Chapter 8
Tensions were high in the waiting room as the entire Tendo/Saotome family spread across in wait for the new arrival. "OK Ryoga," Akari said, standing by the window in the hopes that it would give her phone a better signal. "I'll call later to let you know if what happens. I love you too."
She then switched off her phone and sat down beside Nodoka who was knitting a lemon coloured cardigan and had just added the finishing touches. "Is Kaori alright?" she asked putting her knitting down to one side. "Did she get to sleep ok without Ranma and Akane?"
"She's fine." Akari answered "Ryoga said she and Jiro went down about an hour ago after watching Super Sentai. Have I missed anything?"
"Nothing yet." Nodoka answered as she spotted Genma almost fall off of his chair while asleep. "Genma go back home, dear. You and Soun look tired."
Genma shook his head and readjusted himself in the seat. "It's my duty as a Saotome to stand by and welcome my new grandchild." He said proudly before yawning. "Isn't that right, Tendo?" To Genma's surprise, Soun was fast asleep in his chair. "Tendo?" He said nudging Soun hard in the ribs.
"Eh? What?" Soun sprang into life before sitting upright and following Genma's lead. "Indeed Saotome. I've been witness to all of my grandchildren being born and today will be no exception."
Nabiki rolled her eyes as she remembered her father's involvement in the birth of her sons. "As I seem to recall Daddy," she said peering over her magazine. "When Hitoshi was born, all you did was sit in the corner crying about how you were getting old. Then you and Mr. Saotome kidnapped Tatewaki and went drinking for three days. Then when Shinsuke was born, you all went missing for a week!"
Tatewaki's face screwed up at his wife's comment as he tried to remember the births of his children. "I have no memory of that happening either time" he thought to himself smiling as Soun and Genma quietly dropped their heads.
Nabiki scoffed as she watched them "That's what I thought." she said Turing back to her magazine.
Suddenly, the doors to the waiting room opened and two figures emerged from the door way. Kasumi? Ranma?" Nodoka said looking at the pair as she noticed the distant stare in her son's eyes." Is everything alright?"
Kasumi turned to her brother in law and waited for him to speak. But he didn't. He was almost frozen in shock. "Well," she said "I really don't think that I should be the one to tell you this but..."
"What's wrong, Kasumi?" Soun cried out as he jumped out of his seat. "Is Akane alright? Please tell me she's alright!"
"T.." Ranma muttered
"What's that, boy?" Soun said looking at his watch "It's 10:30."
"T.." Ranma said again.
"Hmm" Tatewaki's said turning to face Ranma who he believed was talking to him, "What is it?"
"Oh for goodness sake!" Genma said snatching Ranma by the shirt and pulling him over. "Spit it out! What are you trying to tell us boy!?"
The sudden shock of being grabbed and pulled into his father's face had suddenly reignited Ranma's brain. Coming back to his senses, he simply snapped forward and head-butted his father right on the nose. "Cut it out, ya old fart!" he shouted "Can't you see I'm in shock?!"
"What on earth is going on in here?" Dr. Tofu said as he popped his head through the door and noticed Genma with a bloody face and a chair in his hands over his head. "I take it the news didn't go down too well?"
"Actually dear," Kasumi answered "Ranma hasn't told them yet. I don't think he's quite gotten over the shock yet"
"Shock's an understatement if you ask me!" Ranma said
"Please Ono," Nodoka said "Tell us, is Akane alright?"
Dr. Tofu smiled "Oh yes," he said much to everyone's relief "Mother and babies are doing just fine."
"Oh thank goodness!... Wait, what?!" Soun said wiping his brow, "Did you say babies? As in more than one?"
"Well, yes." Dr. Tofu said, wiping his glasses. "Congratulations. You are the grandparents of a beautiful boy and girl!"
At this point, Ranma fell down into the seats behind him and finally began to speak the words he was so lost on before. "Twins." He finally said as the room quickly became hushed by the news. "We've got twins!"