"I am afraid the tests were pretty conclusive. The problems are apparently genetic. As your mother managed to conceive and carry you to term, there is a chance. Unfortunately the odds are not in your favor. We can still try the rounds of in vitro if you are interested. I just don't want to give you false hope." The doctor spoke sympathetically. The young couple looked at each other.

"I want to be a mother." The woman said softly. The doctor nodded and proceeded to make the necessary arrangements.


"I'm back!" Itsuki shouted from the front door. He kicked the door shut then moved to the kitchen. Laying the bags of groceries on the counter, he went back to get the rest from the car. Sumay was already out there loading up on bags. Their eyes met and she gave him a feint smile. The sorrow still present on her face. The second round was unsuccessful. They would have one more chance at in vitro. If it didn't take. He pushed the thoughts from his mind. Max and he had already begun checking out the process of adoption. It was almost impossibly rigorous. The worker had told them the chance of success was miniscule. It would be years before they had the chance to actually get a child. Even with their connections. The fact that Sumay was still listed as a visitor in the country didn't help. The pair put away the food. Sumay disappeared as Itsuki decided to make some popcorn. Going into the living room, he already found her on the couch, nodding off. She hadn't been sleeping well and practically had to be force fed. He sat as gently on the couch as he could, but the motion still woke her. He mumbled an apology. She said nothing, simply changed positions to curl up against him. He put on a random movie, and they watched silently for a few minutes.

"Dr. Borton is going to have a bit of an influx in patients for the next few months. If we are going to try the last round we need to make an appointment soon." Itsuki said softly. He heard his wife sigh gently.

"I'm tired. Can we just take a little break, please?" She asked looking up at him with sad eyes. Pressing a gentle kiss on her forehead, his free arm wrapped tightly around her.

"Of course sweetheart." He answered with a smile. She nodded grateful for the reprieve before laying her head back down on his chest. Thinking for a moment, he thought it was the best time to make his announcement. "Since we are taking a little break anyway, how about we do it in Japan?"

"What?" the word shot past her lips the same moment her head shot up. She looked at him with eyes full of disbelief. They had only been in America three months, half the time they were expected to. Itsuki simply smiled.

"I have a bit of vacation time coming, and Max was thinking about expanding a bit. Japan is one of the strong holds that really took. I thought we could go down and relax for a month or so before we work. Get a bit of R and R. Goodness knows we could use it." He explained. For the first time in months, an actual smile lit up Sumay's face. It was small, but it gave him hope. Going back to her childhood home and father always helped sooth her. With any luck it would work again.


"Welcome back honey." Kazuki said sincerely as he wrapped his daughter up in a bear hug. After a few moments he released her, then wrapped Itsuki up in the same hold. The three loaded their bags into the car and got in. Arriving home, Itsuki took a look around. He loved the house, but there were times he missed his apartment. They decided it wasn't worth the expense to keep the place. They hauled the luggage inside quickly. Kazuki retreated to his room to make a few calls, leaving the couple to their own devices. Itsuki and Sumay took a few of the bags to her old bedroom to put things away. After a bit of arrangement, Sumay decided to take a shower. Itsuki watched as she stripped out of her clothes, turning to hide his reaction. They hadn't been intimate in almost two weeks. She didn't like doing it when her father was in the house because she was afraid of being overheard. Watching her naked form walk to the adjoining bathroom, he really missed his apartment.


"Itsuki." She whimpered as she came. A few more thrusts and he joined his wife. Nestling his face against shoulder, he panted heavily. After a few moments he rolled off and looked at his wife.

"It's been a while." He laughed. She nodded, curling up against him. It took being in Japan a week before she allowed him to intimately touch her.

"Tell me again why we had to go to a hotel?" she asked snuggling against him. Looking around the rented room, he sighed.

"It's just really weird for me, it being your childhood bed and all."

"You did it last time we were back."

"Yes, but not for a bit. It takes me a bit to get used to the idea again."

"Ok. Sounds reasonable."

"It doesn't and you know it."

"I know. It's just I prefer sex over calling you a weirdo." Sumay laughed as she kissed the tip of his nose. They shared a smile. Being back in Japan was definitely helping.

"I booked this room for the whole night. You want another round?"

"Sure. But I don't like being gone so long, dad might worry."

"Sumay, he's a grown man and I am sure he knows what we are doing. I am also pretty sure he's grateful to not be hearing his daughter's moans." The pair looked at each other before bursting into laughter.


"Slow down hon, you're going Godzilla on that fish." Sumay laughed as her husband practically inhaled the pieces of tilapia on his plate. He gave a small blush.

"Sorry, it's just so delicious." He mumbled with embarrassment.

"Don't worry; I had the same reaction to my wife's potato and carrot stew." Kazuki chuckled. Itsuki smiled and returned to his food and Sumay shot her father a grateful look. So many had badgered him on why he would allow his daughter to marry an outsider. Not only did he allow Itsuki, he embraced him and his own family. Sophie, Max, and Itsuki were more than welcomed into their clan. Itsuki was such a sweetheart, so different than the rest of his station. It probably also helped that Itsuki had preferred to take the Rajjin name then force her to change her surname. Kazuki cleared his throat, a way he liked to get everyone's attention. Itsuki stopped for the second time and looked at his father in law curiously.

"Son, you know this dish is rather complicated to make. It takes hours of prep and so much care. And the fact is, Sumay didn't make it just to congratulate you on the successful merger." Kazuki said mysteriously. Sumay shot another look at her father, this time a glare. Itsuki turned to his wife, and tilted his head questioningly. Shooting another annoyed look at her dad, she sighed.

"I was hoping to make a bit more of a celebration out of it, but four months." She said cryptically.

"Four months what?" Itsuki asked. A smile spread on her face.

"That's how far along I am." She unleashed the bombshell. The fork clattered to the table and his jaw fell open. After a few moments Sumay began to squirm. "I didn't say anything earlier because I wasn't sure. The first month I missed my period I just thought it was stress. I got checked out a bit before the third month mark. They said it was likely going to be a miscarriage, but gave the prenatal vitamins anyway. I wanted to wait until the pregnancy was farther along to tell you. In case it didn't work out."

Itsuki stood up from the table. Sumay dropped her eyes to the plate. Maybe she should have filled him in sooner. Surprise filled her when she felt his arms wrap around her. Looking up, she was caught off guard when he pulled her into a deep kiss. After a few moments he pulled his lips away, but kept his arms tight.

"I wouldn't have cared if you told me when you started going into labor." He laughed happily. They were going to be parents.


"Are you sure you're ok?" Itsuki asked again. Sumay rolled her eyes.

"For the hundredth time, I am fine. If you are feeling that jumpy, please go get me a soda." She answered. He jumped up and practically ran to find the drinks. Never mind he could have just pressed the button. Still she could understand his worry. Some things had taken a bit of a turn in America. There were some problems needing immediate attention in France, so Max and Sophie were stuck there. So Itsuki needed to take care of it. He had been so panicky about leaving his seven months pregnant wife, she insisted on going. He wouldn't be able to function without her, she knew. Too much of a worrywart. Apparently going with him was causing just as many problems. Max insisted they take a private plane he rented, with a flight attendant at their beck and call. Yet he still freaked out at any little thing. It was both adorable and annoying to her.


"She's going in and out of stabilizing but the fetus's heart rate was dropping rapidly." The paramedic said almost frantically as the nurse helped him rush the dazed form to surgery. A doctor rushed up. Itsuki tried to follow, but a nurse blocked his path.

"They need to take her to surgery, you would only get in the way. Please just stay out here so she knows someone is waiting for her." She said in an attempt to sooth. He forced himself to sit down. It was all his fault. They had been driving to one of her last pre natal appointments. Was due almost any time now. A car had run a red light. If she hadn't been in America, she wouldn't have been in this situation. Tears streamed down his face.


"The fetus is in distress but a C-section is too risky right now. Her body couldn't handle it." The doctor silently cursed and tried to remove his emotions, push them to the back of his mind. They were only going to be able to save one.