Unexpected Ch.5

2 weeks later.
After Ichigo's wounds healed and Hanataro had left, Ichigo took a leave of absence from school and moved back home. Shiro was now 2 months along, the equivalent of 7 months for human women, and on strict bed rest. And it drove the albino nuts, which caused him to drive Ichigo nuts as well. The young Soul Reaper was exhausted from taking care of the pregnant hollow all by himself. Getting assistance from his family was the only way Ichigo was able to have any rest.
And his family was only too happy to help. While his younger sister Karin was indifferent as usual, his sister Yuzu loved fussing over Shiro. The brown-haired teenage girl had always been very maternal and she practically smothered him with affection. In fact, Ichigo would almost swear that Shiro was embarrassed by all the care Yuzu was giving him.
"I still can't believe it! Ichigo's gonna be a dad? Too weird! And with a hollow as a mom? I just can't wrap my mind around it! I-"
"Kon, will you do everyone a favor and shut the hell up!" Shiro snapped, glaring at the small lion plushy standing on the dresser. "I've got a major headache and you're not making it any better."
Kon huffed and crossed his arms, trying to look nonchalant and vaguely insulted. Which, being an artificial soul animating a stuffed toy, he couldn't even come close to pulling off. He looked so comical that Shiro couldn't help laughing at the sight. Though, it could have been another mood swing.
Shiro settled back onto the pillows, ignoring the look Kon gave him for laughing. He sighed slightly, wondering when Ichigo would get home. He and Yuzu had gone grocery shopping that morning and been gone all day. And with Karin at the movies and Ichigo's dad Isshin at work, Shiro was feeling lonely. Having only Kon for company wasn't much fun.
"Hello! Shiro-chan! We're home!"
'Speak of the devil and here she is,' Shiro thought as a bubbly, brown-haired girl bounced into the room. Ichigo came in behind her, carrying a small bag.
"Hi Shiro-chan," Yuzu chirruped. "How are we feeling today?"
Shiro rolled his eyes. "WE are feeling bored. How long does it take to buy food?"
"If it had been up to me, we would have been in and out of there in an hour," Ichigo said, sitting on the edge of the mattress. "But Yuzu insisted on going to 3 different places looking for baby clothes."
"Baby clothes? I thought you guys didn't know the baby's gender yet," Kon said, looking confused.
"We don't," Ichigo said sourly, shooting his sister a look.
"Well, we can't wait until the baby's born," Yuzu protested, wide-eyed. "It'll have nothing to wear! Besides, we can always return items."
"Fine, whatever," Shiro said, rolling his eyes again. "I don't care. Now if you 2 don't mind, I'd like some alone time with Ichigo."
At that, Yuzu smiled cheerfully and skipped out of the room. Kon was less accommodating, going on and on about how it was his room too and he had every right to stay and that they couldn't make him leave if he didn't want to. Ichigo finally got fed up and tossed the annoying plushy right out the window.
"Finally!" Shiro said as Ichigo sat back down. "Alone at last."
Ichigo laughed at Shiro's exasperation and embraced the albino. He ruffled the white hair fondly, kissing Shiro's cheek. Shiro grinned and swatted Ichigo away, pretending to be annoyed.
"I brought you some treats," Ichigo said. "Chocolate mints and a 6-pack of cherry soda."
"Mm, yummy," Shiro purred. "But not as yummy as you."
Shiro wrapped his arms around Ichigo's neck and pulled him down for a kiss. They kissed each other slowly and lovingly, tongues gently sliding against each other. Ichigo cupped the back of the hollow's head, fingers lightly massaging his scalp. Suddenly Shiro broke off the kiss with an 'oomph' of surprise.
"Your kid just kicked me," he stated.
"Really? Can I feel?" Ichigo asked excitedly. "…Did I really just say that?"
Shiro chuckled at Ichigo's deadpan expression, then grunted from another kick. Grinning widely, Ichigo carefully placed his hand onto Shiro's stomach. His grin broadened when he felt a thump against his palm. He felt 2 more thumps before the baby settled down.
'It's like the baby knows it's me,' Ichigo thought. "Kid's got quite a kick," he said aloud.
"No arguments here," Shiro agreed. "I'm getting bruises on the inside."
Ichigo chuckled and rolled his eyes, leaning over to kiss Shiro again. The young man then laid on his side, caressing the hollow's swelled belly. Shiro giggled, ticklish, and scooted down himself. The 2 snuggled close together as they drifted off to sleep. Completely unaware of a pair of ice-cold green eyes emotionlessly staring at the house.