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"The Meaning of Life"Written By: SkyLark Pairings: 1x2x1 Warnings: AU, Neko, male pregnancy, sap, angst Rating: R Archives: http://www.gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com/gw/SkyLark/gwSkyLark.htm
and http://www.mizunoamy.bravepages.com/skylark/skylarkfics.html DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gundam Wing, or its characters. I just love playing with them. Third fic in the Neko series
"The Meaning of Life" It was a tense morning the day before the trial before the Supreme Justices was to begin. Danielle and Trent worked closely together in their shared office to be certain that they covered all of their bases in defending Duo once again. Going over their list of character witnesses that they had already met with over the last few days, they were feeling confident in their case. “The biggest thing is to take the focus of the Justices off of what this case may or may not mean for everyone besides Duo,” Danielle sighed as she ran a hand through her red hair. “It’s easier said than done, but we cannot make them forget this is a unique situation and not a simple marriage between two men.” Folding his arms as he leaned back in his seat, Trent frowned, “Really, we’ve done everything that we can at this point. Our witnesses are fully prepared for everything and we have our opening and closing arguments. It’s all in the Justices’ hands now.” While his wife continued to page through their paperwork, he rose to his feet and rounded the desk to kiss her temple. “Let it go, love,” he suggested quietly. “No point in exhausting ourselves before the trial even begins.” Reluctantly, Danielle closed her folder. “You’re right,” she replied. “This is such a different case from anything else we have ever dealt with. It’s the first time I am going into a trial and still not know for certain how the outcome will go.” His smile saddening, Trent rubbed her back and commented, “The fact that this involves family certainly does not help, either.” Just when she had thought that she had managed to get a handle on her chaotic emotions over the whole hearing in check, those words nearly undid the young mother. Nearly losing her fight against the tears that threatened to fill her cobalt eyes, she looked up to her partner, whispering, “What if this is over our heads and we lose? We would have let those boys down.” At that, her husband knelt beside her so that their faces were close. “I don’t see Heero or Duo ever believing that we let them down, regardless of the outcome of this hearing,” he reassured while brushing her short bangs back. “They know that we have put every bit of effort in this that we possibly can. And whatever does happen in the next few days, they’re strong and they will be able to handle it.” Taking a deep breath, Danielle regained her resolve and smiled lovingly at him. She leaned in to give her lover a chaste, but affectionate kiss of appreciation. That was more than enough to express everything that was in her heart at that moment. Carefully securing all of their work in their briefcases, the pair headed out of their office and closed the door behind them. Lunch was already prepared and being served by the time they reached the dining room. Bringing in a tray of hoagies and sandwiches from the kitchen, Heero grinned in greeting to his parents. “I was afraid that we wouldn’t see either of you all day,” he stated. “I was about to send a rescue party.” Snickering, Danielle approached her son and kissed his temple as he set the tray down on the table. “Well, your father had to all but pull me away before I went over the same reports for the hundredth time,” she admitted.”Good,” the artist smirked to his step-father. “You saved me the trouble.” Gesturing to the table, he said, “Have a seat.” Duo came in just as his defenders sat at the table with a pitcher of water in each hand. Zechs, Noin and Danny joined in soon after as they all discussed everything but the upcoming trial over their meal. Finishing his glass of water, the braided neko smiled as he announced, “Sally called this morning to make an appointment for me to go in for a complete ultrasound scan in three days. So, we’ll have a better look at the baby.” Wide eyes and bright smiles turned towards him as the families reacted excitedly to the news. “Oh I can’t wait to see them,” Noin beamed, a hand over her chest. Tilting her head, she asked, “So when the time comes that the gender can be determined, have the two of you decided whether you want to know or do you want to be surprised?” Sharing a look with his lover, Heero answered, “We both want to be surprised.” With a shrug, he smirked, “Considering the fact that we never knew about the baby coming in the first place, we figured we can wait nine months to know whether we’re having a son or daughter.” Everyone around chuckled at that. “All that we want is a healthy baby,” Duo nodded. “We don’t have a preference over the gender, so there’s no need to ruin that surprise.” His tail swishing behind him, Danny questioned, “So, have you picked any names for the baby yet?” Their faces turned towards one another again, the expecting
couple almost looked surprised over the notion. Almost flushing in
embarrassment, they looked back to the little neko as Heero replied,
“To be honest, we haven’t even started thinking about that
yet. Things have been a bit crazy over the last few weeks.” Grinning, the child giggled, “Okay. Just don’t forget that they need to have a name. It’s pretty important.” Unable to hold back his loud laugh that joined in with the others around the table, Duo winked to his little brother and promised, “We’ll make sure the baby has a name before they’re born, Danny. Thanks for reminding us about that. You’re already a great uncle.” The boy’s face lit up in a smile that spread from ear-to-ear. * * * * An hour later, Heero answered the front door at the sound of the doorbell. Smiling, he stepped aside as Trowa and Dorothy entered with a blanket and pillow under each arm. “Make yourselves comfortable,” he offered as they walked past. Heading into the living room, the couple found the remainder of their school friends gathered together with their own pillows and blankets. Quatre, Relena, Wufei and Sally all looked up to warmly welcome the two new arrivals. “Just like old times,” Trowa smirked as he settled himself down on the floor with his wife. “I can’t remember the last time we had a sleepover like this.” Dorothy shuffled closely by his side, snickering, “I can’t remember the last time that we had a night without Leslie. My parents really came through with the last-minute call for a babysitter for her.” This being the eve of the trial before the Supreme Justices, it had been suggested by the tight-knit ring of friends that they spend the night with Heero and Duo. It all started as a surprise when Quatre and Relena were the first to arrive with their duffle bags. By the time Wufei and Sally followed soon after, it was quickly figured out by the parents-to-be that the get together had been planned. And they could not have been more grateful for their friends’ thoughtfulness. Moments later, popcorn and other snacks filled large bowls that were passed around. The light was switched off as a movie marathon rolled. Curled up in their pairs, the group made quiet comments and laughed during the films just as they would when they had such a sleep over during their high school days. For that brief moment in time, they were kids again. And as for the nekos joining them, it was the first time they had such an experience and they loved every minute of it. Never once were they not accepted into the group or excluded in any of the conversations. While Heero and Duo were too moved to really express their appreciation, their friends no less understood with their visit meant. Had any one of them been in their shoes, they knew that they would have been there for them as well. Late that evening, one by one, the group lay down to sleep on the floor. Duo was lost to the world by the time Heero settled himself down to spoon him from behind. Muttering in his slumber, the neko curled back into him. A small smile on his lips, the artist leaned up to kiss his lover’s temple. “Everything’s going to be okay,” he whispered. The tall ear by his lips twitched as if in acknowledgment that the sleeping teenager had heard him. Not really sure who he was trying to convince, Heero lowered himself back down and repeated in a sigh, “Everything is going to be fine.” His cobalt eyes closed at the lull of the soft purring in his ears. * * * * Making their way up the steps of the pristine white courthouse of the Supreme Justices, Danielle and Trent led Heero and Duo amidst a wave of reporters and camera men. Hand-in-hand, the couple of interest had their heads lowered for the slight privacy that allowed them. All around, their names were called for a comment as
questions flew. Just keeping their gazes ahead, the quartet completely
ignored the shutters snapping off and the voices around them with
their friends close behind. Members of the gay community and those that stood against
them yelled back and forth to one another from their respective corners.
Armed police lined the sidewalks as a warning to anyone who may think
to step out of line by acting out their anger violently. Chuckling, the taller neko bent down quickly to pull
him close with their tails wrapping together. Both purring quietly,
Duo told the little one softly, "You look after our parents while
I'm busy, okay? They're going to need some support, too." Reluctantly, the nekos and humans filtered inside, many
of them keeping their glares on Septum until they were out of sight.
If anything, those faces only made the man smile all the more. Glad for the understanding, Duo smiled brightly, “Okay. Thank you.” Cupping the side of his face, the young woman grinned. Trent gave the teenager a firm nod and said, “We’re ready whenever you are.” Looking to the closed courtroom doors, the neko could not help recalling the last time he was in the same position. The circumstances were very different this time around. Unlike before, many more lives besides his own were about to be affected regardless of the outcome of this trial. Against the unsettled feeling in his stomach, Duo took a deep breath and looked back to his defense team. Nodding, he told them, “I’m ready.” Instantly flanking him at either side, Danielle and Trent moved for the doors and pulled them open. To the quiet mutters of the people already inside as heads turned in their direction, they led the way down the walkway to the front of the courtroom. Head high, Duo followed close behind, ready for whatever fate had in store for him this time. Because there was no turning back now.
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