|Chapter Nine|
Minako had to wait a two weeks until she was able to see Makoto again, this time ditching out on the count by request. Meeting Milliardo seemed like a dream, but she felt a bit relieved that Makoto had decided against starting a business in the Sanq Kingdom. Lunch was light as they spent the afternoon shopping for gifts. All this walking and trying on clothes was beginning to tire Makoto as she took a moment to rest in one of the dressing rooms where a stack of clothes hung Minako had picked out. Closing her eyes for a moment, Makoto awoke to a concerned Minako gazing as she brushed some hair from her face.
"I guess you're not as used to traveling as much as I do," replied Minako as she pat Makoto's knee lightly before looking over to Milliardo with a small smile. "She's looking anemic, it might be best to let her rest for a few days."
Minako backed up as Milliardo put a supportive arm securely around Makoto's waist.
"I'm sorry Minako," started Makoto only for a grin to push forward.
"Take care of yourself, and let him know when his stamina is too much for you," replied Minako with a wink. Makoto couldn't help but let out a laugh as she hugged Minako before they parted. Leaning back into the cool leather seats of the car, Milliardo gazed over at Makoto with concern.
"Is my stamina too much for you?" he asked, watching Makoto's eyes lift as she let out laugh out. Crooning her neck on his shoulder, Makoto pressed a cool kiss against his warm cheek.
"Are you sure it's not enough?" asked Makoto with a laugh as she followed his movements to drop into the seat as he gazed down.
"If that's the case, we better start making use of the back seat," replied Milliardo as he started to kiss at Makoto's neck only for a series of giggles to escape. Pulling up from playing, Milliardo gazed down at her as he brushed his fingers through her long waves. Their two weeks mainly spent in eithers rooms while canceling all their plans made Milliardo understand why she was so tired; not only had they stayed awake all hours of the night, but they were both beginning to get into a schedule. Watching her doze off into a soft slumber, Milliardo felt proud to have requested an engagement to her. It was working, and she was lifting the ache that tormented his soul. Noin was someone he would remember, but let go since he was long overdue.
Milliardo became concern as he watched Makoto start to move into a schedule of taking an afternoon nap over the past two weeks. Not only that, but her appetite had changed drastically while he saw her never once look as if she gained an ounce. Her color gradually returned but he became concerned over their active evening life since not once this month they took a break. It was one week into the next month and Milliardo didn't think he could wait any longer to see if his suspicions were true. After breakfast, he decided he would ask her in private. Makoto watched as he read over the morning paper and caught the glance from Trowa as he walked out of the room to rinse off his plate.
"Milliardo?" At the sound of his name, he looked up immediately at the glowing woman setting her cup down. Should she just give him the news straight without requesting a doctor? Makoto already knew this moment was going to happen but she still felt nervous. Letting out a long breath, she saw he was still waiting for her to speak. "I'm pregnant."
The bomb was dropped and now there was not reversing it. He already knew of the possibilities but didn't think there was a definite 'yes' or 'no' yet. Makoto saw his eyes light up when gazing in her direction, unsure how to react. Should he be happy? Would this be bad?
"How do you know for sure?" asked Milliardo, swallowing a bit hard as Trowa came back into the room. A blush pushed to Makoto cheeks as she smiled.
"I bribed Trowa with breakfast if he could snagged me a test discreetly," replied Makoto. Milliardo felt a smile push to his lips as he sat gazing at Makoto.
"I suggest ending the tour and either postponing the wedding or moving it up," interrupted Trowa. It was agreed; the tour ended and by the end of the month a wedding would take place.
Makoto finally found relief as she was able to get plenty of rest while under the watchful eye of Milliardo personally. A brightness moved through him and Makoto felt she made the right choice of telling him the truth. A small bubble of regret spread through her as she remembered who else lived in the city, wondering how far away Heero was or if he was holding up. Makoto wished there was a way to see how he was doing but knew it would be too risky. With the announcement in the papers of a cancelled tour and postponed wedding, Makoto was unsure what rumors were moving around. Taking a walk in the warm sun, Makoto had decided not to disturb Milliardo as he worked on a few documents. While processing the license to wed, Makoto found it was taking longer than usual for it to come through and wondered what the hold-up could be. Heero had faked all the documents for their little 'show'.
Again, her mind wondered as she decided it would be fine to take a trip to the beach. Keeping out of Trowa's watchful gaze, Makoto pulled her swimsuit on as she noticed in the mirror a noticeable bump forming on her stomach. A frown push against her brow as she thought of it technically being her third month and if it should be that noticeable. Sliding on her shorts and a tank top, Makoto thought of Milliardo stuck in that office busy doing paper work. Making her way to the office, Makoto caught a frown creasing Trowa's features at her attire as she entered into the office. Giving a soft knock, Milliardo looked up with a small smile.
"Looks like you're ready for the beach," he commented, seeing how normal she looked out of royal attire.
"So do you," replied Makoto, seeing Milliardo pause in his work to see her leaning against the front of his desk.
"I wish I could, but I have a few documents to catch up on," said Milliardo, watching her pull around the side of the desk to press a kiss against the side of his head. Milliardo touched her budding belly with a soft smile. "Have Trowa go with you, I don't like the idea of you going out alone."
"Thank you," said Makoto, giving Milliardo a kiss before she left in search of Trowa. Finding him waiting for her, his arms were crossed as if the answer was already 'no'. "It's your lucky day, you get to go to the beach with me."
Rather grumbly, Trowa obeyed as Makoto talked him into at least dressing the part while she gathered the needed supplies. It was a warm day as Trowa watched Makoto excited go pick out a spot on the beach. Watching her spread the blanket, he noticed on the far side who else just happened to be there to unsuspecting eyes. Duo ran out of the blue and scared Makoto with a sudden hug. Quickly making his way over, Trowa wondered how much they knew.
"It's a surprise seeing you here," said Quatre with a warm smile to Trowa, bringing the large umbrella. Wufei gave Trowa a lopsided grin as he patted him on the shoulder.
"Sorry for that shiner, guess that cat's out of the bag," greeted Wufei with a small smile. Trowa felt an inward frown as he wondered how much they knew and if Heero did tell the truth of the fake marriage. If not, it would put them in a rather uneasy spot.
"What exactly did Heero tell you?" asked Trowa, slightly defensive as he watch Makoto and Duo start goofing off sitting in the sand.
"Everything, we know of the arrange they made and how you protected her royal obligations by playing a pawn," answered Quatre, watching Trowa's eyes flicker to the two 'children' again goofing off with Duo talking her into a piggy back. Just as Makoto agreed and was hoisted onto his back, Trowa held up a finger while cupping his hands around his mouth.
"No Makoto!" He shouted because of the distance as he watched Makoto slither off Duo's back, giving him the 'why not' arm pose only for Trowa to dramatically point to his stomach. Getting the okay hand, the two carefully went off toward the water. Trowa found the strange looks from Wufei and Quatre before seeing them begin to chuckle.
"I guess that answers why the tour was canceled and wedding postpone, you're on kid duty," said Wufei, letting out another laugh. Quatre looked at Trowa sympathetically as they finally took a seat on the beach while Trowa watched for Duo and Makoto.
"It is rather quick with the engagement just announced," said Quatre to no one in particular as Wufei let out a sigh.
"Are you sure it's Milliardo's? I mean, Heero and Makoto were close for a while and then this pops up," wondered Wufei, gazing at Duo and Makoto try to build a sand castle only for a wave to come and tear it down.
"The issue is complicated and I would rather not think about it at the moment," said Trowa, wanting to be at peace without dealing with another's problems that made his life difficult.
"Weren't we meeting Heero here?" asked Quatre suddenly as he heard a familiar motorcycle engine in the distance. Trowa cursed under his breath as he pulled to his feet with a towel in hand, running towel the beach. Luckily, Makoto was close enough as Trowa waded into the water to throw a towel at her.
"We're leaving," he said quickly. Makoto didn't protest from his look as she wrapped the towel around her shoulders to follow his commands, leaving a curious Duo behind to follow. "Get in the car, I'll pack up."
Makoto couldn't understand his frantic movements as she gave a kind smile and wave to Quatre and Wufei before walking to the car. Drying off a bit more near the back of the vehicle, Makoto felt a burst of wind pull her towel from her hands flittering it toward the parking lot. Running after it instinctively, Makoto found a man sitting on a bike with his helmet on catch the towel easily as he got off the bike. Feeling a smile spread, Makoto waved her arm to show it belonged to her before striding over where the man met her half way. Shaking the towel of dirt, Makoto watched curiously as he wrapped it around her shoulders carefully.
"Thank you very much," started Makoto until her eyes became wide when his leather gloved thumb caressed her cheek suddenly. Lifting the visor, Makoto found herself greeted by those memorable Persian blues haunting her dreams. "Oh gods…Heero."
The smile fell from her face as a sudden fear came to her eyes, wondering why he happened to be here as well. Heero pulled his helmet off, amazed to see Makoto more radiant than ever before looking back to the car where Trowa held a long face.
"You came back early, from tour?" asked Heero suddenly, wondering how she could be here when the last he heard they had went onto another colony.
"I have to go," said Makoto impatiently, looking back to Trowa before turning to him with sad eyes. "I'm sorry Heero, I'm not allowed to see you."
Heero couldn't help but feel a smirk push to his lips as his fingers pulled at the zipper of his protective jacket.
"If Milliardo let you come to the beach, I'm sure he wouldn't mind you meeting Trowa's friend," suggested Heero as Trowa walked up to collect Makoto. "Isn't that right, Trowa? I'm sure Makoto would meet us Gundam Pilots sooner or later."
Trowa let out a sigh when Makoto turned to him anxiously.
"You're all Gundam Pilots?" she asked, amazed and Trowa knew it would be hard to get them to leave now. Stealing the grin Heero produced, Trowa began to haul their beach items back to the awaiting three. Questions were in order as they all set on the beach learning more of each other, answering about their past being a pilot and Makoto of being a senshi. Soon, Duo and Makoto were off to the water again as Heero watched from the beach.
"She seems happier," commented Heero as Trowa let out a sigh, standing to his feet to yell once again at the troublesome two.
"Makoto, no!" Again, they moved through the same routine as she gave the 'why not' pose before him dramatically pointing to his stomach. This time, the 'so' routine came into play as Trowa had to again use his arms dramatically to his stomach as Makoto turned away defeated with a bummed Duo. Wufei let out another laugh at the little dance while Trowa settled back onto the blanket.
"That would be some drinking game for every time you two did the 'no' and 'why' dance," said Wufei, getting Quatre to chuckle a bit. Heero felt shocked, gazing back at her with a bit of mystery before looking at the group. "Shit, Trowa…we spilled the beans."
"You were going to find out eventually," said Trowa continuing his watch. Heero moved to go to her except for Trowa to grab his wrist. "I know what you're thinking…let her be."
"There is no way she could be having his child," replied Heero, jerking his arm away as he pushed to his feet. Hearing a vehicle approach, Trowa turned his attention to the parking lot and was surprised as Milliardo made his way down the beach. Pushing to his feet, Trowa could tell by his stiff posture something was wrong while a paper was gripped in his hand.
"Trowa, please escort Mr. Yuy to the palace while I gather Mrs.Yuy," said Milliardo, grabbing a towel as he nodded his head to Wufei and Quatre in a greeting before moving down the beach.