I thought my life was over when Treize was gone, until I met a little girl. Her name, I'm sure will be familiar, was Mariemaie Khushrenada. I wanted to cry when I found out who she was. Treize's daughter. Not mine. Some other woman gave birth to the child that should have been mine. Ours. No one could possibly love him the way I did, and I know he felt the same. I was angry, jealous and...hurt. I quickly learned to love the child as if she were mine. She was another person Treize had left behind, and she was more alone than I. She was so young and had no family, so I vowed to become her family because I needed someone too. Not really to take Treize's place, but to fill the void where he had been in my heart. I was trying to let go of him, let him rest because he deserved that. It didn't work because every time I looked at her I saw him anyway. I helped her through those hellish years of physical therapy. She was a marvelous little girl. She fought with the heart of her father to be able to walk again. She never gave up once. When everyone had given up hope of her ever leading a normal life, she didn't and proved to the world that determination creates miracles. We weren't always alone. There was Wufei, who she called her brother. They had a relationship that no one could touch. Wufei was so fond of her, and would never let anything happen to his "little sister." There was also Zechs and Noin. Well, she prefers Lucrezia now. Lucrezia Merquise. Most of us that knew that couple thought that they would never get married. Then a certain thirteen year-old got angry at Zechs and screamed, "Why don't you just marry her!?" "Who?" Zechs asked. The look on his face was priceless. That was one of those moments when I wish I had my camera. He fought desperately to try to keep stoic but in vain. "Zechs, you are too old for that game." Mar sighed, "Do you love her?" I had never seen Zechs blush before, but he was the brightest shade of red I could imagine! I thought for sure I was going to laugh as I stood there listening to their debate. In a hopeless attempt to keep from laughing I mumbled something about making tea and left the room. I turned to see Zechs give me a glare that said 'Please shut her up!', and in reply I smiled and waved. Then I had a good laugh in the kitchen. That evening after we sent Mar to bed, Zechs suddenly asked "What do you think?" "Hmm?" I asked as I sipped my tea. "About Noin and I?" "Lucrezia," I corrected, "And I think Mariemaie is a very intelligent young lady." Zechs nodded in affirmation, "Maybe a little too intelligent." I just smiled and took a sip of tea. "Do you think she'll have me?" I almost spit my tea out, but instead I inhaled it and ended up choking for a good three minutes or so. Once my coughing fit had died down, Zechs smiled and said, "I guess you're right." Three months later they were married. Two years later Mariemaie went on her first date. It was also the first--and last--time she lied to me. His name was Zak and I was happy for her, but I also thought she was too young. I discussed my situation with Lucrezia. "At fifteen, Heero Yuy was flying Gundams around, mastering the Zero System, and saving the world." She made a good point. I was overreacting. "Treize and I shared our first kiss at fifteen." "Oh, Lady..." She didn't try to comfort me further; I had already changed the subject. At eighteen, Mar and Zak decided to get married. I was so glad that she had fallen that much in love. She was able to accomplish what I never could. The wedding was absolutely beautiful. She had asked Zechs to walk her down the aisle, which I thought was very fitting. Not only Treize's best friend but also the guy Mar went to whenever she needed advice from a "father figure". During the ceremony, Lucrezia sat on my right, my left was vacant. I wanted it that way, I can't really explain it, but I knew I would just feel weird if anyone other than my Love sat next to me. Treize had asked me to marry him when I was eighteen, but the war came and we were forced to put our hands on hold. Then he was taken away from me and our dreams were shattered. Mariemaie made a beautiful woman; she had that attractive feature about her that was around Treize. She had his smile; the sincere affectionate one he only showed to me. Her eyes were happy, yet somehow always sad. No matter how happy she is, her eyes still hold a deep unspeakable sadness, just like her father. I shed a single tear, but wiped it away before it touched my cheek. She was so happy; I wished that Treize were there. Mar and Zak had the ideal marriage. They were madly in love, more in love than anyone I had ever known. Even Zechs and Lucrezia’s relationship couldn’t compare. I never knew them to have a fight, and if they ever did it was a small disagreement that was quickly forgotten. People think that people who are that in love only maintain it for a short period of time. But they are still madly in love, and I will miss them so much. They named their son Treize. He is twenty-three now, and looks almost like an exact replica. The only major difference is that his hair is black, and his eyebrows don’t do that…”thing”. I only hope that as he grows his heart will grow like his grandfather’s as well. I’m dying. I have been for four months or better. I’ve been able to conceal it for three months; it makes things easier if people don’t know. People treat the Dying differently once they know, because they try to do all of the things they want to be remembered for. It’s like they are afraid that at the end of life the Departing think differently about the way they were treated. I suppose I do. I appreciate what my daughter has given me over the years; from a huge learning experience to a family. The virus was easy to conceal for a while. It just makes me tired, so I sleep. Most of the time I fight the fatigue, but I always knew one day I would give in to sleep and not wake again. Now I’m getting tired of fighting, so I’m giving in. Mar is crying, she begs me to stay with her, that she needs me, but I know she is a strong woman now, and she has her own family. She’s not alone anymore. I then notice a different sort of figure across the room from me. I’m not alone anymore, either. “I’ve waited for you a long time, Love.” His voice is soothing, and he looks exactly the way I remember him. “Will you do me one small favour before you come with me?” He knows the answer and continues, “Tell Mariemaie that I love her and am very proud of her.” I comply, say my last farewells to the living, and enter Treize’s strong embrace once again. “I’m sorry, I’ve kept you waiting.” I say. “Not at all. I’ve been with you everyday, falling more in love with you every time I wanted to hold you.” He gently kisses me, just like that first time in the rose garden, and I know I’ve finally found the life I’ve been missing. |
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