Chapter 4: Mother

It was the following day as everyone was sitting around playing games or watching "Gone with the Wind" that the door burst open and a tall brown-haired woman came striding powerfully in. Behind her walked the slower Dr. J, and Heero stood immediately from his unsuccessful attempt to beat Quatre in Monopoly (he should have known better than to challenge a rich guy to a game of money). The woman took one sweeping look around the room, then, seeming satisfied with what she saw, walked to Heero and gave him a peck on the cheek.

"Aiden, darling, you look well!" Ignoring his wince at the old name and the curious glances of the others, she demanded, "Now, where is she?"

"Out," he replied as she started to survey the girls of the room again. Her gaze swiftly turned back on him, disapproving. "Buying Christmas gifts," he added, and her expression lightened.

"Ah, as a proper wife should care for her household," she replied, nodding. "When will she be back?" The tall brown-haired woman adjusted her cuff masterfully, and Heero was nervous because he did not know. Fortunately, the front door was filled with a gust of cold wind and three chattering females and Heero sighed in relief to see Noin, Sally, and Relena enter the room, Pagan struggling up the steps in the hallway behind them loaded with shopping bags stacked too high for him to see over, but somehow making it upstairs and out of sight.

"We're back, honey," Noin went to Miliardo, who was still a little sniffly from a sad scene in the movie, and got a small welcome-home kiss.

Heero's mother watched this scene intently, then transferred her gaze meaningfully to Relena, waiting to see what the girl would do, and obviously expecting a repetition. Relena simply gave her best political smile and curtseyed deeply. "It is an honor to have you here, ma'am."

The older woman smiled, a little pleased, and replied, "Call me Mom." Then continued to watch Relena, making the tension in the room rise to an uncomfortable level.

Relena handled it gracefully, though, walking over to Heero and taking his arm. "I know you want to visit with your mother, but you promised to help me with wrapping," she told him and led him from the room with a polite nod to his mother. "There is food in the kitchen, and you only need to ask Pagan if you want something."

"Of course," she replied after a brief hesitation and a flash of comprehension in her eye. Relena noted the knowing smirk on the woman's face as they left.

"Thanks," Heero told her as they got to the second floor, and Relena chuckled.

"Don't thank me yet," she sent him a mischievous glance, "I really am going to make you help me with wrapping."

He sighed and smiled, shaking his head. "All right." Relena's head went light at the look he gave her, and she suddenly blushed, releasing his arm quickly. She had held it the whole way up.