Eeek! I'm am so sorry! I am such a procrastinator!

Chapter 10: It's Party Time!

"Duo…" Ashi softly whispered in her lover's ear.

She encircled her arm around his waist and rested her head against his chest, listening to his heart beat and his low snoring.

"For the first time in my life…it feels like Christmas…now that I found you." Ashi sang, making sure her voice was low to where it wouldn't wake Duo up.

One violet eye opened…and the Deathscythe Gundam Pilot grinned. He sat up and cupped Ashi's cheek.

"For the first time in my life…it feels like Christmas…" he sang back.

Ashi pressed her forehead against Duo's. "And it's all because of you." They sang in unison.

(I know…I'm dork. Shut up! But I had to put that song in somewhere. It reminded me so much of them.)

Duo and Ashi fell back on the bed in fits of laughter.

"You…are…a…horrible singer!" Ashi said in between gasps of giggles.

Duo pouted, trying to look hurt…but failed by laughing, looking really sheepish. "Hey, just because I'm gifted with the voice of an angel, like my little lover." he grinned. "…Besides, I make up for it why being a fantastic lover, right?" he said, grinning.

Ashi yawned. "Yeah, I guess you'll do…until I can find a Sean Bean look-alike…" she said, her eyes gleaming mischievously.

Duo wrapped his arms around Ashi's waist in a possessive embrace. "You're nasty…"

The mischievous gleam didn't leave Ashi's eyes. "Care to spank me?"

Duo threw his head back and laughed. "ASHI-SAMA!" Duo said, in a mocking scolding tone. "You're so bad…"

Ashi giggled, getting up from the bed. "That's not what you said last night, love."

She walked over to the closet and grabbed a robe from there. She teasingly put the robe on as slow as she could over her nude body.

"Hey, hey…where you going?"

Ashi tied the robe sash. "To take a shower." She said, walking over the bed room door.

She cast a look at Duo over her shoulder. "You're most welcome to join, of course." She said seductively.

Duo jumped out of the bed and pulled on his boxers. "Right behind ya!"

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Trowa slapped the velvet jewelry case closed.

Tomorrow is destined to be perfect…I'll bring my flute and play our song…get her all alone.

He put the jewelry case in his desk drawer for safe keeping.

Then…I apologize to her and propose. She'll take me back. Oh yes, she will…if not...

He smirked.

Like she has a choice. I'll carry her away, anyway. But why not make it easy? Of course, I love challenges. She'll be mine and mine only.

He looked at Ashi's framed picture sitting on his desk. He picked it up and stroked at Ashi's photographed cheek.

"Tomorrow, my love."

"Catherine, darling. Could you bring out the champagne…from the refrigerator?" Quatre called out to his wife.

Catherine Bloom Winner came running in the kitchen, tying a white apron over her festive red velvet dress. "Of course, dear." She said.

"Thank you." Quatre said, opening the stove door and checking on the turkey.

"Master Quatre!" called out Rasid.

Quatre looked up.

Rasid shook his head. "Master Quatre…I and the rest of the Maganacs would've been more than happy to prepare this evening's dinner."

Quatre shook his head, and cast a glance at Catherine as she put the champagne in a chiller. He walked over to her and put an arm around her waist.

He looked back at Rasid. "And again, I thank you, Rasid for the offer. But this is me and Cathy's first Christmas together and she wanted us to prepare the dinner. We're just going to have a simple Christmas dinner for the party. So relax…you are more than welcome to join us."

Rasid shook his head. "No…I think the Maganacs and I will head out for a restaurant and leave you in peace with your company."

Quatre nodded. "Very well, as you wish. But the offer is still open if you change your mind."

Rasid smiled. "Much appreciated, Master Quatre. But no thanks, do have a good night." He said, leaving the kitchen and heading down stairs to the servants' quarters.

Catherine walked over to the china cabinet and contemplated on what fine crystal to put out for the dinner table. "So much crystal…"

Poor girl…she's still not used to this lifestyle. Two months ago, she went from being a circus performer…to the wife of the Head of Winner Estate.

Quatre sighed. It was tough being in charge of a huge estate and husband at the same time, but at least he worked at home in his office.

The doorbell rang.

"Relena…Heero! Wufei, Sally! How are you guys doing?" Ashi, who was the second to last in arriving called out.

"Hey, 'Lena…you look like you're about to pop any moment. When's the baby due?" Duo asked.

Relena rubbed her large stomach.

"In about two weeks or so…" Heero answered for her.

"Do you know what it is yet?" Ashi asked excitely.

Relena blushed. "…A girl. I was hoping for a boy while Heero was praying for a girl."

"Maybe next time 'round, eh?" Duo said, winking.

"Hmmph…a girl." Wufei huffed, rolling his eyes.

Sally laughed. "Come off it, Wu…you were hoping they'd have a girl first."

"Grrr…woman!"

"We're just about ready, everyone!" Quatre called out, placing the last dish on the huge dining table.

Catherine smiled. "Just one more to wait for…"

Ding dong!

"Oh, I'll get it…I'm closer to the door anyway." Ashi said, walking over to the door and opening it.

"Merry Christmas! Oh—Oh!" Ashi cried, gaping in shock.

There standing at the door step in the dress Preventers uniform was Trowa Barton.

He nodded to Ashi and smiled, his eyes looking as if they were piercing her soul.

"Hello, Ashi."