Nothing Will Ever Change That
Chapter 96: Accepting
A/N- This chapter was proof-read by Frost-Eva-04. Thanks for the help once again!
A/A/N- Sorry, but the flow of chapters is going to slow down a lot. I have finals coming up, and I need to study. On top of that, my asshole algebra teacher is piling homework on us, so you won't see as many chapters until later on. Yes, I am going to post, don't get me wrong, but it won't be nearly instant like before. This applies to my other fic as well.
"Wake up my beautiful wife…" I had been up for an hour now, simply staring at the ceiling, and found a few interesting things about myself: the new scar on my stomach for one, just adding to my permanent collection of near-death experiences, and one other thing… I only had one hand. Apparently they amputated it when I was asleep; all that was left was a fleshy stump. I had to admit, I had mixed feelings about it. On one hand, I was glad to see it gone. It was getting kind of disgusting carrying that thing around. But on the other hand… what other hand? I couldn't help but chuckle at my personal joke, but seriously. I knew that it was now apparent that I had one hand. Before, I was just able to cover it up with a glove, but now I just had a stump. I really didn't know which side I'd rather have… well, no turning back now. It's gone for good, "Asuka? Time to wake up," she smiled in her sleep.
"Mmmm… do I have to?" I lightly kiss her on the cheek.
"Don't you want to start your birthday? You're a seventeen year old girl now…" she smirked.
"Stop talking to me like that… you know I hate that…" she nuzzled her face deeper into the crook of my neck, "And this is all I need for my birthday… I just want to be with you…" she wrapped her arm around my torso and pulled me tight, "For the rest of my life…" I put my arm around her shoulders.
"Me too Asuka…" did she just turn me getting her up into her going BACK to sleep? Damn she's good! "We'll get up in a little while, okay?"
"Mmhmm…" soon, I heard her sleeping again. She was always able to play me so easily, if she played her cards right, she could get me to do anything. I remember back when she first moved in with me and Misato, it was her turn to cook that night, and we were having an argument about who was going to cook. Somehow – and I'll never know how – she got me to make a four-course meal with dessert. One of many examples! After a few minutes I lean down and gently kiss her forehead.
"Come on Asuka, time to get up," she begins to stir.
"But I don't wanna…" she whined half asleep. She sounded like a school girl!
"What if I make it worth your while? Will you get up then?" she slowly raises her head and looks at me with half-closed eyes.
"There is nothing you could do to get me up…" she had her 'challenge me' voice on. I smile back at her.
"What if I tell you that I got you the best present ever?" with a smile, she gets out of bed and stretches her arms above her head, "Wow… can't believe that actually worked…" she looks back at me with a raised eyebrow.
"It didn't. You didn't get me anything, you couldn't have. I just wanted to get up and get this day started…" she caught me in a lie… well, not completely. I was planning on taking her out to dinner. I get up and walk over to her.
"Not true. You think that I wouldn't do anything for your birthday? I'm taking you out for dinner tonight! How does that sound?" she begins to walk over to the shower.
"Like I said, you don't have to do anything. I just want to be with you today, that's all," her saying something like that was rare to say the least, "Of course, if you WANT to take me out…" she's back. She winked at me as she entered the bathroom and shut the door. A few seconds after the shower started, I heard a knocking at the door.
"Yo Shinji, can I come in?" it sounded like Cass.
"Don't be so rude!" and Sam… I open the door and see Sam holding a neatly wrapped gift in her hands. They actually bought her a gift? That was actually pretty nice!
"Oh hey, you got her a gift?" Sam looks at me with a disgusted face. Did I just say the wrong thing here?
"Don't tell me you forgot her birthday! Are you seriously going to tell me that you completely forgot? How could you do that?" yep… I said the wrong thing…
"I didn't! I'm taking her out for dinner tonight! I just didn't get her a gift because I was kinda unable…" Sam blushes right away. Cass let out a small laugh at her reaction, and truthfully, I wanted to, but I knew that I'd just get yelled at more!
"I'm so sorry! I should have known that you didn't forget!" hell, I almost did.
"Don't worry about it. You want to come in?"
"Um… sure… thanks…" Sam was still embarrassed at what just happened. I let them inside and they take a seat at the sofa.
"Well, Asuka's in the shower right now, but she'll be out soon. Thanks for doing this for her, that was nice of you," I was actually surprised that they did anything. I didn't really have anything that would lead me otherwise, but it's just new.
"Of course we got her something! What, did you think that we'd completely neglect her?" I just keep on digging, huh?
"Oh yeah, Shinji, I almost forgot," he reached into his pocket and threw something at me, "If you two are going to 'do' anything tonight, promise to use that, okay?" I can't believe he just threw me a condom! What the hell was his problem? I doubt anything like that's going to happen tonight, I mean, she's pregnant!
"And may I ask why you have this is the first place?" Sam went red.
"Well… we kinda picked some up that night… I didn't want to get pregnant…" hm, I wonder why!
"Hey, I'm not criticizing you, you two made the right choice," they both smile slightly. While I don't regret not wearing one, it still would have been a good idea. My first time with Asuka was… well, not to sugar coat it, natural. We didn't have anything on, not even a piece of latex a millimeter thick, we joined physically and mentally that night. If I were able to do that night over, would I still refrain from using protection? Absolutely. Because of that so-called 'mistake', we were both given one of the most precious gifts we have ever gotten.
"But it wasn't exactly…" for some reason, I think Sam is about to embarrass the hell out of me and Cass, "It wasn't really what I was expecting…" Cass nearly fainted. I knew what she meant, but apparently he didn't.
"What is that supposed to mean?" Cass was blushing bright red.
"No, I mean it wasn't this amazing experience that everyone always talks about. Shinji, you know what I'm talking about, right?" why is she dragging ME into this?
"Um… yeah…" Cass just stares at me blankly, "Cass… the first time…" how did I suddenly become a sex-ed teacher? "It's not completely enjoyable for a girl the first time… why don't you tell him? You obviously know more then me!" hell, the only reason I know is because Asuka told me.
"No, that pretty much sums it up."
"Can we PLEASE drop this?" just then, the shower turns off, "Thank God!"
"You're such a baby!" Sam lightly slaps his shoulder with a smile… a few seconds later Asuka comes out of the bathroom fully dressed. I let out a small sigh. Normally she comes out with only a towel, so she must have heard them come in.
"Oh, hey guys. When did you get here?" she didn't know? Well then I guess it's just a gift from God!
"When you were in the shower. Happy birthday!" Sam got up and handed Asuka her gift, "I wasn't too sure what to get, so I hope you like it."
"You didn't have to get me anything, but thanks," Asuka unwrapped the small box to show a plain white box. She opened it and pulled out a plain gold necklace. Not the most thoughtful gift in my opinion, Asuka rarely wore jewelry aside from her wedding ring, but nice none the less.
"Like I said, I know that it's not much, but you're not the easiest person to shop for!" we all have found that to be true. Come to think of it, I haven't really gotten her anything for her birthday. Yet another year of the same routine… or maybe not…
"No, I love it. Thanks," Asuka lightly hugged Sam. Though she said that, I knew that she was thinking 'When the hell would I wear this?', but she's mature enough to not say anything like that… right?
"Hey Shinji, can I talk to you alone for a second?" Cass waved me over into the hall outside of Asuka's room.
"Um… sure…" I follow him out into the hall and he closes the door. What was he doing? "What do you need?"
"Okay, me and Sam were talking. We're going to spend some time with Asuka and give you some time to get out and get her a gift. We'll give you about an hour or two, but I doubt that she'll stay with only us for much longer. Now look, go in there and tell her that you sign off some papers on Gahiji's death that can't wait," but what was I even going to get her? How was I supposed to know what she wanted?
"But-" he cut me off.
"Look, just do it. I know what she said about not wanting anything, but that's a bold faced lie. While you were asleep, she was talking to Sam about her birthday and guessing what she might get. Now go," he pushed me inside. Damnit… I really didn't want to lie to Asuka about such a stupid thing. Couldn't I just say 'Give me a couple hours to get you a gift'? I'm sure she'd be okay with it… but of course that's not what came out.
"Asuka, I'm really sorry, but I have to go sign off a few documents concerning NERV that can't wait. It won't take more then two hours, I promise," her jaw drops… crap. I knew that she wasn't going to take this well!
"Are you kidding me? You're head of NERV! Can't you just tell them to wait? It's your wife's birthday!" God I felt horrible about this. I'm going to have to get her something really good to make up for this.
"I'm really sorry, I already tried, I'm stuck here. I promise that I'll be back within the next two hours," I walk up to her and lightly kiss her on the lips, "Please don't be angry at me…" she pulls away from me and sits on the sofa, obviously ready to slap the crap out of me.
"Whatever, go take care of what you need. Don't bother coming back, you obviously don't care," damnit Cass! I'm going to get him back for this!
"Forget about it, I won't go," I walk over to sit next to her, but she stands up and glares at me.
"No, go. You're work – of course – is more important then your family. I'm sorry I forgot that Commander Ikari!" damn… I really screwed up here… "You know, all I wanted today was to be with you, but you couldn't even give me that. I don't want any fancy gifts, I don't want and birthday wishes, all I wanted – all I hoped for – was to be with you. You have no idea how happy I was to see you wake up, just knowing that you'd be here today, but you somehow managed to ruin even that," I go to say something, but she cuts me off, "Just shut up! Go do what you need to do, then come back, but don't you dare apologize, because you don't mean it," with my heart sinking and my head hung low, I walk out of the room. I swear Cass was going to pay for this! What the hell can I get her to make up for this? Thinking of this the whole walk to my car, I was still unable to think of anything.
"Is there a jewelry store around here?" I ask myself. I start the car… my sports car… "Shinji… you're denser then a friggen black hole…" I crawl out of the car and call a cab. She said that she wanted one not even a week ago… my time. When the cab pulls up, I climb in.
"Where to buddy?" it felt weird to be in here. I haven't been in one sense I was in Germany, but that didn't really count… I kinda ran from the bill…
"Any car dealership that sells sports cars, and try to hurry please," without a word, he began to drive.
"So, what are you going there for?" the silence obviously didn't last for long.
"A gift for my-" he let out a booming laugh as he cut me off.
"Come on kid, be serious. For one, you're too young to be married, and two, how would you even afford one of those?" he continued to laugh. How'd he know that I was going to say that? I take out my ID card and show it to him.
"I make about twenty million Yen a year plus benefits." He damn near turns the car over when he sees the ID card.
"Holy crap! You're commander Ikari? I thought that you were at least in your fifties!" I put it back in my wallet.
"That was my father, he left to position to me after he died. Oh, and yeah, I'm married," he once again almost gets in an accident. Maybe I've said too much…
"You're the pilot of Unit 01 aren't you?" I nod slightly, "Holy crap! Man, it's great to meet you! I knew that you were young, but damn! If you don't mind my asking, who's the pilot of Unit 02? I've never heard anything about him," him… yeah, real funny.
"Well, for one, I'm married to the pilot of Unit 02…" might as well freak him out, right?
"Oh, my bad man, sorry if I offended you…" I let out a chuckle.
"No, I'm joking. I'm married to HER. The pilot of Unit 02 is a girl," he once again laughed loudly.
"You had me going there for a second! So… what's she like?" I wasn't about to give her name, but I could brag a little, right?
"Well, she's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen. She has long red hair…" he cut me off.
"You mean Asuka Langley Souryu? I thought she piloted Unit 00?" you'd think that people would at least get the names of their saviors right…
"No, that WAS Rei Ayanami. She's gone though… so you already know of Asuka?" he nods.
"Who doesn't? Man, you're one lucky guy. So tell me…" he smirked… ah damnit, "How's she in bed? With an attitude like that she'd have to be wild, right?" I hate it when people talk like that about any woman, especially Asuka.
"Okay, you're stepping over the line. Don't talk like that about her," the car went silent until we finally reached the car dealership. I hand him the fair but he puts up a hand.
"Forget about it. Sorry about that, I didn't mean anything by it," slipping the money back into my pocket, I step out of the car.
"Just learn to respect women better… thanks for the ride," I walk off into the car lot. I was immediately met with a car dealer. I've heard that these guys are sharks when it comes to selling cars… time for a challenge.
"Why hello my fine young boy! How are you today?" before I could answer, he continues to talk, "I know how you are, you're great because you're about to shop at the best car dealership this side of Japan! Now tell me, what are you looking for?" no, this guy wasn't pushy at all.
"Anything with power. There's no budget," his smile grows even wider if that's possible.
"Well then I have the perfect car for you!" he guides me over to a car that – even I had to admit – looked pretty awesome, "It's the 2001 B. Engineering Edonis. It may be old, but it's one of the best damn sports cars we have on this lot. Zero to one hundred in eight point one seconds, six hundred and eighty horse power, and on top of all that, some of the best body frames I've ever seen," this thing looked better then my car! It had a blood red paint job, only making it look all the better.
A/N- Look this car up. I don't know why, but it actually reminds me of Asuka. I gave the whole name if you're interested.
"Wow… this is… perfect… how much?" I see a small drop of sweat form on his forehead. Hell, price didn't matter to me!
"Um… it's sixty million yen…" he gave an awkward smile. Damn! This thing is expensive!
A/N- sixty million yen is ABOUT six hundred thousand American dollars.
"I'll take it. Where do I sign?" he nearly fainted. Looks like this guy works off of commission!
"Are you serious? I-I mean… follow me…" he guides me into the main building, still sweating the whole way. Looks like I'm about to make the day of a certain man! When we got to his desk he handed me a stack of papers, "Just sign where it tells you to on the first page, then I'll need proof of your identity along with the payment," he's calmed down quite a bit. After I signed I took out my ID card, "Okay Mr.… Ikari… ah crap… you're commander of NERV aren't you?" I nod, "Damnit… just take it…" he threw me a set of keys, "Damn government thinks they can just waltz in and take from us hard working men…" he mumbled as he walked back into the car lot. I could help but chuckle. I wanted to go up to him and tell him just how many times his 'damn government' has saved the world, but I had to get home quick… and I had a fast car… nice. I get into the car and rev the engine to life.
"Oh yeah…" it may not be as powerful as mine, but it sure felt better! I'm normally not one to drive fast, but in this, I couldn't help myself. Within two minutes I was back at NERV, "Ho… ly… crap…" should I really give this much power to Asuka? An image of her kneeing me in the groin for leaving enters my mind… yeah; I think this is a good idea! I run back to her room and regain my composure before entering; "Oh Asuka, I got something to show you!" it wasn't even an hour! How mad could she be at me? I open the door to see her on the sofa crying as she hugged Sam.
"Shinji, not a good time…" Cass whispered to me, "She got to ranting after you left and broke down in tears…" feeling my heart sink, I walk over and sit next to her.
"What do you want…?" Sam got up and left us alone. Asuka didn't make eye contact with me; she just stared at the floor. Without warning, I take her into my arms.
"Did you really think that I'd leave you on your birthday?" she didn't say anything. Without a word, I pick her up and walk out of the room.
"What are you doing?" she mumbled under her breath. I… think I'm in over my head with this… she's not heavy or anything, but… I'm just weak… by some miracle; I make it out to her car and let her down.
"I was picking up your gift. Remember how you wanted a better car?" her jaw hung loose at her new car.
"You… got me this?"
"Well yeah, you said you wanted one, right?" she looked back at me with a half smile, half glare face.
"You're the biggest asshole on the earth, you know that?" she wiped the last of her tears away, "But you're my asshole…" she latches onto my neck and kisses me lightly on the lips. Oh yeah Shinji, you made it up. I'm good! She pulls back and looks into my eyes, "Why'd ya have to freak me out like that?" she playfully slaps my shoulder, "I would have been fine if you just would have told me what you were doing!"
"But I wanted it to be a surprise… it was Cass's fault! He told me not to tell you!" she chuckled.
"Well I'll be sure to kick his ass, okay?" looked like my old Asuka was back. I knew what I did was messed up, but to cry over it? I mean, Asuka rarely cried, and when she did it would be over something big, not me leaving… what's wrong with her?
"Don't kill him," we begin to walk back to her room – she's walking on her own this time thankfully! "So, how are we going to get to the restaurant? Your van?" it's not like I spent anything on the car, but I wouldn't mind basking in her shock for awhile.
"Oh shut up! You can donate that thing to charity for all I care!" then we see Cass in the hallway, "Speaking of… why don't we give it to him?" that was actually a pretty good idea…
"If you want, it's your van," what was she going to use it for?
"Okay. Hey Cass! Come here for a sec!" he looked up at us and gave a small smile.
"So I take it Shinji made up for it, huh? What'd ya get her? Another wedding ring?" this was going to be an Asuka bragging moment, I can just tell.
"Nope, he got me a sports car!" Cass nearly fell over. And I was right about the bragging part…
"Y-You got… holy crap Shinji, I meant go out and get her a piece of jewelry and you come back with a friggen car?" what jewelry could I even get her? Nothing that I'd be able to find would match her wedding ring, and on top of that, she doesn't really wear jewelry.
"Yeah well, he's overly caring," what did that even mean? "Okay, now that I have something else to drive, I was thinking, you want my van? I'm never going to use it now, so might as well pass it on, right?" He smiled slightly.
"You're actually going to give me the van? No payment, no obligation, nothing?" I'm sure that Asuka will keep this as a little ace in her pocket for later, but for now I think it's free.
"Yeah, what am I going to do with it? Here," she tossed him the keys, "And don't crash it or anything, you're only getting one!" well… I could just get him a car like I did for her… I almost offered it, but why ruin the moment? Asuka was giving a big gift here; this probably meant something to her.
"Thanks Asuka, really. That's really nice of you… now I feel bad that all we got you was a necklace! Is there anything I can do for you?" Asuka got a wicked smile… uh oh…
"Not now, but maybe later. Just remember that you owe me!" we walk back into Asuka's room.
"I'll repay you, I promise," Sam was sitting on the sofa looking concerned. When she hears us walk in she popped up from the sofa.
"Asuka, please don't' be mad at Shinji, it was my idea to have him go out. I'm the one you should be mad at," looks like Sam had some time to put together a little speech!
"He was just out getting me a gift… a kickass gift at that! How could I be mad at him now?" Sam lets out a long sigh. Knowing her, she really would have taken the blame even though I could have said no.
"Good… glad it worked out… so Shinji, what'd ya get her? A ring? A dress?"
"A 2001 B. Engineering Edonis," her jaw dropped to the floor. I know Sam… too much power…
"I-Isn't… that a…" I nod, "Holy crap… we meant for you to go out and get her a…" Cass cut her off.
"We already had this conversation in the hallway. Shinji's a showoff, Asuka's ga-ga over him, the normal," he was met with a harsh slap to the back of the head, "Ow…"
"I'm not 'ga-ga' over him; I'm just married to him!" Just? What was that supposed to mean?
"Is that why you were crying your eyes out when he left?" Cass ducked as Asuka swung again, "HA! You miss-" she slapped him as he came back up, "Ow…" you know, this was better then watching a movie! Seeing Asuka beat up on people is pretty damn funny!
"Okay, enough beating up my boyfriend. Come on Cass, I think the two lovebirds would like some time alone," she took his wrist and dragged him out of the room, "See ya Asuka, happy birthday," she shut the door behind her.
"Soooo… what now?" we just stood in the middle of the room in silence as she spoke, "It's only twelve… movie?"
"Sure, I guess, your birthday. What do you want to see?" what exactly were we supposed to do?
"I dunno… but I get to drive! You got the keys?" we're bored, I might as well have some fun, no?
"Yeah…" I don't make a move.
"Well? Can you get them?" she puts out her hand.
"Yes, I can…" like before, I don't make a move. I couldn't help but let a smile out.
"Can you get them right now?" her voice was starting to get irritated… this was fun!
"Yes, I ca-" she slaps my shoulder and I laugh. Seriously, who didn't see that coming?
"Quit being a smartass!" she reached into my pocket and pulled out the keys, "Should have done that before…" she began to walk out of the room, and I follow soon after her, "I got a new car!" I'm glad I was able to do this for her, it obviously made her happy.
"Yeah, just try not to crash it on the first day, that was the best one they had on the lot," she looks back at me with a smile.
"I'll try not to…" I knew she was joking, but that still creeped me out. It wasn't even the car; I was just worried about her getting hurt one of these days from driving like that. She turned around and wrapped her arms around my neck, "I didn't want to do this in the parking lot… but I think you deserve a little thank you…" she leans in and kisses me deeply. This was a great thank you! Hell, if all it took was a car to get this… then I'm screwed… she leaned back and smiled up at me, "Man I hate being shorter then you… it was easier when we were fourteen and I didn't have to stand on my toes to reach you!"
"Excuse me for growing a few inches!" darn those male hormones, always making people too tall…
"A few? Shinji, you were damn near a midget when I first met you, no offence," we once again begin to walk to her new car.
"None taken… even though we were the same height…" we were both exactly five-three at the time, now she was five-four and I was about five-seven. The height wasn't THAT much of a difference, but apparently enough for her. When we finally get in her car, she lets a wicked smile cross her face… ah crap…
"Man, this thing is great!" she revs the engine to life.
"Asuka?" she stared out the front wind-shield with that same smile.
"How much power does this have again?"
"Um… six hundred forty I think…"
"So… that's…" she's silent for a few seconds, "Zero to one hundred in eight… point one seconds…" how the hell?
"How'd you know that?"
"Math… let's see if it's right!" she takes off, pushing the car to its limits, "Sixty… sixty five… seventy… seventy five…" she counted off the miles as we went. I think we just passed a stop sign back there…
"Um… Asuka? School zone…" she sped through that too.
"One hundred… eight seconds! I'm good!" she slowed down the car dramatically, "Okay, I'll drive normal, you can stop sweating now."
"I'm not sweating!" I'm damn near crying is what I'm doing…
"Uh huh… whatever. So, what movie are we going to see? Comedy? Tragedy?" she looks over at me with a seductive smile, "Romance?" she looks back at the road, "Triple X?"
"NO!" sure, we were old enough, and it's not like it's new to us, but that's just gross! Why would I want to watch OTHER people have sex?
"I'm just messing around! But seriously, what do you want to watch?" it was her birthday, why should I choose?
"It's all up to you. Think of me as a doll that pays today, okay?" she smiles.
"Okay, you said it, not me… triple X it is!" I nearly faint, "Fine… romance…" she chuckled. I found nothing funny in that! I'd never watch one of those things alone, let alone with Asuka! "Man, you are way too easy Shinji. You know I'd never watch one of those perverted things!"
"I know… but don't even joke about it… it's just… ew…" she laughs.
"Aww, did I embarrass my Shinji?" I hated it when she did that… "Is the idea of sex too much for you to handle?"
"Yeah, that's why we've had sex what, six times now?" and have had two children? I didn't say that though…
"True… I'll give you that. So anyway, about the movie, I heard about this one called Love Story, it's really old, like, from the seventies, but I heard it was good. It's from America, but this movie theater had the translated version. Sound good?" where'd she learn to pronounce English so well?
"What does that mean, Love Story?"
"It means Love Story, yeah, I know it sounds corny, but like I said, it sounded good." Right there! How'd she know that? Why didn't she just say that in the first place?
"And… you know this… how? Why didn't you just call it that before?"
"I dunno, habit I guess. And I know it because… well… promise you won't laugh, but Sam's been teaching me some English in exchange for me teaching her German. I know, it's kinda stupid, but I've been bored…" just like Asuka to seek knowledge when she's bored. She may have hated school, but she sure excelled at it.
"That's not stupid at all, I'm glad you're doing that. So, is it hard?" she laughs.
"You have no friggen idea! I swear, English is basically all the languages mixed together," yeah, I've heard of that.
"You got me interested now… say something," she glances over at me with a raised eyebrow.
"What? Why?" hearing her speak German always made me feel a mixture of feelings: being proud obviously, but also a sense of isolation that was occasionally comforting for some reason.
"Because I like to hear you speak other languages, it makes you sound really smart!" that was another reason, of course.
"Fine… what do you want me to say?" to an extent, she sounded like she was bragging.
"I dunno… whatever you feel I guess…" she smiled.
"Okay, but remember, I just started after you went into that coma…" she took a deep breath, "I love you Shinji Ikari, and nothing will ever change… uh… ah damnit… I forgot the word…" she thought for awhile, "THAT! There ya go!" her face lit up when she finally got the word.
"Okay… now what did you say?" she chuckled, "No seriously! I wanna know!"
"Okay, I said I love you Shinji Ikari, and nothing will ever change that," great, now she's speaking German!
"Come on! That's not fair! Now you can tease me in three languages!" she laughs at this point. It was true though, I can see her talking to me all day in English just to annoy me!
"Sure can!" I look at her with begging eyes, "Fine, you're such a baby. What did we say to each other that day at the beach?"
"Hm… wait for it… wait for it…" she slaps the back of my head, "Ow… damn, just joking. I love you Asuka, and nothing will ever change that… is that what you said?"
"Yeah Shinji, I said 'I love you Asuka', come on!" mood swing much? She wasn't just being sarcastic anymore, that was just harsh.
"Sorry…" the car goes silent for awhile. What set her off? Did I say something I shouldn't have? Did she not like the fact that I was being sarcastic? But we were just joking around not two minutes ago. I knew that it couldn't be her menstrual cycle, she was pregnant. Maybe I did piss her off… but with what damnit? When we finally got to the theater, she took a deep breath and looked at me.
"Sorry for acting like that, I've been like this for awhile now. I don't know what the deal is, but I just can't keep my emotions under control lately. Let's just forget about it and have fun at the movie, okay?" Asuka's back… I think… I hope… I pray!
"Don't worry about it," we get out of the car, "Probably just all of the stress lately, it's bound to get to you eventually." She gives me a warm smile.
"Thanks, now let's see just how good this thing is, huh?" we walk into the theater hand in hand. After we bought the tickets… well… after I flashed my ID, we went into a large room and waited for it to start.
"Oh, I forgot to ask you, when I was asleep, did you have the doctors amputate my hand?" today was actually pretty interesting with it. Apparently, now I have a phantom limb… well, HAND. When it was still attached to my body, I could feel it hanging from my wrist, but now that it's gone, I guess my body thinks that it's back to normal or something.
"Yeah, I recommended it the day after. I hope that's okay, but you did say that you wanted it gone," now she sounded like Hikari!
"No, I'm not complaining at all, I'm glad it's gone! I was just wondering. It's not everyday I wake up with a missing hand!" this actually got a pretty decent laugh out of her, "I have a phantom limb now…" she once again laughed. Was she high or something?
"Limb? Shinji, it's only a hand!" I just thought that…
"Yeah, true. You know what I mean," she calms down and wraps an arm around my shoulders, and then she laid her head on my right shoulder.
"I know, just givin' you a hard time," she hasn't done this with me in awhile, I kinda like this position, "I love you Shinji…" look at her! She's so cute right now!
"I love you too, Asuka…" just then, then lights dim and – to my surprise – a color film comes on. I'm not sure why, but I expected it to be in black and white.
---
Two Hours Later
Truthfully, we stopped watching the movie about half an hour ago. It was about some couple going through trouble, and somehow pulling through it and they're still together. The whole theme of the movie was 'True lovers never have to say I'm sorry' or something like that, I wasn't really paying attention. So anyway, about not watching the movie, a really mushy scene came on when the man had to leave and the two people shared a kiss… guess what we started to do. She just looked up at me and smiled. Then – without saying a word – she leaned in and began to kiss me. All I can say is that I'm thankful that this theater is empty! I remember when I was that fourteen year old in the theater looking at the older couple making out in disgust… things sure change. Out of nowhere, the lights come back on. Asuka pulled back and looked at me with a smile.
"So… how'd ya like the movie?" she chuckles.
"Pretty damn good in my opinion," we get up and start to walk out of the theater, "You?"
"Eh, it was okay, a little boring though," I like this mood! When we got out to the car, she handed me the keys, "I want you to drive. I'm getting kinda tired for some reason…" it was only three thirty! I take the keys and begin to drive off slowly.
"Are you okay?" she lays her bodyweight against the door and closes her eyes.
"Yeah, I'm fine… just really tired…" within a couple minutes, I heard a slight snoring. She really was tired, huh? Wonder what was wrong, I mean, she's been acting really weird lately. After about five minutes of driving in silence, NERV was starting to come into view.
"Don't… leave…" I heard Asuka mutter in her sleep. A few seconds later, I saw a tear roll down her cheek. What was she dreaming of? Don't leave… was she talking about me?
"Asuka, we're home," I lightly nudge her.
"Mmmm…" she raises her head and looks at me with half-closed eyes, "Oh… sorry…" she wiped the tear from her eye and got out of the car, "I needed that little nap…" she stretches her arms above her head. Something was wrong with her, I just know it.
"Do you want me to wake you up in a few hours? You can take a real nap in your room," we begin to walk back to her room.
"Nah, I'm fine. I just needed a little relaxation," she let out a long yawn. I was tempted to ask her about her attitude today, but we were having fun, why ruin it? I'll just do that tomorrow. When we finally got to her room, she instantly sat on the bed.
"I'll be right back," not expecting to take long at all, I go into the bathroom. When I come back out, I see her lying on the bed, fast asleep, "Not tired, huh?" I grab a blanket and cover her up gently. I'll just wake her up in a little while, she looks exhausted, so why not let her have a short nap?
---
Same Place – 10:00 PM
How the hell is she still asleep? I've tried to wake her up at least ten times now, and every time she would just roll over and ignore me. I was just expecting her to sleep through the night, so I get ready for bed myself. After changing into some night clothes, I crawl in next to her and turn off the light. Ever sense we got home and she fell sleep, I've 'entertained' myself by cleaning the entire room. Seriously, I doubt that even a piece of dust is in this room, I cleaned every inch of it.
"Sleep good Asuka…" I was basically talking to myself, but it was kinda a habit at this point.
"Not yet…" she would do this to me!
"You're up? Since when?" she chuckled.
"I've been awake for an hour now, but it's cute to watch you clean around the room," damnit… all of that for nothing!
"And let me guess, you're not even close to being tired?"
"Eh, I could go to bed, but I don't want to…" she began to whisper in my ear, "You know how I said that all I wanted was to be with you today?" she swung a leg around my hips, "Well I want one more thing…"
"Asuka, I don't think we can, I mean, you're pregnant," she waves a hand in the air.
"So?" couldn't that affect the baby? "Like I care what happens to it!"
"Asuka! That's you child! That's OUR child! Don't talk like that!" she looses her smile and glares at me.
"No, correction, this is YOUR child, not mine. I gave you a choice between an abortion and raising it on your own. You chose to raise it, so I'm giving that to you, but I'm not raising it. Like it or not, this baby won't have a mother. It's still not too late to get an abortion you know," was this coming from Asuka? She wasn't being her normal self today, but to say that?
"You're still not budging on this, are you?" she shook her head, "What happened to all that talk about not wanting to be like your mother?"
"That was to Dietlinde! Not this… thing!" great, now she was referring to it as a 'thing'.
"Well like it or not, you're having another baby. And after seeing you with Dietlinde, I doubt that you'll follow through with what you're saying. I don't even think that you'd be able to get an abortion!" I really didn't. Asuka wouldn't be able to rid herself of her child, even if she thought that she didn't want it.
"You want to try me? I'll go get this done right now if you don't believe me!" she could too if she pushed the subject to the hospital enough.
"You won't even be able to get out of this room before stopping…" she gets out of bed and goes into her closet.
"You know, I'm glad as hell that you're letting me do this," she comes back out wearing jeans and a t-shirt, "Didn't want to be a mother anyway…" she starts to walk out of the room.
"That's not what you said when you first got pregnant with Dietlinde…" she whips around and glares at me like never before.
"Stop comparing this to Dietlinde!"
"How is it any different? Give me one difference!" I was starting to lose my temper too…
"Because I don't want this! I loved Dietlinde, and I despise this child! I don't want anything to do with this thing!" she… wasn't kidding… this wasn't just anger talking… this was the truth…
"Do you believe in God?" after a few minutes, I speak up.
"What does-?"
"Answer the question!" she crossed her arms.
"Yes, I do. What the hell does that have to do with anything?"
"Why? Why do you believe in a higher being?" she let out a long sigh.
"God, what is this, twenty questions? Because I was raised that way, okay? I guess it's something to look up to when there's nothing left. Now can I go now?" I had to keep her here; I couldn't let her go like this.
"A mother is God in the eyes of a child… you know that to be true… so who will this baby look up to? Who will it fall back onto when it needs help? A father is a side role, but a mother… a mother is irreplaceable. You know this both from your mother and seeing Dietlinde practically worship you… tell me that you'll take that away from a child that has done absolutely nothing to deserve it," she stared at me wide eyed. Did I finally break through?
"I… want to…" I see a tear in her eye, "So badly… but I can't. I don't want this baby, but…" I get up and embrace her in a hug.
"You can't do that because you're no devil. You'd never take the life of a child… let alone your own…" she sobbed into my shirt.
"I was about to do it… I was really going to do it Shinji… what the hell is wrong with me? I was going to kill a child… my child…" does this mean that she's changed her mind?
"Then… are you going to raise this baby?" I feel her nod.
"Yes… I'll raise it… along side you…"
A/N- Ahhh… a nice long chapter always helps me relax! One thing I completely forgot to add in last time Asuka was pregnant was her mood swings. Sure, I did do it near the end, but I didn't do it the whole way through. I will this time though. So, even though the main theme of this chapter was Asuka's birthday, the main point being made was Asuka's accepting (get it?) of the baby. Okay, originally, none of that crying, accepting, loving stuff was supposed to happen. They were GOING to end up having sex, but this was more dramatic. So, what do you think will happen in the next chapter? No… seriously… I know how it's going to end… but I don't know how the next chapter is going to go down… so no advanced title. Sorry.