That afternoon, Shinji tried to finish his work shift as fast as he could. Even if he was still weeks away, he was still determined to get his work done. As he glaze at Misato's picture in his cellphone, he could not wait to see her again next Sunday. Just the anticipation was enough to make him sweat, and not because of the heavy workload.

Still he kept his pace slow, so he would not get confused with the loads of boxes in place. Using his trusty RF Scanner, he went through label by label of loads to input in the system for the company. In the warehouse, there was so much work and each employee were limited to the amount of shifts given.

Demands were met and loads were set for the fields of Kyoto. After taking a breather, Shinji passed out on the chair. One of his coworkers offered him a Bento lunch and a drink. "Saw you working hard out there kid, nice work." He complimented.

"Thanks, I'm just finishing up some follow up work." Shinji replied. Shinji had drunk his bottle of water.

Shinji's coworker slapped his back hard. "I bet your dying to see your lovely lady, aren't you?"

"How did you guess?" Shinji blushed.

"Please kid, you're not hard to figure out. I saw you staring at your phone multiple times today."

He sat down beside him. "You keep in contact with her ever so often?"

Shinji nodded. "Every day sir, we speak to each other."

"That's good kid; you know I could only imagine how that's going. My daughter also has long distance relationship with her boyfriend, who's in the military. They only see each other I guess every few months or two. Each time they speak to one another, she always debates on how worried she is about him risking his life out there. And to be fair it is understandable. Do you know how many military wives out there have their limitations?" He placed his hands on Shinji's shoulders. "Treasure every moment with your lady kid, even if it's just a few hours or so."

Shinji took that advice in mind. The anticipation only grew further as he waited to see Misato.

This time Misato was the one to call him first, but only with a text "Hey there sweetheart." Not only that, but a picture was added in with a new beautiful velvet and blue kimono. "What do you think of this? Do I look fat in this?"

Shinji texted Misato back, "Nope not at all on you, it looks good on you."

The next was sent with a kiss and said "Can't wait to see you. Don't be looking at other women while I'm gone."

Later on after his shift, he tried to call Misato, the call went to voicemail. No big deal as Shinji thought. His guess was busy yoga classes again. While pregnant, even Shinji knew her strength was limited.

Shinji placed another call an hour later, still nothing. Did Misato turned her phone off he wondered? He decided to send her a text instead, but hours had passed with no reply. It was not like Misato to not contact back on anything. Shinji was starting to get concerned. He was almost tempted to go back and see what was happening. He feared the worst the more he thought about it.

He slipped into deep slumber to put his mind at ease. Inside, he found himself back at his apartment. Not just that but everyone from Nerv awaited his return, it was like a big happy family. Soon enough the JSSDF (Japanese Strategic Self Defense Force) were dispatched to their location. Armed with the heaviest of fire power, they seized control of all former Nerv personnel in a blink of an eye.

It was a trap set by the Japanese government. Finding himself at the end of the bullet, the soldier was already shot down. Blood and brains had shattered through the quiet room Shinji was in. racing out of the apartment, the two of them run fast through the streets. This time, Misato was the one being held instead of Shinji.

But it was not till long as the bullets were flying towards them. When one of the shots came to Shinji, Misato quickly shielded him. Now she was the one stricken. As they were in a safe location, the damage was still done. "I'm sorry Shinji; it looks like we won't be a family after all." Misato moaned in pain.

"No Misato. We were promised a life together." Shinji screamed. As she collapsed, Shinji's tears rushed down his face. He shook her. "No Misato, please wake up Misato!" He yelled.

Like an old VHS tape, the dream had been interrupted by an outside noise. Shinji felt his phone vibrating and ringing over and over again. Shinji's head was still pounding after that intense nightmare of his. He looked at the caller ID; it was Misato's, so immediately he picked up the phone. "Misato hey, what's going on, I've been trying to contact you all day and…"

"Shinji its Ritsuko," Ritsuko answered the phone.

"Ritsuko, what's going on? Is there something wrong?"

"Yes there is, he's coming Shinji, your baby is on his way."

Shocked over the news, Shinji dropped his bottle of water. "I thought you said he wasn't due until a month from now!"

"I thought so too, but it would seem like they day has finally came earlier than expected. This isn't the first time that pregnancies had come earlier among schedule dates."

"How is Misato so far?"

"She collapsed in her home as I found when I went to go check up on her. When I found the movement of the baby would not stop that is when I knew he was coming. I already rushed her to the hospital."

"Is she in pain?"

"Not too much Shinji, but it's coming no matter what."

Shinji started to ponder and panic at the same time. "What going to happen now?"

"Shinji, you need to get here ASAP. She's been calling out to you ever since then. You need to be here for the birth of your first child. Misato is counting on you and so is your son."

If could not be at a worst time as Shinji was still far from complete on his loads. Plus, it was a very busy day today and there could not be any setbacks. Like the young father he was, he had to be there no matter what. Before Shinji could turn to his coworker, he had already known what was going on with him. Judging by his reaction and talk, it was an emergency to him.

"Reino and I will handle the rest of the loads kid." He said. "Right now you need to go; your woman needs you right now."

As much as Shinji hated to leave work unfinished, Misato was still calling out to him. Reino punched him in the shoulder. "Well, what the hell are you waiting for, can't you see your baby is being born as we speak. What kind of father are you if you're not there in time?"

"But the load…"

"I'll say it once again. Get your ass moving kid, that's an order, let me handle things from here, trust me." He demanded. "Now go!"

Without wasting any more time, Shinji left out of the building. He took the nearest taxi-cab, outside the district. As told, the driver rushed as fast as he could to Shinji's destination of interest. Shinji's body heart was pounding as much as his body. Both excitement and scarceness surrounded his mind.

He could only prey that Misato was doing fine.

"Just keep breathing Misato, and we will do the rest." Ritsuko advised during the process.

Breathing and grunting was all Misato could do in this endeavor. Her insides were going crazy. Burning inside and out, she struggled to keep herself together. Just the pressure alone was killing her inside. Sweet ran down her face enduring the pain.

It was like powerful force pulling away at her body. Like Misato was tied to a chain of faith connected by a mysterious destiny. Either one would live as the other would die in this clash of swords or a hunt.

"You got to be kidding." Shinji exclaimed at the sight of traffic in the middle of downtown.

"Sorry kid; looks like there was an accident, so we are going to be here for a while."

"I have to get to that hospital one way or the other." Shinji tossed money at the taxi driver and took his leave.

Through the traffic of cars, Shinji had cut through the vehicles. He ignored all the traffic signs and the loud honking as he rushed to the hospital. If he had to run miles just to get to the place in time, then so be it. Through the heavy adrenaline, he ran and ran following the navigation on his phone.

Thankfully, he was not too far from his destination if traffic was not in session. With every thought of Misato popped into his mind, he was more and more anxious to be reunited with her again. Nothing was going to stop him, not people or even obstacles. But it did not stop him from making reckless turns into trippy locations.

He raced through the obstacles like a track runner avoiding and dodging every object in his path. The cuts and bruises inflected by the throne plants might have kept the old Shinji down, but not the new one. Even if his strength was ready to give out at any second, his inner desire was enough to left him off his feet like a spirit was guiding him.

Shinji burst into the hospital like a madman. Despite not looking the most presentable young father, his goal was still the same. The front nurse was mortified if not astounded by the young man's strength and persistent nature. Then again, the cuts and bruises on his face and legs, not to mention the twigs and leaves in his hair was enough to make them question him, let alone get security.

As Shinji touched the desk, he finally answered with still grasping for air. "I'm here to see my wife Misato Ikari. She's having a baby."

If mothers could experience the art of childbirth, then so will she. She fought the urge to faint during the process. Body and mind were ready to give in at this very moment. But, not just yet as she pushed further and further. No matter what the cost, Misato was determined to save and welcome this new life into the world.

As she let out a scream, she pushed as hard as her feminine body could handle. And from that push, her whole body just exploded. Using the last of her strength had completely drained her and she had already fainted, not knowing if the process was a complete success or not.

As she wanted to sleep, the tiny cries of the infant had finally awoken her. The light of the room shined upon her dazed face. "Ritsuko, is he…?"

Ritsuko gave a smile as she held the newborn baby in her arms. "He's fine Misato. He's quite handsome too. Aren't you little guy?"

Holding her dear newborn son in the arms had brought great tearful joy to her life. Never had she thought that she would become a mother. She watched the innocence's on his face similar to Shinji and Misato's eyes. Easing up on the crying, Misato gently rocked her Baby boy in her arms.

"Has he been born yet?" Shinji asked appearing in the room.

Misato took a gaze at Shinji as it brought more joy to her face. "Better late than never; come see your son Shinji."

Seeing his son for the first time also brought a joy to his face. Even if he was an adult, he also felt like tearing up. With his finger, he poked at his baby's soft pudgy cheeks. It almost reminded him of how he was back then in the loving care of his mother.

"You did good Misato." Ritsuko touched Misato's hand. "Personally, I didn't think you had it in you."

"Neither did I, but I'm glad it turned out well." Misato could not take her eye off the baby.

"Have any idea for names?" Ritsuko asked

"I have been looking up some through my work shifts, and I came up with one. I'm going to name him, Hikaru Ikari." Shinji had decided.

"Impressive; that means shining child." Ritsuko said.

Misato covered Shinji's hand with hers. "I like that name as well. Hikaru, this is your father Shinji. Welcome to your new life." Misato presented.

Now they were a big happy family, welcoming the new edition. It was their future together and nobody else's. No one can take that away from them. Shinji comforted his wife and newborn child. The tender touches of their first infant brought a smile to their faces.

On that day, they felt that their bond had graduated a new life. Ritsuko was even happy for the both of them as she wiped the tear off her face. Not a shred of negativity or doubt appeared in their minds, just hopefulness and comfort. As the sun shined upon them, it gave them hope towards their own future together.