Chapter Nineteen

Ursa looked over at Namine and her Father, after the news hit the wind it became public and Rose became a wanted person. Namine suffered some backlash from some of the modeling agencies, but what was worse was the rejection from her mother. 'Here,' Riku handed Namine what looked like a mountain of paperwork. 'I need you to sign these papers so that we can make the transfer complete.'

'What is this,' Namine asked.

'We decided that instead of placing your Mother's stock for sale or dividing them amongst ourselves you should have them. They would have belonged to you if anything were to happen to her,' Terra explained.

'It took some time to convince the other board members, but they soon agreed,' Jonathan looked at Ursa, who had voiced the loudest that the shares be made Namine's.

'I know nothing about the business.'

'You can learn, we'll be happy to teach you anything that you'd like, or you can become a silent partner and just come when needed for board meetings and decision time,' Ventus pointed out.

'My career as a model is over,' she looked at the new opportunity that was handed to her.

'Your career isn't over,' Ursa voiced, 'there are still agencies that are willing to work with you and make your career blossom again.'

Namine turned to look at her, 'What are you going to do?'

'Hmm,' she cocked her head to the side before she answered, 'I haven't decided yet.'

'You have the ability to do anything now,' Namine knew that since the Yanni CD and video came out the agency had been receiving a lot of request her to appear in videos and music collaborations. Even as a model she had been a hit, because some of her old agencies had called for Ursa and not her.

Ursa noted the sadness behind her words, 'I don't ask much of life, but happiness of those that I love. This past year has been life changing and I don't think that I'd change it for anything in the world. I've learned that the world isn't as horrible as it seems. That chances are worth giving and that happiness isn't that far away. Sure, things might get bleak at times, but we have to learn from them and make our decisions whether right or wrong.'

Namine though over what she said and agreed, even if she now suffered, she never suffered as much as Ursa. What she did to her mother wasn't out of anger and revenge, but justice and Namine couldn't blame her even if she wanted too. Her mother had made sure to treat Ursa like some sort of cockroach that had weaseled her way into their lives and ruined her plans. Not only that, but she made plans for stealing the shares from her with the help of Xemnas, who had also fooled Ursa until she realized the truth behind the charming smile and wit. Namine turned to her father and reached out to grab his hand, which he gave a gentle squeeze. He had suffered the most from the betrayal of her mother but remained strong for her. 'I am afraid,' Namine confessed, she turned back to the documents before her, 'that with power I'll become just like her.'

'You won't,' Ventus told her.

'You aren't anything like your mother,' Terra supported.

'We are here for you if you need us,' Jonathan offered her a gentle smile.

'Don't worry,' her father told her. 'I'll be here at your side as well to support you and as they said you don't have to be active, you can still pursue your dream.'

Namine took up the pen and began to sign her name on the documents, 'What happens now?'

'It'll take a few days to submit the paperwork, but soon enough you'll become the owner of your mother's shares,' Riku told her.

Namine nodded and before she could stop herself said, 'Thank you for all of your help and support, I know that I don't deserve it but thank you.'

'You aren't to pay for your mother's mistakes, she made them not you and you don't have to feel guilty about anything,' her father told her.

'He's right,' Jonathan agreed and everyone else nodded.

The tears that glistened Namine's hues spilled over and she began to cry. 'I know, but I am still sorry.'

'Sweetie,' her father leaned over and wrapped his arms around her small frame.

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'It seems like the world is slowly starting to feel right again,' Amistad sat with Ursa by the living room window.

'I don't know,' Ursa watched as the snow continued to fall from her position on the couch.

'Are you still feeling guilty,' Amistad knew that since she revealed Rose's embezzlement and affair, she felt like it was her fault that Namine and her father were suffering.

'Sort of,' her gaze shifted from the window down to her hands.

'You feel like you did the same thing to Namine that your Aunt did to you?'

'In a way, yes,' she mumbled, 'I took her mother away from her.'

'You didn't so anything wrong and Namine hasn't lost anything. She still has her family and father to support her.'

Ursa nodded, but she still couldn't get rid of Namine's crest fallen face, 'You're right,' she mumbled.

'My little cub has never did like to see anyone hurt, did she,' Amistad reached over and pulled her into a hug. 'Everything will work itself out and justice will prevail.'

Ursa let herself relax into Amistad embrace, 'Have I ever told you how wonderful your hugs are?'

'No,' she felt the corner of her lips lift into a smile.

'Well, they are always a comfort, and I am glad you're always here to offer me one.'

'Silly little cub,' Amistad hugged her tighter.

'Amistad,' Ursa suddenly didn't feel right.

'What is it?'

'Is it me or is the room spinning out of con…'

'Ursa,' Amistad panicked as she lost consciousness. 'Ursa?!'

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Gabriel looked over at his family members and didn't know how to tell them what was wrong. As a father, if he was about to receive the news, he'd be furious and about to rip someone's head off. 'Doctor, what's wrong with her,' Riku asked the question that everyone wanted to ask.

Poor guy, he thought as he turned to Riku, 'Ursa's going to be just fine. It's natural that she is having these symptoms in her current condition.'

'Condition,' Terra and Jonathan asked.

'Is she too stressed out,' Ventus questioned.

'She'll have to avoid getting stressed out or doing any heavy lifting,' he told them.

'Oh, no,' Amistad had put the pieces together and grabbed Riku's hand. 'You'd better start running.'

'What? Why?' Riku asked as he turned to looked at his pale and frightened mother.

'Because once Gabriel announces what's ailing her, you're a dead man.'

'You're not making any sense, Ma,' Riku didn't understand why he'd be a dead man once her Uncle told them what was wrong.

'So, what is wrong with her and no beating around the bushes,' Terra told his Uncle as he glared at Riku, already having an inkling that it was his fault.

'Well,' he cleared his throat, 'I'd like to announce that she's—-'

'Going to have a baby,' Lily cut in and announced the good news, before turning to Riku. 'Just like you said she might be.'

'What,' her brothers turned to Riku both giving him a death glare for defiling their sister.

However, at that moment his safety wasn't on his mind. It was more of the fact that he was going to be a father, 'Really,' he questioned.

Gabriel saw the looks in his nephews' eyes and didn't feel compelled to answer truthfully because there would be bloodshed. 'Lily is correct and in my medical opinion I would say that she's about three months pregnant.'

'Riku,' Amistad watched as both brother advanced forward and towards him, 'you'd better run.'

Of course, that was what he had originally wanted, but he didn't think that it would happen so soon. When he felt his mother tug on his shirt and speak her works, he looked at the brothers and their advancement towards him. They were out for retribution, 'You have got to be kidding me.'

'I am going to beat you for taking advantage of my little sister,' Terra lunged forward and missed to catch him as he dodged.

'I should have seen this coming, but I thought you knew better,' Ventus stated as he felt bold and unafraid of Riku now that Terra was at his side.

'Come here,' Terra took after Riku, who had made a run for it after he escaped his grasp.

'Guys, this should be a happy moment. Once of celebration,' Riku cried as he tried to reason with him as he ran down the hospital hallway.

'A happy one when we beat you black and blue,' Terra threatened.

'Oh, dear,' Amistad was a little worried about her son's beating, but another part of her felt that he deserved it.

'I am going to be a grandmother again,' Lily beamed over at her husband, who had gone pale at the news. 'Honey?'

Jonathan couldn't believe it, 'I just got my little girl back and know she's about to have a child of her own.'

'I should have placed boundaries between them,' Amistad admitted as she took a seat in one of the empty chairs.

'Your son better do what's right,' Jonathan told her.

'Of course,' she told him, 'and even if he doesn't want to, I'll drag him down the aisle myself.'

'I don't think that's going to be a problem,' Lily pointed out. 'He seems very much in love with her and willing to do anything to stay by her side.'

'Lily, you should be outraged. Your daughter is pregnant before she even got married or had an opportunity to explore the world.'

'They can explore the world together,' both older women stated. One supporting love and the other annoyed that her son was deemed to be not good enough.

'Well,' Gabriel interrupted them, 'if you wish to see her, she's awake now. I am going to go get a bed ready for my next patient.'

'Right,' they all turned back in the direction the boys had taken off.

'As long as they don't kill him, he'll be fine,' Jonathan and Amistad both agreed.

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Ursa looked up at him and tried to hold back the upward curving of her lips as she reached out to gently touch Riku's face. 'This isn't funny,' he grumbled.

'You're right,' she told him, but her face had a huge smile planted on it.

'I am in pain,' he pouted and groaned as his cracked lip hurt.

'I am sorry,' she mumbled seeing that her brothers had really done a number on him. He had a busted lip, a bruised and swollen left eye and a swollen right jaw, which was a miracle it wasn't broken. Tomorrow he would look worse with his lovely light skin badly marred with ugly black and blue bruises. 'I guess Ventus isn't so timid with Terra at his side.'

'They took turns beating me,' he complained as he enjoyed the attention that he was receiving.

'If you want, I can talk to them and put them in their place,' she told him, and he shook his head. 'If not that, do you want me to kiss it all better?'

He perked up at the suggestion, 'Yes,' he answered and leaned in when the door to her room was opened.

'Uncle said that you are free to go home,' Terra and Ventus walked in on them on the brink of kissing. 'We were generous enough to give you a moment alone and you take advantage of our kindness,' Terra stated outraged at Riku's boldness.

Ursa had had enough of Terra's overbearing and protective nature, she wasn't a child that needed to be protected, but an adult. 'Enough,' she moved to get out of the hospital bed that she was lying in.

Terra looked down at his little sister, who was standing up before him and glaring him down. Yet he remained unfazed, 'You have a choice, either come home with me or let Ventus move in with you so that he can protect you.'

'Excuse me,' she couldn't believe what she was hearing.

'Or you have a third option,' Terra told her, 'he can move out.'

Ursa had enough of her imposing brother, 'It's my life, my house, and I make the decision of what I want or don't,' she stated unmoving from his death glare.

'I am your older brother. I am supposed to protect you. I already failed once. I am not going to fail again.'

Her own glare softened, 'If you wish to protect me, let me be happy with him.'

'No,' Terra wasn't having any of that, he suddenly lifted her up and tossed her over his shoulder.

'Terra, put me down,' she ordered as she was being carried out of the room against her will.

'No, you don't,' Ventus got in Riku's way after he got out of his chair and tried to stop his brother.

Riku, who was taller, looked down at the young man before him, completely unmoved. 'I allowed you to beat the crap out of me and give me a lecture, but I am not about to let you take her away from me.'

Ventus didn't see the fist that collided with his lower abdomen and had him bent over and moving out of his way. Riku didn't check to see if he was going to be okay, he just took after Ursa and Terra. 'What's going on,' Jonathan asked as he, his wife and Amistad were coming from the opposite direction and saw Riku running out of Ursa's room down the hall.

'Do you think that they are beating him up again,' Lily asked as she peeked into Ursa's room. 'Ventus,' she cried out and pushed past her husband to aid her little boy.

Jonathan and Amistad looked at each other and then at the room, realizing that beside Ventus curled over and holding his belly everyone else was gone. 'What do these boys think this is,' Jonathan went over to his wife and son.

'Ventus,' Lily patted his back, 'Honey?'

Ventus looked over at his mother and flinched when he saw the look of disappointment on his father's face, 'Ventus, you'd better have a good explanation.'

'Riku went nuts,' he didn't want to tell them that it was actually their fault for kidnapping Ursa.

'Nice try,' Amistad wasn't buying it. 'Now try again.'

He puffed out his cheeks and groaned as pain shot through his stomach from breathing too deeply. 'Terra took Ursa because he doesn't want her with Riku. Then when I tried to stop him from going after them, Riku punched me in my stomach.'

'Oh,' Lily rubbed his abdomen a little too hard, because she was against keeping the young couple apart.

'Mom,' Ventus cried as he pulled away from her touch.

'Your sister isn't a child. She doesn't need protection and she is old enough to make her own chooses. You and your brother might not like Riku, but he makes your sister happy, and they love each other.'

'But…'

'No,' she stood up straight and looked up at him, somehow managing to look down at him and make him feel inferior. 'You should be grateful that all he did was punch you once.'

'This is any interesting turn of events,' Amistad mumbled.

Jonathan turned away from his youngest and wife to look over at Amistad, 'I have to apologize for my sons.'

Amistad turned away from the other woman and looked up at her husband, before shaking her head, 'It is only natural that they would want to protect their sister. However, I think that after what they did to my son it should be enough to let them be together now.'

'You are right,' Jonathan agreed, 'we should go and try to find them before something bad happens.'

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'You would make a horrible knight,' she told Riku as they looked down at her brother, who was laying on his back on the floor.

'He had a head start on me,' he stated before asking, 'What did you do to him?'

'Used his pressure points against him,' she said as if it were nothing out of the ordinary.

'Oh,' he muttered as he looked at Terra's peaceful expression as he remained unconscious, 'that makes sense.'

'We should get him up,' Ursa squatted down next to him.

'How long is he going to be out,' Riku asked as he got on the other side, ready to help lift Terra up.

'Let's go back to the hospital and see if they have some smelling salt, if not alcohol should work too,' she told him as they got Terra up and began to walk back inside. They had made it all the way to the underground parking lot, when Ursa finished trying to appeal to death ears and just locked his pressure points and waited for help to arrive.

'You know I can handle him myself,' Riku told her, afraid that having Terra's weight would put a serious strain on her body.'

'He's heavy,' she stated, 'and I'll be fine.'

But you shouldn't be straining yourself so much,' he pointed out, 'it's not good for you in your current condition.'

Ursa didn't say anything, just continued walking back inside, 'Now what happened,' their parents and Ventus asked as they joined them in the lobby.

'Nothing much,' Ventus walked over to take Ursa's spot.

'You alright,' Amistad and Lily rushed to inspect the expecting young woman.

'Yes,' she smiled at both women. 'Nothing but a little excitement to end the day.'

'Are you sure,' Amistad glaze went to her belly.

'I am sure,' Ursa said as she lifted her hand to her lower abdomen and held it tenderly.

After dumping Terra on Ventus, Riku was at her side, his hand around her waist in protective mode as well as you best not dare try anything stupid mode. 'Sir,' he turned to Jonathan.

'Yes,' he turned to the young man, almost feeling sorry for him. After all, he had already been beaten up by his sons, gotten the girl he loved kidnapped and now had to face her father. Nonetheless, the almost was outweighed by the fact that this was his daughter that they were speaking about.

'I want to start off by apologizing but clarify that I don't regret anything. I love your daughter and will do anything to make her happy. Therefore, this is a little late, but would you allow me the privilege of marrying your daughter?'

Jonathan studied the young couple and realized that they were both in love with each other. Otherwise, his daughter wouldn't be blushing like mad at the sudden proposal and the young man wouldn't be going through all the trouble of dealing with her brothers. 'Honey,' Lily elbowed him lightly.

Jonathan sighed, 'I have a feeling that even if I said no, you two would still run off and get married alone. So I will consent, but first why don't you ask my daughter and see what she says.'

Riku turned to Ursa, releasing his hold on her and dropping to one knee while holding her small hands in his. 'It's not the most romantic of places, I don't have a ring and I am not the most presentable,' he confessed, 'but I have a heart that loves you and is willing to do anything you as for, so will you marry me?'

Ursa looked down at the man she loved and without hesitation said, 'No.'

Amistad watched as her son's hopeful face crumpled at the one word and she couldn't her but snap at her, 'Ursa!'

'I am kidding,' she smiled brightly down at him, 'of course, I'll marry you.'

Riku got up and wrapped his arms around her in a strong, but cautious not the hold her so tight, embrace. 'You should consider acting as your next career move,' he told her.

'Not a bad idea,' she told him ready to tease him more, 'I could get use to the concept of kissing some of the hottest male leads out there right now.'

Riku growled, 'You can never let me have one, can you?'

'Now where would the fun be in that,' she asked as she slightly lifted on her toes to give him a light kiss on the lips.

'This is turning out to be such a marvelous day,' Lily stated.

'Not really,' Ventus mumbled. Unhappy for him and Terra, who was still unconscious, they had just gotten their little sister back only to be taken away from them by a heathen.

'You shouldn't see this as him taking her away, but you gaining two family members,' Lily reprimanded him.

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'Ursa, you are going to have to come out of that dressing room sooner or later,' Amistad, Lily and Namine were tired of waiting.

'I just don't think that this is right,' Ursa called back as she looked at herself in the mirror.

'At least let us see it,' Namine called out to her.

Ursa reluctantly pulled the door open and stepped out in a puffy princess style wedding dress. 'You look lovely,' her mother stated, considering she had been the one to pick out the dress that she was wearing.

'I think that it has too much volume,' Namine tried to save her as she looked at the huge, ruffled skirt.

'The lace on the top looks nice,' Amistad commented at the flower laced sleeves.

'How about you try on another one,' Namine said as she ushered her back into the dressing room.

Ursa looked at the next dress and paled, 'I think that I am going to pass on that one too.'

'At least try it on, before you dismiss it,' Namine ordered as she noticed that it was hers that she was talking about.

A few minutes later and Ursa walked out of the dressing room feeling naked. 'No,' the two older women agreed at once after they saw her.

'At least let me take a picture,' Namine said as she captured her and sent the picture to Riku before Ursa ran away.

The dress had a beautiful pattern and design, with its rhinestones and ruffles that covered certain areas. However, it was almost see through and exposed more than what she was willing to let anyone else but Riku see. 'The princess gown is better than that,' Lily told her niece.

'She looked good in it,' Namine pouted as her taste was questioned. 'It shows off her curves and assets.'

'The only one that needs to see so much skin exposed is my son,' Amistad admonished.

After seven more failed attempts, Ursa was about to give up on finding a dress anytime soon. 'You two are horrible at this,' Amistad finally stopped letting the two other women decide and asked to be taken to the back. 'Ursa, hold on a second. I'll be right back.'

A second was twenty minutes, but as long as she wasn't going to be forced into another puffy princess dress. She was willing to wait. 'Alright, this should fit all of your crazy desires,' Amistad returned and looked at the two questionable women, 'but it should also be the dress that is right for her.'

'It's the last one in stock,' the saleswoman told them as she passed the white body bag to Ursa, 'so hopefully it fits, and we don't have to make too many adjustments.'

As soon as she saw the dress on her, Ursa knew that it was the one. It just felt right and looked stunning, 'Ursa,' Namine called out to her.

'Right,' she turned away from the mirror and slowly made her way out.

'Oh, my heavens,' Lily gasped.

'I don't that that any man can turn you down in that dress,' Namine stated as she had to admit that Amistad had good taste.

'It's so lovely,' Ursa twirled around.

'You look marvelous,' Amistad beamed as tears began to escape her dark hues.

Ursa rushed over to her side and wiped away at her tears, 'Don't cry.'

'It's just you look so beautiful,' she said as she grabbed her hands to stop her from wiping her tears away. 'Riku is going to be so happy.'

Ursa smiled down at her, 'Thank you and we both will.'

The saleswoman looked at the lovely bride to be, 'So have we found the one?'

'Yes,' they all answered together.

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Rose was a patient woman at times, but when she saw the announcement in the papers that her wretched niece was going to get married, she went berserk. While she was forced to keep hidden, Ursa got to be in the spotlight and claim her own happiness. 'I guess, I am going to have to pay her a visit.'

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'Delivery,' Ursa looked at the flower boy thought the camera and after a moment she buzzed him in. 'Just follow the road.'

As she waited, she wondered who had sent flowers to her home, maybe it was Riku, but he usually brought them home. She had no one to ask because Amistad was gone and Namine wasn't going to arrive until later. Five minutes later, the doorbell rang, and she went to answer it only to be surprised. 'You're not—-'

'Surprised, Dear,' Rose mocked with a smile as she pushed her way inside.

'What are you doing here,' Ursa asked as she watched her.

'Isn't it obvious, I came to congratulate you,' she whirled around to face her after she went in far enough.

'Thanks, but I think that you should leave,' Ursa told her.

'But I just got here, this is no way to treat your family.'

'We might be blood related, but you are not welcome here.'

'You weren't welcome at the company, but you stormed in like a whirlwind and ruined everything,' Rosa pointed out.

'I never wanted to ruin anything, but you presented me with the desire,' Ursa admitted it, remembering the night of the stockholders meeting and how she had seen Xemnas and her together in the garden. It had been her breaking point, because for a moment she had felt something for Xemnas and had been crushed at the revelation that he was just using her.

'If this is because of a silly man, don't you think that it is a little too extreme?'

'It was never about that, but I'll admit it was a bit disturbing to see you with him considering you had such a wonderful man at home, who loves you and still does.'

'Xemnas was just an instrument to get what I wanted, but I won't lie that I did have fun with him,' she looked down at the mutt, that had arrived and stood guard over his master.

'Did you ever think about your husband?'

'I did, I was always the loyal wife that went home to him and made sure that his life was perfect.'

'You're a horrible woman.'

'What makes you a saint?'

'I have never seen myself as a saint,' she boldly stated. 'Until recently, I only ever seen myself as a monster that you were so nice to make me.'

Rose's face transformed from her fake happiness to fury at its wickedness. 'So, you were hideous.'

'As you are inside,' Ursa stated.

'Please,' she said with disgust.

'Just because your plans never went your way doesn't mean that you have to take it out on others.'

'But you and your mother always ruin everything for me. You mother has already been punished for her treason.'

Ursa could feel her hairs stand up on end as the sensation that something was about to go wrong. 'What do you mean?'

'That silly little girls get punished when they do bad things.'

'You can't enact another curse,' Ursa pointed out.

'No, but I can do this,' without letting her react or second thinking it, Rose pulled out a small gun from her purse and shot her.

Ursa fell back against the wall, stunned at what had just happened. Everafter launched towards Rose and bit the hand that held the gun, 'Stupid mutt,' she held her hand and took off.

'Everafter,' Ursa called out to him and ran to her side. 'You're a good boy,' Everafter began to bark at her to wake up after she fainted.

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Namine pushed the buzzard again, but no answer which was weird since Ursa was supposed to be waiting for her. Pulling out her cell, she called the house, but she didn't answer. Quickly, she called Riku, 'Riku.'

'Hey, Namine, what's going on?'

'I am outside the gate, but there is no answer.'

'That's weird, she stayed at home to wait for you,' Riku told her and gave her the passcode to get inside. 'She is probably taking a nap, but the door should be unlocked.'

'Okay,' she answered as she punched the code in, 'thanks, I'll talk to you later.'

She made her way to the house, but the closer she got the more she noticed that something was wrong. Quickly, she got out of the car and ran to the open door. 'Oh, my heavens! Ursa!'

Everafter lifted his head up from his master's lap and began to bark, 'Everafter, Ursa?!' She entered the house and saw Ursa slumped against the wall with her legs spread out before her, head hung forward and hand laying limply before an open wound.

She quickly rushed to her aid and tried to stop the bleeding before she called 9-1-1. 'Ursa, you have to wake up. Ursa!' She panicked the ambulance was on its way, but she was worried that they wouldn't make it there on time. She was unconscious, but still breathing even if it was shallow. 'I have to call Riku.'

Riku picked up the phone after the third ring, 'I didn't expect you to call me back so soon.'

'Riku,' she cried, 'you have to head to the hospital my father works at.'

'Whoa, hang on, breathe,' he tried to calm her down, she was freaking out and not making any sense.

'Now is not the time,' she told him as she tried to control her emotions. 'I just called the ambulance. They are on their way. Ursa, she—-'

Riku began to worry, 'What happened? Ursa was fine this morning.'

'I don't know,' Emily shook her head, 'someone arrived and shot her.'

Riku froze, Ursa had been shot, she had been shot, he kept thinking that before he snapped out of it and said, 'I'll meet you at the hospital.'

Namine didn't have time to say anything before he hung up, she turned her gaze towards Ursa, 'Ursa, you have to hang in there.'

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'Dad,' Namine rushed towards him, 'how is she?'

'She's lost a lot of blood,' he told her, Riku and the family.

'The baby,' Riku, Amistad and Lily all asked.

'We need to do a blood transfusion as soon as possible,' Gabriel told them.

'I'll donate,' Riku offered without hesitation.

'We'd have to test your blood first.'

'Fine,' he didn't care as long as his blood matched and he could save them, her.

Namine and Ventus had looked at each other, 'We'll donate too.'

Gabriel nodded, 'Great, come along with me.'

After talking to the police Terra and Jonathan joined Lily and Amistad as the trio with their Uncle walked away. 'Where are they going?'

'Ursa needs a blood transfusion, they are going to get tested to donate,' Lily informed them.

'What did the police say,' Amistad asked.

'They found the gun that was used and are taking it to go get fingerprinted, they also found some blood that didn't seem to belong to Ursa,' Terra told them.

'They asked if she had any enemies, but the only person that can come to mind is Rose,' Jonathan announced.

Lily shook her head in disbelief, 'My sister might have veered off the right path, but she wouldn't stoop that low and try to murder her own niece.'

Amistad could believe it, after all she had cursed an innocent only to condemn Lily and Jonathan for falling in love. 'Ursa stripped everything from her, so I wouldn't put it past Rose to want her revenge.'

'But murder,' Lily protested and shock her head.

'Your sister is not as gracious as you think she is, she doesn't take failure sitting down.'

'I am her sister, I should know her better,' Lily tried to stand up for her.

'Believe what you want, but I am going to tell the detective my theory,' Amistad took off to stop the lead detective from leaving.

'There is no way that it could be her,' Lily turned to her husband and son, but she didn't see any support for her. 'You two don't think?'

'For some odd reason, I don't find it hard to believe,' Jonathan finally admitted.

'Amistad does have a point,' Terra told her, 'Ursa did ruin all her plans and striped her of everything.'

'But Ursa is her own niece.'

'They never really got to bond, we've never really been a family to Ursa until recently,' Jonathan hated that fact and it hurt him to acknowledge it.

'Dad's right, those two always did dislike each other. Aunt Rose even more so because of the shares Grandma Violet left Ursa.'

'But,' Lily wanted to doubt them, yet they also had a point, 'my sister can't be pure evil and vindictive.'

'We'll have to wait and see what Ursa says when she wakes up,' Jonathan told her, knowing that was the only way they were going to know the truth.

'Right,' Terra agreed with his father. 'Now if you'll excuse me, I am going to go and find my Uncle and get tested too.' Terra headed off in the direction the others had left not too long ago.

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'Stupid mutt,' Rose cursed as she continued to rinse her hand so that she could disinfect it after the accursed dog bit her. However, the bite was worth it considering she got revenge over that imprudent wench. Who appeared in her life just to ruin it. She winced as he dried it and began to disinfect her wound.

'I hope that she dies, because if she lives, I swear she and her mutt are going to pay for this,' Rose swore as she wrapping her hand.

After she finished, she began to pack all of her belongs and got ready to leave. It was only a matter of time before her hideout got compromised and she would be taken in. She knew that she should've gotten rid of those rats when she had the chance, but no she had to keep them around. 'It was a good thing that I transferred everything out to overseas accounts that can't be touched,' she muttered.

Once she made sure that she had everything that she needed, she took her bag to her car and took off. 'Now time to start a new life,' she said as she drove off. Only hoping that one day her daughter would forgive her and see that she only did it for her.

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Namine looked over at her cousin and frowned, she had a feeling in the pit of her stomach that all this was her mother's fault. 'Please,' she prayed, 'don't die. Please don't die.'

She and Ursa and been a perfect match for each other, so she had been the first to go in and donate blood. Terra would be next, which was a relief considering she would need more than she could give. However, if her mother really was the one responsible for Ursa's injury, she would gladly give more if needed. Her cousin didn't deserve to die and neither did the baby that she was carrying. 'Oh, Mother, if this was really you, I don't think that I can ever forgive you.'

'Namine,' her father walked into the room.

'Dad,' she turned away from Ursa.

'I came to see how you were doing,' he told her.

'I,' she began to cry as she was overwhelmed with the thought that it was really her mother's fault.

'Honey,' her father walked over to her and hugged. 'Do not worry, Ursa is strong, she'll pull through this.'

'But…' she wanted to tell him her thoughts, but at the same time feared that if she voiced them, it would become a reality.

'I know,' he murmured as he rested his chin on top in her head, already knowing what she was going to say.

'If it is true, then how are they ever going to forgive us.' She turned her head to looked over at her pale cousin, who still lay unconscious, 'She'll never forgive us.'

'Ursa and our family are not like that,' he told her as he pulled back to look down at her, 'they do not blame innocent people for crimes they did not commit.'

'She's my mother,' she shook her head in protest.

'But your mother is her own person, that has made decisions that have led her down the wrong path. We are not to be blamed for them if we had no knowledge of her wrongdoing.'

'I—-'

'Enough,' he silenced her, 'we should do what we can to insure that Ursa pulls though this and can tell us what happened.'

'But…,' she was about to say if she wakes up and confirms their thoughts. 'You are right.'

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Ursa slowly opened her eyes to the blinding light of sunshine entering through her open window. Shutting her eyes, she tried her head away and tried to adjust them. Her arms felt too heavy to lift and she grimaced in pain and annoyance at her discomfort as she sightly moved her body. Hearing rustling, she turned her head to the source of the sound. At the right of her bed laid Riku in an uncomfortable position on the edge of the bed. He looked worn out, unkempt and haggard. She lifted her right hand and touched his shaggy beard, hollow cheeks and lightly traced the deep dark bags underneath his eyes. As she studied him, she began to recall the last few moments before losing consciousness and realizing why she was in the whitewashed room, with machines hooked up to her and the strong smell of disinfectant.

In her distraction, she didn't notice Riku opening his eyes at the feeling of butterfly wings on his cheek. However, when she felt his shift, she turned dark hues to look at him, 'Hello, stranger.'

Riku blinked his eyes a couple of times before he was fully awake, he lifted his head to look at her as if she was a ghost. 'Ursa?'

'Hey,' she said as she smiled up at him.

'I am not dreaming am I?'

'No,' she shook her head.

'You really are awake,' he couldn't believe it.

She nodded and before she knew it, his lips were on hers in a maddening kiss that engulfed her whole being. At first, she was taken by surprise, but soon she understood and kissed him back but not as hungry and starved. Since his kiss expressed his fear and desperation of losing her, she tried to calm and reassure him that she was there, she wasn't going anywhere. 'Oh, heavens I've missed you,' he told her as he broke the kiss and rested his forehead against her. 'I had thought that you would never wake up.'

'But I did, I am here,' she told him as she lifted her hand to caress his shaggy cheek.

'Yeah,' he muttered as he tried to kiss her once more, but she stopped him with her hand in the way. 'Why?'

'Because I want to know if…if the baby is okay,' she muttered as she looked down, removing her hands from his lips, and trailing it down to her stomach.

He could see that she was on the verge of tears with the thought of losing their child and he reached over to wipe the unshed tears away. 'Yes, the person that shot you hit your upper abdomen. Missing your uterus and baby. They extracted the bullet and gave you a blood transfusion.'

Ursa felt her body relax at the relief that their child was alright, 'I know that I should be going to get the doctor, but I want to know who did this to you?'

Her lips turned downwards and the tears in her eyes vanished, but did not harden her gaze, 'Rose, she managed to fool me into letting her on to the estate and into the house.'

'I knew it,' Riku's voice harden, his gaze became sharp as he looked towards the window behind her. 'I am going to find that woman and kill her for all that she's done to you.'

Ursa grabbed his shirt, tugging on it to get his attention once again, 'No more,' she whispered, 'just let the police deal with finding her. I think that she's already done too much damage to the family, I don't need her doing more.'

'But,' he wanted to protest, he wanted to do something to the woman that hurt his future wife and unborn child. Nevertheless, the frown on her beautiful face and worry in her hues told him that he should listen to her. 'Fine, but only because I don't want you to worry and put any stress on your mind and body.'

She looked down at his chest with a slight blush as he caressed her belly, 'I should really go get the doctor,' he told her, but didn't make a move to leave. He was still afraid that he was dreaming and that when he woke up, she'd still be laying unconscious next to him.

Ursa nodded and looked up at him, 'Don't worry, I am not going anywhere,' she told him.

'I am just so happy that you're awake,' he confessed.

'I am happy too,' she shifted her body to fill in the gap between them so that she could kiss him. Trying to ignore the pain that shot out from her wound and caused her body to stiffen and her hand to clutch tightly on to his shirt as she kissed him.

Riku hadn't missed her reaction, he pulled away from and lightly pushed her back down to her original position. 'Rest, I am going to go get the doctor.'

Ursa nodded, watched as he got up from beside her and walked out the door to go and get the doctor on call. She was sure that her Uncle would stop by later once he arrived at the hospital. Minutes later Riku returned with a young male doctor, 'Ms. Ursa, it is good to see you awake. How are you feeling?'

'Sore, sluggish and hungry,' she confessed as she offered the charming young man with dark brown hair and light blue hues a smile.

'As to be expected,' he said as logged into the computer beside her and began to take her vitals, 'you've been unconscious for a week, but your recovery has gone well.'

'That's good,' she watched him and in her admiration for the younger man, forgetting her jealous partner until he grabbed her free hand and squeezed it. 'Riku told me that the baby was fine, but is there anything that we need to worry about?'

'You just need to relax and get some rest,' he told her. 'The baby will be just fine. It suffered no trauma and as long as you take care of yourself the baby will continue to develop nicely. Nevertheless, you will find discomfort as it gets bigger, and your wound continues to heals.'

'Oh,' she moved the arm that the doctor released and placed her hand lightly above her wound.

'Don't worry, your main doctor will take good care of you and the baby when you come in for checkups.'

'My uncle? I didn't know he was an obstetrician as well.'

'No, you've been assigned to Dr. Rider. She is excellent at her job and trusted by Dr. Thorn, so believe me when I say that you are in good hands. Once we finish with your check up, I'll make sure to let her know that you have awaken and she can have a better look at you and the child.'

'Dr. ….' she searched his white doctor's jacket to read the name that would be embroidered on his right breast.

'Dr. Wilson, sorry that in my excitement to see that you have finally awaken I forgot to introduce myself,' he told her when he saw what her was doing.

'Dr. Wilson, thank you for the news,' she beamed brightly at him and felt Riku's hand squeeze hers, reminding her that he was also there and that she had no right to stray.

'I am glad to put your mind at ease now that I have checked your vitals. I'll have the nurse some in to take some blood samples so that we can run some test and once we are sure that you are ready to go home, we'll release you.'

'How long will that be,' Riku asked annoyed by how Ursa and the Doctor we in their own little world without him.

'Hopefully, it will be soon,' Dr. Wilson answered and saw the possessive look and domineer he showed towards the woman laying on the white hospital bed. 'Well, if you'll excuse me. I will be back later to check up on you and see how you are doing.'

The couple nodded and watched as he took his leave, 'He's such a handsome Doctor,' Ursa commented after he had gone and left.

'Tsk, he's okay looking,' Riku grumbled as he turned from the door to look at her. 'I think I should have your Uncle run an MRI to check your head.'

'Why,' she turned to look at him.

'Because I think you hit your head and don't know what attractive looks like anymore,' he stated.

'Oh, really and here I thought that you were appealing. I guess that I was mistaken,' she answered with a smirk when she saw the twitch on his right cheek pulling the corner of his lips upward.

'Well,' he leaned forward, 'I could be mistaken.'

'Hmm,' she nuzzled his nose with hers, 'I don't know, we really should hav—'

Riku filled the gap between them and kissed her, his lips melding with hers and he wanted to push further and have more than just her lips, but, 'Ugh,' he pulled away in disappointment. 'You are a stubborn woman that drives me mad, and I am helpless to go any further.'

Ursa stifled a giggle because the pain of laughing hurt her abdomen as her muscles moved. 'Don't worry, the doctor said that I am healing nicely.'

'But not fast enough,' he grumbled in frustration.

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A/N: Sorry for the delay in uploading. The final chapter should be up before the year is out. At least that is the plan. Hope you all had a safe and wonderful holiday and see you soon for the conclusion.