Author's Note: I just want to thank you guys for being so patient with me and still reading my story even though i've been a horrible person and made you all wait.

Chapter 19

Leon was running down the halls like a madman. He'd checked every practice room and even gone back to the stage a few times to see if anyone had seen Sora; he got the same answer each time and some increasingly worried looks each time he went. This had to be some kind of joke.

Rosetta had run into him saying that Sora was gone, she'd handed him what appeared to be Sora's resignation letter. His heart was pounding and he felt as though his heart was going to burst from his chest. Where could she be?

His mind was racing a mile a minute but he kept coming back to the same thought in the end; this was his fault. It might have been luck, or it might have been fate, but he must've had an angel on his side because the next person he ran into was Sarah.

"What's all the hurry for?" The English woman asked when Leon nearly ran into her, her tone suddenly grew concerned. "Leon, are you alright?"

"Where's Sora?" Leon himself could hear the desperation that set into his voice, but he didn't care; Sora was more important than his pride.

Sora stood, waiting in line to go through security. She felt lightheaded and empty, her mind blank. She could hear the steady beep of the metal detector as the people ahead of her got checked. She leaned forward to take off her shoes when she found herself pitching forward, her center of balance off.

"Woah!" The man in front of her caught her in time. He was an older gentleman about the same age as Sora's uncle. "Careful there." He gave her a caring smile.

"Thank you." Sora smiled back, "You probably would believe me but I used to be able to flip on a tightrope, now I can't even bend forward without falling," she laughed, but it sounded empty.

"My wife had the same problem!" he laughed. "Here, let me help you." He held Sora's arm as she tried to remove her shoes.

"Thank you." She said sincerely.

"Good luck," the gentleman said, "I hope you have a healthy happy baby." He smiled and then went through the metal detector. The baby, that was the priority and Sora would be damned if she couldn't make it happy, with or without the father, she would get through this.

Leon sped down the street, he knew he was being reckless but he needed to get there. Why would she just leave like that? He shouldn't have even needed to ask; he knew very well that he was the reason. His mind was a mess, his heart was racing and his veins felt frozen. He could see the airport in the distance. Then what was probably the worst thing that could happen at the time.

Leon heard a weird sound coming from the car; he saw the rpm gage go down and heard the engine start to go quiet.

"Are you freaking serious!" Leon yelled as he pulled the car to the side of the road. He turned the key in the ignition and got nothing. "You have got to be kidding me!" He tried the ignition one last time.

"Son of a-" he threw open the door and ran, barely remembering to lock the door.

Sora sat in one of the chairs in the waiting area near her gate, her carry-on bag in the seat next to her, she felt numb, her chest felt as though there was a two ton weight on it. It was over; there was nothing else she could do. She knew her parents would love to have her back, at least until she can get back on her own feet, but she just couldn't stay, not after what happened. Her nose prickled, she was about to cry. She looked up and took a deep breath, enough; she wasn't going to cry anymore.

"Attention all passengers, we are now boarding flight 217 to Narita Airport, please proceed to gate 13B."

It was time. Sora took a deep breath and stood up, grabbing her bag.

Leon could hear his footsteps echoing on the tile floor of the airport but even the voices of the hundreds of travelers were drowned out by the pounding of his heart. His pain in his leg was screaming in protest to the strain he was putting it under, it was still healing, but that was not important; he needed to get to Sora before it was too late

He looked all over as he ran, but never saw the familiar purple of her hair.

"Sora!" he yelled as he ran. All that earned him was some strange looks from the travelers which he ignored.

12A, the sign with the arrow pointed ahead. He was getting nearer to her gate. Sarah had said Sora's flight was at gate 13B. Sora had asked Sarah to book her flight that morning but wouldn't tell her why. The ticket was one way.

His mind was blank, his only thought was getting to her in time, he couldn't let her leave, he wouldn't.

His plan, or lack thereof, hit a snag; he'd never stopped to think of how he was to get through security. He could see the metal detectors a little ways away, Leon's heart dropped even lower; she wasn't there, Sora had already gone through.

Leon ran faster, ignoring the pain searing through his leg. He neared the gate and saw the security guard reach for his gun. Leon skidded to a halt.

"Is there a problem, sir?" the guard said edgily, he was about as tall as Leon but looked as though he took his meals in the form of steroids; he spoke with a mid-western accent.

"You have to let me through." Leon panted.

"I'll need to see your boarding pass, sir." The guard said, on hand still on his gun.

"I don't have one."

The guard eyed Leon suspiciously. "Then why do you suppose I ought to let you through?"

"The girl I love is on that plane, I can't let her leave!" The guard still stared at Leon indifferently but Leon could see his fault slipping.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave." He stepped toward Leon, ready to escort him out.

"Please!" Leon pleaded, he was about ready to get down on his knees and beg. "She's having my baby!"

Sora sat in her seat, a baby magazine in her hands as she waited for her flight to take off. She was seated next to a woman who looked to be about 40 with auburn with traces of silver, her eyes were brown and somewhat hidden behind a pair of wire rimmed glasses, she was reading a paperback novel with a picture of Fabio with his hair blowing in the wind holding a woman who's dress looked as though it was about to fall off at the slightest touch.

She was glad the woman let her have the aisle seat; her bladder's been almost as crazy as her hormones, but the doctor had said that was normal and that the baby might be sitting on her bladder. She couldn't concentrate on the article she was trying to read. She heard a commotion from the front of the plane but decided to ignore it.

"Attention passengers," the captain's voice came over the speakers, "There will be a slight delay, but we should be taking off shortly. Thank you for flying with Pacific Air."

Sora looked down and tried to focus on her magazine. She didn't know what caused her to look up, it could have been fate, maybe it was a familiar sound, but when she did, her heart skipped a beat.

Leon didn't know what possessed the security guard to let him through, maybe it was pity, maybe the sheer desperation in Leon's voice, or maybe he'd just understood, but what mattered was that Leon got through and Sora's plane was still on the ground.

Leon walked with purpose, the security guard close behind, serving as an escort. They got to the door of the plane, there was a flight attendant standing in the way. Leon was about to say something when the guard held up his hand and stepped up. He whispered something to the attendant who looked at Leon with a glint in her eye and a grin on her face. She nodded to the guard and went into the cockpit. Leon could hear the captain's voice over a speaker, a smile spread across his face; he was getting his chance.

He looked at the security guard and said, with the most serious earnestness, "Thank you."

The guard smiled and said, "Go get'er," he winked and clapped Leon on the back.

Leon stepped into the plane and took a deep breath, here goes everything. He stepped into the cabin and took a look at the passengers, to them, he just looked like one of them, albeit a sweaty, disheveled looking passenger with quite a limp. He caught sight of Sora and his heart nearly leapt out of his chest, she looked stunning as usual, albeit a little pale.

His hair was plastered to his forehead and the back of his neck, his shirt was practically glued to his back and his leg was clearly punishing him for the strain, but he didn't care; what was really important was getting through to Sora. He walked down the aisle and gulped down his pride and anxiety, he would get down on his knees and beg if he needed to just to get her to give him a chance to explain himself.

He stopped a few rows before Sora's and waited for a moment, composing himself, but that moment he didn't get, for Sora looked up at that moment and gasped.

"Leon?" she whispered, dropping her magazine on the floor. She blinked quickly, almost as if she didn't believe it was really him. She slowly stood and took a few tentative steps toward him, but then stopped; a hurt expression crossed her face. Why was he there?

"Sora." He said clearly, almost sounding confident, but in actuality he was a nervous wreck inside. He was no longer sure of what he was going to say. He stepped forward, reaching out, was it to caress her face? He no longer felt in control.

"Don't," she turned her face away, avoiding his hand. Her eyes were cast down, hidden by her hair. She took a breath; Leon noted that it was shaky. "Why are you here?" she whispered.

He wasn't sure what to say to her, he'd expected her to be upset, but her voice was completely void of emotion, he'd never heard her like that before.

"I," he paused, trying to collect himself, suddenly aware of the passengers staring at him and Sora, who were standing in the middle of the isle. He had something he needed to say, if he didn't, he was sure he'd regret this day for the rest of his life. "I couldn't let you leave." He said clearly. "Not without hearing me out."

"I have nothing to say to you." She said coldly, still not looking at him.

"Then listen," he said firmly, he wasn't getting off on the right foot, he'd come to apologize after all. "Sora, you've lied to me, you've kept secrets from me, you've hidden things, important things that I feel I had a right to know about." He took a deep breath. "You have no idea how angry you've made me at times, how hurt I have been," she seemed to flinch at his words. He took a deep breath and ran a hand through his matted hair, "you've given me memories I'll never be able to forget, you made me remember why I loved the stage and realize the magic around it. You've made me feel things I've never felt before, I was angry, but I couldn't hate you like the others, I was scared to hurt you whereas I was constantly pushing others over the edge. I almost died for you, and I would do it again and again if it meant you could be happy. I messed up. I know I've hurt you; I was an ass and never stopped to think of what this was doing to you, what you were going through, and I wasn't any help. You managed to make my heart ache, flutter, and skip a beat all at the same time. You're having my child, and you want to run away?"

"I couldn't stay," she whispered, almost inaudibly.

"Why?" he asked, a hint of desperation in his voice.

She still looked at her feet, refusing to look at him, still silent.

"Sora, why can't you stay?"

"Because it hurts!" she looked him straight in the eye, there were tears pooling in them. "It hurts to be alone! It hurts to have to go through this without knowing a thing! It hurts being around so many happy people and pretending that everything is okay! And most of all, it hurts to see you happy with someone else!" The tears were running down her cheeks which were now red. He stood there, shocked silent as he listened to the sounds of her soft sobbing.

It took him a moment before he was able to speak, but he did get a push from the man standing behind him who was looking at him with expectation, all eyes were on him, none of them were positive. Then something struck him.

What was that last thing she'd said?

"What do you mean?" he asked, he was genuinely confused.

"I want you to be happy, I always have, but I can't just stay here and watch, and no matter what, I just can't bring myself to hate her, and I don't want to hurt her."

"Hate who?" She was silent.

"Sora, who?" He urged, he had stepped closer to her, she didn't back away.

"Annette."

Leon's heart sank; she'd thought he'd loved Annette this whole time.

"Sora, there is not, nor has there ever been, something going on between Annette and I." He said slowly and clearly.

"What?" She seemed shocked. She'd been wrong? How could this be? "You mean you're not engaged?"

"No, Annette is marrying my best friend, it was all a misunderstanding." He said. Sora was extremely relieved, but she still knew she couldn't stay, not after everything that had happened. "I love her, but not in that way."

Sora began sobbing again. Why were things this way? Why was she still hurting? She felt a pair of strong arms wrapping around her shoulders, pulling her to him. She laid her head against his chest and just let herself cry for a moment as Leon lightly stroked her hair and whispered in her ear.

After a few minutes, she'd calmed down a bit. Leon pulled away slightly and brushed her hair from her face. "Marry me." He said softly. Sora suddenly couldn't breathe; there was a gasp from all around. She could feel the tension as all of the passengers and attendants and even the pilot who'd emerged from his cabin awaited her answer, but then she remembered that night.

Sora sighed. "What would you do if you found out you'd accidentally fathered a child?"

"I would take responsibility," Leon said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world, "and marry the mother."

"No." she said softly.

He was just taking responsibility, he felt that it was his duty as the child's father to marry Sora and help raise the baby; it wasn't because he loved her.

Leon was in shock, hit may have been narcissistic and sure he was being a little unorthodox and unromantic, but he never would have imagined that Sora would reject his proposal.

"W-what?" he was confused, Sora pulled away. He could see the look of shock mirrored on nearly every other face on the plane.

"I can't marry you." She said clearly.

"Why?"

"I'm not going to use this child to bind you to me." She tried to smile but her expression broke. "I want you to be happy, to be with the one you love, I want you to marry because you love someone, not out of a sense of responsibility." She could see his expression turn to hurt and it broke her heart but she needed to do this. "I'm not going to make you do this. This is why I have to leave." She tried to smile again. "So you don't need to stick to me out of some sense of responsibility, it will do nothing but hurt the both of us," her hand softly stroked her stomach, "and my baby and I don't want that." She could hear people whispering behind her, but she ignored them. "So I think this is where we should say goodbye." She smiled softly, though her heart was screaming for her to stay.

After everything he did, it wasn't enough. Leon had chased her there, while injured, he asked her to marry him, he bore his heart to her, but she still wanted to leave and he knew he couldn't let her, or he would regret this for the rest of his life, and maybe even longer.

Without really thinking, he reached and softly caressed her face, there were silent tears falling down her cheeks which he wiped away with his thumb, he stared straight into her eyes and she stared back, then he pulled her face to his.

His lips were soft and warm against hers; she could feel a warmth spread throughout her body. His hands gently caressed the sides of her face, her neck, tangled in her hair, and hers wound around his neck, she no longer had control, but she couldn't say she hated it. This kiss was somehow different from the ones before. This one seemed to go deeper, and I don't mean physically, but it seemed to strike a chord in her very soul. Sora felt like she was floating and she never wanted to stop.

After was could have been forever, Leon pulled away, but his face was still only millimeters away from hers, "I love you." He breathed over her lips, "I always have." He whispered his warm breath over her face. She pulled away and looked into his violet-silver eyes, where she saw the deepest, most sincere light. "Please," he begged. "Don't go."

New tears fell, but these were different; she no longer hurt. "You turned me into a liar." She laughed softly she leaned her head on his chest again, he wrapped his arms around.

"How?" he asked into her hair.

"I said I wouldn't cry anymore." She laughed and cried at the same time. She could hear the AWWs from all around. They stood in silence for a moment, arms around each other, not wanting to ever let go. "I love you too." She whispered.

She could feel him shaking as he tried not to laugh, the happiness just wanted to spill from him.

"Okay," she said softly, "I'll st-" she suddenly went silent, her hands flew to her stomach, her face was a mask of shock.

"Sora?" Leon was concerned. "What's wrong?" she didn't answer. "Sora?" he was getting scared.

Sora didn't speak, she grabbed one of his hands and placed it on her stomach, Leon didn't know what was going on, but then he knew; he felt a slight fluttering under his fingertips.

There were new tears falling from her eyes, but the insanely bright smile accompanying it told Leon that these tears were good.

Leon's face broke into the brightest smile Sora had ever seen, just seeing it made her feel like she could die happy. He started laughing and pulled Sora to him, lifting her off the ground and spinning her. When her feet touched the floor Leon kissed her again.

"I think the baby approves." He said as cheers erupted from all around.

Sora's breathing quickened and Leon could no longer feel his hand; she was holding it so tightly that he thought his fingers would fall off, but he didn't dare say anything because what he felt was nothing compared to what she was going through right then.

She cringed and took a sharp breath.

"Are you okay?" he asked gingerly.

"I'm fine, that one was sharp though." She lapsed back into a silence, attempting to even her breathing. He wiped the sweat from her brow. The monitor was somewhat steadily beeping somewhere behind him. He used his free hand to scratch his forehead; the cap they made him wear was itching like crazy.

She gasped again, another contraction. They were almost only a minute apart now. Leon pushed the call bell for the nurse; it was time.

They moved Sora from the room they were in to the delivery room. Leon could feel his heart rate pick up. He'd done countless shows in his time, but never did he feel this nervous. Sora was breathing quickly again, never letting go of his hand; he wondered if her hand was starting to hurt from the strain.

The doctor's prepped her and sat her in the birthing chair, her belly was extended to the point that it almost looked like someone had stuffed a beach ball under her skin.

Her face was contorted in an expression of pain. Leon wiped her forehead again and remained silent; he didn't know what he was supposed to say.

Finally he said. "It's finally time."

"Yeah." She smiled weakly. "Leon?"

"Yes, ma Cherie?"

"I'm scared." She whispered before gasping again.

He kissed her on the forehead. "So am I." He smiled at her, trying to comfort her. "We'll get through this."

The doctor placed herself and the nurses got into position. "Okay, Miss Naegino, I'm going to need you to breath," she said. Sora only nodded. "Okay and push."

Sora groaned loudly, her grip tightened as if that was even possible.

"Okay, again."

Sora's face turned an alarming shade of red and her face contorted.

"Breathe." Leon said softly.

She took a deep breath and pushed again.

Then Leon asked a stupid question. "Are you okay?" But who could blame him for his concern.

It was like someone had flipped a switch because Leon had never seen Sora react like she did.

"What the hell do you think?! Why don't you try having a baby and tell me if you're okay!"

Leon was shocked speechless. Sora was pissed, or she appeared to be because she was in so much pain. Leon was about to apologize for being dumb when she yelled, "Don't talk to me, don't look at me, don't even breathe in my direction!"

The doctor said to push again.

She cried out loudly.

"There's the head!" the doctor yelled. "Okay, one more!"

Leon had never heard someone scream so loudly, it tore at his heart. Was everything alright? He never would have imagined that she'd be in that much pain' he couldn't feel his hand anymore. She stopped yelling and all Leon could hear for a moment was her gasping for air.

Then he heard it, the sweetest sound in the world, though he would soon think otherwise. The wailing of a newborn baby.

"Congratulations," the doctor said with a huge smile, "It's a girl!"

"Well done," Leon said to Sora, kissing her.

Leon was handed the tiny pink bundle. He felt awkward holding something so tiny and fragile, she had a little dusting of fine hair on her head; Leon was afraid to break her.

"Sora." He said softly, he never felt more pride than right at that moment, this little creature, this gift Sora gave him, this was his daughter. He didn't want to let go, but he knew that Sora should be the one holding this child. "Here." he placed the little bundle in Sora's arms.

She had tears running down her cheeks. "Hello, little one." She whispered. "I'm your mommy. I've been waiting a long time to meet you." She laughed. "This is your daddy, do you want to say 'hello?'"

Leon felt as light as air. Sora's hair was matted to her forehead with sweat, her face was flushed, her eyes had dark circles under them; Leon had never seen her look more exhausted but to him she'd never looked more beautiful. He couldn't stop smiling as he looked at his new family.

Sora's body felt heavy, everything hurt. She slowly turned on her side, eyes still closed. She had immediately fallen asleep right after they took her baby to be cleaned up; no one had woken her and really wanted nothing more than to stay that way. She heard a sound in the room. She slowly opened her eyes and saw something she'd never thought she'd see, at least not out of her dreams.

She watched a tall figure stand and slowly rock back and forth near the window of the darkened room. He looked out at the street which wasn't that busy at that time of night. He cradled something against his chest and held it so gingerly that it looked like he was afraid to break it, but not like he was going to let go any time soon. She could hear him humming under his breath.

Sora had never seen a more beautiful sight than that of Leon holding their daughter and humming her a lullaby. She smiled to herself.

Leon slowly turned from the window and saw Sora watching him. He smiled softly and walked over. He took a seat in the rocking chair near the bed, the baby still resting against his chest swaddled in a pink blanket, her soft little head covered in a little bonnet.

"Good morning." Leon whispered.

"'morning," Sora whispered back. "Spending some quality time with your daughter, Mr. Oswald?" she asked playfully.

Leon smiled. "Of course, and I do not plan on stopping any time soon."

"So I'll have to fight you for her?" she giggled. "Just know that I won't let you win that easily."

Leon laughed softly. "So," he whispered. "What are we going to name her?" Leon had decided to wait until Sora woke up to fill out the birth certificate. They hadn't really spoken about names much since they were more focused on moving into their new apartment and arranging their schedules around the baby. Leon had decided to temporarily retire from performing.

Sora had thought of this before, but she didn't tell Leon; she already knew he'd love it.

Sora whispered softly. "Sophie."

Leon stopped rocking and just stared at her. His eyes became glassy and Sora could see a tear run down his cheek; she had never seen him cry.

He shifted to the edge of her bed and put an arm around her, holding Sophie with the other. Sora partially rose and wrapped her arms around him.

"Thank you." Leon whispered as he wrapped his arms around and drank in his new family; he would never be alone again.

A little girl with silver-white hair ran ahead down the path, chasing a colorful butterfly. The sun was shining through the trees, making a kaleidoscope of light across the walkway and leaves of the flower bushes. She loved going to the park; it was one of her favorite places. The little girl's large brown eyes searched the bushes curiously as she searched for the butterfly she'd been chasing.

She pushed a few leaves aside and saw something rather curious. On the branch was a small man with what looked like a diamond over one eye, he was wearing a purple suit and his hair was down to his feel, he was just sitting on the branch smiling up at the little girl who smiled back. The small man pointed to a beautiful orange flower blooming near him. The little girl picked it; how did the little man know she liked flowers? She was about to ask when she heard her name called.

"Sophie," her daddy called. "Come or we'll be late, the show is going to start soon."

"Okay." She called back.

She was about to say thank you to the little man when he brought a finger up to his lips, telling her that it was their secret. She brought her finger to her lips too and giggled. Then she turned and ran off toward a very happy looking couple.

The little girl's long silver hair swished behind her as she ran.

"Come on, you want to see Auntie May and Uncle Ken, right?" Her mother laughed, her brown hair which was once purple was pulled up into a ponytail.

The little girl handed her the flower.

"Thank you, it's beautiful." She bent down and kissed her daughter on the forehead.

Her daddy then picked her up and placed her on his shoulders, his long silver hair, not unlike hers, was braided so she didn't tangle herself in it. He held her hand with one of his, his other hand reached to the little girl's mother's and their fingers were soon intertwined, he'd taken to fiddling with the ring on her finger, a sign of their love.

The spirit just watched from his perch, a broad smile on his face as the angel and the reaper were finally happy.