As promised, here's the new chapter, I hope you all enjoy. Please review! Happy New Year everyone! I'll come back with another chapter in January. Don't forget to review. I want to know your opinion on this story.

Chapter 20: Insecurities
Sora stood shocked at the phone on her hands. From his position, Yamato could see tears forming in her eyes, threatening to fall at any second. He got frozen where he was standing. He knew he was screwed.
"Sor…" It was all he managed to say.
"Were you lying to me all this time?" She accused him as she turned around. Hurt was written all over her face. "You said you weren't going."
"I did, and I told them. But they kept on insisting. They won me over."
"How long has this been going on?" Sora asked as calmly as she could.
"It never stopped." He admitted, looking down in embarrassment.
"Three months?!" She nearly shouted. "And you didn't bother to tell me they were persuading you?"
"I was afraid of your reaction." Yamato couldn't look at her eyes. "We were getting back together and had just found out we were expecting. I didn't know how to tell you without hurting you. I knew how insecure you were about this."
"Yes, I was! God knows how much I struggled last time. I told you I didn't want this baby if I were to raise it alone and you promised me you would be here. I can't handle three babies, Yama. I can't."
Sora sat down on the couch and covered her face with her hands. She stopped fighting the tears, and the sobs came along with them. Yamato stood by the sofa, debating whether to comfort her or not.
"Sor…"
"Can't I ever believe you, Yamato? You keep leading me on with your promises and I can never know when you are being honest."
"I was being honest when I said I want to stay." He sat beside her. "But you know this is what I've always wanted to be."
"That's the difference!" She exploded, slapping her hands on her legs and standing up. "I wouldn't and couldn't be a year away from my family."
"It's my job!" He also stood up, losing his temper. "It's how I provide for our family. Why can't you still understand that?"
"You don't understand my pain! You don't understand my insecurities. You have no idea how hard it is to live day by day wondering how you are or when you'll be coming back. I have to worry for me and the kids."
"Sora."
"I… I…" She ran her hands through her hair. "I have to take some air."
"But it's raining."
"It doesn't matter. It's gonna help me think." She grabbed her keys and left.
"Sora!" Yamato ran after her. "Can we solve this like adults for once?"
"Not now." She turned around. "I need to think. Don't wait for me."
The blonde closed the door and leaned against it. He had his eyes closed and sighed deeply. When he opened his eyes, he saw Aiko standing in front of him.
"What did you do this time?"
"I promised your mother something I couldn't keep and she found out."
"So what are you waiting for? Go after her!"
"Not now, sweetie." He walked past her. "She needs some time on her own."
"Are you kidding me?" She turned around, yelling. "Our lives turned into a complete hell after you came back."
"Hey, watch it, Aiko!" He walked to her. "You can not talk to me like that! I'm your father. You can't curse either."
"Why? You do it all the time."
"Hey!"
"Dad." Kouji entered the kitchen with teary eyes.
Yamato ran to him and picked him up. He then turned to his daughter again. "Look at what you did."
"You did this." She said bitterly. "That's why mom ran away like that. You've hurt her feelings… again."
The eight year girl made her way to her bedroom.
"Aiko, come back here. We're not done!"
"I am." She said before slamming the door.

*****
Sora entered the flooded park. She was soaked but didn't seem to mind. She got closer to a swing and sat down. She slowly started balancing it when someone caught her attention.
"Who's there?"
"Sora?"
"Taichi, what are you doing here?"
"I was making my way back to my house. Why are you standing in this storm? What happened?"
"I just needed some time." She looked away, smiling weakly. "Yamato and I used to bring Aiko and Kouji here when they were babies."
"Sora… did you and Yamato fight again?"
The auburn woman bit her lower lip. It was enough for her best friend to understand. He sighed and headed towards her. He closed his umbrella and sat in the swing beside hers. Sora's eyes were widened.
"Why did you do that? You're gonna catch a cold!"
"I can say the same for you." He said with a smile. "You need me. If getting sick is the price to pay for supporting you, so be it."
"Taichi." She said amazedly.
"Now, are you going to tell me or will I have to tackle you into it?"
Sora giggled a little. "No, I… have you ever felt like you don't know the person you're supposed to spend the rest of your life with?"
"Why are you saying that? Do you feel like you don't know Yamato?"
"Sometimes I think I don't."
"Sora." The ambassador said rather serious, looking intently into her eyes. "What's going on? You shouldn't feel like that after all these years. What did Yamato do?"
"I answered a call on his phone. He asked me to, by the way." She added quickly, before Taichi jumped into conclusions. "It was from the Japanese Air Force."
"So…?"
"You remember he was asked to be in another mission a while ago?" The stylist looked at him, who nodded. "I found out they were persuading him and he was considering going."
"It's a great thing, Sora. You know how much he loves it."
"But you remember what happened last time?" She bit her lower lip, holding back the tears. "I found out I was pregnant and he missed the whole thing."
"Are you afraid the story will repeat?"
"It already is." Sora said in a low tone.
"What do you mean?"
"I'm pregnant, Taichi. And Yamato might be leaving again." She placed her hands over her face, crying desperately. "I don't know what to do."
"I thought you two were already past that."
"I thought so too."
"Sora, I'm gonna be totally honest here." He looked in her eyes. "Stop being so dependent on Yamato. I get that he's everything for you and you have a beautiful family, but sometimes I think you don't realize you stand in his way."
"What?"
"You know better than everyone how much these missions mean to him. Your fear and insecurities stop him from doing something he loves.
"It's easy for you to say. You don't have to live with the fact Akiko is going away for a year."
"True, but you were so supportive of him in the beginning. What happened in the mean time?"
"Four children." Sora said harshly. "There's a difference between his last trip and this one. I don't think I can handle so many kids at the same time."
Taichi put a hand on her shoulder, reassuring her of what she already knew.
"Where's the girl who refused to give up for worse things? You don't have to carry this burden alone. I'm here for you. We all are."
"Taichi."
"I doubt your and Yamato's mothers would let you do everything alone. They love you. Of course, who wouldn't want to have you as a daughter and a in-law? Hell, I wouldn't be part of who I am today if it wasn't for you. You changed everyone's lives and don't even notice it."
"You really think so?"
"Absolutely." He said loudly and then lowered his tone. "Why are you so afraid of letting Yamato accept this mission?"
"I don't want to lose him." She confessed. "I grew up without a father figure for most of childhood and adolescence." She sighed deeply and continued. "I don't want my children to go through the same. The babies and maybe Kouji are too young to understand that, but Akiko isn't. I was her age when I saw my father for the first time after five years. I never told you that, did I?"
"No, you didn't." He replied visibly surprised. "But Sora, you can't compare your father to Yamato. You know he's a great husband and father. He tries his best, not your best. You need to stop hoping he will fulfill your expectations."
"But how will I do that?" She asked desperately. "Deep down everything you said is true. I shouldn't expect him to act the way I would. And I know I'm holding him back and stopping him from pursuing his dream. I was supposed to be the one encouraging him to go for it, that we would be fine and waiting for him. Instead, I cry for days when he leaves."
"So you grew dependent on him. Way too dependent if you ask me. I'm sorry." He quickly apologized when he saw the look on her face. "The question is why? You knew about his dream when we were teens, so you had plenty of time to get used to it."
"One thing is dreaming, achieving is a different one. I thought I was gonna be either a soccer or a tennis player, but look where I am now. I'm a kimono designer."
"But you are happy, aren't you?"
Sora shrugged. "I think I got lost somewhere. This isn't the real me. I don't think I can find myself."
"What are you talking about? Your real self is right inside you. You just have to stop being anxious and worried and she will come out."
"I can't do this, Taichi." She looked down to hide her falling tears. "Not without Yamato."
"Hey, hey, hey." Taichi got closer and embraced her tight. "Of course you can do it. You don't need Yamato for this. You are stronger than you think, Sora. Do not doubt yourself for even a second. I believe that fierce girl I've known since I was five is still there somewhere, waiting to be found again."
Sora rested her head on his chest and cried like a child. He didn't say anything else, just rubbed her back softly until she calmed down.

*****
Takeru burst the door open and rushed to the living room.
"What the hell happened?" He shouted, causing Yamato to jump from his seat.
"I ask the same. What's going on here?"
"Aiko called me. She was desperate and asked my help."
"What?" the older blonde went to her bedroom. "Aiko, come here now!"
"No!" She replied from the inside.
"You called your uncle?"
"I had to do something for mom since you didn't."
"Why? What happened to Sora?" Takeru inquired.
"We just had a fight, nothing serious." Yamato shook it off.
"Nothing serious? Mom stormed out during the rain."
"What?" The writer looked at his brother. "I want to know what happened."
"Sora found out the Japanese Air Force has been trying to convince me to join the next mission."
"What? How did she find out? I thought you said you weren't going."
"I did. She found out because I asked her to answer the call for me. I had no idea it'd be from the Japanese Air Force."
"Where is she now?"
"I have no idea." Yamato looked down, visibly embarrassed. "She said she needed some time alone and hasn't come back since."
"Why didn't you go after her? Unless you are considering doing it." Takeru faced his brother. The answer was right in his eyes. "I can not believe this! Sora must be devastated."
"How come no one see my side here? Everyone defends her!"
"Yamato, we all understand you. Everybody has dreams. It's just…" Takeru paused, trying to think what to say. "You haven't seen her last year. She was a mess. She had to close her store and stop working for a few months to take care of the babies because she couldn't find anyone to help her."
"What?" Yamato was surprised. "She never told me any of this."
"She didn't want anyone to know. I'm the only one who does."
"Why didn't she ask mom to help her? Or her mother?"
"I suggested that. She thought they had their own lives and didn't want to bother them. I helped her whenever I could, so did Taichi, Mimi and Hikari."
The astronaut sat down on a chair, burying his head on his hands.
"I feel awful now." He admitted. "She said I would miss the moment she delivers, the baby's first words and steps and it's true. But it's so amazing to be out there, you know? To see the earth from outside and explore other planets. I don't know what I should do."
"It's time to figure out what really matters to you." Takeru said simply.
"That's the thing. Both of them mean everything to me."
"Well, you can't have both. So you need to figure out the one you can't live without: your wife and family or your job. Which one makes you the happiest?"
"I don't know, alright?" Yamato said frustrated. "Sora and I became close friends because we share the same background. It's only normal it eventually became love. And being an astronaut is something that came along around the same time we started dating. For me it's hard to separate them. She used to be so supportive at first, I don't know what happened."
"You don't know? Seriously?" Takeru raised an eyebrow. "You started a family! You have more kids than a bunny. It's unfair to let all responsibility on her shoulder."
"Hey, I accept my responsibility!" The astronaut stood up, fists closed ready to punch his brother. "I think I'm a pretty good father."
"You really don't get it, do you? It's not just about responsibility, it's about everything else. It's about missing the first years of your child's life. These things won't come back."
"I know, Takeru. I have plenty of experience. This isn't my first child."
"It shocks me how you can stay so calm about it."
"I'm not calm, I'm freaking out. I have an important decision to make and I don't know what to do. Whatever I decide, I lose something."
"No one is telling you to give up your dreams, Yamato. I'm sure Sora wouldn't want you to. You can still work at the Japanese Air Force, but not going to space that much anymore."
"So you're saying I should ask for an internal job?"
"It's the only way not to lose something."
Yamato seemed to contemplate Takeru's suggestion for a moment.

*****
Sora let go of Taichi and laughed nervously.
"I'm so selfish! You're supposed to find a way to get Akiko back and you're here with me. I'm so sorry!"
"No, it's okay." He put a hand on her shoulder. "Like I said, you needed me. It wouldn't hurt me to stop for a moment and help my best friend."
"Taichi."
"I love you, Sora. I really hope you and Yamato work things out. It would be a shame if you didn't. Anyway..." He smiled. "You can always count on me no matter what, even if it's to knock some sense into Yamato's head."
"Thank you." Sora smiled softly. "It means a lot to me. The same goes for you, by the way."
"I hope he won't be fool enough to let you go. There are plenty of men who would kill for you."
Sora blushed heavily. Taichi was way too sincere sometimes.
"I don't think that's entirely true."
"Oh it is."
"Okay, even so… I couldn't look for another man. Yamato is the only one for me. Sometimes it sucks, I wish I could have dated other guys."
"You're luck you found you true love so fast."
"It's strange to think about it, isn't it? When we first went to the Digital World I had no idea I would find the man I was going to marry. Well, I didn't think I would get married at all."
"I know what you mean." Taichi placed his hands behind his head. "I wouldn't have dated Mimi and met Akiko afterwards."
"It's crazy how much our lives have changed." Sora sighed. "Everything was so much simpler when we were younger."
"But I wouldn't want to be a child or a teen forever." The ambassador looked up to the sky. "I like where I am right now. Well, sort of."
"I'm sorry about you and Akiko."
"Don't worry, I had it coming. I just wish I wasn't that naïve."
"You weren't naïve." The stylist reassured her best friend. "Maybe it wasn't exactly Mimi's fault either. She was under a lot of stress because of the miscarriage. It doesn't excuse her though."
"Yeah."
"I just feel bad for everyone who got hurt in the process, direct or indirectly."
"I will make things right, Sora. I promise." He sighed deeply. "I don't know how Yamato can do it… being away from your child is the worst feeling ever."
"Even worse than losing a soccer championship?" Sora mocked.
"Shut up!" Taichi said laughing.
"I'm so glad we can talk about serious things and then laugh at silly jokes. I value our friendship so much. If you and Koushiro hadn't gone to the camp, things would be way harder for me. Friendship wise, I mean."
"Is that it?" He asked with a mischievous look on his face, causing her to blush. "You'd have trouble making friends, but not finding a boyfriend?"
"Yamato and I weren't together back then. We were eleven!"
"On a side note, the same goes for you. I'm beyond thankful for our friendship and the fact you supported me during our adventures in the Digital World. You, Yamato and Koushiro always understood me and had my back. Nothing can beat that."
"True, but I still don't forgive you all for not telling me about Agumon being controlled by the Digimon Emperor and the trip to help the new generation defeat him."
"In our defense, the trip was just for the guys. That Jun was ridiculous. I hate fangirls, I don't know how Yamato pulled up with them. And as for Agumon's incident… it all happened so fast. I wish you could be there as well."
"Koushiro had time to call Yamato. He could have called me as well."
"Don't blame him. We didn't forget you, Sora. Please don't be upset."
"I'm not, I promise." She smiled. "As long as you never leave me out again."
"It's a deal."
"I should probably go home, but I don't feel like being around Yamato right now."
"Sora, you need to talk to him about this. He's your husband, the person who's supposed to be there for you no matter what."
"I know that." She sighed as they walked out of the park. "But I haven't been exactly the perfect wife ever, so I can't really ask him to support me."
"You have to trust him." Taichi raised his hand when Sora tried to object. "I mean really trust him. Stop worrying excessively when he goes away and just enjoy what you two built together. You know he always comes back to you."
The two friends stood in the sidewalk, waiting for the green sign.
"I'm afraid he will come back one day and tell me he doesn't love me anymore."
"He won't do that. If he does, then he's an idiot. He would be pretty much dead to all of us."
Sora stepped into the zebra cross when the green light appeared, but a car sped towards her. Taichi didn't have time to pull her back and she got hit by the car.
"Sora!" He screwed as he rushed to her.

*****
"So what do you say?" Takeru asked. "It's a pretty tempting offer, isn't it?"
"Yeah." Yamato replied automatically. "That would solve my current problems."
"Then why don't you suggest this to them?"
"Because I love travelling to other planets, Takeru. Only those who got to do that know the feeling."
"So you would prefer losing the love of your life over this feeling?"
Yamato opened his mouth to reply but was interrupted by his phone ringing.
"Hello?" He paused. "What do you mean Sora had an accident?!"