It had been a month after Cagalli's death. Orb had cried and sorrowed for weeks. They loved their Queen and yet, were sickened by how their trust for her broke away so easily.
Athrun had never been the same. He believed Cagalli was still alive and breathing, because she said she'd come and he believe she will. Aiden had been much quiet, he always looked in his father's eyes and asks him were his mother was, and Athrun could never bear returning the eye contact and looked away. His son was his life support, the only thing he had left of Cagalli. If Aiden had never been born, Athrun would have died long back, but he needed to keep his promise and live for Aiden, until Cagalli came back.
As long as her body was not found, she was alive in his heart.
The world was in chaos, after hearing of the death of Cagalli and Athrun persisted that she wasn't dead; he could not fight against the fact and truth of life. No person could survive that fall with bullets, a tear in the torso. It was impossible.
Athrun however didn't care what the world said, but he left that topic with one comment, "Cagalli's alive whether facts prove me wrong, but my heart knows she's alive and will come back, and I'll wait for that day."
It was late in the night and the moon was shining brightly. Currently Aiden was sleeping in his father's arms, like he had been doing for the past month. Even though he was still a baby, the little fellow knew not to bother his father and cry for his mother, because he loved his daddy very much and kept his memories of his mother in his dreams, until he could see her again, for the baby like his father knew…Cagalli was alive.
Athrun knew he could wait for his whole life for Cagalli, but people didn't want a baby to grow up without a mother. Athrun knew how it felt like, but he just couldn't bring himself to convey someone to take Cagalli's spot.
Athrun remembered crying feeling pangs of guilt in his heart, blaming that all of this happened because of him. He never did forgive himself, because he couldn't protect Cagalli like he promised. His friends or make that family kept on supporting him, making sure Aiden was watched, feed and happy. Aiden was a wise child, and knew how to act in the circumstance being faced. The times were bad and everyone knew it. Cagalli's death had brought the world in fight and they were blaming each species for the cause of accident Cagalli was in. Coordinator started hating Natural and vice versa, but what confused everyone was that the halves were neutral and blamed no one and kept silent.
Athrun was currently in his office, Cagalli's words still constantly in his mind.
"I love you too, and don't worry I keep my promises, I'll come back, I…"
'She'll come back. She has to,' He thought
"But did she promise," Kira said coming in.
Athrun looked up at his best friend and brother-in-law.
"You know Cagalli keeps her promises. Did she promise you that she'd come back this time, Athrun?" he said
"No," he said quietly, "but she was going to."
"She didn't though Athrun. Even I want to believe that she's somewhere out there, keeping her breaths going waiting for us, but till how long? Cagalli would always promise before hand. And she didn't this time, so you have to move on, for Aiden's sake at least," Kira said
"I can't," Athrun said
"Why?" Kira asked
"Because she's alive," he said
"How do you know, what proof do you have?" Kira said, "You can't deny the facts."
"Isn't my heart enough of a proof," Athrun said
"Not when you're depressed and want to believe she's alive, that why you can't look deep within you heart and figure out using reason if she's amongst the living Athrun." Kira said
"I need time," Athrun said
"How much, it's been a month already and you still believe Cagalli's accident happened yesterday. You can't wait your whole life Athrun," Kira said
"Give me a couple more months okay…I'll figure it out by then." Athrun said uncertainly. He knew Kira was right. He couldn't wait forever for her. People didn't want to see him sad, and it would take time for Athrun to believe she was truly gone, but for Aiden's and everyone else sake, he'd accept it.
Was Cagalli really gone?
Months had gone by and Aiden and had grown into a healthy nine month old baby.
Athrun had always dropped off Aiden at Lacus house and from there go to work. Through time he had accepted the fact that Cagalli wasn't going to come back and today he'd confess the news he kept deep within his heart and start the process of moving on. Marriage was another topic the Orb government kept on popping up. Athrun refused always, but he knew he couldn't escape from that horrid idea for much longer.
People told him that Aiden needed a mother and emotionally blackmailed him by reminding Athrun of his past and how his life must have been without one. Athrun was scared. He didn't want his son to feel that he didn't have time for Aiden, like his own father did. He knew the time would come when he'd have to wait in the aisle once more, this time on the end; it wouldn't be the person he loved.
Athrun was greeted at work with applauds of meetings, files and stupid, old politician. Now he knew what Cagalli had felt when she was young and new at this.
Times were difficult now. Feuds between Natural and Coordinators were non stop. They were still hurt by Cagalli's death and Athrun was thinking one selfish thought. They were telling him to move on, what about them.
"Mr. Zala at this rate, someone is going to make the first move and this could break out into another war," a person said
"Cagalli knew this was coming," Athrun said
"She did sir," another person said
"I guess. These feuds are happening because the people are blaming each other about Cagalli's death, but there's something odd about this. The Halves, they don't seem to be wanting any par tin this feud," Athrun said
A person came in saying, "We found Mrs. Zala's car months ago as you all remember, and someone fully expected it and we found out something strange sir. That car was shot using a gun and its brakes were broken. That is supposedly the reason why her car crashed. However, a gun…one bullet, braking through the type of brakes she had needed an accurate shoot. Someone advanced must have done this. The suspect naturally is a Coordinator."
"No," Athrun said sitting up, "I know who she met last. He was a Half and I know he broke those brakes."
"How's that possible? A half couldn't have accurately hit that spot of the car, with luck," A person said
"He was spy. He knew all about Cagalli and her environment," Kira said
"Mr. Manes, yes" A person said
"We don't know much about the Half species, sir. Their breed has been recent. People have gone through and dissected some halves, destroying a lot of their kind. We've discovered laboratories where body parts have been founds. It's disgusting," A council member spoke
"Like how Blue Cosmos once used Naturals as toys and turned them into monsters," Another spoke
"Please, that was the past. We have forgiven and those events haven't taken place since then. These laboratories…How many are there?" Kira said
"There were close to 50 discovered here on Earth. These places were where Halves were treated poorly. They were thought to be monsters. Under the treaty they were closed down, but the damage has been done," A person said
"Have Halves talked about revenge or anything like that?" Athrun asked
"No those people have huge heart and have forgiven. How Orb has treated those people, sheltered them and given them freedom, have really changed their aspect on people…until the events of Mrs. Zala presence. We haven't spoken much to them since she turned down their request for entrance," A person said
"But they knew why right," Athrun said
"Yes sir, they know why," The person replied
"Good. Times have changed. Hopefully there won't be a need to take out any weaponry and these feuds die down. All of these nations are under our treaty of peace. Use that and stop more from happening," Athrun said
"I take it this meeting is over," Kira said
"Yes," Athrun said getting up to walk out, when a person said, "Mr. Zala any chances of marriage ahead?"
"No not right now…I'll consider it, after the worlds at peace with Cagalli's death," Athrun said
"So I'll take that as a yes sir. Prince Zala does need a mother in his life. And Sir it's really good to have you accept her death," He said
Athrun wanted to say no to everything, but he was right, Aiden needed a mother. And Lacus has her hands full already. It was time to accept marriage now, but after he knew Aiden's future was secure without the whispers of war.
"Athrun!" Kira said as they were leaving
"Yes," Athrun said glumly
"So, you accept her death? Tell me honestly," Kira said
"By the end of this, with or without a war, I plan on getting married, but please don't rush me on who," Athrun said, "Aiden needs a mother and I don't want him to have a father's love alone. He needs Cagalli…I mean someone who loves him like Cagalli did."
"It's okay to remember Cagalli, Athrun. No one is telling you to forget her. We just want you to remember that you can't live your life alone. You need someone as well, not just Aiden. If like you say Cagalli does come back, there'll no one happier then us, but she never promised she would," Kira said
"I know, your right…If I believe in my love and faith that somewhere in the world Cagalli is alive, then she will stop my wedding herself, but if she doesn't than I'll truly believe she gone, but for now, she's here in my heart." Athrun said
"I'll go with that. That probably is the best you can do," Kira said "So you coming over for dinner."
"Sure," Athrun said, but till my wedding there's plenty of time to fulfill her promises. I'll keep Aiden safe, Orb safe and find her key.
A key that'll unlock secrets surprising everyone…and bring Athrun to the answer that'll answer his question for good.
'Six months have gone by without seeing Cagalli's face,' Athrun thought
Athrun drove in Kira's car to the orphanage where Lacus and him son were residing for the day. Athrun had missed his son greatly today, probably in fear of losing him with the feuds happening.
Parking along the sandy beach, Athrun stepped out and met the evening sun. Even the sun reminded him of Cagalli. Her golden hair and amber eyes shining as bright as the son. Athrun sighed and walked inside and was instantly crowded by a group of children, asking him about his day and how come he hadn't visited in a while? Athrun smiled at the children and heard sounds of the gurgle he had been dying to hear. He saw his son crawling over to his father and Athrun happily picked up his son and scooped him in his arms, enjoying the happiness of his little baby being in his arms. The smile on his face kept on reminding of Cagalli as well and he was happy that his son had his wife's smile, because at least he got to see the smile he loved most about Cagalli everyday.
"Hey little guy, missed daddy today," Athrun asked
Aiden bobbed his head up and down and Athrun kissed his son's forehead in agreement, that he missed him as well.
"Athrun how was the meeting," Lacus said entering the room as Kira kissed her and took Clair from her.
"Okay. I agreed to the marriage business and decided to do it after these feuds are over," Athrun said
"And Cagalli?" Lacus said
"She's dead and I'll believe she'll be truly gone if she doesn't stop my wedding. Simple." Athrun said and Aiden gurgled happily
"Anyways it's time for dinner. Athrun you can give Aiden his baby food after you eat okay," Lacus said
"Okay," Athrun said
Athrun sat down on a seat with Aiden sitting on his lap and the little child looked at the weird food his father was eating, which was just some spaghetti. Aiden pulled Athrun's arm wanting to try the weird disk. Athrun smiled and took a little piece of the meatball and carefully placed it in his mouth. Aiden used his teeth and ate the piece of meat instantly loving it. Aiden had a habit of eating peaches as well, Cagalli's favourite fruit.
Aiden ate a bit of spaghetti and loved the dish very much. Athrun finished his dinner and feed Aiden later on his dinner, which was pasta. Aiden loved pasta very much. After giving the baby his dinner, Athrun gave him a few pieces of peaches, to his delight.
It was late in the evening and Athrun was talking to Kira about the development of the feuds. They did calm down a bit. Aiden trying standing using Athrun's knees as support and was playing with the laces of Athrun's shoes untying them. Eventually the little boy took out the lace and gave it to Athrun and Athrun replied by congratulating the boy and giving himself a good laugh as well as Kira and Lacus.
"I love you Aiden" Athrun said picking him up and placing him in his lap. Aiden hugged his dad after he heard that sentence and gradually fell asleep afterwards.
"I should go home now Kira. I'll you two tomorrow at work," Athrun said leaving
Athrun drove home and placed his son in his crib, falling asleep later on after looking at Cagalli picture.
"I miss you Cagalli," he whispered falling asleep.
Deep off the coast of Orb, inside a ship, someone woke up and Athrun fell asleep.
She opened her eyes inside a dark room, her amber eyes adjusting to the light opened.
"Hello," A person said, "My name is Madison and you've just gotten up from a six month coma."
"Coma?" she said
"Yes came you remember who you are?" Madison asked
"Not really. Who am I? Where am I? What's happening?" She said
"I don't know much…you don't remember who you are….or how you got here?" she asked
"No, what's my name?" she asked
"I don't know. We found you floating in the ocean. You were in rough shape. You almost died a couple of time." Madison said
"Oh," She said
"How about we call you Cagalli, you look just like her," Madison said
"Who's Cagalli?" she asked
"I've never seen her face or anyone else who's in FLASH, but she's a hero in the world," Madison said
"You idolize her," Cagalli asked
"We all do. We believed in her a lot. She was one of us, but she died in a horrible crash, after turning her back on us," Madison said
"Wow! What's FLASH and who's us?" Cagalli asked
"That's top secret information. You better talk to the Capitan," Madison said
"Who's the captain?" Cagalli asked
"Well you'll see for yourself," She said leading me to a whole new world.