Round Seven - Nakamura 2

Emma's life as a criminal was exciting, dangerous, and going extremely well. She was rising up through the ranks of the local syndicate. Unfortunately the need for secrecy and the unusual hours meant she didn't have much time for socialising - something she wouldn't have minded if it hadn't been for Danny Knox. She was a little smitten with her new neighbour.


Meanwhile, Shiina was enjoying the life of leisure she'd built for herself. She'd sold several paintings and celebrated by taking Trent out on the town for a meal.


Whenever they hit the dancefloor there wasn't much dancing involved. She just wished her little brother Hiro would stop following her around looking disapproving.


In fact, her occasionally slightly out-there antics provoked a lot of disapproval. After she and Trent had a bit of fun in a photobooth Shiina got the smacking of her life from the local busybody.


As time passed Shiina found herself feeling more and more tired and nauseous. She was also putting on a little bit of weight. It was disconcerting - she'd always been naturally slim.


Eventually she couldn't deny it to herself any longer - or to Emma. She was clearly pregnant. Emma dragged her off to the doctors and accompanied her to routine scans - Trent had seemingly vanished off the surface of the planet and was not returning Shiina's calls.


Emma became a de-facto husband.

"Ems! You don't need to make my bed for me! I'm pregnant, not an invalid," fussed Shiina.

"It's not going to make itself," Emma pointed out.


"I know, I know, I need to take care of myself more. I shouldn't rely on you so much. I think when the baby's born I should probably get a real job. Give up on the whole becoming-a-fashion-designer dream..."

"Don't be so ridiculous!" snapped Emma. "I don't mind helping you out and I don't want to see my best friend give up on her dreams just because some low-life has knocked her up. Talking of which, you need to take that photo down. He's a loser."


They were an odd pair, two straight women living together and about to raise a baby, but it worked. Now Emma had convinced Shiina to keep following her dreams life went back to the usual routine of Emma working out and Shiina painting or sewing, sometimes chatting to one another and sometimes not. Emma wondered if she'd ever want to move out; Danny was cute, but her friendship with Shiina was something very special.


Note: Curse you, ACR. Talk about a baby boom!