Chapter 7
We're Big Girls Now
"Mama Zomi! Mama Zomi!" Rin calls one afternoon. "We want to ask you something!"
"Oh?" Nozomi says as she puts down her tea on the little table next to her. She is sitting in the living room with Honoka totally crashed out on the chair next to her. Umi just happens to be with her during that time and just slept on her lap. "What is it, sweetie?"
Hanayo fidgets with her fingers as she shyly looks down at the floor, averting her eyes back and forth. "W-well, ummm…it's just that….u-ummmm…we need, ummmm…big beds…"
"Hm? Did you say big beds? What's wrong with your little futons?"
"That's the thing," Maki says. "We want big beds. We want to be big girls now, just like everyone else!" She pumps a fist in the air at the last part.
Nozomi giggles. "I don't know, girls. Buying 3 big beds could be pretty expensive. Plus, your Mama Honoka doesn't get her paycheck in 3 days anyways."
"Th-then, ummm…we can buy one big bed!" Hanayo manages to get out. "One where all three of us can, f-fit!"
Rin gasps happily. "Really!? YOU'RE A GENIUS, NYAAAA~!" She tackle hugs her sister, only it makes the honey-blonde fall right towards Maki, making all three of them fall to the floor with Hanayo on top of her and Rin on top of Hanayo.
"Get off, will ya!" Maki cries.
"YAAAAAY! I GET TO SLEEP WITH THE TWO OF YOU IN ONE BIG BED, NYAAAA~!" Rin cheers as she snuggles against the two of them.
Honoka hears this as she wakes up and moans while rubbing one eye. "Did I hear someone say…sleeping together in one bed?"
Nozomi turns to her wife and nods. "Though…your paycheck doesn't come for a few days. So, how in the world are we going to pay for one bed that fits all three of them?"
Honoka rubs her chin in thought. "That's a good question. Since Eli-chan and Nico-chan have a big bed of their own and so does Kotori-chan and Umi-chan, it wouldn't hurt to buy just one big bed for Maki-chan, Rin-chan and Hanayo-chan. After all, they are going to be big girls soon, just like the rest of them. Especially, Maki-chan~! She seems to be more responsible."
"Really~?" Maki's eyes sparkle with happiness as she trots closer to her ginger haired mother.
"Of course~!" Honoka pets her like a puppy. "So, just wait for a few days and maybe we'll get a big bed for you."
Maki nods and hugs her mother, careful not to wake little Umi up. "Thank you, Mama Honoka~!" She lets go and then turns to her sisters. "Come on, girls! Let's play outside for a bit!"
As the three of them put on their shoes and head out the door, Nozomi turns to her wife, who is stroking Umi's hair to soothe her while sleeping. "They're growing up, Honoka-chan. Especially Maki-chan."
"I know. Seeing them do their responsibilities on their own is amazing. I guess Maki-chan took them very seriously and helps her sisters out by reminding them. That is so sweet of her."
"But…." Nozomi raises an eyebrow. "You know it may take some time for the big bed to be made once its delivered. How can Umi-chan handle the people in the house?"
"If I can schedule them to build the bed on a school day, it shouldn't be a problem," Honoka says. "Besides, it may take until the afternoon or so if I schedule it in the morning."
Nozomi rubs her chin in thought. "I see. Hopefully by the afternoon when I pick the kids up from school. You have work on the weekdays anyways, so Umi-chan might have a hard time with all the noise."
The ginger looks down at her blue haired daughter, smiling. "I think Eli-chan will handle it. I've seen her with Umi-chan often lately, so maybe she can comfort her and probably distract her from all this. If not, you can take the kids out for a little walk if it's on the weekend. That'll keep them busy until the bed is made."
Nozomi smiles. "I hope so, Honoka-chan."
**3 Days Later**
The time has come and fortunately, Honoka gets her paycheck on Friday. Just enough money to pay for the bed they bought a day ago. The delivery is scheduled for Saturday, so Nozomi decides to take her seven children out while Honoka manages the house and watches the workers build the bed. Umi didn't want to leave without her Mama Honoka, but Eli assures her that everything will be alright and she'll see her ginger haired mother once they get back.
Once Saturday arrives, Nozomi calls her 7 children to get ready since the delivery is scheduled at 10:00 am. Nozomi is taking them to the mall for most of the day, plus the park where they can play on their favorite playground after a few hours and maybe eat lunch at a restaurant until Honoka calls her. The violet haired woman tells them to get in the car while she says good-bye to her wife.
"Have a good time," Honoka says as she embraces her wife and kisses her.
"You sure you can handle this on your own?" Nozomi asks with a concerned expression.
"I'm sure~!" the ginger replies. "Not to worry, Nozomi-chan~! I'm sure the bed will be made by this afternoon, if not, later."
"Okay. Good luck."
With one last brief kiss, Nozomi leaves the house and starts the car. Honoka looks out from the large living room window until the car leaves. She then looks up at the clock and it's about 15 minutes until the delivery comes. She decides to cook up a little something before they get here, so she starts the coffee and toast.
**Meanwhile**
Nozomi decides to take the kids to the park first since they are probably going to eat lunch at the mall soon. Rin gets out of the car first, dragging her two sisters along with Hanayo crying out, "SOMEONE HELP MEEEEEE~!" Umi and Kotori shyly walk towards the playground, but with Eli and Nico's support, they gather up the courage to walk towards the park and play together. Nozomi sits on a bench near the playground to keep watch and lets out a soft sigh. It's been a week since she last took them there, but never in the morning. But she needs to keep the kids busy until the bed is made, so she has to make sure to keep it that way so that they won't beg to come home.
Just then, she feels the bench shift a little and looks over to see the same beautiful brunette woman they saw at the mall. Mutsumi notices and giggles while waving.
"Oh, it's you~!" the brunette says. "Fancy seeing you here in the morning."
"I could say the same about you," Nozomi says with a smile.
"I usually walk here every morning with my husband, Kei-chan. But he's got work, so I'm on my own today. "
"I see."
There is silence, except for Nozomi's children playing non-stop. Umi is being chased by Nico, while Eli and Kotori are on the swing set. Maki, Rin and Hanayo are chasing each other while sliding down the swirly slide and practically running around the playground.
"You have…7 children, I recall?" Mutsumi says, breaking the silence.
Nozomi nods. "Mm-hmm."
"I can see you've raised them well. They look like well behaved children."
"Yes, they are," Nozomi closes her eyes. "Honoka-chan and I do our best to raise them the best we could."
Mutsumi giggles. "You two sure are a cute couple. It's hard to believe a lesbian couple can have children, but the way I see it, it's possible."
"You say the sweetest things," the violet haired woman says.
Mutsumi giggles. "Thank you. I'm always like that. That's why I get along with everyone around me, especially with Kei-chan."
Both woman giggle, but their smiles fade quickly from hearing a yelp from one of Nozomi's children. The violet haired woman quickly stands up and walks over to see what's going on. Kotori just fell down and scraped her knee on the pavement while running from Rin. Mutsumi comes running towards them, gets out a handkerchief and hands it to Nozomi.
"Here, this will help," she says.
"Oh, thank you!" Nozomi goes over to a nearby water fountain and wets it a little. She runs back to Kotori, who is nearly crying from the pain on her knee. "There, there, Kotori-chan. It's okay."
"It hurts, Mama…." Kotori sobs.
"I know it does," Nozomi gives her best smile. "But can you stay strong for your Mama Zomi? Please?"
Kotori nods as she bites her lip to keep herself from crying any more. Mutusmi has a band-aid ready to go as soon as Nozomi applies enough pressure on the wound and then puts the band-aid on her leg.
"There we go," the violet haired woman says. "All better~!"
Kotori stands up and hops happily. "Yay! Thank you, Mama Zomi~!" She hugs her mother with Nozomi returning the embrace. And then, the ash-brunette goes back towards the swing set with Eli.
Mutsumi faces the violet haired woman and smiles. "You really do raise them well. I'm very impressed."
"Honoka-chan and I love them very much," Nozomi says, smiling at the brunette. "We help each other raise them. I don't do it alone."
"Then, you two are one of the nicest parents I've heard. You should be proud of yourselves."
"Why, thank you." She turns to face the woman. "Oh, sorry, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Nozomi Kousaka-Tojou. What's yours?"
"Mutsumi Otohime-Urashima," the brunette replies. "Pleasure to meet you, Nozomi-san~!"
"Same to you, Mutsumi-chan."
The two woman shake hands while giggling. Nozomi just made a new friend today and she's happy she did. The two sit on the bench together, watching the children play for another hour or so.
**Back at Home**
"Yes, right there is fine," Honoka says as she points toward the wall where the bed should go. "The back should be towards the wall though. I want my kids to have enough room to get out, at least."
"You got it," a female worker says with a smile.
The big bed is half-way complete. Honoka knows that Maki, Rin and Hanayo will love this, especially the soft mattress she bought with it, so they can sleep peacefully. Maybe it will be done by the end of lunch time. She hears the phone ring and Honoka picks it up from the kitchen.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Honoka-chan," Nozomi says from the other line. "How's the new bed coming along?"
"It's going along great!" Honoka replies. "In fact, it's half-way done. Maybe by the end of lunchtime, it will be complete."
"Excellent! We're just getting out the park right now and driving to the mall to have some lunch. Give me a call once they are done, okay?"
"Will do, sweetie. I love you."
"Love you, too. Bye."
Honoka hangs up and lets out a happy sigh. "This is going to be so exciting!"
She heads back upstairs toward the bedroom to check up on the bed.
**Meanwhile**
Nozomi and her 7 children were eating at a burger place and their food is served in just 20 minutes after ordering. Rin has 2 mini cheese burgers with fries while everyone else got regular with fries as well. Eli notices some crumbs on Umi's face and wipes it for her. Umi whines and turns away in embarrassment. Eli giggles at this while wiping the last of it off her cheek.
Nozomi keeps on checking her phone to see any texts or calls from Honoka. So far, nothing, but she knows that Honoka will surely handle it on her own. She looks up at her children to see Rin handing one her fries to Hanayo. The honey-blonde shyly eats it and Rin giggles while handing her another one. Maki finishes her burger happily and eats her fries. Kotori and Nico secretly switched food right after being served their food since Nico doesn't like the tomato on her burger. But then again, it wasn't switched at all since they ordered the same thing. Nico just happened to secretly pick the tomato right off and hand it to Kotori.
They eat until an hour passes. Nozomi looks at her phone once again. It's 12:45 pm. She decides to wait a bit longer for Honoka to give her a call. And fortunately, in just a few minutes, her phone goes off and Nozomi immediately answers it.
"Hello?"
"Hey, Nozomi-chan! It's finally finished! I just added a few things here and there, but Maki-chan, Hanayo-chan and Rin-chan's bed is complete!"
"Oh, that's great!" Nozomi says happily. "We'll come home right away~!"
"Please do! They're going to love it~!"
"Sure thing! Bye, honey~!"
"Bye, bye!"
Nozomi hangs up, pays for their food and tells her children that they're coming home now. They all get in the car and Nozomi drives them home, which took about a half-hour or so.
Once they arrive home, the seven children immediately get out of the car and wait anxiously for Nozomi to unlock the door and step inside.
"We're home!" Nozomi calls.
Maki immediately comes over and hugs her ginger haired mother. "Where's the bed!? Where's the bed!?"
Honoka giggles. "Follow me~!"
She and her three daughters walk upstairs toward their bedroom and the ginger opens the door. Maki and her two sisters are greeted by a well made big bed to fit all three of them, pink walls with a white desk against the wall, a toy chest to put all their toys in and a large lamp next to the bed with a bear hugging the base. Maki, Hanayo and Rin happily look around, laughing as they explore their newly decorated room. Honoka and Nozomi watch with smiles on their faces while holding hands.
"You did really well, Honoka-chan," Noomi says. "I'm very impressed."
"Thank you very much," the ginger says.
Maki turns to her two mothers and couldn't help but jump toward them and hug them both.
"Thank you!" she says. "Thank you, thank you, thank you! This is….amazing!" There were happy tears falling from the red-head's eyes.
Hanayo and Rin soon join in, also crying happily. Honoka returns the embrace of her three children. Umi, Kotori, Eli and Nico walk in and were amazed by the newly decorated room. Nozomi stands by to watch them stare in awe at everything that's included in this room.
Nico turns to Honoka, pouting. "Now, I'm jealous! I want a room this nice, too!"
Nozomi sticks her tongue out. "Well, you better clean your room more often, then~"
"Mama Zomi!" Nico shouts.
"I'm serious, Nicocchi~! You already have a nice room with a nice bed. You just don't clean after yourself enough."
"Awwwww, maaaaan!"
Honoka giggles. "This is for Maki-chan, Hanayo-chan and Rin-chan, okay, Nico-chan? They asked for a big bed, so we got them one. Don't be complaining, alright?"
"Fine.." Nico continues to pout as Eli gives a nervous smile, patting her on the back.
**That Night**
Nozomi and Honoka quietly open the door just a crack to see Maki, Hanayo and Rin sleeping together under the warm covers with Maki in the middle. Honoka cannot resist the urge to squeal at their adorable sleeping faces, but Nozomi pats her on the back to calm her down.
"I just can't help it, Nozomi-chan!" the ginger whispers loudly. "I mean, look at them! Aren't they just…so adorable~?"
"I can see that. Now, why don't we leave before your head explodes~?"
"Hehe! Okay~!"
They gently close the door and head towards their own bedroom to change into their nightgowns and climb in their own bed. They snuggle under the covers and the ginger scoots closer until her head is buried on Nozomi's chest while wrapping her arms around her. Nozomi giggles as she strokes the ginger's hair.
"Still satisfied with my pillows, Honoka-chan~?" she teases.
"I can't help it, okay?" the ginger says, blushing heavily.
Nozomi leans in to kiss her on the forehead. "Thank you so much for doing this for our children. They were really happy seeing their newly decorated room."
Honoka looks up at her wife with a smile. "I want them to be happy. I always do. So, I do whatever it takes to make people smile."
"And that's what I love about you, sweetie. You always want to make people happy and that warms my heart, you know that~?"
"Oh, Nozomi-chan~" Honoka kisses her wife on the lips briefly.
"Ah, Honoka-chan," Nozomi says as she hugs her wife. "I forgot to mention. I made a new friend this morning. Remember that woman at the mall a week ago?"
"Oh! Yes, who was that again? Mutsumi-chan or something?"
"That's the one~! We exchanged phone numbers and everything."
"Ah! Can you lend me her phone number, too when you get a chance? I wanna talk to her, too!"
"Slow down there, Honoka-chan," Nozomi giggles. "I'll give you her phone number in the morning."
"Great! I'll bet Mu-chan will be happy to hear from me again!"
"Hehe! Mu-chan, huh~? Already giving her a nickname when you haven't talked to her?"
"Hey, at least I get to shorten it, right?"
"I guess. Good night, Honoka-chan." She places one last kiss on the forehead and pulls her wife closer to her.
"Good night, Nozomi-chan," the ginger buries her face on her wife's chest and the two drift off to sleep.
A/N: Just so you know, the Love Live story, "Bedtime Stories" is what gives me some inspiration to write more of this story~! And…maybe some other family stories from other series as well. Hehe! Oh, and Mutsumi is not an OC. For those of you who don't know, she's from "Love Hina" and thanks to Mikey, who introduced her to me, I came to love her. So, that's why I added her as a supporting character now.
Hope you like this chapter and have a nice day~!
