I stared at the little plus sign in front of me and grinned. Hikaru was in class, and I wouldn't have to go get him for another hour. I was freaking out, but in the best possible way. I couldn't believe it! I was going to be a mother again, and the father was the love of my life, with whom I was going to spend forever. The thought alone made my heart flutter in excitement. I walked out of the bathroom and looked around my room, sort of in a daze. I wanted to do something. I don't know, I just felt like my body hadn't caught up with the euphoria in my head. That's when Lily and Rose came bursting in. "Mommy, Mommy!" they yelled. "What is it girls?" I asked, kneeling down to their level. "Look what we found!" Lily exclaimed. She pointed to the small bundle in Rose's arms. "We found him in the back yard. Can we keep him?" Rose begged. They both looked at me with pleading eyes, and I tried hard to resist. Inside the washcloth Rose was holding, there was a newborn pup, not even old enough to open his eyes. "Sha...his mama prolly was a stray. It's so sad he was left behind. He's very little, girls. Just a tee-tiny baby. We have to watch him all the time and take extra special care of him, otherwise he could get sick or pass on. Understand?" I whispered. They nodded somberly, Rose holding him closer to her chest. "We will Mommy, we promise," they vowed. I kissed Lily's head then Rose's before I stood. "Alright then. I suppose you can keep him," I smiled. Their cheers were cut short by the dog's whining. I put a finger to my lips as I motioned for them to leave my room. "Why don't we go to the store and get him some food and medicine before we go get Daddy?" I suggested. Their response was to dash out the door and shout, "C'mon Mommy, hurry! You too slow!!" I shook my head as I chuckled, following them to the door. I grabbed my keys off of the rack beside the front door and ushered them outside.

"So, what're you girls going to name him?" Hikaru asked, looking over his shoulder as I drove to a nearby diner for lunch. I had the oddest craving for a peanut butter shake. "He's so small," Rose murmured as she fed him his little bottle. "We name 'im Tiny!" Lily piped up. Rose only nodded in agreement, her attention still focused on our newest member of the family. We went inside, Rose still cradling the puppy as we found a table. I couldn't help but fidget. I could barely contain my excitement. Thoughts of strollers, cribs, baby clothes, and sleepless nights (that were so worth it) to come danced through my head. The waitress came over, all smiles with her bright purple lipstick and jet black hair. "What can I get for you guys?" she asked. "Peanut butter shake with a side of fries," I answered immediately. "I want a burger and an Oreo shake!" Rose exclaimed. "And a chicken samm'ich wif a Sprite," Lily added. Hikaru ordered a deluxe burger with onion rings and a Coke, smiling politely as our server left. "A.J., are you okay?" he chuckled, eyeing me curiously. "Of course. Why wouldn't I be?" I smiled, my heart hammering in my chest. "You just ordered a peanut butter shake...you HATE peanut butter!" he sighed. I took a deep breath, fidgeting with a napkin on the table. "I just had a craving for it...cravings can be a lil' strange when a woman's pregnant," I murmured. I bit my lip, looking up slowly to meet his gaze. He was staring at me in open-mouthed shock, his eyes alight with joy. Before I knew it, he was out of his chair and coming around the table. He lifted me up from my seat, spinning me in circles as he cheered, "I'm gonna be a father AGAIN!" A few people applauded as he set me down. Our waitress came out with our drinks and shakes, setting them in front of us. "Congratulations you two," she smiled, leaving again quickly. Lily and Rose giggled, slapping the table like a drum. "We're gonna be big sisters, we're gonna be big sisters!" they sang. Once they settled down, the waitress kindly brought us our food. Hikaru stared at me as I slurped at the disgusting-- by disgusting, I mean the best, most delicious-- shake. "When are we gonna find out how far along you are?" he asked. "I have to set up an appointment with an obstetrician, then I s'pose we'll find out," I answered with a shrug.

*time skip because the author is lazy*

I hissed through my teeth as the doctor spread the gel over my abdomen. It was freezing! She pressed the wand against my skin, smiling as the image on the screen slowly started to take form. "There's your baby!" she grinned. Hikaru choked on a sob and I looked at him with a small smile. "It's okay Hika-baby," I murmured, taking his hand. He kissed my forehead, a few tears dripping down his nose and onto my cheek. "That's our baby in there. It's so small," he whispered, returning his attention to the screen again. A small form was visible, and the doctor sighed happily. "He or she seems to be growing just fine. She flipped a switch, freezing the image as she set the wand aside. "Perfectly healthy, and 10 weeks along. Do you want us to print a picture for you?" I nodded, still staring at the picture as she walked out. "That's our baby," Hikaru grinned. "Our baby."

He was still amazed when we left the doctor's office, pointing out things that were labelled on the picture. "There's the baby's head, and its arms!" he shouted. "Yeah, I know," I giggled as we climbed into the SUV. "When do we get to find out if its a boy or girl?" he asked, bouncing in the passenger's seat eagerly. "My next appointment, 'bout a month from now," I answered as we headed toward home. "The girls are going to be so excited to see this!" he exclaimed, examining the picture for the hundredth time since it was handed to him. I smiled as I watched him from the corner of my eye. I swear, things really couldn't get any better than this. My phone went off and I dug through my purse for it.

My chick bad

My chick hood

My chick do stuff that ya chick wish she could

M-my chick bad

Ba-badder than yours

Before Ludacris's verse started, I pressed 'answer'. "What's up buttercup?" I chirped. "You. Have. No. Idea," Haruhi spoke slowly and precisely. "Haruhi, sweetheart, what is it?" Silence. Then, suddenly, the girliest, loudest shriek I've ever heard in my life came from the other end of the phone, causing me to flinch a little. "I'M PREGNANT!" she screeched. (after my ears stopped ringing) I squealed, "Me too!" We started freaking out together, swapping due dates and what we hoped to have. She was due October 5th, I was due October 17th. She hoped for a girl, and me a boy. "I can't believe this!!" she screamed some more. Hikaru gave me a disapproving scowl as I barely missed getting hit by a car as I switched lanes, and I glanced up at him apologetically. "Look, I love you and I am so frikkin excited right now, yeah. But I'm drivin', talk to you later," I said before hanging up. Hikaru held his hand out and I gave up the phone with a pout. "Happy?" I grumbled. He tucked my phone into my purse and smirked. "Ecstatic," he replied.

*another time skip because more laziness*

"Miss Breaux, Mr. Hitachi in, you guys are having...a boy!" the doctor announced, grinning at us. Had I heard her right? I looked up to Hikaru for confirmation. He stared down at me lovingly with tears in his eyes. "We're having a baby boy," he whispered. I looked at him with an excited grin. "Do you know what this means?" He shook his head. "Haruhi and I are both having boys!" I heard a squeak and then heavy footsteps down the hall. I rolled my eyes, the salty tears stinging my lips as they rolled. "Tamaki," I murmured. Hikaru gave me a knowing look and sighed.

When we walked back into the waiting room, everyone was there. By everyone, I mean everyone. Auntie, Ranka, Haruhi, Tamaki, Honey, Mori, Kyoya, Kaoru, and Akio & Yazuha were all standing there grinning. I shot Tamaki a slight scowl. "I guess we don't have to do a gender reveal at the baby shower," I murmured. Everybody laughed before filling the room with chatter about mine and Hikaru's baby boy. "Have you thought of any names?" Ranka asked. I blushed, holding on tight to Hikaru's arm as I hid my face behind my hair. Hikaru spoke up proudly. "A.J. and I were talking, and we decided we wanted to keep up the pattern of nature names like with Lily and Rose. Maybe Sage or Willow, Thorn or River." They thought my name choices were ridiculous, I just knew it. "I like Willow," Yuzuha piped up. That started up a conversation between the former hosts on who could come up with the best name for my son. "Alright guys, let's take this conversation outside before we drive the people in this waiting room crazy," Kaoru chuckled as he started to usher everyone out of the building.

*last time skip I promise*

"I do."

Those two words were followed by applause and sobbing as Hikaru smirked, dipping me low before planting a rough kiss on my lips. He stood me upright and pecked my lips before turning to face our families. Kaoru scooped up Rose and Hikaru grabbed Lily as we made our way down the aisle with the bridal party following us. Haruhi had been my Maid of Honor and walked with Kaoru (much to Tamaki's chagrin), the best man. Tamaki walked with my stepmother Leah, and Lily and Rose were our flower girls. Baby Alex was the ring bearer. It was a relatively small ceremony: Auntie, Ranka, my dad, Hikaru's parents, Dylan and his boyfriend, Nick and his fiancée, the hosts, Rae and T-Paul, and their kids. We had still kept the venue despite such a small party. It was perfect. The reception lasted well into the evening, and Auntie scolded me when it was over and I tried to help with clean up. "Y'all have a wedding night to celebrate. We've got this," she said, winking at me. Lily whined as my dad picked her up, Rose doing the same with Kaoru. Poor babies, they were all partied out. With a final glance back, I waved goodbye to the remaining guests.

We walked through the school hand in hand, coming out on the west end of the building. Cool air and shimmering stars greeted me, along with a sleek black limousine. The driver opened my door and I smiled and carefully climbed in, one hand cradling my lower abdomen. I was in a long, flowing dress that was a drop-waist. I had developed a baby bump, not too noticeable, but definitely too big to wear anything form-fitting and still be comfortable. I caught Hikaru staring at me and I bit my lip, looking away quickly. "What is it?" he chuckled. "Why are you looking at me like that?" I whined. "Like what?" I felt my cheeks growing warm and I looked away. "Like that. Just...that," I squeaked. He leaned in close, running his fingers up my side. I shivered and he leaned in closer, running his tongue across my earlobe. "So...how does it feel to be Mrs. Hitachiin?" he whispered. I suppressed a moan as he started to kiss my jaw and down my neck. "There's n-nothing be-better," I stammered, hissing when he bit at the base of my neck. He chuckled. "I thought so,"he murmured, his voice husky and full of need. I sighed and leaned against him, my body immediately responding to his touch. "I love you, Hikaru Hitachiin," I mumbled. "I love you too, Adrienne Hitachiin," he responded as his kisses persisted.