Tiger and bunny: Lucky to be a lady tonight

Chapter 19

The two men joined up with the girl in the dress shop down the street where Kaede was trying on a pink dress.

"I like this one! It's like I'm a princess! I'll want a pink one but we can also get it in green. And half us girls can be pink and half green!"

"That sounds good to me," Barnaby said as he and Muramasa approached the girls.

"Barnaby! Uncle! The groom can't see the dresses!"

"That's for the bride's dress, Kaede." Kotetsu laughed.

"No, I can leave if she really doesn't want me to see." The blonde backed up a little with a chuckle.

"I just don't want bad luck! I read it was bad luck for the groom to see the dress!" the girl informed them.

"Well I promise I won't see Kotetsu in her dress until she walks down the aisle." Barnaby moved closer to Kotetsu and kissed the brunette's cheek.

There was a sudden squeal, interrupting the family.

"It is! It is Tigress and Barnaby! I knew it was Wild Tigress! I told you and you wouldn't believe me!" a girl chattered, catching the attention of the store.

Barnaby turned to look at the two girls at the front of the store and smiled at them. He turned back to Kotetsu and shrugged. "I guess we're going to get a lot of attention here pretty soon."

"We always do once we are spotted together." She sighed, leaning against him.

"Well do you mind sharing me while we have the spotlight?" He smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Depends on—"

"Excuse me, Miss Tigress? Can I feel the baby? Is it kicking? Is it a boy or a girl?" a woman gushed.

Kotetsu's eyes widened, "Sorry, I'd prefer it if people didn't touch..."

Barnaby glanced at the woman, pulling Kotetsu closer to him. "There won't be any touching done other than by me. It's more of a safety issue than being selfish. I'd rather not trigger the past with a touch from anyone other than family."

Kotetsu nodded, "I really am sorry, but I'm not quite over what happened yet."

"Plus, isn't it creepy to touch people's bellies if you don't know them?" Kaede spoke up.

"Another valid point, Kaede," Barnaby said. "I'd rather no one touch her right now. If another pregnancy were to surprise us again, maybe then touching would be alright. But for now, no touching, please."

"I'm going to change back into my clothes." Kaede announced, lifting her skirts and hopping off the mirror-surrounded platform.

"Let us know if you need help with the zipper." Kotetsu called out.

"I'll be fine, Dad. I know how to unzip myself."

Barnaby hugged Kotetsu from the side. "She's a big girl. She can take care of herself. You need to let her grow up and live a little."

"You preach now, but just wait until this little one is Kaede's age." Kotetsu pointed out while touching her belly.

"Well... true. But that won't be for a while. Heck, by that time, Kaede might have a family of her own." Barnaby shrugged. "I hope she'll find a man who'll love her like I love you."

Kotetsu shuttered, a dark shadow falling over her eyes as she tensed, "Only if the guy gets my blessing—and that won't be easy!"

"Imagine her coming home with a boy after school. That'd be something, now wouldn't it?" Barnaby chuckled and kissed Kotetsu's cheek, then turned to face her instead of standing beside her.