Chapter 23: Food Battles

"My poor baby," Takumi consoled as Misaki threw up her second breakfast.

Misaki wiped the hot tears that streamed down her face and let Takumi help her off the bathroom floor.

"I feel miserable," Misaki complained. "This is going to be a long 9 months..."

"Well," Takumi said. "The morning sickness eases up after the first trimester."

"Since when are you an expert?" Misaki asked.

Takumi just smiled smugly.

Pretty much the next day, Takumi had installed a new bookshelf in his office. The shelf was completely dedicated to books for expecting parents. He poured over those books and took notes like his life depended on it. Misaki had read one book so far and couldn't read anymore... This was not going to be a fun 9 months for her.

Misaki put her hand on her still flat belly. Even if the 9 months were going to be horrible... She'd get her baby. Misaki smiled and gently patted her belly.

"Did you tell your mom yet?" Takumi asked.

"Oh... Right," Misaki said. "I'll call right now," she decided.

She pulled out her phone and dialed her mom on speakerphone.

"Hello?"

"Hey mom," Misaki said. "How are you?"

"I'm good. How have you been?" Minako replied.

"Everything's been good," Misaki told her mom. "Are you busy right now?"

"Not really," Minako said. "What's the matter?"

"Just wanted to ask a question," Misaki said, taking a deep breath. "Would you prefer a granddaughter or grandson?"

There was a pause and then a gasp.

"Are you expecting?!" Minako exclaimed.

"Yeah,"

"Oh Misaki, that's wonderful!" her mom exclaimed. "How far along are you?"

"Two months,"

"Oh wonderful!" Minako sighed. "That is simply wonderful. I can't wait to see you! When am I allowed to come up to the city?"

"Mom," Misaki complained. "You know you can visit anytime."

"So next week?"

"Uh...Sure," Misaki said.

"Oh, that is great! I can't wait to tell everyone! I'm going to be a grandmother!" Minako said, happily.

Misaki hung up and rolled her eyes. "Everyone's going to worry about me now aren't they?

"Mhm..." Takumi said.

"What are you thinking about?" Misaki asked.

"You're two months right?"

"Yeah?"

"Hmm... when was the last time we had intercourse...?" Takumi mused.

Misaki thought back to a few months ago. They'd only done it once these past months because Misaki had been working nonstop before and then went back to working. So it had to be...

Misaki blushed.

"You conceived our baby on the hallway floor...?" Takumi asked, raising an amused eyebrow.

"What?!" Misaki exclaimed. "I did not!"

"You had to have because that was our only intimacy these past months," Takumi pointed out.

Misaki blushed redder. "Well, its not my fault!" she said, crossing her arms. "You were the one that got me pregnant!"

Takumi chuckled. "Now we can't ever change the floorboards in that hallway. It's like sacred. It's our baby making-"

"Oh shut up you perverted alien!" Misaki said, storming out of the kitchen.

"Nope," Misaki said, grabbing the trash can and spitting out the mouthful of food.

"Really?" Takumi asked, surprised. "But you love cinnamon toast."

"Not anymore," Misaki said, pushing the plate away. "It just tastes wrong..."

"Okay," Takumi said, grabbing the slice of bread and taking a bite. "What do you want to eat?"

Misaki thought about it. "There is one thing I really want to have- I saw it in that movie we watched."

"I didn't pay attention to what they ate..."

Misaki sighed. "Can I have a tomato, cheese and mayo sandwich?"

Takumi had his poker face on. Pregnancy really did change a person. First of all, Misaki hated mayo. Second of all, she never really liked cheese either.

"Okay," Takumi said, rinsing some tomatoes under the tap. "What kind of bread do you want?"

"Wheat,"

Takumi quickly whipped up the sandwich and put it on a plate of Misaki. Misaki picked up the nicely cut sandwich and took a bite. It tasted like bliss.

"Mmm..." she said, taking another big bite. "Can I have another?" she asked, polishing it off in a few bites.

"Uh yeah, anything honey," Takumi said, making her a second sandwich.

"This is all organic," Misaki observed, reading the jars.

"Of course," Takumi said. "I'm trying to keep most of your diet organic. It will be better for the baby."

Misaki rummaged through the giant fruit bowl. "Yum," she said, crunching into an apple.

Misaki only worked part time now because her morning sickness was really bad. Misaki couldn't go anywhere without a basin near by. The doctor said that since it was her first pregnancy, it was normal. The constant throwing up would stop after her first trimester, however, Misaki felt anything but normal.

Takumi had to walk on glass around her. Misaki couldn't understand why even the smallest of things agitated her like when she found a spoon in the fork section of the drawer Misaki's mood blackened.

"You'll be fine?" Takumi asked.

Misaki nodded. "Take care," she said.

"You too, sweetheart," Takumi said, kissing her on the forehead. "Call me if you need anything! If anything doesn't feel right, call the doctor."

"Yes yes yes," Misaki said, shooing Takumi away.

Takumi left for work and Misaki hung around the kitchen eating fruit.

"Hey Sakura," she said, calling her friend.

"Hey," Sakura said. "How was your morning?"

"Lots of bathroom runs," Misaki said, rubbing her belly.

"Same..." Sakura sighed. "It feels awful. Kuuga tries to help but... You know..."

Misaki laughed. "Didn't Takumi lend him one of his books?"

"Yeah," Sakura said. "But Kuuga doesn't cook like Takumi. He's always getting our poor housekeeper to run to the store for me."

"Wait till month two," Misaki sighed. "That's when the real cravings start."

"What's the weirdest thing you've eaten?" Sakura asked.

"I had a tomato cheese mayo sandwich this morning."

"Nice..."

Misaki put her phone of speakers and rummaged around the kitchen for the blender.

"Say Sakura," Misaki said. "Are you going to work again?"

"Not right now," Sakura told her. "I feel way too sick to even think about going to work. I could be in a meeting then all of a sudden throw up everywhere. Are you still working?"

"Part time," Misaki said, dumping a carton of raspberries into the blender. "I get really bad morning sickness in the afternoon though."

"I hope Ruri gets pregnant soon," Sakura sighed. "Then we can all go maternity dress shopping, baby room designs-"

"Its still early," Misaki reminded her. "I'm not even showing yet."

"This is going to be such a great bonding experience," Sakura squealed. "Our kids can be best friends! I hope I have a girl but a boy would be nice too."

"Takumi really hopes its a girl," Misaki said.

"Kuuga wants a girl too..." Sakura agreed. "Daddy's princess..."

Misaki dumped in some blueberries, strawberries and Greek yogurt into the blender. When her smoothie was finished, she poured it into a glass and sipped it with a straw.

"So any plans for today?" Misaki asked.

"Nope," Sakura said. "Want to meet up with Ruri when she's finished with work?"

"She gets off early today, right?"

"Yup,"

The girls met at Rose Latte. Misaki had a green bubble tea and a sponge cake. Sakura caved in to chocolate chip pancakes and Ruri stuck with a fruit salad.

"Any news yet?" Sakura asked.

Ruri shook her head. "But soon," she promised.

"Well you don't have to rush-" Misaki tried to console.

"I want to have a baby now," Ruri sighed, picking at her fruit salad. "I think Tora has always wanted a kid but never said anything. I'm pretty sure I saw disappointment in his eyes when my test came out negative today."

"You're young and healthy," Sakura said. "It's bound to happen sooner or later especially since you're not using protection now."

Ruri nodded. "I had a Doctor's checkup too. She said I was definitely healthy."

"See!" Sakura said. "This will be great!"

"Do either of you know when you conceived?" Ruri asked.

Sakura nodded. "I've got it pretty narrowed down… I think it was the day of our 8th dating anniversary."

"8th dating anniversary…?" Misaki asked, confused.

"Like it had been officially 8 years since Kuuga asked me out," Sakura sighed. Her mind flitted back to that day.

"I'm home!" Kuuga said, taking his shoes off at the door.

"Dinner's almost ready," Sakura called.

She scattered a pinch of sesame seeds onto the chicken and another dash of salt into the soup.

"Mmmm..." Kuuga said. "Smells good. What's cooking, babe?"

Sakura smiled. "Help me carry it to the table," she said.

As Kuuga helped set out the dishes, Sakura rearranged the places mats.

"I made some sesame chicken, vegetable soup, white rice, and some stir fried broccoli," Sakura said, clapping her hands together.

"Wow..." Kuuga said, sitting down. "What's the occasion?"

Sakura sighed. "You don't remember?"

Kuuga frowned. "Hint?"

"It's an anniversary..." Sakura said, crossing her arms.

"Uhh..." Kuuga mumbled, thinking hard.

Sakura was really big on anniversaries. There was some anniversary for everything.

"It's on the tip of my tongue," Kuuga lied. "Help me out..."

"It's the 8th anniversary since you asked me to be your girlfriend!" Sakura reminded him.

"Of course!" Kuuga said, laughing. "I knew that."

What...? 8th anniversary? They were married now, why does it matter what date he asked her to be his girlfriend?! He knew wedding anniversary and even the engagement anniversary but dating was 8 years ago... Kuuga's memory was not that good.

"You forgot didn't you?" Sakura accused.

"No," Kuuga lied. "Which is why I got you this..."

Kuuga pulled out a small gray box. He had saw this in a window display and asked his driver to stop. Kuuga knew his wife would like this gift and bought it on sight.

Sakura's face lit up. "You actually remembered?!"

"Just open the gift, honey."

Sakura opened the small box.

"Oh Kuuga," she breathed. She took his hand. "I'm just glad to be with you..."

"Do you like them?"

Sakura carefully took out a white gold hoop earring.

"I've been looking for a nice pair of these for forever. I don't like gaudy hoops but these are perfect," Sakura declared.

She got up and walked over by Kuuga's seat. "I love you, Kuuga," she said.

Kuuga pulled her in for a hug. "I love you, too," he said, resting his head on her.

"I hope you never have to go on long tours again," Sakura sighed. "I miss you so much and it's so lonely-"

"Shh..." Kuuga said, standing up. "I'm staying right here with you. I don't have to tour again for a while. Why spoil our evening with such unhappy talk?"

"I don't know," Sakura said, letting out a long breath. "I just wish I had someone who could always stay with me while you're gone. Misaki and Ruri have their own families and I'm by myself..."

"Hmm..." Kuuga said, stroking her hair. "What about..." He leaned in really close and whispered in Sakura's ear. "...We start a family...?"

"What?" Sakura gasped. "Like...a baby?"

"Mhm..." Kuuga said. "You, me, our kids... You do want kids, right?"

"Of course," Sakura said. "I love kids."

"Why not start a family now? We're going to sooner or later. Besides there is a time limit on when we can have kids..." Kuuga teased.

"Oh, stop it, Kuuga," Sakura said. "I'm not even 30 yet!"

"So is that a yes?"

"It's not something you can force! Y-You have to...work on it!"

"Okay," Kuuga said, smirking. "Let's work on it right now..."

Kuuga bent over and kissed Sakura. Sakura smiled and threw her arms around Kuuga's neck.

"What about dinner?" Sakura asked as Kuuga swept her off her feet and carried her upstairs.

"That's why they invented microwaves..."

"Sakura? Hello? Sakura?"

"What?" Sakura asked, snapping out of her thoughts.

"I was talking to you. Were you even listening?" Ruri demanded.

"No...sorry," Sakura said, sheepishly. "I was thinking of Kuuga. I'm just so happy when I'm with him…"

"Of course…" Ruri said. "Now… Misaki…" she said, turning to Misaki who was sipping her tea. "When did you conceive?"

Misaki choked on a tapioca ball. "Two months ago…" she squeaked out.

Ruri smirked. "You know I want all the details. Where, what led up to it and how was it?"

"You didn't ask Sakura!" Misaki pointed out.

"Fine… Sakura share."

"Okay," Sakura said and promptly described her evening with Kuuga that day. "Misaki's turn," Sakura said, smiling.

Misaki bit her lower lip. "It was just like every other day…" she said, twirling her straw in the glass.

"You're lying," Ruri said. "You just don't want us to know something."

"I am not!"

"Don't blush then."

"I'm not!" Misaki said, covering her face.

"Come on… I promise to tell you every detail when I'm pregnant," Ruri pleaded.

"I don't want to know every detail…" Misaki muttered.

"Just tell us!"

"You already know!" Misaki exclaimed. "I just didn't know at the time…"

Ruri tapped her perfectly manicured nails on the table.

"OH!" she exclaimed, hitting her palm on the table. "You and Takumi's makeup session- ohh…" Ruri teased. "Was it on a table?"

"No…"

"Where then?"

"...The floor…"

Ruri and Sakura both screamed and Misaki tried to tell them to be quiet but they just kept giggling.

"Its not like it makes a difference!" Misaki muttered, crossing her arms.

"It doesn't," Sakura said. "It just seems very unlike you and Takumi."

"Can you show me which spot on the floor next time I come over?" Ruri asked, innocently.

"NO!"