Baby Romantica chapter 9

As they sat in a nice, calm family restaurant, Akihiko and Misaki talked as they ate their meal.

"So have you thought of any names, Usagi-san?" Misaki asked.

"Yes, actually." Akihiko said, smiling. "I was thinking of a boy's name."

"What is it?" Misaki asked, smiling.

"I like Natsuo." Akihiko said. "It means 'summer life.' What do you think?"

"I like that." Misaki said. "I actually thought of a girl's name, too."

"Tell me." Akihiko said, smiling.

"Akimi." Misaki said, rubbing at his stomach. "It means 'autumn fruit.' I think it's pretty."

"I agree." Akihiko said.

"So, what is it you wanted to ask me about?" Misaki asked, finishing his plate.

Akihiko just smiled, and reached over to Misaki's hand on the table. "It's something very important."

Misaki blinked. "Well, what is it?"

"Misaki," Akihiko said, pulling something out of his pocket. "I love you." he got out of his chair, and got down on one knee. He opened the box, showing the gold ring with silver swirling on it inside. "Will you marry me?"

Misaki's eyes grew as he stared at the ring. Was he serious? He wanted to marry him, and he was proposing in a restaurant? He heard giggles from some of the girls who were also in that location. He felt his heard pounding from the situation.

"Usagi-san..?" he said finally. "Are you..?"

"I've always loved you." Akihiko said, staring at Misaki, looking deep into his eyes.

"I.. I love you, too.. Usagi-san.." Misaki said, tears forming in his eyes. He finally smiled at Akihiko. "Yes, I will."

This made the people who were witnessing this event clap with happiness.

Akihiko stood up, and slipped the ring onto Misaki's left ring finger. "Thank you." he said, then kissed Misaki on the lips.

Normally Misaki didn't like public displays of affection like this, but because of the happy feeling he had inside of him, he didn't care who was watching. He put his arms around Akihiko's neck, kissing him back. He knew now that soon, he would be married to the man he loved.

---

"So he really proposed?" Crystal asked one day, a few days after that night at the restaurant.

"Yeah," Misaki said, lifting his hand, showing her the ring. "He asked me to marry him, and we're probably going to get married soon after the babies are born."

Crystal threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. "I'm so happy for you!!" she cried.

Instead of struggling like he normally did when Crystal hugged him, Misaki returned her hug, smiling.

Kita, who was playing with Cliff and Joey, smiled at his wife and friend. "I'm happy for you, too."

"Thanks." Misaki said as he and Crystal stopped hugging.

"There's so much to do before the wedding!" Crystal said, excitedly. "Ooh! I wanna pick out Misaki-kun's dress!!"

"Dress?!" Misaki repeated, somewhat shocked. "I'm not a crossdresser!"

"Well you've gotta wear a dress if you're the girl in the relationship." Crystal said, beaming. "Well not always, but still you should at least wear something dress-like!" Her cheeks turned pick as she fantisized about Misaki's wedding. "Oh you'd look so pretty wearing a flowing white gown... You'd look absolutely beautiful!"

"Okay, hon," Kita said, a sweatdrop formed on his head. "That's enough... I doubt Misaki would want to wear anything too girly to his wedding."

"Buzzkill." Crystal said, crossing her arms with a pout-like expression.

Akihiko walked down the stares, going to Misaki, sitting down next to him. "I heard what she said."

"About what..?" Misaki asked, causiously.

"About how you'd look in a wedding gown." Akihiko said, putting an arm around Misaki. "I think you're already beautiful."

Misaki's cheeks turned bright red. "Usagi-san..?"

Akihiko put his other arm around Misaki, holding him close. "I mean it. You're beautiful."

Crystal's eyes welled up with tears as she stared happily at the couple. "Oh you two!" she said. "That's so sweet!!"

Kita put a hand on Crystal's shoulder. "You and your fangirl-ish ways." he said, smiling. Crystal just giggled at this.

---

A few weeks later, Misaki was sleeping soundly in the bed that he and Akihiko now shared, as Akihiko was still awake, working on his latest novel.

'I hope this time he likes what I write about him.' Akihiko thought to himself. 'This time it's based on a boy who gets pregnant.' He let out a sigh. 'I just hope the readers will accept the idea of a pregnant male.'

Misaki walked in, rubbing at his eye. "Usagi-san.." he said. "I don't feel too good.."

"Are you getting sick again?" Akihiko asked him.

"I don't know." Misaki said, going to him and pulling up a chair to sit by him. "My tummy kind of hurts.."

Akihiko put a hand on Misaki's belly. "How badly does it hurt?"

Misaki gripped at his stomach, lettiing out a pain-filled moan. "Usagi-san.." he said. "I think it's time..."

Akihiko's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"

"Yes!" Misaki cried.

With that, Akihiko helped Misaki onto his feet, and noticed the water staining his pants. He knew for sure, Misaki was in labor. Akihiko scooped Misaki into his arms, and quickly took him out to the car, putting him in the passenger seat.

"Just keep breathing." Akihiko said as he got into the driver seat and started the car.

Misaki started taking long, deep breaths as Akihiko hurried him to the hospital. "Usagi-san.." he said between breathes. "Help me..."

"I'll do what I can." Akihiko said, driving as quickly as he could. "I'm not leaving your side throughout the whole thing."

Misaki, still breathing heavily, managed to smile at Akihiko. "Thank... you..."

Eventually they arrived at the hospital, where Akihiko picked Misaki up in his arms again, and hurried to the front desk.

"My lover's in labor." Akihiko said to the lady at the desk.

"Okay," the lady said, bringing out a wheelchair. Akihiko set Misaki down in the chair. "Right this way, please." the lady said, bringing them to a room for Misaki to give birth in.

---

"AAAAAAAAH!!!!" Misaki screamed as he felt another contraction surge through his body.

By now, Misaki was in a hospital gown and in a bed. Akihiko held onto his hand, letting Misaki squeeze as hard as he needed to with each contraction.

"Misaki," Akihiko said. "I know it hurts, but don't worry." He put his free arm around Misaki. "I'm staying right here with you."

Misaki sobbed into Akihiko's shoulder, tears streaming down his face. "It hurts so bad..." he said, crying. "Why is it taking so long..?"

"The doctor said you're not fully dialated yet." Akihiko said, holding onto his lover. "Just keep doing your breathing, and it'll be over soon." He looked at Misaki, smiling.

"Usagi-san.." Misaki said, managing to smile.

"I love you." Akihiko said, then kissed Misaki on the lips. "I love you so much."

"I love you, too..." Misaki said, tears still going down his face.