Disclaimer: I don't own them except for the kids!
Irresistible, Part 6
David paced back and forth in his room. It was the day of the wedding. "You're not going to panic, you're not going to panic," he told himself over and over. He went into his bathroom and looked at his face. He frowned. "You're panicking," he muttered as he went back into his room. He ran a hand over his face as he looked at his tux on the hanger on the back of his door. His stomach lurched. "Maybe I shouldn't have eaten all those pancakes mom made this morning." He turned his eyes away from it and looked towards the window. Bolting had started becoming tempting idea as the day wore on and he realized what he would be happening later that evening.
"Don't even think it," Chris said as he poked his head in the door. He pushed it open and leaned against the frame, observing his younger brother. "I don't want to have to tackle you and I do have a gun."
David turned and gave his brother a fulminating look. "Go to hell."
Chris sighed. "You know I'll catch you and if I don't, Jonathon or dad will. And I wouldn't put it past Zach and Thad either since you're marrying their baby sister. And if Zechs gets wind of it, you'll have a lot more to worry about."
David's chin went up several notches, but he did pale slightly under his tan. "I wouldn't get caught if I did," he scoffed as his eyes went back to his window and then back to his door where Chris stood like a roadblock. "But couldn't blame me if I had to try," he said as he darted towards the window, knowing Chris would lunge for him. He turned swiftly on his heel and narrowly evaded his brother's outstretched hands. He ran out of his room and down the front steps. He skidded to a halt when he came face to face with Jonathon.
"Going somewhere?" Jonathon asked, arching a brow.
"DAVID GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!"
David cringed as he heard Chris' yell. He tossed Jonathon a sheepish smile and slowly began inching back.
Jonathon smirked. "I don't think you have good odds of getting away," he said as he took a step forwards.
David frowned. "I think I…DO!" he cried as he spun on his heel and ran through the living room and into the dining room.
"DAVID!" Jonathon yelled as he followed him. Chris was trailing behind him.
David ran through the kitchen and into the family room. He wasn't expecting an arm to shoot out and grab him by the back of the shirt.
"Going somewhere," Duo said casually as he sat in the chair, reading the paper. He turned his cobalt eyes up at his son and smirked. "You shouldn't have tried it."
"I can't do this! I can't! I'm not good enough for her!" David protested.
"So you caught him," Jonathon said as he came into the room with Chris following. And behind him were Zach and Thad Merquise.
David gulped and cringed even more.
"I told him he wouldn't have a chance," Chris drawled, a smirk crossing his face.
"Trying to leave our sister? Not in this lifetime," Thad said as he crossed his arms. He arched a brow at David.
David flinched under the penetrating icy blue gaze of Thad Merquise.
"Not unless you want our dad on your ass," Zach pointed out, his brow furrowing over his deep amethyst eyes.
David crossed his arms belligerently and mumbled a few choice words in German.
"Take him back upstairs and keep a better eye on him, I don't want to have to tie him," Duo said as he smiled slightly at his youngest son.
David scowled as he was handed over to his brothers and his future brothers in law and pulled back up the steps to his room.
Several hours later…
David glared at his brothers as he sat on the bench in the foyer as they waited for his mother to come down. His hands were tied in front of him as was his ankles. "You can all go straight to hell," he muttered.
Jonathon turned his eyes towards his younger brother. "Some of us are already there," he stated flatly, but his mouth turned up in a wicked smirk, "But your getting a woman, so I don't think you'll be thinking this is a hell for long."
David stuck his tongue out at Jonathon before hunching his shoulders. He looked towards his father. "You think mom is ready yet?"
Duo looked back over his shoulder at David. "It's your mother, so who knows. She could take all day and still not think she looks beautiful enough," he replied as he laced his fingers behind his head. "Maybe I should…"
"Sorry to keep you all waiting," Hilde said as she stood at the top of the steps.
David looked up at his mother. His eyes went wide as she slowly made her way down the steps.
Duo smiled as he waited at the foot of the steps for her. His eyes wandered over her. The crepe de chine was a soft periwinkle color. The skirt came down to her knees and it had delicate beads sown into vine tendrils, the fitted jacket had no collar and hit at the waistband of her skirt. The silk camisole matched the color of the suit. The pearl necklace that he had given her on her eighteenth birthday graced her slender throat as well as the pearl drop earrings that had been a gift on her twenty-fifth birthday. She had let her hair swing freely against her shoulders. Her matching clutch was in her right hand. She looked gorgeous and she was all his.
David stared at his mother like his brothers and the Merquises were. He knew his mother was still a beautiful woman, but she looked indescribable. He was sure that many women would give her envious looks tonight. She was in her mid forties and she still seemed to render guys speechless. He watched as his dad went up the last few steps and take her hands in his. He grinned when his father leaned forwards and whispered something in her ear, making her smile and laugh softly. He nudged Chris with his foot. "Untie me!" he hissed.
Chris looked back at him. "Can I trust you not to run?" he hissed back.
"Chris!" David snapped softly.
"All right!" Chris replied as he untied his brother's ankles and his wrists.
"Baka," David muttered as he brushed past Chris and went over to his mother. "You look lovely mom," he said, smiling as he bent down and pressed a kiss on her cheek.
"Thank you love," Hilde replied as she smiled back at him. She touched his cheek with her fingers. "You look so handsome David," she said, with pride in her voice.
He blushed a little. "Thanks mom."
She smiled and looked back at Duo. "Can you believe it Duo? Another one is getting married."
"I know," Duo, sighed as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pressed a kiss on top of her head. "They grow up so fast and make you feel old," he sighed in mock resignation.
David grinned at his dad. "Just wait until Randy," he chuckled as his father got an alarmed expression. "Just kidding dad, it won't be for a while yet."
"Better not be for a while. She's too young and no where near getting married," Duo grumbled.
"Come on, we have to be at the Church soon. We don't want the bride to freak out," Jonathon said as he and Chris came over to place perfunctory kisses on their mother's cheek.
"And knowing Kellie…she can do that quite easily," Thad commented as he opened the door.
David followed walked outside. Chris and Jonathon walked behind him, not trusting him at all as they walked to the Suburban waiting in the driveway. He was watching his parents. They were holding hands and walking extremely close. He smiled to himself. He then understood as his dad helped his mother in the SUV and leaned up to press a kiss on her lips and then kiss her fingers before releasing them. He didn't hear his mother's words, but he could see that she had said, "I love you." "I get it now," he said softly as he got into the back of the SUV with his brothers. He relaxed as the engine started. It was almost time.
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Kellie sighed as Victoria was smoothing out the wrinkles in the train of the pure white duchess satin. "You guys are driving me insane with all this last minute primping," she commented as she looked over her shoulder.
"You're not the only one," Zechs muttered from behind his paper as he sat in a chair in the Church's waiting room in the back. He cast the girls a reproachful look.
"Oh come on, you only have one daughter, this isn't going to happen again for you uncle," Veronica said as she stood back and observed her cousin. "So do you have everything?"
"What do you mean everything?" Kellie asked as she turned to look at Veronica.
"You know, "something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue." You know, that stuff," Veronica stated as she propped her hands on her hips.
"Yes, I do have all those things," Kellie sighed in exasperation. "The tiara is something old since it's been said that it belonged to my grandmother," she said as she touched the delicate diamond and pearl creation on her midnight locks, "something new is the bracelet that my parents gave me yesterday at the rehearsal to match the tiara," she said as she held out her wrist, where a diamond and pearl tennis bracelet glittered, "something borrowed is Hilde's pearl choker," she said as she touched the three strands of pearls around her neck, "and something blue is this," she said as she raised the hem of her dress slightly to reveal the delicate blue ribbon going through the hem of the petticoat, "there's one more thing that's blue but I don't think I have to tell you what it is," she said finally as she let go of the skirt, letting it fall.
The other women smirked knowingly.
"I have to see the look on his face when he gets to see that," laughed Randy as she twirled a lock of her ebony hair around her fingertips.
"You and me both," snickered Veronica.
"I don't see a Maxwell not knowing what to do," Leigh remarked dryly as she leaned against the door.
"Got that right," Victoria chimed in as she stood and scrutinized the trail of the dress again. "Just be careful of when you walk. I don't know how I managed to walk down the aisle with that long of a train."
"Pure luck," Kellie said over her shoulder as she smiled at her cousin. She looked at her reflection in the full-length three-way mirror in front of her. The dress was sleeveless due to the warmer weather, but it was still a massive dress. The corseted top was unadorned, the duchess satin gleaming softly under the light that filtered through the windows. The full ball gown skirt had crystal beading along the hem, adding sparkle to a very simple dress. The train stretched out behind her, also adorned with the beadwork. The dress shouted elegance and even though people didn't acknowledge it, it bespoke of the royal Peacecraft blood that flowed through her veins. The veil was connected to the tiara; it would be pulled over her face later before her walk down the aisle. Her hair was wound in a simple bun with a few tendrils caressing her cheeks. Her makeup as usual was very simple. Her eyes went towards her father's reflection in the chair. He was hiding behind the paper again. "Daddy, how do I look?"
Zechs looked over his paper at his daughter again. She was looking at him by the mirror. He smiled finally and stood. He looked at the other women in the room and looked down at his watch. "Don't you ladies have somewhere to go?" he asked, arching a brow.
"I think you want us to get lost," Randy smirked as she opened the door.
"Would you?"
"Come on, let's go see if the guys are here yet," Victoria sighed as she picked up her bouquet and followed Veronica, Randy, and Leigh out the door.
Zechs looked back at his daughter. "What was your question again?"
"How do I look?"
He smiled and went over to her, taking her hands in his and turning her to face him. A smile crossed his face. "You look as breathtaking as your mother."
Kellie laughed. "You always think mom's breathtaking any day of the week dad."
"I know, but you look so much like her at your age except for the length of your hair. Her hair wasn't quite as long as yours." He reached up and tugged gently on a curl.
She could see the love in her father's eyes as he looked at her. "I love you daddy," she said softly.
Zechs smile turned rueful. "After today, I won't be the most important man in your life. I'm giving my only daughter away to one of those Maxwells."
"You'll always be my daddy and I'll love you as much as I always did," Kellie said as she reached out and straightened his tie a little.
His hands came up and covered her ring less ones. Her hands always felt fragile in his just like Noin's had and still did. Those amethyst eyes sparkled just like hers. He could also see his mother in her from the few memories that he had of her. It was in the way she carried herself and the way she smiled. She was a true Peacecraft. "You sound like your mother too." He lifted her hands and kissed each one before lowering them. "I love you Kellie," he said faintly.
Her eyes felt hot with tears, but she pushed them back. She grasped her father's hands tightly in hers. "You look handsome today. You make me so proud to have a dad like you." She observed the silvery platinum hair that was still as long as it had been when she was a little girl. Her older brother was the only one who took after him in looks. His ice blue eyes were soft and warm as they looked down at her. She still felt small next to his six foot five height even though she stood at five foot seven like her mother.
There was a knock on the door and Victoria poked her head in. "David's here. The service will be getting under way soon," she said as she closed the door.
Zechs felt his heart clench as he saw Kellie smile at the mere mention of David's name.
There was another knock at the door. It was Noin. "I was hoping you two would still be here," she said as she shut the door behind her. She was wearing a deep amethyst suit made of crepe de chine. The skirt went down to her trim ankles with a slit up to the knee. The jacket was fitted with a shawl collar, hitting at the skirt's waistband. The silk camisole underneath was the same color as the suit. "You two look wonderful together like that."
"You look lovely too Noin," Zechs said as he released Kellie's hands and went over to his wife. He pressed a kiss on her lips. She was wearing a single strand of pearls that were a gift to her from him on Kellie's birth and the pearl earrings that matched. He brought her left hand up to his mouth and he kissed the back of it. Her golden wedding band gleamed as well as the diamond anniversary band.
"The
service will be starting soon and I wanted to be alone with you two before it
got started," Noin said as she smiled up at her husband. She turned towards her
only daughter. "You look just as radiant as Victoria did when she married
Chris."
"Victoria's dress was what was radiant mom," Kellie commented dryly. "That dress of hers alone cost a fortune."
"Heero
spared no expense on her since she was his first child to get married," Noin
replied as she walked over to her daughter and observed her once more. She
smoothed out a wrinkle in the veil. "And your father spared no expense either
since you're our only girl."
"He just wanted to outdo uncle Heero in some way," Kellie laughed.
"The man still thinks he's the "perfect soldier" Zechs grumbled as he crossed his arms.
"And you still think you're the "lightening count," Noin pointed out as she held back her laughter behind her hand. "You both still have delusions of grandeur."
Zechs scowled at his wife and daughter as they laughed. There was another knock at the door. "Who is it?" he called out.
"It's me and Zach," Thad yelled through the door.
"Come on in," Zechs answered as the door opened and closed behind his two sons.
"Man you're going to make Maxwell's mouth fall to the floor in that sis," Thad remarked as he went over to her and pressed a kiss on her cheek. He held out her hands and looked at her. He grinned. "There are no words to describe the way you look."
"She looks like a princess, that's what she looks like," Zach said as he pressed a kiss on her other cheek. He chucked her lightly under the chin. "And not the least bit nervous unlike someone we know," he smirked.
"David's nervous?" Kellie asked, surprised.
"More then you know Kel. The guy almost bolted before Duo caught him and handed him back over to us. Chris had to stand outside the door with his gun and Jonathon stood outside the window with some rope. They tied him up after he was dressed," Thad explained, snickering.
Zechs frowned.
Noin laughed even harder.
Kellie rolled her eyes. "I can't believe that."
"Believe it. I've never seen a guy look that nervous, except for Chris when he married Victoria," Zach mused thoughtfully.
There was another knock on the door. One of the chaplains informed them that the service would start soon and would everyone get to their places.
"Good luck Kellie," both brothers intoned as they pressed a kiss on either side of her cheeks.
Noin hugged her gently. "I love you darling." Her eyes welled up with some tears.
"Love you too mom," Kellie said a little tearfully as she leaned away.
Noin nodded her head and stepped away. She pressed a kiss on her husband before she left.
Zechs walked forwards and pressed a kiss on Kellie's cheek before pulling the crystal-beaded veil over her face. He felt his heart break as he looked into her jewel like eyes. He picked up the wedding bouquet that had arrived that afternoon. The scarlet roses, the lilacs, and the ruby red roses, adorned with a long white ribbon filled the air with their sweet scent. "You'll always be my little girl," he said faintly as he handed her the flowers.
Kellie felt the urge to cry again, but she didn't. She didn't wear any gloves. She touched the flowers reverently before nodding at her father. "I'm ready now daddy."
He smiled a little brighter as he tucked her arm through his and led her out of the room. He looked at her as they made their way towards the entrance. He closed his eyes briefly as they waited for their turn. Her life flashed before him in that instant. He could remember looking at her as Noin held her in her arms right after her birth. The little girl who used to be scared of the dark and would huddle under the covers between him and Noin, to the day she had to get braces and glasses as a young adolescent, to her first date to the day she told him she was engaged to be married. Then it was now, the last stage of her being his little girl, to a woman and someone's wife. His eyes opened again and he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. She was looking straight ahead with a soft smile touching her lips. His hand rested possessively over hers for the last time.
She could feel her father's eyes on her as they waited. Veronica was making her way down the aisle. Only Victoria stood in front of her. Then it was their turn. "Time for us dad," she whispered as she raised her eyes to his. Her lips trembled a little as she smiled at him. She saw him return it as she then looked ahead to her future. They took their first step.
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David's mouth went dry as he watched her walk towards him. The candlelight cast a luminous glow on her dress, making her look like an angel. He heard Jonathon's soft whistle and he couldn't help but smile. This was it. He was getting married. He saw his mother already dabbing her eyes and his dad's arm around her shoulder. His smile grew, as Kellie got closer to him. She looked like nothing he could have ever seen or imagined before in his entire life.
Kellie could see David smiling at her. It made her heart pound with excitement and love. It made her smile grow a little more.
Zechs could feel his blood rushing in his ears. The moment that he had dreaded since the day she was born. He could see David's expression as he looked at Kellie. It was clear that this boy loved her more than anything. It made him feel a little better.
David could hear his heart pounding as she walked up the steps with Zechs. She stood on the other side of him. He rolled his lips inwards a little as his eyes caught her father's glancing at him.
Zechs smiled and took Kellie's hand and gently placed it in David's. He nodded his head at the youngest Maxwell son and took a step back as the minister began. He could feel the answer he was supposed to give in a moment's time linger on his tongue.
David couldn't do anything but stare at Kellie. He couldn't help it. Her hand felt fragile his larger one. Her eyes were glittering like amethysts from behind her veil. "I love you," he mouthed silently.
"I love you too," Kellie mouthed back as she looked at him out of the corner of her eye. She couldn't believe how handsome he looked in his tux; the scarlet vest matched the roses in her bouquet exactly. It was paired with a Euro tie in the same color. His hand felt warm as it held hers.
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Zechs looked up as the question he had been dreading was asked. He smiled briefly as he replied, "Her mother and I give her to this man." He saw the minister nod and he bowed his head slightly before moving to take his seat with his wife. He laced her fingers through his. "I love you Lu," he whispered.
Noin smiled up at him, her eyes a little watery. "I love you as well Zechs." Her hand tightened in his.
David kept on looking at her out of the corner of his eye as the minister talked about the sanctity of the institution of marriage. She entranced him completely. And so in love with her.
Kellie could feel his eyes on her. Her hand was clasped in his, their fingers threaded together. She could barely hear what the minister was saying as well since she was too busy looking at him look at her.
"The couple have made their own vows," the minister intoned as he took a step back and nodded at David. The rings that Chris and Victoria had held on to were resting in the Bible.
He took a deep breath and picked up the ring sized to fit Kellie's slender fingers. He wasn't going to mess this up. "I never could imagine marrying someone as lovely and as sweet as you. You're more then I deserve, but you love me despite my flaws. I knew by the end of our first date, you were going to be the woman that I was going to marry. I knew it in my heart and soul. You were it," he said in clear voice as he stared into her eyes, "I promise to give you all that I am, my heart is yours to keep. I would do anything for you. You name it I'd do it. You mean that much to me. And so with this ring, I take you for everything. You're my heart, my soul, my life," he finished as he slid the eighteen caret gold band onto her finger.
Sniffles could be heard through the mass of guests.
Her fingers trembled as they picked up his ring. Her bouquet was being held by her cousin. She faced him, her eyes glowing with love. "You always had something special about you. It was in the way you talked and the way your face would light up when you smiled. I fell in love with that angel smile of yours. You're more then I could ever hope for in a husband. You're the only man who made me feel like I was flying. I fell head over heels in love with you when you first kissed me goodnight. There was no question about whom my heart belonged to," she said in her musical voice, "I would do and be anything you wanted me to be. There is no one that I love more then you. You're my other half you make me complete. I love you more then I could possibly love anyone in this entire world. You're my heart, my soul, and my life," she said as she slid the ring over his left ring finger.
Even more sniffles were heard from the congregation.
"With the power vested in me by the holy grace of God above, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride," the minister finished.
David grinned as he lifted up the veil, uncovering that flawless face. He cupped it between his hands and kissed her smiling lips tenderly. "I love you," he said against her mouth.
Kellie's hands rested on the lapels of his jacket as warmth stole through her from his kiss. "I love you too," she said back.
He kissed her lightly again before he pulled away, tucking her hand possessively through his arm.
"I know introduce you to Mister and Missus David Philip Maxwell," the minister said lastly as he raised his hands.
Kellie laughed as she took her bouquet once again. She smiled up at him as they made their way down the steps and the aisle. He was finally her husband. It made her feel lightheaded.
They paused several times to kiss as they walked down the long walkway. Married at last.
A/N: How did you all like that chapter? Stay tuned for more coming soon! The next part of Warring Hearts is coming up next as well, so stay tuned for that! XOXO!!
