Nanami returned in time for dinner.
"Nanami I have dinner ready," Tomoe called when he had seen her walk in.
He embraced her tightly, "Are you alright. You were gone most of the day?"
She smiled, her face flushed from her ordeal, "If I'm right then everything is perfect."
She pulled him down to kiss her, "Give me five minutes and I'll be right out."
She walked away in the direction of the bathroom carrying a half full paper bag.
Twenty minutes later she walked into the dining room, an expression of dazed euphoria on her smiling face.
"It's about time," Mizuki pouted, "I was getting worried that you were still ill."
Tomoe got up to greet her, worry marking his beautiful face, "Alright, I've had enough. Will you please tell me what's going on?"
She smiled, "Tomoe relax, everything is fine. Let us eat and I will tell you after."
They ate their meal and once everything was cleared away and cleaned Nanami led Tomoe outside.
He noticed she almost had a spring to her step as she smiled continuously.
As she stood looking up at the waxing moon he stepped behind her, lacing his arms under hers and locking his fingers over her stomach and drawing her against his body.
"Will you please talk to me? I don't like it when you keep secrets."
She placed her hands over his, sighing as she again felt the peace when she was wrapped in his arms.
"Tomoe you remember our first time and how his lordship scolded us?"
"Yes."
"Do you remember what he scolded us about?"
He shrugged, "Something about you having a babe and you being in danger."
She smiled, turning around so she could look at him, "What if I told you we might need to take him up on his advise?"
At first he wasn't understanding her riddles and then he saw it. The same look Yukiji had. They glow of a beautiful woman about to bring life into the world.
His eyes grew wide as his lips began to twitch, "Say it," he thought. "Say it so I know I'm not going insane."
She took his hand and placed the palm against her stomach, smiling as tears rolled down her face, "I'm pregnant."
He smiled, lifting her into the air, her laughter making his excitement grow.
He drew her down, sitting her on his arms and kissed her passionately.
They came up for air, laughing.
"Say it again," he laughed.
"I'm pregnant."
He walked them to the porch, sitting against a support and sat her in his lap.
"We are going to have a family," he laughed.
He placed his right hand over her stomach.
She leaned against him, placing her left hand over his.
The two sat in bliss.
A short time later Nanami heard him sigh in disappointment.
She sat up and pushed away from him, "What's wrong?"
He blushed, "It's said that one can feel a child's movements whilst it's still in the womb."
She snickered, kissing him, "Silly I'm probably only about two month's along. It will take some time, even for me, to feel their movements and longer still for others to feel them."
"I see," he held her close, kissing the top of her head. "You know it's funny."
"What?"
"It is my duty to unsure that you are happy but since I met you, it has been you who has made me happy."
She smiled, "You make me happy more than you will ever know. I'm happiest knowing you are at my side."
The two embraced, kissing heatedly.
A short time later Nanami spoke, exhaustion crossing her voice, "We should tell the others. I will also be taking a trip into town to see the midwife."
He stiffened, "Are you ok?"
She smiled, "I'm fine. It's just a check up to ensure that I am in good health for the sake of the baby and so I can get some supplements to ensure the baby is healthy."
"I see."
"Will you come with me?"
His ears dropped, "The last time I tried to be involved in the birth of a child I was thrown from the room."
She looked at him curiously but smiled, "I don't want you to be away from me and neither will our child."
He smiled, "Our child."
He grew sad again, "Is it ok to admit it's a bit frightening? I know not what it is to be a father. I'm afraid the child won't like me. I'm also afraid I will lose you like Mikage said."
She placed her hands on either side of his face, drawing him down to place her forehead against his.
She smiled sweetly, brushing a feathery kiss on his lips.
"I know how you feel my love. I am also afraid. My mother died when I was too young to remember so I don't really know what it means to be a mother and even I am afraid that I won't live to see this child grow but I know you will always be there for us."
He hugged her close, "I'll never let anything happen to either of you."
They sat quietly in the night until he notice she had fallen asleep.
He lifted her into his arms and went inside, dowsing the lights as he went. He walked into her room and laid her on the futon. With a wave of his hand the light went out and he lay next her her. He propped his head on his right fist and placed the over her stomach.
He smiled, "Our child. A fragile life created from our love. Will you be a boy or a girl? Will you have your mother's beauty or will you look like me, a pitiful yokai?"
He drew his face to her stomach, "Either way I will do everything I can to make you happy." He kissed Nanami's stomach.
He then lay with his love, his arm holding her tightly against him.
The following morning the two went into town to see the local midwife.
Tomoe figeted when the smell of strong cleaners his nose.
Nanami walked up to the counter, "Momozono Nanami to see the midwife for a prenatal visit."
The woman smiled "Well hello Miss Momozono. May I say congratulations to you. What a happy
event." She noticed Tomoe standing nervously next to the girl, squeezing her hand. "This must be father."
Nanami nudged him, making him jump. She giggled, "Yes. This is my fiance Mikage Tomoe."
The woman smiled and came around the counter with a folder, "This way please," and led them to a room.
It was a calming blue color with white flowers and butterflies painted graceful across the walls.
She had Nanami sit on a raised bed but Tomoe stood in the corner, afraid to make a sound.
The nurse smiled at him, Mr Mikage you don't have to stand in the corner. Please sit next to your fiance. This is a time she needs all of your support."
He nodded and sat on the bed, taking Nanami's hand.
The older woman smiled, "Alright my name is Kotaba Hana and am the midwife assistant. I preform all duties when Midwife Kibou is away. She is currently out on a delivery today. I want you to understand that if either of you have any questions or concerns to please let me or the midwife know, day or night.
The two nodded.
"Alright now let us begin. I will be asking you questions about your family history."
They again nodded.
After several minutes Hana smiled, "Alright, everything is perfect with the paper work. Shall we begin the physical? Nanami I need you to remove your shirt but leave your under clothes."
She did as she was told leaving only her camisole on.
Tomoe took the shirt and folded it, placing it on his lap.
The woman looked over the young mother-to-be from checking her weight to her heart and lungs. When she was satisfied she had Nanami lay on Tomoe's lap.
She wheeled in a large machine, "So everything is great with mother. Your abit small for your age but that is nothing to really worry about as with pregnancy your body will change and adjust, accommodating the growth in the coming months. With that said let us take a look at the little sprite."
She shifted Nanami's shirt up to under her breasts. She then took a clear bottle, "I'm sorry if this is cold. It's a new bottle." She then squirted the clear substance across Nanami's stomach, making her flinch and moan.
Tomoe smiled as her right hand reached for his. He took it and began to caress the top of her head with his left hand.
The nurse turned on the machine, the power admitting a soft hum.
She then placed the hand device against Nanami's stomach, pressing gently.
After some shifting the nurse found what she was looking for. "There you are," she smiled. "Well now."
Tomoe twitched as Nanami squeezed his hand, "What is it? Is the child ok?"
The nurse smile, "Everything looks good. Let me take a few measurements and I will show you?"
After adjusting and moving around and hitting a few buttons she turned the screen toward the anxious parents, "Allow me to be the first to introduce you to the your little wonders."
Tomoe and Nanami looked at where the woman was pointing and found two dark circles nestled together.
Nanami paled and a smiled crossed her lips as she felt Tomoe squeeze her hand.
She looked up him finding his eyes wide, a smile twitching his lips.
"You say wonders," Nanami said, "does that mean..."
The woman smiled warmly, "Twins."
Tears rolled down Nanami's cheeks, as she placed her left hand over her lips, sniffling a hiccup, "Twins."
Tomoe coughed, "How are they?"
The nurse smiled, "They look perfect. Their hearts are beating nicely and they are the perfect size for their gestation."
"I see."
The nurse gave Nanami a towel to clean up with and then hit a button on the machine, a short slip of paper coming out of it.
She handed it to Tomoe as Nanami sat up and put her shirt back on.
He looked it over to find it was the image he had just seen on the monitor.
The nurse removed the device and returned, "Alright now that everything is taken care of do you have any questions?"
The two looked at each other then back at the woman and with a fury they bombarded her.
After a long discussion the parents-to-be were satisfied and got up to leave.
The nurse grabbed Tomoe's arm as Nanami began to head for the door, "Mr. Mikage can I have a word?"
The two grew nervous, "Don't worry it has nothing to do with the babies. Miss Momozono can you wait in the waiting room for a bit?"
She looked at Tomoe.
"I'll be right there," he told her.
She nodded and left.
He looked to the woman as she leaned against the counter smiling, "I just want to let you know that Nanami's hormones will come and go like the tides. Whatever she says do not take it to heart. She loves you it's just she is frustrated and can't figure out how to express herself which leads me to my next bit of advice." She smile, "Do not be afraid to touch her. You two being together will not hurt her or the little ones. In fact Nanami will thoroughly enjoy herself more than any other time."
Tomoe coughed, "What...really?"
The woman nodded, "So many times I've seen couples fall apart because he is afraid of hurting her or their child. Trust me she will be perfectly fine."
"Ok," he smiled, "Thank you."
She smiled and followed him out of the door.
After getting the supplements and thanking the woman, the two headed home hand in hand.