Kaleido Star: Legendary Rose
Final Part 26: "The Amazing Aftermath"
It really didn't look like Sora got enough height, as, apparently, the stress of the actual attempt got to her and her morning sickness came back.
Then, Layla was the next to speak: "KEN, LOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Rosetta had pulled Sora up, and she was going into the Angel's Maneuver. Of course, then Rosetta had to go with her. They went even higher than they had designed.
ESPN Announcer: "What, Double Legendary Angels????"
Yuri couldn't believe it.
Leon nor May could believe it.
Mr. Milieu couldn't believe it.
Even Layla could not believe it, and she was up there with Sora once.
So, after they rose with arms linked, they went to work well over 20 stories in the air, doing the prescribed stunts in the air.
Sora and Rosetta were flying.
Rosetta was crying.
This was what Rosetta had dreamed of -- as Sora had with Layla several years before.
Sora was trying to hold it together, knowing her stomach (more, her womb) was in stressful knots.
She knew that, Hell or high water, she had to get through this.
If on faith, if for nothing else.
They began to turn and spin and pose for the crowd below, who basically saw such an awe-inspiring moment that they didn't know what to think.
The ESPN announcer simply fainted. He couldn't believe what their cameras were getting.
The crowd in Paris was just looking at their screens with jaws agape.
The committee was looking toward the ground (as much as the feed would allow), looking for a jet turbine or any kind of a trick which might allow this kind of a stunt to come off in a deceptive manner.
But there Sora and Rosetta were -- flying.
Rosetta had fulfilled her dream to fly with the one who inspired her to great things.
Now, of course, the problem was how to land this thing.
Since they were now far higher than planned, the trapezes were actually lower than their height level. They would have to fall for a bit and hope the timing of when their swing lined up was perfect.
Otherwise, death…
Rosetta never wanted to let go.
She literally wanted this to be forever.
Sora (in a whisper): "Time to go, loving friend. I hope to see you on the ground, upright."
Rosetta: "Thank you for everything, Sora. This was more than even I could dream."
The final aerial maneuver was a kiss from Rosetta to Sora. A symbol of the love that the two had for one another -- a love stronger than romance, but the only love necessary to successfully complete the Legendary Great Maneuver.
And, with a silent three-count, they let go.
Screams could be heard in both venues, as it was clear what had to happen for them to get to the trapezes -- they needed to fall and only two people felt they would be able to have the faith to find the bar which would be their sole lifeline.
In a panic, Ken cut the lights below, so that no one would see them hit the ground.
Then, he sank to the ground, crying…
She's dead.
So is my baby.
What am I going to…
The next thing he heard…
…
…
Two pairs of hands hitting the trapezes perfectly.
And then both making it back to the platforms.
Sora and Rosetta had done it.
They had successfully completed the Legendary Great Maneuver, and then some!!!!!!!!!!
Kaleido Stage erupted into pandemonium. Ken threw up the house lights and ran as fast as his heart would allow him (Layla quickly got the elevator for Ken…) to get to Sora.
Mia and Anna were the first to meet them with hugs and kisses and incredulous looks. The champions raced to each other with tears in their eyes as if they had seen God himself (and, for all the audience knew, they might well have!!!).
Mr. Milieu walked to the center of the Paris stage with the trophy.
Milieu: "Ms. Naegino and Ms. Passel… You have won the Paris International Circus Festival. We are going to have to take steps to limit the level of stunts after this year, I see."
"There's only one problem. We have to hold the awards ceremony in Paris…"
Sora was given a microphone by the ESPN commentator.
Sora: "That won't be a problem, sir!!!"
"But I have one request…"
And that's when Ken got to her. Ken gave Sora the Glomp of the Century, and then kissed her repeatedly.
Sora then took the microphone as she tried to calm Ken -- which wouldn't work…
Sora: "We want the ceremony to be held in one week -- and bring a minister and the best wedding dresses you can find, because Ken and I are getting married in Paris!!!!"
Mr. Milieu smiled. He knew what that all meant. Paris, the City of Lights…
The City of Love…
And, now, a redeemed champion was going to walk down the aisle to marry the man she loved -- right at the Eiffel Tower.
Sora: "Mia, Anna, Marion… You're my bridesmaids. Rosetta, you're the maid of honor."
Rosetta hugged Sora. She was crying so hard that she couldn't speak. Later, she'd relate to Layla that she, too, felt like she was flying and wouldn't land for a couple days.
Ken: "I don't know what to do… I don't have that much of a family…"
Of course, the microphone picked that up. So, from Paris, Yuri went over and said: "Silly husband. You have your family at Kaleido Stage."
Yuri then added: "Oh, by the way, speaking of… Look who I met here in Paris…"
Kalos and Sarah walked out. Sarah was pregnant too!!!
Sarah: "Kalos and I eloped a month ago here in Paris!!! He just decided, all of a sudden, to do it -- and then we found out I'm having his first child!!!!"
Kalos was sheepish in his grin. Not a natural state for a lot of the Kaleido Stage people to see him in.
Yuri walked over, grinned, and patted Kalos on the back.
The circle was now complete.
One Week Later
Eiffel Tower, Paris: The Wedding of the Kaleido Star
Rosetta's mother was probably the only involved party not to have far to go to see this.
Sora flew her adoptive parents and Yume to France to see Ken, the newest member of the Naegino family.
The night, though only a week and a half before Christmas, was immaculate. Not a cloud in the sky and quite warm for a December evening in Paris.
There was no rehearsal. The loving couple didn't want to lose the spontaneity of the moment.
Ken and Sora didn't want to lose another moment, period.
So, first, Ken marched to the front of the aisle as the groom.
May, though not in the wedding party, could not resist an embrace to Ken, who looked dashing in his white tuxedo -- just as he dreamed.
Just as he always had dreamed -- for this moment. This moment to be joined forever with the woman he had loved from the first day he had seen her energy and love for the stage.
He was feeling like Rosetta was feeling a week before. Once this was over, if God wanted to call him to Heaven, he'd go willingly.
Then, up the aisle came Marion and Jean. Though father and daughter, they readily agreed to be in the wedding party since Ken didn't have any known brothers. Jean threw his arms around Ken when they met at the front of the aisle.
Then came Anna and Leon. Leon, not the master of showing emotion, just offered Ken a handshake and told him to leave it at that, with his apologies.
Then came Mia and Yuri. Mia broke with the females' protocol and couldn't wait to hug Ken when she got there. Yuri, then, hugged him as well.
Yume, the flower girl, looked so cute in her small white dress as she sprinkled flowers at the direction of Mr. Milieu, who was just smitten by the youngest Naegino.
Then, Rosetta…
Her dress had a rose embroidered on it. The rose had a small caption below it: "Legendary Rose - December 7th."
Mr. Milieu, since the wedding party was one guy short, escorted Rosetta with the championship trophy from the Paris International Circus Festival. Even he had to admit that he had seen the implausible, and that he could not deny it any longer.
Rosetta embraced Ken and would've kissed him if the girls hadn't said that that privilege was only reserved for the bride.
And then, everyone stopped.
They knew the moment to come, but Sora was interested in milking the moment.
This was her day.
Not only as bride, but as champion.
So it was fitting that Sora would walk out with a bouquet of roses to match the color of her hair.
And also with similarly-colored roses in the headband of her veil.
The crowd erupted as the bride came out to the organ strains of "Here Comes the Bride".
Ken basically fainted on his feet. He had known Sora to be beautiful all these years, but this beautiful???
Ken's giddiness (bordering on dizziness) only increased as Sora walked toward him.
All eyes were on her -- except her eyes were on her loving husband-to-be.
Leon had to grab May's hand (not only so that he didn't fall over, but as a matter of personal support -- he swore he saw what he thought his Sophie would've looked like had she ever been married).
Kalos and Sarah cried… No longer did Kalos have to worry about possibly loving Sora as a girlfriend -- he could love her as she was. The Kaleido Star.
And this was the Kaleido Wedding.
And, yes, since this doubled as the award ceremony for the Paris Festival, it was televised.
Minister: "Dearly beloved, honored guests and families, and friends all over the world…"
"We are gathered here today not only to celebrate the championship of two of the greatest performers in the world, but to join one of them with her loving friend in holy matrimony."
Knowing Ken's disposition, the minister then said something to him:
Minister: "Ken, I am sorry that I have to do this… But I must."
"If there is anyone who has due cause to prevent this wedding, speak now, or forever hold your peace."
Why May chose this moment to scare Ken out of his wits, I don't know.
But she chose that moment to walk over, kiss Ken, and then kiss Sora. Both blushed.
The minister asked: "Why then?"
May: "Because I wanted to."
She then growled at the minister.
Once Ken got his pulse under 400 beats a minute (OK, a small exaggeration…), he joined in the laughter, and all parties would have to forever hold their peace.
Minister: "I see we have Sora's adoptive parents here to give away the bride."
Sora's Adoptive Father: "I always knew this day would come, Ken. You will make a wonderful husband for Sora and a loving father to her children. I am so honored to give away my daughter in holy matrimony to you."
The two men embraced and Sora's dad took his seat.
Minister: "May the bride and groom join hands for their vows…"
"Ken Robbins, do you take this woman, Sora Naegino, to be your lawfully wedded wife -- to have and hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, until death do you part?"Ken made up his own lines for this moment.
Ken: "Sora, I love you beyond all description. Since the first day I met you at Kaleido Stage, your love for everything around you has shown through. I have hoped for this day since that day…"
"We have been through many of these things already. My sickness in Phoenix. Your sickness during the Legendary Great Maneuver. Our hopeful continued health for the baby… But I vow to have you and hold you until only God can separate us."
"Sora, I do."
Anna bawled. At that moment, she lost it audibly and completely.
Mia soon followed. She couldn't believe Ken would say it so clearly. But he did -- for the entire damn world to hear.
Minister: "Now, Sora Naegino, do you take this man, Ken Robbins, to be your lawfully wedded husband -- to have and hold, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, until death do you part?"
Sora couldn't bring herself to make up lines. She was crying at Ken's ultimate statement of love. Rosetta handed her a tissue to dab her face -- Ken wasn't to do that until the end of the ceremony. Rosetta also handed one to the Fool, who had lost it days before and wasn't getting it back for a while.
Sora: "Oh, Ken… Yes, I do."
The girls all stood there -- the whole atmosphere so dreamy to them.
Minister: "The rings?"
Yume, so cute in doing so, brought forward the rings…
Minister: "These rings are symbols of the commitment being made today. Will each of you put the ring on the appropriate finger of your spouse?"
Sora and Ken then exchanged that with these rings, they wed.
Minister: "Before we finish here, there's one more thing that needs to be done. Mr. Milieu, if you please…"
Milieu strode forward with the trophy.
Milieu: "This is slightly awkward for me, because this is Sora and Ken's day, but I do have this trophy that I never thought I would give to you two -- Sora Naegino and Rosetta Passel."
"I was told that the Legendary Great Maneuver was a statement of life so complete that it keeps death at bay. Well, the two of you proved that and then some. With my deepest regrets for doubting you, please accept this trophy and the title as Paris International Circus Festival champions, with all the privileges that come with it."
The place erupted as Mr. Milieu handed the trophy to Sora, who then handed it to Rosetta -- who then handed it to Sarah to hold on to for a while.
There was one more piece of business to take care of.
Minister: "Well, then, what God has joined, let no man put asunder."
"By the international power vested in me, Sora Naegino and Ken Robbins, I hereby pronounce you husband and wife."
"Mr. Robbins, you may kiss your bride."
Except that said bride immediately jumped into Ken's arms. Forget the train, forget the flowers in the headband. They were married -- and this kiss would last a lifetime -- as flower petals rained down from high above the Eiffel Tower and fireworks went off above.
It was done. They were married.
Six Months Later
A lengthy honeymoon led to a maternity leave for Sora. Rosetta became the main attraction of Kaleido Stage with much support from May and Leon.
And, before anyone really knew it, because Sora wasn't around the other performers as much as her pregnancy advanced, Mia got the call.
Mia (to everyone she could find): "COME ON!!! Sora had her baby!!! It's a girl!!!"
Another girl. A daughter for Sora and Ken.
And mother and child were doing fine.
So everyone got into any mode of transport which would get them there quickly to see the new baby.
Once the whole crowd of Kaleido Stage came to the hospital, Ken had an announcement:
"Her name is Hope. Hope Robbins-Naegino."
Hope. The one thing which sustains. The one thing in which belief can cause one to gain everything.
The one thing which ties us all together.
And the one thing that makes all things possible.