After collapsing in bed from another fourteen hour day of work, Shinji glanced at the photo of him and Misato. It had nearly been a month since he left the lady of his life. This was already the start of their edible long-distance relationship. Lonely as he was, he only hoped this was not permitted. And he knew that Misato had to be feeling the same way.

He almost felt like he was in the army while his wife was just a stay-at-home-mom. Still each passing day, he vowed to always keep his relationship strong by communicating as often as he could even between his shifts. They would often talk for minutes sometimes hours on the phone. Still, talking on the phone was not the same as talking face to face.

Deep down, Misato was missing him like crazy so he had to do something. After all, a women's heart only goes so far. As he looked at the Kyoto papers scattered all over his nightstand, he began to think of a spot. He picked up his phone to call Misato.

"Hello Misato." Shinji greeted.

"Hey sweetheart, how's the shift going so far?" Misato answered, taking multiple deep breaths at a time.

"It's fine." Shinji heard the breathing. "Are you okay? You're not in pain are you?"

"Not at all," Misato took another breathe. "Ritsuko had recommended me a Yoga class the other day, so now I'm practicing to some breathing and stretching exercises. I got to still keep myself in shape; I don't want to be fat even with the baby still inside of me."

"Well at least it gives you something to do till then while waiting for him or even me."

"Everything has baby steps to them Shinji, so I'm not in too much of a rush. Just the other day, he started to kick."

Shinji's eyes snapped opened. "Really; are you okay?" He shouted with much concern.

"Relax Shinji; this is a natural process as I learned from the parenting classes. He will be doing this ever so often, so it seems like a have big task ahead, lucky me."

Shinji cleared his throat in relief. "By the way Misato, I wanted to ask you. There is a Cherry Blossom festival coming up in Kyoto. And I was hoping you might be interested in going with me."

Misato was overjoyed. Just those exact words were enough to lift her spirit. "Sure Shinji, I would not miss it for the world."

"Great, I'll see you then."

For the next hour or two, they exchanged work histories, current events, made a few jokes and relived old memories. Each discussion felt like Misato was right here by his side. He was always happy to hear Misato soft-spoken if not loud at times voice. He could almost feel her presence close to him.

While on the day job, another thing Shinji was starting to miss was Misato's home cooking. It was not the best in Bento meals, but it still got him through the day. Misato's cooking was always average or below, depending on the meals she makes.

As Shinji munched on a rice cake, he grabbed some green tea from the Vending Machine.

"No fancy meal this time." One of Shinji's female coworker had noticed.

"Not this time Reino. My lover and I are far apart and I don't think sending Bento meals by airmail is an option these days."

Reino moaned dramatically. "Aw how sad, you two are separated now."

"Well not exactly when you put it that way."

"Leave him alone Reino, he's just trying to keep his relationship strong. And he's pretty damn determined to do so every day."

Shinji blushed as has been caught red-handed. "You've known Dan?"

Dan placed his hand on Shinji's shoulder. "No need to be modest kid, the signs was obvious. I know how much you love your gal."

Shinji was embarrassed further as he began to stare at the floor. Everyone didn't know whether they should praise Shinji for his stubbornness or just continue to look at him strangely. He felt like the center of attention just like how he was in school.

Dan assured with grin. "Relax kid, not all long-distance relationships crash and burn."

"I bet by now his woman is possibly searching for a new man." Reino teased Shinji.

"Very funny." Shinji said.

Dan offered him a bowl of Shrimp-Fried-Rice. He gave Shinji a wink. "Come on, you're gonna need your strength to go on through this day." Dan winked. "And don't feel the need to rely too much on Vending Machines so much. My wife is a great cook."

This made Shinji smile. "Thanks."

"Breath in… and… breath out, that is the step process to giving birth and releasing stress inside and out." The Yoga instructor advised.

It was another day as Misato attended another Yoga class. Soft music had played in the background as the session was on. On her feet and on palms, she lifted her back high up. It certainly beat being at home all day. Ritsuko would often nag her about going out once in a while instead of sitting home drinking beer even when she didn't have the baby.

"Continue to flex your back straight up everyone. Let your inner strength flow deep within you, and release all that negativity demons in your brain." The Yoga instructor continued. "Now then, take another deep breath and slowly descend down like a parachute."

As told, Misato released all the breathe building up inside of her lung and collapsed down. After a clap, she had concluded today's lesson, thus bidding everyone farewell. She stopped Misato the second she had her heel in the door.

"You're making a good amount of progress Misato even for pregnant women. Not a lot of them are as determined as you, since their strength is really limited. So don't push yourself to hard."

Misato felt the muscle in her forearm. "Well what can I say; I have a lot of energy inside of me. So this kind of stuff is nothing."

She smiled back at the instructor as she left. By time she was out the door and out of sight, Misato had already fallen to the ground exhausted. She may have talked big about her stamina, but even she had her limits. Misato's body was completely drained after hours of stretches. Misato felt the painful sores all over. And with the baby in her, it only made it difficult to content with the other young women.

Nevertheless, she didn't know whether to thank Ritsuko or kill her for making her do this. And speak of the devil; she was already waiting for Misato outside. Since Shinji was gone, Ritsuko became Misato personal caretaker. She wasted no time giving Misato a drive back.

After driving a few blocks, Ritsuko was the first to start the conversation. "The instructor tells me, you're doing remarkable even in your state. I'm proud of you."

Misato groaned in pain. "Ugh, yeah tell that to the rest of my sore muscles."

"Come on Misato, you of all people should know that childbirth is a life and dead situation. You're risking your own life giving birth to a new life. Just like how you risk your life to protect Shinji."

"I know that. But still, I never thought it will be this much of a painful hassle."

Ritsuko chuckled. "Yeah, well that's nothing; just wait till you actually experience it."

Misato rolled her eyes sarcastically. She didn't even want to think about it. "I can hardly wait."

Ritsuko placed her hand on Misato's. "Don't worry about it too much Misato. When the time comes just stay strong, be calm and continue to practice your breathing." Ritsuko glanced at Misato's side. "So this will be your homework until he finally comes."

"Oh goody."

"If you keep up that negativity and you're going to get wrinkles early."

As Misato continued to rest her muscles on the soft seat cushion, she watched the bright outside. Outside the window, she glances at families, couples and hard working individuals. She was almost envious of their merry lifestyle as a family. Soon she was going to be among those individuals. And with her relationship with Shinji, Misato's single life was long gone. No longer would it be her and Shinji anymore as she rubbed on her round stomach. And as she smiled at Shinji's photo, she could not wait to see him in person.