She looked subdued, almost saddened, and the one watching had a good idea why. Her own first day back at work after the end of her maternity leave had been the same - anxiety, restlessness and a hint of depression. Worry that her child would be all right. And for her friend, that worry was compounded. The only child she'd ever have, and more precious than anything because of it. She has good babysitters in Yamato-kun and Clyne-sama, but babysitters aren't parents. "She'll be all right.."

"I know." She smiled a little and leaned against the wall, thin fingers playing with a lock of auburn hair. "I know Lacus-san and Kira-kun will take good care of her. But I think she knew. We've taken her to their house before and she was fine, but this time she seemed to know that things were different. She cried...and it hurt.."

"Aw honey..." Erica sat down beside her friend, placing a hand on her shoulder. She'd been able to see for herself how perceptive little Grace was - a trait most children had, but surprising in one quite so young. She knew when people were talking about her, and if she heard people laughing would protest loudly at not being part of the fun. If her parents had been acting differently, she would definitely have been able to tell. "Hmm. Right. Bring her to work."

"Here? How can I? I'm hardly ever in my office, and this is no place for a baby, especially not one who's learned to crawl.."

"You have that portable play-pen I use when I babysit, right? Bring that, some toys, and we'll all take turns in looking after her.."

Murrue smiled. "And is this for my benefit, hers, or yours? There's no way you'll get any work done if she's in your office.." The older woman grinned. True enough. Grace was six months old now, and quite the little character. She'd inherited her mother's beauty and father's happy nature, but also the curiosity of both. Both parents had recounted tales of her exploration...the moment she was able to escape her cot she was off crawling almost faster than they could keep up.

"I think it'll be fun. And since she doesn't want to leave you, and you don't want to leave her, this way will be just fine. Besides, I'm the boss." The younger woman laughed at that, but did look much happier. It was clear she missed her daughter, and Erica had little doubt that La Fllaga did too. This place was far closer to the Academy than the little house on the beach...he could easily visit if he wanted.

"I'm going to have to share her, aren't I?"

"Yep."

"She really said that?"

Murrue nodded happily. At least three of her co-workers aside from Erica had expressed a wish to take turns in caring for Grace, and it would be a good way for the little girl to get to meet more people. The travel cot was easily movable between rooms, and big enough for Grace to crawl about and play in without getting into mischief. It sounded perfect.

"So she'll be the centre of attention all day? She'll love that.."

"Yep. Okay, prediction time." She took her husband's arm. "When we get to Kira-kun's, where do you think she'll be?"

Mwu grinned. "If she's not asleep? Right where the action is."

And he was right. When they reached the tiny house, there was a rowdy game of soccer taking place on the beach, the orphans crowding round as Kira-kun and Athrun-kun fought for possession of the ball. And sitting in Lacus-san's arms...Murrue smiled fondly. Grace was there, watching the game in fascination. One tiny hand was holding Lacus-san's arm, and she was leaning forward slightly, looking for all the world as though she was about to run to join the game. If she could walk, she would be. If Lacus-san wasn't holding onto her she'd be off like a shot, even though she can only crawl. Mwu chuckled. "Hey kiddo!"

Grace squealed in delight, wriggling around so much Lacus-san had trouble holding onto her. The older woman giggled and scooped her up, closing her eyes as the little girl hugged her tight. "Yes honey, I missed you too. But you can stay with mommy tomorrow, okay?"

"She looked everywhere for you," Lacus-san said softly, crossing to where they stood and brushing a gentle hand over the baby's hair. "She's been a good girl though, haven't you sweetie? You've slept a lot, and you haven't cried much, so mommy and daddy will be proud of you."

"Wonder if she'll be as well-behaved tomorrow.."

Later that evening they sat together on the balcony, watching the stars and talking quietly. She'd bought a tub of strawberry ice-cream on the way home and they shared this now, he taking two spoonfuls for every one of hers. They'd done this every weekend when they'd first come to live here, sharing the frozen treat and plans for their future. We planned for everything. To get married, to have more children than we could possibly fit in the house...and to live happy ever after, I guess. Things didn't go as we expected, of course - instead of having a troop of kids we just have one little princess. But the 'happy ever after' part? That we can have. All three of us.

"So you're going to get her engineering career started early?"

She giggled, the sound muffled by the spoon stuck in her mouth. "Maybe," she replied once the ice-cream had gone. "Though it's up to her what she decides to do.." Mwu nodded, stealing another spoonful. He had little doubt that Grace would grow up to be as beautiful and accomplished as her mother - the world would be her oyster, and he was looking forward to seeing it.

"Would you like her to be like you?"

Murrue pursed her lips and reached for her glass of wine, swirling the golden liquid around for a moment before speaking up. "I don't know. Part of me would like it, but it'd be nice to see what she could be. If I pressured her into following in my footsteps, who knows what she'd miss out on? No, she has to decide for herself.."

"She'll still be like you.."

"Oh? I'd say she was like you. Stubborn as all hell and always hungry." He pouted at that, and caught her around the waist to tickle her mercilessly. She squealed with laughter, wriggling to try and escape but he held fast, peppering her skin with kisses.

"Are you sorry?"

"For...what?" she gasped. cheeks bright pink. Deciding further lessons were needed, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her into their room, kicking the door shut behind them.

"Well, what do you think?"

She didn't answer for a moment, just stared around herself at the new surroundings. The small office looked eastward, catching the sun this time of day, and was warm and pleasant. They'd made space in the corner of the office for the playpen, placing some of her favourite toys in. "This is where I work. You think you might like staying here with everyone for a while?" Grace burbled for a moment, picking up a teddy bear by it's ear, then smiled. "Good girl. I need to go find Auntie Erica, okay. Not be long.." With that she left, leaving the door ajar as she slipped down the corridor.

The little girl looked around again for a moment, then began to crawl around, tiny hands pressing against the fabric of the playpen as she explored until much to her surprise, the wall tipped forward. Encouraged by this she kept crawling, out of the upturned pen, then out of the door. This place was very different from home, and she wanted to see as much of it as she could. So, babbling happily, she set off down the winding corridor.

"Grace? Grace!" How did she...where did she go? "Erica!" Her friend darted into the room, taking in the upturned playpen and scattered toys. There was no sign of the baby. Pushing a hand through dark hair Murrue looked all around, under her desk, in the closet... "I was only gone five minutes!"

"Calm down. No-one here would take her, and she won't have gotten far. Down to the right is a door she can't get through...to the left is the hangar. Let's try in there." The younger woman nodded, though her heart was racing. Grace was her world - she couldn't lose her. What would she say to Mwu?

"I..."

Erica took her hand. "We'll find her. C'mon."

The hangar was quiet this early in the morning, only a few people there starting to work on a ship in the far corner. Everything else was still and silent, the mobile suits standing in one corner like giant dolls. And to Murrue's eternal relief..."Grace!" The six-month-old girl was sitting at the feet of one of the suits, staring in fascination at her own reflection in the shiny metal. As both women watched, she reached out and patted the foot with a happy giggle.

"Inherited, huh?"

"It's in her blood," said the younger woman softly. "She's so much her father's daughter it scares me sometimes. He asked me the other day if I'd let her follow me into this job - maybe she wants to follow him into his.."

"Is that all right?"

"It's not what I'd have chosen, but if it's what she wants when she's old enough, I won't stop her..." Crossing to the suit she lifted the baby into her arms, rocking her and murmuring gently, perhaps about the machine and what it could do. Erica watched with a smile. She'd had a feeling the little girl would be in here - she was an explorer after all. She's so very like her father. I'm sure Murrue won't want her to be a pilot - but we'll see what the future has to say about that...

( lol explorer baby :smiles:

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