Chapter Four: Venus' Mask
Minako was into her last week of her pregnancy. She knew at anytime she could be rushed to the hospital. Everyone had insisted on Minako to just stay in the palace hospital, but she had said no; that she was going to stay home with Gloria until her baby was born. Queen Serenity though stepped up and said that if Minako was going to stay home and watch Gloria, while her husband was working, she'd need to be under watch.
They weren't worried that Minako would have any complications. She wasn't weak like Hotaru was. It was just orders from the Queen in order to make sure the whole family was safe.
"Mommy, I wanna go to the park." A little blonde head girl stated, as she climbed up on her mothers bed. Minako glanced at the alarm; it read 6:54.
"Gloria.." grumbled Minako.
"Yes, mommy?" Gloria asked.
Minako rolled over and put her head under the pillow. Gloria just sat there and looked at her mother with a blank expression.
"Alright, go get ready. I'll be there in second." Minako finally agreed.
"YAY!" Gloria said and jumped on her mother, hugging her. Minako flinched, but didn't do anything about it she just hugged her daughter back. Gloria ran off, and Minako shut her eyes for a few seconds, thinking about what she needed to do. She needed to call someone and have them come to the park with her, she wasn't up to going against the Queen's demands, considering she didn't want to have a baby in the middle of the street or anything. She ran through her list of contacts.
Makoto didn't have to be in to work till two. She had decided to take this week off to spend with her children. Little Chloe had just turned one. Minako felt odd having another child, when almost everyone else had, had theirs. Michiru, Haruka, and Ami were the last ones.
Though, Michiru and Haruka were having many disagreements about adopting second children. They really didn't allow anyone to know their problems, everyone just saw through Hope and Faith. Sestuna wasn't talking to them since after Lydia was born. She was still upset that Michiru and Haruka hadn't shown up for the birth. Ami was always last to give birth to her children, cause she spent her time making sure she was able to deliver the other children. She in a way planned it likes this. She never got upset or jealous that she had to wait either, she would just allow fate to take its path.
It was finally decided. Minako was going to call and see if Makoto wanted to go out to the park. She slowly got out of bed and reached for the phone that was right next to her bed. She quickly dialed the Jupiter's headquarters.
"Hello?" Came a very child-like voice.
"Hey," Minako replied. "Is your mommy there?"
"I don't know. Is your mommy there?" the child-like voice asked again.
"Noo…" Minako said confused. "Is this Daisy?"
"Mommy.. there's a lady on the phone and she knows my name." Daisy pulled the phone away from her ear.
Minako should have told Daisy who she was. How could she be so dumb? Daisy rarely answered the phone though.
"Daisy ask who it is." Makoto said.
"But mommy.. She knows my name." Daisy complained.
"Will you just ask who it is?" Makoto replied.
"Fine." Daisy said and put the phone back to her ear. "Who are you?"
Minako giggled. "Its your Aunt Minako."
"Ohhhh… So that's why you know my name." Daisy replied. "What do you want?"
"Daisy, don't be so rude." Makoto scolded.
"May I talk to your mommy." Minako asked.
"Let me ask." Daisy replied. "Mommy, can Aunt Minako talk to you?"
"Yes." Makoto replied.
"Yea, you're allowed." Daisy replied. "When do you want to talk to her?" Daisy asked.
"I was hoping right now." Minako replied, feeling like she was getting no where.
Makoto finally took the phone from her daughter and talked to Minako. She apologized for Daisy. She was trying to teach her how to answer the phone.
"The other day Princess Neo-Serenity had called, and Daisy hung up on her." Makoto told to Minako. "So, what's up?"
"I was wondering if you and your children would like to go to the park with me and Gloria." Minako finally asked.
"That'd be great. Let me get Erin ready and I'll be at your place shortly." Makoto replied.
"Thank you. I'll see you then." Minako hung up the phone. She dressed herself as quickly as she could.
Gloria had eventually stumbled back into Minako's room, as she was doing her hair. Gloria had a bizarre fashion statement. She had on a pair of purple shorts, with a flowery green shirt. She had on a pair of her dad's socks. She wore one sandal on one foot, and on the other she wore her tennis shoe. She attempted to put on her play makeup. She had blush all over her face, and lip stick around her mouth.
Minako gave Gloria a concerned look. She hoped as she aged she'd be better at matching and doing her own makeup. Minako was just about to change Gloria into a matching outfit, when Makoto and her children arrived. Daisy's first impression of Gloria was shock, and then she started giggling. Gloria just glared at Daisy.
Makoto sat Chloe down on the ground and picked up Gloria. "I'll get her ready for you. Daisy watch after Chloe for me now."
Minako stood there and watched as little Chloe stumbled around getting the hang of this walking business. She had just recently learned to walk, although, she had just turned one and was late for beginning to walk.
Eventually, the group was heading down to the park. Makoto was trying to keep as much stress as she could off of Minako. She kept an eye on Gloria and Daisy until they got to the park. She allowed Chloe to go play on the park as well, keeping an eye on her.
"So how is it with you and Asai?" Makoto questioned.
"He's always tired when he gets home from work, he goes straight to bed, after giving me and Gloria hugs and kisses. Gloria is beginning to wonder if her father loves her. I tried explaining to her that the Queen really needs his help this week. With Gary being on that trip, some of the guys are sick, so it's been stressful lately. I'm not even sure if he's going to be able to come to Erin's birth." Minako explained with a defeated sigh.
"The Queen wouldn't allow that to happen." Makoto assured her.
"I'm afraid she has no choice. She can't just leave one guy working up there." Minako replied. "The other day he decided to just sleep up there, he didn't come home or anything."
"I'm sorry Minako. It's been hard for me too, somewhat. Taking care of two kids and him being gone all the time. I hope the others get better sometime soon." Makoto replied, turning back to watch the children.
Daisy was teasing Gloria. "Ha, you can't makeup. You get it all over you."
"So! At least I try." Gloria responded, crossing her arms.
"You'll never be able to wear make up the right way." Daisy taunted.
"So!" Gloria replied.
"Nah nah nah nah nah!" Daisy stuck her tongue out, and jumped onto the monkey bars.
"I'M GONNA GET YOU ONE DAY DAISY KINO!" Gloria yelled. Minako and Makoto rolled their eyes.
"Right. When? Your too young." Daisy taunted.
"When I'm older! I promise!" Gloria replied.
"Why do those girls always do that to each other?" Minako asked.
"I have no clue. I hope it won't turn out bad between them two." Makoto said.
"What do you mean?" Minako asked.
"They always seem to get into little quarrels. And over the years they tend to get worse, today we must be lucky." Makoto replied.
"Yes, we must." Minako clutched over in pain. "Makoto, I …"
"Yes, yes.. Of course." Makoto quickly grabbed her communicator. Minako begin to cry. Makoto didn't know if it was because of pain problems, or if it was for other reasons, but she quickly got a hold of the Queen and she was immediately here to pick them up. Makoto had decided she'd walk there and would watch after Gloria. The Queen agreed and then told Makoto to call the other girls. Michiru and Haruka never answered their communicators. Makoto got a little frustrated at this. What would happen if this was about an enemy attacking? What would Michiru and Haruka do? She then called Rei. She said she'd be there after Julia and Annika woke up from their naps.
Ami would already be there, so she didn't have to worry about calling her. The Princess and Usagi were sure to be there as well, but Makoto knew what Minako wanted more than anything; her husband to be there. Makoto contacted the Knight Headquarters.
"Hello?" Asai answered.
"Asai, I was wondering if you were busy." Makoto replied.
"Yes, we are busy, why what's up?" Asai replied.
"Minako's about to give birth." Makoto answered.
"Birth?" Asai asked.
"Yea.. she's going to have Erin." Makoto replied, rather disgusted but his lack of knowledge.
"That's this week." Asai asked.
"Yea, when did you think it was?" Makoto said, a little curt.
"I'm sorry Makoto, we've just been…" Makoto cut him off.
"Busy, yes I know. Your to darn busy to realize that your own family is falling down the drain." Makoto said.
"Makoto you don't have to come up here and make sure your family is safe." Asai argued.
"And you don't have to go around carrying a kid, watching a kid, and trying to not worry about evil. And if there is evil then you're done for, because if you hurt the baby while in battle it could be the end for it. So you're right our job isn't as hard and demanding as yours." Makoto replied.
Asai didn't reply.
"I see why Minako wants to be with her daughter the whole time and why she cries. She feels like she's already lost you. I don't know what's up with you Asai, it's not like you, but you need to come and see your family before it ends." Makoto closed her communicator.
Princess Serenity had been standing behind Makoto when she turned around. "It will be okay Makoto. Minako and Asai wouldn't split."
"Then why does she already feel abandon. She is so stressed." Makoto replied.
"They are afraid. Do you remember when you were pregnant with Chloe? Shinozuki was terrified when he found out you were pregnant. He didn't show up for a month for work, cause it scared him that bad. He was afraid of her well being. He still remembers the first battle his little Daisy had to go through. He remembers it all. And with two children it does mean the chances are greater at losing one. It doesn't mean he didn't want another child, he just felt he was going to fail as a father, but the two of you worked it out eventually. And now look you have a great family. It just takes time."
"I understand. We better get Gloria up there with her mother." Makoto called the girls over. She placed Chloe on her hip and held onto Gloria's hand. Usagi and Daisy walked a little bit ahead. They had been to the Palace Hospital so many times they had gotten use to the path.
Finally, they arrived and waited out in the waiting room for Erin to be born. Makoto did bring Gloria into the room to see her mom when they got there. Minako asked if Shinozuki had shown up. Makoto had to tell her no and that he might not be able to show up. Then the two sat out in the waiting room with the Princess and children.
By the time Rei had arrived, Chloe had fallen asleep. Rei asked Makoto where Shinozuki was, but Makoto just shook her head. Rei sighed and sat next to her. Julia was about the same age as Chloe. Makoto and Rei both wondered if the two would befriend each other, when they got a little older to understand friendship.
Sestuna arrived shortly after 3:00 with Lydia and Maggie. "Thanks for contacting me." She said playfully.
"Oh, I'm sorry Sestuna!" Makoto apologized.
Sestuna chuckled. "It's alright, being the guardian of time has its benefits sometimes." Sestuna looked down at her daughters and whispered sometimes.
Daisy and Maggie were both six years old. Chloe, Julia, and Lydia are all around the age of one.
"Does anyone know if Shinozuki is coming?" Sestuna questioned.
Rei, Makoto, and the Princess shook their heads no. Sestuna sighed.
"Shouldn't you know?" Makoto asked.
"It didn't allow me to see on Minako and Asai's future relationship, but I have a feeling if he doesn't show up, it's over." Sestuna explained.
"Over? What's over?" Gloria looked up concerned; she appeared to know slightly what they were talking about.
"Oh, nothing, don't worry." Rei replied.
Gloria gave her Aunt's a funny look, she didn't believe them, but there was nothing she could do. As time went on it was as though Minako was never going to have the baby, just the symptoms. Asai hadn't made any unexpected appearance, and by now everyone had lost hope that he would. Ami would come out of the room every once and a while and just frown. The children begin to get antsy; Rei believed it was time to go get some food.
She went down to the food court and got the food and brought it back up to the waiting room. The Princess asked if Gloria was excited about having a new sister. Gloria said yes.
"Mommy is daddy coming?" Daisy asked her mom.
"No sweetie, he has work tonight." Makoto replied.
"He sure does work a lot." Daisy said. Makoto nodded.
"He has to... The others are sick." Makoto explained.
"Gloria's dad isn't sick." Daisy mentioned.
"My daddy's coming." Gloria said. Everyone looked at Gloria with a sad expression. They had lost faith that he was coming. They wondered what would happen if Minako and him did split. It could really hurt Gloria and then for Erin to grow up with out a father, it could be hard on her as well.
"Why don't you think Erin hasn't came yet?" Gloria questioned. "'Cause she's waiting on daddy."
"Isn't that right?" came a masculine voice.
"DADDY!" squealed Gloria, as she ran to him. Everyone let out a sigh of relief; maybe things weren't going to be so bad.
"She's about to have her!" Queen Serenity quickly came out of the room and told them and then rushed back in.
Asai kissed Gloria and told her that he'd be right back that he had to check on mommy. He then went into the room and held onto his wife's hand as she gave birth to a very precious child. While Ami and the Queen cleaned Erin up.
"I thought you weren't going to come." Minako said as she looked up at Asai.
"I'm soo sorry for my bad behavior. I was just scared and I guess I used the job as a get away from it. Also, I took Queen Serenity's word a little too far; she never said that I'd have a possibility of missing my child's birth. I was just really afraid. I hope you can forgive me." Asai explained.
Minako seemed to be thinking, she turned her head away from him, but still held onto his hand. This made Asai uncomfortable. Ami and the Queen looked at each other worried. This can't be the end?
"For the children?" Asai whispered.
Minako still didn't turn back around. "For the children." She said, barely loud enough for him to hear.
"Thank you, Minako." He gently kissed her hand. He knew he was going to have to earn her trust again.
"Go get Gloria." Minako ordered.
Asai did as he was told. The Queen and Ami went to Minako's side, with the baby in their hands.
"It will be okay. You and Asai will work things out." Ami tried to comfort her.
"I hope so." Minako said. The Queen and Ami could hear her uncertainty. Asai came back in playing airplane with Gloria. The two laughed and giggled, this seemed to make Minako hurt more, but she held back the tears and emotion.
Asai sat Gloria next to Minako. Ami handed Minako her baby. Gloria leaned over and kissed Erin on the top of her forehead.
Asai and Minako both locked eyes with each other. They appeared to be wondering if they could work this out. Asai was hoping that Minako would forgive him and this little hardship will move on. Minako on the other hand was crying inside. She wanted to love Asai like she did before, and she had tried her best to understand his feelings toward Erin, but she had the same feelings and believed he should have been there to support her, but truth was he was always gone, and that's something no one knows, that she keeps to herself.
No one would know that Asai and Minako had actually split up for the first four months of the pregnancy. They were both good at keeping a happy and clean appearance. When asked how things were going, they would both answer terrific. When asked about the baby, they'd both say they were ecstatic about it. When they showed up at the parties, they'd always sit together and act like a family, it seemed like they had never been apart.
But no one would know they hurt Minako experienced, the lies she had to tell her daughter.