Part 3: Beginner's Luck
December 19 CE 75-Athha Estate, Cagalli's Office: 0700H
Cagalli woke up super early, just after 6:30 in the morning. It was a struggle for her to leave Athrun's arms, but she did her best to escape his grasp without waking him up. As much as she wanted to continue cuddling with him and sleep a little more before this morning's meeting, she wanted to start on the scarf a little bit before Lacus and Kira arrived later that afternoon. Since Miriallia picked the knitting book for her, Cagalli decided to make use of it. She was in her office now and she knew Athrun had no access to her office. It was the perfect place to work on her project undisturbed. Cagalli grabbed the knitting book she had brought with her and grabbed her knitting supplies. She opened the book and flipped to the page that illustrated and described knitting a scarf.
"Oh? So it says that a scarf is perfect for beginners…this is going to be easy," Cagalli thought and smirked.
She quickly scanned the instructions. Her smirk disappeared and was replaced with a frustrated frown.
"Start by casting on 15-30 stitches, depending on the thickness of the yarn and how wide you want the scarf to be…How the hell do I cast on stitches?"
Cagalli flipped to the back of the book and looked through the index. She found the pages that described how to cast on stitches. She sighed in relief.
"Thank god for the index pages…" Cagalli said.
She looked at the step-by-step instructions on how to cast on and the images provided for each step. She had no problem creating a slip knot. Her experience with the Desert Dawn Resistance during the first war had taught her plenty enough. Tying knots were something she got used to doing during that time. She placed the slip knot onto one of her needles and tightened it. She read the next step and looked at the accompanying picture. She followed the directions and successfully cast on one stitch. Cagalli smiled triumphantly and flipped back to the scarf instructions.
"This book is quite useful," she said, "okay, time to add the remaining stitches. It said to cast on 15-30 stitches depending on the thickness of the yarn and how wide I want the scarf to be…well, here it goes."
Cagalli cast on 15 stitches onto her needle and looked at the width of the scarf.
"Maybe a few more stitches…this looks like the scarf will be too narrow…" she said.
She cast on 10 more stitches for a total of 25 and decided that that was wide enough for the scarf. She cut off the excess yarn that was left from the slip knot and continued reading the scarf instructions.
"Knit the same number of stitches you cast on earlier. Be careful not to place the loops too close to the end of the needle(s)" she read, "knit…"
She glanced at the accompanying image that illustrated how to knit. She held the needle with the stitches in her left hand and held the other needle in her other hand. Being careful not to let the loops get too close to the end of the needle, she inserted the right needle through the first loop under the left needle. She then took the yarn and wrapped it over the right needle. She pulled that new loop through the loop on her left needle and successfully transferred a loop over to the right needle. She repeated the same process for the remaining loops until all loops from her left needle had been transferred to her right needle. She looked at her work and smiled.
"I successfully knitted one row! So that makes two rows done!" she said excitedly as she pumped her fist in the air in triumph.
She felt her yarn ball roll off her desk and felt something tug on her right needle. She looked in horror as she saw what had happened. Three loops had fallen off the needle. She groaned, but kept her composure. She looked at the clock on her desk and noticed it was 710 AM.
"Well, it took me that long to cast on and create two rows…it shouldn't take me too long to do it again. Athrun won't be up for another 50 minutes. I've got some time to do it again and add more rows before I have to get back to my room," she thought.
Cagalli undid her remaining stitches and proceeded to start knitting again.
December 19 CE 75-Athha Estate, Cagalli's Room: 0730H
Athrun stretched and groaned in his sleep. He rested his arm on Cagalli's side of the bed and felt strange. He opened his eyes and noticed that his sleeping beauty was not right next to him. He sat up and glanced at the clock on table. It was 7:30. Athrun yawned and rubbed the sleepiness in his eyes away.
"I wonder where she could be at this hour…"
Athrun got out of bed and proceeded to the balcony, hoping he would find her there. He opened the doors to the balcony and was welcomed by an ice cold breeze. Unfortunately, Cagalli wasn't present. He closed the balcony doors and frowned; he ruffled his midnight-blue hair in frustration.
"Where is she…?" he thought to himself and then he figured out where she might be, "maybe she's in her office. Sometimes, my little lioness works too hard."
Before leaving the bedroom, he called the kitchen staff and asked them to begin preparing breakfast. He knew Cagalli would be hungry and he wanted breakfast to be ready when they arrived. Athrun then left the bedroom, but paused outside the door. Something didn't feel right to him. He glanced down and realized that he was shirtless.
"Can't have that now, can we?" he said to himself and chuckled as he envisioned his princess' blushing face when she sees him in his shirtless state. Then he cringed slightly as he pictured Cagalli yelling at him for walking around the estate like that. He shook his head.
"Better put on something," he thought and went back into the room.
Wearing his ORB admiral uniform, Athrun left the bedroom and proceeded to Cagalli's office.
December 19 CE 75-Athha Estate, Cagalli's Office: 0740H
Cagalli held up the incomplete scarf and smiled. During the last half hour, she managed to complete fifteen rows with no problems whatsoever. She was proud of her accomplishment. Cagalli glanced at the clock on her desk. It was 7:40. She put down her project gently on her desk and stretched her arms and hands.
"That was definitely needed. My hands are so sore…" she said and she stretched her hands and fingers some more.
Thinking she could knit a few more rows within the next ten minutes, Cagalli picked up her knitting project. She was about to place the needle into the first loop when she heard a knock on her door.
"Cagalli?" the voice called, "you in there?"
Cagalli's eyes widened. She knew who was at the door. Athrun wasn't supposed to be up for another twenty minutes. She decided to keep quiet, hoping Athrun would give up and go back to their room.
"Cagalli?" Athrun called again, but with more concern and worry in his voice.
Cagalli couldn't remain quiet anymore. She couldn't continue worrying her fiancé like that.
"Just a minute, Athrun," she called.
She carefully placed her scarf and knitting book into a secure drawer and locked it. She got up from her chair and went to open the door.
"Hey," she said, "sorry for worrying you, Athrun."
Athrun's eyes softened and he sighed with relief. He pulled her into his arms and held her tight. Cagalli blushed lightly.
"You had me worried there, Cagalli," he said.
"Sorry Athrun," Cagalli said, "I didn't mean to worry you like that."
Athrun released her from his arms and looked at her with a smile. "It's okay. I know you snuck out early so you can get a head start on today's agenda items for today's meeting."
Cagalli looked down guiltily, "Y-yeah…sorry for not telling you. I didn't want to wake you up."
Athrun smiled. Cagalli was too adorable. He kissed Cagalli's forehead and grabbed her hand.
"It's okay," he said and smiled, reassuring her that he was not mad or upset with her, "come on, we should go and have breakfast. I'm sure you must be starving."
Cagalli raised an eyebrow. "I am hungry, but not starving."
"Says the woman who's stomach continuously rumbled last night," Athrun teased.
"T-that wasn't me!" Cagalli said angrily.
Her stomach rumbled and she blushed. Athrun looked at her, smirking.
"Don't look at me like that!" Cagalli said sternly and her stomach rumbled again. She held her stomach in embarrassment.
Athrun laughed and grabbed her hand again.
"Come on," he said and pulled her down the hallway, "let's go fill my princess' stomach."
"A-Athrun!" Cagalli said angrily, trying to hide her embarrassment.
However, Cagalli followed Athrun obediently to the dining hall, where breakfast was awaiting them.
December 19 CE 75-ORB Union main spaceport: 1300H
Athrun and Cagalli went straight to the spaceport after their meeting. It took Cagalli a lot of effort to dissuade the parliament officials from sending more bodyguards than she needed. She assured them that Admiral Zala, a.k.a. Athrun, was more than capable of being her bodyguard.
"You know, I don't need a bodyguard to escort me everywhere I go," Cagalli said as they waited for Kira and Lacus to arrive.
Athrun chuckled. "You know they only want you to be safe. You're the head of a great nation after all."
Cagalli sighed. "Do they not remember what I'm capable of doing? I mean, I'm the Goddess of Victory for crying out loud. I can do anything."
Athrun laughed again and put an arm over her shoulder, pulling Cagalli closer to him. "Yeah, yeah, I know."
Athrun and Cagalli continued talking; they did not notice that the shuttle had docked. A pink haired woman came out of the shuttle. She glanced at her brown haired companion behind her and smiled. He smiled back at her as he searched for his best friend and twin sister. He spotted them in no time. It wasn't difficult to find someone with blue hair.
"Athrun! Cagalli!" he called.
Cagalli and Athrun looked in the direction where they heard the voice. Cagalli smiled widely and she ran towards the owner of the voice, with Athrun following behind her.
"Kira!" Cagalli said happily and hugged her brother.
"Hey Cagalli," Kira said as he returned the hug, "I've come back."
"For now anyways," Lacus giggled as she approached the twins.
Cagalli released her brother and went to hug Lacus next. "It's been a while Lacus."
"It has indeed," Lacus replied after hugging Cagalli back.
"Lacus, Kira," Athrun said as he approached the three.
"Hello Athrun," Lacus said and smiled, "it's nice to see you again."
"How was your trip?" Athrun asked.
"It was wonderful," Lacus replied, "everyone was so kind and helpful."
"That's good to hear," Athrun said, "you guys hungry? Cagalli and I haven't eaten lunch yet, and I'm sure you two haven't either."
"Lunch sounds good," Kira said and Lacus nodded in agreement.
"Alright, then it's settled," Cagalli said, "let's go eat. We can catch up on everything too."
Everyone else nodded in agreement. The four friends left the spaceport and headed back to Cagalli's mansion for lunch.
December 19 CE 75-ORB Central Park: 1430H
After lunch, the four friends decided to go skating in ORB Central Park. Cagalli didn't want to waste any more time and wanted to talk to Lacus about Athrun's scarf, but she decided that it could wait. Upon hearing that it was also Athrun's first time ice skating, Cagalli didn't want to miss that opportunity either. Kira and Lacus were already on the ice, holding hands and skating across the lake together. Cagalli watched as Lacus spun around on the ice gracefully; Lacus really did look like a princess on ice.
"I didn't know Lacus could ice skate…" Cagalli said in awe, "I heard the PLANTs wasn't cold enough for ice."
Athrun chuckled, "Lacus used to come to ORB with her father when he had some political business to attend to in ORB during the winter months. During their breaks, they would come here to skate.
"I see," Cagalli said as she finished tying her last skate, "you ready Athrun?"
"I think so," Athrun said as he stood up and walked slowly towards Cagalli, trying his best not to lose his balance and fall down. It took him a few minutes to adjust to these shoes and remain balanced. They were certainly different.
"Is this how these shoes are supposed to be Cagalli?" Athrun asked, unsure, "standing on a single metal blade like this?"
Cagalli looked at Athrun and laughed lightly. "Yes Athrun, this is how skates are designed. How else are you to move across ice like that?"
Cagalli led Athrun to the edge of the frozen lake. She glided onto the ice and turned around, facing Athrun again.
"You coming?" Cagalli asked.
Athrun looked hesitant. "You sure the ice is sturdy enough? These blades won't cut and break the ice?"
Cagalli put her hands on her hips and gave him an impatient look, but she took a deep breath to calm herself. She stomped on the ice, hard. Athrun looked at her.
"Look, the ice is fine Athrun," Cagalli said and smiled reassuringly, "for a Coordinator, you sure don't feel confident about your abilities do you?"
Athrun blushed lightly. Cagalli held out her hand.
"Come on, it'll be fine," Cagalli said and smiled.
Athrun took her hand and slowly stepped onto the ice. Skating backwards, Cagalli pulled Athrun across the lake, allowing him to glide and feel more comfortable on the ice.
"Hey," Athrun said excitedly, "this is pretty fun!"
Cagalli smiled. "Do you feel more comfortable now?"
Athrun nodded. He was enjoying this. He loved the feeling of sliding across the ice, while the cold winter breeze blew against him. It was exhilarating. He listened as Cagalli explained how she learned to skate.
"When I was younger, my father taught me how to skate," she said, "he told me it was like walking. You just walk on the ice and gradually increase your strides by gliding like this."
Athrun watched as Cagalli demonstrated what her father had taught her. Skating didn't look that difficult after watching Kira and Lacus skate around the lake a couple of times. He was certain he could skate fine. However, given it was Athrun's first time skating, he didn't want to be too confident and end up falling on his butt and embarrass himself in front of Cagalli. He decided to start from the basics.
"…and with time, you'll be able to skate more smoothly and confidently," Cagalli said after skating back towards Athrun. She held out her hands to Athrun and asked "want to give it a try?"
Athrun nodded and he took Cagalli's hands. He took a step forward and began walking on the ice. Cagalli skated backwards holding his hands, trying her best to match her pace with Athrun's. Athrun gradually increased his strides and began gliding and before he knew it, he was skating.
"As expected from a Coordinator," Cagalli said nonchalantly, "you guys learn fast. It took me a lot of practice to be able to skate properly…"
"Sorry for being a Coordinator," Athrun said sarcastically and chuckled.
Cagalli laughed. "It's okay. I don't mind you being a Coordinator. Coordinator or not, you're still Athrun Zala to me."
Athrun smiled and kissed Cagalli on her cheek. "Thanks Cagalli."
Cagalli smiled. She skated beside him and took his hand. "Come on. I think you're ready for a few laps around the lake."
The two of them went off and skated around the lake. Cagalli waved at Kira and Lacus as she and Athrun passed by the Coordinator couple. Feeling confident that Athrun was ready for the next challenge, she turned to look at him, smirking.
"What's with that look?" Athrun asked as he continued skating.
"Race you to the other end of the lake," Cagalli said quickly as she quickly skated away from the blue-haired Coordinator.
"You cheater!" Athrun shouted as he attempted to catch up to the blonde.
Within minutes, Athrun managed to catch up to Cagalli. Athrun faced Cagalli and winked. Cagalli's heart skipped a beat.
"Athrun…don't do that to me…" Cagalli thought as she tried to calm her racing heart.
Before she knew it, Athrun was ahead of her. Cagalli frowned.
"Athrun, you cheater!" she shouted.
Athrun turned around and playfully stuck his tongue out at her. "You started it!"
Cagalli frowned more, but then her eyes widened and she stopped skating.
"Athrun!" Cagalli shouted, "look out!"
Athrun turned around. He was nearing the edge of the lake and he didn't know how to stop, especially at the speed he was going. He tripped on the mound of snow piled up at the edge of the lake and fell, face first, into the cold and soft snow.
"Athrun!" Cagalli shouted worriedly and skated towards him as quick as she could.
Athrun groaned and pushed himself off the snow. He wiped the snow off his face and flipped onto his back, closing his eyes. Cagalli went up to him and looked at him, worried.
"Athrun…" Cagalli asked, concerned, "are you okay?"
Athrun grabbed Cagalli's arm and pulled her down on top of him. Now they were both lying in the snow.
"Now I'm okay," Athrun said as he held her tight.
Cagalli blushed as she looked at him. "A-Athrun…what are you-?"
Athrun shushed Cagalli by covering her lips with his. Cagalli reciprocated his kiss by deepening it further. The couple was lost in their own world until they heard someone clearing their throat. Athrun and Cagalli pulled apart quickly and looked in the direction of the sound. Kira was standing behind them, looking slightly annoyed. Lacus was standing beside him, laughly softly to herself.
"Hello Athrun," Kira said calmly, "would you please release my sister and come with me?"
Athrun gulped and let Cagalli go. Cagalli helped him up and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze, telling him that Kira won't do anything to hurt him. Athrun nodded and gave Cagalli a quick peck on her cheek and followed Kira off the ice. Lacus went to Cagalli and shook her head.
"That Kira…" she said and sighed, "he should know by now that Athrun wouldn't do anything to hurt you."
"He knows," Cagalli said and laughed, "he's just being an overprotective brother. You know, to make up for the years we've been separated."
Lacus laughed softly. "You may be right about that, Cagalli."
The two women headed off the ice and went to check up on the men, mainly to ensure that Kira hadn't killed Athrun yet.
December 19 CE 75-Athha Estate, Guest Room: 2030H
Cagalli collapsed onto Lacus' bed and sighed.
"I'm beat," Cagalli said, but smiled, "today sure was fun."
Lacus smiled and she continued to unpack her things. "It was very enjoyable indeed."
"Too bad it's back to work tomorrow," Cagalli said and sighed.
"The country can't run itself, Cagalli," Lacus said sternly, but then smiled, "by the way, have you begun working on the scarf?"
Cagalli smirked. "I thought you'd never ask."
She grabbed her bag near the bed and gently removed her project. Lacus clapped her hands in excitement.
"Oh that's wonderful, Cagalli!" Lacus exclaimed excitedly, "did you do all that by yourself?"
"With the help of a book, but yeah, I did do all this by myself," Cagalli replied proudly.
"That's good to hear," Lacus said and smiled, "I guess you won't be requiring my assistance anymore."
"Oh don't worry, Lacus," Cagalli said, "I'll most likely need your help sometime down the road."
"But can you get it done in time for Christmas?" Lacus asked, "you are aware that there are six days left before Christmas."
"I'll be fine," Cagalli reassured her pink-haired friend, "if I can handle the daily stresses of running a nation, I can handle a simple scarf."
"If you are sure," Lacus said, "but if you need anything, don't hesitate in asking me."
"I won't," Cagalli replied and smiled, "come on, let's get the guys and go grab some dessert before we call it a night."
Lacus nodded and followed Cagalli out of the guest room and stood in front of Cagalli's room. Cagalli knocked on the door.
"Athrun! Kira!" Cagalli called.
"Just a second!" she heard her brother call out.
Minutes later, Kira opened door, with Athrun standing behind him.
"What's up?" Kira asked.
"Lacus and I are going to get some dessert. You guys want some too?" Cagalli asked.
Kira looked at Athrun and Athrun nodded.
"Sure," Kira replied as he stepped out of the room, with Athrun following.
The four friends then headed downstairs to the kitchen for some after-dinner dessert.
Author's Note: And…that's it! So sorry for the late update on this fic. I had most of this chapter done, but I just kept on neglecting it…but it's finally up! Please read and review =) I'll be updating the next part in "A Brand New Start" soon, so look forward to that! Until the next update =D (hopefully, I can get this story complete in time for Christmas this year…)