This wasn’t a day that was supposed to come.Or at least, he wasn’t prepared for it. In agreement to helping with chores, Karamatsu took it upon himself to make sure the laundry was taken care of. Both his, his spouses, and his daughters. An easy feat, he’s done it more times than he could count.  ...Until he found it.  In his shaking hands was a garment unexpected: a black thong. Now it would be safe to say that an assumption could be made that this was his beloved’s piece of underwear - except the sizing was two sizes too small, and if they’d had bought a piece of clothing such as this, Karamatsu would have absolutely seen it by now. Putting two and two together, the poor blue Matsu’s face turned pale. His initial reaction was to scream, but he held himself together long enough to drop the item. His hands grabbed fistfuls of his hair as he tried to make sense of what he was seeing.  “Has time really passed so quickly?” he said quietly to himself. It couldn’t have been. Just the other day she was learning to walk...and then suddenly she was sixteen. The mere idea of his daughter in anything even remotely scantily clad made him want to only hold onto her tighter whenever he hugged her. Soon she’d be driving a car, going to college, finding love... “NOOO!” Karmamatsu wailed into his pile of sweaters, “THIS CAN’T BEEEE!” Fists clutched, he wiped the tears that streamed from his face, “My little princess?! Wear such risqué clothing?! Interested in BOYS?! The mere thought seeks to kill this paternal spirit of mine!” It was all too much for Karamatsu to bear, being the doting father that he was, he just could not grasp the idea of his daughter slowly becoming a young woman - even if this was the way he had to come to that crossroads. He slowly tiptoed over to his daughter’s room to see that she was busy listening to some music and calmly painting her nails. Karamatsu felt a pang his chest; the mixture of guilt and sadness hit him harder than he expected. Karamatsu returned to the laundry room, a hard truth at his feet. He carefully picked up the thong, tossing it into the washing machine with the rest of her clothes. One long, somber look was passed to the apparatus as he said aloud,  “...She’s growing up. I can’t believe it.”  Karamatsu struggled with the notion. However, somewhere deep inside of him, he fought to find hope. A father’s job was never truly done. He had still had more years with her left. More to teach her. More chances to watch her grow and feel nothing short of pride as he always had. With a bit of renewed vigor, he posed, finger pointing to sky, “The road is still long, dear daughter, and papa has much still to teach about the many roads that one will travel in life!”  A moment passed before he put his arm down, and he slowly sobered from his flair. A more withered smile struck his face; he reached for the detergent, inputting the wash settings and starting the load. She really was a teenager now, his little girl...but he was sure she’d grow up to be a wonderful young adult.  

A bundle of nerves was an understatement. You sat at the living room table, waves of unease and utter excitement churning within you. It was originally planned for you to tell both of Osomatsu’s parents today - but Matsuzo had unexpectedly forgotten about a company wide outing he was required to attend. So that left you with just your mother-in-law to share the news with for now. You and Osomatsu were expecting. It’d been about three weeks since you took the test. Two pink red lines that nearly made you faint - out of being thrilled or terrified, you weren’t really sure. Pieces of different emotions crossed your expression as you met your significant other in the kitchen. The sound of a fresh beer being cracked open filled the air and soon a quick glugging to follow.  “Osomatsu are you really drinking right now? At a time like this?!” A refreshed sigh, “Of course! And honestly you should be too - look how nervous you are!” Your head connected with your hand, “Osomatsu...I can’t drink.” A look of confusion at first  - then he quickly switched to realization, “Mm, that’s right. Well - either way, just relax. I promise she won’t smother you...maybe.”  Maybe?! Frazzled was beginning to sound more correct in terms of how you were feeling. You found your way to a seat, inhaling and exhaling in an attempt to unwind your mind. Breaking waves, a really good bowl of mac and cheese, the warmth of Osomatsu’s hugs...he’d make a great father, wouldn’t he? Thoughts of Osomatsu laughing with a tiny hand wrapped around his finger - it was a reality you would soon face. Nervous as you were telling Matsuyo, and even moreso because you’ve never been a parent before, somehow you felt Osomatsu was...ready. More ready than you, even. Maybe...maybe you really could do this after all. In the midst of you trying to calm yourself, you heard the front door slide open. “Osomatsu! This had better be good - I was on my way to buy groceries!” Immediately, a rough chill slid up your spine.  You can do this. You can do this. This was meant to be happy news, so why were you so apprehensive?  “Oh! Well hello dear, Osomatsu didn’t tell me you’d be home,” came Matsuyo’s voice. She sat across from you, cheery smile and eyes hidden behind glared lenses. “So...” she began, “what’s going on that Osomatsu was in such a hurry to have me here?”  You gulped, “W-Well Matsuno-san, I...w-we...”  “We’re having a baby, mom.”  Your jaw dropped at the blunt statement - how could he be so honest so quickly?! Your head turned to your mother-in-law, who wore a blank expression. She rose slowly from the table and turned toward you, “...Is this true?” With a lip snatched between your teeth, you nodded. Silence filled the room.  Before you had the opportunity to cut it, explaining that though you and Osomatsu were young, you were married and felt that you were ready for a child - even if you were terrified of the new experience. A soft tremble came from Matsuyo, and soon, tears. Osomatsu cracked a small smile, “Aw mom, c’mon...don’t cry.” A hand flew to her face, “How could I not...” and she lifted her head, a tender smile catching you somewhat off guard, “My little NEET is having a baby!” Through her tears she hugged you both, almost becoming incoherent in her joy. Your initial fears were melted in her embrace, and all you could think of in that moment was how happy you were that she was happy.  After some tea and a quick lunch that you whipped up for the three of you, you finally felt yourself relax. Across the table, your husband hung his head in defeat, “- and you must always make sure you pay close attention to how you sleep at night next to her, if you roll too close you could hurt her-” “Yes, ma...” “Don’t you dare say no when she asks for back rubs, you can’t imagine how stressful it is carrying all that for nine months!” “...I know, ma.” “You’d better be on your best behavior Osomatsu, do not stress her out!” “I won’t, ma.”  You couldn’t help but laugh a little bit, she cared so much for your well being - enough to set her son straight for a solid hour.  At the end of her visit, she hugged you both once more, a little longer than the last. Matsuyo sniffed back more tears, the realization of her newfound grandmotherhood sinking in once more. Her hands found yours in your parting of embrace, “...I know you’re scared and worried. I was too - and I have no doubt in my mind that you’ll figure it all out. No one is ever truly ready, but you are not alone in all of this,” she lent you a warm smile, “I will always be here for you both, don’t forget that, okay? You’re welcome to ask me for anything if you need it.” You felt tears pricking at your own eyes this time, “Thank you.” She beamed brightly before turning to Osomatsu and opting to stare instead, “...Remember what I said, Osomatsu.” He waved her off nonchalantly, “Yes, yes, ma, I won’t forget.”  “Oh! That reminds me, I forgot to tell you all about what to do when the baby’s here!”  The groan your husband let out was nearly deafening. You giggled regardless; maybe that’s what he meant by her being smothering. 

Shit...so the buzzing came from him. Should’ve known, the way he’s attached to that thing.  “You’re fucking nuts if you think, A: you’re going out wearing nothing but a bra, B: that you’re going out at all!” Todomatsu yelled, arms going up in anger. “It’s like 1 in the morning, there’s literally nothing you should be doing right now but sleeping, are you kidding?!”  “Ughhh Daddy, okay, I’m sorry!” she retorted, rolling her eyes. He watched her stomp back toward her room, his eyes narrowing in annoyance, “Yeah, you should be! About to have me up all night worrying about you?! Ridiculous!”  She sighed as she listened to her father drone on, jumping near out of her skin when his fist tapped the door, “You’ll thank me when you’re in your twenties and then all you’ll ever wanna do is sleep!”  Her head hit her pillow, a loud groan escaping her as he continued. “Oh my God, Daddy go to bed!” she whined.  Sneaking out was not worth this. 

She stared at you in confusion, voice falling flat, “...But I want that one.”  You chewed your lip, fretting already this wouldn’t end well. Lowering to her level, you stroked her hair gently, “Honey, I don’t that’s very nice to replace Daddy’s bear with a new bear. You don’t wanna make your bear at home sad, do you?”  “Why can’t I have both bears?”  You sighed, “Because you already one friend. Play with that friend first and then we can add more friends.”  The silence that came over her was concerning, but you took her hand and kept the two of you moving back towards your house. It wasn’t until you brought it up again at home (when she wouldn’t look at you), that she let loose her frustration. Now here you two were, arguing about a little teddy bear. Your husband came in shortly after you two returned, groceries in his arms. Quickly setting the bags down on the nearby table, he raced over to see the commotion. “H-Hey! What’s wrong?!” “Daddy! Mommy is being a meanie!” your daughter cried, pointing at you. Karamatsu looked over to you, a question forming on his features. You sighed, combing your fingers through your hair, “She saw a teddy bear at the toy shop on the way home and she’s insisting on having it, even though I already told her she has a teddy here to play with”, your voice raised at the end of that to insinuate you were talking to her. Karamatsu looked at you both, a bit nervous at the tension.  “You’re just evil, that’s why you don’t want me to have both bears!”  Before you could retort, she took Karamatsu’s gift and began hitting your legs. You stared at your daughter in disbelief, “Hey! Stop that! You’re gonna hurt Mommy!”  “Hmph! Good! Then you can hurt like I hurt!”  At the sight of your daughter trying her best to do damage to you with the plush animal, Karamatsu dove in to intervene. He pulled the little girl away from you, taking the bear from her hands.  “Now that’s enough, young lady! We don’t hit in this house!” Karamatsu’s brows were furrowed in slight anger, voice stern as he took his daughter over to the living room. He placed her on the couch, kneeling to her eye level. You watched from the doorway of her bedroom as he spoke, “You’re going to sit here and think about your actions. We need to be happy with the things we have, sweet pea. There are people in this world who have nothing at all,” he softened a tad as she saw her start to cry. Biting his back his urge to hold his crying child, he continued, “Mommy and I want you to know that. We always want what’s best for you because we love you. You already have a bear friend, sweetheart. Let’s be happy we have him, okay?” When she nodded her head reluctantly, tears streaming down her face, Karamatsu stood slowly, “I’ll come get you when dinner is finished, pumpkin” and with that, he gently pat her head and returned to your side. You were impressed by his tact, authoritative and serious was a good look for him, you thought. He wrapped his arms around your waist slowly, head resting on your shoulder.  “...We need to hurry up and make dinner.” he mumbled. When you noticed he was shaking behind you, you turned your head over his shoulder to catch the tears welling in his eyes, “I don’t wanna l-leave her there t-too long.”  You scoffed at your tearful husband, but your heart couldn’t help but melt. He was such a tender man and you loved that about him. Giving him a quick kiss, you pulled him into the kitchen to prepare your meal. A speedy fifteen minutes passed and you were done. You had to be thankful for your husbands superb cooking skills. Whipping anything into full meals seemed to be a specialty of his. He approached your daughter with caution, inviting her to the table. She walked over hesitantly, her cheeks rough with dried up tears. Without saying anything, she came up to and wrapped her arms around you,  “I’m so sorry, Mommy. You weren’t being the meanie...I was,” she looked up at you, fresh tears forming, “Please don’t be mad at me, Mommy, I promise I’ll be good and I won’t make Daddy’s teddy feel sad!”  How could you stay sad at such a sweet little face?  “I forgive you, honey; and I love you.”  She squeezed tighter, “I love you too, Mommy.”  Karamatsu scooped her up in his arms, holding her with one arm, the other coming around your waist, “Well, I love both of my ladies! Now I think it’s time we eat before dinner gets cold, hm?”  Your daughter jumped from his arms, “Yeah, yeah! I’m hungry!” Karamatsu let out a quiet laugh, moving to kiss you on the cheek, “Shall we, darling?” he said, moving to set the plates. Paying him a soft smile, you looked over to the table. Karamatsu turned to serve your daughter a spoonful of stir fry. The sound of her giggle, and hearing him laugh right along with her gave you a sense of peace.  You knew parenting wasn’t easy, but damn was it worth it. 

A soft cry woke him from his rest. At first, thinking he was hearing something in a dream, he scanned the room. All was silent for the most part, eyes falling over your sleeping frame. Suddenly he heard the stirring and wailing of his daughter in the next room. Being that he was awake, he left you to sleep peacefully. Parenthood was equal share, and Karamatsu knew you deserved your rest. His gaze lingered over you quickly, thumb grazing his wedding ring until he finally turned to head toward the baby.  Her tiny limbs were moving restlessly, crying out in distress. Karamatsu scooped her up gently in his arms, one hand cradling the back of her head. She didn’t seem like she needed to be changed...and it wasn’t time for her to be fed yet either. Thinking something might’ve been bothering her, he looked over the room to search for anything out of place. Over by the corner of the room, he found a baseball-shaped rattle (courtesy of Uncle Jyushimatsu), that had bounced to the floor. Picking up the thing, he noticed that as it shook, the beads inside were quite loud. It must’ve fallen off the bureau and startled her awake, Karamatsu rationed. He placed the rattle in a nearby drawer, being careful as he held her with one arm. Now with both hands free, he stroked his daughter’s back in soothing circles.  He rocked her slowly, nose pressed lightly to her head as she shushed her sobs.  “There, there, my little princess, Daddy has you now...” he kissed the top of her head and she hiccuped, sobs beginning to quiet down. In an effort to bring her back to a peaceful slumber, he held her close and began a mellow lullaby. Karamatsu rocked her still, humming soft notes into the air, slow and dulcet in tone. He felt her cuddle up against him, tears steadily stopping as he sang. He stepped over to her crib, laying her down gingerly. He tensed when she stirred, voice halting in his throat for a second - but she finally relaxed, settling to the sounds of her father’s humming. Karamatsu quieted his humming just a hint, finding her blanket to cover up. As he did so, he trailed off his lullaby, hand coming over her head to softly stroke her scalp and cup her little cheek. She let out a soft, sleepy sigh of contentment at his touch. He felt his heart swell with emotion, looking down at his sleeping daughter. There was so much life in her already, and it warmed him to know she felt at ease hearing him sing. He bent over quickly to kiss her forehead,  “Only the sweetest of dreams I pray for you, firefly.”  Karamatsu crept quietly out of the bedroom, finally rejoining you in your bed. His arms wrapped around your middle and you moaned softly, still deep in slumber. He kissed your shoulder and let sleep take him once more, his last thought being of how elated he was both as a husband...and a father.