Chapter 17 Blessings
Ranma woke up from a sound sleep. For some reason, he was on the floor. He looked up at the bed and saw Akane pretending to be asleep. He sighed, thinking how beautiful his wife was lying there. 'His wife, what a wonderful concept' he thought.
"Well, I guess the honeymoon must be over, here it is, only nine months since we got married, and already you're kicking me out of your bed. Tired of me already, huh?" he said with a smile. Akane started giggling uncontrollably.
"I don't know why you're down there," she said mischievously, "but since you're out of bed already, you can fix breakfast." Ranma grumbled, got up and threw his robe on. He stalked into the kitchen, feigning anger. Akane heard the clatter of pans from the kitchen, and then the aroma of cooking food as he prepared the meal. She stretched languorously, and then threw back the covers, got out of bed and put her robe on. She wandered into the kitchen, came up behind Ranma and hugged him. She stood there, enjoying the feel of his body next to her; when suddenly, she bolted. Ranma turned, puzzled, as he heard her run into the bathroom and shut the door. He could hear the sound of her retching through the door. Worried, he grabbed a glass of water, and went to the door.
"Akane, you ok in there?" he asked anxiously. She groaned a little. Then the door opened and she walked out shakily, her face a bit pale. He handed her the water to drink, hoping that it would help settle her stomach. He put his arms around her and helped to a chair. "Dear, what's the matter?" he asked again.
"I don't know, all of a sudden I felt sick to my stomach," she replied, "I feel all right now. Is breakfast about ready?"
Ranma still liked concerned, but went back into the kitchen to finish the cooking. After he brought the food out, they sat there eating and talking about the things they needed to do that day. After the meal was over, Akane cleaned up the kitchen, Ranma got ready for school. They then left for class.
The next several days went by. For some reason, Akane woke up every morning feeling nauseous, but after she was up and moving around she would feel better. Finally, Ranma had had enough. He was really worried about her; she didn't usually get sick. He insisted that she stop by the clinic on the way to class. Akane protested that she felt fine, but Ranma wasn't listening. He even insisted on going with her to make sure she went. An hour later, they were at the University clinic. Fortunately, it was early enough that there wasn't a long wait. They went into the exam room and waited for their turn to see the doctor. She came in and listened as Akane described her symptoms. She asked a few questions, and then said, "I need to run a test to confirm it, but I believe that you two are going to have a baby." Akane and Ranma stared at each other in disbelief. Ranma began to grin. The doctor got her specimen and left to run the test.
"Ranma, if she is right, are we ready to be parents? I mean we're still in school, we've only been married nine months," Akane asked.
Ranma hugged her. "Akane, the only time that I have been happier, is the day we married. I think I am ready, if you are, that is. We can work it out. I promise that I will be a better father than Pop," he said.
"Ranma, I want to, I'm just scared. I don't know how to be a mother, I mean not long ago, I was still a little girl. I'm willing to try. As far as being a better father than your dad, you're already a better husband, and much better as a man than your Dad, so being a better father won't be a problem. We'll both be better parents than ours, I promise you," she replied.
Shortly, the doctor came in and confirmed her diagnosis. She said that Akane was about two months along. She congratulated them, and handed her a bunch of pamphlets on pre-natal care and nutrition. She also gave them a recommendation for a good OB/GYN. After thanking her, they left and went home.
"Ranma, wake up, Ranma, wake up," Akane said, shaking her husband. He sprang up; eyes wide open. "I think it's time," she said. They got out of bed, got dressed; Ranma called the doctor, and grabbed the overnight bag. They walked to the car, Ranma helping her down the stairs. They headed to the hospital in the cool morning light, and went to Admissions. Soon they were in the birthing room, waiting for their doctor to show up. She arrived a few minutes later and checked Akane.
"You're progressing well," she said, "it looks like it's going to happen this time." She timed the contractions, and said, "We've got plenty of time. Ranma, why don't you put your gown on?" Ranma complied and waited.
The delivery had been the toughest thing that Akane had ever gone through. She was totally exhausted after it was over. She barely stayed awake long enough to hold her twin girls and to agree on who got which name. As she faded off into sleep, the image she took with her was Ranma gazing tenderly down at his three girls.
Akane woke up after several hours. She looked over to the side, where Ranma was gazing down at the two basinets. Ranma heard her move, turned and said, "Welcome back, sleepyhead. Did I tell you the girls are beautiful, just like their mother? You can certainly tell whose girls they are, with that redhead on Nodoka, and the blue-black hair on Kimiko." He helped her sit up, and then brought the girls over to where Akane could see them. They were both sleeping peacefully.
"Ranma, I'm so happy. You're right; they are gorgeous. We did real good," Akane said, beaming with pride. "Now is there anything for me to eat, I'm starving," she growled. Her stomach agreed.
Ranma laughed good-naturedly. "Hey, I'm the one that always has the empty stomach, but I left you a few things," he said with a smirk. He put her dinner in front of her on the table and watched her dig into the food. "How are you feeling, that took longer than I liked? The doctor said that we should be able to leave in a couple of days if you're doing ok."
"I'm pretty worn out, I think next time you get to have the baby," she replied. At that moment the nurse came in to check on them.
"The doctor will be by around six to check on you. As soon as you feel able, you can feed the girls, at least as soon as they wake up. We'll probably have to supplement as well," she said as she left the room.
Kimiko woke up and whimpered. Ranma checked her diaper, and then changed her. He gave her to Akane. Akane held her daughter to her breast and began to feed her. Ranma stood there gazing tenderly down at two of the girls in his life. Akane couldn't describe how she felt. It was simply wonderful. Eventually, Kimiko went to sleep. Akane gave her to Ranma, who put her back to bed. Just in time, because Nodoka woke up and began to fuss. Ranma changed her diaper, and handed her to Akane.
Two days later, they checked out of the hospital and headed home. Ranma carried the girls upstairs, and put them in their basinets. He then helped Akane up the stairs. "Don't worry, Akane, the doctor said that you could start light workouts pretty soon. You'll get your strength back pretty quickly after that." Akane smiled then headed towards the bathroom.
"I want to go soak in the bathtub for a while and relax. Call me if the girls wake up," she said. She lay down in the tub, and relaxed in the hot water. She was feeling very happy, her life was wonderful, she was with the man she loved, and they had two healthy, pretty girls. She stayed in until the water cooled off, and then got out, dried herself off and changed into some clean clothing. As she sat down in the living room, Ranma handed her Kimiko, then he got Nodoka and sat down beside her. He sighed in contentment.
A few days later, Ranma was changing clothing in the bedroom. He had just taken his shirt off, when Nodoka started crying. After checking her diaper, he carried her into the kitchen looking for Akane. #Splash# He was drenched, triggering the change. He had instinctively held Nodoka close to keep her from getting wet. The baby opened her mouth, and began to suckle. Ranma looked surprised. Nothing happened, and then Nodoka began to whimper, still trying to nurse. Suddenly Ranma looked shocked as her milk dropped. Nodoka murmured happily as she drank. "Uh, Akane, this is kind of weird, but," she said as she pointed. Akane's face froze in shock, and then she came down from the step stool.
"She's nursing? How's that possible!!!" Akane said. Ranma shrugged her shoulders. She walked back into the living room, and sat down basically in shock.
'THIS ISN"T POSSIBLE,' her mind babbled, ignoring the physical evidence. Akane just stared at her husband, nursing their child, and began to giggle. She went to take care of Kimiko. The two of them sat there, contentedly nursing their children.
The next time Akane went to her checkup, Ranma went with her. They waited in the exam room for the doctor. After she finished checking Akane, she turned to leave. Ranma stopped her. He proceeded to tell her about Jusenkyo and the curse. At first she looked at him in disbelief, but Ranma transformed in front of her. After she recovered from her shock, Ranma said, "The only reason that I brought it up, is that for some reason I'm able to breastfeed the girls. I thought maybe you should check me out as well, especially since it's been a while since I've had one as a girl. I feel a bit weird when I'm a guy, so I imagine my hormones are all messed up."
The doctor performed a complete checkup, and then she asked several embarrassing questions. When Ranma replied in the positive, she looked surprised. She changed back, and then they went home.
"Akane, you got a letter from your dad," Ranma said as he brought the mail in. She opened it, frowning as she began to read it.
"I guess Dad didn't learn anything from our engagement. He is trying to set me up with someone else. I need to put a stop to that. He did say they are coming for my graduation, though" she said.
End Flashback