Irreplaceable

Part 12: All Hallows' Eve

Perona had waited all day. Sometimes it was hard to even see him, because their schedules didn't fit together at all. But she had been patient all day long. What she had in mind was making her hot. Unbearably so. Even the frozen February didn't cool her down. She had to tell him, just had to.

He climbed to the bed without a word his back against hers. Maybe he thought she was asleep, or he just didn't want to cuddle. It was like that these days. He hated how their work schedules never seemed to fit together. It was the only thing that they ever really fought about. Maybe it was hard on them because they didn't have a lot of power in deciding how their working schedules go.

But she was bursting with the knowledge. Even if telling it to him felt like admitting defeat. Finally with a defeated coy look on her face she whispered, small bit of her hoping he wouldn't hear:

- "I've been off the pill a few days now."

She couldn't say anything else when he had already turned around and was holding her face.
- "Are you serious!? You sure about this?"
- "Yes." She couldn't help but smile. He had wanted a child so long now and she was finally ready as well.

He started kissing her everywhere and laughed:
- "I'm going to be a father!!"
- "Don't be so hasty," she chastised him and coyly added, "You still need to put one in me."
- "Oh, yes you're right." He kissed her again letting his hands wander over her body. "If we're fast it might be born in October. Our very own Halloween-Baby."

And he laughed one of his perfect laughters she so loved.

----

After a half a year of trying, Perona was finally pregnant. It was going to be a spring baby and she was excited of the idea. She decided that she would end her work. Being a nurse wasn't really her dream job and it felt good to finally not having to worry about their schedules matching.
She was making a simple porridge when she heard the door go.

- "What are you doing up this early?" A yawn escaped his lips.
- "Good morning to you too," she snorted. "I woke up being hungry and I thought you might be hungry as well."

He went by her side and looked at the porridge.
- "I'm scared."
- "Hey it's just porridge. I can't fail that."
- "You've burnt it."
- "The top's still good."

He took a taste and made an awful face and started retching.
- "What did you put into this? Arsenic?"
- "It can't be that bad." She took a taste and spit it out. "Ew."
- "Please don't try to poison yourself before the baby is born."

Her hand went over her stomach instinctively and she looked at him angry.
- "I was trying to be nice and you mock me for it."
- "I know, I'm sorry."
He hugged her quickly and left his hands on her waist and looked at her belly even if her pregnancy was yet to truly show. "Don't you worry. I won't let Mommy poison you."
- "Hey! What am I supposed to do if I'm here all day by myself?"
- "Pick up a hobby. Other than cooking. And you won't be by yourself much longer."
- "What kind of stay-at-home-mom doesn't cook for their kids?"
- "You." He smirked and Perona snorted. "Has it really been that bad?" He looked a bit worried.
- "No, not really. I don't miss having scuffles over bad work times. I've actually gotten used to this care-free lifestyle. You treat me like a princess."
- "Leave everything to me and just say if something vexes you, my lady."
- "You know I will. Horo Horo Horo! You're fussing again."
- "I just want you to be happy."

She placed her hands over his and smiled.

- "I'm already happy. I can't see a single worry in our life that we can't solve together."
- "Except your bad cooking skills."
- "Enough!"

----

- "Hey Zoro this is father. Fat-her. Can you say that to me?"

- "Oi, he's been to this world little over a month and you're already asking him that." Perona was mid-changing Zoros nappy. "And you're his Daddy. I'm Mommy and you're Daddy. Dad-dy. Can you say that to me?" She gave him the used diaper.
- "Ah, you're very cruel." He backed off to the kitchen. "Daddy, dad-dy. Not father, daddy." He mumbled to himself and disposed of the hazardous package.