Chapter One
"Sissy!" Alex wrapped her arms around her older sister, hugging her from the side to avoid the large baby bump at her sister's front. "Come on, we need to take a picture!" She smiled her goofball smile, knowing her sister's answer.
"No," Antea mumbled, looking fearfully at her husband. Waldo shrugged, shivering against the cold. He rarely got involved with his sister-in-law, finding her too spontaneous and loud. Antea groaned.
"Come on, don't you want my little niece to see her parents aren't totally weird?" Alex continued.
"She'll know we aren't weird," Waldo chimed in, skiing a little closer and wrapping an arm around his wife. He didn't like her being out in the cold while so heavily pregnant, and was about to insist that she go inside when there were several flashes of lights and clicks of a camera lens. Alex smiled in triumph and skipped towards the house. Despite being all of nineteen, she often acted much younger.
Antea reached for her husband's hand, her face going pale. She leaned against him and he could feel her growing warm to the touch. "Are you alright?"
She shook her head. "We have to go."
Waldo nodded, having prepared for this for weeks now. "Alright, I'll get your things."
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"You're doing great Antea," the nurse half cheered, grasping the pink-haired woman's hand in her own. Waldo held Antea's other hand, pressing a cold cloth to her head. Several thoughts ran through his mind, but he tried to stay focused on his wife's wellbeing. A scream barely passed her lips when a baby's cry filled the air. His daughter. He kissed Antea's forehead, not minding at all that she looked like a mess.
"I'm so proud of you, dear," he muttered, wishing he could watch over his wife and daughter at the same time. He knew she was in good hands with the nurses though, so he stayed by Antea's side the whole time.
"Is she okay?" Antea mumbled weakly. He knew how badly she had wanted a child. He withstood nearly four years of begging before finally giving in. He didn't find himself to be the fatherly type, and was too focused on his work. When the nurses brought over the pink little bundle however, his mind began to change. He wanted to give her everything, even if it meant giving up his life's work.
Antea eagerly reached her arms out, wanting desperately to hold the child. Waldo smiled, noticing the newborn's patches of pink hair and bright green eyes. Just like her mother, he thought happily. He never thought he could feel such strong emotions towards anyone that wasn't his beloved wife, but he loved the small human.
"Aelita. My darling Aelita."
Waldo was shocked. That wasn't the name they had agreed on. But his heart quickly softened as he stared at his daughter. Aelita was perfect, it was beautiful. The baby looked up at him, her green eyes wide. In just a matter of seconds she became his whole world.
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Antea dressed Aelita in a pink outfit, pulling mittens on her tiny hands and a cap over her head. She knew she was probably overdoing it a little, but the French Alps could be unbearably cold in early March. Waldo walked up behind her, the baby's carrier in hand, smiling at the small child. Waldo may have been gifted in math and science, but his wife was much better at caring for others. The thought of attempting to dress Aelita sent a shiver down his spine, knowing he had terrible taste in clothes and was afraid he's hurt her in the clumsy attempt.
"Are you ready to go?" he asked, picking up the baby and putting her in her carrier. Antea nodded, her eyes sweeping the room one last time. She couldn't wait to return home. The whole family was waiting, she knew, to see the newest edition of the Hopper-Schaeffer clan. She only wished her mother could be there as well.
Aelita cooed happily the whole way home. She had rarely cried in her few days of life, greatly pleasing Waldo, who's biggest fear had been losing sleep. Antea had chosen to sit in the back seat, not wanting to take her eyes off the child. It was a long drive up the mountain, taking nearly an hour in which Antea and Aelita both fell asleep. Waldo desperately wanted to reach home so he couple put the baby in the nursery and fall asleep next to his wife, but he knew with family there that would be nearly impossible.
They barely made it up the front steps before Alex came bounding out of the house. "Let me see!"
Waldo held up his arm protectively, holding Aelita's carrier back so she wouldn't get hurt. "Easy."
Alex stuck out her tongue, but backed off, turning her attention to her sister instead. Waldo walked inside, surprised at the amount of people in his home. Besides Alex, there was also Antea's brother Andre and father Nicolas. His parents were there, but he desperately wished they weren't. Despite their best wishes for their son, they didn't much care for Antea, didn't approve of their marriage, and took the news of their grandchild rather harshly. However, Mrs. Schaeffer kept a smile plastered on her face and, in a thick German accent, asked to see her new granddaughter.
Waldo set down the carrier, gently lifting Aelita up into his arms. Even the fake smile couldn't hide his mother's disappointment. His father never said a word. Nicolas, however, was overjoyed. "Look at her," he grinned. "She's precious."
"And you named her Adelaide?" Mrs. Schaeffer asked. Waldo looked down at his daughter.
"Actually, it was kind of a last minute decision, but we named her Aelita."
He could see tears spring into Mr. Hopper's eyes. Aelita was the name of his deceased wife, and Antea's mother. Waldo's parents however, were none too pleased. "And what exactly kind of a name is that?"
"English, I believe," Waldo replied coolly. "It means 'noble' if I'm not mistaken."
Mrs. Schaeffer's face was growing increasingly red. The Schaeffer family had been strictly German for generations, and quite proud of their heritage. "At least tell me her middle name is German?"
"Nope," Waldo's tone had grown cold. "It's Marie, and that's French."
Antea was growing upset but didn't say anything. Instead, she took Aelita from her husband's arms and made her way upstairs, Nicolas and her family following. "Why do you have to be so rude?" Waldo turned on his mother, keeping his voice low so the Hopper family wouldn't hear.
"She's French."
"And you're German," Waldo shot back. "Antea gave up everything to make you happy. She changed her religion, she learned German, she moved further away from her hometown to make sure you could see your granddaughter that you apparently don't even like."
"Waldo," his mother took a step forward, reaching a hand towards her son. "You have so much potential, you're a brilliant scientist. She doesn't even have a job, does she?"
"That doesn't change the fact that I love her." He inhaled sharply. "You and Dad tought me from books. I understand you put all that you had into my education. But she's showed me the world, and if you don't like it, you can just go because I love my wife and daughter."
Mrs. Schaeffer glared at him. "Fine. We'll go."
His father, who had been sitting quietly on the couch, scrambled to his feet, grabbing his wife's jacket as she stormed out the door. He stood in front of his son for a few seconds before a small smile spread on his face and he held his hand out. "She's beautiful, son. I doubt I'll get to see her often, so send me pictures and keep me updated."
Waldo sighed and went upstairs. Antea and her family had gathered in the nursery, still cooing over Aelita. Seconds after he entered, however, Alex and Andre left. Nicolas hung behind but didn't say much of anything, instead choosing to stand in the corner of the room. Waldo looked down at his new little family. Aelita had fallen asleep and Antea looked exhausted. He picked the baby up and placed her in her crib, then debated whether he should move Antea just yet.
"Thank you for coming," Waldo turned towards Nicolas. "I'm sorry it wasn't the happiest of homecomings."
"Nonsense," Nicolas said quickly, waving his hand as if it would erase the last 20 minutes. "I got to see my beautiful granddaughter, so today was perfect."
"You're welcome to come back any time."
"Thanks but it is quite a drive. Maybe in a few months." Nicolas leaned down, planting a kiss on his daughter's forehead. "Don't forget to call darling, I'd like to know how little Aelita is doing."
Antea nodded sleepily, and Waldo knew it was time for both of them to go to bed.