Riko softly played the piano, filling her music room with her gracious melody as she could finally have her own alone time in peace. It was You's turn to take care of Shizuku, something the sailor looked forward to a lot considering she was still trying to teach her to properly salute. While they both wanted their small child to themselves fairly often, recently the pianist had felt the need to create something, anything really to get her creative mind flowing again. Both girls hadn't thought of themselves as much as their child came first in everything they did now. A simple piece wouldn't be a lot but she knew it was the thought that would count. Plus she liked giving You little surprises every so often.
Family life had taken You and Riko by storm as their once full time jobs now felt like hobbies compared to their child. They had only been parents for nine months but they still felt like they had taken Shizuku from the hospital yesterday. You always carried a large backpack with her everywhere they went and inside of it ranged from nearly an entire pack of diapers, formula, to even an extra stuffed dog in case Shizuku lost hers.
Riko smiled as she absent mindedly tapped the keys, she could always rely on You to be overly prepared. It was always adorable when even the slightest thing would go wrong and You, bright eyes with a wide smile, would burst out anything Riko asked for.
She could still remember their first outing as a family. They were barely on their second month of being parents, and with a lot of talking from You's side, Riko reluctantly allowed them to take Shizuku outside for a simple stroll. Not that she was overly cautious or anything, it's just that she had to be sure her child was safe outside in such a dangerous world.
During their trip into a brief hike in the mountains, You had Shizuku strapped to the front of her chest while she carried the large backpack on her back. Riko has offered to help but You refused, stating that since Riko carried their child for nine months, she should take it easy. At moments like those, the pianist came to realize she really did pick the right one.
With inspiration from one of the many moments shared between the three of them, Riko realized she truly loved her new family life. It wouldn't take long before her symphony steadily made its way to being finished with such feelings inside her heart.
With some messy scribbles across her notebook, as well as slight note changes, she felt she had really grasped that feeling deep inside her. While it wasn't a long piece, it was just enough to play a tiny lullaby for her favorite girls to enjoy.
Leaning back, Riko took a look at her piece with pride. With a quick name to top it off, it was entirely finished as, "Home."
She couldn't find a better word to describe how You and Shizuku felt to her.
With everything in check, Riko stood up as she was ready to show it to You. While she would usually have jitters over showing someone a new piece, she knew her sailor would love anything she gave her. It could be three notes strung together and You would probably go on and on about how it was a symbol for their new family.
With a smile upon her lips, Riko walked over and reached for the door.
"Riko! Come over here ri-"
As she opened it though, she was immediately bumped on her head. Taking a step back, Riko placed her hand on her forehead, only to see You doing the same thing,
"Ouch."
Riko eyes widened as she hadn't realized You was there,
"Y-You, were you listening to all of that?"
Sure Riko wasn't nervous about playing finished pieces, but music that was seen before it was finished ruined it's specialty to them.
You peeked her eyes open, still softly rubbing her head, as she saw a worried Riko,
"No, I'm sorry about that. I was just excited for a moment there that I just came rushing in. I promise I didn't hear anything though!"
Sighing out, Riko was glad that she still had her little surprise,
"Oh, it's fine, I was actually just coming to get you and Shizuku."
With their child's name being said, You excitement came into full swing again,
"That's why I was over here! You have to see this, Riko!"
You grabbed Riko's hand, dragging her all the way to the living room where a small Shizuku stood on her wobbly legs. Riko gasped, covering her mouth, as You shook her head up and down like an excited puppy,
"Yeah! I know right!"
Riko put her hand on her chest as this was just about the best thing she could ever witness,
"D-Did she already take her first steps?"
You shook her head, getting onto her knees in front of Shizuku,
"No, she only stood up for a second before falling back down. But I just had to show you."
Riko kneeled alongside You. She couldn't believe she almost missed her child's first steps. She definitely couldn't go back to the piano room now, instead she found a new sense of determination.
"Come on, Shizuku, you can do it."
With Riko saying words of encouragement, You held out her hands for their daughter to go into, motioning her to come closer. Seeing as You was only a few steps away, Shizuku leaned forward, putting one leg in front of the other. Though it was technically only two steps, Riko and You yelled out in excitement at what they were witnessing, causing Shizuku to fall backwards from the sudden noise. Before she could sit for long, You scooped her into her arms, spinning them together for a quick moment before looking at Riko.
"She did it!"
Riko had no words as her eyes were filled with tears. Shaking her head in confirmation, Riko stood up along side You before placing her hands on their daughters chubby cheeks,
"I'm so proud of you."
Though she couldn't understand, Riko had to say it. She knew Shizuku had to have been able to feel what she was trying to get across.
Looking up at You, Riko encompassed her into a hug, trapping their daughter into a Watanabe sandwich.
It only lasted a moment before Riko immediately realized something,
"Wait, I have to make a piece on this."
Riko turned around, immediately rushing towards the room before You called out,
"Can we watch?"
Riko stopped for a moment. Usually she didn't like to have people witness her in her creation mode. Mostly because it was 95% failure with only it all coming together at the end in some miracle. As much as she wanted to decline, to let it be a surprise, Riko didn't want to miss out on anything Shizuku could learn to do. She was at the primary age where each day was something new.
Debating her choices, Riko decided,
"Okay, just don't judge me. I've been doing this for years but I'm still not the best at it."
You laughed as she began walking alongside Riko to the room with Shizuku in her arms,
"You always say that yet I don't think you realize how amazing you really are, Riko."
Lightly tapping her sailor's arm in embarrassment, Riko retaliated,
"No, you don't realize how amazing you are, You. You inspire me more than you know."
You smiled, looking down at the cooing Shizuku in her arms,
"We could go in forever like this. You know, back and forth with the compliments."
Riko smiled as she stepped ahead a little more to open the door to the piano room for You,
"Yeah, but I'd win."
"Impossible, but I'll let you think that."
You gave Riko a quick wink as she walked into the piano room. Rolling her eyes, Riko smiled at their dynamic. They had been playful with one another since they started dating, and though she was warned many times that it would fade after the honeymoon phase, Riko couldn't be more glad how wrong everyone was.
As Riko closed the door, she made her way to the piano as You sat with Shizuku on the playmat that was pre-set up for the room. Rather than carrying one around everywhere, You had the idea to buy one for each room which turned out to be quite the investment.
Both You and Shizuku tossed a ball to one another as Riko got situated in her seat. She would show You that finished lullaby later, as right now she needed to get what she was feeling onto paper. As Riko glanced over to see how they were doing, You made funny faces to Shizuku with each toss of the ball, earning a giggle from both the baby and Riko.
The pianist couldn't remember a time when You didn't make her smile with her antics. Seeing both of them, it made Riko so happy as it was just the family she had always dreamed of. Just a perfect wife and a perfect child, what more could she ever wish for?
A/N: Wrote this entirely inspired by my good friend Koko's first YouRiko fanfic: Yousoro to the future! They've opened my third eye to the wholesome family YouRiko life I didn't know I needed so much until now.
