Chapter Thirteen

Hiroki gripped Nowaki's hand as the needle was inserted into his lower stomach. He clenched tightly in an effort to displace his anxiety. The needle was huge! Surely it would hurt going in.

"Okay, here we go," the doctor said, aligning the tip.

Hiroki gritted his teeth and looked away.

There was a sharp prick as it was pushed in. A few seconds passed and then he relaxed upon realizing that there was no more pain.

"Okay, there you go. All done." The doctor pulled the needle out. "Please read this information that has been printed out for you concerning the procedure."

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

"Stop doing that, Nowaki!"

"Stop what, Hiro-san? I'm just trying to help you…"

Nowaki had spent all afternoon doting on his lover's every need. Ever since they had gotten back from their doctors appointment the man had been painfully attentive, asking if his Hiro-san was hungry, or if his stomach hurt from the needle, or if he wanted to sit down. It annoyed Hiroki endlessly.

"No, I don't need help! I'm fine!"

Nowaki looked down, dejected and sad.

"I'm sorry, Hiro-san… It's just…."

Hiroki softened. "You don't have to worry about me."

"I know," Nowaki said, his face brightening a bit. "But I like worrying about you."

"Well… Just try not to worry too much. You don't have to treat me any differently. I'm not even pregnant yet."

Nowaki laid down on the couch as he said, "I hope the procedure worked. I think I would enjoy a pregnant Hiro-san."

"I thought you were against the idea?"

"I was, but only because I thought it was too dangerous." He looked over at Hiroki and smiled. "Over the past few days I've become more accustomed to the idea. I am a little excited. The thought of you carrying my child… It's almost like we're a real family."

"What? Nowaki, we are a real family. We don't need a child to tell us that."

"But still—"

"There is no "but"s." He sat down next to the man and stroked his hair back.

He felt Nowaki's arms encircle his waist and pull him down. They were now spooning on the couch, Nowaki behind holding his lover.

"I love you so much, Hiro-san."

Nowaki kissed the back of his neck. "You please me to no end." The kisses moved over to his shoulder, then to the soft spot under his ear, then his cheek. He was now supporting himself up on his arms so that Hiroki was under him. "You make me so happy." He groaned as their lips made contact.

He tasted sweet and Nowaki relished the flavor as their tongues clashed together. He loved kissing his Hiro-san. His lips were always so soft and his mouth always so warm. He always gave little moans when nibbled. Or maybe, Nowaki wondered, maybe he loved kissing Hiro-san simply because he loved Hiro-san. Maybe it was all about the connection he felt whenever their lips met.

They paused upon hearing a rumble come from Hiroki's stomach.

"Oh, you haven't eaten since this morning. I should make you something to eat," Nowaki said, getting up.

Hiroki gripped his arm. "It's fine, I'm not hungry."

"You should still eat something. Do you want me to make you some dumplings?"

Hiroki sighed, knowing that he would lose this battle, and gave in. "Sure, that'd be great. Thanks."

Nowaki's smile sent his heart racing. Why was Nowaki so attractive when smiling?

Hiroki followed him into the kitchen and watched Nowaki begin to cut up some vegetables. He was so absorbed by the knife going up and down that he didn't hear Nowaki speaking until he put the blade down.

"Ah, sorry… what'd you say?"

"I was just saying that you should eat more if you become pregnant."

"Why? The fetus wouldn't be feeding off of what I ate, remember?"

"That would only be part of its diet. The rest of it would come from you."

"It would?" Hiroki said, scolding himself for not reading the packets. "Okay, then. I'll try to eat better."

"I'll also try to be better about always making you food. I realize that I often forget to cook you things, and we shouldn't eat take-out so much."

"I can cook for myself, you know. It's not your responsibility to take care of me."

"I know, I want to take care of you though."

Nowaki was worried about Hiroki's safety. His situation was dangerous enough; they didn't need anything else lowering their odds of a healthy pregnancy. He would do anything he could to make sure that his Hiro-san was safe.

o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.o.

Two weeks had gone by and Nowaki and Hiroki went back to the hospital for a follow up on their procedure. After an examination, which involved a very embarrassed Hiroki peeing into a cup, they were told that the procedure had been affective. Hiroki was now pregnant.

Nowaki didn't know how he felt. Of course, he was happy. He had thought a lot about his Hiro-san pregnant, complete with a big belly and glowing complexion. That side of him was utterly ecstatic. But the other side was nervous; so many things could go wrong…

He gripped the edge of the bowl and stirred harder as he transferred his energy into cooking. He didn't want to think about the dangers. There was nothing he could do that would change what would happen. All he could do was take care of his lover as best as he could. This would surely be the best batch of cookies his Hiro-san would ever eat!

I get very sad when there are no reviews and I feel like you don't like my story. Please review as it encourages me to keep writing.