The day of Friday had finally arrived and I was right now anxiously waiting for my time May to arrive. Athrun was at a meeting and I told him I probably was going to take a walk for a while. She came in with a smile.
"Oh Cagalli, thank god you came. Actually I have good new…and bad ones as well," she said.
"I'll hear the good one first," I said
"Well a recent study was researched on the disease you were suffering on my request. I had no idea how shocked the Chairman was to hear about you and immediately set up all the team of scientist upon your case, and we've found an elucidation, but there are side backs. Well now you have a fifty percent chance and there aren't even cure if it'll work to your benefit or death. But they are still continuing the development and are trying there best to make sure you live through this. You are much admired Cagalli, and your people as well as the world and PLANTs are praying to for your continued existence," she said
"You should have told me to call Athrun, do you have any idea, how happy he would have been," I said a bit shocked and stood
"Well Cagalli that is the good news, there still is the bad one left," she said
I nodded, sitting down and said, "I guess now's the best time to tell me."
"There are certain things I found in your blood, that shocked me ant first. You aren't a complete Natural. And because of that your case is severe…a bit painful as well. There is going to be a feeling in your third trimester (6th month) as if something is eating you from the inside…and you are bound to puke blood out. This won't affect the baby…but there's a slight chance to problems that could happen to the guy, but there's nothing science can't solve. The problem is mainly your affects. They are going to be gruesome and I know that if Athrun knew about these problems, he'll force you into abortion. I know he'd make sure that you would not go through any pain," she said
"What!" I said completely horrified
"There's an extra detail. Some women have committed suicide because of all the pain, or aborted the baby once the serve affects started," she said
I froze in complete shock and felt my head pulse in pain, as it was acquiring all the information. If I was not a Natural, then what was I?
I felt May shake me to get me back to reality, but I got up and left. And she let me knowing my life and turned for the downhill slope. I down in my car and saw my cell ringing from Athrun. I turned my phone off and drove to a place very familiar to me.
Walking up the step and onto the lane I came across a stone, the stone of my father's. I kneeled down and bitterly cried at myself. Why was all this happening to me? I heard another car park up and I hid my face and sobbed. I felt warm hands surround me and a familiar scent perked my nose. I turned and cried on him, until my loud cries, because muffled hiccups. I felt a soft kiss placed on my temple calming me down completely. I heard him say, "Something bad isn't it. You usually come here when you've heard something bad."
"I really hate you," I said sarcastically
"I know, mind telling me what's on your mind?" he asked
"Nothing, I'm just afraid of our future I have a 50 percent of survival now, and I guess these are tears of joy," I said and decided to keep nothing from him and told him also, "I also learned that I'm not a natural, coordinator or a half."
He finally understood the problem.
"What am I? A thing that doesn't belong anywhere," I said
"Don't you dare say that, you're Cagalli Yula Zala, married to a person who in crazily in love with you, becoming the mother of his child and an idol to many people in the earth and PLANT and is now the Queen of Orb, who's citizen just adore you now matter what is in your blood," he said
"Thank you Athrun, what would I do without you," I said
"Yeah same here," he said solemnly.
Three months later.
A lot had had happened in the last three months. My belly had grown to become a size of a watermelon and I had a lot of morning sickness that didn't leave until a week ago. I had some mood swings and at one time I raised a knife on Athrun because he forgot to put the strawberries in my milkshake. Other than that one experience I was a pretty easy pregnant mother and my cravings weren't wild.
Today we were going baby supply shopping and I was very eager for this day. I slept early last night and woke up late for some reason.
I opened my eyes and shielded them from the rays of the sun. I turned to my side to see Athrun gone and I sat up carefully, my bloated stomach in front of me. The baby hadn't kicked yet so I was worried about that, but May convinced me that it was nothing to worry about. I stood up and walked carefully to the washroom door. The baby had been pressing on my bladder a lot theses days and I made trips to the washroom so many times that I once fell asleep on my way there once and collapsed on my bed at all the runs.
I opened the door and took a nice shower and came out to collapse on the ground panting at my heart feeling as if was stab repeatedly in the same spot. I felt my head pound in pain and I threw up at that moment that was half full of blood. I coughed and could feel the churning in my womb as if it was worried about its mother. I cried as I felt a scratch etching inside my esophagus yelling out that it was in pain, I sat against the wall and endured the pain for a while and puking out parts of the problem, my body trying to get rid of my blood that was dying as each second passed
After a while my body was at peace and I cleaned up my mess making sure that I left no evidence of what had happen. I weakly got up and leaned onto the wall for support and went to my close shacking the headache forming due to my loss of blood, I changed into a belly basic maternity Grecian mesh top with Japanese weekend maternity low rise stretch jean with a comfy shoes.
I went downstairs and saw Athrun making breakfast for the both of us and I walked down the stair and went and sat down.
"Good Morning beautiful and baby," Athrun said kissing neck and kissed my bloated stomach before placing the food on the table. I didn't feel like eating but forced the food down for the baby and for Athrun's sake so he wouldn't suspect any problems.
"When are we going shopping for stuff today," I asked finishing off my food.
"This afternoon," he said staring at my intently looking a bit apprehensive.
"Okay, I'm going to get more juice," I said standing up.
"No need I'll get it for you," He said making my sit down and poured a glass for me.
I drank it gratefully and said, "Any meetings this week?"
"A few but, I going to cancel all the meeting 2 weeks before your due date just incase and to make sure your alright because I'm not sure you'll be able to get around that easily," he said
"It's alright I'll manage," I said trying to retort because of effects that could happen in front of happen and I knew that if Athrun knew he'd ask for me and I could live because if the baby was gone, then I'd live with no problem, because they were attached to this baby.
"No, I want to here for both of you," he said, "And anything could happen so it's better if I was here, with you and him."
I mentally groaned but I knew I would be happy if Athrun was with me because at this point of time I really needed Athrun's support. He finished his breakfast off and said if I needed anything because he had to look over some document. I said I was going to be outside reading and he dropped my off under a tree and made sure I was comfortable before leaving. As he walked away I felt so lucky at how much love Athrun showered on me even knowing that he should have hate for me that I chose the baby's future instead of ours, since there would be no problems the next time. My chance of living was still half so I either lived through my labour or I died. The PLANT and Earth Alliance were still working hard and May gave me a letter which made me cry at one line that said they hated themselves that they couldn't make sure I would even make through this.
I sighed and hated myself that I hid the secret of the problems for three months and the incident that happened this morning. I felt so horrible that the person who loved me unconditionally, I kept him out of my problems when with promised each other to tell each others our problems. He always followed them and I couldn't but break the problems every single time.
I saw Athrun open the door to the balcony and I waved at him, knowing he'd be watching me. I smiled at him, even though my heart was crying.
I opened my book and read a story about life and death. I was half way done when that feeling started to come in the pit of my stomach and I felt the same pain that happened before. I hugged myself and kept my head hidden shivering at the electrical stings pulsing my veins and burning them making them exploded and jerk at my muscles and like acid broke through them and decayed it material. I felt hot tears flow down and I took deep breath and felt my body calm down and my tears kept on flowing at my shivers. I stopped them forcefully and was relived that no puke or technically blood came out. I noticed the beads of sweat and I wiped them off. I looked up and saw that Athrun had checked up on me and I lay back of the truck of tree taking god that Athrun didn't see me, but for how long could I hide this from Athrun.
I got up from the ground holding onto my womb protectively and walked to the back door to get inside. I took my book with me. On the side walk in saw something shiny and noticed that it was a coin. I knew I couldn't reach down and pick it up so I left it and dropped my book. I sighed at my state. I couldn't reach down and get it. I placed my hands on my hips in frustration and frowned. I looked down to see my book vanish and I heard someone chuckle. Realizing whose voice it was I immediately smiled and turned to Athrun holding my book in his hands flipping through the pages. He closed it and handed it back to me.
"What bring you here?" I asked
"I saw you getting up, so came down finishing my work to see my beautiful Cagalli with a frown and saw the reason why. It's a good thing you frowned rather then reach down and try to get the book," he said
"Thank you. I wouldn't try that anyways. What if something happened to the little guy, I'd never forgive myself, since I promised to protect it," I said then realized what I said and shut my mouth quickly.
"Yeah, I wonder how I'll forgive myself for even letting you go through this," he said sadly.
"Athrun, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to…I just," I said
"No need, I know how your passion towards everyone and I know you'd give up you life freely without caring for other," he said interrupting me and leaving, "Get ready by noon we'll leave then."
I let my tears flow as I heard how Athrun felt about my decision. He still didn't accept it but, I knew that deep down Athrun was only confused that he had to choose between two precious lives in his world and even though he verbally wanted me, in his heart he was wrong.
I felt a draft of wind pass and I shivered at its coolness. I rushed inside and saw some hot chocolate on the table. I sighed knowing Athrun left it for me and I drank it, silently crying that he still cared even if I was so stubborn.
I stopped my tears and I went to the washroom to wash my face. My eyes were puffy and I used the cold water to hide them. I felt my stomach churn and I quickly went to the toilet and threw up and cup of dead blood that was blue. Terrified I washed my face and went to sit down on the couch trying to calm myself.
I heard the clock ring that it was noon and Athrun was already honking the car outside. How punctual. I wore a sweater and went outside to see Athrun already buckled up and waiting for me. I sat in my respective seat and buckled myself up. I waited for Athrun to start the car, but he had other plans
He held my hand in his and I turned my head to face him. Using his other hand he placed his thumb on my cheek saying, "I'm sorry Cagalli. I didn't mean to make you cry. I'm just still frustrated about the whole incident and I don't want you to go through any pain. Of all people in the world and universe, you deserve to be happy, and I just want to say is that even if giving birth to this child will brighten your life and make you the happiest person in the world realize that there are a lot of people love you, and don't want to lose you. I know you'll go through this, but make sure you don't go through any pain, because I can see you happy, but I can't stand to see you in pain. You do deserve the baby, but not pain mentally…or physically okay."
"Okay," I said and I placed kiss on his lips silencing us, in our moment where nothing mattered.
We broke and he kissed my temple starting the car and drove us to a furniture shop.
We entered to a variety to colorful, designed and different shaped cribs and I grew in excitement seeing them all. I saw Athrun look at some in interest.
"Ready to choose your bed baby?" I asked the guy within me
I felt our baby kick in reply, making me freeze and bringing Athrun's attention to me.
"Cagalli?" he said rushing towards me
I placed he hand on the spot the baby reacted and said, "Athrun wait look at this. Baby this is you daddy want to say hi."
I felt the baby kick in the spot Athrun's hand was and I saw his brighten in happiness and he had a face of pure awe and he said, "Our baby kicked. That is amazing. Cagalli he knows who's his daddy oh I love you so much," kissing me on the lips at that moment. I was lucky that we had the shop to ourselves for the afternoon. I moaned as he slipped his tongue in my month savoring my taste as if he was afraid I would vanish the next moment. Our tongues battled out and Athrun was the victor as he groaned vibrating the kiss as I gently bit his lip. He held on to me tightly and I we broke, our forehead connected regaining our breath
"Wow, you must be really happy," I said
"Not as happy as I am now," He said
We regained ourselves and went around the shop looking for different pieces of furniture. We bought a crib with a rounded back piece adds a unique look to the crib. It was simple and elegant styling lets the natural beauty of the beech wood. The crib could be converted into a full bed with the back piece becoming the headboard. It had a single drop-side rail, a slide-out drawer underneath for additional storage, and large casters were the crib's primary convenience features. We had requested the crib to blue and green with a bit of yellow and polished. Next we got a changing table that matched the crib and had two convenient storage drawers, two shelves underneath, and an included changing table pad which made this a very practical addition for the nursery. We bought a dresser and had in done in the same colors as the crib and the changing table. After that we bought many other items like mattress, rugs, toy boxes, diapers, toys, bike trailers, walker, bouncer, diaper bags, a high chair, jogging stroller, a photo album, chairs, lamps, and comfortable rocker, mobiles, monitors, baskets, a whole lot of bedding and cradles.
"What's left," Athrun asked after a while
"Just the clothes, seats, stroller and a lot of accessories." I said dragging him into another store
We did every thing I made a place for everything couldn't wait for everything to reach its spot. Now all that was left were clothes the part I was looking very forward too.
We were in a special store and I was so astonished by all the clothing and was happy that I bought a huge closet and two smaller dressers.
"Athrun…wasn't it great I bought all that clothing space?" I said to a napping Athrun. I smiled at his cute form. He was really tired and I decided to let him sleep. Kissing him on the nose I went to my heaven of baby clothing. I bought a cute plaid shirt and tons of bodysuits, a few pair of overalls, short talls, cuddle coats, tees, sweaters, jeans, pants, swim trunks, shorts, a striped rugby shirt, a couple of two piece footed set, and two pieces, a robe with slippers, pajamas, t-shirt, long sleeved shirts, sweatshirt, hats, piles of socks, a few jackets and bought a lot of shoes. Making sure to buy different stuff for different months I was saddened in depression that there could be a chance I wouldn't be able to see my baby in all these clothes I bought with love. I shook my head saying, "At least Athrun won't have a problem in buying clothes for a while," smiling.
I paid for all the clothes which came in the end to twenty bags, and made sure all the furniture was coming tomorrow by delivery and all the other stuff was in the car. We brought a truck with us because Athrun knew I'd be shopping a lot for the little guy. I put the twenty bags in the car little by little and came back to see Athrun starting to get up.
"You were sleeping through my twenty bags worth or baby clothes sweetie, but I finished. How about we go home?" I said already knowing the answer.
We drove home and I had a peaceful night that would be changed tomorrow completely.
I woke up to a truck coming in with all the furniture. I saw that the placed all the furniture in the spots I had desired and the room was painted as well. I was so joyous. Athrun and I finished all the touches by the evening. With the clothes folded, and the bedding tucked, I picked up a call from Lacus who was saying that everyone was going to a picnic and asked us if we wanted to come. We agreed and we currently in the car heading to the evening skied picnic.
"Ah, doesn't the fresh air feel nice Athrun," I said with the window opened and the breeze blowing on my face.
"Yes Cagalli make sure you're careful, you on you last month and you need to be careful," Athrun said
"I'll be careful," I said as we were parking
I greeted myself to Lacus and my niece was currently in her third month and everyone else. I noticed that Kira couldn't get enough of his daughter.
I thought my problems were gone, but they came at the most unexpected time. We had just finished dinner and I was helping Lacus with the remaining food, even though she insisted, that I should rest. I forced her to say yes and Athrun, Kira, Yzak and Dearka were all flying kites because of the breeze and Yzak was winning so far as the highest kites. I smiled as Athrun waved at me before trying to prevent the kite from going out of control. I waved back and walked to put the dishes in the garbage, when that feeling came again. I grew scared as I felt my head pound and my breath became unstable. I felt those same knives and this time they pierced my heart through the middle. I screamed at the pain for the pain and feel to the ground trying to put the pain away, but it didn't. I turned around and sat grasping my womb. I my consciousness slipping and I threw up more blood that I thought I had.
My breath was reducing and my lung on over-drive. I felt tears slip down and I felt something burst and it hurt so much, I forgot how to feel. I heard people rushing to me and I felt Athrun shake me. I coughed more blood and slipped into unconsciousness.
"Cagalli," I heard Athrun yell, "Wake up! Someone call an ambulance damn it."
An ambulance arrived and I was placed on it being driven into the emergency room with minutes and heard doctors arrive and May.
"This has gone more severe than I thought it would be," she said
"What the hell to do mean more severe!" Athrun yelled
"These pains were suppose to happen because of Cagalli's blood and she didn't want you to know because she knew you'd force her to abort the child," She said
"What kind of doctor are you, letting my wife barf out blood, without letting me know of all people," Athrun said letting out a few tears.
"She knew how much it'd hurt, but you know why Cagalli stood all this. It was because she knew how much happiness you'd have if you held this child in your arm's just once," May said, "She knew how much deep of and affection you had towards him, but you know what she said to me. She said that the baby's name had to start with an A because this baby was going to be a twin of his father. She told me that inside her womb, the baby that was forming was gentle with her and stood up to her, just like how Athrun does."
Athrun broke down and said, "I love the baby. I really do, but I can't live without Cagalli. She means everything to mean and deserves to live more than I do, why God couldn't just choose me instead. Give me all the pain and just give her a smile."
"Because god gave women the joy of birth and life and man to love that life like the mother," She said
"Doctor, the patient something is different, but this isn't like any other case of the Syndrome, it is more dangerous, her blood loss and death blood cell, have required a C-section of the child immediately. It strange thing is that she had also dilated." A nurse said
"How did that happen?" May said rushing to the operation theater
Athrun followed and I opened my eyes. I saw Athrun's emerald eyes and relaxed. I felt a contraction and I let out a small cry.
"Cagalli!" Athrun said rushing to my said and held my hand and gave me a hug
"I'm…I'm scared Athrun," I said
"I'm here, there's nothing to be scared of now," He said
"I'm sorry I hid everything from you," I said
"It's okay, but please how will I keep my promise, if you don't tell me your problems," he said
"You will let me keep the baby?" I asked
"There no choice, but yes because you're going to become a mom sooner than expected," Athrun said
"What?" I said
"Cagalli, unfortunately you can't give a natural birth, because of the disease you have, but please be strong…After a few hours your baby will be alive and breathing on his own, but then…the trouble for you start…I know you won't go back, but I just want to say that the prayers of billions of people are behind you. You should…no have a responsibility to accept all there prayers and make through this okay. And I've heard true love never lose, and Athrun's love for you is beyond anything. You have to survive for Athrun and to hold your baby with Athrun too, right Cagalli," May said
I nodded my head, "Don't worry I'll live, I just request one thing can you let Athrun hold my hand throughout the whole process?"
"Even if I said no, Athrun would force his way through," She said laughing
"I definitely would," Athrun said
I was put under an anesthetic and felt I was half asleep. I felt a hand gripping my own and I relaxed under the pressure and love surging through it. After that everything seemed to be a blur.
Athrun looked at my form holding onto my hand tightly, as the doctors were performing the procedure.
"Don't worry Cagalli, all of this will be over before you know it," he said to my sleeping form
May was at the moment stabilizing Cagalli's heart so it would produce more blood and said, "Nurse bring all the A-type blood we collected from earlier, hopefully it'll last for the hours that Cagalli is going to be in surgery and hopefully their won't be any more problems then there are already."
"May, what problems does she have now anyways?" Athrun asked
"Her blood cell are dying at such a rate, that her heart cannot keep up with and now the baby is being affected because it needs a bit blood to survive, since it hasn't completely producing its own blood. So we have to complete her C-section, put the baby on a monitor to make sure it's alright and hopefully no surgery, but then Cagalli has to fight with her heart to try to keep it beating, since it has been over-stressed for to long and it could at any time stop beating," May said.
"Is there anything I can do?" he asked as May started strapped an I.V. to make sure I had enough fluids and medication.
"Yes, you can bee strong for both of them, because it isn't going to be easy for either one of them," She said.
Athrun nodded as the procedure started. She made a horizontal incision in my stomach and uterus just above the pubic hairline. She then careful lifted the baby through the incision. The baby's nose and mouth was suctioned and the umbilical cord was clamped and cut.
Athrun heard it cry and it became the most memorable music he had ever heard. It was placed in a blanket and into his arms. He wailed and whimpered quietly after a while in Athrun's arm. Athrun looked up and saw May rushing to close the cut uterus so more blood wouldn't come more than what already did. She sewn it shut with dissolvable stitches while my stomach was closed with either stitches.
"Athrun, you have to give the baby to the nurse for a second to give him his shoots, but it's healthy," she said
Athrun nodded and handed our child to the nurse and brought his attention to me.
Now was the time our problems would start and pain that would etch in our mind for life.
"Okay, nurses get the antidote they made and put a visible up on the microscope, time to get rid of that bacteria," May said, opening my heart and placing a thin tube in my main artery and said, "Well now we wait."
"How long do we wait for?" I asked
"I honestly don't know," she said sitting down on a chair.
I looked at Cagalli, she had a pale face on and I felt my heart stop as a nurse came in and say, "Doctor, the child is not breathing and has a high fever."
And at that moment Cagalli's heart beat stopped…