Hi everyone, I am so sorry this chapter is late. Life has been so hectic recently. Every time I thought I would get an opportunity to write something would come up and the last bit of this chapter just was not coming out right, no matter how many times I wrote it. Thank you to everyone who liked and reviewed this story, I read all your comments and I'm so grateful to you all. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this. I'll try and get new chapters out sooner, but no big promises. Hope everyone is safe and has a great weekend.

XOXO

Chapter 5: The Moment it Happened

HINATA blinks the sleep out of her eyes and surveys the room around her. She is surrounded by darkness, only a sliver of bathroom light illuminates the room. She intended to stay up for Naruto, wanting to have a more civilised conversation with him now that the dust has settled but after coming home and making dinner and spending time with the kids she was exhausted and passed out almost as soon as she got into bed. The clock on their bedside table let her know that it was late into the night. Her gaze travels further down; she was lying partially on her side and partially on her back. Naruto is on his stomach in the middle of their bed, his face tucked close to her belly. She rubs her eyes and whispers, her voice rough with sleep, "hey, you're home."

He looks up at her in greeting, "yeah, I came home a while ago. I'm sorry; I didn't mean to wake you up."

She shakes her head, "no, it's okay. I was waiting up for you anyway but I must have dozed off."

"It's late, you can go back to sleep."

"I don't mind. I like talking to you when you come home," she says. She does like it when he comes home at the end of his day and they spend the time before bed talking. Sometimes, it is just a retelling of their days, other times they talk about their kids or delve into more serious topics and then there are times when they just talk with no topic in mind, just silly conversations that never see the light of day.

"What are you doing by the way?" she asks, addressing his position on the bed.

"Nothing," he answers too quickly. Sighing, "I was just thinking," then admits, "I wanted to see if I could sense the baby's chakra."

She nods in understanding, "I used my Bygukan to look too," she admits in kind.

"I can't believe we're going to have another baby," he confesses caressing her belly which barely showed her condition.

"Me either. I've been so stressed about telling you and your reaction that I didn't think further than that; whether it'll be a boy or a girl, what he or she may look like…" She feels so much better now that he knows the truth. She knows they have a lot ahead of them but she feels comforted by the fact that Naruto is in her corner now and they can face their future together. She doesn't like keeping things from him, especially things that have an impact on his life and she hates hurting him even more.

"I'm very sorry I didn't tell you sooner. I need you to know that." She acknowledges him; acknowledges her decision and her actions.

"Thank you and I understand. I do," he says back.

"I don't even know how it happened," she ironically chuckles as he places a soft kiss on her belly before crawling further up on their bed to lie sideways on his pillow.

She looks up at the ceiling in thought, "I've thought about it seriously. Financially, we can manage it but in all the other ways it means our lives change. Every time I tried to think of getting rid of the baby I couldn't ... handle the thought. I've seen their chakra and it was enough for me to believe in them. I feel like this was meant to be, even if we didn't plan it."

Silence filled the room as she let her words sink in.

"I've had time to think too, and I think this was meant to be too." She can feel his gaze on her.

They're quiet for a few minutes, their conversation lulled before Naruto blurts, "I think it was the bathtub."

She turns her head to give him a quizzical look. "What do you mean?"

"You said you didn't know how it happened. I'm saying I think it was the bathtub. Well, that's one of my theories. Do you remember…? I came home from work really late, the kids were with Hanabi and your dad for the night and you were relaxing in the bathtub…" he trails off.

She does remember that night. She had the afternoon to herself; she did some baking and had some wine before deciding to take a soak in the bathtub.

"I decided to join you," he continues.

"Almost fully clothed," she contributes.

"Yep," he agrees. "That was a good night," he declares in a happy moan.

"You're only saying that because you got a massage out of me," she teases.

"Yes, your hands are heavenly." She blushes at the compliment.

"I'm pretty sure that was the night this," he reaches for her stomach again, "happened."

"I have a few more ideas though," he stops talking, "why are you shaking your head at me?"

She was shaking her head because she couldn't believe what he was saying and she tells him so, "I can't believe you thought about this and have multiple theories." She raises her hand to elevate and rest her head on, intrigued by the conversation.

"You thought about this for Bolt and Hima too?" She enquires.

He gives her a pointed look as if the answer should be obvious. "You haven't?" He chooses to respond instead.

"No," she says emphatically. "You've really thought about it," she questions again.

"Yeah, I have, like, a top 5 list."

"That's a little weird, you know that right?" she clarifies. At least it feels weird to her. However, her curiosity wins out, "what are your theories for Bolt and Hima?" She reluctantly asks.

"No. it's weird to say now, they're grown people! This baby isn't born yet so it doesn't count."

He has a point but she desperately wants to know. She never really considered the moment of conception before. "Please," she pleads.

He sighs in defeat. "Well, I don't remember them all," he pauses, "you genuinely didn't think of this before? Not even in passing?"

She shakes her head.

"Bolt was always a little difficult because it was right at the beginning and so there were A LOT of options." He does have a point. They had a lot of sex at the beginning when they had just gotten married. They couldn't get enough of each other and she found sleeping with Naruto both pleasurable and fun; she still does.

"I like to think it was the first night home after our honeymoon, in our apartment." She blushes at the memory. She doesn't recall every single one of their encounters but that time was special and also a little kinky but aside from the memory of handcuffs they received as a wedding gift from Ino (a gag gift she thinks), the sentimentality of the night still stays with her.

She smiles as he twirls a lock of her hair in his hand, "I like that."

"What about Himawari?"

"I narrowed it down to that night at Sakura's birthday party when we snuck out of the bar."

Her eyes widen as she gasps, "I completely forgot about that! I can't believe we did that. You're a bad influence on me," she chides.

"Absolutely not! I am an amazing influence on you and we had fun that night. It was the first night we were alone in a very long time." He was right. When Boruto was a baby he had an unhealthy attachment to Naruto where the man could barely leave his sight. Even going into the other room would make Boruto succumb to uncontrollable sobs. Naruto would have to sneak out of the house in the mornings to go to work and at the beginning, he would try to come home during his breaks to see Bolt but then leaving would be another episode altogether so he stopped doing that. When he would come home after work their little boy would not leave his side, needing to eat supper on his lap, needing to be bathed and changed by him, and would only fall asleep to Naruto telling him stories and tapping him until he fell asleep.

"Bolt was an adorable baby," Hinata says as the memories flood her.

"He was. Thinking about it now, him always wanting to be with me was very cute. I don't even know when that stopped." Her husband ponders. "I should tease him about that the next time he messes with me," he finishes off with a nostalgic smile.

"Hima hasn't changed though. She will always worship you," Hinata shares.

"She hasn't. Damn, I love that little girl. The other day, when I went to say goodnight she asked me if I was sad. I was just tired from work so it must have shown but she told me that if I was sad I didn't need to tell her a bedtime story and she would tell me one to cheer me up."

Hinata chuckles as she listens to his tale, "and then she made this elaborate story about Kurama and a day at a water park and it was honestly the most wholesome thing I ever heard. I think even Kurama paid attention to the story and didn't complain once about his characterisation."

"I wonder how this baby will be, like, their character," she whispers.

"So do I. It'll be an adventure finding out," Naruto proclaims. It is a joy seeing their children grow and become different people. They are always surprised at what and how they think and act. This baby will be no different because it means Boruto and Himawari will be changed by this baby's presence as well.

"We have to tell them. I wonder how they will react," Hinata says and she never thought about how her kids would react to her being pregnant. They are old enough to understand what that means and old enough to have an opinion about it.

"We'll tell them soon." Naruto comforts her.

"We'll tell them as soon as I go to the doctor. I just want to know that everything is okay and on track before telling anyone."

Naruto looks concerned at her words, "are you feeling like something is wrong?"

"No," she hastens to clarify. "I just want a professional okay from the doctor. Just so I can be at ease. I am in my thirties and that could be an issue."

Now Naruto looks more worried. "I'm sure I'm fine, really. This is just to be safe."

He relaxes a bit, "just tell me when your appointment is. I'll make sure to be there for it."

"It's okay. I know that you're busy -"

He leans closer to her, his hand on her cheek, "no. I want to be there. I need to be there and you promised to be honest with me."

She did promise. "You're right. I'll make the appointment tomorrow." She places a kiss on his cheek.

They spend the next few minutes getting comfortable in bed before Hinata remembers something she wanted to tell him. She turns back to her side so she is facing him. "I know what Boruto said to you hurt you and you've been trying to be better for our kids ever since and I love you for that," she emphasises the last words.

He fixes her with an intense gaze and she raises her hand to cup his face, her fingers grazing the shell of his ear, "I need you to know Naruto Uzumaki, you are an amazing father."

"We will mess up and we will do things that make our children mad or make them throw temper tantrums and they may say hurtful things to us in response but I will always be here to remind you of the good when you need reminding." He gives her a soft smile in response but she's not done.

"I know how amazing you are because I've been with you through it all. You were there from the moment they took their first breath; you were there when my body ached in places I've never thought would ache and you let me lean on your chest and stayed awake during every feeding. You let Hima give you make-overs whenever she is having a bad day and needs a friend." She can see him remembering as she mentions their life together.

"So maybe you missed a birthday," she shrugs, "and it hurt them and they'll always remember that hurt," he looks crestfallen at that so she hastens to elaborate, "but they will also remember all the times you were there and I know, in my soul, that you will always be there." He sniffles before crushing his lips to hers and squeezing the upper half of her body in a tight embrace. He buries his face in the crook of her neck, "thank you Hina, so much. You really are the best wife a guy could ask for. I'm so glad I get to do this with you." They fall asleep cradled in each other's loving embrace.

XOXO

The next morning Hinata woke up feeling lighter and happier than she had in weeks and she knows it's all because she told Naruto the truth. The only thing left to do was tell the kids but she and Naruto have decided they'll wait a little longer; just until she goes to the doctor and they know that everything is going smoothly with the pregnancy. She knows that she'll have to tell her father and sister and eventually the whole of the Leaf Village will know, but she doesn't want to dwell on that for too long. For both Boruto and Himawari she received much attention from the village and that was when Naruto was just the hero of the village. She can't imagine how the general public will react now that he is Hokage.

She's on her way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for her family before knocking and then entering Boruto's bedroom. "Bolt, you should have been up already," she chides. Her eldest, like his father, has always been a grumpy person in the morning. "You're going to be late!"

The lump on the bed that was her son lets out a whiny groan, "five more minutes' mama." Her son only calls her mama when he is sick or sleepy; when his guard is down and the words come out of him almost subconsciously.

She turns to leave the room, "do not make me come back in here to wake you up," she warns to which he groans even louder and begins the arduous process of getting up.

She pops her head into Hima's room as well but her daughter is already making her way to the bathroom so she doesn't need to linger.

It takes her kids a good hour before they are dressed and make their way into the kitchen. Her back is to them as she fixes up plates of food but she can hear them shuffling to get to the table. She can also hear them whispering to each other in furious hushed tones. Himawari sounds a little sad and upset and Boruto sounds peeved as he whispers furiously back to her.

She turns to them and places a plate in front of each child but before that sees her son fail to hide a piece of paper under his leg. "What is that?" she questions.

"It's nothing," except he has a slight blush on his face and his eyes are looking anywhere but at her.

"Is that so? If it is nothing, you wouldn't mind showing your mum right?" It's phrased as a question but her tone is coated with authority.

She is reluctantly handed a piece of paper and instead of it clearing things up it makes her more confused. She fixes an enquiring look to her two children and genuinely asks, "what is this?"

The blonde-haired ninja in training opens his mouth to answer but is beaten by his sister who says, "it's my fault mama." Her eyes are downcast and her voice holds guilt in it; for what? Hinata has no idea.

"Nothing's your fault Hima. It's just a stupid list," Boruto exclaims, trying to ease his sister's guilt. Hinata just raises her hand to silence him and lets her daughter explain.

"Last week Ren told me that his papa doesn't stay with them anymore because his parents are getting a divorce and now he has to decide who he is going to live with. When I came home I mentioned it to big brother and he asked me who I would choose to live with if you and papa got a divorce." She's wringing her fingers nervously, a habit she picked from Hinata when she had too much attention on her when she spoke. "We didn't mean anything by it, but now you and papa are fighting and he isn't coming home in the nights and it's my fault. I never should have spoken about divorces," she finishes off remorsefully.

"Oh honey," Hinata replies. She hadn't realised how perceptive her daughter is, nor did she think her tension with Naruto would be so transparent. She always tried her hardest to act as naturally as possible with Naruto around the kids, even if she and her husband had their disagreements.

"Papa coming home late is simply because of work. I assure you, we are not fighting. Everything is perfectly okay with us." She spoke in a confident assured tone, hoping that certainty is conveyed to Himawari.

"Both of you should eat, breakfast is getting cold." She reminded them and they both picked up their utensils and began eating.

Boruto still trying to cheer Himawari up In case Hinata failed added to the conversation, "yeah Hima, the list is just a silly fun thing. It doesn't mean anything."

"On the topic of the list why are the only advantages under my name 'cooks', 'cleans' and 'washes clothes'? Am I merely here to do your chores Bolt? Is that the only value I have in your life?" she jokingly asks with an imitation serious face.

"Uh no, of course not. As I said, it's a silly list." He stutters, his food now incredibly fascinating. "The only reason we wrote a list is that Hima couldn't decide who she would stay with so I thought this way would be easier to decide."

"Well either way you should hide the list so your father doesn't see, if I found my side bad that had more pros I can't imagine your father being happy at his advantages. Let's not hurt his feelings so early in the morning."

Her daughter was still relatively silent so she crouched down after she placed a glass of juice on the table and looked her in the eye, "I promise you Hima, we are not getting a divorce."

"You really mean that?"

"I really do," she boops her on the nose in affection and as she raises to stand upright Naruto comes up behind her to give her a half hug. "Who's getting a divorce?" he questions having only heard the tail-end of the conversation.

"You and I, apparently," she says tilting her head back to place a soft kiss on his jaw-line. Himawari relaxes at her father's embrace and mother's affection, feeling better about her mother's words.

"What?" He looks on in bafflement as he sits down for breakfast.

"Can someone explain to me what is happening?" he asks further as Hinata walks to the counter to make a plate for him.

"Himawari heard that one of her classmate's parents were getting a divorce and when she told Bolt about it they decided to make a list to decide which one of us they would live with if we ever got a divorce but then Hima started feeling like we were gonna get a divorce so I was reassuring her that that will not happen," she summarises as she places his food on the table in front of him.

"There's a list? Can I see it?" he asks through mouthfuls of food.

"That's what you got from my story?" she asks incredulously. To which he just shrugs nonchalantly.

She then remembers the list and tilts her body sideways until Boruto is mostly hidden from view, "there was a list but I told them to throw it out so you can't see it," she covers up. Then to not look suspicious she adds, "Why do you want to see it anyway?"

"Mild curiosity and I guess I would like to know if I should be offended or not, you know." He shrugs before digging into his food.

"That's not the point of this conversation Naruto," she chides with a soft smile on her face.

"It was my point," he teases, sticking his tongue out like a child to show he is joking.

They all just shake their heads in exasperation and the conversation quietens down as they all continue eating.

It is only when Boruto wakes up from the chair to place his dirty plate in the sink, that Naruto spies a piece of paper lying on his chair.

Quick as a ninja he snatches the paper and begins reading, before letting out a gasp of disbelief. "Really?" He questions incredulously.

"This is the best you can come up for me?" He pauses. "'Makes the funny voices during bedtime stories.' That's all I am to you'll…. An unbelievable storyteller."

His tone then takes on an exaggerated note as he exclaims in form, "wow…the appreciation I get from this family…astounding!"

Boruto just cocks an eyebrow up in response, not in the least bit affected by his father's dramatic re-enactment. Hima was even giggling a little, seeing her father's antics. There's one thing you can always count on Naruto for, and that is his ability to cheer people up around him.

"Papa; stop acting silly," Hima responds. "The list wasn't meant for you and mama, and I said you make really good ramen; that's a good point right?" She cajoles, knowing her father's weak spot.

"You're right," he concedes. "That's not bad, I'll give you'll that," he says as they all start rounding up their dirty plates and get ready to leave the house.

As the kids are leaving Naruto comes to a realisation, "so the bedtime stories entry was Bolt's addition to the list!" His voice comes out as a croak, fascinated by the fact that his son wrote down such an endearing perception. Bolt, like his name, took that moment to bolt out of the house, in a smart move not to provide an answer. Hima, laughed at her brother, forgetting all about her earlier comments and insecurities, seeing her family in such a joyful mood as she too makes her way out of the house.

Naruto turns back to Hinata to place a quick peck on her lips, "you'll let me know about the doctor's appointment?"

"She nods her head, "Yes. I promise. Now go be the greatest Hokage this world has ever seen." With those wonderful words, he leaves home, his morning starting brightly.

XOXO

I hope this was good. I thought I could write the doctor's appointment but the chapter would be too long. Let me know what you think. Laters…for now.