Chapter 10: Christmas

Christmas morning. The air smelled fresh and bright and Relena couldn't help the curl of excitement in her stomach as she slipped out of bed. First things first, she thought, grabbing some clothes and running through her morning bathroom routine.

Returning to the room, she threw the curtains open, glad she was wearing a warm sweater when the cold light hit her, and received a disgruntled moan from the twin of her bed. She merely smiled, skipped over to Heero's bed, and threw back his blankets, earning herself a glare.

"It's cold," he muttered, yanking the blankets back up, and she glared back at him.

"Then go take a hot shower and you'll feel better!" She whirled on one heel and headed downstairs to feed her bird. It seemed that nightingales, living up to their names, liked to sing at night, when Relena preferred to sleep. And it seemed that Heero hadn't liked the noise much either, since he got so fed up with the creature that he cocked his gun at it in the dark and threatened, in his own silent way, to blow the feathery nuisance's brain out if Relena didn't remove it. Catherine had offered to feed it every morning since then, since she got up before Relena did, but she was up so early this morning that she hoped to make it before Catherine did.

"Hey Sally," Relena offered, watching the woman pad over to the table in a fluffy robe and two bunny slippers, a cup of coffee in each hand. She set one down before a groggy Wufei and sipped her own leisurely, watching as Relena checked the birdcage and gleefully stuffed the creature's bowl with seed.

"He's going to get fat," she commented, amused.

"And lazy and incompetent and mmphw," Wufei commented before Sally's hand went over his mouth and she told him to drink his coffee.

Relena only smiled at them. They were so nice together – so natural. Would she ever be like that?

It was almost noon before everyone was up, drifting down the stairs and attacking the coffee pot. Relena tried to make sure there was fresh coffee for everyone, but a few had to wait for a new pot to brew before they could partake.

"Time to open presents," Heero's mother proclaimed when she and Dr. J finally arrived.

Everyone followed her into the living room, quietly eager to get to their gifts. Duo offered to help pass the gifts out and Hilde helped him, filling laps and floor space quickly with colorful boxes and bulges.

Then the room was filled with the sounds of ripping paper and laughter, warmth and harmony. Relena got lots of stationary, a gold pen, some picture frames, and a very special card from Noin.

"You're pregnant!" Relena cried, jumping up and hugging her sister-in-law. Milliardo's face took on a stunned, then goofy-happy look as Duo patted him on the back.

Heero's mother looked at the pair, then sent her son a very significant look. A look that, just in case he didn't understand, she repeated loudly in the foyer as she and Dr. J got their suitcases ready to be shipped out the door. Her leaving was probably the best present Heero had gotten that Christmas. "I expect to see the patter of my grandchildren around here next Christmas."

"You're coming . . . next Christmas?" Heero gulped, and everyone stared at the woman as she nodded cheerfully.

"Just remember!" she called, following the suitcase-laden Dr. J out.

As the door shut, the room was silent and stunned. Heero turned toward the blank gaze of Relena. "So," he said, gulping. "Wanna get married? Like, right now?"

Still in slight shock, she shook her head as the question registered as serious . . .

Then her insides did a victory cheer, and her eyes lit up. "Sure."

He grabbed her hand and hauled her post haste toward the garage. "Grab a priest!" he yelled to the crowd behind him, already planning to make Relena pull a few strings to rush a marriage license on Christmas day.

She merely laughed, and ran behind him.

Something she gladly did for the rest of her life.