Ai no miko500,Kami-Crimson, WaterDragonfromtheUnderworld, and Sutoomu (As always) Thank you for your reviews! You all recieve hugs and kisses! Okay, about this chapter, they're about to try something that may or may not work, still deciding. Anyway, Mèmerè is pronounced Muh-may. It's French, I think, for Grandma. Love you all!
Disclaimer: I do not own Gundam Wing in any way, though I have put into affect my plan and this will all change in a few days. MWAHAHAHAHAHAH!
"Wow, that's a nice house." Duo whistled appreciatively at the large, old-fashioned beach house that stood before them. He figured it was safe to say, as even Arashi looked surprised. The house was a pale, sky blue and three stories tall. It had a wraparound porch with a swing, a balcony and white shutters that were all opened at the moment. Behind the house Duo could just see a garden with lots of multicolored flowers.
"Yeah, who knew Mèmerè was loaded?" Arashi laughed and followed as Solo ran up the steps to the house. Their dad knocked on the door as the kids looked around, examining the house. Arashi nudged Duo and pointed to a spot along the beach where a giant rock overhang stuck out.
"That's prefect place to try out your gooey stuff." Arashi whispered as the door opened.
The woman standing in the door had wispy gray hair and bright, green eyes. She had her hair done in a tight bun on the back of her head. Duo suddenly knew she was a very religious person and that she wore a cross at all times. He knew she used to sneak chocolates and cookies to him when his parents weren't looking.
"Mèmerè!" Solo flung himself at the woman and gave a warm hug which she returned.
"My, you've all grown. Arashi, you're looking as beautiful as ever!" She gave Arashi a hug as Arashi gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Duo, the handsome young man. Come here, let me see you." She held him at arms length and inspected him carefully. "Good heavens, your hair!"
Duo grabbed his braid protectively and hugged it to his chest. Arashi giggled and Duo shot her a dirty look. Mèmerè smiled kindly at him. "Why on Earth do you have your hair so long?"
Duo shrugged, "I like it like this."
Mèmerè nodded thoughtfully and turned to their parents.
"You know, I don't know why you keep your hair like that." Arashi stared at him strangely. "That's so bizarre. Oh, Mèmerè, I almost forgot, is that beach all private?" Mèmerè nodded and Arashi punched the air. "Yes! Perfecto!"
Duo laughed and followed his dad back to the car to get the bags and pillows. It took ten minutes to get the car cleared and everything put away.
"You realize we pack more stuff for a day than the pilgrims probably took for life?" Duo's dad, William, the name suddenly floated to the top of Duo's brain, sat at the kitchen table.
Duo laughed and glanced around, "Where's everyone else?"
"Probably in Mom's lounge. It's upstairs if you want to go up there."
Josephine, Duo's mom's name floated out of nowhere as he climbed the stairs. Josephine and William. And they had been married for nearly twenty years. Twenty in July.
"-oh, yes. He's a sophomore, just a year behind Arashi." Duo pushed the door opened to see his mom on the couch talking to Mèmerè and Arashi examining something on the mantle. She turned and rolled her eyes at Duo, nodding to the two women.
"Look at this picture." Arashi passed it to Duo as he stopped next to her. The picture was of two kids, one boy and one girl on the beach. The girl looked about five and the boy four. "That's us, but I know we've never been here."
Mèmerè looked up from the couch. "You were so young; you must just not remember it."
Duo took the picture again and looked at it. "I don't remember this either. But, look, it's under that rock hanging I pointed out. You can see the house."
"Yeah." Arashi didn't look convinced but she put the picture on the mantle. "Speaking of that rock, let's try out your…explosive."
Duo nodded and the two left Mèmerè and their mother talking. Duo followed Arashi down the hall and into a room on their left. The walls were a deep blue and curtains a shade darker hung on the windows. A bed, dresser and TV lined the walls and a single window shed light across the room.
"You know, I still think there's something funny about that picture. I checked with Dad before we came, we've never been here." Arashi watched as Duo dug through his suitcase. "I mean, we don't even get to see Mèmerè all that much."
Duo made a noise in his throat and straightened, holding the Ziploc in his hand. Arashi made a face at him and turned to leave the room. "Don't forget to change into your bathing suit. We don't want Solo or one of the adults thinking we're doing something suspicious down there." Duo shrugged and threw the bag onto the bed.
Five minutes later he was sitting on the steps waiting for Arashi. Solo ran up and glared at him. "What are you doing? Are you going to the beach? And you didn't tell me!" Duo leaned back as Solo yelled at him and then ran up the steps. "Don't go 'til I get back outside. I mean it."
Arashi passed Solo and jumped down the steps. "C'mon, Duo. We need to find a place where the stuff won't get wet but where we can get into the water easily if we need to. Well? Are you coming?"
"I'm waiting for Solo. I feel bad just running off without him." Duo leaned back on his hands.
"You told him he could come? Are you crazy? What if something happens and we get in trouble?"
"Actually he kinda told me he was coming. I didn't really get to say anything."
Arashi sighed and Solo sprinted out the door. "Last one there's a rotten egg!"