96 Striking Balance (2/2)

”I would be on time,” Zed said.

”You two should come as well,” Felicity said to Loren and Jessica.

”Yes, thank you,” They both readily agreed on much to Zed's surprise.

He wasn't aware they too have learned that denying Felicity's suggestion was simply courting death.

”Just come along with Zed,” Felicity looked at his red hovercraft and said, ”There is enough space for you two to tag along with him tomorrow.”

”....” Jessica and Loren nodded their head. Loren initially wished to decline but knowing Jessica would be along with her, she agreed.

-------

Afternoon.

Kiba teleported in Agatha's apartment.

”You should give me a warning before you arrive otherwise I might freak out,” Agatha was watching a movie on tv but now her attention was on him.

”Haha, sorry,” Kiba sat next to her on the sofa.

”Not going for a hunt today?” Agatha asked. She was very well aware of how he would spend almost most hours to find a 'target' and then 'hunt' her.

”...No,” Kiba didn't really like when others called his philosophy of altruism as hunting.

”Now that's surprising,” Agatha placed the back of her palm on his forehead to check his temperature,”You seem to be physically fit and yet you are not going on a hunt?”

”...Yes,” Kiba's lips were twitching from embarrassment.

”Are you really The Kiba?” Agatha pinched his skin as if to certain no one was impersonating him, ”You look genuine but the Kiba I know would never miss a chance to spend time with women.”

”....”

”If the true Kiba feel the scent of a woman, then he would go berserk just like a wolf at the sight of a sheep,” Agatha said with a serious expression,”The real Kiba wouldn't be wasting time with a pregnant lady.”

”.....” Kiba closed his eyes and placed his head on her lap.

Seeing his embarrassed expression, Agatha stopped her teasing.

”I'm glad you are here,” Agatha traced a finger on his face,”I really am.”

Kiba opened his eyes and looked at her. He knew she teased him for his lack of stay with her but yet there was no resentment or anger in her eyes.

If anything, there was only understanding and forgiveness. This made him feel even more bad about his recent irresponsible behavior.

He turned his face towards her baby bump to give a light kiss.Agatha was in the initial phase of the second trimester and as he kissed her stomach; he could once again sense the familiar feeling of kinship from the life inside her.

”Thank you for being patient with me,” Kiba slid his hand towards Agatha's face, ”You have given me more chances then I could ever deserve.”

”You deserve every chance for you are are the father of my child,” Agatha responded with a gentle smile on her face.

”If I ever do anything wrong then correct me,” Kiba caressed her face gently, ”I don't want to be a bad parent to our daughter.”

”You won't be,” Agatha assured him, ”I'm sure Hope would have the coolest father out there.”

Kiba silently listened to her words of motivation.

-----

An hour later, they went out for a movie followed by a dinner at a restaurant. They weren't a couple in the traditional sense but to them, it didn't matter.

They relaxed in the arms of each other during the dinner. There were many strange gazes cast by people who knew them but Agatha ignored them.

Just as Kiba has learned many valuable things from her, she too has learned an important lesson from him: Stop thinking what the world would think of you.

”Let us get a photo of our family,” Agatha said after they came out of the restaurant, ”I want to forever cherish this moment of us three.”

Kiba was startled by her request but he nodded his head. They went to a photo studio to get their family portrait.

It was midnight when they finally arrived back at the apartment.

”Good night!” Agatha was fully exhausted so she fell asleep in no time.

Kiba sat on the bed looking at the photo frame in his hand. In the photo, he was standing behind Agatha with his hands wrapped on her belly.

”Hope,” Kiba thought with a smile. Now along with nervousness and fear, there was also some excitement at the prospects of becoming a father.

He was someone who strictly believed in living in the present without caring about the illusory future. But today, for the first time in many years, he cared about the future...