Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Family Ties ❯ Chapter 8 ( Chapter 8 )

Disclaimer: I don't own the G Boys, I just borrow them from time to time and return them a whole lot happier. I do own the plot line and any other characters that appear here that are not in the Gundam Wing Universe; please do not take them without permission. Written for pleasure not profit.

 

Warnings: Angst, sap, fluff, violence, Mpreg.

 

Rating: NC 17

 

Pairings: 1x2x1, 3x4x3, 5xS, HxOC

 

Summary: Sequel to Chimaera. Life in the Maxwell -Yuy household has undergone some big changes when Duo brings Keitaro home from the hospital. Hilde's wedding is approaching and the guys find there's more to this baby business than they thought. Struggling to raise a child, work at Preventer and keep the home happy is certainly a trial for both guys. Add an assassin's threats to prominent government officials' lives and both men find their lives are suddenly changed. Just how far will one go to protect the ones he loves?

 

Dedication: to all my lovely readers out there who enjoyed Chimaera and have since begged, threatened, pleaded, bribed and blackmailed me for a sequel. ^_^

 

 

 

 

"Family Ties"

 

January. 2007 ShenLong

 

Chapter 8

 

The shuttle approached the colony, thrusters giving a little push here and there, turning the craft slightly and lining it up with the docking station. Keitaro stirred but didn't wake. Duo kept one eye on his son and one eye on the window, watching carefully as the pilot maneuvered the shuttle into position.

 

There was a bit of a jerk and a hollow sort of clang that signaled the docking clamps attaching themselves and securing the craft to the colony. Once the clamps were locked into place the sounds of the 'disembarking' tunnel attaching reverberated through the craft, the tunnel sealing itself over the hatchway to the shuttle to enable the passengers to move from the craft to the colony's security and 'immigration' clearance sections.

 

Finally the shuttle powered down and the all clear was given for the passengers to start leaving the craft. Heero and Duo waited for a little while, opting to let the main body of passengers exit first. Heero got their cabin baggage from the overhead lockers, Nurse Brown collected the baby bag whilst Duo gently lifted Keitaro from within the crib. The babe snuggled closer to Duo's chest, the sounds of Duo's heartbeat soothing any distress he may have been feeling and sending him back to sleep.

 

Once they had exited the craft, the trio followed the signs to the security and immigration check points and stood in the queue. It didn't take long for them to clear immigration, the necessary papers being produced and stamped followed by a 'Welcome to L2, enjoy your stay' and they were all clear to go through to the baggage section and collect their luggage.

 

The carousel was grinding its way around, the sounds coming from the worn belt and drive mechanism attesting to the age of the contraption and reminding Duo once again of the poverty that ran rife through the L2 cluster. Idly he wondered if anything had changed on the outside of the shuttle port; or were there still homeless kids wandering the streets, slum areas that no-one, not even the rats were safe in.

 

Since the end of the war and the following peace, the Earth Sphere United Nation had promised to aid the colonies in rebuilding their economies, to assist them with housing, industry and education. How much of that aid had reached the L2 cluster? Duo was no idiot, he knew that out of all the colonies L2 had the most poverty, the larger volume of homeless and had heard the promises made to ease the suffering. He had his doubts though as to how much aid had actually arrived.

 

“Duo? You okay?”

 

Duo shook his head and focused, a pair of concerned, blue eyes were gazing at him. “Yeah, I'm fine, Heero. Just zoned out there for a moment.”

 

“You sure you're okay?” Heero's concern was evident in his voice.

 

Duo nodded. “I'll be okay, just a few old memories, that's all. I'll tell you about it later, okay?”

 

"All right." Heero didn't look all that happy but decided against pushing the issue. Whatever Duo was thinking about he would know when Duo was ready to tell him. Heero turned back to the carousel and retrieved their luggage.

 

It didn't take long for them to clear customs, having their Preventer Agent status on their paperwork did assist in speeding up the process; within minutes they were stepping out through the doors and into the main body of the 'arrivals' hall in the shuttle port.

 

"Duo!"

 

Duo looked up and spotted a familiar dark head. "Hilde!" he called. In his arms, Keitaro started to stir.

 

The young woman raced towards the pair, eyes bright and a smile so wide it threatened to dazzle anyone within a five mile radius. Spotting the baby in Duo's arms, Hilde reined in the urge to grab her 'brother' and hug the living daylights out of him, instead grabbing Heero around the waist and causing the man to drop the bags he was carrying or risk being knocked off his feet.

 

"It's so good to see you both again,” Hilde exclaimed as she squeezed Heero tight and then planted a kiss to his cheek. Releasing the man, she spun around to Duo who had handed Keitaro over to Nurse Brown and launched herself at him.

 

"So good to see you, Duo,” she squealed as she was caught up into strong arms and swept off her feet.

 

"It's good to see you too, Hilde,” Duo replied with a laugh as he hugged his 'sister' close and gave her a kiss to the temple. The clearing of a throat behind them had Duo sheepishly releasing Hilde and turning to face another man.

 

"How are you, Duo?”

 

"Mark! It's been ages since we saw you,” Duo exclaimed and shook the young man's hand. “You're looking well.”

 

"So are you, Duo.”

 

“She's been looking after you all right?” Duo asked with a twinkle in his eye.

 

“Yeah, she's not too bad. Guess I can't really complain,” Mark returned, playing along with Duo.

 

“Hey! I resent that!,” Hilde protested.

 

“What's wrong? Can't handle the truth?” Duo teased.

 

“You keep that up and I'll make sure you're sitting right at the back of the reception center with Mark's Aunt Freida,” Hilde threatened.

 

“Aunt Freida?” Duo questioned with a raise of his eyebrow.

 

“Every family has a skeleton in the closet,” Mark began, “Aunt Freida is ours.” He shuddered as his mind wandered.

 

“Ah, okay. Something tells me I really don't want to pursue that any more.”

 

“No, you don't,” Hilde warned. Turning, the dark haired woman focused on Nurse Brown and she smiled warmly at the woman. “It's good to see you again, Nurse Brown. The guys tell me you're Keitaro's nanny. I must say that makes me feel a whole lot happier.” Hilde extended her hand in greeting.

 

“It's lovely to see you again too, Miss Hilde. Thank you for inviting me to attend your wedding and celebrate with you.”

 

“It's our pleasure to have you here. Oh, I must introduce you to my fiancé, Mark.”

 

Mark was duly introduced to Nurse Brown and also Keitaro. Mark hadn't seen the child before, only the pictures that Hilde had shown him. His eyes softened as he gazed at the infant. Keitaro had woken up and was looking around, taking in the sights and sounds all around him. For the moment he was quiet, the noises he could hear, the different sights and smells held his attention, but it wouldn't be too long before he would be demanding a feed or a diaper change.

 

“He's a lovely baby. The photos don't do him justice,” Mark commented as he continued to gaze at the child.

 

Hilde hadn't told Mark of the real circumstances surrounding Keitaro's conception and birth, the fewer people that knew, the safer it was for Duo. Rather than lie completely, Hilde had gone with the cover story Une, Sally and Doctor G had concocted between them to explain the child for the Preventer records as well as those agents that would be curious as to Duo's absence from the agency. Hilde simply informed her future husband that Keitaro was the result of a mix of Heero's and Duo's sperm with a donor egg. The resulting fetus had been 'grown' in a laboratory and once 'born' the parents had taken over.

 

Whilst not the complete truth, it wasn't all lies either. The test tube, or laboratory growth of fetus' was happening quite a bit, mainly for couples that couldn't carry a child to term themselves for whatever reason. It was also fast becoming a way for gay married couples to have a family of their own. It was a good cover story, one that would be hard to refute, especially since Sally had made up a complete bogus file on Keitaro to satisfy anyone that should try to check up on the facts.

 

“We think he's special,” Heero said in his quiet tone, loving eyes fixed on his son.

 

“Yeah,” Mark replied absently.

 

“Uh oh, you'd better watch him, Hilde,” Duo whispered and nudged the woman with his elbow.

 

“Eh? What are you talking about, Duo?” Hilde questioned.

 

“Mark and babies. He's starting to get a little 'clucky' around Keitaro. Something tells me that Mark isn't going to want to wait too long before becoming a father himself.”

 

Hilde's eyes widened a little in shock as she studied her future husband and his interaction with the child. He was clearly smitten with the infant. “Ah, crap,” she muttered. “You know I want kids too, just not right away. I think I'd rather wait a couple of years first.”

 

“Doesn't look like you'll get that privilege. Mark's looking pretty sappy right now.” Duo couldn't help himself, he had to tease. After all the teasing and tormenting he'd put up with and suffered through whilst pregnant, it felt good to finally get a little of his own back.

 

"Well, he's just going to have to wait to become a father," Hilde stated firmly. "The salvage yard is really starting to go ahead and with both of us needed to keep it running smoothly there's just no time to add a family to the mix, not yet anyway."

 

"Are we going to stand around in the terminal all day or can we be on our way to the hotel? This baby is going to need feeding and changing very soon," Nurse Brown said as she rocked the infant.

 

"Ah, yes. We really should get going," Hilde said. "This way to the car."

 

The small group followed the young woman and her future husband out of the shuttle terminal and into the car park.

 

* * *

 

A pair of binoculars were lowered and a cruel smile curved a pair of lips. Beside the figure another shadow emerged.

 

"That him?"

 

"Yes."

 

"You sure?"

 

"Of course I'm sure."

 

"Now what?"

 

"Now, we wait."

 

"Wait? I thought we'd already waited long enough."

 

"Have patience. The right opportunity will present itself, until it does, we wait."

 

The shadow snorted and lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply.

 

* * *

 

It didn't take long to find the hotel that the guys had booked for their stay on L2. Hilde had offered to have them all stay with her at the house at the scrap yard, but Heero and Duo didn't want to intrude. Besides, there wasn't just the pair of them who needed a bed, but Nurse Brown and Keitaro too. It wouldn't have been fair to Hilde to expect her to put all four of them up.

 

The hotel was a nice one for the area, clean and spacious. Heero confirmed their on-line booking with the receptionist and within minutes held the key cards to two adjoining suites. Hilde and Mark assisted with the luggage, riding the elevator to the third floor and finding rooms 32 and 34. Heero swiped the key card through the lock on room 32, the lock clicking and turning green, allowing the door to open.

 

Duo took the key card for the other room and slid it through the lock, opening that door and stepping inside. Both rooms were identical with a queen bed, dresser, television, desk, chair and the usual bathroom attached. The interconnecting door was opened to allow movement between the two rooms. There was a cot in one room for the infant and it then became a discussion between Heero, Duo and Nurse Brown as to which room Keitaro would sleep in

 

Duo was insistent that as Keitaro's parents, the baby should be sleeping in their room with them. Nurse Brown pointed out that as she'd been employed as the child's nanny it was her job to look after the babe and that included having the infant sleeping near her so she could attend to the child during the night.

 

Hilde solved the problem by suggesting that Keitaro sleep in his parents' room until the eve of the wedding where he would sleep in Nurse Brown's room so that the guys could get a night of uninterrupted sleep and be fresh for the wedding. Everyone seemed happy with that and so it was decided that's what they would do.

 

Hilde and Mark stayed for a little while longer, Mark going over a few minor things with Heero whilst Hilde made sure that Duo knew exactly what it was he would be doing when giving her away. While the four discussed the wedding, Nurse Brown took Keitaro through and gave him a quick wipe over with a warm wash cloth, changed his diaper and made him up a bottle of formula. Knowing there was a baby in the room, the hotel staff had provided a microwave as well as a container for hot water to be put in specifically for the heating of a baby's bottle. This way the parents could choose which way they wished to warm up the infant's milk.

 

After arranging to meet up with each other for dinner that evening, Hilde and Mark took their leave. Nurse Brown settled the baby after his feed, the infant happy to go to sleep and whilst the child slept she took the opportunity to unpack. Duo and Heero similarly unpacked, suits being hung up whilst other clothing, including Keitaro's, all made their way into various drawers.

 

With all the unpacking done, Nurse Brown decided she would also enjoy a nap before getting ready for dinner and quietly closed the connecting door. Keitaro was asleep in the cot also in Nurse Brown's room so that left the guys free to do what they wished.

 

Heero decided to hook up the laptop and contact Harim back at the estate and check all was okay. Harim was looking after Miracle, Barney and Fred whilst they were away. He was also keeping an eye on the house. Heero would also contact Quatre and Wufei, the others due to arrive at the colony somewhere in the next twenty four hours.

 

With Heero busy, Nurse Brown and Keitaro napping, Duo thought he might as well head out and do a little shopping. Keitaro would need diapers and formula, they'd only brought enough with them for the trip and a couple of spares as per Nurse Brown's recommendation. Pressing a kiss to Heero's lips, Duo checked he had his wallet and left the hotel to do his shopping.

 

* * *

 

The heat of the colony hit him as he stepped outside the hotel and onto the sidewalk. The hotel was situated in a more prosperous part of the colony and before Duo knew it, he found himself wandering in the direction of the shabbier side of town. He wanted to see for himself what improvements had been made in his absence.

 

It had been two years since he'd last set foot on this colony and it didn't look like a great deal had happened in that time. The promised aid was slowly filtering through, evidence of such in the construction of buildings. The streets seemed a little cleaner too. Wandering into a store, Duo made his purchases, noting that the quality of food for this part of town had also improved a touch. He could still see evidence of the homeless here and there, spotted the occasional street rat and declined the offers from a whore or two.

 

The aid was coming through, there was no doubt about that, but it was filtering in very slowly. Duo wondered why it was taking so long. He highly doubted that any of the other colonies were in the same boat, that they were having to wait so long for aid. It seemed that L2 was always destined to lag behind the rest of the colonies, it would always be inferior, a home for the down and outs and derelicts of society.

 

He shook himself and mentally slapped his mind. That was no way to think of his home. Even though there was still poverty evident, there was also prosperity. Many businesses were beginning to spring up, where once there had been tired, run down warehouses there now stood new factories. Some complete, others still being built. Whilst the promised help was there, it was evident that more needed to be done to assist L2.

 

Turning around, Duo began to retrace his steps to the hotel, his mind turning over what he's witnessed. He knew Relena was deeply involved in the ESUN and made a mental note to contact her when they returned to earth and see if he couldn't push things along a little regarding L2 and its need for assistance.

 

The hotel loomed ahead, Duo stepping inside and heading for the elevator with his purchases and the thoughts of dinner in his mind.

 

* * *

 

Dinner was a warm and happy affair. Hilde and Mark joined the group as promised and took them all to a nice restaurant not far from the hotel. It wasn't too expensive and the meals were large. Keitaro was catered for in the form of a secure high chair, one that was specially designed for younger babies. It was complete with harness to prevent the infant from slipping anywhere and was completely rounded to encase the child's back and sides, allowing the front to remain open and the child to see and be fed easily.

 

Duo was impressed, so was Nurse Brown.

 

During the course of the meal the final wedding plans were discussed, Hilde informing them all that the rehearsal would be the following evening with the wedding itself taking place two days later. Once the wedding plans had been discussed the talk turned to Quatre, Trowa, Sally and Wufei, and when they would be arriving. Trowa and Quatre were due to arrive the following day, Sally and Wufei wouldn't be arriving until the eve of the wedding, neither one able to get away from Preventer until then.

 

The rest of the evening passed quickly and soon it was time for the goodbyes to be said. Hilde and Mark dropped the four back at the hotel, Hilde promising to pick them up the following day and show them around the now much larger scrap yard that she and Mark were running.

 

Retiring to their rooms, Duo changed Keitaro and dressed the baby for sleep. Heero warmed a bottle and took his son from Duo to feed the child whilst Duo took his shower. When Duo returned from his shower a smile found its way to his lips and he paused to simply stare and enjoy the moment.

 

Heero lay on his side on their bed, his arms curled protectively around Keitaro. The baby was snuggled close to his father's chest, eyes tightly shut. One of Keitaro's hands was curled into a fist around Heero's little finger, the babe holding on tight as he slumbered. Sensing he was being watched, Heero's eyes fluttered open and scanned around, coming to rest on the form of his husband silhouetted in the doorway.

 

"Finished?" he asked.

 

"Yeah." Duo smiled warmly. "Wish I had the camera handy."

 

Heero glanced down to where his son was cuddled close, the small fist grasping his little finger tightly and his heart melted.

 

"You look so natural." Duo walked quietly over to the bed, pausing at the side. "You want me to put him in his cot now or would you rather cuddle him for a little longer?"

 

"I'll cuddle for a little longer."

 

"Okay." Duo settled himself on the bed next to his husband and son, Heero's arm reaching out to wrap around his waist and pull him close.

 

"My family," Heero whispered possessively.

 

"Yours, Heero. All yours," Duo replied as he pressed a loving kiss to his son's head and then Heero's lips.

 

* * *

 

"It's him all right." A curl of smoke escaped his lips as the man spoke. He tossed the photograph to the table.

 

"How can you be sure he'll help us?"

 

"Every man has his price."

 

A snort.

 

The cigarette burned brightly as the man drew deeply on it. "You just have to know that price." He picked up another photograph, a cruel smirk crossing his lips as he studied the picture; a picture of Duo holding Keitaro in the shuttle port.

 

"And make an offer he can't refuse."

 

~ * ~

 

tbc...