A/N: Thank you all for the reviews and reading this, even if you didn't read it. Sorry for the wait, but I couldn't stop writing, lol. I got to Part 3, and Chapter 10 before I reached a block in my epicness. lolz. Anyway, here is Chapter 3.

CLANNAD

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-BOOK 2-

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-USHIO-

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PART 1

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NAGISA

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CHAPTER 3

After the incident in the bathroom, the dreams began to subside (?). You would think that they would get worse, but, for some reason, knowing at last why I had them made it easier to push them away. They still happened, but less frequently than before. I was finally able to enjoy life again.

Until Nagisa fell ill. It happened in the waning months of her pregnancy. Sanae told me this might happen. She was right. We worried about her and the health of the baby.

I quit my job to care for Nagisa and my unborn child. I did the cooking, the cleaning, the laundry, while Nagisa lay there, burning up. My thoughts constantly wandered. Every hacking cough tore up my nerves. As the winter months approached, Nagisa's health gradually returned. I took up my former post at Saito Electric, no longer having to care for an ailing Nagisa.

I decided to have an early Christmas bash/birthday party for Nagisa on the 16th, as her birthday occurred on December 24th, and people would be busy. I gave Sunohara a call.

"Wassup?" came from the other end.

"Sunohara," I said. 3...2...1...

"Who is this?" he said. I smirked. Just like I thought. He didn't remember. Time for the punishment.

"It's your boss. We've decided to let you go, as your driving skills are to horrible, Godzilla would not dare step in the roads!" I covered the mouthpiece and howled in laughter as Sunohara begged and cried for forgiveness. Then, it was silent.

"Sunohara?" I asked.

"What?"

"It's me, Okazaki."

"Oka-Okazaki? Why would you do that?"

"Because, I find it to be quite the riot."

"Ha ha! It was so funny, I split my pants laughing!" Sunohaha said sarcastically.

"Whatever. We're having a Christmas get together at my apartment on the 16th. Think you can make it?" I said.

"I-I don't know. I'll see what I can do," Sunohara replied.

"Great. See you then." I put the phone on the hook, and sighed. Sunohara. One of the world's biggest idiots. But, the world would be boring without him. I chuckled slightly.

It had been almost a year since he moved to Tokyo. Had he really forgotten me in such a short time? I wondered how everyone was doing. I ran into Kyou and Ryou at times, but not a lot. What about Kotomi? And Tomoyo? I wondered how Yukine was doing. I dialed Kyou's number and told her about the bash. She said she'd tell Ryou about it, and that she'd be there. I thanked her and called Tomoyo next. She said to count on her being there. I was about to call Kotomi, and remembered that she transferred overseas to continue her parents' research on alternate realities. I sighed and placed the phone on the hook. Phew. Now, if I could just get off work...

"Sure!" Yoshino said, after I laid the question on him. I stared, grateful and confused at the same time. He noticed.

"We don't have work that day, anyway!" he said, probably cheerful. I could never tell, with his emotionless face.

"Uh...thanks," I said, unbuckling. We had reached the company's office.

"Don't mention it," Yoshino said. "Later."

I waved and sauntered home.

Before I knew it, the 16th had arrived. It was a freezing day, yet there was no snow. I rushed home, eager to get away from the bite of the cold air. I fumbled with the key, trying to get it into the hole. I was just about to when Nagisa opened the door. I rushed in, giving her a kiss.

"God, it's freezing!" I exclaimed. Nagisa giggled and wrapped her arms around my neck. I pulled her closer.

"How's Ushio?" I crooned.

"I felt a kick today!" she said cheerfully.

I put my hands on her belly, and she covered them with hers.

"Ushio's been moving a lot, lately," she said. There was a slight edge to her voice. "Do you think?..."

She trailed off. I knew what she was thinking. I didn't like it.

"Don't think about that. We have guests coming this afternoon."

Nagisa's eyes lit up.

"Then we'd better prepare!" she said, breaking free of my hug. I watched as she bustled around, cleaning, cooking, and cleaning again. A smile tugged at my mouth as I helped. Several hours later, our apartment finally looked presentable. And just in time, too. The doorbell rang. Nagisa followed me to the door. I opened it to find Sunohara, hair dyed black.

"Who the hell are you?" I said, knowing full well that drove him insane. He flared, playing directly into my hands. I somehow managed to keep a straight face.

"Okazaki! That wasn't funny the first time, it isn't funny now!"

I smirked. "I beg to differ."

He then noticed Nagisa's stomach, and a grin broke out.

"Oooh! Nagisa, you're big!" he said. I scowled and Nagisa grinned, rubbing her belly.

"Yeah! I am!"

He tried to poke, not noticing Tomoyo and Kyou behind him, followed by Ryou and Kotomi. Wait.

I did a double-take. Kotomi! She was supposed to be in America! Tomoyo smacked Sunohara in the head when he tried to poke Nagisa's stomach.

"Show some self control for once!" she growled. Nagisa giggled again. Tomoyo looked at her.

"Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!" she said. She looked at Nagisa's swelling belly.

"Wow, Nagisa! You are getting big!"

She held out her hand.

"Mind if I...?" she asked. I sighed. What a contradictory girl. Nagisa shook her head and Tomoyo placed her hand on Nagisa's womb. She gaped when the baby obviously kicked. Sunohara bounced.

"Me next! Me next!"

Kyou punched him.

"Would you shut up, already?"

I led everybody inside and locked the door.

"How are you guys doing?" Nagisa asked. Sunohara scowled.

"My job sucks, but it's all I can do right now."

Kyou gave a grin. "I'm pretty good, and Ryou here got promoted to head nurse!"

Ryou blushed when we congradulated her.

"I-It's nothing!" she insisted.

"What about you, Kotomi?" Tomoyo asked. "How are things in America?"

"Isn't that where California is?" Sunohara asked. I sighed deeply.

"Yes!" I said.

"Well, we're much closer to connecting with the parallel dimensions than before! but, we still have much more to do," Kotomi said proudly. She launched into this complicated explanation that I'm not even going to delve into. I held Nagisa close to me. She gazed at me and smiled. I smiled back. If only this moment could have lasted forever.

It didn't.

Nothing did.

Not even happiness.

Especially not mine.

Especially...not mine.

A/N: Loved? Hated? Liked? Tell me! Chapter 4 up soon enough!

R & R, please. Flames will be bottled up for a cold, rainy day.

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