Ch 3 - Telling the Family Standard disclaimer: I don't own any of the Gundam Wing characters that are used in this story.

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Marimeia's Engagement
By West Wind
Chapter 3 ~ Telling the Family

They walked into the house. Apprehension, excitement, and joy ran through Marimeia. She could not wait to tell her mother the news, but she still did not know how she wanted to inform Anna.

"Mom?" Marimeia called out after entering the front door.

At first there was no answer so she called again as she and Heero wandered farther into the house. This time their was a muffled response from down the hall. They started in the direction of the voice when Lady Une emerged from one of the rooms with a smile on her face at her daughters visit.

"Marimeia," she greeted joyfully and gave her a quick hug, "I thought you might show up today."

"How?" Marimeia asked.

"When Duo returned without Heero," she stated with a gesture to her returned missing Preventer, "I inquired where he was. Once I learned Duo dropped Heero off at your place, the most probably way for him to get back was for you to bring him."

"It was a last minute decision," Heero informed his supervisor and future Mother-in-law.

Heero had known when he asked Marimeia to marry him that Lady Une would become his Mother-in-law, but the reality of it had not actually registered before now with her standing before him. That thought almost caused Heero to look shocked.

"Have you had lunch?" Anna inquired.

"No," replied Marimeia.

"I have a pot of soup simmering on the stove it you would like some," she informed the couple.

"Sound good," Heero responded.

The three made their way to the kitchen where Anna fished out three bowls and started dishing out the soup while Marimeia got the spoons and crackers. Heero caught Marimeia's eye as she sat the things on the table and encouraged her to tell her mom. Marimeia sat beside Heero and waited for her mom to sit down after placing the bowls of soup before them before telling her. She knew she would have to tell her soon or Heero would. She was beginning to feel antsy waiting for Anna to sit.

"You would not believe what happened yesterday," began Marimeia in a conversational tone once Anna was seated.

"What?" asked Lady Une.

"Heero and I went out to dinner and on the way back he proposed and I accepted," rushed out of Marimeia's mouth followed by a sight of relief.

"I wondered when he was going to get around to asking," stated Anna before taking a bite of her soup. "He asked my permission months ago."

A shocked look engulfed Marimeia's face at her mother's comment before she slugged Heero who just smirked at her with mischief dancing in his eyes.

"YOU didn't tell me that," she accused.

"I told you everything would go just fine," he replied to her accusation.

"Is there anyone else that knows that you neglected to tell me?" she asked with mock hurt in her voice.

"No," he stated.

Lady Une laughed at their antics.

"Congratulations," she offered to forestall any further retribution Marimeia might direct at Heero. "May I see the ring?"

With joy radiating from Marimeia's face, she extended her left hand for her mother to examine.

"It is very elegant," Anna informed Heero.

He nodded his acceptance of her complement.

"Have you talked about a date, yet?"

"We did on the way here," informed Marimeia. "We are looking at the fourth of June after I graduate."

Anna only nodded as Marimeia continued to inform her of the plans she and Heero made on the drive here. She approved of Trowa giving Marimeia away and she knew he would accept the responsibility. There was no one more like a father to Marimeia than Trowa. There were many details yet to be worked out but Anna knew they would get there in time. Soon the topic of conversation drifted to other things.

"Quatre and family are in town," Anna informed them. "They arrived yesterday."

"That's right," said Heero. "With everything else going on, I did not realize they were coming this weekend."

"Relena is planning a get together at her place this evening," Anna informed them as they cleaned up from lunch.

"Who is going to be there?" asked Marimeia.

"The usual crew," responded her mother. "The pilots, their wives, their children, and myself."

"Sounds like a perfect opportunity to announce our engagement," said Marimeia with a twinkle in her eye.

Later in the afternoon, Marimeia took Heero home. She pulled into the drive and before they could get out, they were surrounded by children joyfully calling Marimeia and Uncle Heero. Heero and Marimeia stepped out of the car and the children quickly latched on to them. Marimeia picked up the two year old Olivia and Jacob caught her free hand. The little blond looked up at her and started chattering to her. She smiled warmly down at him while Olivia tightly wrapped her arms around Marimeia's neck. Chrisy and Nathan latched onto Heero, one on each hand and were a buzz with questions and tales of their exploits. The parents were soon attracted by the commotion of their children.

"Marimeia! Heero!" greeted Relena when she saw who the children were clinging to.

Relena gave Marimeia a hug which was followed by one from Catherine.

"You have not been home in a while. It is good to see you," said Relena.

Marimeia smiled her greeting to Quatre rather than giving him a hug since his arms were full with his year old daughter, Kate. The reddish-brown haired child was curled up fast asleep in her fathers arms. Trowa gave Marimeia a brief hug. The greetings continued and conversation abounded on all sides as both adults and children talked. Olivia squirmed and wanted down so Marimeia set her down while conversing with Relena and Quatre. As she put Olivia down, Trowa noticed the new addition to Marimeia's hand. He looked at Heero and slightly raised one eyebrow questioningly. A hint of a smile tugged at the corners of Heero's mouth in reply. Trowa acknowledged his understanding with a slight nod.

"What are you two up to?" asked Catherine as she caught the brief exchange between her brother and Heero..

The two looked at her blankly.

"Spill!" Catherine demanded.

Trowa looked at Heero and received a nod.

"Heero and Marimeia have something to tell us," answered Trowa.

All eyes turned to the two expectantly. Smiles blossomed on Quatre and the girls faces as they anticipated what Marimeia and Heero would tell them. Heero meet their gazes while Marimeia adjusted to the sudden change of subjects.

"We're engaged," said Heero with no embellishment, just stated the fact.

A wide silly grin stretched across Marimeia's face as Heero told the news to their friends/family.

"Heero, you make it sound like any other daily activity," teased Relena before she gave him a congratulation hug. "Congratulations," she whispered in his ear, "and it's about time you asked her."

Relena pulled away from Heero with a twinkle of mischief in her eyes then waited to congratulate Marimeia. Hugs, handshakes, and congratulations were given from each member of their little party and the children moved around with excitement once they figured out what was going on.

"We were going to announce it at tonight's get together," pointed out Marimeia as they all entered the house.

Of course all the regular questions came up, who, what, when, where, etc. Heero and Marimeia informed them of the plans they had sketched out so far. When they started talking about who would do what, Marimeia looked at Trowa.

"Trowa, will you give me away?" she asked and waited for his reply.

A smile pulled at the corners of his mouth at the question.

"I would be honored to," he answered truly touched by her request.

They continued to ask Quatre and Catherine to be in the wedding party and they accepted. Christy and Jacob were excited that they were going to be in the wedding as well and were anxious for it to come. Nathan placed a small hand on Marimeia's arm and looked up at her with large green eyes.

"I want to be in the wedding too," he said.

Marimeia pulled him into her lap.

"There will be something for you to do in the wedding too," reassured Marimeia. "I just don't know what yet."

A small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth at her reassurance.

Before they knew it the others were arriving for dinner and another round of welcomes and how are you doings was preformed. Since Duo, Hilde, Wufie, and Sally were the only ones who did not know, Heero and Marimeia decided to tell each couple when they came in.

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TBC … Next Chapter ~ The Weed

Author's Notes: Now the 'family' knows. Thank's for being patient with me to post this part. Between grass that needs mowed, other yardwork that needs done, finals to study for and the a lack of inspiration, the story is coming along slowly. I did try to make this chapter longer than the last.