Hi everyone. Thank you so much for reading and liking and commenting on the first chapter. You have made me so unbelievably happy. I hope everyone enjoys this chapter. Let me know what you guys think.

Chapter 2: A Conversation

The rest of the day was a blur for Hinata. She picked up Hima from school. They came home and she made her a snack. They waited for Boruto to come home. They decorated and iced the cupcakes as planned. Hinata prepared dinner. Naruto came home early and they ate said dinner as a family but everything was a haze to Hinata. She doesn't know if her kids could tell something was wrong or if on instinct she was able to continue through the day as usual.

You would think that after being married for over 12 years and having two kids Hinata would be used to surprises. Surprises were a given in her life, but this … this she never saw coming. Although she shouldn't be shocked it happened this way.

She was 19 when she got pregnant with Boruto and he was definitely not planned. He was most assuredly wanted but Naruto and her and had not actively planned to have him at that particular time in their lives. Everyone was still recovering from the war and Hinata and Naruto were still at the beginning of their relationship and subsequent marriage. They were in their happy bubble and enjoying the simple pleasures of newly wedded bliss. Boruto was a happy surprise from their near constant coupling.

After Boruto they both decided they wanted another baby but they would wait until the time was right. So they enjoyed their lives, enjoyed being parents. It was difficult but so, so rewarding Hinata felt. She took to being a mother and a wife very easily. She felt fulfilled doing her daily activities. Her life had truly begun and after fighting in the war Hinata was happy for the peace in her life. However, almost a year later, she got pregnant with Himawari.

After Hima, they sat down and had a serious discussion about their lives and children. Naruto could become Hokage and another child might be too complicated for them. So they agreed that two was enough. Hinata was happy with her life as a mom and helping her family with Hyuga matters. They were in a good place. Four was a good number.

But now there would be a fifth member in their family and babies we a big job. Hinata was terrified to tell Naruto, not knowing how he would react. She never felt like this before. They rarely kept secrets from each other and even then, would confide in each other early on. Both times when she found out she was pregnant Naruto was the first to know and she told him immediately. So why was she unable to tell him now?

She spent the whole time during dinner mulling over the news, wondering what to do. She knew her husband could tell something was bothering her because she was quieter than she had ever been since they started dating. Their lives right now were good. Naruto was making much more of an effort to be around and more involved with the children and she wasn't sure how another baby would affect their lives.

Dinner was over and she was now standing at the kitchen sink absent-mindedly washing their dirty dinner plates and cups, too distracted to pay attention to her surroundings.

She flinches slightly when she feels a presence behind her but relaxes as two strong arms winds itself around her, resting comfortable over her stomach. The action makes her instantly look down, transfixed at the hands cupping her belly. The warmth of her husband's hands seeps into her body, almost as if he is cradling their unborn baby; except he doesn't know that he is doing it. Only she knows. She should tell him now. It's the perfect opportunity. They are alone and it is likely that the kids are already asleep. But again she hesitates to spill the truth. What if he is unhappy with the news? She cannot fathom the thought and more than that, she doesn't know what she would do if he tells her he doesn't want their baby.

"The kids are all tucked in," Naruto whispers, nuzzling his nose into the crook of her neck, inhaling her scent deeply. She nods her head to show she heard him but doesn't offer any verbal confirmation.

"Oh how I missed this," he continues, accepting her silence. He presses her back flush against his front and he gently sways them from side to side.

"I'm sorry I've been so busy lately. You know I'm actually glad for Boruto's outburst last month. He made me realise I've been a crappy dad and an even worse husband. I promise to do better Hina," he marks his promise with a soft kiss to her neck, before untangling himself from her.

"Lemme help you wipe the dishes," he suggests good-naturedly.

Hinata still hasn't spoken, too caught up in her emotions to say anything. She shakes herself out of her funk and turns to give Naruto a grateful smile.

"How was work today?" She enquires, sticking to a safe topic. He picks up a plate from the rack and starts wiping, "work was good. A lot of paper work, a lot of demanding people, but all in all it was good. What about you? Hima said you guys had fun decorating cupcakes today."

"Yes, you know how she is about cake. She's really excited for the festival tomorrow," Hinata supplies.

He nods his head at her words, "I saw; her clothes are already picked out and hanging on her dresser."

The petite woman lets out an honest smile, "she reminds me of you when she does things like that. Though I don't think she'll ever acquire your love for ramen." She jokes.

"I think that's just something unique to me, but I have no problem trying to convert Bolt and Hima. I'm getting tired of all the hamburgers we have to eat," he sighs ruefully. Every time the kids had a choice on what to get for supper they automatically gravitated towards burgers and fries and since they outnumbered him, they would end up getting that.

Hinata lets out a hearty laugh at that. Naruto is so easy to be around and he never fails to make her feel better even when he doesn't realise he is doing it.

"Sakura came over today," she mentions casually.

"That's nice. It's been a while since you guys hung out."

"Yeah, she was telling me about Sasuke and how he has been trying to bond with Sarada. Apparently he bought her a stuffed teddy bear because he thought that's what girl's like," Hinata comments.

"No!" He exclaims in disbelief. "He does realise that Sarada isn't a little girl," Naruto asks pointedly. "And I think she hates stuffed animals," Naruto cocks his head to the side, "didn't she burn the white rabbit that Boruto gave her for her birthday?" he questions.

"Yes but I think it had less to do with the rabbit and more to do with Bolt," Hinata contemplates, considering she knows Sarada hates being viewed as weak or too much of a girl and that gift came across as too mushy. At least that's what Hinata thinks.

"Girls are so confusing," Naruto declares before putting the dish towel back to hang and then making his way to the lounge area and plopping himself on the couch. "They should just flat out speak what they mean."

"Maybe guys should be a little more observant, don't you think." Hinata quips back before following him to the lounge.

"Maybe," Naruto says before snaking his hand around Hinata waist until she is sitting on his lap with a leg resting on either side of his thigh.

In this position Hinata is slightly taller than Naruto and when she leans down to kiss him her hair falls off to the side creating a curtain, hiding them from the rest of the world. Hinata wants to hide in this little bubble for as long as she can. That way she doesn't have to confront what could possibly be coming; her husband deciding that another baby is not in the cards for them, her children not wanting another sibling, her life becoming infinitely more chaotic. No she rather be in this moment, sharing a loving embrace with her one true love.

They spend a few minutes kissing, tongues exploring. Naruto's hands move from her waist until they make their way up her back sending shivers down her spine until he grabs fistfuls of her hair. Hinata has her hands flat against his chest and their kiss deepens. For a few minutes everything feels perfect to Hinata. Her mind is not all over the place. She isn't distracted or scared or worried. She sighs as she pulls away from him and speaks before she fully registers what is coming out of her mouth, "let's have another baby."

Naruto's face matches the shock on hers. He hasn't comprehended what she has said and she hasn't realised that she did in fact utter those words. Hinata decides to continue, maybe this way she can gauge his reaction, "I've been thinking and why don't we have another baby?"

Naruto licks his lips and his face shows that he is processing and is trying to be very careful in what he says next, "you want another baby?"

"I mean, why not? Bolt and Hima are in school. Would it really be so bad if we did have another baby?" Hinata bites her lip and leans back so she can look at him better.

"It wouldn't … be bad. It's just – I don't understand." He furrows his brows in thought.

"I've just been thinking -" Hinata repeats.

"Is this why you've been so quiet tonight?" Naruto interrupts, his arms falling limp at his side.

"Uh kind of… I think it would be nice, you know; if we had another baby. What do you think?" Hinata bites her lip waiting anxiously for him to speak.

"I uh… I think it would be nice." Hinata can't help but feel her heart lift but then, "but I don't think we can handle that right now, you know." And Hinata does know what he means but she still can't help but feel disappointed.

"I just feel," And Hinata can see how careful he is being with what and how he speaks, "like right now I wanna concentrate on being a good dad to the kids we do have. I've been slacking lately and I hate that Bolt thinks that he and Hima aren't important to me. They are – you three- are the most precious people in my life. And I know that being Hokage is my dream and the kids never signed up for it. But I love being Hokage," Naruto actually tears up and Hinata sucks in a breath because she knows her husband is such a wonderful person.

"And I love being a dad and a husband and I just want to spend some time being better at it. I feel like the kids deserve me to give them my all in the same way that I'm giving my all to this village." Naruto says in conviction.

His hands rise to cup her face, "I would love nothing more than to have another baby if that is what you want but I don't think we should do it right now." Hinata is fighting tears because he makes so much sense. "Maybe in a couple more years," he hedges hopefully and she nods her head a little too vigorously.

She knows what he is saying is right. She would have said the same thing to him if he asked her but it doesn't change the fact that she is already pregnant. She's seen their baby's chakra and that already makes him or her real. She knows she can't tell him now. She just can't.

She places a soft kiss to his lip, "I understand. You're right."

She closes her eyes for a few seconds to toughen her resolve, "Do you think you'll be able to make it to the market day thing tomorrow?" Hinata asks hoping he would accept her change in topic. Naruto looks confused but allows her to change the topic.

"Yeah; Shikamaru said he'll make a plan in my schedule so I'll be able to stop by for a bit. I don't know if I'll be able to stay for the whole thing though," he says sadly but keeps looking at her with intensity as if he knows she isn't being completely honest with him.

"I'm sure that's okay. I know Hima would be ecstatic if you came even if it's just for a little while."

"Okay that's good. Are you sure you're okay?" He asks again and she can only agree because she knows she can't tell him now. She'll try again tomorrow. She swings a leg sideways so she can get off him and escape his penetrating gaze.

"It's late, we should turn in and you definitely need a shower." She scrunches her nose, deflecting his question.

"Hey! I'm not that bad," he whines as they make their way to the bedroom.

Naruto goes straight for the bathroom and Hinata takes the fifteen minutes he spends bathing to cry and feel the extent of her emotions. By the time he makes it into bed her tears are gone and Naruto is none the wiser to it even occurring. They fall asleep, each with different thoughts on their mind.

XOXO

So what do you think? I hope you're not mad at Hinata not immediately spilling. I wanted to have just a teensy bit of angst and I hope you can understand why I feel like Hinata would feel scared under the current circumstances. I wanted her trepidation, panic and fear to come across and I wanted Naruto to respond in a logical way despite not having all the information. Also, I wanted to give our couple some obstacles before their happy ending, you know. Anyway, let me know if you have anything in particular you may want to see or anything you liked. Thank you for reading! iH