For the Love of a Child

For the Love of a Child

by Star Kindler

Chapter One

Disclaimer: I do not own GW, never have and never will

Warnings: Yaoi, sap, and OOC

Enjoy and please review!

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"Duo? Where are you going?" I looked up from my computer as I saw Duo head for the front door.

"Just out, Heero." Came his reply. I sighed and stood up. Wearily, I stretched my stiff muscles. I had been sitting at that computer for hours. That was probably my problem. Duo had been leaving almost everyday at the same time in the afternoon. He refused to tell me where when I asked. I wasn't quite sure what to think. I, after all, had not been paying much attention to him lately.

"Duo, please tell me where you're going." I now stood in front of him, and tried to remain calm.

He looked at me, perhaps a little fearfully, but I could see no intention of an answer in his eyes.

I reached out and grabbed his arm, maybe a little too tightly. He winced in pain as I pulled him toward me. I know I shouldn't of, but sometimes my temper got the best of me.

"I find it strange you will not answer me. Where the hell have you been going?" I could feel my rage rising.

"Heero, please let go." He tried pulling away, but I would not let go. Finally he looked me in the eyes and said,

"I can't tell you…yet. Please, I've got to leave now!" He gave one final tug and his arm was free from my grasp. I made no attempt to take hold of him again. My love turned away from me and ran out the door. I was left alone in the corridor, unsure of what to do next. I couldn't understand why he would just leave like that. I had the impression our relationship was very open. Crestfallen, I treaded back to my computer, with confusion tugging at my heart.

***

I didn't want to leave Heero like that. The look I saw in his beautiful cobalt eyes ripped my heart in two. I hated not telling him what I was doing. Hell, I didn't even know what I was doing. But, if he knew, I thought for sure he would leave me. But as I turned into the hospital parking lot, I realized he was going to find out anyway. He would know as soon as I brought the little girl in the house and claimed her as my daughter. No, I would have to tell him before she came to live with us. My only prayer was that he would understand and not leave.

A wave a fear came over me. Today was the day that I would see my daughter for the first time since her birth five years ago. Her mother was just a woman I met shortly after the five of us gundam pilots split up. I thought I loved her, but I was wrong. We broke up before I even found out she was pregnant. I was there when my daughter, whom she named Ayanna, was born. She was beautiful, but her mother, Kalista, didn't want me to have anything to do with her and the baby. I don't know why I consented, but I did. A year later, I met up with Heero once more, and needless to say, we fell in love. I love him to this very day, and have no doubt in my mind that we are meant to be together. But recently, I received a letter from Kalista stating that she had a terminal cancer and didn't have long to live. She wanted me to take custody of Ayanna. The social workers had already seen that I was fit to parent her, so today I was going to sign some final papers granting me full custody of my daughter.

I found a parking spot and parked my car. Trembling I got out and headed to the hospital doors. I stepped into the big, quiet building. I could almost hear my heart pound in my chest as I reached an elevator and pushed the button with an 'up' arrow printed on it. Nervously, I paced around as I waited for the elevator. I cursed under my breath as the elevator descended slowly to level one. Patience is not one of my virtues.

Finally, the doors slid opened and I gratefully stepped in. I pushed the button marked '3' and leaned against the back wall. As the elevator ascended, so did my fear and anxiety. Once it reached its destination, I got off and walked quickly down the hall to the room where Kalista and Ayanna were waiting. I stood behind the door, unsure whether I should open it or not. I was terrified; I had no idea what I was getting into. I could have left. There was no reason I had to go in that room, until that is, the door opened a nurse stepped out. I was spotted by Kalista, who smiled and motioned for me to come in. Returning the smile, I entered the room and saw a small girl seated close to the hospital bed. She was absolutely beautiful. She had gorgeous, long, chestnut hair and deep blue, saucer-shaped eyes. She glanced at me with a thoughtful look gracing her face. Ayanna stood up from her seat next to her mother's bed and walked over to me. She stood before me and looked up at me through the most intense eyes I have ever seen.

"Daddy?" My heart melted. I nodded, stooped over and hugged her tightly. I felt her arms wrap around my neck and hold on tightly as if she didn't want to let go. I certainly didn't want to. Nothing had ever gave me such a peaceful feeling before. I realized how much I loved that little girl, despite the fact that I did not know her. I had felt the connections of love toward her before, but never acted on them. I never once tried to contact her. I was so afraid she would reject me, but here she was, with her little arms clinging to my neck. But eventually, after a glorious lifetime, I let go and she did too. I stood again, and Ayanna grasped my hand. I was shocked at the girl's reaction toward me, considering she didn't know me; but I wasn't going to argue. Kalista looked exceptionally happy. A grin crossed her pale face.

"The two of you will get a long just fine." She said wearily. I couldn't help but beam with happiness. I have wanted this since Ayanna was born.

Then, the door opened behind me, and a social worker, the same one that had reviewed me, entered. She nodded a hello and stopped to shake my hand. Next, she pulled out a paper and pen and set them on a table against the wall.

"Mr. Maxwell, please sign this paper." She said, and I consented.

"So how long until Ayanna gets to come home with me?" I asked as I signed my name.

"It will take 3-7 days. We'll give you a call."

"Thank you…" I heard Kalista mutter behind me. The social worker walked over to her bedside and took hold of her hand. She whispered something to Ayanna's mother, then said goodbye to the three of us. She left as quickly as she came in.

I turned to Kalista. "Um, we need to talk."

"Wait…" she replied and pushed the nurse call button on some sort of remote.

After a moment, a nurse entered and asked if there was anything she needed.

Kalista nodded. "Could you please take Ayanna to the hospital daycare?"

"Of course." I looked over at Ayanna as the nurse took hold of hand. As she was led out of the room. She looked back at me intently, then was gone.

"Wonderful child, isn't she?" Kalista asked with a weary tone.

"She's perfect." I responded. I crossed the room and sat in the chair next to her bed and took a good look at for the first time since I entered the room. She appeared so weak. Her face was pure white, and her skin was drawn tightly over her cheekbones. I knew she didn't have much longer.

"Duo, are you afraid to take her?"

I looked at her in shock. "No! Of course I'm not. I can't wait for the moment till I'll finally be able to raise her – like I was meant to." I know my voice sounded a bit angry, but I couldn't help it. It hurt to miss so much of her life.

"Duo, don't be angry. Please, I know I was wrong. I should have let you see her." She turned away, and I could sense she was crying. In an attempt to comfort her, I took a frail hand and held it gently in mine.

"I'm not angry. It's just I feel as if I've done wrong for not trying to contact her or nothing..." I replied as kindly as possible.

She looked back at me. "It wasn't your fault. I'm so sorry – I hope you can forgive me."

I nodded and she smiled. "So what does your new lover think about you having a daughter, anyway?" she asked, changing the subject.

I glanced around nervously. "Um…uh…he's perfectly okay with it." Damn, I hated all these lies, but I couldn't tell her Heero didn't know yet.

"I hope he is a good…" she stopped due to a coughing attack. After a moment, the coughs subsided, and she continued. "…A good role model for Ayanna."

"She's going to love him." 'I hope…' She nodded and seemed satisfied with my answer.

Suddenly, a doctor came into the room. "How are you feeling, Kalista?"

"I'm fine, doctor." She said, but her voice wasn't very convincing.

The doctor looked over at me. "Visiting hours are up…Wait, are you the little girl's father?"

I shook my head yes and he said, "I need to talk to you outside then."

"Alright." I turned to Kalista and gave her hand a squeeze. "I'll see you later."

"Goodbye Duo." She replied and turned away from me. I sighed and followed the doctor out the door.

Once out of the room he said, "Kalista will be gone in a few days. The cancer has completely taken over her body."

I nodded, unsure of what to feel. I was sorry, of course, but it didn't actually cause me any pain.

"Well, I just wanted to let you know…" The doctor muttered a goodbye and hurried off. Calmly, I walked away in the opposite direction. A mixture of feelings filled my heart. I was happy because I was finally gaining a daughter, but my daughter was losing her mother. Then there was that problem with Heero. It worried me, but as I made my way down the elevator, and out the hospital doors, I thought I would lay the news on him tonight, perhaps over dinner.

***

I gazed out the window. Still no sign of Duo. It was bothering the hell out of me. He had been acting so strange the past few weeks. I sighed and plopped down on a couch. I picked up my bottle of beer sitting on the table next to me. I took a long gulp from it. It certainly calmed me down. Honestly, I've been on the brink of hysteria since Duo kept disappearing. Thoughts of anger and hurt floated throughout my mind, preventing any positive thoughts from breaking through.

But in the midst of my thinking, I heard a car pull up to the driveway. With an anxious jolt running through my body, I raced to the front door and threw it open just as my Duo was getting out of his car. He noticed me and as he approached the front steps, he smiled. I bolted down the steps and hugged him. I don't know why, I should have been angry, but the anger had melted away. Now I just wanted to hold him and not let go. He didn't seem too surprised by the action.

After a moment he pulled away. "Heero, I want to tell you where I've been going."

I looked at him in shock. "What? Where?"

"Not yet. What I have to tell you is too important just to blurt out. Let's discuss it over dinner. We can go to a restaurant."

I nodded, obviously it was the best I would get out of him right now.

"Okay, I'll drive." He responded and pulled me to the car. As I climbed in, I had to ask,

"Duo, is this going to be bad or good?" To tell the truth, I was incredibly nervous.

He leaned over to the passenger seat and kissed my cheek. "It depends on how you want to take it, lover." And he started the car and we drove off.

~~End of Chapter One~~

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So what did ya think? I really want to know! Please review! ~Star Kindler