(A month in)

Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep...

Creed smiled as she walked into the hospital room, a baby in one arm, a newborn in the other. She set the baby in a playpen with some soft toys to play with and sat down in a chair next to the bed. "Hey, there love. I brought you some company. Figured that you might need someone to help you smile, so who better than the two most adorable little ones on Remnant?". Creed situated the newborn against her chest, cradling her in her arm as she propped a bottle up to feed her. The infant reached her little hands up and tried to hold the bottle, her beautiful eyes shining for the world to see.

"Little Astra has been missing you, but that's okay. We've been by every day to see you love. Snow enjoys his little playpen, and since it's about nap time for the babies...". Creed carefully crawled into bed, taking care not to mess up or pull any of the wires and tubes connected to its occupant. She nuzzled them and gently kissed them on the forehead before relaxing back, little Astra being set between them. Creed smiled and gently rubbed the puppy baby's cute ears. "Astra looks so much like you and your husband love. You wouldn't believe it. Oh, Lucius came by to see us. Said he wanted to see how you were and check up on me and the babies. He stayed for a while, but I guess that you slept through it". Creed gently began patting Astra's bottom, trying to help her burp before she laid down. "The empire is still in mourning...you...mean more to people than you know love...mean more to ME than I knew...I miss you".

Astra interrupted with a quiet burp and Creed smiled once more. The newborn yawned and lay her head down against a chest, snuggling in with an innocent smile before closing her eyes. Creed smiled lovingly down at the baby even as tears began to prick at her eyes. She began to quietly sing a lullaby for the babies since she could hear Snow still rolling around in his playpen.

A few tears fell down, staining the cheeks of the bed's occupant. They weren't enough to wake her. It seemed like nothing was. Creed finished her lullaby and just held little Astra-Scarlet and the baby's mother Meong-Fu Lan Se...

(Three years in)

Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep...

Voices could be heard arguing out in the hallway. Creed's voice raised in desperation, then a quieter voice, then a third voice. Eventually, the quiet voice and the third voice left and Creed walked inside, resting against the door for a moment as she tried to compose herself. She looked rattled, and truth be told, Creed hadn't been sleeping properly. After a few minutes, Creed slowly walked over and sat down next to Meong. "Hey, babe...me you heard that...sorry for bothering you. Some... TOOL" Creed spit out, "Thinks that Astra should go somewhere else. Be a part of someone else's family". Creed gently held Meong's hand, smiling as she kissed her palm. "Lucius is here though. From what he said, I guess that you and Guapo actually went along with the plan and designated me as Astra's godmother. Thank you, my love". Creed wiped some tears from her eyes and laughed quietly. "Seems like I'm always crying when I come to see you, babe. Sorry if I get your bed sheets soggy". Creed gently touched Meong's arms and frowned. "Hmm... Your muscles are starting to atrophy. That's not good...". Creed bit her lip as she looked at Meong. She had always been on the smaller side but now... now she was the size of a child. Creed thought about it for a moment before smiling. "How about we move you home and I be your nurse love? I can move your body around so that you don't develop sores and I can help you exercise and stretch so that when you finally wake up and see us again you can just hop right out of bed...Besides, I think you'd kick me if you woke up to find that your delicious booty you were so proud of was flat now". Creed's smile faltered and she looked back at the door. "I'll keep you safe Meong, you and Astra both. I give you my word".

Turning back to Meong, Creed got an idea. Leaning forward, she touched two fingers to her lips, then pressed them against Meong's lips. Pulling back, she laughed quietly. "Sealed with a kiss. Now I can't take it back".

Creed had Lucius come in and they began making arrangements for Meong to be taken from the hospital and placed at the palace Guapo had built for her in Menagerie. Soon though Creed had to leave. Alice was babysitting Astra and Snow and she didn't want the toddlers getting into TO much mischief while she was gone. And...at least from now on Creed wouldn't feel guilty every time that Astra called her mommy...

Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep...Beep...

(Five years in)

A frustrated Creed walked in through the door to Meong's room. She quickly crossed the room to lay beside Meong and held her tightly. She remained like that for some time before she began to speak. "...They tried to kill you, love...The council, they tried to order that you be taken off life support. They said that they had been 'more than understanding of your situation, but that they had to think about the future'. What kind of cockeyed crap is that? I don't care if you've been here for one year, or five, or even if you're here for the next ten! You're my friend and I love you Meong!".

Creed's excitement slowly waned and she sighed, pulling an object from her pocket. "That's why...I'm going to marry you Meong. They tried to kill you, saying that it's been long enough to declare you dead anyway. I tried to fight them but they overruled me time and again...So I had Lucius get into some old documents...and...".

Creed's voice cuts out and she tried to calm herself. The years had been rougher on her than she cared to admit. Between dealing with the council and fighting to keep Astra and Meong, well, if her hair hadn't already been white then it would have turned it.

"I don't know if you'll hate me for this love, but it was the only thing I could think of to protect you and Astra. Lucius filed a marriage license for us. We are now legally married. You are my wife, and I am yours".

Creed slowly slipped a chain over Meong's head. Made of platinum, it had a pendant and a ring on it. The pendant had three pictures inside. One of Guapo Oro, one of Meong in her wedding dress, and one of little Astra as she proudly sang in a play, Snow beside her dressed like a puppy dog. When opened, a tiny speaker played a message that Astra had recorded. "Hello, mommy! Mommy Creed told me that you're sleeping for now, but someday you're going to wake up and give me a great big hug! I look forward to it mommy. I love you!".

Creed smiled at the little voice of her adopted daughter as she stroked the side of Meong's ring. A simple ring of tungsten, it was engraved on the outside. 'For forever and a day'.

"I love you Meong, and I married you because I'm selfish and want you to be a part of my life for the rest of my days". Checking the door, Creed smiled down at Meong. Caressing her cheek, she leaned down and lovingly kissed her wife on the lips. After a moment, she sighed and hugged her. "Please wake up Meong. I don't know how to do this by myself. I'm trying, but they're trying to turn Astra against me, against you. Against what her father believed in. Please my love, please wake up and help me save her from them. I can't do it on my own...".