The Meaning of Life Part 22

"I absolutely love the idea," Danielle grinned widely to the split-screen image of Dorothy and Lady Une on her vidphone. Seated beside her, Noin nodded excitedly.

Breathing a sigh of relief, the law director of Wayne University replied, "We were so worried that perhaps you may have felt like we were stepping on your toes in this. But, then again, we knew that we were not dealing with the most normal of circumstances with the appeal and all."

To ease her friends, Noin reassured, "You're not stepping on any toes at all. We're all so busy getting ready to hear from the Supreme Justices now that the request for an appeal has been passed on that we haven't have a moment to think about a baby shower."

Her own head of red hair nodding, Danielle added, "And this is the perfect way to break up the tension right now. Those boys need something to be excited about."

Lady Une smiled, "That was exactly why we came up with the idea. Thank you, both, very much for letting us go through with this. So, we will continue to make our calls around to get an idea for a day and time for the shower."

"Sounds great," Noin beamed. "Please keep us posted. If there is anything that we can help with, don't hesitate to ask." The four young women gave their 'farewells before the call was ended and the vidphone screen went black.

Leaning back against the couch, the lawyer sighed softly. "You know, Noin," she smiled wistfully, "we must have done something right with our boys because they have the most wonderful friends."

Quietly chuckling, the retired maid responded, "That they do, Danielle" Shaking her head in amusement, she repeated softly, "That they do."

*   *   *   *   *   *

Relena was walking across her near empty college campus early that morning as she exclaimed into her cell phone, "A shower?! That's a fantastic idea!" Her head already spinning, she offered, "I can help with the decorating! You know that I love that job!"

Giggling, Dorothy's voice answered over the line, "I know you do. And we could certainly use your assistance there. Right now, we're just getting a consensus to what day and time would work best for everyone."

"For two of my favorite people in the world, anytime and anyplace is good for me," the studying historian replied with a warm grin. "Just let me know what everyone else decides and I will clear my calendar for that weekend."

Still already thinking ahead, Relena went on, "Since we don't know the genders of the babies yet, I can get non-gender-specific colored streamers, balloons, confetti. Oh! And I can't forget little bottles for the tables as centerpieces and a huge 'Congratulations' banner..."

Her friend laughed, "All right, Lena. You have fun with your planning and I'll get back to you as soon as we have the date and place."

Broken from her planning a list of things she wanted to do, the politician's daughter smiled, "All right. Talk to you later, then." After their 'goodbyes,' the girls ended their call.

Closing her cell phone, Relena could not keep the brilliant smile from her face. "Finally," she said to herself, "a way to give back to those two after their helping me and Quatre with our wedding plans." Light in her steps, she hurried across the slowly waking campus for the cafeteria to get breakfast.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Across the board, every one of Heero and Duo's friends were more than accommodating in saying that any weekend was good for them to make the date selection easy for the planners. Invitations were made up personally by Lady Une and mailed to the attendees.

Trowa offered making up the bulk of the food for the event, already knowing most of the honored couple's favorite courses. Wufei and Sally took charge of providing the beverages and assisted their Latin friend where needed for extra hands in the kitchen.

For the decorating, Quatre made sure Relena had every item she wanted and gave her his assistance in dressing up the Yuy's living room. Meanwhile, Dorothy sorted out party games and prizes. Solo, Cassie, Andrew, Jena and Carson all got in on the day's activities as well.

Hopping from one area of the event's festivities to the other, Danielle and Noin gave whatever help they could. But in the end, they really had to worry about very little just as their sons' friends had intended.

As far as the young mothers of the parents-to-be were concerned, the planning could not have been more perfect if they had taken charge of it all, themselves.

The only thing they needed to worry about was convincing Heero and Duo to come home for the weekend of the big event.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Sighing as he stepped out of the car when the garage door closed behind them, Duo stretched as much as he could with his ever-growing middle. Yawning after waking from his brief nap, his tail lengthened out as far as it would go in its own stretch.

Heero rounded the car to kiss his husband's cheek and commented, "For knowing that we were coming to look over some new paperwork on that appeal, the house looks pretty dark."

"This half, at least," the neko shrugged. "Maybe your parents are over visiting mine." Together, the couple made their way up the short stairwell to enter the house.

As soon as the door opened and they stepped inside, the lights in the living room lit up to a loud chorus of, "Surprise!" Taken completely aback, the slack-jawed, wide-eyed pair took in the room filled with every member of their friends and family along with a huge display of colorful decorations.

When they spotted the huge banner raised on the back wall, they read the pink-and-blue lettered, 'Congratulations On Your Litter!'

Finally able to breathe enough to gasp, Duo felt his eyes watering but paid no mind to it. Heero bit his lip in effort to refrain from becoming too overwhelmed, but his huge smile spoke every word of his appreciation.

Laughing, their guests started chanting, "Speech! Speech!"

The artist turned to his husband and gave him a smirk and a shrug as a hint to be the one to speak, considering he was the real guest of honor. With a deep breath, Duo waited until a few 'Shh's' from the group silenced the room. "Uumm," he began brokenly, "I really don't know what to say right now. This is so... nice of all of you."

Some voices 'aaaww'ed' before their shower guests moving in to embrace the expectant couple. Even Hilde had arrived along with Howard as her 'date' for the evening.

From the moment when the obstetrician had come on board as a part of the neko's medical team, she and the scientist had hit it off quite well. Already, they were looking into the medical and scientific possibilities of male humans being able to conceive through genetic enhancing. It was quite the topic between them as they became better friends.

Once they had a chance to greet and thank everyone present personally, Heero led Duo to the soft recliner that had been decorated with streamers and ribbons of blue and pink for the guest of honor.

Excited conversations went around the room, all focusing on the babies and how the pregnancy was moving along at its now thirty-fourth-week. It was not going to be much longer before the babies would be ready to be brought into the world.

After a buffet-styled dinner that Trowa was quite proud to see everyone enjoying while receiving many compliments, it was time for cake and a few baby-themed games. Danny was thrilled to win a word scramble challenge for the first choice of prizes available.

When all of the games were finished, it was time for the gift unwrapping. Stunned, Heero and Duo watched as three kiddy carts were pulled into the room by their parents, each one decorated and overflowing with presents of various shapes and sizes.

Grinning from ear-to-ear the cat-eared boy removed the wrapping paper to reveal each gift as Heero made notes to who had given what so they could send a personalized 'thank you' card to each of their friends. Receiving a variety of things from looser clothes to a few special pampering items, Duo was well looked after.

Then, of course, came the baby items that they would need. Small toys for toddlers, diapers, wipes, baby outfits and many other items were opened.

Duo took up one of the last presents left in the form of a large box. Carefully removing the silver wrapping paper, he opened the lid and gasped. Noin bit her lip as her son held up three home-stitched baby outfits- one of yellow, one a pale green and another a lavender.

Each head-to-toe suit had a matching colored blanket, hat and tiny gloves. Blinking in shock at the beautiful, woolen gifts, Heero felt the air rush out of his lungs.

Not needing to guess who had made the items when he looked up and found his mother crying silently, Duo lowered the box from his lap to cross the crowded room for a tight embrace with her. "I've been working like mad on those ever since I knew you were having triplets," Noin whispered by a tall ear. "I hope you like them."

"They're perfect," the neko replied just as brokenly. "Thank you so much." Sitting by closely, Zechs smiled at the touching scene before his son moved in for a hug from him for the wooden kiddy carts that he had personally made.

Last but not least, Danielle and Trent rose from their seats. Clearing her throat and drying a stray tear after that display, the young woman announced to her son and son-in-law, "Our gifts are upstairs."

Turning to face each other with confused looks, Heero and Duo nodded before following their parents from the living room with Noin and Zechs close behind. Already knowing what was waiting for their friends, everyone else remained behind to give the family their time together.

At the top of the steps, the expectant parents walked hand-in-hand as they were led down the hall. Hand on the doorknob of the last closed off room, Danielle took a deep breath before pushing it open.

Peering inside, even Heero could no longer keep back the small tears when he and his lover took in the three lavish baby cribs waiting for them.

Every one of the cribs was draped with a hanging, musical mobile of colorful stars, animals and teddy bears. Blankets and bedding with different nighttime scenes made them all unique and yet connected at the same time.

Slowly, Duo entered the room first and rested his hands on the railing of the first crib for a closer inspection. Along with Heero, he moved to the second and third before turning back to their parents.

Unable to trust his voice, the braided teenager fell into small sobs as he closed the distance between himself and his mother-in-law for as tight an embrace as he could manage. Danielle sniffled and kissed his temple as she returned the hug. She didn't need the words to know how thankful he was. His mere reaction was all of the appreciation she needed.

Trent was the next to be wrapped up by the neko while Heero moved to hold his mother with a whimpered, "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Danielle whispered back. After the rounds of embraces and kisses, the parents-to-be excitedly went from one crib to the next again. Silently, they both imagined each of their little ones laying in those tiny beds.

Testing out the music on the mobiles when they wound them, the soft music filled the room as the little hanging shapes spun and danced slowly. Duo rested a hand on his abdomen when the babies stirred once again.

It was all another reminder of how real their starting this family really was.

When they were ready, the couple left the room with their parents. Closing the room door once again, Heero waited until his husband was finished drying his violet eyes once again before wrapping his arms around his waist.

Kissing Duo's cheek, the artist asked him softly, "Ready to head back down to see the others?" Satisfied that he had regained his composure, the cat-eared teenager nodded.

Back in the living room, the pair caught up with their friends. Extending their most sincere gratitude to their guests when they headed home later that evening.

Dorothy and Lady Une earned an extra couple of hugs and kisses when the boys learned of their actual planning the event in the first place. On their way out with their husbands and children, both young women were beaming over how well everything turned out.

Exhausted, Duo bade his parents and 'in-laws' one last round of embraces and kisses before heading up to bed with his husband following suit.

Closing their bedroom door behind them, the pair changed into their sleepwear and crawled under the covers together.

At last able to sleep on his left side again, the neko rested his arm around his belly while his partner turned out the lamp beside the bed. Curling up as closely as they could, they remained in a companionable silence in preparation to drift off.

His eyelids heavy, Heero murmured, "You know... we're pretty lucky to have so many people that care about us."

Chuckling softly, Duo's own eyes were already closed as he replied in a whispered, "Yes, we are." Even with the stirring in his abdomen, he was able to fall asleep after his emotional roller coaster of a day.

Heero smiled in the darkness, knowing by the sound of his husband's even breathing accented with a quiet purr that he was asleep. Leaning in, he pressed his lips against the neko's forehead.

Easily resting his own hand over the active babies, he said softly, "Simmer down so your okaa-san can sleep, little ones."

Within seconds, as if he was actually heard and understood, the rustling feet and hands settled a bit.

Keeping his hand in place, Heero snickered and yawned, "Thank you. Good night, loves." At that, his eyes closed the remainder of the way while he was pulled into a peaceful night's slumber.

*   *   *   *   *   *

As fate would have it, Danielle and Trent received a call from Supreme Justice the following afternoon. Luckily for them, Heero and Duo were still around to overhear the conversation between the lawyers and judge regarding the filed appeal.

"I do understand how the verdict must have come as a surprise to many, including yourselves," the old man stated over the vidphone in the middle of the discussion.

Frowning, Harris sighed, "But, as you both well know, there are many angles of this case that have been weighed by my colleagues."

Danielle nodded, "We do understand that, Your Honor. And we do not mean to put any of you in a bad situation. However, we are simply fighting for what we believe is right for Duo in this matter."

The Justice waved his hand nonchalantly and reassured, "Of course. This is your job, to defend those who need it."

Leaning close to the screen, he informed quietly, "I should not even be telling you this, but I was one of the few against the verdict given. But, you still have the burden of providing something monumental to the table that has not been made aware to us before so the other Justices will have no choice but to go through with an appeal."

At that, both lawyers smiled over the screen of the vidphone to where Duo and Heero were standing alongside Noin, Zechs and Danny. Grinning in knowing what they were wordlessly suggesting, the neko entered the living room.

Heero and his 'in-laws' remained in the doorway, every one of them having a time holding back their chuckles and giggles in anticipation of what was about to happen.

When the braided teenager neared, Trent and Danielle moved from the couch where they were sitting to allow the pregnant neko to take their place before the screen. Gasping, the old man's jaw fell slack and his eyes widened.

Still grinning, Duo waved cheerfully, "Hi, Justice Harris!" Pointing to his swollen abdomen, he asked, "Would you consider this as 'monumental' enough?"

Blinking his gaping eyes, Harris stammered, "Y-yes, I believe that would just about do it."

TBC...

 

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