A Matter of Heart: Heirs to the Legacy
By: Andrea Readwolf
Email: andrea_readwolf @hotmail.com
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. ***
~ May 228AC~
"You have to come," Mara Jade told her sister's vidscreen image. "It's really important and would mean a lot to both Tristan and myself if both you and Adrian would come."
The Queen of Sank sighed at her baby sister's plea. "It's *really* a bad time for us to try and get away, Mara J."
"Please?"
Trinity took a heavy breath and flipped back and forth in the pages of her agenda book.
"May 26th?" she asked again, eyeing the several appointments scheduled for the day in question. She would have to cancel and reschedule her meetings
not only for that day but for the Friday before and the Sunday after, too... and that was just her schedule, not Adrian's.
"Okay," she sighed after another moment. "I'll see if I can't re-arrange our schedules for that weekend."
"Thank you!"
Trinity smiled and shook her head at her sister's exuberance. "You better be naming me godmother for all the hassle it's going to cause me to be there," she teased.
Mara Jade grinned. "Yes, and it will be well worth the visit," she assured her sister before hanging up to leave Trinity to inform her husband that they would be attending their niece's christening in two weeks.
Behind her, Tristan was getting off from his phone call, too. He turned to look at his fiancée and winked. "We're good to go," he told her, holding out his hand for her to take and then dragging her into his lap. "Dad doesn't even suspect a thing."
"Good," Mara Jade replied, pressing her smiling lips against Tristan's. "Are you excited?"
"Are you going to change your mind on me?" he counted, eyes twinkling.
"I wasn't thinking about it. Why?" she teased. "Do you know something I don't?"
"Only that you make me the happiest person on Mars, Earth, and the colonies combined."
"Oooh, that's a pretty large area to dominate over."
"OH yeah?"
"Yeah... but I'm glad you feel that way." She smiled and then suddenly pushed up off him. "I have something I want you to hear," she said, reaching into her pocket for a small media cube and then activating it.
As Tristan listened his smile grew until he was laughing so hard he was crying. It was an old fashion song, part opera and part pop, but it described their relationship to a tee. "It's perfect," he told her.
Mara Jade was grinning. "I thought you might agree," she replied, pocketing the recording. (1)
May 26th
Wufei was rocking Meiran Winner in his arms while Duo and Heero finished tidying one another's cravats.
"Can you believe Mara J went all out like this?" Duo asked as he headed into the bathroom to finish smoothing out his plait of silver-streaked chestnut hair.
"It's a lot," Heero agreed, eyeing the flower attendants outside who were putting the finishing touches on the arrangements.
"It's her first baby," Wufei reminded them gently, fluffing Meiran's lacy dress. "It's only natural to want to splurge. You did the same thing for Trinity, too, Heero."
"But it's only a christening," Hero grumped, leaving the window to try and relieve his Chinese husband of their granddaughter--if Wufei would allow it, of course. "Not a wed--" Prussian blue eyes looked into onyx depths. Onyx looked into Prussian blues. Both men's eyes were large with suspicion. "--ding," Heero finally finished saying.
"She wouldn't," Wufei said after a moment. "They wouldn't."
"What's the matter?" Duo asked, coming out of the bathroom having missed the epiphany.
"Duo," Heero said calmly, turning to his longhaired husband. "What is required to have a wedding?"
The braided man laughed. "Come on, Heero, we just finished paying off Trini's last bill. Don't tell me we missed one!"
"Just humor me," the coffee-haired man asked.
"Well, let's seeeee.... There's the flowers, the cake, the dresses and tuxes, the decorations, the dj, the photogra--" Duo trailed off, the fingers he'd been ticking off lowering as he stared hard at his Japanese husband. "But all that's really needed is a priest, two people, and some witnesses," he finished up, sending Heero a darker look. "But she wouldn't do that...."
"Wouldn't she?" Heero returned, starting to grin wildly.
"Don't get your hopes up," Wufei warned immediately. "They haven't given any indications--"
There was a knock on the bedroom door before Mara Jade called out, "Is it safe?"
"Yes!"
The dark-haired young woman poked just her head in the room, smiling at the three of them. "Coming? We can't start without the baby of honour."
"Mara J," Duo called out before his daughter could disappear again. "Don't you think this all is a bit much for just a christening?" he asked, scratching his cheek.
Mara Jade looked at her father with surprise. "Why, Daddy! Are you suggesting there's something *too* good for your granddaughter?" she asked, but didn't let him reply, continuing on to say, "Hurry up and get downstairs already."
The kindly minister stood under the erected archway as instructed and chatted easily with young Tristan Winner who once again was thanking him for coming today.
"Are you ready for this?" he asked the young man when he saw the three men he was familiar with from their days as full-time Preventers step into the back yard with the babe he was here to bless.
"More ready than you know," the blond replied, looking back behind him in time to see his brother intercept Heero, Wufei, and Duo and take his daughter from them as Tristan had asked Triton to. The three men seemed to pout at having their granddaughter taken from them, but obediently joined Quatre and Trowa in the first row of white foldout chairs set up for the ceremony. There were only about twenty people milling around, Tristan noted with satisfaction. That wasn't including the minister or the small serving staff they'd hired for the occasion.
Triton disappeared inside the house with Baby Meiran before rematerializing back beside his younger brother, Tristan.
"All set," the older twin informed the younger.
"You know, it seems weird that you're not here with me," Tristan said, smiling with sad eyes and clasping Triton's arm.
"Don't worry," Triton grinned back at him. "I'll catch up soon enough."
Tristan quirked an eyebrow at him but his brother just smiled.
"Today is your day," Triton told him, releasing Tristan's arm as Trinity left the house to join them under the archway.
"Mara J's right behind me," she said, directing their attention back to the house. There was a murmur of excitement as everyone turned to see the baby they'd come for... and instead, eyes riveted upon the mother.
Wrapped in a satin kimono of contrasting scarlet red and pure white, her dark hair pulled up in a loose bun, the white lacy christening gown of the baby looking like a bouquet of white roses, and Mara Jade was a vision. She walked up calmly to the archway to stand by Tristan. Trinity was standing to her side; Triton on Tristan's other side. The four of them turned to look at the minister who cleared his throat and smiled warmly.
"Family, friends, thank you for coming here today. We've gathered to welcome this little baby, Meiran Raberba Winner, and bless her life in this world. Tristan and Mara Jade informed me that they wanted to do something extra special for their daughter's welcoming and blessing, and after many quiet discussions with these two young people, it is my additional honour facilitate Mara Jade's and Tristan's wedding."
There were several gasps--the closest one from right next to Mara Jade--but the minister kept right on talking.
"In days long past, a wedding was a promise and pledge between two individuals. Its symbol was the ring--a circle unbroken. Mara Jade, please face Tristan, and hold his hands, palms up, so you may see the gift that they are to you."
With a little bit of laughter and juggling, Mara Jade managed to hand her sister her daughter and turn back to Tristan, following the minister's instructions.
"These are the hands, young and strong and vibrant with love, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as he promises to love you all the days of his life.
"These are the hands you have placed with expectant joy against your stomach, until he too, felt his child stir within your womb.
"These are the hands that looked so large and clumsy, yet were so gentle as he held your baby for the first time.
"These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
"These are the hands that will countless times wipe the tears from your eyes: tears of sorrow and tears of joy.
"These are the hands that will comfort you in illness, and hold you when fear or grief rack your mind.
"These are the hands that will tenderly lift your chin and brush your cheek as they raise your face to look into his eyes: eyes that are filled completely with his love and desire for you."
Mara Jade was crying--and she actually didn't care, as she lifted Tristan's palms to her lips and gently kissed each one, murmuring "I love you."
"Tristan," the minister was going on, "Please hold Mara Jade's hands, palms up, where you may see the gift that they are to you."
Tristan's hands smoothed over hers until they were resting under hers as instructed, and he lifted each one up to return the gentle kiss she'd given to him. Mara Jade's palms tingled as the minister spoke on.
"These are the hands that are smooth, young, and carefree, that are holding yours on your wedding day, as she pledges her love and commitment to you all the days of her life.
"These are the hands that will hold each child in tender love, soothing them through illness and hurts, supporting and encouraging them along the way, and knowing when it's time to let go.
"These are the hands that will massage tension from your neck and back in the evenings, after you've both had a long hard day.
"These are the hands that will hold you tight as you struggle through difficult times. They are the hands that will comfort you when you are sick or console you when you are grieving.
"These are the hands that will passionately love you and cherish you through the years, for a lifetime of happiness.
"These are the hands that will hold you in joy and excitement and hope.
"These are the hands that will give you support as she encourages you to chase down your dreams. Together, everything you wish for can be realized." (2)
The kindly minister looked up at the people sitting watching on and said, "Join with me as we bless the hands that you see before you this day. May they always be held by one another. Give them the strength to hold on during the storms of stress and the dark of disillusionment. Keep them tender and gentle as they nurture each other in their love. Help these hands to continue building a relationship founded in grace, rich in caring, and devoted to reaching for perfection. May Mara Jade and Tristan see their four hands as healer, protector, shelter, and guide.
"The rings, please."
There was a moment of fumbling as Mara Jade and Tristan tried to untie the knots holding two shiny rings to Meiran's dress, but they succeeded and smiled as they turned back to the minister with rings in hand.
"This ring," Tristan began, turning to Mara Jade, "Is a symbol of my commitment to you; it is a symbol of the pledge we made to one another the night our daughter was born, and it represents my unbreakable love for you." He was a little choky by the time he finished and was sliding the ring into place on Mara Jade's fourth finger. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed the ring.
It was her turn, and Mara Jade cleared her throat while fingering the ring she'd brought for Tristan.
"This ring is a symbol of my commitment to you," she repeated. "A symbol of the pledge we made to love and be with each other for the rest of our lives. It represents that you are *mine*, and Gods help the person who thinks otherwise."
The minister didn't have a chance to tell the young couple before him to seal their pledge with a kiss. Tristan--who had the Cheshire cat beat for smiles--had already pulled Mar Jade to him and was sealing his mouth over hers. There was a splattering of applause, but more chuckling and laughter from their friends and family. And more joyous was the happy-sounding squeal their daughter made as the minister rambled on about "man and woman" now "husband and wife."
The happy couple then retrieved their daughter and held her for her christening and blessing.
Meiran Raberba Winner received some fine gifts that day--even if she never really appreciated them.
Trinity squeezed her sister tightly while Adrian laughed and shook Tristan's hand. "I can't believe you didn't tell me! *ME*! Your own sister!" the dark-haired young queen squealed.
"Yes, well, you weren't the only one kept in the dark," Duo grumbled, pushing up behind her, his four husbands at his heel. "I can't believe you kept this a secret from us. *US*!" the father griped, pulling his youngest daughter in for a hug.
"How *did* you manage to keep this a secret?" Quatre asked, hugging first his son and then his new daughter-in-law.
Mara Jade smiled. "Fairly easily, actually. Only four people knew, and one of them can't talk yet." She slipped a finger into Meiran's tiny fist.
"I know you said you were going to do it," Trinity laughed, shaking her head, "But I still can't believe you only invited immediate family and friends..."
"I know," Tristan grinned. "I'll be hearing it from the aunts tomorrow when the news breaks, but I figure I have a good twenty-four hours to change my name and disappear."
"So, when exactly did you decide to go through with it?" Dylan asked, sidling up to the group and slipping in to snatch his niece away.
Reluctantly, Mara Jade released her daughter. "When he finally got around to asking me," she replied, leaning back just enough to brush shoulders with Tristan. "Which would be when he was all so worried that I was going to die, right after Meiran was born."
"Good," Dylan cooed towards his niece. "That means I won the bet without reasonable doubt."
"What bet?" Wufei frowned.
"The one where I told Julian that Mara J and Tristan here wouldn't be tying the knot until after Meiran was born," Dylan gently rocked the one-month old, not bothering to look up at his family's faces.
Trinity was first to lash out--verbally and physically. Her hand smacked her brother's shoulder sharply as she spat, "You bet *against* your sister? What kind of brother are you?"
"What a horrible thing to bet on!
"How much did you win?"
"Duo!"
Meiran was put down for a nap, and then all too soon she was crying to be fed, and then sleep again, followed by food. Everyone was in good spirits now, and no one wanted to leave just yet. The newlyweds were called upon to answer many questions--most of which they had luckily been prepared for. The big question to be answered was, of course, where would the couple live?
Mara Jade and Tristan had both reached a consensus. They would stay at Whispering Pines for another month or three before leaving for their honeymoon at the Sands. When they returned, they would move into Emerald Gardens--if that was acceptable with their fathers, of course.
It was.
After several toasts, well-wishings, and another feeding, Mara Jade announced that it had been a long day for her, and she was tired. "Good night," she began and then got caught in another round of hugs, kisses, and laughs before she could get away.
"Aren't you going to follow her?" Trowa asked, looking down at his son who remained seated.
Tristan smiled. "I'll go up in a little bit. She's tired. She needs sleep, not a human-sized pillow."
There was a splattering of laughter at that.
And then Zechs sighed. "I suppose we should be getting home. It's a bit longer commute for us," the white-haired man said, standing.
"Where's Nikki and Julian?" his wife asked, accepting his hand up.
"Umm... I think they're outside on the porch with Callie and Dylan," Triton offered, trying to crane his neck to see out to the hallway leading to the porch.
"Okay, well then..." Zechs looked hesitant to leave, but the smile never wavered from his face.
"Congratulations again, Tristan, and welcome to married life." He looked over to his son. "Did you want to come with us, or follow a little later?" he asked the dark-haired young man who looked ready to fall asleep where he lounged.
Adrian peeked an eye open. "I think we're staying here for a bit," he answered for himself and his absent queen. (Trinity was too busy cooing and ahhing over her niece upstairs.) "I'll see you later, or tomorrow morning. Drive safe."
Quatre, Trowa, and Triton were soon to follow, wishing everyone "Good luck!" and "Plesant dreams!" Trowa went to collect Callie while Quatre departed an extra goodbye to Tristan. The two met up at the car, Tristan following.
"Where's Callie?" Quatre frowned.
Trowa unlocked the car and got in. "She wanted to stay for a while and talk with Dylan. She'll get home later."
Meanwhile, inside Trinity had finally come back down and she and Adrian headed off to Bridgelight after lots of goodbye hugs and kisses for her three fathers. Tristan sighed and climbed to his feet finally, too, saying, "I better get up there and make sure she's actually sleeping and not worrying over some small tidbit."
Heero, Wufei and Duo let him go, immersing themselves in the sudden quiet of their home as Tristan's footsteps on the stairs faded away. The three men looked at one another with long faces.
"You know," Duo said suddenly, "This whole growing up, getting married, and moving away thing sucks."
Heero and Wufei gave a small laugh and nodded.
They sat in silence after the laughter in the other room faded, after the lights had been turned off, after the bedroom door had been closed shut, and after Heero leaned out over the window sill above them and said, "Try not to stay up so late," before shutting the window.
Calista Winner was the first to break the silence. "So you're really going to do it, then."
"Yep."
Silence.
"Have any idea where you'll go?"
"Nope."
Silence.
"Dylan--"
Silence.
"Your dads won't be so happy when they find out."
"I don't suppose so, no."
"Then you really don't expect them to go after you?"
"Oh, no, I expect them to *try*."
Silence.
"Why do I feel like I'm losing my best friend?"
"You're not. It just feels like it. I'll keep in touch."
"I want to be able to have access to you twenty-four-seven."
He smiled. "And how do you plan to do that?"
She reached into her purse and pulled out a silver metallic coloured communicator. Flipping it open to check the battery cell, she then tossed it to him. He caught it on its descent.
"I'll have the number changed tomorrow," she said as he repeated her motions, flipping it open and checking its battery cell before snapping it shut again and slipping it into his back pocket.
"Okay."
"I'll call you with the new number."
"Okay."
"Dammit, Dylan! Will you say something!"
"I should pack if I want to leave before morning."
"You can be a real bastard, you know that, right?"
Silence.
She sighed. "Tell me *why* you're doing this again?"
He sighed. "It's time," he said after another extended moment. "I've been antsy for a while now. I need to get away, go find myself. I'm too limited here. I need to leave to find out who I am."
"It sounds like a bunch of shit to me."
He smiled. "I guess... to someone who's known who they were since the day they were conceived, it would."
"What about your niece?"
"Our niece," he corrected, "And... I'll visit every now and then. I don't know. Maybe I'll send her presents or post cards or something, but I'll make sure she knows my name."
"Will you write or call me? Your parents?"
"Write, sure. I don't know about calling. Maybe if you call me..."
Silence.
"Do you really have to do this?"
"Yes."
Silence.
"I'll miss you, Dylan Maxwell." She smiled softly, sadly.
He smiled softly, sadly. "I'll miss you, too, Calista Winner."
The next day Dylan Maxwell's disappearance wasn't noticed until early afternoon when he failed to meet the family at the private airstrip to send Trinity and Adrian back off to their country. Trinity huffed in mock offense, but Tristan laughed and offered the excuse, "He and Callie are probably holed up somewhere."
When the small group returned to Whispering Pines two concerned fathers made a short search of the house while the other three members bee-lined for the kitchen and lunch. The search was short only because of the simple white envelope resting at the pillow of a made and unslept in bed.
The envelope was addressed to no one.
[If you're reading this, you've probably been looking for me. Stop. You won't find me. I decided to go on a little adventure. I'm not sure where to, but I'll try to keep in touch every so often so you won't worry too much. Don't try to find me unless you're up for a game of chase, if that's the case, I'll be happy to oblige. It should be interesting to test my skills against yours. I've taken nothing that is traceable or can be identified as Dylan Maxwell's. The necklace is in the top shelf of my desk.
I'm not doing this because of you or anything that has happened. I'm doing this for me, because nothing has happened. I am on a journey of self discovery, to find out who I am.
I love you and please take care. I'll be checking up on you!
Love,
Dylan
DYCM]
Heero stared at the piece of paper, cursing because it wouldn't stay still... until he realized it was his hands that were shaking. He dropped onto the bed like a heavy bookbag, eyes watering. Wufei found him there a minute later, quickly scanned the letter, and then called out for Duo. The longhaired man and both Mara Jade and Tristan appeared in no time flat, and Wufei handed the letter to Duo.
"I believe it was you who said 'this whole growing up and moving away thing sucks,'" Wufei murmured, sitting down next to Heero.
"Lose one," Heero mumbled, "Lose them all."
Just then a loud piercing cry wailed throughout the house and Mara Jade groaned, already moving to the door. Tristan, sending one look towards the three men, said, "And gain one, don't forget."
He moved to quickly follow Mara Jade out, but then stopped in the doorway peeking back in.
"You know, you're always welcome to move back into Emerald Gardens. This place will *really* seem empty once we leave."
Duo looked to Heero and then Wufei. Wufei looked to Heero and then Duo. Heero sat stoic.
"It's always good to keep your options open."
"Come on. I think I left the soup boiling downstairs."
"It would be weird to think of leaving this place and not coming back."
"It would be weird to go back with Q and Tro."
"We've done it before."
"Yeah, but, I mean, it's like we'd be regressing or something, you know?"
"No, I don't. Life is a circle that repeats itself. Maybe it's just our time to return to Emerald Gardens. This house has served its purpose faithfully for the last twenty-years."
"I hate it when you get all philosophical on us."
"Hn."
"And I hate it when you regress from using complete words and sentences."
Double 'Hn's followed by "Love you too."
End Part 44
(1) The song mentioned is preformed by Celine Dion and some Famous Guy that
for the life I me I can't remember his name (I believe he is one of the
Three Tenors, though), and was meant to be Mara Jade's and Tristan's wedding
song. ~__~ "I Hate You Then I Love You". Fitting, no? The Lyrics can be
found below.
(2) The vows repeated here are part of a Wiccan Handfasting Ceremony.
(3) Dylan's leaving is a catalyst of a. his fathers moving back to Emerald
Gardens, and b. the events in the coming sequel.
'I Hate You Then I Love You'
I'd like to run away from you
But if I were to leave you I would die
I'd like to break the chains you put around me
And yet I'll never try
No matter what you do you drive me crazy
I'd rather be alone
But then I know my life would be so empty
As soon as you were gone
Impossible to live with you
But I could never live without you
For whatever you do / For whatever you do
I never, never, never
Want to be in love with anyone but you
You make me sad
You make me strong
You make me mad
You make me long for you / You make me long for you
You make me live
You make me die
You make me laugh
You make me cry for you / You make me cry for you
I hate you
Then I love you
Then I love you
Then I hate you
Then I love you more
For whatever you do
I never, never, never
Want to be in love with anyone but you
You treat me wrong
You treat me right
You let me be
You make me fight with you / I could never live without you
You make me high
You bring me down
You set me free
You hold me bound to you
I hate you
Then I love you
Then I love you
Then I hate you
Then I love you more / I love you more
For whatever you do / For whatever you do
I never, never, never
Want to be in love with anyone but you
I never, never, never
I never, never, never
I never, never, never
Want to be in love with anyone but you
But you
Andrea Readwolf
Please send comments to: andrea_readwolf@hotmail.com