Three days later, Haruka and Michiru met Ami in her office once again. They went over the details of the haploidization procedure and the potential risks. Haruka paled when Ami explained that there was a possibility of miscarriage, premature birth, still birth, autism, limb deformities or even death during childbirth. Michiru still refused to give up, although the fatality rate for childbirth was extremely slim.
Haruka and Michiru both signed consent forms to go through with the procedure. They had yet to tell Setsuna or Hotaru about this matter, but they didn’t want the two to worry or try and talk them out of it if they knew about the risks.
Once Haruka and Michiru were finished with the lengthy paperwork, they scheduled another appointment in which the egg extraction would take place. This was a risky procedure, but Haruka was willing to do anything for Michiru. First they would undergo a procedure that would ‘shut down their ovaries’ and the risks included depression, memory loss, liver disorders and so on. Then, stimulation drugs would include ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome in 3%-8% of patients which could result in death for younger women. Ovarian hyper-stimulation syndrome is when the ovaries release generous amounts of eggs.
One of Haruka’s eggs would also be extracted and would be used to take her genetic material from a cell and put into one of Michiru’s eggs. They turned to one another and clasped each other’s hands reassuringly. “Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Ami asked once more.
Michiru took a deep breath, “More than I ever will be.”
When they returned home that afternoon, they were welcomed home by the satisfying smell of curry making its way through the air. “Haruka-papa, Michiru-mama, welcome home!” the teenage girl declared, embracing them both. The two embraced their adopted daughter lovingly and looked up as Setsuna appeared in the living room. “Konnichiwa, Haruka, Michiru.” The garnet-eyed woman smiled.
Michiru smiled. “That smells wonderful, Setsuna. What are you cooking?” “Yellow curry with rice. It’s one of my favorites, so I thought I’d give it a try. Anyways, where have you been?” Setsuna asked, feeling that Haruka and Michiru had something important to say to her.
Haruka looked over at Michiru and then back at Setsuna hesitantly. Setsuna smiled. “You both know you can tell me anything,” she said soothingly. Haruka knew that she’d fill guilty if they didn’t talk to their best friend and daughter about what they were undergoing, especially since there were risks associated with the procedure. She looked over at Michiru questioningly and Michiru nodded.
Haruka sighed as they pulled away from Hotaru. “Let’s sit down.” Michiru went on to explain the procedure that they had just undergone and the next phase they were about to go through. Setsuna had known the two had wanted a child of their own for some time now. She had known them long enough to see through them like glass.
As they continued to explain the risks associated with the procedure, Setsuna and Hotaru began to frown. “Haruka-papa, Michiru-mama, I don’t want to lose you!” the young girl cried, embracing them fiercely.
Haruka chuckled as she stroked her daughter’s hair. “Don’t worry, we’ll always be here for you, Hime-chan.”
Setsuna managed a smile of her own. “I am sure things will work out well for the both of you. Actually, I have a bit of my own news,” Setsuna started as she fumbled with a golden band with a marquise center diamond around her left ring finger.
“Eh?” Haruka and Michiru watched their best friend in shock, preparing themselves for what she might have to say.
Setsuna held up her hand and happily displayed her ring. “Shukensha and I are engaged. I will be getting married and moving out in a few months,” she beamed. Shukensha was a physics professor at the university in which Setsuna used to work before pursuing her dream as a fashion designer. He was also Pluto’s Knight.
Haruka, Michiru and Hotaru all gasped in shock. They knew the two had been dating for quite a while, but never expected the two to elope at this point. “Congratulations!” Michiru finally said.
The only person who had been quiet this whole time was Hotaru, who didn’t know where she fit in at this point. Her parents were trying to have a baby, which made her feel a little jealous, and Setsuna was going away. The young girl couldn’t mask her unhappiness. “What’s going to happen to me?”she finally said.
The trio looked down at the young girl who was unable to meet their gaze. Haruka’s hand came to rest on Hotaru’s shoulder. “You will always be my Hime-chan. You were my first child,” Haruka said proudly.
Michiru smiled. “We’ll all love you no matter what, Hotaru.”
“But you are all going away from me!” she cried.
“Hotaru-chan,” Setsuna started softly. “It’s your choice; you can either stay here with Haruka and Michiru or come to live with me and Shukensha,” she explained.
Hotaru looked up at the older woman questioningly. “You don’t have to decide right now, just give it some thought,” Haruka encouraged.
Hotaru finally managed a small smile, regardless of what she was still feeling. “Yes, you’re right, let’s go eat.”
The three adults weren’t entirely convinced, but Hotaru’s answer would have to do for now.
A week later, after going through all the drug procedures, Haruka and Michiru were back in the facility in which Ami worked. This time they were taken to a special room with lots of medical equipment.
Ami told them to undress and that she would be returning in a short while. They didn’t want the young woman to feel responsible for them if anything went wrong. She was a genius and they knew to expect only the best from her. Once they were both undressed and laying under the thin cover, Haruka and Michiru turned to look at one another from opposite beds. Tears were brimming in Michiru’s eyes and she clasped her wife’s hand for support.
Just to ensure both of the women’s safety, they were kept overnight and three healthy embryos were been implanted into Michiru the next day. Due to their overwhelming popularity in their careers, Haruka and Michiru had no trouble financing the procedure. A few hours after the implantation, Haruka and Michiru finally were able to return home. Now was the most difficult part: waiting.
To be continued…