A/N: What's this?! Bonus content!

Relena knew Heero was up to something. What, exactly, she wasn't sure, but he was acting… odd. For one thing, he had a faint smile on his face the entire time they were driving back to his place. Which Relena still didn't understand why they were going back to, after her father had thrown a fit over her spending the night there.

"Heero… what did you and my father talk about?" she asked as he drove.

He shot her a sidelong glance, that smile still playing on his lips. "Hm?"

Relena frowned at him. "Are you even listening to me?"

"Yeah, sorry." He blinked and returned his gaze to the road. "Um… Well, your father actually apologized to me."

Now it was Relena's turn to blink. "He did?"

"Uh-huh. He said he felt bad about blowing up at me, and that he understood why I decided not to drive you home in a blizzard. He also told me it can't happen again, period." He shrugged one shoulder. "Then… we talked a little about his time in the Army. That was about it."

"Right." Relena was relieved the conversation hadn't been more volatile. "Well… I'm glad you two worked things out."

"Me, too," Heero said. And then he went silent, just continuing to smile while he maneuvered the car downtown.

Relena poked his arm. "So… what are you so happy about?"

"What do you mean?"

"You're smiling a lot more than usual," she said pointedly. "I mean… a lot."

Heero chuckled. "Aren't I allowed to be in a good mood? It's Christmas Eve."

"Yes, but Christmas Eve is… usually a sad day for you," Relena said softly, laying her hand on Heero's arm.

"Yeah, well. This time I'm with my girl." He glanced over at Relena again, and she could have sworn, his eyes sparkled. Her heart skipped a beat.

"Heero…"

He was pulling his truck in front of his shop. Snow was piled up on the sidewalk. Heero unfastened his seatbelt and turned toward Relena. He leaned over to her and brushed a quick kiss to her lips.

"I'll be right back."

"Can't I come in with you?"

Heero smiled and shook his head. "After last night? We have to watch ourselves, remember?" His smile shifted to more of a smirk, and there was a definite twinkling in his eyes. "This will only take a minute, hun."

"Well, can you at least tell me what we're doing here?"

Heero's eyes crinkled. "I thought I'd gather up those toys to bring over to St. Gabriel's. That is, if that's something you'd like to do…"

Relena's heart leapt. "Oh, Heero!" She clapped her hands together. "That would be wonderful!"

His smile stayed put as he exited his vehicle. Relena watched through the passenger side door as Heero jogged up to the front door of his shop, opened it and slipped inside.

Relena kept her gaze on the nearly-empty, snowy street, but her thoughts meandered back to earlier that morning. Come to think of it, her parents had been acting fishy, too. Relena couldn't help but wonder… knowing her father, the Reverend had probably demanded that Heero marry his daughter to save her reputation. And Heero, being the gallant gentleman that he was, had probably agreed. He had all but asked her to marry him last night; Relena wouldn't be surprised in the least if he ended up proposing to her sometime soon. But the day after their first date?

She shook her head, trying to dispel these nonsensical thoughts. Maybe Heero really was just in a good mood. Maybe it was partially because his talk with her father had gone over much better than they'd thought. And maybe, now that they were together, Heero actually was excited about Christmas. It would be nice, she thought, if she could bring him a little comfort on the anniversary of his parents' deaths. Somehow, on this day that was normally full of sad reminders, he was all smiles. Relena would do anything she could to keep seeing him smile like that.

Relena was so caught up in her stream of thoughts, she hadn't realized Heero had even left the shop, as she heard the driver's side door being opened. She swung around to face him, but her mouth dropped open when she saw it wasn't him standing outside the truck.

"Top ' the mornin', good look– hey!" Duo Maxwell blinked bright blue eyes at Relena. "You're not Sylvie."

Relena flushed up to her hairline as she stared back at Duo with equal shock. "I, ah, no. What are you doing here?"

"'Spose I should ask you the same thing," Duo said with a chuckle, holding the truck door open. "I was just saying hello. Stopped by to shovel and throw some more salt down in front of the shop. I didn't expect to see you here." His lips twitched in obvious amusement.

Relena felt her cheeks flame, despite the cold air seeping in from outside. "Well. You see. Heero and I…"

"What are you doing?" Heero emerged behind Duo outside of the truck, his low baritone cloaked in annoyance.

"Hey-a! Just wishing Miss Lena here a Merry Christmas Eve." Duo grinned sheepishly at Heero, whose eyes had narrowed to slits. Duo let out a nervous chuckle. "I didn't realize you two were–"

"Don't." Heero's hand shot up to grasp Duo's coat collar.

"Heero!" Relena gasped from her seat. "It's all right!"

Heero turned his blazing eyes to Relena. "Hm," he grunted, loosening his grip on Duo. Relena didn't know what he might have done if she hadn't said something; the look in his eyes was downright dangerous.

"Duo was just here shoveling the shop out," Relena said softly.

"Yeah, you're welcome," Duo said jovially. Relena noticed he didn't look affected by Heero's temper in the least. If anything, he looked even more amused.

The fire in Heero's eyes seemed to fade. He released Duo's jacket and took a step back. "Thanks," he mumbled, shifting his gaze to the side.

"No problem, buddy." Duo clapped Heero on the back, impervious to the other man's mood. "Well, uh, sorry for interrupting… whatever you two were up to." He shot Relena a wink, and she worried Heero might actually deck him.

Heero glared at him but just muttered, "It's fine. Merry Christmas."

Duo gave him a lopsided grin. "Merry Christmas, buddy. Nice to see you back with your girl." Then Duo waved to Relena as he sprinted away. "Merry Christmas, Lena!"

Relena laughed and called after him. "Merry Christmas to you, too!"

Heero sighed and climbed into the passenger seat. Relena noticed he was holding a burlap sack tied with rope.

"Wow, looks like you're bringing a lot of toys."

"Yup." Heero slammed the door shut and started up the engine. Relena frowned and leaned closer to him.

"Are you upset that Duo saw us together?"

Heero slid his gaze to her. "No. I just didn't want him getting any ideas and spreading them around. Your father warned me about that, and… I don't want to piss him off any more than I already have."

"I see." Relena pursed her lips. "Well, Duo's your friend. I doubt he'd do anything to upset you on purpose."

"Maybe not, but that doesn't mean he'll give any regard to your reputation." Heero's eyes were troubled.

"Well, I'm not worried about that." Relena flapped a hand. "People are going to talk; let them talk. What do we care?"

"I don't care, but your parents do." Heero's brow creased. "Well, your father does, at least."

At that, Relena giggled. "I don't think my mother was all that upset about our little scandal. She's practically ready to sell me off to the highest bidder."

That earned her a frown from Heero. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means she wants a man to come and sweep me off my feet."

"Oh." To her surprise, Heero's face reddened. Which only made Relena giggle again.

"You're adorable when you're flustered."

He turned to her, his face still flushed, but his smile was back. "I'm not flustered. I was horrified at the notion of Mareen trying to sell her only daughter."

Relena knew he was kidding, but it was so rare that Heero cracked a joke, she burst out laughing.

Moments later, they arrived at St. Gabriel's. The large stone structure nearly shone in the pale, late morning light of the wintry gray sky. The stone work was beautiful, in a haunting, ancient sort of way. Of course, the old rectory turned orphanage was centuries old, but it seemed like thousands. Relena had always wondered if the place was haunted, even though she wasn't supposed to believe in that sort of thing.

But reentering the orphanage with Heero by her side felt like seeing a ghost. Every wall, every corridor held a memory of a time in her life she probably shouldn't remember so well, since she was so young. But the months she'd spent at St. Gabriel's were etched into her subconscious, and reliving her past was all the more vivid and poignant with Heero right beside her. Heero, the boy she'd met in these very halls nearly fifteen years ago to the date. The boy she'd loved ever since.

She grasped his arm as they walked together, to the director's office. They rapped on her door, and an older woman dressed in a black and white habit slowly raised her head from the paperwork spread before her.

"Just a minute, I–" Sister Helen Marie's words evaporated when her golden brown eyes fell on Heero and Relena. "Oh! Oh, good heavens!"

She shot to her feet, and some of her papers scattered to the floor as she looked wildly from Relena to Heero. "Relena? Heero?"

Relena laughed and bobbed her torso in a slight curtsy. "Merry Christmas, Sister Helen Marie. It's lovely to see you."

"And it's so wonderful to see you! The both of you." The elderly nun stepped around her desk, coming up to the both of them and grasping both of their hands. "You're here. Together." She raised a brow, still beaming at them both. "Not that I'm surprised. You two always were birds of a feather."

Relena laughed again, fighting a blush as she glanced over at Heero. "We're here to deliver some Christmas presents."

"Oh, how thoughtful of you!" Sister Helen Marie squeezed their hands before releasing them, then clapped her own hands together. "The children will be delighted."

"We hope so," Relena said as she watched Heero hand over his bag.

"Sorry they're not wrapped…" he started, as the older woman opened the bag and peered inside.

"That's all right, we can take care of that. Oh…" Her breath caught as she withdrew a wooden train. "These are marvelous! Wherever did you get these?"

"Heero made them," Relena said proudly, hoping Heero wouldn't mind if she shared that fact. She saw a blush tinge his cheeks.

"Why, Heero, these are impeccable," the nun praised him, her brown eyes glimmering. "You do fine work, young man. You ought to go into business, if you haven't already."

"Thank you," Heero said gruffly. But he was smiling.

Relena grinned and gently nudged his elbow, as if to say, Told you.

"Would you like to meet some of the children?" Sister Helen Marie looked eagerly at both of them.

"Of course," Relena answered, hoping Heero wouldn't mind. She knew how difficult it was for him being back there, but it was difficult for her, too… although much less so, now. With Heero by her side, she felt like she could face anything.

"So," Sister Helen Marie asked as they followed her down a white corridor, which would have been stark if not for the stained glass windows that lined it. "How have the two of you been? What's new in your lives?"

When Heero didn't answer right away, Relena took the lead. "Well, I'm going to school for education…"

"Oh, that's wonderful," Sister Helen Marie said, turning back to smile at Relena. "You'll make a fine teacher, I'm sure."

"Thank you," Relena said. "And Heero served in the Air Force and now runs his father's shop downtown."

"Yes, I'd heard about that," the nun said, looking at Heero fondly. "Thank you for your service." Heero bobbed his head, looking bashful again. "I must say, it's so lovely to see the two of you, together like this. Are you going together?" There was nothing ambiguous about her question.

Heero surprised Relena by answering for them. And his choice of words surprised her even more.

"We're getting married," he said simply, and his voice didn't betray a single emotion.

The older woman gasped in delight. "How marvelous! When is the wedding?"

Heero winked at Relena. "As soon as she says yes."

Relena gawked at him. How was she supposed to respond to that?

Her mind was whirring as she and Heero followed Sister Helen Marie to the rec room, where several children were stationed at various activity centers, some drawing, some reading quietly, some playing with blocks, toy cars or dolls. Her heart went out to each one of them, as she remembered what it felt like to be in their shoes. She could tell from the look on Heero's face that he felt the same way, a mixture of sorrow and wistful nostalgia gracing his features. But, oh, she was still annoyed at him for his little comment, and what Relena expected was a full-blown plot between him and her parents. How dare they try to design her whole future without even consulting her! Once they were alone again, Relena was going to let Heero have it.

She planned to do just that after they said goodbye to the children and Sister Helen Marie, but instead of heading for the main set of doors, Heero took Relena gently by the arm and steered her down another corridor.

"What are you doing?" Relena blurted.

"I want to show you something." Heero looked back at her, his eyes glinting mischievously; it was such a playful, boyish expression, Relena was having a hard time staying angry with him. So she sighed and traipsed after him.

He stopped when they reached a familiar set of stairs. Heero released her arm and turned to her, all smiles again. And then he sat right down in the stairwell. "Remember this?"

Relena smiled and perched on the step above his. "I do. We had a lot of good times right here."

Heero chuckled. "We certainly did." He reached up and snatched a lock of her hair, twirling it between her fingers. "I seem to remember asking you to marry me, way back then."

Relena rolled her eyes playfully. "That was only because I told you I wanted to be a princess when I grew up, but I would need to marry a prince. You assured me that you were one."

"I may have lied about that," Heero quipped.

"Heero," Relena said with a sigh, resting an elbow on her knee, sinking her cheek into her palm. "Why did you lie about us getting married? To a nun, no less?"

He balked at her. "That wasn't a lie. We are getting married."

"Well, that's news to me," Relena huffed, sitting up straighter.

Heero's eyes were dancing up at her. "I seem to recall asking you to marry me several times last night."

She folded her arms over her chest and glared at him. "That may be, but we haven't decided anything, officially."

Heero's brows knit together. "Hm. I could have sworn…" Then his eyes sparked. "Anyway. I have something else to show you."

Relena rolled her eyes at him again, although she had to admit, she was quite enjoying their little reunion tour. "All right, if you must…"

This time they headed for the main set of doors, back outside into the cold. But Heero wasn't leading them back to his truck; instead, he veered left, and turned onto a brick-lined path. Relena followed him into the courtyard, where a garden bloomed in the warmer months. But after the recent snowfall, the trees and grounds were all bedecked in sparkling white. Relena's eyes lapped up the scene; it was straight out of a fairytale.

We're riding along with the song of a wintry fairyland…

Heero took Relena's hand and guided her over to a snow-covered gazebo, which looked like it had been sprinkled in fairy dust. St. Gabriel's rose up behind it, a mountain of stone, capped with snow.

Before Relena could register what was happening, Heero was lowering himself to one knee, keeping her hand in his.

"Heero?" His name came out in a breathy gasp. "What are you…"

"This is the first place I ever saw you," he said, gazing up at her with unabashed fondness in his eyes. "You were making snow angels, but the moment the nuns brought me out here to meet the other kids, you leapt up out of the snow and ran right up to me." He chuckled, his low voice rumbling, as tears sprang to Relena's eyes. "You were the only one. No one else seemed to care that I existed." He turned her hand over in his, pressing a kiss to her palm. "You held out your hand and introduced yourself, and I was so… stunned by you, I didn't know what to do or say. You were wearing this blue coat, snow all over it and stuck in your hair and… I thought you were an angel."

Tears slipped down Relena's cheeks. "Heero…"

"I'd never met anyone like you," he murmured, his eyes holding hers ransom. "And I haven't met anyone like you since. You…" His brow furrowed slightly as he seemed to search for his words. "You are the most precious part of my life, Relena. I will love and cherish you, always. That is, if you'll have me."

Relena's heart seized as Heero reached inside his coat, and pulled out a wooden box. His lips twitched as he placed it in her hand.

"This was going to be your Christmas present," he said. "Sorry that it's early."

"I… I don't even have anything for you," she whispered, instantly feeling guilty. "I was planning to go shopping sometime today, but… the snow, and…"

"It's all right." Heero smiled reassuringly at her. "You've already given me the best possible gift."

"You mean... the sex?" Relena squeaked, her cheeks heating. An unexpected laugh boomed from Heero's chest.

"That's… not what I meant." His eyes gleamed at her. "Now, go ahead. Open it."

First, Relena had to admire the carpentry. For this was no ordinary box… it was carved into the shape of a house, with a heart on the door, and vines of roses arching over it. It was… absolutely exquisite, like all of Heero's handiwork.

"You made this?" she whispered, astonished. He nodded.

"There's more," he said. "Open it."

Relena quickly realized the roof of the house was a lid. She pulled it open and peered inside.

She gasped, and nearly dropped the box.

"Heero!"

He smiled up at her. "Do you recognize that?"

Her hands were shaking. Relena reached inside the box and retrieved the diamond ring, which sparkled brilliantly against the snow. "It was my grandmother's." Her eyes immediately welled. "My father… gave this to you?"

Heero nodded, and Relena's heart constricted. "He's making you marry me, isn't he?"

He chuckled and reached for her free hand. "I want to marry you, Relena. You already know that." He frowned slightly. "But… he is insisting that we do it much sooner than later."

Relena arched a brow. "How soon?"

Heero gave her an almost sheepish look. "Tonight."

"Tonight?!" Relena shrieked.

No, no, no. This wasn't right. Not at all. She was fuming.

Heero's face fell, and Relena immediately felt terrible. She wasn't trying to hurt him. "Heero…" she said softly, bending toward where he still knelt on the ground. "It's not that I don't want to marry you… I do. I just want it to be our decision. When we're ready."

"I am ready," he murmured, reaching up to tuck a finger under her chin, drawing her face closer to his. "I'll marry you any time, anywhere, Relena Peacecraft Darlian."

Her breath caught, hearing him use her full name. "Am I going to be a Yuy, then?"

His eyes glimmered. "That's entirely up to you. You can keep your name. You can be whatever you want. I just want you."

She nodded briskly, tears running freely down her face. "I want you, too. Forever."

Heero's face was mere inches away, but his eyes seemed to sift her soul. "Then, Relena… Will you marry me?"

She cupped his face in her hands, smiling through her tears. "Yes, Heero. I thought you'd never ask." She grinned as he laughed at her little joke, then closed the distance between them, capturing her lips with his. He pulled her tightly against him and deepened the kiss, and Relena was half-leaning on him when they both toppled over, into the snow.

Relena shrieked as the box and her new engagement ring slipped from her hand. "Heero! The ring!"

"Got it." He smiled and plucked it from the snow, then wiped it on his jacket before holding it out to Relena. "May I?"

She flushed and extended her left hand, and Heero slipped her grandmother's diamond onto her ring finger.

"It's beautiful," she breathed, holding out her hand and admiring the way the ring sparkled up at her.

"It's perfect for you," Heero murmured, tracing his fingers over hers. "But… if you decide you'd like something else, you can pick out whatever you want, and I'll get it for you."

"Oh, no, this really is perfect. I'd always admired Nana's ring growing up, and she told me she wanted to give it to me, one day." She blinked back a fresh wave of tears. "She'd be so happy to know you're the one who gave it to me."

"She would?" Heero's eyes brightened. "I always liked her."

"She liked you, too. I'm glad you got to meet her."

"So am I." Heero reached up and brushed his knuckles against her cheek. "So… are you ready to go get married?"

Relena laughed dryly. "Do I have a choice?"

Heero tipped his head to the side. "Of course. But I'd like to avoid having your father march us down the aisle with a shotgun to our backs. At least this way, he'll stay out of our hair."

"That's true…" Relena sighed, realizing this crazy idea might actually have some merit. "Well… at least we'd get to spend the night together again. Tonight."

On Christmas Eve, as husband and wife.

Relena flushed and looked shyly at Heero, who had a glazed look in his eyes. She wondered which part of the previous night's activities he was remembering when he cradled the back of her neck and kissed her, hard.

"We'd better get married soon, because I intend to spend the whole night ravishing you," he whispered raggedly.

Relena gave his chest a playful push. "After church."

He huffed a laugh. "Right. After church. Bless my soul," he added wryly.

Relena rolled her eyes at him. Heero rose to his feet and helped Relena back up, keeping her hands in his. "But first… we need to go to Town Hall."

Her nose wrinkled. "Is it even open, still?"

"It should be, but we have to hurry." Heero wrapped an arm around Relena's waist, pulling her against his side, and they began to walk back to his truck.

Relena couldn't help but laugh as they strolled along. "This is crazy."

"It is," Heero agreed. "But the sooner we're married, the sooner we can go back to doing what we do best…"

Relena gasped playfully. "Heero Yuy, is that why you're marrying me?"

Heero paused outside of St. Gabriel's and flashed Relena a smile. "Absolutely."

Then he pulled her tightly against him and kissed her senseless.

A/N: You asked for it, and I'm a sucker, so here you go: a proposal scene... and... possibly a wedding scene? Guess you'll have to stay tuned and find out!

Teeheehee...

- RFP