Meiwa Says: Happy holidays to everyone! I know that this is way overdue and I probably deviated from my promise of 10 chapters (this chapter supposedly dedicated to some mother bonding with Lucina or Morgan) but since that one-shot hasn't been written yet, I've decided to give you all a little gift. After this chapter I've got another one that just needs to be proofread and rest assured I will be posting that before 2014!

Disclaimer: This fanfic is written solely for the purpose of amusement. I don't own anything related to the Fire Emblem franchise.


The Women in His Life
by Meiwa Chinmoku
(Sometime after the Plegian War)

"Chrom?"

His blue eyes wandered up to his fiance, his head laying on her lap. It was a rare, quiet night where all the stars and the moon shone brightly against the dark blanket of the night. They were at peace now, the war between Ylisse and Plegia had finished. He spent months rebuilding Ylisse and its people back to its former glory after losing their beloved Exalt and when that had finished, he and his tactician Robin finally decided to follow their hearts and agreed to get married in a few months' time. It had been pure bliss for both of them, for they would raise their family in a future of peace.

"What is it?" he asked softly, brushing away a stray blond hair that had fallen over her eyes. The newly-appointed king and the chief tactician were not supposed to be out this late, but they had both shared their desires to be with one another on such a priceless night. Chrom was sure that Frederick would simply be beside himself if he was not in his quarters.

Robin turned her beautiful brown eyes down at him, and he took in the rare tender expression in them. Because of their status, they had tried to remain subtle with their affections in public while they were not pronounced husband and wife. "Have you ever been in love?"

He chuckled. "I think you know the answer to that."

"I mean...before me." She blushed. They were both unused to the tenderness that came with their relationship. "There must have been another girl in your life."

"Actually, yes...there was."

Her eyes shut but she smiled. "Tell me about her."

"She was one of the most beautiful ladies I'd ever met," he confessed lightly, "but that isn't what drew me to her at all. It was her kindness, her compassionate nature and the way she humbly carried herself around even commoners, whereas she had a high standing in society."

"A noblewoman?" Robin was quite surprised at his preference, especially when she knew she was nothing like that.

"Yes, of the finest courts. She was a lady by all means, graceful, many women envied her beauty and men wanted to marry her. I could understand why - she was perfection personified."

"Really..." she whispered softly. Hearing these things about Chrom's former woman made her all the more insecure. How had he fallen in love with her? She was not one to flaunt her beauty, she had no past, but she was sure she had no high standing in society. She was, by far, the last person one would describe as a lady or graceful - Chrom said it himself - and she knew she was nowhere near 'perfection personified'. How had his choice in women changed so drastically over time?

"You've become silent," he said pointedly and she was brought out of her stupor. Robin trusted him, but she didn't trust herself.

"Do I know her?" He shook his head. "Well she must not be one of the Shepherds then."

Chrom laughed. "Were you thinking it was Sumia?"

"W-Well she had always been so open with her affection for you and well I just thought it stemmed from something that might have happened between you two before."

"No, it isn't her. Sumia is more like my little sister - we grew up together, actually." Chrom smiled wistfully, sadly, because he could not return her affections. "But all that aside - yes, she is not a Shepherd."

"So she's probably a daughter of a duke, then?"

His lips curled upwards. "Actually, she's a princess of a small nation."

"A prince and a princess, huh?" This woman - where was she? How could she, plain old Robin, have won the heart of Chrom when the perfect woman for him actually existed? "So...where is she?"

"She's quite unreachable." There was a sad expression on his face. "Even if I tried I wouldn't be able to be with her."

Her heart screamed at her to leave it at that. Any more and she would fall into her despair of insecurities. Would Chrom have chosen her instead had he had the ability to?

"Why not? You're the king now, you could spare a few men to search for -"

"Robin...my mother passed away when I was five."

"What does your mother have anything to - oh." Realization struck her hard. "It...it was your mother."

"Yes, my mother. I adored the ground she walked on when I was a child." He lifted himself off of her lap to give her a long kiss. "But now, I guess, you've taken that place."

"S-Sorry if I um...if I sounded jealous. I just - comparing myself to her -"

"Shh," he rested his forehead on hers and she blushed as his eyes closed. "It was quite unfair of me to describe her in such a way without telling you first. It's natural for you to be jealous if she had been someone else."

Her expression softened. "She sounded like quite the woman."

"She was. I wish you could have met her."

"It makes me wonder about my mother and father..." Robin sighed. "If I had a wish - it would be to see them, even for a split second."

"Robin - my mother is your mother. It doesn't matter where or who you came from. You are now part of my family, with me, Lissa and...even Emmeryn."

She stared into his eyes. "Do you think Emmeryn would have approved of me?"

"She approved of you even before I realized my own feelings for you." He grinned, remembering how Emmeryn would leave hints and clues on his feelings for her. "She told me you would make an ideal partner for me."

"Mmm...she was wiser than us all...she knew what we wanted, even before we did."

"So that's where you two lovebirds are!"

Chrom and Robin immediately looked up, flushing to the roots of their hair, to see Lissa with her hands on her hips and a stern but playful expression on her face. Robin noted that she was wearing her nightgown, which she noted must be of thin material as the princess openly shivered.

"What are you doing here in that dress, Lissa?" Chrom grumbled, reluctantly moving away from her and wrapping his coat around his sister. Robin's eyes softened at the scene. She really was lucky to have a compassionate man like him.

"Well Frederick woke me up ten minutes ago searching for you guys!" Lissa swatted away his hand which was tucking his coat around her small figure. "And by the way - I am NOT cold. With the way you two were snuggling it up, you could've roasted marshmallows!"

"We weren't doing anything inappropriate, Lissa," Robin defended, getting up on her feet and brushing away the grass on her trousers.

"I still wouldn't want to know," the blond said in a sing-song voice, "besides...you two gone from both your rooms at midnight? Ooh, do I smell something fishy!"

Chrom sighed. So much for a quiet night with his fiance. "All I smell is a snooping younger sister who ought to be in bed by now."

"Hey I don't have a curfew, thank you very much!" Lissa pouted.

"Alright, alright, we'll go back to bed," Robin let a few giggles escape her mouth. She loved Lissa like she was her own sister. "Just please go back to sleep. You'll catch a cold just wearing that outside."

Lissa rolled her eyes smilingly. "Yes, mother."

Robin flushed at the comment but Lissa was already walking towards the castle. The tactician looked up once more at the moon and the stars, appreciating its beauty for the last time that night. She shivered - without Chrom, it was evident that the night was chillier than usual, and winter was approaching quickly.

An arm wrapped around her shoulder as if he could read her mind. Robin glanced at his face, marveling at the regality of his features. Perhaps had she looked closer before, he did look every bit of a prince he was. The fine nose, the high cheekbones and the defined chin. He was handsome, he was all hers.

"Chrom..." she said as they approached the doors leading to the castle. If Lissa was awake, then the others might be awake too. Frederick must have caused quite a stir, but that was not her concern. "People will see."

"It's a chilly night," he said in his defense, bringing her closer. "Even if you aren't cold, I am. I just sacrificed my coat to keep my younger, delicate sister warm."

"Heard ya!" Lissa sang. "Wouldn't want anyone thinking you two were doing anything inappropriate before the wedding, do we?"

"Lissa!" Robin hissed. "We - We weren't doing anything!"

"Say that to the jury!"

She sighed exasperatedly as Chrom laughed at the exchange. He was glad that both Emmeryn and Lissa approved of his choice in women. Even if they hadn't, it wasn't like he was giving them a choice.

"Sure you could live with that?" he asked playfully, gesturing to Lissa who was skipping rather merrily. "You could still pull out - I'd completely understand."

She laughed. "Hmm, it may be a handful taking care of two of you already...but I've always liked a challenge!"

"That you do," he said, "so be prepared to be with Lissa for the rest of your life."

She quickly kissed him. "Not to mention you. I have to prepare myself to be with you for the rest of my life."

"Forever, hmm..." he grinned. "I like the sound of that."


Meiwa Says: I am crossing my fingers that this chapter wasn't disappointing for you guys especially since you have all been supporting me up until now.. I really wish everyone has a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! 2013 was absolutely amazing. Since I'm adding 2 chapters (one for Christmas and one for New Year's), there will probably be 12 chapters to the story...and it probably serves as an apology for taking too long to update.

hitomi65: Thank you!

A Shadow's Lament: I really do love the support conversations between Robin and Frederick (your review about bears totally reminded me of that). I love how overbearing he is and how incredibly dedicated he is to Chrom even if it's boosting morale haha. I hope you liked this one since Chrom finally returns! It was so difficult for me to write a chapter without him in it that didn't deviate from the Chrom and Robin pairing. Oh and thank you for the support, I really do wish to keep this going and if time permits then maybe I will. Happy holidays to you!

ASiriusWriter01: Thank you! I was actually thinking of doing a sequel but I'm not sure how to start or end it, honestly. I'll try my best to go beyond 10 chapters, though!

AquaticSilver: I've been so thrilled by your constant support throughout the chapters that it was such a joy writing them. Reviewers support always encourages me to continue writing! I apologize if this wasn't the Robin and Morgan chapter I promised but I do promise that one will come soon. And well...I do like thinking of Frederick as a butler. He would be so dashing!

Mr. Martin: Thank you, I am honestly thinking about it. Your review was actually a preview to this chapter and I'm amazed how I wrote this before your review haha. It's such a coincidence! And I really never thought about it that way...the best pairing does make the most adorable family!

passwordrawr: Thanks so much! I'll try to make varieties of the pairings I'd include in the chapters but they'll still mostly focus on Chrom and Robin. Your comments are wholeheartedly appreciated. I will keep writing Awakening for sure!

LegendarypkmnNyunyu: I'm so glad that you enjoyed reading it. I'm also glad that you were able to connect with Robin on some level - I try to make my stories as close to reality as possible. I want to make my Robin relatable to make her seem more realistic than just fantasy. Thank you very much for your review and I promise to keep writing ganbarimasu ne! I will also try a Robin and Gaius chapter!

Ruu: I was really disappointed when I saw the opening cutscene and felt my poor OTP heart bleed. But then I realized that amongst the support conversations and in the storyline itself, Robin and Chrom would have so much more chemistry than just mere pies. I personally ship Sumia and Frederick to some extent but I'm open to her other ships so as long as it's not with Chrom haha. And thank you! Your review is appreciated!

Thank you everyone for your constant support. I wish you all a Merry Christmas!