Disclaimer:
They’re not mine. Don’t sue;
it’s not like you’ll get anything.
Warnings: enter Relena. You don’t like her? Well,
I guess my advice is either to stop reading or to accept it. Shounen ai . . .
C&C are always welcome. Flames, too, come to think of it!
From Forever to Forever
Part Two: I Do
July 14, A.C. 200--Quatre
Winner—2:18 p.m.
"What time does the wedding start? What time is it now?" Silvia asks,
tugging on my hand gently as we walk away from the car.
"The invitation said two-thirty—we still have
time." If there's one thing I've
learned about Silvia, it's that she hates to be late. It's almost a phobia of hers—she'd rather be twenty minutes early
than one minute late. We head toward
the park lodge, looking for signs of a wedding. Duo wanted a quiet affair—Heero hadn't even thrown him a bachelor
party or anything like that. But Hilde
said she at least wanted some kind of service or reception for their friends
and her small family.
"Quatre!"
Duo cries, running over to meet us.
He looks nice, dressed up in a tuxedo.
"You've gotta get me outta here!"
"What?!" Silvia asks with a shocked laugh. "Duo—you've got to be kidding!"
"I thought wedding jitters like this only happened
in movies," I laugh.
"You obviously didn't attend Zechs Merquise's
wedding," WuFei sneers, approaching Duo from behind. "I think he made Noin a little more
than nervous—she had Sally guard him the whole day before the wedding, just in
case he decided to head off to the colonies."
Duo looks thoughtful for a moment. "The colonies, huh? I wonder—can I get to a spaceport before
Hilde figures out what's going on?"
"I think these two might protest to that
one." Trowa.
I turn around to see him approach, holding a tiny,
swaddled baby in each arm. Duo's
twins.
Duo's face softens and he goes over, taking one of the
children in his own arms. "What do
you say, Judas?" he asks the child, leaning down to kiss his
forehead. "Do you think Daddy
should make a run for it while he can, or go ahead and marry Mommy?"
Trowa smirks and hands him the other baby. "I think they both agree that Mommy
would murder you if you ever came back.
I suggest you stay here, if you want to live."
I can’t help but notices all the changes in Trowa. He’s taller—and thinner. Somehow he seems more distant than ever,
even more than when he had his amnesia.
I guess back then I felt that everything would eventually right
itself. I’m not as optimistic now. Seeing him with everyone makes me wonder
what I’ve missed out on. I’d never
really thought about Duo or WuFei or Heero hanging out with him. But why wouldn’t they? I fight a twinge of jealousy. Trowa’s my best friend—I don’t like the idea
of him being closer to the other guys.
With a sigh, Duo hands the children back to Trowa. It's obvious that he wouldn't mind keeping
the tiny children, but I imagine he has a lot to do. "I guess I'd better go get Heero. Thanks for looking after the twins, man." He pats Trowa on the shoulder and runs off,
WuFei in tow.
It's the first time Trowa and I have been alone together
since that night. Well—alone except for
Silvia. Where are my manners?
"Sil, this is Trowa, my best friend since the
war. Trowa—this is Silvia." I pull her closer, wrapping my arm around
her waist. She smiles at Trowa, and he
nods back, since his hands are quite full.
"Do you need any help with them?" she asks,
gesturing toward the children.
Trowa shakes his head.
"Actually, I'm pretty used to this. Catherine—my sister—just had twin boys last winter. I like carrying them around, and my arms
rarely get tired anymore." He
smiles. Allah, I've forgotten how rare
and wonderful his smiles are. "Are
you two planning on having children soon?" His expression changes slightly.
I can't tell what he's thinking—I hadn’t remembered his ability to mask
his thoughts.
I grin.
"Other than all my sisters—you're the first to hear the news—we're
pregnant!"
His eyes widen with surprise. "When?"
"She'll arrive in early January," Silvia
answers, smiling broadly.
"She?" I ask, turning toward my wife with an
arched eyebrow.
She blushes prettily.
She's still the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. "I'm not certain yet—but I figured the
odds were in favor of a girl, considering your family and all."
She has a point.
I nod, shrugging my shoulders.
"I guess we'll find out in January."
Trowa motions toward the chairs set up on the lawn. "I think it's about time to get
started."
Silvia walks ahead, but I linger a moment, looking at the
babies in Trowa's arms. It's hard to
believe that in six short months I'll have one, too. My eyes meet Trowa's over the tiny bundles and impulsively, I
grin. He smiles back.
July 14th—Hilde
Schbeiker—4:56 p.m.
As much as he fakes it, I know that Duo’s happy. There’s nothing he’s ever wanted more than a
family—and now he has one that’s all his own.
I can’t help but grin like a maniac as I watch him waltz around the room
with little Tresa in his arms.
And I’ve never been happier, either. I really love him.
Who would’ve thought?
Sure, I thought he was really cute when I met him—but somehow I saw
through his manic behavior. A guy like
him had baggage that he’d bring into any relationship. But I was so attracted to him I thought I’d
be able to fool around yet keep my distance.
Boy, was I wrong.
I fell hard—even before the pregnancy I knew I was in
love with him.
And now I feel like my life is complete. Seeing Duo so happy only makes me feel
better.
He’s not the only one dancing. WuFei and Sally are whispering into each other’s ears as they
hold each other close, finally willing to risk looking like romantic saps in
public. Quatre’s dancing with Une. He’s a good dancer, surprisingly. I can’t believe I’ve known him for four
years, yet I’ve never seen him dance.
I notice Heero leaning against the wall, staring into
space. He’s still as handsome as
ever—but I haven’t ever heard his name attached to anyone else’s. Duo seems to think that he’s still messed up
from the war. Shell-shock or
something. That’s why Duo and I decided
to invite . . .
My eyes scan the room.
Certainly she came, didn’t she?
I see her leaning against the doorway, champagne glass in
hand. She’s talking to Silvia.
I pick up my skirts and head toward Heero.
“Come on,” I say, grabbing his arm with my free
hand. “You need to talk to someone.”
He wordlessly follows, his eyes widening when he sees
Relena Darlian.
“Actually,” Silvia is saying as we walk up, “socially I
prefer to use only my husband’s name.
But at work I think Representative Noventa-Winner keeps people from
assuming that my political views are mirror images of either Quatre’s or my
grandfather’s.”
Relena nods, not noticing either Heero or me. “I understand that well. I’ve met the same assumptions with both
Darlian and Peacecraft. If I weren’t so
well-known already I’d contemplate changing it all together.”
She laughs prettily, tossing her head slightly. Her eyes catch Heero’s and she smiles
widely. I can tell that she’s awfully
surprised—but I think her experience as a politician has given her as much
control over her expressions as Trowa has.
“Relena, I was wondering if you’ve had a chance to speak
to Heero yet,” I say, pushing him toward her.
Silvia’s blue-green eyes meet mine, laughter hidden in
them. She excuses herself and pulls me
toward the buffet table.
“Are you purposely trying to make him squirm?” she asks
with a laugh.
I nod. “They’ve
been obsessed with each other for the past five years. Obviously they weren’t going to do anything!”
We giggle as we see Heero leading Relena to the dance
floor.
“Are you playing matchmaker?” Trowa’s cool voice asks
from behind.
I nod with a laugh.
“Watch out or we’ll find someone for you next!”
July14th—Duo Maxwell—7:58 p.m.
Hilde’s somewhere around here. I know she is.
I go into the kitchen, wondering if that’s where she’s
hiding, but it’s empty—well, except for the remainder of the wedding cake and
WuFei and Sally making out.
Wait—WuFei and Sally!?
I can’t help but sneak a peek at them as I head out the door. I’ve never seen Wuffie stand that close to
anyone before. They’re really cute when
they let themselves get sappy. WuFei’s
probably the last person I’d ever thought I’d catch sneaking kisses from
his girl.
Grinning, I leave the kitchen and head to the lodge
foyer. Hilde’s not there, either. But Trowa and Quatre are, and they’re
talking. It’s about time. Trowa’s been avoiding Quatre since he
married Silvia. I’m sure it’s because
he still likes him—it’s clear in the way he looks at him that something’s still
lingering. Maybe talking about it will
finally end things.
I slip back into the hallway, not wanting to interrupt.
“So you’ll come for Christmas then?” Quatre asks
hopefully, but keeping his eyes fixed on the floor. I’ve never seen him look so nervous—almost as though he expects
Trowa to say no and walk away.
“I will.” Trowa’s
voice is somber—typical. I know I
shouldn’t be listening, but come on, it’s not like they’ll say anything
juicy—Quatre’s still practically a newlywed.
“I’m glad.” His
tone doesn’t convince me. Quatre looks
up with a sad and hurt expression. “I
missed you last year.” Suddenly I feel
like I’m really intruding. I wonder if
I should try to slip away.
I stay.
Trowa is silent for a long moment—like he’s going through
some inner conflict. He speaks again,
his voice thick with emotion. “I’ve
missed you, too. I’m sorry I made us
part on such bad terms.”
Call me crazy, but this conversation is definitely more
that just idle small talk. There’s an
overtone of seriousness that I don’t think I want to understand—almost like
there’s a separate, silent dialogue going on.
“She’s beautiful,” Trowa says with a defeated sigh. “You and Silvia—you look great together.”
Aha! So it does
boil down to that! Maybe Trowa’s not as
ready to let go as I figured. Funny,
I’d heard plenty of rumors about him in the past year—I thought he’d gotten
beyond the whole Quatre thing.
“Thanks,” Quatre says, looking sheepish. “So, are you . . . with anyone?” He glances up at Trowa, his eyes wavering
and his voice faltering.
“Not really,” Trowa answers. He seems to be talking to the painting behind Quatre’s head.
This is making me nervous. I can’t help but notice how . . . relieved Quatre looks. I’m probably just jumping to conclusions,
but if it hadn’t been for Silvia, I’d’ve sworn those two would’ve been together
by now.
After an awkward pause, Trowa tells Quatre that he has to
head home now.
“When will we see you again?”
Trowa shrugs.
“I’ll be around.” He hesitates
for a moment, then hugs Quatre, leaning his head on the smaller man’s
shoulder. Quatre doesn’t move, his
hands shaking at his sides. As Trowa’s
leaving, he stares out the door after him with a lonely expression.
I know I’ve intruded on a very private moment. I don’t even know why I watched them in the
first place; I need to find Hilde.
Shaking my head with disgust at myself, I turn around only to find
Silvia watching from the shadows behind me.
Her worried eyes are glued to Quatre, and I have to wonder if she saw
the same thing I did in that conversation.
Shaking my head as I wander off to find my own wife, I certainly hope
she didn’t.