Love Takes Up the Glass of Time
Chapter 1: Two Lives
"Rico! I'm home!" a woman with blond hair and warm amber eyes cried out.
"Mommy!" the cute 3-year old boy cried out to his mother with arms wide open.
The woman knelt down to his level and wrapped her arms around her son in a tight embrace.
"Where's your Auntie Miriallia?" she asked after letting go of the hug.
"I'm here," a woman with orange hair answered and was leaning against the doorway.
"Thank you for taking care of Rico while I was gone," Cagalli said with a smile.
"No problem. Thanks to your adorable son, I absolutely couldn't resist," Miriallia told her. Then, Cagalli invited her to sit down with her on the couch.
While keeping a close look on her son, Cagalli offered a cup of tea to her guest and started a little chat.
"I hope your husband doesn't mind that you've been out of the house more often," Cagalli said after taking a sip of her tea.
"Well, Dearka and I talked about it, and he said it was fine as long as long as I'm already home before he arrives from work," she said.
"Are the two of you thinking of raising a family?" Cagalli asked.
"Umm…yes. But, only time will tell. He actually asked me a couple of times, but it seems there is always something that gets in the way. By the way, Cagalli, I hope you don't mind if I asked you this."
"What is it, Mir?"
"Have you thought about giving Rico a new father?"
Cagalli's eyes were quite shocked with her friend's question. But then, she lowered her head and gazed at her hands on her lap.
"I'm sorry if I had to ask, but it's been a year since Kira died. You're working so much to sustain both of your lives, and no one can take care of him but me. But, what will happen if the time comes I'm not anymore available especially when Dearka and I would start raising a family?"
"Cagalli," Miriallia said as she patted her friend's shoulder, "You need a partner to help you raise Rico."
Saying no more, Mir said goodbye to Rico and left the house.
"Mommy, are you okay?" Rico asked innocently when he noticed his mother didn't say goodbye to Auntie Mir.
Cagalli immediately wiped the tears away from her eyes. "Yes, I'm fine, my dear. C'mon, darling, it's already late. Time to get some sleep."
After bathing him and putting on his pajamas, Rico softly kissed his mother on the cheek. "I love you, mommy," he said.
"Mommy loves you, too," Cagalli said, but her voice sounded like she was about to cry.
As soon as she closed the door of their room, Cagalli broke down into tears. Mir's words couldn't get off her mind.
"You need a partner to help you raise Rico."
"I know Miriallia's right, but…but…I still can't forget about Kira. Every time I see my son, I see him. Kira, why did you have to leave me? Why?"
After minutes of sitting and crying there, Cagalli proceeded to her desk that is found below the stairs. She still has some work to do.
"Paging Dr. Zala! Paging Dr. Zala!" the speaker boomed, "Please proceed to Room 201 immediately. Room 201."
"I guess I better run. Umm...Nurse Meyrin," the tall, handsome doctor, with rimless eyeglasses called out to his assistant.
"Hmm?" Nurse Meyrin looked at the doctor curiously.
"The patient at Room 201 needs me…again. I'll leave you in-charge of Ms. Hera," he said as he was checking the patient records quickly.
Before giving a chance for Meyrin to reply, his footsteps were already heard in the hallway.
"Dr. Zala! Mr. Kangta has fainted!" one of his fellow doctors shouted as soon as he arrived to the designated room.
"Quick! Put on his oxygen mask! Bring him to the Emergency Room!" he ordered.
"What happened to him?" he asked one of the doctors who were helping him bring the patient to the E.R.
"It occurred by surprise. He was laughing heartily at one of the nurse's jokes, then he lay there…unconscious," he replied.
"I advised him not to laugh so much because of his heart problem," he sighed, "Anyway, he has always been a stubborn man."
"Is that the only reason?" he asked again.
"I think so," he shrugged.
Dr. Zala looked at his patient for a while. "Hold on, Mr. Kangta," he thought.
After few hours…
"What a stressful day!" Athrun said jadedly.
"What are you saying? Everyday is a stressful for a doctor," a distinguished voice came from the doorway.
Athrun jolted from his chair. "Oh, it is you, Dr. Joule," he bowed.
"You're way too formal…even though I'm the Chief Doctor. But, anyway, mind if we talk, Athrun?"
"Umm…yes. Besides, my shift is already over," he replied.
"Well, how could I start this? Ah yes, I heard that you have successfully regained Mr. Kangta's consciousness from his heart problem. Well done, Dr. Zala."
"Thank you, sir. I'm just doing my obligation as a doctor," he said – feeling a little bit embarrassed at the Chief's remark.
Suddenly, he noticed a picture of a beautiful woman holding a baby in her hands on Athrun's desk.
"May I know who this is?" Dr. Joule asked while taking a closer look at the portrait.
A small smile painted on Athrun's face. "Oh, that is my wife."
"And the baby is your…son or daughter?"
"A daughter. Her name is Nika."
"I never thought you had such a fine-looking wife. Tell her to visit the hospital, so the rest of the staff could meet her."
"Umm…I can't do that," Athrun said flatly.
"Why not? After all she's your wife."
"Yes. She is my wife," Athrun lowered his voice, "My deceased wife."
"Oh," that quite surprised a stern-looking doctor such as Dr. Joule, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"
"It's alright, doctor," he cut him off, "I'm really not the type of person who speaks about my family."
"Well, when did she die?" Dr. Joule asked.
"She died hours after giving birth to Nika. The doctors did their best to revive her, but she had already let go of my hand," Athrun said as those memories flashed in his mind.
"I see. How about your daughter? Is there anyone taking care of her?"
"A friend of mine graciously volunteered to take care of her whenever I'm gone," he replied as he focused his eyes on the picture.
A long silence filled the room, until a beeping sound was killed it.
"It seems that we had this discussion for too long. The other doctors need me," Dr. Joule stood up and fixed his white gown, "You may go home now, Athrun."
"Umm…yes. I better get going." Athrun quickly fixed up his files. He was about to grab his coat when the door suddenly opened.
"By the way, Athrun, please don't call me Dr. Joule. I don't feel comfortable whenever I'm called that way. From now on, call me Yzak."
"Alright, Doc – I mean – Yzak," he answered.
When he left, Athrun couldn't help but laugh. It seems so different calling your Chief by his first name. After a while, he walked near to his desk and held the photograph of the two women in his life.
"Lacus, I hope you're doing fine up there. I've been thinking of you everyday. I really miss you. Nika, I hope you're safe. Don't worry, daddy's coming home," he thought.
Hehehe…so what do you think of my second fanfic? I know Yzak is a little bit out of character, but…you'll see smiles. I hope you like this fic just like how you appreciate "Destined to Be".