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With a deep sigh, Lady Une said, “Mariemaie, this is Treize. Your father.” Treize turned to look at Lady and took note of the sincere motherly expression she beheld. His eyes questioned, but Mariemaie’s voice stopped him from asking. “But I thought you said that he...?” “Treize, meet your daughter.” “Ours?” he whispered. “Is it really him?” Mariemaie asked. “Marie, why don’t you eat breakfast and we will discuss all of this after your father and I talk some.” Mariemaie nodded her approval and closed the door as she left. Treize gave Une a look of total confusion “Is she?” he asked again. Lady let out a sigh “No, she’s not. She’s ten, Treize. I would have been about eleven at the time. And we didn‘t meet until I was thirteen. Leia is her mother.” A glimmer of understanding showed on Treize's face, followed by a look of shame. “Lady, I had no idea. I truly mean that. No one mentioned a baby to me. Ever. I would never have--” “Treize, it doesn’t matter. I've adopted her. I thought with you gone and her mother. . .” He kissed her tenderly “You thought right. Lady, you are wonderful.” He enveloped her in his arms and pressed his head to hers. She tried to get out of bed but felt weak with the sudden movement. Treize laid a hand on her shoulder “Lady, I want you to sleep now, and I would like to get to know my daughter.” With a sigh of forbearance she closed her eyes and rolled to her side. “Treize?” she said as she heard him open the door. “What is it, my love?” he questioned “Promise when I awake that you will still be here.” His heart broke at the sound of her plea. He walked back over to her and kissed her hand. “I promise that I will be here when you wake up,” he leaned down to her ear and whispered “For now and always. Sleep, my beloved Lady.” At that he walked out the door to speak with his daughter for the first time. Lady Une fell fast asleep with the comforting thought of having her only love back in her life. *One week later* Lady turned on her laptop to write her newest journal entry. “I never knew you kept a journal. This is new to me.” Treize said absentmindedly from their bathroom. “I started keeping logs when I formed the Preventers. It helped me get my thoughts down clearly.” “Hmm,” was his reply as he went back towards the bathroom. She opened her journal and began typing: I am so glad he’s back, and even gladder that he is here to stay. It’s like we have a chance to start over. We have a chance to lead a normal “Mom! You must see this rose!” Mariemaie called from the front door. “In a minute, Mariemaie, just let me--” “No, Mother, quick, I want to give it to Father!” She gave a sigh of exasperation as she put her laptop on the table to see this flower that her daughter was so eager to show her. “Well, let’s have a look,” she said as she stepped out the door. In Mariemaie’s hands was the most beautiful red rose in the entire world. “Oh, it’s perfect! Quick, let’s get it to a vase before he sees it,” Lady seemed more excited than her daughter. They picked out a crystal vase with intricate designs on it, and Mariemaie ran to find her father. She dragged Treize into the kitchen; he was feignly protesting all the way. Lady left father and daughter to discuss the loveliness of the rose and went back to her journal. She sat in her chair to continue where she had stopped, and gasped when she reached for her computer. On the keyboard lay a red rose, just as perfect as the one Mariemaie had picked for her father. There was a not typed where she had left off : Lady, you truly are the reason I am alive and continue to live. Even in the hospital, the beautiful face that haunted my dreams with yearning was yours. I finally found you and I have no intention of ever letting you go again. Lady, I love you with all of my heart and soul, and everything that I am. Without you I was a body without meaning. You give me so many reasons to live. I have only one more thing to ask of you and I should have done so many years ago, though the war would have made it a difficult thing to accomplish. May I please have you to call my own not only in heart but in name? What I mean to say is Lady, I want you to marry me more than anything else in this world. Tears flowed as Lady read and reread the message. Voices were coming towards her room, Lady wiped her face and waited. In walked Treize, with Mariemaie tailing behind him, he looked at Lady and said “Look at this most perfect rose, in this most perfect vase, given to me by the most perfect daughter!” All she could do was smile and fight back her tears of joy. Treize looked towards his daughter for the approval of his daughter. She gave it to him willingly with a nod of the head, and Treize offered his hand to Lady. She took his hand with no hesitation and he pulled her towards him. “Lady, I think you have something for me” “And what might that be?” she said in wonderment. “An answer to the pending question.” He said, pulling out a beautifully crafted silver ring. “Mister Treize, you know exactly what I will say” she replied with an air of pride. “I need you to say it, Love.” Lady looked passed Treize to see Mariemaie leaning against the doorframe with her usually buoyant smile. “I think you are supposed to say something to me first,” she toyed. He sighed, and got down on his knees. “Lady, you are the only woman for me and I would die if you refused to marry me this very instant,” he played out the scene so beautifully that it didn’t matter that it was a cliché. “Lady, I am begging you,” he whispered. She breathed in deeply, “Yes,” she cried, “I will. I couldn’t last another minute without you.” With that he slipped the ring onto her finger and stood up to kiss his fiancee. She pulled out of the kiss, “Treize, there is a young lady present.” He turned to wink at his daughter and she signaled him a thumbs-up and left the room. He turned back to his object of affection and said “I remembered that you are not very fond of flashy and expensive jewelry, and I noted that you adored silver.” There was no need for words, she simply wrapped her arms about his shoulders and held him to her, vowing never to let go. |