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It has been exactly one year since the day Kiyoka and I were married. One year since we have become husband and wife. One year since I've become Lady Miyo Kudo. One year with someone I'm happy to call my husband. A man I want to grow old with. A man who I love and always will.
Since the day that we were married, things have gone back to normal, and everyday has become a new adventure for us. I tend to the house and Kiyoka goes to work at the special anti-grotesquerie unit in the capitol. On his days off, we go out to explore by going on long walks in the surrounding areas in the forest near our home, even in town. Sometimes Kiyoka will take me somewhere else by car that would be too far to walk. Places I've never seen and more. By the end of the day we always find ourselves sitting outside our bedroom along the back porch and looking up to the clear night sky. Then we would both go to bed beside each other when the moon was in the middle of the sky.
Now it was a new day. An early morning for me right now. I awoke before Kiyoka and left him to rest in our room, while I went to start our breakfast. A proper meal for the both of us on this cool spring day. A meal Kiykoa would need before he left for work in a few hours.
It was raining out and I knew I wanted us both to have miso soup. I do have plans to make fried fish, rice, and a vegetable to go along with our breakfast. Also, hot tea too. That would be the last thing I make.
Before I got to cooking, I opened up the inner doors of our home, and left the outer ones closed. The weather wasn't bad right now, but I would close them later on in the day for the thunderstorms that would roll in after lunch. I also unlocked the front door for Yurie. She will be arriving very soon.
Yurie has been employed by Kiyoka for sometime. She always arrived at a certain time to start cooking before Kiyoka was to awake. Now that I am here, she still comes in at the same time to help me prepare a meal for Kiyoka and I, including herself. But very soon, when that day comes, she'll help us prepare for the family Kiyoka and I have together.
It wasn't long after Kiyoka and I were married that I became pregnant. Our first child together will be here in the coming days. Both of them don't like that I'm on my feet for almost the whole day since I'm near the end of my pregnancy and would rather see me rest and not put too much stress on my body. I reassured them that I was okay and would rest when needed.
As I started to prepare our breakfast, I heard Yurie come inside, and close the door behind her. She then made her way into the kitchen, "good morning, Miyo. Up early as usual?"
I turned to face her, smiled, and bowed, "good morning to you too, Yurie, and yes. I wanted to get a head start on everything." I also wanted to talk with her about what we have planned for this evening. During the day, Yurie and I were going to prepare the dinner I had planned after Kiyoka left for work. Today also marks the one year anniversary since the day Kiyoka and I were married.
"Good, and how are you feeling though?" I know what she means by that.
"I'm feeling okay. I know I should be resting, but I can't sit around, and wait until the baby is born." I moved my hand to my belly where I was starting to feel slight pain, but I wasn't going to let her know that. I didn't want her to worry about me this early in the morning. "The baby that grows inside me gets very antsy if I'm not up and moving around." I have a feeling they'll be just like their father, Kiyoka. Including myself.
Yurie laid her hand upon mine, "I still can't believe you both are having a little family of your very own. It seems like only yesterday that you just first arrived here and things didn't start out that great, but in just a few days that all changed. You both slowly grew a bond that couldn't and still can't be broken."
"Yes." Nothing can break what we have.
"Now you're planning yours and Kiyoka's anniversary dinner for this evening," she said quietly so that he couldn't hear what was being said. We heard him awake a moment ago.
"Yes" I smiled from ear to ear. "A perfect dinner for two."
It took us only an hour to get everything made and all three of us sat in the seating room to eat together. "Miyo?" I found him looking my way.
"Yes?" I have a feeling he'll ask me what I plan on doing today.
"What are your plans for today?" Knew it.
"Not much as of right now. I plan to follow the doctor's orders and stay off my feet as much as possible." Though I still plan to make our dinner this evening, depending on how the day goes. The pain that I'm having slowly kicked in again. I'm doing my best to not show the pain that I am in. I don't want to worry him. "Hazuki is coming over later too and she's going to talk to me about everything when it comes to me going into labor." Which I know that I am in right now, but I wanted to be sure once she was here.
"Good," he moved over to me, placed his hand on my belly, and I placed mine over his. "Any day now our child will be here. A child we created together who will grow up in a comforting home, with two parents who they will look up to, and feel loved each and every day." I noticed the change in his expression from joy to worry, "there is that fear you'll go into labor during the storm today." I know I should tell him, but I don't want him to miss work.
"You don't have to worry, Kiyoka. I haven't shown any signs as of yet," I hate lying to him. "Even if I do while you are at work, I'll make sure to call you, and I'll have not just Hazuki here, but also Yurie to help me through everything if I were to give birth." Both are amazing mothers. Oh! "Did you feel that kick?"
"Yes," Kiyoka still seems worried that I will go into labor today. He rested his forehead against mine, "promise me that you will take it very easy today."
I closed my eyes, "I promise that I will." My back was starting to hurt a bit more.
After our breakfast, Kiyoka had left for work, and I went to rest more. Yurie told me before I laid down that it was okay and to get the rest that I needed. I think an hour or so was all I needed. But I do have that feeling today I will deliver.
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I heard the rain increase in speed as it hit the roof of the house much harder than this morning. It awoke me from the short nap that I took. My back was still hurting about the same as it was earlier. I got up anyway, and went to see if Yurie needed any help. When I walked out into the hallway, I found it quite dark in the house. "Yurie?" I couldn't hear her.
I felt for the light switch to turn the light on, but it didn't come on. "Did the rain knock out the power?" Thunder rolled outside and I knew the storm that was talked about was rolling in now. "Yurie?" I said her name a little bit louder. Still nothing. Did she leave early?
I decided to check the kitchen, just in case she couldn't hear me. I used the wall to guide myself down the hallway. With each step I took, the pain I was having along my back, and front side was increasing with each step that I took. I had to call for her again. She needed to know that I was in labor right now, "Yurie, are you there? Ah!"
"Miyo?" I heard Hazuki instead! When I looked up ahead to see a flashlight in her hand. "Miyo, what's wrong?" She was at my side fast.
"Miyo!" Yurie followed behind. "Dear, what's wrong?"
My one hand held the wall, while my other held my belly. "Hazuki. Yurie, I think it's time."
"Right now?" I nodded my head yes to both of them.
"How long have you been in labor?" Hazuki asked, worried.
"I started to feel pain this morning, but it wasn't this intense."
"Miyo, has your water broken yet?" Just as she said that a gush of water came out of me. "I'm going to take that as a yes." Hazuki handed over the flashlight to Yurie, and held me by the waist, turning me back around. "Yurie, do we have the supplies ready?"
"Yes! I'll grab them after we get Miyo settled in bed, and I'll get the water warmed up." I heard Yurie answer, holding the light out in front of us to light our way.
"Miyo, everything is going to be alright. Let's get you into your birthing robes." She led me to my old room where we decided would be the best place for me to give birth.
Hazuki helped me get into my white robes, laid me down into the already made bed, as I kept going in, and out of contractions. Yurie left to get the water going and grab the supplies that she would need. "It hurts so much." This is the worst pain I've ever felt since that night I was beaten very badly by Kaya and my step-mother after I refused to obey their orders to end the engagement between Kiyoka and I.
"I know, but you are strong, Miyo. You will be okay." Hazuki brushed the strands of hair that covered my forehead back, and placed a warm wet cloth against it. "Just think about it, you will have your baby sometime today or this evening. My little niece or nephew."
She grabbed my hand and held it close to her. Though I was in pain, I couldn't help but smile. "This child of Kiyoka's and mine is coming on a very special day."
"Yes, your one year wedding anniversary. A very nice gift to give my little brother." She grinned from ear to ear, "once the power returns I will call my brother to inform him of the news." I hope it comes back on soon.
Yurie returned to check on me, "how are you doing, Miyo?" She sat on the other side of me.
"In pain, but it will be all worth it in the end." Though, "I was really hoping to make the special dinner this evening for Kiykoa and I."
"If anything, Lady Miyo, we can save it for another day. The master will understand. He always has," Yurie is right. A few days after my body has healed, I will prepare the meal that I had planned for us. A week at most.
She smiled too, "do you have names picked out yet?"
"I do, but I want to wait till I know for sure once I see their face." Kiyoka is the only one who knows of the names that I have picked. I've had dreams in the past few weeks of not one baby, but two. A boy and a girl. Both resemble us both in hair and eye color. A girl who resembles Kiyoka with my eye color and a boy who resembles me with Kiyoka's eye color. "Ow!" Another contraction came.
"Just hang in there Miyo," my amazing sister-in-law squeezed my hand. "You're doing the same as I was; calm and relaxed."
"I agree, Miss Hazuki. Not a hair out of place either, hehe." Yurie brushed the top of my head.
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As the afternoon and the early evening led on, the storm outside remained the same heavy, and strong. We had to light up the room with many candles to be able to see everything. The pain was strong, but I knew all will be well in the end. My baby will be here soon. A baby that I've carried for nine months.
Hazuki and Yurie were there for every moment, not leaving my side, giving more encouraging words till I finally gave birth to a baby boy, who was a spinning image of me with black hair. A very handsome little son. His screams were loud and strong.
"You did amazing, Miyo," Hazuki and Yurie both helped get him cleaned up and wrapped him up in a baby blanket and placed him within my arms. They would tend to me next as I wanted to spend this bonding moment with my son. A son who I absolutely love already.
"The young master will be so thrilled to see you have given birth to a son, Miyo. A beautiful baby boy who he will see everyday who looks just like you, my lady." Yurie's words were going to make me cry.
"Oh! Yurie, you're going to make us both cry," Hazuki chimed in. "He is a spinning image of you Miyo."
"I do agree," I smiled from ear to ear. I rubbed my pointed finger along his soft cheek. "It's hard to believe after all I have been through in my life, I would actually find myself as a wife to an amazing husband, and now a new mom to a baby boy." It feels like a dream that I will wake back up in the Saimori home, in my old bedroom, serving my step-mother and half-sister, suffering both of their abuse, and being ignored by my father who never gave wind to their wrong doing.
"Your past is something you should have never gone through, but in the end, my father choosing you as my little brother's betrothal was the best thing to happen to our family. I have gained an amazing sister-in-law who is kind and gentle. A sister-in-law that showed my brother that they weren't after his wealth and gift." Her words are true. I never once saw Kiyoka for his money and gift. All I saw was friendship, that turned to fiance, to marriage, and now a family of our own.
"I agree, Miss Hazuki."
I couldn't hold back my tears, "thank you both so much." They were words that I needed to hear. "Ow!" The same pain I felt right before my son was born returned. Is this the pain for the after birth? No, I felt a kick in my belly. Am I…?
"Miyo! What is it?" They both said at the same time.
"I felt a kick inside me." I could feel pressure down between my legs. "It's the same pain before my son was born."
"What!" Yurie was the one to check, "ah! My Lady, you're having another baby!"
"What! Miyo, didn't you notice or feel that during your pregnancy?" Hazuki squeezed my hand.
"No, ah!" The same pain kept coming and going. How did I not notice I was carrying more than one baby? "A double surprise for Kiyoka," I had to joke, but in reality I am still in shock.
"Hmm," Hazuki beamed. "You're very lucky, Miyo. Two babies in one evening."
It wasn't long till finally I gave birth to my second child, "congratulations, Miyo. You have a little girl," Yurie announced. I have a daughter! "A beautiful daughter at that."
"Oh! Miyo. You are truly lucky," Hazuki teared up.
"A son and now a daughter." A family of four now. I teared up too.
They had her cleaned up quickly and placed beside her brother. I was finally cleaned up too after the afterbirth came a few minutes later. Though I was still in slight pain, it was all worth it in the end. I had two of the most precious babies I could ask for. A family Kiyoka and I talked about having, but not at the same time.
After a few hours passed, the rain began to settle down, the lights finally came back on, and the roar of an engine came about outside. Kiyoka was home! "I'll go get my brother." Hazuki left and Yurie stayed beside me.
At any moment Kiyoka will be informed of the news and will be at my side. I know how his reaction will be; shocked, surprised, and happy."
Though it was faint for how far the front door was, I could hear Hazuki open up the door, "hello, little brother, welcome home."
"Hazuki, where is Miyo?" He knows I'm usually there to greet him when he comes home from work. "Is she alright?"
"Miyo is resting, Kiyoka. She gave birth not long ago," I heard her finally announce the news to him.
"What! Why didn't you all call me," I could hear the alertness in his voice as he came into the house.
"The house lost power during the afternoon and just came on about twenty minutes ago," I could hear both of them now coming back towards the room I was in.
I could tell Kiyoka was ignoring his older sister, came running up the hall, and froze in place when he stood there in the doorway. He breathed heavily, hands on the frame, blue eyes shocked seeing me before him, "Miyo."
All I could do was smile, "welcome home, Kiyoka." I breathed through the pain, "come meet our son and daughter."
Yurie rose to her feet, "I'll go be you two some privacy and I'll make your dinner." She left us to be alone together, and closed the door behind her.
Kiyoka's eyes grew wide again hearing that we had two kids when we thought we were having one. He slowly made his way over and got down to his knees beside me. "Miyo, you…" he was looking towards me and then our two children.
Though I wanted to sit up and join him, I remained where I lay for now. "I'm still surprised as well." I turned to face our babies who were awake. "Our son was born first and…" I rubbed his little cheek first, "our daughter came as a surprise," I rubbed hers last. She resembled Kiyoka alot.
Kiyoka's hand held mine, "we have two?" He still can't believe what he sees before him.
"Yes," I squeezed his hand. "We're a family of four like we talked about." I finally looked back up his way. He remained speechless, "Kiyoka?"
"I'm sorry, Miyo. It's just… did you really give birth to two?" He moved around to the other side and picked up our daughter.
"Yes," I still can't get over being informed by Yurie that I was having another. "Doesn't she just look like you?" Slowly as I could, I sat up without assistance, scooting close to Kiyoka, and picked up our son into my arms.
"Yes, and…" I watched him look over to our son, "our son is the resemblance of you." My thoughts exactly. "Are we still going to name them the names we talked about?"
I smiled from ear to ear, "yes." Our son was to be named Yoshirou after my grandfather and our daughter would be named after my late mother Sumi. I wanted her name to live on. I know my grandfather would love that I'm using her name.
"Miyo?" I rested my head against Kiyoka's shoulder.
"Yes?"
"Shall we inform our family's of the news?"
"Soon," when we do, I want all of them to be together at the same time.
"When you're ready," his lips found the side of my forehead.
"Thank you." Right now, I just wanted to spend this time with my husband and the father to our twins. "Happy anniversary, Kiykoa."
"Happy anniversary, Miyo."