Lost Love

Chapter 1


2 years later

"Yes, I understand." Cagalli told Representative Kobayashi. "Let me assure you that we will be able to settle this situation by tomorrow. So, I advise that you stay put and not do any unnecessary things. The paperwork will be sent to you as early as sunset."

"But chief representative," he started. "Adviser Lionel is a very impatient man and he demanded that…"

"Representative Kobayashi," Cagalli sighed. "I did not send you there to look as if you are deterred by their impatience and demands. The king of Scandinavia is the ruler of the country and not Adviser Lionel. And you are of the same rank as an adviser of Scandinavia. So I suggest that you trust me, alright? Furthermore, Missus Erica Simmons will be accompanying you and she is already on her way."

And the line went dead.

Cagalli massaged the bridge of her nose and leaned back on her chair, not minding the amused expression of Ledonir Kisaka.

"Are you really certain that Representative Kobayashi can trust your word on that?" he asked.

"Kisaka, you know full well I never go back on my word." Cagalli glared at her former bodyguard. "That treaty's not even due for another week. Adviser Lionel's kidding himself and Kobayashi was coward enough to take his word over mine."

"Don't say that," Kisaka crossed his arms. "I heard Lionel's a hard man to work with after all."

"Whatever," Cagalli rolled her eyes. "Now, why are you here?"

Kisaka grinned. "Someone called for you."

"Let me guess," Cagalli clasped her hands. "Someone by the name of Carina Ashlyn?"

"Do I need to say more?"

"I swear, I've got no idea how, at one year and ten months, she knows how to use a phone." Cagalli sighed.

"Well, considering she's a coordinator and taking note as well that her father's a celebrated mobile suit pilot, war hero, too good of a technician and her mother's the famed chief representative of the Orb Union and a war hero as well…well, you do the math." Kisaka said.

"Yeah, I already did." Cagalli agreed. "Don't worry, I'll call her later."

"Hi, Sweetie," Cagalli said after she heard her daughter pick up from the other line. "Uncle Kisaka said you called. Is there any problem?"

"Ooh," Carina's voice chimed in. "Mommy, I made a paper crane! Grandma Caridad taught me how!"

"Oh, really?" Cagalli's voice changed to a softer tone. "Are you going to let Mommy see it?"

"Yes!" Carina giggled. "Ooh…a butterfly!"

Cagalli smiled to herself at the thought of Carina running around in her sundress. "Carina, dear? Would you get Grandma Caridad for me?"

"Grandma!" Carina called and soon, Cagalli heard an older lady's voice instead.

"Hi, Aunt Caridad," Cagalli said. "Thanks so much for doing this. Really."

"Oh, it's no big deal. She's a joy to be with," Caridad answered. "She's rather smart…imagine, a one year old child knowing how to make a paper crane!"

"Yes, she does surprise me quite a lot," Cagalli agreed. "But isn't Kira like this when he was young?"

"Well, Kira's a different kind of smart." Caridad mused. "Carina's very social and artistic, creative, imaginative…while Kira's more mathematical and scientific. He mastered trigonometry by the age of four!"

"I know," Cagalli laughed. "I have to go, though, Aunt Caridad. Thanks for babysitting her again."

"It's my pleasure and you can bring her over anytime." The older lady replied. "So you'll pick her up after work?"

"Yes," Cagalli smiled. "Thanks again, bye."

It's been two years since Cagalli gave birth to her daughter, Carina Ashlyn Athha. Only a few people knew of her existence, to be quite honest. And these few all thought that Carina was Cagalli's adopted daughter. It wasn't hard to forge a few papers, which was probably the only corrupt thing that Cagalli's ever done while being the chief representative. Kisaka and Erica Simmons helped out and Caridad and Myrna were more than understanding of her situation.

The hardest thing about keeping the pregnancy a secret was when Cagalli started showing. Kisaka was able to invent an excuse though- that Cagalli had been sick and needed to be isolated for four to five months. She lived at Caridad's place then and delivered the baby there.

So as not to seem suspicious, she let her aunt take care of her daughter for six months and then Erica was able to forge the adoption papers when Cagalli was ready to bring back the child to live with her. By then, Carina had already spoken her first word.

For Carina's safety and protection from paparazzi and media, Cagalli decided to move to a smaller house upstate (like Reverend Malchio's orphanage) with her daughter and Myrna while Kisaka often came for visits.

Since Myrna went on vacation yesterday at Cagalli's urging, Carina was now left at the care of her Grandma Caridad during the day, much to the delight of Caridad, actually.

Cagalli wasn't sure whether or not she made the right decision of keeping Carina's existence and identity a secret but for her, if it meant that her daughter will be able to live a carefree, happy and peaceful life, not haunted by her parents' past, followed everywhere by the media and everything, then she'll do everything she can, even if it meant hiding the truth from her until she's ready.

In all honesty, even Kira and Lacus didn't know about Carina. And if they didn't know, Athrun surely didn't either. That's another thing Cagalli pondered for a long while-to tell them or not. But the others had advised that maybe it would be better if Kira, Lacus and Athrun didn't know, not until the right time comes because telling them might just be as well as telling the world the truth and that might ruin everything Cagalli's worked for to protect Carina. So for now, Cagalli will have to keep the truth from them too.

Kira and Lacus visited just recently, actually. And Cagalli sent Carina and Myrna to an island the Athha family owned for a few days. (Thank God, they called before visiting.) Luckily, the married couple-yes, Kira and Lacus are married, did not suspect a thing. Athrun, on the other hand did not return to Orb ever since the second war ended nor contacted Cagalli, though he still kept in touch with Kira and Lacus daily. But Cagalli still knew where he was. Of course, he's an important person up in PLANT. Lacus, now known as the chairwoman of the PLANT Supreme Council, assigned him to be the Supreme Commander of the ZAFT military while Kira was assigned to be the head of Lacus' protection squad.

Cagalli sighed.

In her mind, she still had too many questions to ask herself-too many insecurities and worries.

She wasn't a fortune teller or an oracle. She was only human who's trying to make good decisions for the betterment of the lives of her daughter and the citizens of Orb.

And for two years, she hadn't made bad decisions like forming a treaty with the Earth Alliance and declare war on PLANT and marrying a goofball. But who knows? The future isn't our ally or our enemy. But it does do some things beyond our imagination.

And as much as it's annoying, it's also exciting- to look forward whatever the future has in store for us.


So, I really hope you liked the chapter. Please review!