"Isn't it beautiful?"
She smiled happily at her tranquil surroundings, spreading thin arms wide as if trying to encompass the entire city in her embrace. Her pale cheeks were flushed slightly pink from the effects of the light breeze and her walk. Although she still held onto the arm of the one beside her for support, her strength had all but returned after almost a month's rest. The enforced inactivity had practically driven her crazy, but she wasn't able to deny how tired she had been...and besides, she had been promised this - that once she had recovered from her fall, she and her loved one could go out..on the first real date they had ever had. So it had been worth it.

"It's kind of strange," she mused softly, amber eyes fixed on the horizon. "After all we've been through, the war - both wars, and now this...we've never even dated before.." Mwu chuckled, leaning over to kiss her cheek gently. "Not that strange," he reminded her. "Before, it wasn't like we could go anywhere to date. Plus, in the middle of war, it would have felt kinda..selfish, really." Murrue nodded thoughtfully, brushing a stray lock of wind-blown hair behind her ear. "I guess that we were selfish. But I'm glad that we were..."

"Me too," he replied cheerfully. The two of them walked together for a while hand-in-hand through the city of Copernicus, chatting softly, completely happy in each other's company. Murrue glanced up at her lover, flushing a little as the breeze fluttered through his dirty-blonde hair. As if he could tell she was watching him, he in turn glanced at her - and winked playfully, causing her blush to deepen. How come he still makes me blush? she thought furiously, looking away. Even after all they had been through together, a simple glance from him could still fluster her?

"You want a drink?" he asked, pointing to a nearby cafe. The outside tables were shaded by colourful parasols, some occupied already by other couples. She smiled, letting him lead her to one of the tables, he pulling out a chair for her to sit down. "Thank you.." she murmured shyly, cheeks pinking again at the unexpected attention. He's being such a gentleman...
After the two of them had ordered their drinks, Mwu leaned forward across the small wrought-iron table, taking her hand in his. "How are you feeling today? Everything okay?" She nodded, glancing down at her lap. There was still nothing to see, of course, even though she was almost three months pregnant now. She had been for a check-up earlier today, and the doctor had said that everything was fine, that things were progressing normally. And he had also told her something else..that had filled her with a rush of excitement.

"What is it?" he asked, blue eyes full of confusion. "What are you smiling about?"
"It's nothing," she said softly, although she was still smiling. "I'll tell you later.." Mwu didn't look convinced, but nodded, leaning back in his chair. "As long as you're okay..and that you do tell me later..."
Murrue giggled at his impatience, thanking the waitress who brought them their cool drinks. "I am okay. And I will tell you - when we're alone"
"Hm." was all he said, taking a sip of his soda. His eyes were focused on the brightly-coloured parasol above them, face pensive. The young woman opposite him frowned a little. "What's wrong?" She glanced downwards again, focusing her gaze into the smooth sruface of her iced tea. "You're still...not sure, are you? About all this..." She had thought that Mwu had accepted it - that he was happy about being a father now...but maybe she had been wrong. Of course, she would be lying if she said that she had no doubts about it..."It scares me too.." she admitted softly. "It all happened so quickly...and I have no idea whether I'll be any good as a mother...I"
"You will be."

She looked up in surprise to see him smiling. "Huh?" Mwu reached forward to take her hand again. "You'll be a great mother," he reassured her, chuckling as she flushed poppy red. Draining the last of his soda, he helped her to her feet. "Shall we go? The date's not over yet, you know. The kid told me all about this place..a mall, I think. How about we go there?"
The mall was bright and airy, light streaming in through the large windows. Shops of all kinds were grouped around a central atrium, which had an elaborate sculpture rising from the middle, streams of water playing in all directions. The couple stood there for a little while, gazing at the beauty. Mwu smiled softly. "It's been so long since I've been anywhere like this," he said almost to himself. I can't even remember when it was..the last time I was in a place like this...A gentle hand on his arm roused him from his introspection, and he glanced down to see Murrue there, a warm smile on her face. "You all right?"

He nodded, taking her arm again. "C'mon"
The two of them walked around the spacious building for a while, eventually stopping at a small cafe overlooking the water sculpture. Murrue sighed gratefully, leaning back in the chair. She looked happy, but tired, face pale. Mwu wrapped an arm around her. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. You're still not well yet, huh?" She shook her head. "It's not that," she insisted. "The doctor said that I was fine now. But he also said that it was natural for me to be more tired. Don't worry." The blonde man frowned a little, but sighed. "As long as you're really okay," he told her. "You want something to eat?" Murrue smiled. "No, it's all right. Can we just stay here a little while?"

The couple sat there for what felt like hours, her head resting comfortably on his shoulder, his arm still wrapped around her waist. All around them, people went about their lives, bustling to and fro, chatting happily, but Mwu and Murrue never noticed. They were quiet, peaceful, until she spoke up softly. "Before, back at that cafe..what were you thinking about?" He blinked, trying to remember. "Oh, that? Nothing, really. I was just wondering what happened now - I mean, when are we planning on telling everyone? We can't keep this hidden forever..." Murrue nodded, closing her eyes as he stroked her dark hair. "Not yet." she replied. "But we will." She rubbed her stomach absently. "It'll start to show soon...and even if we didn't tell them, people would be able to guess." She laughed a little. "And then everyone would be mad that we didn't tell them sooner"

"True," Mwu said. Kissing her cheek, he unwound his arm from her waist, causing her to pout. "I have something to do," he told her. "Stay here, I'll be back soon.." With that, he ran off into the crowd, leaving her alone. She sighed, resting her chin on her hands...but smiled. Today..had been so much fun. Even though she and Mwu hadn't done much on this date, just the fact that they were able to have this date at all made her happy. All of this is more than I ever dreamed possible. He came back to me..and now I have all this. The chance at a life with him...at happiness. True, things have happened that we couldn't have predicted, but we were able to deal with it, and we're still together - and hopefully always will be.


"Hey there, dreamer..." The familiar voice caused her to smile, as did the soft kiss pressed to the top of her head. "All done now. Shall we go home?"

Home. Three months before, home to him was...where? Orb, he supposed. After all, it was her home. But he'd never really had a home before. Home was where you belonged, where the person you loved was waiting. He'd never had anything like that. Or have I? As the days had passed, he had realised the truth. Home is..wherever she is. Archangel is where she is...so that's where I belong.
He smiled down at her, the drowsy woman resting in his arms, a peaceful expression on her beautiful face. Today had been great, and although it had tired her out, Murrue had been happy - and that was all that mattered.

"You asleep yet?" he asked softly, and she murmured a negative. Mwu grinned, stroking her bare arms gently. "So, are you going to tell me now? What you wouldn't this afternoon?"
She smiled, and opened her eyes a fraction. "I told you that I had a check-up in sickbay, didn't I? Well, they checked the baby too.." Mwu nodded. "And?" She snuggled close happily. "She's...a girl. We're going to have a daughter.." Her amber eyes were bright with happiness and tears. The blonde man grinned again, unable to help himself. A daughter... "That's great!" He hugged her tightly, making her giggle.
"Things are...going to be okay now, aren't they?" she asked, and he nodded. "You don't have to worry about that anymore, I told you"
"And we can always be like this?" was her soft question, and Mwu had to chuckle. "Of course. Forever, if that's what you want"
"Forever...that sounds nice...I'd like that. We could have that"
Taking a deep breath, he reached to the bedside table, to pick up the object he had bought that afternoon.
"You could marry me," he suggested, "and find out"

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( :grins: No comment. But I always thought they'd have a daughter first XD Please read and review! )