Chapter 36

     A cold breeze blew in through the opened window. She had opened it so she
could hear him when he opened the front gate, but that never happened. She
never heard the gate open.
  What could have happened to him, Akane thought, concern enveloping her.
She felt this great weight on her chest, making her hard of breathing. Her
heart raced, beating rapidly within her chest. She couldn't sit still,
continuously pacing back and forth, wearing the floor out. But she couldn't
help it. Her only thoughts were of Ranma.
  Ranma was supposed to be at her house a while ago, but he had never showed 
up. Several hours had passed since then. He had been expected to be at her 
house with the kids at around seven, but now, it was well pass midnight. She 
had already shed herself of her evening gown over and hour ago and was now 
clad in some sweat pants and a long sleeve sweater.
  She heard a rustle from outside and quickly rushed to the front door, 
expecting it to be Ranma and his girls. Perhaps it was just Ranma. Afterall, 
it was pretty late, and the girls should be home asleep by now. But to her 
disappointment, it had just been the wind. 
  At first, she would had been angry that he hadn't called. It would had taken 
him five minutes to pick up a phone, but when she hadn't received his call, 
she became concerned. But now, she just wanted to see that he was all right. 
She had called his house a few times, but every time, the answering machine 
picked up. When she had received the answering machine during her first call, 
she assumed that he must had left and was on his way, a bit late, but on his 
way. By the time she had too call him a second and third time, she was really 
concerned.
  Like an shriek from the darkness, the phone rang, its ringing sounding ten
times louder than it was supposed to be.
  Akane immediately picked up the phone, praying that it was Ranma. Although 
she should be angry that he hadn't called, she didn't. She just wanted to hear 
his voice, to hear that he was okay.
  "Ranma?" she said, desperately trying to calm herself down "Is that you?"
  "Um, is this Akane Tendo?" came a voice. It was a male voice, but not 
Ranma's. Ranma had this husky, sensual voice that would probably sound turn 
any woman on over the phone, but this voice was raspy, monotone, professional.
  "Yes," she said.
  "My name's Dr. Tanada," the monotone voice went, "I'm from the Mizunkan 
Hospital and I some news concerning a Ranma Saotome"
  Akane's heart practically stopped beating. A massive lump developed in her 
throat. It felt as if she couldn't breath. This horrible feeling of dread 
started to fill her, chilling her to her very core.
  "Is something wrong?" Akane asked. There was this deep concern in her voice. 
Her throat was dry, her words forced.
  "Yes," Dr. Tanada said "I'm very sorry to have to be the one to tell you
this, but Ranma collapsed a couple of hours ago"
  "W-what?" she asked in disbelief "What happened?"
  "It turns out his heart finally started to fail," the doctor said, assuming
Akane already knew what he was talking about.
  "Finally started to fail?" she said "What do you mean by that?"
  "Ranma had a weak heart for a long time now. He knew that sooner or later
it was going to fail him. It was inevitable. Unfortunately, tonight was the 
night" the doctor continued.
 Those words struck Akane like a freight-train.  She listened as calmly as she 
could as the doctor went into a meticulous speech on how he used to treat 
Ranma when he was young, treating all the injuries he had sustained from his 
abusive father. He told of how Ranma's heart never healed after
his broken ribs had punctured it. Akane listened in pain as she was told that 
there was a very slim chance Ranma would survive the next attack. She was told 
that he had always know this, that he would soon die.
  No, it can't be true, Akane thought, tears forming in her eyes. Her tears 
fell down the side of her face, falling onto he telephone receiver. She had to 
do everything in her power to keep from going into a fit of sobbing. She had 
never thought that Ranma's problems were so bad. Was that why he looked like 
he was about to cry every time he was with his children, him knowing that he 
would be leaving them behind. Was that why he wanted her to spend more time 
with his children, so they would be taken care of when he finally
died.
   She fell to her knees, her legs failing her. The thought that Ranma was 
dying pained Akane so much that she couldn't talk audibly. Her emotions were 
overwhelming her. She could have been the one who killed Ranma, she having 
insisted that he sparred against her a few days ago.
  She released the phone, unable to continue listening, not wanting to 
continue listening. She could bear to hear more. She had heard enough, that 
Ranma was going to die. She had never felt so close to him as
she did now. Thoughts that she would spend the rest of her life without him 
caused her to cry even more. She couldn't bear to be without him. 
  All of a sudden, everything started to fall into place. That was why there
was always this sadness to Ranma's eyes. It was because he knew he was going
to die. That was why it was so hard for him to open up to her, because he
didn't want her to be devastated when he died. That was why his life
revolved around his daughters, because he knew that they would be the only
things that remained of him after his left. What Ukyo had told her, about how
he wanted to kill himself, seemed to have made sense also. When Ranma's
daughter had died, he realized that it was useless to go on, that he would
die sooner or later. But when he realized that he could start all over with
Meggie and Jessie, he had a goal again.
  That was probably why he didn't care about what happened to him. He would
soon be gone, and that meant that what happened to him didn't matter. It was
his daughters that matter because they would remain, unlike him. That was
why he tried to make as many memories as possible, because they would be the
only thing people could remember him by, by the good times they had spent
when being with him.
 She quickly grabbed her house keys and rushed toward the hospital as fast as 
she could.

  Ranma lay in his hospital bed, a bit disoriented. He didn't really know 
where he was. The last thing he could recall was this heavy feeling on his 
chest when he was on his way to Akane's house. The next thing he knew, he was 
somewhere else. 
  He immediately realized that he was in a bed, his clothes slung neatly over 
the foot of it. The room he was in a very dark, the only light being the 
moonlight that shone in through the open windows.
  Where am I, he thought. He looked down at his arms and noticed tubes 
attached to it, the tubes leading into a few intravenous stands. He must be in 
a hospital or something. It didn't take him too long before he knew his 
assumption was correct. He had been in hospitals enough times when he was 
young to recognize his surroundings.
  He knew exactly what had finally happened to him. He knew his heart was 
bound to give out sooner or later. It had never healed correctly ever since 
one of his broken ribs had punctured it. And it was all his fault. His father 
would had never had hurt him like that if he had been a better son.
  "Damn," he said, tears coming to his eyes. Why did this have to happen to 
him? What did he ever do to deserve this? Even many years after his father had 
died, the pain he had caused would still remain, constantly reminding him of 
how terrible a son Ranma must had been.
  Ranma gently sat upright, regarding his surrounding more intently. It was 
the same machines he remembered seeing when he had been young, during one of 
his many stays at the hospital when he had his ribs broken
  As he sat in his bed, Akane sprung into Ranma's mind. He had been so intent 
on telling her his feelings, but how would she ever get over the thought that 
something this horrible hung over his head, that he could die at any moment. 
And what about his daughters.
  His mother could take care of them, but she was already getting too old to 
be taking care of children. Akane? She would be perfect for them, if 
only...if only she would take them in. 
  The door opened and in entered a young female. Without needing to look, 
Ranma immediately knew who it was. She could bring light into the darkest 
corners of the universe. 
  It was Akane.
  "A-Akane," Ranma said, his voice a bit weak. His mouth felt dry "I'm sorry"
  Tears were streaming from her eyes as she quickly walked up to the side of 
his bed, immediately taking hold of one of Ranma's hands. His hands felt cold 
to her touch. 
  She looked into Ranma's eyes, her heart on her sleeve. Her eyes showed just 
how much she cared about him. Never in her life had she ever been so scared.
  "I-I was so scared," she said in between sobs as she gently buried her head 
up against Ranma's shoulder "I was so scared I was going to lose you. I don't 
ever want that to happen. I want you to always be by my side" 
  Ranma was deathly silent. Did he hear her correctly? Did she just indicate 
that she wanted him as much as he had always wanted her? Or wish it just 
wishful thinking on his behalf? 
  For a brief moment, he wanted to tell her everything, tell her all these 
feeling her had toward her, but he kept silent. He wondered how his heart 
would take it if she didn't share the same feelings toward him as he did her. 
But he realized he had to tell her. It was better to know than to continue on, 
not knowing what he might have missed if he had never told her.
  "Akane," he said softly, gently placing and arm around her as she remained 
snuggled against him "can I tell you something?"
  Akane gently broke free from Ranma's embrace to look at him, giving him her 
full attention "Of course you can. What is it?" She held her breath, wondering 
if he was thinking of the same thing she was. She knew she had to tell him how 
she felt about him, and she wasn't scared if his feeling weren't the same 
toward her. He wanted to let him know, needed to let him know "But is it all 
right if I tell you something first?"
  Ranma nodded his head. He would tell her how much he loved her after she 
told him whatever she wanted to.
  "Ranma, I-I love you," she said, the utmost sincerity in her voice.
  "Y-you do?" he said, shock in his voice.
  "Yes," she said, pressing a finger on his lips so she could continue "I've 
been in love with you ever since we first met. But I never realized just how 
much I loved you until tonight. I-I was so scared of l-losing you" She 
couldn't continue. Her emotions were overwhelming her. She wiped a tear from 
her eyes "I-I'm sorry. I-it's just that...I had to tell you. I didn't want to 
keep that bottled up anymore"
  After having said that, if felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her 
chest. 
  "Akane," Ranma said softly, "I have something to tell you also" 
  He gestured for Akane to come closer. When she leaned forward, her face 
coming within inches from his, he reached upward and brought Akane back into 
his arms, pressing her tightly against his chest, her ears right by his lips 
"Akane, I love you. I fell in love with you that day, that day in the park. 
Nothing like this had ever happened to me. I've never met someone like you 
before"
  Akane's eyes widened as she continued to remain in Ranma's embrace. There 
were no mistaking those words. All her life, she had been waiting for someone 
like Ranma. And now, here he was, holding her, telling her that he loved her 
as much as she loved him.
  Ranma continued to enjoy the embrace for several moments. But the enjoyment 
was broken when Ranma realized there was still another hurtle he had to make 
it over. What he was going to tell her would definitely hurt her. He had to 
tell her he was a married man. And surely, she would be deeply hurt when she 
found out.
  "Akane, I-I still have something to tell you" he said, steeling himself. He 
hoped for the best that Akane would not hate him for keeping something like 
this from Akane all this time. He had been scared to tell her. 
  Akane kept silent. She knew what he was going to say. It was about time he 
told her.
  "Akane, I-I'm married,"
  Akane didn't say a word. She didn't really care if Ranma was married or not. 
She still loved him. She would always love him. But the fact that he had 
finally told her meant he loved her enough to tell her.
  "I know," she said, resting her head against his chest, listening to his 
steady heartbeat "At first, I thought Shori was your sister, but it wasn't 
until she asked me if I liked you before I realized she wasn't. She was trying 
too hard to act like a sister"
  Ranma was silent for a moment before answering "Y-you knew?"
  Akane nodded, "Yes, but can we talk about this tomorrow? Right now, let's 
just stay like this" 
  She wanted to be in his arms forever. She closed her eyes, grateful that 
Ranma was going to be all right. Luckily, he was in excellent physical 
condition and the heart failure hadn't really been that serious. The doctor 
said with some heart surgery, he would be as good as new. 
  "Better get, get into the bed with me," Ranma said as he scooted toward one 
side of the bed. He knew Akane was tired, and he, too, was tired. He could 
think of nothing better at that moment than to spend his sleep with Akane by 
her side.
  Akane was about to argue, but she knew Ranma wouldn't take no for an answer. 
She gave a smile as she gently got onto Ranma's hospital bed, her head cradled 
against chest, the top of her head against his chin. She closed her eyes, 
knowing that tonight would be the best night's rest in her life. 
  She wasn't be going to sleep alone tonight. 
  She would never be alone.



Chapter 37

     "Isn't he beautiful?" Akane said to Ranma, a tear forming around her eyes 
as she gazed down toward the tiny baby boy. The baby boy was most gorgeous 
baby she had ever seen. He was sleeping soundly. They were all in the baby's 
room, a new addition Ranma had added to the house with the help of Ryoga and 
Mousse.
  Ranma placed an arm around Akane's shoulder, "He gets his looks from his 
mother" 
  He smiled softly as he gazed down at his two day old son, his and Akane's 
son. Their son had been conceived shortly after Ranma's marriage to Shori had 
been annulled. Ranma and Akane had gotten married on the same day. Although it 
felt like centuries, Ranma had managed to stay faithful to his vow and has 
stayed caste during those several months when he and Shori were signing their 
divorce papers.
  It had been over a year and a half since that day Ranma had collapsed, and a 
lot had changed. In just one short year, Ranma and Akane had managed to open 
up two additional martial arts school, and the business was a success. 
Although Akane had been skeptical at first, Ranma had been so sure everything 
would work out that he had invested most of his life saving into opening 
another school. 
  Even though he made sure enough money remained behind to pay for his 
daughters' college tuition after they grew up, the new school made more than 
enough to pay for the investment after several months.
  And not much longer after that, Akane had decided to invest in a school 
also, that, too, turning out to be a success. Now, they had three schools that 
brought in more than enough money for their family to live comfortably. Sooner 
or later, they were expected to open up another school. Their names became 
well-known among the martial arts community, people from all over the world 
coming to Nerima to train under Ranma and Akane.
  The school wasn't the only thing that went well. Ranma and his daughters had 
moved in with Akane shortly after he had been released from the hospital, and 
Meggie and Jessie had really grown fond of living in Akane's house from now 
on. 
  Akane had also gotten used to the house bursting with life when the kids 
came home. Mousse and Shampoo now had a beautiful baby boy, and they brought 
him over whenever they could. Ryoga and Ukyo, now expecting their second 
child, also constantly brought over their newborn and Miki. They had decided 
to stay in Nerima, choosing not to moving to Hokkaido like they had originally 
planned. 
  "I'm going to go pick up the kids," Ranma said, "I'll be back in a little 
while"
  Akane gave Ranma a passionate kiss "Don't you take long" She would had gone 
along with him, but she couldn't leave the baby. Someone had to watch over 
him.
  Ranma was back with the girls in no longer than a half hour. Even though he 
and Akane had more than enough money to buy a car, Ranma insisted on walking. 
He preferred to walk over any other form of transportation. 
  Meggie and Jessie and Ranma entered the room silently. They didn't want to 
wake up the baby. Over the course of the year, Meggie and Jessie had grown 
taller and had grown more beautiful. They were going to be drop dead gorgeous 
when they got older. But still, at the age of nine, they still looked like 
angels.
  Meggie walked over to the crib and peered down at the sleeping baby, Jessie 
also doing the same.
  "He's asleep," she said, a bit disappointed. She wanted to play with the 
baby. 
  "Of course he is, honey," Akane said, "Babies sleep a lot more than you or 
me. Don't worry, Little Ranma here'll wake up sooner or later"
   Ranma smiled, "Akane, you do know it's goin' to get a bit confusing, what 
with the baby having the same name as me" Even though it was going to get 
confusing, he didn't' really care. He was honored that Akane agreed to name 
their son Ranma. 
  "Well, that's why I'll call him 'Little Ranma'," Akane said, smiling 
mischievously "Because you're gonna be my 'Big Ranma'"
   Meggie looked over toward Jessie and saw her nod. Now was the perfect time 
to bring up the subject "Um, Akane,"
  "Yes?"
  "Um, Jessie and I have been wondering," she started slowly, "When Little 
Ranma grows up, he's going to be calling you Mommy. And with us around calling 
you Akane, we think that's going to confuse him..."
  Ranma smiled to himself. He knew exactly what his daughters were going with 
this conversation.
  "And, well, we don't want him to grow up confused," she continued, "So, 
we've been wondering, is it all right if we start calling you Mommy?"
  Akane's heart leaped for joy. Those words sounded so right coming from 
Meggie and Jessie. She could definitely get used to them calling her Mommy. 
The joy of Ranma's kids accepting her as their Mommy brought a tear to her 
eyes. She managed to wipe it away before Meggie or Jessie noticed.
  "Of course, honey," she said softly, kneeling down and hugging the twins 
tightly "Of course you can"
  The twins smiled happily as they both returned their warm and loving 
embrace. They both said in unison...
  "Thanks, Mommy"