Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
Word Count: 654
AN: Oh come on guys- there's no 'tragedy' tag! I slap myself on the hand- "bad author". C-Sections are a surgery (quick though they are)- a drop in blood pressure, loss of blood, a nick in a vital organ- it happens…
Now I might've mentioned the song "Kawaii" by Devin Townsend at some point- maybe in Fulfillment (really don't recall)… But in any case you didn't google it last chapter- do so in this. Beautiful, simple song- and it's just… feels!
Arrival, new arrival
Kawaii
A Kiss for Shelter
Our World
It was hard to be torn between two people- two minds.
The feeling of his son's small weight in his hands was indescribable. It was like nothing else, and he lived for the quiet moments when the boy's head rested against his chest, right where his heart beat contentedly. Those pleasant moments late at night or early in the morning when he could feed his son from his own hand, watching as the inquisitive eyes slowly drifted closed- were the most sacred.
But the brief times when the child was away from him- being checked by the nurses, sleeping in his bassinet- the anxiety stole in. And he grit his teeth and inwardly cursed her gods- threatening their power if they should…
Overwhelming happiness warred with fear.
And for a time this flustering imbalance of emotion reigned.
A day… Two…
And then…
"Bya… Bya…" The hoarse whispers he had waited for.
"Here." He assured leaning forward in his bedside chair. She turned her head toward the sound of his deep, sleep-deprived voice.
But she could barely keep her eyes open, as exhausted as she sounded, even after two days of sleep.
Still, she took a couple bolstering breaths and murmured, "Ba-baby. Our-,"
"Son." He finished, his voice a well of warmth and pride.
It took a moment, but she opened her eyes and focused on him.
Byakuya ran his hand along her jaw, watching closely as she managed a weak smile.
"A boy…" Tears leaked helplessly from her eyes, her voice unsteady, "We must name him."
He picked up her limp hand lying across her stomach and kissed the back of it, "We shall."
"Bring him- please?" She attempted to squeeze his hand. For a time all he did was study her face. She was wan, her features seeming sharper.
Keeping her frail hand in his grip and pressed to his lips, he glanced up.
"Ah, awake now, Xochitl-san." Unohana glided in as if on cue.
"Yes, and eager to see our son." Byakuya gave the woman a meaningful look over Xochitl's prone form.
"Naturally," Unohana gave a nod meeting the captain's eyes from the other side of the bed. Gazing down at the woman with a smile the older woman coaxed, "First, allow me to do a brief check-up my dear. You gave us quite a scare."
Xochitl looked somewhat crestfallen, but she submitted to the doctor's hands.
Unohana's brows drew together slightly as she finished the exam, dropping the stethoscope to dangle against her chest once more.
She spoke slowly, "Xochitl-san, the blood loss has left you slightly anemic. We are giving you fluids through an IV and this has stabilized you along with a minor blood transfusion. But we still have to be cautious… You're still quite enervated, dear girl."
A stubborn look crossed the young mother's face and forced strength into the hand clasped in Byakuya's, "I want- to hold him."
Unohana, paused, but before she could speak Byakuya stood.
"I'll help her." He stated.
…
The peaceful quiet of the room seemed to match the drowsy sunshine that fell through the partially open shutters.
Byakuya had never felt so whole.
Like their intimate evenings before their son's arrival, the noble surrounded the small woman, her back pressed to his chest, seated between his long legs
His arms supported her own, resting beneath hers, the swaddled baby nestled against the mother, dependent on them both in this instance.
Byakuya felt her shoulders shaking against him. The tears streaming down her face silently, glistened leaving trails on her pallid skin.
Their son remained asleep.
"How- how could a courtesan be so lucky?" She whispered, eyes never leaving the child's face.
Byakuya smiled against her hair, breathing softly, "Kismet." Hadn't they had this conversation before?
A huffing laugh left her, even as she sniffled. The boy mewled, a tiny sound as he shifted before drifting back into easy slumber.
"Kismet." She echoed.