Was it about time?

Chapter 22: Double Trouble

"I don't really feel like going," Misaki grumbled, pulling the blanket over her head.

Takumi was sitting by the bedside, having just woken Misaki up from her nap.

"Sakura will kill you if you miss Kuuga's birthday," Takumi teased. "You're sure into naps this month," he observed. "Is work tiring?"

"The amount is the same but I just feel sapped of energy most days," Misaki explained.

"Are you sick?" Takumi asked, feeling her forehead.

"No..." Misaki mumbled. "Maybe I'm just too tired," Misaki admitted. "I've just felt very agitated this past month."

"You have been a little grumpy," Takumi agreed. "Maybe a night out is what you need."

Misaki dragged herself out of bed and took a quick shower and blew dried her hair.

"Where are we going?" Misaki called from her closet.

Her hands flipped through the racks of clothes. Misaki never knew what to wear.

"That Italian restaurant," Takumi said, walking into her closet as he fixed his tie. "Kuuga loves Italian."

Misaki nodded. "Who else is going?" she asked.

"Um..." Takumi said. "The band members, some company friends."

Misaki pulled out her hand beaded italian dress.

"To fit the occasion," Misaki said, holding it up to herself. It was a short deep violet dress with one long sleeve. The neckline and sleeve had delicate beading. Misaki paired it with a pair of strappy silver heels and straightened her hair.

"You look beautiful," Takumi said, wrapping a soft jacket around her shoulders.

Misaki dabbed extra foundation under her eyes. Despite getting a lot of sleep, she was still tired.

"Have you lost weight?" Takumi asked, stroking her collar bone. "You look rather thin."

Misaki pulled the jacket around herself. "Hey, I eat everything you make," she reminded him.

Takumi nodded. "You're right," he agreed. "That dress is very slimming then."

"Shut up, Takumi,"

"MISAKIIII!" Sakura sang when they got to the restaurant.

"Hi!" Misaki said, hugging her giggly friend.

"Happy Birthday, Kuuga," Takumi said.

"Yeah, happy birthday!" Misaki added.

"Thanks," Kuuga said. "Misaki, Takumi, you remember my band," he said, gesturing to his friends.

Misaki shook their hands and made small talk.

"That dress looks stunning," Sakura stated, looking Misaki over.

"Your's looks great too," Misaki said admiring Sakura's gauzy pink dress with cute frills.

"Ruri!" Sakura called.

"Hello everyone!" Ruri yelled back. "Happy birthday Kuuga!"

"Thank you," Kuuga said nodding.

"I think everyone's here," Sakura said, looking around. "Let's go to the room now."

The hostess came back. "Are you ready Mrs. Sakurai?"

Sakura nodded. "Lead the way."

They always booked party rooms because it gave them more privacy and Kuuga didn't have to worry about the press so much. The hostess pushed past the fogged glass door and showed to to a large circular table.

"How may I start you off with drinks?" the hostess asked.

Misaki decided to go with some grape juice. Her stomach felt a little queasy and alcohol was going to be a bad idea.

"I haven't had Italian food in so long," Takumi said, opening up his menu.

"Do you even like Italian?" Misaki whispered.

"Only if you do,"

Misaki rolled her eyes and studied her menu. Her finally decision was to start with a Caesar salad, then have a main course of seafood Alfredo pasta with breadsticks.

"How is it?" Takumi asked when Misaki took her first bite of her entree.

"Very creamy," Misaki said. Maybe going out to eat was what she just needed. Italian food tasted amazing and Misaki felt better already.

"Everyone," Sakura said, standing up. "I'd like to thank everyone for coming to my husband's birthday... He's getting so old-"

"Hey," Kuuga said, playfully elbowing her.

Sakura giggled. "Its been a great three year marriage," she stated. "I hope we will make it to 30 and even longer!"

"Cheers," everyone said, clinking glasses.

For once, Misaki liked toasting because she got to drink grape juice!

After the meal was finished and cleared, a few waiters and the cook wheeled out a huge birthday cake with lots of candles on it.

"Happy birthday to you!" everyone sang. "Happy birthday dear Kuuga! Happy birthday to you!"

Takumi took pictures as Kuuga and Sakura cut the cake and fed each other a bite first and then passed the delicate china dishes around for everyone.

It was red velvet cake with thick cream cheese frosting. Misaki's mouth was watering as she chewed on the moist cake.

"Pictures!" Ruri announced, pulling Misaki over.

Takumi, Kuuga and Tora looks pictures of the girls standing together with cake in hand. Sakura took a bunch of photos with Kuuga and then Kuuga took photos with his band. The waiter came back and took a group photo.

"I'm stuffed," Misaki said, scraping the last of her second slice of cake.

"Me too," Takumi said, rubbing his stomach.

Misaki yawned, feeling sleepy again.

"After party?" Sakura suggested.

"YEAH!" everyone agreed.

"You're coming, right Misaki?" Sakura asked, giving her a pleading look.

Misaki bit back another yawn. "Yeah," she agreed.

They drove from the restaurant to Sakura and Kuuga's place for snacks and just to hang out.

"This is the 4th time you've yawned," Takumi noted, poking her in the arm.

"Is it?" Misaki asked, covering her mouth.

"We can go home if you're tired," Takumi reminded her.

Misaki shook her head. "It's Kuuga's birthday. It only happens once a year."

Takumi wrapped an arm around her shoulder and patted her arm. "Okay," he said. "You tell me when you're calling it a night."

"Misaki! Takumi!" Ruri called, waving her hand for them to come over.

Misaki squeezed Takumi's hand and they walked over.

"Kuuga's going to open presents!" Ruri whispered.

Kuuga got a new watch from Sakura, Cuff links from Tora, cologne from Ruri, and the band pitched in to get Kuuga a new piano which was dramatically revealed in the living room.

Misaki got Kuuga a leather scrapbook but she had no idea what Takumi got him. Kuuga unwrapped Takumi's present and laughed.

"I was thinking of getting myself one too," he said, nodding.

"What is it?" Misaki asked.

Kuuga tossed the small pack to her.

"Bedroom massage gam- TAKUMI?!" Misaki demanded. "What kind of indecent gift is this?!"

Takumi laughed. "Kuuga got me the same for our one year anniversary... Remember?"

Misaki flushed red. "Is this it?"

"Of course not," Takumi said. "I still have our copy..." he said, deviously.

Sakura took the pack. "Is it fun?" she asked Misaki.

"How would I know?!"

"Ehh? You have haven't played it yet?"

"No!" Misaki exclaimed, blushing.

"Don't worry, my love," Takumi said, winking. "One of these days, we'll play."

"Shut up!" Misaki exclaimed.

Her friends laughed and Misaki elbowed Takumi.

Misaki and Takumi got home around 2 am. Misaki fell asleep before the car even pulled out of the driveway. Takumi covered her up with his jacket and drove home. He got out and carefully unbuckled Misaki from her seat and carried her inside.

"Strange..." Takumi said, gently laying her down on the bed.

Misaki did feel lighter. He felt her forehead again. She didn't look sick... Takumi made a note himself to get her a doctor's appointment ASAP.

Misaki slept a long time, late into Saturday morning. Takumi had already gotten up and Misaki only got up because she felt hungry.

Misaki noticed she was wearing yoga pants and a T shirt. Her dress was neatly hung on a hanger and after looking in the mirror, she saw that Takumi did a pretty good job of cleaning the makeup off her face.

Misaki brushed her teeth and went downstairs.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Takumi said, looking up from his tablet.

"Hey," Misaki said, sitting down across from on at the counter.

Takumi got up to get her breakfast. Misaki picked up his mug to get a sip of his coffee.

The coffee smelled rancid to her. Misaki dropped the mug and ran to the bathroom with her hand over her mouth. Misaki clung to the seat of the toilet and violently threw up.

There was a knock on the door.

"Misaki?" Takumi called. "Are you okay?!"

Misaki couldn't even reply. Her throat felt raw as she heaved again.

"Can I come in?" Takumi called.

"I'm fine..." Misaki said, flushing the toilet.

Takumi opened the door.

"Did you get sick?" he asked.

Misaki didn't reply and shakily rinsed her mouth out. Takumi, without a word, wet a towel and dabbed at her face.

"Your coffee smells really bad," Misaki finally said. "How can you drink that?!"

Takumi looked confused. "Well it is a new brand I was trying... I didn't think it was that bad..."

Misaki shook her head. "Smelled horrible."

Takumi went to the kitchen and Misaki heard the coffee get poured down the drain.

"Drink some water," Takumi said, setting a glass on the counter.

Misaki walked back into the kitchen and got a whiff of eggs which made the nausea come back. Misaki knew she couldn't make it to the bathroom and ran straight to the sink. Takumi stood behind her and kept her hair out of her face. His other hand rubbed her back in circular motions.

"You didn't have any alcohol did you?" Takumi asked when Misaki finished.

Misaki shook her head and then rinsed out her mouth again.

"Not a drop," she promised.

"You usually throw up like this with a major hangover," Takumi said, fanning her with a magazine.

"It feels worse," Misaki said, wiping the sweat off her forehead.

Takumi had shoved everything in the fridge and threw open all the windows.

"Deep breaths," Takumi coaxed.

Misaki nodded and felt better after a few minutes of deep breathing. "I'm going to go brush my teeth," she said, getting up shakily.

Misaki slowly brushed her teeth and rinsed her mouth out. She twisted around to take the towel from Takumi but another wave of nausea hit her.

"You need a doctor," Takumi said, holding her upright so Misaki didn't fall head first into the toilet.

Misaki had never felt this sick before. This was even worse than her bachelorette party hangover.

"There isn't even anything left in your system," Takumi noted as Misaki dry heaved now.

Takumi carried Misaki back to bed and got her a basin and a glass of water. Misaki changed into a pair of shorts and a clean t shirt. Her throat hurt from throwing up and her head just hurt in general.

"How are you feeling?" Takumi asked, rubbing her feet.

"Horrible," Misaki said, hoarsely.

"When you can, see if you can drink some water," Takumi urged.

Misaki nodded and Takumi went to look through their medicine cabinet. Misaki took some pills but it did little make her feel better. Her phone vibrated but Misaki didn't feel like talking to anyone.

"It's Sakura," Takumi said, looking at the screen.

"Can you answer it for me?" Misaki moaned from her pillow.

"Hello?" Takumi said.

There was a pause.

"Misaki isn't feeling well right now-"

Another pause.

"She doesn't want to come to the phone-"

Misaki could hear yelling over the phone. Takumi winced and held the phone away from his ear.

"It's an emergency," he said, rolling his eyes and handing the phone to Misaki.

Misaki sighed and took it from him.

"Hello...?"

"MISAKI!" Sakura shrieked. "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh, so you know how I had that annual checkup today? Right? Right?"

"Yes...?"

"Guess what the doctor told me?! GUESS!"

"Uh..." Misaki said. "You're perfectly healthy?"

"No! I'M PREGNANT! I'M THREE WEEKS IN!" Sakura screamed.

"WHAT?!" Misaki exclaimed, jerking up in bed.

That move was a bad idea. Misaki dropped the phone and grabbed the basin. Takumi was immediately by her side. Takumi's phone buzzed but Takumi let it buzz until Misaki finished.

"Hello?" he said.

"So did you hear?" Kuuga asked. "I'm going to be a dad."

"What?!"

"Didn't Sakura just call?" Kuuga asked.

"Yeah but she called Misaki. Congrats, Kuuga," Takumi said. "Look, Misaki is really sick right now so I really need to take care of her but I'm really happy for you."

"Sick...? I just saw her yesterday."

"I know," Takumi said, pouring another glass of water for Misaki. "But she's been throwing up all morning and I'm really worried."

"Yikes," Kuuga said. "Give me some tips for dealing with that. Sakura's going to be dealing with morning sickness in a month-"

Takumi paused. "Morning sickness...?"

"Yeah," Kuuga said. "Pregnant women spend their first trimester over the toilet. The doctor said it more professionally though-"

"I'll call you back," Takumi said, hanging up.

"Misaki!" he called, running upstairs. "I'm going to run to the store. Give me 10 minutes," he said, setting the glass on the nightstand.

Misaki nodded wondering why Takumi was running around so fast. Takumi grabbed his wallet and ran out of the house. He came back with a huge bag and rushed back upstairs.

"What's wrong?" Misaki asked.

Takumi set the bag down on the bed and collapsed into a chair. Misaki curiously opened the bag and pulled out a little box.

"Oh no..." she whispered. "Takumi, that's not funny..." she warned, reading the pregnancy test.

"Kuuga mentioned morning sickness," Takumi said.

"That's not possible!" Misaki exclaimed.

"Why? Did you have your period?"

"Well... No..." Misaki said.

"Then why?"

"I don't know!" Misaki exclaimed. "It just seems so..."

"Take the test," Takumi told her. He pulled out several more boxes. "Here, I got every brand at the store."

Misaki shakily got up and walked to the bathroom.

The test was fairly simple. Misaki set the plastic stick on the bathroom counter and waited as Takumi set a stopwatch on his phone. Takumi was sitting on the tub platform, looking at the stick like it was a bomb about to go off.

"Ping"

Misaki looked at the stick just lying there on the counter. She slowly reached out and picked it up. She looked over at Takumi who nodded at her. Misaki flipped the stick over.

A positive sign... She was pregnant.

"Oh my gosh..." she breathed. "It's positive..."

Takumi grabbed the stick from her.

"Hey, don't touch that!" Misaki exclaimed. "I peed on that!"

"You're pregnant," Takumi said, eyes wide open. "You're pregnant...with our baby?!"

Misaki blushed. "Yes..." she said, softly.

Takumi threw his arms around her. "I'm going to be a dad! We're going to have a baby!" Takumi laughed. "And Kuuga thought he was the lucky one- I need to call a Doctor!" Takumi exclaimed, patting around his self for his phone.

"It's Saturday-"

Misaki realized nothing was going to stop Takumi. He called the best hospital in the city and somehow got her an appointment for the afternoon.

"We're going to be parents!" Takumi said...again.

Misaki giggled. "You're so weird," she said, hugging him.

Takumi picked her up and spun her around.

"I love you so much," he said.

"I love you too," Misaki said, placing a hand over her stomach.

Takumi placed his hands over her's. "I love this baby so much already too..."

Misaki called Ruri and Sakura and they were screaming. They even waited in the waiting room for Misaki to get her check up.

"So?!" Sakura demanded when Misaki and Takumi walked out.

"I'm two months," Misaki said, blushing.

"OH MY GOSH!" Sakura squealed.

"How come no one told me we were all having babies," Ruri said, crossing her arms. "Both you and Sakura are pregnant and I'm not."

"Sorry Ruri," Misaki said. "I had no idea..."

"Oh my gosh!" Sakura said. "Ruri, start trying and our kids can all be in the same grade!"

"Oh dear..." Tora grumbled. "Not this…"

Kuuga snickered and lightly punched him in the arm. "You'll be having fun today," he joked.

"And then being called incompetent when it doesn't happen," Tora sighed.

Takumi chuckled. "Do your best!" he teased. "Come on, darling," he said to Misaki.

"I'll call you when I get home," Misaki promised her friends.

Takumi was in a really good mood unlike Misaki. She soon found out morning sickness could last all day. Takumi would make her something and she'd eat it only to throw it up within an hour.

"I really don't want to eat anymore," Misaki said, pushing the plain pancakes away. "It's not going to stay down."

"Come on, honey," Takumi said. "You've only kept down orange juice and saltine crackers so far. You're eating for two now," he reminded Misaki. "That's barely enough for one."

Misaki took a bite of the flavorless pancakes and chewed on them. Takumi cut up some apples for her to crunch on as she laid down on the couch.

"Do you need anything?" Takumi asked. "Water? Blanket? Foot rub?"

Misaki smiled. "No thank you," she said. She reached out and touched Takumi's forehead which was furrowed.

"You're going to be stressing the whole 9 months aren't you?" she asked.

Takumi chuckled. "I'm going to be stressing for the next 18 years," he corrected her.

"Misaki laughed. "You're a strange one," she observed.