(A/N: I just want say thank you, thank you, thank you to all the people who reviewed my first chapter and waited patiently for this one. I've done my best to rewrite what got deleted and I hope you enjoy this installment as much as you did the first.)
Rain on the Roses
Chapter 2: Interlude
By: Starlight – x1
Zechs had done his best to make sure her visit to Heero's grave would be as private as possible, still the media that haunted her every step had managed to find out when the famous young politician was going to visit the gravesite of her dead husband. Now they were out there waiting, camera's poised to catch even the tiniest glimpse of her, something to run on the evening's news under dramatic headlines.
The smell of earth mixed with the scent of the flowers she carried. Relena looked down at the bouquet she held. They were small flowers, the kind you might find growing wild in a meadow somewhere. Humble instead of ostentatious. Relena squatted and placed her bouquet down carefully. Tears trembled on the end of long lashes as she traced the engraving of her beloved's name. Heero Yuy. "I miss you so much." Her fingers dropped lower to trace his birth and death dates.
The first drop of rain landed with a loud splat on her umbrella as she straightened up. It was quickly followed by a second and a third until there was a regular shower falling around her. Relena kissed the tips of her fingers and touched them to the cold marble of Heero's tombstone. "I'll take care of our baby." Her voice was little more then a whisper.
The smell of earth intensified as the rain gradually turned the dirt into mud. Relena turned and slowly walked back to where a small group of her family and friends waited. Trowa stood closest to her, his hands thrust in his coat's pockets in a deceptively casual stance. Relena had been gratified and somewhat pleased to find out he was her newly appointed bodyguard. He had easily slipped into the role he was required to fill and it was a relief to have a sympathetic face nearby.
Now Relena hurried her steps as she noticed the growing wet patches on his shoulders. "You should have an umbrella. You're getting soaked." She scolded as she lifted her umbrella to include him under its sheltering canopy.
"I won't melt." Trowa graced her with a small half smile as he took the umbrella from her and proceeded to escort her to where the rest of the group waited.
Relena felt a smile tug at the corners of her mouth as she looked at where Duo and Hilde stood huddled under a rather large multi-colored umbrella. Duo was holding their two-year-old daughter Leann. The toddler's head was cradled comfortably in the crook of Duo's neck. One small hand grasped her father's braid firmly while the other was in her mouth as she sucked on her thumb.
Relena stopped in front of them. "Thank you both so much for coming with me today."
Hilde stepped forward and wrapped her in a warm hug, whispering an invitation for supper in her ear. Then it was Duo's turn. Relena caught a suspicious sheen in his eyes as he looked at her. "Take care of yourself now," was all he managed to say as he pulled her close in a one arm hug.
"I will." Relena reached up and stroked Leann's downy hair. The little girl pulled her thumb out long enough to smile at Relena before slipping it back into her mouth.
A lump formed in Relena's throat as she watched the small family trudge over the wet ground as they made their way to their car.
"Relena?"
The young politician shook herself from her thoughts and looked up into the compassionate gaze of Sally Po. The seasoned Preventer embraced her and then stepped aside for her partner. Wufei looked down at her, his eyes saying more then he ever would. Then he followed Sally's example. His hug was stiff and unyielding and he stepped back quickly but Relena was touched just the same. She gave them both a watery smile and a whispered thank-you.
The only one missing had been Quatre. Detained by business his regret that he wouldn't be able to be there with her had transferred clearly over the vidphone when she had spoken with him.
Trowa slipped his arm around her shoulders as they walked the rest of the way to the car. Relena ducked in quickly, sliding across the seat to give Trowa enough room. The tall ex-pilot followed, giving the now closed umbrella two or three shakes in a futile attempt to rid it of excess water before bringing it inside the vehicle.
Relena leaned her head back against the seat and listened as the patter of the rain on the car roof mixed comfortably with the steady swish of the windshield wipers.
Noin twisted about in her seat to peer back at Relena. "So," she began conversationally. "Are you ready to go back to work?"
Relena caught Zechs glance in the rearview mirror. His ice blue eyes echoed Noin's question. "Yes." She answered both the spoken and unspoken question in one decisive nod. "My doctor said that both the baby and I are perfectly healthy. As long as I eat properly and get enough rest I can do my job. I need to do it." There was a touch of pleading in her voice.
Trowa frowned slightly. Yes, she needed to do it. If only to forget, to run from the lonely nights in an empty bed, the sight of a friend where a husband once stood. To fill her mind with something besides her own pain and loss. Relena now reached out for the life that had been hers once before. He saw the effort it took as she struggled to pull the tattered remnants of her heart together. The busy schedule she would keep might give her a place to start rebuilding her shattered dreams, but that whispered invitation to supper Hilde had extended would do more for her emotions then anything else.
"I'll make arrangements with Duo for next week." Trowa said softly.
Relena frowned, puzzled.
"Hilde's invitation to dinner?" Trowa reminded her. "Your schedule for next week is fairly clear."
Relena's face cleared. "Oh, yes. I should probably see them then since I'll be so busy afterwards what with that tour through the colonies planned."
Trowa saw Zechs' displeasure at his sister's statement in the stiffening of his shoulders but the elder Peacecraft said nothing. Trowa understood Zechs' frustration and the protective instincts ruling him since he himself had a sister, but there really was nothing Zechs could do. Relena's doctor had given the okay being satisfied with a promise Relena had given that she would follow her diet religiously, get enough rest and visit another doctor for her monthly checkup while she was off earth.
It was to Zechs' credit that he had kept his mouth shut when he'd been told of the schedule Relena would keep just days after returning from her weeks of recuperation. Relena hadn't been looking at her older brother as she spoke, but Trowa had seen the way Noin's eyes had flown to her husband's face while her hand had grasped his and squeezed tightly, in warning or comfort he didn't know. Maybe both.
He glanced over at his charge. Relena sat looking out the rain streaked window to her left. Absently she played with her wedding ring, twisting it around and around on her finger. Suddenly she seemed to realize what she was doing and dropped her hand to her side, hiding the ring under a fold of her skirt.
"I know that Justin is very happy that you're coming back to work. I think the media has been really bothering him." Noin said, referring to Relena's aide.
"Hmm." Relena nodded, her gaze showing that she was lost in thought somewhere far away.
The remainder of the ride back to the mansion was a quiet one.
''''''''
Relena shut the lid on one of the two suitcases lying open on her bed and fastened the clasps. "One down, one to go." She murmured to herself as she looked at the half-filled suitcase that remained open. Packing for a trip off earth that would last for nearly two months was bothersome. Especially since she had to pack maternity clothes to wear when she started showing.
Relena moved away from her bed and stood sideways in front of her full length mirror eyeing her figure critically. Her abdomen was as flat as ever. Her doctor had assured her with a smile that wouldn't last very long. Relena frowned at her reflection. She would have to schedule a press conference or something and announce her pregnancy before it became readily apparent. She didn't want the tabloids assuming that the Vice Foreign Minister was sleeping around just weeks after her husband's death with headlines demanding to know who the father was. She didn't want there to be any doubt that this was Heero's baby.
Relena turned and sank to the floor at the end of her bed, legs curled gracefully to the side as she pillowed her head on her arm against the mattress. Thank goodness she hadn't been subject to the morning sickness so many other women seemed to experience. With everything she was supposed to do she didn't think could handle that on top of everything else.
There was a soft knock on her door. Relena lifted her head. "Come in."
In answer to her words the door swung open and a maid stepped in, several articles of clothing draped over her arm. "I'm sorry Miss Relena. I couldn't seem to find your blue sundress."
Relena thought for a moment. "It must've been left in the other room." Pushing against the end of the bed she rose to her feet. "Never mind Anna, I'll go look."
The older woman nodded somewhat reluctantly and began to place the clothes she had brought neatly into the open suitcase.
Relena walked noiselessly down the carpeted hallway and stopped in front of a shut door. Slowly she reached out and touched the doorknob. Her fingers trembled for a moment before she grasped it firmly and turned, easing the door open. Stepping through the doorway she faced again the familiarity of the room she had once shared with Heero. Everything was exactly how they had left it that fateful day so many weeks before. Relena moved towards the large walk-in closet, her bare feet sinking into the plush carpeting.
Relena opened the closet door and flicked the inside switch, turning on the light. Heero's side of the closet was full, his clothing hanging neatly while her side had been stripped bare. Pagen had supervised moving her clothes back into her old room while she had been recuperating at the hospital, automatically knowing what his beloved princess would want.
Relena found her missing dress in a crumpled heap on the floor. Obviously the dress had slipped off its hanger and been overlooked when the rest of her clothing had been moved. Relena picked up the dress and turned to exit the closet when she brushed against some of Heero's clothing. Her breath caught in her throat as she was suddenly overwhelmed with the faint traces of his scent that still lingered in the material.
She ran her fingers caressingly over one of his suit jackets caught up in memories.
"Miss Relena?" Pagen's voice broke her reverie.
Relena peeked out the closet door and saw Pagen standing just inside the room. He looked relieved to see her. Relena exited the closet, turning off the light as she did so. "I was just looking for my dress." She held up the item of clothing as she spoke.
Pagen frowned at the obvious wrinkles. "Here, let me take care of that for you Miss Relena." He took the dress from the young woman and then followed her out of the room, shutting the door firmly behind them.
In the hall they met Trowa. "Justin's here. There are a few schedule changes you need to go over before you leave."
Relena let out a sigh. "I suppose so. I'd really hoped everything was finally settled." She paused and gave Pagen a kiss on the cheek. "Thank you."
The old man smiled fondly at her. "Go on now Miss Relena. I'll help Anna finish your packing."
"Thank you." Relena said again before she followed Trowa down the hall.
''''''''
It had been a long seven weeks. Relena reflected wearily. One of her hands was resting comfortably upon the noticeable swelling of her abdomen, while the other held some papers that she had given up attempting to read quite some time ago. Beside her Trowa shifted slightly. "You okay?" She heard the concern in his voice.
"Just tired." Relena returned the papers to their folder and set it down on her lap, one gloved hand resting lightly atop the folder to ensure it didn't slip to the floor. She was tired. Tired of the endless speeches, banquets and press conferences that came at her in an endless stream with each colony she visited. She sent up a silent prayer of thanksgiving that this was her last stop before heading back to earth. This time she hadn't even fully disembarked from the shuttle before she was faced with cameras, microphones and the task of rattling off yet another impromptu speech for an eager audience.
"I'm running out of things to say." She had informed Trowa grumpily once they were safely concealed behind the tinted windows of the limo Quatre had sent to pick them up from the shuttleport. The driver, a Maguanac by his swarthy complexion and conspicuous red hat, had informed them that Quatre was very sorry not to be there to meet them, but had been detained by business yet again. Relena had graciously nodded, assuring the man that she understood. She had been disappointed just the same. Quatre had been such a blessing, calling her whenever his schedule permitted. Once he had even arranged for a bouquet of yellow carnations to be delivered to her hotel room.
Relena suddenly felt the file on her lap begin to slide to the floor. Jerking her eyelids open, (she couldn't even remember closing them), she made a grab for it. Trowa caught the folder easily and handed it across to Justin, who had come to join her for the last four weeks of her trip. Her aide silently replaced the manila file in the briefcase on the seat beside him and shut the lid and clasps with a sharp click.
"Why don't you relax now?" Trowa asked quietly.
"Because if I do I'll fall asleep." Relena covered a yawn that threatened to dislocate her lower jaw. "We're nearly at Quatre's. I can relax there."
Trowa sat back silently and watched discreetly from the corner of his eye as Relena valiantly struggled to keep her eyelids open. Within five minutes the Vice Foreign Minister was breathing softly, her head pillowed against Trowa's shoulder, fast asleep. A satisfied smile ghosted across Trowa's face.
Justin pushed his wire-frame glasses up his nose with one hand and shook his head indulgently. "She never gives up without a fight." He whispered, deep brown eyes showing nothing but honest admiration as he looked at the sleeping politician. Trowa shot him a warning glance and the young man fell silent once again.
Trowa let Relena sleep until they had pulled up the drive outside the Winner mansion. Then he began to gently shake her in an attempt to wake her up. Finally Relena sat up, eyes blinking in confusion. Then she turned an accusing gaze on Trowa. "You let me sleep." Red sleep lines crisscrossed the left side of her face and made her appear very young and vulnerable, contrasting tremendously with spark of irritation in her eyes.
Trowa said nothing, only gave her a satisfied look. Justin avoided her gaze, pretending to busy himself by opening the briefcase and straightening the folders inside. Relena glanced back and forth between them trying to hold onto the frustration inside of her. Finally she gave up and let a smile blossom on her face. "You two." She shook her head. "I don't know what I'm going to do with you." Then she laughed as she realized how like a doting mother she sounded.
The door closest to Trowa opened, letting in the fading light. As they exited the vehicle they were met by Quatre. "Welcome." Both Trowa and Relena heard the restrained enthusiasm in his voice. "Trowa, it's so good to see you again." They gripped hands briefly. "Relena," Quatre held both of her hands gently as he looked at her. "You look as beautiful as always." He kissed her lightly on the cheek.
"And you are just as gracious as ever." Relena replied. As Quatre turned to politely greet Justin she looked at him quizzically. There had been an odd expression on his face when he'd looked at her as if he found something amusing, but was trying to hide it.
"Come in." Quatre invited, offering his arm to Relena. She accepted, allowing him to escort her into the mansion. He led them into a comfortable looking sitting room.
Justin was just sitting down when his pager went off. Pulling it off his belt he frowned at the screen. Turning to Quatre he spoke softly. "I really hate to bother you, but is there a vidphone around that I could use? I really need to return this call."
"Of course. Follow me." Quatre led Justin out of the room.
Relena fought back a wave of drowsiness as she waited for Quatre to return. She caught Trowa eyeing her and struggled to sit up and look alert. "I'm fine." She said as briskly as she could manage.
"You're exhausted." Trowa contradicted her with the ease of someone familiar. "Your doctor only allowed this trip since you promised to get enough rest."
Relena started to argue and found herself yawning instead. Quickly she covered her mouth in an attempt to preserve some part of her dignity.
"I didn't realize you were so tired." Quatre had returned and was looking at her with concern. "I'll show you to your room."
"I suppose resistance is futile." Relena allowed Trowa to pull her to her feet and lead her after Quatre. They followed him up a flight of steps and down a hallway where he stopped in front of a shut door.
"This is your room." Quatre said, looking at Relena. "Trowa's is right next to yours." He turned his attention to her bodyguard. "There's a connecting door between the two suites in case of emergency although security around here is very high." Trowa nodded and Quatre turned back to Relena. "The servants will have already brought your luggage up."
Relena opened the door to her room and then froze, letting out a little gasp.
"Relena?" Trowa moved closer.
"Are you alright?" Carefully Quatre touched her shoulder before giving Trowa a worried glance
Relena turned around, a smile of joy on her face. "The baby… I just felt the baby move." Her hands were pressed tenderly against the gentle swell of her abdomen. "It was just a little flutter, but I felt it."
Both young men relaxed and found themselves smiling at her excitement.
After a moment she dropped her hands to her sides but the smile on her face stayed. Her eyes met Quatre's. "I loved the flowers you sent me."
"I would've sent you more but I was afraid the paparazzi would catch wind of it and voice their assumptions." Quatre said. "Rest well."
Relena smiled back. "I will." She shut the door behind her. Alone, she kicked off her pumps and let out a sigh of relief as her feet sank into the thick carpet before looking about the room. Her suitcases were placed neatly at the end of the bed.
As she walked forward Relena caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror and turned to face her reflection. Slowly her left hand lifted and traced the faded but still visible sleep lines on her left cheek. She shook her head; no wonder Quatre'd had such a peculiar look on his face when he'd greeted her.
With a sigh she turned her attention to changing into an oversized nightshirt before crawling into bed and pulling the covers around her. She closed her eyes in relief as muscles that had been tense finally relaxed. Relena gave into her weariness and fell asleep.
