When Tai walked in through his front door, he saw Meiko, Izzy and Mimi gathered in the living room. The kids were playing in the other room. They greeted each other and the spiky haired man dropped onto the sofa next to his wife with a big sigh. Meiko smiled and put her arms around his shoulders, "What a hero!" She announced feeling proud of her husband.

"What a day!" Tai grumbled, sinking himself back into the sofa.

Mimi still looked concerned, "How long will she stay in the hospital?"

"She'll be home tomorrow," he replied lazily.

"I'll get you dinner," Meiko said before she wandered off into the kitchen. Mimi also stood up from the sofa; she and Izzy discussed getting the kids ready and going home. They thanked Meiko for dinner. As everyone busied themselves, Tai checked his cell phone, seeing if there were any updates on his friend. His face dropped when he saw there wasn't anything. Guess she doesn't need me anymore. His mind flashed back to Sora crying and it made his heart race. How could he leave her like this?!

He ran his hands through his hair and sighed. he knew there was no point in getting angry. Then he thought about Sora again, lying in the hospital bed. Stupid Matt.

"Earth to Tai!" Izzy called out.

Tai quickly stood up, "Oh! See you later guys"

The computer whiz rolled his eyes as Tai made his way to the front door, joining Meiko to see them off.

It was now around 9pm and Sora's mother had now gone home. She was feeling slightly more human thanks to the miracles of modern medicine; she reached for her cell phone and called her husband. It only took one ring before he picked up.

"That was fast!" She exclaimed

"Well, I've been worried like crazy about you…"

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to cause such a fuss" she said trailing off, embarrassed.

"Don't be sorry, it's not your fault, just say something next time. No one thinks you're any less a capable a mother just because you're sick"

Sora pouted, "Did Tai tell you that?"

"No… I just know you, Sora…" he sighed wistfully, "so what did the doctor say?"

She took in a big breath, "She said I could have torn a hole in my stomach" she reluctantly admitted, "but she already lectured me so please don't get mad at me"

Matt felt like tearing up the space station. "I'm so stupid Sora, why did I think this was a good idea? I don't want to be here, I want to be back home with you and the kids. It's driving me crazy!" Sora heard a crashing noise in the background.

"Because I wasn't supposed to be pregnant remember?" She reminded him, wincing at the sound of him kicking something.

"Oh… Yeah…" he relented with a sigh, done with kicking the station wall.

"And hey, why did you tell Tai I was pregnant? It's kind of personal don't you think?"

Matt flinched "Because!" Then he swallowed his pride and his voice became serious, "I was afraid, you'd stop looking after yourself and I… couldn't let that happen"

"Thank you," it hurt her a little to admit he was right but she was grateful nonetheless. Matt felt himself blush a little. "I was so rude to him, Matt! I'm so embarrassed!" She groaned, covering her eyes with her free hand.

"Well you can get a little crazy when you're pregnant." The blonde haired man said thoughtlessly.

"Matt!"

He chuckled "Sorry, I just wish I was around to experience it again, I miss you…" a voice in the background called out, "I'm so sorry I have to get back to work but I'll call tomorrow around four, please make sure the kids are there!"

Sora nodded, "Of course, I'll talk to you then"

"I love you"

"I love you too"

She sighed as she hung up, gripping onto her phone still. They had been together since they were fourteen and she still loved him the same all these years, if not more since their children were born. Matt had been away four times in his career and with every trip it got harder for Sora to cope with the constant worry, not just about her children missing their father but the fear something would happen to him. She thought about the night they discovered she was expecting again, she had spent most of it sobbing in Matt's arms. That night he promised her that he wouldn't go again and though that was something she wanted to hear, it filled her with incredible guilt. She didn't want to hold him back in his career but Matt was adamant he wanted to put family first after this mission. She glanced down at the IVs placed in her hand, and then her eyes glanced further down to her growing bump. The baby. The redhead reminded herself. Tai's right, I need to think about the baby.

….

Matt got home from work a little early that day to find a suspiciously quiet apartment, it was four in the afternoon, and shouldn't the kids be running around causing chaos before dinner? Looking down Matt spotted his wife's shoes but not Akane's or Hiro's. Odd. He slipped off his work shoes and headed out of the entryway to find his wife. He called out for her and she beckoned him into the bedroom, her voice didn't sound quite right. Matt furrowed his brows and hurried to her. In the bedroom, Sora was sat on the bed and sobbing into her hands. He knelt down in front of her and draped an arm around her. "What's happened? Where are the kids?"

The redhead sniffed, "They're at the park with my mother," she wiped away her tears, trying to compose herself.

Now he knew where they were, he relaxed, "What's wrong? Why all the tears?" He asked gently.

"I'm pregnant again!" She announced without warning, gesturing to the bedside table where a pregnancy test and papers from what looked like a doctor's office lay in a messy pile.

Matt was confused, "Wait really?"

"Yes! I even went to the doctor today, I'm 8 weeks already and I didn't even realise!" Sora explained and hung her head down.

"Oh…" he sat down on the bed next to her and brought her into his embrace while she continued to cry. "I mean… We talked about having more, maybe not right now but Sora, there's no need to be upset, and it's not a bad thing!"

"It is a bad thing!"

"Why?" He asked with caution, sensing she was starting to become angry.

"Because! You're leaving next month, you idiot!"

The ball finally dropped, how could he forget that?! He was preparing for it every day at work, how could that slip his mind?! "Oh. Shit." Was all his brain managed to muster up. Matt loosened his top button and tie nervously.

"Yeah!" She belted out in a sarcastic tone; Matt winced at his own stupidity.

"I'm sorry, Sora…"

"Don't apologise, it's not your fault" she sighed. Sora felt Matt kissing her repeatedly on the head, his hand running up and down her upper arm, so soothing and lovingly. As she relaxed she took a deep breath in and exhaled slowly. Matt peeked down on Sora to check if she was alright, he spotted an ultrasound photo lying on the bed within reach and picked it up, still holding tight onto his wife. He smiled to himself. Sora caught him and smiled too. She closed her eyes enjoying the feeling of having her hair stroked by her husband. Matt began to hum to himself, gazing at the photo.

After a few moments had passed, Matt cleared his throat. "Sora, this is the absolutely the last time I'm leaving you guys, my boss knows my heart isn't quite in it since we've had the kids… I mean, if I could back out of this right now I would, no question-"

Sora took his hand and squeezed it tight, "I know you would"

"I promise, after this, never again"

"Thank you" She took a moment to lean out of the embrace and smiled sadly at her husband. Matt leaned in and he kissed her lips gently, they both took their time to savour the moment before breaking the kiss.

"Don't thank me," he smiled at her as he tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ear. Sora leaned in for another kiss and Matt obliged, he inhaled deeply as the kiss lingered and pressed his palm into the small of her back, enjoying every second. Every time a kiss was returned, the pace would increase, their lips would part a little more and something sparked between them as their kiss turned passionate. Sora couldn't help herself; she slowly ran her fingertips across his stomach knowing it would send a shiver down his spine. Matt broke the kiss and cocked an eyebrow, "What time are the kids back home?"

Sora grinned, "An hour?"

In one swift motion Matt scooped Sora onto his lap, "Well then..!" He said with a wry smile, very pleased with the answer he received. He ran his hands up the back of her top. Sora giggled and began to kiss her husband. There would be time for planning and worrying later, for now she wanted to enjoy her husband's company.

…

The following week, Tai had the apartment to himself for the weekend as Meiko and Shinya were travelling to Shimane to visit her parents for the weekend. Tai couldn't make it as he was away on business and couldn't get home in time to join them.

Tai hadn't spoken to Sora in the meantime but he had eyes and ears around in the form of Mimi. His intel told him that she had indeed been discharged home from the hospital the next day as planned, with a prescription for her sickness and her mother had been picking up the slack at home for her. He reached his apartment and found a little tote bag in front of the door. He raised an eyebrow and took a quick look inside. Ah. His shoes! And clean too! A note was attached.

Tai, I'm so sorry about your shoes! Thank you for everything. Sora.

He grinned and went into his apartment, putting his cell phone to his ear, calling Sora to thank her.

"Ah Tai!" She answered. "I take it you found my package?"

Tai was relieved, she sounded cheerful, "Yep! Thanks a lot, I thought my sneakers would never be clean again!" Sora laughed. "Sora you sound back to your old self! I'm so glad"

"Yep! The medication has really helped"

He furrowed his eyebrows in suspicion, "You're not just saying that are you? You really are okay now?"

"No really, I am," She laughed again, "ask my mother! She's here keeping me hostage in my own home making sure I rest!"

"Maybe I should!" He teased.

"Mom! Tai wants to know if I'm resting and he doesn't believe me!" Sora put her cell phone on speaker, she sounded as if she was calling to her from across the room.

"Eh?! Taichi, don't you trust me? I'm her mother you know!" Mrs Takenouchi replied playfully.

"Alright… I guess that checks out" He grinned. He could hear Mrs Takenouchi asking Sora about Meiko and Shinya in the background. "They're in Shimane!" Tai answered on her behalf.

"Is that so? Why don't you come over for dinner, Taichi?" Sora's mother asked, he could hear the sound of dishes and utensils clanging around filled the background.

They went back and forth, Tai would say no but Sora's mother kept insisting. Sora would join in too, telling her mother to leave him be. The conversation then turned into Sora bringing Tai over leftovers. Tai realised that no wouldn't be taken for answer.

…

"Hey check out your resting spot!" Tai said, impressed at the little set up Sora's mother had prepared around the sofa. A large pitcher of water, remote controls, ginger sweets, crackers and a blanket folded nicely on the arm.

"It's only temporary," Sora laughed nervously. "I'll be allowed to return to being me on Monday"

Tai leant back, resting his arms behind his head, "Don't be too much like you… Look where that got you before."

She blushed, "I'm not sick anymore don't forget"

"I guess…" he reluctantly agreed, "Oh! Hey little guy!" Tai greeted Hiro as he ran up to Sora, she patted him on the top of the head and smiled. Hiro shot Tai an angry look and a loud No! Before climbing into his mother's embrace.

Sora put her arms around the toddler, "Hey Hiro, Uncle Tai really helped us out the other day, why don't you say thank you?" Hiro let out another loud no and the pair laughed.

"Don't mind him" She said in an apologetic tone, "he's just… "

Mrs Takenouchi stepped into the living room and held her hands out to Hiro, "Hiro! You never give your poor mama a break do you? Poor mama!" Hiro held his own arms out and was scooped up by his grandmother. Mrs Takenouchi tapped him on the nose and left the room with him, chatting to him about getting ready for bed.

Tai nodded, an air of understanding about him, "Hey, he's only two right? It can't be helped."

"He's pretty attached to me at the moment," Sora looked down into her lap, "it's hard for the kids when Matt's not around… Maybe I just don't do a good enough job as a mother when he's gone…"

"Sora…" Tai placed a hand on her shoulder, "don't think like that, you'll get yourself depressed"

She put her hands over her face in an attempt to cover her falling tears, "Sorry, hormones!"

Tai pulled her into a hug. "You're a great mother, Sora! Better than great! What would Matt say if he was here?"

Sora wiped her tears away, "He'd tell me to stop beating myself up and just do my best"

"Exactly…" Tai smiled at his old friend. "Why don't you tell him all of this?"

"I don't want him to worry, I know he feels terrible about leaving"

"I get that." He conceded, "But if you need anything, Sora, anything you've got me, I mean us" he corrected himself, slightly blushing. "All of us! Me, Meiko and Mimi and Izzy. Mimi is dying to help you out! And plus I bet Kari and T.K. would come too if you asked!" He rambled on.

Sora chuckled. "When did you become so grown up?"

He blinked in confusion, "Grown up? I am in my 30s now you know.."

"You know what I mean, you used to be such a bonehead to me whenever I got emotional and lately you've been so kind and understanding" she looked down into her lap, to avoid Tai's gaze.

"Alright, I'll be honest you with Sora, promise you won't tell Matt?" Tai broke the embrace and scratched the back of his head nervously. She held her breath, unsure of what he was going to reveal. "Well, before he left, he called me up, he told me to look out for you" he fixed his eyes to the floor.

"He did?" Sora was surprised.

Tai nodded. "And when he explained you were expecting again, he looked torn apart. I could tell it was killing him to leave you and the kids behind…and the fact he would ask me to do something like that up front… I… I… couldn't let him down. You're too important to him, Sora."

The two sat in silence.

"I guess it all makes sense now." Sora turned to look at the spiky haired man. "I don't know what to say, except, thank you" Tai gave her a warm smile.

The sound of Sora's mothers slippers heading towards the living room brought the moment to an end and the pair got up from sofa. The evening came to a close and Tai was even given a box of leftovers to take home, he even got a little hug from Hiro and Akane! For now it seemed, Sora was doing well and had great support around her and that made Tai very happy.

….