A/N: Okay. First and foremost, this story is COMPLETE. And I cry every time I read it so you will need tissues. Again, this was originally a role play with Zelda so half the credit to her! I hope you enjoy this and try not to cry too hard. I'll post a chapter a day.

Just a note. This is very sad.

Chapter Nine

They spent the next three years loving Olivia and each other. Mai had started to relax, feeling so happy that she had the chance to live and be with Naru and their daughter.

Mai worked with Madoka, Luella, and Gene and threw Olivia a cute and fun party for her eighth birthday. Mai couldn't believe how fast she was growing.

It was four months after Olivia's birthday that Mai woke up feeling…not so good. She felt an overwhelming weakness and when she hit her hip against the dresser on accident…a bruise appeared.

Mai felt fear when it wouldn't go away.

But she pushed it aside, thinking she was coming down with something or not getting a vitamin or something.

One day when she was busy putting Olivia's clothes away while Naru was at work, the world turned black and she collapsed.

Olivia found her and couldn't wake her. She called her father.

That night, Oliver stayed with his parents. Olivia refused to leave his side, scared that she would suddenly lose him too. She wasn't upset that her father wasn't speaking, or showing much of anything. She knew how hard her mother's death was on him. She knew he daddy loved her mommy very much, and was having a hard time accepting it.

Olivia tried sleeping that night but couldn't. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw her Mother's lifeless form. She climbed from the bed and padded across the hall to the room her father was using.

She slipped inside and stopped before his bed.

"Daddy? Can I sleep with you?" Olivia asked with her big, familiar brown eyes.

Noll hadn't been able to sleep either. He was too distraught. And, for the first time in a very long time, he had been crying.

When Olivia came into his room, Noll quickly composed himself and sat up. He looked into his daughter's eyes. They looked just like Mai's…

Nodding, he shifted and made space for her in his bed.

Olivia climbed in and pressed against her father's strong body. She always felt safe with him.

"Daddy…we'll see mommy again…you'll see," she whispered, "I feel it…"

He didn't say anything as he laid down and turned on his side. He wrapped an arm around his daughter, and kissed the top of her head.

"Try and sleep," he said, his voice shaking slightly.

Olivia nodded. She hugged her daddy's arm and closed her eyes.

Meanwhile, Mai was waiting for Naru.

Eventually, when Naru had finally exhausted himself emotionally, he fell asleep. His dream started out dark, but, small orbs of glowing light danced in his view, and then, in the distance, Mai.

Mai stepped up to her husband and hugged him tightly.

"Naru…I'm so sorry…I-I didn't realize it was my cancer…" Mai said softly, holding him.

He wrapped his arms tightly around Mai, holding back the tears that threatened to come again.

"I should have known…" he said softly. "I… I wasn't paying attention."

Mai shook her head. "I should have paid more attention. I had been feeling sick for a few weeks. So I guess…I let it kill me…"

He tightened his hold. "I… Mai… I just… It's not your fault. It.. happened and I…" He shook his head. "I wish I could have done so much more."

Mai pulled away taking Naru's face into her hands. She smiled for him beautifully.

"You did so much already…you loved me, married me, and even gave me a child that I was able to love and hold for eight years. I couldn't have asked for more," Mai whispered.

He closed his eyes and placed his hands on Mai's shoulders. He leaned down, and kissed her gently.

"Mai, I love you. I will always love you."

Mai kissed him back.

"I love you too…and Olivia as well. Tell her that everyday Naru…please," Mai said.

"I will." he whispered. "I promise."

Mai smiled and nodded. She wanted to linger…see them be happy again but Mai knew…Naru would worry.

She stepped forward and kissed him once more before slowing dissolving into a gold light.

He opened his eyes to see that sunlight had filled the room. The curtains he had closed the night before were open, likely his mother's doing, and his child was still secured in his arms, sleeping.

Gene sat at the kitchen table, Yasu next to him. He was nursing a cup of tea.

"I'm a little worried about Noll," he said softly, "Mai's death came out of nowhere…"

Yasu placed a hand on Gene's. "He has us, your parents, and Olivia. He will heal but it will take some time."

Oliver woke his daughter and instructed her to get dressed and head downstairs. He got ready himself, and moved down into the kitchen. He didn't make himself a cup of tea. It would take a long time before he felt like he could drink tea again.

Gene looked at his brother and gave him a small smile. He stood and made his brother a cup of coffee.

Sitting at the table, Noll nodded his head as his brother and stared down at his coffee. He traced his fingers around the rim of the cup, thinking.

Gene swallowed. "Mom and dad are taking care of all the arrangements for you. You just need to focus on Olivia,"

Noll shook his head. "Tell them I'll handle it. I… I need to do this."

Gene nodded. "Noll…even if it's by accident…try not to push Olivia away. She needs you more than ever now."

"I know…" he sighed. "I'm making an honest effort not to push her away. I don't want to hurt her like that."

Gene looked at the doorway. She wasn't here yet.

"How is she?" He asked worriedly.

"She came to sleep next to me last night…" He sighed. "I suppose her reaction is normal, considering the circumstances."

Gene agreed. "Yeah…she may stick to you like glue for a while. She is probably scared she will lose you too."

When Olivia came into the kitchen, Noll reached for her and pulled her up into his lap. He held her close, and whispered comforting word in her ear..

Gene smiled at them and made a cup of juice for Olivia.

The next few days were hard on everyone. The arrangements had been arranged, and a funeral had been held.

Olivia stared as her mommy's body was buried. She really didn't know what else to feel other than a lot of sadness. She looked at her father and hardened her face in resolve.

She had to take care of daddy now.

Kneeling down, Noll handed his daughter on of the two white roses he held. "We can leave these here for your mother." He did his best to keep his face straight and composed. "You know what a white rose symbolizes, right?"

Olivia looked up at her dad and shook her head.

He smiled weakly. "They symbolize love."

Olivia nodded. She stepped forward, trying not to cry. She needed to be strong for her daddy.

She carefully laid her flower on the casket.

Seeing himself in his daughter, Noll placed his flower next to hers on the casket. He then allow a tear to roll down his otherwise straight face.

"It's alright to cry," he said, positive Mai had told him them same thing at one point in time.

Olivia's lip quivered. She tried to hold it in but when she saw the tear on her daddy's cheek, she broke down.

Olivia flung herself into her daddy's arms and held onto him as she cried.

Oliver held his daughter as he let out a shaky breath. A few more tears joined the one on his face, and tracked down his pale skin.

Gene stepped up to his brother and placed a hand on his shoulder. Gene vowed to be there for Noll and Olivia whenever they would need him.

Naru looked at his brother, and shook his head. It was going to be so different without Mai.

A/N: Review. And again I'm sorry for putting you through this.