Sorry sorry, I've just had so much homework. Sorry sorry about such a late update...

Chapter 56: The Little Sister

"Ah! Takumi!" Misaki said through her teeth.

"Keep breathing," Takumi said, holding her hand. "Remember? Inhale, exhale..."

Misaki bit her lower lip and inhaled through her nose.

It had been around six in the morning when Misaki had started feeling contractions. By seven, Takumi had the car ready to take them to the hospital. Misaki had a feeling that it would be one of these days so her mom was staying over to watch Hikari.

Misaki struggled to keep her breathing even. Takumi dabbed at her forehead with his sleeve and interlaced his fingers with hers.

"Do you want the epidural?" Takumi finally asked.

Misaki bit her lip.

"There's nothing wrong with it," Takumi coaxed. "If it hurt-"

"IT HURTS!" Misaki exclaimed. "Get the nurse! It hurts so bad!"

"Okay," Takumi said, pressing the button. "Keep breathing!"

Misaki clenched her teeth and waited for the nurse to arrive.

"You'll feel much better," the nurse reassured Misaki.

Misaki sucked in a sharp breath and slowly let it out through her nose.

"Good," the nurse said, checking monitors. "That should relax you. I'll be back in half an hour."

"Okay," Misaki said, feeling relief from the pain.

"Better?"

"A lot better," Misaki said, rubbing her protruding stomach.

Takumi took her hand. "Are you hungry?"

"No," Misaki said. "I'm just tired."

"You'll sleep comfortably tonight," Takumi reminded her.

"Do you think Hikari will like her baby sister?" Misaki asked.

"Of course," Takumi promised. "We'll all need time to adjust to the new member of our family."

"Hikari will be a good older sister," Misaki agreed.

"Mhm," Takumi said, pulling up a chair. "Why don't you take a short power nap?" he suggested. "You aren't dilated yet."

Misaki groaned. "Will you stop looking!" she exclaimed. "It's weird!"

"Yes yes," Takumi said, kissing her hand. "What ever my darling wants."

"Takumi?"

"Yes?"

"Sometimes when I lie in hospital beds I feel like I'm dying..."

"Okay," Takumi said, standing up. "You need some sleep," he concluded. "Your sleep deprivation has led to strange observations."

"I was just saying," Misaki said as Takumi closed the blinds. "It's like you're my only mourner as I lay dying."

Takumi snorted. "Time to sleep, my Lady," he said, putting a hand over her eyes.

It didn't take much for Misaki to fall asleep. The baby's constant kicking and moving made sleep impossible. Misaki practically slept in thirty minute intervals. She was currently on maternity leave which meant all Misaki usually did was try and sleep.

This baby was going to full of energy. She constantly moved around which was reassuring to Misaki that she was healthy. Maybe an athlete?

Misaki woke up from a refreshed nap and remembered she was still in the hospital. Takumi was fast asleep, his head rested on her bed side. She lightly stroked his hair. Between taking care of Hikari and cooking all the time, Takumi still managed to squeeze in work. Misaki never understood how he did it.

There was a knock on the door that woke Takumi.

"B-Baby?" he asked, still a little confused.

"Not yet," the nurse said. "But very soon. We're going to get started very soon."

Takumi put on a hospital apron for sanitary purposes and they wheeled Misaki to a room with more medical equipment.

"Don't epidurals make life so much easier?" The doctor said, laughing.

Misaki nodded. "I had my first daughter...natural birth."

"You must be a strong woman," the doctor said. "I'm sure your husband had it rough too."

Takumi turned a laughed into a cough. Misaki glared at him.

The doctor and nurses started preparing. "Ready?"

Misaki squeezed Takumi's hand and nodded.

"Push!" The doctor ordered. "Hold..."

Misaki clenched her teeth and pushed as hard as she could.

"Again," the doctor encouraged.

Misaki inhaled deeply like Takumi kept gesturing for her to do.

"I see the baby's head!" The doctor announced. "Again! Come on!"

"Push," Takumi coached. "Harder!"

Misaki took a deep breath and pushed. "Ah…" she gasped as she heard soft cries.

"You did it!" Takumi exclaimed, clutching her hand.

"Here," the doctor said, laughing. "Your baby girl."

Misaki took the bundle and smiled at Takumi. "Say hi, Takumi," she said, breathlessly.

"Hello Ayame," Takumi said, smiling.

Ayame cried in Misaki's arms.

"Wow, she's loud," Takumi laughed. "Hi," he said, gently touching Ayame's cheek. "Ohh, don't cry."

"You hold," Misaki sighed, handing the baby to Takumi.

"Can I have the full name?" a nurse asked.

"Ayame Iris Walker," Misaki said.

"Misaki!" a voice sang.

"Sakura," Misaki breathed.

Sakura hurried over. "Let me see," she gushed. "You always have such pretty girls," Sakura said, smoothing the blanket.

Misaki laughed. "Your boys are adorable too," she reminded Sakura.

Sakura giggled. "I left Kuuga with our two boys and my sister. When is Ruri coming?"

"She's almost 9 months. Give her some time," Misaki said.

"When is your mom coming then?" Sakura asked, touching Ayame's cheek.

"She's with Hikari," Misaki replied. "She'll have to wait to see Ayame until we go home."

"I brought balloons!" Ruri called, walking in with a bunch of pink balloons. "Congrats Misaki and Takumi!"

Misaki smiled. "Thanks Ruri."

"Where's Mimi?" Sakura asked.

"She's outside with Tora," Ruri explained. "I didn't want her to fuss in here."

"Here, sit," Takumi said, offering her a chair.

Ruri smiled. "Why thank you, Mr. Walker," she said, slowly sitting down. "You are most kind."

Misaki snorted.

"Hey," Takumi said. "I've been nothing but kindness and comfort," he said, kissing her cheek.

Just then the nurse came in to take Ayame.

"We should let Misaki rest," Sakura said. "We must have a huge party soon."

"Of course," Ruri said. "Come summer, we should invite Suzuna and have a giant picnic."

"Okay," Misaki said, squeezing her friends' hands. "It's a deal."

"Looks like it's just you and me now," Takumi said after they left.

Misaki nodded. "I love you."

"I love you too," Takumi beamed. "You're amazing, you know that?"

"How so?"

"Because...you actually created a living being," Takumi said, pressing her hand to his cheek. "We have another daughter."

Misaki smiled and leaned back into the pillows. "Are you happy?"

"I am," Takumi replied. He stood up. "I'll call your mom. She will be worried."

"Takumi?"

"Yes,"

"Can you lean over for a minute?" Misaki asked.

Takumi walked over. Misaki pulled his head down and kissed him.

"Mommy!" Hikari exclaimed, running over.

"Hi baby," Misaki said, kneeling on the ground and hugging her. "Did you miss me?"

Hikari nodded.

"Were you good?" Misaki asked.

Hikari nodded again.

Minako hurried over. "Oh, this is wonderful," she said, taking the baby carrier from Takumi. "Hello Ayame!"

"Hmm?" Hikari asked, pointing.

Takumi scooped her up. "Say hi to your sister, Princess."

"Sister?"

"Yeah," Takumi said. "Your baby sister, Ayame. You are her Oneechan."

"Mommy," Hikari said, holding out her arms, not very interested.

"She missed you," Minako explained as Misaki held Hikari at her hip. "She would fuss about going to sleep at night."

"Was she a handful?"

Minako shook her head. "Much easier than you or Suzuna. She was rather...content."

"That's our daughter," Misaki said, kissing Hikari. "Quiet and content."

"How are you?" Minako finally said. "I have broth warming on the stove. You should take a hot shower and get something to eat. You need to rest."

Misaki sighed. "I'm not handicapped," she tried to remind everyone.

Takumi wrapped an arm around Misaki's waist. "No, but you should still rest or else how can you take care of Hikari and Ayame?"

Misaki set Hikari down. "Go to the kitchen with Grandma," she said.

"Let's go upstairs," Takumi said, picking her up.

"I can walk!" Misaki exclaimed as Takumi carried her upstairs.

Misaki woke up with a small head against her arm. She slowly opened her eyes.

"Hikari?" she asked, confused.

Takumi was lounging on his side of the bed. "Good morning," he said.

"What's Hikari doing in our room?" Misaki asked, wrapping an arm around the sleeping child.

"She woke up super early and wanted out of the crib. I changed her and just let her lay in our bed. I didn't want to wake you."

"How's Ayame?"

"Good. You still have a couple hours until she needs to be fed," Takumi said. "You should sleep some more."

Hikari yawned and rolled over.

"You too," Misaki whispered. "Hikari must have woken you up early."

"I'm okay," Takumi said, watching Hikari sleep. "First night is always rough."

Misaki nodded. "Ayame cries a lot more than Hikari ever did."

"She's quite strong for a newborn," Takumi observed. "I suspect we have an athlete on our hands."

"I want all my daughters to learn self defense," Misaki said. "They need to learn to protect themselves."

"Fair enough," Takumi said. "Ayame is most like you," he decided. "Same black hair and amber eyes but her personality...spot on yours."

"It's what happens when you have all recessive genes," Misaki said, pinching his cheek. "Your children don't inherit your physical looks."

"I can't help it," Takumi said, smirking. "You're just dominant in everything."

"Shut up," Misaki muttered.

"Hey," Takumi said. "One our of four chances, our child will have blonde hair."

"That's irrelevant to how many children we already have," Misaki teased. "Mr. Walker's biology and punnett squares are a little flawed."
"Of course, I'm not as smart as you," Takumi teased back. "Which is why I need you, Mrs. Walker to keep me in line."

"Walker?"

"Hey Princess," Takumi said. "You listening in?"

"No,"

"Better not," Takumi said, playfully, tickling her.

Hikari laughed and crawled over and collapsed on Misaki. "Mommy," she said.

"What was wrong with your bed?" Misaki asked, stroking Hikari's hair.

Hikari clapped her hands together and laughed.

"You're so cute," Takumi said.

Hikari's stomach grumbled. "Hungry," Hikari said.

"Okay, Princess," Takumi said, getting up. He lifted Hikari and placed her on the ground. "Want to help Daddy make breakfast?"

"Yes," Hikari said, taking Takumi's hand.

"See you downstairs," Takumi said, blowing Misaki a kiss.

Misaki nodded and watched as Hikari led Takumi down the hall. She got up and lifted her sleeping daughter from her crib. She loosened her shirt and sat down in her rocking chair.

"Do you know how strange life is?" Misaki asked, rocking back and forth. "The most unmotherly person suddenly has two daughters," Misaki said, nursing her baby. "But she loves both of them with her entire heart."

The new life in her hands was so small. Even though she was strong for a newborn, she was still so weak. Misaki cradled Ayame's head in her hand.

"I love you, Ayame Iris Walker," Misaki whispered.