Disclaimer: As I said before, I own nothing.

AN: I originally wasn't going to continue this, but after reading my reviews I decided I would.

A big thanks goes out to all the people who reviewed chapter one. This chapter is dedicated to you.

ONE WEEK LATER

Meryl sat at her desk, attempting to do the paperwork in front of her, but her heart and mind simply were not in it. Her thoughts were riddled with thoughts of Vash. It had been a week since she had found his letter and she still hadn't heard anything from him. She was beginning to think that maybe he wasn't coming back to her. 'What if something happened and he can't come back? What if he . . . ? No. If something had happened to him, I would know. I can feel that he is okay.' She was so deep in thought that she didn't hear her boss walk up until he spoke. "Meryl."

Standing up quickly, she replied. "Yes, sir." "Meryl, you have seemed rather distant and lethargic lately. Is everything okay?"Quickly thinking of an excuse, she replied. "Well I have been sick, but I didn't want to miss work." "I thought so. I don't think your own death would stop you from working. You have a lot of vacation time built up. Take a week off and come back refreshed on Monday." "Thank you. I'll just finish these and . . . " "No. Leave those for Mary. I expect to see you ready to go in a week." "Yes, sir."

ELSEWHERE(The Hotel)

In his room Vash was walking a hole in the floor. He had arrived in town a week earlier, but still hadn't gone to see Meryl. He couldn't understand why he was so terrified of seeing her. A hundred to one in a gunfight was nothing, but the thought of what her reaction to his return might be was terrifying to him. He could just see it now, she would open the door, see him and fire would erupt from her eyes as she belted him with the nearest object. "SCARY!"

Vash flopped down on the bed and sighed. "That's not the reason and you know it." He was scared she would reject him. He didn't know if she had found the letter he left or not, but if she hadn't, he still planned on telling her that he loved her. The most frightening thought though was that she was all he had left on this planet and if she didn't want him, he would be alone for the rest of his long life. He hadn't realized just how much he hated being alone in the world. He had never known the difference till the insurance girls began following him around and now that he did the thought of always being alone was horrifying. He wasn't worried about it until he had seen her when he first arrived in town.

ONE WEEK EARLIER

By the time Vash reached the city it was too late to try and find the girls so he checked into the hotel and passed out on the bed. When morning came, he climbed out of bed quickly, threw on his jacket and headed out to find Meryl. He didn't have to look long. As he was walking out of the hotel, he saw her walking down the street. He had tried to call out to her, but his voice froze in his throat. He just stood there and watched as she walked away.

So here he was, a week later and he still hadn't talked to her. "You have to go talk to her. Even if she doesn't want you that way you know she won't abandon you." Vash almost had himself convinced to go when he was struck with something he hadn't even thought of. What if she does feel the same? Now this would seem like a good thing to most people. Knives was gone and Vash was finally free to live his life without conflict, but Vash wasn't most people, he was a plant. Even if Meryl returned his love how long would it last. He had no way of knowing how long he would live, but he knew it would be longer than Meryl. Could he stand to watch as she grew older and died? The thought made his heart ache as he started to cry. "This isn't fair. Why can't I just be happy?" He finally decided to sleep on it and figure out what to do in the morning.

"Vash honey could you get the kids for dinner?" "Sure Meryl. Rem. Brad. It's time to come eat." "Coming Daddy." As they sat eating, Vash took time to admire his family. He and Meryl had been married for ten years. Brad was born just a year later and Rem followed a year after that. Brad was the spitting image of the now retired outlaw and Rem looked just like her mother except her hair was longer. When dinner was finished Meryl sent them off to bed and turned to look at her husband. "And just what are you staring at." "The most beautiful woman in the world." He then pulled a small box out from his coat. "Happy Anniversary." "Oh Vash you remembered." Snatching the box and ripping off the paper, she quickly opened the box. Her eyes grew wide at what was in the box. He had bought her a gorgeous locket with a diamond imbedded into it. "It's beautiful, Vash." She then threw her arms around him and gave him a huge kiss. "Thank you so much." "I'm glad you like it. Ok my turn. What did you get me?" She simply flashed him a coy smile and motioned for him to follow. It didn't take long for him to comprehend what his gift was and he quickly scooped her up and ran up the stairs to there room.

When Vash awoke the next morning, all his doubts and reservations about seeing Meryl were gone. He knew he wanted to spend every minute of the rest of her life with her. Getting up, he showered and dressed in clean clothes. Taking a moment to check his hair in the mirror, he headed out the door and out into the street. He knew exactly where they lived. He had followed her home one day so he would know where to find her, should his nerve return. It only took him a few minutes to get there and stepping up onto the porch, he knocked.

Oh evil author leaving a cliffhanger. Well I guess you will have to practice patience because this was the best place to stop even though it is kinda short.

Next chapter. The Reunion.