A/N: Hi guys! I'll try and make this short ok? So I know it's been a long time since I last updated. I'm sorry if I took so long. A lot of things have occurred, and one of them was my ideas hitting a complete stop while writing this. So this is the alternate chapter that I promised you guys, and I'm not surprised that 100% of the voters in the poll I made picked 'yes'. I guess I was in a mad mood when I wrote and uploaded that chapter? To make it up, my co-author veamgee also created an alternate chapter! I know veamgee's version is better than mine because she's better than me. You'll know I'm telling the truth when you read her work after this chapter.

Thank you so much to those who stuck with this story in the end! You guys are amazing ^^

Disclaimer: I do not own Marimite or any of its characters. All belongs to Oyuki Konno.

Chapter 22(Alternate Ending): Picture-Perfect

A mahogany door creaked open, revealing a lovely woman with pale skin and midnight-black locks. She closed the door behind her quietly before slowly tip-toeing her way forward to a peacefully sleeping angel. Sitting down on the edge of the bed, her lips formed into a smile at the scene that greeted her. She bent down and whispered closely to the little one's ear,

"Time to wake up baby~"

A few seconds passed before a petite girl with jet-black hair, blunt bangs and chubby cheeks replied grumpily as she rubbed her sleepy eyes while yawning cutely.

"But me want to sleep more."

Sachiko chuckled warmly at her daughter's antics. She has her personality, no doubt about it. It was a fresh Monday morning, and here she was sitting on her child's bed, trying to wake up her 6 year-old daughter. A brand new school day was going to begin, and she didn't want her daughter to be late for the very first day of school.

Smiling, she snaked her hands towards her little angel's tummy and began tickling her with no intention of stopping. The sleepy girl's eyes suddenly opened widely, laughing and giggling like crazy; she started pleading her mom to stop with her tickle attacks. The pink bedroom was filled with contagious laughter and chuckles as Sachiko continued with her childish-yet effective-wake up tactic.

"Are you sure you're not going to fall asleep again, Kumiko?" Sachiko asked, her fingers pausing its relentless tickle attack on the surface of her daughter's stomach.

The latter panted before giving her mom a cute smile. "I'm sure mama!"

Sachiko raised her right eyebrow, her lips tugging up at the corner of her mouth. The little girl recognized the look her mom was giving her almost immediately.

It was her mom's 'I don't believe you' look.

Before Sachiko could even move or say anything, her daughter stood up really fast, jumped down from the bed and ran straight to the washroom just across from her bedroom with a clicking sound from the locked door soon after.

She didn't know what she did to deserve such an angel from God. It was surprising how today was so different from the future she imagined in the past: Getting into a loveless marriage with Suguru, bearing the future heir of their family's company, staying home as the obedient wife her mother trained her to be.

But here she was now, married to the love of her life and blessed with a baby girl-a beautiful one, as a matter of fact. Just how lucky can she be?

With the happy thought in mind, she stood up and began straightening out the girl's comforter, fluffing up the pink pillows with a smile. Being so focused on making the bed neat and tidy, she didn't notice the sounds of footsteps growing louder and louder. Since her back was facing the door, she didn't see another woman's figure leaning on the doorframe.

"I didn't know you had that in you Sachiko. I mean tickling our daughter to the point of her running to the bathroom?" A woman slightly shorter than Sachiko with raw umber-colored hair shook her head, laughing inside because of her silly wife. "Where did you learn that one from, hmm?"

Sachiko didn't reply after she turned around. She was too mesmerized by the younger woman's angelic features under the morning light. Her soft hair with faint curls at the end was down, making the contour of her face more sharp. Slightly pale skin never appeared so warm under the sun's rays. That white tee-shirt with those skinny jeans never looked so alluring, along with those chocolate orbs gazing back at her. It's possible for her to drown upon those eyes and never come back up. In short:

She was blindingly beautiful.

Getting no replies from her other half, the younger of the two came up to Sachiko and cupped her cheeks, bringing their faces extremely close to the point of their noses touching. "Am I that pleasing to the eye?" She asked, putting her hands around her wife's neck and interlacing their fingers after.

"Yes, yes you are Yumi. You are so beautiful under the sunlight. You were radiating in fact." Sachiko replied, brushing her nose affectionately against the latter's, her hands placed firmly on Yumi's slender waist.

Yumi broke their Eskimo kiss with a fake but cute pout following shortly after, "Only when under the sunlight?"

Both stared at each other for a quick moment before breaking into laughter. Sachiko pinched the latter's nose before replying.

"You're always beautiful, Yumi"

"And you're such a sweet talker, Sachiko" Yumi replied smartly, playfully slapping her wife's hand away before walking towards the door. Turning around, she gave the latter another blinding smile before leaving the room.

They were always like this; them bantering and teasing each other to the point of making their friends fake puking because of their sweetness. Never has a day gone without them poking each other with honeyed words and sweet gestures. It was enough to give everyone around them diabetes.

"Always listen to your teachers and make friends with everyone. Don't talk to strangers; especially to those who want to give you candy. Don't get in to any fights because mama will not like that at all. Also do-"

"And have a great first day of school honey!"

Sachiko gave Yumi a fake glare as she watched her wife hug their daughter in front of the school. Her glare quickly dissipated as her daughter turned and reached out for her, asking her for a warm hug and a quick kiss before attending her first day of school.

"Have a great day sweetheart~" She whispered close to the little girl's ears, engulfing her in a warm embrace.

"I will mama."

Kumiko broke the hug and began walking towards the entrance as the bell of Lillian Elementary rang clearly, alerting the students that classes were about to begin. Securing the red bag she was sporting behind her back, Kumiko gave her parents a final wave before disappearing into a sea of kids entering the school building.

Yumi and Sachiko both waved to their daughter before the older woman suddenly turned around and gave her wife a sad pout.

"Did you really have to cut me off at the middle of my amazing back-to-school speech?"

"You should've seen the look your daughter had on her face. Honestly, I think she'd rather be in detention than go through your boring sermon."

"My speech about first day in school is not boring!" Sachiko answered indignantly, only receiving soft laughter and a light peck on the cheeks from her wife. Grabbing the latter's hand, Yumi lead Sachiko to their silver Mazda 3 Sedan, letting go when they were at the front of the car. The latter went around and opened the door to the passenger's seat located at the left, getting in.

Not wanting to go anywhere without an apology, Sachiko stood at where she was and did not budge. She may be whipped right now (Ok she was whipped since they were married) but she still has her pride. Not once was she able to notice an elderly woman pass by her, giving off a disturbed facial expression.

Yumi rolled her eyes at her ridiculous excuse of a partner. Being married for 9 years and having a 6 year old daughter didn't stop her from acting like a child. But she was okay with Sachiko's playful attitude however. She never expected to see this hidden side of the heiress, so she's very thankful.

The brunette unlocked the car door with a press of a button, motioning the pouting woman with her other hand to get in.

Sachiko didn't budge however.

Not knowing what to do anymore, Yumi just pressed another button at the driver's side and the window rolled down.

"Are you just going to stand there?"

"I won't go anywhere until you say sorry you know."

Yumi slapped her forehead. "Are you serious?"

"…."

Yumi let out a sigh before she opened the driver's door and stood in front of the blunette. Cupping her cheeks, Yumi lightly placed a small kiss on her wife's lips. "Gomen for making fun of you, Sachan."

"I can't believe you fell for it. Am I that good in acting?" Sachiko finally stopped pouting and chuckled as she tried to stop herself from giggling. "My pouting face must be that irresistible, neh?"

Yumi, knowing that she accomplished making her wife stop pouting, got in the car again while shaking her head with her other half following suit. Fishing out her car keys from her jean pocket, Sachiko slipped in the key and started the engine. Soon, they were on the highway, heading towards a very special place.

Today was the day after all.

Wanting to break the comfortable silence in the car, Yumi decided to speak up "To answer your question earlier, all the faces you make are irresistible." she suddenly said, her right hand searching for her beloved's, which was resting on top of the gear shift. Entwining their fingers together which filled the spaces between their fingers, she continued. "But I had to save you from further embarrassment."

Sachiko looked at her with a confused expression. "What do you mean?"

"An elderly woman was looking at you weirdly while passing by earlier at the sidewalk. I guess since you were so busy pouting at me, you didn't see her slightly disturbed face. I don't blame here though, because won't you be disturbed if you see a woman in her late twenties pouting like a baby as well?" Yumi said while nonchalantly waving her free hand like it's no big deal.

It was a big deal to the one driving at the moment.

"What?!"

Two figures stood side by side in front of a gray marble stone that was half-devoured beneath the temperate greenery. Different kinds of flowers such as lilies, roses, orchids and daffodils surrounded it, making the head stone look beautiful and alive under its cold appearance. It was the anniversary of his absence on earth after all. A peaceful atmosphere cloaked the burial grounds as the two women gazed the slightly-weathered grave stone with sad, but thankful eyes.

Yumi knelt down and placed a pale orange vase filled with white lilies near the side of the stone. Her hand reached out and caressed the smooth slab of rock as memories of that fateful day rushed in her mind.

The ear-splitting screeches of friction between the road and rubber. The revolting smell of gas fumes burning everywhere, followed by the nauseating scent of fresh blood.

A comforting touch on her left shoulder broke through her grim recollection. She looked up, only to meet her wife's consoling gaze. She too, knelt beside her and placed her right arm around Yumi's shoulder.

Brown locks met Sachiko's right shoulder as Yumi leaned in to her wife's embrace. They just remained there for a while, enjoying the fair afternoon.

"I always express my gratitude and say my apologies every year, but I feel like this was my entire fault. If I didn't turn you away, none of these would have happened in the first place." Sachiko muttered quietly out of nowhere.

"It was an accident, so it wasn't your fault at all Sachiko."

Sachiko's embrace just got tighter after Yumi's statement. She knew it was an accident and everything, but she still can't blame anyone but herself, and probably the driver of the red sports car too. If she just accepted Yumi's love the first time…

Yumi broke their hug, pressed her palms together and closed her eyes, silently praying. "You're still blaming yourself for what happened, but the past is the past."

"I know" Sachiko stared remorsefully at the tombstone. "But no matter how many times I think about it, it always ends up being my fault somehow. I just wish there is a way to know that he has accepted my apology."

Finishing her short prayer, Yumi looked at her partner with soft eyes. "Knowing his personality, I'm sure he already forgave you, even if you're not the one to blame." She clasped their hands together before continuing, "Besides, we did kind of named Kumiko after him."

Kumiko—a combination from Kaoru's, hers, and Sachiko's name after all.

A sudden breeze swept through the area, as if someone was whispering to them through the wind. The two looked at each other with bewildered expressions before Yumi's lips tugged at the corner.

"See? Told you he has forgiven you. I think he also likes the idea of a cute child partially named after him."

"Speaking of children, I think Kumiko is getting lonely, don't you think?"

It took Yumi several seconds before what her wife said sunk in her brain. She leaned backwards and gave her wife an 'Are you serious?!' face.

"I'm just saying" Sachiko's gaze went elsewhere. It ended up staring at the clouds and sky. "If we're going to have a baby boy, we'll name him Kaoru, agreed?"

Yumi couldn't contain the small giggles that rose from her throat. "Agreed, but you have to carry the baby since I was the one who carried Kumiko."

Sachiko nodded in response. "Okay."

The couple stayed at their friend's place of rest for a while, only leaving when two struck. They had to pick up their daughter from school after all. Standing up, Yumi and Sachiko gave one last look at the marble stone. Turning around, they began navigating their way out of the sea of stones.

With love we remember,

A great friend and son

Sakamoto Kaoru

Oct.17, 1980 – Nov. 24, 1998

Five years later…

"We should wait a little more…" Kumiko said hesitantly as she held a hand of another little one who was staring at her with her cute puppy eyes while sucking her thumb in the process.

"Please Onee-chan?" The little one showed her a pleading look, her brown orbs having this glistening effect. "So can we Kumiko Onee-chan?"

"But Kaori…"

"B-but…"

Not wanting to see her younger sister cry, Kumiko finally gave in with a nod. Kaori stopped sucking her thumb as she attempted to reach the door knowing it was the only way to get into their mothers' room.

Giggling inwardly at her sister's failed attempt, Kumiko opened the door quietly and allowed her sister to slip inside the room first before following suit and closing the door afterwards.

They were greeted with the scene of their mama hugging their mommy as the two adults were sleeping peacefully, totally unaware of the impending attack their daughters are planning.

"I really think we should wa-"

It was too late; Kaori was already helping herself up onto the bed, and as soon she succeeded in doing so, she immediately began jumping up and down while shouting 'Wake up!' in her really adorable, shrieking voice.

Kumiko sighed to herself and proceeded towards the bed, throwing caution to the wind as she joined her younger sister in waking up her parents.

The auburn-haired woman stirred from her sleep as she heard her daughters' loud voices. "Hmm…" Yumi, who was still tired, slightly got up with her half-lidded eyes, grabbed the two girls jumping up and quickly pulled them down between her and Sachiko. Kaori immediately snuggled between her and Kumiko as she shook Yumi once again.

"Mama! Wake up!"

"Why are you kids so loud in the morning…?" Sachiko grumpily said as she snuggled closer to Kumiko; the girl giggling at her mother's sniff kisses. Sachiko craned her neck slightly to check the time. "It's only six in the morning…"

"But mama, my birthday party is today!" Kaori argued, though she had quieted down and was now laying still between her other mom and sister.

"Kao-chan, your party doesn't start until three. There's plenty of time…How about we all sleep some more?" Sachiko patiently explained.

"So many stuff to do!" Kaori continued to argue.

"Kaori…come on…it's still early…" Yumi tried to persuade the ever stubborn girl.

"But mommy…"

"How about this…if you let mommy and I sleep some more, we'll let you have as much cake and chocolate as you want today."

"You promise?"

"I promise…so we should all sleep some more for now…" Sachiko said as she yawned.

"Can we sleep here?" Kumiko asked politely.

"Sleep here!" Kaori yelled through her yawn.

"Of course…You guys don't even have to ask." Yumi said as she created more space for the two.

"Me want mommy!" Kaori declared, even though she was already lying beside Yumi.

"At least I have my Kumi-chan here…" Sachiko hugged their eldest daughter affectionately, knowing full well about Kaori's adamant insistence of always choosing Yumi.

The youngest one must've heard her mama's muttering, so she broke away from Yumi's hug as she squeezed herself between Sachiko and Kumiko.

"Oh! My little peach!" Sachiko snuggled their youngest daughter.

"Ok…everyone settled down? So can we please get some more sleep?" Yumi asked as she closed her eyes already.

It was picture-perfect. Yumi hugged Kumiko who was holding on to Kaori, while Kaori was holding on to Kumiko as well, while Sachiko snuggled Kaori cozily. And underneath the blanket, Yumi and Sachiko's legs were still tangled. All four of them had a peaceful and contented smile on their faces as they drifted off to dream land.

It was picture-perfect indeed.

The End.

A/N: Are you guys satisfied now? Just so you guys know this is an ALTERNATE chapter, meaning that the real ending was the chapter before.

Now you guys can start throwing your keyboards at me.

It's been a journey, and I'm glad I'm able to finish this story with pride. I hope I improved my writing skills here too ehehe As I told you guys before, this will be my last work here in FF because well, I'm quitting (retiring?) lol. Thank you so much again for seeing this story to the end, and to those who didn't stick to the end: Let's just hope you know what you're missing. I mean two happy alternate chapters?! Life can't get any better.

If you have the time, please do review and comment! I'd really appreciate that ;)

Hope to hear from you soon,

AsulNaRosa