Chapter 7- Fireworks
Around sunset, Athrun went to the beach to sort things inside his head. While walking on the beach he saw a blue-haired girl with a small backpack on her back. It was Athrunette. Athrun came nearer to the playing girl.
"Athrunette!"
The girl was a bit surprised. She is not expecting anyone to call her.
"It's you Athrun-ojiki. You surprised me."
"I'm sorry are you alone?"
"I'm alone. I just sneaked out of the house. Don't worry I left a note so that mom would know."
"She resembles her mother. They love sneaking out of the house."
"What are you doing here, Athrun-ojiki?"
"I'm just roaming around, why?"
"Would you like to help me light these fireworks?"
Athrunette opened her backpack. It contained fireworks, food and other stuff.
"Won't your mom get worried, it's getting dark already?"
"I indicated in the letter that I'll light some fireworks and I do this frequently."
The sun finally went down. Athrun and Athrunette started lighting the fireworks. Both of them are having fun. Athrun somewhat forgot all of his worries. He just enjoyed playing with his daughter, but this moment has to end.
"I have to go home now, Athrun-ojiki. Thank you for playing with me today."
Athrun somehow felt lonely. He has to say good-bye to his daughter. The painful part is that he didn't know when, where or in what kind of situation they will meet again.
Athrunette ran away from Athrun. Few moments later Athrunette fell into the land. Upon seeing this, Athrun immediately checked his daughter's condition. He saw a wound on his daughter's knee. He checked if she has some medication for her wound in her backpack, luckily she has some.
Looking at her daughter's face while putting medication, Athrunette is not crying unlike what kids around her age do when they have a wound like that.
"Why are you not crying?"
"If I would cry with a wound like that, then what more if something happens? I don't want mom to get worried because I'm a cry-baby. I have to be independent, I can't always depend on mom, she also has Orb to take care of, and many people are depending on her. I don't want to add the burden she already has."
"It's not that easy to raise a child on your own. She's very lucky that Athrunette is very mature and independent for her age. She's so much like you." Athrun remembered what Lacus said.
"Being independent is not a bad thing but if don't depend on other people, they might worry about you. Here, ride on my back. It will be difficult for you to walk with that kind of wound."
Athrunette accepted Athrun's offer. As they walk together under the shining sky, Athrunette fell asleep on Athrun's back. Athrun heard her say 'Thank you' on her sleep. Athrun brought her to Kira's house.
A brown haired boy opened the door for Athrun. Inside the house Athrun saw his best friends, Kira and Lacus, their son, Kazuki and his former lover and also Athrunette's mother, Cagalli.
When Cagalli saw her daughter on Athrun's back she is a bit surprised. She is wondering why they are together again. Athrunette showed a little movement. Immediately Athrun carefully handed her to Cagalli.
Athrunette opened her eyes her eyes she saw Athrun's eyes looking at her mother as if they were saying something. When she looked at her mother's face her eyes were avoiding Athrun's gaze in a way that she understood Athrun's message for her.
Lacus saw the situation. She grabbed Kira's shoulder and gave a sign that they have to leave the area to give Athrun and Cagalli some space.
Athrunette closed her eyes trying to sleep again.
"Why are you with Athrunette again?" Cagalli asked as casual as she can but unfortunately her voice is shaking.
"I saw her on the beach, and I accompanied her. She fell that's why there is a wound on her knee. Then I carried her here."
Cagalli felt guilty that she hid the fact that Athrun is Athrunette's father. Without noticing Athrun moved his face nearer to Cagalli and whispered something on her ear.
"I really enjoyed playing with my daughter. I never knew that being a father would be this fun."
A.N.: Sorry if I was not able to update immediately...Classes already started so I got busy with projects and school activities...
Suggestions and Criticisms about the story are welcome...
