Chapter 18
愛 ~ Love
Bridget
“I know you fucking lying.” Groggily, I stare down at the velvet box I just opened and my copper IUD winking back at me.
“I know this motherfucker—”
“If were you, I’d be very careful of my next words.” Comes the wrathful words from the figure cloaked in darkness, standing in the shadows of the room before the windows that spill out onto the grounds of the forest beyond.
Clamping my mouth shut, I watch as Takashi approaches our bed.
Crossing my arms over my breasts, I watch him as he sinks down right next to me, turning in my direction, crossing his legs way too nonchalantly for my comfort.
“Ah.” Gaze narrowing, he regards me, eyes narrowing with razor blade’s sharpness. “I see the recklessness abates, but the cravenness never ceases.” His language is sharp, almost guttural, as he lambaste me.
“I’m no coward.” I seethe, hating him for how his words make me feel.
We’d been getting on rather well in the weeks since Ev and I returned from the Shipmoores.
We’d been working on a presentation for BITE, our company, to present to Tekmoto, an arm of Takeda Industries, when Ev found out she was pregnant.
The word spread among the family once the baby was said to be doing well.
Happy for my friend, I didn’t miss the not-so-subtle change in Takashi when his twin shared the news that he and Ev were going to be parents in about seven months.
To his credit, Riyu hasn’t been too overbearing, steeling himself for checking on Ev several times a day.
I should have known Takashi would be suspicious.
“Having kids is not even on my radar, Ti.” Shrugging, I give him the facts.
“Ever?” Stone cold, the question holds no emotion.
“This would have been a great discussion to have before you and your brother stole Ev and me from our life, don’t you think?” I can’t seem to help the snark in my question. “I don’t know, maybe not. I know that makes me unsuitable for a wife of the exalted Takeda and the legacy y’all hold so dear.”
If I was expecting him to be crestfallen, I’d be sorely disappointed.
Instead, he smirks, shaking his head before letting out a rough chuckle, before throwing his head back for a full-bodied laugh.
He even swipes tears from the corner of his eyes before his gaze rests on me again.
Leaning in, he cups my chin. Taking my lips, his mouth claims mine.
“If you think I give a fuck about that, you have a lot to learn, my little vicious one.”
Standing, he looks down at me, his expression severe once again.
“We will revisit this when you want to. Then you can have your little device removed.” Taking the velvet box, he snaps it shut.
“Y-you didn’t have it removed?” Emotion nearly robs me of words.
“I thought about it.” He concedes, “However, taking your choices has gotten me nowhere. I think we should try trusting each other, Hai?”
“Hai,” bowing a little, acknowledging my words, he pivots, gripping the box tightly in his hands.
“Allow us to present our beloved sons, Kai and Takeru.” Riyu says, holding a baby his arms as Ev beams, holding a twin bundle beside him.
We all seem to coo together as the mop of curls become visible. I little tawny fists reaches behind the swaddles, which draws more murmurs of approval from everyone gathered.
A family-only event and a Takeda tradition with only parents and siblings in attendance, we all find ourselves back at the Takeda manse where the second half of our journey began.
Who would have thought running away would lead to a happiness I could have never imagined.
Watching as Evangeline takes the seat of honor with one baby as Riyu stands sentinel at her side, holding his son to show off Takeru and Kai to family.
Ev’s parents approach first, as Takeda tradition dictates. Riyu flew them over a few months ahead of time to prepare for their grandsons appearance with her sisters and brother, all of whom are still in college arriving after the birth two weeks ago.
“Adorable.” Charity, one of her sisters, squeals as her other sister, Celeste, agrees. Their younger brother, Jonathan, seems just as delighted despite trying to act tough in front of the men present.
He needn’t have bothered. Every eye is on Kai and Takeru, the newest additions to the Takeda Legacy.
After his mom is presented the babies, Akricho, Flower, Asa and their new baby girl, Emi go greet his nephew, followed by Kiyoshi, Krie and their new son, Koreyoshi.
My eyes drift over the group assembled. Warm strong hands cup mine. “We’re next Takashi murmurs helping me to stand.
Together we traverse the expanse of the receiving room to where my best friend sits like a queen with her husband looking every bit the Samurai warrior at her side.
Her eyes search mine as I approach and the love and acceptance I see within her gaze makes me hold my head a little higher. Even though Takashi assures me it not the case I can’t help but feel like there is a scarlet letter emblazoned on my chest for choosing to remain childless.
In the months that’ve passed since Ev discovered she was pregnant I’ve gotten to witness the beauty the experience first hand. Still, I have no desire to have kids right now.
His strong hand is at my back we draw near.
Glancing up at him I see the sheer love and pride he has for his brother.
Riyu stands with Takeru totally vulnerable in a way I have only seen the men in this family exhibit on rare occasions like this.
Ev is beside him with Kai looking so open and happier than I have ever seen her.
Yet, there is hunger in my husband’s stare as he looks down at our nephews. I know how much loves me and that is nevermore evident than as he stands by my side not having pressed me one time since told him all those months ago that I was not ready.
“Bridget.” Ev beams at me. “You are more than a friend, you are a sister to me. You would honor us if you would be Takeru-kun and Kai-kun’s godmother?”
“Takashi, you are my mirror, the very best of men, the twin part of my soul. You honor me if you would take the role of godfather to my sons.” Comes the intense somber tones of Riyu, which are only made more so by the intensity of his gaze.
“We would be honored.” Bowing we intone the words. Rising we step forward, a smile plays across my lips watching the awe in Takashi’s face as Riyu hands his twin his baby boy.
“You’re going to be the best auntie ever.” Ev whispers to me, letting me hold my godson.
Nodding I look over to her. “I am”
5 years later…
“Okasaan!”
“Yes, baby?” Looking up from the book, I’m annotating I watch my son run over to me with his younger brother by one minute trailing behind him at a much more leisurely pace.
Kōsuke’s little stern face is so much like his father’s and uncle’s right now. I know his more mischievous twin, Keito has done or said something to rile him. They remind me so much of their father and Uncle Riyu. We often find ourselves shaking our heads at the similarities.
“Okasaan,” breathing heavily from his run over to where I am sitting in the garden with my snack and water he pulls himself up to take me in with an accessing glance to rival his father.
“Keito says you’re having a baby.” His mouth form into a disapproving frown he tightens his little fist plating them at his sides.
“Oh?” Turning to my other son I ask, “Where did you hear that Keito?”
“Yesterday when I was hiding in father’s study. When you both came back from the doctor.”
“I’m going to have you father speak to you about that behavior, son.” Turning back to Kōsuke, I acknowledge his brother’s words with nod.
“Yes, I am having another baby and not just one two.” Patting my the roundness starting to peak through the simple shift dress I’m wearing I smile at the boys who both wear shocked expressions on their faces.
Giggling, I watch as they look at each other.
“But-but you said there are too many men in this family.” Keito’s lay mischief has given way to an accusatory glare.
“Well, it’s good that we are giving you sisters.” Comes a deep baritone behind me, making me eep and the boys collapse over themselves with laughter. They must have seen him coming and thought their daddy surprising me would be funny.
Screwing him a mean look, I scooch over to make room for him on the blanket.
Like he waved a wand the boys’ behavior changes to a more amenable interaction.
“How are you feeling?” His hand is heavy yet pleasant as it spans my growing bump.
“Good.” Cupping his firm jaw I lean to let him kiss my lips then my brow. Smiling slightly at the boys little gasps at the display of affection from their austere father, I look over to them. “We are going to need your help, guys.”
Their faces immediately take on the same seriousness they have whenever are given a task by their father.
Acknowledging their bows, I say solemnly. “Your father and I have decided that you should take on the honor of naming your sisters.”
Watching and wonder and excitement removes any lingering negativity they may be experiencing of not being the only kids. I remind myself to thank Flower for the suggestion. She faced this same dilemma with her son Asa when she had her second child.
“Your baaba has given us access to the family library to help you pick.” Takashi tells them.
“When can we start?”
“Yes, when?” the boys ask almost simultaneously.
“Right now, if you wish.” Answering I move to rise but my husband is already on his feet helping me stand.
“You can go ahead, boys. I will help your mother.” Hanging back, I look to Takashi. He’s not changed in the years since we found our way back to each other, but has gotten more intense, if that is even possible.
“Everything okay?” I ask. He’s always checking on me. It took me some time to realize that he needed to be checked-in on too. Men like him often face the world for their families, never thinking of themselves.
“I’m good, my little vicious one.” My body clenches at his words. I can’t run from him anymore — he won’t allow it now that I’m pregnant again but there is still a lot I can do to meet his need to dominate and conquer.
“Really?” Snatching my arm back I quirk a brow and scoff. “Seems like becoming a father again has made you a little soft.”
Flouncing. I actually flounce leaving him to gather my blanket and snacks as I head to the house.
Grabbing my nape he stops me in my tracks.
“Say that shit when I put you through the floor, tonight, wife.”
I can’t help the giggle nor the little squeeze low in my tummy at his words.
“I look forward to it husband.”