Spring Blooms When I'm With You

After dinner, Ren went to have a bath while Tsubaki sat on the bed. She did a couple of stretches to ease the aching of her limbs. Even so, her mind was preoccupied for almost the time.

Her gaze was downcast as she absentmindedly stared at the marble floor.

Her husband had told her about the meeting with her mother. She didn't know if Mr. Souma had let her mother know but, no matter what, she had to be ready when the time came.

After all, she was to meet her birth mother who she thought had disappeared for good.

Her mother was still alive.

How did she live her life so far? Was it full of hardsh.i.p.s?

Tsubaki shook her head. She refused to burden her mind any longer. It was important for her to not stress herself out, that was what Dr. Shiimoto advised her the other day. The doctor was afraid she would fall into post-partum depression if she continued worrying about everything.

Tsubaki lowered her feet to the floor, got up from the bed and walked to the vanity table inside the built-in wardrobe. Her hand reached out for a tube of lotion. This lotion was sent by Aunt Kasumi as a gift when the old house heard she was carrying a pair of twins. As for Grandma, she sent more nutritional supplements to her.

"You have to start putting this lotion from now. Don't wait until your belly becomes too round."

That was what Aunt Kasumi told her during their phone call. The lotion the older lady gave Tsubaki was intended to hydrate and moisturize where the skin would expand during her pregnancy. It would help with itchiness as well.

"Besides your belly, apply them to your h.i.p.s and lower back too. Don't skip it! It helps to reduce your stretch marks later."

Tsubaki wanted to laugh when she recalled how Aunt Kasumi repeatedly reminding her about it. She promised to adhere to her advice.

When Ren stepped inside the wardrobe, it was the scene he saw. His wife was gently applying cream all over her belly. He didn't know if it was just his intuition, but since it was official that she had twins in her tummy, he felt like her tummy looked bigger than before.

"I want some too," Ren gestured at the lotion tube with a lift of his chin.

Tsubaki stifled a laugh, "What do you need it for? It isn't like your belly would become like a ball as mine."

Ren grinned, "Can't I? Sweetheart, apply it to me."

Tsubaki shot him a glare yet her lips were still smiling, "So shameless, are you? I don't want to see your flat tummy right now. It's annoying."

Even though it was unavoidable for her tummy to become rounder because of her pregnancy, Tsubaki was still holding a grudge whenever she saw how toned her husband's abs were.

"Sweetheart, how could you say that? You always love touching it," Ren brazenly declared with a sullen expression as if he was being wronged by his wife.

Tsubaki jutted out her lower lip. She squinted her eyes as she looked at her husband's exposed stomach from his bathrobe, "I really wish to see your tummy as round as I am one day just so I could poke it like a balloon."

Ren laughed out loud. Her current facial expression was so cute! He really felt like eating her.

To avoid committing a crime, Ren stopped messing with his wife. He chose his pajamas and changed into them.

"Darling."

Ren turned around from the mirror, "En?"

Tsubaki closed the flip-cap of the tube and placed it on the table. She appeared hesitant as if what she wanted to say was troubling her.

Ren smoothed down his sweater. He turned around from the full-length mirror and went to sit next to his wife.

Tsubaki lifted up her eyes to keep her gaze on the same level as him. She made up her mind, "That, could we bring forward the meeting? Instead of the day after tomorrow, could I just meet my mother tomorrow?"

Her request surprised Ren although he had expected this. He doubted his wife would be able to wait even for another minute after he mentioned them going to see her mother.

"Do you think you can handle it?" Ren gently persuaded her.

Tsubaki shrugged, "I can't promise I would be alright, but, I really hope to meet her sooner."

Ren pursed his lips. He nodded in understanding, "I'll call Mr. Souma and tell him."

Tsubaki gave him a grateful smile. She tilted her head when Ren placed one palm over her cheek. She loved the tender feeling whenever he rubbed her face.

"Darling," Tsubaki lightly held Ren's sleeve, "I know that you're worried. I also understood that you want me to prepare myself so that's why you arranged the meeting to be held in two days but... I can't stay still any longer. I want to get all of this done with as soon as possible."

"You don't have to explain," Ren lightly squeezed her cheek, "I understand. Me too, hope to end all of this quickly. So, you don't have to keep worrying about it."

Tsubaki leaned forward and gave his cheek a peck, "I love you."

Thank for you always standing by my side.

Ren felt his heart melted into a puddle of water. His eyes softened at the sight of her smiling tenderly.

"I love you too."

So, let's move forward until the end, alright?

He really wanted to grow old with her, be as happy and content as right now.

After Tsubaki lied down on the bed, Ren went out of the room to make a phone call.

He stood next to the staircase. His dark eyes swept across the floor downstairs as he kept the mobile phone close to his ear.

"Hello, do you need any help from me?"

Mr. Souma's playful voice came through once the call was connected.

Ren didn't know why but this old fox sounded so happy tonight. His brows twisted as he thought of one possibility.

Did this guy was this happy because his brother got a great shock today?

"I want to change the meeting to tomorrow," Without beating around the bush, Ren directly told Mr. Souma of his intention of calling him.

The older man clicked his tongue, "Do you think it's good to not have a firm stand? Who knows, you would interrupt another's plan by changing the schedule?"

"Tomorrow," Ren insisted.

Although he was actually asking for a favor from this crafty old man, Ren refused to bow down. He could still exert some kind of persistence toward Mr. Souma.

Well, it wasn't like this man was serious when he was preaching to him about impeding his schedule.

"Ah, I suddenly recalled the sanatorium has one of my favorite breakfasts tomorrow," Mr. Souma's voice was light as he spoke gibberish, "Okay. See you there. No later than 10. I'm a busy person, after all."

Mr. Souma hung up the call before Ren could say anything.

Ren lowered his phone. He stared at the screen. He could only hope nothing would go wrong tomorrow.

Shaking his head in helplessness, Ren turned around and returned to the bedroom. His wife was lying on one side with her front facing his side of the bed.

"How about it?" Tsubaki was cautious when she looked at her husband.

Ren got into the bed. He pulled up the quilt and covered both of them under the soft fabric, "We have to go at seven to avoid the morning traffic jam."

Ren tucked the stray strand of her hair behind her ear, "Do you want to inform Granny Sumiko about your mother?"

If the old lady knew that Fujioka Masami was still alive, he thought she would feel happy. Even though the happiness might be short-lived once Granny Sumiko knew about the latter's illness.

"Let's do that after we meet my mother," Tsubaki understood's her husband's concern, "I don't want her to worry when we still haven't got the details about my mother's condition."

Ren nodded. Her words made sense.

"Enough. Go to sleep," He pressed a kiss on her forehead, "Our babies could only sleep if their mommy sleeps. Don't let those brats stay up too late with you."

"What nonsense are you spouting," Tsubaki let out a laugh.

Ren smiled softly, "Good night, sweetheart."

"Good night, darling," Tsubaki nestled closer on his c.h.e.s.t. Her smile deepened when she felt his arms encircled her body.

Whatever happened tomorrow, she had to face it all. So, let's just charge up first.

The night changed to a brand new day. The sun rose up over the horizon, taking over the place of the moon. As the sky was slowly brightened under the presence of the rising sun, once again, the city was bustling with people busying with their own matters.

Countless vehicles filled the roads. The pedestrian lanes were packed as well. It was the same picture as the days before.

But, the same scene might change for certain people.