Maternity leave
A/N:- Thank you for the reviews and onto the next chapter. Enjoy.
They quickly settled into a routine, the days passing quickly. Shizuo remained in his pyjamas most of the time, since there was no need to go out. Besides that he easily got exhausted, so it was easier rather than make Izaya wake him up every night. As adorable as Emi was she managed that just fine.
Leaning over the cot, he held out his finger. Their little girl stared up at him and smiled. "Why aren't you sleeping?" Letting out a sigh, he took the first photo album, dropping it down next to the rocking chair that had been put in the room, seeming as that was where he spent most of his nights.
Reaching down, Shizuo gently lifted her, cradling Emi in the crook of his arm. He had quickly found out that their daughter had picked up her father's hobby of staring at humans. The staring contests between her and Izaya were comical. Reaching down, he picked up the album, opening the first page. Wide crimson eyes stared down at the pages.
Pointing to the first one, he made sure she was watching. "This one is you, when you were in my tummy." Underneath was a caption written in either blue or black writing. This one he had written. My ultrasound, 8 weeks. "This is you at sixteen weeks." Again there was another caption. My ultrasound 16 weeks. Wide crimson eyes followed where his finger was pointed.
Next along was a photo of him sleeping on the sofa. Shizu-chan sleeping (adorable). Shaking his head he moved onto the next one, while he softly rocked the chair back and fourth. He quickly flipped the next ten pages since they were all of him, the captions underneath were all written by his lover. "Here we go." Shizuo tapped the first photo, showing Emi in the hospital bed. Our little girl (stupid Shinra) Kawai! He smiled at Izaya's writing. "This one is you."
A cough made him look up, seeing his lover leaning against the doorway, hair still damp from his bath. He heard a click and knew that soon they would go through all five photo albums. "Shizu-chan, she's asleep." Looking down in surprise he saw that their baby was indeed asleep. "Oh." Gently placing the album on the floor, Shizuo gently cradled her, placing Emi back into the cot.
Padding out of the room, he flicked the light off, making sure the night light was on. His lover held out a mug of hot chocolate, which he gratefully took. "Thanks." They still kept their voices low, a forced habit. Taking a seat on the sofa, he held the warm mug between two hands, he smiled as he saw a slice of strawberry cake on the table. Izaya's fingers threaded through his hair. "It's getting really long."
"Yeah." Nodding his head, he took a sip of his hot chocolate. "I'll take care of Emi tomorrow." Blinking in surprise he wondered what his lover was up to. Shizuo found out when he was handed a silver foiled envelope. "What's this?" Putting his cup down, he opened the envelope. "It's an all day spa, I'll drop you off tomorrow. You haven't had any time to yourself." It had only been a month since he had given birth. "Iz- Thanks." He hadn't really been out of the house.
Deciding to give into Izaya's whims, he rested his head on his shoulder. Mr god complex would be fine on his own. Their moment was broken, a burst of sound coming through the baby monitor that his lover kept. "I'll go. Get some rest, Shizu-chan." There was a kiss on his forehead and then he was gone. Running a hand through his hair, Shizuo got up making his way to their bedroom. Yeah. Izaya could handle it.
The next day, he found himself pulled away from where he was making the bottles. "I can do that." That morning everything felt like a whirlwind. Both he and Emi were ready and in the car, his lover humming to himself, as he drove them to his day off. By some miracle their little girl was fast asleep.
Once Izaya had parked the car, he placed a kiss on Emi's forehead and climbed out of the car, carefully closing the door. His lover climbed out of the driver's side. "I'll pick you up this evening." Nodding his head they shared a brief kiss. "Don't forget to make the bottles up." The flea grinned nodding his head. "And you need to burp her after. Don't forget to change her nappy frequently and mak-" soft lips covered his own. "I know all that, protozoan. Have fun."
There was a small pang in his chest as he watched the car drive away. Shizuo remained watching until his loved ones were out of sight. Pulling his jacket tighter around him, he made his way to the entrance. Today he wouldn't worry about a thing. The doors slid open letting him in. "Can I help you?" A sigh left him as he stopped in front of the reception desk. "Shizuo Heiwajima." The young woman smiled. "Everything has been booked for you. If you'll follow me."
An hour and a half in and he had decided to kill Izaya when he got home. Currently he was laying back in a relaxing chair, he wasn't just having his hair done, but his nails as well. He had to admit though, it felt good. Shizuo's thoughts went back to Izaya and Emi, yet as soon as he had settled, his jacket had been taken. Most likely the receptionist was following instructions.
Instead he was wrapped in a large white dressing gown, which he would have to ask his lover about, since Orihara was embroided in silver. Now he knew where his lover disappeared to. "And done. If you'll follow me, I'll take you to the massage room." Shizuo could feel his face heat up, just the mention of the word, brought Izaya's touches to mind. "Could we skip it?"
Pulling the gown tighter, his hands rested in his lap, as he shifted uncomfortably. "Orihara-san has given us the schedule, he has made it clear that you are to have everything done, without exception." Mr god complex's minion smiled. "Now. If you'll follow me" Shizuo groaned inwardly. Damn you flea.
One embarrassing situation and several treatments later, he was relaxing in the hot spring, the warm water soothing his worries. The only thing that could be done to improve it, was if Izaya was here with him, but then again if his lover was here it would be anything but innocent. Shit was he sexually frustrated? They hadn't had sex since Emi had been born. Most of the time, it was because everything was so hectic, but the few times they were alone, his lover hadn't tried anything.
The newly dyed blond was handed his clothes back and was now waiting for Izaya to pick him up. "Shizu-chan!" His lover was waiting by the car, yelling his name. Looking down he bit his lip, feeling the looks he was given. His gaze was drawn to a vending machine, selling healthy snacks. Taking a deep breath, Shizuo resisted the urge to pick it up and throw it.
"Have fun?" Sliding in the back seat, he could see that once again Emi was asleep. "..." In the mirror he could see his newly dyed hair, along with his reddened cheeks. His lover grinned, reversing out of the car park. "...Thanks." That was all he was saying about it. "You're welcome, Shizu-chan." Hopefully that was all that was said... It wasn't.
But it was a good thing he had gone, since the phone rang while they were having dinner. Both he and Izaya flinched as a loud chiming ringtone filtered from the device. Both of them held their breaths thinking they might get away with it. They weren't that lucky. "I'll get her." He sighed watching his lover put the still full plate on the table, to get a now awake Emi.
"Hey Kasuka." It was pointless to talk in hushed tones now. Hi, nii-san. We've just finished filming. I'll be back in ikebukuro tomorrow. Do you mind if I stop by? Looking up he watched Izaya walk down the stairs cradling Emi. "Yeah, that will be fine." Mr god complex raised the tiny hand. "Say hello to mummy." And then she smiled.
Shizuo dropped the phone in surprise. "She's smiling." Getting up, he moved forward, where Izaya was trying to see. "Phone. Shizu-chan get the camera." Oh! Kasuka. Picking up the phone, he could hear his brother still talking. "Sorry Kasuka. I'll call you later." Ending the call, he selected the camera, snapping a pic. Their little girl was really adorable.
His lover was pouting, turning Emi in his arms. "No fair. I missed it. Smile for daddy, come on." Smiling at the image, the blond put his phone back in his pocket. "Come on sweetie, you smiled for mummy." Sitting down he carried on eating his dinner. "Are you hungry? Let's get you fed." Izaya sulked for the rest of the night.
"Nii-san, she's beautiful." It was the first time Kasuka had seen his niece since she had been born, his little brother was a star, it was expected that he would have to travel at such short notice. At first he had been reluctant to let anyone hold his precious baby. Kasuka had turned up with bags of gifts, which had been handed to Izaya to deal with. It seemed his brother and lover were still the same.
"Yep Shizu-chan and I made her, of course she'd be beautiful." Shaking his head, he gently lowered her into his brother's arms. "She's smiling." He grinned as his lover dropped one of the bags, looking over their shoulders. "That's not fair." He sulked the rest of that day as well. "Emi, why won't you smile for daddy?" Sometimes it was hard to tell who the baby was.
It was his turn to feel jealous, when he heard Izaya's happy voice through the monitor. Clever girl. At that point he had to see for himself. He made it just in time to see Emi laying on her stomach and lifting her head. His lover was grinning from ear to ear, waving his arm. "Shizu-chan. Come here."
Standing on the other side of the cot, his heart swooned seeing their little girl wriggle and begin to kick, while she sucked on the dummy in her mouth. Mr god complex pulled out a little notebook, scribbling something down. The blond continued watching Emi, as she attempted to roll. They would need to keep more of an eye on her from now on.
At eight weeks Shizuo had to be held back by both Izaya and Celty before he caved Shinra's skull in. It was time for Emi's checkup and the damn illegal doctor had brought out a needle. He hadn't know about any injections. "Get that away from my baby." Izaya was at his side, arms around his waist. "Calm down, Shizu-chan. She needs her vaccinations." Reluctantly he remained still. Well that was until Emi began to cry and then Shinra hit the wall, from the playpen he could hear Aiko giggle.
Shizuo cradled and rocked the wrapped up bundle, trying to get his baby to stop crying. He hated how red Emi's face had become, small teardrops falling down her tiny cheeks. "Shh! The bad man is gone. Mummy's sorry, he didn't know." Once Izaya had opened the door, he went straight into the bedroom and closed the door. "Don't cry, sweetie." His heart twinged, as he slipped off her warm outdoor clothes, gently kissing the small lump that had been left from the injection.
The door opened, Shizuo glared at his lover. "You get out." Crimson eyes closed briefly, a sigh escaping the flea. "You wouldn't have gone if you knew." He knew that, but right now his little girl was crying. "...She's staying with us tonight." He wasn't leaving her alone. "Yeah. I know. Hand her over, I've got her bottle ready." The blond glared, hugging Emi protectively. Another sigh. "I'll get the bottle." Shizuo took care of her for the rest of the day.
When night time came, Emi was still cranky. Getting her ready for bed, he made sure she was in the centre of their large bed. "Shh! It's okay. I'll protect you." Gently wrapping his arms around her, Shizuo gently cradled her to his chest "Don't cry." Placing kisses along her too warm forehead, he knew that he wouldn't be getting any sleep. "Shh! Don't cry." Wide crimson eyes stared back at him, the dummy barely staying in his daughters mouth. The moment she spat it out, her wails would fill the room.
"...chan, Shizu-chan. Wake up." Opening his eyes he found himself in the same position as before, sitting up resting against the headboard, knees bent, Emi cradled to his chest. "You can't sleep like that." Glancing down, the blond looked at the sleeping baby. "She's asleep." His arm was moved out of the way, Emi was gently rolled off him and onto the bed. Stretching his arms, he shuffled down the bed, resting his head on the pillow. "She's sick."
"Shinra warned that she might get a mild fever. It's nothing to worry about." Shizuo said nothing. He was as agitated as his suffering daughter, who had once again rolled onto her belly. "Calm down, Shizu-chan. Like I'd let anything happen to her." Yeah, he knew that, but even so he felt completely useless. He had never been happier, when the next time Emi woke up, she smiled.
At three months Emi now had a habit of rolling over everywhere. Shizuo had to keep her still, while he changed her. "Emi, stay still. I need to get your nappy on." Ignoring him completely she smiled as she rolled off of the changing mat. "You'll catch cold." Finally managing to get his little girl changed, Shizuo scooped her up and began kissing her stomach. His eyes widened as a small hand reached out to him .
Leaving the bathroom, the blond set her down on the carpet, watching as she rolled back and fourth. The table had been moved so there was a large space for Emi. His lover was sitting cross legged on the sofa, holding the new video camera. "Over here, sweetie. Shizu-can. There's something you should know." He didn't like the sound of that. "What?"
"Shinra called. Emi needs her other vaccinations." Shizuo grit his teeth. "How many more?" His lover sighed. "One now and another at four months." Damn it. "Try not to kill Shinra this time." Unclenching his fist, he stared down as Emi rolled to the sofa. Mr god complex put the recorder down and gently reached down to lift her up. "Come to daddy." She was smiling again.
He smiled seeing that his lover and daughter were in another staring competition. Emi was the first to look away, reaching for him and crying. "Someone's hungry. I'll get the bottle." Shizuo sat on the sofa, making himself comfortable, Emi back in his arms. "Here you go." He shook his head once he had taken the bottle, seeing Izaya with the video camera again. Removing the dummy, he brought the bottle to Emi's lips watching her drink hungrily. This time her tiny hands lifted as if she was holding it. "Flea. What else haven't you told me about?"
"Why ruin the fun? You don't have to worry about anything protozoan. You're doing great." His lover leaned over and kissed him. "Your...parents. You contacted them?" Ah. "Yeah, they have a right to see their granddaughter. I can go by myself if you don't want to come." A set of knuckles rapped the top of his head. "We'll all go. I'm not leaving you alone with them." He knew that, even if they had managed to change.
A week later, he was strapping Emi into the baby seat, his heart was racing, but it wasn't from the usual dread he felt, this time he knew it was just nerves. Though he could tell Izaya wasn't happy, even so his lover reversed the car out of the drive and took them where they needed to go.
Once again Emi had fallen asleep. "Are you sure?" Looking up at the house, he nodded. "Yeah. Lets go." The flea was grumbling something, unstrapping the baby seat, he lifted it from the car, closing the door behind him. Fuck he was nervous. Rubbing his palm on his jeans, Shizuo made his way to the door. Taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door.
Next to him his lover's hand slipped into his, squeezing tightly. The door opened and he came face to face with his father. The man looked over the three of them, The blond forced a smile. "Hey, dad." It sounded horrible, but his father looked just as tense. "Shizuo. Come in." The last time he had been in the house, was when he had told his parents he was pregnant. There had been a card from them at the hospital, but he hadn't seen them.
Letting go of Izaya's hand, he followed his father into the house. His lover closed the door. They were led into the the living room. Shizuo sat on the sofa, with Izaya standing protectively at his side. "The baby turned out okay?" Unstrapping Emi, he gently lifted her out, luckily she continued sleeping. "Yeah, a perfectly healthy girl." Silence filled the room. "...And you?"
"...Yeah. I'm okay." At his side, there was a soft scoff. "Orihara-san, you have something to say?" His lover narrowed his eyes. "There were complications, Shizu-chan almost didn't survived." Looking down, he said nothing. "...We didn't know...I'm glad you're alright." Shizuo could tell he was trying. "...Thanks."
"...Orihara-san, you can sit down." His lover remained where he was. "...Your mother is in the kitchen." He nodded his head, the awkward pauses were becoming suffocating. "...I'll go and get her." He watched as his father left the room, relaxing back against the sofa, he let out the breath he was holding in. "Shizu-chan?" Letting out a sigh, he looked up at his lover. "He's trying. Its just...awkward."
Emi woke up just as dinner was done. Taking out her bottle, he made his way to the table. "Shiz-uo. Its good to see you." His mother smiled, but kept her distance. "She looks beautiful." The rest of his time there, was awkward, they had a long way to go, before the bridge between them could be mended. Even when it was time to leave, there was a space between them. "...You're welcome to come back. If you want."
At four months, two weeks, Shizuo opened his eyes, hearing a short giggle through the monitor. Seeing Izaya was still asleep next to him, he shot out of bed hurrying upstairs. Emi, was wide awake rolling around in the cot, when he stood over the cot, she raised her hands to him, smiling as a small giggle left her. "Was that you?" His little girl cooed in reply.
Scooping her up in his arms, Shizuo bounced Emi on his hip. "Are you hungry?" Carrying her downstairs, he grabbed one of the bottles. "You want this?" A tiny hand reached out, but she couldn't grab anything yet and his damn lover wouldn't tell him what to expect. He had tried looking it up online, only to find their internet connection had been cut. Or more likely Izaya had changed the password.
He knew if there was anything wrong the flea would tell him, but for now he was enjoying the small surprises, his daughter was showing him. When he told Izaya, he knew his lover would write it down in that little notebook of his. Watching his little girl drink hungrily, he glanced behind him seeing that the bedroom door was still closed.
Once the bottle was empty, Shizuo put it on the table, resting Emi against his chest, as he softly patted and rubbed her back. "There we go." Once she had been winded and changed, Shizuo returned her to the cot. Crimson eyes stared up at him, Emi, rolled over on her side and then back again, her little legs lifted and he smiled as she tried to reach her toes.
Switching the mobile on, he listened as the calming tune filled the room. Emi cooed and giggled, one hand reaching up for the small stars. "No, you can't touch those. Do you want a story?" Going through the shelf, he picked out one of the story books, taking it to the rocking chair, which he pulled closer to the cot. "Once upon a time..."
He got half way through, before he heard soft snoring. Once again he put the coloured tab back in the same place. "One night, we'll actually finish it." Returning the book to the shelf, he quietly moved the chair back. Gripping the edge of the cot, he leaned over, placing a kiss on Emi's forehead. "Good night, Emi."
Stifling a yawn, he tried not to wake Izaya up, as he pulled the covers back and climbed in. Slim arms wrapped around him pulling him closer. He should've known he was awake. "She's asleep?" Moving closer, he rested his head against his lover's chest. "Yeah. Did you hear her giggle?" Long fingers threaded through his hair. "Yeah, through the monitor. She's growing quickly." Shizuo smiled. "Yeah."
They were finally alone, but he was too tired to do anything. Leaning up he placed a kiss against Izaya's lips. "Get some rest, Shizu-chan." Letting out a sigh, he closed his eyes. "Good night Izaya." Time was passing quickly. Already four months had passed.
Next:- Thinking forward