I literally wrote this 3 years ago and never finished it. I was looking for it in all of my stores and suddenly realised it was never posted. I swear there is something wrong with me at times.
Small Pair
"Aww you're a cute one aren't ya." Kanji cooed at the small baby in his arms as he cuddled and gently rocked. The small baby reached out and blinked at the master weaver. "She's such a cutie Senpai."
Souji nodded tiredly, but had a happy smile seeing his closest friends fuss over his newly born daughter.
"Aww, Kanji can I hold her?" Rise pleaded, not able to take her eyes off her.
"Sure as long as it's ok with Naoto-kun and Senpai." Kanji looked at Naoto who looked a little worse for wear but also sporting a blissful expression nodded in permission.
"Yey! Come here." She held her arms out as Kanji carefully transferred the baby to Rise. Once Kanji was sure she had a solid hold, he let go and used his hands to give the baby support on her head. "Aww she's so cute!"
"So Partner, how does it feel to be a dad?" Yosuke asked, with a grin on his face. A complete contrast over the former leader, who looks like he's just missed a couple nights' sleep.
"It's the best feeling in the world." It only made Yosuke's smile wider and he shrugged.
"I can imagine it's a lot of work, you guys look like you need sleep."
Naoto nodded. Momentarily turning to Rise who lifted up her daughter to press her nose against her's.
"Yeah she us keeps up, but it's worth it." Naoto replied, rubbing her nose for a second.
Rise held their daughter over shoulder, and cuddled her close, swaying slowly to relax the baby in her care. "By the way, awkward question currently but what is her name?" Everyone else in the room looked at the couple, finally remembering they kept her name secret all this time.
"Yeah what is her name Senpai?" Kanji asked curiously.
"Do we have to guess?" Yukiko quipped.
Naoto shook her head and looked at Souji expectantly. He only smiled warmly back at her before turning to the group.
"Her name is Junko. Junko Shirogane-Seta. Or for the most part Junko Shirogane." Yosuke raised his eye brow.
"I know you guys were going for a western naming thing going on but how come she drops the Seta, something wrong with your family about it?"
Naoto shook her head again and smiled happily. "We are prioritising the Shirogane name because she's the next heir of the Estate after me. So while legally she has Souji's name too, just for the sake of my bloodline we'll refer to her by mine."
"Aww that makes sense" Yukiko ginned, Seeing Rise play with the baby increased the good spirit of everyone else in the room.
Chie scratched her head in confusion. "I still don't quite get it..."
Rise stepped back into the make shift circle the group sat in with the baby in hand. "Basically Naoto-kun is the only one in her family that's left as a Shirogane, so keeping the Estate going by making Junko the next heir because there is no one else."
"Oh, I keep forgetting Naoto doesn't have any other family other than her grandfather." Chie said, slightly downcast but Naoto waved it off.
"Don't pay any mind about it, I'm still alive and luckily Junko's birth went as plan and I'm still able to have more children..." She reached out and took Souji hand in hers. "...If I feel like it so everything is fine. All we can do is look to the future."
"That's sweet. How's your family taking it Senpai?" Rise asked, passing Junko to Yukiko who cooed and giggled at the baby's actions as Junko's harms flailed at the new person she was meeting.
"They are over the moon. They can't wait to see her." Souji smiled. He's been keeping them up to date with nothing with loads of pictures and such. Souji has been trying to get the days sorted that his parents were supposed to visit.
"And your Grandpa?" Yosuke pointed toward Naoto. The Detective Mum scoffed.
"He's just happy to have another member of the bloodline before he passes on. He's being been organising people to cover the Estate and it's cases while I'm away on maternity leave. Never in the Shirogane line has the current head of the Estate had to stop work due to pregnancy. Even with around seven months of planning they still got caught mis-footed so Souji-kun is working some extra shifts while he's away from his school responsibility."
Kanji looked at his former Senpai sympathetically.
"Sorry to hear that man, that's really rough. Must be hard enough with the baby as well..." Souji just waved it off and laughed.
"I get to work at home which isn't too bad. Plus I wasn't the one carrying her for 9 months so I have nothing to complain about really." He felt his hair being ruffled and looked up to see Naoto smile down at him affectionately.
"I love you and I appreciate the work you put in." Naoto praised causing the girls in the room to aww. He blushed and smiled bashfully turning away in embarrassment. Yosuke whistled.
"I've never seen you get so flustered so quickly."
"Y-Yeah..."
"Souji just isn't used to direct compliments like that. He's done everything he can to support me so, I feel loved. He's been doing the house work and cooking as well. Once more of my strength is back I'll make sure to pick up where I left off." The group nodded in understand.
Yukiko looked up from Junko. "I can understand, you look absolutely exhausted to be honest. It's been a few weeks right?"
Naoto nodded. "Yeah it's been five weeks. It's just my body is getting used to being normal again. It's fine, all a part of the process." She folded her legs as she sat on the sofa, getting more comfortable. "I'm away from work for about six months then I'll return as an advisor role for the Estate and back to full investigative work when Junko turns one."
"As long as you don't put too much pressure on yourself Naoto-kun." Kanji pointed out. The sleuth shook, her head appreciating the concern.
"Don't worry. We've taken all the necessary precautions. I actually want to concentrate on being mother. It's still hard for me to get used to."
"I can imagine." Rise said. Just over ten years ago Naoto had no intentions of ever being in a romantic relationship let alone being a parent. It's amazing how time changes everyone.
"I think you'll make a great parent-" Suddenly Junko started crying in Yukiko's arms while squirming restlessly. Naoto sighed while still holding a small smile.
"This troublemaker..." She mused while Yukiko tried to rock her gently to quiet her down but seemed to be ineffective.
"Want me to take her Naoto?" Souji asked, about to get up off the floor but was stopped with a gentle hand to his shoulder.
"Don't worry I got her." With that Naoto unfolded her legs and walked across the room to collect her daughter from one of her best friends. Yukiko carefully passed her to her mother who cuddled her tightly. "Don't worry little one, Mama is here..."
Naoto shuffled to the kitchen with a slight bounce in her step to try and occupy the now disgruntled baby.
"Does she cry often?" Souji shook his head.
"Nah not really. Naoto fed her just before you guys came so it's probably Junko being a bit of a baby, or asking for more attention." Naoto came back in, with Junko only whining lightly. She kissed her daughter on her forehead.
"Does my little one have too much attention and just want to stay next to Mama?" Naoto cooed lightly. Junko just whined a little more. "I'm going to assume that's your way of telling me that it's a yes."
She took the seat she had from before but with Junko now firmly in her arms who was occasionally squirming trying to get comfortable and whining when she couldn't.
"Think she needs feeding again?" Souji asked.
"I don't think so, she might need changing."
"Want me to do that?" Naoto turned to her daughter.
"Would you like Papa to change you?" Junko went quiet but squirmed harder bringing a small grin to Naoto's face. "Yeah Souji, go for it, I'm sure she would love it."
"Alright..." He took Junko in his arms and lifted her up emphatically. "Alright my little demon, let's see if we need to get you clean up. And try not to give me any snarky responses." With that Souji took her upstairs for an inspection and a possible change.
"Does Souji normally change her?" Rise questioned.
"Most of the time, since I've got her for most of her feeding times. I don't mind changing her at all, it's one of the easier things for me to get used too. For Souji this all comes like second nature and has somehow integrated all of it into his daily internal schedule. Outside of the shadows in his eyes from the lack of sleep it would seem like nothing with him has really changed. It's actually kind of scary to be honest."
"All house work and anything like that seems to come naturally." Chie nodded.
"We tend to split up the days. He takes the mornings that allows me to sleep in a little to recover a bit. I'll take the afternoons so Souji can do errands then it's both of us in the evenings but then Souji goes to bed earlier so he can be up in the morning and vice versa. I would say Junko is a handful but it's not true, It's just the time for feedings and other baby things that messes with our normally established schedule."
"Well if you guys need anything we are all here to help." Yosuke put forward.
"You're support is appreciated." Naoto thanked them warmly. They could hear the faint steps of Souji coming down the stairs carefully. He walked in with a now silent Junko as he carried her against his shoulder. Naoto raised an eye brow at him when she saw his patented grin.
"Did she need changing?" Yukiko asked. The former leader now turned dad nodded.
"Yup, Naoto was right on the money, but as soon as I done up the last button on the baby growth she fell asleep on me." He made a mock pout. "No thank you or anything, I could have taken the snarky comments this time."
"She must be tired from such an exciting day today." Chie quipped causing everyone to nod.
"Yeah, must be great having a lot of aunties and uncles." Naoto looked at Rise and laughed.
"I'm not too sure how much of a good influence you would be on our daughter." The idol stuck her tongue at her.
"Excuse me, I have to be a positive influence on all of my fans." Souji grin only grew.
"Yeah, I'm all too aware on what type of person to you are behind closed doors."
Naoto only sighed. "I guess we should put Junko to bed for afternoon nap."
The investigation team nodded. "Yeah, we should probably get going. You both look tired and you need all the rest you can get." Yosuke said thoughtfully as he got up with a small groan. On that the rest of the investigation team also stood up and picked up their various things to get ready.
"We really appreciate everyone coming over, I'm sure Junko enjoys everyone's company." Naoto bowed politely. Chie waved away her concern.
"It's fine, we are just happy to see the little scamper around. You guys are seriously look like you are over the moon." The group looked at the tired but happy pair.
"Yeah we are, just need more sleep." Souji laughed. Naoto cuddled up to his side.
"Take care everyone, please get home safe." And with that the Investigation Team split up for another time.
...
...
...
Souji and Naoto stood over the small cot where Junko slept quietly, breathing softly as she cuddled into her small blanket.
The sleuth let out a large breath of exasperation as she leaned back against Souji's chest.
"You ok there my Princess?"
She nodded, taking a moment to answer.
"I'm sorry, I didn't realise that seeing guests would strip me of so much energy. I feel more tired than usual."
Soothingly, he ruffled her hair causing her to cuddle more into him.
"I'm not surprised. You really need the rest. Want me to take over watch while you get some sleep?"
Another pause.
"Yeah, but only if you cuddle me to sleep."
A large grin appeared on his face.
"That's something I can definitely do."
