Rainbow Days Side Stories

That night had been one of many nights that I stayed over. Enough so, I was a regular face to them all. I helped out when I had spare time, when waiting on her for one of our dates. I think her roommates actually took a liking to me. Even invited me to hang out with them when she wasn't around either. No one accused me of anything terrible. We were all friends. I had friends here.

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After that first night together, though, we'd decided to be a bit more careful in the future. It'd been embarrassing as one might expect, but the local clinic had very kind doctors and nurses that had seen it all and put us both at ease when we visited. Our relationship seemed so obvious and naturally there that by the time she told her parents, Okaasan had merely heaved a sigh and said,

 

"About darn time! Was wondering when the two of you would stop dillydallying around!"

 

Her father, Monroe, grumbled about it but Raina seemed stubborn enough to warn him about his behavior, even though I promised him I would never her hurt. Ever. He didn't really seem to believe it, but he accepted it. The only thing he grumbled about was

"I still except the pair of you to keep a lid on it when you visit and you're still sleeping in her sister's room."

 

I didn't argue. I was simply glad he wasn't hostile towards me. Our lives stayed much the same, blissful, really, until one day in spring when Raina began to take ill. Worried something was wrong, we went to the college clinic for help. I was still in my first year. I'd barely dipped a toe into the medical knowledge that I would need to figure it out on my own. I didn't want to risk her. So, we went. A new doctor was there and he wasn't the kindest one. In fact, his bedside manners made me protective over Raina and vowed she'd never have to go through such a harsh thing again. But we got what we needed from that person.

 

Afterwards, we went home- her home- and sat on her bed for quite some time before the subject was even broached.

 

"So," She said lightly, not looking at me but at her hands, " I'm pregnant."

 

I swallowed, "What would you like to do?" I asked her uncertain. The thought- prospect of a child now was enormous. I don't think I would have trouble helping raise it at all, financially speaking, but I didn't want to impose anything on her. I wanted her to have the right to do whatever she would like. It would be fine if she ended it in favor of her career. We had all the time in the world together to start a family on our terms. A family. I liked that. I've had a taste of it and it's something I found I would crave often. But that's my own desires.

 

She breathed out, then ran her fingers through her cloud-like hair. Picking at the coils and curls as she thought deeply about it all.

"Would you hate me?" She asked quietly, sounding almost fearful of my response. "I've known guys that hated their girlfriends for either decision. They treat them terribly for it. Or, they simply just leave them." She turned to me, tears shimmering in her eyes, "I just don't want you to hate me, Ru. I- I could stand it if you leave me because of it but I don't think I could bear having you hate me for it."

 

I blinked. Hate her? Without a word, I pulled her into a tight hug, kissing her temple, " I could never hate you, Ina." I said quietly, " I don't want to pressure you into making your decision. I know we were careful and accidents happen, but I will love you still no matter what choice you make. In the end, I just want you to be happy."

 

I don't know what she thought, but she held onto me as she cried into my chest. I just held her until the tears dried and she could speak again without coughing. She stayed curled up with me for some time. I didn't say anything. Just hummed softly some half forgotten melody and rubbed her back. The future, I think, changed dramatically then. I don't know what to expect anymore. Maybe I just hoped it would turn out to be a good one.

 

"I want to keep it." Raina said, her voice muffled a little. "I want a family with you. I- I know it's going to be hard with school and this, and everything but I think...I think it'll work out." She lifted her head to look at me, "What do you think?"

 

I smiled, " I want that too."

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Her parents weren't exactly 'thrilled' but her sister, Lakeisha, was. Lakeisha, whom I had met the second time I visited Raina's family, was definitely a woman that spoke her mind. She loved Raina as if Raina was her own and had given me a 'proper talking to' as she puts it, when she met me. Which was before Raina and I even started officially dating.

It also didn't help that Lakeisha just had her own baby, a boy named Deshaun, who was a few months old at the time. She and her husband passed the baby off to us and said,

"Looks like it's practice for you two."

 

Joke's on them. This isn't the first time I had to look after an infant. Still, it was nice. Raina and I were actually good at that. Taking time during spring break to break the news to them helped. Before coming down, we had prepared ourselves for a fight. Raina already planning to run away with me if it came to it. I think she was more afraid of what would happen if she had to fight them. No one wanted to fight.

 

It just so happened it ended well enough. Though they were already asking if we were going to get married. I was really uncomfortable because I hadn't asked her yet. I wanted to find the perfect ring first. It's enough so that, Markel, Lakeisha's husband, pulled me aside after dinner one night to talk to me.

 

"Listen, I know how they can get." He said, with and easy going smile, " Keish and I had the same issues when I married her. Of course you two are doing it a little backwards but I think you're a good dude. You'll make a good partner for her, so what's the hold up?"

 

" I don't have the right ring yet." I admitted, looking out at the backyard, " I want it to be special and unique, just like her."

 

"Seriously? Is that all?" Markel laughed then patted my back, " My man, I got a great place in mind. Let's go out tomorrow and see if we can't find one for her?"

 

"I'd be honored." I said smiling back.

 

I didn't realize how many jewelry stores there were in this city. Yet, most of them didn't have what I was looking for. There had to be a special one that I thought she should have. Discouraged, I tried to rack my mind on what would be the best stone for her. Until it popped into my head. I turned to Markel and asked,

 

"Do you know any jeweler that has this blue stone called the Star Iolite?"

 

"No, but I can find out."

 

It had taken until the end of our trip to get it done, but I had it. The velvety black ring box burned a hole in my pocket as we were packing up to go. I glanced over at Markel and nodded, and he helped usher the family into the kitchen so it would just be Raina and I in the living room. It wasn't really private, but it was enough.

 

"Where'd everyone go?" Raina asked, first time noticing that we were alone, "They're not going to let us load this all by ourselves, right?"

 

"They won't." I assured her, nervously fidgeting with the box in my pocket, " Raina, I have something I want to tell you."

 

She turned those bright green eyes to me, a smile already on her lips, "What is it?"

 

I got down on one knee and could see her eyes widen and her lips form a small 'o'. I brought the box out and opened it, " I truly, want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?"

 

She looked around frantically before looking down at me, " You don't have to do this just because I'm pregnant. Or did they put you up to it?"

 

I laughed softly, " No one put me up to it, I promise. I really wanted to marry you before, I just didn't have the right ring."

 

"Are you sure?" She asked again, tentatively smiling, " I can be a handful."

 

"I'm sure, so are you going to keep me on the floor forever?"

 

She folded her arms, cocking her hip a bit with a grin, " I don't know, I kinda like you on your knees."

 

"Raina."

 

"Ok! Ok!" She laughed softly taking the box, " I'll marry you, Mamoru Chiba."

 

"ABOUT TIME!" We heard from the kitchen as the rest of the family came out. "Knew you'd do right by my baby girl, Mamoru!" Okaasan said. "Oh! I cannot wait~!"

 

Raina just shook her head and looked over at me, " You do know you get this as part of the package deal, right?"

 

"I had a notion." I told her laughing a little.

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The months flew by as did the wedding.  It wasn't a large affair, but a small one with her family and a few friends.  I had Motoki, his sister- Unazuki, Reika, Saori and her boyfriend, and Ittou fly out to stand as my witnesses too.  Poor Asanuma.  He was having a hard time speaking English, though Reika seemed to be very well versed and helped him and Motoki out from time to time.   Unazuki seemed to be able to have a passable conversation as did Saori, though her boyfriend remained somewhat awkwardly quiet.

    Hearing my native tongue made me realize that I missed it.  I missed hearing it a lot. During the 'reception' as it were, we had rented out a nice small place to hold the wedding and reception at the same time. It was a friend of a friend situation, so it was cheaper than most venues.  It had some nice scenery of the nearby forest with a small pond not too far away.   Stepping out into the night air, I enjoyed the quiet breeze that blew by.   For the first time, I wondered about her- about Usagi and the other girls.  I wondered how they were doing. 

   "Mamoru?"  Raina's sweet voice called to me. "Needed some air?"   

   I turned to look at her. She was a vision, really. Dressed in white and pale pink, her dress made her look like a princess.  My princess.  Flowers in her hair, her hair done up in curls that fell down her shoulders and to her waist.  When her cloud-like hair wasn't in it's normal floaty state, it could be straightened out and curled to such a length.  It was rather fascinating. Even without obvious magic, she was magical.

   "Yeah, I was getting a bit overwhelmed." I told her, offering my hand to her, " You're beautiful."

   She rolled her eyes, " You said that fifty times already." But the smile showed she wasn't annoyed, " Though I wouldn't mind hearing it again."

   "So spoiled." I chuckled, kissing her forehead.  That's when I could feel it. The energy within her that shifted somewhat.  I stayed like that, searching for the source before I realized what I was feeling was our child.  It's small still, but so very clearly there. The more I felt the energy the more I realized that it may have inherited something of myself.  That's when it hits me.  My child will have magic.  My child will most likely take after me.   The Implications of that delighted me but at the same time, dread began to grow. What if-?

   "Mamoru?"  Raina stepped back to look up at me, "Is something wrong?"

   I smiled and shook my head, " No, nothing's the matter."  I wrapped my warms around her again, holding both, " Nothing at all."

   We stayed like that until her sister called to her for something.  She left, giving me a quick kiss first.   I watched after her for a while before turning to look out again for a few more moments.   I sensed, rather than saw,  Motoki move out beside me.  He offered me a cigarette from his pack, I declined. 

   "Those things will kill you, you know." I said casually. 

   "Considering I live in monster capital of the world, I'll take my chances."  He said, pulling one out and lighting it. He took a drag before saying, "I'm surprised, to be honest. I thought I'd be at a thing like this with you and Usagi getting married."

   I didn't flinch, though I looked down, "So did I, once.  But we couldn't agree with some things."

   "It happens like that.  No judgement, but are you sure about this?"  With a fugitive glance back at the party inside, he looked back at me, " I mean, what if those monsters start attack again? What will you do then?  Have you even told her about all the crazy stuff that happens?"

   I shook my head, " I will. Besides, I can protect her. I'm not that person I was before." I looked at my hands, " I will not be that weak."

   "What about Usagi? Are you going to tell her?"  He gestures, " About any of this?"

   "I don't think it would be a good idea. Besides, she has her own life now, Motoki. Let her have that. Let her find someone that can make her happy all the time, because I'm not that person."  I exhaled out slowly, "I don't really want anyone of her circle to know.  Especially since..."  I glanced over at him, " I'm going to be a father."

   "What?" He yelped, then calmed himself, " Is that why you're getting married?"

   "No!" I hissed, " Don't be absurd! I did it because I love her, you idiot." 

   "Well, I guess, congratulations are in order."  He said after a while, " Man, Chiba, you do not do anything in halves, do you?"

   "Thanks."  I said dryly, "Besides, I think I'm going to look forward to a quiet life.  There shouldn't be anything to worry about."   I'm lying, just a little, but I dared to hope it to be true. If I say it enough, would it become reality?

   "I hope so." Motoki took one last drag on his cigarette before putting it out and throwing it away, "I better get back in there.  Reika's having too much fun."

I snorted, " When are you two going to get married?"

   "When she finishes her master thesis."  He grinned proudly, "She's done such good work, you know? I'm proud of her. She says sometime next year, so I'm counting down the days until I'm a married man like you."

   "It'll look good on you."  I said amused before rejoining the party. Leaving thoughts of other things- and people behind. 

    I wished I had paid more attention. To everything.

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