Last Chapter

Is it just a Dream?

In New York City:

I know now. I know everything about Anastasia. Her real name; her identity, her everything. (Opinion) But it's so sad that everything is clicking now: In front of the alter; in front of my soon-to-be-wife. I sometimes wish that it was played out differently. I don't have any regrets really. I think the only regret is not finding out sooner about Tohru Honda and little Grace.

Woah! I'll back up for you readers a bit... umm... where should I start... how about the moment when Kagura discovered that I may be the father of little Grace.

I think I froze in place when Kagura shouted in my ear.

"Kyo? Kyo? Are you alright?" I couldn't imagine that the girl with dark ruby red eyes was actually my child. I got up from bed rapidly, almost knocking off my fiancée.

oomph! I look down at my bed, and see my Kagura has fallen.

"Oh gosh, I'm really sorry Kagura." I try helping her stand up, but Kagura put her hand up.

"No. I can do this by myself." She got up and said:

"Are you that freaked out? You should know, I'm the one that should be freaking out here." Kagura exclaims.

"Uhh... how are you feeling about this Kagura?" Kagura starts giggling as she responds.

"The same as you. FREAKED OUT. But really, life moves on. I know that the little girl is your daughter, you could go see her from time to time. But think about this: it's been just 6 years since she was born. She knows that she has a mother; and from what I've found and heard from you; she seems to know that you are her father. But based on official reports, Tohru/Anastasia has stated that there is no father in Grace's life."

"What? That's actually ripping my heart away. If I knew, I would've..."
"You would've what? Kyo!" Kagura starts to get frustrated.

"I would've..."

"You would've stayed with the woman and tried to have a complete family?" Kagura looks at me with harden eyes. She continues.

"You were only 23 years old. Maybe you would sacrifice your achievement as a business man for her and the daughter, but wouldn't you have missed me? Missed your soon-to-be-wife?" Kagura spurs out. I look at her in a new clear way. I never expected her to say all of this to me. I think that if I were in her shoes, I would be fuming with jealousy; with insecurity, with revenge... I look at her now, and all I see is trust, honesty, and forgiving. I embrace her.

"I'm sorry dear, I made you go through hell. To answer your question, I would have missed the opportunity to be with you. And you know what? I think that's what's matters the most." Kagura digs her head into my chest as she sighs heavily like she was holding her breath for hours.

So what Kagura and I agreed on was to try staying connected with Grace whenever possible. Even though, Tohru might not like it. At least, Grace will know that her father is thinking of her.

At the alter, I stand and replay everything that has happened between the first recognized encounter with Tohru and little Grace, to my wife, as a private investigator, telling me everything about them. I sigh deeply and realize that the one who always stands by me through thick and thin is the one in front of me at the moment.

"Let's witness two people coming together in the name of God... (Grace)..." I look at my soon-to-be wife and smile. I also look in the audience, and at a glimpse, I think I saw my daughter Grace witnessing my joyful moment. In my heart, I smile.

THE END.