Life Goes On

Scene 74 ------------------------------------------- Two Hours Later

* After searching for over an hour, Ryuji had finally found the information they'd been searching for. Unfortunately, they'd also learned why Kichiro had always made Pehjo abort any of his pregnancies. Now, the two of them are back in their quarters contemplating what they've learned. Pehjo silently rubs his belly as Ryuji paces anxiously back and forth across the livingroom. When he finally stops to look down at his mate Pehjo looks up at him.


Pehjo- (Quietly) Well, this explains why neither Dasan nor I could remember our mothers.. Just our Father..


* Ryuji starts to turn away to start pacing again, but Pehjo reaches up to grab his arm stopping him.


Pehjo- I'm so sorry, Ryu.. If I'd known..

Ryuji- What? - You would have refused me?

Pehjo- No..


* Ryuji looks back down at Pehjo.


Pehjo- I would have warned you.. so you could have rejected me.


* Ryuji swallows and looks away.


Ryuji- I won't lie to you.. no more, Peh.. I felt us.. connect.. as soon as we met..


* Ryuji raises his free hand to rub his eyes, then slumps down onto the couch beside his mate.


Ryuji- (Quietly) Peh, I won't.. expect you to.. keep them.. Not now that we know..


* Pehjo looks at Ryuji quickly.


Pehjo- It's still my decision, though.. Right?


* Ryuji looks at Pehjo. For several moments, neither speaks. Finally Pehjo breaks the uneasy silence.


Pehjo- Pease, Ryu.. Please let me carry these ones.. I need to..

Ryuji- We're talking about your life here!

Pehjo- No.. This is about their life..


* Pehjo looks back down at his belly.


Pehjo- Theirs.. and all the others I didn't have a choice about..


* Ryuji looks away again. Knowing that his mate feels his sadness and guilt, but not wanting Pehjo to see the proof of it in his eyes.


Pehjo- I want to keep them, Ryu.. I know that you'll be a wonderful Father to them..


* Ryuji uses his inner jagan to put up a barrier around his thoughts. Pehjo has learned to respect his Alpha's desire for privacy. Although it puzzles him, the skink doesn't use his ability to see through the barrier. Finally, Ryuji looks at Pehjo when he yawns.


Ryuji- (Quietly) If that is what you want.. I will honor it.


* Ryuji stands and offers Pehjo a hand to help him up. As soon as his mate is on his feet Ryuji pulls him into an embrace.


Ryuji- Be prepared, my mate, for the most pampered month.. of your life.


* Pehjo glances up at Ryuji timidly, then wraps his arms around him. Ryuji scoops Pehjo up and carries him to their bedroom. When the skink is all settled in Ryuji forces himself to smile as he strokes one of his mate's cheeks.


Ryuji- Are you hungry?

Pehjo- Starving.. But I'm so sleepy..

Ryuji- You rest, then, while I go make supper tonight.

Pehjo- Ryu,.. I want us to be happy about these new lives..


* Ryuji slowly nods.


Ryuji- I'll.. do my best.. when we're together.. Okay?


* Pehjo nods. Ryuji stays until his mate is well asleep. This will give Pehjo at least a couple hours to sleep while he prepares the meal. Then Ryuji stands and goes out into the hallway. He staggers a moment, but braces himself up against the wall on the other side of the hallway. He curses himself and the fates silently until he realizes that he now knows what Yusuke must be going through. Ryuji mentally shakes himself and continues on to the kitchen. His first priority is to his own mate for now. His mate that will give his own life to deliver the three young ones he's carrying. Ryuji pushes aside any other questions for now in lieu of preparing the meal dutifully.