Ken and Ai were ushered into one of the rooms where she was asked to lay down on the chair and wait for the Sonographer to arrive.
“I’m getting nervous…” Ai said, gripping Ken’s hand.
“Yeah… Me too.” Ken said truthfully.
Thankfully they didn’t have to wait long. A larger woman with curly hair appeared in the room with a bright smile on her face.
“Mr and Mrs Takagi, my name is Felicia, I’ll be doing your ultrasound today.” She said.
“Nice to meet you.” Ken nodded, “Sorry, we’re a little nervous if you can’t tell.”
She waved her hand dismissively, “It’s fine, we’re just going to take a look at the little guy or girl today. We’ll listen for the heartbeat and if we’re lucky, you’ll be able to see them on the screen.”
Ken gulped. He would be able to see his baby?
“Hang tight, this is going to be cold.” Felicia said, opening the gel.
As the gel touched Ai’s stomach, she flinched, letting out a small whimper. “So cold!”
“Bear with it for a while, it will get better.” Felicia said. She grabbed the instrument and placed it upon Ai’s stomach, moving it around slightly.
Both Ken and Ai were silently staring at the screen in front of them while the Sonographer moved the paddle around.
“Alright, let’s listen to the heartbeat.”
Almost as soon as she said that, they all heard a noise.
“Baby’s heartbeat is strong, beating around 150bpm. That’s good.” Felicia said, giving them a smile.
Ken looked at Ai with wonder in his eyes. She too, seemed enamored by the sound. Knowing that there was life growing in her stomach was something surreal.
“Alright, let’s see if we can find the little one.”
The screen changed as Felicia moved the paddle. After what felt like an age, a blur appeared on the screen. It was hard to see anything that he could remotely recognize.
“You see that little bean shape right there? That’s your baby.” Felicia said brightly.
Ken narrowed his eyes, as did Ai.
“I think I see it.” Ken said.
“Well, I’ll take some photos for you. It’ll probably be easier to see when it’s not a live feed.” She explained.
Ken turned and saw that Ai had her hands covering her mouth, tears pooling at the corner of her eyes. He could feel the joy radiating from her.
“That’s our baby…” Ken said smiling dumbly.
“Mmm…”
“When will we be able to find out the sex?” Ai asked.
“18 weeks usually. But you’ll need to come in again at 13 weeks for the next set of tests.” Felicia explained patiently.
“Will we need to get another referral from the doctor?”
“No, we’ll book the appointment for you directly once we’re done here.”
With that, Felicia took a few more photos with her machine and gave Ai a towel to wipe herself down with. They were told to wait outside while the woman got everything ready.
Around 5 minutes later, they were given a bag filled with baby product samples and the photos of the ultrasound before being sent on their way.
Ken and Ai silently left the radiology clinic, neither being able to speak.
“This is real right…?” Ken asked.
“I think so…”
“We’re going to be parents… I still feel like I’m a child myself.” Ken admitted, scratching his head.
“Well you better grow up soon, cos I’m not raising two kids at once on my own.” Ai said, letting out a giggle.
“Two kids!?” Ken grasped his heart, feeling it almost leap out of his body. “We’re having twins!?”
Ai paused and gave him a weird look. “I meant you and our child…”
“Ah… Thank goodness.”
After that, the two laughed uncontrollably together, drawing attention from a few passers by. But they didn’t care.
Only after 5 minutes later did they finally calm down.
“So when should we tell everyone?” Ken asked.
“Well…” Ai looked a little uncomfortable. “I may have already told Miho.” She admitted, looking guilty.
“Oh great, I also told Daichi…”
The two looked at each other before breaking into laughter again.
“Do they know that each other knows?” Ken asked.
Ai shook her head, “I told Miho to keep it a secret. I don’t think she would have mentioned anything yet.”
Ken’s eyes flashed with mischief, “Then we might be able to have some fun.” He said with a grin.
Ken went through his plan on their way back home. Originally, Ai thought it would be a little mean, but she soon agreed.
Upon arriving back home, Miho and Daichi were in the lounge room.
“You down for another workout?” Ken asked as he walked in.
“Sure, should I get Rohan too?”
Ken shook his head, “Let’s just do us two today.”
As they left the room, Ai sat down on the couch next to Miho, her face turning serious. “Did you tell Daichi that I was pregnant?”
Miho looked surprised, but she shook her head vehemently from side to side. “No, I would never break your trust like that.”
However, Ai let out a sigh. “Then why does he know?”
“What!?” Miho looked horrified. “Are you sure Ken didn’t tell him?”
Ai shook her head.
Meanwhile, Ken was giving a similar talk to Daichi.
“And you promise that you never told her the secret?” Ken asked, his arms crossed.
“Big bro, I promise you. I would never do that to you.” Daichi explained sincerely.
“Alright. Come back to the lounge.” Ken said, “We’ll hear what Miho has to say.”
The two arrived back in the lounge shortly after where Miho and Ai were sitting next to each other. Miho and Daichi looked at each other with confusion, not knowing what was going on.
Ken gestured for Daichi to take a seat next to his fiance.
“So, tell me why.”
“Why what?” Daichi asked, frowning. “I told you that I never gave up your secret.”
“Exactly.” Ai interjected. “Why would you keep such a secret from your fiance? You guys are meant to be partners.”
At this, both Miho and Daichi’s expression was filled with confusion.
Ken laughed seeing the sight, but he couldn’t continue with the charade anymore.
“Sorry guys. We should have never put you in that position.” Ken said, bowing slightly.
“Wait, Ai told you as well?” Daichi turned to Miho and asked.
“Ken told you?”
The two looked a little confused, but Daichi soon turned to Ken with annoyance. “Next time you tell me anything, I’m going straight to Miho to tell her.”
“Good. You guys shouldn’t keep secrets from each other.” Ken nodded with a smile.
“What secrets?” Tetsu and Naomi appeared in the lounge during the discussion, their faces full of confusion.
“Mom, Dad… I’m pregnant.” Ai blurted out before Ken could say anything.
Tetsu’s body froze as he looked between his daughter and Ken.
“KYAAAAA! I’m gonna be a grandmomma!” Naomi squealed, jumping up and down on the spot. She ran past Tetsu, right over to Ai and hugged her.
Meanwhile, Tetsu seemed like he was still processing the information.
The man walked over to Ken, looking him dead in the eyes. Without a word, he pulled him into a hug.
“Congratulations… Son.”
