For the Love of a Child
by Star Kindler
Chapter Two
Disclaimer: I don't own GW, never have and never will
Warnings: Yaoi, OOC, and lots of sap.
Enjoy and review!
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The ride to the restaurant was fairly quiet. I believe I was worrying Heero. I could tell by the way he continually shifted in his seat, as if he were anxious or something. Once we did reach the restaurant, he practically bounded out of the car, and waited impatiently by the entrance as I climbed out and made my way to him. This was certainly not his usual personality. I imagine I would do the same if I were in his shoes.
Lucky for me, the restaurant was not very crowded. People were spread about in a few tables, but for the most part, it was fairly empty. Thankfully, the waiter seated us in a corner booth, secluded from the few other people. He took our drink and food orders, and finally we were alone. By this time, I had a nervous feeling deep in the pit of my stomach. I wasn't sure I could tell Heero this – now.
"Well?" I heard Heero's voice, looked across at him and smirked.
"Well what?"
"Are you going to tell me or not?" He asked impatiently.
'Oh god, I must think of something quick…' "Um…Heero. What I want to tell you is…I…you see…I have a…" For once, I actually couldn't speak.
"You have, what?" He glared at me. I could tell the suspense was killing him, but I could not think of a right way to word this.
"I have…I have to go to the restroom. Please excuse me." I heard him sigh with exasperation, while I hurried off to the front of the restaurant and into the restroom. There, I stood in front of the mirror.
"Okay, Duo, get a hold of yourself." I whispered. "He'll understand. Now, you've got to tell him. You can't wait till Ayanna shows up on your doorstep." I turned on the faucet and splashed cool water on my face. Then, with a deep breath, and a look of pure bravery, I sauntered out of the bathroom and back to Heero. By this time, the food had arrived, and Heero was taking small bites, staring in my direction.
With a flushed look on my face, I sat down and began nibbling at the food before me, still petrified. Heero put his fork down.
"Duo, now, please tell me. You said you would." I could hear a bit of desperation in his voice. I sighed deeply.
"Heero, this isn't just something I can come out and say, I mean-" I looked down, for I could feel the burning of tears collecting in my eyes. This was harder than I thought.
"Duo, look at me." I guided my eyes to Heero's face. Satisfied, he said, "Duo, I love you. You can tell me anything. I will not love you any less. Nothing you tell me will make me turn on you, I swear."
In those beautiful eyes, I saw nothing but sincerity. He reached across the table, took hold of my hand and gave it a reassuring squeeze. I couldn't help but smile, and as I did, I opened my mouth and began to tell him the whole story.
"Heero, I'm happy about what is going to enter our lives, and I have every reason to be. But I'm just worried about you."
Heero shook his head. "Don't be. Please continue."
I nodded. "Okay, here goes." I took a deep breath. "Five years ago, I got with a woman, whom I thought I loved. Turned out our relationship didn't work out and we broke up. Unfortunately, she was um…pregnant." I saw Heero's eyes widen, but he didn't let go of my hand, so I continued.
"She didn't want me to have anything to with my…this sounds weird…she didn't want me to have anything to do with my daughter, Ayanna." I gazed in Heero's eyes to see if I can read his expression, but it was totally blank. I had to know what he was feeling.
"Heero? What are you thinking?"
He glared at me with a funny look on his face. But finally he said, "I don't know…Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
I squirmed in my seat nervously. "That's not all I have to tell you." I had never seen a more confused look on anyone's face before, but I continued nevertheless. "I got a letter from her mother, Kalista. Kalista has cancer and is dying. She wants me to take Ayanna. Of course, I consented. Heero, I want my daughter in my life. I hope you understand."
He nodded. "Yes Duo, I do understand. So what does this mean for the two of us?"
I smiled and placed my other hand on his. "It means we have a family."
"You want me to help you take care of her? But I don't know the first thing about child care!"
"And I do? Come on Heero, I don't want to do this without you."
***
A child? Duo had a child? I couldn't believe it. What's more, I couldn't believe he hadn't told me about her, sooner.
After a few moments of mindless staring, I finally had enough intelligence to speak up. "I've never really been around a child before…"
He smiled. "It's okay Heero. I haven't either. But I want us to raise her, and I know we can get through this together."
"What if she doesn't like me?" I worried.
"She'll love you. In fact, tomorrow the three of us are going to spend the day together. How do you like that?"
This was too much for me to take in all at once. "Where are we going to go?"
"I found out something special was going to be in town tomorrow." He winked.
"What?"
"Trowa's circus!" He practically beamed.
"The circus? We're going to take her to the circus?" I questioned.
"Sure, why not? Her mother mentioned she loved animals, so maybe we can get Trowa to let us go back and see the lions and elephants up close. She'll have a blast!"
I sighed, not quite sure what I should be feeling right now; not sure what I should say. But I had to agree. I truly loved Duo, but this was almost like a shot to the heart, and I don't know why.
"I'm not going to leave you Duo. I love you." I said, my heart overflowing.
"Oh Heero, I love you to. She's a wonderful kid and you'll be a great stepfather!" He said happily.
His words shocked me. Stepfather? At that moment I felt a warm, ardent feeling come about me. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
~~End of Chapter Two~~
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Comments? Criticism? Please let me know what you think! ~Star Kindler