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Rei almost stumbled backwards from surprise when Kira greeted him by pouncing on him and hugging him tightly. "Wow, welcome home to you too..." Rei said jokingly. "What's the occasion?" he asked as he walked with her on his back to the bed, dropping his jacket and kicking off his shoes on the way there.
"I might get a job working with Harumi at McDonalds!" she squealed when he threw her onto the bed. When she stopped bouncing he leaned over and placed a hand on either side of her, pinning her to the bed.
"Yeah?" he said smooth and seductively. He gazed at Kira with sexy half shut eyelids.
Kira smiled up at him and giggled in reply. He kissed her passionately on the lips and then a placed a few on her cheeks and neck, then rolled to the side and held her closely
"Is something wrong?" Kira asked, frowning slightly as she looked up at him in his arms.
"Huh.. oh, it's nothing," he lied, not wanting to admit how upset he was over having to go back to his father for financial help.
"Are you sure? I feel a bit selfish lately... we're always talking about me. Before now you always visited me at the ward, you work so hard so I can live comfortably, now it's all about me and the baby..." she rambled on, looking up at Rei with worried eyes.
"Don't worry about it Kira. Making you happy makes me happy." he told her before drifting off to sleep.
Kira stared at her beloved for a while longer before falling asleep herself.
next scene
Rei awoke to the regular smell of freshly cooked breakfast. He floated over to the kitchen table and sat down in one of the metal folding chairs. "G'morning," he said groggily.
"Good morning Rei. Did you sleep well?" she asked, her voice dripping with the sweetness of honey.
"Yeah," he lied, the truth was that he spent most of the night turning from side to side and worrying about their future. Things outside of their relationship weren't going half as well as he thought they would go. Last week he got mailed a letter from the telephone company, threatening to cut off their service. However he didn't have the heart to ask Kira not to make so many calls to Harumi, especially since she was stuck at home and alone all day. Every now and then he'd wish that he'd listened to the advice of his father. "How did you sleep?"
"Oh!" she said after a long pause, she was so wrapped up in washing the dishes in the sink that she didn't even hear what he said. "Not too well. I was too excited about this morning! I've never been to an interview before," she explained.
"Oh." He completely forgot that she was going for a job at McDonalds. "Good luck."
"Thanks, I'll need it!" she replied as she wiped her hands with the dish washing cloth. "How do I look?" Kira questioned, stepping in front of the window and twirling around for Rei to see her entire outfit. "Does it look like something someone perfect for a job at McDonalds would wear?"
Rei looked her over, scanning his eyes from her recently washed white canvas tennis shoes, ankle socks, knee length khaki shorts and a white short sleeved polo t-shirt. "Yeah, definitely," he told her, although he didn't see why one would need to dress a certain way to get a job as a fry cook.
"You think so?" she asked, running her hands up and down her shorts to make sure that they were the appropriate length.
"You look fine," he said, hoping that she wouldn't ask him again.
"I love you, I'll be back in a few hours," she said quickly as she walked over and kissed his cheek before skipping out of the door.
A pang of pain was felt in his heart when he heard the door swing shut. He had grown so accustomed to having her watch him walk out of the door as he went on his way to work.
Kira couldn't stifle the wide grin that was forming on her face as she walked down the stairs of her apartment building. Even if she didn't get the job it still felt good to get out of the house and go after something she truly wanted.
"Hey, I was just coming to get you," Harumi said as she spotted Kira from her car parked in front of the nearest fire hydrant.
Kira looked over her shoulder at Harumi. "Oh, hey!" she replied with a wave. "I wasn't expecting you to come and drive me to the interview," Kira told her as she made her way to the passenger's side of the car.
"Yeah well, I was on my way to work any ways so I just figured that I'd pick you up," she explained as she swept her hair to the side and slid her round dark sunglasses further up her nose.
"Thank you, I really appreciate it," Kira said with a nod as she snapped her seat belt into place.
"So how is Rei about this?" Harumi questioned, pulling out of her parking spot and driving up to the stop sign.
Kira stopped to think about it for a while. Although he told her that he was fine with it she never really wondered how he felt about her working deep down. "I guess that he's fine," she said shyly. "I mean he said that he didn't mind but he seemed really quiet about it."
Harumi nodded silently. "I see. I guess that he'll have to be okay with you working. A girl needs a little independence right?" she suggested, glancing over her shoulder at Kira.
Kira simply nodded in response. The rest of the ride was in silence.
A few minutes later they pulled into the customer parking lot of the McDonalds and made their way through the golden double arches and the front door. Inside was bustling with business. Business men and women came in with full wallets and out with cups of coffee and bags of breakfast sandwiches. The people working behind the counter were just as industrious, handing out change, turning around to retrieve food, bagging it and handing it over. Kira was beginning to question if she could work in such a busy place especially because she had no previous working experience.
"Getting cold feet?" Harumi whispered, leading Kira to the "employee's only entrance" and waving to a few of her coworkers.
Heat from the embarrassment flushed her face, if Harumi could tell that she was scared then wouldn't the boss also be able to smell her fear? Why couldn't she be a bit more like Rei and walk in there with confidence and self assurance?
"You'll do fine, don't worry about it hun," she said enthusiastically as she opened a door and gently pushed Kira through it. The last thing Kira saw of the outside world before her interview began were Harumi's thumb's up.
Next Scene-
When Kira walked into the darkened apartment the first thing she did was feel around for the light switch. Back at home she had bad experiences from walking into darkened rooms. "Rei, are you here?" she called, he said that he'd be home all day. Eventually she found the switch and locked the door behind her. Kira smiled gently when she spotted his lean and long lanky frame laying on their bed.
"There you are," she said softly as she walked over to him and laid a hand on his thigh.
His eyes fluttered open and he cast her a side ways glance. He looked over at the clock before looking at her again. "You just got in?" he asked, sounding a bit annoyed.
Kira glanced at her watch and frowned slightly, it was eight o'clock, hours after she promised she'd be home. "I'm sorry. It's just that I..."
"Never mind. I don't care," he replied quickly as he turned away from her. "Did you get that job you wanted?"
She kicked off her shoes and slipped into the bed behind him and wrapped her arms around his body. "Yup," she said happily. "I start tomorrow at eleven. The same shift as Harumi," Kira explained softly, hoping to improve his mood.
"That's nice..."
"Why are you so upset Rei? I said I was sorry about being late," Kira asked worriedly, they'd never gotten into an argument before and it made her feel sick when he was angry with her.
"I'm not upset... It's just that I waited around for you, and you said you'd be home early. I thought that something happened to you, because you were so late and didn't call," he replied. "I was worried."
"I said I was sorry Rei," Kira said as she slipped her arms from around him as she felt heat build up in her cheeks. "I thought you'd be happy for me. I wanted something and went out of got it," she added.
"I am happy for you. Maybe just not... Maybe I'm just not used to the idea of you working," he explained, still with his back to Kira. "I'm worried about you and when you start to show your boss will probably try to fire you. Or something else unpleasant can happen and I don't want you to be sad."
Kira smiled a bit, she liked it when he played the roll of the overly protective boyfriend. "That's sweet Rei," she joked as she ran her fingers up and down his bare back causing him to tense underneath her fingers.
Rei quickly turned to face her, his legs getting tangled between the white sheets. "No it's not okay. You shouldn't have to work to help pay the bills. I promised to take care of you and I feel like I've failed," he said angrily.
"No you haven't Rei. I'm happy when I'm with you. It doesn't matter how much I have to work, or where we live, or any of that other stuff. As long as I'm with you I'm fine," she said honestly as she nuzzled her head into his chest. His body was so warm compared to hers, it seemed to radiate from his chest.
"I know but still..." he began, but was cut off by Kira.
"I love you, no buts," she said strongly.
Rei couldn't help but smile, he loved it when she was aggressive. He rolled over so that he was on top of Kira.
"What are you doing?" she questioned, she was very confused. They were in the middle of an argument-type thing.
He kissed her lips to silence her questioning and kissed her neck and chest. "Make up sex," he replied quickly.
She giggled and shook her head at him. "You're hopeless!"
"You're beautiful, I love you Kira," he replied.
Next Scene-
They both laid awake and exhausted. Kira laid her head on his damp chest and listened to his strong and steady unchanging heart beat. It was a relaxing rhythm that she'd grown accustomed to, like a lullaby.
Rei took his hand and laid it on her stomach. "Daddy Rei, I like the sound of that. Don't you?" he said, not really asking because he expected her to agree.
Kira nodded, hiding the fact that deep down she still doubted that she'd be capable of being a good mother to her child. "Sounds great."
"Yeah, I've never really thought of what kind of dad I'd be... I hope we have a boy though. We could go out to the track together, play baseball and basketball, pick up girls at the mall," he joked, earning him a poke in the ribs.
"Why can't you do the those things with a girl? There are girl bikers, baseball and basketball players and uh I guess you could give her guy advice or girl advice if she's a lesbian..." Kira began, but then stopped due to the other thoughts clouding her mind.
"Yeah but guys are less complicated you know?"
Kira rolled her eyes at him. "Whatever, girls are cuter. You can do their hair, dress them up, get them ready for prom, weddings," she said, her confidence in parenting increasing bit by bit as she grew more excited about having a child.
"Ugh, all those frills, it's annoying and unnecessary. Girls get all that emotional pms and whatnot," he retorted.
"I stand my ground," she said simply, placing her hand over Rei's much larger and slightly callused ones.
"As I do mine," he said as he held her closer. "If it came out as a girl I'd love it all the same, but guys rock. I just have this feeling you know?"
Kira smiled at how enthusiastic and excited he was about this.
"It would have my nose, my baby blues, my long and beautiful golden tresses, my height if it's a boy yours... naah if she had my height she'd get my lovely long legs, my physique, and oh your ears..."
"What!? All it gets is my ears?!" she exclaimed. "No fair Rei, what are you trying to say?"
"Nothing, I'm just hoping that the baby gets my good looks,"he said smoothly.
"What, so I'm unattractive?" she asked.
"Well, I mean you're beautiful... but a bit mousy in looks? How tall are you 4'8?" he questioned.
"I'm 5'1 thank you very much!" she retorted, poking him once more in the ribs.
"Still on the short side none the less. No girl is going to want to go out with a guy that height!" Rei complained, trying vehemently to defend himself.
"I'd still love you if you were a foot shorter," Kira said.
"Whatever, if I were that short..."
"I'm not short," she said, cutting him off. "I'm petite in stature."
"Yeah yeah yeah, say whatever you wish... Any ways if I were 'petite in stature' I'd lock my self away..." he stopped when he realized that Kira ell asleep.
As she slept he looked her over, his eyes lingering on her wrists, still branded with the self inflicted slash marks. Although it pained him to look at them it made his heart happy that none of them were fresh.
---------
The golden liquid sunlight poured in through the slits of the vertical blinds and assaulted Rei's eyes. He squinted and felt around for the body of his significant other. He ran his hands over the unoccupied area of the bed and then sat upright and looked around frantically for Kira.
"Kira!?" he called, his voice escaping as a high pitched yelp. The smell of freshly made pancakes and eggs didn't float about the apartment and he didn't hear the water running in the bathroom. Had he woken up too late? he wondered as he glanced at the bedside table. A sheet of white paper caught his eyes and he stepped closer to inspect it.
Rei-
Hey, I left about 8 am, you're off and you looked so sweet sleeping, I didn't have the heart to wake you. Breakfast and lunch are in the fridge. I'll be home at 7 (I promise). Wish me luck!!!
I'll miss and love you, Kira
Despite how happy Kira was with her new job he felt empty. There was nothing worse than waking up in an empty bed after growing accustomed to waking up with your arms tightly wrapped around the body of the one you love. An airy sigh escaped Rei's full lips and he crumpled up the note and threw it towards the nearby wastepaper basket, but missed. The thought of walking over to the basket and disposing of the paper properly crossed his mind but he decided to inspect the food he was left to eat while Kira was away.
Having to serve his own breakfast and lunch slightly depressed him. He really enjoyed being taken care of. Perhaps it was because he never had a mother to spoil an pamper him the way Kira did. He reluctantly opened the fridge and scanned over the items in it. Kira did all the shopping and cooking so he rarely had reason to peruse the fridge. There were bottles of water, orange juice, freshly pureed vegetable and fruit juices. A smile spread across his face. It was ironic that a healthy food freak like Kira was working at a fast food restaurant. He decided that he'd have to tease her about it later. He laughed about when he realized that all his thoughts seemed to lead back to Kira. He then popped the plastic plates of perfectly rounded and fluffy pancakes and scrambled eggs in the microwave he strolled over to the open window.
Time seemed to be slowing down in pace for after scanning the street below and getting bored of the occasional pedestrian when he glanced back at the microwave timer and only a minute and a half passed. Was this what it would always be like in Kira's absence?
The buzzing noise made by the microwave alerted him that the food was ready sounded as heavenly as an angels harp to Rei's starving stomach.
When he was through eating he decided to visit an old friend.
"How are we doing so far?" Harumi asked as she retrieved a burger and fries for a customer.
Kira looked from the impatient customer in front of her, o her hungry children, cash register and back to Harumi. "Um, okay I guess..." she mumbled.
"No, she's not okay!" exclaimed the belligerent woman as she placed her hands on her broad hips haughtily. "I've been waiting twenty damn minutes for my McChicken and large fries!" she hollered.
"Yeah, my lunch break is almost over and I've been waiting since eleven thirty!" complained a tall suited man with jelled back jet black hair as he fiddled with his PDA.
Kira looked flustered as she glanced around, praying that somebody would help her..
"I've got it. Why don't you get a mop? I'll take over register duty," Harumi said almost as though she'd read Kira's thoughts.
Kira nodded gratefully as she slunk away to the back and away from the angry customers. As she searched for a mop and bucket she wondered if she'd ever be an good at her job. Harumi made managing the register look easy as she effortlessly took money as she handed out meals, and change while managing to offer fries and super sized orders.
"Hey man!" Tatsuya exclaimed as he threw his arms open and stepped forward to hug Rei.
Rei smiled as he stepped away from him and slapped hands instead. "I've got a girlfriend remember?" he joked as he invited himself inside Tatsuya's small condominium.
Tatsuya playfully shoved Rei in response. "So what brings you here? I haven't seen or heard from you since graduation!" he added as he carefully looked Rei over. Although he looked the same there was something different about his attitude.
"Ah, nothing really. I was in the neighborhood," he answered smoothly. He stood close to the door next to the fire mantle. He enviously examined each picture as he tried to imagine himself in place of Tatsuya in the family photos. He couldn't really remember any happy childhood moments for he spent most of his childhood in the hospital visiting his sick mother
"Yeah, sure Rei. Were you really thaaat lonely? Where was the wifey?" Tatsuya asked as he flopped unto his parent's leather couch.
"Yes, yes it's true! I was so bored. Kira's got a job now and wont be back 'till 7!" Rei complained as he joined his companion on the couch.
"Wow, a job? Where's she working?" he asked.
"Miccy D's with Harumi."
"You don't sound too happy about her new job," Tatsuya said curiously.
Rei rolled his eyes and ran his long fingers through his dirty blonde tresses. "It's not that I'm against her working. It's just that she's pregnant you know so she should be resting and all that... I can't stop her or even try to talk her out of it because well she wants to work and we need the extra money badly," Rei said uneasily.
"Yeah? Like how badly? Isn't your dad a millionaire or something?" Tatsuya asked as he leaned forward with his hands on his chin and elbows on his knees.
Rei snorted and sunk deeper into his seat. "Real bad. Our phone line is this close,," he measured it with his pointer finger and thumb, "to having the phone service removed. Kira's been using it all night and day and I can't say anything because first of all it's embarrassing and secondly she's home alone all the time so it wouldn't be fair to her,"he complained as he aggressively shoved the hair from his face.
"Why don't you ask Daddy Money Bags for cash?" Tatsuya suggested as he stroked the fine whiskers growing above his lip.
Rei let out a loud laugh. "Ha, that's only if I'm on the street, stark naked, starving and festering!" Rei exclaimed as he threw his head back with laughter. He had to clutch his stomach to catch his breath.
"Whatever man, but if I had your dad I'd suck up like crazy so I can get one of those fancy smancy executive jobs. Not only is it good pay but it's a secure job since your pa is running the business. Think of the benefits Rei. You want to be able to give your child the world don't you?" Tatsuya explained, his eyes begging Rei to be serious and agree with him.
Rei nodded solemnly. "I've already thought about that. I went to see my father right after I found out about the baby. He suggested that I go live with him, study to take a business test so I can work with him and eventually take over."
"What does Kira think of this idea?" he asked.
"She doesn't know about it yet..." Rei answered as he let out a depressed sigh. "I didn't think that things would get this complicated."
Tatsuya frowned and leaned back in his chair wishing he could find a way to help his friend.
A/N- Hey thanks for reading this far. I'm sorry about the spastic updates. Summer vacation is coming soon and hopefully I'll be able to update regularly. Yay, this was a long chapter!!! ::feels proud:: Please, please, please review! They make me so happy! To those who reviewed for the last chapter ::throws kisses::
Rei almost stumbled backwards from surprise when Kira greeted him by pouncing on him and hugging him tightly. "Wow, welcome home to you too..." Rei said jokingly. "What's the occasion?" he asked as he walked with her on his back to the bed, dropping his jacket and kicking off his shoes on the way there.
"I might get a job working with Harumi at McDonalds!" she squealed when he threw her onto the bed. When she stopped bouncing he leaned over and placed a hand on either side of her, pinning her to the bed.
"Yeah?" he said smooth and seductively. He gazed at Kira with sexy half shut eyelids.
Kira smiled up at him and giggled in reply. He kissed her passionately on the lips and then a placed a few on her cheeks and neck, then rolled to the side and held her closely
"Is something wrong?" Kira asked, frowning slightly as she looked up at him in his arms.
"Huh.. oh, it's nothing," he lied, not wanting to admit how upset he was over having to go back to his father for financial help.
"Are you sure? I feel a bit selfish lately... we're always talking about me. Before now you always visited me at the ward, you work so hard so I can live comfortably, now it's all about me and the baby..." she rambled on, looking up at Rei with worried eyes.
"Don't worry about it Kira. Making you happy makes me happy." he told her before drifting off to sleep.
Kira stared at her beloved for a while longer before falling asleep herself.
next scene
Rei awoke to the regular smell of freshly cooked breakfast. He floated over to the kitchen table and sat down in one of the metal folding chairs. "G'morning," he said groggily.
"Good morning Rei. Did you sleep well?" she asked, her voice dripping with the sweetness of honey.
"Yeah," he lied, the truth was that he spent most of the night turning from side to side and worrying about their future. Things outside of their relationship weren't going half as well as he thought they would go. Last week he got mailed a letter from the telephone company, threatening to cut off their service. However he didn't have the heart to ask Kira not to make so many calls to Harumi, especially since she was stuck at home and alone all day. Every now and then he'd wish that he'd listened to the advice of his father. "How did you sleep?"
"Oh!" she said after a long pause, she was so wrapped up in washing the dishes in the sink that she didn't even hear what he said. "Not too well. I was too excited about this morning! I've never been to an interview before," she explained.
"Oh." He completely forgot that she was going for a job at McDonalds. "Good luck."
"Thanks, I'll need it!" she replied as she wiped her hands with the dish washing cloth. "How do I look?" Kira questioned, stepping in front of the window and twirling around for Rei to see her entire outfit. "Does it look like something someone perfect for a job at McDonalds would wear?"
Rei looked her over, scanning his eyes from her recently washed white canvas tennis shoes, ankle socks, knee length khaki shorts and a white short sleeved polo t-shirt. "Yeah, definitely," he told her, although he didn't see why one would need to dress a certain way to get a job as a fry cook.
"You think so?" she asked, running her hands up and down her shorts to make sure that they were the appropriate length.
"You look fine," he said, hoping that she wouldn't ask him again.
"I love you, I'll be back in a few hours," she said quickly as she walked over and kissed his cheek before skipping out of the door.
A pang of pain was felt in his heart when he heard the door swing shut. He had grown so accustomed to having her watch him walk out of the door as he went on his way to work.
Kira couldn't stifle the wide grin that was forming on her face as she walked down the stairs of her apartment building. Even if she didn't get the job it still felt good to get out of the house and go after something she truly wanted.
"Hey, I was just coming to get you," Harumi said as she spotted Kira from her car parked in front of the nearest fire hydrant.
Kira looked over her shoulder at Harumi. "Oh, hey!" she replied with a wave. "I wasn't expecting you to come and drive me to the interview," Kira told her as she made her way to the passenger's side of the car.
"Yeah well, I was on my way to work any ways so I just figured that I'd pick you up," she explained as she swept her hair to the side and slid her round dark sunglasses further up her nose.
"Thank you, I really appreciate it," Kira said with a nod as she snapped her seat belt into place.
"So how is Rei about this?" Harumi questioned, pulling out of her parking spot and driving up to the stop sign.
Kira stopped to think about it for a while. Although he told her that he was fine with it she never really wondered how he felt about her working deep down. "I guess that he's fine," she said shyly. "I mean he said that he didn't mind but he seemed really quiet about it."
Harumi nodded silently. "I see. I guess that he'll have to be okay with you working. A girl needs a little independence right?" she suggested, glancing over her shoulder at Kira.
Kira simply nodded in response. The rest of the ride was in silence.
A few minutes later they pulled into the customer parking lot of the McDonalds and made their way through the golden double arches and the front door. Inside was bustling with business. Business men and women came in with full wallets and out with cups of coffee and bags of breakfast sandwiches. The people working behind the counter were just as industrious, handing out change, turning around to retrieve food, bagging it and handing it over. Kira was beginning to question if she could work in such a busy place especially because she had no previous working experience.
"Getting cold feet?" Harumi whispered, leading Kira to the "employee's only entrance" and waving to a few of her coworkers.
Heat from the embarrassment flushed her face, if Harumi could tell that she was scared then wouldn't the boss also be able to smell her fear? Why couldn't she be a bit more like Rei and walk in there with confidence and self assurance?
"You'll do fine, don't worry about it hun," she said enthusiastically as she opened a door and gently pushed Kira through it. The last thing Kira saw of the outside world before her interview began were Harumi's thumb's up.
Next Scene-
When Kira walked into the darkened apartment the first thing she did was feel around for the light switch. Back at home she had bad experiences from walking into darkened rooms. "Rei, are you here?" she called, he said that he'd be home all day. Eventually she found the switch and locked the door behind her. Kira smiled gently when she spotted his lean and long lanky frame laying on their bed.
"There you are," she said softly as she walked over to him and laid a hand on his thigh.
His eyes fluttered open and he cast her a side ways glance. He looked over at the clock before looking at her again. "You just got in?" he asked, sounding a bit annoyed.
Kira glanced at her watch and frowned slightly, it was eight o'clock, hours after she promised she'd be home. "I'm sorry. It's just that I..."
"Never mind. I don't care," he replied quickly as he turned away from her. "Did you get that job you wanted?"
She kicked off her shoes and slipped into the bed behind him and wrapped her arms around his body. "Yup," she said happily. "I start tomorrow at eleven. The same shift as Harumi," Kira explained softly, hoping to improve his mood.
"That's nice..."
"Why are you so upset Rei? I said I was sorry about being late," Kira asked worriedly, they'd never gotten into an argument before and it made her feel sick when he was angry with her.
"I'm not upset... It's just that I waited around for you, and you said you'd be home early. I thought that something happened to you, because you were so late and didn't call," he replied. "I was worried."
"I said I was sorry Rei," Kira said as she slipped her arms from around him as she felt heat build up in her cheeks. "I thought you'd be happy for me. I wanted something and went out of got it," she added.
"I am happy for you. Maybe just not... Maybe I'm just not used to the idea of you working," he explained, still with his back to Kira. "I'm worried about you and when you start to show your boss will probably try to fire you. Or something else unpleasant can happen and I don't want you to be sad."
Kira smiled a bit, she liked it when he played the roll of the overly protective boyfriend. "That's sweet Rei," she joked as she ran her fingers up and down his bare back causing him to tense underneath her fingers.
Rei quickly turned to face her, his legs getting tangled between the white sheets. "No it's not okay. You shouldn't have to work to help pay the bills. I promised to take care of you and I feel like I've failed," he said angrily.
"No you haven't Rei. I'm happy when I'm with you. It doesn't matter how much I have to work, or where we live, or any of that other stuff. As long as I'm with you I'm fine," she said honestly as she nuzzled her head into his chest. His body was so warm compared to hers, it seemed to radiate from his chest.
"I know but still..." he began, but was cut off by Kira.
"I love you, no buts," she said strongly.
Rei couldn't help but smile, he loved it when she was aggressive. He rolled over so that he was on top of Kira.
"What are you doing?" she questioned, she was very confused. They were in the middle of an argument-type thing.
He kissed her lips to silence her questioning and kissed her neck and chest. "Make up sex," he replied quickly.
She giggled and shook her head at him. "You're hopeless!"
"You're beautiful, I love you Kira," he replied.
Next Scene-
They both laid awake and exhausted. Kira laid her head on his damp chest and listened to his strong and steady unchanging heart beat. It was a relaxing rhythm that she'd grown accustomed to, like a lullaby.
Rei took his hand and laid it on her stomach. "Daddy Rei, I like the sound of that. Don't you?" he said, not really asking because he expected her to agree.
Kira nodded, hiding the fact that deep down she still doubted that she'd be capable of being a good mother to her child. "Sounds great."
"Yeah, I've never really thought of what kind of dad I'd be... I hope we have a boy though. We could go out to the track together, play baseball and basketball, pick up girls at the mall," he joked, earning him a poke in the ribs.
"Why can't you do the those things with a girl? There are girl bikers, baseball and basketball players and uh I guess you could give her guy advice or girl advice if she's a lesbian..." Kira began, but then stopped due to the other thoughts clouding her mind.
"Yeah but guys are less complicated you know?"
Kira rolled her eyes at him. "Whatever, girls are cuter. You can do their hair, dress them up, get them ready for prom, weddings," she said, her confidence in parenting increasing bit by bit as she grew more excited about having a child.
"Ugh, all those frills, it's annoying and unnecessary. Girls get all that emotional pms and whatnot," he retorted.
"I stand my ground," she said simply, placing her hand over Rei's much larger and slightly callused ones.
"As I do mine," he said as he held her closer. "If it came out as a girl I'd love it all the same, but guys rock. I just have this feeling you know?"
Kira smiled at how enthusiastic and excited he was about this.
"It would have my nose, my baby blues, my long and beautiful golden tresses, my height if it's a boy yours... naah if she had my height she'd get my lovely long legs, my physique, and oh your ears..."
"What!? All it gets is my ears?!" she exclaimed. "No fair Rei, what are you trying to say?"
"Nothing, I'm just hoping that the baby gets my good looks,"he said smoothly.
"What, so I'm unattractive?" she asked.
"Well, I mean you're beautiful... but a bit mousy in looks? How tall are you 4'8?" he questioned.
"I'm 5'1 thank you very much!" she retorted, poking him once more in the ribs.
"Still on the short side none the less. No girl is going to want to go out with a guy that height!" Rei complained, trying vehemently to defend himself.
"I'd still love you if you were a foot shorter," Kira said.
"Whatever, if I were that short..."
"I'm not short," she said, cutting him off. "I'm petite in stature."
"Yeah yeah yeah, say whatever you wish... Any ways if I were 'petite in stature' I'd lock my self away..." he stopped when he realized that Kira ell asleep.
As she slept he looked her over, his eyes lingering on her wrists, still branded with the self inflicted slash marks. Although it pained him to look at them it made his heart happy that none of them were fresh.
---------
The golden liquid sunlight poured in through the slits of the vertical blinds and assaulted Rei's eyes. He squinted and felt around for the body of his significant other. He ran his hands over the unoccupied area of the bed and then sat upright and looked around frantically for Kira.
"Kira!?" he called, his voice escaping as a high pitched yelp. The smell of freshly made pancakes and eggs didn't float about the apartment and he didn't hear the water running in the bathroom. Had he woken up too late? he wondered as he glanced at the bedside table. A sheet of white paper caught his eyes and he stepped closer to inspect it.
Rei-
Hey, I left about 8 am, you're off and you looked so sweet sleeping, I didn't have the heart to wake you. Breakfast and lunch are in the fridge. I'll be home at 7 (I promise). Wish me luck!!!
I'll miss and love you, Kira
Despite how happy Kira was with her new job he felt empty. There was nothing worse than waking up in an empty bed after growing accustomed to waking up with your arms tightly wrapped around the body of the one you love. An airy sigh escaped Rei's full lips and he crumpled up the note and threw it towards the nearby wastepaper basket, but missed. The thought of walking over to the basket and disposing of the paper properly crossed his mind but he decided to inspect the food he was left to eat while Kira was away.
Having to serve his own breakfast and lunch slightly depressed him. He really enjoyed being taken care of. Perhaps it was because he never had a mother to spoil an pamper him the way Kira did. He reluctantly opened the fridge and scanned over the items in it. Kira did all the shopping and cooking so he rarely had reason to peruse the fridge. There were bottles of water, orange juice, freshly pureed vegetable and fruit juices. A smile spread across his face. It was ironic that a healthy food freak like Kira was working at a fast food restaurant. He decided that he'd have to tease her about it later. He laughed about when he realized that all his thoughts seemed to lead back to Kira. He then popped the plastic plates of perfectly rounded and fluffy pancakes and scrambled eggs in the microwave he strolled over to the open window.
Time seemed to be slowing down in pace for after scanning the street below and getting bored of the occasional pedestrian when he glanced back at the microwave timer and only a minute and a half passed. Was this what it would always be like in Kira's absence?
The buzzing noise made by the microwave alerted him that the food was ready sounded as heavenly as an angels harp to Rei's starving stomach.
When he was through eating he decided to visit an old friend.
"How are we doing so far?" Harumi asked as she retrieved a burger and fries for a customer.
Kira looked from the impatient customer in front of her, o her hungry children, cash register and back to Harumi. "Um, okay I guess..." she mumbled.
"No, she's not okay!" exclaimed the belligerent woman as she placed her hands on her broad hips haughtily. "I've been waiting twenty damn minutes for my McChicken and large fries!" she hollered.
"Yeah, my lunch break is almost over and I've been waiting since eleven thirty!" complained a tall suited man with jelled back jet black hair as he fiddled with his PDA.
Kira looked flustered as she glanced around, praying that somebody would help her..
"I've got it. Why don't you get a mop? I'll take over register duty," Harumi said almost as though she'd read Kira's thoughts.
Kira nodded gratefully as she slunk away to the back and away from the angry customers. As she searched for a mop and bucket she wondered if she'd ever be an good at her job. Harumi made managing the register look easy as she effortlessly took money as she handed out meals, and change while managing to offer fries and super sized orders.
"Hey man!" Tatsuya exclaimed as he threw his arms open and stepped forward to hug Rei.
Rei smiled as he stepped away from him and slapped hands instead. "I've got a girlfriend remember?" he joked as he invited himself inside Tatsuya's small condominium.
Tatsuya playfully shoved Rei in response. "So what brings you here? I haven't seen or heard from you since graduation!" he added as he carefully looked Rei over. Although he looked the same there was something different about his attitude.
"Ah, nothing really. I was in the neighborhood," he answered smoothly. He stood close to the door next to the fire mantle. He enviously examined each picture as he tried to imagine himself in place of Tatsuya in the family photos. He couldn't really remember any happy childhood moments for he spent most of his childhood in the hospital visiting his sick mother
"Yeah, sure Rei. Were you really thaaat lonely? Where was the wifey?" Tatsuya asked as he flopped unto his parent's leather couch.
"Yes, yes it's true! I was so bored. Kira's got a job now and wont be back 'till 7!" Rei complained as he joined his companion on the couch.
"Wow, a job? Where's she working?" he asked.
"Miccy D's with Harumi."
"You don't sound too happy about her new job," Tatsuya said curiously.
Rei rolled his eyes and ran his long fingers through his dirty blonde tresses. "It's not that I'm against her working. It's just that she's pregnant you know so she should be resting and all that... I can't stop her or even try to talk her out of it because well she wants to work and we need the extra money badly," Rei said uneasily.
"Yeah? Like how badly? Isn't your dad a millionaire or something?" Tatsuya asked as he leaned forward with his hands on his chin and elbows on his knees.
Rei snorted and sunk deeper into his seat. "Real bad. Our phone line is this close,," he measured it with his pointer finger and thumb, "to having the phone service removed. Kira's been using it all night and day and I can't say anything because first of all it's embarrassing and secondly she's home alone all the time so it wouldn't be fair to her,"he complained as he aggressively shoved the hair from his face.
"Why don't you ask Daddy Money Bags for cash?" Tatsuya suggested as he stroked the fine whiskers growing above his lip.
Rei let out a loud laugh. "Ha, that's only if I'm on the street, stark naked, starving and festering!" Rei exclaimed as he threw his head back with laughter. He had to clutch his stomach to catch his breath.
"Whatever man, but if I had your dad I'd suck up like crazy so I can get one of those fancy smancy executive jobs. Not only is it good pay but it's a secure job since your pa is running the business. Think of the benefits Rei. You want to be able to give your child the world don't you?" Tatsuya explained, his eyes begging Rei to be serious and agree with him.
Rei nodded solemnly. "I've already thought about that. I went to see my father right after I found out about the baby. He suggested that I go live with him, study to take a business test so I can work with him and eventually take over."
"What does Kira think of this idea?" he asked.
"She doesn't know about it yet..." Rei answered as he let out a depressed sigh. "I didn't think that things would get this complicated."
Tatsuya frowned and leaned back in his chair wishing he could find a way to help his friend.
A/N- Hey thanks for reading this far. I'm sorry about the spastic updates. Summer vacation is coming soon and hopefully I'll be able to update regularly. Yay, this was a long chapter!!! ::feels proud:: Please, please, please review! They make me so happy! To those who reviewed for the last chapter ::throws kisses::