Chapter Twenty-Nine
The Start Of A New Life
November, A.C. 204

Heero was pleasantly surprised when he and Relena arrived at their new house. Serena and Trowa were already there, dropping off the rest of their belongings. On the night of Heero's birthday, Serena and Trowa had taken some of their items, including documents, for safekeeping.

After Serena had shown him the updated case file on Edwards, Heero had been concerned once they left for the day. Serena had spent the day in his office, but unfortunately, there wasn't much Heero could do. He was leaving with Relena at the end of the week, and Serena and Trowa were going to be handling the move from the townhouse to his and Relena's new home. Heero tried not to bother Serena. She had taken on his responsibilities at HQ that week. It didn't mean Heero wasn't checking in whenever he got the opportunity. Heero had even checked any reports he could read throughout their trip to America. Serena hadn't reached out to him about any incidents that would require his attention. Overall, nothing had happened while he was gone.

As Heero and Relena stepped out of the SUV, Heero looked over the home. It wasn't that it was a bad-looking house. It was a rather large home. One they probably didn't need. Sighing to himself, Heero walked around the vehicle to meet Relena. She was smiling brightly with an eager glint in her eyes. Relena had been giddy since they landed back in Brussels.

When Heero and Relena headed inside the house, they stopped in the entryway. Serena and Trowa stood talking by what was considered the library. It was a smaller room, set off from the main hallway.

"Welcome back," Trowa said. Serena nodded her head.

"Have a fun trip?" Serena asked as Heero and Relena walked closer to them.

"It was good," Relena said. "But I'm happy to be back."

"Did anything happen while we were gone?" Heero asked. Serena lifted a brow at him.

"Seriously?" Serena rolled her eyes. "And here I thought you would be more interested in this." Serena held an envelope up.

"What is that?" Heero asked, taking the envelope from Serena.

"A delivery," Trowa smirked. Heero looked at Trowa before eyeing Serena.

"What kind of delivery?" Relena asked.

"Open the letter," Serena said as she smiled.

Heero turned the envelope over, finding it was already opened. He wanted to be angry at whoever opened it, but he couldn't be. It was the right thing to do in the situation. Better to be safe than sorry by looking into what the letter said. Pulling the card out, Heero scanned it before looking back at Serena and Trowa.

"Quatre and Dorothy sent us a piano?" Relena questioned in the same tone Heero was feeling. Confused.

"A pretty nice one," Trowa said. "We had no idea it was coming. Quatre had called and asked what Serena and I were doing this weekend. I'm guessing he wanted to ensure someone was here when it was delivered."

"You're joking, right?" Heero frowned.

"Look for yourself," Serena said as she splayed her hand towards the library. Heero looked into the room to see a white piano in the middle. "We inspected it before it was brought in. And why the card was opened."

Heero turned to look at Serena. First, Relena went behind his back and bought the damn house, but now he had a baby grand piano sitting in the library of his new home. Heero wondered what other surprises he would be in store for at the rate he was going.

"Wow," Relena said. "It's beautiful."

"I have to agree," Trowa commented.

"That's one hell of a housewarming gift," Serena said to Heero and him only.

"It's Quatre. What did you expect?" Heero lifted a brow at her. Serena rolled her eyes.

"I thought I did well with a housewarming gift by getting groceries."

"You went shopping?"

"You need to eat," Serena shrugged. "Figured I'd be nice."

"You moved all of our stuff from the townhouse to here while we were gone," Heero frowned. "I think you did plenty to help us. Not to mention you covered for me." Heero felt Relena elbow him in the side.

"English. No keeping secrets," Relena playfully scolded them. Serena eyed Relena for a moment before turning her attention back to him.

"Did you try it out?" Heero asked Serena, ignoring Relena's wishes for them to speak in English.

"Maybe," Serena smirked at him. Heero pondered Serena's answer before Relena moved, grabbing Serena's arm.

"Enough, now let's go walk around the house," Relena said as she dragged Serena away. Heero wanted to laugh when he saw the look Serena sent Relena. Heero could hear Relena asking questions about how far they had gotten with unpacking and what else needed to be done.

"I truly didn't know Quatre was going to do this," Trowa's voice pulled Heero from watching the girls.

"I'm questioning how much Dorothy was even involved."

"Why do you say that?"

"Because Quatre had once told Relena that if we ever had a large enough space, we should invest in a grand piano."

"That doesn't surprise me," Trowa laughed. "That sounds like something Quatre would say."

"Yeah," Heero said. "Did Serena play it?"

"Yeah," Trowa smiled. "Not for long, but she sat down and checked to see if it was in tune."

"Hm."

"Why are you asking?"

"Just curious." Heero wondered if Serena would be a frequent visitor to his home. It wouldn't surprise him if she did. It had been years since she had a piano she could play. But part of Heero knew that Serena still had reservations about picking the hobby up.

After her birthday, despite his encouragement, Serena informed him that even though playing the piano made her happy, the lingering trauma still affected her. Heero knew it would be years of undoing everything Edwards had done to her before Serena could find peace with herself. Heero only hoped it didn't take her that long before she enjoyed doing the things she once loved to do.

Shaking the thought aside, Heero and Trowa went to the kitchen to grab a drink. Apparently, besides food, Serena stocked the minibar.


When Trowa and Serena arrived home, Trowa was grateful to relax for the rest of the evening. They had been working hard the week Heero and Relena had been away with their new home. Serena had organized and handled everything. Trowa knew he could've taken on the responsibility of making the arrangements, but Serena had told him that she could do it. They had been at Heero and Relena's house early in the day to finish a few last-minute things. The kitchen had been one of the last rooms they had unpacked, minus for clothes in Heero and Relena's bedroom. Serena had hung all the garments that needed to be, but anything in their dressers had been left alone. After Heero and Relena arrived, Trowa and Serena stayed for the rest of the day, and the four of them had dinner together. The day and night had been good. Trowa had enjoyed himself, and Serena seemed happy spending time with Heero and Relena.

As they entered their apartment, Serena dropped her things onto the kitchen island before heading to their bedroom. Trowa followed close behind, wondering what Serena was doing. It was still early enough that they could've found something to watch on TV before heading to bed.

"Trowa?" Serena's voice had a strange tone to it.

"Yeah?" Trowa's senses heightened. Serena stood with her back to him.

"We should clear our schedules in a few days," Serena said as she slowly turned to face him.

"What?" Trowa stared at her, confused by what Serena had said.

"We should take some time off."

"Why?" Trowa was becoming more confused by the second. "Serena, why should we take some time off?" When Serena didn't answer him, Trowa tried again. "Serena, why do you want us to take some time off?" Serena took a deep breath before she spoke. Trowa felt his heart stop.


"What?" Trowa breathed as his eyes went wide.

Serena bit her lip. She had spent all week thinking it over. Serena knew it was what she wanted. But her execution wasn't going as planned. Her nerves had the words tumbling out before she could think. Serena questioned whether or not she had made a mistake the longer Trowa stared at her. Maybe now wasn't the right time for her to drop this on him.

"I don't understand," Trowa shook his head. But the confusion didn't leave his face.

"Why are we waiting?"

"You want to get married? This week?"

"I don't want a wedding. I don't want any of that. I just want you." Serena still wasn't sure what she was saying. But Serena continued to let whatever thoughts she had out. "I don't want to wait. I've spent my entire life waiting for the next thing to happen. I don't want to do that anymore. I want to control what does or doesn't happen to me rather than someone else controlling it."

"Where is all this coming from, Serena?" Trowa asked once she had stopped speaking.

"Tomorrow isn't a guarantee. We only get this one life to live… I only have this life because…" Serena trailed off. Her thoughts became jumbled as she tried to plead with Trowa to understand.

Serena questioned if her promise to herself was worth it. Why commit to changing and living the life she had always dreamed of if the one person she wanted more than anything to be in her life was staring at her as she had done and said the wrong thing?

Maybe this was her punishment. Just like every time she had defied Edwards. There was always something that would devastate any hope she had left in her.

"You want to elope?" Trowa's voice pulled Serena from her thoughts.

"I-" Serena paused, trying to clear her head. But her heart was racing.


Trowa looked at Serena. Her eyes pleaded with him to understand what she was saying to him.

His mind continued to spin in circles. They hadn't discussed anything relating to their marriage. Trowa's understanding, until this very moment, they were going to wait. Serena wasn't in any rush, and while part of him had wanted to marry her the moment he asked her, Trowa slowly let go, knowing that one day they would wed.

But now… Trowa wasn't sure what to make of Serena's sudden change in decision. She hadn't mentioned anything. Serena had been different during the week. She was more focused, but Trowa had chalked it up to her temporarily taking over Heero's department at work. She had also been happier. But once again, Trowa thought it was because Heero was away, and other than a few phone calls, Heero hadn't bothered Serena.

Unless…

Serena said something in Japanese, pulling Trowa from his thoughts.

"You know I don't know Japanese," Trowa frowned.

"It's always been you. It will always be you, Trowa."

This wasn't the first time Serena had said those words to him. Trowa was beginning to wonder if those words held more meaning. Shaking the thought away, Trowa wanted to get to the root of Serena's decision for them to get married before their originally agreed-upon timeline.

"I thought we were waiting until after Heero and Relena's wedding?"

"I don't want to wait," Serena shook her head. "Why can't we just elope?" Trowa let her words sink in before he posed his next question.

"Is that what you want? To elope?"

"Yes," Serena nodded.

"Are you sure, without a doubt, that this is what you want, Serena?" Trowa knew he was repeating the question, but he wanted to be sure this was what Serena wanted.

"Why are you asking me again?"

"All of this is sudden. I understand I surprised you when I asked you to marry me. But I don't want you feeling rushed into doing this. I don't mind waiting."

"I'm not," Serena shook her head. "Nor are you forcing me into feeling that way."

"Are you pregnant?" Trowa blurted out. The thought had crossed his mind more than once. But it wasn't until now that he had allowed it to be voiced. It was a rational reason. At least, in his mind, it was.

"What?" Serena stared at him with wide eyes.

"If you are, we don't have to get married before the baby is born," Trowa said, taking a step toward her. "That doesn't matter. What matters is that-"

"I'm not pregnant, Trowa," Serena said, cutting him off.

"Oh." Trowa stopped in front of Serena. His hand stretched out to pull her closer, falling to his side.

"Are… are you disappointed?" Serena frowned at him.

"No," Trowa shook his head. "I'm not disappointed," Trowa amended. Serena was still frowning at him, and her eyes had turned downcast. "I want to have children with you, but that day will come when we're ready."

"Are you saying you don't want to get married because-" Trowa didn't let Serena finish her sentence as he pulled her to his chest this time.

"I never said I didn't want to get married. That decision was made the moment you said yes to me. If you want to elope, then we'll elope."

Serena wrapped her arms around his torso, holding him tightly. Trowa rested his cheek against the top of her head. They stayed like that, in silence, for a few minutes before Trowa thought of another question.

"How long have you been thinking about this?"

"A few days," Serena said before she chuckled. "I may have researched everything we need and what we're supposed to do."

"You did all of that?" Trowa pulled away from her. Serena smiled shyly at him.

"Yeah."

Trowa nodded his head, accepting the information for what it was. "And you want to elope. This weekend?"

"Do you not want to?" Serena countered back. Trowa shook his head, smiling before he kissed her.

"There's one problem," Trowa said after he broke their kiss.

"What is that?"

"We don't have any wedding bands."

Another smile crept onto Serena's face, and it was all Trowa needed to know that Serena had a solution to the problem.


A few days later…

When Heero entered his office, he learned Serena and Trowa had snuck off to L3. He wasn't thrilled. Neither had indicated that they were leaving on what Duo had deemed "another mini vacation."

It wasn't the first time Serena and Trowa had taken a three-day weekend, but this time was different. Something nagged at Heero, and he couldn't shake the feeling. They only were in the office for three days before leaving for L3. Heero knew he needed to get to the bottom of whatever was going on.

Heero propped his phone against his computer screen while the video call was accepted. Serena sat with a t-shirt on, hair piled on top of her head.

"Why are you in bed?"

"Because it's two in the morning, Heero. Why are you calling?" Serena asked with a touch of annoyance in her voice.

"Because you're not here. Why is that?"

"Took some time off."

"That doesn't tell me anything," Heero pressed his lips together. "Why are you guys on L3?"

"Can't you guys talk later?" Trowa's voice came from off-screen.

"Because we are," Serena said, ignoring Trowa.

"That's not an answer." Heero watched as Serena turned her head, likely looking toward Trowa.

"The truth is I needed a break," Serena said in Japanese. The switch made Heero question if Serena was okay or not. But he needed more information first before concluding.

"A break?"

"Heero," Serena sighed. "With the election coming up and the amount of traveling we're going to be doing, I wanted a few days to not think about things."

"That's not all of it," Heero frowned. He could understand that Serena wanted some time before she dove headfirst into what would be a crazy month.

"I also needed a break from the case. After remembering the information about Edwards, I needed to step away. It's a lot, and while I know it doesn't get us any closer to finding him, mentally…" Serena trailed off.

"Why didn't you tell me this was weighing on you?"

"I can handle it. I only wanted a few days away from HQ and everything to get my head straight again. Once the election is over, then we can focus on Edwards."

"That won't be until January."

"Technically, the week of Christmas. By the way, when did they decide that holding an election in the middle of December was a smart idea?" Serena lifted a brow at him. "It's the stupidest thing I've heard. And I've seen and heard a lot of stupid things before."

"I have no idea." Heero wanted to laugh. He couldn't agree more with Serena. "Regardless, next time you need a break, just tell me."

"Then you would hound me. Questioning if I was mentally stable or not." Serena rolled her eyes.

"I know you are," Heero narrowed his eyes, not finding the humor in Serena's statement. "But everyone needs a break from time to time."

"Well, I'm taking mine," Serena smiled. "Now, if you don't mind, we're going to go back to bed," Serena said in English, indicating their conversation was over.

"Thank you," Trowa grumbled off camera. "You two pick the worst times to talk."

"Sorry," Heero said. "Goodnight."

"Have a great day at work!" Serena said before disconnecting the call.

Heero blew a breath, causing his bangs to flutter. He still wasn't happy that Serena hadn't bothered to say anything to him. But he understood why Serena wanted to take a few days off. She wasn't scheduled to work as one of Relena's bodyguards. But in the coming weeks, Serena would accompany Relena to a few locations for the remaining rallies.

Heero was confident that Serena could handle herself and any potential situation that arose while he wasn't there. It would be the first time Heero was sending Serena out into the field. Luckily, Serena wouldn't have to mingle with anyone, keeping her identity concealed. But there was always a risk. No matter what they did. Or rather, what he did, Heero knew someone would eventually recognize Serena. And when that day came, they needed to be ready for the firestorm that would surely ensue.


Serena sighed as she placed her phone on the nightstand in their hotel room. She shut the light off before laying back down in bed. Serena knew it was coming. Heero would be suspicious, and sure enough, he called. It didn't help that neither she nor Trowa said anything to him about leaving. They hadn't said anything to anyone.

Trowa and her had agreed that the fewer questions, the better. They planned to act as those they were taking an extended weekend. Une hadn't bothered to ask for a reason. Other than asking if either of them were on security duty. Luckily, they weren't.

"What did you tell him?" Trowa's sleepy, muffled voice pulled Serena from her thoughts.

"I needed a break before the election."

"Do you think he bought your story?"

"Heero's suspicious of anything I do," Serena rolled her eyes, even if Trowa couldn't see her.

"I don't blame him," Trowa chuckled. "You like to hide things and then run off to do things you probably shouldn't."

"Ha-ha," Serena said. "At least this time, I had a partner in crime."

"That you did." Trowa's arm wrapped around her, pulling Serena closer to him. "And I wouldn't have it any other way." Serena laughed as she settled herself in Trowa's embrace. Serena was content and felt like she was finally moving in the right direction with her life. "My only request is that the next time you plan to do something like this, you at least tell me the idea."

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," Serena said, lifting her head to kiss Trowa on the cheek.

"It's okay," Trowa said. "If I had a problem with this, I would've said so."

"I think you were too eager to go along with everything."

"Maybe," Trowa chuckled. "I had made up my mind a long time ago. I was only waiting until you were ready."

"So you've told me," Serena laughed. "A few times now."

"Can't help the excitement. But we should go back to sleep. Before we know it, the sun will be up, and we have plenty to do." Trowa turned his head, kissing her head. "I love you, Rena."

Serena smiled as she got more comfortable. Trowa wasn't wrong. They had plenty to do once they got up. While part of Serena could stay awake for the rest of the early morning hours, she knew she needed to rest. While Trowa had been able to take a short nap on their flight from Earth to L3, Serena had stayed awake, going over everything. They had spent the past few days gathering everything they needed and making arrangements. It became an almost full-time job, a part of their regular work. Once they were home in the evenings, Serena and Trowa had gone over everything. While Serena hadn't thought it wouldn't be difficult for them to get married, she quickly learned there was more to it than just getting their marriage license and finding someone to officiate.

Luckily, Trowa had been ready and willing to do anything he could to make this their reality. He did his part, and Serena did hers. Once everything was settled and their flight was booked, along with their hotel, Serena breathed a sigh of relief. Throwing everything together on such short notice wasn't easy, but they had done it. All that was left was to make it through the next two days, and their lives would officially start as husband and wife.


A/N

Happy Chapter 29!

No, I haven't forgotten! My work schedule has been hectic, and it's sports season for the kiddo, I haven't had as much time as I would like to spend on writing and editing. But then again, I've made time to edit the back end of this story... changing things and making notes. Okay, I admit it, I got sucked down the rabbit hole of my own doing. Oops.

Anyway, I wasn't going to originally share the fact Trowa and Serena eloped. I was going to keep that a secret... but I have a lot of secrets in this story and maybe I shouldn't have a million... Well, I can't change this fact because I'm uploading this. But hopefully, this will make you think a little harder and remember back to the prologue of this story. Hmm, does that change anything?

Next chapter, it's Christmas, lmao. And yes, I am well aware that an election being held the week of Christmas is absolutely ridiculous and makes zero sense. It's not supposed to. That's the point. But who will be elected? Will that change anything or have a HUGE impact on the storyline? Am I telling you information so you know to be aware and suspect people!? Possibly. But mainly, we need things to happen and get going into the meaty, juicy parts of this story. Until then, take care, be safe and I'll see you all very soon!

-MM