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After the Fact
Akane frowned as she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. She was fat. Fat and ugly. It wasn't just her swollen midriff, either; it was her whole self. Everything seemed swollen. Her back and feet ached from supporting the unnatural weight. Akane ran a hand through her hair dejectedly and looked at herself more closely. The nausea hadn't been so bad lately, but Akane could barely walk. She wondered if it was her own fault. Contrary to popular opinion, Akane didn't have cravings for ice cream and pickles. She had cravings for everything. She could have waited to get married, but no, she had rushed it and now here she was, bloated and completely unattractive in her prime. Akane sighed deeply, fighting back tears of frustration. As she reached out to take her hairbrush, she suddenly became aware of a second reflection in the mirror. Ranma was standing in the doorway of their bedroom, leaning against the frame. He was staring at her intently, an unreadable expression on his face. Akane bit her lip against the dejection that rose in her throat. If he saw anything akin to what she saw, then she obviously failed to please him. Akane turned to face him, exhaling shortly.
"What are you staring at?" she snapped. Ranma blinked, slowly drawing himself back to reality. He smiled softly.
"You."
"And why are you staring at me?" Akane ran the brush through her hair a few times and set it down with a clack. "I know how awful I look. Please don't remind me."
Ranma actually looked surprised. "What are you talking about?" He came up to her and took her by the shoulders. "Akane, I think you're beautiful."
Akane nearly burst into bitter laughter. "Don't be ridiculous, Ranma! Look at me! I could pass for a small aircraft!"
"I am looking at you, Akane," Ranma replied gently. He moved one hand to her face and stroked her cheek. "And I like what I see."
"You must be joking. Ranma, I'm fat and I'm tired and swollen."
"Akane, you're pregnant." Ranma moved his hand again and placed it on Akane's belly. "You're gorgeous."
"I hate being like this. I hate feeling this way and I hate looking this way," Akane cried. Ranma took her chin and tilted her face up, kissing her lips gently.
"Sweetheart, I know you're uncomfortable. But just try to look at it this way." Ranma tenderly stroked her stomach. "This is our baby you're carrying, Akane. Yours and mine. The first thing we'll ever be able to say belongs to us alone." Ranma shrugged. "Anyway, that's what I see." Akane looked down. Ranma's hand remained on her stomach. Akane slowly lifted her hands and placed them on either side of his. There was a slight stirring of the life within her. She and Ranma both smiled and Akane was suddenly struck by an overwhelming wave of wonder and love. Ranma was right. It wasn't some sort of burden. It was her baby. The only thing she and Ranma could claim as their sole property. Safe from meddling fathers and pesky fiancees. Not so very long ago, Akane would never have believed Ranma would ever father her child. Now she realized that only he ever could have; she would never have accepted anyone else. And her baby was healthy, she was healthy, she had a caring family and a husband that adored her. Akane looked up at Ranma, smiling, although her eyes glistened with tears.
"I love you, Ranma."
He kissed her again. "I love you, too, Akane." He brushed her hair back from her face. "Now let's go to bed, alright? You need your rest and so do I." Akane climbed into bed as Ranma did, clicking off the light. Ranma's arms encircled her from the back and held her tightly, and Akane was finally able to sleep peacefully.
The End