Disclaimer: I don't own them
except for the kids!
"Owww, damn friggin' curling iron," Randy hissed as she sucked her burnt index finger in her mouth. "Who invented those things anyway?" she asked herself as she pulled out her finger and examined her reddened fingered. Her normally long and straight midnight locks were piled on top of her head, twisted into curls by the curling iron. One silky curl dangled by her ear as it refused to stay up. "Some days I curse the fact that my hair is as slippery as my mom's and as thick as my dad's," she said as she frowned at the wayward strand. "Oh, to hell with it." She let the curl go as she went back into her room and slipped on her dark blue heeled sandals. She observed her reflection in the mirror on the back of her door. The crepe de chine dress that matched her eyes swirled about her mid thigh. She adjusted the one strap that held the dress up. She smiled again, finally satisfied with her appearance. "Hope dad doesn't flip when he sees this dress, but then again who said I wasn't a little devil," she smirked as she went down back stairs into the kitchen. She could see Donavon's russet hair glinting under the light. He was talking to her dad. "Hello, I'm ready," she called out.
Donavon
turned around first and almost had to hold his chin up with his hand to keep it
from falling to the floor. He smiled and walked over to her, offering his hands
to her. "Randy, you look absolutely beautiful," he said as she took them.
"Why
thank you Donavon," she said as she gave him a bright smile. She squeezed his
hands affectionately. She looked over at her dad. "Well dad, what do you
think?" she asked as she turned around.
Duo
was speechless for a moment. "Well I guess I would have to say…you look
wonderful," he said as he took her hand and kissed it. "You look as lovely as
your mother."
"Only
lovely?" Hilde asked as she leaned against the doorframe. She smiled at him.
He
was rendered speechless yet again. Her simple black sundress danced about her
trim ankles. It was tied about her slender neck. Her hair was pulled back,
leaving some wisps of hair to trail down her neck. "Lovely was an
understatement, you look gorgeous babe," he said as he went over to her and
kissed her lightly. "And good enough to eat too," he whispered against her ear.
Hilde
blushed a little. "I would think so," she said as she laughed softly as she
pulled away briefly. "I don't do this just for me."
Duo
grinned and kissed her again. He looked over at Randy and Donavon, both shaking
their heads and rolling their eyes. "You two better start on your way," he
said.
"You
just want mom all to yourself," Randy said teasingly.
"He's
right though, we should go. I want to get a good parking spot," Donavon said as
he pulled out his keys from shirt pocket. The steel colored shirt brought out
the gray in his eyes.
"All
right, we'll see you later," Randy said as she linked her arm though Donavon's
and left.
Duo
looked after her and the younger Barton. He still had his arms around Hilde. He
looked down at his petite wife and kissed her again. This time slower and
longer. He lifted his head away from her so that his lips were barely touching
hers. "I love you."
Hilde
smiled against his mouth. "I love you too Duo," she said as she leaned up a
little and brushed her nose against his.
He
did the same. "Did I tell you I like that dress?"
"Last
time I remember you saying that, you just wanted to take the dress off me," she
said lightly.
"True.
Why mess with something that works as well as flattery? It goes good with the
right kind of kiss," Duo replied, kissing the tip of her nose.
"Uh
uh, You're not seducing me out of the dress that easily tonight braided one. I
want to be able to go to the shops while there's still good things there,"
Hilde said as she effectively twisted out of his arms.
"You
want to shop?" he groaned, following her into the garage. He still hated
shopping. He dreaded it.
"Oh,
it's not so bad love. If you do, say you like my dress later and maybe, just
maybe will I let you to seduce me out of it," she smirked as she leaned against
the cool metal of her Tahoe.
"That
a promise?" Duo asked as he pressed her between him and her car. He was
grinning wickedly.
"Try
and find out," Hilde replied huskily as she leaned up and gave him a teasing
kiss before ducking under his arms.
He
grinned as he helped her into the Tahoe and got in beside her. He leaned across
the console and kissed her on the lips again. "Can't help it when you look like
that."
She
shook her head, but smiled broadly at him anyway. "Come on. I have some
shopping to do."
"Whatever
you say babe. Whatever you say," Duo said as he pulled out of the garage and
drove towards the town.
******************************************************************************
Donavon
looked over at Randy again. The wind tugged gently at her hair, making a few
curls dance about her face. He drove a vintage Saab that he had bought for
practically nothing and fixed up himself. It was the color of gunmetal with
black leather seats. He smiled as Randy put her arms up in the air. "So, do you
think that your dad will give my brother an answer?" he asked as he looked back
at the road.
Randy
looked over at him. "I certainly hope so. I want an answer before Miles goes
back to college in two weeks," she replied as she brought her arms back down.
She laced her fingers together on her lap and looked over at him. "Did it sound
like my dad is going to say yes when you were talking to him while you were
waiting for me?"
He
shrugged. "No, didn't even mention it," he said. He looked out of the corner of
his eyes at her as she frowned. He pulled into a parking spot near the beach.
He looked at her fully as he placed his hand on her bare shoulder. "Don't worry
about it Randy. Everything will be fine. Now smile. I want you to have a good
time," he said as he got out of the car and went around to help her out. He
resolutely kept his eyes off of her legs as she got out. He tucked her arm
through his. "Now what do you want to do first? Dancing or…shopping?" he asked,
cringing.
"Definitely
dancing," she laughed when she saw his relieved expression. Her small beaded
purse dangled from around her left wrist. She looked up at him as they walked
towards the town square. "Donavon, why are you so good to me?" she asked.
Donavon
smiled down at her. "Because you're my closest and by far the prettiest friend
I've ever had," he replied as they got closer to the square. The music could be
heard now. Thrumming throughout the brightly lit streets.
Randy
gave him a grateful smile as she walked beside him. The shops and the streets
were filled with people. She loved going to the Festival. She loved the
shopping and the dancing. Especially the dancing. "Come on Donavon. I want to
dance," she said as she started walking a little faster. She pulled him along
until they reached the park that was situated in the middle of the town. The
dance floor was made of slate and it was raised up above the grass and
surrounded by tables.
Neither
one of them saw Miles, step out of the shadows of the trees. He felt his heart
swell when he saw Randy's happy expression as she pulled his brother out to the
dance floor. He chuckled. "That woman could make any guy do what she wants,
especially if she's dressed like that," he said to himself. He let his eyes
travel over her slim figure.
"Come
on Donavon," Randy said as she tossed her purse on the table where she had
recognized Veronica's and Carin's stuff. She could see Chris and Victoria
dancing on the other side of the dance floor. It was a slow tempo song. She
slipped her hand into his and felt his hand come to rest on the small of her
back. She felt comfortable with dancing close to him. She had for years.
Donavon
sighed as he danced with her. He was tall like his brother was, which meant
that Randy's forehead was level with his chin. He could smell the fresh peach
scent of her shampoo as her hair chose to brush against his face in the light
breeze. She pushed away from him and he spun her around slowly, before pulling
her back. "Having fun yet?" he asked as he looked down at her.
She
looked up at him. "Yes, I'm having fun," she replied as he turned her out again
and she spun under his arm before being pulled against him again. She tilted
her head to one side. "Does Miles dance as good as you?"
He
shook his head. "No. He hated ballroom dancing. He's not a bad dancer, but he
tries to avoid it as much as possible. Unless he's with a beautiful woman," he
answered as the slow song came to an end. A faster paced song with a Latin beat
came up. He saw the look she gave him. "You want to put the others to shame
now?" he asked, grinning a little.
"You
bet I do," Randy said as she began to move her hips in time with the music. She
began laughing as Donavon spun her around on the dance floor.
Soon
they were the only ones on the floor, everyone having cleared it to watch.
Chris
rolled his eyes. "She's such a show off," he sighed as he watched his sister.
"Not
much different then you," Victoria replied, kissing his chin. She laughed when
he scowled a little.
Miles
was watching as well. In a way he envied his younger brother because he had
easy access to Randy. He watched how effortless they moved together and how
comfortable they seemed. "Admit it,
you're jealous. No I'm not. You're
not? All right, I am a little jealous. Only
a little? Ok, ok, a lot! Happy now!"
He watched how Donavon's hands settled on her hips as he turned her. He growled
in frustration and annoyance, wishing it was him dancing with her like
that.
******************************************************************************
Duo
followed Hilde into another shop. He was already carrying two bags. He sighed
as he shifted them in his hand, hoping that she wouldn't go in that antique
shop up ahead. He heard her yell in delight. "Damn! Too late," he mumbled,
cringing a little. He waited outside. He raised his eyes skywards. "I hope she
doesn't buy something too expensive." He heard her call his name. "Man, now
what did she see." He went into the shop and looked around. "Babe? Babe, where
are you?"
"Here,"
Hilde replied as she popped up from behind a stack trunks. She smiled at him.
"Duo come here. I found something."
"What
doesn't she find?" he sighed to himself as he went over to her. "What?"
"How
about this?" she asked as she stood up straight and pointed to the bassinet.
Duo
choked. When he finally regained his power of speech he looked at her. "WHAT?
You're not pregnant are you?" he almost yelled, earning looks from other
patrons.
Hilde
flushed first. "No, not for us baka! For Chris and Victoria when they have a
baby of their own," she hissed at him. She rolled her eyes. "Geez Duo, you're
not usually the one given to hysterics. That's my job."
He
looked at her again like she was crazy. "Hilde, they're not even engaged yet!
What the hell are you talking about?"
"I
know. But Relena and I have been talking about our children getting married. I
mean it is inevitable that Chris will marry Victoria. They can barely keep
their hands off each other as it is. It's only a matter of time before he asks
her to marry him and gets her pregnant," she said as she shrugged. "I figure,
it's nice to be prepared," she said pragmatically.
Duo
looked back at the polished mahogany and sighed. "How much is it?"
Hilde
smiled broadly and gave him a hug. "It's 300 credits," she replied excitedly.
He
rolled his eyes and pulled out his wallet and gave her the credit card. "Go on
and get it. I'll put it in the car afterwards."
"I
love you so much," she said as she pulled him down for a kiss before releasing
him. "Can you carry it up to the counter for me?" she asked over her shoulder.
Duo
shook his head and picked it up. "Man, the things I do for that woman." As soon
as it was purchased, he went back to the Suburban and put it in the trunk. "Can
I hope that there is nothing else you want?" he asked looking over his shoulder
at her.
Hilde
shook her head. "I only just started," she said teasingly as she pulled him
along.
"That's
what I was afraid of," he mumbled as he went along with her.
******************************************************************************
Donavon
spun Randy around faster. All he wanted to do was make sure she was having a
good time. He dipped her and brought her back up. He could hear her laughter,
which was what he wanted. He grinned when she walked around him, her hands
smoothing over his shoulders before coming around to the front of him again,
swinging her hips as she walked away from him. Then he grabbed both her hands,
pulling her back, so that her back was against his chest. "I take it that
you're having fun," he said as she leaned her head back and looked up at him.
"Plenty,"
Randy replied, grinning broadly as she pulled away again, only to be brought
back and dipped as the song ended. "You're a sweetheart Donavon," she said as
she leaned up and gave him a sisterly kiss on the cheek.
He
flushed a little from her kiss. "Thanks, I guess," he said as he led her from
the dance floor back to the table.
Miles
smiled wryly at his brother's reaction. His brother was the complete opposite
of him. He never blushed when girls kissed him. He had always kissed them back.
That was where he and Donavon differed. The only girl that was very close to
his brother was Randy. He would've thought his brother would've been the one to
date Randy, but he never asked her. Never showed her or let anyone else think
that there was anything but friendship between them. He grinned when he saw
Randy laugh at his brother again as he pulled a chair out for her. He wished he
could be closer right now, but he didn't know where Duo was and he wasn't going
to screw up his chances by getting close to her.
Donavon
felt eyes on him. He looked up and saw Miles looking in his direction. He was
gazing longingly at Randy. Donavon shook his head. "He's got it bad," he said
under his breath. He looked back at Randy. "Want something to drink?" he asked
as he stood.
Randy
nodded. "Sure. Get me one of those strawberry smoothies," she said as she
handed him money.
He
shook his head. "Nope. I'll pay. Since I asked you to this, I'll do the honors
of buying for you tonight. Like Miles, I believe the gentlemen should pay for
his date," he said as he tugged on the wayward curl and walked off to get her
drink.
She
watched him go with a thoughtful smile on her face. She felt a pair of hands
settle on her shoulders. She looked up and saw Chris looking down at her.
"What's up?" she asked.
Chris
frowned a little. "You know how short that skirt is? When Donavon was spinning
you, you're skirt was up a little too high. You had all the guys staring at
you," he said as he sat down. He pulled Victoria down onto his lap.
Randy
rolled her eyes. "Man, you're starting to sound like dad. I'm a big girl Chris.
Besides I'm wearing boy cut shorts under this. You really think I wouldn't with
a skirt this short and with the way that I dance?" she said disdainfully. She
let out unladylike snort.
Chris
scowled at his baby sister. "Well someone has to keep an eye on you when dad
isn't."
Victoria
shook her head. "Honestly Chris. If your sister can almost kick the crap out of
me, then she can pretty much take care of herself like I can."
"Babe,
you're only comparing yourself to other women. Not guys," Chris pointed out.
Victoria's
Prussian blue eyes narrowed dangerously. "Oh really?" she said before she
elbowed him hard in the ribs. She saw him wince a little. "Care to say that
again baka?"
Chris
rubbed his ribs where she dug her elbow in. "All right. You could both probably
take on some guys. Damn, remind me never to really piss you off. You got sharp
elbows there baby."
Victoria
smiled smugly. "That's what I thought you'd say."
Randy
snorted again. "She's got you whipped."
"Who's
got who whipped?" Donavon asked as he came back with Randy's drink. He sat down
in the chair next to her.
She
looked over at him. "I was talking about Chris and Victoria here. I said that
she has my brother whipped."
Donavon
couldn't help but snicker, when he saw the indignant look cross Chris's face
and the smirk on Victoria's. He choked back his laughter when he saw Chris turn
a glare at him. "Sorry," he said as he sipped his root beer.
"Oh
don't be a spoilsport. I still love you," Victoria said as she kissed Chris's
nose.
Chris
sulked for a moment, before kissing her soundly on the lips, making his sister
and Donavon roll their eyes.
"You
know when they're not trying to kill each other, they can't keep their hands
off each other," sighed Randy as she sipped her cold drink.
Donavon
nodded his head in agreement. He looked over his shoulder again. He could still
see Miles, looking at Randy. He sighed. "Would you excuse me for a moment?" he
said, giving her shoulder a squeeze as he stood.
"Sure,"
Randy replied as she watched him go, with curiosity written on her pretty features.
******************************************************************************
Miles
saw Donavon walk towards him. He grinned slightly. "And what do I owe the honor
of your presence little brother?"
Donavon
shook his head. "Nothing really. I can see you've been staring at Randy the
entire time."
"I
haven't been the only one," Miles said as he looked at the other guys, still
casting looks in her direction.
"Most
of these guys know who she is and know that to them, she is completely
unattainable," Donavon replied seriously as he saw her laughing when the other
two Maxwell brothers arrived with their dates in tow. Veronica, Carin, Vaughn,
and Jet were also over there.
"Unattainable
is right," Miles mumbled as he leaned his head back and looked up into the
night sky. "And it would make most guys wonder why you seem to have no trouble
attaining her."
"Luck
I guess. I've been dancing with her since I was eleven years old. And, I never
acquired a reputation for being a lady-killer. Unlike you of course," Donavon
pointed out.
"That's
the distinct difference between us bro. You have no reputation, no girlfriends,
no lovers, not really anything that deals with those types of vices," Miles
said, looking back at his brother. "Which makes me wonder, how come you never
asked out Randy? I mean, you had plenty of opportunities and Duo probably
approves of you."
"I
was just never in on the girl thing Miles. I like women very much. I just have
other things that occupied my mind. My mind was never in the gutter like yours
was," Donavon said wryly. "And as for Randy? I think she's a beautiful woman,
but she's almost like a sister to me. And Duo knows it too."
Miles
smirked a little. "You're telling me that you never had one X-rated thought
about Randy in the last few years?"
Donavon
smirked back. "No, not really. But I always thought she had nice legs."
"Not
really is you're answer. The nice legs I agree with, but never?" Miles shook
his head. "Are you sure I'm related to you?"
"Of
course I am baka," Donavon sighed. "Just because I never had a fantasy about
Randy doesn't mean I'm not related to you. I just don't think of women that
way." He frowned for a moment. "Besides, shouldn't you be worried about Duo
instead of why I differ from you on counts of women. I mean, he does get to
tell you whether or not you get to date his little girl."
It
was Miles's turn to frown. "I know that. Why do you think I'm over here instead
of over there where she is. I know Duo's probably here. I would very much like
him to give me an answer. I have to know if I'm allowed to date Randy."
"Well
just keep in mind when you date her, you're going to have to keep your mind out
of the gutter because you know what'll happen to you if you don't," Donavon
warned. "And like Duo, I will hurt you if you hurt her in any way. So just keep
that in mind."
Miles
grinned. "I wouldn't have it any other way. I would expect something like that
from Randy's "brother," and my saint hearted little brother," he said jokingly
as he patted Donavon on the back.
******************************************************************************
Duo
groaned again. "Never give a woman a credit card and let her shop," he mumbled
under his breath. He was holding two bags with clothes in them. "How many
clothes shops does she need to go into? She has more then enough."
"A
women can never have too many clothes Duo," Hilde said she waited at the
counter as the owner rang up her purchases. "Besides, you like it when I look
good, yes?" she asked looking up at him through her lashes.
"Yeah,
but I like you in anything babe. You always look beautiful in anything you
wear," he said and then he leaned down and whispered in her ear," and in
nothing at all."
She
blushed brightly at his comment. "Duo, behave yourself," she hissed as she
handed him her third bag. She walked out of the store with him following her.
She felt his eyes on her as she walked in front of him. She went into the shop
where they sold oriental carpets. "Oh I like that one!" she exclaimed as she
went over to a deep blue and gold one. She walked around it, smiling and
nodding her head. "It would go wonderful in the dining room."
Duo
frowned even more. "Hilde, you replaced the one in the dining room last year.
We don't need a new one."
"But
Duo, it would go perfect with the lighter blue walls and…"she was cut off when
she felt his arms pick her up and put her over his shoulder. "DUO! Put me
down!" she snapped at him.
"No
rug. For once baby, I'm putting my foot down. No more spending! I know we have
plenty of money, but I don't want you to spend me out of house and home in one
night!" he pointed out as he picked up the three bags with his other hand,
while the other one kept her over his shoulder, as he walked out of the store.
"Put
me down you baka!" She squirmed, trying to move off his shoulder.
Duo
put her down on the cobbled street. He could see the fire in her eyes. He
sighed. "Babe, enough is enough. Give me back my credit card?" he asked holding
out his hand. She continued to glare at him with her arms crossed. "Hilde if
you don't get it back, I can't buy something for you."
Hilde
lowered her arms. "What do you mean, something for me?"
"How
about I buy you an early anniversary present?" he asked.
"An
early anniversary present?" She smiled and opened her purse and handed him back
his credit card.
Duo
took it and slipped it back into his pocket. "Now, come on. You can pick it
out," he said as he threaded his fingers through hers and they walked down the
street. He walked her into a jewelry store. He saw her wide eyes. "Go on and
pick something that you like. Within reason of course."
Hilde
started looking around in the cases. She looked at the bracelets. She had a
small collection of them now. At the moment she was wearing five of them. The
first one was the combination of her birthstone and Duo's, a diamond and topaz
bangle bracelet. The other four were of the birthstones of her children, each
one had their names engraved on the inside. She smiled when she found the one
that she liked. "Duo, I like this one," she said, pointing to a black and white
opal bangle bracelet.
He
looked over her shoulder. "That what you want babe?" he asked.
"Yes,"
she replied as he had the jeweler take it out of the case for her to look at
better. She nodded her head. "Definitely this one Duo."
Duo
grinned. "How much is the bracelet?" he asked.
"Sixteen
hundred credits sir," the jeweler replied.
Duo
nodded his head and handed the man his credit card. He looked back down at
Hilde. "You want to wear it now or do you want them to put it in a box for
you?"
"I
want to wear it," Hilde replied happily as the jeweler came back with the
receipt and papers for Duo to sign.
"I'll
go and clean this for you madam," the jeweler said as he took the bracelet to
the back of the store to be cleaned. He brought it back after a few minutes and
undid the clasp and slipped it over her wrist.
"Thank
you," Hilde answered as she held up her wrist to the light. The opals flashed
different colors brilliantly before she brought her wrist back down. "Can I
have a box for this as well?" And she watched as the man pulled out a black
velvet box and put it in a bag for her.
Duo
handed the papers back to the jeweler and tucked his receipt back in his wallet
along with his credit card. He looked down at his wife. "Are you ready to go
now babe?"
"Yes,"
she said as she linked her arm through his as they walked out. As soon as they
reached the middle of the street, she looped her arms around his neck and
pulled him down for a kiss. "Thank you Duo. I love you so very much," she said
against his mouth.
"Love
you too babe," he said as he kissed her again. He kissed the tip of her nose
before he pulled away. He took her hand in his as they started walking down the
street again. "I'm a little hungry now. How about I put the bags in the back of
the car and we can go get something to eat?"
"That's
fine," Hilde said as she followed him back to the car. As she watched him put
the bags in, she leaned against the other door. "Duo, have you thought about
what you're going to say to Miles yet?"
Duo
closed the trunk door and turned to look at her. "I haven't really thought
about it," he replied honestly as they began walking again.
She
sighed. "I really think you should tell him tonight. I mean you had him working
for you, you made him take that test. I think it would be nice of you to tell
him your answer."
He
shrugged his shoulders as they walked into the square itself. The music was
playing loudly and couples were on the dance floor. He spotted Donavon and
Randy, dancing. And over on the other side, was Miles, watching. He smiled a
little. "I guess I will have to make up my mind," he said noting the
jealous/lovesick expression on Miles's face as he watched the younger Barton
dancing with his daughter. "But let me think about it a little more," he said
to Hilde as he steered her in the direction of the food.
Hilde
sighed. "Well don't take all night to do it," she warned lightly for she also
noted the young man's expression.
"Don't
worry Hilde, I'll tell him before the night is through," Duo said as he took
another look over at Miles. He smirked. "I'll just take up most of the night
first."
Author's
Note: Sorry this took awhile to get out, but here it is! I'll have the second
part of this out soon. I have so much to put for the Festival; I didn't want to
make this first part too long. So I hope you enjoyed and stay tuned for more!
XOXOXO!