Chapter 2

Disclaimer: Not mine.

Cagalli grew up unafraid of almost anything - while the girls in her class freaked out during school camping trips when they came across spiders or members of the insect kingdom, Cagalli was the one who came to their rescue.

While everyone else whined and pleaded to be excluded from physically-strenuous activities, Cagalli thrived in them. She had no fear of heights, of insects, or even weaponry.

During the war when their Manor was attacked, she has just celebrated her twelfth birthday. She put up a fight and shot someone for the first time in her life. That's when she found that she was not that fearless after all, when she trembled in fear for hours, fearing that she had killed a man.

That's when Cagalli began to cherish life more fully - her family, her friends, her own life. She swore to her Father that she would protect Orb and its citizens from enemies. Even her enemies were human beings who she knew had no right to take lives or did not deserve to have their lives taken by their fellow human beings.

With that in mind, Cagalli now pondered on the very irony of her being terrified of the life growing inside her. A life, though unexpectedly created and perhaps unwanted, she knew she didn't have the right to take.

She thought of the life she had ahead of her - she was only eighteen. Her life has just begun.

Cagalli had plans of travelling the world. After a few years of going around the world, she wanted to help her Father promote peace and go to far-flung and poverty-stricken places to promote better health and better education. Cagalli wanted to open orphanages, she wanted to make a difference.

Another irony - she loved children and she wanted to create a future for them. But now, why was she having second thoughts about wanting to keep someone that she created, someone she could call hers.

Maybe it was the fear of how she would taint her Father's reputation. She couldn't care less how others thought of her, as long as it did not reflect badly against her Father.

Cagalli knew she could not hide the life growing inside of her for much longer; eventually, everyone would find out and it would be quite a scandal. The thought of the Orb Princess getting impregnated outside of wedlock. She shuddered at the thought.

—

Two days later, Cagalli struggled to leave her bed and made her way down for breakfast.

Her Father, who was reading the morning paper watched her as she slowly made her way down the grand staircase to the dining area. His very presence terrified her, and made her more afraid of the situation she was in.

'Good Morning, Cagalli,' he greeted.

Cagalli put on a smile, and leaned down to kiss him on the cheek. 'Good Morning, Father.'

Cagalli felt exhausted both physically and mentally, and immediately plopped herself down the chair.

'Would you like some coffee, Miss Athha?' the maid asked as she grabbed a pot of coffee.

The whiff of the strong coffee almost made her gag. She waved her hand and looked away, feeling nauseated. 'No, thank you.'

Lord Uzumi cocked an eyebrow.

'Are you feeling unwell, Cagalli? Mana has told me you haven't been leaving your room for the past two days since I left for the PLANTs.'

'I'm fine, Father,' Cagalli offered a weak smile as she sipped on her water.

'You look pale and your eyes look tired. Are you sure everything is alright? Do you need me to call a Doctor?'

'No!' Cagalli yelled unexpectedly.

Lord Uzumi looked taken aback. The maids began to retreat and immediately left the two of them.

There was a pregnant pause, and it was Lord Uzumi who broke it.

'Is there something I should be aware of, Cagalli?'

Cagalli stood up, almost wobbling. She held on to the table. 'I am fine, Father. You don't have to -'

It was at that moment that she didn't know what hit her. All she knew was that she had to go away as far as possible, until darkness came over her.

—-

When Cagalli opened her eyes, her Father sat next to her bedside with a worried yet grave look on his face. It was enough to convince Cagalli that Lord Uzumi knew that the cat was out of the bag.

She forced herself to sit up, but Lord Uzumi reached out to her and pushed her back gently, shaking his head as if telling her to not force herself.

'The doctor said you need rest.'

'Father, I -'

Before she could say anything else, Lord Uzumi lifted the telephone on Cagalli's bedside and pressed a few buttons. 'Cagalli has awakened, Mana. Can you please bring her some food?'

The moment he put down the phone, he looked at her - his eyes looked slightly hurt and perhaps even tired.

'I asked Mana to prepare some healthy food for you. I need you to eat and be healthy….' His eyes shifted to her lower abdomen, which she instinctively covered as she began to tremble. 'You need to be healthy for both of you now.'

Cagalli bit her lip.

'Father, I am sorry…' Cagalli choked.

Lord Uzumi looked at her.

'The child's father… does he know?'

Cagalli was aware of who her Father was referring to. For some reason, her Father has come to know that she and her ex-boyfriend have broken up, and despite his silence and choice to reserve his comments about the entire matter, Cagalli knew that her Father was afraid of the repercussions of her good-for-nothing ex-boyfriend being the father of Cagalli's unborn child.

Cagalli swallowed the lump in her throat, as she finally made a decision to tell him the truth.

'Father, I need to tell you something.' Cagalli said, as she tried to straighten up. She looked at her father's sad eyes, and whispered, 'The father…is Athrun Zala.'

Lord Uzumi looked taken aback and almost speechless as he slowly digested his daughter's words. Cagalli knew that it was the last person he would expect to hear.

Cagalli didn't know what came over her. But the moment she uttered those words, tears began to flow and she found herself weeping. It was as if admitting the truth for the first time drew her back to the reality she has attempted to run from for the past few days.

For the first time in many years, Cagalli admitted to herself that she was afraid - afraid of the repercussions of her unplanned pregnancy.

Her Father stayed there until she had no more energy to cry, and eventually, she fell asleep - her first decent sleep since she found out that she was going to be a Mother.

—

When Cagalli was nursed to full health, she walked over to her Father's study and asked if she could speak to him.

'Father, there is something I would like to request from you…regarding my pregnancy….'

Lord Uzumi sat next to her and urged her to continue.

'Father, I was thinking…if I should tell Athrun…'

Cagalli hugged herself as she trembled at the thought of breaking the news to Athrun. What would he do? What would he say? Cagalli did not want to be held responsible for the future and reputation of someone like Athrun who has always been a role model since he was young. Now a Red Coat and an Elite member of ZAFT, he had a future ahead of him that did not need to involve a child born out of wedlock, especially something from out of a one night stand with the equally well-respected Orb Princess, no less. The truth would also eventually come out, and when it does, the media will have a field day. What would happen to Athrun then?

But her thoughts and worries were interrupted by a reassuring hand lightly squeezing her trembling shoulders.

'He deserves to know, Cagalli. If it were me, I would want to know. And whatever decision he makes from there, even if it is not pleasant, I will be here to ensure that your child will live happily.'

—-

Cagalli flew to the PLANTs five days later. Lord Uzumi has arranged for Kisaka to accompany Cagalli to Aprilius One, where the latter has arranged to meet Athrun Zala.

As Cagalli laid her head against the reclining chair aboard the spacecraft, her conversation with Athrun played in her head like a spoilt CD.

Athrun seemed to have just returned from a short mission, and sounded pleasantly surprised to receive a call from Cagalli.

Cagalli made it as brief as she could, trying to not say too much until she could finally see him in person.

' I will be flying to the PLANTs in a few days with Kisaka to settle some business….I thought that since you will be in Aprilius One, if you are free, would you be able to help us with a few things while we are there?'

Cagalli knew she sounded lame and that she was a bad liar. Even she could tell how nervous she was. She was certain that someone as observant and perceptive as Athrun is can easily tell that she was lying through her teeth.

Despite her initial apprehension, she felt relieved when Athrun agreed. 'I'll be off work for a few days, so if you are coming in over the weekend, that will be the perfect time for me to meet you and Kisaka-san.'

Cagalli's heart felt like it was about to jump from her chest at the time. But now that she was about to meet Athrun in a few hours, she wanted to just curl into a ball and disappear.

As soon as Cagalli arrived in her Hotel room, she saw an envelope placed on top of her pillow. She opened it slowly and read out a small card which said, 'I have taken the liberty of making reservations tonight at The Piazza at 7:00 for the three of us. See you there.'

The moment the idea of meeting Athrun earlier than expected sunk in, Cagalli felt weak and sat down, instinctively touching her lower abdomen, as if seeking strength from the growing life inside of her.

A knock came at the door a few seconds later. It was Kisaka, clutching the invitation in his hands. 'Miss Cagalli, about the invitation…'

—

Cagalli stepped out of the limousine in her midnight blue satin dress that hugged her upper body and flared till her knees. She wore conservative black heels, and walked slowly. She clutched her purse tightly in anxiety and apprehension on what could happen tonight.

She half cursed at the fact that Athrun had to be such a gracious host by arranging dinner at such an expensive place when she was certain that she would probably not be able to finish her food considering the butterflies fluttering in her stomach at the moment.

Cagalli walked up to the smiling Maitre D' who immediately recognised her and led her to the table. Her breath hitched when she saw Athrun sitting by the corner booth, looking out of the window.

Athrun wore a crisp black suit and red tie, and Cagalli couldn't help but admit how attractive he actually was.

When he noticed Cagalli's arrival, the Maitre D' excused herself to get the Menu and allowed the two of them to be alone.

Athrun stood up in greeting 'Welcome to Aprilius One.'

The moment their eyes locked, Cagalli sensed a hint of awkwardness which she knew Athrun was trying hard to conceal with his casual yet polite demeanour towards her.

Cagalli reached out to shake his outstretched arm. 'Thank you for making time for us, despite the short notice…'

When she finally sat down, she added, ' Kisaka would like to extend his apologies for not being here… he had an urgent engagement to attend to.'

Athrun gave her a small smile. 'Tell him I will see him before both of you leave. He needs to be there. My Father wants to thank him for hosting him in Orb last time.'

The waiter arrived and passed the couple their Menu. Cagalli let Athrun order the dishes based on his recommendations.

When the waiter finally left, Athrun asked, 'Are you sure you don't want any wine? The Pinot Noir here is exquisite.'

Cagalli laughed lamely, 'I think I will pass on alcohol for now…'

She could swear that she could hear her heartbeat through her ears. How the heck was she going to tell him the truth.

'So how's it going in ZAFT?'

'Work is work…but I will be deployed next month to a space station near December City. It will be a six-month long mission, but since it's near my hometown I think I can go home more often during my days off.'

Cagalli felt her stomach tighten. How could she bring herself to tell him about this now? But her Father's words echoed in her head.

He deserves to know. He would want to know.

It was now or never.

'Listen, Athrun…I have something to tell you. You…you don't have to say anything. I just thought you had to know.'

Athrun leaned close, surprised. 'Is there something wrong, Cagalli?'

'Well, you know that night when we….you…that happened…' Cagalli wanted to smack herself for being tongue-tied now of all times. 'Athrun…I…'

Cagalli's lips shook.

'Athrun, I am pregnant. The baby is yours.' The words poured out like a dam, and there was no turning back after that,

Within seconds, Athrun's facial expression turned from worried, to confused…and finally, to a look of genuine shock.

Dinner was a quiet affair after those words came out of Cagalli's lips. They barely made it past the appetisers, and decided to skip main course and dessert.

—-

Athrun stopped the car in front of the Hotel where Cagalli was staying. But no one moved. Not even Cagalli.

Cagalli was about to unstrap the seatbelt and walk out, when Athrun gently reached for her.

She looked at him questioningly.

When words seemed to have failed him, she uttered, 'Look, Athrun, you do not have to do anything at all… I am not expecting you to… I just…I just thought you ought to know.' Cagalli heaved a defeated sigh and looked at her lap.

When Athrun did not say anything, she added in a quiet voice, 'I can raise the child myself…'

Athrun suddenly turned to her.

'I…Cagalli…I really don't know what to say…'

It was the first time Cagalli saw Athrun look so uncertain and non-committal. For some reason, she felt a tinge of anger rise in her.

'Athrun, I understand if you are shocked but what happened already happened. And I have made the decision to raise this baby. I just thought that maybe, knowing you…you'd want to know.' Cagalli's voice and body trembled, despite herself.

And at that moment, Athrun's phone, which was lying in the middle of the car seats started to ring. Cagalli did not miss the name flashing on the phone screen - 'Meyrin Hawke'.

Cagalli stopped to glare at Athrun, her gaze enough to pierce through him. Her eyes demanded answers, to which Athrun refused to give.

Finally, Cagalli dropped her gaze and bit her lip. She laughed sardonically. 'So we slept together to try to try to get over our heartbreak, and got ourselves into this… situation.'

Have they actually overestimated Athrun Zala? Did they expect too much - about him wanting to know about this? Would it have been better off if Athrun didn't know?

In a more quiet and defeated voice, she finally said, 'I'm sorry for getting carried away. Goodbye, Athrun.'

Ignoring the remaining logic in her brain, Cagalli immediately unbuckled the seatbelt and stormed out of the car.

Why was she and her Father stupid enough to believe that this man would actually want to know, or much less want to be responsible for the baby? While Cagalli was determined to raise the baby with or without a willing father, she still wanted the child's biological father to know.

But much to Cagalli's disgust and disappointment, it had turned out to be a huge mistake.

There were no signs of Athrun running after her even as she walked into the lobby while trying to fight back tears, and forcefully pushed the buttons of the elevator. When she finally stormed in her room, she locked it and fell against the wooden door. Her hands instinctively slid down her belly, as if to soothe her and her baby's anxiety. She may have to do this alone, after all.

Author's Notes: Dear readers (especially those who left comments) and followers, thank you for keeping this story going. :) Work has been busy off late so I am sorry for the very delayed update.

Also, I am sorry for making this chapter quite angsty. We all need some spice, don't we?

That said, enjoy!