The last two weeks flew by not only had Rangiku had changes to her employment situation but to her self and now that she was beginning to show it was very real to her that this baby existed and that she will have another life to take care of very shortly, all by herself and that truly scared her.
Since he signed her manuscripts for her to transfer to New York the bridge between Toshiro and herself stood on a very shaky foundation and she personally didn't know where she stood with him maybe Rukia and Orihime were right maybe this was Toshiro's way of finally letting go?
It was the last box as she stood in her new house it was walking distance from her office and in a good neighbourhood she felt somewhat comfortable.
The next morning was not great when she came in her patient load was pretty heavy but Ichigo's dad said it would be since Karin was on vacation, so basically she got thrown in on the deep end she was a bit jealous of the mother's who had a boyfriend or husband hell even a partner with them.
As she called in her next patient "Mina Ishida"
"Coming" as a very pregnant lady waddled toward her "Hi you must be Dr Matsumoto"
"Yes I am why don't you come in and have a seat" as she allowed Mina to come in and sit across from her. "So how can I help?"
"Well I just came for my follow-up. Since this isn't my first rodeo all I want is for these babies to do is exit the permises"
"Well how about we have a look and see what is going on why don't we" as she helped her up and into the examination room when a knock came from her office door "Hold on I will be right back"
As she opened the door it was Yuzu "Hi Dr Matsumoto Mr Ishida just arrived"
"Okay let him go into the examination room with his wife then, and Yuzu you can call me Rangiku"
"Okay and your last two patients rescheduled and your three o'clock opted for the earlier appointment with my dad"
"Thanks so I just have an ultrasound with Mrs Ishida and that is it for the day" as she went back in
"So are we ready Mina?" as she went back in the examination room
"Yes"
"Rangiku?" as she turned to see who called her name her eyes landed on Uruyu
"Uruyu? Hi wow how long has it been?"
"Awhile, so you are Mina's OB/GYN"
"Yes, um we should catch up sometime"
"Um sure"
"Hi um sorry to interrupt but um very pregnant lady here"
"Oh sorry Mina, lay back for me" as she put on the gel and started the ultrasound "Okay, so here we go looks like everything is progressing very well and those hearts are beating very strong"
"Hearts?" as Uruyu got up and stood next to his wife
"Um Huh, you guys are having twins and from the looks of things you might want to paint that nursery, sorry do you guys want to know the sex of the baby"
"No it's a miracle I am even pregnant let alone pregnant with twins" as Uruyu kissed Mina's forehead
"Well get dressed I will print out the ultrasound pic and I will have Yuzu set up your final visit" as she took off her gloves and started scribbling in Mina's chart while head to the nurse's station to give in Mina's chart.
"Any messages Yuzu?" as she finalized Mina's prescription and her last ultrasound check up.
"Rukia called, my brother, a Mr Hitsuguya he said he wishes to speak to you as soon as possible and my father reminded you Saturday is your appointment"
"Okay thanks and could you remind me on Friday of my appointment, I am certain I will forget" as she headed back to her office
"Rangiku" as she heard Uruyu call her name
"Yes something wrong"
"No No, Mina wanted to invite you to dinner this weekend, if you aren't busy"
"Please, you wouldn't have to bring anything just yourself" Mina chimed in
"Um sure I would love too" as she pulled off her coat
"Wow you are pregnant too" as Mina put on jacket "How far along"
"I am two weeks into my second trimester" as she placed her hand on her growing midsection
"So who is the lucky guy?" Uruyu asked
"Um Toshiro" she sad with a hint of regret
"Hitsuguya, wow, well congrats I hope to see you both this weekend" as he held Mina's hand and left.
Back in Tokyo Toshiro had just finished a long day of back to back cardioplasties as he sat at his desk updating the various patient charts his phone began to ring as he picked it up he saw it was Rangiku calling.
"Hello" he said with a bland tone.
"Hi it's me, I got your message, so I decided to call before I leave the office" she said with hesitation hoping he got paged
"So is everything okay, you sound stressed" as he waited for her to break the silence "When is your follow-up"
"On Saturday, Why?" she said as she grabbed her bag and left
"Don't you want me there?" he asked with a frigid tone
"Do you want to be there? Because I can't tell with you nowadays" as the line went silent
"What time on Saturday" as he tried to avoid responding to her comment
"It's going to be early in the morning at quarter past eight at Isshin's clinic where I work"
"Okay, so I will see you then" as he started to make a list of things to do "I almost forgot is there anything you need for the baby before I go?"
"I think I almost have everything I just have to get the furniture for the nursery assembled but I have time"
"Okay well I will see you on Saturday then" and he hung up
Back in New York as Rangiku walked through the aisles I the local Walmart she couldn't help but replay her conversation with Toshiro in her head and how cold and distant it felt, so to ease her mind Rangiku called Rukia as she waited for her number to be called at the deli.
"Hi Ran is everything okay, is the baby okay" as she heard Rukia trying to wake herself up
"Yeah I am fine, I called Toshiro" as she received the same momentary silence she had gotten earlier from Toshiro "Rukia you there?"
"Yeah I am just tired I had back to back C-Sections since four this evening I was actually sleeping when you called"
"Oh I am so sorry you could call me back later if you like." as she took her sliced turkey from the butcher and placed it in her trolley
"No, no you said you spoke with Toshiro how did that go?" as she yawned
"Well he was just going through the paces, like he wasn't concerned"
"Ran I don't know if I should be telling you this but Toshiro is dating someone, I don't know how serious it is but it looks like he is trying to move on"
"Oh well good to know" as she joined the queue to check out "Lucky him, I guess it is time we both moved on"
"I don't want to make you angry but who are you trying to convince, me or yourself ? I think you guys need to sit down and clear the air with each other before the baby comes"
"I am fine Rukia and so is this baby" as she really tried to convince herself "I have you, Retsu and Orihime and the guys and we will be fine"
"Okay you don't have to yell I hear you, I have to go call me on Saturday with the details"
"Okay" as she finished unpacking her groceries and headed to bed.