Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Return To Paradise ❯ The Greatest Love ( Chapter 43 )

The Greatest Love

Malik stood up as he saw the three men walking out of the Shadow Realm. Ryou had a bruise on his cheek and Bakura was holding his back in discomfort. Malik's eyes watched as the portal closed. “Where's Aten?”

Marik closed his eyes and shook his head slowly. “My son now rests for eternity where I may never see him again.”

Malik walked up to his yami slowly and tipped Marik's chin upward. He looked his yami in the eyes. “Marik, you did the right thing.”

“Malik is right, Yami Marik,” Isis said, standing. “What you have done is difficult for any parent to do. You have saved more than you think.”

Marik shook his head again. “No parent should do what I had to do. No parent should kill the child they create, raise, and cradle in their arms. What I have done…..is no better than a savage.”

Isis smiled. “You have saved Malik. You have saved the world, Marik. You have saved…your granddaughter.”

“Granddaughter?”

“Heaven Raine. You saved her life.”

Marik stepped towards Isis. Odion tensed waiting for the yami to swing his Millennium Rod and strike his hikari's sister. “But at what cost?” Marik asked, his voice cracking quietly.

Isis reached up and touched Marik's face lovingly. Tears were being held back by the blond yami. “There is no need for tears, Yami Marik.”

Bakura walked up to Marik and put his hand on Marik's shoulder. “Ryou and I need rest. I will speak to you later when our hikaris have gone to sleep.”

Marik turned his head to the side and nodded. “Very well.”

Marik watched Ryou and Bakura slowly climb the steps. Ryou looked pale, the color draining from his face.

Marik sighed and held Malik's hand. “Let's go upstairs, Malik.”

Malik nodded. “Sister, before I go, are you going to be returning to Egypt?”

“No, I will still be needed here for a while longer. When my duty is done here, then I will return home.”

“Let's go, Malik,” Marik said sadly.

“Goodnight, Sis!”

***************************

Bakura's POV

Ryou brushed his teeth and walked into the bedroom slowly. He closed the door behind him and removed his bathrobe. He's lost weight. I can tell Ryou is ill. I can feel it. He sits on his side of the bed and begins to comb his long, white hair. I watch him as I laid my head on the pillow.

After all these years, he still moves with the grace of an angel. Ryou saw me watching him and he smiled down at me. I can't resist returning the smile. I always want to remember him like that, smiling. I want him happy. I want to make him happy.

“Hello, sweetheart,” Ryou said softly.

“Hello, sexy. Care to join me?”

Ryou smiled at me and chuckled. “I'm brushing my hair.”

“You're incredibly sexy when you do that.”

Ryou laughed. “You haven't changed, Bakura.”

Ryou finished brushing his hair and placed the brush on the dresser. Ryou turned off the bedroom light and turned on the light by his endtable. He laid beside me on the bed, facing me. Ryou cuddled up against me and reached to caress my face.

As he touches my face, his cold hands send chills up my spine.

“Yami Bakura…..”

I smiled at his sweet, quiet demeanor. “You don't have to call me yami anymore, Ry.”

“You will always be my yami, my dark.”

Slowly, I reached up and touched his face. Funny. I've touched his face thousands of times before, countless times.

My Ryou is dying. I can feel every minute of it. Every skipped beat, every stab of pain. I know, Ryou. It will be over soon. How soon? I can't say. No matter what, we will not be apart for long.

“Don't look so sad, `Kura. There's nothing to be sad about.”

My shoulder gave a slight twitch beyond my control. “I'm not sad, Ry.”

Ryou chuckled. “You are a poor liar for a thief, my love.”

Damn it. Ryou and his damn perception.

“I'm thinking about you.”

“Are you sad because of my heart?”

“I don't want you to feel pain, Ry. I want you to be peaceful,” I said, caressing his cheek with my fingers gingerly. “I don't want you to know the pain of the death I suffered many millennia ago.”

Ryou smiled at me. “I'm always at peace with you near me, my Dark Angel.” Ryou snuggled close to me with a contented sigh. I pet his white hair and kissed the top of his head.

“You mean the world to me, Ry. Never forget that.”

“You are so special to me, Bakura,” Ryou sighed with a yawn.

Ryou's stood beside me even though I was a major asshole to him. I beat him, cut him, raped him, starved him, and yet he's laying beside me, cuddled up to me with a peaceful smile across his lips and falling asleep. What have I done to deserve him? Why am I so lucky to have him?

I know I'll never find anyone like Ryou again, even if I live another ten lifetimes. This Ryou will never exist again. I only want him with me in life. Since I know that is impossible, I will make it a reality.

Ryou began to relax in my arms. If I could bottle the peace in this moment, it would be priceless.

It wasn't long before Ryou had fallen asleep. The last thing I wanted was for me to wake up Ry with my shaking or twitching. Carefully and slowly, I slipped from my sleeping angel. I carefully left the bed and crept silently to the doorway. Being a thief has its advantages; I was an expert in moving silently.

I walked down the stairs and saw dim light coming from the couch. Marik was sitting on the couch, the coffee table in front of him supported five lit pillar candles. Ishtar was surrounded in darkness, the only light came from the white candles lit in front of him.

“Ishtar?”

“Itemri.”

I gradually walked to Ishtar, my partner's head lowered as he stared into the fine flickering flames of the candles.

“I knew I would lose my son, Itemri,” Marik said quietly. “But I never knew that I was the one who had to kill him.”

I reached down and put my hand on Marik's head. I let my hand slowly drift down his blond hair, petting him tenderly. “I'm sorry.”

There are no appropriate words to describe to Ishtar how I feel about this. Aten was as much my son as his own. Ishtar is devastated.

I reached for Marik's chin and I pointed his face upwards towards me. I cupped his cheeks in my hand and I leaned down. I gently pressed my lips to Ishtar, slipping my tongue between his lips. We both closed our eyes as we moaned into the kiss. His arms slithered around me like a snake, holding me close to him. A little tear touched my hand as I kissed him.

If the gods never let Marik into Paradise, I know I will miss him. Marik has always had a special place in my life, one that very few people could match. I would be willing to challenge the gods for Marik. Everyone deserves eternal rest and I know Marik and I have both endured enough to warrant eternal slumber.

Marik hesitantly broke the kiss with me and kissed my bare stomach. He kissed around my belly button and buried his face with a whimper. “How could I kill my own son?” Marik looked up at me as his cobra-like arms released me and rubbed my hip.

I caressed Marik's face. “Marik, Aten is in no more pain. Besides, with Robbie dead, you know Aten would be miserable. You are a good father.”

Marik lowered his head and sighed sadly. “I can only hope you are right about that.”

I put my arm around Marik and pulled him towards me. Marik shifted onto the couch and he kissed me as I leaned against the couch.

Ishtar's hands caressed down my side. I held Ishtar against me, my hands touching him, petting his lower back. Marik kissed down my jaw to the side of my neck. My head turned to give him more area to kiss. Marik rubbed my bare chest. His warm skin felt good against my chilling flesh. His hands were so warm they were almost hot to the touch.

Ishtar….don't stop.

Marik kissed my collarbone, eliciting a moan of pleasure. His hand slipped beneath the elastic of my boxers. I held Ishtar close as I whimpered with need.

Ishtar….really don't stop!

His hands cupped me lovingly as we returned to our kiss. I moaned into the kiss as-

A stabbing pain sliced my back from the base of my spine to my head.

My body tensed as I gripped onto Ishtar.

He pulled back from the kiss slightly as I gasped for air. I grabbed Marik and pulled him close to me. A stabbing pain flooded my chest. It felt like someone grabbed my beating heart and was squeezing it roughly.

Marik removed his hand from my boxers and held onto me tightly as I gasped for breath. Was this the pain of Ryou's death I was feeling?

“Itemri, hold on. I won't let go of you.”

Don't let go of me, Ishtar.

Can't breathe.

Gods, I can't breathe!

Marik kissed the side of my neck as he held me close to him. “Relax, Itemri.”

The pain in my chest, head, and back slowly began to diminish. I brought Marik close to me and touched my forehead to his. I just kept looking into those purple sparkling amethysts in front of me. My shaking began to diminish to slight tremors.

The pain of breathing began to subside as I leaned against the couch.

Marik leaned against the couch, petting me carefully. “I love you, Itemri. I've never wanted you more than ever to stay with me as I do now. You're so special to me, Bakura.”

I can feel pain coming from my partner. Every word, every touch screams sorrow.

Marik pulled me against him and held me. I rubbed Marik's bare chest as I laid against his shoulder, struggling to stay awake. When his hand drifted to my stomach and he began to rub it, my struggle was over and I couldn't keep my eyes open.

My head rested limp against Marik's shoulder. Before I drifted off into sleep, I remember Marik kissing my forehead.

“Itemri, I love you.”

*********************

Aria walked into the church wearing her long, black dress. Her batwings were decorated with black ribbons. Aria had dressed her daughter in a black, lacy dress. Umi stood beside her, holding Kai's hand with his good arm. Rhett held his brother's hand as he looked up at the tall Navy soldier.

“Thank you for coming,” Miranda said with a struggling smile as she stood near the door.

Aria hugged Miranda and Daniel. “I'm sorry, Miranda. I wish I could have been there to save Robbie's life.”

“This is what God wanted,” Daniel said with a sigh. “I don't know why he wanted Robbie back, but-.” The Navy officer stopped short as he looked down sadly.

“He saved my life, Mr. Morgan,” Umi said. “For that, I owe him much. But, most of all, I have to thank you, too.”

Miranda smiled slightly. “Why do you have to thank us? Robbie is the one who died.”

“If you had never taught Robbie to be brave, he never would have done what he did.”

Daniel took his wife's hand. “My Robert….has made me the proudest father in the world.”

“He's with Angel, Delilah, and Christa now. My baby is happy.”

Miranda handed Aria a card. The picture on the card was that of a male angel kneeling in the sunlight from an invisible source.

Robert Allen Morgan-Ishtar

Born: August 14, 2004.

Entered into Eternal Slumber: August 1st, 2023.

Nearer My God, To Thee

Aria lead Umi and her family inside the church. Miranda and Daniel watched them enter. Miranda watched Rhett walk beside his brother on unsteady feet and she sighed.

She heard footsteps coming from the door and she saw Seto and Joey walk hand-in-hand. Seto gave Miranda a weak smile and shook Daniel's hand. “I'm sorry for your loss, Mr. Morgan.”

“Thank you, sir. Here is the funeral card.”

Seto reached into his pocket and handed the envelope to Daniel. “Here is Robbie's last paycheck…along with a little extra to help you with funeral expenses and Heaven. Where is she, anyway?”

“Yugi has her inside.”

Joey hugged Miranda. “I really thought Robbie was a good kid.”

Miranda smiled and touched Joey's face tenderly. “Thank you.”

Seto extended his hand to Miranda. “KaibaCorp shares your loss. Robbie will be sorely missed by everyone. I don't think anyone could replace him.”

“Thank you, Seto. Please go inside and pay your last respects.”

Seto and Joey walked through as Miranda sighed.

“Daniel, I never thought we'd be doing this in our lifetime.”

“I know, kitten.”

Miranda shook her head. “I can't even go into his room.”

“It will take time, sweets.”

Marik and Bakura entered the church holding the hands of their husbands. Miranda reached out to Marik and held him close. She buried her face in his shoulders and sniffled. “Thank you so much for coming, Marik.”

Marik nuzzled her hair and pet her back. “Nothing could hold me back from coming here.”

“Miranda, we're so sorry,” Malik said.

Daniel took Aten's Scepter of Ra and handed it to Ryou. “You should have this back. It was your boy's.”

Ryou took the Scepter of Ra slowly and looked at the dullness of the stone. Its owner was dead, its power, gone. This Millennium Item had no souls to power it.

“Thank you, Daniel. I'm glad we could be here today to celebrate Robbie's life.”

“Thank you, Ryou. I appreciate you all coming today.”

Marik released Miranda slowly and stood in front of Daniel, holding his golden Millennium Rod. “I'm proud to have you as part of my family, Daniel.”

“Thank you, Marik. Now that our boys are both…dead, I want you to know you are welcome any time to see Heaven. She is, after all, your granddaughter, too.”

Ryou winced as he rubbed his chest behind Marik. He looked over at Bakura.

“Miranda, we have a message from your son we feel we must give to you.”

Daniel and Miranda looked at Bakura in surprise. “You, saw our son?” Daniel asked.

Bakura nodded. “In the Shadow Realm, we had to…eliminate Yami Aten. We turned him mortal.”

“Robbie appeared to us,” Marik continued as he took Miranda's hand. “He appeared to cross into the Underworld with Aten.”

Miranda opened her lips to speak, but nothing came out. A tear fell down her cheek. “What-what did he say?”

Marik kissed Miranda's hand gently. “He said, `Tell my mom and dad I love them.” Marik smiled weakly. “Aten and I are together now. Tell them not to cry.'”

Miranda lowered her head as her tears began to fall. She covered her mouth with her hand and shook her head. “My poor Robbie…”

Daniel put his arm around Miranda's shoulder. “That's my Robbie. Brave until the very end.”

Miranda sniffled and raised her head. “That sounds like my little boy.”

Miranda handed them cards and walked inside the church. In front of the altar stood a white open casket with gold trim, surrounded by lilies and roses. `Son' was draped around a wreath of red roses. A picture book stood to the side beside the register.

Miranda lead the two couples to Robbie's casket. Robbie's eyes were closed, his hands over his chest as if in prayer. Under one arm was tucked a wedding photo of Aten and him on their wedding day.

Miranda shook her head sadly at the picture of the smiling couple. “Both of those boys are now dead.”

In Robbie's hands was clutched a black and white rosary. A smile of contentment was frozen on the corpse's face. Bakura saw that Miranda had chosen to bury her son in his wedding attire. The tuxedo in the picture matched the one in the coffin.

“He looks peaceful,” Ryou said.

Malik nodded with a sniffle. “I'm going to miss him.”

“We all are, tenshi,” Marik said.

Bakura put his hand on Robbie's frozen hand. “May you find peace in the arms of Aten…and may you find everlasting rest.”

Ryou touched Robbie's cold face. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”

Ryou and Bakura walked over to the photo album by the register. Bakura opened it and saw a picture of Baby Robbie in the arms of Miranda. Below the picture was inscribed `Robert Allen-1 hour old.'

“Sweet Isis, he looks adorable,” Ryou said smiling.

Bakura turned the page and saw another picture of Baby Robbie sitting in the bathtub. The child's club foot hidden under a washcloth. “Robbie was always sensitive about his foot,” Bakura added. “I guess so even as a baby he knew what it was.”

`Robbie's First Birthday' was the next picture, chocolate cake covered the little boy's face, frosting in his curly, black hair.

`Robbie sleeping' was the next picture. Baby Robbie was sleeping on his blanket, cuddling a teddy bear and sucking on his thumb.

Ryou smiled. “He was such a little sweetheart.”

Ryou turned the page and saw `Robbie's First day of school' written below a little boy missing a tooth and smiling at the camera. He held his little school bag and was dressed in his camouflage shirt.

Bakura smiled at the next picture. `Best Friends.' Six-year-olds Robbie and Aten were playing in a sandbox. Aten had covered Robbie with sand and was smiling happily. The Egyptian boy had placed the bucket on Robbie's head.

“Sweethearts,” Ryou smiled. “Hard to imagine they're both dead.”

Bakura touched the next picture. Aten had his heart surgery and Robbie was sitting beside Aten on the bed. “I remember walking in on them that day. Robbie had fallen asleep beside Aten on the bed. I didn't have the heart to wake him up.”

“Robbie was always there for Aten in the hospital.”

“All of these pictures have Robbie and Aten,” Bakura said. “It's hard to find one with just Robbie himself.”

Ryou sniffled as he wiped his eye. “Those boys loved each other so much.”

“They are together in spirit now, Ry. That is the most important thing. They crossed over together into the Underworld. Robbie waited for Aten.”

Ryou turned the page and smiled. “'Our Wedding Day'. Bakura, look at how happy they are.”

Robbie and Aten were kissing at the altar on one side of the page. On the other side of the page, Robbie was sitting in front of Aten on the chair, the cane absent from the picture.”

Bakura closed the book slowly. “They are at peace together now, Ry. Just as you and I will be…very soon.”

Ryou looked up at Bakura. “We should tell Aria.”

“I cannot tell her here and now. I will speak to her alone.”

The priest stood in front of the congregation. “If you would all take your seats, we will begin the Memorial Service for Robbie.” The priest cleared his throat as the people took their seats. “It wasn't long ago that we were here remembering the life of Robbie's spouse, Aten Bakari Ishtar. Robbie and Aten shared a special kind of love and devotion; a devotion that we rarely see. I have never seen such love, such dedication from Robbie as when his spouse was in his final days. Today we are here to remember Robert Allen Morgan-Ishtar, a life too soon taken from this world by an act of violence, hatred, and cruelty. Because of Robert's sacrifice, two lives were spared, that of his daughter, Heaven Raine Ishtar and Umi Aquarius Tsunami. We may never understand why God had chosen to take two such young souls back under His wing. Let it be known: There is no greater love than to sacrifice one's life for one's friend. Robert has shown the greatest love of all for his friend and his daughter, Heaven.”

Umi held Aria's hand tightly and lowered his head. He wiped his eyes free of tears with his good hand. “Robbie…it should have been me laying in that casket. I'm so sorry.”

“Robbie was a kind soul. His voice was a welcome addition to our choir where he sang weekly.”

Miranda held Daniel's hand as she looked at the choir pews where Robbie would sit.

“Let us not dwell on the details of this boy's death, but rather celebrate the life he shared with his family and his husband, Aten Bakari Ishtar. Robbie gave so much of his life for others. He was active in this church since his union with Aten. He was a good friend to all of us, his counsel was fair and honest. He was willing to give everything he could to anyone in need. Now, in the hands of Almighty God, Aten and Robbie have eternally united. They suffer not the pain of the mortal flesh. Aten and Robbie are forever together in peace.”

Ryou held onto Bakura's hand as he began to wheeze. /Yami, I don't feel so good./

Bakura put his arm around Ryou. //Stay close to me, Ry.// Ryou put his head on Bakura's shoulder.

“And now, Ms. Williams will sing `Nearer My God, To Thee.'”

A woman stood up on the altar and began to sing. The priest stepped down the altar steps and began sprinkling Robbie's body with Holy Water. An altar boy, dressed in black, began burning incense around the body.

Miranda lowered her head and began to cry as she held Heaven on her lap. She handed the baby to Marik as she stood up. Ryou watched Miranda walk to the coffin and kneel in front of it, sobbing. “My son…”

Daniel walked up to her and put his arm around her and lowered his head. Marik turned and saw tears streaming down Daniel's face. “My boy.” Daniel covered his eyes as he began to cry.

Ryou walked to the couple and put his hands around Miranda consolingly.

Marik reached over and put his hand on Daniel's lap. The man uncovered his eyes and turned his head to look the Egyptian in the eye. The blond yami gave Daniel a nod. “Your son is happy. He loves you. He doesn't want you to cry.”

“Marik….is my son really alive?”

Marik gave the man a little smile. “No. But his spirit is eternal. That is more important. His body is in no more pain.”

“Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust. Today we lay Robert Allen Morgan-Ishtar to rest in the loving Arms of God.”

The priest stood to the side as Miranda and Daniel stood. Malik took Heaven from Miranda carefully. Miranda walked up to her son's coffin with her husband.

She leaned over Robbie and smiled at his lifeless face. She reached for his black, curly hair and gave it one last loving caress. “I love you, my angel. Pleasant dreams.” Miranda leaned down and gave her son one last kiss on his frozen forehead.

Daniel stood beside his son and looked down at him. Daniel saluted Robbie. “At ease, little soldier.” Daniel leaned down and kissed Robbie on the forehead. “I love you, Robert. I love you so much. Sleep well, my brave little soldier.”

Daniel and Miranda took the white blanket and covered Robbie's body. The coffin lid was slowly lowered, covering Robbie forever from view.

“Will the pall-bearers approach?”

Seto, Marik, and Umi approached the coffin. Daniel took a golden handle in his hand.

“Are you sure you want to do this, Daniel?” Seto asked.

Daniel nodded. “It's my last act of love for my son. I carried him in the beginning….and now I'll carry him to his Eternal Resting place.”

Seto, Marik, Umi, and Daniel carried the white coffin down the aisle. They carried it to the black hearse waiting outside. As the limousine followed the hearse, Daniel stared out the window quietly. Robbie didn't want him to cry. Daniel felt numb as he watched the city streets go by. His wife held his hand and yet, he felt nothing.

In front of him, Donny and Asher were sitting beside Seto and Joey. Miranda looked down at Heaven, who was staring at Kailani in Aria's arms. “Who's that, Heaven?”

The baby reached over to the newborn and Aria smiled. “Her name is Kailani.”

Aria smiled at Miranda. “Well, when Heaven comes over to visit, I'm sure they will get along well.”

Ryou rested his head against Bakura's shoulder. His eyes closed as weakness threatened to put him to sleep. Bakura struggled to keep his eyes open, but was quickly losing the battle when the hearse pulled into the cemetery.

Seto, Marik, Umi, and Daniel carried the white coffin to the Morgan family plot. Marik looked at the stone reading: Baby `2002', Christa Joy `2003-2004', Angel Christian `2013,' Robert Allen Morgan-Ishtar `2004-2023'.

Daniel brushed some soil that had covered some of Angel's date. “Hello, children. Your brother has come to join you.”

Ryou shook his head as he looked at the stone. Miranda and Daniel had four children-and they had lost every one before their 21st birthday. They had no child left, except for Heaven.

The priest stood beside Robbie's coffin. “Almighty God, we commend the body of your servant, Robert Allen Morgan-Ishtar to the ground.” Robbie's coffin slowly lowered into the open grave. “Ashes to Ashes, Dust to Dust.”

Ryou held onto Bakura's hand and watched as the coffin lowered into the grave. He sighed and looked up. His eyes widened as he saw Aten standing beside the priest. Aten looked sadly into the grave. Ryou nudged Bakura with his hand. Bakura looked over at Ry.

//What is it? I'm praying for the dead.//

/Look beside the priest!/

Bakura raised his head and saw nothing. //I see nothing.//

“Robbie's here!” Ryou gasped.

The crowd raised their heads and looked around. Miranda looked at Robbie, but Ryou noted she didn't see him.

Robbie looked down at the grave and up to Ryou and smiled. He took Aten's hand and kissed it with a smile. He looked back at Ryou with a smile of peace.

The priest continued his blessing.

Ryou saw three children playing by a nearby tree. The oldest child ran beside Aten and pointed to her chest with a smile. /That must be Christa! Miranda said she died of cardiomyopathy like Aten./

Miranda felt a breeze pass beside her and she looked to her right. Nobody was standing beside her.

Ryou saw Robbie put his arm around Aten with a peaceful smile. Aten wrapped his arm around Robbie and smiled at his mother.

“Aten?” Ryou asked quietly.

Robbie watched as his mother placed a shovel-full of dirt on his coffin. His father placed another pile of dirt on top of the coffin. Aten kissed Robbie's cheek and cuddled his husband against his chest.

/Are you seeing what I'm seeing, `Kura?/

//Ry, I see nothing.//

/Why can nobody else see them?/

Bakura held Ryou against him. //When I was dying…I saw the dead people I loved. Marik…Marik came and took me when I died. I remember hovering over my body.//

The little girl at Aten's feet smiled up at Ryou. Her black hair was wavy, her little white dress was trimmed in lace with pink ribbons. Robbie reached down and picked his little sister into his arms.

Silently, Robbie turned and walked towards the tree where the two other little children played. Aten smiled at his mother and turned.

“Aten!” Ryou called, walking towards a tree.

Marik looked up and saw Ryou looking around. “Is something wrong with Ryou?”

“I think this is a lot for him,” Bakura said quickly. “I'll get him.”

Miranda sighed as she looked at Robbie's name on the headstone. “Sleep tight, my angels.”

Joey, Seto, and Bakura ran for Ryou who had run beside the tree. Ryou looked around frantically.

“Where'd they go?”

“Where did who go?” Seto asked.

“Aten! Robbie! They were right here!”

Seto and Joey exchanged confused glances. Seto put his hands on the hikari's shoulders. “Ryou, Robbie and Aten are dead. You saw it yourself.”

“Seto, they were here,” Ryou insisted with tears running down his face. “I saw my little boy!”

Bakura put his hand on Ryou's back. “Ry, I think you need to go home.”

“Yami, I saw Aten…”

Bakura watched Ryou's eyes roll into the back of his head as he started to fall. Bakura and Seto caught Ryou before he could fall on the grass. Bakura put his fingers to Ryou's neck and sighed in relief. “He just fainted. I think this was too much.”

“I'll help you carry him to the limo.”

“We should go with you,” Malik said.

Bakura shook his head. “No, the Morgans need you now. Stay with them.”

Marik reached out and touched Ryou's face gently. “Poor Light.”

Miranda kneeled beside the grave of her children and looked into the deep hole where Robbie was buried. “Farewell, my brave little soldier.” Miranda threw a rose on top of the coffin. She stood up and took Daniel's hand. “I think it's time we left, Daniel.”

Daniel nodded. “I agree.” Daniel tossed a rose on Robbie's coffin. “I will never forget you, my special Robbie.”

Miranda saw Seto and Bakura carrying Ryou to the limousine. “Bakura, is he okay?”

Bakura nodded. “Yes, he just needs to rest.”

“He can come over later to my house if he feels up to it. We're having the reception at my house.”

Seto nodded. “I'll help Bakura with Ry and I'll be over when we have him situated.”

“I want to go, too,” Aria said. “Umi, you can go to Miranda's with the kids.”

Seto helped Ryou into his limousine. Bakura helped Ryou inside. Seto and Joey stepped into the car as Asher shut the door behind them. Seto and Joey looked at Bakura, sweat pouring down his face, an expression of exhaustion and pain on his face. Joey took Seto's hand and looked at Ryou.

“Ryou doesn't look very well.”

Aria looked at her father with concern. `Last time I saw him this sick was when he had the….oh no.'

“Father, are you sick?” Aria asked.

Bakura took a deep breath and opened an eye. “I'm feeling your mother through the mindlink, Aria. Your mother has been feeling ill.”

Aria looked at her mother and lowered her head out of Bakura's sight. “Mommy.”

“What about him?” Seto asked looking at Ryou.

“I don't know. It took years for Aten to die from this and I know Ryou's been suffering longer. Ever since his father tried to poison him, Ryou's been suffering.”

“It should have been me and not my brother,” Aria cried. “He didn't deserve to suffer his entire life.”

Bakura leaned over and tilted Aria's face up gently. “You're right, Aria. But he still brought his Light into all of our lives, even if it was for a brief while.”

Aria nodded. “I love my brother and I will miss him. A piece of me died with him. I feel…incomplete without him by my side.”

“Aten was brave,” Joey said. “I would have died if it weren't for his liver.”

Aria smiled. “My brother was my Light. He always will be.”

************************

Daniel looked at the envelope in his hands. Miranda cradled Heaven against her chest with a sigh. Would Heaven survive? Part of her knew she couldn't care for a child with Heaven's handicap. Robbie had a twisted foot; this little girl had very little if no remnants of a leg at all. She could care for a child with a heart problem since Aten and Christa were both born with the same condition. Heaven was a baby who had been given drugs in the womb. She was born addicted to many different illicit drugs.

How could she care for a child like Heaven?

How could she give her up?

Heaven looked up at Miranda with large eyes.

This little girl was all that remained of her son. Robbie was so insistent on keeping her. Had Robbie given the little girl to an orphanage, would he still have been murdered? Would he still be alive if it weren't for the baby in her arms?

Robbie told her that he wanted to give this baby a better life than in some orphanage. Nobody, he felt, would adopt her with her conditions. He was willing to sacrifice to bring this little baby girl under his wing…

And he died for his dedication.

“What's that, Dan?” Malik asked.

“This is Robbie's last paycheck.”

“Go ahead and open it,” Marik said. “It could help you with the funeral cost. Besides, those things expire and Robbie did earn the money.”

“Maybe we can donate it to a charity in Robbie's name,” Miranda said.

Daniel shrugged as he looked at the name on the envelope: Robert Allen Morgan-Ishtar. He slowly opened the envelope and removed the check. Daniel's eyes widened as he stared at the check.

“This can't be right.”

“What is it?”

Daniel looked behind the check. “There's two checks here. One is Robbie's regular check. The other…is made for….two hundred thousand dollars.”

Miranda gasped. “For what?!”

Marik looked at a note that fell when Daniel separated the two checks. He opened the note:

Primary Policy Holder: Robert Allen Morgan-Ishtar

Secondary Policy Holder: Aten Bakari Ishtar

This policy for two hundred thousand dollars shall be held in trust of Seto Roka Kaiba for Heaven Raine Ishtar. In the event of the death of the Primary Policy Holder, Robert Allen Morgan-Ishtar, the Secondary Policy Holder, Aten Bakari Ishtar shall oversee this policy. In the event of the death of the Primary Policy Holder and the Secondary Policy Holder, Seto Roka Kaiba shall transfer this policy to Daniel Allan Morgan. This money shall be held in trust for reconstructive surgery for Heaven Raine Ishtar.

Marik looked at the sticky-note applied to the note. “Robbie and Aten put money in this account to pay for a prosthetic leg for Heaven. You should have it.”

Miranda and Daniel exchanged glances. “Robbie and Aten did this?”

Marik nodded. “It looks like it.”

Miranda caressed Heaven's cheek tenderly. “Your fathers loved you so much. You are one lucky little girl.”

********************

Marik climbed the stairs and cautiously opened Robbie's bedroom door, the same bedroom he'd had since he had known the Morgan family. Robbie's cane was leaning against his bed. The bed had been meticulously made, the pictures on Robbie's dresser remained in their ordinary places.

A cedar box was sitting on the dresser as Marik approached it. He opened the box up slowly and he saw an object wrapped in an Egyptian cloth. He picked up the cloth and opened the cloth to reveal Robbie's dueling deck.

Machine King laid on top of his deck…Decayed Commander…Oni-Tank T-34, Gladius, Robotic Knight…Reinforcement of the Army…Limiter Removal…all of Robbie's military cards and machines remained still.

“You can have them if you want,” Marik heard a deep voice say beside him.

Daniel stood at the door. “We can also keep them for Heaven if she wants to use them. Do you want Aten's deck, too?”

Marik placed Robbie's deck in the box. “If you would rather have me watch over Robbie's deck, I would be honored. I can take my son's deck, too.”

Daniel walked to the dresser and removed a black box with a gold latch. “Aten kept his in here. You can have it if you wish.”

Marik took the box in his hands. “Thank you, Daniel.”

Daniel nodded as he looked at the dresser. “We're going to donate Robbie's clothes, but I don't think Miranda and I are willing to part with anything just yet.”

“It's very difficult, but in time you will heal.”

“I hope you're right, Marik.”

Marik sighed. “You will go on, despite Robbie's death. You have Heaven now and she is always welcome in our home.”

Daniel nodded. “I think it would be good for you. And, you know you are always welcome here, Marik. I know we haven't had much time together, but you are a very….interesting brother in law.”

Marik chuckled. “Somehow, I don't think you wanted to use the word `interesting.'”

“You are a good man, Marik. You loved your son and I know you cared deeply for my Robert. If you see anything you want to take that belonged to Aten, feel free. I know you haven't had much opportunity to come over here and go through Aten's things. I have to get back downstairs to my guests. I'll see you downstairs, Marik.”

Marik watched Daniel leave. He opened up a dresser drawer and found Aten's silver ankh sitting in a little box. Marik's fingers touched it lightly. “Aten…”

“It's hard, isn't it?” Miranda asked from the doorway.

“Yes….it is.”

Miranda stepped beside Marik. “I don't have the heart to go through any of Robbie's things yet. It just doesn't seem real.”

Marik stepped towards Miranda and caressed her cheek. “One day at a time, kitten.”

******************

Ryou opened his eyes slowly to see Aria and Seto sitting beside him. He squinted his eyes to focus on his daughter. He reached for Aria's hand and found he was already holding it. Seto was petting his hair tenderly.

“What…where am I? I thought I was at the cemetery.”

“You fainted,” Bakura said, sitting at Ryou's feet. “Seto and I brought you home.”

Ryou moaned as he held his head. “I'm terribly sorry.”

“He has a headache,” Bakura said.

“Mom, just relax. You're going to be alright,” Aria said with a smile.

Ryou looked up at Aria and returned the smile. “My baby girl…My special daughter.”

Aria kissed her mother's hand. “I love you, mother.”

“Aria, I couldn't have been luckier than to have you in my life.”

“I'm sorry I was a difficult child, mother.” Aria looked down. “All those times I got mad at you, I'm sorry.”

Ryou chuckled. “You are your father's daughter. I've seen so much of him in you as you grew up. Not once did I blame you or him. You make me happy, sweetheart, and I am very proud of you.”

“Really?”

Ryou nodded. “Yes, my dear. Really.”

“Do you need anything, Ryou? I'll get you anything you need, my angel,” Seto said.

Ryou looked over at Seto. “A hug would be nice.”

Seto leaned over and hugged Ryou tightly. “I love you, Ryou. I always will.”

Ryou nuzzled Seto's cheek with a contented sigh. “I will, too, Seto.”

Bakura settled into the bed beside Ryou. “We'll go to the Morgans when you feel ready. A little nap could do us both good.”

Ryou smiled and cuddled against Bakura. “I think you're right.”

Bakura kissed the top of Ryou's head as the couple drifted into sleep together.