Legacy: Part 2

Alec's POV

It was the day of her funeral. All of us were there to remember the girl who had given us our life. This day, we not only remember her, but the ones we'd also lost in the battle for freedom. Zack was at the front speaking of her. I suppose it should've been my job, but I was too heartbroken to do so. I was flanked by her family, her siblings. On my left were Jondy holding the hand of a child, Syl and Krit. On my right were Jace, Max Jr., Zane and Brin. Behind me stood her newest family members Cece, Little Emily, OC, Sketchy and others.

I noticed in the very back of the room stood Logan. Zack was not happy about his appearance. Zack has always maintained that Logan was the source of all Max's unhappiness. But I knew that Zack also knew of my wrong doings. I realized that I could never repay them for causing Max's death. I knew I was being irrational. I didn't cause for her to die. White and the Familiars were at fault. But at a time like this, I wasn't rational in any sense.

After the funeral was over, we all went back to the mess hall to have what they called a wake: a remembrance of Max, the good times and the bad. However, I didn't go in with the rest of the group. I just stood there staring at her tombstone. It read:

      Max Guevara

      X5-452

      Known Leader

      Well Loved

      Always Remembered

There was nothing else. No date, no nothing. I supposed I couldn't write, loving wife, considering we never married. But that was how I had always thought of her, as my wife, as my mate. Life had thrown us a curve that we never overcame. And because of that, our lives changed forever. I was so lost in thought; I didn't even feel the little girl tugging on my pant leg. I kneeled down to her level.

"Hi," I said softly. "Where's your mommy and daddy?"

She smiled shyly. "My mommy's up there," she said pointing to the sky.

I was suddenly very scared. No, it couldn't be. I looked a little closer at the little girl. She looked like someone I knew, but I couldn't place it.

"Then, where's your daddy?" I asked again hesitantly.

"In front of me," she said definitely.

I was shocked. Then I noticed Zack standing there. I looked at him questioningly. He nodded at me.

"This is Lisa, your daughter," he said.

I couldn't believe what he'd just said. My daughter? I looked down at her and found I was into a miniature Max, except she had my eyes. On some level I knew what Zack had just told me was true. Why didn't she tell me? I stared at my daughter for the longest time and found that she was scared. She wasn't sure if I'd accept her. Of course I would.

I pulled Lisa into a hug, and I felt her sob into my chest. And for the first time since Max's death I cried too. I cried for the love that I had lost, and I cried for the parent that Lisa had just lost. Lisa and I were so lost in our own world; we didn't even notice Zack leaving.

I picked Lisa up and went down to sit by a tree, placing her next to me. She looked up at me and smiled.

"Daddy, please don't leave me," she said.

"Baby, I'll never leave you, ever again."

"Daddy, this is for you," she said handing me a letter. I looked at her with a questioning look, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she yawned and cuddled to my side, trying to sleep. I placed my arm around her, and then opened the letter.

Dear Alec,

By the time you read this, I will no longer be here, no longer be able to take care of the ones I love. I'm sure by now you've met Lisa. She's our daughter Alec, our child from that one night together many years ago. I wanted to go after you that day, but I didn't know how. By the time I found out I was pregnant, you had disappeared without a trace.

I wanted to tell you so badly that we had a child together. I never wanted to hide it from you. But I guess I did. No one ever knew that Lisa was your daughter until she was four. When she was four, the colour of her eyes changed. That was when they started to ask questions. Eventually, Zack and my siblings found out, but no one else. I can only assume that Zack has told you everything that has happened since you left.

Alec, please, I'm not asking for much, but take care of her. She is the most precious thing in the world to me, besides you. I want her to grow up happy knowing that her mom and dad loved her with all their hearts. I love her very much and I know you will too.

Please forgive me for all that I have done. I never meant to hurt you Alec. I was just as confused, and didn't know how to handle it any better.

Remember that I have and will always love you. Please give Lisa a kiss for me.

Love Always,

- Max

P.S. Lisa is named after Lisa Simpson. I can only hope that she'll be smarter than I.

I was laughing and crying at the same time when I was done reading the letter. I was happy that Max had kept Lisa in spite of everything and that she loved me. She had never once said it to me before. But now, in her last letter to me, she told me she loved me. I felt an incredible amount of joy making this day rather bittersweet.

Then I picked Lisa up and went back into the mess hall. She'd awaken because of the movement and demanded to be put down so that she could play with Max and Emily. I chuckled inwardly. She was so much like Max, always demanding one thing or another. I walked over to where the rest of my family was. Yes, they had become my family, inadvertently.

"So Alec, you ok?" asked Jondy. I knew that she was worried about me. She had always known how much I loved Max. If it wasn't for her, I would've never known what had gone on in the life of the one I loved.

"I'm ok," I said. "I guess I just need a little time."

"Will you be coming back to TC?" asked Zack. For months now, he had been persuading me to return to TC. They need more leaders, he'd always said. I never realized what he'd meant by that. But now, I did.

"Maybe," I replied. "I'll need to think about it."

As I continued chatting with my family while keeping watch on the kids from afar, I realized what a gift Max had given me. She'd given me a child. Granted that I never thought I wanted one, but one with Max was a dream. I realized that I loved Lisa because she was Max's and because she was what Max had left me. Through Lisa, Max had left me, and the rest of her family and the inhabitants of TC, her legacy.

No, Lisa was not just her legacy for me and everyone here. It was our legacy. The legacy of X5-452, Max, and X5-494, Alec.

THE END