I know I'm taking so long to write this! I'm sorry for the delay, though. College calls. Hopefully over Christmas I'll be able to give you more. But enjoy this!

--

"What do you think of this?" Rukia held up a vase.

"I don't know, it's a vase. Why?"

She placed the vase down and sighed in exasperation. "We need a gift for the engagement party, stupid."

"Why would we need a gift? It's not like-" I snapped my mouth shut. Yeah, way to almost let the cat out of the bag, Ichigo!

"No like what?" She eyed me suspiciously.

"It's not like it's the wedding." I shrugged, trying to save myself from ruining everything.

"But still, we should get a gift."

"Rukia," I whined.

"Shut up and help me."

Which translated to, shut your mouth, follow me around, and make nods of approval when necessary. I did just that, waiting as she lifted just about everything in the store. Finally, she fell in love with a tea set and I nodded, scooting her to the check out aisle.

Rukia handed me the package and stood up on her tip toes, giving me a kiss. "Honey, let's go baby shopping."

"Shouldn't we wait until after the shower?"

"What shower?"

SHIT. We are not going shopping again before the shower. No. I was doing so well, too. "The shower that we're bound to have."

Rukia narrowed her eyes at me. "I wasn't planning a shower, Ichigo."

"Really?" I gave the best confused face I had. "Well, I forgot about your bridal shower, so I don't doubt my ability to make up a baby shower."

She stared at me for a few minutes and then laughed softly. "Sometimes, you really are dense, Ichigo."

I made an internal sigh of relief. "Yeah, I hope the kids don't inherit that." I leaned down and kissed her forehead. "Are you tired, Rukia?"

"A little, but I want to just look for a few minutes, so come on." She took my hand and pulled me along towards the escalator, down to the lower level for the baby stuff. As we reached the edge of the baby clothes, she stopped.

"Rukia?" She turned to me and she was crying again. I could almost sigh in exasperation, but, boy, would that definitely make it worse. "What's wrong?" I ran my hands along her arms.

"It's all so cute…"

"You're crying in a store because you're overwhelmed with cuteness?"

"I'm pregnant, damnit, I can cry when I want!" Her voice suddenly got shrill and loud, sending just about everyone's eyes to us. Rukia clasped a hand over her mouth, surprised by her own volume.

I started chuckling. "Good job."

She poked me harshly in the chest. "That was your fault."

I shrugged. "Everything is my fault."

--

As Karin had predicted, Rukia popped. We went to bed, Rukia with nothing more than a little pudge, and the next morning we woke up to a tiny globe, like she'd swallowed a melon. And boy, did she cry.

"I'm not going," she huffed.

"What?"

"I'm not going!" Rukia cupped the ball that was her stomach and whined. "I look so fat!"

"You're having twins, you're allowed to look fat!"

Wrong answer. I said the word fat. Her face screwed up in a frown. "I don't want anyone to see me like this."

"What, you're going to stay in a closet until the pregnancy is over?" I touched her belly. "Come on, Rukia, Momo will be so upset if you're not there."

"Tell her I didn't feel well." Rukia swatted my hands away and trudged over to the bed, flopping down on it.

"No, because then Tōshirō will erupt into a panic and then both Momo and I will have a horrible time at the party." I pointed at her. "You need to be there."

"Ichigo," she whined.

"Rukia, everyone knows you're pregnant, they've been waiting for you to get big!" I sat next to her on the bed and wrapped my arms around her waist, clutching her stomach.

She stared at me for a few minutes, formulating an argument in her mind. "Fine. But I won't be happy."

"Yeah, right." I kissed her cheek. "You'll spend ten minutes being cranky and then you'll move to your excitement phase." I rubbed her arms. "Now, get dressed."

"What do I wear?" She clutched her stomach.

"I don't know, ask Yuzu, she has an inherent ability to make everything cute."

Rukia huffed and trudged out of the bedroom, off to find Yuzu. I lay back on the bed, preparing more arguments just in case she decided against the party again. I was not about to let it go this far and then have her ruin it.

"Which one?" Rukia walked back in, Yuzu behind her.

"The blue one." Yuzu waved at me before diving into Rukia's part of the closet. "This one." She had pulled out one of Rukia's dresses, actually one of my favorites on her, and handed it to Rukia. "The skirt's full enough that there won't be any pulling around the stomach."

"Sounds good to me," I interjected.

Rukia glared at me for a moment, but Yuzu saved me, touching Rukia's arm. "Don't worry, it'll look great. And tomorrow after school we can go shopping for clothes that will make you more comfortable."

"But don't you have a date tomorrow?" Rukia whispered, probably trying to make it so I didn't hear.

"Not until seven, so we can go before that," Yuzu murmured back. "Well, you two have fun. Please, tell Tōshirō and Momo I said congratulations again!"

"Sure, Yuzu. See you later." I waited until Yuzu exited before sitting up quickly, staring intently at Rukia. "Yuzu has a date?"

"Where did you hear that?" Rukia slipped out of her nightclothes and started struggling into the dress.

"From your mouth, two seconds ago. You think you can whisper, but you're actually pretty loud." I stood up and helped her into the dress, running my hands over her stomach. "So spill it."

"Hey, if you want information, you ask Yuzu." She laughed.

"You know I can't ask her, so spill," I groaned.

"We're going to be late." Rukia used that sing-song voice she did whenever she wanted to torture me. "Oh, and don't wear jeans, Ichigo. Put on your nice slacks."

"We're not even going to be wearing this over there, so what's the point?"

She stared at me with that death glare of hers that makes my knees go weak.

I sighed deeply in defeat. She waited as I trudged to the dresser and pulled out my slacks, changing quickly. "Alright, let's get out of here." I wrapped an arm around her waist and we started the journey to the Soul Society. I was going crazy trying to hold in my excitement, but I managed to keep myself in check.

We ended up in front of the building where it was supposed to be and Rukia stopped, looking around. "Did you see anyone going in?"

"I guess we're late," I shrugged. "They just better not have started the party without us!" I smiled widely and pulled her along through the doors. As we walked into the hall, I saw Renji leaning against the wall. He made a quick turn and disappeared into the doors. We reached the doors and I opened one for her, scooting her in.

The room roared, "Surprise!"

Rukia gasped, putting her hand on her chest. She turned to me, tears in her eyes, and nudged my shoulder. "I can't believe you do this!"

"Don't look at me! This was all Momo's idea." I cleared the happiness from my face for just a moment, sending a stern look her way. "Don't you dare cry."

"Okay!" Her face lit up and she twirled around, jumping from person to person in the room. She stopped with Momo, hugging her for what seemed like an hour.

I settled on standing with Renji. "Good job being a look out."

"Yeah." He seemed to be staring off, specifically in Rukia's direction.

"What is it?" I nudged him.

"I've really…" Renji took a deep breath. "I've never seen her so happy."

"It sounds like there's a 'but' coming up."

Renji shook his head. "I don't know. I guess I'm just worried about the babies."

"Yeah, I know exactly what you mean," I sighed. "But let's not get into this today. If she even catches a glimpse of us being upset, there will be hell to pay. So let's swallow it and smile like crazy." I sent a corny smile Renji's way and he laughed.

"Understood. Just one last thing, though."

"Yeah?"

"Would you keep me a little more updated?"

"You mean send you a message every two minutes?" I smirked.

"You know what I mean, asshole."

"Sure, Uncle Renji, you'll be the first to know!" I patted his shoulder, and luckily for me he resisted the urge to hit me.

A squeal suddenly erupted from the "girl's corner" and the call for presents started echoing through the hall. "Think we can sneak out?" I smirked at Renji.

"Not if you want to live," Renji sighed.

Renji and I started moving towards my massively pregnant wife. "Here, Ichigo!" she squealed, handing me a pad and a pencil.

"What's this?"

"I open, you write down what and who from."

I almost opened my mouth to ask why I would want to do that when my intelligence and my will to live caught up with me. "Okay, but if there's more than a hundred gifts, I give up."

"Just shut up and write, honey!" Rukia beamed.

I sighed and contented myself with taking extensive notes on every gift coming through Rukia's fingers. Crib from Byakuya, changing table (so not looking forward to that) from Renji, carrier from Momo and Tōshirō, and on and on.

"Oh, these are beautiful!" Rukia pulled three baby blankets out of a bag. "Where did you get these?"

"Actually, she made them." Shūhei pointed at Tori.

"Bet she scared the hell out of you," I laughed.

Tori started giggling. "Yeah, he thought I had a surprise for him!" Tori nudged Shūhei as he turned bright red.

"Well, either way, you did a wonderful job," Rukia beamed.

Tori took a deep breath, as if nervous. "If you'd like, I could teach you sometime."

"Really?" Rukia's voice almost went so high it could break glasses. "I would love that!"

"Great!" Tori smiled widely.

And the list continued. By the time all of them were through, I had one hell of a hand cramp and I was definitely not looking forward to carrying all that stuff home. Suddenly, Rukia stopped and grabbed her stomach. "Oh!"

I think everyone in the room jumped and Byakuya and I were next to her instantly, Renji close behind. "What's wrong?" I grasped her shoulder, looking at her intently.

"The babies!"

Fuck, fuck, fuck. "What is it, what's wrong with them?"

Tears started pouring from her eyes as she looked up at me, a large smile gracing her face. "They're moving."

I fell to my knees, slipping my hands under hers. I waited for a second and then her skin rolled under my hands. "Rukia, it's beautiful…"

She nodded slowly, taking a deep breath. She leaned in and kissed me softly, then turned her gaze to Byakuya. "Brother, please, come here." I pulled myself away from her, still kneeling at her feet. Byakuya hesitantly reached his hands out, touching her stomach ever so lightly. He jumped as the babies obviously did another spin. "It's okay," Rukia touched his arm.

He relaxed a little, spreading out his fingers. I knew better than to expect Byakuya to cry, but the look on his face convinced me he was doing everything not to. He leaned in, and to my surprise (actually, probably to everyone's surprise), actually kissed her forehead. "Thank you," he whispered.

"Hey, I want to feel, too!" Yachiru squealed, jumping up and down.

"Me, too," Momo chimed.

"Alright, there'll be a turn for everyone," Rukia laughed softly.

I forced myself to step back, letting Rukia be engulfed by all the people. I almost wished that we had been alone when this happened, so I could have this moment all to myself, but this was better for Rukia. I stayed where I was, seeing the kisses and hugs, the hands grazing her stomach. I felt a hand on my shoulder and snapped out of my trance.

"Hey," Tōshirō smiled.

"Did you get to feel the baby?"

"No, that's alright. Momo can take my turn." Tōshirō laughed. "Plus, you were looking kind of lonely."

"Well, everyone has stolen my wife," I forced a laugh.

"Ichigo… what's wrong?"

I ran my hand over my face. "She almost gave me a heart attack. My first though was… I thought…"

"Something went wrong."

"And, God, would that have killed her," I swallowed hard, pushing back the tears that wanted to fall. "But now… they're there. I've felt them." I smiled softly, watching Rukia beam as people touched her stomach, felt out children move. "They're fine, Tōshirō."

"I never had a doubt." Tōshirō grinned, patting me on the shoulder. "You've got two little ones on the way."

"And they're not coming quick enough."