DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM
Ema looked like she was walking through a royal nursery as she gazed at the simple small nursery that would possibly be for her future children.
"This is better than I could have hoped for," she praised.
Natsume smiled happily.
"The simple things with you huh?" he asked.
"Yeah, never mind you had that house with two big rooms for the babies to decorate as you wanted?" Tomori asked.
"Mmm," Natsume nodded in agreement, "speaking of which, I should get Ukyo and Rika and head to the what's left of the house and see what's to be done."
"Uh, I think they already with Yusuke and Kaname," Sunako mentioned.
"What? Why?" Natsume asked.
"They said something about wanting to give you a chance to settle and then being able to meeting up with them and Mom at house," Hikaru said a little smirk.
"Wait? Mom? Did Mom!" Natsume asked.
"Maybe," Hikaru said.
"Ah shit!" Natsume muttered, "Ema! I got to go, see about the house! I'll be back!"
He dashed away fast.
"Huh?" Ema asked as she saw her husband run away in a flash.
"Don't worry he'll be back," Hikaru assured her. He looked around the nursery himself.
"Cozy, isn't it?"
"Uh, yeah, I'm liking it! Thanks guys!" Ema said, "I know it's sad our house was destroyed, but I do feel happy being back here among most of our brothers. It's nice to be within familiar settings during my last stages of my pregnancy."
"Yeah, a lot of us are actually rather excited about you being here, especially when you actually give birth and bring them home," Azusa mentioned.
"You hear that? The family is super excited for you guys!" Ema whispered to her womb.
"Hey Aunt Ema, do you want to meet the kittens?!" Kadia suddenly asked.
"Oh yes, sure," Ema agreed as she followed her out. There she saw Emiko heading to Yusuke's room.
"Okay, be careful now," Emiko advised as she slowly opened the door.
Immediately a small white stripe kitten tried running out, but Emiko caught it one swoop.
"Nice catch," Hikaru praised as he helped open the door some more, scouting to see if another kitten was going to make an escape attempt.
When the costs seemed clear, Ema followed Hikaru, Emiko and Kadia in to the room.
Ema could see two more kittens right away, one sitting on the windowsill looking out, and one resting on the bed. The one on the windowsill looked like the one that had tried to make its escape while the one on the bed was more of an orange color. It reminded Ema of a tiger a little.
"Come here you!" Emiko said as she walked over to a cardboard box and plopped it down.
Ema joined her at the box and looked in to see two more kittens, one another white with strip and another a black tuxedo color.
"Oh, how cute!" Ema cooed, "Yusuke found them?"
"Yeah, abandoned behind some building in a different box," Emiko explained, "we've more or less found homes for them."
"I'm taking one myself to a friend overseas," Hikaru said, as he patted the white stripe one still in the box
"And Yusuke and I have decided to keep this guy," Emiko said as she walked over to the tiger kitten on the bed, gently petting him. "Just something about him made us both want to keep him."
"Ah," Ema cooed some more.
"Mizu and I want to keep one!" Kadia said, pointing to the tuxedo cat, "but our mommies and daddies don't know yet."
Ema looked Tomori and Masaomi watching outside the room.
"We're just, not sure that they're both old enough to really take care of a kitten," Tomori explained.
"But we haven't ruled it out fully," Masaomi insisted.
Ema looked at Kadia admiring her hopeful kitten.
"Well here's hoping for the best," she said.
"How about the other two?"
"One's going to a classmate of mine," Emiko said, "the other, we're not 100% sure if another classmate is going to take her yet or not. But we're holding out."
"Well I hope our cats won't bother them too much while we're here," Ema said.
"Don't worry, I won't let them," Juli promised as he suddenly realized all three kittens were looking up at him curious.
"Uh-oh, I know that look," he said, "Uh Chi, so you mind if we were to maybe step out? Like now!"
"Oh, okay Juli," Ema agreed as she walked out.
"I'll have to watch my back around those little rascals," Juli said.
"Why? You get along well with Tsubaki and Azusa," Ema said.
"Yeah but they're older and mature. Not like those little ones," Juli said, "they're still trying to hone in on their hunting skills, and what do you think they'd want to hunt?!"
"Okay, okay, well, all I can say, watch your back, and maybe stay out of Yusuke and Emiko's room for now," Ema said.
"Chi, are you really happy being back here?" Juli asked.
"I am, even if it means a slightly smaller space than our new house would have provided, I'm just happy to be surrounded by family as my due date draws near," Ema insisted.
"I guess we should consider ourselves lucky you're not too depressed, given your status. Most pregnant women might get depressed by everything happening," Juli said.
Ema sighed as she laid down.
"Juli, I'm just trying to make the best of the situation, and the best is I'm a member of a highly supportive family that'll help us through this. I know when Subaru and I were trapped in that yard at first, I was sad, I was depressed. I actually almost thought everything was over, my life was ruined. But Subaru did his best to comfort me, even though he was upset himself. Then when Yusuke showed up, and kept speaking words of comfort and support while the workers help get us free, it made me feel better. Of course, be once Natsume arrived, I was so much better. Like everything was going to work out. That's how family is, and we're family."
"Mmm," Juli said as he calmly scampered towards to Ema and cuddled under her chin.
"Good for you Chi, I'm glad you can help yourself stay calm," he said as he and Ema both drifted off, resting.
"Oh my," Kaname said as he and Yusuke showed up to the damaged house, "that tree really did a number on that dwelling."
"Remind me again, why did I bring you?" Yusuke asked as the two got out.
"To offer prayers of thanks for sparing Ema and Subaru's lives, and to offer up prayers to hopefully have the house rebuilt for her and Natsume," Kaname said as he looked around the yard before clasping his hands together and chanting.
Yusuke watched as he did, shaking his head.
'Why do I have the feeling he's really hoping to check out the female neighbors and any girl workers, trying to remove this tree?' Yusuke thought.
"Wow, it's a disaster, isn't it?" he heard Ukyo say.
Yusuke turned around to see him and Rika walking towards the house too. Both studied the house in silence.
"Do you think Natsume and Ema can rebuild or anything like that? Or are they screwed?" Yusuke asked.
"No, we won't let them get screwed, and I'm sure that kind family they bought it from won't let them willingly," Rika insisted.
"True," Ukyo agreed.
"Oh my God!" they suddenly heard Miwa said.
She suddenly ran up past them and looked around at the house.
"Oh my God, it's amazing Ema and Subaru weren't smashed when this thing fell!"
"Yeah, really," Yusuke agreed.
"How did they even figure out they were in the backyard?" Miwa asked.
"A neighbor behind them heard Subaru calling for help and alerted the authorities," Yusuke said.
"I think the Ihito family is here," Rika suddenly said as another car pulled up.
The Ihito family all piled out, along with another gentleman in a suit.
"Oh my God!" Mr. Ihito's daughter said looking like she was going to faint.
"You know something bad could happen to this place because of that tree, but to see it in person, I just," His son sputtered.
Mr. Ihito made his way towards the the fallen tree.
"And to think, I wanted to keep you up! I wanted to see you stand tall! And this is how you repay me!" he shouted as he started to hit the tree with his cane.
"Dad!" his daughter shouted as she and her brother tried pulling their father away.
"I should've cut you down a long time ago like my son said! How could you betray us all like this!" the old man continued to shout as he kept hitting the tree.
The new man who had come with them meanwhile walked over to Rika and Ukyo.
"Hi, Masaru Daigen, I'm the Ihito's attorney," he introduced. "I wanted to let you know right now that my clients are offering up front to pay for the removal of the tree and clean up of the mess fully, no problem. All we want to know now is, what else would you like to have them cover in regards to fixing up the house or refunding everything back to Mr. and Mrs. Asahina."
"Well I'm pretty sure Natsume and Ema want to maybe rebuild the house and still live in it," Ukyo said.
"That's good to hear," Mr. Daigen said, "For the Ihitos informed me that they do still have insurance on the property and can help cover the cost for rebuilding."
"Oh really?" Miwa said as she suddenly approached the man with a smirk.
"Mom," Ukyo tried to protest.
"Hi, Miwa Asahina, mother of the new owners of the house," she said, "and I want to work out a new fair deal for the Ihitos in regards for cost of hecoverage."
"What do you have in mind?" Mr. Daigen asked.
"I'm thinking, your clients pay for the removal of the tree and clean up of the debris and I pay for the rebuilding of the house," Miwa said, "as a supportive mother would for her children."
"Hmm, that shouldn't be too bad of a deal. One that I'm sure that my clients can and will agree to," Mr. Daigen agreed. "We can ask them once the father is done beating up the tree."
"Oh let him, he's just unleashing his heartache over losing such a beloved thing in his life," Kaname mentioned as he kept praying.
"Maybe we should try one of his kids?" Ukyo asked.
"Yeah," Yusuke said as he ran over to Young Mr. Ihito and whispered into his ear.
The man nodded as he and Yusuke switched places and he ran over to Miwa, Rika and Ukyo and his own lawyer.
"Your brother, son said you had a deal for us in regards to cleaning up and fixing up the house?" Young Mr. Ihito asked.
"Mrs. Asahina made a rather reasonable offer, you pay for the tree and debris removal and she pay for the house rebuilt," Mr. Daigen explained.
"That's all you want?" Mr. Ihito asked.
"That's all we want," Miwa assured him.
"Well that does sound like a fair deal and all, but shouldn't we talk wit your son and daughter-in-law about this first?" Mr. Ihito asked. "See what they have to say?"
"You let me handle them," Miwa said smug, "just as long as you like and can agree to the arrangement."
"Oh I like it and will most certainly go along with it," Mr. Ihito said.
"And don't worry, I'll make sure to rebuild it just like it was before, especially if I can get my hands on the blueprints," Miwa said happily.
"Rebuild?" Old Mr. Ihito said suddenly stopping his assault on the tree.
"Yes, I was just explaining to your son here that I will rebuild the house, and do my best to keep its original structure," Miwa said.
"Really?" Mr. Ihito said as hobbled over to her eagerly.
His daughter and Yusuke followed.
"Well hello there my sweet angel," Kaname said as they walked past, winking at the woman, "are you needing comfort in this time of crisis?"
"I'm married," Aina replied bluntly.
"Ah the god sure did smile at a certain man, didn't they they?" Kaname said.
Natsume had just pulled up to the property when he immediately saw his mom talking to Old Mr
Ihito.
'Oh no Mom, what have you done!' Natsume thought as he bolted out of the car and ran towards them.
"Mom!" he called out.
"Oh hello Natsume dear, glad to see you here. We've just worked out what to do about your new house," Miwa said calmly.
"Mom, what did you do?!" Natsume demanded.
"Hmm, just got everything taken care of. The Ihitos have agreed to take care of the tree and clean up the damages done to the house, while I'll pay for the rebuilding of it to get back to just the way it was," Miwa said.
"And you did this all without me here! Shouldn't I have had a say!" Natsume said.
"I suppose but what else would you have done?" Miwa asked.
Natsume didn't have a response to that.
He did however look at Ukyo and Rika for guidance.
"It's a good deal, probably one of the fairest we could hope to get for us and the Ihitos," Ukyo said.
"I agree," Mr. Daigen said.
"This is our lawyer," Young Mr. Ihito introduce.
"How's your wife doing?" Aina asked.
"She's going to be okay, just a little bit of back problems," Natsume assured her.
The three family members all looked relived by this information, as they each breathed a sigh.
"I don't know if I could have gone on if she hadn't made it!" Old Mr. Ihito said.
"Thank you, I'll make sure she knows that," Natsume said before walking closer to his mom.
"What do you mean, you'll pay for the rebuilding?" He asked.
"Just that, I'll cover the cost, I can afford it better than you can anyway," Miwa said confidently.
"Mom! You don't have to...," Natsume started to protest.
"Yes I do," Miwa insisted, "you just bought the house, it'll cost you more to rebuild it. A cost you should be saving for the little ones. Let me handle it. I want to handle it. You just worry about taking care of my daughter and her future babies."
"But you're already covering most of the new furniture for our house already," Natsume reminded her.
"Well it's not like I can't afford that either," Miwa.said calmly and confidently.
Natsume sighed. He was too exhausted after everything that had happened to really fight against his mom.
'She wins,' he reluctantly surrendered.
"Mrs. Asahina, while we're on the subject of rebuilding the house, I was hoping to you could make a few modifications I think would suit your son's family a little better," Mr. Ihito said as he joined them.
"Like what?" Miwa asked kindly.
"Well for one thing,maybe making that home office a little bigger for both adults to use without issues," Mr. Ihito began to say. "Also I thought maybe you should consider doing some work on the bedrooms meant for the children such as a built in divider, to give the children more privacy as they get older."
"Oh these sund like decent ideas, we should definitely talk more," Miwa agreed as she walked off with the gentleman.
Natsume shook his head.
'Things are getting crazier and we haven't even had the babies yet!' he thought in defeat.
"meow,"
"Huh?" Juli said as he woke to the sound of a tiny cat's meow.
"meow,"
"Oh no! Don't tell me one of those kittens got in!" Juli said in a panic as he dashed towards the door of the bed. There he saw the cats Azusa and Tsubaki looking up at him, actually looking amused with themselves.
"Were you guys trying to trick me?" Juli asked annoyed.
The cats just stared at him some more, amused before striding off to their bed basket.
"Don't do that!" Juli threatened.
"What?" Ema asked as she sat up.
"Oh, the cats were pulling a prank on me!" Juli explained.
"The cats? Really?" Ema asked.
"They did!" Juli insisted. He looked back at the basket where the two cats watched calmly, doing their best to look innocent.
"You'll pay for this!" he threatened in a whisper.
Just then Natsume came stumbling block in looking exhausted.
"Natsume? What happened?" Ema asked as she tried sitting up.
Natsume sat on the bed near her legs, rubbing his face.
"Mom got her way after all," he muttered, "she's going to pay for the rebuilding of our house and still pay for all the new furniture."
"Mother's going to pay for that?" Ema asked.
"Yeah, she worked out a deal with the Ihitos that if they pay for the clean up, she'll rebuild the house exactly as it was before, with maybe a few adjustments here and there."
"Oh, well that's nice of her," Ema said.
"Yeah, but now once again, I'm not allowed or apparently trusted to take care of my family," Natsume muttered mad.
He suddenly felt Ema's hand on his shoulder.
"We still bought the house ourselves. It's still technically our home she has to rebuild. And she can't take that away from you."
Natsume looked at her and actually smiled at her.
"You're right," he realized, "thank you."
Ema nodded.
"So how long does this mean we'll have to stay here?" she asked.
"Roughly by the time the quads' are two months old," Natsume speculated, "maybe a little before or a little after."
"Oh, well I hope the family members still living here won't mind," Ema said.
"Are you kidding?" Natsume said, "we'll at least have them to help us out for those few months we're here."
"And at least we can share a bed here," Ema also added.
She kiss Natsume's cheek. This prompted Natsume to turn around and kiss her on the lips. A hot and heavy kiss. He even started to pushing her down on to the bed.
"Natsume, what are you doing?" Ema asked.
"I need you, so badly," Natsume said as he tried to kiss her again.
"Well I want you too but, how?" Ema asked, nodding towards her belly.
Natsume looked at it too.
"We'll find a way," he insisted, "We actually have a huge bed and a full night to figure it out and I am going to find a way!"
Ema giggled with embarrassment, but moaned with happiness as she allowed her husband to experiment on how to satisfy his need for her.
Natsume actually found himself walking with a limp the next morning as he came down stairs to see what he could do for breakfast.
To his surprise he found Ukyo and Tomori already there preparing breakfast.
Both were reading out of a cookbook as they made the meal.
"I am so glad I saved this book," Tomori mentioned.
"Me too, and that we can make a few things today for her," Ukyo agreed.
"Are you talking about Ema?" Natsume asked as he came up behind.
"Oh yes," Ukyo said as he and Tomori turned around.
"What happened to you?" Tomori asked as they noticed his limp.
"Oh, I must have slept on it wrong," Natsume quickly said.
"Oh, well anyway, Tomori found a pregnancy cook book from when we had Kadia and we're going to make sure to use it for Ema as long as you're staying here."
"Thank you, that's very kind of you," Natsume said, "as long as you won't have to compromise your own agendas."
Ukyo and Tomori looked at each other.
"Are you kidding?" they both asked.
Natsume shrugged. "If you can, will you put Ema's food on a tray so I can take it to her room?"
"Absolutely," Ukyo said as he pulled out a tray.
"Thank you," Natsume promised, "how long till the other two kids are out for summer vacation?"
"Next week, hope that won't be too much of a hassle for you guys while you're here," Ukyo said.
"No, we'll be fine," Natsume said, "we might as well get used to being around children full-time anyway."
Just then Emiko ran into the kitchen with a grocery bag.
"Got it," she said patting the bag.
"Thank you! Sorry you had to run out to the store so early," Ukyo said as he took the bag.
"Oh it's no big deal, I can try doing some full fledge shopping later," Emiko offered.
"Maybe, or see if we can save it for tomorrow, given we may still be moving out some of Natsume and Ema's things today," Ukyo mentioned.
"Do we still want to do that today?" Natsume asked.
"That's what we were going to discuss with Masa when he wakes up," Ukyo said.
"Well I wouldn't object, but where would we put most of the big stuff like the couch and desk?" Natsume asked.
"Again, what we'll discuss with Masa once he's up," Ukyo insisted.
"Okay," Natsume agreed right as Tomori put a cup of coffee in front of him.
"Black right?" she asked.
"Yes, thank you," Natsume said as he took a sip.
He did his best to stay out of the way up until Ukyo and Tomori had put together a tray for Ema.
"I'll be right back," Natsume said as he carefully picked up the tray and carried it to the elevator.
As he waited, he noticed Masaomi coming down the stairs.
"Well good morning, Natsume. Sleep well?" Masa asked.
"Yes, just taking some breakfast up to Ema," Natsume said. "Where's your wife by the way?"
"Still sleeping, I like to let her and even Mizu sleep in if they wish on a Saturday," Masaomi said, "but I'm sure they and most of the others will be getting up soon. You see any, mention I want to hold a family meeting after breakfast to discuss how and what to take care of you personal belongings back at your apartment."
"Of course, thank you" Natsume said as he got into the elevator.
When he came to his floor, he saw Sunako coming out of her room.
"Morning," She said casually as she walked past him, reading something in her hand. "You doing okay? You got a little limp going there."
"I'm fine, just slept on it wrong," Natsume insisted.
"Hmm, okay," Sunako shrugged as she headed to the stairs.
Natsume kept going on in his direction and just reached his bedroom door when he heard some more footprints in the stairs.
"Hey Natsu!" Wataru called out.
"Morning Wataru," Natsume called back, trying to get the door open.
"Here le me get that for you!" Wataru offered as he dashed over and opened it. "Is Big Sis up?"
"She is, but she should be allowed to eat her breakfast in peace if that's okay," Natsume asked.
"No prob, I'll see you downstairs then!" Wataru said as he hurried off.
Natsume walked into the room and saw Ema sitting on the edge of the bed, wrapped in a bathrobe.
"Oh thank you!" She said when she saw the tray, "you didn't have to do that!"
"I figured I'd help you take it easy in some ways," Natsume said as he position the tray around so she could eat.
"Mmm! Smells so good!" Ema said happily as she took a whiff. "But what about you?"
"Oh I'll probably go back down for some for me," Natsume said, "I just wanted to help make sure you got some food in a relaxing manner."
"Oh, I wouldn't mind eating with the family," Ema said.
"Later," Natsume assured her, "I just wanted to make things easier for you. You have to really start working on that you know, even if you hadn't been nearly crushed by a tree!"
Ema looked down at her belly. "Alright," she agreed, "thank you."
Natsume smiled at her before surprising her with a kiss to her neck.
Ema moaned as he did.
"I had a real nice time last night, after we figured it out," She whispered.
"Me too," Natsume said, "but we should try harder to wait until after the babies are born."
"True," Ema said, right as Natsume gave her one last kiss against her neck before pulling away.
"Let me know when you're done, I'll come back up for the tray and you. Masa wants to have a family meeting to discuss what to do with our things back at the apartment," he told her.
"Okay, I'll try and be quick," Ema promised.
"No, don't, take your time and enjoy your breakfast. Don't sweat the big or little stuff so much," Natsume said, as he kissed her lips.
"If you say so," Ema replied as she set about trying to eat her food some more and as Natsume headed out of the room.
As he came out, he ran into Azusa.
"Hey, morning," Azusa said.
"Morning,"Natsume replied.
"How's Ema doing this morning?" Azusa asked.
"She's good, I brought her breakfast up for her so she could eat in peace for now," Natsume said.
"Not a bad idea," Azusa said. Then noticed Natsume's walk.
"Are you okay? You're walking with a limp."
"I'm fine," Natsume insisted. "Masaomi was hoping to have a family meeting after breakfast by the way."
"Is it going to be about your things?" Azusa asked.
"Yeah, mostly," Natsume said.
"Makes sense," Azusa said, "do you think if you didn't have to be out in two weeks, you'd just stay there?"
"Oh maybe, but we'd probably end up here eventually, for the babies sake. They'll need the space," Natsume said, " I'm just worried about how them being here will affect you guys."
"Oh don't worry we'll make it work, if only because we'll all want to be around the babies so much," Azusa assured him.
The two were cut off guard by Mizu suddenly running out in front of them.
"Breakfast! Breakfast! Breakfast!" he shouted.
Natsume groaned.
"Hey, just something you'll have to deal with someday," Azusa reminded him, "four times over."
"Ugh," Natsume found himself moaning as they finally reached the stairs.
He and Azusa were suddenly cut off again, this time by Kadia suddenly appearing and running down the stairs.
"Morning Uncle Azusa, Morning Uncle Natsume," she managed to call out as she ran down.
"Morning sweetie," Azusa called back.
"Are they both like that in the morning?" Natsume asked.
"Weekends mostly," Azusa said, "or days they have off."
'Oh,' Natsume thought, remembering how Ukyo said they would be out for summer vacation by next week.
When he and Azusa return to the giant dinging table, Natsume was a little surprised to see how everyone seemed to have an assigned seating.
"Is it usually like this when you guys eat?" he whispered to Azusa.
"Kinda, especially if we all have something different to eat," Azusa said.
"So Masa and his family are usually in the far left corner there?" Natsume started to list off.
"Uh-huh, and Ukyo's is usually at the far right, and then a few seats down is where Yusuke and Emiko will sit, where Sunako and I usually sit a little ways from Masa's family. Tsubaki and Haruhi are usually across from us and Wataru sits wherever he wants. Which I guess you and Ema are welcome to as well," Azusa said as he headed to towards Sunako.
She was still reading whatever it was Natsume had seen her with before.
All over the table at most of the different spots Azusa had mentioned was a plate of food.
As Natsume sat down on the other side of Azusa, he was surprised by a plate suddenly appearing in front of him as well and looked up to see Ukyo behind him.
"Did you need anything else?" he asked kindly.
"No, this looks great," Natsume said, "thank you."
He watched as his family around him all began eating.
Both Masa and Ukyo looked like natural family men as they spoke and ate with their wives and children.
Wataru was eating his food with haste. It reminded Natsume of a few of his other brothers' eating habits as teenagers.
He also noticed Emiko place a plate of food in front of chair next to hers before beginning her own meal.
He also was well aware of Azusa and Sunako talking intensely next to him.
"Is Yusuke coming down?" Natsume asked.
"He's usually down a little later, just so he can rest up a little," Emiko said.
Natsume nodded before turning his attention to Sunako and Azusa.
"So Sunako, what are you reading?" He asked.
"Parts of my latest manuscript," Sunako said, "I like to read what I've written the day before in the morning. Helps me to see what should be edited."
"Ah, I see," Natsume said.
"Uncle Natsume, are you and Aunt Ema really going to stay here until after the babies are born?" Mizu asked.
"For now yes," Natsume said, "at least until our house is rebuilt."
"Yay! This means we'll get to see the babies every day!" Kadia said excited.
"Oh, we'll see, the babies will be super small when they're born and we'll have to be very careful around them. So your time around them will probably be limited," Tomori said.
"Oh," both Kadia and Mizu both moaned.
"Does that include me too?" Wataru asked.
"Yes," Natsume said, "I plan to keep my children as safe as possible as long as they are living here among so many different people. No offense."
"None taken, we will most assuredly help assist in keeping your babies safety as long as they are under our roof," Masaomi assured him.
"What's that?" Yusuke asked as he came to the table, adjusting his police uniform.
"We're discussing safety tips for keeping Ema and Natsume's babies safe once they are born and brought here," Masaomi explained.
"Oh yeah," Yusuke said, "got to get those sort of things sorted out and all. What I want to know is what's going to happen with Emiko's college tuition now that she's not going to be able to tend to you guys given you're living here."
"You're right," Natsume said looking at Emiko apologetic. "Perhaps we can work out a new deal for you in regards to your college tuition."
"I could get a job again," Emiko said.
"But wasn't taking that nanny job what drove you to drop out the first time?" Wataru asked.
"Well maybe I won't get a job along that calliper," Emiko said sheepishly.
"I'll pay for it," Yusuke suddenly declared.
"No, Yusuke, I don't want you to. I felt guilty enough as it was allowing your mom to pay, even if it was in exchange for helping out your brother and sister!" Emiko insisted.
"Oh come, I can help cover it!" Yusuke said, putting his arm around her, "You're my girlfriend, I want to help you out."
"You did when you let me move in with you, even before we started to officially share a room," Emiko said embarrassed.
"I'm sure you can talk it over with Mom," Masaomi said, "and maybe between all of us here, we can find you a decent job that'll cover your tuition if that's what you want."
"Thank you," Emiko said.
"In the meantime, we do need to discuss when we can go and start helping to empty out Natsume and Ema's apartment," Masaomi continued.
"Or where we'll keep our stuff," Natsume added.
"Oh that's easy, we can keep your big things like your couch, desk and table in the storage unit," Ukyo said, "we should have plenty of room for everything."
"You sure?" Natsume asked.
"Oh yes, we cleared up a lot when we pulled out the cribs and changing table in preparation for your little ones," Ukyo said.
"What about some of our other things?" Natsume asked.
"Well, we set aside the two rooms on either side of the babies' room as secondary rooms for storing babies things or if you need some more space to tend to them. Give you guys more space for everything," Masaomi said.
Natsume nodded, "that'll be helpful."
"Plus the room next to the one you and Ema are using can be used for more storage for your things," Tomori added.
"Sounds like you got everything planned out," Natsume said, with a smile.
"Well where everything should go, yeah," Masaomi said, "not when we go get everything."
"When's good for everyone else?" Natsume asked.
"I have a half shift today so I can't come help until this afternoon," Yusuke said.
"Same here," Tomori said.
"Well then, how about we spend the morning packing up the small things and then see where we are in the afternoon when at least Yusuke is off," Masaomi suggested.
"Should we contact Louis and maybe Hikaru or Kaname to help as well?" Rika asked.
"I guess it couldn't hurt to ask," Masaomi said smiling at his wife. "I'm sure Subaru wouldn't mind helping if he and Mie weren't leaving today."
Just then everyone heard footsteps coming towards the dinging area and saw Subaru and Mie approaching.
"Hi," Mie said softly waving.
"We just came to check in on Ema before we headed home," Subaru said.
"She's upstairs in our old room having breakfast in peace," Natsume said as he stood up. He reached for his empty plate.
"Leave it, I'll get it," Ukyo said.
"Alright," Natsume said as he led Subaru and Mie to the stairs.
"Well finish talking about getting your things later," Masaomi said.
"What's that?" Subaru asked.
"We were discussing getting my and Ema's things moved out of the apartment today and maybe tomorrow," Natsume explained.
"Oh," Subaru said. He glanced at Mie.
"Would you like to stay and help?" she asked.
"I'd like to yes," Subaru admitted.
"Well we can stay an extra day if you want to. We can even take the family jet home if need be," Mie offered.
Subaru smirked and kissed her forehead.
"Thank you," he said.
"Ema, you decent?" Natsume asked as he opened the door.
"Yes, I was just starting to get figure out what to wear," Ema said, standing next to the closet.
"Subaru and Mie are here," Natsume mentioned.
"Oh, let them in," Ema said happily.
"Well, you look like you're doing okay for the most part," Subaru said.
"Yeah, just a little sore back really," Ema insisted.
"And the babies?" Subaru asked.
Ema looked at her belly, rubbing it.
"Other than the two that are now a little squished together, the doctors say they should be okay," she said, "and hopefully the two that are pressed together can drift apart on their own."
"I hope so," Subaru said softly.
Natsume meanwhile looked towards Mie who was standing more out in the hallway looking a little ashamed for some reason.
He slipped over to her.
"Are you okay?" He asked.
"It's, nothing," Mie tried to say as she back away.
"Are you sure?" Natsume prodded.
"I guess, I'm feeling a little ashamed of myself," Mie admitted in whisper.
"Ashamed of what?" Natsume asked.
"Here I've been wanting to do my best to be a true member of this family among all of your siblings and in-laws, but," Mie but her lip, "when I first the tree crushing your house and knowing Subaru was in there, my first thoughts were if he was okay. I was more concerned about him than Ema's wellbeing and she was the one more vulnerable!"
Natsume let out a snort.
"You know, you may be joining the family and we all like you. But there is nothing wrong with being more concerned with the man you love over say his sister, even if she's pregnant. I myself was first thinking about Ema when I saw the wreckage before I started thinking about Subaru. But if course I was concerned for him."
Mie looked at him, looking slightly teary eyed.
"You sure?" she asked.
"I don't blame you for thinking of Subaru first," Natsume assured her, "I'd be more worried if you hadn't. He's the one you want to spend the rest of your life with. We're just the added package that comes with it. I'm still happy to call you sister."
"Thank you," Mie said as she looked towards her man with loving eyes, now cleared of the tears.
Natsume nodded.
'She is still going to fit in just fine with this family,' he thought as he looked back at his own wife with love.