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Chapter Three The climate on Earth during February was cold, but it was warm inside the little church. There weren't many people in the church, only a few friends. Zechs was standing up at the altar, more nervous than he had ever been. Heero stood solemnly in the place of the best man, not saying a word. The music began, and the groom's heart jumped. This was it, the big moment. Mariemaia started up the aisle carrying her basket full of rose petals. Then, Noin emerged from the back of the cathedral. He had seen the dress several times, but he had never seen it actually on her. The fabric draped beautifully, and the beaded design was lovely. He could tell that her belly was just beginning to swell with the baby, but no one else would notice. But despite the minor changes, she was more beautiful now than she had ever been before. It seemed like an eternity before she reached the altar, when he was able to take her hand and kneel beside her. The service was short, but meaningful. They hadn't wanted a long, fancy wedding, just short, elegant ceremony with family and friends. Before either of them knew it, Heero was holding out a wedding ring. Zechs nervously took the ring, and repeated after the priest, nervous that he would say something wrong. But he didn't, and it seemed as if the whole world stopped when he slipped the ring on her finger. And then, he felt a cold metal ring slide onto his own finger. And now, the best part. "By the power vested in me and by the Sanc Kingdom, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss the bride," stated the priest. He smiled at her as he pulled back the veil. At last, we can just live our lives together. Never again to be torn apart or separated. Later, everyone headed over to Relena's manor for the reception. The new couple were beaming, their happiness was contagious. Duo and Hilde were there, and as usual, Duo was in a good mood. He bounced about greeting everyone that he hadn't seen in a long time. Quatre had managed to get away from the Winner family business long enough to come to Earth, and he approached the two. "The wedding was lovely, Miss Noin. Well, I guess it's not Noin any more. What should I call you?" he asked. "Noin is fine," she replied. "I'm used to being called Noin, I don't think I could get used to being called by a different name." The blonde Arabian boy nodded, and went to go find some of the others. Zechs laughed. "So, it's Mrs. Lucrezia Peacecraft now. Or is it Lucrezia Merquise? Which do you like better?" "I think Lucrezia Peacecraft sounds better," she said thoughtfully. "That brings up an important question. What are we going to do about the legal mess? You're supposed to be dead, and it wouldn't look very good to be getting married a year after you were supposed to have died." Zechs had an answer for that. "Relena has some connections that will fix everything up. And the baby's birth certificate will be altered when it comes along. I promise, I have everything taken care of. It will all be perfectly legal. The baby will be a Peacecraft." Zechs led her over and they started to dance to the music playing in the backround. It was like a reunion, seeing everyone again. Noin watched as Relena danced with Heero, who looked like he was trying to think about a mission while Relena tried to start a conversation. Dorothy and Quatre were arguing heatedly about the principals of war and peace, while Hilde was dragging Duo out to dance with her. Lady Une, on the other hand, was sitting out on the side, watching after Mariemaia. She had a wistful look on her face everytime she looked at the two newlyweds, and Noin quickly became concerned. At the end of the dance, she walked over to Une. "Come on Lady Une. Have a little fun. Or do we need to break out the wine again?" she joked. Une looked sad, and got up from her spot. "Trieze should have been here," she whispered. "It should've been him, not Heero." She looked down at the ground. "Do you remember how it used to be? With Trieze and Zechs, the best of friends, and us, the worst of enemies.And now... " Noin forced a smile. "I know. Amazing what a lot of grief and a bottle or two of wine can do for a friendship!" Her expression became more serious as she comforted her friend. "You knew Trieze better than I did, but I don't think he would have wanted you to sit around gloomily." Lady Une forced a smile and walked over to the table with the cake. "You know, I dreamed of a wedding like this," she mumbled as she looked up at it. Her thoughts were interrupted when Duo announced that it was time for a toast. Zechs snuck up behind Noin and swept her away. She started laughing and yelling at him to put her down, and Lady Une started to laugh herself. Nothing has changed, she thought. They crowded around the long table as Heero and Duo started pouring champagne. To everyone's surprised, Lady Une took charge of the toast. "To Zechs and Noin," she announced. "I have only one word to say to you on the night of your wedding. Finally!" The entire party laughed softly, and sipped their champagne. "Were we really that obvious?" Zechs asked Lady Une once the toast was over. "Painfully obvious. You've practically been engaged since you were seventeen." "You talked to Noin didn't you?" Lady Une nodded, and Zechs shot a glance over at his new wife. "When did you two become best friends? I leave for a year, and suddenly everything changes." "You want to know what happened? You guys decided to go get yourself killed and leave us alone," Noin replied. Zechs started to protest, but Noin continued. "And you! You left without even dropping by to let me know you were alive! Remind me why I married you?" "Because we're in love?" he tried, playing along with her game. "Pathetic reasoning, sir. I demand a better reason." He gave her a long kiss then, and they could hear Duo whistling in the backround. "Good reason..." she mumbled. Then, she stood up and tapped a spoon on the side of a glass. "Everyone, I have a little announcement to make." They all turned their heads to Noin, listening carefully. "In October, I'm going to have a baby!" she announced happily. "A baby?!" Lady Une exclaimed. "You two are having a baby?" "Yes," Zechs answered. "But we have all the problems sorted out. We hope that we can stay with Preventer as well as take care of the baby." Everyone had questions, and the night went on pleasantly. Zechs couldn't help but feel that tonight was the best night of his life. After all the years of war, they could have a normal life and worry about babies instead of battles and diapers instead of destruction. So this is what we've been fighting, he thought. And we have made a world safe for our children and their future. |
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