Their Story part 2

Lelouch stood in front of the door where C.C was confined . No matter how many times he told himself , he could not bring himself to see her.

“Lelouch?” a familiar voice called him

Lelouch turned around and saw Euphy .

“Euphy..”

“ why don’t you see her?” Marianne asked

“ I ..” Lelouch was lost for words

“ I know its hard for you but its two times harder for her.”

“ I know ..”

“ She needs you”

“ and I’ll be there for her”

Euphy gave him a smile. Lelouch slowly grabbed the knob and turned it. He stepped in, scanning the room. His eyes instantly landed in C.C’s body on the bed and the oxygen mask on her face. She looked so weak, pale and un-C.C-like. He sat down next to her, carefully not to wake her up. She sensed his presence.

“ Lelouch…” she said in barely audible voice.

Lelouch leaned closer and took her hand into his and started to rub it unconsciously to make it warm. She opened her eyes .

“Lelouch..” she said again, tears forming in her eyes.

“shh…don’t worry.. everything is going to all right” said Lelouch as he caresses her face.

C.C broke down into tears. Lelouch embrace her to assure her that he will always be there by her side. At that moment , Lelouch decided that he’ll do anything to save her. He promised himself that he will find a way through this . This wasn’t just about her , it was about him as well. He doesn’t want to lose her.

_______________________________________________________________

Lelouch was in his room , scanning all the reports on C.C's condition. The X-ray which indicates the position of the tumor was pasted on the wall . Papers were scattered on the table and Lelouch had to put on his glasses to read all the reports . A knock was heard from the door but

Lelouch was too immerse on what he was doing to even notice it .

"Lelouch?"

He looked up and saw Marianne .

" oh..it's you, mom" Lelouch grunted

" you know , you haven't come home since C.C was admitted here and they are worried" Marianne stated

This was her hospital , therefore of course she knew .

" I know" said Lelouch while slowing down his pace.

He knew that deep down , he had made his family worried for him. He didn't mean to do it but at the same time he didn't want to left C.C

alone.

" Lelouch , you need to take a rest and go home" Marianne stated

Lelouch bit his lower lips.

" Lelouch .."

" how can I take a rest when she's practically on her death bed ?!" Lelouch bursted

" Lelouch..."

Marianne could see the tears forming in her son's violet eyes. One could tell that he loves her.

" She's .. she's in the third stage mother.. third ..and you know that we need to act quick.." Lelouch shuttered

" Tell me son, what can you do in this kind of state?" Marianne gave him a glare

" Can you hold a scalpel while being exhausted? Can you save a person when you can't get a grip on your emotions?" Marianne added.

Lelouch was lost for words. He knew the answer well. What his mother said was right. Lelouch just stared at the floor like a little child who had lost his favorite toy.

"Lelouch ... I know you love her but I'm sure she won't be happy seeing you like this. Go home and rest okay? I'll help you while you are

away." Marianne patted her son's head.

" Thank you, mother. "

" Anything for my son and my future daughter in law." Marianne winked

Lelouch couldn't help it but chuckled at the comment. Indeed his mother knows how to lighten up his mood.

With a heavy heart he went home. On the way home, he came across a shrine. Lelouch decided to pay a visit. Lelouch put a few coins inside the altar as offerings and started to clasp his hand together as to begin his prayers.

Please...be safe C.C.I don't want to lose you .

___________________________________________________

Lelouch went into his room and lie down on his bed not bothering to change his attire. Indeed he was tired. How many days has it been since the last time he went to sleep like this? He wondered. His hand reach out something from his pocket. It was the keychain he gave to her during the festival. She dropped it while fighting off her pain. Lelouch hold on to the keychain dearly. Not long after that , he felt heavy on his eyelid and dozed off into the dreamland.

In that dream he was sitting on a bench .

The bench where he first meet her.

she was sitting next to him, smiling.

Their hands were locking with each other.

It was snowing. The same situation as the first time he met her.

From far he could see a little boy playing with the snow.

Strangely, the boy looks a lot like him. He had the same raven hair as his.

A pair of golden eyes which resembles C.C.

Smiling happily as he waves towards them.

A picture of a happy family.

Lelouch woke up from his sleep. He looked at his clock and notice that it's was 3 in the morning. The sky was still dark. Not even the birds has awaken yet. A smile formed on Lelouch face as he remembered his dream. He hoped for the best and prayed that tomorrow will be better than today .

____________________________________________

C.C was sitting on the bed while staring outside through the window . How she wished she could go outside. A knock was heard from the door before a lady , with long raven hair with a pair of light blue sky eyes .A stethoscope was hanging over her shoulder. For some reason she resembles Lelouch . ( actually Lelouch resembles her. She is his mother after all)

" Good morning, C.C-san. How are you feeling?" she asked

" I don't know." C.C honestly reply

" I can understand that. I'm Dr. Marianne. You can call me Marianne" Marianne smiled

C.C just nodded. Marianne has never seen C.C before. She only knew her by her name when she entered the hospital. Therefore this is the

first time for her to meet her in person. Indeed C.C was a beautiful person even Marianne could not deny that.

"no wonder he falls for you..." Marianne said in a low voice with a smile on her face

"?"

" Let's go for your chemotherapy."

" chemotherapy?"

" yes . It's essential to make sure that the tumor doesn't grow any larger" Marianne explained.

" can it be cured ?" C.C look at her with hope in her eyes

Marianne just remained silence. She didn't know how to explain it to her. she didn't dare to break the hope that was clearly seen from her eyes.

" I see." C.C look down towards the floor.

" It cannot be cured by chemotherapy alone. You need to go for a surgery which is very risky and you also need to undergo a liver transplant. If you have any family members that are willing to donate " Marianne wasn't able to finish her line

" I don't have any family" said C.C , still looking down

" I'm sorry."

" It's not your fault."

Marianne felt guilty. She needs to think of something to light up her mood. She keep thinking but nothing came across her mind . Funny, she was a genius , gave birth to a genius son yet she can't even think of a solution. She was thinking so hard that her face makes funny expression. ( doesn't this reminds you of a certain someone?) C.C notice this and starts to giggled. Marianne looked at her with surprise.

" I'm sorry. you reminds me of someone." said C.C while still couldn't help suppressing her giggle.

" oh. and who might that be?" Marianne got a very clear idea who it was .

" someone who really cared about me " C.C smiled.

Marianne thought that if Lelouch was here he would turned into a bright tomato. She could imagine it already . She couldn't help but smile too.

" all right. let's get you ready for chemotherapy." said Marianne

________________________________

It was lunch time and Lelouch was eating at home. Somehow he didn't feel like eating. Not that he don't like the food that was cooked at home. He just couldn't stop thinking about her.

"Lelouch, you're not eating." Suzaku stated

" oh ..sorry" Lelouch quickly grab his chopsticks but as soon he had his first bite of the food , he was lost in his own world again.

"oni-sama..." said both Rollo and Nunnally.

" Lelouch , why don't you pay her a visit?" Suzaku suggested

" but mother told me to rest" said Lelouch

" rest from work Lelouch . That doesn't mean you can't go and see her." said Suzaku

Lelouch mind was processing what Suzaku had just said.

" Thank you, Suzaku" said Lelouch with a smile.

Not long after Lelouch left the house and went to the hospital. He stepped into the room where C.C was supposed to be confined but to find that she was nowhere to be seen in the room . Lelouch was panic . Indeed he was until he heard her voice.

" Lelouch?"

Lelouch turned around to see C.C in a wheelchair with his mother behind her.

" C.C ! where have you been ? I have been worried sick!"

" well Marianne took me for chemotherapy..."

Chemotherapy ... Lelouch scolded himself for being stupid. It's normal for cancer patients to undergo chemotherapy. He should have uses his senses .

" Lelouch are you listening?"

" sorry my bad. I must have been in state of panic." Lelouch face palm himself.

"Well I guess I leave the two of you alone now." said Marianne

" thank you, mother" said Lelouch

Marianne smiled at her son before walking away .

" no wonder she sounded so familiar" C.C stated

" She is my mother"

Lelouch decided to help C.C got up. C.C wanted to refuse since she didn't want to trouble him but she was too weak due to the side effect of the chemotherapy. Lelouch helped her to get on her bed again.

"Lelouch?" C.C called out to him

"Hm?"

" How long do you think forever is?” she asked innocently

Lelouch didn't reply instead he just hold her hands tightly. When she figured he wasn't going to reply, she slowly turned her head towards

the window and look towards the blue sky.

" For me , I think forever is ...growing old ...." she laughed a little trying to lighten the mood.

" I can't even be old ..." she said after a moment.

"Don't say that" Lelouch manage to choked out.

"Lelouch, I was kidding" she said turning to smile at him

Lelouch grip on her tightened.

“You’ll be all right. You have too" Lelouch said.

C.C let out a small laugh. Lelouch could bear it no more and let out a slight grin to please her. His thought played,

"How did she still manage to smile when she knows she has cancer?"

"Lelouch, can I ask you something?" C.C looked at him'

" sure"

" why do you care about me so much?"

Lelouch was taken aback .He didn't expect her to ask him this.

“I’ve told you before hadn't I? It's because you're important to me." said Lelouch but this time he didn't look away like last time. He look at her straight in the eyes.

“Why am I so important to you? I don't understand that."

How Lelouch wish that he could told her that with just seeing her smile , it's enough to brighten up his day. Just by talking to her makes his

heart beats like crazy . How he wish he had the courage to tell her that he love her.

C.C patiently waits for his answer. She wanted to know the reason. She was curios like anyone would be.

Lelouch wanted to open his mouth when suddenly a nurse came in to initiate it's time for C.C's medical pills.

_______________________________________________________

Lelouch couldn’t stand this anymore. He couldn’t stand watching C.C in this state. Her condition seems to become worse. The chemotherapy doesn’t seem to help at all. She started to lose her appetite and loss weight. On one occasion , Lelouch caught her coughing blood in the bathroom when she was trying to hide it from him. She’s becoming weak day by day. Lelouch fear for the worst.

“Lelouch, you are not a beginner in this field” said Marianne.

“but mother ….”

Marianne sighed. She can’t believe her son was not thinking straight. Oh well, she can’t blame him. He was in love.

“Lelouch, you know how the procedures go. She’s in the waiting list.”

“but who knows how long will it take !”

“unless there’s someone who volunteer to donate his/her liver for her but even there is someone , their blood type must be compatible with

her or else this might end up a failure. That’s why a family relatives is very suitable for this kind of operation ” Marianne explained.

“ I know that ..” Lelouch shuttered

“ the problem now, she does not have any family nor any relatives.”

Lelouch hand was forming into a fist. He had decided something.

“ Then let me become the donor.”

“Lelouch..”

“Please mother… I can’t let her suffer in front of me when there’s something I can do for her. I care too much about her. I care about her. I …I love her” Lelouch admitted

Marianne was speechless for a second. Lelouch’s face was serious. At that moment Marianne knew that nothing could change his son decision.

___________________________________________

Lelouch was sitting in his office. He was trying to calm himself down. His mother had just gave him a the details . The chances of C.C surviving this surgery was 50-50 . Now that’s not a good number is it ? but Lelouch know that he must be strong . If he doesn’t then how can he assure her that everything will be all right? He had too.

Finally, the day of the operation arrive.

“ Lelouch, I’m nervous” C.C said honestly .

“You’ll be all right. Trust me.” Lelouch stated

“ what if …”

C.C wasn’t able to finished her sentence when Lelouch put his finger on her lips.

“ You’ll be okay… you have too because once this is all over I have something to tell you and it is very important.”

“ Lelouch…”

“ give me your hand”

C.C did what Lelouch instructed her to do. Lelouch took her hand and handed her something . It was the keychain he gave it to her during the summer festival.

“ I thought I’ve lost it.” C.C stated

“no you didn’t” Lelouch smiled

C.C look at Lelouch and their eyes interlocking with each other. Lelouch decided to lean in to claim her lips. The kiss was tender and short.

“ You’ll be all right” said Lelouch

“ thank you …”

A knock was heard from the door . A nurse came in to tell them that the surgery will start soon .

___________________________________________________

In the operation room , Marianne was trying her best trying to make this surgery a success. She had done hundreds of operation before but this time it was different. Her son was placing his hopes onto her . It’s a different feeling than having other people who doesn’t have any blood relation trusting you. No. This is different . That’s why she’ll try her best to do this .

Both Suzaku and Euphy are waiting outside.

“ Do you think both of them will be all right?” asked Euphy definitely worried.

“ Let’s just hope for the best” said Suzaku.

Finally after hours of waiting Marianne came out from the room to reveal the news.

_________________________________________________

Lelouch opened his eyes slowly. He look around and realized that he was in one of the hospital room.

“ you finally awake!” exclaimed Marianne

“ Mother …” said Lelouch while trying to get himself up.

“ Don’t push yourself Lelouch. Its better for you take a rest.” Marianne stated.

“ How’s C.C?” Lelouch asked.

“….” Marianne remained silent

“ Don’t tell me …” Lelouch was afraid .

“ Don’t worry Lelouch she’s still breathing ..for now.” Said Marianne

“ what do you mean for now?” Lelouch asked curiously

“ well Lelouch …why don’t you take a rest first?” Marianne suggested

“ but…”

“ I promise you once you have taken enough rest, I’ll tell you everything but for now please .. just rest .” Marianne pleaded

Lelouch was tired. He couldn’t argue anymore. Indeed he needs some rest.

“sigh …all right.”

_____________________________________________________

It has been 2 days since the surgery. Marianne knew that Lelouch was ought to find out . She couldn’t hide it forever.

“ Mother, you haven’t told me how’s C.C been doing.” Said Lelouch in rather impatient voice.

“Lelouch, listen , whatever I’m going to say after this I want you to remain calm understood? I don’t want the wound from the transplant to be cut open again.”

Lelouch just nodded .

“ nothing wrong with the transplant nor the surgery.”

“ Isn’t that a good news?” Lelouch raised an eyebrow

“ Indeed it is but … the problem now its her body. Her body was too weak to handle the surgery maybe it was because of the chemotherapy and because of that she was brought into coma”

Lelouch was lost for words. He didn’t know what to say.

“ and if she don’t wake up in the next 24 hours…”

Lelouch knew very well what was the word his mother going to say. He knew it well.

“ she’ will die.”

_______________________________________________________________

Lelouch entered the room where C.C was confined. As he stepped into the room, he could see C.C’s body on the bed full of wires and the oxygen mask on her face. He could hear the beep of the heart rate machine as he stepped closer to her. Her eyes was closed shut. Lelouch sat down next to her.

Lelouch lean closer, swallowing the lump in his throat. He took her hand into his and started to rub it unconsciously to make it warm. How he wished that she would just open her eyes and smile at him like the way she used to.

“ C.C ..please wake up.. please..”

Lelouch eyes was filled with emotion. His heart felt like it was being tear apart

“ Lelouch, why do you care about me so much?”

Her voice echoed in his mind.

“ I care about you too much. You’re are important to me. I wished that you knew how much you mean to me.” Lelouch smile sadly

“ How long do you think forever is ?”

“ I haven’t told you my answer have I?” said Lelouch

“ I think forever is being with someone you love, that can brightened your day with just one smile”

Whatever resolve he was trying to hold in before, everything just came spilling out.

“ For me …forever is being with you ..that’s why you have to wake up. You have too…”

“ Why am I so important to you? I don’t understand”

Lelouch look at C.C , tears was falling freely from his eyes.

“I want to be with you. You are important to me..I don’t want to lose you…. So please open your eyes.. wake up C.C .. I.. I love you”

He took her hand into his face as he started to sob softly.

“ Le….louch..” a very fainth voice could be heard. It was hardly auditable but Lelouch heard it. Lelouch look up towards C.C and he could see

that her eyes was open even though it was only half.

“ Lelouch…”she called out weakly as tears formed in her eyes

“ I’m here..” said Lelouch as he hold her hand tightly. His tears was still rolling down his face but this time it was tears of happiness. He couldn’t be more grateful for this.

“ I …love you ..” she gave him a weak smile.

_________________________________________

Epilogue

Today , friends and family all gathered at the Lamperouge house resident to celebrate the day all of them has been waiting for a long day .

Marianne was sitting on one of the chair . She was just having a rest for a while . She could see that other people were enjoying themselves in this reception .

" tired, aunt Marianne?"

Marianne turned around to see Euphy who was carrying a little baby boy who had the same facial features as Suzaku but inherited his mother's eyes.

" not really. I was just having a break. That's all and aren't you a cute little angle? " said Marianne as she plays with the little boy's hair resulting a giggle from him.

Suddenly the music starts and some of the guest starts to dance but of course , being the groom and the bride , both Lelouch and C.C took the center of the attention as they dance gracefully. Ah yes..they are a match in heaven.

"Isn't this a happy ending?" said Nunnally dreamily

" I'm guessing that I'm going to be a grandmother soon." said Marianne while grinning

" mom, you sounded desperate" said Rollo which earns him a glare from Marianne.

Both Lelouch and C.C were happily holding each other. This was not the end . No ... this was just the beginning of their new story towards the future .

Fin.