Chapter 11: Karone's Decision
Karone was on her way home from her meeting with Principal Comer. When she walked into the house, she found Leo's duffel bag in the living room. "Leo?" She called. Leo came downstairs and found her standing there. "Leo, w-what are you doing?" She asked. Leo walked down the stairs and answered her at the same time.
"I'm leaving, Karone," he replied.
"Leaving, where will you go?"
"I'm not sure."
"How long will you be gone?"
"I'll be gone until I figure out what to do."
"What are you talking about?"
Leo stopped in front of her. "I'm tired of trying to compete with Zhane. I'm leaving until then," he replied. Karone watched as he grabbed his bag and walked to do the door. She sat down in disbelief. "Who do you love, Karone, Zhane or me?" He asked. She stared at him. "Well, until you figure that out, I'll be seeing you sometime," he told her. He then left. Karone placed her hands over her face and cried.
Leo got onto his motorcycle and drove it to the Megaship.
Karone sat back and wiped her tears away. "What am I going to do?" She thought to herself.
"You go after him, that's what," a familiar voice replied.
Karone looked over her shoulder to find her late husband standing there. "Zhane!" She gasped. He nodded and she stood in front of him. She went to touch his face when her hand went straight through him. "I can't touch you," she whispered.
"I am dead, Karone. You have to accept that," he insisted.
"I do accept that."
"No you don't. If you did, you'd be moving on by now. You told Leo that you loved him, but you never gave him your heart. I've been watching you. Sure you shared your tender moments, but I know this. I know you've been thinking about me every time he kissed you."
"How can I love someone else when you were the man I loved?"
"You love Leo. I can see it in your eyes. All you have to do is open to him all the way. You haven't done that."
Karone sat down and Zhane sat across from her. "Karone, our children need a father and you need someone to love you. You need someone to love back," he insisted. She nodded and lowered her head. "Hey," he murmured. She looked up at him and into those eyes that captivated him years ago. "I'll always be with you, Karone. And hey, I'll always love you," he reminded.
"I love you too," she whispered.
He then disappeared. "Go after him," he instructed before disappearing. Karone sat back with a sigh. She then jumped up and ran to get her old jet jammer.
She flew to the Megaship and saw Leo getting on the ship. "LEO!" She called. She jumped off her jet jammer and ran to him. "LEO, WAIT!" She called. Leo stopped and looked at her. She stopped in front of him. "I'm so sorry. I haven't been so honest with you," she apologized.
"Karone, I can't keep having my heart broken," he insisted.
"I won't anymore. I do love you, Leo. Please don't leave me now."
Leo put his duffel bag down and embraced her. Karone hugged him back. "I love you, Leo," she whispered.
"And I you," he whispered back.
He then pulled away slightly and looked at her. "Karone, I want to ask you something. Something I've been wanting to ask you for a long time," he murmured.
"What is it?" She asked.
Leo then got down on one knee, grasped her hands in his, and he looked up into her eyes. "Karone, I love you more than anything. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?" He asked. Karone smiled and gave his hands a gentle squeeze.
"Yes, Leo Corbett, I'll marry you," she replied.
Leo stood up and gave her a hug. He then removed the ring from the box and slipped it onto her finger. Karone looked at him and gave him a kiss.
That night, Leo and Karone were fast asleep in each other's arms when Zhane came back into the room. He smiled to see how happy Karone was. He placed a kiss on the side of her head and placed a hand on Leo's shoulder. "You better take care of her, Leo," he murmured. Then he disappeared.
