L paced up and down the room impatiently, pausing by the table to cram a fairy cake into his mouth. Much as he hated to admit it, even to himself, he was... confused. For almost the first time in his life, he had no idea what was going on and why. And he didn't like it. When Watari had informed him that Evie wanted to meet him, he had given nothing away. L didn't know whether it was good news, bad news, or even just a social visit. Although he doubted it was the latter. Evie knew how dangerous it was to have a relationship with him. For both of them. They both knew that they should only contact eachother in extreme situations. No matter how much it might hurt them emotionally. L realised that his eyes were threatening to begin watering, so he shook his head hastily to clear his thoughts. He wished that he had been born a normal person who could go out and have normal relationships. But unfortunately, it hadn't happened like that. It was too dangerous. If anyone discovered that the legendary detective L had romantic relationships, there would be plenty of people who would use that to their advantage. It would be dangerous for both of them. He walked over to the window and stared out at the night time sky, thinking hard.
His thoughts were rudely interrupted by a quiet knock at the door. He swallowed. This must be her.
"Come in..." The door opened and Evie walked in. She hadn't changed much from the last time he saw her. The only differences were that her ginger hair was now much longer and she had got a bit taller. Her pale blue eyes were worried, and she was carrying something in the crook of her arm. She looked at him.
"Hi." She said. "I thought you might want to know something." L was instantly curious.
"What? What are you carrying?" To his surprise, she walked over to him and handed him... a baby? He blinked.
"What?" The baby stared at him unblinkingly. He stared back, also unblinkingly. He knew it was stupid, but he wasn't going to let a baby beat him in a staring competition. But why did Evie have a baby anyway? Slowly, his thumb crept to his mouth. The baby mirrored him, and realisation hit him like a bus. He would have dropped the baby if Evie hadn't stepped forwards and gently removed it from him. He sat down in shock.
"What... is it mine?" Evie nodded, and scowled.
"She," she corrected. "And she's not just yours, she's ours." L nodded dumbly.
There was a long silence, in which L ate most of the food on the table. Eventually, he felt he had to say something.
"Has she got a name yet?" Evie shook her head.
"Well, that's part of the reason I'm here." She grinned. "Apart from the fact I thought you'd want to know, I thought it would be best if we agreed on the name together." L smiled faintly. He still couldn't believe that he was a father.
"Any ideas?" He asked.
"Well, I was thinking Elle..." L stared at her.
"What? No! That's my name!"
"E-L-L-E, not L. One letter names are just silly!" she joked.
"Hey!" L said, pretending to be cross. He shrugged. "Well, I guess it's OK. I mean, I can't think of any better names." He walked over and took the newly christened Elle out of Evie's arms, looking at her. "So, Elle it is. Hello Elle." The baby stared at him and he felt suddenly awkward. He hated to put an end to this happy moment, but it had to be said at some point.
"You do know... that I can't look after her? I can't let anyone know I have... family." The word felt odd in his mouth. Family. Evie looked sad but not surprised.
"I know. I understand." She paused, then took Elle back. "But will you ever be able to meet her, ever?" L thought about it and sighed, suddenly depressed.
"Probably not." Evie nodded.
"I thought not. Well, hopefully I'll see you another time. Goodbye L..." She walked quietly out of the room, almost in tears.
"Goodbye," L called softly, also close to tears. He had no idea how much seeing Evie again would hurt. And his daughter...
The daughter he would never know.
