Anthony's P.O.V. (four years and nine months after current events, from Sasha's original timeline)-
I sat next to Kate's grave, placed right beside my dad's underneath the tree. Just like every morning, I'd brought a rose to rest on it….. And sit down, just to be near her again. As close to her as humanly possible under these horrible circumstances….. I've been doing this every morning since her death and would continue to do so until the day I died. I never entertained the idea of moving away from here….. Away from her.
Nothing on heaven or earth, could drag me further away from her than I already was now.
Sitting there with my hands clasped together out in front of me, a familiar voice came my way. Grinning a tad, I peered over my shoulder to see my son- my only child- running over toward us. This boy…. This precious, precious boy. I didn't know it was possible to love someone so much, and not just cause he's my son and heir. He reminds me of her in all the best ways… His kindness, his smile, even the flash in his throat as he breathes or the little glossy tint in his brown eyes. Yes, he reminded me of her….. And I'm just so unspeakably thankful that he took after her so much.
My arms opened for my son as he ran up to me. He was carrying a branch of something or another in one of his hands. "Hi Dad!" "Morning, buddy. What're you doing out so early?" I pulled him up onto my knee. "I came to see you. Whatcha you doin' out here?" I sighed, glancing back at my wife's gravestone. "Oh, I just wanted to spend some time with Mom. You bring her some flowers?" He nodded, waving the branch around with pride. "Yep! I made sure to get pink ones, since pink's her favourite colour." This made me chuckle, brushing some stray hairs behind his ear. "That's right."
Sasha also looked at her grave thoughtfully. "Dad?" "Hmmmmmm?" "Do you think Mom woulda' liked me?" "Of course! Your mother wanted to meet you more than anything. She was very excited to become a mom." Sasha's lips curled as he gazed back at the marble stone. "I wish I coulda' met her…" He sighed and my mouth followed suit. "Me too."
A quiet moment passed between us as I rubbed my son's back, grinning back his way. "Did you tell Grandma you're out here?" "No. She said to let you and Mom have your "alone time" together." "You don't need to worry about that. I'm sure your mom's happy you're here too." "Dad?" "Yeah?" "Do you….. think you'll ever get married again?"
Sasha asked me this and I looked down at his innocent face in surprise. Truthfully, this left me a bit speechless for a second but soon enough, I resolutely shook my head. "No, never." He was pleased to hear this, letting out a little sigh of relief. "Really? Good….." My smile returned as I continued rubbing his back.
"Your mother….. was the most wonderful woman ever. She's the kind of wife who is irreplaceable; truly one of a kind. Any other marriage would pale in comparison." "Hmmmmmmm, but Grandma said we that "our garden should be in bloom"….. Whatever that means," Sasha retorted, and my lips pressed tightly together. My fingers drew in to make clenched fists. "Your grandfather may be replaceable to your grandmother, but your mother is NOT replaceable to me!"
Immediately, I regretted my outburst and show of temper. Sasha's eyes widened and he was still, not budging an inch on my knee. Letting out a remorseful sigh, I winced my eyes shut and pinched the bridge of my nose, steadying my breath. "I'm sorry, son; I didn't mean to yell." "S-Sorry, Dad. I-I didn't mean to make you mad….." He stammered and I flashed him a reassuring expression. "No, no you didn't. You didn't say anything wrong, buddy. It's just that….. How do I put this? No other lady would get Dad's garden to bloom. Er, no! I-I'm not explaining it well. W-What I mean is that your mom was and still is very special to me. As far as I'm concerned, I'm still a married man… Hopelessly devoted to one woman- your mother."
Sasha nodded, seemingly happy and relieved to hear this. "Good! I'm devoted to her too!" "Heh, you don't even know what that means," I chuckled softly. "Yes, I do. It means you love her, don't you?" And I stared again deep, deep into my son's eyes…. Those perfect, ocean eyes he inherited from Kate. "Oh Sasha… Love isn't strong enough a word…. to describe my feelings for either her or you. Even after all this time…
Just thinking about your mother causes my heart to skip a beat."