Ch. 1- Dylan
Nami sits at the kitchen table, slowly rubbing her pregnant belly. She was alone, and it was late at night. Or was it early in the morning? The redhead seemed to never have track of the time.
The door creaked open, slowly. "Nami?" It was Jack. Her love. Her rock. Her husband. "It's five in the morning. Are you okay?"
Nami glanced over. "Fine."
Jack sat down, placing his hand gently on hers, which still rested on her stomach. "..Is it.. About the baby?" No answer. "Because.. I'm.. It's okay if you're nervous. I'm nervous, too."
"I'm petrified," she huffed. Jack suddenly lifted Nami into his arms. Normally she'd scramble but she felt rather tired.
Her husband leaned her down into the bed. "There. You rest for as long as you need to. I'm gonna go get work started. Holler if you need me." Nami curled up in the quilt, sighing as sleep finally overtook her.
It was the 17th day of Winter. Nami was, to put it lightly, huge. Jack doted on her every second he could, but he eventually had to do some farm work. The former traveller relished in the empty farmhouse, until she began to feel some pains. Nami broke out into a sweat as she realized this must be it. The almost-mother waddled out, grabbing a bag of items she may or may not need.
"Jack!" she called. "Jack, are you here? I-" A sharp contraction, "ach! I, uh, think it's time!" A sense of urgency showed in her voice. There was no answer. "He's.. Probably fishing, or... Milking a.. A cow.." She huffed as she tried to make her way to the clinic. "Just.. A little longer... I can make it! Ugh.."
A huge contraction forced her on her knees. "Agh! Okay, Nami, you can make it.. Just a few more.."
"Nami!" It was Ruby. "Nami, is it time? Where's Jack? Are you okay?"
"Hi, uh.. Yes, I don't know, and no."
"Of course not, sweetheart. Let's get you to Dr. Hardy.. I'll get Tim to ring Nina. Best midwife in both Mineral Town and Forget-Me-Not Valley."
Nami didn't answer. She focused on her own breathing, and was shocked when she found herself lying in the clinic bed. "Okay, Nami, that baby's coming and it's coming now. You ready?"
"N-no.. Jack.."
"Takakura set off to find him. He'll be here eventually. But that baby's as impatient as my own husband," Nina laughed. Ruby dabbed sweat off Nami's brow.
"Alright, Nami, it's now or.. Well, now."
It only took around 6 pushes for a baby wail to sound. And a slam of the door.
"It's a b-"
"Nami!" Jack.
"Boy."
"Oh, goddess.. We have a son... I'm not.. I'm not even mad at you for being late.." Jack rushed to be by her side.
"We have a son.. A boy.. All of our own.. Name him, Nami. You earned it."
Nami looked at her baby's pudgy, alien-like face. He had a tuft of vibrant red hair, just like hers. "..Dylan."
"Dylan. I like that."
Dylan, now 3, was busy being a toddler and developing his own personality. He was quiet and thoughtful like his mother, yet charming and bashful like his father. He didn't really like the farm all that much; he prefered staying indoors, unless his parents took him somewhere.
"Dylan, come here please?"
The boy toddled over to his mother who was sitting on her bed. She lifted him up into his arms. "Wha' Mommy?"
Nami sighed, pressing her son's head her to heart. "..Nothin'." He snuggled into her chest and sighed happily. "I love you buddy."
"Luh' you back!"
"Dylan's a sissy! Dylan's a sissy!" A little boy named Carver sneered. Dylan looked down at his feet, avoiding the bully.
An older boy, Hugh, walked up to Dylan. "Hey, buddy. Want me to walk you home?" The redhead nodded shyly, and Hugh took him to the farm. "Don't worry about Carver. He's just mad because he tripped and fell during the P.E. free time."
The boys walked in near silence. "I'll see you, buddy."
Buddy. That's been his nickname since he was a baby, as far as he knew. His father called him buddy, his mother, even his grandmother Ruby. Dylan sort of cringed when it escaped Hugh's mouth.
"Bye."
As a teenager, Dylan wasn't much happier. He had come to terms with his sexuality but was feeling apprehensive about telling his mother and father... Well, more so his father. He was a silent, serious man who seemed to only have a soft spot for the animals and Nami. Sure, he loved his son, but Dylan knew Jack wanted a successor, and he just didn't fit the cut.
He really acknowledged this fact when he overheard his parents arguing about whether or not they should have a second baby. Nami refused, which made Dylan feel good. "I love our family the way it is," she's insist. "Dylan's perfect. Why would you want another?"
"He's moody and uninterested in anything I do," Jack would grumble. That shot a pang in his stomach.
That evening, he packed up some clothes in a rucksack and ran away. He had to tip-toe out as to not disturb his parents or the dog, but he didn't leave without making his bed and leaving a neatly folded note on the pillow.
Dylan didn't get too far; just in the pass between Mineral Town and the valley he was native to. He slept under a tree unsoundly, and when he woke with the sun, he carried onto Mineral Town, arriving in the late morning. He was amazed by the city, only hearing stories from his mother and other villagers. There were houses and shops and even a church. A lot more people, as well. He ended up at an inn/restaurant duplex and wandered inside, sitting at a table. An aged man behind the counter greeted him and asked for his name, and his origins.
"..Dylan.. And, uh.. I'm from... I'm from Forget-Me-Not Valley," he sighed.
"You look a little young to be a traveller.. Not more than 16."
"I am 16, sir."
"Well, what are you doing here, so far away from home? Your folks must be worried, son."
"...They probably are. But it's okay. I'm a burden."
"Now, now. No child is a burden. My little Ann is a handful but I love her to death. Why don't you go on home to your mama?"
"Because they're better off without me. You don't understand. My father's a farmer and I can't do it. He's always disappointed in me because all I do is paint and play music."
"A musical fella, huh? We haven't had musical talent in this town in years.. Now, son. You may be different but your parents but I'm sure they love you. You should really head on home, before you get into any trouble."
Dylan looked at the man, frowning. "..Suppose... You're right.." He stood, and headed for the door, but it swung open on him!
"Excuse me, have you seen a teenaged boy? About this high, red hair?" The man pointed to Dylan, who was now on the floor.
"This'm?"
"Dylan! We were worried sick. Please, never do this again!" Nami grabbed him and yanked him up, holding on tightly.
Jack remained back, crossing his arms. He frowned. "Son.. You know I love you. Why would you think otherwise?"
Dylan looked at his shoes. "Well, I heard you and Mom talking, and.."
The parents looked at their son, seeing how upset and hurt he was. Nami squeezed her tall boy. "Dylan..we love you. We aren't looking to replace you. We discussed having another child. That's all."
Jack stood forward. "It's true, though, Dylan. I do need a successor. I'm not going to live forever. But it doesn't have to be a child of mine. I'm sorry I hurt you. Let's go home."
Dylan was an adult. He knew what he wanted to do in life; be a musician. He had a lovely voice and was skilled in piano. Gustafa had even begun giving him guitar lessons, as had Griffin. His parents didn't know about his ability until the night of their anniversary, where he sang a song of gratitude to them. That was also the night he told his mother about how he realized he was gay. As expected, she totally supported him, however she warned him about telling his father.
"Not yet," she'd say.
Dylan groaned and huffed. "Why?"
"He won't appreciate it yet."
Dylan was still home, a few years later. He had begun to pick up the slack around the farm due to his father's declining stamina. It sure made Jack happy, and it was nice to help out.. But Dylan wasn't happy.
And it didn't go unnoticed.
"Dylan," Jack murmured one night. The men were alone at their dinner table while Nami in bed.
Dylan looked his aged father in the eye. "Yes, sir?"
Jack cleared his throat and stroked his chin. "Why are you here, son?"
"Because you need me."
Jack chucked. "Around the farm you're a great hand.. But I know it's not.. What you want to do. What do you want to do in life, son?"
Dylan looked down at his folded hands; his mannerisms were identical to his father's. "To be happy."
"Go for it. Farming makes me happy. Nami makes me happier. But your happiness makes me happiest. Do what you want with your life before it's too late and you're stuck in a hick town like this."
Dylan's heart raced and his head pounded. He hesitated for a moment, trying not to open the can of worms, but.. "Dad, I'm gay." His palms were sweaty, and he began to hold his breath.
His father smiled. "I know. Goodnight."
"Dylan! Call Dr. Hardy! Hurry!" Dylan shot out of bed at the sound of his mother's shriek. Without even dressing out of pajamas, he ran out of the house, hurrying to the clinic. The man burst into the door, huffing and puffing
"Dr. Hardy!" He shouted. The man was in bed himself. "Please! My mother needs you!" He pulled the doctor out of bed, and he collected his things, and the two set off.
Jack had died overnight. The entire valley stood still when the news spread. Nami and Dylan spent the weekend huddled close, never leaving one another's side. Takakura silently mended to the farm as well as he could as they grieved, but he was grieving, too.
"I should have gone," Takakura mumbled. "Jack never got to see Dylan marry.. Or have kids.. Such a sad ending to a wonderful life."
"I love you, Mom. If you need me to come back, I'll come back." Dylan had his guitar in one hand and a duffel bag in the other; he was leaving to go start a music career, at his mother's request.
Nami placed her hand on Dylan's cleanly shaven cheek. "Go. You need this." She stood on her tip-toes to kiss Dylan's forehead, but he still had to lean down. "I'll be fine, baby boy. I've learned a thing or two about farming, believe it or not."
"You? Farming? Psh. No way." The duo laughed until silence filled the air.
Nami inhaled deeply. "Go on, Dylan. Go have a wonderful life."