This story is dedicated to soldiers and their families. No matter where you are in this big world.

AU

…

The young woman's eyes scanned over the crowd of women and men, her breath coming out in tiny impatient puffs as she wiggled her way through the dense crowd. Beside her, her two dark haired friends had taken a more assertive approach of shoving past people who continued to bump into the trio.

"Watch it!" Someone snapped after them. But they couldn't find it in themselves to care as they finally reached the front of the crowd. Like the rest of the families gathered in the airport, they stayed behind the yellow line under the watchful gaze of the security officers standing a respectable distance ahead. Though it took a considerable amount of mental willpower to do so, knowing their men were on the other side.

She shifted anxiously on her feet, ever mindful of the yellow border.

Tatsuki and Rukia stood beside her, and though outwardly they were calmer than Orihime felt, she knew that they too were struggling. Trying desperately to keep from launching themselves through the gap between them and the long hazy white wall that divided the large airport in half.

It was Rukia's child, Ichika, that reminded them to keep themselves in check. The young girl was struggling against her mother's gentle but firm hold, whining about how they could and should just walk through the doorway because it was right there.

Rukia looked awfully tempted to do so.

The child was just as forceful as Renji, her red hair, so like her fathers, was pulled back in a pony tail that could have mirrored his if not for the gentle strands that framed a face so much like her mothers. She had gained her mother's petite frame as well, and a combination of Renji's personality and Rukia's gentle nature, though if you asked Ichigo the latter didn't exist. However, as the crowd grew more anxious as the speakers announced the gate opening, the child had enough sense to keep close to the three older women and quietly vibrate in place.

The airport was positively packed - at least in this area. It was sectioned off for the flights of troops coming home after so many months away. Women and men stood as close to the gates as they could get without crossing the line and passing through the wall that cut off their path of sight. Some stood alone and some with children. Parents, brothers, sisters, wacky uncles, and friends spoke in excited tones. A few mothers were tearful even before the dark but hazy outlines of the troops cast itself onto the hazy wall that separated the baggage check from the airport entrance. Many of them held signs, drawn on with bright colors, and raised high above their head with hope as the uniformed soldiers slowly began to trickle into view.

Men and women dressed in uniform rushed forward as they spotted their loved ones. Some had only to search for a few seconds before beaming grins overcame their faces and they too rushed toward the crowd. Women cried out happily, tossing their arms around their lovers and children. Men embraced their family and friends, wide grins on their faces no matter how tired they were. Cameras were pulled out, flashing pictures for memories - taking videos of reunions. Everyone, clinging to each other as though their lives depended on it. And after so many months, maybe they did.

Out of the corner of her eye, she could see Rukia watching them with a soft smile. Ichika would also have her reunion, and Orihime knew that more than anything Rukia wanted the same tearful joy for her child as well.

The weaver princess watched with a soft smile of her own as children rushed forward with the most vigor out of any of them. Though most adults were mindful to stay back behind the line, children didn't care for the strip of paint. Tiny hands reached up toward the men and women they knew as mother or father. Many of them possibly only knowing them from pictures or video calls.

It was the tallest of the three that appeared first, carrying a large bag with ease over one shoulder. Though he had always been a tanned man, his skin seemed to have darkened several shades while away.

Tatsuki inhaled sharply beside her. And in a matter of moments she was rushing him, tossing her arms around his neck in a hold that would have crushed a lesser man. The giant only grunted, but a smile slid onto his lips as he embraced the karate champion in a tight but gentle hug. It was clear he wouldn't release her any time soon either. His lips moved as he spoke, but Orihime couldn't hear what he said nor did she feel the need to listen in. The tightening of Tatsuki's arms and the subtle nod of her head spoke volumes. She pulled away, struggling to suppress her joyful tears through a smirk and what was a most likely quiet but playful joke at his expense.

Orihime smiled softly in their direction before facing forward once more.

As the uniforms, large masses slowly melted into the crowd, and the long white wall showed only a few more stragglers as they approached the opening, her knees began to wobble. She felt her heart thunder loudly in her chest, speeding as she managed to make her way even closer to the front of the line without tripping over fallen luggage. Until her toes brushed the paint meant to keep her at bay. Rukia followed with Ichika, the two of them acting like little bodyguards for the tired but excited beauty.

However, the moment a flash of red hair was seen, with the unmistakable tattoo's and height to label the second of their three to appear, a loud cry of happiness escaped Ichika's mouth. It took not a second more for her to rush out of her mother's hold. She could hear the joyful crying of the child clear as a bell.

Renji caught the girl readily as she launched herself at him, cradling her close to his chest as his wife stumbled forward a step before rushing toward them with tears in her eyes and a happy smile.

Feeling her cheeks heat, she felt the need to avert her gaze as their lips met with passion. Her eyes glanced down to the soft bundle in her arms once, and then up once more toward the wall. But no more outlines appeared, and she felt her heart slowly slip down to her belly. A hopeless feeling rushed through her.

Had she missed the flight time? Were they at the wrong gate? No, that was impossible. She, Tatsuki, and Rukia had triple checked the times every day for the past two weeks. And he was supposed to be arriving on the same flight as Chad and Renji.

Or ... was he not really coming home today?

The soft bundle in her arms squirmed as though sensing his mother's distress, a small whimper sounding so softly it was a wonder she could hear it above the noise.

And yet just as her hopes began to fall, her breath caught in her throat.

A single shadow like form passed behind the wall, tall and with a familiar stride to his steps. And for a single moment, it seemed as though the world was gone. All was quiet. And she knew. The fast thump of her own heartbeat, and the steady thump of the newborns in her arms was all she could hear, and all she could feel, as he came into view.

Tanned, tall, and certainly sporting a bit more muscle than when he left. Ichigo Kurosaki, her loving fiancée appeared with the same grumpy looking scowl on his lips as when he had left. No doubt he was annoyed, as he always was, with the airport being so crowded. His familiar chocolate brown eyes scanned the crowd as she stood frozen in place, suddenly unable to move toward him even as her body screamed to do just that.

Those eyes she loved so much passed over his friends and their wives, before settling on her.

Then his eyes drifted down to the bundle in her arms, widening a fraction before he came forward. In a few long strides, his bag was dropped to his feet and a rough but oh-so-gentle hand was cupping the back of her neck. Their lips connected, and it felt as though their roles had been reversed. She had come home.

After a soft embrace, careful of the blue bundle of blankets in her arms, he allowed himself to finally look down. To finally gaze upon the pink cheeks of his child... his little boy.

Had it been so long? Had he missed that much? He had thought he would have been home in time for the birth. But he couldn't bring himself to think of it as the soft newborn squirmed, little fists swinging softly as he peeked his eyes open.

Visibly he seemed to lose his breath, and after a long moment of simply gazing in wonder, he spoke.

"He... W-When?" He breathed, and almost too timidly he placed a hand on the soft blue cap that covered the baby's head. His palm covered the expanse easily, and he realized just how small he was. How fragile. And it frightened him. Had Orihime been alone with their child for long? Without him? And a million scenes rushed through his mind, each one worse than the first. It was terrible enough leaving knowing she was expecting, but not being there for her…

"Un... Two weeks? I'm sorry Ichi-kun... I just knew you wouldn't get the letters before you came home... so... Surprise?" Her soft voice was almost hopeful, yet timid as if she were prepared for a scolding. Of course, he couldn't do that right now. Later perhaps.

His eyes stayed on the baby, thumb softly tracing those delicate features that had been so inherited from his mother, as well as the shape of his eyes. But the wild spikes of orange peeking out of the blue cap, that was all a result of Ichigo's stubborn genes and he knew it.

"What's his name?" His voice came out barely loud enough to hear in the surrounding commotions. They had talked about names before he left, and through letters, but in the end, he had decided it was only right for Orihime to have the final say out of the small handful they couldn't decide between.

"Kazui." she murmured, her voice just as soft as she tucked the corner of the blanket back in place.

"W-would you like to hold him?" She questioned gently, knocking him from his staring. And before he could stop himself, he did an odd sort of half nod and half head-shake.

"I-I... Will he be ok?"

The gentle young woman only smiled, using one hand to gently take his wrist and position his arms. And then with as much care possible, she passed the half-awake infant to his stunned father.

It was too real. Too new to him - but he found himself drawing the little one close, bowing his head to place careful lips to his forehead.

"My son..." His hoarse words were heard by none but the baby, who wiggled in reaction, tiny fingers nudging his jaw as his lips pressed to his tender forehead. Fuck if he was going to cry... he wouldn't. He swore he wouldn't be the man who-

Two traitorous tears escaped his eyes, landing on the soft blue blanket his new pride and joy lay bundled inside of.

Orihime's fingers covered her lips, a soft smile on her face despite the few tears that leaked out of her own eyes at the sight in front of her. As the unchallenged love of her life held one of the first symbols of their love in his arms.

And amid the happy, tearful reunions swirling around him, three whispered words made it to the ears of all.

"Daddy is home..."