Okay sorry for the draggy chaps. Yes the the kids are coming in a few chapters. Bear with me! I've been really busy.

Chapter 41: Closer each day

Beep beep beep!

Takumi quickly turned off the alarm, not wanting to wake up Misaki. Misaki stirred and held onto Takumi tighter. Takumi chuckled.

"As much as I'd love to stay in bed with you..." he said, in a low voice. "I have to go to work."

Misaki slowly opened her eyes. "Is it really Monday...?" she asked, slightly annoyed.

"Unfortunately," Takumi said, smoothing her hair.

Misaki pouted and Takumi gave her a quick peck on the cheek before getting out of bed. Misaki could hear Takumi in the bathroom washing up. As selfish as it was, she really didn't want him to go to work today. She just wanted to spend her day off with him but unfortunately, Takumi did have to leave.

"Maybe if I asked..." Misaki thought to herself. "No no no," she said, shaking her head. "That's selfish of you, Misaki," she scolded herself.

Her eyes glanced down at their bed. Takumi probably did want her to ask him to stay… Misaki covered her face with her hands. It was so embarrassing. It was also probably a very good thing that Takumi couldn't actually read her mind or else she'd just die.

"Just today... No, not today! Yes! No!"

Misaki had a mini war going on inside her head. She heard the shower in the master bathroom turn on and bolted to the hall bathroom.

After washing up, Misaki laid out Takumi's clothes. Unable to resist, Misaki buried her face in one of his button down shirts. It smelled just like him.

"This is not how you should be acting!" Misaki said, firmly to her reflection in the mirror. "This behavior is unacceptable! Get a grip!"

Takumi turned off the water and stepped out. What a shame he had to go to work... He was tempted just not to show up if it meant getting to be with Misaki.

Slowly drying his hair, he kept thinking about his sexy wife. Misaki was always such a shy girl when it came to intimacy of any kind but he liked her new attitude. Takumi walked out of the bathroom and his jaw almost dropped open. Speaking of new attitude… Misaki leaned against the bedpost with one of his button down shirts on, the top buttons undone and his tie wrapped around her thigh. He swallowed as she slowly walked over to him.

"Mr. Walker," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I think you have an appointment with me."

A ripped button down shirt, ruined tie and two hours later, Takumi finally dragged himself out to go to work. It was worth it though.

Misaki went back to sleep after Takumi left. She only felt a little guilty about making him late. She just swore to herself it was a one time thing which washed away the guilt.

After her nap, she got changed into a loose long sleeved shirt and leggings. She went downstairs and poked around the fridge. Sipping a fruit smoothie, she did a little work on the computer.

"Late and back early," Misaki tsked, when Takumi came home around noon.

"At least I'm going to work," he teased.

"I had the day off!" Misaki called from the kitchen.

"I know," Takumi said, walking in. "Which is why I thought it would be a great time to go out for lunch."

"Where?"

"Anywhere you want," Takumi promised.

Misaki's stomach grumbled at the thought of food.

"Ramen?"

"Ramen it is," Takumi said, taking her hand.

They drove out to their favorite ramen shop and got a booth in the back.

"What can I get you to drink?" the waitress asked.

"Green tea," Takumi said, scanning the little menu.

"I'll have an orange juice."

"I'll get that right away for you," she said, walking away.

"I'm starving!" Misaki exclaimed. The little pictures of ramen were making her mouth water.

"Did you have breakfast?" Takumi asked.

Misaki nodded. "I made a fruit smoothie and microwaved some left over lasagna."

"Baby still kicking?"

Misaki nodded and placed her hand on her stomach. "She's kicking alright."

The waitress came back with their drinks and they were ready to order.

"I'll have a spicy beef ramen," Misaki decided.

"I'll have the chicken one," Takumi said after a pause.

Misaki took a long sip of orange juice.

"Did you sleep some more after I left?" Takumi asked.

Misaki nodded. "I was worn out."

"At least I temporarily cured your insomnia," Takumi said, dryly.

Misaki blushed. "Did you get in trouble?"

"I'm the CEO, I make the rules," Takumi said, smirking.

"Your ramen is here!" the waitress announced setting two huge bowls in front of them.

"Oh goodie!" Misaki said, breaking apart her chopsticks and digging in. She loved the fast service here.

"Don't choke," Takumi reminded her.

"I won't..." Misaki replied through a mouthful of ramen.

The noodles were perfect and the broth was spicy. It was heaven in a bowl.

"So," Misaki said, nibbling on a beef strip. "Did you hear anything from Tora yet?" she asked.

"Mhm," Takumi said, sipping his broth from his Chinese spoon. "There's actually a building for rent in the city and I sent someone to look it over. I got a good report back so I'm thinking of getting that building."

"I have money-"

"What's mine is yours," Takumi said, smiling. "Anyways, I bought the building under your name but you girls can figure out your positions later."

"You already got it...?"

"Not officially yet."

"But we haven't even seen it yet."

"I'll take you to see it sometime," Takumi promised. "It's under renovation so I thought I'd get it before someone else does. It's in the perfect place. It's close to so many businesses."

"That's great!" Misaki exclaimed. "So, I'm guessing that this agency idea will work?"

Takumi grinned. "I wouldn't be your alien if I couldn't even get this right. I contacted some business friends and they said they'd definitely send someone over to check out your agency and if they like it, they'll partner with you."

"You didn't threaten them, did you?"

"How highly you think of me," Takumi said, winking.

"I was just checking," Misaki said, twirling some ramen on her chopsticks.

"Mhm..." Takumi said, feeling her knee from under the table.

"Stop that!" Misaki said, kicking him in the shin. "We're in public!"

"Misa Chan is so harsh," Takumi pouted.

"The baby can hear now," Misaki hissed. "Don't go saying perverted things!"

"I didn't even say anything yet-"

"You were thinking it..."

"Wow," Takumi whistled. "My wife's a mind reader."

"Shut up and eat your ramen."

"Yes ma'am."

Misaki drained the last of the broth and set down the now empty bowl. Nothing felt better than having a full stomach.

She rubbed the spot where her daughter kicked. In the evenings when Misaki and Takumi were just relaxing, Misaki would put headphones with classical music playing on her stomach. It was suppose to help the development somehow. Takumi also liked to talk to the baby. He'd ask her a lot of questions even though she couldn't answer from within Misaki's womb.

"Full?" Takumi asked when they finished.

Misaki nodded and slowly eased herself out of the booth. Takumi held out her jacket and helped her in it. The jacket he had custom ordered did come in handy. She could let out folds so then she didn't feel suffocated by tight fabric.

"Where to now?" Misaki asked.

"Let's go home," Takumi said. "I need to digest after all that food."

They drove home except Misaki got suspicious when Takumi rang his own doorbell.

"I haven't heard it in a while," he explained and unlocked the door.

Someone had closed all the blinds because it was really dark in the roof.

"Takumi-"

"Congratulations!" people yelled as the lights went on.

Misaki jerked back, letting out a long breath. Oh dear... Lots of people were in her house.

"Welcome to your baby shower!" Sakura exclaimed, hugging Misaki. "I can't wait until we all have kids! It's just getting so real now! You're almost due."

"Congrats, Onee chan,"

"Suzana!" Misaki exclaimed. "When did you get here?"

"Ruri picked me up from the airport," Suzana explained.

Misaki nodded. "I see. How long are you staying?"

"Just for the party. I'm here for a conference tomorrow," Suzana explained.

"Misaki!" Ruri exclaimed, hugging her. "I've got this baby shower planned out to the level of perfection. "You'll love it!"

That line was rather familiar except the last time Ruri said it, Misaki accidentally got so drunk she passed out cold around 4 am and had to be carried to their car by their driver. (This was the bachelorette party)

Misaki got lots of hugs and kisses on the cheek from the rest of the guests.

"I'll see you later," Takumi said, kissing her on the forehead.

"Where are you going?!" Misaki exclaimed.

Takumi shrugged. "I'll be back. It'll give you and...all your friends some privacy."

Misaki frowned.

"Don't miss me," Takumi said, leaving.

"I won't," Misaki muttered.

"Come come," Ruri said, leading Misaki over to the dining room. Someone had hired catering because there was a whole table of finger foods and drinks.

Everyone had questions. Sakura and Ruri only had ten people total including themselves but that was still a huge group.

"Have you picked out a name yet?" Risa asked.

Misaki nodded. "But it's a surprise."

"Aww," Sakura said. "You're so cruel, Misaki."

"At least we know the gender," Ruri said, poking a pink balloon. "Well, we got a busy party!"

"Is it safe to come in?" Takumi asked, poking his head through the door.

Misaki was cleaning up but overall people cleaned up after themselves pretty well. "I can't believe you didn't tell me," she muttered.

"It was suppose to be a surprise," Takumi said, closing the door.

"Uh huh…"

"Was it not fun?"

"No, it was fun," Misaki said. "I just don't like surprises."

"Sorry," Takumi said, hugging her.

Misaki crossed her arms over her chest.

"I'll make it up to you?"

"How?"

"Anything you want,"

"My back hurts," Misaki complained. "Can you rub my back?"

"Yeah, why don't you go lie down upstairs? I'll get you a glass of juice."

"Thanks, Takumi," Misaki said, petting his hair.

"You're welcome, darling," Takumi replied, kissing her on the forehead.

Misaki crawled into bed. Being this far along, her feet were swelling and she stopped wearing her rings.

"You're not changing?" Takumi asked, setting a tall glass of juice on the nightstand.

"Too lazy..."

Takumi tossed her a t-shirt and shorts. "Here sit in this chair," he said, pulling one over by the bed. "I'll get you some hot water to soak your feet."

He filled a basin with hot water and spread a towel out on the carpet. "Swelling still?" Takumi asked as Misaki stuck her feet into the water.

"Yeah," she sighed. "I usually wear my comfy boots everywhere now."

"The hot water should help," Takumi said, sitting on the ground, cross legged.

"It does," Misaki agreed, wiggling her toes in the water.

"I'll rub your feet-"

"You don't have to."

"I want to," Takumi said, pressing his thumbs right below her heel.

It was sore but it felt really good. Misaki drank half of her juice and leaned back in the chair. "I can't wait for this baby to come," she sighed. "I've been getting less and less sleep."

"Mhm," Takumi said, massaging her other foot. "And the bathroom breaks."

"Yeah..." Misaki said, blushing.

Bathrooms and her had gotten very close these past months. She spent the first few months throwing up every other hour and now she had to go to the bathroom every other hour.

"I think she's going to be a quiet girl though," Misaki said. "She doesn't kick very hard. Sakura's baby kicks really hard and frequent though.

"That's why I like daughters," Takumi joked. "All sweet angels."

"She'll be really smart," Misaki decided.

"And probably really pretty," Takumi sighed. "I hope we have an average looking daughter."

"Why?"

"Because I don't want everyone looking at her when she's older."

"Overprotective much?" Misaki teased, pulling her feet out of the basin and wiping them on the towel.

"I'm going to be very protective," Takumi said, going to empty the basin. "She's going to have a curfew and we need to always know where she is and who's she with."

"Strict daddy," Misaki teased. She rubbed her stomach. "Daddy's princess is not leaving Daddy's sight."

"Right," Takumi said, gently letting his finger trail down her stomach. "This is my angel right here."

Misaki smiled. "With the way you're acting, I don't know how you're going to bear disciplining our children."

"Only in a loving manner," Takumi said. "Isn't that right, princess?"

"She can't talk."

"But she can hear me, can't you princess?"

Misaki stretched out her arms. "I'm going to go wash up...and use the bathroom," she decided, shutting the bathroom door.

They got ready for bed and Misaki sat on the edge of her bed so Takumi could give one of his famous back rubs.

"You're getting really good at this..." Misaki sighed, relaxing her shoulders.

"Anything for you," Takumi said, kissing her neck.

Misaki turned and Takumi hugged her. "Tired yet?"

"Maybe," Misaki said, laying down.

Takumi was a cuddler which Misaki didn't mind at all. He gently stroked her hair and caressed her stomach. His hand laid on her stomach so he could feel the little kicks.

"I love you," he murmured.

"Are you talking to me or the baby?"

"Why, jealous?"

"Go to sleep, you idiot,"