"Stellar...Stellar, wake up," The voice was gentle, but insistent, as was the hand shaking her shoulder. Blinking sleepily, the little girl awoke, brushing dark hair from her face. "Mmmm...Papa? What's going on?" Sitting up in bed, she rubbed her eyes. "I don't have school today, do I?" Her father shook his head, although he was smiling, blue eyes twinkling. "No," he admitted. "But I need your help. Mama's been working really hard lately, and I thought it might be nice if we could make a picnic for her, and take her to the park. What do you think?" Stellar beamed, the last trace of sleepiness vanishing, and scrambled out of bed. "Do we go wake Mama up?" she chirped, but Papa shook his head, leaning down to place a finger over her lips. "Nuh-uh. Mama's sleeping right now, and we have to leave her. We're going to make the picnic, okay?"

Stellar nodded brightly, taking her father's hand, the two of them walking downstairs into the yellow-painted kitchen. "So, what are we gonna make first, Papa?" Mwu pressed a finger to his chin. "Well, we need lots of sandwiches." he replied. "Mama's gotten a big appetite lately, huh?" Stellar giggled, remembering well how her mother was forever sneaking snacks and cookies, as well as often eating the leftovers from the other dinner plates after she had finished her own. "Yep," she replied with a nod. "What kind of sandwiches does she like?"

"Let's see. If you'll find me the cheese slices and the beef spread, I'll make some egg salad and stuff. If we make those, and a couple of other kinds, we should have enough for us all, don't you think? We have plenty of other snacks, as well as cookies and stuff, and drinks.." The little girl nodded at her father's words, running to the cupboards to fetch the items he had mentioned. "Do you think Mama'll be happy?" Mwu nodded cheerfully, beginning to slice bread ready for their sandwiches. "When this is all done, we'll go wake her up with breakfast.."

She was halfway between waking and sleeping, smiling at the feel of the light breeze from the open window caressing her face, and at the sound of birdsong from outside. The bed was comfortable and soft, and she stretched out under the fluffy comforter, sighing contentedly. Moving to sit up, she smiled at the soft flutters from her stomach. Good morning, little one... Slipping out of bed, she donned her robe and wandered outside onto the balcony. The day was beautiful, bright and sunny, and Murrue's smile broadened as she tilted her face up to the sunlight.

"Mama!" The little voice broke into her thoughts, and she turned to greet her young daughter. "Good morning," she said softly, kneeling down with an effort to welcome the little girl into her arms. "You're up early today.." Stellar nodded brightly, hugging her mother. "Papa woke me up!"

"Is that so?" Murrue asked, one eyebrow raised. "Why did he do that?" The little girl was about to answer, then clearly remembered something, and clapped tiny hands over her mouth, obviously having been told not to say anything. Her mother was about to press further, then caught sight of a familiar blonde figure leaning against the balcony door. "Easy there, munchkin, or it won't be much of a secret..." he remarked dryly. Stellar scuffed the floor with a toe, expression miserable. "Sorry, Papa..." Murrue smiled, ruffling her daughter's hair. "It's all right, sweetheart," she soothed. "You can keep your secret. I won't ask..."

"Really?" the child asked, sniffling slightly. Murrue nodded, pulling her into a hug. "Really."

When Stellar had gone back into the house, the young woman set her hands on her hips. "A secret?" Mwu sighed, but grinned apologetically. "Sort of. It was a plan I had for today.." Without elaborating further, he moved to wind his arms around her waist, one hand placed on her rounded stomach. "How are you this morning?" Murrue smiled, leaning back into his embrace. "Better than I have been," she replied softly, covering his hand with her own. "She's still kicking quite a bit, though.."

"'She'?" he asked. "How do you know?" His wife closed her eyes, expression one of calm serenity. "I just do. What was your plan, anyway?"

"I thought that maybe we could take a trip to the park today. For a picnic. I thought it might be nice. You've been looking so tired recently, still working so hard ..." She sighed, tilting her head to gaze up at him. "You need to stop worrying so much about me. Everything was fine when I was having Stellar, wasn't it? But a trip to the park...does sound nice.."

The park was cool and green, the many trees offering shade from the afternoon sunlight. The little family walked along the paths, Stellar in between her parents, holding hands with both of them. "Where can we have the picnic, Papa?" Mwu smiled, glancing around at the numerous other people enjoying the warmth of the day. "Why don't we let Mama choose? This is all for her, isn't it?" The little girl nodded brightly, smiling up at her mother. "Where can we go, Mama?"

Murrue looked around the large park, at the green expanses of grass, the shade in between the trees, then smiled, pointing up ahead to a small pond. "There." The spot was shady and cool, the fountain in the pond sending sparkling droplets of water into the air. Stellar grinned, breaking free from her parents and racing over to the pond, dipping one small hand into the water and squealing at how cold it was.

"Don't get too close to the edge!" Murrue scolded gently, as she lowered herself to the grass slowly. Mwu sat down beside her, azure eyes reflecting his worry as he placed the back of one hand against her flushed cheek. "You okay, sweetheart?" She nodded, eyes closed, and leaned against a tree. "I'm fine. Just a little tired.." Gratefully, she accepted the cool juice he offered her, and moved to rest her head on his shoulder, one hand placed on her stomach.

"Mama?" came a little voice, and she opened her eyes to gaze up at her daughter. Stellar's face wore a look of childish concern as she knelt down beside her mother. "Are you sick, Mama? 'Cause...you're always sleeping, and..." Her voice trailed off, and she glanced down, blue eyes scared. Murrue smiled, reaching out to ruffle the little girl's hair. "I'm all right, honey. Just tired. Here.." Taking Stellar's hand, she placed it on her rounded stomach...and couldn't hide her smile at her daughter's astonishment. "What's that, Mama?"

"That," replied Mwu, taking a sip of the coffee he had brought, "is your baby brother or sister, growing in Mama's tummy. That's why she's so tired all the time. She has to carry the baby around with her.." Stellar's face lit up, her tiny hand still placed on her mother's stomach. "I'm going to have a baby sister?" Murrue smiled, pulling the little girl close. "Well, it might be a baby brother, you know. It's not up to me." Stellar nodded, reaching for a sandwich. The little family sat together for a while, eating and chatting, enjoying the calm peace of the day. Until Stellar spoke up. "Papa? You said my new brother or sister was growing in Mama's tummy, right? But...how did they get there?"

Mwu coughed, choking on his coffee, and Murrue flushed brilliant scarlet, burying her face in her hands in embarrassment. "We...we'll tell you when you're a bit older, okay?" Stellar frowned. "Aww, Mama.." Mwu sighed, reaching out to squeeze his little girl's hand. "It's kinda complicated, that's all. It's hard to explain.."

After lunch, and after they had managed to convince Stellar that she really didn't need to know how the baby had gotten into her mother's stomach, they bought ice cream, and sat beside the pond, the little girl leaning to peer into the depths of the water. "How come there aren't any fishies in here?" Mwu peeked into the water, noting the coins littering the bottom of the pond. "Looks like this pond's used for wishing..." Rummaging in his pocket, he pulled out a coin and handed it to his daughter. "Here you go," he said, passing another coin to Murrue. "Make a wish. But remember, it has to be a secret, or it won't come true.."

Stellar nodded, and screwed her eyes shut for a moment, before throwing the coin into the pond, followed by her mother's.

Later, Murrue sat on a bench, watching her husband and child play together. Stellar was on the swing set, squealing with delight as Mwu pushed her back and forth. "Higher, Papa!" she shrieked, little face wearing a happy smile. The young woman smiled as she watched them, one hand resting on her stomach. Mwu loves her so much...he spoils her rotten. But then again, so do I. She's so precious to us..our little girl. And this little one will be the same...she thought, rubbing her stomach gently as she felt her baby move. Her wish had been that her family stay healthy and happy, the baby included. Looking up, she noticed Mwu watching her with a smile, and she pinked, smiling back.

I'm sure my wish will come true...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

( Waffle! XD

Please read and review! )