Love Always Finds a Way

by Kija

*Prologue: New Life*

"Oh Ami, look at that! I must sooo have this!" a young darked haired woman exclaimed in excitement. The petite woman with short blue hair standing right next to
her adjusted her glasses and with a skeptical look she observed the object of her friend's desire.

"Really Rei, " she started, "this is the most horrendous... thing.. I've ever seen!"

But the other woman's violet eyes sparkled with delight and determination as she strode into store and returned a few minutes later with a huge grin on her face.
With a wink she strode past Ami, who could just shake her head in disbelief.

"You know, we should take a break now.. you should take it easy. " Ami chided her friend as she saw Rei skipping into yet another store. She only gave her friend a
cheeky look over her shoulder that told her "Make me".
Instead of giving in to her friend's cheerful mood Ami's face turned very serious as she made a step towards the other woman.
"You know you should be home resting, you know how dangerous it is" she said in a quiet, serious tone.
Rei blinked once and for a moment Ami dared to hope her stubborn friend would come to her senses- her luck was shattered though a moment later.

"Don't worry about me. I'm feeling great! Actually I have never felt better! And in any case I have my doctor with me if worse comes to worse." she quipped as
she turned her attention back to the shop window.

"If Mamoru knew about..." she began as Rei whirled around, her face suddenly serious, all the joy from a moment before vanished from her face and something
dangerous edged her features now as she softly spoke; "Don't even think about telling him! It was my decision and I asked you, as my doctor and friend not to
tell him. You swore an oath."

Ami looked at her best friend solemnly before turning her gaze away, ashamed. She softly whispered, "I never should have agreed to that. It was wrong..."
"Hush now and don't worry anymore! You see I'm doing great and everything has been well so far!" she chimed cheerily again, as she grabbed Ami's arm and
dragged her down the street to yet another little boutique.
For a moment longer Ami scowled before she had to agree with her friend. Everything had been going well so far and without a problem; everything would be all
right- she was sure of it..at least that's what she tried to tell herself...

A few hours later a totally exhausted Rei stepped into the elevator of the apartment complex. She smiled contentedly at the stack of bags she had left
downstairs to be brought up later. Upon reaching the top floor the young woman was rummaging through her purse for her keys,wishing she preferred small bags
over ridiculously oversized ones.
Just as her fingertips wound around the keychain a sudden pain jolted through her lower body and she cringed, having to hold onto the wall for a second for support.
This was the second time in 2 days this was happening and she took in a shaky breath as the dull ache subsided.

Taking a deep breath and wiping sweat off her brow she composed herself and started to slowly walk towards the door.
Just as she was reaching for her keys again, the door opened and a warm smile greeted her.
"About time you made it! Ami called me ten minutes ago that you're coming up.", he flashed her one of his boyish grins, one of which she loved so much and
never got tired of seeing. His face was so handsome and his eyes sparkled with such joy upon seeing her that it made her heart melt.
She softly took his face into her palms and placed a small,lingering kiss on his lips before he let her pass into the warmth of the apartment.

Tired from the day she let herself fall a bit ungracefully onto the couch, staring out of the wide balcony doors overlooking the city. God was she glad she could
talk Mamoru into getting this place. She loved the cool, modern architecure and clean surfaces of the metal and glass building.

Closing her eyes for a moment and relaxing she noticed the sweet smell of freshly cooked food from the kitchen and had to smile.
"He really tries to make my every wish come true", she thought to herself not able to hide her smile.

"What's that delicious smell, love?" she inquired towards the open kitchen and a dark head popped up from under the counter grinning at her.

"Your favorite" he beamed with a silly grin.

She smiled lovingly back at her husband, not able to put in words how much she loved him.
"Would you mind if I go get a few things done before dinner?" she asked him softly
He came over to her and took her hand, helping her up from the couch as she couldn't quite do that on her own anymore and placed a small kiss on her forehead.

"Not at all, my sweet." he whispered softly, "I'll get you when dinner is ready."

Absolutely content she slowly made her way towards the bedroom, passing the one room they had started to make ready for the past week. She took a look
around the small room, taking in the carefully painted soft blue walls and the stacks of plush animals and clothing scattered around in boxes.
"So much to do still" she said to herself, "but at least I still have a month to finish everything."
With that she disappeared into the bedroom and worked on a project she didn't even tell her husband about. She was almost finished, This would be the last time
she worked on it and it made her proud she did it even ahead of schedule.
Pleased with herself the young woman made her way to the bathroom, observing her reflection in the mirror. Her face was pale, maybe even a little sickly but still
radiant. She felt so alive, so ready for what was ahead of her. As she turned to the side she looked critically at her figure and frowned a little.

"You, little fellow make me look quite fat", she spoke teasingly to her belly. Not mad at all about it and smiled contentedly, stroking her swollen belly tenderly
before she stepped into the warm shower.

Mamoru was chopping up the bread when he suddenly heard a loud crash from the bathroom and gripped by shock and fear, he immediately ran towards the
noise. As he reached the bathroom door he gasped in horror as he saw his wife holding onto the white ceramic sink, the delicate glass bottles that used to be
neatly lined up, scattered and shattered on the floor. Her face was grimaced in pain, blood slowly running down her legs and pooling at her feet.

Before he could take another step closer to her she commanded him in a strangled voice "No! Call an ambulance... call Ami, she knows what to do!"
He hesitated for a moment before running back to the living room and grabbing his phone, his fingers shaking.

The sirens were blaring loudly as the ambulance raced through the streets. It seemed like everything was blurring by Mamoru so fast he couldn't understand,
couldn't grasp the meaning of it.
Holding his beloved's hand tightly he tried to ease her pain, lend her his strength but her whimpers and cries of agony kept getting worse and more urgent.
He could do nothing but try to soothe her, speak words of love and reassurance to her.

"Mamoru", she whispered in a strangled voice "I'm so sorry... so sorry I didn't tell you..." and her voice started to become frantic as she kept repeating the words
"so sorry" over and over again, almost in a daze.

Mamoru just shook his head and took her hand, softly kissing her palm, holding her small hand in his gently "Hush, love... don't worry about it.", he whispered to
her.

When the ambulance finally came to a stop in front of the hospital and the doors opened, Ami was already waiting with a very worried look on her face.

They wheeled Rei in fast, knowing that every second was precious now. Ami turned for a second and put a hand on Mamoru's chest.

"You have to wait here" she said softly and before he could protest she turned back around to face the almost unconscious young woman.
"I love you", Rei whispered so quietly he barely could hear it and with one last kiss on her palm he replied, "I love you too", before he let go of her hand and the
large doors closed behind her.

Nervously he paced the hall for what seemed like an eternity... until, from a distance, he heard a baby cry...