The hands of the clock still moved, but time seemed to stand still in the waiting room of Mother's Day Hospital.
Ana had been in there for about four hours. Ninten was starting to worry...
He'd been told it was strict hospital policy not to let expectant dads past a certain point in the maternity ward.
Loid sat a few chairs away fiddling with some strange box and wires. He worked at it like someone possessed at times. Then he might go slower...
Every once in awhile he gave Ninten knowing glances, but rarely spoke. He was in one of his introverted moods.
Ninten groaned out of boredom and recalled various things to pass the time.
He wondered if hospitals were tightening security because of some thugs like Teddy's gang in Valentine. Then he thought about that weird Garrickson kid in Easter that taught him to teleport. Lastly- he found himself wondering if Magicant had ever really existed...
His thoughts were just turning to his great grandmother Queen Mary- Maria, as she had truly been- when his mom came out of the ward with a nurse.
"He's here!" his mom shrieked excitedly.
Ninten's eyes lit up like Christmas lights. He only half heard the nurse explaining that he'd be allowed to go back for a few minutes.
Loid gave him a thumbs up and the walk seemed to Ninten like floating on the clouds.
After walking down a few halls- there was Ana's room. His heart jumped in his chest at the little bundle she was holding.
She looked extremely tired, but managed a smile for him.
"Hey," he said with an encouraging smile.
"Rest," the doctor advised her before she could talk. "Now young man..."
Ninten noticed the birth certificate ready and partially filled out.
"Y-yeah?" he asked, barely able to contain excitement.
"She said you name him," the man prompted rather impatiently.
Ana's gentle snores were heard as Ninten quickly flipped through a list of names in his mind.
Alexander? Alex? No...
"Alec," he said suddenly and firmly. "Alec Claus!"
"K?" the doctor asked on the middle name.
"C," Ninten corrected politely.
The doctor wrinkled his nose at that for some reason, but said nothing.
"Sign," he prompted, holding out the pen for him.
Ninten felt huge as he did that one small thing. He signed his name and the certificate was handed to a nurse for safe keeping.
"You wanna hold him?" the doctor asked like he was making a guess.
"Duh!" Ninten said with a snort.
The doctor scowled, which gave Ninten great satisfaction. He found that he didn't like this old stiff much...
A nurse handed him the bundle and Ninten looked at his very own son with wondering, proud eyes.
He touched his finger to the tiny finger and felt his eyes grow wet.
"He's beautiful," he whispered.
The nurse eventually took him and Ninten was directed back to the waiting room.
"What did you name him?" his mom pressed.
Loid looked deeply curious.
"Alec," Ninten repeated and pride flooded him all over again. "Alec Claus..."
His mom smiled brighter than Ninten had ever seen, as Loid congratulated him sincerely.
What more is there to be said? Only a few things...
Ninten and Ana never knew it, but Alec would grow up to have a daughter named Hinawa.
Hinawa in turn would give birth to twins. Both of them the earth's own chosen.
The boy he'd seen in his dream would be one of them. A fact that Ninten was not to know...
For now he and Ana had their complete and perfect happiness. They would return home with their son.
In Eagleland across the wide ocean- Giygas was stirring and the destiny of Ninten's grandchildren was beginning to be written.
The twins Lucas and Claus...
