Spring Blooms When I'm With You

"Change it to another day. I don't want my wife to be continuously stressed out tomorrow," Ren declined Mr. Souma's offer to meet at the sanatorium tomorrow.

If he suddenly brought Tsubaki to the place right after the DNA test was conducted on the morrow, she would be shocked or even not be ready. She would just smile and accept it but, he knew how her heart would shake.

"Hurm, I forgot that my brother would meet you guys tomorrow," Mr. Souma didn't hide the fact that he knew the movement of his brother, "Alright, I'll be a generous man and offer you another time. How about, in the next two days?"

"Deal," Ren agreed.

At least, he had two days to prepare her even though there's no amount of time that could totally guard her against another heartbreak. It was just, he didn't want to put more strain when her condition was fragile.

His wife was strong. He perfectly understood that. Despite the previous hardsh.i.p.s, she didn't hide away or turn her back to the truth. She mustered up all of her courage and faced her heartwrenching past.

But...

No matter how strong she was, he couldn't help but worry.

Let him be the shore for her to land after a night of the storm.

Let him be the tree to shield her from the scorching heat of the sun.

That was his role right now.

Ren tossed his phone back inside the pocket of his pants. After switching off the lights, he walked straight to the bedroom. A faint smile curled on his face as he watched his wife was sleeping deeply.

How gratified he was when she started suffering less of her morning sickness in these few days. Ren made a mental note to increase her nutritious meal. Since she carried twins in her belly, she needed more nutrients than ever.

A pair of twins, huh?

"Babies, Daddy and Mommy couldn't wait to see you guys. For now, just stay inside and don't cause any trouble to your Mommy, alright?"

His whisper was followed along by a faint laugh. He drew a contented smile as he closed his eyes to get some sleep with her.

The husband and wife fell into the tranquility of the night. The sound of their breaths intertwined together.

Soon, morning came. Seeing that Tsubaki's mood was a bit low while having breakfast, Ren gently persuaded her to eat more. She didn't even finish her favorite strawberry pancakes. In the end, Ren relented by just her having more milk to cushion her stomach.

Toshiro helped them to make an appointment at the National Genome Institute. Their ride to the institute was filled with silence as neither had the mood to talk. Ren just held Tsubaki's hand and tenderly c.a.r.e.s.sed his thumb on her skin.

"I'm here," He whispered.

Tsubaki curved up her lips. She brought his hand to her cheek and let his knuckles brushed against her skin.

"I want to eat some cakes after we're done," She randomly made a request, "Our babies want sweets."

"Hehe, it's not you who want the sweets?" Ren smiled tenderly, "Alright, anything that you want."

President Souma and Mrs. Souma looked sullen. The man glanced at his wife but Mrs. Souma went to Tsubaki's side.

"Let's get this done with quickly," Tsubaki said without so much looking at President Souma, "I don't want to waste any more time here."

"...Okay," President Souma nodded dumbly. He clenched and unclenched his fists, not sure what he was feeling right now.

They were brought to the respective department. Tsubaki and President Souma were attended by the person-in-charge. Most results could be obtained within 2 to 4 business days but the institute did offer the same day result for those who could pay for the service.

"In six hours, you could come and get the results," The person-in-charge informed them after taking the required samples, "If you want to wait here, you may go to the lounge and wait."

"We'll return after six hours," Tsubaki politely declined the suggestion.

After the person-in-charge left, Tsubaki tugged at Mrs. Souma's arm and said, "I'm sorry for making you come here so early in the morning. Would you return home after this?"

"I have an appointment with my friend. As for your result," Mrs. Souma glanced at her husband who was openly staring at Tsubaki, "I will come and accompany you."

"Alright. Thank you, Aunt," Tsubaki gave a grateful smile to the older lady. Mrs. Souma squeezed her hand in response.

Throughout the short time that they gathered, not once did Tsubaki looked at President Souma's way. She treated him like air. To see how indifferent she was sent anxiousness all over the older man's mind.

"President Souma, we have done the test," Ren spoke on behalf of his wife, "Once the result comes out and shows that there's nothing between my wife and you, please stop coming to her."

"The result would show that we are father-and-child," President Souma stubbornly held on to his belief.

Ren said nothing more.

Mrs. Souma let out a scoff, she spat, "You can continue to be willful. Nothing could save you from your delusion."

Tsubaki pursed her lips. She didn't understand the reason why this man who was smart would let such a lie muddled his head.

Did it really because he felt guilty for the misdeeds he had committed to the woman who he claimed he loved?

No, it shouldn't be called love.

It was an obsession.

Tsubaki and Ren left. The former did not direct her gaze to President Souma until the end. Mrs. Souma stayed behind with her husband who was helplessly staring at Tsubaki's back. Seeing that he didn't want to move, she shook her head.

"The test has been done. Just wait for the result," She mildly said, "Even though you have known the truth in your heart."

President Souma didn't reply to his wife. Mrs. Souma turned her head, throwing her gaze out of the windows.

It was a good autumn morning. She wondered if the day would end well or not.

Ren brought Tsubaki to the company. He had asked Matsuzaki to prepare an array of delectable sweets for his wife. The capable assistant understood that the lady boss was pregnant and might have cravings. He personally went to the well-known bakery near the company and picked the most sought out desserts.

The employees were busy with their respective tasks. They gave the couple a light greeting before going back to their work. Ren led Tsubaki inside the office. He silently watched her sitting on the couch.

"Do you feel tired somewhere?" Ren asked as he went to sit on the coffee table opposite her.

He bent down, reaching out for her feet, putting her shoes away and his hands started to massage her calves and the sole of her feet. His actions were natural as he had always done so to his pregnant wife.

Tsubaki stared at her husband who was diligently massaging her feet. Ever since she woke up this morning, she found that there was something wrong with him. She often caught him blankly staring at her.

What was it? She didn't think it was due to the DNA test.

But, no matter what it was, she had a hunch that it was related to her.

"Darling?" Tsubaki leaned over and placed her hands over his. She took both of his large hands from her calves and placed them on her l.a.p.

Ren lifted up his eyes. He silently asked her what was wrong with his raised brows.

Tsubaki smiled faintly, "Something is troubling you. Care to share it with me?"

"...I don't know how to tell you," replied Ren dumbly.

"I have been through a lot, I think another shock wouldn't harm me," Tsubaki gave him a soft smile, trying to reassure him that no matter what she heard, she would be fine in the end.

"That..."

Knock! Knock!

Ren paused, looked at the door and allowed whoever outside to enter. It was Matsuzaki. He came to bring in the desserts and tea for the lady boss. A pretty array of cute and delectable desserts were served on the coffee table.

"Master and Madam, do you need anything else?" Matsuzaki straightened up after placing down the plates and teacups.

Ren shook his head. Under his boss' cold eyes, Matsuzaki didn't dare to keep on standing here. He quickly left.

Ren's gaze fell on the floor. He unconsciously clenched his fist when his mind drifted to his wife's question earlier.

How should he tell her? About her mother?

"Are these from the famous patisserie, Michel?"

The bubbly and excited voice dragged him back from his daze. Ren uplifted his chin. His eyes fell on her bright countenance.

"Matcha madeleines, eclairs, raspberry and caramel macarons, petit fours..."

Tsubaki counted the cute desserts one by one. Ren didn't know if she was trying to ease the tension around them or not, but the corners of his lips raised up due to her antics.

"Try this one," He stretched out his hand and picked a raspberry macaron, "Open your mouth."

Tsubaki obediently followed. Ren delivered the pastel red-colored macaron to his wife's mouth.

"En! Delicious!"

Tsubaki smiled brightly, exuding radiance until the uneasy feeling in the man's heart subsided a bit.

"Eat first, sweetheart," Ren took the pot and poured tea into two teacups, "I promise I will tell you... after this."

Since she had noticed and asked, how could he continue delaying it?

Tsubaki nodded. She gave his arm a squeeze, earning a smile from him.