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There Can Be Miracles
For the next few days the pilots and their friends took turned going from the McMaster house to the hospital and back again. Paris was released and sent home in a wheelchair with strict orders not that he followed them unless Relena was there to enforce them. Most often though she alternated between being by Paris's side and being by her brother's who refused to leave Rome's side. No matter what they did or said he wouldn't budge for more then a couple of hours and everyone had their work cut out for them to simply see that he ate and slept a bit. Rome continued to hang on by her fingertips and in a deep coma showed no signs of waking up any time soon. Sally, Lady Une and Hilde had all come as well to see her and so there were always at least four people in Rome's room at a time except at night when there was usually only Milliardo with nurses checking in hourly. Everyone knew that the longer she was in the coma the more brain damage was done and the less likely she was to wake up but no one spoke of such things. Instead Rome's room was turned into a flower shop almost with several dozen bouquets places around the room, everything from roses from her grandfather to dandelions the children at the Home had picked for her. There were get well cards and stuffed animals as well, a testament to what she meant to the people she'd spent her life knowing and helping.
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As for Niles he kept busy undoing all the damage his grandson had done. He had originally intended to have Cecil's body cremated, deciding that the boy wasn't worth burying in the family plot. His daughter in law however begged on her son's behalf and so instead the boy's remains would go to rest in his mother's hometown. Niles would not be attending. To his disgust both his son and daughter in law had defended their son and worse his actions leading Niles to realize that his family had fallen while he wasn't looking. Even Julian's parents hadn't been overly surprised when word came that Cecil had attempted to have their son killed, not showing much interest one way or another about Julian's present condition either. They were going to Cecil's funeral and had yet to visit Rome at the hospital. That pretty much said it all in his mind. Niles knew they would be visiting though once they realized that he intended to welcome Rome, Paris and Julian back into the family as well as into his will. They'd come to shower sympathy and support when it became apparent that it was in their best interests to and Niles imagined that Rome and Pais would throw it back in their aristocratic faces. Neither of them had ever had any tolerance for bullshit, Niles thought with a faint smile. Julian would likely forgive his parents because that was Julian. How that boy had ever been born into the McMaster family was really beyond him. Perhaps Cecil had been right in saying Julian had just been dropped on his head too many times as a child. It had only changed the boy for the better, Niles thought with a look of affection as he watched his grandson work away on Cecil's computer with the boy's bodyguard hovering close by looking over paperwork. Now there was a young lady who could easily pass for a McMaster and he could see why Paris had hired her to look after Julian even though the boy was fully grown. That boy always did need keeper. But she watched and worked with Julian with a sort of rapture that spoke of affection and care, something McMasters seemed to be lacking even towards their own family members When had things gone so wrong, Niles wondered as he looked through the company books showing even more problems then he'd earlier realized. His grandson had been leading the company to ruin right under his nose and with a little more time would have succeeded. Would have killed and lied his way to the top then to send what was once a powerful international corporation into ruin. More importantly Cecil would have costed him three of the greatest things God had ever given him. Rome, Julian..and Paris. .
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A week and a half after Rome and Paris were rushed into the hospital Milliardo came awake from a cat nap, instinctively looking towards Rome expecting to see her laying there still and pale as always. Instead there was the faintest hint of color to her cheeks and her eyelashes looked like they were struggling to open. Yelling for his sister to get a doctor Milliardo squeezed her hand tight. "Come on, love. You can do it. Open your eyes." Milliardo said in a low voice, gaining strength as he repeated the words over and over again till the lashes rose to half mast then all the way up, blinking for a moment then opening wide, her familiar dark eyes staring up at him questioningly as tears gathered in his eyes, a few sliding down his cheeks. "Hey there, beautiful."
"Zechs." Came out as a croak but there was recognition in her eyes and her lips struggled to form a smile though her eyes were clouding over with pain and exertion.
"Yeah it's me." Milliardo said as he leaned over, bringing her hand to his lips. "I'm right here and I'm not going anywhere. I knew you'd pull through, I knew it. Everything is going to be okay now. Heer-Paris is okay." Milliardo said, remembering that she didn't know that. "He made it out just fine and he's going to be right as rain soon. Watching relief come into her eyes to do battle with the pain Milliardo turned his head when the sound of running feet signaled the arrival of the doctors. "She needs something for the pain." Milliardo commanded in a voice designed to issue orders that were never questioned.
"And she'll get it shortly." The doctor said with a grin as he walked over to the other side of Rome and took her hand. "I would imagine you're in a lot of pain right now so we'll hook you up with some primo stuff that should help with the worst of it. Now I want you to concentrate on me for a minute and answer some questions. Can you remember who you are? Any confusion or questions about that? Squeeze my hand if everything is good in that area." The doctor ordered and smiled when she squeezed his hand. "Okay that's good to know, Ms. McMaster. Now I won't lie to you, you're in pretty rough shape and it's going to be a long time before you're in top condition again but everyone has been assuring me you're up to it. Would you agree with that?" The doctor asked with a grin that widened when his hand was given a hard squeeze. "Okay the drugs will be kicking in any second now." The doctor said as he looked over at the nurse who had inserted the IV. "I'll leave you to your young man and you might want to try to get him to go lay down for a while. He's been ignoring doctors orders in that area." Once the doctor and nurse was out Relena and Sally came running in, stopping in their tracks at the sight of Milliardo with his head on Noin's breast, his head snuggled there as he wept, Rome's hand on his head, stroking his hair as he let go of all the pain and fear silently. As if she sensed their presence Rome turned her head slightly to see them and managed a weak smile, holding up her other hand slightly in a poor attempted at a wave. Relena and Sally both crying now the two gave their friend a thumbs up then backed out of the room, closing the door behind them to wait for the others.
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Everything was cloudy and a bit out of focus but Rome was aware enough to know that she'd come within millimeters of death and that Milliardo was crying..over her. Continuing to stroke his head Rome's own eyes watered up and wished she could just climb into his lap and stay there till the end of time. But unfortunately she needed the IV since the pain had been consuming when she'd woken up and the fact that she hadn't screamed was a miracle. Now she was off in a dreamy wonderland where there was no pain except in her heart for her love.. "It's okay." Rome murmured to him, unsure if he could even hear her. This was the first time she'd ever seen him cry, every really show a weakness, especially to her. Continuing to mutter mindless words of comfort Rome could feel his heavy breathing against her damp skin and locked eyes with him when he finally lifted his head. Seeing the pain and relief in his eyes Rome felt the feelings echo in her own heart and when she tried to give him another weak smile he attempted to return it. "Missed you..lots." Rome said with a smile, not quite knowing what to say now that they were together again.
"I missed you too." Milliardo said huskily as he took her hand and kissed the back of her hand, before nuzzling her hand against his cool cheek. "And I love you so much. You aren't getting away from me again, love. We're going to grow old together and that's that." Milliardo said with a stubborn look in his eye. "You're gonna be stuck with me from here on in whether you like it or not."
"Love..me." Rome said, her eyes going wide with tears forming and falling from them as her mouth slowly curved into a brilliant smile. "Can't..take it..back."
"It's a deal then." Milliardo said with a smile on his face though Rome could see he was getting himself under control though this time she didn't mind. "Together forever and beyond that. It's a promise."
"Forever." Rome agreed then hearing the sound of stampeding could hear her brother loudly ordering Duo to push the damn thing faster and laughed as she and Milliardo looked over to see their friends and family spill through the door and into the room to crowd around them, all looking winded and short of breath from their rush to the hospital. Everyone calling out hellos and greetings the room was full of people talking all at once.
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"Well it damn well took you long enough to wake up even if you did need the beauty sleep, Ugly." Paris choked out as he was wheeled over to his sister's side, Milliardo shifting over so that Paris could lean over and take the hand Milliardo had been holding. "People are going broke sending you all these flowers."
"Nice wheels, little bro." Rome said as her tears spilled over her cheeks. "Guess you weren't as fast as you like to think. Getting shot, I taught you better."
"Ha I was fast enough to get out of there..thanks to you and looks who's talking Miss Nearly Swiss Cheese. Good thing you're alive though cause I was really not looking forward to taking care of this idiot like I promised." Pais said with a wobbly grin as he pointed a finger in Milliardo's direction. "Plus someone needs to keep him in line since he doesn't listen to any of us and we figure you're the best one for the job."
"Don't I know it. Julian..Where's Julian?" Rome asked, her eyes going fearful as she realized her bubbly cousin wasn't there though she was sure she'd heard him talking to her along with everyone else. The question was where he'd been talking to her from "Where is he?"
"He's on his way here as we speak." Duo assured Rome, grinning like a complete idiot from behind Paris as he leaned against the wheelchair handles, his eyes dancing with delight now that everyone was safe and sound. "He went with your grandfather to work on fixing some business problems but we phoned them and they're on their way."
"With grandfather?" Rome said looking thoroughly confused at the very idea of her grandfather and Julian being in the same room together. She hadn't seen or spoken with her grandfather in years but last time she'd checked he wasn't speaking to Julian much either, much less getting along with him in any sense of the word. Plus grandfather had always said Julian was a scatterbrained idiot before he'd stopped talking to him. Maybe she's heard wrong? She was out for a little bit and everyone went screwy. "But why?"
"Yeah turns out Gramps has decided to turn over a new leaf so to speak." Paris said with a smirk, understanding the look on his sister's face all to well. He was still suspicious himself but when he'd woken up last night it had been to find his grandfather sitting in a chair at his bedside looking positively ancient. Maybe this whole thing had another silver lining other then getting his sister back together with the Ice man. Maybe this was the beginning of better family relations too. "I think around a quarter of the flowers in this room are from him and he's been driving the nurses at the front desk calling in to check on you. We're even in his will again apparently and I mean both of us. Bet Dad's spinning in his grave from the shock let me tell you."
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"More like grinning." Rome said with a smile, pleased at the news. Even if it didn't last it was nice to know that Grandfather was trying to make an effort to mend things or at least heal a few festering wounds. Even if he went back to turning his back on them again if he stayed on good terms with Julian then that was worth getting shot to hell. "Though I think he'd disapprove of the way we finally got him to like us."
"Yeah there is that." Paris agreed with a smirk.
"So how are you feeling, girl?" Sally asked with a smile as moved over to squeeze Rome's hand. "I have to say that you two continue to defy logic with your ability to escape death. The fact that you lived through this is a medical miracle if I ever saw one. Then again I guess with your personal relationship to the God of Death it's not too hard to figure out why you pulled through." Sally said with a wink in Duo's direction, everyone laughing at the joke. It felt good to laugh.
"I've been better but after the hours of torturous tests, physical therapy and treatments ahead I'll be good as new." Rome said with a small smirk.
"Not quite but we'll aim for that." A doctor said as she walked into the room, everyone instinctively moving out of her way so that she could get to Rome's bedside. "Well Mr. Peacecraft your looking as run down as always. Get some sleep or I'll tranq you." The doctor said with a look in Milliardo's direction that said she damn well meant it too. "As for you, Ms. McMaster you need plenty of rest and quiet so that all our hard work keeping you alive doesn't go to waste. That bullet to your stomach did quite a number on you and it's going to be a while before you can eat solids much less the rumba. Now I know you all want to visit but right now she needs sleep and so do all of you so may I suggest that you all head back to where ever you all are staying, get some sleep and food into you and come back in two hours. I'm aware that two of the McMasters are on their way and they'll be permitted a short visit but everyone else is ordered to take a brake before they end up collapsing and needing medical care. Speaking of which, Mr. Master I recall you being ordered to have plenty of bed rest and to take it easy. Why do I have a feeling you've been doing none of those things?"
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"Because I haven't?" Paris replied cheekily only to get whacked upside the head by the doctor. "Owww!"
"I'll expect all of you to see that he gets it since we've had hospital officials breathing down all our necks twenty four seven about keeping you alive." The doctor said with a look of warning on her face. "They're very much afraid of your grandfather therefore we need you all as healthy as horses before we go nuts and start killing hospital administrators to get them to be quiet about you two."
"Yes, ma'am." Max said with a hint of a grin that he tried to hide manfully. "We'll see to it that both of them go straight to bed and we'll tell Mr. McMaster to lay off though odds are it will go in one ear and out the other."
"I have no doubt now out all of you and I do mean all of you." The doctor said as she shot a particularly searing look in Milliardo's direction, her eyes softening slightly at the way Milliardo had instinctively grabbed Rome's hand. "For the sake of Ms. McMaster's health she needs to sleep and recover. She'll do that better without distractions."
"That means all of you are outta here." Rome said with a small smile as she squeezed Milliardo's hand back, pleased beyond words that he was so hesitant to leave her side. "Go get some rest and bring me..damn no solids huh? Damn I wanted chocolate covered almonds. Uhm then bring me Mr. Snuggles."
"One over the hill worn teddy bear coming up." Milliardo said with a smile as he stood up then leaning over gently kissed her good bye. "Love you." Milliardo said just loud enough or her to hear.
Some things never change, Rome thought with a grin. "Ditto, Ice man." Rome said with a wink, her eyes already starting to droop as all the excitement of everyone coming began to drain her of what little energy she'd had to begin with. "Later, bro."
"Later, sis." Paris called back as he was wheeled out of the room since they were being ushered quickly out of the room by the doctor Paris had decided to nickname the general. "We'll be back soon. Come on, Peacecraft we don't got all day." Paris added cheekily and giving Rome a how can you two be related look Milliardo smiled at her then followed the rest out.
Two weeks later
Sitting side by side in their wheelchairs the McMaster siblings watched the sunset from their front porch. Snuggled happily in her Papa's lap Lena watched too with her favorite doll, enjoying her Papa's new toy that was just like a bike only you could ride in it inside too. Her head tucked against her father's shoulder things were all good in her world. "Pretty." Lena declared as she pointed at the sky.
"Yes, very pretty, baby." Paris agreed as he kissed his daughter's head, holding her close. "Don't you agree, Aunt Rome?"
"That it is. Nearly as pretty as you, sweetie." Rome said as she turned her head to smile at the picture her brother and niece made. "So tell me something, little brother. When are you going to tell Relena what Lena's full name is?"
"I'll get around to it." Paris said with a smile on his face as he shifted in his chair to get more comfortable.
"What's so important about her full name, Paris?" Relena asked as she came up from behind him, hugging him from behind before lifting a hand to stroke Lena's head, the girl looking delighted to see her Papa's friend.
"Yeah, Paris." Milliardo said as he handed Rome the drink of water he'd gone to get. "What? Or for that matter..Lena, baby..what's your full name?" Milliardo asked with as close to a mischievous look on his face as it ever got.
"Relena Jessica McMaster. Why?????????"
Special Note
Likely one more chapter before this is over so I ask now that if you are interested in a sequel, a continuation of this story focusing on not just the continuation of the couples shown here but new ones as Pais and Rome's friends and family integrate with the family and the friends made during the war. If you would be interested in reading such a fic please review and tell me so that I'll know there is interest. Thanks to you readers who have been reading and reviewing and I hope that you've enjoyed this fic. Thank you.