Chapter Fifteen: Birthday Tears:

Usually, Noiz is happy on her birthday. She sees to it that it’s all about her. The kitty expected to be treated like a queen every year on March third.

However, this year is different.

Mosh noticed something wrong when his wife didn’t get out of bed. He rested his hand upon her shoulder.

“Noiz-tan,” he whispered. “Get up. Do you know what day it is?” Noiz pulled the sheets over her body tighter as she shoved him off.

“Please leave me alone,” she murmured.

“But it’s your birthday,” her husband whispered.

“I know,” his wife complained. “Leave me alone.” A puzzled look came over the mouse boy’s face.

“Are you feeling okay?” he asked.

“Leave me alone!” Noiz cried. Mosh looked at her worried by this point.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yes!” his wife shouted. Mosh shrugged to himself and climbed out of bed.

“Alright,” he muttered under his breath. The mouse walked out the room still trying to understand what just happened.

She’s not usually like this on her birthday, he thought. The mouse didn’t want to think that the baby had something to do with it. It’s not like her to suffer from depression either, he thought. Yet, Mosh couldn’t exactly find the cause. However, he shook himself from such thoughts.

I can’t worry with that right away, he thought. Today’s her birthday. If a nice meal doesn’t cheer her up, I don’t know what will. Now, what would she like today?

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Noiz sat in the bathroom in tears. What is wrong with my lately? She couldn’t understand why tears wouldn’t stop coming. The kitty found herself crying at the drop of a hat. Instinct told her that this was more than hormones. She didn’t want to believe that something else was wrong with her, but the feeling kept coming back to her. The faucet running helped to drown out the sound of her crying. The kitty wiped away her tears.

What am I doing? This is my birthday. I’m not supposed to be crying like this! I need to put my big-girl panties on! Noiz wiped away her tears and washed her face. Once she was in order, the kitty turned and went down the stairs.

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Noiz came down to the kitchen when she smelled something rather tasty. “Oh, what is this?” she asked aloud. No sooner had she come to the doorway, a party cracker blew up in her face.

“Happy birthday!” Mosh exclaimed. His wife gave him a perky little smile.

“Thank you,” she said. The pregnant kitty made her way straight into the kitchen. Tempera, kitsune udon, and gyoza sat waiting for her on the table.

“You ordered all of this for me?” she asked.

“That’s right,” Mosh replied. Noiz turned around with tears welling up in her eyes. The mouse boy frowned in worry.

“You’re crying again,” he said. “Is something wrong?” His wife quickly shook her head.

“I’m fine,” she whimpered. “Thank you so much!” The kitty leapt forward and hugged her husband. Mosh patted her on the back of the head.

“There, there,” he whispered. “Come and eat.” Noiz pressed her lips together, nodding.

“You’re right,” she said in a whisper. Mosh walked her over to the table.

During the meal, Noiz’s tears didn’t know how to stop. Despite her best attempts to eat and wipe away her tears, it didn’t end. At one point, Mosh lowered his chopsticks.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked. Noiz shook her head.

“I don’t know,” she whispered. “I keep crying and I don’t know how to stop.” Mosh came over to her side.

“I’m a sight, aren’t I?” she asked. Her husband gave her a soft hug.

“We’ll get help in the morning, okay?” he asked. Noiz sobbed as she nodded. The mouse shoved some mochi to her.

“Take a bite of this at least, okay?” he asked. The kitty slowly nodded.

“Okay,” she whispered. His wife picked it up and took a small bite. This brave front thing clearly wasn’t working. Mosh, Jiao, and Roka all decided to try and get the big guns to fix the problem.