Ding-Dong
"Ema! So nice to see you!" Tsubaki said as he let Ema in on the day of Kadia's birthday party.
"Hello Tsubaki," Ema, "so happy to be here."
"Well good, everyone's happy when you're here," Tsubaki said, "let me just get the door."
Bam
"Oh, Natsume, you're here too," Tsubaki said casually with a smirk as Natsume pushed his way in, annoyed.
"One of these days, I will make you pay for this!" he warned.
Tsubaki shrugged his shoulders.
"You know threats like that won't phase him," Azusa said annoyed.
"Hi Azusa," Ema said.
"Hello Ema, sorry you have to deal with such unpleasantness everytime you visit," Azusa said.
"Hey, this is just the sort of thing brothers do," Tsubaki said.
"Even into adulthood?" Natsume asked annoyed.
"Sometimes," Tsubaki said.
"Especially if one brother doesn't feel like growing up," a new woman said as she came up next to Azusa. She had long black hair, with one starnd covering her left eye that was currently dyed red.
"Azusa, who's this?" Ema asked, a little frightened by the woman.
"Oh, um," Azusa sputtered, "you remember that one manga write I've been kind of seeing? This is her, Sunako."
"Hi," Sunako said casually, "Nice to meet you in person Ema and Natsume."
"Yes, nice to meet you too," Ema said kindly.
"It's nice to see and hear Azusa's seeing such a interesting woman," Natsume said.
"Thanks," Sunako said, "here let me take your present for you. You can go join the party."
"Thank you," Ema said handing it off to her.
"Don't let her outer appearance fool you. She's actually a rather normal nice girl," Tsubaki said as they walked out into the living room, once again filled with children playing.
"Nothing saying she can't be into gothic style and not be," Natsume said.
"Hi Aunt Ema! Hi Uncle Natsume!" Mizu said running up to them.
"Hey you," Natsume said patting his head.
"Did you get to meet Uncle Azusa's cool girlfriend?" Mizu asked.
"Yes," Ema said.
"She tells really cool scary stories!" Mizu said.
"Scary stories?" Ema said.
"I was baby-sitting him and Kadia a little while ago and Sunako offered to come help. And when it came time to put the kids to bed, they asked for a story and sort of got her to tell a scary one."
"Yeah and it was really cool!" Mizu said excited.
They suddenly heard Sunako laughing as she joined the group again.
"I tried to not make it too scary for them. I'm better at scary stories than say fairytales or something," she explained, "but I'm glad they liked it."
"I tried having daddy tell the story too, but he just doesn't do it right, not like Miss Sunako at all!" Mizu said.
"Thank you son," Masaomi said as he walked over and patted his son, "I think your mother's getting together a game of pass it on."
"Want to play too Aunt Ema? Aunt Haruhi said she would," Mizu asked.
"Sure," Ema agreed, hurrying along with him to the circle.
"Are the kids seriously calling Haruhi aunt?" Natsume asked.
"Sure, she's around so much," Tsubaki said.
Natsume nodded, "have they taken to calling Mie aunt as well?"
"When they see her," Masaomi said, "she's usually in Kyushu with Subaru. But she is here now."
He pointed to the snack table where she and Ukyo were setting up snacks. This seemed to free up Tomori to mingle among the guests and help Rika keep the kids in order.
"Is Subaru here too?" Natsume asked.
"Not yet," Masaomi said, "he's coming in a little later after his game. Mie just offered to come earlier to help with the party. She sure does seem eager to help whenever possible."
"And not just parties either," Azusa added, "we were going to have a launch party for the new anime based on Sunako's manga and Mie immediately offered up one of her family's hotels of our choosing."
"She did something similar for Futo when he was looking for what hotels to stay in for his show in Osaka," Masaomi said, "Mie made arrangements for him to get a penthouse suite at another family hotel."
"She sure seems generous," Natsume said.
"Yeah, but I hope she doesn't think she has to be so generous in order to gain our favor," Masaomi said.
"Well maybe that's the only way she's ever known to get on people's good side." Sunako suggested.
"I mean think about it. daughter in a rich family who has money to spare, and wanting to be seen as a good person rather than a spoiled selfish rich brat like so many of her kind, including her brother and sisters. It wouldn't be a far stretched to see happened."
"True, true," Masaomi agreed.
"I guess means it'll fall to us to not take advantage of her and help her see we can like her for who she is and not what she is," Natsume declared.
He figured this would fall to him and possibly Ema to do that since they were the closest to Subaru.
"Come on Aunt Ema!" Mizu insisted as he pulled her to the circle and made her sit down. Ema saw Haruhi among the kids as well as Wataru.
"Alright, boys and girls, are you ready?" Rika asked.
"Yeah!" the kids all said.
"I should warn you kids, I am champion pass it oner," Haruhi said.
"Well, looks like we'll have to try extra harder to beat you then!" Wataru said smugly.
"Yeah, I'm going to beat you Aunt Haruhi!" Mizu claimed.
"Bring it on kid!" Haruhi said, "hit it!"
Music stared and everyone started to pass the ball around, trying to go fast.
One by one players were eliminated to the point Haruhi was sitting next to Kadia.
Ema noticed that when the ball came to her, Haruhi seemed to stall a little longer as though she was making sure Kadia didn't get out.
It seemed to work when Haruhi got the ball, the music stopped, sparing Kadia elimination.
"Oh darn!" Haruhi said in an overdramatic tone as she moved out from the circle.
"Ha-ha, you're out Aunt Haruhi!" Mizu teased.
"Kick your cousin's butt for me," Haruhi whispered to Kadia.
Ema looked around and suddenly realized she, Wataru, Kadia and Mizu were the last four. She looked across at Wataru who nodded with a wink right before the song started again.
As the ball was passed around, Ema and Wataru followed Haruhi's strategy and try keeping it so Kadia got the ball late or got rid of it quickly.
Mizu however seemed more determined to win.
He was practically throwing the ball at Wataru after Ema passed it to him, once or twice hitting his uncle in the face.
Finally at one point, when Mizu did it again, Wataru seemed to be getting an idea.
"Hey, try it again," he said throwing it back.
"No, it's yours!" Mizu said as he tried to throw it back, only to have the music stop.
"Well looks like you're out, Mizu," his mother said.
"No fair! Uncle Wataru cheated!" Mizu shouted.
"Mizu!" Rika warned, "out of the circle please!"
"It's still not fair!" Mizu muttered as he did so.
Rika sighed. "Ugh! They warn you about the terrible twos and the terrible threes but they don't warn you about the infuriating fives!"
She did smile when Masaomi wrapped his arm around her in comfort.
"Do you want to finish birthday girl? Because I have no problems with conceding and letting you win," Wataru offered. "Neither does your Aunt Ema, right?"
Ema shook her head, "I have no problems with letting you win Kadia."
"No, finish!" Kadia insisted.
"Well okay," Wataru said.
"If that's what you want," Ema agreed.
"How about we make it so whoever's holding the ball after the song end is the winner?" Rika suggested, "that way we can move onward to another game?"
"Okay," Kadia agreed.
When the music started up again, Ema and Wataru once again made sure to be careful that Kadia kept the ball as long as possible until she had technically won.
"I won! I won!" Kadia shouted happily. "Mommy! Daddy! Did you see!"
"Yeah good job honey," Ukyo praised, "you certainly are growing!"
"I still say Uncle Wataru cheated!" Mizu muttered.
"Don't worry, we'll get him back," Tsubaki promised.
"Or he can learn to accept it and move on," Natsume said.
"But it wasn't fair!" Mizu complained.
"Yeah, not fair!" Tsubaki said.
"Don't encourage this!" Natsume insisted.
"Look, they're starting another game, maybe you'll get lucky with that one," Azusa pointed out.
"Oh musical chairs," Tsubaki mentioned, "remember that trick I taught you?"
Mizu smirked as he hurried to join the game.
"I shudder to think what kind of father you'll end up being," Natsume muttered.
"Well at least I'll be a fun dad with fun kids," Tsubaki said, "your kids will all be sticks in the mud that'll have to rely on their Uncle Tsubaki to show them fun."
"Hey!" Natsume snapped, "my kids will be fine thank you!"
"Um, you and Ema aren't expecting, are you?" Azusa asked.
"No, not yet," Natsume said. He figured that was safe to admit at least. No sense in sharing their struggle.
"You even trying Bro?" Tsubaki asked.
Natsume glared at him. "that is private information thank you."
"Sorry," Tsubaki said.
"It was a little impersonal," Azusa defended Natsume, "I'm sure Natsume and Ema will have a baby when the time's right."
Tsubaki scoffed. "Wataru will probably be married and with a kid by then."
"Tsubaki!" Azusa snapped.
Natsume glared at him before walking off.
"Something I said?" Tsubaki asked.
"Is he always this clueless or does he just like messing with Natsume?" Sunako asked.
"Sadly the latter," Azusa admitted.
Natsume stormed out into the courtyard and under the tree.
'I can only imagine what he'd say if he knew how much we were trying!' Natsume thought mad.
"Wow, that was quite a dramatic display,"
Natsume groaned and saw Kaname standing nearby with his cocky smirk.
"What do you want?" he asked his older brother.
"Just to make sure you were okay, you look just a little upset when you stormed off after Tsubaki's rather rude joke," Kaname insisted as he slowly walked towards his brother, "though a little insensitive to any other person, I couldn't help but sense it struck a nerve with you."
"I," Natsume wasn't sure what to really say without giving much away.
"I take it you and your wife are having a little trouble conceiving a child on your own?" Kaname asked as he leaned against the tree.
"Kaname! Please!" Natsume pleaded.
"Hey, hey, it's all good," Kaname said, "Don't worry, I'm not one to gossip. Besides, I wanted to offer you some advice."
"Oh no!" Natsume moaned.
"Oh come on hear me out," Kaname insisted, "you really get into your feelings of love when making love."
Natsume looked at him uncomfortable.
"When you make love in your apartment, you're still surrounded by the burdens of your day to day lives. So you can't really tap into your feelings of love. They're being blocked by the negativity of your life. "
"And?" Natsume asked.
"And you need to get out of that," Kaname explained, "take Ema away for a romantic weekend once and a while. Rekindle your passion for each other. Then you'll have a better chance of creating a new life."
Natsume thought about it for a moment, "I guess it wouldn't hurt to take Ema away for a little vacation," he concluded.
"Exactly!" Kaname encourage, "and I know just the place to take her!"
He pulled something out of his pocket and handed it to Natsume.
It turned out to be a brochure for a fancy hotel filled with different romantic themed rooms.
"Do I want to know why you happen to have this?" Natsume asked, "given you're supposed to be a monk!"
"Oh I gave it to him," Hikaru said suddenly coming up behind Natsume, wrapping his arm around him.
"I had a poetry reading and this was the place I and my fellow poets stayed at, having a delightful time."
"Yes, I bet you did," Natsume muttered.
"Thinking of taking dear Ema here, Natsume?" Hikaru asked.
"I didn't say that," Natsume started to say.
"Well you should," Hikaru encouraged, "when was the last time you two had some time alone?"
"Well,' Natsume had to think about it. It had been a short while since they had gotten to go away just for the heck of it.
"And if you and her are to start having kids, you won't have another chance for a long time!" Hikaru pointed out.
Natsume looked at him with suspicion.
Hikaru merely smiled with his all knowing smile.
"It's none of my business either way," he said patting his younger brother's back.
"Thanks," Natsume said reluctantly, "both of you."
"You hear that Hikaru? We did go," Kaname said smugly.
"Big Brother Wisdom wins again," Hikaru bragged.
"Whatever," Natsume said ad he headed back inside.
"Natsume?" he heard Ema say running over to him, "are you alright? You looked so upset when you went outside."
"Don't worry, I'm fine," Natsume assured her, putting his arm around her.
"Okay," Ema replied doing her best to subdue her worries.
Then she noticed the brochure in Natsume's hands.
"What's that?" she asked.
"Oh this?" Natsume said, as he tried to hide the the thing, "Nothing at all, really, nothing."
"Well wait a minute, let me see!" Ema insisted. She managed to get it from Natsume and read it.
"Wow, this looks interesting. Look at these different rooms. I bet this place is a perfect location for a romantic weeked or something."
"Uh, yeah," Natsume said looking away embarrassed.
"Oh look at this waterfall theme room! It looks so relaxing," Ema kept going on as she breezed through it.
"You like it?" Natsume asked.
"Kind of, yeah," Ema said. Then she suddenly started to catch on.
"Wait, Natsume, did you...?"
"Oh what's this?" Mie asked as she suddenly came across the couple, and saw Ema holding the brochure.
"Oh, The Pink Peony, I didn't know you were planning a trip there."
"Are we?" Ema asked.
"Well, maybe," Natsume said, "if you wanted to."
"It's looks nice. Each room looks so relaxing and imaginable," Ema said.
"Oh they are, each room's supposed to be its own private get away. To take you away from your troubles," Mie said.
"Take you away from your troubles huh?" Natsume said, looking at the exact words on the brochure.
"You know it?" Ema asked.
"Oh yes, my family owns it," Mie said. She pointed down to the lower corner of the brochure that had the logo of The Peace Tree company.
"Oh," Natsume and Ema said together.
'How far does her family's buisness stretch?' Natsume thought.
"If you are thinking about going, I can make sure you can get whatever room you want, even at no charge," Mie offered.
"Oh, wow," Ema sputtered, "that'd be, very generous of you."
"Yes," Natsume said, "listen, Mie you're being very kind with your offers to us and others in our family, but please don't feel like you have to. Gifts are not what helps you be accepted, just be yourself."
"Oh," Mie said, a little discouraged.
"But it's still very nice that you are so willing to help!" Ema said quickly. She eyed her husband.
"Yes, you are being very kind with your offers," Natsume said, "and...," He looked at Ema, "we would it if you can get us a room here. But not for free, we will pay. It's only fair."
"Okay," Mie agreed, smiling again, "but it'll be a discount. You let me know when you want to go and what room."
"I do like this waterfall one," Ema mentioned.
"I'll make sure it's available no matter what," Mie declared.
"Uh," Natsume started to speak up.
"But if it's already booked the weekend we go, we can certainly take a different one," Ema quickly added.
Mie nodded, "well let me know what you're say top 5 choices are."
"Sure," Natsume agreed, "thank you Mie."
Mie blushed and walked off to the snack table, clearing off some of the empty dishes.
Ema looked up at her husband.
"So, romantic get away?" she asked, blushing.
"In my defense, Kaname and Hikaru sort of forced this on me," Natsume said.
"I could see that," Ema agreed, "Um, you did say the other day we both have some vacation time coming up around the same time?"
"Yeah, roughly three weeks from now," Natsume recalled. He looked back and forth between Ema and the brochure.
"Why not? We'll wish we had once we get pregnant."
"Thank you Natsume," Ema said softly. She reached up and gave him a kiss, making sure to slip him back the brochure. Natsume quickly hid it away.
"I'll ask Mie about the waterfall room," Ema offered, "unless there was another room you wanted."
"Nah, the waterfall one looked peaceful and intriguing," Natsume assured her.
Both were suddenly distracted by Sunako suddenly shouting, "Attention boys and girls, but it is time for our special birthday kit for the birthday girl, Kadia Asahina! And I should mention there's been a slight change in cast. The witch will now be played by Haruhi Onaji, the handsome prince will be played by Azusa Asahina, and the mean princess will be played by Tsubaki Asahina!"
"Huh?" Natsume and Ema said as they saw all three actors joining Sunako. Haruhi was wearing a black cloak, Azusa a fancy coat and crown and Tsubaki was wearing a pink dress with a pink cone hat.
Azusa made a quick dodge over to Natsume and whispered, "we decided to punish Tsubaki by making him play the princess in the play Sunako wrote."
Natsume glanced over at Tsubaki, fanning himself with a pink fan.
"I don't see that being much of a punishment for him," he said, "you know he'll just relish in it."
Azusa shrugged before joining the other cast members.
"We still need a volunteer from the guests to play the good girl of the story," Sunako said as she scanned the kids, "how about, the birthday girl herself!"
"Good idea," Azusa said, "Kadia, can you come up?"
Kadia slowly walked up to the group.
"You get to play the good girl who's more of a princess than the actual princess," Sunako explained as she put a simple headband on Kadia's head.
"Ah! As if anyone can be a better princess than me!" Tsubaki said, still fanning himself.
"You just follow what I read from the play and what your uncles and aunt say, okay?" Sunako instructed the girl. Kadia nodded.
Sunako began reading out loud her story about a vain princess lost in the woods with her humble maid who runs into a witch. And each time the princess was mean to the witch, the witch took away something from her and each time the maid was kind, the witch gave her a present.
Finally the end came and a handsome prince arrived looking for the lost princess. However at that point the princess was looking like a peasant while the maid looked like the princess.
The witch then helped convinced the prince that he should marry the maid rather than the real princess and that she would take the princess with her, to help keep teaching her manners.
"Princess," Prince Azusa said kneeling before Kadia, "will come away with me to my palace and be my princess?"
"Uh," Kadia started to say, only to be interrupted by Sunako.
"It was then that the good hearted princess realized her heart belong somewhere else. So she said to the kind prince, "I'm sorry my prince but heart actually belongs to another. The toy maker of my home village, Natsume."
"Huh?" Natsume said.
"Huh?" Kadia also said, looking his way, "Uncle Natsume?"
"Ah, the good hearted toy maker?" Azusa said, looking at Natsume too with a wink, "well I cannot deny true love. I will even go so far as to find you your true love and bring him to you."
He went over to his brother.
"Uh, I don't, I...," Natsume sputtered.
"If he will not come willingly, I will curse him to come!" Haruhi said in her witch voice.
"Come on," Azusa said as he pulled Natsume over to Kadia.
"Uh," Natsume said looking down at Kadia.
Then he shrugged his shoulders. "Well, what the heck." He picked Kadia up and put her on his shoulders.
"And so the good hearted maid lived happily ever after, not in a palace but where she knew she'd be happiest of all for the rest of her life," Sunako said.
"The end," she, Azusa, Haruhi and Tsubaki all said together as they bowed.
The kids all cheered and clapped.
"You would make a good husband Uncle Natsume, even if you weren't a prince," Kadia whispered, giving him a squeeze. "Aunt Ema thought so."
"Thanks Honey," Natsume said as he put her down.
He glanced over at Ema who was smiling brightly and waving at him with pride.
"You do make a good prince," she called out.
"Thank you, unfortunately I think her heart still belongs to Futo and I already have my perfect woman," Natsume said.
"Natsume, please don't embarrass me," Ema said with a blush.
"Not intended," Natsume said.
"Hey," Sunako said walking over to the couple, "sorry for dragging you into that. It was kind of Azusa and Haruhi's idea."
"It's fine," Natsume assured her, "it was nice doing something like that for my niece."
"I think it was a sweet story over all," Ema praised, "did you really write it out yourself?"
"Yeah," Sunako admitted, "and it was kind of a struggle. I'm use to writing out stories with not so happy of an ending. Mine would usually have the innocent screwed over or taken by a demon or something."
"Yes, I've read some of your work," Natsume said, "they may not be suitable for young children like Kadia and Mizu, but they are a good source of entertainment. I can see how people would enjoy them."
"Thanks," Sunako said.
"The kids still seem to like you," Ema mentioned.
"Yeah, I guess," Sunako said looking back at the kids, "I'm surprised I was able to tone it down for them. But glad I'm able to."
"Well there's no reason to not write out of your element, especially if it is enjoyed by so many," Ema said.
"She's right," Natsume agreed with his wife.
"Thanks, I like you two, Azusa was right about you," Sunako said.
"Right about what?" Azusa asked as he joined them.
"Your brother and sister," Sunako said, "they're as awesome as you said."
"Yes I know," Azusa bragged, "and despite what Tsubaki said earlier Natsume, you are going to make a good dad. And I'm sure your kids will be as loveable as our current niece and nephew. I kidn of wanted show that, that's why I put you in the show."
"Thank you, Azusa," Natsume said.
"Thanks for coming to my party Aunt Ema and Uncle Natsume," Kadia said later that night, aftet both the kids' party and the family party was over and Ukyo, Tomori and Kadia were showing them out.
"Of course, we were happy to come!" Ema said happily.
"Hope we can get together again soon," Natsume said.
"Take care," Ukyo said as he led Kadia back inside.
Tomori waited until they were out of sight, she stepped forward.
"How has things been going," she started to ask, "with, you know...,"
"Still nothing," Ema admitted.
Tomori nodded, "have you tried any of these remedies and or the pills?"
"We've been trying the remedies," Natsume admitted, "though only Ema's been taking the pills."
"I see," Tomori said, in an understanding tone.
"Could be a reason why we haven't had any luck?" Natsume asked.
"Not necessarily," Tomori assured him, "yes they do work best together, but they should be able work by themselves. Could be just some more bad luck."
"So we still shouldn't be worried?" Ema asked.
"Not yet," Tomori insisted, "I'd say give a it few more months and then we'll see maybe about doing some extended tests. Just, keep trying. I still think you can do it on your own."
"Thank you," Natsume and Ema said together.
"Call me if you need anything else," Tomori said, "I'm here for you."
"Thank you, we will," Natsume said as he led Ema to their waiting car.
"Oi, wait up," they suddenly heard Tsubaki calling out. They saw him and Haruhi coming out of the backway. Tsubaki ran over to their car.
"Listen, I'm sorry I got carried way earlier, you know how I am," Tsubaki said in earnest.
"Yeah," Natsume said. He slapped the top of Tsubaki's head gently. "forget about it, princess."
"Oh thank you, kind toy maker," Tsubaki joked as Natsume walked around to the driver side of his car.
"Hey! Slave!" Haruhi said, "my spell ain't over yet! Let's get going!"
"Coming you old hag," Tsubaki said as he hurried back to her.
Ema and Natsume could see the two laughing and sharing a kiss.
"Do you think it's going to work out for those two?" Ema asked.
"Tsubaki seemed to think so, back at Mizu's birthday," Natsume said as they started to drive home.
"It'll get more crazy with Haruhi as a family member," Ema joked, "I think it's sweet the kids are calling her aunt. It can't be easy for any woman dating our brothers, especially if they have to deal with the other brothers!"
"Yeah, they have to be some pretty special women to join this family," Natsume agreed.
"Speaking of which," Ema said, "I did tell Mie to maybe help reserve the Waterfall room at the Pink Peony three weeks from now when we both have the time off. I hope that's ok."
"No, that's fine," Natsume assured her, "might as well take advantage of the time alone we have. It might be nice."
'And maybe there's some wisdom to what Kaname suggested,' he thought to himself.
"Hey!" the couple heard as they walked into their apartment.
There they saw Juli waiting on the coffee table looking mad.
"Why didn't you take me with you!" he demanded.
"You were asleep and we didn't want to wake you," Ema explained.
"Besides, you would have been subjected to all those rowdy kids," Natsume pointed out, "ones that would have loved to play with a cute squirrel."
"Oh, you got a point there!" Juli suddenly realized.
Ema sat on the couch and patted him, "don't worry, when we have a baby, we'll make sure to teach it to be kind and gentle with you."
"I have no doubt any child you bare will be just like you Chi," Juli said.
"Oh, thanks," Natsume said as he sat down next to Ema.
"You should be greatful if they end up like her! Do you know what an angel she was growing up?" Juli said.
"Oh Juli," Ema said. "Mother always says that Natsume was one of best behaved children she had growing up. He was hardly any trouble."
"Tsubaki caused enough trouble," Natsume and Juli said together.
Both looked at each other and shared a nod.
"I'm sure Tsubaki wasn't always bad," Ema defended.
"Hmm," Natsume and Juli muttered.
Ema shook her head. "I'm going to get something to drink. Do you want anything?"
"I could take some coffee," Natsume mentioned, "thank you."
"Sure," Ema said, "Juli?"
"Maybe some water," Juli requested.
"Coming right up," Ema said as she headed to the kitchen and started up the coffee maker while pouring a little water out into a Juli size cup.
Natsume and Juli watched Ema as she prepared their drinks.
"She sure is amazing," Natsume mentioned, "I'm going to have to seriously step up when she's pregnant. I don't want to over do it."
"Yeah, she'll keep trying regardless," Juli said, "and you do do your fair share of hard work around here! Even I can admit that!"
"Thanks," Natsume said, "but I'll have to try even harder, for her sake."
He suddenly felt something in his pocket and realized the Pink Peony brochure was still in it. He pulled it out and laid it down on the table.
"What's this?" Juli asked as he looked it over. "The Pink Peony?"
"Yeah, Kaname gave it to me, said I should consider taking Ema to a place like this. Since apparently getting out of our usual day to day lives will help us relax and maybe get a chance to, well get pregnant," Natsume explained.
"Why am I not too surprised that the perverted monk had something like this?" Juli said. "although, he may have a point. Getting away from your troubles couldn't hurt in general for your mental health. And healthy mentality might led to a healthy baby in the future."
"I should hope so," Natsume said, "we were able to book a room for when we both have a weekend off."
"Oh," Juli said.
"What's that?" Ema asked as she rejoined her husband, disturbing the different cups.
"Oh, you saw the Pink Peony brochure. Did Natsume mentioned we've decided to go there on our next holiday?"
"Yes," Juli muttered, "which means I'll probably be left alone all weekend!"
"Meow!" Cat Tsubaki meowed.
"Well of course you two will be here! But still!" Juli said.
"Sorry Juli," Ema said, "but we did ask Louis to help look after all three of you while we're gone."
"Hmm, I guess," Juli said.
"It will be nice to have some time away with together, especially before a baby comes," Ema continued to plead with her friend.
"Okay, okay," Juli said, "you two go, have a good time!"
"Thanks Juli," Natsume said.
"Mmm," Juli said as he took a sip of his water, "may I have some more?"
"Sure," Ema said, about to take his cup.
"I'll get it," Natsume offered, grabbing it and walking to the kitchen himself.
Juli followed and jumped on the counter.
"Hey just out of curiosity, were you thinking about taking your pills with you on this trip?" he whispered.
Natsume looked over at Ema who was content on drinking her own drink.
"Do you think I should? I honestly starting to reconsider taking one," he admitted.
Juli looked back at Ema and motioned Natsume closer to him.
"I know I told you you shouldn't, but maybe given where you're going, it might help a little, you know...,"
"I actually was thinking the same thing," Natsume said.
"At least take them with you, just in case," Juli suggested.
Natsume thought about it for a moment.
"What the heck, we'll try all the stops that weekend. This could be it," Natsume said.
He looked back at his wife who was focusing on the baby outfits they had bought, hanging on their closet door.
Natsume knew she was ready and the sooner her helped her wish come true, the better.
Juli meanwhile went back over to Ema, jumping on her shoulder. "You feeling excited about visiting a place like this."
"Kind of," Ema said, "Natsume and I haven't done anything like this in a long time. I just hope we can make the most of it."
Juli looked at Natsume as he was about to return.
"You know, if I were you, and I'm sure you can understand how hard it'd be to say this, when you're on this trip, try being a little more sporadic, do something surprising for him. Might make things more interesting for you two."
"You think?" Ema asked.
"What?" Natsume asked as he sat down, placing Juli's cup dowm.
"Oh nothing," Ema insisted.
"Oh, okay," Natsume brushed it off.
'How did I ever go from defending her from wolves to helping have sex to have a baby?' Juli thought as he drank his drink.