CHAPTER 25
16.5 weeks
Two days later, Duo gathered up the pile of stuffed animals, loaded them once more into Heero's car and together they drove to a large orphanage and passed them out. Heero was rather withdrawn throughout the whole affair, but the children's happy bright faces were encouraging. Heero didn't say much to them, but he kept a small smile on his lips the whole time and that was enough for these orphans.
Duo knew that the gifts weren't practical, but as they were free, he didn't see a problem with it. Plus it gave them something of there own that they could take with them to any foster homes that would hopefully stay with them.
That evening, Duo and Heero took a visit to an old arcade game, Heero beat Duo at the two-man shooters, but Duo beat Heero at the racing game. A fact that seemed to slightly disgruntle Heero. And, both of there names made it on to the top scorers list. As they walked out, Duo heard a group of boys begin talking excitedly about the new high scores and there future ambitions to beat them. Good luck boys, Duo thought as they walked out the door.
That night Heero stayed at Duo's, and the night after. Eventually, Heero began leaving clothes at Duo's house, and Duo gave him his own drawer in the bathroom, then half of his closet, and then a key.
~*~*~
Duo awoke one morning, to a strange sensation in his stomach, a sharp sort of pressure on his side. Apprehensively, Duo placed a hand firmly on the spot. It persisted. Unsure of what else to do Duo grabbed the phone and dialed quickly a number very well known to him. A groggy, sleep slurred voice answered.
"Whaddya want? Its... only 3:30 in the mornin'" The voice didn't sound to happy.
"Dr. Croats? Its me Duo, I think there's something wrong with the baby!" Duo breathed out in a panic.
"What? What makes you think that?" The seasoned doctor asked, not fully awake.
"It. . . . well I feel something I've never felt before, like an odd sort of targeted pressure right in one spot," Duo paused not sure how to explain this odd sensation.
"Oh," Duo thought he heard
a stifles chuckle, "Did you read that packet I gave you on
development Duo?"
"Parts of it, just whatever I
opened at the time," Duo said frowning, and pulling the packets
off the bedside stand and into his lap.
"Well, if you had read it all then you would know, that its about time the baby began moving Duo."
Duo was silent, as he put his hand back on the pressure spot, "Thats-thats my baby moving?"
"Sure is kiddo, amazing isn't it?" Duo gave an affirmative answer, he didn't remember hanging up, but he hoped that he had said something first. That night, he stayed up, with his hand delicately placed on his abdomen, long after the baby fell asleep.
~*~*~
17 weeks
Duo lay pressed tightly against Heero's warm skin and a contented smile on his lips. If he were a cat he would be purring. Duo rolled over so his face pressed into Heero's chest. He used to worry about his ever expanding stomach being a bother, but Heero took it all in stride. As Duo felt his stomach begin to thump once more, he took Heero's hand and placed gently on the abused area. Heero's eyes widened, as Duo's closed his, just in case.
"Duo? Whats that?" Heero's
hand rubbed soothingly over the kicking baby. "Is something
wrong?"
Duo smiled, "Nope, thats just my baby
moving."
Heero's face grew speculative, "Your baby. . . ."
~*~*~
20 weeks
The young braided man heaved himself out of the shower, a gigantic gush of steam accompanying him. A sodden heap of hair trailed down his back and dripped to the floor. A towel was applied over the waist area, and Duo Maxwell walked from the shower, humming along with the radio. He walked into his bedroom, and as the song reached its climax, he planted his feet apart and jutted out his arms, a loud melody bursting forth off-key from his lips. As the towel slipped down off his hips, Duo opened up his dresser and pulled out his relax-and-do-nothing clothes.
Finally getting dressed, Duo headed downstairs and opened up the orange juice, pouring himself a big glass. Putting it to his lips he took a sip, at the same moment as the phone rang. Startled, Duo spilled orange juice down his front and he frowned. A bit miffed, he grabbed the phone and tried a Heero trick.
"Dominoes?"
"Duo? Is that you?" A fair, worried voice asked.
"Quatre? Is something wrong?" Duo asked, setting his juice down and dabbing at the stain.
"Yes! Oh Duo, turn on the t. v. please?" Quatre pleaded.
Concerned, Duo headed to the set and turned it onto the default station. "What am I looking for here Quat?"
Duo didn't need the answer his eyes widened and in shock he dropped the phone to floor. "Heero? Oh my goodness, HEERO!?"
tsuzuku
*************
Cackles
I am so sorry this took so long to get out, i have an excuse, but its not very good. Needless to say i rewrote this chapter about 3 or 4 times. It was insane. I shouldn't be this long between updates again. Its just i had to get back in my school routine. So uber special thanks to those who are sticking with me! ARIGATOU!!!
~Annie
