An Owl doesn't die easily. Lupin knew his child was safe. The baby is surely an Owl. She didn't die like her mother suspected when she fell on those sharp glass pieces back at the Wayne mansion. Natasha and Lupin figured that she was uninjured when she started to grow. By now, Natasha didn't have to explain in detail who she was behind his back… I mean, it's pretty self explanatory when she has a catsuit on with the Soviet Union symbol on her shoulder. And as for her job now? Because she failed a major mission, she was being chased after the government with an angry army. To escape them, Lupin and she snuck into a wool shipping train that went from the U.S.S.R. to Sweden. Putting that aside, the fact that her baby was still alright still shocked Natasha. An unborn baby doesn't just survive ten glass shards sticking deep inside her mother's stomach.

The wool train that they sheltered in was warm and safe. Either Natasha or Lupin said a thing to each other. They didn't pack much from back home; Money, a few pieces of clothing (including Lupin's cloak), some food, and a blanket. Natasha's stomach was now quiet large now. Once in a while, the baby would kick and turn as her mother struggled with morning sickness and huge eating problems. Natasha by now had bags under her eyes due to her stress and lack of sleep. Lupin was worried about her and he kept worrying about his whole purpose of why he was in Midgard. Was he going to leave Natasha alone after she brings forth the child?

"I think we're almost here…" said Natasha, "Look outside."

When Lupin peeked outside the small gap on the wall, he saw the snowy mountains of Sweden. He almost felt glad that they left the gloom of the U.S.S.R. because the aurora felt more pleasant and uplifting. It's about time for a change, thought Lupin.

—

"Evelina" and "Nikolaus" settled in a small home that belonged to an old Swedish woman who saw Natasha's stomach and immediately offered them her biggest room. The couple got privately married in the local church soon after they settled down. Despite all the things that has happened to them in the past few weeks, the two were happy they had each other. They gladly exchanged rings and kisses in their wedding and they even went to the city as their "honeymoon". Even though Natasha imagined her wedding to be more luxurious, she was still overly satisfied… She couldn't wish for anything else than to live a normal life! But, things began to change when the baby kicked. Not just the usual kick but a harder, more painful kick than before. It was around 9:00 P.M. when Natasha yelped, shook Lupin violently, and harshly whispered,

"Benni…..! The baby! She's coming!"

Lupin started to sweat like melting ice as he got his coat and Natasha's coat. He then gently walked her out to the near by hospital, about 30 min. way from home. The old lady didn't have a car…

"Oh great All Father, HELP ME." said Lupin desperately.

"HOW COULD YOU SAY THAT TO YOUR OWN WIFE, WHO'S PROBABLY SUFFERING MORE THAN YOU, YOU JACKASS!?" screamed Natasha, both in pain and anger.

When they arrived at the hospital, she was immediately pulled onto the gurney. Lupin stood and caught his breath as he watched Natasha roll into the emergency room….

—

After what is seems to be like a million years, a healthy baby girl- 7lb. 10 oz.- was born on December 14th at 3 A.M.. Natasha was exhausted as she feed the baby in her arms. She was thinking of a name for her baby daughter….

"Natasha!"

Lupin barged into the room she was resting in. She smiled and said,

"Say hello to your new daughter, darling!" Her voice was high spirited but cracking after every word she murmured.

A daughter… It was not a son but he was still happy. The All Father was most likely looking for a male Owl but he changed his plans anyway. After those long hours of waiting, thinking, and worrying, Lupin finally made his choice to never return to Asgard. He was not going to make his own wife and child suffer because of him. So he made a final choice to be a good husband, and that he was going to protect his new family, no matter what the cost would be.

"What should we name her?" he asked.

"Well… I couldn't think of much. All I could think of was my mother's name, Anastasia. What do you think?"

"Anastasia Romanova. Sound lovely…." Lupin came over to his tiny daughter and picked her up. At that time, he thought that everything would end like a fairytale with sparkles and magic, but life isn't dandy all the time… Even for Owls like him…

-FIN-