The strong blizzard was blowing outside on that gelid night. Inside their home, Ryoma was rubbing his wife's lower back. Her belly was big and heavy, like she was 9 months along and she was extremely painful even for walking towards the sea. Her baths were quick and brief and Ryoma would wait for her to return in the middle of the strong winter. Even sleeping was difficult.
"I am sorry you are in such pain." He said putting some pressure with his thumbs. She was laying on her side. "I am worried about you, you did not eat properly for the whole day."
"It feels like she is kicking my ribcages." She said in a deep breath. "She is moving so much. My knees hurt, my legs hurt, it's hard to breathe."
"I am sorry." He moved a little and Sakuno laid on her back. He caressed her round belly over her yukata and talked gently. "Hey, little girl. Let your Mama rest for a while, she is very tired."
Sakuno smiled and touched her husband's hair. The moving inside of her subsided a little.
"She likes Papa's voice." She was finally able to take a deep, comfortable breath. "Ryoma?"
"Yes?"
"Do you want to make another baby after she is born?" her question surprised him.
"Well, I never thought about it before." He showed a small smile. "Since this one was a complete surprise. Do you really want to have more? Even with all this discomfort?"
"I do." She touched his face. "I do not want her to be alone. At least a brother or a sister, so they can grown up and play together."
"It is fine by me." He kissed her belly. "Did you hear it? You will be a big sister someday."
"I hope she looks like you."
"Well, Toshio-san's children really look like him. But I will be happy either way. She is ours anyway. My blood and yours."
Sakuno's eyes were filled with love and she touched his neck, bringing him close to a soft kiss.
Ryoma laid by her side and caressed her belly.
"You know, tomorrow is going to be my birthday. I will be 19."
"Really?!" she felt bad. "I'm sorry, I had no idea!"
"It is okay, you did not know." He caressed her face. "It will also be the anniversary of the day I found you at the beach."
"The day you saved me." She smiled at him. "I am sorry I bit you back then."
He chuckled and kissed her gently.
"I was so afraid of you. I thought you would kill me on my sleep."
"If I am feeling better tomorrow, let's celebrate. I will prepare any food you like."
"You do not have to worry about it." The golden eyes were kind. "You already gave me the best gift possible." He held his wife's hand and kissed it. "Thank you for being in my life, Sakuno."
She held his chest tight and closed his eyes, listening to his heartbeats. Since she was so tired, it didn't take long for his wife to fall asleep next to him, while his hand continued to brush her round belly.
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Sakuno woke up when realized she was alone on the bed. She stood up, very slowly and went to the living room, finding her husband at the door, talking to one young man from the village. The falling snow had transformed into a terrible blizzard and the young man entered quickly. He was wearing a heavy brown coat with a hood.
"Ryoma-san, I am so sorry for bothering you at such hour, but my daughter slipped on the ice and hurt her ankle earlier in the night. We think it might be broken and she is crying a lot. She is only 5 years old. Could you come with me to check on her? Please." He was really nervous.
"I am sorry, but I cannot leave the house right now. My wife is not feeling well, so…"
"You have to go!" Sakuno said, appearing on the living room.
"Sakuno, why are you up?!" he rushed in front of her. "You should be in bed!"
"I am fine, I am just tired. You can go and help her." She squeezed his hand and said gently. "It is a little girl, just like ours."
"Are you really okay? Can I leave you for a while?"
"Yes. I will be here waiting for you."
"Okay, then."
"Thank you very much, Sakuno-san!" the father made a deep reverence in front of her.
"I hope she will be better soon." She said, while Ryoma was putting a heavy coat on.
"I will be home as soon as possible."
"Be safe." He kissed her cheek before leaving and Sakuno took a deep breath, feeling a pressure on her lower abdomen.
"Well, it is just the two of us now. Are you hungry?" she asked the baby, before walking towards the kitchen. Her husband had prepared vegetable soup for dinner.
Sakuno drank the rich liquid slowly. She had been feeling nauseated for the whole day. She was happy she was finally able to eat a little. The mermaid stopped by the windows and looked at the blizzard with concerned eyes. It was terrible outside.
"I hope your father is well." She said, rubbing her belly.
She was already at the kitchen counter when she felt her legs, feet and her yukata wet. Sakuno touched the liquid and it was transparent and warm. The floor around her was wet as well.
She was confused for a moment, until the memory of Ryoma's words when they were talking about the birth rushed to her mind.
"First your water will break."
Sakuno's heart was stricken with absolute fear. She was completely alone in the middle of a snowstorm and about to have a baby.