AN: Another little short that I've been meaning to finish up and post for a while. I originally planned to write this one up and post it all the way back as the third chapter of First Christmas, but ultimately decided against it. I think it fits better here as a short. I've got a few more ideas (some of which are almost completed) that should be up at some point. Thanks for reading and enjoy.

Memories

"Kaa-chan?"

I look down to see my daughter Erin staring up at me.

"Who's that?"

She points to the frame in my hand.

"Ah, she's…" It's an old photo. The only one of this particular person.

It's a simple picture. Snow is obscuring a majority of the frame, and she isn't facing the camera. Deep red eyes stare down out of frame as she brushes silver-white hair back. A small smile, that she will never forget graces her lips.

"Someone who isn't here anymore."

"Oh." I look back to see Erin stroking the red pendant she keeps around her neck. "So she died?"

"Yes. It was a long time ago." Taking her hand, I lead her over to the couch, and sit down. I show her the picture. "It was back when I first learned about magic. That was when I met everyone. Nanoha-chan, Fate-chan, and my family."

"But there was one more who was with us at the time."

A small hand reaches over my shoulder. "She looks like Rein." Vivio's pigtails pop into view.

I nod. The woman has the same long silver hair as Rein. In fact, the only major difference is her bright red eyes compared to Rein's bright blue. "Yes. You could consider the two of them sisters really."

"Like us?"

"Yes, just like the two of you." I pat Vivio's head and she jumps over the couch to sit next to me. "This is Reinforce Eins."

I brush my finger over the face in the photo. "She was someone very precious to me. I only knew her, physically, for a short while, but those days were happy and peaceful. I'd like to think she felt the same way."

"What happened to her?" I turn to see Erin staring at me, a sad, yet curious expression playing across her face.

"She…" I stop as the scene from that snowy hill plays in my mind. "She died… she chose to die. To protect me; to protect all of us."

I feel a hand fall onto my shoulder. Looking back, I see Signum staring down solemly at the picture. "She saved all of us with her sacrifice. If it weren't for her, we would still be at the mercy of the darkness."

Erin reached out to touch the frame. "So, she's like a hero?"

I handed the frame to her. Vivio sat down next to her to look at it. "Yes, she is. Even though that winter was painful, in many ways, it's because of her that I was able to meet everyone." I spared a glance to the various picture frames aligning the wall.

She could see the smiling faces of her family, friends and the forwards. There were also many candid photos, such as Shamal trying to cook. She glanced back to see her children looking over the photo of Reinforce.

There was never any time to take a proper photo. As such, one of her knights had taken it upon themselves to snap one final picture just before she disappeared.

"Hey, mama?"

I look down to see Vivio looking up at me expectantly.

"What is it Vivio?"

She smiles and points to the picture. "What was she like?"

A small laugh escapes my throat. "My, my, where to begin." I scoot closer to the young girls and begin describing the woman who came into my life suddenly, and left just as suddenly.

Vivio giggles and gasps as she listens, while Erin simply soaks in information about a new family member she never knew about.

I gaze around the room while I talk. I can't help but notice that everyone is simply listening, eyes cast down as memories flood in.

Memories of family long gone, but never forgotten.