Not One, But Three | ✔

Chapter Seventy-Four

Chapter Seventy-Four - Hate But Love

KARA

White marigold.

They've always had been her favorite.

I held a bouquet of them in my hand as I stepped forward to place them on her grave. Her tombstone was placed next to Daniel's and I hung a necklace on the stone.

It was our BFF necklace that had 'JessK' engraved on it. Her locket necklace was worn around her neck before she was buried. I opened my own locket and stared at the left side.

Young Jess and I hanging out as best friends smiles so wide it looked painful. 'JessK' was engraved on the outside, opposite 'K+D'.

Even after everything, I couldn't forget about her. She's my best friend for so long, I couldn't just throw all that away. So I decided to keep it.

I placed the bouquet next to the other flowers from her parents and got up. I held Connor's arm for stability and looked at the tombstone as I leaned on him.

"Do you think she'll forgive me?" I asked and he looked at me, "I'm sure she already had the moment she stepped into heaven."

My gaze never left the stone as I continued, "You think so?"

"I know so, mio amore."

I nodded and he pecked my forehead. I looked at Daniel's tombstone and smiled, "At least she'll have people she knows up there."

I looked at the stones before gently patting his arm, "Ready to go?"

"If you are."

I nodded and held onto his arm as we slowly walked back to the car, my prosthetic leg clicking against the concrete path. While walking, Connor lifted my eyepatch and kissed just above the empty socket. He then pecked the tip of my misshaped ear.

"With all of this," I gestured to the missing parts of me, "Do you still love me like before?"

I just needed to know. My heart won't put it down until I hear it.

He nodded and smiled at me, "These," he pointed to the wounds and also the scars I received from the fight, "Are all your battle scars. It shows everyone that you walked into hell, had tea with Satan and walked out like a boss. They make you different. You could be missing your lower body and that wouldn't make me love you less."

I smiled at his comment and kissed his cheek, "Thank you."

"For what?"

"For being here."

He smiled and gently swept my shoulder-length blonde hair behind, "You're very welcome." He leaned down and pecked my lips lightly, "Ti amo."

I smiled and gave him one more peck, "Ti amo anch'io."

***

After placing the last few dishes in the dishwasher, Connor held my hand and led me up to our room. While walking, the back of my head kept being poked.

Maybe you should answer her.

'Maybe.'

Connor opened the door and motioned for me to go in but I just smiled apologetically at him, "I've got some work to do, how about you sleep first? I'll be a few minutes."

He closed the door, "I'll go with you." I shook my head, "Just give me five to ten minutes. I'll be in soon. Get some sleep, you're tired from training."

He furrowed his eyebrows and I kissed his cheek to reassure him, "I'll be fine, darling. You don't have to watch over me 24/7."

His lips pursed into a thin line, as he does when he's conflicted. Slowly, the line turned into a smile and he pecked my forehead, "If you need anything, link me, alright?"

"I will."

I kissed his cheek and walked to my office, holding onto the wall to keep me steady. I went into the room and closed the door behind me. I was about to go to my desk when something pushed me out of my physical body.

That's when I was attacked by a pair of arms.

"I missed you so much!"

I returned the hug instantly, "I missed you too."

We let go but continued to hold on to each other. Jessica looked angelic with her white dress and low heels.

"How are you here?" I asked and she giggled, "I found out that even after death, I could use my powers. So I got us into the astral dimension where we could easily meet you."

"That's so cool, but 'we'?"

She moved to the side to give me a clear view of-

"Daniel!"

He opened his arms and I ran to him. Once I got close, he wrapped his arms around my petite frame and lifted me up.

"Oh, Kara," I heard him say into my hair. His voice was so much deeper compared to the last time I heard him when he was eight. He gently set me down and I looked up at him to analyze his features.

His blonde hair had darkened into a dirty blonde and his eyes were dark blue, a contrast to my light ones. He was almost a head taller than me and he actually looked 21.

"You're...actually here. You're all here," I looked at my mother and Jessica's father beside. Jess came and explained, "When I got to heaven, I met with dad first, then Mrs. Manfred, only did I meet Daniel."

Mom rolled her eyes, "I told you, just call me Linda."

She smiled apologetically, "Sorry, Linda. Forgot."

"How're you getting used to things, Kara?" Francis asked and I smiled, "It was hard at first, but I got used to walking slower and not being able to run."

"But you get to fly," Dan commented, playfully glaring at me and I laughed, "Yes, I get to fly. But I can't even run normally as a wolf anymore. I don't have a hind leg."

"You still can use your powers during wolf form, right?" Jess asked, concerned. I nodded, "Yeah. I just need to focus more."

"You didn't see how jealous I was when I saw that you had powers," Dan said, pouting like a little kid he was last time. Mom smacked his arm lightly, "You won't be able to handle the responsibility that comes with it."

His mouth slowly turned into a smile, "I agree. Lil' sis is perfect for the title. If I was still alive, I would willingly give you the title, you know?" he said, ruffling my hair.

"I know. 'Cause you'd want freedom," I said and he kissed my forehead, "You know me too well. How's Charles anyway?"

I smiled at the thought of Uncle Charles, "He's planning on retiring on his 60th birthday. We decided that Xandar will get the Council Leader throne. He is the vice, after all."

"I think the decision will change by then," mom said with a smirk plastered on her face. I squinted at her, "Mom, what did you see?"

"Nothing," she raised her hands up in surrender, "Just a little brown-haired boy in a blonde-haired woman's arms as she adjusts her eyepatch before her coronation."

I furrowed my eyebrows, "Mom, the future is subjective. Things will change."

"I'm just saying," she patted my shoulder, "Get married to Connor soon. You'll love the outcome."

Dan raised an eyebrow, "Spoiler alert, mother."

She shrugged her shoulders, "Like your sister said, the future is subjective."

I rolled my eye and Jess added, "But the Moon Goddess is never wrong."

Insert another eye roll.

"Oh, how I hate you."

"Aw, love you too."

Ti amo - I love you
Ti amo anch'io - I love you too

That's it. That's the end. An epilogue will be up later in the day so keep watch. Thank you for choosing to read NOBT. Please leave a vote and comment! It means a lot to me.

See you!

-Phantom