And Then, There Was Fire.

ten.

Twenty-two years ago

"If it was both of our choice, you know things wouldn't have to be this way." The young woman said as April calculated the warm voice of her close friend, Rathena, who adjusted herself in the seat that she comfortably sat in beside April in the busy airport, looking down on the small, week-old infant girl in her arms as she cradled her with a plush, pink blanket. April watched her in silence, only imagining what it was like for a mother to know you were holding your new child for the last time.

"I know how you feel, trust me." April reassured her, unable to forget the hurt she saw in her lover's eyes several months ago. "I can only imagine that it's more than the hurt this has caused Neveredes." She added, referring to her own significant other, the father of her child, and who was to be her life partner until he had to leave; just as Rathena is having to do now.

April blinked harshly at the slight flashback from several months ago, after just giving birth to Neveredes' first and only child, more importantly a son. Not only was it difficult to hear his swift decision to leave due to a sacrifice he had to make, but it was more difficult watching him have to hold and say goodbye to his baby boy, within 24-hours of being delivered.

April turned to Rathena, someone who has grown to be a big part of her life as they shared something too valuable to forget. Rathena sighed, her gaze now on April before turning to look ahead at her tall, brown-skinned lover who was getting coffee at a kiosk, rushing the cashier as he wanted to spend every second that he could with Rathena before her gate was to begin boarding.

The mention of Neveredes brought a painful feeling to Rathena's heart, causing her eyes to glass as she looked back at April.

"Although he's my immaculate," Rathena started to speak as the words that she had to say were causing her mouth to frown and her lips to quiver. "I couldn't have hoped for a better partner for him other than you." Her words caused immediate tears in April's bright brown eyes, as the wounds were still fresh for her. She quickly used the back of her hand to slide underneath her right eye to catch a single tear drop against her brown cheek. She watched Rathena eagerly turn her body to face her, bouncing the small baby girl softly in her arms. "April, you're the only one here who's studied our kind, in medicine, promise me you'll help look after her?" Rathena quickly asked once she noticed her lover make his way back over to the two.

April hated this; this wasn't how things were supposed to go. The two couples were to live their new lives out, and to live in houses next door to each other as Rathena and April were to raise their new babies as best friends, she thought. April hesitated as a quick sob escaped her mouth as she caught herself quickly, but couldn't stop the tears running down her face. She lost her lover, and now she was losing Rathena, but she knew the sacrifice that Neveredes and Rathena were making was to protect the rest of them, including the kids.

"Promise." April cried a quick laugh once she noticed Rathena hold up her pinky finger, grabbing it with her pinky as they locked fingers. April then looked down at the baby girl in Rathena's arms, analyzing the striking reflection of Rathena in the infant's face. Rathena's almond-shaped, brown eyes reflected the infant's, just as her button nose did as well.

"That's me." Rathena stood after the sound of an attendant's voice alerted over the airport's intercom that her gate was to start boarding. April then stood with her, hugging her goodbye before Rathena turned to the man that finally walked up to them. His tall figure hovered over Rathena, slowing his pace as he forced an unsure smile, hiding his hurt and disappointment in her departure.