Trucking Along the Highway

by Tsuki Doriimaa

Set after the Eve Wars... A pair has settled down and now has two children. Hyper, courious children. Who on Christmas Eve have questions to ask and stories they want told... What'll happen in it? Read to find out! ::chuckles:: Completed

10. Chapter 10: We Survived So Far! Now th...

~ Trucking Along the Highway 10: ~

We Survived; So Far! ^_^ Now the Long Tale of Five Years

By: Anime Redneck

12-18-03 ~ 12-24-03

'

(all notes at bottom)

.

~^.^~ * ~^.^~

X. We Survived; So Far! ^_^

Now the Long Tale of Five Years

~^.^~ * ~^.^~

.

"We'd all decided that we'd-" a commotion around the stage drew Duo's attention away from his explanation (or trying thereof) to see just what was going on. The band had stopped playing, that was the first thing his sense told him, the second was sight: people were gathering closer to the stage as the main man stepped forward, mike held in his hands.

Duo didn't know his name, or that of the bands, only that they were a Western type of band. Not all that bad if ya wanted his opinion. Guess one couldn't help but to get a western band to play at Quatre's party, seeing as they lived in Montgomery, Alabama. Smirking the American took notice of the simple black Wrangler jeans, black laceups and the half navy-blue, half black shirt the man wore with a straw cowboy hat. He even had the larger then norm buckle! That caused him to chuckle.

Walking up to the edge of the stage they had been playing on for most of the early evening, Client raised the mike to his lips and smiled.

"~I got somethin' kinda special I'd like to say, to all you truck drivers out there who might be listenin' right now.~" Cheers went up throughout the crowd, making him smile widely, eyes twinkling. Master Winner had quite a few trucker friends here tonight, even some from his own line of work. "~Also a truck drivers prayer that I'd like to pass on to you. 'Cause I think it's kinda special too.~" a pause, sipping some water. "~But first, I got a few things I been wantin' to say to you guys for a long time. An' I think right now's a good time to do it.~"

"YEA!!" someone within the mass crowd shouted.

Another whistled, "LETS HEAR IT SON!!"

Chuckling, the kind singer nodded and obliged his audience.

"~Like me an' just about everyone in Country Music who travel a lot, have nothin' but the highest respect for you, the truck driver. 'Cause it's a fact that some of the best drivers are truck drivers: And the most safety minded, the most courteous... And the first to stop and help when there's trouble; and little things like blinkin' signal lights to help someone pass.~"

Many a whistles were his responses to such a statement. Three men sitting at one particular table being among the loudest.

"~So you just gotta be good people, like some I've had the pleasure to meet: Down to Earth, hard-working family men... And a lot of you like our country music, and that makes you OK in my book. Sound like I'm blowin' some smoke don't it?~"

"NOO!!"

"NOT REALLY!" another closer up yelled, sheepishly smirking.

"~But I'm not.~" Client assured them, smiling, eyes serious for a moment. "~'Cause it boils down to this:" a pause "~If everyone would drive like you guys do, there'd be a lot less accidents and deaths on the highway. So truck driver: buddy, you're appreciated more then you'll ever know, an' we salute you!~"

With that the band (those that were sitting) stood and as one, walked forward bowing to the truckers in the audience. They had truckers in they're own business. Men and some women who drove they're trucks loaded with equipment to each new gig. They truly were the best. And for that they were more then happy to let them know on such a day as this.

"~Now,~" Client's voice brought the cheering down to a much tolerable level. "~for the prayer.~"

Off to the side Duo noted an odd sort of sound, wondering how he could hear it among the whispers going on. Then again, he was trained to notice the smallest of things and so it wasn't so hard to believe he had heard it, he guessed. It was to the right of the stage, off by the pulled curtain... almost sound liked... wheels?

"~Now this prayer was sent to me by a truck driver from Oklahoma City. He found it at a truck-stop: Mary's Café in Cairo, Illinois. Now this prayer means a lot to him, an' I think it will you too. So, if you will, give a listen, and see if it isn't your prayer too.~"

Upon those words every man, woman and child hushed, each standing still where they stood and listened carefully for when the prayer would be read. Most had never heard of a Trucker's Prayer before, so this was something new to them.

A small shock was it then, among the quietly gathered people, when a small voice came over the speakers, as cheerful as he could sound with a voice slightly choked. His words went like this...

.

"~Dear God above,

.

Bless this truck I drive,

An' help me keep someone alive.

Be my mortal sight, this day,

On streets where little children play.

.

Bless my helper, fast asleep,

When the night is long and deep.

An' keep my cargo safe and sound,

Through the hours, big and round.

.

Make my judgment sound as steel,

Be my hands upon the wheel.

Bless the traveler goin' past,

An' teach him not to go so fast.

.

Give me strength for ever trip,

So I may care for what they ship.

And make mindful, every mile,

That life is just a little while.

.

Amen.~"

.

During the second verse of this Truckers Prayer, a red headed woman came from behind the curtain the American trucker thought he had heard something behind earlier. She was pushing a little boy in his nondescript black and silver wheelchair. His hair was reddish-brown, freckles Duo could see from his seat scattered about his small little face. Eyes the color wasn't known to sparkled lively back at them all, his lips curved into a beautiful smile. He wore a simply nice white and blue button up shirt, kaki pants and black shoes.

Murmured questions ran through the crowd as to who this boy was.

"By the Ancestors..."

Turning in concern, Duo watched his Dragon love, the cameral cheeks gaining a red color to them... though from what was beyond the American. "Fei-love?" the question soft, curious.

Hearing but not saying what was going through his mind, Wufei carefully transferred little Larie from half in his lap to fully being seated in her Pawpaw's. Smiling at them all he pecked each cheek before in a quite hurry, made his way towards the stage.

How? That was the one question running around his mind. How could this be? How was the small lad there? He had not the funds to come on his own... they did not even know where to find him! Correction: they shouldn't have known where to find him. And why? Why had they found him? Above all else - How?

Eyes warming and heart doubling it's beating, the happily surprised Chinese trucker made his way on stage.

Well, now that wasn't what he had been expecting. Pouting slightly, curious now more then ever of what was going on, Duo watched his husband walk on stage, bowing before the woman and child respectfully. 'Totally Fei!' he thought in amusement, smiling. That was his husband for ya. Surprised or not, manners would never leave him.

Oddly enough, Duo felt nothing but a sort of warmth settle in his heart as he watched Wufei glance to the lady, saying something he couldn't hear, before the young child in his wheelchair reached his arms as high as he could get them; begging for his lover to pick him up. And Wufei did, smiling like the sun had just cast its most beautiful sunrise yet as he quickly twirled the young boy around in the air. After a few turns he stilled, settling the boy in one arm, the other asking silently for the mike.

Client, lead singer for the Trail Riders was more then happy to hand it over, ruffling the young lads hair as he did so.

"Everyone, please may I have your attention?" smooth like tepid silk that flowed over all, gaining the attention he requested. Smiling down at the boy in his arms, Wufei then looked to the crowd once more. "I would like to introduce to you all a very special little boy here. His name is Rick "Teddy Bear" Collins" he said loudly, with pride, then added, "You all can just call him Teddy Bear though."

Whoops and hollers of "Welcome!" and "Hey there!" rang out to their ears; Teddy Bear laughed delightedly at all the attention directed at him and waved back happily.

"Now Teddy Bear here I met on my back home from dropping off a load. He had been bored one day and sad, so decided to hop on the air and see who was listening." Chuckling as his mind drifted off to that night, the Chinese man poked Teddy Bears ribs, tickling him. "I do believe this little man got more of a response then he thought he would."

Teddy Bear nodded quickly, "YEAAHH!!"

"Now this little boy here was sad that night, being so close to Christmas and home alone while his mother, "Christen "Mama Bear" Collins, was off at work..." voice trailing off a moment, heavy, "You see Teddy Bears father was one us, killed in a wreck about a month ago..." Apologetic calls, whimpers, came from the ball's crowd as Wufei went on. "He's a tough old bird though, Teddy Bear had the night of his life that time, did you not?"

At the mentioning of his father Teddy Bear's eyes watered, but those tears weren't going to fall! Not when he had his friend back again! Oh it had been such a great gift to have the chance to come see him again... and to meet everyone he had heard about that night... He had his Dragon again! "Yeah I did, Dragon!" chirping his answer Teddy Bear grinned hugging the slim neck beside his face heartily.

Dragon's were magical creatures he read somewhere before. It never crossed his mind that they might actually be true, or that there'd be some left out there today. Didn't they die so many, many, many years ago? Long time ago back when there weren't any Colonies? Well, whatever, maybe there wasn't and maybe there was; Teddy Bear didn't wonder anymore. He done already found his Dragon and that young man was very magical. Just talking to him had so many people showing up at his house to drive him around!! Oh he didn't ever think it was gonna be possible again! To drive in an eighteen-wheeler like his Daddy drove... But 'ol Dragon had made it come true!

Smiling Wufei bounced the boy in his arms chuckling, "So did you come just to surprise this old trucker, or did you want to wish us all safe drives and a Merry Christmas?"

"Both!" Teddy Bear chipped grinning ear to ear. "I lost my daddy, but I got my mama and my trucker friends! I miss my daddy, so I want you all out there to be careful! It can be bad out there now, y'know? I don't want no one loosing someone else. So y'all be careful and you truckers out there keep it rollin'!" giggling at the last, burying his face slowly turning red, into the neck before him, Teddy Bear listened to the cheers he got, the praise for reading the Truckers Prayer for them all and smiled as Dragon gave the mike back to the singer man, the songs starting up again.

The little red headed boy nicknamed Teddy Bear didn't raise his head again until the strong arms carrying him as it he weighted nothing, stopped their movement from walking. Glancing up, Teddy Bear noticed a bunch of people sitting around a table and wondered just who they all were! So many at one table! He didn't think that was possible. They're kitchen table was that big and could only fit four, so... fourteen at one time was kinda a lot for him.

Standing as his lover approached, small boy in arms, deep sapphire blues sparkled cordially, his arms tightening around the wiggling girl in his grasp. Beside him Duo stood, Rouo sitting in both arms, comfortably smiling at something his Daddy was telling him, those lively emerald eyes switching from Daddy to Wufa and back again, anxious to meet this other boy whom his Wufa seemed taken to, ad the woman following them.

"Wufa!!" Larie cried out happily. Her Wufa was back to them! With some boy in his arms... Who was he? Did he know her daddies too? How many people did her daddies know anyways? There was lots sitting at they're table!

Rouo giggled wiggling about some more just to have his Daddy playfully pop his head. "Who's that Wufa?" the question came on goofily grinning lips, knowing he was being a pain for all he was worth, and his Daddy liking. They always played like this.

"This, Li Liang, is Teddy Bear." Smiling to the small boy in his arms, "Teddy Bear this is our son Rouo" pointing then to his daughter, "And this little lady here is our daughter, Larie."

"Hello!" Teddy Bear chirped in welcome, waving his little arms about. After a moment he tilted his head curiously. "Who are they?"

"Wufei?"

Turning around with an apologetic smile for missing her, the Chinese man smiled, wrapping one arm around the tiny waist of Teddy Bear's moving and bringing her forward. "Miss. Collins, I would be honored to have you meet my husbands" nodding his head to each, "Heero and Duo. Our children, Rouo and Larie."

Smiling kindly "A pleasure to meet you all, gentlemen."

"Miss. Collins!" Duo bounced forward with his kid in arms and hugged the woman as if he had known her for years, smiling widely. "Welcome to the crazy table!"

"Do not mind Duo, m'am" Heero stepped forward shaking her hand grinning, "He's been dipping into the punch I'm afraid" he joked letting out a long suffering sigh, simultaneously ignoring the slap his American love gave him.

"Please, do call me Christen."

"Sure thing! Have a seat right there Christen." Sitting down himself Duo situated Rouo back in his lap, watching as the others took their seats, his Dragon love handing Teddy Bear back to his mother as she sat, before joining them four once more.

"So this is the little man we heard about three days back is he?"

"YUP!"

Larie beamed, "Hi!"

"Hello." Teddy Bear smiled shyly.

"How ya doin'?" Rouo put in, eyeing those around him. Was this going to be one of those boring "adult" parties? Or were they going to be let go to go play in the pen again?

Grinning back, trying to sit up straighter Teddy Bear waved it off, "M'good, thanks."

"Christen, if I may ask, how did you know I would be here this weekend?" Wufei wondered, finally asking what had been running circles in his mind.

Teddy Bears mother flushed slightly, ducking her head and giggled before raising it up to look at the three handsome men sitting across from her. Wufei she had heard about once before, but seeing him in person did him much more justice then her little boys describing of him. Loose black hair like silk flowed in the air with every move he made, indeed it added a sort of mystical look to him, with those beautifully doe almond eyes sparkling with life. All he needed, Christen thought, were pointed ears and he would be something mystical - en Elf, perhaps. Ahh, but to her little boys eyes, and her's as well, the young trucker was already something like a Heaven sent angel.

His two life mates - his husbands - were not lacking in the looks department either. What was his name? Duo? That was a striking man had she ever seen one with that long braid of hair hanging down his back and those mysterious violet-blue eyes twinkling in the room's lighting. He looked to be a hand full. Somehow the impression of the braided one being just one huge kid came to her mind. She smiled, eyes roaming to the last man. Heero? Such an unusual name. He was beautiful; if ever a word should be used for a man! Slim, near looking as if he neglected in eating - but that wasn't so! Look at those muscles her mind prodded. No, this Asian man was simply lithely built, his face softly curved, passionate blue eyes watching everything around him, taking it all in and enjoying it; he was very relaxed she notice happily. Why did that thought seem as if it wasn't usually his style?

Shaking her head smiling, Christen nodded towards Wufei himself.

"I'm afraid you gave the information to my boy here while talking... about going to some large party or whatnot... I do believe one of your friends was listening to the CB that night and took it upon himself to bring us here."

"Our friend?" Heero frowned in thought. Who could've...?

Then it came, a loud hearty laugh from the other side of their table. Heads snapped up, curious, wondering, and locked onto the form of a tall young man with reddish-brown hair, strong build and three other people walking with him.

Allah they needed more chairs!

When was his story going to be told??

Shocked, Heero stood with Larie in arms; "Copperhead??" was his breathy reply. They hadn't seen him outside of trucking... ever.

"Hey Wing! Long time no see!"

"Holy-wow!" cutting himself off flushing Duo grinned widely. "Boy look at you!"

"Shinigami! Dragon! Good ta be seein' ya again guys! I thought I'd just might help that little lady and 'er boy ta be seein' ye again Dragon. They'd been mighty appreciatin' of yer help them days ago..." scratching the back of his neck sheepishly Copperhead grinned... "And it was on out way down ta meet up with ye so..."

Slapping her husband on the back of his head, Copperheads wife smiled kindly, "We decided to stop by and give them a lift. I hope no one minds?" looking around hopefully.

"No! No, not at all!" Quatre replied smiling kindly, "You all are more then welcome to stay here for as long as you like. I don't mind at all and we've more then enough rooms, right love?"

Seeing this as his cue Trowa nodded, offering up a small smile of his own, "Of course. We would be happy to have you all stay for a while. It is Christmas, let us enjoy it together?"

"Oh thank you! Thank you very much!" Christen gushed, teary eyed.

Getting up and patting the young woman's should Quatre gestured for more chairs to be brought for the new additions to their table before taking his seat again.

"Ah Wing, man m'sorra... Were y'all talkin'?"

"Hn" grinning with a nod Heero swerved his head, taking in all the people gathered at they're table now... All who were about to hear they're five year tale. "Something like that."

Laughing Duo slapped his husbands back. "Man, you remember how we were sayin' we ain't seen some friends in like - say five years?"

"Nearly six" came a mumble from someone.

"Aye."

"Well then!" putting Rouo in his chair as he stood Duo made his way around the room in a fashion that had Larie thinking of them playing Duck, Duck, Goose!

"I'd like y'all to meet blondie here, Quatre; his husband, Trowa. Then there's this giant of a man here, that's Rasid, they're chief of the guards." He snickered dodge the hand aiming for him. "Then we're got these two lovely ladies here, Noin and Sally. Oh! And that one over there... that's Catherine, she's kinda mean so beware!"

"HEY! I am NOT!"

Sticking out his tongue he went on, "This here's Heero's mentor, Doc. J; mine, Professor G; Quatre's, Instructor H; Wufei's Master O, and Trowa's Doktor S." Moving around the other side he pointed out, "And that goofy guy there is Howard, he's my other teacher, kinda like my dad."

"Goodness gracious!" Christen exclaimed shocked, "You've been out of touch with all of these people, Wufei?" Though she called him out, and was looking at him, the question was in fact for any of the three men that cared to answer it. It was obvious to her that the others gathered were waiting to hear the explanation for that as well... Surely it would be a long one.

Coloring slightly, all three men nodded.

"My Lord men! What could be the cause of such a long pass over, eh?" Copperhead's wife asked, bouncing her baby gently on her knee.

"Ahem!"

"Yes Dorothy?" Heero quarried, glad to have the attention off of them for even a short while so he might be able to gather his thoughts about him.

Smirking, Standing from her chair, the white-blonde threw a playful glare to her braided friend saying hauntingly, "I do believe we were left out of that introduction Mister Chang-Yuy-Maxwell!"

"Well golly gee! So you were!" laughing at the forked brow lass, the jovial American sketched a bow as best was able with a kid sitting in his lap and turned to the newbies to they're group. "Ladies and gent do allow me the most pleasure I can get from these people" snicker, "To introduce, Madame Relena Peacecraft-Catalonia, and Madame Dorothy Catalonia-Peacecraft."

There he paused a moment seeming to look around for someone, just noticing who was missing. "Relena babe... Where's that rogue brother of yours?"

"Oh" waving her hand about dismissively, "He's probably out dancing around there somewhere wooing some poor girl." At this the whole table laughed. It was pretty damn true... in most cases. Relena smiled innocently.

"Holy Moses and spur shuckin' horses!! Doro got married!?" This was Copperhead. This was Copperhead shocked.

Dorothy smirked walking over to hug her startled cousin with a fierce grip. "It's good to see you think me so able, Cousin."

"Well I'll be a monkeys uncle!"

"You almost are, Copper."

"HEY!"

"COUSIN!?" Silence. Thoughtful for just a mere second; then loudness returned. "Of WHO!?"

Flushing, Copperhead had the most appraised grace to hang his head and, scratching it, reply in a sheepish voice, "Well... Doro's here... and Treize..." looking up with a wide grin, "Never did wonder why I knew much aboutcha, didja?"

Come to think of it, Wufei mused, Copperhead had never once really asked about their pasts... almost as if he knew... Eyes widening, mouth slowly opening, they're Chinese Dragon did his best to close it and accept things as they were. It was no use trying to untie all the knots and mysteries of life... If one did so, there would be nothing left worth living or exploring.

"People."

"Yes Qat?"

"STORY!"

Laughing at the irate blonde - oh he wasn't really that mad, just upset they hadn't kept in touch for so long. Quatre was a very people type person. He liked to know what his friends were up to, how they were doing and what all was going on with them as much as he could. It wasn't as if he were keeping them on a leash or anything... it was just... Well being in the war and loosing so many people dear to ones heart, made them realize just how precious life and friends were. Quatre made sure to keep tabs on his. To be out of touch for five, nearly six years, means anything bad could've happened to them. And no doubt the blonde would've spent all he could fussing over them, trying to find them...

Knot forming in his gut, Heero knew it was guilt... mingled with that though, not really being able to help it, was amusement over how they're little blonde Arabian was now acting. Like a kid on Christmas Eve being told he couldn't open his one present just yet... he had to wait five more minutes and didn't wish to wait them!

Chuckling over it, Heero bent down to both kids explaining that there would be very long discussion going on between the "grown ups" and they should go play.

Little Larie agreed to this suggestion on one condition! They had to - absolutly had to! - call for them when they got to the part about telling how him and Daddy and Wufa got her and her brother. It never failed, since she was old enough to listen, to understand, she'd always loved hearing that story about that, so, she wanted to hear it once more.

Smiling and patting her butt to send her off her Pawpaw promised they'd retrieve the kids once they reached that part of the telling, and until then, for them to go play and have fun.

Giggling merrily both children nodded and ran off.

.

~ * @ * ~

'

Okay, this was it! They were away from their fathers now. It was great to be with them, but they hadn't been together in a long while, so she knew it was best to leave them to talk with the other grown people. 'Sides, she didn't want to see her Daddy embarrassing the others. It was funny, but the blonde one - Quatre oji-san - turned all red and looked like he wanted to crawl under a rock somewhere... so she decided to go play with her brother and the other kids.

It was a blast! They got to go into another room besides the large "play pen" in the ballroom, and play with paints! There was a cute blue cat with purple eyes and a dog with pointed ears and a forked tail. Larie had no Earthly idea what her goofy brother was thinking when he decided to add his own "jazz" to her art!

It didn't need "jazz!" It needed trees and flowers! Sigh. Rouo already painted it though while she was getting more pretty colors, so she couldn't do anything about it now; just sigh and plot revenge for when they got home 'cause she was a good girl, she wouldn't cause any problems while at the party. Nope. That was her brother's job, not hers.

Smiling as she picked up the brushes and paint wet rags, Larie tottered over to the cleaning bucket and started on her mess. Her paint-splattered brother joined her a few minutes later. Larie giggled. He was so messy! Amazingly though to her surprise, none on his pretty shirt that Oba-san Noin and Sally took her to go buy! For that, she was happy and giggled again.

Welp, that was fun. Rouo grinned ear to ear as he dropped his brushes and rags into the cleaning bucket, watching in childish glee as some of the wet color drowned water splashed out to land on his sisters nice pants. Rouo decided he wanted a pair like that. They were fluffy like Wufa's, but smaller for kids. Yep, he wanted a pair.

With a smirk crossing his Rouo started cleaning with his sister.

Okay there! All done now. Smiling brightly Larie was ready to stand up and go put her things away when her brother's hand landed on her leg, causing her to stop and glance at him curiously. "What?"

"Help me?" Rouo asked, his eyes big and pleading. Sadly, poor little Larie didn't know what she was getting into as she nodded with a high chirped "Okay!"

Minute's later, brushes clean and dry; Larie was starting to stand once more to put them ALL away, when her brother yet again captured her attention with ringing out a rag. That was nothing right? Just getting the water out of a clean rag... Nope, nothing to worry about there, her mind whispered... Then another voice piped up in warning of the deviously bright light shinning in her brother's eyes.

That wasn't good.

That little, innocent thought was proven right a minute later as Rouo's loud laughter rang out, faded into the background as he ran away.

And what was he laughing about? Larie thought sourly, squatting in shocked silence as water dripped onto her pert little nose, ran down the side of her face from the wet rag now informally introduced to her head... Via her brother's throwing arms...

Ohhh he was going to get it! The little girl didn't know how, didn't know when, but as soon as she was cleaned and dried, her brother died! No father was going to save him this time! Hmph. She'd show him!

It was with that sisterly love, that Larie tore the rag off her small head, hands ringing it out like her brother SHOULD have done. Gather ALL the supplies, she headed to the tables, dumped them in the right buckets, nodded curtly to the big giant man - Abdul - like her Pawpaw was known for, before tamping out from the room.

She ignored the curious look Abdul threw her way.

But, she stopped.

What was she going to do? They were at a party and she didn't have anything here to play with to get him back! Throwing food and drinks was just wrong! She wouldn't do that and embarrass her fathers. No, that wouldn't do at all.

Suddenly it hit her. A memory her Daddy told her one time... and then another smacked her upside the head of her asking her Pawpaw a favor for her... THAT WAS IT!!

Larie was now a girl on a mission!

Giving her self a curt little nod, eyes narrowing just a little so she could still see lots. Wouldn't do good to run into people! She set off with a determined strut to the one she knew could help her without question: her Pawpaw.

A little girl's best ally was her Pawpaw!

Weaving and dancing through the grown people making difficult obstacles of themselves, Larie could finally see her fathers gathered around her Oji-san's and others, chattering away like 'old times'... or no, that wasn't right. Daddy told her Pawpaw didn't talk a lot back then... so yeah, like new times!

Wiping the grin from her face, approaching her destination, she stood in what she hopped was a rigid "I'm a determined little girl" pose and LOOKED at her Pawpaw... waiting.

All conversation stopped at the small girls approach, everyone smiled warmly at Larie. She was a cute little thing! Quatre had the urge to pull her into a hug and pinch her cheek, but the look she was sending his ex-Perfect Soldier friend enlightened him that if he tried, she'd retaliate in someway he really didn't want to find out about. So he sat back, and watched.

Watching the approach of his little munchkin, Duo smiled. The shirts Larie had the wonderful idea to make were beautiful! And hers that almost doubled as a nightshirt was just the cutest he'd seen. But the look in his daughter's eyes had him throwing a concerned look to his Asian lovers, only connecting with his Dragon; Angel was busy studying their daughter... or so it looked...

"Hai, Larie-chan?" Heero's smooth baritone questioned; inwardly he was flying through the possibilities of what could have gone wrong. Where was Rouo? Why wasn't he escorting his sister like he was supposed to be? However, the look his daughter was sending him stilled those questions.

Sticking out her hand calmly, Larie's light voiced asked him, with barely hidden frustration and glee, "Pawpaw! Where's my water gun??"

Ah. Well, that answered all flying questions, sending them crashing to the ground. Without a word, lips curling back into a grin, Heero put his right hand behind his back and pulled it back, extending his hand to his daughter to reveal a slightly larger then normal sized water pistol.

"ARIGATOU!!!" refusing the urge to hug her Pawpaw, Larie settled for a hurriedly sketched bow before whipping around on her heels and started searching for her little bugger of a brother. An evil childish crackle broke the happy atmosphere of the party as a single thought filtered through her little mind.

Her brother didn't have his gun!

Back with her fathers, Heero calmly sat back down, slouching into his seat with a wide proud smirk gracing his face, deep blue eyes twinkling with barely repressed laughter as he watched his little girl's mission sure steps carry her away.

He bluntly ignored the looks of shock and disbelief of pulling a *water gun* of all things, out from the back of his pants. He'd never tell anyone how he was able to do that little trick. Shoulders bunching and releasing as he laughed quietly, Heero tried spurring the conversation back onto something other then his "Spandex Space".

Like back onto speaking of their marriage and five year silence for instance. So far that was going pretty well for them... No one had lashed out in frustration at them... yet...

Larie strolled away from her Pawpaw with pretty sure steps. She didn't know where her brother was yet, but she'd find him!

Her Brat Detector wasn't going off yet. That wasn't acp-asess... What was the word her Wufa used? Aset... no that wasn't it... Oh! Acceptable! That was it! It wasn't acceptable!

Having lost trail of her brother's really strange laughter rolling around with the other kids Larie was about ready to start yelling for him. But that would cause attention from the grownups that she didn't want, and didn't want to force on her fathers. Nope, she wasn't going to embarrass them for anything! Not even if some of the other grownups might've thought it funny.

Now she was shuffling around, carefully, in the large "play pen" - which was really like a small open room inside another room, it was BIG! but it was cornered off with a white fence deal, so it looked like a baby's play pen... but no one was complaining - looking for her brother. Little Larie didn't know if he'd caught sight of her gun or not, probably wondered where it came from, but she wasn't gonna tell!

A grin crossed her cute face. She'd asked her Pawpaw a long while back if he'd hold it for her, and it looked like he did! That's a very long time her mind decided and giggled happily. She loved her Pawpaw like her Daddy and Wufa, but if she had a favorite most the times ('cause she didn't like choosing) it'd have to be her Pawpaw.

A curling-pitched snigger caught Larie's attention. Spinning around, stomping one little foot to keep from continuing to spin in her slick bottomed shoes, she stopped. Wide vibrant green eyes widened as they settled on her brother's taller form nestled in a group of boys and girls laughing like a dork!

Oh well, her mind smirked like her Daddy, easier shot for me!

Sneaking a little closer to the group, being extremely careful that her shoes didn't go 'click-clap' and give her away, Larie aimed her wee gun, squinting one eye, the other trained on her brothers back and pulled the trigger.

"WWHHHAA-" turning quickly, a hand going to the back of his now went shirt, Rouo frowned deeply in surprise, bright greens glaring playfully at his sister. Dang it! Where in Hades had she gotten her gun from!? A distinct itch started at the back of his mind, something about that reappearing act seemed ofly familiar, but he couldn't recall from where or what of...

Instead, he slowly started backing away from the group he'd been talking with about different Anime's and decided it was best to pick a new hiding spot. His fathers always told him the best thing to do in a war - and this was one! - was to get away from all innocent parties and just duke it out between you and whoever was fighting you.

Well! This was a battle between his sis and him, and he wasn't going to loose! And to not loose, he needed to get off his little butt and find a weapon to use! Fast! Gah... this wasn't good! Did Quatre-oji have a water gun around here he could use? He could really use one about right now. His sister was slowing walking towards him, a sparkling gleam in her eyes.

Being defenseless sucks, Rouo's mind muttered darkly. One kid had a stack of foam building blocks... Wonder if he'd be overly upset if he borrowed one of them? Chuckling, small smirk tugging at his lips Rouo leaned over whispering a quick "Sorra man!" before snatching up a non-used block like an 'L' and chunked it at his sister.

It bounced off her shoulder without her even so much as flinching.

Larie grinned. Her trigger finger tightened...

"AHHH!!!!" Well now he'd done it! "NOT FAIR!! NOT FAIR!!!" taking off at a rabbit eating ground pace Rouo tore out of the "play pen" and out of sight, turning quite a few grownup heads in his direction, but he didn't care; his shirt was really starting to drop down his back now and it was really in his best... umm what was that word again? Interest? Yeah that was it! It was in his best interest if he got away from his sis for a bit, or find a weapon to fight back with, and until then he'd hide.

Like his Daddy, he was good at hiding.

Grinning, he fled further away from his sister looking for a really good spot.

Back in the "play pen" Larie grinned, cocking her water gun for another round and started after her fleeing brother.

Now she knew why her fathers liked to go to that big building where they got colored guns and shot at each other. She thought it'd hurt to do that! And didn't they love one another? Why shoot at them then? Well she'd asked and found out that, yes, it did hurt, really bad, but it was fun and erm... exciting? So that's why they did it. Even if they came out all messy and different colors - but they always had really goofy grins on their faces, so she knew it wasn't done out of them not likin' each other any more.

Now she understood. It was fun chasing someone else when you had to find them! You got all warm and your breath kinda got fast when you knew they were close and you didn't know where or what they'd do back to you when they didn't have their water gun. Yup, this was really fun!

With that last thought, Larie tore from the "play pen's" entrance gate and out where her brother was last seen.

.

~ * @ * ~

'

Good Allah, how much things can change in over five years... Duo, Wufei, Heero... all married and with two children! The stunned smile on Quatre's face was brilliant, his aqua eyes tearing up in happiness that things had worked out so well for his friends. He hadn't the full story yet - they were taking a break, but it was shocking so far.

He had been worried over the years about them, only getting e-mails every so often from them, but never telling of exactly what was going on. They only spoke of being well, trucking doing excellent and that they'd send word at a later date when they reached their next drop point - Never more then that.

Quatre had to admit that he was becoming a little more then irritated at not being gifted with at least more details. Especially when note came they had finally found a place to settle down and were currently adding on to it, they had to get back to building and would send another letter in the future.

He scowled mentally. That 'future letter' never came.

Sally and Noin came for arbitrary visits now and then and would share some sort of news on the three elusive boys, but that hardly helped to cure his worry for them.

Three visits in five years really didn't cut it.

Now however, watching as their Dragon cuddled closer to their Heart (shedding the Soldier, left his Heart free), Quatre was content to see how much they're faces glowed being together. Duo, the Joy and Death (the name would never leave him) of their small circle, was contently leaning against Heero's other side.

Heero, for all of his never showing emotions during the war (for reasons Quatre now understood very well) had never looked more at peace, or home, with himself. One arm wrapped around slim caramel shoulders, pulling Wufei into his side, Heero's head leaning lightly on top of silky raven hair, a smile playing on his lips while his other arm lye over his stretched out legs, fingers intertwined with those of Duo's long slim ones. His body looked so relaxed Quatre imagined with a smirk, Heero would look the same way sitting in a nice steaming tub of hot water after a long days work.

Shaking his head clear, eyes swinging to his lover whom was playing with Kathy's little girl, Cecila, had the Arabian smiling all over again. So much had changed in five years! Oh by the Gods, how good it felt to see all his friends living the "good life" full of love and fortune. Everyone had settled so well into Peace it was amazing when he thought back to all the troubled stumbles they had had in the beginning of it all... but now... Just look at them! Families! He wanted to giggle with the joy radiating off of everyone near him.

Winking to his lover Quatre stood up, nodding to the tri-married group and to Sally, Noin, Howard, they're mentors, Zechs, and Lady Une, all of which joined into their growing group when they heard Heero - the Ex-Perfect I Don't Talk To Anyone Soldier - telling the story of their five year absence to everyone. "If you'll excuse me, I need to stretch my legs and get some fresh air"

Ignoring the concerned looks with a warm smile, he turned and walked with a bouncing step towards the patio. It wasn't a lie, he did need to stretch his legs; he hadn't sat that still in ages! And the emotions floating off his friends, while wondrous to feel, were a bit overwhelming at the moment combined with his own.

The time spent in the gardens wasn't quiet aware to the smaller man as he made his way back towards the party, but as he did so, the lights (or was it the laughter?) from the kitchens back area caught his attention; intrigued, Quatre started over, and stopped abruptly just inside the threshold.

"No, no!" giggling sounded from somewhere in the middle, a light crystal bell sound that had his heart lifting in spirits again, "That's not how you do it Mr. Resh!"

The grown men around the child gave differing barks of laughter at that, even the man whose name she didn't get correct.

"I beg your pardon then Ms. Larie, why do you not show us how to correctly peel this mighty fruit then, yes?"

"SURE!" came the mighty chirp. "See, you gotta go like this - erm, here you gotta do that, m'not supposed to use a sharp knife yet..."

Quatre skirted himself around the outside of the group to get a better look at what was going on, though it wasn't hard to note Rasid was near the middle, his massive frame tilted over looking at something else, the child perhaps? Making his way to the front, still unseen, he smiled, watching as a little girl in a gray shirt, picture of two angels on the back of it, covering the top of her dress slacks, stood on top of a step stool, her violet locks tumbling forward in light curls as she watched Rasid's mighty hand cut the fruit in question without a problem, giving a happy squeal as both halves fell away.

"There you are Ms. Larie."

It took a minute, a few times blinking, before Quatre's wide aqua eyes took in the body before him and did indeed place her as Heero, Duo and Wufei's adopted child. Feeling as if a large sweat drop was rolling down his face (as often he pictured one doing on the American's) Quatre berated himself for not identifying her earlier - granted he had only seen her up close about three times and there were so many children running around!

Shaking his head he turned back, watching as Larie chirped out a loud "Thanks!" before picking the fruit up in her hands and started trying to peel the sides apart.

It was cute, watching as her nose scrunched up when one of the seeds popped squirting juice onto her face, the way her tongue poked out of her mouth, hanging out the side as she concentrated. "See, ya gotta, like" she peeled a part back, "Then ya need ta pull this part 'ere off an' then..." she showed them how to pull the thin film between seed parting before peeling more of the skin back to expose more seeds.

For his part, Quatre decided he should be given a medal for composure as he fought from laughing and inadvertently disturbing the large group.

True enough, it would be plain "cute" if it was only one small girl - Larie - trying to show a grown man - Rasid - how to peel a simple fruit without causing such a big mess as there was all around them with three others of the same kind... Yet it was made so damn hilarious, was the fact that it WASN'T just a girl and grown man.

It was a little girl and fifteen of his forty Managic's that showed up tonight! That in itself wouldn't be so bad, funny definitely... But the kicker... the most humbling and drop dead with laughter part about it was - all the men were taking NOTES!!

He hadn't thought it to be so, that perhaps they were merely looking like they were to humor little Larie, but he was sadly proven wrong as he inched closer to Abdul to see just what was being written, and saw that it was detailed notes and a smaller picture of Larie as she worked.

That was it; Quatre couldn't stay there any longer without fear he would catch someone's attention and disturb them all.

Quickly exiting kitchen left, he entered the hallway, making his way swiftly back to the ballroom and to his friends before he let his laughter burst forth while falling into his seat holding his sides. He tried... Allah how he tried! To explain to his friends just what the cause for his humor was, and between gasps for air, managed to tell them. The Chang-Maxwell-Yuy's laughed along with him, nodded their heads admitting that was indeed, something They're Larie would do, wide proud smiles on their faces, while the others shook their heads and hurried off to see for themselves; that a small girl of nearly four years old was teaching a large group of grown men how to peel a pomegranate.

Half an hour later though...

"I still don't get it."

"What do you not understand, Quatre?" Master O inquired from his place behind Heero and Wufei.

Scratching an annoying place on his arm, the shirt not agreeing with it, Quatre frowned, "The silence? Why wouldn't you three have kept in better touch with us? I mean... five years?"

Heero, Wufei and Duo (surprisingly in that order) had tried they're best to explain the whole marriage deal.

Apparently, the trio had spent six months after the Eve Wars, from the time of they're settling on trucking as being they're means in life; had taken the time to learn more about one another, to draw closer, and to pull one Heero Yuy from out of his shell. In that mission they had accomplished more then ever thought. Quatre was not one to complain in the least. Having heard the Japanese man laugh, witness him smile and grin more in two hours then he had in two years...?

No, he wasn't complaining one bit.

After six months of "getting to know one another" - Heero assured the blonde it was more as if "annoying the living hell out of me!" to get him to open up, but he had enjoyed it immensely. After all those months talking, trucking, coming together better... They had decided to stay together - for life. It was explained to be a tentative thing. Just a sort of "try out" to see where things would lead...

It led - quite literally - into Sally and Noin.

Walking through one of the suggested neighborhoods years ago, speaking of the houses they had viewed; Heero wasn't watching where he was going and slammed into someone, each side falling to the ground with surprised cries. Opposite cry of his own turned out to be female... familiarly female. Low and behold upon opening his eyes and standing with Wufei's help: was Sally Po and Lucrezia Noin.

To make a long story short - Duo cut in - they crashed into one another, threw greetings, decided to keep walking and chatting. Eventually the two ladies helped them decide on a house. Lucky enough it wasn't far from they're own home. And thus, over three months of living there, turning it into they're own home and growing closer to Sally and Noin; Duo popped the question.

Remembering the color his Japanese and Chinese friends' faces went at this part, Quatre chuckled lowly. Overly shocked to put it simply, they had nodded numbly, requesting a day to think on it - seriously think on it. That was a massive life changing aspect to go through. It wouldn't have meant too much change, Quatre was sure, since they were currently already living with one another, knew each other quite well, and ran a business together.

It hadn't taken much thought after all, the Arabian learned.

The next morning upon awakening Duo found himself the victim of twin bear hugs with joyous "YES!"s echoed in his ears. As per his personality, the ex-Deathscythe Hell pilot hadn't wasted anytime calling up Sally and Noin to be the best people present and then calling an old priest friend from L2 to perform the wedding, here on Earth. Just a small thing, him, his loves, Sally, Noin and the Priest.

That was it. They were married.

Quatre could understand this. It was semi-sort of rushed. They hadn't wanted anything big (and Quatre knew he would've insisted upon doing so for them), and wanted it done soon. This was perfectly fine with the blonde Arabian. What was not fine, was the absence of five years worth of talking!

Getting married left no reason for not speaking with your friends!

"I umm..." scratching at his neck shrugging, "I donno Qat... heh Honestly... I guess I didn't even notice I was - we were - doing that..." another shrug and Duo smiled apologetically, "Talkin' to Sal and Noin kinda seemed like I wasn't leavin' y'all alone."

Aside from him one husband shorted in amusement.

"Hey!" Duo cried in defense, "I wrote 'em e-mails!" there he paused. "...well most of them anyways..."

Surprisingly it was Doctor J who took up the next space to speak. "You did indeed keep us informed boy. My thanks."

"heh No probs Doc."

"Duo? Only e-mails?" Trowa tried for his lover to get the answer they sought. Though if he were to be honest with any of them, he didn't really expect to have one offered that would sate his husband's wanting. Sometimes, people just loose track of time and of friends. Trowa could understand what Duo was talking about on speaking with Noin and Sally seeming as if he weren't forgetting anyone - and he did send them e-mails at times. The letters others got, would soon find ways to reach his own ears; so to be true, the Chang-Yuy-Maxwell Clan, were never really out of touch.

Seeing they were going to be stuck on this discussion for quite a while if something were not done about it, Heero raised his free hand to still anyone else's speaking. "Quatre..." his soft voice spoke above all the noise.

"Yes?" Facing his Japanese friend at his name.

"Can you tell us, please, why you've not set about trying to get in touch with us, when there was no communication from either three of us?" Turn the question back at the Arabian. While he had not heard from them in over five years; they in turn, had not heard from Quatre.

"I-" don't know, was whispered in his mind. Why hadn't he called around trying to find them? Why lay all his faith in another e-mail that may or may not come? It shouldn't have been so hard, Quatre knew, to flip on the comm. and search for either of their numbers, or number as the case now be... So why hadn't he?

"You don't know, do you?"

"The years didn't truly seem like years - like that long, had they, Qat?" smiling kindly the American smiled for his friend. Quatre were a sheepishly sad expression on his face; Duo didn't wish to see it there. They were only trying to prove a point... Sometimes the years don't really seem like years. Time passes on the fly often, making weeks seem like only days... months like only days... years like months. He hadn't even realized five years had passed before the invitation came for this Christmas Ball...

Come to think of it... eyes narrowing, locking on the blonde... how had that invitation come to them?

"Qat, my man..." cutting off the conversation around him.

"Yes Duo?"

Arching one fine brow, eyes still narrowed into beautiful slits, the American inquired, "How did your invitation find us if you couldn't? How'd it end up in our mailbox when you've never sent us anything else, let alone called?"

"This is true." Heero learned forward intrigued, "If you knew of our address, you could have easily found out our comm. number and called us."

Smiling, Trowa answered that one.

"Amore startled himself out of work one day weeks ago with the idea to search for you." Chuckling he explained, "I don't know why neither of us ever thought to do so before... nonetheless, we searched and found each of you, one address, and sent the invitation out."

Quatre nodded, gripping his loves hand, "I don't know what to say Duo, Heero, Wufei... I suppose... since we hadn't talked in so long, and I'd just found your address... I'd still not talk to you all" shaking his head, "I guess I just didn't know where to start, you know? After so long a silence, what was I supposed to say?" giving a light shrug and smile.

"So we decided just to let it go to you, let things be, and if you came, we would pick up the pieces and not let it happen again." Trowa finished.

"Good thinking. Alright, I forgive ya if ya forgive Us."

Standing along with Trowa, moving towards they're three friends, Quatre hugged each of them, his husband doing the same, "It's a deal." Once they sat again, the little blonde minx didn't hesitate or give his friend's time to breath a sigh of relief. "NOW! How about these adorable children of yours!"

Smiling his Maxwell charmer Duo nodded while Heero requested one of the closest servants to fetch his kids for him. The grin Quatre was gifting them with spoke of how much this story he was aching to hear! It wasn't all that grand of one, he supposed, but it was still a heart warming one of how they came to adopt such wonderful children. Perhaps then, after this story, they would head off to find they're rooms and sleep until late afternoon?

"WUFA! PAWPAW!!!" running as fast as she could little Larie threw herself right between her Pawpaw and Wufa, hugging them both around the waists! "HI!" she chirped happily. She had fun teaching the big men to peel that orange like thing! So silly! They didn't know how to do it! And then later, she was able to find her brother and squirt him down really good! She'd gotten his shirt wet... so a nice lady in black and white had to take her brother and his shirt to be dried really quick. Then her brother came looking for her to get her back! But he didn't find her. She was hiding behind the big men!

Larie giggled being hauled up to sit on each of her fathers knees, their arms crisscrossed behind her, past the others, to hold her up right. Looking up the small violet haired girl gave her fathers the biggest smile she could muster!

"Where's Rouo?" Duo wondered aloud. Usually the little brat was right behind his sister...

"Oh! He's coming!" came the giggled voice.

Each father raised an eyebrow at this statement. What had Larie done this time?

Then it hit Heero, and he smirked holding his hand out. It was oddly amusing and an endearing thing, he'd come to find out... that his daughter had somehow picked up on how to hide items on her bring, without them being seen, as he could just not as well.

And sure enough! The little angel put her hand behind her and pulled out her water gun, handing it over and watching in fascination as her Pawpaw checked it out, nodded and then it just disappeared when his hand reached his waist! Wow! She wanted to be that good some day!

Not but a few minutes of quite conversation later had Rouo and Rasid turning a corner, coming they're way. Rouo looked a little pent up, his face frowning until he caught sight of his fathers. Then was when he broke out into a run for his Daddy, since the others had they're hands full with his sister. He didn't mind though! "DADDY!!"

"Umph!" catching his flying son, braid swinging by the action, Duo laughed, "Hey little man! What's up?"

"Nuttin'!" grin, frown, then a shrug, "Sis watered my shirt and some nice lady had to dry it for me!"

"Oh she did, did she?"

"Yes!"

"Well then," ruffling the boys hair, "You should learn to carry your water gun with you more often, eh?"

Sulking for a second Rouo nodded, "Guesso" then he grinned, "Story time?!"

"YEA!! Story time!!!" Larie cheered, bouncing on her father's knees happily knowing she wouldn't be going anywhere 'cause her fathers were the strongest in the universe! They wouldn't let anybody hurt them! Nu-uh, not in a million, trillion years!

Eyes sparkling with affectionate mirth watching the small family, the man knew this was right. This was what His Boy had always wanted; had always needed to have: a family. His Boy had always looked up to him (literally and figuratively speaking when he out grew him in height), shinning with a hopeful light that, despite all his knowledge, the elder man just could not place back then. And yet now, he knew that His Boy was looking at him with slight veiled affection and love... something even His Boy didn't know, understand, when he was smaller... but still he possessed it.

Now, sitting there in the body heated chair, blocking out all the music and annoying human chatter that he could, Doctor J was left smiling behind his hands stacked atop his cane, at the Boy whom he heartily took to being his own - not that anyone else would ever confront him about it! Oh no. He'd deny it. That was just how he was. He was seen, as Heero once was, with not having a heart - so why give people something else to talk about? But he did love His Boy. And so watching His Boy rub a hand up and down the little girl's back - Larie his mind supplied - Doctor J was comforted once again by the fact someone else had learned to love His Boy for whom he was, not what he could do. They saw in him what Doctor J had always known was alive and thriving inside the Soldier half... the lovable little man who needed love as much as the comfort someone could offer him... The one who wanted to be free of war and violence... The one who would willingly do anything it took to get rid of them.

Slipping down further in his seat at ease, happy for His Boy, Doctor J intentionally ignored the old fool next to him letting out a "sappy" sigh; sloughing himself.

"Idiot." J grunted, tapping him cane on the ground for something to do while he waited for the three to start they're story.

"Hey, grouch, you know as well as I do that you adore seeing them together like this?" J started to open his mouth but didn't get anything out as Professor G knocked him in his side, "Don't even ya old goat!"

"Damn" the comment caught they're attention, heads snapping to see five pair of eyes on them. "And I thought we were the ones married here!"

"DUO!"

"Yes, gentlemen?" lofty as ever, the braided King of Cracks tilted his head inquiringly.

"Good Helling raven you're a pain in the ass son!"

"Thanks Dad! I knew ya loved me!"

"Aww shut up and tell the da-oh hell, just tell the blasted story!"

Nodding with a laugh, each husband giving him a raised brow as if to say 'It's all yours love', Duo opened his mouth and from it... came the tale of two small children and how they came to be part of the Chang-Yuy-Maxwell Clan...

.

~oOo@oOo~

'

Snow fell; ice melted and refroze. Trees and bushes were weighted down with the powdery white stuff, spotted here and there, some completely covered, with ice - pieces every now and then falling off crashing to the ground below and shattering with a crystal twinkle. People ran in puffy clothes looking as if trying to impersonate Snowmen of all sizes. Stores were selling hot coco as fast as they could make them and those driving, were lucky to be going past ten miles an hour.

In short: It was butt-fucking COLD!

Several explicit phrases came to one man's mind... 'Colder then a witch's tit'... 'Warm balls turnin' to ice here!'... 'Colder then a well diggers ass'... 'It's so damn cold Junior's shriveled into a raisin!!'... last being his favorite... at the cold temperatures they were "suffering" for the sake of adventuring out from they're small town into larger ones for "he Hell of it".

Now the man was all for adventures... when it wasn't slowin' turnin' him into a Goddamn ice cube! Honestly! He couldn't feel his bloody fingers now! And damn it all, but holding onto the warm as ever hand of his Japanese mate wasn't doin' shit for it.

Duo frowned, watching as two females nearly skipped along in front of his husbands and he.

Why the hell weren't they cold? They weren't wearing nearly as much as he, and he was freezing his lovely ass off! And Noin... but damn she looked like she could poke someone's eye out! Now he wasn't one to look really, stare, or even go that direction at all... but well... you couldn't really help it when it was pretty noticeable through two layers of clothing and the jacket not even completely closed!

Bah! She was just... just... Hell he didn't know! Just something. Maybe she was secretly one of Hades' children like him... only she got all the heating capabilities! He had to be bundled between two other bodies to be warm! Not, that he was complaining or anything that is...

Heero surprisingly loved to cuddle. That wasn't something the American had ever thought he'd hear being confessed from the Japanese's mouth. It had something to do with Heero wanting to know someone did love him, was there for him and wouldn't leave him alone. Duo had only caught bits and pieces of the other's explaining it because of being in shock, and, his little Asian love was speaking the quickest Duo'd ever heard him! So, yeah, he missed some of it - but he got the gist of it!

His Fei-babe on the other hand... heh, that Chinese Dragon of his didn't mind cuddling at all, he liked it, wasn't one for doing it constantly, but he loved to just lye with them on the couch or the bed for hours at a time. Keep in mind though! This wasn't "cuddling" to the Dragon, this was "spending time with his mates". Duo chuckled smirking. Yea, right. Call it what he wanted - it was cuddling! Only when they did it to Fei, he was very content to just lay there still, letting the two of them cuddle up to him while Fei just held them.

Again. Duo wasn't complaining one bit. It was more then he'd ever hopped to of gotten married to them! Let alone to have someone to love him and hold him for no other reason then they wanted to. Then that they wished to show him they cared and wanted to be hugged at all. And just to be hugged - no ulterior motives involved. It was very lovely to do and know.

So with his Angel's arm around his left, Dragon's around his right, and Duo's own arms hugging the two around his waist, they followed Noin and Sally into yet another mall. It wasn't bad though. Could be worse. They could be stuck shopping with Relena!

He liked the girl. Relena had grown up since the Eve Wars - a lot in some areas... But one thing that would never change with her - even with Doro's helping insistence! - was the hell Relena represented when going to malls. You've heard of peoples' rooms looking like a hurricane just went through them?? Yes. Well. Picture a mall with Relena Peacecraft-Catalonia rampaging through it's stores and you've pretty much got what it's like to be shopping with the Princess. You needed heat packs for your arms and aching knees by the end of the day!

It was funny as Hell though!

He'd made his Angel go with him on that trip. Fei-babe had something to do... dojo appointment or something... Perhaps he was jus trying to ease out of going and made something up at the last minute. Duo didn't really know, but he DID know there was no way in Hades' wonderful domain that Heero, his Angel, was getting out of going with him.

So. Relena drags them into the mall. They were following with anxious hearts. Last time they had dared to try such a venture, they were covering her ass because of assassin threats. Of course this to the blonde Princess only meant that she could have "Her Heero" closer to her and, of course, Duo watching both of they're backs! Well wasn't that just Dandy!

Any which was the ball was thrown... his Angel left the mall with two sore arms - Relena switching her hold on him. Hey, she may have dropped claim on the boy, but she did not stop her clinging to him... Duo didn't really mind all that much (now) it was kinda cute to see. His Angel loved Relena as a sister... so it was like sibling rivalry to watch them. Duo himself on the other hand... limped out with sore arms - somehow he became the bag carrier! Sore knees from squatting behind trash bends and pillars watching them. His ass hurt from falling on it when unexpected bags were thrown at him. Hell! One would think someone should be protecting him from Her!!

Angel and he left the mall that day totally terrified of the blonde Princess.

They took a cab back to the palace.

The second time they tried going to the mall with the Sanq Princess, it ended with his Angel nearly ready to throttle the blonde. Heero might love her like a sister - but he also wanted to kill her as only a brother could.

Having those memories floating around his braided head, had the American trucker wondering just what the mall trip with Noin and Sally would be like? They were definitely more mature then Relena; knew how to act in public even with friends around, they didn't get all crazy and start throwing stuff at people (usually, it depended on what you did!).

Since he didn't truly know what to expect from the two women, Duo chose to keep his mind open as it always was, and alert for any reason he might want to be vacating the area with maximum efficacy. Making sure to drag his lovers along too! Lets not get crazy and forget them now! No! No! No! Couldn't do that at all! He'd die first. The least he could say... it was going to be an interesting mall trip.

Little did the American know... it was going to be more then just plain "interesting".

.

~oOo@oOo~

'

"So what happened Duo? Why'd you stop?" Howard wondered peering over his sunglasses.

"G, you should have taught your pupil how to tell stories better."

"Oh stick it-" remembering the little kids, Professor G smiled evilly, "Why don't you just insert R3 into slot B1 and shut up alright? It wasn't in his training at the time! Besides" he grinned, "he already knew how to tell stories quite well."

Dup grinned, "Thank you very much!"

"Then why did you stop Max-" this new naming of they're boys was going to take some time to get used to; them being married. Even still, calling them by they're first names would save troubles, but also in the same light, take some time to adjust to. "Why did you stop Duo?" Master O repeated himself, offering a tentative smile as the boy in question turned to peer at him.

Violet eyes twinkled at hearing his first name off that particular pair of lips. Master O was one of, if not The One, to train his dear Dragon love... training which was installed with calling people by their last names in show of respect. It was also proper where he grew up unless the person being addressed gave permission to the other to use their first name. So to hear it leave Master O's mouth with a hesitant air about it, made the American smile and wink at the man, assuring him it was A-OK with him!

"I don't know" he finally answered with a bored air about him, running and hand through Rouo's hair soothingly as the boy leaned against him lazily, content to be held by his father; those little eyes trying their best to stay open long enough to hear the story. "I thought maybe Sal or Noin would want a chance to tell it?" a shrug, "I figure, we've been doin' most the telling tonight... why not let them try? heh We can always pop in and add stuff!"

"Sally?" Doktor S inquired with a raised brow.

"Hmm" conferring with her wife a moment, she nodded, "Alright, we'll do it."

Smiling, Noin nodded, "Now where were we... Oh yes!"

Quickly deducing from a small clock attached to her wrist that telling the whole thing in detail with background information as her lovable brother was doing - would simply take too long this time. It was nearing eight o'clock... more then one person's eyes at the table were starting to droop... mainly her group that had driven to get there. Poor Heero... he was already leaning tiredly against Wufei, his head pillowed on the Chinese Dragon's shoulder, both his arms tightly, tenderly, holding Larie close to his chest. Wufei was watching them both with loving eyes, left right arm wrapped around her Japanese brother, his left lifted and letting his hand play through Larie's soft tresses.

No, going into details would have to wait for tomorrow or such time they had enough rest. For now, she knew what to do.

"We entered the mall like Duo said; they following up not really knowing what to expect. Can you blame them? Having to be drug about by a happy go lucky, hyper Sanq Princess! Really now!"

Sally smirked wagging a finger at said girl, "Such behavior Relena! I'm shocked!"

"You shouldn't be" Dorothy smirked earning a slap on the arm from her love.

"Any how, entering the mall we made way for a few stores; one that I knew housed things we'd all like. We came across some pretty neat stuff right then, but had decided to save actually buying anything aside from lunch, 'til the next day after we had more rest from driving all day to get there."

Nudging her wife Sally took over, "We were going to stop for lunch Duo was-"

"HEY! It wasn't just me!"

"-Duo was hungry and decided it was time to "chow!" We had the guys go on and find something to eat, there had been something else Noin wanted to look at first so we wondered off to see it."

Noin cut back in, "It was on our way to this crystal store we heard a commotion amongst the mall's middle section; where they usually host large events like here in Montgomery's Westside Mall. Being curious, we stepped on over and inquired what the problem was..."

"Turns out" Wufei smiled, "the regular man to be Santa had called in ill and would not be able to perform his duties for the time being. The mall was left with no Santa and plenty of small children who wished to see the magical man in al his glory - to tell of they're wishes and hopes."

"Hn." Cracking his eyes open more then mere slits Heero smirked, "Sally had the "wonderfully bright" idea of getting Duo to fill in for the guy. We didn't know why she thought to do this... we were only going to be there for a week, if that. But, as we all know and love, our Duo adored kids, and would do anything to help them."

"That's right!" the man cheered.

"And these two?" Quatre couldn't help but wonder motioning to the two nearly asleep kids. They were quite cute, snuggled into they're fathers laps, almost asleep but fighting it off to hear they're story. "Where do they come in??" How had his friend come across such fine children?

"As they all do Quatre... someone came to see Santa."

Brow furrowing, Copperhead wondered aloud, "'Someone', came to see Santa?"

"Hmm, yes. 'Someone'." Wufei smiled kindly at they're audience, "You see Larie here was only a mere babe when we adopted them. Rouo was nearly going on two years old at the time."

"Ahhh" several voices murmured as if they knew what was going on - They didn't have a clue.

"Please, continue..."

Noin shrugged, "Not much to tell really... We told Duo and the guys about the problem and he jumped at it. Wouldn't take no for an answer when we told him there was no replacement for Santa and the kids were already lined up. The guys in the back of Santa's Shop had to use a little extra padding on him, but they weren't complaining. Duo even turned down being paid for it if the money was sent to the orphanage near by instead."

"They agreed instantly" Sally smiled at her American brother. "So, Duo was Santa for the week."

"And the kids?" Christen asked, arm straying to her son's arm and holding it lovingly; Teddy Bear, like the truckers kids, was fighting to stay awake.

Letting himself get lost in memories Duo smiled looking down at his children, "~I was plain' Santa Claus downtown on Christmas Eve... when a Little Girl of three or four climbed up onto my knee~" chuckle, shaking his head, "~I could tell she had a Christmas wish behind those eye of blue, so I asked her "What's your name? What can Santa get for you?~"

Struggling to sit up, Rouo smiled widely, his mind tugging to remember that day. He hadn't gotten to sit on Santa's lap, but he was with the nice Sister that took 'em to the big building that day. The Sister wouldn't let him outta her arms the whole time, but he remembered what the little girl had said!

Rouo looked up at hid Daddy with large emerald eyes sparkling and said in a kid song voice, "~She said, "My name is Christmas Carol, I was born on Christmas Day, I don't know who my daddy is, and mommy's gone away...~" pausing to remember, it was a moment later, everyone's surprised attention on him, that Rouo went on; "~All I want for Christmas is someone to take me home. Does anybody want a Christmas Carol of their own?~"

Shocked, feeling a grin as wide as Texas spreading across his face with pride Duo ruffled his boy's hair. "Very good!! That's exactly right!" placing a kiss on top of the little violet haired head, Duo looked to the gathered group once more. "~Weel, all that I could say was Santa'd so the best he could, and I set her down and told her "Now remember to be good"... She said "I will" then walked away, turned and waved goodbye, and I'm glad she wasn't close enough to see old Santa cry.~"

"It was sweet and sad to watch the little girl sitting on his lap saying, ~My name is Christmas Carol, I was born on Christmas Day. I don't know who my daddy is, and mommy's gone away... All I want for Christmas is someone to take me home, does anybody want a Christmas Carol of their own?~"

Rasid was amazed at the three before him. They had grown so very much since the last time he had laid eyes upon their small forms. The tale of the two children was sweet, but yet... "This little girl then, she left?" Heero, half asleep nodded from leaning fully against Wufei. "Then, what of these two children then?"

"Well..." Sally started.

"~Early Christmas Morning I got up and dialed the phone. I made a few arrangements with the county children's home. They told me it would be all right to pick her up today...~" Duo trailed off with a sad sort of smile on his face.

Catching the look Dorothy tilted her head to the side. "What's the matter Duo?"

Smiling, "Oh nothing Dorothy dear... It jus took all week of talking with Heero and Wufei for them to decide if it'd be a good idea to adopt a child or not... there were... personal issues that needed to be assured before they could... When they finally got to the home the lady was upset and frantic... apologizing overly much for the wrong doing."

"Wrong doing?" one of the doctors asked.

"Yes" Noin smirked, "You see, someone had already adopted little Carol before Duo had called and the papers hadn't been logged into the computer yet... So they weren't able to get the little girl."

"Oh I'm sorry..." Christen sighed sadly.

"I'm not" their American grinned sitting up in his chair, lifting a hand to run through is almost asleep Angel's hair. "~Now my little Christmas Carol won't ever have to say... "My name is Christmas Carol, I was born on Christmas Day. I don't know who my daddy is and mommy's gone away... All I want for Christmas is someone to take me home... Does anybody want a Christmas Carol of their own?~"

Quatre smirked in return pointing out, "You didn't give up though."

"Heck no! Shinigami never gives up! Not after his loves agreed to adopt a kid with me!" Everyone knew of his wanting to have a family and children. There was no way in Hell or Heaven that the American would let that slip by him.

"So's I went and asked her if there was any fairly new children that had come in." he paused thinking, then, "She said there might've been and went to check. Didn't take long, she came out looking quite distressed saying there were twins brought in only three weeks ago. Real young kids whose parents had been killed in a car crash or some such, and I asked to see 'em." Duo shrugged. "We fell in love with them on sight!"

"You see, Rouo at almost two years old was sitting by the small bassinette Larie was set into, slowly rocking it and humming something to her. It was adorable to watch... Even Noin and I were tempted to snatch them up! But, we're not quite ready for kids yet."

"Awww..." sighing happily leaning back in her chair Relena smiled softly, "So you adopted the two of them then and there and went home?"

"Well... heh No. It took a lot of paper work and someone had to drive back with us to check the house out after our backgrounds were checked... then we were able to being them home... But it wouldn't have matter if it was right then, or later on... What matters is we were able to get them... To love them and teach them..."

The noise level had died down sometime during they're talking of adoption, five years of happenings and odd sort of things. Anything was possible with the doctors there! The band played softly in the background for those still left; and the ones gathered at Quatre's table were having a comfortable silence, each one reviewing and commenting to themselves over parts of the night's events. It wasn't 'til a soft snore, and then a contented little blurble caught their attention, that anyone paid notice to the time and condition two of them was in.

Tilting his head downward, slow tender smile lighting up his face at the sight, Wufei reached out a hand, light running it through the soft spiked hair of his Japanese husband. His completely knocked out, dead asleep husband, whom was holding on with a loving death grip to their daughter, assuring she didn't slip from his hold while asleep.

Ears easily picking up the sound as well Trowa turned from watching his blonde angel play with Cecila to see what had caused such a sound; what he saw made a full smile bloom across his face: a sleeping Asian Angel and his Charge. When was the last time he had seen Heero this relaxed? So open in public he was able to sleep there? Heaven's he remembered when a pin drop would wake the Wing pilot up. And now he could sleep through a band playing, people talking and still manage to hold his daughter tightly in his arms. He truly was content with his life. They all were. They might have had five years of silence... however that did not seem to put a damper on they're relationship - it strengthened it.

"We should retire to our rooms now. Rasid, please help with Heero and Larie. Abdul, Meja, please show Copperhead and his wife to they're quarters, then Miss. Christen and her son." Nodding the appointed men rose, ready to leave when the others were. With a few last words, to bed they all ventured, for their much-needed sleep. Tomorrow as a big day.

"It is a pleasure to meet all of you, sleep well and Merry Christmas."

.

~oOo~ * ~oOo~ * ~oOo~ * ~oOo~ * ~oOo~

'

Holy crap! I actually managed to end that at 36 pages even. One more hit of 'Enter' and it'd of been 37. ^_^

Okay, lets get the DISCLAIMERS, out of the way... I don't own the Guys. I don't own Red Sovine's "Truck Drivers Prayer"... or "Christmas Carol", it's owned by... whoever the heck sings it. I don't know! lol ^_^

::jumps around happily, tiredly:: IT'S BLOODY WELL FINISHED!!! ^____^

Alright, I admit, that's not *really* how I planned it to end... but since the SL kept changing as I went... ::shrugs slightly:: I think it was pretty good, all things considering... like it being 2am and I'm just finishing writing it up. ::grin-smirks::

Domo arigatou to EVERYONE that's stuck with me through this story and reviewed on it. Y'alls reviews've kept me going on it. I wanted to finis it on my own - gotta understand I won't leave a story unfinished. But y'all and y'alls reviews are like the boot to the ass to get me to keep writing on whatever stor it is y'all review on. ::bows:: Thank you very, very much for reading and reviewing. For reading at all! ^__~ I really do love y'all for it! ^_^ Please review? ~_^

I'd like to wish y'all a very Merry Christmas and hope y'all have a happy safe New year!! Maybe I'll catch y'all again on another story eh? ^_^ Take care now!!

'

Keep it kickin'! ~ AR.

.