"The Meaning of Life"

Written By: SkyLark

Pairings: 1x2x1

Warnings: AU, Neko, male pregnancy, sap, angst

Rating: R

Betaed by ShenLong *hugs*

Archives: http://www.gundam-wing-diaries.150m.com/gw/SkyLark/gwSkyLark.htm and http://www.mizunoamy.bravepages.com/skylark/skylarkfics.html

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Gundam Wing, or its characters. I just love playing with them.

Third fic in the Neko series

"The Meaning of Life"

A light sprinkling of rain started off the early hours of the morning of the wedding. For many couples marrying, that would be a disappointment or concern. For Heero and Duo however, they really could not have cared what the weather was doing.

The Yuy and Merquise households were a flurry of activity as guests and participants alike piled in. In the garden, Relena, Cassie, Dorothy, and Lady Une were working together to get their archways of blue and purple flowers up.

Up in the gazebo, Sally, Hilde and Jena were placing large ribbons and streamers of the same color scheme on the white end chairs of each row. And over their heads, Treize, Howard and Vice-Foreign Minister Darlian were on ladders hanging dangling white lights to wrap around the whole interior.

Near the end of their handiwork, Relena raised her head to the skies when the sun began to peer down on them. Breaking out in a wide grin, she took in the clearing heavens. On every flower, blade of grass and leaf, large droplets caught in the sunlight sparkled like gems. "How perfect," she breathed while taking in the beautiful sight.

Treize stepped down from his ladder, smirking, "Just like the weatherman predicted. We saw the last of the rain for the rest of the day." Glancing at his watch, he raised his eyebrows. "And not a moment too soon," he commented. "The wedding starts in an hour."

At that, Cassie squeaked and ran a hand through her hair as she suggested, "We all better start getting ready, then." Packing up their tools and extra decorations, the decorating team parted ways for the three residences where their dressier clothes were waiting.

In the Yuy household, Heero looked every bit the proud husband-to-be. Stepping into the living room in his cobalt kimono, he smiled as the few present gasped when they saw him. Even with his unruly hair, he looked positively regal.

Danielle stood stunned in her cream colored dress, her jaw falling as she took her son in. Tears filled her own cobalt eyes as she quickly crossed the room to embrace him tightly. Sobbing quietly, she whispered, "Oh, my baby is getting married."

"Ma," the artist chuckled quietly as he returned her hug. Despite his quiet laugh, he fought his own emotions that he was enduring. Lightly kissing her cheek, his mother pulled back to appraise him better.

Shaking her head, Danielle mused softly, "Just as handsome as your father." She cupped the side of her son's face and smiled sincerely, "I am so very proud of you, Heero." Not willing to trust his voice right then, he returned the grin and nodded firmly in appreciation.

Trent approached the young man and pulled him into a one-armed embrace that was returned. Quietly, the three spoke amongst themselves in anticipation of the wedding to come.

Dressed in a little, white dress with pink flowers that lined the trim, Leslie ran into the room laughing with her father 'chasing' her in. Laughing, the father scooped his little girl up to kiss her cheek with a cheered, "Gotch ya!" The child giggled as cascade of spiraled curls were brushed back from her face and a round tiara of flowers was placed on her head.

Right behind their Latin friend, Quatre and Wufei entered. The trio, dressed in their own kimonos of varying shades of blue, all gaped when they saw Heero standing with his parents. "You clean up well, Yuy," the Chinese youth smirked.

"Same to all of you," the artist snickered as he greeted his long-time companions with hand shakes and embraces. Taking Leslie's hand, Heero leaned in to kiss her forehead. "Don't you look lovely today," he complimented. Shyly, the girl put her hand to her mouth and leaned up against her father.

Iria arrived shortly after wearing a ling-skirted red dress and a bright smile. Her blonde hair pulled back, she walked up to the groom and said, "You certainly look ready for the big moment. Since we have time, would you like to see your framed marriage liscence?"

Grateful for the obvious plot to put his mind at ease, Heero nodded, "I'd like that."

~ ~

Over in the Merquise house, Noin and Zechs stood by their son in his deep purple kimono after his arrival in their living room. Wiping a stray tear from her eye, the young mother brushed down her silver-colored dress and sighed, "Here I go already." Duo purred a soft laugh and rubbed her back.

Wearing a suit and tie, Danny walked up with his little pillow in hand. Tail swinging anxiously behind him, he looked up to his brother and asked, "Will the rings be here soon? I kinda need 'em to be a good ring bearer."

Gently rubbing his moving abdomen, the braided neko chuckled, "They should be here any minute now." He looked up just as Isis entered the room in a knee-length emerald dress. Smiling, he greeted, "There you are."

The jeweler gasped when their eyes met. "Well, don't you look the perfect husband-to-be?" she grinned. Holding up the two small, velvet boxes in her hand, Isis stated, "My manufacturer just got these to me an hour ago. I have to say that this is the best work I have seen from him yet."

His violet eyes wide in anticipation, Duo leaned in as the lids to each box were were slowly opened. Inside each sat a matching pair of bands. The four rings took on would flank either side of the braided engagement bands in the form of one silver and one gold wing. It was a design that they had drawn up together with the concept of their hearts taking flight.

Iria had gone above and beyond the call to be certain that the bands were ready in time for the wedding as her gift to her friends. And the end result was better than the neko could have ever imagined.

"T-they're beautiful,' Duo breathed as a tear rolled down his cheek. Opening his arms, he wrapped the young woman in as tight a hug as he could manage. Gladly accepting his embrace, Isis returned it while patting his back.

Stepping back, the jeweler winked at Danny while removing the bands from their boxes. Eyes wide and his face threatening to be split by his smile, the child held up the white pillow in his hands so that the rings could be placed atop. "Now, you know to look for my sister's cue for when you need to bring these to her?" Isis smirked.

Nodding, the little neko piped an excited, "Yep! I've been practicing with Mom and Dad all morning."

Zechs draped an arm around his wife' shoulders as he chuckled in amusement, "And you're going to do a fine job, son." He turned to watch as Solo and the other nekos entered the room, all dressed their best for the wedding.

Those young, cat-eared teenagers standing up alongside Duo had on the kimonos of varying shades of purple. Lightly tugging at the belt across his waist, Solo commented, "These outfits are really comfortable. Way better that having to wear a suit." Andrew and Carson nodded in agreement.

"You all look very nice," Noin complimented. Beaming, the nekos' ears perked up and tails swayed. Her eyes falling on the clock, the young mother mused, "We should probably start getting into our places. The service will be starting in about ten minutes.

Cassie and Jena were quick to peck Duo's cheeks and embrace him with their whispered wishes of luck before heading out for the garden. Walking up to his 'brother,' Solo slapped his arm and asked, "Ready?"

The braided teenage broke out in a brilliant smile as he replied, "I've been ready for this for a long time."

* * * *

Moments later, Iria was standing alongside Heero at the altar. Every seat before them was filled bar the seats in front for Zechs and Noin on Duo's half of the gazebo. Quatre, Trowa and Wufei held their places behind their friend as Solo, Andrew and Carson waited across from them for the other groom's arrival.

Seated amongst the friends and family were Susan, Camille, Professor G and several classmates. Quietly talking amongst themselves, the witnesses eagerly looked forward to the start of the ceremony.

All discussion came to a halt when the doors leading out to the gardens slid open. Hand-in-hand, Leslie and Danny stepped out to the soft 'aawws' from the audience.

Tall and proud, the tiny neko's tail swished behind him as he carefully carried the rings on his pillow with his free hand. Just as she had practiced, Trowa's little girl occasionally let her partner's hand go to sprinkle flower petals from the basket she held.

From her seat, Dorothy smiled widely as she watched her daughter. Looking up to the front of the gazebo, she met Trowa's green eyes and they grinned proudly to one another. When the children reached the altar, they headed to their seats at the front row beside Danielle and Trent. Leaning towards them, the redhead whispered, "Good job." The children both beamed excitedly at the compliment.

Everyone turned back to the opened doors and quietly gasped when Duo stepped out with both his parents at either side. As a last minute decision, the neko had taken his hair out of his trademark braid. The long strands of hair flowed in the gentle breeze as he moved towards the gazebo.

Heero's breath caught in his throat over how beautiful his lover was. Their eyes met and Duo gave him a loving smile that radiated. Returning the grin, the artist had a difficult time keeping the tears from his cobalt eyes. A few cameras in the audience flashed as the cat-eared boy made his way down the aisle.

When they reached the altar, Duo turned to each parent for an embrace before stepping up to where his partner was waiting for him. Their hands joined as they let out a few quiet snickers of nervous laughter.

Bowing her head, Iria announced, "Friends, we are gathered here today to stand witness to the marriage of Heero Yuy and Duo Maxwell. In a very unique wedding in so many ways, this pair stands here as living examples that love truly does conquer all."

"Marriage is the union of two individuals in heart, body and mind. It is intended for their mutual joy – and for the help and comfort given one another in prosperity and adversity. But more importantly –it is a means through which a stable and loving environment may be attained."

Biting his lip, the neko squeezed his partner's hands as Iria continued, "Through marriage, Heero and Duo make a commitment together to face their disappointments - embrace their dreams - realize their hopes - and accept each other's failures. Heero and Duo will promise one another to aspire to these ideals throughout their lives together – through mutual understanding - openness - and sensitivity to each other."

The Justice of the Peace turned to Noin and Zechs standing at the edge of the altar. "Who gives this young man in marriage?"

Speaking as one, the couple answered, "We do." When their son looked back at them, Noin mouthed a 'Love you,' while Zechs winked with a warm smile. At that, they turned and took their seats at the front row of chairs on Duo's half of the gazebo.

Iria nodded to the parents before facing the audience once again to declare, "This relationship stands for love, loyalty, honesty and trust, but most of all for friendship. Before Heero and Duo knew love, they were friends, and it was from this seed of friendship that is their destiny. Do not think that you can direct the course of love - for love, if it finds you worthy, shall direct you."

Several heads amongst those gathered nodded. Those chosen words for the sermon could not have summed the couple's relationship better. Friends from the very beginning, they understood love better than many. They always looked out for the other's interest before their own added with an undying devotion.

Placing a hand on the either groom's shoulder, Iria stated, "Now, Heero and Duo will exchange the vows that they have committed to heart and memory."

On that cue, Heero squeezed his lover's hands and lost himself in the violet eyes watching him. Smiling, he declared quietly, "I, Heero Yuy, take you, Duo Maxwell, to be my beloved husband, to have and to hold you, to honor you, to treasure you."

He paused to clear the lump that had formed in his throat. Brokenly, he all but whispered, "To be at your side in sorrow and in joy, in the good times, and in the bad, and to love and cherish you always. I promise you this from my heart, for all the days of my life."

Sniffling, Duo paid no mind to the couple of tears that were sliding down his face as he returned just as softly, I, Duo Maxwell, take you, Heero Yuy, to be my beloved husband, to have and to hold you, to honor you, to treasure you, to be at your side in sorrow and in joy, in the good times, and in the bad, and to love and cherish you always. I promise you this from my heart, for all the days of my life."

At the end, the neko let out a soft sigh of relief that he'd managed to get through those words. There was a quiet round of laughter through the witnesses while many a wet eye was wiped.

Iria nodded firmly, "And now for the exchanging of rings. These rings will be a symbol of the love shared between Heero and Duo, linked in a circle that has no end."

Not even needing a nod from anyone, Danny hopped from his chair and hurried up to the altar. A brilliant smile on his face, he stood next to Heero and held the pillow up high over his head. Unable to help his quiet snicker, the artist reached down for one silver and one gold band. Taking a moment to take the rings in, he smiled widely.

With Duo's left hand in his own, Heero carefully removed his engagement band to slide the silver ring on. The engagement band was replaced and as he slid the gold band in place, he said quietly, "Duo, I give you this ring as a symbol of our love. With it I wed you, and give you my body, soul, and heart."

His own grin widening, the neko nodded firmly before reaching for the pillow when Danny moved towards him. Following his partner's actions, he set the bands in the same order. When the gold band was sliding into place, he recited, "Heero, I give you this ring as a symbol of our love. With it I wed you, and give you my body, soul, and heart."

Leaning her head on her husband's shoulder, Danielle smiled in content up at him. Trent smirked back and kissed her forehead. Across from them, Noin and Zechs shared their own little moment in recalling when they had made the same vows.

Danny returned to his seat with his pillow and giggled with Leslie. Just behind the little neko, Cassie and Jena patted his back and rubbed the top up his head between his tall ears.

Her arms opening, Iria spoke the words of a traditional, religious wedding as requested by the newlyweds. "May you always share with each other the gifts of love – be one in heart and in mind – may you always create a home together that puts in your hearts – love – generosity and kindness. In as much as Heero and Duo have consented together in marriage before this company of friends and family and have pledged their faith – and declared their unity by giving and receiving a ring – are now joined."

`Joined.' That word made couple want to jump out of their skin. Instead, they refrained themselves to mouthing 'love you's' and chuckling quietly as their friend concluded, "You have pronounced yourselves husbands, but remember to always be each other's best friend. What - therefore - God has joined together -let no man put asunder."

"One moment, please," a voice called from the back of the gazebo. Wide-eyed, Heero and Duo worriedly snapped their heads to see who was interrupting them. A few stunned gasps filled the air when Justice Harris and several other representatives for the High Courts entered-all dressed in their best suits and dresses.

Their hearts stopping, the nearly proclaimed newlyweds turned to each other in confusion.

A kind smile on his face, Harris walked up the isle with his black robe slung over his shoulder. "I apologize for the intrusion," he began, "but given the uniqueness of this marriage, I hope to have the honor of making this last announcement."

Beside herself over actually being in the presence of such elite representatives of the law she defended, Iria gaped. More than happy to step aside to allow the man to take charge, she silently looked for permission from her friends. Equally taken aback, the couple faced each other and broke out into wide grins.

His cobalt eyes falling back on the Justice, Heero answered, "We would be honored." Nodding enthusiastically, Duo stepped closer towards his lover to allow the Justice room to pass so he could stand beside Iria.

Once in place, Harris slipped into his official black robe. Taking a deep breath, he announced loudly, "And now, by the power vested in me by the State, the Colonies alike, I now pronounce you as husbands to each other – and may your days be good and long upon the earth."

Focused back on his best friend, a stray tear rolled down Heero's face. The babies in him fluttering with movement again, Duo tightly squeezed the hands in his own with a shimmer in his own eyes.

After a long pause, the pair looked expectantly up to the Justice as their friends and family laughed. Snickering, Harris smirked, "You may now kiss your spouse."

'Spouse.' It was finally official. Releasing the breath that he had been holding, Heero gladly and quickly closed the distance between himself and his husband for a fierce kiss. Taken aback for just a second, Duo's wide eyes closed as he kissed back with just as much fervor.

Rousing cheers, whistles and a thunder of applause filled the air as the guests rose from their seats. The Justices in the back joined in as they clapped their own hands together with bright grins.

When the couple broke for air and rested their foreheads together, Harris called over the accolade, "Ladies and gentlemen, it is my great honor and privilege to present to you for the first time..." Winking to Iria, he chorused with her, "Mister Heero and Duo Yuy-Maxwell."

Hand-in-hand, the newlyweds turned and headed down the isle just as the cheering grew all the louder.

Laughing when he reached the short stairwell at the back of the gazebo, Heero all but leapt down them before lifting Duo up by his waist to bring him down on the ground safely. Instantly immersing in another kiss, they were rained on by rice and ribbons. Beyond any doubt, they knew that that day would forever be the happiest day of their lives... joined only with the day when their family would be completed.


TBC

chapter 33

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