Ai enjoyed taken care of this way, the warmth and softness that came from being near him was what she wanted. But, there was an important question roaming in her mind.
"Adam… do you think I'll get pregnant?"
"What?" Taken aback Adam turned to her. It was a sudden question, but from her stance it made sense.
"You know… you let out so much… So I thought that maybe…" Ai's face flushed the more she spoke. It was embarrassing but she still felt the warmth in her belly.
She felt that it was a real possibility and the giddiness still hadn't left her.
"Well, not this time…" Her eyes widened at the words. However, disappointment was not the cause.
"Y-yeah, next time…" The blush reached her neck as she gulped.
'This time I'll have a child with someone I love…' Her heart pounded and she stole glances at Adam. He didn't show any rejection to her words and it made her happy. On the surface, he acted as if he didn't hear her.
'He is so cute,' Ai smiled when his ears turned red. He must want them too, like her.
"I think it is too early to have a child just yet," She said.
Adam tilted his head at her sudden shift in thoughts. But, considering her, this could be a simple mood switch.
"Well, we need to do some things before that," Ai's wink indicated to be that.
"Ah… yes," Adam nodded.
There were many things to solve before he thought about having a child. He had to sort out the many issues that he left hanging before.
"Yes, we need to get married, enjoy a nice honeymoon, and then we can plan our family." But Ai meant something completely different.
"I already have a rough plan in my mind, so you can leave this to me, Adam," Ai said.
She wouldn't back down from this opportunity. After all, she wanted this for the longest time. Ai longed for a proper family for as long as she could remember. That wish of hers had led her down the wrong path initially, but now Ai knew that this was correct for her.
'No, this is perfect. With him, I can make the family I wanted.' She leaned on him and held onto his shirt with a smile.
"I'll leave it to you, but if you need something tell me," Adam's arm wrapped around her and she gave her affirmation with a kiss on his lips.
She wasn't known for being modest, so if she needed something there would be no hesitation. And Adam knew of it too. But there was another thing to Ai.
"So, are you going to leave?" She could somehow feel it because of the connection they formed. Ai wanted this feeling to be wrong, but her heart sank further when he nodded.
"Maybe I shouldn't have acted to be sleeping…" Ai's eyes lowered.
She noticed the clock coming to a halt. So, she refused to get off him. It was comfortable, and she wanted to spend more time that way, with no useless thoughts she wanted to enjoy that moment. But that selfish behavior is what caused their actual time to shrink.
"It is fine. I won't be away for long." Adam patted her head with a smile. It wasn't a big deal either way.
"And if you miss me a lot you can use the card to visit me." Her eyes lit up in an instant.
"Really?" She took the gamble this time. But, this solved all her problems. However, things weren't simple.
"Well, there are some rules. If you visit three times in a row and don't make a contract the card will be revoked and you will lose access to the shop." With cold water poured all over her, Ai pouted.
"What fussy rules! Aiya!" She punched his chest but ended up hurting herself. Her hand throbbed in pain; it was like hitting an iron wall. It gave a completely different feel from when she slept on top of him.
'I forgot about how reinforced the shirt is…' Adam coughed as tears gathered in her eyes.
"It is not that I make the rules. So, you can either wait for me here or make a random contract if you can't handle it," He took her fair hand into his and kissed the delicate fingers. The dim golden light which covered them sunk deep into her hand. Like that, a soothing feeling overtook the pain.
"That's fair right?" He asked as Ai blushed.
"That's not fair at all!" Even with those words, her body leaned into his arms. Because it was fair, and she didn't mind making some random contracts to be near him.
'It is completely fair...'
.
.
.
"I am home Mama!" Ruby jumped into Ai's arms as soon as the door opened.
"Welcome back!" And she met an equally jovial Ai. Aqua closed the door behind him with a sigh, it would be a problem if someone saw their mother here.
'How can they be so careless?' But, soon he too got wrapped up in his mother's arms.
"Welcome back Aqua!" Affection dripped from her words to her actions. These few days when they could be a normal family were as precious to her as they were to them. And she did everything to make them memorable.
"I-I am Home," In the end, he decided to forget about the problem. It was alright to let loose a little sometimes, this was all for Ai's mental health.
Oblivious to his thoughts, Ai took them to their room and helped them change into regular clothes. Now they sat down in the living room enjoying the silent everyday life, but today was a special day.
"Mama, are we going to have a birthday party like always?" Ruby couldn't contain her joy.
Their birthday nights were always special to them. On this day they would go out to a restaurant and have food with Ai in public. It was a day when they could be openly photographed with her.
'I don't think that will be possible now.' Aqua groaned.
Normally they disguised themselves as Ichigo and Miyako's children who happened to get a dinner with their favorite Idol Ai. It was easy to write this birthday dinner off with their 'parents' connection who owned Ai's agency.
"We won't be eating out today," As expected Ai shook her head.
Because of how big Strawberry Productions got with her rise to stardom. Gossip about Ichigo's marriage breaking down was circulated. The agencies kept an eye on everything. especially any news regarding a rapidly growing agency like Ai's got around quickly. So, realistically they couldn't go out in this situation.
"I see…" Ruby was downcast.
As much as she loved Ai, she also enjoyed her connection with Miyako. That woman may have been a troublesome one at the start, but as they grew on her. She too became an important part of their lives.
'To us, she is like our second mother,' Even Aqua couldn't escape that bond.
"Don't sulk, I invited them over for dinner at home and they agreed." Ai patted their heads with a smile.
"Really?" Ruby's face brightened up as her lovely mother nodded. She cheered, at least they could have the usual family dinner she always looked forward to.
"I also have a real big surprise for you all today," However, Ai's word drew their attention more.
"Oh! What is it?" Ruby couldn't hide her excitement.
"It is a secret," Ai winked and left the room before Ruby could push for answers.
"Ah!!! No fair!" Ruby rushed after her but Aqua froze on the couch.
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this?"
Aqua didn't know why but that wink and the way she spoke. It had the same energy when he talked with Ai on that hospital rooftop before her delivery.
And he was correct.
At the end of the dinner which was slightly fun and a little awkward. Ai dropped a bomb on them all with her next move.
"I will soon marry Adam."
This was the first time they heard her say his name out loud. But that was the last of their worries.
'Where are you, Uncle Adam?' Aqua could never forget the three faces that showed unimaginable horror that day.
It truly was a memorable day. But not in a good way.