Moving onwards

There was something hypnotizing about her hazel eyes.  They glittered and sparkled whenever she talked, their vibrance increasing with her cheerful mood.  In the kitchen painted like sunshine her eyes were at their most beautiful because the kitchen was her world.  Even when she wasn't cooking she still ruled over the room.

Today she was putting the dishes away.  Most people put their pots, pans and plates in practical places - but not Yumiko.  She'd put them where she believed they would be best for her, whether or not it was the typical place that people put them.  She was on tip-toes, trying to put a stack of tupperware boxes into a cupboard.  Hindered by her short stature, Yumi reached her arms as high as possible.  Seeing her struggling and being the gentleman he was, Dion instantly slipped up behind her.  Fingertips slid over hers and spread between the spaces of her fingers until he took the boxes from her hands and placed them in the cupboard.

"You didn't have to," she said, dropping down onto the flat of her feet and turning around to look at her best friend.  Standing so close to him she could smell every little detail from his skin to the aftershave he used.  In the enclosed space, she pressed the small of her back against the countertop and tried to ignore the swimming sensations in her mind.  "I would have managed eventually."

He smiled down at her, closing the cupboard door once everything was stacked neatly inside.  "I couldn't just leave you hopping around like that," he told her, ruffling her hair affectionately.  "And besides what kind of man would I be if I didn't help a beautiful pregnant woman in need?"


Her eyes widened in shock.  The only people who knew were Alex, Julian and Alex's son.  Yumi hadn't told Dion.  Didn't know how to tell him.  She looked away, curling her arms protectively around her stomach.  "How..."


"Did I know?" he finished for her, reaching out to take her hands, still smiling brightly.  "Yumi, Yumi, Yumi - there is nothing you can hide from me for too long," he told her.  "And besides, you weren't doing your usual trick of resting your weight on your stomach when you were trying to put those tubs away."  He linked their fingers together breifly, then released her, placing his hands flat on her stomach.  "You did it when you were pregnant with Pops."


"You're...You're not upset are you?" she asked, feeling a little worried.  This was her best friend and ex-husband.  Another man had come along and taken his role.  There was now another man in Yumiko's life who was going to be the one to stand at her side as the father of her baby.  Dion had been there once; would he be jealous because he couldn't be there again?


Dion chuckled, shaking his head.  "Yumi, when things clicked into place with me I knew inside that if I were to live that life I'd have to give up my old life.  You're still young and you deserve the chance at happiness that I could never fully give you.  I see how you are with Alex and I can clearly tell that despite his own flaws he can give you everything you have ever deserved.  He makes you happy and he makes Poppy happy.  She talks about him non-stop whenever she stays over; its like he's become her new hero."  He chuckled an froward, lifting his hands and placing them on Yumi's shoulders.  "Watch out for that.  I don't want her picking up any bad habits."


With a cheery grin, she saluted Dion.  "I'll make sure she doesn't start copying him."


"And the baby too."


"Its allowed to be a little like him..."


"As long as it doesn't grow up to be a scary dentist...or have a strange interest in teeth."


"So, you're not mad that I'm having a baby with Alex?  It's not like we planned it.  I'm still not properly settled with the idea.  It scares me," she told him.  "I mean we're not even living together yet."


Dion hummed in thought, flicking his hair out of his eyes.  "Maybe you should suggest it to him?  It'd mean him leaving his bachelor flat but I think it'd be a good idea to at least bring it up with him.  Just...Do it gently.  Don't just throw it on him.  The two of you should go somewhere with Poppy, ease him into the family life because it's been a while since he last did anything really family orientated."  An idea sparked in his head and Dion's grin increased.  "You should go on a picnic!"


At his suggestion Yumi grinned back at him, reaching over and giving him a huge hug.  "You're a genious, Dion!"


"I know.  Why did we ever split up?"


"Because you're gay," she chuckled back.  "And have hair like a girl."