Woke Up One Morning... Part 40
I'm still mentally reeling in shock when 'Lena jumps up from her seat beside me to laugh and run at her brother for a tight hug that he bends down to accept and return. Chuckling deeply, the tall man kisses her cheek and she moves to hug her sister-in-law.
Throughout the crowded room, conversations are resuming and filling the air again, but just about every eye stays on Zechs and Noin.
Many know exactly who they are from back in the war days. Even more, however, are simply drawn to the commanding presence that they both have, standing in the center of the restaurant in long, opened overcoats that make them look regal in relatively casual outfits.
Slowly rising to her feet, Lady Une rounds the table with wide eyes as she approaches the couple. Zechs and Noin both focus on her as Merquise grins at her and says quietly, "I apologize that we could not be here sooner. But even with sonic jets, it can be quite the commute from Mars."
"Better late than never," the Commander snickers with a couple of tears in her eyes. Awkwardly, she embraces her returned agents with her right arm in a short cast that stops at her elbow. It gives the rest of us the chance to get over our initial shock at the surprise appearance of our friends.
'Ro and I are the last to make it to them. And I am pleasantly surprised when Zechs extends his hand and smiles, "Heero. Duo. My congratulations on your marriage. Relena has had quite a bit of time over the course of our trip here to catch us up on some of the news that we have been missing out on." Peering over my shoulder, I snort at 'Lena's sheepish smile and shrug.
I accept the offered hand and grin sincerely, "Thank you, Zechs. It's great to have the two of you back to help us out." My partner shakes his hand and gives a small bow of his head in appreciation as well.
"We wouldn't be anywhere else at a time like this," Noin comments as she moves around her husband to wrap her arms around me. Gladly returning the gesture, I then step away so Heero can move in as they exchange a kiss to each other's cheek in greeting. Of all of the former OZ soldiers, she was one of the people that we had some cause to be the closest with.
Shifting our chairs closer, we make room for a couple of extra chairs so that they can join us at our table. "It was... quite the disturbing announcement when we learned of what happened to headquarters when Relena called us," Zechs sighs with a deep frown. Focusing on the Commander across from him, he states, "I cannot express how sorry we are."
Noin's own face is etched in a deep sadness as she nods beside him, "We came as quickly as we could to assist in finding whoever is responsible." Smirking, she adds, "And we have something that I believe you will find of great interest in using."
Everyone around the table, including myself, starts at that. Of course... how could I have forgotten? At the end of the Mariemaia incident, they were signed the rights to-
"Peacemillion?" Une breaths, her eyes blinking in surprise. "You brought Peacemillion back with you?"
A small smile tugging his lips, Zechs answers, "It would serve as a more than adequate headquarters for the Preventers until all of this passes and a permanent place is established. The ship is yours to utilize and we have a crew from our Mars staff that will assist in the manning of it."
Holy shit! Having a ship as our new headquarters will make it a hell of a lot easier to protect in space. It'd be the ideal solution until this mess is handled.
Lady Une smiles widely, "I... I don't know what to say."
Raising a hand, Noin grins, "No need for anything besides allowing us to have a shot at the bastards responsible for the attack. It's as personal a matter for us as it is for anyone in this room." I smirk to myself.
That 'take-no-shit' side to her is one of the things I always liked about her. Easily, she could take more than half the men around.
"Well, you do have my blessing to that," Une chuckles. "I will be more than happy to brief you both on everything that has been building up to now and we can discuss the arrangements with your ship." Pleased with that, the couple nods to seal the pact.
I can't help but have a pretty giddy smile on my face. Finally, we'll be able to start getting back on the case to take out Ivanov and his henchmen. As of right now, we have one hell of a force in the team that we all make up together to do that.
* * * * * *
By the end of the day, it was announced to all Preventers that we would be taking residence in Peacemillion in just one week. It was up to everyone to handle whatever loose ends they had by then. After a week, what was left of headquarters would be demolished so teams would go in to recover what was still left inside that could still be helpful to our investigation.
For Heero and I, having one week to prepare for the move simply meant we needed to pack beforehand. There were others that I am sure wished that that was their only concern.
... Such as Wufei and Sally. Their having only one week meant inducing her labor so that they did not have to worry about her delivering on the ship. An ultrasound was taken and they were given the green light to go through with their plan.
It was decided that the baby would be delivered in the same hospital where Heero and many other agents were recently cared for. Along with many of her staff members overseeing the procedure, Sal was in the best care she possibly could have asked for.
Even still I was anxious as hell sitting in the waiting room just beyond the maternity ward with Heero and all of our friends.
Snickering, my husband shakes his head and rubs my back as we sit together. "You're fidgeting again." Only then looking down into my lap, I sigh and release the end of my braid that my hands have subconsciously been working a pretty large knot into that will need to be cut out. Reaching over to take my hands and squeeze them, he smiles, "Everything is going to be fine."
"Well, it's been almost five hours now since they started to induce," I reply, mildly giving him a glare for being so calm. Hell, everyone sitting around us seems to be holding up better than I am right now.
Meeting my partner's eyes, I shrug, "This is a pretty big deal, you know? One of the original five of us is having a baby. Years ago, we didn't even think we would all live to see anything like this."
His grin warming, Heero states quietly, "Well, I do appreciate what a 'big deal' this is for us. Just try not to-" Suddenly stopping there when he peers up, his eyes widen and I snap my head in the direction to watch as Wufei enters wearing a green set of a medical cap, gown and mask that's hanging from his neck as he carries a little bundle in his arms with a brilliant smile on his face like I've never seen.
Gasping, Relena and Quatre are the first two on their feet and running towards Chang for a close look at the little one wrapped in a pink blanket. Lady Une and Noin are right behind them as Trowa, Zechs, Heero and I huddle around behind them.
"Oh, she's adorable, Wufei!" the Foreign Minister gushes in a whisper at the tiny baby blinking up at us with blue eyes.
Though I've yet to see an ugly baby, this one certainly is one of the cutest. Already, there is a bit of dark hair fuzz on her head to leave no doubt which parent that came from.
Reaching up with balled up hands that she hasn't figured out how to work yet, she yawns widely and makes all of us in her audience chuckle. Words of 'congratulations' to the new father make their rounds through our group as he bows his head in appreciation.
Lightly tracing a finger over a pudgy cheek, Quatre asks, "What is the little one's name?"
Noin throws in, "And how is Sally?"
Snickering as he continues to beam with pride, Chang answers, "Sally is wonderful, resting now. And at seven pounds, two ounces and sixteen inches, we named this little one Phoenix. And her middle name is Xia, meaning glow."
All around, eyes light up at the fitting name for his daughter. Really, there could not have been a better choice after all that we've been through with the timing of her birth. Shifting a bit in her father's arms, the little girl 'coos' and 'ahs' as if expressing her approval, making us laugh again.
Phoenix Xia Chang. The first baby to come into our family. It's a pretty amazing thing.
Gazing around at the lot of us as we all get a chance to move in to wave at and greet his baby, Wufei informs, "Sally is being moved to her room if you all would like to say 'hello' to her."
Lady Une peers to the corner where a pile of balloons, ribbons and presents that she played a large part in providing are waiting. Chuckling, she questions, "Does it appear as though we would be leaving without having that chance?" Wufei shakes his head in amusement and leads the way through the halls.
The second we enter the room, the ladies set to the task of decorating as Heero and I are the first to reach a tired, but giggling Sally while she lays in her bed. "Hey, doll," I smirk and kiss the top of her head. "Congratulations."
Reaching to squeeze my hand, she replies, "Thank you, Duo." I move aside as my husband and the others all take their turns to offer their embraces and congratulations to the new mother. Finished with covering the space in pink and blue, Relena and the girls have their rounds of holding Phoenix.
Details of the delivery are shared... making me thankful once again that I am not a woman that I would ever have to endure such a thing. And finally, the baby makes her way to me. More than eager for the meeting, I take her up in my arms and chuckle, "Hey there, munchkin. Welcome to the family."
Those big blues peer up at me and her nose crunches.
Clearing his throat, Wufei moves to sit at the edge of the bed to wrap an arm around his wife and announces, "There is one order of business that we need to take care of since everyone is here."
I blink and turn to face the couple to give my full attention. A small grin tugging the side of his mouth, Chang takes a deep breath and asks quietly, "Duo, would you be open to being Phoenix's godfather?" Gasping sharply, I freeze as my eyes widen.
Did... did they seriously just ask...?
Sally gazes over to her long-time friend to nod, "And you her godmother, Noin?" Just as shocked as I am, Lucrezia's jaw falls open.
"Really?" I breathe when what they are requesting really sinks in and I can find my voice. 'Fei and Sal smile and nod. Laughing as I catch Heero's smirk, I focus back on the new parents as my eyes water. "I-I'm honored." I stammer. "Thank you."
Not trusting her voice, Noin moves to simply embrace the pair in her response as a few tears roll down her face. And there are nothing but smiles to be found all around as we watch the sweet moment. I move in to give Chang a careful one-armed hug that he returns while I still cradle his daughter.
Pulling back, I grin wickedly down at the little one, "You hear that, Phoenix? We're gonna get into all kinds of trouble together." She just gives an excited squeal followed by a gurgled round of giggles. As my friends laugh, I gaze over at the only person who has yet to hold her.
The moment he reads what I'm hinting, my husband's own smile fades in a flash of panic. Stepping towards him, I comment, "I think that Phoenix should get a proper introduction to her Uncle Heero."
His panic grows as his eyes widen. Shaking his head, he frowns sadly, "I... I don't know how to hold a baby. I probably shouldn't in case I hurt her."
Even though the reluctance is there, so is a yearning that I pick up on that makes me close the distance between us while my heart breaks that he would doubt himself to do such a natural thing. "You'll do fine," I reassure quietly, completely focused only on 'Ro as he looks from Phoenix to me and back again nervously.
"Just hold your arms the way I have mine," I urge gently. Swallowing roughly, my partner mimics me by curling one arm under the other to make a protective nook. To keep from startling him, I move slowly to shift the baby from my care into his.
As soon as Phoenix is settles in his arms, Heero's wide eyes blink in wonder when I step back to let him have full control of the situation. That timid, scared part of him quickly fades as he shifts his arms the slightest bit to lose his stiffness hold the baby up more comfortably.
It all comes as naturally as breathing for him, then.
Phoenix gives off a soft purr of 'coos' and reaches up for her carrier's face. Letting out a sharp breath in the form of a surprised laugh, 'Ro gazes back up at me. There's a brightness in his eyes and uncharacteristically wide smile that takes our friends off guard when their jaws hang and eyes widen at the sight of it.
Even if they never saw such an expression on his face before, everyone in the room knows who it intended for as he never takes his gaze off of me. Though there is a small crowd surrounding us, the moment we're sharing is intensely private and special.
Grinning proudly, I nod, "You see? Nothing to it."
The smile on his face warming, Heero mouths a 'thank you' that I know is sincere without having to hear it in his voice. Winking, I take another step back to give him space to walk around with Phoenix and keep my eyes on him the whole time.
I'm not the only one captivated by the sight of the former Perfect Soldier, who can bend metal with his hands, cradling an infant. Everyone has their own gaze on him as he paces around a bit as he stares down at his tiny charge with a grin plastered on his face.
When Phoenix coos up at him, he whispers, "Hello, little one. I'll be the one making sure your Uncle Duo doesn't get you into too much trouble."
Laughing along with the others, I catch the baby tilting her head.
* * * * * *
After we all offered the new parents our best wishes, the lot of us said our 'good nights' and part our separate ways until we meet again in a couple of days.
Heero slowly slides back into the passenger seat of our car and pulls the door closed, wincing the slightest bit in discomfort. I do my best to not over-coddle him and keep my eyes forward while pulling us out of the parking lot.
Once we're back out on the highway, I peer from the corner of my eye and smirk, "That was pretty cool. I never got to experience a birth like this before. That Phoenix is pretty damned cute, too."
A thought hitting me, I snicker, "I get the feeling 'Fei and Sal will have their hands full with watching after her when she's older. I can see Chang as the kind of father polishing his blades in front of any poor bastard that that shows at their house to take her out." My husband smiles and hums in agreement.
We fall into a comfortable silence for a while as I continue to maneuver the route home. Then, Heero speaks up out of the blue. "You know," he begins quietly. Peering out of the corner of my eye again, I meet his gaze on me as he shrugs, "I think that I really would like adopting in the future."
My lips curl up as far as they can stretch and I'm almost giddy over that announcement. "Good. You'd make one hell of a father," I tell him, meaning every word of that.
Swallowing roughly, he looks away, keeping his eyes on the road as he frowns deeply, "You... really think so?" He pauses and breathes, "Even with who I was?"
The sadness in his voice is too much to bear. And I am not about to wait the last ten minutes we have in our commute to address it. Flipping the turn signal on, I pull over into the shoulder beside the road and bring us to a stop by a tall street lamp that is slowly burning on as the sun sets in the distance.
Completely taken by surprise, Heero blinks at me with wide eyes. Taking his hands in mine, I lean over the center console. I keep my voice clear and firm as I reply, "You'll make a wonderful father because of who you were as well as who you are now. I don't doubt that for a second, and you shouldn't either."
That seems to be exactly what he needed to hear when he blinks a couple more times before a tiny smile tugs his lips just before he leans in to capture mine. Closing my eyes and drowning in the kiss, I feel my fingers burrow into his hair as my hands grip the sides of his face as he returns the favor.
A blissful eternity later, we're pulling apart, our breaths heavy while our foreheads rest together and our eyes open to lock together. "Then I believe you," my lover pants. "And I believe because you're the only person who really knows who I am and what I'm capable of... even more than I do. I trust you with all that I am, and all that I will be for that."
Jesus. He really does know how to get to those heart strings of mine. It's... beyond important to hear him say these things... that he trusts me so much.
I lean in for another deep kiss that curls my toes before I whisper, "I love you."
One of these days, I'll have a better way of really letting him know how I feel. Somehow, those 'three little words' just don't do any justice. But as Heero had mentioned before, all that really matters is that the words are meant.
Smiling in response, he just kisses the tip of my nose and grins, allowing me to turn back and grip the steering wheel. Easily getting us back onto the road, we're homeward bound again.
...Bound for our bed where we can resume kissing away whatever other demons there may be tonight.
TBC...
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