Chapter One- The Duke and Duchess

Breakfast in the Yuy household was a joyous vision as always. Relena sat across from the nine year twins and the four year old Georgie was in the seat next to her. Georgie was named after Heero's mother, Georgina, but everyone called her Georgie for short. Although the twins, Adin and Leera had Relena's hair and their fathers eyes, Georgie was the complete opposite. She had Georgina's blond curls and Relena's grandmothers green eyes, however she did have her fathers gorgeous charm. She was going to be a knock out when the time came and Heero was already a little protective of all his children. Relena rolled her eyes as she sipped her tea.

"Mama?"

Relena turned to her daughter next to her and smiled.

"Yes Georgie?"

"Where's daddy?" Her little voice was music to Relena's ears. Georgie was definitely her daddy's little girl. She'd sometimes sneak out of her room at night just to climb into their marital bed and curl up next to her father. Heero didn't mind it one bit. It still surprised Relena till this day how natural he was at being a father. He took to it like a baby bird takes to the sky.

"I'm right here!" The deep voice sounded from the doorway. Everyone's face lit up including Relena's. Georgina flew from her chair and into her fathers arms.

"Oof, now that's a welcome," He said, scooping the small child into his arms.

"Good morning Leera, Aidin."

He was dressed in a simple blue coat, white shirt as usual and tan breeches, but the simple attire was anything but simple on him. He was just as handsome if not more than when Relena had first met him. He was more mature now, he had lost all his boyish looks and traded them in for the demeanor of a man. And he every bit a man. And handsome, gorgeous man and he was hers. Relena's smile widen.

"Good morning Father," the twins stated in unison before going back to feeding the dog under the table. They hadn't known that Relena had known since they had begun, but she saw no need to interrupt. After all Buster was their puppy. It had shocked Relena when the twins had opened their presents this last Christmas to find the little white and brown spotted puppy sleepy in the bottom. A gift from a doting father. They were very good at taking care of it, well at least he never went hungry.

Heero replaced the little girl in his arms in her chair and leaned down to kiss Relena lightly on the lips. The kids had become so use to it now that they didn't squeal "eww" anymore.

"Good morning," Relena murmured against his lips. He still had the power to take her breath away. Amazing. But instead of wishing her a good morning, he spoke the word that always made her heart skip a beat.

"I love you." He took his seat and the footmen stepped forward with a plate of his usual breakfast and the morning newspaper.

"So what's the plan for today." he asked stirring the bitter, dark, and hot liquid before pressing the cup to his lips and taking a sip.

"Well," Relena began, pausing only to flash a glance at Leera who had kick her brother under the table.

" The kids have lessons until two this afternoon, and your mother has asked me come over to help her finish planning for her spring gala, then I have to meet up with the girls for lunch." Heero knew what that meant. He might not see his wife till later and he hoping to kidnap her and take a picnic in the park. Relena was use to him doing things like that, little things but he knew how much she loved it when he did. And whatever made her happy, made him happy. He buttered a slice of toast and bite into it.

"Do we have to have lessons today?" Aidin whined.

"Yeah, Mrs. Wart never lets us do anything fun. Not unless Miss Sabrina is there." Leera added to their cause.

"Her name is not Mrs. Wart, it's Mrs. Watson, and learning is fun." Relena replied.

Both of them scowled. "I like Mrs. Wart better," Aidin spoke under his breath.

"Me too!" Heero added. Relena sighed. Sometimes she didn't know who was the bigger kid.

"Heero please! Do not add to this matter. Besides Miss Sabrina is coming today." Mrs. Watson was the school teacher that taught them in the nursery every morning except on the weekend. She was a plump woman, with a long nose that turned up. She was also very strict when it came to the children's study, just what they needed though. Miss Sabrina was her assistant that helped her teach them the universal languages, French, Latin and the kids choose Italian because that was were they had taken a three month trip too two years before.

"Yeah!" All three children cheered. This caused both of their parents to laugh.

"Okay you guys, if your done you can be excused." They were gone before Relena had even finished the sentence. Both Heero and Relena stared after them.

"You know they get that from you," Relena sighed.

"I know. So what are you doing this morning?"

Heero sipped his coffee again.

"Well I've got to see the solicitor again, so I'll be at the office most of the morning, then I might go sit in at parliament."

"What's left to be done with Mr. Baker?" Relena scooped up a pile of eggs and placed the spoon in her mouth. Mr. Baker was both Heero and his father's solicitor, but when the Duke dead last year everything was transferred to Heero. So Relena was not long a marchioness. She was a duchess. Heero had inherited the title, just like Adin would when it was time. The death of Heero's father was a sad moment in Heero's life. He wasn't very close to his father, since they so far in age but he still respected the man. Besides Heero loved his mother, and the duke had loved his wife very much. Georgina had just returned from mourning and was holding her first event since the funeral. But at least the duke had been able to met all of his grandchildren, whom he was very pleased with. Spoiled them rotten was more like it though.

"Well I need to look into some of the investments that my father made. They all appear sound but I want to be sure." Relena smiled. He was working so hard. He had received so much responsibility in the last couple of months, more than he had received in his life but then again once Heero put his mind to something their was no stopping him.

"Okay but don't work too hard. I don't want you to get sick." Heero smiled at his wife.

"You worry about me so much." Her face flushed and she looked away shyly. They have been married for almost seven years now and she still got embarrassed by him. He must be doing something right, he thought.

"Of course I worry. You think I could live without you." They both knew the answer to her question. She had tired to kill herself when she had thought that she had lost him. He didn't blame her though, he might have done the same thing if it wasn't for his friends. He took her hand and pressed the back of it to his lips just as the door swung open. Neither of them flinched. Surly something so trivial as a kiss on the hand would not ruffle their Butler, Kingston. They were pretty sure he had seen worse, maybe even the entire staff. Heero had a habit of hiding in broom closets and pulling Relena in for a quick, heated session as he called them. More than one maid had caught them in the very act. Relena cheeks burned at the memory.

"The mail, Your Graces." He handed the stack to Heero, bowed and removed himself from the room. Immediately Heero began shifting through the pile as a maid and a footman hurried to clear the table.

"There's one from your mother." He said as he hand the letter to his wife. Relena stared at the red envelope. Her mother was still at her country estate, complaining that it was still to cold to return to London just yet. Relena open the letter and began to read.

Dear Lena

I am writing to the inform you that your mother has come down with a small cold. It is nothing serious as of the moment, but I wanted to let you know anyways. I knew you'd want to know. She says to tell you that you should not worry because you have a tendency to do so. She assures you that she is fine and will be returning to London in a forth night.

Mrs. Gumper

Mrs. Gumper was the head house keeper where her mother spent the winter and a very good friend of Relena's. She was thankful to her, otherwise she would of heard nothing of this illness about her mother. Worry settled in Relena's stomach.

"Is something wrong?" Darn it, she thought. She had forgotten that her husband could read her, sometimes, mainly when she didn't want him too, like an open book. She re-folded the letter and stuffed it back into the envelope.

"It's nothing really," she said more to herself than to him. "My mothers just got a little cold. But she's fine. She'll be back in town by the coming week."

Heero frowned. " Are you okay? You do have a tendency to worry." Relena pushed back on her chair and stood.

"I'm fine. Really!" She added a sweet smile before she kissed him.

"I'll see you later okay." She exited the room, heading up stairs to respond to the letter. It was wasn't the fact that it was a cold that bother her, it was the fact that Relena had never known her mother to get sick. She was still young, not even in the her fifties yet. Relena pushed open the door to her bedroom and swiftly moved to the desk that sat by the balcony. She pulled out a piece of paper and an ink pen and began her letter. She didn't mean to rush but she was already late to see the Dowager Duchess.

Dear Mother

I'm sorry to hear about your illness. I will not lie to you, I am a little worry. You have never been sick in your life, but I'm sure it's just a passing cold. Drink lot's of fluids and get plenty of rest. I love you and miss you.

Your only daughter

Lena

She sealed it, grabbed her bonnet and headed to the foyer where she ran across Kingston.

"Kingston, has my husband left yet?"

"Yes, his grace has just left."

Relena smiled at the older man. She had taken an instant liking to the him and his wife, who was the head cook.

"How many times must I tell you to call me Relena?"

"At least one more time, your grace." Relena laughed.

"Fine you win, but could you do me a favor?" she asked pulling the matching pink bonnet on her head.

"Any thing, Your grace."

"Could you have Benton mail this letter." She handed the letter the butler.

"Very good, my lady."

"Thank you Kingston." She flew up and kissed the mans cheek then flew out the door.

The door swung open before Relena had time to knock on the Duchesses town house door. Jenkins, Heero's old butler when he stayed with parents stood bowed behind the door.

"Your grace, The dowager duchess has been expecting you."

"Thank you Jenkins," Relena said. The butler closed the door and lead her to the morning room on the second floor. He open the twin doors and Relena stepped him. He closed the door behind her and disappeared.

"Relena!"

"Georgina," The dowager duchess sat on a futon with a cup of tea in her hands. She sat it down and stood when she spotted her daughter-in-law.

"I'm so sorry I'm late." Relena began.

"Pish posh, all that matters is that your here now." She hugged Relena and returned to her seat. Relena sat across from her and pulled off her bonnet. Georgina no longer wore black, but instead a bight blue silk gown. A little to fancy for a day dress but she was probably just happy to be out of black after a year of it. Not to say that she still wasn't mourning. Georgina had loved her husband, but she was also a person who didn't dwell on the past. Still she had vowed never to remarry. Which Relena fully understood. There was no way that she could ever give herself fully to someone else if something happened to Heero, so why give it at all.

"Tea?" Georgina offered. Relena nodded and watched her mother-in-law pour her a cup and hand it to her.

"So I was planning on having the gala in the garden."

"Really?" Relena pictured the layout in the her mind. "That sounds like fun, to have it outside."

"Yes, but it's going to be a lot of work, but I have already hired the orchestra. I also hired a decorator and she has some amazing ideas. She wants to theme it. Like 'Under the Sea' or a Masquerade."

"Why not both?" Relena blurted.

Georgina's jaw dropped. "That's such a brilliant idea. This is why I needed your help. I'm been away for so long."

"A year is not a long time, George." Heero's mother was more a friend to Relena than a mother-in-law. She was even younger than Relena's own mother but had come out the same year.

"Well, I still need your help. Anymore suggestions?" The dowager looked anxious.

Relena thought for a moment. When people looked at the sea what did people see?

Color!

"What if we make it so that the women can only wear blue or sliver."

"You're a genius my dear. I'm so happy Heero married you. I must call for Silvia." Of course she was happy, it had been her and Relena's mother who had been scheming to get them together.

When Silvia arrived, right away Relena knew that this party was going to be big and extravagant. After all, Silvia was French, with a very strong French accent and mind set. She loved the idea and even suggested to have to water in the fountain died blue. With all the planning, all the worry about her mother went away.

Later that day Relena meet with Hilde, Cat and Dorothy at the new club for women. It featured a half a dozen different restaurants, three salons, and several dress stores.

"So what do you think?"

"Think about what, Cat?" Hilde asked. She had finally let her shirt hair grow out, and it brushed her shoulders in a tilted bob.

"About Benjamin for a name." She rubbed her swollen stomach. She was already on her third child. Hilde had her second last year and was trying for another and Dorothy just had her fifth. Surprisingly all of there children where around the came age, and Dorothy already had two sets of twins.

"I like it." Relena stated.

"Me too." Dorothy who they something's called Dot added.

"Trowa likes it too. But that's if it's a boy. I haven't found a girl name yet."

Relena met up with her friends at least once a week, but they mostly saw each other at events since they all ran in the same circle. They were to only one who didn't fear Relena because of her title.

"How about Carrie," Hilde proposed. Cat turned up her face.

"Naw, what about Beth," Cat evoked.

"Sounds likes someone's grandmother." Relena added.

"What's wrong with it. That's Duo's grandmothers name." They all burst into laughter, except Hilde who didn't seem to catch on.

"Exactly!" Dot chuckled.

Okay so that was the first chapter. I hoped you liked it. There is so much more to come. But for those who don't know what a dowager is, it's someone, a female who use to hold a high title back in the day. Now that Relena is the Duchess of Hyden, Georgina is the Dowager Duchess, which ain't to bad cause your still a duchess just not of something. Okay well review please..... in need encouragement. Thanks.