DISCLAIMER I DO NOT OWN BROTHERS CONFLICT IN ANYWAY SHAPE OR FORM
A while later, Natsume helped lead Ema downstairs to the family room, where most of the other family were waiting.
Yusuke was fixing his police tie and Tomori stood with her briefcase.
"So are we ready?" Masaomi asked once he saw Natsume and Ema, and moved to help Natsume get Ema situated on the sofa.
Mizu and Kadia immediately ran to her.
"Are you really okay Aunt Ema?" Kadia asked.
"Of course I am," Ema assured her and Mizu, "Uncle Subaru saved me after all."
"Wow, I hope I can be a hero like Uncle Subaru some day!" Mizu praised.
Natsume and Masaomi meanwhile back up and over to the rest of the family.
"So I have some boxes saved at my company we can use. I was going to bring them home yesterday, but...," Natsume drove off.
"Can we still get into your office and get them?" Masaomi asked.
"We should be able to," Natsume said, right as he was distracted by the sound of Mizu and Kadia laughing at something Ema was telling them.
"Kids can probably stay here with Ema," Ukyo said.
"Yeah, they should just stay here, they'd just get in the way," Tomori agreed as she gave Ukyo a quick kiss, "I'll call you when I'm off, see if you still need help moving."
"Me too," Yusuke said as he touched up his uniform, "I'll definitely come help if I can."
"Well, Kaname, Hikaru, and Louis and Yuki all said they can come help too," Rika mentioned, as hung up her phone.
"What about Futo and Keitorin?" Mie asked.
"We should have plenty of help with who we have," Rika assured her, "besides, Futo, helping? Not going to happen easily."
"True, he's been like that even before he became an idol," Azusa said rolling his eyes.
"Who wants to stay here with Ema and help her watch the kids?" Masaomi called out.
Surprisingly all four women present raised their hands. They actually all laughed when they saw what they did.
"I was only volunteering because of Mizu, and figured I could control my son best. He can be a handful," Rika quickly said.
"Kind of same with me, I figured I could keep them occupied with a story or two if they got out of hand," Sunako said.
"I volunteered so I can spend more time with Ema and the kids before we go home," Mie said.
"Well then why don't you stay here? It would make more sense," Emiko said.
"Yeah sure," Rika and Sunako agreed.
"Okay," Mie said happily.
"You two behave for your aunts, especially Aunt Ema, she's not able to move around a lot and gets tired easily!" Rika warned the two children.
"We promise," both Mizu and Kadia said.
"Just remember, we're a phone call away," Masaomi added, "your aunts call us for everything, it'll trouble."
"Starting with no desert tonight!" Ukyo said sternly.
That actually earned a look of fear in the kids' eyes.
"Alright let's get going, we shouldn't keep the other four waiting," Natsume called out.
All the adults hurried along after them, while Mie joined Ema on the couch with the kids.
Mizu and Kadia looked between the two of them.
"So, what are we going to do?" Kadia asked.
"Well, what would you like to do?" Mie asked.
"Uh," Mizu tried to decide, "can I plug in my video game?"
"Sure," Mie said, "I can help with that."
"And Kadia, what would you like to do?" Ema asked.
"Can we play my princess board game?" Kadia asked.
"Sure, where is it?" Ema asked.
"In the game closet," Kadia said, pointing to the door.
"Ah, okay, hang on," Ema said as she tried to stand up.
"Oh no, Ema don't worry, I'll take care of it," Mie said, "Just as soon as I get Mizu's game set up."
"No, no I can do it," Ema insisted as she managed to get to her feet. She then waddled over to the game closet and looked inside.
"Where is it?" Ema whispered, as she looked for the game. Then she saw it on the top shelf.
"Oh dear," Ema said as she tried to reach up to get it, but it was just out of reach.
'If I wasn't so heavily pregnant, I could manage to get it!' she thought. She started looking around for something to help grab or knock the game down.
"Kadia, can you grab me a broom or something long so I can reach the game?" Ema asked.
Kadia quickly ran off and soon came back with a mop.
"Will this do?" she asked, "it was in the front of the supply closet."
"Yes that's fine," Ema said as she tried using it to tip the game over the edge enough to maybe catch it. However instead she ended up causing the game next to it to fall and hit her on the head.
"Owe!" Ema moaned.
"Are you okay Aunt Ema?" Kadia asked.
"What happened?" Mie asked as she came over fast.
"One of the games on the top shelf fell and hit my head," Ema explained embarrassed.
They all started to hear laughing and looked back at Mizu.
"You really are as clumsy as Uncle Futo says!" he said in between laughs.
He quickly stopped though when he realized the three girls weren't giving him a happy expression and return to his gaming.
"Here let me get the game," Mie said as she put away the other one and managed to get the princess one down.
Ema sighed, "I really thought I could get it," she said as she waddled back to the couch.
"You should be taking it easy as is," Mie said.
"No, I need to move a little, it'll help keep up my strength and will be good for my back in the long run," Ema insisted.
"Is that what the doctors said?" Mie asked.
"Yes, I have to make sure I'm exercising, and not sitting for so long," Ema explained.
"I would think they would want you to rest more than anything," Mie said as she help set up Kadia's game.
"Well they do, but not for too long. Any more than not working for too long of a time," Ema further told.
"It's so confusing about what's best for a baby and what's not," Mie said. "Anyway, let's play!"
"Yeah!" Kadia agreed.
The three girls played while Mizu enjoyed his own game for a while until they were interrupted by Ema's cellophane.
"Sorry, I should see who that is," Ema apologized and answered, "Hello?"
"Hey Sensei, how are you feeling?" Keitorin asked.
"Oh I'm going to be okay," Ema assured her, "but I am probably going to start getting things set up to do more work from home up until my due date. I can do more like organizing the spreads, getting models or supplies for shoots, make schedules, that sort of thing."
"Sounds good, I can even help set up that you can view the actual shoots and give me pointers and what not," Keitorin offered.
"Sure, if you feel it's necessary," Ema said.
"Speaking of work, I was wondering, would trust Mr. Bumon to help find us the opening you still have?"
"I don't see why not, sorry I couldn't do it before," Ema said.
"It's fine, we were doing fairly well when you were able to come into the office in person," Keitorin said, "but also speaking of hiring new people, I was wanting to ask. How would you feel if we put Rika on as part time so she has a little more time to do her own photo shoots, and then hire on another part time person?"
"Sure, that could...," Ema paused as she thought about what Natsume had mentioned earlier over Emiko's predicament in regards to her college tuition and no longer having to help her and Natsume out.
"I actually may know someone we can bring in for the part time position. I'll get back to you once I ask her," she said excited.
"Sure, and let Bumon know about getting the other position filled," Keitorin said. "So what are you up to right now?"
"Just relaxing at Sunrise with Mie, Kadia and Mizu while everyone else is helping Natsume pack things up from the apartment," Ema said.
"Oh, and they didn't ask me or Futo for help?" Keitorin asked.
"Well, we figured you'd be busy," Ema muttered.
"Yeah right, they just know I wouldn't waist my time and precious body in such a task," Futo's voice suddenly came over the phone.
"Futo?" Ema said in surprise.
"So you're at Sunrise with the kids? Got it, be by soon," Futo suddenly declared.
"I, what?" Ema asked as the phone suddenly went dead. She looked at Kadia and Mie. "I guess Uncle Futo and Aunt Keitorin are coming over."
"Yay!" Kadia said happily.
"Ha ha, I can tell him the stupid story of you getting hit on the head!" Mizu said.
Ema groaned.
When Natsume and his family all arrived back at his apartment, he found Hikaru, Louis and Yuki already there waiting in the parking lot, talking.
"Well about time you showed up," Hikaru said.
"Sorry, we had to stop off to get the boxes to put things in," Natsume said, as he opened the back of his car and pulled them out.
Masaomi was also pulling out boxes from his car.
Suddenly a bigger truck pulled into the parking lot as well.
"Hey," Kaname called out from the driver's seat.
"What's with the truck?" Ukyo asked.
"Oh like it?" Kaname said smug, "I was able to borrow it from my monastery for moving the big stuff. They were more than willing to let me use it for the day."
"Oh, thanks," Natsume said.
"Just my way of helping," Kaname bragged, "so shall we get going?"
"Yes, let's," Natsume said as he led his family to his building.
"So how should we do this?" Azusa asked as everyone came to Natsume's door.
"I got this," Rika spoke up.
"Of course," Natsume said as he moved aside to let her speak.
"Okay, Azusa, Subaru, you two will help Natsume carry down the couch. Ukyo, Kaname, and Masa,"
she smiled at her husband as she spoke his name,
"will handle the desk, once Natsume has a chance to take care any paperwork he has in it. Hikaru, Louis, you two will go through the kitchen. Bag things up, put things aside you think Natsume and Ema would want to get rid of. Louis, I want you to pay special attention to the food, see what can be brought back to Sunrise and what might need to be tossed and what might be able to be donated."
"Got it," both men said.
"Emiko, Wataru, you two will handle the bathroom. Pack things up, throw other things away. Similar to what Hikaru and Louis are expected to do."
"Okay," Emiko said.
"Doing the bathroom sounds lame!" Wataru complained.
"Just do it!" Rika snapped. "Yuki, you get started on the clothes, we'll help after we take care of some of the other things. Sunako, you and I can get the table and then one of us will get Natsume's chair. Which afterwards we'll help Yuki with the clothes or other things that still need to be packed up. Everything good?"
No one objected.
"Good, let's do this," Rika said.
"Mmmhmm," Natsume said as he unlocked the door. Everyone filed in as best they could, going to the assignments Rika had given them.
"You don't mind if I go through yours and Ema's undergarments, do you Natsume?" Yuki asked as she opened the closet.
"It's fine if you're not squeamish on the subject," Natsume said, going through his files and paperwork.
"Want me to help take care of your computer?" Ukyo asked.
"Go ahead, I actually have the storage box in my storage closet," Natsume said.
"Here, Emiko said as she opened the door and presented it to the desk group.
"Thanks," Masaomi said kindly.
"Should I go ahead and take the cat's climbing tree down to the truck?" Subaru asked.
"Yes, go ahead," Natsume said.
Azusa quickly help grab the other end and walked with Subaru out of the apartment. Behind him, Rika and Sunako carried out the table.
"Can someone else get Juli's house down from the wall?" Natsume also asked.
"Let's see," Kaname said as he set to work unhinging the house from the wall. "Easy peasy."
"Thanks," Natsume said. "I think that's the rest of the paperwork. So once we get the computer packed, we can take down the desk.
"I think I have it all done," Ukyo said, as he started packing it up in its box.
"Do you have any packing tape for the boxes?" Masaomi asked, "just in case?"
"Maybe in the supply closet," Natsume said.
"Oh Natsu, do you happen to have a cooler for your cold things?" Hikaru asked.
"Oh yeah, a small one in the supply closet as well," Natsume said.
The family continued with the packing, asking the occasional question on what to keep, what to get rid of, and where something was.
After a while, the apartment was empty of everything.
Natsume stood in the middle looking around one last time.
"You okay?" Masaomi asked him as he came and stood next to him.
"Yeah, I guess. It's a little hard saying goodbye to the place I've known as home for so long," Natsume admitted. "All the more reason I'm glad Ema wasn't here. She'd be emotional about it too."
Masaomi smiled and patted Natsume's head.
"Come on, I think we're done here," he said.
"Yeah, just have to turn in the keys at this point," Natsume said as he and Masaomi walked out and followed a few of the others out.
"So back to Sunrise?" Kaname asked from his truck.
"Yes, please," Natsume said as he climbed into his car, now full of boxes.
"Take the truck to back near the storage area," Masaomi instructed.
"Hey Kaname! Can I ride back with you?" Wataru asked eagerly.
"Sure, hop in!" Kaname allowed.
"Can I drive?" Wataru also asked.
"Sorry, you'll have to pray harder than that," Kaname replied with a smirk.
"Awe!" Wataru moaned.
"Does he have his license yet?" Natsume asked.
"Not quite but he is allowed to drive with a license carried adult," Masaomi explained. "But I wouldn't trust him to drive a truck that size either."
"It's amazing they let Kaname drive it," Rika said as she got into Masaomi's car.
"Let's get back to the house," Masaomi said with a smile.
Natsume nodded as he also got into his car. He hoped Ema was doing okay back at the residence.
"...and it landed right on her head!" Mizu told Futo in-between laughs as he and Futo played his video game.
"Did it really?" Futo said with his own amusing smile. He looked back at Ema.
"Let's hope your kids aren't as klutzy as you. Can only imagine the kinds of accidents they'll get into."
"Futo be nice!" Keitorin snapped at him.
Futo just shrugged and return his attention to playing with Mizu.
"You certainly seem a little bolder when it comes to him," Ema mentioned.
"Yeah and I don't know if I love it or hate," Futo said, "I'm leaning towards loving since I haven't dumped her yet."
"Thanks?" Keitorin said as she rolled the dice.
"I am glad you two came by, it's nice to see you and figure out things for work," Ema said, "I like these photos you did for FIT FOR FUN. They look great!"
Mie looked over Ema's shoulder at the photo book Ema was looking over.
"These are good," she said, "if the magazine business and or being Futo's personal photographer doesn't work out, I bet we could use you for taking pictures of our different hotels and resorts."
"Thanks," Keitorin said.
"Same with you Ema," Mie insisted, "Mother's mentioned she likes your work."
"I'm not sure how much if any work I'll be doing once the babies come," Ema said.
"Oh don't be like that! We all know how talented you are! If anyone can take time off, it should Natsume. He can replaced real easily," Futo said.
"No he can't! He's a hard worker and his company is lucky to have him!" Ema defended her husband.
"Ha! He's just another pencil pusher. He's a dime a dozen. You're the one everyone will miss you were to be a stay at home mom," Futo argued.
"Would you say the same thing about me?" Keitorin asked.
"Well hopefully you won't be dumb enough to get pregnant with a whole herd at once. Plus we could actually afford a nanny if you wish to keep pursuing your photography. You're just as talented as Ema and I wouldn't want you to waist it," Futo said.
"Thanks hon," Keitorin said.
"He can be sweet when he wants to be, can't he?" Mie asked.
"Wouldn't you like to know," Futo said as he headed over to her. He leaned over her slightly. "Just out of curiosity, would you and Subaru ever be interested in swinging?"
"What?" Mie and Ema both sputtered.
"Oh brother," Keitorin muttered.
"You want to go play on the swing set Uncle Futo?" Kadia asked.
Futo smiled and patted her head.
"This is a different type of swinging sweetheart," he said, "more adult swinging."
"How do adults swing?" Kadia asked.
"Well you see...," Futo started.
Suddenly a frying pan came and smacked Futo on the head.
"Futo don't you dare!" Ukyo suddenly ordered as he appeared behind his brother holding a box in one hand and a frying pan in another, "I don't know what you've been talking about but you will not corrupt my daughter!"
"Oh didn't realize you were back," Futo said casually, rubbing his head, "thanks for messing up my hair!"
"I can mess up a lot more! Just try me!" Ukyo warned, pointing his frying pan at Futo.
"Why are you even here?" Natsume asked, standing next to Ukyo, as well as everyone else filing in.
"Oh Keitorin wanted to ask what's her name, Emiko to come work with her and Ema part time," Futo said. "I just got dragged along."
"Right, you were dragged," Keitorin muttered.
"You want me to come work for you?" Emiko asked as came up to her and Ema.
"Here, let me take that box for you and you three can talk," Mie offered.
"Can we help too Daddy?" Keitorin asked.
"Oh sure, feel free," Masaomi answered.
"Don't expect me to help! Can't risk damaging my figure," Futo declared.
"We weren't going to anyway," Azusa said.
"Oh excuse me," Futo said as he rejoin Mizu as the game.
"Just stay out of the way, will you?" Hikaru asked as he walked past, patting Futo and Mizu's hair.
"Watch the hair!" Futo snapped.
"Mizu's not going to help himself, is he?" Rika whispered to Masaomi.
"Eh, we got enough help," Masaomi assured her.
"That's not the point. It wouldn't hurt him to learn some responsibility," Rika explained.
"Just let him be for now, can't win them all," Masaomi said casually.
He noticed Rika looking a little discouraged.
"Penny for your thoughts dear?" he prodded.
"Well it's just, if Mizu's still like that, are we ready for a second baby?" Rika asked reluctantly.
"Second baby?" Masaomi said, nearly dropping his box.
"Well, I figured once we were at a good place with Mizu we could at least talk about it. But if he's still that immature, how will he act around a sibling?" Rika asked.
"Honey, he could be the most well behaved child and still not take too well to a new baby brother or sister," Masaomi said.
"I guess, I don't know, I just have a bad feeling that if we had a baby now ourselves, Mizu wouldn't take it well and act out because of it," Rika admitted.
Masaomi nodded in understanding, "well since we'll be having the quadruplets here for a while, maybe we can use it to see just how Mizu does react to having a new baby or babies around."
"You're right, let's see how he deals with that and then we can discuss if we're ready for another," Rika agreed.
"Good, let's not sweat it then," Masaomi said.
Although in his mind he was doing a happy dance with the idea of having another child.
"So what would you want me to do if I were to work for you part time?" Emiko asked as she sat with Ema and Keitorin.
"We'd probably have you focus on scheduling for the shoots, like days times, what models and or props to use," Ema told her.
"Well I guess I can give it a try, it'll definitely be a help for my tuition," Emiko said.
"I can help set up your computer for the work," Keitorin said, "I'll have to help set up Ema's anyway. And I'm sure she's going to like having a person here she can work alongside with anyway."
"It's true," Ema agreed, "I'd like the company."
"Then I think that should seal it," Emiko said.
"Great, I'll set up a time for you to come in and be officially hired," Keitorin said, "what time will work for you?"
"Everything going okay?" Natsume whispered to Ema as he walked past.
"Yeah, I think we'll be able to hire on Emiko part time. It'll be nice to have someone to work with at home so I'm not all alone," Ema said.
Natsume squeezed her shoulder.
"Happy to hear things are working out for you," he said.
"How's the unpacking going?" Ema asked.
"Smoothly as could be expected," Natsume assured her.
"You sure you got that Kadia? It looks awfully heavy," they heard Louis say as he walked in with his little niece, both holding a box. Kadia's was just a small one that any of the adults could carry with one hand.
"I got it! I'm a big girl! I ear my veggies and everything!" Kadia bragged as she proudly walked to the stairs.
Louis let out a chuckle.
"She's so cute. I hope my kids can be adorable as her," he said.
"Are you and Yuki thinking about tying the knot?" Natsume asked him.
"Oh no, not now. We're not ready for marriage," Louis said. "We're just happy being a couple living together."
"Eh just as well, too much excitement going on around here as is," Natsume said with a shrug.
"Exactly," Louis said, "although I will admit, we had a lovely time at the Pink Peony."
"What room did you stay in?" Ema asked.
"The Flower Field room, it made you feel as though you were resting in an actual field of flowers. So relaxing," Louis said happily.
"Interesting," Natsume said as he headed to help more.
Louis kept smiling at Ema.
"I appreciate you recommending the Inn, Yuki and I have been most satisfied with our stay there," he said with a wink.
"You, you're welcome," Ema sputtered.
"What room did you and Natsume stay in while you were there?" Louis asked casually.
"The Waterfall room, oh it was so nice," Ema said, remembering the great time she and Natsume had had there themselves.
"In fact," she started to whisper, "I was considering giving one of my sons the name Hayase, if we have one. Natsume found out it means waterfall."
Louis widen his smile, "don't worry, I won't tell." He rubbed Ema's belly. "and I hope I get to meet my nephew Hayase soon, as well as his brothers or sisters."
"Thank you," Ema said. "You haven't had a chance to come to an ultrasound appointment yet have you?"
"No but I'm patient," Louis assured her, "you let our other brothers have a chance first, unless there's an opening."
"An opening for what?" Kaname asked as he walked past with some boxes of his own.
"Coming to see the babies at one of my ultrasound appointments," Ema said.
"Oh, yes, I too have not yet have the chance to view my future nieces or nephews," Kaname.
"Well I'm still due for a few before my due date," Ema said in comfort.
"You're always so sweet and kind," Kaname said, "do let me know as soon as I can join you. Who else hasn't had the privilege?"
"Aside from Louis, Hikaru and Yusuke," Ema said.
"What haven't I done?" Hikaru asked as he came down the stairs.
"Gotten to see Chi's ultrasound," Louis said.
Hikaru smirked, "I suppose it wouldn't hurt, even if I already know what they are. Despite what Natsume says."
"Well I won't have another appointment for another two weeks, and then two weeks after that. So the four of you can work it out among yourselves," Ema suggested.
"Will do," Hikaru said. He and the other two brothers nodded before going back on their way to helping to unload the cars.
As they did, Azusa walked in carrying a computer bag.
"Got your laptop here Ema, any place you want to place it?" He asked.
"Oh, can I see it? I can get to work setting up the connection from here to the office," Keitorin asked.
"Sure," Azusa said, handing it off to her, "I think we're about ready to unload the big truck of your bigger items."
"Where are you going to put that sort of stuff?" Mie asked.
"We have a storage unit in the back for such things," Futo said from his game.
"Still thinking about keeping everything for your home once it's rebuilt?" Keitorin asked.
"We hope to, it'll be nice to have a place to sit besides the bed when we need to relax and or tend to the babies," Ema explained.
"Speaking of baby stuff, you really don't have much for them yet do you," Sunako mentioned as she walked past, managing to carry two boxes herself.
"We didn't have the room for anything like that yet. And we were planning on ordering most online. Plus mother was going to supply the furniture. We figured once we got settled in to our new house, we'd be able to start ordering and letting mother deliver our needed items," Ema said.
"And now?" Azusa asked.
"Now we can at least start loading up on diapers," Natsume said with a smirk.
"Are we going to need a whole new storage unit for them?" Azusa joked.
"We just might!" Natsume returned the joke," speaking of units, want to come help unload the big stuff?"
"Coming," Azusa said as they headed out.
"He's right, we can start ordering more things the babies," Ema said, a little excited about the idea.
"You should see this adorable dress I was thinking about getting for if I have a daughter!"
"Oh!" Mie, Emiko and Keitorin all cooed as they tried to huddle around her.
Sunako just shook her head and made her way to the stairs.
"Not interested in clothes?" Futo taunted as she walked past him and Mizu.
"Not really no," Sunako said.
"And that's why she's at the bottom of sister-in-laws or brothers' girlfriends I'd swing with," Futo whispered smug.
"What did you say?" Sunako asked.
"That you're probably the bottom of my list sister-in-laws and my brothers' girlfriends in terms of attractiveness," Futo explained like it was nothing.
"Futo that wasn't a very nice thing to say!" Ema scolded.
"Yeah!" the other three girls agreed.
"Don't listen to him Sunako, you're beautiful!" Mie insisted.
"Thanks," Sunako said, "but just so we're clear here Futo, you're saying you wouldn't peruse me out of all the other women among your family?"
"Exactly," Futo said.
"Oh thank God!" Sunako said, "I was worrying that my attempts to repeal you wasn't going to work. But now I can sleep easy knowing that I'll never have to worry that my boyfriend's wimpy little brother doesn't want me! God knows I never wanted you!"
"Wait, are you saying you don't want me?" Futo asked.
"You're at the bottom of my list of you and your brothers I'd want to maybe get with if it doesn't work out with Azusa. And that includes Wataru once he's of legal age," Sunako said as she made her way up.
"Really, I come before Futo?" everyone heard Wataru asking from above.
"Oh yeah, you're only really towards the bottom because you're not old enough," Sunako told him.
"Ha! You hear that Futo. I'm more wanted than you!" Wataru mocked his brother from above.
"We'll see about that!" Futo shouted at him.
"Yeah, Uncle Futo's the most handsome out of everyone! Including my dad!" Mizu insisted.
"Thanks Kid," Futo said calming down and going back to their game.
"Boy Sunako triggered him good," Emiko whispered, "she's always so badass!"
"Mhmm," her friends all agreed.
"Well, that should just about do it," Natsume said after a while coming back into the house along with many of his other brothers.
"Everything all squared away in the storage unit or in the spare room next to yours," Masaomi concur.
"Oh good," Ema said. "Sorry I couldn't help out much."
"Don't sweat it Chi," Louis said, "we got it covered."
"We know you would have been going overboard with helping if you could have," Hikaru said.
"Futo!" Azusa suddenly shouted as he came upon his younger brother and punched him in the back of the head.
"Watch the hair!" Futo complained.
"Did you seriously say my girlfriend was at the bottom of your so called list of who you deem attractive among our wives and girlfriends;" Azusa snapped at him. "You ass!"
"Azusa, it's fine!" Sunako tried to calm him down.
"He shouldn't be saying that about you!" Azusa insisted.
"What, don't tell you don't have a way of ranking all them ladies?" Futo taunted.
"You never change!" Azusa said.
"Azusa, it's fine, really," Sunako kept assuring him, "let him be. At least I don't have to worry about his dumb ass trying to make a pass at me! The only one who's opinion I care about is yours anyway."
Azusa still kept shooting Futo death glares.
"Look, if it means anything, it was a real hard list to put together and it's changing all the time. So who knows, maybe she'll move up at some point," Futo tried to defend himself.
"Ewe, no!" Sunako groaned.
"That disgust you?" Futo asked.
"More than anything," Sunako said with a sneer.
"What the hell do you see in this chick, Azusa?" Futo asked his brother.
"If you have to ask then you'll never get it," Azusa said looking at Sunako with pride.
Ema could hear Natsume moaned.
"This is why I moved out to begin with, too many petty squabbles like this," he whispered to her.
"We'll be okay I'm sure," she whispered back.
"Come on Futo, let's go, I've done what I needed to for Sensei, and Emiko now," Keitorin said as she grabbed her boyfriend's arm.
"Fine, whatever," Futo muttered. He did walk over to Ema.
"You take care of yourself, got it? I still want to spoil those four kids, got it?"
"Of course Futo," Ema agreed to humor him.
"We should get going to," Subaru mentioned to Mie.
"You're right," Mie agreed. They too walked over to Ema and gave her a hug each.
"Take care," Mie said.
"Next time we see you will probably be when the babies are born," Subaru mentioned.
"That's fine, it was nice seeing you as is," Ema assured him.
"Bye everyone," Mie called out as she and Subaru left.
"Bye," everyone called out after them.
"I too should get going, got to return my monastery's truck," Kaname said.
"Thanks again for letting us borrow that," Natsume made sure to mention as Kaname left.
"No problem, any time," Kaname said happily.
"Can we reimburse you for the gas?" Masaomi offered.
"Oh of course not," Kaname insisted, "that's not why the monastery loans out the thing. Take care."
"Maybe we should still offer," Masaomi said, "I'll make sure to contact the head of the monastery to offer."
"Shall we be going too?" Hikaru asked Louis and Yuki.
"I guess we should," Louis again, nodding at Yuki.
"Sure of course," Yuki agreed. "Bye everyone."
"Especially you Chi, may you stay strong throughout your pregnancy," Louis made sure to say.
"Thank Louis, you and Yuki take care as well," Ema said as she waved good bye.
"Well, looks like we can finally rest a little huh?" Masaomi said once all the brothers who lived away from Sunrise had left.
"Should we consider take out tonight?" Ukyo asked.
"If you're the one suggesting it then, I think that's what we'll need to do," Rika said, "I'll handle that. In the meantime, Mizu I think you've had enough video game for today."
"Your mom's right son, time to get off," Masaomi agreed as he tried turning his son's game off.
"Oh come on Dad! Just a few more minutes!" Mizu pleaded.
"You're done. In fact, you're way past done," Masaomi said. Mizu tried to stop him from turning his game off, but Natsume quickly grabbed the boy to let Masaomi finish.
"You heard your parents, enough's enough," Natsume scolded.
"Oh come on Uncle Natsume! You're not even my real dad!" Mizu whined.
"No but I respect your father and mother's opinion on your upbringing. And if they feel that you need to get off your game, then I shall help enforce that decision," Natsume said.
"Thank you Natsume," Masaomi said as he wrangled Mizu up in his arms.
"Come on you, we'll find you something else to keep you busy."
"Please not a chore dad!" Mizu complained.
"We'll see," Masaomi said slyly.
"Something you'll have look forward to, no doubt huh?" Azusa asked once Masaomi and Mizu were gone.
"Course, you Natsume seem to be already well trained in the way of discipline."
"Hmm," Natsume shrugged, taking a seat next to Ema.
"Unless of course we get all girls, then we might not have to worry too much about them being bad," Ema joked.
"Oh don't sell yourselves short," Ukyo warned, "we've had our fair share of troubles with Kadia. And she's not even a teenager yet!"
Natsume looked at with a concerned face, "we'll Ema wasn't that bad as a teenager."
"True, but you'll never know. Tomori's warned me she was a little handful in her teenage years," Ukyo explained.
"I had a fair share of troubles in high school too," Sunako mentioned, "I actually practically made it my high school mission to torment any of the struck up preppy girls at my school. It brought me joy seeing them suffer especially after I saw them picking on or teasing another classmate."
Azusa actually gave a snort of laughter at Sunako's story.
"Man I wish I could have seen that. So would Tsubaki. You'd be his hero in a way," he said.
Ema meanwhile looked over at Natsume. He was looking worn out.
"You okay? Are you tired from the move?" she asked.
"That and the idea of what we may have to deal with when these four are teenagers," Natsume admitted rubbing his face in frustration.
"There's still a chance they'll be good kids," she tried to comfort her husband.
"I was good kid myself," Emiko suddenly spoke up. Although she was more talking to Ukyo, Azusa and Sunako.
"Teachers never had any problems with me."
"You seem like you would be, but also not the type that would feel my wrath so to speak," Sunako said.
"Which makes it even more ironic that she'd end up with a bad boy like Yusuke," Azusa said.
"What happened?" Yusuke asked as he suddenly came walking in.
"Welcome home," Emiko said.
"We were just talking about how a diligent like you ended up with a nice girl like Emiko," said Azusa.
"Hey I've gotten better! I'm a police officer now aren't I?" Yusuke said as he moved closer to Emiko.
"I do have some good news," Emiko said, "your sister and Keitorin offered me a part time job at Ema's office. Now I can help pay for my tuition."
"Oh that's good, especially considering I spoke to mom today about that. She was saying if need be she can still cover at least half if you can find another means of paying on your own," Yusuke said.
"Really, she's still willing to do that?" Emiko asked.
"Well, she had offered to pay to begin with. She'd feel bad if she had to stop halfway because of something that wasn't your fault," Yusuke explained.
"Let her keep doing it, that way you can also have money set aside for yourself," Natsume insisted.
"Yeah, that probably would be the better idea," Ukyo agreed.
"Well, okay, we'll work it out, once I get my first paycheck, since I'm already covered for a while," Emiko said a little timid.
"Good," Yusuke said before walking over to Ema.
"Thanks for giving Emiko a job like that," He said.
"Of course, we're thankful she took it. It'll help us from doing three long term job searches. We still have two full time positions available for assistance," Ema said, "and they'll need the extra help if I'm going to be working from home for a while. Emiko will also be good company."
Yusuke smirked.
"Good, as long as you're happy and comfortable between now and when you give birth," he said.
"Thanks," Ema said.
Later that night, when Ema and Natsume returned to their room, Ema saw just how many boxes were piled in.
"Wow, and these were all from the apartment?" she asked.
"At least the ones I figured were important to have for the time being," Natsume said, "mostly it's our clothes and shoes and whatnot. I'll try and get some of your things hung up tomorrow or the next day. In the meantime, I'll try and help find the outfit you want to wear from the boxes."
"Okay," Ema said. Then she gave a sigh.
"What?" Natsume asked.
"I truly am getting to be a burden with the lack of help I can offer," Ema said.
"Oh don't be like that," Natsume told her, "it's nothing we can't handle and you know it. And it's worth it, to help you give birth safely to four healthy babies."
"I know, but I can't help feel guilty when people are doing so much work for me like this and I can't do a lot to help," Ema said softly.
"Yeah, I know, and if you do, you do. But try not to. Just focus on our babies," Natsume suggested.
"Oh I always do!" Ema assured him, "even when I'm worried about everyone working around me for me."
"Good, they are what matters most and why everyone's doing what they're doing," Natsume said, "including me."
He rubbed Ema's belly, "you hear that you four? You already got Daddy wrapped around your little fingers. Even if he's going to be the strict one."
"But we love Daddy just the same, don't we?" Ema said. "after all, if was Mommy and Daddy's love for each other that brought to us."