~Twenty Kisses~
Rated T
Chapter Title: "Every Step"
Setting: Future, pre-Crystal Tokyo
Genre: Any
He found her sobbing into the toilet bowl, arms wrapped around the porcelain so tightly it acted as a tether.
Without even bothering to dispose of the plate of eggs properly- he never liked that sink anyway- Mamoru collapsed onto his knees next to Usagi. One hand snaked out to wipe sweaty bangs from the blonde's forehead while the other caressed her back soothingly.
"Shh... shh... Usako, it's okay... Morning sickness again?"
"Yes," the woman uttered miserably, reflexively increasing her embrace with the pot as another bout of tears claimed her. Mamoru continued to administer soft massaging to the tremors wracking Usagi's frame.
"Sweetheart, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked desperately, for Usagi had suffered this form of nausea before, and never with such an intense reaction.
"I'm scared, Mamo-chan," Usagi moaned, glancing blearily at him through a cavalcade of hiccups. "I can't be a mother; what was I thinking? God, everything I've ever taken care of has *died*... goldfish, hamsters... why is this any different?"
"You are *not* going to kill our baby, Usako," Mamoru told her sternly. "That's nonsense, and you know it."
"But what if something goes wrong? What if- what if I klutz out and... and *hurt* it? What if I eat something bad or... or... There's just so many things that could go wrong, and I'm scared!" Renewed sobs ravaged the expectant blonde's throat. She hid her face against the cold alabaster, ashamed and fearful and weak.
Mamoru released Usagi and instead said forcefully, "Please look at me, Usako."
Usagi complied, slowly and shakily removing her wet countenance from the toilet to face her husband. A strange sight they were, two adults on the floor of a tiny bathroom, one sniffling and trembling while the other watched sympathetically.
When Mamoru was sure he had the odangoed one's full attention, and her weepy sapphire eyes were locked with his deep, insistent indigo, he smiled. His hand grabbed hers and squeezed. "You're going to be a fine parent; we both are. We've had practice with children before, and this will be no different, other than the fact that this baby is truly *ours*. Please don't worry anymore, Usako. Don't feel like you're alone. Even if you'll be the one carrying this baby for the next eight months, I'm going to do everything I can to help you both flourish. I'll be there every step of the way, Usako."
Usagi supplied Mamoru with a very watery beam. "Oh Mamo-chan!" she crooned happily, choking on emotion as she leaned in for a kiss. Her lips met skin and the woman opened her eyes, confused.
"Let's not be too hasty, love. First, I want you acquainted with mint toothpaste," Mamoru joked, removing his finger, and Usagi laughed as she swiped at her cheeks.
~AngelMoon Girl~
