Miz Lil Pitbul: Thank you.
KatXBee-Sides-Smokey: Yes, this is the last chapter and I also hate when a story ends, but when one story ends, another starts.
Answerthecall: Thank you and I will.
SMJ: Thank you and yes, there is a tickle scene with Molly and Magnus in this chapter.
Galem: Thank you.
To all of my wonderful readers and reviewers, this is the epilogue of this story and takes place two years after the last chapter. I wanted to make it a bit longer, but then decided that it was alright if it was perhaps a little short, considering it is a happy and sad chapter at the same time. I want to thank you all for reading, reviewing, and enjoying the story.
Disclaimer: I only own the Gilders, Rachel, Molly, and Flame Tech.
Chapter 14: Comfort and a Living Promise
"Hmm, where did that little girl go now?" Ultra Magnus asked teasingly as his sensors picked up that Molly was behind some boxes.
They were all at the base and Rachel watched as her guardian was playing with Molly, who was currently playing hide-and-seek with the Wrecker leader.
"Gotcha!" he suddenly said, looking behind the boxes, only to then become confused. A high-pitched giggle made him look up to see Molly was on top of the boxes. She giggled again.
"Missed me, Daddy!" she said happily as she then jumped down to the floor and started to run.
"Oh no you don't," he teased as his holoform ran after the seven-year-old girl and caught her up in his arms, his hands now tickling her stomach.
Molly burst out into loud giggles. "Daddy, that tickles!" she squealed, trying to get away.
Magnus chuckled and pulled her more into his hug, holding her so she couldn't get away. "You can't escape the Tickle Master!" he said in an exaggerated evil voice as he tickled her. Molly laughed, making the other adults smile as her laughter was contagious.
Then Magnus leaned down and blew raspberries into Molly's stomach, making her shriek with even louder giggles and making Rachel laugh heartily.
Molly continued laughing as Magnus tickled her for a little while longer before stopping. "Alright," he chuckled. "You're wearing your father out, kiddo."
"You're getting old, Magnus," Rachel teased her guardian through their guardian-charge bond. He turned towards her with an evil grin.
"You just asked for it, missy," He retorted as he then reached for her. Rachel mock-gasped.
"Molly! Run! The Tickle Master's coming!" she said jokingly.
"Oh, no!" the little girl said as both ran to get away, but being faster, Magnus caught them both and tickled them into submission. After he stopped tickling them, he picked them both up and carried them to the couch before his holoform disappeared and his real form walked forward.
"You two are going to be the death of me someday," he teased.
"And that's why you love us," said Rachel with a smile.
Molly smiled too. "I love you, Daddy," she said to him.
"I love you too, little princess," he said, using his affectionate name for her.
Molly then snuggled into her mother. "I love you, Mommy," she said.
"I love you too, sweetheart," said Rachel, hugging her daughter with a smile.
The past two years had been filled with adventure and memories as Rachel had stayed with her mother and brother and raised Molly with Magnus' help. The mech was an excellent father to Molly and was very protective of her, much like Rachel.
Jack often teased that Magnus better have his hammer ready for when some boy would come to ask Molly out, to which the Wrecker replied that it was ready and no boy was going to get close to his little princess ever. Everyone just smiled at his protectiveness.
Then, June came by with the mail and said Rachel had a letter. She opened it and saw it was from Mrs. Gilder. When she read it, tears formed and she sat down in shock and grief. She saw the others watching her.
She sighed and sniffled a little. "Officer Gilder had cancer about three years back and they had no idea until about a year later. He just passed away from it," she said. Then something else caught her eye. It was a paper that described a long package that would arrive soon.
"A long package?" asked June. "That arrived yesterday."
With some effort and help from Magnus, June got it out of her car and Rachel read on that the package was a gift that Officer Gilder had wanted Rachel to have on his passing.
She kneeled down and opened it to reveal a longsword. She gasped. It was the same one that had hung in his home and was very heavy. It was Japanese made and very intricate.
"The Samurai Sword he got in Japan," Rachel said. "I always admired it."
"Whoa, a real Samurai Sword?" asked Miko. "Wicked."
Rachel read the paper that had come with the sword. "They want me to keep the sword since I had always liked it and they're moving to another city," she said. "I'll have to call and thank her."
After a while longer, Magnus and Rachel headed home with June and Molly following in June's car. Jack and Arcee arrived not long after and they all hung the sword in the living room where it would be greatly admired. Rachel then called Mrs. Gilder.
"Mrs. Gilder, I'm so sorry for your loss," she said.
"Thank you, dear. Did you receive the package?" the widow asked.
"I did, and it is a great honor to accept such a wonderful gift. Your husband was a good man and we will miss him."
It was quiet for a moment as Rachel heard Mrs. Gilder sniffle a little. "He wanted you to remember that nothing is too big to overcome with love and time and those always heal a broken spirit or heart," she said.
Tears came to Rachel's eyes. "He was a very wise man."
"Yes, he was."
After a few more minutes, Rachel bid Mrs. Gilder and her family well on their journey and then turned to her family after hanging up the phone.
"He's in a better place," she said. "And I believe we all are too."
Everyone agreed and went about to do some stuff after another moment of silence to honor their dear friend and Rachel glanced back at the sword once more.
"You will not be forgotten, my friend," she promised aloud to no one.
In the Guardian realm, Flame Tech had also received the news and held a floating lantern ceremony in honor of Officer Gilder. As the lone lantern floated down the river, she raised her Turbo Sword high above her head.
"Together as one, a circle not broken. May your memory live forever, Officer Gilder," she said solemnly as she bowed her head in respect for his memory and then remembered her Sensei as well.
After a moment, Flame Tech looked up and noticed the sunset was brighter than usual it seemed and smiled. "As death is part of life, we must mourn and then move on, because that it what our loved ones who have passed would want the most," she said to herself.
With a nod, she turned back to the dojo and silently closed the doors as the sun fully set with promises of a better future and that precious memories live on forever.
And that concludes "Only You Can Mend My Broken Spirit". I wish to extend a special thank you to the following users:
Answerthecall: who encouraged me to write this story and reviewed throughout it. Thank you so much, mi Amigo!
SMJ: who also reviewed this story and liked it. Thank you so much, mi Amiga!
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To all of my other readers, thank you for taking the time to read this story and another big thank you to the above-mentioned users who reviewed. You guys were the reason this story was great. Please keep reviewing and writing!
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