Let this be our prayer
Just like every child
Needs to find a place
Guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
Lyrics to 'The Prayer' performed by Celine Dion and Andrea Bocelli
Crimson Bonds Part 6
It was hard to say who was more nervous this particular morning at the Yuy-Barton Clan's cottage cluster when the sun rose at the start of a new day between Heero, Duo, Wufei or Anna. The cluster of Vampires were sitting in the living room of their patriarch's estate for the arrival of a dear friend who would normally serve as a source of calm.
But it was the intent of this meeting with said guest that was causing an immeasurable amount of stress for the Infected.
Sharing one of the longer couches, the Changs were unusually quiet with one another as they sat rigidly with their hands joined over their legs that were touching. Occasionally, their heads would turn away from their stare through the large windows beside them for any signs of movement to smile to one another and squeeze their linked fingers.
Heero was busying himself at his laptop at the main round table at the center of the room... not something out of the ordinary other than the fact that he was clearly distracted. His fingers flying over the keyboard would delete a long series of mistakes he had typed in the final mission report that he was working on for Treize and Lady Une. That number of corrections was most uncommon for the Original.
And the most outwardly anxious of the bunch, Duo was pacing from one end of the space to the other. Hands folded behind his back and his braided head lowered so he could study for floor that he was endangering with his endless back and forth marching.
Finally, at the appearance of a red car making its way up the winding, lone dirt road leading to the secluded residences near the top of the mountain side, Wufei announced softly, "Here they come."
Maxwell jumped, having had his back to his brother and Yuy could not have saved his data or closed his laptop faster as they both spun to take in the same view through the windows. Both releasing deep breaths, the couple met in the entryway and locked hands while their siblings rose to their feet.
"Let's not try to make them feel attacked when we greet them," Heero snickered under his breath by means of a suggestion both for himself as well as his husband.
Truth be told, he was fighting his own urges to get right to business and see how real their dream of having children actually was. But he was not about to take the company of their friends for granted, either.
A sheepish grin on his face that let onto how he was thinking along the same lines, Duo peered at his Vampire from the corner of his violet-and-silver eye. "Yea," he chuckled. "Got it."
Reaching the front door first, the Original opened it at the sound of footfalls climbing the porch steps and smiled widely along with his husband to the faces of their visitors. Beaming, Sally Po opened her arms as she greeted, "It's so good to see you, Heero and Duo."
Their Companion bands catching the early sunlight rays, the braided immortals caught each other in a tight embrace when they met in the middle.
Rugged and handsome, Victor Gaintz was an Infected who had lost his intended Chosen in the battle against Solo and his army. Saved from his existence-threatening injuries by the lovely doctor, he had found a new soul mate in her as they fell pretty hard and fast for each other over the course of his long recovery.
In the end, they found a perfect match in each other despite the fact that they were not originally predestined for each other.
Bowing his head of black hair, the Vampire of primarily Russian heritage said sincerely, "It has been too long, my friend. If my sweet wife was not so devoted to her work, we would have stopped by before your calling and requesting to see us."
Heero grinned as he took his offered hand for a firm shake, replying, "No need to feel bad about that. Sally is offering her services were they are needed most. On top of that, we have been just as busy ourselves, unfortunately."
A deep frown marring his face, Victor murmured, "Yes. So we heard." Pausing, his eyes grew and he asked in a rush, "Your family is well after your last mission?"
"Everyone is perfectly fine, thank you," Yuy reassured. "We were lucky to have taken the Rogues out with little to no injuries this time around." He laughed when Sally broke into their conversation to wrap him up in a hug. Lightly rubbing her back, he smirked, "Your coming over like this on such short notice is most appreciated."
Shaking her head, Po waved a hand as she pulled back. "It's what any friend would do." She peered over to Maxwell as he and her husband shared a one-armed embrace and giggled, "Duo seemed pretty anxious over the phone last night, so I have been curious to what this all might be about."
The Hybrid shook his head, insisting, "I swear didn't mean to come across like something might be wrong, Sal-"
Her head falling back with a fit of laughter, the doctor cut him off. "Oh I know," she winked when she composed herself. "However, you never were very good at keeping your emotions off your sleeve. If there is anything going on in your existences that I can help with, I'm all too happy to be whatever assistance I can be."
Gesturing to the opened door, Sally suggested, "But I think we best get inside so I can have a seat and hear it all out first."
Relieved by that, the tense hosts physically eased. Grinning, they led their friends into their home and headed straightaway for the living room. Blinking widely at the unexpected sight of Wufei and Anna, the arrivals smiled.
"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," Po stated as the redhead all but ran to close the distance between them for a firm hug.
Holding her nurse at arm's length, the doctor appraised the tan slacks, sandals and pale green dress blouse she wore. "This must be an important meeting," Po reasoned aloud, "You only dress up like this for special occasions, Anna."
Unable to help himself, Wufei laughed heartedly at how everyone close to them knew his wife's definition of 'dressing up' so well. Then again, he was not one to really tease since he had taken out a deep red, ornate kimono to wear for this gathering.
The siren rolled her eyes, huffing half-heartedly, "Ha ha ha. You know, I could have just wanted to look nice for your visit... dear."
"Nice try," Sally snickered. "I can count on one hand over the course of our many years of knowing each other the times that I have seen you anything besides jeans, shorts, tanks and sneakers." Giggling along with the Irish Infected, they had another embrace before she moved to Wufei for the same.
Taking the time for their pleasantries and a bit of catching up on all of their parts, the friends headed for the furniture to sit close in their respective pairings... keeping the guests in the middle of the pack so that they could take everyone in.
Gracefully folding her hands atop her folded legs, Po opened, "So, what's going on?"
Four pairs of ringed irises scanned each other before Heero took a deep breath and shifted in his seat. Gripping his Companion's hand, he answered, "Well, I suppose it would be best to get right to it." Maxwell bit his lip, focusing on his lover as he was too worried over what Sally's expression might hint regarding their options.
Yuy informed matter-of-factly, "For a long time now, Duo and I have been longing to have the chance to raise children of our own and..."
He cleared his throat when he looked over to his grinning sister before he went on, "And Anna graciously has offered to be a surrogate mother for us... if such a thing is even possible. We were hoping that perhaps you might be willing to look into this for us given your extensive experience in the medical field and your closeness to our family that we trust you to keep this between us."
Shell-shocked, the doctor remained frozen with wide eyes on the couch she and her husband were perched on. The reaction did little to settle the already nervous Vampires who began to turn to each other.
Victor's own stunned expression fading, he chuckled to his Companion, "Love? Still with us? I do not think it would be good for our friends to keep them waiting forever."
"I-I," Sally stammered as she shook her head to clear it then tried again, placing a hand over her chest and saying sincerely, "I would be honored to be a part of that. From a medical standpoint, I don't see why Anna would not be able to conceive a child through artificial insemination since her reproductive system is functioning as a normal, healthy human's."
Their backs straightening, Heero and Duo's eyes met as wide smiles returned to their faces.
Opening her arms, Po admitted, "But I would have to do a bit more research on my end before I would feel comfortable beginning the process. As I am certain you can imagine, there is much that we will all need to sit and contemplate as we go."
Palms coming together at her mouth, the braided woman concluded, "This is going to be far different from simply setting up an appointment and carrying this out. Especially because of your unique structures, there could be complications that arise without warning to make this a long trial until something... if anything we are hoping for were to come out of it."
And that fell primarily onto the shoulders of one being in the room as every other gaze fell on her in silent question.
Waving a hand, Anna snickered, "Don't any of you worry about me. I'm up for whatever needs to be done. I can take it." Wufei bit his lip in a tight, proud smile as he gripped onto the hand in his scaly palm and squeezed it.
His silvered eyes misting over, Duo reached over to his sister and held onto her shoulder. "Don't fret, little brother," the Irish Infected whispered to him, a sad smile curling her lips. "Everything's going to be perfectly fine." Gulping past the lump in his throat, the Hybrid grinned with a shallow nod.
Not having anticipated any other response from her friend, Sally pronounced, "Then I'm also in to the fullest extent. I will not be content until we consider every option, leaving nothing behind to make this happen." Her brilliant smile renewed as she homed in on the Yuy-Maxwell's. "Let's make the two of you parents."
Rising from the couches first, Heero gently pulled his sister up to her feet and pulled her into his arms with Duo right behind.
"You boys are so silly," Anna snickered, even though her own emotions were threatening to bring on tears. Cupping their cheeks in her hands, she shrugged, "Honestly, what's the worst thing that could happen?"
* * * * * *
It had been a long stretch of months since Lucie Aisley had set foot upon American soil. Having toured through South Africa, Australia and Spain to only name a few of the locations that her hunt had taken her, there should have been at least a little sentimentality over being back in her native country.
But there was none. There was only the mission. This was only another place to search.
Gathering her luggage from the airport baggage claim, Aisley carried herself with a confident air as she walked through the crowds of newly arrived passengers and their welcoming committees. Like so many others, there were men and the occasional woman who would pause to admire her as she passed by.
Straight, blonde hair that fell to the middle of her back, high cheek bones, slender in her tall frame and green eyes that complimented her lovely face all served her well in winning people over. Someone of her striking presence should have had an entourage of friends and family who had missed her.
But no one would be greeting her today. There was no one left near enough or dear enough to so much as check in with. And that was alright by her. It made her lifestyle easier.
Hailing a cab before the rush of the commuters hit the streets, the Hunter packed her meager belongings in the trunk and slipped into the back seat.
The driver peered his ball-capped head over his shoulder and blinked in surprise at the close look at her. Advanced in his years compared to her, he could not hide his initial attraction to his passenger as he stammered, "Uh, w-where to, miss?"
"Charleston. First and Cantor, please," Lucie answered, a winning smile in place and a couple of doe-eyed blinks of her eyes for an added touch. For as long as she was going to be staying in the area, it only benefited her to make 'friends' wherever she went.
One never knew when one of those acquaintances would divulge something that could help her search. Septum was not the only person who was exceptionally good at getting his feelers out in the world.
Nobody forgot an encounter with Lucie. And those she had left behind were still in contact with her... for casual and innocent conversations from their end of things. An exceptional listener, the Hunter had concluded that she needed to be back in the United States based off of the little things that she had pieced together.
When enough trails had run cold, it was onto the next known location where the Yuy-Bartons had taken residence over the course of their existences. Charleston was the first of those stateside cities she would be visiting for any information that could tie her to her targets.
So many others on the same hunt were convinced that the Clan would be secluded some place... some country that they had never been to prior to stay unnoticed. This was the furthest thing that Aisley believed. She was more than sure that they would seek shelter in familiar territories. After all, who would think to search for them where they had once been in the past?
This would be what Lucie determined would bring her to the enemy. Septum would be most pleased with her for bringing his prized Hybrid in. And she would see that he rewarded her handsomely for it. Using him as she used so many others, there were seeds planted that she could already see growing wildly to her advantage.
In due time, the scientist would be her little puppet like every other admirer come and gone.
Only his fondness would bring forth the greatest of riches that she could ever dream once he had the Hybrid in his possession. Friends like Millers needed to be kept close well beyond their time of working together towards their common goal.
Any wealth that came to him would be Aisley's as well. What fame fell upon him would be shared by her. Oh, yes, they would be the very best of friends for the rest of their days.. or until there was nothing more that he could offer her.
Sighing softly, Lucie closed her eyes and rested her head back on the headrest of her seat when the taxi rolled out to merge with the late afternoon traffic. There would be plenty of time to imagine her just rewards later. First, she needed to rest following her long trip then sort out her next steps in setting shallow roots in this new territory.
There were still others out in the world looking to beat her to the punch in finding the Hybrid. No rest for the weary until the game was officially hers.
* * * * * *
Hours later...
After taking the time to reconnect with the whole Clan of their friends, Sally and Victor ventured back to their home late in the evening.
Promising to set right to her research, the doctor also vowed to call the couples involved in the big plan once she felt sure enough to assist them through the best way of going about the procedure to bring in a baby for Heero and Duo.
Even though there was still a ways to go in seeing things through, it was a big first step... better than they had hoped for before they sat down with Po to hear what she thought.
With the kids tucked away in their beds for the night, the family settled in their own way to fill Trowa and Midi in on all that had been discussed earlier.
"So there is the very real possibility that this will happen," the 'little mother' all but squealed in excitement as she squeezed onto her husband's arm. "This is wonderful news. I will be praying that all goes well, safely and smoothly for all of you. You know that if there is any way that we can help, you need only ask." She was rewarded with appreciative smiles for her kind, endearing sentiments.
Her prayer for a good and safe experience for all in this venture was one that the whole family would be saying over its course.
Trowa was cautiously optimistic, giving his wife a small smile but also holding onto the worry in his emerald-and-green eyes that had appeared since first hearing of potential complications. He could cast the concerned glance at Anna when she was not looking, unable - as well as unwilling - to bring up what that might mean for her.
Instead, the Latin Original focused on both Chang's to inquire light-heartedly, "If this does come to pass, have you discussed how you'll be explaining the new baby to your children?" Smirking, he shrugged, "None of them have been given the whole speech of the 'birds an the bees' yet."
His question served its purpose in lifting the air that had become thick with tension when everyone laughed.
"We did talk about that," Wufei snickered. "And we'll cross that bridge when we get there." To the amused looks he received, he nodded, "So, yes, that means we still haven't the faintest idea of what we're going to say as of this moment." More laughter filled the room at that.
Curled up tightly against her husband's side, Anna grinned, "We'll draw straws between us when the time comes." She giggled madly as her Other poked her in the side a couple of times with a low growl to negate that suggestion. Her head of red hair shaking, she kissed the tip of his nose and agreed, "Okay. Okay. We'll discuss it with them together."
Such was more of the talk amongst the Clan when the early sign of the new morning poured through the window to brighten the room in natural light. At the rising of the sun, so came the sound of a knock on the door that had the banter inside come to an abrupt halt.
Frowning, Chang asked, "No one was anticipating company, were they?" Onyx-and-gold eyes narrowing, a protective coldness settled on his features as he stared at the front door in the adjoining foyer.
Set in the duty to defend their children against whatever creature managed to silently creep upon their home, Wufei and Anna shot to their feet and bolted to the entrance. "At ease, you two," Duo chuckled when he, alongside Heero, came up behind them. "We wanted this to be a surprise."
"Wanted what to be a surprise?" the redhead pressed when her husband opened the front door. Hearing his sharp gasp, she slowly turned back to see the four smiling beings standing on their front porch. "Oh my God!" she exclaimed, launching herself forward to latch onto the first snickering Vampire of the lot.
Standing nearly a whole head's height taller than her, Charles grinned from ear-to-ear as he hugged her back just as fiercely with a quiet, "Hi, Ma. We've missed you, too."
John laughed softly as he stepped up to be looped into a free arm from the redhead so that he and his brother could have kisses rained on their cheeks. Isabel and Carol rushed their father when Wufei stepped out to welcome them.
Anna spun on her heels once she had a chance to see all of her kids to pick out Heero and Duo. Biting her lip, she all but ran to them, kissed their lips in quick pecks and held them tight.
Soft as a breath, she whispered by their ears, "Thank you." Not wanting to miss another second reuniting with her little ones, she hurried back to the lot gathered close and ushered them inside with Wufei.
A soft sigh of content breaking from him, Maxwell continued to smile upon the sweet scene as he looped an arm around his Vampire's waist. "Nice work, Uncle Heero."
Yuy rested an arm over his Companion's shoulders as he smirked, "Thanks, Uncle Duo." Just as they had decided the day prior, this was far from fully repaying their brother and sister for their selflessness in seeing to their desire for a family of their own...
...but it was a great start.
TBC...
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