"Okay Lucina, I need to go. I need to see my daughter… the baby"
"I know father." Chrom slowly dropped his arms and stepped away from Lucina. He didn't know what else to do so he turned away and headed towards his room. On arrival plans, had been made for him to bathe and have a change of clothes. As he entered their room he took a deep breath. His room used to be spotless and simple, as a shepherd he wasn't in the city often so hadn't made it very homely. When he married, she gave the room personality. She enjoyed her memories, mainly because she had lost hers and never wanted to forget again. Paintings from villagers lie in the room, letters hung on the walls. Broken and damaged weapons hung in various places, each had a meaning to her. Each a memory. On the bed lay multiple books. He remembered telling her to tidy them before they left. Chrom chuckled to himself even though looking at her belongings made the pain in his chest grow.
The en-suite had a bath tub full of hot steaming water. A tear fell down his cheek. It made him think of the times they ran into each other, the embarrassment and then the laughs that they had with each other after. How he wished the pain would stop. He started to take off his armour, the weight leaving his body was nothing compared to the weight that was still on his chest. He places falchion so it would be nearby when he got in the bath. He looked down to his chest and saw all the bruises and scarring. He realised then how much his joints ached. As he slipped into the bath he started to relax. He wished she was here to see to her bruises like she would always do after training and when on the road.
Chrom hadn't slept since Grima fell. Every time he closed his eyes he would see the moment again. That dreaded moment. But the heat of the bath and the steam filling the air was making him fall to sleep. He slowly closed his eyes.
"Chrooom, Chrooom" her voice was so soft and smooth. It was comforting to hear that voice. A voice that always remained calmed even during the most difficult battles, offering guidance and protecting everyone. "Wake up Chrom, what are you doing lying her. This isn't any place to sleep" He was sleeping in the middle of field, just like the one where he found her. "Are you okay? You went for a walk and didn't come back. Lucina missed you" A young Lucina, around 2 years old walked up to Chrom and climbed on top of him, he was filled with joy at looking at his family. "You're going to miss out on dinner, Lissa and Frederick are coming around and they're bringing little Owain." Her smile when from cheek to cheek, she picked up Lucina and held her to the side of her body. She then put her hand out to help Chrom up. "Emmeryn is waiting come on." He stood up and hugged his wife and daughter. Their warmth radiated throughout his body. He had never felt as safe. "Careful, you're squeezing me to death" she then gave a laugh that filled the field with what felt like a warm ray from the sun. He let them go and she put Lucina down. Then Lucina started to run forward, and she ran after her. Her cloak floating behind her. "Come on Chrrrrooooommmm." That smile again. And then a scream. It was Lucina's scream. And adult Lucina fell out of a portal in the sky and behind her Grima. Grima was heading for the young Lucina. Her mother pushed her out of the way. "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooo!"
He woke up still screaming no. Frederick and Lissa ran into the room " Chrom? Chrom?"
"Don't come in, I'm fine"
"Sire?"
"Chrom?"
"It was just a dream, I'm fine. I'll be coming now. Let me just get dressed." He stepped out of the bath, dried himself and put on some light clothes. He didn't think there was a need for any amour at a time like this. As he left their room he saw Lissa waiting outside. She has a large smile on her face. He wondered how she could smile at a time like this, but she knew it was all for him. Lissa only ever wanted to see people happy. "Have you seen Lucina yet today?" It then occurred to Chrom that the Lucina situation could get very confusing, he smiled and looked at his little sister. "Which one?" Lissa gave out a sound of confusion and then did her signature laugh "I guess we'll have to find a way to distinguish them." Lissa then dropped her laugh and looked to the floor. "I…I was told that… you… you need to..." She cleared her throat. "You need to tell the people of Ro…Her death. And then a funeral will be expected." Chrom saw the pain in her eyes, his little sister loved her. They got so close during the war. No wonder she also struggled to say her name. He found comfort in that. Knowing he wasn't the only one who mourned her so deeply he couldn't even say or hear her name without feeling horrible intense pain. "Thank you Lissa, I l know it must have been hard for you to relay that message." Lissa then started to sob. She cried like the day when Emmeryn fell. Chrom jumped over to her and held her, he hated to see his little sister cry. She didn't deserve to be put through this.
When she stopped crying she stepped away and smiled. But this smile had less effort put into it. Chrom had a feeling she couldn't fake her smile even if she wanted to. They then walked with each other in silence. Neither of them knew what to say and neither on them really wanted to talk. Chrom decided it was time to face his daughter. She shouldn't have waited this long to see her father. Her only parent.
They stood at the front of the nursery door. Lissa then turned to Chrom, "You should go in. She wouldn't want you to not spend time with Lucina." Then Lissa turned and left. Chrom could hear her sniffles as she walked away. Chrome waited one moment more, put a smile on his face and then opened the door.
The cot was empty in the rocking chair next to the cot sat Sumia with Lucina in her arms. "Oh, Captain. Sorry, the wet nurse needed to go…" Chrom walked towards Sumia and looked at his daughter lying in her arms. Lucina opened her eyes and smiled upon seeing Chrom. She then put her arms up to Chrom. This filled Chrom with joy. Even though he knew she probably didn't remember him, her wanting him was enough to lighten the pressure on his chest. He leant down and picked up his daughter. Sumia then stood up and bowed. "There's no need for that Sumia, we're friends." Sumia blushed and then fell over a teddy bear on the floor, while walking backwards. Chrom laughed. "Sorry, Captain." He continued to laugh and then looked down to Lucina who was laughing along with him. Sumia got up blushing harder than ever. "Thank you Sumia, I haven't laughed like that in a while. Are you okay?" She pattered herself down and giggled "I'm fine, thank you… Sorry, Captain but I better go. I need to make sure Gaius actually ate something other than sweets." She giggled again and then left.
Chrom then sat alone with his child in his arms, praying that she would always have someone in her life to look after her.
