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"Duo,
is she alright?"
"Who?"
"Ania Winner?"
Duo stared across the room at the forms of his friend and
fellow ex-Gundam Pilot, Trowa Barton and Trowa's date, Ania Winner. She
looked lovely in her silver dress, her white/blonde tresses piled on the
top of her head in a mock diamond tiara, a stark contrast to Trowa's black
tuxedo. This beautiful silver Angel was, however, very pale and leaning
heavily on Trowa's arm.
The brown braided pilot shrugged it off, "She's probably
had a little to much to drink this evening. Remember last year's Christmas
party? Ania outdrank all of us including me. I'll never live that one
down as long as I live."
"I know, I remember, but I haven't even seen her with
one glass all evening." Responded Hilde, Duo's wife.
"So, neither have you. I just assumed that two of you
wanted to have a tame evening."
"We haven't said hello yet. Let's make ourselves known."
Hilde dropped Duo's hand and she glided over to Trowa and Ania. She also
looked stunning in her crimson ball gown with roses in her in raven hair.
Duo, in a black traditional tux like Trowa's, followed.
The two women hugged, "Ah, Ania, it's lovely to see
you here this evening."
"Same here, Hilde." Ania said, "We haven't
gotten a chance to get together since you and Duo got married. How many
months ago was that?"
Hilde threw her head back and laughed, "Four hellish
months married to Duo Maxwell."
Duo's eyes widened at his wife, "Hey, I heard that."
"I know, Dear, I know." Hilde smiled at the braided
man next to her, "You know I love you too, don't you?"
The four of them laughed. Everyone knew that Duo and Hilde's
love for one another was as solid as the diamond she wore on her finger.
Hilde sighed and stared out across the ballroom. "The
Cinq Kingdom Christmas parties have always been quite the occasion especially
with Milliardo Peacecraft and Miss Noin on the thrown as King and Queen.
Last year's was certainly a time to remember coupling the Christmas party
with Heero and Relena's wedding and reception. They're lucky to have one
year of wedded bliss under their belts."
Ania gave her a weak smile, "Relena must be so happy
having her brother up there on that throne and not herself. She has more
time to concentrate on her marriage and her child."
Trowa laughed at the mention of the newly born Yuy baby,
a little boy Relena and Heero called Thomas, "Did anyone ever imagine
Heero as a father?"
"Did anyone imagine Duo as a father?" Hilde said,
a hint of mystery in her voice.
The three of them, including Duo, turned and stared at her.
The music and other couples' chatter continued in the background, unaware
of the small bomb that only just exploded over poor Duo's head.
"What?" Duo stared at his wife.
"Yes, Love, in six month's time, you are certainly going
to be in the same position as Heero is now." Hilde pulled him close
and kissed his cheek.
Trowa held out his hand to Duo, "Well, what can I say,
congratulations to both of you. What a wonderful Christmas gift."
Trowa and Duo shook hands.
Ania asked, "Have you told anyone else yet, Hilde?"
"Yes, My mother went with me to the Doctor's office,
but I decided to wait until I told Duo before telling any of our friends.
Only it didn't turn out quite that way." Hilde replied.
Beaming at her friend, Ania gave the other woman another
hug, "Oh, I'm so happy for the both of you."
Duo spied his best friend, Heero, out of the corner of his
eye, "If you'll excuse us, Ania and Trowa, I think I see Heero and
if anyone can sympathise with me, it'll be him."
Hilde laughed nervously, but Trowa noticed Duo's eyes sparkling
with hidden excitement at the prospect of becoming a father after only
a few months of marriage. He bid Duo and Hilde farewell and turned to
his date. She looked pale and sad even though she smiled, and a haunting
faraway look had overtaken her eyes.
"What is it, Angel?" Trowa whispered into her ear.
"You don't look very well."
"Trowa, I think I'm just tired." Ania softly replied.
"Can we sit down? I could use a drink as well. Just a softdrink,
I don't think I could hold any alcohol this evening."
"Alright." He led her to a chair and bade her to
sit down, "Please, sit here a moment then, I'll be back soon.
Ania nodded, resting her hands in her lap. She watched Trowa
disappear into the crowd.
"Ania?"
She whirled around, startled, only to find her brother's
childlike face staring down at her. "Oh, Quatre, it's only you."
"Ania, is everything alright? You've been less than sociable this
evening and that is not at all like you. You've only just said hi to Duo
and Hilde, and Wufei and I have been searching for the two of you all
evening." Quatre took the seat next to Ania's.
Ania stared into her brother's concerned blue eyes and brushed
a lock of his blonde hair off his forehead. "It's nothing, Quatre,
I'm fine. I'm just tired and Trowa is getting a drink for me. I haven't
felt like talking to anybody tonight."
A look of mild worry crossed Quatre's handsome face.
"Please, dear brother, I am fine." Ania pleaded,
"Do not worry."
Trowa nodded at Quatre as he came up behind Ania's chair.
Quatre stood up and they exchanged a brief hug. Since their first meeting
just before the After Colony wars, Quatre and Trowa knew only the close
friendship they shared, and Quatre had been delighted when his beloved
baby sister began to date the tall, stoic pilot.
Quatre, now doing contract work for the Peacecrafts of the
Cinq Kingdom, rarely saw the young couple, since Trowa and Ania lived
with Trowa's sister and the rest of his circus family on the L3 colony.
"Jesus, Trowa, must we only see each other when somebody
throws a party like this? You guys have got to get out and visit us more
often."
Trowa smiled, sitting down at the table and putting Ania's
drink in front of her, his green eyes reflecting his thoughts of brotherly
love for his best friend, "Cathie only seems interested these days
in booking as many colony shows as possible. I've insisted an unknown
number of times we move the circus to earth for a while, but my pleas
always tend to fall on deaf ears. I need a break. I want to come back
to earth for a while. Ania's looking like she needs it anyways."
Quatre sat down next to Trowa and glanced at his sister.
His brow furrowed with obvious concern as she stared into her drink, paying
little attention to either him or Trowa.
The blonde man stared at his best friend and mouthed the
words, "Is she okay?" Trowa only shrugged and shook his head,
indicating that he did not know.
"Ania?" The girl looked up and into the aquamarine
eyes of her brother, brought out of whatever world she had shut herself
into. "Do you want to dance with me?"
With a tired sigh, she looked at her boyfriend, "Trowa?"
"Go ahead, Angel, I don't mind. I'll still be here when
you are finished."
Taking Quatre's hand, she slowly followed him out to the
dance floor, where she allowed her brother to sweep her into the Christmas
waltz.
"Where did you learn to dance like this, Quatre?"
She asked.
"Iria taught me when I was younger." He said, fondly
remembering an older sister of theirs who died during the After Colony
Wars. "She always had a love for dancing and I happened to be the
only male around so she always chose me to be her partner."
Ania allowed herself to be taken in by the music and the
other dancers and the feeling of safety as she held onto her brother.
But Ania did not feel well, nor had she all evening, and the buzz and
excitement of the moment was all too much for her body. Her head swam
and a black halo closed around her line of vision. Without warning, Ania
collapsed and was caught by Quatre only in the nick of time.
"Ania?" Quatre's voice held panic, "Ania,
what's wrong, please?"
Ania did not move or respond to her brother's frantic pleading.
"Somebody help me!" He shouted, "My sister's just fainted."
A crowd gathered around him, not one person moving to help
him as he tried to rouse his sister from the faint. Shoving her way through
the crowd, a familiar face greeted Quatre as Dr. Sally Po, a close friend
of both Lucretzia Peacecraft and the Gundam Pilots, arrived to help.
"Get her off the dance floor and take her to one of
the chairs." Sally said to him, "I'm right behind you."
In a hurried gesture, he picked her up and carried her off
the dance floor, followed closely by Sally.
Sally directed Quatre to sit Ania down on one of the chairs.
Trowa, startled by the sound of Quatre's alarmed voice above
the music, arrived just as her brother placed Ania in the chair. He stopped
and dropped to his knees at the sight of her slumped forward in the chair
and gently touched her faced as if willing his touch to bring her back
around. A crowd of people, intent on seeing what was wrong, began to push
their way towards the table occupied by Quatre and Trowa.
Sally dropped down next to Trowa and wrapped her fingers
around the younger girl's wrist to take her pulse, "What happened?"
Quatre shook his head, "I don't know. She wasn't looking
very well and then when we were dancing she just collapsed in my arms
without any warning."
Trowa stared at the Auburn haired doctor next to him with
fear in his emerald eyes, "Is she going to be okay?"
"Her pulse is slightly elevated, but she's only just
blacked out, nothing more." Sally said, gently dropping the girl's
hand. She gently patted the girl's face. "Come on, Honey, come back
to us."
Ania moaned and shifted her head towards the face that spoke
to her. Sally smiled with relief. "She's coming around now. Can we
get her upstairs? My med kit is in the car and I'd like to take her blood
pressure and ask a few questions."
Trowa stood up and picked up Ania in his arms as though she
were only a feather. "Quatre will show you the way up to our rooms.
We'll see you up there shortly."
The gathered crowd stood back to let Trowa through. Duo and
Wufei Chang, who had joined the braided pilot only moments before, followed
the Heavyarms pilot upstairs, leaving Relena, Hilde, and Heero to deal
with the crowd.
*****
Upstairs,
Trowa gently set Ania down on the bed they shared. She was still groggy
and not quite fully conscious. He carefully sat down next to her. "Duo,
can you get me a glass of water, please?"
"Sure thing, Buddy." Duo exited the room in search
of the drink.
Wufei stood over Trowa near the bed. "Shake her a bit,
Tro, and speak to her. She's probably just fine but you should try and
see if you can wake her further. Then she might be able to tell Sally
what's wrong."
Trowa shook her softly, trying to rouse her completely from
the dark sleep that held her so tightly in it's grip. "Ania, it's
me, Trowa. Come on, Angel, wake up, please."
Ania trembled and then opened her eyes fully. "Trowa?"
She whispered, "What happened? Where am I?"
"It's alright, you're safe in our bed. You just collapsed,
Sally's on her way now." Trowa said, gently squeezing her cold clammy
hand in his. "She's cold, 'Fei, can I have that blanket?"
Wufei pulled a spare blanket from the end of the bed and
handed it to Trowa, who covered the girl with it. Both pilots looked over
to see Sally enter the room, carrying her medical kit, followed by a frightened
looking Quatre.
"She's fully awake now, Sally." Trowa said, both
him and Wufei vacating their spots on the bed to allow Sally to do her
job.
Sally sat down on the bed, pulling instruments out of the
medical kit and talking softly to the girl. Trowa and Wufei moved back
to stand with Quatre. Trowa's eyebrows went up to see the blonde clasp
Wufei's hand in a tight grip.
"Quatre, you didn't tell me you and Wufei were"
Trowa stammered out.
Quatre said nothing, while a small smirk crossed the Chinese
man's face, "We didn't think we needed to announce it."
Trowa's surprised expression faded into his normal stoic
one, "Well, whatever makes the two of you happy is fine with me,
but don't expect the same kind of treatment from Duo."
Wufei shrugged, "We will not have any trouble from Maxwell."
"What have you done, Wufei?"
"Nothing at all, Trowa."
"Trowa?" Quatre said, interrupting the conversation
between the two pilots. "Sally wants you."
Trowa walked back over to the bed that held his beloved,
slowly moving to the side opposite Sally. "What is it?"
"She's fine as far as I can tell, slightly dehydrated
and she tells me she hasn't eaten today, but fine. I'd like the two of
you to come in tomorrow morning and we'll take a further look, just to
be sure." Sally turned to Ania, "And you, please eat something
light now and have a good breakfast and drink lots of water."
Almost on cue, Duo entered the room, carrying a tray with
an empty glass and a pitcher of water. Trowa accepted it from him and
filled the glass. Sally and he helped Ania to sit up. Ania,
still a little groggy, took the water from him and sipped it gently so
as not to upset her already weak stomach.
Sally put her things back into her kit and stood up, "I'll
see you both in the morning. I'll give regards on your behalf to the others
downstairs. Good night."
Ania and the four pilots watched Sally leave the room and
close the door behind her.
Trowa looked at Duo, "Everything alright downstairs?"
"Yeah, Relena and Hilde got things back under control."
Duo sat down in the spot Sally vacated. "You gave us all quite a
scare, Miss. Don't you be doing that again."
"I'm sorry, Duo." Ania said, giving him a weak
smile and patting his hand. "Please tell them thanks."
Duo stood up, "I'm going back to Hilde now. You need
anything else?"
They all shook their heads.
"Alright then, I'll see you tomorrow."
"Hang on, one sec, Maxwell. I'll go with you."
Wufei called. He turned to Quatre. "I'll see you downstairs?"
"Yes, I think so. I'm going to stay with Ania a little
bit longer."
The Chinese man gave him a small nod, resisting the urge
to kiss his partner goodbye in front of Duo Maxwell, "Very well.
See you soon then."
And both pilots were gone, shutting the door softly behind
them.
Trowa averted his gaze from Ania to Quatre. "Sally asked
that she eat something tonite. I'm going to go get that something. There's
bound to be enough party food for her downstairs. Stay with her, Quatre?"
The Arabian nodded and sat down on the bed next to his sister,
"I won't move until you get back."
After Trowa left, Aquamarine eyes bored holes into Ania forcing
her to shift in discomfort. "There's something going on with you,
Ania, and you're going to tell me what it is right now."
"II can't, Quatre." She whispered, staring
down at the bed, her hands busy fidgeting with the blanket that covered
the lower half of her body.
"You caused so much worry for us downstairs." Quatre
pleaded, "What could be so wrong with you that you can't even tell
me."
"Because I haven't yet told Trowa?"
"Told him what, Ania?" He pulled her hands away
from the blanket they grasped and held them tightly. "Ania, when
your health is in jeopardy and scares us like this, you gotta expect us
to be concerned for you and at least try to tell us what's wrong."
"Quatre, I'm pregnant." She suddenly blurted out.
Quatre, for a moment, could only stare. Finally finding his
voice, he said, "You haven't told that to Trowa?"
"I'm afraid to, Quatre, I'm afraid that he isn't going
to want me anymore." Tears filled her blue eyes, "He's never
made mention once of marriage or children and we've been together for
a year and a half. His friends are getting married all around him and
having kids, too. He's gotta know it's on my mind. But I never expected
it to happen like this. He's going to think I planned it and am forcing
him into marriage and family just because I'm jealous of our friends.
But it's not like that, Quatre, it was an accident."
Pulling her close, Quatre let her cry on his shoulder, her
sobs muffled against the material of his tuxedo jacket, "It isn't
like that, Ania, you're not giving him enough credit."
"But how do you know, Quat, how do you know that?"
Ania asked between sobs.
"Because I've known him a lot longer than you and he
does confide in me some things." He gripped her shoulders, moving
away from her and looked at her squarely in her face, "I know he
loves you so much and has no intention of ever leaving you. Not for anything,
Ania, he told me so."
She instinctively wiped her tears from her face, "Oh,
Quatre, I'm still so scared. If I don't tell him tonight, he'll find out
tomorrow from Sally."
"Maybe it's better that way."
"Perhaps."
The door opened, revealing Trowa and a small tray of food
for Ania, "Food courtesy of the Peacecraft Christmas party."
"I'm going now, Ania, take care of yourself tonight
and call if you need me, please." Quatre got up off the bed and turned
to Trowa, "I'm serious, anything and call me."
The two pilots hugged each other and Quatre left to rejoin
the other's downstairs at the party.
Trowa helped Ania change her clothes and then sat on the
edge of the bed and watched her carefully as she ate the light snack that
he brought to their room.
"Stop staring at me, Trowa"
"I'm going to make sure you eat every bite of that before
you go to sleep."
"You're making me paranoid."
Trowa got up with a sigh of frustration, "And what happened
downstairs tonite didn't make me paranoid? What's up with you, Ania, why
did you suddenly decide not to eat anything? Is there something that you're
not telling me?"
"Trowa, II suspect it's just a case of
the stomach flu and nothing more." Ania quickly averted her eyes
to avoid him seeing the guilt she held and gave him her empty plate, "I
felt sick yesterday morning and I threw up this morning. I didn't want
to risk not being able to come to the ball tonite and so I just didn't
eat today. I didn't think this would happen. I'm being honest with you,
Trowa, I'm not hiding anything from you."
"Well, I have a right to be worried." Trowa discarded
most of his clothing and crawled into bed next to her. "Sally will
let us know tomorrow."
"Do I have to go see Sally?"
Trowa shut the lamp off, "Yes, you're going to see Sally.
I will not have any episodes like this again. Not if we can prevent them."
Not long after he had shut the light off, Trowa fell into
a restful sleep. Ania lay as close to him as she could get but found she
could not sleep. A nagging feeling at the back of her mind kept her thoughts
active and prevented the sleep she so desperately needed. Carefully getting
up, so as not to wake Trowa, Ania pulled a chair over to the window to
stare into the night sky, into the space that she and Trowa both loved
so much, peaceful and empty space.
He's going to find out tomorrow, isn't he, Ania, and then
what will you do, and all because you were too chicken to tell him tonight,
she kept thinking over and over as a single tear slid down her cheek.
No matter how hard she tried, Ania would not be sleeping this night.
*****
The door
to the room that housed Quatre and Wufei opened and shut silently, allowing
the short Chinese man entry.
Wufei noticed Quatre sitting in the window sill, staring
out at the night sky, worry and concern creasing his normally handsome
face, "Quatre?"
Startled from his thoughts, Quatre turned to his partner,
"I'm sorry, 'Fei, I didn't hear you come in."
Coming up behind Quatre, Wufei gently put his hands around
the smaller man's waist and pulled him close, "You didn't come back
down to the party. I missed you."
Quatre leaned appreciatively against Wufei, "I stayed
with Ania a bit longer than I expected. I'm sorry, I didn't feel much
like partying after that."
"No worries, Quat." Soft lips touched Quatre's
cheek, "I'm going to bed now. You coming?"
Quatre nodded to the Chinese man and Wufei disappeared into
the bathroom. The sound of an electric toothbrush and running water filled
the room as Quatre discarded all his clothes save his boxer shorts. He,
however, did not move from the window. The bathroom light went off and
Wufei re-entered the bedroom dressed only in plaid pajama pants, his chest
and feet bare.
Opening up the bed, Wufei stared at Quatre realizing that
something plagued the Arabian's thoughts, "Quat, is something wrong?"
"No" Quatre shrugged and turned away from
the window, flopping down on the bed, "YesI don't know."
Turning Quatre around so that he faced away, Wufei placed
gentle hands on the pale skin of Quatre's bare back and began to gently
knead the tension away. "What is it, Little One? You've been distressed
since the episode downstairs."
"I'm worried about my sister."
"Is that all?" Wufei asked, "Though if you
don't wish to tell me, that's"
"She's keeping secrets from Trowa." Quatre stated
before Wufei could finish his sentence. "And she told me what that
secret was."
"Can you tell me?"
Quatre shrugged, "Probably not, but I'm going to tell
you anyway."
A beam of stray moonlight fell across Quatre's blonde hair
and face highlighting a tear streaking down his cheek. The Sandrock pilot
quickly brushed it away, not wanting Wufei to see his weakness. "Ania's
pregnant."
"What?" Wufei's hands fell away from their position
on Quatre's back as he stared at the man sitting in front of him, "And
she's keeping this information from Trowa?"
"Right now, I'm torn between my sister and my best friend.
Keep the secret and let Trowa find out on his own or call him up right
now and explain the whole mess." Quatre turned around and faced Wufei,
"But really, it won't be a secret for much longer. Sally's asked
them to come in tomorrow."
Wufei nodded in agreement, "He's going to realize that
Ania knows when Sally brings it up tomorrow. If there's one thing that
women can't do, it's hide their guilt. But, why'd she collapse tonight?"
"Morning sickness. She hasn't been eating because she
feels queasy afterwards. That's certainly not going to do her or the baby
much good and I'm glad she's seeing Sally. But there's more, 'Fei."
"What's that?"
"She's under the belief that Trowa's going to leave
her when he finds out."
The Chinese man sat back against his pillows and pondered
this for a moment, "What do you think?"
"I think she's wrong." Quatre moved in close and
snuggled up to the man next to him in the bed. "She's not giving
Trowa enough credit. I told her that I know him better than that."
Throwing his arm around the smaller blonde man, Wufei said,
"He won't be happy at this secret being kept from him, but there
is one thing"
"What's that?"
"It's probably best if we do not get involved. Whatever
happens, it is between them and we should not get between that."
Quatre shot up, staring at Wufei, "But, 'Fei, she's
my sister!"
Two brown fingers pressed themselves against Quatre's soft
pink lips, silencing him, "No, Little One, your sister needs to fight
some battles on her own. Just be there when she needs you, okay?"
Quatre settled back into the crook of the arm encircling
him, "Your wise council relaxes my heart again, Dragon. I am lucky
to have you."
"We are lucky, Quatre."
*****
"Ania?
What are you doing?"
Hiding her hands behind her back, she looked innocently at
Trowa in the chair next to her, "Nothing."
"You're fidgeting."
"No, I'm not."
Trowa took one of her hands and held it firmly in his own.
"Yes, you are, I know you better than that, Angel. What are you so
nervous about?"
"I'm not nervous, Trowa, really, I'm not."
Sally entered the room before the pilot could say anything
further. She looked much like the doctor she was, wearing street clothes
underneath her medical jacket, instead of a purple ball gown, her auburn
hair tied up into a ponytail. She sat down behind the desk and faced the
couple. "Well, thanks for coming in and seeing me. I got the results
of the tests we did on Ania this morning. Nothing major, just a standard
check-up. I'm sure she's already told you, Trowa?"
Trowa nodded. "Did you find anything wrong with her?"
"No, there's nothing wrong aside from the fact that
I think she needs to eat more. I did find one other thing, though,"
Sally paused, staring at the girl, "Ania, did you know that you're
pregnant?"
"I'm what?" Ania feigned surprise as the news she
already knew came to light, but as soon as those words escaped her mouth,
Trowa Barton fainted.
Ania twisted around in her chair. "Oh my god, Trowa!"
Sally came around from behind her desk, chuckling, "Are
you two always like this?"
"I didn't know that he was going to take the news like
this?" Ania said, fear creasing her face, "I guess I hoped he'd
be happy?"
Well, this isn't the first a father has fainted in my office,
Heero Yuy did the same thing." Sally gently patted Trowa's face,
just as she had done to Ania the night before, urging him to come to.
"Come on, Trowa, wake up."
Trowa's head lolled forward as he came to, "Ugh, I feel
like a very large stone has just been dropped onto my head."
Sally smiled, returning to her chair, "In a way, Tro,
that's exactly what happened."
Looking from one woman to the other, a puzzled look crossed
Trowa's face, "Are you sure the test is correct, Sally, I mean we've
been so careful."
Ania shook her head, "Not careful enough, obviously.
I've suspected it for sometime as well."
"Our tests are 100% accurate, too." Sally said.
"If you suspected it, how come you didn't tell me, Angel?
Why did we have to get the big scare last night in order for me to find
out what you already knew?" Trowa said, his voice thundering with
tightly controlled anger.
"I didn't know how you'd take the news, Trowa."
Ania looked at the floor, unsure what to say further.
"Do you know how far along she is?" Trowa asked
Sally, his expression turning from shock and anger to concern.
"Judging by only the questions I asked, I'd say about
10 to 12 weeks along." Sally said, "My recommendations now are
to make another appointment for a week from today and we can check up
on the baby and you better start eating properly and drinking lots of
water and getting some rest. I'd also recommend delaying any flights back
to the colonies, if you can manage it. The flights, in her current weakened
state, won't do any good for her. Once she's back up to her normal strength,
she'll be able to travel home before the baby is born."
Trowa nodded, "Yeah, all those things can be arranged.
Cathie will just have to deal with me not being around for a while."
Ania looked at her partner, horrified and shocked at his
sudden change of heart, "But, Tro, it's your work?"
"Angel, I have more important things to worry about
now. Cathie's taken care of things before and she can do it again."
He finally smiled at her, "I'm not going to lose you to anything.
If this is what Sally says you need, then that's what you're going to
get."
The three of them stood up and Sally walked them to the door,
"I'll see both of you next week. Until then, take it easy, Ania."
"I promise, Sally, I will."
Sally closed the door to her office, leaving the young couple
alone. Trowa turned to Ania, "You told me last night that you were
keeping no secrets from me, Honey, and I can't say that I'm happy that
you kept something like this, of all things, to yourself, but I'm both
overjoyed and scared that this is happening to us."
"Our baby will be the same age as Duo and Hilde's baby."
Ania whispered.
Trowa pulled her into a tight hug, "That's a scary thought."
"You're okay with it, Trowa? Withthis?"
"How can I not be, Angel. It's you I want and I guess
our baby comes along with that. How about we get on home and give our
news to the others and see about arranging some further quality time with
the Yuys and the Peacecrafts."
*****
Relena
and Hilde met the couple on the steps as the limo pulled up, both of them
dressed warmly against the winter cold.
Hilde opened the door to the car and helped Ania out, "How
are you, Ania, we've been worried sick all day."
"I'm fine, Hilde, really. Trowa and I just got some
unexpected news and it explains the reason why I've been feeling so down
lately." Ania said, going up the stairs supported by Hilde on one
side and Trowa on the other.
Relena's eyes perked up, "What news?"
"Let's get inside and I'll tell you."
The four of them shrugged off their heavy winter jackets
as soon as they got inside. Ania took the first empty seat and sat down,
glad to be off her feet and resting. "Go find the others, Tro, we
should just say it once and get it over with."
Ten minutes later, the small crowd, consisting of five former
Gundam pilots and three girls, gathered in the main library of the Peacecraft
manor to hear the news.
"I just want to thank everybody for their support and
concern yesterday." Ania began, holding tightly onto Trowa's hand.
"I apologize for everybody having to worry about me yesterday and
it was appreciated regardless. Trowa and I have been to see Sally today
and we found out today that we are expecting baby around the same time
as Hilde and Duo are."
Hilde did her world famous shriek, jumping up and rushing
over to Ania to throw her arms around her, "Oh, Ania, what a wonderful
surprise. To think, we're going to be mothers-to-be together! I'm so happy
for you!"
Following Hilde, there were a number of other congratulations
from their closest friends, however, none looked happier than Quatre,
his clear blue eyes shining with love and excitement for his sister. His
eyes held one other emotion, relief that the news was out and there were
no more secrets. Relena and Heero were more than happy to accommodate
Ania and Trowa for as long as necessary, happiness flooding Ania's heart
that she'd be closer to her brother as well.
"Quatre, you haven't said anything since Trowa and I
got home." Ania said, a bit later as he and Trowa walked with her
up to their rooms.
"What's there for me to say that hasn't been said already,
Ania." Quatre said, smiling at her. "You've known how I felt
about this since that first day you and Trowa met. How could I feel any
different knowing that you're so happy?"
"You mean the world to us, Quatre, you know that don't
you?" Trowa asked him.
"Of course, I do, Tro." Quatre opened the bedroom
door for them, before dashing off to work. "I'll come visit you when
I can, Ania, look after yourself."
Ania flopped down on the bed, "I'm tired, Tro, and I've
got a headache. This was far too much excitement for me today. Me and
the little one need to sleep."
Trowa smiled, "Alright, I'm going to go and make arrangements
with Cathie so she knows that I'm not going to back for a while. Just
rest and I'll come get you when it's time for dinner."
"Okay, and Trowa?"
"Yeah."
"I love you."
"I love you too, Angel, sleep well."
*****
In Heero's
study, Trowa leaned back in his chair, the vidphone in front of him beeping
as he waited for the call to connect.
The face of a woman with dark brown hair and green eyes much
like Trowa appeared on the screen. "Catherine Bloom."
"Cathie, it's me, Trowa."
Her face brightened at the sight of her brother on the screen,
"Oh Trowa, how wonderful to speak with you. Did you have a nice Christmas?"
Trowa nodded, "Yes and no, the party was brilliant as
usual, however, Ania got sick and passed out and we had to leave early."
"Oh my god!" Catherine exclaimed, "Is she
alright now?"
"She's tired and not feeling well, but we've been to
see the doctor today." Trowa paused, "Cathie, I've got something
to tell you, though you probably won't be very happy to hear it."
Catherine became alarmed at the grave tone in her brother's
voice, "What is it, Trowa, what's wrong?"
"We found out this morning that Ania is pregnant. That's
why she's so weak. She hasn't been eating thinking it's the stomach flu."
Trowa realized that he stretched the truth a bit, but there were some
things that Catherine didn't need to know about. "Sally's asked us
not to travel until Ania gets her strength up and then we can return and
the baby can be delivered at home."
Catherine was silent while she pondered Trowa's words, "You
know, Trowa, this is going to ruin our whole holiday season show. I was
counting on you coming back for the premier"
"Oh, Cathie, Stop it!" Trowa snapped, sitting forward
in his chair and staring at the vidphone screen. "I've always been
around for your premiers and your holiday shows, but this once I'm asking
you to let me off because I find Ania's health a lot more important than
the show. When I was piloting full time, you let me off then, you can
do the same now."
She sighed, "Can't you come back for the premier and
Ania can stay with Relena?"
"With Ania being both sick and pregnant, I'm staying
here." Trowa frowned, "Stop treating me like I'm some child,
Cathie, I grew up a long time ago. You're my sister, not my mother."
"Alright, fine, stay then, Trowa. Call me before you
do actually decide to come home." She disconnected the line and his
vidphone screen went blank.
Trowa ran his hands through his hair and leaned back. "Well,
there are certainly better ways to do that." He said to himself before
heading for the door and down the hallway where he could smell food wafting
up from the kitchen below.
*****
A week
later, Wufei and Trowa stood on the steps of the Peacecraft manor, wishing
Duo and Hilde a fond goodbye. It was time for their return to the colonies
and their home and business on L2.
Wufei looked around, "Where's everybody else?"
Trowa answered, "Quatre and Heero are working and Ania's
sleeping. I don't know where Relena is."
"Don't worry about it, Tro." Duo smiled at him.
"We said all of our good byes last night."
Hilde, in turn, hugged each of the two pilots, lingering
on Trowa, she whispered, "You call us if you have any news on Ania's
condition, okay. We're all very worried about her. I wish we could have
stuck around longer."
"Don't worry about it, Hilde. If there's news, I promise,
I'll call, but she's been fine and getting stronger day by day."
Trowa replied, wondering himself if his words were true and knowing somewhere
in his heart that they weren't.
"Take care of yourself, Duo." Wufei said, shaking
the braided pilots hand. "Don't let visits go so long this time."
"We'll try not to, Wu-man."
With one last wave, the couple got into the car and it sped
away on it's journey to the transport center.
"Another holiday gone, eh, Trowa?" Wufei asked,
staring into the distance at the disappearing car.
"Yeah, 'Fei, another one gone."
The two pilots stood on the steps together in silence. Silence
that could almost be cut with a knife.
"Quatre's really worried about his sister." Wufei
finally spoke what troubled his mind since seeing Trowa that morning.
"She hasn't gotten out of bed since the party. Have you been to see
Sally again yet?"
Trowa nodded, "Yeah, yesterday, Sally said everything's
fine. We got our first ultrasound pictures of the baby and it's healthy
too. But Ania's been complaining of headaches and such so Sally put her
on some mild medication."
"Headaches?"
"Yeah, Ania says she's had them for the last 3 months.
It's probably something related to the pregnancy. I hope Sally's medication
does the trick, but still I don't know what else to do."
"Probably not much you can do, Tro." Wufei turned
back to go into the house. "Come on back in. It's cold out here."
Trowa followed Wufei up the steps and back into the house,
"I know that you're right, Wufei, but I still can't help but worry
about her. She's gone from my beautiful bright Angel to very pale and
withered and just plain sick. I'm going upstairs to look in on her."
"Tro, if there's anything you need, please"
"I know, Wufei. Thanks." Trowa left the Chinese
pilot behind and climbed the stairs to the second floor and the bedrooms
they occupied.
He opened the door to their room as softly as he could so
as not to disturb her if Ania was sleeping. She did not move when he entered.
Sitting on the edge of her side of the bed, he ran his hands through her
tousled hair, worry creasing his rugged face.
Ania's eyes fluttered open and she looked at him, "Trowa?"
"Hi, Angel, how are you feeling?"
"Tired, Tro, and that headache is still there."
She said, her sleepy eyes fighting to stay open.
He bent over and placed a kiss on her forehead, "Then
rest, Angel, I'll come in and check on you after I get back from helping
Heero and Quatre."
"What are you guys doing?"
He shrugged, "Just some maintenance work on the grounds.
They needed some extra hands."
"Is somebody going to be around in case I need them."
Her face contorted with mild fear.
"Yes, Honey, Pagan is just downstairs in the kitchen.
He knows where to find me or Relena if you need anything." He gave
her a gentle smile, "Love you, Angel."
Settling back into her blankets, she returned the smile,
"Love you, too, Trowa."
Trowa silently padded out of the room and sighed as he closed
the door.
*****
Four
months later, Ania had gotten a little better. The medication Sally gave
her took their effect and the headaches only bothered her when they were
strong. Trowa worried less but Catherine, angry at Trowa's apparent long
term absence, was taking it less than well.
"Trowa, don't you get it? We need you here! You have
been gone four months and I didn't think that it would take this long
for Ania to get stronger."
Trowa shook his head, "Then, Cathie, I hope that you
never get sick and that nobody ever has to take care of you. We're going
to see the doctor in a week as Ania had some tests done yesterday, we'll
find out what's wrong then and I'll let you know when I'll be coming home."
Catherine's face softened, "I'm concerned for her too,
Trowa, but I do have the circus to think about, and your replacement just
doesn't do you justice."
"I know, Cat, but there's nothing I can do about that
right now. When I know, you'll know, so just sit tight okay?"
"Okay, Trowa." She said, "Take care of yourself."
"I will, Cathie, See ya." Trowa switched off the
vidphone and the connection to Catherine.
"Trowa?" He spun around to find Ania standing in
the door of Heero's office where the vidphone was located.
"Hi, Angel, what's up?"
"You can go home, you know. You don't have to stay with
me."
He held out his arms to her and she went to him, settling
comfortably in his lap, Trowa's arms wrapping around her protruding pregnant
belly. "Angel, I don't want to go. I want to stay with you."
Ania shook her head, vehemently disagreeing with him, "But
I heard what she said, Trowa, Cathie wants you back at the circus."
"It's not what Cathie wants that is important to me,
Ania. It's what I want and you are more important to me than the circus.
So guess what, you're stuck with me!"
She grinned and snuggled in closer to him, "You're the
best, Trowa Barton."
"I try, Ania."
She touched her belly, "Can we talk about names for
the baby? We haven't talked about that yet. We only have two and a half
months to go before before this little one decides to show it's face."
"What did you have in mind?"
"My sister's name was Iria, you know, the one who died
in the After Colony Wars." Ania said cautiously, unaware of what
Trowa's reaction might be.
"It's a nice name, Angel. I was thinking of Grace, if
it's a girl, of course, but we both know that it's going to be a boy,
so then we'll call him Martin or Brand or Isaac."
Ania pondered this. "Brand? I like that name."
"You do?"
"Yes, I do, but since it's going to be a girl, we'll
call her Grace Iria Barton. How does that sound?"
Trowa smiled, "I think it's nice, but we're having a
boy, how about Brandon Isaac Barton."
She held out her hand and he took it. They shook hands, sealing
their parental agreement on the name of their child. "It's perfect,
Trowa. Can I ask you one other thing?"
"Sure, Angel, anything you want."
Ania took a deep breath, "Have you had any thoughts
about us possibly getting married, perhaps after the baby's born?"
Trowa's emerald eye's twinkled and a small grin turned the
corners of his mouth up, "Perhaps."
"Is that all you have to say?"
"Perhaps."
"Trowa! Stop being so exasperating!"
"Angel, ask me that question in a couple of days and
then you'll have your answer." Trowa would give no further information.
"Fine, be that way, you sneaky bugger!" Ania shoved
herself off of Trowa's lap, "And now I really have to go to the bathroom
and I think another headache is making itself known. I guess I'll lie
down for a bit."
Trowa followed Ania as they exited the office. They entered
their own room where Ania disappeared into the bathroom.
Trowa walked over to the curtains and opened them, also shoving
open the window to let some of the cool winter air into the stuffy room.
"Damn, Relena needs to turn down the heat sometimes. It's winter,
not the ice age."
Suddenly, he heard a scream and a crash come from the bathroom.
He raced over and opened the bathroom door to find Ania sprawled out on
the floor, unconscious.
"Oh my god, Angel!" Leaving her lying there, he
grabbed his mobile phone from the pocket of his jeans and dialed the number
for the kitchen, "Pagan, it's Trowa, call an ambulance, Ania's just
collapsed."
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