Herbal Tea's

"Are you sure, Kuon? You don't have to?" Kyoko looked up at her husband lovingly as he squeezed her hand he held in his.

"Don't be silly, Kyoko. Of course I have to, it's a daddy's job after all to take care of both mommy and baby so I need to know these things as much as you do." he wouldn't admit the prospect scared him just as much as his first ever audition had, that the doors before him seemed 30 ft high and he could just imagine the danger behind them as he swallowed hard. Kyoko was 15 weeks pregnant now, his away shoot had gone wonderfully. The pictures of the baby had spread to family and friends and they had their own proudly displayed on their shelf at home, all spare pictures Kyoko had started arranging into a scrapbook she had bought.

Kuon loved watching her working on the book. She added stickers, gems and other embellishments with such detail and intricacy he adored watching her as her eyes softened each time she looked at the pictures. The way her hand would caress her stomach without thought. There had been a press conference not 2 days prior where they had released the news to the world about Kyoko's condition. It had been Lory's idea and for the first time Kuon adored Lory for booking it without their knowledge. He knew Kyoko was still feeling a little odd about telling people he had gone with her to explain to Ogata. He watched her apologise almost in dogeza about not intending to cause problems with his drama and shooting schedule, worried from everything down to her continuing morning sickness to the fact she would be gaining weight and her costumes not fitting her correctly.

Kuon had known before going with her what Ogata's reaction would be, though telling Kyoko that would have just made her more nervous. So when Ogata embraced his wife and shook his own hand in congratulations at the news, he watched Kyoko's worries deflate slightly as Ogata told her not to worry. They would make their deadline and her and the baby's health was more important than anything, even his drama.

Now it was Kuon's turn to feel nervous. At the conference he had been brimming with joy and pride. He had told and showed the world with his smile just how happy and proud he was to be becoming a father. It had taken the media by storm and they had received so many congratulations and flowers at LME, it would make a botanical garden jealous, so why was it so hard to push open that door? Why was he afraid of the people that would be standing behind it?

"You ready?" Kyoko whispered as she too eyed the door with apprehension. Her voice trembled slightly as he squeezed her hand a little tighter. He had to be the man, the father and take the lead. Pushing the door open, he towed her along to the little reception desk and smiled at the shocked woman behind the desk.

"Hello, we're here for the parenting class." he said with his gentlemanly smile, hiding his nervousness as she pointed down the hall on the right, her jaw hanging limply as she goggled at the two famous celebrities who had just walked in.

"Thank you." he said with another smile as they walked in the direction she had pointed following the signs for their destination that were blu tacked to the walls. They finally found the door, 'Birth and Early Years Parenting Class.' Kuon again felt the need to turn and run, did he really have to do this? He was terrified it all made it so much more real, so much more scary. But in the back of his head even after buying 29 books from amazon about parenting and birth and babies he still had questions and really even google seemed to give only partial answers. He needed someone there someone real to voice his concerns to. Someone who could talk back and tell him it was all going to be OK.

It had been his mom's idea. She had told them both before leaving the value of having other expecting people around them. People they could talk to without fear of being laughed at. Didn't all parents have the same fear and worries? Why shouldn't they seek comfort from each other? So here they were outside their new classroom together and both of them wanted to run.

"We don't bite." came a warm voice. They both turned to see a middle aged woman walking down the corridor, a large brown box in her arms. She was tall and curvy, her brown wavy hair fell just below her shoulders and her brown eyes were warm as she smiled at them both. Kyoko could feel her cheeks blushing as Kuon too felt the heat rising to his cheeks.

"I'm sorry." he said uncertain of what else to say as she smiled at them both.

"There's no reason to apologise. Everyone is nervous their first time here, but I promise you, you will soon get used to it and to us." she nodded towards the door and Kuon, taking the hint, opened it, bowing her through before them as they entered the room behind her.

"Come in and take a seat. It's still early and some more parents will be arriving in a little while so why not have a chat with some of the others while I set up?" they just nodded at her and looked around the large spacious room before them. Groups of people who appeared to be in couples or single were talking and laughing with each other as they waited. A hush fell about the room as people started to notice the new arrivals.

Oh god, please we are the same as you, nothing special.

Kyoko repeated over and over in her head as she tried to deny the fact that they were both big household names and with all their recent publicity even more so. For once she wished people could understand they were normal people, they were human too! The woman who was setting up must have noticed the silence that was dropping, looking up from her box she smiled to herself.

"I found our new pair hanging around outside the door. I think they thought we may bite them, so no going and telling them that I do now will you?" the tension the silence had been bringing receded as the people around the room chuckled and smiled at each other. Kyoko gripped Kuon's hand, her fear showing in her grip as he smiled around at the surrounding people.

"You would never think that I have never been so scared to open a door in my life, well apart from asking Kyoko's parents if I could marry her that is. For future reference, never ask a Japanese master cook to marry his daughter while he is holding a big butcher knife, it knocks years off your life." the tension completely dissolved as they laughed and slowly, a few at a time, they all came forwards and introduced themselves. Some saying they were fans, others congratulating them on their wedding and child. But to Kyoko's relief they treated them as regular people and not something above themselves. She was a very humble person and she hated people thinking she was above them or that they thought she believed she was because that just wasn't Kyoko. She loved her job and she loved acting. Just because it had the side effect of making her famous she would never complain as what was the point in acting if there was no one to watch you perform. But still she was just another expectant mother who wanted to learn as much as she could before her fluttering fairy was born.

At 8 the class started. Sitting in a semicircle around the lady who had first met them they waited. She leant against the desk, her curvy body seeming to fit perfectly before the people she stood before as she smiled around at them.

"I hope we are all well and coping with our bundles of joy." she said with a wicked smile as one of the men with his wife jokingly muttered something along the lines of over the top hormones and strange cravings. His partner was further with her pregnancy and the rather large bump was swollen and plump before her. Kyoko watched as she batted her partner playfully and others around the room laughed as did the teacher who smiled.

"Well as we have a new couple tonight I will start with my own introduction. My name is Natalie. I will be with you every step of your way through learning about the little miracle happening within your own lives. We will cover a range of topics with a different one each week. Some we will cover multiple times, but trust me practice makes perfect. When your baby is a few weeks old and you're barely getting a few hours sleep and are beyond exhausted and ready to pass out, the fact you have already learnt what you need to know will be a blessing." she smiled again and Kyoko felt warmer sitting there.

"I'm also here for any worries or concerns you may have regarding your pregnancy, health or your future child's health. Never be afraid to speak up, we are all in the same boat or in my case have been in the same boat so never be embarrassed to ask anything." Kyoko and Kuon nodded as she seemed to aim that question at them.

"Now would you like to introduce yourselves?" she asked with a sly smile.

"I'm sure that nobody doesn't know who you both are." Kuon chuckled as he stood,

"Well you probably do know who we appear to be. My name is Kuon Hizuri and this is my wife Kyoko Hizuri previously Mogami. We recently found out we are expecting a baby, who is due around the 3rd of November." he looked at Natalie who smiled and he sat back down as a little applause filled the room. Smiles were shared and Natalie continued.

"OK my little lambs today we are going to work on a few things. Hygiene, Health and Diet. First things first. Boys you all have the time it takes me to boil the kettle and sit down with your lovely ladies to get your baby and put his or her nappy on before you too can have a cup of tea with us, so chop chop." Kuon looked completely shocked as the man sitting next to him chuckled. Kenta and Mei Momiji had been the first couple to welcome them to the class and Kyoko was happy when they had sat next to them.

"Come on Hizuri-kun, time to earn your fatherhood paycheck." he said with a smile as Mei smiled at Kyoko with a small wink.

"Call me Kuon, and I suppose its better to jump in head first." he sighed but smiled as Kenta led the way to the tables. The other men were standing, looking at the dolls and nappies before them.

"I remember our first night here too. Natalie has a way of throwing us all in at the deep end but I suppose that way it breaks the ice." Kyoko smiled and nodded as Mei smiled at her.

"Don't be so nervous Kyoko-chan, it's not good for your baby and it's no good for you." Kyoko looked up at the older woman and wondered how she knew that she was nervous. Mei laughed,

"You know you have really expressive eyes, I've always thought so. Even when I watch you acting on TV your eyes speak louder than your words and actions. I'm a psychiatrist so I learnt a long time ago to read people but you my dear are a wonder." Kyoko didn't know what to say, how was she to react to that comment

"Thank you" she said slowly as Mei smiled and Natalie passed them both a cup of tea each. Kyoko smelt hers in wonder. She smelt ginger and cinnamon, it smelt wonderful. For the first time in days when smelling a strong flavour she didn't feel nauseous, a swift hint of peppermint struck her and she looked up as Mei accepted her cup from Natalie.

"She brews different teas to suit the person. As you have ginger and cinnamon, I'm guessing you're still having morning sickness?" Kyoko nodded

"Yes twenty- four seven at the moment. I was worried something was wrong but Kuon checked in one of the books he bought and said that some women do get sick a lot more than just in the morning." Mei nodded.

"Personally I was sick late at night, but your book is correct. It all depends on the person in question, but that tea will help a lot. I lived by it the first nine weeks." Kyoko sipped the sweet smelling tea and instantly felt better than she had all day as the hot liquid made its way to her empty stomach. She had eaten her usual today: a good breakfast, lunch and dinner but she had kept none of it down only a few dry biscuits.

"Ginger is good for the sickness, try ginger biscuits and such. They will calm the sickness a little." Kyoko nodded as she sipped again.

"You have peppermint?" Mei nodded and answered the unasked question,

"I've been getting indigestion lately and the peppermint helps. I don't know how she does it but Natalie always seems to know what tea each of us needs and when, its her special gift." Mei said.

As they watched Natalie handing out the rest of the teas they sat together in a companionable silence. It was nice Kyoko thought happily to herself. She was glad they had come.

Meanwhile Kuon stood looking down at the doll before him. As the other men got stuck into putting the nappies on their dolls, Kuon stared blankly at the nappy then at Kenta who smiled at the terrified expression.

"Watch me." he offered as he slowly walked Kuon step by step through the process of putting on the babies nappy, slowly showing him the small details such as opening up the nappy and twisting it slightly so it was soft and would fit to the skin better. Kuon watched amazed as Kenta deftly got the doll into the nappy and ready as if he could do it in his sleep.

"I've had practice. My sister has children and so does Mei's brother." Kuon nodded and he picked up his own nappy and tried to do as Kenta had instructed. He was glad the older man stayed with him and watched, he never spoke but Kuon thought he had it figured out. That was until he went to fasten the pull tabs and they were nowhere to be found. He frowned, wondering if he had a different type of nappy as Kent smiled and pointed at the nappy.

"It's on back to front." Kuon wanted to sink into the ground and never get out again as he, with his face burning, put the nappy on the right way around and fastened it securely. He wondered why they had come to this class to begin with?