The little girl's eyebrows knitted together in a frown. Chewing her lower lip she appeared to think for a while, swinging her legs, then nodded, reaching for a different colour crayon to continue her drawing in earnest. So deep in concentration was she that she never noticed the two peeking around the door, nor the proud smiles they wore. The smaller figure glanced up at her companion as he settled a hand on her shoulder, and leaned back into him with a soft sigh. He'd predicted the day she'd been born that she'd grow up to be an artist, and certainly almost as soon as she'd learned how to pick things up she'd found one of her mother's charcoal sticks and tried to draw. He was sure she'd grow up to be like me....but I never won prizes for my artwork. I was too shy to let anyone see it... But shyness wasn't a trait the little girl had inherited, much to the relief of her parents.

"Marie, honey, it's lunchtime.." The six-year-old looked up in surprise, then smiled, setting down he crayon and running over for a cuddle, laughing happily when her mother swept her up into her arms. Mwu had said that the little girl was growing up to look more like her every day, and though she had never thought of herself as pretty, her daughter was undeniably beautiful. They'd kept her hair long so it now rippled halfway down her back when it was free from it's ponytail, and those wide brown eyes were always full of smiles. Of course, she wasn't perfect - she was incredibly stubborn, especially when it came to bedtime and chocolate - but she was loved regardless, not least by her aunt Erica.

"Did you see my picture, Mommy?"

Still carrying the little girl she walked over to the small table she'd been sitting at, and smiled when she saw the drawing. It was simply done, true enough, but the subjects were easy to recognise. Four figures, two with brown hair and two with blonde, with a house behind them. "It's beautiful. You drew Daddy in his favourite shirt too."

"Yep!" Marie twisted around in her mother's arms to look over at Mwu, who grinned sheepishly, tugging at the hem of the (rather frayed) white shirt he wore. They'd tried getting it away from him but he always found it - Erica had even bought him one exactly the same for Christmas one year, but to no avail. "Daddy's old shirt."

"I like it.." he whined. "You're both so mean.."

"I like it too. It smells like Daddy. And Mommy wore it when she was sick.."

"Did she?" He glanced over at Murrue, who blushed and hid her face. In the days when he'd had to work she had worn the shirt. As Marie had said, it smelled of him, and it had been a comfort to her.

"You never told me that.."

Halfway through changing the sheets on their bed she glanced up to see him leaning on the doorframe. "I didn't know I had to.."

"If you didn't want me to work, you should have said."

"You needed a break from running around after the three of us." Plumping the pillows, she straightened out the blankets before looking back at him with a smile. "Plus it was my fault."

"How is it your fault? You didn't know...."

"But I did know. The doctors told me after Marie was born that it'd be dangerous for me to get pregnant again. But I was selfish."

"We both were. I wanted another kid too.."

Murrue shook her head with a sigh, hands on hips. "You won't let me blame myself for this, will you?"

"Nope. Not least 'cause I blamed myself right away after seeing how sick you were."

"But I didn't blame you this time."

He laughed. "No, you didn't." Moving to stand beside her he wrapped her up in a hug. "And you're both okay, so it's worked out.." Their second child, a son named Jamie, had been born three years ago, and right from the start it had been clear that it wouldn't be an easy pregnancy. She'd been bedridden from five months along and for several weeks after the birth, sleeping for most of the time. But with Mwu's diligent care she'd recovered her health and strength, once again able to run around and play with her children, and she'd never be able to repay him for it.

"Jamie asleep?"

"Nah, I think he's downstairs looking for cookies." The little boy was almost a carbon copy of his father in looks, blonde-haired and blue-eyed with a bright happy smile, but he was much quieter and more reserved than Mwu and his irrepressible older sister. Erica called him 'little dreamer', and had remarked more than once how similar he was to the way Murrue had been when she was younger. He hero-worshipped his father and Marie, and the little girl was very protective of him.

"I'm glad I put them in a high cupboard.."

"I'm sure Marie will help him."

"I'm sure she will.." Though she knew she should go downstairs and check on her children, she was content to stay in her husband's embrace, breathing in the familiar scent from his shirt. He chuckled softly and held her close, brushing a hand over her hair. They'd been married for almost six years now, and though there had been the odd squabble they'd been very happy together. "You were very popular last night.."

He laughed again. "Not as much as you were." Last night they'd left Marie and Jamie in Erica's care while she'd been the guest singer with Mwu's band. Most of the young ladies in the crowd had been taken with Kira, Athrun and Dearka, though more than a few had been watching Mwu. And she herself had been bought several drinks and been given several telephone numbers, which she'd found flattering though a little embarrassing. Mwu hadn't been impressed at all.

"Were you jealous?"

"Certainly was. I knew when the kid asked you that I would be. That's why I'd stopped coming to watch you at the club.."

Murrue giggled. "Aww. Kira did tell those guys last night I was married.."

"Didn't stop 'em though, did it?" he replied glumly. "Like I wasn't even there.."

"You were there. To me, you were the only one there.." Standing on her tiptoes she kissed him gently. "Nothing to be jealous about."

"I know.."

"Where are we going today, Daddy?"

"Up to the big lake. Mommy wants to paint a picture of it, and we can go out on a boat after to look at the fishes."

Marie beamed. Mommy painted a lot of pictures, and they always had a special party when someone bought one of them. Daddy said that nobody had to know Mommy painted, 'cause then lots of people would come to their house and she wouldn't be as happy anymore. And Marie always wanted Mommy to be happy. "Can I paint too?"

"Sure you can. And Jamie if he wants to." Her little brother smiled, waving the teddy bear Auntie Erica had given him and looking all around at the trees as they went past. Mommy was teaching him how to draw and paint, letting him sit on her lap and learn about shapes and colours. Daddy had told her Mommy had done the same with her when she'd been tiny, and that when she got a little bit bigger she'd teach her how to make cookies. Doing things with Mommy is lots of fun. She tells me stories and makes me laugh, and teaches me songs to sing with her...

"Mommy?"

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Can we paddle?"

Her mommy laughed. "We'll see how warm the water is first."

Once the car door was open Marie was off and running, giggling fit to bust as she tore down the path to the water's edge. Grinning, he chased her with a yell, aware of his wife rolling her eyes as she unstrapped Jamie from his carseat. He'd go back and help her with the easel in a moment, but for right now he'd enjoy himself. Now he was back at work he didn't get much chance to spend time with Murrue and the kids, so he was determined to make the most of every moment. Down at the edge of the lake Marie had already pulled off her shoes and dipped her toes in the water, squealing at how cold it was. Catching up he scooped his little girl up in his arms and spun her around and around under the blue sky.

"Daddy put me down! You're making me dizzy!"

"Aww. You're no fun." But he stopped, settling her in the crook of his arm and chuckling as she wobbled slightly. He was about to set her down when he felt a little tug at his jeans, and glanced down to see Jamie staring up at him, arms held out. "You as well, huh? C'mon then squirt." Bending down he scooped up the little boy in his other arm, grinning when Jamie cuddled close. "You're just like your mom....you love hugs."

"And you don't?" Murrue wandered down to the water's edge and set down her bag, smiling when Marie clambered across into her arms. "You like hugs as much as any of us."

"Course. Cause they're nice, huh?" he asked Jamie, chuckling as the toddler poked his nose. "You guys ready for some serious painting?"

"We are when you get the easel."

"Ah yes, the heavy lifting. C'mon then, let's go get it." Sitting Jamie up on his shoulders he strode up the slope back to the car, whistling softly.

"Daddy?"

"Yeah, squirt?"

"Play hide and seek?"

"Not out here. Too many places to hide. I brought the soccer ball though. Want to play?"

"Yep!"

The afternoon air was filled with the sound of laughter. Being only six Marie didn't have the longest attention span, so when her drawing was done it was up to him to entertain her and Jamie whilst Murrue painted. Luckily he'd been prepared for it. After a game of soccer had come kite-flying, and now paddling, and he was exhausted. Sinking down onto the sand he sighed, smiling when the kids came over to sit by him.

"You okay, Daddy?"

"I don't have as much energy as you.." He stifled a yawn as he spoke and both children giggled, Jamie climbing up to sit on his lap.

"Cloud pictures."

"Cloud pictures? Okay then." Mwu flopped back on the grass and held out his arms for Jamie and Marie to snuggle close and look up at the sky.

"Elephant."

"Chicken."

"Mouse."

"Fishie."

Everything was quiet. Too quiet. Frowning, she put down her brush and walked a little way up the shoreline, bare feet whispering on the grass...then stopped, hand to her mouth to stifle laughter. Her husband was there, lying sound asleep with Jamie and Marie curled up on either side. As quietly as she could she took a photograph, wanting to save the image for a later painting, then tiptoed up to join her family, carefully placing Mwu's head on her lap. He didn't wake up but did smile, especially when she ruffled his hair. My family. This is my family.

From being so shy she could barely string a sentence together she'd somehow managed to find happiness.....and all she'd done was sing as a favour to a friend. He still called her 'Little Voice' sometimes, the pet name always reminding her of how they'd met, and how much she owed to Erica for giving her the confidence to take that step. All she'd been able to do in return was name her friend godmother to her children, yet she was sure that would be enough..

Perhaps this is payment. Being as happy as I can be. Mwu said that as long as I was happy, he was happy....perhaps he's not the only one who feels that way? I know my happiness is because I have him and the children.

Maybe it really is as simple as that?

( lame ending is lame

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