Note: So, a long time ago...I'm talking about when I first published this fanfic back when I was a teen...someone requested an alternate universe of WSBW, but having Leonel live...

Now, I'm not gonna do that! But If that person is still around, and reading fanfics after all these years...this chapter is for you! It's a what-if type scenario of if Clara accepted Leonel's proposal and married him instead of him going to his death.

-end note-

Winter 28

I didn't think my life would end up like this. I had married my best friend eight years ago, and even though I shouldn't have…I did it for our daughter.

Leonel is an amazing dad to our kids and a wonderful husband, don't get me wrong; but I felt trapped. I love him, but my love for him was not romantic. It never has been.

Cadence had turned seven today. She was a beautiful little girl and looked a lot like her girlish father, but more girly! Which I didn't think would be possible. I put the finishing touches on a small birthday cake for Cadence; it wasn't extravagant or anything, but we couldn't do a huge party for her. My mom did offer to pay for something for Cadence, but Leonel and I need to be more responsible and not be as dependent on my family. Plus, I'm sure mom has spoiled her with some extravagant gifts, she doesn't need much more.

I remember her arrival to the world was terrifying! I was fifteen, at the maternity hospital in the Capital. I know Leonel and I were being judged for being as young as we were and deciding to keep Cadence. The hospital put a lot of pressure on us to give our daughter up for adoption; pretty much telling us that we weren't fit enough to be parents at our age.

But we refused to give into their demands and she's with us now. Cadence is very much loved and taken care of! I couldn't imagine life without her. And then we had the other two…that was an adventure in and of itself! I felt pressured to bring my younger two into the world. Don't get me wrong, I love them very much, just like I love their older sister! But conceiving them was like with Cadence. I went into my own little world. But I felt like I had to perform my marital duties.

Our son was conceived during our honeymoon. We had a super late honeymoon because of me being pregnant during our wedding and I was due any day. After that, Leonel and I were so focused on Cadence. Mom surprised us with cruise tickets to the islands on our fifth anniversary.

And our younger daughter, there wasn't anything special going on. It was just a Tuesday afternoon at home by ourselves. We didn't have to worry about our kids barging in nor my in-laws hearing us that day.

"Mommy!" A small voice exclaimed in a demanding way, I turned my attention towards my son, who was three. Thankfully, he looked like a boy so I won't have to worry about him being bullied when he starts school. He had the same blue eyes as his sisters and dad and he sported spiky brown hair, like his grandpa, and oh boy, was he his grandfather's grandson!

"What's wrong, Lazlo?" I asked sweetly while placing Cadence's birthday cake on the dinning table. My son crossed his arms with a scowl on his face.

"Where opa?"

"Your opa is at the academy with your dad preparing for the spring." Lazlo grumbled.

"Why?" He asked, royally pissed off.

"Because your sister is starting school in the spring! Your opa is a teacher at the academy and daddy's going to be one too!"

"Can't opa quit?" He asked. I sighed.

"No, sweetie. I believe your opa likes being a teacher." Lazlo made the most pitiful face before throwing himself on the floor, having a tantrum. I groaned. He was my difficult child! Cadence wasn't this hard.

"What's he so upset about?" I looked over at my father-in-law as Lazlo stopped his tantrum, rushing towards him.

"Opa, quit be teacher!" He exclaimed as Barrett gave him the most confused look.

"Uh…"

"He doesn't want you to be a teacher anymore." I said with a sigh.

"What? How come?" He asked.

"He doesn't like the idea of you being gone all day."

"I'm not going to be gone all day, Lazlo. Plus, if I quit, then I won't be able to teach you when you start school!" Barrett exclaimed as Lazlo's eyes widened in shock and realization.

"Oh! Right!" He seemed better as my son rushed off to do…who knows what.

"You handled that really well." I said as Barrett shrugged.

"I learned from your dad when you threw your tantrums. Jack was super patient with you. Rosalind was too, but not like your dad."

"Well, at least I know where Lazlo gets his temper. Ah, by the way, where's Leonel?"

"Finishing up at the academy. He shouldn't be too much longer." I gave an upward nod. Dorothy walked into the dining room with Lazlo on her hip and one hand holding Yuri's hand. Cadence was closely following behind.

"Welcome back, honey." Dorothy said most enthusiastically like she always does whenever Barrett comes home.

"Opa? Where's Daddy?" Cadence asked, a look of concern on her face as her fingers started to wiggle.

"He's finishing up at the academy. He'll be home soon, mein honigbienchen! Don't worry; he won't miss your birthday get-together!" Barrett reassured her. The sound of the front door opening and closing along with heavy footsteps echoed through the house. Speak of the devil! Leonel's face peeked out from behind the door frame. A smile plastered on his face.

"I'm home!" He exclaimed, Cadence squealed in delight as she rushed towards him, embracing him tightly.

"Daddy! Welcome home!" She exclaimed. She broke their embrace and began to sway.

"Happy birthday, Cadence! I'm glad someone's happy to see me." Leonel said with a chuckle, scooping Cadence in his arms, and planting a kiss on her nose.

"You know how Lazlo gets when you're gone. He'll get over it soon." Dorothy stated with a sigh. Leonel smiled at his mother.

"Yeah, I know. Uh, where's the baby?" He asked, looking around while placing Cadence back down.

"I put her down for a nap. I should probably be waking her up soon though." I said.

"I can get her." Dorothy said, handing Lazlo to me before leaving the room.

"Are you excited, Cadence? Seven is a big age!" Barrett exclaimed as Cadence began to sway again.

"I am! I'm old enough to start school and have opa and daddy teach me! I can't wait!" She exclaimed as Dorothy walked in moments later with a groggy-looking baby. At least one of my kids inherited something physical from me. The baby's mop of dull lavender hair, which was the same color as my great-grandmother, Bianca, was a mess.

"Hi, Avalon! Did you have a good nap?" I asked her, she looked at me with droopy eyelids covering her blue irises as she rubbed them, grunting slightly, and letting out a big yawn.

"Are you still tired, sweetie?" Leonel asked her sweetly, holding out his hands. Avalon looked at them for a moment before she processed what was happening, reaching out for her dad.

"If we let you sleep any longer then you won't be able to sleep tonight when it's bedtime." Leonel told her while she buried her head in his chest.

There was a knock on the front door as Cadence began to sway.

"Do you wanna answer that, sweetie?" I asked.

"May I?"

"As long as daddy or I are with you, you may!" Cadence's smile widened as she rushed towards the front door, I followed closely behind with Lazlo still in my arms. Cadence pulled the door open as she started to sway.

"Grandmama!" She exclaimed, embracing my mom tightly.

"Where grandpa?" Lazlo asked curiously.

"Rosalind." I heard my dad say in a scolding manner as a pile of neatly wrapped presents appeared around the corner.

"I know I tell you this every year, and I mean it for next year! Stop buying our grandkids so many birthday presents! They don't need all of them and I'm the one who has to carry them! I'm getting older!"

"You're still very strong for your age, dear!" Mom exclaimed with a giggle.

"I'm not that old, yet!" Dad exclaimed, placing the pile of presents on the floor.

"Rosalind?" Barrett asked, looking at the presents on the floor.

"Rosalind." Dad answered Barrett gave an upward nod. However, he didn't seem too surprised about the amount of gifts mom and dad brought.

"Ah, Rosalind? Could I borrow you for a moment?" Dorothy asked.

"Of course, Dorothy!" Mom exclaimed as she, Barrett, and Cadence left for the dining room. Lazlo began wiggling in my arms.

"I want down." He demanded as I placed him on the floor, he quickly rushed towards the dining room, probably going after Barrett. I jumped in surprise at dad's hand on my shoulder.

"It's kinda depressing but in a great way, isn't it?" I smiled at him.

"Yeah." I rested my head on his shoulder, "I didn't think my life would end up like this. But I don't think I'd change it."

"Really?" Dad asked, I nodded my head once.

"I had a nightmare a while back…that Leonel passed away and I went into premature labor with Cadence the day he passed. She grew up fine but…knowing that I had killed him in my dream…things became tense between Barrett, Dorothy, and myself. I don't think I could live with myself if that did happen."

"Hm? You killed Leonel in your dream?" Dad asked as I looked down.

"Pretty much. I…said some really awful things to him during the Shooting Star Festival, before he could fully propose to me. He ran into the Padova Mountains and a necro snuck up on him. He lived for a few more days but…Cadence grew up not knowing her father." My vision blurred from my tears as I felt someone embrace me. That someone broke the embrace as I saw Leonel back in his adolescence. I noticed that my surroundings had changed, and I was no longer in the mayor's house, it looked like I was submerged in some light-colored water.

"Sometimes, life doesn't go as planned. And no matter how much you imagine a different scenario or a what-if, it won't change a thing. You've gotta continue on, Clara! Not only for yourself but for our daughter as well! She needs you to live in the present! She needs you to live in the future! And I need you to be there for her!" Leonel planted a kiss on my forehead as I closed my eyes.

"I love you, Clara! And I love Cadence, too! I don't want you to forget me, but I want you to move on and live! Again, do it for yourself and do it for Cadence." His voice became distant.

"Mom?" I overheard Cadence ask.

Winter 10

"Mom! Wake up!" I felt myself being shaken as I slowly opened my eyes. I was back in my room at the farmhouse. I turned on my side smiling at my light.

"Morning, Cadence." I said, pulling her into bed with me and snuggling her. Cadence began to laugh.

"Happy seventh birthday, my darling."

Note: But at the same time I still had a mighty need to hurt you all

I'm sorry, hope you all can forgive me!

-end note-