Chapter Twenty-One

Mum? Aomine looked from Kise to Hiroshi then to the woman sat on the couch. Even though he had never met her before, there was no mistaking it. With hair the colour of sunflowers, skin as pale as porcelain and eyes the colour of liquid gold, there was no doubt that she was Kise's mother.

"Mum? What're you doing here?"

"Your dad called. Told me there was something I should know."

Her eyes briefly flickered to Kise's abdomen before returning to her son's bewildered expression.

"When?" he asked, this time the question directed at Hiroshi.

"Saturday" he answered.

"Saturday?"

Kise looked again from his father to his mother, still trying his best to comprehend the situation.

"Why don't you sit down and we can talk" suggested Misaki.

Kise didn't know what to do or say. His mind was going into overdrive and wasn't allowing him to think straight.

"I can't do this" he said, one hand placed firmly on his abdomen. He was starting to feel sick and wanted to be as far away from there as possible.

"Kise?" asked a concerned Aomine.

"Ryouta?" said Hiroshi, getting up from his seat and making his way towards his pale looking son, "why don't you sit down and-"

"No…sorry but… I need to get out of here" and without looking back, Kise turned and walked out of the living room.

Aomine glanced apologetically at Hiroshi and Misaki before bowing and following suit.

Once he heard the front door close behind them, Hiroshi turned to the blonde woman and said, "well that went well. Coffee?" Misaki nodded and the pair made their way into the kitchen.

"Kise! Kise! Would you slow down! Hey!" Aomine sped up and planted himself firmly in front of his boyfriend, "hey, are you ok?" he asked.

Kise was pale and his breathing was heavy.

"Talk to me" Aomine urged, placing both hands on Kise's shoulders, "tell me what you need."

Kise's reply was slow and haggard as he tried to catch his breath, "I think…I just need to sit down."

"Sit down? Ok. Got it. Come on, I know the perfect place."

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"You still take it black right?"

"Yeah"

Like mother like son, thought Hiroshi as he located the jar of coffee behind several boxes of cereal.

"He looks healthy" Misaki pointed out as Hiroshi began spooning heaps of coffee into their cups.

"He is. It's been a pretty rough three months though. For about a month he couldn't keep anything down but things seem to be calming down now." Hiroshi walked over to the kitchen table and handed Misaki her cup of coffee. "We still have to keep the coffee hidden though" he explained, sitting down opposite her, "Ryouta has to only so much as smell the stuff and he turns as pale as a sheet. Which works out for the best I guess as he wouldn't have been able to drink it anyway."

"Yeah. Remember when I was pregnant and I couldn't stand to be around milk? And I got so scared because I'd read that drinking milk whilst pregnant would make your baby smarter?"

Hiroshi smiled at the memory, "yeah I do remember that. And what was it you added to it?"

"Ginger" Misaki replied, "worked like a dream. Stopped the queasiness every time."

"You'll have to tell him that. I'm sure he'd appreciate any pointers."

"Oh I don't know. I'm pretty sure I'm the last person he wants to talk to about this stuff."

"That's not true Misaki" said Hiroshi, noting the sad expression on the blonde woman's face.

"Then why didn't he tell me?" she asked.

Hiroshi sighed, "I don't know. But I'm sure he has his reasons."

"You know it puts the whole thing into perspective really doesn't it?" said Misaki, "it happens to you and you watch it happen to the people around you, but you never once think that it'd happen to your own child. Because surely you taught them better than that. And when it does happen…it's pretty damn disappointing. Guess it makes you appreciate what we put our own parents through huh?"

"We put our parents through hell. Ryouta isn't like us. He's a good kid. They both are. They just made a mistake."

"No Hiroshi, being late for work is a mistake. Forgetting to pay your electricity bill is a mistake. But getting pregnant at 17 when you have your whole life ahead of you is just…irresponsible."

"You're right. It is irresponsible. And we can continue to play the role of the disappointed parent for as long as we want but that is not what our son needs right now. He needs us to be there for him and to support him as he goes through this."

"I know that" said Misaki, "but it scares me to think about what exactly it is he might have to go through. The world is a tough place Hiroshi. I just don't want anything to happen to him."

Hiroshi leaned forward, placed one hand on top of Misaki's and squose it gently.

"I know. I don't either."

Misaki looked at the man sat opposite her. He hadn't changed much over the years, the only sign of his aging being the thinning of his brown hair and the appearance of a few grey ones. However despite his calm exterior, Misaki caught a glimpse of fear behind those dark blue eyes. She squose his hand in response and asked, "when do you think he'll be back?"

"I don't know. Once he's calmed down."

Misaki nodded, "would it be ok if I waited for him?"

"Of course"

"Thankyou"

The room went quiet and the pair drank the rest of their coffee in silence.

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"You feeling better?" asked Aomine.

"Yeah" said Kise, "I'm sorry I completely freaked out. I had no idea she was coming. It kind of threw me through a loop."

The two boys were sat side by side, leaning against the meshy fence of the outdoor basketball court. They had been sat there for 10 minutes and the colour had already returned to Kise's cheeks.

"Look," said Aomine, "I know my timing is probably whacked as always, but can I ask you a question?"

"Sure"

"Why didn't you want to tell your mum about the baby?"

Kise waited a moment before answering.

"I was going to tell her. Eventually. I guess I was just stalling."

"Why?"

Kise sighed,"I guess a part of me didn't want to disappoint her. My parents were 18 when I was born. And I'm pretty sure that they didn't want the same thing to happen to me. I know I wouldn't if it was my child."

Aomine didn't say anything and waited for Kise to continue.

"And I guess I also didn't want to make her feel tied down."

"Tied down?"

Kise nodded, "yeah. My mother has always been a bit of a free spirit. Can never really stay in one place for too long. That's why she's always travelling for long periods of time. She left us because she felt suffocated and I didn't want her to feel obligated to stay in a place she hates because her son got pregnant. I know this may sound selfish but I refuse to let my child watch as their grandmother walks out of their life because she got bored."

Aomine responded by wrapping an arm around his boyfriend and squeezing tight.

"It's not being selfish" and after a brief silence he added, "so what do you want to do now?"

Kise thought about it for a moment, "I don't know. But I don't think I'm ready to go back home just yet."

"Then what about my place? I can bribe Haruko into getting us some takeout on her way home from work?"

"Ok" nodded the blonde, "sounds great."

"Great!" exclaimed the bluenette as he stood up, held out a hand to his boyfriend and pulled him to his feet.

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"Alright-y, who wants chicken?" announced the blue haired girl as she walked into her apartment, arms laden with various shaped boxes, each one omitting a rather welcoming and tasty aroma.

"We do" said Aomine who practically jumped off the couch at the sight of his sister bringing home dinner.

"Figured you might" joked Haruko as she set the boxes onto the kitchen table and began to explain their content, "ok…we have wings, fillet, breast and legs. And because one of us here is pregnant and should be eating something other than fried food, we have…" Kise and Aomine watched as Haruko reached into a paper bag and pulled out a large tub of salad.

"He's not a rabbit Haruko" said Aomine.

"I know he's not" replied the older bluenette,"however he is carrying my future niece or nephew and from what I've heard he's already started to eat like you, so someone has to make sure they both get something healthy."

Aomine rolled his eyes and Kise laughed, "thanks Haruko"

"No problem cutie. Now shall we?"

And with that, the three of them sat down and began to dig in.

Three hours and three buckets of chicken later, Aomine walked Kise home. After saying goodnight, Kise unlocked his front door, hung up his coat and removed his shoes, before making his way into the living room. He found his mum sat on the couch watching TV, feet tucked underneath her, a cup of black coffee in between her palms.

"Ryouta!" she started, as her son walked into the room. She leaned forward, placed her cup on the table in front of her and switched off the TV.

"Hey mum" said Kise, "is dad at work?"

"Yeah, he left about an hour ago. Is everything ok?"

"Yeah everything's fine. I'm sorry about before."

"It's ok" reassured Misaki, "believe me I understand. After your grandparents found out I was pregnant, I didn't go home for three days. Drove them insane with worry. I'm just glad you're home."

"Where did you go?" inquired a curious Kise.

"Your dads" Misaki smiled, warmly.

Silence filled the air as Kise tried to imagine a time when his parents were happy together. He had, after all spent most of his childhood watching their marriage fall spectacularly apart around him.

"Do you want something to drink?" offered Misaki, "I can make tea and we can sit down and talk?"

Kise nodded, "yeah sure, sounds great."

Misaki smiled and headed into the kitchen. Kise moved towards the couch and sat down, sighing as he went. He then placed one hand on his slightly swollen abdomen and began to rub, gently.

Five minutes later his mother entered the room carrying two cups of tea.

"You still take it black right?" she asked.

"Yeah" Kise replied as he took the tea from his mum, "thanks."

"So your dad told me you're almost into your second trimester"said Misaki as she lowered herself onto the couch next to him.

Kise nodded, "I have my first ultrasound next week."

"Oh really? That's wonderful."

Kise smiled and nodded. The room was then filled with more silence.

"Ryouta-"

"Look mum…oh sorry you go first."

"Well before I start I would like you to do something for me if that's ok?"

"Ok…"

"Please don't be angry with your dad. It was my idea to come here. He was just doing the right thing."

Kise looked surprised for a moment before saying, "I'm not angry at him. Not anymore. I was just surprised that's all. I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"Why didn't you?" Misaki asked, softly.

"I don't know. I guess I didn't want to dissappoint you."

"Oh Ryouta, there is nothing you could do that would ever dissappoint me. Ok, granted I wasn't expecting to become a grandmother any time soon…" Misaki waited a moment before continuing, "however, having said that, I know you. And I know what it's like to be in your position. And it isn't easy. I just want to make sure that you know exactly what it is you're getting yourself into. There are huge responsibilities that come with being a parent. You are responsible for someone's life. And you are responsible for that life for the next 20 years. It will be your job to make sure they get everything they need. To love them and protect them. To put your needs last."

"I know that" said Kise,"and I know it's not going to be easy. But I've made my choice and I'm not turning back now."

Misaki let out a long deep sigh. She could tell just by looking into her son's eyes that he meant every word, "then I guess there's nothing really left to say is there? Except that you have my support. I am going to help you through this in anyway I can."

Kise smiled, "thankyou."

They spent the rest of the evening talking, with the occasional break being either for the toilet or the desire to put the kettle on. Misaki listened as Kise filled her in on everything that had happened over the past two months and she in turn offered useful advice on how to deal with morning sickness and arsehole teachers.

By 10 o'clock Kise was ready for bed.

"Sorry, I can't seem to stay awake past nine these days. What time's your plane tomorrow?" he asked, standing up.

"9 o'clock" Misaki replied.

"If you want I can come with you to the airport?"

"I would like that."

"Me too. Good night mum."

"Good night sweetheart."

And with that Kise headed upstairs and into bed, falling asleep the minute his head hit the pillows.

The following morning, Kise and Hiroshi accompanied Misaki to the airport to wave her off. She was leaving with a list of Kise's upcoming appointments and the promise that she would ring once a week for a catch up. After several kisses goodbye (including a few for The Bump), Misaki headed towards her boarding gate. Kise and Hirsoshi watched in silence as she disappeared through the gate and onto the plane.

When she was no longer in sight, Hiroshi placed an arm around his son's shoulders and said, "that wasn't so bad was it?"

"I guess not" Kise smiled and the pair made their way out of the airport and back home.

A/N

Hey everyone! Sorry for the month delay. Stuff has been getting in the way and I wanted to get this chapter right so it took a while. I hope you enjoyed it. I always pictured this being Misaki's reaction. Completely opposite to Emiko's reaction but still rather realistic.

CrimsonRoseShadow- Thankyou deary! Hope you enjoyed this chapter : )

Blank Angel- haha you have a good eye! It's good job you're around or I never would've noticed! Thanks for pointing it out! Just another one of those mistakes that makes its way in there without me realising! Just pretend it is someone else and that all history teachers in japan are boring ; ) Im glad you liked the chapter. I hope you enjoyed this one too : )

Angel yao- Thankyou darling! Glad you liked it : ) I hope you enjoyed this one too : )

Jennypen- Hello! Thankyou for your review! And your advice! I know next to nothing about pregnancy. All my info comes from websites and family experience. My auntie is pregnant with her second child and is under 14 weeks and she says she's peeing constantly. I guess everyone is just different : ) I appreciate any help and advice you can give : ) And im glad you are enjoying it : )

Yummi-cake- why hello there! ; ) glad you're back! thanks again for your wonderful review. I am a huge believer in character development and im glad you are picking up on it : ) Aomine is definitely starting to grow up. Starting to mature. In his eyes, he kind of has to. He has a family now he needs to protect so all those things that mattered before are starting to pale in comparison. Im glad you liked the reactions of the people at school. I want the whole story to be as realistic as possible and im glad people are liking that. Regarding the hate at Aomine's school…..he will receive "hate" but the way Aomine acts and how he carries himself with his devil may care attitude makes it easier for him to let it wash over him and move on. As long as no one says or does anything regarding Kise or his baby then he doesn't care. And because that is how he's been throughout his life, those that know him and have grown up with him know what kind of reaction they'd get. The only thing they really care about is his basketball. But trust me, there will be problems thrown his way. He will be judged and treated differently by some members of society (his parents for one) but in a way people wont be that surprised. Because of his lifestyle before hand. Whereas Kise is different. He is a lot more fragile than Aomine and the hurtful words and whatnot affects him a lot more. Plus he is the pregnant one. For me it is easier to hate on Kise because of that fact. I am sorry if this makes zero sense. Im trying to answer as best as I can haha. The piggy bank thing…no I never had one. Not for school anyway. I got one just to fill up with cash haha. It was just something I thought of. Ive never had a college fund but I hear about it on films and tv so I thought it would be a sweet idea : ) Again, thanks for your review. I hope I helped clarify a few things. Sorry if I didn't! I hope you liked this chapter : )

Sorry again everyone for the late chapter. Im really enjoying writing this story and it's thanks to all the support it is receiving.

Spoilers of things to come….. Kise's first ultrasound : D and the return of everyone's favourite mother ; )

Thanks for all the support you continue to show!

Love to you all!

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