Authors Note: This was rather difficult to write because of how much of a downer this chapter is, but I hope everyone likes it!

The Visit

It was a bright sunny August day in Gallia, though it was a particularly somber day for the Gunther family as they were currently walking through a military memorial cemetery.

They were going to visit Isara, Welkin's adopted little sister's grave. She had been killed in action tragically during the war with Empire. Welkin and Alicia visited her grave once every year to put new flowers on her tombstone. Welkin rarely talked about how much Isara's death affected him emotionally. His mother had died as a casualty of the first Europan war shortly after he was born and he saw how his father was affected by survivor's guilt as a result because of it growing up. Welkin was occasionally plagued by the same guilt his father felt from time to time over Isara's death, if it wasn't for Alicia, he probably wouldn't have been able to handle it very well.

In fact, there were two times Alicia recalled where Welkin actually cried, the first was after the mission where they reclaimed their hometown Bruhl during the war. He had held in his emotions during the three weeks in-between that and Isara's death to maintain the morale among the troops under his command. When he finally went back to his home where he and Isara had lived in after the mission was completed, he just started crying and weeping, Alicia remembered comforting him there for what seemed like hours.

The second time was when Isara, their daughter, was born. Welkin became reluctant at first to name their daughter Isara in honor of his sister after he had suggested it. He thought it was a great idea but he later felt like it would cause him torment, like having a reminder of the pain he felt deep down inside. But when Isara was actually born and he saw her gentle resting face for the first time, he couldn't help but want to name her that. He cried as he officially made the decision. Alicia had cried too but they were tears were of joy for both of them that day. It was the greatest day of both their lives when Isara was born.

But Isara was coming with them this time to the cemetery and Welkin couldn't help but feel tense and uncomfortable about this. He didn't want to do this but Isara was going to have to know eventually.

As they walked through the graveyard coming closer to his sister's tombstone, Welkin was already beginning to feel emotional and Isara was starting to notice.

"Daddy, are you okay?" Isara asked her father.

"I'm…Daddy's okay Isara." Welkin replied, he was holding a bouquet of Lion's paw flowers and his hands were starting to shake.

Alicia looked on with worry while holding Isara's hand. Thankfully, she noticed a small playground nearby.

"Hey, Isara, would you like to play with Mommy for a little bit?" Alicia asked her daughter gently.

"Sure, Mommy!" Isara replied with joy.

Alicia then approached Welkin and kissed him on the cheek.

"You can do this Welkin. We'll be there in a few minutes." Alicia whispered gently to Welkin comforting him.

Alicia and Isara soon walked towards the playground.

—

"Hey Isara, I brought you some new flowers." Welkin said gently as he put the flowers down on the grave.

He then took a deep breath.

"Well, our little girl is now 5. She's even starting school soon. Alicia's really concerned she might not make any friends but we're sure she'll be able to. You really should've seen her at her birthday party this year, she actually got Marina to open up her emotions to other people. She got a lot of great gifts too, she even got a small replica of the plane you were working on. Kreis and Leon made it just for her…"

At that point, Welkin felt tears running down his face, his emotions were starting to take over.

"Oh, Isara…I miss you so much…" Welkin finally said sobbing.

"Daddy? Are you crying?" Isara said with a rather emotional concern. She never really saw her father cry before. Alicia and her had just gotten back from the playground.

Isara quickly ran over and hugged her father.

"What's wrong Daddy?" Isara said with worry.

Welkin could only hug his daughter tightly. "Isara…there's someone I want you to meet." Welkin said as he pointed to the tombstone.

"That's my little sister right there. She died before you were born. You're named after her." Welkin explained to his daughter gently.

Alicia, at this point, had tears coming down her face, it must be really difficult for Welkin to have to do this.

"So she's my aunt? Was she nice?" Isara asked not really sure what to even say.

"Yes, She was. She was a gentle soul. She would've been so happy to play with you." Welkin said as more tears started to flow from his face.

"She really was kind-hearted Isara, I know this must hard for you to understand because you never knew her." Alicia said as she wiped tears from her eyes.

"Oh…" Isara paused as she began to think. It really was hard for her to understand, she was never really taught or had an solid understanding about death. Alicia was noticing this and soon regretted bringing her here. Isara truly was too young to understand any of this. She and Welkin had decided when she was born, that the age of 5 would be the ideal age to do this. But they were wrong and they both knew it.

Isara then proceeded to wipe the tears from her father's eyes.

"Daddy, can we go home now? I don't want you to be sad anymore." Isara said trying her hardest to make her father happy again.

Welkin at this point could've cried even more, but for some reason he couldn't help but smile. His little girl had a gentle, caring heart and he felt a very deep comfort from that.

"Yeah, let's go home Isara." Welkin said.

Alicia then proceeded to hug and embrace her family. It was too soon for Isara to fully understand all of this, but maybe she would someday.

—

"Goodbye for now, Isara, We'll be back next year. I promise." Welkin said just before he left for the train station.

It was rather quiet as they walked back to the train station, but Isara soon broke the silence with a question.

"Mommy, Isara was Daddy's younger sibling right?" Isara asked her mother.

Alicia was slightly surprised at her daughters question. Maybe she did understand some of it.

"Yes she was." Alicia gently replied.

"Mommy, Daddy, I…I want a younger sibling too." Isara eventually said with a rather shy tone.

Alicia and Welkin were quite startled when she said this. They had talked about this privately before over the course of the summer. But they never expected Isara to say something about it.

"Isara, you…you really want one?" Welkin asked his daughter.

"Yes. I really want one." Isara said with joy.

"I saw a bunch of kids playing together the other day and they were all siblings. It must be so much fun being able to play like that. I want to be able to have fun like that as well." Isara innocently explaining her reason.

Welkin and Alicia could only smile gently. The decision had been officially made for them. It was time for their family to add a new addition.

"Then we'll get you one. We promise." Welkin said gently.

"Yes, don't worry, when it happens, we'll tell you right away." Alicia said gently, hugging Isara.

Isara could only smile real wide with joy in response.

"I love you Mommy and Daddy." Isara squealed as she hugged both her parents.

"We love you too, Isara." Alicia responded.

It was a rough but emotional day, but it had ended on a slightly happier tone. Isara may not have been able to fully grasp the emotions and the situation of today. But Welkin and Alicia found comfort today in continuing to be there for Isara and the promise of a new addition to their family.