Chapter 27
The rebuilding of ORB had been a slow, painstaking process. Much of the island nation was now back to normal. Some of the more outlying areas needed work still, but for the most part all was as it was before the war. It had only taken eighteen months to achieve. In all that time Cagalli had proven repeatedly that she was a great leader. Kazuhiko had also proved to be an asset to the country. Athrun had been in control of the military restructuring. After the chaos of war, it needed to be overhauled and the remaining troops needed to be reassigned. As was his habit, Athrun threw himself into his work. He often slept at his office. With Ace by his side. It had been hard to think clearly, at first. Now it was just an automatic response.
Athrun Zala, on auto pilot.
No one dared to point that out. They did not have to, as he was always professional with regards to work. Myrna would often visit him, invite him to dinner at the Athha-Ottada mansion. Which he declined, every time, politely. He did not want to socialise. Mostly due to the work load he had set for himself. His apartment was barely lived in. At work, he was always neat as a pin, calm and clear on what needed to be done and how to do it. But when he was alone, his mind would wander. The reports he had gotten from Cagalli had all been much the same. They came in every couple of months. All there was to tell, was that she was progressing slowly. With every new detail he got, the hope he kept deep inside himself, grew just a little more.
One day. Some day. He would make it out to the PLANTS and visit her.
When he could get the time off, that is.
On a sunny, blue sky day, Athrun had been requested by Cagalli to accompany her and Kazuhiko to the Space Port. Very important guests were arriving. Kira and Lacus. Along with escorts, Yzak and Dearka. Standing on the tarmac, by the chain link fence, they waited as the shuttle came to a stop and the door opened. With the stairs placed against the craft, people began to disembark. The first familiar face was a grinning Dearka. Quickly followed by Yzak, his usual pleasant expression plastered on his face. Lacus appeared next, Kira right behind her. They all waved when they noticed Cagalli, Kazuhiko and Athrun. They stopped at the base of the steps, seemingly waiting for something. Ace suddenly took off from Athrun's shoulder, stunned he reached for the bird but it was too quick.
"Ace return!" Athrun said in a gently commanding voice.
They all watched as the little bird flew back and forth in front of the door. Still focused on it, Athrun did not at first notice the person who appeared in the light at the top of the stairs. Of course, when Ace settled on an outstretched hand, Athrun froze wide eyed half way to the shuttle. It had to be a dream. Or a hallucination. There was no way what he saw, was real. Was it? Violet hair, much shorter than before but unmistakable. A bright smile, with bright Garnet eyes. A pretty dress in pale blue. Matching ribbon wrist straps. And Ace happily hopping from hand to shoulder, over and over, talking the entire time. The girl, seemed just as pleased to see the little robotic bird. Then her gaze turned to the tarmac. And landed on Athrun. That bright smile became a beaming one, in a fraction of a second.
"Athrun!" She called out.
"Mi-Mina?" He blinked, in utter stunned shock.
Her smile still brilliantly bright, Mina began to make her way down the steps. It was a slow endeavour. In a rush, Athrun sprinted to the base of the steps and got a look at why it seemed so difficult for her to traverse the stairs. He right leg was in a metal brace, making it tough to bend. But, even with that disadvantage, she was managing quite well. All by herself. He wanted to rush up the stairs and carry her down. But somehow he seemed to know, that would not help her at all. She needed to do this, to relearn it all. After such injuries. And so, he waited patiently at the foot of the stairs for her. It took some time, but Mina finally made it to the bottom. Standing before him, smiling.
"Mina...is it really you?" Athrun asked her, feeling stupid the second the words left his mouth.
"Yes, Athrun. It's me." She beamed at him "Thank you for looking after Ace while I was getting well."
"No...no problem." He replied, suddenly tongue tied.
"Is something wrong Athrun?" She tilted her had and quirked a brow at him "Do I not look okay?"
"Oh! No, no! That isn't it!" He panicked a bit "I was just, shocked to see you walking on your own."
"Oh, I see." She giggled "I thought it was my hair...or lack of it haha."
That giggle, he had missed it so much. In a bold move, Athrun pulled her into a hug.
"Ah!" She gasped, but did not hesitate to wrap her arms around his torso "I missed you Athrun."
"I missed you too Mina, I thought that..." He leaned back, the fear and uncertainty shone in his eyes.
"That you wouldn't ever see me again?" She placed a hand to his cheek "It took me a lot of pain and work and effort, just to be well enough to come and see you. Since you weren't able to come see me."
"I wanted to, so very much." He told her, almost sounding like he felt guilty about that fact.
"I know. Kira and Lacus explained it to me. But just knowing that if I could walk on my own I could come see you, gave me the drive to do it." She smiled and looked him in the eyes "And here I am."
"Mina...I..." Athrun began to stumble on his words "I wanted to...tell you that..."
That giggle sounded again. He looked in her Garnet eyes, saw the joy and laughter in them. It made him smile. She got a hold of her giggling and put a finger to his lips.
"Athrun." She gazed in his eyes "Whatever you have to say...just spit it out already, okay? I won't bite...unless you want me to."
That remark brought a mischievous sparkle to her eyes. Sucking in a breath and trying to steady his thoughts and calm his nerves.
"Mina I..." He swallowed hard "I..."
But Cagalli suddenly interrupted Athrun's confession.
"We really should get going you guys. Don't want to spend all day here." She laughed a bit, as they all started for the parking lot.
Athrun could not believe the bad timing of Cagalli's words. Everyone was chatting as they walked. Mina honestly did not want to let go of him, but they had to in order to walk. Though he did not stray from her side and went so far as to hold her hand. On the way to the mansion, Cagalli relayed the information that Myrna had cooked up a sumptuous meal for them all. After the meal, they would retire to the den, to sit by the fire and talk late into the night.
After arriving back at home, the guests were shown to their rooms and told when to arrive for dinner. Once freshened up, Mina took a some what wobbly stroll out into the gardens. She followed the path that lead to the beach steps. She stopped at the top, not wanting to spend so much time going down then up again. She just gazed at the sea. Athrun found her there, staying a moment by her side just gazing at the ocean together.
"Mina, I have to tell you something..." He said out of the blue, turning to her, Viridian met Garnet "I...I-I love you."
His cheeks darkened. Her cheeks flushed pink. Damn but she looked cute that way. She bit her lip lightly. Again he could not think of her as anything other than cute.
"Athrun, I love you too." She replied, hugging him tight.
He felt the heavy weight float off his shoulders, as he pulled her closer and placed a delicate kiss to her lips. Mina melted into his embrace. It felt so right and like it had been years of waiting. As the kiss ended, both their eyes opened slowly.
"I wanted to tell you, a long time ago. But, you weren't well enough." He explained.
"Oh Athrun, I'm so sorry about all the things that I did to hurt you and I'm sorry for worrying you so much when I got hurt." She placed a gentle hand to his cheek "Can you ever forgive me for that?"
"I forgave you the day you pulled that stupid stunt Mina." He told her, noting the element of irritation in those eyes.
"Stupid stunt?" She retorted, with mild anger "If not for that we'd have lost."
"Yes I know that. Thank you Mina." Athrun said with a small smile.
"And don't you forget it mister." She said, lightly poking his chest "Now lets start this part of our lives...on the right foot."
"I agree. Lets build a new future, together." His eyes closed as he moved in for another kiss.
Shortly there after, they headed back inside to have dinner with their friends. With the meal finished, they all settled in the den. More guests had arrived shortly before dinner, so the den was full up. Lacus sat on the plush rug before the fire with Kira at her side. Yzak and Dearka occupied one of the long couches, their girlfriends between them. Cagalli and Kazuhiko were snuggled onto their favourite chair. Athrun settled on the other couch, Mina sitting beside him. Mu and Murrue were in another of the high backed chairs. Everyone in the room was cosy and content. Though none of the group, had any idea of the surprise to come. The chatter in the room was relaxed, jovial and felt just like a family would.
Suddenly Kira asked Lacus to stand up, she did not know why but she complied with him. To everyone's stunned surprise, Kira got down on one knee, right there in front of all the people who meant something to him. To propose to the girl he loved. Pulling out a small black velvet box, he opened it to reveal a very simple, elegant ring of rose gold with a diamond surrounded by several small pink stones. Lacus looked shocked, one hand covering her mouth as Kira took the other gently in his own. The room fell silent, as they all waited. Taking a deep breath, Kira looked up into those crystal blue eyes.
"Lacus Clyne. Would you do me the honour, of becoming my wife?" He gazed at her, awaiting her response.
She was so shocked she forgot what she was meant to say. Kira suddenly felt worried. Till a throat cleared in the room, drawing her from the daze. Mu would forever deny he had been the one to do that. Though every person in the room knew otherwise.
"Oh Kira, yes!" Lacus announced, allowing him to slip the ring upon her finger.
"Lacus, thank you." Kira said, realising he sounded just a bit silly.
"I love you Kira Yamato." She said as they stood up and she leaned into him and held on tight.
The room erupted in applause. Everyone was happy for the couple. Some wondered why it had taken Kira so darn long to ask her. But now he had. The war was over. Peace was spreading slowly across the world and through the PLANTS as well. All felt right once again. Life felt safer and more full of joy.
And now, they had another wedding to plan out.
It would be just as important an event as Cagalli's marriage to Kazuhiko. Lacus was after all the PLANTS current chairwoman. As well as a beloved pop star. Though she had not sung in the last few years. Cagalli was the first to hug the bride-to-be. Soon to be her sister-in-law. Kazuhiko shook Kira's hand and patted him on the shoulder. Murrue joined in the line for hugging Lacus, congratulations being given by all. Mu slapped Kira on the back and then wrapped an arm around his neck. An old habit that had not faded. Kayla and Shiho came up next, Yzak and Dearka adding to the growing well wishes for the two. Athrun stood up, Mina trying to get up on her own, at least until he helped her. They joined the gathered group.
"Congratulations you guys!" Mina said happily, hugging Lacus and then surprising Kira with a hug also "I'm so happy for you both."
"Thank you Mina. Thank you everyone." Lacus said looking at all the people around her, all her friends "I feel so very happy and so very lucky to have Kira by my side."
"Aw Lacus, I'm the lucky one." Kira told her, putting an arm around her and resting his head against hers.
"The perfect couple." Dearka commented, earning him an elbow from Kayla "What? It's true isn't it?"
"There is no such thing as a perfect couple Dearka." She explained "But, they were made to be together."
"I never would have thought it, till I saw it for myself..." Yzak began, smiling "...but they are better suited than she and Athrun were."
"Hey, I resent that Yzak." Athrun protested good naturedly.
"Oh you mean to say you were the model boyfriend...sorry fiancée...Just because you made her all those damned annoying balls?" Yzak poked the bear a a little.
"Oh now you two, don't argue please." Lacus tried to placate.
"I made her all those Haro's because she liked them so much." Athrun frowned now "Why does that denote me as a bad boyfriend/fiancée?"
"Oh I don't know, because you didn't even kiss her once!" Yzak insisted.
Athrun blushed. Kira felt sorry for him and was about to defend his friend, even if it was not a malicious attack, Yzak was known for rubbing Athrun up the wrong way. And vice versa.
"C'mon Yzak, let it alone already." Dearka tried to defuse things.
"Yzak." Shiho suddenly said firmly "That's enough. Stop deliberately trying to aggravate Athrun."
Everyone was stunned. Shiho was not the type to speak up to Yzak that way. What shocked them more, however, was that he actually relented and muttered an apology.
"Did not see that coming." Mu said, getting a poke to the ribs by his wife "What? Haha."
"Oh stop you know what Mu." She told him.
"Honestly, you guys always take digs at each other." Cagalli laughed "Can't you let it go already?"
"I'm not the one with the problem." Athrun replied "I'm more than happy to let things go but Yzak always twists the knife."
"I do not!" Yzak snapped, then saw Shiho glaring at him "Uh...I mean...not always."
"Lets just agree to stop it okay." Kira suggested.
"Fine." Came the simultaneous replies from both Athrun and Yzak.
After a tense few seconds, the gentle laughter began. It grew and before anyone knew it, they were laughing so hard they almost cried. The mood lightened. Myrna brought in glasses and a bottle of Champagne, to celebrate the engagement. Eyebrows were raised, however, when Murrue declined the bubbly. Even Mu wondered why. Lacus was the first to catch on. Slowly Cagalli, Shiho and Kayla caught on as well. Kira could tell from the look on Lacus's face and he smiled. Dearka and Yzak blinked at one another, before the explanation was whispered in their ears. It was comical how their eyes grew wide. One look at Kira and Athrun knew what was going on too. Mu seemed in the dark still. Mina, had no clue.
"Murrue...are you alright? Are you ill?" Mu asked, still puzzling it out.
It was not like his wife, to decline a celebratory drink.
"I'm not ill Mu, but, something has changed." She smiled at him, the kind that could tell anyone what the answer was.
"Murrue what are you..." Mu's eyes suddenly sprang wide open, his jaw dropped and he nearly lost his glass "...your kidding me?"
Murrue laughed a little bit, put a hand to her stomach and shook her head. Mu looked at her hand, then at her and back again.
"Seriously? Your..." Mu gaped, the man who could make the impossible possible, was lost for words.
"Yes Mu, seriously." His wife replied "But, there is something else."
"Like what?" Mu half frowned.
"It's twins Mu." She told him.
His face paled, he forgot to breath. Kira barely caught the glass before it fell. Everyone was wondering what Mu would say next. What they were not expecting, was the "Whoop!" as he scooped his wife up, kissing her vigorously. But, the sight made them all smile. Mu La Flaga was going to be a dad. Kira and Lacus were getting married. Cagalli and Kazuhiko were happier than ever. Even Yzak and Dearka were content. And Athrun, well he had Mina by his side. Not the spiteful side or the innocently naïve girl, but a blend of the two. That made her whole and caused him to love her that much more.
~~~X~~~
