**************************************************Author's Note*****************************************************************

Inoue Mao will be guesting in Arashi Share House so here is an update for you guys and gals!

-sachiyo_sama-

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Mao was walking through a very long aisle. Nervous though, she couldn’t help but look at her surroundings. Everything was white. The walls, the floor tiles, and even the ceilings were white. The color white was supposed to give you a sense of peace and tranquility. However, what Mao was feeling at that moment was far from this. With every step, Mao could hear her rapid heartbeat. And it was getting faster as she neared the door of her chosen OB-GYNE.

Mao stopped in front of the said door. She first took a deep breath and then grabbed the door knob. Yet upon touching the door knob, a feeling of dizziness suddenly hit her. Good thing Maki was just right behind her and managed to catch Mao before she completely fell towards the floor.

“Mao-chan, daijoubu?” A concerned Becky appeared in front of the two. She offered her hand to help Mao.

“Hai. I’m okay.” Mao grabbed hold of Becky’s hand as she stood up. “Thank you, Maki. Sorry about that too. I just felt a little dizzy.”

“No worries, dear. Maybe it’s better if we see the doctor right now for a better look at Mao.” Maki did the honor of opening the door for them.

The three ladies were greeted by a woman in her mid-forties. She was sporting a sweet smile. “Good morning ladies. I’m Dr. Matsushima Nanako. Which one of you is Inoue Mao-san?”

“Hai. That’s me.” Mao raised her hand just like a student wanting to recite in class.

“Well then, have a seat Inoue-san.” The doctor motioned her to the seat in front of her desk. “You two girls may seat on the sofa over there.”

“Arigato, Matsushima-sensei.” Maki and Becky thanked her as they took their seat.

Dr. Matsushima started asking questions about Mao’s health and history. After going through all the questions in her checklist, the lady doctor announced that she’ll be conducting the “real” check-up on Mao.

“Inoue-san, we’ll be doing a transl ultrasound procedure today. Follow me.” The doctor went towards the other end of the room to which Mao went after.

“Now if you could remove your undergarments and sit on that special chair over there so that we can start immediately. Just call me if you’re ready.” She moved the cloth to close the space and give Mao some privacy.

Mao could again hear her heartbeat with every move she made. This time it was as if her heart would jump off her chest. Today was her first time to be in an OB-GYNE’s office. She had always been scared of the procedures these doctors would ask their patients to do. However for the sake of knowing if she’s pregnant or not, Mao is willing to throw that fear away and undergo anything that pretty doctor would ask her to do. Just like this time. Mao is completely clueless as to what will happen as she is seated in this peculiar chair. While she is feeling a little bit awkward and shy with her legs being spread open by this chair, she is willing to it all up just so she could confirm her pregnancy.

With that, she called upon Matsushima-sensei. “Anou. Matsushima-sensei, I’m ready.”

The lady doctor appeared with a smile. Then she started looking through her medical apparatus. She came back holding a probe. Without further ado, Dr. Matsushima inserted the probe, called Transducer, into her private part.

Mao felt a little amount of pressure at first but then she came to relax a few moments after. Meanwhile, the doctor was examining the screen on Mao’s side. Seeing this, Mao took a glance at the screen as well and what she saw made her eyes water.

“See that lump that is shaped like a bean? That’s your baby, Inoue-san. Congratulations! You’re 10 weeks pregnant.” The doctor happily announced to a nearly-crying Inoue Mao.

“Arigato, sensei. I just can’t control my tears with all this happiness.” Mao was indeed sobbing but with smile in her face.

“That’s okay. As far as I can see, everything is normal with the child. And that’s good. Do you want to have a copy of your first ultrasound? So that you can show it to the father of your child?” Matsushima-san asked, as she removed the probe inside of her patient.

“I’d love that.” Mao beamed as she tried to wipe her tears away.

“Okay. I’ll prepare for it. If you’re finished dressing up, I’ll be at my desk.” The doctor told her as she stepped out.

Tears were still overflowing from Mao’s eyes as she got dressed. When she stepped out of the little space, she was still crying. Her sobbing became greater even when she saw Becky and Maki.

Mao ran towards her two best friends and hugged the both of them while crying as hard as she can.

Seeing Mao’s actions, Becky concluded that the result was far from good. “It’s okay, Mao-chi. Even if we won’t be aunts yet, we still love you.” She started rubbing Mao’s back for comfort.

“Stop crying, Mao-chan. Everything happens for a reason. I’m sure you’ll be a mother at the right time. It’s not just at this moment.” Maki tried to console her bestie.

Hearing this, Mao broke away from the hug and wiped her tears. “No. You got the wrong idea. I’m not crying because of that. I’m crying because of joy! Joy from being pregnant! I’m 10 weeks pregnant, girls!” She exclaimed.

“Eh? You’re really pregnant? We’re going to be aunts? Hooray!” Maki and Becky screamed in unison. Then they continued their group hug.

They heard someone cleared their throat. “Excuse me, dears. But this is still a hospital and silence is a must.” Matsushima-san warned them.

“Gomen nasai, sensei. We’re just too happy from this good news.” Maki apologized for their sake.

“I understand. By the way, here are the results Inoue-san.” The doctor handed Mao a brown envelope bearing the hospital’s logo. “I’ve included the sonogram shot in it too. You can find my contact details in there also. I expect to see you after two weeks, okay?”

“Hai, sensei. See you soon!” Mao bowed her head and went out of the room.

Mao, still accompanied by her two best friends, had just returned home from their shopping spree. The said activity was suggested by Becky. Well, more of forced than suggested. Mao could still remember how her foreign-looking best friend managed to convince both her and Maki to spend money on more clothes.

*Flashback*

The girls had just stepped out of the hospital. Because she was just in a great mood, Mao decided to treat her friends to lunch. While they were waiting for their orders, Becky thought of an idea and decided to share it to the two. “Mao-chi, your pregnancy is such great news! And what do we do when something huge happens to one of us, may it be good or bad?” Becky wiggled her eyebrows and showed a sunny smile.

Maki could not help but shake her head in response to what Becky is trying to say. “I know where this is going, Becky. And I won’t allow it. I won’t allow Mao to go partying in a club with us, definitely not now when she’s pregnant!” She made sure to give emphasis on her last sentence.

“No. Not that one. I didn’t mean that. What I’m trying to say is, I want us to go shopping. Shopping, not clubbing.” This time it was Becky’s turn to emphasize her words.

Maki couldn’t help but chuckle at her silly thought. “Aren’t you just using Mao as your scapegoat to go shopping?”

“Well, not really...” Becky hesitated for a moment but once she met Maki’s eyes, she decided to tell the truth. “Okay. I was about to do that. I badly needed shopping buddies. Shopping isn’t that fun when done alone. But I’m thinking for Mao’s sake too. I mean, her stomach will definitely bulge in a few months. She absolutely needs to have maternity clothes.” Becky was sure to point that one out.

Mao would be able to design any clothing and have it done right away. She is a fashion designer, for heaven’s sake! She can surely produce maternity clothes for herself in no time. However, sensing Becky’s immense want of shopping together Mao decided to give in. “Oh yeah. Maternity clothes. Help me shop for them after we eat, okay?”

Becky did her victory pose in response. As if on cue, the waiter served them their food right after what Becky did.

*End of Flashback*

Mao handed the shopping bags to her maids. She asked them to prepare some snacks for friends, specifically saying that it be strawberries for her. Becky and Maki followed her to the living room. They were so engrossed in their chitchat when Mao received a message on her phone.

Upon reading the message and knowing where it came from, Mao turned red. And this did not escape her two best friends’ curious eyes.

“What’s the matter, Mao-chan? Anything wrong?” Maki inquired.

“It just occurred to me that I still have a huge problem on my plate.”

Becky wasn’t sure what her friend was pertaining to. “What are you talking about, Mao-chi?”

“I don’t know who the father of this child is.” Mao admitted as she her belly. “I was completely overwhelmed with today’s news that this issue didn’t occur to me. If it weren’t for the message sent to me by Ninomiya-san, I would have forgotten it.”

The pregnant lady flashed her phone in front her friends’ faces. Maki grabbed it and decided to read the message out loud. “Inoue Mao-san, good evening! Are you available tomorrow? I was hoping if we could have lunch together. My treat J. –Nino”

Becky peered into the phone after Maki finished reading. “Wow. He even put a smiley in the message. Guess this Arashi boy is smitten about you…” A mischievous smile appeared on her lips.

Silence filled the living room. For a little while, Mao was in deep thought. “What do you think, girls? Should I accept his invitation? Should I confront him and the others about my case?”

Maki shifted from her sitting position and went near Mao. She decided to let her know what she thinks. “Of course you need to tell them about your pregnancy! One of them could be the father of your child. It wouldn’t be fair to hide this from him. I personally think that you should let the father, whoever he may be, become a part of the child’s life. But that’s just my opinion, Mao-chan.”

Becky nodded in agreement. “Mao-chi, let them know first. If none of them wants to be involved with your baby then let them. We’ll be right beside you every step of the way.”

Being pregnant means your hormones will be raging and there will be fluctuations in your feelings. This is exactly what Mao is starting to experience. A moment ago she was having a hearty laugh with her friends and now she’s crying. Mao just couldn’t help but be touched with her friends’ utmost concern for her. She initiated a group hug, to which Maki and Becky obliged.

Before they all start crying, Becky broke from the hug and announced that it’s time for her to go home. Maki decided to do the same since she still has an early meeting with a client the next day. Both ladies bid farewell to their pregnant friend and drove to their respective homes.