"Oh Emiko, bless your innocence. You are so young and have your whole life ahead of you. Promise me you wont make the same mistakes I did. I know you can't learn from mine, but please, avoid them as much as you can."
Riza rocked back and forth holding the sleeping child in her arms staring out into the darkening yard. A large wall outlined the estate; the wall in the backyard was painted with clouds and grass with flowers to take away the jailed look. She looked out into the large back yard at the garden which had an archway. The very archway Roy and Riza exchanged wedding vows under thirteen years ago.
Riza rose to her feet and crossed the yard. Placing Emiko in the baby swing on swings next to the slide and scattered toys, then walked on. Keeping a straight path like she did thirteen years ago. Walking around the large in-ground pool instead of over the rose covered bridge that was set up years ago. Side stepping the beautiful gazebo which was only added a few months ago. She walked straight past the large open grass area which once held millions of guests; friends and family and soldiers alike.
These memories appeared before her eyes like visions of a dream. She no longer saw the swing set, but rows of chairs and tables full of guests. No longer was the gazebo the largest thing in the yard; replaced by a small table holding the large wedding cake and the humorous figurine at the top of the bride dragging the groom.
She stopped in front of the small flower garden. It stretched the length of the back stone wall. Centered in the middle of the garden was a stone archway covered in roses. A single stone step, stepped up into the archway where Riza walked now. She slowly took each step in the small garden and stood under the archway. The voices of the priest and guests filled her ears. The questions, the answers, the fate sealing kiss. Riza placed her left hand on the stone table-like stand that stood in the back on the archway. She stared at her golden wedding band that was coupled with the golden engagement ring. Then in a low whisper...
"I promised to protect you from harm as a solider. And I did my job with honor and pride. Then I promised to stand by your side forever. I promised to protect you and your heart from harm... but I failed. I have a secret. A secret that is more powerful then a bullet. A secret that I can not block from hurting you. A secret and a confession that will kill you and has already killed your heart... Forgive me...?"
Riza fell to her knees on the cold stone, leaving one hand on the table-like stand. Her other hand clutched her chest as tears rolled own her face. She coughed once, then twice as she tried to swallow the tears.
"I promised to make the world a better place to live. And I did my job. As payment, I asked for you to follow me through life and death as my wife and you accepted the charges. True, you did not protect my heart like you promised. True, a secret that is more powerful then a bullet was fired by you. True, a secret that hurt me tore through my heart. True, it a secret and a confession that might of killed me. And true to my vows thirteen years ago, I forgive you... Forgive me...?"
Riza opened her eyes as the sobs stopped. She stared at her hand on the stand and saw Roy's left hand resting over her's. The warmth of his hand replaced the bright images of their wedding day with the darkening yard . His hand cupped her's and pulled her to her feet. With one quick motion, he spun her around, holding her hand still. Stepping under the archway, he stood to her left and looked into her tear stained eyes which he still found as beautiful as ever. He placed his other hand on her check and ran his hand gently down her face, whipping away the tears.
"Roy..."
He placed his hand on her lips. Then in once motion, swooped down and placed a kiss on her lips. So full of life, love and passion. Like they were back on their wedding day. The old spark that was extinguished just hours ago was replaced by a new and stronger spark. Pulling away, he smiled at her as she tried to smile back. Quickly, Riza wrapped her arms around his neck and cried into his shoulders.
"Roy I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you."
He wrapped his arms around her back and held her close.
"I know. I know. I forgive you my love. I forgive you. Now, do you forgive me?"
"Why you ask me to forgive you?"
"Because I almost gave up on us. When I walked out that front door today, I wasn't coming back. I was running away. I was leaving you and the kids behind. I was throwing away all the love we shared. I forgot everything I promised you."
With a smile and one last tear whipped away Riza stared up into his black orb and smiled.
"I forgive you..."
Roy took Riza's hand and together, they walked back down the same path to the house. At the porch, Roy parted from Riza and went to the swing. He removed the sleeping baby and walked back to Riza. He stood next to her as the cold night air whipped around them. He looked into Riza's eyes, then down at the baby. Together, Roy walked back inside with his wife and daughter.