Daddy Duo
Chapter 6
Uncle Q
Duo and Hilde's smallish two-bedroom apartment was slowly getting very full.
"How much stuff does one little kid need?" asked Duo after one of Sally and Hilde's shopping excursions. "I mean, we're talkin a 7 or 8 lb kid and he's got to have 80 lbs of equipment to go somewhere?"
Hilde shook her head. "I know but the people at the baby stores keep telling me I need all these things."
Crammed in the spare bedroom besides a crib was an infant seat, a stroller, a folded playpen, a small bathtub, and several stacks of unbelievably small clothes ready to put into a dresser with bunnies all over it.
The spare room; formerly Duo's place to escape and watch hockey and drink beer, had been repainted aqua and yellow and now had bunnies everywhere.
They were sickeningly animated bunnies that leered at Duo from every wall.
"Geez Hilde, those damn bunnies are gonna give the kid nightmares. They're giving me nightmares. Do they have to have that 'I'm a member of a deranged cult' smile on their faces?"
Hilde had run into the bedroom crying and locked the door.
"Okay, no more insulting the cult of the bunnies," thought Duo, going to get his lock picks again.
There was one thing about Hilde's advancing pregnant state that Duo was pleasantly surprised to discover. She'd become a sex fiend.
It wasn't as though she was disinterested before, but now she could hardly keep her hands off of him. And what wonderful hands they were, Duo thought. And her mouth wasn't too shabby either, remembering last week when she'd come into his office at Preventor's Headquarters unannounced and dropped her concealing trench coat to reveal, well, nothing much underneath.
He actually found himself getting turned on by the way her slightly rounded stomach looked over the black lace of her garter belt.
Pregnant women could be very sexy, he decided as he felt himself getting aroused again thinking about Hilde dressed in a garter belt and stockings and a beret. And nothing else draped over his desk.
However, now was not the best time to be thinking of that particular topic. They were on their way to see Quatre and Trowa for the weekend. Trowa's sister Catherine was supposed to be there. No doubt several of Quatre's numerous sisters, too.
Wufei was there, too. He was staying there while he convalesced from a motorcycle accident. And Sally would be there. Duo suspected that things were warming up on that front.
Even Heero and Relena were going to make an appearance.
"The big family reunion," thought Duo. The perfect occasion to spring his and Hilde's little surprise on everyone.
There was something that appealed to his male vanity to think of announcing, "We're having a baby." Something primeval, no doubt. Fulfilling one's genetic potential and all that.
"I am virile, I am potent, I am MALE!" thought Duo, puffing out his chest as he drove.
Hilde tapped him urgently on the shoulder. "Liebhan, pull over, I'm carsick!"
All thoughts of virility fled from his mind as he pulled over and practically shoved Hilde out of the car and then held her while she doubled over and retched.
"Sorry," she said, gasping. "It just hit me out of nowhere."
"It's okay," said Duo. He helped her back into the car.
"We're almost there, hang on a little longer."
Hilde nodded. "I'll be alright now, I'm just a little excited."
Duo reached over and rubbed her arm. "I'm a little excited too," he admitted.
"Are you thinking about black garter belts again?" Hilde asked him coyly.
"Uh, yeah, you read my mind, babe." He grinned.
"I'm so glad you liked it," purred Hilde.
"It was definitely memorable," said Duo. "But if I start thinking about that now, I'm not gonna be able to get out of the car for a while."
Hilde laughed. "Think about Colonel Une," she said evilly.
"Okay, that worked," said Duo. "Nothing against Une, but she's my BOSS for gawd's sake. And she's a little scary too."
"There's the house," said Hilde, pointing up ahead.
Quatre's estate was a few miles out in the countryside and was surrounded by a large stone wall and a scrolled iron gate.
Duo drove up the long driveway and punched in the security code at the gate, which automatically changed every week. The heavy gate swung open and he drove through.
The smell of flowers was everywhere. The estate was surrounded by gardens of different varieties.
"It's so beautiful out here," said Hilde dreamily. Duo had put the top down on the car, as it was a warm spring day.
Duo parked the car, and went around to help Hilde out. She was wearing something summery, in a bright soft blue that matched her eyes and gauzy that flowed around her now visible stomach.
"You look pretty," said Duo, giving her a kiss as she stepped out of the car.
"Thanks," she said. "I needed to hear that. I feel sort of clumsy."
"Everyone's going to be jealous of you," said Duo.
Hilde blushed. "Because I'm with you," she said softly.
"I can't wait to see the look on everyone's face when we tell them about the baby," said Duo.
"You just like being the center of attention," said Hilde linking her arm in his as they came onto the veranda and the huge double doors of the mansion opened.
"True," said Duo, grinning.
Quatre was standing there with Trowa and he held out his arms. "You're finally here!" he said, taking a few steps forward and embracing Duo tightly.
"Hey, Q-man," grunted Duo, barely able to breathe. He glanced over Quatre's shoulder and Trowa was smiling slightly at them.
Trowa went over to Hilde and offered his arm. "Please come in," he said politely.
Quatre released Duo, who straightened his shirt a little. "I'm glad to see you too, Quatre," he said. "Warn a guy a little, though," he said. "I almost lost a lung there."
"Sorry," said Quatre. "I haven't seen you in months. I got a little carried away."
"I miss you too, Q-man."
Quatre smiled. His crystalline aqua eyes shined. "I see you and Hilde have been keeping a secret from us."
"Aw, man, I wanted it to be surprise," said Duo. "I'm gonna be a dad, Q- man," Duo said in a slightly choked voice.
Quatre hugged him again. "I'm so happy for you," he said, and tears began to run down his face.
"I should have known I couldn't keep anything from you," said Duo.
"I knew it the minute I saw you," said Quatre, sniffling. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?"
"Heero knows," said Duo, "He kind of blackmailed it out of me."
"That's our Heero," said Quatre, wiping his eyes on a handkerchief he pulled out of his vest pocket.
"We just wanted to wait until everything was, you know, sure," said Duo.
Quatre nodded. "I understand."
"My sisters have dozens of kids," he said. "I'm Uncle Q around here. I know all about babies and kids and pregnant women. You poor man." He elbowed Duo slightly in the ribs.
"You're swimmin' in the estrogen ocean," said Duo, grinning at him.
Quatre nodded. "Since the day I was born."
"You and Trowa ought to adopt a couple of kids," said Duo. "I mean, if I'm not being too personal. You'd make a great dad. So would Trowa. After all, it can't be that different from taking care of lions."
Quatre laughed. "Something to think about," he said, looking at Duo.
"Hey, Q, when I was in the orphanage, I'd have been lucky to have someone like you want me," said Duo, suddenly serious. "I'd have probably turned out a lot better too."
Quatre teared up again. "I'd have been lucky to find a kid like you," he said quietly.
"Now don't turn on the waterworks again," said Duo, patting him on the shoulder.
"I'll try," said Quatre. He sniffled and used his handkerchief again.
"Let's go see everyone," said Quatre. "They're all out back in the gazebo. We're having the party there; it's so beautiful outside. I love the flowers, they're all blooming now."
Hilde was sitting with her feet up on a small wicker hassock, in large padded wicker chair in the gazebo, and Sally, Relena and Catherine, plus about half a dozen of Quatre's sisters where sitting in a circle around her.
"I can't believe you didn't tell us you're pregnant," said Sally, taking a long sip of something with lemons floating in it.
"I'm only 4 months along," protested Hilde. "It just now shows."
"Ooh, can I?" said Trista, one of Quatre's sisters, blond as he was but with dark eyes, sliding off of her chair and kneeling in front of Hilde. She reached out a hand tentatively to touch Hilde's barely protruding stomach.
"I guess so," said Hilde. Trista put her hand lightly on Hilde's stomach. "You're pregnant, all right," she said. "You have a nice little bump there."
Everyone giggled.
"Get used to it," said Almyra, another one of Quatre's sisters, who was dark, sloe eyed and exotic looking. "When I was pregnant, my belly became community property. Everyone wants to touch a pregnant woman's belly for some reason. I felt like a fresh loaf of bread sometimes."
Hilde nodded, "Duo can't seem to stop touching my stomach," she said, then blushed a little.
"Being pregnant makes you sexy," said Almyra, "But I bet you already know that," she winked.
"Almyra, you're embarrassing her," said Trista, still sitting at Hilde's feet.
"You have to forgive Almyra," said Trista, "She was born without the ability to be tactful. Plus she's a sex fiend."
"Yes, I am," purred Almyra, "and proud of it."
Everyone laughed again.
"Well, the ladies seem to be getting along well," said Wufei.
He was sitting propped up in a padded wheelchair, his casted leg stretched out in front of him.
He looked great, wearing his customary white silk suit. Duo remembered when he'd found him after his accident and winced internally. At the time, they weren't even sure he'd keep his leg.
"So, how's the leg doing?" said Duo. He handed Wufei a glass of white wine.
"Better every day, Sally tells me," he said. "I'm healing ahead of all expectations."
"That's great," said Duo.
"I'm starting physical therapy soon," said Wufei. "I'll be glad to get out of this thing," he indicated the wheelchair.
"If anyone can do it, you can," said Duo. "You're the toughest guy I know."
"Thank you," said Wufei quietly. "But it was you who kept me going when we thought we were going to die in that OZ cell. You never gave up."
"It's not in me to give up," said Duo, equally serious. "And it's not in you, either."
Wufei nodded. "Congratulations on your child, Duo. You'll be a wonderful father, I'm sure."
Wufei looked faintly wistful, and sat quietly, sipping the wine.
"He's thinking about Meiran again," thought Duo, "Way to go, Duo."
"I'm sorry, man," said Duo, "didn't mean to bring up bad memories."
Wufei shook his head, "It's not what you think, Duo."
He wouldn't elaborate, and Duo knew better than to ask.
Just then, Duo looked up to see a tall blond man and a lithe dark-haired woman coming out of the back entrance of the estate.
"It's Milliardo!" said Relena happily. "I have to go see him," she said apologetically, jumping up.
"Go ahead, Relena," said Quatre, "I'll go over and welcome them with you."
Heero, who was standing next to Duo drinking a beer, made a low sound in his throat.
"Be nice," said Trowa, suddenly standing next to Heero.
"I will if he will," said Heero in a tense voice.
"That's all in the past," said Trowa.
"It's about Relena now," said Duo, nodding at Heero, who was not taking his eyes off of the lovely blond women. She was embracing the tall platinum haired man in a dark navy silk suit, her brother. And then she embraced the dark-haired woman.
They all came over, Relena talking animatedly.
"Good afternoon, Heero, Duo, Trowa, Wufei," said Milliardo suavely, nodding at each one of them in turn.
"Lovely day, isn't it, my dear?" he said to Noin, who was looking striking in a black strapless sundress and a black silk shawl.
Heero grunted and Duo and Trowa each shook his offered hand.
"Don't be standoffish, Heero," said Relena in a slightly pleading voice.
Heero reluctantly offered his hand, deep blue eyes boring into icy blue as they shook hands briefly.
Relena took Heero's arm and they walked off down a cobbled path. Milliardo never took his eyes off of their retreating figures.
"She'll be fine," whispered Noin to him. "Quit being big overprotective brother for one afternoon," she said to Zechs, as she still called him.
Zechs looked down at Noin and smiled briefly. "You're right, my dear, I'm being rather awful, aren't I?" he said lightly. "Let's go try some of Quatre's excellent wines, shall we?"
Noin nodded, exhaling the breath she'd been holding.
"They make a great looking couple, don't they" said Sally, coming over and sitting down by Wufei.
He took her hand and squeezed it.
Duo raised his eyebrows but for once, kept his mouth shut. Trowa smiled faintly at him.
"Sally and the Wu-man, huh?" asked Duo. Trowa nodded.
"She spends a lot of nights here," said Trowa, looking down at Duo through his bangs.
"Ah ha," said Duo, grinning evilly. "About time," he said, nodding.
"She's personally overseeing his recovery," said Trowa with a glint in his green eyes.
"I'll bet," said Duo.
"You have a dirty mind," said Trowa.
"So do you," said Duo.
"True," said Trowa.
"I have to go see if Hilde needs anything," said Duo.
Trowa nodded. "Congratulations," he said.
"Thanks, I'm happy," said Duo.
"You deserve to be," said Trowa.
"You too," said Duo.
Trowa nodded. "I am," he said simply, looking at Quatre, who was holding one of Almyra's daughters on his lap. He whispered something in her ear that made her giggle and turn around and hug him around the neck.
Quatre put her down and she ran off to play with the other children who were running around on the green lawns.
Quatre came over to Duo and Trowa. Trowa bent down and gave him a light kiss on the lips.
"You didn't promise to buy her a puppy again?" asked Trowa, putting his arm around Quatre's waist.
"No, Almrya already threatened to beat me if I did that again," said Quatre.
"I promised to buy her a kitten," he said, grinning.
Trowa groaned. "You're such a sucker," he said.
"Yes, I am, " he said silkily. "But that's why you like me."
"Well, I'm outta here," grinned Duo. "If you two are gonna start talking dirty to each other."
"You should talk!" said Quatre.
"I'm a total hypocrite," said Duo. "I embarrass easily."
Quatre laughed. "Hard to believe."
"It's true," insisted Duo. "I was raised by a bunch of nuns, for God's sake."
"It doesn't show," said Trowa. "In spite of the garb," he added.
Duo looked down at his black shirt with the priest's collar and the silver cross.
"It's a fashion statement," he said quietly and walked off to see Hilde.
"I wonder which face that was?" said Quatre, looking at Duo walking off.
Trowa shrugged and tightened his arm around Quatre.
Chapter 6
Uncle Q
Duo and Hilde's smallish two-bedroom apartment was slowly getting very full.
"How much stuff does one little kid need?" asked Duo after one of Sally and Hilde's shopping excursions. "I mean, we're talkin a 7 or 8 lb kid and he's got to have 80 lbs of equipment to go somewhere?"
Hilde shook her head. "I know but the people at the baby stores keep telling me I need all these things."
Crammed in the spare bedroom besides a crib was an infant seat, a stroller, a folded playpen, a small bathtub, and several stacks of unbelievably small clothes ready to put into a dresser with bunnies all over it.
The spare room; formerly Duo's place to escape and watch hockey and drink beer, had been repainted aqua and yellow and now had bunnies everywhere.
They were sickeningly animated bunnies that leered at Duo from every wall.
"Geez Hilde, those damn bunnies are gonna give the kid nightmares. They're giving me nightmares. Do they have to have that 'I'm a member of a deranged cult' smile on their faces?"
Hilde had run into the bedroom crying and locked the door.
"Okay, no more insulting the cult of the bunnies," thought Duo, going to get his lock picks again.
There was one thing about Hilde's advancing pregnant state that Duo was pleasantly surprised to discover. She'd become a sex fiend.
It wasn't as though she was disinterested before, but now she could hardly keep her hands off of him. And what wonderful hands they were, Duo thought. And her mouth wasn't too shabby either, remembering last week when she'd come into his office at Preventor's Headquarters unannounced and dropped her concealing trench coat to reveal, well, nothing much underneath.
He actually found himself getting turned on by the way her slightly rounded stomach looked over the black lace of her garter belt.
Pregnant women could be very sexy, he decided as he felt himself getting aroused again thinking about Hilde dressed in a garter belt and stockings and a beret. And nothing else draped over his desk.
However, now was not the best time to be thinking of that particular topic. They were on their way to see Quatre and Trowa for the weekend. Trowa's sister Catherine was supposed to be there. No doubt several of Quatre's numerous sisters, too.
Wufei was there, too. He was staying there while he convalesced from a motorcycle accident. And Sally would be there. Duo suspected that things were warming up on that front.
Even Heero and Relena were going to make an appearance.
"The big family reunion," thought Duo. The perfect occasion to spring his and Hilde's little surprise on everyone.
There was something that appealed to his male vanity to think of announcing, "We're having a baby." Something primeval, no doubt. Fulfilling one's genetic potential and all that.
"I am virile, I am potent, I am MALE!" thought Duo, puffing out his chest as he drove.
Hilde tapped him urgently on the shoulder. "Liebhan, pull over, I'm carsick!"
All thoughts of virility fled from his mind as he pulled over and practically shoved Hilde out of the car and then held her while she doubled over and retched.
"Sorry," she said, gasping. "It just hit me out of nowhere."
"It's okay," said Duo. He helped her back into the car.
"We're almost there, hang on a little longer."
Hilde nodded. "I'll be alright now, I'm just a little excited."
Duo reached over and rubbed her arm. "I'm a little excited too," he admitted.
"Are you thinking about black garter belts again?" Hilde asked him coyly.
"Uh, yeah, you read my mind, babe." He grinned.
"I'm so glad you liked it," purred Hilde.
"It was definitely memorable," said Duo. "But if I start thinking about that now, I'm not gonna be able to get out of the car for a while."
Hilde laughed. "Think about Colonel Une," she said evilly.
"Okay, that worked," said Duo. "Nothing against Une, but she's my BOSS for gawd's sake. And she's a little scary too."
"There's the house," said Hilde, pointing up ahead.
Quatre's estate was a few miles out in the countryside and was surrounded by a large stone wall and a scrolled iron gate.
Duo drove up the long driveway and punched in the security code at the gate, which automatically changed every week. The heavy gate swung open and he drove through.
The smell of flowers was everywhere. The estate was surrounded by gardens of different varieties.
"It's so beautiful out here," said Hilde dreamily. Duo had put the top down on the car, as it was a warm spring day.
Duo parked the car, and went around to help Hilde out. She was wearing something summery, in a bright soft blue that matched her eyes and gauzy that flowed around her now visible stomach.
"You look pretty," said Duo, giving her a kiss as she stepped out of the car.
"Thanks," she said. "I needed to hear that. I feel sort of clumsy."
"Everyone's going to be jealous of you," said Duo.
Hilde blushed. "Because I'm with you," she said softly.
"I can't wait to see the look on everyone's face when we tell them about the baby," said Duo.
"You just like being the center of attention," said Hilde linking her arm in his as they came onto the veranda and the huge double doors of the mansion opened.
"True," said Duo, grinning.
Quatre was standing there with Trowa and he held out his arms. "You're finally here!" he said, taking a few steps forward and embracing Duo tightly.
"Hey, Q-man," grunted Duo, barely able to breathe. He glanced over Quatre's shoulder and Trowa was smiling slightly at them.
Trowa went over to Hilde and offered his arm. "Please come in," he said politely.
Quatre released Duo, who straightened his shirt a little. "I'm glad to see you too, Quatre," he said. "Warn a guy a little, though," he said. "I almost lost a lung there."
"Sorry," said Quatre. "I haven't seen you in months. I got a little carried away."
"I miss you too, Q-man."
Quatre smiled. His crystalline aqua eyes shined. "I see you and Hilde have been keeping a secret from us."
"Aw, man, I wanted it to be surprise," said Duo. "I'm gonna be a dad, Q- man," Duo said in a slightly choked voice.
Quatre hugged him again. "I'm so happy for you," he said, and tears began to run down his face.
"I should have known I couldn't keep anything from you," said Duo.
"I knew it the minute I saw you," said Quatre, sniffling. "Why didn't you say anything sooner?"
"Heero knows," said Duo, "He kind of blackmailed it out of me."
"That's our Heero," said Quatre, wiping his eyes on a handkerchief he pulled out of his vest pocket.
"We just wanted to wait until everything was, you know, sure," said Duo.
Quatre nodded. "I understand."
"My sisters have dozens of kids," he said. "I'm Uncle Q around here. I know all about babies and kids and pregnant women. You poor man." He elbowed Duo slightly in the ribs.
"You're swimmin' in the estrogen ocean," said Duo, grinning at him.
Quatre nodded. "Since the day I was born."
"You and Trowa ought to adopt a couple of kids," said Duo. "I mean, if I'm not being too personal. You'd make a great dad. So would Trowa. After all, it can't be that different from taking care of lions."
Quatre laughed. "Something to think about," he said, looking at Duo.
"Hey, Q, when I was in the orphanage, I'd have been lucky to have someone like you want me," said Duo, suddenly serious. "I'd have probably turned out a lot better too."
Quatre teared up again. "I'd have been lucky to find a kid like you," he said quietly.
"Now don't turn on the waterworks again," said Duo, patting him on the shoulder.
"I'll try," said Quatre. He sniffled and used his handkerchief again.
"Let's go see everyone," said Quatre. "They're all out back in the gazebo. We're having the party there; it's so beautiful outside. I love the flowers, they're all blooming now."
Hilde was sitting with her feet up on a small wicker hassock, in large padded wicker chair in the gazebo, and Sally, Relena and Catherine, plus about half a dozen of Quatre's sisters where sitting in a circle around her.
"I can't believe you didn't tell us you're pregnant," said Sally, taking a long sip of something with lemons floating in it.
"I'm only 4 months along," protested Hilde. "It just now shows."
"Ooh, can I?" said Trista, one of Quatre's sisters, blond as he was but with dark eyes, sliding off of her chair and kneeling in front of Hilde. She reached out a hand tentatively to touch Hilde's barely protruding stomach.
"I guess so," said Hilde. Trista put her hand lightly on Hilde's stomach. "You're pregnant, all right," she said. "You have a nice little bump there."
Everyone giggled.
"Get used to it," said Almyra, another one of Quatre's sisters, who was dark, sloe eyed and exotic looking. "When I was pregnant, my belly became community property. Everyone wants to touch a pregnant woman's belly for some reason. I felt like a fresh loaf of bread sometimes."
Hilde nodded, "Duo can't seem to stop touching my stomach," she said, then blushed a little.
"Being pregnant makes you sexy," said Almyra, "But I bet you already know that," she winked.
"Almyra, you're embarrassing her," said Trista, still sitting at Hilde's feet.
"You have to forgive Almyra," said Trista, "She was born without the ability to be tactful. Plus she's a sex fiend."
"Yes, I am," purred Almyra, "and proud of it."
Everyone laughed again.
"Well, the ladies seem to be getting along well," said Wufei.
He was sitting propped up in a padded wheelchair, his casted leg stretched out in front of him.
He looked great, wearing his customary white silk suit. Duo remembered when he'd found him after his accident and winced internally. At the time, they weren't even sure he'd keep his leg.
"So, how's the leg doing?" said Duo. He handed Wufei a glass of white wine.
"Better every day, Sally tells me," he said. "I'm healing ahead of all expectations."
"That's great," said Duo.
"I'm starting physical therapy soon," said Wufei. "I'll be glad to get out of this thing," he indicated the wheelchair.
"If anyone can do it, you can," said Duo. "You're the toughest guy I know."
"Thank you," said Wufei quietly. "But it was you who kept me going when we thought we were going to die in that OZ cell. You never gave up."
"It's not in me to give up," said Duo, equally serious. "And it's not in you, either."
Wufei nodded. "Congratulations on your child, Duo. You'll be a wonderful father, I'm sure."
Wufei looked faintly wistful, and sat quietly, sipping the wine.
"He's thinking about Meiran again," thought Duo, "Way to go, Duo."
"I'm sorry, man," said Duo, "didn't mean to bring up bad memories."
Wufei shook his head, "It's not what you think, Duo."
He wouldn't elaborate, and Duo knew better than to ask.
Just then, Duo looked up to see a tall blond man and a lithe dark-haired woman coming out of the back entrance of the estate.
"It's Milliardo!" said Relena happily. "I have to go see him," she said apologetically, jumping up.
"Go ahead, Relena," said Quatre, "I'll go over and welcome them with you."
Heero, who was standing next to Duo drinking a beer, made a low sound in his throat.
"Be nice," said Trowa, suddenly standing next to Heero.
"I will if he will," said Heero in a tense voice.
"That's all in the past," said Trowa.
"It's about Relena now," said Duo, nodding at Heero, who was not taking his eyes off of the lovely blond women. She was embracing the tall platinum haired man in a dark navy silk suit, her brother. And then she embraced the dark-haired woman.
They all came over, Relena talking animatedly.
"Good afternoon, Heero, Duo, Trowa, Wufei," said Milliardo suavely, nodding at each one of them in turn.
"Lovely day, isn't it, my dear?" he said to Noin, who was looking striking in a black strapless sundress and a black silk shawl.
Heero grunted and Duo and Trowa each shook his offered hand.
"Don't be standoffish, Heero," said Relena in a slightly pleading voice.
Heero reluctantly offered his hand, deep blue eyes boring into icy blue as they shook hands briefly.
Relena took Heero's arm and they walked off down a cobbled path. Milliardo never took his eyes off of their retreating figures.
"She'll be fine," whispered Noin to him. "Quit being big overprotective brother for one afternoon," she said to Zechs, as she still called him.
Zechs looked down at Noin and smiled briefly. "You're right, my dear, I'm being rather awful, aren't I?" he said lightly. "Let's go try some of Quatre's excellent wines, shall we?"
Noin nodded, exhaling the breath she'd been holding.
"They make a great looking couple, don't they" said Sally, coming over and sitting down by Wufei.
He took her hand and squeezed it.
Duo raised his eyebrows but for once, kept his mouth shut. Trowa smiled faintly at him.
"Sally and the Wu-man, huh?" asked Duo. Trowa nodded.
"She spends a lot of nights here," said Trowa, looking down at Duo through his bangs.
"Ah ha," said Duo, grinning evilly. "About time," he said, nodding.
"She's personally overseeing his recovery," said Trowa with a glint in his green eyes.
"I'll bet," said Duo.
"You have a dirty mind," said Trowa.
"So do you," said Duo.
"True," said Trowa.
"I have to go see if Hilde needs anything," said Duo.
Trowa nodded. "Congratulations," he said.
"Thanks, I'm happy," said Duo.
"You deserve to be," said Trowa.
"You too," said Duo.
Trowa nodded. "I am," he said simply, looking at Quatre, who was holding one of Almyra's daughters on his lap. He whispered something in her ear that made her giggle and turn around and hug him around the neck.
Quatre put her down and she ran off to play with the other children who were running around on the green lawns.
Quatre came over to Duo and Trowa. Trowa bent down and gave him a light kiss on the lips.
"You didn't promise to buy her a puppy again?" asked Trowa, putting his arm around Quatre's waist.
"No, Almrya already threatened to beat me if I did that again," said Quatre.
"I promised to buy her a kitten," he said, grinning.
Trowa groaned. "You're such a sucker," he said.
"Yes, I am, " he said silkily. "But that's why you like me."
"Well, I'm outta here," grinned Duo. "If you two are gonna start talking dirty to each other."
"You should talk!" said Quatre.
"I'm a total hypocrite," said Duo. "I embarrass easily."
Quatre laughed. "Hard to believe."
"It's true," insisted Duo. "I was raised by a bunch of nuns, for God's sake."
"It doesn't show," said Trowa. "In spite of the garb," he added.
Duo looked down at his black shirt with the priest's collar and the silver cross.
"It's a fashion statement," he said quietly and walked off to see Hilde.
"I wonder which face that was?" said Quatre, looking at Duo walking off.
Trowa shrugged and tightened his arm around Quatre.
