Tiger and bunny: Lucky to be a lady tonight

Chapter 15

That night had been a good one for Kotetsu. She didn't toss and turn; trapped reliving that dark evening. Instead, her dreams took her someplace much more pleasant. She was surrounded by her family. Kaede, her mother and brother, Barnaby, Tomoe, and her newborn child, swaddled in a soft blanket in her arms.

She didn't know why it was such a good dream that night. Maybe it was being home, or maybe it was being engaged to the man she loved...the father of her second child... But it was a dream that left her feeling refreshed and ready for the day.

She woke up before Barnaby and, letting him sleep as she was sure he likely stayed up worrying about her, she quietly made her way to the kitchen where her mother and brother were already up and preparing breakfast.

"Morning, Mama." She greeted, kissing her cheek and stealing a piece of bacon.

"Good morning, Kotetsu. How did you sleep?" She turned to hug her daughter, then returned to cooking.

"Better than I have been, that's for sure." She moved to the fridge and grabbed a pitcher of juice before pouring herself a cup and taking a sip.

"That's good to hear. Breakfast is almost ready, so you might tell Barnaby. It'll only be out for a short time."

"He'll wake up on his own." She shook her head, "I think it took him a while to fall asleep, normally he's up before I am, and I imagine he had things on his mind last night."

"You make him worry so much, I'm not surprised he isn't up yet." Anju sighed. "If he's not up by the time things are put away, I'll save some for him."

"You fell asleep quickly, right?" Muramasa took a sip from his coffee.

"Yeah...but I'm also pregnant." Kotetsu dropped the first bomb on the adults in her family. She planned on telling Kaede on their day out and didn't want Muramasa to make a scene if he was the one to escort them. Kaede wasn't up yet, so it was the best time to say something.

Muramasa nearly dropped his coffee cup as his mouth dropped open. Anju's eyes widened and leaned against the counter. It took a little bit before either of them responded.

"Who's the father," Anju asked. "Do you know yet? Please say it's Barnaby..."

"It is. I found out I was carrying a few hours before...that happened." Kotetsu tried her best to not let that memory ruin the day, pushing it back in her mind and denying it was there. "I want to tell Kaede today while we are out but didn't want Muramasa to freak out if he is there, so I'm telling you both while I can first."

"Blondie knew about it... and he neglected to tell me when we talked yesterday." Muramasa shook his head and let out a huge sigh. "I ask him to protect my family, and then this happens."

"Muramasa, hush. You have no room to talk in this situation, so you can shut your mouth about it." Anju swatted him on the back of the head.

Kotetsu looked surprised, "You two talked? And you didn't try to kill each other?"

"It was hard not to throw him against the wall... I was a little upset at him for what happened." He looked away from Kotetsu and tried to relax.

Kotetsu shook her head, "Bunny probably didn't want to start another fight. It's better I be the one to tell you that I'm carrying his baby, anyway."

"At least you did tell us. You have a habit of keeping things a secret."

"..No I don't?"

"You didn't tell anyone when you gained your powers. You didn't tell anyone when you started to lose them, not even Barnaby. You didn't tell Kaede that you were a hero. Mom had to tell her when you were being chased down. I bet you didn't even tell Barnaby that you had gone into the doctor's office to take a pregnancy test."