Hint: Slight Angst and Miscarriage mentioned.
Months has gone by, as it was a brand new day for Félicie and Odette, but this day was gonna be special.
Félicie was officially adopted by Odette after the Ballet and it was so surreal, but it was the happiest day and Christmas they ever had. Ever since Odette found out she couldn't conceive anymore, and had the accident, it made her cold, and concealed herself from the world that brought so much pain, but when she met Félicie, she was given a new opportunity to love and care for the child that brought so much joy. It mended her heart and gave her hope.
You could say that Mérante has made her life happy in a way, considering they had a night out together alone. It was magical, of course lets not get into detail. Let's just say finally got what she deserved... Happiness.
Though a few days later after the date, she felt... Off. She was more tired and hungry. This has been going on for awhile, she tried not to get it further, but it still lingered in her mind. Was something going on and she didn't know?
Her mind was cut off by a small red haired girl who spoke.
"Hey mum, I'll be visiting Victor, he said that he has a new invention he wants me to see." Félicie said, tightning her shoe laces.
Odette looked up from sweeping, looking at her new daughter and ray of sunshine. "Alright but don't be late".
"Don't worry mum, I won't." Félicie said walking in to her adopted mother and kissing her on the cheek, and leaving, shutting the door.
Odette chuckled. She was so proud of Félicie, all the things she went through just to be a ballerina was beyond confident.
Odette swept for awhile until she felt cramps.
'Maybe It was something I ate? Should I lie down?' She thought. Her mind kept on swarming until another cramp hit her, making her bend down, clutching her stomach. Waiting a few minutes to just breathe it out, she stood up, getting her cane and wobbled to the chair. It took a few minutes but she was utterly exhausted by then.
Sighing, she tried to think of the symptoms. Cramps, tiredness and alittle hungrier than usual. She couldn't think of anything but a cold. Her mind didn't even think twice if she was pregnant because she was barren... Isn't she?
"Okay... Time to get u- ah!" Odette felt water dripping from her thighs. Without even hesitating she sat down clutching the cane. The pain was unreal. She breathed heavily, laying he head on the cane that supported her. She felt pressure and had the urge to push. What was going on with her?!
Finally easing alittle she heard a knock. Oh no, she totally forgot about the date Mérante they were gonna do. He opened the door and saw Odette with a red face, she looked in pain.
"Odette!?" Mérante rushed to her side wondering what's going on. "Are you okay?"
"N-no I think something is wrong with me" she panted.
Mérante have never seen Odette in this pain before the accident. He didn't know what or how to help his lover. Taking a moment to think he saw blood on the Madam's dress.
"I-i think I n-need to look down under your dress" he said trying to act all professional, but inside he was blushing hard. Odette nodded, not even caring, she just wanted to know what was going on down there.
Carefully pulling up the ragged dress he took a peek and instantly pulled down, trying to process it. His face looked like he'd seen a ghost. Odette finally looked up and saw his surprising and worried face. "Is something wrong?!" Odette asked trying to figure out Mérante freezing face.
It took a few moments until he said something that only Odette could dream of. "Odette... Your having a baby..."
What?! No. She couldn't. She's barren. She couldn't have kids anymore after the devastation. This hit her like a rock. She didn't say anything until a cram- contraction her, making an instinct of expelling the child out.
Oh dear, dear, dear.
"So... Hehe." Victor laughed nervously. Félicie had something white on her nose. She looked up at Victor and hit him on the back of the head with her hand and proceeded walking back home. "Oh come on Félicie, it wasn't that bad." Rubbing the back of his head and running to catch up with Félicie. She stayed silent and Victor sighed "Okay, okay you win... Igniting the firework in the room wasn't such a good idea, we learned our lessons and I'm a butt... Will you please forgive me?"
Félicie stopped and sighed, laughing afterwards. "Fine I forgive you, but if Odette finds out you'll probably 6 inches shorter" She smirked. Victor chuckled nervously. The white thing on her nose was something to help recover the damages. They made jokes and laughed until they heard a scream. It sounded like her adopted mother screaming.
With that Félicie ran ahead to see the outcome of the scream was about. Finding the door to her home she immediately opened and froze to see Odette sitting, breathing heavily and Mérante his jacket off of him for once and a squabbling baby letting out warbles of cry in his hands bewteen Odette's legs.
"Uhhh..." Félicie continued until Victor caught up with her
and was about to ask about why she ran ahead until...
"Hey Félicie why did y-... Oh... OH!" Félicie just stood there waiting for someone to respond, until Victor spoke up "W-well I think this is a family issue so um... Bye!" He lunged out the door, scrambling out.
The baby's cries grew worse. Shaking her head she carefully went towards the couple and they didn't speak to her. "So anyone going to explain this...?" Félicie whispered.
Mérante nodded alittle "Later." Félicie nodded and looked back at the squirming baby who was still crying it's heart content. She looked at Odette who was still processing this. How? She couldn't conceive and yet she did? This didn't make sense. Her thoughts ended as the baby was clearly looking for it's mother. Odette let go of her cane letting it drop to the ground, and held out her hands. Showing she wanted to hold them.
Mérante got the hint and handed the baby to her. She carefully supported the head with her hand and their body close to her body. She didn't know how to hold a baby but it seemed to make the baby stop crying. Instead they opened their eyes and a glimmer of infatuation came when she saw those beautiful blue eyes.
"Woah..." Félicie put a shoulder on Odette "So... Does this I have a sibling?" She laughed quietly. Odette chuckled for a moment and looked down to see the baby was- a girl. She looked up at her daughter and smiled, nodding her head.
"Actually... A new sister."
"Wow... This is so sudden, but... Who's the father?"
The couple stayed silent until Mérante spoke quietly and quickly "Uh me..."
Félicie knew that Odette and Mérante had a thing for each other but she definitely didn't expect to get that close for awhile. She let out a sigh and smiled "Does this mean I get to call you dad?" Mérante shook his head but let out a tired chuckle. Félicie laughed alittle to by her joke. Odette didn't even chuckle, she was to focus on the baby in her arms.
Alittle while after, they got Odette situated in a bed with still the baby in her arms. They didn't have clothes for the new addition considering they didn't expect to get pregnant. So they wrapped the new baby girl in a small blanket that would at least keep them warm until then. Mérante leaving to get some clothes for the new bundle, Félicie sat beside the bed next to Odette.
They stayed in comfortable silent until Félicie asked.
"So, when did you tie the knot with Mérante?"
Odette looked away from the baby glanced at Félicie who was waiting for an answer.
"Probably a few months ago..." She guessed. She didn't know when but probably around 9 months to actually give birth. What was strange is that, she didn't grow, nor gain weight or have symptoms of pregnancy. "Were you expecting this?" Félicie asked. Odette smiled tiredly at the small child in her arms and whispered softly "No... But it was certainly a Miracle."
Félicie nodded at that. Before she was adopted by Odette. She thought she hated Kids.. especially orphans but she managed to change that. She didn't think that her mother was barren, and didn't even want kids of her own... Maybe she was wrong.
"Does that mean you thought you were...?"
"Barren? Yeah... I thought I was too. After I had my misscar- I mean accident, I went to the doctors they confirmed I would never have kids."
"Oh... Well I guess they were wrong..."
Félicie raised her eyebrow on what she was about the say, but decided not look further into it.
Odette nodded, her eyes still locked to the baby in her arms.
"Got any Names you want for her?" Félicie asked, trying to lighten the mood.
"I was thinking... Felicity? I don't know yet. Didn't expect to have another child." She sighed, rubbing her thumb over the baby's soft, smooth skin. The baby whimpered at her mother showing discomfort, but she got used to it.
Félicie smiled. "I think that's a beautiful name."
It was almost close to Félicie's name.
"Then Felicity it shall be." Odette smiled at Felicity who was still sleeping. How is this thing still sleeping? If anything it would probably be Odette who would be sleeping.
They stayed in silent until Odette noticed her daughter had a white cloth pressed against their nose. She moved the baby into the other arm and put a hand on
Félicie's cheek who jumped alittle. "What happened to your nose?" Odette asked, showing her mother protectiveness side.
Félicie sighed, " Victor decided to ignite a firework, I didn't
Move fast enough, and it hit me right in the nose. I'm fine though, it's just sore."
"Your friend there is a nitwit, but at least your okay." Odette said sighing, taking her hand off of Félicie cheek. "Just be careful alright?"
Félicie nodded. "Don't worry, I'll be okay."
Mérante came back with some clothes for his new daughter. Being a new father was definitely not a great thing, especially when he only found out right before the birth. He already knew the name and it made his heart Soar with pride.
"I got some clothes for her, if you'd be okay with this, I can dress her into more comfortable clothes than just a blanket." Mérante said stretching his arms outwards to hold his daughter.
Odette was albeit reluctant to let anyone hold her new daughter, but no, it was his daughter too and he should hold her. Letting Mérante hold her and seeing him go to a different area to change her. She didn't relax though. Instead of lying down, she kept her eye in Felicity and Mérante to make sure they were okay.
Félicie noticed and chuckled. "Ooh someone is having a motherly moment?"
Odette rolled her eyes but smiled.
Trying to be a good father, he tried putting the baby in some Pajamas, instead he got a big cry when he put her hand in the wrong hole. He tried shushing her so Odette won't have to worry, but she only grew louder.
Odette heard this and was about to calm her daughter, despite her leg and giving birth not long ago, she wasn't gonna let her child cry without comfort. Félicie shook her head at and made her lie back down. Odette was about to object but Félicie went towards the new father and crying sister. She looked up at Mérante who gave in and let Félicie try.
She nodded and smiled at the bundle. Odette and Mérante were observing quite hard on her but it didn't bother her. With that she fixed the Pajamas and put her arms in the right hole. "Mérante... You do realize that you were dressing her with the Pajamas upside down?" Félicie asked as she held her new sister.
The new father chuckled nervously. "One of the joys of being a new father am I right?"
Félicie smiled and nodded. "Don't worry, I can help. During my days in the orphanage, they're were always new babies coming in, so we would have to take care of them until they were old enough to make their own decisions." She stated.
Both of them nodded and let out a relief. They both didn't know how to take care of a newborn baby, considering it was their first time being parents. Odette outstretched her arms, wanting to have the newborn in her arms again.
Félicie took the note and gave Felicity a kiss on the forehead before giving her to Odette. Felicity immediately felt her mothers warmth and snuggled closer to Odette's chest.
She smiled at the view and gave a small peck on the small forehead too.
A few moments later and Mérante spoke up, trying to be professional but kind of backfired because he was still to shock to become a father. He didn't think he'd ever would.
"So now that I have a new daughter and your her mother, its only fair to live with me and be a family, of course Félicie is welcome because she is your daughter too."
Félicie looked at Odette and Odette looked at Félicie, trying to find the right answer. They knew they would have to say yes. They wouldn't have room for her if they lived here, and knowing that Odette is his lover... Its only right. Besides they're close to be family anyways.
" Good idea, we can do that tomorrow, for now let's rest... It's been a long day." Odette said.
They nodded.
"Would you like for me to watch her while you sleep?" Mérante asked.
Odette shook her head. "No it's okay, I like watching her. She can sleep with me." He nodded decided to leave to make room for them in his home, besides... He has to baby
Proof the house.
After leaving it was just the 3 of them. Félicie was keeping the fire up to make sure they had warmth, while Odette was nursing. It was definitely weird but she wouldn't have any other way. It was one of those moments where she was a mother nursing ber baby. Best feeling ever. With Félicie by her side it was more than best... It was perfect.
A few minutes later, Odette was finished with nursing little Felicity when a knock on the door, she immediately shielded the tiny baby from harm. She wasn't gonna let anyone take her now that she had a miracle in her hands, It was like loosing Félicie, Her heart would break all over again.
Félicie noticed this tension and knew she would probably have to get the door. Opening the door she expected Mérante to come by again to make sure everything was okay but it was-
"Victor?"
"Uh hehe... Hi" Victor said nervously.
"Thanks for leaving me in the dirt" Félicie chuckled alittle.
"It was more on the line of... Leaving because family business?" Victor said. "Also I had no idea what to do by then."
Félicie rolled her eyes and let her Victor inside her home abode.
Victor walked in and saw Odette and a tiny baby sleeping against their mother's chest. He didn't know even what to say. It was so small and kinda looks like an Alien?
"Wow, it's so pretty" Victor said trying to compliment the newfound baby.
"It's not an it... It's a girl and she has a name too, Felicity." Odette shot back.
"O-oh m-my bad." He stuttered quickly.
"It seems like you and Félicie had an accident with a firework... Bring her back with another injury, you'll be 6 inches shorter." She said plainly.
Just like the good old days when Odette was first introduced to Victor, she said almost the same lines.
"Hehe... I guess old habits never die am I right Félicie?"
Trying to get Félicie on his side, but just said nothing and laughed about it. "Sure Victor."
"So I'm presuming that the baby is your sibling?" Victor asked.
"No, Odette just randomly found a baby and decided to adopt her." Félicie said trying to be sarcastic.
"Oh..."
"Of course she's my sister, you basically saw the after birth, idiot." She rolled her eyes.
"I just wanted to make sure, anywho congratulations you and Mérante."
Odette nodded "Thank you."
"Well, I have to go, I got a new invention I want to try!" Victor said, already out the door.
"Bye"
Despite being excited to have a baby sister, she was worried. What would happen to her? Will she be disowned? Neglected? It was over running Félicie mind and it made her anxious to say the least. Luckily Odette knows her Sunshine.
"Something wrong?" Odette spoke softly, not wanting to wake up the baby.
Félicie visibly straightened. "No I'm fine."
Odette knew that something was wrong and she wasn't gonna ignore until she knows what's wrong with her daughter.
"Félicie... You literally hunch Everytime your upset, you also can't hide your expressions very well." Odette stated.
She sighed, of course her Adoptive mother knows her so well.
"Now what's really wrong?" Her mother asked again.
Well... Its now or never.
"Well... Now that you a biological child now, and babies are hard to take care of...M-maybe Its best if I leave... You can't train me while taking care of a baby.." Félicie said hunching back again.
Odette felt a twinch of guilt. She was paying more attention to Felicity than Félicie ever since she was born, but she can never forgive herself if she disowns or leaves
Félicie alone, and become an orphan once again.
"Félicie... I'm really sorry that I have been ignoring you since Felicity was born, but I love you way to much to get rid of you. It would be even painful to let you go again. When Régine brought you back to Brittany, it was probably the most painful thing I've ever went through. Please don't think your a burden, your my sunshine and you made me whole again. Felicity is only making my heart even fuller." Odette said gently. "I love you."
Félicie's heart stopped at what Odette saidt...those three words. I love you? She has never said that until now. What is she supposed to say now? No one has ever said that to her before.
It took a minute but she spoke softly "I...I love you too."
Odette smiled and leaned forward for Félicie to know she was going to do something, and kissed her forehead.
"Now don't think anymore of that, because I will still train you, and once Felicity is grown enough you can teach her your ways, if she wants to dance in life." Odette smiled.
Félicie nodded and smiled. "Yeah that would be fun."
A few hours later, Mérante came back with a doctor, making sure the baby girl was fine.
"Hello, I'm Milei, I'm here to check the health of your baby. If you would please hand her over so I can examine her." The doctor said Stretching her arms outwards to take the baby. The funny thing is, it was the same office that confirmed her accident. Odette was not comfortable at all with some random doctor holding her child, she was okay with Mérante because he is the father. She was worried about the baby's health, but as far as she can see, Felicity looks fine.
Félicie took a glance at Odette's anxious face and put a hand on her mother's shoulder, giving it a soft squeeze and a reassuring smile to ease her anxiousness away.
Odette sighed and carefully put the small baby into the doctor arms. Taking the baby, the doctor have a full examination considering it was a unknown pregnancy, she wanted to make sure she is as healthy as any baby.
Everytime the baby was away, Odette was so anxious and uncomfortable. She felt empty in her arms, it made her alittle emotional that her baby was away.
Félicie knew it's hard for Odette to let anyone touch her miracle, but it's hard not to giggle when she never seen Odette this emotional or teary eyed. To give her mother reassuring thoughts she smiled and whispered "It's going to be fine."
Odette heard the softness and gentle voice from her Sunshine and relaxed a bit. A few minutes have gone by and the doctor came back with Felicity in her arms, smiling contently and giving her back into her mother's arms. Odette obliged and cuddled the small thing.
"Seems like everything is in check, though she is smaller than most babies, I would advise of giving her alittle more food, just so she can catch up with growing up. Her body seems to be okay, and her head is alittle bruised from sliding to fast out, but other than that, she is perfectly fine." The doctor said looking at Odette's paper records and trying to reassure the new parents who had alittle bit of guilt on their faces. Bruised? And smaller than other babies?
Odette cleared her throat. "Is there a reason why she's Smaller?"
Mérante nodded, his face concerned.
"You probably induced your pregnancy alittle earlier by working to hard. It's a miracle that she is okay, usually unknown pregnancies can turn into Stillborns, but because you probably were watching yourself, she's perfectly fine." The doctor said.
"...stillborn? Why would my mum have a still born?" Félicie asked.
The couple looked away from Félicie, unsure how to comprehend this situation. The doctor sighed "I think this is family matters, please let me know if anything goes wrong." And with that the doctor left.
"You guys have been keeping secrets." Félicie said alittle hurt "We're family, why couldn't you just tell me. We're supposed to help each other and not let anyone go through pain alone."
"Félicie, we were gonna tell yo-" Odette was cut off.
"You wouldn't have told me anyways if you didn't have her, I know that." She shot back.
Odette was taken back at the sharp turn her daughter gave. Mérante didn't know what to do except try to think if something.
"Tch, I knew you would keep secrets." Félicie said coldly.
Odette felt more guilt come down on her shoulders. She should've have told her why she couldn't have kids. Maybe one of the reasons why she hated Kids and orphans especially.
"Thats enough Félicie, when your done, we'll explain to you what happened in the past.." Mérante said quietly.
Félicie nodded and pulled up a chair to sit on.
"Go on, I'm ready to listen."
Both of them sighed. Story time.
Odette started the story.
"Well, me and Mérante were a couple... Before the accident, we found out we were pregnant. We were beyond excited, and we were about to tell everyone." Odette looked at Mérante to finish
Mérante sighed and continued. "Probably a few months later, we still haven't told anyone. Your mother was still training but not to strain on the child she was carrying, but... An accident happened at the ballet... A fire. I was able to save Odette... But a few days later we went to the doctors, we were concerned about the baby's health... Turns out, Odette suffered a miscarriage. The fire she consumed made her unable to breathe correctly and because she was running to escape she fell and tripped, hurting her ankle."
"When the doctors confirmed that I suffered a miscarriage, I asked if I was able to still have children... They said no I wouldn't. Woman who suffers from Still births or Miscarry, they can turn out to be infertile. I was one of those women." Odette said quietly, tearing up.
"Wait, why did you guys separate after that? Why couldn't you adopt? And why did you hate children especially orphans before you met me? Félicie asked. She had so many questions but those were the ones that she was most intrigued.
"Thats alot of questions." Mérante said alittle overwhelmed by how many questions they were asked in one second."
"You should've been with me when we first met." Odette said smiling weakly.
Félicie didn't answer, nor laugh. She was so interested on her mothers and Mérante past, she didn't even realize both of them were staring at her concernly. She snapped back and nodded
"Go on."
The couple looked at each other and nodded trying to continue.
"Well, I didn't want to separate with Odette. She broke up with me and never told me why. I actually didn't know she was infertile until we had our date a couple of months ago. Of course I still loved her, and I never got over her." Mérante said passionately. "So we never decided about adopting either. Usually men would want biological children to carry on the last name and blood line, but adopting would've been nice too. As for your mother hating children and especially orphans, I don't know why and I'm curious too." Mérante said In a intrigued and curious tone. "Why did you hate children? Especially orphans?"
Peeking at the baby still in her arms. Damn shes been holding that kid for along time.
No longer wanting to keep this up she spoke up.
"When I found out I had a miscarriage, and I couldn't have kids anymore... I got Jealous... Most orphans are kids who weren't planned. Their mother's had a gift but they didn't want them, but I was one of them that wanted the gift, and I did... But I lost them. I wanted to become part of the motherhood so badly, but all these mother's who given them up but had them so easily! I-I got mad that orphans were neglected and I couldn't love one of my children, so Instead, I became cold and told myself that I didn't want to connect with any children." Odette said, tears streaming down her face and landing on the baby's cheek, which was making Felicity fussy. "So after that's why I told you at the beginning... Because I knew I'd probably get attached to you and I did, but it turned out the opposite on what was I thinking. I adopted you... And then I had her... My two miracles." Odette smiled with tears, still, but this time... It was tears of joy. She mourned so much and the world decided to give her a Miracle... Multiple ones.
"...did you name your unborn child?" Félicie asked trying not to go over board.
Odette and Mérante looked at each other. Their guilt trip wasn't over. "No... We didn't..." Mérante whispered.
Odette couldn't bring herself to name the gift that was taken away from her and have her so much grief. She loved that unborn child, but the world decided to be cruel. When she did miscarry, she didn't even want to think, nor remember, but now... She felt guilty.
Félicie went silent but then an idea came to her and sat up quickly, making Odette jump alittle.
Félicie blushed embarrassingly but kept her composure. "Well, how about now we name them. We may not know what they were, but it's kinda like.. a commemoration for them."
Odette and Mérante looked at each other, but found that they were smiling and agreed to Félicie brilliant idea.
The family had a small conversation and they all nodded on the name. Odette shedding a tear on how she was so lucky she met Félicie. If it weren't for her, she wouldn't have Felicity or get together with her lover. Unfortunately she still didn't have the other Miracle, she knows that they're in a better place and that soon they'll meet each other.
"My Esmae..." Odette whispered the name over and over. The unborn baby was gone... But they are respected... And loved.
Mérante and Félicie put a hand on each of Odette's shoulders, both giving a little squeeze.
The night was pretty hectic. Mérante had to leave again to make sure everything was in place for the new baby, Odette and Félicie. They didn't even have a crib for the new born, so she had to sleep with Odette, not that Odette complained. Ever since she given birth, she's been very over protective of her. Félicie was a bit surprised from the sudden nature, she was more... Quiet and Chill, she usually let Félicie do the mistake and learn from them.
Sleep wasn't in the list either. Everytime they both fell asleep, Felicity would wake up and cry, whether she needed food, diaper change or just Cranky. Odette was used to waking up pretty early, but she was never used to waking up every 10 minutes, Félicie too, she didn't groan or anything, instead she kept quiet, though her face says it all. She was tired, wanting some sleep, while Odette worries and tries to stay up.
"This is what it's like having a baby?" Odette said trying to at least make the night more funny.
Félicie nodded tiredly, but smiled playfully.
"Yep, welcomed to motherhood. The one you wanted."
Odette laughed. Definitely couldn't disagree on that one.
They stayed silent, only to hear suckling noises from Felicity while Odette nursed.
"So, do you think you'll be able to have more children?" Félicie asked suddenly.
"Goodness, your just full of questions aren't you?" Odette chuckled, but stopping to think about that question. "Honestly... I don't know. Maybe this is only chance to care for a baby, either way if this it... I'm happy and I have you. It's everything I could ever ask for."
Félicie smiled. "I'm glad, but I'm pretty sure you won't be working any time soon, you have baby now."
Félicie was correct in that. It didn't really worry Odette though. She had Mérante in her life and she knows he won't leave his child alone as well as Odette.
"It'll be okay, for now let's get some rest. Felicity is finally falling asleep and tomorrow is a big day." Odette said turning her to face Félicie, who fell asleep in he chair making her chuckle quietly.
"Goodnight my sunshines." Odette whispered. Hugging the small infant she fell asleep.