JC: Yes, this is it! This is the final chapter! I want to thank my loyal reviewers first for supporting me on this story. I can't believe I managed to finish this despite my busy schedule in school. This story is my tribute to Athrun and Cagalli. I will truly support them forever, even though things didn't go well for them in the series. Let's get on with the story, shall we? Will Athrun finally confess his love for her? How will Cagalli react to that? If you want to find out, then read on...

Disclaimer: I don't own Cagalli, Athrun, or any of the characters in GSD. I only own Jean and Kai here.

Love Fulfilled

Phase 18: Love Fulfilled

"Athrun, what do you want to tell me?" Cagalli asked her bodyguard who was looking at her intensely. She somehow had a funny feeling building inside of her. Tension was brewing and her heart was pumping way faster than usual, making her more nervous.

Athrun bit his lip, because he was being hesitant. He can't help feeling nervous. It wasn't that easy to confess to the girl you love. He was trying to find a way to say it smoothly and calmly. However, despite being a calm person most of the time, he was sure panicking inside. He had to admit that he wasn't an expert when it comes to love and romance, and it was a fact only known by his younger sister.

"I'm running out..." Before Cagalli could say another word, Athrun spoke up all of a sudden, much to her surprise. "Cagalli, I love you."

Her heart skipped a beat in an instant. Those three words were nothing new to her. But since it came out of Athrun's mouth, she felt dumbfounded. "W-what... What did you just say?" Her eyes grew wide as she clamped her lips. She never expected him to say those words.

"Cagalli, I love you. I have always loved you since the day I saw you." He was being true to his words. His feelings for her were all true. He loved the princess more than anything.

"I-I don't know... what to say..." Heart swirling in motion, she stood up and turned around, showing her back to him. "I'm really... shocked to hear that." It was her first time to have a guy confessed to her. And it wasn't just some any guy. It was her bodyguard and her good friend.

His eyes softened. "I want to know if you feel that same way about me." He lowered his head, because he was afraid of hearing her answer. He wondered what it would be like to be rejected. He had never experienced it before. But he knew it was painful.

At the same time, Kira and Murrue were keenly listening to them from the kitchen like a pair of snoops. "I hope your sister says yes," Murrue said as she crossed her fingers. She was rooting for Athrun all the way.

Kira nodded. "I'm not even sure if Cagalli loves him back. What do you think?"

"From my point of view, I think..." Murrue winked an eye and smiled.

Cagalli clasped her hands together, as she felt her pounding heart. The emotions inside her made her confused. She felt really awkward. She knew he was waiting for her answer. But what was she supposed to say? She had no idea what to tell to the guy.

At this point, Athrun figured that her silence meant no. "I understand, though it hurts a little... I understand your feelings." He sighed, looking depressed, as he stood. He was about to walk away when…

"Athrun!" she called out his name as suddenly hugged him. "Athrun, I love you! I love you too." She looked up at him, showing him a beautiful smile on her face. "I don't know how or when... Maybe it's because you're kind and you've done so much for me." She started shedding tears as she leaned her head on his chest.

"I'm so glad to hear that." Athrun hugged her back and brushed his hand through her golden locks, as a smile came across his face. His love was returned. He wanted to celebrate and party all night as if he won the lottery or something. He then pushed her away gently to look at her face. He wiped away her tears with his finger, taking the pleasure of touching her smooth face. He held her hand, feeling the warmness it had, as her amber eyes cleared up. He leaned forward and kissed her on the lips.

Feeling the sensation going through her body, she deepened the kiss more as her hands crawled around his neck, pulling him even closer to her.

"Wow... this is a moment that'll never forget," Kira muttered, feeling relieved, though he also felt kind of jealous.

Murrue giggled sweetly. With the confessions and the kiss, Murrue wished she could be as young as them again.

HQ (3 Months later)

"I'm so bored," Jean complained, slouching down on her chair. She was currently writing her a report that was due tomorrow. She didn't like writing stupid reports. As usual, Jean was being lazy again.

"Jean, less talk, more action..." Miriallia said strictly.

"Yes, I know..." Jean continued quietly as she mumbled some curses about the report.

Cagalli and Athrun, with hands entwined with one another, stepped into the office, looking pleasantly as ever. They had been going steady for months now. At first, they had struggled to adjust with one another. After all, being a couple was not easy, especially if you have jobs in the military. It was amazing how they managed to balance their hectic schedules.

"Nii-san! Oneesama!" Jean exclaimed as she bolted out of her chair. She marched over to her brother and gave him one big bear hug.

"Um... Jean... I can't breathe..." Athrun's lungs were literally gasping for air.

"Oops!" She quickly released him and giggled like a sweet and innocent little girl. "I'm sorry about that." She scratched the back of her head, feeling a little embarrassed.

"It's okay," Athrun replied gruffly.

"So what brings you two here?" Jean questioned the princess.

"Oh... nothing... We were getting bored back at the mansion, so we decided to come here," Cagalli answered as she seated herself on a chair.

"How's Kira?" Miriallia asked.

"He's working non-stop again."

"By the way, I've received an e-mail from Dearka yesterday. He told me that he'll be visiting me next month. I'm so excited." Miriallia was saying this with an awkward yet cheerful smile. She, even though she won't admit it, had been looking forward to seeing Dearka again.

Cagalli raised an eyebrow at her. "Don't tell me you're falling for that guy?"

Miriallia suddenly blushed. "Um... No... Dearka's my friend and of course, I would like to see him again, because I like him as a friend."

"Hmmm... I don't believe you," Cagalli teased her, a mischievous smile plastered on her face.

"Oh, please Cagalli... stop it." Miriallia lowered her head to hide her red face from her friends.

Jean, Athrun and Cagalli laughed at her cute and funny reaction.

Then Cagalli patted Miriallia's shoulder and said, "You two will make a great couple. I just know it."

"Cagalli, hold on a sec... He's just my friend for now." Miriallia wasn't even sure if she had feelings for the tanned-guy. She merely thought of him as a friend at the moment. If she wanted a boyfriend, maybe she'll reconsider.

"I'm just telling you this just in case you become his girlfriend."

Miriallia frowned and placed her hands on her hips. "Just don't play matchmaker when he gets here okay?"

Cagalli crossed her arms and pretended to be pissed. "That's boring..."

"Please Cagalli..." Miriallia made a puppy pout to convince the princess. As usual, it worked on her.

"Okay... I won't play matchmaker," she said. Unknown to Miriallia, Cagalli actually placed one hand behind her back and crossed her fingers at same time she said those words.

Beach

Stellar walked along the shore, wearing her beach attire. She scanned the sands for seashells for her collections. When she grew tired, she sat down on the warm sand, facing the beach, as the wind blew passed her face.

"It's such a nice day, but why do I feel so down?" she said, looking fairly depressed. Her thoughts had drifted with the wind as she hummed a sweet and loving tune.

Unexpectedly, she began thinking about Shinn. She missed him so badly. She wanted to see him again. Of course, she planned on paying him a visit in PLANT, but she can't just leave her Aunt Murrue at the moment. She deeply sighed as she sank her head between her knees. "Shinn... Shinn..." she muttered under her breath.

Hangar

Jean was looking for Kai in the Hangar, because she hasn't seen him lately. She spotted his mobile suit and went to check it out. As she peeked into the cockpit, she the guy she was looking for. "Kai!" shouted Jean so he could hear her. When Kai turned his head at her, she immediately waved a hand.

"What do you want?" Kai questioned her coldly. Obviously, he wasn't in the mood, but that didn't stop Jean from approaching him. She dragged him out of the cockpit to talk to him properly. "I don't want to waste my time talking to you," Kai said, giving her an icy stare.

Jean put on an irritated face as she crossed her arms. "What's with you today, Kai?! Don't tell me that you're letting out all of your anger at me just because I'm Athrun Zala's little sister?"

Kai gritted his teeth. He hated hearing that name. "No, it's just that..." He had to admit to himself that he was jealous of Athrun.

"You're still hurt, right? The wound in your heart hasn't heal yet, am I right?"

"Stop asking questions!" he demanded. He sat down on the floor and ruffled his brown hair with his hands. When he thought of Athrun and Cagalli, a hard knot of jealousy tightened in his stomach. He realized that he wanted to be the guy for Cagalli badly.

"I'm sorry." Jean leaned her back against the wall and stared at the floor. She didn't want to see his fuming blue eyes. She knew how scary he could be when angry.

"But you're right though... My heart is still in pain, because I love the princess so much. When I found out that Athrun and Cagalli were engaged, I almost committed suicide." He tried to laugh it out, but his eyes still looked depressed.

"Cagalli has chosen my brother, because she loves him."

"I know and I'm happy for her. I know that I can find the right girl for me someday."

Jean giggled. "Are you sure about that?"

"Who knows? The right girl might be you, Jean." He gazed at her with kind eyes that made Jean blushed.

"Um... erm..." Her words ended up in murmurs. She took a deep breath before she spoke again. "Let's emphasize on the word might."

"You can never tell, Jean..."

Jean smiled and fiddled with her fingers. She knew that Kai was joking on that matter. But as far as she was concerned, her feelings for Kai still remained loyal and true.

Park

They were sitting under a tree, licking their vanilla flavored ice cream they bought from a stand nearby. When Athrun turned to gaze upon the blonde, he noticed a tiny cream on her left cheek. He leaned forward and licked it off her face. Of course, his fiancée was taken by surprise with such a bold action.

"What was that for?" Cagalli asked, holding her cheek, as she blushed like hell.

"I just removed the cream from your cheek," he replied with a smile.

She blushed more and said nothing. She continued eating her ice cream as she eyed on the children playing on the see-saw.

Once finished, Athrun wrapped his arm around her neck and pulled her closer to him. He placed his mouth near her ear and whispered, "I love you…"

Cagalli giggled, though she felt a bit self-conscious. She looked up at him, with the cheery glitter in her golden-brown eyes, and smiled radiantly. "I love you too."

Athrun kissed her on the lips, as she closed her eyes in pleasure.

They remembered how they first encountered. They bumped into each other in the mansion, because she was trying to get away from a maid. Certainly, Athrun was thrilled to meet her. Later, he was introduced to her as her new bodyguard and became good friends afterwards. Athrun had been so kind and good to her. He was ready to do anything for her, not only because he was a bodyguard, but because of his secret feelings for her. The next set of events was rather stirring for them.

Rey Za Burrel, as Athrun may put it, was a rival to Cagalli's heart. At first, he thought he had no chance against him, because he was Cagalli's childhood friend. But he was wrong about that. Sure, Cagalli did care for him, but she didn't love him.

After Kira's assassination, Cagalli experienced so much suffering. She cried for days with only her twin brother in her mind. Lucky for her, Athrun was always by her side to comfort her. From the act of kindness he showed, Cagalli realized how blessed she was to have a bodyguard like him. And at that time, new feelings started to emerge from her heart. She was falling for him.

Athrun always dreamt of being with the princess, and that dream came true one day when he was summoned by Kira Yamato. He was so pleased to be hired as her bodyguard. He considered it as a chance to bond with Cagalli. And so he did. Now, he was officially the princess's fiancé.

"My love was finally fulfilled," Athrun concluded with a smile.

The End

JC: Love Fulfilled has finally ended. There are 18 chapters all in all. I would love to read your reviews and comments about this story. This was a memorable story for me. The plot just came to me randomly one day, and I just had to write it. I'm quite surprised that this turned out to be a success. This is my fanfic for AsuCaga! Please send me reviews. No flames!!