"The Meaning of
Life"
Written By: SkyLark
Pairings:
1x2x1
Warnings: AU, Neko, male pregnancy, sap, angst
Rating: R
Betaed by ShenLong Deb *hugs*
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"
On the television screen, A female reporter smiled as she announced
to the camera, “Millions are anxiously awaiting the appeal of
the high profile case that will determine whether or not a neko, namely
the infamous Duo Maxwell, will have the right to marry a normal human.
That appeal will be held within the High Courts tomorrow morning.”
In the dining room of his parents’ estate, that
said braided neko gasped widely with a smile on his face as Noin brought
in a plate for him. The pancakes presented had been buttered and covered
in syrup for him.
Tail swishing excitedly behind him, Duo gripped a fork
in one hand and a knife in the other. His tall ears remained twitched
towards the doorway so he could hear the news broadcast playing in
the living room.
Violet eyes wide, the teenager eagerly cut into the
short stack of pancakes and dug right in. Seated across from his lover,
Heero snickered and shook his head in amusement along with Noin. Mouth
full, the neko mumbled, “Wha? Da babief are hungwy.” Swallowing,
he quickly filled his fork for another bite of his breakfast.
“Yes, dear, but try not to make yourself ill by
eating too much too quickly,” the young mother warned gently
as she rounded the table to kiss the top of her son’s braided
head. “That’s certainly the last thing you would need right
about now.”
Swallowing his second mouthful of pancakes, Duo smiled
sheepishly up at her, “Yes, ma.” Certain to mind her words,
he slowed himself enough to actually enjoy the meal she had prepared
for him. Heero just smirked at him and politely thanked Noin when
she presented him his own plate of food.
Danny hummed his approval as he finished the last bit
of his meal, seated at the head of the table. Looking over to his
big brother beside him, the red-haired child asked, “Are ya nervous
about tomorrow?”
With a shrug, the braided neko answered honestly, “A
little, but I’m anxious for the appeal to get started so it can
be finished.” Nodding, the little boy shifted himself closer
to the other neko to lean against him in support.
A smile tugged Duo’s lips as he leaned back against
his little brother, purring softly in appreciation. Reaching over,
he rubbed the top of the smaller neko’s head as their tails twined
together for a hug.
For as long as they had known each other, Danny had
been the one leaning against him. Now that the tables were turned,
the cat-eared boy was making it known that he would happily return
the favor.
Like so many other times, Heero smirked and shook his
head in amusement over the child’s innate ability to somehow
make a situation better with a simple smile and a sweet gesture. In
a very short time, he had taken very much after his big brother.
The smile on Noin’s face and the wink that she
gave the artist told him how she was thinking exactly the same thing.
When the sounds of the television in the living room
abruptly stopped, Zechs entered soon after. Running a hand through
his long bangs, he sighed and sat beside his wife. “I would advise,
for all of our sanity, that we avoid the television for the rest of
the day,” he commented. “Just about every station is talking
about tomorrow’s appeal.”Heero took a deep breath and replied,
“We pretty much figured that would be the case. If the first
hearing didn’t draw enough attention, this fight against the
Justices’ ruling is going to bring every journalist out of the
woodwork.”
Lacing her hand together with her husband’s, Noin
shared a look with him while a suggestive smile tugged her lips. Zechs
returned the grin and gave her a small nod. Clearing her throat, the
retired maid turned to face their sons and son-in-law. “Well,”
she began, “on a much lighter note, we do have something to announce.”
Duo raised his head as he swallowed another mouthful
of pancakes, his ears peeked in interest along with Danny. Folding
his arms on the edge of the table, Heero looked to the couple, also
eager for some good news.
Unable to hold back the tears she had been fighting,
Noin said quietly, “We’re having a baby.” Gasping,
the three young men blinked in shock.
“Really?!” the braided teenager exclaimed,
his tail waving feverishly. When his parents nodded, proud smiles
radiating from their faces, he stood and rounded the table as quickly
as he could to embrace his mother tightly. Danny quickly followed
suit, opening his arms to their father so he could be scooped up for
an enthusiastic hug.
Giggling, the child cheered, “I’m gonna be
an older brother now!” Everyone around had a good laugh over
that excited cry.
Heero patiently waited for his chance to congratulate
the mother-to-be with a kiss on the cheek. “Congratulations,”
he told the couple sincerely. Offering his hand to Zechs, he gave
him a one-armed embrace and settled back down with the nekos.
Gently placing a hand over his abdomen to feel the babies
inside him kicking and shifting away, Duo returned to his seat. Clearing
his throat, he wiped a stray tear and quickly asked Noin, “So
how far along are you, ma?”
“A little over a month,” the young woman answered.
Leaning against her husband, she stated, “We wanted to give it
all some time to sink in even for us before we went sharing the news.”
Gesturing to their sons, she smirked, “And of course we wanted
to wait until we could tell the two of you first.”
With his tail still swishing excitedly behind him, Danny
smiled wistfully, “So cool. I’m gonna be an uncle and an
older brother soon.”
Folding his arms behind his head, Heero snickered, “This
certainly is a good time for some good news with everything that’s
been going on. Knowing how long you’ve been looking to have babies
of your own, I’m very happy for the both of you.”
Zechs bowed his head as he responded quietly, “Thank
you, Heero.” Looking to his boys, he smirked, “Seeing how
well the two of you have turned out, we’ve had a great start
in this parenting business.”
Nervously chewing on the inside of her cheek, Noin questioned
Duo, “I certainly hope that you would not mind helping me out
with this. You already have more experience with pregnancy than I
ever had.”
Snickering, the braided youth scratched the back of
his head as he admitted, “Truth be told, I’m still getting
used to this pregnancy stuff, myself.” He grinned warmly to his
mother and reassured, “But I’ll be honored to help anyway
I can.” More than pleased with that, Noin nodded to express her
gratitude.
For the remainder of their breakfast together, the small
lot spoke excitedly about the news of another little one joining their
family.
* * * *
To break up the tension building that afternoon, Hilde
made a visit to her patient and former classmate with some news. Accompanied
by Howard, the obstetrician smiled in greeting when Heero and Duo
entered the living room after Danielle had called on them.
"Well, this is a pleasant surprise," the artist grinned.
Quickly spotting the laptop bag along with some other packet items
at their friends' feet, he became concerned and inquired, "So
this is more of a medical visit than a social one?"
Howard chuckled reassuringly, "Actually, it is a bit of
both. But, what we need to cover with the medical aspect is nothing
to be worried over." Instantly, the tension in the young mens'
shoulders eased with a heavy sag.
Quietly sighing in relief, Duo took his place on the soft recliner
across from their guests. His stomach was protruding so that he had
to take his time as Heero easily took the chair beside him. "Well,
let's get the medical part out of the way, then," he requested.
More than happy to oblige, Hilde replied, "The test results on
that milk your body is producing are in. We just thought it best to
come in person and inform you of what we found." Intrigued, the
couple looked to one another before facing their guests, the questions
clear on their faces.
Back into 'scientist mode', Howard leaned forward on the couch and
folded his hands together. "It turns out that the milk has exactly
the same qualities of a woman's breast milk," he stated. "Now,
Hilde explained to me your interest in possibly pumping some of what
you are producing and I would have to highly recommend that notion."
Taking up the reins from there, Hilde went on, "See, there are
other aspects of your milk that would benefit your babies as it also
has the enzymes and immunities a mother cat has in their milk.”
"Obviously, since there would not be a way of duplicating your
unique combination of human and feline immunities combined, it would
be most beneficial for the babies if they had even a little of that
mixed with a formula for at least the first six months of their lives."
Any embarrassment that Duo may have had over this particular topic
was instantly wiped away. Instead, now knowing how this aspect
of him would help his little ones, he had a sense of duty. Sitting
up in the recliner, he wrapped his arms around his belly and grinned,
"All right. I'm in."
Heero smiled proudly as his husband and reached over to squeeze his
hand. "We can both learn from this," he commented softly.
"I'll help wherever I can." The braided teenager squeezed
his hand back with a loving, appreciative grin.
"Excellent," Hilde sighed contentedly, clapping her hands
together. Reaching for one of her bags, she suggested, "Let's
get a new ultrasound out of the way. From there, I can give the two
of you a lesson in how to use a pump effectively."
Raising his hands in the air, Howard huffed, "I will be more
than happy to sit out of that part." Heero and Duo snickered
in amusement as they led the way to one of the more private rooms
down the hall.
* * * *
Later that evening, Danielle and Trent cooked up a feast to congratulate
Noin and Zechs on the news of their own little bundle to come into
the world. Lucky they made such a large meal, as they were all soon
joined by Heero and Duo's friends, including the other nekos, who
made a surprise arrival to the estate.
Just when they did not think they could be more moved by the people
they had grown up with, the expectant fathers-to-be were taken aback
once again. Wanting to be physically present for the expectant parents,
the lot had taken leave of their classes and busy lives to be available
for the appeal.
And just like the last time they gathered together the night before
the initial hearing, the small army was gathered in the living room
with their sleeping bags. Passing around large bowls of popcorn, they
enjoyed a couple of movies before making it a relatively early night
so that they would have no trouble waking early the following morning.
When his eyesight had adjusted to make out his lover's face in the
dim glow from the street lamps outside, Heero turned on his side towards
him. Lightly brushing back the long bangs from the neko's eyes staring
at the ceiling, he whispered, "You never did tell me what that
nightmare last night was all about."
Smirking, Duo breathed back, "I was about to go into the courtroom
when I think I went into early labor."
There was a long pause before the artist shuddered and suggested
quietly, "Try not to do that tomorrow." He smiled
when he was rewarded with the soft, purred laugh he had been
looking for from his partner.
His braided head turning, Duo's violet eyes locked with the cobalt
orbs on him as he smirked, "Good advice." Carefully shifting
closer to the Japanese youth, he muttered, "Don't think I'll
be getting much sleep tonight."
Resuming the light running of his fingers through the neko's hair,
Heero whispered, "Just try. Think about anything but tomorrow.
Think about the babies, or our house that's almost finished. Think
about something that makes you happy."
A small smile tugged the corners of the teenager's mouth at that.
Closing his eyes, Duo leaned his head up into his husband's touch
as he purred softly with every exhale. Losing himself in a vision
of what their possible wedding would look like, the neko finally went
off into the peaceful void that had been eluding him.
* * * *
Susan smiled proudly as she stepped up and into the balcony seating
that overlooked the courtroom of the Supreme Justices. As she stood
at the railing, the young journalist blinked her emerald eyes at the
wonder of the view around her.
This was where the rulings that made up the laws for both the Earth
and the Colonies were decided. And from the cathedral-like ceiling
to the finest of oak floors that bore not a single blemish, the remarkable
room was every bit as prestigious as the men and women that presided
in it.
Never before had Weathers felt as humbled as she did standing there
in that moment.
With a deep breath, Susan turned on her heeled shoes and slid
into a free place on one of the benches behind her. Quickly fishing
out a recorder, pen and paper from her large purse, the blonde reporter
looked every bit as professional as those other paper and news station
representatives seated around her.
Gazing down to the front of the courtroom, she could easily make out
Septum making his way to his table. Back to the audience, the raven-haired
man opened his briefcase to remove his notes and files in preparation
of what was to come.
Once he was finished with his work, the prosecutor smiled smugly to
himself and took his seat. Slowly tapping his foot, he hummed quietly
to himself.
After all of the late nights and staff meetings, Septum could
not have been more confident that he would be able to make a stern
argument against whatever little surprise Danielle and Trent had for
their case.
They were most certainly going to be sorry that they decided
to challenge him. Before long, they would be the ones to disappear
on account of their public humiliation before the Justices.
Yes, this was going to be another grand victory.
* * * *
Meanwhile, out in the hallway just beyond the closed courtroom doors,
the large human ring that had hidden Duo on their way past the media
and swarms of people outside broke apart when the coast was clear.
Finally able to take in a deep breath, the neko looked back to the
glass doors that led outside. "There's way more people out there
now than we've ever dealt with."
"Well, with any luck, this will be the last time you will ever
have to put up with this," Danielle smiled kindly.
One-by-one, starting with Trowa and Dorothy as they held little Leslie,
Duo was embraced and wished the best by his friends. From there, the
nekos moved in, adding their little tail wraps as another form
of embrace.
It took everything within the braided teenager not to become
emotional when he was left with his parents and little brother.
Kissing her son’s cheek, Noin whispered by a tall ear, "We'll
be right behind you, as always." She straightened with a wink
as Duo mouthed a 'thank you, ma.' Offering their support once
more, his family followed after the others that had already filed
into the courtroom.
Last but not least, Heero took a deep breath and approached his husband.
Wrapping him up as tightly as he could, the artist breathed, "I
love you. Whatever happens, you know that won't change, right?"
Chuckling quietly at the deja vu, the braided neko returned the embrace
and replied as quietly, "I know. Love you, too."
When they finally pulled back, the couple exchanged a sound kiss.
Squeezing his partner's hand, Heero gave a proud smile before turning
and entering the closed off room.
Trent turned to the cat-tailed youth and smirked, "Just
remember to breathe. The appeal will start the same way we've gone
over. You're going to be fine."
Lightly rubbing her son-in-law's back, Danielle soothed, "You
just let us know when you're ready to go in."
Placing a hand over his active stomach, Duo breathed a small sigh
of relief at not feeling anything out of the ordinary. Silently sending
a thankful prayer that his dream was not a foretelling, he slowly
took a breath to fill his lungs and released it.
‘One last time,’ he thought to himself. Whatever
happened with this appeal, this would be the last time he would have
to endure fighting for himself and his family.
That in mind, he adjusted the deep purple top and gray
suit coat over it. Looking to the lawyers, he nodded firmly, “I’m
ready.”
Her smile growing, Danielle returned the nod and led
the way to the closed doors. Gripping one of the handles, she announced,
“Here we go.” Not allowing another second slip by lest any
of them lose their nerve, she pulled the door open and stepped into
the room with Trent right behind her.
With one last, calming breath, Duo entered last to the
sound of startled gasps and cries inside the courtroom.
TBC
chapter 26
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