Days came and went for Yoh and Anna and before long it was time for something to happen. Something they had been anticipating for eight months, something not expected for another four weeks. Yoh remembered that Anna had been complaining of contractions for a day or two but they dismissed them as nothing since it was too early for the babies to be born. So early Saturday morning when Anna's water broke they were absolutely shocked. After rushing his darling wife to the hospital Yoh quickly called their parents and close friends. Within the hour everyone had arrived and Anna's contractions were one minute apart. Anna asked for only one person other then Yoh in the room, her dear friend Kalia.
"Is there something wrong?" asked Kalia to the doctor before entering the room. "I know it's a month too soon but what's the cause?"
"We're not sure." replied the doctor grimly. "The nurse is inside preparing her for C-section now."
"Is there anything I can do?" questioned Kalia.
"Comfort her." whispered the doctor as he led the teenager into the room. She moved to Anna's side opposite of Yoh and grabbed her hand.
"It's going to be alright Anna."
"Sakura… Haru and Toshi." murmured Anna.
"What?"
"Names. Sakura is the girl, Haru is the one on top and Toshi is the lowest. Make sure you tell them if something happens…"
"Don't talk like that Anna. It's going to be alright." snapped Yoh. He quickly calmed down and went back to gently stroking Anna's hair. Shortly the doctor came in and began delivering the babies one at a time. First, a baby girl, Sakura. Their ears were filled with the sound of screams. Second the upper boy, Haru, and now he cried along his sister. Finally a third, Toshi, but this time no screaming. The child just lay there in the doctor's hands, almost lifeless save for the opening and closing of a tiny mouth, gaping for air.
"Wha-what's wrong!" demanded Yoh. Anna lay there and said nothing as Kalia took a couple steps to get a shot of what was going on. Cringing at the sight of her friend's open stomach she peered over to the child who had now opened his tiny little eyes. The doctors and nurses were examining him trying to check if anything was wrong. They spoke softly amongst themselves and Kalia strained to hear over the sound of the two other screaming children. After an eternity of waiting the doctor placed the child in Anna's arms. He was smaller then the others and was pink and wrinkled. Weighing almost three pounds the child looked so small in his mother's arms.
"Toshi…" whispered Anna as she cradled her son. She gently rocked him as the child gasped for the first breaths that never came and, after only a few moments in the world, fell limp and lifeless in Anna's arms. Not accepting what had happened she continued to gently rock the unmoving child as the doctors and nurses worked to finish her operation and clean up the other two children. Tears rolled down her cheeks and she softly hum a lullaby welcoming the infant to it's internal slumber. Yoh was distracting himself from his pain by looking at his two beautiful, slightly underweight but healthy babies. Kalia, providing no help to anyone, was standing there bawling. Soon the doctors decided it was time to take the body away. At this time Yoh left the room, wanting nothing to do with his dead son, nor did he want to see his wife's reaction. He walked out to the corridor and explained what had happened to everyone waiting. A grim, dead silence filled the room only broken by the gasps and sobs from those who were crying. Moments later Kalia was sent out of the operating room to allow Anna to recover. Her eyes were bloodshot still half filled with tears. She was overwhelmed by sorrow for her friend and fear for herself. Cautiously she stepped over to Atrus and moved her body close to his, resting her head on his chest and putting her arms around him. He gently put his arms around her waist and softly rubbed her back. Kalia wasn't sure if he was just acting in public but she didn't care, she loved the attention she was getting, even in this bad situation.
In a couple days they were allowed to go home with their new children. Anna and Yoh walked into their colourful nursery placing Sakura in a pink crib and Haru in a blue one. Next to that sat an empty green crib with the word "Toshi" inscribed on the headboard. Anna stood there and stared for a moment before Yoh obstructed her view, crouching down next to the crib and beginning to take it apart. Frozen, Anna could do nothing but stare as her husband removed the bed of her son that never came home.
Kalia sat in front of the TV eating chocolate ice cream right out of the container. She jumped as the front door opened and she could hear the sounds of her boyfriend removing his shoes.
"Welcome home sweetie." called Kalia cheerfully as Atrus walked into the room.
"What are you doing?" he demanded.
"Watching TV and eating ice cream… Why?"
"There are things you should be doing."
"Like what?"
"Cleaning." Atrus motioned to the kitchen. Kalia looked over at the dirty counters, piled up dishes and food that hadn't been put away.
"I'm sorry… Its just… So hard."
"What?"
"Its so hard and tiring to do work when your pregnant." Atrus sighed and stared at Kalia for a moment then stepped closer to her.
"You'll do that work bitch weather you like it or not. Its your job."
"I cant." whined Kalia. This brought Atrus to the end.
"You will fucking do as I say you little whore!" he screaming slapping her across the face. Kalia yelped like a hurt dog and brought her hand up to her mouth where her lip was bleeding from the blow. Tears filed her eyes as she stared at her boyfriend, his hand still in the air. Time froze as Kalia's pleading eyes clashed with Atrus' cold, hard ones. When the clock started again Atrus lowered his hand.
"Do NOT disobey me again, woman, or you will loose that child you love so much." finally explained Atrus. Kalia's eyes widened and filled with tears that soon began to poor out.
"No…" she whispered. Atrus said nothing and walked out of the room. Kalia curled up as small as she could get with her pregnant belly and sobbed alone.