Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ What Once Was Lost ❯ Small Family ( Chapter 1 )
[ A - All Readers ]
By: RayneCarnver 
Mark’s eyes opened slowly, as if refusing to let sleep slip away so easily. He sighed and gently moved the hand that wrapped around his stomach aside. He hung his legs over the side of the bed and pushed himself to his feet. He moved silently across the white carpet and to the closet, pulled open the doors and leaned back. He reached in and grabbed a pair of pants that hung perfectly from a hanger. He pulled them on as he shook a shirt from a different hanger, grabbing it before it fell to the ground. He put on the shirt, leaving it unbuttoned as he searched the room for his shoes.
“What are you doing?” A drowsy voice asked from the bed. Mark turned around to see his wife watching him over the large white comforter. He smiled.
“Getting ready for work.”
“Come back to bed,” she raised one of her eyebrows at him.
“Can’t, I actually have work, you know, the place people go to get money,” he laughed, shaking his head. She pouted.
“But you own the place, you don’t need to go everyday!”
“It’s Thursday, babe, I haven’t gone all week,” he said as he walked out of the room. She sighed and rolled to face her night stand. She grabbed her thin oval shaped glasses and climbed out of the covers. She fixed her tank top and shorts and followed her husband into the hallway.
Mark shut the bathroom door behind himself as Jessica passed by. Almost immediately the shower started. Jessica stepped into the small kitchenette, which was lit up by the sun filtering through the thin white curtains. She glanced at the clock hanging from the cabinet next to the sink.
“Nine,” Jessica sighed. “That’s the latest in a while.” She began to hum to herself as she turned on the coffee maker. Suddenly two small forms were in the door way, looking up at her. She turned around, jumping slightly at the sight of the children, then a smile crept across her lips.
“Mommy,” the taller of the two children said softly. Jessica knelt down in front of them. “Mommy, I’m hungry.”
“I know, I am too,” she smiled at her daughter. “My, my! You slept in didn’t you two.”
“We wen to beddy late, ‘member, Momma?” the girl said quickly.
“Yes, I remember now, you’re right Chrissy,” Jessica laughed. “What do you two want for breakfast?”
“Eggies!” The twins cried happily together before giggling loudly. Jessica laughed and stood.
“You two go play, okay?”
“Yup,” Simion grinned up at his mother as he toddled past her, practically dragging his sister behind him.
A few moments later, as Jessica was getting ready to make breakfast, she looked out the window over the sink. Two small tan birds flew past, circling around each other in the late spring air. She grabbed two eggs from a carton she had placed on the counter. A pair of hands grabbed her waist and pulled her back, into a wet Mark. She yelped and dropped one of the eggs, which splattered on the tile floor.
“Mark!” Jessica gasped, trying to get her breathing to return to normal. He laughed and kissed the side of her neck, his wet bangs brushing her shoulder. She shivered and pushed him away. His clothes were wet from him not drying off before he put them on. She looked at the egg on the floor. “Look what you did! You’re going to have to clean that.” She raised an eyebrow at him. He grinned at her and shrugged, reaching for the paper towels. A large grey cat crawled in to the kitchenette and began licking at the yoke on the floor.
“Greg’ry!” Jessica yelled. She pushed the cat away with her foot.
“Damn cat, always putting his nose in everything,” Mark said as he scooped down to clean up the egg, a mound of dry paper towels in one hand, a handful of wet towels in the other. Jessica kicked his side lightly.
“Watch your mouth,” she scolded lightly.
“You’re turning into a mom, Jessy,” he said as he stood, throwing the dirty paper towels away.
“Good,” she smiled. “In case you’ve noticed, you’ve spawned and I am the poor mother of them. Go keep them company, they’re in the front room.” Mark laughed as he strode from the room.
Jessica watched him walk away. “I’ve come to a conclusion,” she said to the cat, who stood in the doorway, yellow eyes watching her. “Men are pains in the butt, but men without pasts are worse.”
Quatre sighed and leaned against the side of the building, brushing the sweat off his forehead with a white handkerchief. He looked at his companion through half opened eyes.
“I don’t know how you talked me into this,” he groaned.
“It wasn’t very hard,” Trowa smiled a bit, his one visible eye shining.
“I don’t doubt it,” Quatre said, pushing himself off the side of the building. “Course, you lied.”
“I did not!”
“Yes, you did. You said ‘we’ll have a nice relaxing weekend together away from all the troubles of our lives’. Has that happened?”
“Well... no, no it hasn’t.”
“Exactly,” Quatre said, looking inside the large garage, watching two men work on their car. “I can’t believe, five miles from anywhere and the car breaks down.”
“Good thing you had your cell, isn’t it.” Trowa grinned. Quatre glared at him, ignoring the fact that he didn’t want to bring his phone. Trowa made him.
“Mr Winner?” a voice caught them off guard. They both spun around to see a tall man, well built, wearing black pants and a white button shirt. His large blue eyes shining at them, a pen secured behind his ear. His dark brown hair hung into his face with long bangs but short back. In his hand he held a clipboard.
“That’s me,” Quatre said, his voice suddenly cautious. He and Trowa exchanged looks, both their eyes wide.
“Yeah, Mr Winner, your car’s almost fixed.” The man said, grinning, ignoring the looks. He handed the clipboard to Quatre. “Just sign where it says to.”
“Can I borrow your pen, Mr...” Quatre asked.
“Andrews,” The man said, pulling his pen out from behind his ear and tossing it to the pilot. “Mark Andrews.” Quatre caught the pen out of the air and signed the paper. He handed the clipboard back.
“Your car’ll be done in about a half an hour,” Andrews said as he walked back into the garage. Quatre and Trowa turned toward each other.
“We’re staying here,” they said simultaneously.
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 11.03.2003 | Pages: 2 | Words: 8.2K | Visits: 271 | Status: Completed
Mark’s eyes opened slowly, as if refusing to let sleep slip away so easily. He sighed and gently moved the hand that wrapped around his stomach aside. He hung his legs over the side of the bed and pushed himself to his feet. He moved silently across the white carpet and to the closet, pulled open the doors and leaned back. He reached in and grabbed a pair of pants that hung perfectly from a hanger. He pulled them on as he shook a shirt from a different hanger, grabbing it before it fell to the ground. He put on the shirt, leaving it unbuttoned as he searched the room for his shoes.
“What are you doing?” A drowsy voice asked from the bed. Mark turned around to see his wife watching him over the large white comforter. He smiled.
“Getting ready for work.”
“Come back to bed,” she raised one of her eyebrows at him.
“Can’t, I actually have work, you know, the place people go to get money,” he laughed, shaking his head. She pouted.
“But you own the place, you don’t need to go everyday!”
“It’s Thursday, babe, I haven’t gone all week,” he said as he walked out of the room. She sighed and rolled to face her night stand. She grabbed her thin oval shaped glasses and climbed out of the covers. She fixed her tank top and shorts and followed her husband into the hallway.
Mark shut the bathroom door behind himself as Jessica passed by. Almost immediately the shower started. Jessica stepped into the small kitchenette, which was lit up by the sun filtering through the thin white curtains. She glanced at the clock hanging from the cabinet next to the sink.
“Nine,” Jessica sighed. “That’s the latest in a while.” She began to hum to herself as she turned on the coffee maker. Suddenly two small forms were in the door way, looking up at her. She turned around, jumping slightly at the sight of the children, then a smile crept across her lips.
“Mommy,” the taller of the two children said softly. Jessica knelt down in front of them. “Mommy, I’m hungry.”
“I know, I am too,” she smiled at her daughter. “My, my! You slept in didn’t you two.”
“We wen to beddy late, ‘member, Momma?” the girl said quickly.
“Yes, I remember now, you’re right Chrissy,” Jessica laughed. “What do you two want for breakfast?”
“Eggies!” The twins cried happily together before giggling loudly. Jessica laughed and stood.
“You two go play, okay?”
“Yup,” Simion grinned up at his mother as he toddled past her, practically dragging his sister behind him.
A few moments later, as Jessica was getting ready to make breakfast, she looked out the window over the sink. Two small tan birds flew past, circling around each other in the late spring air. She grabbed two eggs from a carton she had placed on the counter. A pair of hands grabbed her waist and pulled her back, into a wet Mark. She yelped and dropped one of the eggs, which splattered on the tile floor.
“Mark!” Jessica gasped, trying to get her breathing to return to normal. He laughed and kissed the side of her neck, his wet bangs brushing her shoulder. She shivered and pushed him away. His clothes were wet from him not drying off before he put them on. She looked at the egg on the floor. “Look what you did! You’re going to have to clean that.” She raised an eyebrow at him. He grinned at her and shrugged, reaching for the paper towels. A large grey cat crawled in to the kitchenette and began licking at the yoke on the floor.
“Greg’ry!” Jessica yelled. She pushed the cat away with her foot.
“Damn cat, always putting his nose in everything,” Mark said as he scooped down to clean up the egg, a mound of dry paper towels in one hand, a handful of wet towels in the other. Jessica kicked his side lightly.
“Watch your mouth,” she scolded lightly.
“You’re turning into a mom, Jessy,” he said as he stood, throwing the dirty paper towels away.
“Good,” she smiled. “In case you’ve noticed, you’ve spawned and I am the poor mother of them. Go keep them company, they’re in the front room.” Mark laughed as he strode from the room.
Jessica watched him walk away. “I’ve come to a conclusion,” she said to the cat, who stood in the doorway, yellow eyes watching her. “Men are pains in the butt, but men without pasts are worse.”
Quatre sighed and leaned against the side of the building, brushing the sweat off his forehead with a white handkerchief. He looked at his companion through half opened eyes.
“I don’t know how you talked me into this,” he groaned.
“It wasn’t very hard,” Trowa smiled a bit, his one visible eye shining.
“I don’t doubt it,” Quatre said, pushing himself off the side of the building. “Course, you lied.”
“I did not!”
“Yes, you did. You said ‘we’ll have a nice relaxing weekend together away from all the troubles of our lives’. Has that happened?”
“Well... no, no it hasn’t.”
“Exactly,” Quatre said, looking inside the large garage, watching two men work on their car. “I can’t believe, five miles from anywhere and the car breaks down.”
“Good thing you had your cell, isn’t it.” Trowa grinned. Quatre glared at him, ignoring the fact that he didn’t want to bring his phone. Trowa made him.
“Mr Winner?” a voice caught them off guard. They both spun around to see a tall man, well built, wearing black pants and a white button shirt. His large blue eyes shining at them, a pen secured behind his ear. His dark brown hair hung into his face with long bangs but short back. In his hand he held a clipboard.
“That’s me,” Quatre said, his voice suddenly cautious. He and Trowa exchanged looks, both their eyes wide.
“Yeah, Mr Winner, your car’s almost fixed.” The man said, grinning, ignoring the looks. He handed the clipboard to Quatre. “Just sign where it says to.”
“Can I borrow your pen, Mr...” Quatre asked.
“Andrews,” The man said, pulling his pen out from behind his ear and tossing it to the pilot. “Mark Andrews.” Quatre caught the pen out of the air and signed the paper. He handed the clipboard back.
“Your car’ll be done in about a half an hour,” Andrews said as he walked back into the garage. Quatre and Trowa turned toward each other.
“We’re staying here,” they said simultaneously.
Anime/Manga: Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Drama | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 11.03.2003 | Pages: 2 | Words: 8.2K | Visits: 271 | Status: Completed
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Ðstarted.€€Jessica€stepped€into€the€small€kitchenette,€which€was€lit€ up€by€the€sun€filtering€through€the€thin€whiteÐ À Ðcurtains.€€She€glanced€at€the€clock€hanging€from€the€cabinet€next€to €the€sink.€Ð ˆØ Ðà àð ðNine,ð ð€Jessica€sighed.€€ð ðThatð ðs€the€latest€in€a€while.ð ð€€She€began€to€hu m€to€herself€as€she€turned€on€theÐ P Ðcoffee€maker.€€Suddenly€two€small€forms€were€in€the€door€way,€lookin g€up€at€her.€€She€turned€around,€jumpingÐ h Ðslightly€at€the€sight€of€the€children,€then€a€smile€crept€across€her €lips.Ð à0 Ðà àð ðMommy,ð ð€the€taller€of€the€two€children€said€softly.€€Jessi ca€knelt€down€in€front€of€them.€€ð ðMommy,€Ið ðmÐ ¨ø Ðhungry.ð ðÐ pÀ Ðà àð ðI€know,€I€am€too,ð ð€she€smiled€at€her€daughter.€€ð ðMy,€my!€€You€slept€in€didnð ðt€you€two.ð ðÐ 8ˆ Ðà àð ðWe€wen€to€beddy€late,€ð ðmember,€Momma?ð ð€the€girl €said€quickly.Ð P Ðà àð ðYes,€I€remember€now,€youð ðre€right€Chrissy,ð ð€Jes sica€laughed.€€ð ðWhat€do€you€two€want€for€breakfast?ð ðÐ È Ðà àð ðEggies!ð ð€The€twins€cried€happily€together€before€giggling€ loudly.€€Jessica€laughed€and€stood.Ð à Ðà àð ðYou€two€go€play,€okay?ð ðÐ X¨ Ðà àð ðYup,ð ð€Simion€grinned€up€at€his€mother€as€he€toddled€past€h er,€practically€dragging€his€sister€behind€him.€Ð p Ðà àÌà àA€few€mo ments€later,€as€Jessica€was€getting€ready€to€make€breakfast,€she€looked€out €the€window€over€theÐ ° Ðsink.€€Two€small€tan€birds€flew€past,€circling€around€each€other€in€ the€late€spring€air.€€She€grabbed€two€eggs€from€aÐ x È! Ðcarton€she€had€placed€on€the€counter.€€A€pair€of€hands€grabbed€her€w aist€and€pulled€her€back,€into€a€wet€Mark.€Ð @ " ÐShe€yelped€and€dropped€one€of€the€eggs,€which€splattered€on€the€tile €floor.Ð X# Ðà àð ðMark!ð ð€Jessica€gasped,€trying€to€get€her€breathing€to€retu rn€to€normal.€€He€laughed€and€kissed€the€side€ofÐ Ð $ Ðher€neck,€his€wet€bangs€brushing€her€shoulder.€€She€shivered€and€pus hed€him€away.€His€clothes€were€wet€from€himÐ ˜!è % Ðnot€drying€off€before€he€put€them€on.€€She€looked€at€the€egg€on€the€ floor.€€ð ðLook€what€you€did!€€Youð ðre€going€toÐ `"&d eg; & Ðhave€to€clean€that.ð ð€€She€raised€an€eyebrow€at€him.€€He€g rinned€at€her€and€shrugged,€reaching€for€the€paper€towels.€Ð (# x ' ÐA€large€grey€cat€crawled€in€to€the€kitchenette€and€began€licking€at€ the€yoke€on€the€floor.Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àð ðGregð ðry!ð ð€Jessica€yelled.€€She€pushed€the€cat€a way€with€her€foot.€€Ð ¸$ ) Ðà àð ðDamn€cat,€always€putting€his€nose€in€everything,ð ð€Mark€sai d€as€he€scooped€down€to€clean€up€the€egg,€aÐ €%Ð * Ðmound€of€dry€paper€towels€in€one€hand,€a€handful€of€wet€towels€in€th e€other.€€Jessica€kicked€his€side€lightly.€Ð H&˜!+ Ðà àð ðWatch€your€mouth,ð ð€she€scolded€lightly.€€Ð '` ", Ðà àð ðYouð ðre€turning€into€a€mom,€Jessy,ð ð€he€said€as€h e€stood,€throwing€the€dirty€paper€towels€away.Ð Ø'(#- Ðà àð ðGood,ð ð€she€smiled.€€ð ðIn€case€youð ðve€noticed,€youð ðve€spawned€and€I€am €the€poor€mother€of€them.€€Go€keepÐ (ð#. Ðthem€company,€theyð ðre€in€the€front€room.ð ð€€Mar k€laughed€as€he€strode€from€the€room.Ð h)¸$/ Ðà àJessica€watched€him€walk€away.€€ð ðIð ðve€come€to€a€conclusion,ð ð€she€said€to€the€cat ,€who€stood€in€theÐ 0*€%0 Ðdoorway,€yellow€eyes€watching€her.€€ð ðMen€are€pains€in€the€butt,€but€men€without€pasts€are€worse.ð &et h;Ð ø*H&1 Ð<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><* ><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> ;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&l t;*><*><*><*>Ð À+'2 ÐÔ_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€sighe d€and€leaned€against€the€side€of€the€building,€brushing€the€sweat€off€his€f orehead€with€a€whiteÐ ˆ,Ø'3 Ðhandkerchief.€€He€looked€at€his€companion€through€half€opened€eyes.& ETH; P- (4 Ðà àð ðI€donð ðt€know€how€you€talked€me€into€this,ð ð€he€g roaned.Ð .h)5 Ðà àð ðIt€wasnð ðt€very€hard,ð ð€Trowa€smiled€a€bit,€his€o ne€visible€eye€shining.Ð ° Ðà àð ðI€donð ðt€doubt€it,ð ð€Quatre€said,€pushing€himself €off€the€side€of€the€building.€€ð ðCourse,€you€lied.ð ðÐ xÈ Ðà àð ðI€did€not!ð ðÐ @ Ðà àð ðYes,€you€did.€€You€said€ð ðweð ðll€have€a€nice€rela xing€weekend€together€away€from€all€the€troubles€of€ourÐ X Ðlivesð ð.€€Has€that€happened?ð ðÐ Ð ; Ðà àð ðWell...€no,€no€it€hasnð ðt.ð ðÐ ˜&egra ve; Ðà àð ðExactly,ð ð€Quatre€said,€looking€inside€the€large€garage,€wa tching€two€men€work€on€their€car.€€ð ðI€canð ðtÐ ` ° Ðbelieve,€five€miles€from€anywhere€and€the€car€breaks€down.ð &et h;Ð (
x Ðà àð ðGood€thing€you€had€your€cell,€isnð ðt€it.ð ð€Trowa€ grinned.€€Quatre€glared€at€him,€ignoring€the€fact€that€heÐ ð ;
@ Ðdidnð ðt€want€to€bring€his€phone.€€Trowa€made€him.Ð ¸ Ðà àð ðMr€Winner?ð ð€a€voice€caught€them€off€guard.€€They€both€spun €around€to€see€a€tall€man,€well€built,Ð € Ð
Ðwearing€black€pants€and€a€white€button€shirt.€€His€large€blue€eyes€s hining€at€them,€a€pen€secured€behind€his€ear.€Ð H
˜ ÐHis€dark€brown€hair€hung€into€his€face€with€long€bangs€but€short€bac k.€€In€his€hand€he€held€a€clipboard.Ð ` Ðà àð ðThatð ðs€me,ð ð€Quatre€said,€his€voice€suddenly€cau tious.€€He€and€Trowa€exchanged€looks,€both€their€eyesÐ Ø (
Ðwide.€€Ð ð
Ðà àð ðYeah,€Mr€Winner,€your€carð ðs€almost€fixed.ð ð€€The €man€said,€grinning,€ignoring€the€looks.€€He€handed€theÐ h&ced il; Ðclipboard€to€Quatre.€€ð ðJust€sign€where€it€says€to.ð ð€€Ð 0€ Ðà àð ðCan€I€borrow€your€pen,€Mr...ð ð€Quatre€asked.€€Ð øH
Ðà àð ðAndrews,ð ð€The€man€said,€pulling€his€pen€out€from€behind€hi s€ear€and€tossing€it€to€the€pilot.€€ð ðMarkÐ À ÐAndrews.ð ð€€Quatre€caught€the€pen€out€of€the€air€and€signe d€the€paper.€€He€handed€the€clipboard€back.€€Ð ˆØ Ðà àð ðYour€carð ðll€be€done€in€about€a€half€an€hour,ð ð€A ndrews€said€as€he€walked€back€into€the€garage.€€QuatreÐ P ; Ðand€Trowa€turned€toward€each€other.Ð h Ѐà àð ðWeð ðre€staying€here,ð ð€they€said€simultaneously.€ Ð à0 ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>Ð pÀ ÐJessica€tucked€the€white€blanket€around€the€sleeping€twins,€the€song €she€was€humming€slowly€fading€away.€€SheÐ 8ˆ Ðquietly€walked€through€the€hallway,€past€the€kitchenette€and€practic ally€collapsed€onto€the€large€white€couch€in€theÐ P Ðfront€room.€€She€grabbed€the€remote€and€clicked€the€tv€on.€€After€a€ few€minutes€of€flipping€channels,€she€droppedÐ È Ðthe€remote€next€to€her€and€laid€her€head€on€the€back€of€the€couch.€€ She€closed€her€eyes€as€the€cat€rubbed€againstÐ à Ðher€hand.€€She€lightly€pet€the€lounging€animal€as€she€drifted€off€to €sleep.€€Ð X¨ Ðà àA€loud€knocking€on€the€apartment€door€caus ed€her€to€snap€back€to€reality.€€She€jumped€up,€turned€the€tvÐ p Ðoff€as€she€passed€it€and€rushed€to€the€door€to€stop€the€banging€from €waking€up€the€twins.€€Just€as€the€knockingÐ è 8 Ðbegan€again,€she€flung€the€door€open.€Ð ° Ðà àOutside€of€the€apartment,€two€men€stood,€o ne€grinning€at€her.€€The€shorter€of€the€two,€who€wore€a€grinÐ x È! Ðnicely,€was€blonde€and€tan.€€He€had€large,€friendly€eyes€that€seemed €to€laugh.€€The€other€man€was€tall€and€thin,Ð @ " Ðwith€his€brown€bangs€hanging€over€his€face,€hiding€one€of€his€bright €green€eyes.€Ð X# Ðà àð ðGood€evening,ð ð€the€blonde€one€said€in€a€light€clear€voice. €€ð ðIs€this€the€residence€of€the€owner€ofÐ Ð $ ÐGenerinð ðs€Mechanics?ð ð€€Jessica€nodded.€€The€bl ondeð ðs€grin€got€larger.€€ð ðMay€we€come€in?€€We€have€some€thingsÐ ˜!è % Ðthat€might€interest€you.ð ðÐ `"° & Ðà àð ðI€donð ðt€want€to€buy€anything,ð ð€Jessica€began€to €close€the€door.€€The€tall€manð ðs€hand€shot€out€andÐ (#x ' Ðprevented€the€door€from€closing.€€Jessica€looked€up€at€him,€wide€eye d.Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àð ðWeð ðre€not€selling€anything,ð ð€the€tall€man€said€ quietly.€€ð ðWe€come€on€urgent€business.€€Please.ð ð€€JessicaÐ ¸$ ) Ðsighed€and€nodded,€opening€the€door.Ð €%Ð * Ðà àWhen€the€men€were€settled€on€the€large€cou ch,€Jessica€sat€in€a€matching€white€chair€across€the€room.€Ð H& amp;˜!+ ÐGregð ðry€jumped€up€and€settled€on€the€arm€of€the€chair,€wa tching€the€strangers€with€sharp€eyes.Ð '`", Ðà àð ðHow€much€do€you€know€about€your€employees,ð ð€the€blonde€ask ed€after€a€moment.Ð Ø'(#- Ðà àð ðI€know€many€of€them,ð ð€Jessica€said,€stroking€the€catð ðs€fine€fur.€€ð ðI€went€to€school€with€them.ð ð€€Ð (ð#. Ðà àð ðWhat€do€you€know€of€Markus€Andrews?ð ðÐ h)¸ ;$/ Ðà àð ðOh,€everything!ð ð€Jessica€laughed.€€ð ðHeð ðs€my€husband.ð ð€€The€men€raised€their€eyebrow s€and€exchanged€aÐ 0*€%0 Ðglance.€€Jessica€continued.€€ð ðMy€father€began€Generinð ðs€when€he€moved€here€with€my€mothe r.€€My€parents€died€aÐ ø*H&1 Ðfew€years€ago,€they€left€the€garage€to€my€husband€and€me.ð ð ;€€The€men€nodded.Ð À+'2 Ðà àð ðMrs€Andrews,€we€checked€some€of€your€husbandð ðs€records€and €thereð ðs€a€distinct€lack€of€information.ð ð€Ð ˆ,Ø'3 ÐThe€taller€man€said€quietly.€€Ð P- (4 Ðà àð ðYes,€I€know,ð ð€Jessica€responded,€looking€at€the€glass€coff ee€table€that€sat€between€them.€€ð ðHe€showed€upÐ .h)5 Ðhere€ten€years€ago,€didnð ðt€remember€his€past€or€anything. €€My€father€took€him€in.€€Mark€was€a€very€skilled€atÐ ° Ðmechanics,€so€heð ðs€in€charge€of€the€garage.ð ð€€ Ð xÈ Ðà àThe€blondeð ðs€eyes€got€large.€€& eth; ðMrs€Andrews,€my€name€is€Quatre€Winner,€this€is€Trowa€Barton.€€WeÐ @ Ðbelieve€we€know€your€husbandð ðs€past.ð ð€€Jessica ð ðs€eyes€went€round.€€Ð X Ðà àð ðMr€Winner,€Mr€Barton,ð ð€she€said,€her€voice€pinched€with€ex citement.€€ð ðMy€husband€will€be€home€withinÐ Ð Ða€half€an€hour.€€It€would€probably€be€better€to€continue€this€when€h e€is€here.€€It€is€him€we€are€talking€about.ð ð€€Ð ˜&e grave; Ðà àQuatre€nodded€and€smiled€at€the€woman€acro ss€from€him.€€Jessica€offered€the€pair€drinks,€which€theyÐ ` &d eg; Ðrefused,€and€anxiously€waited€for€her€husband€to€get€home.Ð (
x Ðà àAfter€all€the€years€of€wondering,€theyð ; ðll€finally€know.€€But€at€what€cost?Ð ð
@ ÐÌÔ_ Ô<*><*><*><* ><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> ;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&l t;*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&Ocir c;_ ÔÐ € Ð
Ðà àMark€slowly€opened€the€door€to€the€apartme nt.€€The€twins€were€asleep€and€there€was€a€good€chance€thatÐ H< br /> ˜ ÐJessica€was€also.€€He€stepped€in,€pulled€his€keys€from€the€door€and€ stopped€as€he€saw€the€two€men€sitting€in€theÐ ` Ðfront€room.Ð Ø(
Ðà àð ðJess?ð ð€Mark€said€cautiously.€€Jessica€appeared€from€the€ki tchen,€a€smile€lighting€up€her€face.€€Mark€gaveÐ ð Ðher€a€questioning€look.Ð h¸ Ðà àð ðMark,€these€men€have€something€you€will€find€very€interesting,ð ð€she€said€as€she€grabbed€him€by€theÐ 0€ Ðwrist.€€She€pushed€him€into€the€white€chair€across€from€the€couch€an d€sat€on€the€armrest€opposite€of€the€cat.€€Ð øH
Ðà àð ðMr€Andrews,ð ð€Quatre€began.€€ð ðIð ðm€Quatre€and€this€is€Trowa.€€Do€you€recognize€us€or€our€ names?ð ð€Ð À ÐMark€slowly€shook€his€head,€slipping€his€hand€in€Jessicað ð s.€€ð ðWe€believe€we€know€youð ðre€past.ð ð€€Markð &e th;s€eyes€grewÐ ˆØ Ðround,€he€looked€up€at€Jessica.Ð P Ðà àð ðThey€showed€up€about€fifteen€minutes€ago,ð ð€she€squeezed€hi s€hand.€€ð ðI€do€believe€your€past€found€us.ð ðÐ h Ðà àð ðMr€Andrews,ð ð€Quatre€pulled€something€from€his€jacket€pocke t€and€handed€it€to€Mark.€€ð ðDoes€that€lookÐ à0 Ðfamiliar€at€all?ð ð€€Mark€looked€at€the€photo.€€It€was€of€a €mischievous€teenager,€a€grin€spread€across€his€face,€a€darkÐ & uml;ø Ðstreak€of€oil€across€his€chin.€€Down€his€back€was€a€long€braid,€that €seemed€a€yard€long.€€His€entirely€black€clothesÐ pÀ Ðstained,€a€priestð ðs€collar€at€his€throat.€€He€held€a€wren ch€up€as€if€ready€to€throw€it€at€another,€more€serious€lookingÐ 8ˆ Ðteen€behind€him.€€The€other€boy€was€clad€in€a€loose€shirt€and€tight€ spandex€pants.€€Ð P Ðà àð ðThat€looks€like€you€when€you€showed€up,€sort€of,ð ð€Jessica€ pointed€at€the€braided€boy.€€ð ðExcept€half€yourÐ È Ðhair€was€charred€off€and€your€eyes€werenð ðt€that€purple.&e th; ð€€Quatre€gasped€and€nudged€Trowa,€who€nodded€in€return.€€Ð à Ðà àð ðMr€Andrews,€what€day€did€you€appear€here?ð ð€Quatre€dared€to €ask.Ð X¨ Ðà àð ðExactly€ten€years€ago€next€month.ð ð€Mark€said,€handing€back €the€picture,€forcing€his€hand€not€to€shake.Ð p Ðð ðThe€eighteenth€to€be€exact.ð ðÐ è 8 Ðà àð ðHow€old€were€you?ð ð€€Ð ° Ðà àMark€shrugged,€but€Jessica€answered.€€ð ; ðWe€think€he€was€about€seventeen,€a€year€older€than€me.ð ð€€S heÐ x È! Ðwrapped€an€arm€around€her€husbandð ðs€shoulders.€€There€was €a€moment€of€silence.€€Ð @ " Ðà àð ðQuatre,ð ð€Mark€said€quietly.€€ð ðWho€am€I?ð ðÐ X# Ðà àð ðWell,€Mr€Andrews,ð ð€Quatre€said€softly.€€ð ðWe€believe€you€are€a€friend€of€ours€that€disappeared€in€a€largeÐ Ð $ Ðexplosion€ten€years€ago.ð ðÐ ˜!è % Ðà àð ðThat€doesnð ðt€really€answer€my€question,ð ð€Mark€s aid€quickly.€€ð ðWho€am€I?ð ðÐ `"° & Ðà àð ðDuo€Maxwell,€pilot€of€the€gundam€Deathscythe„Hell,€mechanic,€and€all€ around€demolition€man.ð ðÐ (#x ' Ðà àMark€leaned€over,€covering€his€face€with€h is€hands€for€a€moment.€€Jessica€rubbed€his€back€lightly,€eyesÐ ð#@ ( Ðfilled€with€worry.€€Mark€suddenly€stood€and€began€walking€around€the €room.€€The€sunlight€that€filtered€in€seemedÐ ¸$ ) Ðto€dim€for€a€moment.Ð €%Ð * Ðà àð ðDaddy!ð ð€a€small€voice€shrieked€happily.€€Mark€turned€on€hi s€heels€to€see€his€son€running€towards€him,Ð H&˜!+ Ðarms€outstretched.€€Mark€scooped€down€and€picked€the€child€up,€tossi ng€him€up€a€bit€before€catching€him.€€TheÐ '`", Ðchild€laughed€and€hugged€his€father€around€his€neck€tightly.€€Mark€t urned€to€face€the€men€and€grinned€at€them.€Ð Ø'(#- ÐThe€grin€sent€shivers€down€their€spines€and€they€looked€wide€eyed€at €each€other.€€Ð (ð#. Ðà àð ðI€have€one€thing€to€ask,ð ð€Mark€said.€€Quatre€and€Trowa€nod ded€slightly.Ð h)¸$/ Ðà àð ðHowð ðs€Heero?ð ðÐ 0*€%0 Ð<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><* ><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> ;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&E TH; ø*H&1 ÐQuatre€watched,€eyes€shining,€as€Duo€pushed€himself€from€the€table€a nd€sighed.Ð À+'2 Ðà àð ðJess,€you€really€out€did€yourself€today,ð ð€Duo€grinned€at€h is€wife.€€Jessica€raised€an€eyebrow€at€him€andÐ ˆ,Ø'3 Ðlaughed.Ð P- (4 Ðà àð ðNot€for€you€thatð ðs€sure.ð ðÐ .h)5 Ðà àð ðEh?ð ðÐ ° Ðà àð ðYou€the€only€idiot€here,€Mark?ð ð€The€woman€laughed.€€ð ðMr€Winner€hereð ðs€a€famous€diplomat€andÐ x&Egr ave; Ðextremely€rich€man.€€Unlike€you.ð ð€€She€winked€at€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€over€her€glasses.€&E TH; @ Ðà àð ðJust€call€me€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ & Ocirc;,€Mrs€Andrews.ð ðÐ X Ðà àð ðAnd€you€call€me€Jessica,€or€Jess,€whichever€you€prefer.ð ð&E TH; Ð Ðà àð ðAnð ð€call€me€Cissy!ð ð€The€girl€child€yelled,€thro wing€her€hands€in€the€air€happily.€€The€adults€laughed€asÐ ˜&e grave; Ðthe€child€grinned€up€at€them.Ð ` ° Ðà àð ðSo,€ten€years€later,ð ð€Duo€laughed.€€ð ðI€have€two€children,€a€wife,€a€different€name,€a€different€life.ð ðÐ (
x Ðà àð ðBut€I€donð ðt€see€very€much€change,ð ð€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€cut€him€off€with€his€quie t€voice.Ð ð
@ Ðà àð ðAside€the€braid€and€the€less€violet€eyes,ð ð€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€smiled€at€his€friend.Ð ¸ Ðà àJessica€stood€and€began€cleaning€off€the€s mall€round€table.€€She€hummed€to€herself€happily,€brown€eyesÐ € Ð
Ðshining.Ð H
˜ Ðà àð ðWhatð ðs€that€song?ð ð€Ô_ Ô QuatreÔ_ Ô€blinked€at€her.€€ð ðIt€sounds€very€familiar.ð ðÐ ` Ðà àð ðItð ðs€the€song€that€was€on€the€radio€when€Mark„er„€Duo€appe ared€at€the€garage,ð ð€She€grinned€at€herÐ Ø(< br />
Ðhusband.€€He€patted€her€butt€as€she€passed.€€She€laughed€and€raised€ an€eyebrow€at€him.Ð ð
Ðà àð ðDuo,ð ð€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€observed.€€ð ðYou€definitely€have€not€changed.ð ðÐ h¸ Ðà àð ðHa!ð ð€Duo€laughed,€folding€his€hands€behind€his€head€as€Jes sica€sat€back€down€next€to€him.€€TheyÐ 0€ Ðgrinned€at€each€other.€€ð ðDamn,€woman,€you€failed!€€I€havenð ðt€changed€a€fucking€thin g!ð ð€€Jessicað ðs€jaw€hit€theÐ øH
Ðground€as€she€smacked€her€husbands€arm,€glancing€pointedly€at€the€tw ins€next€to€her.€€Duo€laughed,€holding€hisÐ À Ðnow€bruised€arm,€and€pride.Ð ˆØ Ðà àð ðWell,€you€two,ð ð€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€said€pushing€away€from€the€table.€€ð ðItð ðs€time€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€and€I€continued€on€ourÐ P Ðvacation.ð ðÐ h Ðà àð ðAw,€come€on€Ô_ ÔQuatÔ_ &Oci rc;,ð ð€Duo€moaned€like€a€child.€€ð ðYou€Ô_ Ôguysð ðveÔ_ Ô€only€been€here€for€one€day.ð ðÐ à0 Ðà àð ðYes,€I€know,ð ð€the€Arabian€laughed.€€ð ðBut€Ið ðm€sure€you€and€Jessica€have€a€lot€to€talk€about€now. €€Plus,Ð ¨ø ÐÔ_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€and€I€ need€to€get€going.€€Weð ðre€behind€schedule.€€Ô_ ÔHeeroð ðllÔ_ Ô€notice€if€we€don&et h; ðt€get€back€soon€enough.ð ð€€Duoð ðsÐ pÀ Ðgrin€disappeared€for€a€moment.Ð 8ˆ Ðà àð ðYouð ðre€not€going€to€tell€him€you€guys€found€me,€are€you?&e th; ð€He€looked€at€his€friends€with€wide€pleadingÐ P Ðeyes.à àÐ È Ðà àð ðNot€if€you€donð ðt€want€us€to,ð ð€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€said€as€he€slowly€stood.Ð à Ðà àð ðÔ# †
Xî X ò
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Xî ÔI€want€to€tell€him€myself,€face„to„face.ð ð Ð X¨ Ðà àÔ_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€and€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€nodded€simultaneously.€€They€reached€for€their€thin€jackets€and €moved€towards€theÐ p Ðdoor.€€They€thanked€Jessica€for€the€wonderful€dinner,€which€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€said€was€a€welcome€c hange€from€the€elaborateÐ è 8 Ðdinners€of€diplomats.€€ð ðAnd,ð ð€he€added€with€a€smile.€€ð ðThe€pathetic€cooking€of€the€other€pilots.ð ðÐ &d eg; Ðà àð ðWell,€this€sure€has€been€a€great€surprise,ð ð€Jessica€said€a s€they€stood€in€the€doorway€to€the€apartment.€Ð x È! ÐThey€exchanged€embraces€and€handshakes.€€Ô_ Ô ;SimionÔ_ Ô€and€Chrissy€stood,€wide€eyed,€staring€a t€the€adults.€€Slowly,Ð @ " ÐÔ_ ÔSimionÔ_ Ô€reach ed€up€and€tugged€at€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ôð ðs€pants€lightly.€€Ô_ ÔQuatre&Oci rc;_ Ô€looked€down,€surprised.Ð X# Ðà àð ðCan€we€call€you€Uncle€Ô_ ÔQuattyÔ_ Ô?ð ð€the€small€boy€asked€softly.€€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€knelt€down€and€hugged€both€th eÐ Ð $ Ðtwins.Ð ˜!è % Ðà àð ðÔ# † ôC ò ò
ôCy # ÔI€would€be€honored.ð ð€€Ð ` "° & Ðà àð ðAnd€we€can€call€him,ð ð€Chrissy€pointed€at€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô.€€ð ðAuntie€Ô_ ÔTroÔ_ Ô„&O circ;_ ÔTroÔ_ Ô?ð ð€€&Oc irc;_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€turned€a€pale€sh ade€of€redÐ (#x ' Ðas€the€others€laughed€hysterically.Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àð ðOf€course€you€can,€Chrissy!ð ð€Duo€laughed.€€The€twins€looke d€up€at€him,€eyes€shining€then€ran€offÐ ¸$ ) Ðgiggling.€€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ &Oc irc;€glared€at€Duo,€who€just€grinned€back.Ð €%Ð * Ðà àð ðWell,ð ð€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€said,€grabbing€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ôð ðs€arm.€€ð ðItð ðs€was€great€to€find€you,€Duo.€€And€even€better€to€meet& ETH; H&˜!+ Ðyou€Jessica.€€You€have€our€numbers,€Ið ðm€sure€you€have€a€l ot€to€talk€about.€€Good„bye!ð ð€€The€pilots€were€out€theÐ '`", Ðdoor€and€down€the€balcony€staircase€before€Jessica€or€Duo€could€even €respond.€€The€couple€blinked€at€each€otherÐ Ø'(#- Ðthen€shrugged.€€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€was€right,€they€had€to€talk.€€Later.Ð (ð#. ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>€Ð 0*€%0 Ðà àð ðThe€twins€are€finally€asleep,ð ð€Jessica€said€thankfully€as€ she€dragged€herself€into€the€master€bedroom.€Ð ø*H&1 ÐShe€moaned€as€she€saw€the€clockð ðs€illuminated€numbers.€€M idnight.Ð À+'2 Ðà àð ðThey€donð ðt€know€how€good€they€have€it,ð ð€she€sig hed€as€she€fell€onto€the€bed,€arms€sprawled€out,€oneÐ ˆ,Ø ;'3 Ðlanding€on€Mark.€€ð ðThey€donð ðt€have€to€make€decisions,€pay€rent,€run€a€busines s,€get€their€own€food€or€anything.ð ðÐ P- (4 Ðà àð ðThey€donð ðt€have€to€figure€out€two€lives.ð ð€€Mark €added€flatly,€placing€his€book€down€on€his€lap.€€Ô_ &Oci rc;HeÐ .h)5 ÐÑ OY Ñâ
âÑ °° Ñâ
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Ñreached€out€and€ran€his€fingertips€lightly€across€the€skin€on€J essicað ðs€arm.€€She€squirmed€and€crawled€up€next€toÐ ° Ðher€husband.€€She€gave€his€cheek€a€kiss€and€sat€against€him.€Ð xÈ Ðà àð ðNot€many€have€to,€Ið ðm€afraid.ð ð€€She€smiled€at€M ark.€€ð ðSo,€anything€I€should€know?ð ðÐ @ Ðà àð ðHmm?ð ðÐ X Ðà àð ðAbout€Duo€Maxwell?ð ðÐ Ð Ðà àð ðOh,€Ô_ ÔhehÔ_ Ô,ð ð€Mark€adjusted€his€position€and€put€his€book€on€the€night€stand€next €to€him.€€He€turned€towardsÐ ˜è Ðhis€wife.€€ð ðMight€be€some€things€you€want€to€know.ð ðÐ ` &de g; Ðà àð ðLike€what?ð ð€Jessica€asked€quietly,€confused€by€the€sudden€ shy€look€on€his€face.Ð (
x Ðà àð ðYou€remember€the€other€guy€in€the€picture?ð ðÐ & eth;
@ Ðà àð ðÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô,ð ð€Jessica€said€after€a€moment.€€ð ðIsnð ðt€that€his€name?€€That€is€what€I€think€you€called€him. ð ðÐ ¸ Ðà àð ðYeah,ð ð€Mark€nodded€biting€his€lip.€€He€hesitated€for€a€mom ent.€€ð ðÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô€and€I€h ad€this€thing€together.€€IÐ € Ð
Ðguess€thatð ðs€the€only€thing€I€can€call€it.ð ð€€J essicað ðs€eyes€went€wide€and€her€jaw€dropped€a€bit.Ð H
˜ Ðà àð ðWhat?ð ð€she€said,€as€if€unsure€what€he€just€said.Ð ` Ðà àð ðYeah,€I€was€gay.€€Key€word€being€was,€though.ð ðÐ Ø(
Ðà àð ðBut€people€donð ðt€just€go€from€chasing€guys€to€chasing€wome n.ð ðÐ ð
Ðà àð ðWeð ðll€just€say€that€Ô_ ÔHeero&Ocir c;_ Ô€and€I€had€both€lived€as€far€from€a€normal€life€as€y ou€can€think€of.€€We€grew€upÐ h¸ Ðpiloting€war€machines,€learning€to€kill,€not€feel.€€The€only€people€ that€could€understand€was€the€other€pilots,€andÐ 0€ ÐÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô€was€th e€first€one€who€showed€sympathy.€€Other€than€Ô_ ÔQu atreÔ_ Ô,€of€course.ð ð€€Jessica€nodded€sl owly,€trying€to€getÐ øH
Ðher€mind€to€accept€the€idea€of€her€husband...€She€repressed€a€shiver .Ð À Ðà àð ðAnything€else?ð ð€€Jessica€asked€as€if€she€didnð ðt €really€want€to€know,€but€her€curiosity€was€sparked.Ð ˆØ ; Ðà àð ðBesides€that€no€matter€who€I€am,€Mark€Andrews€or€Duo€Maxwell,€youð ; ðre€still€my€wife€and€I€love€youÐ P Ðmore€than€I€have€loved€anyone€else.ð ð€€He€pulled€her€close €for€a€quick€kiss.Ð h Ðà àð ðOh,€by€the€way,ð ð€Jessica€said,€with€a€grin€of€mischief€on€ her€face.€€She€handed€Mark€something€that€sheÐ à0 Ðpulled€out€of€her€pocket.€€ð ðYour€good€friend€Mr€Winner€left€that€under€his€plate.ð ð€€Ma rk€unfolded€the€paper,€on€itÐ ¨ø Ðwas€the€phone€numbers€and€addresses€of€each€of€the€other€Ô_ Ôpilots,Ô_ Ô€and€the€picture€of€Duo €and€Ô_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô.€€He€suc ked€in€aÐ pÀ Ðbreath.Ð 8ˆ Ðà àð ðDo€I€have€to€decide€who€I€want€to€be€now?ð ðÐ P Ðà àð ðI€think€you€may,ð ð€Jessica€said€softly.Ð &Egrav e; Ðà àAbout€ten€minutes€later,€Jessica€slipped€u nder€the€blanket€and€turned€off€her€light.€€She€curled€up€againstÐ à Ðher€husband€and€breathed€deeply,€breathing€in€his€scent.€€She€ran€he r€fingernails€across€his€naked€abdomen.€Ð X¨ ÐNeither€of€them€had€spoken€for€a€few€minutes.Ð p Ðà àð ðAre€you€afraid€to€ask€me€what€you€should€do€because€you€think€Ið ðll€be€bias?ð ð€Jessica€said€after€a€fewÐ è ; 8 Ðminutes€of€trying€to€ignore€the€air€of€slight€fear€and€anxiousness€s urrounding€him.€€He€made€a€small€gruntingÐ ° Ðsound,€slightly€annoyed€that€she€knew€what€he€was€thinking€about.€€E specially€since€it€was€about€her.Ð x È! Ðà àð ðWell,€youð ðre€getting€my€opinion€because€I€have€air€in€my€b ody€to€give€it€to€you,ð ð€she€said€jokingly.€€ð ðIÐ @ " Ðthink€you€should€combine€the€lives.€€You€lived€as€Duo€Maxwell€for€so €long,€but€you€are€also€Mark€and€Daddy€toÐ X# Ðthe€children.€€You€cannot€let€either€go.€€But€itð ðs€your€l ife,€not€mine.ð ð€€She€rolled€over€to€the€other€side€of€the€bed&ET H; Ð $ Ðand€refused€to€say€another€word€on€the€subject.Ð ˜!&egra ve; % Ðà àMark€laid€awake€for€hours,€just€thinking.€ €Jess€was€right,€but€it€wasnð ðt€that€easy.€€Or€it€didnð ð ;t€seem€to€be.Ð `"° & ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àWhen€Jessica€awoke€the€next€day,€Mark€was€ gone.€€€She€rolled€over€and€squinted€at€the€clock.€€Ten€toÐ &ce dil;$ ) Ðnoon.€€She€blinked€for€a€moment,€before€grabbing€her€glasses€and€spr ang€out€of€bed.€€She€quickly€walked€to€theÐ €%Ð * Ðtwinsð ð€room€and€blinked€at€the€perfectly€clean€room€and€m ade€beds.€€She€turned€and€sped€to€the€kitchen.€€SheÐ H&˜!+ Ðfound€a€small€yellow€note€lying€on€the€table,€in€Markð ðs€p recise€handwriting.€€Ð '`", Ðà àð ðJess,€your€mom€came€over€and€took€the€kids€out.€€Sheð ðll€be €back€with€them€around€the€time€I€get€home.€Ð Ø'(#- ÐEnjoy€your€day€to€yourself.€€Much€love,€Mark.ð ð€€Jessica€s miled€to€herself€as€she€placed€the€note€back€on€the€table.€€Ð & nbsp;(ð#. Ðà àð ðOh,€Ið ðll€enjoy€my€day,€Ô_ ÔGreg&et h; ðryÔ_ Ô,ð ð€she€said€to€the€cat,€w ho€appeared€out€of€nowhere€and€rubbed€against€herÐ h)¸$/ Ðleg.€€ð ðBut€first,€a€shower.ð ð€€She€turned€towards€the€bathroom,€le aving€the€cat€in€the€middle€of€the€kitchen,€givingÐ 0*€%0 Ðher€a€curious€look.Ð ø*H&1 Ðà àA€few€hours€later,€as€the€sky€began€to€dar ken€as€a€storm€approached€the€city,€Jessica€pulled€her€car€intoÐ À+'2 Ðthe€cemetery.€€She€passed€the€familiar€large€black€iron€gates€and€on to€the€thin€road.€€She€drove€slowly€past€theÐ ˆ,Ø'3 Ðlarge€intricate€gravestones,€noting€all€the€names€that€were€familiar €to€her.€€She€brought€her€car€to€a€stop€and€sat€inÐ P- (4 Ðit€for€a€moment.€€She€looked€out€over€the€green€grass,€littered€with €graves€and€onto€the€fields€in€the€distance.€€SheÐ .h)5 Ðclimbed€out€of€the€car,€the€wind€immediately€grabbed€her€hair€and€cl othes,€as€if€trying€to€steal€her€soul€along€withÐ ° Ðthe€rest€of€the€dead.€€She€slowly€walked€up€the€small€hill€and€down€ towards€the€large€oak€tree€at€the€edge€of€theÐ xÈ Ðcemetery.€€She€wasnð ðt€surprised€to€see€the€thin€form€stan ding€in€front€of€her€parentsð ð€graves.€€She€slowlyÐ @ Ðapproached,€a€bouquet€of€white€roses€in€her€hands.Ð X Ðà àð ðI€knew€youð ðd€come€today,ð ð€Mark€said€as€Jessica€ approached.€€She€smiled€and€began€to€walk€faster.€€SheÐ Ð Ðput€her€arm€around€her€husbandð ðs€waist.€€He€wrapped€his€a rm€around€her€shoulder,€pulling€her€close.€€She€lightlyÐ ˜&egr ave; Ðthrew€the€bouquet€onto€the€double€grave.€€Mark€sighed.Ð ` ° Ðà àð ðYou€know€what€heð ðd€say,€donð ðt€you,ð ð€ €Jessica€stated€more€than€asked.€€Mark€smiled€weakly€at€her.Ð (
x Ðà àð ðYeah,€I€do,ð ð€he€said,€looking€at€the€right€side€of€the€sma ll€monument€to€his€parents€in€law.€€ð ðHeð ðd€sayÐ ð
@ Ðexactly€what€his€daughter€told€me€last€night.ð ð€€He€gave€h er€shoulders€a€squeeze.€€Ð ¸ Ðà àð ðGood,ð ð€Jessica€laughed.€€ð ðNow€we€know€you€werenð ðt€a€lost€cause€after€all!ð ð ;Ð € Ð
Ðà àð ðHe€wouldð ðve€said€that,€too,ð ð€Mark€said€as€they€ turned€from€the€graves.€€ð ðCourse,€he€wouldð ðve€said€itÐ H
˜ Ðwhile€he€knock€me€on€my€head.ð ð€€They€slowly€began€walking €to€the€car.€€Without€another€word,€or€a€glance€back,Ð ` Ðthey€climbed€into€the€small€sports€car€and€slowly€drove€away.€€Ð Ø(
ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>Ð h¸ Ðà àThe€loud€buzzing€of€the€alarm€rang€through €the€practically€empty€room.€€The€form€on€the€sagging€bedÐ 0€ Ðmoaned€lightly€and€rolled€over,€slamming€his€hand€on€the€alarm,€whic h€sat€on€the€window€sill.€€He€sat€up,€his€legsÐ øH
Ðhanging€awkwardly€over€the€side€of€the€bed,€his€short€brown€hair€dis heveled.€€He€pushed€himself€to€his€feet,Ð À Ðshivering€slightly€at€the€feeling€of€the€cold€floor.€€He€stretched€a nd€walked€over€to€the€large€pile€of€clothes€in€theÐ ˆØ Ðcorner€of€his€room.€€He€grabbed€the€first€pair€of€pants€he€could€fin d€and€slipped€them€over€his€boxers.€€He€grabbedÐ P Ða€shirt€and€pulled€it€over€his€head.€€He€tripped€over€to€the€mirror€ and€ran€his€fingers€through€his€hair.Ð h Ðà àð ðGod,€Ið ðm€getting€as€bad€as€Duo,ð ð€he€thought€as€ he€reached€for€the€doorknob.€€His€hand€stopped€in€midÐ à 0 Ðair€at€the€sudden€pang€of€sorrow.€€He€sucked€in€a€breath€and€pulled€ open€the€door.€€He€moved€quickly€through€hisÐ ¨ø Ðdimly€lit,€disorganized€apartment.€€He€threw€the€small€fridge€on€the €counter€open,€peering€in€at€the€half€emptyÐ pÀ Ðgallon€of€milk€and€a€totally€bruised€apple.€€He€sighed€and€slammed€t he€door€shut.€€It€just€seemed€to€be€gettingÐ 8ˆ Ðworse€as€the€years€went€on.€€He€placed€his€elbows€on€the€counter€and €bent€down,€holding€his€head€in€his€hands.Ð P Ðà àð ðTen€years,ð ð€he€murmured.€€ð ðTen€years€today.ð ð€€He€didnð ðt€move€for€a€few€mom ents,€willing€the€memoriesÐ È Ðof€the€smiling€purple€eyes€as€the€pilot€swore€heð ðd€be€car eful€and€would€be€back€before€dark.€€He€rememberedÐ à Ðwatching€the€braid€bounce€behind€the€black€clothed€body,€as€if€wavin g€good„bye.€€He€knew€he€shouldð ðve€made€himÐ X¨ Ðstay€home.€€He€knew€it.€€And€now,€ten€years€later,€he€was€a€wreck.&E TH; p Ðà àA€sudden€knock€on€the€door,€dragging€him€f rom€his€memories.€€He€walked€slowly€to€the€door,€halfwayÐ &egra ve; 8 Ðconsidering€not€answering€it.€€He€slowly€opened€the€door,€fumbling€w ith€the€chain€lock.€€He€blinked,€blinded€byÐ ° Ðthe€bright€light€of€the€sun€that€shot€into€the€apartment€through€the €half€opened€door.€€In€front€of€him€stood€a€youngÐ x È! Ðcouple,€around€his€age.€€The€man€looked€somewhat€familiar,€tall,€dar k€hair,€dark€blue€eyes.€€The€woman€was€short,Ð @ " Ðher€long€brown€hair€pulled€back€in€a€braid,€staring€at€him€with€dark €brown€eyes€through€thin€framed€glasses.€€Ð X# Ðà àð ðÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô€Ô _ ÔYuyÔ_ Ô,ð ð€The€man€s aid,€smiling€a€familiar€smile,€with€a€familiar€voice.€€ð ðIð ðm€back,€and€youð ðll€neverÐ Ð $ Ðguess€whatð ðs€happened€in€the€last€ten€years.ð ð& ETH; ˜!è % Ðà à€Ý ‚/ ÿ Ý&ograv e;òÔ ÿ ÔÝ Ý&Yacut e; ‚/ ÿÿÿ Ýóóòò&O circ; ÿ ÿ ÔÝ ÝÝ ‚/ ÿÿÿ ÝóóòòÔ ÿ ÿ ÔÝ ÝòŽò
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ôC ò ò ôC Ô><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;€What€Once€Was€Lost...€Found<*><*><*><*><*> ;<*><*><*><*><*><Ð ° ÐÓ m ÓMarkð ðs€eyes€opened€slowly,€ as€if€refusing€to€let€sleep€slip€away€so€easily.€€He€sighed€and€gently€move d€the€handÐ xÈ Ðthat€wrapped€around€his€stomach€aside.€€He€hung€his€legs€over€the€si de€of€the€bed€and€pushed€himself€to€his€feet.€Ð @ ÐHe€moved€silently€across€the€white€carpet€and€to€the€closet,€pulled€ open€the€doors€and€leaned€back.€€He€reached€inÐ X Ðand€grabbed€a€pair€of€pants€that€hung€perfectly€from€a€hanger.€€He€p ulled€them€on€as€he€shook€a€shirt€from€aÐ Ð Ðdifferent€hanger,€grabbing€it€before€it€fell€to€the€ground.€€He€put€ on€the€shirt,€leaving€it€unbuttoned€as€he€searchedÐ ˜è Ðthe€room€for€his€shoes.€Ð ` ° Ðà àð ðWhat€are€you€doing?ð ð€€A€drowsy€voice€asked€from€the€bed.€€ Mark€turned€around€to€see€his€wife€watchingÐ (
x Ðhim€over€the€large€white€comforter.€€He€smiled.Ð ð @ Ðà àð ðGetting€ready€for€work.ð ðÐ ¸ Ðà àð ðCome€back€to€bed,ð ð€she€raised€one€of€her€eyebrows€at€him.€ Ð € Ð
Ðà àð ðCanð ðt,€I€actually€have€work,€you€know,€the€place€people€go €to€get€money,ð ð€he€laughed,€shaking€his€head.€Ð H
˜ ÐShe€pouted.Ð ` Ðà àð ðBut€you€own€the€place,€you€donð ðt€need€to€go€everyday!ð ðÐ Ø(
Ðà àð ðItð ðs€Thursday,€babe,€I€havenð ðt€gone€all€week,&e th; ð€he€said€as€he€walked€out€of€the€room.€€She€sighed€andÐ ð
Ðrolled€to€face€her€night€stand.€€She€grabbed€her€thin€oval€shaped€gl asses€and€climbed€out€of€the€covers.€€She€fixedÐ h¸ Ðher€tank€top€and€shorts€and€followed€her€husband€into€the€hallway.€& ETH; 0€ Ðà àMark€shut€the€bathroom€door€behind€himself €as€Jessica€passed€by.€€Almost€immediately€the€showerÐ ø H
Ðstarted.€€Jessica€stepped€into€the€small€kitchenette,€which€was€lit€ up€by€the€sun€filtering€through€the€thin€whiteÐ À Ðcurtains.€€She€glanced€at€the€clock€hanging€from€the€cabinet€next€to €the€sink.€Ð ˆØ Ðà àð ðNine,ð ð€Jessica€sighed.€€ð ðThatð ðs€the€latest€in€a€while.ð ð€€She€began€to€hu m€to€herself€as€she€turned€on€theÐ P Ðcoffee€maker.€€Suddenly€two€small€forms€were€in€the€door€way,€lookin g€up€at€her.€€She€turned€around,€jumpingÐ h Ðslightly€at€the€sight€of€the€children,€then€a€smile€crept€across€her €lips.Ð à0 Ðà àð ðMommy,ð ð€the€taller€of€the€two€children€said€softly.€€Jessi ca€knelt€down€in€front€of€them.€€ð ðMommy,€Ið ðmÐ ¨ø Ðhungry.ð ðÐ pÀ Ðà àð ðI€know,€I€am€too,ð ð€she€smiled€at€her€daughter.€€ð ðMy,€my!€€You€slept€in€didnð ðt€you€two.ð ðÐ 8ˆ Ðà àð ðWe€wen€to€beddy€late,€ð ðmember,€Momma?ð ð€the€girl €said€quickly.Ð P Ðà àð ðYes,€I€remember€now,€youð ðre€right€Chrissy,ð ð€Jes sica€laughed.€€ð ðWhat€do€you€two€want€for€breakfast?ð ðÐ È Ðà àð ðEggies!ð ð€The€twins€cried€happily€together€before€giggling€ loudly.€€Jessica€laughed€and€stood.Ð à Ðà àð ðYou€two€go€play,€okay?ð ðÐ X¨ Ðà àð ðYup,ð ð€Simion€grinned€up€at€his€mother€as€he€toddled€past€h er,€practically€dragging€his€sister€behind€him.€Ð p Ðà àÌà àA€few€mo ments€later,€as€Jessica€was€getting€ready€to€make€breakfast,€she€looked€out €the€window€over€theÐ ° Ðsink.€€Two€small€tan€birds€flew€past,€circling€around€each€other€in€ the€late€spring€air.€€She€grabbed€two€eggs€from€aÐ x È! Ðcarton€she€had€placed€on€the€counter.€€A€pair€of€hands€grabbed€her€w aist€and€pulled€her€back,€into€a€wet€Mark.€Ð @ " ÐShe€yelped€and€dropped€one€of€the€eggs,€which€splattered€on€the€tile €floor.Ð X# Ðà àð ðMark!ð ð€Jessica€gasped,€trying€to€get€her€breathing€to€retu rn€to€normal.€€He€laughed€and€kissed€the€side€ofÐ Ð $ Ðher€neck,€his€wet€bangs€brushing€her€shoulder.€€She€shivered€and€pus hed€him€away.€His€clothes€were€wet€from€himÐ ˜!è % Ðnot€drying€off€before€he€put€them€on.€€She€looked€at€the€egg€on€the€ floor.€€ð ðLook€what€you€did!€€Youð ðre€going€toÐ `"&d eg; & Ðhave€to€clean€that.ð ð€€She€raised€an€eyebrow€at€him.€€He€g rinned€at€her€and€shrugged,€reaching€for€the€paper€towels.€Ð (# x ' ÐA€large€grey€cat€crawled€in€to€the€kitchenette€and€began€licking€at€ the€yoke€on€the€floor.Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àð ðGregð ðry!ð ð€Jessica€yelled.€€She€pushed€the€cat€a way€with€her€foot.€€Ð ¸$ ) Ðà àð ðDamn€cat,€always€putting€his€nose€in€everything,ð ð€Mark€sai d€as€he€scooped€down€to€clean€up€the€egg,€aÐ €%Ð * Ðmound€of€dry€paper€towels€in€one€hand,€a€handful€of€wet€towels€in€th e€other.€€Jessica€kicked€his€side€lightly.€Ð H&˜!+ Ðà àð ðWatch€your€mouth,ð ð€she€scolded€lightly.€€Ð '` ", Ðà àð ðYouð ðre€turning€into€a€mom,€Jessy,ð ð€he€said€as€h e€stood,€throwing€the€dirty€paper€towels€away.Ð Ø'(#- Ðà àð ðGood,ð ð€she€smiled.€€ð ðIn€case€youð ðve€noticed,€youð ðve€spawned€and€I€am €the€poor€mother€of€them.€€Go€keepÐ (ð#. Ðthem€company,€theyð ðre€in€the€front€room.ð ð€€Mar k€laughed€as€he€strode€from€the€room.Ð h)¸$/ Ðà àJessica€watched€him€walk€away.€€ð ðIð ðve€come€to€a€conclusion,ð ð€she€said€to€the€cat ,€who€stood€in€theÐ 0*€%0 Ðdoorway,€yellow€eyes€watching€her.€€ð ðMen€are€pains€in€the€butt,€but€men€without€pasts€are€worse.ð &et h;Ð ø*H&1 Ð<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><* ><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> ;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&l t;*><*><*><*>Ð À+'2 ÐÔ_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€sighe d€and€leaned€against€the€side€of€the€building,€brushing€the€sweat€off€his€f orehead€with€a€whiteÐ ˆ,Ø'3 Ðhandkerchief.€€He€looked€at€his€companion€through€half€opened€eyes.& ETH; P- (4 Ðà àð ðI€donð ðt€know€how€you€talked€me€into€this,ð ð€he€g roaned.Ð .h)5 Ðà àð ðIt€wasnð ðt€very€hard,ð ð€Trowa€smiled€a€bit,€his€o ne€visible€eye€shining.Ð ° Ðà àð ðI€donð ðt€doubt€it,ð ð€Quatre€said,€pushing€himself €off€the€side€of€the€building.€€ð ðCourse,€you€lied.ð ðÐ xÈ Ðà àð ðI€did€not!ð ðÐ @ Ðà àð ðYes,€you€did.€€You€said€ð ðweð ðll€have€a€nice€rela xing€weekend€together€away€from€all€the€troubles€of€ourÐ X Ðlivesð ð.€€Has€that€happened?ð ðÐ Ð ; Ðà àð ðWell...€no,€no€it€hasnð ðt.ð ðÐ ˜&egra ve; Ðà àð ðExactly,ð ð€Quatre€said,€looking€inside€the€large€garage,€wa tching€two€men€work€on€their€car.€€ð ðI€canð ðtÐ ` ° Ðbelieve,€five€miles€from€anywhere€and€the€car€breaks€down.ð &et h;Ð (
x Ðà àð ðGood€thing€you€had€your€cell,€isnð ðt€it.ð ð€Trowa€ grinned.€€Quatre€glared€at€him,€ignoring€the€fact€that€heÐ ð ;
@ Ðdidnð ðt€want€to€bring€his€phone.€€Trowa€made€him.Ð ¸ Ðà àð ðMr€Winner?ð ð€a€voice€caught€them€off€guard.€€They€both€spun €around€to€see€a€tall€man,€well€built,Ð € Ð
Ðwearing€black€pants€and€a€white€button€shirt.€€His€large€blue€eyes€s hining€at€them,€a€pen€secured€behind€his€ear.€Ð H
˜ ÐHis€dark€brown€hair€hung€into€his€face€with€long€bangs€but€short€bac k.€€In€his€hand€he€held€a€clipboard.Ð ` Ðà àð ðThatð ðs€me,ð ð€Quatre€said,€his€voice€suddenly€cau tious.€€He€and€Trowa€exchanged€looks,€both€their€eyesÐ Ø (
Ðwide.€€Ð ð
Ðà àð ðYeah,€Mr€Winner,€your€carð ðs€almost€fixed.ð ð€€The €man€said,€grinning,€ignoring€the€looks.€€He€handed€theÐ h&ced il; Ðclipboard€to€Quatre.€€ð ðJust€sign€where€it€says€to.ð ð€€Ð 0€ Ðà àð ðCan€I€borrow€your€pen,€Mr...ð ð€Quatre€asked.€€Ð øH
Ðà àð ðAndrews,ð ð€The€man€said,€pulling€his€pen€out€from€behind€hi s€ear€and€tossing€it€to€the€pilot.€€ð ðMarkÐ À ÐAndrews.ð ð€€Quatre€caught€the€pen€out€of€the€air€and€signe d€the€paper.€€He€handed€the€clipboard€back.€€Ð ˆØ Ðà àð ðYour€carð ðll€be€done€in€about€a€half€an€hour,ð ð€A ndrews€said€as€he€walked€back€into€the€garage.€€QuatreÐ P ; Ðand€Trowa€turned€toward€each€other.Ð h Ѐà àð ðWeð ðre€staying€here,ð ð€they€said€simultaneously.€ Ð à0 ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>Ð pÀ ÐJessica€tucked€the€white€blanket€around€the€sleeping€twins,€the€song €she€was€humming€slowly€fading€away.€€SheÐ 8ˆ Ðquietly€walked€through€the€hallway,€past€the€kitchenette€and€practic ally€collapsed€onto€the€large€white€couch€in€theÐ P Ðfront€room.€€She€grabbed€the€remote€and€clicked€the€tv€on.€€After€a€ few€minutes€of€flipping€channels,€she€droppedÐ È Ðthe€remote€next€to€her€and€laid€her€head€on€the€back€of€the€couch.€€ She€closed€her€eyes€as€the€cat€rubbed€againstÐ à Ðher€hand.€€She€lightly€pet€the€lounging€animal€as€she€drifted€off€to €sleep.€€Ð X¨ Ðà àA€loud€knocking€on€the€apartment€door€caus ed€her€to€snap€back€to€reality.€€She€jumped€up,€turned€the€tvÐ p Ðoff€as€she€passed€it€and€rushed€to€the€door€to€stop€the€banging€from €waking€up€the€twins.€€Just€as€the€knockingÐ è 8 Ðbegan€again,€she€flung€the€door€open.€Ð ° Ðà àOutside€of€the€apartment,€two€men€stood,€o ne€grinning€at€her.€€The€shorter€of€the€two,€who€wore€a€grinÐ x È! Ðnicely,€was€blonde€and€tan.€€He€had€large,€friendly€eyes€that€seemed €to€laugh.€€The€other€man€was€tall€and€thin,Ð @ " Ðwith€his€brown€bangs€hanging€over€his€face,€hiding€one€of€his€bright €green€eyes.€Ð X# Ðà àð ðGood€evening,ð ð€the€blonde€one€said€in€a€light€clear€voice. €€ð ðIs€this€the€residence€of€the€owner€ofÐ Ð $ ÐGenerinð ðs€Mechanics?ð ð€€Jessica€nodded.€€The€bl ondeð ðs€grin€got€larger.€€ð ðMay€we€come€in?€€We€have€some€thingsÐ ˜!è % Ðthat€might€interest€you.ð ðÐ `"° & Ðà àð ðI€donð ðt€want€to€buy€anything,ð ð€Jessica€began€to €close€the€door.€€The€tall€manð ðs€hand€shot€out€andÐ (#x ' Ðprevented€the€door€from€closing.€€Jessica€looked€up€at€him,€wide€eye d.Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àð ðWeð ðre€not€selling€anything,ð ð€the€tall€man€said€ quietly.€€ð ðWe€come€on€urgent€business.€€Please.ð ð€€JessicaÐ ¸$ ) Ðsighed€and€nodded,€opening€the€door.Ð €%Ð * Ðà àWhen€the€men€were€settled€on€the€large€cou ch,€Jessica€sat€in€a€matching€white€chair€across€the€room.€Ð H& amp;˜!+ ÐGregð ðry€jumped€up€and€settled€on€the€arm€of€the€chair,€wa tching€the€strangers€with€sharp€eyes.Ð '`", Ðà àð ðHow€much€do€you€know€about€your€employees,ð ð€the€blonde€ask ed€after€a€moment.Ð Ø'(#- Ðà àð ðI€know€many€of€them,ð ð€Jessica€said,€stroking€the€catð ðs€fine€fur.€€ð ðI€went€to€school€with€them.ð ð€€Ð (ð#. Ðà àð ðWhat€do€you€know€of€Markus€Andrews?ð ðÐ h)¸ ;$/ Ðà àð ðOh,€everything!ð ð€Jessica€laughed.€€ð ðHeð ðs€my€husband.ð ð€€The€men€raised€their€eyebrow s€and€exchanged€aÐ 0*€%0 Ðglance.€€Jessica€continued.€€ð ðMy€father€began€Generinð ðs€when€he€moved€here€with€my€mothe r.€€My€parents€died€aÐ ø*H&1 Ðfew€years€ago,€they€left€the€garage€to€my€husband€and€me.ð ð ;€€The€men€nodded.Ð À+'2 Ðà àð ðMrs€Andrews,€we€checked€some€of€your€husbandð ðs€records€and €thereð ðs€a€distinct€lack€of€information.ð ð€Ð ˆ,Ø'3 ÐThe€taller€man€said€quietly.€€Ð P- (4 Ðà àð ðYes,€I€know,ð ð€Jessica€responded,€looking€at€the€glass€coff ee€table€that€sat€between€them.€€ð ðHe€showed€upÐ .h)5 Ðhere€ten€years€ago,€didnð ðt€remember€his€past€or€anything. €€My€father€took€him€in.€€Mark€was€a€very€skilled€atÐ ° Ðmechanics,€so€heð ðs€in€charge€of€the€garage.ð ð€€ Ð xÈ Ðà àThe€blondeð ðs€eyes€got€large.€€& eth; ðMrs€Andrews,€my€name€is€Quatre€Winner,€this€is€Trowa€Barton.€€WeÐ @ Ðbelieve€we€know€your€husbandð ðs€past.ð ð€€Jessica ð ðs€eyes€went€round.€€Ð X Ðà àð ðMr€Winner,€Mr€Barton,ð ð€she€said,€her€voice€pinched€with€ex citement.€€ð ðMy€husband€will€be€home€withinÐ Ð Ða€half€an€hour.€€It€would€probably€be€better€to€continue€this€when€h e€is€here.€€It€is€him€we€are€talking€about.ð ð€€Ð ˜&e grave; Ðà àQuatre€nodded€and€smiled€at€the€woman€acro ss€from€him.€€Jessica€offered€the€pair€drinks,€which€theyÐ ` &d eg; Ðrefused,€and€anxiously€waited€for€her€husband€to€get€home.Ð (
x Ðà àAfter€all€the€years€of€wondering,€theyð ; ðll€finally€know.€€But€at€what€cost?Ð ð
@ ÐÌÔ_ Ô<*><*><*><* ><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> ;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&l t;*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&Ocir c;_ ÔÐ € Ð
Ðà àMark€slowly€opened€the€door€to€the€apartme nt.€€The€twins€were€asleep€and€there€was€a€good€chance€thatÐ H< br /> ˜ ÐJessica€was€also.€€He€stepped€in,€pulled€his€keys€from€the€door€and€ stopped€as€he€saw€the€two€men€sitting€in€theÐ ` Ðfront€room.Ð Ø(
Ðà àð ðJess?ð ð€Mark€said€cautiously.€€Jessica€appeared€from€the€ki tchen,€a€smile€lighting€up€her€face.€€Mark€gaveÐ ð Ðher€a€questioning€look.Ð h¸ Ðà àð ðMark,€these€men€have€something€you€will€find€very€interesting,ð ð€she€said€as€she€grabbed€him€by€theÐ 0€ Ðwrist.€€She€pushed€him€into€the€white€chair€across€from€the€couch€an d€sat€on€the€armrest€opposite€of€the€cat.€€Ð øH
Ðà àð ðMr€Andrews,ð ð€Quatre€began.€€ð ðIð ðm€Quatre€and€this€is€Trowa.€€Do€you€recognize€us€or€our€ names?ð ð€Ð À ÐMark€slowly€shook€his€head,€slipping€his€hand€in€Jessicað ð s.€€ð ðWe€believe€we€know€youð ðre€past.ð ð€€Markð &e th;s€eyes€grewÐ ˆØ Ðround,€he€looked€up€at€Jessica.Ð P Ðà àð ðThey€showed€up€about€fifteen€minutes€ago,ð ð€she€squeezed€hi s€hand.€€ð ðI€do€believe€your€past€found€us.ð ðÐ h Ðà àð ðMr€Andrews,ð ð€Quatre€pulled€something€from€his€jacket€pocke t€and€handed€it€to€Mark.€€ð ðDoes€that€lookÐ à0 Ðfamiliar€at€all?ð ð€€Mark€looked€at€the€photo.€€It€was€of€a €mischievous€teenager,€a€grin€spread€across€his€face,€a€darkÐ & uml;ø Ðstreak€of€oil€across€his€chin.€€Down€his€back€was€a€long€braid,€that €seemed€a€yard€long.€€His€entirely€black€clothesÐ pÀ Ðstained,€a€priestð ðs€collar€at€his€throat.€€He€held€a€wren ch€up€as€if€ready€to€throw€it€at€another,€more€serious€lookingÐ 8ˆ Ðteen€behind€him.€€The€other€boy€was€clad€in€a€loose€shirt€and€tight€ spandex€pants.€€Ð P Ðà àð ðThat€looks€like€you€when€you€showed€up,€sort€of,ð ð€Jessica€ pointed€at€the€braided€boy.€€ð ðExcept€half€yourÐ È Ðhair€was€charred€off€and€your€eyes€werenð ðt€that€purple.&e th; ð€€Quatre€gasped€and€nudged€Trowa,€who€nodded€in€return.€€Ð à Ðà àð ðMr€Andrews,€what€day€did€you€appear€here?ð ð€Quatre€dared€to €ask.Ð X¨ Ðà àð ðExactly€ten€years€ago€next€month.ð ð€Mark€said,€handing€back €the€picture,€forcing€his€hand€not€to€shake.Ð p Ðð ðThe€eighteenth€to€be€exact.ð ðÐ è 8 Ðà àð ðHow€old€were€you?ð ð€€Ð ° Ðà àMark€shrugged,€but€Jessica€answered.€€ð ; ðWe€think€he€was€about€seventeen,€a€year€older€than€me.ð ð€€S heÐ x È! Ðwrapped€an€arm€around€her€husbandð ðs€shoulders.€€There€was €a€moment€of€silence.€€Ð @ " Ðà àð ðQuatre,ð ð€Mark€said€quietly.€€ð ðWho€am€I?ð ðÐ X# Ðà àð ðWell,€Mr€Andrews,ð ð€Quatre€said€softly.€€ð ðWe€believe€you€are€a€friend€of€ours€that€disappeared€in€a€largeÐ Ð $ Ðexplosion€ten€years€ago.ð ðÐ ˜!è % Ðà àð ðThat€doesnð ðt€really€answer€my€question,ð ð€Mark€s aid€quickly.€€ð ðWho€am€I?ð ðÐ `"° & Ðà àð ðDuo€Maxwell,€pilot€of€the€gundam€Deathscythe„Hell,€mechanic,€and€all€ around€demolition€man.ð ðÐ (#x ' Ðà àMark€leaned€over,€covering€his€face€with€h is€hands€for€a€moment.€€Jessica€rubbed€his€back€lightly,€eyesÐ ð#@ ( Ðfilled€with€worry.€€Mark€suddenly€stood€and€began€walking€around€the €room.€€The€sunlight€that€filtered€in€seemedÐ ¸$ ) Ðto€dim€for€a€moment.Ð €%Ð * Ðà àð ðDaddy!ð ð€a€small€voice€shrieked€happily.€€Mark€turned€on€hi s€heels€to€see€his€son€running€towards€him,Ð H&˜!+ Ðarms€outstretched.€€Mark€scooped€down€and€picked€the€child€up,€tossi ng€him€up€a€bit€before€catching€him.€€TheÐ '`", Ðchild€laughed€and€hugged€his€father€around€his€neck€tightly.€€Mark€t urned€to€face€the€men€and€grinned€at€them.€Ð Ø'(#- ÐThe€grin€sent€shivers€down€their€spines€and€they€looked€wide€eyed€at €each€other.€€Ð (ð#. Ðà àð ðI€have€one€thing€to€ask,ð ð€Mark€said.€€Quatre€and€Trowa€nod ded€slightly.Ð h)¸$/ Ðà àð ðHowð ðs€Heero?ð ðÐ 0*€%0 Ð<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><* ><*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> ;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>&E TH; ø*H&1 ÐQuatre€watched,€eyes€shining,€as€Duo€pushed€himself€from€the€table€a nd€sighed.Ð À+'2 Ðà àð ðJess,€you€really€out€did€yourself€today,ð ð€Duo€grinned€at€h is€wife.€€Jessica€raised€an€eyebrow€at€him€andÐ ˆ,Ø'3 Ðlaughed.Ð P- (4 Ðà àð ðNot€for€you€thatð ðs€sure.ð ðÐ .h)5 Ðà àð ðEh?ð ðÐ ° Ðà àð ðYou€the€only€idiot€here,€Mark?ð ð€The€woman€laughed.€€ð ðMr€Winner€hereð ðs€a€famous€diplomat€andÐ x&Egr ave; Ðextremely€rich€man.€€Unlike€you.ð ð€€She€winked€at€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€over€her€glasses.€&E TH; @ Ðà àð ðJust€call€me€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ & Ocirc;,€Mrs€Andrews.ð ðÐ X Ðà àð ðAnd€you€call€me€Jessica,€or€Jess,€whichever€you€prefer.ð ð&E TH; Ð Ðà àð ðAnð ð€call€me€Cissy!ð ð€The€girl€child€yelled,€thro wing€her€hands€in€the€air€happily.€€The€adults€laughed€asÐ ˜&e grave; Ðthe€child€grinned€up€at€them.Ð ` ° Ðà àð ðSo,€ten€years€later,ð ð€Duo€laughed.€€ð ðI€have€two€children,€a€wife,€a€different€name,€a€different€life.ð ðÐ (
x Ðà àð ðBut€I€donð ðt€see€very€much€change,ð ð€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€cut€him€off€with€his€quie t€voice.Ð ð
@ Ðà àð ðAside€the€braid€and€the€less€violet€eyes,ð ð€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€smiled€at€his€friend.Ð ¸ Ðà àJessica€stood€and€began€cleaning€off€the€s mall€round€table.€€She€hummed€to€herself€happily,€brown€eyesÐ € Ð
Ðshining.Ð H
˜ Ðà àð ðWhatð ðs€that€song?ð ð€Ô_ Ô QuatreÔ_ Ô€blinked€at€her.€€ð ðIt€sounds€very€familiar.ð ðÐ ` Ðà àð ðItð ðs€the€song€that€was€on€the€radio€when€Mark„er„€Duo€appe ared€at€the€garage,ð ð€She€grinned€at€herÐ Ø(< br />
Ðhusband.€€He€patted€her€butt€as€she€passed.€€She€laughed€and€raised€ an€eyebrow€at€him.Ð ð
Ðà àð ðDuo,ð ð€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€observed.€€ð ðYou€definitely€have€not€changed.ð ðÐ h¸ Ðà àð ðHa!ð ð€Duo€laughed,€folding€his€hands€behind€his€head€as€Jes sica€sat€back€down€next€to€him.€€TheyÐ 0€ Ðgrinned€at€each€other.€€ð ðDamn,€woman,€you€failed!€€I€havenð ðt€changed€a€fucking€thin g!ð ð€€Jessicað ðs€jaw€hit€theÐ øH
Ðground€as€she€smacked€her€husbands€arm,€glancing€pointedly€at€the€tw ins€next€to€her.€€Duo€laughed,€holding€hisÐ À Ðnow€bruised€arm,€and€pride.Ð ˆØ Ðà àð ðWell,€you€two,ð ð€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€said€pushing€away€from€the€table.€€ð ðItð ðs€time€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€and€I€continued€on€ourÐ P Ðvacation.ð ðÐ h Ðà àð ðAw,€come€on€Ô_ ÔQuatÔ_ &Oci rc;,ð ð€Duo€moaned€like€a€child.€€ð ðYou€Ô_ Ôguysð ðveÔ_ Ô€only€been€here€for€one€day.ð ðÐ à0 Ðà àð ðYes,€I€know,ð ð€the€Arabian€laughed.€€ð ðBut€Ið ðm€sure€you€and€Jessica€have€a€lot€to€talk€about€now. €€Plus,Ð ¨ø ÐÔ_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€and€I€ need€to€get€going.€€Weð ðre€behind€schedule.€€Ô_ ÔHeeroð ðllÔ_ Ô€notice€if€we€don&et h; ðt€get€back€soon€enough.ð ð€€Duoð ðsÐ pÀ Ðgrin€disappeared€for€a€moment.Ð 8ˆ Ðà àð ðYouð ðre€not€going€to€tell€him€you€guys€found€me,€are€you?&e th; ð€He€looked€at€his€friends€with€wide€pleadingÐ P Ðeyes.à àÐ È Ðà àð ðNot€if€you€donð ðt€want€us€to,ð ð€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€said€as€he€slowly€stood.Ð à Ðà àð ðÔ# †
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Xî ÔI€want€to€tell€him€myself,€face„to„face.ð ð Ð X¨ Ðà àÔ_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€and€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€nodded€simultaneously.€€They€reached€for€their€thin€jackets€and €moved€towards€theÐ p Ðdoor.€€They€thanked€Jessica€for€the€wonderful€dinner,€which€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€said€was€a€welcome€c hange€from€the€elaborateÐ è 8 Ðdinners€of€diplomats.€€ð ðAnd,ð ð€he€added€with€a€smile.€€ð ðThe€pathetic€cooking€of€the€other€pilots.ð ðÐ &d eg; Ðà àð ðWell,€this€sure€has€been€a€great€surprise,ð ð€Jessica€said€a s€they€stood€in€the€doorway€to€the€apartment.€Ð x È! ÐThey€exchanged€embraces€and€handshakes.€€Ô_ Ô ;SimionÔ_ Ô€and€Chrissy€stood,€wide€eyed,€staring€a t€the€adults.€€Slowly,Ð @ " ÐÔ_ ÔSimionÔ_ Ô€reach ed€up€and€tugged€at€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ôð ðs€pants€lightly.€€Ô_ ÔQuatre&Oci rc;_ Ô€looked€down,€surprised.Ð X# Ðà àð ðCan€we€call€you€Uncle€Ô_ ÔQuattyÔ_ Ô?ð ð€the€small€boy€asked€softly.€€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€knelt€down€and€hugged€both€th eÐ Ð $ Ðtwins.Ð ˜!è % Ðà àð ðÔ# † ôC ò ò
ôCy # ÔI€would€be€honored.ð ð€€Ð ` "° & Ðà àð ðAnd€we€can€call€him,ð ð€Chrissy€pointed€at€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô.€€ð ðAuntie€Ô_ ÔTroÔ_ Ô„&O circ;_ ÔTroÔ_ Ô?ð ð€€&Oc irc;_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ô€turned€a€pale€sh ade€of€redÐ (#x ' Ðas€the€others€laughed€hysterically.Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àð ðOf€course€you€can,€Chrissy!ð ð€Duo€laughed.€€The€twins€looke d€up€at€him,€eyes€shining€then€ran€offÐ ¸$ ) Ðgiggling.€€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ &Oc irc;€glared€at€Duo,€who€just€grinned€back.Ð €%Ð * Ðà àð ðWell,ð ð€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€said,€grabbing€Ô_ ÔTrowaÔ_ Ôð ðs€arm.€€ð ðItð ðs€was€great€to€find€you,€Duo.€€And€even€better€to€meet& ETH; H&˜!+ Ðyou€Jessica.€€You€have€our€numbers,€Ið ðm€sure€you€have€a€l ot€to€talk€about.€€Good„bye!ð ð€€The€pilots€were€out€theÐ '`", Ðdoor€and€down€the€balcony€staircase€before€Jessica€or€Duo€could€even €respond.€€The€couple€blinked€at€each€otherÐ Ø'(#- Ðthen€shrugged.€€Ô_ ÔQuatreÔ_ Ô€was€right,€they€had€to€talk.€€Later.Ð (ð#. ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>€Ð 0*€%0 Ðà àð ðThe€twins€are€finally€asleep,ð ð€Jessica€said€thankfully€as€ she€dragged€herself€into€the€master€bedroom.€Ð ø*H&1 ÐShe€moaned€as€she€saw€the€clockð ðs€illuminated€numbers.€€M idnight.Ð À+'2 Ðà àð ðThey€donð ðt€know€how€good€they€have€it,ð ð€she€sig hed€as€she€fell€onto€the€bed,€arms€sprawled€out,€oneÐ ˆ,Ø ;'3 Ðlanding€on€Mark.€€ð ðThey€donð ðt€have€to€make€decisions,€pay€rent,€run€a€busines s,€get€their€own€food€or€anything.ð ðÐ P- (4 Ðà àð ðThey€donð ðt€have€to€figure€out€two€lives.ð ð€€Mark €added€flatly,€placing€his€book€down€on€his€lap.€€Ô_ &Oci rc;HeÐ .h)5 ÐÑ OY Ñâ
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Ñreached€out€and€ran€his€fingertips€lightly€across€the€skin€on€J essicað ðs€arm.€€She€squirmed€and€crawled€up€next€toÐ ° Ðher€husband.€€She€gave€his€cheek€a€kiss€and€sat€against€him.€Ð xÈ Ðà àð ðNot€many€have€to,€Ið ðm€afraid.ð ð€€She€smiled€at€M ark.€€ð ðSo,€anything€I€should€know?ð ðÐ @ Ðà àð ðHmm?ð ðÐ X Ðà àð ðAbout€Duo€Maxwell?ð ðÐ Ð Ðà àð ðOh,€Ô_ ÔhehÔ_ Ô,ð ð€Mark€adjusted€his€position€and€put€his€book€on€the€night€stand€next €to€him.€€He€turned€towardsÐ ˜è Ðhis€wife.€€ð ðMight€be€some€things€you€want€to€know.ð ðÐ ` &de g; Ðà àð ðLike€what?ð ð€Jessica€asked€quietly,€confused€by€the€sudden€ shy€look€on€his€face.Ð (
x Ðà àð ðYou€remember€the€other€guy€in€the€picture?ð ðÐ & eth;
@ Ðà àð ðÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô,ð ð€Jessica€said€after€a€moment.€€ð ðIsnð ðt€that€his€name?€€That€is€what€I€think€you€called€him. ð ðÐ ¸ Ðà àð ðYeah,ð ð€Mark€nodded€biting€his€lip.€€He€hesitated€for€a€mom ent.€€ð ðÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô€and€I€h ad€this€thing€together.€€IÐ € Ð
Ðguess€thatð ðs€the€only€thing€I€can€call€it.ð ð€€J essicað ðs€eyes€went€wide€and€her€jaw€dropped€a€bit.Ð H
˜ Ðà àð ðWhat?ð ð€she€said,€as€if€unsure€what€he€just€said.Ð ` Ðà àð ðYeah,€I€was€gay.€€Key€word€being€was,€though.ð ðÐ Ø(
Ðà àð ðBut€people€donð ðt€just€go€from€chasing€guys€to€chasing€wome n.ð ðÐ ð
Ðà àð ðWeð ðll€just€say€that€Ô_ ÔHeero&Ocir c;_ Ô€and€I€had€both€lived€as€far€from€a€normal€life€as€y ou€can€think€of.€€We€grew€upÐ h¸ Ðpiloting€war€machines,€learning€to€kill,€not€feel.€€The€only€people€ that€could€understand€was€the€other€pilots,€andÐ 0€ ÐÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô€was€th e€first€one€who€showed€sympathy.€€Other€than€Ô_ ÔQu atreÔ_ Ô,€of€course.ð ð€€Jessica€nodded€sl owly,€trying€to€getÐ øH
Ðher€mind€to€accept€the€idea€of€her€husband...€She€repressed€a€shiver .Ð À Ðà àð ðAnything€else?ð ð€€Jessica€asked€as€if€she€didnð ðt €really€want€to€know,€but€her€curiosity€was€sparked.Ð ˆØ ; Ðà àð ðBesides€that€no€matter€who€I€am,€Mark€Andrews€or€Duo€Maxwell,€youð ; ðre€still€my€wife€and€I€love€youÐ P Ðmore€than€I€have€loved€anyone€else.ð ð€€He€pulled€her€close €for€a€quick€kiss.Ð h Ðà àð ðOh,€by€the€way,ð ð€Jessica€said,€with€a€grin€of€mischief€on€ her€face.€€She€handed€Mark€something€that€sheÐ à0 Ðpulled€out€of€her€pocket.€€ð ðYour€good€friend€Mr€Winner€left€that€under€his€plate.ð ð€€Ma rk€unfolded€the€paper,€on€itÐ ¨ø Ðwas€the€phone€numbers€and€addresses€of€each€of€the€other€Ô_ Ôpilots,Ô_ Ô€and€the€picture€of€Duo €and€Ô_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô.€€He€suc ked€in€aÐ pÀ Ðbreath.Ð 8ˆ Ðà àð ðDo€I€have€to€decide€who€I€want€to€be€now?ð ðÐ P Ðà àð ðI€think€you€may,ð ð€Jessica€said€softly.Ð &Egrav e; Ðà àAbout€ten€minutes€later,€Jessica€slipped€u nder€the€blanket€and€turned€off€her€light.€€She€curled€up€againstÐ à Ðher€husband€and€breathed€deeply,€breathing€in€his€scent.€€She€ran€he r€fingernails€across€his€naked€abdomen.€Ð X¨ ÐNeither€of€them€had€spoken€for€a€few€minutes.Ð p Ðà àð ðAre€you€afraid€to€ask€me€what€you€should€do€because€you€think€Ið ðll€be€bias?ð ð€Jessica€said€after€a€fewÐ è ; 8 Ðminutes€of€trying€to€ignore€the€air€of€slight€fear€and€anxiousness€s urrounding€him.€€He€made€a€small€gruntingÐ ° Ðsound,€slightly€annoyed€that€she€knew€what€he€was€thinking€about.€€E specially€since€it€was€about€her.Ð x È! Ðà àð ðWell,€youð ðre€getting€my€opinion€because€I€have€air€in€my€b ody€to€give€it€to€you,ð ð€she€said€jokingly.€€ð ðIÐ @ " Ðthink€you€should€combine€the€lives.€€You€lived€as€Duo€Maxwell€for€so €long,€but€you€are€also€Mark€and€Daddy€toÐ X# Ðthe€children.€€You€cannot€let€either€go.€€But€itð ðs€your€l ife,€not€mine.ð ð€€She€rolled€over€to€the€other€side€of€the€bed&ET H; Ð $ Ðand€refused€to€say€another€word€on€the€subject.Ð ˜!&egra ve; % Ðà àMark€laid€awake€for€hours,€just€thinking.€ €Jess€was€right,€but€it€wasnð ðt€that€easy.€€Or€it€didnð ð ;t€seem€to€be.Ð `"° & ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>Ð ð#@ ( Ðà àWhen€Jessica€awoke€the€next€day,€Mark€was€ gone.€€€She€rolled€over€and€squinted€at€the€clock.€€Ten€toÐ &ce dil;$ ) Ðnoon.€€She€blinked€for€a€moment,€before€grabbing€her€glasses€and€spr ang€out€of€bed.€€She€quickly€walked€to€theÐ €%Ð * Ðtwinsð ð€room€and€blinked€at€the€perfectly€clean€room€and€m ade€beds.€€She€turned€and€sped€to€the€kitchen.€€SheÐ H&˜!+ Ðfound€a€small€yellow€note€lying€on€the€table,€in€Markð ðs€p recise€handwriting.€€Ð '`", Ðà àð ðJess,€your€mom€came€over€and€took€the€kids€out.€€Sheð ðll€be €back€with€them€around€the€time€I€get€home.€Ð Ø'(#- ÐEnjoy€your€day€to€yourself.€€Much€love,€Mark.ð ð€€Jessica€s miled€to€herself€as€she€placed€the€note€back€on€the€table.€€Ð & nbsp;(ð#. Ðà àð ðOh,€Ið ðll€enjoy€my€day,€Ô_ ÔGreg&et h; ðryÔ_ Ô,ð ð€she€said€to€the€cat,€w ho€appeared€out€of€nowhere€and€rubbed€against€herÐ h)¸$/ Ðleg.€€ð ðBut€first,€a€shower.ð ð€€She€turned€towards€the€bathroom,€le aving€the€cat€in€the€middle€of€the€kitchen,€givingÐ 0*€%0 Ðher€a€curious€look.Ð ø*H&1 Ðà àA€few€hours€later,€as€the€sky€began€to€dar ken€as€a€storm€approached€the€city,€Jessica€pulled€her€car€intoÐ À+'2 Ðthe€cemetery.€€She€passed€the€familiar€large€black€iron€gates€and€on to€the€thin€road.€€She€drove€slowly€past€theÐ ˆ,Ø'3 Ðlarge€intricate€gravestones,€noting€all€the€names€that€were€familiar €to€her.€€She€brought€her€car€to€a€stop€and€sat€inÐ P- (4 Ðit€for€a€moment.€€She€looked€out€over€the€green€grass,€littered€with €graves€and€onto€the€fields€in€the€distance.€€SheÐ .h)5 Ðclimbed€out€of€the€car,€the€wind€immediately€grabbed€her€hair€and€cl othes,€as€if€trying€to€steal€her€soul€along€withÐ ° Ðthe€rest€of€the€dead.€€She€slowly€walked€up€the€small€hill€and€down€ towards€the€large€oak€tree€at€the€edge€of€theÐ xÈ Ðcemetery.€€She€wasnð ðt€surprised€to€see€the€thin€form€stan ding€in€front€of€her€parentsð ð€graves.€€She€slowlyÐ @ Ðapproached,€a€bouquet€of€white€roses€in€her€hands.Ð X Ðà àð ðI€knew€youð ðd€come€today,ð ð€Mark€said€as€Jessica€ approached.€€She€smiled€and€began€to€walk€faster.€€SheÐ Ð Ðput€her€arm€around€her€husbandð ðs€waist.€€He€wrapped€his€a rm€around€her€shoulder,€pulling€her€close.€€She€lightlyÐ ˜&egr ave; Ðthrew€the€bouquet€onto€the€double€grave.€€Mark€sighed.Ð ` ° Ðà àð ðYou€know€what€heð ðd€say,€donð ðt€you,ð ð€ €Jessica€stated€more€than€asked.€€Mark€smiled€weakly€at€her.Ð (
x Ðà àð ðYeah,€I€do,ð ð€he€said,€looking€at€the€right€side€of€the€sma ll€monument€to€his€parents€in€law.€€ð ðHeð ðd€sayÐ ð
@ Ðexactly€what€his€daughter€told€me€last€night.ð ð€€He€gave€h er€shoulders€a€squeeze.€€Ð ¸ Ðà àð ðGood,ð ð€Jessica€laughed.€€ð ðNow€we€know€you€werenð ðt€a€lost€cause€after€all!ð ð ;Ð € Ð
Ðà àð ðHe€wouldð ðve€said€that,€too,ð ð€Mark€said€as€they€ turned€from€the€graves.€€ð ðCourse,€he€wouldð ðve€said€itÐ H
˜ Ðwhile€he€knock€me€on€my€head.ð ð€€They€slowly€began€walking €to€the€car.€€Without€another€word,€or€a€glance€back,Ð ` Ðthey€climbed€into€the€small€sports€car€and€slowly€drove€away.€€Ð Ø(
ÐÌ<*><*><*><*><*><*><*& gt;<*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*> <*><*><*><*><*><*><*><*>< ;*><*><*><*><*>Ð h¸ Ðà àThe€loud€buzzing€of€the€alarm€rang€through €the€practically€empty€room.€€The€form€on€the€sagging€bedÐ 0€ Ðmoaned€lightly€and€rolled€over,€slamming€his€hand€on€the€alarm,€whic h€sat€on€the€window€sill.€€He€sat€up,€his€legsÐ øH
Ðhanging€awkwardly€over€the€side€of€the€bed,€his€short€brown€hair€dis heveled.€€He€pushed€himself€to€his€feet,Ð À Ðshivering€slightly€at€the€feeling€of€the€cold€floor.€€He€stretched€a nd€walked€over€to€the€large€pile€of€clothes€in€theÐ ˆØ Ðcorner€of€his€room.€€He€grabbed€the€first€pair€of€pants€he€could€fin d€and€slipped€them€over€his€boxers.€€He€grabbedÐ P Ða€shirt€and€pulled€it€over€his€head.€€He€tripped€over€to€the€mirror€ and€ran€his€fingers€through€his€hair.Ð h Ðà àð ðGod,€Ið ðm€getting€as€bad€as€Duo,ð ð€he€thought€as€ he€reached€for€the€doorknob.€€His€hand€stopped€in€midÐ à 0 Ðair€at€the€sudden€pang€of€sorrow.€€He€sucked€in€a€breath€and€pulled€ open€the€door.€€He€moved€quickly€through€hisÐ ¨ø Ðdimly€lit,€disorganized€apartment.€€He€threw€the€small€fridge€on€the €counter€open,€peering€in€at€the€half€emptyÐ pÀ Ðgallon€of€milk€and€a€totally€bruised€apple.€€He€sighed€and€slammed€t he€door€shut.€€It€just€seemed€to€be€gettingÐ 8ˆ Ðworse€as€the€years€went€on.€€He€placed€his€elbows€on€the€counter€and €bent€down,€holding€his€head€in€his€hands.Ð P Ðà àð ðTen€years,ð ð€he€murmured.€€ð ðTen€years€today.ð ð€€He€didnð ðt€move€for€a€few€mom ents,€willing€the€memoriesÐ È Ðof€the€smiling€purple€eyes€as€the€pilot€swore€heð ðd€be€car eful€and€would€be€back€before€dark.€€He€rememberedÐ à Ðwatching€the€braid€bounce€behind€the€black€clothed€body,€as€if€wavin g€good„bye.€€He€knew€he€shouldð ðve€made€himÐ X¨ Ðstay€home.€€He€knew€it.€€And€now,€ten€years€later,€he€was€a€wreck.&E TH; p Ðà àA€sudden€knock€on€the€door,€dragging€him€f rom€his€memories.€€He€walked€slowly€to€the€door,€halfwayÐ &egra ve; 8 Ðconsidering€not€answering€it.€€He€slowly€opened€the€door,€fumbling€w ith€the€chain€lock.€€He€blinked,€blinded€byÐ ° Ðthe€bright€light€of€the€sun€that€shot€into€the€apartment€through€the €half€opened€door.€€In€front€of€him€stood€a€youngÐ x È! Ðcouple,€around€his€age.€€The€man€looked€somewhat€familiar,€tall,€dar k€hair,€dark€blue€eyes.€€The€woman€was€short,Ð @ " Ðher€long€brown€hair€pulled€back€in€a€braid,€staring€at€him€with€dark €brown€eyes€through€thin€framed€glasses.€€Ð X# Ðà àð ðÔ_ ÔHeeroÔ_ Ô€Ô _ ÔYuyÔ_ Ô,ð ð€The€man€s aid,€smiling€a€familiar€smile,€with€a€familiar€voice.€€ð ðIð ðm€back,€and€youð ðll€neverÐ Ð $ Ðguess€whatð ðs€happened€in€the€last€ten€years.ð ð& ETH; ˜!è % Ðà à€Ý ‚/ ÿ Ý&ograv e;òÔ ÿ ÔÝ Ý&Yacut e; ‚/ ÿÿÿ Ýóóòò&O circ; ÿ ÿ ÔÝ ÝÝ ‚/ ÿÿÿ ÝóóòòÔ ÿ ÿ ÔÝ ÝòŽò