Story time line is in the A.N. at the bottom to those who are confused-

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*Disclaimer: i do not own Gundam Seed

NOTE: all medical events inthis story are purely fictional and created for the sake of the story !

Thank you everyone for sticking by this story!

And so the final installment of Cherished.

Chapter 3: Till the End of Time.

"The sun is setting Cagalli, do you recall how you would sit out on the beach every clear night to watch the sky at this time?"

"Of course- and you would come sit behind me and wrap a blanket around us."

"And you would say you had never seen a more beautiful sunset- until the next day that is."

"Because I can never decide- but I do remember my favorite sunset."

"Oh?"

"Don't 'oh' like you don't know- clod. The sunset on the day you proposed to me! When you gave me two seashells to peel apart and there was a ring within."

"And you nearly threw the shells along with the ring into the ocean before I stopped you."

"Well you know what they say, there's lots of fish in the sea- but you were the only right one for me."

"…And I'm the cheesy one, m'dear?"

"Where do you think I get it from?"

"Sass!"

"Athrun…"

"Yes?"

"Will you stay a little longer? I know the sun's setting and it's almost time- but please?"

"Of course, love. After all, I'm not done our story. And it picks up after we got engaged-"

The Roses were red

The Violets were blue

On the day we

Said "I do."

30 Years ago.

"Cagalli, it's time."

"No it's not!"

"Yes, yes it is. And either you let me in- or I'll get Athrun!" Lacus threatened, her patience wearing thin like the bouquet of roses and violets in her hands. Petals were floating to the ground under her wringing fingers.

There was a moment and then the door opened just enough for the pregnant Lacus to slip in.

The bridal room was only a little bigger then a walk in closet, with a clothes rack, a chair and a small vanity. Fresh flowers spilled out of a vase on the marble vanity in front of the mirror. The occupied chair though was where the white-vieled blonde sat, pale.

"Lacus," Cagalli whispered. "Why is it I can pilot a jet through a battle field with out a hint of fear but can't walk down a bloody aisle?"

The impatience Lacus had been feeling melted into compassion and carefully she kneeled beside Cagalli, her swollen belly keeping her from getting too close to her nervous friend.

Cagalli was always the strong one. The fearless one. Lacus reflected, reaching up to fold her friend's veil up to see her face. Tears glimmered in Cagalli's amber eyes though they didn't fall. Lacus smoothed her friend's bangs, careful of what little make up the blonde wore and said. "Do you love him?"
Cagalli's eyes focused on her. "I do." Her voice wobbled slightly and she took a deep breath to steady it. "These past three years have been so hard and yet he's made them some of the best times of my life. He makes me so happy- and I feel as if I could just wake up every morning to him I would be the happiest person in the world. I can't explain how much I love him except that for him I want to be the best me there is, I want to never hurt him or make him sad. I want to be there for him "

"But-" Lacus supplied.

Cagalli sighed. "But I'm afraid. What if our marriage goes wrong. What if I make him unhappy. What if I don't make a good wife." Her voice dropped. "I can't give him children, Lacus. I can't give him a family." her eyes strayed to Lacus's stomach and longing flashed across her face.

"And he knows this Cagalli-"

"I know he does- but what if years from now he'll wish he married some girl who could have kids?" Cagalli interrupted.

Lacus took a deep breath, and then placed her hands on Cagalli's shoulders, their eyes meeting. "Cagalli, that man fell in love with you for you. Not for what you could do for him but you. He loves you, Athrun loves you! And sure there is going to be rough patches in your marriage- they are in everyone's marriage- but you'll get through them!"

"How do you know?" Cagalli whispered.

Lacus smiled. "I know. Because you two love eachother more then yourselves. And isn't that what true love is? Marriage is the recognition that there will be good times and bad times. But it is all so the understanding that you love him, and he loves you, and that whatever the days bring you have promised eachother to face them…together."

To Lacus's joy, with each soothing word, Cagalli was straightening, her smile growing and the look of uncertainty fading as the true Cagalli returned.

"Really?"

"Cagalli," Lacus said softly, standing slowly and holding out her hands for Cagalli. The blonde took them and stood up, her eyes never leaving her friend's. "You and Athrun are going to live happily ever after."

Cagalli hesitated then she grinned, hugging Lacus –mindful of her friend' unborn child- and then declared. "Well then we should get this show on the road huh?"

"Yes, please do." Came a dry voice from outside the door and the two women jumped.

"Kira!" Cagalli stamped her foot. "You're such a creep."

The door opened a crack and he peered around, grinning. "And you're such a child."

Cagalli huffed, crossing her arms over her chest as he came in.

"No she's not." Lacus murmured. "She's a beautiful woman."

They all looked at Cagalli's dress- a simple white ruffled dress that was shorter in the front and trailing in the back that was held by a single strand that looped around Cagalli's neck.

"Well," Cagalli sniffed. "I did get the better genes in the family."

Kira rolled his eyes before reaching forward to flip his sister's veil back down. "Suuuure, sis. Whatever you say." He glanced down at his watch. "But hey, we really need to go. The wedding was supposed to have started ten minutes ago."

"Oh crap!" Cagalli yelped, she darted for the door.

"Wait, Cagalli your flowers!" Cried the maid of honor, chasing after her followed by the bestman who held the bride's sandels.

It was a glorious morning, warm but not to warm, breezy but not to windy and sunny but not too bright. The wedding was being held out on a beach. The crowded seats carefully arranged in the sand and a wooden path had been rolled out like a red carpet between the two sides towards the raised wooden altar. There was a harpist and her golden harp in the corner and in the center, under a mock arbor with flowers all around stood the priest, and beside him the groom.

The groom's hair, midnight blue, thick and lovely was neatly combed behind his ears. His tux was neatly pressed and a small white flower was pinned in his pocket. He wore a nervous smile and his green eyes kept scoring the beach, looking for his missing soulmate.

Instead he got his best friend and bestman bounding down the aisle towards him.

For a moment his heart froze as all the possibilities of what was keeping Cagalli swam through his mind.

Maybe she had a PTSD attack?

Maybe she was hurt?

Maybe… she decided she didn't really love him and couldn't marry him...

Oh God. The thought hurt.

If Cagalli were to ever leave him- well, Athrun didn't know what he would do.

They had had many near break ups in the past three years- and he knew now that he couldn't be with out Cagalli.

No matter how frustrating or stubborn she could be…he couldn't live with out her. Because a world with out Cagalli…was meaningless. Empty.

If she left him, he would probably beg for her to come back. And when she didn't.

The thought of living with out her…

Oh God, I love her so much.

"Sorry, Athrun." Kira said breathlessly, standing beside his friend, unaware of the train wreck that Athrun was swiftly becoming. He ran his fingers through his thick brown hair, trying to comb it out. "Cagalli's coming."

And suddenly, just like that, every fearful thought vanished like early morning dew and Athrun forgot all his worries, and fears as the harpist began to play and Lacus began walking down the aisle. For any moment now, his lovely Cagalli would appear from behind those bushes and she would walk towards him, ready to entwine her life and dreams to his.

But they are already entwined, Athrun thought smiling slightly. For she is my life and dream.

The crowd turned in their seats, straining to be the first to catch a glimpse of what Athrun was sure was the most beautiful woman in the world. And she's mine just as I am hers.

And then- Oh God- there she was- Oh God how could I ever deserve her- The white dress practically made her glow and he could just see the glint of her eyes that shined through her viel. Her hair was ripples down one shoulder and in her hands she clutched a bouqet like it was a life line pulling her towards Athrun. The smile that started out small grew as she caught sight of Athrun. And like wise, Athrun's did too.

Because all doubt left him and he knew for certain that no matter what life brought, he would be happy, happy knowing Cagalli loved him, knowing that he made her as joyful as she did him, knowing that no matter what, he would always have her by his side.

My beautiful strong Cagalli. He thought, subconsciously holding out his hands to accept her smaller callused ones after she had handed her flowers to Lacus. He could just make out the smile that was blazing across her face and the sheer joy that glowed in her eyes.

The priest began the vows but he barely heard him- only aware of the woman that stood before him. The woman that was now his wife. The woman who's face would be the first thing he saw in the morning, and who's voice would be the last thing he heard at night. The woman's whose heart he somehow managed to capture at the cost of losing his own. The woman who he called Cagalli.

And then he was being asked a question, but he hardly was aware of his own mouth forming the words 'I do'. Yet his very heart hung on the edge when the priest turned to the bride.

And Cagalli smiled behind her veil, tears in her eyes. And there was a roaring in Athrun's ears and he wondered at how the others couldn't hear it, and the world was spinning, and his heart was beating so fast.

And then suddenly-

It was quiet, it was still, it was peaceful. And all he could see, hear and feel was Cagalli, as if she tethered him to the world- as if she was the eye of the storm. And it was just her- and him in another world where there was no wedding, no crowd of people, no priest and ocean beach. And Cagalli leaned close, adoration in her eyes, and whispered those words that seemed to be the sweetest words he had ever heard. "I do."

And then there was a snap- and they were back at the altar and he had lifted her veil in a heart beat and was kissing her.

Kissing her like it was the first time they had ever kissed.

Kissing her as if it would be the last time they ever kissed.

Kissing her, kissing his wife; kissing Cagalli, and falling even more in love all the while.

And when he pulled away and gazed at her, lost to her, his hands holding her face so gently. "I love you." He whispered.

And she grinned cheekily back. "That's why we're here."

And he shook his head laughing softly as he threaded his fingers through hers and turned to face the exultant crowd. My wife, my beautiful lovely wife. He thought, gazing out over the crowd that gazed back, pride infusing with his thoughts.

"Cagalli," he whispered.

"Yes?" his wife conspiringly whispered back.

"You make me the happiest husband in the world." He smiled at her. "You make me feel like I can move mountains or swim entire oceans. And I know it sounds crazy, but with you, I feel like the impossible is possible."

Cagalli grinned and snuggled into her husband's side, smiling down at their entwined fingers. "You for get Athrun, when we are together- nothing can stop us."

"Not even time, love?"

She bounced up on her toes to kiss him, love ablaze in her amber eyes. "No, not even time."

Present time

"That is one of my favorite parts…"

"Mine too,"

" What I would give to relive that day again, Athrun."

"I relive it every time I think of you…"

"You're sweet, but corny… The sun is almost all the way down. Are you going to leave now?"

"No, my love. I have one last part to tell."

"I'm glad, I don't want you to leave yet... What part is that?"

"The happily ever after part of course-"

"I don't remember this part…"

"No…you wouldn't, my love."

"Athrun?"

"Shh, just listen a moment longer. This was our story and it ends here-"

The Roses were Red

The Violets were Blue

On the day I whispered

Good bye to you.

20 years ago

"We gather here today-"

"She's not going to make it Mister Zala."

"What?!" Athrun stood frozen, his chest heaving as he fought for air. Oh God, why, why, why?! "I thought you said she had the disease under control?!"

The doctors glanced at eachother unhappily. It was not uncommon for them to have to break tragic news to the loved ones of dying patients, but… it was always painful. "We know so little about this rare disease she contracted, Mister Zala. We could only make assumptions off of what we saw. But between her PTSD and the pregnancy…"

"To mourn the loss of a loved one-"

"Oh God. Oh God. Oh God!" Athrun sunk to the ground, staring at the white floor, his hands supporting him.

"Mister Zala… She's not going to make it through the night." The head doctor whispered, his heart breaking at the sight of the broken man before him.

Athrun rocked back on his heels. He felt like someone was taking his heart apart, splinter by splinter. "Oh God," he whispered, but this time a plea. "Not her, please, not her!"

"A would be mother, a beloved friend and sister. A cherished wife-"

"Now Mister Zala, your wife is at a fragile state of mind… she isn't aware that she's dying." The doctors explained to the pale man as they stood out side the wife's ward.

"And the child?" Athrun asked numbly.

The older doctor's eyes saddened. "We had warned you… The child isn't going to make it. Your best option is to gently break it to her… Make her feel happy… We'll keep her comfortable…And…" he paused. "Enjoy this time together."

"A strong soldier, a brave woman, a person who loved beyond all boundaries-"

"Athrun, love?"

Athrun swallowed, taking a seat beside his wife. Even with thousands of machines hooked up to her frail white body, she was still the loveliest sight he had ever seen. "Oh Cagalli," he said softly, drinking in the sight of her weary, dazed amber eyes, her puzzled wrinkled brow and her drawn lips.

"Cagalli Yula Zala will be missed-"

"Athrun what is it?" she cocked her head like she always did.

"Cagalli," Athrun choked, taking her hand in his. It was so small and cold and he shuddered. "Cagalli… The doctors spoke to me."

Confusion shifted through her. "I don't understand."

Athrun reached up to run his hand down her face, stroking her cheek. "There's nothing they can do…"

Anxiety replaced the confusion and the beeping on the monitors tracking her heart sped up. "The disease is nothing like they've encountered before…"

"But there must be something," she whispered, her hand clenching around his.

He shook his head. "They've tried everything, Cagalli."

Panic formed and the woman before him looked lost. "I'm going to die?" she whispered blankly, her breath sounding strangled. Slowly, numbly she leaned back against her raised mattress. "I mean," she started to babble. "I always knew I didn't have that much time… The doctors across the sea had warned me when I first caught this. I knew it would have to happen one day or another. I knew no one lives forever but-" a sob caught and she curled over to face her husband. "Athrun…I don't want to die." She cried.

Anguish over came Athrun and tears burned in his own eyes as he laid his cheek on the pillow facing Cagalli.

"I knew this day would come- and I thought I would be ready, but Athrun I'm not! I want more time to live. More time with you!" Tears flowed uncontrollably down her face, staining the pillow. Her free hand strayed down to hold her stomach. "I want to live to see my baby's smile and be a moth-" her voice faltered as she watched Athrun's face twist. "Athrun…what is it?" her voice was so quiet, pleading.

He turned his face away. Godgodgodgod! "Our baby isn't going to make it."

Cagalli froze. The baby she had been carrying for the past eight and a half months, whom she had come to love so dearly...was going to be sucked into death's cold embrace along with it's mother? Her special blessing- the baby all the doctors told her she could never conceive- wasn't going to live? Wasn't going to be able to see the world and run, and laugh and fall in love? Her baby? Her little miracle baby?

"No. No! Nononono!" she let go of Athrun to bury her face into her hands, her shoulders shaking. "No!"

Careful of the wires hooked up to her, Athrun pulled himself up to lie beside her, wrapping his arm around her and tucking her under his chin, even while tears ran down his cheeks. "They said you're going to… leave too soon to give birth, and the child will die. There's nothing they can do…" God I hate myself.

"No!" Cagalli wailed. "Just a little more time! Oh God, why?!"

Athrun could hardly breathe, hardly think, his arms wrapped around his love so tight, his jaw clamped. "Oh God." He whispered. "God. Save her, save her save her! Please someone save her!"

A small knock sounded on the door, and the tearful couple glanced over to see Kira and Lacus standing in the entrance, their faces gaunt.

Athrun slid up, holding Cagalli to him still as her brother and her bestfriend came in.

Lacus hardly waited a heart beat as she rushed forward to hug Cagalli.

"Cagalli!" Lacus burst out. "Don't go!"

Kira walked around to stand at his sister's other side, his violet eyes brimming over and he breathed big sucking gasps. "Cagalli, oh Cagalli."

Cagalli gazed helplessly at her brother, torn between her sistery smile and a breaking heart. "Kira, she mumbled. "Always the cry baby."

Kira laughed through his sobs, scrubbing his eyes with his sleeve.

Cagalli glanced at Athrun, whose gaze was never leaving her. She looked so tired, her chest heaving to breathe as her time drew near. "Athrun, can…can I have a few moments alone with each of you?"

Though he loathed leaving her side for a moment, for the time he would lose, he mutely nodded, kissed her on the forehead and slid off the bed. He and Kira exchanged a glance before leaving the ward to Lacus and Cagalli.

"The waiting room is over here." He said quietly, leading his bestfriend into the empty room that had a couple couches and a tv.

As soon as he turned around to face Kira he slumped to the floor, his shoulders shaking as the turbulent of emotions he had restrained in front of his wife broke through. "Kira," he sobbed, "I don't know what to do! I feel so helpless! What do I do? What do I do? She's dying! Cagalli's dying and I don't know what to do!"

Crying silently, Kira kneeled by the man who loved his sister more then the world. "There's nothing we can do, Athrun."

"GOD!" Athrun slammed his fists on the ground. "NO! NO! NO!" With every word of denial he beat the ground until, spent, he slumped into his friend's embrace. "Kira- I need her. I love her- I don't want her to go." He cried bitterly. "I can't live with out her!"

"I know, Athrun, I know…" Kira murmured, half-holding his friend.

"How could God take her? What did she do to deserve this fate?" Agony throbbed in Athrun's voice- the agony of a breaking heart.

"I don't know, Athrun." Kira broke down. "I don't know."

Athrun clutched at his hair as if to pull it out, his teeth gritted as if he was actually feeling pain. "NOOOO!" falling forward again, his face buried in his friend's shoulder.

Kira wept, staring at the wall as if the answer to why this was happening would appear. My baby sister, my precious sister is dying. I'm her brother! It's my job to look out for her- and I can't do anything…

A knock sounded on the door and Kira looked up. A grief stricken Lacus stepped in. "Kira, she wants to talk to you." she mumbled, stumbling to the ground beside him.

Kira nodded to Athrun's half-limp body, and understandingly, Lacus slid in to take his place.

"Shhh, Athrun, shhh." She murmured soothingly, a catch in her voice as she ran her hand down his back.

Quietly Kira stood, wiping his face as he made his way back to his sister.

And there she was again, propped up, no longer crying, but looking even more sickly and tired than before.

"Hello baby brother." She rasped, and for once Kira didn't refute her. She patted the foot of her bed and obligingly he hopped up to sit there, wiping his nose again on his sleeve.

"Stop that," she said, scolding. "Mom told you not to do that- you're a big boy now."

Always the strong one of us, the brave one. Kira thought. "Cagalli," he began.

"Nope," she shook her head. "I don't want to hear it." She took a deep shuddering breath. "Look, when… when I'm gone… I want to be buried next to Mom in the cemetery by the beach."

"Cagalli…"

"And-" she continued. "Remember how when we were little we would make wishes on sea shells and throw them into the ocean?"

Kira nodded, not trusting himself enough to speak.

"Can…can you do that again for me?"

"Of course." His voice broke. "What do you want me to write?"

She shrugged. "All that I can wish you now… Love and Happiness. Promise that you'll look after Lacus and Athrun for me, Kira? Make sure you and they are all happy!" her hands clenched on her white blankets as her voice wobbled.

"I will, Cagalli." Kira, vowed, leaning forward, pulling his small sister into a hug and squeezing her tightly to him. "I will."

They stayed like that for two minutes, each silently remembering memories of their childhood together. "I love you, Kira." Her voice a faint tremor in his ear.

"I love you too, Cagalli." Kira whispered back, giving his sister a kiss ontop of the head. He sat back.

"Can you get the others now?" Cagalli asked. Kira nodded, bounced off the bed and exited swiftly.

With a sigh, Cagalli leaned back again, closing her eyes. There was a pounding in her head that radiated through out her body. She was so tired, so tired that even breathing exhausted her. It was almost time. Almost, but not quite yet. She still wasn't ready. Her hand reached down to caress her swollen belly. "I'm sorry, baby." She whimpered. "I'm sorry I couldn't bring you into this world. I'm sorry I wasn't good enough to be your mama. I'm so sorry!" For a moment she could feel the tiny pressure against her hand- the baby's kick - and it broke her heart all over again. "I love you little baby, I love you so much even though we'll never meet face to face. You are my most precious treasure…"

"Cagalli,"

Her head snapped up to see Lacus, Kira and her poor broken husband standing there.

"I want to be with Athrun." She said simply. And Kira and Lacus understood. She was saying good bye. Struggling to remain somewhat calm they went to her and held her, whispering over and over again how much they loved her- neither wanting to leave- until at last they were interrupted by the nurse.

"It's not much longer." The woman said shortly but kindly. Lacus and Kira looked at eachother, each bending to kiss Cagalli.

"Hey," Cagalli said to them, "It's not good bye, guys. It's just a- 'see ya later', right?"

"Right." Said Lacus, as she let Kira support most of her.

"Yes," Kira agreed, trying to smile. "See you…later."

Cagalli nodded, holding out a pinky which he hooked in his. "It's a promise, Kira."

Heartbroken Kira and Lacus left, hardly making it to the elevator before they broke down crying into eachother, Kira holding Lacus to him.

While in the hospital room, Athrun and Cagalli were sharing memories.

"Remember that time you accidentally fell into the lake from leaning to far over the fence at that park?"

"How could I forget?" Athrun said trying to focus on the happiness the memory brought. "You gave me quite the mouth to mouth resuscitation afterwards that made it quite worth it!" Cagalli slapped him playfully, but her smack was so weak he hardly felt it.

"Or what about the time your secretary tried to seduce you." She laughed.

"You would find that funny-" Athrun shook his head. "Oh Meer,"

"And that one anniversary where you thought you had booked us a tropical-getaway but you got duped and we ended up in the middle of Mexico."

Athrun kissed her. "I remember still making a good time of it."

Cagalli smiled wanly. "Yes, we didn't have a lot of time- but what time we did have was good."

The conversation had gone from light to serious and something heavy grew in the pit of Athrun's stomach. He swallowed.

"Cagalli," he began but she shushed him.

"I don't want to hear it Athrun, you can talk to me forever after I'm gone, I'll listen. But for right now is the only time you can listen. So listen."

He nodded mutely.

She took a deep breath. "I want to say thank you. Thank you for making the last ten years the happiest time in my life." Her hand went up to rest against his cheek as she stared, mesmerized by his green eyes. "Thank you for making me so happy, and loving me and…and…I love you! I love you so mu-" but her words were caught off as Athrun kissed her deeply, his hand reaching around her to hold her head gently, his other hand supporting her back.

And as he kissed her, he committed everything, every feeling, sensation and thought to memory. Because he didn't want to let her go. He couldn't let her go. He loved her.

For a long period they kissed and held eachother, whispering words of comfort, tears, prayers and ever lasting love; making up for the time they would not have. "Don't forget about me," Cagalli cried at one point.

"Never," Athrun vowed, kissing every tear away.

At last, Cagalli was too tired to remain upright and he slowly, gently laid her down where she gazed up at him through bleary- half-lidded eyes.

"What do you think heaven's like." Cagalli asked, begging silently for reassurance.

Athrun smiled gently, stroking her hair as he gazed down at her lovingly. "It's going to be a wonderful place where you'll always be happy and anything is possible."

She nodded, accepting this. "Athrun," she said again. Blinking sleepily. "I'm scared." Her voice shook.

He took her hand in his. "I know, love, I am too."

"Stay with me." She pleaded.

"I will, always."

Watching her slowly succumb to exhaustion that would lead to a rest from which she would never wake up, Athrun silently was begging for more time. He wasn't ready to say goodbye. He wanted to hear her laugh more, and see her smile, and hear her whisper 'I love you' and kiss her senseless. Oh please, God, save her. Just save her!

"Athrun," her voice so faint. "I love you. And even when I die, I'll still love you."

He leaned forward and kissed her pale cool lips. "I will always love you, Cagalli. You will always have my heart."

"And you, mine.." her eyes closed again. "Athrun."

"Yes?"

"tell me a story."

"What kind of story?"

"A happy story…please…till…I fall asleep."

Athrun nodded, understanding and he kissed her one last time and whispered one last time. "I love you. I have loved you from the moment I met you- till the end of time, and I will see you again, and we'll be together again. I promise." A deep breath and then. Oh God, this is it- I'm not ready! "Once upon a time, there was a boy and he met a girl named Cagalli-"

"And we will never…forget you, Cagalli." The pastor finished and the harpist began again as the sea of black-dressed people formed a line that led up to the coffin.

Unlike most typical funeral scenes, the day was bright and sunny. A beautiful day.

Just like she would have liked it, Athrun thought as he walked at the front of the procession, in his hands a bouquet of roses and violets. Love and sorrow.

Thoughts swam through his head as he strolled listlessly, tears frozen in his emerald eyes.

How do you live with out your soulmate. He thought. How do you go from one day thinking of how you'll die old together- to the next day screaming that you didn't have enough time? And we didn't have enough time, Cagalli. Ten years will never be enough. Sighing he leaned his head back to peer up at the blue sky. Where are you, love? Where are you my beautiful angel?

And then he was before her coffin, the coffin that held her stiff cold body. The body that once held the soul of a woman he had embraced, kissed, danced, loved, adored…cherished.

And now it was empty. Empty like the world around him.

He laid the flowers on the coffin, running his hand down the smooth wood. "You were my best friend, my wife, my lover, and my soul mate. I will always love you and I'll find you again, one day. Wait for me, my love. Wait for me." He murmured to a Cagalli that was no longer there. "No more pain, Cagalli, no more nightmares, no more screams, no more hurt. You're safe now. And I promise I'll be strong for you. Cause you were strong for me." He shuddered, his heart feeling like someone had reached into his chest and fisted it. He looked out over the ocean, the shore that Cagalli loved so much. He could make out Kira and Lacus walking on the sand with their son Maxwell, looking for a suitable shell. All those who had known and loved Cagalli were there that day waiting patiently to have their turn to whisper good bye to the beloved woman.

"but it's not good bye, is it Cagalli." Athrun said, his eyes burning. The ring he knew he would never take off his finger glinted in the sunlight. "And you wouldn't want me to cry would you?" he took a deep breath. "I don't know how to live with out you, but you know I'll try. I'll think of you every day if not every moment of every day. You are my happiness…my life." He fingered the flowers he laid down and smiled sadly. "Roses are red, Violets are blue, I will always and forever love you." His shoulders straightened, he turned to join Kira and his whispered words just got caught by the traveling breeze, which carried them up to the heavens and to who knows what lay beyond.

"Till we meet again, love."

A broken husband, who didn't know life now with out his other half, walked away, head held high to face the future and what it brought- for he knew one day he would be reunited.

And to those who still stood at the funeral, paying their respects, could've sworn they heard a ghost whisper, no more then an echo in the breeze, a softLy ring. "It's a promise!"

Present time

February 14

"Dad, that guy's talking to himself!" On the crest of a hill a little boy tugged his father's sleeve, pointing unashamed down the slope to where an older gent with gray tinted blue hair sat with his back to a grave stone, facing the ocean.

The sun was sinking slowly into the sea, its last pink, purple, and orange rays like spears being thrown out over the sky in the sun's last strike against the dark that seeped over the world. The light shined across the man's face as he gazed somberly out over the ocean and his lips moved, forming words that the boy and his father couldn't discern.

The father, not unfamiliar with the strange sight smiled sadly and wrapped his arm around his son's shoulders. "He's been coming for as long as I can remember- always on this one day."

The little blonde boy wrinkled his nose, troubled. "Did his grandma die too?" he asked sadly.

"I don't know." His Dad admitted, uncomfortable with trying to feel another man's pain. "I've never spoken to him before. He's just always there, from early morning to sunset."

"Who do you think he's talking to? A ghost?!" The boy's eyes lit with excitement.

Seeing a road he didn't want to go down, the Dad quickly said to cut him off.

"I'm not sure- but I don't think that's it."

"Ohhh," his son responded thoughtfully. "Who's that?"

The dad turned his head to see a young woman, in her twenties with long blue hair, quite like the older man's, striding across the cemetery towards the man, in her arms a baby.

"I'm not sure." The dad said- his phone vibrated. "I think it's about time we get home though before your mother burns our valentine dinner!"

Holding his son's hand, he led his son on a skipping parade back down the hill to their car.

Meanwhile the woman holding the baby had come to a stop, out of breath.

"It's time, Dad." she said.

The man sitting at the base of the grave stone looked up with clouded green eyes that quickly focused and then warmed at the sight of the woman and her infant. Reaching up to lean heavily on the grave stone, the fifty-three year old man stood, dusting off the knees of his khakis.

"Miracle," he greeted the woman adoringly by her first name. Our Miracle.

The woman smiled, shifting her baby to her other arm, a thin wedding band glinting on her left ring finger. "I brought Jason, I figured they ought to be introduced the same way I was."

Athrun Zala smiled. "She would've liked that."

Carefully, Miracle kneeled before the grave stone of the mother she would never meet, holding the grandson up carefully. "Jason," she cooed, holding his tiny soft hand in her fingers. "Say hi to your Grandma."

Jason gurgled happily, kicking his feet and waving his hands.

Athrun placed a hand on his daughter's shoulder. The last gift his past wife had left to him. The sun in his world. Her eyes are just like her mother's. He thought, pride and love flooding through him.

"Cagalli," he whispered quietly and his daughter remained tactfully silent. "I want you to meet your grandson, Jason Athrun Asuka. He was born just two weeks ago and your daughter wanted to make sure you two were formally introduced."

A silence then transpired where the grandson laughed and shrieked, gazing up at his mother who was his entire world. As the daughter sat there, staring at the grave that marked the resting place of her mother, wondering just who this woman was, wondering how her mother could have chosen to risk her life to conceive her, and then fought to give an early birth that ended in a c-section even in the midst of dying; and wishing with all her heart that it had gone differently. And the father and husband stood straight, gazing out at the sunset as it blinded him and wishing that she was there. Isn't our daughter beautiful? She has your amber eyes and a soul of gold. She married Shinn Asuka's son, Brandon. Oh their wedding was wonderful- you would've loved it! And Lacus is pregnant again with their fifth child and Maxwell is graduating college this year.

"Dad, are you ready? It's time to go." Miracle stood up, interrupting Athrun's thought-report.

Athrun hesitated, looking at the sunset again that could hardly be seen over the waves. Twilight was drawing to an end and the moon and her kingdom had come to rein over this portion of the world. For all happy times must end so that others' happiness may begin.

"Go wait in the car," Athrun said quietly. "I'll be just one more minute."

Miracle pursed her lips. "Alright Dad, but one minute otherwise this little guy get's fussy, like his father." She gave a mock shudder before laughing as she walked away, bouncing her child.

Once alone, Athrun sighed, tilting back his head. "It's the end of another anniversary of the day we met, love. Twenty long years since you left me." A shudder ran through his body. "Twenty years of raising our daughter to be the wonderful woman she is now. Twenty years of living life to it's fullest. Twenty years of loving you still… Twenty long painful years… and still I can remember the exact way you smiled, the sound of your laugh the smell of your hair. I can remember every little detail but still, the memories aren't enough…" his voice dropped so low and hushed and full of longing. "I miss you, my soul mate, my only love. I miss you."

A car honked in the distance which meant Jason was upset and Miracle needed to get home. Athrun laughed and then sighed again. "Today was wonderful but night has come." He placed his two first fingers on his lips, kissed them and then touched his fingers to the cold stone. "Till we meet again, Cagalli." His traditional farewell that he said every year at the end of their day.

The man turned, his back to the last embers of the dying sun. The wind blowing his locks of hair free from behind his ears as he faced it, walking towards his awaiting family.

Another year had come and gone, bringing new memories to wash away the stains of the old. And somewhere out there in the world, Kira and Lacus were celebrating another anniversary in a happy marriage together. And somewhere out there in the world, Cagalli and Athrun's dearest friends were rejoicing in their little pieces of love and happiness, immune to the world and it's sorrows.

But in this piece of the world, on a beach where a girl had once danced with a boy whom she would later get purposed to on the same spot; where the sun's lights were drowned and the wind whispered secrets through the tall reeds of grass; and the shadows danced on the graves of the lost and the moon watched on from above; here where a widower, a father and simply just a man, burdened and burning with a love that both ached and soothed said farewell. Not for forever, but just for now. For while all days must end, not all loves must fade away. His would not- nor his memory ever dim- for that is the way of time and love. Simple things will come and go but what is truly important will always remain. One can never lose what one truly treasures. These treasures can only stay in our heart, always there; a bittersweet memory… an ever lasting love…These are the things that change us; these are the things that last; these are the things we Cherish.

~The End~

Please leave a review!

Author's note:

Well guys that's the end, and I must be honest, I nearly cried in the writing of it.

If you guys liked it that much, maybe one day I'll return to it and rewrite it as a multiple chaptered story where I go into their lives into higher detail- but just maybe, tell me what you guys think!

For those who need a time line (because the one written in the fanfiction IS skewed)

It goes like this

Thirty three years ago they met.

Cagalli was nineteen. Athrun was twenty.

Thirty one years ago they got engaged.

Cagalli was twenty one. Athrun was twenty two.
Thirty years ago they got married.

Cagalli is twenty two. Athrun is twenty three.

Twenty years ago Cagalli died.

Cagalli was thirty two. Athrun was thirty three. They had been married for ten years. Miracle was born.

Present time:

Athrun is fifty three, Miracle is twenty three.

That's all folks! Thank you for reading, I hope the story was as good for you to read as it was for I to write!

Please drop a word!

God bless!

Yours,

RS

Author's Replies!

hardcoreGSfan - I wouldn't think of it! *stage whisper, "Okay, Athrun, you're no longer needed" * hahah just kiddin :P It's a good profession to be talented in! We always need laughs in a world where there's so many upsetting things! I love the "heart because less-than-three shows up just as three' because that's what happens to me when I forget that fanfiction is lame and doesn't allow less-than. Well let's see, one boy was gently dismissed while the other was on the receiving end of Cagalli's knee and it will be safe to say that he won't be having any children - I affectionately refer to that one as Yuna. hahahha

Bibliomaniac -

You nailed it! hahaha. when I was writing this fanfiction I wanted the readers to walk away with the feeling of "sweet and bitter sweet" and you said that and I was like "YUSSSS I'm doing something right for once!" hahah Indeed- Cagalli is one of the more fun characters in fanfiction to write about :D

EmpatheticSympathetic-ohforget it. You know who you are :P -

Awwww that's so cute! (the hug thing i mean) Tell your friend she's received an awesome sauce award lol. Hurray for hugs! So let me see,,, I'm now three hugs away from surviving today! Whoo hoo! Awwww, why thank you :) The one disapointing thing about writing is that you'll never be able to read your own writing as a reader- if that makes sense? Like I can't pick up something I wrote and get excited cuz I already know the end. haha sometimes I wish other people would write my ideas before I get them so I can read them myself! :D hahaha, anyway after that weird in look into my mind, cough.

And that was the purpose of the second story- show the flow between the characters- it was a three part story of "How they met" - "How they got a long" - "And they lived happily ever after- sorta"

hahhaa I'll be honest, I've considered doing that before on other people's stories when they have the review count- "It's like a review's a review...no one will know anything heh heh heh." and then the angel on my right shoulder smacks me across the head and I have to be good... the end ... hahaha

Syalala-

yeaaaah, PTSD- did it not go well?

oh I'm sure he did ;)

Well in the anime it kinda felt like that when they met. They were strangers but they also seemed age old friends in a way. It was neat :) Updated! hahah , thanks for the review :)\

Mrs. Zala-

Yes :/ It is *pouts too*

I considered making it a longer fanfiction and who knows, maybe I'll come back to this one day and rewrite it into a longer fic- but for now i just wanted to focus on my three chapter goal. "How they met. " - "How they got a long"- "How they lived happily ever after- sorta" . Kinda wanted to show the good in the story despite the bad and I figured it was dramatic enough hahaha and thank you very much :) I hope you are doing well too! and thanks for the review :)

Poopsickle. Stick-

I saw your screen name. Read it twice. Burst out laughing. hahaha where in the world did you get the idea for that screen name ? hahaha! Awww! Well I hope so :) A story isn't good if the reader isn't sharing the fun of the character! And thank you for making me smile with your review!

Ethie-chan-

Awww! Thank you :) Hope this chapter was soon enough!

Yennefer -

I will email you back asap- after my netbook stops being a screw up (I'm tacking these review replies onto the end of the chapter from my ipod. Do you want to know writer hell? Well I have found it.) hahaha I wish I was a GS genius lol, whenever I think I have tapped into the character or story, I think of amazing fanfics like "the Isle." or something and I think "Nope, no way in h-e-double-french-fries (what an American phrase O_o) am I anywhere near that " hahaha, so I remain humble...somewhat :P and I figure everyone has a childish side to them...right? RIGHT? so we should all let it loose now and then.

Hahaha to the Quote of the day thing- I had to make my small jab at Gundam Seed somewhere :P So I figured it was that or Athrun has a son instead of a daughter and he names her Yuna. But even then there are some lines that I won't cross O_O .

Thank you! But I think real magic travels in razberry flavored ice that keeps me up at odd hours of the night to write wacky stories ahhaha

I ran and hid- and yet your email still found me :P

I will email you first chance I get on someone's lappy!

Nelshafeena-

Nope hahaa, sorryyy, I may have misspelled it- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Many veterans suffer from it after coming back from warfare so i figured it suiting...?

Yes, all good things must end :( And who knows, maybe I'll come back to this and turn it into a multiple fic story some day!

Thanks for the review :D

Bara no Chikai -

Thanks! PTSD* Post Traumatic Stress Disorder- very popular among war veterans!

Thank you for the review :)

THANKS EVERYONE!