Angel visited the orphanage once more, for some reason compelled to visit all of her old memories. It had been a long time since she had been there… All of the children she had once known were now grown up and out on their own. She didn't see anybody that she knew.
"Ah, Sister Natalia!"
The old woman blinked, staring at her as if she didn't recognize her. "May I help you…?"
"It's me, Angel. I used to live here as a child…?" Angel was a bit nervous. After all, they had tried to send her away.
"Ah! Angel… my dear, I barely recognized you! You've grown so much! And you're so beautiful." Sister Natalia gave a warm smile, "Why are you here, though? I thought you have long since been in Great Britain…"
"I used to dream of that place, Sister Natalia, but I don't anymore…. I'm my own woman now." Angel smiled softly, helping her walk to wherever she was going. "How are you? Whatever has become of everyone I used to play with?"
"I am well, child. Those children have all made their way into the world, but your friends, the Niwa boys, have long since disappeared, unfortunately." The old nun paused, staring at her with beady, wizened eyes, "And you…?"
"I'm getting married," The young seventeen-year-old told her happily, a huge smile on her face.
Sister Natalia lifted a gray eyebrow. "Married? Have you abandoned the ways of our sisters, Angel?"
"I have never committed." She admitted, "I hope you are not mad, but I escaped long before I even arrived in Britain."
"Why would I be mad? I simply hope you have learned your lesson." Sister Natalia sighed, "So, tell me. Who is your husband-to-be?"
"Oh, he's the most wonderful man in the world! He is handsome, lithe, athletic, and most certainly talented in anything he puts his mind to…. And he always gets me gifts whenever I cry. He is kind and thoughtful… Almost perfect," Angel said softly, sighing dreamily, "He's always been a mystery, though. There are some times when I feel like I do not know him at all…"
"You sound like you are describing the man who moonlights as that shadow thief." Sister Natalia mused, "You have known him for a long time, I assume?"
Angel chuckled. If only she knew. "Yes, a very long time…"
"It wouldn't happen to be that boy Emil, now would it?"
Angel glanced over, giving a smile. "Who else could it be?" She grinned. "Is it that obvious?"
"If one knows you, one knows that you two have had no eyes for anyone but each other since you were children." Sister Natalia gave a wan smile, "I only wished that you had not given into the sin of desire so early."
Angel returned the smile in the same manner. "No one but you saw that, Sister Natalia."
"Tell me. What is Emil up to these days? Dare I imagine what Access is doing as well?" Sister Natalia chuckled. "I have my bets that those two were the ones who helped you escape the convent… and I do not even gamble."
"They were. Emil is… successful. We work together as… well, 'art dealers', per say." Angel hesitated in lying to the old woman, but she was smooth enough she didn't notice. "Access is just Access. He looks like a younger Emil, but he's still the same child you had known." She giggled a bit, "He's always been rather childish and naïve hasn't he?"
"Indeed… That is very nice to know. Will you send them my regards?"
"Of course." Angel nodded.
"So, when is the wedding?" Sister Natalia asked in good nature, "I do hope you two have been good since you left."
"Well, I would say we have, but you would know that would be a lie, wouldn't you?" The young blue-haired woman chuckled nervously, "We've tried, but that's not the point. Um, let's see… The wedding is set for next week, though it's only going to be us and Access…"
"I understand," Sister Natalia nodded, "Trying to get married as soon as possible? When is the baby due?"
Angel blinked, stopping. She stared at her old caretaker, a look of confusion crossing her features. "Baby? We have been engaged for a year, Sister Natalia. It's just about that time, that's all."
Sister Natalia gave her a look, lifting an eyebrow. "You are truly innocent, aren't you?" She said, "Have you not felt it?" She pulled Angel closer, whispering things into her ear.
Angel's look of incredulity kept growing. "Well, yes… I do, a lot, but I usually stay up late anyway…. Well, I have been having strange feelings of late… I thought it was just cold feet? Well, that's not true, but… Well, yes, that is… Yes, that too…. How do you know all of this?!"
After a moment, the elder woman stepped away. She chuckled slightly, smiling. "My child, I used to be a midwife in my time. I do know quite a few things. You have the glow of a mother-to-be. You are only a few months into the pregnancy, so it doesn't show that much, but I can tell."
Angel blushed. "So… I'm… pregnant?" She still didn't believe it, "With Emil's child?!"
Sister Natalia gave a kindhearted laugh. "Indeed you are, Angel."
They were quiet for a moment as Angel stood dumbly, letting it sink in. When it finally did, a look of joy graced her features. She cried out happily, throwing her arms around Sister Natalia, tears beading at the corners of her eyes.
"I'm going to have a baby!"
That… was the greatest gift he could have ever given her.
"Can you believe it? I haven't told anyone yet… I've been waiting for the right time. I'm excited. I hope you are too."
Still compelled to visit her old memories, Angel had gone to the old jewelry store lot, which was now occupied by a new stand that sold something she didn't care for, and the day after that, she went to the town cemetery. She had gone to see her parents… alone. She had only ever been there alone once before, to talk to her parents about her first night with Emil, but even then, she knew that her guardian angel was watching over her. This time, she was sure that no one had followed her.
She remembered on her own this time as she looked down upon their empty graves. The only things marking their deaths were their names on the ground. Everything else had burned in the fire that had destroyed her life. This was the day that fire had happened… over ten years ago.
"I miss you a lot… I wish you were here to see me today. I wish you hadn't died in that fire… I wish you could have gotten out. But I don't think… I regret not being able to save you anymore, even if I used to wish there had been a way to." She said softly, kneeling in the grass before the two tombstones that had her parents' names engraved on them. "I do love you, mommy, daddy… but… Emil was right. If I had gone too, I wouldn't be marrying Emil tomorrow. I realize that now."
"I can make all these wishes and they will never come true… but I want to ask you to watch over me… and this little life growing inside of me." She touched the stone gently with her hand, willing herself not to cry. "Please protect me… and Emil… and this baby. I pray that your souls watch over me in Heaven, and that my sins shall be forgiven in time. I don't regret any of the things I have done up to this day. Does that make me a bad person?"
Little black spots began to appear on the cold, gray stone.
"I hope you're smiling down at me right now. I wish you could bless me with your presence." Angel sniffled a little, "Can you see the woman I've become? My beauty, my love, my life as it is… It's probably nothing like you expected it would be. I am going to be the wife of a great phantom thief. He is a wonderful man. I wished that you could have met him, but he did steal from you, so we were afraid. But if he hadn't stolen that necklace from you, he never would have been able to meet me, huh? Are you mad that he stole me too? He's going to take me away to a foreign land, and I'll probably never ever see you again." She held the half-melted cross around her neck tightly in her palm, smiling despite the tears escaping her eyes, "But you aren't really 'here', are you? You are wherever my memories go, I hope you know that. And I promise… I will always remember you. But… that doesn't mean I won't miss you."
She wiped her eyes futilely, sobbing quietly. Her chest hurt with the dark hole that had never quite been filled or closed, a tight pain choking her. She tried to hide her tears, as if her parents could see them from the dead.
"Are you happy for me? Are you proud of me? It would mean the world to me if you could send me a sign."
A gentle wind caressed her, making her hair flow around her, as if her father was stroking her head as he used to do. Suddenly she felt as if she was a little girl again as she cried into her parents' nonexistent embrace. This would be the last time she would ever feel like that.
Suddenly warmth surrounded her. She didn't need to look up to know who the owner of the strong arms around her was. On impulse, she turned around, burying her face in his chest.
Don't see me cry. Not this time.
Her fiancé simply held her, stroking her hair and back slowly, silently soothing. He saved her from the suffocation of her feelings by simply kneeling next to his beloved. This was the one time of year she needed him most, on the day she mourned even in her dreams.
She couldn't fight this feeling forming in her stomach… that something bad was going to happen. But she dismissed it, simply thinking that it was another mood swing from being pregnant.
Is it finally time to say goodbye?
Emil stared distantly at the sky. He remembered that day too. "Do you know why I wanted to have the wedding on the day after, Angel?" He had said to her just the night before, "So that you would have something to smile about every year instead of something to cry about."
She had played dumb like usual, replying, "What are you talking about? I always have something to smile about every day!"
Angel held Emil tightly. She didn't ever want to let him go.
"…Thank you…."
"…I now ask you, Emil… Do you take Angel to be your wedded wife, to love her, honor and keep her, in good times and in bad; in sickness and in health; for richer, for poorer; forsaking all others; till death do you part?"
"I do."
The glowing bride said the same.
Their smiles were immeasurable. Access was grinning from ear to ear, standing off at the side. Emil's sharp features were adorned with a gentle grin, his lithe body donning a black leather suit, like he would normally wear, though it was more fit to the occasion. He had even cut his ponytail off. Angel looked stunningly beautiful in her flowing black dress, her long dark blue hair recently washed and shimmering a bit in the dim light of the church, long enough to reach her knees now. She still wore the broken cross, but besides that, she had no jewelry on, despite her family's history. They were not rich people, but they made do with what they had, happy to be together, finally and officially united.
"So now, if it is your desire to join yourselves as husband and wife, I ask that you join right hands as you repeat your vows." The priest before them said.
Emil's enchanting violet purple gaze locked with Angel's shining indigo orbs. Their eyes never parted from their one true love's.
"I, Emil, take you, Angel, to be my wife. I promise to love you with all my heart; to comfort you, nourish you and uphold you with my strength. I will cherish you till the end of our days."
"I, Angel, take you, Emil, to be my husband. I promise to love you with all my heart; to comfort you, nourish you and uphold you with my strength. I will cherish you till the end of our days."
"Do we have the rings?" Access handed two rings to the priest, who in turn gave them to the couple. "This wedding ring is an outward sign of an inward commitment. May these rings be to you a constant and loving reminder of the ties that bind you together as husband and wife," He turned to the redhead first, "Emil, please look into the eyes of your beloved. Place the ring on Angel's finger and repeat after me: this ring is a seal, upon all that I have promised. With this ring, I thee wed."
Emil slipped the silvery white gold ring onto Angel's slender finger. "This ring is a seal, upon all that I have promised. With this ring, I thee wed." He said gently, almost whispering.
The priest turned to the dark-haired woman next to him. "Angel, please look into Emil's eyes. Place the ring on his hand and say: this ring is a seal, upon all that I have promised. Wear it with joy, for your love has made me complete. With this ring, I thee wed."
She squeezed his hand gently after his finger slid into the ring. Her smile grew, if that was possible. "This ring is a seal, upon all that I have promised. Wear it with joy, for your love has made me complete. With this ring, I thee wed."
"We close with a final blessing for your marriage. Now you will feel no rain, for each of you will be shelter to the other. Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to the other. Now there is no more loneliness, for each of you will be companion to the other. Now you are two bodies, but there is only one life before you. You will go to your dwelling place to enter into the days of your togetherness. And may your days be good and long upon the earth."
"Emil and Angel, by the vows you have made to one another, by the strength of your covenant, and in the presence of God… it is my pleasure to pronounce you 'Husband and Wife'. You may seal your unity with a kiss."
The young couple's lips met, soft against firm, both spouses giving to each other feelings of gentleness and love.
Access cheered behind them, clapping childishly and shouting, "Amen to that!"
His elder brother and his new sister broke their kiss, looking over to him and laughing with him. They thanked the priest, and Emil scooped Angel up into his arms, carrying her out of the chapel. Access left them after that, knowing that they wanted some time alone for their first moments as Mr. and Mrs. Emil Niwa.
With was supposed to take them back to their little home, but instead, he took them to the field they used to play in as children. Angel was confused when he set her down, but when she saw Emil's charming boyish grin, she knew that he had planned this.
"Angel Niwa… will you spend today with me?" He asked, a certain mischievousness in his voice as he held out his hand to her.
His blushing bride giggled, putting her hand in his. "Of course, my little phantom thief."
He pulled her close, their fingers entwining and his other hand snaking around to the small of her back.
"Emil, there's no music." She laughed as he pulled her back and forth in a dance.
"So? Let's just… dance." Emil leaned in, whispering, "And then, we can…"
Angel chuckled. "You're devious, Emil."
"…And? Aren't I always, Ange?" Emil laughed, only holding his wife closer. "Besides, after tonight… we're getting out of this place. We'll leave that old shack behind and make a new home in Japan… a bigger one. We'll get a place where we can have a family."
The blue-haired woman blushed, looking up at her husband almost shyly, but her face was bold. "Emil… have you ever dreamed about having a family?"
"…Of course. Once we're married, let's have a few kids and maybe raise them to be… well, anything but a thief, right? I know you don't like it that much."
"I can understand it now."
"Right. And I know that if I had children, I'd never abandon them willingly." He gave her a soft smile. "If I had a son… or even two… or even a daughter, I would never want them to feel what we felt."
"Funny. When we were kids, you never told me any of this." Angel commented.
"I thought you felt the same way." His smile grew into a grin, "Heck, let's adopt too. I've never thought about being adopted, but… kids that are chosen to be fostered must feel a great amount of relief."
"Emil. When I was nearly adopted that one time, you threw a fit and scared the couple off." Angel reminded him, laughing, "But you might be right. Honestly, back then, I was a little excited at the prospect of a new family… but I was also really scared to death."
"…Because you didn't want to forget your old one?" Emil said slowly.
"No, because I was afraid that I would never see you again." Angel leaned up on her tip toes, kissing her redheaded thief. "Let's… start over then, with our new family."
This would have been the perfect time to tell him her secret, but Emil captured her lips and didn't let her go, pushing her to the ground gently. When he did, it was so sudden that she didn't have time to realize that she could speak.
"Let's create a family then."
They lay together in the fields of their childhood until the sun set.
On the night of his wedding, Emil prepared to set off on his last heist. Angel had had a bad feeling about it, and begged him not to go. But this was his final heist, and after that, he could say goodbye to that life for the time being. This one last Hikari art was the only thing he needed before he could leave Kaitou Dark behind and start his new life with Angel.
He had been waiting all year for this moment. Angel had convinced Access to stay with her, at least, but she was worried. The bad feeling she had gotten the day before had only been growing. He simply gave her a kiss and told her goodnight when she told him about it.
But… he hadn't promised that he would be alright.
Clad in the black collared cloak she had made for him, he took flight on his wings of black. She watched his silhouette disappear as it passed the brightly glowing moon and her hands came to her womb, holding it gently. As she watched the night she had once been so afraid of, her thumbs caressed her slightly swollen belly as she prayed on the life of her baby that he would be okay.
Little did she know that that would be the last time that they would speak.