She was watching him sleep. His breathing was soft and steady, expression one of peace, innocence. Smiling, she snuggled closer, resting her head on his shoulder. He had been sleeping much better since that night in the park, the night he'd told her everything he'd done as Neo. He had been so afraid that she would never forgive him, that he had kept everything bottled up deep inside until a chance encounter with a young ZAFT soldier he had apparently met before. The boy's words had brought all that Mwu had kept hidden back to the surface...and he hadn't been able to cope. It had all come back to haunt him, all those he had killed, all that he had done.

But..I forgive him. Whatever he's done. And that...was all he needed. At her words, her husband hadn't been able to say anything..just hug her. And...he had cried. That alone had choked her up, made her cry. Mwu had been shocked at her tears..had apologised for making her cry. "I'm so sorry...It's my fault, I shouldn't have told you.." Murrue had shaken her head, bringing him close until his head was cradled on her shoulder. "No, no, it's not that." she said gently. "I'm glad you did tell me. I'm crying because you are, silly..."

The two of them had sat together on that bench in the park for hours, enjoying the comfort of each other. They hadn't spoken, just sat cuddled together, gazing at the stars, until by some unspoken agreement, they had headed back to the Archangel hand-in-hand.

And then, we just talked. Here, like this, like we are now. About everything, anything. About our pasts...all there was to know about each other that we didn't know before. She had learned of his childhood, how lonely he had been, and how piloting had been all he was good at, all the comfort he had had. Or at least, he had said, until he met her.

"You're everything good in my life," he had told her, bringing her closer until she was cradled in his arms. "Meeting you that day was the best thing that ever happened to me.." She had only been able to blush, but had also smiled, closing her eyes. She had told him of her own past, of her own childhood, even a little about the man she had loved before. "After I lost him...I didn't think I'd ever be able to love anyone again...But I'm glad I met you.." she had murmured. "I have you, and our baby...I don't need anything else.."

Since then, his nightmares had been much less frequent, as if by just talking about his pain, he was able to find some kind of absolution for it. Murrue smiled, reaching up to trace the sleeping man's face. But before her fingertips could make contact, the baby kicked sharply. She sighed, reaching down to rub her stomach soothingly. "Take it easy," she whispered. "Settle down, okay?" As if in reply, there was another kick, softer this time. "You sure are an active little thing," she chided the infant. "Too much of your daddy in you, I'll bet.."

"Is that a compliment, or an insult?" The voice was sleepy, but sounded mildly annoyed. Smiling, she turned to meet her husband's gaze, poking his nose with a finger. "Which would you prefer it to be?" she asked, nuzzling closer. "I'm sure she'll be just like you.." Mwu grinned. "Nah. I think she's going to be like her mom. Beautiful, smart..." Murrue blushed, hiding her face, and he chuckled, wrapping his arms around her and bringing her close for a kiss. She closed her eyes happily. "Mmmmmm..."

"Haven't the ZAFT guys gone back to PLANT for a while?" he asked when they broke, and she nodded. "For a week or so, I think.." Mwu smiled thoughtfully, leaning back in the bed. "Okay then..how about we go out into the city for the day?" She blinked, surprised. "Today? But I have so much to do.."

"It's nothing that can't wait for a while. C'mon, it'll be fun. We haven't been anywhere since the wedding - hell, we never even got a honeymoon. Please?" His tone was wheedling, smile hopeful, and she sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're impossible, Mwu.." The blonde man beamed, leaning down to kiss her neck. "Is that a 'yes'?" Murrue arched an eyebrow. "Do I have a choice?"

"Not really," he replied cheerfully.

Which was how the two of them ended up walking together, the light afternoon breeze blowing over them. Despite everything, Murrue smiled, the sunlight cascading through the window warming her, making her feel more at ease. "So, where do you want to go first?" she asked, squeezing the hand which held hers tightly. The man beside her grinned. "Wherever you want. Today is your day."

"My day?" she asked, and he nodded. "Yep. If you see somewhere you want to go, we'll go there. If you see something you like, you can have it." Murrue flushed, gazing at the floor. "I...I..."

"You're not used to being spoiled, huh? I didn't think so. You always focus on everyone else - never on yourself." Turning around, he wrapped the young woman up in his arms. "Why not let someone treat you for a change?" He closed his eyes, breathing in the scent of her hair. "Why not let me?" His wife didn't say anything for a moment, then pulled away a little, smiling.

"Can we get...some things for her?" she asked softly, cheeks pinking. "We don't have all that long..before she's born, and we don't have anything for her.." Mwu beamed at that, kissing her gently. "Sure thing, sweetheart."

The store was quiet, but bright and airy, decorated in pastel shades. A few couples wandered the aisles, most looking quietly happy and excited. Murrue's expression was one of sheer delight, and Mwu had to wonder whether his own grin looked as goofy as it felt. "This place is great.." he said softly, and she nodded, not saying anything, just squeezing his hand. It's weird. Why am I so happy about being in a store full of baby stuff?

Because..it would be for his own daughter. And for Murrue...

The couple walked through the store, picking out various things they would need. Afterwards, they sat together on a bench in the middle of a crowded plaza, a fountain sending jets of water spraying in an elaborate. Mwu poked through the bags that sat beside him, checking the contents. "Did we get everything?" he asked Murrue, and she nodded. "I think so." There was a little of everything, bottles, blankets, a pair of tiny sleeper suits...it sent an odd feeling through him. He was used to the idea of the baby now...but it hit home at that moment...how tiny and frail she would be when she was born. It made him...nervous.

"It will be okay, won't it?" he asked, and his wife smiled, taking his hand. "It'll be just fine. Part of me does wish that we'd had more time together before all this happened, but it'll be all right." She settled her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes. "Maybe it's nature's way of letting us know we've wasted enough time.." Mwu had to chuckle at that. "Maybe you're right.."

How long the pair sat there, they didn't know. But gradually, the faint strains of music reached their ears. A little way down the street, a lone violinist had begun to play, perhaps busking. The music was soft, lulling, and Murrue opened her amber eyes, smiling at the beauty of the song. "How lovely.." she murmured. Other people had stopped to listen to the violin, some throwing money into the tin by the musician's feet. It was as if the whole world was still and quiet apart from the sweeping song of the instrument. That is, until Mwu stood up, taking the hand of the woman by his side and pulling her to her feet. "Wha-" she began, and he smiled, placing a finger to her lips. Without speaking, he placed his hands on her waist, and started to sway to the rhythm of the music. Murrue's eyes widened, realising what he was doing, but she didn't protest. Although blushing fiercely, she rested her hands on his shoulder, dancing along with him. No-one else moved, no-one spoke, just listened to the song of the violin, and watched the dance of a couple who had almost forgotten what a moment like this felt like...

At the end of the song, the two of them stirred as though waking from a dream, and smiled at each other. Gently, Mwu reached out and brushed aside a lock of his wife's dark hair. "Shall we go?" Silently, she nodded, and the two of them gathered their bags and continued on their walk.

"Something else we didn't get to do at our wedding," he remarked, squeezing her hand. Murrue smiled a little. "True," she replied softly. "Bur then again, we didn't exactly have the most conventional wedding, did we?" Tipping her head back, she sighed as the sunlight warmed her face. "I'm glad it happened, but I still kinda wish we could have had a real wedding..."

"What, with cake, and flowers, and confetti and stuff? The whole works?" he asked teasingly, and she blushed. "W-well..." He grinned at her embarrassment, kissing her cheek. "It would be kinda nice though.." he admitted.

The couple walked slowly through the city, stopping at a cafe for a drink and a bite to eat. Over her soda, Murrue glanced at Mwu. "Is this a date?" He laughed, leaning back in his chair. "Aren't we a bit beyond that?" he asked around a mouthful of sandwich. He waved a hand, gesturing to the rings adorning both their hands, and to the bags that sat by the table. She just shrugged. "I just wondered what it counted as, that's all. It certainly feels like a date.."

The scarred man nodded, draining the last of his soda. "I guess you're right. Okay then, this is a date.."

Their walk back to the ship took them past several stores, some for furnishings, some for clothes. Mwu eyed his wife, looking at the red uniform undershirt and white skirt. "I still wish you'd let me treat you," he mused. "I've never seen you in civilian clothes before.." She just smiled. "Well, I've never seen you in them, either," she pointed out, and he sighed. At the next store, however, he grinned, grabbing her hand and pulling her inside. "Huh? Mwu!"

"Here," he said, spreading his arms wide. "Pick something you like, anything at all, and you can have it.." She glanced around herself, at the glass cabinets, the plush carpet, the decor.."Mwu, this is a jewellery store.."

"Yep," he said proudly. "And I'm not going to let you leave until you let me buy you something." Murrue raised an eyebrow at that, but realised that there was no point arguing. He had already made his mind up, and she knew that he could be every bit as stubborn as he claimed she was. Setting down her bags, she browsed along the shelves and in the cabinets, but saw nothing that caught her eye. "I can't decide," she admitted. "Help me?"

Wandering to her side, he gazed at the shining jewellery. After a while, he smiled. "How about that?" It was a pendant, in the shape of a heart, made with dozens of tiny rubies. "Isn't it pretty?"

It is, but..."It's kind of expensive..." she said, but she couldn't help staring at it. Mwu smiled, leaning down to kiss her cheek. "That doesn't matter," he told her. "Do you like it?" She nodded silently. "Then it's yours."

"I still can't believe you talked me into that," she said later, lifting the chain from around her neck to gaze at the pendant. "It was so expensive.." Her husband just grinned, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Yeah, maybe, but it's still pretty,"

"It is," she murmured, resting her head on his shoulder. "Thank you..."

"Did we get everything?" he asked, looking over her head at the things they had bought that day. They all were placed in one corner of the room...waiting for the one who would need them. They had tried to only buy the basics, but even then...

"Babies sure need a lot of stuff," he observed, and she giggled. "Yep. But I think we remembered everything.." Mwu gazed at the little bassinette they had bought, and smiled.

Only two more months...

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( T T this wasn't as good as I wanted it to be. I hope it's okay!

Please read and review! )