A short Laxana one-shot in honor of 9/11.
A woman stood motionless, staring blankly at the pool before her. Staring at the spotlights that would light up the sky when night fell, filling the space where the towers had once stood tall.
Staring at the name carved in the bronze, a name that she had grown to love through all that they had been through, until he was ripped away from her.
She bowed her head, long, wavy brown hair tumbling forward and hiding her face as tears began sliding down her cheeks.
It had been 13 years.
13 years since he got the promotion.
13 years since he had finally gotten to work in his dream job at the top of the tower, overlooking the city the two of them loved so much.
13 years since they had had joked about her drinking, or his silly fuzzy coat.
13 years since he had kissed her goodbye every morning.
13 years since she had stood in the kitchen, watching the dishes as she listened to news.
13 years since she stood, shell shocked, in front of the television, broken shards of glass on the kitchen floor, soapy water covering her arms.
13 years since she had leapt in her car and driven as fast as she could to the site, praying desperately.
13 years since her friends had dragged her, kicking and screaming, away from the wreckage and fire.
13 years since they had stayed with her for days, watching over her as she drew further and further into herself with every passing hour that he was gone.
13 years since they had been unable to find his body.
13 years since she had tried to join him.
13 years since the doctors who kept her from him had told her of his last gift for her.
13 years since she had quit drinking.
13 years since she moved in with his grandfather, to keep them both afloat.
13 years since…
"Mama!"
The woman turned at the sound, tearing herself away from her memories.
She smiled, eyes shining with tears, at the sight of the 13 year old girl, with long blond hair and headphones permanently around her neck, looking at her worriedly.
The girl reached up and wiped at her mother's damp cheeks.
The woman closed her eyes and slipped her hand into her daughter's.
"Let's go, Cornelia."
As they walked away, hand in hand, she looked back at the pool surrounded by names.
Goodbye, Laxus.
Goodbye, my love.