~~ Four Months Later
Hilde sat at the kitchen table. She glanced at the clock. *2 o'clock in the morning..*. she thought with a smile. *And where am I?* She glanced at her now somewhat large stomach*. Feeding lil Ashleigh.*.She rubbed her stomach, "Well baby girl..your 6 months old now..only 3 more months then I'll be holding you in my arms.."
She laughed as the baby kicked her hand. "What? You don't like that idea?" she asked, her eyes twinkling. Slowly she pushed her chair back and stood up. "Well baby girl..think we can go to bed now?" She chuckled as the baby began kicking again. "Well, I suppose I should start calling you by your name...Ashleigh Marie.." A shadow crossed Hilde's face as she walked into living room. "Ashleigh..should I give you your Daddy's name?" she whispered picking up her favorite picture of her and Duo. It was taken when they were on Earth, the day before they had broken up. They had been walking through a park, Hilde smiled at the memory. "And I had my camera with me..." They had gotten some old lady to take a picture of them. Duo had picked her up and was holding her in his arms when he spun around suddenly. The camera had caught their laughter, their smiles and the love in their eyes. Hilde blinked back tears. It had taken her a month to get up the nerve to develope the roll of film, then a week to open the package. "Then it took me forever to find the perfect frame.." she informed Ashleigh. "And when your born I'm gonna give you this picture.." Gently she sat it back down on the table. "No one is ever gonna say I didn't tell you about your Daddy.." she said firmly, "I'm gonna tell you everything..and I'll even take you to see him.." Casting one last glance at the picture she walked to her room and tried to get some sleep.
~~ Hilde and Duo's old house; Colony L-2
Duo tossed and turned in his bed. Finally he gave up and laid on his back, his hands behind his head. He stared at the ceiling, his heart and mind thousands of miles away. *Four months...four long, hard, lonely months... *He closed his eyes, automatically a 'picture' of Hilde's smiling face formed. He smiled softly, "I miss you Hil...I miss you.."* How are you doing girl? You've dissapeared from me...Becky hasn't heard from you, neither has Relena...why? Are you afraid they'll ask you where you are? That they'll tell me? All we've gotten from you is a small piece of paper..no postmark or nothing..All you said was that you were fine..and the baby was fine. You said it was a little girl...MY little girl...I want to see her..I know your still pregnant...I'm guessing in about 2 or 3 months your gonna give birth..but then what? Are you going to keep her from me? Please...can't we make up? I wanna be yours again..I wanna help raise my daughter...I'll marry you if that's what you want..I swear I will..I was going to ask you to anyways...I had the ring picked out and everything...I was so close to giving it to you... *He sighed and reached under his pillow, his fingers curled around a small jewerly box. He brought it out and opened it, he opened his eyes to peer at it in the dim moonlight. "It's perfect.." he whispered, "I even engraved it.." *To my angel with all my heart- D.M*. "Come back to me, my Angel..come back to me." Duo whispered, placing the ring back in its case and sliding the case back under his pillow.
~~ Three Months Later
Hilde gripped the rail to the hospital bed tightly. "I HATE YOU DUO MAXWELL!" she screamed through clenched teeth.
"Push!" the mid-wife said, "One more push and you'll be holding your lil baby!"
Hilde closed her eyes and pushed with all her might. Minutes later she heard the healthy cry of a baby. She opened her eyes, "Is..that..my baby?" she asked softly. The mid-wife gave her a grin, "Yes Ma'am it sure is..you've got a beautiful baby girl!"
Hilde rested her head on the pillow, "Can I hold her?" The nurse nodded and walked over, a small bundle in her arms. Gently she handed the baby to Hilde. "She's beautiful." Hildewhispered, peering at the little face. The baby opened her eyes at the sound. "She has her Daddy's eyes.." Hilde said, her voice choked. She pushed the little stocking cap back, "And her Momma's hair.." Hilde said softly upon seeing the dark fuzz.
"Is there anyone you want me to call Miss?" The nurse asked. Hilde shook her head no, mesmerized by the baby. "What's her name Miss?" the nurse asked again, "I have to know for the birth certificate.."
"Ashleigh, A-S-H-L-E-I-G-H; Marie, M-A-R-I-E," Hilde paused, "Maxwell, M-A-X-W-E-L-L."