The baby was born safely that night. She weighed 6 pounds and 7 ounces. Her hair was made up of soft wisps of silver on her almost bald head, and if she'd opened her eyes, they would have been a dark chocolate brown. But she did not open her eyes. She was sleeping, like her new mother. For being born, like giving birth, is a long exhausting experience. And so she slept in the little pink blanket.
Yuki held her, and he thought she was the most adorable baby he's ever seen.
"Wow," Mr. Ryota said, it sure is beautiful."
"She." Mrs. Hatsuno corrected. "You know, Ryota, you did a good thing tonight."
"You too," he said. They shook hands.
Awkward silence.
"We never speak of this again," Mr. Ryota mumbled.
"Agreed, from now on, your still the worst excuse for a neighbor I've ever had."
"But it really is a miracle," Ayame said.
"Yeah, yeah," the Police Man said, "It's beautiful, nature's own masterpiece, someone's still got to pay the fine."
"Oh, go away," Mrs. Hatsuno said.
"I'll take care of it, Ayame said.
And one by one each neighbor quietly left.
"She looks like me," Ayame said then, touching his finger tips to the child's face.
And despite himself, Yuki laughed.
"Sure, exactly like you," he said.
"I'm sorry," Ayame said softly. "I'm sorry if I cause you two any trouble. Its just, I was so excited. Being and Uncle, it's a huge thing to me, you see. I wanted do things for her. And be with her. But I guess…" he trailed off.
"Apology accepted." Yuki said simply.
"So, I guess, you don't want me to come around as often, right? Give you and Machi some space." Ayame's face was masked with a genuine pain, and reluctancy. He was really trying to not be a burden. Even if it hurt.
Yuki looked at him for a second. "Don't be an idiot," he said finally, "Of course we want you here. We want your help. We want you to be their when she goes to her first day of school, or her first school play. And hey, maybe you can ruin her first date. And plan a stressful but, beautiful wedding. And get arrested on her honeymoon. And cause random property damage when she gets pregnant. We always want you there, Ayame. Even though you can be overbearing, your still her uncle, and your still my brother."
Ayame smiled. The two did not say any more, but there seemed to be a mutual understanding.
Finally, the Yuki lay the baby down in the new crib she'd been bought the. Ayame asked
"What's her name?"
"Sora."
Ayame smiled. "Sora." He repeated. He thinks about Sora. His niece. His niece. He liked the sound of the words.
"Nice name," he said, simply.
"Thanks." Yuki replied.
And the brothers left the room.