Chapter 9
Days eventually went by, weeks, until Kuki was full, and round. She had submitted a document stating she was on maternity leave. Kuki woke up, this particular morning, feeling well rested, yet exhausted. "oh, ####". She said to herself as she sat up. She felt the rotundness of her stomach, as she sat up. "mmm", she mumbled as she yawned. Nalana came into the room, in her pajamas, holding her light up dolphin. "Ku-ki". "Ku-ki". She pointed. "mmm, hi baby". Kuki said, stroking Nalana's face. "b aba". "b aba". Nalana said, playing with her light up dolphin. "I know, baby". Kuki said, tiredly. "We have to get you dressed". "ba ba". "b aba". Nalana pointed at Kuki's stomach. "I know, sweetie". Kuki said. "There's a baby in there". "b aba". Nalana said. "do you want to give him a kiss?". Kuki said, gently. "b aba ba". Nalana smiled, giggling. Kuki watched Nalana smile, and giggle. She felt a bit distracted. Now only focusing on Wally. How bodacious he was, how masculine, and fine he was. Nalana then kissed Kuki's stomach. "let's be gentle, sweetie". Kuki said, smiling. "he's just waking up". "b aba". "b aba". Nalana said. "Yep, he's in there". Kuki said.
"mmm". Kuki stretched out tiredly. Nalana sat beside her, patting her stomach. "mmm, are you ok, sweetie?". Kuki brushed Nalana's face. "I know you had a hard time sleeping last night". "yes". Nalana said. "yes, you're ok?". Kuki asked. "yes". Nalana said. "mmm, I'm so proud of you, baby". Kuki said, laying down. Nalana nearby, played with her dolphin. "mmm, we should get you dressed for school". Kuki said, as Nalana continued playing. "mmm". Kuki then yawned a bit, as Nalana pressed a button on her dolphin. Nalana laid against Kuki, as Kuki patted her head. "We are so lucky we adopted you". "we love you". Kuki said. "ku-ki". "Ku-ki". Nalana said. "mm, you're our gift". Kuki softly hummed, as Nalana laid her head down. Nalana felt a bit tired after last night, when she had a hard time sleeping. Kuki softly brushed Nalana's face, as Nalana laid down, yawning. "mmm, I know". "I don't want to go anywhere, either".
Nalana laid, as her eyes closed, beginning to sleep. Kuki pinched herself awake, then brushing Nalana's face, gently. "baby". Kuki said, brushing Nalana's face. "Let's wake up". "Are you ready?". Nalana yawned as she sat up, Kuki still brushed her face. "Let's wake up". "wake up". Kuki sang softly. "It'll be ok". "We'll get dressed, get breakfast, and then we'll go catch the bus". "No". Nalana said, trying to lay down. "It's ok, sweetie". "Do you want some cranberry juice?". Kuki asked kindly. Nalana began crying, as she sat, holding the blanket close to her. "shhh", "shhh, it's ok". "you can take a nap at school, ok, sweetie?". Kuki said, gently. Nalana still cried, as Kuki brushed her face. "shhh". "shhh". "shhh". "I know you're tired, we'll take a rest later, ok?". "Do you want to take a break for a little bit?". Kuki asked gently. Nalana sat down, as Kuki brushed her forehead. "I know, baby". "I love you, too". Kuki said, kissing Nalana. Nalana sat, sniffling, as Kuki brushed her face. "Here sweetie". "Let's take Dolphin". Kuki said, taking Nalana's hand. Kuki picked out an outfit for Nalana, as she helped Nalana get dressed. Ira came in the room, holding Ivanov.
"Thank you, sweetie". Kuki said, brushing Ira's face. "I know". Ira said. "you have a lot going on, and I wanted to help out". "of course, baby". Kuki said, gently. "You have been so wonderful throughout this entire process". "I'm very proud of you". "I know". Ira said. While Nalana went into the other room, Ira put Ivanov down, as Kuki tickled Ira's cheek. "my hero". Kuki said, smiling. "no, I really look up to you, and I want to be like you". Ira said. Kuki looked at Ira, her mentee, as if she were a young, innocent girl, who had done her learning, and development through her. Ira looked up to her teacher, mentor and friend. To Kuki she was a strong, able, young woman who still remained a young, innocent, baby girl who had a traumatic life. "I understand, sweetheart". "Although you are successful in your own ways". Kuki said. "I have always loved how dedicated, hardworking, and inspiring you are". "I know". Ira said. "You truly are amazing". Kuki said. "Thank you". Ira said. Kuki tickled Ira's chin in a comforting manner, as Ira turned her head.
Ira sat, processing Kuki's pregnancy. Kuki, her mentor, and best friend, her teacher, was pregnant now. She had done things with Wally, and was now pregnant. "Baby". Kuki said, gently. "Ira". She said in a singsong voice. Ira looked up at her. "yes?". Ira asked. "I love you". Kuki sang. "I love you". "I know". Ira said. "I love you too". Ira looked down at her feet, as Kuki continued tickling her chin. "would you like to spend the day together?". Kuki asked, gently. "There's a spring somewhere where we could hang out, you and I". "ok". Ira said, holding her bear, the nurse at Children's gave her when she first came at age 13. Kuki giggled, tickling Ira's cheek. "You are so cute, yes you are". "yes you are". "thank you". Ira said. "you are so amazing, and smart, and wonderful, so inspiring". "we all look up to you, baby girl". Kuki said. "I know". Ira said. "eee". Ivanov noised, making the "more" sign with his hands. "Do you want "more", sweetie?". Kuki asked. Ivanov still made the "more" sign. "Ok, sweetie". "Let's have some yogurt". Kuki took a yogurt out of the fridge, feeding Ivanov. Ivanov was able to eat his yogurt, and swallow without a single problem. Ivanov noised, making the "more" sign again. "They have some at school, ok?". Kuki said, brushing his face. "eee". Ivanov noised. "I know, baby". Kuki said, kissing Ivanov's cheek. "I know, well we'll have some later, ok?". "eee". Ivanov said. "Let's get you ready for school". Kuki said, wiping Ivanov's face. "I called the insurance person, he's able to raise our deductible". Wally said, coming in. he straightened his tie, putting on his belt. "That's good". Kuki said. "I somehow knew our premium would go up later on". "Our premium is up". Wally said. "Hello, sweet girl". Wally said, rubbing Ira's shoulders. "hi". Ira said. "You look as beautiful as ever". Wally said, kissing Ira's forehead.
"Thank you". Ira said. "I um...one of the nurses at Children's hospital gave me my teddy bear". "I remember". Wally said, smiling. "It was nurse Janet". "You know, sweetie". "You have made us proud over the years to call you ours". "Our lives are so much better with you in them". Wally rubbed Ira's shoulders. "It's true, sweetie". Kuki smiled. "You've helped us in so many ways". "I know". Ira said, looking down at her feet. Ira felt a deep sadness, and a deep anger today that made her depressed. She felt as if she was there after a bad night, a bad fight, screaming. She was gentle, although, and didn't become violent towards others. Innocent, gentle, and trying her best. "I love you in so many ways, bestie". Kuki said, kissing Ira. Ira felt the love between her, and Kuki. It felt as if she was the mentee, the little sister, and Kuki was her mentor, her big sister, who had loved her from the very start. Ira felt as if she had someone looking out for her. There was the innocence, there was the disability, although Ira had done her best, and come out being a loving, stable, successful girl. Ira looked at Kuki's stomach, knowing now, there was a baby coming. Her mentor, her big sister was bringing another one into the family.
Ira felt proud of Kuki. She felt as if she loved Kuki more now that she was bringing new life into the family. Ira felt as if she was being protected, and loved in a way she herself knew was right. With Kuki she felt love. She felt forgiveness, and she felt happiness. It was the feeling love, and care truly brought. "Sweetie". Kuki said, gently, as Ira looked up at her. "Would you like a snack before we go?". "no". Ira said. "I'm fine". Kuki smiled, knowing Ira was a good mentee. Ira was like a younger sister to her, who now had witnessed the amazing love felt between Kuki, and her boyfriend. Kuki felt proud of Ira, knowing she was a successful, stable, loving girl, who had believed in forgiveness, and the power of god. Wally was out, putting the kids on the bus. "Are you ready, sweetie?". Kuki asked, as Ira gathered her things. "yes". Ira said, holding her teddy bear close. "I still need to put money in my purse".
"Don't worry about that". Kuki said, smiling. "You don't need money for the spring". "ok". Ira said. Kuki smiled, knowing Ira was amazing. Innocent, young, she tried very hard, and worked toward her goals. Kuki stroked Ira's head. She was happy to have Ira as a mentee. "I think we're just about ready". Kuki said. "ok". Ira said. Kuki and Ira walked out, as Kuki looked down at her stomach. She felt a sharp pain, as she smoothed her stomach over with her hand. The baby kicked! He kicked. "oh, I felt it". Kuki said, holding her stomach. "What happened?". Ira asked. "the baby kicked". Kuki said, smiling. "that's good". Ira said. "mmm, I'll bet he's really excited". Kuki said. "I know we're excited to meet him". "I'm really excited to meet him, too". Ira said. "of course, sweetie". Kuki said. "um…so…do you think that I'll be a good influence in his life, just like I was yours?". Ira asked. "of course". Kuki said. "you're my best friend, and you'll be just as important in his life, as mine". Fabric rustled, as Kuki spoke gently. "you'll be his best friend, as well". "oh, ok". Ira said. Kuki lifted herself, rolling into the car. She turned on the ignition, letting the car do some of the work. Ira sat, holding her bear, close. They drove many a ways, behind some houses, along the woods until they found a spring close by. "This is it". Kuki said, smiling. "oh, ok". Ira said. "This is where I like to come to relax, and reflect about certain things". Kuki said. "um…so…do you and Wally come here, sometimes?". Ira asked. "While everyone's asleep we usually hang". Kuki said.
Kuki then took off her sweater, and pants until she was fully naked. Ira still sat, holding her bear, in her pajamas, innocently. Her pregnancy stomach was fully prominent, as she sat in the warm, indulging spring. Ira sat, looking at Kuki, feeling as if she was a part of something bigger. "This is nice". Kuki said, stretching out. "it is". Ira said, continuing to hold her bear close. "um…so…has it been hard?". Ira asked. "It hasn't been that bad". Kuki said. "Although I can't bend forward, or backwards too much without it hurting". "Wally and I haven't been able to do anything, which is a bit of a bummer". "oh, ok". Ira said. Kuki stroked Ira's face with her thin, feminine hand. "How are you?". "How have you been feeling?". Kuki asked. Kuki's wisdom could see sadness in Ira's eyes, and a depression that was there from being abandoned, and not having true stability. "not good". Ira said, looking down. Her beautiful, round eyes looked like a "coda coda", as they were off to the side again. "Why not?". Kuki said, brushing Ira's face. "I feel like I…I feel like I want to hurt someone". Ira said. "I want to hurt someone". "Sweetie". Kuki said, tickling Ira's cheek. "You were neglected, abused, you weren't shown love, or affection". "Sometimes, when that happens, you have a hard time forming relationships, trusting, and feeling true love for your family". "I guess". Ira said. "I feel like I want to hit someone, or pull someone's hair out". "I feel angry, and I want to be violent".
"That's because you haven't let up feelings of love, and forgiveness". Kuki said, tickling Ira's cheek. "when we let up feelings of forgiveness, and love toward our families, we feel a little bit better". "I…I...I feel like maybe, if I am violent, that I…I…". Ira tried to say. "Sweetie, I will always love you". Kuki said, smiling. "mmm, I've watched you become this amazing person I have always looked up to". "You are my gift, and blessing". "I know things haven't been easy for you, but, I'll always be here to protect you, hold you, and support you through anything". Ira nodded, as Kuki stroked her cheek, making little circles on her cheek. "I love you". Kuki smiled. "I am always so proud of you". "I know". Ira said. "mmm". Kuki stretched out, feeling the inward of her pregnancy. "You are my best friend". Kuki said, stroking Ira's cheek. Ira felt the deepest connection, as Kuki stretched before her. Ira felt as if she were truly a part of a family. Kuki had been there for her since she came into Children's. She was Ira's advocate. Now, there was a family Kuki was starting, that Ira would be a part of.
The light. The light that shone in Ira's heart through her spot of darkness covered the both of them. Now, Kuki's body was covered in bubbles, as Kuki stroked Ira's cheek. "you are a wonderful blessing that I will continue to be thankful for each day". Kuki said. "you've given me so much more than words will ever say". "I have always enjoyed watching you inspire, and influence others every step of the way". "I will always be here to protect you through anything". "I am proud to be your teacher, and best friend". The light now shone over Ira, covering her in a blanket of warmth, yet freedom, as they celebrated being a family. Ira now felt as if she was a part of Kuki. They were best friends. Ira was a trier. She was not smart by any natural stance, and she did have to work at more things than none. Kuki felt as if Ira was sweet, loving, hardworking, and did advocate to change the world. Ira was cute. Kuki felt as if it was her duty to protect Ira. Now, more than ever, Ira needed her. "I will always love you, my best friend". Kuki said. "I know". Ira said. "mmm, have you been sleeping alright?". Kuki asked. "yes". Ira said. "sometimes, I have night terrors". "mmm, you know, if you're ok with it, we could get you some medicine to help with that". Kuki said. "I don't know". Ira said. "what if medicine hurts me?".
"Medicine doesn't hurt". Kuki said, gently. "Medicine will help you sleep better, and wake up refreshed". "I guess, if you're sure it helps". Ira said. "It'll help you". Kuki said. "Some of my students take medicine for night terrors". "oh, well, did they…?". "Did they have a traumatic experience?". Ira asked. "Some of them did at different ages". Kuki said. "They have a hard time sleeping, and resting". "Do they take medicine in the middle of the day?". Ira asked. "sometimes". Kuki said. "Sleep medicine is usually taken at night". "We'll look into it, and see if it's the right thing". "It's your decision, ultimately". "ok". Ira said. Kuki stretched her legs out, feeling the weight of her stomach. "mmm, I'm so tight". Kuki laid her head back. "mmm, we haven't talked, lately". "you've been so busy". "How are you feeling?". "I'm ok". Ira replied. "But, I just…I kind of feel like, I…I'm kind of alone". "It's like I have to go through it all on my own". "You never have to carry these feelings if you don't need to". Kuki said. "I will always be here to help you through anything you're feeling". "I know". Ira said. "I've kind of been on my own my whole life". "I understand". Kuki said. "But, you know, sweetheart". "Now, there's us". "We'll be there for one another all the way through it". "I know". Ira said.
"Never feel as if you have to carry these feelings yourself". Kuki said. She tickled Ira's cheek, pinching them a little bit. "I wuv wu, bestie". "I wuv wu". She said in a silly voice. Ira laughed, and smiled a little bit. "mmm, you're my best friend". Kuki said, kissing Ira's cheek. "I know". Ira said. "mmm, I never thought I'd be this tired". Kuki said. "oh, well, good luck?". Ira said, unsure. "I'm very happy to be having a son, although, I never thought it'd be this soon". Kuki said. "I always thought it'd be later on after we marry". "Well, that's good". Ira said. "I mean it's good that you and Wally love each other". "we do, and we believe our child is a blessing". Kuki said. "Didn't you say you knew each other in childhood?". Ira asked. "we did". Kuki said. "we went to the same school, were neighborhood friends, we did very well". "that's good". Ira said. "mmm, I'm bummed we can't do anything as of now". Kuki said. "Why not?". Ira asked. "well, it's harmful to the uterus if we do anything, and I'm liable to be out before 6:00 so we can't really do anything if we tried". Kuki said. "oh, ok". Ira said. "mmm, be a good girl". "Don't make any of the same mistakes I make". Kuki said.
"I won't". Ira said. "That's my girl". Kuki stroked Ira's face, as Ira held her bear close. Kuki wanted to hold Ira close, and stroke her head. She wanted to repeatedly praise her for being so innocent, and cute. "Would you like anything to eat?". "anything to drink?". Kuki asked. "no". Ira said. "let me know when you do, sweetie". Kuki said, stroking Ira some more. "ok". Ira said. The rest of the afternoon was met with laughing, playing, and Ira bonding with Kuki in a way only true sisterhood, and love would imagine possible.
Later on, the two of them went home, as Kuki sat down, while they ordered pizzas. She felt the twisting, and turning of pregnancy bring her forth to a new wavelength. "Well, that was a lot of fun we had today". Ira said. "mmm, that was". Kuki said, tiredly. Nalana got up from her seat going into Kuki's lap. "let's be gentle". Kuki said, kindly, as Nalana played. "b aba". "b aba". Nalana said, putting a hand on Kuki's stomach. "There is a baby in there". Kuki said. "the baby's getting ready to sleep". "Do you want to give him a kiss goodnight?". Kuki lifted her shirt, as Nalana kissed Kuki's stomach. Nalana patted Kuki's stomach with her little hand. "Good job, sweetie". Kuki said, kindly. "ju". "ju". Nalana said, pointing to her bottle of cranberry juice. "mmm, no more juice". Kuki said, gently. "It's almost time for bed". "ju". "ju". Nalana pointed. "no more juice, sweetie". "Let's get ready for bed". Kuki said. She covered up her stomach with her shirt, as Nalana pointed. Kuki sighed, exhausted. It was a lot carrying a child. Ivanov reached out his hands to Kuki, as she came over, brushing his face. It was late at night now.
"Are you ready for bed?". Kuki asked, gently. "eeee". "eeee". Ivanov noised, tiredly. "I know, baby". Kuki said. "I'm ready for bed, too". "Wally, would you mind putting him to bed?". Kuki asked, putting her head in her hands. "sure". Wally said, giving Kuki a kiss on the mouth. "Are ye ready, mate?". Wally asked, picking Ivanov up. "Let's go see about getting you off to bed". "eeee". "eeee". Ivanov noised. "there ye are, big boy". "Yes, you're a big boy, now". Wally said. He then placed Ivanov on his bed, as he laid beside him. "ye ready, my main mate?". "let's hear a story, why don't we". "This one is about James and the giant peach". "eeee". Ivanov noised, holding up his cranberry juice. "we'll get some in the morning". Wally said. "For now, let's hear about this giant peach". "eee". Ivanov noised. A bit of spit, and drool ran down his chin. "let's clean that up". Wally said, taking a kleenex from his pocket. "There we go, mate". "let's swallow". Ivanov sucked up all of the drool, swallowing.
"ok, once there was a boy named James". Wally read the story, seeming to go on, and on, as Ivanov, tired from the day's events, nodded off. Kuki came in, sitting on the side of Ivanov's bed. "I love you, my baby boy". She said, as Ivanov closed his eyes. "eee". He noised. "shhh, it's ok". "I love you". Kuki said, brushing Ivanov's face. Ivanov eventually laid down, as sleep overtook him. "I will always be here with you, my amazing, sweet boy". Kuki kissed Ivanov's head, as he slept. As Kuki felt the tired emerge with her as well, she felt there was no way she was getting up. "mmm". She stretched out in Ivanov's bed, beside Ivanov. It wasn't too long before she was asleep. Later, Kuki got up, shuffling over to the master bedroom, to the master bed to fall asleep. It was just what she wanted to do.