This is a sequel to Track #14. Recommended to read that first before this. Thank you.
Track #18: I'll Be There
CHEN
He was always there.
During their daughter's tenth birthday. Standing beside her as she blew the ten pink candles along with her whispered wishes, cheering along with her mother and friends for the coming new year of her life.
He was always there.
When his wife celebrated their 9th Wedding Anniversary. Sitting across from her in a fancy romantic restaurant – his hand over hers as she gazed at the stars outside, wistfully recalling how they first met in the coffee shop all innocent and awkward during their college years.
He was always there.
When she went up the stage and put medals around their daughter's neck, all proud of Lucille's achievements, sentimental with how far she'd come from being a fuzzy baby cradled in his arms to a smart young child who had shown potential at an early age. He was there with them, posing as his mother took pictures, the flash slightly blinding him.
He was always there.
As his wife delivered the presentation that would promote her to a higher position in her job. More nervous and anxious than her. Worried of the important things she might forget, whispering encouragements and cheers when she stumbled over some words. But she succeeded and he's the first one to applaud. The first one to holler his congratulations and he couldn't get even much prouder at that moment.
He was always there.
When Lucille learned how to ride a two-wheel bicycle. Guiding the handle bars as she traversed on a steep downhill, throwing himself infront of her path when she lost control of the pedals, softening her landing.
He was always there.
On his wife's every birthday after. Singing the song in her ear, thanking her for coming into his life and for the cherished memories they'd shared together. Hugging her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder as Lucille demanded to cut the cake so they can finally eat. He was there when a tear escaped her eye and tried to wipe the sadness away.
Lelouch was always there.
Always there ever since Cecilia finally returned to Ashford Café, five years since his death. He came along with her when she went home all exhausted and spent from crying, and he never left.
Lelouch was always, always there especially during the nights when the melancholy of being alone overpowered her longing heart, when his picture was clutched closely against her heaving chest. He would be beside her, humming her favorite song as he smoothened her emerald tresses. Until there's no more tears left to dry, until she had cried herself to sleep.
Lelouch was there to snap her out of her trance when she would suddenly blankly stare at nothing as if her mind had travelled into a different space, into a different life.
Everytime, when she and Lucille celebrated his birthday in the cemetery. He sat on the grass next to them, listening to their stories and updates, telling Lucille not to talk too fast or she would choke on air. Holding Cecilia's hand as her lips tremble when their daughter's looking away.
He kissed them good night and greeted them in the morning.
He lay beside his wife and listened to her even breathing.
Lelouch was always there everywhere they went, not missing a single moment of their life.
He was always there but they never knew.
And it's fine.
At least for him, there's nothing he can do to change the situation.
At least for him, he could see them always even though they could not.
Even though he wanted more...
Time.
Chance.
A do-over.
And when a man came into Cecilia's life and showed her how to love again, Lelouch was present to wash away her confusion. He told her that it was okay to love somebody else, it was okay to receive affection from another man other than him. It's time that someone else take care of her the way she took care of their family alone.
It's okay to be happy without him.
And that night in her room, as she tearfully asked for his forgiveness, for his guidance, for his permission, he knelt infront of Cecilia, stared straight into her swollen eyes and told her to let go.
"You will always be my greatest love," she uttered brokenly, kissing her wedding ring. "My first, my last. I can never love someone as much as I loved you."
So as she said 'I do' for the second time, Lelouch was standing by the church's doorway, silently watching them from afar, a peaceful smile resting on his lips.
And there was no one else to wipe away his tears.
"I'm sorry we parted so we could never meet again.
I probably won't be able to forget all of the promises I couldn't keep."
- I'll be there