This Side of Paradise - Tsukishima Kei x OC

Chapter 30: Celebration

Chapter 30:

These last few months passed by in a hazy blur.

Shortly after Mizuki returned to Tokyo for volleyball, Kei tried his best to raise their daughter with as much care, patience, and love as possible. At first, the nights alone were difficult - on top of missing his wife and taking care of Hana, work had been hectic for him. Kei began his part-time job as a professor and instantly received the recognition and respect of the faculty and his students. Fortunately, he also thrived at his full-time career as a paleontologist and analyst in the Miyagi Research Institute of Geology, Archeology, and Paleontology. When he wasn't working, he spent time with his daughter, hung out with his best friend Yamaguchi and some of his other friends like Koganegawa and Kunimi, and played volleyball with some of his neighbors. When he had the weekends off, he and his daughter drove to Tokyo to visit Mizuki and their other relatives and friends there. He should also mention that during those times, when Hana was resting, Kei and Mizuki barely slept because they couldn't take their hands off of each other - they were too busy sleeping with each other to actually sleep.

The adjustment to being so far away from each other after spending almost two blissful years together in Miyagi wasn't easy but they made it work because they loved each other.

Thankfully, today was Hana's 1st birthday so Mizuki was able to take a week off of her work to return to Miyagi to celebrate.

"Baby, what else do we need at the store?" She inquired as she stared at the refrigerator in their kitchen, "Remember, Hana's party starts at 4!"

"I think just the cake..." Kei murmured, strolling over with Hana in his arms, "Are you sure you don't want me to pick it up?"

"I can do it, don't worry!" Mizuki beamed, "The caterers are on their way so make sure that you let them in!"

"Got it," He smiled, sauntering over and planting a tender kiss on Mizuki's cheek, "Anything else?"

"Yes! Yamaguchi's helping you with the decorations right? I think Yachi, Rina, and Mina are coming early with some party favors and balloons too!" She grinned, "I'm so excited! I can't believe our adorable daughter is one year old!"

"I know right..." Kei sighed, his heart twinging at the thought of their daughter growing up.

"Okay, okay, I gotta go!" Mizuki squeezed Hana's cheeks gently, "Mama will be right back, okay? I'll miss you!"

"Yes, yes..." He smirked playfully, "Go..."

"Make sure to keep saying the word 'mama' because I have a feeling that she'll say it soon! I want 'mama' to be her first word!" She added as she grabbed her bag filled with her wallet, car keys, and other necessities.

"I hate to break it to you, princess, but Hana's going to say 'dada' first." Kei stated nonchalantly.

"Wrong!" Mizuki smiled coyly, "It's cute that you think that though."

"Yeah, yeah... Go pick up the cake, stupid." Kei rolled his eyes.

"Hey!" She pouted, "Don't say naughty words in front of Hana!"

"Why?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Because! I don't want her first words to be a curse word!" Mizuki explained exasperatedly.

"You didn't seem to care about using curse words last night when we were in bed." Kei smirked, causing Mizuki to blush deeply.

"Shush!" She shook her head hastily, "I don't want Hana to hear that! Don't you know how smart toddlers are?!"