"So, has Tomi-chan started talking or walking yet?" Hiroki asked curiously.

"No. She sort of just babbles all the time. She likes to stand and bounce in my lap as long as I'm holding her up, but she hasn't done it on her own yet," Misaki said. "I'm fine with it though, I don't have to worry about her on the stairs back at the apartment."

"I see."

Hiroki watched Misaki interact with Hitomi, his eyes darkening with thought. In his mind, he pictured Nowaki with a faceless baby, bouncing it in his lap, letting the baby crawl over him… letting the tiny hands grip his index finger…

"Hiroki?" Akihiko asked, wrenching Hiroki from his thoughts. He blinked and glanced around dumbly.

"Oh, sorry," he said sheepishly, taking a sip of tea. He scowled at the knowing glance between Akihiko and Misaki.

"So when is that concert?" Akihiko asked, breaking the awkward silence. "Me and Misaki would like to go."

Hiroki flushed scarlet.

"Why? It's not going to be that great!" he exclaimed, a little too loudly. Akihiko stared at him before laughing and tipping his head back.

"Oh, God. You got a solo, didn't you?" he asked. Hiroki blushed even more and Akihiko only laughed harder.

"Just… no, don't come. It's st-stupid," Hiroki said, furrowing his eyebrows and refusing to look at Misaki or Akihiko. "Besides, you need to take care of your brat, right?"

"Aikawa-san has already agreed to babysit if we ever need her to," Misaki said, smiling. Hiroki groaned.

"Fine, whatever. The concert's at seven, on the first of December. Tickets are 2000 yen each," Hiroki said, waving his hand dismissively.

"Wow, 2000? It must be a pretty good concert if it's that expensive," Akihiko said, raising his eyebrows.

"That's only for the nosebleed section. Front row tickets are 10,000 yen each," Hiroki said wryly. Misaki's eyes widened, but Akihiko laughed.

"That's crazy," Akihiko said.

"Well, you've got to understand that this concert's expense for us is off the charts. We've flown in about fifty people from different countries to Japan, we've rented the theater, and not to mention the copyrights to sing the songs. It's really expensive, and tickets are pretty much the only way we're going to be able to pay for all of that. Luckily we've got hundreds of people flocking to see the alumni concert- it's surprisingly famous," Hiroki explained. Akihiko nodded, pursing his lips.

"Well, I suppose we'll get the big guy a front row ticket for an early baby shower gift," Akihiko said. Hiroki practically dropped his teacup.

"You wouldn't!" he barked.

"Oh, Kamijou-san, just let Usagi-san pay for his ticket. It's the least we can do," Misaki said. Hiroki flushed scarlet and glared down into his tea, wishing he could disappear into a hole. He preoccupied himself with glancing to the side at Hitomi, who was blissfully oblivious to the heated conversation of the adults.

"Hiroki, do you want to hold Tomi-chan?" Akihiko suddenly asked. Hiroki jerked and looked at him in surprise.

"Wha-? Oh no, it's fine, I don't-" Hiroki began, setting down his teacup. His protests were cut short as Misaki smiled and stood. Hiroki shook his head and waved his hands, but before he knew it, Hitomi was placed in his lap. She stared expectantly up at her new holder, blinking those huge amber eyes of hers.

"Don't tense up like that, you'll scare her," Akihiko instructed gently. Hiroki willed himself to relax, slowly bringing his arms around to rub Hitomi's small back. She gurgled and tugged on Hiroki's shirt, her little lips upturning into a smile.

"She's smiling," Hiroki murmured, grinning back down at the squirming child. He watched as Hitomi observed his belly, seeming to understand that it was different from her adopted parents' tummies. She grunted in wonder and patted the side of Hiroki's belly. As if responding, the baby kicked, and Hitomi let out a peal of laughter as the baby's foot pressed against the taught skin of the baby bump and made it stick out.

"She likes you already," Akihiko commented. Hiroki nodded dazedly and caressed the top of Hitomi's head, ruffling her impossibly soft hair. Hitomi continued to pat his stomach, laughing whenever the baby fluttered in response.

"Wow, your baby is really energetic," Misaki said, raising his eyebrows. Hiroki nodded.

"Yeah, I know. It just started kicking a few days ago, and already it feels like my ribs are breaking," Hiroki sighed.

"Mmm… that's too bad. When is your due date?"

"Sometime in the middle of December."

"Oh wow, you're almost there, aren't you? So, do you know how you're going to deliver? C-section or natural?"

Hiroki blinked, caught off-guard by Misaki's question.

"Oh… um… you know, Nowaki and I haven't really-" Hiroki began. He was cut off as he heard the front door slam open.

"I'm home, Hiro-san!" Nowaki called. Hiroki felt his heart swell, and, with Hitomi in tow, he hauled himself to his feet. Cradling the cooing toddler in his arms, he made his way to the entrance hall.

"Hi," Hiroki said shyly, peeking out from behind the archway of the kitchen. Nowaki was already coming down the hall, shaking his head to get the snow out of his hair.

"Hello, love. Do we have guests? I saw their shoes, and-" Nowaki began. His voice caught in his throat, however, as Hiroki stepped out with Hitomi in his arms. He blinked in confusion, pointing weakly at the toddler.

"Misaki and Akihiko are here," Hiroki said, chortling quietly as he walked up to Nowaki and showed him Hitomi. Nowaki stared down at her, reaching up to stroke her hair.

"They adopted…?" he asked slowly. Hiroki nodded.

"Yeah…"

They stared down at Hitomi, pressing their foreheads together.

"I thought I was going to die when I saw you walking down the hall with a baby in your arms. Holding a baby suits you so well, Hiro-san," Nowaki whispered, pressing kisses to Hiroki's eyelids.

"Hey, Tomi-chan is ours. Don't go carrying off someone's kid," Akihiko suddenly said from behind Hiroki. Both lovers jumped. Hiroki turned around, sheepishly holding out the giggling Hitomi.

"Sorry," Hiroki muttered. Akihiko laughed, taking the toddler off of Hiroki's hands.

"I was just kidding, Hiroki. Hey, Kusama," Akihiko said, nodding to Nowaki. Nowaki nodded back, putting his hands on Hiroki's shoulders.

"Hi. What brings you and Misaki-kun here?" Nowaki asked.

"Oh, we just wanted to show you two Hitomi. Plus, we wanted to see when the concert starts. We'll be supplying your ticket, Kusama," Akihiko said. Misaki walked into the entryway then, automatically taking Hitomi from Akihiko.

"Wow, really?" Nowaki asked, his eyebrows shooting up.

"Yup. It's our pleasure, and we won't take no for an answer. We're very excited to see little Hiroki perform. We can't wait- three weeks seems like a long time from now!"

Nowaki laughed as Hiroki flushed scarlet and scowled.

"Oh, no. I'm sure time will fly by until then."