Overload Zero: Relena 3

[Krazy_kool_Snowborder_Chi]

Disclaimer: I don?t own Gundam Wing. But I?m totally obsessed with it right now.

It was Liam?s first Christmas and of course Relena had work to do even though she was on maternity. She sighed as she went through another cadet application form. Liam cooed at her from the bouncing rocker chair she had set up on the kitchen table. Relena was so lost in the report that she never noticed that someone had entered until Liam began to fuss at something which caught Relena?s attention. There stood Heero with a fine layer of snow on his brown winter coat and brown unruly hair. He smiled and then began to shake the snow from his body. Liam began to squirm in his chair and raised his tiny hand out as a sign that he wanted to be held by Heero. Relena watched as Heero picked the tiny baby from the chair and began to cradle Liam. Liam gurgled and settled in.
?Merry Christmas,? Relena stated from her chair.
?Merry Christmas to you to,? he replied and then looked at the table littered with the folders and papers.
Heero frowned, ?Doing work on Christmas? Are you not going to come to the Duo?s and Hilde?s for dinner??
Relena looked back up at Heero, ?It?s just Colonel Une wanted these candidate folders done and??
Heero placed as finger over her lips and quieted her, ?You?re coming and leaving that work for after Christmas. Oh pack a few days worth of clothing.?
He went to Liam?s room, with Liam still in hand, to get Liam?s dipper bag and packed up the essentials. Relena paused at the last statement.
?Why do I need a few days worth of clothing?? she asked and then walked to Liam?s room.
?Because Duo and Hilde decide to take everyone to Aspen for Christmas. It seems that they were finally able to sell the Junk yard for a pretty penny. Duo used most of the sale to pay down the mortgage on there house and the rest they were using to take us to Aspen.?
Relena became sceptical, ?And how are they going to house Liam, myself, you, Sally, Wu Fei, Mulan, Trowa, Quatre, my brother, Lu, Parker and Geo??
?Got a big lodge for dirt cheep,? he replied and picked up the tattered bear that he had given to Liam the day after his birth.
?Duo fixed Howard?s boat again?? Relena said with a smug smile.
?You got it,? Heero replied showing the humour that he had been subtle in using.
He walked past her to the living room and began to pack up the play pen that Relena had set up. Relena continued to watch until he turned to look up and frowned.
?Why aren?t you getting ready??
Relena rolled her eyes and then went to her room and threw some clothes into her duffel. When she came into the living room, Heero was waiting there with Liam wrapped up in his winter one piece. He looked annoyed. Relena smiled and then he put Liam into her arms and they were off.

~*~

Relena felt uncomfortable as Heero continued to stare at her. She was still gripping the steering wheel tightly.
?To who?? Heero finally asked breaking the intense silence.
Relena let go of the breath she had been holding.
?His name is Dan Cauldflower. He works at an advertising agency in town. He loves Liam and Liam loves him. I also love him.?
Heero growled and then turned to face Relena, ?Why??
Relena?s heart dropped as she noticed a tear start to make its way down his face. She turned away and looked out the window.
?Because he liked me for whom I was. I am a thirty year old woman who is living the life she wanted,? Relena said in distress, still looking out the window.
?You?re living a lie,? Heero stated quietly yet his tone was filled with anger.
?I have to,? she shouted and then ran out of the car forgetting her attach? case.
As she entered the building she ran down the hall holding in the tears that threaten to fall. She tried to hold them back but once she entered the female bathroom. She ran locked the door and slid down it until her knees touched her chin. The tears continued to course down her cheek. It was the first time she had truly cried in years.

~*~

?I think that?s the best dinner you have cooked Onna,? Wu Fei commented as he passed his plate to Relena.
Hilde began to blush from the other end of the table.
?She?s the damn best cook on the face of the earth,? Duo exclaimed as he gave his plate to Quatre who was coming around just a Relena was to collect the dirty dishes from the dinner.
The banter around the table continued as Quatre and Relena collected dishes and began the messy processes of cleaning up the Christmas dinner.
?Thanks again for volunteering,? Relena said softly as she placed remaining turkey into the many Tupperware containers that Hilde had brought to the lodge for leftovers.
?It is really no problem Lena,? Quatre said with a smile and began to run the warm water for washing.
There was silence between the two kitchen workers.
?So how do you enjoy the idea of being a father?? Relena asked and joined Quatre at the sink.
?I love the idea,? the small Arabian man exclaimed.
?So how are you going to do this?? she asked as she continued to dry the dishes that the blond man turned out.
?Well there is the possibility a test tube baby. Trowa is kind of leaning towards that,? Quatre replied.
?Been done, look at your sisters,? Relena said with a small grin.
?I would really like to adopt. You know that even after the war there are still people who abandoned their children.?
Relena nodded her head, ?That?s true. Though the war had been over eight years the effects of its mass destruction on the human psyche was only now beginning to appear in those who were children of the time.?
?Like you,? Quatre said smugly.
Relena turned to face her friend shocked and appalled he would say that, ?The war never affected me.?
?No the repercussions of war affected you to. It all affected us in one way or another. Lena for you the war is not over. Here in you mind it might but in you?re heart, well that?s another story,? he expressed with his soft voice.
Relena sighed and knew the man in front of her was right. She was still waging a war against herself. She gave her friend her best ?You?re right, I?m wrong? look.
?So how?s Liam schedule?? Quatre asked moving on to other things.

~*~

?Are you still fighting with mom?? a blond haired kid asked a man who stood next to him.
?No,? the man replied.
?Dad, why is mom getting married to Mr. Cauldflower?? Liam asked as he and Heero walked in the park.
It was a week to the wedding and he was spending time with his son before the event. Heero sighed and then bent to Liam?s level. He looked like a miniature version of his mother but the unruly hair and cobalt eyes told him that he could see himself in his offspring.
?Because she loves him,? Heero replied and smoothed a lock of hair off the child forehead.
?Well doesn?t she love you? Don?t you love her? Liam asked.
Heero sighed and pondered how to respond to the five year olds question, ?Oh I love her very much, but I don?t think she loves me the same way.?
?But she must have loved you enough to make me?? Liam exclaimed as tears began to escape his blue eyes.
Heero sighed again and then smiled, ?And how do you know that??
?Cause our teacher taught it to us. She called it the facts of life,? Liam stated matter of factly. The tears continued to fall.
Heero whipped away a few of the tears and then dried the rest with the sleeve of his dress shirt. He pulled Liam close and hugged him.
?Don?t worry Liam, everything will be ok,? Heero reassured the five year old.
?Dad don?t think that I don?t love you, ?cause I love you lots,? Liam stated once Heero pulled him away.
Heero ruffled his blond hair, ?I know.?
Heero stood up and the pair continued to walk along the park path. Liam continued to chatter about school and how it was going. Every once and awhile he would ask questions and Heero would answer. As the walked back to Relena?s tiny apartment, Heero spotted a red car in the visitor parking spot next to his. He growled under his breath. Liam began to tug at his hand and led him up to the tiny apartment.
?You have to meet Mr. Cauldflower,? Liam stated as he continued to drag Heero up to the apartment.
Heero groaned but let his son continue to drag him. Once he entered the apartment he was greeted to the sight of Relena in a navy blue strapless gown. Around her neck was a gold chain with a single pear shaped diamond. She wore her hair down but for two tiny tresses of golden hair that were pulled back in braids held together at the back by a simple navy blue clip. Heero gasped inwardly and continued to stare. Relena smiled and then picked up Liam. Liam began to ramble on about his day and how spending time with his dad was cool. Relena turned to face Heero. She smiled and then opened her mouth to speak.
?Honey where are you?re towels?? a deep voice asked interrupting what Relena was going to say.
?In the closet next to Liam?s door,? Relena replied.
She put Liam down and headed off to the hall. Liam saunter up to Heero and beckoned for him to come down to his level. Heero complied and squatted down and looked his son in the eye.
?Just one thing you should know before mom gets married,? He stated in a low whisper.
?What?s that?? he asked playing along with Liam.
?Mr. Cauldflower ain?t as cool as you,? Liam said and threw his arms around Heero.
?It?s isn?t, Liam,? Heero corrected and returned his sons hug.
?Whatever,? Liam giggled.
?Well thank you pardner,? Heero drawled and gave Liam his rare big smile he reserved for special people.
?Heero can I ask you a big favour?? Relena?s voice brought his body up from the crouched position it was in.
?Anything?? the entrance of one Dan Cauldflower caused him to stop.
Heero held his anger in check as he looked over Relena?s fianc?e. He was a pretty boy plain and simple. Blond hair, green eyes, soft features and what a woman would classify as a hot body. Heero to himself that he could take this man out in mere seconds and he figured that Relena could as well. He had seen her take out 200 lbs men in missions. Hell when they did the Phoenix mission she took out 250lbs Renee Jaust after she had sustained an injury to her left arm.
?Well I was going to have Mrs. Hallie come down from upstairs to baby sit Liam tonight but she had to cancel and I was wondering if you could take Liam tonight.? Relena asked sweetly
Heero just nodded his head dumbly and Liam began to jump up and down. He ran off to his room to grab his duffle for when he went to Heero?s. He came back just as Relena was giving Heero the numbers.
?You look very beautiful Malena,? Dan stated and then kissed her check.
Liam nodded his head in agreement. Heero continued to stare dumbly at Relena. Liam tugged on Heero?s jeans. Heero looked down at his son.
?Tell her she?s beautiful,? Liam hissed
?You look beautiful, Lena,? Heero said letting out a breath.
?Thank you. Liam come and give me a goodnight kiss and I?ll see tomorrow after school,? Relena said as awaited a kiss from Liam.
Liam kissed Relena goodbye and then took Heero?s hand and dragged him out to the Jeep.

~*~

?That was really nice of Quatre to set up that education plan for Liam,? Relena said as she laid Liam down in the playpen/cradle for the night.
Heero nodded and then placed the tattered bear into the newborn?s arms. Liam instantly clutched the dilapidated bear. Heero smiled softly and then turned to Relena who was doing the same thing.
?I can?t believe that he?s here now,? Relena whispered.
Heero nodded and continued to watch Liam in his sleep. He was interrupted when Relena placed a calloused hand on his shoulder.
?Thank you,? she said and smiled a true smile.
Heero returned the smile and nodded, ?No thank you.?
Relena cocked her head to the side and smiled a weird little smile, ?Is the Perfect Solider making a joke??
Heero took Relena into his arms and hugged her, ?I?m grateful for Liam Relena. I?m grateful that I have such a perfect little child in that play pen that I love and that?s why I?m thanking you.?
Relena returned the hug back grateful that he did because his words melted his heart.
?Hey Lena, got a phone call,? Duo shouted.
Relena broke the hug and went to claim the call. She left a very dazed Heero in the doorway of her room.

~*~

?Teeth are brushed, hair is too,? Liam shouted with exuberance.
Heero stood in the door as he watched his five year old complete his nightly cleaning before he hoped into bed. Heero nodded and then picked up his son, and carried him to his bed were he deposited the child into the bed. He then tucked Liam under the covers. Just as he reached to turn out the light Liam began to rustle.
?Can I ask you somethin??? Liam asked in a quiet voice.
Heero nodded and Liam sat up in his bed.
?Do you have a birthday?? he asked with a little frown.
Heero began to laugh at his son?s question but intended to answer it truthfully.
?No, I?ve never had one,? he replied, ?Why do you ask??
Liam began to fidget with the star patterned blanket that covered his tiny legs.
?Because I always celebrate a birthday with mom and you, cause it?s my birthday. And we always have one for mom and we celebrated Mr. Cauldflower?s a couple of days ago and I go to tons of parties for my friends at school and you take me to all of my cousins birthday and??
Heero pulled Liam in to a hug as he saw the tears roll down his checks in is babbling that he usually did when he was upset.
?It?s ok,? he reassured the five year old.
?Why don?t you have a birthday?? Liam finally asked as he pulled away from Heero.
?I never knew my parents,? Heero finally stated.
Liam?s eyes opened really wide, ?Never knew you?re mommy and dad??
Heero shook his head. Liam cocked his head to the side and looked questioning at his father.
?Then who help you grow,? he said simply.
Heero sighed; Liam was asking him to drag up a past he was all too thankful to forget. He glanced at the digital alarm clock that sat on his dresser. It read it was five minuets past Liam?s bed time
?I don?t think this is the time to tell stories. You have school in the morning,? Heero replied in his monotone voice.
Liam opened his mouth to protest but Heero sent him the parent version of his death glare. Liam hung his head in defeat and lay back down on his pillow. Heero place a small kiss on the top of Liam?s head and then turned off the light and turned on Liam?s night light. He crossed the room and picked up something and gave it to Liam. By the time he had left the room, Liam was fast asleep and clutching to the tattered bear that he had given to Relena all those years ago.

~*~

Heero stood in the backyard of the Maxwell?s. It was the annual Preventer Picnic and things were going great. It was warm and sunny, there was good food and even better the nice ice cold beer he held in his hand. He watched as three year old Liam, Mulan and Riki, Quatre?s and Trowa?s adoptive daughter began to chase each other with water balloons that Duo had showed them how to make. He chuckled to himself at Liam finally getting one of the girls and then both of them teamed up on him which sent him running back in Duo?s direction.
Heero stood next to Wu Fei who had taken over the BBQ after Duo burned the last batch of hamburgers. Heero snigger to himself as he heard Wu Fei curse for the fifth time in a row about the injustice of letting Duo cook. He continued to scan the yard. It was littered with most of the senior staff at the Preventer?s HQ. Lady Une and Sally were to one side talking about bringing on another doctor at the Headquarters soon. Hilde was playing with the one and a half year old twins Jonah and John near Duo and the children. Still he continued to scan the crowd of people. Quatre began to protest as Liam and Duo grabbed the hose and began to soak Riki. He whined about little Riki not liking it. Trowa stood by not saying a thing but a gleam in his eye showed that it was amusing to see his little daughter soaked and enjoying it.
Soon all the children were joining in. Ruth, Parker, Riki and Mulan had water guns from the garage and had filled them up squirting the pair. Geo feeling left out joined Duo and Liam and began to toss left over water balloons at the girls. Their shrieks and laughter could be heard all through the yard. Heero felt a wet hand tug on the pair of jeans he wore. He smiled at the sight of his soaked son. His blond hair was dripping and his cobalt eye?s asked him to come and play. Heero took the dripping hand and waited for the little guy to lead him to the water fight.

~*~

Heero had just settled in to watch the basketball game when a nock came at the door of the house. Turing off the TV, Heero pulled the gun from the safe and put it in the back of his pants. He tentatively walked to the door and the slowly opened the door. There stood a very tipsy Relena. Her blond hair was dishevelled and she was muttering on. Heero took her left hand and noticed the ring that she had worn on her left hand was gone. She looked at him with her cerulean coloured eyes and a single tear escaped from them. Heero led her into the house and sat her down on the couch. He took the bottle of wine she had in her right and placed it on the coffee table. He turned off the television and crouched down in front of Relena.
?What?s the matter?? he asked point blankly.
?I now know why Dan Cauldflower?s first wife dumped him,? she muttered another tear escaped from her eye.
Heero understood and pulled her into a comfort hug. Relena did not hug back she continued to stare off into space. She never broke down but stayed silent. Heero pulled away and decide talking to her was not the best thing right now. He took the bottle off the coffee table and placed it in the trash and then walked back to Relena to watch her for the rest of the night so she did not do anything illegal.

~*~

By the time Liam was up he was not expecting to see his mom in uniform sitting at the table drinking coffee. He walked cautiously up to her before she threw her arms around him and began to tickle.
?Mommy stop,? he hissed as Relena kissed him.
Relena complied and let Liam go. Liam sat himself on her lap and looked at her. He noticed the black rims around her eyes and that she looked like she had a headache.
?Are you alright mom?? he asked.
?What do you want for breakfast Liam,? Heero asked interrupting Relena from answering.
?Bagel and jam please,? he asked.
Heero went about cutting the two bagels he pulled out from the breadbox. Relena looked at Liam and then sighed.
?I had a fight with Dan last night, and found out a few things about him,? she stated and then looked at Liam.
?So that means what?? he asked.
Heero coughed as a signal not to push but Relena ignored him.
?It means Dan and I are not getting married,? she said sadly.
Liam smiled and then turned to face Heero, ?You can marry dad now.?
Heero began to blush and Relena choked on the piece of toast she had just put into her mouth. Heero spoke up.
?Liam I don?t think this is the time to discuss this subject.?
?Oh,? Liam said bowing his head a little in dismay.
?But I do have something to ask you,? Relena said after she got the toast down.
?What?? Liam asked perking up a bit.
?How would you like for you and me to live with dad until I can find us a new apartment?? she said softly.
Liam looked to Relena first and then to Heero and smiled, ?I would really like that.?
TBC?