Chapter Text
Epilogue
Relena looked out from the balcony of the cool autumn evening. Three years ago she married Heero and came to this kingdom with the promise of improving the land and increasing their quality of life. It started out as a way to avoid conflict, to save the lives that would have been lost had Sank decided to fight back against his army.
One could argue she only continued to humor the agreement out of a sense of duty. They wouldn't be completely wrong. At first, it was her desire to save her kingdom from disaster that she married Heero and traveled with him to his kingdom. At the time, all that mattered was doing all that she could to fulfill her side of the bargain. What people did not know, however, was that from the first moment their eyes met; from their first kiss on their wedding day her heart became inexplicably entangled to his. The more time that passed, the more she grew to love him. The day she realized he loved her too was the best day of her life.
"Well, second best." She said aloud and rubbed her tummy. She smiled as the little life within responded with a kick. She had a midwife nearby at all times and her own doctor on call. Heero was taking no chances on the health of both her and their child. Her heart still fluttered at the memory of hearing those words.
The first signs had been painfully obvious. Every morning, she woke up nauseous. He feared she had caught some sort of illness though she insisted she felt fine. Her menses, however, was well past due and all women knew what that most likely meant. Still, to put his mind at ease, she agreed to see the doctor. He ran the necessary tests and had her come back some time later. The news she received could not have made her happier.
"Congratulations, your majesty. You're pregnant."
Her mind spun, heart leaping in her chest as a smile took up permanent residence on her face. It seemed so surreal but in the best way possible. Of course, she'd wanted to tell him immediately! But she wanted to do it right. She waited until the evening when they always had dinner together.
The candles were lit, the table set for two. She ordered that dinner be delivered to the room around seven which was just before he usually came to the bedroom. As the door opened, he walked in, obviously tired. His focus immediately landed on her and the candle light tables.
"Are you hungry?" She asked. He nodded and crossed to her.
"First…" he kissed her, full and long. He wrapped his arms around her and began to kiss her neck. She giggled and pushed against his chest.
"Not so fast." She giggled again. "We need to eat. I'm probably hungrier than you are."
"Hn." He smirked and pulled away. "You have been eating more."
"Is that your way of telling me I'm gaining weight?" He raised a brow.
"No."
"You're a terrible liar." She smiled at him.
"Did you see the doctor?" He asked. She nodded.
"Yes. He says I'm perfectly healthy… and he's sent for a midwife." She smiled and watched him as the meaning of her words slowly came to him. His eyes widened. He stood, face expressionless. "Heero?" It had never occurred to her that he might not want a baby… but he walked over to her. He put his hand on her stomach.
"You're serious?" She nodded, suddenly feeling unsure of the situation. She never expected him to slowly kneel down and press his forehead to her tummy.
"Heero?"
"I'm… going to be… a father…?" She couldn't say anything. He looked up at her and for the first time in the time she had known him she saw the subtle shimmering of moisture in his eyes. She nodded. He kissed her tummy and leaned up to kiss her lips. She giggled at the awkward, crooked smile that curled at one of the corners of his lips.
That was close to eight months ago. The baby was due to be born soon and Heero, ever her protector, refused to let her do anything that the midwife did not allow. She had hardly left her room! But it was worth it. There was a new, overwhelming joy that came from knowing that together she and Heero had created a living symbol of their love. She carried a second heartbeat, a second living being that represented the bond between husband and wife but more than that, the bond between two kingdoms.
"I cannot wait to meet you." She smiled. "Your father is excited too."
"I am." His voice came behind her. She looked over her shoulder and smiled as he came up behind her and wrapped his arms over hers. He kissed her neck and she sighed.
Through their combined efforts, the kingdom was prospering. Peace accords were being signed between enough of the lands to create a cease fire. It wouldn't last forever, she knew this all too well, but the knowledge that their child would grow up safe in a time of peace made it well worth it. She turned her head to look at him over her shoulder.
"I love you." She said. The smile he gave her spoke for him louder and stronger than words ever could as he kissed her softly. She relaxed into her husband's embrace and smiled as they watched the sunset. Finally, after a turbulent start, the war of their hearts was at last over.