Chapter 8: Falling in Love Again

Leo was skipping stones on the water with a heavy heart. He loved Karone more than anything else in the universe. He wanted to be with her. He wanted to love her, take care of her, and maybe someday marry her. He wanted to spend the rest of the his life with her and have kids with her. He dreamt about making her his bride since the day he first laid eyes on her all those years ago. He had his heartbroken twice. The first time was when she married Zhane. The second time was when she denied his heart. Leo threw the last stone into the water and stared at the ripples. He closed his eyes and rubbed his forehead and went to leave. "Don't go," a voice insisted. Leo turned around to find Karone standing there.

"Karone," he whispered.

He stood up and walked over to her. "Karone, what are you doing here?" He asked.

"I came to see you," she replied.

"Why?" He asked.

"Because, I want to ask you something."

Leo crossed his arms and looked at her. "And that would be what?" He asked. Karone sighed and looked at him.

"Why are you so nice to me, Leo? You were always nice to me. Even though I have pushed you away so many times you were still so kind to me," she stated.

Leo sighed and looked at her. "Do you want to know the real truth?" He asked.

"Yes," she replied.

He stood there and had to tell her the real truth. "Because I love you and I'll always love you," he confessed. Karone smiled and was about to say something when he kept going. "I have loved you since the day I first saw you. I kept my distance because of Zhane. Then all of a sudden during these past few months, my heart just couldn't take it anymore. I wanted to hold you, love you, and kiss you. If only you feel the same way," he insisted. Karone sighed and walked closer to him with tears glistening in her eyes.

"I love you too, Leo. I realized it last night when Andros came to talk to me. I really do love you," she confessed.

Leo took her into his arms and she cried against him. "I just don't want to be hurt again," she sobbed. He held her to him and placed a kiss on the top of her head.

"I won't leave you, Karone. I promise you," he murmured.

Karone sighed and buried her head into his shoulder. Andros and Ashley were watching with a grin. Leo lifted her chin and pressed his lips against hers. Karone kissed him back and placed her hand on the back of his neck pulling him closer. Andros looked at Ashley with a grin. "Mission accomplished," he chuckled. Ashley giggled and left with her husband behind her. Leo and Karone pulled out of the kiss because of the lack of air. Karone reached up and touched his face.

"Is this a dream?" He asked.

"If it is a dream, then I'm both happy and sad."

"Why is that?"

"I'm happy because I'm finally able to fall in love again. I'm sad, because if this is a dream then that means I'll be waking up soon and this would fade away."

Leo pulled her close and stared into her eyes. "This is no dream, Karone," he assured her. Karone smiled and kissed him again.

That evening, Zavier and Kamilah were shocked to see there mother coming into the house with a big smile on her face. Since their father's death she didn't smile. All of a sudden, she came in with a huge smile on her face. Ashley came out of the kitchen with a smile. "I see that you have finally told him," she pointed out.

"I did, and he kissed me," Karone answered while giggling like a school girl.

Ashley smiled and hugged her sister-in-law, who was finally happy. Kamilah walked over and Karone picked her up. "Mommy, is Leo going to be my new daddy?" She asked. Karone smiled and kissed her daughter's forehead.

"I hope so, sweet heart," she replied.

Zavier felt the anger going through him and went upstairs. However, they didn't notice. They were all so happy for Karone and Leo. Zavier was furious. He didn't want another man to take his father's place in the family. He didn't want Leo to become his new father. He wanted his father back. He wanted Zhane back in their lives again. He had to understand that no matter what, his father was going to be with him forever. He was going to be with his family and friends.

That night, as everyone slept, a window flew open and a silver light entered the room. The light faded a bit only to reveal Zhane. He walked into Andros and Ashley's room and placed a hand on Andros's shoulder. "Goodbye my friend, take care of Karone for me," he murmured. He walked over to the other side of the bed and placed a kiss on her cheek. "Good luck with this little one," he murmured. He placed a hand on her stomach before leaving.

He walked into his children's room and placed a kiss on Kamilah's forehead. "Hey, sweet heart. Daddy's here and here I'll be," he murmured. He then walked over to Zavier. "Hey, buddy, don't worry about your mom loving Leo. I'll always be here as long as you want me to be here," he assured him. Then he went to say goodbye to one more person.

Zhane entered his wife's room and saw her sleeping peacefully at last after all these months. He saw a necklace around her neck and saw that she had put her old wedding rings on a chain. "I'm very happy for you, Karone. Don't dwell on me like they have told you. Loving Leo is the best thing that you could've done. He'll now take on my mission and my mission was to protect and love you forever," he murmured. He kissed her on the lips and left after saying goodbye to his niece and nephew.