Nothing Will Ever Change That

Chapter 64: Just A Walk

NERV – Asuka's Room – Two Days Later

"So, you ready?" I was in Asuka's room waiting for her to get changed so we could go pick up Dietlinde. Akagi said that she was fine to leave the life support, so we could finally bring her home.

"I already told you, no! I'm going as fast as I can! How about you try to do this!" I already did.

"Fine! Come out here!" I was just joking around, but she was serious. She came storming out of the bathroom with nothing but panties on.

"Okay! If you can do so much better, then go!" I quickly turn around.

"S-Sorry… take your time…" with a sigh, she walks back into her bathroom. A few minutes later she comes walking out with her normal clothing style on; a tight shirt with short-shorts. "You're… wearing that! Asuka, are you sure that you should…" she cuts me off.

"Yes! Look, I'm a mother, not a grandmother. As long as I have the body to pull this off, I'll wear it. What, you don't like it?" she does a turn-around in front of me.

"I didn't say that… never mind, let's just go pick her up. I can't wait!" she chuckles a little. Asuka walks over to her closet and pulls out a plaid-fabric stroller, "What's that for?" yet another stupid question.

"What do you think? I want to take her on a walk later on today, so I'm bringing this. I also got the clothes Hikari gave to us for her to wear," she had thought of everything.

"Oh, good idea," not wanting to hear another cocky remark, I lead the way. When we got there, right before I was about to open the door, I noticed something, "Asuka? Are you… wearing a bra?" I really doubted it.

"Well… uh… no…" she stopped there.

"Okay, since you're obviously not going to tell me, I'll just ask. Asuka, why aren't you wearing a bra?" a little sarcasm in my voice was detectable.

"I… wanted to try and breast feed her… she hasn't had any real food since she was born, so… you know…" I chuckled a little, "What's so funny!" she crosses her arms around her chest.

"Nothing, it's just that you're kind of cute when you act like this. Having this baby has really changed you for the better," I give her a sweet smile.

"Yeah well you've changed too… and I like it," she then hugs me tight. Right then I noticed how much shorter she was then me. It wasn't that big of a difference, but enough to notice. When we first met, Asuka was easily two inches taller then me, now she was a good three inches shorter then me, I'd say that she was about five-five. "Hello! You coming?" she snaps me out of my thought and walks into the room.

"Oh, hey Asuka, I was just about to take Dietlinde out… Asuka… are you wearing a bra?" I guess it was really noticeable.

"Why is everyone asking that!" well… because you're not.

"Sorry… here, help me for a second. I need you to distract her while I take out the tubes," Asuka goes over and picks up the bear.

"Okay, look at mommy," she began to talk to Dietlinde until Akagi takes off the tape and needles of the life support. For the first time I heard Dietlinde cry, and I hated it. Now that she was clear of any tubes, Asuka was free to pick her up, "Shhh, I'm here, it's okay…" Asuka starts to cradle her in her arms while slowly humming the German song. Within a minute, the crying stopped, "there, that wasn't so bad was it?" Akagi came back over to me.

"She's a completely different person when she's with Dietlinde, it's kinda odd," she whispered in my ear.

"No, not really, Asuka has always had a compassionate side, she just doesn't - or rather won't -show it too often," with a single pat on the shoulder, she left.

"You must be freezing, huh? Here, let me get you intosome clothes," Asuka set her down on a nearby table and began to put a diaper and clothes on her. How did she learn to do all of that? Dressing a baby is not an easy thing, and she did it like a pro.

"Asuka, where did you learn to do that?" she picks Dietlinde back up and speaks.

"Akagi helped me with it a little yesterday. Listen, I forgot a blanket back in my room, can you go get it?" Dietlinde was staring at her with loving eyes, never averting her stare.

"Sure, I'll be right back," I walk with a fast pace to Asuka's room and grab the pink blanket on the bed. I make it back in the room in about three minutes, "Okay, here I… Asuka… do you have to do that now?" she was already breast feeding!

"Hey, it's not my fault that the crap they fed her had no nutrients! Plus, she started to whine a little, and this got her to calm down," I held out the blanket in her direction, not wanting to talk, "Shinji… I case you can't see, I'm a little busy right now. Can you just throw it in the stroller, thanks," I wait about a minute and then Asuka pulls her away, "that's enough; let's go for a walk, okay?" she softly lets Dietlinde into the stroller and begins to push.

"You know Asuka; you make a really good mother. You're able to communicate with her so easily, I like it," she stopped in her tracks.

"Do you think so? Really? I'm serious Shinji, don't lie about this," what was wrong with her? She was doing great not even a minute ago.

"Really, you should have seen yourself back at the hospital; it was beautiful. You looked so in control, like you knew exactly what you were doing. I like that in you," a large smile from her was my reward. She went on her way again and soon we were outside.

"It's nothing special, I'm just doing what I'm supposed to," it wasn't what she was doing, it was how she did it, "Hey, I just remembered something, you haven't picked her up yet. You haven't even touched her without gloves. Why don't you try it?" she rotates the stroller in my direction.

"No, its okay, I don't want to make her cry," hearing that was just horrible.

"Look, as much as I'm a mother to her, you're a father. Just do it, she knows you," I wonder if she really did. With a last look into Asuka's eyes, I lean down and gently pick up a sleeping Dietlinde. She stirred in my arms for a moment, but then opened her eyes and saw who it was. "See? She's just as comfortable around you as with me," I begin to cradle her, and pretty soon, she was asleep again, but this time in my arms. She was so tiny, so fragile. I couldn't comprehend the fact that I was holding our baby in my arms; all I saw was this beautiful baby that looks at me with loving eyes.

"Well isn't that cute!" I was brought out of my heaven by a familiar voice. I raise my head to see Toji standing there with his normal baseball and glove, "Never thought the great Shinji would be cradling a child, let alone his!" I hated that nickname. Asuka started it back when my sync ratio exceeded hers.

"Oh shut up! At least he has a companionate side!" Toji gets a surprised look on his face when he sees Asuka. He stumbles over to her and puts his hands on her shoulders.

"Asuka… you're hot again!" that was a big mistake standing in front of her like that! With a quick thrust, Asuka's knee was planted between his legs. She seems to do that a lot when she gets pissed… note to self, don't piss off Asuka! He falls to the ground in pain, yet he is still able to make a smartass remark.

"Lucky… Shinji…" he said between breaths. I heard a light chuckle… I think.

"Come on Shinji, we're going to that park," I put Dietlinde back into the stroller – which I could tell she wasn't happy about – and followed Asuka, leaving Toji to recover.

"That looked like it hurt!" yet another pest… Kensuke. Asuka instantly turned red with anger.

"I'll give you ten seconds… nine… eight…" this was going to be good! Asuka began to crack her knuckles as he walked towards her.

"Oh come on! I came to apologize! Please, listen," she opens her eyes.

"One…" Asuka tackles him to the ground, "Give me one reason I shouldn't kick your ass right now!" she was sitting on his stomach with a fist in the air. I just stand there next to the stroller staring at this. I wasn't too sure what to think at this point, it WAS funny, but a little scary. I look down to see Dietlinde propped up staring at her mother.

"Mommy's a little busy right now, just sit tight," I close the fabric cover to keep her from seeing this. With a soft sigh from her, I hear her plopping back onto the pillow.

"I do deserve a beating for what I did but… no wait!" Asuka stopped her fist a few centimeters from his face, "Thank God… as I was saying; I do deserve it, and I know that it was really messed up. Sorry… please don't hit me! Look I even got you a real gift!" he put out his hand which had a small box in it.

"You'd better pray this isn't a joke!" she snatches the box out of his hands and rips off the top. "The hell is this?" I peeked over her shoulder to see a small golden box that looked like it could be opened.

"It's… a music box… the crank is on the bottom," while she sat on top of him, Asuka began to wind it. When she released it the box began to play a sweet melody/

"So, you can be serious some times, huh? Fine, you're off the hook… for now," she steps up and walks back over to me. With a panicked sigh, he runs off, "Stooge."

"So, do you forgive him?" I know I didn't, but she was vengeful, so what she thought was WAY more important.

"Like hell I do! This did make it a LITTLE better though. Okay, now can we go to the park?" with a laugh, I begin to push the stroller.

"You know, even after you have a child, you still manage to intimidate everyone around you. I gotta admit, nice job!" she gave me a light punch to the arm.

"You think that just because I'm a mother now I'll get soft? Keep dreaming!" we find a are just now entering the park.

"No! I don't want you to lose you're strength, that's what attracts me too you. You know that!" we find a bench and sit down. She pulled the stroller to her as she spoke.

"Yeah, I know. Anyway, I was watching you when you were holding Dietlinde… pretty cute. You should have seen her face when you put her down," Asuka reaches in and pulls Dietlinde out, "it was so sad!" Asuka begins to cradle her. I loved this image, the two best women in my life together… of coarse these images never lasted too long. My phone springs to life, causing Dietlinde to perk up and look around.

"Shinji, I need you all back here. Sorry if I'm interrupting something, but I need to speak with you," it was Ritsuko, and she sounded oddly panicked.

"Uh… yeah, sure, we'll be right there. Is anything…" she hangs up.

"Shinji? What's the matter?" I could hear Dietlinde laughing as Asuka played with her.

"Oh, nothing, we should head back, we need to feed Dietlinde some real food," that wasn't exactly a lie, just not the whole truth. She sets down Dietlinde in the stroller and stands up.

"Fine, don't tell me, I'll find out eventually," so will I.

---

NERV Hospital

"Okay, you wanted to talk with us, what's the deal?" I told Asuka about the call on the way here, not being able to keep a secret from her.

"Oh, you're here, good. Well for one, I'm glad that you have adjusted so well to all of this. The only problem with it is that Gendo is butting in. When I showed him the medical bills, he freaked," but this was his granddaughter! He shouldn't care how much it costs!

"Okay… and?" Asuka obviously didn't care about it, and truthfully, neither did I. so what if he loses a few grand?

"AND he said that he won't pay to support Dietlinde anymore! One of you is going to have to get a job," he's not going to support her? I don't see how it even affects him, NERV is paying for it!

"But why won't he help us with this? Does he even realize that this is his granddaughter? And what about the contract?" She shakes her head.

"You know him, he couldn't care less. He simply found a hole in the contract. In there, it says that any direct family member of the pilots will be taken care of, but somehow he made it so that the child of two pilots would cancel this out. He said something about two negatives canceling each other out. The way he sees it is that she's just another mouth to feed. I'm sorry, but there's no way around this," damnit! I just don't get him, he gives us a years pay for a wedding, yet he can't even feed our child! "Hey, at least he's going to pay for the medical expenses…" Listen to me, I sound like a kid. In a way, I had to agree with him. We both took the risk of sleeping together, and we both took the responsibility of caring for Dietlinde. I had no choice; I had to get a job.

"Okay, thanks for your help," I take Asuka's hand and lead her – and the stroller – out of the door.

"Shinji, we just can't let this go! I…" I cut her off.

"We can and we will. Look, it's not that big of a deal. Neither of us has school, so you can stay home and take care of Dietlinde and I'll just work anywhere that'll take me. Depending on how much I'm going to make, we might have to either take food from the cafeteria or just have you breast feed her. Damn… just don't worry about it; I'll take care of everything," my heart was pounding. I was only sixteen, what kind of job can I get that will pay enough?

"You know that I don't want to become a house wife!" but… she's not even a bride yet…

"Asuka, please don't be difficult… I will find another way, but until then, you'll have to. I'm sorry it's like this, but you'll have to deal with it," I knew I had a panicked voice, I could see it in her eyes.

"Shinji, I'm not going to let you do this by yourself! We'll trade off days, you work a day then I work a day. That'll be fine, we can just…" once again, I cut her off.

"Asuka! Just stop! Please! I'm going to do this on my own!" I know that she is having pride issues, but I had to prove something to my father; that I could do this.

"You're not the only one in this! We are both parents! We both have responsibilities! We both…" just then, Dietlinde started to cry. God I hated that sound, it was like knives to me. Asuka reaches into the stroller and picks her up, "Shhh, it's okay, I'm here… Shinji, we'll talk about this later," she cradles Dietlinde until she stops crying.

"Look, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to do that. I just really want to do this on my own. You don't want to be a 'housewife'? Fine, you don't have to be. I'll just put Dietlinde in a nursery," she instantly shot back… just what I wanted.

"Hell no! Fine, I'll take care of her while you work… but I don't like the fact that you are doing it," her pride could get in the way sometimes.

"It's not like you won't be doing work, Asuka. If it makes a difference, you'll be taking care of Dietlinde; changing diapers, bathing, changing clothes, feeding, you know, the basics. Now please, try not to worry," I kiss both of them on the forehead, "I need to see if I can find a job, I'll be back a little later," I start to walk off, but then I feel a tugging at my sleeve. "Asuka, I told you…" she cut me off.

"Look," I turn my head to see Dietlinde staring at me with those big blue eyes and holding on to my shirt. That almost brought a tear to my eye, "Looks like someone doesn't want you to leave…" I take Dietlinde from Asuka's arms and just smile at her.

"Okay, looks like I'm out numbered here. Daddy can wait until tomorrow," for the first time, she smiles at me. Actually that was the first time she has ever smiled to my knowledge. "Well now how can I leave such a beautiful girl, huh? Come on, it's getting late, let's get you to bed," God, I felt like crying. The mixture of her blue eyes, red hair, and that smile made my heart melt. I knew she was going to grow up to look exactly like Asuka.

"Good idea, except for the fact that her crib isn't set up yet," of course it's not, nothing's ever easy! I set Dietlinde back into the stroller and head for Asuka's room, "Where are you going?" she starts to follow.

"To set it up. It'll just take a few minutes, then we can put her to bed," I open Asuka's door and get the box with the crib still in it.

"Good, she looks exhausted," I rip off the tape and pour the screws, wood, frame, and God only knows what onto the floor.

"Ah shit…" this might take a little longer then I thought.

---

Same Place – Two Hours Later

"Insert peg A into slot H… ugh…" I was almost done with it… even though at this point it'll be worthless. Asuka had already fallen asleep on her bed with Dietlinde on her stomach, using her chest as a pillow. "Come on you son of a bitch…" I mumble in frustration. I swear, this thing was made to piss me off! None of the pieces fit, I've had to forcefully hit them all into place. With one final punch to the side, all of the pieces were together, "Yes!" Oops… please don't wake up… please don't wake up…

"Mmmm…" a soft moan came from Asuka, but she wasn't awake. Thank God! I get up – hoping that the sound of my back cracking didn't wake them up – and get the blankets and mattress. I plop the mattress in place, and then go to get the sheets. Right when I start to put them on, I hear a creaking.

"For the love of God… please don't…" the whole crib comes tumbling down, leaving me holding the sheets, "You little fu…" I was cut off by a tugging at my pants. Crap! Asuka was up! I look over at the bed to see Asuka sleeping… alone. I look down to see Dietlinde staring up at me with a clump of my jeans in her hand. How did she get off the bed! I didn't even know she could crawl yet! "Hey there, couldn't sleep?" I kneel down and pick her up under the arms, "You know what? I'm very good at building things," I whisper to her. A small giggle echoes from her throat, "I don't see how you couldn't sleep, you have the best pillow in the world over there," she was too young to understand sexual innuendos… right? "Anyway, it doesn't look like you'll be sleeping in your crib tonight, how about you just cuddle up with me in the chair?" I switch my position from holding her under the arms to cradling her. I slug over to the recliner chair and fall back. Dietlinde moves around on her own until she gets comfortable on my chest, "Not as much padding as mom's, huh?" I reach over and grab a blanket from behind me. I cover her up to the neck – and only up to my chest – and she was soon asleep. Feeling her warm breath through my shirt was like heaven. I remember just how seeing her breathe made me feel, but this was at least ten times better. I lay my head back and I was soon asleep myself.

A/N- One of my more heart-filling chapters, but I like it all the same. Remember how I said that chapter five was my favorite? Well this one just replaced it! Anyway, back to business; what kind of job will Shinji get? How will Asuka handle taking care of Dietlinde at home by herself? Find out in the next chapter; A Little Help, until then, keep on keepin' on!