A Matter of Heart: Heirs to the Legacy
By: Andrea Readwolf
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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. ***
~ December 21, AC 227~
"Happy Birthday, dear Mara Jade! Happy Birthday to you!!"
There was a splattering of applause as the dark haired girl blew out the candles on the cake.
"Quick! Open our present up first!" Trinity ordered excitedly, shifting closer to the vid-screen. Adrian sat next to her, smiling at his wife's eagerness, knowing how upset she was that she couldn't be with her sister in person on this day...as well as many other days.
"Okay, okay," Mara Jade laughed. "I tell you, you become queen and you're so bossy all of a sudden!"
The others laughed as Duo handed over and Mara Jade efficiently unwrapped her gift from the Sank monarch. "It's the new X-90," Trinity said excitedly as her sister pulled at the compact purple laptop computer. "Fu--ully loaded," Trinity smirked, practically bouncing in her seat.
"Not bad, " Heero murmured, looking over his daughter's shoulder appreciatively.
"Not bad?!" both sisters sputtered. "Oh, you are *so* going down, Dad," Mara Jade laughed, shaking her head. Her father just smirked back at her, his expression saying, 'You can try, but we both know who'll win.'
There were voices on the other end of the vid screen that called Trinity and Adrian's attention away. The dark-haired queen did not look happy about it. "Oh, all right!" she called turning back to the screen to see her family watching her curiously. "Vultures," she muttered before sighing. "We have to get back there, I'm afraid. Several Counts and Viscounts or whatever are fighting like school boys in the other room, but you have a great day, okay? We'll call you again later. All our love!"
"I so don't envy her that job," Mara Jade replied over her shoulder after everyone had said their goodbyes and the screen went blank.
Tristan smiled and squeezed her from behind. "Mmm, me neither."
"Okay, let's see, what else do we have?" Duo called out, peeking over the presents arranged on the table.
"Unhand those presents!" one of his husbands warned, and the longhaired man pulled his hands back defensively. "I was only looking!"
Five books, three musical albums, two movies, gift certificates from several of the fancier boutiques downtown (those were from Relena and Dorothy), an invitation to join the Preventers-"She doesn't quit, does she?" "Nope."-tickets to a Jaguars' game, and a photo album.
"I think that was a nice little tally," Duo replied, rubbing his tummy happily as the vanilla cake and chocolate ice cream settled. "And just think, there's still Christmas and the baby shower to rack up some more presents!"
"Glutton," his husband replied, smacking the back of his head affectionately.
"Yeah, but you love me," Duo replied, pulling Wufei's face down for a kiss. "Whaddaya say we crack open that book of baby names, Mara J?"
"Victoria."
"No."
"Teresa."
"Please, no."
"Chasidy."
"You are a terrible, terrible man."
Tristan laughed. "Okay, fine. *YOU* try thinking up some names, then." He snatched her hand and brought her ice cream cone to his mouth for a nice long lick.
"Mmm... how 'bout Katrinna?"
"Too much like Kit's name, no thank you."
"Okay, fine. Andrianna, then?"
"And you say *I* have bad taste..."
"Cassandra?"
"Mmm... that one has potential. A bit like Callie's name, though."
"Mia?"
"Can you really picture a Mia Winner?"
Mara Jade laughed.
"I didn't think so. Okay, so how about the simple names then, or are they out?"
"Simple names?"
"You know-Mary, Kate, Ashley, Jane, Stephanie, I could go on for ages....?"
Mara Jade wrinkled her nose. "Ashley's kinda nice, but I don't think I want to name my daughter something *common*."
"You say that like it's a bad thing," he teased.
"No, no, of course it's not," she hastened before realizing he was teasing, then she dipped her cone against his nose and watched him look cross-eyed at the smudge of chocolate on the tip.
"Were there any specific nationalities we wanted to look at for names?" he asked, swiping his nose clean with his finger and sucking the chocolate off.
"I don't think so. I mean, I think we pretty much cover the entire world by ourselves, so we're pretty free, don't you think?"
He counted on his fingers. "Your dads are Japanese and Chinese-that pretty much covers any Asian names. My dads are Arabian and European. And Duo's American, so that frees up just about EVERYTHING. Yep, you're right." He grinned at her before dipping in for some of his raspberry ice cream. "What were the names your dad suggested?"
"Kumiko and Ako."
"Kumiko Winner... no, I guess not."
"There are five billion names out there!" Mara Jade growled frustrated. "You'd think we'd be able to find just *one*."
"It's not finding just one--it's finding the *right* one," Tristan replied, smearing her lips with raspberry ice cream and then leaning in to clean it off personally. "We've still got four months to find it," he added, smiling against her lips.
~ December25 AC 227~
It was almost amazing how people just assumed you'd want baby-stuff when you're pregnant. It wasn't so bad on Mara Jade's birthday, or three days later on Tristan's (and Triton's) birthday, but the next day...
In the two weeks since Trinity's and Adrian's wedding, Mara Jade's stomach had started to protrude. Nothing drastic yet, but enough to have her wearing loose fitting dresses around her middle. Also, the news of her pregnancy had somehow leaked to the press and they weren't about to ignore the fact that she and Tristan had been spending time together a lot lately.
Eventually the extended family had to be told--they were already calling the night the rumors hit the news. All of Tristan's aunts called in--all of them, and even Mara Jade heard it from Aunt Catherine for not calling and telling her sooner (Mara Jade sometimes wondered if Aunt Catherine really believed she was Trowa's daughter, or if technicalities like her paternity matter to the fiery tempered circus woman). Perhaps what was worse was the call from Aunts Relena and Dorothy--the guilt trips those women could maneuver should be outlawed in Mara Jade's opinion.
Still... the calls were nothing compared to late Christmas afternoon.
The morning was fine. They'd all gone over to Emerald Gardens the night before, and spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning there. And then the doorbell rang.
Everyone looked at each other--it was a family day, sometimes the Peacecrafts were with them but this year they'd elected to stay in Italy with Lucrezia's mother. Even the staff had been given the 48 hours off. Even the news groups had been trained to stay far far away from the Winner Home on Christmas Day (Quatre could be very.... persuasive, in his own right). So who could it be?
Triton got up to answer the door but quickly returned. "Um, Tristan?" he called, crooking a finger to call his brother to him. A moment later Tristan returned to call Mara Jade out.
Curious, the rest of the family got up and followed her out and arrived in time to hear the young mother-to-be cry, "No. I don't care. Send them back!"
"Now, now, Mara Jade," Tristan was trying to calm the young woman down. "You don't go just returning things a Winner sends you...."
The family looked on at the dozen plus boxes that were littering their front door step and the poor deliveryman who was watching them nervously. "Um... Mr. Winner, sir? I need a signature for these...?"
"No, don't sign," Mara Jade grounded out. "Take them back. We don't want them!"
"Mara J, don't be so hasty!" Tristan said, holding his hands up. "Trust me, I have 21 years of experience with them! Let's just take the boxes inside and at least look at what they sent..."
"Tristan! I will *not* accept charity!"
"It's not charity!" the blond shouted back.
"So says you!"
"Umm... here," Quatre said, stepping forward to take the clipboard from the poor deliveryman. "I'll sign"
"Mr. Winner?"
Quatre smiled and nodded as he took the clipboard and added his signature to page full of deliveries. "Trowa? Heero? Why don't you start bringing these inside?"
"Um, there's some more still in the truck," the deliveryman announced--much to the exasperation of the others.
Quatre had forgotten how.... exuberant his sisters could be. True, many of them were mothers--grandmothers, even--several times over, but for some strange reason, that didn't stop the Winner Clan ladies from showering gifts upon Quatre's children--or, as the case may be, upon his unborn grandchild.
And.... what was even more amazing.... everything matched.
Mara Jade stared in growing horror and annoyance as everyone played Christmas with the array of boxes that had descended upon them.
Pink.
Frills.
Everywhere.
She wasn't sure which was worse--the abundance of frills, or the overabundance of pink.
"Put it back." She said softly, though no one heard her as they carried on merrily holding up the pink frilly bed linens, wall covers, rugs, blankets, clothes, and toys. And there were her fathers, crawling all over the new baby furniture ready for assembling. "Put it back," she repeated, a little more loudly this time.
Only Calista heard her, though it was enough to grab both her brothers' attention, followed by their father, and then it spread until everyone was watching Mara Jade as she sat there shaking.
"Put it back!"
Heero, Wufei, and Dylan were already re-packing things. If only the others had followed suit so easily.
"Mara..." Tristan held a hand out to her. Unfortunately, it was the hand holding some pink frilly dress, and Mara Jade slapped it away angrily.
"Put it back!" She shouted, standing angrily. "Return it! I don't want it!"
"Now, wait a minute--"
"But, Mara Ja--"
"Oh, come on! Look at all this great stuff!"
"I DON'T WANT IT!!!"
They noticed too late that she was crying. Just a quick glimpse of fresh tears as she whirled away and stormed out of the room. Helplessly, the gathering stared at one another, frowns and puzzlement marring their faces.
Then, just as suddenly, into the silence Wufei stood, saying only, "I will speak with her," as he followed in his daughter's path.
Mara Jade was sniffling huffily, hugging herself as she stared out at the snow covered fields. "Go ahead," she said when she heard the door open. "Tell me I'm being unreasonable, that I'm upsetting the baby, that I should stop over-reacting over ‘little things' all time." She scrubbed her palm over her cheek, smudging away the tearstains.
"Well," Wufei said calmly, closing the door behind him. "You've seem to said it all yourself, so there's no sense in me repeating it."
The twenty-year old whirled around, staring at her father with wide red-blue eyes. "....Daddy...." She sniffed again, swallowing self-consciously. "I thought you were Tristan...."
"Oh?"
Mara Jade nodded and stepped back into the room. "He's always telling me I'm overreacting, and I shouldn't get so upset all the time," she said, unconsciously moving her hands protectively over her rounding belly. "He's says it upsets her."
"He's right," Wufei replied, sitting down in an armchair and motioning her forward. Just like when she was little, Mara Jade crawled up into Wufei's lap and snuggled against him as he held her protectively.
"Do you know, you would kick me whenever I got upset," he said, smoothing her hair over her arm. "I think Trini was worse, though. Anytime I got upset with her, I'd get sick. I learned to control my temper--if I didn't want to be spending the day in the washroom."
Mara Jade offered a sniffled laugh. "I really kicked?" she asked.
"Quite viciously," Wufei assured her, rubbing her back soothingly.
They sat like that for several minutes, before Wufei squeezed her and asked, "Are you going to tell me what's wrong?"
Mara Jade was still sniffing a bit--but no longer crying--and she turned her head on her father's shoulder before lamenting, "It's pink." And she sniffed again before adding, "And frilly."
"Mmm. You never did like pink," Wufei remembered. "But there's something more to it than that."
Mara Jade didn't say anything right away, but Wufei had practice waiting his very stubborn daughter out.
"I had thought... I don't know, maybe... maybe we could've used some of our old things, you know? Or maybe... maybe Tristan and I could have gone together to pick something out, or something like that."
"You mean use your old furniture?" Wufei questioned, frowning slightly, and Mara Jade nodded. "Well, you know Dylan did a pretty good number on all the baby furniture we had at Whispering Pines, and I think Uncle Quatre and Uncle Trowa gave their baby furniture away to Aunt Lucy and Uncle Zechs when Nikki came along."
"Oh."
"But I can understand wanting to set up your own room," Wufei smiled at her, hugging her again. "Uncle Quatre was so excited about Trini that he didn't even consult your daddies or me but surprised us with a fully-furnished nursery one day. Luckily he has good taste," Wufei teased, "And knows our preferences and such."
Mara Jade laughed accordingly. Yes, she could see her uncle doing something like that.... In fact, it probably wasn't so surprising that his family could and would do the same thing.....
There was a knock on the door before Tristan tentatively ducked his head in. "If you want," the blond young man began, "We can return it all to the stores and pick out something you like better? Maybe something a little less pink and frilly?"
Mara Jade hesitated only a minute before she launched herself into Tristan's arms.
Wufei quietly excused himself.
End Part 39
Andrea Readwolf
Please send comments to: andrea_readwolf@hotmail.com