Somewhere on Autumn Woods Drive

By Rikku Minouke

Disclaimer: I don't own YYH

Chapter twenty-one

On some level, I suppose I should thank him for getting me through the pregnancy. When I had to give up alcohol, all I did was remember all the parties he used to drag me to with his friends and remember how many jag-bombs he made me drink. Alcohol was probably the easiest thing to give up. He and my father were big factors in that. Even now, after the birth, I rarely drink because of those influences.

"How was the appointment today?" Kurama leaned against the bar as I filled the containers of chocolate. My eyes watched the liquid flow from the jug like a thick river of deliciousness. I really wanted to eat it.

"Do you have any gum?" I asked suddenly feeling my mouth over salivate. He nodded and handed me a piece. "I'm getting sick of this symptom probably more than the peeing."

He chuckled and took a sip of his peppermint mocha. "You're almost over that though. Couple more weeks. At least you don't have morning sickness anymore."

I rolled my neck, feeling the stiffness in the muscles while I chewed on the sugar free gum. "For the most part."

"You didn't answer my question, Botan. How did the appointment go?" Kurama raised his eyebrows at me and I could tell I he knew I side stepped it.

"It went fine," I told him, tossing the now empty chocolate jug in the garbage. "The baby has a low risk for down syndrome. I'm happy about that."

"What aren't you happy about then?" his eyes tried to read my facial expression, so I turned and started filling the cold cups on the back counter. That way he wasn't about to read me as easily. "It's been a week since Christmas and I don't know. My mom seems to be adapting really well. She loved seeing the ultrasound of the baby, so much so that she started crying when they gave her a print out."

"That's amazing," Kurama smiled at me and I sighed. "That's not amazing?"

Shaking my head, I'm sure he watched the swish of my blue ponytail swinging back and forth. "My dad just stared at it with this hard expression when we showed him later. It was almost like he didn't want to believe it."

"I'm sure things will get better in time," Kurama told me with a soft tone. I tried not to let it get to me. Why did he treat me this way and call us friends. I am so confused with all of this.

"I can only hope," I said and tried to keep the emotion from my voice. "But my mom took me clothes shopping. I now officially have maternity clothes. It's a little weird."

"Like the bump in your belly didn't make you feel weird before?" he made me laugh at that. I placed one hand on my stomach to run my palm over the bulge in question.

"Touche," I turned back to face him and stock the straws by the bar.

"How's the heartburn? Is it getting any better?" Kurama asked taking another sip of his drink. "I know you said last night it was getting on your nerves."

I took a big breath thinking back on the day. "Today's been pretty decent overall with all the crazy preggers side effects. I have more energy with each day so that makes me a happy mamma."

My words brought a smile to his face and I raised an eyebrow at his sudden glee. "Did you just call yourself a 'mamma'?"

"Yeah?"

"Oh Botan," he shook his head, closing his eyes, as his smile continued to grow. "I am very glad to see you turning into a mother. It's very inspiring to watch how you grow into this role."

"You're making me feel mushy," I looked away from his shining eyes. "Please stop."

"I'm not sure I can," there was a teasing tone behind his smile.

"Botan?" I turned to see Juri standing at the doorway to the backroom. "There is a giant beetle back here. What should I do?"

"Kill it," I said matter-of-factly. "What type of beetle? Is it a cockroach or is it a stag?"

"I don't know," she shifted uncomfortably. I sighed and looked back at Kurama who was trying not to laugh.

"Sorry Kurama, I have to get back to work," I told him and he left after telling me to have a good night. "Alright, Juri, let's go hunt down this bug. Where is it?" The bell rand over the door as a group came through the door. "You go take care of them and I'll go look in back."

"Ok, it was in front of the coffee bean rack when I left," she informed me before bouncing off to the front register. "Welcome to Grounds for Divorce where we support those habits you don't like to admit to your significant other. We have our new Lord of the Ring drinkware in stock now as well as the Sailor Moon junior cups."

Nodding to myself at her attempts to upsell, I turned and walked through the back door to try and find the little rascal that terrorized Juri.