Shuichirou woke up feeling the familiar smaller body pressed on his and he was surprised. His wife was holding him.
"Kaori, what are you still doing here?" he caressed her hair. "Are you not going to be late for work?"
The Muramasa lady would always start the day earlier than her husband. Oishi was already used to wake up to an empty bed.
"I have finished everything last night." She answered with closed eyes and a sleepy voice. "And it is so cold. I took the day off. Can I stay here with you?"
"Of course." He was very happy and kissed her forehead. "The school is closed until spring, I am all yours."
She held him tighter, her forehead on his chest.
"Are you okay?"
"Today is Ryoma's birthday." Her voice had a hint of sadness. "It is the second time we spent it apart."
"I see." Shuichirou touched her face gently and made her look at him. "But, he is well, right? He just sent you a letter two weeks ago."
"Yes." She smiled. "He said Sakuno-san and the baby are doing just fine."
"He is probably even more anxious now it is so close to the birth. He is going to be a great father."
"Shuichirou." she caressed his dark hair. "I wanted to talk to you about something."
"What is it?"
"I…I decided to take a whole day off every week!" her voice and expression were really serious and determinate.
"Oh." He was really surprised.
"I want to spend this entire day with you. No work, no meetings, just you and me."
"Can you really do that?" he knew his wife very well. "I will be happy if you can manage it, but I do not want you forcing yourself."
"I was able to plan Muramasa's entire spring already." She sat down and looked at him confidently. "If everything goes according to my schedule, since we already had a lot of economic adjustments, we will be completely recovered from Ren's debts by summer."
"That is awesome, Kaori!" he was really proud of her. "I knew you would be a fantastic leader!"
"I could not do it if it was not for you, Shuichirou." She cupped his face. "If I am able to do a proper work it is because I have you by my side. You understand me and you always support me. Thank you so much."
"I just want my wife to be happy." He smiled.
"I am more than happy."
"Good." Shuichirou said, before kissing her.
################
The baby made mewing sounds while her father was finishing cleaning her little body with all the patience and care. Ryoma could still hear his heart pounding like drums on his chest. His daughter already had her umbilical cord treated properly and he had brought the futon to the living room so Sakuno could finally be more comfortable.
He had already cleaned his wife body and examinated her. Sakuno was fine but she noticed something was off. Two hours had already passed slowly. Ryoma was very serious and the dark bangs were over his face.
"Ryoma, are you all right?" she asked, softly, laying on side. "Is something wrong with her?"
"Not at all." He finally talked again, his hand caressing the baby's soft red hair. She moved her little arms and legs, like realizing she was finally outside her mother's womb. "She is perfect. Her little heart is fine, her lungs are fine. Ten fingers and toes. You did everything right, Sakuno, I am so proud of you." Ryoma wrapped his daughter inside a light yellow wool blanket Kaori had sent her on the month before and Sakuno noticed the silent tears falling from his face while he took care of her.
"Ryoma…"
"I am sorry." He hugged his child and his voice shattered. "I am so sorry. I was not here for you, you had to deal with all of this all by yourself. I am sorry."
"It was not your fault." Her voice was so gentle it hurt his heart even more. "She wasn't suppose to come today, right? And you were doing your job, of taking care of people. You are a doctor, after all."
"But I was supposed to be here, taking care of you two." he looked at her and the golden eyes never looked so hurt. "What is something had gone wrong? What if…"
Sakuno stretched her arm and touched his face, caressing his wet cheek.
"Nothing bad happened. I am well and she is safe. Please, don't be sad."
Before he could say anything else, the baby started to cry on his arms.
"Come here, Ryoma." He obeyed his wife's request. He moved the heavy covers a little and laid in front of her, placing the baby between them. Sakuno loose the collar of her clean yukata and started to nurse the baby again. Ryoma was amazed by realizing she already knew their daughter's needs. She was already a real mother.
"You were right. As soon as she was born, I had milk on them. I was so glad she could eat."
He knew she was incredibly tired. As soon as he got close to her, she asked for water and drank a big jar in one gulp. But, there was a deeply calm aura all over her.
"She is so tiny." She touched the baby's forehead with her own and closed her eyes. "My belly was so big, I thought she would be like a watermelon."
"She is beautiful." He caressed his wife's face. "Just like you."
Sakuno smiled at him.
"I think she hurried up so she could be born on the same day as her Papa. Isn't it nice? You and her share the same birthday now."
The realization finally made him smile.
"That is right."
"You know…" she talked to the baby, touching her little fingers. "Papa and Mama loved you since we knew you were inside of me. You are the proof of our red thread of fate. You are here because we love each other." Even being tired, he was sure Sakuno never looked more beautiful. The scarlet eyes looked at him so kindly. "I know it is your birthday, Ryoma, but, thank you. For giving me a family."
He got closer, being careful with the baby between them and kissed her forehead.
"Thank you for giving me a family as well."
Sakuno fell asleep while their daughter continued to nurse and Ryoma watched their brand new family while small pieces of sunlight of that new day started to enter through the windows.
He touched the baby's round belly and closed his eyes. The soft movement of her breathing was able to bring some peace to his heart and mind. New tears started to run down his face, but, this time, they were pouring from absolute joy.