Morgenroete
August 21st
Murrue opened her locker idly, pausing to glimpse at the two pictures that hung inside of the door. She smiled gently, reaching out to trace the outline of her child on the scan with her fingertips. It had only been a few days since she had gotten the scan, and it still seemed like the reality was just sinking in.
"You should really see yourself, you're walking on air." Erica's voice laughed from behind her, causing the brunette to spin around in surprise. Erica smiled warmly and nodded towards the way Murrue's hands almost instinctively flew up to the bump on her stomach. "It's quite amusing."
"I'm happy, is that a crime?" Murrue stuck out her tongue and turned back to her locker, pulling out her jacket and putting it on. She wasn't surprised that it was an effort to do up, she had sensed this would be the case since she was growing bigger with every passing week. "Geez..."
"Soon I'm going to have to ship you off to stay at home." Erica commented with a little smile, watching Murrue scowl at her locker before closing it with more force than necessary. Snickering as she followed the annoyed woman, she called after her, "You know that I'm only allowed to keep you for five months before you get your maternity leave. You're pushing the limit."
Murrue huffed under her breath but kept walking, growling incoherent curses with every step. As happy as she was with her baby, she knew what would be waiting for her during the last four remaining months before the birth. She wasn't built for staying at home and doing nothing, she was sure she would go mad.
"I'd let you do the paperwork but since we hired Nat, I haven't been having trouble with losing the sheets." Erica snickered again, easily keeping pace with the young woman. She told the truth though, she had little trouble with anything since she had hired the two couples, they were good for business and company. It had ended up being quite a blessing. "C'mon girl, you're the one who was so happy with this!"
"Yeah, until I realized this little monster would make me go mad with boredom." Murrue growled back, knowing she had no chance of outrunning her boss. She still kept on walking though, feeling the annoyance but it was still overshadowed with the new maternal urge that pretty much drowned out every other feeling. She couldn't really make herself think any ill thoughts towards her unborn daughter, it was too hard. "Gah."
Erica was laughing all the way back to her office, giving up her chase of her friend, knowing it wouldn't end out well. Murrue went over to her station anyway, completing the simple work she had on the newest ship Erica had ordered for upgrades. She pat the white hull of the large creation, feeling a hint of nostalgia for her own ship. She smiled a little at the thought and then pat her stomach fondly.
'You're doing this to me, aren't you, you little horror?' Murrue directed her thoughts towards her daughter, smiling a little to herself as she did it. She had began doing it since the day of the ultrasound, and though she wouldn't admit it aloud, she was pretty sure the little one heard her.
Almost as if in answer, she felt the familiar little nudge of her baby's kick, and smiled warmly. 'Yeah... I thought so...' She glanced up at the clock and sighed happily when the whistle rang a moment later. She went to her normal spot, right at the edge of her husband's hanger, waiting patiently for her friends to get there.
As usual, Natarle was first to greet her, jumping the last few steps and wearing one of the brightest smiles Murrue had ever seen on her. She sat down directly beside the brunette, almost immediately striking up a casual conversation with her. "How's the little girl been today? Restless?"
"No actually, she's getting pretty powerful though." Murrue laughed back, taking her friend's left hand and setting it on her stomach, waiting patiently for the little girl to kick. Almost as if on cue, she felt the kick right where Natarle's hand was placed, and the violet-eyed woman gasped sharply in return. "Feel that?"
"Of course." Natarle breathed, looking entirely shocked at what she had just felt through her friend's shirt. She smiled at her friend's entirely pleased expression, ruffling her hair tenderly. "That was pretty amazing... I've never felt anything like that before... Is it stronger for you?"
"Well yeah, it doesn't hurt or anything but it's kinda funny to feel something moving inside of you... but somehow, it's a real wonderful feeling." Murrue replied with a sort of warm tone, directing her gaze back to the growing bulge that was her stomach. She placed both hands on the bump, smiling to herself as she felt another gentle nudge from inside of her. She glanced at her friend, seeing the familiar pleased smile that she had been wearing for awhile. "You look happy."
"I am happy." Natarle answered pleasantly, feeling quite content to know that she was being honest. The feelings of envy still stirred occasionally inside of her, but she no longer felt the guilt or pain that accompanied that stir. She'd accepted her emotions finally, and could live happily with them.
"Is it because of that ring or are you just happy in general?" Murrue teased, tweaking her friend's ring gently, ducking to avoid Natarle's playful swat. She couldn't help it, she had been teasing the woman ever since she had shown up to work with the ring on her hand. She knew that Justin had let her decide what it was, and even if Natarle wasn't sure still, Murrue knew the importance of that one piece of jewellery. "I'm kidding."
"I know." Natarle answered with a laugh, gently stroking the silver ring absently. Though she was still getting used to having it on her hand, she was loathe to take it off. She felt whole with it on, the same as she felt whenever she was around her lover, finally complete. "Still... It has made me happy... He's made me happy."
Murrue smiled warmly, feeling that familiar surge of maternal affection for her friend. It had been coming more often lately, and she knew her little unborn infant was to blame for the mood swings. She knew her friend was truly happy now, with almost everything she had ever wanted though denied herself of. 'It's good that she moved here...' She frowned at the still bitter thought of when they had been enemies, but she had put it behind her. That was long ago now, they were friends, as close as sisters now. Nothing would change that. With that thought deep in her mind, she finally plucked up the courage to do what she had been wanting to for quite some time. "Hey, Natarle..."
"Mm?"
"I wanted to ask... Well, Mu and I have wanted to ask..." Murrue blushed awkwardly, wondering why it was so hard to ask Natarle when she had already asked the question to Erica a few nights before. Though she trusted Erica with her life, it was the exact same for Natarle now, which made her curious to why she felt so anxious now that she wanted to ask the question. "Well, uh... We were wondering if you and Justin would mind being godparents."
"Oh." Natarle's mouth fell open with a soft popping sound, and for a moment her mind went blank with surprise. She immediately felt lost, but struggled to break her way through that bubble, thinking hurriedly. "Oh..." She tried to organize her shocked thoughts, and finally mumbled lamely, "I-I'll need to ask Justin first... I mean, it can't just be my decision, r-right?"
"Well Mu said he'd ask Justin so then I could ask you..." Murrue replied sheepishly, fumbling with her hands in an effort to avoid her being so embarrassed. She had no idea why she felt so awkward breaching the subject, it had been easy enough with Erica. She directly an annoyed thought to her child, 'Stop messing with my hormones.' In reply, almost immediately, there was a gentle nudge from inside her womb, as though she was laughing at her. She felt anxious and began to speak hastily, "I mean, if you don't want to do it, you don't have to, it's not like I'm trying to make you feel anxious or anything. I just wanted to ask and all, really it's–"
"Murrue, be quiet." Natarle interrupted her gently, feeling a few tears burn in the corners of her eyes as she hugged her friend tightly, trying her best not to cry. Voice tight and trembling, she murmured, "I'd be honoured."
"Thanks for shutting me up." Murrue laughed weakly, hugging her friend back gratefully. Her nerves slowly settled after Natarle drew away with a weak smile on her face, and the two women laughed quietly over their emotional outbursts. Her little one seemed excited with the idea of another aunt to add to the list, and began nudging up a storm. Laughing again, she let Natarle experience the little movements too, and soon both women were teasing and joking all over again.
"You doing anything tonight?" Natarle asked casually after they had settled down again, glancing at her friend was seemed lost in her own little world again. It had been happening quite often nowadays, she was used to seeing Murrue staring out listlessly into the distance, a dreamy look on her face. "Or are you staying in?"
"Nah, Mu and I decided we might go looking for some baby stuff..." Murrue smiled a little when she answered, hands drifting down to her stomach for the thirtieth time that day. She'd found herself being increasingly attracted to the little items, and it was pretty normal nowadays to be overcome with tears that appeared out of nowhere. "We'll need some clothes and things..."
"You're starting early." Natarle observed with a barely hidden smile, knowing exactly who would have prompted the brunette into preparing if she hadn't thought of it herself. "Have you done any work for a nursery?"
"Mu's keeping it all a secret from me." Murrue pouted, shoulders slumping and crossing her arms over her chest with an unhappy grunt. She didn't like the thought of Mu doing anything she didn't know about, regardless if it was in her own home, but he had insisted... "He won't let me see what he's doing, and he refuses to tell me what he's got planned. I'd sneak in but he's already faster than me... The cheat."
"Well, you are carrying another person in your stomach, you can't expect that not to throw off your speed." Natarle teased, ruffling her hair affectionately. The older woman looked so much like a child, upper lip thrust out and marigold eyes sad, she couldn't help it. She smiled mischievously, not having the heart to admit what part she had in her friend's husband's schemes. 'She'd kill me if she knew.' "I'm sure he just wants to surprise you."
"Yeah, that's alright for him, he's not the one who has to wait another five months to be let in on the secret!" Murrue grumbled unhappily, not noticing the way Natarle smiled a little at her comment. She knew she was being childish, but she couldn't help it. The scheme was going on under her own roof, she had a right to be a little annoyed that she didn't get any hints on what was happening. "This is so not fair."
Natarle knew better than to argue on Mu's behalf, it would never go over well and she didn't want to give away that she was in on the project either. The last thing Murrue needed was to know that more than just her husband were 'plotting against her', to coin a phrase. "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"Thank you." Murrue grumbled, crossing her arms again. The whistle rang suddenly, jerking her out of her pout, and she grumbled softly as she got to her feet. She nodded to her friend and sighed, "I'll see you later." She took off towards her post, mulling over her thoughts as she left.
Natarle didn't get up, smiling a bit to herself. She had already finished her own work, she was waiting for one of her 'partners in crime' so she could tell him what was happening. She laughed a bit into her hand, looking over to see Mu peeking around the corner with worried eyes. Waving him over, she could barely manage to contain herself, he really was taking this pretty seriously. "She's gone to her station Mu, stop acting like this makes you 007."
Mu stuck out his tongue, but sat down beside her anyway, ruffling her hair as he did so. "Thanks." Hands entwined behind his head, he leaned back with a loud sigh. "Yeesh, this whole sneaking around business is harder than it looks."
"You've got half of the family involved Mu, did you think it was going to be easy?" Natarle chided gently, trying not to smile so she would give away her good humour. It was true though., everyone from her to the kids were all involved in designing the baby's room, and it wasn't easy to keep it all hidden from their former captain. Kira had recently started talking about getting the orphans involved too, it was a huge production. "She's a smart cookie."
"Yeah, she is. Stubborn too." Mu added with a gentle laugh, remembering the fuss she had kicked up the moment he'd informed her about his plans. Of course she had been annoyed, he was hoping that soon she'd just let him do what he wanted without complaint. He knew how to make her happy, and fairly certain he could make her forget about this in time.
"Well you have to admit, it's all going on under her own roof. I'd be pissed off too if I found out that something was going on and I didn't get to know about it." Natarle couldn't help but side with her friend after all of this, Murrue had done so much for her, it felt like the favour was still owed after all of that time. She had her own part to play in the construction of the baby's room, but her loyalty was to Murrue always. "She'll love it, I'm sure. After all, it was all your idea."
Mu smiled a little, and nodded. He accepted the work and the guilt all without any argument, because he was sure Murrue would only kill him if the project was unveiled before it was supposed to be. He wanted to keep what the room would look like a secret just to surprise her, and besides... It was kinda fun to annoy her, she always looked cute when she pouted. "We still don't have a name for the little monster..."
"You'll find one, you still have awhile before she actually makes an appearance." Natarle told him with a smile, giving him a tender punch to the shoulder. She was really getting used to that expression on his face, the dream-like contentment that would enter his eyes the moment he started thinking about his family. "And can I mention that you're not the first one to call your unborn daughter a 'little monster'?"
"Oh I know that." Mu was laughing when he answered, his mind immediately flashing back to the moment in the kitchen that had coined his unborn child's nickname. Knowing that his friend was confused by his amusement, he explained through chuckles, "When she first kicked, Murrue was so surprised that she ended up dropping her coffee mug. Her favourite one I might add. Needless to say, it crashed and broke apart and she started calling our little girl a 'monster' ever since."
"Aw." Natarle tried to make herself sound sympathetic, but it didn't work out so well and she had started giggling too. "Nice job. She's already causing havoc for you two."
"I have a feeling she'll be the perfect little girl, regardless of how much she acts like me, or her mom." Mu told Natarle proudly, azure eyes shining with paternal joy. He couldn't help it, every single time he began to think of her, he'd start smiling. He knew his friends must have been getting annoyed with his behaviour, but he didn't mind it. Getting back on track with his latest idea, he turned to the woman and asked casually, "Any plans for you and Justin anytime soon?"
"You saw the ring a few days ago, is there any reason why that isn't enough for you?" Natarle answered him without missing a beat, smiling a little to herself at the way his face fell as though he'd been denied a treat. She had been getting a better control of the shots of embarrassment she would feel when anyone mentioned her relationship with the pilot. Regardless of how 'public' they were together, she still got awkward at how casually everyone else took it. She felt blessed that Justin accepted her faults so easily. 'Thank god he's so understanding...'
"I meant kids." Mu teased, knowing fully well that she had known exactly what he meant. He reached out to ruffle her hair in an affectionate gesture, dropping the subject when a hint of rouge coloured her cheeks. He wouldn't push the subject too far, he'd seen how she reacted sometimes and didn't want to see that again. "Did Murrue ask you yet?"
"Yes, she just did. And I said yes." Natarle answered him with a little smile now, the blush growing darker as she spoke. She was still a bit surprised that her friend had asked her, but she wasn't about to just turn her down on something so important.
"Good, Justin agreed too, after a good bit of muttering and blushing. I think he was just as embarrassed as you were." Mu informed her cheekily, earning an elbow to the ribs and swift poke in the nose for his trouble. Still laughing, he leaned back against the wall and looked out at the work before him that he was supposed to be returning to.
It was a new start to his life, a new light to banish the rest of the darkness in him that Murrue had already weakened for him. He still couldn't fully digest the fact that he was going to be a father, but he was sure that once he held his little girl in his arms it would finally hit him.
He couldn't guarantee anyone that he wouldn't cry.
Didn't mean he wouldn't try though.
AN
XD I so royally kfced up the ending but I wanted to end the damn chapter so I could get a move on. I'm an impatient little child. Yay for pregnancy fluff mixed with secrets and friendly plotting! (Evie: God you need a hobby) Lol, she's right. Anywhosit, finished most of this in the morning and tweaked it earlier, so let's hope it goes well from here. Yeah, I think I'll carry this out till about chapter 35, that seems like a good number to stop at. Review please!
Sky