Notes:
Finally, the baby is coming! The baby is about to be born! ❄️👶 🌱
Just as you have read, at last, the long awaited chapter of the birth is happening.
This is an event that I know more than one of you has been looking forward to with excitement.
And as I said in the previous chapter, I am very excited for you to read it. So without further ado, I'll leave you with this chapter that I hope you like❤
Enjoy reading
23 ❄ The birth of a winter flower
December 25 🎄
Maki grunted slightly as she sat on the edge of the bed. She looked at the clock on her nightstand, which read 05:37 a.m.
The first rays of sunlight had not yet entered through the curtains, and outside, the snow was still falling with an almost unreal delicacy.
Maki rubbed her lower back, where a slight but stabbing pain spread to her belly. It felt like a cramp, although she felt her baby's movements and kicks more intense. All that combination had awakened her.
"You are very restless... more than usual..." she whispered, rubbing her belly.
She thought that maybe that slight pain was a false contraction like the ones she had been having days before. Above all, she noticed that it was when she felt cold that her body ached the most.
That winter was really doing its thing. Snow everywhere and a very low temperature outside. Even so, Yuta had left the thermostat at a pleasant temperature so that she didn't feel any discomfort.
Again, Maki felt her baby move accompanied by a pressure in her lower belly.
"Don't headbutt me!" she grunted at such pressure, "Maybe you're this restless about dinner…" she said to her baby as she got out of bed. She felt the cold on the soles of her feet as she slipped on her slippers.
Once she got out of bed, she shuffled her feet and walked slowly to the bathroom.
After urinating and washing her hands, she carefully returned to bed, leaning her back against the pillows and semi lying down as she sometimes found it hard to breathe due to her large belly.
Still, the restlessness persisted. And again, that slight twinge forced her to sit back down on the edge of the bed.
"Are you all right?" asked Yuta, blinking sleepily as he noticed how Maki was on the shore, rubbing both her belly and her lower back.
"We're fine, I just felt a spasm, it must be one of those Braxton contractions…" she said carefully settling back on the bed, lying on her side facing Yuta, who covered her again.
"Do you want me to give you a massage or call Azami?" he asked, a bit worried but at the same time falling asleep. His eyes could barely stay open.
Maki shook her head and caressed her husband's face. The accumulated fatigue was taking its toll on him.
"We're fine, it must be the dinner that made the baby restless. He's already nudged and kicked me several times…"
Yuta yawned "Ok my love…" he slurred his words as he settled next to his wife "Anything, let me know, I'm here to…" he yawned again "Take care of you..." he whispered before falling asleep again.
He had carefully placed his hands on that big belly, while Maki held his hand gently. He was really tired, even more so since he had been going on last minute missions the previous days, but at the same time, he was aware of everything he felt and what was happening to Maki and his son. It was really tiring to be alert 24/7 and even more so when he was waiting for the first sign that the baby was on its way.
Maki looked tenderly at her husband, she did not want to worry him. But even so, she felt "strange", as if her body was warning her that the time to give birth was very near.
"I love you... thank you for everything..." she whispered as she stroked her husband's black hair, gently sliding her fingers through his locks. In her mind, she imagined that maybe that little baby could be a lot like him.
After a few minutes, Maki again tried to get some sleep, but that strange feeling in her body came back. She thought that maybe it could be anxiety or tiredness.
"How I wish you were already here with us..." she whispered in a very low voice, while again she saw Yuta sleeping soundly with his hands on his huge belly, where he seemed to be protecting them both.
Truly, Maki wondered how long it would be before her baby decided to be born. And perhaps she would find out the answer hours later.
11:57 a.m.
After breakfast, Maki lay down on the carpet, admiring the Christmas tree once again.
For a reason that even she didn't understand, Maki felt the desire to keep looking at the Christmas lights that had been placed on the tree the day before. She delighted in watching the lights flicker, changing from red to blue, from blue to yellow, and from yellow to green. It was such a beautiful sight that he had never had the opportunity to witness in her clan.
Christmas had always been a day like any other for her, as in her clan they never celebrated such a foreign tradition. The only thing she really remembered about that time of year was the relentless cold, with snow falling in great quantities. Not even several layers of kimonos, futons and blankets could dispel the icy winter that enveloped everything around her.
And at the academy, Christmas was never a cause for celebration, especially after two wars occurred on the same Christmas Eve, but only a year apart.
So December 25 had been transformed into a day dedicated to continuing to heal the wounded and tallying up the havoc wreaked in the battles against Geto and Sukuna.
And last year, on what was to be their first Christmas as a married couple, they didn't celebrate because they had both had separate missions and didn't see each other until almost New Year's Eve.
So that was their first Christmas together as a family.
Maki lay on her left side, with a soft circular pillow under her head. Her right hand tenderly caressed her bulging belly, as she contemplated the gifts she had received the night before.
Again, that strange feeling came over her, it was like a mixture of happiness with a bit of uncertainty.
At the same time she was very curious about those presents under the tree, "Is this what Christmas will feel like?" she wondered at this new feeling.
Then a sigh of peace and illusion came from her chest "Our first Christmas as a family..." she said with a big smile.
Maybe that's what Christmas was all about, feeling great joy and peace. Even the atmosphere had a very homey tranquility. One that she wished would never end.
But that quiet solitude was interrupted by the shout of her husband entering the apartment.
"I'm Here!" Yuta arrived home with some grocery bags.
"it's very cold out there, but!" he smiled, taking out a small box, "I was able to find the chocolate you like so much, so I'll make you some cups of hot chocolate right away!" he said, taking off his scarf.
At that moment, Maki sat down carefully on the carpet. "When are we supposed to open the presents?" she asked unexpectedly.
Yuta quickly ran to her aid. Helping her up to sit on the sofa.
"I don't know. Since I never opened presents on this day, I guess the tradition is to open them at the time you want, don't you think?" he commented with a smile while his hand caressed his wife's belly.
Maki gently bit the inside of her cheek. That answer did not convince her.
"Or we could keep them until the baby is born and then we could open them when he is already here at home with us" suggested Yuta.
"Is a good idea, though..." Then she lowered her shoulders a little, "Yuta, do you think the baby will like his presents?" asked Maki without taking her eyes off the tree.
The sorcerer smiled, "I know he will like them and by the way all these gifts will help us to entertain him and play with him" he kissed his wife's cheek.
"I hope we have enough time to play with him once we get back to the missions" she looked at her belly, "I wouldn't want to miss that stage" Maki sighed.
"I know that we will have enough time to play with him and, by the way, to spend time together as a family" Yuta consoled, "And now that we are talking about gifts..." he stood up and quickly went to his room.
Maki found this behavior strange and even more so when Yuta returned with his hands behind his back and stood in front of her in that armchair.
"What's going on?"
"I have a present for you, Maki san!" he said, sitting down beside her.
"A gift for me?" she pointed her index finger at himself, "Are you serious?" a nervous little chuckle came from her throat.
"Yes. Since it's our first Christmas together, I wanted to give you something special" Yuta smiled tenderly.
Maki had a slight blush on her cheeks and a small smile on her face, "Seriously, you are surprising me too much and I must confess that this would be the first Christmas present I have ever received in my life".
"I hope you liked it, but above all, I've learned my lesson" said Yuta, still hiding that little box behind his back.
"Lesson?" Maki raised an eyebrow. "What lesson?"
"Yes, my lesson learned is that a gift this special should be a unique moment between the two of us and it doesn't need a lot of things to decorate the place or a lot of people looking at us"
"OK, now you're scaring me. Will you tell me what you've got there?" asked Maki with intrigue.
At that moment, Yuta took out the small box and slowly opened it.
Maki felt like her heart would burst out of her chest and her face softened at the sight of that ring very similar to her previous wedding ring. She even felt her baby kick from that shared emotion.
"A ring?" she asked with surprise.
Yuta took Maki's hand, "Fushiguro kun told me at the time that when you lost the previous ring you cried too much"
Maki's face was red with both excitement and anger that Megumi had told Yuta that.
She let out a sharp intake of breath.
"Yes, I admit I cried a lot since I lost it on that mission. I was a fool not to have kept it that day"
Yuta took the new ring between his fingers, "May I?" he asked with a smile.
She nodded her head yes.
"You can" she offered her hand with a big smile.
"Maki san, receive this ring as a token and reaffirmation of all my love for you" he said as he slipped the ring on his wife's ring finger.
Maki couldn't stop smiling.
"It's beautiful... and really, I'm sorry for having lost the previous ring..." her lips tightened a little.
Yuta took her face, holding her gently by the chin and kissed her on the lips.
"You don't have to apologize, that's all in the past. And it was more than an accident" he placed another kiss, "Now accept this new ring as my Christmas present"
"I promise I'll take better care of it" Maki reciprocated the kiss and then sighed, "But now I'm going to feel bad because I didn't buy you any Christmas presents"
Her husband smiled and put his hands on her belly.
"You're already giving me the best gift in the world, and that's being a daddy" he placed another kiss on his wife's lips.
"Well, this present!" Maki pointed to her big belly, "is taking a long time to come out of its wrapping!" she pouted slightly.
Yuta laughed at those words: "Since we are talking about Christmas gifts, how about if I make you some hot chocolate as you had been craving for and while we drink it we open the few gifts that are ours? Our Friends gave us some presents too"
Maki smiled slightly "I think it's a good idea..." that smile now looked like a grimace of discomfort.
Again she moaned slightly as she felt a twinge in her belly and a huge urge to go pee.
"Are you ok?" asked Yuta with concern when he saw his wife again with that slight pain that had been afflicting her since early morning.
"I am, it's just that I felt too much like peeing!" she stretched out her hands towards her husband, "Can you help me up? Please" she sighed, "I'm feeling heavier every day" she pouted. Again that strange sensation ran through her body. It was as if she had to be alert for something. "Besides, this baby is pressing harder and harder on my bladder!"
Yuta helped her first to put on her slippers and then to get up from the sofa.
"Do you need more help?" asked Yuta as he watched Maki walk hurriedly to the bathroom, her hands behind her lower back.
"If I need help I'll yell at you, for the moment I have to get to the toilet!" she said, picking up her pace.
Once Maki finished urinating, she washed her hands and looked at herself one more time in front of that mirror they had in their bathroom.
She had remained in her panties, as she had taken off her pants due to the heat that was suddenly afflicting her.
That day she really felt stranger than usual. It was as if her restriction was doubly sharpened and all the sensations she felt at the surface of her skin at every moment.
Was her body just preparing her for what would happen that afternoon?
Maki looked sideways at herself in the mirror in front of the sink, lifting her T-shirt up to her belly, observing how she had changed in those nine months. The few stretch marks that had formed, combined with her scars. It was still amazing to her how the female body could change so much in nine months.
Maki even felt that in all those months she in one way or another also changed both emotionally and mentally.
Who knew that now with the arrival of that baby, she too would blossom.
She put her hands on the sides of the sink for a moment, remembering that specifically eight months ago, in that same bathroom, she had discovered that she was pregnant.
"How time goes by..." she said to himself in a low voice, still looking at the mirror in front of her, where she began to submerge himself in her memories, she felt as if she could see them reflected in that glass.
She remembered how she felt that time when it all started. When "thanks" to that baby she helped hold and cried in her arms, she found out she was pregnant.
For a moment she remembered the words of that woman in that supermarket.
"If a baby rejects a woman, it's because they sense another baby on the way."
A smile formed on her face as she remembered that phrase that started this whole journey while caressing her belly.
Spring had taught her the lesson of accepting things. Especially to think about whether that was what she really wanted.
She also remembered when she had given that news to Megumi and how he had put her feet on the ground that only she was the one who had the final decision on whether or not to have that baby.
After some determined thought and after seeing that ultrasound, it was she herself who decided to bear fruit. She even remembered that she was the one who had nicknamed the baby "baby soybean". A nickname that she liked very much.
She also remembered that talk on the bullet train with that unknown woman about being a mother. Even Maki at that moment wondered how she and her children were doing. Perhaps being on that same train at that time in her life was just a coincidence of fate to reaffirm her decision to become a mother.
A decision she had made from the depths of her being.
She also recalled the first mission she and her now baby had had in that hotel, where despite the blows, they had both managed to eliminate that curse.
She even remembered that moment when Mai appeared to her that time in Atami while she was unconscious. There where Mai explained to her that changing your mind is not wrong when you are an adult, because that is also a sign of maturity and wisdom.
Her heart had flipped as she remembered that moment with her sister in that limbo.
As she continued to look at herself in the mirror, memories of that spring continued to flood her mind. Tears began to slide down her face as she relived the moment she broke the news of that pregnancy to Yuta by the sea of Atami.
Deep inside, she wished she had given him this news in a different way, but all the love and unconditional support Yuta gave her during all those months brought her great comfort.
Then she began to remember how turbulent the summer had been after that discovery. How she was just getting used to the changes that were taking place in her body.
That had definitely been the most difficult season for those two.
She thought about how the heavy rains and violent winds of her way of being, as well as the hailstorms caused by broken promises, almost ended their marriage.
How by hiding her pregnancy from others thinking of the harm, her life and the life of her baby were put in serious danger by that curse.
But they say that after the storm comes the calm, a calm that at times accompanied her during the fall.
Still, they could boast that they survived a dangerous typhoon, which would later turn into a rainbow, reminding us that the storm and problems always end and are resolved at some point in the summer.
While still looking at her reflection and caressing her belly, she remembered all the events she had during the autumn. Especially since this melancholic season always marked the main path to maturity.
The one where the leaves fall to make way for change. That season that always reminds us that for the trees to bear fruit, they must shed their fears and their old fruits and leaves to make way for the new ones that will be born after winter.
She recalled the fight she had with Nobara after revealing that she was pregnant and how they settled their differences. As well as she remembered the faces of her friends when they found out about the arrival of that baby.
Also, the autumn had taught her that the family was the one that one chooses and that shows that it is there for you in good times and bad. Especially with the issue of Okkotsu's parents, whom she hoped they would never see again and with her sister-in-law, they were just beginning to establish a good relationship.
Even autumn filled her with melancholy, because the past was always present in those months. Especially with her baby's gender reveal party. Where the memory of her two weddings was present.
And now winter. That cold winter that at times made her scars ache, but her husband's kisses and love comforted her.
That winter that made her appreciate the warmth and family togetherness. Remembering that he also had Megumi's support and that of Tsumiki.
It even made her happy and feel blessed to have the friends she had, those who filled her house with happiness the night before even though in previous years, that date was only the memory of two cold wars.
Yes, many memories came to her mind as she saw her eyes through that mirror.
"How time flies..." she said with a smile still holding the sink "Who knew that baby at the mall predicted your arrival…"
But quickly that smile faded once she felt a liquid run down her legs.
At that moment, Maki felt her crotch getting quite wet, she quickly looked down at herself and noticed a large water stain completely soaking her panties and continuing to run rapidly down her legs.
At that instant, a contraction of greater gravity came on and made her move forward for a moment. She even squeezed the sink so hard that cracks appeared. That pain was not like the ones before. This pain was definitely a real contraction. She felt her hip opening but from the inside.
Maki took a breath and loosened her hands over that sink. Her water had already broken. Her baby was on the way.
"It looks like you wanted to surprise us this day!" she grunted a little because that pain was like a colic, but a very strong one.
Maki brought her hands to her lower back and closed her eyes for a moment, took a breath, breathing deeply so as not to panic.
She opened the bathroom door and quickly shouted to her husband. For again, she felt pain. Another contraction had come on.
"Yuta!" that was a scream that would scare anyone by how heartbreaking it sounded "Come Quickly!"
That scream alerted the sorcerer, who put out the fire and stopped what he was doing to go to his wife's call. That scream had really frightened him.
Yuta looked at the mess she had in her underwear. "Did you pee yourself? Do you need me to help you change? Shall I bring you some clean clothes?" he asked worried.
She shook her head. Her breathing was a little erratic.
"This is not urine..." Said Maki putting her hands on her lower back "Actually my water just broke..." she complained and squeezed her eyes tightly and took a breath, as the pain was still present "The baby is coming!"
Yuta's eyes widened in surprise when he heard that. He even dropped the oven mitt he had brought with him.
"Oh my God! "He gasped, "We must go to the hospital now!" he said in a hurry. Worry was reflected on his face. He had to keep calm so as not to faint from surprise.
No parenting course or parenting book had prepared him for this moment.
Maki nodded her head yes.
"Call Azami san... tell him that we are on our way..." she commented with a slight tremor on her lips, hands and legs.
She was a bundle of nerves, both because of the pain and the emotion she was experiencing. And more than her restraint made her perceive everything twice as much.
Yuta quickly approached Maki, hugged her carefully around her side and placed a kiss on her forehead. He could tell, she was completely nervous and so was he. But they had to act now.
"Everything will be all right, love" he said, containing the fear in his voice, "First let's change your clothes, let's get your bags and I'll call the hospital right away!"
Maki hugged him, she was afraid and more than another contraction was present, holding her husband's shirt tightly.
"And please!" she begged, "don't forget to tell Shoko and Utahime..." she said in a whisper.
"Ok!... The baby is coming!" said Yuta in a hurry and with a nervous smile. He was really on edge.
12:32 p.m.
The snow continued to fall relentlessly. That Christmas was particularly cold and eventful, marked by a winter storm that had suddenly erupted over Tokyo, covering the city in an icy white blanket.
On the way to the hospital, Maki did not let go of Yuta's hand at all, who controlled all his nerves as best he could, especially not wanting to show panic.
They traveled as fast as the wet floor and the weather would allow in that ambulance, which was driven by two paramedics sent by Azami.
Maki felt one more contraction. Although they were not so frequent yet, they came unexpectedly and painfully.
"Are you all right?" asked Yuta as he noticed how she squeezed his hand and closed her eyes.
"I am... They're barely bearable" she said, looking at him and taking a breath. Actually these pains were similar to the strongest cramps she had ever felt.
Yuta swallowed and looked at the paramedic next to him, who was keeping track of Maki's signs as well as monitoring those contractions, which were spaced out at that moment.
As they moved through the streets, a jolt moved the ambulance sharply for a moment.
"Tell your partner to drive carefully!" Yuta demanded, "My wife and son are going here!
"Sorry, we are moving as fast as we can!" explained the paramedic who accompanied them "the snow is doing its thing"
It was true. The snow was starting to fall more and more over Tokyo. Making a strange combination between lights and snowflakes floating around.
Maki could feel it. It felt like her baby would be born in the middle of a winter storm.
01:05 p.m.
Luckily, it took them no more than 30 minutes to reach the hospital. Just in time before the unexpected, passing winter storm did its thing.
In that hospital, Azami, Shoko and Utahime were already waiting for them, those that Maki wanted to accompany her that day with her husband.
Maki didn't want Megumi or any of her other friends near her that day, simply because she knew they would be very nervous about what was happening, and the last thing she needed was more stress. So, she asked Yuta not to tell them anything until the baby was born or until the worst was over.
After ten minutes of putting the necessary paperwork in order for the day.
Maki was already wearing a robe and at that instant she was lying down, with her legs open as she was being checked and monitored by Azami, while her husband was standing next to her.
"Well, Maki san" the doctor finished the vaginal examination, "you are already six centimeters dilated. It looks like you are already in the second stage of labor, so you are dilating faster and that is a good sign" she stood up and took off her gloves.
"SIX CENTIMETERS?!" asked Yuta, frightened and stifling a cry of surprise at hearing that number. He wanted to faint, but his wife's hand comforted him at that moment. Besides, he had to be strong so she wouldn't feel afraid or nervous.
Maki sighed "I guess those discomforts I felt in the morning were the real contractions, although I must confess that I only felt them as cramps, it wasn't until my water broke that the pain started" she said as she sat down with her husband's help.
"Every body is different. So maybe it is due to your physical condition, which made you not feel the pain of contractions until now, when labor is only halfway over." The doctor checked the monitors, both hers and the one that checked the baby's pulse. –"And if all goes well, maybe before nightfall you will receive your baby. Even so, we have to monitor you, okay?"
Maki nodded her head yes.
"Okay" she took a breath as another contraction set in.
Azami looked at the serenity with which Maki was spending that moment, while Yuta, despite having taken a breath with his wife, looked quite nervous. Perhaps he was the more nervous of the two.
"Anyway, we must be prepared and also mentally prepared for anything, understood? And that goes for both of us" explained the doctor to both parents.
"I understand" Yuta replied, swallowing his breath.
"Maki san, feel free to walk down the hall if you need to, this might help you a little with the contractions. Also, if you feel you need an epidural, you know we are one of the few hospitals that administer them"
"I feel that I can do it without the epidural" Maki answered quickly, bringing her hands to her big belly, and more than that she would soon say goodbye to it, so she should enjoy those last moments with her pregnant belly, "I feel that I must trust my body and more than that it has already endured so much for nine months"
"Okay, here we will respect your decision of how you want to give birth" answered Azami, "For the moment I must go to attend to other patients, also in a while the nurses will come to check your signs and those of the baby as well as bring your food, although" she looked at her colleague, who was sitting on one of the sofa in that room, and next to her was Utahime, " With Shoko here I feel calm. She can also take care of you in case something comes up me" she smiled.
Shoko stood up and approached the stretcher where Maki was lying.
"That's right, you can trust us for this birth. So whatever discomfort you feel, don't hesitate to tell me, okay?"
"Okay" replied Maki, looking at the two doctors.
"Well, before I leave for the moment..." Azami looked serious "Okkotsu kun, could I talk to you for a moment outside the room, please?"
Yuta nodded his head and stood up "Sure!" before moving, he kissed Maki on the forehead. "I'll be right back"
His wife gently let go of his hand, as again another contraction set in. That made her close her eyes for a moment.
"How do you feel right now, Maki san?" asked Shoko, looking at the girl half-sitting on the bed and the serum running through her hand.
"The truth is that I feel "fine", the pain is bearable for the moment. Even so…" She look at both women "Thank you both for coming to be by my side and I'm sorry it happened at Christmas. And even more so when at the academy there is a lot of work because of this winter storm"
Utahime also approached her.
"You don't have to apologize, especially on the day your baby is about to be born. Besides, we left others in charge at the academy, they can sort it out. The important thing is that you feel accompanied"
"But what about your children?" asked Maki a little worried.
Utahime waved her hands back and forth "that's why you don't have to worry. Satoru can take care of his children from time to time!"
"And Ijichi can handle the academy just fine" Shoko replied with a soft smile.
Maki kept a slight moment of silence, as she watched the snow fall outside her bedroom window. Now she was very serious. "And about what we talked about in case something should happen to me..."
Shoko and Utahime quickly looked at each other and then looked at Maki.
"You have nothing to worry about" Utahime patted her on the shoulder, "You will be fine"
"Besides, you are the strongest girl I know and the healthiest. You are going to come out of this perfectly and so is your baby, you are both going to be fine" commented Shoko putting her hand on her shoulder.
"Seriously, thank you both for being here" said Maki with a slight smile that disguised her fear and pain. As another contraction set in.
Maki had chosen these two women as her birth companions because she considered them her mother figures and knew that they would not leave her alone in this situation. She trusted them completely, and if anything should happen during labor, she was sure that they would support her husband and child. Just as she trusted that they would do everything possible to keep the situation from getting out of control.
"It's really snowing outside..." Maki commented as she watched the snow fall. It seemed to be a sign that her soybean seed was going to bloom in the middle of winter.
Utahime and Shoko looked at each other once again.
"And tell us Maki san, how did you and Yuta spend Christmas Eve?" asked Utahime to change the conversation and distract her a little.
Instead, outside the room, Yuta was talking to Azami.
The doctor took a deep breath.
"Well Okkotsu kun, the most important moment for you two as a couple has arrived and tell me how do you feel at this moment?"
Yuta loosened his arms a little, his hands went to his face.
"Super nervous. I'm afraid something bad will happen to Maki and my son"
"Everything is going to be fine. Your son is in a good position and Maki is dilating fast, so, if there are no complications, your baby will be born before the end of Christmas. It looks like your baby will be your present for the day" Azami said with a smile to try to calm him down.
"Yes, it's a nice Christmas present" Yuta breathed a sigh of relief.
"However, this is something I talk about with all the fathers who attend the delivery of their wives" said Azami now becoming a little serious, that made Yuta even swallow saliva from fear and his expression became one of pure concern as he listened to that doctor speak.
"And that is that first of all I want you to remain calm at all times if you see Maki screaming because of the pain or if she faints or if she complains too much, I know that all that could scare you, but we will try to do everything in our hands so that the delivery is the most humane and comfortable for her. Just as she will be the one who will have the last decision on what to do with her body, okay?"
"All right, but I don't want her to suffer. I don't want a bad medical practice to lead her to a trauma or make her remember what she saw in her clan with this issue of childbirth and obstetric violence" he answered seriously.
"Everything will be done as she tells us. I promise that I will do everything in my power to make this delivery go well and that she will not suffer so much. Even so, there is one more matter I must discuss with you"
"Is something wrong?" asked Yuta, feeling as if his heart would jump out of his throat.
"It's about if something bad should happen during delivery"
Yuta froze at those words he was afraid to hear.
Azami continued explaining.
"As I said Okkotsu, we will do everything we can to make this birth go well. But if there are any major complications, we will take Maki to the emergency operating room and we will do everything we can to save them both. Even so…" the doctor took a breath.
Yuta pursed his lips. He already sensed what the doctor was going to say.
"If an unforeseen event should occur where we have to save the life of one of the two... Okkotsu kun… you…" she was interrupted.
"I want them both to be saved, no matter what" he said seriously, "Don't make me choose between my wife or my son" Yuta commented seriously, his hands balled into fists.
Azami sighed.
"It's just a hypothetical case, okay? Although I am confident that this birth will be a good one. It will be like those flowers that survive and are born in the middle of winter" she said looking out the window at the blizzard that was hitting the hospital, "because they say that those are the most beautiful and the most special"
Those words unsettled Yuta. He was really quite nervous about the situation and the winter storm didn't help his nerves either.
"Okkotsu kun, I'll be back in a little while to check how Maki is doing with the contractions. And I repeat, everything is going very well for the moment, so you don't have to worry, okay? Now, with your permission" she bowed and the doctor walked away to enter another room.
Instead, Yuta broke down for a moment and sat crying on the benches outside the rooms. He didn't want to go in and have his wife see him in that bad state, so he decided to take a break.
He raised his face and looked at the ceiling. He knew that the doctor had not said all that in a bad way or to stress him more, but only wanted him to be aware of the situation and to be prepared for any situation that could happen. And more than as a father, he was the most nervous about everything that was happening with his wife and son. Because, even though he was not giving birth, that situation involved him as well and he had to be on his toes.
That day was full of mixed feelings. On the one hand, he was happy because they would soon have their child in their arms, and Maki would finally be able to rest from her pregnancy. At the same time, however, he was filled with fear and uncertainty. Watching Maki suffer through the pain of contractions and facing the fear of death affected him deeply, to the point of despair.
He wondered how thousands of men could face the difficult decision of choosing between saving their wife or their child. He also wondered how many men lived through this situation without fainting or wanting to run away.
So he just prayed to heaven that he didn't have to choose that afternoon with that question and that everything would work out fine.
Again, his hands went to his face. That is until Utahime sensei's voice caught his attention.
"Okkotsu kun, are you all right?" she asked, standing in front of him, "Did something happen?"
Yuta quickly dried his tears, he didn't want to be seen crying, yet his wet face gave him away.
"Sorry sensei... It's just that..." he let out a sigh of disgust- "I confess that I'm quite nervous. This childbirth thing is something... that..." his voice cracked.
"It's kind of scary, isn't it?" asked Utahime as she sat down next to him.
Yuta just nodded his head yes and started crying again with his hands over his face.
"Especially because if something happens or the delivery gets complicated, I don't want to decide between Maki's life or my son's...and I..."he sobbed.
Utahime could really see that Yuta was worried about that question. That teacher put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.
"You don't have to worry, everything will be fine. The doctor said so, didn't she? Besides Maki and your son are stable right now, and you should be with them, giving them encouragement and words of encouragement instead of torturing yourself with negative thoughts about things that are not happening"
Those words caught the sorcerer's attention.
"Utahime sensei... Forgive the question, but how did you and Gojo sensei experience the birth of your children?" he asked with a broken voice. Tears were still running down his cheeks.
Utahime first held her breath and then let it out slowly.
"Well, in my first birth that idiot arrived until the last minutes" she smiled a little "Let's say that Satoru arrived at the right time when Takeru was already taking his first breath"
"And in the second..." Utahime's smile slowly faded. A small lump had formed in her throat.
"With my second baby he was with me in the birthing procedure, holding my hand and comforting me as it all happened, but..."- sigh "That time there was no cry of life. Still, I admit that he was very strong in that painful process, in which he tried not to cry.."
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked that…" Okkotsu quickly apologized.
"Calm down, you don't have to apologize and well, in the end that delivery was very painful for both of you, but what happened to me, will not happen to Maki since your baby will be full of life" commented Utahime comforting him with a soft smile full of hope.
She continued speaking, "And with this Niji, everything was quite different because Satoru was with me from the first contraction, just like you are with Maki. I could see it in that idiot's blue eyes, he was scared just like you, but he was always there" she looked at Okkotsu –"And that's what you should be doing right now, being there with Maki, holding her hand, hugging her and giving her all the support she expects and needs from you, just like you have given her throughout this pregnancy. Okkotsu you are a good man and I know you will be a good father"
"Reallly?" Yuta wiped away some tears with his hands.
"I've seen it with my own eyes. You are and now you need to be that man"
"But…" he sob again, "I'm afraid.."
"We all have it at one time or another. But at this moment, more than ever you need to be brave" Utahime observed how in that room, Shoko could be seen helping Maki walk to the big ball they had, this to help with the dilation and pains "Just as Maki is being brave in her own way"
Quickly Yuta looked into the room and watched as Maki was doing that exercise on that ball. He watched as she closed her eyes and took a breath. That was another contraction. He could tell what Utahime sensei was referring to. Maki was afraid and was enduring the pain as best she could, Yuta noticed the trembling she had in her hands, but he also noticed how his wife was trying to stay strong and serene at all times.
Meanwhile in that room.
"Maki San, you are doing very well. Tell me how do you feel right now?" asked Shoko holding her hands while she was on that ball. She could tell, she was being afflicted with another contraction from the spasm in her belly.
"I feel fine. Don't worry Ieiri san, I feel like I can handle this, the pains I can barely stand, maybe it's due to my restriction" Said Maki slowly opening her eyes. While giving slight circular hip movements on that big ball.
"I know you are doing well, Maki San, but" the doctor looked at her straight ahead while holding her hands, "I mean, how are you feeling emotionally" she asked directly.
Maki took a breath and looked down.
"I have mixed feelings the truth... on the one hand" she put her right hand on her belly " I am excited because at last this pregnancy is about to reach its culmination and I will finally meet my baby, but on the other hand…" she let out the air in a grimace that seemed to be a mixture of many emotions, her forehead tensed, her eyebrows drew together and her lips tightened "I have some uncertainty and fear for what might happen to me... or to my baby..."
Shoko stroked her hand and then gave her a gentle hug.
"It's normal to feel this way. But you are in good hands and both you and your baby are going to get through this" she gently squeezed her hands in support, "You are both very strong and have survived so much. And you have so much more to live and enjoy as a family"
Maki smiled at those words, her face softened and she let out a few tears, which she dried with her free hand.
"Thank you Shoko... you're going to make me cry... and I don't want to break down crying, not until my baby is born…"
"There is nothing to be thankful for. And let's hope those tears are tears of happiness"
Shoko smiled a little at those words, she knew Maki was holding back her tears, so she just nodded her head yes as she continued to help him with those hip exercises.
Meanwhile, outside the room.
"She is doing a great job" commented Utahime, "When I had Takeru I was complaining too much. At six centimeters I was screaming in pain and felt like I was dying, but Maki is handling it very well"
Yuta stood up, "She needs me and so does my son!" he wiped away tears.
"And you need this!" Utahime dared to give him a hug, one that the man really needed at that moment.
Yuta took a second to react, and then reciprocate the teacher's hug, that gesture felt like a real mother supporting her son, "Seriously Okkotsu, you both are going to do well as parents. You are already doing very well" she said those words of encouragement.
That answer made Yuta again let out tears, and through the lump in his throat a "Thank you very much" managed to come out hoarsely.
Actually that hug felt quite comforting. It was the hug he simply needed from some mother figure.
"Now go!, Maki needs you, but Shoko and I will be with you and her through the whole process"
"YES!" Yuta said, wiping away his tears, took a deep breath and went to that room.
"Is everything all right?" asked Maki looking at her husband entering the room again, "Did Azami say something to you?, what took you so long?" she carefully got up from the ball.
Yuta approached her, kissed her forehead and hugged her gently as she stood up. "It's all right, love. She just said you are doing great and the baby is coming in good position. And sorry for taking so long, we were just talking about the package we bought at this hospital. Which is the best in Tokyo"
Maki hugged him and felt his wet chin.
"Yuta, were you crying?" she asked, looking at her husband.
"I just let out a few tears of happiness" He fleetingly kissed her lips.
Maki responded to that kiss, but she pulled her lips away and her eyes closed tightly. Again another contraction.
"The contractions are starting to become more frequent..." Shoko looked at her watch, they were now every seven minutes, "I guess it will be a matter of hours before your baby is born"
Maki let the air out in pain, instead, Yuta hugged her back, holding her hands on her belly.
"Everything will be all right, love, I'm here with you" he said calmly and firmly in her ear, "We can do it together"
Maki nodded her head "We will make it. I know we will" she said with a slight smile, holding back tears, while her husband comforted her, hugging her and moving gently and humming a melody she knew.
That melody kept her calm and helped a little with the pain.
04:50 p.m.
The hours passed and with them the contractions became stronger and more frequent.
By that time in the afternoon, the winter storm had calmed down very slightly, allowing a glimpse of the sun, which would soon begin to hide.
Maki was already back in her room, because as she had been recommended and as is tradition that country, movement was important. So she had spent some time walking around the floor, leaning on her husband.
She had already been checked a couple of times by both Shoko and Azami, who told her that she was very close to the ten centimeters needed to give birth.
In addition, her husband had also encouraged her to eat and drink some water to regain strength and continue with the process.
At that moment just after entering her room because they had taken one more walk down that hallway, they both stopped and Maki grabbed the bed rail. Her body ached as that contraction was much stronger than the previous one.
"Love, how are you feeling? Do you want me to call Azami?" he asked, all worried.
Maki shook her head.
"I feel a little tired, but!" she felt one more contraction, "I know I must give my last effort. This baby will be born soon. I can feel it…"
Yuta nodded his head yes. Worry was creeping over him, but he had to remain calm.
At that instant, where they were both standing on one side of the bed, the wintry view had caught their attention.
The snow was still falling, as were the icy winds crashing against the walls.
Maki sighed.
"Yes, this baby was born in the middle of a blizzard" she commented, still resting her hands on the bedrail.
"Maybe that's a sign that our child will be very strong as well as this winter wind" Yuta put his hand on his wife's lower back and gave her a light massage in that area, incidentally, he had moved to the side of her to prevent her from falling. "It must be a sign that this baby will be as strong as you!"
Those words made Maki smile, "This baby will definitely be as strong as both of us..." she said feeling the pain increase and gripped the sheets tightly.
Yuta looked for a moment more at how even with that snow, the sun could still be seen through the clouds.
That scene reminded him of something very special.
"A shining sun in the winter sky" he said quietly.
"What?" Maki blurted out in confusion at those words.
"I said " shining sun in the winter sky" said Yuta taking Maki's hand. "That was my thought when I saw you that time in that classroom before our fight against Geto"
Maki smiled slightly at that.
"Really?" she paused, catching her breath, "You thought that about me?"
"Yes, and even at this moment I think you are" he kissed her forehead.
"Why didn't you ever tell me before?" asked Maki curiously, that had distracted her for a moment from all the pain.
"Why at this very moment, in this cold winter afternoon, you are that sun that can be seen on the horizon even with this snow storm" said Yuta taking her by both hands. Looking a little towards the window where the sun was still shining even with the snow, which began to fall again with more force.
"I love you..." whispered Maki taking a deep breath, bearing the pain. Those words had moved her.
"And I love you, my shining sun in the winter sky" replied Yuta, giving her a kiss on the lips, which was reciprocated by his wife.
Maki's soft smile from that kiss had now turned into a grimace of utter pain that even made her squirm a little to the front. That had been so violent that she even interrupted the kiss.
"Maki, are you all right?" asked her husband, very worried, seeing how her legs were shaking too much and buckling a little in pain.
Maki reached down and slipped her hand into her gown and felt between her legs. She was ready to give birth, she had felt the head of her baby. She already had the urge to start pushing.
"Go quickly for Azami and Shoko! The baby is coming!"
That alerted Yuta, who first helped Maki onto the stretcher and then rushed off to find the doctors and Utahime.
Maki settled herself half seated and with her legs open, so she felt comfortable at that moment to start pushing.
"Come on my baby" She clasped her hands around the rails of her gurney – "We can survive this!" She took a breath "I want to meet you already!" She said with tears in her eyes from the pain. She took one more breath.
Yuta ran back with Azami, Shoko and Utahime behind them, as well as two more nurses.
"They're here, love!" Yuta ran to his right side and took his hand, "It'll be all right!"
"I'm afraid..." Maki grimaced in total pain.
Yuta kissed her hand. He was trying not to cry, "It will be all right. You will be fine. Here I am, hold my hand very tight"
"What if I break your hand? Agh!" Maki moaned, the pain was intense. It was the strongest physical pain she had ever experienced in her life.
"It doesn't matter, my technique will do its thing" Yuta held his wife's hand –"You Push love, I'm here to support you in all this and I won't leave you alone"
"All right Maki, it's time" said Azami, quickly washing her hands, then the nurses quickly helped her put on her gown and gloves, "I'm starting to see your baby"
Shoko also enlisted to help her colleague.
"I feel like I need to push!" Maki grunted.
"Do it! We are ready to welcome your baby, Maki san" commented Shoko.
"push!"
That's what Maki started to do while holding Yuta's hand too tightly.
"Come on, my love, you can do it, I'm with you" said Yuta with tears in his eyes, it hurt him to see his wife suffer in this way. Still he had to keep calm as Azami had recommended.
Maki was really holding her husband's hand very tightly, to the extent that he felt she broke it the first time. But it didn't matter, his technique healed his bones while his wife held his hand tighter and tighter.
"You are doing very well!" said Utahime on her left side watching the procedure. Her hand was on Maki's, who was holding the bedrail so tightly that she was even crushing it easily.
"Come on, Maki, push one more time!" commented Azami.
Maki pushed again and felt out of breath, "I feel like I can't do it anymore..." she sobbed a little.
"If you can handle it, my love" Yuta commented, trying to hold back tears, "Push.
"Is Easy for you to say Yuta!" Maki complained loudly and gave him a murderous look, "You did this to me!" she snarled, squeezing her husband's hand so hard that she broke it once again.
"I'm sorry my love!" said Yuta being a sea of tears, both for the nerves of the situation as well as for the pain in his hand as Maki squeezed it with an enormous force, "I promise you that if you only want this to be our only son I will respect that! I will be the one to have the vasectomy!" he tried to calm his wife with those words. He knew she was saying all that because of the stress and pain of the moment.
Maki broke his hand again, but Yuta healed her without letting go.
She sucked in all the air she could and pushed.
"Once again Maki, the head is already peeking out, your baby has a lot of hair" Shoko encouraged him.
"Agh! That's easy for you to say!" she complained once again, "I feel like a watermelon is coming out of my vagina!" she growled.
"I know how you feel right now, Maki!" Utahime scolded her. "I gave birth to three babies! Still, come on, you can do it!" she encouraged her, "I know you feel like you're giving birth to a watermelon! But it will be worth it in the end, that baby is so close!"
Maki did so, but she felt that her life was going in that. Since thousands of memories of her pregnancy began to come to her mind.
She took a moment to regain her strength, she felt everything around her spiraling and time passing slowly.
"One more time! Push Maki!"
Maki drew strength from deep inside her, a thousand memories came to her mind as she breathed and prepared to push once more.
In that moment of agony, she remembered Mai, she remembered her mother, she remembered her past, her internal fights, her sufferings... everything she had to leave behind in order to live a new life with her baby.
"Once again love, you can do it, our baby is almost here! All this will soon be over!" Yuta said with too many tears in his eyes. Yuta's hand was already hurt enough, yet it was still her biggest support.
At that instant when both the pain was unbearable and outside the winter storm was at its most critical, Maki's mind was filled with memories, especially of the happiest moments she had shared with the man she had chosen as her husband. Those instants, full of joy and hearty laughter, paraded through her mind as she struggled one last time.
Maki took one more breath, she felt tears running down her cheeks and mingling with the sweat that covered her entire body.
"Push one last time, Maki san!" said Azami.
At that moment, Maki took a deep breath. At that moment she thought of all the places she wanted to go with her baby and Yuta.
She wanted to go to Atami beach one more time. She wanted to go to the aquarium with the two of them, she wanted to share a snow with her son and her husband, she wanted to do everything she never did with her mother and Mai.
Maki was running out of strength and breath. She felt she was not going to survive this.
"You can... Maki..." whispered that feminine voice that she knew quite well and that belonged to that person who always watched over her from the beyond and who, she knew, would not allow her to go with her very soon.
And so, Maki taking the last of her strength, pushed one last time.
In the end, winter will always be warmer in the company of your loved ones. And so it was about to be that moment where after that last push, finally the room was filled with the cry of that baby.
"He's born!" said Azami with great joy in her voice, "Congratulations, it's a boy!"
Maki finally sighed with relief and even loosened her grip on the railing and let go of Yuta's already injured hand. Her vision was a little blurry, but she felt good, she felt a great joy and a great relief, as the nurses lightly uncovered her chest to make the first skin-to-skin contact with her little one.
After wiping once more the nose and mouth of that child, who was crying loudly, Azami placed the baby on Maki's semi-naked chest without cutting the cord.
"Welcome, my baby," whispered Maki with a wide smile, as she rested her hands on the back of her newborn, who was crying, "We made it, my little soybean... finally, after four seasons, we finally meet..." she brought her cheek close to her baby's head, as she burst into tears with more strength and joy, "...You are finally here..." she was already a sea of tears.
Yuta was also flooded with tears of happiness. "You did amazing, I love you both" he whispered, placing a tender kiss on his wife's forehead. And gently, he placed his hand on hers, which rested on the back of their newborn baby boy, who was crying as the doctors attended to him and checked him.
Yuta even had the privilege of cutting his son's umbilical cord, a moment he experienced with immense joy.
Utahime and Shoko, who exchanged a big smile, also wiped away their tears of happiness at the sight of that family.
And so, that December 25, at 5:10 p.m., the first child of these two was born. A very healthy boy.
The two newly parents looked into each other's eyes and exchanged a smile full of happiness and tears.
Yuta gave Maki a soft kiss on the lips, as they were attentive to the first care and skin-to-skin contact of their baby.
That event had definitely been the best Christmas present for those two. Even the winter storm had calmed down.
❄To be continue...
Notes
I hope you liked it❤
AT LAST! THAT BABY WAS BORN AND EVERYTHING WENT VERY WELL!❄❄👏 👏
What else can I tell you, I really had fun writing this chapter, especially since we are very close to the end of this story.
So for me, this chapter has marked a before and after.
This chapter was very special to me as a writer because it was like a breath of life.
And well, I decided to have baby born on December 25 to give a new meaning to that day for Maki and everyone else.
In the next chapter you will find out what name this baby will take 💙as well as find out which of his parents he resembles the most.
Well, without further ado, Vera says goodbye❤We'll keep reading.