Bittersweet Epilogue
Four months later I was watching Nell's newest employee put a tray of tarts in the oven as I zipped up my jacket. Nell had hired her a few weeks ago when it was apparent that the two of us couldn't handle all of the new business coming in. Quatre had started serving Nell's pastries at all of his business meetings on L4, and what Mr. Winner did- others imitated.
Nell wandered back and smiled at me. "You have a good time with Heero this weekend," she teased. "Don't tire yourself out."
"I can't promise that," I laughed at her. "We're going to be spending all weekend unpacking his boxes."
She smiled wider. "Ah! That's right. This is the weekend he's moving in, right? How exciting! So he starts his new job on Monday?"
"Yes. He's looking forward to it." Quatre had made the offer a while ago, but Heero and I decided that we needed a bit more time before he moved in.
It hadn't been the smoothest of rides, these last few months. Heero and I had argued more than once. Feelings we both had thought were worked out needed more work than we thought. Things had been thrown- from plates to punches. Words had been said.
But usually those words led to other words, which helped us clear up more stuff between us. We spent a lot of time not arguing, but talking. We spent a lot of time listening. It was good more than it was bad.
We still didn't have a perfect relationship, but we had proved we were both willing to work on it.
Besides, I missed him like crazy when he wasn't here.
Nell shooed me out the door and I started to walk home. Hopefully Heero was already there, unpacking. His shuttle had been due in this morning. I hadn't been able to talk to him much this week because he'd been getting ready to move so I was really looking forward to seeing him.
Well, I always did. This time though, I wouldn't have to say goodbye on Sunday night and then start counting the days until I got to see him again.
As I climbed the stairs to the apartment, I could hear the radio going inside. Heero tended to turn it on when he was alone- a habit he had developed after I left. He said he didn't like the quiet anymore.
I opened the door and found Heero sitting on the floor, sorting through a bag of clothes. There were a few more bags sitting around him, but no boxes.
"Where's your stuff?" I asked as I sat down beside him.
"This is all of it," he answered, and leaned over to kiss me. "There wasn't that much stuff I was attached to- it was cheaper to just sell it off."
"Are you sure?"
He kissed me again. "I told you before- all I need to be content is you."
I lifted my hand and touched his cheek. "Ditto. So if you want to change something, just ask."
His eyes widened and he reached up to cover my hand with his. I knew he'd notice. "You're wearing it again."
"Of course." I smiled.
"I thought you'd gotten rid of it." Ah. I had wondered why he'd never asked me about it.
"I wouldn't do that. I just couldn't wear it before."
"But you can now?" He gave me a hopeful look.
"Yes. I think I should." I lifted his hand to my mouth and kissed the skin above his ring. "After all, you wear yours- and I don't plan to take mine off again."
"Good." Heero smiled. "I don't plan on letting you."
"Possessive much?" I teased and pushed at him. He pushed back, pinning me to the floor and claiming a longer kiss.
"Yes," he said against my neck, making me shiver.
"So," I closed my eyes as he kissed my collarbone. "Since you don't have a lot of boxes to unpack, what say we have some fun this weekend? Go out, see a movie, make a coffee run?"
"Sounds good," Heero's fingers moved to my shirt buttons. "But I'd like to have some fun at home first...."
OWARI
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