Family
Chapter 24: Driving, Chinese New Year, Surprise Invitation
Author's note: Previously on Family, Everyone has a different way of celebrating the New Year and Fate nearly gave Heero the scare of his life. Also they spend some time together as it snowed.
This chapter is still broken down into short chapters. I guess it is funny how I can't seem to write short chapters when I have always been writing 20 pages plus for each chapter so far. Hence please forgive me if my chapters are still far too long to be considered short chapters.
Thank you for reading this story and I hope that you continue to support it. Please read and review, NO FLAMERS! Pairing: HeeroXOC
Chapter 24.1: Driving
After Colony 203, the next day, 9th January
Colony L1, VLA, Moonstone Mansion
Morning
Fate woke up feeling a little weak and dizzy. She has never felt so sick her entire life; she had suffered from motion sickness before, but this one of the worse ones. The first time she felt like this was the first time she sat in Heero's car. Duo had looked at her apologetically and told her that it happened to all of them and that she will get used to it. She eventually got used to Heero's ridiculously fast driving and the motion sickness was gone for good. But somehow after a year of not being in his car, she was suffering from motion sickness again.
Heero was surprised to find out that she was sick. But he was such a gentleman; he carried her up to her room and stayed by her side till night has fallen. She had tried to coax him to return to his office as she was aware that he left his work early, but Heero wouldn't leave her. He held her hand and watched her as she sleeps. But Federick came back and Fate didn't have the energy to argue with Federick when Federick literally chased Heero home. Heero went home but he promised to be here in the morning. Fate asked him not to as she was aware that he still needs to work tomorrow morning.
She slowly sat up on the bed and waited for her head to clear before slowly standing up. She wore her robe over her nightgown and went out of her room to check on Federick. She didn't want Federick to take a day off just to look after her. She washed up instead when she couldn't find Federick in his room. Fate went down to the kitchen and was feeling a lot better after the rest that she had gotten. She asked for something light for breakfast and started to check her phone. She noticed that she has a few missed calls from Heero, Federick and Kimberly, her agent. She called Federick first and assured him that she was alright. After that she called Kimberly and asked about the appointments that she have to attend today. She hesitated before calling Heero back, was he free to even take a call? Before she could call him back, her phone rang instead. Fate was glad that it was from Heero. She picked up the phone call.
"Hello?" She asked.
"Fate, are you feeling better?" Heero asked.
"Yes." She replied softly.
"You don't sound too good." Heero commented.
"I'm still feeling a little dizzy, that's all."
"Do you need me to…?"
"No, I'm sure it will pass." Fate cut in almost immediately.
She wasn't going to let Heero miss another day at work because of her.
"Are you sure? I can come over after work." Heero told her.
"I have some activities planned until late at night." Fate explained.
Heero was silent on the other end of the phone.
"I'm feeling better, really. So don't worry about me and just concentrate on your work." Fate told him.
Heero continued to stay silent.
"I will see you soon?" Fate asked.
She waited for Heero's reply, but he didn't say a single word. She heard someone calling him by his rank from behind.
"Lieutenant Colonel Wingate…" A man called out.
"Goodbye." Fate greeted and hung up almost immediately. She sighed and started to eat her breakfast. After that she took a hot bath, got dressed and went out to follow her tight schedule for the rest of the day.
At night, Blue Marine Pub
Night has fallen and tonight Heero surprised everyone by calling for an emergency meeting. At first Duo freaked out when he saw the text message but relaxed a little when he realized that the meeting place was at Blue Marine Pub. Time passed by really fast as all of them carried on with their work. The three Preventers left their office at around 9pm and went to Blue Marine Pub together. They weren't surprised to see that Heero was already there as he was always punctual.
"Yo, Buddy!" Duo exclaimed as he approached Heero who was sitting at their usual table.
Heero nodded at his friends and all of them sat down at the table and ordered their drinks. Heero didn't speak until all his friends' orders have arrived.
"So what's up with the emergency meeting?" Duo asked as he drank his drink.
"Am I a bad driver?" Heero asked them suddenly.
Wufei and Duo choked on their drinks, while Trowa seems to be trying very hard to keep his face blank but Heero could see that he was trying to stop himself from laughing. After Duo and Wufei had calmed down, Heero continued to stare at them as if waiting for their answer.
"Okay, what has happened to make you suddenly ask that question?" Duo asked.
"You have been driving for more than seven years and yet you ask that now?" Wufei asked instead.
Heero looked at Trowa who seems to be very calm now.
"You were a very good driver." Trowa admitted.
"Were?" Heero asked.
"You were good at it and have already mastered it when you were young, way before you can even get a driver's license." Trowa explained.
"It also explains why all of us got our driving license in a single test when we were 18." Wufei explained.
"But then things spiraled out of control." Duo commented.
"What does that mean?" Heero asked.
"You came up with cars that can drive a lot faster than the maximum speed of usual cars." Trowa told him.
Heero didn't see what was wrong with that.
"You ignored traffic speed limits and was too bloody fast for any of those police officers to catch you." Duo pointed out.
"And you mastered driving at such high speeds that you practically owned the road. But the problem with being so fast is that not everyone is driving at the same speed as you." Wufei explained.
"Everyone was much slower and naturally they blocked your path no matter where you were driving. You started to cut in and out of car lanes at dangerously high speeds to speed your way through congested roads." Duo continued on.
"That's when things became horrible." Trowa added.
Heero didn't seem to get the point, hence Wufei sighed.
"Has anyone ever not thrown up after sitting in your car for the first time?" Wufei asked.
"No." Heero admitted.
"We slowly got used to your driving, but it doesn't change the fact that every time I sit in your car, I feel like I'm sitting on one hell of a roller coaster ride." Duo told him.
Heero came to the conclusion that there was indeed something wrong with his driving and that he was driving way too fast. He was so used to it that he didn't realize it at all.
"It's actually a good thing though." Duo reminded him.
"How so?" Wufei asked.
"How many times have Heero managed to save the day by arriving on time or by arriving early with moments to spare?" Duo asked.
Wufei thought about it and realized that he couldn't count those times. It had happened almost all the time and Heero always ends up saving the day. Heero has never lost a car chase and has never lost sight of where their target is.
"Too many times to count." Trowa answered.
"Exactly." Duo told him.
"What are you implying?" Heero asked.
"Yes you are a horrible driver, but in a good way. I would hate it for you to go back to being a normal driver if it means you are going to lose a car chase." Duo told Heero.
Duo smiled at him and Wufei nods his head in agreement.
"Agreed." Wufei muttered.
"What happened in the first place that made you ask us about this?" Trowa asked.
"It's about Fate; she fell sick after sitting in my car for a few minutes." Heero said.
"Isn't she already used to your driving?" Wufei asked.
"I haven't driven anyone for a long time now." Heero added.
They knew that he was talking about the time when his leg was injured.
"Wait a minute, maybe next time we need to be more careful when we sit in your car again." Duo told them.
"Yes, prepare plastic bags beforehand." Wufei muttered.
"I'm sure it's not that drastic." Trowa commented.
Heero was silent, if he can't drive Fate in his own car; he will have to get Rolland to drive them around in the limo. But he dislikes having to be driven around by someone else.
"I'm sure you two can figure things out. So how's work?" Duo asked Heero.
Heero was silent for a short moment and then he gave them a very brief summary and in a third person's point of view about what was going on. His friends gave him some advice on how to handle the situation at hand, while Heero left early to drop by Fate's house. He was aware that he hadn't informed her that he was coming to visit her and hoped that she was still awake. He tried to keep to the speed limit but felt more irritated as he was driving like a snail. He made it to the mansion some time later and pressed the button on the intercom.
"Can I help you?" Killian asked.
"It's me, Heero Wingate; I'm here to visit Fate." Heero spoke into the intercom.
There was a moment of silence, but the gates opened for him and he drove his sports car into the mansion. He parked his car near the main entrance of the mansion before getting out and walked to the mansion. Killian opened the main doors for him and welcomed him in.
"Where's Fate?" Heero asked, noticing that the living room was empty.
"She's in the library with Mr. Camden." Killian informed him.
Heero went up the stairs and made his way to the library. He was surprised to find Fate and Federick at the end of the library where a sofa set and a television was set up. The two of them were too engrossed in watching the movie that was aired on the television channel that they didn't seem to notice him. But Federick turned as if he sensed movement and narrowed his eyes at Heero before turning back to watch the movie.
"Your boyfriend is here." Federick announced.
Fate turned and was surprised to see Heero walking up to her.
"Heero, what a surprise! What are you doing here?" she asked.
Heero greeted her by kissing her on her cheek.
"I came to check on you." Heero admitted.
"Oh, that's really kind and sweet of you. But as you can see I'm fine now." Fate said.
Heero didn't look convinced and he noticed that the two of them were drinking hot chocolate.
"We were bored and thought of watching a television program together. Do you want some hot chocolate?" Fate asked.
Heero shook his head.
He sat down on the sofa next to Fate and noticed how her attention was now back on the television screen. Heero fell silent and watched the program as well, it didn't take him long to realize that it was a science fiction thriller movie. It came to a cliff hanger before the advertisements started showing. Federick stood up and stretched his arms instead.
"Are you feeling better?" Heero asked.
"Yes, and you don't have to keep on dropping by to check on me." Fate told him softly, giving him a sweet smile.
Heero didn't say a single word as he was merely finding excuses to see Fate more often.
"Are you going to watch the rest of it?" Federick asked Fate.
Fate looked at Heero before standing up.
"No, I think I will retire early tonight." She whispered.
Then she kissed Federick on the cheek good night before moving towards the door. Naturally Heero got up to go with her, but Federick noticed this as well.
"He's going with you?" Federick asked.
"Yes, just for a short while." Fate whispered.
Both of them left the library before Federick could protest. Fate sighed rather loudly as she walked towards her room.
"I dislike it when he keeps on treating me like a child." Fate whispered.
Heero was silent, but was aware that Federick did that on purpose to protect Fate. They went into Fate's room and Fate sat down on the sofa. She smiled at him as he sat down on the seat beside her.
"I'm sorry about just now, we were kind of bored and decided to have a movie night instead." Fate explained.
Heero didn't say a single word, he merely watched her as she continued talking.
"As we were channel switching, I started to realize that I seem to lagging behind when it comes to dramas and movies that are produced in the Colonies." Fate told him.
"You aren't the only one." Heero told her as he was far too busy to be bothered with television shows or movies.
"Yes, but it's just… sad." She whispered.
The two of them were silent for a while and Fate came to a sudden realization.
"I haven't been to a movie theater for a very long time." She whispered.
Heero took that as a hint and made a mental note to bring her out on a movie date. He then reached out and took her hand in his. Fate snapped out of her thoughts and gave him her full attention.
"I came here as I was still worried about you." Heero said softly.
"I'm fine, Heero. I feel much better now." Fate said.
She had a feeling that he wasn't convinced.
"Heero, it is just motion sickness. It's not like it's a fatal illness or something." Fate said.
Heero was silent and his face was as emotionless as ever.
"But thank you for coming over to check on me. Like I said, it was sweet." Fate told him, kissing him on his cheek.
"About my driving…"
"What about it?" Fate asked.
"I talked to the guys about it and all of them claimed that I was driving too fast." Heero told her.
Fate watched as Heero sighed.
"I will try my best to drive slower from now on, especially when you are in the car with me." Heero said.
Fate felt that it was rather sweet of him to do that, because in the past Heero would merely ask her to get used to it. He wouldn't make any attempts to slow down at all. But now Heero was willing to make the effort to drive slower for her sake. Fate smiled and shook her head instead.
"I don't want you to change the way you drive just because of me." Fate told him.
"But…"
Fate held up a finger and pressed it against his lips to stop him from speaking.
"I love you the way you are, Heero. So you don't have to force yourself to drive slower just for my sake. Just continue to be who you are." Fate told him.
He reached out and lowered her hand gently.
"But it doesn't solve the problem at hand." He reminded her.
"We can always take my family limo or yours. Or is all else fails, we can both take public transportation." Fate told him.
Heero stared at her for a very long moment and Fate had a feeling that he was thinking that she was mad. Fate smiled instead.
"Yes, I was joking about the public transportation part. Can you even imagine us taking a bus together and getting mobbed by the passengers on board?" Fate asked as she smiled at him.
"I will protect you from them." Heero exclaimed.
It was something way off topic, but the way he said it made Fate look at him in surprise. She could tell that he was determined to do exactly what he had just said when it was necessary.
"I know." She whispered.
Then she closed her hand around his.
"And I will do my best as your girlfriend to get used to the way you drive." Fate told him.
"Fate…"
"It will definitely take a while and I guess I will get used to it sooner if you take me out often." Fate cut in.
It sounded as if Fate was trying to tell him that he should take her out on dates more often. Heero continued to hold her hand as they stared at each other. Fate was smiling at him and then Heero leaned in and gave her a gentle kiss on her lips.
"Oh look at the time, you have to go now." Fate told him.
"I don't see why…"
"Federick will come storming in any minute now and I don't want the two of you to get into another fight because of me." Fate told him.
She stood up and Heero had no choice but to be chased home. Fate walked him to the front doors and Heero turned back to look at her.
"I will see you soon?" Heero asked.
"Yes." Fate answered.
She smiled at him as she handled him his coat and watched him put it on.
"Goodbye Heero." Fate greeted, kissing him on his cheek.
Heero bid her goodbye as well and left the mansion for his car. Fate turned back just to notice that Federick was watching her.
"Well he's gone and I'm going back to sleep." She announced.
"What did he want?" Federick asked as Fate climbed the stairs.
"He came to check in on me." Fate told him.
"He does realize that he can do that over the phone?" Federick asked.
"I think he wanted to do it in person." Fate told him as she passed by him.
Federick was silent and then Fate greeted him good night before going to bed. Federick sighed and wondered how long more he could continue to protect Fate before Heero starts to take his place.
Chapter 24.2: Chinese New Year
2nd February, Afternoon
Colony L1, VLA, Wufei's Apartment
It was a Sunday and Wufei had taken the day off. Lady Une didn't question why nor did any of his friends. As he woke up today, he stared at the calendar for a very long time before placing it back down on his desk. Today was Chinese New Year Eve. As a Chinese, the Chinese New Year has always been a big deal to them. But Wufei hasn't celebrated this day for a very long time now. He still remembered celebrating Chinese New Year with his family and relatives when he was still young. People still celebrated Chinese New Year even when the war was raging on. But then Wufei joined in with the war and soon stopped celebrating anything anymore. Even after the war was over, Wufei never talked about Chinese New Year. Probably because he didn't have anyone else to celebrate the day with and he was the only Chinese around.
As always, he would take the day off and spend it by sitting in his apartment, thinking of the past. Those days when he was still a young child who enjoyed the festivals. Sometimes he would even go down to Chinatown in VLA and walk through the long streets. He would buy some Chinese goodies or simply spend time in that one area where it reminded him of his home. The Chinese population in VLA was a rather small one, but Wufei doesn't know anyone in Chinatown. Hence, he usually spends his Chinese New Year alone, even though he was supposed to be celebrating with his family and relatives. But what else could he expect? All of them were dead, all of them except him.
He was surprised when the doorbell rang. His first instinct was to reach for his gun. Picking it up with him, he walked towards the door and looked through the peephole as a precaution. He relaxed when he saw that it was Quatre and Fate. Fate's presence here was odd, as Fate has never been to his house before. Nevertheless he opened the door for them.
"Wufei, I'm glad to see you again!" Quatre greeted moving over to hug him.
But Wufei merely stepped back and shook his head signaling that he didn't want to receive any hugs from Quatre.
"What are the two of you doing here?" Wufei asked.
That was when he noticed that Fate was carrying a basket.
"Can we come in?" Fate asked.
"Sure…"
Wufei stepped aside and let them in. He considered himself a tidy person; hence he puts in effort to make sure that his apartment is always neat and tidy. Fate was looking around his apartment as it is the first time she's here, while Quatre started to talk to him.
"Why are the two of you here?" Wufei asked.
"Well, it's Chinese New Year Eve and Fate suggests that we celebrate it with you this year." Quatre told him.
"I don't celebrate Chinese New Year." Wufei said stiffly.
"Then things are about to change." Fate told him with a smile.
Fate looked at Wufei's kitchen instead.
"Let's get started then." Fate told them.
Fate started to walk towards his kitchen instead, but Wufei followed after them.
"What are you planning?" he asked.
"We are going to have a reunion dinner." Quatre told him.
"Are you nuts? Reunion dinners are meant for families and relatives, not friends." Wufei told him.
"Since you don't have a family anymore, we are the closest thing to a family you have." Quatre answered.
"That doesn't mean…" Wufei trailed off as Fate was looking through his kitchen cabinets.
"What are you doing?" Wufei asked.
"If we are going to have a dinner; naturally we have to make our own food." Fate told him.
"You intend to cook here?" Wufei asked as if in disbelief.
"Yes." Fate answered.
"Does Heero know about this?" Wufei asked suddenly.
"Of course he does. Everyone will be here by 8pm for the reunion dinner and we better get started or no one will have anything to eat for dinner." Fate told him.
"I can't believe you thought of this without consulting me!" Wufei exclaimed.
"Now Wufei, Fate's just trying to help. Besides we know you for so long and yet we have never seen you celebrate Chinese New Year. So we decided to take matters into our own hands this year."
"Why now? Why not next year?" Wufei asked.
"It's been eight years since the war ended in AC 195 and surely you hadn't celebrated Chinese New Year for a far longer period of time. Hence why should we wait till next year when we can celebrate it now? Plus we are all rather bad cooks and none of us knows how to cook Chinese food except Fate, hence she is helping us out." Quatre answered.
"Not all of us, Heero is a great cook as well." Fate commented as she continued looking through the kitchen cabinets and taking out the items that she will need.
Wufei and Quatre stared at her in shock.
"You are joking right? Heero can actually cook?" Wufei asked.
"How do you expect him to have so many restaurants if he can't cook in the first place?" Fate asked.
"He hired chefs to run his restaurants?" Quatre answered uncertainly.
"He made the menu for his very first restaurant before passing it over to the head chef now." Fate answered.
"How did you know this?" Wufei asked.
"I was involved when he tried to enter the food industry with SilverWings." Fate answered.
Wufei was still stunned speechless, he couldn't picture Heero cooking anything in the kitchen. It simply wasn't an image that suited the ex-killing machine and perfect soldier.
"Naturally he surprised all of us with his culinary skills, but we cannot deny the fact that Heero was superb at it. I haven't seen him cook Chinese food before, but knowing Heero I'm sure he will do fine. So let's get started." Fate told them.
It didn't take long for the three of them to start preparing the ingredients for the different dishes. Wufei often cooks his own meals hence he knew his way around a kitchen, but Quatre who had servants serve him for most of his life was only good at slicing vegetables. Wufei was surprised that Fate knows her way around a kitchen even though she is a lady from a very rich and prestigious family. But from the way she prepares the ingredients and handles the knife, Wufei could tell that Fate has a lot of cooking experience.
"There's fish, dumplings, roasted chicken, noodles, abalone, raw fish salad, vegetables…" Fate was informing him.
"That's a lot of food, are you sure we can finish everything?" Wufei asked.
"There are six of us and you know that Duo eats almost everything." Quatre commented.
"Yes, but we shouldn't waste food." Wufei commented.
The door bell rang and Quatre went to open the door. The person who came next was actually Heero. He was dressed in his usual formal attire and he greeted Fate first when he entered the kitchen. Fate smiled and greeted him in return before she continued on her task. Heero then turned to greet Quatre and Wufei with a usual nod of his head. Heero had also bought beer and roasted chicken with him.
"Do you need any help?" Heero asked Fate.
"You can help with the fish. Oh Quatre, can you help to set up the table?" Fate asked.
Quatre left to set up the dining table while Heero removed his suit jacket and rolled up the sleeves of his dress shirt. He put on the extra apron that Fate had brought with her. Wufei was busy getting the ingredients for the noodles ready while Fate was doing the dumplings' filling. Heero sharpened the knives and started to slice through the fish like it was butter. Wufei was surprised at Heero's skill, he knew that Heero was good with knifes (Since Heero used to be the Perfect Soldier) but he hadn't expected him to use his knife skills on a fish. Heero's knife work was very impressive. Heero sliced the salmon so thinly that they were almost sashimi like. Naturally the left over fish will be used to cook another fish dish.
They continued to prepare the ingredients and soon it was time to cook everything. Wufei helped out with the fried noodles, while Fate cooked the dumplings and Heero had to wait for his turn on the stove. Heero chased Wufei out of the kitchen after the noodles were done. Wufei left the kitchen and took a bath before getting dressed for dinner. He smelt the aroma of the food coming from the kitchen. He joined Quatre and watched television in the living room. Soon everything was completed and Heero laid everything down on the table. Fate asked for directions to the guest room's bathroom and disappeared for a rather long while. Heero left to wash up too as the smell of the smoke was sticking to him.
At 8pm, Trowa and Duo arrived to join them for dinner. Fate and Heero have both changed into a new set of clothing and everyone sat down at the round table for dinner. Wufei hadn't had such a sumptuous meal for a very long time now. The food was delicious and Duo nearly choked when he found out that Heero had helped to cook some of the dishes. Heero was as silent as ever during dinner and as usual Duo was trying to get on Wufei's nerves.
They had their laughs and surprisingly Wufei realized that he did enjoy having the dinner together with his friends. After the dinner was over, the men were watching television and Fate was cleaning up, Wufei offered to help her as she was technically his guest. As they were washing the dishes together, Wufei noticed how she was looking at him in interest.
"What?" He asked.
"I know that reunion dinners are supposed to be with family and relatives…" Fate whispered.
"But mine's long gone." He answered her.
She was looking at him in a pained expression.
"Everyone died in the war, except me." He told her softly.
"Quatre told me that you never celebrated Chinese New Year, even after the war was over." Fate whispered.
"I have no one to celebrate it with, besides I'm the only Chinese around here." Wufei explained.
"I think you didn't celebrate it because you don't know how to celebrate it." Fate whispered.
"Well technically it isn't even a public holiday anymore." Wufei told her.
"You could always return to China, where your ancestors are and celebrate it there." Fate pointed out.
Wufei said nothing as he continued washing the dishes while Fate wiped them clean.
"But did you enjoy yourself today?" Fate asked instead.
Wufei looked at her before giving her a small smile.
"I did." He admitted.
"I know that you don't have a family anymore, but I believe that all of them want to be your new family." Fate told him.
"Are you always this wise, Miss Camden?" Wufei asked in a mocking tone.
Fate merely smiled.
"We should do this again next year." Fate suggested.
"No, no way. Not in my apartment. Next year let's book a table at a restaurant in Chinatown instead." Wufei told her.
"Do they offer that type of service?" Fate asked.
"They do, for the Chinese that dislike cooking on Chinese New Year Eve itself." Wufei told her.
"I see…"
Wufei handled Fate another clean dish.
"But the dinner might be costly." Wufei commented.
"Now that's one thing you don't have to worry about." Fate told him.
"Why not?" Wufei asked, feeling suspicious.
"I believe you have a few friends who are rich and one whose pockets are like bottomless pits." Fate told him with a smile on her face.
"If you are talking about Heero…"
"I'm sure he won't mind paying for it." Fate suggested.
"But I would. Wait a minute… Who paid for the food for this dinner?" Wufei asked.
Fate didn't answer, but Wufei already knew the answer to that question.
"Heck, now I need to pay him back!" Wufei exclaimed.
"I'm sure Heero won't take your money. Besides you need your money more than he needs his." Fate answered softly.
"He will take it whether he likes it or not! I don't care if I lose one month's wages for this dinner." Wufei declared.
Fate sighed instead.
"Man with their pride and egos..." Fate whispered.
Fate could foresee how long they will continue to fight over the money issue. Then again at least Wufei had fun today.
"Hey Wufei, you want to play with sparklers?" Duo asked stepping into the kitchen.
"Duo, we are not kids anymore." Wufei said through clenched teeth.
"To hell with it! Excuse me Fate." Duo said, adding the last part in when he realized that Fate's there as well.
Fate didn't respond as she continued wiping the plates clean.
"Since we don't have firecrackers, the least we could do is play with sparklers. Trust me it will bring back some of your good childhood memories." Duo told him with a smile on his face.
Wufei glared at Duo in return.
"He might be right." Fate told Wufei instead.
"Whose side are you on?" Wufei asked her instead.
Fate was about to answer when Duo answered instead.
"She's forever on Heero's side. And since Heero nodded his head in acknowledgement, that means she's on my side too." Duo told him.
"Well if you put it like that…" Fate said with a smile on her face.
"Heero agreed to play sparklers? You are joking right?" Wufei asked.
"Why don't we find out?" Duo asked.
Wufei realized that he had finished washing the dishes and left the kitchen to go after Duo instead. As Fate placed the last of Wufei's dishes back in the kitchen cabinet, she turned and noticed that Wufei was standing by the doorway.
"Yes?" Fate asked.
"Thank you, Fate." Wufei told her.
Their eyes met and Fate could tell that he meant the words that he had just said. She could tell that he was sincerely grateful to what she has done for him as well.
"You are welcome." She told him as she smiled in return.
Wufei gave her a small smile before moving away. Heero came into the kitchen instead and their eyes met for a while.
"He's already making plans about next year." Fate informed him.
Heero nodded his head.
"And there's a problem about him wanting to pay you back." Fate added.
"He can keep his money." Heero told her almost immediately.
"I told him that, but he won't hear it."
Heero was silent but then Fate smiled.
"Is it true you actually wanted to play with sparklers?" Fate asked.
"No." Heero answered.
Fate's smile fell almost immediately.
"Oh, I thought…"
She trailed off when she noticed the small smile he was giving her.
"Oh… I dislike it when you do that!" Fate exclaimed.
"Do what?" He asked.
"When you tease me like that!" She exclaimed.
Heero merely smiled at her in return.
"Have you actually played with sparklers before?" Fate asked.
Heero shook his head and Fate smiled remembering the first time she played with sparklers.
"Duo will be disappointed." Heero told her softly.
"How so?" She asked.
"With the wind and the cold air outside, it's not likely he will be able to light the sparklers at all." Heero told her.
In the end, it turned out that Heero was right but they made do with watching a video of real firecrackers instead. After that they drank beer and watched the action movie that Duo had brought with him. It was definitely a different way of celebrating Chinese New Year. Wufei smiled to himself after all of them have left his apartment.
This year, he had spent his Chinese New Year with his best friends who were the closest thing to a family that he has now. It was loud, messy and Duo was always getting on his nerves, but he knew that all of them were here for him. He was aware of their good intentions and appreciated it. And lastly, Wufei knew that he doesn't have to be alone during this festive day anymore.
Chapter: 24.3: Surprise Invitation
5 days later, 7th February, Night Time
Colony L1, VLA, Blue Marine Pub,
As usual, the Ex-Gundam pilots have agreed to meet up at their usual table, at Blue Marine Pub. The first person to reach the pub was Quatre. As he was the only one who wasn't living in Colony L1, he has to fly in from Colony L4 for these gatherings. Sometimes he has to cancel everything that was on his schedule for the rest of the day but it was worth it to be together with his best friends no matter how busy he was. He sat down at their usual table and ordered for a glass of white wine. As he waited for his friends to show up, he looked through his cell phone and replied to his text messages.
As he continued to wait and finished his first glass of wine, he saw that the second person has arrived. He was surprised to see that Heero was actually the second person to reach here, but he said nothing as Heero sat down and ordered his usual whisky.
"I thought that you would be out with Fate." Quatre commented.
Heero checked his watch and shook his head instead.
"She's busy with magazine photo shoots." Heero told him as he drank his whisky slowly.
"At this hour?" Quatre asked.
Heero nodded but didn't say anything else.
"I thought that you would be the last to arrive." Quatre commented.
"I work during office hours." Heero told him.
"And your job will cause you to work during non-office hours, like mine." Quatre told him as he ordered for another glass of white wine.
"There will definitely be hectic times." Heero answered with a blank face as he stared at the glass of whisky in his hands.
Quatre nodded in agreement and their conversation was cut short when the last three arrived. Quatre smiled at his friends as they approached them. After the late comers have settled down and ordered their drinks, they started their usual chat. They do this often to find out what's currently going on in each other's lives.
"I'm planning for Valentine's Day." Trowa admitted.
"Ah, I don't want to hear a single word of it!" Duo exclaimed, covering his ears.
The other three merely continued to watch Duo silently.
"Spare a thought for the three of us who are still single!" Duo exclaimed.
Trowa gave a small smile and turned to Heero instead.
"What about you?" He asked Heero.
"I'm left with the last minute details." Heero muttered.
"I think we should all meet up and go to a club together!" Duo exclaimed, talking to Wufei and Quatre.
Quatre gave Duo an apologetic look instead.
"I'm sorry Duo, but I have plans for that night."
"You do?" Duo asked looking confused.
Quatre gave them a shy smile and all of them seem to get what he meant.
"Good luck." Trowa wished him.
Quatre smiled and thanked them for their well wishes.
"So it's just you and me buddy…" Duo told Wufei.
"I'm not your buddy and unfortunately for me, I won't be in VLA on that day. I have a mission abroad." Wufei told Duo.
Duo looked down sadly instead.
"Guess it's just me alone in this lonely, single world." Duo whispered softly, sounding really depressed.
"I'm sure you will find someone to be with, Duo." Quatre encouraged.
Duo continued to look down sadly instead.
"How is Federick progressing?" Quatre asked, trying to change the topic.
"I still hate the guy." Duo muttered.
Heero managed to keep himself from smiling.
"He's improving." Wufei admitted.
They were silent for a while as they continued drinking their drinks. That was when Trowa remembered something. He reached into his briefcase and took out two envelopes before passing one to Heero, and the other to Quatre.
"What is this?" Quatre asked.
"I almost forgot about this." Trowa said.
"Oh bother why do you have to remind me of that? I really need a stronger drink now. I almost fainted from shock just now." Duo muttered.
Quatre opened the envelope and saw that it was a wedding invitation. He looked at Trowa in surprise, who merely shook his head.
"It's not his wedding invitation, or you will hear about it by now." Wufei said.
Quatre had the shock of his life when he opened the invitation card and read the words that were written inside. He stared at his friends in shock before rereading the words written on the invitation card again.
"Am I seeing things?" Quatre asked, rereading the card for the third time.
Heero read the card once and placed it back down on the table. He picked up his whisky glass and continued drinking as if nothing had happened.
"How can you be so calm?" Duo asked Heero.
"I expected this for a while now." Heero said.
His friends stared at him in shock instead.
"You mean you already knew?" Duo asked.
"I expected her to get married sooner or later especially since she's not getting any younger." Heero pointed out.
All his friends ordered for strong whisky instead, as if they needed the drink badly. They drank their thick whisky in silence.
"I just can't believe that it's really happening." Quatre whispered.
"The wedding is in Mid-April." Trowa informed them.
"I still can't believe that she's getting married. I didn't even know that she's dating or seeing anyone. I just can't imagine her being married." Duo exclaimed.
"I thought that she would remain single for life." Wufei muttered.
"Treize is dead for almost eight years, she's been alone for long enough." Heero pointed out.
"What about Mariemaia? I'm worried about her." Quatre said.
"I have no idea, but surely her husband-to-be will look after her as well." Trowa said.
"She's turning fourteen this year." Wufei said.
Duo sighed instead.
"Time really flies; it has already been that long since AC 196. Now Mariemaia is growing up, we are older and even Lady Une is getting married." Duo muttered.
"She will be turning 27 years old this year, that's a rather fair age to get married." Heero pointed out.
"She had always watched over us during these seven years. I'm going to miss her if she chooses to quit the force and become a housewife." Duo said sadly.
Wufei laughed instead.
"Knowing Lady Une, I do not think that it's possible. She will probably work until she has to retire." Wufei said.
Heero agreed with a nod of his head, Quatre sighed instead.
"I didn't think that she would marry anyone as well." Quatre said softly.
"All of us have a right to live a normal, happy life if we want to. She is simply doing that." Heero said.
"Do you think she loves him more that she loves Treize?" Quatre asked.
"Only she can answer you. But Quatre, I too feel that she deserves to be with someone who can make her happy, after all that she has been through during the war. Treize is not around anymore but we can't expect her to mourn him for life." Trowa said softly.
Heero noticed the look on Wufei's face. Heero reached out and placed his hand on Wufei's shoulder. Their eyes met but none of them said a single word as they could understand each other despite the lack of words. Heero removed his hand from Wufei's shoulder after that short moment between the two of them.
"I'm still worried about Mariemaia, as a thirteen year old child, she might not take things well." Quatre said softly.
"We will watch over her, just like we always did." Trowa said.
Heero was silent, but he felt that maybe Mariemaia deserves to have a father as well.
"Will you be going to the wedding?" Duo asked all of them.
All of them gave a curt nod, knowing that they will have to be there to show Lady Une their support.
"She mentioned that it will be a small wedding, but I know that Relena is on the guest list." Duo told Heero.
Heero didn't respond, he had expected as much. Nevertheless he can't avoid her forever.
"You know that we are standing on your side." Trowa told Heero.
"I know." Heero said.
"Dorothy, Hilde, Catherine and Sally will be there as well." Duo said, sighing.
"It will be like an old reunion all over again." Wufei muttered.
"I wonder if we are allowed to bring a date." Trowa said.
"What are you up to?" Duo asked.
"It's about time Arabella met Catherine." Trowa said.
"Oh I'm really starting to dread going to this wedding." Duo muttered.
"You must be talking about how badly you ended things with Hilde the last time you two met." Wufei said.
"You aren't any better, with Sally." Duo pointed out.
"How is she?" Trowa asked Wufei.
"We hadn't kept in contact for a very long time, but she's a doctor now. Not to mention, happily married and a mother of two." Wufei said.
"Zechs and Noin will be there as well." Duo mentioned.
Heero frowned; the idea of having to face Zechs was going to be rather problematic.
"Oh well, we don't have the time to worry about this. Valentine's Day's coming up and I'm not going to spend it alone this year!" Duo exclaimed.
Trowa and Wufei shook their head as they watch Duo gulp down his whisky.
"Bring me another round!" Duo called out to the nearby waiter.
"No one is going to send you home if you are drunk, Maxwell!" Wufei exclaimed.
"I don't give a damn! We will drink to the early morning!" Duo exclaimed.
Quatre sighed and looked at Heero instead.
"Are you going to tell Fate?" Quatre asked.
"She will want to be there once she knows that Relena is on the guest list." Heero said.
"But she won't be happy if she finds out from someone else." Quatre said.
"I will let her know, when the time is right." Heero assured Quatre.
"Another round!" Duo exclaimed.
"I think you will have to pay for Duo's bill tonight." Quatre said, watching how Duo was drinking a lot more alcohol than usual.
"Don't I always?" Heero asked.
Quatre laughed, knowing that Heero was right.
To be continued…
Author's Note: This chapter was broken down into three parts so that I can focus on three different things. I have always believed that Heero's character will change as time continued to pass by and this was what I wanted to portray. Heero is changing a little by little but in a good way.
I wanted to write a short chapter about Wufei as I have not given him a lot of focus throughout the story. I wanted to write a happy, cheerful chapter for Wufei, hence I thought of writing about Chinese New Year instead, knowing that Wufei has not celebrated it for a very long time now. I'm also Chinese, hence I know a little about Chinese customs.
I think that all the characters in Gundam Wing deserve to have a life of happiness and that was what I wanted to do for Lady Une as well. There will be more about Lady Une, Mariemaia in the future chapters to come, hence stay tuned for those.
The next chapter will be about Valentine's Day. Hopefully I can post it on Valentine's Day as well. So stay tuned and continue to support my story, Family. Please Read and Review, but NO FLAMERS! Thank you!