Quatre could've kicked himself for doing that. He shouldn't have kissed her hand. It was entirely too presumptuous on his part. He had to take things slowly, he reminded himself. He wanted to woo her, not seduce her. He walked briskly out into the cool shadows of night. Breathing in the sweet night air, he decided how best to tell her his unfortunate movements during the war with OZ. There was no way around it. She would find out one way or another, and it was best that he tell her. An image of her face, with her eyes dancing with laughter sprung to his mind. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. Shaking his head at his own foolishness, he continued walking. There was no such thing as love at first sight, and anyways, how many girls had he really actually looked at girls? He was always to busy with taking care of family affairs, or running his numerous estates, or just focusing on things more important than mindless flirtations, to really be a good judge on beauty. She was certainly intelligent and quick, however. She answered questions clearly and quickly. Almost as she had been trained to. Quatre stopped. Could it be possible that she was in one of the armies during the war? It wasn't likely, because she looked small, and a girl of her importance, and standing would not be allowed even outdoors during something like that; much less enlist for battle. No. She must've just been brought up that way. Avarona Liv was certainly an enigma as to what she thought. Even thought she answered all of his questions to the fullest extent, she still kept a lot hidden. As if she was afraid of what he would think of her. So far, however, he thought only good things. It was as if God had dropped an angel into his lap, free of charge or obligation. She was gorgeous, smart, and willing to be his wife. He already liked her a lot, and that attraction was almost sure to turn into love soon. Walking back inside the house, Quatre glanced up at the clock. 9:43. he would retire now, and get up early to surprise her with something. Maybe some of the white roses in the garden. She certainly seemed to admire those. After bidding his sisters good night, and up in his room, Quatre shrugged of his coat, and changed into pajamas thinking about Avi. It seemed to be the only thing that had occupied his mind since meeting her.

Avi sat up and stretched. Her bed had been warm, the soft night sounds had crept in through her partially open window, and she had been allowed to sleep late. She turned over, and glanced at the clock. 9:07. She would get up now. She didn't want to be a rude guest and sleep the day away. After changing, she walked downstairs to see a table lavishly set for breakfast, with several people sitting there. She walked to where she was supposed to sit, and found a large bouquet of white roses and purple tulips. They were absolutely breathtaking. She buried her nose into the flowers and inhaled their scent. She picked up a small note, and was delighted to see that the flowers were from Quatre.

"My dear Avi,

I hope you slept well. I'm sorry I couldn't eat with you, but I had an engagement to attend to, and had to leave early. I will be back at around eleven, and hope that you will do me the immense pleasure of joining me on a picnic lunch.

Quatre."

Avi felt like she could just kiss the next three people she saw. Not only was this sweet, but he must've talked to, and asked her brothers what she liked, because there was no other way he could know that she loved to eat outside. She set the flowers down, and tried to eat, but was so excited, she could manage only a few bites. She had never felt so special before in her life. For the rest of the morning she walked with a skip in her step. When the hour finally rolled around, she sat still on the couch, trying to look nonchalant, as she waited for him to come home, when he walked through the door, she could hardly keep herself from jumping up with excitement.

"Thank you, for the flowers this morning. They were such a sweet surprise." She looked down, suddenly shy, "I would also love to accompany you on a picnic."

"I'm glad, I've already had the cook prepare us a basket."

As he spoke a large, grinning woman swept in, and set an obviously heavy picnic basket down next to the table. Quatre grinned at her, and then gesture towards the smiling woman.

"This dear lady has been with us for all of my life, and even before that. Her name is Gladys Tollen, but we just call her Nanny."

The woman ruffled his hair affectionately, "Aie, Quat, ya make me seem sae old, I'm not a'tall that old. I've still life left in me old after-burners."

Avi detected an obvious Scottish accent in the dear woman, and couldn't help but smile at the happy woman. She left, and Quatre took Avi's hand and led her out the door, while picking up the basket.

"We better get going, Avi, the horses will get restless."

"You got horses!"

"Yes, I remember you saying how much you loved them, so I decided to have us ride out to where I planned on taking you, instead of driving in a car. Is that alright?"

"Alright? Quatre, I'm thrilled! Thank you so much."

She linked her arms around one of his, and happily followed him out the door. Avi decided, that if nothing else, Quatre certainly knew how to charm a lady.

Quatre almost laughed aloud when he came into the house, and saw Avi trying to disguise her excitement. But he could read it in the sparkles of her lovely eyes and in her smiling red lips, and hear it in her tremulous voice. She looked as beautiful as the night before, if not more, wearing light-colored jeans, and a white tank top with a maroon blouse over it. She had put her long hair into a braid, but tiny wisps of it brushed her cheeks and forehead. It took all of Quatre's self-restraint to not take her into his arms and kiss her laughing mouth. He was totally in control of himself at all times, but as soon as he saw her, it was as if concentrating on not running over to her, and taking her in his arms, required all of his mental capacity. As she held his arm and gaily walked along with him to the horses, he reflected how simple things pleased her the most. Yesterday, the only jewelry she had been wearing was a simple silver chain, and small, conservative diamond earrings. Today, she wore nothing at all. When he had asked her brothers what she liked to do, they had both replied with simple pastimes and materials. She loved to paint, for instance, but she didn't really like shopping. She enjoyed sandwiches, but hated caviar and steak. He had asked them if she liked jewelry, but they had said she most likely wouldn't wear it very much. When he asked for suggestions on what to give her, they answered with flowers, and your time. Quatre sighed happily, two things that he was happy to give her. in fact, he would prefer to give her those things, rather than jewelry, because it was so much more personal. He would get her an engagement ring, however. He closed his eyes imaging how beautiful he would make sure it was. Only the best for her.

Avi bounced along on her horse next to Quatre. The animal was strong, and had a smooth gait, unlike the skittish temper of her old horse, Majesty. They had been riding for almost half an hour now, and she was anxious to see where Quatre was taking her. Grinning, she maneuvered her horse a little closer to his, and trying to keep her voice from laughing asked, "Are we there yet?"

Quatre groaned and looked over at her with a mock angry look on his face. "You're not one of those people who ask that all the time, are you?"

"Only if it takes a long time to get somewhere."

Quatre chuckled, "Do you want to get their faster?"

"Yes."

He took his reins in a little tighter, "Then catch me if you can!" And saying this, he dug his heels into the horse's sides, and galloped off, almost out of sight. Avi laughed, and urged her horse after him, leaning close to its neck, and grasping the reins in her hands. Together they raced along a narrow path in dark, dense woods, until there came an opening just ahead, where the sunlight was brighter. Quatre ran through here, and Avi followed suit, and then caught her breath at the beauty of it all. They were in a huge, enclosed meadow that had a bird's-eye view of the mountains far off in the distance. Quatre had already dismounted, and was standing below her on the ground.

"It's beautiful, isn't it? I love coming here, especially when it's warm." He held out his hand, and as Avi took it, instead of just helping her off the horse, as she thought, he lifted her up and off with surprising strength. He put her down slowly, and as he held her, looked deep into her eyes. His hands lingered on her waist, as she struggled to remain breathing. Then, he backed away quickly, and went to retrieve the basket. Avi was grateful, and upset that he hadn't stayed close to her. She shook her head. She was being ridiculous. She had a crush on someone she met yesterday, for crying out loud! Quatre came back with a blanket over his arm, which he spread out on the ground.

"Shouldn't we tie up the horses?"

"No, they've been here before, they won't wander off."

Together they sat on the blanket, and ate chicken sandwiches, and Caesar salad in silence. Quatre looked up at the sky, "I love this place. It's very peaceful alone, and very relaxing with someone."

He looked at her for a moment, and Avi mentally kicked herself, when she felt her cheeks redden in embarrassed pleasure.

"It is very lovely here." She looked over at the wide expanse, "Perfect for playing hide-and-seek, or tag, or something."

"Tag?" Quatre looked over at her mischievously. "Is that at all a challenge, Miss Rothgar?"

"Of course it isn't. I wouldn't want you to be embarrassed, by not being able to catch me, Mr. Winner."

"Unable to catch you? My own name personifies excellence. Quatre Raberba Winner."

"Oh yeah?" Avi gave him a good shove, and then leaped up, "TAG, you're it!"

She dashed off laughing, feeling the wind blow her hair every which a way. She looked behind to see Quatre gaining already with a smirk on his face. She bent her head, and ran faster, making sharp turns, trying to wear him out, but he still ran just as fast behind her, steadily gaining. Then she felt strong arms grasp her waist, and throw her into the air, as she screamed and laughed simultaneously. He caught her, and shouted, "TAG" before rushing off in the other direction. Avi chased him, but he proved to be way to fast for her. She sat down in the grass with and panted for a moment. Quatre stood in front of her, causing a shadow to hover over her face.

"Giving up already? That was hardly a challenge." There was a triumphant gleam in his eyes that Avi adored. She shifted slightly, "Noooo, I was just waiting." Here, she circled her foot around, and kicked his legs out from under him, and as soon as he was on the ground, she leaped on top of him and tried to pin his arms. He laughed, and simply flipped her over onto her back, and tickled her mercilessly until she begged for mercy. He stopped and grinned.

"I win."

"For now."

"Oh, come one, don't be such a poor sport. You even cheated."

"Cheated! Me? Cheat!" Avi allowed her face to take on a flabbergasted expression as she gazed up at Quatre.

"You, ma'am, are absolutely terrible."

Avi shrugged and giggled. "I know, thank you. Now, let me up."

Quatre rolled off her, and she got to her feet. Quatre also stood up, and took her hand.

"C'mon, we should be heading back now."

Quatre was breathing heavy. But it had nothing to do with running all over the meadow, but everything to do with being that close to Avi. He frustratingly clenched the reins in his hands. Why couldn't he control himself when she came within a few feet of him? He glanced over at her riding beside him. Did she even know how much she affected him? Probably not. He looked back ahead at the path. Her scent, her eyes, her hair, all seemed to be immensely perfect and complete for her. Just being with her made his heart pound and his mind go numb. He felt his forehead. Maybe he was sick. It was not love. People do not love this quickly. He caught Avi looking at him with a half smile on her face.

"A penny for your thoughts."

"Possible pet name options for you."

"Pet name?"

"Well, sure. I was thinking maybe 'O Cheating One' or maybe 'Slowpoke'"

"I'm not slow!" She wrinkled her nose up in the way that Quatre adored.

"No, I think 'Little Bunny Foo Foo' is perfect."

"Don't you dare call me that."

"Or what?" Quatre was beginning to love egging her one like this. Her facial expressions were too cute not too.

"Or I'll call you, um…" She thought for a moment. "Well, fine, I won't call you anything, but when you're sleeping I'll paint your toe nails!"

"Oh, please, I have 29 sisters. That's happened to me more times than I can count."

"Then I'll cut your hair."

"It won't matter. I'm a guy. You could shave me bald and I doubt anyone would even notice."

She rolled her eyes and nudged her horse to a trot. Quatre's horse. Fell into step behind her and they rode home in silence.

Over the next few weeks, Quatre took Avi out often. And on days that he wasn't around, she always found a gorgeous bouquet of flowers awaiting her on the breakfast table. She settled into a comfortable routine until she woke up one morning realizing that she had been here for over a month. She jumped up, got dressed, and ran out into the living room. Her parents were there, already speaking to a somewhat distressed looking Quatre. Avi walked over and sat down.

"Quat, what's wrong?"

Her Father turned to her, "Avi, we've been here nearly a month. I have business to attend to at home, and your brothers also have engagements that require their attention."

Avi frowned. "We're going home already? But don't I have to…That is, I thought that-"

Her Father held up his hand. "We're going home, but you, on the other hand are staying here. The marriage ceremony will take place a little under a year from now, in May. We'll be visiting you every now and again, but for the most part, you will be staying with Quatre, so that the two of you will get used to living together."

Avi jumped to her feet.

"What?"

Quatre remained sitting but spoke up, "I really, don't think this is a good idea, sir. I mean, we really don't know each other that well, and-"

Her father waved his hand in a dismissive manner.

"Oh, I know you won't take advantage of her or anything. I trust you, and besides, you have all these sisters running about to keep an eye on you two."

Avi could feel her face flush scarlet.

"No! What are you thinking, dad? You can't just leave me here!"

"I can. And I will."

She whipped around and faced Quatre.

"Quatre, what do you think about all of this?"

"Well, I've been trying to talk him out of this for almost an hour, with no luck, so it appears your staying with me for the time being.

Avi flung up her hands in frustration.

"How come everyone is being so calm about this? Doesn't anyone care what I think?"

Her Father's voice was steely.

"We are leaving at lunchtime. I am going to go pack now. Hopefully you will be more composed than you are now, because I will not tolerate being yelled at by my own daughter." He got up and swept out of the room with her mother following.
Avi fell onto the couch and moaned. Why did her parents have to be so difficult? She felt the cushions sink a little as Quatre moved closer to her, and put an arm around her shoulders.

"It won't be so bad."

"Quatre, its not that I don't want to stay with you. On the contrary, I love it here. Its just that…It seems so sudden, and fast."

"Well, lets make the best of it. It appears we really are fiancés now. Quatre gently leaned in, and taking her chin in his hand brushed her forehead softly with his lips. Heat flooded Avi's body and she could've kicked herself. The only thin she could think about, was how good his lips would feel on hers.