:::Riku's POV:::

I gazed at my beautiful Kairi as she lain peacefully in her casket. Roses were on top of it ,and inside were our wedding day pictures ,and pictures of her ,and me at the beach, under the paopu tree, with the babies... I just looked blankly at her... She was dressed in a beautiful violet gown. Her arms were crossed over her breast ,and a smile played upon her lips. She looked beautiful even though she wasn't alive anymore ,but no matter what she would always be alive in my heart...

"Riku..." suddenly I spun around to see Umi holding Layla in her arms.

"How do you like it?" she asked as she pointed to the pink dress. It was one her ,and Kairi had bought when they had went shopping for baby clothes. Umi just hemmed it up so she could wear it. Since Kairi had adored it she found it appropriate for this occasion.

"It's beautiful..." I quickly replied as I kissed my daughters forehead.

"I'll be back later ,and give you some time alone... You know the ceremony is in about 15 minutes..." she added.

"I know..." I replied back bleakly as Umi exited the room.

I gently caressed Kairi's soft skin...It was still soft ,but it was cold , because she wasn't alive anymore...

"Kai I'm really going to miss you..." I said out loud to her even though I knew she couldn't hear me. I gently bent down over her ,and kissed her frozen dead lips ,and a tear rolled down my cheek ,and landed on her brow.

"I love you ,and miss you so much..." I cried.

"But Riku I won't be gone forever..." I heard a voice say... I even felt someone gently touch my shoulder ,but when I turned around to see if anyone was there it was nothing...

Suddenly Sora entered the room with Tidus ,and some others.

"Riku it's time for the ceremony..." he informed me.

I then looked at my watch.

"I know..." I said in a depressed tone.

"Come on let's go..." he added as I looked behind me to see my Kairi's beautiful face one last time before she was put beneath the earth. Suddenly they shut the casket ,and prepared to carry her body out to the Destiny Island graveyard...

"Kairi was a very loving wife ,and mother ,and today we are paying our last respects to her... May God give her rest in his arms ,and guide her away to heaven's shore... Ashes to Ashes Dust to Dust we place Kairi's body under the dirt..." added the priest as the casket was lowered into the ground everyone threw flowers on her grave ,but before I threw mine in I gently kissed the top of it as it's petals were eternally stained with my love ,and tears as I threw it on top of her casket. There wasn't a dry eye there that day for Kairi ,because she was loved... Never forgotten ,and always cherished in our memory's and hearts... Our teals will fade ,and our hearts will heal ,but there will always be a scar left on our hearts longing ,and grieving for her...

The wind blew against my face as I strolled along the beach... The sun was now starting to set as my feet buried themselves beneath the sand as I walked along the shore. Suddenly I felt the sun gently warm my face ,and suddenly I heard a voice... The same one I had heard a couple of days ago at the funeral home.

"Riku..." it called out ,and when I turned around I was knocked backwards ,and put out cold.

Suddenly I woke up to find myself in a huge forest ,and I could hear water flowing nearby...Where was I? I looked around as I managed to stand up ,and breathe in the clean fresh air... The cleanest I had ever breathed. I let it feel my nostrils once more taking in its sweetness. Then suddenly there was that strange yet familiar voice again calling out my name.

"Riku..." it called out sweetly ,and then I turned around to see Kairi!

"Kairi!" I yelled out as I ran towards her embracing her tightly.

"You came back to me!" I yelled out happily.

She smiled at me sweetly.

"No I'm afraid not..." she added as she broke the embrace ,and looked me straight in the eye.

"What?" I questioned her quiet confused.

"I brought you here to say goodbye one last time ,and to give you this..." she replied as she pulled out some sort of strange object that looked like a perfect shaped heart made out of a diamond. Its shape was so perfect... You could tell it wasn't from Earth... This diamond was the most flawless ,and most brilliant one I had ever seen. It was on a gold chain.

"Here take it... Give it to Layla when she's older she replied ,and then she broke it in half ,and gave me both pieces... Give Kame the other. When they're brought together they harness incredible power ,but that can only work once their hearts are combined..." she explained as she placed them both gently in my palm ,and then gently closed my hand.

"Can't I stay here with you!?" I said pleading as I grabbed her hand.

She then gave me a little frown.

"No you can't stay , because this is heaven..." she explained as she came closer to me. She then locked her violet eyes with my teal as tear escaped them.

"I know you're not supposed to cry in heaven ,but I love you so much..." she said as her lips softly brushed against my own ,and she gently stroked my cheek.

"Promise me you'll go on..." she replied as she pulled her hand away.

"I'll try..." I added.

"Promise me Riku..." she replied with a seriousness in her angelic eyes.

"Ok I promise..." I added as I kissed her lips one last time.

"I have to go now...Goodbye Riku I love you... ,and I promise one day we'll meet again...We just have to be apart for a little while ,but not forever... Riku there's something for you at home...You'll find it though..." she said as she blew me a kiss ,and slowly faded away into the light.

"Kairi!" I called out ,but she was gone...

"Riku...Riku...Riku!" I heard a voice calling out to me ,and violently shaking me. It was Sora.

"Riku it's me Sora...Are you ok!? I found you here ,and you were out cold." he replied with much concern.

"I think so... I was with Kairi..." I added.

Sora looked at me like I was crazy.

"You better get home man... You look like you could use some rest." added Sora as he helped me up ,and took me home. I thought it was all just a dream but when I felt in my pocket I pulled out the diamond shaped heart.

'So it wasn't a dream after all....' I thought to myself.

When I got inside the house I walked inside the bedroom to find envelope on the bed addressed to me from Kairi... I quickly tore it open ,and began to read.

Dearest Riku,

You're the only one who can actually see this. If anyone else sees it all they will see is a blank sheet of paper... I just wanted to tell you how much I love ,and appreciate you... You've been the most wonderful husband... I never thought anyone could ever love me as much as you have ,but I was wrong... You're a treasure... A sweet pleasant gift from above... You gave me not one ,but two beautiful children... I know it may be hard without me ,but you can do it...When you see the sun set you'll see me... ,and when you smell the salty air you'll smell me ,and when you look into our daughter's eyes or hold her you'll feel my presence...Death can not separate our love... Nothing can... Our hearts are as one ,and they can never be pulled apart... Inside this letter are the leaves from the paopu fruit we shared... ,but it wasn't the paopu that joined us together it was god... Riku you truly are my angel of hope because you never left my side ,and she always stood with me whenever I needed you... I love you...

Forever and always yours,

Kairi

Ps. Give Layla ,and Kame a kiss for me before they go to sleep ,and tell them mommy loves them...

Suddenly I closed the letter ,and at the bottom of the letter were the dried up paopu leaves from the fruit we shared. I rubbed them gently against my cheek ,and when I did I felt her...

::::Four Years Later:::

I lied in bed listening to the heavy rain beat against the roof ,and the thunder rumble ,and suddenly I heard little feet running down the hallway ,and then I seen the door open wide ,and a frightened crying little red headed girl run in ,and jump into bed with me.

"Daddy I'm scared... I can't sweep... The storms gonna get me!" wailed Layla.

"Shh... Calm down or you'll wake Kame..." I explained as I gently wiped away my frightened little girls tears.

"Can I sweep with you?" she said pleading innocently.

"Yes you can..." I replied as I tucked the covers over her ,and hold her gently against my while I stroked her hair trying to calm her down.

"Daddy do you promise you won't let me go? Will you hold me until it's over..." she asked innocently with pleading eyes.

"Yes daddy promises Layla..." I replied as I gently kissed her forehead. When I held Layla that night I then knew what Kairi meant about her never leaving me... When I touched her crimson locks I felt like I was touching Kairi ,and when I looked into her eyes I seen Kairi...She was right she never had left me... She was always here beside me ,and I finally knew what she meant... When you look into our daughters eyes you'll feel and see me ,and you'll be holding me... She was right all along I was holding her... Suddenly I felt someone whisper in my ear.

'I love you Riku ,and I always will...' ,and then I knew she always would...

The End