Hello all! I'm very excited to be posting another chapter, especially after such a long time since the last one. I can't believe this story has existed for over two years! It's gotten so much love and my heart is full knowing that you all love it as much as I do. So, I just want to say thank you to all of my readers – new and old!

Review Responses:

Padfoot Starfyre: Tora does have a lot to take care of, but I'm positive that he can handle it all. I believe Suzume will be able to handle wedding preparations just as well. Neither one of them is in this alone. I have so many ideas floating around in my head for this couple, I get lost in them quite often.

May (Guest): Thank you for leaving a review and I'm very glad you like my writing! I could only wish for more stories with Tora in the lead. I do plan to continue this story, that's the reason for this update ;) Writing the chapters just takes me longer than it used to.

It was late again when he entered his… their bedroom. As usual, he found Suzume asleep already. He changed into pajamas and, right before he was about to get in bed, stopped. Tora watched her for a few moments, his gaze turning tender as he examined the peaceful look on her face. Switching his attention to the crib across the room, he realized something.

Not once since these two made their first appearance at the estate has he even thought about seeking his typical choice of entertainment. No, he wanted to be someone they could rely on. Someone they could confide in. Something that Suzume said when he went to her apartment echoed in his head.

'We've been getting along just fine without you.'

After almost a full two months with her and Kei, he knew he wanted to be a good father. On top of that, he wanted to be a good husband. That last thought brought him back to here and now. He wanted to be a good husband… In an attempt not to dwell too long on this development in his feelings, he slid underneath the covers and didn't think anything of it when he leaned over to kiss his fiancée on the head. She stirred just the tiniest bit but remained asleep with a very soft smile on her face. With that, he closed his eyes.

Crying woke them both up. Suzume checked the time on her phone and let her head fall back onto the pillow with a huff. It was 3:30 in the morning. She couldn't wait until Kei would finally start sleeping through the night without any problems.

"Kei, sweetie…" she called out to him, not wanting to get up just yet. "It's too early for this." After a few seconds longer of hearing her son's wailing, she sighed and let out a yawn as she got out of bed and moved toward the crib. She picked him up, bouncing back and forth while patting a rhythm on his back.

At some point, Tora sat up in bed and watched as she took on the role of a doting mother. When Kei didn't quiet down after a few minutes, he also got out of bed and made his way over to them. He lightly placed a hand on her back to keep from catching her by surprise.

"May I?" he asked.

Giving a simple nod, she carefully transitioned Kei from her arms to Tora's and made sure that he properly supported his neck. She watched the two of them for a moment, her heart swelling with happiness at the scene.

"He might be hungry since he didn't finish his bottle before bed," she spoke up while slipping her robe on. "I'm going to go get it."

Tora heard her but didn't reply. He was too engrossed in having his son in his arms. During the time that Suzume was gone, Kei slowly began to calm down. It was enough that he opened his eyes some, allowing his father a glimpse at his dark brown eyes. Matched with the pale blonde hair that would surely darken some over time, Tora could see himself and his fiancée in him. Just by looks alone, he's their son – no doubt. The door opening made him lift his head. Suzume held a bottle that contained what Kei hadn't finished. She seemed surprised that he wasn't crying nearly as much as when she left the bedroom.

"Do you want to feed him?"

He wanted to, he really did. "If you don't mind."

"Not at all. You are his father."

They both moved to sit on a sofa in the room where she handed him the bottle. Once the bottle was within reaching distance, Kei grasped the bottle in his hands and began drinking the formula with enthusiasm.

Morning light shone through a sliver of the window not covered by curtains. His back felt stiff, his chest warm, and his upper left arm was rendered immobile. Opening his eyes, Tora remembered getting up very early but not falling back asleep. Kei rested on his chest, still asleep like his fiancée who was curled up into his left side. The now-empty baby bottle sat on the table in front of them. They had fallen asleep together on the sofa – as a family.

Tora realized that he enjoyed this. When he was younger, he never got moments like this for his father was far too busy with business to spend much time with him. That's most of the reason why he has a much closer relationship with his mother.

Suzume slowly began to wake up, squinting her eyes before opening them. Noticing that she rested against someone, she sat up and glanced over, locking eyes with him. If she wasn't fully awake before, she was now. In one quick motion, she jerked her head to the left to hide her blush.

"Good morning," Tora greeted, amused at her reaction.

"Morning," she mumbled back, still not turning to meet his gaze.

Getting up with the infant in his arms, he headed over to the crib where he could lay Kei down since he hadn't woken up yet. He then returned to the sofa, leaning over Suzume with hands planted against the furniture on either side of her to cage her in. With their close proximity and him dipping down to kiss her cheek, her face began to turn red.

"I've some paperwork to finish for my father, I shouldn't be too long. Maybe an hour. We have plans as soon as I'm done, so be ready to leave."

She stuttered, "O-okay." Her fiancé shut the door behind himself and she immediately let out a groan before slumping back against the plush cushions of the sofa. "What am I doing? I know we're engaged but… am I really going to be so quick to forget how we ended up in this situation in the first place?"

Letting her head tilt back, Suzume covered her face with her hands. "What are you doing to me, Igarashi Tora?"