Chapter 13

Asuka and I anticipated for our next check-up with the doctor. Every moment that passed was torture for us; we never took our mind off the baby. There even came a point where Asuka broke down, telling me that it wasn't fair that other women enjoyed their pregnancy while she suffered and worried if our baby would be alright. I always comforted her, giving her the usual words that she needed to hear- but in reality, I was getting scarred as well. To me, this pain was even worse than my anxiety of losing Asuka as a wife. I didn't know why, but this was the truth, and seeing Asuka in a similar state just made things even harder.

And there was nothing I could do.

When our second check-up finally came, our hearts were thumping fast with fear and hope. As the nurse placed the electrodes on Asuka's stomach, my sweat dropped and I found it difficult to breathe. "I'm nervous," Asuka declared, "I hate not knowing."

"Don't worry, ma'am. This'll only take a minute." The nurse reassured. A minute? Our baby could die in a minute, for Pete's sake! I thought. The doctor came in. I watched intently as the monitor revealed the baby, observing whether the band had attached or not. The doctor sat on the chair and spun the 3D ultrasound once again, trying to view the baby in different angles.

I gulped. "Well? Is he alright?" I blurted out.

"He seems fine," the doctor replied, still scanning the monitor, "The band is still floating, and your baby is developing quite well." She studied the sonogram some more, before she finally faced us. "Well, so far, the band hasn't attached," the doctor said, "so your baby is in good shape."

I brightened. "That's great!"

"Yes, that's very good news," Asuka agreed.

"The next check-up would be in 2 weeks time." The doctor said. Asuka nodded. "Yes, thank you, doctor."

"No problem." She said.

No. Big problem.

We seemed relieved because our infant was okay, but we were also worried that it wouldn't be right after the test. "I'm starting to hate these dumb check-ups," Asuka said after we underwent about 5 check-ups in total, "It always gives me happiness when the doctor says the baby is fine, but it also always gives me a scare right after it's over, because I'm going to have to wait for another 2 weeks to see if David's still alive…"

It was false hope, I agree. It was like a roller coaster ride of emotions: from fear of losing the baby to relief that the baby is alright, then worry if the baby would die any minute afterwards. And the cycle would restart. It was sickening.

Our roller coaster ride finally ended when Asuka was due in less than a week's time. We finally approached our last check-up before the baby was said to be born. And after our final moments of worry, the doctor told us that the baby should be fine. But hearing those words still made me feel uneasy: what if the baby died right that moment when Asuka gave birth? What if the band decided to attach itself on the last minute? What would we do then? Could destiny be that cruel? We still had a week to worry even more.

Upon arriving home, Asuka told me the exact same dilemma. As it turned out, it was bothering her too. "I would be utterly depressed," she said, "And I would just cry and cry until who knows when."

"Hey," I said, "David survived for about 9 months now. Just look on the bright side and think that he'll be able to survive for another week. It's just one more week, love."

"I know," she muttered, "But it's still very frightening."

That night, as I tucked her in bed, I heard her familiar moan whenever she cried. "Honey," I whispered, touching her shoulder ever so gently, "Oh, darling, don't cry."

"I'm sorry," Asuka murmured, "I don't know if I should be excited or something. I just feel that something bad is going to happen next week…"

"Nothing bad is going to happen next week," I reassured, "I promise."

"How can you promise me that?" she asked, "You don't know what the future holds!"

"Yes, but you know something? I think luck is on David's side," I said truthfully, "I have a feeling he'll survive."

"Really?" Asuka said, smiling.

"Really." I said.

Asuka sniffled. "Oh, Edo!" she cried, throwing her arms around me. She kissed me and caressed me. "I love you, Edo. I love you."

"I love you too, sweetheart." I said, giving her a comforting smile.

"Hold me close tonight," she pleaded, "I'm feeling so scared."

I stared at her for a moment. She was so beautiful. Carefully, I gathered her in my arms. After pulling her closer to me, I tucked some loose hair behind her ears, stroked her face, her mouth. Slowly, I moved my face closer to her and delivered a kiss. Her lips were warm and soft against mine. It tasted so wonderful, so… hypnotic. It almost felt like I was kissing her for the very first time. I felt her wrap her arms around my neck.

"That was amazing," I murmured when our lips parted. She bit her lower lip trying to control her smile as she stared at me. My heart started to beat faster, for I knew what those eyes were telling me. We haven't made love for the past 9 months, and I was getting sick of not being able to caress her. It was always about the baby; it was always about worries and fears; pain and angst. For once, just this once, I didn't want to see her cry, but to see her scream in utter bliss.

I kissed her again, this time more passionate, as I caressed her neck, her breasts, her stomach. I kissed her neck as my hands slowly explored her lower body. She let out a soft moan as I slid a hand between her thighs, grazing a finger lightly along her genital. The flesh there felt so hot and sensitive, and every stroke of my fingers provoked a little whimper of desire from her. I felt myself stiffen as my arousal grew stronger.

"Edo…" she sighed, "What about… the baby…?"

"He'll be fine," I reassured.

"Can we do it… without harming him?" she asked breathlessly. Gripping her hips, I pulled up her lingerie and pressed myself inside her. She gasped. "He'll be fine," I said again, this time in a darker, huskier voice. I cupped one of her breasts and drew a nipple into the heat of my mouth while I moved inside her, slow and steady. "Ooh…" she groaned, hanging on to me for support. I pleasured her that way, using my lips and tongue- until she was moaning in sheer ecstasy.

"Asuka…" I groaned as my thrusts grew faster, "Oh God…"

"Yes..." she muttered, "yes... yes... Edo...! Uuuh!"

She threw her head back and shut her eyes tight, moaning as her breath grew uneasy and deep. She shouted my name over and over as her climax approached. She screamed, pleading me to go harder and faster and stronger. I ground against her in a way that caused her to detonate and scream in ultimate pleasure. She sighed and groaned and panted. I held her through the last shuddery tremor, whispering sweet words into her ear, as I felt my own release approaching.

"Shit, here it comes, here it comes!" I moaned, increasing my thrusting speed. "Oh God, oh god! Oh yeah...yeah... yeeaahh..."

With a few final thrusts, I groaned her name hoarsely as I shot out a jet of warm liquid.

"Oh God," I panted, stroking her hair and back with a quivering hand, "God! That was wonderful..."

"Honey…" Asuka said, a hint of alarm in her voice.

I grinned. "What's wrong," I asked, "Are you having another orgasm?"

"No," she panted, "My water just broke."