Chapter Thirty-Two:
Byakuya's POV
I watched Ukitake pace the room looking to the door his wife was behind every so often. Heather went into labor and the captain is really getting antsy. It's been hours since she went in and not as much as a peep out of her. I was starting to get worried myself before I heard a strained, pain-filled scream come from behind the door. I stood up in my seat and Ukitake was completely still, staring at the door as if it were some kind of threat. My grandfather reached for my shoulder and sat me down before saying, "Easy Byakuya, Heather is not the first woman to go through this." "Do women in her condition normally sound like that?" I heard Kyōraku ask as he attempted to sit his friend down. "Some are worse than others." my grandfather explained casually glancing in the doors direction.
When my friend first started going into labor, I was with her while Ukitake was in the office. She was looking over some last minute details for her daughter before she started to complain about minor cramps and sat down. After a few hours Ukitake came back and called for one of his relatives after hearing what was going on. His mother showed up and suggested that Heather was going to have the baby. Not wasting any time, Ukitake sent a Hell Butterfly to Captain Unohana whom quickly arrived and shut me and my friend's husband out. News seemed to spread fast for my grandfather and Captain Kyōraku showed up and we have been waiting in this very room since. "Do you think she's going to be alright, grandfather?" I asked looking to him worriedly. Another scream came from the other room causing all of us to stare worriedly. "Your mother sounded far worse." he replied as if he did not want to answer. I vaguely wondered why he was being so sensitive about my mother's details; I did not really know her to feel the reason to get upset. I sighed in relief of the news that I had received; Heather was going to be alright.
It did not take long before I heard a shrill cry from behind the door. Ukitake was directly next to the door, eyeing it anxiously. The cries slowly silenced and the door opened to reveal Captain Ukitake's mother carrying a bundle in her arms. "Here she is." she said softly as she handed the child to her son, beaming. These Ukitake's really confused me. This woman knows the truth but she was acting like this was her flesh and blood granddaughter. "I-I…wow!" Ukitake breathed. Kyōraku peered over his friend's shoulder and smiled widely while commenting, "Cute little thing, isn't she?" Ukitake looked over to us and walked over. My grandfather stood and looked at the bundle in the captain's arms. "You're a fortunate man, Ukitake. She is both healthy and beautiful." my grandfather complimented. Kyōraku looked at me and invited me over, "Come on, Byakuya." I walked over and looked into the Thirteenth Division Captain's arms. I could not help but to smile a little bit. "Heather said that she wanted to make you her godfather." Ukitake mentioned and I looked at him oddly. "A what?" I asked and he shrugged. "I have no idea. I think it's a good thing." he answered a little confused but he seemed overall happy. "Yeah, I suppose I'll do it." I told him still not very sure what that title was. "What are you two going to name her?" Grandfather asked Ukitake. He smiled lightly, "We had that discussion for a long time and brought up several names but Midori Ukitake seemed like the right way to go." Midori? I looked to the baby once more, sounds about right. "Captain Ukitake?" Captain Unohana called out to the other captain and he turned to face her. "Your wife is upset that she has not seen you or held the baby yet, if you would please?" she asked kindly. Ukitake's face perked up slightly, "I'll be right there." I'll remember to ask Heather what this 'godfather' thing is later.