TWELVE
Shuffling around their bedroom in the dark so as to not wake her wife, she manages to dress herself without knocking herself out and without making a racket. Her shoulder clips the doorway on the way out, but all in all Maria counts this as a victory.
Unfortunately she can't be as quiet in the kitchen, so she's not that much surprised or disappointed when Tsubasa nuzzles her in a hug from behind just a few minutes later.
"Are we having a Western breakfast?" she asks, peering at the batter left aside while eggs cook.
"Mhm. Just a few minutes. Do you want blueberries or anything else in the pancakes?" Half her attention is on the omelet she's making, but the other half is basking in Tsubasa's embrace. Frankly, she can't wait to share the overflowing love she and Tsubasa have.
Her other half seems to have the same idea, for she presses closer and murmurs, "I am glad we're doing this. You will be a wonderful mother." She gives her one last cuddle before moving; as she sets the table, she says, "Only blueberries. Thank you, dear."
It suffuses Maria with joy, from the top of her head to the tips of her toes, that Tsubasa has so much faith in her. That's why it takes her a moment to answer, "We will be wonderful parents."
Tsubasa hums, not outright denying it; her social anxiety must be weighing her down.
But she waits until she has a large stack of pancakes ready before pushing Tsubasa further.
"Twelve? I'm not going to be able to finish it all," she tells her, frowning cutely.
"Nonsense! Today's a big day—you need the carbohydrates to keep up your strength, dear."
Of course Tsubasa only stares helplessly at the plate before her, and when she proposes, "How about we share?" Maria readily agrees.
Her wife works methodically through the stack, dipping only the corners of her bites into syrup, whereas Maria prefers to dunk the whole thing in syrup. Some of it even catches against her cheeks, making Tsubasa laugh softly.
"Let me clean that for you," she says, taking a napkin in hand. A few drops of water from her glass, and then she dabs Maria's cheeks free of the sticky syrup.
When it's all cleared away, she springs the trap on Tsubasa: "See? You make a good parent, too."
The startled blush on Tsubasa's face makes the extra food worthwhile.
(Except she really should cut back on sweets now that she has to set an example. Oh gosh, that will be a fun experience.)