Hello all a quick disclaimer, I do not own any of the Soul Eater characters, or anything.
Twenty years ago, nothing could have readied the country for the war; drafting was inevitable for all able bodied men. The war had been raging on for several years, but now the drafting was becoming more frequent, taking away in that last several months, what was left of the men. Justin managed to avoid being drafted the first time around seeing how he's a well respected doctor. That was how the two met, at the hospital where they both work, Maka, a nurse, and him the doctor of the floor. Maka knew she would have to say goodbye, to not just her husband, but her father, brother, and best friends. Just about everyone; she would be alone. Just her, and her baby who wasn't due for another seven months. Stress was the last thing she needed, too much and she would lose him as well. Yes a boy, she could see him now with his father's eyes, his mother's hair. They came to an agreement that the boy's name would be Cameron, Cameron Law.
When the letter came instructing Justin to show to the recruiter's office the following Monday, Maka felt her heart sink. When more and more letters were sent to the people around her, the city seemed empty. The ones to avoid being drafted were either too old, too young, or foreigners that have yet to earn citizenship. With a grim face and her lips pulled into a tight line, Maka bit back her tears as she helped her husband pack and be ready to be shipped off to the war.
"I promise you, I will return," Justin's eyes didn't hold the same enthusiasm as his voice held; "our son won't grow up with just old pictures for a father." He pulled Maka in for a tight hug and with a kiss to her soft lips he walked out the doors, and into the battle field. Maka cried herself to sleep every night after Justin left, almost six months ago. And when she had no more tears to shed she couldn't leave her bed. The threat of losing the baby due to her depression hung over her like a dark cloud, forcing her to eat and sleep to keep her body healthy. But not for herself, for her him.
A sharp knock awoke Maka from her sleep with a startle. Looking over at her clock that hung on her wall, the hands read eight forty-two. She had slept for sixteen hours today. With a huff and a puff Maka rose to her feet and donned her house robe next her bedroom door and made her way to the front door of the house. Sunlight leaked from the curtains, lighting the living room and kitchen with a soft glow. Something was right, she felt her heart grow heavy as she opened the door, and her worst fears came true. Two soldiers wearing their Dress Blues saluted her as the one on the left handed her a letter. She already knew what it would say.
"He's dead." Her mouth spoke the words and the tears wouldn't stop flowing. She cried so hard she crumpled to the ground as each sob wrenched her body making her shake and gasp for air.
"Ma'am, we are terrible sorry for your loss, your husband fought a good battle and aided us one step closer to winning the war," the one on the left spoke. He bent down to help her up and escorted her to the living room seating her down on the cream colored couch. They saluted her one last time and left. Maka had no one. She was alone; her baby would have no father and an empty shell for a mother. Gathering her strength Maka lifted herself from the couch, made her way to the bathroom and showered. She needed to be stronger, for the growing life in her stomach. She had to defeat her depression, she needed to go back to work, and she had to earn a living for her son, now due less than a month from now.
"I can do this. I can do this. I will do this. For my son," Maka puffed the words out whilst looking in the mirror in the steamy bathroom. She put a hand to her stomach and felt him kick her palm. She felt motivated, she felt confident, and for once sense Justin left six months ago, Maka felt it would be okay. Pushing aside the thoughts of what happened nearly an hour ago Maka got dressed into a soft blue button down dress and brushed her still wet hair putting a headband in, she gathered her thoughts on what to do. She needed a nanny, or someone to watch Cameron when she would be ready to start work again. Suddenly she had a thought, Tsubaki, the sweet American born Japanese woman lived next door and was always asking if Maka needed something, or any help. Her husband had avoided being drafted due to a back injury from his job, they always watched over her, leaving her meals and comfort when Justin left. They were seven or so years older than she, and had experience with children. Tsubaki was a kindergarten teacher, but quit when Roger got injured so she could care for him. He had long sense healed but she felt the need to be home just in case, and to make sure she was home on time to make him dinner.
Pushing herself from the couch, easier said than done, she was huge! Maka waddled to the front door and made her way across the street to the Star's home. She lifted her hand to knock, her wedding ring caught the light gaining her attention and suddenly her hand felt heavy. Why had she been so confident? She just received word her husband was killed in the war; she needed to be home to grieve. She dropped her hand, letting tears drip from her reddening eyes. What would they think of her? A widow who didn't think twice of her husband's death. She wanted to scream but she turned her head ready to leave when the door swung open. It was Tsubaki; she had a soft look on her face with concern in her eyes.
"Maka? What are you doing- hey! Why are you crying?" Tsubaki grabbed Maka's hand gently and from the look in the blonde's eyes, Tsubaki knew the problem. "Sweetie, please come inside and have some tea. Roger? Will you put the kettle on please?" called the sweet brunette. Her husband poked his head out behind the newspaper he was reading, a look of surprise crossed his face when he saw the pregnant youth in his living room.
"Of course, Maka, are you okay with black tea?" he asked as he shuffled to the kitchen. The young blonde nodded her head and managed a soft, "Yes." She turned her attention to the beautiful Japanese woman who patted the cushion next to her, motioning for Maka to sit. Maka slowly made her way down on the cushion, again easier said than done.
"Sweetie, I am so sorry, if there is anything we can do for you, please let me know," her words were so gentle, soothing to the blonde. Maka wiped her tears and nodded her head. "Oh? What is it that you need sweet pea?" Tsubaki knew how hard this war had been on Maka, she had lost her family and her husband, something Tsubaki could not even begin to comprehend. Maka looked at Tsubaki's face and rubbed her stomach. "After the baby is born," Maka started, "I will really need help and after a while, I need to go back to work, so we can keep the house." The brunette nodded her head as Maka spoke, knowing what she was going to ask, and of course Tsubaki would be delighted to help out, watching the baby while Maka was working. "Can you please help me with my baby? I can pay you!" Tsubaki cut her off before Maka could finish, "Of course I will help you."
"We'd be delighted to help you," Rodger had said, placing a cup of tea by Maka onto the coffee table. "And we wouldn't dream of taking your money," continued Tsubaki. "We have more than enough as it is," Rodger finished.
"Thank you, thank you so much." Maka smiled and wiped her face as fresh tears streamed down her face. "Thank you," Maka was again cut off as Tsubaki pulled her in for a tight hug. Something Maka missed from Justin. "Will you be staying over for dinner? Tsubaki has a roast going and we made enough to feed a whole school." He was careful with his words, he had almost said army, but quickly caught himself, thinking that just the mention of the word would send the sad blonde into a fit of tears.
"Thank you, I would love to," started the young blonde. "Great! We have a while before dinner is ready, I was headed into town for a few decorations, would you like to help me, Maka?" asked the soft spoken older woman. Maka nodded her head; she didn't want to be alone today. Or any day for that matter.
The day had gone over lovely as the two women shopped and made idle chit chat, coming to the conclusion that when Maka went into labor she would immediately ring the Stars and they would help her from there. Dinner lasted for a few hours as the trio talked and talked, making plans for the nearing future. Christmas was in two weeks and the couple didn't want Maka to spend it alone. As the weeks went on Maka spent all her time with Tsubaki, which the older woman loved, she had confessed it got quite lonely when Rodger left for work, but she didn't want to return to work, and take the job away from someone who needed it. About three days from Christmas, Maka awoke to a wave of terrible pain shooting threw her abdominal.
"Ah!" Maka hissed in pain. Sitting up was almost impossible, but she managed to sit up enough to grab the phone. "Operator," another woman stated ready to direct Maka to the line she needed. "I need-AH!" Another wave of pain, they were so close together, so fast. "I need the Star residence please! OH!" The pain was terrible but Maka managed to get out of bed and don the robe by her door as she waited for someone to answer her call. "Hello?" Finally! A sleepy voice mumbled from the other line. "Maka? Is that you?" Tsubaki, Maka registered the voice as Tsubaki. "Tsubaki, it's time- AH! My water just broke!" A small gush of liquid dampened her side of the bed. The line went dead and not even two minutes had passed when Maka heard loud knocks on her door, and the rumbling of a car.
"Maka! It's Tsubaki! We have the car ready, open the door sweetie; we'll drive you to the hospital." The older woman was loud when she spoke, but her tone was calm as to not frighten the blonde. Maka waddled over to the door; bag in hand ready to go. "Alright baby, let's do this." She whispered while rubbing her tummy. She flung the door open and grabbed Tsubaki's open hand. Getting into the car was the most difficult thing that had happened that night.
"Get ready to push Maka! C'mon, one big push, now!" The doctor over her demanded, and Maka complied. She nearly squeezed the life from Tsubaki's hand, the only other person who was in the room with Maka. "You're doing great!" the doctor continued. Maka continued to push, letting out a small scream and a sharp cry. "Last one Maka; give us one more big push!" Tsubaki grasped Maka's hand and wiped the sweat from the youth's forehead. She pushed one last time, and heard a small cry of the newborn in the doctor's arm. "You did it Maka, you did it," Tsubaki comforted Maka as the doctors cleaned the small infant off. "Your family would be so proud of you, sweetie. You did amazing," Tsubaki continued, and released Maka's hand when she spotted the nurse walking over with a small white bundle in her arms.
"Congratulations Mrs. Law, you have a daughter." Maka's hand reached out for the small bundle. "A girl?" She looked down into the bluest eyes she had ever seen. "What are you going to name her," asked Tsubaki. "Well, we had planned on a boy and naming him Cameron, but she can't have a boy's name now can she?" Maka chuckled out. "Kami, after my mother," Maka smiled, "Kami Haze Law."
"That's a beautiful name." Tsubaki whispered out. "Do you, do you want to hold her," Maka asked facing the baby to Tsubaki. "I would love to," she held her hands out and grasped the small baby gently, "she's so light."
Rodger joined them after a while, giving some time to the two women to be alone with the newborn. The trio was under the little girl's spell. Wrapped around her finger the moment they all met her. Maka and Kami were released the day before Christmas, to Maka, Kami was the only gift she ever needed, the only thing in the world that made her feel whole again. She knew her father would've adored Kami, their daughter.
Christmas morning, Maka woke before Kami, not unusual for the pair, Kami was like her father, she loved her sleep, and so far had slept through the nights. They didn't have a tree this year, not that Kami would remember, but there were plenty of shiny wrapped presents. Tsubaki and Rodger had gone over bored buying gifts, claiming they had no children to spoil so they would spoil Kami. Maka began to organize the boxes, stopping when she heard a soft cry come from her bedroom. "Kamis waking up," Maka thought aloud to no one but herself. Shuffling over to her room, Maka picked up her daughter, holding her close to her heart, so the steady beating would sooth Kami, and not startle her. Her whines calmed down and her breathing even out.
With her daughter securely in her arms, Maka made her way to the living room window where a small end table sat off to the side with a record player resting on top, and put on her favorite album. The soft music filled the house with comforting lyrics of The Beatles' Hey Jude. They would wait to open presents until Tsubaki and Rodger would make their way over. For now Maka sat in her rocking chair humming the words to her daughter.
"Hey Jude…"
Alright, that was the first chapter I really hope you enjoyed it!
Next chapter will have Soul in it. I decided that this war isn't going to be one we learned about, I won't name any countries involved besides America, and the length of it really depends on how the next few chapters go, I have a set story line in mind and what not.
Please review to let me know what you think, flames are welcomed, but please try and keep it reasonable. If there are any questions leave them in the reviews, and I will address them in the next chapters. Thank you so much!
XOXO~ Darling.