CCNote: Hey y'all! Heres another kinda heavy chapter but it gets lighter after this I promise! Thanks so much to everyone that has reviewed thus far I really appreciate it. I also enjoy the favorites and follows but please leave a review as well. It really motivates me to write when I see those review notifications go up. Also the higher the reviews, the more people will click on this story to read it!

As always overlook my glaring mistakes and Enjoy!

C is for Fatherhood

He doubted that he would be a good parent. Yet, when she smiled at him, he couldn't help but wish for a daughter. One that had her mother's pale eyes and soft smile...

Sunday, June 3, 2018, 4:47 pm

Leaf General Hospital -Room 306

...

Her eyes burned when she first tried to open them. She closed them again immediately and took a shallow, shaky breath. Her head was pounding and she couldn't feel any of her limbs. Everything from her neck down was numb. Part of her wanted to panic but the sensation of her anxiety was muted. She tried to wiggle her fingers and toes but it was almost as if those appendages didn't exist. It was an eery feeling being trapped in her own body. Slowly she opened her eyes again only a little bit at a time to get adjusted to the light. She was greeted with the sight of an unfamiliar ceiling, stark white and unfriendly. Fluorescent lights buzzed above her head.

With a lot of effort, she turned her head to the right. There was a window and although the blinds were closed, beams of light still slipped through the cracks. This wasn't their window. This wasn't their penthouse. She didn't belong here. Where was Sasuke? Why would he leave her alone in a place like this? She turned her head to the left and was surprised to find that she wasn't alone like she thought. Sleeping two chairs near the door were Neji and Tenten. Their shoulders were slumped against each other as their chests rose slowly. All around them were bouquets of flowers, pastel-colored stuffed animals, and balloons. Every free surface in the room was taken up by some sort of offering. Funnily it reminded her of a weird shrine.

"Neji...Ten..." Hinata tried to say but nothing came out.

Her throat felt foreign and dry from disuse. She opened her mouth the speak again but the effort made her tired. Why was she here? Why did she feel like this? Where was Sasuke? Hinata turned her head away from her sleeping cousin and his fiance to stare up at the ceiling. She closed her eyes and tried to focus on just breathing. Just moving her head from one side to the other had already rendered her impossibly tired. She heard the door to the room open and the sound of Neji and Tenten rising from their seats. Hinata wanted to open her eyes again but her eyelids felt too heavy.

"Uncle." Neji said, his voice thick with fatigue.

'Father?' Hinata thought.

She hadn't seen her father since the day she moved out of the compound and into Sasuke's penthouse. He didn't attend the twins' baby shower even though it was held at the Hyuuga compound. The twins! Suddenly everything came rushing back to her. Her babies. Her babies had been dying, they were dying inside of her. Because she wasn't strong enough to do the one thing her body was meant to do. Because she was a failure.

"She's doing much better now." Neji spoke up again. "Tsunade says that when the drugs wear off she'll wake up on her own."

Hinata wanted to scream that she was awake but her mouth wouldn't work. She heard the sound of her father sigh and his footsteps approached the side of her bed. Heavy fingertips brushed against her forehead so gently it almost didn't feel real.

"The twins are stable and in the NICU if you would like to see them as well."

'They're okay.' Hinata thought. If she could cry she would. The twins were okay.

"Where is that Uchiha?" Her father asked flatly, skating by the update on his grandchildren's status.

"He's with the twins. He refuses to leave the ward."

"Boy or girl?" Hiashi asked.

"They're both boys." Neji responded and her father let out a short indignant breath through his nose.

"I am sure the Uchiha clan is pleased."

"Are you?"

Her father didn't say anything but his silence was more than sufficient. He was not pleased. He regretted the day he'd invited the Uchiha clan to merge with the Hyuuga. Hinata wasn't quite sure what happened after that. She had no idea if her father had left the room or if anyone else had joined them. Their voices began to sound like she was listening from underwater. Her mind was fuzzy as she did her best to focus but soon even that proved to be futile as she slipped back into unconsciousness.

….

Sunday, June 3, 2018, 7:27 pm

Leaf General Hospital- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

...

'They're small.' Sasuke thought to himself for what was likely the millionth time.

Maybe it was the fact that they were premature or maybe it was the fact that they were inside of glass boxes with tons of wires hooked up to them. The nurses had remarked on how calm the twins were every time they handled them. There were other children in the NICU of course, premature babies were born all the time, but the twins were unlike the other children. They rarely cried unless they were hungry or needed to be changed. They had been gaining weight steadily since they'd been removed via cesarian which was a good sign. At least that's what Tsunade said. He honestly couldn't see any significant changes. They still looked too small and impossibly fragile.

"Uchiha." A voice from around the corner called and Sasuke turned away from the glass window.

"Hyuuga."

Neji approached him slowly down the dimly lit hall. There were bags under his eyes and his hair was a bit disheveled. Sasuke wanted to tell the Hyuuga to go home. It had been three days and Neji had his own life to live but Sasuke selfishly kept his mouth shut. Hinata needed someone at her side when she woke up and he couldn't be there. He had to monitor the twins and make sure that nothing happened to them when his back was turned. Perhaps it was due to his own paranoia or guilt but he was afraid. Afraid that when he left for even a moment that would be when one of his sons stopped breathing. He couldn't face Hinata if something like that were to happen. Despite his guilt for not sending Neji away he also knew that the Hyuuga would refuse such a request. He might even take it as an insult. The only person who loved Hinata almost as much as he did was Neji. When the Hyuuga reached his side, Sasuke turned back to the viewing glass. Inside one of the nurses was checking on the twins vitals and recording her readings on a clipboard.

"Hinata?" Sasuke asked.

"Still asleep. She'll wake up soon though. You should be there when she does."

When she does...The last three days Hinata had been heavily sedated. Her c-section to deliver the twins had not been too difficult in the beginning but halfway through she began hemorrhaging. She had nearly died and it was his fault. A heavy hand rested on his shoulder causing him to break from his thoughts.

"I may not be able to read your mind but I can tell a regretful man when I see one," Neji said calmly. "What happened was not within anyone's control. Hinata will be fine. You of all people should know that she is stronger than she looks."

"Hn."

He knew that but that didn't stop him from worrying about her. There was a ruffling of papers and a thin folder was passed to him. Sasuke looked down at the nondescript manilla folder and raised an eyebrow at Neji but didn't accept the papers. The Hyuuga pressed the folders into his hand a bit more insistently and Sasuke finally took them. He flipped open the folder and was greeted with two birth certificates. The twins time of birth, as well as their height and weight, were already printed neatly on the forms. Mother...Hyuuga, Hinata. Father...Uchiha, Sasuke. It was odd seeing his name attached to such a title. He had held many titles so far in his life, some of which he was more comfortable holding than others. The title of father was not something he thought he would possess. The term itself felt thick on his tongue as though he weren't quite worthy enough to say it.

"Everyone is waiting for names." Neji said once more breaking Sasuke from his own thoughts. " It's been three days and the Uchiha and Hyuuga wish to make a public birthing announcement."

"The Hyuuga?" Sasuke asked with a cock of his eyebrow. Neji smirked and shrugged.

"My Uncle may not be that...enthused but news like this is good for business. He supposes that a big flashy press release would do the trick. Happy press always boosts stocks and consumer confidence in our company. A favorable media presence will be good as we begin to look for locations for the new headquarters. People care more about babies than land grabs."

Sasuke snorted and closed the folder. The man didn't even have the decency to see the twins. Hiashi may not like his grandchildren but he sure knew how to use them well. They were only three days old and already being subjected to his machinations. A quick glance at Neji showed that the Hyuuga found the opportunity distasteful as well but something like this was out of his hands. He may now be the heir but he was not the head. Not yet anyway.

"So?"

"They are Uchiha and as such, they will be announced on my time, when I decide. Not any sooner."

"I expected you would say something like that." Neji smirked and shoved his hands into his pockets. "Should I relay the message back as one from the head of the Uchiha clan or as a decision of a father?"

"Father." Sasuke replied.

It still sounded so strange...

….

Wednesday, June 6, 2018, 1:15 pm

Leaf General Hospital- Room 306

...

"Wow, Hina!" Naruto exclaimed. "For someone who was in a coma, you sure look better than I expected!"

Hinata giggled behind her hand at Naruto's comment which was rewarded by a short jab in his ribs from his pregnant wife Ino.

"You shouldn't say a thing like that! She just had twins!" Ino hissed but her logic seemed lost on her new husband.

"I didn't mean she looked bad!"

"Can you two keep your voices down." Tenten interjected.

The brunette slid open the already ajar hospital door with her foot and gave Naruto and Ino a disapproving look. In her arms, she held a tray piled high with different fruits, all of which she would likely force Hinata to eat. Mentally Hinata groaned, Neji's overprotectiveness was rubbing off on her best friend a little too much. She should be working at the dojo, not looking after her! The summer was a very busy time since kids weren't in school and there was a day camp to run. However, no matter how many times Hinata reminded Tenten of her responsibility the woman would only shrug and say that Lee and Gai had everything under control. Somehow Hinata found that hard to believe.

"Yes, Mrs. Neji." Ino teased and playfully stuck her tongue out at the brunette.

Tenten rolled her eyes and tried to repress a smile at her former roommate's actions. She set the tray of food down on the now cleared bedside table and sat on the edge of the hospital bed.

"How are you feeling?" She asked.

Hinata shifted in her bed a bit to get more comfortable. If she were being honest she would tell them that she felt like she'd been run over by a truck. Her breasts were extremely sore from disuse and it hurt to go to the bathroom. All those things and more were physically bothering her but telling her friends that would only make them worry about her more.

"I'm fine." Hinata answered softly and prayed that the others believed her. The looks on their faces weren't very convinced but they let the comment slide.

"Well if you're feeling fine you should eat something," Tenten advised and rolled her eyes at Hinata's grimace. "Don't give me that look. The more you eat, the faster you'll get better."

"That doesn't seem like sound medical advice." Ino snickered, Tenten flashed her a glare before turning back to Hinata.

"Don't listen to Ino. Just eat."

"Ten-"

Knock Knock

Two sharp raps against the open door frame of the hospital room drew all of their attention back to the door. There stood Tsunade with a clipboard in her hand and a nurse at her side with a collapsed wheelchair. The busty woman's face was bright as she smiled at the room's occupants causing Hinata's heart to leap in her chest.

"Good afternoon Lady Tsunade." Hinata greeted, dipping her head a bit in her own attempt at a bow from her bed.

"Hello, Hinata! It's good to see you're now staying awake on a constant basis." The blonde said as she approached the hospital bed. "It's been seventy-two hours since your last dose of medicine. I think it's time to feed."

"Feed?" Hinata asked, slightly perplexed since she already had a mountain of fruit courtesy of Tenten. Tsunade only smiled as shook her head at her patient's anxiety.

"Its time to meet the twins Hinata. Are you ready?"

….

Wednesday, June 6, 2018, 1:25 pm

Leaf General Hospital- NICU

...

They were impossibly small, even smaller than he thought they were when they were cloistered inside of their glass boxes. The nurse placed one of the newborns in his arms and his own heart stopped beating. The baby's head rested against his chest and he worried that perhaps the scrubs he was wearing were too rough. He could feel the tiny heartbeat fluttering against his chest at a speed that he felt was too fast but the nurses had assured him was normal. The feeling was petrifying and astounding at the same time. How was it possible that such a small thing could pull such unfamiliar emotions out of him with only a touch?

"Sasuke?" A soft, breathless voice called from the door of the warm, sterilized room.

He looked up to see Hinata in a wheelchair with a nurse pushing her forward. Her face was markedly paler and her dark hair hung limply around her shoulder but Sasuke couldn't help but feel relieved at the sight of her. She smiled brightly at him, her eyes lighting up as she did so and a little bit of color returned to her face.

"Hinata." He said as the nurse carefully wheeled the Hyuuga up to his side and left the room. "How are you feeling?"

"Tired." She said weakly and Sasuke shook his head.

"You've been in bed for six days. Three of those you did nothing but sleep." He said flatly and Hinata let out a short chuckle at his teasing.

The baby boy in his arms began to squirm a bit and Sasuke felt slightly put out. Despite the separation, his son already recognized his mother's presence. Even his other son was squirming in his carrier at the sound of Hinata's laugh. Instinctively Hinata opened her arms and Sasuke placed the newborn into her embrace. The Hyuuga let out an audible sigh of relief at having her son in her arms and any negative feelings Sasuke had were washed away. Seeing her this content, this happy, it made the last few days worth it. He doubted that he would ever be able to make her happier than she was at this moment.

His other son was starting to fuss a bit more audibly in his carrier so Sasuke picked him up as well. Immediately the newborn settled down against his chest and that same surge of emotion from earlier sprang forth. Hinata cupped the cheek of the little boy she was holding, a small satisfied smile on her face.

"I told you they were boys." She said as she caressed her son.

Sasuke smirked, she had been right after all. Although that came with its own set of issues. Once they were allowed to leave the hospital the Uchiha clan was going to pounce. Not only were they the first twins born in nearly a century but they were boys. He'd heard of the countless, pointless ceremonies his mother had to endure when Itachi was born and he didn't envy Hinata's fate. It didn't help that there hadn't been many children born to the Uchiha clan over the years so the elders were itching to do something big.

"They look like you." Hinata said softly and the Uchiha wrinkled his nose.

The twins didn't look like much of anything to him. They were just red, wrinkly beings that had somehow managed to obtain his undivided affection just by existing. He peered down at the baby he was holding and smoothed down some of the black tufts of hair on his head. He hoped that they looked nothing like him. Life would be much easier for them if they didn't have hordes of fangirls clinging to them.

"Ah, this is a sight I've been wanting to see." Tsunade said from the doorway with a smile on her face. "With any luck, in a week or two, you can even go home."

The blonde doctor then entered the room and began to instruct the new mother on how to breastfeed the twins which proved to be a bit difficult. They both had difficulty latching on but Tsunade assured them that it was normal for premature babies. With a few more attempts they would take like a fish to water. After she debriefed them on the full status on the twins and what was going to happen from this point she left them to their own devices. Sasuke was grateful that Tsunade wasn't the lingering type. The more time he got to spend alone with Hinata and the twins, the better. There would only be so many instances like this until their family and friends started to swarm.

In the back of his mind, he remembered Neji's request three days ago for the names of the twins. He still hadn't given the Hyuuga an answer yet but the guy didn't pester him for it. The sleeping baby he was holding snuggled into the warmth of his chest and once more Sasuke was taken aback by the strength of his son's fluttering heartbeat.

'You are a warmth leech like your mother.' He thought and looked over to the woman in question.

He could tell she was fighting her own fatigue. This was the first time she'd gotten to see the twins and was doing whatever she could to stay conscious. It was admirable in her own stubborn way. Slowly he stood up and placed his sleeping son back into his carrier. The baby fussed a bit, irritated by the absence of his father's warmth but quickly settled back down. He then removed the other boy from Hinata's weary arms and placed him next to his brother.

Hinata's eyes lost a bit of their light at his removal and it made him feel guilty to see her that way. He pushed the glass carrier closer to Hinata where she could see both of her sons better. It wasn't the same as holding them but it seemed to appease her for now. He took a seat next to her and she grabbed his hand. Neither one of them looked at each other, they were too transfixed by the sleeping babies in front of them.

"I like the name Hajime." Hinata said, breaking the silence between them. She pointed to the newborn on the right as she said it and Sasuke couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"The beginning...hmmm."

Hinata nodded her head pensively and turned her gaze to her other son. She took a bit longer this time but the Uchiha liked watching her think. He enjoyed the way her brows knitted together and the way she would bite her bottom lip. When she pushed some of her errant hair behind her ear he was once more hit with the fact that he almost didn't get to see that nervous habit again. He had been so close to never seeing her again.

"Greatness." She whispered finally with an absolute nod of her head. "Hiroto."

"Hajime Uchiha. Hiroto Uchiha." Sasuke said and the names rolled off his tongue easily. Hinata smiled as he said their names and a blush of pride spread over her cheeks.

"Nice to meet you Haji, Hiro." Hinata said softly, her finger pressed against the side of the glass. "I'm your mother and you don't know me very well but I love you very very much."

Sasuke smiled to himself as Hinata continued to have a nonsensical conversation with their sleeping children. It was almost as if she'd gotten a second wind of energy. She told them of their father's love of tomatoes and her own love of sweets. She promised them tales of their countless aunts and uncles and of all the fun they would have together when they were finally able to meet. The Uchiha couldn't help but get lost in the sound of her voice, it's soft quality lulling him to sleep.

"Hinata..." He started and he felt her small warm hand squeeze his hand in response. "Don't leave me."

He wasn't sure why he said that. Perhaps it was the fatigue finally getting the upper hand. Or maybe deep down he knew that this woman was just too good for him. There was a short pause but he knew that the Hyuuga had been staring at him intently. She leaned over and placed a soft kiss on both of his cheeks before placing one on his lips. The warmth that radiated within him when she kissed him was so different than before. Before there was nothing but hunger, a need to meld into one another. Now there was comfort and security. He wanted to kiss her again but she'd already leaned away.

"I'll never leave you Uchiha Sasuke."

To be continued...

D is for High Society

Manners wasn't something she lacked but she had no idea how to act when it came to the upper class...