Vixen: Okay, I know that this took a while, but I finally got the last chapter! It is extremly fluffy; so I hope you'll like it! And I need you to play this song: "IF Tomorrow Never Comes," by Garth Brooks; and please, use the link on my profile! And here's the final chapter!
If Tomorrow Never Comes
Namine stared pensively through the windshield as she dragged the brush through her hair. She was amazed that she had been able to get out of that hospital; the doctors certainly hadn't wanted to release her. It had taken some careful cajoling, but the blond and Kairi had finally managed to get away.
They continued to travel the dark roads with only the headlights and stars to guide them. Despite the beauty of the night, both women couldn't keep the dark, foreboding thoughts from entering their minds. The miles continued to tick away in stilted silence, because Kairi and Namine were just too nervous to speak.
Unable to stop it, Namine thought about another Christmas Eve, about five years ago. It was just a real simple little thing, but it still made her want to die.
She and Kairi had been out enjoying the Christmas lights as they did some last minute shopping. Not as big a shopper as Kairi, Namine was rather surprised at her enthusiasm for it today as, bright-eyed, she looked excitedly through the thick glass windows at all the beautiful Christmas displays. Maybe it was the Holiday season that affected her so strongly?
Seeing a place that caught her eye, Namine laughed gaily, "Come on Kairi, over here!" And, catching the red-head's hand, the suddenly hyper blond pulled her into the shop. It was filled with men's apparel; and at first, the two teenage girls seemed quite out of place.
A twinkling, knowing look in her bright blue-violet eyes, Kairi laughed, "What, come to get something for Riku?"
Hiding the slight blush that had crept up onto her cheeks, Namine replied, "Yeah, so what if I am? Don't you need to find something for Sora, Kai'?"
Laughing cheerfully, the red-head bounced slightly as she replied, "Yep, so I do. So tell me, are we gonna stand here flapping our mouths all day; or do we find the stuff for our guys?"
Shrugging, Namine replied to the lightly veiled barb, "Whatever." Turning her back, she started wandering through the store, examining a few pieces here and there. But she just couldn't find anything that she really liked.
After half an hour of this, Namine heard someone walking up behind her. Spinning around, she met the kindly face of the store owner, an older gentlemen with gray-streaked black hair and bright, twinkling blue eyes. A smile on his lips, he asked in a gentle voice, "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Rubbing her shoulder slightly, the blond replied, "I don't really know, sir. I was just looking for a Christmas present for someone close to me."
A knowing gleam in his eyes, he replied, "Is he much older than you?"
Slightly confused, Namine replied, "No, he isn't. He's only about a year my senior." Why would Riku's age matter? Well sure, if it was an older guy, like a father or uncle, they might not like something that someone in their teens would like. So it was probably a relevant question after all.
Bobbing his head slightly, the shopkeeper replied, "Than I think I might have the thing for you. Please, miss, come with me." Still perplexed, Namine followed him to the front of the store.
Taking her up to the register, the storekeep moved behind the counter and started shifting packages. Finally coming to a long, thin black box, he pulled it down gently as he said, "I think that your young man might like this miss. What do you think?"
Receiving the box from him when he handed it to her, Namine gently pried the lid open with her fingers; and instantly felt her breath taken away.
Lying on the velvet interior was one of the most beautifully worked men's necklaces she had ever seen. Delicately, she traced the finely worked cross with her finger. It was done in the Celtic design; and she marveled at the time and patience it must have taken the craftsman to create such an intricate piece. Quietly she admired the silver creation inlaid with an onyx crystal set in the heart of the cross.
Watching her reaction carefully as she studied the Celtic cross, the old man asked her softly, "Well? Do you think it fitting, lass?"
Meeting his gentle blue eyes with her own excited pools of sapphire, Namine breathed, "Yes. He'll love it; I know he will."
Coming up behind her just as Namine finished paying for the piece, Kairi said in an awed tone, "That is one gorgeous necklace. Is it for Riku?" At the answering nod, Kairi beamed and started in a childish, sing-song voice, "Riku and Namine, sittin' in a tree. K-I-S-S..."
Her face flushing a deep, bright scarlet, Namine screeched, "Shut-up!"
Shaking her head, Namine tugged the brush through her hair again. She knew what Kairi was like; she was a truly good friend, but sometimes, she'd act just like a four year-old; which, in turn, made Namine want to climb up a wall in humiliation.
Sighing, the blond set the brush down. Leaning her head against the back of the seat, Namine closed her eyes for a moment, trying to calm her nerves. As she remembered how much Riku had liked the pendant, she sighed softly, "Please, Riku, hold on. I almost gave up on you and myself; please, don't give up on me and you."
Her eyes springing open again, Namine stared pensively through the tall pines as Kairi moved the Mustang through town. She knew Kairi was as worried as she was, but the blond could feel her anxiety trying to drag her down; and she feared that, sooner or later, she'd be nothing but a hysterical mess.
Taking a deep breath, Namine forced herself to calm down. She couldn't lose control; she'd be no good to anyone if she had a nervous break-down. Watching the stars high above her, the blue-eyed blond breathed, "I won't leave you alone again, Riku, my heart; ever."
Motionless, Riku stared at the same star-filled sky through glassy eyes. Even though he'd journeyed up to this road almost thirty minutes ago, he hadn't been able to deliver the death blow.
Once again, he raised his sword arm, intent on driving the winking blue steel through his heart; once again, he was stopped by the same memory of a Christmas Eve not that long ago; a much happier one that he had spent with Namine. Closing his sea-green eyes, Riku let himself be swept up in the remembrance of that cherished moment.
The fire roared high in the hearth as crystal, pure white snowflakes fell outside the window. Totally relaxed and at ease, Riku slipped his hand down onto Namine's shoulder. Because he was seventeen and still living with his parents, he'd managed to get their okay to let Namine come over for Christmas Eve; seeing as how his mom and dad were going to be out of town, he thought it was the perfect opportunity to spend some time alone with Namine.
Glancing up when she felt the weight of his hand, Riku could see her pale lips curve into a soft smile. The firelight seemed to have darkened her eyes, until the usually sky toned pools appeared to be a deep, dark midnight blue. There was a contentment there that had been absent in her earlier years, and he was quite happy in the fact that Namine could finally enjoy what she was: a beautiful young woman with feelings, one that shouldn't be kicked around and abused on a moment's whim; but rather, one that should be cherished and taken care of, so that her beauty would never diminish, but would grow with tender care.
A thought coming into his mind, Riku asked her softly, "Hey, would you like your Christmas present early?"
Namine gave him a quick look before she nodded. Getting up, she left her seat by his feet to go to her room while Riku quickly ran to his. Meeting back in the living room, they both took a seat on the settee together. Riku cast a coveted glance at Namine as she gazed at the decked out Christmas Tree, seemingly lost in thought. Pulling herself to, she handed him a slim black box with a neatly tied blue ribbon on it that had a tag that read simply, "For Riku."
Giving her a long, thin package wrapped in white and tied with a scarlet bow, Riku sat back for a moment as Namine gently undid the wrappings. He let a pleased smile come to his lips as he heard her gasp of pleasure; because of something that she had told him months before, he knew that she would like the single, deep red rose and pearl necklace better then any more expensive gift. He felt his grin widen when Namine leaned toward him and, showing her gratitude, placed a honey sweet kiss on the corner of his mouth. Leaning back, she then looked at him and said breathlessly, "Open your's now, Riku; please."
Willing to do anything to please her, he carefully undid the ribbon on his present; then, lifting the lid, Riku admired the silver cross pendent that lay on the smooth bed of velvet. Looking up into Namine's soft eyes, Riku told her truthfully, "Thank you, Pretty Thing; but I fear that it's beauty and your radiance have put my simple rose to shame."
Faking a pout, Namine thrust her pretty lip out as she retorted, "Put it to shame, my hat. The rose is lovely, Riku; it's the best thing you could have given me." Softening her manner, she said in a quiet tone, "I love you Riku."
The words on the tip of his tongue, Riku shoved them down as he said tenderly, "Come here, Pretty Thing; you have to be freezing."
Eager to comply, Namine quickly scooted closer to him. Laughing slightly, Riku dragged a blanket from the back of the couch, carefully spreading it over her shoulders. Breathing a contented sigh, she snuggled closer to him; and he knew that she welcomed the arms that he wrapped around her.
Watching the flames dance in the fireplace for a while, it was almost half an hour before Namnie spoke again. Having missed the soft query, Riku asked her softly, "I'm sorry; what'd you say?"
Half closing sleepy eyes, Namine purred, "Have you ever thought about the future, Riku? I mean, what do you see? Are we... together?"
Not answering immediately, Riku stared into the fire, a faint frown on his face as he thought it over. Finally, he said softly, "Yeah, I've thought about it sometimes, Namine. I see a lot of different things; but the thing that's always the same is that I'm not alone; you're there to face the future with me." Deciding to fire the question right back at her, he asked in a slightly playful tone, "And just what do you see, Namine?"
His question was met with silence. After a few minutes, Riku whispered, "Namine?" But when she still didn't answer, he took a good look at her face; and a smile crept across his when he realized that she had fallen asleep. Hugging her closer to him, he said softly, "Sweet dreams, my Pretty Thing." Lying his head back against the arm of the couch, he closed his eyes; and soon, he too had fallen asleep, a vision of a small, blond beauty with bright blue eyes creeping into his dreams.
His eyes snapping back open, Riku stood still for the longest moment. Bellowing a hoarse oath, he suddenly threw the blade far from him as he slumped in the cold snow. Hardly feeling the chill dampness as it soaked his clothes, Riku muttered to himself something that his father had often told him, "Suicide is the coward's way out; there is no honor involved."
Looking to the star filled sky, he thought for a moment about Namine's bright, twinkling blue eyes as tears leaked from his own. Finally finding his voice, Riku whispered softly, "Forgive me, Pretty Thing, for coming so close to being such a coward. Even if a happy tomorrow never comes for me, I don't want you to have to suffer because I couldn't live without you. I'd rather wander through a lonely life without you then force you to go on without me if you ever wake up; I don't want to hurt you anymore then I already have."
Reaching into the neckline of his coat, Riku drew out the Celtic cross that Namine had given him five years before. Gently fingering it, he whispered softly, "I'm sorry for hurting you Namine; if you ever come back to me, I promise, I won't do it again."
After hours, or so it seemed to her, Namine could see the great, towering redwoods that lined the road to her house. A sudden, overwhelming fear forced itself into her mind, but she shoved it down with a just as sudden will of steel. But still, she couldn't stop her nervous habit as she smoothed the hem of her deep blue dress; then, she fingered the pearl necklace she wore. It was the exact same outfit that she had been wearing when she was supposed to go with Riku for that date earlier in the month.
Finally, just when she felt that she couldn't take anymore, Namine cried out, "Here; stop here, Kairi!" The blond braced herself as the car came to a screeching halt; but she couldn't quell a sudden, cold thrill of dread as her eyes landed on the saber in the middle of the road.
Throwing herself against the door, Namine scrambled from the Mustang as Kairi was killing the ignition. She didn't pay any attention to the pain in her arm when she slammed the cast against the vehicle in her haste to get out. Recognition of the blade didn't ease her fears; if anything, seeing the bluish steel made Namine's heart race twice as fast. Worry in her bright blue eyes, she called in a tear-filled, half strangled scream, "Riku!"
((and this is where Kairi seems to just disappear! sniggers))
He froze at the sound of the familiar voice. Closing his eyes, he stayed absolutely still, not saying anything; he didn't know if what he heard was for real, or if it was his aching mind playing tricks on him. But then, he heard that honey-smooth voice again as it cried out in panic, "Riku, answer me, please!"
The shine coming back to his eyes, he jumped to his feet, all misery forgotten. But he felt a measure of it return when he saw Namine racing toward him with such fear in her eyes; a fear that he hadn't seen in those bright azure pool in eight years. He was surprised by her strength as she ran full-bore into his chest; her arms going around his neck so tightly that he felt like she had him in a strangle hold. But he wasn't bothered by this; he just returned her embrace with one of gentle steel, being careful not to jostle her arm too much.
Namine knew she was crying; but she could have cared less. She clung to him like he was the only stable thing in the world; and she'd go flying of into space if she let go for even a second. Her face buried in his jacket, it was a few moments before she registered a cool touch on her cheek. Focusing, she saw the Celtic cross that she had given him hanging right over his heart. Leaning her head back on his chest, she muttered softly, "I'm sorry, Riku. I should have never..."
"What are you sorry for, Pretty Thing?" he asked her, completely taken aback. "You couldn't have seen what was coming, Namine. But I shouldn't have flown off the handle at you."
Laughing slightly, she whispered softly, "I guess we're just a bunch of fools."
"Yeah, I guess; but they say that some of the biggest fools are those that are in love." He could see her puzzled look as she glanced at him. This time, it was his turn to laugh softly as he said quietly, "I was so afraid that I'd lost you, Pretty Thing. I just couldn't help but think about the fact that I'd never said anything..." His voice trailed off as he stared up at the moonlit sky, almost as if he was searching for the words from the stars. Slowly, he started singing a very familiar song, one that put the point across quite clearly.
If tomorrow never comes,
Will she know how much I loved her;
Did I try in every way,
To show her every day,
That she's my only one?
And if my time on Earth were through,
And she must face this world without me;
Is the love I gave her in the past,
Gonna be enough to last?
If tomorrow never comes.
Looking into Namine's eyes, he could see that, once again, they were no longer that bright, sky blue. Rather, they were a dark, sultry midnight blue; coupled with the pearls that he gave her, the held such a sparkling, intense look that he nearly had his breath stolen away. But he still managed a hoarse whisper, "I was so worried that you were never going to wake-up, Namine. I... I hadn't told you anything that I should have. I love you, Pretty Thing; I've loved you forever, and I'll love you until eternity."
She wanted to believe him, but there was just one small thing troubling her mind. Looking up into his bright, sea-green eyes, she muttered softly, "I believe you... but what happened? Why were you so mad at me?"
Understanding completely what she meant, Riku laughed, "You've got to be furious with me, haven't you, Pretty Thing? And I can't say that I really blame you; I was a complete, total and absolute ass that day from stress."
Namine was totally unprepared for what happened next. Reaching into his coat pocket, she saw Riku pull out a small, square velvet box as he got down on his knee. Lifting the lid, she could see the beautiful, heart-shaped diamond set between a sapphire and a ruby. Her eyes shining, she knew her answer as she heard Riku say in a soft tone, "I don't want to find myself in a tomorrow where you're missing from my life; I don't want a future where you're with some other guy because I never said anything; I don't want to spend my life alone, without you. I want to wake up with you beside me, with the dawn light turning your hair to pure gold in it's new born purity. I want to see your eyes bright and shining, full of the love that you deserve. I can only pray that you feel the same way. Please, Namine, please; will you marry me?"
She could feel the tears welling up as she looked down into his bright, aquamarine eyes, so hopeful and desperately in love. She was amazed by this; Namine hadn't guessed that Riku could be such a poet. Her answer was heart-felt as she collapsed into his arms. "Yes," she whispered, pressing tearful kisses against his face, "Yes, Riku my heart."
The promise of snow was in the air as Riku walked outside, a bright spark in his eyes. He still couldn't believe that this was his life; he couldn't believe the joy that he felt at the moment. Last Christmas Eve had been so different from this one; it had seemed so bleak and barren; promising nothing but pain and loneliness. Now, the day before Christmas, he couldn't believe the changes that a year could make. There wasn't a single more that he could possibly ask for.
His mind touching on certain memories, a smile came to his lips as he thought of the past few months. He had to admit that they had been rather trying for him and Namine; but the rewards were certainly worth the pain.
A thought coming to him, he slipped back inside. Grabbing Namine's jacket as he passed the front closet, he met the blond in the living room. Catching her eye, he asked her, "Are they asleep?"
Meeting his eyes from her position on the sofa, sapphire blue met aquamarine as she replied, "No, not yet. Why?"
Setting the coat down for a moment, he said softly, "I want you to come outside. Bring Leyla and Holly."
A smile on her soft lips, Namine climbed to her feet. "I'll be back in fifteen minutes," she promised. Turning toward the stairs, the light glanced off the wedding band on her left hand as the ring flashed golden.
Coming back down the stairs, she slipped into the coat that Riku had ready for her. Then, picking up Leyla while Riku took Holly, they went outside with the two infants.
Riku's timing had been perfect; the first white, crystalline snowflakes started falling as they went out into the cold air. A smile on their faces, the twins cooed excitedly as they watched this strange, unfamiliar advent. This was their first snowfall, and with all their wonderful, three-month old fascination they watched in awe as the world slowly started to turn white.
Her bright, baby blue eyes on the winter sky, Leyla enjoyed her mother's arms as she made infant sounds of delight. Not quite as bold as her sister, Holly clung to Riku, burying her little blond head in his jacket as she mumbled in a confused tone. Hearing her twin, Leyla squealed impatiently as Namine tried to hide a laugh; she knew exactly what the baby wanted.
Switching her over to Riku, Namine held Holly tightly as she watched Leyla's happy face. There was no mistaking who's daughter she was, the blond thought happily, as Riku and Leyla leaned their heads together, the winter light glancing off their silvery hair. A delighted laugh came from the little girl, mingling with her father's deeper chuckle as they seemed to share in some private joke.
It promised to be the best Christmas ever; for Namine because she no longer doubted her love for Riku; for Riku because he knew that, no matter what, the one that he loved knew how he felt, so that if no tomorrow came for him, she would always know how she felt for him.
Vixen: I really hope you enjoyed this final chapter. Please, leave a review; and tell me what you think of the video!