Nightshift

Nightshift
Paradise

A summer day was one of the most beautiful things one could ever have the pleasure to experience. The soothing breeze that occasionally brushed across your face and the laughter of small children at play could put anyone at ease no matter their occupation or situation.

Without a cloud in sight, the sun was a bright shining dot in the vast blue of the sky.

A young man took noticed of this and turned off the flash as he took another picture, his small rectangular glasses almost sliding off thanks to the quick motion. Dressed in business attire, he would have looked out of place if the sleeves of his dress shirt weren’t rolled up and if a smile wasn’t on his face as he prepared to take another photo.

He applied pressure to the button on top of the camera and the small beep let him know that the picture was already stored in the digital memory inside the device.

His subject was a young girl. In addition to her helmet and knee pads, she wore a simple, lavender sundress. Her crystal blue eyes were wide with excitement as her short midnight black hair swayed behind her. The sunlight made her complexion seem almost as shiny as her helmet but her smile was far more dazzling than the day itself. Details such as standing still for a picture didn’t occur to the young girl as she had her fun.

The four year old peddled the tricycle as slow as she could all the while trying to maintain her balance despite the fact that she couldn’t fall thanks to the two rear wheels keeping her stable.

“Daddy! Look at what I do!” She happily exclaimed while gripping the handle bars tightly before executing a maneuver that she was sure would amaze her father. Slightly pushing one arm forward, the front wheel started to turn and the rest of the tricycle followed as she started to go in circles.

Shinji’s smile, if possible, got wider than before as he took another photo of his daughter, “You’re doing good Mai! Right Rei?”

The former pilot looked over his shoulder at the blue haired woman who simply nodded from where she sat. She sat on one of the wooden benches places sparsely through the park and the tall tree beside her provided all the shade she needed.

Allowing his eyes to rest on her for a while longer, he could help but admire the beautiful woman that she was. Her powder blue hair was light enough to match her almost porcelain skin tone and the crimson eyes he used to find so intimidating were now so warm as she stared back at him.

The white blouse and long bade skirt she wore made her seem so elegant and he didn’t at all find the thought strange since she was extremely graceful. Thoughts concerning her appearance started to drift elsewhere as she suddenly stood and walked directly towards him.

With her features becoming even more visible because of the sun, Shinji couldn’t pull his eyes off her and instead opted to turn around as she stepped in front of him. He was confused until she reached for his neck and started to fix his tie.

Despite the fact that he did indeed dress like this, to this very day he still didn’t know how to tie his own tie, “T-Thank you.” He stuttered out as he raised his head to look at the former pilot.

A small smile adorned her face as she lowered her hands, “You’re welcome.” She whispered, her voice always soothing to his ears.

“You didn’t have to get up to fix my tie in front of everyone.” Shinji said softly, turning his head as a blush started to form on his face.

Rei opened her mouth to reply but his daughter, noticing that her father wasn’t looking at her, decided to remind them of her presence, “Daddy!! Look at me!”

Like a professional photographer sensing the right time to take a picture, Shinji had the camera in front of his face before she could repeat herself, “I’m looking Mai!”

The shutter on the camera repeatedly snapped close as he took shot after shot of his daughter enjoying the summer day. The young girl raised her head, “Look what I can do Rei!”

Much to Shinji’s amusement, she turned around and started to make circles in the opposite direction. Her father and Rei looked on as she had her fun but a glimpse at his wristwatch told him he didn’t have much longer to be here.

“I have to go in a while,” He softly said as he lowered the digital camera, “I have to be at the hospital in a few hours.”

Shinji chuckled as Mai pedaled towards them, “It’s still hard to believe that I became a doctor… Something must be wrong with the medical school since I passed.”

“I always had faith in you.”

The former pilot turned to Rei in mild shock as she started at him. The surprised look on his face eventually turned into the light smile that seemed to always be on it nowadays, “I know.”

Despite how quiet and reserved she was, Rei’s supporting presence was what kept him reading those large books and what kept him focus on becoming a doctor even when he had a baby to look after.

Looking at Mai, he realized that becoming a doctor was more than the right thing to do. Not only did he get paid enough so that she could live comfortably, it was the fact that he got paid for saving lives that made it so satisfying.

At the age of twenty-one, he had a four year old daughter and a hectic job but the azure haired beauty beside him balanced his life out easily. With a blush on his face, Shinji reached out and tenderly grasped her hand.

With warm acceptance, she allowed his hand to wrap around hers as his daughter got off of her tricycle. Staring up at her father and his girlfriend, Mai frowned when she realized that the look on his face meant that it was time to go, “Daddy, where are we going now?”

Releasing her hand in order to crouch and look his daughter in the face, Shinji smiled, “Daddy has to go to work now but I want you to be a good girl and go home with Rei okay?”

She pouted, “I want to go with daddy though…”

Shinji laughed, she was just too cute. He raised his hand and patted her on the head, “I’ll be back okay? You and Rei can have some fun while I’m gone.”

She nodded, “Okay…”

“Ikari…” Shinji looked over his shoulder at Rei and smiled as he remembered she was still too formal to call him by his first name, “Would you like to eat before you leave or should I-“

“Oh! You don’t have to cook anything.” The doctor said, interrupting the soft whisper that made up her voice as he stood up.

It wasn’t so much that her cooking was terrible. As a matter of fact, he could eat it and enjoy it but it was bland. Sadly, Shinji didn’t have the heart to tell her and instead offered a better idea.

“I’ll cook. Let me call in and tell them I’ll come in the day after tomorrow.”

Rei’s eyes gave off the slight confusion she was feeling but it was enough for him to pick up on, “You don’t have to take two days off…”

All it took was a smile from him to ease her, “Tomorrow’s a special day and I don’t mind cooking dinner for both of you.” Shinji stated as he pulled out his cellular phone.

While he spoke on the phone, she and Mai returned to the bench. Happily, the girl skipped to the shade the wooden bench was, “It’s gonna be your birthday Rei?”

“Yes, it is.” Rei said simply as they took a seat.

“Can daddy make a big cake?” Mai’s eyes started to shine as she thought of the kitchen being filled with sweets.

The blue haired woman shook her head, “I dislike things that are overly sweet.”

She sighed, “Oh…”

Quietly, Rei noticed that the pretty girl was starting to become more like her mother. Even if she was obviously Shinji’s child based on her looks, her playful personality nearly perfectly matched the one that belonged to Mana. Those bright blue eyes only seemed to confirm the fact as Mai watched her father.

In thinking of the girl’s mother, Rei was reminded that Shinji never talked about her. It was not many things she knew about the woman but she knew for a fact that the glasses Shinji wore were not to correct his vision. It was a gift from the mother of his child but one could argue that he simply wore them to add to his professional appearance. Another thing she knew for sure was that Mana was simply gone. Although she wasn’t even sure if she was alive or not, it was one thing that was clear.

Shinji still thought about her.

It didn’t anger her at all. It was perfectly understandable that he would think of her since he was surrounded by the reflection of her in Mai. It was not a cause for concern. She was with him now and, despite her wishes, she would not engrave herself in his heart. She would wait till he completely came to terms with the fact that Mana wasn’t here anymore.

“Rei?”

She raised her head and her crimson eyes met with the sight of Shinji picking up his daughter’s tricycle while he held Mai in his other arm, “Is something wrong?” He asked with concern being easy to spot in the depths of his navy eyes.

The woman in question shook her head before standing up and joining them.

He started to walk to the car with her trailing not far behind, “I might have to go in for a while tomorrow but I’m sure I’ll have to work extra hours next week.”

“You don’t have to take time off for me.” His girlfriend quietly stated, repeating her earlier opinion.

“I don’t mind it at all Rei,” He whispered as he noticed his daughter was falling asleep on his shoulder, “Really.”

She knew fully well that Shinji was the type of person who would make time for her no matter the occasion. While it made her feel strange since she virtually did nothing, he paid no attention to that and instead sought to make her as comfortable as possible.

The thing he found most amusing about her was the fact that, despite her sentiments, she liked to be flattered but what he didn’t know was that she only favored his flattery because it was from him.

The sound of the car door opening brought her back to her senses, “What do you want me to make?”

Rei opened the other door and assisted him in buckling her in the seat, “Anything you want.”

Shinji smiled as she successfully put Mai in the seat, “What if I wanted to eat something sweet?” He asked as he looked at her through his glasses.

“That is… acceptable.”

With a grin, he shook his head, “I thought you’d say something like that.”

Shinji walked to the passenger’s side and opened the door for her, ‘I’ll surprise you tomorrow...’ He thought as she got into the car.

~*~

The morning was Rei’s favorite part of the day. The crisp air she inhaled while she stood on the balcony and the beautiful sight of the sun rising higher in the sky only seemed to reinforce the fact.

Another reason she favored this time of day more than any other was because of the stillness. Because of the light dew on the plants and the soft sound of birds calling to each other it seemed like nature was in a standstill, allowing only her to be in its presence.

However, none of that had anything to do with the fact that this was her birthday.

To be honest, it wasn’t really her birthday since she didn’t have one in the first place. Shinji was the one who came up with the idea to mark this day as her birthday and it just so happened to be the same day of their anniversary.

Rei slid open the glass door and walked back into the apartment, ‘Our anniversary…’ She thought as she made her way to the kitchen.

The first time they really came together… the first time they became more than friends. All it took was a single day to come back into his life and she remembered it just as clearly as yesterday. Strangely enough, it was on the day he was getting married to Mana.

Gushing in his happiness, he sent invitations to everyone he knew and everyone came. From the busy Asuka who only pretended she didn’t have the time to be there to cheerful Misato who played with the baby. A few familiar faces from school were present and even Dr. Akagi was there. What surprised her was not that his father came but that he even sent her an invitation.

Both she and Shinji weren’t a fan of big public gatherings but, seeing the carefully handwritten card, she had no reason not to go. It was a traditional wedding, Rei recalled, that they held in a moderately sized church in Tokyo-2.

Despite how well she remembered, it wasn’t easy to recall everyone’s reaction as they saw Shinji standing in a tuxedo as he waited on his soon to be wife. While his daughter slept in the arms of his guardian, the former pilot looked more nervous than he ever did and his anxiety made its way into the people who watched. Kensuke, who had by now finished messing with his camera, looked just as nervous as his friend. Touji and Mari looked on with a slight uneasiness as minute after minute started to tick by.

Not only them but everyone started to feel uneasy as they waited on the bride to come down the isle. It wasn’t because everyone wanted to hurry it up or even felt they were wasting their time, it was just that no one wanted to see him being so shaky on such an important day.

Suddenly, the doors flew open and it wasn’t Mana who walked down the isle.

Asuka slowly moved down the walkway with an expression too blank to describe. The redhead that was usually so animated walked so slow that all who watched knew that she wasn’t bearing good news. That’s why Shinji met her in the middle to see what was wrong.

Silently, everyone heard the news she relayed and, almost instantly, felt pity for the groom. To his credit, Shinji didn’t falter. He simply stood there speechless, unable to even imagine why… why she would leave before something so important.

Apologizing for wasting everyone’s time, he rushed off before anyone could attempt to provide a comforting word. She could remember how gloomy it seemed as everyone filtered out of the church. Some muttered things while others, in similar fashion to Shinji, just didn’t say anything. What was supposed to be a happy occasion turned to something it shouldn’t have and left nearly everyone shocked in the wake of what happened.

Before long, the only people left were herself and Misato. While it was a slightly odd unison considering that they didn’t know each other very well, they both knew that this wasn’t a time to leave him alone.

Just as the raven-haired woman suspected, they found him in the reception room. The wide room was already decorated with various items but Rei’s eyes only focused on the lone boy sitting at the long table. With his back turned to them, Shinji leaned in the chair as he looked at the weeding cake that was placed on the table.

Despite how depressing the situation was, Misato easily took a step forward, “Shinji…”

“Misato?” Shinji guessed, not turning around, “I’m sorry for wasting your time…”

“You know you didn’t waste my time. I’m glad I could come and,” She held up Mai and made a face that caused the baby to giggle, “You shouldn’t leave your kid with me Shinji. If I take her home she might wrestle with Pen-Pen.”

Her light tone did little to sway his feelings as he stared at the cake, “Thanks for watching her…”

“Shinji,” Misato paused, “I know it’s hard but you can get married anytime. If you want me to stay for-“

“I’m okay… I’m grateful you watched her for me.” He looked over his shoulder at the older woman and was surprised to see who was behind her, “Rei…? You were worried about me, too?”

A nod confirmed his words and he slide the chair back to get up. Making his way to Misato, Mai again laughed as she saw the face of her father. Her small giggles filled the room as she handed her to him and Shinji bowed, “I’m late but thanks for coming.”

His guardian sighed, “Don’t be so formal and call me later okay?”

After receiving his reply, Misato left out of the room and Shinji turned to the room’s other occupant. Quietly, he started to bow but she stopped him with her hand, “Don’t.”

“I should,” Shinji raised his head and looked her in the eye, “I should probably be apologizing to you the most Rei…” He said, memories of the past coming to mind.

“That is not necessary.”

Nothing was said after that. For a while, Shinji stood in front of the girl he haven’t even spoke to in close to three years and she stared back at him as his child stretched in his arms.

He looked at his daughter as she yawned, “Do you want some cake Rei?” He asked, making conversation if only to change the subject.

“I don’t particularly favor it but…”

Shinji took a look at the tall cake on the table and sighed, “I don’t think I like it much either anymore…”

“I would like to have some.” Rei finished her statement, causing his eyes to widen in surprise.

The day continued with conversation. It was like he was making up for the time they had apart but she listened to everything he had to say. Before they knew it, hours passed and it was time for him to go to class. He had to go home to change out of his clothes and, in the process, came up with an idea. Shinji asked if she would like to watch the child and, although she had no experience with children, she agreed.

“Rei?” Shinji’s voice brought her back to the present, “I know you like to wake up early but you could have stayed in bed today.”

She smiled as she recalled that she have been with him every since then, “I didn’t want to miss your breakfast.”

Shinji rolled his shirt sleeves back down, “I made something special for you already.”

Overlooking the chance that he may have fixed something that she liked, Rei instead looked at his clothes. Realizing her line of sight, Shinji offered an explanation, “I got a call after I put Mai in the bed.”

“You haven’t been to sleep?”

“No, but I’m alright.” He fixed his glasses as he stepped closer to his girlfriend, “You worry about me too much Rei. Today is a day just for you.” Shinji said with a smile.

With ease, he softly pulled her into a hug, “Just relax today okay? Mai and I got some stuff for you but I’ll give you a present before she wakes up.”

Rei relaxed in his embrace and placed her head on his shoulder, “Is she giving me another card?” She asked directly, her gentle tone containing a small trace of interest.

A little girl’s handmade birthday cards… Although the random spirals and unintelligible scribbles that Mai thought were words certainly didn’t make it a masterpiece Rei still knew it was something to treasure. In a heart free of the social misunderstandings, the young girl innocently made a card for someone she cared for and, despite her age, she knew that how it looked didn’t really matter.

It was the heartfelt feelings that crafted the card that touched the woman.

“She worked on it after you got in bed,” Shinji said, images of the girl diligently working on construction paper with crayons in hand, “Said she wanted to keep it a secret so she could surprise you.”

Rei didn’t have to voice that she understood. Instead, she did exactly as he said and started to relax. Just this one day out of every year, she wasn’t the just his girlfriend. She was his lover celebrating the day they started to see each other. While her birthday was on the same day, the red-eyed woman held the idea of her anniversary closer to her heart.

Her birthday only related to her while their anniversary belonged to both of them. It was their own private holiday, just something between them and no one else.

“Today is a big day.” Shinji declared as he released his girlfriend and took her hand in his, “I left the gift on the kitchen table.”

Hand in hand, they walked into the kitchen where she could both smell her specialty made breakfast and also see the wrapped up gift. While the pleasant smell of bagels drifted in the air, Rei’s eyes examined the boxed present as she moved closer to it. Wrapped in plain blue paper with an extravagant silk white ribbon, the rectangle box simply waited for her to untie the bow and pull back the paper in order to see the contents.

Carefully, she did just that only to reveal a black cardboard box. She lifted the top off the box and found a beautiful dress. Rei was never one to keep up with fashion. She just wore what she was familiar with and dresses just so happened to be the closest thing she was accustomed to wearing.

The shiny, sleeveless sapphire dress was obviously made with the idea of going out for dinner. Holding it up in order to see it better, her eyes landed on the embroidery. A dotted line of pearls started from the side and continued all the way to the bottom in a spiral. It wasn’t until she took her eyes off the gift and looked into the box that she realized the long, ivory gloves and diamond earrings that accompanied the dress.

“Thank you.” Rei said aloud, a smile making its way on her face as she folded the dress back up and placed it in the box.

A plate with toasted bagels was placed on the table in front of her. Shinji smiled as well before putting the glass of water besides her small breakfast, “Don’t worry. I got you more than a dress and are you sure you don’t want to eat anything else Rei?”

She shook her head and started to eat. One thing that would never change were her eating habits, she was always an extremely light eater. Leaving her alone while he went to fetch the other presents, Shinji walked to the bedroom they shared.

And the day continued as such.

Mai woke up not soon after her breakfast and was in a rush to surprise her with all the stuff her father got and also her own card which she warmly accepted. Shinji returned with an armful of boxes and the day turned into another occasion she would always remember. From Mai attempting to put on one of her new dresses to Shinji blushing when he realized that he ordered her the wrong book, the entire day was something she would never forget.

Continuing into the afternoon, they played together until it was time for the girl’s nap. Not before making her argument that it should be a birthday everyday, Mai went back into her room to go to sleep. Rei, even though Shinji offered, decided she would make dinner.

As the rice slowly cooked, the azure haired woman patiently reached into the refrigerator and pulled out her least favorite thing to eat. The meat she was going to use to make the curry was placed near the stove and Rei turned on the ire to heat the skillet she was going to put it in.

Both Shinji and his daughter had prior knowledge that she greatly disliked meat. While Shinji was always curious to why she didn’t like it, he never asked in hope that she would volunteer the information one day. Still, she didn’t have to cook something she didn’t eat on her birthday, “Rei, we can have something different if you want.”

“This is a part of your diet so I can endure.”

The doctor pushed his glasses back up to the bridge of his nose, “That’s besides the point though Rei.” He said, a smile coming to his face as he watched her brown the meat.

Shinji watched his girlfriend as she cooked. Like his image of a mother, she stood silently in front of the stove. Even though the crackle of the open flame and smell of the meat more than likely made her feel uneasy, she didn’t at all falter because of it.

The soft spoken woman was firm in her resolve to do things even if she didn’t like them at all. More than anything, he admired that in Rei.

“Hey…”

A crimson eye appeared over her shoulder as she waited on him to continue.

“I know it sounds kind of crazy but… I really love you Rei.”

“That’s not crazy.” She quickly injected as she returned to making dinner.

“I wasn’t finished.” Shinji gulped as he reached in his pocket and pulled out a box. For a moment, the food was forgotten as she noticed the small velvet box he held in his hands.

Shinji flipped open the box and the diamond ring in the center made her turn around to verify if she really seeing what she thought she was. Closer examination on the ring didn’t have to be taken into account as her boyfriend slid out of the chair and knelled on the floor.

“Will you marry me Rei?”

Consisting of only five words, the question itself was fairly simple but the concept and reason behind it were extremely complex. Because of that, Rei found herself speechless. In the few seconds it took to pose the question, the seconds after he posed it was all the time needed for their feelings to twist inside of them.

Was he wrong in asking? Would it be better to just keep it like this?

If she said yes was anything going to change?

The food was indeed forgotten as Rei took his hand and stared down at him, “I… I-“

The front door flew open and the sound of bags being dropped on the ground reached their ears. Shocked, Shinji motioned to move to the door but the voice he heard made him stop before he even moved.

Mana smiled brightly as she stood in her uniform and took in the smell of dinner being made, “I’m home!”

~*~

This was too awkward to make any sense…

Proposing to his girlfriend as his fiancée walked into the room. It sounded like a bad drama’s season finale but this was indeed the situation as strange as it seemed.

Rei quietly got a plate and placed food on it before taking it to the table. Taking her seat opposite Mana, the former pilot put the plate on the table before she sat down. Raising her head to look at the woman in front of her, she was faced with the same spy that made her way into NERV using her ties with Shinji.

Mana happily smiled at Rei who looked her in the eye. The woman’s hair was longer than before and the dark red luster she remembered was even brighter now. The steel blue eyes that belonged to her were even more intimidating than before despite the smile she had on her face. All in all, she looked nearly the same but better…

Even the hunter green uniform she wore made her look good. The standard military uniform accentuated her figure well and the rank she had was proudly displayed for all to see. Mana pulled off the jacket, threw it on the floor, and turned back to Rei, “Can I have a plate?”

Shinji slid his plate over to her and, immediately, Rei slid her plate in front of him.

A touching gesture it was but Mana paid it no mind as she looked at the man she loved, “Thank you Shinji.” She said, a familiar smile sparkling on her face as she accepted his chopsticks also.

“Rei made it.” He said quietly, almost as if her presence was crushing his own.

“Looks like you two were enjoying yourselves today.” Mana casually replied as she ate, “What’s the occasion?”

“It is my birthday and our anniversary.” Rei said aloud as she placed her chopsticks in front of Shinji.

Mana nodded and continued eating. Nothing happened as the sound of a single person eating filled the kitchen. Seeing that the brief conversation was dying, she offered something to bring it back to life.

“So you’re cheating on me huh?” She said, posing the question like she was asking about the weather.

Shinji bolted up, “Don’t say it like that!”

Mana matched his intensity with an indifferent look in her eyes. Of all people, Shinji knew that her blank expression meant something completely different. The red haired solider looked calmly at him, “What is it supposed to be then Shinji?”

The calm atmosphere that normally stayed at the kitchen table was replaced with a clash of feelings as they stared at each other. Three years of pent up emotions were about to be released and she feared that it wouldn’t be pleasant.

“I am not feeling well…” Rei said as she dismissed herself and headed towards the room they shared.

With the exit of the other woman, the flaring tempers started to die down because of the distraction. Shinji took his seat and looked at the food in front of him, “You-“

“I saw the mail outside,” Mana cracked another smile as she stared at him, “I thought your father was living with you or something when I saw Dr. Ikari. I never figured you would become a doctor Shinji. I’m amazed.”

“Mana, I’m-“

“Now that I think about it, I actually don’t find it hard to-“

Shinji shook his head, “Why did you come back?”

The way he said wasn’t meant to hurt her feelings but his tired voice was enough to make her realize that she wasn’t as welcomed as she thought she was. Mana’s chair slid backwards across the floor as she got up. Without saying anything, she bent over and looked him directly in the eye.

“For you and Mai.” The woman voiced seriously.

The doctor turned away from her, “I… I thought you died or something.”

Shinji sighed as he used his chopsticks to play around in the food his girlfriend made for him. Even if Rei’s cooking wasn’t the best, it was more than good enough simply because she made it for him. Right now, he just didn’t have an appetite.

“You should know what kind of job I have better than anyone.” Mana looked down at him as he swirled the utensils around in the rice, “I can’t help it if an operation takes longer than I thought it would.”

“You could have at least told me Mana…” Shinji placed the chopsticks down and pushed his glasses back to the bridge of his nose, “Do you know I looked for you?” He said softly, thoughts of calling people he didn’t even remotely know for information coming to mind.

“I know it’s hard to understand but when I get an order I have to go. I can’t break radio silence because I want to let my family know I’m alright.”

“What do you want me to do…? Tell Rei to leave since you came out of nowhere?”

The mother of his child folded her arms, “Look Shinji, I don’t dislike Ayanami at all but that doesn’t mean I’m going to just nod and start buying weeding presents for you. I know that I’ve… been gone but that doesn’t mean we can’t be together now.”

Shinji closed his eyes and rubbed his temple, “I… looked for you for years Mana. I was still in school so I didn’t have all that much money especially since I didn’t want any checks from NERV. It was probably stupid to other people but I spent all my extra money on private detectives and used all my free time following leads.”

“Why didn’t you wait for me like you did the first time?” Her dark blue eyes softened in concern upon hearing his words.

“Because I at least had your word to go on then… When you stood me-“

“Is you mama?” The voice of his daughter cut him off as the young girl stepped into the kitchen. With a giant smile on her face, Mai stared at her mother in awe. She looked just like she did in the pictures that her father regularly showed her.

Shinji and Mana openly stared at their child. Her short, black hair was sticking up at odd angles thanks to the fact that she just woke up and the big shirt she wore drooped on the floor like it was a dress. Regardless of her messed up hair or overly big shirt, her bright blue eyes shined with the same radiance of her smile as her mother slowly nodded.

Boldly walking forward, her bare feet slapped against the floor as she neared her mother. Staring up at the woman that towered over her, Mai craned her neck to look up and waved.

Despite the situation, Shinji wished he had his camera…

Mana wasted no time lifting the girl up and tossing her into the air. Catching her with ease, the woman stared at her baby and laughed out loud, “Of course, I’m your mama!” She exclaimed happily, her eyes starting to water a bit as she recalled the image of a chubby baby who couldn’t even crawl.

Childish giggles came from the kid she held in her arms and Mana couldn’t help but laugh as well. She was so vibrant. Even if she never saw the cute little girl, she would be able to tell that this was her child.

“Did mama come for Rei birthday?”

Mana shook her head, “I came for you.” She said as an idea came to mind.

She placed the girl on the ground and rubbed her hand around in Mai’s hair, “Do you want to go somewhere with mama tomorrow?”

The wide smiled on her face got larger, “Wah! I want to!”

Her mother winked, “Let’s take a bath first okay?”

“Daddy say I take a bath with Rei.” Mai said, raising her finger like she made a valid point in a discussion.

“You are going to take one with mama today okay?” Mana turned to Shinji who quietly ate as their daughter headed to the bathroom, “You can come with us tomorrow.”

Finishing his dinner, he picked up the plate and deposited it in the sink, “I have to go to work.”

“Come on Shinji, you can-“

“I already took two days off in a row.” He said, before rushing out of the room with Mana following close behind.

She reached out and grabbed his arm causing him to come to an abrupt halt. Shinji looked over his shoulder at her as she released his arm and instead looked at him with the same concern she had before their daughter appeared, “Why are you treating me like this?”

“I don’t kn-“

“Don’t lie to me…” Her sight drifted to the ground as she cut him off, “I hate it when you lie to me.”

“It’s just…” Shinji sighed, “It’s just that it’s like every time something bad happens it concerns you.”

“Don’t make me the bad guy.” Mana said before walking in front of him, “You know more than I do that I never took any of this for granted. If I could have asked for another agent to be picked instead of me then I would have done that.”

“You stood me up.” He whispered, his expression as downcast as the thoughts that accompanied his words.

Mana quickly shook her head as she stepped forward, “People die if I don’t do my job Shinji! What? Do you think I was going to forget about my own family!?”

“I thought you did…”

He honestly expected a slap or even a few words he wouldn’t want mentioned around Mai but Mana did nothing of the sort. Instead, his former fiancée grabbed his collar and pulled him closer to her.

“What do you want me to do to make it up to you? Promise I won’t get anymore missions? Say I’m going to stay home from now on?” The look in her eyes was all it took to make him regret saying it, “Do you think I enjoyed walking away from that church alone on the day we were going to get married!? How about thinking about how your kid is growing up without you and if she still remembers who you are? Wait! What about coming home after all the sorties, long missions, and made objectives to find that the father of your child doesn’t even want to be with you anymore?”

Mana let him go but the fire in her eyes still remained, “Yea, I stood you up. I can’t change that but look what are you doing to me…”

For years, the only thing that kept a smile on her face was the fact that she was going to return home someday and, even if he wouldn’t be too happy to see her at first, Shinji and Mai would happily welcome her. Like a machine, the thought of finally having her own family fueled her and was still her driving force even at this moment.

She left him alone at the alter and without knowledge of where she went but that didn’t at all mean she did it with intent to hurt him. The damage was done and that was already in the past. The only thing she could do now was take the steps that needed to be taken and make everything better but, in coming home, she realized that Shinji stood her up.

Not in the same fashion as she did of course, but he stood her up nonetheless. Even though the situations were completely different, they both left each other alone.

Everything that needed to be said was already said.

Long ago, their conversations never reached this level. Back then she would laugh everything off and he would just shy away. If things somehow managed to get to the point where the where about to argue, they would easily just make a compromise but now it was only friction.

Not only did their feelings rub each other the wrong way but now it was their ideals. In the time she was gone, he started to adapt to things differently and became influenced by many of the people who surrounded him.

Mana’s sharp eyes caught the sudden movement of a door down the hall opening. Mai poked her head into the hallway and waved at her mother, “Ready!” She said with excitement, completely unaware of the conversation her parents were having.

Besides the movement of Mana’s hand that signaled she heard her daughter, nothing happened.

The way they just suddenly felt different around each other didn’t make her feel comfortable at all. Shinji walked passed her and grabbed his keys off the coffee table, “You can share the bed with Rei and she’ll tell you what time Mai goes to sleep.”

“Shinji… I know things aren’t going well right now but you don’t have to just leave because of me.”

“I’m not leaving because of you,” He unlocked the door and didn’t bother to turn around as he walked out, “I work the nightshift.”

~*~

What if she never received that call while she was trying on her dress? Would the opened presents that were neatly stacked in the corner of the room belong to her?

Mana smiled as she got on her side of the bed. Those gifts wouldn’t belong to her simply because Shinji knew she didn’t like receiving gifts as much as she liked giving them. Besides, she would have got the call eventually anyway.

“Hey Ayanami,” She said aloud in the darkness of the room, “Do you think he hates me now?”

It was a random question and she half expected the woman to answer. A few minutes passed and Mana rolled on her side. She was about to try and go to sleep until Rei offer a reply, “No, he does not dislike you.”

“What makes you so sure…?”

“His glasses…” Rei said softly, her red eyes staring at the familiar ceiling above her.

Unlike the fondness she once had for the burned glasses of the commander, Shinji’s feelings for the glasses he wore couldn’t be described by anyone except him. He didn’t have bad eyesight nor was he the type of person to wear them because they made him look different. Even if it was subconscious, he wore them because of her.

Even if those glasses were a reflection of the feelings he still carried for the woman, Rei managed to overlook and almost forget about them. Some days she could tell that little by little that it was becoming a habit to wear them instead of a tribute to Mana. There were days when someone would mention the red-haired solider and he would idly touch the rectangular frames and, every now and then, there were days when he forgot completely.

Rei’s eyes took a distant gaze as she realized that this was one of those days until Mana returned. This was going to be the day he put Mana behind him and officially put her first.

“I guess you probably don’t like me much huh?” Mana said with a slight smile, her voice in stark contrast to the expression on her face.

“I do not hate anyone.” Rei replied quickly, “I do not fault you for being with him first nor do I fault you for being the mother of his child.”

The spy almost laughed in relief, “Thanks Ayanami, I was beginning to think that Mai would be the only person who’d be kind to me. At least now-“

“Ikari is the kindest person I know.” Rei interrupted under the assumption that she was implying something.

Suddenly, Mana remembered that they weren’t friends. In all honestly, she and Rei barely knew each other. They knew of each other of course but nothing was known when it came to personal knowledge of each other.

They turned to each other and their eyes met. The girlfriend’s expression didn’t change as she looked the former fiancée directly in the eye. Mana’s sapphire eyes peered into the crimson orbs that openly stared at her.

‘Just like Shinji…’ She thought as she observed the former pilot.

Mana turned away from Rei and instead closed her eyes, “I know people don’t like me much anymore… When I arrived at the airport one of my friends told me how everyone reacted when they found out I left.”

“I tried to fool myself into believing that it would be alright when he saw me but hearing her tell me how sad he looked made me finally realize that I hurt him,” She sighed as she opened her eyes even though she wasn’t looking at anything in particular, “In the end, it wasn’t his father or his Eva that hurt him the most… it was me.”

Rei’s silence let her know that she agreed.

The redhead knew the importance in being able to smile so, despite her feelings, she smiled. A beautifully depressing smile it was but it was still a smile, “I just want to have a family but… if he wants me to leave then I’ll go.”

“You already have a family.” Rei remarked calmly, “Even if you are separated, your child will always be your child and… her father will always remain her father. Nothing will change that.”

Mana noticed the pause but didn’t say anything about it, “Mai and I are going to out tomorrow. Do you want to come with us Ayanami?”

“No,” Rei said softly as she closed her eyes, “I rather stay here.”

The pale woman beside her was never cryptic or overly complex but her words had a double meaning nonetheless. Rei always thought well before she spoke and she knew that her statement wasn’t an exception. As the azure-haired woman fell asleep, Mana briefly wondered if she simply meant what she said or was referring to something more definite…

~*~

Mai giggled as she jumped up and down, “I am ready mama!!”

Mana smiled as her daughter’s enthusiasm seemed to fill the room with joy. She pulled out a comb and bent over to look the child in the face, “Do you want mama to do your hair?”

Surprised, she opened her mouth to speak but no words came out and she could only nod her head while her eyes sparkled. Her mother was just like she thought she would be. She liked fixing her hair, she liked taking baths with her, she liked telling her stories, and the list went on. Being amazing was okay but it was fun that mattered the most to the four year old.

She laughed as she combed Mai’s short black hair and then, abruptly, reached her hand in the dark locks of hair. Just as quickly as she combed it, Mana made it back into the way it naturally was, “Mama is finished!”

Yes… Fun was what mattered the most.

Mana took a look at her wristwatch and then turned her head towards the front door. To be frank, she was going to leave with Mai in the morning until she decided to ask Ayanami when Shinji got off his shift. However, she wasn’t prepared for the answer and found that she had to completely change what she had in mind.

She took a seat on the couch and leaned back before her daughter joined her, “When do we go?” Mai asked as her mother took another glance at her watch.

The display on her wristwatch indicated that it was six minutes past four o’clock and he would be here any minute now according to Ayanami, “We’ll leave when daddy gets-“

Coolly, Shinji entered the apartment and almost walked passed Mana and Mai until he noticed their presence. The doctor leaned over and smiled at his daughter while he opened his arms, “I’m home.” He said, the well hidden fatigue creeping into his voice.

Mai hopped off the couch and hugged her father, “Hi Daddy!”

He picked her up, “Have you been a good girl?”

“Yup!”

“That means I have to get you something then huh?” He placed her back on the ground and patted her on the head, “What do you want?”

“Red velvet cake!!” Mai raised her fist into the air as she set her plan into action, repeating the same answer she gave every time her father asked the question. In the naïve immaturity of youth, she knew that she would win someday.

He shook his head and the tired aura that surrounded him seemed to dissipate as he laughed, “You know I won’t get you that stuff so why do you ask so-“

“That okay daddy. Mama said I can get some.”

He snatched his line of sight away from Mai and turned directly towards Mana. Quickly the happiness brought on by his daughter changed into the blank expression that came with the mention of her, “That’s good Mai… Don’t eat too much okay?”

As their daughter danced around with stars in her eyes, Shinji retreated down the hall. Raising a hand to his face in order to fix his glasses, the doctor started to disappear into one of the rooms and Mana, being a pretty observant person, found it was easy to tell that things did change more than she thought they had.

First of all, he didn’t greet her. The only thing she was received was not a hello but a blank stare that told her that he nearly managed to forget only to be reminded by the mention of her name. Again, she wasn’t surprised.

Shinji wasn’t the type of person who sought to hurt people feelings so she knew that wasn’t the case. It was just that he most likely didn’t want to see her.

Another thing she picked up on was the fact that Ayanami was correct.

He still wore the glasses she given him… That had to mean something. It had to mean that he wouldn’t try to push her aside.

Mana stood up and looked down at Mai, “I’m going to go talk to daddy real quick then we can go okay?”

The little girl nodded quickly, the promise of her favorite cake making her too happy to find any iota of impatience.

The spy patted her daughter on the head and walked into the kitchen where Shinji was busy looking for a snack. Quietly eyeing him from behind, Mana watched as he reached into a cabinet.

“What do you want Mana?”

The tone of his voice wasn’t cold or anything like that. His weary voice only served to make her feel like he was indeed tired of her.

“You didn’t give me a chance to say welcome home. I didn’t know you worked that many hours Shinji.” Mana moved closer to him as he searched the cabinets, “You don’t have to work like that since I have my pay in the-“

Shinji stopped looking for something to eat and looked at her over his shoulder, “I like my job and I don’t need your money.”

If she was insulted she hid it well as she walked up to him and asked a question that she feared he had an answer to, “Why are you trying to hard to alienate me?”

His apathy was apparent as he returned to looking around in the cabinet, “Why are you trying to make things difficult for-“

“Hello Ikari.”

Rei entered the kitchen and stood near the doorway. It was obvious that she had mistakenly entered an argument but that had little to do with the fact that she came to greet her boyfriend.

Shinji pulled out candy bar he was searching for and turned in the direction of the crimson eyed woman, “Hello Rei, are you hungry?”

Before yesterday, Mana had never been so frustrated and today was the first time she ever seriously felt so angry in her entire life. She waits for him at the door, welcomes him back, and was even about to ask if he wanted to go but all she gets is a tired voice from a man who doesn’t want to see her.

Ayanami walks in says two words and gets a hello like she was the first person he saw.

Yes, yesterday she was only irked but today she was mad…

“I spend seven hours waiting for you to come back and I don’t get a ‘Hey, are you hungry’ or even a ‘Hello’ but let Ayanami walk in and I get ignored.” Mana walked up beside Shinji as he opened his candy and started to eat it, “You don’t even care that I quit my job so I won’t have to leave anymore!”

“Oh?”

“Oh!? That’s all you have to say!?”

“What do you want me to say Mana?”

“I don’t want you to say anything! I want you to care for me.”

Shinji placed the candy bar on the counter as his temper started to flare as well, “I don’t remember you being here when I needed you! I don’t remember seeing you watching Mai before I had to go to class! I don’t remem-“

“Two arguments…” Mana cut him off as she looked him directly in the eyes, “I’ve only been here for a day and a half and every time we speak to each other this is what happens.”

He shook his head, “Don’t you mean every time you speak to me?”

Her eyes widened in shock as she realized that he was right. Every since she returned, she was the one who had to start conversation because Shinji never said anything to her unless it was his reply to something she said.

“Look,” Mana’s steel blue eyes locked onto the ocean blue eyes that were behind the glasses she gave him, “If you don’t like me anymore then I can’t help that... All I want to ask is that you give me another chance. I already called in to tell them I quit, Mai likes me, and I think Ayanami would leave if you asked her to.”

She wrapped her arms around him and didn’t care how he reacted as she continued, “It’ll be better than before I left. I’m the person you fell in love with first remember?”

“Rei is not going anywhere.”

Her effort was in vain but Mana still somehow managed a smile as she released him, “So it’s like that now?”

“Mana…” Shinji sighed, “I don’t hate you or anything like that but I’m not going to make Rei leave for anyone. I’m not going to ask you to leave either but Rei is the person I’m going to marry.”

“Don’t worry… I’ll leave if you don’t want me here but,” She wiped her eye before a tear managed to escape, “I’m taking Mai with me.”

Thankfully, he already swallowed the candy or he would have chocked on it, “What?”

“It is either her or me Shinji,” She turned around and wasn’t surprised to see that Ayanami was already gone, “You don’t have to answer now… but you have to decide eventually Shinji.”

His mouth worked but no words came out. How could she do that to him…?

“I…” She started to walk away and didn’t pause to leave out of the kitchen, “I don’t hate you either.”

By the time his sense came back under his possession, all he could hear was the echo of Mai saying bye and the door closing.

He couldn’t believe it.

Of course Mana was her mother but that didn’t give her the right to just take Mai from her home. To just up and take their child away of them was obviously wrong but he wouldn’t be able to take a course of action until she got back.

With another sigh that reflected how he felt, Shinji walked into his bedroom to find Rei sitting on the edge of the bed dressed only in the blouse she was wearing earlier. He started to feel a bit better as he took a seat beside her, “I’m sorry for all of this Rei…”

“I do not need to be apologized to,” Her innocent gaze fell on him, “Are you troubled?”

Shinji gently fell back on the bed and looked at the ceiling as he spoke, “Mana threaten to take Mai with her if I didn’t make you leave.”

“She is lying.” Rei said bluntly.

He turned to her with shock written all over his face, “What makes you so sure?”

“I am certain because… she is a better person than me.”

Shinji got back up and quickly shook his head, “Rei… You’re the best person I know. If it wasn’t for you then I wouldn’t even be a doctor right now. You were there when I needed someone the most.”

“No, I am not her equal.”

“You are better than she will-“

“I am not like her, I am not the one you loved first, and,” The same crimson eyes that retained her placid expression were now just as sad as her words, “I will never be able to bear you children.”

“T-That doesn’t matter! Mai likes you Rei!”

“I am not her mother Ikari…”

Shinji wasn’t at all angry but her insecurity didn’t go unnoticed, “Rei, like I just said, that-“

“With your salary you could seek a better residence.” She voiced softly, cutting him off again in the process.

“What does that have to do with anything Rei?” The doctor asked as he started to fear that Mana also said some things to her in his absence.

“Why do you still wear those glasses?” Shinji immediately opened his mouth to speak but she beat him, “I… I do not wish to be a replacement any longer.”

This was Shinji’s nightmare made into reality.

“Rei… I promise, no, I swear that you are not a replacement for anyone.” Shinji placed his hand on top of hers as she looked at him, “If you don’t ever believe anything I say… please believe that.”

No matter what Mana may have said to her, nothing would change the fact that Rei was the person he wanted to marry right now… but what would happen when Mana finally accepted that he wasn’t going to make Rei leave?

A funny feeling behind his ear snapped him out of his thoughts to find that Rei was pulling off his glasses. The rectangular came from under his dark hair as she gently took them away.

‘Yes,’ Rei mentally decided as she reached across him to place his glasses on the night table, ‘He looks better with them off.’

With his glasses on, he reminded her of the young, clumsy professors she encountered in the school Shinji took his classes at but, when he wasn’t wearing them, she would remember the timid boy who awkwardly taught her things that other people took for granted.

Closing her eyes, Rei leaned forward. Following her example, Shinji allowed his problems to drift away if only for the moment. Their lips met softly and Shinji tenderly placed his hand under her chin.

One out of the many things she learned from him was how to kiss.

It was easy to tell that she was shy when it came to this part of their relationship hence the reason why they didn’t do things like this often. With that in mind, it was no wonder Shinji savored it… Taking his time as she decided to be selfish for once.

In the stillness of the room, her back met the bed at they kissed. Rei was in no rush to end it as his tongue slid against hers… tasting her as his tongue roamed her mouth and hers his. Just as quickly as it was initiated, it was broken as Shinji raised his head and looked down at his lover.

Rei looked back up at him and their eyes locked on each other as she reached up and started to unbutton the dress shirt he wore. It wasn’t long before the shirt was cast aside and tee shirt, pulled off after she finished her task, followed.

Silently, he mirrored her actions and slowly began to unbutton her shirt. With every button being unclasped, the light blush on her cheeks seemed to become a darker shade.

Her shirt was deposited on the side of the bed in the same manner his clothing was and Shinji took in the sight that was her body.

It was no doubt that she was extremely stunning in every aspect. Not only was her personality already beautiful but her entire body fit into that rank as well.

The soft lips that barely, if ever, found reason to allow her words to take a higher octave than necessary. Her pale skin that was so sensitive that he had to be careful not to hold her too tight. The long legs that he crawled in between… The small breasts that he liked to touch… The unique powder blue hair… Her pretty red eyes.

Rei blush deepened as she unhooked her bra and Shinji patiently lowered his mouth to the mound of flesh that was waiting for him. He grabbed her breast and massaged it causing her to moan after he began to squeeze it just a bit harder.

He grabbed the other and groped her again, distorting the shape of the breast under his hand. Shinji licked her bare chest in a broad line. Up and down, over the breast he repeatedly squeezed, and across the nipples that he gave special attention to… and he wasn’t even finished with it yet.

In the air conditioned room, it his tongue felt like ice… so cool but refreshing and that’s why she found herself grabbing the sheets as he started to leave wet kisses that trailed down her stomach.

Feeling was all that mattered… The way he moved closer to the spot between her legs made her tremble in anticipation. Before he even did it, she could already feel him exploring the parts of her body that only he was familiar with.

Her cotton panties were the only thing that prevented her from being completely naked but it did little to stop Shinji as he raised his head. Taking his time, he placed his thumbs under the elastic band of her underwear. Passing from under her thighs to her knees and sailing over her calves, the fabric of her panties brushing across her delicate skin went unnoticed as the cool air came into direct contact with her wet slit.

It was coming… He was going to make her feel good again.

Shinji buried his face between her legs and his teeth gently gnawed on the pink nub. It felt good but it wasn’t until his finger started to slide between the petals of her sex. Like the quick motion of a credit card, Shinji’s middle finger made its way up and down her pussy until it went inside her.

It was better than before.

He took his finger out and placed it in his mouth.

She didn’t need to see the expression on his face to know how wet she was.

Shinji got back up and unbuckled his belt. His pants and boxers drooped to his knees and his member stood fully erect, ready to do what they both wanted done.

Rei barely contained herself when the swollen head of his dick started to slide up and down her glistening lips of her pussy. The feeling was couldn’t be described simply because it didn’t have a name... Ecstasy or pleasure didn’t come close to describing how she felt as he smeared her juices on the tip of his penis.

He dipped the tip inside of her and pulled it out just as fast. The sight of his dick covered with the excitement of his lover made his lust reach its peak and the way he slid his member into her vagina was all the proof needed to reinforce the fact.

Shinji groaned as he leaned over her and gradually filled her with his length. Placing his hands on the side of her, he began to repeat the process… With a slow, broad pace, he did it. His dick repeatedly entered her, the slick sound of his sex meeting hers urging him to go faster.

Besides the sounds of pleasure that came from them both, the room was quiet.

She could feel him squeezing her breast again. She could feel the sheets ruffle as he moved even closer to her. She could feel his hand sliding under her thigh before he grabbed it. She could feel him plunging his penis back inside her.

A celebration of touch…

He gently massaged her breast and a sound too fervent to be a word escaped her lips as he drove his dick into her pussy. His pace was so slow but the feeling of the act itself filled her.

Right now, all that mattered was Shinji and it was with that apathetic belief that she experienced her orgasm.

Shinji continued like nothing happened even as the walls that made up her vagina contracted. The wet sound that accompanied every thrust could be heard even easier now but he was only aware of the look on her face.

Her eyes were closed but the intense look on her face told her she was enjoying it just as much as he was and, if the blush and expression on her face wasn’t enough, the way she brought her hips forward in time with his thrust was enough to tell her how she felt.

“Rei… I-“ He huffed out too late as he too was overwhelmed by pleasure and climaxed.

He shot his warm, sticky seed into his lover and Rei opened her eyes. As he pulled out his deflating member, she smiled as she reached up and touched his face. The same soft smile that reassured him so many times was on the face that stared up at him.

Shinji looked back down at her, “I won’t wear them anymore…”

She blinked, their prior conversation slowly returning to her. Even though she knew what he was talking about, she turned her head to the night table where the glasses rested. Bringing her eyes back to her boyfriend, it was no lie that she liked him better with them off, “Wear them if you please and I will.” She said softly, her light voice blending in perfectly with the dark room.

“Will what?” He asked, unsure if she stopped mid-sentence.

“I will marry you…”

With that, his fears were dismissed. Mana did not change her mind, Mai was going to stay with them, and Rei would finally be more than just a girlfriend. Legally they would be together and it would be written that they were wife and husband.

Was the title of wife that important? Not at all, it wouldn’t change anything except her name but the fact that they would be married was one of the many ways to show how much she meant to him.

Relived, Shinji took his place on his side of the bed and wrapped his arms around his soon to be wife, “Thank you Rei…” He quietly voiced, the stress of going without rest finally starting to get to him.

“You’re welcome Shinji.”

A smile appeared on his face as his eyes started to close and he fell into his nap.

~*~

“Ugh…” Shinji quickly got up and looked at his watch, “Good thing Rei woke me up earlier to clean myself up or I probably would still be sleep.”

He groaned as he got off the bed and stretched. A quick wash up and he would be out the door but, thanks to the smell coming from the kitchen, he decided to get something to eat first.

“Rei, you didn’t have to make-“ The doctor cut himself off as he stepped into the kitchen, “Mana?”

Mana looked over her shoulder and smiled before returning to stirring the contents of the pot, “You really should work less. Never heard of a person sleeping that long Shinji.”

“You’d be surprised,” He said before taking a seat, “You probably still sleep longer than I do. Anyway, did you and Mai have fun yesterday?”

She nodded, not needing to turn in his direction for her to know he was listening, “It was fun Shinji. The best fun I’ve had in a long time as a matter of fact.”

“It’s just that it makes me so happy to see her running around… to be so excited over the smallest things.” Mana said before reaching in a cabinet to pull out a bowl.

“Did…” Shinji looked down at the tee shirt he had on, “Did she like the cake?”

“I didn’t get her any…”

“Huh…?”

“This is the first time we spoke like this since I came back.” Mana said, changing the subject easily, “The first time we casually talked without being at each other’s throats…”

Shinji placed his elbow on the table and put his chin in his palm, “I’m… I’m really sorry. It’s just-“

“Don’t apologize.” Mana dipped a spoon into pot and stirred it some more, “It’s my fault. Anyway, why are you in such a good mood today?”

A smile came to his face as he remembered exactly what Rei said, “She is going to marry me.”

“W-What,” His former girlfriend dropped the spoon in the soup and turned to face him, “Shinji… Ayanami is gone.”

He blinked, the smile disappearing completely, “What do you mean gone?”

Mana stared at him in disbelief, “She is gone Shinji. I drove her to the airport myself.”

The doctor rose from the chair but the dizziness that resulted from her words forced him to place his hands on the table to remain upright, “Tell me you are joking… I… It isn’t funny.”

She rushed to his side and threw the oven mitt she had onto the table, “I thought she woke you up to tell you that!”

Shinji blankly stared at the floor, “W-Why!? Why did you make her-“

“I didn’t make her do it Shinji,” He turned to look her in the face only to find that she was staring directly at him as she spoke, her sharp blue eyes watching him with worry, “She… She said she was leaving for us.”

For their sake? Why would she have to sacrifice her relationship… her future for someone she didn’t even know well?

Mana slowly moved closer to him, “So we could be a family.” The red haired woman continued, her statement providing the answer to Shinji’s thoughts.

So it wasn’t only for Mana but for him and Mai also? It could have been for everyone but that still didn’t make it right…

Shinji pushed himself away from the table and walked towards the front door. Again, Mana stopped him but, this time, she didn’t have to use her hands, “I don’t know where she went… and neither do you. If you go out that door, you’ll only be wasting your time.”

She was right but his ability was reason was compromised as the fact that Rei was gone started to sink into his mind. For years, the same quiet girlfriend stayed at his side and, today, she was gone… She lied in order to ensure that he would be ignorant of the fact that she was leaving and it worked like a back up plan.

When did she know she was leaving? When Mana returned? When she told him she was ready to get married? How long was he wrapped in the ignorance brought forth by the kind words that only sought his best interest?

“She left on her own accord… Don’t start blaming yourself.” She reached out to touch him but, with better judgment brought her hand back, “I’ll be here from now on Shinji. Just talk to me when you are ready.” Mana said as she realized this was most likely a moment when he wanted to be by himself.

The man she left in the hallway did not move or even reply. Instead, he let out his sorrow in a sigh and made a sad attempt to regain his composure. Shinji leaned on the wall, “Only if I never proposed…”

He was lying to himself and he knew it… She would have left upon Mana’s return regardless of what occurred afterwards or prior to the event. Rei was just the type of person who went out of way to make sure things were right when they needed to be but this time was different. Just this once she was supposed to be selfish.

Something Mana said came to mind and it couldn’t possibly hold more truth than now.

Rei was already gone and it was nothing he could do about it now. The ways he could have by chance stopped her were already trapped in the past but a fact also remained in the present.

At this very moment, Shinji, despite the fact that his sleeping daughter was a few steps away from his current location and that his first girlfriend was cooking dinner, could honestly say that this was easily the most alone he ever felt in his entire life…

~Fin

Author’s Note: Who did the right thing? The former fiancée who came home and honestly attempted to make her apartment into a home again with her child and the man she loved? The man who tried to force his ex out of the picture so his girlfriend wouldn’t be so uncomfortable? Or the girlfriend who willingly left so they could be together?

Not an easy question.

Anyway, this story was kind of difficult since I didn’t want to write anyone as the bad guy and also since my crappy computer crashed on me. In the many ideas I have for Nightshift, this chapter was a wildcard (could insert any female characters in the roles and write accordingly). I knew Rei had to be the girlfriend and I thought Mana would be the best person to write opposite her.

Now that I said all that, I apologize for the delay and, for great justice, must have Mai in more chapter. I'll take a nap and start editing errors out of the earlier chapters.

Like always, many thanks for reading and I'll try to have the next chapter soon.