CHAPTER 2

Spirit and Marie walked into a run down, crowded shack and looked around. "Are you sure this is it?" Marie asked as everyone turned to stare at them.

Spirit nodded. "This is where Kid said." Spirit said with a shrug, double checking the paper Kid had given him. Mugs were slammed on the counter and suddenly Spirit was on the ground, his head spinning. Looking up he saw a woman with long brown hair and brown eyes, glaring at him, anger burning in her.

"What are you doing here?" She growled ready to attack him again. "How the hell did you find me?" She screamed as she raised her hand to attack again.

"It's Maka." He said quickly and watched as her anger deflated.

"What happened to her? Is she okay? What did that weapon do to her? I told her it would only end with a shattered heart." She crossed her arms looking at him. "I should have never left her with you."

"No, you shouldn't have left her." Spirit said as he felt the pain he saw on Maka's face every time something went on and her mother never arrived. He looked up at her, she was taken aback by his comment. "You left her, letters only do so much when a girl needs her mother. I completely failed as her father, but at least I was there. I was there every time she was hurt, or upset, every time she was striving and reaching for the farthest goals. Every time she reached those goals. I was there when she found love. When she was afraid and almost gave up. I was there when she got married and took that step forward with the man she loves more than anything. Where were you?"

He stood and backed up, surprised by what he said, he hadn't meant to say all of that but it came out and he watched her shocked and pained face as she listened to him. "Spirit." Marie said as she walked closer. "That's not what were here for." She looked at Maka's mother as she turned her brown eyes on her. "Kimi…"

"Marie…" She half whispered. "Are you the next one in his line of women" She narrowed her eyes trying to hurt Spirit but it was nothing that he hadn't been put through with Maka and her comments and actions.

"No." Marie shook her head.

"She's actually with Stein." Spirit said as Kimi was shocked. "Got a kid too."

"What?" She couldn't believe what she was hearing.

Marie smiled and nodded. "But we're not here for any of this." She sighed and looked at the woman she had grown up with.

"Maka." Kimi said. "What's going on? Is she alright?"

"She's fine." Marie nodded. "Actually, better than fine. She was worried that she hasn't heard from you in a long time. She tried to find you, but she was never able to reach you."

"Then why are you here?" Kimi asked looking between the two.

Spirit was the one who spoke. "She told me she wrote you about her and Soul."

"I told her it would end in nothing but pain." Kimi said.

"I know. She nearly broke it off and ran away from Soul because of that." Spirit said. "You nearly cost her best friend, her partner and the only man who has never backed down and broken her heart. The only man who's made her truly happy. Just because we didn't work, because I was a horrible husband and father doesn't mean Soul is. Soul is one of the best men I've ever met."

"I thought the same about you once and now look." She crossed her arms.

Spirit shook his head. "Soul isn't me. He's a much better man and if you come back and spend time around them you'll see what I'm talking about." She looked at him. "We don't have a lot of time."

"What? Why?" She asked

Spirit smirked. "Because in less than a week we're going to be grandparents."

"What?" Kimi gasped looking at him as he grinned.

"She's due in four days and she's still worried about if you're alright. Come with us, see what we see and get to meet your granddaughter when she's born." Kimi looked at him. "Just promise you wont freak Maka out. She's already so afraid of what could happen. She knows what happened between us and the time line."

"She did?"

Spirit nodded. "I promised I wouldn't say anything to anyone but… Soul came to me after they found out she was pregnant. He wanted some help, he said she had freaked and started worrying about what it meant. That it was after we had Maka that things started going off track. She was so afraid it was going to happen with her and Soul. He wanted help. He's been able to keep her from getting too upset, he's managed to remind her at every turn that they're not us. But I'm sure it didn't help that the last thing she heard from you was your anger at her falling in love with her weapon."

"So Kimi, will you come with us and make Maka happy?" Marie asked watching as she stood not knowing what to say. All his words were true, all he's done is tell him how she's failed as a mother when she had just thought about how bad he was for his womanizing. After everything she's said and done, and how she just walked away from her daughter, how could she face Maka after everything.

"Something I've learned from our daughter and her weapon." Spirit smirked. "You'll never know what will happen if you don't face your fear and move forward." She looked at him again before she decided he was right. She needed to face everything and fix what she had messed up over all these years. She gave a nod.

**Line**

Spirit was walking towards the academy with his ex-wife and Marie beside him. He smirked when he caught sight of Soul's parents and brother standing at the bottom of the stairs. "Glad you could make it." He grinned. "This is Maka's mother, Kimi."

"I'm Margot Evans, this is my husband George and our eldest son, Wes." Soul's mother smiled.

Spirit's phone rang, and he furrowed his brow. "Soul." He said as he answered. "I just got back to the city." He paused listening. "Yeah, I'll take care of it, I'm sure Kid will be fine with it as long as there's a death scythe there… I know how stubborn she can be, take care of her." He hung up and sighed. "Apparently the doctor has placed Maka on bed rest for the next couple days and he was supposed to have a meeting with Kid and the witches. But with Maka as stubborn as ever he's going to have his hands full keeping her down."

Marie giggled as Margot gave a small smile. "Maybe we should go see them."

"That would only make her fight Soul more." Marie laughed. "Maka's something special." She looked up at Spirit. "I should probably go see how Stein survived Micah by himself."

"Yeah, hopefully he didn't decided to be the creepy doctor." Spirit smirked.

"He's better, especially with Micah." Marie smiled. "Kimi, would you like to come too?"

"To see your child?" Kimi asked confused.

Marie nodded, and Kimi couldn't believe she was being allowed back into all of this. "What now?" Spirit said as he answered his phone. "What? Are you serious?... No, we'll be there." He hung up and grinned. "We need to go. Now."

"Maka?" Marie asked as Spirit nodded. "You go. I'll get Stein and let everyone else know."

"Thanks, Marie." Spirit said before he started towards the hospital with the others following. As he entered he caught sight of Soul standing by the double doors. "Soul." He turned and froze seeing the others behind him. Spirit smirked. "Thought you could use some family here for this." Soul looked at his parents and brother before looking back at Spirit.

Soul scoffed and shook his head as he pushed his hands in his pockets. "Not cool." He shook his head. "Thanks." Spirit gave a small smile. "You're Maka's mom."

"Is she alright?" She asked worried.

Soul nodded. "They're just getting her set up with all the monitors and everything." He shrugged.

"We've been here before." Spirit said. "Is it really happening this time?"

Soul gave a nod and smirked. "The doctor already checked her out."

Spirit grinned. "Hopefully by the end of the day, you'll be a father."

Soul chuckled softly. "And you'll be a grandpa, old man." Spirit smirked as Soul looked back at the doors. "Wish they wouldn't kick me out for this." He sighed.

"Soul." He turned to his brother as he and his parents walked closer. "I'm sorry we haven't had much time to talk. If I had known…."

"It's fine." Soul smirked and shook his head. "I get it. Surprised those two showed up." He said looking behind his brother at his parents.

"Mother has decided she wants things to change." Wes gave a small smile. "We've all decided to change. We don't want to miss and waste any more time than we already have."

"Maka will be happy to see everyone here." Soul smirked at his father in law. "Thanks."

"Mr Evans." They heard making Soul turn as a nurse came out. "Your wife is settled, you can go in now." Soul nodded.

"Keep us updated." Spirit said. "Marie is bringing the others." Soul gave another nod before he walked with the nurse into the room. He found Maka hooked up to several wires and an IV. He watched as she squirmed in the bed.

"Hey." He said as he walked closer she sighed and looked at him.

"This sucks." She said as he leaned on the bed rail she held in her grip.

Soul reached out and took her hand. "I wish I could help you with this one."

"No you don't." She smirked before she winced and gasped. Soul felt her hand squeeze his tight as she closed her eyes and tried to breathe.

"Your dad's back." He said trying to distract her. "Miss Marie went to get everyone and bring them here so they're all probably out there destroying the waiting room now." He smirked. "And your dad brought a present for you and the baby."

"What? Really?" She asked as she looked up at him as he nodded. "What is it?"

"You'll have to wait and see." He smirked.

Maka shook her head. "So uncool." She watched him smirk before she squirmed and tried to get comfortable in the bed before groaning as she gave up.

"It'll be over before you know it." Soul smirked as he gently moved hair from her face.

It was nearly seven hours later when Soul saw Maka shift and groan in pain. He sighed as he walked over and took her hand in his. "Soul." She said as she shifted and looked up at him. "Hey."

"Hey." He smirked as he brushed her hair from her forehead. "You have a nice five-minute nap?" He smirked.

"This really sucks." She half whined. "I can't get comfortable and-." She cut off as she winced and moaned as her hand tightened in his. "It just gets worse." She groaned.

"I know." He sighed as he ran his hand over her head. "I wish I could help you."

"You are." She smiled up at him. "I'm always stronger when you're with me." Maka smiled as he smirked at her. "We'll be holding our baby in no time."

"I can't believe we're here now." He shook his head.

Maka laughed softly. "I know. Thinking about when we first became partners there's no way I would have thought we'd be here. Married and about to meet out little girl, together." Soul couldn't help the little smile as he looked at her. Laying in the hospital bed, hooked up to monitors and IVs, he wished he could do more, be useful. "I love you, Soul." She smiled.

"We'll be a complete family in a few hours." Soul smiled at her.

"Well it's a start." She smiled at him making him chuckle. "We're really starting our own family together." She smiled brighter as he grinned.

"Who would have thought." He said as she winced, and her grip tightened again making her moan. "Just have to get through a little longer."

"I know, this pain…" She said looking at him sadly.

Soul nodded. "I know."

"Soul." He looked at her. "Just don't go anywhere, okay?"

"Of course not." He smirked and kissed her head. "I'll be right at your side through everything. I love you Maka." He said softly making her smile. "Try to rest while you can." She nodded, and he helped her get comfortable letting her sleep for the few minute before the next contraction.

**Line**

Spirit started pacing after nine hours of waiting. The others sat all around the waiting room, waiting for any news. After another hour Soul arrived through the double doors with a smirk and his hands in his pockets. All of his friends and family jumped to their feet and ran over. "She's here." He smirked as they all cheered. "Come on, Maka wants to introduce you." He said before leading the family back back to Maka's room where she sat in the hospital bed smiling and holding a little bundle.

"Mama…" Maka said looking at her mother who stopped in the doorway. She looked at her father before turning to Soul.

"Told you, your dad brought you a present." He smirked. "And then some." He nodded towards his family who had stopped to look at the scene in front of them.

"Your family." Maka's smile brightened even more. "Well since you've all come a long way, come meet your granddaughter." She smiled happily as Soul sat in the chair beside the bed as everyone moved closer. Maka smiled at all of them. "Everyone. Meet Maya Caitriona Evans." She shifted the bundle, so everyone could see the little sleeping face.

"Oh, Maka, she's beautiful." Tsubaki smiled as she looked down at the baby.

"You're going to have your hands full keeping the boys away." Liz grinned as Soul smirked and rolled his eyes. "So, who does she look like?"

Maka smiled as she shifted Maya and pulled the hat off. "She's got Soul's hair." They all smiled as Soul smirked from his spot. "We'll have to wait for everything else I think." She looked at her father. "You want to hold her?" Spirit looked at her a minute as she handed Maya to Soul who walked over and gently handed her to Spirit.

"There you go, grandpa." He chuckled as Spirit looked shocked before a small smile came to his face. Soul sat on the bed and Maka took his hand. The two sat watching as their friends and family crowded around and passed the baby around to each other. Maka squeezed his hand as the baby was passed to his mother.

Kimi walked over and smiled at her daughter. "Congratulations, Maka."

Maka smiled brightly. "I'm so glad you could be here. You and Soul's family. I'm so happy." She said as she wiped away a tear as Soul smirked and squeezed her hand. Spirit walked closer and smiled. "Thank you, papa. For everything."

Spirit smiled and gave a nod. "Of course, Maka." He bent more to hug her. "My granddaughter is perfect, just like her mother."

Soul gave a small smirk as Maka smiled at her father. "I'm happy we can all be together and welcome Maya into our family." She looked back over as Wes held his niece and she couldn't help her smile. They had all finally come together as an actual family and all together for one of the most important moments of their lives.