A/N: Hello! I'm back with another chapter! Please, enjoy!

Chapter 16: Before homecoming

xxx Tetsuhiro xxx

It was a week after Souichi's Cesarean. Currently, Tetsuhiro was accompanying Sempai for lunch in the crowded hospital cafeteria.

Earlier, they had paid Dr. Hako a visit in his office and the doctor had congratulated them personally on the birth of Emi. It was definitely something to be happy about, seeing as Japan's first male pregnancy had been successfully delivered.

Dr. Hako had requested for permission to publish an article on Emi's birth. It seemed that some novel approaches had been used to deliver Emi safely from Souichi's uterus, which differed significantly in the position and attachment to his body from a female's. It was a medical miracle and a breakthrough in obstetrics.

Tetsuhiro and Souichi had been reluctant to have more media coverage, particularly when Emi was now in the picture. However, Dr. Hako had promised that the article would be published without revealing their true identities and confidential information would not be leaked out.

Being scientists themselves, the two of them understood the exhilaration of a new scientific discovery and they had finally relented. The overjoyed doctor had pumped both of their hands enthusiastically and passed them a copy of the documents relevant to the write- up of the research article. Still sad that he had not been able to participate in the birth of their daughter, Tetsuhiro was determined to read every detail of the surgery and make up for it.

Souichi seemed a little restless as he spooned his salmon chazuke, frowning a little as he looked around at the crowds of diners in the café. Tetsuhiro followed his gaze but did not see anything out of the ordinary. There were many visitors and casually- clad people mixed with patients clad in green and the uniformed medical personnel. The chink of utensils against cutlery sounded amongst the chatter as people started on their lunches.

Tetsuhiro dug into his own curry with gusto. Life was good at the moment. After lunch, they would be going home, as a trio with their daughter when they had left their apartment as two. The excitement pumped through him. He had planned something special for his family's homecoming that day…wonderingly, Tetsuhiro looked at Souichi, hoping that he did not find it too strange that Matsuda- san and Kanako were not at the hospital to fetch them home on this particular day. However, Sempai still seemed distracted. Evidently, their excuse that the women needed to attend a parent- teacher meeting had worked.

"Do you feel that there's somebody looking at us, Morinaga?" Souichi had set down his spoon, no longer pretending to eat. Tetsuhiro glanced up in surprise, his spoonful of curry halfway to his mouth.

"Nope, Sempai," Looking around them again just in case and still not seeing anything out of the ordinary, Tetsuhiro smiled wryly and pushed the bowl of tea rice to Souichi again. "You must be thinking too much, Sempai! Come on, let's eat our lunches quickly so that we can go and get Emi. We'll be going home today!"

"…You may be right. Hmm…" Although he sounded unconvinced, Souichi began to eat again at the mention of their daughter. It was apparent that he was as eager to see their baby again.

Tetsuhiro smiled blissfully. Now, he was truly family with Sempai, their daughter an unbreakable bond tying them together. "Eh heh heh…"

"Baka, that grin is damn creepy—stop staring at me and eat your curry! Weren't you the one who wanted to finish lunch quicker?" With a loud smack, Souichi had used his metal spoon to hit Tetsuhiro's nose.

"I was just thinking that I'm really family with you now, Sempai." Unable to suppress the well of happiness bubbling inside of him, Tetsuhiro kissed Souichi's outstretched knuckle, pouting when the man snatched his hand back hurriedly. "It just feels like I'm living in a fairytale now where I have my queen and my princess—I couldn't ask for anything more, Sempai."

"…!" His face flushing until it was almost as red as the apple on his tray, Souichi stood up in a flash, his chair clattering backwards. "W-who's your queen! Idiot!" Picking up his uneaten food, he stalked away from their table, long hair swishing with his fast gait. "Don't follow me!"

"Ehhh—but our daughter's waiting for the both of us! Sempai, wait—!"

"It's a pretty day today, sweetie. Can you smell the sakura? Papa will bring you to see the flowers next year, okay?" After Tetsuhiro had spent nearly a half hour coaxing Souichi to talk to him again, his partner had finally relented and let him hold Emi as they made their way back from the nursery to the ward. Now, they were in Souichi's ward, packing their things before being discharged.

Patting his daughter as he looked out of the window to the courtyard blooming with sakura, Tetsuhiro inhaled the milk and talcum scent from Emi's soft skin, enjoying this quiet time with her. Their baby was well- behaved today, as usual. She did not cry when people picked her up. During feeding, she would suckle the bottle quietly, finishing the milk without much coaxing from Tetsuhiro or Souichi. Even when she did cry, such as when she was hungry or had dirtied her diapers, Emi would quickly quiet down once her needs were met.

Sometimes, Tetsuhiro felt like he could see Sempai in her. Every morning after feeding, he would stand by the window with her, just like he was doing now. During these times, Emi would often be awake, and she would look straight at Tetsuhiro as though she knew exactly who he was. Her little hands, those digits that were formed so perfectly, would be gripping his fingers with admirable strength. His little girl certainly did not back down, just like Souichi.

Well, she was certainly as adorable as Sempai. His little girl may be precocious and a tad too serious for a kid just born into the world but he could still make her squirm with mirth with some tummy cuddling. It was just like how Sempai's anger would melt with some cajoling from him. Nodding in agreement with himself, Tetsuhiro kissed his daughter gently on the head, memorising the weight of her warm body and the way she smacked her lips as she dreamed.

Hearing the flush from the bathroom, Tetsuhiro turned away from the window and the view of trees swaying in the breeze. "Sempai, are you ready to check out?" Careful not to jar Emi, Tetsuhiro went to his lover's side and offered his arm to him.

"Hold on to Emi instead of me, baka." Souichi pushed Tetsuhiro's hand away and placed it firmly on their daughter's back. His tone softened when he saw that their baby had fallen asleep in Tetsuhiro's arms. With a long finger, Souichi stroked her downy cheek quietly. "She really likes to sleep in your arms, Morinaga."

"Yea," Smiling blissfully, Tetsuhiro huddled closer to his lover, wanting to bask in the warm glow that emanated from Souichi. "Don't you think that's a little like you, Sempai?"

"Idiot, you've been sprouting nonsense since lunch! One more word and you shall sleep beneath the bridge tonight!" Spinning back in a huff, Souichi glared in affront at Tetsuhiro, only satisfied when he nodded meekly in a show of surrender. Stalking back to the bed, Souichi unzipped the large overnight bag and took out the clothes that they had bought just for this day. "Come on, let's change Emi and then go home."

"Okay, Sempai." Obediently, Tetsuhiro stopped his teasing and padded over to the changing bed in the room as Souichi did the same. He carefully lay Emi on the mat, unbuttoning the cotton top that the hospital provided for newborns. Souichi then took over, putting Emi's plump arms gently through the sleeves of the lilac jumper before he pulled up the white pants snugly over her diapered bottom. Tetsuhiro put on one woolen mitten over their daughter's hands as Souichi did the other.

"Hnn…" Their movements had awoken their daughter. With restless movements, the newborn began to wriggle on the changing bed, her little face scrunched up, upset.

"There, there…Daddy and Papa are here, Emi. Shh…good girl…" With soothing sounds, Souichi picked their baby up and rested her against his chest. His hands patted Emi's back gently as she whimpered. "We'll be going home in a little more. Papa has prepared a pretty room for you to sleep in… just a little while more, okay?"

It took only a short while to appease their little princess. Emi's olive- hued eyes, so much like Tetsuhiro's, gazed sleepily at Souichi as she suckled her lip in contentment. She evidently recognized her parents, even at such an early stage.

Glad that their baby had calmed down, Tetsuhiro picked up the bags and kissed Emi again on the head, doing the same but much more sneakily on Souichi's.

"Tch! The hell are you doing, Morinaga!"

Grinning mischievously at his hot- tempered lover, Tetsuhiro opened the door with a flourish. "Woah!"

"Huh, what's that, Morinaga—" Souichi bumped lightly into him when he came to a sudden stop. "Why did you stop so suddenly!"

"Hashimoto Aoi!" Flinging his arms out instinctively to shield Souichi and Emi, Tetsuhiro glared at the tall and thin reporter. "Why are you here!"

In a black coat and khaki trousers, the reporter who had hounded them most tenaciously looked anything but. There was no sign of his trade tools anywhere but the sharp and interested gaze behind Hashimoto's pair of plastic- rimmed glasses searched out the long- haired man cradling their newborn. "Congratulations on the birth of your child, gentlemen." He started to step forwards but with a growl, Tetsuhiro blocked him.

"Darn it, don't bother them!" Unable to leave because the man was taking up the exit, Tetsuhiro retreated into the room as he continued to shield Souichi and Emi. There was no telling when Hashimoto would whip out that dastardly camera of his to take photos! Spying the call button by the bed, Tetsuhiro inched in that direction and managed to press it. Souichi caught his movement, his face grim as he held Emi's head protectively. "We have already told you that there would be no interviews granted for anybody!"

"Now, now—Morinaga- san and Tatsumi- san, since we are all here, and with your delightful daughter to boot, why don't we just have a little chat about your pregnancy and birth? I would be more than happy to record this significant event for your little family." With actions that seemed more exaggerated than sincere, Hashimoto spread his hands wide to show his harmlessness.

"Bastard, first, you tried to use us and Inari Reiko as news fodder; now, you want to use our daughter? Don't you reporters have any ethics? Our privacy is for us to decide, not by the likes of you!"

There was a firm rapping on the door just as Hashimoto moved to speak again. Tetsuhiro looked up in gratification as the head nurse entered the room, her sturdy figure reassuring in its white uniform. "Tatsumi- san, did you press for help? I thought you were being discharged today?"

Without further hesitation, Tetsuhiro pushed past the stunned reporter and quickly gestured for help. "He's harassing us! Please help us to get rid of him!"

"Is that so—" At a glance towards Souichi and seeing his grave nod, the matron's expression of friendliness hardened. With a firm grip on Hashimoto's arm, she began to lead him out. "Sir, I kindly request that you take your leave and stop disturbing our patients."

"Let go—aren't patients allowed visitors? I'm a visitor! Hey—!" Hashimo Aoi struggled and unceremoniously pushed the nurse away. However, she had not been hefting patients to and from beds for decades without results. The reporter found himself securely restrained as they began to move out of the ward. "Damn you—let go!"

Their raised voices were apparently too much for Emi. "Uwahh…!" Protesting against the noise, their daughter started whining and then crying fully, her piercing cries adding to the heated atmosphere in the room.

"Shh, darling…Daddy's here, daddy's here…" Glaring at Hashimoto as the nurse dragged him out forcibly, Souichi cuddled Emi close and he hurried after Tetsuhiro. While two security guards appeared and took over for the nurse in restraining the enraged Hashimoto, the three of them turned in the other direction, not stopping until they had exited the hospital and were safely bundled in a taxi, headed for home.

"Hahh—hahh—Sempai, are you and Emi all right?" Breathlessly, Tetsuhiro leaned over their little girl, whose face was still red from the exertion of crying but who had, thankfully, quieted down. Wiping the tears and mucus away from her face with a handkerchief, Tetsuhiro breathed a sigh of relief as he settled down into the ride, his head resting against Souichi's shoulder. "Sempai…"

"Idiot, the driver's looking at us." Despite his admonishment, Souichi relaxed against the seat so that Tetsuhiro could continue to hold Emi's hand. "That Hashimoto must have been following us for some time—today at the cafeteria, and several times during the last few days."

What Souichi said was new to Tetsuhiro. Sitting up in surprise, he looked at his partner worriedly. "Sempai, why didn't you tell me about it! What if he had confronted you when you were alone, or worse, with Emi? Darn that man! Urghh…!"

"Baka, it's not like you could be at the hospital twenty- four/ seven, right? Besides, there was no overt harassment like today's—just the feeling that somebody was watching me sometimes." At the moment, Emi suckled her lips and a bubble of drool bloomed out. Souichi chuckled; his low laugh an ironic interruption to the conversation.

Looking at Tetsuhiro and registering his unabated concern, however, Souichi stopped and sighed. Leaning ever so slightly into his arms, the long- haired man said in a fierce whisper, "Baka, are you going to let some bastard come and ruin Emi's homecoming? Besides, did you think I'd have let anybody harm Emi? With the exception of you, there hasn't been anybody who has ever taken advantage of Tatsumi Souichi, and that was only because you drugged me! Don't look down on me, baka!"

"O-oh…I did not drug you on purpose that time, Sempai! It was you who lowered your guard! Didn't I hide that bottle deep in my cupboard?" The allusion to their first experience together perked Tetsuhiro up, as it always did, especially now that he could stay by Souichi's side. Knowing that Sempai was deliberately lightening the mood after the disastrous meeting with a hated nemesis, Tetsuhiro finally let a small smile rise up and he decided to push the bad taste of Hashimoto Aoi to the back of his mind. "It was fate that you dug that bottle up by yourself, Sempai!"

"Idiot! If you hadn't had those evil plans in mind, that bottle wouldn't even have existed in your room! See, you can't even defend yourself now! Tch!"

"Aww, Sempai, don't get angry over what's behind us already, yea? See, Emi's stirring awake again…"

"Don't use our daughter as a shield! Urgh, I'm going to kick you out of the cab!"

The unforeseen 'visit' by the N Magazine reporter had been so distracting that Tetsuhiro nearly forgot about the grand homecoming that he had toiled over for Sempai and Emi with the cooperation with Matsuda- san and Kanako. As they neared the neighbourhood of their home, his cell vibrated unceasingly.

Oh darn, it must be Kanako. Tetsuhiro glanced at the time as he read the message from Sempai's sister, dismayed that they were nearly an hour late. Hurriedly, he typed out a reply before Souichi could become suspicious.

It was not long before the cab pulled to a stop outside of their apartment complex. Making payment to the curious driver in a hurry, Tetsuhiro collected their bags and opened the door for Souichi, whose hands were full with their baby. As the doors slammed and the taxi sped off, Tetsuhiro stood in the bright sunlight, abloom with the fragrance of spring. "Sempai, Emi, welcome home."

"…Baka; there's no need to announce it in such an exaggerated manner. Let's go back to the apartment quickly."

"Okay!" Gleefully, Tetsuhiro led the way into the lobby. Matsuda- san and Kanako had already made all the preparations upstairs. He wondered if Sempai would love what they had pulled together just for today.

Sempai had not expressly said how he wanted Emi's birth to be celebrated but Tetsuhiro had still hazarded a guess. If it had been him, he would have wanted someone to do the same thing for him…uniwittingly, an image of his stern father and mother flashed through his mind. Ahh, right, he still had not told them about Emi…

Shaking the somber thoughts away, Tetsuhiro pressed the elevator button, smiling in a way that he hoped was not too bright. "I can't wait to get home, Sempai!"

To be continued.