22-July-2002
ANDREA: {yawning--*still*}
READWOLF: You've been up for a good 7 hours and you're *still* yawning?!
>.<
ANDREA: Mmhmmm... all that reading tired me out, not to mention made me
depressed. And I thought last week's reading was horrid. >.<
READWOLF: !__! I'm not going to enjoy this essay, am I?
ANDREA: Don't know. Haven't figured out how I'm going to "synthesize" all
this lovely information yet--eep! have put the sheets in the dryer! Right
back!
READWOLF: Well, while you're doing that, I'm going to post another part.
ANDREA: {pauses} Another part? didn't you just post one this morning?
READWOLF: I'm making up for the time you neglected me this weekend.
ANDREA: @.@ oh.
A Matter of Heart: Heirs to the Legacy
By: Andrea Readwolf
Email:
Rating: YA/Mature
Families: YMC Fam (Yuy-Maxwell-Chang Family: Trinity, Mara Jade,
and Dylan);
Winner Fam (Quatre + Trowa, Triton&Tristan, and little sis
Calista)
Peacecraft Family (Zechs Marquise/Milliard + Lucrezia/Noin
Peacecraft,Kit/Katarynna, Adrian, and Nicolette/Nicole)
Mazzolla Family (Mariemeia + Jake Mazzolla {OC}, Julian)
Catalonia-Dorian Family (Dorothy Catalonia + Relena Dorian,
Regina)
Une-Po Family (Lady Une + Sally Po, Marie Une*, Michael Braddocks,
Mark Braddocks, Matthew Braddocks)
Pairings: Trinity + Adrian, Mara Jade + Tristan, Kit + Triton (hoped
for), Calista + Dylan (hinted at)
plus: 1+2+3+4+5
Archive: Yes-- www.gwaddiction.com
Warnings: The following story contains scenes that are humorous,
sappy,fluff, with Incoherence, random PoV switching, and
Sexual innuendos abound.
Original Characters are presented; all characters are IC according to
the author's interpretation of them. Mainly heterosexual
situations, with hints of YAOI and YURI.
Spoilers: Previous Matter of Heart Series Arc stories: "Dance of the
Heart" Arc and "Oh Baby, Baby" Arc. Built off of "Traditions".
Feedback: C&C is always welcomed and adored.
Acknowledgements: There have been some wonderful people who have
made my sojourn in GW-fanfiction more than just enjoyable and have
inspired me to write, write, and write some more. Thank you.
Disclaimer: Gundam Wing and its characters belong to Bandai, Sunrise
and Sotsu Agency and are only being used for non-profit entertainment
purposes. References to printed texts, films, sitcoms, musical
pieces, and/or other fanfictions don't belong to the author either.
Original Characters, including but not limited too, the Berh
Siblings, Jake Mazzolla and "the chibis", are original and hence, the
author's own creation.
Notes: This is the story of the children, the nine children of the 6
gundam pilots (Heero--Zechs) plus the grandchild of Treize
Khushrenada. This story will not focus primarily on the characters
from the series, but rather, the generation after them. This story is
not for all die-hard fans, but runs along the lines of a more
original piece.
Additional Note: 1, 2, 3, 4, & 5 often times refer to each other as
"husband"; please refer back to "Promise of the Rings" Part 15 if this
causes confusion.
Additional Note 2: The chibis often times refer to their parents'
friends and partners as "Uncle" or "Aunt"--in this case, the
term is used simply as one of respect since, with the exception
of Kit & Adrian's relation to Relena and all of Quatre's sisters,
none of the parents have siblings.
***These stories and the ideas contained within are copyright of the author. No reprinting or posting without permission of said author. ***
~ Same Day, September 227AC~
"That was unnecessary," Wufei said, his voice quiet as he stared into the
dark brown liquid in his cup. The color reminded him of his absent lover
and his heart panged terribly, wishing the other man was here. Heero played
the cool rational adult so much better than him.
"Dammit, 'Fei!" Duo's frustration screamed from him more than just verbally. His shoulders were tight even as they hunched over; his knuckles white as they gripped the sink ledge. Duo wasn't angry with him. He wasn't even angry with Mara Jade or Tristan, Wufei knew. No, Duo was angry with himself. It was a feeling Wufei had experienced himself in the last 24 hours.
"She's serious about this, isn't she?" Duo finally asked.
"I've never known Mara Jade not to be serious, have you?" No answer, none was necessary. He hadn't.
"So the question is, is she just being stubborn, or does she really not know what she wants?" Duo turned around so he was leaning back against the kitchen sink, arms crossed over his chest as she stared across the space to Wufei at the table.
"Our daughter *is* very stubborn," Wufei began ignoring Duo as the other man mumbled, "I wonder where she gets that from," under his breath. "However, it is very possible she doesn't understand her own feelings on this matter."
"I can't believe she'd considered abortion!" Duo sighed heavily.
"It *was* an option," Wufei reminded his husband gently. "One that, thankfully, is eliminated."
"So," Duo started after another pause. "What are you thinking?"
Almost immediately, Wufei sighed and said, "We're old, Duo."
The longhaired man laughed-a startling sound that broke free from the nervous tension permeating the kitchen. "Yeah, who would've guessed we'd make it this far, huh?" He picked himself up and draped himself over Wufei' s shoulders. "Well, old man, what do you suggest we do with our stubborn, misguided, daughter?"
"Love her."
"A given," Duo replied.
"And support her-whatever her decision is," Wufei added, turning to look at Duo.
"I guess I can do that. I wish I could just protect her from all this, but I guess I can't, huh?"
"No," Wufei smiled, leaning back against his husband. "We can't protect her from Life, but I'm sure we could make some choices a little more obvious than others."
"Oh?" Duo twisted to look back in Wufei's face. Violet eyes noted the sparkle in those onyx orbs as well as the twitching smile on his love's lips. "And just what did you have in mind?"
The house seemed deserted; Zechs thought as he sat in his study, in his high back chair, reports open on the desk in front of him. His wife hadn't been home in months, and since his son's coronation, the baby had been with her mother in Italy. Adrian hadn't been home, either, but then, his home was now Sank, wasn't it? And his oldest.? Kit was off-somewhere. He wasn't privileged enough to be told where. Even Julian and Dylan had left a couple of hours ago.
Zechs Merquise was alone and feeling it. He even contemplated calling his sister just to have someone to talk to, but he knew it was useless to try calling Relena. His sister was working on passing a new bill. He'd talked to Adrian earlier that morning, and it was almost pointless to try and call his wife. He hadn't spoken to Noin since Sank. Maybe that's why, when the call came inviting him to Whispering Pines for dinner, he readily accepted.
Triton accepted his godfather's invitation to dinner before his brother's car pulled up the lane. The emotions rolling off his twin were enough to worry him, and he'd tried to ask Duo what had happened, but the old man just said he'd see them both at dinner. Triton resigned himself to waiting for his brother, which wasn't a very long wait at all. He reached the car before Tristan had even crawled out of the driver's seat.
"What's wrong?" the elder demanded, helping the younger out before pinning him against the car.
Tristan, however, wouldn't look at his brother. "I don't want to talk about it now," the blond mumbled, trying to break his brother's hold.
"The hell you don't-" Triton caught Tristan's eyes. It only took a moment before the walls came down and the older brother collapsed against the younger, the car frame holding both up. Triton's throat was tight, his eyes burning with tears, his chest constricting with pain. "Oh, Gods."
"It's okay, really," Tristan answered, his voice numb of any emotion. "She' s upset now. Emotional with all those hormones bouncing around," he tried to joke.
"Emotional my ass!" the elder shouted, hugging Tristan tighter. "Of all the selfish, immature-"
"Don't," Tristan whispered, resting his head against Triton's shoulder.
"I can't believe you," Triton said, shaking his head and pulling Tristan against his side as they walked into the house. "You still believe in her, huh?"
"I don't have to believe; I know," Tristan replied.
To say Tristan was happy when he discovered his brother's having committed both of them to dinner at Whispering Pines that night would be a gross misstatement.
"I promised I'd leave her alone," Tristan raved.
"That's fine. Leave her alone; but that doesn't mean we have to turn down a perfectly good meal with Uncle Duo and Wufei," Triton replied. Mentally, he added the thought that he wanted to have a word or two with Mara Jade.
Tristan shot his brother a short glare, but didn't say anything against him.
Duo met them both at the door, nodding to Triton while taking Tristan's hand. "Thanks for coming over, guys. Try, 'Fei's in the kitchen-"
"Why don't I go see if I can help," the young blond man supplied, sharing a look with his twin before leaving the two alone.
"Thanks," Duo murmured, his eyes glued to Tristan. "Why don't we go in here," the longhaired man said easily, leading Tristan into the library.
"Sure, Duo," Tristan sighed. He'd been ready for this, but he was beginning to doubt just how ready one could be for something such as this. "Listen, I know you're upset-"
But Duo waved him off. "I'm over that," the man said, smiling somewhat sheepishly. "Sorry for threatening to kill ya last night, by-the-way. I didn't hurt you, did I?"
"Nothing damaging," the younger man replied, but with the knowledge of last night fresh in mind, Tristan made sure to put a bit of distance between him and the older man.
"Well, in any case," Duo was saying, "I'm sorry. I was upset, but my actions were still inexcusable. However," and here, Duo, who had been walking towards one of the bay windows with his back towards Tristan, turned and seized the young blond with a piercing look. "Don't think I've excuse you for sneaking around and sleeping with my daughter."
"Listen, Duo," Tristan began, asserting his case. "If Mara Jade and I were sneaking, it was because she doesn't want to acknowledge her feelings for me."
"What makes you so sure she *has* feelings for you, Tristan?" Duo asked with quiet sincerity. "She seemed pretty sure about herself this morning."
The longhaired man stood with his arms crossed, legs slightly spread as he stared the *boy* down.
Tristan held his own ground, forcing his jaw to unlock. "With all due respect, *sir*," the young man began, staring back with as good as he got. "Mara Jade isn't the type of girl to go sleeping around just because the sex is good. She's carrying *my* baby; no one else's. She cares about me, I know it, even if she won't admit it."
Duo weighed his words for a tense moment before nodding and looking down his chest with closed eyes. "Mare Jade's too stubborn, like her fathers. I believe you, but I'm curious as to how you plan to convince her."
Tristan smiled-no, more liked beamed at his 'uncle.' "I haven't quite figured that out yet. Have any advice for a guy?"
Duo laughed, crossing the space between them to clap Tristan's shoulder. "Good luck."
"Gee, thanks," the blond replied, rolling teal eyes skyward.
"Hey, listen, before we go back out there- " Duo stopped Tristan. "I don't know how much you remember about when your Dad was carrying Callie, or even if you remember Noin with Nikki, but it's not like a male pregnancy is completely like a female preg-"
"What are you trying to say, Duo?" Tristan asked, frowning.
"Mara Jade hasn't been eating much of anything in the last week. That's not good for her or the baby. I'm sure you understand? We're worried if she gets upset again, she wont eat tonight." Duo grinning. "I was a bit like that myself, if you could believe. Couldn't keep anything down if I got upset over something when I was carrying Dylan. Got over it pretty quick, mind you. Still, I want her to eat something tonight."
"I won't intentionally start anything tonight," Tristan promised solemnly.
"Good," Duo grinned. "Then let's eat."
"Sounds good to me!"
End Part 20
READWOLF: Ahh! Unfair! I want to know what happens next!!!
ANDREA: Well, just go look on your harddrive.
READWOLF: True! {dashes off}
MARA JADE: I want to know what happens next, too.
ANDREA: You'll just have to wait like everybody else. I have an essay to
write. Ciao.
MARA JADE: {sulking} Unfair. And {turns to Triton} You called me selfish and
immature!
TRITON: Actually, a reader called you that; Andrea just such a kick out of
it, she added the lines in at the last minute. Not my fault at all.
MARA JADE: {still sulking} I'm *not* selfish *or* immature.
TRITON: that's strictly a matter of opinion, my dear.
TRINITY: There there, now. You're not selfish. You're just very...
assertive... and demanding... and particular... and--
MARA JADE: !__! Why am I not feeling any better...?
Andrea Readwolf
Please send comments to: andrea_readwolf@hotmail.com