In Angel Grove University Hospital, Billy, Kimberly, Jason and Tommy paced around the corridor that led to the maternity ward. Trini had gone into labor earlier that day but wasn't due for another few days.

"This baby sure is impatient," Jason said.

"These things are hard to time," Kimberly said as she peered over the frosted glass in hopes of seeing any activity. Nothing except for the nurses moving around at the nurses' station. She huffed at the agonizing lack of news as she turned her back to the door.

"Just relax," Billy said. "They'll come out as soon as they can."

"That's easier said than done. She's the first of us to have any children. I'd like to see you relax when you and Cestria have kids."

Before Billy could respond, the doors opened and a nurse appeared. The four rangers rushed over to her hoping for good news. The nurse's eyes instantly scanned all four of them and knew they weren't the ones she was looking for.

"Where's the husband?" the nurse asked. "She's asking for him."

The rangers anxiously looked down the corridor. Their anxiety then turned to grins as they heard the sound of rapid footfalls echoing down the sterile hospital hallway, each step a frantic but rhythmic beat against the linoleum floor.

Suddenly, Zack shot from around the corner. He stopped to catch his breath with his hands on his knees as he stared at his teammates.

"He's here," Tommy said.

Another person burst around the corner with more intensity than Zack. He had to grab hold of Zack to stabilize himself as he made that turn. He was just as out of breath as Zack. He wore army fatigues further showing he had no time to change into civilian clothing.

The pair rushed over to the others.

"I'm here," Ryan said.

"She's calling for you," the nurse said as she led Ryan into the maternity ward. The five rangers huddled around each other as they watched Ryan disappear around the corner. Kimberly frantically clapped her fingers together with a giant smile on her face.

"Pretty epic timing, man," Tommy said putting a hand on Zack's shoulder.

"Yeah, that looked as though it was straight out of a movie," Jason said.

"You know, I figured that if we were here too early then it wouldn't be as exciting," Zack said. "Either do it with style or don't bother doing it."

Ryan carefully stepped into the room where Trini lay. Her eyes lit up the moment she saw Ryan. He gave her a long-awaited kiss that had only existed in their dreams while he was away. Once their lips broke apart, their attention went to the small newborn in Trini's arms.

"Minh, your papa's here."

Ryan gently took his daughter into his arms, terrified he might drop her. He slowly sat in the chair the nurse had brought over.

"She's so beautiful," Ryan said gently touching Minh's cheek. "Oh my god, her skin is so soft."

Trini smiled as she watched them.

It wasn't until Trini was moved into an actual room was when the rangers could come in and see her. Kimberly was nearly jumping when she entered the room. She rushed over to hug Trini before turning her attention to Minh, who was in her father's arms. She didn't even have to ask before Ryan handed Minh over to her. Kimberly took her over to the other rangers as Ryan sat down next to his wife.

"We're not going to get her back for a while," he said. He placed his hand over Trini's. "You did good."

"You had a hand in it too," Trini said.

"Well, yeah that part but I meant the delivery."

"It wasn't too bad. I'm just glad you made it."

"Hey, man," Zack said. "How come she doesn't look anything like you? She looks a lot like Trini."

Ryan shrugged. "I'm okay with that. That just means she'll definitely be beautiful."

That night as Trini slept, Ryan sat in the chair next to the bed holding Minh after another round of breastfeeding. Minh had finally drifted off as well. Adrenaline still flowed through Ryan so he wasn't the least bit tired yet.

"You're going to be a strong woman just like your mother." He watched her face as she slept, taking in every little detail about her. Her hand still grasped his finger. "No matter how strong you are, we will protect you. We will always be here for you."


Trini sat on the porch steps of her home, her gaze fixed on the now 2-year-old Minh, who was completely engrossed with her plastic mini playground. She loved her slide and often fought when it was time to go inside. It was almost picturesque with the sun shining and butterflies fluttering about. One had landed on Minh's nose at one point.

As the wind rustled the leaves and the toddler's laughter filled the air, Trini felt a sense of peace. It was a moment of pure serenity, a brief respite from the chaos the Earth's villains created. This was the type of life Trini and all the other power rangers of the world fought to maintain. While her life as a ranger wasn't over, it wasn't as active as it was when she first became a ranger.

She thought back to those days of fighting Rita and Zedd. Then she thought about her adventures in Switzerland with Jason and Zack for that seemingly never-ending peace conference. The three of them retained their ranger powers just in case they were needed to help out the rangers. She admitted she was envious of Jason when he left to go fight on the moon with other red rangers. She wanted to team up with other yellow rangers at some point.

She was pulled out of her thoughts when the sound of military boots echoed through the area. Trini's eyes shifted from Minh to the approaching soldiers. Dread began to twist her stomach as they neared.

Two soldiers, their faces etched with somber resolve, stopped in front of her. One of them took off his cap, holding it tightly in his hands. His voice trembled as he uttered those words that every military spouse feared.

"Ma'am, we regret to inform you that Ryan was killed in action in Afghanistan."

Trini didn't hear the rest of what was said as her world crumbled around her. The laughter of her daughter, oblivious to the tragedy unfolding, became a heartbreaking reminder of the life they had lost. Tears blurred her sight as she struggled with the devastating news.

When the soldiers left, Trini slammed her fingers into her communicator. "Guys! I need you now!"


Ryan gently took Trini's trembling hand and slid it onto her finger. His ever-confident voice recited the vows. Trini's eyes shimmered with a layer of tears watching the ring slide home. Trini said her vows as her heart stood still as did time and space while she placed Ryan's ring on his finger. Once the ring was in place, everything could start moving again.

The audience watched in hushed reverence as Ryan gently took Trini's face and sealed their bond with a kiss, a kiss filled with promises and passion.

A hush fell over the room as the bride and groom took their first steps onto the dance floor. Ryan held Trini close, his hand resting gently on the small of her back. Her fingers intertwined with his. At that moment, there was no one else around. It was just the two of them in the entire world, if not the universe.

Kimberly peered into the dark room that was only illuminated by the television. Trini was curled up on the couch clutching Ryan's folded American flag. The images on the screen reflected off the shield of tears in Trini's fixated eyes. While her eyes remained unmoving, her hands betrayed her resolve as they trembled. She went and sat down next to her friend of almost thirty years.

On the screen now were the various moments of the couple captured with the guests, most notably the other rangers. There was even a moment catching Ryan brushing away a strand of hair from Trini's face. Trini's cousin Sylvia caught the bouquet and Zack caught the garter. Kimberly heard a laugh escape Trini's mouth when the cake-cutting moment came on the screen. Kimberly remembered that well. Ryan tried to shove a piece into Trini's mouth but Trini had blocked the attempt with one of her fighting moves and had a piece shoved in his mouth as well as smeared all over his face.

As the video continued, sorrow washed over Trini. The moments of happiness, shared laughter, and the love they had built felt like a distant dream now. In the footage, Ryan's voice, his laughter, and his vibrant presence were a haunting reminder of what she had lost.

The night's events came to a close as Ryan and Trini stood at the threshold of the reception hall, surrounded by their guests. The couple had changed into more comfortable yet fancy attire with Trini sporting a yellow dress and Ryan in a pinstripe suit with green accents. Tommy had asked where to get such a suit. They held hands, their fingers tightly interlaced.

Outside, stars conquered the night sky. Waiting just beyond the exit, a blue 1967 Chevy Camaro, the first year they were produced, awaited them.

Guests lined the path, holding sparklers that illuminated the night with a warm, golden glow. As Ryan and Trini took their first steps down the illuminated path, the once-quiet air was overtaken with cheers and well wishes.

As they reached the awaiting car, they stopped and looked back at their guests. The five other power rangers were out in front as expected. Kimberly fought back her tears. Ryan and Trini smiled at them and shared a tender, final kiss in the presence of their cheering guests. At that, the pair stepped into the car.

"Zack is putting Minh to bed," Kimberly said.

"I'm sorry," Trini said. "I should've done that."

"No. We're here to help you and that involves everything ranging from helping with Minh to making sure you're eating."

Trini gave Kimberly an apologetic look before leaning toward her for a hug. The memories of their wedding, once a source of comfort, now felt like an unfillable void. Her fingertips slowly moved across the rough texture of the flag. It was a symbol of his bravery, of the ultimate sacrifice he made for his country. The weight of it mirrored the heaviness in her heart.

The video reached its conclusion with the rangers giving their own message to the couple and a photo montage of Trini and Ryan over the years going back to when they first started dating. Once it had ended, Trini couldn't look away. It was a lifeline, a connection to the past and the love she had lost. As the last notes of music faded, her eyes welled up with tears, and the barrier holding her emotions no longer held.

"He was almost done over there. He had a week left."

Trini buried her face in her hands, her shoulders trembling with sobs. The room felt like it was closing in on her, the weight of her loss unbearable. Kimberly held her close putting her head in her chest as Trini let out a vicious cry.

The other four rangers stood there wanting to help but powerless to do so.