He didn't understand.

He'd gone to sleep after a bedtime story and a cup of milk, in his own bed, and had been woken up by bright lights flashing in his eyes. It had taken him a few minutes to work out where he was...in the car. His little face registered bewilderment, marigold eyes wide. After a while, he spoke up. "Mommy? Daddy?" He wriggled to try and escape his booster seat, but no no avail. Finding no answer, he whimpered a little. "Mommy?"

"It's...okay, honey.." his mother finally said, her eyes tightly closed. Beads of sweat stood out on her forehead, and her hands were curled into fists, fingernails digging into the palms of her hands. "We're going to see...Auntie Lacus and Uncle Kira, so be...a good boy, okay?" The toddler clearly didn't get any of it, but nodded, settling back into the seat and sucking his thumb until he fell asleep again. In spite of the intense pain she was in, the woman smiled. "I guess...we're lucky he was still sleepy.." Not taking his eyes from the road, or loosening the tight grip he had on the steering wheel, the man driving nodded. The woman smiled, then gasped, fighting back another wave of pain. "You..can relax, you know.." she told him after it had passed. "I still have a way to go before it all happens.."

"How can you tell that?" asked the man, a bead of sweat rolling into his eyes. The traffic ahead was light, given that it was the early hours of the morning, and he was eternally grateful for that. Murrue chuckled softly. "I just do, that's all.." She tipped her head back against the headrest of her seat, reaching up to brush sweat-dampened hair from her brow. "I've done this before, remember?" Mwu sighed, peeking in the rear-view mirror to glance at his sleeping son. The eighteen-month-old Alex slept peacefully, no idea of the panicked state his father was in, or that he was about to get a new brother or sister. The blonde man shook his head, wishing that he could be as calm as his wife.

The red car pulled up outside the tiny wooden beach house, Mwu leaping from the vehicle and pounding impatiently on the door. After a few moments (which seemed like an eternity), the door opened to reveal a very sleepy Kira. "Mwu-san?" he mumbled, rubbing one violet eye. "What's going on?"

The older man sighed, gesturing to the car. Murrue poked her head out of the window, looking rather sheepish. "Hi, Kira-kun..Sorry about this. It's...hospital time.." The boy's eyes widened as he caught her meaning. "Huh? Oh! Right! You want us to look after Alex?" The woman smiled. "If you would..." She closed her eyes and took a deep breath...then her eyes flashed open again. "Mwu...we'd better hurry.."

In response, Mwu dashed around to the passenger side and lifted out the booster seat, passing it and an overnight bag to the still-stunned Kira. "I'll call you tomorrow morning," was all he said before jumping back in the car and driving away at great speed. Kira watched the red vehicle disappear up the dirt track, and shook his head. "Man, I hope I never have to go through that.."

The maternity ward was lit up bright as day, despite the late hour. Murrue opened the car door and attempted to climb out, but Mwu lifted her into his arms to carry her. She smiled, resting her head on his shoulder. "My hero.." she whispered, before squeezing her eyes shut and moaning softly. "Please hurry..."

He ran through the door into the reception, yelling for a doctor. One dashed up quickly, helping the panicked man settle his wife into a wheelchair, and took them through to a private room. After examining her, the doctor nodded. "Not be long now.."

In spite of his worry, Mwu had to smile. "A way to go', huh?" Murrue didn't dignify that with a response, closing her eyes and grabbing his hand. He winced as her fingernails bit into the skin of his palm, but never moved. He could only imagine how much pain she was in right now. "It's going to be okay.." he said gently, leaning forward and kissing her sweat-soaked cheek. "I'm right here..."

Murrue opened her eyes, and managed a faint smile. "I know..." she replied. She chuckled slightly. "Still want a girl?" Her husband grinned. "I don't mind.."

She closed her eyes again, squeezing his hand so hard it almost cut off the circulation. "Well...we're about to find out.." she managed to gasp, before crying out in pain. Her toes curled with effort, and her cheeks were flushed bright red. "Oh god.."

Mwu closed his own eyes, leaning his head against the rail of the bed with relief as the pressure on his hand was released, and Murrue gasped, sinking back into the hospital bed. A soft wail sounded from the back of the room, and he opened his eyes suddenly, remembering. "Is the..."

The doctor walked back towards them, carrying a tiny bundle wrapped in a blanket. "The baby is just fine," she said, gently placing the infant into it's mother's arms. "It's a girl.."

Murrue smiled lovingly down at her baby daughter, tears running unheeded down her cheeks. "She's...so beautiful..." she whispered, kissing the tiny forehead. She glanced up at her husband, who's scarred face wore an expression of stunned disbelief. "You got your wish, honey.." she told him, carefully handing him their new child. Mwu gazed down at his daughter in wonder, at the pale cheeks and wisps of dark hair. "She's gonna look just like her mom.." he murmured, smiling as the child stirred. "Hey, sweetie.." he said, drawing a breath as the little girl blinked sleepily, and opened her eyes. Cobalt blue eyes.

"What shall we call her?" he asked, not taking his eyes off the baby, who, after yawning, settled down contentedly to sleep in her father's arms. Murrue giggled at his reaction...it had been just the same when Alex was born.

"You picked Alex's name, this time I get to choose." she said, reaching out and taking her sleeping daughter into her own arms, resting the baby on her chest. "Chloe. She's called Chloe. That sound okay?" she asked, regarding him with warm amber eyes. Mwu nodded. "Perfect. Now," he said, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes, "how do we explain to Alex where his new baby sister came from?"

Murrue closed her eyes and sank back against the pillows with a groan.

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( Teh AU again. Sis asked for an AU, although I think she wanted the other version. But...this kind of wrote itself...

Please read and review! )