NOVEL NEXT “You’re pregnant, huh? Congratulations!”
“Ah.”
“Um.”
…It’s been a while since I’ve felt like swearing.
I’ve been reducing my cursing a lot recently, but this situation… it’s hard to put into simple words.
Of course, just because I’m feeling like swearing doesn’t mean I dislike the fact that I’m pregnant, or that I’m in a bad mood.
I’m just… a bit flustered?
“…Corbin.”
“Why?”
“I think I might need to be scolded when we get home.”
“…Yeah.”
I couldn’t say that I had no worries at all. After all, I had been thinking during our travels that if we keep this up, we might actually have a second baby.
Well, that worry ended up becoming a reality, didn’t it?
Anyway, since this has happened, I’ve decided to think positively. After all, pregnancy is something to celebrate.
Of course, it wasn’t exactly when I expected it to happen.
“Since you already have experience giving birth, it should be easier than your first pregnancy. But that doesn’t mean you should exert yourself; you need to take care of your body…”
The doctor’s endless speech began, starting with the usual advice to take care of my health, how to talk to my firstborn, and how to educate them… Various explanations followed.
After listening and listening… it took about 10 more minutes before we could leave the examination room.
“…The second one.”
“…Sudden, again.”
“Yeah, really, because of someone.”
“But Lindera enjoyed it too.”
“That part is true.”
I didn’t deny it. I actually did enjoy it.
It’s just that I’m really surprised and amazed that this second pregnancy happened so suddenly.
“…Wait. So I’m the only one going back to work again?”
“Isn’t that right?”
“…Damn it.”
“Is it really right to think that way about your vice commander?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Sigh…”
Well, it was already spilled milk.
By the way, how on earth am I supposed to tell Charlotte and the boss about this…?
“I hope this child has blonde hair.”
“Charlotte would love that.”
“That could be true. She always plays with my hair.”
“She likes Lindera more than me, that’s too much.”
“Isn’t it because you keep making her play boring games?”
“Was it that bad?”
“I don’t know, but didn’t Charlotte always seem to dislike them?”
“…That’s true.”
We just chatted at a cafe on the first floor of the obstetrics and gynecology department.
They told me I was pregnant, but it’s still really early, so there wasn’t much to do, anyway I’m on leave…
“Sigh…”
Even if it’s hard to take in, this is just absurd.
Seriously.
I was working hard, suddenly got Charlotte pregnant, took a break for over a year, had a honeymoon, and now I’m on leave again for the second one.
Um…
Of course, my salary comes in normally… but that almost feels like a burden?
After all, the boss is basically my mother figure…
“Anyway, let’s tell Charlotte tonight.”
“I wonder how she’ll react.”
“I think she’ll be generally happy. She mentioned wanting a sibling before, although she seemed confused… but she seemed happy, right?”
“Sounds about right.”
“And Charlotte is such a good person. Regardless of her reaction now, when the baby is born, she’ll take great care of them.”
“That’s true. Even when she plays boring games, she doesn’t directly say it’s boring anymore.”
“…Did she give up because of Corbin’s reaction?”
“Ah. Is that so…?”
Anyway, we kept having such conversations without saying anything specific.
Our Charlotte is so kind.
I’m sure she’ll treat the new baby well.
In fact, I can’t even imagine Charlotte being anything but sweet.
“Corbin.”
“What?”
“I’ll make one thing clear, at least…”
Even though it’s still early in the pregnancy… basically, there’s really nothing yet.
I needed to firmly declare my war on Corbin.
That is, right…
“Please decide on a name before the baby is born this time…”
“Oh.”
Seriously.
Last time, after Charlotte was born, we called the baby vague names like ‘baby’ or ‘little one’ for so long that it was uncomfortable.
Not to mention, the boss really scolded me for that.
This time, for sure.
“We’re deciding quickly.”
“…Understood.”
“Something pretty, not something weird.”
“Okay, okay.”
“Both boy and girl names.”
“I’m aware…”
I had to go this far to ensure Corbin understood.
Otherwise… seriously, it just wouldn’t be done right.
*
“Yes, Boss. I’ll take care of myself. I’m already doing well with my work from before, so it’s okay. No, I think it’s alright if I don’t come in until after the baby is born. Yes… Yes, I’ll contact you again next time. Yes!”
“Yes, Mom. I’m… fine. Corbin has been really diligent compared to before! He helps with house chores too. Yes, yes. I’ll try to visit together with Charlotte next time. No, uh… Yes, understood. Take care~”
…One thing’s for sure: expressing the news of my pregnancy in my own words still feels strange.
How did I do this before?
I can’t clearly remember, but I think I was more frantic then than I am now.
“What did they say?”
“They just mentioned we should all take care of ourselves and that they’ll send healthy food.”
“That’s ordinary.”
“Indeed.”
“Are you feeling okay?”
“Absolutely fine. Other than slight morning sickness, really, there’s nothing to worry about.”
After finishing shopping with Corbin, we were on our way back home.
Charlotte was sleeping at home, while we were out shopping and contacting our parents.
After all, I had to inform them.
Telling them wasn’t difficult at all.
What’s hard is everything we have to do from now on.
“Lindera, should I tell her?”
“Hmm… do you think so?”
“Well, it should be fine, right? It’s not that hard, just informing Charlotte. It should be okay.”
“Is that so?”
Well… telling Charlotte that she’s getting a sibling shouldn’t be too hard.
But I was slightly worried personally.
Of course Charlotte is a kind person, but suddenly bringing up that she’ll have a younger sibling… I don’t think she’ll react normally.
“I don’t know how typical kids react when they get a sibling.”
“I’m not sure either.”
“Well… I suppose it’ll be okay as Corbin says.”
Probably…?
Anyway, we chatted like that until we got home.
When we entered the house, Charlotte was still sleeping.
Hmm… I think I should start preparing dinner first.
*
“This is delicious!”
“Is it really that good?”
“Yup, yup!”
“It’s super delicious!”
“If Charlotte likes it, then that’s a relief, right?”
Charlotte was enjoying dinner, clearly delighted.
She was really enjoying the fried rice I made, with her mouth stretching into a big smile.
Honestly, I’m starting to wonder if she really likes it that much, but I thought my cooking has improved since before.
At least it’s much better than her not liking it at all.
“Want another bite?”
“Yup!”
“Hehe, alright.”
I do have to explain about the second pregnancy, but first, I need to feed the child.
Besides, Corbin decided that he would handle that.
For now, we were just having family dinner.
“Charlotte.”
“Yup?”
“Dad has something to say, do you want to listen?”
“Yup?”
Just as we were about to finish our meals, Corbin spoke up to Charlotte.
It seems he’s finally prepared to say something.
Well, to be honest, there’s no immediate need to say anything right now.
My belly isn’t showing yet, and right now… it’s still really early in the pregnancy, so there’s nothing substantial.
Of course, there might be tough times and slowly a belly might start to show, but really, there’s nothing special at this point.
But both Corbin and I didn’t have the thought of not telling Charlotte.
After all, she’d find out eventually, and Charlotte is family.
“Charlotte, do you want a younger sibling?”
“A sibling?”
“Yeah, a sibling. The kind that looks a lot like Mom and Dad and is super cute.”
“Yup…?”
Well, it was a sudden thing, wasn’t it?
Suddenly asking a little kid if they want a younger sibling might throw them off a bit, right?
So, Charlotte was looking slightly puzzled, staring at Corbin.
Her face tilted a bit, too.
“A sibling?”
“Yeah, a sibling.”
“Poop baby!!”
“Do you like that?”
“Yup! I love it!”
“How much do you love it?”
“A LOT!!!”
…Well, I suppose you could say it was somewhat predictable; our good little Charlotte gave a response that I would expect.
In fact, I thought she would most likely be that happy.
Because she’s Charlotte.
She’d probably joyfully flail her arms up in the air just like now.
“When will they be born?”
“Hmm… I think it’ll take a while still?”
“Eww…”
“But if you wait slowly, you’ll get an extremely cute and pretty sibling.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, do you see me telling lies?”
“Yeah!”
“…Huh?”
“Games! Not fun!”
“…Pfft.”
Anyway, against my worries, Charlotte was incredibly happy to hear about getting a sibling.
About three times more joy than when she plays games with Corbin?
She looked way happier than when we were eating before.
Her mouth was smiling, her eyes were sparkling, she was truly adorable.
I wonder how happy she’ll be when the sibling is actually born?
I personally hope that since Charlotte has black hair, the baby would have blonde hair like me.
As for eye color… would black eyes suit blonde hair?
I’m not sure, but if the baby resembles both Corbin and me, it’ll definitely look good.
“Mom!”
“Yeah, Charlotte. What is it?”
“Please give birth to the sibling quickly!”
“Haha… I can’t really control that…”
“Quick quick!”
“Haha…”
It seems Charlotte will continue to be like this for a while.
No matter how hard I work, I don’t think I can speed up the process until the baby arrives…
“Quick!”
“I’ll try my best.”
“Yup!”
“Nope.”
“Ewww…”
It can’t be helped, Charlotte.
That’s just how reality is.