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OMAKE 7-12 – Surprises in a Day (Cont')

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Month 9

Fuji's night craving subsided and his sleep hours increased as the indefinite day approached. Consequently, Tezuka had gotten much business done compared to the last few weeks.

The hours that Fuji spent awake without Tezuka home, he either spoke to his unborn or talked to Tezuka via the phone. Due to the presence of the house keeper, she forbade Fuji from doing much.

But as today she happened to be out, Fuji had taken the initiative to make a round about the house to see if everything was in order.

He walked around the living room with one hand holding the phone to his right ear.

"The table is so dusty." Fuji crinkled his nose as his forefinger swept across the table top and lifted the finger up to his eyes to see a very thin film of dust coating it that it would be considered as miniscule.

"How dusty?"

Fuji switched the phone from his right ear to his left ear because that area was heating up due to the long time the phone had been there. "Hmm…how do you describe the dustiness?"

There was a pause at Tezuka's end. "Well, can you see the difference between the streak your finger made and the untouched table top?"

Fuji crouched as low as he could with the large pumpkin size belly in the way to eye the table top that he deemed dusty. "…I don't know. It looks the same, but I know there's dust on it." He frowned.

Tezuka chuckled. "It won't harm."

"Who knows? Our babies might touch the table and put their hands into their mouths after that, and then it will be harmful. You need to do something about this." Fuji reasoned as he walked away to the kitchen.

"Hn. I'll think of something." There were typing noises and pen scratching on papers.

Fuji glanced at the wall clock hung on top of the kitchen entrance. "Have you eaten yet?" It was 10 'til 12.

"In a moment." A pause, seemingly Tezuka was busy focusing on his paperwork for a second. "And you?"

"I'm getting something to eat right now." Fuji opened the refrigerator and took out a container with chicken noodle soup that the housekeeper prepared that morning before she took her leave.

"Ah."

"Ooh."

"What is it?" Tezuka immediately asked with concern.

Fuji had his eyes squeezed shut. For a while, he didn't say anything.

The breathing from Fuji was the only indication that told Tezuka that Fuji was still there.

"What's wrong?"

Fuji sat down on the chair slowly, and he soothingly rubbed his stomach. "Just a brief spasm, but I'm fine now."

Tezuka breathed a sigh of relief.

"My legs are numb from just walking. I hope this will be over soon." Fuji pouted with a much cheerful tone. "I hate the back ache." He didn't want to put Tezuka on the worry side.

"Don't walk around too much." Truthfully, Tezuka said that many times already, but knowing Fuji, the pregnant lad could not stay still for more than 15 minutes.

"I know." The microwave beeped. "Ah. My food is done." Fuji got up slowly and went over to get his lunch.

"What are you having today?"

"Chicken noodle soup." He took a spoonful into his mouth. "Its really good."

"Ah." Some typing and distant voices were heard through the receiver. Fuji heard Tezuka responding before their conversation resumed. "My company's 50th anniversary is this weekend."

"50 years? That's a very long time. I wonder how long your company will be around."

Tezuka chuckled. "Very long thanks to you."

Fuji giggled. "Maa. You must be very grateful to me right now, huh. I can tell Kunisyuu has already taken an interest in the business arena."

"I'm always grateful to you, my love."

"You're so cheesy." Fuji snorted cutely. "I love you." He grinned as he stirred the content in the bowl.

"Hn."

"I'm all done." That was fast. Fuji took the empty bowl and walked over to the sink to put the object down. He tentatively walked out of the kitchen with his one of his hand behind his back to support his spine from the heavy bulging belly. "Are you going to your company anniversary party?"

"I have to be there for the speech if not the whole party."

"Is that so?"

"Hn. You may come if you want and if your body allows."

Fuji settled down on the sofa in front of the TV. "I figured you're going to say something like that."

"Precautions."

"Of course. Precautions." Fuji's smile disappeared as he felt another wave of spasm within him. "Ahh!"

"What's wrong?"

"Ooh." He grabbed the sofa arm rest tightly, hoping the pain will pass soon.

"Syusuke?"

Hearing Tezuka's panicked voice, Fuji immediately felt guilty for making him worried. "I'm…I'm fine now."

"What happened?"

"Nothing. It was just a brief pain. That's all." Fuji tried to sound more cheery.

Tezuka calculated the time from the 1st spasm to the current one. "…" Some paper shuffled. "Actually…I'm coming home right now."

"What!? No no. Its okay. You don't have to come home if you're concern about me. I'm fine now." Of course, Fuji wasn't aware of the time interval and thought it was just a normal characteristic of pregnancy.

"I -"

Then, Fuji heard some hustling sound nearby and he immediately became curious. "Shh! I hear something."

Tezuka stopped whatever he was doing. "What?"

"Hold on. Let me check it out." Fuji walked quietly out of the room he was in and followed that sound that sounded like a whispering conversation.

Fuji's mysterious action made Tezuka stayed in his seat waiting for a response before he could decide his next action.

Approaching the front door, Fuji pressed his ears to the door and he heard 2 hustling voices beyond. Filled with curiosity, Fuji yanked the door opened just in time to see a strangely familiar boy trying to kiss his beloved daughter.

"Mommy!" Mitsusuke yelped and pushed the boy away, who stumbled a few steps backward in the patio.

The boy shrunk behind Mitsusuke upon seeing the killer glare from Fuji's killer eyes. "Fuji-san…" He gulped. He knew he was in trouble.

"You'd better be running right now if you want to live, Kenji." Fuji glowered, forgetting he was on the phone with Tezuka, leaving the latter confused of what was going on at home.

"Please don't kill me." Kenji squeaked.

Fuji furiously chased the boy around Mitsusuke, who tried her best to keep Fuji from harming Kenji and to keep Kenji from making Fuji run in his pregnancy.

"Wait, Mommy!!" Mitsuuske wasn't sure if she should surrender Kenji to Fuji or let Fuji run around in his compromised condition. Surely, the latter option would render her some lectures and punishments from her father later on. "Kenji! Stop running around!"

Kenji ran around Mitsusuke before making a dash down the stairs and out the patio. "I'm sorry!"

"Get back here!" Fuji shouted and followed Kenji down.

"Mommy! Be careful." Mitsusuke ran behind Fuji, assisting his arms as he descended the stairs.

"How dare to take advantage of my daughter!" Fuji was about to throw the phone in his hand at Kenji when luckily Mitsusuke held onto his hand. "Let me go so I can give that kid a piece of my mind!"

"Mommy~" Mitsusuke whined while holding Fuji in place. "Please calm down."

Seeing the cause of his early death held in place, Kenji hid himself behind the fountain with his head peaked out.

Fuji breathed tiredly from the chasing and yelling while holding onto his daughter to stabilize himself.

Just when Fuji was about to erect his body to resume the chase, an incredible pain in his abdominal area sent the sharp signal his head that sent his body double over in pain. "Ahhhh!!" His face cringed up excruciatingly.

Mitsusuke paled and her heart raced. "Mommy! Are you alright?"

Fuji bit back a scream and let out an agonizing groan while clutching on Mitsusuke's arm and his stomach. "H…urts. Ahhh." The phone dropped to the ground with the hang up tone sounded from the receiver.

"Kenji!" Mitsusuke called out desperately and Kenji was by her side in a matter of second.

Truth to his refined etiquette, he had already called the emergency number. "I already called."

Mitsusuke nodded and stood up to run into the house. "I'll get his sweater." It was neither hot nor chilly outside, but just a precaution for pregnant people since their internal environment differed from the norm, Mitsusuke took the safe side.

By the time Mitsusuke came back, Kenji already had Fuji carried in bridal style. It was such luck that the son of Atobe Keigo worked out regularly and acquired a bigger build. "The ambulance should be nearby, let's go."

Mitsusuke draped the sweater over Fuji's body. Right then, she remembered that she had to give her father and brother a call.

By the time Kenji made it to the sidewalk, the ambulance came and he hoisted Fuji up into the car and it boosted away.

-o-o-o-

Tezuka hurried down the corridor in the hospital that he knew Fuji would be located. By the end of the hall, his twins and Kenji were waiting anxiously outside the door.

"Father!" The twins called out upon seeing Tezuka.

Tezuka merely nodded before pushing the heavy door opened and went through.

"Ahh Uhh! Aaaahh!"

"Syusuke, I'm here." He was right by Fuji's side.

Fuji heavily opened his eyes and his mouth opened in ragged breathing pattern. "Mi-t-su…"

Fuji's face was pale and sweaty.

Tezuka moved his hand over Fuji's face to wipe off the droplets, looking intently worried. "How are you?"

Fuji forced a small smile while still feeling the sharp pain shooting through his body. "Tired." He whispered. "It hurts so bad."

Trust Fuji to say that with a placid face.

Tezuka smiled. "I wish I could share your pain." His forehead scrunched up with a smiling frown.

Before Fuji could give a reply, another spasm made him cried out. "Aaaahhhhhhhhh!!!"

Tezuka's head immediately whipped to Doctor Hataro while negating the harsh grip Fuji exerted on his hand. "Why isn't he in labor yet?"

Experienced as he was, Doctor Hataro simply said, "He is, but I've seen some people go into labor for as long as 3 days."

Tezuka frown contemplatively. "That is what he is going through?"

Doctor Hataro nodded."We don't know for how long his labor is going to last. The only problem with this is the immense pain he will be feeling until then. Let's just hope that there will be no complications."

Tezuka swallowed in defeat. Watching Fuji going through labor is like him suffering from many stabs in his aching heart.

During the hours of anticipation and grueling screams, the nurse and Doctor busied themselves fulfilling Fuji's every need while Tezuka spoke placating words into Fuji's ears.

Fuji fell unconscious a few times from too much pain or screaming. Both immensely took a toll on his mental health and status.

The twins waited outside restlessly for some news of their parents, but none came.

9 hours passed and they couldn't deny the fact that they were hungry. Nonetheless, they waited outside quietly.

Kenji wanted to comfort Mitsusuke, but he figured Kunisyuu was doing a better job by whispering and just by sitting next to his sister; so he settled by sitting off to one side.

-o-o-o-

"Oh! Get ready!" Doctor Hataro told his assistant nurse.

Fuji's body was finally starting to transform after 13 painstaking hours.

"Just a little more." Tezuka's hand moved to smother Fuji's bangs away from Fuji's face.

"…Hm." Fuji weakly nodded. His eyes were tired and droopy.

-o-o-o-

The first 2 children were born without difficulty.

"Push harder!" Doctor Hataro commanded. The time between the 2nd child and the 3rd child was at least 5 minutes apart now.

Fuji heaved jadedly as tears rolling off his cheeks. "I…can't…any…more." He took a breath in between.

Tezuka leaned down and kissed Fuji's tears. "Please, for our last child."

Fuji shook his head.

Tezuka held Fuji's gaze softly. "She needs your strength, Syusuke. She's crying out for you."

Fuji sobbed. "I can hear her…but it hurts…too much."

"I know. I know. This will be over soon. Just one last push, I promise."

For a moment, Fuji let his eyes closed. Then his eyes opened with a determination within his orbs, he nodded. "For her."

Tezuka smiled. "For our youngest child."

And Fuji let out one long, but last agonizing scream that came accompanied with a small cry some seconds after.

-o-o-o-

"Awww!" Mitsusuke cooed. "She is so cute." She nudged the baby's puffy cheeks and the baby whimpered before she bawled. "Oo, no no no."

Fuji held out his arms from his sitting position on the bed.

Mitsusuke pouted and handed over the youngest triplets. "She always cries when I hold her."

Fuji simply chuckled. "She's a little bit on the difficult side."

The family laughed softly.

Tezuka was sitting beside him with the middle girl child in his arms while Kunisyuu sat at the end of the bed with a baby boy.

Mitsusuke went over to Tezuka's side to claim the other baby girl into her arm. "I think we should start calling you Tou-chan now, so the babies will get familiarize with it early."

"Yeah." Kunisyuu agreed while rocking the quiet little boy.

"Anything you prefer." Fuji raised his free arm to pat Mitsusuke gently on her cheek. "By the way, have you all decided on their names yet?"

"Yup!" MItsusuke said enthusiastically. "Onee-san is going to name you Syurri, with part of Tou-chan's name in it." She smiled down at the sleeping baby.

Tezuka and Fuji nodded in approval. Nothing extreme.

"Ryu." Kunisyuu tapped the tiny nose before looking up at Tezuka. "That will be a shorter version for Kuniryu."

Fuji nodded. "Both are beautiful names." He turned to Tezuka, who had been rather quiet. "You can have the honor to name our youngest."

Tezuka smiled. "Syuuki."

"Snow." Fuji looked down at the tiny bundle in his arm. "With an extra S."

The family chuckled.

"Again with Tou-chan's name included." Mitsusuke commented.

-o-o-o-

It had been 10 days and Fuji was allowed to go home.

Both sides' families were present at Tezuka's house when they returned from the hospital with the new additional family members.

Everyone sat in the living room after dinner.

Ayana stole Syurri from Mitsusuke and her husband and father-in-law sat around her, playing with the little girl.

On the other side of the room, Yoshiko had little Ryu in her arms. Yuuta, Yumiko, and their dad busied themselves entertaining the boy.

The twins had gone to their rooms to take a shower.

Yumiko walked over to where Tezuka and Fuji sat serenely with Syuuki, whom they all called 'Yuuki', in his arm. Syuuki had her round eyes opened, looking up at her Tou-chan.

Tezuka had his arm around Fuji's shoulder while smiling down at Syuuki.

"Let me hold her for a while, so you both can go take a shower." Yumiko offered.

Fuji looked up, his smile became a soft chuckle. "It's alright. I'll do that when she goes to sleep. She won't let anyone hold her beside Tezuka and me while she is awake."

Yumiko raised her eyebrow unbelievingly. "Oh really?"

"Hm hm." Fuji nodded.

"Let me try." Yumiko insisted.

"She's going to cry."

"Who knows, she might like me." Yumiko smiled brightly and moved to take the girl from her daddy.

"I warned you." Fuji mumbled while handling the girl over to his stubborn sister.

Syuuki's eyes never left Fuji during the transfer, but when she was safely secured in Yumiko's arms, her knowing eyes shifted to Yumiko's face. A second later, she burst into tears and cried obstreperously.

Fuji immediately took his daughter back, placating her with soft whispers. "There, there. I'm here, don't cry."

Syuuki didn't know she had been returned to Fuji's arms since her eyes were shut tight, so her wail didn't waver immediately.

With a few more words and a song, Syuuki calmed down and slowly opened her eyes. Her nose sniffled softly and she blinked before snuggling up to Fuji's chest.

"She's such a cry baby." Yumiko pouted.

"Nuh uh. She just doesn't like many people." Fuji spoke in defense for the little bundle.

"Its strange that her affinity is limited compared to the other 2."

"Well, she was delayed." Fuji internally hoped the delay would not be a sign to Syuuki's later abilities. His smile turned into a sad thin line and he hugged her closer to his chest.

Around 9, Tezuka collected his 2 older triplets for their sleep.

Just for the first few days, the babies would be in their room so they could attend to their little bundles during the night.

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-- The End--

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AN: Hello everyone. I'm back. Still jet-lagging and sleepy all of the time. Anyways, this will be the last chapter under this story title for now. When I have the inspiration, I will write a few more one-shots featuring the triplets. I need to continue with my other abandoned stories. ^____^

Kisarazuka89 : Thank you!

Yuujirou : Thank you! I had fun.

Sorry for my speechless replies. Squeak!