Disclaimer: I don't own Hot Gimmick… Miki Aihara does, and I'm so in love with her artwork!

Thank you guys for reviewing. Yet again I'll apologize for not updating quickly, but as you kinda know, my life sucks, and school sucks and my mother sucks and I've already done stupid stuff that I shouldn't have done, but whatever.

Waking up in the arms of the one she loved wasn't something she was used to. Especially when she was waking up in Ryoki's bed, and his arms wrapped around her waist. It was incredibly awkward when a wave of morning sickness hit her and she had to tear herself away from Ryoki to make it to the toilet in time.

When she came back, Ryoki saw her tangled hair, her clammy pale face, her hands shaking. "Hatsumi come here." He said gently. "Is it the nausea?" he asked. He felt her nod yes and feeling a wave of kindness hit him he wrapped his hands around her waist, his hands resting protectively on her flat stomach.

"I can't believe that there is a tiny life growing inside of you." He said.

"Yeah, It's kind of amazing." She said, staring at her stomach.

"Ryoki dear, breakfast is ready. Hatsumi should eat too." Ms. Tachibana said at the door.

Ryoki ate his fill, while poor Hatsumi nibbled on a piece of toast. When they were done, Ryoki headed out for school, while Hatsumi sat in awkward silence in the living room with Ms. Tachibana.

"Hatsumi dear, I bet you're wondering why I've been so nice, or so open to you."

"Well of course Ms. Tachibana. You've always intimidated my family and me. It was a huge surprise to find that you were open to this pregnancy." Hatsumi said bluntly.

"Yes, well there is something I must tell you. When I was a young girl, I fell in love, and not with Mr. Tachibana. He was a beautiful man, and it was a sort of puppy love. We shared our feelings for each other intimately and soon after I found that I was with child." She took a deep breath before going on. "My mother was very strict and sent me against my will to get an abortion. Right afterward we moved. Ever since I've shut myself off to love, even to my own son."

Understanding a sort of pain that Ms. Tachibana was experiencing, Hatsumi grasped her hands in her own. "I understand. It was hard for you, and there was never anyone around to show you kindness or love. And the loss of your baby was even more of a reason to close your heart off, especially to your mother."

"Well yes, I guess that is how I feel. But you dear, I want you to keep this child, and know that I'll be there. I'll try and change dear, but your mother needs to realize that this isn't the ruin of her life. It should be a joy, not a nuisance."

"I believe that she'll change her mind when the baby comes." Hatsumi said softly.

"Well I don't find it safe for you to go to school in your frail condition. You need to take those prenatal vitamins and take care of yourself. I'll hire a tutor for you."

For next month or so things went along well. Hatsumi was learning a lot from the tutor that Ms. Tachibana hired for her, and she had already gotten over her morning sickness and moved into that transition where she could smell everything, and the urge to want to find the source of it.

To Ryoki's disappointment, Hatsumi hadn't gotten all hot and heavy for him, which left him wanting and waiting for that time to come. But the good thing was that it was the beginning of her fourth month, and they had just found out the sex of their baby.

"I can't believe it!" Akane said, overjoyed with the news.

"I know, it's uncanny isn't it?" Hatsumi said, her face glowing with happiness. The two sisters' were spending time together, in secret of their mother, on the room of the complex. Subaru and Ryoki were in the stairwell playing poker.

"I'm going to be an auntie! I'll be Auntie Akane!"

"I know, and I'll be mommy!" Hatsumi giggled out. "But I kinda was hoping to have a little girl, but I'm blessed with having a beautiful baby boy!"

"I know! I think that Shinogu will be thrilled to hear that he'll have a nephew." Akane said.

"I know, but somehow I can't get the feeling that there is something up with him."

"I-uh…" Akane said, her eyes getting bright with ripe fear. Turning around Hatsumi saw that her mother was standing at the bottom of the staircase, her eyes blazing, making poor Subaru shiver in his boots.

"Damn." Hatsumi said.

"Akane, I told you not to talk to her ever again."

"But Mom! Hatsumi is my sister! I can't just forget her, especially since she's carrying my nephew!"

"Shut up!"

"Mom, why are you doing this to me?" Hatsumi asked, tears now trickling down her face. "I don't understand."

"I will not have your life ruined by this, you deserve a bright future, not one with a bastard child born out of wedlock!"

"But I don't care! I'll not, Ah-ouch." Hatsumi said, clutching her stomach. "Oh my god!" Hatsumi's face was creased in pain as she stared at her mother then Ryoki. "Something's wrong."

Without missing a beat, Ryoki lifted Hatsumi in his arms, and pushed by Ms. Narita. "We'll get you an ambulance." He said, noticing the blood trickling down her leg. He could hear his heart pounding in his head as fear reared its ugly face in his mind.

A/N: I know it's a short chapter. I mean it's not that great either. I'm just overwhelmed with school and a bitchy mom and homework and a hell of a lot of bull shit. But I hope you liked it. Please read and review!

LYL,

Teri Baumer