A Little Twist

Eight

Shu feels the baby kick and sees her begging eyes at him. His resistance crumbles and notices the contrast of his big hand on her belly. 'I can remember that you used to be scared of everything we did. How did that change?' 

She sits on the couch to make room for him. 'I'm still a bit jumpy when you teleport into a room all of a sudden. But I guess I do this for him. He has a father and five uncles. You deserve to know.' 

'You just say that because my father brought you here. Would you have come back if that didn't happen?' He wants to know with his hand on the baby. Only to feel a strong kick. 

She shakes her head. 'That was on my mind the first few days, but I stopped thinking that way. I'm here now.' There is no need to keep thinking of "what if". 'Besides, there are more important things like getting ready for the baby. Can I ask you a question?' 

He lifts his head to her to answer but his eyes are drawn back to the baby. 'He's quite active, isn't he?' 

'I think someone wants some attention.' She blows some air out. 'That is how he keeps me up. I try to get some rest any time I get but it's not easy.' 

'What question?' He detects the pain on her face. It must hurt more than when we bite her. Is it not better to have someone here for a while? We can't bite Risa without her having complications. The baby moves again. There will still be a baby in this house soon. 

'I haven't seen you for five nights. What made you decide to avoid me? To avoid the baby?' She keeps her eyes on him. 

The question surprises him and he pulls his head up to her. Avoiding her? I just don't want any drama. How do I answer this without offending her? 'I'm just enjoying the silence while I still can.' He hears himself say. 'That will change once the baby is born.' 

'You don't think that I'm a nuisance who causes trouble?' Kanato seems to think so. She avoids his eyes. 'And I think no one wants to take the responsibility because everyone talks about the baby as their nephew.' She couldn't stop the few tears even if she wanted to. 'I understand from Reiji and Subaru but the others.' 

That means that only those two haven't slept with her. She just confirmed it, dammit. Shu moves to sit behind her. Do they really talk about their nephew instead of their potential son? Do I have to talk to Reiji to take responsibility even if it isn't mine? It means they're not ready. 'Risa, calm down.' He remembers how Subaru comforted her. Well, it's not the baby that needs to calm down. He moves his hand to her back and rubs it in circles. 'Breathe, Risa.' Damn idiots. Wait for the DNA test and whoever the father is, he has to step up and take his responsibilities. 'Easy, Risa, think of the baby. All you have to think about is your health and nothing else.' 

*** 

What! I know that I... Laito realizes that he indeed said that he called the baby his nephew. 

Ayato keeps his distance but ends up next to his brother. 'I had no idea...' I guess I did call him my nephew. 

Subaru doesn't know how to react until he sees Risa in Shu's arms. 'Losers.' He kept his voice down so he wouldn't wake Risa up. 'I have a right to call him my nephew. You don't, so why did you?' 

Shu hears their voices. I just calmed her down to the point of falling asleep. He takes out one earbud and gives it to her. Stay asleep, Risa. Then he turns his head while getting up from the couch. Without saying anything to the others, he lifts the woman in his arms. 

'He seems to have no issue picking her up,' snickers Laito. 

'Reiji.' Shu leaves knowing that his brother will put them back in their place and teleports to her bedroom. Where he lays her on her side on the bed when a note gets his attention. Putting his earbud back in his ear, he reads it. Pregnancy photo week 35. Ask someone for help. I guess I can do it. His eyes land on a white rose on the nightstand. Perfect. He drapes her cardigan away to expose the belly more and with the white rose on top of the baby. Easy enough, he unlocks her phone again and makes the photo for her. Here is your missing week photo. I have seen the other progress photos. Your belly started to grow around week fourteen. He puts the phone down and goes back to the living room.