"Okay," Relena said, as she straightened up, "let's get to the shuttle station."
Montel released her and picked her bags up. He went out the door with her suitcases, and Relena lingered behind. She turned around to Hilde, who stood there with a shine in her eyes. Relena went up to Hilde and embraced her.
"Thank you for everything, Hilde," whispered Relena, "I'll repay you somehow."
"Don't make me start crying," Hilde whispered back, a smile tugging at her lips.
"My turn!" Duo said, separating the women.
Duo gave Relena a bear hug and a peck on the cheek.
"You be careful with that Montel, now," Duo said, "or else the Masked Shinigami will be at his window sill!"
"Duo," Relena said with a light tone.
She smiled at them and walked out the door. Relena looked ahead, to see Montel waiting for her with a smile. Relena glanced towards the Maxwell porch, seeing Duo wrap his arms around Hilde, and Hilde waving back at her. Duo gave her a Victory sign and formed his right hand to resemble a phone. He mouthed the words "call me" to her. Relena giggled and nodded her head. She gave a slight wave as she finally joined Montel.
Montel opened the door for her and giving one last look at Duo and Hilde, she sat herself in. Montel came in some seconds later, sitting across from her.
"It's good to see you so soon," Montel said.
"Yes, I know," Relena said as the limo picked up speed.
"You're not traumatized about the assassination, are you? I'm really sorry I couldn't come by and try to console you," Montel said.
"Not to worry yourself about it, I'm a big girl. Your sympathy should be redirected to my fortunate friend who bit the bullet for me," Relena said, her hands twisting the ends of her shirt.
All was silent as they traveled the rest of the way to the shuttle station. Once they reached their destination, all the luggage, flight path, time, stops, and tickets were cleared. They walked slowly hand in hand to their shuttle, Relena being stopped every now and then by reporters or supporters. She just flashed her smile and did her little handshake, while all inside she was asking them to leave her alone.
Before they boarded the shuttle, Montel stopped Relena and faced her. He held her firmly but his tone was gentle.
"Now is a good time as any," Montel said, reaching deep within his pocket.
He got on one knee and produced a gold velvet box. Relena blushed and tried to calm her panicking heart. She thought of all the times that she and Heero had shared. She hastily compared Montel to Heero, Heero to Montel.
"Will you marry me, Relena?"
There was the question she was waiting for, all her life since she knew how to love a human being the way… the way she had loved Heero. Someone caught her eye as a couple walked behind them, the woman pausing as everyone else was to hear her answer. She recognized the woman's silvery-blue hair, and the outline of Heero's hair in the dusk. The woman named Reiya clutched tightly at Heero's arm, giving him little pecks on the cheeks all the while eyeing Relena.
It's decided, she thought, as she gave her answer.