T S U R I S
noun [tsoor-is, tsur-]

Trouble; woe.

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You looked at yourself in the bathroom mirror and frowned slightly. Either your shirt had shrunk and was tight for you or you're starting to show.

"You can't avoid it anymore," James sung with a cheeky grin on his face, while sitting at the desk in your bedroom.

"I can try..." You mumbled as you tied your hair into a ponytail.

"No you can't," He continues the same teasing tone of voice, while fidgeting with a pen, and you glared at him, "She's going to figure it out on her own then. She's a smart girl, you know."

"Can you please try to be supportive?" You snapped at him and he looked af you with hurt. James sat up straight and sighed.

"Hey, love, of course I'm supportive," He said seriously and you walked up to him. He wrapped his arms around your waist and you stroked his hair slowly.

"Does it look too obvious?" You asked and bit your lip and smiled hesitantly.

"Yeah...?" He said and kissed your stomach, "It'll be fine! She'll feel odd at first then it would be okay."

You raised an eyebrow, doubting his confidence in his daughter's attitude to having a sibling soon. "I'm not sure..." You said as he stood up and planted a kiss on your cheek.

"Whenever you want to tell her, either today or tomorrow or a week later, but it's better if she hears it from us," James expressed and you nodded your head slowly.

*****

4 days later...

You took out the baking tray out of the oven after wearing an oven mitt to protect your hand from the heat.

You placed the tray on the kitchen counter, smiling at how appetizing the chocolate chip cookies looked. You wiped your sweaty forehead then washed your hands, moving on to-

"What's going on here?" James asked, startling you. You took a deep breath and looked at him. He seemed more angry than curious and you grew confused.

"B-Baking..." You answered hesitantly and he sighed loudly.

"You need to stop doing this [y/n]," He demanded, placing his hands on the kitchen island and leaning forward, "You've been over-exerting yourself these past few days and I don't like it at all."

It's true. You've been doing nothing but occupying yourself with cooking, cleaning, organising and the lot. It's your way of channeling your nerves.

"And I know it's because of your anxiety," He states and you swallowed hard.

"Anxiety about what?"

You looked to the kitchen entrance where your fourteen year old daughter now stood, leaning on the wall and wating juicy red apple. You glanced to your husband with a look that subtly terrified him.

"U-Uh... My work."

"What?" You and your daughter said in unison and you turned to her with confusion. You were so puzzled right now.

"I don't..."James sighed then put on his oscar-worthy expressions of stress and hopelessness, "I haven't found work in a while dear, and your mother is concerned for me."

Your daughter frowned and you continued to watch James with furrowed eyebrows. "Don't worry [y/d/n], it's alright," He side-hugged her and kissed her head, "I will be up and running in no-time at all."

She nodded her head then walked into the living room. You stepped to James as you eyed your daughter then turned your gaze to him.

"What was that?!" You questioned and he clenched his jaw.

"By your face, you clearly would have lost it if we told her now so I... improvised," He explained and you sucked in a sharp breath

You went back to the counter and stood there with your hands placed on top. "But we need to tell her soon, stop ignoring that,"He said flatly and you shut your eyes.

He exited the kitchen and you shook your head slowly. You never felt this emotionally unstable before.

You threw the dish cloth in your hand onto the counter and rushed out of the kitchen. You stopped when you saw that James was taking a seat beside your daughter with a frown on his face.

You made your way towards them slowly and cleared your throat discreetly, causing James' attention to turn towards you.

"Um... [y/d/n]?" You called as you sat on the one-seater couch, "We need to talk about something."

She sang up straight and perked, ready to hear whatever her parents wanted to share. You grabbed James' hand and held it tightly, transferring your nerves to him.

"Your mother and I have been wanting to tell you that... well..." He mumbled, clearly growing uncomfortable as every second passed.

"Honey, this is going to be confusing at first and something to adjust to but," You sat up in your seat and took a quick breath, "You're going to be a sister very soon."

And as you expected, a very long and awkward silence ensued in the room. You looked at your husband and sulked as your daughter showed no change in her current state of mood.

"What..." She muttered.

"Mummy is pregnant, love, and you're going to be getting a brother or sister after about five months," James explained and she raised her eyebrows.

"Wh-Wh-Why...?" She chuckled nervously and you clenchesd your jaw as you glared at James.

"W-Well it's um, something-"

"Was it a m-mistake?" She asked awkwardly and James scoffed.

"Excuse me?!" He watched her with pure shock, "What is that supposed to mean, young lady?"

"James..."

"I'm just-I'm very confused!" She stood up suddenly and ran a hand through her hair, "Why now? Why after so many years? Why... WHY?!"

"Oh come on dear, you know mum and I have been talking about a baby for a while. I-I-I mean, we asked y-you a few months ago about your thoughts and then we..." You noticed your husband's nervousness and you placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed it, giving him a soft smile.

"Look... [y/d/n], I know how you feel. Honestly I felt the same way when I heard the news about your uncle being born," You intervened, "All we want you to know is that this baby won't change anything between the three of us. We'll be more closer and we will love you no matter what."

You stood up and walked over to her, taking her into your arms and hugging her tightly. You rubbed her back then kissed her head and smiled.

"Daddy and I are always here for you, for everything. And we are so sorry that we didn't tell you sooner," You glanced at James, "We didn't know how to tell you and I've started to show now so... we decided it's time."

You glanced down at your stomach and sighed. She pursed her lips then took a deep breath. She stepped towards you and hugged you tightly.

"I'm actually kind of excited... keeping the weirdness aside," She expressed and you smiled. You looked at James and he watched you with calmness.

He stood up suddenly and kissed yours and your daughter's heads. "Now, let's go out and celebrate!" He suggested cheerfully.

"Daddy, sushi night?" Your daughter said and he raised a brow with a grin.

"Well... it is Saturday so, YES," He gave her a high five and you shook your head.

"Um, sorry to burst your happiness but I can't eat sushi," You said and smirked, "But I've heard there's a new Italian restaurant just around the corner."