EPILOGUE:

Khushrenada Estates

Northern Hemisphere

Earth

Zechs tried for the umpteenth time to convince his reluctant partner that the black tuxedo did look good on him, but all he got for his efforts was a scowl that sent him silent again. He was soon grateful for the presence of Wufei, who didn’t look too comfortable in his black ensemble either.

“Hello, Wufei,” he greeted with a warm smile. “Where is…Solo?”

The Chinese boy blushed faintly at the mention of the other boy’s name and scratched his head lightly. “Uh…he should be here soon.”

Oblivious to his discomfort, Zechs continued to speak. “It’s so nice to know that you are both partners now. He is a nice young man who was completely misunderstood and…”

“I don’t think he needs to hear anymore about it, Zechs,” Treize interjected as he roughly pulled his lover’s arms away from the red-faced boy before them. “Excuse us, Wufei, we are going to find ourselves a seat.”

Trowa, who had been listening to the conversation, snickered and pushed himself away from the wall he had been leaning against. He walked up to Wufei and placed an arm across his shoulders. “Since when did you and Solo become partners, hmm?”

A light nudge and a quick kiss on his lips were his only answers before a light cough interrupted them both. Solo was now standing beside them, dressed in a black tuxedo with a silk blue cummerbund around his waist. His long hair was tied back in its trademark ponytail and he smirked as he watched the dull color fill Trowa and Wufei’s cheeks.

“Don’t allow me to interrupt you guys, but…has the ceremony started yet?”

Both shook their heads, before Trowa replied softly. “Haven’t seen them yet…”

He was interrupted as an usher walked up to them and bowed lightly. “If you gentlemen would please follow me, the ceremony is about to start.”

The boys exchanged glances before following obediently. They were led down the familiar gardens towards a lawn that had been decorated specifically for the occasion.

Rows of white chairs each decorated with white lacy bows were filled with messengers and some…nuns. These surrounded a small podium that was filled with enough lilies and roses to drown a small boat. A priest stood before a makeshift altar with a large porcelain bowl filled with Holy Water before him. At his left sat the organist, and with a light prompt from the Father, he began to play a slow but jovial tune that sent everyone’s head turning around to look at the newcomers.

Quatre, dressed in a white tuxedo, came walking slowly down the aisle, his handsome face wreathed in a proud grin. In his arms, wrapped in layers of white lace was a baby, who was currently latching tightly onto one of his fingers. Small tufts of chestnut-colored hair dusted the tiny forehead and on impulse, the blond leaned forward to gently brush his lips against the supple skin. Amethyst depths stared back at him with happiness before a small gurgling sound of pleasure escaped its tiny lips.

He stopped before the podium and waited for the couple behind him to catch up. Heero looked dangerously handsome in his black suit and white silk shirt. His unruly brown locks looked even more unkempt and cobalt blues seemed to sparkle with some hidden secret. Latched firmly on his arm, was the young woman that Treize had visited some time ago in a small chapel. No longer confined in her black and white gown as a nun, Relena Peacecraft was dressed in a simple but stunning white evening gown that showed off her creamy shoulders to perfection. Her long brown locks flowed around her shoulders and she smiled warmly at the man that stood by her side.

She was still unsure of the events that had happened to her in the last few months, but for now…her life couldn’t be any happier. She had been chosen to bring forth a new life and sharing a small smile with Treize and Zechs, she lowered her lashes and accepted the baby from Quatre’s arms.

The priest motioned for Heero and Relena to step forward. And in a calm and steady voice, he asked solemnly. “And who is the mother of this child we are about to baptize in the name of the Holy Spirit?”

“I am,” the girl replied softly.

The priest nodded and raised his voice again. “And who is the father of this child we are about to baptize in the name of the Holy Spirit?”

For a moment, no one could really say anything and an uncomfortable silence fell. The priest blinked and coughed lightly, before daring to ask. “Miss. Peacecraft…”

“All of them,” came the quiet reply.

The man stared at her with mouth agape. “All…of…them, my Lady?”

Relena nodded firmly and motioned for Trowa, Wufei and Solo to join Heero and Quatre on the podium. The three boys glanced at each other with blushes on their cheeks before turning to stare at Treize. With a curt nod from their leader, they all rose to their feet and walked onto the platform, forming a rough semi-circle around the woman and child.

Relena turned to face the flabbergasted priest with a look of satisfaction on her features.

“They are his fathers. Each and every single one of them. Without their help…the boy would never have come into this world.”

Trying hard not to imagine what the woman must have gone through having to deal with the five handsome young men, the priest cleared his throat and proceeded with the ceremony.

“Would you all please place a hand on…any part of the child’s body?”

That done, the priest nodded in satisfaction and poured the holy liquid gently on the gurgling baby’s hair.

“And what name shall this child be called?”

All eyes turned to face Heero and with a warm smile, one that had never been seen on the stoic boy’s face, he announced it quietly but firmly.

“He will be called Duo ‘Shinigami’ Maxwell…for the ‘God of Death’ has finally defeated the evil that once ruled the darkness in our hearts.”

Cradling the baby within his arms again, Quatre placed a reverent kiss on the tiny forehead, whispering huskily as his eyes shimmered with emotion.

“Welcome back, Duo…welcome back…”

Updates:

Trowa, Wufei, and Solo finally moved away from the Khushrenada Estates, much to Treize’s chagrin and they opened up a private office in the middle of the city. All three live together, happy and content.

Shido’s Angels are now committed to recruiting more messengers and hunters to spread the good news and to rescue more lost souls.

Treize and Zechs had their official vows made several months later in a rather lavish celebration. Oddly enough, Heero skipped the event.

Winner Enterprises is in full bloom and Quatre Rebarba Winner has been in charge of its growth as well as being a part time babysitter for a certain baby and his ‘parents’. All four live in one of Quatre’s large estates close to Khushrenada’s -- which was done to appease Treize more than anything else.

And as for little Shinigami…he was last seen crawling into Quatre and Heero’s den with a mischievous smile on his face. We can only hope that there isn’t much destruction left in his wake afterwards.

~Fin~