Jessica's Point of View

After that day, a lot of things changed in Atlantica. After that, we didn't have a governess because we didn't need one. King Triton became more involved in our lives. Marina and Benjamin were put in jail. King Triton brought music back to Atlantica, and Sebastian became Atlantica's official Court Composer. Several months later, I finally got a visit from someone back home. I saw my father swimming around Atlantica while playing tag with Ariel and Flounder. "Hey, guys, I'm a little tired. Can we stop?" I asked.

"Yeah, sure," Ariel agreed.

"Thanks. I think I'm going to take a swim," I said.

"We'll come with you," Ariel offered.

"Nah. I think I could use some time alone. Thank you, though," I explained.

"Oh. Okay," Ariel replied. I could tell that I hurt her feelings. I said to myself that I would make it up to her later.

I followed my father until we were out of the view of anyone else. "Dad, I've missed you," I greeted while swimming up to him to hug him. Before I even had my arms out, he pulled me into his embrace.

"I've missed you, too, dear. I'm sorry I haven't been able to come to see you. I had hoped that Xemnas's resolve would weaken, but he still refuses to allow any of us to come to Atlantica to be with you," Dad apologized.

"Is he still mad at me?" I wondered.

"What an absurd question. He is incapable of being mad. You know that as well as I do," Dad reminded as he let go of me.

I hated to be reminded that the people I had been closest to didn't have hearts, but it was the reality. "You're right. Sometimes you all perform so well that I forget," I sighed.

"I suppose I am glad that you can forget. As a girl with a heart in a world of Nobodys, I was always afraid that you would feel neglected. Especially when you mother-" Dad had that same pained look that he always had whenever Mom came up in a conversation. I remembered King Triton before Ariel had reminded him of Queen Attina and music. Ariel had been a light that helped her father remember her mother and how to be happy. I wondered if I could do the same thing for my father. I knew it was a stretch, but I wanted to try.

"Dad, could we talk?" I pleaded.

"Of course, Jessica. I have until that fool, Demyx, comes back for me," Dad answered.

I swam to the ocean floor and sat on a rock. My father followed suit and sat on a rock across from me. "I have questions... about Mom," I started.

"The past is in the past. There is no use discussing it," Dad stated.

"But- but I want to know. It was so long ago that I had known her and I didn't get to see her much. What was she like? How did you meet? Am I anything like her? Did she- Did she love me?" The questions came gushing out of me before I could stop myself. I realized that this conversation had become less about helping my father and more about me having so many questions about my mother. I hadn't noticed the questions boiling up in me until they came tumbling out. Dad looked more pained than I had ever seen him before. "I'm sorry. I just-"

Before I finished my sentence, my father was hugging me. "Jessica, of course she loved you. Surely you remember that, at least. She had always loved you," Dad said.

"You're right. That was a silly question. It's getting harder to remember a time when anyone truly loved me. When I stopped seeing her, my life outside of the Organization ended. I know you all care for me deeply. Especially you, Zexion, and against all odds, Xemnas, but as you said before, you all are incapable of emotion," I mentioned.

"Then it's likely a good thing that you are here instead of back home," Dad replied.

"Don't say that. You're my father. I need you," I shuddered.

"I'll never leave you, child. I'll come back to see you in a month," Dad assured me as he released me from his hug.

"That's an awfully long time," I grumbled.

Dad sighed and looked off in the distance. "When I was young, I wanted to learn more about my roots in Sunset Kingdom. My father was from there. I had the opportunity to stay with him for the summer, though it was risky. That was when I met your mother. She was with Arlene in the market, and I was there at the same time, buying fruit. I had my nose in a book and wasn't looking where I was going.

"Meanwhile, she was walking backward, and we bumped into each other. We were both carrying our items in paper bags and hadn't realized that we had picked up the wrong bags until a while later. I searched all over the market for her and finally found her, this time without Arlene. She had the same idea as I had to find me to return my fruits, and Arlene had given up. I asked if I could get her some coffee at a nearby cafe, and she miraculously agreed. We became unlikely friends and something more in the end. I went back every summer, saying that I spent the other seasons traveling around the other parts of Sunset Kingdom in all the other seasons. After five years, I brought your mother home to Radiant Gardens with me. We got married in secret. When she became pregnant with you, we feared what would happen. We went back to Sunset Kingdom and explained everything to Arlene and Lumaria. We begged them to help us, and they reluctantly agreed. That was when we decided to allow the king and queen of Sunset Kingdom to raise you. I know it was difficult, but we were so fearful, Jessica. If the wrong person had found out, at the very least, you would have been killed. It was the hardest decision I had ever made. That was when we decided to go our separate ways. She stayed in Sunset Kingdom while I went back to Radiant Gardens. That is the story of your mother and me. Did that satisfy you, child?"

"Oh, Daddy, thank you. I didn't think you would tell me. Oh, it means so much to me," I smiled.

"You ready?!" Demyx called. He was several feet away.

"Just a moment!" Dad shouted back. "I'll see you in a month."

"Will you tell me more about Mama then? Please?" I pleaded.

"I will, child. I will tell you so much more," Dad agreed.

"Bye, Dad. I love you," I said, giving my father one more quick hug. He hugged me back before he left with Demyx.

This was a very emotional chapter. I wanted a special moment with Jessica and Vexen.