A/N Yes, I know it's been like…500 years since I updated. A lot has happened recently and I just wasn't in the mood to write, but I'm back, and I hope this chapter makes up for my absence, even a little bit.
A few months had gone by since Rei and Jadeite had decided to take on their newest adventure. Everything was going smoothly, and Rei was nearing the halfway point of the pregnancy, where the two of them would soon be faced with their latest battle.
"I know you know the baby's gender…tell me!"
"For the millionth time, I don't know, and if I did, I would tell you!" Rei grumbled and struggled to get up from the couch, resisting the urge to smack him with one of the decorative pillows. To her chagrin, Jadeite was on his feet seconds later, following her like a lost puppy.
"You're psychic! How can you not know?"
"I…never mind. Let's just get to the hospital and get this appointment over with, okay?" Before Jadeite could argue further with her, Rei was out the door, slowly making her way down the stairs. Jadeite followed her and gently draped his arm around her to steady her.
"Be careful. I don't want you falling." Rei smiled softly and leaned on him, instantly feeling her tension melt away.
"I'm sorry…I guess I've just been stressed about everything that's been going on lately."
"I know, love. Everything is going to be okay. No matter what happens, I'll be by your side. It doesn't even matter that this baby…" Rei stopped to look at him, frowning slightly.
"What were you going to say, Jadeite?" Jadeite swallowed hard and looked away from her, and she instantly knew.
"I…uh…"
"You were going to say the baby isn't yours…weren't you?" The way she looked at him in that moment made him feel extremely relieved that she couldn't set him on fire then, because he knew she would if she were able.
"I didn't mean it like that, Rei."
"I don't know what else you could have meant. I'm fully aware that this baby isn't yours, but I'd rather have you raise her than that idiot Kumori!" She kept her eyes fixed on Jadeite, trying not to let the softened expression on his face break her. "Why the hell are you looking at me like that?!"
"You do know…you said her." Rei's face instantly flushed and she gazed up at him, smiling a little.
"I wanted it to be a surprise…I'm sorry for being so difficult." Jadeite smiled and pulled her close, kissing her forehead.
"If our little girl is even half as stubborn as you, I'm in trouble." The two of them chuckled softly, jumping when they felt the baby kick.
"I'll take that as a yes" Rei said with a giggle as she rubbed her belly. "She might even be worse…"
"Now that's a scary thought" Jadeite teased, ducking as Rei reached out to smack him.
"Just wait until we have our own…then we'll really be in trouble." The two of them continued laughing and joking as they walked to the hospital, completely making Rei forget how nervous she was. After getting signed in and filling out the paperwork, Jadeite reached for Rei's hand and squeezed it comfortingly, refusing to let go until the appointment was over. After receiving good news that the baby was perfectly healthy, Rei and Jadeite left the hospital, deciding to stop for a pizza before they went home.
After sitting at their table in silence for some time, Jadeite looked up from his plate, furrowing his brow in concern.
"You're not eating…are you feeling okay?" Rei nodded in response, picking at the slice of pizza on her plate.
"I'm okay, I'm just a little hot, that's all."
"Only a little?" Jadeite asked with a smirk. Rei shook her head and tossed a slice of pepperoni at him.
"Oh, you…" She chuckled softly and took a sip of water, yelping in surprise when she was hit in the nose by a chunk of pineapple. Jadeite snickered and raised an eyebrow at her.
"Is something wrong, love?" Rei wrinkled her nose and threw a garlic knot at him, making sure no one was looking first. The two of them giggled, trying not to draw attention to themselves, and finished eating. Jadeite helped her up and walked out of the restaurant after paying, shaking his head when he saw Rei leaving another tip on the table.
"I figured they deserved a little something extra for putting up with you…" She leaned in to kiss his cheek and squealed when he tickled her side.
"Well…if they get a bigger tip for putting up with me, what do I get for putting up with you?"
"I can't tell you. We're in public…" She smirked playfully and kissed his cheek again.
"Fair enough" Jadeite said with a chuckle. "What would my beautiful ladies like to do now?" He smiled softly and placed his hand on Rei's belly, hoping to feel the baby move again and smiling widely when he felt her kick. Rei put her hand over his and smiled, stifling a yawn.
"A nap sounds nice…then maybe we could go swimming later with everyone?"
"That sounds perfect to me" Jadeite said with a nod, pulling her close to him as they headed back to the apartment. After they arrived home, they walked in to find that everyone else was gone. Jadeite saw a note on the coffee table and picked it up, reading it. "Everyone is already at the pool. I guess they had the same idea. I'll give Mamoru a call and let him know we'll be there later. You go get some rest, and I'll join you shortly." Rei nodded and walked to the bedroom, stripping down to her undergarments before getting into the bed. A few minutes later, Jadeite walked into the bedroom and laid beside her, pulling her close and gasping when he touched her bare skin.
"Is something wrong?" Rei asked, giggling.
"No…not at all. I just wasn't expecting you to be…"
"I thought you might like that. I can change if you want." Jadeite shook his head and kissed her tenderly, letting his hands rest on her hips.
"No, not at all." He leaned in to kiss her again, pulling her closer and letting the kiss deepen. Rei giggled against his lips and pulled away, smirking slightly.
"It's going to be awfully hard to nap if you keep that up."
"I'm willing to take that chance" he whispered, pressing his lips to her neck. Rei let out a soft moan and closed her eyes, taking in the feel of his lips and hands on her skin.
"Be my guest" Rei murmured, sighing happily. Jadeite smiled at her response and kissed her again, letting his hands wander. Before he could go any further, Rei was curled up against him, sleeping peacefully, while their little princess wiggled happily inside her. He sighed and played with her hair, watching over her as she slept. Her phone started ringing in the other room so he broke away from her, getting up as quietly as he could so he wouldn't disturb her. He ran to the phone and answered it, completely unaware of what was in store for him in the next few minutes.
"Hello?"
"I saw you two today…I know about the baby. You have no right to be involved with either of them. If I were you, I'd stay away before something bad happens."
"Who the hell…oh, never mind. You don't scare me, Kumori. I'd die before I let you near Rei or that baby again" Jadeite snarled, trying to stay quiet.
"That can be arranged." Before Jadeite could say anything further, the line went dead. He stood in the living room, shaking with anger. After he calmed down enough to not worry Rei, he returned to the bedroom and laid back next to his beloved, holding her close. She stirred slightly and opened one eye, mumbling.
"Who was on the phone?"
"It was just a wrong number…nothing to worry about. Go back to sleep." Rei nodded slightly and laid her head on his chest, drifting off again. Jadeite watched her intensely, fearing he might lose her if he took his eyes off her for even a second.
"I'll do anything to keep you safe…I'm not going to screw that up again."
