Finding Destiny
Chapter 22
(Cagalli's POV)
Riding home with Monday, I didn't say a word. I didn't have to because Monday could carry on a conversation with herself.
I kept asking myself why I didn't run to Athrun and held him to me. He was the only man I would ever love, the only person I had ever allowed myself to believe in. Everything I had done since the bombing had been to protect him or find him. And when he walked into the café, what had I done? I ignored him. I had done everything I could to walk differently, talk differently so that he wouldn't see his wife when he looked at me as the waitress.
Once, I had almost got up the nerve enough to touch him, but Snyder came in and fear won me over.
When I got home, I sat down beside the doctor's bed and told him a different story. A true story.
In his kind way, the doctor took my hand and said, "If you love him, believe in him. I think in this life it must be better to be fooled by a dishonest man than doubt an honest one. In the first case, you are the only who is hurt. In the second, it destroys you both."
I smiled, loving the old doctor's logic.
I worked the following night, listening for the bell over the door. Business grew, but the only person I wanted to see walk through the entrance was Athrun.
He looked so different with a beard. Not like the powerful coordinator that I married long ago. His longer hair made him seem younger, almost as he had been when I first met him.
As I scrubbed the tables an hour before opening, I wanted to cry. I hadn't lost faith in Athrun when I was blindly convinced that he may have been involved in this whole incident, I had lost faith in myself and my choice to hide when I saw him suffering the night before. My husband looked as though his heart was breaking.
Why had I thought he could take the punch of my death and then disappearance without feeling the blow?
I am a complete fool.
The Athrun I saw last night who sat at the counter and told Monday he was married had not been the same man I last spoke to on the morning I had left to the clinic. He continued to wear his wedding ring and appeared to suffer from my absence in his life.
We had once promised to protect each other. Only this time, I had let him down. In protecting him, I hadn't been able to stop the hurt, the loneliness I heard in his voice. I had made my choice that morning, the day I had decided not to go home. Now, I realized that either way- if I went to the police or stayed hidden- might have destroyed my husband- either physically or emotionally. If I had run home that first day, the bomber might have gotten to us as easily as he had with the officer. However, I didn't and now there was the result of my actions: Athrun was in a puddle of his own sadness and tears, not thriving as I thought he would.
And Estelle. Is she feeling and acting the same?
Oh god, did I make the wrong choice?
I stood, suddenly feeling a pressure in my side a few inches from my scar.
"Miller!" I cried, folding over in pure joy. "Miller!"
The big man stormed out of the back at full speed.
"What?" Did you see the bomber?" He was around the counter and at my side in seconds. "Where?"
He looked from the window to me. "Ash! Are you hurt?"
I laughed, "No." I waved him away with one hand while the other touched my stomach. "I'm sorry to have panicked you."
He came closer, clearly not believing me. "What is it?"
I reached for his hand and placed it over my stomach. "My baby moved."
Miller kept still without removing his hand from my slightly rounded abdomen. "Really?" he looked worried and nervous at the same time. "Is that normal? Should I call the doc? What if it happens again?"
I laughed once more. "Don't worry. I'm not asking you to deliver it. I just thought you might want to feel it kick." I didn't add that I had to share the news with someone. The life growing inside me became a part of me each day.
Monday rounded from the kitchen with the first load of muffins. "What's all the shouting about?"
"My baby moved."
Placing the muffins on the counter, Monday looked up at me. "This is your second child, right?" Nodding my head in agreement, she added, "Would you prefer a boy or a girl?"
"I personally don't care, just as long as the baby comes out healthy."
Miller wrinkled up his face as if he were witnessing an alien invasion. "He must know I'm on the other side. Maybe he is trying to communicate."
"All right," I smiled down at Miller, "Right there. He pushed against my hand again."
Miller leaned closer to my stomach and yelled, "Now, you behave yourself! Don't go giving your momma any trouble or I'll thump you a good one when you get out."
Monday squealed and came around the counter. "Stop talking to the little guy like that. You want him to think he is going to be abused?" She shoved Miller aside and placed her hand on my tummy.
I realized my abdomen had become public property.
"This is how you talk to babies," Monday leaned down to belly-button level. "Hi, you little darling. Goooo goo a byyy bby, my little lovely-love. Gooo goo, my goochi goo."
"Stop that," Miller growled. "He will think there's something wrong with his hearing."
I laughed so hard tears ran down my cheeks. I didn't hear the door's bell but the sudden rush of hot air drew my attention.
"You folks open yet?"
I could do no more than stare at the cop.
Snyder.
I fought the need to back away. I had been as close as I ever wanted to be to the man that night at the bus stop.
Miller reacted much the same, but Monday played hostess. She rushed towards the new customer, blocking Snyder's view of us.
"We're not open yet, but I've got some coffee made if you would like a cup, Officer."
"It's detective, Miss.: Detective Snyder. A cup of coffee would be mighty fine."
She motioned Snyder over to the counter and pointed to a seat as she reached for the cups. "We were just talking about my friend's baby, trying to agree on how we should talk to the little fellow before he is born."
Snyder accepted the coffee and glanced in my direction.
"You got any kids, Detective?" Monday drew him back. "Maybe you could give us a little advice."
"No kids, no wife," Snyder lifted his cup to me, "But wish you the best with yours, ma'am."
I slipped on the black frame glasses Miller had handed me and tried to remember to breathe. Snyder wouldn't recognize me. Luna had told the cop about my first time that I had gone to the shelter, but I had changed a lot since then. He might have noticed me at the bus stop the night of the stabbing, but he probably didn't look twice at me. He had even been in once before for coffee and hardly looked at me.
Miller glanced at me with worried eyes as he vanished into the kitchen.
"Thank you, Detective," I barely got out the words before Monday interrupted.
"No wife, huh? Well you will want to try one of my homemade muffins. They flat melt in your mouth." She smiled, "Was hoping someone would drop by early. I've got new ones called strawberries and cream. I could really use someone to sample them and tell me what they think.'"
"I'm your man," Snyder volunteered and they both laughed as if it was extremely witty.
Half an hour later, the cop was still talking to Monday and she was giggling at everything he said. She had patted him on the arm so many times I wouldn't have been surprised to see a bruise. Snyder had tried three muffins and claimed he had to taste the rest, taking it on as his personal quest.
Monday patted him again so hard his elbow knocked against the wood of the counter with a thud, but he didn't seem to mind.
He asked Monday all kinds of questions, but since the girl wasn't a watcher of people she didn't have many answers, which in no way stopped her from talking.
I stayed close enough to listen. Luna had been right; he still searched for the woman who had stumbled into the shelter the day after the bombing: thin, blonde, average height, looking as if she had been hurt. He seemed to think the person might have worked at the clinic and been there during the bombing. He told Monday that this was his first big case and even if he had to live on the streets, he planned to find the man who had killed those people at the clinic.
When Snyder told Monday about a group of boys who had been harassing businesses downtown, the girl acted terrified until he promised to keep a special eye on her place so nothing would happen.
Monday looked as if she would have kissed the man if the counter hadn't been between them.
I glanced over at Miller who stood by the kitchen door, watching through the pass-through. The big man looked as though he might throw up. He didn't like the idea of her being this close to the cop any more than I did, but the idea Monday had settled in for a flirt probably bothered him more.
When I squeezed past Miller, he mumbled, "It's like watching two buffalos mate."
"Stop it," I giggled softly. "And work on making yourself invisible."
"Like you do, Ash Yula?" He frowned, "Think he won't see you behind your Clark Kent disguise?"
Blushing slightly, I replied sharply, "It fooled Lois Lane." I pulled off the glasses. "Oh, about that beard you keep asking me if my husband has. I was wrong. He does."
Miller grinned, "I already figured that one out." He moved back through the door and over to the corner table, which he had claimed during the slow hours of the night. He lifted a newspaper, blocking his view of Monday and the cop talking, their heads almost touching across the counter. He might have to listen, but he showed no sign of wanting to watch.
Business picked up about dusk. I didn't like working after that for I could no longer see out the windows. Anyone on the street could observe those inside more clearly. If the bomber were watching for me, I would be easy to see after dark.
Romeo limped into the café an hour before closing. To my surprise, he appeared sober.
He claimed some car had jumped the curb and run over him while he was on the sidewalk minding his own business. It frightened him so much he planned to stay sober for a few days until he could have his eyes checked. He promised himself he would get the license number if it ever happened again.
Groups of people were leaving when I noticed a man fighting the current.
Athrun.
He held the door for the group. He looked tired with dark circles beneath his emerald eyes and his shoulders bent forward. I wondered why he wasn't home in bed, and then guessed he probably couldn't sleep.
"Evening," he said as he slid into the first seat at the counter. "Is it too late for me to get a cup of coffee?"
I glanced around for Monday, but she must have been in the back closing up the kitchen for the night. The last dozen muffins were on the counter under glass. If no one claimed them soon, one of the Marys would hurry right over at closing time to pick up the leftovers. I guessed the women passed them out at the bus stop.
I reached for the coffee and cream and I forced myself not to look at Athrun. I poured his coffee.
"You remembered," he said as he lifted the cream.
"Want a muffin?" I said in almost a whisper.
"Not to eat," Athrun answered. "But if you have got a few left, I will take them to my neighbor. She is laid up with a broken leg. I have been taking care of her and she is very tired of my cooking."
I couldn't believe my ears.
He has been taking care of Rose? I didn't even think he knew her.
Watching him out of the corner of my eye, I wished I could touch him. It would feel so good to push his hair back or hold his hand even for just a moment. He looked so sad, so alone. I tried to picture how he would react if he knew I was so close.
Oh god how I wanted to talk to him! But I knew he would want to go directly to the police. By morning, my statement would be all over the papers. By noon, we would be the bomber's primary target.
I closed my eyes. I couldn't tell Athrun. If I did, I might get us killed. I had to play the game a little longer.
However, I didn't see how closely he watched me as I kept to my thoughts.
"Hello stranger," Monday said as she rounded from the kitchen. "You want that coffee warmed? You got time before we close. It's not often you stop long enough for coffee, might as well enjoy it."
Athrun looked too deep in thought to pull out for a moment then he shook his head and picked up the bag. Without a word to Monday, he walked over to me. "How much do I owe you?"
"Seven bucks," I tried to sound like Monday, but the tone in my voice was far too low to capture the girl's enthusiasm.
Athrun handed me a ten, "Keep the change."
"Thanks."
"Mind if I ask you your name?" His request was so low, I wasn't sure I heard it until he added, "Just in case I come in again."
There was nothing flirty in his voice.
"Ash," I said.
"Well, thank you, Ash." The corners of his mouth lifted in almost a smile.
My heart cracked. He sounded so lonely. Like he hadn't talked to anyone in days. Like he was trying to connect to me…with anyone to make sure he was still alive. He turned away from me but did not move.
The bell above the door rang and a moment later Monday yelled, "Sorry, we are closing up for the night."
The door rattled again as others entered.
I pulled myself away from Athrun's aura and watched the new arrivals.
Four young thugs stood inside the door, among them were the two boys who had harassed the girl at the bus stop; the kid who had cut me played with the folded knife in his left hand.
In the time since the rainy night, he had developed an edgy, hardness about him. It crossed my mind that if he cut another he wouldn't show panic again.
"Looks like you're still waiting on people," the tall boy moved to the counter. "You got muffins left. So I guess you're still open."
Monday's voice shook as she said, "All right. You boys have a seat and I'll get you each a muffin."
"We heard we don't have to pay if we don't have any money," the leader straddled his chair next to the counter.
"Word on the street is that down-on-their-luck folks are welcomed here."
The others followed suit, pulling chairs around. "Yeah," one mumbled, "We ain't got any money."
While Monday handed each a muffin, I moved to the window. I stared out at the night, wishing I could see Miller. He had stepped out a half hour ago as he sometimes does to see if anyone watched the café from the shadows. I guess he stood somewhere across the street watching now. He would be in at the first sign of trouble.
Just before I turned back, I thought I saw a man in a baseball cap walking between parked cars. His outline blinked only a moment when he stepped beneath the streetlight's circle, and then he was gone. Miller must have been watching him too, probably why he wasn't here. The bomber's whereabouts was far more urgent than the harassment from these thugs.
I saw Athrun leaving, fighting the need to scream for him to stay. The boys were probably only being boys, but I would have felt so much better if I knew he stood near.
Monday talked politely to the boys. They mumbled among themselves, but seemed content to eat.
I scolded myself. As usual, I had overreacted. My emotions had been running wild for weeks. I cried at nothing and worried about things that I had no control over. Maybe the constant fear of the bomber finding me had filed my nerves raw. Maybe it was the pregnancy, but at this rate, I would worry to death before I turned forty.
"Wish Detective Snyder would come in about now," Monday whispered as she passed me. "I would be really glad to see him."
"You are always real glad to see him," I answered with a wink. "And don't worry about the boys, they're just hungry."
Romeo, who had been sleeping at the corner table, woke up and made a grand show of saying good night.
The boys made fun of him, but he paid them no mind.
Miller should be back any minute, I told myself. He was always there to lock up and walk me home if Monday couldn't drive me.
I packed two muffins for the Marys and poured two large coffees in paper cups. If neither of the women came tonight, maybe I could talk Monday into circling the block on the way home.
Before I could ask about driving by, Monday appeared at my side pulling her sweater on as she said, "Mind if I leave a few minutes early? It's real important, or I wouldn't ask. My roomy says we can just catch the sneak preview if we hurry." She glanced at the boys. "Don't worry, I will make sure Miller is out front before I dart away."
I had learned that "real important" could be a movie starting at midnight or a party in full swing at the girls' apartment complex.
"Sure."
"Thanks," Monday rushed out before I could say more.
I walked to the door and held it open. "Sorry, gentlemen," I said to the thugs. "But it's closing time." I dimmed the lights to prove my point.
"How much do we owe you?" one asked.
"Three dollars apiece if you have the money. If not, there is no charge."
Short Mary suddenly blocked the door, breathing heavily as though she had ran all the way from the bus stop. "I am sorry I'm late Ash." She coughed into her hand, "I was at the train union and must have fallen asleep."
I knew Mary had been sleeping on the bus-stop bench as always, but she didn't say anything. I handed Mary the bag of leftover muffins.
"Bless you Ash," Anna whispered as she hurried away.
The boys stood, but took their time moving towards the exit. They didn't want anyone to rush them.
"Well," the tall one said. "We ain't got no money so I guess there will be no charge."
At the door, the boy with the knife mumbled, "That sure was one good muffin."
"Yeah," another echoed. "I could eat another but it looks like they are fresh out."
They were out the door when I heard one say, "I know where we can get another one. I saw her give the old lady a whole sack of them."
I watched as they ran in the direction Mary had gone. Panicking, I rushed out the door and along the passageway to the street. There, as I hoped he would be, stood Miller watching the café from across the street. Ten feet away, getting a paper out of the machine was Athrun. Both men had been watching the café from the street.
"Miller!" I shouted so badly I could barely force the word out. "The boys have gone after Mary! They plan to take the muffins I handed her."
Miller hurried over.
Athrun tossed the paper in the trash and fell into step beside the older man.
As soon as I saw Miller's face, I realized the problem. He would have to leave me alone in order to help Mary.
"Mary can take care of herself. She has for years," Miller reasoned.
"No," I cried. "One of them has a knife and you know how they pick on her because she yells at them like they are children. She won't give them the sack willingly and she will fight when they try to take it."
Miller didn't budge. "I'm not leaving you alone, Ash."
Athrun stepped closer. "I'll watch over Ash." His voice ranged out like it once did during the war. "Go after the kids."
I knew he didn't know what he had walked into.
Yet did we have a choice? The boys might have already reached Mary.
Miller glared at him, "See that you take care of Ash or I will snap your neck." There was no hint that Miller might be kidding.
"Hurry!" I begged. "They already hate Mary. I can't stand the thought of them hurting her."
Milled nodded once and turned away.
Athrun took a step closer to me, putting himself between me and the street. "Don't worry," he whispered. "Everything is going to be all right."
Right there and then, I heard the words I have longed to hear for months and the thought that Athrun had spoken those words to his missing wife.
………………………………...
Author's Note:
Another chapter done and up and I have the next one about done, I might have it up by in a week. Plus it is the chapter everyone has been waiting for so hopefully you guys will like it. I am also working on a one-shot and have it about done. I did it when I was babysitting during the week but didn't finish it and kind of liked the ides of it so I am planning on finish it.
Thank you for all the reviews and tell me whatcha thought of this chapter!
Preview of the Next Chapter:
For a few moments Athrun didn't react. His hand just rested on her shoulder. He could feel her tears dampening his shirt. He too a deep breath.
And breathed in the scent of his wife, his mate.
His lips brushed over hers and she opened her mouth, begging him to take more as her hands moved across his chest, measuring, memorizing.
There was no world but here and now. No one else but the two of them. No past. No future.
Something I havent done lately was respond to the reviews, so let me see...
1) tennisprincess15 - The whole Estelle and Tarak over hearing Yuli is to help move along the plot of the story. However, not in the next chapter but in chapter 24, I will have them ponder on what to do...you can say they will bump into their good old friend Yzak.
2) asga - I am glad you like the chapter. Hopefully you liked this one as well
3) mariad - Yes everyone is starting to find out the truth, after 21 chapters, lols people are realizing that the bombing had a connection to Cagalli's disapperance. Well in the next chapter, Cagalli will finally be able to reunite with Athrun once more.
4) Wyntermajik - The end of the story...to tell you the truth I am not quite certain how I will end it, I have 2 possible ideas which I am debating on. Considering the story only has a few more chapters before the ending does come. Everything is coming 2gether. I am glad the chapter was what you expected, I am glad to hear that. Hopefully this one was too, even though I only focused on Cagalli's POV
5) sw33tdesiree - I am glad you enjoy the chaper!
6) Darth Riven - I am glad you enjoy the chaper!
7) animemistress419 - I am glad you enjoy the chaper!
8) Doctor Kiba - Yeah I realized the story is long and a lot of the time I seem to drag out certain points. Sorry about that, in my next fic I am planning on writing after Destiny, I am going to try to get straight to the point. But I am glad you enjoy the story!
9) Anonymous - Sorry, sorry, sorry for the dragging, lols I am trying. I am trying to update as soon as I can, so hopefulyl you aren't waiting 2 long. I know, after watching the recent episodes of GSD, I was like I should have chosen a different character but at the time I decided to use Meyrin cause soon Luna will come back and as Meyrin sister (yes in this fic, I am planning on them being sisters) and talk about their past. So hopefully you should understand what happened between the sisters.
10) ennov - I am glad you enjoy the chaper!
11) Juzblue - I am glad you enjoy the chaper!
12) SEEDSummoner - I am glad you enjoy the chaper!
13) lightyearsaway - I am glad you enjoy the chaper!
14) stuntsheep - I am glad you enjoy the chaper!
15) Angel of Dreams - I wouldn't say Meyrin was completely behind it, but she was a part of the whole scheme. From here on out, Miriallia and Dearka's relationship should grow in the upcoming chapters.
16) dark conspiracy - I can tell you it isn't easy to put everything together, sometimes I think something is off and have to change everything else. But I am glad you enjoy it!
17) AnimeSiren - I am glad you enjoy the chaper!
18) Chibi Bishi - I am glad you enjoy the chaper!
19) DESTINY'Sheart - Well hopefully you will continue to come on the internet after this story is over as well, lols. Maybe for my next fic.
20) cherry - I know the plot is taking it's sweet time, but I'm trying. Hoepfully with the end in sight, the plot will move quicker. The time when the meet...I suppose I can say next chapter and then all the way till the end, lols. Okay to explain the whole Estelle and Tarak thing...the reason why she n Tarak were down there is to find something out about Cagalli's disapperance. Right now, Estelle is doubting her father, believing that he might have wanted Cagalli to disappear so he can be with Meyrin. I should have said how she got the card to enter the building...I suppose you can say she had one for days she went to visit Athrun or she took it from Athrun. Hopefully this clears up some of your ques.
21) Story Weaver1 - I also liked the idea of being attratcted to someone by their smell. I mean if they stink I couldn't really want to date them...lols even though that isn't really the smell Rose was talking about.
22) AnimeKitty - I am glad you enjoy the chaper!
23) cottongreentea - I am glad you enjoy the chaper!
24) Miriae - I felt bad for having Athrun slapping Estelle, but I thought it would help the scene more. Even though I still feel bad. See the thing about Athrun that I noticed from GS and GSD is that it takes him awhile to realize something. So that is what I am having done in the chapter. Athrun doubts things before he realizes what is true and who he can trust. Cough cough like the chairman in GSD...took him awhile but he got it afterwards...cough cough lols. I am glad you and your friend got close cause of this fic, when I first read that I was like wow, i never knew writting can do that. That help me to update faster.
25) Wrath-Of-Solitude - I am glad you enjoy the chaper!
26) Cagali - I am glad you enjoy the chaper!
27) Aioria Narumi - sorry for all the cliffhangers, you can say I am a big fan of them, lols. I also didn't fail anything on my exams either. My lowest was a C (Spanish) then 2 Bs and then 3 As. So I was happy.