Author's Notes: Hi, everyone! Sorry it's been so long. Gonna keep this part short. Thank you to everyone for reviews, favorites, and follows. The \'/ symbol indicates a small passage of time, only a few hours. I hope you enjoy the new chapter!

Melina lingered in bed longer than she should have. It just felt so good to lie here in the peace and quiet. The sunlight filtered through the shutters on the windows, dividing into individual beams of light It must be late in the morning for the sun to be so bright.

Hauling herself out of bed, she groaned like an old woman. She hated this tiredness. At least she didn't feel sick this morning. That was new. And good. After a quick shower, she went to her closet to get dressed. Pulling on a pair of jeans, she was disturbed to find there was a two inch gap between the button and the buttonhole.

"What the hell?" she muttered, trying hard to make the two meet.

After much straining and sweating, sucking in of the gut and finally lying down on the bed while pulling in her belly, she was able to make the button slip through the hole and close the zipper. She could make it work, but it would hurt. She felt as if she were being cut in two. So not worth it.

With a dejected sigh, Melina removed her formerly most comfortable and loose pair of jeans, kicking them into the corner of her closet in frustration. She snatched another pair of pants from their hanger. The same thing happened. Her irritation grew as she tried on more articles of clothing that were too tight or did not fit at all. Her eyes settled on the one of the pair of stretchy maternity shorts she had bought.

"Good thing I gave up and got these," she muttered to herself.

After putting on one of the tent like tops, she went to the mirror. Gazing at her reflection, she smoothed her hand over her slightly extended abdomen. She had grown overnight. Yep, she was pregnant all right.

No wonder her belly had hurt so much when she went to bed. The muscles were stretching. As if to announce his or her presence, to remind her why her tummy had taken a growth spurt of a different kind, the baby moved around giving her that odd but comforting quivering inside of her newly rounded belly.

"Hello, baby. Good morning," she greeted her child, rubbing her abdomen. A growl erupted from her empty stomach. "You must be hungry too. Sorry I slept late."

Melina was surprised Shoto had not come in to wake her up like he usually does. Who knows what time he went to bed though. His family had been gathered last night for the first time in...well, she had no idea and they probably could not even remember when the last time they were all in the same room either.

The whole family, including Rei and Dabi, had been together. She assumed the gathering went well considering she was not awakened by yelling or fighting during the course of the night. The house was still standing. That was a good sign. She smiled to herself as she walked into her sitting room.

As she prepared to sit down to her breakfast hidden under a cloche on the low table, she heard a rustling in the baby's room. She crept to the closed doors, pressing her ear to the screen to listen. The light , barely audible swish of clothing alerted her that someone was definitely in there. No one had gotten to see the baby's room last night due to her going to bed early. Perhaps it was just Fuyumi or Natsuo looking around.

Melina cautiously slid apart the doors as not to scare the person on the other side in case by some chance it was Rei who had been allowed an extended visit. It was someone she never imagined, but wasn't exactly surprised, to see.

Dabi stood at the crib, his hands resting on the side rail. He stared at the empty crib so intently she wondered if he was picturing the baby there. The thought made her so sad it brought tears to her eyes.

"Dabi," she said to get his attention.

He did not look at her or speak. He reached into the crib,picking up the stuffed rabbit in the blue coat.

"Dabi, what are you doing here?" she asked, keeping her voice low and gentle. She did not feel the need to scream at him or even be angry with him at the moment.

"I just wanted to see the baby's room before I left. It's really happening. You're really having our baby," he said as if simply stating the random thoughts in his head.

Melina smiled sympathetically. She understood how he felt. Needless to say, the presence of the baby became a reality to her much faster. She absentmindedly rubbed her belly. More and more of a reality every day.

"I'll admit there were many times I thought you had made the whole thing up," he confessed, putting the toy back down in the corner of the mattress. "I actually tried to convince myself that you were lying in some sick attempt to try to get me to take you back."

"I would never do that. I'm not that kind of person...anymore," she added.

She held no illusions about the heinous individual she had allowed herself to become, driven by bitterness and hatred. There were many times she had lied, cheated, and manipulated to get her way - even in the not so distant past.

But she had changed. Her life had changed. There was no room for fallacies and deception any longer. She could not live that way because something more important had come along for her to cherish and take care of, something beyond herself. A person she had not even met yet was the most important person in her life.

"You're not at all the same person you were when you were with me," he agreed, turning his back to her to walk toward the dresser. "You're not someone I know anymore. While I'm still the same person I've always been. One more reason I can never with you again."

"Are you trying to convince me or yourself?" she questioned him pointedly, a harsh tone creeping into her voice. "We're over and will never be together again. I understand. I get it. I've gotten it through my thick skull. I've accepted it. Have you?"

"Shoto showed everyone the pictures and video of the ultrasound. By the way he acts you'd think he was the father," he murmured, opening the top drawer.

For a moment, Dabi did not say anything. He slid his fingers over the clothing inside before pulling out a onesie. Unfolding it, he saw the words Born to be a Hero emblazoned on the front of the white one piece cotton outfit in black block letters.

He could not help but chuckle bitterly at the cruel irony, the circular destiny. The son of a hero became a villain. The son or daughter of a villain will become a hero. It was all too much. It was enough to make a grown man cry.

But he would not cry because tears were a waste of time. He had irreparably burned a proverbial bridge, and he knew it - he did it on purpose as a matter of fact. There was no forgiveness for him. He did not want it. There was no road back. What would tears accomplish? After folding the outfit and replacing it, he closed that drawer to open another one.

"You're getting what you wanted, aren't you? " she snapped. "For me to be with Shoto? For him to step up and be the man you couldn't be?"

The words sounded harsh to her own ears which made seeing Dabi visibly flinch from the verbal daggers made the backlash hurt so much more. Melina covered her mouth with her hand before any more emotional weapons in the form of words came flying out.

"I'm proud of Shoto. Once again, you called it. You were always a perceptive woman bordering on being a mind reader. My little brother has indeed stepped up and become the man I couldn't be." Although he repeated her barbed words paraphrased, his tone was unexpectedly warm carrying the tiniest hint of pride. "Shoto truly is the consummate hero, isn't he? He'll really give Dad a run for his money one of these days. Endeavor will have to stay on his toes to keep the top spot."

Her hand dropped from her mouth.

"Honestly, Dabi, I don't think Shoto gives a damn about that. He's willing to let that honor go to someone else. After seeing what your Father did to get there, after all of the suffering your family endured in his race to be number one, I don't think Shoto could possibly care less about claiming that title. His best revenge will be succeeding at what Enji Todoroki should have been much sooner...a good husband and father."

"Ouch," he muttered, flinching as he turned to face her. "Damn you're mean. You've always had an angel's face and a devil's tongue." He sighed, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Yes, despite being declared the number one hero, Enji Todoroki will always be number two to his wife and family."

Melina could not stop the giggle that burst out of her mouth. She had not expected Dabi to call his father a piece of shit in such a humorous way. The dead pan delivery made it twice as funny.

Dabi always did have the knack for catching her unawares by saying and doing things were so not like him. It was those out of the blue words or actions that had made her fall in love with him to begin with. She cleared her throat, squashing the laughter.

Shoto had that same talent of catching her off guard, whether it be in word or deed, and making her laugh. The Todoroki men all shared a crass, sarcastic sense of humor - including Natsuo which she found out the hard way during their first meeting.

"Have you eaten breakfast? I'm sure Hana has plenty in the kitchen if you would like to eat before you go," she said as a subtle and polite hint that he should leave.

"I'm going, Melina. Besides, I've already eaten. Hana wouldn't leave me alone until I ate something. I just wanted to see the baby's room before I left," he repeated, turning away from the chest of drawers to look at her. "It was good to see you again."

"I wish I could say the same," she remarked using a kind tone which somehow made the words sharper.

Melina felt a presence behind her, then a warm, soothing hand on the small of her back. Shoto's energy: firm, unshakable, and steadfast, enabled her to say the next words without them hurting so much.

"Good-bye, Dabi."

"You're leaving?" Shoto asked despite the obvious.

"Yeah. I'm going. I enjoyed the family reunion," he said, sounding sincere. "It was nice being with everyone again. Especially Mom."

"It was," agreed Shoto, protectively placing his hand on Melina's belly. "Will you come back for another visit? Dad is bringing Mom here for dinner on Sunday. I think he's going to try to make it a weekly thing. If the hospital will allow it."

"I don't know. Maybe," Dabi replied vaguely. "Later, Bro. Bye, Melina."

"Later," Shoto returned.

Melina said nothing, averting her eyes as Dabi walked out of the room. Watching him leave had never been easy for her.

"Are you all right?" Shoto asked her, patting her tummy.

"Of course I am. Why wouldn't I be?" she questioned him in return. laying her hand on top of his.

"You've grown," Shoto commented, rubbing his hand over her burgeoning abdomen in circles.

"Gee, thanks, as if I didn't already know. The baby's growing so it's only normal I do too, right?"

"Of course," he agreed, hearing her empty stomach grumble. "You should eat. I know you're not hungry, but you need to keep your strength up for the baby."

"Actually, I am hungry this morning."

"No morning sickness?"

"No morning sickness," she confirmed. "Not even your brother could make me lose my appetite this morning. Actually, as far as conversations between us go, that one was quite pleasant."

Hopefully one day things would not be so strained between herself and Dabi. They would need to come to some kind of mutual agreement, find a way to deal with each other, since they were a family and would be stuck together whether they wanted to be or not. It seemed everyone was making a concerted effort to be a family - particularly Enji.

Melina felt her face stretching into a wide, joyful smile.

"Ah, you're glowing," Shoto said, taking her face between his hands.

"What?" she asked, baffled by expression on his face.

The corners of his mouth curled upwards ever so gently into a soft smile. His eyes were shiny, glassy, as if he was drunk. Was this the expression of a man totally, helplessly, in love?

"You're glowing. You're absolutely gorgeous," he murmured, pressing his forehead to hers in an affectionate gesture.

"You are relentless and amazing," she returned, embracing him. "Twitterpated."

"What? What does that mean?"

"It means you are a man infatuated. Practically obsessed."

"I resemble that remark. I'm in love with you. Sorry, but you're stuck with me," he said, pulling her into his arms.

"I'm glad," she said, hugging him tightly in return.

"Let's eat," he suggested, pulling her to the table by her hand.

"So what's going on with you today?" she asked as they sat down.

"Well, I'm meeting the guys at the mall. We're just going to hang out. See what we can get into there. No big plans. What are you going to do today?"

"I don't know. Putter around in the garden, make bouquets, take a swim, take a nap. The same things I do everyday. It all sounds so damn boring," she muttered, stabbing a piece of melon with her fork. "Will you bring me back something?"

"Sure. What do you want?"

"I'm craving red bean taiyaki. And a chocolate one too, please."

"Cravings already?" he questioned her.

"Yeah. I didn't expect this so soon either. Pregnancy is fun," she sighed, massaging her pooch.

"And you've still got four months to go."

"Don't remind me."

"When is your next appointment?" he asked, pouring her a cup of tea.

"A few days before you go back to school."

"Good. I'll go with you," he readily offered.

"You don't have to. You won't be able to come with me after you go back to the dorm anyway. Besides, there's nothing to worry about," she added as if to assure herself more so than him.

"But I want to." He placed her hand over hers resting on her knee, squeezing reassuringly. "It's important. You and the baby are important to me. Everything is going to be fine."

"Yeah," she leaned forward, kissing his cheek. "Everything is fine."

\'/

Later as Melina stood on the porch telling Shoto good bye, Enji spun into the driveway, kicking up rocks and clouds of dust behind the Jeep.

"Dad, can I borrow the car?" she asked. "I can drive Shoto to the mall. I have some things I want to do today."

Shoto snorted in his effort to stifle his laugh. Enji smiled broadly on the verge of laughter.

"What?" she asked. "What's so funny?"

"You suddenly sound like you're sixteen. You actually are becoming one of my kids," Enji commented, hopping out of the driver's seat with the keys in his hand. Approaching them at the bottom of the stairs, tossing the keys in the air and catching them, he asked, "Can you even drive?"

"Better than you," she retorted, raising her nose into the air and sniffing indignantly. "I had a life before coming here. I also had a much different life in the United States, you know. I drove to a job every day. I lived out in the middle of nowhere. I took care of myself."

"Yeah, well, you have all of us do that for you now," Shoto reminded her.

"I'm not helpless or disabled suddenly. I'm pregnant," she snapped.

"Fine, fine, Miss Stubborn and Determined," Enji said, tossing her the keys. "Be careful, kiddo. Take care of my grandchild...and your future husband."

"Let's go!" Melina cried out excitedly, grabbing Shoto by the hand.

"Hey! Don't you need your purse or something?!" he asked her, digging in his heels. As they passed his father, he uttered in a stage whisper, "Dad, I don't wanna go. I'm scared."

"You'll be fine, son. She's probably right. I bet she can drive better than me," he said, shoving his hands deep into the pockets of his jeans. "I've got somewhere I need to be anyway. Hibiki can take me. Have fun kids!"

"Miss! Here's your handbag!" Hana exclaimed, standing on the porch with Melina's brown leather purse that looked like a messenger's bag.

Melina jogged back to the porch, running up the stairs to retrieve her purse. She kissed the woman who was like a second grandmother to her on the cheek. Although the woman intimidated her at times, she loved her because she could feel Hana's love and care in everything she did despite her reticence and strict adherence to tradition.

Happiness bred by love, the love of all of those around her, was the warmest feeling of all. Melina could not stop smiling as she ran to the Jeep. Shoto waited for her in the passenger's seat. Life is good. Life is real good.

"Have a good day, Miss!" Hana yelled after them as Melina cranked the Jeep.

Melina was having a great day. Never before had she felt such a sense of freedom as when she drove down the road, the wind whipping her hair around her face. She was in control. She could choose where to go, what to do. It was a great feeling.

After dropping off Shoto at the entrance of the mall where Bakugo, Midoriya, and Kirishima waited for him, she waved good-bye to all of them, blowing Shoto a kiss. She knew the others would tease him terribly about that mushy farewell, but she didn't care. She doubted Shoto would care much either.

Melina went to the park, walking along the shady path covered by the branches of trees that had grown together to form a canopy overhead. Since she was close by, she went by the flower shop. Upon entering, the owner immediately looked her way to greet her new customer.

"Oh, Melina!" the owner exclaimed after seeing her.

Forgetting about her present customer standing in front of her, Nana ran around the counter to greet Melina with a hug.

"How have you been? Where have you been?" Taking at glimpse at her small but definitely pregnant belly magnified by the maternity shirt, the woman's eyes bulged in surprise and she asked, "When did that happen?"

"Oh, about five months ago," she replied, shrugging her shoulders as if to throw off the weight of embarrassment. "I'm going to make a bouquet. You should finish with your other customer. We can talk in a minute."

Melina blew out a breath as Nana hurried back to assist the woman at the counter who thankfully did not appear upset one bit by being abandoned and summarily ignored. Going to the coolers in the back of the floral shop, she set about choosing flowers for a bouquet for Rei. Pink baby roses and carnations dyed blue, baby's breath and frilly green ferns.

"Perfect," she commented out loud to herself as she prepared to wrap them in yellow and mint green tissue paper.

"Very nice. A present for the grandmother I presume?" Hana ventured when Melina brought them to the register to pay.

"How did you know?" she asked, digging in her purse for her wallet.

"Just a guess," the woman replied. "When do you plan on making more of your cosmetics? I really could use another supply. People ask for them everyday."

"I, uh, I really don't do that anymore." Her heart sank as she recalled the fire; the beehives engulfed in flame, lighting up the night from the rooftop.

"Oh? Why not?" The disappointment showed on Nana's face.

"Something happened to my bees," she answered vaguely, handing the woman a bill to pay for the flowers. Hurrying for the door, she called behind her, "Keep the change."

"It was great seeing you! If you decide to start making them again, I'll be happy to sell them!"

"Sure thing. It was good seeing you too! Bye!"

Melina was grateful for the walk to the hospital. It gave her a chance to clear her head, to put the emotional distress behind her. She knocked on Rei's door feeling quite anxious. When no answer came, she tentatively slid open the door. There was no one inside.

Oh, dammit, she thought, suddenly remembering. Today is Rei and Enji's marriage counseling session. She had completely forgotten.

Going inside, she threw out the drooping blooms in one of the vases. Cleaning it and refilling it with water, she arranged the new bouquet. Scrawling a short note on the pad sitting on the bedside table, she apologized for missing Rei and expressed how much she looked forward to seeing her on Sunday for the family dinner. Then she left.

Maybe I should go back to beekeeping, she mused as she walked to the Jeep. Or maybe I should find new hobbies that have nothing to do with my past.

But beekeeping had also been a wonderful part of her present when she was teaching the kids about bees and showing the girls how to formulate the make up and lotions.

Bypassing the car in the parking lot, Melina walked across the street to the library. So much for having a boring day at home. Not necessarily an epic adventure, but she was enjoying her outing. For the first time in a few months time, she was on her own, doing things for herself. She had forgotten how much she relished her independence

\'/

After spending two hours in the library researching hobbies such as wreath making, knitting, gardening, and other crafts centered around home making, Melina decided to take a break for a snack.

Taking a chance and traveling farther down the street to explore new territory, she spotted a busy little cafe. Surely a packed house meant the place must be good. Especially for there to be so many people there late in the afternoon. There were no free tables, but she did spot a familiar face in the crowd.

All Might sat at a table in the corner all by himself. Papers covered the entire surface of the table except for a small square occupied by his coffee cup and untouched pastry. She smiled and ambled over to the corner, having to dodge a trio of chattering girls too busy looking at their phones and talking to each other to see her.

"May I join you?" she asked the man too focused on grading papers to take note of anyone or anything around him.

He looked up at her, his radiant blue eyes lost in a sea of black sclera. Those unusual eyes focused on her face then registered recognition.

"Wow, you were concentrating really hard weren't you?" she inquired, giving him a big smile which he returned showing his massive white teeth.

That smile just wasn't the same as when he was in his official hero form. The smile appeared sad in his shrunken form but his jaw remained formidable, his eyes intense. Toshinori Yagi despite not having the big body and big ego was still a strong, determined man. He was a great mentor and teacher, dedicated to heralding in a new generation of heroes to be reckoned with, specifically his successor Izuku Midoriya.

The thought of Izuku reminded her about Shoto being at the mall with his friends. She wondered how they were doing and hoped they were having fun. They deserved to have fun. Life had already tried to make them grow up way too fast, all of them being targeted by the League of Villains. She shuddered at the very memory of Shigaraki.

"I would love for you to join me," he said, gathering the papers into a single stack. "I was beginning to think I would never get to see you again."

Guilt washed over her. She felt like a prodigal daughter being sweetly chastised for not visiting her dear father. Her face grew warm with embarrassment. She had been avoiding visiting the school and seeing everyone. Why she didn't know. Maybe it was because every time she went out, she ran into people she didn't want to see ever again like Himiko Toga.

Hanging the strap of her purse on the back of the chair, she slid her hand over her stomach to smooth down her dress while preparing to sit.

"Whoa...you've grown," he remarked.

"Hmmm...yes, you're the second one to notice and say so today," she muttered.

"I didn't mean it as insult," he swiftly rejoined, his gaunt cheeks turning bright pink. "Motherhood suits you well. You're positively glowing. I never knew what that meant until seeing you at this moment."

Melina was sure she was glowing even more as her face heated up and darkened from the compliment. Shoto had also said that too. Thankfully the server showed up in time to distract her from her embarrassment. Smiling up at the young male server who gave her a menu, she recognized the boy as Hanta Sero.

"Oh, hello there. You're working during summer break?" she asked him

"Hi, Miss Zusa," he greeted her with a large, friendly smile. "I'm working just to keep from being bored. Not gonna lie, the extra money is nice too. What can I get for you today?"

"What would you suggest?"

"There's a vanilla creme cake that's really good. A strawberry danish made with real strawberry preserves."

"Anything chocolate?"

"A chocolate croissant. A dark chocolate cake with orange whipped cream frosting."

"Oooh, that one! The chocolate cake," she requested.

"Coffee?"

"With real cream, please," she said politely.

"Sir, would like another cup of coffee?" he asked All Might.

"I would, young man," he replied in his deep voice that projected through the air even when he was speaking low.

"Sure thing. I'll be right back with your order."

"So what are you up to, young lady?" All Might questioned her directly, setting aside the papers to converse with her.

"Just trying to figure out what to do with myself. I need a new sense of purpose. Besides the baby of course," she explained, picking up one of the papers. "Aren't you on break right now? Why do have so many papers to grade?"

"As a teacher, the work never ends. Catching on term papers. I sure could use an assistant," he said, catching her eyes after she replaced the paper onto the stack. "What about you? Would that do as a new sense of purpose?"

"Me? But I can't. I left the school because - "

"I know why you left, but here's the thing. No one would have asked you leave. You're not a bad influence. We all know you and like you. We don't know all of your circumstances, and it's none of our business. But we know the kind of person you are. You're not a bad person. You just a made a few bad choices...that's all," he said, sounding extremely fatherly.

"Hmph," she groused, staying quiet while Hanta set her coffee and cake down in front of her and refilled All Might's cup from the pot he carried.

A few bad choices. Boy, that's an understatement, she thought.

Inhaling the mouthwatering aromas of coffee, chocolate, and orange, she took a moment to indulge her other senses. The clinking of silverware against dishes. The beige colored coffee in the white ceramic mug. The dull hum of conversations around them that was like the humming of the hundreds of bees in a hive. The cake so dark, so full of chocolate, it was black. She picked the piece of dark chocolate covered candied orange peel from the top of the cake to nibble at it.

"Being at the school will strictly be on a volunteer basis. You can choose when and how long you want to be there. I'm sure you have doctor's appointments and other things you need to do. You can even pick and choose what you do. The other teachers could use help with things. There's also tutoring the students. I know for a fact the girls would love to have you back, imparting more of your knowledge about the bees and how to make your cosmetics," he said.

"That's unfair, Toshinori Yagi. Don't use the kids to try to convince me," she responded, picking up her coffee cup.

"I'm sorry," he apologized, picking up his cup as well. "I really wasn't trying to manipulate you."

When he lowered his eyes from hers, a remorseful expression on his face, Melina reached across the table to place her hand over his to assure him she was not upset. Although his hand was huge, it felt fragile and skeletal under hers.

"All you had to do was ask," she said, lifting her hand. "I miss all of you so much. Are you really sure it's okay for me to be there?"

"It will be fine. Principal Nezu was just asking about you. He'd be happy to see you too."

"Well, I will come for a few hours a day. And I won't live on campus."

"Completely reasonable stipulations. Besides, I'll be retiring one of these days. Probably after the next school year is up."

Melina choked on her coffee.

"Wh-what?" she stammered, wiping her mouth with her napkin.

"I'm tired, Melina. I love these kids. I love teaching, but I want to rest. Before I die," he added in a way that made her want to cry.

"Oh, All Might," she murmured, reaching across the table to take one of his massive hands between hers.

"Don't worry. I don't plan on dying any time soon. I want to see what kind of quirk, what kind of hero that baby of yours becomes. It's bound to be interesting."

His second gross understatement of the day. He was definitely right about that. It was going to be interesting to see this child grow up so he would have to stick around for quite a bit longer.

\'/

Melina was sitting in the kitchen trying to plan the menu for Sunday dinner. Hana had taken her by surprise by insisting she choose the the dishes for the upcoming family gathering because it was her duty as mistress of this house. She stared at the blank piece of paper, tapping the pen on the wooden prep table.

Shoto's favorite food was Zaru Soba. The cold noodle dish would be great on a hot August day. What about the rest of the family? What would they all like to eat? Perhaps she should go with all cold dishes considering the oppressive summer heat outside. Sashima, cucumber salad, and ice cream, homemade of course, for dessert. She ran the menu by Hana.

"Good choices, Mistress. I think the family will be quite pleased," Hana reassured her.

Melina breathed an audible sigh of relief. She was doing her best to take her place as mistress of this house. Massaging her rounded tummy, her mind centered on her baby. The bizarre and entrancing sensation of the baby moving was like tiny bubbles bursting inside her belly.

She is the mother of a Todoroki. One day she would be the wife of a Todoroki. She was already a part of the family, and she needed to start acting like it.

"Mel," Shoto called to her.

He did not call her that nickname often so the use of it immediately grabbed her attention.

"Honey, I'm home," he announced, raising the white bag in his hand. "I brought presents."

"Oooh, taiyaki!" she exclaimed, extending her arms and flexing her fingers to make 'gimme' hands.

Despite having had a snack just two hours earlier, she was hungry again. Growing another human must be harder work for her body than she thought.

"Let's take a walk," she suggested, taking the bag from him.

"How was your day?" Shoto asked her, taking her by the arm as they prepared to dismount the back steps. "Before you say a word, yes, I know you're not helpless. I only want to keep you and the baby safe."

"I know," she sighed, linking her arm through his after putting both feet on the gravel path. "I had a great day. I actually went quite a few places. I stopped by the hospital, but I had forgotten today was your parents counseling session. I went to the library to research hobbies. I'm trying to find something useful to do with myself besides read baby books and think too much."

"Mmm, yes, thinking too much is a bad habit of yours."

"I saw All Might today," she said, ignoring his remark.

"Oh, really?"

"He was at a cafe I was curious to try. Sero is working there. Seeing him also was a nice surprise," she went on, opening the bag while keeping her arm securely wrapped around his.

Breaking one of the fish shaped pastries in half, she handed the tail to him.

"A man does enjoy a good piece of tail," he commented in such an emotionless tone she almost missed the dirty insinuation.

Melina giggled like a school girl, elbowing him in the ribs.

"God, you're so different with me," she murmured, taking a bite of the fried pancake dough filled with creamy chocolate.

"I feel like I can be myself with you. Like I don't have to hide anything. You won't judge me or think badly of me for saying crazy things like that," he said, stuffing the entire piece of taiyaki in his mouth.

"I could say the same thing about you. I'm so thankful you've never judged me or thought me to be a horrible person. Although you could have and would have been right. I really wasn't a good person for quite a long time."

"Well, obviously the good was always there. Way down deep, you've always been a good person."

"Oh, Shoto," she sighed, her heart filling to overflowing with a warm fuzzy feeling for him that filtered throughout her entire body making her tingle from head to toe.

"So what happened at the cafe with All Might?" he inquired to change the subject when her eyes filled with happy tears.

"We had a really nice visit. He suggested I come to school to assist him. To help out wherever I can. Maybe even teach a little. Just on a strictly occasional, volunteer basis," she added. "I won't return to living on campus or anything."

"It will still be great not having to go so long without seeing you. I'm glad he made that suggestion," Shoto said, sliding his arm from hers to take her by the hand.

"Tell me about your day. What did you do? Did you have fun?" she questioned him.

"More of our classmates joined us later. There was a big group of us today. Now I know why Sero wasn't there. We went to the arcade and the movie theater. We went to the go-cart track too. Bakugo kept crashing into everyone on purpose so they made us leave. That idiot didn't seem to understand the difference between go-cart racing and bumper cars. We're planning on going to the amusement park next week."

"The last big hurrah before you go back to school?"

"Yeah. You want to come?"

"Nah, I don't think so. I'd rather not get on any of the rides. I don't want to take any chances," she reminded him, patting her belly.

Shoto stopped, turning toward her. While continuing to hold her hand, he placed his other hand on her abdomen.

"You can ride the Ferris wheel with me. We can ride the carousel together. The view from the sky cars is breathtaking. Romantic," he added, running his fingers through her hair.

"Is it important to you that I come with you?" she asked, cupping his rounded jaw with her hand.

"Yes. It is. I want you to be with me," he admitted, squeezing her hand still held securely in his.

He was so baby faced. Sometimes he acted so far beyond his years. An old soul inhabiting a young body. Then other times he acted much younger than age of sixteen years, cracking veiled dirty jokes or shamelessly pouting.

At the moment, she saw him as a man, the man she loved. The man she with whom she wanted to spend the rest of her life.

"Will you go with me?" he asked.

She smiled. "I will."

"One day you'll say that in a completely different context."

"I will," she repeated, rising on her tiptoes to place a chaste kiss square on his lips.

"I want it to happen just like that...when I kiss my wife for the first time."

"Me too."

They continued to stroll leisurely along the path, not saying a word until they reached the pergola. They sat down on the swing to share the red bean taiyaki.

"I have incredible news. Hana allowed me to choose the menu for the family dinner on Sunday," she divulged excitedly before taking a bite.

"That is big news," he agreed. grabbing her hand and pulling the fish shaped treat to his mouth to take a bite while it was still clutched in her fist. "If she's turning some of the household duties over to you, I guess she's finally accepted you as the mistress of the house."

"I really don't like that word considering what this house was used for and what you called it," she confessed.

"Well, don't forget there are two different meanings of the word. A mistress doesn't just refer to the illicit lover of a married man. When used in reference to you, here and now, it means you're the female head of household. You know that," he said, placing his hand on her knee. "It also means a woman who has power, authority, or ownership. You have all three."

Melina held her breath as he gazed deeply into her eyes. Her skin prickled over her entire body from the intensity of that look.

"The power to bring this family together. The authority to do as you please here because this is your house now. You own my heart," he helpfully clarified. "You've always had this aura of power that captured my attention before I even talked to you. You have always acted so secure, so self-assured. Like no one and nothing could scare you or intimidate you."

"You were wrong," she returned in a voice barely above a whisper. "I'm terrified of so many things. I'm not that brave. I wish I was. But I'm not."

"You're a hell of a lot more courageous than you're giving yourself credit for being. The way I've seen you stand up to my Father is mesmerizing. The way you've stood up to Dabi surprised me."

"I'm a crybaby."

"It doesn't matter how much you cry. The tears don't mean you're weak. They mean you feel things, genuine emotion. You cry when you're sad or scared. You also cry when you're happy or feeling so much you don't know what else to do. Actually, seeing you vulnerable reminds me that you need me. Letting your guard down has allowed me to be bold with you, to say what I think and tell you how I feel. The way I love you frightens me," he confessed, leaning closer to her.

"It scares me too," she admitted, inclining her head toward his.

"You own my heart," Shoto repeated, touching his forehead to hers.

"I'll take good care of it. I swear," she promised.

Shoto lifted his hand from her knee, pressing it against her chest between her breasts. Her heart beat so hard she was sure he could feel it bumping against his palm.

"I swear to protect your heart as well since you gave it to me despite your fear. Thank you," he said, leaning back enough to see her face.

"For what?" she rejoined, her face twisting in confusion.

"Allowing me to love you. And loving me in return," he murmured, his eyes delving deeply into hers that filled with tears from his heartfelt words. "Please tell me you're crying because you're happy."

"I am. I am beyond happy," she assured him, her voice raspy in an effort to hold back the tears that slipped over her lower eyelids.

"Somehow, we'll make this work. We'll be a happy family. All of us. Mom. Dad. Natsuo. Fuyumi. Dabi," he added, his eyes sliding away from hers.

"Hey," she called to him gently, taking his face between both of her palms to make him look at her. "Do you worry about me going back to him?"

"Yes," he confessed, reaching up to wipe the tears away from her cheeks with his thumbs.

"I won't, but I guess that's one of those specters we'll always have to live with. Make peace with. That's why I fought so hard not to fall in love with you. I told you - "

"I know," he interrupted her. "I know this is something I'll have to live with. I'd rather live with that than live without you."

"You're such an old man sometimes. A romantic old geezer," she whispered through her tears making both of them laugh.

"But at least I look good for an old man, right?"

"You're not wrong."

They laughed harder and louder, a nervous release from the anxiety and seriousness of the conversation.

"Tell me you love me and kiss me," Shoto ordered her in the kindest of ways.

Melina leaned forward. Her lips to hovered over his so close they grazed his lips as she spoke, she proclaimed with all sincerity in a low, breathy voice that she loved him. Her mouth pressed to his for a tearful, heart rending kiss laying her emotions bare and expressing her love for him in action.

As if to make his or her presence known, the child inside of her moved. Melina broke the kiss with a gasp, glimpsing down at her belly.

"The baby's moving?" he asked, placing his hands against her abdomen. "I wish I could feel the baby."

"You will soon. By next month you can feel him or her moving," she said, stroking his cheek with the backs of her fingers.

"Have you thought about names?"

"I have. But I haven't chosen anything yet. Want to help me decide on a few? I figured we could pick out several and see what fits best after the baby is born."

"Good idea."

"Shoto, how many children do you want to have?" Melina inquired, realizing they had never discussed the matter.

"I don't know. Two, three, four. I like the idea of a big family. There's four of us kids after all. I think four is a good number. How many do you want to have?" he questioned her.

"I-I...I n-never really considered having children. I never thought I'd have children or a husband or any kind of family again."

Shoto gave her one of those sideways little grins of his. The smile was almost like a smirk as if he were hiding a secret.

"You were wrong," he said, leaning forward to brush his lips across hers in a teasing kiss.

"You are way too happy being able to tell me I was wrong," she laughed lightly, embracing him tightly. "But I'm happy I was wrong about that."

"You have a family, Melina...people who love you. Your family will only continue to grow."