1Disclaimer: Don't own anything.

Pairings: UxY (past)

Point of View: Ulrich's

Author's Note: Okay, this is a bit sad. Read if you have tissues near by (at least in my opinion).

It's snowing.

Can you see it now? No, I suppose you can't. You always used to love this time of the year. You would tell me it was a time for marshmallows and fire places, a time for new beginnings. Do you still think that?

"Daddy?"

I turn away and look at the little girl standing before me. She's five now, she started school this year. She looks more and more like you every day. "Yes Aubrie?" I ask. Her hair is nearly as black as yours and her eyes, it's like looking into yours.

"Daddy, will we get snowed in?" she asks.

"Of course not. And if we are, we have enough food to last a long, long time. And we can build a snowman tomorrow morning," I tell her, tapping her nose. She giggles, she has your laugh, and I swing her up onto my shoulders, carrying her into her room. The room you decorated with such care. I lay her in her bed, tucking her in and read her a story.

"Are you thinking about Mommy?" Aubrie asks.

"What gives you that idea?" I ask, sitting on the edge of her bed, looking at her.

"You always get this look when you think of Mommy. Like your remembering something," she tells me, oh-so-matter-of-fact for a five-year-old. "I miss her. Why did she have to leave?"

"Mommy never wanted to leave Brie, she had to. I talk to her sometimes, and she loves you very much. So very much," I tell her quietly. See, you still affect us. I kiss her forehead, and get up, going to her dresser and winding the music box you gave her on her last birthday. "I'll see you tomorrow morning Brie. Sweet dreams."

"Good-night Daddy. I love you."

"I love you too."

I loved all three of you.

The snow is falling thicker now and I make some hot chocolate, sitting at the kitchen table we picked out the week after our wedding. You never did care for it to much. It's amazing all the things that can bring back memories of you, and I can remember all of them. I can remember your laugh, your smile, the way your eyes lit up when Aubrie and I made you your cake, even the way you smell.

She wears a locket around her neck now, it has your picture in it. She never takes it off, not even for her baths. She would cry herself to sleep for weeks after you left us, sometimes she still does. Sometimes I still do. We loved you so much, why did God take you from us?

She wore a blue dress on her first day of school. With her hair in curls, how you always liked them. Your parents have been supportive, taking care of her while I work. I wouldn't be able to get on without them. Even your dad and I are getting along now. You brought us together for a common reason, the raising of Aubrie.

I put the mug in the dishwasher and go back to the window. The snow is gathering quickly now and I think Aubrie's right, we will get snowed in. Christmas is in a week, that was your favorite holiday. It's Aubrie's now, though for different reasons. I remember coming home, smelling fresh baked cookies and having a four-year-old bundle of energy throwing herself on me, not caring that she was covered in flour and icing. And you laughing in the kitchen doorway, your eyes dancing.

It'll never happen again. We can't go back and change the past, not anymore. Not since Aelita was materialized, and I hate that. I hate that I couldn't have been there for you. That I couldn't have protected you when you needed it most.

You were my best friend, my lover, my wife. I'll always love and remember you.

Why did he have to kill you?

Author's Note: Okay, I know it sucks, but it popped into my head and wouldn't leave until I wrote it down. So I thought "why not post it" let me know what you think anyway. Though it is a bit weird...and depressing. Hope you all like it!