Hey guys!

So sorry for being MIA. Have been busy with uni and couldn't find the time to finish this. But yeah, we have reached the final chapter! Woopie! So please be kind and R&R. Hope that I have done justice to the story. And yeah,sorry for any typos

Chapter-11

"Oh god! Why is something like putting a diaper on a doll baby this difficult.. urghhh", exclaimed Kotoko. She was in her 39th week of pregnancy and was due any time soon. Kotoko, being her clumsy cute self, wanted to join prenatal classes to learn the basics of caring for a baby, but that is turning out to be quite a task. "Here, this strap goes here and the band comes here ", Naoki said, fixing the diaper on the doll. Yes! The genius Irie Naoki was attending these classes along with his wife. It is not that he can't do these without training. It is just that he doesn't want to leave Kotoko alone at 39 weeks. His mother had to stay at home and take care of Yuuki as Todai entrance exams were approaching. So he volunteered to take his dear wife to these classes. And here he was, tying diapers and bibs to doll babies.

"Today's class was interesting, ne Irie kun", Kotoko exclaimed. It was late at night and everyone had retired to bed. Kotoko was laying on Naoki's lap while Naoki was reading a medical journal. " Hai", said Naoki. "But you still need to learn how to put diapers on properly, or else you will be drenched in baby poop", laughed Naoki. "Huhh….I am not that bad…I will be fully prepared before our cutie arrives.", said Kotoko. Naoki just smiled and held her close. He knew that these private moments with his wife is a luxury and will not be as frequent after their bundle of joy arrives. "Ahh….Irie kun", Kotoko exclaimed suddenly. It was 11 at night. "Naani", asked Naoki. "I think its time", Kotoko said half panting. Naoki sprang out of the bed. She was right. Their bedsheets were soaked. Her water had broken. He did panic a bit, but controlled it immediately. He needs to support Kotoko now, not scare her. "Kotoko….relax…..take deep breaths and wait the pain out ", he said and started timing her contractions. She was two minutes apart. Naoki knew he had to act fast. He woke his parents and Kotoko's father and asked his father to start the car.

"Irie-san, push for a count of ten when I say", Ibe – sensei said. Kotoko was on the labour table, and Naoki was standing next to her, supporting her. It was nearing sunrise time, and she was 10 cm dilated. " Come on Kotoko, you can do it", said Naoki, supporting her. Kotoko pushed as hard as she could. And the exercise continued for more than an hour and finally, the cry of the baby was heard. Irie Kotomi graced the world at 6:30 in the morning on a fine Sunday. " Kotoko, she is beautiful", Naoki said, with tears in his eyes. He had the privilege of cutting the umbical cord, and after a few minutes, his pink cute bundle of joy was given to him in his hands. "She is precious.", Naoki exclaimed and brought her near Kotoko. Kotoko had tears of joy in her eyes. Their bundle of joy was finally here. "Our Mi-chan", she exclaimed. "Our Mi-chan", exclaimed Naoki. And a sound of click was heard. "This is so precious. I can't stop crying", Oka-saan exclaimed. The entire family had come into the room to meet their new addition to the family. Soon, Kotomi was passed to each family member, while Kotoko was shifted to the recovery room. And it was time for a family picture. A complete family.

"Ne Irie-kun, did you ever imagine having a baby with me and being a dad. Because I have always imagined a life with you, but I never knew whether you wanted that". It was a few days after Kotomi was born and the small family had come home today. They had settled Mi-chan down for a nap and were snuggling together. Naoki, who was reading his notes, put it down and looked at Kotoko with a very strange but gentle expression. "Honestly speaking, I never imagined falling for any girl in my entire life. I had always been into books and studies that girls were never a concern. But then you came. First that love letter. It actually irked me that someone in class F will give me a love letter. Then you entered my house. You were a nuisance initially and I had wished sincerely that you will leave soon, but you became a habit. You showed determination to come in top 100, though it was a very difficult task. You helped me find my dream and ambition. You slowly became my habit. And when I was put in a position to marry someone else, you gave in graciously. But I couldn't. You sacrificed many things for me. Women fall for my intelligence and looks, but you loved me for my inner self. You had become my addiction. After marriage, though you knew that we couldn't spend much time together, you never demanded anything from me. You held on to me, when I had a long bout of jealousy and didn't give up on me. After that, you gained all my respect in the world. You endured separation from me for my career sake. You didn't like it, but you still did it. All this made me realise that I had made the best decision of my life, when I married you. Kotoko, you give me strength, happiness and joy. In fact, at times, you give me courage to face the challenges in life. Without you, I would have lost my way in life. You take me through my journey of life. You have given me Mi-chan now, a path in life, which I never dared to imagine. So, to your original question. No, I never in this entire world imagined a life with you. But yeah, I will not change it for anything". Kotoko had tears in her eyes, hearing these words, and at the moment, they both could do nothing but kiss each other and dream of a future, a future with their beautiful bundle of joy.

And the journey of Naoki and Kotoko continues!

The end guys! Thanks to everyone who supported me in writing this story. And love you all.

Hugs and kisses

Jan