Hi again. Here is part two to the last chapter. Hope you all enjoy, and please read and review.
Loud cracks of thunder rattled throughout the normally peaceful night sky, huge bolts of lightning illuminating the vast darkness as torrential rain pounded the small house nestled on top of the tall cliff overlooking the blue water below. A brunette woman stirred in her sleep, her mind racing as the powerful thunderstorm raged just outside the walls of her bedroom.
Didn't I tell you? I'm the man who can make the impossible possible. Murrue could only stare, her mouth open wide in shock and horror as the Dominion's Lohengrin engulfed the Strike as it took the force head-on, leaving the once powerful mobile suit in nothing but pieces of scrap metal. Mwu! No!
The slender woman bolted straight up on the soft mattress, her delicate hands gripping the thin blue sheet tightly, her knuckles white, sweat dripping down her brow, strands of her auburn hair clinging tightly to her forehead. Her heart was pounding in her chest, her face pale as another flash of lightning light up the dark room.
I..., she panted, her breathing irregular as she opened her marigold eyes slowly, taking in her surroundings. Was it a..., she glanced over at the slumbering man, his bare chest rising and falling gently as he breathed in and out, his scarred face peaceful as he slept. Or is this the dream? She stared at him, slowly reaching her fingertips out to his muscular form, afraid that the sight before her was an illusion. She lightly traced his skin, her tawny eyes widened in shock as her fingertips ran across his face. Is this...is he real?
"Murrue?" Mwu blinked, slowly opening his crystal blue eyes in the darkness, a flash of lightning illuminating his fiancee's form. "You okay?" He sat up in the bed as thunder echoed throughout the room.
"Are you real?" She looked down at the thin sheet covering her, tears brimming in her dark eyes, her body beginning to shake slightly as she attempted to stifle the sobs threatening to overcome her.
"What?" Mwu raised an eyebrow. "Of course I'm real," he wrapped a strong arm around her shoulder. "Did you have a nightmare?" He pulled her closer to him, her head resting on his shoulder, tears rolling down her porcelain cheeks.
"But...I...saw...you," she stammered in choked sobs, her body trembling against his, her arms wrapped tightly around him.
"Shh," He stroked the back of her head as the tears flowed down her cheeks. "It's okay. I'm here now, and I'm not going anywhere. You're stuck with me."
"But...it seemed so real. I thought...," her soft voice trailed off. She looked up at him, gazing into his azure orbs as they held each other, her body still trembling slightly. "I was...I missed you...so...," she muttered quietly. "This is all just..."
"I know, that must've been so hard for you," Mwu smiled as he stroked her silky chocolate hair, her head resting on his strong shoulder, their arms entwined.
"I still can't believe all this. It just seems like a dream. That one day I'll wake up, and things will be like they were two years ago. That I'll be...," Murrue traced his back with her fingertips, sighing as he softly caressed the back of her neck.
"It's okay sweetheart. What's important is that we're together again. "And this," he grabbed her left hand, holding it up, the platinum diamond ring sparkling in the moonlight, "means that soon, we'll always be together," he pressed his lips lightly against her slender hand.
"Mwu...," she smiled, pulling him closer, her body pressed tightly against his. "I love you, you know that?" She ran her fingers through his thick blonde locks.
"Yep, I know," he grinned. "And I love you too. Now what do you say we get back to sleep?" He yawned, stretching his arms, pulling her down onto the mattress, his strong arms wrapped tightly around her as they drifted off again as rain continued to cascade down violently outside their beachfront home.
"Mmm, something smells good," Mwu snuck up behind his fiancee, encircling his arms around her slender waist as she stood at the stove, the pancakes sizzling loudly. "Good morning," he breathed into her ear, his damp hair tickling her cheek, eliciting a small giggle.
"Good morning yourself," she smiled, turning around in his arms. Standing up on the tips of her toes, she gently pressed her lips against his as her arms wrapped around his neck. "Did you have a nice shower?"
"Yeah, but I would've had a nicer one with you in there with me," the blonde playfully teased, his azure eyes lit up with mischief in the morning sunlight streaming in from the kitchen window.
"Mwu...," Murrue shook her head, sighing slightly, her cheeks stained bright red. "What am I going to do with you?" She laughed.
"Oh, I think I have a few ideas," he peered down at the stove, the scent of the frying pancakes wafting through the tiled kitchen. "Hey, you didn't have to go through all that trouble."
"It's okay. Besides, you have that surprise of yours planned for today, and I wanted to do something for you," she turned back around, flipping over the sizzling pancakes. "They're almost done too," she smiled. "You want yours with strawberries and whipped cream?"
"Sounds great. I'll help," he opened up the refrigerator door and pulled out a package of fresh strawberries and a can of whipped cream.
"Mwu, you don't have to do that," she turned her head around as he began chopping up the red fruit. "I'll do tha..," she found herself suddenly cut off as she set one of the steaming, golden pancakes on a round, green plate.
Mwu chuckled, continuing to chop up the sweet berries. "It wouldn't be very nice of me to let you do all the work, now would it?" The sharp knife sliced through the tender fruit. "You want some too?" He offered, scraping some on top of the round confection, the can of whipped cream canister hissing as he spread it over the straberries.
"Yes, thank you," the auburn haired woman smiled, gently setting the second pancake on her plate.
"That was delicous," the blonde stretched out in his chair, leaning back as he patted his stomach. "I'm so full, I think I'm gonna pop," he laughed.
"Mwu," Murrue rolled her eyes, attempting to stifle a giggle. "Guess I need to clean this up," she looked down at the table, full of empty plates and glasses. She stood up from her chair, gathering some of the utensils.
"Hey now, what did I say about doing all the work yourself?" He quickly raised himself up, grabbing the plates. "How 'bout you wash, I dry?" He offered, blue eyes sparkling in the bright morning sunshine.
Hot water poured out of the faucet, washing the plates clean as tiny bubbles floated around, a rainbow of colors shining in each tiny sphere. Mwu's crystal eyes caught site of the can of whipped cream sitting on the cool tile of the beige counter top as he dried off one of the coffee mugs. He picked up the canister, sneaking up behind his new fiancee quietly.
"Well, that's the last one...ah! That tickles!" Murrue jumped, nearly breaking the coffee mug still clutched in her hands, her mouth wide open as Mwu sprayed the cold white substance on her bare shoulder. "Mwu!" She turned around, her eyebrows knitted in anger. "What do you think you're doing?"
"I...er,...it wasn't me," Mwu raised his hands in mock surrender and laughed at her obvious annoyance, the can still in his strong hands.
"Oh really?" She looked down at the red and white object, then back up at him. "Then who was it?" She grabbed a washcloth, wiping away the cream from her skin.
"It was a ghost," he attempted to explain, while trying to fight back even more laughter.
"Sure it was," she sighed, shaking her head in exasperation. "And the ghost put the can in your hand?" She raised a brown eyebrow, rolling her marigold eyes.
"Yep, he wanted to frame me," he grinned. "Do you have any idea how cute you are when you're angry?" He winked, azure eyes dancing with mischief. He moved forward, grabbing her waist.
"Don't try to sweet talk your way out of this one, mister," Murrue turned her head away. "You're such a child sometimes, Mwu"
"But you love me anyways," he stated confidently, pulling her closer against him.
"I...," she trailed off as his hands wrapped around the back of her neck as he claimed her mouth, the kiss intensifying in the late morning light.
"See, I knew you couldn't stay mad at me for long," Mwu smiled as their lips broke apart, the need for air overwhelming for both of them. His blue eyes glanced up at the clock. "Well, I guess we should probably get ready. We've got a busy day ahead of us," he smiled.
"Yeah, guess so," she agreed. "I just need to go take a shower because someone got whipped cream all over me." She made her way out of the kitchen.
"Hey, can I come too?" He begged, smiling sweetly at her as she made her way to their bedroom.
"No," she spun around on her heels, her hands on her hips.
"But," he pleaded. "I thought you weren't mad anymore," he gazed at her, her pajamas accentuating her sultry figure.
"I'm not, but you should've thought about that before you pulled that little stunt," Murrue turned back around, her long auburn hair flowing behind her.
"But...I,...please...I'll make it up to you," he purred in her ear. "Besides, I thought you liked it when we took a shower together?" His arms began moving slowly down her supple arms as he held her from behind.
"I...do..that...ah," she gasped as his hands lightly caressed the sensitive skin of her neck, her body melting in his arms.
"Well then, what do you say?" His hands traveled lower, his light touches driving her crazy.
"Ah...I...," she moaned, her topaz eyes fluttering closed as he continued his ministrations.
"I take it that's a 'yes'?" He growled seductively as her hands explored his muscular form, beginning to remove his dark blue tshirt.
"Now don't you think it's time you told me what this surprise of yours is?" Murrue looked over at him as their small blue car sped down the road, the afternoon sun shining brightly above them in the clear blue sky.
"We're almost there. You'll know soon enough," Mwu laughed, as the car made a left turn down a busy street. "Just a little further. I didn't think you were so impatient, love," he teased the young colonel playfully. The car pulled up to its destination, a sea of parked cars filling the vast parking lot.
"Oh, Mwu. The zoo? I always wanted to go when I was a little girl, but I never got the chance to go...," her voice trailed off. "There wasn't a zoo in my hometown you see...,"
"I know, I remember that we talked about that one night," he grabbed her hand as they made their way to the ticket booth. Mwu stared as they walked together, her marigold eyes shining in the sun. She was wearing a light pink tshirt and light khaki shorts. She looked absolutely stunning. "Have I told you how beautiful you are lately?"
Murrue looked down, crimson rapidly spreading across her cheeks. "I...um...," she stammered.
"I love it when you get embarrassed," he chuckled. "Looks like we're here," the two got into the long line formed by the ticket booth. A cool ocean breeze offered some relief from the oppressive summer heat.
The two spent the afternoon exploring the expansive zoo, marveling at all the different animals and plants that filled the area. They saw everything from lions and tigers, to exotic birds and reptiles. The highlight of the day was a pack of baby tiger cubs, playfully romping under their mother's protective watch.
The sun began to set as the couple sat on a bench, enjoying their ice cream cones. "So, you having a good time?"
"Yes, it's wonderful Mwu. I couldn't have asked for a better day off," she smiled, finishing off her vanilla cinnamon waffle cone.
"I'm glad you liked it," he grinned as he took another bite of his chocolate ice cream.
"And you know what the best part was?" Murrue leaned forward, lightly pressing her lips against his in a brief kiss. "That I got to spend it with you," she sat back down on the bench, a content smile gracing her lips.
A/N: That was a lot of fun to write. Please review if you can.