A/N: Hi guys! Thank you for hanging on! The baby's...here!

Chapter 15: Bundle of joy

xxx Tetsuhiro xxx

"Bear with it a little while, Sempai…" Gently but quickly, Tetsuhiro rolled up Souichi's V- necked sweater over his distended womb, the pale skin heated and taut as another contraction caused his lover to stiffen and groan.

They had arrived at Nagoya Hospital in record time in the ambulance. Dr. Hako had already been waiting at the entrance of the A&E department, ready to start the Cesarean operation on Souichi.

Now, the two of them had been given a little privacy before Souichi was to be wheeled to the operation theatre. Tetsuhiro had requested that he took over the clothes change for his labouring partner, wanting to spend just a little more time with Souichi.

He was scared. The loose gown was now on Souichi, a dark green cotton that somehow hammered home the reality that his lover was going to undergo a surgery that no man had ever had to experience before. Tetsuhiro kissed the top of Souichi's head fervently—Sempai and their baby; he so wanted them to be safe. "I love you, Sempai."

"—This is all—your fault—idiot…! It hurts…fucking painful…" The obscenities were being ground out between Souichi's clenched teeth and his hand rose up to pound Tetsuhiro. The impact was surprisingly strong. "If it weren't—for you—I would never have become pregnant at all—!"

"I know—I know…" The grimace on Souichi's face; the raw cut on his lips as he gasped for breath—the most important day of their lives had arrived but all Tetsuhiro could do was lend his hand as a pressureball for Souichi to grip on to.

The wave of uselessness was overwhelmingly powerful. Tetsuhiro bent down closer to his enraged lover, taking in the blows that bruised his heart more than his flesh. "I wish that I could absorb all of the pain that you are feeling now, Sempai—I wish I could be there in the operating theatre with you."

"Damnit—uhmnn…! I'm a man; why am I going through this—!" Souichi's nails left bloodied half- moons on Tetsuhiro's arm as he curled against him, breaths coming out in staccato puffs. "Mori—naga!"

"It's my fault, Sempai…you can beat me, hit me—anything you want, okay? If it makes you feel better, I'd do anything for you." All Tetsuhiro could do was repeat those words over and over as he hugged Souichi tightly. The trembling beneath his hands twisted his guts further, anxiety a metallic taste in his mouth. "Everything will be okay soon, love."

"Tatsumi- san, Morinaga- san, are you ready? The anesthetist is here to administer the anesthesia before we can start the surgery." A soft knock preceded Dr. Hako's voice.

"Please enter." As the doctors and nurses flocked into the small ward and began to tend to Souichi, Tetsuhiro reluctantly left the man's side and went to Dr. Hako, who was smiling reassuringly at him. "Dr. Hako, please take care of Sempai and Emi—they are like my life—no, they are my life!"

"I know that you are duly worried, Morinaga- san. But please rest assured that my team has studied your unique case for months now. Even though the baby—she's called Emi? What a delightful name—is a little early, we are more than prepared to deliver her safely." Dr. Hako's sharp eyes softened a little in empathy at Tetsuhiro's obvious disquiet. "Morinaga- san, you have held on admirably. I have seen many more fathers-to-be who have not been as steady an anchor for their partners as you. Childbirth is indeed scary but have more faith in Tatsumi- san and your daughter, yes? And of course in my team of doctors! Haha."

Tetsuhiro appreciated the brief touch of lightheartedness that the cheerful doctor tried to inject into the situation. However, he could not help it; nobody could predict how labour for a male pregnancy would be like! Even Dr. Hako's team of experts was going to make a case study of their circumstances. In other words, everybody was groping in the dark with regards to his Sempai's delivery.

At the moment, the group of people dispersed from the stretcher on which Souichi was lying on, the entourage beginning to make their way to the operating theatre. Turning to Dr. Hako distractedly, Tetsuhiro smiled in gratefulness at him. "Thank you, Dr. Hako."

With the anesthesia taking effect, Souichi was calmer now. Their gazes caught and Tetsuhiro left Dr. Hako's side without preamble. He fell into step with the procession, linking his hand naturally with Souichi's. There were no more words exchanged between the two of them until they reached the operation theatre, where he had to let go.

"Idiot, what's with that face? We'll be out soon, sooner than you'd think," The small admonishment was spoken softly, only for Tetsuhiro's ears.

"O-okay, Sempai. I'll be waiting outside for you, okay? Matsuda- san and Kanako would be here soon as well." Tetsuhiro bent close to kiss Souichi directly on the mouth, uncaring about the many eyes focused on them. "I love you."

"...Me too…"

The unexpected return of the sentiment shocked Tetsuhiro so much that he could only step back blindly as Souichi was wheeled into the operating theatre. Despite his trepidation and nervousness, the beginnings of excitement began to bubble up, effervescent and irrepressible.

"Morinaga- san, you may come in to see your partner and newborn now."

Jerking awake from a fitful sleep, Tetsuhiro turned his head to the young nurse that had materialized in front of him in the waiting room. She was still decked in her operating robes, but the smile on her face told him everything that he wanted to know since three hours ago. "I'll be there immediately!"

In his haste to go to his family, Tetsuhiro nearly upended Kanako, who had been dozing on his lap. She and Matsuda- san had arrived at four in the morning, shortly after Souichi had entered surgery. Gently, he shook her awake, feeling her warm body stir gradually. "Kanako- chan, wake up. Your Nii- san's given birth!"

"Morinaga- kun, I'll take care of her. Why don't you go in now? Sou-kun and Emi are waiting for you!" Matsuda- san had also awoken from her nap. With a clucking sound, she snuggled the little girl into her arms, freeing Tetsuhiro. "Go, now! We'll see them in due time. Congratulations, sweetheart."

"T-thank you!" Without hesitation, Tetsuhiro followed the waiting nurse down the corridor beside the operating theatre, which opened up to several wards that were meant for holding patients before and after surgery. As they walked down the quiet corridor, he could barely contain his emotion. He wanted to run—run until he was by his lover and baby's side.

"Tatsumi- san and the baby are in here. We will be moving them to the maternity ward after you have seen them," The younger woman broke into a large smile as she shook Tetsuhiro's hand. "Morinaga- san, congratulations! It was my honour to assist in the delivery of your baby. May everything go well for you in the future!"

"Thank you so much for everything!" Tetsuhiro bowed deeply, his eyes already threatening to overflow. With the nurse gone, he took a steadying breath, a hand on the doorknob. Then he swung it open and stepped into the quiet ward.

Souichi was propped up on the elevated bed, a white bundle cradled in his arms. He looked up when Tetsuhiro entered the room. There was a heartbeat of silence. And then the most serene of smiles crossed Souichi's face, transforming his fatigue into something so beautiful that Tetsuhiro was mesmerised. "Come and see our daughter."

"Sempai…" As Tetsuhiro reached his side, Souichi carefully passed their sleeping child to him. Tatsumi Emi, born on the seventh of April, spring, at seven a.m., had a thick curl of blue-black hair crowning her tiny head. Tetsuhiro fingered it gently before touching her perfectly- formed nose, her red and wrinkled cheeks, her pouty little lips. With every touch, Emi would whimper, drool seeping from her mouth. Her body was a warm weight in his arms as he snuggled her, inhaling the musky scent of her freshly- born skin. She was perfect. "Emi…"

"She has your hair."

"Yea…Sempai, she's—she's beautiful." Still cradling his daughter, Tetsuhiro slid on to the bed beside Souichi, who leaned into him surreptitiously as he settled down. Shifting his arm so that he could hold the both of them, Tetsuhiro kissed the top of Souichi's head. "I'm so glad…"

"Me too…" Souichi's voice was becoming drowsy, his body held flush against Tetsuhiro's. When something warm and wet dripped onto his chest, he shifted and looked up at Tetsuhiro, a little frown of confusion on his face. "Baka, why are you crying?" His honey eyes searched Tetsuhiro's countenance, taking in his closed eyes and trembling lips. "Come here."

To both of their surprise, Souichi pressed close, his heated breath on Tetsuhiro's skin as he kissed the tear rolling down his face. "…" Without another word, he settled back against Tetsuhiro's chest and kept his gaze firmly on their sleeping daughter.

Sniffling and smiling all at the same time, Tetsuhiro gathered his embarrassed lover closer; their baby snuggled between them. He would remember this moment until the day he died.

"Aww, my little niece is so cute! Was I this cute last time, Nii- san?" Excitedly, Kanako flitted around the bed where Souichi was holding Emi, now two days old.

"Kanako- chan, you are disturbing your Nii- san! He's trying to feed little Emi." Matsuda- san clucked and chased Kanako down. She was also beaming as she took in the sight of her nephew with his own child. "Hana- san held you in much the same way, Sou- kun; now, you are already holding your own child in your hands. It makes me really happy, sweetie."

Standing beside Souichi as he bottle- fed Emi, Tetsuhiro looked up and smiled gratefully at the older woman. She had brought tonics for Sempai regularly for the past two days and looked after Sempai's younger sister whenever she got too hyperactive. As a result, Sempai was looking rosier and more alert, as opposed to his exhaustion when he had just come out from surgery. "Matsuda- san, thank you for all the help for the past two days. We are really grateful!"

"Silly, I've been looking forward to this ever since Sou- kun told me about the pregnancy! Emi looks really healthy too, despite being born a little early. I've already called your father—he'll travel back from Nicaragua as soon as he is able. He's ecstatic, Sou- kun!"

"Tou- san is in Nicaragua now? Jeez, that man." A thoughtful look crossed Souichi's face but when Emi resisted the bottle, his focus went back to his daughter. "Come on, drink a little more, Emi." Obediently, she began to suck at the tip of the bottle again and he smiled gently. "Good girl…"

Tetsuhiro was once again drawn in by the tenderness on Souichi's face and in his voice whenever he was with their daughter. The image of Souichi feeding their child, his long hair untied and sliding down softly as he smiled at Emi complemented the pretty sunlight and delicate bloom of sakura in the air. Tetsuhiro could not imagine how anyone on earth could experience such a depth of joy, of being like he was, moment after moment, day after day, when he was with them.

There was a polite knock at the door to their ward and Suzuki- san, looking perfectly healed and hale, poked her head in. "Gentlemen, it's been a while! I see that my little client has been born! Congratulations, Souichi, Tetsuhiro!"

"Suzuki- san!" Tetsuhiro was delighted. They had not seen her ever since her colleague and disciple, Inari Reiko, had attacked them. The woman had been injured by acid and had had to stop their lessons. However, the affinity between them had remained, and it showed as Suzuki- san entered the ward with a large basket of seasonal fruits. Tetsuhiro hurried to help her with the heavy bundle and ushered her towards Souichi and Emi. "We've named her Emi, Suzuki- san!"

"Ahh, what a sweet name, and what a sweet girl! Hey, sweetheart, Suzuki- obaachan is here to see you! Good, good, she's drinking all the milk down. Souichi, you are well?"

"Yea, everything's fine. Suzuki- san, how have you been?"

"Oh, you mean about my injuries? I'm fine already! Don't worry about an old lady, Souichi! You have a newborn to take care of now. Do you remember everything that I taught you? But no worries, I'm always just a call away, okay?"

"Oh, I have yet to introduce you—this is Matsuda- san, my aunt, and Kanako, my little sister, and this is Suzuki Ai, our prenatal instructor." Souichi put down the empty milk bottle and made the introductions as he gently lifted Emi and began to burp her with soft pats to her back.

"…uhpp."

The audible burp from the little one made everyone pause, then burst out in merry laughter. Souichi kissed the side of the baby's head as she rested on his shoulder, her little hands fisted with a few strands of his long hair. He tried to free it but the baby was not having any of it.

"Sempai, it seems like Emi has your strength! Hehe." Leaning in as well to kiss his little girl, Tetsuhiro stroked her knuckle, chuckling at the disgruntled look that Souichi threw him. "Oh, she's drooling onto your gown. Let me wipe her mouth."

"I'm glad to see that everything's going well with the baby, gentlemen. I was worried about the birth, especially when it's not a typical case of labour, and an early one at that! Your doctor must be exceptional." Suzuki- san, unable to resist, reached for the baby, which Souichi relinquished with some difficulty. The older woman cooed as she played with Emi's hands, marveling when she gripped onto her thumb. "She really is strong! Such a good girl, won't you open your eyes for me, sweetie?"

"Oh, I want to carry her too! There's finally somebody who's younger than me in the family, hehe!"

"Kanako!"

Tetsuhiro sat down by Souichi's side, shaking his head ruefully at the antics of the ladies over the baby. He had barely gotten to hold his daughter himself that day but he was not going to complain, seeing how loved Emi was. Beside him, Souichi's attention was entirely on their child, making sure that Kanako, who had the baby now and was smothering her with her kisses, had a firm hold on Emi. "Sempai, are you hungry? The cut must still hurt quite a bit, so I made some porridge for you this morning."

"I'll have it later—we could eat it together when Emi's back at the nursery. Thanks, Morinaga." Souichi glanced away from the gaggle of women and looked at Tetsuhiro. His face began to turn slightly pink, and Tetsuhiro felt the atmosphere between them turn more private, more heart- pounding. "This feels…good, Morinaga."

"This?" Now wanting to break the spell between them, Tetsuhiro held his breath. Sempai was beautiful in his bashfulness.

"Tch…! I meant, having Emi and you…it feels good…urgh, why are you making me say such things! Baka…!" Souichi huffed and hammered Tetsuhiro's head as he nestled close. "Get that grin off your face! I still haven't forgiven you for making me go through all of that pain!"

"Ehh heh," Tetsuhiro grabbed hold of Souichi's fist and nuzzled his face against it, grinning as the man tsked but did not retract his hand. "But Emi came out safe and sound from that, Sempai. And I just know that she'll be as adorable as you!"

"Who are you calling adorable, baka! Chee—your head is getting all swollen up with nonsense the minute I say something!"

"But you are really cute! Ahh, I really want to kiss you now, Sempai." Tetsuhiro rubbed the expanse of Souichi's abdomen, still slightly curved after the birth. He sombered. Just two days ago, Emi had been lying beneath Sempai's skin... "I know that it's been tough on you, Sempai. For bringing Emi into the world, for being safe and sound, thank you. It's…incredible, and all the more so because it's you that's with me and Emi."

"Baka…"

The two of them gazed quietly at each other, hands linked without protest on the sheets. Tetsuhiro remembered something that he had brought in his pockets that day. With a rustle, he dug it out of his jean pocket, pouting when he saw that it had become a little crumpled. "Sempai, since we can't go out to see the flowers for now, I made this for you. Would you accept it?"

The item that he placed onto Souichi's hand was a single sakura origami flower, the pink paper shimmering with gold flakes and scented like the real bloom. Tetsuhiro bit his lip nervously, waiting for Souichi to react.

"…I'm not a woman—there's no need for flowers, baka…" Nonetheless, Souichi picked up the flower and brought it to his nose. His eyes closed for a moment as he sniffed the note. "It smells nice…"

"Yea? Do you like it?" Trying to contain his happiness, Tetsuhiro thought back to the large bouquet of similar flowers that he had folded in a night, resting on the baby crib at home. He hoped Sempai would be as pleased when he received them… "This is just a prelude! Hehe."

Souichi glanced suspiciously at his cheery grin as he continued to finger the pink paper. "What are you planning now, Morinaga?"

"Nothing, nothing! Hehe. I love you!"

"Baka!"

To be continued.