Wow… last chapter for The Sounds of Love. I'm so happy that so many people liked this story, I think it's one of the more serious stories I've written. Thank you so much for all the support you've shown me throughout ALL my stories, even if you just came from this story, thank you so much, because without you guys I'd be no where right now. So thank you so much and this chapter is dedicated to all you special people out there. Love you guys.
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Review of Chapter 17
"Sakura, oh god, Sakura please don't do this." He cried helplessly, lifting her in bridal style. "No, not this soon, you made me promise, I'm keeping it, now you've got to keep yours." He growled. Sakura's eyes opened weakly, staring at his determined face,
"I promise." She whispered.
They made a promise, a promise of togetherness, and a promise of forever. Can they keep it? It's up to you.
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Chapter 18: Epilogue: The start of a new beginning
2 years later
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"I don't know Eriol… do you think this is a good idea? Just… going like this?" a young woman asked. Her midnight raven hair flowed down her back like the deepest, darkest corner of the sea. Her amethyst eyes shining with concealed glee.
"I'm sure it'll be fine Tomoyo." The young man beside her consoled his wife. "I'm sure they're expecting us." He said. Tomoyo huffed, crossing her arms on top of her 5 month old belly.
"Right… and if we go and Xiao Lang blames us for waking up the baby I'm going to tell him to shoot all the daggers he wants at YOU!" Tomoyo said with a small edge in her voice, walking in front of her husband, expecting him to follow. Eriol groaned, following in the wake of his wife. I can only thank god that her moods swings are over.
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A man woke up as the morning sun called. Sunlight drifted from the window, breaking through his eye lid barriers and attacking the eye within. He stretched his tired muscles, slowly and steadily waking up. Two seven year old twins started skipping into the room.
"Father, Father! Wake up!" one of the young girls called. Their soft ruby eyes glimmered in the sunlight and long, light and braided amber hair slid down their back.
"Ying, Father won't wake up." The younger one pouted. Her sister shook her head.
"Hitomi, Carina told us to wake Father up. Xiao Chen would be here soon!" Ying responded, referring to their 20 year old sister and 18 year old Brother. Hitomi shrugged,
"I got an idea!" she said excitedly, running out of the room, ruby eyes dancing with mischief. She arrived a few minutes later, this time dragging in triplets the age of 14.
"Oh what now?" one of the older male ones complained.
"Stop complaining, Tenchi!" the female one said grumpily.
"Oh and you're Ms. Cheerful today Kari." The last one said.
"Oh be quiet Yang." Kari snapped, "I was in the middle of waking up when SHE," she snapped a glare at Hitomi, "dragged me out." Tenchi and Yang both nodded.
"So what's up girls? What's so important you have to have us come?" Yang asked.
"Father won't wake up." Ying complained, folding her tiny arms. The triplets giggled,
"Oh." They said in unison. Together, Kari, Tenchi and Yang all got onto either side of the bed.
"On the count of three, all right," Kari instructed, holding out three fingers. Ying and Hitomi immediately shoved their fingers into their ears, Tenchi and Yang shore identical evil smirk their amber eyes smiling. "1…" Kari counted
"2…" Tenchi continued.
"3!" Yang shouted happily.
"FATHER WAKE UP!"
"Shit!" the man woke up, his eyes wide opened. He looked around to face the smiling faces of 5 of his children, all standing innocently in front of him, and a fake glowing halo on top of their head. "I should have known, next time I'd prefer the alarm clock." The man said, sneaking a glance at the empty space beside him. "Where's your mother?"
"She's outside feeding, it's about time you woke up Father." Another female voice popped in. 16 years old Alana came in, her cool amber eyes smiling, her light brown hair gleaming with her re done red highlights. "Oh, by the way, Carina and Xiao Chen are here… Carina's with her fiancé." Alana added as an afterthought, "I can't believe she's almost getting married all ready, makes me dread being an adult more and more now." She complained, striding out of the room, her hair flying behind her, "Come now, let's leave father to clam down."
Li Syaoran shook his head amusedly at his children as they one by one exited his room. Alana, she had grown into such a beautiful young woman, her cracked heart mended expertly by the care and love by his wife. He thought back 2 years prior, how they had been on the run, how their family had been put on the test by every possible means.
But we made it through. He thought with a smile, and that's all that matter.
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Li Sakura sad in the backyard on a wooden swing, carefully handling the tiny bundle of joy in her hands, placing the plastic feeding bottle to the baby's mouth.
"Come now Xiao Hu, eat for mommy." She cooed softly, her voice gentle like a mother's touch. The baby boy cooed gently, his brightemerald eyes staring back at his mother, his mouth sucking greedily at the bottle.
"Mom! Two pair of voices came form the opened window that leads to the kitchen.
"I'm in the back yard!" she called back, seeing two heads, a male and female come running out. "Please speak softly, Xiao Hu just woke up." The two softened tip toeing to her.
The one with light ruby eyes, and deep raven hair, was 12 years old Sora, answered first, "Mom, Carina and Xiao Chen's here, and Dad isn't awake yet." She said.
"Yea, so I got Hitomi and Ying to wake him up." 10 year old Alex said his raven coloured hair messy, his deep amber eyes shimmering.
"Hmm, I'm not sure if that was a good idea." Sakura said thoughtfully, gently burping the one and a half old child in her arm. Xiao Hu gurgled, demanding to be placed into his wheel chair, trying to get his rightful freedom. Sakura laughed, carrying him back into the house finding his chair. As soon as his little bottom had hit the seat, his little feet were off, his suckers (those little socks with like plastic designs at the bottom to prevent slipping) carrying him as fast as they could.
"No, it wasn't that good of an idea." A voice said amusedly from behind. Sakura turned around, a smile drifting across her face.
"Morning." She said cheerfully, kissing him softly at his cheeks. Syaoran smiled, wrapping his arms around her waist. Even when she was 32 she was still so beautiful. "Carina and Xiao Chen are here and Carina has her special guests." Sakura told him. Syaoran's smile fell a bit; a slightly hardened face came on. "Oh Xiao Lang you've got to trust Carina's choice." Sakura laughed, dragging her stubborn husband over.
Carina, 20 years old, came in, her raven hair tied into a pony tail, her amber eyes gleaming as she saw her family. Beside her was her fiancé, Jonathan. They had met together at university and look where they were now.
"Car, is that you?" a surprised voice said from behind her. She turned around, facing her 18 year old brother, Xiao Chen. His amber hair was steadily forming the messiness of their father, his amber eyes shining.
"Xiao Chen! Oh god I haven't seen you for so long!" she lunged herself at him, hugging him tightly. "Oh you've grown!" she said proudly, "You're taller than me now!" she mocked complained. Xiao Chen laughed, nudging her sister,
"Some things never change, eh?" He joked, noticing her wedding band, "so, who's the unfortunate soul?" he said with mocked seriousness, referring to her ring. That earned him a punch on the arm by her as she introduced her fiancé.
"Xiao Chen, this is Jonathan, Jonathan, my immature little brother, Li Xiao Chen." She introduced, putting an extra emphasis on little. Jonathan had jet black hair and stunningly grassy green eyes.
"It's a pleasure to meet you." He said, shaking hands with Xiao Chen. Xiao Chen smiled,
"Pleasure's all mine. Good luck with my sister." Xiao Chen joked. Jonathan laughed along with him, much to Carina's annoyance.
"Jonathan I can't believe you're siding with him!" Carina complained. Xiao Chen laughed,
"Call us men."
"CARINA," eight other voices called, rumbling towards her. Jonathan sweat dropped, seeing the amount of siblings, starting to get nervous. Xiao Chen laughed, placing a hand on the young man's shoulder.
"Welcome to the family."
Syaoran and Sakura entered the main hall, smiling, Sakura gripping onto Syaoran's hand, making sure her husband won't escape and attack ruthlessly at his future son-in-law.
"Father, mother!" Carina exclaimed, working her way out of the group of her sisters and brothers. Sakura smiled, hugging her,
"Carina you haven't changed a bit." Sakura smiled, holding her back, examining her. Carina laughed, watching her father scrutinize every bit of her fiancé.
"I guess Father hasn't either from the last time I brought Jonathan here." Carina laughed, remembering that last time, they were here as newly engaged couples. Jonathan approached them, lacing his hand with Carina's.
"Mrs. Li, it's nice to see you again." He said pleasantly. Sakura smiled, nodding at the man,
"It's nice to see you too Jonathan." She greeted, "Don't mind my husband, he's not a morning person." She added, seeing the nervous beads of sweat rolling down his face. "Xiao Lang, be nice!" she whispered to him.
"Hmm…" he said, "It's nice to see you Jonathan." He said in a stiff tone. Jonathan couldn't say anything, his voice caught in his throat from the authoritative stare of his future father-in-law. "I hope you are treating my baby girl well."
"Father," Carina gasped, "Please!" Jonathan nodded.
"Yes sir. She's everything to me." Jonathan insisted. Syaoran nodded at approval,
"Yes, she should be, as she is to me as well." He spoke. A sudden flash of midnight blue hair sent him off, "Um right well, head inside now, breakfast will be done soon." He said hurriedly. Carina recognized his tone and laughed, dragging her fiancé.
"Here comes Uncle Eriol."
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Tomoyo and Eriol got off their car, heading to the crowded house. Without having to ring the door bell, the door swung opened, revealing a beaming Sakura.
"Sakura, oh my god is that you?" Tomoyo exclaimed, jumping up and down. Sakura laughed, noticing her belly immediately,
"Tomoyo, my you've changed." Sakura teased, hugging her friend, bringing her in. Tomoyo laughed well naturedly,
"Yes, thanks to him." She said, inclining her head at Eriol who had just entered.
"Eriol, it's nice to see you again." Sakura greeted, hugging him as well. Eriol hugged back,
"Hello my dear Sakura." He said gentlemanly, "now where is my dear cousin?" his eyes searched for him, landing on a scowling figure. "Ah my cute little cousin," Syaoran's face grew red with anger.
"Hiirigazawa, haven't changed have you?" he growled. The girls laughed, watching the two relatives speak comments to one another… rather Eriol speaking quite calmly, Syaoran growling out his answers.
"Sakura, where's Xiao Hu?" Tomoyo asked excitedly, looking to the little boy. As if on cue, Xiao Hu strolled in,
"Mama, Mama!" he called at the top of his little lungs. His emerald eyes voiced shock, seeing a familiar raven haired woman scoop him out of his chair. "Anwee?" (Auntie) Tomoyo laughed happily, twirling around in circles with him,
"Oh Xiao Hu you are so kawaii!" she said happily, snuggling him, "I can't wait until my child is born!" she said fondly, gently rubbing her swollen stomach.
"'Waii, waii!" Xiao Hu called out.
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Sakura held Xiao Hu tightly against her, looking at her large family photo, consisting of herself, Syaoran, Carina, Xiao Chen, Alana, Kari, Tenchi, Yang, Sora, Alex, Ying, Hitomi, Tomoyo, Eriol, Daisy-before she had passed away-, Chiharu and little Kero up front. They were her family, her friends, and she couldn't ask for more.
Underneath of the large picture frame was a moderately sized picture of Daisy with a tiny girl of 5 with long auburn tresses, letters engraved on the frame.
Beloved Mother of Li Sakura
She remembers this picture so well. She was 5, her powers just awakened. Both of them were outside on sunny spring day when Lily had come up with a camera. She had wanted to take pictures of everyone and frame them in the church. Snuggling against the only mother she ever knew, the 5 year old Sakura and Daisy both posed happily for the camera, smiling to the happy sky.
That seemed so long ago now. Right after their escape from the church, they had been on the run for a year, sometime between that year, had found out she was pregnant. A little while after the birth of Li Xiao Hu, Chiharu had came one grey and rainy day,
"Sakura… mother… Daisy… she passed away this morning."
Those words kept echoing and repeating in Sakura's mind that day, and night. It was as if her brain was hollow, void and empty of everything and anything, the only thought remaining, Daisy's not here anymore. She's left me. Syaoran had consoled her, allowing her to sleep early, leaving him to take care of the newly born son. She had cried for at least a week, and when she thought she had used up all her tears, more leaked out of her eyes as they disguised themselves and entered her funeral.
But she's here. She thought in realization, she's never left me. She's still alive in my heart, and she'll always watch over me.
"Hey, what are you doing here?" Syaoran said from behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist. Sakura turned around, wiping a stray tear that had fallen unconsciously down her face.
"Thinking." She said, "I can't be happier than I am now." She said softly, glancing back at Daisy's picture. Syaoran nodded understandingly,
"Yes, I'm sure she knows that too." He agreed, hugging her. He allowed Sakura to rest her head on his shoulder for a moment, his hands tracing her back, slowly massaging it to relieve the previously tense muscle. He felt the small and light scar near her waist, remembering the near fatal night.
"Did it hurt?" he asked quietly, staring down at her smooth face. Sakura knew what he was referring to for he had asked so many times.
"It did…" she admitted softly, "god it hurt so much. But do you know what hurt the most?" she asked. Syaoran shook his head,
"The thought of losing you and the children. Just the mere thought of never being able to see you again that hurt more than a dozen bullets." She said to him, staring up at him with her exquisite emerald eyes "But I'm happy I made it. I promised you I would, and I never turn on a promise." Syaoran nodded smiling, he rested his forehead against hers.
"Yes you did, and for that I'm grateful." He replied, kissing her gently on the tip of her nose. The two stayed like that for a while, comfortable in each other's arm, a comfortable silence surrounding the two.
"Mom… Dad?" Hitomi and Ying poked in. Syaoran and Sakura parted, seeing their daughters.
"Yes?" Sakura answered. Hitomi blushed,
"Can you… can you tell us the story of how you and dad met… again?" she asked timidly. That question drew about everyone in the house.
"You know what?" Xiao Chen said thoughtfully, leaning against the door frame, "It'll be nice to hear that again, relive memories." Carina nodded.
"To hear of good times, and of bad times, and how true love can conquer all." She said happily, squeezing Jonathan's hand.
"And how sometimes, moving on is the best way to heal." Alana added, smiling adoringly at her mother.
"Playing with your brothers and sisters, having each other by your side." Kari smiled, looking left to right at her brothers she loved so much.
"And learn how to grow up with one another." Sora added,
"Even if we do fight all the time." Alex added mildly.
"And to learn that sometimes, taking a chance is all that's needed to start another beautiful chapter of your life." Eriol said adoringly at his wife and his soon to be child.
" and no matter what we'll have one another." Tomoyo agreed, leaning on to Eriol's shoulder. Sakura smiled as a single tear fell from her eyes, eyeing one and every single one of her family.
"And a promise of forever," she said, looking at her husband,
"Is a promise that lasts forever." He responded.
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A promise that can be broken is not a promise. A promise that goes on forever by itself is not a promise…
A promise kept and tried to fulfill to its fullest extent, even for a single day, is a promise that can change a lifetime.
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A/N: sniff, sniff this is the last and final chapter of "The Sounds of Love". I am so happy that all of you stuck with me for so long. This chapter took me a while to write because I wanted it to be the best chapter yet. I really hope I made it. Thank you so much for sticking with me all throughout the 18 chapters of this story, after this I'm going to take a break, start studying for my exams. After that, I am most likely to start another CCS story. The next one may be a bit different from my previous ones, based on a Korean TV show. It's taking me a while to plan out everything since the plot of the story has yet to be perfected, but I hope you will stick with me and I hope to see you all again next time!