Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing or any of the characters associated with aforementioned show. Simple.

A.N.: Yeah yeah, I know. I finally updated, though it took forever. A.N. is at end. Just read the story. Warning though, the chapter is unusually short for me. Only three pages.

Once So Long Ago

Chapter 10: Rosebuds

By Crystal Delphina

In front of the two young people stood a now 35-year-old Rose. Although time had aged her appearance, they still recognized the blond hair, blue eyed woman who had mothered them.

"We are-" Relena began.

"Relena? Heero?" And apparently, she recognized them also. Relena gave a relieved smile. Now she did not have to try to explain who they were.

"Yes. We are."

Tears sprang to the older woman's eyes as she ushered them inside and into the living room of her house.

"Oh you have no idea how happy it makes me to see you. I mean, I knew you were both alive, because both of you were all over the news for that year during the war, but I was still incredibly worried about the two of you." They sat down on a couch, while she sat across from them in a chair.

"When the war first started," she continued. "I couldn't believe that the toddlers I had changed diapers for were both in that dreadful battle."

Both Relena and Heero (yes, even Heero) visibly blushed slightly at her referral to their childhood.

"What happened to you after we left?" Heero asked.

"I stayed on the colony for a bit, but had nothing to do after you all left. I was completely miserable. Besides, a few months later, Alliance soldiers showed up in the building, questioning the residents as to Odin's location. When the old lady downstairs informed them that I had always hung out with him and the young children he had, they came after me. I barely escaped, and fled to this colony where my older brother lives. I've been here ever since."

After a few moments passed, Rose's smile disappeared. "What ever happened to Odin?"

Relena flinched slightly, while Heero stiffened beside her.

"He died in a suicide mission a few days after we left," Heero replied evenly.

"I thought as much." Rose played with the hem of her skirt for a short while, while a sad smile formed upon her features. "I knew as soon as he said you were all leaving, that I would never see him again."

"What happened to you two after you left?" she said with a small sigh.

"They separated us. I went to live with the Darlians, and Heero went through further military training under the tutelage of a scientist who designed his mobile suit."

"That must have been rough on both of you. You were always so close and all. Did you get to see each other often at least?"

"No. In fact they erased our memories so we didn't even recognize each other when we did meet three years ago," Heero explained calmly. Rose gasped in shock.

"That's horrible!"

"It was to make sure Relena survived."

"Besides, we remember now, and that's what is important," Relena said with a smile, trying to make sure Rose did not worry.

"I prayed for the both of you every day. I wasn't sure if I would ever see you again, but I had hoped you would remember me," Rose produced a small laugh. " but it seems you didn't even know about each other. I'm glad you're here now though."

She smiled warmly at them before jumping up from her seat. "I have a few pictures. Would you care to see them?" she called over her shoulder as she began making her way down a hallway, not even waiting for an answer.

"Yes please," Relena said eagerly. Rose walked in with a photo album in tow. When she stood over them, she motioned them to move to either side of the couch to allow her room in the middle.

She opened the book to reveal pages of pictures of the both of them, Odin, and herself. Relena fingered the corners of a photo of the four of them taken at Odin's apartment. They were all laughing and smiling.

She turned to look at another of her blowing out candles on her third birthday.

"When was Heero's birthday?" Relena asked offhandedly still inspected the pictures.

"We always celebrated it on January 15, exactly a month before yours [1]," Rose replied. "And until he was 7, he always made us take him to this mechanical horse he loved to ride. Remember that Heero?" Rose turned towards the now incredibly uncomfortable young man with a smirk, as Relena giggled.

"I wouldn't be laughing Relena. You made him kiss you once. He hated it too, because he thought you were trying to poison him. He looked ready to either kill you or ready to pass out afterwards. The poor boy." Rose was now the only one laughing as both Heero and Relena blushed on either side of her.

"You hate my kisses that much Heero?" I may just have to stop giving them then," Relena teased. Heero frowned at the prospect, but just grunted in response.

"Oh I always knew you two would get together. You two were special somehow," Rose said with a large smile a glint in her eye. She looked between the two of them repeatedly, both of their heads turned to look somewhere other then at her. "Odin knew it too. That is why he made sure to make that locket you are wearing. I'm sure he would be pleased to see you both safe, happy, and together."

Rose shut the album when they reached the end of the visual memory lane.

"Why did you never marry or have children of your own?" Relena blurted out, before she could cover her mouth. That had been incredibly rude on her part, and very unlike her usual decorum.

"You were my children. You were my family. I just couldn't go off and replace you." Rose's hands found their way to the tops of both of their heads. She smoothed their hair slowly with gentle strokes of her hands.

"I could never find better children. I know I am not your real mother, but I cared for you just the same. I loved both of you and Odin." Tears began to make their way down her cheeks after welling up in her eyes.

Relena moved to rest her head onto Rose's shoulder, Rose's hand falling to hug her around the shoulder. Although he resisted for a few moments, Heero's head also managed to land onto her other shoulder.

"Thank you for being our mother," Relena said, with a small sniff.

"Oh Odin was a horrible father, though he cared for you both immensely. And I couldn't possibly let you grow up in a house full of men Relena without some lady like manners instilled in you. You may have been flipping Heero over the couch all the time, but you always apologized afterwards, and that's what was important," Rose said with a giggle, trying to lighten the mood.

"And if I had left you young man," she indicated Heero with a squeeze to his shoulder. "with Odin all of the time, you never would have gone outside to play. Or gotten to ride that mechanical horse. I doubt Odin would have remembered to celebrate your birthday's either. He really was bad when it came to remembering special occasions..." Rose trailed off with a soft sigh.

"My beautiful, wonderful, brave children. Saving the world and all. I suppose you are no longer children of course now. You can't even be called teenagers anymore. You've grown into fine adults." Rose gave each of them one more gentle squeeze before releasing them. They both stood up from the couch, Rose following.

"We must be going now," Heero said slowly, somewhat dazed. That had to be the closest thing he had ever had to motherly love in his life that he could clearly remember. It was fairly...unsettling, although it was a welcome feeling.

"We'll keep in touch, I promise." Relena seconded.

"I expect to be invited to the wedding." Rose laughed while the couple blushed again. The only reply she received was a grunt, although Heero had a small (small) smile.

"Oh wait, before you go..." Rose opened the discarded album and fished out two pictures to hand to them. After handing them to Heero, she was surprised when Relena hugged her.

"Take care of yourself," Relena said softly.

"You too sweetie." She gave Relena a kiss to the forehead before she pulled away.

Both women were thoroughly surprised when Heero took the small body of Rose into his arms. He pulled away slowly, unsure of what his body had just done on apparently a whim and subconscious desire. That was definitely not typical Heero Yuy behavior.

Rose leaned up and kissed his cheek softly.

"You watch after yourself and her. You take care of each other, understand me?" Rose said as she pulled away, starring them both in the eyes pointedly. They both nodded, and walked out of her front door with quiet good-byes.

As she closed the door behind them, she gave a small smile.

"Well you did it Odin, as usual."

She was surprised to see herself crying when she looked in the hallway mirror.

A.N.: Look, I am warning you now, do NOT believe me when I give you people deadlines. I said this story would be done by the end of the April... It's July 1st. ANYWAY, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, although it was almost painfully short. I must admit, I did not really like this chapter, because of how hard it was to present Rose and her roll to Heero and Relena. And yes, I admit it, the chapter is rushed too. It sounds as if they were in and out all within 5 minutes. To tell you the truth, I'll just be happy when this whole story is over...

Anyway, although I had claimed there was only this chapter and an epilogue left, I may add one more just to be on the safe side. We'll see how things progress. But I PROMISE this will be done by the end of summer.

And as for reviews... My gosh, I have been so deeply touched by how many I've received. However, if I break the 200 mark... I might just post the next part sooner. In fact, I will try my best to post that next part within a week if I hit the 200 + mark. So REVIEW!! All right readers, that is it for now. It's nearly 4 AM in the morning, and Saved By the Bell will be on soon (does anyone remember that show?? The bigger question is does anyone still watch it other then me??? J ).