“When’s the baby due?” asked a quiet voice from behind Tohru. She jumped wildly, splashing icy water everywhere and soaking herself in the process. Haru chuckled at her clumsiness and reached over to turn the tap off. “So,” he repeated himself while Tohru attempted to dry herself with a tea towel, “when’s the little one due?” Tohru stared at him silently, still shocked that he knew. “U-Um, how did you know..?” she wondered quietly. Haru shrugged in response. “Well,” Tohru whispered conspiratorially, “the baby’s due in spring. Isn’t that romantic? He’ll be born with all the little lambs, while the flowers are growing again, with the sunny days and the beginning of the warm weather!” She peered around the door to check on the others, but only relaxed a little when she saw they were all discussing something hotly.

“So you know it’s a boy then?” Haru asked curiously. Tohru blushed, shaking her head and covering her face with the dishtowel. “Er…well, no. I don’t know, it’s just-just a feeling…But please, please! Please don’t tell anyone just yet, I-I haven’t…been able to tell Kyo yet.” She peeked over the towel to see Hatsuharu beaming at her. “Of course I won’t. I’m so happy for you!” He stretched his arms out hesitantly. “May I?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. Tohru nodded wordlessly, grinning widely as he rested his gentle hands on her stomach. “Hello little one,” he whispered happily, “I’m going to be your Uncle Hatsuharu. I’ll be the cool relative!”

Seeing Haru talking to her baby the same way she had been made tears well up in Tohru’s eyes. “Uh-oh, what’s the matter?” Haru breathed, moving his hands up to her shoulders. Tohru smiled at him as she sobbed, “I’m just so happy. I’m going to have a baby!” Haru laughed, a carefree, tinkling sound. “You’re pregnant?” an incredulous voice asked from the dining room. Tohru checked round Haru nervously, making a shushing noise. Momiji repeated himself, lowering his voice. “You’re pregnant?” he asked again, sounding yet more shocked as he closed the door.

Tohru nodded and shrugged. Momiji seemed to gaze sadly at the floor for a second, but he then let a bright smile illuminate his entire face. “I’m so glad for you!” he gushed, bouncing over. Tohru couldn’t stop smiling while Momiji and Hatsuharu took turns speaking to the baby and rubbing her still-flat stomach affectionately.

“Hey, what’s taking you all so long? Shigure said he’ll have pudding later cus he has some work to do, but I’m damned hungry!” Tohru sprang away from the others as Kyo banged into the kitchen, feeling a flush creep into her cheeks again. “Um, what are you three up to?” he asked, sounding more suspicious, “What did you do to Tohru?” He narrowed his eyes at Haru and Momiji, who looked sceptical and innocent respectively.

“Oh, no, Kyo, they didn’t do anything, they really didn’t!” Tohru insisted, taking his hand and pulling his chin so that he was looking at her. Haru took the distraction and tugged Momiji into the dining room, closing the door as quietly as it would allow. “Kyo…I wanted to tell you first, I really did, but…well, they found out, they just guessed, I promise!” Kyo tilted his head anxiously. “Is this about your good news, or is it something bad?” Tohru grinned at him toothily, feeling her face start to ache from all the smiles. “It’s the best news!” she cried, taking his other hand. “Kyo, we’re going to have a baby!”