From Love Comes Great Joy, Part 15 : Good things come to those who wait

Marik sighed for the twelfth time that day, sliding down the wall he was lying on and trying not to break down.

A day ago, he awoke alone in his bed with no Malik in sight. He searched everywhere for him with no luck until the late afternoon, along with Isis and Rishid, they found him locked in the spare bathroom. Nothing they said or did would get him out and the spirit of the Millennium Rod cursed himself for installing a really thick door on there. Not only that, but Malik’s due date had already passed and he could go into labor any minute now.

“Please be alright Malik,” Marik whispered, trying not to shudder. Why did his husband have to be so difficult at this crucial time?

Click.

Marik lifted his head in hope as he heard the door unlocked, opening the slightest bit. He walked over, cautiously placing a hand on the door knob.

“Malik,” he called, “May I come in?”

No response. Marik slowly turned the knob and opened the door, eyes widening at what he saw inside.

Upon the bathroom floor surrounded by candy wrappers and such, was a beautiful, pregnant woman. Her platinum blond hair slid past her shoulder blades and shone in the bathroom light, skin toned brown like milk chocolate. When she opened her lavender eyes, the yami knew instantly that this was his Malik.

“Marik,” Malik whispered, taking his hand, “I’m-aaaaaaargh!”

“Hold on love,” Marik grunted as he lifted Malik into his arms, “I’ll get you to the hospital.”

* * * *

Yugi couldn’t help but laugh as he grandfather made funny faces at Kamui, who would give off either a smile or a coo each time. He was glad Sugoroku loved his great grandchildren very much and was willing to baby-sit both for the night.

Yami came in with Nashwa and Sugoroku took her from him, rubbing her nose with his finger and making her laugh. Yami watched with adoration, then joined his husband as they went upstairs.

“They are such a miracle Aibou,” Yami mused, feeling his heart swell.

“Indeed they are Yami,” Yugi smiled warmly as they went into their room where Nikore was waiting.

* * * *

Bakura twitched his nose, lost in thought as he stared at the task at hand for him. Miyoko stared back, moving her arms and legs about and cooing. James just shook his head at his son-in-law and Ryou tried to refrain from laughing.

“I thought you said you knew how to do this,” the hikari of the Millennium Ring stated.

“I never really did this with a real baby before,” Bakura said in defense, Miyoko giggling.

“Here,” Ryou sighed, taking the diaper away from her husband and went to work on her daughter, “There’s nothing really to it.”

“Hmph,” Bakura snorted. To be quite honest, when he gazed at his beautiful daughter’s eyes, he lost all knowledge at the task at hand and was content at just looking at the small miracle he and Ryou made.

* * * *

“The doctor will be in shortly to check upon you,” the nurse said after Marik and Malik were settled in, “Please be patient.”

Malik gave off another yell as the nurse left, Marik whispering reassurances within her ear to calm her down. He never realized just how painful childbirth can be and vowed to never get pregnant himself.

“Mr. Ishtar,” Dr. Gate called out as he walked in, and Marik nodded. The doctor walked in and began examining Malik, who was in too much pain to notice.

“When was Malik’s due date,” Dr. Gate asked.

“Close to two days ago,” Marik answered.

“And how long has he been having contractions?”

“I...don’t know. She holed herself up in the bathroom before the due date.”

Dr. Gate nodded at the information, considering he won’t get any out of Malik at this point in time. “We will get an anesthesiologist up here to give her an epidural and once that’s done, I’ll break her bag of water so we can get this birth started. She’s already four centimeters dilated, so we must work fast. Otherwise, any drugs we give Malik will affect the baby as well. I’ll be back soon.”

Marik nodded as Dr. Gate left, then turned to Malik.

“Why Malik,” he had to ask, “Why did you locked yourself away like that? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“I thought you wouldn’t find me attractive anymore,” Malik almost whined bitterly, talking through his pain, “I was scared at how you would react.”

“You will always be beautiful to me,” Marik said comfortly, looking straight into his ‘wife’s eyes to show he wasn’t lying, “Even now, Lady Isis must have made you, for you are the most precious treasure to me right now. Not even a pile of giant diamonds would make me give you up.”

“Really?”

“Truly.”

Tears ran down Malik’s cheeks as he smiled, then gave off another howl of pain.

“Just hold on love,” the yami tried to comfort, “You can do this. I know it.”

* * * *

Nikore was slipping on her nightgown when she felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her waist, pulling her towards a well-toned chest. The familiar whiff of cologne brushed her nostrils and she instantly relaxed against the body behind her.

“How are the kids Yugi,” she asked laying her hand upon Yugi’s own.

“They’ll be alright,” the tri-color teen replied, “Grampa will take good care of them. He did take good care of me when I was little.”

“I just hope they don’t wipe him out,” the middle Kaiba mused, then turned in Yugi’s arms to kiss him.

Yami turned down the sheets and sat upon the bed, watching his kois kiss. It never stops turning him on to see them like that. The two then turned and walked over to the former pharaoh, sitting down beside him and wrapping their arms around him. It felt so good to be like this, and it had been s long since they did anything together since the birth of their children.

(A/N: Sorry guys, no lemon today. However, if you want one, I’ll write it as a side story if I get a lot or reviews.)

* * * *

Isis and Rishid had arrived at the hospital with overnight bags after Malik got her epidural and was now quite comfortable. Marik had called Bakura and he would be coming shortly. Ryou wanted to come, but he had to watch Miyoko while his father had to go to the museum to identify some artifacts that just came in. Plus, a birthing place is no place for an infant as young as their daughter.

“I can’t believe I’m going to be an aunt soon,” Isis mused, smiling.

“Glad you approve of my baby,” Malik smiled, then turned towards Marik, “Who would you like to be the godfather of our son?”

“I decided it would be the one that had always been beside you through it all,” Marik replied, turning towards Rishid, “Would you like the honor, brother-in-law?”

“I,” Rishid was beside himself. He had no idea what to say. He lowered his head and tried to find his voice.

“I think you shocked him,” Isis giggled.

“Shocked who,” Bakura asked as he walked in, ignoring a nurse giggling at him.

“I asked Rishid to be my son’s godfather,” Marik smirked at his former partner.

“And,” the white-haired demon pressed, looking at the tall Tomb Keeper.

“I would be honored,” Rishid finally said, bowing his head to hide his blush.

“Then it’s settled,” Marik grinned, then walked over to Malik and sat next to the bed in a chair.

A few hours later, Bakura had to leave to get dinner for his family and bid his farewells and good luck to Marik and Malik. Dr. Gate was replaced with Dr. Harisha, since he didn’t aid human patients unless it was a dire emergency, and she brought in an ultrasound machine to check on Malik’s progress.

“Let’s see if everything’s okay here,” she smiled gently as she spread the warm gel on Malik’s belly and placed the device on her, “I see the spine... and the hands... and there’s the head, all set in the right position. He’s gonna be a big boy when he comes out, I can tell ya that right now.”

“When can I push,” Malik asked, “I can barely feel anything down below.”

“Let me check right now,” Dr. Harisha replied, cleaning her hands and putting on a fresh pair of gloves. Marik wiped down his ‘wife’s stomach as the doctor checked her progress.

“You’re almost there,” she reported, “Just a few more centimeters and you can feel free to push.”

“I can’t wait to see my son,” Marik said proudly, receiving a chuckle from everyone.

Another hour passed, and Dr. Harisha gave the okay for Malik to push. It was hard for her, for she couldn’t feel any of the contractions and wondered if it was the right thing to get the epidural. (A/N: Doctors try not to recommend an epidural during natural labor for the mother has to push at the time of each contraction to push the baby out faster, however they do give them if the pain is too much for the mother or if she wants one.)

“You can do this love,” Marik assured, holding his hikari’s hand.

“It’ll be all over soon,” Isis chipped in, holding her ‘sister’s other hand.

“I see the head,” Dr. Harisha announced, and Rishid took Malik’s hand as Marik went to see, “Would you like to feel your baby?”

Panting, Malik took her hand from Isis and brought it down to feel something hard coming out of her.

“Oh Ra,” she breathed, tears coming to her eyes.

“I just need you to stop pushing after this last one okay,” Dr. Harisha said. The head slid out and she went to work suctioning out the nose and mouth.

“Here he comes,” she announced as the body slid out quickly, the infant giving off a couple coughs before giving off a loud cry.

“It’s a boy,” the doctor announced and the Ishtar family cheered in celebration, “Let’s get this little guy cleaned off so you can introduce him to the family properly.”

Dr. Harisha gave the child to an awaiting nurse, who took him over to another table and began cleaning him off. The nurse gave a yelp and stepped back from the table.

“What’s the matter,” Marik asked, concerned.

“Nothing, the nurse replied walking back, “Your kid just decided to go just now.”

“Go?”

Malik snickered while Isis tried not to laugh. Rishid remained calm, but had a smile on his face, while Marik was trying to figure it out.

A few moments later, the nurse happily gives Marik his son and the yami of the Millennium Rod begins the prayers over the loud cries of the baby. The small family watched as Marik said the prayers with skill and ease, then gave a call, to which Isis and Rishid answer with the proper reply, then the prayers were done.

“My baby boy,” Malik mused as her son was deposited into her arms, “Welcome to the world Kamil (A/N: Arabic: Means perfection).”

* * * *

The day was beautiful, barely any clouds in the sky and the temperature was perfect. Families got together at the parks for picnics, for winter was well on it’s way and this might be the last time for any outdoor activities before the first snowfall.

Yugi sat upon the picnic blanket he and Yami spread out, feeding a bottle to Kamuiand humming softly. Yami was lying down with Nashwa on his chest, who was sleeping peacefully. They were waiting for their friends to arrive so the baptizing can begin.

“I wonder if we have to wait long,” Yugi mused as he placed the bottle down and hoisted Kamui onto his shoulder, patting his back so he can burp.

“I don’t think so,” Yami replied softly, not opening his eyes and enjoying the sun, “I can sense Bakura coming.”

“Do you think they will accept the role of being our kids’ godparents,” the tri-color hikari asked, placing his son down for a short nap.

“I’m certain they will,” Yami reassured, then turned his head to see Bakura and Ryou coming, “They’re here.”

“Hello,” Ryou greeted, sitting down next to Yugi while Bakura sat down near him with Miyoko in his arms.

“How are you feeling Ryou,” Yugi asked as Yami sat up and placed Nashwa down on the blanket.

“Pretty well,” Ryou replied, “It’s a bit hard getting use to skirts and all, but I’ll be glad once I’m a guy again. How are Kamui and Nashwa?”

“Pretty good,” Yugi beamed, “They don’t cry a lot at night, like most children do, and Grampa has never been happier. How about Miyoko?”

“She’s pretty quiet when you leave the TV on at night,” Ryou smiled, “‘Kura had to move a TV in her room to make sure she doesn’t keep us up at night with her crying.”

“She’s just doing it for attention,” Bakura added, then turned to see Seto coming along with Mokuba, Nikore, and Joey, who needed help from his koi.

“Hey guys,” Joey grunted as he sat down, rubbing his large belly.

“How are you doing Joey,” Yugi asked, Nikore sitting with Yami and giving him a kiss.

“Besides my back killin’ me and needin’ ta go tad a bathroom every five minutes,” Joey mused as Seto sat next to him, “Just peachy.”

“We got the baby room all set for the twins,” Mokuba said proudly, letting Miyoko grab his finger, “I helped with the decorating.”

“That’s good,” Ryou smiled, “You’ll be a good uncle to them when they come into the world.”

“How much longer do you have to go,” Yami asked.

“Eight more weeks,” Seto answered, stretching before lying down, “I can’t wait to not have someone kicking me at night.”

“You like it,” Joey grinned, “Admit it.”

“There’s my little ones,” Nikore smiled as she picked up Kamui, who just woke up, “Have you been a good boy while mommy was away?”

Kamui gave off a coo and snuggled into Nikore.

“So who lost the bet,” Yami asked, smirking as Seto glared at him.

“I’m not saying,” Nikore stated, “I was sworn not to.”

“Aw no fair,” the former tomb robber pretended to pout, then they turned to see Marik and his family coming.

“Are we all set,” Isis asked, taking out a golden basin with Egyptian hieroglyphics on it.

“I believe so,” Yami replied, getting up.

They went to a secluded area and placed the basin on an empty picnic table. Water was poured into it and Yami said a prayer to bless the water. Seto took each baby, since he was a former High Priest, and recited the prayers Rishid informed him of, and began blessing each baby.

“So who’s going to be Kamui and Nashwa’s godparents Yugi,” Joey asked.

“We’re going to ask Professor Hawkins and Rebecca when we talk to them next time,” Yugi replied.

TBC

Author’s Notes: Sorry for the long wait guys, but I was on vacation for awhile. Next chapter will be Joey’s turn before the epilogue. I have ideas for a sequel, but I would like to start writing some other fics I’ve been holding off for awhile. For now, ja ne.