Chapter 17
Sasuke woke up relaxed and feeling calm and at peace. He looked around his bed and saw there was no blonde, but that side of the bed was messed up.
'Naruto has probably been freaking out all night.' Sasuke inwardly snickered.
Sasuke stretched and got up and walked out into the living room freezing when he saw Hiruzen drinking apple juice and there was an empty container of applesauce.
"Dobe, you will be cleaning that mess up all by yourself and I hope you watered down the juice. " Sasuke warned. He knew his kid and he was not changing that diaper. Once was bad enough and he learned his lesson. Sasuke huffed and puffed out his cheeks and started working on finalizing his presentation. Naruto slid him a plate of food and he absent-mindedly ate.
Naruto was growing used to Sasuke unofficial work schedule. If the Teme was sleeping when he got up they wouldn't be going to work. If Sasuke got up at the same time (more or less) they would go to work.
Naruto gave Hiruzen a bath and watched as Hiruzen stared at the duck float before snatching it and trying to drown in. Such a pleasant child.
"Why'd you have to go and eat whatever was in the box... Not everything is Cheerios. Now we have to wait patiently..." Naruto sighed. Once the small child was clean Naruto look him out and put a diaper on him and let him run around the house sporting just the diaper anticipating the explosion that would be happening. Sasuke was on his laptop finalizing his presentation. Naruto got up and took his empty and dirty dishes to the sink and washed them. He noticed how absorbed Sasuke was when it came to work and it slightly bothered him. Would he notice if the condo caught fire?
"Hiruzen, no." Sasuke spoke without turning around or even moving his eyes off the screen. Naruto looked and saw the toddler pouting and about to teat a magazine apart.
"You have eyes in the back of your head don't you Teme?" Naruto asked.
"Maybe." Was Sasuke's reply. In truth, his laptop screen had blackened out from a loading screen and he saw his son in the reflection.
Alright... Phase 3 will commence at 12:03pm...
Sasuke finished printing all his papers and placed them neatly within a folder. Naruto was currently changing Hiruzen who probably wouldn't need to crap for the next week. Sasuke tapped his fingers together as the digital clock on his laptop read 12:02... And then 12:03.
"Naruto?" Sasuke called.
"Yes?"
"I've finished my presentation."
"Wonderful. Hiruzen is back to clean." Naruto said in a disgusted tone.
How clean could a basically one year old be...
Naruto walked out after Hiruzen who waddled over to the T.V. hearing his favorite shows theme song. He plopped down and started giggling at the character. Naruto walked over and pecked his boyfriend on the lips.
"We should go out and celebrate." Sasuke said suddenly.
"That's a tad premature don't you think?"
"One should always celebrate even the smallest achievements. We've achieved a few things and Hiruzen is now walking so he has something to celebrate as well. Lets go out."
Naruto eyed him skeptically... "Alright." He finally agreed.
Sasuke made dinner reservation and took Naruto and Hiruzen out, who were both dressed for the occasion, to a rather nice restaurant.
"Teme... I really wonder how you would celebrate a big accomplishment." Naruto wondered out loud.
"..." Sasuke was at a loss for words... Pretty much in the same manner would have been the answer, but he was pretty sure Naruto wouldn't buy it.
The waiter took his name and led them over to a table.
"Sasuke why is this table set for six." Naruto announced on edge.
"I like the extra room. I hate feeling cramped at a table so I usually say more people are attending even though its a lie." Sasuke said gazing over the menu.
Naruto shook his head. He was completely on edge. He looked over the menu and froze realizing that he hadn't actually eaten any of these things... His stomach was attuned to a less fancy menu.
"Sasuke, can you order for me?" Naruto asked.
"Sure." Was the quick reply.
The waiter returned and Sasuke shot off his order and the waiter frantically wrote it down before excusing himself and quickly walking off.
"What did you just order me?" Naruto asked completely confused.
"Shepards Pie. I ordered the lamb and Hiruzen has Cheerios in his bag, but I ordered him a side of mashed potatoes."
"And the other stuff you ordered?"
"Soup and wine." Sasuke translated into simpler words.
"Oh...ok."
Dinner was fantastic and so was dessert. Naruto was at ease by the time they left the restaurant.
"So, did Hiruzen have any surprises in his diaper?" Sasuke asked with humor very evident in his voice.
"No. And if we need to take him to the hospital cause its stuck somewhere I will not protect you from child services. We really should take him. He could be getting torn up in there..." Naruto said making a valid point... if Sasuke didn't know for a fact Hiruzen hadn't swallowed any jewelry.
"Dobe, I'm pretty sure Hiruzen didn't swallow any jewelry. All that apple juice should have cleared him out of everything in his system. You're over thinking this Naruto." Sasuke replied.
"Your not even worried!" Naruto yelled.
"Because... It's not an inconceivable idea that there are empty jewelry boxes in my condo Naruto. I do own jewelry. Cuff links, watches and even some necklaces just to name a few."
Naruto got quiet and got suspicious. He couldn't dismiss the idea that the box had been empty, but he also couldn't decipher Sasuke's quiet bastardly ways completely.
"Fine." Naruto said dropping the subject.
Sasuke smirked as Naruto opened the door to the car and got it."
Phases 1-3 complete.
Itachi was finalizing planning his nephews party. He may have over done it... But he adored his nephew very much. He was combining it with the company Christmas party so the parents of his company could bring their children and everyone wins. Especially Hiruzen. Itachi sent the invite via e-mail along with a registry for presents.
Everything was set... And now he just needed the next two weeks to pass by and he gets awarded 'Uncle of the Year'. There wasn't a damn person who would top this party.
Naruto and Sasuke were curled up on the couch at home. Naruto picked up his phone and read the e-mail:
"Company Christmas Party and Hiruzen's First Birthday Celebration
Friday December 24th starting promptly at 6:00pm
End of year bonuses will be distributed at the party"
Naruto turned the screen off and face-palmed-very hard. That e-mail had been sent to every employee at Itachi's branch except Sasuke...
"What's wrong Dobe."
"I may have made a huge mistake."
"How so?"
"You'll see..." Naruto groaned and Sasuke got worried.
Their fax machine went off and Naruto got up and trudged over to the machine and waited for the papers to stop spitting out. He picks the papers up and his face lit up like a Christmas tree.
"Looks looky- we may have caught Hooky." Naruto said cheekily.
Sasuke got up and looked over the papers Naruto's friends faxed over and an abnormally large smile slid onto his face.
"I think we may have found the next company to be bought out by my family." Sasuke's face lit up.
Naruto kissed Sasuke on the lips who kissed him back fiercely. He slid his tongue inside Naruto's mouth and held Naruto very tightly. Once the kiss broke Sasuke smiled down at his blonde.
"You, are most definitely, the most wonderful person I have ever had the fortune of meeting."
Naruto accepted the compliment.
Sasuke laid awake too happy to sleep. Naruto-was snoring lightly dead to the world. His luck was finally turning around. He had an amazing boyfriend, a beautiful healthy son and the prospect of running his own branch.
Sasuke Uchiha was a VERY happy man right now.
Rock Lee was very happy as well. Overly happy but that was normal. He had wonderful promotion and a raise. He was dating the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Rock Lee was a happy man and not even the rain could dampen his spirits. That would be almost impossible. Only Sakura could ruin his good mood and such a beautiful woman didn't have it in her to hurt him.
Rock Lee had spent his time with Sakura and had already decided-she was the one. He stopped by a jewelry store and carefully searched for a ring. Yep. Rock Lee was going to propose. He had no intention of letting his beloved slip through his fingers. He only knew her a few weeks, but he might as well have known her his whole life. His face lit up when he saw a ring that had one diamond in the middle and pink diamonds surrounding it giving it the appearance of a flower.
"THAT ONE IS PERFECT" he exclaimed startling everyone in the store.
He had it wrapped and packaged once he purchased it and ran the rest of the way home.
Rock Lee jumped up the stairs and barreled through the front door seeing his princess adjusting to get more comfortable. She was 8 months along and comfort wasn't an easy thing to obtain.
"Sakura... My angel?" He asked with wide eyed and a grin.
"Lee... I think I need to go to the hospital." Sakura breathed out shakily.
Rock Lee froze and looked down at her stomach.
"OH MY GOSH I'LL GO GET THE CAR!" He screamed and sprinted out the door.
Sakura watched in utter confusion. He practically teleported. Sakura walked upstairs and grabbed a go-bag I case her baby decided to come early.
She got outside and Lee had the car ready and he grabbed everything she needed and got everything in the car. They drove to the hospital and she was admitted quickly. She was breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth remaining as calm as possible. She wasn't ready for the baby to arrive just yet. Hell, she hadn't even spoke to Sai in a few months. She laid in the hospital bed as the doctors checked over everything.
"Miss Haruno, your baby is doing just fine-"
"Is it a boy or a girl?" Rock Lee interjected.
"Don't answer that." Sakura told the doctor. She wanted to be surprised.
"Looks like your little one cracked your bag and now your leaking. We can either pop the rest of the bag or you can wait it out. Either way looks like your baby will be born a month early." The doctor said. He saw the panic on her face and held her hand. "It's not that uncommon. Your baby will be just fine." He said in a soothing voice.
Rock Lee amazingly enough managed to stay seated during this and not blast off like a rocket though the ceiling.
The doctor left the room to let her decide. Sakura grabbed her bag and scrolled through calling Naruto's phone since he had given her the number and now she was very thankful.
"Naruto?"
"Yes Sakura?" Naruto asked in a curious voice.
"I'm in labor." She said in shock.
Naruto put the phone down quickly. He raised it back up to his ear not completely sure what he was supposed to be doing. Sasuke looked at him with a curious expression.
"Aren't you supposed to be pregnant for nine months?" Was the intelligent reply.
Sasuke guessed the nature of the phone call.
"Yes Naruto. Can you please come down here? I'm scared." Sakura spoke in a shattered and uneven voice.
"Alright. Text me the name of the hospital and I'll be there." Naruto said before ending the call.
"Why does she want you there?" Sasuke asked annoyed.
"Not a clue." Naruto said making a face.
Sakura sent Naruto the information. She wanted Naruto here to keep her calm and rationalize the situation. She also needed someone to call her parents and Rock Lee was not talking to them for the first time at this time.
Sasuke got Hiruzen and they all drove down to the hospital. Sasuke amazingly enough managed to get them lost but eventually found Sakura's room. She was paper white and looked terrified. Naruto and Sasuke walked in.
"I don't want to do this." Was the first thing she said.
"Well, your going to have to Sakura. Hate to break it to you but kids don't run on your time..." Naruto said with a smile.
She nodded shakily and tried to take deeper breaths.
"Call my Mom and Dad please?" She asked.
"Whyyyyyyyy?" Naruto screeched in horror.
"Please."
Naruto picked up her phone and called there home phone with his fingers crossed-yes! Machine picked up.
"Hello Mr. And Mrs. Haruno. Your daughter Sakura Haruno has gone into labor in England. Good-bye." Naruto did in a mock Bristish accent and got a disapproving look from everyone in the room-including Hiruzen.
"What?" Naruto said defensively. "Don't judge me." He handed the phone back to Sakura.
"Real smooth Dobe..." Sasuke finally spoke while shaking his head.
"Do-be." Hiruzen said and Naruto gave Sasuke the look of disapprove,net and was downright appalled by what happened next.
"Good job Hiruzen." Sasuke said.
"Your child will be a bully!" Naruto warned.
Sasuke shrugged. He was an asshole as a kid and still was. Nothing wrong with it.
"Mr. Uzumaki? May I speak with you for a moment?" Rock Lee asked politely. Naruto accepted the request and now Sakura was nervous for a different reason,
They walked down the hall a bit before he stopped.
"I would like to ask for Sakuras hand in marriage."
"So your asking her ex-husband?" Naruto cocked an eyebrow.
"I just wanted to be sure your ok with it..." He said nervously.
"My feelings for her sank quicker than the Titanic and left a hole bigger than an atomic bomb and were mutilated and destroyed entirely a few months ago. Your clear for landing buddy." Naruto said patting him on the shoulder.
"Are you saying I can ask."
"Yep. Just keep her happy and she won't rip your heart out. I'm happy with Sasuke. Sakura is all yours. Hell if you asked her right now, you may see Sasuke jump and cheer and be giddier than a school girl seeing her crush."
"THANK YOU! YOU ARE NOW ONE OF MY BEST FRIENDS!" Lee shouted.
Further back down the hallway-
"Nope that friendship isn't happening." Sasuke said shaking his head.
"Damn right it isn't." Sakura finished.
Rock Lee and Naruto walked back in and Naruto nodded his head for Sasuke to come out in the hallway.
"Sakura, my angel, I know it hasn't been long but I want to treat you like a queen and make you happy for all enternity. Would you allow me to have the honor and privilege of calling you my wife?" He said on one knee. Naruto's proposal to Sakura suddenly sucked...
He pulled the ring out and presented it to her in the box and she froze. She looked up at Naruto and he nodded to her.
Sasuke waited patiently... This was going down as one of his happier moments in life- the day Sakura wouldn't be able to pursue Naruto ever again.
"Yes." Was her answer. He slipped the ring on her finger.
Naruto clapped and Hiruzen too. Sasuke looked stupid happy.
"Now... Lets have a baby!" Rock Lee said and she nodded and held his hand.
The doctor came back in and Sakura agreed to have the labor induced. Sasuke had Sakura added to Rock Lee's medical insurance and it took a few hours, but Sakura had a healthy baby girl-who Rock Lee wanted to name Yuki since it was very lightly snowing outside. Sakura agreed to the name.
Sakura and Lee looked at the baby with small smiles on their faces and Sasuke nodded his head toward the door. And Naruto agreed. Time to go!
"Bye Sakura, Lee and Yuki. Enjoy your little one." Naruto said quietly not wanting to wake the baby up.
"Bye Naruto. Thank you." Sakura said tiredly.
Naruto had taken photos and would print them for Sakura later. She had even let him hold her and Naruto had to admit... She was so much smaller than he expected. She was 6 pounds and healthy, but Naruto thought she would be closer to Hiruzen in weight. The car ride home was quiet mostly.
"Sasuke? Do you have any pictures of Hiruzen when he was born? Like of you holding him for the first time?"
"No. I went and saw him, but I couldn't hold him until he was two weeks old. I have pictures of him, but he was a month old when I held him and it was on camera."
"Why couldn't you hold him?"
"Remember? Karin was drunk when she had him. My son was born drunk and was placed in NICU. After they cleared his system he managed to catch a cold. He was pretty fragile, so they kept him pretty much in a bubble. It's hard to see your kid in a tube. I was allowed to hold his hand, but its not the same." Sasuke said with a passive face.
"They didn't let you feed him?"
"No. They did all that. Once he was better I got too hold him and feed him."
"And Karin?"
"She got to go through a detox since they wanted her to breast feed. Se ended up leaving the hospital in a fit and coming back after I got cleared to take him off after DNA was all said and done."
Naruto looked at Hiruzen who looked back with wide eyes.
"Your mom is a bitch."
Hiruzen just giggled.