Love of My Life

Chapter 1

 I found her alone. Wandering through the forests like a phantom... Or maybe that was me...? She startled me... Not that I didn't know she was there, but... Her face... She looked exactly like her... Staring back at me like a ghost from the past... "... Lucrecia..." I stepped forward only to watch her disappear... I reached out for her... Maybe she was a ghost...? I heard a soft laughter swirl around me before fading off into the trees. I followed the laughter to be led to a cave... Her cave... She's leading me inside... Why...? I walked in silence, only the echo of my footsteps reaching my ears. The chill grew as I crept deeper into the darkness, I had only my coat to help fight back the biting cold. I didn't mind though... I deserve far worse than that for all that I've done... I thought of what Cloud told me; that we needed to forgive ourselves. How could I ever forgive myself for this? For what happened to her? For what happened to everyone? A wisp of light floated past me to the center of the cavern, I watched as it turned the corner and faded away. I looked behind me to see two more follow suit, all leading me further inside. This was unusual... More wisps floated past beckoning me into the middle chamber. When I arrived they all gathered at the center crystal which encased her body, waiting patiently for me. I stopped about a foot away and watched, they did nothing, all except for one. It reached out to me and pulled me closer. I blinked surprised as they brought my hand up to her. I rested my hand on her face, wishing that she would come back to me... "Lucrecia, I..."

"Shh..." My eyes shot open, her body remained motionless as her voice echoed around me, "You need to let me go... Forgive yourself..."

"I---I can't..."

"This wasn't your decision, Vincent... This was mine. I alone must atone for it... Not you..." Her voice was so soft yet burdened by sadness.

"But---."

"Your heart still needs healing... After what I've done... I'm sorry, Vincent."

"Don't apologize," I stroked her face with my thumb.

"Please. I need to hear that you forgive me."

It took me a moment to reply, "I... Forgive you Lucrecia..."

She let out a breathe of relief, "Thank you so much!"

"I need to hear that you forgive me as well..."

I could hear a sad smile in her voice, "I forgive you Vincent..." The wisps gathered around me once again, "I know this may not be the best time but... I have something for you---someone..." She corrected. "She can help you heal..."

My brows knit together, "... Who...?"

"... Our daughter..."

"What!?" the shock barely penetrated the softness of my voice. Our daughter!? "Lucrecia, how?"

"She's here..." her voice shook, "In the Lifestream with me... I didn't---I didn't know until... Until it was too late... Hojo he," her voice broke... "He took her from us...! He knew!!!" Sobs broke free, "If I had known I was already pregnant I wouldn't have---!!" Her voice shattered along with my heart. My knees buckled, sending me down to the floor. Tears stung at my eyes, slipping down my face and onto the stone beneath me... All I could do was clench my hands as the pain wracked my body... "Please forgive me, Vincent!!! I'm so sorry! I'm so sorry!" I struggled to breathe as a buzzing sound filled my ears and the numbing cold overtook me once again.

When I awoke she was beside me, wrapped in clothes similiar to mine... I couldn't believe it... I reached out to touch her, flinching back when she breathed in heavily and nuzzled her face into my arm. She was so small and fragile, barely Marlene's age... I stroked her brown hair behind her ear and a smile came to my lips; she looked almost exactly like her mother. "I'm sorry, Vincent."