Kaku laughed, Kate's silence making him grow even more nervous. "Kate! This ain't a prank if that's what's running through your mind!" He carefully held the ring in his palm as he lifted Kate off of him under her arms.
He set her down and sat up so they were facing each other. "I want to be with you. Forever. I want to be able to call you my wife. I want to start a family with-" Kaku gasped.
Kate had suddenly started crying.
Her hands grabbing at the bottom of the hoodie she was wearing.
"Kaku..."
She had been caught up in so many other things, that she hadn't realized that she still hadn't told Kaku yet...
Our baby...
Kate had meant to tell him sooner, but was scared the sad news would upset Kaku. She knew he would try and take all the blame. The past few weeks had been so wonderful, and she didn't want to ruin what they had.
However, she knew she couldn't keep it a secret forever...
Kate took in several deep breaths to stop herself from crying. "I'm...so sorry. I meant to tell you something the day you disappeared...but...I failed. It's all my fault!" She held her stomach as she leaned over and sobbed, memories of her waking up on a hospital bed plaguing her mind.
How do I tell him...?!
Kaku's heart sank as he remembered what Iceburg had told him.
**2 days earlier**
Iceburg punched Kaku with enough force to knock him onto the ground. Kaku sat there frozen, still in shock by what he had learned.
"How could you be so irresponsible?! Did you not think of the possibility of someone touching the calendar?!" Iceburg breathed heavily as his right hand began to swell.
She was pregnant...
How could he not have known?! Looking back at the events before his disappearance; it had been so obvious. Kaku could only imagine what Kate had gone through. It was all his fault.
I'm so sorry, Kate... what have I done...?
The long nosed man's body began to tremble. Before he could cry; Iceburg grabbed him by the collar, kneeling in front of him. "Don't you DARE sulk! If Kate hasn't told you by now, she's probably doing it for your sake. She doesn't want you to feel guilty." The mayor tightened his grip. "If you really want to marry her, you need to be strong! A weak man is worse than no man at all!" Iceburg stood back up, releasing Kaku as he growled, unable to contain his anger. Iceburg saw Kate as his sister, and seeing how hurt she was reminded him of when his real sister Iya was in the hospital. For a while; Kate shared the same dimness in her eyes that Iya had when she realized her life was ending.
Kaku took a deep breath as he stared at Iceburg.
He's right. I can't be a weak man.
Kaku stood up slowly, wiping the blood from his mouth. "You're right, Iceburg. Kate deserves better." He clenched his fists by his sides. "I will be better. If you allow me to marry her- I won't only give her the ring...You can bet your bottom dollar that I'll give her everything I have!" His determination seemed to burn even stronger than before.
Iceburg marched up to Kaku, standing mere inches from his face. He stared at the younger man before pulling him into a hug. The mayor cried, tightening his grip on Kaku. He loved them both, and only wanted what was best for them. "Please...look after her, Kaku. Don't let her go through that pain ever again."
After a few moments he pulled away, placing a ring box in Kaku's hands.
Kaku held Kate's face with his left hand. "Kate. I know what you had to go through because of me. No number of apologies will ever make up for what I did to you...but let me say this at least once. I'm sorry, it's all my-"
Kate went to interrupt but was stopped by two of Kaku's fingers on her lips.
Kaku moved his hand back to Kate's cheek once he felt she was calm. "It's all my fault, Kate. I know you kept it from me because you wanted to take the burden on all by yourself. You didn't want me to feel guilty over what had happened." He rubbed her cheek with his thumb. "Thank you for loving me so much that you'd do that for me."
Kate continued to sob, only managing soft murmurs whenever she tried to speak. She never wanted to hurt Kaku. Ever. She would take on all the pain if it meant Kaku would never lose that smile of his that she loved so much.
Kaku pulled away, holding the ring up once again. "I've never had anyone love me as much as you have. That's why, when I give you this ring- it ain't all I'm giving you. I'm offering you my whole life, Kate. My life is yours. You are my purpose." He smiled gently, watching his reflection fall in Kate's tears. "I can't promise things will be easy, but I can promise that I'll be by your side no matter what happens. You'll never have to go through anything alone again." He held her left hand as he continued to hold the ring up in his other hand. "Please, allow me to be with you forever. Allow me the honor of calling you mine and being yours. Marry me, Kate."
Moved by his words; Kate finally managed to smile as she nodded her head. "Yes."
