Chapter 10: Un Poco Mosso (Or, the second consolation)

Asuka woke up with Kurama's muscled arm draped over her waist and his gentle breath on her neck. The clock read 4:30 am.

Egg retrieval day.

Asuka slipped out of Kurama's grasp and got out of bed. She eyed her husband with a small but appreciative smile. His milky bare chest contrasted with his black boxer briefs and his ruby hair that fanned out behind him. Asuka stooped down and planted a light kiss on his forehead. Then she went to her closet, grabbed a robe, and wrapped herself in it before she left the bedroom.

What she wanted more than anything was coffee, but she shouldn't drink any before her procedure. Asuka frowned before she reluctantly went through Kurama's stash of herbal teas. He had a special chamomile blend that he'd created for relaxation—perhaps that was best.

How would today's procedure go? How many viable eggs would they retrieve? She'd been thinking about these questions on repeat.

She'd done well with the IVF side effects until this week. Her body felt out of whack, her emotions were balanced on a pinhead and she couldn't shake the crushing exhaustion. But that had to mean something, right? That her body was responding?

She placed a hand on her abdomen. Please.

Once the water was hot, Asuka filled her mug and put the tea strainer inside. She heard soft footsteps behind her.

"Couldn't sleep, Love?" Kurama asked quietly.

Asuka turned. Kurama was now wearing sweatpants, but his chest was still bare. Her eyes wandered down the contours of his sculpted torso before returning to his eyes. "No."

He nodded and stepped closer. "You could've woken me. I would've given you a massage or kept you company."

"I know, but I wanted you to sleep. I haven't been up that long anyway. Tea?"

He smiled. "It's strange to see you drink tea in the morning."

"It feels weird."

Kurama drew Asuka in and folded his arms around her. The early morning light was just peeking through the windows, splashing across their hug.

"Will you play a song for me?" he asked.

"It's too early to play on the grand piano, but I could play on the keyboard."

"I'd like that."

Asuka followed Kurama to the second bedroom where the keyboard was. Soon, Asuka hoped she could convert this space into a nursery. The baby would sleep with her and Kurama at night, but she still wanted a place where she could nurse and the baby could sleep during the day.

Kurama sat on the guest bed while Asuka took her place at the keyboard. She sat there for a moment and thought about what piece to play.

A small smile moved across her mouth when the answer came to her. She needed something comforting before the procedure, and that "something" was Liszt. Always Liszt.

The second consolation was in E major and it soothed with its bright notes and happy tone. Asuka smiled to herself as her fingers pressed the keys. She felt like the music was saying, "It's going to be all right."

Kurama gazed at her from the bed, his face filled with adoration as always. Yet, Asuka sensed the undercurrent of his unease. She wasn't sure if it was the procedure, his worry over her dream, or a combination of both. Probably both. There was also the mysterious ki user, though Asuka hadn't given them much thought. She didn't have the energy.

Asuka turned her attention back to consolation number two. She closed her eyes and allowed her ki to hum with the music. It centered and calmed her.

When she finished playing, she looked up at Kurama. When her eyes met his, she had a revelation. "You had me play for my own benefit, didn't you?"

"It was a little for me," he said with a small smile. "But I was also thinking of you."

"Thank you."

Kurama motioned for Asuka to come closer. When she did, he threaded his hand through hers. "I'm guessing you'll shower after we come home?"

"Yeah, I think I'll need to after…what's going to happen."

He kissed her cheek and then drew her closer to himself. "Come, Love. Let me hold you for a bit."

Asuka nodded and climbed into the guest bed with Kurama. The warmth of his chest sunk into her and helped keep her nerves at bay. It's going to be okay. It has to be.

"I love you," Kurama said.

"And I love you."

Asuka stayed in Kurama's arms, awake and quiet until it was time to get ready. She dressed in comfortable pants, while he dressed in work clothes. The contrast between them was startling.

When they got downstairs, Asuka saw a black Nissan Maxima parked outside of their apartment building. Kurama walked toward it and Asuka followed, curious.

"I rented this yesterday," he explained. "I wanted us to be able to go home right away without having to rely on a cab or the trains."

"It's a nice car," Asuka admired.

"I enjoyed driving it."

"Are you thinking this could be a good car for us?"

Kurama and Asuka opened the car doors and got in. Asuka sank into the black leather chair and sighed at how it cocooned her body.

"After driving this one, I've begun to consider it. Perhaps we could test drive some models this weekend."

"That sounds good," Asuka said.

Kurama checked his mirror and then pulled the car out. Asuka angled her body so she could watch Kurama drive. His long raspberry hair and emerald eyes popped against the black interior. He was a vision.

Kurama held Asuka's hand while they drove to the clinic. His ki flared and hummed soothing waves through their connection. We'll be okay.

They parked at the clinic and walked in together. After they got checked in and shown to the procedure room, Kurama kissed her forehead. "I won't be long."

Asuka squeezed his hand, then reluctantly let go. Kurama needed to provide another semen sample so the clinic could fertilize whatever eggs they retrieved from her. After fertilization, the clinic would test the fertilized eggs and discard any that were "abnormal." After that, she would come back in and the egg would be implanted into her uterus.

Asuka entered the room. On the chair closest to the door was a perfectly folded blue hospital gown. Asuka stared at it for a moment before she stripped. Her fingers shook as she pulled the gown over her body. Tying the front proved to be a struggle. After she managed to make a bow, she sat in the car.

Just breathe. In…and out. In…and out. In…and out.

She put up her hair into a messy bun.

Just breathe. It's going to be okay. Just breathe.

There was a light knock.

"Come in." Her voice was scratchy.

"Good morning, Dearie," Doctor Shino said as she slipped in. "How are you feeling?"

"Nervous."

The doctor nodded. "That's perfectly normal. We'll go over the procedure again once your husband comes back."

"Thank you."

The doctor looked at her notes. A couple of minutes later, there was another knock. Asuka perked up but slumped when she saw it was the technicians entering with a loaded cart.

Asuka swallowed and continued to wait.

There was another knock. This time, Kurama came through the door.

"Good morning, Mr. Minamino," the doctor said.

"Good morning."

Kurama sat next to Asuka and threaded his fingers through hers.

"Okay," Doctor Shino said as she pivoted toward them. "I know you know what's happening, but I still want to go over it again. Asuka, you'll be given a light sedative in just a couple of minutes. You'll be awake for the procedure, but you won't feel anything. You'll probably feel like you're drunk."

"That's kind of relieving, actually."

Doctor Shino gave a small smile. "A lot of patients say that. Your feet will be in the stirrups in the chair." She gestured. "We'll insert an ultrasound wand into your vagina and up through your fallopian tubes so we can identify the correct follicles to retrieve eggs from. Then we'll insert this needle." Dr. Shino picked up a needle that was the length of her forearm.

Asuka's eyes widened.

"This will go up through your uterus and through your fallopian tubes. We'll locate the engorged follicles and extract your eggs. The procedure shouldn't take more than thirty minutes. After we're done, you'll go to a recovery room for an hour or two. We'll talk after your sedative has worn off."

"Okay," Asuka said.

The doctor nodded, and Asuka climbed into the chair. Kurama held her hand as they gave her the sedative.

After a few minutes, Asuka felt the room tilt. Then she smiled. Yep. Definitely feeling drunk. Her thoughts were hazy. She looked up at Kurama and gave him a lopsided smile. "You are so beautiful. I was thinking that while we were driving over here."

He smiled.

There were multiple technicians positioned near her legs, but Asuka didn't care about them. She wanted to focus on the bewitching man next to her. "That needle is longer than I expected…but I can handle it. I handle you, after all."

He chuckled, and she felt his lips press to her forehead.

"I want to join the pregnant party. Think I will, after this?"

"I do," he said softly.

The room tilted again. "I feel dizzy."

"Close your eyes," Kurama whispered. "That will help."

"But if I close my eyes, I can't look at you."

"Mmm…that is a predicament."

"I'm shocked anyone can get anything done when you're in the room," Asuka said as she stared up at Kurama. "You're so sexy."

The technicians were talking in hushed tones with the doctor.

"I bet they're whispering about how jealous they are of me. But you're mine. Aaaallll mine."

"And you're mine," he murmured.

"What are you doing later?" Asuka asked with another lopsided grin. "I've got some new stockings—"

Kurama placed a finger on her lips. Amusement danced in his eyes. "The sedative is making you chatty, Love. Perhaps we should discuss something else?"

Asuka pouted, which made Kurama chuckle.

"Fine," she drawled. "Let's talk about the beautiful babies we'll make."

Time passes strangely while sedated. After talking to, or perhaps, at Kurama some more, the doctor told Asuka she was finished. They transferred her to bed and wheeled her into a different room. The walls were bright white, save for an abstract painting in bold primary colors. Asuka stared at it while Kurama stood by her head and stroked her hair.

The fog of the sedative waned, and she got less talkative as the clock ticked. A weighty tiredness settled in her bones. She pulled the hair tie out of her hair and sighed. "That wasn't so bad."

"How are you feeling?"

"Okay. No longer drunk."

Kurama chuckled. "I must confess, I wasn't expecting you to become so…chatty."

"Good thing I didn't say anything about who we truly are."

"They wouldn't have taken you seriously, even if you had. Now, what was it you were saying about new stockings?"

Asuka grinned.

Just then, Doctor Shino knocked.

"Come in," Asuka called.

"Ah, Asuka," the doctor said. "It seems like the sedative has worn off."

"Yes."

"And how are you feeling?"

"Okay, just crampy."

"That's perfectly normal," the doctor said. She sat down on a black stool and pulled it up to the bed Asuka was lying on. "I want to talk about your procedure."

Asuka swallowed. She felt like the doctor was about to tell her bad news.

"Your case hasn't followed conventional rules," the doctor began. "Despite your bloodwork looking in order enough for us to go ahead with egg retrieval…there were only two engorged follicles. We normally expect upwards of ten."

Asuka felt tears rim the edges of her eyes. "That's it?"

The doctor nodded. "I have seen women only produce one egg, so it's not like this never happens. And, one good egg is better than fifteen low-quality eggs. However, we won't know if your eggs are viable until fertilization. If they are both viable, I would like to plan for double implantation to increase the odds of you becoming pregnant. Would you be all right with twins?"

"Yes, of course!" Asuka said.

"Okay. We typically fertilize the eggs right away, so you should hear later today what the results are. If everything goes according to plan, next week we will implant."

I could be pregnant next week. Asuka's heart raced. "Thank you, Doctor. I'll be waiting for your call."

"You seem like you're ready to go home. Stand up and walk across the room for me?"

Asuka did so. Kurama stood ready to catch her if she fell, but it was unnecessary. She walked with ease.

"All right, you can go ahead and leave," Doctor Shino said. "We'll talk later, Dearie."

Asuka nodded, and the doctor left. Kurama grabbed Asuka's purse and helped her put on her jacket. Then, he held out his arm and gently looped Asuka's through his.

"I'm so glad I rented a car," Kurama said as they walked out. "I think I'll keep it for today. If you need me later for whatever reason, I'll come straight home."

"It's a client day, though."

"I don't care. You're more important."

Asuka leaned her head on Kurama's arm. The air was chilly, still. A snowflake fluttered downward, and it reminded Asuka of Yukina.

I could be pregnant with twins. She smiled to herself at the thought. Two children. Perhaps one would be a boy, and one would be a girl. What would they name them? Sakura is a good name for a girl. Kurama loves Sakura flowers. What would the boy's name be? Should we name him after one of our friends? Yusuke? No, choosing one friend's name over another would be too hard. Unless they were both boys. Yusuke and Kazuma?

The Maxima interior was quiet. Asuka glanced backward and tried to imagine two car seats in the back. The car was so roomy they'd probably fit without issue.

"Thinking about car seats?" Kurama asked.

"Yes. I think we could fit two car seats in this car. Honestly, you should just ask the car rental place if they'll sell us this one. It's in great shape and we know they took care of it."

"I'll ask," Kurama said. "I am sure they will acquiesce."

Asuka leaned back and smiled. "You are very persuasive when you want to be."

"Indeed."

"I feel hopeful. Next week I could be pregnant."

Kurama made a growling noise so quiet, Asuka almost missed it. She was about to inquire why when they arrived at their apartment building.

"I'll get your door," he said softly.

Kurama opened it, gently took her hand, and didn't let go until they returned to their apartment. Once inside, he placed his hand on her cheek and kissed her deeply.

"I love you. I'll be home as quickly as I can."

"Okay, sounds good. My plan is to practice for the recording."

"Call me if you need anything, or if you hear from the doctor. Remember, if you need me, I'll come straight home."

"I will."

Kurama left, and Asuka leaned her head backward on the wall. She closed her eyes. I could be pregnant next week.

Of course, they wouldn't know the transfer was successful until a week or so after that, but still. She could be pregnant. And she could be carrying twins. Not just one life, but two.

I know twins are a lot of work, and I'm sure I'll be exhausted, but the thought makes me so happy. But even if only one is viable, that will be okay. More than okay. I could still be pregnant next week.

Asuka walked down the hallway to the grand piano Kurama had gotten her and sat down. When she worked through all the music that Joe Hisaishi sent her, she went over it again. She'd never recorded a movie before. What would the process be like?

The morning and afternoon went slowly, but Asuka kept herself busy. She showered, cleaned, and baked. Then she began to sort everything that she'd need to get rid of or find a place to store in the guest bedroom. Asuka was so busy that she almost missed a call on her cell phone.

She heard it ringing and dashed down the hall to the living room. She picked it up, and breathlessly answered, "Mushi Mushi."

"Hello, Dearie. It's Doctor Shino."

Author's Note:

And here we are as promised! I think I'll be able to have the next one out at the end of the week or the weekend at the latest, then we'll be back to weekly uploads for now.

-Arielle