Chapter 18: Eighteen
As the years go by, Zero and Elena's marriage get stronger. Zero stays true to his word. Elena winds up to fall head over heels in love with Ren. Their bond is strong Even though he isn't her real son. He took to her and she took to him. Having a relationship even closer to him, then she does with her two real children. He calls her Mother and does anything she asks. He does also know she isn't his real mother As she never lied to him. She told him the truth, even keeping her word to Yuki. Letting her see him when she could. Sending Yuki pictures and milestones from school Letting her know everything that was happening to him. They stay neutral. As she knows. Yuki fell apart after they took Ren from her. Never being her true self again. Also knowing that Yuki kept her word and never saw Zero again. Not even asking about him Just letting it go To keep her son safe. Thankful he was happy and being raised the way he should be. She was thankful to Elena for taking him. It could have turned out so differently.
The years just go by, Elena aging as time goes. Their children grew up Graduating and making lives for themselves. Zero And Elena staying together. Zero keeping his promise to be a good husband and father. Seeing the real good in Elena. How all these years she stood by him. She loved him. He couldn't ask for anything more. It was a little strange now, that Elena looked like an old woman. Yet Zero still looked like an 18 -year-old boy. He was as gorgeous as when she fell in love with him. She couldn't say the same about herself. She was older with bags, wrinkles and saggy skin. She was a regular old lady now. Zero never said anything still staying close to her Staying until the end.
When its time for Elena to pass, Zero is by her side holding her hand. Feeling hurt and upset Not really knowing what life will be like without her. She is now seventy years old. Dying of heart problems. In a way, Zero thought this time would never come. That Elena would be here always. Yet life doesn't work that way. On Elena's deathbed, Yuki goes to see her.
"I wanted to come to say goodbye. I also wanted to thank you for raising my son. He is a great man because of you." Yuki says.
"To be honest it was my pleasure. He made me happier than anything else in my life. He is a great boy. I am glad I didn't make my hatred for you ruin that." Elena answers.
"I hope you find peace on the other side, "Yuki says.
"I found peace a long time ago. I had a good life with Zero once he let you go. Or he pretended to. I know he still cares. I'm not blind. He was always a good man who kept his word. So when he promised me He did it. Now he is free." Elena states.
"I am sorry. That I hurt you. No matter what you think of me. I really didn't mean to."Yuki answers.
"I know. We both just happened to love the same man. I just couldn't let him go. I was as much to blame in this as both of you. I could have walked away at any time. I just couldn't. Now it doesn't matter. I will not be here anymore. I think it's about time you and him Where happy. Go and be in peace." Elena says.
"Thank you."Yuki answers. Holding Elena's hand.
Both woman finally getting a little understanding of the other. They both loved him so deeply neither of them wanted to let go. Now Elena wouldn't be there to hold Zero back. Yuki stays with Zero at the hospital. So he isn't alone. Doing her best to comfort him. To take care of him. Like she always wanted to do. Zero is glad she is there. Feeling his longtime best friend is finally able to be with him. Yet a pain in his heart remains from Elena. To watch her slowly pass, hurt him. The thought of never seeing her again pained him greatly. Not even Having Yuki by his side would fix that.
After Elena passes, Yuki and Zero go home to Zero's house. It's now empty. Zero looks around, remembering all the times they had in this house. How they spent the second half of their marriage here, Raising their three children. The memories of the kids sitting at the table doing their homework, while Elena cooked dinner. Fresh in his mind as if it was yesterday. Yuki hires people to come in and carter the funeral. Knowing she can't cook. She was nothing like Elena. Zero just sits there trying to figure out, what he is going to do in the future. Everything at the moment just looked so bleak. It was a lot to get used to. Remembering how there was a time, at Cross He so wanted to shake her off. To let her go away. Now how he wished she was there. Spending almost fifty years together was a long time.
Zero just sits in his chair watching the people around him talk about Elena and just eat the food. It disgusted him, how people most of the time. Just came to these things to eat the food afterward. Elena deserved so much more. He had his children that did there best to comfort him. As he did them. Their grandchildren running around the house. He knew how Elena just loved when they would come over. How they lit her up. He watched as Ren sobbed at her grave Leaving the Mother who protected him all these years. That she really didn't have to, yet she did. To him, she was the greatest. He couldn't even imagine how she felt, taking his father's mistresses child. Yet she never showed it. Never hurt him or held it against him. Always treated him like he was her own. She was one of a kind. More special than his father ever realized.
When everything was finally over, Yuki did her best to take care of Zero. Taking him to one of her Manors. Trying to build up their relationship. As of now, it was just friendship. Yuki knew it had to go slow this time. Zero was hurting. So was she in a way. For the first time, they wanted to do things the right way. Giving it some space, Before starting anything new.
Kaname was still around, he was still Married to Yuki. Their own daughter was old now also and had her own husband and child. Kaname didn't have to protect her anymore. They still didn't like the idea of Hunters and vampires together. So Zero would have to just live there. Saying he was her old friend. Never really saying the truth. Kaname used to this bullshit. He went on work trips and left them alone. He had his own things to do and take care of. Knowing neither of them could hurt him anymore Then they already have in the past.
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Denise_M_
Denise_M_ Creation is hard, cheer me up!
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