The music played and she began to twirl around like a ballerina in a music box, so gracefully and beautifully. The music filled the room flowing through her body and through her movements. Her angelic face expressing such happiness when she danced, such a soft smile.
Suzaku could not take his eyes off her when she danced.
This is it Lelouch. This is the happiness I have been longing for all these years. She brightens each morning with her gorgeous smile. I could listen to her laugh all day if I could. She is a miracle Lelouch, our miracle. I promise I wont let her go ever.
The music stopped and she curtsied as the room echoed with applause from her fellow classmates.
"Bravo, well done," her teacher Mrs. Edel praised. "Luluko that was absolutely lovely."
"Thank you Mrs. Edel. I practiced real hard." Luluko said.
Suzaku watched as Luluko attended her regular dance class. He could see her one-day being up on a large stage dancing in front of an enormous admiring audience if she so wanted too. She could aspire to be the greatest ballerina. Maybe she'll dance for her royal highness someday.
Suzaku suddenly stops daydreaming. The thought of her is almost painful. It's been years since they've last seen each other. He hasn't seen her since that day. Then Suzaku comes to realize something else. The two of them have never met have they? Do they even know about one another?
"Dad?" Luluko's sweet voice breaks Suzaku from his thoughts.
Suzaku looks up and puts his troubled thoughts away, and smiles at her.
"Hey, all done?"
"For today." Luluko says sounded a little down.
Suzaku laughed lightly, she sure loves to dance.
"Hello," Mrs. Edel comes and greats Suzaku.
"Mrs. Edel," Luluko says, " Mrs. Edel this is my dad Suzaku."
"It's nice to meet you," Mrs. Edel says.
"Pleasures all mine," Suzaku replies.
"Your daughter is very talented and has quite the love for dance."Edel tells him.
"Thank you," Suzaku says with a bit of pride. He can't help it.
"Now you go on and practice Luluko," Mrs. Edel tells her.
"Yes ma'am."
Luluko hums happily as they walk home. Her steps are light as if her feet are still dancing, unable to stop. Suzaku watches her, unable to stop smiling.
Suzaku suddenly thinks back to his thoughts of before. How Luluko doesn't know everything about Lelouch and about her relation to her royal highness. They may never meet; they may never know each other. It's saddens Suzaku since he knows how much she meant to Lelouch and how much Lelouch struggled with the decisions he made.
"Hey Suzaku."
A cheerful voice breaks Suzaku from his thoughts. It's Milly and Rivalz.
"Milly," Suzaku says.
"Auntie Milly," Luluko hugs them both.
"Hey there Luluko, my look how tall your getting," Rivalz said waving his hand over her head.
Luluko giggled.
Milly looked back at Suzaku who was simply watching Rivalz and Luluko interacting.
"Hey how is everything?" Milly simply asked seeing he was deep in thought.
Suzaku just nodded. "It's going good. She's very happy."
"So then what's got you troubled?"
Suzaku should have known, Milly has some weird powers were she reads people like an open book. She probably already knew what was on his mind.
"Lelouch gave up a lot to be with me. I knew that. But…"
"She won't know," Milly sighed.
Suzaku nodded.
Milly patted him on the back. "She's smiling Suzaku. And honestly I've never seen her smile so much before. Let that innocent smile ease any trouble thoughts or doubt from your mind."
Suzaku smiled. "Thanks Milly."
Together they walked Milly and Suzaku talked as Luluko rode on Rivalz shoulder, her laughter cheerfully echoing in the air. They turned a corner and saw a couple of Ashford students standing outside the gates of the academy. They were passing out flyers and inviting people to come into the academy. One girl saw them and handing them a flyer.
"Come to the Ashford School Festival," she said cheerfully. "And tonight there will be a grand masquerade ball."
"Ashford students are still doing festivals?" Suzaku asked.
"I guess it became a tradition," Milly smiled like she was pleased with herself. "I guess my festivals were such a hit."
Luluko looked at the flyer with the drawings of two masquerade dancers and was instantly enchanted.
"Can we go?" Luluko asked.
Suzaku saw her eyes light up, how could he say no. "Sure."
Luluko was so excited to nearly fell of Rivalz shoulders. She grabbed his hand and pulled him alone.
"Come on Uncle Rivalz. Lets go play games," she cried excitedly.
"Alright lets go," Rivalz laughed.
Milly and Suzaku followed. The School was full of games and booths, students running around in costumes. Colorful decorations hung everywhere. Luluko was amazed by it all.
Suzaku looked around and saw nothing but memories. It was here Suzaku met Lelouch the clubhouse was were they spent most of their time together gradually falling for each other. Secret at first, a hidden kiss here, secret love notes passed back and forth. What seemed to be just a little crush turned into something so much more.
Suzaku was suddenly sprayed in the face with water. Luluko laughed holding a water gun.
"Come on dad let's play," she said running around.
So many memories were made here. Lelouch this is were we fell in love isn't it. My life, my happiness it started with you. When I lost you I thought I couldn't go on, I wanted to die with you, but now I know my life and my happiness still continues and it continues with her.
"Hey no fair," Suzaku laughed. "Come back here," he said as he began to chase her.
It was truly a beautiful day. Any doubt Suzaku might have had has been washed away in the joy of her smile and laughter.
That night the students prepare for an elegant masquerade. Milly takes Luluko with her to change.
Suzaku and Rivalz sit and relax for the moment.
"Boy am I tired," Rivalz sighs. "That girl sure has energy."
"She's something else." Suzaku smiles.
Suzaku gazes up and sees a beautiful sky full of dazzling stars and a large crescent moon hung so delicately in the sky.
Rivalz jumped up to his feet and pulled Suzaku up with him.
"Lets go buddy," he said.
"What?" Suzaku looked at him puzzled.
"Your about to have a very special night, with a very special girl, you need to get a little dressed up for that," Rivalz said.
The two of them had found a pair of tuxedos amongst the clubhouse costumes. After all these years the clubhouse has not changed much.
Rivalz gave his friend a thumb up and they headed out to where the masquerade would be, a large outdoor ballroom decorated with white roses and twinkling white lights. And there amongst the flowers and twinkling lights stood the most beautiful flower of all. She wore a beautiful white classical tutu dress and her ballet slippers. Her hair was neatly braided into a bun with little her favorite lotus flower barrette in her hair.
She was amazing.
"Look at you," Suzaku marveled at her beauty. "Your so beautiful."
Luluko blushed.
Milly, wearing a simple blue dress invited Rivalz to dance. They joined the crowd of people already on the dance flower twirling and gliding gracefully to the music.
Suzaku looked down at Luluko seeing the light reflecting in her eyes with such wonder and amazement. She looked like a little princess standing there waiting for her prince.
Suzaku stood erect then bowed, extending his hand to her. Luluko giggled. It was like playing pretend. She curtsied and took his hand then together they went to the dance floor.
Luluko looked puzzled though as she watched the over couples on the dance floor. She didn't know how to waltz.
"Don't worry it's easy," Suzaku told her.
Suzaku carefully lifted her up and slid his feet under hers, and began to glide around the dance floor. Luluko smiled. The lights the flowers, the dancers swirling around them it was all so beautiful, like something out of a fairytale.
The music stopped and everyone clapped and cheered. Suzaku hugged his daughter.
"I love you dad." Luluko whispered nested in his arms.
"I love you, Luluko."
Suzaku brought Luluko up to the top of the clubhouse to watch the firework display. The rooftop garden that him and the other clubhouse members had set up when he attended Ashford was still there and in full bloom. It was like a princess's garden. And still another place that held so many memories. Here is where he first heard him say those words that still resonate within his heart. How his heart ached to hear his voice speak them again. Though hearing those words spoken in her voice dulls that ache.
"It's so pretty," Luluko said running through the garden, "Look at all the flowers."
Suzaku smiled. He knelt beside her gently touching the soft petals of the flowers she admired. "Your mother and I we planted these. We made this garden along with Milly and Rivalz, our friend Shirley, Mina. This was our garden."
Luluko looked at the flower in Suzaku's hand. Gently she cupped it in her tiny hands. The petals were soft and delicate. Perhaps this is what it would've felt like, her mother's touch.
Then the sky opened up in flashes of light. Bright vibrant colors and sparks exploded in the sky. Suzaku picked Luluko up in his arms and together they watched the explosions of colors.
Suzaku then hears a soft sound behind them like a faint little whisper. He turns to look his grip tightens around his daughter. Impossible. How can she be here? And yet there she was.
"Hello Suzaku," she greeted him as she always had.
"Nunnally."