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.
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