[Site Admin's note: Rodney Dean, the author of this song fic, is one of my fellow CHoRUs members. He wrote this on a whim and I'm honored he did. It's such a sweet bit! Thanks, Rodney!]
"This is the first version of a songfic based on Creed's "With Arms Wide Open." This is Matoko's version. Of course, I've made a few changes in the song to accomodate her, but it is Creed's song, so please don't sue. Anyway,
Matoko, thanks for the kind words. Here it is:
(Opens in Dr Tofu's office)
(Ukyo)
Well I just heard the news today
It seems my life is going to change
(She learns that she is pregnant with Matoko)
I closed my eyes, begin to pray
Then tears of joy stream down my face
(She begins to cry with joy as she gets ready to tell Ryoga when he calls.)
With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
(Ryoga)
Well I don't know if I'm ready
(Learns about Ukyo's pregnancy, and gets back as quickly as possible. )
To be the man I have to be
I'll take a breath, take her by my side
( A number of weeks after her birth,Ryoga and Ukyo get married, and stand over Matoko's crib after the wedding.)
We stand in awe, we've created life
(They gently smile at each other, and at the child now being held in Ukyo's arms.)
With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
(Ryoga and Ukyo take Matoko on her first trip, since she would go on so many trips during her life.)
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
(Ryoga tells her bedtime stories about his early travels and realizes what good things have come from his directionlessness.)
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
(Ryoga and Ukyo take their parental responsibilities very seriously, and love Matoko with all their being.)
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything
(Ryoga vows that Matoko will have the father he never had)
With arms wide open
(Ryoga and Ukyo)
If I had just one wish
Only one demand
I hope she's not like me
(They hope she will never go through what they did. And never become what they had been.)
I hope she understands
That she can take this life
And hold it by the hand
And she can greet the world
With arms wide open...
(They want her to enjoy the world she travels in, no matter what happens. They want her to live a life unruled by any need for revenge or any prearranged marriages.)
With arms wide open
Under the sunlight
(Matoko, now a toddler, runs with her parents as they go to a picnic.)
Welcome to this place
I'll show you everything
(She begins learning about the various wonders of the world)
With arms wide open
Now everything has changed
(She falls asleep after Ryoga's bedtime story.)
I'll show you love
I'll show you everything
With arms wide open
With arms wide open
Wide open
(Ryoga and Ukyo watch the infant, a gift from the heavens, sleep. They head to bed after covering her for the night and kissing her on the forehead.)
Before they left, Ryoga said something. "Sleep well, Matoko. I love you, my daughter."
End.