I walked quickly into the Dojo. I had just come from my doctor's appointment and I knew everyone was anxiously waiting for the news. Akisame had been unable to make it because he had patients at his clinic. Shugure dropped down from the roof of the porch, her violet eyes anxious.
"So?" she asked. I smiled and pressed my finger to my lips.
"Let's get everyone together," I said.
"They're already…waiting…" she said. She snatched my shoes off my feet and took my purse, grabbing my hand and pulling me onto the porch. She opened the door and I saw everyone was in the main room. Sakaki was drinking, Apachai was playing Othello, Akisame was just walking in from the clinic, Kensei was thumbing through a magazine, Kenichi was lifting weights and Miu was folding laundry.
"She's…home," Shugure announced. Everyone turned to me and smiled.
"So?" Hayato urged. I giggled and reached over for my purse, pulling out a pale pink onesie.
"It's a girl!" I announced. A cheer went up and Akisame moved to my side, smiling. He lifted me up, pressing tender kisses to my lips. I laughed and pushed on his shoulders.
"Alright, alright," I said. "You got what you wanted. You're getting your girl."
"Are you disappointed?" he asked.
"A little," I said. "We'll just have to have a boy next time." He chuckled and kissed me again. I squirmed in his arms until he put me down.
"I do have some bad news," I said. The room went silent and everyone looked at me worried.
"The baby is big," I said. "Not freakishly so but the doctor thinks she may be ten pounds at birth. I am going to have to go on maternity leave early and get plenty of rest. He's even talking about me being confined to the bed in the later months."
"Is it serious?" Miu asked.
"He's just worried that with the size of the baby I might go into labor early," I said. "He's playing it by ear right now and as long as I don't feel too bad, I'm okay. He also suggested I do acupuncture, so Kensei…"
"It would be my pleasure," Kensei said with a smile.
"If I'm careful, I won't have any problems carrying the baby to term," I said. "So, Apachai, you can't throw me around anymore."
"Apachai will be very gentle with the mommy," Apachai said.
"Did the doctor say anything else?" Sakaki asked.
"Nope," I said. "She's a perfectly healthy baby girl!"
"Well, sit down," Akisame said, lifting me up and setting me on a plush cushion, "and I'll get you some herbal tea."
"I'll get your…night gown," Shugure said and disappeared.
"After you change, I'll do some acupuncture," Kensei said.
"Apachai will rub your feet!" Apachai offered. I laughed.
"I'm not an invalid," I said. "I just want you all to know what was going on."
"Are you tired?" Sakaki asked.
"A bit," I admitted. "She was really restless today, but she fell asleep on the way home."
"Maybe I should drive you around from now on," Sakaki suggested.
"I'm okay," I insisted. "If I feel too tired to drive, I'll let you know."
"Eh, fine," he said. "You better."
I smiled as Akisame set some tea in front of me and sat down at my side.
"So, what will her name be?" Hayato asked. Akisame looked at me but I just picked my teacup and took a sip.
"You wanted a girl so bad," I said. "You must have a name in mind." He blushed and cleared his throat.
"I thought…Kimiko," he said.
"Child without equal?" I asked. "Are you trying to give her a big head?"
"It's a good name," Akisame protested.
"I never said it wasn't," I assured. "Kimiko Koetsuji. It has a nice ring to it."
"So, is that her name?" Sakaki asked.
I rubbed my belly, smiling.
"Yes," I said. "I think Kimiko is a good name."