Majestic Weirdo: Thanks for the reviews. Some of them are very, very helpful. Take a look at the one by Celestial Seraphym. Can't get much better than that, but I must say, some have gotten close. Anyway, I really like the reviews that explain what you like and don't like. It is nice to know what the readers feel, other than that they just want me to update, which I will do whenever I can, and whenever I want to. I don't care whether you are praising or criticizing my work, I just want you to help me improve my stories. So please, make me happy, and make meaningful reviews. This does not go to most of you, like amnesia nymph, who also gives me a lot of good ones.

If you don't want to review, and you just want to talk to me without your message seen here, you can always just send me a message through FF. you can also email me. If you want to IM, just send me an email. I use AIM, Yahoo! IM, and MSN messenger. Thanks again, and enjoy this chapter. By the way, I am lowering the rating. If you think there is anything that is not kid-friendly, tell me, and I will fix it. The most violent thing in this was Haruka's condition before. I am nut certain, but I think I left out most implied things.

"Haruka!"

Haruka raced up the stairs at the frantic call. She tore the door open to see Michiru still on the pillows where she had lovingly been propped, pointing a quivering finger at the wall. Haruka followed the indication to a small spider on the wall. She sighed, it was the sixth spider in the last week that Michiru had called her for. Haruka had come each time, hoping for news of the baby's coming. Ami had approximated that labor would begin in two days, and Haruka was more than anxious. Michiru let out a relieved breath as Haruka grabbed the spider and flicked it out of the window. In her late pregnancy, she found herself quite a different person, but Haruka didn't complain.

Haruka refilled Michiru's glass with lemonade from a cool pitcher and left her with a kiss. She went back downstairs to finish the sandwiches she had been making for their picnic. For late July, it was a cool day. The was an air of silence, Natsuko had gone to visit her sister at the hospital, and Usagi was taking care of her youngest child and the fourth one that Mamoru had unwisely, but most likely unintentionally given her. Even the birds and cicadas had quieted for a moment. Then the silence was shattered by another call of Haruka's name.

Michiru grinned as Haruka returned to her yet again. She beckoned the disappointed woman towards her. Michiru was getting quite a kick out of her mood swings. They were far from intentional, but Michiru let herself think of them as her favorite part of these miserable nine months. She waited until Haruka leaned in close to hear what she had to say and then brought her hand under her pumped arm. Michiru giggled as the noise echoed off the walls. Haruka sighed yet again and attempted to finish the sandwiches.

There was nothing but suspicion of Michiru when pepper didn't come out of the grinder. Haruka recalled refilling the thing with peppercorns, but now, the grinded substance was definitely white. Haruka looked down at the ruined sandwiches. Haruka inspected the tiny white grains. Haruka took the lid off f the grinder to see the peppercorn had been replaced with sugar cubes. Then Haruka noticed a distinct smell of vinegar coming from the tea thermos. Haruka smiled. Michiru was giving signs that it may not have been a good day for a picnic. Megumi was finally coming.

Haruka rushed upstairs one more time. Michiru was in the bathroom. Haruka knocked on the door

"When?"

"Soon."

"How soon?"

"Call Ami. I just broke."

Michiru could nearly hear her wife smile as she picked up the phone immediately. She let herself get used to the sharp pains that were beginning, for she knew there was much more to come. Haruka helped Michiru into something more comfortable, and guided her down the steps to where the special ambulance awaited. The two struggled through fifteen hours until the healthy baby girl was delivered by Haruka's hands. The parents were left alone with Megumi for a short time until she was taken for analysis and Michiru was given a much needed rest.

Michiru groggily woke to find the bed empty and cold. She stood up awkwardly, missing the strange bulk she had carried, and followed the soft cooing to Megumi's room. Michiru then realized that she had never woken up to crying in the week that they had been in charge of her. Michiru peeked through the crack in the door to see Haruka rocking the cradle as she softly sung a lullaby. Megumi was gurgling in reply. Michiru remembered how tired Haruka had been the entire week and how red her eyes had been. It touched Michiru's heart to think that Haruka had been up at this every night.

Haruka took the baby to the rocking chair beside the crib and offered her a bottle as she began to cry. Megumi was instantly silenced as she accepted the warm bottle of fresh milk. Haruka treasured her child as she looked innocently up at her. She looked back into Michiru's blue orbs. Haruka looked at the tiny little hands that reached up at her face, and the little body that was attached to them. Michiru could see Haruka crying as she cradled the child at her chest. She knew how Haruka felt. Megumi was their child. Not adopted, not only hers, but theirs .

Michiru was about to make a quiet retreat when she lost all feeling in her legs. Haruka could hear an abrupt yelp from outside of the room.

"Michiru?"

Haruka quickly placed the baby back in her crib and carefully opened the door. Michiru was sprawled on the wooden floor. Haruka at first let it off as an accident. She offered her hand to Michiru, who was looking up at her rather embarrassed.

"Are you okay? You didn't hurt yourself?"

Michiru took the hand and shook her head.

There was an awkward moment between the two as Haruka retracted her arm and received no reply from Michiru. Haruka attempted to pull her up again, but got the same result. Then Michiru understood. Haruka began to see as Michiru strained the muscles in her thighs in an attempt to move her lower legs. It was early. Far earlier than she had seen into. Michiru let out a frustrated cry as she willed her body to move. Haruka knelt down on the floor and took Michiru in her arms. Michiru buried her face in Haruka's pajama top as she was carried back into their bedroom.

Michiru's hand was firmly held as Haruka contacted Ami. Michiru found no anger in Haruka. She had given many thoughts about how she would confront Haruka without angering her, but now it was that time, and there was only love and understanding. Michiru hadn't expected anything to happen so soon. In fact, she had never expected symptoms like these. She had hoped that it would happen much later, after they all had time to adjust. After she had seen their daughter grow into a woman. Still, as Ami was roused from her slumber, Michiru couldn't find herself afraid, like she had so many times before. Haruka was with her now, at that meant that everything was going to be alright.