Enamored

24

(N) and Clara sit in the restaurant. "Wow. This place is nice. I never found the time to visit when Myles was working." Clara says sipping her tea and then looking at (N) with an unreadable expression. "(N). After Myles visit with the doctor he told me something important. About Myles health." (N)'s fist clenches under the table as Clara continues. "I haven't told Myles but I wanted you to know. There may be some risks when he gives birth."

(N) glares at the table and his nails dig into his palms. "By risks you mean Myles might die?" "I'm not sure. He said the burden on his body would be greater than a normal delivery but only for Myles. That's assuming his health doesn't stay stable during the delivery. As you know Myles's condition at times can worsen so we have to be ready for anything." (N) sighs and looks up at Clara. "I don't...do...do you think we should give up on the baby?"

Clara smiles sadly. "That isn't my place to say...but if you do. You should go ahead as quickly as you can. I want the both of you to really think about this." "Thank...thank you, Clara." "Don't thank me. We're family."
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Myles gives (N) a stern look. "I'm sorry but I'm still having this baby." "I had a feeling you would say that." "I know this is a huge risk for me but I want our child to have a chance. I wanna see our child no matter what."
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Ash takes a dazed and depressed (N) to a construction site. A group of kids play baseball on the site. "This is my secret hideout. I play baseball with the kids here." "So this is where you would run off to." "Sooner or later there will be a hospital here. Anyway. Remember the story I told you when Myles was younger? Before Clara and I had the bakery. We left Myles at home with a fever and when I came back I found him in the snow. I didn't know that kind of sadness existed."

Ash lights up a cigarette and looks around. "Later that night I was running with Myles in my arms. I didn't know where I was going. Then I ended up here. I fell to my knees and prayed. 'Please save Myles. He can't die like this.' All of a sudden the sun rose and enveloped Myles in its light. It was like some miracle. He opened his eyes and I've never been so grateful. I feel like this place is like another part of Myles." Ash pats a tree and turns to (N).

"Crazy story right? I swear to you it all happened." "I believe you." "I'm not saying you can hope and pray and all your wishes will come true but you should keep fighting. Give it your all until the bitter end." (N) nods and Ash puffs out smoke. "Now I'm not saying Myles should have the baby but Myles has the most to lose. No matter what he chooses we have to agree. So kid...(N). Something tells me a lot of hardship is coming. All of us are going to face it. Together. Remember we're family. We're here to help each other out." (N) smiles. "Right."
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"Oh. The breeze feels nice." Myles smiles as he and (N) walk down the beach. "The baby just kicked!" "Really?" Myles walks to a bench and sits as (N) kneels. (N) places his hand on Myles's stomach. Myles hums and places his hand on top of (N)'s. "We haven't come up with a name yet." "Right. What should we pick?" Myles picks up a stick and writes in the sand. "Hmm, how about River? It's gender-neutral and works both ways."

(N) grabs the stick and writes beside the name. "River (L/n)." Myles leans against (N)'s shoulder. (N) stares out at the waves and rests his head on top of Myles. "We never went to the beach this summer." "A lot's happened since then." "Let's make a promise. Next year we'll go to the beach with River. All three of us. No matter what." "A promise," Myles says softly, and (N) pulls him into his chest. "That's right a promise. You promise right Myles?" "Of course. I promise."
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Myles walks past a stack of diapers to the front door with Clara. "Say goodbye to Daddy River. Have a good day at work." (N) kisses Myles's forehead and rubs his stomach. "I'll see you later." Clara smiles at (N). "We'll see you when you get back." 'Clara stays with Myles during the day. The old lady stops by as well. I'm sure they're just as nervous as I am. But we're doing everything we can to support Myles.'
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After saying goodbye (N) walks Clara down the sidewalk. "Be honest with me Clara. Do you hate me? I wouldn't be surprised. I mean if I had never met Myles he wouldn't be going through this risky pregnancy. When I first met him he seemed so lost. If I hadn't called out to him then he wouldn't have taken the first step into the life he lives today." (N) sighs and shoves his hands into his pockets.

"I don't know. I just feel like he's gotten stronger since he met me. And I had gotten stronger since I met him." "That's exactly what happened (N). You have no idea how happy Ash and I are about the things you did for Myles." (N) stops walking and stares at the ground. "If he hadn't met me he would still be living at home with you guys. He wouldn't have as many friends but I know he would still be happy in his own way...or maybe he would've met someone worth something!"

Clara rubs (N)'s shoulder. "That's not fair (N). I couldn't imagine Myles with anyone else than you." "Thank you...I'm sorry I brought this up. I guess I needed to vent."
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(N) watches as his breath freezes from the cold air. He turns around where Myles sits on a bench in a big coat rubbing his stomach. "Christmas is coming soon. Anything you want me to get?" "Hmm. Another dango family plushie!" (N) chuckles and scratches his head. "Those things are rare to come by. Impossible actually." Myles pouts and (N) looks away.
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Myles sits at the table holding a dango plushie with a smile. Ash grins and slaps (N)'s shoulder. "Hot damn! You actually managed to find another one!" Clara smiles. "Oh! Let's make this a tradition! Every Christmas you have to get him a dango plushie!" Myles pets the plushie with a blush. "Can you hold the other two (N)?" "Yea sure." (N) stands up and comes back with the two plushies and sits down.

Myles claps his hands and squeals. "Aww, you look adorable!" "Adorable huh?" (N) chuckles and buries his head in the plushie. 'Mmm. It smells just like Myles.'
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A bottle of wine is shoved in (N)'s face. He stares at the male in front of him. "Yo (N)! Long time no see!" "Who are you again?" "T-That's not funny!" (F/n) cries dramatically and Myles walks over to the door. "Hi (F/n)! Happy New Year!" "Hey Myles holy shit! You're huge!" The male hawks at Myles's round belly. Myles laughs and (N) grabs the wine bottle. As (F/n) crouches to touch Myles's stomach he gets yanked back by his coat. "Enough! Where's your manners?!"

Yuki yells and throws (F/n) to the side. Yuna stands beside her laughing. "Yuki. Yuna. Good to see you again." (N) smiles at the twins. "Oh, this is just like a high school reunion!" Myles cheers and two more friends arrive. "Yo yo! What's up my homies!" Rose screams as she and Hannah walk over with gifts. Soon everyone piles into the (L/n)'s apartment. The group all talk, laugh, and eat. (N) hands (F/n) a CD.

"Give this to Ava when you go home." "What's this?" "It's Takashi's newest single. He's singing again under an indie label." (F/n) smiles and looks at the married couple. "Your guys are about to be parents. How does it feel?" The girls turn to the couple. "I'm also curious." "How does it feel to start a family?" (F/n) smiles softly. "It's strange. I always imagined my friends and I would get married and have kids later in life. Yet here you two are. What's going through your head (N)?"

"Hmm. I...don't know?" (N) smiles and Yuki gasps. "What do you mean you don't know?!" "I'm not avoiding the question it just hasn't sunk in yet. Ha. I mean I was just working hard for the love of my life and it happened." (F/n) grins. "What a relief! You really haven't changed!" "I haven't?" "When I first heard you two were having a baby I thought you had left me behind but nope! You're still the same!"

"I felt that way when I heard they got married," Hannah says and Rose nods. "Right! It's like you two jumped ahead in life and left us behind." Yuna smiles. "Life sure works in mysterious ways."