Popsicles
(Series Two out of Four.)
Story:
Series One: "The Bride"
Series Two: "Popsicles"
Series Three: "Amateur"
Series Four: "Farewell"
Pairing: Rukawa X OC (Shinya Hiiragashi)
Genre: Romance; Life
Disclaimer: Slam Dunk belongs to Dr T. Damned lucky guy.
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[Author's notes: I realized that I haven't updated this story since 1 October last year. That was rather…long time ago, ne? [Sweatdrops lamely] I suppose I should continue before this story goes stale. My truckload of thanks to Shari who inspired me! *Hugs Shari*]
Chapter Three
Shinya flopped on the bed, her eyelids heavy from fatigue. Ichiro slept in his cradle peacefully. Mothering an active, lively little baby boy wasn't easy, and she found herself required to wake at least three or four times in a night to tend to Ichiro's cries for attention. Rukawa was a responsible father and he did most of the work like bathing their son and taking him out for walks. However, there were still some things that she had to do, like feed Ichiro and put him to sleep. Family matters had been complicated to handle.
Now that the sweet idyll of having a new baby is over, reality sank in fast. The young couple had moved out of the Rukawa Mansion after Rukawa found a condominium near his work place. He had said that he did not want to rely on his family too much. He worked hard in the company and the pay was good. Still, there was the stress of handling monthly bills and revenue. Shinya, being from an ordinary family, did not find things any different than that she was used to, and she never did complain. She felt satisfied that her husband loved her and their baby boy.
The long day drained her of most of her strength, as it did daily, and she felt sleep overtaking her.
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Rukawa locked the door quietly, and called out, "Tadaima,"
When there was no reply, he knew that Shinya had probably fallen asleep again. He walked stealthily across the room and up the stairs to their bedroom. True enough, she was sleeping facedown and her angelic face was a shade of pale ivory. There were lines of fatigue under her eyes. Rukawa felt his heart ache. He had to work for long hours every day, and Shinya took most of the work in the house. They did not have servants, because she did not want to burden him with more matters of the finance.
The baby slept peacefully.
Rukawa touched his wife's hair gently, smoothing back strands of her long dark hair lovingly. He could smell the familiar scent of jasmines.
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Shinya opened her eyes, her vision unclear initially. She then saw that it was her husband, and she smiled.
"Kaede,"
"Tadaima," He whispered.
"Okaeri," She replied with an adoring smile to her lips. Rukawa kissed her gently and told her to sleep more, "You need the rest," He looked around at the clean house, knowing that she had spent the whole day doing housework. Shinya clasped her husband's hands, and shook her head, "Have to cook dinner,"
Rukawa felt Shinya's hands. The smooth fingers had became a little rough and there were wrinkled, white bits of skin around the finger nails – signs that she had been washing things for a long time. He caressed the fatigued hands and massaged them with tenderness, "Wear gloves,"
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[A/N: I want to write more, but the intestines are giving me problems, so I'd probably continue when I have the time and muse.]