DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM
"So Mizu, did you have fun with all your friends?" Masaomi asked once all the children were gone and it was just family left.
"Yeah!" Mizu said, playing with some of his new things.
"It was a nice party," Ema said, helping to put out some fresh food for the rest of the family coming.
She looked over at Natsume who was standing with Subaru.
He had been lost in thought the whole time they had been there among the kids.
Ema knew he had said he was fine with the idea of having them, but given his pondering all afternoon and evening, Ema wondered if he really was.
"Hello everyone," Ema suddenly heard Iori call out as he came into the living room with a young lady. She was holding a small a small terrarium that some kind of lizard creature in it.
"Hi Uncle Iori!" Mizu said running over to him, "you brought the lizard doctor with you!"
"Mizu, she's herpetologist, a scientist who studies all reptiles, not just lizards," Iori told his nephew.
"It's okay, Lizard doctor sounds kind of cool," said his date.
"I didn't know Iori was seeing someone," Ema mentioned.
"She's another grad student, from the same university," Wataru said, "they got to know each when they were both in Australia doing research. Iori for the desert plant life, Kyo for her reptiles."
"Kyo, that's her name?" Ema asked.
"Yeah been getting kind of confusing with her and Ukyo," Wataru muttered.
"We only really met her once before when Iori return home," Ukyo said as he walked past, "but they had gotten to know each other so well while in Australia that they moved in together shortly after coming back."
"Oh Ema!" Iori said when he noticed her, "So happy to see you again. Kyo this is my sister Ema, Ema this is my new girlfriend Kyo."
"Nice to finally meet you in person," Kyo said.
"Nice to meet you too," Ema said, "and your pet." She looked down at her terrarium.
"Oh yeah, my bearded dragon, brought him home for study," Kyo said looking at him, "I only brought him here to share a special announcement with Mizu."
"What! What!" Mizu asked eagerly.
Kyo carrird her terrarium over to the coffee table and put it down.
"In honor of your birthday, I'm naming my dragon after you! Mizu the dragon!"
"Oh cool!" Mizu said looking at the lizard in awe.
"Will I get one named after me?" Kadia asked.
"Well your birthday's in a few months we'll see," Kyo said, "brought back a few specimens for study."
"Hello all," Hikaru suddenly called out as he came into the room, "am I late enough to make an entrance?"
"Uncle Hikaru!" the kids shouted again.
"Well who is this fine young man before me?" Hikaru asked, "he almost looks like my young nephew Mizu who I saw only last week!"
"It's me Uncle Hikaru!" Mizu said.
"Oh is that you Mizu? You're so grown!" Hikaru said. "oh and little Kadia. How is it such a lovely woman came from such a family of such brute men!"
"That's what I'm always wondering," Miwa suddenly said as she and Rintaro suddenly came in as well.
"Grandma! Grandpa!" Mizu shouted happily.
"Happy birthday Mizu," Rintaro trying to juggle an arm full of presents.
"Here, let me help," Mie offered as she help gather up the different gift and add them to the pile that was left of Mizu's presents, mostly made up of family presents.
"You're certainly good at that," Miwa observed as she watched Mie balance the gift neatly in the pile.
"I learn a few tricks working hotels," said Mie.
"Wow, impressive," Miwa said turning her attention back to her grandchildren.
Mie slowly walked back over to Ema and whispered, "do you think she likes me?"
"I think so," Ema assured her.
She suddenly noticed her dad walking over to her.
"Hi honey, been a while," he said with a smile.
"Hi dad," Ema said, hugging her dad, "how are you and mom doing?"
"We've been good," Rintaro said, "happy to be here for Mizu's birthday. Can't believe he's 5 now!"
"Yeah, you should have seen the earlier party with all the kids from his class. It was a little wild," Ema said.
Rintaro patted her head kindly, "I wish I could have done more of that for you growing up."
"Oh you did fine with what you could dad," Ema assured her father.
"I'm sure you were affectionate and attentive than my parents were sir," Mie mentioned.
"Oh thanks for that hook up by the way when we were in London," Rintaro said to her.
"Thanks for the nice review," Mie said, "it even got mother's attention."
"I wonder if that was Miwa's intent," Rintaro said, "the sneak that she is."
Mie and Ema both had to suppress their laughs.
"Well dinner's ready and the table's set," Ukyo announced.
"And if everyone's here, how about we eat?" Masaomi said.
Everyone filed into the dinging room that now had a much longer table to fit everyone present.
The family sat enjoying their meal, each getting a chance to share what new in their lives. Ema could see Mie and Subaru both look exciting and nervous about their upcoming announcement.
In either case it was so nice seeing practically the whole family all together having a family.
'This is what makes me happy about having a baby! It'll be so nice seeing him or her grow up among all these great people!'
"You seem pretty happy during dinner. Was the food that good?" Natsume asked after dinner as the family returned to the living room to begin opening the rest of Mizu's presents.
"Just thinking, how fun it'll be to raise our baby among our great family," Ema said.
Natsume scoffed. "Already planning for it are you?"
"Well, I wouldn't mind seeing our child grow up in a big family. I didn't have that growing up," Ema said.
"I know, I know," Natsume said, pulling her close, "I will admit, our kid will be lucky to have such great uncles growing up."
"Do you still mind if we talk to Tomori?" Ema asked.
"Yeah, but later," Natsume insisted, still holding her close.
"Well that's almost all of your presents," Masaomi said, "what do you say to your uncles, aunts and grandparents?"
"Thank you for all the great gifts!" Mizu said, not really looking up from the toy he was playing with. It was the remote control car Natsume and Ema had gotten him.
"Oh and looks like there's one more," Rika said as she pulled a small one out. She winked at Masaomi who nodded and moved to the tv.
"Oh it's from your Uncle Futo!"
"Uncle Futo?" Mizu said as he snatched the gift. He ripped it open, "Cool Space Prince 4!"
"He's still doing that lame series?" Yusuke asked.
"Hey it was Number one at the box office," Tsubaki said.
"What's this Mommy?" Mizu asked as he pulled out a note.
"Read it, you can do that now, you know you can," Rika encouraged.
"Happy birthday, From Uncle Futo, turn on the Tel-tel-television when you open your gift?" Mizu read.
"Well let's do that," Masaomi said as he did such. Immediately an image of Futo appeared.
"Hey hey, this is a song dedicated to my favorite nephew Mizu on his 5th birthday!"
He said as he started to sing a whole new birthday song.
"Wow, pretty impressive song," Ema said.
"What a showboat," Yusuke muttered.
"That was just for you Mizu! After you see this song, call me so I can wish you a happy birthday in person!"
"You heard the man," Masaomi said as he pulled out his phone and dialed.
He handed the phone to his son.
"Hi Uncle Futo! Yeah I did! It was awesome! You're awesome! Thank you! You're great! It's okay! Thanks for sending me gift and song anyway! I can't wait to see you too! Yeah everyone's here! Yeah Aunt Ema! Sure."
Mizu ran over to her and Natsume, "Uncle Futo wants to talk to you," he said handing her the phone.
"Hi Futo," Ema said as she took it.
"So, you saw my performance for Mizu?" Futo asked smugly.
"Yeah, you were amazing. It was so sweet for you to do that for him," Ema said.
"What can I say, I have a soft spot for him and the girl," Futo said, "Just wanted to say, thanks for introducing me to that friend of yours from your photography classes, Keitorin. She's done well as my perosnal photographer."
"Oh wonderful," Ema said happily.
"She also good in bed," Futo added.
"I, huh?" Ema sputtered, "that wasn't my intent when I introduced you two."
"Yeah but can't fault good partnering," Futo said, "with business or pleasure."
"You're sick you know that," Natsume said.
"Oh, is that the beast that carried you away?" Futo asked.
Natsume groaned, "you're just as bad as Tsubaki sometimes."
"Oh you take that back!" Futo snapped back. Natsume moaned. "I'm waiting!"
"Hey, what's going on here?" Hikaru said as he suddenly took the phone from Ema, Hello? Futo? What? Don't you want to speak to mother? Oh no don't hang up until you talk to her!"
Hikaru quickly handed the phone to his mother.
"Hi, dear," Miwa said, "stop calling me by my first name! Don't you dare hang up on me! You hardly ever take my calls! How else can I learn about you other than those nasty gossip magazines. By the way what's this about you being seen with your photographer or something? Oh really? Well, are you seeing anyone then? Well are you? Oh you are? Well you could have just said that to begin with. I'm your mother, it's my duty to be informed. Well what is she like? Come on don't be like that. I'll get to meet her right? Right?! Uh-huh, we'll see about that! Bye dear."
Miwa hung up and handed the phone back to Masaomi.
"Futo says hi everyone," she said, "and yes apparently he is seeing his personal photographer. He's just doesn't want to make a big deal about it."
"Uncle Futo has a girlfriend? But I wanted to marry Uncle Futo!" Kadia said disappointed.
"Kid he's your uncle," Yusuke said.
"Oh she's only 3, she doesn't know better," Hikaru said, "I think you'll find yourself a better prince someday Kadia."
"Really? A prince?" Kadia said.
"You'll see," Hikaru assured her.
"Um, excuse us, but Can I make an announcement with Mie?" Subaru asked as he led his girlfriend to the center of the room. "Mie and I have been together for a long time and well, two weeks ago, I asked her to marry me."
A huge gasp filled the room. Miwa jumped up and hurried over to the couple, admiring Mie's ring.
"Oh my goodness! This is amazing!" she said
The room was suddenly in a huge uproar as many others started to circle around the happy couple. All except Ema and Natsume who stood back watching.
"I think mom's going to be just fine with this union," Natsume whispered. Ema nodded in agreement. Then Natsume noticed Tomori standing a little outside the circle.
"Let's try and see if we can sneak her away real fast and ask about your worries in regards to making a baby," he suggested.
He led Ema around until they came closer to Tomori and Natsume tapped her shoulder.
"Yeah?" she asked.
"Can we talk to you, alone?" Natsume asked softly.
"Uh sure," Tomori agreed as she followed the couple down a hallway until they were just barley out of sight of the living room.
"Everything okay?"
"Well, the thing is, we're thinking maybe we'd want to try starting a family of our own," Natsume started to explain.
Tomori gasped, "are you serious! Oh my goodness! That'd be amazing!"
"But we're a little worried," Ema continued, looking at Natsume, "we've been together for so long as it was and well, we haven't gotten pregnant yet. And we're a little worried that something might be wrong with..."
"One or both of us, not just one of us," Natsume said sternly.
"Well do you use protection usually when you're making love?" Tomori asked.
"Yes, condoms mostly," Natsume said.
"It was hard for me to take the pill," Ema admitted. "But the condoms aren't 100% and we've had times we didn't."
Tomori nodded, "Well maybe we just haven't been lucky. It can happen. Tell you what, I'll see if I have some openings or if any if my colleagues do at the clinic and maybe just run some standard test on the both of you and see if there's anything we should be considered about in regards to you having a baby."
"Thank you, that would be most generous of you," Natsume said.
"And don't worry, I'll keep this all discrete," Tomori assured befor heading back to the living room.
"I didn't embarrass you or anything did I?" Ema asked.
"Oh no, I was just worried you were going to try and blame yourself for the whole thing," Natsume said as he gently nudged her back to the living room as well.
Ema smiled and gave him a kiss before heading that way. Natsume was close behind her, but paused as he heard a conversation nearby. It sounded like Tsubaki and Haruhi.
'Oh god what if he heard!' Natsume thought as he followed their voices.
"Look don't sweat it okay? We're not there yet and we'll know if and when we are okay? I'm in no rush anyway! I'll be happy getting married at 100!" Natsume heard Haruhi as he neared.
He paused when he happened to catch a glance of them kissing.
"Come on, let's go congratulate your brother one more time and see about maybe going out on our own," she added as she walked back.
She walked past not seeming to notice Natsume. Natsume waited until Tsubaki started to do the same.
"Everything okay?" he asked.
"Oh hey Nats," Tsubaki said, "yeah everything's fine. It's just, well Subaru getting marriedand it got me thinking, what if it's our time? Even if I'm not quite sure I'm ready for it? Haruhi was just assuring me she's not to eager to tie the knot just yet it either so I'm guess I'm off the hook for now. But still, I think she's the one!"
"Good, well don't rush if you're not ready," Natsume encouraged. They paused before going fully into the room, watching Subaru and Mie happy taking in the words of praise and happiness from the family.
"In either case, it might be cruel to take away Subaru's thunder. This is his time," Tsubaki mentioned.
"Yeah," Natsume agreed.
"It's going to be very interesting over the next couple of months," Tsubaki said.
"Yeah, try not to cause trouble for him okay?" Natsume asked.
"I promise to try to try," Tsubaki swore.
"Best we could probably ask for," Natsume muttered.
Ema sighed as she and Natsume came home, Ema holding a sleeping Juli.
"That was an exciting day," she said as she managed to put Juli into his house.
"Yeah," Natsume agreed as he plopped down on the couch.
"Wants some coffee or a beer?" Ema asked as she headed to the kitchen.
"Nah, I'm fine," Natsume said. He patted the spot next to him. "Let's just try relaxing for a bit."
Ema did so, cuddling next to him.
"So, think we're gonna be okay, being parents?" she asked.
"Yeah, I think we can handle it," Natsume said, "was thinking about it all during the party."
"I noticed," Ema said, "I'll admit, there were times I was worried you were changing your mind on the idea."
"Mmm, well it's not like we're expecting to have the baby tomorrow or something. We have to adjust and grow. Even after the baby comes, we'll have time to grow and adjust to raising it," Natsume said.
"Natsume, please be honest with me, are you ready to be a father? It's fine either way. I won't judge you if you're not," Ema insisted.
Natsume looked at her and smiled. "I want to say I am, but whoever is fully ready to be a parent, even if they've already had one?"
"But, do you want to have a baby?" Ema asked.
Natsume didn't answer at first. "I, think I do. I may not be jumping up and down for it, but I do kind of want one of our own."
Ema hugged him tight, "well it's like you said, it's not like we're having one right away. Even if I do get pregnant, it'll be a few months before the baby actually does come."
"Exactly," Natsume said, "look, let's get some sleep. We should enjoy it while we can."
"Okay," Ema agreed, giving him a kiss. Natsume suddenly grabbed her arms.
"Or, if you're feeling up to it...," he said, starting to nibble at her neck. .
Ema giggled, "well, Juli is asleep..," she managed to say before Natsume pulled her down.
A few days later Ema and Natsume sat in Tomori's office, waiting for her to come in with the results.
Ema looked at Natsume sitting in the chair, not doing anything except staying still.
"Feeling okay?" Ema asked.
"Yeah," Natsume insisted, "just, waiting. I'll be fine. You feeling okay?"
"Sure," Ema also insisted. "just like you said, waiting patiently. About how much longer do you think it'll be?"
"I'm sure it won't be too much longer," Natsume said, "these tests take time to go through."
Suddenly the office door opened and Tomori walked in holding a folder and taking a seat behind her desk.
"Hi, sorry for keeping you waiting," she said with a smile.
"It's alright, we understand that it takes time," Natsume said. Ema suddenly felt him taking her hand.
"Well, you'll be happy to know, both your tests came back positive. You're perfectly fine and healthy and should have no problems conceiving naturally," Tomori said happily looking over the contents of her folder.
"Oh that's wonderful!" Ema said happily, "but then why haven't I gotten pregnant over the years?"
Tomori shurgged her shoulders, "Again it could just be you haven't gotten lucky. Or have been lucky depending on how you look at it."
Natsume nodded, "is there anything we can do to help with the process though? If we felt necessary?"
"Oh yes," Tomori said handing him a sheet of paper, "these are some natural remedies that have been know to help get women pregnant. Shouldn't affect the body or your moods too badly."
"Thank you," Ema said softly. Both Natsume and Tomori could see the slight unsure in her eyes.
"Of course, if you are still feeling unsure about yourselves, we can do some more extended tests, look a little deeper, see if there are some more serious issues that need to be addressed."
"Do you recommend it?" Natsume asked.
"In your case, no. I think you two should be fine and most of my fellow doctors agree," Tomori assured him, "but if you feel it's necessary we certainly can."
"Okay," Natsume said.
"Also, again, if you feel it's necessary, I can subscribe you some fertility drugs to maybe help increase your odds," Tomori suggested.
"Fertility drugs?" Natsume asked.
"These ones I'm thinking of are actually quite effective," Tomori said as she pulled out a pamphlet, "they're meant to go side by side with the partners in question to help them get pregnant. They can be taken by just one partner but work best together when taken by both."
"Oh," Ema said as she read the pamphlet.
"Do you think necessary?" Natsume asked.
"As a doctor, no," Tomori said, "I still think you two can do it naturally. But if you feel differently, I think these could help. No one's saying you have to get them fill or even take them. That will all be up to you."
Natsume nodded while looking at Ema who was studying the pamphlet eagerly.
"Now keep in mind, if you do take these there are some side effects you should know about. One being, Natsume, you will have to deal," Tomori had to pause herself, "more and unplanned, erections."
"Mmm," Natsume muttered.
"And, Ema, you'll have to deal with more frequent and heavy periods," Tomori continued, "on account you'll be producing more eggs than normal."
"Oh, I see," Ema said as she read the same thing off the pamphlet.
"And that's the other risk involved with taking these medications," Tomori added, "since it's primary function is to help produce more eggs and sperm in the bodies, there's a risk of multiple pregnancies. Aka, getting pregnant with more than one baby at the time."
"How many more would we be looking at?" Natsume asked.
"Oh it can go as high as say 7 or 8 at once," Tomori.
"7 or 8?" Ema said.
"Even higher," Tomori said.
"What are the odds of that happening?" Natsume asked.
"Mm about 50%," Tomori said, "of course, if the number is high, you can also look into terminating a few of the embryos before they can become fully develop."
Ema and Natsume nodded.
"Well and like I said, you don't even have to do this if you don't want to," Tomori said as she handed the two subscription slips to the couple, "you're both perfectly healthy and are capable of doing it naturally."
"Thank you Tomori," Natsume said as he and Ema stood up.
"Yes, thank you so much!" Ema said, "it's nice having a fertility doctor in the family."
"Especially one that works for such a prestigious clinic like this," Natsume said.
"It's going to be okay, you'll see. I'm sure by this time next year, we'll be celebrating your new baby's arrival," Tomori encouraged the two as she showed them out.
"I hope so," Ema said.
"That'd be nice," Natsume agreed.
The two walked down the hall, still holding the the two persecutions and the pamphlet on the medication.
"So should we go get this filled out?" Ema asked.
"Huh? Oh, I guess," Natsume said. He seemed to be a little more uneasy than when he and Ema had been discussing trying for a baby.
He looked even more upset when the pharmacist came back with the two bags. He barley seemed interested as the pharmacist gave them instructions on taking the pills.
"You know, Tomori's right, we don't have to take these if we don't want to," Ema said as they drove home.
"Yeah, I know," Natsume said.
Ema bit her lip.
'I hope he's not even more overwhelmed,' she thought.
"Ema, you home?" Natsume called out as he came into his apartment.
"No not yet," he heard Juli call out.
"Oh," Natsume said as he looked over the squirrel chilling on the couch.
"She said something about visiting a farmer's market or something after work," Juli said, "probably to look for some of those remedies Tomori suggested you try for making a baby."
"Ah, I see," Natsume said as he slumped down on the couch. His eyes fell to the bag of the the pills they had gotten the other day. He pulled out the bottle that was meant for him. Intensely, he studied the bottle, deep in thought.
"Are those the drugs Tomori prescribed for you?" Juli asked.
"Yeah," Natsume said.
"Hmm," Juli noticed, "something on your mind? Something you want to share?'
Natsume managed to look away from his bottle and over to him.
"Well, can you keep this to yourself?" Natsume asked.
"You have my word," Juli swore.
"Including Ema?" Natsume also asked.
"Even her if need be," Juli promised.
"These pills make me a little nervous," Natsume admitted, "like if I take these and Ema does get pregnant, does make me less of a man? That really couldn't help my wife conceive a child without assistance?"
"Oh, I see," Juli said. He patted Natsume's hand.
"Listen, you know how Chi's adopted right? Rintaro did nothing to help make her. Yet she is his daughter now, the one she sees as father. Doesn't matter how it happened. Because that's what's make a real man. Being a father no matter how it happens. And if Chi is fine with you going this route, then I think that implies she doesn't see you any less than that."
"You're right," Natsume agreed, "that should be what really matters in the end."
"Of course with that said, Chi wouldn't want you to do anything you didn't feel comfortable doing. And even if you are the kind of man that will step up and be a father no matter what the circumstances, you shouldn't be forced to do it in a way that you don't see right. A baby's supposed to be a symbol of love and understanding between two lovers."
With that, he grabbed the bottle and carried it to bag, shoving it back in.
"Don't push yourself in anyway," Juli kept going on, "Chi would be beyond devastated if she you knew you were uncomfortable with what you were doing."
"Thanks Juli," Natsume said, patting his head. It did feel good to express how he felt to someone, even of it was a squirrel.
"Hi, I'm home," Ema said as she suddenly came in, her arms again full of groceries.
"Welcome home," Natsume and Juli said together.
"Hope I haven't kept you waiting," Ema said, putting the grocery bags down.
"Oh no, don't even worry about it," Natsume assured her, "I haven't been home that long either. I'm just sorry I didn't get started on dinner."
"Well I'm glad you didn't," Ema said, "In addition to getting some of the foods that Tomori suggested, I got some other things that I thought might make a good dinner. Like these."
She held up some rather tender looking stakes.
"Wow, those look good," Natsume said.
"I'll get started on them right away," Ema said.
"I'll help put away the rest of the groceries," Natsume offered.
"Thank you," Ema said, kissing his cheek. "that market was amazing! So many interesting foods and all of them so fresh. Next time, you should come with me!"
"Sure, sounds interesting," Natsume said, focusing on his task.
"By the way, where are the pills?" Ema asked.
"Still on the side table," Natsume said.
"Oh good, it's time to take one," Ema said as she walked over and pulled out her bottle.
"Going to go through with it, huh?" Natsume asked.
"I, just want to see how I feel," Ema admitted, "I know how to get off them if I change my mind. It's all in the pamphlet." She cast a glance at Natsume.
"Did you take one?" she asked.
"No, not yet," Natsume said casually. Ema nodded.
"Well don't do it if you don't want to," she insisted, "I don't want my husband doing something that he doesn't seem needful."
"Thank you dear," Natsume said.
He still watched Ema pop a pill before going back to preparing the stakes and a few other side dishes to go with it. She seemed to be doing just fine.
"Are you feeling alright so far?" Natsume asked as they ate their dinner.
"So far, I don't feel anything," Ema said.
"Can you promise me something? If you feel too uncomfortable with the side effects, you'll stop? I don't like seeing you in pain," Natsume asked.
"I will don't worry," Ema assured. "You know that actually has me thinking. What if I only took the pill when and if you feel the need to have sex? Like if you're feeling up to it? That way, I won't overdo it and I'll feel more like you're up to having a baby."
Natsume thought about it for a moment, "I kind of like that idea. But instead why not do the opposite. You take a pill when you're feeling ready to havd sex. That way it might be a better chance of getting pregnant. If you're feeling up to making love, that could be an indicator that your body's in a good position to be getting pregnant."
"You want to try it that way?" Ema asked, "I can do that."
"Good, because let's be honest, I tend to instigate it a little more than you," Natsume said a little smug.
Ema blushed. Then she started looking around the apartment.
"If we're really going to try hard for this, we're probably going to have to look into getting a bigger place," she mentioned.
Natsume also looked around their small apartment. "You're right, we would. But let's worry about one thing at a time."
"Oh, sure, sorry," Ema said.
"No, it's fine, I'm mean you're not wrong," Natsume said.
"If you do look into getting a bigger place, I think you should look into getting a house personally," Juli mentioned from up in his house, "with a backyard for the kid to play in."
"That'd be nice!" Ema said.
"We'll see, we'll look into it, in time," Natsume assured both.
Although he did have a rather big smile on his face that suggested he might be alright with the idea himself.
The months went on about as normal for the couple.
There wasn't even any much change to their sex lives.
Even with Ema taking the occasional pill when she felt the need.
Granted she did have the heavier periods as warned, but she seemed to take it okay.
That made Natsume feel a little better, that Ema didn't seem to be suffering with her decision.
Except for one minor problem.
They still hadn't managed to get pregnant.
"Did you see what we got into the mail today?" Natsume asked one evening. He held up an envelope similar to the one they had gotten not too long ago for Mizu's birthday party.
Ema smiled as she took it and opened it.
"Look at how she decorated it!" she said turning it over and showing Natsume the children's drawings of a princess and a unicorn.
"Not bad for a girl her age,' Natsume praised.
"You want to go find her a present tomorrow after work?" Ema asked.
"Sure," Natsume agreed. He studied his wife as she looked at the invitation lovingly. She didn't seem to be upset by the whole thing even though she herself was still not pregnant.
He was at least relieve she wasn't depressed over it.
"Do you have anything in mind?" Natsume asked the next day as they walked around the huge store.
"Mmm, want to check out the Barbie doll section?" Ema suggested.
"Sure," Natsume said as she walked down the aisle filled with all sorts of Barbies and accessories.
Natsume saw one in a rather fancy dress.
"How about this one?" he asked. He didn't hear Ema's response.
Natsume turned around quickly and realized Ema had wondered further down the aisle to an area with random baby dolls. He hurried down to join her and realized she was looking at one laying a cradle. He herd her sigh happily.
"Isn't it cute?" she asked out loud.
"I suppose," Natsume said. He saw her reach out and gently rock the cradle.
"Um, anyway, I think I found a Barbie Kadia will like," Natsume spoke up.
"Oh," Ema said looking away from the toy. "Awe, that is a nice one. She'll like that!"
"Okay, shall we go then?" Natsume asked.
"Yeah, it's getting crowded," Ema said as she hurried away, trying to act natural.
Natsume followed and the he two walked towards the front of the store, passing the baby section as they did.
Ema slowed down and eventually broke away from Natsume to go look at a baby crib on display.
Natsume followed her.
"Isn't this adorable?" she asked, admiring the display, complete with sheets, and a few baby toys in it for demonstration.
"Sure," Natsume agreed casually. He looked at the price tag raised and eyebrow.
'It's easy to forget how expensive a baby can be,' he thought. He started to gently pull Ema away.
"I know what you're going to say, we should wait until I'm at least pregnant before we do something like buy a crib," she said with a big smile.
"Or, shop around, find one we may like better. We shouldn't settle on the first one we come across," Natsume said. Ema looked touched by his words.
"I'm happy you seem more open to the idea!" she said.
"It's been kind of hard not to think about it," Natsume said, "and get more open to the idea."
"I wonder if that will help increase our chances!" Ema said happily.
"I'd give it a good shot," Natsume assured her.
Suddenly Ema looked distracted again and Natsume realized she was fixated on a baby dress hung on a rack.
"Oh how sweet!" she said.
"You sure are getting distracted with this baby stuff," he said. He suddenly found himself grabbing the dress. "Let's just get it."
"Really?" Ema asked.
"Sure, we'll keep it as a symbol of what we're working towards," Natsume said.
"But what if we have a boy?" Ema asked.
"Are you suggesting we won't have more than one?" Natsume asked.
"Well, maybe, but even then, what if we never have a daughter?" Ema asked.
"Then we can give it to a niece or a granddaughter eventually," Natsume said.
"Hmm, it would be enjoyable to think we could have a daughter to put this on"' Ema said, "but seriously, what if we don't have a girl?"
Natsume looked around and saw a baby boy's outfit as well, a little basketball uniform.
"Here, how about this?" he asked, "reminds me of Subaru."
"It does," Ema agreed happily, "alright! Yeah, let's do it. Our first purchase for our children."
She kept smiling as they headed to a register and checked out. And even as they headed to the car.
'Oh we better get pregnant soon', Natsume thought as they drove home, actually enjoying seeing Ema so happy.
He knew the baby would possibly bring her some of the greatest joy ever. Which would also bring him joy as well.