Sorry guys! Long time no see! What's with the new font?

Chapter 29: Yoga for Two

"These DVDs are amazing," Sakura promised. "I hate exercising but the yoga one was really nice. You can probably try the other ones too. You'll like the Pilates one."

"Gee, thanks," Misaki said, studying the DVD cover. "I can't wait to start."

She was actually looking for new ways to exercise. Takumi and her would sometimes take walks in the evening but Misaki wanted something a bit more active. Sakura invited Misaki over for breakfast, promising a solution. Sure enough, the DVDs were a perfect idea.

"You should ask Takumi to join," Sakura hinted. "It's great bonding. Kuuga was a good sport about doing it with me!"

Misaki laughed. "Takumi would never do yoga."

"I think he would of his adorable pregnant wife asked him to," Sakura giggled.

Misaki smiled. Couldn't hurt to ask right?

"Oh yeah," Sakura said, getting up from her kitchen table. "Ruri told me about the great reveal of Mira's crush."

Misaki sighed. "Did she…?"

Sakura giggled. "Its so cute… she also wanted me to tell you this…" Sakura said, scrolling through her phone. "Tell Misaki to come up with some helpful advice for relationships. ASAP."

"Why me?!"

"Uhh because you see Mira on a daily basis?" Sakura suggested.

"But I don't know about relationships!"

"Ask your husband then. Doesn't he know like everything?" Sakura teased.

"I don't want to ask him! He'll just laugh at me!"

"He's a sweetheart. When has he not helped you?"

"I guess…"

Saturday morning was going well. Misaki got home from Sakura's and Takumi had just gotten back from the gym. He was even still in his workout clothes.

"Hey sweetheart," he said, dropping his bag on the floor. "What's that?" he asked, pointing to Misaki's hand.

Misaki blushed, starting to regret it. "Nothing," she said, putting it behind her back.

"Why can't I see?" Takumi asked, amused.

"If you look, you have to promise to do it," Misaki said.

"Okay," Takumi said, holding out his hand.

Misaki handed him the DVDs.

"Pregnancy yoga..." Takumi read, raising his eyebrow.

Misaki laughed. "I thought I'd take some time and start exercising again."

"You don't have to exercise," Takumi said. "You look fine."

"But its good for your health," Misaki argued.

Takumi hugged Misaki. "This isn't about the weight gain is it?" he asked.

"No!" Misaki said. "You're just trying to get out of this!"

Takumi chuckled. "Yoga it is then..." he sighed, popping in the DVD.

It was simple. On the screen was an instructor who did the moves but there would be a box in the corner that showed a modified version of each move, however, Misaki didn't need it. It was pretty relaxing and was easing her into physical activity again. Yoga wasn't exactly a extraneous workout…

The instructor took a deep breath and Misaki copied. Her lungs slowly expanded and then the air was let out through her nose. Misaki stretched her arms up and rolled her shoulders back. The next position was a little harder. Misaki stood with her feet apart and leaned toward the right, grabbing her ankle and holding it there.

Takumi fell over on the floor which distracted Misaki from her concentrated breathing.

"What are you doing?" she demanded.

"Sorry, not that flexible," Takumi said.

"That is such a lie," Misaki said, returning to doing the moves. "You're probably more flexible than I am."

"No way," Takumi said, sitting cross legged on the carpet. "You are definitely more flexible."

Misaki sighed and popped in the next DVD. This DVD was to Misaki's liking. She did lots of squats, lunges, and jogging in place. Lying on her yoga mat, Misaki did leg circles, leg lifts, plank... It felt good.

"This might not be good for the baby," Takumi worried, watching Misaki jog in place.

"It's fine," Misaki said, breathing hard. "I'm not sprinting. It's a fast jog."

"Okay, don't over do it," Takumi said, furrowing his brow.

Misaki did another set of squats as Takumi got her a glass of water.

"My thighs burn," Misaki said, sinking down into her final squat.

Takumi helped Misaki sit down on to couch and watched her chug the glass of water.

"That felt good," Misaki concluded.

Takumi rubbed her calves. "Don't do too much at once," he said.

"I won't," Misaki promised, wiping her face with a towel. "That workout was nothing. What did you do at the gym?" she asked, changing the topic.

Takumi ran his hand through his hair. "Weights, swimming, and just some random things. Got to stay in shape because I'll be carrying a huge diaper bag anywhere we go."

Misaki laughed. "Glad you're planning ahead..." she said.

"Mhmm..." Takumi said. "Want some more water? I want a glass."

"Sure," Misaki said, getting up and following him to the kitchen.

Takumi set the cups on the counter and filled them up. Misaki walked over to take the cup but hit her elbow on the back of the chair.

"Ow!" she exclaimed.

All blood drained from Takumi's face.

"Did you hit your stomach?!" he demanded, not even caring that he just spilt water all over his shirt. "What hurts?!"

"I just hit my elbow on the chair," Misaki quickly explained. "Funny bone..."

"Are you sure?" Takumi asked, looking her over.

Misaki thought it was really cute how he gently ran his hand over her stomach and then rubbed her elbow. His eyes were watching her to make sure nothing hurt.

"Please be careful," Takumi said, pushing the chair in. "You scared me there."

Misaki took a kitchen towel and wiped at Takumi's shirt.

"Sorry," she said. "Your shirt's all wet now."

"It's just water," Takumi said, stepping back and pulling it over his head.

Misaki gently rubbed her belly. Her eyes glanced up at Takumi.

"What?" he asked, mopping up the water on the counter.

"I didn't say anything," Misaki said.

"You looked at me,"

"I can't look at you?"

"But you have your doe eyes out- the ones I can't resist. What's up?" Takumi asked, grinning.

Misaki sat on the stool by the counter. "I need some advice," she said, biting her lower lip.

"Okay," Takumi said, tossing the rag into the sink. He leaned on his elbow so he was staring right into Misaki's eyes.

"Don't stand so close," Misaki exclaimed, blushing. "I can't talk right when you're that close."

Takumi straightened up and raised an eyebrow. "Please continue. I didn't mean to distract you with my handsome looks..."

"Shut up, you perverted alien!" Misaki exclaimed, getting up. "I don't want to ask your advice anymore," she said, storming out of the kitchen.

"Wait wait," Takumi said, grabbing her wrist. "Don't get mad. Tell me. I'll give the best advice I possibly can," he promised.

Misaki crossed her arms. Takumi chuckled and pulled her in for a hug.

"Tell me," he whispered in her ear.

Misaki traced the contours of his biceps.

"I need your advice about... relationships..." Misaki squeaked out.

"Relationships? Like guy girl relationships...?" Takumi asked, studying Misaki's face. This was confusing him a little.

Misaki turned beet red. "Yeah..."

"Why would you need advice for that, my love?" Takumi asked, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear.

"Let's go to the living room," Misaki suggested.

Takumi sat down on the couch and held his arms out. Misaki snuggled up against him.

"You probably already heard from Ruri," Misaki said. "That assignment from Walker Corps..."

"Oh," Takumi said, understanding. "What about it?"

"You're targeting Julian and Mira right?" Misaki asked.

"Was I...?" Takumi asked, poker faced.

Misaki frowned. "Takumi Walker, you know full well what you did," she accused.

Takumi looked smug. "About time that brat left you alone-"

"He doesn't like Mira though- well not in that sense," Misaki cut in.

Takumi rolled his eyes.

"So..." Misaki continued. "Mira really likes him and Ruri wants to get them together but you see Mira is always asking for my advice and I usually just blush and mumble something completely unhelpful!" Misaki said in one breath.

Takumi cupped her cheek. "You're really cute when you're flustered," he noted. "Your innocence is really sexy."

"That doesn't even make sense..." Misaki muttered burying her face into the cushion. "Relationships don't make sense."

"Considering you are a married woman..." Takumi said, stroking her leg. "You should know a thing or two."

"B-but I'm not like Ruri or Sakura. When it comes to lovey dovey stuff, I'm just awkward and always do the wrong thing and-"

"Shh..." Takumi soothed. "You're so adorable. I just want to hold you in my arms forever and never let you go. I don't care what you think, I think you're perfect."

Misaki blushed. "H-how do I make you feel that way...?" she asked.

"By being you."

"But that's not helpful..." Misaki complained.

Takumi smiled. "I feel like if a man can't love you when you're yourself, I don't think he's right for you and vice versa. You shouldn't have to change yourself for love because that's not love."

"You're deep," Misaki said, interlacing her fingers with his. "But how about some helpful tips that I can actually give Mira?"

Takumi chuckled and pressed his lips to her ear.

"It drives me wild when you show that vulnerable face..." he whispered.

"Eh?!" Misaki exclaimed, pulling away.

"That one," Takumi said, kissing her.

In the end, Misaki wasn't sure how much helpful advice she got. She just really hoped Mira could find love too. It just seemed so sad not to have someone you loved around.

Misaki hugged Takumi tightly even though he was asleep. She was torn between waking him up so he would talk to her and letting him sleep.

Her phone buzzed...loudly. Misaki rolled over and grabbed her phone off the nightstand.

"Hello?" Misaki whispered, glancing down at Takumi who was asleep.

"Hey Misa!" Ruri said, cheerfully. "So Sakura and I were thinking of having a get together tomorrow. Are you busy?"

"Um… sure," Misaki said, quietly.

"Why are you whispering?" Sakura asked.

Misaki slid out of bed and grabbed her robe.

"Takumi is sleeping," Misaki told them when she was out in the hall.

"In the late afternoon?" Ruri asked. "Is he sick?"

"Uh no," Misaki said. "He...was...tired."

"From?"

Pause.

"Oh," Ruri and Sakura said at the same time.

"You're not exhausted?" Ruri asked. "Wow… was it a let down?"

"What? No!" Misaki exclaimed. "I was just...thinking…"

"The baby?" Sakura asked.

"Just about life…" Misaki sighed. "I feel like my hormones are just trying to get the last punch out of me before they disappear during the second trimester," Misaki said, dryly.

"It's happens," Sakura soothed.

"Y-yeah..." Misaki's voice choked up a little. "Hey can I call you back?"

Before her friends could answer, Misaki hung up. She squeezed her eyes tightly together trying to stop the flow of tears.

"No no no," Misaki ordered herself. "Stop this crying nonsense!"

Somehow that just made Misaki cry harder.

"You know..." came a voice.

Misaki jerked up, wiping her eyes. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. Takumi leaned against the door frame, hair messy and soft eyes. The corners of his mouth twitched in a smile.

"What's my princess doing crying alone in the hallway?" he asked.

Misaki used the back of her hand to wipe her face. "I wasn't crying..." she muttered.

"I see..." Takumi said. "Come here," he said, holding out his hand.

"I'm not your dog," Misaki mumbled.

"Of course not," Takumi said. "Would my lovely wife please come forward a few steps."

Misaki took a hesitant step forward, avoiding eye contact. Takumi chuckled and pulled her in for a hug.

"Tell me what your feeling," he whispered into her ear.

"Nothing..." Misaki said, pressing her cheek to his chest.

Takumi gently lifted Misaki into his arms and carried her back to their bed. Misaki just laid there in his arms as Takumi hummed. His fingers gently stroked her hair in a rhythmic pattern which was very soothing.

"You're always so calm," Misaki observed.

"Mhm..."

"Are you worried about the baby? What if I'm not a good mom? Are you scared?"

"Very,"

"The baby will like me right?"

Takumi cracked a smile. "Mhm,"

"What if she likes you better than me?"

Takumi laughed and kissed her forehead. "She didn't spend 9 months inside of me," Takumi reminded her. "Don't worry about it, baby," he said, stroking her lips with his thumb. "We'll live happily ever after."

"That's so unrealistic..."

"Then let this dream continue then," Takumi said. "My princess."

Misaki blushed. "I love you..."

"I so love thee too, fair maiden!"

"Shut it, Takumi..."