Chapter 10: Daybreak

Claire wasn't particularly worried about the birth in advance. While she did not have her regenerative ability in this world and no other women to reassure her about how such things went, she had the former nurse, paramedic and now pretty much self educated surgeon of an uncle with her, Peter, who once having gotten over the shock of having to deliver Sylar's baby and understanding that this is what Claire had really wanted, had pestered and examined her every week of her pregnancy, wanting to make sure everything was going as it should.

Now squatting on the hospital bed Peter had insisted they should go to just in case either the newborn or the mother would need some kind of intervention, Claire wished she had asked for some major pain relief. Given she had died several times and jumped off all sorts of buildings and bridges, she did not think she needed it, but when her uncle had informed her it was too late to stop for an epidural, her baby boy was coming, almost there, she let out a scream, half driven by pain, half by panic. Peter had assured her what was happening was completely normal, that the baby's vitals were okay, but she felt overwhelmed by the powerlessness, of having no influence on how nature went about its business. "Sylar!" She shouted at the man in the corner, biting his nails and held out an open palmed hand towards him. Indestructible girl felt like someone should hold her.

Peter nodded at Sylar encouragingly, insistently, then waved him over with an impatient frown when the taller man hesitated. Anything to make Claire more at ease. Once he manoeuvred Sylar in front of the bed so Claire could grab onto his arms for support and bear down, he checked the progress of the birth again and found that he could see and touch the baby's head, "not much more to go, Claire, that's it! Good girl," he complimented her on the effort, breathing laboriously as if he would've been the one pushing. Both the other two noticed there was a change in his voice, a look of glee slowly appearing on his face, "I think its only one more push!" He cried and worked with her, easing the baby out carefully after the shoulders broke free.

Claire fell droopily into Sylar's arms, relieved. The pressure was gone. At the same time, they heard the newborn's cry, loud and strong, and furious for Peter bothering him by cutting his cord and wiping him clean. "It's a beautiful and healthy little boy as we saw on the ultrasound, ten out of ten," the paramedic announced proudly and handed them the bundle, "congratulations."

The new mother held out protecting hands, somewhat afraid to harm the infant and held him carefully, while Sylar supported the head and Claire's back as well with his body. The little one stopped squealing, perhaps feeling he was with his mom and turned his little head around to look for a nipple, burying his head into her chest. Laughter mixed with tears as all three stared at the child, so sure of what he was supposed to do already.

Such a perfect moment. Claire looked into the eyes of her child's father, so soft, and caring and warm. She could not detect the reservation and shyness he usually acted like with her, but she knew it would return. They could not be a proper family till she said those words that were needed. Leaning against him and cradling the beautiful gift he gave her, she raised her other hand to cup his cheek. "I don't want you to suffer, Sylar. I forgive you," she smiled at him with admiration and approval, "because I love you."

Sylar froze in surprise, then looked back at the child, Claire and Peter. With his smile widening, he nodded in silent acknowledgement. He knew it came from the heart. He leaned down to kiss them both and did not notice the change of scenery.

Upstairs, Matt Parkman heard a baby crying coming from his basement, but blamed it on the drink. His son wasn't here, he knew that much. Peter tried to get his head in order after the long hiatus in a different world, with different goals, him being the first to realise they were back to reality. They were to go to save Emma, there was surely still time according to his watch that had skipped back several years. But what was he do with a few minutes old babe and his technically still teen mother Claire? And how will this all bode with Angela, or the namesake of the child, if his niece went with her plan and named the baby after her father?

Eli descended the stairs, smug face forgotten. A newborn baby was not in his plans. Sylar and Peter stood protectively in front of mother and child, the ability collector putting a hand on his friend's shoulder, facilitating power transfer, whatever ability Peter would choose for the fight.

Tbc