"Papa…when were you going to tell me that Momma is dead?"

The question hit him like a bullet train.

"What are you talking about Maka?" Spirit attempted to cover, hands moving exaggeratedly with his nerves, "That's quite a harsh thing to say! You're momma is just busy, travelling the world—

"Cut the bullshit!" Maka shouted, hand cutting through the air to emphasize her point.

Spirit's eyes became distant as his thoughts turned inward, reflecting on one of the darkest days of his life.

"How did you find out?" his voice was soft, hesitant.

"The Momma I know and love never would have stayed away in Death City's hour of need. You just confirmed what I suspected."

"Maka…" Spirit wanted to hold his child, but he knew it would probably be unwelcome.

Maka hugged herself, eyes cast to the side and down. Now came the question, and the answers she was dreading.

"When did Momma die?"

Spirit swallowed, trying to suppress tears. He never wanted his daughter to know the truth about her mother. He would have been happy with her despising him forever over a divorce than for Maka to know that her mother was dead. His wife had meant the world to Maka.

"Momma died the day I announced she had divorced me. Her death…it was so stupid! She was walking around in Norway and was struck by a car. She didn't even make it to the hospital!"

Spirit was crying, and he wiped at his runny nose. In a way it was cathartic to finally reveal the truth, a truth that Lord Death had agreed to obscure. Spirit didn't really understand why Lord Death had agreed. Maybe out of pity? Did he see his Death Scythe breaking, and know that a lie was the bandage necessary to keep him together?

It was easy afterwards, to pretend his wife was simply wandering around the world. To pretend that she had divorced him for his philandering ways—God knows he would have deserved it. He played the role perfectly. A few postcards to Maka every now and then signed as her mother stopped any suspicion.

It had worked beautifully for so long. He had been living a lie for so long.

"Papa…"

Spirit wiped his eyes, "Yes, Maka?"

Maka was much closer to him now. He could hug her in just a step.

"I can't forgive you for not telling me."

Here it was, his final judgement. He deserved this.

Then to his surprise, Maka was wrapping her arms around him, crying into his chest.

"Why did you have to carry this burden alone?!"

"Maka…"

Spirit rested his chin on his daughter's head, and held her tightly.

"You're such a stupid Papa!"

They held eachother for quite some time. Finally, Maka let go.

"No more lies, Papa."

"No more lies," Spirit agreed.

"…Now take me to see Momma."

Father and daughter walked together to the Death Room, and stopped before a certain grave site.

"I wanted to always be near her…" Spirit admitted.

"She was here all along…watching over me."

"It's where she would have wanted to be. Momma loved you very much."

Maka smiled, tears glistening down her face.

[fin]

Standard Disclaimer applies. Story set after the end of the manga. Please share your thoughts.