She lay on the small sickbay bed, holding out her arm while the doctor carefully took a blood sample. Smiling, the man withdrew the needle, placing a ball of cotton wool on the spot where it had been. "All right, Captain, hold that there for a while." She nodded, sitting up a little. "Anything else?" Labelling the phial of blood, the doctor gestured to the scales in the corner of the small room. "All that's left is to check your weight," he said. "We can do that while this checks your iron levels, okay?" Sliding off the bed, the young woman stood on the scales, pushing her dark hair back to try and peer at the reading. The doctor checked the result, pushing his spectacles further up on his nose. "Hmmm.." He compared the results to those of her last checkup, and smiled. "You've gained some more weight since last time, which is very good. Everything seems to be okay. Are you remembering to take care of yourself?"

The captain smiled a little, sitting back on the bed. "As much as I can. I get as much sleep as I can get away with, and if I forget to eat, I end up getting frogmarched to the mess hall.." The doctor chuckled. "I'm glad the Colonel is looking after you," he said, taking out a stethoscope. "All right, the last thing I need to to is check the baby's heartbeat." Placing one end of the instrument on the woman's rounded stomach, he listened carefully. Then he smiled, taking the ear pieces out. "Well, it seems like she's going to be a tiny little thing, but she sure is energetic. She's just fine." The captain beamed, cheeks pinking, and rubbed her stomach gently. "Thank you." Getting back off the bed, she slipped her uniform jacket back on, zipping it up with some effort. "When do you want to see me again?" The doctor paused for a moment, thinking, then nodded. "In another three weeks. That'll be your last checkup. The time sure has flown, huh?" She rolled her eyes, but smiled. "Tell me about it.."

A short while later, she was standing at the observation deck of the Archangel, looking down at the twinkling lights of the Copernicus dock. One small hand was placed on the cool glass on the window, the other on her stomach. So much had changed in just a few months...and it was fair to say this hadn't been what she expected. When he had come back to her, she had imagined all kinds of possibilities, things she would never have even considered before. I always wanted a child...in fact, I always dreamed of having a daughter. But in the last two years, those dreams were put aside... She smiled to herself, realising how much of her heart he had held, even then. Because I did want a child...but I wanted the child to be his. While we were together, I let myself imagine a little. I imagined a future where he and I could live in peace, and perhaps have a family one day. And now, despite everything, my dreams have come true. She glanced down at her left hand, the third finger encircled by two golden rings. We've been married for three and a half months now, but it feels like longer. And I'm happy. I am happy, even though my wedding wasn't how I dreamed of it being when I was younger. And in a month and a half or so...The thin hand tightened on her swollen stomach. In a month and a half, her other dream would come true...she would be a mother.

And he's going to be a father. When he first found out...I was scared. I thought...he was going to leave me. There's no way I could ever have considered giving up my baby...but how could I have ever given up him?

"Murrue-san?" The young woman turned in surprise at the sound of the soft voice, then smiled, tucking a lock of auburn hair behind one ear. "Oh, Lacus-san! How are you?" Since the peace talks had resumed a few weeks earlier, Lacus and Cagalli had been staying on the PLANT colonies. Murrue herself had been due to go, but her husband had practically locked her in their room until she agreed to stay on Archangel. But it wasn't that much of a strain. I wanted...to stay with him..

"Not bad," sighed the pink-haired girl, stretching her arms out above her head. "It went better than any of us thought it would. At this rate it might only be a few weeks before things are finally settled. And how are you?" She gestured to the bump visible underneath the outline of Murrue's jacket. "You only have a few weeks left, don't you? Are you nervous?"

The older woman rolled her eyes, leaning against the window. "Six. And yes, I am. Very nervous.." Lacus giggled. "But I bet you're excited as well. And you'll make a wonderful mother. I could always tell that when you were taking care of the orphans back home. You and Fllaga-san will be just fine.." Murrue pinked, rubbing her stomach. "I hope so.." The young girl sidled closer to her friend, suddenly looking shy. "M-may I...I mean..." The captain blinked, bewildered. "What?"

"Your...I mean...I..." Lacus was bright red, and suddenly Murrue understood. "Of course..." she replied with a gentle smile. Nervously, the girl edged forward, cautiously placing a hand on her friend's rounded stomach. After a moment, her pale face lit up into a delighted smile as the tiny baby girl kicked softly. Murrue giggled at the awed expression. "It's nothing that special. Try living with it 24/7. It's as if she never sleeps.." Lacus laughed, but still looked wistful. "I'd love to. More than anything.."

The captain watched her friend, amber eyes soft and gentle. She knew how much Lacus loved Kira, and also knew that her feelings were reciprocated by Kira - but he was too shy to say anything to the beautiful girl. "One day you will. Trust me. Look at Mwu and I..it took us two and a half years for any of this to happen.." Lacus nodded, but didn't look convinced. "Even if we do..it's not easy for Coordinators to have children. I'd love more than anything for it to happen, but..." Murrue hugged her friend gently. "It'll be fine..."

Lacus nodded, then brightened suddenly. "Oh..have you thought of a name for her yet?" The girl's blue eyes shone with mischief at her friend's blush. "It's only a little while before she'll be born, after all.." The older woman's blush didn't fade, and she gazed down at the deck. "We've thought of a few ideas...but none that really stick."

"What does Fllaga-san think?" Lacus asked, and Murrue sighed, her expression one of slight exasperation. "He's thought of a few, but he says that his favourite name in the world...is mine." Her cheeks were bright red, and Lacus giggled. "How romantic!"

"It is kind of sweet," Murrue admitted. "But he can be so embarrassing sometimes - the idiot.."

"He might be an idiot," said her friend with a soft smile. "But he's your idiot.."

It's true, Murrue thought later, letting the hot water stream through her auburn hair as she stood in the shower. He is an idiot sometimes..but he's also my idiot. Despite everything, I love him with all my heart, and I always will...Wrapping a towel around herself, she stepped out of the bathroom, rubbing her hair dry with another towel. Checking the small digital clock on the bedside table, she smiled, stretching out. Mwu was still on shift, and would be for at least another two hours. Drying off her hair, she donned her pyjamas, the pale blue fabric soft against her skin. This little lady's kept me awake the last two nights. I need to catch up on some sleep..

Flicking off the light, she climbed into bed, smiling as she curled up under the covers. She felt comfortable, warm and drowsy, and soon was almost asleep. But just before she nodded off, the door to the room opened, and her husband returned. Slipping off his jacket and trousers, Mwu climbed into the bed beside her without a word, sliding a warm arm around her waist. Murrue smiled sleepily. "How come you're done so early?" she murmured, and he chuckled softly, pressing a warm kiss to the back of her neck. "Maintenance was all done. Lucky me..." His hand moved to caress her stomach. "How are you and the princess? Didn't you have a checkup today?"

"I did," she replied, stifling a yawn. "And we're both fine.." Mwu kissed her again, and settled down, resting his head against hers. Murrue sighed happily at the warmth, the happy noise almost a purr. Right now, at this moment, there was nothing else she wanted in the whole world. Herself, her husband, and their baby...although she still didn't have a name. What shall we call her? The soft breathing from behind her told her that Mwu was already asleep, so she couldn't ask him. We can't go on like this, just calling the baby 'her'. She needs a name...

Then it hit her. A bolt from the blue, the idea coming from nowhere.

Rin...Her name..is Rin...

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( Lol. And yes, I did ask Sky for permission first. I thought it would be cute.

Please read and review! )