Rock The Cradle
Chapter 8
Several days had passed, and Sayaka was getting more of an appetite. Making sure she was eating more to fuel her body as well as the baby, Akabane had been helping in the kitchen with the cooking and even with cleaning a little bit with Jasper, especially when he didn't want Sayaka breathing in any dangerous chemicals that would harm the baby. She was now currently standing at 15 weeks of her pregnancy where a very small bump was starting to show. While Akabane was finishing on cutting up an apple with the use of a scalpel, he brought it over to Sayaka along with a couple of chocolate pastries and some tea.
"You're quite hooked on these pastries." Akabane commented with a smile as he leaned in and kissed her forehead after giving her the food.
"Well… the little one craves it, so." Sayaka giggled as she placed a hand on her small bump.
Akabane chuckled before he placed his hand over her to feel her stomach where the very small bump was. However, despite his outer warmth, in his head, it was flustered with inner thoughts about Sayaka's possible death as well as the baby's. It wasn't long until it flashed back to his past again of trying to save the boy's life. He was zoning out. Sayaka took notice of it.
"Akabane-kun?" Sayaka questioned in wonderment.
Akabane snapped out of it, "Oh, I am sorry, my dear Sayaka-Chan."
"You seem out of it… was it because of — you know…"
Akabane took his hand away from her stomach and then went over to take a seat nearby at the table, "It's a long story.." He commented as he was sipping some tea.
Sayaka smiled warmly, "I know you'll make the choice wisely. I believe in you always… just gotta have faith."
Akabane smiled softly, "Yeah… you're right."
Sayaka took a couple of bites of an apple, chewing it before swallowing, "I decided… I want an at home birth.."
Akabane ended up spitting out some tea when she mentioned that. Trying hard now to choke, he took a moment to compose himself, "Birth at home with a midwife and everything?" Akabane questioned with nervousness.
"Yeah, what's wrong with that?" Sayaka asked.
Akabane sighed. He thought about objecting to it, but he didn't want to hurt Sayaka emotionally again. He promised to protect her, and he wanted to prove to Himiko and Magaruma that he can live up to it.
"… I look forward to it.. and being there with you." He answered with a smile.
Sayaka sensed the tension and nervousness coming from him, "Listen… If you're uncomfortable, I understand. I can see it in your eyes, Akabane-kun. I just wanted to be in a good environment that I feel comfortable being in."
"No… you will have an in-home birth…" Akabane commented as he placed a hand on her shoulder, assuring her that she'll be okay. "As long as you're happy then I am happy. I want you to be comfortable and…" He took a moment to swallow and compose himself, "I'll step up and be your doctor if I have to…"
Sayaka paused as her eyes widened hearing Akabane say that. She smiled wide as she got up and went to hug him tightly.
"Akabane-kun… thank you!" Sayaka commented as she kissed him on the cheek. She then looked deeply into his violet eyes, "You promise?"
Akabane smiled softly as he kissed her forehead, "I promise."
"Thank you."
Sayaka went back over to her chair to finish her pastries and apples with tea. Enjoying them, she looked over at Akabane as she was chewing and swallowing her pastry,
"I have a sudden craving now for Pocky." She said with a grin.
Akabane chuckled, "Well… once we get ready to head out for the day, we'll pick some up for you."
"Yaay!"
She then looked back over at Akabane, "By the way, you need to eat too. You have barely eaten this morning."
Akabane's stomach growled, realizing that he was indeed hungry and he needed to eat. He chuckled, "I suppose you have a point there."
He got up from his chair in the dining area and headed to the kitchen to grab an apple from the fruit bowl. Taking a plate out from the cabinet and setting the apple on it, he drew out his scalpels and started slicing up the apple with them. After withdrawing them back into his body, he took a piece and took a bite into it before taking his plate back to the dining area where Sayaka was. Taking a seat nearby her, he was enjoying his apple and his tea. Sayaka couldn't help but chuckle.
"Be sure to grab yourself some toast with that apple also." She commented, "I want to make sure you get enough."
Akabane smiled, "I'll be okay, my dear Sayaka-Chan. An apple will be enough for me. I just want to make sure you're getting enough for you and the baby."
"Don't worry, I am."
As they were finishing on eating, they both headed to the kitchen to put their plates and cups in the sink for a good washing later. Akabane and Sayaka both headed upstairs to their room to both get ready for the day. Akabane was pretty much ready with his usual attire consisting of his coat, white buttoned up shirt, black tie, and black slacks as he just needed to grab his hat while Sayaka still needed to get dressed. It was going to be quite a day.
End of Chapter 8
