When I woke up I was in a white room groggy and pukey. And I just knew that it wasn't from the anaesthetic. I heard a nurse come in and she gave me some water. Lenore came in after and smiled seeing me.
"How are you sweetie?" she asked holding my hand and kissing my forehead.
"It hurts everywhere," I said with a bit of a moan, "Where's Athrun?"
"He's with your doctor," she said looking downcast, "You were in a coma for four days."
"Coma?" I said.
"That was once brutal knock on the head, your skull fractured and there was a lot of bleeding. You're baby almost didn't make it, but it was some miracle it survived," she said.
"My baby's okay," I said.
"Yes but Athrun doesn't know that yet," she said, "He's been to busy worrying about you and sending Yunna to jail. He believes what you said to him in the ambulance that the baby is lost. The doctors said it too and took a wrong picture of your abdomen. Athrun's been out for a few hours and they were just giving you a final check up"
I was smiling and hugged Lenore letting out tears of joy. Athrun came in that moment seeing me crying on his mother. He took me into his arms misunderstanding and trying to console me for supposedly losing the child.
I hugged Athrun closely and told Lenore discreetly to keep this a secret for now. Lenore made sure to tell my doctors too. Athrun was going to be surprised. Athrun never mentioned the child to me after that. He wanted me to keep me as far away as the memory as he could. My room was filled with balloons and get well gifts and I opened each one with him. Athrun had brought in one each day as well.
"You gave me the scare of my life…again," he said to me lying beside me on my bed as I was taking a nap on his chest.
"Well I'm sorry I didn't know shopping for my Oscar dress would be so hazardous," I said
"But I told you not to leave the place," he said.
"Well I'm fine now and no you didn't," I said
"I think I pretty well implied it," Athrun said looking annoyed and nuzzling my neck.
"Athrun," I whispered his name, "Did you want the baby?"
I felt his hands freeze and felt his head nod on my neck.
"I couldn't even cherish the kid for a second," he said slowly and slipped off the bed. I knew what was going on. He was going to leave because he didn't want me to see his sadness. He was heartbroken.
I grabbed his hand before he could leave and asked him to sit.
"You know something," I asked reaching out to grab a few bears with hearts.
"What?" he asked looking at the bears.
"I want children with you," I said, "Two minimum. You think you can handle that?"
Athrun smiled and said, "You're tough to bargain with."
"I want a boy first though," I said.
"But I want a girl," he said holding the pink bear, "A cute girl like you."
I smiled and said, "Sorry to burst your bubble, but we're getting a boy. I feel it."
"That's some premonition," he said implying it for the future. I was about to strangle him, when the doctor came in.
"How are you fairing along Ms. Attha?" he asked
"Better," I said smiling at Athrun.
"I see Mr. Zala's presence has shot up your health wonderfully," he said.
"I seem to have that effect on her," Athrun said kissing my forehead.
"Well her reports have just come in. And there is nothing but good news," he said, "From the way I see it. Ms. Attha can head home by the end of the week. We still want to keep an eye out on your head."
"Anyways Mr. Zala I have some paperwork for you. So if you could please follow me," he said guiding Athrun out the room.
Lenore came in right after and asked, "Does he know?"
"Your son is very dense," I said explaining the situation.
"He doesn't like hoping for something that is supposedly not happening," she said.
"I want a more creative way to tell him," I said, "After I get out of this ludicrous hospital. I hate hospitals."
"Well my grandbaby wants food," she said, "I secretly brought some cookies for him."
"You're the best Lenore," I said munching on them eagerly.
About half and hour later Athrun came in. It was late in the evening and we spent the rest of the day just talking and holding each other. In the following days of my departure from the hospital, I had met everyone in the gang and testified to the police. Yunna was going to be convicted, but the fool managed to get another guy angry at the station and was killed in an encounter. I didn't really care at all.
Progressively I noticed Athrun was becoming a bit more distant. I knew that the "supposed" loss of the child really affected him. I had to tell him soon. My morning sickness was back and I knew sooner or later he was going to figure it out.
So I came up with a plan. It was Oscar's night; I was physically healed of all my wounds. Athrun and I were changing. However, he was preoccupied with making love to me rather then trying to get ready for the award's function.
"I see you're not nervous at all," I said turning to my side a while later and stared at Athrun looking at the ceiling his eyes drooped.
He opened his eyes and turned to face me as well and shook his head skimming a hand down my back, drawing circles on my hips making my shiver as his lips attached to me neck.
"I've been to the event so many times," he said after I had forced him off the bed and into the shower.
"You know you can come with me," he said.
"We're going to be late," I said.
"I don't mind," he said lifting me to his shower and cleaned me thoroughly.
After a long while of doing my hair I had changed into my dress while Athrun tied me up I was doing my make-up simply and briefly. I felt something touch my neck and I looked up to see Athrun clipping the pendant.
"What's this for?" I asked awed by the necklace.
"For being mine," he said putting a hand out with matching earrings. I kissed him and put them on.
"Well now I'm going to have to give you something," I said putting my arms around his neck.
"You know you don't," he said.
"You need to be pampered to and this earns something of equal or greater reward," I said.
"A kiss from you and much greater," he said sincerely, "You saying I love you is a thousand times better, and you looking at me like that more then infinity."
I felt my throat constrict and said, "I love you Athrun," and kissed him.
"But I'm still going to give you something," I said, "Now will you put that shirt on."
"But you love my chest," Athrun said chuckling.
"I know I do," I said, "That's why you should put on a shirt."
After he finally had on his tux and sharp black shoes on and doing some finishing touches we were ready to go.
"I can't find my shoes," I said from the top of the stairs.
"You can't find them now?" he said, "You put them beside you dress last night."
"Athrun maybe it's under the bed," I said, "Can you look?"
"But you can look too," he said.
"Fine," I said, "Lazy bum."
"I'm offended by that," I heard his teasing tone.
I checked under the bed and sure enough they were there. Athrun to compensate for not looking put my shoes on like I was Cinderella, though the prince was being obscene and putting his hands up my leg.
We managed to get into the patiently waiting limo and arrived on time by some miracle. Athrun had many waiting fans and the whole crowd seem to erupt with life as soon as he stepped out. Athrun had his hand waiting for me to grip it. They shrieked even more, if that was possible, when I stepped out. Athrun waved to everyone keeping an arm around my waist. I smiled to everyone and we stopped as Athrun took some autographs for some fans and pictures. For some reason they wanted mine as well. Was I missing something?
Athrun talked to the press as they asked about our engagement.
"So do you two have any idea about a date?" a person from Star asked.
"I'd marry her tomorrow if I could," Athrun said, "But we haven't really talked about it."
"Well we heard you were nominated for best actor. What do you think are your chances for winning?" he asked
"I really think that it's up for the judges and the fans. If they think I was worth it, then surely I'll win. The movie is very special to me because of the fact that it was because of that movie I have this beautiful woman beside me today," Athrun said.
"You must be a very lucky woman," he said turning to me, "I heard you were nominated for best choreography."
"I'm blessed to have Athrun," I said, "But about…what? What nomination?"
"Don't be modest," he said, "You did a phenomenal job seeing that it was your first movie."
"But nominated?" I asked him, and then looking at Athrun.
"I think Murrue forgot to tell you," he said.
"Right," I said,
"Well I guess you two have to take your seat," the guy said, "You two take care of each other."
Athrun talked to the guy a bit more and we went in and I said, "Nominated?"
"Well you really did a good job," he said, "The movie was number one in the box office for weeks."
I was still awestruck.
We took our seat beside Kira and Lacus who was there.
The ceremony started. The host came out and started talking and they started with small awards. A few hours later the choreography award came up and I held my breath as the guy said the name. I didn't believe I would win.
"And the winner goes to Cagalli Yula Attha for her magnificent job in Among the Hidden."
I think I stared at the guy for a few seconds and asked Athrun again who he called. Athrun told me twice it was me and had to give me a boost up and I was looking at him confused. I walked up the stairs and took the award. My baby was doing cartwheels and I had to be careful to make sure my stomach was taking the surprise well. I shook hands with the stranger and held the award having no idea what to do with it. Kira, Athrun and everyone were still cheering me on. Clips of the movie were playing behind me and it was insisted that I talk into the microphone.
"Wow," I breathed, "I didn't expect this all, and I mean that literally. This movie was a lot of fun to do. It isn't everyday I have to transport back in time and it didn't help that I had to teach Athrun Zala sexy dance moves. I think that was the hardest. But yeah thank you everyone for this, Murrue, Mr. Piss – Jeff, and Alan for that wonderful welcome after my audition. Of course I have to thank Athrun, because if he hadn't pulled on the stirrings of my heart, this movie wouldn't have been as good. Also Kira and Lacus, thanks for this also. My friends I love you all, and yeah Sam also for giving me support and I would name other people, but I don't even have a speech prepared."
I walked down kind of shaky. Athrun was there and I went into his welcoming arms and he congratulated me and kissed me to calm me down.
"That was wonderful," he said as we sat down.
"You deserved this," Murrue said coming to give me a hug.
"I didn't even know I was nominated. I would have come up with a speech," I said laughing.
"It was original and you," Lacus said, "I'm so proud of you."
I smiled and said, "Thanks Lacus."
Lacus had already gotten the award for costume design.
Soon the major awards started to come and our movie was winning. Someone else had gotten best actress but when the time for best actor came I was praying for Athrun's name for be spoken.
"And the best actor of the year, goes to Athrun Zala," the lady said and starting clapping, "Well deserved."
The whole team jumped up and I hugged Athrun as he twirled me around before going up to get his award. He shook hands and took pictures.
"I really believe the best part of awards like this, is to know the story behind it. Thanks Kira again for being part of this award like my previous one, Dearka and Yzak. Father and mother, I love you two and thank you for helping me reach this far. This movie I hold very close to heart. It was a movie that introduced a very special person in my life. I know that without her, I couldn't have done such a good job. I was trying to impress her with this movie and as you know it's that girl tearing up hearing this. Cagalli thank you for making me try so hard for this film. I love you darling. I'd also like to thank my fans for just being here, thank you for supporting me, and believing in me and appreciating my acting. I'm here because of all you guys and I mean that from the bottom of my heart. Also the cast and crew of this, Sarah congrats guys this award isn't just for me. It has a piece of all of you involved. Thanks everyone," Athrun said walking down as I was trying to stop my waterfall of tears.
"You're so sappy," I said internally blaming my hormones.
Athrun wiped my tears and kissed my lips as we heard our movie win as the best movie of the year and Kira getting best director. It was a wonderful event. I saw one of the dances in the movie play near the end of the function.
"We have a new award we'd like to introduce. It's called the couple of the year," the host said, "And it was won by a couple that could dance like they were connected in every single form. And I'm sure you can recognize them by this small video."
Surely enough it was Athrun and I dancing. I laughed. Not many people saw this dance since it was in the premiere only.
"I think I loved you when we first danced," Athrun said.
"Really," I said, "I think I fell in love with you the second I heard about you drinking orange juice, despite hating it."
"You still remember the steps?" he asked
"Do you doubt my memory of such a wonderful dance," I asked
"Of course not," he said, "but would you like to put on a show?"
"My dress?" I asked.
"I'm sure they have something for you in the back," he said giving me a wink.
"You planned this," I said simply.
Athrun smiled and said, "Why Cagalli how did you know?"
We did end up putting up that show and it was a standing ovation as we took out award with a heart with our figures engraved in the heart. Now I wondered how I was going to burst the news to Athrun that he was going to be a dad in seven months.