I'm sorry for not updating sooner, I hope you're still reading my story! This is the most important chapter. Please review!

Chapter six : Bonds of love

Kia, Louise and Relena were sitting in the main room when somebody knocked at the entrance.

-"He's here", said Kia throwing a quick glance at Louise to see him stiffen. He placed a hand on the blond's shoulder, but Louise didn't seem affected in any way by the gesture. His poker face was, as always, perfect. Gallacher invited the guest in the main room.

-"I'm glad to see you three are well!"

-"Father, long time no seen! How are you?", inquired Louise.

-"Therese wants all of you to come visit us when you can. She said that she added a new ingredient to the apple pie that Kia-kun likes so much and she would like you to taste it. I came in person to invite you and see how things are going"

-"That's great! I can't wait!"

Louise chuckled at Kia's childish eagerness.

-"We'll be glad to come, father!"

-"I'm invited, too? But I thought this is a family reunion…so.."

-"You're part of the family, Relena-chan", said Louise's father to comfort her.

-"Sure, it won't be fun without you", added Kia cheerfully. Relena smiled happily.

-"I would be honoured to come", she answered and bowed her head.

-"So formal…have you taken lessons from Louise? You start to sound like him" teased Kia. Everyone's attention was focused on Relena, so nobody noticed the flicker of sadness that crossed Maximilian Hardwich's face.

-"Relena, I'm glad to see you get along well with Louise and Kia-kun!", said Maximilian.

"I wanted you to learn as many things from them as you can. You see, I'm from an older generation and my life is filled with regrets of things that can't be undone; that's why I wanted you to be with those from your generation, whose hearts are still pure. This way you can all live better than I did and choose a path which you won't regret later on."

-"Hardwich-san..why are you saying those things?" Asked Relena, troubled.

Everybody was still, listening.

-"I want to tell all of you one of my stories, so you can learn from it. Would you like to hear it?" They all nodded in approval. Maximilian smiled a sad smile, looked at all three of them in turn, than began to talk.

-"When I was younger I was a very foolish and carefree man. I didn't care for lasting relationships, only wanting to have fun. One of the relations I had was with a middle-class woman; I liked her for her strong and kind nature and also for her beauty" Maximilian sighed " but , of course, I wasn't planning to get attached to her. Unfortunately she did. Unlike me, she was capable of love and attachment – something I should have learned from her. When I heard she was pregnant I fled, as the coward that I was. I didn't think about the hardships I would put her through or her tender heart that would be broken. Only years after, when I met Therese and she changed me, I learned about my mistakes and felt remorseful for my past. I wanted to make amends somehow, so I searched for the woman whose life I have ruined, but it was too late. Though I know I can't be forgiven, I wanted to take care of her daughter…our daughter. So I became her legal if I knew that she probably hated me…and with good reasons. I know that even if I apologize to her for the rest of my life, it won't be enough" Maximilian's voice was filled with bitterness and his eyes, full of tears were hidden from view by his head, that was bent in misery.

Slowly, all eyes looked at Relena. Her blue eyes were wide with surprise, processing the information, than gradually darkened.

-"I hated you all my life, but than…I didn't care about you that much. For me, it was as if I never had a father. So for me my father is dead", she said in a harsh tone, her eyes cold.

Then her voice softened. "But you, Hardwich-san, somehow…I can't hate you. Because you have always been there for me and gradually I came to see you as the father I never had. So for me, I only had a father when I met you. The rest doesn't matter…it's in the past"…she looked at him and her azure eyes were shining with gentle tears."But don't you ever turn your back on me…I won't forgive you if you do", she added, her voice shaking.

-"You're such a strong and kind person. I don't deserve a daughter like you..", said Maximilian with tears of joy in his eyes.

-"Master…Relena-sama…Louise-sama…Kia-sama! I'm so glad to see you finally united! There's nothing more beautiful than the bonds of love that tie people together!" Exclaimed Gallacher, deeply moved. "Romantic love (he looked at Kia and Louise), parental love (he looked at Relena, Maximilian and Louise), brotherly love (he looked at Louise and Relena) and the love between friends (he looked at Kia, Relena and Louise). These are the bonds that define and make us stronger, give us a meaning. And I , Gallacher, am truly happy to be part of these bonds!" In the end, Gallacher burst in tears.

-"So this is why you became Relena's tutor, father", said Louise having finally the answers to his questions.

-"And you wanted me to get closer to Louise and Kia not only to learn from them, but also because I am part of the family", added Relena.

-"Ah..isn't that nice!" Said Kia. "But I have to warn you that being Louise's sister, even half-sister like you, is a bit…delicate. But…rest in peace..eh, I mean do your best!" He concluded and patted Relena's shoulder gently. For the first time Relena smiled. Louise frowned.

-"Kia…do explain what you meant"

Kia grinned.

-"Don't let it bother you! We should celebrate this" Kia suddenly hugged Louise and held him tight. The captive blond thought to struggle a bit, but decided it was too troublesome and gave up quietly.

-"I'm glad to be Louise's sister"

The two brothers exchanged a quick glance.

-"I've heard you have a job now", Maximilian said to Relena.

They all spent the rest of the day together, chatting and playing games, like a real family. After that Maximilian left, but not before inviting them to spend the fallowing week-end with him and Therese and taste the new apple pie. Before going to the bedroom Kia took Gallacher aside to talk.

-"Kia-sama?" Asked Gallacher confused, seeing Kia giving him a big envelope.

-"I think Relena is ready for her first and last solo secret mission"

Gallacher's eyes widened.

-"She's an innocent girl, but I have a feeling she hasn't experienced romantic love too much." Explained Kia. "And I think I know who her type is", he added with a grin."Give her this dossier and tell her that I'm counting on her to complete the mission successfully"

-"Yes, Kia-sama!"

Epilogue

Kia caught Relena day-dreaming on the couch.

-"Are you ill or something?" He asked innocently.

-"No, actually…I was thinking about my target, Dirk Wahl. He's quite an admirable person. He's a good leader, strong and brave, but also kind and always attentive to people's needs. You've given me a good mission, Kia! Thank you…", Relena said happily.

-"I had a feeling you'll like it. You can learn many things from each-other. But …you don't have to take this as a mission. Take your time and if you like each-other let it be more than that."

Relena blushed.

-"Kia…how did you know?"

-"He's your type, isn't he? And my intuition tells me that he likes you too"

Relena's blush deepened.

-"Dirk is a lot like you, but he's more innocent"

Kia smirked in anticipation. Louise came in and sat on the other couch, reading the newspaper and sipping the tea that Gallacher had brought to him.

-"Well…he was innocent." Kia continued. "Did I mention he was my target? Those were good times!" Relena's state changed from gratefulness to anger and frustration. Kia went on, apparently unaware of the change. "Actually, most of the things he knows are from me. Yeap, you can learn a lot from him!"

-" I can't believe that!" Began the angry girl. "And to think I was actually grateful to you! You're ruining my life! You pervert!" She began to chase Kia inside the mansion, insulting him. Kia was having fun, of course.

-"Louise-sama, should we stop them?"

-"They'll stop when they get tired. Just leave them…" Louise took a sip of his tea, trying to ignore the noise.

It was a normal day for the Hardwich family.

~Owari~