When little Muto was two and a half, their second child was born. It was a daughter.

After the child and mother were brought home from the hospital, Fakir brought Ahiru some tea.

"Say, Ahiru, have you thought of any names?"

"Hmm... I never had a mother, or any real family. But there was..."

"Yeah?"

"She was like the mom I never had, so wise, and caring...she tried to say none of her actions were her own... that it was just the role given to her. But she really did care, saying goodbye was so..." Ahiru paused a moment, the right words evaded her.

"I know. She saved me too you know. Were it not for her rescuing my body, for her warmth, I would never have made it out of there. The knight's fate truly would have been mine."

"Yes. Even though she said she was nothing more than a puppet, she defied her role in the end to save us, to guide us to safety. Drosselmeyer thought he had her under his control, but in a way, she defied her fate more than any of us. Though she was a puppet, she was able to live on and even have a heart. Though the memories are no longer with her, she lives on in Uzura."

"Yes thankfully. Still, I believe she would smile to see our little girl named in her memory."

"So you like it?"

"Of course." They admired the little girl with dark hair. She was awake, and her turquoise eyes glistened, as deep as her mother's, as intense as her fathers.

"Our little Edel.

"Fakir, any thought for middle names?"

He looked into the little ones eyes; they lit up like Ahiru's. "Hmm... What about Hope?"

"Edel Hope. It has a beautiful ring to it"

"Then it's settled."

Their toddler walked in the room, "What's settled daddy?"

"Oh Muto... we just thought of a name for you sister. Edel Hope."

"It's not as cool as my name. I only have one: MUTO!" the son insisted.

"Muto, you know you have two names as well..." Fakir asserted

"What?!"

Ahiru chimed in, "Oh Muto, you don't know? You were named after Daddy and a prince from a story. You name is Fakir Muto."

"Fakir? Can I trade with sissy? I want to be named Hope!"

"That's a girl's name, Muto."

"Hope sounds manly; hope is brave. I want to be Muto Hope! She can be Edel Fakir"

Fakir asked, "Is my name really that bad Muto?"

"Your name?"

"Son, Fakir is my name."

"Wha? Daddy has a girly name?"

"Silly Muto," Ahiru teased. "No one is changing their name no matter how girly, or manly they may sound."

Fakir shifted at this assertion. "My name is not girly." He was a bit defensive.

Little Muto was distraught, "Awww..."

Fakir picked up his son. "It's alright, no matter our names, we are strong and manly. Brave like knights who never give up, or lose hope, to the end. That is who we are. The name is nothing compared to that."

"Yes, I fight for sissy Hope to the end! She'll never be lost, I'll keep her safe!"

"Fakir, he really is just like you." Ahiru said. "Come here, my little hero!"

Fakir set down Little Muto who ran to his mommy, and Ahiru handed Fakir their Newborn: baby Edel. Ahiru hugged her son, and held him close.

"Ahiru, you know he's just like you too: brave, intense, and willing to do everything in his power to help others. He is so determined to keep hope safe."

"Oh Fakir, you're too kind, no need to exaggerate."

"No exaggeration. It's the truth." Fakir sat on the couch next to Ahiru. She smiled. He was so warm.

They gazed into each other's eyes, the spark of their initial confession still alive, the affections still intense. With a child in each lap, their lips drew close and they kissed—a small yet passionate gesture. Muto didn't notice; he was looking at his new sister. She tried to grab both his thumbs, and pull them to her mouth. With one, she succeeded. "Eww... mommy"

"It's alright, dear."

"It's stuck." The child's grip was notably strong.

"Just be gentle, she'll let go soon."

"Be glad she doesn't have teeth yet, Muto"

"Sissy, why?" Little Muto pleaded,

"It's a natural reflex. You were that way too," Ahiru reassured him.

Little Edel drifted asleep, and Muto was free.

He then proceeded to run around the room pretending to fly like a bird, and then grabbed some crayons and doodled. He seemed to be drawing his parents, and his new sister.

"Can sissy play too?"

"In time. Not yet, though," Ahiru said.

Fakir gently handed Edel to Ahiru, and then joined his son in doodling. Fakir drew a certain duck. Ahiru couldn't help but notice. His attention to detail was noteworthy, but not surprising after all the days he'd lived with Ahiru as a duck.

"Daddy, why does the birdy have mama eyes?"

"Mama eyes?'"

"It looks like mommy."

Ahiru and Fakir stared at the child. He was so observant, at such a young age, they exchanged a glance.

"Because it's the most beautiful birdy ever" Fakir said with a smile. Ahiru grinned at this. They would tell him the whole truth someday, but not today. He has a lot of growing up to do first. So does little Edel.