Modern medicine is a life saver :)

Also Author's side note: I can't reply to any review that's not signed into an account.

Chapter 47: More Convenient

Sakura slowly wandered around the kitchen. Her left hand rested on the small of her back.

"Kuuga!" she called. "Come here!"

"Yeah?" Kuuga asked, appearing in the kitchen.

"Can you reach the very top cabinet..." Sakura said. "I want the pink mug."

Kuuga smiled and got it for her. "How's the baby?" he asked, placing a hand on her huge stomach.

"He's killing me," Sakura complained. "He kicked really hard all night. I got no sleep!"

"Strong, isn't he?" Kuuga asked, smoothing her stomach.

"Can you make me something to eat?" Sakura asked. "I feel exhausted."

"Didn't you just take a nap?" Kuuga asked.

"Yeah but I woke up because your son decided to not only kick but roll around in there."

Kuuga tried to fight a smile. "I'm sorry, honey," he consoled. "I'll make you a sandwich," he offered.

"Thanks," Sakura said, opening the fridge.

She had developed this weird addiction to sour things. Her favorite food now consisted of pickles and citrus fruits. "Misaki's baby did not kick like this," Sakura said, crunching on a dill pickle. "I felt her stomach when Hikari started kicking. It was this gentle magical feeling."

"This guy's having a little rebellion in there," Kuuga agreed. "I can see him moving around from here."

Sakura groaned as her baby kicked her again. "I need to sit down," she said, easing into a chair. "My feet are so swollen. I don't even have any shoes to wear."

"That's okay," Kuuga said, setting the plate down before her. "You should be staying home anyways. You're due any day now."

Sakura nodded and took a bite of her sandwich. "Did you ever expect to have kids?" she asked randomly.

"Not really," Kuuga admitted. "But it seemed like a perfect idea with you."

"Do you want more?"

"Maybe one more," Kuuga said with a shrug. "I don't want to miss so many people when I'm away," he explained.

Sakura giggled. "You're funny," she teased. "Let's go take a walk."

"Sakura..."

"Just in our yard," Sakura promised. "My legs are stiff."

They went outside. It was a sunny day today and so Sakura walked around their grass with no shoes on.

"Oh..." Sakura said, pressing a hand to her stomach. "Cramp..." she muttered. "Ow..."

Kuuga quickly helped her sit down on the front stairs. "You'll know when the baby is coming right?" Kuuga asked, worried.

"These aren't contractions," Sakura reassured him. "It's just a cramp."

"You shouldn't be walking around so much," Kuuga fretted. "You should go lie down."

They went back inside where Sakura laid down on the couch, propped up by pillows.

"Kuuga?"

"Yes?"

"Can you play me something?" Sakura asked, pointing to the piano.

"Yeah, actually, I just wrote something. I want you to listen to it," Kuuga said, sitting down at his piano. His elegant fingers glided across the black and white keys as he began playing a melody.

"It's nostalgic," Sakura decided after Kuuga finished. "At least for me, it's perfect music to reflect back on life to."

"You think?"

Sakura nodded. She slowly eased herself up and walked over. She pressed a few keys on the piano. "I love harmonics," she said, pressing a few more.

"You play something," Kuuga grinned.

"Don't make fun of my piano skills," Sakura warned.

"I wouldn't dare besides, we've been married for almost three years now. Surely, my musical talent has rubbed off on you!"

Sakura snorted and placed both hands on the piano. She played a simple sweet piece that Kuuga had taught her.

"I hope our son likes music," Kuuga mused. "Be rather unfortunate if he didn't."

Sakura laughed. "He's been listening to classical music for months now," she reminded him. "And your music."

"You like music, don't you?" Kuuga asked, placing a hand on her stomach. "Oh," he said as Sakura winced. "Be gentle with your mom," he added.

Sakura rested her head on his shoulder. "I love you," she murmured, closing her eyes.

"I love you too, sweetheart."

They had a relaxing dinner and went to bed early. Sakura took a nice bath and changed into her pajamas.

"You don't have to go to sleep this early," Sakura said, laying down. "I can just sleep by myself."

"Yeah but you have a hard time falling asleep," Kuuga reminded her. "I'll be here to bore you to sleep if you can't fall asleep."

Sakura smiled and nodded. She surprisingly fell asleep very quickly, however, she kept waking up. Sakura did her best not to wake Kuuga as she got up to use the bathroom. She felt a heavy pressure on the bottom of her abdomen. Afterwards, Sakura tried to go back to sleep but the pressure turned into pain.

Kuuga woke up to soft moans beside him. "Sakura," he said, turning on the light. "What's wrong?"

Sakura had her eyes tightly shut and a hand on her stomach. "I don't feel so good..." she whimpered.

"The baby?" Kuuga asked.

"I'm not sure..." Sakura moaned.

"Here, sit up, darling," Kuuga said, propping her up with pillows. "Have some water," he added, passing her a glass. "Do you want a stomach rub?" he asked.

Sakura nodded. "Right here," she said, gingerly touching her stomach.

Kuuga rubbed her stomach in circular motions and dabbed at the sweat on her forehead.

"Better?"

Sakura felt jolted. "Worse!" she cried out. "I think this is the baby coming!" she exclaimed.

"Okay," Kuuga said. "Let's keep very calm," he said, whacking his head for all the tips he'd learned. "I'm going to time how long it is between every contraction. Tell me when you feel one," Kuuga said, starting a timer on his phone.

"Can you put my hospital bag downstairs?" Sakura asked. "I have a feeling we might be leaving tonight."

Kuuga nodded. He put the bag in the trunk of the car and changed into street clothes just in case.

"Another one!" Sakura gasped, gripping the headboard.

Kuuga nodded and restarted the timer.

Sakura sucked in sharp breaths as she slowly paced around the room. "I need some fresh air," she exclaimed. "I need to go downstairs."

Kuuga quietly trailed behind her as Sakura walked to the big glass door downstairs and opened it.

"Do you want something to eat?" Kuuga asked.

Sakura shook her head. She closed the glass door and paced around again. Sweat dotted her face as she tried to remember her breathing exercises.

"Honey, do you have to pace?" Kuuga asked. "You're making me nervous."

Sakura gripped the back of a chair. "I'm fine…" she said, hunching over to catch her breath. "Just leave me alone for a few minutes."

Another contraction hit and Sakura had to sit down. She buried her face in a cushion and moaned.

"Sakura?"

"What…"

"How are you feeling?"

"Like crap,"

"Do you want something to eat?"

"NO!" Sakura exclaimed. "For the last time! NO!"

"Sorry."

Sakura gritted her teeth and tilted her head back, catching her breath. "Kuuga…" she said, through her teeth. "I think we need to go."

"Okay," Kuuga said, grabbing the car keys. "Here, give me your arm," he said, wrapping her arm around his shoulder.

He helped his wife into the car and they headed over to the hospital. Sakura quickly got checked in and into a room.

"Kuuga!" Sakura exclaimed, squeezing his hand.

"Do you want the pain medication?"

Sakura thought about it but quickly nodded when she felt another sharp contraction. "I don't know how Misaki did this…" she wheezed. "Ugh! It hurts!"

Thank goodness for modern medicine. The Epidural made Sakura's pain ease up...a lot!

"Have some ice chips," Kuuga said, feeding her a spoonful.

Sakura closed her eyes and chewed on the ice.

"You can't have water but you can have ice chips...?" Kuuga pondered. "Is there really a difference?"

"I don't know," Sakura said, pulling the blanket around herself. "Can you hand me my phone? I'm going to call my sister."

Kuuga pulled up and chair and handed her the phone. Sakura dialed the phone number and pressed it against her eat.

"Hey Oneechan," she murmured. "Yeah...I'm in the hospital now. No, the baby's not here yet. Yeah, I got the epidural. I couldn't handle the pain."

Kuuga watched Sakura mumble "yes" and agreeing sounds into the phone.

"I'll see you soon, Oneechan," Sakura said, hanging up. "So what do we do now as we wait for the baby?"

"Most women are screaming in pain," Kuuga joked.

"And I'm just peacefully lying here," Sakura agreed. "Maybe I'll call Misaki and Ruri."

"Do you want more ice?"

"What is it with you and always trying to feed me?" Sakura asked.

Kuuga shrugged. "Nervous response."

Sakura intertwined her fingers with his as she conference called Misaki and Ruri.

"Sakura!" Ruri exclaimed. "Did you have the baby yet?"

"No," Sakura sighed. "Still waiting. I'm at the hospital though."

"Does it hurt?" Ruri asked.

"The epidural numbs the pain," Sakura explained. "I don't know how Misaki went through natural childbirth. I didn't even get to the serious contractions before I got the medication."

"Yeah," Misaki agreed. "I was too stubborn but I know next time... I can have a peaceful birth without all the screaming and crying."

"How's Hikari?" Sakura asked.

"Very well," Misaki told them. "She can sleep through the night now except she'll wake up only a few times. Before, it was like every few hours."

"Is your mom still there?"

"She's leaving on Monday," Misaki replied. "Thank goodness I had her here. She was such a life saver."

"That's nice," Sakura whispered. "I'm going to go now."

"Okay, good luck!" Ruri cheered.

"You'll be fine," Misaki reassured. "Tell Kuuga we wish him the best of luck too!"

"Will do," Sakura said, hanging up.

It was probably around 3 in the morning when Sakura dilated. The nurses and doctors were somehow full of energy even in such an ungodly hour.

"I need you to push as hard as you can," the doctor said, patting her hand.

Sakura breathed in deeply and squeezed Kuuga's hand.

"Harder," the doctor coaxed.

Sakura gritted her teeth and pushed as hard as she could.

"Come on, baby," Kuuga said, pushing her hair out of her face. "You can do it. Push!"

Sakura arched her back and groaned. "How much longer?" she asked.

"Very soon. Push!" the doctor said. "Use all the strength you have!"

"I'm not that strong!" Sakura exclaimed. She gave one last push and felt her body go slack but the loud crying sound made her smile.

"Your son," the doctor beamed, handing the baby to Sakura.

"Oh…" Sakura breathed. She looked at Kuuga and laughed. "This is our son…"

Kuua squeezed her shoulder and studied the baby. "That he is," he agreed.

Sakura had to wipe her eyes. Tears were spilling out of her eyes.

"Congratulations!" the nurses chorused.

Sakura gently held her baby close to her. Kuuga wiped her eyes.

"Why are you crying?" Kuuga asked. "Are you in pain?"

Sakura shook her head. "I'm just so happy!"

She handed the baby back to the doctor and Kuuga and a nurse helped her get cleaned up.

"Do you have a name?" the doctor asked.

Kuuga nodded. "Shige Sakurai,"

"Very cool name," the doctor said. She paused. "Sakurai…" she mumbled.

"No relation to the singer," Kuuga lied. "I get mistaken for him all the time."

"I see…" the doctor said, leaving.

"Rest," the nurse urged Sakura. "You'll regain more energy after a long nap."

Sakura nodded and closed her eyes. "Kuuga," she whispered.

"Yes?"

"Is this a dream?" she asked, smiling. "Do we actually have our first child?"

Sakura felt Kuuga gently pinch her arm.

"Hey..." she grumbled.

"No dream," Kuuga reassured her. "All reality."

Sakura nodded and yawned. "I'm tired."

"Sleep then," Kuuga said.

"What about you?"

"The plastic couch looks really comfy," he reassured her.

Sakura wanted to say something but she fell asleep before she got the chance. When she finally woke up, the room was filled with light. Sakura estimated about noon.

The second thing she noticed were all the blue balloons.

"Are you awake?" Kuuga asked.

Sakura nodded.

"How are you feeling?" a different voice asked.

Sakura turned around. "Ruri! Misaki!" she exclaimed.

"Congratulations!" Misaki and Ruri cheered.

"Congrats Kuuga," Takumi and Tora added.

"You get to be a parent now," Takumi reminded him.

"Is it fun?"

"Definitely," Takumi said, winking at Misaki.

Sakura laughed. It was good to see her friends. Kuuga pressed a button and the hospital bed lifted into a sitting position.

"I brought you soup," Ruri said, pulling out a huge thermos. "And fruit," she added, setting a gift basket of fruit on the little table.

"We bought you a cake," Misaki said, showing Sakura.

"Thanks everyone," Sakura said, beaming. "I'm sure Shige will be very lucky to have such loving Aunties and Uncles."

"Shige?" Ruri asked. "That's such a cool name!"

"We saw your baby in the room," Misaki said. "He's so adorable."

"Hardly compared to your Hikari," Sakura teased.

"They're all adorable. I love little Shige," Misaki reassured Sakura.

"You can have him as a son in law then," Kuuga teased.

Misaki, Sakura and Ruri laughed. "Intermarriage, huh?" Misaki asked.

"No," Takumi said.

"No?" Ruri asked.

"No dating."

"Oh Takumi…" Misaki muttered, face palming.