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Secret, Part 6

A rustle of silk and lace filled the large family room of the Merquise/Yuy household as Quatrina stood on a footstool as her future sister in law knelt on the floor, repining the hem. She sighed and looked down at the younger woman. Her pregnancy was finally starting to make its appearance on her slender frame. "Should you be down on the floor like that?"

The dark haired girl looked up with pins pinched between her lips. She shrugged before looking back down at what she was doing.

Sighing again, she tugged on the skirt. "Kellie, I'm serious. Should you be down on the floor like that in your condition?"

Taking the pins out of her mouth and sticking them in the thick carpet, Kellie Maxwell propped her hands on her hips. "Will you stop that!" she said with exasperation. "But to answer your question, probably not. David's taken a dive off the deep end lately about anything I do. It's not like I have the most strenuous job in the world." She picked up several pins again and started pinning the hem again.

"Men often freak out about having children. And considering how Maxwell women tend to give birth in inauspicious ways," the russet haired girl pointed out as she glanced out the windows at the blue skies outside them. "I would say it's a valid reason."

Kellie laughed as she sat back on her bare heels and patted her gently rounded abdomen. "Yes, Victoria delivering early like that is something to take note of I suppose. And the fact that Hilde has delivered cesarean would also have to be taken into account too. They aren't small babies by any means. And many of us are small compared to our husbands."

"That's true too. They are rather oversized…"

"…Teddy bears."

Quatrina snorted. "Hardly. That wasn't the word I was looking for."

Kellie laughed again. "But they are. Even my brothers are oversized and they're both teddy bears too. Come on, Quatrina, don't you think Zach is as loveable as they come?"

The younger woman's violet eyes had a teasing light in them. A smile touched the red head's lips. "Yes. He's as loveable as they come." She looked down at the silken folds of her wedding dress as it spilled over the ends of the stool and her feet. Her mind went back to the previous Sunday. She had almost told him, but then came Veronica's timely interruption. She hadn't known whether or not she wanted to thank or strangle the twenty one year old. Zach had understood. He hadn't pried anytime afterwards. "I think that's his nature."

A soft smile touched Kellie's lips. "Zach is softhearted, just as much as Thad is. He just hides it better than Thad, who tends to show his emotions too much, especially when it came to concerning your cousin, Penny. Zach isn't quite so open all the time, but he accepts everything, good or bad. No matter what, you can count on him to understand things."

"I know," said Quatrina as she absently twisted her engagement ring. The brothers were very much alike as they were different. Thad showed his heart and was now paying a price for it. It was obvious to her that he was in love with her young cousin, Penny. She did find out what happened from Vaughn and had been shocked, but to see him taking the brunt of it, and how it had affected Penny, she really couldn't find it within herself to condemn the both of them. And Zach was just as open as Thad was; he just seemed to control his emotions better. His charm and maturity had prompted her to say yes to him when he first asked her out when she was nineteen. He would run with her when he was home and he would spend a lot of time with her when she was home from school. It hadn't occurred to her that he had thought of being more then just friends until he came right out and asked her. A small smile touched her lips.

"Thinking of my brother?"

"Just thinking about when he first asked me out."

"Oh, I see. And how did that come about?" asked Kellie as she looked up from her handiwork. She was smirking.

"It was over summer break between my freshman and sophomore year at collage. He just started to spend time with me. I enjoyed his company…and he would come to run with me. We would walk on the beach to cool down and we would talk…I took to that rather than the less than savory advances I received from other men. Plus, he was older, more mature," Quatrina replied with a smile. "I didn't have to keep a watch on him like I had to do with everyone else. It was nice not to be so…"

"Uptight?"

"You could say that I suppose. I felt relaxed and at ease with him. I could talk to him about anything and not have to worry about being hit on."

Kellie's smirk grew. "Yeah, but his approach with girls has always been more subtle than most. He uses his smile and his engaging personality to charm a woman. He was never one to use lines."

"I felt comfortable around him. Unlike Jonathon, who you had to constantly watch to make sure he wasn't up to something."

"Jonathon just did that to tease you and you knew it. You just needed a punching bag and he was a good target," the younger girl said with a laugh.

Quatrina sighed. "That's true too. Since hitting him is like hitting a wall. Nothing hurts him. Leigh has been the only one able to do that. But anyways, when your brother asked me out, I had no idea that he had been harboring feelings like that towards me in the first place. It came as a shock when he came right out and asked."

"Weren't you two on the beach or something?"

"It was early in the morning and we had just finished running. We were walking along the beach since it was still quiet except for the water."

"He chose an excellent location to ask you out. The beach. The sound of the water. The sun rising. Not a soul around except for the two of you. Very romantic," said Kellie with a sigh as she held her hand over her heart.

The older girl looked down at the folds of her dress. A wistful smile touched her lips. "I suppose you could say that," she said, slipping into the memory.

"It's nice out here when there's no people around."

She turned and looked at Zach before looking out at the water. "Yes. It is." She felt his eyes on her again. He had been looking at her a lot this morning, but she couldn't figure out why he was. She stopped to look as the sun's pale rays rippled on the water. "It's beautiful too." Turning her head, she came face to face with him. "What?"

"Nothing. I was waiting for you to say something more."

Those ice blue eyes of his were intent on hers. It made her want to take a step back. He had never looked at her with such intensity before. It was unnerving, but at the same time, it felt nice to be looked at so appraisingly by him. "No. Nothing more. Why?" Then she felt his hand come up and brush over her hair. "Zach?"

He shook his head. "Nothing. I was just thinking of how pretty your hair looks with the sun on it. That's all."

His words of flattery made her lips part in surprise. His laughter reached her ears.

"You think I wouldn't notice what a pretty girl you are, Quat. Just because I haven't said anything, doesn't mean I don't think it. You're very attractive Quatrina Winner."

Flushing, she turned her head away and looked out at the water again. "Thank you." Her stomach was doing somersaults. He was still running his fingers over her hair and gliding them down the back of her neck and shoulder. Part of her wanted to step away, but even she couldn't deny that she didn't feel some sort of attraction to the inky haired Merquise standing beside her.

"Look at me."

Her eyes rose to meet his. He was smiling at her. She could still feel his fingers lingering on her skin. The touch was familiar. He had touched her numerous times. However, they had all been casual. This time, it was different. The way they trailed over her skin, the way he was looking at her while he was. "Yes?" Her heart was pounding in her chest. She wasn't afraid of him, not wholly, but still… "What is it?" she asked.

"I was wondering if you would like to go out to dinner with me tonight?"

Amethyst eyes widened. "Dinner? Tonight?"

"Yes. Tonight. I want to take you out on a date."

That shocked her. Never had she thought he would ask her. She didn't know he would have feelings like "that" for her. "I don't know what to say." And she didn't. Raking her teeth over her lower lip, she let her eyes fall away from his. She didn't date too much and if she did, it was within a group. She didn't like being alone with any guy. However, this was different.

"I can tell that I shocked you. I know you weren't expecting it, but I couldn't wait any longer. I've been thinking about asking you out for some time, Quat. I don't know what it is, but there is something about you…I don't know…different. And I like that."

"You do? Different? How?"

"You're a lady, which is hard to come by. You're not like other girls. I can talk to you and I actually find it hard to drop you off in the mornings because I want to stay with you and spend more time with you. I never wanted to do that with a girl before."

Raising her eyes to his once again, she found him still smiling. There was a tender look in his eyes as he stared into hers. The way he was looking at her was making it hard for her to breathe. That caring look. Never had a guy looked at her quite like that before, save one, but that had been long ago. The pained look in a pair of Prussian blue eyes as she broke it off with him, still tore at her heart. She focused on the ice blue eyes in front of her. "You've always spent time with me. We grew up together."

"Yeah, but I didn't feel about you the same way then as I do now."

"And how do you feel about me now?"

"I don't know how to describe it exactly, but whenever I see you smile, laugh, or whatever, it makes my heart beat faster. Like it is now."

She felt his hand grasp hers and hold it over his heart. It was thudding right into her palm. The flush on her cheeks grew deeper, and grew deeper still as he raised her hand and kissed her knuckles.

"So, won't you go out with me, Quat?"

Her eyes rose to meet his. He was still wearing that engaging smile. There was no question that she felt 'something' whenever he was near and she had wondered if he cared for her more then just some girl he had watched grow up.

"If you say no, I'll keep on asking until you say yes."

The teasing note in his voice made a smile break across her lips. "Dinner would be nice, Zach." His grin grew wider as he took another step towards her, making her tilt her head back to look at him. His face got closer to hers, until they were separated by mere inches.

"I'm glad you said yes."

The close proximity of his mouth to hers, made her lean her head back a little more. "I don't kiss on the lips on the first date."

"Good to know. I'll just kiss your cheek instead."

Her eyes closed as she felt the heated brush of his lips against her skin. The midnight strands of his hair tickled her cheek as he slowly pulled away. She smiled at him again. "That was nice"

"I'm glad that you think so, you'll be getting a lot more nice kisses in the future too."

"Quat…Earth to, Quat."

Quatrina shook her head and looked down at her future sister in law. A sheepish smile crossed her lips. "Sorry."

"No need to be. I understand. Reliving memories are a good way to pass the time, especially if they're about the one you love."

She gently pleated the satin of the skirt between her fingers. "It is, especially when they're away. I really miss him right now."

Giving the older girl an understanding smile, she sat back on her heels again. "He'll be back tomorrow in time for Miles' and Cristal's wedding. Good thing it's an evening wedding. There are still some finishing touches I need to make to her dress before tomorrow. The things I do," she sighed. She reached forwards and fiddled with one of the pins in the hem again.

"When did the family room become a fitting room?"

Quatrina looked up and saw Dominic leaning against the doorframe, chewing on an apple. "Only for today."

"It's easier to do it here because I had a doctor's appointment this morning and she got out of work early. I had the time so I told her to come here," said Kellie as she looked over at her cousin.

"And are you supposed to be on the floor like that in your condition?"

"Good Lord, you too?"

"You're pregnant, Kellie. You should watch what you do," said Dominic as he pushed away from the door. He walked around Quatrina and gave a low whistle. "Don't you look pretty as a picture, Kit."

A flush crept into Quatrina's cheeks. "Thank you, but I think it's more of Kellie's workmanship than me."

Dominic snorted. "Hardly. The dress only enhances your beauty. Its like a topping on a delicious dessert."

She flushed even more. "If you say so."

Grinning, the only Yuy son gave her a slight bow. "It's always nice to see a redhead blush the way you do." His eyes went back to his cousin on the floor. Walking over to her, he held out his hand. "Are you finished?"

"Yes, I am," said Kellie as she grasped his fingers and was pulled to her feet. She pushed back her hair. "Thank you." She looked over at Quatrina. "You can take that off now. I'll take it back home and finish it up. I still have to make some final adjustments to Cristal's dress too before she walks down the aisle tomorrow. So much work and so little time."

"You work too hard for a pregnant woman," chided Dominic as he squeezed her hand. It's not good for you."

Kellie snorted. "Most of my work is sit down work anyway. I'm fine. Don't worry." Her cell phone rang. She sighed and took it out of her pocket. "It's David. Again." She looked back at her future sister in law. "Just leave it in my old room on the bed. I'll take care of it," she said before she smiled and finally turned to answer her phone.

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Quatrina smiled as Kellie disappeared through the kitchen door. "It's nice to have someone worry about you like that."

"David's going into overprotective mode. Can't say that I blame him," Dominic replied as he offered her his hand. "Need help?"

With a grateful smile, she took his hand and stepped off of the stool. "Thanks," she said as she let go of him. She tilted her head to the side. "Why are you home?"

"Lunch."

"I thought you were on security detail for your mom?"

"Nope. My dad is doing that today. So, instead he told me to look out for Victoria again. I think he's going to put me on the security detail that surrounds Marimaia and my sister. However, I think it's more for my sister than for Marimaia."

A concerned look crossed her face. "Any reason for that?"

He shook his head. "No. I think it's because Chris is away so much and dad wants someone looking after her." He ducked his head, but his eyes came up to meet hers. "Its really because dad doesn't think Chris is doing a good job of taking care of Vic and he wants me to look after her when he can't."

"I see."

A wry smile crossed his lips. "But I don't think Victoria needs me to look after her. She's very self-sufficient. She's very much like our dad. Even you are kind of like that. You can take care of yourself."

Flushing, she shook her head. "I don't think…"

Shaking his head, he gave her a grin. "I do think. You may not, but you are. Now, go change so Kellie can take it with her."

With a slight smile, she nodded her head and left him in the room alone. She went upstairs to Kellie's old bedroom and looked at her reflection in the mirror. It was amazing to see herself in her wedding dress, but at the same time, she felt ill at ease in it. Sighing, she reached behind her to undo the buttons that ran up the back of the dress. Frowning, she tugged gently at them, but they didn't budge. "Dammit," she muttered as she put down her aching arms. She turned on her heel and opened the door again; only to find Dominic standing there, ready to knock on the door. "Dominic?

"Sorry," he said, smiling sheepishly. "I was beginning to wonder where you were. I wanted to know if you would like to go out to lunch with me? If you haven't eaten of course."

"Still trying to get out of this dress. I can't get any of the buttons. They're small and there's a lot of them…and no I haven't eaten yet…"

"Turn around."

"What?"

"Turn around."

Staring at him for a moment, she turned around, giving him her back. She soon felt his fingers at the top button and slowly work their way down. "Thank you," she said softly.

Dominic looked up from what he was doing. "Its not a problem," he said as his hands stilled for a moment as he looked at the back of her head. He looked back down again and started undoing the rest of the buttons. "It's kind of funny though."

Quatrina turned her head to look at him. "What is?"

"This. I'll admit that I had fantasized what it would be like to undress you when I was with you. And it's finally come true except I'm unbuttoning your wedding dress, in which you'll be marrying my cousin. That's what's funny."

Her face turned red and she went to turn around.

"Hey, don't move. I'm not finished yet." He looked up at her again. "Did I make you blush? Sorry."

Looking down at her clasped hands in front of her, she shook her head. "Don't be. You have nothing to be sorry for. It's me who should be."

Staring at the strip of skin bared by her dress, he gently laid a hand on her shoulder. "Why should you be sorry? My comment wasn't really called for. I do tend to say things without thinking."

"I know," she said as she swung around to face him. "But still…" Amethyst met Prussian blue. "That's not what I'm sorry for."

"Then what are you sorry for, Kit?"

"For hurting you."

Dominic blinked a few times before meeting her gaze again. "Kit, I…"

"Dominic, I had reasons."

He could see a pained expression falling over her face. Frowning, he grasped one of her hands in his. "I know you did. I understood…well, I tried to understand the best that I could then, but why are you apologizing again for it? I know you didn't mean to."

Quatrina looked up again. Her throat felt clogged. She had always felt guilt where he was concerned. It seemed to linger even though it was so long ago. "But the reasons I told you…they were a lie."

Her eyes had begun to fill with tears. "Kit?"

"It was…only one reason. I was too afraid to tell…you."

The tears were now spilling down her cheeks. "Oi, don't cry," he said as he wrapped his arms around her. "God, I hated it when you cried. I never knew what to do. Kit, please. What's wrong? What are you trying to tell me?"

"I was raped," she burst out, not able to stop the flow of words before she could check them. She then bit her lip and closed her eyes. She couldn't believe what she had just said.

A/N: I know I haven't updated for a while and I'm really, really sorry. Feel free to strangle me. But here's another installment of Secret, with another twist of course! Enjoy! XOXO!!