The Meaning of Life Epilogue
"Family, friends, classmates and professors... this is the first day of a new beginning for all of us. On this, our graduation day, we look forward to what the future holds for us," Shannon opened as her valedictorian speech. Through holes in her blue graduation cap, her tall brown ears peeked as her long tail snaked out of her long robe to sway slowly behind.
In the audience, Heero and Duo smiled proudly as they watched their oldest daughter standing there at the podium on stage before her peers and a large audience of onlookers. Seventeen years had passed since the delivery of their children. And now here they were... all grown up and ready to move on into another stage of their lives.
Parenthood certainly had its challenges along the way, but neither of them would have changed a moment. They had the privilege in seeing all of their little ones take on very different personalities and skills.
Shannon was the theater and music ace, Odin the star quarterback of their high school team and Hope the dancer. Even their career goals were different. This coming spring semester was going to be the first time they would be separated to attend different schools.
But despite the differences between them, the three siblings never lost their connection to rely on and be there for one another. If ever they needed anything, they went to their parents and each other. And, like their parents, they all excelled in everything they had a passion for as another similarity between them.
Physically different to the other students, they were either accepted or ridiculed but they had each other. That proved to be more than enough to get them through the challenging times. Distance might soon part them, but it would not change the tight bonds between them.
As for Heero and Duo themselves, they had both been very successful in their own chosen professions. Just as their boyish looks had matured with their age, they had grown in their own paths. Never with a lack of work, they had made names for themselves beyond the fame that their relationship had brought them.
Back at their home, their extended family in their friends were preparing a surprise party for the graduates when the ceremony was over. Like countless times in the past, they were there for them and their family whenever such an occasion arose.
On the stage behind the podium, Hope and Odin watched their red-headed sister with wide grins along with the other nineteen students that gained the top twenty highest scholastic scores. All top honor students, large gold medallions hung from their necks as well as other ribbons and decorations of the achievements they had made.
Smallest of the three, Hope turned her head of shoulder-length, dark chocolate hair to her brother. His tall brown ears twitching towards her, Odin smiled at her whispered message and slowly nodded his head. Short, mouse brown hair poking from the bottom of his cap, he reached over to playfully tug on his little sister's tail.
In the audience, Danny and Leslie sat side-by-side. As recent college students, the childhood sweethearts were about to embark on their own new journey as they prepared to marry and settle into a home of their own. Their hands joined, they smiled lovingly to one another from the corners of their eyes.
Beside them, Noin and Zechs sat together alongside their children Brandon and Melissa, only a couple of years apart from each other. The youngest two looked on to the graduating class with a respect and anticipation to be in those seats one day.
Finally, Danielle and Trent looked onto their grandchildren with wide smiles. Their hair was showing the signs of their age by being peppered with gray.
Taking a deep breath towards the end of her speech, Shannon looked out to her classmates before the stage and said, "One popular question people have is what they believe the meaning of life is... I believe that the meaning of life is love."
Several heads amongst her peers tilted as they listened in, intrigued. "We're all fortunate enough to have the love of someone- whether that be from our parents." Glancing over her shoulder, she smirked, "Our siblings." Odin and Hope earned a loud round of laughs when they smirked and waved.
Focusing on the crowd again, the long-haired neko went on, "Our grandparents and our friends. Somehow, we have the love of another to give us a reason to go on in this roller coaster called life."
A few tears in her eyes, she looked to her unsuspecting 'mother' and father. Clearing her throat, she stated, "If there is any question to my theory, I ask you to look to my parents. There is not a person in this room who does not know their story and the odds that they have faced together. And they continue to do so even today."
Many eyes turned to the said couple and many heads nodded in agreement. Taken aback by her words, Heero and Duo's eyes shimmered.
With another deep breath, Shannon grinned to her classmates, "So, for those who love each of you, never take a moment of your lives for granted. Live it to the best of your abilities and to the fullest. I cannot think of a better way to honor them."
Nearly every eye in the room sparkled under the bright auditorium lights. "Live and love, class of AC 212." the neko concluded. "Live and love." Bowing her head, she smiled, "Thank you." Everyone in the room rose to their feet in a standing ovation of thunderous applause, cheers and whistles.
On her way past him, Odin smirked, "Not bad, sis." Chuckling quietly, Shannon nudged shoulders with him and accepted the warm embrace Hope offered with a deep purr, their tails linking together. Their brother moved in to wrap both of them up to complete their group hug as cameras flashed and the applause grew.
"You know," Duo smirked to his husband in their place in the standing crowd, "We did something right with them."
Wrapping an arm around the neko's waist, Heero kissed his cheek and chuckled, "Yes. That we did." Together, they basked in the cheers and applause that continued for their children and for themselves.
More than doing right by their family, they had done right in life. And they would continue to do so; together.
OWARI
Author's Note: I had a blast writing this 'Life' series and it is bittersweet to have reached its end. Maybe one had I will write some side stories on the boys raising their children.
ShenLong Deb-An extra special thanks to you for all of your beta work and more importantly your friendship. *hugs tight*
Thank you to everyone who read and supported this series. It means more than you know. Keep living and loving!
SkyLark
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