krystalkatzficz | The Midwife part 6

“Kazuko?” Nino repeated slowly his mouth having gone extremely dry as he looked at Jun who was a complete red now his eyes seeming unable to look at him as he ran his fingers through his already untidy hair making it look even more ruffled.

“You don’t mind, do you? I mean, my wife insisted, but I didn’t put up much of an argument” He replied and Nino couldn’t believe that he hadn’t misheard him. Pride and happiness began to build up inside of him and he had to blink to stop himself from crying. He never would have dreamed that Matsumoto Jun would name his daughter after him but then he hadn’t pictured Jun wanting a daughter.

“No, I don’t mind…I’m very happy” Nino breathed glad that his voice wasn’t as shaky as he imagined that it would be. His hands trembled a little more as the horrible thought crossed through his mind that Jun was going to laugh and call him again. He didn’t, he just let out a happy sigh and accepted the coffee Nino handed over to him. “After that you should get some sleep, you look like you are running on fumes”

“Same to you” Jun replied and Nino’s twitched just a little sagging down into the chair opposite and playing around with the corner of the magazine. He fanned it out with his fingers for a moment and then sighed offering a weak smile as he admitted jokingly;

“I was asleep until somebody woke me.” Jun stiffened looking like he was about to apologise and Nino quickly continued “But it’s okay, I’ll have another hour or two later and then I have to visit the hospital at some point” He tried his best not to give another sigh when he realised that if he wasn’t careful he would be the one running on fumes and that wouldn’t be good for any parent or baby tonight.

“I didn’t think you did hospital shifts? As a midwife?” Jun hummed carefully as though he was trying to have a conversation and Nino gave a shrug sipping at his coffee.

“I sometimes work on the regular ward but you’re right. Today I have to go in and meet the new head of staff. Some doctor from Tokyo” The news hadn’t particularly thrilled him, or any of the midwives, if he were honest. They were all on the defence wondering if there were going to be cuts to the funding or wages. He himself was mostly worried as he was both a male midwife and the newest employee. If they were going to be making cuts the chance was it would be the first one on the chopping block. It was another reason that he thought that he shouldn’t have come back to the village. He didn’t particularly want to share any of that with Jun though as he still couldn’t bring himself to completely trust him. He gave a weak smile and drank more of his coffee before almost breaking his jaw in a yawn. His cheeks immediately went crimson as he whispered out a muffled and horrified “Sorry”

“No, don’t apologise, I didn’t mean to keep you” Jun quickly rose from the table and drained his coffee in one swallow “Thanks for the drink, and thank-you for delivering Kazuko…Who would have thought it? All those years ago…”

“Yeah, you were my biggest critic back then. Now yours was the first baby I delivered solo” Nino gave a smile the happy buzz returning as he walked with Jun to the door. His former tormentor paused for a moment and gave a handsome smile before saying hopefully;

“In a few days, when Mari and Kazuko are settled you and your girlfriend will have to come and have dinner with us”

“There really isn’t any need…”

“I know, but I would like it” Jun insisted and Nino gave a smile wondering if the invitation would be forgotten when Jun had some decent sleep and had gotten over the shock. He tried not to let his doubt show too much though as he gave his answer.

“Then I’m sure that Etsuko and I will be delighted but before that I will be around later anyway to check on baby and Mari-chan, so I will see you later, Matsumoto-san” Nino closed the door after Jun’s goodbye and allowed himself to yawn again before heading back to the bedroom and almost collapsing into the pillows.

TBC
A/N: I hope that this is okay ^_^