The Price of Peace von chelle76 ================================================================================ Kapitel 32: Worth Fighting For ------------------------------ I DO NOT own Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs or Sei Jushi Bismarck, they are owned by their respective animation companies. The Price of Peace Chapter 31: Worth Fighting For "How are you feeling, Love?" Saber says as he enters the room carrying a tray. Amanda looks up and sighs, "Better than I was. I am still a bit tired, but hungry." Saber chuckles as he places the tray down on the desk. "Good thing I brought some food, then," he says as he brings a plate on a tray and places it on her lap. Amanda accepts the food gratefully and immediately takes a bite. "Thank you for bringing this up here. Maybe after I eat something, I'll feel like getting up and moving around," she says between bites of her sandwich. "I don't want you to over do it, Amanda. I know it's getting harder for you to get around," Saber replies. Amanda rolls her eyes and nods. "Yeah, I know. I feel so useless," she mutters. "You're not, Love. You're just a bit more...off balance," Saber says, getting a look of disbelief from Amanda. "What?" he asks innocently. She laughs as she pushes the tray aside, "Nothing. I suppose this is just how it is to be pregnant with twins," she says sounding a bit frustrated. "I can't even put on my own shoes, not that I can go anywhere right now," she adds as an afterthought. "Do you want to go downstairs for a while?" Saber asks. Amanda nods. He comes over and offers her a hand to help her up. She takes it and gets up with his help. "Then let's go." They head downstairs just as Elaine comes into the sitting room. "Ah, I see he's finally letting you out of your room, Lady Amanda," Elaine says with a hint of amusement. "I didn't forbid her from leaving, Elaine," Saber retorts defensively. Amanda chuckles, "I just haven't felt like doing much. But I'm rather bored, so I asked him to help me come down here for a bit. At least this is a change of scenery," she says as she plops down onto the couch. Elaine nods. "Can I get you anything?" she asks. "No thank you. I just really wanted to get out of bed for a while. I just ate, so I'm good for now," Amanda replies. "Well, let me know if you change your mind. I'll be in the kitchen," Elaine says as she heads back into the kitchen. Saber sits down beside Amanda and sighs, running his hands across his face. Amanda looks at him with concern, "Are you alright, Saber?" He shrugs, "Just a bit tired. My headache is a dull constant pain, but at least I can still see. I'm also worried about you," he adds quietly. "I'm fine, Saber. A little uncomfortable, but I don't think I'm having any medical issues," Amanda replies. "You're still having nightmares," he says quietly, casting her a sideways glance.. Amanda looks down and nods. "Yes, I am," she admits quietly before looking up to meet his gaze. "But eventually, I'll get past them. I can't make them stop, Saber. I don't have that much control over my dreams. I wish I did, but I don't," she says obviously frustrated. "I am sleeping, perhaps not as much as I should be, but it's enough. I also worry about you. I know you're feeling worse, you tell me otherwise, but the look in your eyes betrays you." Saber starts to object, but thinks better of it. "I would tell you if I thought it was much worse, Amanda," he states quietly. "Yes, I am still having the headaches, and yes, they have been a bit worse than I've admitted to you. I have told Dr. Izumi, and he is going to come as soon as he can and do some scans and tests, just to make sure something isn't going on that we don't know about. But I am also worried about you. Most nights, you are crying in your sleep and you're restless. The couple of times I have awakened you, it was because you were trembling and screaming. I feel partly responsible for that. It is because of me that you have been put in the situations that have made you so distraught in your dreams," he says, his voice breaking as he finishes his statement. Amanda studies his face for some time, trying to find the words she wants to say. Finally, she takes a breath, "It is because of you that I have this life I have now, Saber," she says firmly. "Do I wish I could have met you under different circumstances? Yes, but it was not to be. Going through the things we have together, I feel has made us closer. I don't think I would have as strong a bond with anyone else as the one that I share with you. I have learned that if something is worth anything, you have to fight for it. You understand me in a way no one else can, sometimes, I think you know what I'm thinking before I do." Saber smiles weakly at her comment, but she continues, "I honestly don't know what my life would have been like had I not met you, but I don't think I would have ever met anyone that I can trust like I trust you. I don't think I would have ever considered having children if I had been with anyone else, and yet with you, it seems like something that is just a natural occurrence." She chuckles and smiles, "I suppose now I'm rambling," She sighs to catch her breath. "I'm sorry," she mutters as an afterthought. Saber reaches over and takes her hand, "I just wish things had not been so hard for you. I do not regret that we met under the circumstances that we did. Had we not, we most likely would not would have never had the chance to know one another. If I lose my vision completely again, I know that you don't care, and that puts me at ease around you. I know that probably sounds strange, but it does." "I understand what you mean, and it doesn't sound strange to me at all. I know that the odds are that eventually, you will most likely lose some, if not all of your vision, and I am resigned to that. I hope and pray that it doesn't go completely, but I know that if it does, we can and will adapt. We have before, and we can again." She takes his hand and rests it on her stomach, not letting go of it and he moves so she can lean against him. They sit quietly for some time, eventually both drifting off to sleep. The sound of the doorbell jostles them awake. They look up to see Elaine beside them smiling. "I was just about to come and wake you for dinner," she says. "Dinner?" Saber asks, still not fully awake. "Aye, dinner. You two have been asleep for a couple of hours. You both looked peaceful, so I didn't try and wake you," Elaine replies with a hint of amusement in her voice. "I thought I heard the doorbell?" Amanda asks groggily. "Oh, Dr. Izumi has arrived. Thomas is helping him put his things in his room and they are setting up another room for the scans." "So he plans on staying a few days?" Saber asks as Amanda shifts to sit up a bit more. Elaine nods. "He said that he'll be staying now until the babies are born," she replies, getting a look of surprise from the couple. "But that could be weeks away," Amanda says confused. "Aye, that it could, but I don't think it will be," Elaine says giving them both a smile and heading back towards the kitchen. "Dinner will be on the table in about ten minutes," she says as the kitchen door swings closed behind her leaving the couple looking blankly after her. "She seems in a mood," Amanda comments. "Aye, she does. At least she's cheerful," Saber adds dryly. "I wonder why she thinks that I'll have the babies sooner than the due date? I don't feel any different. Besides, I think I have like seven more weeks or so." "You noticed the glance she gave you when she said that, didn't you?" Saber asks. Amanda nods. "Then perhaps Dr. Izumi has said something to her." "I suppose that's possible. But I don't feel like I'm going into labor or anything," Amanda states. Saber shrugs, "I say just blow it off and let's go eat. Things will happen as they happen. No use on worrying, right?" "You're right," she replies with a nod as she moves enough so that Saber can help her up. Saber gets up, then helps her up and they go into the dining room, where Dr. Izumi and Thomas have arrived. "Ah, there you are. Good evening to you both, I apologize for not arriving sooner, but I had to run a few checks on some soldiers at the outpost." Dr. Izumi says cheerfully, as he sits down at the table. Saber and Amanda make their way to the table and sit down just as Elaine brings out the food. "Here we go," she says as she puts the final plate in front of Saber. "Elaine, won't you and Thomas join us? It would make our conversation easier if we all know what is going to be happening," Saber asks. Elaine looks like she is going to object, but meeting his gaze, she decides against it and nods. "Of course, Saber. We'll be out in a moment," she replies before heading back to the kitchen. "Dr. Izumi, you said you had to check on some soldiers at the outpost, is everything okay there?" Amanda asks. "Oh, yes. They evidently had spread around a virus that several of the cadets caught. Nothing serious, but I put them all on some anti-viral medicine. Nothing really to worry about, it just delayed my arrival here, so for that I apologize." "Not to worry. We are glad you found time that you could come here. I'm afraid I don't travel too well as of late," Amanda replies. A couple hours later, Dr. Izumi and Saber come out of the study, Saber is wearing a darker pair of glasses, but seems to be moving normally. Amanda looks up from the couch her concern evident, "Are you okay?" she asks. Saber nods. "Just a little more light sensitive. He dilated my eyes, so he could do a more thorough exam," Saber replies as he sits down beside her. "He is changing the prescription slightly, he thinks that may be the cause of the headaches. He didn't really find anything else wrong." Dr. Izumi comes over and sits across from them in a vacant chair and looks Amanda over. "You look rather well, Mrs. Rider. How are you feeling?" "Other than tired and helpless, not too bad," Amanda replies, getting a kind smile from the doctor. "Well, I would like to do an exam on you, if you are up to it," Dr. Izumi says. Amanda nods slightly. "I suppose that would be all right. Where do you want to do it?" "I think you'd be most comfortable on your bed, but if you'd rather stay downstairs, we could use the couch in the study so that you have some privacy." Amanda thinks for a minute before answering, "I think perhaps the bedroom would be best. That way I can rest afterwards." Dr. Izumi nods, "Then why don't you head on to your room, and I'll get the portable ultrasound machine from my room and bring it in." He turns to Saber, "You are coming too, Captain?" "Yes sir, I plan on being there," he replies as he stands up and helps Amanda get up. They leave and head to their room and Amanda gets ready and lays down before Dr. Izumi comes in. "Well, Mrs. Rider, everything looks good. You have dropped a little, which could be a sign of impending labor, but unless the children turn, we will have to deliver via cesarean. In the case of twins, it isn't uncommon, but we will wait and see. Technically, you are not due for five or six more weeks, but you are within what we refer to as a safety zone timewise. If you delivered anytime now, you and the children should not have any ill effects. They seem to have fully developed lungs and such and are a good size for their gestational age. So unless something comes up, I plan on staying here until after you have the babies," Dr. Izumi says as he cleans up from the exam and looks her over. "I'll be down the hall if you need me for anything." "Thank you, doctor," Amanda says sounding fatigued. Saber gets up from his chair and escorts Dr. Izumi to his room, pushing the ultrasound machine in front of him. "So everything seems fine?" Saber asks quietly as they make their way down the hall. Dr. Izumi stops and smiles at Saber. "Yes, Captain Rider, your wife is doing fine. In spite of everything, she is doing perfectly normal," he replies as he opens his door and enters the room, Saber following behind him. "I will however warn you that she could go into labor at any time." Saber stops suddenly and looks at him with a surprised expression. "I don't think she has more than a couple of days to wait, if you want me to be honest." "But you told her a few weeks," Saber says after finding his voice. "I don't want to alarm her over every little pain. If she knows that she's closer to labor than she believes, she'll more than likely worry herself into a more premature labor. I'm telling you, so that you will keep a closer eye on her. It is the reason that I am staying here. I don't see the point of leaving, just to have to come right back." He notices that Saber tenses up and comes and places a hand on his shoulder. "She'll be fine, Captain. After all that she has been through, this should be nothing," he says trying to be reassuring. Saber relaxes a bit. "Thank you, doctor," Saber says quietly. "I'll let you know if anything changes." Dr. Izumi nods and takes the machine and rolls it into a corner. "Goodnight, Captain Rider." "Goodnight, sir," Saber replies and returns to his room. Several hours later, Saber is jolted awake by the ground shaking from a powerful force and what sounds like several explosions. He sits up quickly and looks around. Amanda is awake and looking around as well. "What was that?" she asks hesitantly. "I'm not sure," he replies as he gets up out of bed and flicks on a lamp. "It didn't sound close, but I'll go see if I can find out anything." Amanda nods. "I think I'll wait here." Saber nods and steps out his room and looks around. He sees Dr. Izumi come out from his room looking confused. "What is happening, Captain?" Dr. Izumi asks as he walks over to Saber. "I'm not sure. I'll go see if Thomas has heard of anything," Saber replies as he starts down the stairs. Dr. Izumi follows him and they are met in the sitting room by Thomas and Elaine, both wearing worried expressions. "You heard it too, sir?" Thomas asks as they meet up in the sitting room. "Aye. But I have heard no air raid sirens or anything else warning us of some sort of attack," Saber replies. "Perhaps it was just a meteor," Elaine offers. "It would have to be a rather substantial one, to cause such a shake," Saber states. "But I wouldn't rule out the possibility." The group goes to the back porch and they all study the sky silently for several minutes. "I don't see any signs of anything abnormal," Saber says to no one in particular. "No flickering lights, so I don't think a battle is going on, I suppose that whatever it was is over. Unless we hear otherwise, I say we should go back to bed." The others mutter in agreement and they all go their separate ways. Saber is just passing Dr. Izumi and heading back to his room when the doctor gasps suddenly. "Are you all right, doctor?" he asks. "Yes. I just remembered that I never called to report in to Commander Eagle," Dr. Izumi replies. Saber chuckles, "I would just wait until morning now. If you called him this late, he would think that something was wrong." "I suppose you're right. I'll call him first thing, after I check on your wife's progress." "Progress?" Saber asks. "Yes, she basically is in labor now, though just not active labor yet. Of course that could change at any time, so do not hesitate to come and get me if you feel you should need me." Saber nods. "Thank you, doctor. I'll let you know," Saber replies and he goes on to his room, closing the door behind him. Amanda looks up nervously as he enters the room, "Is everything okay?" she asks. Saber nods, "So far as we can tell. I figure that we may as well try and get some rest," he replies sounding fatigued. He climbs back into bed beside her and she moves slightly closer to him. He relaxes a bit and reaches over and flicks off the lamp before eventually drifting off to sleep. "Saber?" Amanda says urgently. He stirs a bit. "Saber, please wake up." Amanda says again fear creeping into her tone. He realizes her tone is different and he opens his eyes quickly and looks around, a little bit of daylight coming into the room from around the curtain. "Amanda?" he says looking over towards her. He can tell from her face something isn't right. "What's wrong, Love?" he asks instantly fully awake. "I'm not sure. I feel sick, like I want to throw up and I hurt really bad," she replies honestly, not bothering to hide the fear evident in her voice. Saber gets up quickly. "I'll get Dr. Izumi," he says calmly and steps out of the room and rushes down the hall, knocking on the doctor's door. Dr. Izumi comes out quickly, "What is it?" he asks upon seeing the concerned expression on Saber's face. "I think something is wrong. She says she feels sick and is hurting rather badly," Saber replies. The doctor nods. "Let me get my bag and I'll be right there. Go and get Elaine, I may need some assistance. You may be there, if you wish," he replies. Stepping back into his room he changes quickly and comes out carrying a bag. "Go, I'll be with her." Saber nods and rushes down the stairs as the doctor heads into the room he shares with Amanda. He goes through the sitting room and enters the kitchen. Elaine comes into the kitchen from her quarters. "Good morning, Saber. You're up a bit early, aren't you?" she asks. Saber nods. "I think Amanda may be in labor. Dr. Izumi asked me to come and get you. He said he might need some help," Saber replies, fighting to remain calm. Elaine looks shocked for a moment then nods. "I'm going to change, then I'll be right up. You go ahead, I can tell you want to see about her," Elaine says with a smile. "Thank you, Elaine," he replies and he rushes up the back stairs to his room. The doctor looks up when he enters, Amanda laying flat on her back at the edge of the bed. "Elaine is on her way," he says to the unasked question. He then comes up to the other side of the bed and looks at her face, "Are you alright?" he asks quietly. Amanda grimaces in pain, causing Saber to flinch and he instinctively grabs her hand, she takes it and squeezes it hard, trying to fight off her pain. "I'm sorry," she finally says weakly. Elaine comes into the room and offers what help she can. After a while, Dr. Izumi looks to Saber, "We're going to have to do a cesarean. The babies don't have room to turn and her water has broken. Are you going to stay in here?" Saber nods. "I'm not leaving her," he says firmly. Dr. Izumi nods. "Then your job is to keep her calm. Keep your back turned from us, and pay no attention to what Ms. Elaine and I are doing. Everything will be fine," he says to Saber. He then looks to Amanda, "Mrs. Rider, I have to give you a shot that is going to numb you for a while. You should feel some pressure when I cut you open, but nothing more. Tell me if you feel anything worse than pressure, okay?" Amanda nods. "Good. I promise, everything is going to go fine." Thomas is in the sitting room when the doorbell rings. He casts a glance to the upstairs then gets up and answers it. "Hello Thomas, I need to see Dr. Izumi immediately. He's not answering his phone," Commander Eagle states as he steps inside the foyer. "Dr. Izumi is unavailable at the moment, sir," Thomas replies as he leads the commander into the sitting room. "Why? Is he not here?" the commander asks confused. Thomas shakes his head, "Oh, he's here, sir. But Lady Amanda has gone into labor. It began about three hours ago. There have evidently been some complications, given how long I've been waiting. Elaine and Saber are both with her and the doctor." Commander Eagle sits down and sighs. "I can really use him, but I am glad that he is here. We have pulled a couple of the civilian doctors in to help us." "What has happened, sir?" Thomas asks concerned. "The Bismarck was engaged last night on its way to the outpost. It came to investigate an enemy ship that had been spotted near here. During the fight, it sustained heavy damage and crashed just outside of the property." "So that is the shaking and explosion we heard and felt last night," Thomas says quietly. Commander Eagle nods and then continues his explanation, "The crew is alive, but injured. Several other people were burned while getting the crew out of the ship. The ship is pretty much decimated. We did manage to save the prototype weapon that it was transporting to the outpost." Thomas shakes his head. "That is not good news. However, I don't think it is wise for me to interrupt them at the current time, sir," he says. Commander Eagle smiles, "No, I don't think so either. I am glad he is here. Please let him know that I am here as soon as you are able." "I will, sir," Thomas replies. "It has been a good while since Elaine and Saber went back to the room. I've not heard much noise or commotion upstairs, that is a bit worrisome. I trust that Elaine would come and tell me if something were wrong, so I am going on the assumption that things are going as well as they can be." Thomas and Commander Eagle talk for awhile when Elaine and Saber come downstairs. "Oh Thomas!" Elaine says happily, "Come look at the wee ones." "I take it everything went well?" Thomas says as he gets up, Commander Eagle gets up with him. "Amanda did well," Saber replies. "Doctor Izumi is doing the final checks on her now, but she's sleeping soundly." He looks up from the baby in his arms, "Commander Eagle! Thomas must of called you," Saber pauses and looks around, "Where are the others?" "The babies aren't why I came, Saber," Commander Eagle says, "But congratulations," he adds with a smile. Then with a more serious expression, "I came looking to see Doctor Izumi." Dr. Izumi is coming down the stairs and hears his name. "Commander? What's going on?" he asks. "Doctor, I need you to come with me, there's been an incident," Commander Eagle replies. "What's going on?" Saber asks. "The Bismarck got into a battle and ended up crashing near the outpost," Commander Eagle replies. Saber gasps in surprise, "Are the others..." he stops afraid to finish his thought. "As far as I'm aware they have all survived the crash, but I need all the medical personnel I can get to help." "Let me grab my bag," Dr Izumi says as he turns to head back up the stairs. "Amanda should be fine now, and Elaine knows what to do if there's a problem," he adds as he heads up the stairs. "While we're waiting for him why don't you introduce me to the two newest members of your family Saber?" Commander Eagle asks looking at the two little ones. "This one here is Moira Grace," Saber says holding the baby in his arms up slightly, "And Elaine is holding Eryn Blair." "Twin girls?" Commander Eagle says surprised. "Evidently," Saber replies with a chuckle. "Well, congratulations again," Commander Eagle says placing a hand on Saber's shoulder. Dr. Izumi comes down with his bag, "I'm ready, I hope you have coffee," he says as he comes up next to Saber. "Plenty of the Cavalry Command special," the commander replies dryly. "Ah, more of that swill that could replace motor oil," the doctor mutters. "Don't worry, Doctor," Commander Eagle says laughing from the comment. "You can return as soon as possible to check on her and maybe get some rest." "I think that would be a good idea," Dr Izumi replies. He turns to Saber, "Call my phone should anything seem wrong and if nothing, I'll send a civilian doctor to check on her." Saber nods. "I'll come back as soon as I can to personally see about her," the doctor says before quickly leaving out the door with the Commander to a waiting car. "Don't worry, sir," Thomas says turning to face Saber, "I'm sure that everything will work out okay." "I hope so Thomas," Saber says quietly. "It's just that a part of me wonders if this would have happened if I'd been on the Bismarck with them. And another part of me thinks I should've gone with them." "Don't go blaming yourself, Saber," Elaine says as she rocks Eryn in her arms. "You have your family to worry about now." "I know Elaine, but if something happens, they may not get a chance to grow up, and that worries me," Baby Moira cries a bit in his arms. "Shh. Little one, it's ok. I'll do everything I can to protect you," he says softly as he rocks her in his arms. Hosted by Animexx e.V. (http://www.animexx.de)