This Side of Paradise - Tsukishima Kei x OC

Chapter 20: September 7th, 7:43 pm

Chapter 20:

Half an hour before Kei updated their family and friends, Mizuki held her husband's hand as if her life depended on it. Also, never before had Kei witnessed such anguish possess a person and that was when he vowed to himself that he would do whatever it took to make Mizuki happy for the rest of their lives together. He had the privilege of never going through the physical pain of labor that she was currently going through and he was thankful for that.

Mizuki was breathtakingly courageous.

Kei's hectic thoughts were disrupted by a deafening wail, and he held his breath in anticipation.

"Congratulations..." Their doctor murmured gently, "Meet your baby girl, Tsukishima-san..."

Mizuki was overwhelmed with exhilaration as she panted breathlessly. Her eyes were blurred from the tears but she could make out the small outline of her baby's body.

Her and Kei's daughter.

The doctor placed their baby on Mizuki's chest and she laughed with relief and glee. Her body was shaking uncontrollably but she could feel the pain slowly subside.

"A girl... Our baby..." Mizuki smiled up at Kei as fatigue enveloped her body, "Our daughter..."

Their baby cried sharply as Mizuki sluggishly moved her arms to hold her.

"Mizuki... She's beautiful..." Kei smiled as he planted an affectionate kiss on his wife's forehead, "You did great, princess..."

"Congratulations you two," The doctor stated, "A healthy baby girl, born on September 7th at 7:43 pm."

Kei and Mizuki gazed at their baby with affection and devotion. After nine months of waiting to meet their baby, here she was, finally in their world. They couldn't believe that they were actual parents.

"What's her name?" One of the nurses inquired.

"We... We haven't decided yet..." Kei answered, unable to take his gaze off of his daughter.

"Would you like to hold her, Tsukishima-san?" The doctor asked Kei.

"Can... I?" He held his breath nervously. He was afraid of accidentally hurting his daughter in some way.

"Of course."

As a nurse took her from Mizuki's chest and wrapped her in a snug blanket, he couldn't help but notice how his heart pounded wildly. He knew at that very moment that he would protect his daughter for as long as he could. He would love her from now until forever. The nurse gently transferred her over into Kei's arms and he didn't even notice that he was holding his breath.

She felt warm and delicate as if she could crumble at any moment. She was no longer crying but he could see how her chest was rising up and down in an attempt to catch her breath. Her eyes were shut, her tiny fingers were curled like a ball, and her body was slightly wriggling. She was perfect.

Mizuki gazed up at her husband and daughter and smiled contentedly. Her eyes fluttered shut as she tried to regain her strength back. She was exhausted.

"H-hey," Kei murmured in a panic, facing the doctor, "Is Mizuki alright?"

"Tsukishima-san, are you still with us?" The doctor inquired.

"Mhm..." Mizuki nodded slowly, "I'm so tired though..."

"We're going to need you to stay awake just a little longer, okay?" The doctor instructed.

"Okay..."

Finally, after about 30 minutes, the whole labor procedure was over. Fortunately, Mizuki had no complications before, during, and after the birth. As nurses walked in and out of their room to check up on her and their baby, Kei sat down beside his wife, cradling their daughter. Mizuki was on the verge of passing out but she stubbornly refused to just so she could watch Kei and their baby interact. It was absolutely adorable and her heart swelled with warmth and tenderness.