Title: Paraffin and Peonies 6/6

Major pairing: 3x4

Author: The Fablespinner ~*D*~

E-mail: fablespinner@hotmail.com

Rating: R

Genre: AU: Late 18th Century England Romance

Archive: http://fablespinner.steelsong.com/fanfiction/fanfiction.html

Author's Note: Loosely based on the Novel "The Secret Garden" Several Major Changes to story line will take place. Only similar elements will appear from the Original story.

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Disclaimer: Inspiration from many places, none of them mine, much to my lament.

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"The boy is unfit. His health and faculties will not be able to maintain Hardwicke Hall. I suggest an allowance to provide for the boy's needs while he still lives and find a suitable and deserving caretaker to maintain the estate." Tatlock urged and Nathanial growled.

"He is not unfit! Lord Winner, I implore you not to base your son's inheritance on the lies this woman spouts. If he is as ill and as unfit as she says he is, than she'll brook no argument with you seeing for yourself the truth." Nathanial spoke passionately to the worn figure lying on the bed. "I have held my tongue and my suspicions for years your Lordship, I can no longer in good conscience do so when the boys future is at stake. And a long future lies ahead of him at that." Nathanial said as a beautiful woman in her late thirties came into the room.

"I must agree with Mr. Bloom's logic Eduard." She began to speak in a soft French accent. The widow of Eduard's brother, and the owner of the home in which he languished glided gracefully into the room and sat at her brother-in-law's beside before speaking again.

"I have these many years urged you, and begged you to see your son. This may be your last chance. My nephew deserves at least once before you die to see his own father."

"Manon!" Lord Winner barked in a bad humor.

"Nay, do not gainsay me, I am not finished. You have brought this misery on your own shoulders Eduard Winner. My dear late husband for years tried to usher you home to your responsibilities, tried without success to stop this madness; your drinking, your gambling, your debauchery, and your wandering ways. You are not the only person in the world Eduard to have lost a loved one! These seven years I have been without my Simon, do you see me wallowing in despair? Nay you do not. I have grieved, and I have shed many a tear, and it hurts, that much I can understand. But to forsake my child in the process is just not something you do Eduard Winner!" Manon said and held up her hand when Eduard tried to speak again.

"No, you will listen Eduard. You cannot run this time, and you will hear it all until you understand. What would Quaterine think of you and what you are doing to HER son? She is weeping in heaven no doubt over this. When you die, do you think she will welcome you with open arms after what you have done? You have little time Eduard to make things right. You will return home to Hardwicke Hall, you will face your demons, and you will make amends. You are no longer welcome in my home, I will not allow you repose until you make amends." Manon said standing up then turning to Mrs. Tatlock.

"And you… I agree wholeheartedly with Mr. Bloom. You are hiding something, and I too have suspected this for years. I do not know how many times I have asked, begged, and pleaded to be allowed a visit to my own nephew, only to find one excuse after another.

I cannot fathom why a boy so ill can have made it into manhood. He is eighteen as of this springtide or am I mistaken?" Manon Winner asked, her eyes icy and cold.

Mrs. Tatlock steeled her shoulders. "By the doctors I bring in to care for him he lives. And he cannot have visitor's for fear of infection."

"Horse Hockey! That boy is as healthy as an ox. No child so ill can scream so loud!" Nathanial shouted and Manon turned her attention towards him.

"WHAT?" She demanded and Nathanial turned to the only person here willing to fight for Quatre.

"These so called doctors, usher every servant from the house during these 'special' treatments. And even in the garden you can hear the boy scream in pain. Then we all lie in bed at night and suffer with him while he sobs. It's inhuman, and it must cease." Nathanial said and Eduard sat up.

"He's being tortured?" Eduard asked, his voice stricken.

Nathanial nodded. "I believe so your Lordship. I beg you end this nightmare, and return to your son. I have lived my whole life without mine, and not a day went by I did not pray to God to have him restored to me. My prayers were answered, and my son has found me. And from one father to another, there is no better joy in this life than to look into the face of your grown son and see a man you can respect and be proud to call your own. Don't lose out on that chance your Lordship." Nathanial pleased and Eduard looked to his sister-in-law.

"He is right Eduard. Simon will never see his Jean as a man; he was only three when Simon passed. Yet those three years, even stricken, I never saw Simon happier. I beg you Eduard, go home." Manon said and Eduard nodded as he began to weep.

"Quatre, forgive me." Eduard sobbed waving everyone away from his bedside while he broke down.

Mrs. Tatlock flew down the stairs while Nathanial and Manon lingered a moment before leaving Mr. Winner alone.

"You have done, what Simon tried to do for years. Bless you Mr. Bloom." Manon said smiling at the handsome servant.

Nathanial smiled sadly. "It takes truth to hammer things home to stubborn men." He said just as a ten-year-old boy, came slowly around the corner. His raven locks and bright blue eyes, leaving Nathanial no doubt, this beautiful child was Manon's son. He walked up to his mother and lost himself in her skirts.

Nathanial bent down and smiled. "Well young lord, such a handsome young man you are. I can see your mother's influence in you. Are you having a good day sir?" Nathanial asked and a shy smile poked around Manon's skirt.

"Aye. But my kite is stuck in a tree." He said and Nathanial chuckled.

"That's easily fixed then lad. Come show me." Nathanial said holding out his hand for the youngster to take.

Jean looked up at his mother who smiled. "It's all right Mon Petit, This is Mr. Bloom." Manon said smiling her thanks to Nathanial.

Jean took Nathanial's hand and skipped alongside him as they headed outside to retrieve a stubborn kite.

Manon smiled, he may have had a dark and gruff exterior, but Nathanial Bloom was an old softy. Manon was not fooled for a minute; he was all bark and no bite. Not to mention quite a striking and handsome man who was ever so slowly, intriguing her. So she followed in hopes of getting a good view of one Nathanial Bloom climb a tree.

She knew something good to look at when she saw it, and even at nearly fifty, Nathanial Bloom was more active and spry than some men half his age.

Okay, now she was more than intrigued, she was practically drooling with sinful thoughts that she had not had since Simon had passed.

Nathanial Bloom was a wonder. Not only had he managed to convince Eduard to return to his son, he'd sparked something in her she thought gone forever.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Quatre spent most of that Thursday in bed being fussed over by Trowa and the others. He was heartbroken over the destruction of his sculpture and his back was throbbing from being struck so he lay there in poor spirits until Trowa snuggled up beside him.

"Looks like I'll just have to pose for you again. Or was one night of seeing me naked enough to turn you off forever?" Trowa asked kissing Quatre shoulder.

Quatre smiled and chuckled "One night will NEVER be enough." Quatre said rolling over to face Trowa who was smirking.

"Got you to smile. That's better." Trowa said snatching a kiss in the process.

"I feel better just having you here." Quatre said as a gentle tap came to the door. Duo was there.

"Guess what I found in the stables?" He asked holding his hands behind his back.

Quatre sat up as Duo walked in smiling. "What?" Quatre asked curious what Duo was hiding.

"Here." Duo said setting a basket on the bed that was covered in a small blanket that was moving.

"Mew" came the muffled sound and Quatre pulled the blanket back to see four kittens and mother lying in the basket. The around eight week old kittens bounding out onto the bed after the cover was lifted.

Quatre squealed. "Oh my God! Kittens!!!!" He cried as one scampered up onto his lap. Another into Trowa's the other two deciding to run circles around Quatre in a game of tag and pounce.

Quatre's laughter made the entire room spring to life. "They're adorable!!! You must be a proud mommy." Quatre said, turning his attention momentarily to the mother who rolled onto her back as Quatre stroked her.

"Well, I'll be damned. She never lets anyone but Hilde rub her tummy." Duo said smiling. "But then again, Hilde sneaks her milk and spoils her rotten." Duo said as the mother stretched and decided her babies were safe and thought a nap was in order. Quatre chuckled.

"I was wondering where she'd gone too. She likes to pounce on the pigeons on the window ledge. I thought she was getting fat." Quatre said and again Duo realized just how much of Quatre's world revolved around his window.

"Too fat to pounce when the Tom cat pounces you first." Duo said crudely playing with the all black kitten with the end of his braid.

Trowa had a tiger stripped, black and gray fuzz ball asleep in the crook of his arm as he stroked it's belly idly, and Quatre had the black and white spotted kitten and the all white one in his lap, snuggled into his blanket like a nest while both of his hands stroked soft fur.

Quatre sighed smiling. "Have you named them yet?" He asked and Duo shook his head.

"Nope. They're Hilde's runts. She told me to show them to you, and let you decide what you wanted to do with the kittens. She said the kittens are yours if you want them." Duo said and Quatre's eyes went wide.

"Really?" He gasped and Duo nodded.

"Yup, this hair ball already takes up most of my bed thank you very much." Duo said scratching Mother behind the ears.

"I can't take all four, that's too generous. And I think that one has attached itself to Trowa already." Quatre said. However, meaning in fact Trowa had attached himself to the kitten in his arm. Trowa looked up and grinned.

"I had a cat like this one once when I was a boy. Same coloring and everything, my Uncle wouldn't let me keep it in the house, he was allergic. One of the horses in the barn trod on him by accident." Trowa said with a sigh, moving to scratch behind ears.

The spotted kitten moved to join her brother in playing with Duo's braid as the white one mewed and batted at Quatre's hand demanding more attention.

Quatre smiled "Bossy! I'm rubbing already." He said picking her up to kiss her nose.

"I'll keep this one if I may. She's my favorite." Quatre said laughing as the kitten licked his nose.

"She's all yours then. What are you gonna call her?" Duo asked and Quatre shrugged. Then smiled and looked at Trowa.

"I can think of something that fits. Bianca, it means white AND she just happens to be one of my favorite literary heroines." He said with a smirk, his eyes drifting over to the bookcase. Trowa caught the hint and chuckled.

"Well we can't have a Bianca without her Knight Sir Dudley now can we?" Trowa said with a wink.

"Okay, what am I missing here? What book is this?" Duo asked and Trowa grinned.

"I'll let you read it when I'm finished with it. Make sure you have Hilde close by just in case." Trowa said and Duo cackled.

"Oh, I get it. Quatre you have a naughty book stashed in here?"

"It's more than naughty." Quatre said grinning evilly.

"Oh man, how'd you manage to get Tatlock to get it for you?" Duo asked and Quatre looked positively wicked.

"I tucked the titles I wanted into other book lists hiding them in between requests for theology. She never knew what she bought. Tatlock can't read very well, and especially not in Latin. I studied and learned from a book with English translations. So I sent requests in Latin so Tatlock couldn't read it but the man in the book store could, and he sent more things he thought I'd like seeing my tastes after a while." Quatre said laughing.

" BRILLIANT!" Trowa said laughing brightly as his lover's very devious mind and Duo snickered.

"If only she knew, man she'd shit herself." Duo said wiping his eyes as Sally wandered into the room.

"Lunch time boys… OH the kittens!!!!" She said going over to the spotted one right away. "Miss-missed-a-spot, are you being a good girl?" Sally said playing with her favorite Quatre grinned at Duo.

"That looks like three down to me." Quatre said and Duo grinned.

"One to go… oh Caaaaaathy?" Duo called sauntering out of the room, basket in tow with one mama cat, one all black kitten and one shit eating grin on his face.

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The days passed quickly and brightly. Quatre was making almost spectacular progress, and the pain in his muscles began to recede by leaps and bounds as he worked to build them up. A week had passed and Quatre was sitting on the edge of his bed waiting for Trowa to finish his morning chores and join him for breakfast when he decided to try standing up on his own.

Trowa chose just that moment to walk into the room and he had to force himself to stay in the doorway and watch. Knowing Quatre wanted to do this on his own.

All the while he prayed silently for success, Quatre hadn't seen him yet.

He watched Quatre shoo Bianca and Dudley away from his feet as he slid closer to the edge of the bed. And on shaky but firm legs, Quatre stood.

Trowa started to cry. Then he did as Quatre did the unimaginable, he walked.

Or rather he half stumbled, half fell towards the table a few paces away. But he got there under his own power, without falling over. He was sobbing as he fell into the chair at the table Trowa rushed in and scooped him up and swung him around the room.

"YOU DID IT!" Trowa cried for joy.

"I did! I did! You saw?" Quatre asked laughing and crying and clinging to Trowa's neck.

"I saw all of it! I'm so proud of you." Trowa said setting Quatre on his feet and kissing him firmly.

Quatre laughed. "Let me go, I've got to do it again!" Quatre said and Trowa stepped back a few paces.

"Walk to me." Trowa commanded and Quatre was like a beacon of light as he shuffled across the floor to Trowa.

Gaining another kiss when he reached Trowa's arms.

Once again Trowa stepped back a few more paces.

"Come give me another kiss." Trowa commanded once more and Quatre grinned and with gaining confidence, he walked to Trowa.

They continued this out of Quatre's room and down the hall. Quatre not tiring, only getting stronger, and more assured and steady, his fear had ebbed, and the shaking leaving his limbs as the fear lost its hold on his confidence.

Sally was at the foot of the stairs when she saw Quatre and she squealed with excitement.

Everyone rushed towards the sound and all stood at the bottom of the stairs whooping and hollering encouragements as Quatre followed Trowa to the top of the stairs, walking without any assistance all along the way.

Trowa took Quatre's arm then. "Grab the rail Quatre, and hold onto me. Let's keep going." He said stepping down one level.

Quatre watching his feet gingerly took his first step down.

Success!

More confidence built, Trowa stepped down again, and Quatre followed suit.

They were halfway down the staircase when the door opened, "What's all the SHOUTING IN HERE?!?!" Tatlock bellowed looking up with a start.

Quatre refused to be defeated and just glared at her. Then he saw who was behind her and gasped.

"Go on Son." Eduard said, leaning on Nathanial for support in the doorway, his eyes misted with tears and a smile on his face.

Quatre began to cry but took another step. Trowa holding his hand all the way, his own eyes on Nathanial.

Trowa had never seen anyone with as much pride as his father had right at that moment.

It seemed an eternity before Quatre had reached the ground, Eduard stumbled towards his son and crushed him in an embrace.

"Quatre forgive me. I beg you, give your father another chance?" Eduard rasped and Quatre sobbed nodding.

"Aye father. Welcome home." Quatre said weeping and Eduard began to collapse, both Trowa and Nathanial moving in before Eduard could bring Quatre down with him.

The coughing fit arrested Lord Winner a moment, before he smiled at his son. "I am glad to be home Quatre. But not nearly so glad as I am to see you." Eduard said as Nathanial lifted him up.

"To bed with you my Lord. It's been a long journey." He said and Quatre looked stricken.

"Father? Are you ill?" Quatre asked as a beautiful woman appeared with a small boy in the doorway.

"Aye he is Quatre. While he rests, I'll explain." She said and Quatre turned his head and quirked an eyebrow. He's seen a painting of her, but where? The parlor! This was his aunt Manon.

"Wait!" Eduard bellowed as Nathanial tried to get him to bed.

He first turned to Mrs. Tatlock who looked horrified.

"You, you viperous woman! You are fired; you have twenty-four hours to vacate my home! I charged you to CARE for my son! Not hold him a prisoner in his own home and LIE TO ME about his health!!!!!" Eduard said in a rage. He then turned to Trowa.

"And you! Come here." Eduard Ordered and Trowa stepped forward, only to be crushed in a hug.

"From the bottom of my heart, thank you." Eduard said and Trowa shook his head.

"Do not thank me. I did nothing. Quatre did all the work. I only help him because I care about him. I do not do it for thanks, I do it because I want to." Trowa said and Eduard smiled.

"Then I pray you want to for a long time to come. I can see why your father is so proud of you." Eduard said going into another fit of coughing.

"Bed sir. No argument." Nathanial said dragging Lord Winner to his bed.

Once Eduard left the room Trowa turned in time to see Tatlock rushing towards Quatre, Trowa dove for her and grabbed her well before she reached him.

"YOU LITTLE UNGRATEFUL CHILD! YOU SHOULD DO AS TOLD! YOU COST ME MY WHOLE LIFE AND NOW MY JOB YOU LITTLE WRETCH!" She screeched and Trowa shook her!

"Listen to yourself!? Had you cared for him as you should have and not fed him lies and made him bedridden on purpose you would never have had this happen. All of this is your doing! And I will undo your harm if it takes me a lifetime!" Trowa said shoving her forcefully into a chair.

"UNGRATEFUL! ALL OF YOU!" She sobbed.

She was mad, utterly mad and out of sorts. She shoved at Trowa and clawed, desperately trying to get to Quatre who was now protected by a wall of servants and his Aunt.

Manon stepped forward. "Mr. Barton, I think this woman needs to be restrained. Eduard is out of sorts so I am taking charge for the moment. I have reason to believe this woman is guilty of far more than Eduard would like to believe. And she does seem quite mad. Letting her leave in this state is not something I feel should be done.

Please lock her in her room, and have someone fetch a physician. I fear the asylum may be in order." Manon said almost vindictive in her manner.

She was seething with anger yet; her voice was soft and gentle.

Trowa liked the way this woman thought. A little justice was in order, even if it was only an empty threat, Mrs. Tatlock didn't know it as she screeched and wailed. The twinkle in Manon's eye was priceless.

With Heero's more than eager help, Mrs. Tatlock was locked into her room.

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Eduard Winner lay sleeping as everyone else sat in the parlor. Quatre's Aunt making sure she noted every horrible atrocity committed against her nephew on paper. She'd see Tatlock pay and the Doctor's who tortured him too for that matter.

She was a firm believer in justice and would not let people like this go unpunished.

Once she was satisfied, she began grilling Trowa for information on a more personal nature.

"If I were to offer you the job of Quatre's permanent caretaker, would you object?" She asked and Trowa coughed.

"Let me answer Trowa." Quatre said slipping his hand into Trowa's.

"Aunt Manon, Trowa's care for me, stems not from servant to master loyalty. This goes much deeper. He cares for me, as I care for him. He's not my servant, he's my lover." Quatre said bluntly and Manon's eyes widened for a moment before she began to laugh.

"Oh deary me. Well then that settles that problem of getting you to stay indefinitely Mr. Barton." She said gasping for air. "Never mind, you two carry on as is then." She said wiping a tear from her eye. "You could have saved me the trouble and told me sooner." She said looking at them both.

"You're not upset about it?" Trowa asked and She shook her head.

"Not in the slightest. Love worked a miracle here in a week. Who am I to judge divine intervention?" She said just as Nathanial walked into the room.

He didn't look happy.

"Nate?" Manon asked and he shrugged.

"Sleeping, but not well. I fear it's too little too late. It may be a matter of days I fear. I'm sorry Quatre." Nathanial said sitting next to Manon who lay a comforting arm around his shoulders.

Trowa cocked his head and Manon smiled softly. Quatre sniffled and leaned into Trowa.

"I'm saddened by this yes, but I can tell he's suffering. I pray when it is time, it is peaceful, I only wish I knew him. It is hard to grieve as I should, and I feel guilty about it, but he is such a stranger to me, I only wish I had time to know him as my father, and not some voice I used to hear occasionally through walls." Quatre said wiping his tears.

Manon leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Do not feel guilty Quatre, we do understand how difficult a time you'll have dealing with this. If there is blame to place, it falls upon your father's shoulders, not yours. At least for his final days, you can give him the chance to make amends. And that to him will mean more than anything." Manon comforted and Quatre sighed.

It had been a very long day.

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As expected, Eduard Winner did not last long, consumption had taken it's toll on his body, and three days after his return to Hardwicke Hall, and three days spent basking in the glow of his beautiful son, Eduard Winner peacefully passed and was laid to rest alongside his wife in the garden.

With Trowa's help, Quatre planted Rosebushes on his parent's graves and said a silent prayer that the sorrow in this life was eased and that happiness was granted to them in the afterlife. Quatre's heart forgave completely, and without reservation. He understood why his father had been the way he was, a broken heart that never mended.

He turned into the welcoming and comforting embrace of his beloved, yes; he understood exactly what his father had once felt. And how he would feel if Trowa were taken from him.

"Rest in Peace Father. Take care of him Mama, he needs you." Quatre said wiping his tears as he walked back to the house in Trowa's arms.

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"Trowa hurry up!" Quatre said bouncing around the room, dressed to resplendently in a pale blue waistcoat, vest, and, and trousers that matched his eyes.

"I'm hurrying! We won't be late." Trowa said buttoning his vest. "I have to be there, I'm the best man." Trowa grinned pulling his waistcoat on.

The late summer morning was bright and cheerful as they met an Equally dressed to kill Nathanial down in the parlor.

All three men climbing into a rose bedecked carriage to head for the church.

"So dad, you nervous?" Trowa asked and Nathanial groaned.

"I'm too old for this."

"Liar." Trowa said smirking and turning to look at Quatre who looked about ready to piss himself with excitement.

"My first Wedding." Quatre said grinning at Nathanial and winking as they pulled up at the church.

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"I now pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss the bride." The vicar announced and everyone stood in procession throwing coins and blossoms as Mr. and Mrs. Nathanial Bloom walked through the debris to their carriage.

Quatre held Jean's hand as they waved the honeymooner's farewell.

"I just thought of something Quatre." Trowa said leaning over the top of Jean's head to whisper in Quatre's ear.

"What's that?"

"We've just become related." Trowa said with a sick chuckle as the penny dropped and Quatre's jaw along with it.

"Oh no you don't Trowa. She was my Aunt by MARRIAGE. We are NOT cousins now. You almost had me there for a second." Quatre said laughing.

"I did have you there for a second, I thought you were going to shit yourself." Trowa said laughing and taking Jean's other hand. "Let's go home. We have tons of things planned for you Jean while you're with us. Cousin Quatre thought you'd like a chance to build a tree house in the oak in the garden." Trowa said as he and Quatre took on the role of surrogate parents and guardians for a month while Nathanial and Manon took a tour of the continent for a honeymoon.

"Tree House?! REALLY? Oh Cousin Quatre YES! WHOOPIE!" Jean laughed and Quatre smiled at Trowa.

"Can we play in it too?" Quatre asked waggling his eyebrows.

Trowa coughed. "First walking, now you want to scale trees like Tarzan. What am I going to do with you up there? Hummmmmm?"

"I can think of a few things." Quatre said grinning as they all got into their carriage and headed for home.

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The End