Chapter 14 is up~!

Part One: The Truth- Revealed

Chapter Fourteen: Christmas

Shinichi sighed and sat up from the bed. He pulled the blankets over himself and his sleeping wife. The weather was getting colder as mid-December approached. In just a week or two it would be Christmas.

He lay back down and looked at Ran. She looked so peaceful in her sleep, almost dead like.

He leaned in and kissed her before going back to sleep.

"Shinichi," Ran said softly. She shook him gently. He opened up his eyes and stared at her. He groaned and turned on his side, away from her. "Hey, wake up."

"Five more minutes…"

She groaned and pulled the pillow out form under his head.

"Oi! Why did you just do that?"

She snickered. "Come on, wake up."

"Why…"

"Because…it's almost noon."

He groaned and grabbed the pillow from her side.

"So what…"

"No, wake up, Shinichi." He sat up and stared at her.

"Ok, ok. I'm up."

"I'm gonna do last minute Christmas shopping, ok? I won't be back until later on."

"Why'd you wake me up for that?"

"Because, if I wasn't here when you woke up, you'd probably have a cow…"

He groaned and climbed out of bed.

"You're probably going to have to get your own lunch. I'll be back in time for dinner, since everything will probably close after evening."

"Ok, I'll probably go out and get something for you."

She smiled. "Shinichi, you don't have to."

"I want to." He leaned in and kissed her on the lips. "Now, go on. I'll see you later."

She nodded and turned to head out the door.

He sighed and got dressed. His phone began ringing. He picked it up and looked at the caller ID.

"Oi, Hattori, what is it?"

"I can't call to say hi?" He snickered over the phone.

"Well, it's been awhile…"

"Exactly. Anyways, what are you doing for New Years?"

"New Years? I don't know…my parents will probably have a party or something. Why?"

"Well, I was wondering if ya wanted to hang out."

"I can talk to Ran about it later. I don't see why not."

"I'm proposing to her that night."

"You've been together for eight months."

"So? I think we're ready to move to the next level."

"Ok,"

"And I would like it if ya were there for me."

"Sure…that's what friends are for."

"Thanks, Kudo."

"No problem, Hattori."

"I'll let ya go now. I still need to decide on a ring."

"Ok, see you then."

"Later, bye."

They clicked off.

Shinichi stepped out of the bedroom.

Kogoro was watching Yoko Okino on TV.

"Did you hear about Ran? She's not going to be here for lunch." Shinichi said. Kogoro turned to him.

"I know."

"Want to order out?"

"I don't care…"

Shinichi sighed. Kogoro was impossible most of the time.

He sighed and decided to go and visit Agasa, considering he hasn't seen him in awhile.

"So, how have you been?" Ai asked. Shinichi turned to her as she placed the tea down on the table.

"I've been good. Ran and I are doing great."

"That's good. What are your plans for Christmas and New Years?"

"Well, my parents are throwing a party; did you guys get an invite?"

"Yeah, I believe your mom came over last week to inform us that we were invited for Christmas."

"That's good…I think you should start spending Christmas with others. It's no fun being alone. You know, you're always welcome to hang out with us." Shinichi said. Ai smiled softly.

"Thank you, Kudo-kun. That means a lot."

Agasa stepped into the living room.

"Oh, Shinichi, your parents told us that you and Ran have something to share with us…"

Shinichi turned to him and smiled slightly. "Yeah, we do. We'll tell you tomorrow."

"Ok," Agasa said. He sat down and sipped some tea. "Where is Ran?"

"She went last minute Christmas shopping…"

"You didn't go?"

"Nah, I already got everyone a gift…"

Ai stood. "Are you hungry? I am making some curry."

"Sure, thank you." Shinichi said. He leaned back into the couch. "So, how are the Detective Boys?"

"Oh, they've been doing great. They were kind of hoping that you could come back."

Shinichi snickered. "I sure do miss those days."

"I heard you got a job…"

"Yeah, I actually am an official detective. I even have a badge." He pulled out the badge from his pocket to show him. "I carry it around with me…just in case."

"Good for you, Shinichi. You're living your dream."

"I couldn't ask for a better life, doc. everything is going great. I am married to the most beautiful woman I know. I have a great job and…" he stopped before he finished.

"And?" Agasa asked curiously.

Shinichi turned away. "It's nothing…"

"What?"

Shinichi sighed and looked back at Agasa.

"You'll hear all about it tomorrow."

"Ok…"

"Hi, Ran-neechan!"

She turned and looked down at the children.

"Hi there, kids. How are you?"

"We're good! What brings Ran-neechan to the mall?" Ayumi asked.

"I'm…doing some last minute Christmas shopping."

"How's Con—Shinichi-niichan doing?" Mitsuhiko asked, getting used to the name.

"He's doing great. He's officially a detective at the Police Department."

"Really? With a real badge and everything?" They all asked in enthusiasm.

She was amused by their reactions. "Yes, with a real badge."

"Do you think he can give us a tour?" Ayumi asked.

"Yeah, do you think he could?" Mitsuhiko added.

Ran snickered. "You could ask him…he is probably at professor Agasa's house or at the apartment…knows him though, he's at Agasa's house."

"Ok, that's Ran-neechan! See you some other time!"

"See you, and be careful!" Ran watched as they ran off.

"You seem to know what you are doing." Ai said.

Shinichi nodded.

"Yeah, life is good. In the beginning it was bad, like me shrinking and living that lie. When Ran found out she was pregnant and us losing Emi…everything turned out better in the end. Although it would've been wonderful Christmas with Emi here…it's still going to be good."

"We're just glad the both of you made it through."

"Thanks, if it weren't for our family and friends…who knows where we'd be."

A knock at the door came out of nowhere.

Agasa looked at the clock. "That's probably the kids right now…"

Shinichi looked up as Agasa walked to the door.

"Come in."

"Thanks, professor!" The three came running in.

"Hi there, Shinichi-niichan!"

"Hi, guys. What's up?"

"We miss you! You should come to our meetings!"

"I'll try; just let me know when the next meeting is." He laughed. He did enjoy seeing the kids. "I saw you kids on the news, you guys helped with the robbery case back in October. Ran and I were in America, so I was unable to do a thing."

"We saw Ran-neechan at the mall today."

"She's doing some Christmas shopping…hey, you wouldn't have happened to see what she got, have you?"

"Shinichi, you're always snooping around…"

"I can't help it…" He looked down at his watch. "And I should get going before the jewelry stores close."

"Aww. Ok. It was nice seeing you, Shinichi-niichan!"

"I'll see you some other time, ok? I promise. And maybe next time I'll give you a tour."

"Ok!"

The time was 7:00PM. All the stores were closing about this time.

Shinichi had just stepped out of the jewelry store with a necklace for his wife. He'd give her anything and everything.

"No to get back home and,"

His cell phone rang. He reached into his pocket. He sighed and looked at the ID.

"Oi, what is it?"

"Kudo, we need you at 21st street."

He sighed. "Ok, I'll be there in a few minutes." He clicked off and called Ran.

"Shinichi? Where are you?"

"I'm at the mall, but I'm afraid I won't be home soon. I just got a call."

"A case?"

"I'm assuming so. I did hear sirens early."

Ran sighed. "Ok, see you when you get home."

"Maybe…don't stay up for me though, ok?"

"Alright, dinner will be in the fridge."

"Ok, thanks dear. I love you."

"I love you too."

Shinichi stepped into the apartment. It was 1:00AM. He quietly entered the room he shared with his wife. He took off his clothes and put on some pajamas.

She lifted her head. "Shinichi?"

"Shhhh," he shushed. He climbed into bed with her. "It's 1:00, go back to sleep."

"Did you eat?"

"I'm too tried to eat."

She sighed. "You are troublesome."

He laughed and wrapped his arms around her. He set one hand on her stomach.

"It's officially the end of your first trimester…"

"I know…I can't wait to see everyone tomorrow and tell them."

"By the way, do you want your Christmas present now?"

She turned to him. "Now?"

"Why not? I mean, not all of your gifts, but maybe just one…"

"Ok,"

He slowly climbed out of bed and walked over to the desk. He grabbed the box off of it and handed it to her.

She opened the box and gasped. "Shinichi, it's beautiful." He smiled at her reaction. She looked back down at the necklace, "You put our wedding picture in it…"

He nodded. "Yeah, I thought you'd want it."

They kissed and then fell asleep.

"Hi guys, Merry Christmas!" Yukiko welcomed everyone into the house.

"Merry Christmas, mom." Shinichi said giving his mom a hug.

"How are you two doing?"

"We're great." Ran answered in excitement. She set her coat on the coat rack. "I'm starving…"

Yukiko snickered. "The food is all setup over there." Ran nodded and walked over to the buffet table.

Yukiko turned to Shinichi, "What's with her?"

Shinichi smiled. "We'll tell you later when everyone gets here."

"Ok…"

Shinichi followed Ran over to the buffet table. Kogoro had come with Shinichi and Ran. They were all waiting on Agasa, Ai and Eri to get there. It wasn't really much of a party but a small family/friend get-together.

"Everyone's going to flip, you know that right?"

"Of course, but they'll be excited too. This would be their second grandchild."

Shinichi turned to her and set a hand over hers.

"This would've been Emi's first Christmas."

"I really wish she was here…"

He wrapped his arms around her. "I know…" He pulled out small box and handed it to Ran, "Here."

"What is it?"

"Just open it…"

She looked down and opened it to reveal a charm bracelet. She opened up the charm locket to reveal the family picture that they took the day Emi was born. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

She kissed him as a response.

"Thank you…"

He hugged her tight. "Merry Christmas, Ran. I love you with all my heart."

She wiped her tears as the rest of the quests arrived. The two stood up. As everyone entered the living room.

"Everyone, we have some news." Shinichi said.

They two smiled and held hands.

"We're having a baby…"

"Oh my god, congratulations!" Yukiko shouted. Everyone got up and congratulated them.

"Merry Christmas, everyone!" Shinichi said.

~End of Chapter and Part One

Next Chapter: Part Two, Chapter Fifteen: The Decision (Coming Soon…) *Implication of TWO years passing…*