Duo frowned, he never thought to see this place again. He hadn't been back to this colony, since he left as a child. But, here he was alone with Trowa in a big, empty safe house, not far from the remains of the Maxwell Church. And to make matters worse, tonight was Christmas Eve, and he had no money to buy his koi a present.

"I guess I should be thankful that we're together, at least." He whispered. He started as a pair of strong arms encircled his waist, then he relaxed into the embrace, as a pair of lips nuzzled his ear.

"What's wrong, koi?" murmured a soft voice.

Duo tilted his head back and gazed into a soft emerald eye. He turned into the arms that held him and put his own arms around the slender neck. He raised his face to receive his love's soft kiss.

"I was just thinking about not being able to give you a gift for Christmas."

"I have my gift right here. I could ask for nothing more than to spend some time with you, alone." Trowa whispered, as he kissed his beloved.

Duo smiled, as he became lost in the kiss, Trowa always knew how to make him feel better.

Sitting up in bed, Duo strained to hear; he could have sworn he heard the bells tolling for Midnight Mass. Slipping quietly from the bed, he padded into the living room, and peeked out the window. He gasped, as he stared at the impossible.

Where the burned out shell of a church had stood, was a building that showed no signs of destruction, it looked exactly as it did in his memory.

"Duo?"

"Trowa!" Duo's voice was breathless with excitement. "Look! The church! Its' back! It looks like it did, when I lived there with..."

Shinigami whirled and raced past his astounded lover, he charged into the bedroom and stuffed his feet into his shoes. He snagged Trowa's shoes and fled for the living room. He thrust the shoes at Heavyarm's pilot.

"Here! I want to take a closer look!"

Trowa put on his shoes and allowed himself, to be hauled out the door towards the specter of a dream. Nothing in his life had prepared him for something like this.

As the two boys reached the doors, Duo paused. His eyes filled with tears, as his heart filled with anticipation, if the church was restored, would the people dearest to his heart, next to Trowa-be waiting for him inside?

A pair of trembling pale hands reached out and grasped the knobs of the doors, under Sister Helen's homemade wreaths of pine and red ribbons, and they pulled the portals open.

Inside the church blazed with light. The windows, the figures of the saints, and Christ on his Cross; reflected the light in jewel-like colors. The pews were polished until they shone like stars.

Duo and Trowa stepped into this fairy tale world, and let the doors swing shut, their dual expression-one of awe.

"Welcome home, Duo." a soft voice whispered.

"Sister Helen!" Duo screamed, as he flung himself towards the woman, standing off to his right. He burst into tears, as he felt her arms go around him, as they had, when he was a child. He buried his face into her shoulder, and sobbed, as she stroked his hair, undoing his braid.

"Shh, my little love. You mustn't cry, not on your wedding day." Sister Helen pulled Duo's head up and wiped his tears with a tissue. "Come, Duo. We don't have much time. Father Maxwell will help Trowa. There's a couple of others here, Duo, who want to speak to you."

"Duo." Duo stared at the nun, who nodded, he slowly looked around her. Another woman stood with her arms outstretched.

"Mo...Mother?" Duo whispered; his eyes huge in his face. The dark-haired woman smiled, "Yes, baby."

Duo shook his head; the voice was like the one that came to him in his dreams, dreams of gentle hands and a loving voice. But, there was never a face, just a voice. He stepped away from Sister Helen, and stood uncertainly. He took a couple of steps, stopped and looked back at the nun. She smiled, and waved him on.

Reassured, Duo threw uncertainly to the wind. He streaked to the female version of himself. She snatched him close, as the bond between mother and child grew taut and blazed with new life.

"My baby. My beautiful baby. I have missed you so." That loving voice murmured into the top of his head.

"Momma! Oh, Momma! I've been so lonely!" Duo wept.

His mother stroked his hair, whispering, "I know, my love, I know. But, I promise, you won't be lonely anymore, we've sent you someone to heal your loneliness."

Duo knew she meant Trowa. He looked up into eyes slightly darker in color than his own, but the hair was the same shade. He shivered, as soft pink lips brushed his temple, and all his troubles melted away. Sister Helen joined them in the embrace for a moment.

"Our time is growing short." She told the other woman, who nodded.

"Come with us, Duo." His mother said, gently disentangling his arms from around her. She held out a hand and trustingly, Duo put his hand in hers and followed, where she led.

Trowa watched, as Duo disappeared into a side room. The whisper of shoes made him turn-the priest that stopped short of him, smiled and extended a hand.

"Don't try to figure it out, Trowa. Just believe. Now come, we need to get you ready."

Gripping Trowa's forearm, he pulled him towards the front of the church.

Duo babbled, as he told Sister Helen and his mother, all about his life, since he had left the colony. Then, he stopped, stricken, and turning to Sister Helen, he whispered,

"Please forgive me! I wasn't here to save you and Father Maxwell."

Wise and compassionate eyes regarded the sorrowing boy. Tender, loving hands touched a tear-streaked cheek, and wiped away all pain.

"There is nothing to forgive, Duo. The Father and I did our jobs, and it was time for us to go home. We were given this time to see you, and give your care over to your chosen mate. But, we will always love you." Sister Helen kissed Duo's cheek.

The two women quickly dressed Duo in a stunning gown of off white silk, decorated with seed pearls shaped like doves, half way up the skirt. It had a high neck and puff sleeves. His mother smiled proudly, and kissed him before she pulled his veil down over his face. There was no doubting the love and pride in her eyes. And Duo's wounded heart healed and found peace.

Trowa followed the priest into his office, where a man waited. The two, man and boy sized each other up, and the man finally nodded.

"Trowa, take care of my son. He has been through much."

The silent one nodded, "I intend to, sir."

The man merely smiled.

While Father Maxwell put on his vestments, Duo's father helped Trowa into a tuxedo with green piping. Duo's father left, and Trowa turned to the priest.

"This is impossible." He said, flatly.

"Yes, it is. But, stranger things have happened. Call it a miracle, if you like." James Maxwell shrugged. "The important thing is, you love Duo and he loves you."

"How do you know he wants to marry me?"

"His heart has told us. Now, its' time to go. Follow me, please." Father Maxwell led Heavyarm's pilot back out to the Sanctuary.

Trowa stopped dead in his tracks. The room was full of people, and to add to the unreal feel of the events, he was caught up in, he knew everyone by name, and he had never met any of them.

"Stand here." James Maxwell pointed to a spot on the floor. Trowa took the indicated spot. Overhead, an unseen choir was whispering a hymn, and the ghostly company rose, as Duo appeared on the arm of his father.

Trowa felt his heart swell with love, as his future floated towards him. Duo's father placed his son's hand in Trowa's and stepped back and joined the phantoms watching. As Trowa and Duo gazed at each other, Father Maxwell, began.

"Dearly beloved...."

The words so familiar, and older than their combine years flowed past them, as their hearts talk to each to other. A soft command to kiss the bride penetrated their silent communication and they willing joined lips, as well as hearts.

"May I present to you, Trowa and Duo Barton."

Duo's mother embraced him, and....

Duo sat up and sprang from the bed. He raced into the living room, and tore up the curtain. In the early morning light, he saw the burned out shell of the place he once called home. He sat heavily on the couch, leaned forward and put his face in his hands.

"It was just a dream." He moaned, as he wiped his eyes.

"Look at your left hand. Then tell me it was a dream." Trowa said, as he walked into the room, holding up his left hand.

Duo slowly stared at his left hand, and raised a wondering gaze to Trowa's; there on both of their hands was a plain gold band.

Trowa sat beside him and took Duo in his arms, as Duo's head settled on his shoulder, he whispered, "Father Maxwell told me, that we could call this a miracle, and I think it was. It was our Christmas miracle." He pressed a kiss to Duo's temple.

Duo nodded, "Yes, a miracle I'll always remember."

And somewhere in the heavens, four souls smiled.