A Promise Kept
Chapter 5 - Hopeful Expectations
So it's been decided. You will have your baby. As planned, the donor will be anonymous and Setsuna will see to the procedures. As the days pass and your stomach grows bigger and bigger, I become more and more paranoid. I can't help it. Me. A father. For real this time. Will I be a good role model? Damn it, how do you change diapers? All these thoughts and more run through my head as the countdown to that fateful day pushes forward.
But then I look at you and I am able to calm my nerves. Watching you rub your belly lovingly soothes even my toughest anxieties. Oh, Michiru. You look so happy. In fact, you're glowing. I can't help but smile. Your happiness uplifts my spirits in ways nothing else can. I'm glad I made the right choice.
"Come over here, Haruka," you motion to me gently when you catch me in my thoughts. "Give me your hand." I lift up my arm gingerly and you take it, putting it against your growing abdomen. At first I feel nothing. Then…I gasp.
"It kicked me!" I exclaim, full of surprise and unspeakable joy. There's life inside of you, growing with each passing day. I could barely suppress my tears. You giggle lightly at my astonishment.
"Yes, and it will soon be ours," you console me in your tender way. I bend my head forward, going in for a kiss. But before I could do so, I hear repressed snickering to the side. Swiftly, I turn to look in the direction of the incoming sound. Sigh. It's Hotaru. I should've known that we wouldn't get much privacy together at this time of day. I guess I'll just have to wait until we're alone. You seem to understand that look you've come to recognize so well and give me a knowing nod.
"What's up, kiddo?" I ask with a chuckle, standing straight, my hand still on your stomach.
"What are you doing?" she questions shyly. She's always full of curiosity. I still remember the time she caught us making out on the couch and I had to explain it to her. Heh. What a hard time I had doing it too. I turn to look at you and we both break into an amused laugh.
"Hotaru, would you like to be acquainted with your little sibling?" you invite, extending your hand. Phew. I'm glad I don't have to do the explaining this time. "Yeah!" Hotaru expresses excitedly, bobbing her head vigorously. Leading her by the hand, the three of us walks to the sofa in the living room. Once seated, you take the little girl's hand and hold it to your tummy. Feeling the motion from within, Hotaru squeals with delight. You break into a giggle and engage in a conversation with her about whether it will be a boy or a girl, and possible names.
Sitting back, with my hands clasped behind my head, I observe silently as the two of you converse. How motherly you look. You have given me hope and a new peace of mind. I release my tensions as I picture the road that we must walk together. Then I close my eyes and bathe in the tranquility of the moment.
To be continued...