something important.
Without a second thought, he opens the incubator and pulls the baby out, holding her gently in his arms as he maneuvers his shirt so he covers her with it, moving his arms so he is cradling her against his bare chest. The skin-to-skin contact does the trick and the little girl opens her eyes, blinking up at him with her big, brown eyes.
Light glares at the closed door in front of him, very angry at having been kicked out of the room by Misa's doctors so they could finish their work on her without him questioning everything. It was not his fault that he thought them incompetent for not monitoring her preeclampsia closer, he simply had to make it known that there is a possibility they will be hearing from their attorneys when this is over.
"Light," says Soichiro as he approaches his son, "what's going on? We saw Ryuzaki running after a nurse and you haven't been out since then."
Light is not sure how to tell his father that it is very possible both Misa and the baby's lives were in danger, especially not after all they had been through getting to this point. "Misa's preeclampsia caused her to pass out and hemorrhage, the baby wasn't making much noise at all when she was born so she was rushed to the NICU."
Soichiro is absolutely heartbroken for his son, he knows how much this means to Light and L and to see it go so badly so quickly heart wrenching to say the least. "It'll work out, son." He puts a hand on Light's shoulder and is relieved when he does not shrug it away. "The doctor's are doing everything they can for both Misa and the baby, you need to keep that in mind right now. I know it's difficult, I was in your shoes the day you were born."
"What?" asks Light, genuinely surprised.
"Your mother did not recover quickly after she had you," explains Soichiro. "I was concerned that she might not, honestly. Then you were whisked off to the NICU as well since you were born early, I didn't get to hold you for at least an hour, and I was stuck in limbo as I waited. Finally your mother recovered around the same time they brought you back and that's when I knew everything was going to be all right."
Light gives his father a weak smile, the story is something he had not heard before and he appreciates knowing that he is not alone in this pain but that is not enough to quell the ache deep in his chest. Suddenly he hears what sound like footsteps and looking in that direction he sees L approaching with his shirt rolled up around his chest that seemed to have grown a lump in the last half hour, his arms are wrapped around the lump as if cradling it. He has a suspicion as to what it is.
"Ryuzaki, what have you done?" asks Light when he sees his husband. "Please don't tell me you stole something from the NICU."
"I would do no such thing," says L indignantly as he moves his arms to cradle the lump better. "Besides, it's hardly considered stealing if it belongs to you already."
Soichiro and Light huddle around L, both trying to look down his shirt, when they do they see a pair of brown eyes staring up at them with curiosity. A small wrinkled hand escapes the confines of L's shirt, waving around until Light presses his finger against the tiny palm when the fingers wrap tightly around his fingertip, the strength of the baby's grip taking his breath away. He looks up at L with tears in his eyes, seeing that his husband also had tears glistening in his eyes, for a split second everything wrong with the world suddenly vanishes as they stare in wonderment at the beautiful creature they brought into this world.
"She's beautiful," says Soichiro, smiling down at his granddaughter. "Does she have a name?"
L looks at Light who is smiling widely.
"She does indeed," answers Light as he strokes his daughter's hand. "Her name is Noriko, child of the law."
"A very appropriate name," says Soichiro warmly. "Hello Noriko, I'm your grandfather."
Noriko's other hand comes out of L's shirt and waves around at Soichiro as if she can understand exactly what he is saying. Soichiro lets her hand wrap around his finger, the grip no less than the one she has on Light's finger, making him smile as he leans down to kiss the tiny fingers wrapped around his.
"Excuse me," says a voice behind them. Looking up they saw Dr. Tanaka standing in the doorway, her smock covered in blood. "I'm sorry to interrupt but Misa's asking for you two." She then caught sight of the two small arms outside of L's shirt. "I'm sure I don't have to tell you that taking a baby from the NICU is against hospital policy." She then saw Light and Soichiro glaring at her. "But in this case, I can make an exception. I'll send a doctor in at a later time to check over the baby and we'll get the birth certificate done soon as well."
"Thank you," says Soichiro sternly. "Now, I believe my son and son-in-law have earned their rest and need to speak with the wonderful woman whom made this possible." Reluctantly he untangles his finger from Noriko's grip and allows Light to lead both L and Noriko back into Misa's room.
"Light! Ryuzaki!" cries Misa when they enter. "I'm so glad to see you guys, I didn't think those doctors were ever going to leave." She looks a little better than when Light had left her previously; she has a little color in her cheeks and is sitting upright on a pile of pillows. "Did you see the baby? I didn't hear anything other than that one cry."
Light smiles as he and L disentangle Noriko from L's shirt, the baby starts crying the moment she is pulled away, the cries sounding healthy and strong as he hands her to Misa. Misa is crying too as she accepts Noriko from Light, cradling the baby against her chest before pulling away her hospital gown then settling Noriko against her breast, the baby quickly realizing what is going on and latches onto Misa's nipple sucking hungrily. The three parents give a watery laugh as they watch her eat, all relieved to have made it this far.
"Did you tell L what we decided to name the baby?" asks Misa as she strokes Noriko's cheek.
"I did," says Light as he puts an arm around Misa as he sits down next to her on the bed. "Dad likes the name too."
L smiles fondly as he too slides in beside Misa, his finger stroking the downy hair on Noriko's head. "I find it a perfect name for her, though when did you two come up with it?"
"When you were off with Watari that one week," replies Light. "Misa and I thought 'Lyuba' wasn't quite right for our daughter so we came up with this when Misa suggested naming her after something we have in common. That happens to be seeking justice, so that led to Noriko."
"I think Noriko Yagami is a perfect name," says Misa as she looks at the men. "Unless it's going to be Noriko Amane."
Both Light and L shake their heads in unison.
"No, she'll be Noriko Yagami," says Light as he reaches over and puts his fingertip beneath her hand so she will hold it again. "My little girl."
"Our little girl," corrects L, smiling at Misa. "How are you feeling Misa? Any lingering effects from your rather dramatic birthing experience?"
Misa shakes her head. "The doctors gave me some incredible painkillers so I can't feel anything, besides I'm really just tired. The doctors want me to stay a couple of days for observation, and Noriko too."
"Then we'll be here," says L firmly. "We're a family now and we have to be there when family members need our support."
Light thinks about what L just said, he can see that he is right, the two of them plus Misa and now Noriko are a family; a strange family but a family nonetheless. Not to mention all of the people waiting just beyond the door, Noriko would grow up with all of them as her extended family and Light already considers them as such to him and L. He knows that from this point forward, life will be completely different but he will not trade his new family for anything.