It was in the middle of the night when I woke with a weird feeling, like the pit of my stomach aching in distaste. I felt something bad happening. I turned to my left to see an empty space.
Where did Athrun go?
I heard the door closing, and got off the bed. I grabbed a sweater and placed it on top of my pajamas and headed out following him.
As he left the driveway, I followed making sure my headlights were off. He stopped ten minutes later. The place looked awfully familiar. He stepped out with a dreary look on his face. He entered through the doors. I followed as quietly as a mouse. I closed the door behind me. This place was where I learned how the dance. I heard a door close, and I followed the noise.
I lost him and myself. Where was I again? I searched and entered a solitude and clean room. I felt a familiar déjà vu all of a sudden. I saw Athrun standing in front of a picture of a woman with short cobalt hair like Athrun's and eyes as bright green as his. She looked gentle and caring. I walked near him and thought 'Was she…
"Hey, about time you came," He said.
I stumbled on the carpet as he brought out of my thought. As I was stumbling I grabbed onto his sleeve bringing him down with me. I was on top of him his front at the bottom and my front pressing against his back. Luckily he supported himself with his arm to prevent himself from falling face first.
"Sorry," I mumbled.
I could feel him smile underneath even though I couldn't see his face.
I got off him and his dusted him front and chest off.
"Cagalli," He said holding onto my waist.
"Yes," I said back.
"I want you to meet…my mother," he said pointing towards the picture I was looking at earlier.
"She's beautiful," I said in awe as I was in looking at the picture before.
'Now I know where he got his breath-taking looks from,' I thought.
"Thanks," He said as if reading my mind.
"But how did you…" I said being interrupted
"I've know you long enough to know how you feel about me, in the heart which does include personality and looks," He chuckled.
I grinned slightly embarrassed. I looked at the sliver embodied metal underneath that read Lenore Zala-devoted wife and mother, who was loved by all…
"She must have been someone special. I wish I could have met her Athrun, I really do," I said honestly
"Yes I know, anyways it's late we should go back home," He said.
"Hey, we can stay here if you want. I'm sure you'll enjoy it." I said
He agreed and sat down on a sofa. I saw in brown book, which turned out to be an album. I sat down in Athrun's opened arms as we looked through it.
There were baby picture inside of Athrun and his childhood. He looked like a carbon copy of his mother. I saw him growing and Kira in a couple of them. Both of them looked so endearing playing together. There would be unique story behind each picture and a different view of Athrun in each. I saw a picture of Athrun's family when he was about ten. His father or Patrick Zala for the first time in my life was there and smiling, nothing compared to his faces and expressions I knew of him. He was a happy, content man back than, and most likely since the death of his wife he broke completely and became a vengeful beast. I looked at the picture, Athrun sensing what was going through my mind.
"He's in a happy place now Cagalli. I don't regret him being dead, because he died when mom was gone." He said
I do believe that Athrun's father is in better place now, hopefully with the person whose death broke not just Athrun but perhaps him the most. I knew there was something important I wanted to look at once and I would start it tomorrow.
That night I discovered memories that I knew I would treasure forever.
I woke a bit stiff in the morning. Athrun was still snoozing and I got of him. I shook my numb arm awake due to the fact I was putting my weight on the few hours of sleep I had. I went to change room I went before and there I found a closet of clothes. After taking a shower and brushing my teeth I headed to pick my clothes I decided to wear a Capri with a camouflage pattern, and a black one shoulder strap fitting shirt. I wore some sandal s and went to check on Athrun. I decided to let him remain asleep, since he needed sleep most of all, since he barely got any ever since the wedding. It was eight in the morning and I decided to cook breakfast without Athrun's help. He did teach me plenty of stuff, but I was to keen on always watching and him helping. I got out a frying pan and placed in on the stove. I tied my hair into a messy ponytail and wore an apron ready to go. I went through the fridge seeing what I could make. Seeing eggs I decided on making an egg brushetta, with some flavoured yogurt a Strawberry Yogurt Breakfast split and a Strawberry and cream cheese filled muffin. Athrun loves Strawberries. I made everything without much problem and placed it the table with covers on top. I wiped my hand on the apron. It was close to quarter to ten and I sat down picking up the phone.
I dialed my dear friend Kisaka; waiting for an answer I quickly grabbed a paper and a pen.
"Hello," a child's voice was heard
"Hi Mick it's Aunt Cagalli. Could you give it to daddy," I asked Kisaka's son
"Sure Aunty. DADDY PHONE," He yelled as I plugged my ears.
"Hello," a voice answered replacing the child.
"Kisaka, I need a favour." I asked.
"Yes Cagalli," He said a bit disparaging
"I need two tickets to the PLANTS," I said hopefully.
"Why ever for?" He said
"Just please do it, I'll tell you later," I said
"Fine, I'll book it for tomorrow," He replied
"Oh thank you so much," I cheered
"Okay then, get the tickets tonight." He said.
"Sure bye," I said
"Farewell Cagalli," He said hanging up,
I hanged up as well.
I smiled this was going to be a surprise for Athrun which he deserved. I got off the couch and headed to see Athrun who was awake and stretching his limbs.
"You're finally up," I said leaning against the wall. I looked so divine at the moment. His eyes fluttering like a baby waking up to discover the world, his hair slighting messy giving him a sexy and poignant look, an his toned biceps wanting me to touch and admire them.
But, I had to get him ready for the surprise I was planning. He looked at me with his tired and wanting eyes. Today was a day the in his life broke his family apart. It seemed as though he just wanted to run away from the day and not face its pain, but he knew better. I came up to me gave me peek on the lips and went to get ready for the day ahead. I loved the simple gestures he does to make me know and feel how much he loves me.
I walked back to the table and waited patiently for him to come out, I was reading a book about the PLANTS while I was waiting for him, fifteen minutes later he came down dressed in pair of cargo shorts and a collared muscle shirt. His hair looked straight and silky and he wore sandals. He came down a bit quiet and walked to the kitchen. I grabbed his arm still reading and pulled him down to the chair behind him. I stood up gesturing him to stay put and took out some plates and utensils. I took off the covers filling the room with a tasty aroma.
I sat down and finished the short book and placed it down. I looked at him and held his hand.
"I cooked breakfast today," I said smiling brightly
"I noticed," He said in a joyous mood.
I looked at him "Well aren't you going to eat it,"
He smirked and said jokingly "Is it edible?"
"What do you think, I learned from the master himself," I said
"It definitely looks good, nothing like last time," He smiled
"Hey, you're mean," I said folding my arm with an angry face. I got up to be only pulled down into his lap.
"You know I'm just jesting," He said kissing my neck and nibbling on my ear sending shivers down my spine.
"I know, we should eat or the food will get cold," I said serving food onto his plate.
"Mind feeding me," he asked
"Sure," I said grabbing a fork and taking a piece and placing it inside his mouth. He did the same to me and placed food inside my mouth my stomach cluing that I was hungry.
We headed back to the manor, where Kisaka was waiting. Giving the envelope to me he left. Athrun inquired his visit but I declined the answer telling him that it was a surprise.
I said for him the pack up for a trip which he reluctantly agreed to but packed to nevertheless. We sat down in the evening planning for our upcoming wedding.
"Athrun," I called.
"Yes dear," He said
'Dear that's new,' I thought.
"When exactly is the date?" I asked
"I am still thinking, how about a month after Kira and Lacus come back." He said
"I don't mind but, do you think it will be done in time. I mean two months or now less than two months," I said
"Well if get started right now, we'll finish in time right." He said.
"You know that surprise, it is going to last a couple of days," I said again.
"We'll still be done in time. Now how about we start planning," He said
"Fine," I mumbled
We sat down and Athrun came with some pamphlet of wedding halls and stuff like that. We decided on choosing the place first. There were so many wondrous places and options in front of me, I did have trouble, then Athrun broke it down for me to three and I had to choose one. Wow! A tough decision I had to decide on. One place was a located outside. Another placed inside. But the last one I couldn't get enough of its beautiful pictures. I was glass building that was situated on top of water, where you see the tropical fish underneath the glass floor, which was durable. Next there was a hall, where the walls had an aquarium built in. the beach was right beside it. The hall also had an open roof which looked startling at night with a clear picture of the night sky and stars. You could embellish it any way you desired and they served any type of food, so we didn't have to worry about catering. It seated close to 5000 people which were more than enough and to my pleasure the bride's change room had a hot tub included.
"I know which place I want," I said to him showing the obvious.
He laughed
"So now that we know where we are going to have our special day of unification, how about you tell what dress you're wearing?" he asked slyly
"Too bad because I'm neither telling nor showing it to you until you see me walking down the altar, it is going to be another surprise." I said proudly
"If you get to surprise me with that, I get to surprise you as well. I am going to plan the honeymoon all right and you are not going to know until we get there. Deal," he said
"Deal," I said not backing down.
A maid approached us and called us for dinner. We went and ate the special meal the cook made and went back to our planning.
"Do we order the cake?" I asked
"Yep, and yes Cagalli we'll go flavor testing," He said identifying my next question.
He was righting down some stuff, or rather typing something on his laptop, I sat on the arm of the single seat sofa he was sitting on and I observed what he was doing. He was writing a list. 'How convenient,' I thought.
I read it quickly he wrote when, where and what we were doing next week on planning the wedding. There were some empty days at which I had to decide on choosing my dress, and I was going to go with all three of my girlfriends, including Lacus. I looked at the time which read 8p.m. I stood up and forgot that I still had to pack. I left the room and went to my closet and took out a suitcase. I went to the drawers, where everything was nicely folded. I took some shirt, pants, shorts, skirts, sweater, shoes, undergarments and shoes. It took half an hour but I managed. Now where was my passport, Athrun had it. The tickets were inside my side table and my shoulder bag was somewhere. I searched around the manor for it. I had no clue where it was. I sat down on the bed and a light bulb clicked inside, under the bed it laid a bit dusty but good enough.
I went downstairs and saw Athrun just sitting and relaxing with his eyes closed he must have been tired. And tomorrow was a trip inside a shuttle for a whole day. I sat down on knees in front of him and arms on his thigh, I just looked at him.
"Athrun," I said
His eyes snapped open and he stared into my eyes.
"How about we go and get some sleep," I said
He nodded waiting for me to get off him. I obliged as we went to get some well deserved shut eye.
The next morning I was woken up by my dear Athrun. He made me look at the time. We had an hour to reach the shuttle. I clumsily rushed still trying to get awake and somehow made it to the door with my luggage ticket an all in half the time we had. We drove there at a moderate speed and arrive within 15 minutes to rush. A porter came and collected our luggage as we headed to the departure area. Giving our luggage and showing the tickets and stuff, we headed to our private shuttle and somehow managed to take of on time.
Now here I was unbuckling my seat and looking at Athrun. He looked anxious.
"Going back home after three years aren't you," I said
"Yes. Cagalli have you ever been at the PLANTs before?" he asked
"No, I haven't actually. I've only seen and heard about, but I have never physically been there," I said.
"Why are we going there anyways?" He asked.
"One you missed it, two I wanted to go with you there for my first visit and three…" I said stopping
"Three?" He questioned
"You'll find out when we get there." I said.
"Do you want to stay at my house?" He asked
"Sure, does anyone live there anymore," I asked
"After mother died, my father detested even breathing there, so we moved. I came back often and spend time there when I was still young though," He said.
"And the new home you moved into?" I asked
"It was filled with too much vengeance, I never even called it my home, or consider it a house," He said
I leaned my head onto his arm. There was so much pain in his past, and the war didn't help on bit. We arrived in the middle of the night I fall soundly sleeping. Athrun gently woke me up and we walked to a waiting car. 'Kisaka must have planned everything' I thought.
Athrun drove for an hour and I kept on bobbing my head cueing I wanted sleep.
"You can sleep if you want. I'll wake you up when get there," He said.
I relaxed into the warm seat and finally sleep overtook me.
I woke up being lifted into strong arms. I woke up in a fright.
"Calm down. It's just me." He said
I relaxed as we walked to a soaring and beautiful mansion. It looked brand new and gave a vibe of life outside. I opened my mouth in admiration. The flowers were opening up to the dawn light and the rising sun shined the dew and the surface. It looked like on of those mystical and surreal places you never thought existed.
He placed me down and went to look for something. Getting the key from who knows where we entered to a masterpiece.
"Mother loved this house very much. I nor my father could sell it or give it away." He said.
"It looks amazing. Is this a dream?" I asked.
"No it's my, no soon to be our home," He said
"Really, you not kidding are you," I said touching the place
There were sheets on the furniture. I took them of to meet antique stuff that still had shine in it. I had never seen such a wondrous place in my existence. I knew I would keep visiting this place ever time I had the chance. If I did have a choice to live somewhere I would be this place, and Athrun knew that very well might I add. I went upstairs and Athrun followed I opened a door. Inside was a child's room full of toys and pictures. I could tell this was Athrun's room when he was younger. There was furnished table that was clear of any mess. A shelf of trophies and awards and a little working space, which in the middle had a box, I walked towards it Athrun eyes never leaving my intrigued self.
I opened the box, and out came some weird gadgets they must have been Athrun's earlier projects. There was a flying dragon that I insisted on keeping. He had a worried look on his face, even so he agreed. I later figured out why. The dragon had a knack of spitting out ash and technically barfed a lot if it out covering me in soot. Yes the face Athrun had was in pure amusement as I chased him all over the house later on spilling a jug of water on his clothes. Getting cleaned up rejecting the dragon, we continued or rather I looked around the house some more. I was clearly annoyed at him. I entered the family room and there was a portrait of the happy family. I stood there staring at it. Beside was a family tree. There were generations of the Zala family and was a spot beside Athrun name for his wife, I read the supposed empty space.
The love of me life who is also known as the Goddess of Victory
Cagalli Yula Attha.
That meant even before the second war he had these feelings for me. I wasn't even his fiancée let alone girlfriend back then. I saw my picture there. It was at the end of the first war and there was a celebration of rejoice. I was in a dress put on by Lacus. Who knew how long ago I developed my feelings for Athrun.
I turned to meet his crimson face. I am the one who suppose to be like that not him.
"So when did you put that up," I asked.
"When I went to talk with Chairman Dullindal in the second war," He said
I walked up to him and embraced him tightly which he returned. How could someone love me so much to know I was his from the start? Meeting Athrun on the island was pure coincidence back then now I know that it was destiny.
He leaned down pushed me against the door, his lips against mine. I gave a squeak, then a gripe of aspiration, one of my hands tangling in his hair. Without breaking the kiss, I placed my legs around his legs, my other arm wrapping around his neck. He nibbled on the bottom of my lip, gently asking for entrance which I gladly gave. He slipped hi s tongue inside my mouth as we tangoed in bliss. We broke apart in a delight.
Athrun decided to take me out and discover his homeland. It turned out to be a surprise for both of us. We visited every place beside the place I wanted to go the most. We did pass it though. So now I knew where it was. We ate out and I saw a lot of places. We arrived at home and enjoyed the rest of the evening in the gargantuan garden of blossoming beauty, after changing into some comfortable clothing meaning pajamas. There was a fountain which I enjoyed greatly as the water sprinkled into continuous flow.
"Athrun I want to go somewhere tomorrow." I said
"Sure just tell me where," He said
It was about time I told him my desire I wanted to do ever since the waterfall experience.
"Athrun remember number three. I have always wanted to pay my respect to mom and dad," I said truthfully. I did believe at that moment that Athrun's parent were now mine as well.
He softened at what I said truly I believed he was grateful for my presence in his life.
I felt tears in my eyes and he had a few in his. We laughed and pressed our forehead against on another.
"You're just one of a kind aren't you," He murmured
"And you're mine," I said against his ears biting it giving him a sensual feeling.
His warm hand touched my cold waist making me shudder.
"How about we go tomorrow, mother will be happy to see you in person. You know sometimes I feel her around the house, as if she is protecting the house me and now you." He said.
I sat up and got off him abruptly going inside and coming out with sheet s and pillows.
"What are you up to," He said slyly.
"Have you ever slept under the stars," I asked
"No," He said
"Today you will," I said grabbing him and bringing to a patch of empty grass. Putting some pillows on the ground I placed him down.
"Now wait one minute," I said walking back inside.
Athrun looked at my retreating figure and said "She really is something," looking up at the stars.
I came back with a bowl of popcorn and some pop.
"What are those for," He asked
"There for us to eat and enjoy the outside with modernized food," I said popping some popcorn in my mouth.
He nodded and laid down I did the same except I was on his lap. I kept on popping popcorn into my mouth every so often putting some in his. We looked at the night sky, keeping each other warm and slept throughout the rest of the night.
We woke at dawn to se the sunrise and headed out the meet the grave of Mr. and Mrs. Zala, who we were soon going to be.
We ate a nice breakfast of scrambled eggs and toast with blueberry jam with a glass of orange juice. We headed of to the place I was anxiously waiting to see.
I went into changed into a fitted three quarter sleeve, v-neck hoodie with light blue and white double skirt and a surf tide sandal. I came out to see Athrun in a fitting t-shirt with a vintage looking track jacket, with a carpenter loose straight jean, and an urban athletic shoe.
We walked toward the car and headed to the where Athrun's mother lay. I stopped Athrun near a flower store and picked out some white carnations and larkspur which meant remembrance and beautiful sprit, what I thought of Mrs. Zala.
We entered the gloom atmosphere and walked along the path passing gravestones with each step. I eyed Athrun he had a frown I squeezed his hand for comfort. We kept on walking until Athrun drew to a halt. We were here.
I kneeled down in front of the stone touching it and picture her face upon it. Even if I didn't meet her, she held a huge significance in my life, like an unknown second mother I never knew. Athrun was right everyone must have loved her. I know I do, even just by looking at her pictures. We placed the flowers down together as a rush of wind blew past us. I felt complete that moment. I was whole. I knew that I was ready to move and marry Athrun proudly and with pride. And no one was going to prevent our promise to one other.