Normal POV
"Oi!"
There was the sound of knocking before the door slid open. Hidan stepped inside the airy feeling house, a tiny child in his arms. Said red headed child looked around curiously, taking in the house he'd seen a few times before.
Taking a few steps up the hall Hidan padded into the enterance of the family room, not at all surprised to find Deidara and Taylor lounging on the couch, having a peaceful chat. Daisuke and Emi were directly across from them, playing with some trinkets on the other side of the room.
Pink eyes still scanning the area, Haruka suddenly noticed the two children his own age and made a noise, pushing against Hidan. The Jashinist simply released the one-and-a-half year old, gently setting him on the smooth wooden floor. Haruka then scurried over to Daisuke and Emi, both who automatically welcomed him into their activities.
"Well, what a surprise to see you here Hidan," Taylor jokingly said with a smile as the silver haired male stepped up, plopping down into the unoccupied chair beside Deidara.
"Whatever," Hidan scoffed, slouching down into the cushions. He ran a hand down his face. "Tess had to work today, and the brat wouldn't stop having a staring contest with me, so I figured I'd bring him over here."
"Of course, yeah," Deidara said with a smirk. He glanced over to where his son was playing with Taylor and Hidan's daughter and son respectively. Emi and Daisuke were smiling, enjoying pushing their little cars around, but Haruka instead held his, staring at it.
Deidara laughed. "Your son is the odd man out, yeah."
Hidan blinked, glancing over to see what Deidara was talking about, and then snorted a laughed.
"I fuckin' told you. He likes staring at shit! He has staring contests with me all the time."
Taylor giggled. "He's just different. Emi and Dai are loud, but Haru is typically quiet. I'd trade you for a little peace and quiet sometimes."
Hidan raised an eyebrow, grinning at her. "Well you ain't getting it, he's mine."
Taylor smiled. "Fair enough."
Stretching out her limbs, she suddenly stood, heading towards the kitchen.
"Deidara, you mind if I prepare a snack?"
"No, go ahead, un!" Deidara responded quickly, more than happy to have Taylor do it for him, and the blonde smiled back before disappeared into the other room. The sounds of plates clinking sounded a couple moments later, and Daisuke glanced up. He looked to the doorway before shifting his gaze over to Deidara.
"Foo," he said, raising his arms happily. Deidara laughed.
"Snack time, Dai," he replied, and this time he also caught Emi's attention.
"Sna?!" the little blonde haired girl said happily, clapping her hands. At this Haru looked up as well, but instead of speaking anything he simply looked over to Hidan. The Jashinist sighed.
"He's fuckin' doin' it again!" He whispered exasperatedly and Deidara laughed.
"Can your kid talk, yeah?"
"Yeah! He talks to Tess all the fucking time!" Hidan responded, throwing his hands into the air. "All he does is stare at me though!"
Deidara snorted. "That's great."
Suddenly he noticed that all three kids had migrated over to the doorway, on a mission for their snacks.
"Uh, Taylor?!" he called. "Is it alright if the kids come in there, un?"
"Of course!" The blonde called back. Not a moment later could the males hear her begin to coo in greeting, their children likely having successfully made it to their destination.
"So," Hidan said as Taylor got the kids settled in for their snack in the other room. He pointed a thumb over his shoulder towards the doorway. "What's the blonde doin' here?"
"Itachi left on a mission with Sasuke and Kisame this morning," Deidara answered, stretching his arms behind his head. "Taylor enjoys company and our kids entertain each other, so it works out, yeah."
Hidan crossed his arms, grunting in acknowledgement at Deidara's reply.
"So you're stuck with her? Where's Lauren?"
Deidara rolled his eyes at the Jashinist. "I'm not "stuck" with Taylor, yeah. Geez, lighten up." Hidan snorted.
"But Lauren's at the hospital, yeah," Deidara continued, blue eyes shifting over to look out the front window. The last of the amber leaves were shedding from the trees, signaling the incoming winter. "She had a check-up."
Grunting again, Hidan turned his head to look outside as well. For a couple minutes the two shinobi simply sat there in a comfortable silence before Taylor's voice reached them.
"Deidara," she called. "Daisuke wants you!"
"Alright, yeah!" he called back. Leisurely he pushed himself off the couch and padded towards the doorway. Not wanting to be left alone in the living room by himself, Hidan quickly stood and shuffled after him
"Da!" Daisuke called happily when Deidara entered the room, and the blonde smiled, walking up to his son who was currently chewing on a cube of apple.
"Hey buddy," he said, ruffling the boy's soft brown hair. Daisuke smiled in return and held up another cube of apple, offering it to Deidara.
"Thanks, but that's your snack, yeah," Deidara laughed and with a single finger pushed the cube back towards him, right against his lips. Daisuke only opened his mouth in response and began chewing on the apple.
As Deidara watched his son eat eagerly continue on his snack he couldn't help but smile and leaned down, quickly kissing the top of his head. At seeing this from the across the kitchen Taylor cooed, grinning happily at the sight. Hidan, on the other hand, remained leaning against the doorway to the kitchen and scoffed. Deidara frowned and looked back at him, silent in question.
Hidan only rolled his eyes.
"What a lovely fucking sight," he said, and from across the room Taylor lost her smile, furrowing her brow.
"Why?" she questioned. "Don't you love your son too, Hidan?"
The Jashinist blinked, actually looking a little bit offended.
"Of course I fuckin' do," he then proceeded to mumble, eyes shifting over to the pink eyed boy who was staring at him. The two continued to have a stare off before Haruka suddenly blinked, opening his mouth.
"'dan," he said, and Hidan blinked while Deidara grinned, snickering.
"He doesn't even call you dad, yeah!" he said, holding a hand over his mouth to try and stop himself from laughing. "He calls you by your real name!"
Scowling, Hidan crossed his arms and prepared to make a not-so-polite remark, but the sound of the front door opening interrupted him.
"Tadaima!" Lauren called from down the hall, the sound of the door closing accompanying her greeting.
"Okaeri!" Taylor and Deidara chorused, Hidan adding his own voice in much quieter.
A couple seconds later Lauren padded into the room, and to the other's surprise, Tess was right behind her.
"Oh?" the Haruno questioned at seeing Hidan leaning against the doorway. She walked up and bumped her hip into him teasingly. "Couldn't take it anymore?"
The Jashinist rolled his eyes. "Just felt like getting out of the house."
"Of course," Tess replied knowingly as Lauren stepped into the kitchen, heading up to Deidara. The two shared a brief kiss before Lauren slid over to where Daisuke was still sitting.
"Mama!" The boy cheered, lifting his hands up. Without hesitation Lauren scooped him up from his chair, kissing his forehead tenderly.
"Hey there, Dai!" she greeted cheerfully, rubbing her cheek against the top of his head. "You seem excited!"
Still located by the counter, Taylor laughed.
"Well, you just got home and it's snack time, so…"
Lauren laughed as well and then held the boy out in front of her, rubbing their noses together and causing Daisuke to giggle.
"Well I, for one, think he's excited for another reason," Lauren said and looked over at Taylor, smiling widely. The blonde blinked, and then her eyes widened as she started to catch on to what Lauren was getting at. Across the room, Tess, who had wandered over to Haruka and was now holding him tightly, also grinned.
"Oh?" Taylor questioned, willingly falling into the conversation Lauren had set up. "Why's that?"
"Well," the brunette continued and braced Daisuke in one hand, the other tapping her chin contemplatively. "I think he's excited because he knows he'll be getting a new baby brother or sister soon."
Grinning, all three girls watched the male's reaction. Hidan, not being the father of Lauren's children, only froze up, eyes widening a bit in shock. Deidara's blue eyes widened in shock as well, however, he was quick to smile, shock subsiding immediately. Instead he stepped forward and hugged Lauren, careful of Daisuke who she was still holding, and kissed her lips.
"Yeah?" he questioned, raising his eyebrows.
Lauren laughed and nodded.
"Yeah."
And then he kissed her again, and she started to laugh.
Hidan snorted, catching their attention. With an amused smirk he lifted an eyebrow.
"I'm guessing that based on the fact blondie isn't flipping a shit, you two made plans this time?"
Deidara rolled his eyes.
"It was more readily anticipated this time, yes, yeah," he confirmed, and Lauren laughed. Across the room Taylor, who had been holding back her happiness, finally sprung forward, wrapping her arms around both Deidara and Lauren.
"I'm so happy for you two!" she declared, grip on the two tightening before she stepped away, crouching down next to her daughter.
"Hear that Emi!" she declared, snuggling the side of the tiny blonde's face. "Aunt Lauren and Uncle Dei are having another baby! That means you'll have another cousin!"
"Ya!" she cheered placing and small hand on the side of Taylors face. The blonde laughed and kissed it tenderly.
"So," Tess butted in, bouncing Haruka in her arms. "Considering I just walked from the hospital with you and no one else knows yet…when do you plan on telling them?"
"Well," Lauren replied, eyes wandering over to the clock on the wall. "Sasori should find out about an hour from now, considering he's coming over for dinner. Kakuzu will likely be informed by you two, if I know anything at all. Itachi, Sasuke and Kisame will find out when they get back. Everyone else-," she shrugged, "—they'll likely find out tonight or tomorrow."
Taylor suddenly blinked. "Sasori's coming over for dinner in an hour?" Jumping up, Taylor took Emi into her arms and flurried around, grabbing her things.
"C'mon you two!" Taylor said, nudging Tess and Hidan who only blinked in response. "They gotta get ready! Let's head out!"
Sighing, Tess collected Haruka in her arms and nudged Hidan.
"C'mon babe, Tay's right."
Grunting, Hidan finally pushed himself out of the doorframe and followed after her as she walked towards the landing. Taylor skipped after them, and together all three slipped on their shoes and coats.
"We'll see you guys tomorrow!" Lauren called down the hall as Hidan slid the front door open. Deidara stepped out after her, lightly knocking his head against the side of hers.
"See you!" Taylor replied jollily, beaming a smile at her. Tess threw a wave over her shoulder as well.
"See you later."
And with that, the three exited the house, the door snapping shut behind them. Once they were gone Deidara took his chance and flipped Lauren around, kissing her deeply.
"So, another kid, yeah?" he said, grinning happily.
Lauren rolled her eyes and playfully pushed him away. "I thought I already confirmed this," she said, smirking. "And besides, it's not like I just got pregnant on my own."
Deidara then proceeded to grin happily and Lauren tapped him on the arm when from the other room Daisuke started calling for them.
"Let's get ready for Danna."
"So," Sasori said, taking a bite from the mashed potatoes on his plate. "How was your day?"
"Good!" Lauren replied, smiling. She was currently sitting across from the puppet master beside Deidara, and Daisuke was at the end of the table in his own chair, playing with his food. "I went to the hospital and got a check-up, and then came home and talked with Tess and Taylor for a while, since they were hanging out."
"Oh?" Sasori questioned, raising an eyebrow in genuine curiosity. "So how'd your check-up go?"
Lauren had to try her best to hold back a grin, and beside her Deidara glanced over knowingly.
"It went fine," Lauren finally replied. "All vitals are good, and I'm completely healthy…and also pregnant."
Sasori's reaction was instantaneous. His fork froze in midair, his body stiffening.
"You…," he managed, looking up through his bangs at her. "Again?"
Lauren laughed at his shocked, distraught look.
"Yes, Danna, again."
"Goddamn," he cursed, running a hand over his face. Sasori glanced over to Daisuke and poked the boy in the cheek lightly.
"You're parents are crazy," he stated, drawing the brunets attention. Daisuke only beamed a smile in response, clapping his hands. Lauren and Deidara laughed. Sasori shook his head, but couldn't help himself from grinning.
Lauren and Deidara were his first two brats—and they were a challenge on their own. Then Daisuke came along and he'd gained another brat to take care of. And now a fourth?
Damn, what had he gotten himself into, befriending these two?
"Yo!" Kakashi greeted, raising a hand in greeting as Lauren strolled up. She beamed a smile at him in return, ignoring the cold wind that pushed against them both. However, even if she'd ignored it her nose hadn't and instantly she was wracked with a sneeze, her hair flipping forward at the action. Kakashi only chuckled and pulled back the curtain to the restaurant as Lauren glanced up at him, checks flushed in embarrassment.
"Shall we go in then?"
Rolling her eyes, Lauren slid through the open door, Kakashi following in after her. A waitress greeted them immediately and led the two to a table.
This was their usual restaurant. Once a month they made plans to meet, and for convinces sake they made it the same day every month—the second Tuesday, to be exact. And here they were, November 13th, the second Tuesday of the month, back in the same both they always had.
Of course, Kakashi was busy with missions constantly (and Lauren had accepted a few herself since the birth of Daisuke, but let's face it, he was the highly requested copy ninja and she was a new mom), so he'd had to cancel once or twice—but luckily this time things had played out.
"So," Kakashi stated, his singular eye scanning over the menu positioned in front of him. "How's life?"
Lauren snorted. "I should be asking you that mister. I heard you just got back from a 3 week long mission a couple days ago—how'd it go?"
Kakashi leaned back, slinging his arm across the back of his seat.
"Oh, you know," he said with a sigh, waving his hand in the air nonchalantly. "Rouge forces in Grass. With Orochimaru gone they've had a lot of problems, but it's working out. We took care of the threat."
Lauren nodded considerately. "That's good." Her eyes then darkened slightly, getting serious. "Any word on Kabuto or Tobi then?"
Kakashi shook his head, picking up his menu once again. "None that I've heard—not since the chunnin exams, at least."
Lauren grunted.
That's right; Itachi had eventually spoken to Tsunade about Tobi's presence at the chunnin exams (or lack of one, considering he'd never actually been seen by anyone). Luckily, Lauren's word was trusted by the Hokage however, and she had taken note of the masked man's presence, but had kept most information in the dark (save for a few people like Kakashi) considering her life had/still was at stake.
"But enough about that," Kakashi said, interrupting her thoughts. He glanced up at her, eye crinkling in amusement. "I thought I asked how your life was going."
Lauren breathed a laugh.
"Just fine, Uncle Kakashi," she said teasingly, shooting him a grin. Kakashi rolled his showing eye.
"Speaking of which, you should stop by and see your godson once and a while," she said, pausing to take a sip from her water. Kakashi sighed.
"I will when I get the chance. You know how busy I've been lately."
Lauren nodded considerately, noting that a waitress was heading their way.
"I know—just putting it in your head."
"Hello!" the waitress suddenly greeted cheerily, stepping up in front of their table. "Are you two ready to order?"
"Yes," Kakashi confirmed with a polite smile. He then proceeded to tell the waitress his typical order, and Lauren did the same.
"Is that all for you?" The waitress questioned once she had finished scribbling their orders down. Kakashi glanced over to Lauren.
"You wanna split a bottle of sake?"
Lauren blinked, and then blushed slightly.
"Sorry," she said and forced a smile, glancing at their waitress. "I can't."
"Alright," the woman replied with a smile and then started to walk away. "Your food should be out shortly!"
A couple seconds later the waitress was gone, and Lauren chanced a glance over at Kakashi.
He wasn't stupid—he should've been able to deduce why she'd turn down sharing alcohol with him—especially when it was a usual part of their routine.
And what she found wasn't disappointing. Kakashi was staring at her with widened eyes, his jaw slack beneath his mask.
For a solid minute he simply stared at her, eyes calculating, before sighed, leaning his head into the palm of his hand.
"I think I need that sake," he mumbled to no one in particular, and Lauren laughed.
"Oh, c'mon sensei!" the brunette responded, not able to help the wide smile on her face. "It's not bad or anything!"
"No, it's not bad at all," he admitted, glancing up at her. "And I'm happy for you—so congratulations—but this is supposed to be your prime, you know? You just turned 21 a couple months ago, now you've got your second kid on the way."
Lauren raised an eyebrow. "What the hell are you talking about 'prime'? You're fucking 35 or whatever and you've been in your prime since you were 12! And besides that, it's not exactly uncommon for girls to start having kids this early."
"Hey," Kakashi butted in, holding his hands up. "I'm not 35—"
"—Not yet—"
"—and I understand that for someone your age it's not uncommon to be starting a family, but I am saying it's uncommon for someone in the shinobi field."
"Point taken," Lauren shrugged. "However, you must realize by now that we inhabitants of the Uchiha district aren't exactly 'common' or 'normal'."
Kakashi chuckled. "Oh yes, I've realized." He paused taking a sip of his water. "And I am happy for you, really," he continued seriously. "Besides, you all have a good set-up over there. I'm not worried about more kids running around."
Lauren laughed. "Glad you think so."
And then Kakashi smiled, his eyes crinkling once again. He truly was happy for Lauren. And besides, she'd been mature since the moment he'd met her when she was 16. He had no doubt she'd be able to handle whatever was thrown at her—be that shurikin and kunai, or babies.
"Push!"
"What the hell do you think I'm doing?!" Lauren shot back, sweat beading to her brow and anywhere else possible.
Had the girl not been in labor Tsunade would've smacked her. However, the Hokage understood why the girl was upset—she'd been too relaxed coming into this pregnancy after the first one. And because of this Lauren had somehow slipped into labor without even a drop of pain medication to help her out.
While Tsunade had never felt the pain herself, she could only imagine how Lauren felt right now.
"C'mon!" one of the nurses ushered, squeezing Lauren's ankle. "A couple more pushes and it'll be over!"
"Fuck!" Lauren cursed, but took a deep breath. Deidara swore the hand he had entwined with hers was being broken because she was gripping it so hard. However, to everyone's relief, three pushes later the baby was out. The crying was instantaneous, but the sound was gracious all the same.
"I'll go and get you some pain medication," Tsunade told Lauren with a smile, placing her hand gently on the girls forearm. Lauren weakly smiled in reply, looking completely exhausted.
"Now I know how Tess felt," she mumbled breathlessly once the Hokage was gone, and from beside her Deidara laughed. He leaned down and kissed her temple just as a nurse scurried over, a tiny bundle in her arms.
"Here you are, Mrs. Uchiha," she said, carefully passing the bundle onto Lauren. "Your baby girl."
Silently Lauren smiled, peeling back the top of the blanket. The girl was already sleeping.
"Well, at first I thought you'd be loud like your brother, but apparently I was wrong," she teased, and from beside her Deidara grinned.
"She's got my hair, yeah."
"Well, maybe not as vibrant," Lauren mumbled. "It looks more like a strawberry blonde…"
"Whatever, yeah," Deidara scoffed, grinning, and Lauren looked up at him. With happiness radiating off the two, they kissed briefly, pausing when the girl in Lauren's arm suddenly yawned, cracking her eyes open.
"She's got my eyes though," Lauren observed in amusement, noting the green orbs hidden beneath the girls lashes. She suddenly looked up to Deidara once again. "Any name idea."
"Hmm," the blonde contemplated. "How does Nanami sound, yeah?"
Lauren smiled fondly. "I like it."
Deidara grinned. "Well then, Nanami Uchiha," he leaned down, skimming his nose against his daughters soft forehead. "As of today, August 2nd—welcome to the family."
"Mom! We're gonna be late!"
"Daisuke, we're fine," Lauren assured him from the top of the stairs. "Their house is just up the road—we won't be late."
Two-and-a-half year old Daisuke Uchiha puffed his chest out defiantly.
"But it's Aunt Taylor's birthday!"
"I know it is, honey!" Lauren replied, struggling to slip her pants on. She was still in her room upstairs, yelling down to her son. Deidara was down the hall in Nanami's room, hopefully getting her ready to leave as well.
"Aunt Taylor isn't gonna be mad at us—I promise!"
Daisuke was skeptical.
"How do you know, though?"
Lauren popped her head out of the doorway, glancing down the staircase to where her son was positioned at the bottom.
"Mommy and Aunt Tay have been best friends since the earth was cooling," Lauren replied, trying her best to pull an unamused face. Daisuke laughed.
"Mom!" he giggled "You're not that old!"
Lauren only laughed in reply, pausing when Deidara appeared in the doorway, Nanami in his arms.
"Ready, un?" he questioned, and Lauren nodded.
"Yeah!"
So with that, all four traveled to the landing, slipped their shoes and coats on, and trekked up the road towards Taylor and Itachi' house.
It was January 3rd, Taylor's 23rd birthday, and Itachi and she were holding a get-together to celebrate.
"Uncle Sasuke!" Daisuke suddenly yelled, and sure enough, directly across from them Sasuke was exiting his house.
"Hey," he greeted coolly, a small smile on his face, and Daisuke immediately ran up and hugged his leg.
"Walk with us!" the boy exclaimed happily, and Sasuke complied, shooting Lauren an amused look. His sister only snickered, shrugging in reply as they all continued up the path together.
Soon enough the five were back inside again, standing on Taylor and Itachi's landing and discarding their shoes and coats.
"Hey!" Taylor suddenly shouted and appeared out of nowhere, hugging them all.
"Hey!" Lauren replied. "Happy birthday!"
"Thanks!"
And so, many greetings happened. Per usual all the inhabitants of the Uchiha district were present, as well as all of team seven (because Sasuke and Naruto were her brother/brother-in-law, and she loved Kakashi and Sakura anyway, so).
Daisuke, Haruka and Emi all split off to do their own thing (whatever it was two year old did together), and so the adults conversed, Lauren or Deidara occasionally having to step out to take care of Nanami.
The group proceeded to chat and have fun for a while, only pausing when dinner was served. Because when Taylor cooked you couldn't afford to speak, or your food would get stolen if you weren't eating it. Also, dinner was a great time for announcements, if anyone wanted to say anything, so Taylor took her chance in the midst of it all and stood, catching everyone's attention.
"Everyone," she spoke, "I really appreciate you all coming here to celebrate my 23rd birthday with me today, but this isn't' the only announcement I have."
Taylor paused for dramatic effect, and smiled.
"I'm not only 23, but also pregnant."
Naruto started choking immediately, but thankfully Sakura was sitting beside him, and helped him out.
"Again!?" the blond questioned once he had regained the ability to speak, and Taylor laughed.
"Yes, again!"
"Woo!" Lauren cheered, the first to start clapping, and the others quickly followed suit. Once all the noise had died down Tess scoffed.
"You're both crazy," she declared, her face holding a huge grin. Lauren and Taylor grinned back, already knowing what was coming.
"I am good with one," Tess finished determinedly, placing her hand atop Haruka's red head. The boy blinked, and everyone else laughed.
Tess and Hidan had made it very clear at this point that they were completely fine with one kid, and after Lauren's last pregnancy experience she was sure she'd be good with simply two as well. But…Itachi? Taylor was pregnant again…and the Uchiha clan needed to be revived so…
Lauren laughed. She was sure Taylor would eventually draw the line somewhere. She didn't need an army of Uchiha children to take care of.
HEYYYYYYYYYYYY. We're staring to get into time skips!
Because who wants to read about babies and poopy diapers forever, am I right? Well establish the families and then hopefully move into some excitement.
But, anywho, it's almost 11 and I need to be up for school at 6, so I think I'll make this AN fairly brief.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed last time and said they still enjoy my stories! I appreciate it, and will continue writing. I understand why some the views this story arch has getting has declined, but it's good to know there are some of you still out there!
Anyway, I started my final trimester two days ago, and I think it'll go pretty well, so that's good! I would go into it more, but like I said, the bed behind me is super tempting right now, so yeah.
Also, currently working on some Outtake chapters. I'm working on two at the same time actually, in-between everything else, so it's challenging, but whatever. There's one T and one M rated one, if anyone cares.
Also (again), I recently updated my profile page! It's got a new layout, which included more about me as a person (in case anyone was wondering), and also possible fanfiction ideas I may eventually write! So if you want, go check it out.
Well, I think that's all I really needed to say. See you guys around!
Please Review!