Visits

Epilogue: Gift of Love

FINAL CHAPPPTER! It's sad - I kept crying lol. Enjoy

GIF: https://tenor.com/view/cherry-blossom-anime-flowers-petals-gif-17516965

<7 YEARS, TEZUKA POV>

"Aito – are you ready yet? You don't want to keep your mama waiting," I shout for my 6 year old son as I hear him scuffle around the small apartment. Once he was done, he comes to the living room wearing his small dungarees, his pale yellow eyes and look reminding me of Aina. I smile fondly at him, then picking him up in my arms, I unlock our door and head to the cemetery.

I put him down as we walk to the grave of Aina. Aito has never met her as when she gave birth to him she died on the spot.

<Flashback>

"Ai, you can do it, just a few more!" Yui shouts, crying as Aina pushes with much struggle. Her mother, Rika, is crying on the side praying that both the baby and her daughter is safe. Tezuka continuous to hold his wife's hand, tightly as he could to reassure her that he's there.

"You're doing so well... almost there," he whispers gently in her hair and she looks up, her eyes and smile weak as they hear the cry of a baby. They hurriedly grab the baby away from the mother and instantly got to work on Aina.

"I'm sorry but we'll have to take over from here. Could you please let her hand go, we need to operate on her – now," the doctor says and Tezuka was reluctant but he let go. Before doing so, Aina told him that he loves them both and this causes Tezuka to realise in shock that this may be the last time he'll speak with her. He grits his teeth as they are ushered out. They hear the baby wail in another room, everyone is waiting patiently for the results.

After several hours, the doctor comes out, his face crestfallen.

"I'm sorry... we tried... but her heart already took so much damage – we couldn't do anything," he says and the cries of the mother and sister is heard, Tezuka stands there, shaken, his eyes wide in shock. He hesitantly walks in the room, she lays there, like an angelic being her pale skin paler than the usual – her eyes closed but her expression showed relief and serenity.

For the first time in his life, Tezuka Kunimitsu cries hard by the bedside as he holds his wife's cold hand. A gentle tap on his shoulder makes him look up to see a nurse holding their baby – who is silently asleep.

"It's a healthy baby boy," the nurse says, handing him the small bundle. Tezuka looks down at the small baby in his arms.

"Aina... you did it," Tezuka whispers as he looks at his wife, his smile sad and tears spill out some more as he hugs the bundle in his arms. The baby's small tiny fingers touch his face, as if realising his father is crying and upon looking at the baby, his eyes were open to reveal pale yellow orbs just like Aina's. He smiles gently at the baby, holding his little hand as he kisses it.

"Tezuka-kun – Aina wrote this for you and Aito, just know that she loved, no loves you both wherever she is," Rika hands him the paper and Tezuka nods, taking it in his hand and gently passes the baby over to his grandma, then reads the notes. The first one says "Aito, to read when he's able".

My Dear Aito,

Aito, I know you'll come out healthy and be a boy, I always knew you'd be a boy with how much you moved about in my belly like you were playing some form of sports. I'm writing this letter to you to tell you that I love you so much. I'm sorry I can't be there for your growing up but I'm always watching over you from above. I know you'll grow up into a fine young man, because your father is a gentleman and I'm sure he'll teach you how to treat others with respect.

Make sure to be a good boy and follow what your father says, he can be strict at times but if he ever does get angry at you just know that he loves you and wants you to be safe, okay? Be sure to always say thanks you and your welcomes when it comes to it and help those who are in need, I know you'll be a great man.

I love you so much my dear baby, so so much.

Love,

Your Mama.

Tezuka then folds the piece of paper briefly, placing it in the bag that Rika provided for them then gets his out – the first line already making him cry as he sits by her side.

My Dear Kunimitsu,

My love, thank you for giving me a life I never thought I'd have. The memories that we shared, the first ever encounter we had – I am so glad I did them with you. I'm writing this because I know I won't survive and I just want you to know that it's not your fault – I know you'll blame yourself but we both talked about this when we decided that we'll have Aito. I do not regret anything and you shouldn't feel guilty, okay?

Aito will need you in times when he needs it, and I'm sorry that I can't be there to help you and tend to him like I would of but I know you'll be a great father, I just know it. I'll never forget the time where we star gazed that night, the shooting star that past us in a blur. I'll never forget the time where you took me out to the café, making those plant jokes. I'll never forget the time where you gave me that Christmas present, the charm bracelet. I'll never forget the time where you taught me how to play tennis, it was fun but we all know I wasn't fit for it but I had fun.

There is so much more I won't ever regret or forget – and neither should you because Aito is our special gift. Aito is my gift for you so you won't be alone in this world, I know you'll take responsibility for everything that happened but please don't be so hard on yourself and when you do become professional – please take Aito to your every match. I'm sure Mama wouldn't mind babysitting whilst you play – she always wanted a grandchild.

I'm always watching you, both of you and everyone. Please don't ever blame yourself, I love you so much, Kunimitsu.

Aina

The final words that Aina gave them made him cry even more, Yui and Rika hugging him gently as they comfort him through the pain.

<END FLASHBACK>

The memory came to me with a smile, the note in my pocket as I see Aito kneel down and stare at his mothers grave, then with a small smile he clasps his hands together and begins to talk.

"Hi mama, I'm doing well so I hope you're doing well up there too. Papa and I made some cookies today, we're going to visit grandma and auntie Yui and give them some! Also – I made some friends in school – they're really nice. Uhm...uhm and, I miss you and so does Papa. Do you miss us too," he finishes and I pat his little head, then he looks up at me, his pale yellow eyes boring into my honey brown ones.

"She misses us more than you know, Aito," I reply and he nods, with a gentle smile just like his mother's – I hand him the paper that Aina wanted me to give him.

"I think you're old enough to read this," I sayas I kneel down and speak myself, whilst Aito reads it, "I hope your well,Aina. We miss you, we really do. I wish you were here with us, but I know you don'twant us to be sad to I just want to say I love you," I finalise and a smallbreeze caressed my cheeks as if she's responding. I smile up to the sky as I lookover at Aito – his eyes watering. I hug him tightly as he sobs in my chest, I pathim gently and tell him it's okay.

We make our way over to Aito's grandma's house once we placed a heap of roses on her grave. A gift of love she gave me, I'm going to do everything in my power to protect our bundle of joy.