Ellie-chan (COMPLETED)

Twenty-Eight - My First

It has been awkward between me and Hayato lately. We talked about what to do to convince the immigration officials that our marriage is genuine but it always boils down to one thing - I should get pregnant ASAP.  It seemed logical. How else can we convince the immigration officers that we consummated the marriage? The more I think about it the more I'm convinced but...

"Will it be costly?" I asked. It would be presumptous to assume that we will do it naturally. For sure, he wouldn't want to do it.

He looked at me a little bit confused.  "Getting pregnant? Why would it be costly? Unless you are ---barren?" and he smiled.

I blushed.  "Of course not!" I replied. 

"That's good then. At least, we are very sure that you CAN get pregnant easily."

"No, I mean, I am not 100% sure but there's no reason to believe that I am incapable of conceiving a baby. It's just that -----I'm worried about the expenses.  I heard going to fertility clinics is very costly." I remembered somebody in school, Tanaka-sensei, who spent several million yen for artificial insemination before it finally worked for them. I mentioned it to Hayato.

He looked at me a little perplexed and then he seemed to understand what I was worried about. He smiled slowly then I saw him scratch his head.

"We are not taking that option," he said.  "You are to conceive naturally," he blurted.

I was shocked. I stared at him in disbelief. But I have to admit, a warm, fuzzy feeling just engulfed me.  I was speechless. The thought of doing it with Hayato is overwhelming. I have been dreaming about it day and night since I met him on a train but I never thought it would happen soon.

"Artificial insemination is only for couples who can't do it the natural way. We'll do it if things don't work out for us. But meantime, we have to explore the natural method," he said again matter-of-factly.

I can feel my face burning. I can't look at him straight. I pretended I was busy slicing my steak.  I just hope he didn't notice my discomfort. After a long silence, I felt his hand touched one of mine. I looked at our hands before raising my head to meet his gaze.

"I'm sorry if it makes you uncomfortable. But ---- we have to do it. There's no other way."

I looked down. Then, I nodded. When I looked up to see his face, he was already smiling. There was some twinkle in his eyes. Or, was I imagining it?

We were already on our way out of the restaurant when we bumped into Rika and her friends. There were four of them.  One was the woman who interviewed me in March for a teaching position in her school. She was also surprised to see me, hand in hand with Rika's former boyfriend.

"Oh, here's the couple of the year. It's soooo good to see you, my dearest ex," she said sarcastically. She leaned towards Hayato, as if going to kiss him.

"Hi. Good to see you, too," Hayato replied calmly. He seemed unfazed while there I was - nervous as hell. I have already seen Rika's outburst. I know that she can be scandalous - that's what I was afraid of. I'm not used to getting people's attention that way.

I saw Rika smirked. Then, she gave me a dagger-look. I avoided her gaze after giving her a nod. I felt Hayato's hand around mine tightened.

"Going home now, my love?" she asked, looking at Hayato again.  "Why - it's too early. Why don't you, guys, join us for a few drinks first?" And she leaned towards Hayato, resting her head on his chest. Her friends became uncomfortable. They tried to coax her to proceed to their table now.  I saw the waiter waiting on the side for them.