Dearka & Miriallia
Book II
Disclaimer: It is obvious by now if I'm here that I do not own Gundam SEED, Gundam SEED Destiny or any other Gundam Series. But any characters I create to place in this world are mine (But I don't mind if you guys want to use them too. I have no problem with that. You don't even need to ask me. I enjoy sharing to make other stories the best they can be.)
Chapter 23
Fascination
Dearka sat tapping his pen on the desk nervously waiting for a call. He hadn't heard anything from Miriallia in what had seemed like forever.
"Give it a rest, would you? She's probably still really busy right now. Didn't Kelley tell you something along those lines a couple of days ago?" Yzak asked annoyed at his friends' new habit.
Dearka twisted in his seat to face Yzak before speaking. "It's just strange. She hasn't gone more than three days max for the past two months and now I haven't heard from her in more than double that stretch," Dearka stated.
He knew there was nothing he could do about it. They both had to go through Kelley in order to contact one another, but even she wasn't picking up her phone lately.
"I just wish I knew what was going on or how Belle and Nora are doing," he answered nervously.
Yzak sighed softly to himself and closed his eyes. As he reopened them, he looked fondly at his friend. "If there was anything serious taking place, she would have moved heaven and earth to contact you," he rationalized.
Dearka's eyes wandered to the left before he pushed his foot off the floor in order to spin his chair back around. His face having a slight pout gave his response before the words were even formed. "I know you're right, but I just miss them so much and it gets so frustrating to have to play by my father's rules."
"You know, it's not like you had an easy out even if you weren't following his rules. You're still a soldier of ZAFT and it's something you chose to do. I couldn't keep letting you go free even if your father had no say in this situation. You've really been putting me in some tight spots lately too," Yzak scolded.
He had wanted to say that to him for months now, but never felt it was the right time with the state of mind Dearka had been in. Now, more than ever, he seemed much more stable and confident like the Dearka he had known before the first war had ever begun.
There was no doubt Dearka wasn't completely the man he used to be, but the changes had been for the better in Yzak's humble opinion. "You seem to have figured out this family thing really well and I know you once had a grasp on the responsibilities of being a soldier; now if you could only do one without sacrificing the other, you would be a force to be reckoned with against your father," Yzak stated knowingly.
"Now it sounds like you think I've been neglecting my duties on the ship and we both know that's not the case," Dearka snipped. He knew Yzak was just trying to compliment him, but it became more backhanded than it was intended.
"It's not that you've been neglecting them, it's just that this ship needs one-hundred percent of your attention. As worried about the girls as you are, you need to stay focused. Everyone here is depending on you, as well as myself, the same way you depend on all of us. I'm not saying to pretend your new life with them doesn't exist, but you need to compartmentalize it a bit better. The sulking is really getting out of hand lately and it's been bad since I sent you on that mission almost a year ago now," Yzak said trying to have a heart-to-heart with his pal.
"And now you make it seem like I'm some sniveling sap," Dearka said twisting back to meet his friends gaze.
The smirk on his face indicating to Yzak that he was okay with the reprimand and that he probably even agreed with him somewhat. The only problem was he didn't seem to know how to shake the depression that was overtaking him.
"If you want out, just say the word and I'll do whatever I can to pull the strings to make it happen; but if you really want to stay in the military we need to figure out a way to keep your head in the game every moment you are on this ship, the way it used to be," Yzak said knowingly.
"And how am I supposed to do that?" Dearka asked inquisitively.
"Unfortunately, I'm not really the one to ask in this case. But, why don't you talk to some of the older guys aboard the ship that have families. Ask them how they do it. I'm sure they have the similar concerns for their wives and children as you're having. I mean, maybe it's not exactly what you're going through, but they'll probably have some ideas that will help you cope better between her calls to you. After all, most of these soldiers talk to their families a significant amount less than you have talked to Miriallia," Yzak suggested.
"I guess you're right, but it just seems weird to talk to some of them about that since I'm so much younger than they are," he answered feeling the embarrassment Miriallia had mentioned feeling from being a young parent.
"I think most of them would be more than happy to share tricks of the trade with you. It's probably how they all learned it too if you think about it. It's not like every father that's aboard this ship instinctively knew how to put his worries of home out of his head for the good of the crew. Ninety-nine percent of them had to have learned it somehow," Yzak continued with his reason.
"So what's going to happen if she actually does call me to come back? Are you really going to be able to swing it again?" Dearka asked changing the subject slightly.
"Should I take that as you have no intention of leaving the military then?" Yzak asked moving it back to the subject at hand as quickly as it had been changed.
"Come on Yzak, you know me better than that. When have I ever quit anything I'm good at?" Dearka joked.
The young men shared a much-needed laugh before the buzzer on Dearka's system went off. Both their faces turned serious as they looked at each other and Yzak nodded for Dearka to answer it. He hesitantly pressed the button on the monitor and answered. "Lieutenant Elsman."
"Sir, your wife is on the line, shall I patch her through?" the soft voice asked.
"Yes Marie, thank you," he responded politely.
Dearka quickly looked back at Yzak and watched him raise his eyebrows with curiosity. He returned the look with his own smirk before wiping it off his face and turning back to the screen.
There she was, the woman he had been longing to see for almost a week now. She was the most beautiful person he had ever met when realization hit him. "Miriallia, is that Nora with you?" he asked in surprise almost leaping out of his seat.
He wished he could jump through the monitor to get to them. He couldn't believe his eyes. There she was after two long months being held in Miriallia's arms. She was so tiny and precious still. She hadn't even grown much in all that time, but that didn't matter to him.
There were no more machines attached to her little body, he could hear her soft serene breathing as she lay there asleep in his wife's arms. She was perfect. It was almost as if she had never had any complications at all.
"Say hi daddy," Miriallia whispered as she lifted her little hand to wave at him. The smile on his face grew larger and his heart melted at the sight of his little baby girl.
"Is she…" he started.
"She's fine Dearka, she's made a complete recovery. Although, I'll still be watching her closely and my mother and I decided we'd take turns throughout the night until I feel confident that she really is as healthy as they say," Miriallia stated.
Dearka's eyes fell and became serious before looking directly at her. "And you? How are you feeling?" he asked concerned with her own progress.
"Better now that I have her here with me. Oh and Annabella wanted to say hi to you also, but she fell asleep with my dad on the couch downstairs while my mother and I picked up Nora from the hospital tonight," Miriallia told him sweetly.
Dearka let out a satisfied sigh before speaking, "I miss all of you more than you know."
"We miss you too and I'm sorry for not calling this week. It was all such a whirlwind and I really wanted to surprise you with this when I heard I would be able to bring her home that I made sure Kelley didn't answer your calls. I hope I didn't worry you too much," she said apologetically.
"Well, as a matter of fact, he was just moping around about just that," Yzak spoke up with a grin on his face.
Miriallia smiled as she watched Yzak appear on the screen next to Dearka. "Ah, and what are the dastardly duo doing now?" she teased.
"The same thing we do every night. Trying to take over the world?" Yzak joked using part of a catch phrase he had always found amusing.
"Well then I should be careful, I wouldn't want to be in the vicinity when your plans backfire," she joked cradling Nora and rocking her gently in her arms.
"So do you need him back?" Yzak asked becoming a little more serious, although not allowing the gentle sound to leave his voice.
"I wouldn't mind having him back, but if it's an inconvenience right now, I'll be fine on my own for a while. I do have my parents still helping me after all," she replied respectfully.
Dearka had an eager look on his face. All he wanted to do was get back to her and their baby girl, but he knew it was Yzak's call now that Miriallia didn't demand him by her side the way she had originally warned him about. By backing down she had probably sealed his fate on the Voltaire for longer than he would like.
"I'll see what I can do about getting him there for a visit. If you really are doing all right without him, I'd rather not send one of my best pilots away until I have a change in my orders from headquarters," Yzak replied.
His face fell in devastation. "Come on Yzak, just let me go for a little while. Please, change your mind," Dearka thought not daring to say it out loud to his commanding officer.
"That's fine. I'll be okay for now. I know things are crazy from what I've heard. Any news on the Archangel?" she asked curiously.
"I don't think they're going to bother contacting us Mir. We are ZAFT soldiers after all. It's not like it's an easy task to undertake," Dearka answered before Yzak could speak.
His temper rose a bit thinking of one of its' possible passengers. "And we're probably too well connected to the Council for that jerk to even risk it," Yzak stated crossing his arms in front of him.
"Oh," Miriallia said with a hint of shock to her voice.
She hadn't meant to upset Yzak with her question, she really had just been curious on the situation.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…" she began.
"Don't worry about it honey, Yzak always gets worked up when it comes to something that concerns Athrun," Dearka filled her in.
"That's not true," Yzak snipped.
Both of them looked at him with a look that said they knew he was in denial and it set Yzak off again.
"It's not like I care what that jerk is doing or NEED to be included. I just don't agree with the way he does things! Anyway, I'll get to work on Dearka's temporary release. I can probably swing it in a week or so," he stated uncrossing his arms and heading out.
He stopped in front of the door and before pushing the button to exit; he spoke, looking down at his feet the whole time. "I'm really glad she's doing all right and that she's finally home with you. Shiho was really worried about her," he stated and then walked out the door.
Miriallia blinked her confusion at Dearka. "That's his way of saying he was worried about her too," he said with a smirk.
"He really does care about you, doesn't he?" Miriallia asked.
"Well, we've been best friends for an extremely long time. For a while, I was one of his only friends and I can't imagine he didn't create some sort of bond with Nora being one of the first to hold her in his arms," Dearka said with a soft smile across his features.
"I'm really happy she is able to be a bridge between our differences. I would rather not have to fight with your best friend for your attention," she joked playfully.
"Sweetheart, not even he could keep me from living my life with you," Dearka said with his own playfulness.
"Oh that reminds me, speaking of living your life with me, I sent you an e-mail. Would you look through it and pick a few things from the list I sent? I need it as soon as you can," she replied with the sense of urgency.
Dearka blinked at her. "What is it exactly?"
"Just some things for the house. I wanted you to look at it too and pick your favorites. I know it's a little cheesy, but I was afraid you would feel weird walking into a place I decorated all by myself. This way you still have a say," she said smiling.
"I take it my only choices are from things you already liked though," Dearka teased.
"Well, of course, I'm not going to live in a place with anything I don't want in my home!" the diva in her shined through.
"And if I don't like anything from the choices you gave me?" he asked already having some idea of the answer.
"Then you've defaulted to which ever one I liked better," she said smiling.
"Alright baby, I'll look it over tonight and send it back to you. Barring an emergency, I'm off duty for the rest of the evening," he responded knowing exactly how happy he was making her.
"Thank you," she replied still rocking Nora gently side to side.
"But hon, I have to ask, how are we going to afford it?" he inquired.
"Don't worry, I have it all handled. You don't need to bother yourself with such things," Miriallia said smiley.
"Alright, I'll trust you on this occasion. But the next time, you're going to have to tell me all your plans and how you are making them happen. And make sure you tell Belle how much I miss her. In fact, you better call back when she's awake. It's been over two weeks since I was able to speak to her, she's always asleep lately when you call me," he scolded.
"Alright, alright, I'll make sure to call you earlier the next time. Today was a special circumstance though. I originally had every intention of letting her speak to you. It just took a lot longer than I had planned to release Nora from the hospital and you know how she gets when you wake her up after she's fallen asleep," Miriallia answered.
"I know; I just miss you all more than you know. Call me back sooner this time, okay," Dearka reiterated in order to make sure his message had gotten across.
Miriallia saluted, but this time not the way he had expected. "Did you just salute me the way ZAFT soldiers salute?" he asked with a smirk on his face.
"Well, I am the wife of a ZAFT soldier, aren't I?" she asked now smirking back at him.
"Cute, tell Kelley thanks so much for teaching you that," Dearka replied.
"I would have learned it sooner or later you know," she said as she moved her hand to support Nora better.
"I would have rather it been later. I love you Mir," Dearka answered.
"I love you too. I'll call you soon and don't forget to fill out that e-mail for me," Miriallia finished before switching off the connection.
Dearka sighed happily and turned toward his laptop figuring he'd better just get it out of the way while he was still wide awake. If he went off and did anything else, he knew he wouldn't get it done and she wouldn't be very happy with him.
As the system loaded, he opened the mail program and downloaded the message via Kelley. He opened it and began looking through his choices.
"Now how about that. Maybe I've been fretting over nothing. She's got some really good taste. I can actually live with most of these things," he said out loud in the room. It was even better than the things Cadey had been planning to decorate their future home with.
"Thank God, that relationship didn't work out. I'd be haunted by floral patterns with pinks, purples and baby blues," he thought flipping through the e-mail and checking the items he liked the best.
"The only place I want to see pinks and purples in my house are in the girls' rooms. That's where I'm going to have to draw the line for those colors," he thought grinning to himself.
He finished up and sent the e-mail back to the interception point, known as Kelley, and shut his computer down. Standing now, he grabbed his uniform jacket off the chair and put it back on. He buttoned it fully and straightened it before heading out to the Rec. Room.
Sleep was the last thing on his mind now that he had spoken with Miriallia and had seen Nora sleeping so peacefully in her arms. He figured it was just best to chill with some of the guys, and gals for that matter, in order to relax instead of lying in bed anxiously awaiting news on when he would be freed to Miriallia's custody.
The only thing he dreaded was that he would have to confront Cadey sometime during that trip too. It would be the only time he had to tell her the truth like he promised Kelley he would do.
"Boy will she be surprised when she finds out the Kelley didn't hate me as much as she said after all," Dearka thought with a slight snicker.
He was going to do as he promised and leave out as many details that made it look as though Kelley had made the first move in order to keep their friendship from falling apart, but he knew he was going to love seeing the look he knew Cadey would have on her face. And the last thing he was going to be was sympathetic.
Now Ian was another story. They had been doing well at patching up their differences and although he still had his suspicions about him, he didn't want to rub his face in this as well. After all, this was Kelley's revenge against him that allowed the incident to occur in the first place, not Dearka's.
"I hope you didn't intend on trying to get back together with him Kelley. I don't think it'll be possible once he finds out about us, even if it was only one time," Dearka thought nervously about his future conversation with Ian.
The only reason he hadn't had the conversation with him yet was because he wanted to tell Cadey before telling Ian. He felt it was only fair he get to tell her before anyone else had a chance to. After all the pain she had caused him, it seemed only fair that he get the chance to retaliate.
"This should get interesting," he thought to himself as he headed down the hall.