( Hello again! I is back. Thanks for being nice about my angsty chapter. I felt like I should write that, but I hate the idea of Murrue-san being so sad, so I didn't like writing it at all...
But I'm back to writing fluffy lightness, and if you guys enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it, it should be a lot of fun for you XD )
-----------------------------------------
Mwu stood in the light, airy kitchen of his house, making breakfast for his wife. He didn't often get the chance to do this, as Murrue usually woke up earlier than he did, but today he had got up extra-specially early, as this day, as well as the breakfast, was special. This was their first anniversary, one year to the day since he and his beloved Murrue had been married.
The year had been filled with ups and downs, like any other, but somehow, this time the 'ups' had seemed to outnumber the 'downs' for the couple. Mwu smiled to himself. The biggest 'up' of the year had been the birth of their daughter Stellar, three months ago. She was a beautiful little girl, sunny-natured and happy,doted on both by her parents, and the hordes of 'uncles' and 'aunts' who came to visit often.
Mwu had already fed and changed Stellar before she started crying and woke her mother up. Today Murrue deserved a lie-in until he came and surprised her with breakfast. Putting the finishing touches to the tray which held the food, he carried it upstairs.
He had to suppress a laugh as he entered their bedroom. All he could see of Murrue under the expanse of fluffy white duvet was a small hand, and a bit of dark hair. Setting down the tray on the floor beside the bed, Mwu knelt down and peeled the covers back. She was fast asleep still, auburn hair falling across her face. Leaning forward, he gently pressed his lips to hers.
Stirring, Murrue blinked open her marigold eyes, not sure what had woken her until she focused on the face of her husband in front of her.
"Oh, Mwu" she murmured. "'Morning. What time is it?"
"Nine o'clock" he replied with a smile, pushing her hair from her eyes. She looked startled and sat up.
"Oh, oh, I have to..." she began, starting to push the covers back. Mwu shook his head and replaced them.
"You don't have to do anything this morning. I've already sorted the house out, and taken care of the princess. All you need to do is relax and eat your breakfast" he said, setting the tray on her knees.
"Huh? Thank you!" Murrue said softly, looking at the fruit, cereal and yogurt he had brought her. Then she frowned. "But why did you..."
Mwu ruffled her hair. "Why would I need an excuse? But today is special, remember?"
He handed her a velvet box. Murrue still looked baffled, but popped the catch. Then she gasped.
Inside the box was a pendant, an amber stone set in gold.
"It's beautiful!" she said, the colour rising in her cheeks. "But why..."
He slipped a strong arm around her shoulder and kissed the top of her head.
"You forgot, didn't you?" he asked with a chuckle. "Happy anniversary, my love."
Murrue almost dropped the box. "I...I.." she stuttered.
"Don't worry, it's okay to forget" Mwu tried to reassure her.
She looked as if she was going to cry. "But you went to all this trouble, and I didn't get you anything!"
"It's okay, really. I have you, don't I? I don't need anything else."
She sniffled a bit. "But still..."
Mwu smiled, his blue eyes shining. "If you really must give me something, then how 'bout a kiss?"
Murrue finally smiled back, the sunshine returning to her face. Wrapping her arms around his neck, (almost upsetting the breakfast tray in the process) she kissed him with all her might.
When they broke for air, Mwu took the pendant from the box, and fastened it around her slender neck.
"There now, it matches your eyes. Will you wear it for me tonight?"
Murrue looked surprised. "Why, what's happening tonight?"
"I've booked us a meal at a fancy hotel restaurant, and a suite in the hotel. For a romantic night out."
Her face lit up. "Oh, Mwu! You didn't have to..." Then the smile faded. "But what about..?"
"Relax. I also booked us the best babysitters in town. The kid and the pink princess have agreed to stop the night and take care of Stellar. Everything will be fine." He kissed her forehead.
"Now, eat your breakfast" he said, pouring her a cup of coffee.
---------------------------------------------------
Later that evening, Murrue stood in front of the bathroom mirror, applying make-up. She wore a simple ivory dress, and the necklace she had recieved that morning glittered at her throat. But despite her serene outer appearance, she was filled with turmoil. It had been so wonderful of Mwu to go to the trouble of booking a night out, and she knew that she should be looking forward to it. But she hated the idea of leaving Stellar, even if it was only for one night. Her little girl was so very little still, and even though Murrue knew how capable Lacus was, she was still worried.
"Are you ready, sweetheart? The kids are here" came her husband's voice from outside. Opening the door, she smiled, hiding her anxiety.
"Yes, I'm ready now" she replied cheerfully, adjusting Mwu's tie (he looked very smart for a change).
"Are you all right?" he asked, a concerned look on his face.
"Oh yes, I'm fine." she lied. "I just want to say goodnight to Stellar."
Walking towards the nursery, she tried to calm herself.
It's only for one night. And she'll be asleep anyway...
Pushing open the door, Murrue entered the nursery - and gasped.
Even though Stellar had already been settled down for the night, she wasn't asleep. When the baby girl saw her mother, she waved her little arms and gurgled happily. Murrue's heart broke. How could she leave her?
Sitting down beside the cot, she picked up her daughter and cradled her in her arms, tears running down her face.
"Oh, angel, why are you still awake? Come on, it's time for sleep. Mama is going out, so be a good girl for Auntie Lacus and Uncle Kira, okay?" she whispered.
Mwu stood outside the nursery door, his insides twisting with guilt as he heard Murrue's sobs. How could he do this to her? This was supposed to be a happy night, but if they went out, Murrue wouldn't be able to enjoy it for worrying about Stellar, and he would be upset that she was so sad. Plus, he didn't like the idea of leaving the baby much either...
There was only one thing for it.
"Hey, kids" he said as he went downstairs. "There's been a change of plan. I - uh, we..."
Lacus smiled. "Murrue-san doesn't want to leave Stellar, does she?"
Mwu was amazed. "How did you know?"
"It's natural. If I was in the same position, I would react the same way" replied the pink-haired girl.
"I'm really sorry you came all this way for nothing.." Mwu said, embarrassed.
Kira shook his head. "Don't worry about it, Mwu-san. It's okay."
After she had finally got her little girl to sleep, Murrue walked downstairs, drying her tears on a towel. She had retouched her make-up, so hopefully Mwu wouldn't notice she'd been crying. She was surprised to see that their babysitters were nowhere to be seen. Hadn't Mwu said that they were here?
"Where are Kira-kun and Lacus-san?" she asked her husband, who was busy with the phone.
"The kids? Oh, I sent them home" he replied, finally getting an answer to his call.
"Hello? Yeah. No, it's okay. Yeah, something came up. Sorry"
Ending the call, Mwu dialled another number.
"Hi there. Yeah, it's me. Pepperoni, with a stuffed crust. Twenty minutes?" He looked at his watch.
"That's fast. Awesome. Yeah, thanks."
Putting the phone down, he looked at his wife, who by now was totally confused.
"What are you doing?" she asked. "Why did you send them home?"
Mwu smiled and crossed the floor to where Murrue stood.
"I called the hotel and cancelled the reservation. So I sent the kids home because we're staying here tonight instead. Then I called for pizza" he replied with a wink.
"Staying here?" she repeated. "But..."
Mwu took her into his arms, resting his chin on her head.
"Today is supposed to be happy. But you wouldn't be happy leaving Stellar, and if you were unhappy, I would be too. And I didn't like the idea of leaving the little princess anyway. So, we can have our romantic meal here instead."
She looked up at him. "Thank you so much. But Mwu...pizza?"
He laughed. "It'll be fine. Besides, fancy food gives me indigestion."
It may not have been the most conventional anniversary dinner, but neither Murrue nor Mwu felt that they could be happier. They had unearthed a bottle of wine from a cupboard, and shared the pizza. Mwu had shown her his party trick of stuffing a whole slice of pizza into his mouth at once, then given her a quite literally cheesy smile.
Murrue had laughed so hard she had almost choked.
After their meal, they laid in each other's arms on the sofa. Stellar hadn't woken up once, and they were both pretty drowsy and happy. Mwu opened his eyes and checked the clock. It was 11pm.
Murrue was curled up in his arms, eyes closed, and breathing deeply. He couldn't help smiling
Even if they had gone out, they might not have stayed awake long enough to enjoy it. Perhaps next year?
"Murrue? Hey, Murrue, are you asleep?"
"No," she said quietly, not opening her eyes. "Not yet"
"Have you enjoyed today?"
"It's been great" she replied with a smile. "Much better than going out somewhere fancy"
Mwu kissed the top of her head. "Happy anniversary, sweetheart, and here's to many more."
"Agreed" she said. "Love you."
"Love you too. Come on, time for bed, I think."
When they went upstairs, Murrue went to check on Stellar while he got ready for bed.
But when she didn't return after ten minutes had passed, Mwu went to find her.
Walking into the nursery, he grinned, and his heart melted. Murrue was sitting leaning over their daughter's cot, head pillowed on her arm, sound asleep.
Picking her up, Mwu carried his wife into their bedroom, and tucked her in under the duvet. Flicking off the lights, he slid in bed beside her, and kissed her on the cheek.
"Happy anniversary, Murrue" he said again.
-----------------------------------------------------
( Oh, I had so much fun writing that! I hope you all like it. I thought of it at work again yesterday, but we were so busy, I didn't have time to write it down, so I had to remember it :laughs:
About Murrue-san crying, I tried to imagine what I would do if I had a baby, and had to go out for the night and leave her. I found that I wouldn't be able to do it, so that's where that part came from.
Please read and review! )
