Hey Guys,

Finally, here is the next chapter. Sorry for the huge delay. Will try to be regular. Proof read, but still if any typos or errors, sorry. :)

Chapter 7:

Naoki's POV:

Early in the morning, I was woken up by Yuuki, who asked me to go homa and take rest as I had to come back for work. Yes, a surgeon's life is difficult but thankfully, i have a very supportive family. I gave one last look at Kotoko's vitals and was assured that she was doing ok.

As i walked home, my thoughts wandered. Kotoko is nearly three and a half months pregnant and she has started to show also. And she is definitely growing. I heard her complaining that none of her dresses are fitting and her bras were not holding anymore. Her mood swings can't be judged. She is happy at one moment and becomes grumpy immediately. But all her antics are funny and i am enjoying this period. It is bliss. But as soon as the word bliss came to mind, yesterday's events came to my mind and determination set in me to find the culprit and punish him by law.

I finally reached home and was greeted by the sight of the police inspector handling our case. Greetings were exchanged and he told that the culprit was caught. He showed me the photo. As soon as I saw the photo, I was shocked. Sahoko-san. It took me a few seconds to regain my composure. But why? She was fine with me marrying Kotoko, then why is she trying to shatter my family?

With all these questions in mind, I thanked the inspector, gave my statements and informed him that I will come to the police station to complete the formalities and went to my room for some rest.

The room seemed very lonely without Kotoko and the silence was deafening. Before marriage, I used to love silence and used to hate Kotoko for making noise, but ever since i fell in love with her, silence is a not so close friend now. Sighing, I closed my tired eyes for some rest.

After 2hrs, okaa-san woke me up for the hospital and i quickly got ready. After having a quick breakfast, I drove to the hospital with Okaa-san and went to see Kotoko first. She was wide awake and was chatting with Tomoko, who had an early morning shift. As soon as i entered with my mother, she saw me and her face lit up. Tomoko excused herself and gave us some family space. My mother started fussing over her, meanwhile i checked her vitals. It was all good. I declared that she could be discharged today evening and this elicited squeals of joy from both the ladies of my life. After being with her for some time, I left the ward with Kotoko under Okaa-san's care and proceeded with the day's schedule.

The day wrapped by 5:00 and I was thankful for it as Kotoko had to be discharged today and we both had to go to the police station to complete the formalities. Yes. Me and Kotoko decided that Sahoko-san has to go in for her mistake. I signed Kotoko''s discharge papers after consulting with Ibe-sensei that Kotoko and baby were fine. As I walked towards her ward, i got a call from chairman Ouizumi. I knew why. But I wasn't going to give in. With that thought, I picked up the phone.

"Moshi moshi Naoki-san"

"Moshi moshi Ouizumi-san. "

"Naoki- san, I wanted to talk about Sahoko."

"Gomennasai , Ouizumi-san. With all due respect, i would like to say that, what she did was wrong. Violence is not the solution to any problem. We are going ahead with the procedures."

"I understand that Naoki-san. But Sahoko is mentally ill now. After the breakup with you, she went into a bit of mental depression. She tried dating many other guys, but none of those relationships worked out. That brought her to clinical depression. Please leave her. I am planning to move to America with her and get her treated there."

I thought for a moment. If she is in depression and did this, then she wasn't in her senses. But this act could have costed me a lot.

"I will try and see what i can do"

"Arigatou Naoki-san"

"Hai"

After cutting the call, i went to speak with Kotoko. She was all ready to go home and she was looking radiant. As i approached her she exclaimed, " Irie-kun, i am ready to go home". I smiled at that statement. Kotoko's childish statements can make my mood much better anytime. But Sahoko-san's matter had to be discussed with her. I didn't know where to start, but never the less, started.

"Kotoko, I want to talk about something very important"

"Hai Irie-kun. Go on"

"The person who shot you was none other than Sahoko-san"

Her expression changed from serious to shock to something that i couldn't comprehend.

"Kotoko, she is now in police custody and they have called us for completing the formailities. But chairman Ouizumi called in the morning and told that Sahoko is mentally ill. He said that she was in clinical depression and will not let her do such things again. He is taking her to America for her treatment. What shall we do now? It's your call. Everything will be done as you say"

She was silent for a few minutes, which is rare. I tried judging her thought, but couldn't. Then she spoke,

"I know that Sahoko –san did this without her knowledge. But the fact remains the same. S he did shoot me. But I also did hurt her. I snatched her fiancé from her. So I think mistake is on both parts. We have no right to complain against her."

And she started crying. Pregnancy hormones. Though i didn't want her to go through any of these, it happened. It pained me to see her cry. I sat beside her and she leaned on me as I held her. After a few minutes, she smiled at me and the green signal was given. I asked chairman Ouizumi to come to the police station to take Sahoko-san home. We went to the police station, withdrew the complaint and released Sahoko-san. Sahoko apologized and her body language clearly stated that she was mentally ill. I sympathised with her and i also felt slightly guilty. But what amazed me was Kotoko went and hugged Sahoko telling her that it was alright and everything will be fine soon. She has such a golden heart and she can forgive anybody . That is one of those 10% things which I can't do and she can do. After all these things, we went home.

General POV:

As soon as Kotoko and Naoki entered, a burst of coloured ribbons were sent on them. All their family members were there and that included Kinnosuke, Chris and Konomi. Kotoko was as usual enthralled and Naoki was as usual irritated. Kinnosuke and Chris enquired about her health and about her baby. They couldn't visit her at the hospital. The party was kept light as Kotoko was still recovering. But yes, it was fun like any other party and was totally non-alcoholic. After a few hours, Naoki declared that Kotoko needed rest and everyone agreed much to Kotoko's disappointment. But Naoki paid no heed to her puppy dog faces and dragged her to bed.

As he tucked her to bed, Kotoko asked," Irie-kun, can i ask you something?"

"What now?"

"What if the bullet hit me on my chest and i had died on spot? "

"What kind of nonsensical question is this?"

"Just answer. Will you be able to live without me?"

Naoki was taken aback by her questions. He knew that these questions were made du to her mood swings and trauma, but this was the limit. He lost it.

"When the bullet hit you, I died a thousand deaths at that moment itself. Even after knowing that the bullet just hit your arm and that too not really hard, I couldn't get over that sight. S o if something had happened to you, I would have tried to save you first and if i couldn't then, even having a logical thinking skill of 200, I would have done something really illogical as killing myself"

He said all this in one breath. And by the time he completed, Kotoko had tears in her eyes and a smile on her face. Naoki rarely expressed such emotions and it was really touching. She understood how much Naoki loves her and that he was also suffering from the trauma.

She gently pulled his hand and hugged him. After a round of loving cuddles, kisses and hugs, the couple went to sleep in their usual position, Kotoko holding Naoki's hand and Naoki, protectively holding her pregnant belly in where their fruit of love was being nurtured.

And there goes Chapter seven. Again, I am really sorry for the one month delay. I am having three exams per week and still continue to have so. But i will try my level best to give regular updates.

Please rate and review this chapter.

Special thanks to

Wi1999

Crazeblue27

Rito Dey

Miyokikisu

Ecchri

And Roshni(guest)

for giving reviews.

Hugs

Jan