Cinq Kingdom, Seaside Lab
When Trynity went down to breakfast the following morning, she found Dalton's test lying on the table. She was quite sure he hadn't cheated because he did get a few wrong but not enough to keep him from passing. Hearing voices through the open window, she looked out over the beach to see that Quynn was playing volleyball on the pilots in training. Trynity noticed that Stryfe had arrived, so she headed down to the beach where she greeted her son with a hug, a kiss and a strong cup of coffee.
After hugging her, he resumed his position on the lounge chair wearing, dark glasses hiding his eyes. "Thanks, mom."
"I suppose you overdid it last night after being on alcohol free Calabria for so long." Trynity was just delighted to see Stryfe. He looked so much like Duo, especially since he had let his hair grow longer.
Stryfe lowered the glasses to look at her. "How have you been, mom? I've heard a lot from these guys. You really teach at the Academy? How long were you planning to do that?"
"Humph! She's been doing it long enough to destroy my good name."
Trynity turned around to see her father approaching carrying a couple of lounging chairs. Behind him was Lady Virineia wearing a bathing suit and carrying towels. She certainly didn't look like anyone's grandmother! Trynity went to her and hugged her. "I hear that congratulations are in order."
Virineia smiled. "I was afraid you wouldn't approve."
"Only for your sake," she said in a low voice. She was happy the couple had been able to find love again after losing those so dear to them in the past.
"I heard that," growled her father as he set up the chairs. "Get over here and give your old father a hug and a kiss. I thought you were dead!"
Trynity hurried to him and hugged him, and as he held her tightly for a moment, she could feel his deep emotion. When he released her, he quickly turned away but not before she saw him wipe tears from his eyes. "Don't worry about your job at the academy, father, because I agreed to take it only until you returned."
"Well, I am back. Virineia and I are going to be teaching together until the end of my contract."
"I don't remember volunteering to teach," commented Virineia as she sat beside him.
"You have plenty of knowledge and experience, and besides now that there is a clear route to Calabria, the young people are going to need to learn about a completely foreign culture."
"Do I have to live here?" she asked with a glance toward the huge laboratory complex.
Trynity smiled at her. "You will get used to it."
They spent the remainder of the morning and some of the afternoon talking about what had happened on Calabria. Trynity was glad that Dagan and Shamara were safe and happy after their ordeal on the mountain. That Trey was a grandfather made her laugh until Virineia pointed out that only an imperial guard stood between her and grandchildren. That made Trynity look twice at Quynn but Stryfe assured her she didn't have anything to worry about because Quynn wasn't that reckless with Prince Amyr. Virineia echoed his reassurance. Trynity wasn't even forty years old! She wasn't ready to be a grandmother.
After lunch, Trynity decided to go into town to shop for shoes and a handbag for her gown. Quynn joined her and during the excursion, they ran into Relena although Trynity was quite sure that it wasn't by chance. Before Relena could even greet Trynity, Quynn grabbed her arm and pulled her away. Her daughter whispered something quickly to her, and Trynity guessed that she warned Relena not to talk about Duo because his name did not come up all afternoon. When she had finished shopping, they were headed back to her car but Relena insisted they visit one last boutique. Seeing that it was a lingerie shop, Trynity didn't want to go in but Quynn thought it might be fun. Trynity was quite shocked by the apparel Relena and her daughter thought she should buy. Just what did they think she was planning to do that night? Both of them were disappointed that she bought something rather modest.
"Where is your sense of adventure?" asked Relena with annoyance as she picked up a clinging, revealing negligee. "I'm buying this for you."
Trynity frowned as she took her purchase from the saleswoman. "When am I going to wear something like that? Did I forget to mention that Mitch Weldon isn't my type?"
"We know," said Quynn as she put some sheer white stockings and a frilly garter on the counter. "But you never know when you might need such things. Just because you're wearing it doesn't mean he has to see it!"
Trynity looked again at the garment Relena was buying. "There isn't much to see."
Relena smiled at her. "Trust me. It might come in handy."
Later when she was dressing, Quynn insisted she wear her new things. "It's a special night," she said with a cryptic smile. If she thought Quynn would give her a straight answer she would demand to know what she meant by that.
When she was finished dressing and after Quynn had arranged her hair attractively for once, she reached out to the dresser top to find her necklace which she had placed there when she had gone to take a shower, but it was gone. She was still looking for it when Quynn informed her that Mitch Weldon had arrived.
"You haven't seen my necklace?" Trynity didn't feel dressed without the little golden chain with dangling scythe. She felt more than a little distressed that she had misplaced it.
Quynn shook her head and helped her look for a few minutes then said, "I'm sure it will turn up."
Although she was very bothered by its disappearance, she knew Quynn was right. After all that she had been through, she still had the necklace. But she would have liked to wear it this night.
Trynity felt a little silly greeting Mitch. He seemed a little taken aback by her gown, but he insisted that she was beautiful and offered her a bouquet of roses. After her experience on L12, she wasn't as enthusiastic as another woman might be receiving the beautiful flowers. Quynn had come down in the elevator just as they were headed to the door and she hurried to catch them.
"Good! You haven't left. Stryfe promised to take me, but he ditched me." She smiled prettily at Mitch. "You wouldn't mind me tagging along, would you?"
Trynity could almost read his mind. He was thinking that three was a crowd. She didn't really know what game Quynn was playing, but she was somewhat relieved that her daughter had maneuvered herself into the car with them. Trynity had an unpleasant flashback of Curt Duran pawing her at the conclusion of their date on L12.
But Mitch took the change in plans like a gentleman. "I would be delighted to give you a ride, Miss Nelson."
She expected an uneasy silence in the car, but Mitch chatted comfortably with Quynn and Trynity gave him credit for trying to win over her daughter. Quynn wasn't rude to him, so Trynity reminded herself to thank her later. When they reached the Conservatory where the Stardust Ball was held, there was a traffic jam and no available parking nearby, so Mitch left them at the front where they would wait for him as he parked the car.
After he had driven off, Quynn didn't waste any time before voicing her opinion. "He's a nice enough guy, mom, but not your type."
Trynity rolled her eyes. "I told you and Relena that all day. He's just an escort. I have no intention of encouraging him."
Another car drove up and Mrs. Drivel climbed out of the back and joined Trynity and Quynn. "Well, there goes the evening!" Quynn said at the same time as the literature teacher.
Mrs. Drivel pulled a flask from her handbag and took a long drink, then passed it to Trynity. "You look like you could use a little fortification."
Trynity shrugged. "I guess I could."
"Mom!" But before Quynn could grab it away, Trynity took a long drink, then she had a fit of coughing from the strong liquor Mrs. Drivel kept in her flask. She didn't stop until Mrs. Drivel had pounded her on the back a few times.
The older woman snorted with laughter as she tucked away the flask, no doubt to be used later. "You are a lightweight, Dr. Nelson!"
"What is that?" asked Trynity hoarsely when she could breathe again.
"A little something I whipped up in my basement. You're not the only one around here who knows a thing or two about chemistry." Mrs. Drivel swaggered away and Trynity heard her shout. "Good God! Relena Peacecraft is here too? This party is doomed!"
Trynity fanned herself with her hand. The alcohol content in the drink was definitely high. "My goodness, that was strong brew." She probably shouldn't have drunk so much, but it did take the edge off her nerves.
Quynn turned her head as if she were looking for someone, then she said, "You know what, mom? Maybe you should go for a little air. I can wait here for Mr. Weldon."
"Not a bad idea." Trynity felt a little woozy and she thought she should do as Quynn suggested. She followed the path away from the conservatory to the gardens. No one would be able to tell that twenty years ago this place had been reduced to rubble by a gundam fight. She could see a few new trees, but there were some still standing that had not been affected by the fires, including that lovely willow tree where she had learned to dance and kiss in Duo Maxwell's arms by the light of the moon.
She went to the tree and turned to look at the moonlight shimmering on the water of the pond just as it had that night. Trynity closed her eyes, and for the first time in many months, she allowed herself the fantasy that Duo was still alive. He would come to meet her here at the pond on this very night.
"This is still the best vantage point to see Venus."
She opened her eyes and turned around. Trynity wasn't surprised to see Duo. This was her fantasy, after all. He was formally dressed in what appeared to be an elegant tuxedo although she would rather see him in his ceremonial Calabrian clothing as she had on L12. Apparently she couldn't control the elements of her fantasy.
"You have quite the smooth tongue, Mr. Maxwell."
Chuckling, he came to stand near her. "We can test that out later, Miss Stryfe."
Trynity felt warm inside and more than just a little giddy. "Why wait?" She put her hand on his chest and he felt so warm and real. This was going to be a very pleasant fantasy. "I know what I want, and I'm pretty sure I know what you want."
"You are being very naughty, Miss Stryfe." But he slipped one hand around her to rest on the small of her back and he put his other hand under her chin to tilt her face up to him. Trynity tingled all over and was thankful she had taken a little nip from Mrs. Drivel's magic brew. She would have to get a recipe if it could give her this kind of experience.
She expected Duo to kiss her, but he just leaned very close to her to say, "I don't went to mess up your dress."
"We don't have to go in," she suggested as she pushed herself up on her toes to get closer to him. Why wasn't he kissing her?
"We do have to go in. Relena has gone to a great deal of trouble and we aren't going to mess this up." He released her and she almost fell on her backside, but she managed to lock her weak knees. "I'll see you inside."
"Mom!"
Trynity turned toward the sound of Quynn's voice, but she glanced back to where Duo had been standing. He was gone. "Damn!"
"Are you ready to go in?" asked Quynn as she took her arm.
"Where is Mitch?" she asked irritably.
Quynn shrugged. "He'll meet up with us inside."
Trynity suspected Quynn had done something to her date, but she was still feeling a little light-headed so she didn't have the desire to find out what. Quynn escorted her to the Conservatory, and when she entered, she was somewhat surprised to see her father standing in the entry wearing a tuxedo that looked similar in design to the one her fantasy Duo had been wearing. Then Trynity realized this was still part of her fantasy. She was delighted for it to continue!
"Mom, are you all right?" asked Quynn, her brows furrowed in concern.
"Good God, is she drunk?" demanded her father, then he chortled with laughter. "Serves Maxwell right!"
"Drunk?" Relena screeched as she came upon them. She lightly slapped Trynity's cheeks. "You aren't drunk? Please don't tell me you are drunk!"
"I'm not drunk!" insisted Trynity with annoyance although her voice sounded a bit slurred. What kind of fantasy was this?
Quynn grabbed her shoulders and spun her around to face her and Trynity felt someone poking her head with hairpins. Then Quynn became fuzzy before her eyes as if a cloud had come between them. Trynity brushed at it and realized it was a veil.
"What is going on?" she asked.
"She's drunk," muttered Dr. Stryfe.
"How could you get drunk?" moaned Relena. "Quynn! How did you let her get drunk?"
"I didn't do it. That bitch Drivel gave her something."
"I plan to have more of that magic potion," commented Trynity dreamily. "I saw Duo in the garden."
"Is there time to sober her up?" asked Lady Virineia who suddenly appeared beside her husband.
"We have no idea what was in Drivel's flask," said Quynn.
"What is going on?" Trynity heard Stryfe's voice. "We're waiting."
"Your mother is drunk on Agnes Drivel's moonshine," said her father with a snort of laughter.
"I'm not drunk," insisted Trynity. What kind of moronic fantasy was this? Why was she wearing a veil? Stryfe was wearing a tuxedo too. Then she was struck by what was happening. "Am I getting married?"
"Can she walk?" asked Relena anxiously as she stood wringing her hands.
"I can walk!" Trynity straightened her back and squared her shoulders. "I'm ready!"
Relena thrust a bouquet in her hands and Trynity yelped when a thorn pricked her. Looking down she saw the fuzzy purple blooms and tears made them blur. "Thistles! They are thistles!" Trynity looked at Relena. "I have a bouquet of thistles!"
"Don't cry, mom!" Quynn took a tissue and reached under Trynity's veil to wipe her eyes. "I'm going to kick the snot out of Drivel before this night is over."
"I want her recipe before you do," murmured Trynity.
Relena pinched Trynity's cheeks. "Behave yourself, Trynity. Just say the right words at the right time. If you don't, I will personally kick your ass."
"Well put," said Dr. Stryfe as he took Trynity's hand and put it around his arm. Quynn gave her mother one last desperate glance and a hug before she disappeared into the conservatory. Trynity heard the traditional wedding processional music begin.
"Isn't this the Stardust Ball?" she asked. "And where is my date?"
"I don't know. I think Quynn sent him into the garden to look for you," commented her son. "I had better go warn my lord father what to expect."
Virineia also slipped into the Conservatory with Relena after the latter admonished Dr. Stryfe to get his daughter inside.
"This isn't bad for a fantasy wedding," commented Trynity after they were gone. "As long as there is a groom."
Her father gave her a quick hug, then he turned her around and took a step toward the door. Trynity could see that a pathway had been cleared and at the end, Duo was waiting with Stryfe who was whispering something in his ear.
"He's not going to disappear on me this time, is he?" she heard herself ask out loud.
Her father patted her hand. "He'll always be there for you now, pumpkin. There isn't going to be any more forks in the road."
They entered the Conservatory and started down the cleared path, but halfway, her father released her. Trynity looked at him curiously, and then she turned back to see that Duo was approaching her. She met him halfway and took the hands he held out to her. They finished walking the path to the end together, and they came to a stop before an official. She hadn't prepared any fancy vows, and Trynity wasn't much good at writing. This was only a fantasy anyway, so she tried to say what was in her heart, and at the conclusion she could swear she heard Mrs. Drivel snorting with drunken, derisive laughter. She almost laughed at herself.
She expected some flowery, flowing eloquent speech from Duo. After all, this was a fantasy, and she had the full expectation of hearing about his eternal love. The speech would probably last a good fifteen minutes because Duo was good at writing.
But her fantasy Duo disappointed her. "You aren't going to remember this in the morning anyway, so I'll save it for later." He looked at the justice of the peace. "Let's get on with the vows before she passes out."
"I'm not drunk," insisted Trynity.
"Neither am I," hooted Mrs. Drivel.
"Who invited her to my fantasy wedding?" asked Trynity with annoyance.
The justice of the peace rambled through the requisite questions and Trynity gave the correct affirmative answers, as did Duo. When the time came for him to put the ring on her finger, she expected a ridiculously expensive wedding ring. The governor of the second moon of Calabria could certainly afford it!
But he reached under her veil, and she was tearfully surprised that he was clasping the golden chain around her neck. "Where did you find it?"
"Don't be silly, Trynity," he whispered. "Quynn swiped it from you this afternoon."
She hadn't really listened to him as she touched the scythe. "I looked all over for it! I thought I had lost it forever!"
Duo looked at the justice of the peace. "You had better finish this."
"I didn't get anything for you," she heard her voice whining.
The justice of the peace pronounced them man and wife, and Duo turned back to her to raise her veil. Trynity didn't dare to allow herself to feel the joy she would have felt at her wedding to him. This was just a fantasy that would come to an end no matter how hard she tried to keep it going. Any second now, Mitch would find her dreaming under the willow tree and she would spend the remainder of the evening having her feet stepped on as they danced. Then she would return to her own lonely cold bed.
"I love you, Trynity," he said softly before touching his lips to hers.
She was dazed from his kiss until thunderous applause startled her, and Duo turned them to face the guests. The orchestra began to play, and many couples began to dance. Relena was the first to congratulate them, hugging both. "It's done and without a disaster!"
"I wouldn't call this a disaster-less wedding," remarked Heero as he shook Duo's hand. "Trynity is in la-la land."
"I happen to like la-la land," she said as she tossed her veil over her shoulder and out of her face. She laced her fingers with Duo's. "As long as he's with me."
Duo leaned down to kiss her again. "You don't have to worry about that."
"So, can we skip the rest of this lovely wedding fantasy and go right to the honeymoon part?" asked Trynity hopefully. The wedding was nice, but enough was enough.
They all laughed although Trynity was quite serious.
"We have cake to cut and many people want to congratulate you," said Relena as she tried to tug Trynity away from Duo.
Trynity held onto him. "I don't want this to end yet." She was afraid that if she allowed herself to be separated from him, Duo would disappear. She leaned back to him and whispered in his ear. "Let's get out of here."
Duo chuckled. "Not yet, Trynity."
"Damn!" she muttered. "I don't like this part. I want to skip to the sex."
"Mom, I hope I didn't hear what I just thought I heard." Stryfe kissed her cheeks.
Trynity sighed and frowned. "Sorry! But it's true."
"You're not planning to include that remark in your official Calabrian record for the emperor?" Duo asked Stryfe.
"Those are the kinds of details that emperor asked that I include," said Stryfe with a wink.
Duo chuckled. "Trey is going to enjoy your report."
Quynn joined them. "Mom, you have the whole cake-cutting business and then there is the dance and . . ."
Trynity turned away from her daughter and looked at Duo. "Tell me honestly. Do you want to be here or someplace quiet, just you and me?"
Duo sighed with exasperation as he turned to Relena. "What the hell did Drivel give her anyway?"
Relena shrugged. "I don't know, but we had better conclude this before she does something that will embarrass everyone."
Duo shoved Trynity after Relena and they all ended up around a huge cake. Relena made a sweet speech about their long journey to this day. The sight of the cake made Trynity feel queasy, but this whole cake business was a tradition and she must have wanted a traditional wedding or it wouldn't be happening in her fantasy. There were photographers snapping pictures and she noticed cameramen taping the event as they held the knife and cut the cake together. Duo was smiling as he picked up a piece of cake, and Trynity picked up another piece. So now they were expected feed each other the cake. A moronic tradition, as far as Trynity was concerned, but Relena stood by with that expectant look on her face, so Trynity knew her feelings would be hurt if they didn't follow through. Trynity idly wondered when all hell would break loose.
"There you are!"
Trynity turned her head to see Mitch Weldon.
"Damn!" exclaimed Quynn.
Mitch seemed thoroughly confused, and Trynity wondered why he was still in her fantasy and seemed to be on the verge of wrecking it.
Then she heard Mrs. Drivel's voice. "Now we're going to see the fireworks!"
Trynity looked back at Mitch. "I'm sorry, Mitch, but it appears I have taken a husband in your absence."
"But…but I thought we were on a date."
Duo looked at Trynity. "You brought a date to our wedding?"
She shrugged.
Mrs. Drivel's cackling laughter became louder.
Mitch took a step closer. "I demand an explanation. I brought you here in good faith, Dr. Nelson, and you have ditched me without so much as a by your leave! I even brought your meddling daughter with us…"
"My God, Weldon, you are an idiot!" Mrs. Drivel was guffawing.
Trynity exchanged glances with Duo, and then they turned and together flung their pieces of cake at the old literature teacher and the beefy gym teacher. Mitch looked at his expensive suit, now splattered with cake, then at Duo and Trynity.
Mrs. Drivel was doubled over in laughter although her face was plastered with cake.
Mitch was furious. He grabbed a handful of cake.
"Oh no you don't!" cried Relena furiously as she tried to stop him, but he flung the cake and it hit Quynn.
"That's for getting me lost in the garden and letting your mother marry this man."
Quynn retaliated by digging into the cake to seize a huge chunk, which she whipped it at Mitch. Someone else grabbed cake, then someone else and soon enough the wedding cake was destroyed and there were crumbs and frosting flying everywhere.
Duo grabbed Trynity and made her duck and soon they were crawling for an exit. "I can't believe we turned our wedding into a food fight," he grumbled.
Trynity couldn't keep from laughing. The floor was slippery, and she could hear Relena shrieking angrily at everyone who had a part of ruining the happy occasion. When they reached the door, Duo helped Trynity to her feet. They started to leave, but she heard someone call out for her.
"Hey doc!"
Trynity turned to see Dalton standing with Cindy Loo. They both held very large portions of cake. Their fine clothing was stained and there was frosting in Cindy Loo's hair. "You look very elegant this evening," she told Dalton.
"I just wanted to say congratulations," said Dalton with a mischievous grin.
"This is the best wedding I've ever been at," laughed Cindy Loo.
Before Trynity could react, the young man and his date hurled their cake at her, hitting her full on the face. Then they high-fived each other.
Trynity looked at Duo. He was laughing. "He's a lot like you," she remarked as she wiped wedding cake from her face.
Duo gave the young man a thumbs up, then escorted Trynity out the door, still chuckling.
She couldn't imagine how this bizarre fantasy was going to end. "Where are we going?"
"We have the royal suite at the Hilton for a few days." A car rolled to a stop and the chauffeur hurried to open the door for them.
"So, are we going to be starting our honeymoon there?" she asked with a smile.
He shut the car door and pulled her into his arms. "We are going to start here."
This was the part of the fantasy she was waiting for!
