Quatre punched the wall in fury. He watched as blood trickled down his cut knuckles. Trowa was beside him observing in infuriating silence. Quatre turned,
"Say something!"
"You should get a Band-Aid."
"Trowa!"
"Quat, what do you want me to say?"
"I don't know! Anything!"
"You should really get a Band-Aid."
Quatre frowned at him, and leaned against the wall. He was cold, and God knows how cold Avi was, without her coat in this weather. How could she lie to him like that? He told her everything because he trusted her, he loved her. Quatre stood up and blinked. He…loved her? Trowa put a hand on Quatre's shoulder.
"Quatre, it was very difficult for Miss Rothgar to tell you all of that. She is obviously not proud of herself at all. I'm sure she had her reasons for not wanting to tell you right away." He looked at Quatre pointedly. "You of all people should be able to understand that. After all, you lover her."
"How did…how did you know?"
"It's obvious. You can't keep your eyes off her for a second. You're obviously smitten."
Quatre looked at Trowa for long moment. Trowa gestured out into the direction Avi had taken off in.
"You better go get her. She's foolish enough to leave her coat here, and she'll probably catch a cold at the very least."
Quatre took off running after her.
In the daylight, Quatre would've been able to find her in the yard quickly, but in the dark, when the flood lights didn't reach as far, he had to stumble about looking for her in cold, wet snow. He finally heard her. Crying quietly to herself, under the shelter of a large tree. She looked up when he approached, but then looked down again at her feet. Quatre settled down next to her, and put his arm around her. She looked up
"Quat, I'm sorry."
"I know. It's just, why didn't you tell me before?"
"I was afraid that you would think less of me. I…I love you, Quatre. I didn't want to tell you my ugly past because I was afraid of what you would think."
She looked back down at her feet. Quatre took her face in his hands.
"Do you want to know what I think?"
Avi looked at him and nodded the tiniest bit.
"I think you're brave, and smart, and resourceful, and strong, and good. I think your going to be a beautiful wife, and a talented mother."
Tears began to run down her face again.
"You know what else I think?"
"What?"
"I think I love you too."
Quatre closed the distance between them, and kissed her gently but firmly. He could feel her tremble beneath his lips as she kissed him back, and grasped his shirt in her hands. He pulled his fingers through her hair, tugging it out of its pins and ties, and let it fall through his awaiting fingers. He pulled away and rubbed tears out of her eyes.
"Let's go in. you're probably cold."
He picked her up, and turning back towards the house, walked her inside.
5 months later…
"Are you finished yet?"
"Stop thrashing about, or I'll never be finished!"
"Well you're taking too long already."
"Stay still!"
"Yeowch! THAT HURT!"
"It'll hurt more if you don't stop!"
Avi grumpily sat back in her chair as Millie tugged through her hair and arranged it into a complicated braid pattern atop her head. White satin pooled around her feet large puffed sleeves fell off her shoulders, and her bodice was dotted with pearls and diamonds. She fidgeted. She had waited forever for this day to come, and now Millie, was going to make her late for her wedding. She sighed happily. She was getting married to the best man on the face of the earth. The very thought warmed her to her toes. Mrs. Avarona Liv Winner. The name had a great ring too.
Quatre thought he was going to die. Where was she? She was taking too long. He shifted his weight back and forth until he felt the steadying hand of Heero standing behind him.
"Calm down."
"I can't."
Heero rolled his eyes.
Suddenly a gasp went up from the back of the church. Quatre strained his eyes, and there at the back of the aisle, was his bride. She was in all white, with a delicate veil in front of her face. A tiny tiara was set among a mound of curls and braids and diamonds. She had a huge bouquet of red roses and white lilies was in her hands, and on her face she wore a dazzling smile. Quatre heard a low whistle behind him.
"Woo! What a babe. How'd Quat land her, d'ya think?"
There was an audible slap followed by a muttered, "Baka." From Wu Fei off the side.
Avi approached Quatre and took his hand, as they turned towards the pastor. The ceremony lasted forever in Quatre's mind, but finally he heard the greatest words of his life:
"Do you, Quatre Raberba Winner, take this woman to be your wife?"
"I do."
"Do you, Avarona Liv Rothgar, take this man to be your husband?"
"I do."
"If there is any person in this room who thinks that this union should not take place, speak now or forever hold your peace"
"I now pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."
Quatre pulled her closer, and kissed her soundly on the lips amid the cheers and applause of the crowd. Quatre felt his heart soar as he looked into the eyes of his new wife. She was his, and he was complete.