Chapter 1

"Once Upon a Time"

"Mother."

"No."

"Mother."

"No."

"Mother….."

"No."

"Mother!"

"No."

"Mother dearest."

"No."

"Mother that I love."

"No."

"For Christ sake mother, look at me when you say no!"

Lifting her eyebrow at her novice daughter, the middle age woman, replied once again, staring right back at her daughter's green orbs. "No."

Lifting her arms in the air in frustration, the young girl walked away but stopped quickly. "Can I ask you one question?"

"Yes?"

"Why do you have to be sooooo stubborn mother?"

"Me?" the middle age asked surprised.

"Yes, you."

Laughing loudly, the middle age, blonde hair woman whose intense golden orbs shined brilliantly said loudly and confidently, "I took it after your grandfather. Just like you took my stubbornness from me."

Turning to face her mother sharply, the girl pointed her finger at herself and shouted, "ME!"

Looking down at her watch, the woman swiftly counted the number of minutes. "If I am right, which I think I am, we have been arguing for a good hour. I just don't see why you can't get the hint that no, is just plainly no."

"I am 17 years old mother!"

"How old is this boy?" the woman asked curiously.

"Well….." the girl stuttered silently. "His…ummm…..hisistwenty-eightyearsold."

"Excuse me? Can you please repeat that just a tad bit more clearly?"

Narrowing her eyes at her mother, the girl answered more slowly, "His is twenty-eight years old."

Tapping her finger on her chin, the mother asked, "How old are you?"

"Seventeen."

"Making the difference of what?"

"Eleven years."

"Case close then." The woman replied satisfied. "Now if you excuse me, I have some cleaning to do."

Walking away from her daughter, the woman moved from the family room into the kitchen, where her sister-in-law was sitting casually at the kitchen table.

"I see it went well," the pink hair woman said calmly, smiling.

"It went peachy, Lacus. Just peachy."

"It could have been worse. She could have been like, mother may I date this twenty-something year old man and make passionate love with him all night long."

"Lacus!" the blonde hair woman shrieked. "Don't give her any ideas!"

"Cal, I think you should give your daughter the benefit of the doubt," Lacus replied lifting her eyebrow in doubt.

Getting a cup of coffee, Cagalli replied casually, "You're forgetting she is my daughter and seventeen of age. If she is anything like me when I was seventeen, lord knows that I have to lock her with handcuffs in her room and destroy the key."

"That is true," Lacus answered. "She may act like you but she defiantly looks like…."

"Don't you dare say his name, Lacus," Cagalli interrupted sternly. "Don't you dare."

Watching the blonde pitifully, Lacus nodded her head in agreement. "I'm sorry."

Sitting down, across from Lacus, Cagalli stared quietly into the depths of the brownish-black liquid and said softly, "It's been fifteen years, since he left. Fifteen long years."

"Cal…."

………………Flashback……………………..

At the age of 18, Cagalli Yula Attha was a intelligent, willful and down to earth youth who pushes herself forward in life. She was never dependent of others and she was certainly positive that she will achieve her dream without any obstacles.

However that all changed on the day she bumped into a blue hair, green eye youth in the center of Green Oaks Park, where the sparkling lake laid and the garden of roses stood to the side.

"Excuse you!" Cagalli shouted in frustration as she quickly got up and went to grab her purse that had fell during the collision.

"I am sorry. I wasn't looking when I started…." the stranger replied as he too started to take hold of the fallen purse.

Placing her hand on the purse, followed by the stranger's hand a second later, Cagalli gaze raised to the stranger's eye level. Staring into the depths of his emerald orbs, she kept quiet.

It was until he softly cleared his throat that her attention was brought back to reality.

Realizing what had occurred, Cagalli blushed slightly and quickly took her purse and stood up, while mumbling a few curses. She started to walk away but quickly stopped when she felt a tug on her left arm. She slowly looked down and saw the stranger's hand gripping her arm.

"What are you doing?" she ask in shock. "Let go!"

"What is your name?" he asked curiously, as he slowly released his grip and picked himself off the ground.

"Why do you care?" she asked suspiciously.

"Well if I am going to ask you for a cup of coffee, I might as well know your name. Don't you agree?" the stranger asked calmly.

"Coffee?" Cagalli asked confused.

Smiling, the stranger raised his hand towards the blonde and said politely, "My name is Athrun Zala and I was wondering if you would like to get a cup of coffee." Cagalli kept quiet, so he quickly added, "It's my way of apologizing for knocking into you just moments ago. After all, if I don't offer you any form of consolidation, I don't think I could forgive myself."

"I….I…" Cagalli stuttered slightly at the man's offer.

"You accept?" Athrun asked.

Signing slightly, Cagalli regain her composure and replied, "Why not."

…………5 Months Later……………………...

Hearing Athrun laughing out loud, Cagalli faced her boyfriend in curiosity. "What?"

"I was just thinking and I just thought of something that was funny," Athrun said simply, as he returned his attention at the ongoing movie.

"Athrun…" Cagalli warned loudly.

Staring at his girlfriend in innocently, he replied, "Can't a guy watch the "The Notebook" in peace?"

"……No," she answered deadly. "Spill. Now. Or else."

Signing loudly, Athrun raised his hands up as a act of surrendering. "You got me. I'll spill."

"Good," Cagalli said, as she waited impatiently.

"I just thought about the choice of movie," Athrun started and continued when he received silence. "If you don't know, "The Notebook" is considering a chick flick now and days. Typically it's the girl who choices the film and forces the guy to watch it."

"So?" Cagalli asked annoyed that she wasn't understanding his point.

"In our case, the roles were reversed. I had picked the movie, due to Lacus recommendation and I basically had to blackmail you to watch it. I just found it amusing. Nothing more."

"Last time I had let you choose the movie which was a chick flick, you had chosen Titanic," Cagalli said angrily but soften when she said, "And you didn't tell me he died at the end. I don't think I had ever cried that much from watching a movie. They were so perfect together…..yet he died cause the bloody ship had to struck the dumb block of ice that was floating in the middle of the damn ocean! Really, why call a ship the unsinkable ship and have it sink a couple of days after it first set sail….."

"Cagalli?" Athrun interrupted slowly.

"What?" she answered turning to face him.

"I think we should stop the movie and find something else to do…."

"Why?" she asked skeptically.

"You see….if you didn't like the ending to the Titanic…then you might not like the ending to this movie….exactly," Athrun said nervously.

"Is there a ship that sinks too?" Cagalli asked, her eyes widening slightly.

"Not technically…" Athrun started but stopped when Cagalli turned to face the TV.

"Then we are going to finish this movie, rather you like it or not."

"Okay, but don't say I didn't warn you this time…" Athrun mumbled quietly and rewrapped his arms around his girlfriend.

1 HOUR LATER

Hugging his sobbing girlfriend, Athrun tried to comfort her as best as he could.

"The ending was so sad…" she cried loudly.

"I know but you see, he loved her so much. He couldn't leave her. You do understand that, don't you?"

"I do, that is why it is so sad. Everyday, she forgets him and their life together. Yet he is so patient and their love had conquered so much," she replied sadly.

"Yeah," Athrun simply responded, holding her closer.

They kept quiet for a moment, both drown in their thoughts.

"Cagalli?" Athrun asked softly.

"Yes?" she answered, as she felt him pull her away so they both were facing one another.

Leaning in, he took her lips with his, kissing her passionately and lovingly. Breaking away after a minute, he smiled at her dazed expression.

Stroking her cheek with his hand, he said softly "I will never forget you, no matter what."

"Athrun…." She felt her face turn red in embarrassment.

"Cagalli Yula Attha, I love you too much to ever forget you." He slowly removed his hand from her cheek and moved it to her heart. "I'll will always be there for you. Rather it's in person or in your heart."

"Athrun…" she spoke softly.

He gently took her hand and placed it over his heart. "You will always be in my heart. Forever."

Smiling at him, Cagalli nodded her head in agreement. Pulling him towards her, she whispered softly into his ear, "I love you too Athrun Zala and you will be in my heart till the day I die. However, next time…"

"Next time?" Athrun asked, as he pulled away looking confused.

Smirking slightly she nodded her head and said, "Next time I choose the movie."

"Deal."

……………………….2 Years Later………………………….

"I now pronounce you, husband and wife. Introducing Mr. And Mrs. Athrun Zala!" the priest said loudly as the group of people assembled before the alter stood and started to cheer and clap hands.

The bride and groom quickly glanced at the priest and waited.

Smiling happily, the priest added, "You may now kiss the bride."

Turning to face his new wife, Athrun leaned in quickly and kissed the love of his life. Pulling away slowly, he mouthed "I love you". She mouthed "I love you too" back, as she made her way down the aisle, pulling her new husband with her.

Family and friends stood and cheered for the newlyweds.

Life was perfect for the couple. It would seem like nothing would ever hurt the married couple.

…………………..1 and 1/2 Years Later…………………….

"ATHRUN ZALA I SWEAR TO GOD YOU ARE A DEAD MAN!" Cagalli Yula Attha Zala screamed as loud as she could.

"Cagalli dear, you don't mean that," Athrun tried to reassure her, while holding her left hand. "Just listen to the doctor sweetie and breath in and out."

"YOU WANT ME TO BREATH! ARE YOU FLIPPING NUTS ATHRUN!" Cagalli screamed once more. "I LIKE TO SEE YOU BREATH IN AND OUT WHEN YOU FEEL THIS MUCH PAIN."

"Sweetie, remember you are the one who wanted to do this naturally."

"Sir, do you value your life?" the nurse asked surprised. Looking up at her, he stared at her confused. Smiling, she only replied, "I guess you new dads are going to have to learn this the hard way. Never go against your wife during labor."

"But why….." Athrun started but stopped when he felt soaring pain go through his right hand. "Cagalli, you are hurting me."

"Just hurting?" she replied softly. "THEN HOW ABOUT THIS!"

Feeling no circulation in his hand, Athrun started to panic.

Before either could say or do anything, a baby's cry was heard. Facing the doctor, both looked in amazement.

"Mr. And Mrs. Zala, congratulations. You both have a new healthy baby girl." The nurse took the baby and wrapped her around in a blanket and softly placed her in Cagalli's arms.

Staring at the new life in her arms, Cagalli forgot everything else, as she smiled blissfully and said, "Hey there. I'm your mommy and this guy beside me is you daddy."

"Hi little one," Athrun said softly as he gently took her little hand into his.

Watching from the corner of the room, the doctor along with the nurse smiled contently.

"That usually does the trick," the nurse replied.

"What does?" the doctor asked, as he stared at the new parents.

"The arrival of the new baby stops the parents from killing one another."

"Sadly but true."

………..3 years later…..…………………

"Athrun, we are home!" Cagalli shouted as she made her way into the house, carrying little Estelle in her arms, with her sister-in-law, Lacus, following behind.

"Athrun?" Cagalli said, when received no answered.

Feeling something wasn't right, Cagalli quickly scanned her surroundings.

"That is weird," Lacus replied to silence. "Maybe he went out."

"Take Estelle," Cagalli said worriedly.

Walking away from Lacus and Estelle, Cagalli searched the house for any signs of her husband.

She received none.

However, something caught her eye. Walking into their shared bedroom, Cagalli open the closet door that was left slightly ajar.

"Cal, is anything wrong?" Lacus asked, as she made her way into the bedroom.

"His stuff is gone…" Cagalli said quietly.

"What?" Lacus asked confused.

Moving out of her way, Lacus took noticed of the empty closet. Before either could do or say anything else, the phone rang. Picking up the cordless phone from the nightstand, Cagalli responded, "Hello?"

"Cagalli, it's me."

"Athrun! What is going on? Why aren't all your clothes in the closet?" Receiving no response, she shouted, "ANSWER ME!"

"I'm sorry." Was his simple reply.

"Sorry?" Cagalli asked panicky. "Why are you sorry. You didn't do anything wrong. Athrun just come home, please. You are worrying me"

"I'm not coming home, Cagalli."

"Okay, come when you can Athrun. I'll be waiting for you…." Cagalli started but stopped when Athrun interrupted.

"I'm not coming home, Cagalli," he repeated.

"Okay…..when are you coming back?" she asked nervously.

"I'm sorry, but I'm not coming home today nor tomorrow. Heck, I'm not even coming home ever again. It is best if you forget me," Athrun replied monotone.

"What?" Cagalli exclaim wide eye.

"Cagalli, what is going on?" Lacus asked worriedly.

"I have found something more important in life that I must achieve and that doesn't concern you what so ever."

"Athrun…" Cagalli replied softly, heartbroken and scared. "What is going on."

"Goodbye Cagalli, maybe one day, we will meet again," Athrun said sincerely, but then added coldly, "But I doubt it."

"ATHRUN!" Cagalli shouted as the phone went dead. Trying to redial his cell phone number, Cagalli heard something vibrating from the nightstand drawer. Opening in slowly, she dreaded what she was about to find.

Athrun's cell phone.

"Cagalli, what is going on?" Lacus asked worriedly, as she cuddled Estelle closer.

Turning to face her friend, Cagalli dropped the phone on the floor. Tears slowly fell.

"He left me."

……………..Flashback Ends……………………..

"It's been fifteen years since he left," Cagalli said softly. "I hate him for leaving me. I hate him deeply."

"Cagalli…" Lacus said worriedly.

"I hate him more for not telling me why. He just left without saying why!"

Walking over to her friend, she slowly hugged her, comforting her. After a minute, Lacus pulled back and smiled reassuring her friend that everything is okay now.

Thanking her friend, Cagalli got up and started to make dinner.

"Are you ever going to tell Estelle the truth?" Lacus asked quietly after a moment of silence.

"About what?"

"That Athrun is alive, not dead."

Staring at the pot, she had set to boil water in, Cagalli shook her head in disagreement. "Why tell her now Lacus. For fifteen years, she has been left to believe that her no good of a father died in a car accident. Why tell her now that he had left us for no apparent reason?"

"Cause it is the truth."

Smiling sadly, Cagalli shook her head in disagreement. "Even if Athrun Zala appears in our lives once more, he will never be Estelle's father. He left me to raise our daughter alone. I have struggled to make ends meet for the both of us. For Estelle, it is best that her father is truly dead."

"Oh Cagalli…" Lacus said quietly, as she watched her friend worriedly. Knowing there was nothing else she could say, she excused herself to call her husband, Kira.

"Tell Kira to stop by for dinner after work," Cagalli responded, as Lacus made her way out of the kitchen.

Watching Lacus leave, Cagalli turned to face the water that was now boiling. "I will not cry. I had cried enough for this selfless man." Lifting her hand to her lips, Cagalli strongly fought against the pain she has felt for fifteen years.

………………………Flashback………………….

"Divorce papers?" Cagalli whispered quietly. "No, he wouldn't just leave and do this…."

"Cagalli," her twin said sadly, as he watched his sister fall apart.

"How could he do this?" she replied angrily. "WHY!"

"I don't know Cal, I don't know." Kira said softly, as he held onto his sister tightly.

Feeling all her pain and sorrow grow into one emotion, he heart turned cold. She knew from that moment, Athrun Zala wouldn't ever be forgiven for what he had done to her and their daughter. Ever.

The one emotion that emerged from her that day, grows everyday. The one emotion she has felt ever since his disappearance.

Hatred

……………………………….Flashback Ends……………….

Taking hold of a nearby knife, Cagalli looked at her reflection.

"I swear if you ever come back, I'll kill you for all the pain you have cause Athrun Zala."

………………………………

Author's Note:

Okay, I know, I know I haven't finished Finding Destiny, but I decided I couldn't keep this story on hold forever. So I'm going to try and work on both stories on my tight schedule. Good news is that Finding Destiny is almost finished. So I hope you enjoy the 1st chapter and please review.

Starry.