Stay with Me
Epilogue
On the day of the wedding, Ichigo stayed by her side at all times and did not let go of her hand or stop playing with her fingers throughout the party. They couldn't kiss in public, but every time Ichigo wanted he would kiss her wrist and smile at her in a sly way after committing that misdeed.
Rukia was keeping count of the kisses, although she would never admit it, because Ichigo promised her that he would return all those kisses during their wedding night. Just imagining what would happen in the bedroom, Rukia was blushing completely.
The party was fun but in the middle of the celebration, when the cake had already been distributed and most of the guests were drunk, Rukia was taken out of the hall and taken to a separate room so that the maids could prepare her for her wedding night.
The clothing had been chosen by the queen and, following the customs of the royal family's first night, Rukia wore a nightgown and sleeping robe so white that they seemed to be clouds in summer.
Hisana entered the room when Rukia was already wearing her first night's clothes, and she was the one who accompanied her through the corridors to the bridal bedroom, taking the place that Lady Kuchiki should occupy at that moment. The bride's mother was supposed to make that tour and whisper secrets and advice to the bride before the marriage was consummated. It was also an intimate way of saying goodbye to a daughter before she became a wife.
When they both reached the entrance to the bridal bedroom, Hisana stared at Rukia with such a serious expression that Rukia got chills.
— The bride is supposed to arrive virtuous on the first night, but you skipped that little detail. — Hisana's serious expression softened into a knowing smile that confused Rukia, who was preparing to be scolded for not following the rules and not waiting until tonight. — Byakuya and I skipped that part too, but don't tell anyone.
Rukia was surprised by this confession from her sister-in-law because she could not believe that her brother, the upright and honorable man, had brought forward his wedding night with Hisana.
While Rukia assimilated this display of trust and complicity, her sister-in-law took out a small amber glass bottle covered with a cork and subtly handed it to her before she entered the room, leaving Rukia a little more confused.
— What's this? — Rukia asked, noticing that the vial contained something dark and thick.
— It's chicken blood. — Hisana explained in a tone of voice that indicated that this talk was secret and confidential.
Rukia almost dropped the vial of impression but fortunately, that didn't happen.
— Why are you giving me this?
— In the morning, the queen's servants and a representative of the Deities will enter the bedroom to check the sheets. — Hisana's voice practically became a whisper. — Your virtue has been questioned ever since people learned that His Highness kidnapped you. He swore in front of the Deities that he had not touched you that night, there were witnesses to that oath, but they will still check the sheets in the morning.
Rukia looked from her sister-in-law's worried face to the vial of blood.
— I should stain a sheet with this and pretend it's my virtue, shouldn't I?
— That's right. You are now a princess and you cannot have any more scandals or allow your children's legitimacy to be questioned, because believe me, there will be people who will want to question it. — Hisana took her hands and then hugged her tightly. — Be strong and have a happy life, Rukia. It's the only thing we all want for you.
Rukia didn't know what to say at that moment, so she just hugged her sister-in-law tightly and thanked her for her words and for the chicken's blood, promising that it would be the first thing she would do as soon as Ichigo fell asleep.
Hisana left a moment later and Rukia finally entered the bridal bedroom, left speechless by how beautifully decorated it was and forgetting the recent talk and everything it implied.
Inside the room there were dozens of red and white roses, as well as enough candles so that no corner of the room was left unlit. On the table, where the largest flower arrangement of all was, there was a jug with wine, plates with food and a plate with desserts of which she had been eating too many lately. There was also a jug with the golden liquor that Ichigo always used to drink.
Rukia felt her stomach growl at the sight of the desserts, so she left the vial of blood on the table and took one of the desserts to eat while she waited for Ichigo to arrive.
The door to the room opened as she was finishing eating the second dessert, revealing Ichigo, who had a smile on his face and was wearing white nightclothes like hers. They had also prepared him for that night.
— White suits you well. — Rukia whispered, going to him so she could kiss him with sugar-flavored lips while Ichigo held her by the waist. — When were you planning to tell me about the oath you swore to the Deities, my husband? Huh?!
— I like the way it sounds when you say "my husband," my wife. — Ichigo leaned over her and gave her one more kiss. — My wife, my wife, my wife. I can finally say it without fear of them cutting my throat.
Rukia laughed at that last comment, lightly and playfully punching him in the chest. She liked the way it sounded when he called her "my wife."
— Fool.
Ichigo laughed at that and kissed her again on the lips, making her stand on tiptoe just to enjoy that kiss better.
Rukia was happy that they could finally stop hiding.
They were supposed to have been married for more than two months but she couldn't refer to him as "her husband" unless they were alone, as they could get into trouble and start a new scandal.
And they had already had their fair share of scandals in their lives.
— I wasn't going to tell you. — He admitted and Rukia narrowed her eyes at him, demanding an explanation for those words. — I planned to make love to you until you fell exhausted and then I would take care of staining the sheets with my blood.
— Oh yeah? — Rukia was still hugging him, with her hands on her husband's shoulders and enjoying that aroma that emanated from him, which she had always liked. — Was that what you were planning to do? But as I remember, the times we have been together I have never fallen asleep.
After that little sentence, Ichigo smiled that way she loved and then slid his hands over her hips so he could bring her as close to him as possible. Rukia let out a small gasp and felt all of her skin crawl at that moment.
— It's because I was holding back. They could discover us, so everything was soft and nice but now you are mine to kiss, touch and make scream with pleasure in a bed, my wife.
Rukia did not have time to respond to that statement because Ichigo kissed her and in less time than she had imagined, she was already in bed feeling all her blood burn with the passion and desire that Ichigo provoked in her.
The palace on the hill was gigantic, with hallways and stairs that seemed to lead everywhere and nowhere, and so many halls and rooms that it was easy to get lost if you weren't careful when walking.
Rukia loved the place and the first thing she did when they were settled in their rooms was to encourage Ichigo to play hide and seek with her. She was small and could easily hide anywhere, so she won every time and Ichigo had to suffer the punishment for losing: an ink streak across his face.
That was the king's wedding gift, allowing them to spend some time in that palace so they could enjoy their honeymoon.
Several days after they arrived at the place, Ichigo suggested to her that they go for a walk in the forest and spend the night in a small clearing nearby, but before Rukia could even leave the room on the day of the walk, she felt the breakfast return to her mouth and had to run in search of a vase that could contain the breakfast that she couldn't keep in her stomach.
Ichigo immediately went after her, worried because it was the first time he had seen her vomit and because he didn't know what to do to help her other than rub her back and hold her hair.
— I think breakfast sick me. — Rukia commented when she had washed her mouth to remove the bitter taste of vomit. — When they served it I smelled a strange smell but I didn't pay attention to it.
— I will ask them to better review the quality of the food. — Ichigo promised, sitting next to her and hugging her to comfort her a little. — We will camp another day, now I will ask them to call a doctor to check you.
— I don't think it's anything. I don't want to ruin the honeymoon. — Rukia held his hand to prevent him from getting up.
— You won't ruin the honeymoon, my love. — Ichigo kissed her hand. — I just want to make sure the food won't make you sick. Let me call a doctor, my princess.
Rukia didn't want to be checked by an unknown doctor, but Ichigo seemed quite worried so she had to give in to the idea of calling the doctor. She was worried about the idea that she might somehow ruin the few remaining days of their honeymoon just because the food made her sick.
However, when Ichigo asked for a doctor to be called, they informed him that the only doctor in the town had responded to a call to a nearby town and they did not know when she would return.
Rukia was grateful because she wouldn't be checked out by a strange doctor, but Ichigo became more protective of her, which Rukia really enjoyed during those days.
They returned to the capital a couple of days before Kaien's birthday. Ichigo was worried because Rukia seemed to have gotten sick from something during the trip and had not been able to get her checked by a doctor, but upon arriving at the Royal Palace they were greeted with the surprise that Miyako was in labor.
Ichigo only managed to give his wife a kiss before being dragged by his brother to the anteroom of Miyako's room, where the king was also aware of the situation.
Ichigo was happy for Kaien although he wanted to tie him to the chair so he would stop pacing back and forth. Only a door separated them, so they could hear her screams as she tried to bring Kaien's firstborn into the world.
— She's been like this all morning, how much longer is it going to take? — Kaien was biting his nails from nerves and desperation at not being able to enter the room where his wife was. — What if something happens to her? Father, what do I do if...
Kaien didn't finish speaking because the king grabbed him by the shoulders to stop him and get his attention, he even shook him a little to make him calm down.
— That's how this is. Miyako will be fine and your son or daughter will be fine too. — Isshin was trying to give him some serenity to calm him down a bit. — When you were born, your mother spent a whole night and a morning in that state. Since you were the first you took your time before being born, it's the same with your child. It will be born when it is time.
Ichigo listened to his father talking to Kaien and again thought about the possibility of Rukia getting pregnant. He wanted to have children with his wife, he wanted them very much but his wife was small and petite, and just imagining her spending a whole day trying to give birth made him feel chills.
As he heard Miyako's screams in the distance and saw Kaien's desperation, Ichigo came to the conclusion that he would talk to his wife about it to postpone the matter.
A couple of days after their arrival and the birth of the little prince, whom they had named Yukio, Rukia was invited by Queen Masaki to have afternoon tea. She was eager to talk to the queen because it was always nice to spend time with her, but she couldn't make it to the appointment because just a couple of meters before reaching the queen's room, she felt a sudden dizziness and then fainted.
Upon regaining consciousness, Rukia noticed that she was in the queen's bed and that the queen was next to her with a worried expression. The queen quickly ordered the doctor to be called and Rukia suddenly felt small and scared although she couldn't say what the reason for that feeling was.
— Rukia, I was talking to your maid and she told me that you haven't been feeling well since the wedding day, why didn't you tell me sooner? — The queen's voice reflected how worried she was and Rukia felt a little guilty for not mentioning it sooner. — She also told me that you have not been examined by a doctor.
— I thought it was nerves about the wedding, I didn't think I was really sick.
Rukia confessed as she sat on the bed, trying not to make sudden movements to avoid any dizziness.
— And on the honeymoon?
— I thought the food wasn't good. — Rukia immediately continued speaking before the queen scolded her for being negligent with her health. — Ichigo called a doctor but she was not in town, so we decided to return to the palace but when we arrived Princess Miyako was giving birth and I forgot to visit the doctor.
The queen nodded, agreeing with her explanation, and Rukia felt a little less scolded.
The doctor arrived a few moments later and began to ask her about her symptoms. Rukia began to tell her everything, from the day she started feeling sick to the day she fainted, and the doctor just nodded slowly without taking her eyes off her until she finished speaking.
— Well, what's wrong with her? — The queen asked, completely worried about Rukia's health.
— Your majesty, if it weren't for the fact that Princess Rukia has only been married for a short time, I could swear that she is pregnant.
Rukia listened to the doctor's diagnosis and was almost sure the queen said something, but Rukia didn't hear anything after the word "pregnancy." She immediately put her hands on her belly, which was a little more protuberant than usual, and began to think that maybe it wasn't from eating too many desserts.
The idea of being pregnant scared her, especially after having witnessed part of Miyako's labor, but at the same time she felt happy and excited because she would have Ichigo's child.
It was something contradictory but it felt good inside her heart.
— How can I know if I am pregnant? — Rukia asked making the doctor and the queen silent.
— There is a test that is used to know if a woman is pregnant, but I don't think that...
— I'll do it. — Rukia interrupted the doctor.
The doctor turned to look at the queen, who nodded giving her permission to proceed, and then left the room, leaving the queen and Rukia alone. Queen Masaki sat in a chair next to the bed and looked at Rukia with a more serious expression than usual.
— Rukia, do you have something to tell me? — The queen asked with a calmness that made Rukia's blood run cold.
As soon as all the excitement over the birth of Kaien's child had died down a bit, Ichigo was dragged back to work. There were things that he had to attend to personally as the Commander of the Kingdom, so spending much time with his wife had been impossible for him.
Every day he sent her a couple of pretty flowers and a small card wishing her good morning, and she returned it by sending him a couple of candies and a card with a similar message. That's why the first thing he did when he finished all the work was to go visit his wife to spend time with her.
That day they ate, even stealing food from each other, and they talked about what they could do next month. It was a simple everyday life that he liked because Rukia made it fun. He liked having someone to talk to the way he talked to Rukia and he liked listening to her talk about what was going on in her mind.
Ichigo was lying on her lap while he felt his wife's fingers absentmindedly comb his hair and she talked about the fabrics she had bought to send to make new clothes. He couldn't deny how much he enjoyed Rukia's attentions and he scolded himself for being an idiot and not realizing things at the right time.
— I don't know how I could have missed all this before. — Ichigo whispered, raising a hand to caress his wife's cheek. — I was a fool.
— I think you still have a little bit of that left somewhere in your orange hair. — Rukia responded, leaning over him to place a soft kiss on his lips. — But now you are mine… plus the love potion was too expensive and it wouldn't be fair if I didn't take care of you.
— Oh yeah? Did you use a love potion? — Ichigo asked amused, keeping his wife's face from moving away from him just because he wanted to kiss her again. — When did you use it? I did not realize.
— That's my secret. — Rukia gave him one more kiss and then took his hand. — Ichigo, I have something important to tell you. It's nothing to worry about, I think... but...
Ichigo was about to ask his wife what was going on, when someone knocked on the bedroom door and interrupted the moment.
He inevitably cursed at the interruption, since he knew that the doctor had checked on his wife a few days before and he was scared by the idea that she was very sick, but before he could tell the maid to go away and leave them alone, the door to the room opened and his mother entered.
— It's a good thing I find you both here, so I can scold you at the same time for being a couple of reckless kids. — The queen spoke as the door to the room closed behind her.
The queen was upset and Ichigo jumped up from his wife's lap and walked over to his mother to greet her, but the queen gave him a light smack on the head. It wasn't very painful, but Ichigo felt confused by that little aggression.
— Mother, what's wrong? — Ichigo asked as he rubbed his head where his mother hit him. — What did we do to make you so upset?
Rukia was next to him, holding his arm and hiding behind him because everyone knew that the queen, when she got angry or someone made her angry, was dangerous. It wasn't like she was going to hurt them, but the zaps hurt.
— You ask what's wrong with me?! — The queen asked with an expression that made Ichigo feel a shiver run down his spine. — I thought I had raised a decent and responsible son, but I was wrong because apparently you can't keep your own pants in place! Now we have to deal with another scandal, don't you get tired of always being in people's mouths?
— Mother, for the love of the Deities, tell me what is happening because I am not understanding you. — Ichigo tried to take a step closer to his mother but Rukia stopped him, as if he was afraid that his mother would hit him in the head again. — What scandal are you talking about?
The queen was about to say something, she had even raised a hand to point at them both, when the king entered the room with an expression of absolute happiness.
— The Deities are so good to us! — The king approached Ichigo and Rukia, and hugged them in an all-too-rare display of happiness that left Ichigo and Rukia confused and paralyzed because they didn't understand what was happening. — First they bless us with a strong, healthy grandson, and now they bless us again allowing our family to grow a little more with another grandchild. I'm so happy for you my children.
— Isshin! — The queen caught the attention of the king, who seemed to not want to let go of Ichigo and Rukia. Ichigo still didn't understand anything. — I'm trying to scold them for being irresponsible and you come and congratulate them!
The king released Ichigo and Rukia only to go to the queen and take her hand, making her hand rest on his heart.
— My queen, can't you be happy about such wonderful news as this? Our children are growing up and have their own family! — The queen looked at him as if she couldn't understand why the king was so happy at a time like that. — First Kaien and Miyako give us a beautiful grandson, and now Ichigo and Rukia are expecting a child too. Aren't you excited that there will be little children running through the palace and gardens filling everything with life?
— Isshin, when people find out about Rukia's pregnancy, the scandal will be huge.
— We will say that it is a will of the Deities and that...
Ichigo stopped listening to what his parents were saying and turned to look at Rukia, who was looking at him with a nervous and guilty smile, as if she had been caught in the middle of something she shouldn't be doing.
He couldn't believe what he was hearing but the excitement of knowing he would be a father made him smile almost immediately.
— Is it… is it true? — The question came out in a stutter as he brought his trembling hands closer to his wife's belly and alternated his gaze between her face and her belly. — You are…
— Surprise! — Rukia took Ichigo's hand and made him place it on her belly, forgetting that the king and queen were still in the room. — This is what I wanted to talk to you about. I think it was on the wedding night, in the cabin. I didn't think it would be that fast but...
Ichigo didn't hold back anymore and kissed his wife with a happiness growing inside him that couldn't be described. His heart was beating so hard it felt like it would burst out of his chest. He felt that he had been blessed by the Deities despite all the mistakes he had made.
— Ahem… — The queen cleared her throat, reminding them that she and the king were still there. Ichigo and Rukia separated, their faces as red as a tomato. — Can you explain to us what "wedding night in the cabin" means?
Ichigo let out a silent curse, put his wife behind him because his protective instinct became stronger when he found out that his wife was pregnant, and began to explain everything that had happened before the wedding.
Half an hour later, Ichigo and Kaien were being scolded by the queen, reminding them that they were not like ordinary people and that they had to follow certain rules due to their birth status. She almost accuses them of leading the kingdom to destruction for hiding from her that Ichigo and Rukia were secretly married.
Meanwhile, the king ordered candy and coins to be distributed to the inhabitants of the palace to celebrate that one of the princesses was pregnant.
Every day after the news of her pregnancy became known, Ichigo went to the Rose Palace, gave her a kiss and another to her belly that little by little began to appear bulging, and he was going to fulfill his obligations for the day.
Rukia felt like her heart couldn't contain so much happiness and at the same time, she felt like it was getting bigger as her baby grew inside her just so she could keep that happiness inside.
The first time she felt the baby inside her move, she was scared.
That day, she had gone with Miyako to the temple of the Deities in the Palace to pray to the Mother, when she felt a small tickling in her belly. That tickling was followed by another one that was a little stronger, as if it were colic, and she put her hand on her belly with fear reflected on her face.
Miyako immediately realized that she was scared, so she asked her a couple of questions and explained what was happening.
— The Deities have given your baby a soul. — Miyako whispered as she caressed Rukia's belly where she had felt that tickling. — Your baby is awake.
Rukia was so moved that a couple of tears fell from her eyes, feeling her heart swell with happiness. Miyako hugged her and walked her back to the palace while telling her about the first time she felt her baby move inside.
At night, when Ichigo returned to the room after bathing to remove the day's sweat, Rukia told him what had happened during the day and how her baby had begun to move inside her.
The smile on Ichigo's face was contagious but when he tried to feel the baby, it didn't move.
— The baby must be asleep. — Rukia whispered, caressing Ichigo's hand. — When it wakes up I'll let you know.
Ichigo nodded and kissed her belly, whispered a few words and then kissed her. Rukia felt immensely happy at that moment.
Ichigo kept pacing in the hallway in front of his wife's room, he was nervous and Rukia's screams from the other side of the door only made him tenser. His father was there as were Kaien, Byakuya and Lord Kuchiki, waiting for someone to come out of the room and say something.
— It's taking too long. — Ichigo muttered after he heard Rukia scream in pain. — They're probably doing it wrong. I need to be with her.
His father rushed up to him and stopped him, telling him that he should try to calm down and let the midwives do their job, but Ichigo couldn't calm down. He needed to go in and see his wife.
— Ichigo, everything is going to be okay. — Kaien made him sit in a chair so he would stop walking all over the place.— You will soon be with your wife and child, so try to relax.
— I try but...
At that moment, from the other side of the room came the sound of a baby crying and Ichigo immediately stood up from his seat. Kaien rushed to take him by the arm and prevent him from entering the room at that moment, just as the king had done with him when his son was born.
— Wait for the midwife to come out, this first moment is theirs. — His father spoke to him, who had a huge smile as he congratulated him on becoming a father. — Now you not only have to take care of and protect your wife, but also that baby that is inside there. It doesn't matter if it's a boy or a girl, you should love and care for it equally.
Ichigo stared at his father, remembering that he had said those same words to Kaien before allowing him to come in to see Miyako and their baby, and nodded almost solemnly. His father patted him on the back just as the door opened and the midwife allowed him into the room to see his wife and meet his baby.
When he entered, the first thing he saw was his wife, looking tired but with a huge smile on her lips as she held that little ball of blankets against her chest. As soon as she looked up at him, the rest of the world ceased to exist.
— Come and meet our daughter. — Rukia whispered, and as if her voice were a magnet, Ichigo approached them both as fast as humanly possible. His smile was so big and he felt so happy that he gave his wife a couple of kisses before seeing his daughter for the first time, who was asleep on her mother's chest. — Come on, hold her.
Ichigo didn't know how to hold a baby but he did the best he could at the time.
The baby girl had pale, wrinkled skin, like all babies, but she had dark orange hair, not like his that shone in the sun and gave him away wherever he was, but a very pretty one. His daughter was so small that she settled into one of his arms as if it were a crib.
— I want us to name her Hikari. — Ichigo whispered without taking his eyes off the baby who was sleeping comfortably in his arms. He had won the bet that the baby would be a girl. — It means "Light." If we have another child, you choose their name.
— Another one? — Rukia asked, quite scandalized. — Our daughter has just been born, and you already want another child? Do you have any idea how painful it is?! You are going to give birth to that one.
Ichigo feared that his wife would hit him. She was tired, but he didn't want to test her strength.
— Okay, you choose a middle name for her.
— I'll think about it, I have a long list of names that match whit Hikari.
Rukia relaxed at that moment and lay back against the pillows, closing her eyes for a moment. Ichigo sat next to her, careful not to move the baby in his arms too much, and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
— Thanks for staying with me.
Rukia looked at him with a smile on her face and settled down next to him to rest a little.
— Silly, where would I go if not with you? — Rukia asked in a whisper. — I love you.
— I love you more, my princess.
Ichigo said that and gave his wife another kiss on the head, feeling happy and grateful that the woman who had his heart had given him hers and also gave him a small family of his own.
And they lived happily ever after.
Thank you for reading!
See ya!