Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Counting the Seconds ❯ Chapter Eighteen ( Chapter 18 )

From The Desk Of Scilja

Woah!  Guys, if you are terribly confused with the chapter updates, I am on my knees in apology!  The server of FF.net apparently either screwed up the uploads or I did a smashing job at it.  Heck, this entire chapter was cut out!  Thanks so much to Inconnu for pointing all the bloopers out!  You're the greatest!  Anyway, here's all fixed! 

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DISCLAIMER:  Me?  Own Gundam Wing?  Why the idea is frivolous!  C'est invraisemblable.  And I weep at the loss. 

Counting the Seconds

By Scilja

Chapter Eighteen

The simple act of opening eyes seemed to take a great deal of energy.  When they finally did open, she squinted at the light and groaned at the dull sensation her head took on. 

At sound of her voice, there came a scrambling of feet.  Relena turned to the noise, blinking away the fogginess to distinguish the person.  A woman's muddled outline of a face came into a view, blurred and double-imaged at first, but then became clearer when she blinked and opened her eyes wider.

Her mind was still fuzzy and her tongue felt thick and dry.  As hoarse as her throat was, she surprised herself by croaking out a small, "Ma?"

Mrs. Darlian leaned over her daughter - adopted-daughter in legal matters, but Relena was like her own child.  She smiled when said daughter squirmed against the warm hand towel she draped across her forehead, "Hello, darling."

"Ma," she whispered, her voice regaining some of its tone, "what happened?  Am I still at the hospital?"  She looked at her surroundings for the first time.  The bland environment along with the smell of strong chemicals confirmed her doubts.

"For about fours days already," the elder woman replied calmly, dabbing the towel along Relena's cheeks.

"What?" she gasped in surprise and made an effort to get up to which her body protested greatly.  "Ugh…"

"Careful," she glanced worriedly, "you were lucky enough to have survived, but the price of it was many injuries."  Her voice became hoarse at the statement. 

Relena stared back at her mother.  'I almost died', she focused her gaze at the ceiling, contemplating on the close loss of her life.  'Almost,' she shivered inwardly.  She faced her again; this time she reached for her hand and held it.  "I'm sorry for the trouble."  Her hold was returned with an even tighter grip. 

The elder woman's auburn hair swayed with the shake of her head, "No, sweetheart, don't apologize.  I'm incredibly relieved that you're still here today, that's all."

"Is it that hard to believe?"

"The doctor said you luckily didn't have a concussion, but will experience some painful headaches every once in a while.  Not to mention you have two broken ribs, some second-degree burns and a gash near your shoulder blade," she tenderly caressed the blonde head in a motherly fashion.  "Then you fell into a semi-conscious state.  Thank goodness it wasn't a coma."

Unable to find it believable, Relena looked under the drab hospital gown to come across multiple layers of bandages covering her chest and upper stomach.  Her left arm was cast in a splint, a triangle bandage looped around her shoulder to keep it in place.  She ran her free hand across her ribs, wondering how different it would be.  That was when she noticed several other patches scattered on her arms and legs. 

First some red-head gets sidetracked in her little world, then her best friend gets run over, a man reenters her life who can't be any more of a confusion, one stubborn-as-hell brother that steps in out of the blue, and now she's back to being a damsel in distress.  Great, add more to her bubbling pot of misery. 

"Ma, tell me the truth." 

Mrs. Darlian stilled at the serious tone. 

"Tell me about the Peacecrafts."

Her adoptive mother's eyes closed and she breathed in deeply at the unexpected request.  She hung her head low, "So you know, darling."

Relena nodded, "Those were Papa's last words to me."

She tilt her head and grasped the frail hand on the bed, "You probably also know that you have a brother." 

"Yes, Milliardo Peacecraft.  I just met him last week to talk with him of the ZW fiasco."

Her head shook at the ironic coincidence, "My, my, how things go by.  Did he say anything about your past?"

"No," Relena replied with a distant look, "He doesn't know much of our…uh…parents."  The word sounded so new to her ears.  "He was put in the care of an adoptive family as was I, joined the military for about 6 years and then went to pursue in his own business known today as TMG Coorporations." 

"Well," Mrs. Darlian said, drawing Relena's attention, "like I told you before, the Peacecrafts were very good friends of ours, which explains the reason why they entrusted you in our care.  Your parents held an important position in society.  Your father was the Foreign Minister, so he worked adjacent with Mr. Darlian, who of course, was the Vice Foreign Minister.  He was a very determined man who stood strongly by his beliefs.  A hard worker who was devoted to both his profession and his family.  As Foreign Minister, he held a great deal of responsibility, but he did not become blinded by his work.

"Your mother, on the otherhand, held close ties with the royal family."  She paused for a moment to see an intent expression on the younger femme's visage, "She was a duchess."

Relena bit her lip.  'So it's true.'

"She, albeit married to a non-royal blood, was still considered to be an active part in the royal monarch.  But your mother was lively spirited and independent, so naturally she sought out to the world outside the glam.  That's when she met your father.  She spent most of her time supporting him, staying close by his side so she had a closer contact with the people." 

A small smile graced her lips, "She was so willing to reach out to others.  She was beautiful that way, caring out of the goodness of her heart.  If you saw her, she would glow with an aura that just draws you in.  It's magnificent.

"Then when she had Milliardo and you, she couldn't have been any more brighter.  Your parents were so happy.  Whenever I visited, I always heard her singing, or tending the roses, or simply enjoying the company of her family.  But the royal ties soon came back to her, and with your mother having been the first to marry among the others, her children were vouched with paths. 

"Months later, the palace caught on fire.  More than a third of the royal family died from that catastrophe.  Because of that, there were a lot of seats left empty in the royal monarch and the pressure grew for your mother to help revive it.  Soon enough, you, Relena, were placed in an arranged fate to become the Princess of the Sanq Kingdom.  Milliardo was to be in line as the next heir of the throne."

Relena couldn't have been more shocked.  She was grateful to be lying down.  If she were standing, she would have collapsed and add further injury to her already sore body.  "But…but it didn't happen," she urged her to continue.

"No, it didn't," Mrs. Darlian shook her head.  "One day, people were sent to the Peacecraft manor.  Going against the wishes of the King and Queen of Sanq were punishable by law.  They were sent to retrieve both you and Milliardo to grow in the lifestyle of royalty."

Her heart pounded heavily against her chest, the rhythm thundering in her ears.  This was the dream she had when she stayed at the ZW hotel in Hawaii.  The people in dark suits.  Her brother and father were nowhere in sight.  The anguish wails of her mother.  Her own reluctance and struggle to escape.  It was no dream.  It was all true.

"When Victor and I heard of the ruckus that went on, we dashed to the Peacecraft manor.  I remember your mother and father pleading with the people to converse with the King and Queen.  Milliardo and you were gone.  Try as I might, I couldn't find either one of you.  Your parents put in all their worth to change things.

"The look on their faces," she cringed at the memory, "they really didn't want you both to be a part of the royalty.  One of the main reasons that your mother diminished her position of duchess was to lead a normal life.  She wanted her children to grow up choosing for their lives.  Make their own decisions, go to school, meet and make friends, get a job, and simply live a life that wasn't planned out for the rest of your days." She smiled, "Your parents loved you both very much." 

She found terribly difficult to swallow.  "So what happened to them?"

"They were finally able to confront the King and Queen, who were much more cooperative than those people they sent to the manor.  Really, the King and Queen are compassionate and very kind people.  But the spaces in the royal monarch still had to be filled.  In exchange for her children's lifestyles, your mother went back to serve as a full-time duchess.  Your father, continued to serve as Foreign Minister, but also took on the role as a duke.

"Then you and Milliardo were given to loving families to grow up however you may wish.  Just as your mother and father wanted.  Sad to say though, your father died in a car accident and your mother out of over exertion."  She wiped a stray tear on her cheek.  "They were happy to know, at least, their children were given a chance."

'A chance,' Relena repeated, her eyes glistened with unshed tears, sad at the thought that she never really got to know her parents, but extremely thankful for their sacrifices.  'Thank you, Mama, Papa, so very very much.'

"They did a lot for me." 

"They sure did," Mrs. Darlian wagged a finger in front of her face, "So that gives you no reason to be moping around!"

She exhaled deeply in great relief, feeling an immense weight lifted off her shoulders.  Her mind hazy was no longer hazy.  "Thank you, everything is much clearer now."

"Sorry that we had to keep it from you for so long," she replied sympathetically, appearing a little guilt-ridden. 

She squeezed the hand that held her own, "At least I know now."

When Relena attempted to move on her side, a burning pain shot through her left shoulder.  She acknowledged the sting to be the gash her mother previously mentioned. 

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"Easy there, honey," Mrs. Darlian tenderly stroked the younger woman's forehead, "don't push it.  We all want you back in one piece." 

Ah, a quip.  Relena lolled her head to the side and scrutinized the impishness in her voice.  "Cards on the table, Ma."

The response was a faint, if not a devilish, grin, "Nothing to reveal, dear, we all want you to return well and rested."

She arched a fine brow, "Name 'we'."

"Hilde, Duo, Chaucer, Arlene, Trowa," she shrugged nonchalantly, "you know, the whole lot…and of course, me."  Her grin widened even more.  As if only to further jibe at it, she got up and rearranged one of the many bouquets that scattered the plain room.  "Oh, nearly slipped my mind," Relena never lost eye contact, "the nurses told me there was a handsome young man that stayed overnight twice in a row on the first few days you were here.  I find that quite charming."  She leaned forward, a hopeful gleam in her eyes, "Does that mean I'm going to be a grandmother soon?" 

The VP shut her eyes and groaned.

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"You're healing at a good rate," the doctor looked up from his papers, smiling, "I'd say just a few more days and you're ready to go home."

The doctor hung the chart back on the edge of the bed and rounded it to face his patient.  "Miss Relena, have you taken the medicine yet?"

She managed a weak nod, "Ten minutes ago."

"Good, good."  Dr. Danes was a likable physician who truly cared of the sick enough great compassion to make you feel at home.  Satisfied with the rate of Relena's heart beat from the stethoscope, he re-examined the chart, "Alright, Miss Relena, you're progressing very well.  Continue to rest, okay?"  He made to leave the room.  "I'll be sending a nurse to check up on you in two hours."  He waved jovially before exiting.

"Relena, we hope we aren't intruding."

She turned to the sound of the deep voice and was surprised to find her brother entering the doorway.  "Milliardo," she breathed.  Next to him was a tall, dark-haired woman dressed in a stylish purple dress.  A look into her navy eyes reminded her of Hilde's own color.  The sight of her swollen stomach could not be mistaken. 

The woman approached her bedside first, a smile on her lips.  "Hello, Relena."  Her voice was like a welcoming chime. 

"Lucrezia."

"Lucrezia Noin," she nodded, "Your brother calls me 'Noin', but you can call me 'Lu', honey.  After all, we are sisters-in-law," she winked.  Relena took more of a liking to her.

She watched her brother place a vase filled with a variety of roses on the dresser next to her.  It was a refreshing and a touching gesture she hadn't felt in a long while.  "Thank you."

"This place needed some lightening up desperately," Noin did little to conceal her excitement.  "It's such a pleasure to finally meet someone Milliardo is related with.  He talked on and on about his family but never actually met one in person."  Her eyes shone a sad glint then brightened just as fast, "So when he found you, well, we couldn't hide the joy."

Glancing over at Milliardo, he shifted in his spot, considering their last encounter was none too well to be called delightful.  To ease the awkwardness, he motioned to his wife, "Noin is eight months pregnant." 

She laid a hand on her growing abdomen and he placed his own on top of hers in an adoring gesture.  "We don't know if it's going to be a boy or girl yet, we like the element of surprise."  She lifted her gaze to meet Relena's, "Baby, meet your aunt."

The younger woman grinned at the sound of that.  "May I?" she hesitated, but Noin brought her hand forward on the swollen stomach and was elated when movement stirred in the womb. 

Not only was Noin a strong enough woman to deal with her brother, Relena also decided she was a smart woman for she knew the two siblings needed to mend some things.  So she excused herself for a walk, hoping to ease the restlessness of child inside her, pecked her husband on the cheek and left. 

Now it was just the two last of the Peacecrafts in the room.  Seconds ticked by at the heavy tension that donned upon them both.  After long years of having not known the other was living, it was still a shock to find the other very much alive.  It was almost surreal.

"How are you?" his low tone broke the silence.

She breathed slowly, "I've been better."

He took a seat on the chair close to the bed.  Even sitting down, he was a tall man.  His coat hid his built frame, long white-blonde hair cascaded around him, his steel-like blue eyes almost hidden behind the veil of bangs. 

"Relena, I'm very sorry."

Confusion took her at his solemn apology, "Milliardo, don't be foolish to think this was your fault."

"I was stubborn in every way, and to my own kin.  I accept the guilt and face it."

"Don't be absurd, you didn't know that this was going to happen."

She gasped when he went to wrap his arms around her and held her against him.  Surprised slowly faded from her face to compassion.  "Milliardo."

"I thought you were gone."  He gradually released her.  "I had just been reunited with my sister who I haven't seen for years, and to see her almost slip away again was something I couldn't stand."

Relena choked on a sob as she embraced him with an even tighter one of her own.  "Milli, you idiot, we're together now, aren't we?  That's all that matters."

"But look where it got you," he held her at arm's length and frowned, "what a way to start."

She rolled her eyes, "Well, the stubborn streak is well known in the family, don't you think?"

Helping ease her back gently on the bed, he sat up straight, "And that takes us where we left off."  She raised speculating eyes on him, "Relena, I didn't take Treize's proposal."  Her chest relaxed at the pent-up breath she held.  Milliardo raised a brow, "Do you doubt me that much?"

She shrugged lightly, "You have to admit, Milliardo, that it was the ticket to the top.  I had looked at it as a business point of view, so naturally, that thought came with it."  He helped pour the glass she was reaching for close to her mouth to sip her drink.  "Thanks," she exhaled in relief, "then how did things go with Heero?"

He almost raised a brow when she addressed the man by only his first name, causing him to wonder the relationship between them.  "Despite what the media might say and indifference to how others see us, we both respect each other.  We both served in the military, and a rivalry ensued.  In addition, we became part of the business world, and now form a competitive element between the two of us.  We have similar traits." 

He crossed his arms to emphasize his point, "Yuy is a formidable challenge.  As much as I hate to say it, he is the perfect rival."

With the understanding of her brother having increased, her posture relaxed.  "I didn't really know what you were thinking," she confessed, "neither do I know you well enough to say so.  I had my doubts." 

"I would never have taken Kushrenada's campaign for an easy shot at success.  I worked hard to get where I am and I intend on continuing to do so.  That's just a cheater's way out.  There is nothing admirable or noble about that."

Admirable.  Noble.  Relena was pleased at his choice of words, "You would have made a great King."

"So you know about that."

Her sight traveled to the arrangement of flowers on the counter, "Just a few days ago from my adoptive mother.  It still is quite a shock for me.  I've had dreams and some faint insights to the past, but not once did I think that it would be true.  Then I found you, it became more of a reality.  I took a lucky guess when I saw the initial on your nameplate, then everything just went along with it."  The blonde head tilt to the side, "How did you know about our parents and our past lifestyle?"

"For some reason, the memories remained strong and clear to me.  Although I was adopted, I still kept the Peacecraft name; that lead to some research on our parents.  That's when I discovered that I had a sister, and the possibility that you could be alive was something I had to find out for myself."

They shared a momentary lapse of comfortable silence, appreciating the new warmth of sibling relations. 

"Likewise, sister, you would have made a perfect Princess."

"No wonder Papa always kept calling me that.  I just didn't know it had a double entendre," she remarked in which he chuckled.    

A new sound of footsteps resounded into the room. 

Milliardo turned his head to the approaching figure, "Noin."

The wife of the TMG President munched happily away on a chocolate candy bar.  "Hi, darling, I'm back.  Relena, honey, I thought the hospital never did feed their patients with taste, so I bought you some hot chocolate.  I hope you don't mind."  Relena gave a sign of gratitude as she hastily placed the steaming cup on the nearby counter.

She paused from her snack when her husband eyed the candy warily, "Oh, don't look at me like that; Baby had a craving for chocolate.  By the way, you didn't happen to see any bakeries on the way, did you?  We need to pick up a few chiffon cakes."

At the sight of her brother's dubious expression, for the first time in weeks, Relena laughed.

TBC…