Story is in Yuki's POV
I scurry across the mansion, grabbing everything I can remember along the way – extra diapers, baby wipes, and milk bottles. I attempt to organize the items into a day bag, but really I just end up stuffing everything inside. I then hear a little cry over the baby monitor in the kitchen. I make my way towards the hallway and shout, "Zero, you got her?"
"Yes," my partner shouts back.
I can hear him gently shushing our newborn. Well, I guess Ren would be considered an infant now. At eight months old, I'm at a loss where all the time went. It seems like just yesterday I gave birth to her. Today is our first outing without any maids/nannies since her birth. I'm here, a nervous wreck, but my husband seems to have it all together, radiating his stoic demeanor as per usual. I place the day bag down near the front door and grab the car keys. I turn around to see Zero holding our sweet daughter in a pink onesie with two bear ears on the hood, and my heart melts at the sight.
"Where's her stuffed bunny? If she doesn't have it, she's fussy around lunch time," I note.
Zero reaches into his back pocket and takes out an already worn out stuffy covered in saliva stains.
I nod at him and say, "Okay, let's go!"
When we get to the car, we fiddle around anxiously with the car seat until my husband demands me to sit down. He opens the passenger door for me and says, "Yuki, please sit. I can handle the car seat."
I cross my arms and pout, but ultimately obey. Zero always jokes about having two babies now, Ren and I, and honestly, sometimes, he's probably right.
I hear Ren squirming around and giggling. At least she's in a good mood now. She's always in a good mood around her father. Another daddy's girl, of course. Zero comes around the front of the car and takes his seat on the driver's side. I pass the keys to him, and we're off.
Our first stop is the local bodega on the east side of town. It's a small place with only the freshest produce of the day, a few bakery items and gorgeous flowers which they grow themselves. We've gone here since they opened shop. A cute little family owns the place. They don't know yet that we're vampires, but our age, or lack thereof, will likely give them an idea soon. For now, I enjoy being their best customers. "Yuki, you stay in the car. I'll go get the flowers," Zero suggests.
I nod in agreement with a smile. I roll down the window so that I can at least wave at the owner.
"Ah mister Kiryu, welcome! What can I help you with today?" she asks while waving back at me.
"I need two dozen rose bouquets. White preferably," Zero responds.
While she puts that together, I take off my seat belt to turn around and play with Ren. I wave around the stuffed bunny and make funny noises. Oh, the joys of being a mom. It's been a long time since Ai was a baby, so I'm quite enjoying every minute of this.
Zero gets back into the car and hands me the bouquets. I hold onto them so that the flowers don't get damaged for the rest of the car ride.
Once we reach our destination, Zero slowly brings the car to a stop. I hear him sigh. He gets out and walks over to open the car door for me. Ever since he got his own vehicle, he made it a rule that once we arrive somewhere, I must stay put and not open the door for myself. He's very traditional and gentleman like, something I love about him. I get out and I'm eager to see if Ren has shifted around. She didn't cry the entire car ride, so I'm proud of her.
Zero safely removes her from the car seat and carries her on the left side of his chest. Once he locks the car, we make our way toward to the tall, barred gate. Zero opens it with his free hand since I'm holding the flowers. We enter the field and stroll past the tombstones, until we reach the ones engraved with the Kiryu name. There's a light breeze and the sun is still rising. Soon, we'd have to get Ren back into the car or into the shade. We're raising her to wake during the day, but it's still a tricky process.
Zero kneels down with Ren still in his arms. I place a bouquet on each grave and then crouch down next to my husband. He begins, "Mom, dad… this is Ren." I can hear his voice cracking, and he pauses before continuing, "This is my daughter. She's eight months old. Your granddaughter," a tear escapes his eye and falls down his cheek. I clench my hand near my heart and stare in admiration at my husband. He is always so strong, and I rarely see him cry. But times like this reminds me of his enormous heart. Times like this remind me that having a child with him is one of the biggest blessings in my everlasting life.
"You remember my wife Yuki," he looks over at me with endearing eyes. "She's an amazing mother. We really wanted you to meet our daughter before it got too cold. Isn't she adorable?" Zero grabs one of Ren's arms and waves it around. She giggles in response and grabs onto her father's face, slobbering all over it. In response, I put a hand over my mouth to hide my amusement. Zero then takes Ren over to Ichiru's grave. This gives me a moment with his parents, or rather my in-laws. I reach out and gently touch the graves, silently thanking his parents for raising such a gentleman that never failed to protect me. I hear Ren cooing and look over at my husband and our child. He's looking down at his brother's grave and says, "Ichiru, I did it. I lived and did what you couldn't."