I don't own Spy X Family!! It belongs to Tatsuya Endo-sensei!

••••••••••••••••••••

How?

"MAMA!!"

How did it end up like this?

"Don't worry Anya….this is nothing…" Yor said as she stumbled slightly.

"DON'T LIE TO ANYA MAMA!! HOW CAN YOU SAY THAT WHEN YOU'RE LIKE THAT?!" Anya continued to bawl louder.

Yor panted heavily. Loid was frozen on his spot.

I failed. Eh? How did I fail? Me? The greatest spy of Westalis? Failed?

"PAPA!!"

He then snapped out of his clouded mind and looked at his daughter.

"HELP MAMA, PLEASE!!!"

If only I could…IF ONLY I COULD—!!

"DONOVAN DESMOND!!! LEAVE MY WIFE, MY FAMILY ALONE!!! I SWEAR YOU'LL PAY FOR THIS!!!" He yelled. He yelled but he couldn't move. He had been drugged by the organization's strongest sedatives that affected his whole system making him numb and useless.

"Are you enjoying the view, Loid Forger? Or should I say, Twilight of Westalis?"

••••••••••••••••••

They were on their way to a restaurant, not far from where they're living. It was their typical family day full of warm smiles and laughter. Not until it happened. Loid felt his hands getting numb in the middle of eating his meal while Anya lost consciousness at the same time. Yor was the least affected because of her upbringing as an assassin but was extremely alarmed upon seeing Anya's state. Apparently, aside from the sedation drug that was put on their food, unknown men were spreading another odorless sedative smoke across the whole restaurant, doubling the effect of numbness.

'This is impossible! How did I missed this?!' He said while his eyes were blurring out, on the verge of passing out. He looked at his daughter before shifting his eyes to his restless wife and mumbled her name under his breath.

"A..nya..Yo..r."

Thud!

"LOID!"

—————————————————————

Hours have passed and finally Loid woke from his deep slumber.

"Huh? Where am I?" He said, lying still on the ground. He tried fixing his gaze and move at the same time but his muscles weren't listening.

"PAPA!"

Loid's eyes widened.

"ANYA!"

Suddenly, he came back to his senses and remembered everything that previously happened.

"Are you okay, Anya?!" He panicked.

"I'M OKAY PAPA! BUT MAMA—!!"

"Yor? Where is she? Where's your mother?!"

"Right here." Another voice said. Loid swiftly turned his attention at the center of the ballroom. He paled, his pupils constricted. There he saw Yor, wearing her usual black dress, chained up at the center of numerous men who were eyeing his wife with pure lust. And at the center besides Yor, was the operation Strix' target. His target. Donovan Desmond.

"DESMOND!!"

"You're finally awake, Loid Forger? Good. Please enjoy the show I've arranged specially prepared for you."

"Show?"

"Hey. Aren't you going to look up? Your special audience are waiting." Desmond spitted. However, Yor was not moving at all. She refused. She refused to look up and meet her husband's eyes as well as her daughter's.

"If you refuse to look up, then I would gladly help you." Desmond grabbed Yor's cheeks forcing her up to face his husband and daughter with a pained look.

"YOU BASTARD—! YOU DARED—!"

"MAMA!!"

"Loid. Anya. I'm sorry."

"Yor, why are you saying sorry? I should be the one saying sorry!"

"No…I got you involved in my carelessness. That's why I'm sorry."

"What are you talking about?"

"Enough of this cringy crap. Now watch, Loid Forger. Watch your wife who's about to lose her pride and dignity."

"DAMN YOU, YOU SHITTY BASTARD!! DON'T TOUCH HER!! I SWEAR!! I SWEAR I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!! I'M GOING TO MURDER YOU ALL!!!" He yelled furiously.

"MAMA!!! MAMAAAA!!" Anya cried loudly.

Desmond left the spot and that signalled the numerous men to finally make their advancements towards her. She looked at them with pity then shifted her gaze to her family. She forced a smile to reassure them.

"Loid, Anya. It's going to be okay. Trust me." She smiled, but her eyes were not.

"NO! YOR—!!"

"I hope…I would still be your wife and Anya's mother even after this." She said to Loid.

"WHA—?!"

"I'm…sorry."

SPLASH!

Just then, spurts of blood flew in the air. Loid was rendered speechless. There he saw his wife, holding a golden long knife, dripping with blood. Not hers, but from one of the men approaching her. She then started to swing her weapons, as if dancing exotically around the men.

"Yor?" He mumbled, fixing his eyes on his wife.

"Ignorance is a bliss, Loid Forger." Apparently, Desmond made his way near Loid's lying figure. But still, his eyes never left his wife's figure dancing around bathed with blood.

"Your wife…"

"Don't say it." He cut him off. He knew. He already had his doubts. But he refused to believe it. She was giving off few signals but he decided to ignore it. Why? He doesn't know. All he know is that she is his wife and their daughter's mother. That was all that mattered.

"…is the rumored cold, ruthless Thorn Princess."

"I SAID STOP!" He angrily shouted, gritting his teeth. "SHE IS YOR BRIAR FORGER. SHE IS ANYA'S MOTHER. SHE IS MY WIFE." He shouted on top of his lungs, fighting with the sedative drug that was still lingering around his system.

"MAMA IS MY MAMA!!! STOP SAYING THINGS THAT AREN'T MY MAMA!!"

Having heard all of this, Yor snapped out from her assassin mode and turned her attention to her family. She dashed towards him and Anya and quickly kneeled in front of them. She hugged them tightly.

"Thank you." She said.

"Yor, let's get out of here. Please. The drug is almost out of its effect. Please."

"Mamaaaa."

"I can't. Not until I finish my business."

"Yor please. Let me help you! I know everything! But that doesn't matter at all. It doesn't matter at all, Yor! I still want you with us. Beside me. Please!" Loid pleaded with his life. This was the first time that he pleaded and he wasn't ashamed of it. Yor's hand twitched then relaxed eventually. She broke their hug and cupped her husband's and daughter's face.

"Thank you, really. You're the most precious family God has given me aside from Yuri. I don't know if I really deserve you, even if i'm this sinful." She smiled whole-heartedly. She drew near Anya and kissed her forehead. She then withdraws and proceeded with her husband.

"Would you grant me the honor of kissing you?"

"Yor—!"

He was suddenly cut off by Yor's soft lips as she grabbed both of his cheeks. Those soft, irresistable lips that he longed to touch with his own. He wanted to capture those lips of hers in the most romantic way he could've plan, not in this way. His eyes were wet and tears threatened to fall.

Yor was the first one to cut the kiss short. She warmly looked at both her husband and daughter.

"Yor, please, don't do this." Loid continued to plead, hoping for her to change her mind. He was on the verge of breaking down. The idea of her fighting alone pained him a lot.

"How sweet." Desmond scoffed. As if he was amused by what he was seeing. He was raising his hand to halt his men from ruining the family moment before him.

"Loid, please take care of Anya. Our daughter." She said as she withdrew her hands from them even before Loid could grab it with his own.

"Yor! No! Please!"

"Mamaaa!!!"

She stood up with her back facing them. In one swift action, she cut the chain that held off the bars above their heads, separating her from her dearest family.

"YOR!" He yelled. His face was filled with fear and agony as he lifted his body with his now moving arms.

"Be grateful, Thorn Princess. I did not let anyone ruin your LAST family moment." Desmond smirked. Yor gave him death glares in exchange.

"I'll deal with you LAST." Yor replied. Men started to run and attack her simultaneously while Yor gracefully dodged and attacked them at the same time.

"Pa-Papa!! Can't we do something for Mama?! She needs our help! She needs your help!" Anya pleaded.

Tsk! He clicked his tongue in frustration. What am I doing? What the hell are you doing, Twilight?! He thought. 'MOVE, DAMN IT!!'

"MAMA! MAMA!" Anya continued to call out for her. Loid felt his heart sank deeper and deeper everytime Anya yells her mother's name. He clenched his fist tightly everytime he saw his wife receives damage from her enemies.

"You're so loud kid. I think I'll deal with you first!" One of the men said in irritation. As he heard this, Loid angrily shouted,

"DON'T YOU DARE HURT OUR DAUGHTER! DON'T YOU EVER DARE!!" He tried shifting his position in attempt to cover and protect Anya. Anya froze in her spot as she saw the enemy's gun pointed at her.

"Try me." the enemy taunted.

"Pa..pa…Ma-Ma..ma.."

"ANYA!!"

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

Thud!

Blood splattered, reaching Loid's face. It seemed that time had stopped ticking for him. Hearing the loud thud, instead of Anya falling to the ground, the enemy hit the ground first with a knife burrowed on his forehead. Anya was safe. However.

cough*cough*

"Ma…ma…"

Yor kneeled in front of them grabbing the bars to support her weight. She coughed out a lot blood before turning her head at the dead man behind her saying,

"Didn't I…*cough* tell you…that I'm your opponent? And you even dared…to hurt my precious daughter…?" She gave him one final death glare before turning to his family. She reached out to Anya inbetween the bars and wiped the tears as well as the blood that reached her white, soft cheeks with her thumb.

"Are you…okay, Anya?" She said, struggling with her words.

"Ma…mama…I'm—I'm sorry! Because of me, you—!"

"Shh, shh..no Anya…it's not your fault…don't—don't blame yourself."

"B-but Mama! Your back! A lot of gunshots—!"

"A bullet or two won't kill Mama…Don't worry, Anya."

Loid was silent the whole time. He still couldn't process what had just happened. His eyes shifted from Yor's eyes, disheveled hair, bruises, cuts, and lastly at her back which suffered the most recently.

"Yor." was all he could say. Upon hearing her name, she turned her head towards Loid. She continued to smile warmly as if reassuring them that it would be okay. That she would protect them from whatever harm.

"Hmm…I just have had the perfect idea." Desmond butted in. "Anyone who kills the entire Forger family gets to be promoted and receive a billion dalcs per month." And that made the entire men cheered eerily while it made the Forgers, especially the couple, to shook in fear and despise. Loid felt his heart stop.

"DONOVAN DESMOND! DO NOT INVOLVE MY FAMILY FURTHER ONTO THIS! I'M THE ONLY ONE YOU'RE AFTER, ISN'T IT?!" Loid yelled strenuously as he shook the bars as hard as he could. He was now desperate for the safety of his family. Seeing his reaction, Desmond's smirk grew wider.

"You see, Twilight-kun. You and your wife here had sabotaged not only 1, not only 3, but everything of our plans. Although I assume you weren't aware of each other's existence yet at that time. Seeing you two are now under my control, it's only natural that I would return the favor." He then laughed. He laughed at the struggle of the Forger Family. He laughed at their doomed expression.

"Not…under my watch." Yor said in a low voice. She gave one final death glare towards Desmond before trying to stand, grasping the bars for support. She turned turned her back now facing their enemies. She once again took her weapon from the ground, flinching in every movement she made and readied her stance.

Yor was panting very hard. She was catching her breath. She was having a hard time diverting her attention away from all the pain that she has been enduring ever since she received all the blows and gunshots from their enemies. Blood loss. She thought. Right before she could stumble due to dizziness, a strong hand held Yor's arm, keeping her from fainting.

"No, Yor! Don't fight them alone! You're not alone! You have me and Anya! I'll come up of a plan for us to escape! So please—!" Loid said worriedly as he caught Yor's arm, one hand was supporting his weight. His hand were trembling and Yor felt the fear that it contain. Instead of feeling scared or uneasy, strangely she felt comfort from his hand. She then remembered their vow.

"Loid….For better or for worse…For richer or for poorer…In sickness and in health…To love and to cherish. No matter what hardships may come…." She said placing her hand on top of Loid's and looked at him directly in the eye. The latter's eyes widened.

"I love you. My heart, my soul, my life, my everything shall be yours to keep forever…" she smiled. Smiled warmly as she could and looked at her family as fondly as she could.

"…Till death do us apart." She said, loud enough for Loid to hear before removing herself from her husband's clutch, dashing away from her family and onto her enemies to finish her work. Loid had his hand suspended in the air, reaching for her retrieving figure.

"YOR!!"

•••••••••••••••••

This is getting irritating. I'll deal with you all at once. Yor thought. She had already reduced the number at greater amount. She was now panting very very hard as her body is now having a hard time to keep up with all the blood she lost.

As she concluded that this could be the last time she would be working as a garden assassin, she thanked everyone who took care of her all throughout her life internally, "Housekeeper. Thank you for everything. For this job, that helped not only me and my brother, but also my family, whom I was able to protect with all my life."

"Director McMahon. Thank you for mentoring and nurturing me into someone who I am today. You were like a Father to me, supporting me and Yuri before and even now with my family in any way you can. Did you know, Anya really likes you, as any grandchild would to their grandfather. I hope you would continue to support my family. It's a shame you won't see me here achieving the greatest task I could accomplish."

"Yuri, thank you for being my one and only brother. I would not have become who I am today if it weren't for you. For your needs. I hope you would find someone whom you would want to happily spend the rest of your life, as I am with Loid. Even though it was fake marriage, I still felt contented and happy living with him and Anya. Its a shame I won't be able to see you at the altar for your wedding. Its also a shame I won't be able to see your children. But even so, please know that I would always be right by your side. Please be happy and live a prosperous life, my dear brother, Yuri."

She stood completely still. The remaining men then dashed towards her with their knives pointed at her.

Stab! Stab! Stab! Stab! Stab!

"Ma…ma…" Anya fell weak on her knees as she saw what had happen to her mother. Tears continued to fell that reached the ground endlessly. A hand suddenly covered her eyes and pulled her into a tight hug, protecting her eyes from the gruesome scene.

Words cannot describe the emotions Loid is currently feeling right now. More numbness. Not because of the sedative, but because of what he just witnessed. He blamed his incompetencies. He blamed how he was being useless right now. He blamed everything. Yor was there protecting them, shouldering all burdens, even his share, that he himself should've taken care of. He paled as white as a sheet when he saw his wife, his one and only wife, get stabbed by couple of men at the same time.

Unknowingly, he slowly looked down at their daughter and saw the state she was in. He then grabbed Anya into a tight hug with his hand on her head and the other on her small back. He returned his attention to his wife, who was now looking at him. At them. She looked at them with sad, distant but fondly eyes for a good few minutes before proceeding to decapitate her remaining enemies.

She stumbled and fell on her knees. Eyes were blurring out. Desmond was amused at the momentous event.

"It seems that Thorn princess is now out of business." He said as he walked towards Loid and Anya. "Looks like you are the only ones left." He lifted his gun and pointed it on Loid's forehead. "Don't be sad. You'll be following your wife in the afterlife. Say goodbye to this world, Twilight."

Tchk!

"Huh?" Desmond felt a sharp pain on his neck. He grabbed it and was horrified at what he saw. A syringe. An automatic injectible syringe made by Garden, now emptied. "SHI—!" He then blacked out and fell. Later, an eldely man landed not far from Desmond's body. It was Director mcMahon. He then assessed the situation from Loid's and Anya's trembling body to Yor's unmoving body bathed with blood surrounded by dozens of lifeless men. He felt his stomach churned when he saw his student covered with blood, bruises, cuts, multiple gunshots and stabbed wounds. He grimaced at the thought that he was too late. Too TOO late.

"Excuse me." He turned to her student's husband.

"Could you…please cut this bars? My wife needs me." Loid said quietly and flatly. McMahon granted his wish, cutting the bars with one straight line without harming the ones inside. "Also…do you happen…to have an antidote for a strong sedative? I…still cannot move my legs." McMahon nodded. He did not care whether this man were to disclose him as a member of the Garden. He walked towards him and injected the antidote. He saw Anya's red, wet eyes focused at him and felt his heart sank.

"Grandpa mcMahon." She said weakly. He patted Anya on the head before walking towards Demond's body.

"Please leave him. I have an unattended business with him." Loid said coldly as he slowly stood with Anya still on his arms.

"Revenge is rather inelegant, Mr. Forger." He said. "Mrs. Forger would prefer for you not to soil your hands here. Her sacrifice will be put in vain if I allowed you to do however you please with Mr. Desmond's body."

"WHAT DO YOU KNOW? THEN WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO? JUST LEAVE HIM BE WHILE MY WIFE HAD JUST SUFFERED UNDER HIS COMMAND? THAT IDEA ALONE BY ITSELF WOULD SUFFICE INJUSTICE TO HER!" He furiously shouted. His usual calm and rational mind were all over the place. It was erratic. He didn't mean to shout at mcMahon. He was never angry with him to begin with. And mcMahon understood all of that. It was hard for him to accept that his student, rather his adopted daughter, was already on the verge of meeting her demise. But it was much harder for them as they were the ones who saw how it unfold. He was not quite in the position to tell "how" things should be done. But instead, he knew "what".

"I'm not yet finished, Mr. Forger."

"What…do you mean?" Loid squinted his cold, dangerous eyes.

"Would you like me to deliver this man to your agency on your behalf?" He said. Loid flinched as he was caught off guard.

"How...?"

"I…Mrs. Forger and I knew all along. Rather, she was the one who protected you and your identity from the Garden. She stayed with you, even knowing that you might discover her other persona someday. She was the one who insisted, saying she should help her husband's work in the shadows even if it means that her deeds for you will never come to light. She was happy and contented that she was able to support you even if you didn't knew it was her all along. That was the role of the wife. Her role, she said."

All chains that bound Loid broke. He felt a big lump on this throat and the tears that he had been holding back before now fell on his cheek. He trembled, tightening his hug on Anya's body. He lifted his face and replied,

"Would you…please do the honor of bringing him to my agency, Director McMahon?"

"As you wish."

"Thank you. Thank you very much." He bowed respectfully at mcMahon. "Another thing…" McMahon paused. "Could you…look after Anya for me in just for a little while? I have…something to ask and tell my wife that she doesn't need to hear or know."

"Papa…?" Anya asked.

"It's alright, Anya. Papa and Mama are just going to talk for a little while then we'll immediately call you. Will you stay with your Grandpa McMahon for papa and mama? Just for a little bit?" He quietly said.

Anya worriedly looked at his eyes directly then eventually nodded. Loid passed her to McMahon's arms and latter patted and drew circles on her back in attempt to comfort her.

•••••••••••••••••••••

He kneeled infront of her and felt his heart shattered as he finally saw her upclose. He finally saw the state she was into.

"Why did you do that alone? Aren't I your husband? The husband should be the one protecting his wife and daughter from all these troubles and bloodsheds. Much more that this should be my job as a spy, not yours. Desmond was my target. So why?" He was startled when a weak, trembling hand held his.

"I could….say the same to you…If my husband..were to be in trouble..then me as your wife…should be the one..to protect yours and Anya.." she said weakly as she lifted her head to meet his. She then smiled sweetly.

"Yor…I lied. I lied to you. I failed you. Both of you. The moment I exposed you and Anya to danger meant that I have already failed you as a husband and a father to Anya. You should be resenting me, not saving me. You could've just grabbed Anya while I was unconscious and ran away." He couldn't bring himself to face Yor. He was getting overwhelmed and swallowed by guilt. It was as if he was drowning under a dark, deep water that even light cannot pass through.

Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed his face weakly and pulled him forward. Yor leaned his forehead onto hers. Apparently, she cannot move freely however she please as it can worsen her condition. She feared she won't be able to tell everything if she were to worsen her condition.

"Don't…say something sad. What if…Anya heard you..? That will..hurt her a lot..hearing those words..from her father…" Loid grabbed her frail arms gently supporting her. "Besides…this was the only thing…I'm good at…so hearing you say…that you failed as a husband and a father…hurted my pride…rather, feelings, you know?" She giggled slightly as if to lighten up the mood. "For me..even if you lied about..your identity, you would..always be 'Loid Forger' to me. I do not…care whether you…lied to me or not. You and Anya…are what matters to me…the most." Loid felt his chest tightened. Why did it took him so long before realizing his own feelings for his fake wife?

It was first, after all. First time to feel peace at home with his family. First time to feel being loved. First time for a woman to be attracted to him for who he was, and not by his looks. First time to fall in love.

'Franky…Looks like I ignored your warnings.' He thought. When did it start? When did he start falling for his fake wife? When did he start having those unnecessary feelings Franky warned him regarding his family?

"Rather, Loid…forgive me…for not telling you or hiding from you…my real job was." She trembled. He knew Yor's soft side. If she felt guilty for it, it would really haunt her for a long time unless he comforts and reassures her that everything would be alright.

He knew Yor's other persona. He already knew about it but he chose to ignore it. Why? Well, Love knows no boundaries. So what if she's an assassin from a different country? She has proven herself worthy of being Anya's mother and his wife a dozen of times. So what if she lied? Well, he was also a liar. But he knew all those actions and feelings from hers were true. This was why he fell for Yor in the first place. She doesn't sugarcoat everything as well as she doesn't hide anything besides her being an assassin.

"It doesn't matter at all, Yor. You, staying by our side, as my wife and Anya's mother already meant a lot. You being an assassin doesn't outweight everything you've done for us. So thank you. Thank you for everything. Thank you for the immeasurable love you have given us. Thank you for these strong, gentle hands that protected us not only during the light but also from the shadows. Thank you so much for being Anya's mother. Thank you so much for being my wife. If it weren't for you, everything won't be the same. And I won't be the person I am today." He said as he slowly reached for his pocket, grabbing a small box and placing it in front of her.

"I'm sorry if I couldn't give you a proper proposal and wedding that you could've wanted. I was going to do this back in the restaurant but things happened quickly. But…" he then opened the box, showing a big diamond ring that shone beautifully as the moonlight hit it.

"I love you, Yor Briar Forger. Will you marry me and become my real wife?" He asked.

This was the most wonderful day that happened to Yor. Not only she was able to protect her family, but also became Loid's real wife. Even at the end, she still felt blessed. Her trembling hands reached her mouth in shock. Finally, tears were running down her cheeks and a beautiful smile was plastered on her lips.

"Yes…Yes, Loid. Yes. I would love to." Loid took Yor's hands and placed the ring onto her ring finger before pressing his lips onto hers gently. "I feel like dreaming…I don't think…I deserve to be happy…for what I've done in the past…until now." Yor said weakly as she leaned onto Loid's chest.

"No, Yor. You deserve the best." Loid continued to plant kisses on top of her head, then to her eyes, cheeks and lastly her mouth.

"Thank you…Thank you Loid…for choosing me…" she cried.

"Where's….where's Anya? Where's our daughter? Can I..see her?"

"Of course, Yor."

••••••••••••••••••

"Ah…Director McMahon…it's so nice to…see you again.." she said as she smiled sweetly at McMahon. Her back was now leaning against Loid's chest for support.

"You foolish student… you could've waited for me. Instead you stormed the enemy's lair without any plan and back up. I did not raised you like that." He said while his heart tightened.

"Ahaha…forgive me Director…I couldn't help..myself when it comes..to my family…" she giggled in between pantings.

"Mama…"

"Ahh…Anya..come here, my baby." She said as she raised her trembling hand to reach hers. She cupped and stroke her cheeks with her thumb as she looked at her fondly.

"Anya…were you okay?" She asked as she looked at her from head to toe.

"I should be the one asking you that, Mama." She said as tears once again fell from her face continuously.

"Didn't you…already know that Mama's…strong?" She smiled.

"Strong and Cool." Anya added.

"Ne, Anya?" She gently asked.

"Mama?"

"Is Mama still…100% perfect to you?" She asked. She was afraid of the idea that Anya's scared of her now because of her newly found identity. Of hating her.

"Hm-hm. Of course, Mama. You and Papa would always be 100% perfect and top 1 in Anya's heart!" Loid tightened his hug around Yor's waist. Hearing those words not only made Yor happy, but also Loid.

"Th…thank you, Anya…Thank you so much…" she said as tears fell down from Yor's eyes. She pulled Anya into a hug, tight enough not to worsen her condition and kissed her forehead.

"Ne…Mama?" It was now Anya's turn to ask.

"Hm?"

"Will you still make me some hot cocoa?" She innocently asked. Loid and Yor flinched and tightened their hold with one another. That was probably one of the hardest thing Anya could request to both of them, especially to Yor.

"T-that…I'm…I'm sorry.." Yor was having a hard time finding the right, exact words to reply. Loid noticed her struggle and decided to help her.

"Anya, Mama's…Mama's going to be…away for a long time. So that will be a difficult request to make." He already accepted it. He already accepted that Yor was now beyond saving. The least that they could do were to spend their remaining time beside her until her last breath.

But what about Anya? Anya is still a small little girl with no firm grasp between life and death. So even a small, innocent request from a child like her can be quite cruel for someone whose time is now limited.

"But Anya…Papa here…will be making your favorite…cocoa instead of Mama..would that be okay for you?" She smiled warmly as she felt her chest tightened. She was now having regrets. Hearing his name, Loid flinched. You're so sly, Yor. He held back his tears so as to not to worry Anya.

"Hm..Okay, Mama. But promise me you'll come back and make me more hot cocoa! I love your hot cocoa! Its the best cocoa in the whole world!" She said exaggerating and pleading like any child nagging their mother for something they want.

"Anya…I'll do my..best.." Yor smiled in return. Those were the words that automatically came out from her. Yor wanted to say more to Anya but she knew its almost her time limit. She thanked the Heavens she was able to leave that behind.

"Anya…Don't trouble your Papa…too much while I'm away okay?…Always remember that…even when I'm not…by your side physically…Mama will always be there..for you..I love you..my dearest Anya." She couldn't bear it anymore. She sobbed hard thinking that this would be the last time she would be seeing her daughter. To hold her in her arms. It regretted her that she won't be there, to see Anya achieve what she wants. The idea of Anya growing up without a mother pains her a lot. She knew how it would feel. But at the very least, she would not be alone. Loid will be with her till the very end. Just as she was to her younger brother.

"Mama's….very sorry, Anya.." she kissed Anya's face lightly then pulled her into a weak, gentle hug. She turned her gaze on McMahon and said, "Director…Could you..do me a last…favor?" McMahon nodded.

"Thank you…Could you bring..Anya home? And please…protect my family…in my place…"

•••••••••••••••••••

After a few minutes of persuading Anya, McMahon was able to bring her home as well as drop Desmond's body to WISE agency.

Loid lifted her up gently and walked towards a green, peaceful hill where they could see the entire town. As he slowly walked, he couldn't help but to think that this would be the last time he would carry Yor on his arms. He trembled causing Yor to stir and open her eyes slightly. She then remembered something important that she needed to tell Loid before her life force ran out.

"Loid…"

"Hm?" He startled, causing his trembling arms to stop.

"On my desk drawer…there's something…I want you…to *cough*cough*"

"I-I understand, Yor. Please stop talking and save your breath, we're almost at the top."

Wind blew hard as they sat on the feet of the biggest tree on top of the hill. Loid sat Yor infront of him so as to hug her from behind, protecting her from the incoming chills of the now setting sun.

"We're here, Yor. Look at the town you've worked so hard to protect." He said quietly. He wanted Yor to know how worthy she was as a citizen of their country, even dirtying her hands just for the sake of attaining peace.

"Ah…It's so…beautiful…" she smiled warmly. Loid's heart tightened, causing him to hug his wife much tighter.

"Yor…I'm scared…please…don't leave me and Anya." He said. It was as if the walls that held him back crumbled in just a matter of few seconds. Just as when he finally realized his feelings for her. Just as when he finally wanted to spend the rest of his life with her.

His words left a great pang on Yor's heart. This was the first time that she have heard his selfish plea. This was the first time she saw and hear how vulnerable he was.

Ah. I'm really having regrets now. She thought. She was about to leave this man that clung to her like a child. This man that she loves more than anything in this whole world besides Anya and Yuri.

"Loid…"

He did not reply. More like he couldnt. He could not stop his sobbing. And Yor understood that. She felt his tears running from him to hers as Loid leaned his face onto her shoulders.

"Please remember that…I love you so much…even beyond the afterlife…I will always be….at your side…you will never be…alone..you have Anya…and me..not physically though…" she held his arms as tight as she can in attempt to comfort him.

"A wife must share…her husband's burden..which is why your burdens…I will gladly take it to…my graveyard.." she said quietly but loud enough for Loid to hear.

This made Loid sobbed harder. He realized her actions was because of her love for him. Her love for her family. What did he do to have someone like her as his wife? He did not deserve her. He did not deserve her love. At first, it was only for the mission. But little by little, a tiny bud grew inside him wanting and craving for more from his forged family. This tiny bud became bigger and bigger that it became harder for him to cut.

"I love you, Yor. I genuinely mean it. Even beyond the afterlife, I will still love you. I will never forget you till my last breath. Please, wait for me there okay? I'll tend to our daughter first. Don't worry much about Anya, I promise I will take care of her. I will be there for her especially during her important future events like graduations, birthdays, wedding, and more." He said.

Ah. It hit her.

"That…would be nice…" she said. Then suddenly, the weak Yor that was hiding behind her strong persona appeared and all her vulnerable self emerged.

"I…don't want to die…" she said as she quietly sobbed. Loid had heard this then tightened his hug around her, tears continue to fell. He repeatedly kissed the top of her head as he cradled her in his arms. His most dearest.

"Ne..Loid.."

"Hm?"

"What's…your real name?"

This caught him off guard. He never knew that someone would want to know his thrown away past self. He had already abandoned his real name as he concluded before that it was not even worth mentioning. But right now…even just for a moment.. he wanted to hear again his real name from the lips of the woman that he love the most.

"Its ——"

Satisfied, Yor smiled, saying his real name just before her final breath.

Thank you.

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Days have passed and Loid still couldn't find himself strolling around Yor's room. He remembered her saying there was something on her drawer that she wanted for him to take but he just couldn't bring himself to barge in on her room like nothing has ever happened.

But now, he steeled himself. He concluded that he won't go anywhere if he stayed like how he was recently. He needed to face reality, even though it was hard.

Anya finally went to school after having tantrums saying she want to see her mother. It was hard for Loid to keep himself calm, seeing their daughter longing for her mother. Apparently, Franky offered to help him do minor tasks such as seeing Anya off on the bus.

As he walked on Yor's room, her scent enveloped him as if welcoming him to her room. He flinched. He missed her. He missed her scent. Her touches. Her hugs. Everything. He fought back the tears that were pooling on his eyes and made his way towards her drawer. As he opened it, there he saw a small box, placed on top of some letters. He grabbed everything out from the drawer and sat on Yor's soft bed.

After a while, when he opened the box, the tears that he fought back finally fell uncontrollably. In between his fingers was the grenade pin ring that served as his vow to her during the start of their fake marriage.

"She has been…keeping it all along.." he said in between soft sobs. He held the pin ring to his forehead as he reminisced the time he shared his vow with her behind a trash bin.

"I'm really sorry I couldn't give you a proper proposal, Yor. I'm really a failure husband." He said. He then proceeded to look at some letters scattered on the bed. There were those addressed to Anya, Yuri, McMahon, Housekeeper, and to him. He grabbed the one that had his name and read.

My dearest husband Loid Forger…

He then covered his mouth and cried harder as he continued to read the rest of the letter. Her handwriting. How he missed this.

Maybe the time that you read this, I'm not in this world anymore. I'm so sorry that I lied to you and Anya. I have failed you as a wife who couldn't even properly act as one and who couldn't even cook a decent food. I'm also sorry if I had lied to you about my real job. I was scared of the idea that if you were to discover it, you might get afraid of me.

Thank you for accepting me for who I am. I have concluded even before our marriage that you would never judge me for whoever I was and I was very thankful for that. Thank you for the love you gave me and Anya. Realizing that my love for you is getting stronger day by day, I was afraid that if I confessed to you, you might find it as a trouble. So I'm sorry for that.

Please take care of Anya for me. Please take care of yourself for me. And please don't blame yourself of whatever happened to me. I did it on my own accord because I love you. I love our family. And this is my way of protecting the most precious persons in my life. Know that I will always be by your side. Forever.

Your loving wife,

Yor Briar Forger

••••••••••••••••••••••••••

Author's Notes: Hope you like it! Comments and reviews are very much appreciated!! Thank you!!