Hi guys!

Sorry I've been feeling weird about and I've been having writer's block for this story for a while. I think I may work on "Pretty Girls Learn to Work it Early," more often since it's something deeply relatable to me.

ALSO A VERY MERRY EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT. Ahh this time of year.

I don't know what it would be like growing up with a family that doesn't know how to pachanga. *Cue salsa, merengue, and criolla music, panetón, turrón, pollo a la brasa, etc* I'm drooling now lol.

Anyway, I've been getting reviews on Sasuke's indifference and coldness. After watching the recent episodes and the Boruto movie and reading the Boruto chapters, he's still a jerk, albeit more chillax but still a jerk. I'm trying to capture that and I'm also trying to capture his softness with Sakura and his soon to be softening demeanor with Hinata WHO IS NOT HIS WIFE. The whole Boruto period and reading the recent Boruto chapters made me reconsider rewriting the story but I'm kinda lazy to do that right now and I'll probably do it after I'm finished.

Anyway, I feel more politically active so please support foundations who protect our rights and for the voiceless. Be informed. Listen and read objective news articles. Don't be ignorant to everyone's problems because this is gonna be a bumpy ride (if y'all live in the USA…2017…fuck).

Rant over. Forgive me. I'm just shaking my head.

Please read my new story, "The Man Without a Country." It's gonna be insightful hopefully lol.

I actually really rushed this chapter . I will probably re-upload it later like in a week or two gah!

They say with children, the days feel like years.

Sakura was holding baby Sarada's chubby hands as she attempted to walk. She watched as she stumbled and babbled in concentration, trying to get her stubby legs to walk faster.

"You can do it, Sarada!" Sakura giggled as Sarada looked up at her from between her legs and gave her a toothless smile.

And the years –

"Hurry mom! I can't be late for my first day at the academy!" Sarada exclaimed excitedly as she grabbed her backpack and stood by the door, bouncing up and down slightly in giddiness.

"I'm coming!" Sakura hurriedly grabbed her purse and watched as Sarada bolted out the door, turning her head back just to make sure her mom was right behind her.

Sakura could only smile despondently as she watched her daughter blossoming into a beautiful kunoichi and Sasuke wasn't there to witness it.

– Well, they feel like days.

Sakura's heart began thump loudly as she absentmindedly rubbed her toned, flat belly. The moment Sasuke told her that Hinata was going to keep the baby, Sakura was thrown into multiple flashbacks of Sarada and felt a tug in her heart just thinking about her. She became a genin in the blink of an eye.

Her eyes shifted downwards and she kept curling her hands into a fist multiple times unsure of what to say or what to do.

Sakura just stared at Sasuke blankly still trying to register what he said.

Hinata is keeping the baby.

"Oh."

Her hazel eyes flickered up to his and she just concentrated on staring at his neck, thinking about Hinata.

Sakura couldn't imagine how Hinata must be feeling. She didn't want to think about her feelings at the moment; she had hers to worry about.

However, hearing it from Sasuke filled her with emptiness and how such a simple insemination could go oh so very wrong. She wouldn't be holding their child, as it would be Hinata's and Sasuke's. Sakura wanted to try for one again but she would not ask Sasuke for such a thing at the moment – if ever again after this mess. Every morning when she wakes up, she immediately thinks about the fact that her husband has indirectly fathered a child. For a while she kept wondering about how to move forward after this; there were only so many possibilities. In the recesses of her mind, she knew Hinata would not consider getting an abortion, she was not that kind of person to make such a decision.

"Well did she say why?"

Sasuke shrugged. "No. I'm assuming she's not comfortable with an abortion."

Just like I suspected.

Sakura also knew that this is not something that will go away, never to return again. When a child is born, you have the child for life – unless you're a scumbag who abandons them or forfeits them to an orphanage. This child will be in their lives regardless of how she feels.

After all, the child did not ask to come into this world. Disowning the child or pushing the child away won't make the hurt and pain she feels go away. Sakura didn't want to ostracize the child either because that would damage him or her and emotionally scar the child.

No, she did not want to become that kind of woman.

"Sakura?" Sasuke asked with a tinge of concern.

Sakura shut her eyes tight before reopening them. Sasuke could see the affliction in her emerald orbs. He watched as she pursed her lips and straighten her posture, lightly coughing into her arm and placing her hands on either side of her hips.

"First things first, what are you both going to do?" she asked, seriousness conveyed in the question.

Sasuke's eyes widened for a fraction of a second before he regained composure. He hasn't thought too far ahead and his conversation with the Hyuuga was rather short-lived.

"We…" He paused for a bit, scratching his chin before responding unsurely, "Haven't discussed that yet."

Sakura nodded and paced around Sasuke in order to concentrate. She hummed as she formulated her next question carefully.

"Okay so what have you talked with her about?"

Sasuke knew she wasn't going to like what he was about to say next. "She only told me she wanted to keep it. I told her that I respected her decision and that I wanted space."

Eh? Sakura gave him an incredulous look and then her face slowly changed from a look of disbelief to downright rage.

"Space? Sasuke, she's having your kid! You should have worked out some more details while you were talking to her you know?!" she yelled out as she grabbed fistfuls of hair and muttered complaints about Sasuke's blasé attitude towards Hinata. "You – well 'we' maybe – should accompany her to some of her appointments you know? See how the baby is doing…" A wave sadness came over her but she placed it in the back of her mind as she had to think rationally. She wasn't sure if she would or could accompany Hinata to any check-ups.

Sasuke scrunched up his face in confusion. "Why would I do that?"

"Because this is your child Sasuke! Regretfully we didn't have a normal pregnancy and you missed out on ultrasounds, check-ups…" Sakura's voice wavered as she thought back to her pregnancy and how she didn't get to experience all of that. Tears started to well up in her eyes but she blinked them back. "As much as we hate being in this situation, I think it's important that we stay involved; mostly you. I mean, ugh!" Sakura kept tripping over her words, unsure of what she wanted to say.

Forgoing the involvement discussion for a moment, Sakura decided to address the elephant in the room. "So have you talked about custody?"

Sasuke sighed and shut his eyes. He was taken aback by how soon she asked the dreaded question but knowing his wife, it was better to be straightforward or else nothing would appease her. "To be honest, I'm not sure how involved Hinata wants me to be. I don't even know if I want to be completely immersed in this child's life." This was one of those moments where Sasuke assumed that this pregnancy wouldn't make it past the stage of the first trimester. Boy had he been so wrong.

"This will be Sarada's sibling, which reminds me, how or 'when' are you going to tell her?" she wanted to digress about the topic of custody since it was no use to plan at the moment. However, after realizing that Sarada will know sooner or later, she had to ask the difficult questions. Hinata and Sasuke were the parents; they had to figure it out and she was not going to pipe in…yet.

"You want me to tell her." He stated matter-of-factly.

Sakura slumped a bit. "Yes but no…no you shouldn't have to alone... We should wait a bit huh?"

Sasuke blatantly stared at her, remaining silent.

Sakura sighed in frustration and walked away to cool off and brush off his seeming indifference. I'm too tired to be dealing with this right now. Momentarily forgetting her research, she stalked upstairs to rest her eyes.

Although his responses were calm and straightforward, Sasuke could not shake the weight of what was to come and admittedly, he is worried but he did not want to show that vulnerability to Sakura.

Sakura stalked up to their shared bedroom and grabbed the house phone. She plopped back on the bed and started to punch numbers in. She waited patiently on the other line and adjusted her position when she heard a soft voice on the other line.

"Hello?"

"Hinata?"

Hinata was cleaning Boruto's weapons when the phone rang. She wiped her hands on a clean towel and quickly made her way to the phone.

"Hello?"

"Hinata?"

Hinata's body froze, tensing up very quickly and causing her to grip the phone tightly. The palms of her hands were beginning to get clammy and she ringed the phone cord around her index finger, feeling petrified about what Sakura would even say.

"H-Hi Sakura-chan. H-How are you?"

She heard Sakura sigh. "I'm getting there. How are you Hinata? Are you feeling nauseous? Are you feeling upset more than usual?"

Why is she calling me? Hinata's anxiety was beginning to get to her and she wasn't sure if Sakura wanted to talk more about the pregnancy but she could foolishly hope. "Don't worry about me Sakura-chan. Naruto is being supportive."

There was an awkward pause on the line and Hinata was about to ask if Sakura needed anything before she heard her speak.

"Hinata, I know you don't feel comfortable speaking to me at the moment and I understand but I just want you to know that I am here for you okay?"

Hearing Sakura's supportive tone helped release a sigh that she was holding in. It brought her to ease a bit and she was grateful that Sakura understood her predicament, even if it was just a little.

"Th-Thank you Sakura. I know how hard this must be for you…" she trailed off, unsure of how to continue. She hasn't really spoken to Sakura since she found out about her pregnancy. She only saw the look of distress on her face before she blacked out.

"Don't worry about me Hinata. I have a question though: have you made an appointment yet for an ultrasound?"

Hinata blinked before her mind reeled. She had yet to make one or even bother to return the phone calls of the gynecology department to schedule the first ultrasound. It was all moving a bit to quickly for her to even mentally digest that she is having her third child.

"No I haven't…"

"It's all right. I'll call Shizune to make you an appointment. Now if you don't mind," here she heard Sakura pause, "Could Sasuke and I accompany you?"

That was quite unexpected Hinata thought. Her suggestion did not really sit well with her and she was a bit hesitant to reply at all.

"Hinata?"

"Sakura," Hinata began, her voice taking the tone of turning someone down, "I really appreciate you helping me by making an appointment but Naruto will be accompanying me. I-I don't want to impose on you or Sasuke…"

"No worries Hinata! You are not imposing on us. Let me schedule your appointment and we'll be there."

This did not sit well with her but nonetheless she relented. "A-All right. Thank you Sakura."

She heard Sakura bid her farewell and the line went dead.

This was moving a bit too quickly for her but if it meant being on good terms with Sakura, then she'll gladly oblige.

Hinata was almost 8 weeks into her pregnancy and she was scheduled to go into her ultrasound with Tsunade. She was walking beside Naruto and felt a blush rise to her cheeks since she heard the whispers of people around her. Why was Naruto with Hinata at Konoha Hospital? Is she going to the OB/GYN? Is she pregnant? She could hear what they were saying but she stared straight ahead.

Sakura had graciously made an appointment for her and has invited herself and Sasuke. Days later, she came to terms that they both have a huge role in this baby's life. It is – after all – her husband's child.

She wondered how she managed – or if she managed - to convince Sasuke. She could only come up with hypothetical answers.

As Naruto and Hinata were led to wait in a private waiting room, Hinata was surprised to see Sakura with Sasuke there already. She hasn't spoken to him since she told him about her change of heart. Now I'm curious how Sakura managed to get him to be here.

Naruto was also surprised. He expected Sakura but never thought Sasuke would come as well.

"Hinata!"

Sakura rushed to her side and led her to take a seat. "How are you feeling? Still getting morning sickness?"

Hinata was glad that Sakura didn't appear to be bitter about the whole ordeal. Sakura may be having conflicting emotions but she was doing a great job at not showing them. She was really worried that she would be furious with her keeping the child but was pleasantly surprised to find Sakura helping her through this pregnancy. She truly was an admirable person.

"Y-Yes but it will pass. Thank you." Hinata smiled at Sakura. She felt the sensation of being watched by Sasuke but avoided looking at him at all costs.

Tsunade came in a minute later. "Oh! We have a decent sized group." Tsunade smiled at all of them and noticed Sasuke scowling at her. She immediately diverted her eyes to the other three. "Well, let's go inside." She ushered them through into the exam room.

As they were gathering inside, Naruto and Sakura were bickering about Hinata's pregnancy.

"She's taking prenatal vitamins correct? She's not eating fish or consuming caffeine is she? Is she eating enough? Boruto and Himawari aren't stressing her out right? I know Boruto can be a handful." Sakura kept babbling on to Naruto who had a helpless look on his face.

"No she's not taking vitamins – I mean yes she is! Umm I don't think she's eating fish…Hey Hinata are you eating fish?" Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly and stared at his wife, his eyes silently begging for help.

"Umm…Sakura…" Hinata began but was immediately cut off by the increasing volume of Naruto and Sakura's voice.

Tsunade was growing impatient and she was beginning to get a headache hearing her protégé and the Hokage bicker back and forth. "OKAY! Naruto, Sakura, shut up!"

They ignored her and continued to cause a ruckus in the room and Tsunade sighed once again.

"NARUTO! SAKURA! Get out! The both of you are driving me up the wall! I'm only going to have the biological parents be allowed so the both of you wait outside!"

"But baa-chan!"

"OUT!"

"Shishou…"

"OUT!"

She shoved the both of them outside and slammed the door in their faces. She turned to face Sasuke and Hinata, one who wore an expressionless façade and the other who looked uncomfortable respectively.

Hinata wished Naruto had more self-control so he wouldn't be so loud all the time.

Tsunade stepped out of the room to get more ultrasound gel leaving Sasuke and Hinata sitting in awkward silence. Hinata turned her head to see his face and lavender eyes clashed with obsidian. Her heart began to thump against her chest loudly. She felt meek in his presence and the walls of the room were too small for the both of them. She didn't expect him to be looking at her but nonetheless, she gave him a reassuring smile and glanced back at her lap although she felt anything but.

Tsunade came back with the gel and sat down. "You're almost 8 weeks along is that right Hinata?"

"Y-Yes."

"Good. Will you be wanting pictures of your ultrasound?" Tsunade looked at Hinata first then turned her attention to Sasuke.

"Yes."

"No."

Hinata's eyes widened at his response and she turned her attention back to him. His eyes were stone cold as if leaving no room for discussion. Hinata turned her attention back to Tsunade.

"W-Well, I want pictures," She muttered out before turning to smile at Tsunade who gave her a comforting smile.

"All right Hinata, you know the drill. This is going to be cold all right?" She squirted the gel on her bare abdomen and Hinata winced slightly at the coolness. Well it has been awhile since I've had Himawari. Tsunade began to rub along her barely noticeable baby bump and the screen populated with an image.

Hinata's concentration was focused at the screen until a voice broke her thoughts.

"How is Boruto?"

Hinata turned to face Sasuke and was surprised he broke the silence. "H-He's doing well. He's been training more often thanks t-to you." She was glad that her son was becoming a diligent shinobi. If it weren't for Sasuke's tutelage and their battle against Momoshiki, Boruto wouldn't be as hardworking as he is now. She was thankful to Sasuke for that.

"Hn." He lightly smirked at her response, secretly pleased by her response.

"H-How is Sarada-chan? I-I bet she missed you." She twiddled her fingers in nervousness. She hoped he didn't ignore her question.

"She's well. She's…" He paused and Sakura's face flashed in his mind, "she's becoming more like Sakura every day." He finished, his voice trailing off.

Hinata grinned. "Ah…she has such a strong character. I'm glad."

So the two began to speak about their children's well-being, the tension that was built in the beginning was starting to dissipate with the exchanging of words. Hinata even managed to find out how Sakura convinced him to even be present; as it turns out, she can be quite frightening.

Unbeknownst to them, there was a light spark being lit from this simple interaction between the two.

As they spoke, Tsunade lightly coughed to grab their attention.

"Well it's a little early to hear the heartbeat but there it is." She moved away so they were staring at the screen and became silent so they can hear the heartbeat of their child.

The moment Hinata heard the faint thump and the sound waves of the amniotic fluid being moved in response to the baby's heartbeat overwhelmed Hinata. Her eyes began to water and she remembered the times when she was carrying Boruto and Himawari. Especially with Boruto since he is the first child to be born to her and Naruto. She was so anxious to hear his heartbeat and prayed to whomever that her little boy would be healthy. When she heard his heart, she cried tears of joy to know that he was alive. She was becoming emotionally attached the baby already; there was no denying this fact. Seeing the little "bean" on the monitor reaffirmed her decision to keep it. I probably would have regretted having the abortion. At this point in my pregnancy, I should have known that there would be a heartbeat and that my baby is ALIVE. She began to inconspicuously wipe her eyes with the back of her hand. She felt a handkerchief being placed in her hand noticed it was Sasuke who had the courtesy of doing so. She gave him a tiny smile and began to wipe her tears away.

Sasuke listened to the heartbeat and he felt his heart fluttering. It dawned on him that soon, there would be a new addition to the Uchiha clan. He was stunned by this thought. He couldn't believe that he was hearing his second child's heartbeat and that he was going to be a father once more. His face softened the more he stared into the monitor and at the sound of his child's heartbeat. Unlike with Sarada, he and Sakura were traveling so they both experienced a non-traditional pregnancy. He wasn't there when Sakura received her ultrasound and so he didn't have the chance to hear his daughter's heartbeat. Sakura also didn't receive pictures of the ultrasound as she was trying to rush the appointment so she wouldn't hinder him. Guilt started seeping in on him the more he remembered the event. It were times like these he wished he told his younger self to be more patient and open with Sakura.

Digressing from his original thoughts, he stared into the screen again. It truly was a special moment and the tug he felt in his heart was filled with many turbulent emotions, especially regret since he was reminded of his absence, once again, in Sarada's life even before she was born. He, being able to experience this for the first time, made his walls start to crumble a bit.

And at this very moment, Sasuke Uchiha was beginning to accept this child as his own albeit slowly but surely.

His body was slightly leaned over Hinata's and when he turned to face her, she was beaming at him with her tear-stained face.

He couldn't help but give her a tiny smile back before resuming his stoic exterior.

Hinata's eyes widened at the slight display of softness before she looked away from him and back to the monitor. She was content that her baby was healthy.

It was moving a little quickly indeed.

I just want to point out that I am pro-choice. If that bothers you, well…I really don't give a shit :D

I personally think Hinata wouldn't go through with something like that considering her character. I hope you enjoy this chapter and I added some fluff but GUYS I am having an even harder time with writing this story. I kinda hated how this chapter went so I'm flip flopping on this story a lot. *sighs*

I'm actually extremely disappointed with the chapter so I may just re-upload it at a later time before January (maybe). I just wanted to get it out before January.

To be honest, I don't know how to feel about it anymore because it is and isn't going the way I want it to so I'm just trying to be honest with y'all. I know I'm gonna get flames for this story and that doesn't bother me at all.

ANYWAY.

So guys tell me, what is your favorite Christmas comfort food and do you have lively celebrations like my exuberant Peruvian family?

Please review and favorite. I need feedback because I'm unsure about the future of this story.