Falling in Love in a Coffee Shop
A/N: sorrysorrysorry! So sorry for the slow updating but I'm trying too hard to keep up with everything that ffdotnet simply cannot be a priority. I love you guys, but, you know how annoying life is! Sorry for the shortness but it can't be helped... Thanks everyone who reviewed/faved/followed! ~Nanao
Chapter 17
Ordinary
About this old coffee shop I loved so much
Rukia heard the familiar ring of the bell as she opened the door to Black Coffee. She hefted each child on her hip and went to sit down at her normal seat. "Muffins," she commanded Ichigo, who had appeared out of nowhere. "Now."
Kaien blinked up at his mother with big purple eyes. He had a light black fuzz blanketing his head and was wearing a dark blue onesie. He looked like a male, baby Rukia. Next to him sat Hisana. Her hair was also fuzzy, but was more brown than black. Her eyes, unlike her mother's or father's, were a light, icy, almost-clear blue, and when she blinked she didn't try to focus like Kaien did.
"How are they?" Uryuu leaned on the table and smiled at Kaien.
"They both seem to be doing fine," Rukia said quietly.
Uryuu caught her tone of voice and instantly shifted into philosopher mode. "You know, it's not your fault."
"It is! It's because I'm so short!" Rukia glared at the table, as if it were the cause of her vertical challenge.
"No, it isn't. You're petite. And besides, you being short is no fault of yours."
Rukia sighed. "Thanks for trying to cheer me up, but-muffins! Thanks, Ichi!" She snatched a chocolate muffin from his tray.
"How are they?" Ichigo leaned over to give her a kiss.
She discreetly denied him with a slight scooch of her chair. "They're fine."
Ichigo stood back, crossing his arms. "And you? You're fine? Is that so?"
"Yes, that's so."
"I don't believe you."
"I don't care." Rukia took an obstinate bite of her muffin.
"I was trying to tell her that she can't blame herself for anything," Uryuu sighed.
"He's right," Ichigo said. "What's done is done, Rukia. We just have to raise her a little differently. This won't change our plans at all."
"I don't want to..." Rukia stared down at her twins. "I'm afraid she'll get hurt."
"Maybe her brother will protect her," Uryuu said.
"But that's such a big maybe. She'll need so much. Braille books and seeing dogs and special teachers..." Rukia sighed depressingly.
"Post-natal depression," Uryuu said, "is a big risk, especially for premature mothers."
"She's not depressed. She just needs to realize that it's okay. Rukia?"
"What?"
"I wanted to tell you I'm looking for a new job."
"What?" Rukia and Uryuu said simultaneously.
"Well, this one doesn't pay enough. If we're going to be raising two kids, especially a blind girl, then I need more money."
"What profession would possibly accept you?" Rukia frowned.
Ichigo fidgeted. "Well...you see...your brother's offered me a job."
"What?" Rukia almost leapt up, until she remembered she was holding two two-month old babies.
"He said he respected my abilities," Ichigo said. "And offered me quite a large sum."
"Is he teaching you vocabulary?" A glint appeared in Rukia's eyes.
"...yes," Ichigo admitted. "And parenting skills. He's actually not scary, once you get to know him."
"What kind of job is it?" Uryuu asked.
"Well...in school, I did really well with computers," Ichigo said. "Mostly graphics stuff. So he wants me to work for his visuals team. You know, what's it called, Bloodgames."
"You'd be designing stuff for Bloodgames?" Renji seemed to have popped up out of nowhere. "Do it, man! Oh my god, do it do it do it!"
"Calm down," Ichigo said. He rubbed the back of his neck. "It's not that amazing."
"Not...that...amazing?" Renji looked stunned. "Bloodgames, Ichigo, is the most awesome video game producer in the world. They made Demon. And Demon II. And Demon III. And Zombie Apocalyptica, and Knight Life, and Light At the End of the Tunnel, and-"
"I get it," Ichigo interrupted. "I have to admit, I really liked the Demon games."
"My point is, if you designed Bloodgames stuff, you'd be the coolest person ever," Renji said breathlessly.
Ichigo considered. "It'd certainly pay more."
"I've been talking to a few people about working here," Uryuu said. "We'd be fine if you left."
Ichigo laughed. "Well, I do like the job, and I appreciate the offer. But I just don't know how much time it'll take, and I want to be able to be with my kids."
Rukia looked first at her husband, then at her children. "Ichigo, take the job."
"Why?" Ichigo was taken aback by her determined voice.
"I know you'll enjoy it," Rukia said. "I'll be working from home now, anyway. My job is fairly flexible, so I can just email things. Also, my brother is lecturing you on parenting skills. Do you honestly think he plans for you to be away from your kids?"
"I don't know," Ichigo said.
"Well, if I know him, and I do, he'll probably set up an office in your apartment."
"There's not enough room."
"Then he'll buy the apartment next door. It's empty, after all."
Ichigo thought about it. "Well..."
"Ichigo," Rukia said in a warning voice.
"As long as I'll get to see all of you," Ichigo said finally.
"Every day," Rukia promised.
A/N: sooo...plot development okay? Next chapter should be interesting. I have it planned-not-written, yup. So, review, let me know how pissed you are that I haven't updated...that sort of thing! Love to everyone, and happy Halloween! ~Nanao