Double Mother: The Miracle Woven by Haruka and Mana's Love - Chapter 14

Haruka was carefully combing Mana’s long hair. In the living room bathed in morning sunlight, the two cherished this peaceful morning time together. Mana’s black hair was soft, and each time Haruka ran her fingers through it, a pleasant sensation traveled through her hand.

“Hey! I’m nervous about the prenatal class today.”

At Mana’s small voice, Haruka smiled gently.

“It’ll be fine. We’ve both grown stronger, haven’t we?”

As she spoke, Haruka placed her hand on Mana’s shoulder. Mana’s pale skin looked so clear it seemed translucent, appearing to emit a soft glow in the morning light. Haruka unconsciously leaned her face against that shoulder.

“Haruka-chan?”

“I love your scent, Mana-chan.”

Mana blushed as she took Haruka’s hand.

“Oh my, being so affectionate first thing in the morning.”

They looked at each other and chuckled softly. Their large bellies touched, and both squinted their eyes at the sensation.

On their way to the prenatal class, Haruka walked while keeping an eye on Mana’s condition. Lately, walking for long periods had become difficult for her. But Mana always put on a brave face and never complained.

“Should we rest a bit?”

“Huh? I’m fine.”

“But your walking seems a bit strained…”

At Haruka’s words, Mana’s eyes widened in surprise.

“You can tell that much?”

“Yeah, because I’m always watching you, Mana-chan.”

Haruka took Mana’s hand and guided her to a nearby bench. Noticing that Mana’s long eyelashes were glistening with moisture, Haruka unconsciously touched her cheek.

“Sorry… I’m making you worry, Haruka-chan.”

“Don’t say that. We’re always in this together, right?”

As they rested on the bench, an elderly woman from the neighborhood passed by.

“My, you two! Your bellies have gotten so big!”

Though they’d often been met with confused looks at first, now the neighbors watched over them warmly.

“Yes, we’ve entered the stable period now.”

When Mana answered happily, the old woman smiled kindly.

“That’s right, my daughter was in a LINE group for pregnant women. Would you two like to join one?”

That comment led to them being introduced to a pregnant women’s community. There were same-sex couples there too, and it was a place where they could share various experiences and anxieties.

At the prenatal class, they were initially conscious of the surrounding gazes. But as they talked with others carrying similarly large bellies, they naturally opened up.

“It’s amazing, both of you being pregnant at the same time.”

“It feels like fate.”

At the other pregnant women’s frank words, Haruka and Mana felt their hearts warm.

After the class ended, the two decided to rest at a nearby cafe. Mana stared into the distance, her herbal tea before her.

“Thinking about something?”

“Yeah! We’ve really changed, haven’t we? At first we were so afraid of people’s eyes that we could hardly go outside.”

Haruka gazed at Mana’s profile. Her long black hair gently brushed her cheek, and her figure looked beautiful in the evening sun.

“Mana-chan, you’re beautiful!”

“Huh? What’s this all of a sudden?”

“Because you’re becoming more beautiful every day as you turn into a mother. Just watching you makes my heart flutter.”

Mana looked down shyly. The gesture was so cute that Haruka unconsciously took Mana’s hand.

“You know, I think you’re really wonderful too, Haruka-chan. Kind and strong and you accept everything about me.”

Mana’s eyes grew moist, and Haruka hurriedly stood up and moved to sit beside her.

“Don’t cry. It’s the hormones making you tear up easily, right?”

“That’s not it! I’m just too happy.”

Haruka gently embraced Mana. She didn’t care about the surrounding gazes. In this moment, in this place, the two felt certain love.

“Hey, should we make a detour on the way home?”

“Sure, where do you want to go?”

“I think I’d like to visit the park.”

Holding hands, they began walking slowly. The spring breeze gently caressed their hair. Their previous anxieties and uncertainties were transforming into definite hope. In society, they were gradually but surely finding their place.

◆

That evening, Haruka and Mana were peering at a tablet as they participated in an online pregnant women’s community for the first time. The screen displayed a gentle-looking icon labeled “LGBT Pregnant Women’s Room.”

“I’m nervous…”

When Mana murmured softly, Haruka naturally put her arm around Mana’s shoulder.

“It’s okay, everyone here are comrades sharing the same experiences.”

Messages appeared on the screen one after another.

‘Nice to meet you! We’re a same-sex couple too, currently five months pregnant.’

‘Wow! Both of you are pregnant? How wonderful!’

‘We gave birth last year. If you have any troubles, please consult us anytime.’

At the warm messages, their expressions naturally softened.

“Hey, Mana-chan. Everyone’s so kind.”

When Haruka said this, Mana’s eyes were slightly teary. The screen continued to show words from couples with various experiences.

‘At first we were scared of people’s eyes and could hardly go outside.’

‘I was like that too. But I gained courage here and was able to move forward little by little.’

‘Sometimes we got strange looks at prenatal checkups, but now we go together confidently!’

Mana unconsciously reached toward the screen.

“We’re not alone…”

Haruka gently stroked Mana’s long hair while gazing at the screen. Mana’s profile looked very beautiful illuminated by the twilight.

‘During morning sickness, my partner and I took turns with housework.’

‘We both had severe morning sickness at the same time, it was really tough (laughs).’

‘But because we overcame it together, we’re happy now.’

“Ah! They’re just like us!”

When Haruka exclaimed happily, Mana nodded slightly too.

‘Are both of you currently pregnant?’

At that question, Haruka and Mana looked at each other. Seeing Mana hesitate slightly, Haruka gently encouraged her.

“Shall we reply?”

“Yeah…”

‘Nice to meet you. We’re both six months pregnant. We’re feeling very anxious right now.’

When Mana typed shyly, the screen immediately overflowed with warm words.

‘Amazing! How wonderful!’

‘There were people like you at our hospital too.’

‘We can teach you lots of parenting tips.’

Haruka unconsciously hugged Mana. From Mana’s soft hair came the nostalgic scent of her shampoo.

“That’s great, Mana-chan.”

Mana buried her face in Haruka’s chest and nodded slightly. The gesture was so dear that Haruka unconsciously kissed Mana’s cheek.

‘We have regular offline meetings too. Would you like to join us sometime?’

At that suggestion, their eyes sparkled. Beyond the screen were couples who worried similarly, rejoiced similarly, and loved each other similarly. That discovery became great hope for them both.

That night, lying in bed, Mana tightly grasped Haruka’s hand.

“Haruka-chan, we’re not alone anymore.”

“Yeah, we have lots of comrades.”

While placing one hand on Mana’s large belly, Haruka used her other hand to gently wipe Mana’s tears.

“Somehow, my heart suddenly feels lighter.”

At Mana’s words, Haruka felt the same way. Outside the window, stars twinkled as the night filled with new encounters and hope quietly deepened.

From then on, the two began regularly participating in the community. How to cope with morning sickness, tips for managing physical condition, experiences with hospital selection… Various information was shared, and all of it became heartening support for them both.

◆

On Saturday afternoon, Haruka and Mana were heading toward the cafe meeting spot. Going out while carrying their large bellies was somewhat challenging, but they walked slowly while supporting each other.

“Hey, Mana-chan, are you nervous?”

When Haruka peered at Mana’s expression, Mana nodded slightly. Her long eyelashes trembled anxiously.

“Yeah… but I want to meet them.”

When they entered the cafe, several couples had already gathered. In the back space was a handmade little sign saying “LGBT Pregnant Women Offline Meeting.”

“Ah! Are you two Haruka-san and Mana-san?”

Tomoko-san, whom they’d spoken with online several times, welcomed them with a smile. Beside her was her partner Misaki-san with an equally kind smile.

“Nice to meet you! Tomoko-san, Misaki-san.”

When Haruka greeted them, warm words returned from around the table.

“We were full of anxiety at first too, but having comrades like this is reassuring.”

“Let’s do our best together!”

In the pleasant atmosphere, conversation flowed naturally. With cake and herbal tea before them, each person shared their experiences.

“We gave birth last year.”

A woman named Yumi-san showed them baby photos on her smartphone. Her partner Kaori-san had given birth, and now they were both on childcare leave enjoying parenting together.

“There are many difficult things, but when we see this child’s smile, everything feels rewarded.”

At those words, Haruka unconsciously squeezed Mana’s hand. She could tell Mana’s cheeks were slightly flushed.

“Um, may I ask something?”

When Mana spoke up looking somewhat nervous, everyone nodded kindly.

“Was giving birth really difficult?”

“Well… but having my partner by my side the whole time helped me persevere.”

At Yumi-san’s words, Kaori-san smiled shyly. The love flowing between them felt very natural and warm.

Across the table, a couple planning to attempt artificial insemination listened seriously to the surrounding conversation.

“We’re still in the preparation stage but hearing everyone’s stories gives us courage.”

Haruka unconsciously spoke to them.

“We were full of anxiety at first too. But we’re glad we took that first step.”

Mana added gently too.

“I’m sure a wonderful path will open up for you.”

Laughter echoed through the cafe filled with afternoon sunlight. Stories of childbirth mishaps, how to overcome morning sickness, experiences gaining understanding at work. Each story soaked into their hearts as new hope.

“Hey, Haruka-chan.”

Mana murmured in a small voice.

“What?”

“Everyone’s laughing naturally. They look happy.”

Haruka nodded deeply at Mana’s words. Indeed, here was a safe space where they didn’t need to worry about society’s prejudices or people’s eyes.

By the time the offline meeting ended, a LINE group had been created, and plans for the next meeting were made. As they were leaving, Tomoko-san called out to them.

“Please come again. After all, we’re all family here.”

At those words, Haruka and Mana unconsciously teared up. The air outside was somewhat cold, but their hearts felt very warm.

“Mana-chan, I’m so glad.”

Haruka said while gently stroking Mana’s long hair. Mana leaned her head against Haruka’s shoulder.

“Yeah… Our children will surely grow up surrounded by lots of love too.”

Holding hands, they slowly began their journey home. The spring twilight gently enveloped the beginning of new bonds.