Letters with Liutana

Child

A/N – Another one set in my P.M. head canon. Kind of a follow-up to 'Of Mothers and Daughters'.' I also happen to like this one-shot MUCH better than the last one.

Like many times now in the past four months, Kitana felt the ache of her full breasts rouse her from slumber. But as her mind slowly came fully awake, she became aware of one crucial thing that instantly suffused her with fear.

Mytaliah was not crying.

She suddenly jackknifed into a sitting position, heart beating wildly and ayes wide with panic, before throwing the covers off and clearing the short distance to the basinet. Upon seeing it empty, her memory clicked, and she sagged in relief, bracing herself upon the rim of the baby bed. She chuckled quietly to herself, shaking her head slightly. How could she forget?

Mytaliah had recently begun to sleep for a solid six hours, and tonight marked the second that she now slept in her crib in the nursery. The previous night Kitana had been so worried that the infant would not transition well, and she awoke several times to sneak from bed and peer into the room adjacent to the one she shared with Liu. Every time Kitana had, the crib still sat there, and the tiny princess lay inside totally unperturbed in her slumber. It seemed the change took more of a toll on the new mother than her baby.

"I'll relax eventually I suppose…" she murmured to herself.

Gazing out of the balcony, Kitana noticed that it would soon be dawn, the tiniest bit of orange visible on the horizon. It was only then that she looked to bed and realized Liu was missing. He must be in the nursery already.

Surely enough, Kitana opened the small shoji door that separated the two rooms and found soft light spilling from inside. And then she heard an unfamiliar sound that froze her on the spot a moment, and once she registered what it was she set a hand over her thrumming heart.

Pushing the door open a bit more, she indeed found Liu inside, robe clad and hair slightly in disarray, indicating he must have recently awoken himself. He sat in the rocking chair near the large window, and nestled in a blanket in his arms was their sleeping daughter. He was singing softly to her, his voice oh so quiet and melodious, but just loud enough for her to decipher it was in his native tongue. She had never once heard Liu sing before, not even hum. His voice was lovely, warm, much like his normal speaking voice, and heart swelled at the sound of it. The sound of him, combined with the look of pure serenity on his face as he rocked the baby in his arms, made a sheen of tears sting at her eyes.

Blinking them back, Kitana stepped into the room and slid the door shut just loud enough for Liu to hear. He had already known she was there, even the moment she awoke, his ability to sense chi ever alert. He acknowledged her with a brief glance and smile, before his eyes returned to his daughter. After a moment he finished his song and stood slowly. Kitana joined his side as he carried Mytaliah to her crib and set her carefully inside.

"I felt her stirring about fifteen minutes ago, and I thought I'd tend her and let you sleep a while longer." Liu quietly said, his eyes still fixed on the baby. "She just needed a change, and then she was calm enough to settle back to sleep."

Kitana gazed down at her with a smile as well. "I think my body is still adjusting to her longer sleep patterns. I keep expecting her to cry for a feeding every three hours."

"Heh, so do I." Liu replied.

"Yes, but I don't think your chest pains like mine does…" the princess drawled, pointing to the very full bosom.

"Do you want me to run a bath for you? That should give you some relief." Liu said, turning his attention to her now. He was always so attentive. Kitana flashed him a smile.

"Perhaps in a bit, thank you." she murmured, leaning in to kiss his cheek before they both turned their attention again to their baby girl.

"She's grown so much so fast. It's amazing…" Liu said in wonder.

"Yes she has. I can't believe it's already been close to half a year." Kitana answered.

They stood silently a moment, marveling their sleeping pride and joy. Four months had seen many new changes in Mytaliah. She was nearly twice her birth weight now, her once frail-looking features now full of baby fat. Her black hair now thick and somewhat spikey, and her large blue eyes could see quite well now, and eagerly took things in when she was awake. She could roll over on her own, even push herself up on her little arms. She smiled, giggled, and even at times looked annoyed or bored. When toys, or her own pacifier were near, she took them into her chubby hands and seemed to inspect them, her countenance so thoughtful and focused that it amazed her parents. The few, but recognizable traits of an emerging personality were beginning to show, a tiny human being with thoughts, wants and preferences growing into herself. It was an exhausting, but utterly captivating journey, and both her parents were ever amazed and so very grateful that they could embark on it at all.

"Even now I still can't believe that she's here… that we created her." Liu murmured, reaching down to lightly stroke his finger over Mytaliah's cheek.

Kitana nodded. "I can't believe anything so beautiful… something so innocent and pure could ever come from me." she said quietly, and Liu could hear the rue and fear in her tone. "She is the best thing I've ever done Liu… and I'm so terrified that I'll ruin her. I…" her voice cracked slightly, and she swallowed the sob threatening to escape. "I just don't want to fail her."

"And you won't." Liu affirmed. "Look at me." he gently commanded, tilted her chin to him and meeting her glossy eyes with his intent ones. "You love her, you tend to her and you fear for her. I felt the bit of panic in you when you awoke just now. And I know how you respond to the way your body calls to feed her. Do you think a bad mother would do any of those things?"

Kitana sniffed, giving a small smile. "I suppose not."

"Listen, I have all the same fears you do. Maybe not to the same extent but I worry too." Liu comforted. "We're human, we're new to this and have to learn with each day. We will make mistakes… and we will learn from them. She will teach us just as we will teach her. As long as we remember that, I know our daughter will be happy and well-adjusted."

Kitana gazed at him incredulously. "You always know what to say…"

He smiled, taking her face into his hands. "I'm merely confident in myself… and in my wife." Smiling, Kitana pressed her lips to Liu's, lingering there in a soft simple kiss.

"I love you so much." she whispered on withdrawal.

"And I love you." he replied. His countenance then shifted from tender to desirous. "Now then, how about we take that bath?"

Kitana gave a scoffing laugh. "What happened to just me having a bath for relief?"

"I need some relief too." Liu said, putting on his best pretend pout before placing little kisses over her cheek and neck. "Come on… please? Please…?" Kitana chortled at his insistence.

"Oh fine." she mock grumbled. "I suppose I must attend to my other baby as well…"

"Oh ha ha…" Liu sardonically replied.

Just as the two prepared to leave the nursery Mytaliah's eyes fluttered open, and in an instant her little face scrunched, fat tears spilled forth and she released a demanding wail. Her parents flashed each other a glance, then broke into grins.

"I think she needs you first." Liu said.

"Right on schedule." Kitana said, pointing again to her chest. "They never lie." Her husband laughed a moment before they both returned to the baby's bedside, the mother reaching down to lift the already furious little being out and holding her at eye level. "Alright, alright now my sweet. I know you're hungry…"

I know I'm late, so here's a double upload. Huzzah!

I know fanfic displays the latest chapter to be uploaded, so in case anyone is confused about this chapter being for the letter "C," go back to the "B" chapter that I uploaded just before this.

Please review, and I'll see you next week (hopefully…)