Title: Happy Holidays

Author: Supurrkitty

Archive: pg-13

Warnings: OCs, sexual situations, cussing...(tell me if it should be 'R')

PAIRINGS!!!: 4+OC, 2+OC, some recalling of a 3xOC(not anymore), and hints of 5+H, but it all kind of changed in the last chapter, so I guess you could say: 2+OC(Haruki), no more 4+OC(Akira), still recalling of 3+OC(Umeko), still 5+H, and now the fun one, 3+OC(Akira!)but will it last???

Part Seven!

" We're all coming home tomorrow."

" What? No way, that's great!" Umeko smiled as she balanced her cell phone between her ear and shoulder as she held up various articles of baby clothing.

" Yeah, we didn't expect it, but the doctor said her state is rapidly improving and she can come home..." Umeko heard him trail off again, remembering exactly what home was.

" Don't worry, Duo, tomorrow's Christmas."

" what..." but Umeko flipped her phone closed and stuck it in her purse before he could question her.

" What's the stats on that heater unit, Quatre?" Umeko asked as professionally as she could as Quatre walked back up beside, pocketing his own phone.

" It's installed, don't worry." Quatre chuckled as he saw her gaze critically at a crib set.

" Don't worry?" Umeko raised an eyebrow at him, " this is our most important operation yet, Mr. Winner. This is the future we're talking about."

" I suppose it is, yes," Quatre chuckled and Umeko smiled at him. He was starting to surprise himself with how much more attracted to her he had started to become in such a small amount of time. But then, attraction was the point, wasn't it?

" Now," Umeko turned to him and placed her hand on his shoulder, " let's head on over and see what we can do about that baby room."

" Yes, ma'am."

" I don't see the point of wrapping some and putting others in bags," Wufei said as he watched Hilde wrapping the baby clothes and products on the ground.

" Because," Hilde sighed and looked over at Wufei, " Wrap is cheaper, but you can't wrap everything."

" Well, sure you ca-"

" tastefully," she added quickly. Wufei thought for a second.

" Well, I suppose I can't argue taste with a woman, now can I?" He smiled, mockingly. Hilde just stuck her tongue out at him.

" You'll be smart to help me finish if you want to make it in time to meet up with Akira and Trowa." Hilde nodded to some things that needed bags, obviously not trusting Wufei with the wrapping.

" Of course," Wufei sighed as he settled into his new job, " I wouldn't miss another of their dramafests for the world."

" Just work," Hilde smirked as she whacked him on the arm with a wrapping paper roll.

Wufei grabbed another roll and took the appropriate course of action. Thus starting the great wrapping paper roll war of Christmas Eve.

" Say it again..."

" I love you," Akira laughed before being cut off by another kiss, " Trowa, we're right outside the hospital, we promised to meet Hilde and Wufei."

" I know," Trowa said, grabbing the gifts from the trunk, " I just still can't believe it."

" Heh," Akira wrapped her arms around his waist, " believe it."

He smiled and then kissed her cheek, " alright, let's head in."

" What a disturbing display, if I do say so myself," Wufei said as he and Hilde walked up from behind them, " And here I thought I wouldn't have to see any of you guys on my vacation time at all. But, you guys end up occupying all of it."

" Hey, what are friends for?" Trowa shrugged as they all headed up to where they knew Haruki, Duo and, hopefully, Isabeau to be.

Haruki and Duo were sitting, talking softly to eachother as Isabeau lay sleeping between them when they entered the room. Akira, being the first to enter, was left speechless by the scene, she really didn't want to interrupt this delicately beautiful moment. They both looked up at her though and smiled as the other three came in after.

" Hey guys," Duo smiled with a love and pride she had never known herself, but that she was certain Haruki shared with him.

" H-hi..." Akira said, suddenly floored with emotion. She gestured to the bags and wrapped presents. " We...uh, come bearing gifts..."

" That's too sweet of you guys," Haruki spoke softly from where she sat, " you didn't have to."

" No, we did," Akira was thankful that Hilde spoke up, because speaking was getting hard for her to do, " You two have always been there for all of us, you're always the selfless ones."

" You know we'd do anything to return the favor," Wufei said in a surprisingly easy way for him.

" No matter how much you might tease us inbetween," Trowa added.

" Y-yeah..." was all Akira could say.

In the next couple of hours, they went through all the gifts and talked like friends and laughed like friends and enjoyed company like friends. And the whole idea of friendship solidified in everyone's minds and was accepted as what they most certainly had, no matter the circumstances. Somehow, Akira was just certain that this was all because of family. Haruki and Duo, they were the family, though not yet legally binding, which kept the friends together. Now it was Duo, Haruki and Isabeau which were the family at the center. Families make better friends, which are just another branch of family. There was family brewing in every relationship around her, there were futures and there were pasts, but there was always the present that, no matter how much one tried was the only capable place of dwelling. With friends, with family.

It was when they were about to leave that Duo asked another favor of Wufei and Hilde.

" Do you guys think you could drop this off at the apartment, we're kinda gonna have our hands full tomorrow..." Duo asked as he hand Wufei a spare key.

" Of course," Hilde smiled.

" I guess we'll see you all tomorrow afternoon then?" Haruki asked.

" Are you sure you guys don't want to just be alone as a family?" Akira asked, trying not to impose.

" What are you talking about?" Duo laughed as he wrapped an arm around Haruki's shoulder, " you guys are family."

" We did good things today, Mr.Winner." Umeko said as she raised up a glass of champagne she poured herself.

" Here, here," Quatre said and then drank from his own, " now, why are you still at my house?"

" I have my own clothes..." Umeko trailed of, but got lost in champagne again.

" Yes, but why are you still at my house?" Quatre asked, only pretending to be irritable now.

" I'm bored," Umeko shrugged.

" That's dangerous," Quatre said warily.

" Well, I don't blow things up out of boredom anymore." Umeko defended.

" Well now, that's all a matter of opinion," Quatre tilted his glass towards her

" I'm not sure how I should take that," Umeko laughed, then picked up the bottle, " now what in bloody hell is wrong with this stuff?"

" Let me guess: ' tastes better in bed'," Quatre rolled his eyes.

" It says bath, but suit yourself darling," Umeko stood up, " I'll try bath, you try bed, then we'll get back and find who is right."

" Of course," Quatre sighed as he watched Umeko take the bottle and leave the room. She seemed to have no reserves when it came to him, it was slightly refreshing. She was almost the exact opposite of Akira, but at times he could really tell they were sisters. Remembering this made Quatre feel kind of bad, but Umeko was an unstoppable force, what she wanted, she got, no matter how confusing for others.

Quatre stared down into his glass for a very long time before getting up and going into the bedroom. He set the glass down on the nightstand and collapsed headfirst on the bed. His groan was muffled by the quilt. He looked towards the bathroom attached to the bedroom as he heard Umekos voice start to sing.

" Lonely the life that once I led.
Strange the paths on which we tred Led me to you, unlikely but true.
Sabra girl, clouding my view..."

Quatre rested his head on his hands as he listened, wondering what could possess her to sing the way she was. She had a very beautiful voice, Quatre noted. He remembered somebody saying something about her being in a rock band once, but this voice somehow didn't seem fitting to the genre. That might have been why she didn't stick with the band.

" Rainy the day the first time we met.
Deep was the talk and forever my debt.
It didn't seem wrong to sing a sad song.
Sabra girl, soon you'd be gone."

No, Quatre was sure that voice was never meant for rock. It seemed older than that, ancient, beautiful. That's when Quatre started to realize that there was more to Umeko than just show. There had to be with a voice like that. He tried to ignore it.

" Early the morning and sad the goodbye.
With a wave of your hand and a smile of your eye.
So lately did meet no sooner depart.
Sabra girl, homeward must start."

Umeko broke in her singing and stared down at the bubbles in her bath. It had been a while since she had sung this song, or even thought about it really. She had given up singing, but it had always come to her naturally, like so many things in her life. It was the thought of home that made her stop and suddenly feel like crying for the first time in a long time. She shook her head and sighed, then continued to sing.

" Rosy the lines that you wrote with your hand.
Reading between them to misunderstand,
I made the mistake you said not to make.

Reading your letters conviction did grow.
I thought it a chance and I knew I must go.
It's hard to believe I could be so naive.
Sabra girl, flattered but decieved."

Umeko got out of the bath and grabbed a towel. She dried herself off and wrapped the towel around her as the tub drained.

" Now you just told me that friendship is all.
I'm forced to repair the breach in my wall.
Illusions and dreams as usual it seems.
Sabra girl, they have been my downfall."

Umeko looked in the mirror after patting her face dry. Her yellowish eyes would never truly show how tired she felt.

" Lonely the life and dismal the view.
Closed is the road that leads to you.
Since better can't be as friends we'll agree.
Sabra girl, time will cure me."

No it won't, Umeko thought as she walked into the bedroom. She stopped in the doorway when she say Quatre collapsed on the bed, looking over at her with a blank look. She crossed her arms over her chest and just looked back. He gave her a small smile, which made her uncross her arms and walk over. She sat on the edge of the bed and combed her fingers through his hair before leaning over and kissing him on his temple, perhaps the most affectionate thing Quatre ever thought she'd do.

" What was that song?" He asked gently. Umeko sighed and fell back against the bed, staring at the ceiling.

" Just something I wrote some years back..." Umeko said as she brought her hands to her head. Quatre turned to his side and then sat up. One hand rested on the other side of Umeko as he looked down at her. He just stared at her staring at the ceiling for minutes on end.

" How many years ago?" Quatre asked. Umeko closed her eyes to the ceiling before opening them again to Quatre.

" About four," She answered. Quatre looked at her with understanding, so she closed her eyes again and sighed. Quatre leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips. As expected, Umeko wrapped her arms loosely around his neck and returned the kiss.

Akira scurried through the stuff on the floor, looking for the ringing phone. She had been wrapping gifts by herself. She had asked for time alone after the weird emotional experience she had had at the hospital. Trowa agreed to leave, though he was slighty confused at how she was acting. She was too, but she was sure she'd be better tomorrow.

Finally she got to the phone at its last ring and answered with "hello".

" Hey, Akira, it's Hilde."

" Oh, hi Hilde," Akira was a little confused, not used to getting calls from her, "what's up?"

" I'm over at Duo and Haruki's place here, and...well..." Hilde paused and chuckled, " I think your sister did something over here that you should see."

" What?" Akira was really confused now.

" Just come over, it's only a couple of blocks away, right?" Hilde asked.

" Uh, yeah, I'll be right there." Akira said and ended the call. She grabbed her jacket and threw it on, stepping into her shoes. She hurriedly locked up, extremely curious at what she might find. When she got outside she noticed the layer of white over everything and the snow slowly falling all around. She smiled and began plodding through it towards her destination. What could Umeko have done?

" That was quick," Wufei remarked as Akira walked into the apartment. It was nice, but kinda small for a family.

" In here," Hilde remarked excitedly from the doorway to a smaller room. As Akira entered, the first thing she noticed was the colors, pink, purple, blue, etc.. She looked around and noticed the room had been trimmed with butterfly print of all colors. A beautiful crib was set up with butterfly accesories. Everything was there, right down to an automatic bottle warmer. And there in the crib sat something that didn't quite fit, but that Akira recognised. It was a dark, worn teddy bear that Umeko had once swore she would pass down to her first born. Akira had always thought it was kind of ugly, but Umeko felt that was part of its charm. Akira covered her mouth as she took the room in once more.

" There's a new heater unit as well, it's amazing," Hilde added, " but how did your sister have enough money for this."

" She doesn't..." Akira said and then realized, " Quatre must have helped her."

"..." Hilde stared at Akira speechlessly, realizing that it must have been true. Surely Wufei must have already guessed all of this.

" Can I..." Akira looked over at Hilde with tears in her eyes, " can I please borrow your phone, Hilde?"

" S-sure..." Hilde handed her the cellphone and watched her as she left the apartment for privacy. Wufei walked looked at Hilde and she glared back.

" Why didn't you tell me?" Hilde asked.

" It wouldn't have gone right if I had," Wufei explained, " and she wouldn't have gotten to the point that she's at."

" What makes you think all of this is going to turn out okay now? It could all just get worse!" Hilde threw her hands up in exasperation.

" We'll just have to see then."

" C'mon..." Akira grumbled into the phone as she heard it ring yet again. Finally it just went to the voicemail. Akira thought of hanging up, but instead took a deep breath and left a message. She went back in, gave Hilde the phone, apologized and said she had to leave, then left for home.

Duo stroked Haruki's hair away from her neck and then kissed it. She smirked up at him from where she was standing, watching Isabeau sleep.

" Now don't start that, that's why we're where we are right now." Haruki said, looking back down at Isabeau.

" I can't help it, you're just too beautiful," Duo smiled, hugging her from behind and burying his face in her hair, " besides, where we are right now is perfect. I'm in bliss."

" Yeah well, we'll see after about a thousand diapers," Haruki wrapped her fingers around Duo's, " Beside's add another to the mix, there would never be a quite moment."

" I despise quite moments," Duo whispered into her ear and then tickled her side, making her shriek, " will you marry me?"

" You already asked that question and I already said yes," Haruki answered.

" Oh yes, of course, how absent-minded of me," Duo lifted up her left hand and examined her ring finger, " I was wondering where this cheap looking ring came from."

" Hey," Haruki snatched her hand back from him and turned to face him, " I cherish this ring, the love of my life gave it to me and I'm going to marry him and we'll spend eternity together."

" Hm, he must be a pretty dreamy guy to deserve that," Duo took a step closer to her with a devilish grin.

" Eh," Haruki made a so-so motion, " he's pretty average..."

Duo laughed before running his fingers down the side of Haruki's glowing face. He leaned down and kissed her.

" You'll get a real wedding, I promise."

" Duo, be serious," Haruki sighed and stepped back.

" I am, Haruki," Duo said defensively, " I can work it out, seriously."

" We're hardly going to be able to scrape by as a family anyways," Haruki said, turning and touching Isabeau's forehead lightly, " I almost feel guilty..."

Duo sighed and looked up at the ceiling.

" Maybe I can't make anything better or perfect..." Duo said finally, " but I can try."

"...I'm sorry," Haruki said.

Duo smiled and hugged Haruki again, kissing her cheek, then looked back down at their tiny child, " Isabeau's not worried..."

" We don't make any sense, you know."

" I don't think that's the point," Quatre said as he ran his fingers through a lock of Umeko's hair, " do you dye your hair?"

" No, my hair's just blue naturally." Umeko rolled her eyes.

" Well you never know, could be a genetic mutation."

" So now I'm a mutant..." Umeko turned onto her stomach and looked up at Quatre, " I used something weird to dye my hair when I had my band, it hasn't come out since."

" Some things you just can't get rid of, I guess," Quatre remarked.

" Oh, are you complaining about me again?"

" No, actually, I was just thinking about your song."

" Let's not go there..." Umeko sighed and fell back down to the bedsheets.

" You've taught me a lot, Umeko." Quatre looked down at her hair against the cream sheets.

" Oh?" Umeko looked back up at him.

" I don't know how to explain it..." Quatre pushed hair away from her face and studied her eyes, " what we're doing is wrong."

" So wrong," Umeko smirked.

" But, at the same time, you aren't doing anything wrong," Quatre said, running his thumb over her lips, " you're still a good person...and you're still hurting inside..."

" Quatre, I don't like where this conversation is going."

" I know," Quatre blinked at her, " and that's just all the more revealing. I know why we keep coming back to each other, Umeko. We can't face the pain..."

Umeko sighed and then looked away from him. She sat up and grabbed one of the sheets, wrapping it around herself. " Been there, done that."

Umeko walked out of the room, the end of the sheet trailing closely after. Quatre sat up and watched her leave. Then, he sighed and collapsed back onto the bed, studying the ceiling once more. Well, maybe this was the end of their crazy platonic relationship, if you could call it anything like that.

Umeko walked over to the couch and picked up her purse. She was trying to dig out some of her pills when she came across her phone. She noticed that she had two missed calls. She flipped it open to check them. The first one was from Duo and Haruki, describing and argueing about whether Isabeau smiled or not. It made Umeko smile just listening to it and then she got to Akira's message.

" Hi, Umeko, it's Akira...your sister...yeah, like you didn't know that, well anyways, I was just calling because, well...I just saw the room and the apartment and...well, I know it was you and Quatre...It got me thinking a little more about you and all the stuff you've been through...all the stuff we've been through...I just felt I really needed to let you know some things... I know we're messed up right now and a lot of that has to do with other people, but...Love can come and go, relationships can come and go...We of all people should know boys come and go, by God...No matter what happens or how much we end up pissing each other off or hurting each other, you're always going to be my sister, nobody else can take that place...and there's no way that anything could take away the love I have for you...If we're together, I know I'll be fine...well, that's about it and I'm sorry for any pain I might have caused you. I love you."

The message cut off and Umeko stared down at the open phone. She wiped tears away from her face only to be replaced by twice as many. Her sister loved her unconditionally...really, unconditionally. No matter how much she knew her sister had disagreed with her philosophies and choices in life over the last five years, she loved her just the same. Umeko buried her face in the sheet as her sobs became too much to bear. Even if she wanted, she would never be alone. Why did she want to be alone anyways?

' We can't face the pain...'

Quatre was right, though she hadn't wanted to admit it. The answers that seemed close to the surface for him were buried deep inside of her. Deep down she knew that without that pain, there would be no beauty in life.

Umeko got up and hurried back into the bedroom. Quatre watched her curiously as she dressed. She was tripping over her boots to get them on when she finally noticed Quatre again.

" I have to go," She stated, finally winning the shoe battle. " My sister needs me."

" Akira," Quatre said almost in a whisper. Umeko looked up at him as if understanding him for the first time and then smiled.

" You were right," She hurried over to him and kissed him square on the lips, taking him by surprise, " thank you for your help..."

And then she floated away as quickly as a snowflake caught in a flurry. Quatre shook his head and got dressed. He went into the front room and looked around, wondering what to do. That's when he saw Umeko's purse lying open on the ground. He went over and noticed her phone sitting beside it flipped open. On instinct he examined the screen. It showed the list of calls and messages. Quatre recognized Akira's name and Quatre realized the catalyst that set off Umeko's 180 turn. And now she was out in the snow somewhere, probably driving recklessly to get to Akira. It must have been some message she had left. He knew Akira always had a gentle way of her own. There was a vague strength, however, that he knew those sisters shared.

" I'm such an idiot," Quatre flipped the phone closed and put it in Umeko's purse, " oh well, too late now, I guess..."

Umeko hurried up the concrete steps, slipping on ice every now and then, but catching herself. Who would have thought it would be so cold at night in the wintertime. She finally got to the top and opened the door to the hallway. She exhaled in relief and ran her hands through her hair, letting some snow fall to the ground. She calmly proceeded down the hall.

" Umeko," She turned at hearing her name and saw Trowa step into the hall, the snow still settling on the shoulders of his coat.

" Trowa, what are you doing here?" Umeko asked in surprise.

" I, uh, well..." Trowa loosened the scarf around his neck, Umeko just rolled her eyes and turned back around, " I was worried about Akira...but, you're here, so that's good..."

" Worried?" Umeko stopped again and turned around.

" She said she wanted to be alone and I guess I should just leave, but...something has really been bugging her ever since we left the hospital today," Trowa walked up to Umeko, " I'd like to know what it is."

" Yeah, well," Umeko started irritably, but then calmed her demeanor and started to walk away again, " It's all a matter of family..."

" Family..." Trowa echoed and tried to follow. Umeko stopped again.

" I really liked you, you know." Umeko turned around and looked up into his eyes, he knew, " I never should have slept with you. Nothing good came from it. I mean, I'm just now getting my old job back..."

" I loved you, Umeko," Trowa interrupted.

"...I know," Umeko nodded.

" I never meant for any of this to happen." Trowa looked over to where he knew Akira's door was, " There were definitely mistakes, though..."

" What, like getting caught in the boardroom?" Umeko said and Trowa gave a mocking thoughtful look.

" Hmm, you know, that might have been one of them," Trowa smiled down at Umeko, " You should go, Akira needs you more than she needs me."

" Thanks Trowa," Umeko smiled genuinely and gratefully at him, " But you know, she really needs you too...don't be too far away, she might just need you soon."

" Sure," Trowa nodded and watched as Umeko went to Akira's door and then he turned to go back into the cold.

Umeko took a big breath before knocking on the door.

" Coming," she heard rustling from inside before the clacking of unlocking the door.

"...Umeko," Akira paused after seeing her sister.

" That's me," Umeko gave a small wave, " I got your message."

Umeko was starting to get nervous at the silence when Akira wrapped her arms around her in an embrace. Umeko immediately hugged her back and patted her head. She could feel her sister shutter in her arms and she gave way to her own tears.

" Tell me, Akira," Umeko barely breathed out, "will I ever learn my lesson?"

" Geez, how many cookies do you have to make?"

" Just shut up and get to sprinkling," Hilde pointed her finger authoritatively, flipping flour onto the floor.

" What a demeaning job..." Wufei groaned before getting back to work.

" Anyways, we need enough for everybody," She got back to mixing the dough, " If I remember correctly, it was you who insisted on staying late to help."

" Ah yes, it was so long ago I hardly remember," Wufei went to put another batch of cookies in the oven.

" You complain too much," Hilde sighed.

" Yeah well, it's a small price to pay for everything else," Wufei walked over to her side.

" Ego, ego..." She muttered distractedly as she tried to roll out the cookie dough, but it stuck to the pin.

" Here," Wufei reached around her and took the pin as she let him have it. He grabbed up some flour and rubbed it onto the rolling pin. " Most of your baking malady questions can be answered with flour, whether it be the cure or the cause."

" Thank you, Dr.Chef," Hilde said as Wufei started to do her job for her, putting her into an awkward position between his arms, she put her hands back on the handles next to his, " I think I can handle it from here."

" Oh? I'm not so sure," Wufei continued even when he swore he could sense her eyes rolling.

" I got along fine for many years before you came along, you know."

Wufei let go of the pin and bent down to kiss Hilde on the cheek. When she turned just enough to look at him in surprise, he kissed her on the lips, bringing her smile back out.

" What was that for?" Hilde turned around all the way and smiled up at him. He just smirked with hidden humor. He poked her nose(merp) and then retreated to his designated sprinkle station. Hilde blinked after him.

" Alright, okay, maybe not as fine."

Trowa had heard her coming down the stairs behind him, but he had not expected her to jump down the last four steps.

" How can you stand to do that in heels?" Trowa asked in awe.

" Your turn," Umeko said simply, pointing up towards the top of the staircase, reminding Trowa of why he was waiting in the snow.

" What? What happened?" Trowa asked, " Is everything alright?"

" Why don't you just go see for yourself," Umeko replied, then went to leave, but stopped, " oh yeah, one more thing, you hurt my sister and I will kill you."

" Oh, okay, " Trowa knew to take her seriously, " Isn't that Quatre's shirt?"

" God, what, does he wear the exact same shirt everyday?" Umeko shook her head, " You and Akira are both so observant."

Trowa was worried now about Akira and got up to go to her. Umeko watched him disapear back into the building and felt loss and envy tug at her heart. She acknowledged the pain there, but she also acknowledged the love and happiness beside it.

" I'm glad I messed it up with you," Umeko whispered, tears stinging in her eyes, " my sister deserves your love so much more."

" Akira, are you alright?" Trowa didn't even wait after knocking on the door.

" Don't you people ever sleep?" A grumpy guy had opened the door at hearing yet more noise in his hallway. Trowa just raised an eyebrow at him before knocking on the door again. This time it immediately opened.

" What are you doing?" Akira asked with some amusement in her voice as she dragged him in. Trowa looked back to see the grumpy man shake his head as he retreated back into his apartment. Akira closed the door and looked up at him expectantly. " Well?"

'uh-oh..., I wonder what Umeko said...' Trowa thought, but then said, " I was worried about you."

Trowa was relieved when she smiled at him, but entirely surprised when she started kissing him. He blinked down at her when she was done.

" Wow...I guess Umeko put in a good word for me?"

" Oh yeah," Akira nodded before going to kiss him again.

At seeing Quatre enter the waiting room, Haruki stood up. He hadn't been to see her once since she was in the hospital, though she knew he was there the night of Isabeau's birth. She figured now, from seeing the sleepless state he seemed to be in, that it was because of an escalation of the events she had heard about.

Quatre saw her and started to walk over. Haruki looked down at the couch. Duo was there, catching up on his own lost sleep. Haruki smiled then walked to meet Quatre.

" Hi," she said quietly, looking up at him.

" Hi," he said in return, giving her a smile.

" C'mon," she said, walking past him, " let's go get some coffee."

" Okay," Quatre replied, following her

" So, what happened?" Haruki cut right to the chase when they stepped into the elevator.

" I made everything worse," Quatre said, leaning against the rail on the elevator.

" Yes, I know," Haruki said with a sigh.

" How much do you know?" Quatre asked

" You didn't come visit me because you banished yourself from the rest of us and you don't even know why, I mean, you started all of this in the first place." Haruki stated.

" Not all of you..." Quatre looked down at the ground.

" Umeko?" Haruki asked and Quatre nodded as the elevator door opened. They stepped out and started walking.

" I slept with her," Quatre said, making Haruki turn and look at him, " twice..."

" Right..." Haruki started walking again and Quatre followed. " I know what you're thinking, but don't worry, you didn't take advantage of her. She's a grown woman and she knows what she's doing, despite how much it hurts herself and others. Trowa had the same anxieties."

" Oh...yeah..." Quatre slowed down his walking at remembering what happened a few years back.

" Duo knows Umeko better than me, " Haruki said as she slowed down to his pace, " But I do know you, Quatre and I know something has been terribly off with you, even when you don't talk to me."

" I'm sorry," Quatre said, realizing that he had stopped talking to her as much in these last months, even though she probably needed it more.

" It's fine. But, Quatre..." Haruki looked up at him, " You need to figure out what's really been bothering you. It started before you split with Akira, but that made it worse."

" Yeah..."

" The last time you talked to me very seriously," Haruki stopped at the coffee machines, " It was about family. That's always been important to you."

" Yeah, I guess so," Quatre put his hands in his pockets and watched as she prepared a cup of coffee, " I guess that could be it. I mean...I have a huge family, though I hardly see them anymore...and then I have you guys."

" That's right," Haruki smiled as she brought the coffee up to her face and inhaled, " And you'll always have us, even if you turn into a bitter old man."

" That's a thought," Quatre chuckled.

" Oh, but you've already established yourself as the Scrooge of this years Christmas," Haruki took a sip and gave him an amused look, " You're rich, you're bitter and everybody knows it."

" That's not very nice. True, but still not nice," Quatre leaned against the wall, " I guess I just feel like I'm going through my life not really caring."

" Heh, I think we all feel like that sometimes," Haruki smiled warmly and leaned against the wall beside him, " But Quatre, you should feel more important than that. You do wonderful things in your job. Your jobs, actually. You're really someone people admire...well, as long as they don't see you like this."

" You mean it?" Quatre asked.

" Come on, you were a Gundam pilot, you helped save millions and then you dedicated your life to repairing this war-scarred world," Haruki patted his shoulder, " Sure, now you're feeling a little sick at the monotony of your day-to-day, but that won't last forever. And when you really work yourself out of that funk, it's not going to be this painful chaos you've created, it's going to be peace. Peace of mind and, of course, peace between loved ones and friends."

" Okay...but, what do I have to do?"

" Well," Haruki sighed and pushed herself off the wall and began to walk back towards the elevator with Quatre trailing after, " I suppose you have to just do the right thing and wait for Karma to throw you a bone."

" The right thing, huh?" Quatre watched his feet as they walked, " I guess that all makes sense."

" Of course it does, but just remember," She stopped and pushed the button on the elevator before turning to him again, " the right thing to do can oftentimes be the hardest thing to do."

Quatre nodded and smiled at the small woman warmly. Now he remembered why he had once fallen for this girl, no, this woman. She was the strongest gentle person he had ever known. And now, she was somebody's loving mother and she was going to make a loving wife to one of his best friends.

" Before I leave," Quatre said when they were back on the first floor, " can I see Isabeau?"

" Of course," Haruki smiled and nodded towards the nursery, " just promise me one thing."

" Yeah?"

" That you'll always know that you're not alone," Haruki put her hand on his cheek softly and looked him in the eye, " and you won't seclude yourself from us anymore."

" I promise," He said, relaxing under her touch, " you know, you really are going to be a wonderful mother."

" I know," Haruki folded her hands in front of her and continued to the nursery, " well, well, look who's here..."

Quatre looked up through the glass of the large nursery window and held his breath. Duo was in there of course, but standing beside him, gently holding Isabeau was Umeko. Her face glowed as she gazed down at the tiny miracle she held tenderly in her arms. Quatre noticed that, for once, her hair was not perfect and her shirt, well, actually, his shirt was partially untucked from her wool skirt. Her mascara was smudged and her lipstick was gone. The flawless image she had seemed to convey constantly and fix almost instantly was gone, but he had never felt more endeared at the sight of her.

" Hmm, you know..." Haruki had been watching his reaction to the sight, " some things happen for a reason. Come on."

Haruki grabbed his wrist and led him to the enterance of the nursery. She slowly opened the door, careful to not make too much noise.

" One thing's for sure," Umeko said quietly to Duo, " You and Haruki sure do make beautiful babies."

" Heh, I'd credit that to Haruki," Duo laughed as he softly stroked Isabeau's forehead with one finger, " You think you'll ever have children?"

" Me? You kidding?" Umeko laughed quietly, " I could never trust myself enough to have one of my own."

" Well, I trust you enough to hold ours," Duo said, " And, you know, babysit..."

" Ah-hah, I see what you're trying to do here," She raised an eyebrow at Duo, but then smiled gently at him, " You know...I always felt bad for you guys, like this was some terrible predicament you found yourselves in, but...you really have a lot to be thankful for, don't you?"

" You betcha," Duo said, then shook his head, " I mean, we do have some worries, but, when you get right down to it, the things that really matter always make those things easier to deal with."

" Oh, you're so wise, Duo," Umeko said half-mockingly, " You know, for a guy who fathered a child out of wedlock."

" Oh, you're simply hilarious," Duo gave her a small glare before noticing their small audience, " There you are...hey, Quatre."

Umeko's head shot around and her eyes met with Quatre's. He gave her a small smile as she blinked back.

" Mmm, is that coffee?" Duo sauntered up to Haruki and reached for the cup, " Thank you so much, honey..."

" Oh, well, you're welcome," Haruki said sarcastically, rolling her eyes as he took the cup, " Quatre, you want to hold her."

" What?" Quatre tore his eyes away from Umeko and stared at Haruki as if she were crazy.

" Isabeau," Haruki clarified with amusement.

" Oh, yeah, sure," Quatre answered uncertainly. Umeko stepped forward, carefully cradling the baby in her arms until she got close enough to hand her off to Quatre. He took her in his arms and smiled down at her. The baby stared back up at him with dark pools of eyes that obviously wondered who the hell he was, and yet didn't make a fuss. Quatre wondered how there could be such a calm baby. He guessed that the heavens sent her down to this young couple because they needed the help.

" I think she's tired," Quatre whispered when he saw her yawn widely and her eyes drift shut.

" She's had a long first day," Haruki smiled proudly as she took the child from Quatre and made her way to the rocking chair they had set up in the room.

" Uh, I guess I should get going," Quatre said as he watched her take a seat witht he tiny child and Duo moved protectively near the two.

" Yeah, me too," Umeko said as they both moved towards the exit.

" Be good," Duo called after them as they exited, but Umeko simply waved dismissively.

" I love those guys," Umeko said seriously as they were about to exit the hospital into the chilly night.

" Yeah, me too," Quatre smiled and looked up at the sky as they walked towards the parking lot. It was snowing again. Light flakes floated down all around, settling in their hair and disolving on their skin. He looked over at Umeko, who looked slightly chilly due to her skirt, but still happy with the weather. She wrapped her scarf once more around her neck and sighed, her breath leaving a steamy cloud which quickly dissipated in the air. Quatre wrapped his arm around her shoulder before he knew what he was doing and chuckled.

" What?" Umeko raised an eyebrow at him.

" Wanna cup of coffee?" He asked her.

" No," She shook her head with a smile, " But I suppose I could choke some down."

The last batch of cookies had been put in the oven and the mess had been cleaned up. Wufei and Hilde were exhaustedly collapsed on her couch watching It's a Wonderful Life.

" I don't think I'll be able to finish watching without falling asleep," Hilde whined, burying her face in the throw she was usuing as a pillow.

" The movie barely started," Wufei responded, "...I'm already lost, what's going on?"

" You have to see all of his life story first to really get the rest of the story," Hilde defended.

" I see..." Wufei said dully.

" And you have to see him lasso the moon."

" What?" Wufei looked at her as if she were crazy.

" Yes, it's that romantic scene that is supposed to inspire guys to buy jewelry for their sweetheart for christmas...Dunno why," Hilde scratched her head and yawned, " I guess it's the best thing next to getting the moon."

" That doesn't make any sense," Wufei admitted, wondering just how delusionally tired she actually was.

" I know, girls don't make sense," Hilde chuckled, then pointed to the television, " watch."

Wufei obediantly watched as the scene came up with a man and woman walking down a street wearing ridiculous looking clothes and then throwing rock at the windows of an old house.

'What is it you want Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around and pull it down. Hey, that's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary'

'I'll take it. ANd then what?'

' Well, then you could swallow it and it'd all dissolve, see? And the moonbeams'd shoot out of your fingers and your toes and the-'

" What were these people on?" Wufei interrupted before being shushed by Hilde.

'Am I talking too much?'

' Yes!! Why don't you kiss her instead of talking her to death?'

" Ah," Wufei thought he finally understood why this was supposed to be so romantic. But, as he continued to watch there was some ridiculous stuff with a bathrobe and then a dramatic shift as George was called because his father had a stroke.

" They didn't kiss," Wufei stated, as if it was the most unusual thing in the world.

" Dissapointed?" Hilde looked over at him in amusement.

" Well...yeah, kinda..." Wufei sighed, " I don't get it, is the promise of something impossible really that romantic to women?"

" Hmm, it's really more of a metaphor for something seemingly as impossible..." Hilde thought for a second, sitting up and then looked devilishly over at him, " Like, say, when a seeminlgy emotionally stale man plans a romantic meal to show a girl how he feels."

" Hmm, now where have I heard that before?" Wufei rolled his eyes as Hilde leaned closer into him and pecked him on the lips. He smiled and returned the contact with a bit more passion. He leaned further forward, his hand resting on the back of her head, delighting in the feel of her soft lips and the smell of flour which still lingered from making all the cookies.

" Chang Wufei lassos moon..." Hilde whispered when she got a breath before letting herself be kissed again.

" You're just not right in the head," Trowa laughed, wrapping his arms tighter around Akira, " You know that?"

" Hey, I bought this dress for a reason and I fully intend to use it," She threw her head back, her emerald eyes dancing as much as she was.

The two were currently dancing right in the middle of her apartment, Akira fully decked out in her beautiful green silk dress. She had turned on some Christmas music and even did her hair. The only odd thing other than the fact that they were in her apartment was the fact that they were both shoeless, wearing only comfy socks on their feet.

" Dip me," she said dramatically and he complied, both of them erupting in laughter. When she came back up, she let her hand rest just beside his neck and smiled up at him. It was cold in her apartment, but she felt infinitely warm next to him. Especially now that everything felt right.

It was there, finally, that christmas spirit she had been missing. She was thankful beyond words.

" Okay, now dip me," Trowa said, but ended up just falling backwards, Kira following after him. Again they erupted in laughter. Akira didn't even seem to mind if any harm came to her dress. Kira rested against his chest in total bliss.

" You're my best friend," Kira said happily.

" Hm...I don't remember drinking anything, but...are we drunk?" Trowa asked, softly sweeping some hair away from her face.

" Well, we certainly seem to be acting that way," Akira said.

" You remember what happened last time we got drunk..." Trowa warned.

" Yeah, you became my sexy best friend," She smiled and pulled herself up to his face leaving a small kiss on his lips.

" Hmm...sexy best friends, sounds good," Trowa closed the gap between them again, his hands resting on the open back of her dress, feeling the soft exposed skin there. Akira smiled before moving her mouth confidently against his and running her hands up his chest seductively and moving her kisses to his neck.

" Kira..." Trowa managed, his hands now wandering a little more dangerously. Kira smiled as she noticed this and promptly got off of him and stood up. He looked up at her, perplexed, but she just winked over her shoulder.

" I'm gonna slip into something more comfortable," She purred and went into the other room. Trowa just sat on the floor in his frazzled state until she came back a couple of minutes later, dressed in, well, very comfortable looking pajamas. He chuckled when she stood over him once more and held out her hand.

" You owe me another dance," she stated. He got up and wrapped his arms around her.

" As many as you want," He said with a slight bow when he let go of her.

" For as long as I wanT?" She asked with a makeshift curtsey and they both took up their dancing position as a slow song came on the radio.

" Forever if you want."

to be continued...One more left!!! I swear!

A/N- HAHAHAHAHA, I will finish this, so stop asking, you imaginary reviewers! Yes, I've lost it, but I'm old enough now that I've gained that right. A lot happened in this chapter and everything is just about resolved, now to wrap it up in a beautiful, joyous package for christmas. That song up there is actually by Nickel Creek, btw...they're my favorite band. Heheh, Trowa and Akira are kinda goofy in that last bit, huh? It reminds me of how I used to be during the holidays, but something changed last year, I guess...I'm having so many holiday issues this year, on top of being sick. There's just something wrong this year...but, writing this helps me get a little more in the spirit, that and making pies and chocolates for people. Anyways, please review and maybe I'll finish by the new year.

Supurrkitty

P.S.- I'm so old...(not really)