38

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"Mum wake up!"

I open my eyes, seeing Genji sitting beside me and shaking my arm so I sit up with a yawn. It's been around 3 weeks since Hotaru and I were married and Genji moved in with us. Most days consist of just normal things, and Genji has been begging me to keep training him to be a demon slayer which I've been happy to do. I'd be lying if I said I missed fighting and training, so it's been fun training him and seeing him improve!

"It's not raining today, can we please go train!" I yawn and rub my arms with a giggle, ruffling his still messy bed hair.

"Ok ok.. just give me a moment to wake up ok? Go get the things ready and I'll meet you at the door," I sigh and he cheers happily, running out the room as I stretch my arms above my head.

"Mmmm.. where are you going..." Hotaru rolls over, flinging his arms lazily over me as he doesn't even open his eyes and I giggle.

"Genji wants to go train.."

"Now? Tell the brat no..."

"It's ok.. we'll be home soon," I say gently moving his arms off me, but he's back to snoring before even noticing making me roll my eyes. I get dressed and go to the kitchen, plashing some water on my face to try and wake myself up. I then begin brushing through my long black hair... but that's when I realize something isn't right...

I begin to feel a strange feeling in my stomach, and all of a sudden I feel a hot flush come over me. My eyes then widen as I feel bile rising up from my stomach, and I hurry to grab a bucket as I hunch over and throw up into it. I squeeze my eyes shut, continuing to throw up as I cough and splutter and Genji comes running over.

"Mum?! Are you ok!?" He yells and I cough, wiping my mouth.

"I-I'm ok... could you go get Hotaru?" I say and he nods, running into our bedroom as I continue to throw up.

"Mr Haganezuka wake up! Mr Haganezuka!"

"What!?"

"Wake up, mum is sick!"

Within seconds, Hotaru comes rushing out and is immediately at my side and he rubs my back slowly.

"Hanako? Hanako what's wrong?" He says, holding my hair out my face for me as I cling onto the bucket and a few tears roll down my cheek.

"I-I don't know.. I just felt sick all of a sudden.. I must've eaten something strange," I say softly and he feels my cheeks with the back of his hand.

"You feel a little warm... are you sure you're not coming down with something?" I shake my head, putting down the bucket as I finally feel as though I don't have to throw up and Hotaru immediately picks me up. "Here, get back into bed and I'll fetch the doctor."

"Hotaru I'm fine really... you don't need to get the doctor.." I say but he ignores me, tucking me back into bed making me smile.

"Genji!" Genji immediately comes running in. "Stay here with Hanako and make sure she has everything she needs, I'll be back soon," he says and Genji firmly nods, sitting down next to me as Hotaru leaves.

"He's so dramatic," I say sitting up and Genji crosses his arms.

"I am here to look after you! Please get back into bed!" He says firmly and I giggle, rolling my eyes as I lay back down. Genji then proceeds to pull the blanket up around me making me laugh even harder as he's taking his role very seriously.

Not long after, Hotaru returns with the village doctor who asks everyone to leave the bedroom as he examines me to try and determine what's wrong with me. He did a number of strange tests... involving looking at my pee... but there was one thing he said that stuck out to me.

"Ok and one last question Mrs Haganezuka," he says and I sit up nodding. "When did you last have your period?" I furrow my eyebrows, before realizing what he's suggesting which makes my stomach tighten.

"Y-You don't mean..."

"I don't want you to jump to conclusions yet, but after judging your symptoms it is worth asking..." he says and I bite the tip of my thumb, thinking back to my last period..

"It... It is late now that I think about it..." I whisper and he hums, writing something down in his notebook.

"Please excuse me as I retrieve Mr Haganezuka," he says before leaving the room. I sit there in silence, my hand slowly moving to my stomach as my heart pounds in my chest. I can't be.. there's no way.. Surely not... "If you could both take a seat," the doctor says as he comes back with Hotaru.

"What's wrong, are you ok?" Hotaru says as he sits next to me, but I can't even bring myself to look at him. I just continue to stare wide eyed at the floor. "Hanako? What's wrong with her is she ok?" He says worried and the doctor clears his throat.

"After observing her condition you don't have to worry, she is perfectly healthy," the doctor says and Hotaru sighs in relief. "But... there is something I should inform you sir," he says and I close my eyes, biting my tongue. "After all the tests I did and analyzing the symptoms she described to me... I do have reason to believe that Mrs Haganezuka is... pregnant."

Hearing him say it out loud makes my heart stop and the whole room falls silent. Neither Hotaru or I make any movement, both of us sitting there in utter shock. My hand trembles as it rests on my stomach and I force my eyes open.

"I understand this may come as a shock... It's important to keep an eye on her and she should come to me for regular checks..."

The doctors voice begins to fade as I look down at my stomach, the reality of the situation sinking in. I'm pregnant... there's a baby in me right now... Hotaru's and I's child is inside me right now...

"Thank you... I'll see you out," Hotaru says as they both leave again, leaving me alone once more. The whole world seems to disappear from around me as I just stare at my stomach, all kinds of emotions flowing through me right now. "Hanako..." I hear him whisper as he stands in the doorway.

"Hotaru I-"

In the blink of an eye, I'm engulfed into his arms as he buries his head into my neck. Tears begin to flow from my eyes as I hear soft sniffles coming from him and he hugs me tighter to him as I wrap my arms around his neck. We stay like this for a moment, not one of us knowing what to say as we both take a moment to fully comprehend the situation.

"Hotaru.. I'm sorry..." I whisper and he immediately pulls away, grabbing my shoulders firmly and staring at me with stern eyes.

"Hanako... you have absolutely nothing to apologize for," he says and I sniffle, wiping my tears away as my hand trembles slightly. He takes my hand into one of his, wiping my tears for me as my lip trembles.

"B-But.. I know you never really wanted kids and we already have Genji and-"

"Hanako... this is probably one of the happiest moments of my entire life," he whispers making my eyes widen as I stare at him in shock. His eyes are glossy as he smiles at me and I blink in shock. "To have a child with you is.. is everything I ever wanted. Having a family with you is like a dream come true.. I'm just sorry it happened so suddenly and so soon.. I mean you're still only 18 we probably should've waited until..."

My laughter cuts him off and I shake my head... and he laughs softly with me.

"You're happy?" I say and he nods making me sigh in relief as I hug him. "Thank god! I'm happy as well Hotaru... having a family is everything I ever wanted in life and to be able to have one with you... I can't wait! I don't care if I'm young... I love you and I'm so happy!" I gush and he hugs me tightly. "Perhaps we should've been a little more careful..." I giggle and he clears his throat, pulling away and rubbing neck awkwardly.

"Y-Yeah... sorry..." he says and I giggle, gently kissing his lips making him smile before I suddenly gasp.

"I'm supposed to be visiting Miko and Haku today! I have to hurry and leave, I have to tell them the news!" I hurry out of bed, rushing around to get ready and he sits there stunned.

"H-Hey wait! You're not planning on walking all the way there now are you!?" He says and I ignore him, still grabbing my things. "You should rest! The doctor said to make sure you are in perfect health!"

"Hotaru I'm fine! Physical exercise is good anyway..." I say and he tries to stop me by blocking the front door and I cross my arms, raising an eyebrow at him. "Hotaru..." I say and he stands in ground making me narrow my eyes at him. "Let me through!" I suddenly yell, trying to get past him but he picks me up making me thrash about in his arms.

"You're not going! Make them come here or something!" He says and I groan as he finally puts me down.

"They can't! Unless they have an actual reason they're not allowed!"

"Well then too bad!"

"Come on~! I'm barely even pregnant anyway!" He raises an eyebrow at my words.

"Pregnant is pregnant Hanako." I cross my arms with a pout, turning my back to him and he sighs. "I'm only trying to take care of you! Why are you being so stubborn!" I don't respond to him. He pinches the bridge of his nose in frustration. "You're seriously going to act childish like this?" Still no response from me. "...Fine!" He finally says and I cheer, immediately hugging him around his waist while giggle.

"Thank you-!"

"But I'm coming with you! At least that way I can keep an eye on you.." He sighs and I giggle, handing him his mask as I put mine on.

"Hurry up then slowpoke!" I say already running out the house and he hurries after me.

"W-wait! Be careful.. take it easy!"

-

"Hanako~!"

"Miko~!"

Miko and I jump into each others arms and she spins me around as we both laugh. Hotaru rolls his eyes, standing to the side as not one of us acknowledge him.

"Big sis Hanako~!" I squeal as all the resident maids come running out and they jump onto me making me scream and fall down as we all laugh. "We miss you!" They all say making me giggle, until Hotaru hurries over and helps me up while I roll my eyes.

"Are you ok!? You brats be careful with her!" He scolds and they all look at us confused as Hotaru dusts me off and checks every inch of me as I sigh.

"Hotaru.." I sigh and he crosses his arms firmly.

"Are you still injured Hanako?" Miko says confused as to why I'm being babied so much by him and I rub my neck awkwardly.

"A-actually... there's something I have to tell you and Haku..." I whisper and she furrows her eyebrows.

Hotaru and I sit across from Miko and Haku on the veranda and the two twins look at me confused.

"What was so urgent that you had to tell us?" Haku says and I take a deep breath, removing my mask and placing it behind me as I hold my stomach gently.

"I'm pregnant."

The two blink in shock, not one of them making a movement. Until Miko suddenly bursts into tears making Haku and I jump and I panic.

"M-Miko!? What's wrong!?" I say and she cries her eyes out, before flinging her arms around me making me blink in shock.

"I-I'm so happy!" She wails and I giggle, immediately hugging her back as she cries into my shoulder. "I can't believe you're going to be a mother! Not only that, but I'm going to be an aunty! I'm so so so happy Hanako!" She whimpers and I pull her off me giggling. "And you Haganezuka!" She grins, punching his arm making him wince and rub it angrily. "You better take care of Hanako!" She scolds and he nods slowly.

"Hanako..." Haku whispers, tears in his own eyes and I smile, opening my arms to him. He hugs me gently before pulling away, his eyes on my stomach. "I can't believe it," he whispers and I giggle.

"Neither could we... we found out this morning," I say and he smiles softly at me, stroking my hair and wiping a fallen tear quickly.

"I'm happy for you... I know that if your child grows up to be like you, they'll be just as perfect as you are," he says making me smile and hold his hand. He then looks to Hotaru with a glare before sighing. "I guess I should congratulate you as well... listen to my sister, take care of Hanako ok? Otherwise I'll make sure you regret ever getting involved with her!" He says and I giggle as Hotaru bows his head slightly to the two.

"I promise.. I'll take care of her and our child to the best of my ability.." He whispers making me gush and I hold his hand smiling at him.

"Wah I can't believe it~!" Miko suddenly yells as she jumps on top of me making me laugh and Hotaru and Haku panic.

"M-Miko be careful!"