Magic in Sanq Part 2
Relena approached the house with something akin to trepidation. She had promised to return on this day... and she hoped she would be needed. She tapped on the door a couple of times and stood patiently. She didn't have to wait long. The door opened to reveal a very lovely young woman with long brown hair wearing a very familiar dress. Relena smiled brightly. "Duo?"
Duo ducked her head with a nod. "Hey, Relena. No one ever warned me how weird it'd be to use the... facilities as a different gender." She pouted a little. "It's also not fair how much toilet paper women have to use."
Katrina's voice called from the kitchen. "Duo, dear, don't make Relena stand out there. Invite her in and we'll have a nice cup of that Earl Grey tea Quatre sent to us."
"Sorry, mom!" Duo looked suitably contrite. "I'm sorry for being so rude. Please come in." Then she stood aside.
Relena smiled as she walked inside. "Where are the... menfolk?"
"Oh ha ha ha, Relena." Duo scrunched her nose. "They went to a muggle hardware store. Heero wants to build the cradle himself."
Relena smiled happily. "Congratulations, Duo."
Duo snorted. "I'm getting the list of warnings and side effects of pregnancy." Then she smiled. "I'm not going to complain, though. Thanks, though, Relena. Did I tell you that you've got great taste?"
Relena laughed lightly as she sat down and accepted the cup Katrina handed to her. "Yes, but it's so easy to shop for you. You have such good coloring. But blues and violets really bring out your eyes." She took a cookie from the plate Katrina put down before the older woman sat. "So... why did you need me today?"
Duo motioned to herself. "I need more clothes. My mom is fine, but... even she admits that she'd have me dress in clothes that are too old. I have this outfit... and that's it." She made a face. "It was REALLY gross keeping the same pair of underwear on. No one warned me what close proximity to someone I desired would be."
Relena flushed as she remembered the effect Heero had on her. "Heero IS hot. And I understand." She tilted her head and regarded Duo. "You'll also need all the toiletries that come with being a woman. The razors, the cream, the powder, the deoderant, the perfume, the make-up, the jewelry... are you going to have your ears pierced?"
Duo nodded. "I had been discussing it with Heero, and we both agree that, even as a boy, I'd look cool wearing earrings even if they were just studs."
Relena giggled. "Now... makeup... let me see." She scrunched her nose. "There were times I just HATED you guys for your complexions. You never seemed to break out. I had to use foundation to hide my pimples!"
Duo shrugged. "Couldn't tell you why." She sipped her tea. "So... we're going on a shopping spree. Sounds like fun, although I don't wanna put you in hock over me."
Relena threw her head back with a laugh. "Nonsense. I am going to spoil you rotten! It's not every girl who can spoil a pregnant friend who is usually male." She reached forward and patted Duo's hand. "Besides... everyone deserves to be spoiled at least once in their lives." She knew she had won when Duo sighed and nodded. "Great. Let's go."
*****
Heero helped Howard bring the wood into the shed before heading into the house. The two of them had been meticulous in the selection. Wanting woods that were good cuts and wouldn't break while Duo rocked their baby. He was about to head upstairs to wash up for dinner, but was brought up short. Duo was sitting comfortably on the sofa wearing a soft blue housedress doing something with her hands. "Hey... what are you doing?" Heero kissed Duo's cheek.
Duo smiled warmly. "Mom taught me how to crochet a granny square afghan. Look at this..." She held up the basket. "I can make an afghan that looks like a peaceful blue sky. That's all I want our baby to see... peaceful blue skies."
Heero chuckled as he shook his head. "Duo... don't tell me you intend to make all the clothes for our baby."
Duo frowned. "And why shouldn't I, Heero? I know you. You're overprotective to a fault. Once the less pleasant aspects of pregnancy start setting in, you'll be cursing yourself for ever letting me get involved." She rubbed her still flat stomach. "This may be our only chance. Why not spoil our little one as much as possible?" She smiled a little then. "I'm not saying go overboard and get the baby every single thing it desires, but if I can give this little piece of the two of us clothing made by hand and with lots of love, why shouldn't I?"
Heero sighed. Duo was right... it wasn't as if his beloved was planning to go out and buy every baby toy known to wizard and muggle. "You're right. If I were to tell you not to, I'd be a hypocrite. After all... I am going to make the cradle and bassinet by hand." He chuckled and placed a kiss on Duo's head. "So long as you don't overdo it. I intend to pamper and spoil you the way you deserve."
Duo let out a soft laugh of her own. "Heero... you ALWAYS pamper and spoil me. Now go on and start on that bassinet so that it's done by the time school starts and we move into our own place."
Heero nodded and turned with a wry grin. Little did Duo know that he was also planning on making the furnishings for the entire nursery, including a rocking chair for Duo to sit in. He was going with a space motif... something to represent the different colonies. He even had a mobile in mind. He truly hoped that they could find a house that had a skylight in the room where the nursery would be. He walked out to the shed and nodded to Howard.
"Well... I called a few of the boys. They said they'd get right on the mobile." Howard grinned at Heero. "Didn't tell her, did you?"
Heero shook his head as he pulled one plank out. "No. I want it to be a surprise." He smiled sadly as he started penciling in the design. "I have... so much to make up for. All the bad treatment during the war and then just leaving the way I did." He met Howard's eyes. "Even if Duo smiles every second of every day for the rest of our lives together... nothing will take away the misery I caused."
Howard nodded. "Then you're one up on a lot of the husbands out there. You realize your mistakes. Of course, that kid of mine made mistakes, too."
Heero nodded. "Yes, but that doesn't justify my actions." He shook his head. "Enough! I think this horse is dead and we should stop beating it."
Howard let out a laugh. "You got a point there. Okay... happy thoughts while working on the little one's stuff."
Heero smiled in agreement. Pain and heartache would come to his child in due time, but he wanted the earliest memories to be of joy and comfort. With that thought in mind, the two men went to work.
*****
Duo sat patiently and smiled at Heero as the jeweler approached her with the piercing needle. "Calm down, love. It's not like I'm going through acupuncture. It's a simple procedure."
The jeweler chuckled and pressed a numbing charm to Duo's ear. "Yes... very standard. I've performed it many times, and I have never had anyone suffer from ill effects."
Duo tilted her head to allow easier access to her ear. Once that one was done, she tilted her head the other way. She'd have to wear the same pair of earrings for the next 6 weeks so her ears would heal properly. Once the tiny gold heart-shaped studs were in, she reached up and touched them. "Thanks."
The jeweler shook her head. "Just pay at the counter, dear."
Duo picked up her shopping basket and walked next to Heero. They were heading for Diagon Alley to get their supplies for school. Granted they would not be going to Hogwarts, but their supplies could still be bought. Plus Kitty had wanted them out of the house since she and Howard were going to be busy furnishing Duo and Heero's new home. When they got back from their trip, they would use Floo Powder to make the trip to their new home in Sanq.
Duo was excited and afraid. She didn't really want to leave her mother's place, but knew that it would be the best thing to do... for her and Heero as well as for Kitty and Howard. Plus she knew that she could visit her mother at any time if she wanted.
Heero had an odd smile on his face after paying for the earrings.
Duo found it endearing... and a little frustrating. "What's so funny?"
Heero chuckled. "Ohhhh... just that I heard from the guys and they'll be meeting us in Diagon Alley." He smirked. "I didn't tell them."
Duo blinked and then smiled herself. "Ohhhhhhh... you'd better watch it, Heero. Wufei will say I'm a bad influence on you. That's something I would have pulled if I had thought of it."
Heero nodded easily. "I know. That's why I didn't tell them."
Duo's response was to laugh. She could hardly wait to see the guys and their reactions. She took Heero's hand and smiled warmly at him. "So... where will we be meeting them?"
"At Flourish & Blotts. Then we're going to go to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlor for a sundae." They entered the Leaky Cauldron and Heero waved to the bartender.
Duo sniffed in mock upset. "Too cheap to buy me a sundae?"
Heero shook his head. "Not at all, love. I just know that you love eating their ice cream and I figured you could have two... one free and one I buy for you." He leaned over and kissed Duo's cheek. "And if you want a third, I'll splurge and we'll share it. Just don't make yourself sick, okay?"
Duo grinned and tapped the necessary brick with her wand and watched as the entrance to Diagon Alley opened in front of her. "Let's go to Gringotts first. I have to get some money."
Heero nodded. "Good idea. We should take stock of what we have available. I know the house we bought is in a new wizarding community in Sanq, and will accept our wizarding funds, but it's best to be safe."
Duo agreed, and she was also anxious to see what funds Heero had available. She was looking forward to getting some of the trinkets she had inherited from her parents. Once inside Diagon Alley, she took in a deep breath. "While we're here, I should really pick up a basket for Shi-chan. She should be having her kittens soon." Shi-chan had stayed with Trowa and Quatre since she was carrying Tiger's litter. Duo could hardly wait to see the little baby furballs. Kittens were too cute, and she wanted one of the litter for herself.
Heero smiled and nodded. "Good idea."
They ran their errand at Gringotts. Duo was extremely pleased to see that Heero was also well off... if they managed their funds carefully and did some small jobs, they wouldn't have to worry about any real work. Duo was really glad about that. She could be the house... well not WIFE, but she'd be able to tend to her family's needs. Cook and clean as well as garden.
Heero smiled a little. "Not complaining, but what's put that content expression on your face?"
Duo picked up a lovely brass faery statue from her knick knack pile. "I always wanted to be a home maker. It's silly, considering my usual gender, but... the thought of cooking and cleaning... taking care of little bumps and bruises... drying teary eyes... I dunno. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside."
Heero chuckled. "It's not silly, Duo. It makes perfect sense since you're the one who was always trying to make our safe houses and dorm rooms more 'homey'." He wrapped an arm around Duo's waist and smiled as they left her vault. "Come on... let's meet the others."
TBC...
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