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_______________________________________________________
Maxwell?
Hey, Wufei! What’s up?
I need to talk to you…
Sure, no problem!
In private, if you don’t mind. Can we step into your office for a minute?
Uh… I guess. Excuse us Henderson, I’ll get that report to you this afternoon.
…
Uhm… so what do you need, Wufei? I haven’t had time to put together that purchase request yet…
This isn’t work related, Maxwell. Last night…
Crap! Sally told? She promised to wait until I replaced it! Damn it… I’m sorry Wufei, it was a complete accident!
What? Wait… what are you talking about? Replace what?
She didn't...? I… uh… never mind?
Get serious.
My memory’s going… that little accident was at Quatre’s place… nothing to do with you. Really.
Nice try, but forget it. What did you do?
Ah man! Look, it was a total accident and I am so sorry. Sally told me how important it was and I swear to God I’ll find a replacement no matter how long it takes…
Replace what?
…I’ve already got inquiries out to every major antique dealer that handles Asian antiquities and I’ll pay whatever it takes and…
Maxwell…
…please don’t kill me, it was a complete accident, I didn’t even see the thing! I was getting my coat out of the hall closet when I got called in to work last night, and I bumped that little table and…
Duo!
…
Ok, since you won’t damn well tell me anything useful here, I’m going to use my powers of deduction and go out on a limb… you knocked over the side table in the front hall and broke that blue and white vase that was sitting there, didn’t you?
Uh… yeah. Wufei, man… I am so very sorry. Sally told about what it was, and I swear to you I will make this right. Wait… why are you grinning like that?
Pray tell, just what did Sally tell you about that vase?
That it was an authentic piece produced in the L5 cluster and that you… Wait… she totally played me, didn’t she?
Oh yes. That tacky thing was a wedding gift from one of Sally’s weird cousins. You don’t seriously think I would put a priceless heirloom piece like that on a pedestal table in a high traffic area, do you?
Damn it! She got all watery-eyed and everything!
And that didn’t clue you in? You are such a sucker!
I am so going to kick her ass…
Not for nine months, you’re not.
Oh, I’m a patient man when it comes to pay back, I can… wait. What? Nine months? What… what are you saying?
Well, that’s basically what I came in here to talk to you about in the first place. We were planning on asking you last night, that’s why we invited you to dinner. But then you got called out and…
No shit? Oh man… are you serious? Pregnant? You’re pregnant? Like… a baby? A little Wufei-type person?
Well, I expect Sally to handle the majority of that part, but yes… we’re pregnant.
Oh my God! Congratulations! Holy shit! That’s so cool!
Maxwell, will you calm down a minute! There’s a point here; we wanted to ask if you would consent to being named the Godfather.
Wait a minute; this isn’t another practical joke, is it?
Please. I leave that to my wife.
For real? You want me to be the Godfather? What… what do I have to do?
Well, there’s a ceremony, but that’s a long way off yet. And some paper-work designating you the guardian if something happens to both of us, and… Duo?
…
Duo, what? Are you…
Something in my eye is all, Chang.
So is that a yes?
Can I get her a puppy?
What? No! And we don’t even know what the baby is yet!
I just have this feeling.
Feeling…
And have you thought about her first car yet? It’s got to be cool, but really safe. Not one of those cheap tin can types.
Car? What?
Holy shit! Have you started her college fund yet? She’s got to have options!
Duo… we’re still deciding on the color of the nursery.
There have to be teddy bears. And one of those things you hang over the crib that plays music. Do you have a crib yet? Hey! Can I take Sally shopping?
…
What are you grinning at, Chang?
Nothing. I just knew you were the man for the job…
_______________________________
No! Oh crap… don’t!
Get a grip, Maxwell.
Sally… don’t do that! No, no, no… oh hell.
It’s a baby, Duo… not a time bomb. Relax.
Relax?! Are you nuts! What if I break her!
She’s not made of spun glass. Duo Maxwell, may I present your God daughter. Mei-zhen… meet your Uncle Duo.
Oh wow… she’s so tiny. My pocket change weighs more than this…
Six pounds, seven ounces.
That sounds way bigger than it is…
Trust me; it felt big enough.
Ewww… TMI, Po!
Duo, you don’t have to whisper; she’s not asleep.
I don’t want to startle her or anything. She’s so tiny… what if we seem all big and scary?
I think she’ll deal.
God, Sal… she’s just beautiful!
Oh please… she looks like frog. All new babies look like frogs.
Don’t say that, she’ll hear you! Mommy didn’t mean it, sweetheart… you’re just perfect.
I didn’t say she wasn’t perfect… I just said she looked like a frog.
Oh shit! She’s moving! What do I do?
Chill… it’s not like she can crawl off. She’s not going anywhere. Just make sure her head is supported.
Like this?
You’re doing fine, Duo. Relax. Besides… I think she likes you.
She does? How can you tell?
She’s not screaming.
Well, there’s an endorsement.
Oh trust me; it is. She loves the night nurse, but she absolutely detests it when the lady comes around to empty the trash. Squalls like a Banshee.
She does? When does this woman make her rounds? Do they wear name tags?
Hold it… you are not seriously thinking about running a background check on the cleaning lady?
Hey… I trust my God daughter’s instincts. If she says there’s something up, Uncle Duo will check it out.
Oh please… more likely she just doesn’t like the smell of disinfectant.
Don’t worry, sweetheart… Uncle Duo believes you. That stinky old lady won’t bother you ever again.
…
What? What’s that look for?
Dear Lord… she has you wrapped around her little finger, and she can’t even talk yet!
Just doing my God father duty, Po.
I think this is the beginning of a long and beautiful relationship.
Damn straight!
You know… you’re going to have to learn to watch your language.
Oh shit; I’m sorry! Uh… I mean, crap. No… uh… I mean… oh man. This is gonna be harder than I thought…
Tell me about it…
-----------------------------
Oh hi, Duo… back from the zoo already? Where’s Mei?
She’s telling her Dad about the tigers, so we should have a minute… I gotta talk to you.
What’s the matter?
We’ve got a small problem, but don’t worry… I think I’ve got it under control. Just have to get our stories straight.
Pardon?
Just listen and try to keep up, Po! This is important.
I’m all ears.
Mei asked me today why I call her the Frog Princess.
Uh… ok. And?
And? And?! You don’t go around telling a kid that her mother thinks she looks like a frog!
Looked.
Don’t mince words. The point is, I was not about to tell her something like that, so I told her it came from a book I used to read to her.
A book?
Yeah. I told her she used to have a book about a Frog Princess. A beautiful, brave, very confident and talented Frog Princess.
Well, that was an… interesting ‘save’. How’d that work out for you?
Well, she wanted to know where the book went.
Imagine that…
So I told her it was lost. Then she wanted to know what it was about.
And let me guess… you didn’t just say you couldn’t remember?
I supposedly read the thing to her all the time! I certainly couldn’t claim I didn’t know! So I made up a plot. And some side characters. And a bit of a lily pad city kind of thing. With turtles.
How delightful. Please tell me the next part, even though I can probably guess…
She wants me to find a copy of the damn thing!
What a shock.
But don’t worry, I’ve got it all figured out. Hilde works with a guy who actually published something once. Some sort of technical manual and…
Yeah, technical manuals and children’s books; there’s a real connection…
…he’s got to have contacts. Hilde’s pretty good with writing stuff, and I’m going to get her to work with me and I’m going to come up with enough stuff to fake a book…
Are you serious?
…and Heero met this kid at the tea shop he goes to, who apparently doodles all the time and since she’s putting herself through art school, I’m pretty sure she’ll hire out to do the illustrations…
Dear God, you are serious…
…I’ll stall by telling her it’s out of print and I’m having trouble finding a copy…
Maxwell, four year olds don’t really use that kind of logic…
…I should be able to have something put together inside of a month or two and…
I don’t believe this…
Hey! It’s your ass I’m trying to cover here, and… oh wait, here she comes. Mums the word.
Mommy! The zoo was cool! I like the tigers bestest!
Did you get to see the snake house too?
Yeah! There was ones bigger than me!
Cool. And were there frogs?
Yep! Ribbet! Ribbet!
I love frogs. Aren’t they cute?
Me too! They hop like this!
Are you Mommy’s little frog?
Ribbet! Ribbet! Mei the frog!
And that’s why you’re the Frog Princess, right?
Yeah! Wait… what about my book?
Uncle Duo was confused. That book was about a bat, ok? He’ll get you another copy tomorrow if we can’t find yours.
Ok!
All right, go wash your hands for supper.
Ok! Thanks for taking me to the zoo, Unca Duo!
…
The title of the book is Stella Luna. And it’s still in print. And should only cost you about five bucks instead of thousands in self-publishing fees. You can thank me later.
Somehow, there’s something seriously wrong here…
Beauty, and frogginess, are in the eye of the beholder, Maxwell.
I think I hate you.
You’re just jealous of my awesome Mommy skills…
----------------------------------------------------
‘Duo, seriously… there is nothing to be embarrassed about…’
‘Not even getting in to the whole mud-covered aspect of this whole debacle, you want to explain how making an entire first grade class burst into tears isn’t embarrassing?’
‘They weren’t all crying… most of them had gone home already. It was only a hand full. And that one teacher…’
‘Not helping, Yuy.'
‘And Mei-Zhen wasn’t scared; she thought it was a fun game.’
‘I threw the kid down in the mud, Heero… somehow, I don’t think this is a ‘game’ Sally is going to thank me for teaching her.’
‘You thought you were protecting her.’
‘It was a car back-firing, for God’s sake! A stupid car! I don’t even remember moving! Just *bam* and we were on the ground wallowing in the damn mud and all the kids were screaming about the crazy man!’
‘The noise scared them too, Duo… it wasn’t just you. Uh… I mean, it wasn’t just you that scared them, not that it wasn’t you that was scared. I mean…’
‘Just stop. Either way is pretty damn pathetic. Wufei is never going to ask me to pick Mei up from school again. Or anyplace else. I probably traumatized her for life. I’ll be lucky if I’m ever even invited over again.'
‘Mei-Zhen would mutiny… you’re her favorite uncle.’
‘Favorite, lunatic uncle.’
‘Stop it. Wufei understands. And Sally will get over it as soon as we finish getting the mud out of the carpet.'
‘She called me a degenerate juvenile delinquent.’
‘That was before you explained. She just thought you two tracked mud in to the house for fun.’
‘As opposed to… for not fun?’
‘You know what I mean…’
‘Fun or not fun, Wufei is going to kill me and…’
‘Uncle Duo! How come you’re sitting outside in the rain? Mommy says you can use our shower too!’
‘That’s ok, pumpkin… Uncle Heero is going to take me home in the back of his truck and I’ll clean up there.'
‘In the back of the truck? In the rain? Wow! You know the best games ever, Uncle Duo!’
‘Your Dad doesn’t seem to think so. Isn’t he coming out to… uh… talk to me?’
‘Daddy is all watery right now, but he said he’d come out in a minute and bring you some of his clothes to wear.'
‘What? Watery…?’
‘Yeah! Uncle Heero told Daddy about that scary car that made that loud noise and Daddy told Mommy you’re… a… a…’
‘Hero, I believe, is what he said, Mei-Zhen.’
‘Thanks, Uncle Heero! Yeah, Daddy said something with big words about tent… tensi… uh…’
‘Intentions, Mei. That Uncle Duo’s intentions were most honorable.’
‘Yeah! And he said he’s very lucky to have a friend who’s… uh… ‘
‘To have a friend as self-sacrificing as Uncle Duo who would put his life on the line to protect his daughter?’
‘Yeah! You ‘member good, Uncle Heero! But there wasn’t any line, so I don’t get that part. But Daddy will be out after he finishes blowing his nose.’
‘Thank you, Mei-Zhen. Why don’t you go back in where it’s warm now.’
‘Ok! Bye, Uncle Duo!’
‘W…watery?’
‘I was trying to tell you that Wufei understood. Completely.’
‘But… watery? I made Wufei get… ‘watery’?’
‘Having kids will do that to a guy.’
‘Watery. Heero… I think that’s worse than
him being mad at me…’
--------------------------------------------------------
Morning, Duo, sorry I’m late; the nurse had some paperwork and… hey, what’s wrong?
Hey, Heero. Oh nothing… I’m fine.
Do you need more pain meds? Should I call the nurse?
Nothing like that… calm down.
Then what’s wrong? You look like… I mean… are you…?
Just something in my eye, Yuy.
Are you sure?
Here.
What’s this?
Wufei dropped it off when he visited this morning. Mei made it.
Ah.
Wipe that smug look off your face, asshole.
Well, it certainly explains the… uh… something in your eye.
Not my fault. She called me her favorite uncle and drew me flowers and hearts.
And what’s the green thing here by the… uh…
That’s a rose. And the green thing is a frog.
If you say so.
Hey! She’s only six! That’s a pretty good frog for a six year old!
…
What are you laughing at?
Good thing I’m not the jealous type.
Asshole. Do I get my good morning kiss, or are you going to just continue being a smug jerk?
Not my fault you’re so amusing when you’re busy being manipulated by a six year old.
I am not being manipulated!
Yeah? Then why is there a beagle living at our house that doesn’t belong to us despite the fact that we feed it, walk it, and give it house room? Oh… and pay for it.
How was I supposed to know that being a father gives you powers of immunity to the big, watery eyed thing? I couldn’t say no to her, and I didn’t think for a second that Wufei could either!
That’s pretty much the definition of ‘manipulated’.
At least I stopped with the dog. I did say no to the pony.
The hell. I said no to the pony. You were looking for rental space at every stable in the tri-state area. I have no problem with the word no.
I was not! I say no to her all the time!
Sure, Maxwell. That’s why you spend half your evenings watching little kids scramble around a soccer field, chasing a ball like a bunch of rabid ants, while I’m at home where it’s warm and comfortable.
Uhm… about that…
No. Forget it. You may be getting released today, but you are not going to be up to sitting out on a cold set of bleachers! I forbid it!
I’m not stupid! I know better than that!
Then what?
I uh… want you to go and tape it for me.
Are you serious? No way!
Ah, come on, Heero… I haven’t missed one of her games yet.
No way am I leaving you home alone while I go stand around in the cold with a stupid video camera…
Please? For me?
No way! I… ah hell. Don’t give me that look.
I promise I’ll be a good boy and won’t go against the doctor’s orders or anything.
For your whole recovery? Not just today?
Well… at least this week?
Deal. But I’m holding you to it. I get seven full days before I have to start hiding the car keys and bribing the neighbors to call me if you leave the house.
Done! But you have to get there early to get a good seat to get good pictures! And don’t sit anywhere near Mrs. Hart… woman screams through the whole game, and I wouldn’t be able to hear anything on the tape. And make sure Mei sees you. You have to yell for her when she does something good; the kids with a big cheering section get more respect. And can you maybe cheer for the little Adams kid too? His folks don’t ever seem to show up. Or maybe his Mom sits in the car, I’m not sure. But he’s kind of klutzy and nobody else cheers for him and I feel bad for him. Oh, and it’s my turn to take the team out for ice cream after the game…
I… just got totally suckered, didn’t I?
I thought we were using the word ‘manipulated’?
----------------------------------------------
Mei… honey, are you up there?
No!
Uh, ok… so who am I talking to then?
The Frog Princess! And the Frog Princess doesn’t want to talk right now, Uncle Duo.
Well, would the Frog Princess like an ice cream bar, cause it’s sort of melting…
……what flavor?
Chocolate, of course.
Well, ok. If it’s just gonna melt anyway. I guess you can come up.
Thanks. Uh… here. Mind if I sit down long enough to eat mine?
S’ppose.
Nice tree house you got here.
…
Your Dad did a real good job on it.
…
Though I bet your Mom made those pillows. Never seen lily pad shaped pillows before.
…
Uh… you just dripped ice cream on your pants.
…
Your Mom won’t be happy with me if that stains.
I don’t care if Mommy isn’t happy.
Mei! That’s not nice!
So? I’m not very happy right now either! It’s not fair! I don’t want a baby brother!
But why not? I think a new baby would be cool!
He’ll want to play with all my stuff! And he’ll want to come up in my tree house!
Well, sharing is always good…
I don’t want to share! This is my tree house! Daddy made it special for me!
Maybe your Dad will make him his own?
Uncle Duo… this is the only tree in our yard!
Uh… I could buy him a tree now, and we could plant it out back and maybe it would be big enough by the time he’s old enough to climb?
…
Don’t cry, sweetheart! What’d I say?!
I’m gonna have to share you too? You’re my God father and I don’t want you to be… his God father too!
Oh trust me, honey… I couldn’t handle another kid. You’re all the God child I need. We’ll just get your Dad to ask Uncle Heero or something, ok?
Well… ok. And we can still go to the zoo? Just the two of us?
Sure. Though we can take the new baby places sometimes to…
I don’t want to! He’s already getting Mommy and Daddy! He can’t have you too!
Uh… what? I think I’m missing something here…
The other kids told me at school when I told in show and tell that I was getting a baby brother! They said this is ‘the end’! They said that things will never be the same! That babies are just stinky and they cry all the time and they take your Mommy and Daddy away from you!
God, kids are like little tiny rumor mongers, aren’t they? Sheesh, sweetie… didn’t we have a nice long talk about not believing everything people tell you, after that little misunderstanding about people who shave being werewolves?
Yeah? So what part’s not true?
Well… babies do kind of stink when they need changed, but the rest of the time they smell kinda good. Like baby powder and stuff. And they cry sometimes, but they’re pretty easy to make happy… they just want to be clean and dry and fed.
…
And they don’t take your Mom and Dad away.
But they won’t have any time for me anymore. Tommy said so. He said that’s what happened when he got a little sister.
Well, see? Right there’s the difference! You aren’t getting a sister… you’re getting a brother. All the difference in the world!
Really?
Oh yeah… you’re the Frog Princess, right? Well, every Princess needs minions, don’t they?
Well… yeah. But I thought Uncle Trowa and Uncle Quatre were my minions?
Only when they have the time to play Simon Says with us… a baby brother will be here all the time, see?
And he has to do what I say?
Well… not exactly. This is like… uh… a new game.
I don’t think I’m going to like this game…
No, it’ll be fun! See, the idea is that you can’t make the new baby do what you say, but you have to make him like you so much that he wants to do what you say! Yeah… I like that idea; that covers all the bases, right?
Is this a new game, Uncle Duo? Cause you don’t seem to know the rules.
Well, I think this is a game that will have to evolve a little bit as we go. Since… you know… we haven’t met the new kid yet.
What if he’s mean?
You aren’t mean, are you?
…
Mei?
Maybe a little bit. I told Daddy I didn’t want Mommy to be fat anymore because she’s no fun now that she’s all big. Daddy wasn’t very happy…
I’ll bet not. You don’t tell a hormonal woman she’s fat. Listen, sweetie… your Mom will get over that after the baby gets here. You should have seen how big she was before you were born!
Really?
Yes, really. She’ll be her old self again, your Dad won’t be so up-tight, and the new baby won’t be mean. Your Mom and Dad did a pretty good job raising you so far, so I think they’ll manage to keep this new kid in line.
And he’ll be my for real minion? All the time?
If you play the game right and are really nice to him so that he likes you lots. Then he’ll follow you around like a loyal puppy and be more than happy to do whatever you say. Uh… ask. Whatever you ask.
Cool! I’ll never have to clean my own room again!
Uh… ok… wait, maybe I should rethink these rules…
-----------------------------------------------
Are you sure you’re ok, Mei? Here… let me get the car door.
I’m fine, Uncle Duo. It’s just a sprain… not like I broke it!
Oh God! Don’t say that word! I still feel sick to my stomach just seeing you sprain it!
You’re such a dork sometimes… big, tough Preventer you are!
Hey! Even big, tough Preventers can get nauseous seeing their God-child take a header off the high ramp.
If that Johnson kid hadn’t crossed my carve on purpose, I’d never have…
Oh, don’t you worry about that Johnson kid.
Uncle Duo! What are you planning? You can’t do anything to him… it’s not illegal to be a jerk with a skate board!
Not illegal… just stupid. There are other ways of teaching punks a lesson, Princess.
Uncle Duo…
Don’t worry. I’ll just sick Uncle Heero on the kid… a little hack here… a little hack there, and Mr. Johnson will find himself repeating the seventh grade. A couple of times.
Yeah?
Yeah. And maybe he’ll suddenly be on file for seventy-five over-due library books or something.
That one was lame. Nobody will believe he reads.
Point. Well, I’ll just leave it to Heero… he’s much more inventive than I am.
Uhm… why are we just standing out here on the sidewalk anyway? Why aren’t we going in?
I was kind of enjoying my last moments of life… your Dad is going to kill me, and then beat my corpse to death.
And I’m going to get grounded. We don’t actually have to… you know… tell him…
Mei, that would be lying to your Father, and as attractive as that option is… I’m not going to set that kind of example for you.
Please. Like I’ve never lied to Dad before…
Don’t want to know! Don’t want to know! Don’t want to know!
Well, wasn’t it lying when we said we weren’t going to the skate board park to begin with?
Uh… technically I never said I wouldn’t take you. Wufei just said he didn’t want you going, and I sort of… you know… acknowledged the fact that he didn’t want you going.
Slick, Uncle Duo.
God… I really do suck at this role model thing, don’t I? I really should not have taken you…
I’d have just gone myself. I go every chance I get… I just usually have to walk.
Yeah. I know. Which is why I figured it didn’t matter. But that still doesn’t mean I’m not going to tell your Dad what happened.
Technically, we don’t have to tell him anything… he was going to be late getting home from work tonight; he’s not home yet.
He may not be home now, but I don’t think that’s going to heal before he gets home, Frog Princess.
Duh! We don’t tell Dad… we tell Mom and let her tell Dad!
That’s… that’s…
Genius?
Not the word I was looking for, sweetheart…
-----------------------------------
Maxwell, I fail to understand what we're doing here. I really have no desire to mingle with this sort of... crowd.
They're just kids, Wufei... not gang members or anything.
Could have fooled me. But besides that, neither of us has any interest in this so called sport.
Maybe not, but somebody who is very important to both of us does.
Please tell me this isn't a lame attempt to convince me this would be a suitable crowd for my daughter to hang around with?
Uh... not really, buddy. More like an attempt to make you see what's right in front of your face.
What? Speak up, Maxwell... I can't half hear you over this noise. Do they have to blast that incessant music so loud?
It's all part of the ambiance, dude. Think of it as the music that ice skaters play.
That's hardly the same thing. There's no art to this... this... hooligan 'sport'.
Skate boarding is not just for street kids, Wufei. And it's a perfectly valid sport; there are leagues and tournaments and...
Oh sure. Like that boy there, I'm very impressed with the way he's rolling back and forth.
Just watch a minute; he's got to build up momentum.
For what? So he can go really fast? Or maybe... crap! What did he just do?
It's called a kickflip. His name's Johnny and he'll probably follow that up with a 360 kickflip... yep. That.
That's just suicidal!
But don't tell me you can't see it takes skill?
Skilled suicide is better, how? Since when do you know so much about this crap?
Since last summer. Uh... about the time Mei sprained her wrist...
What? Speak up, Maxwell. I said, why do you know so much about the local punks and their suicidal tendencies?
I know because it's important to my God-daughter, so I made a point of learning.
Mei-Zhen's fascination with this... 'sport' is nothing but a passing fancy. I imagine there is probably some... boy that attracted her attention. I suppose they're at least in shape, but they're hardly appropriate suitors. She'll get over it.
Three years is hardly what I would call 'passing' and the only interest she has in this crew is kicking their asses.
Maxwell, if you're going to talk to me, damn well speak up.
Just watch for a minute, will you?
I suppose, since you dragged me all the way down here, we can watch for a few minutes. But if you think this is going to change my mind about allowing my daughter to come down here and hang out, forget it.
Stop being so close-minded. It's a sport like any other. It takes skill and talent and nerve. Can't you at least see the attraction?
Oh, I imagine it's nothing but an adrenaline rush. If I admit it takes a certain amount of skill, can we go?
Not quite yet...
Maxwell, I had hoped to have time to... What the hell?!
Shhhhh! You idiot! Not so loud! You'll break her concentration!
Are you insane? That's my daughter!
Oddly enough... I'm well aware of that!
Is she... what the hell? Are you telling me... oh my God!
Good, isn't she?
Maxwell! Get her the hell down from there before I kill you!
Chill out, man! Just watch for a minute...
I don't want to watch, I want my child the hell off that... that thing, and down on the ground where... oh my God!
You keep saying that. Will you just shut up, already? People are starting to stare, and if you're not careful she's going to see us. That would be bad while she's doing... that.
How... how long has this been going on?
I've been trying to tell you; since she was about thirteen.
What?!
Yeah, yeah; I know. You forbid it, you told her no, you said she couldn't. Been there, had that conversation, got the t-shirt. Can we just skip ahead to the reality?
The reality where I kill you and then ground her until she's forty?
No, damn it... the reality where you look out there and see your daughter. The daughter that has every bit of genetic stubbornness you had to give her. The daughter who isn't five years old anymore. The daughter who is as rebellious as her parents could ever have hoped she'd be... and who still wants to show you how good she is, so bad she can taste it.
I had this talk with her...
I know you did. So did I. So did her mother. And here we are anyway. I don't know why this and not... whatever the hell else you would have her be doing. But this is important to her and she's poured herself into it, and she's good, man.
...
She just wants her Daddy to be proud of her.
I've always been proud of her.
Of course, you have. But this is the thing that she wants you to be proud of her for. Because this is the thing that's important to her.
Important enough that she lied to me.
If I know Mei, she probably never actually said...
And where did she learn that little trick?
Stop glaring at me! She's a woman... she didn't need anybody to teach her that trick.
She most certainly is not a 'woman'! She's just a child!
Look again, man. Look again.
...
...
When did that happen?
I have no idea... but it's kinda scary how it happened so fast. Oh, watch! Here's her big finish...
What big... OhmyfreakingGod!
Relax, that's her signature move.
Signature...? She has a signature move?
Yeah. And you hear that applause? When you're a chick, you don't get that unless you're really damn good. You have to hold your own when you play with the boys in this sport.
And my daughter... holds her own?
She’s a Chang, isn’t she?
She really is, isn’t she? It makes me think about my parents…
They’d have been proud.
The hell! They’d have let me have it for raising such an out of control child!
Good thing you’re you, and not your parents.
Sometimes I think you’re the father here…
Oh, please! If I had to live with the kid, I’d probably strangle her. You two only fight so much because you’re so much alike.
That’s what Sally says.
Your wife is a smart woman.
Funny; she says that too…
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Mei, seriously... don't you think this is something you should be talking to your folks about?
Oh please, Uncle Duo! Mom would want to take pictures, and Dad would just start a background check and then go sharpen his sword!
And he's going to come after us with that sword if we end up giving you bad advice...
I'm not looking for advice! I'm looking for an opinion, and at least I know you guys will talk to me like the adult I am, and not like I was still twelve.
Mei, your Dad talks to everyone like they were twelve...
Be nice, Heero. Ok, Mei... just ask already.
It's not that big a deal, I just wanted to know if you guys believe in love at first sight.
Mei, get real... there isn't any such thing. That's just physical attrac...
Yes.
Heero... you didn't even let me finish my sentence.
Well, you already answered. You obviously don't believe, and I do.
Oh come on... you can't seriously believe that one person can just know at first glance, that a perfect stranger is 'the one'!
Yes I do.
Where's your evidence? Where's the logic? That's just... trashy romance novel fodder!
I have the evidence of my own eyes.
So you've seen somebody struck by this 'first sight' thing and you somehow know that this hypothetical couple is going to be together forever?
No, I've been somebody struck by this first sight thing.
What? Wait... what are you trying to imply here?
I didn't think I was implying anything. I'm saying that I knew the minute I set eyes on you that, assuming we survived, we'd be spending our lives together.
But... Heero... I freaking shot you!
So? What's that got to do with the topic? I still felt the same.
I shot you twice!
Again... so?
I... I... kind of feel like an ass now.
Well, when did you fall in love with me?
I'm not really sure. I... I guess I was pretty obsessed with you, or I'd have never gone in and broken your sorry butt out of that resource center...
And we'd only really had the one meeting before that. That obsession had to have started somewhere.
So... I knew? But I didn't know! Is that still valid?
Wait! Guys... I'm confused! Is that two yes answers, or a yes and a no?
I believe, Mei, that the answer is yes with reservations.
But... is it still love at first sight if you don't know it's love at first sight? That doesn't seem like a good standard of measurement...
Duo, do you love me?
Of course!
And do you remember a time you didn't love me?
Uhm... if I say before I met you, that just proves your point, doesn't it? But I can't remember when it happened exactly, so I can't refute your point either! Arrrgh!
There you go, Mei... two absolute yeses.
No, damn it! I'm still a no! Or at least a yes with reservations!
Ok, so maybe I should have just asked Mom...
_______________________________
Oh, Uncle Duo! You didn’t have to bring me flowers!
Who says they’re for you… maybe I brought them for this little guy here?
Well, he’s a really generous and sharing kid, and he’ll share with his Mommy.
Oh God, that’s so weird… you can’t be a mother!
You sound just like Dad.
We’re old, Princess… give us time to adjust.
Oh, so ancient! Shall I call the nurse to bring you a walker so you can get over here and give me a hug?
Don’t be cheeky, brat… or you’re not getting the Hershey bar a smuggled in for you.
Chocolate? You brought me chocolate? I love you, Uncle Duo… now gimme!
Here… don’t choke on it trying to inhale it. Am I allowed to hold him?
Of course. You’re on the list with Mom and Dad.
I am? Way to make a guy feel special!
You are ‘special’. At least that’s what Uncle Trowa says. Or maybe that was ‘peculiar’…
Smart-ass…
Language, Uncle Duo.
Oh crap! Not that again! It took me months when you were little! Your Mom is still giving me a hard time over ‘shit’ being your third word.
It was? Are you serious?
You’ve never heard that story? Dadda… Momma… and shit? I tried and tried to get you to say Uncle or Duo or even Maxwell, and out you popped with ‘shit’. Your Mom was pissed.
I… can imagine.
She threatened to cut my God father rights off if I didn’t watch my mouth. Hey there, little guy… what big, dark eyes you have! Oh, you’re going to be a handful, you are… I can tell already.
You really think? He’s been pretty quiet so far.
Give him time, Princess. He’s a Chang… no mistaking that. Get ready for a stubborn streak a mile and a half wide.
Great…
Kids… they’re your parents revenge. Don’t worry… Uncle Duo will be around to baby-sit now and again.
About that… I was kind of hoping that God father Duo would be around to baby-sit now and again.
Of course I… wait… how do you mean that?
Would it be all right, do you think, if you were Alexander’s God father too? I mean… are there rules about that sort of thing?
Well, you know my motto about rules…
So… is that a yes?
Of course, Princess! I would be most honored.
Thanks, Uncle Duo.
Oh! Look at him stretch! You’re a big boy, aren’t you? Such a handsome little guy!
Oh please… he looks like a frog!
…
Uncle Duo? What?
Something in my eye, Princess… just something in my eye. Hey, there little tadpole… welcome to the family.
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