A tale about how that picture of Leia Barton and her child Mariemeia came about as told from the perspective of the real Trowa Barton, son of Dekim, in Endless Waltz
"I don't have much time left."
Trowa Barton looked at his sister Leia sitting on the porch next to him. "What?"
"It's true, the cancer's spread. I haven't told Mariemeia yet, but I know I should," said the young woman. "Perhaps I should tell Treize about her."
"Absolutely not! She is a Barton and will remain so," said Trowa. "I didn't support the both of you just so that he could snatch her up. Don't worry about it, I'll take of everything."
"But I haven't made up with father yet."
Trowa Barton swore under his breath. He remembered the day that Leia had told father about her pregnancy. She had been sixteen at the time and had a terrible crush on Treize. They'd been at the same party and neither of them had been completely sober. Her father then demanded that she have an abortion to "get rid of the embarrassment." When she had refused, father had turned her out of the doors. Even though he had spoken up on her behalf, he had only gotten slapped for his pains. "Mariemeia's going to be taken care of," he said. "Don't worry your head about it."
The nanny then said, "Here, she is."
"Uncle Trowa?"
"Yeah, it's me."
Mariemeia curtsied perfectly.
"Heh, where did she learn that?"
"She's a bright child. She knows how to play chess and her tutor says that she reads several degrees above her grade level. I just know that... " Leia paused, tears in her eyes.
"Mommy, why are you crying?"
"Because I'm so proud of you."
"How about I take a picture of the both of you?" said Trowa. "I'm going to be taking a trip and I don't know when I'll be back."
Leia picked up her child and smiled. Mariemeia laughed and clung to her mother.
Trowa Barton looked at Heavyarms. A good machine, he thought. Then he caught sight of the young man he hired to take care of it. My father said to tell no one about my sister and her child, well, Nanashi means "nobody." Heh.
"Hey, Nanashi, this is for your eyes only," Trowa Barton said to the silent mechanic of his. "This is a picture of my sister and her kid."
The End
(:./mk/fall)
