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Family Ties	By : Deb Category: Gundam Wing/AC > Yaoi - Male/Male Views: 19194 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing/AC, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 130
- 131
- 132
“Family Ties”

January 2007 ShenLong

Chapter 131

Nurse Brown pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at it, her eyes blinking.

“What did Sally say? Are we to take Duo to the hospital? Heero demanded.

“Ahhh, shit it hurts,” Duo moaned as another pain assaulted him and he hunched forward, grasping at his belly. Instantly Heero was there, rubbing soothing circles on his partner’s back and whispering comforting words.

The sudden gasp of pain from Duo drew the nurse from her thoughts and she shook her head. Taking in what was happening, she dropped the phone and moved to Duo’s other side. “Try to breathe in soft pants, Duo. It can help with the pain,” the nurse advised

“So can freakin’ pain killers,” Duo ground out. “What I wouldn’t give for some of Quatre’s morphine right about now.”

“It will all be okay, Duo,” Heero soothed.

“How do you know, Yuy?! You’re not the one carrying the fricken’ kid and having his insides scrambled. Shit, it hurts. Feels like my stomach’s about to burst.” Duo gritted his teeth against the building pain.

Heero blinked at the harsh words and tone in which they were delivered and caught Nurse Brown’s eye. The nurse mouthed the words ‘hormones, he doesn’t mean it,’ at Heero who nodded in response. Moments later the tense form beneath his hands began to relax and a pale, sweaty Duo lay back against the pillows.

“Okay, these labor pains are starting to build,” Margaret stated.

“No shit,” growled Duo.

Choosing to ignore the language, on the grounds that Duo couldn’t help himself right now, Margaret continued to speak. “Doctor Po wants us to meet her at the hospital as soon as we can get there. Heero, I suggest you go wake Trowa and Quatre. Trowa will need to keep an ear out for Keitaro should the boy wake with all the ruckus that’s going on. Quatre offered to drive you two to the hospital so I suggest we get you ready to go.”

“What about you?” Heero asked.

“I’ll head off to the hospital in my own car just as soon as I’ve gotten Duo ready to travel. I can get there quicker and start to set the operating theater up for Doctor Po.”

“What about Chang?” asked Duo. “He was going to come over and help Trowa with Keitaro.”

“I believe Mr. Chang is already on his way,” Nurse Brown replied.

“He is? How would...” The proverbial light bulb went off in Duo’s head as he recalled overhearing bits of the nurse’s conversation with Sally. “Why that sly dog,” he snickered.

“What?” asked Heero who was still completely in the dark regarding Wufei.

“I’ll bet our Wuffers was helping Sally to keep her bed warm.”

“Duo! That is quite enough, thank you. What Doctor Po does in her own time is none of your concern and neither should it be gossiped about,” Margaret chastised.

Duo gave the nurse a sheepish grin.

Nurse Brown turned her attention back to Heero. “What are you doing still standing here? I thought I gave you instructions.”

“Aa. I’m on it.” Heero darted from the room and headed for Trowa and Quatre’s room.

“Now, Duo. Let’s get you into something a little more comfortable for the trip to the hospital, shall we?”

*

Quatre was having a lovely dream, one that involved a secluded beach, soft sand and warm sun along with his lanky lover, a can of whipped cream and a few strawberries. Needless to say, he wasn’t very happy about being woken up.

A loud knocking on the door of their room began to draw Quatre from his dream and the blonde moaned softly. “Mmm, Trowa; just like that.”

“Huh? Quatre?” Trowa had also been woken by the sound of knocking, which he thought was unusual enough, but his husband’s moans and soft words had him even more foxed.

“Uh, Trowa? Whas’ goin’ on?” murmured the blonde.

“I don’t know,” Trowa replied. “There’s someone knocking at the door.”

“Why don’t you answer it then?” suggested Quatre as he rolled over and ducked his head back under the covers, clearly stating he wasn’t about to get up for anyone.

The rapping came again, firmer and more insistent.

“Okay, okay, I’m coming,” Trowa muttered and swung his legs out to the side of the bed. He stood up and hopped his way across the room to where his robe sat across the back of a chair. “Cold, cold,” he muttered as he continued to ‘dance’, finally finding his slippers and slipping them on. With the robe covering his nude body and providing a little more warmth, he opened the door, yawning widely and rubbing a hand across his jaw. “Heero?” he questioned, clearly surprised to see the Japanese man on his bedroom doorstep at this hour of the morning. “You have any idea what time it is?”

“Of course I do,” snorted Hero. “Trowa; is Quatre awake? I need him to drive us to the hospital. Duo’s in labor and we need to get him to Preventer hospital quickly. I also need you to keep an eye on Keitaro. Chang is on his way already to help you.” All this tumbled out of Heero’s mouth in about two seconds flat.

“Duo’s in labor?”

“Hai, he is.” Unable to wait any longer, Heero pushed past the Latin and strode to the lump in the bed currently hiding under the covers. Grasping what he hoped was Quatre’s shoulder, Heero shook firmly. “Quatre, wake up. I need you to drive us to the hospital, Duo’s having the baby.”

A few strands of blonde hair appeared followed by a sleepy, aqua eye. “I know Duo’s having a baby,” Quatre replied, his tone heavy with sleep.

“Yes, Quatre, he is. He’s also having that baby now.”

“Huh?” Quatre’s head appeared above the bedclothes, his hand rubbing at the sleep in his eyes as he tried to scramble his brain.

“Duo is in labor, Quatre. He has to get to the hospital now. Either you get up and drive us there as you said you would or I’ll drive him myself.”

“Duo’s in labor?! Why the hell didn’t you say so? Shit! Trowa, get me my clothes and a hot coffee.” Quatre shot out of the bed and promptly fell into a heap on the floor when the bed clothes refused to let him go. “Ow, fuck!” he cursed as his rear end collided with the unforgiving floor. With a growl he yanked at the sheets, only succeeding in tangling himself more.

“You go get Duo ready, I’ll help Quatre,” Trowa said in his calm voice.

“You sure? We need to move quickly.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll have Quatre downstairs and ready to go in five minutes,” Trowa promised.

“Okay then.” Heero turned and left the Latin to sort out his husband, Heero’s own husband also needed taking care of.

“Quatre, stay still for a moment,” Trowa ordered as he watched the blonde struggling to free himself.

“But, Trowa... Duo’s in labor and I need to get them to the hospital,” Quatre complained and kicked viciously at the sheets. “Damn bed linen,” he muttered.

“The more you try, the more entangled you’re becoming. Stay still,” Trowa ordered.

Quatre stopped his struggles and did as his husband requested. Within two seconds Trowa had him free from the sheets. “Thanks,” he said and planted a kiss to Trowa’s cheek. “I’d better get dressed.” Pink, polka dotted pajamas disappeared into the walk in closet.

Trowa shook his head and sighed. Tightening the belt around his robe, he paused to grab a pair of boxers and slid them up his legs. Satisfied, he exited the bedroom and headed for the kitchen to make a coffee for Quatre to swallow now before driving the other two to the hospital.

Quatre grabbed a shirt and pants from their hangars and dragged them onto his wiry frame, the pajamas being yanked off and tossed to the messy bed. He had the thought to snag a jacket and with his socks and shoes in hand, he charged down the stairs to the kitchen where he spotted a light on. Skidding to a halt in the kitchen, he realized it was Trowa there and not Heero and Duo as he’d first thought it would be. A mug of coffee was pushed under his nose along with the command: ‘drink.’

“I don’t have time to drink that now,” Quatre protested. “Put it in a travel mug and I’ll drink it on the way.”

“Quat, sit down, put your socks and shoes on and drink the coffee. If you don’t you will either fall asleep half way to the hospital or end up having an accident by trying to drink whilst driving,” Trowa insisted. “Heero is still getting Duo ready to travel so you have a few minutes.”

Glowering at his husband, Quatre obediently sat and in-between sips of coffee, put his socks and shoes on.

*

Nurse Brown had managed to get Duo into a fresh pair of sweat pants and clean shirt when Heero came charging back into the bedroom. “Did you manage to raise them? The nurse asked as she slipped a pair of socks onto Duo’s feet.

“Hai. Quatre’s getting ready now and only has to bring the car around to the front. Trowa will wait for Wufei and the pair of them will watch out for Keitaro,” panted Heero. “How are you doing, Duo?”

Duo grunted softly. “Okay I guess. I’ll be a lot happier once we get to the hospital though.”

Margaret stood up. “You’re all ready, Duo. Heero, I need to get going myself and get the theater prepped and ready. Will you be okay to get Duo to the hospital if I leave now?”

“We should be fine,” Heero replied.

“Good. I have my cell on me so if there is any problem at all, just call me. Duo, keep as calm as you can and all will be fine; I promise you.” Margaret patted the young man’s shoulder in a comforting gesture. “I’ll see you shortly. Oh and Heero?”

“Hai?”

“You might want to put some clothes on yourself.” The nurse took her leave.

Heero went a rather bright shade of red as he realized he was still running around in only his robe. Quickly he dived into the closet and grabbed a pair of jeans and t-shirt. Now dressed, he slipped on his sneakers and turned to his partner. “Are you okay to head down the stairs, Duo?”

“Yeah, in a sec, Heero.” Duo gave a slight grimace, his belly feeling very tight indeed. “Is Quatre ready to go?”

“I hope so,” muttered Heero. “Here, let me help.”

With Heero’s arm around his waist, Duo draped his arm over Heero’s shoulders and the pair managed to make their way down the stairs, albeit very slowly. The kitchen light was still on so Heero made a bee line for there, settling Duo into one of the kitchen chairs for a moment.

“All ready?’ Quatre asked and swallowed the last of his coffee.

Heero nodded. “As soon as you bring the car around we can get going.”

“I’ll get it now.” Quatre rushed off out the back door, Miracle barking madly at his sudden departure.

“Miracle, be quiet,” Duo scolded.

“Bad dog, bad dog,” chirped Barney.

“You shut it too, Barney,” Duo growled at the bird.

“Tetchy, tetchy,” Barney chirruped.

“Weiro pie?” Heero asked the bird with a raised eyebrow.

“Shutting up, shutting up,” Barney chirped and promptly shoved his head underneath his wing.

“Car’s outside and ready,” Quatre informed, sticking his head back inside the kitchen.

“Okay. Duo, are you ready to move?” Heero asked.

“Yeah, just take it slow, okay?”

“Of course.” Heero stood beside his lover again and wound his arm around Duo’s waist. On the other side, Quatre added his support. Duo leaned against the pair and slowly shuffled out to the car, Trowa following behind.

“Have you got his bag?” Trowa asked as the pair helped Duo to ease into the back seat.

“Fuck!” Heero cursed as he realized he’d left Duo’s bag sitting on the floor by the closet in their bedroom.

“I’ll go get it,” Trowa offered and sprinted back inside and up the stairs.

Whilst Trowa was getting Duo’s bag, Heero and Quatre managed to get the American into the car and as comfortable as possible. Heero dived in after his husband, Trowa returning with the forgotten bag and placing it in the trunk when Quatre opened it for him.

“Don’t forget to get it out when you get to the hospital,” Trowa reminded the three.

“Don’t worry, I’ll remember, I’m blonde, not stupid,” Quatre replied and placed a kiss to Trowa’s cheek before hopping into the car behind the wheel.

Trowa raised a skeptical eyebrow. “Drive-”

Quatre dropped the clutch and with a spray of gravel from the tires, shot off down the driveway.

“-carefully,” Trowa finished and blinked at the diminishing tail lights. Seconds later he was blinking again as headlights shone into his eyes almost blinding him. Wufei had arrived.

* * *

Sally grabbed her clothes and quickly dressed. Brushing her blonde hair she began to secure the length into two braids. Wufei removed himself from the bed, grumbling a little to himself. He stood and stretched, popping his spine and scratching at an itch on his chest.

“Nice view,” Sally said with a grin as she blatantly ogled the golden skin.

Wufei suitably blushed. Even though he’d been very intimate with Sally and she knew every inch of his body, he still couldn’t help but feel embarrassed by the teasing words. “Onna,” he growled softly and grabbed his boxers from the floor, pulling them up his legs and giving him back some of his modesty.

“You might want to hurry it up a bit, Wufei,” Sally informed him.

“I will be ready in a moment,” came the sharp response.

Sally shrugged and went back to finishing off her hair. By the time she was winding the elastic on the end, Chang reappeared completely dressed and looking wide awake.

“Would you like me to give you a lift to the hospital on my way to Yuy’s?” Wufei asked as he shrugged his jacket on and checked he had his keys and wallet.

“Thanks, but I think I’d better drive myself. I have no idea how long I will be there for and you will be needed to share the care of Keitaro with Trowa.”

“Understood. I hope everything goes well for Maxwell. I will wait to hear from you.” Wufei wrapped the doctor in his arms and stole a warm kiss.

“Mmm, nice,” Sally responded. “Good luck with Trowa and Keitaro. If you guys have any problems or need any help, you know where to contact me.”

“We will be fine. You go do what you do best and save people.” Wufei gave her another kiss before letting go and leaving for his car and the Maxwell-Yuy mansion.

Checking she had all she would need, Sally locked the door to her apartment and aimed for her own car. Moments later she was on her way through the dark, quiet streets to Preventer headquarters.

* * *

Margaret arrived at Preventer and quickly parked her car. She rode the elevator to the hospital floor and exited, her pace brisk as she traversed the corridors and headed for the operating rooms. There was currently only one patient in the hospital and only one nurse on night duty. The night nurse looked up from her book and gave Margaret a curious look as the older nurse approached the nurse’s station, but she kept her mouth shut, knowing better than to question a senior nurse.

“I have a patient coming in, an emergency. Doctor Po has requested operating room four be prepped and ready for her; she will be in very shortly. The patient is returning from an undercover mission and is to be isolated after surgery in case of any disease or the like that we are not aware of right now,” Nurse Brown offered by way of explanation.

The night nurse nodded in understanding.

“Thank you,” Margaret said and moved swiftly down the corridor in the direction of the operating theaters, the young night nurse returned to reading her romance novel.

Turning on the lights, Margaret moved quickly around the theater, fetching the surgical instruments Sally would need along with a few surgical cloths and the ‘curtain’ apparatus that would be placed across Duo’s abdomen so he wouldn’t be able to witness Sally cutting into him to deliver the baby. Bandages, gauze, sutures and wound dressings were added to the tray. Once that part was done, Margaret went to the ‘fridge and unlocking it, fetched the required drugs. She wrote down what she had taken, knowing Sally would fill out the drug chart later with the dosage she had used of each drug and the remaining information that was required by law.

Turning around, she checked and double checked all was ready. Satisfied, she went into the adjoining ‘scrub’ room and fetched a fresh surgical gown for Duo and surgical scrubs for herself and Doctor Po. She’d just finished placing the items down on the bench when Sally walked in.

“Morning, Margaret. Thanks for getting everything ready for me,” Sally greeted. “Any idea how long until the patient gets here?” Sally dropped her bag into the small locker and picked up a pair of the scrubs to change into.

“They should be here any tick of the clock,” Margaret replied, “and you’re welcome.” The nurse picked up the other set of scrubs and began to change into them. “I only have the baby’s cot to fetch and a set of scales to get and all is ready to go.”

“That’s fine, I’ll let you grab those whilst I check all is as I need.” Sally disappeared into the operating theater to check and double check she had all that would be necessary.

Margaret was on her way back to the operating theater with the portable cot when Sally came charging through pushing a wheelchair. “They’re pulling into the loading bay area now,” she said as she whizzed past.

“I’ll be right there,” Margaret replied and took off running with the cot in the opposite direction.

* * *

“Quatre! Slow down!” Heero yelled hanging onto his lover and the hand grip above the door.

“But we need to get Duo to the hospital quickly,” Quatre replied.

“I would prefer it if we could get there in one piece,” Heero retaliated. “Keep this up and you will have your lights and sirens courtesy of the local constabulary on our tail.”

“The last thing we need is to be pulled over,” Duo muttered.

“But this is an emergency,” Quatre argued. “I’m sure if a policeman was to stop us, once we explained the situation they would give us an escort.”

“Quat, think about it. Yeah, this is an emergency but I don’t think a copper is going to accept the excuse that I’m pregnant and in labor, despite the visual evidence. Not to mention what a can of worms it would create,” Duo snapped. “There’s no way I’m going to end up as some fucking lab rat.”

“I see your point,” Quatre stated once he’d thought about Duo’s words and eased his foot back off the accelerator a touch. “Sorry.”

“It’s okay,” Heero muttered.

“How are you doing, Duo?” Quatre asked and glanced into the rear vision mirror.

“Just don’t go hitting any bumps for the next couple of minutes if you can help it,” Duo gritted out and then moaned as another pain swept through his abdomen. Heero was there to enfold him in his arms and rub soothing circles on his back. Panting lightly as Nurse Brown had told him to do, did help to ease a little of the pain, although he was sure that morphine, or preferably an epidural would completely ease his discomfort. For a moment there he reconsidered his asking Quatre to slow down and was tempted to tell the blonde to hell with it all and step on the gas!

“Not far now. How is he coping?” Quatre informed.

“Okay for the moment. Pain appears to be easing off a touch,” Heero replied.

“Good. One Preventer Headquarters a couple of minutes out. Where are we to meet Sally?”

“Once you get to HQ drive around to the rear of the building where the delivery bays are. Sally will meet us there. I’ll give her a call to let her know we’re almost there.” Heero fished his cell out of his pocket and pushed the doctor’s number. “Sally, it’s Heero. We’re inbound. ETA about two minutes.” He nodded his head to whatever it was Sally was saying. “Roger that. He’s had one more contraction since leaving home, about the same severity and time duration as the previous ones.” The sound of Sally’s voice could be heard over the phone. “Will see you shortly.” Heero shoved the cell back into his pocket and checked on his husband.

Quatre drove them through the silent streets, turning into the one that would take them to Preventer Headquarters. The large building loomed ahead, a few lights still on but the majority of the building in semi darkness. He turned again, driving around the perimeter and into the delivery area. The car’s headlights illuminated the area and Quatre could see Sally waiting up ahead with a wheelchair. He drove over to the bay and brought the car to a stop. “We’re here,” he said, stating the obvious.

Sally pushed the wheelchair to the door Heero opened. “How is he?”

“He would be doing a lot better if people wouldn’t talk about him in the third person and also give him some drugs to stop the pain,” Duo snapped as he managed to wriggle himself out of the car. He sighed when he saw the wheelchair but obediently got in it.

“Sorry, Duo,” Sally apologized. “Okay, I want you to tell me all about these pains as we head for the operating theater. I want to know the length, severity and times between them,” she said as she started to push Duo up the ramp and into the building.

Heero and Quatre stood and looked at each other for a moment, each blinking as Sally and Duo began to disappear. “Shit! I’d better catch up to them,” Heero said.

“Forgetting something?” asked Quatre and grabbed Duo’s bag from the trunk.

“No, that’s why I’ve got you with me, to bring Duo’s bag,” Heero replied and took off at a jog after his disappearing lover.

Quatre rolled his eyes and let go a huff of breath. “Fine! I’ll just struggle along at the rear then. Don’t mind me, I’m just here to do the fetching and carrying,” he muttered to himself and heaving the bag the rest of the way out of the trunk, he set off in pursuit of the others.

* * *

Wheeling Duo into the outer part of the operating theater they were met by Nurse Brown who had the surgical gown in her hands. “I’ll leave you with Nurse Brown who will help you to get ready for the surgery, Duo. I need to go scrub up. I’ll see you inside shortly.” Sally gave the pregnant man a smile of encouragement as she left.

Heero arrived a second later to find the nurse giving his partner instructions. “Ah, Heero. Good. I’ll need you to give Duo a hand if you don’t mind. Just pop into the cubicle there and strip off completely. Put this gown on and then secure your hair under this cap. Once you’re changed you can get onto the bed. There’s a blanket there to keep you warm. ” Margaret passed over the items to Heero. “I have a set here for you too, Heero. Just pop them on over the top of your clothes. I’ll be back for you in a couple of minutes.” The nurse stepped out of the small room leaving the pair to change.

“All right, Duo, let’s get you ready,” Heero said and wheeled his partner into the cubicle, pulling the curtain around it to offer them some privacy.

“At least you get to keep your clothes on,” Duo muttered. “It’s not fair I have to strip off completely.”

“Sally can’t perform the caesarian if you’re dressed,” Heero pointed out.

“I know that!” Duo groused. “It’s just so embarrassing, two females and nothing to cover my assets from their roving eyes.”

“We’ve had this conversation before, Duo. Neither Sally or Nurse Brown is remotely interested in what you have; they are professionals and only interested in delivering our child.”

“Yeah, I know, but it’s still embarrassing.” Duo stood up and began to strip off, pulling the gown on and letting Heero tuck his hair up under the cap. He shivered with the cool air and was quite happy to hop up onto the small bed where Heero pulled the blanket over him and tucked it in.

“All ready?” came Nurse Brown’s voice.

“Hai, we are,” Heero replied and pulled the curtain back.

Between the pair of them they managed to wheel Duo from the cubicle and into the operating room. Nurse Brown enlisted Heero’s help again to move Duo across from the bed to the operating table. She returned moments later after pushing the bed back out into the pre-op room. “Mr Winner is waiting in the pre-op room,” the nurse informed Heero when she came back in. “I thought that would be best. I gathered you didn’t want him in the operating theater as well.”

“Thanks,” both Heero and Duo replied.

“He’s a great guy and all, but I don’t think I could handle him in here during the birth,” Duo stated.

“He quite understands and is more than happy to wait outside. Right, here’s Doctor Po so I think we should get started.”

“Any more pains, Duo?” Sally asked as she entered and wheeled the ultra sound machine across. Nurse Brown set up the small ‘curtain’ across Duo’s abdomen and placed a surgical cloth across his groin before she lifted the hospital gown up and spread the gel over his abdomen.

“Only that one in the car on the way here,” Duo replied. “But each one seems to be getting worse than the last.”

“I’m going to check your insides with the ultra sound and see exactly what is going on.” Sally turned the machine on and pressed the sound head to Duo’s belly. She pushed it around, locating the baby and noting the child was head down and in what was called the birth position. She continued to scan around to double check on Duo’s insides. The pain which Duo was describing, although it could well be labor pains, seemed a little odd to Sally. They had started rather rapidly, were short and sharp as opposed to slow and building gradually. What she found worried her. Placing the sound head back on the machine, she turned to the nurse. “Fetch me all I need to give Duo an epidural. We need to deliver this baby now.”

Nodding, the nurse went to fetch the requested items. Sally turned to the expectant parents. There wasn’t any easy way to say this.

“Duo, Heero,” she began. “I’ve done a complete scan of your abdomen, Duo. The baby is in position for the birth and whilst I don’t doubt you are going into labor, these pains seem a little off for normal labor pains. I’ve scanned your entire abdomen and I'm afraid our fears about your insides being squashed to the point where they can’t cope is what is happening now. This is why you’re getting a sharp, short pain, the baby has grown so much that your intestines are cramped to the point where they are now having their blood supply cut off. You are also experiencing light contractions, I could see your uterus moving with the muscle spasms and it’s my guess that your body is trying to deliver this child as a form of self defense if you like.”

Both men had gone very pale. “Is the baby okay?” Duo whispered.

“At the moment, yes it is. Your insides are also okay for the moment, but we need to deliver this child immediately and avoid any damage to you internally. Do you understand?”

Duo swallowed. “Yes. Will the baby be okay?”

“There is no reason why the child shouldn't be all right. It has reached the 35^th week of development and should be fine to support its own life now. Besides, your body also seems to think it’s okay to deliver now and has started the process. Ah, thanks, Margaret. Duo, could you manage to roll to your side, please? I’ll give you the epidural now.”

Duo managed to roll to his side, Heero assisting him and holding onto his lover’s hand for support. Both men were worried about the current state of affairs. Duo’s concerns were all for the baby. Heero’s were for both the baby and his husband; but each knew Sally would be doing all she could to help them through this.

“All done,” Sally said a couple of minutes later. “Can you feel yourself going numb yet, Duo?”

With Heero’s help, Duo rolled back over to his back, refusing to let go of Heero’s hand for anything. “Yeah, it’s kinda weird. Sort of like a warm wash of water over my stomach and passing along my legs. I know they’re there, but I can’t feel anything.”

“Good. If everything is okay I’ll get started then.”

Nurse Brown had hooked Duo up to the monitoring machine and kept a close eye on the man’s blood pressure and heart rate. Both were a touch elevated, but she expected that. Picking up the betadine and a large swab, the nurse swabbed Duo’s abdomen and then grabbed a cloth blanket, keeping it just to the side and in easy reach.

Sally pulled up her mask and holding the scalpel steady in her hand, she prepared to incise Duo’s abdomen in the same place as she’d cut him to deliver Keitaro almost twelve months before. With a deep breath, she made the incision.

*

Inside Duo’s abdomen, the fetus was starting to fret. It was being pushed constantly against an immovable barrier, the mild contractions of the womb insisting it move downwards but there was nowhere for it to go.

The pressure began to increase, the small baby being pushed and forced from all sides as its mother’s body did its best to survive.

Then there was light, noise, cold and the pressure was gone. The baby blinked its eyes and gave a soft whimper.

*

Sally cut through the skin and abdominal muscles until she reached Duo’s swollen womb. Noting where the child was lying, she carefully incised the uterine wall, Nurse Brown there with the suction to remove the amniotic fluid. Careful of Duo’s intestines that were also trying to leave, Sally managed to grasp the baby and bring it into the world.

“Hello there, little one,” she said softly, the tears beginning to form in her eyes as she took her first look at Heero and Duo’s child. The baby blinked and then whimpered.

On the other side of the curtain, Heero and Duo held their respective breath as they waited for the child to be born. Hearing Sally’s soft words and then the quiet whimper, it was too much for the pair and the tears began to flow as smiles reached from ear to ear on both men.

“Congratulations,” Sally began and then paused.

“Thanks,” Duo replied, eager to see his child. “What is it? Do we have another son or a daughter this time?”

Sally frowned as she checked the child. Heero saw the frown and immediately went on alert.

“What is it, Sally? What’s wrong? Is it a boy or a girl?”

Sally swallowed. “I – I’m not sure.”

“Pardon?” whispered Duo, the cold hand of fear settling into his gut and around his heart.

“Duo, your baby is... a hermaphrodite...”

~ * ~

tbc...
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