Chapter Text
The Niijima family slowly crept into the hospital room at the end of the hall. It was still early morning, so they were careful not to make too much noise in case those waiting inside were still in the midst of sleep.
Thankfully that didn’t seem to be the case upon entry. Waiting inside were Soichi and Tomie Amamiya, both putting their full attention on the baby curled up against Tomie’s chest on the hospital bed. Kotaro Niijima held the door open for his wife Nadeshiko to get through with their daughter in her arms. Tomie smiled at the trio as they entered fully.
“Kotaro-san, Nadeshiko-san, welcome. We’re so glad you could make it.”
“Thank you for inviting us, Tomie-san. I hope we didn’t wake you,” Nadeshiko said.
“Not at all. I slept long enough after the birth.” Tomie looked down and brushed a finger across her baby’s cheek. “Now it feels like I can’t take my eyes off my little one.”
Nadeshiko walked closer to the bed to get a better look. The baby in Tomie’s arms was wrapped tight in a blanket with only their head showing. Even with their features all scrunched up, Nadeshiko found them absolutely adorable.
“Oh, we haven’t even introduced you yet,” Tomie said. “Niijima family, this is our son Ren. It was a long night, but he came out perfectly healthy.”
“He’s so precious,” Nadeshiko said. “I feel so lucky to get to see him at this stage of his life.”
“Are you sure it’s okay we’re visiting so soon?” Kotaro asked. “I hate to think we’re getting the privilege before your family.”
“Not much family for you to cut in front of,” Soichi said. “My parents are long gone, and Tomie’s won’t be travelling down for another month. My sister already stopped by last night, so you’re perfectly fine.”
“And besides, none of this would have been possible without your bravery, Kotaro-san,” said Tomie. “The three of us are alive because of you pulling us from that car accident when you did. You were a real hero to us.”
“Ah, just doing my job, ma’am,” he said.
“I suppose modesty is something they encourage at the precinct. Now, who did you and Nadeshiko-san bring with you today?”
Nadeshiko twisted to show off the small brown-haired girl in her arms. “Well, our oldest daughter Sae is at school right now, but we brought along our little Makoto to say hi.”
“Oh, look at how cute she is. Hello, Makoto-chan. It’s nice to meet you.”
Makoto gave a little clawing wave from her mother’s arms.
“Our Mako’s a bit on the quiet side in public,” Kotaro said. “But she was really excited to see a baby today. She’ll probably be making noise the whole way home.”
Nadeshiko added, “Oh, and get this – Makoto had her first birthday yesterday, so it looks like the twenty-third of April is a lucky day for both of us!”
“What are the odds?” Soichi looked towards his son on the bed. “Can you believe that, Ren? No siblings yet and you still have to share a birthday.”
“I like to think that means the two are already connected,” Tomie said. “Makoto-chan, if you and Ren become friends in the future, try to keep him out of trouble for me. I worry he’ll grow up with his father’s penchant for risk-taking.”
“Hey…”
Nadeshiko giggled. “I think that sounds doable. What do you think, Makoto? Can you be nice to Ren when he gets older?”
Makoto’s eyes went from her mom to the baby on the bed, widening just a little when she caught sight of him. After a long, steady stare, she turned back to her mother and made a mumbling noise while nodding.
“Looks like she’s accepted the job.” Nadeshiko leaned over the bed so that she could rest her free hand on Ren’s head. “Welcome to the world, Ren. All of the Niijimas look forward to getting to know you.”