Love In A Mug

Chapter 14

⚠️Warning: Mention of depression.

The clock on the nightstand read 12:21 a.m. when Naruto woke up. He had fallen asleep shortly after taking the medicine and eating some of the food Itachi prepared. He blinked his eyes trying to adjust to the dark room. They felt heavy and itchy from crying so much. There was a faint shadow of moonlight creasing through the pulled curtains. He gave a deep sigh at hearing the light snores coming from beside him. He felt bad for his breakdown earlier, but he was too mentally and emotionally exhausted from the news of being pregnant.

In spite of being four months along with no signs of any problems they informed him that because the preganancy was a delicate one he would need to be careful not to stress himself out and suggested that he eliminate working long hours and being on his feet long periods of time. Upon hearing this Itachi called Choji before leaving the medical facility informing him due to a health issue Naruto would need to be off for the next few weeks. He was grateful the owner didn't pry and was happy to accommodate him.  Choji had always been understanding willing to work along with Naruto aware of the debilitating condition.

Naruto ran a hand through his hair before bringing his other hand to rest over his stomach. The physicians had given him so much information before they left the hospital that he felt too overwhelmed to grasp it all but what stood out was the fact that he will feel the baby move very soon. The feeling of "bubbles" or "tiny pulses" in his stomach.  

He laid trying to think if he had already felt the sensation just not knowing what it was but nothing came to his mind. He still wasn't sure how he felt about having a baby inside of him or being able to conceive and bear children. How would people view him? How were they going to explain this to their families and friends and how would they react? Would he survive the delivery? Would the baby survive? These were the things running through his mind at the moment until he had the sudden urge to pee.

The blone quietly moved out of the bed careful not to wake Itachi. Yesterday was exhausting for both of them.  Itachi, of course, had taken the new better than he had.  The Uchiha loved being a father and the revelation of having another child made the man's heart swell.

After using the bathroom, Naruto stared at himself in the mirror. There were bags underneath his eyes and his iris were bloodshot from crying. He splashed some cool water over his face before making his way downstairs to the kitchen. He didn't feel like eating much so he grabed a box of cerel, a bowl and the milk from the refrigerator before perching himself at the island. As he ate he saw the envelope with the sonogram pictures. He reached over and opened it peering at the fetus no bigger than a avocado. He gazed at the fingers and toes that were well defined along with the nose, ears and eyes. He lightly rubbed his thumb over the picture. Truth be told he was amazed by the advances of technology that could capture such detail but he still couldn't comprehend how this happened to him.  How he ended up with two sets of organs. He had questions and needed answers. The doctor told him that they would do some extensive family history at the next visit and hopefully have an answer for him eventually.

He put the empty bowl in the sink then made his way back to bed. Once he was under the covers he felt Itachi's arm fall over him and the firm body snuggle up against him; a habit the man fell into even while fast asleep.

Naruto buried into the broad chest, inhaling the sandlewood scent. The scent of the other successfully calming him. His mind drifted to last week's visit with his grandparents, his grandfather teasing him about being pudgy amd his grandmother scolding him for pointing it out. Now, whether he wants to or not, he has to tell them that his weight gain has nothing to do with overeating or being too lazy to work out but it was the fault of the great grandchild making him fat.

Anxiety suddenly siezed him and he found himself gripping the raven's torso to calm down. They were going to have to announce thie pregnancy soon, very soon and it was making him queasy. Under normal circumstances this would be a happy occasion. He could already see Kiyoshi jumping up and down in excitement. He's always wanted a sibling. It was hard for him going to school alone, seeing other classmates arrive and leave with their brothers or sisters. The thought made Naruto quietly chuckle. He could already see him being an overly protective like his father and showing off the kid to everyone he meets. Their parents would be elated too. He just couldn't come to grips with those feelings of being anomalous, a freak of nature,  no matter how much of a miraclous wonder this is.

He heaved a heavy sigh forcing himself to focus on something else instead of his depressed state so he thought about the french chef that praised his recipes and with that on his mind he fell asleep.

                       ********************

Symptoms of depression may include:

* Feelings of sadness, tearfulness
* Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters
* Loss of interest or pleasure in most or all normal activities
* Sleep disturbances
* Tiredness and lack of energy, so even small tasks take extra effort
* Reduced appetite
* Anxiety, agitation or restlessness
* Slowed thinking, speaking

Itachi closed the lid of the laptop before resting his back against the cushion of the recliner.  It was the fourth day he had called off work getting a substitute to cover for him.  Naruto would only get out of bed to use the restroom and he wouldn't eat anything other than a bowl of cereal or a bowl of ramen.  When he wasn't sleeping he would spend the time awake crying or in silence.  He finally called the doctor and she said that she would make arrangements for counseling but in the meantime to continue comforting him and encouraging him to eat.

Itachi ran a hand over his face, a heavy sigh followed as he glanced upstairs.  'What to do?'  He said to himself.  They hadn't mentioned the pregnancy to anyone but he was tempted to call Kushina or tell his mother.  His mother had suffered from a small bout of postpartum depression after giving birth to Sasuke.  Dealing with the experience was the reason she decided not to have any more children.  'Maybe I should tell mother' he contemplated walking to the kitchen to heat up some of the homemade ramen he made yesterday.  After turning the flame on under the pot he got a bowl out of the cupboard and a pair of chopsticks from the drawer placing the items on a tray.  Once the soup was heated through he poured two glasses of passion fruit.  

Naruto was snoring softly when Itachi entered the room.  He glanced at the clock whilst setting the tray on the night stand.  Mikoto would be bringing Kiyoshi home soon.  Albeit the littlest Uchiha loved staying with his grandparents he was missing his own bed and being with his father and 'new' mother.

Itachi smirked whenever Naruto let out a groan from being disturbed from his sleep.  "Come on, wake up, it's time to eat something."  The raven said helping the younger sit up against the headboard.  Once he was confident Naruto was fully awake he handed him the bowl of homemade ramen.  Although the blonde accepted it in silence Itachi was glad that he was eating.  He knew how important it was for good nutrition and appetite during pregnancy so every bite Naruto took made him somewhat relieved both were getting some nourishment.

"Mom is bringing Kiyoshi home in a little bit." Itachi said trading the empty bowl with the glass of juice.  The blonde took a drink before nodding. 

Itachi gently squeezed the blonde's leg.  "I think we should tell mother.  I think she can help since she can relate." 

Naruto stared at the hand on his leg remembering Itachi talking about the matriarch's dealings with depression.  He thought about the suggestion.  If anyone could help she was in the best position to do so.  It was time to tell.  The inevitable was banging on the door and it was time to open the doors and let it step over the threshold.

Naruto laid his hand over the raven's before looking at him.   "Okay."