"Is it true?" was the first thing out of Ed's mouth and he immediately felt horrible. He could at least have said hello. But Oswald, who sat in a high-backed chair and stared into the roaring fire, didn't comment. He also didn't acknowledge Ed's presence.
Ed stormed across the room, stopping right in front of the Mayor.
"Answer me!" he yelled, but didn't know who he was angry with. Slowly, Oswald looked up. His eyes were tired, so impossibly tired.
"You're going to have to be more specific." He said, softly.
Edward pulled the picture from his pocket. "This!"
Oswald held out his hand, silently pleading. Reluctant, as if surrendering precious, Ed gave it to him.
"I've been looking for this" was the only comment, and Ed bristled.
"Well?" he insisted, "is it?"
Oswald looked at the picture.
"Her name was Claudia" he finally offered, and Ed felt his knees buckle. So it was true, then. There had been a pup. And he'd killed it.
He sank down on the rich carpet, his legs simply refusing to carry his weight any longer.
"Claudia" he whispered, the name soft and sweet in his mouth. Beautiful.
"I thought it'd sound nice no matter… no matter which surname she got." Oswald turned his head, once more staring into the fire.
"Why would you worry about her surname" Ed whispered, his voice barely carrying the words.
"I wasn't sure… after Isabella. That you'd… that you'd want us." ed's heart stuttered in his chest. God, he'd thought he'd throw away his only chance at a family? But then again, wasn't that exactly what he had done. Thrown them both away. Thrown her away.
"I'm sorry" Ed whispered, feeling tears prickle his eyes. Oswald's slender fingers stroked the sonogram, his eyes still fixed on the fire. He said nothing.
Ed stared up at him, seeing the hollowed cheeks and too-pale skin. The dark fabric of the chair nearly devoured the slender man. As if he was disappearing in front of Ed's helpless eyes. He wanted to hold him here, in this room, with him. This was his once, once Oswald would have smiled and asked him to get off the floor, chided him for ruining his clothes. But not now, not when the unborn stood between them. He could feel her presence. The ghost of the non-existent. Claudia.
"Please" Edward begged, reaching out helplessly, aching to touch and terrified to be rejected. His omega, because wasn't he still that? They'd made a baby. "Is there... Is there ever...any chance you... You could forgive me?"
The question hung between them, aching with loss and despair and desperation.
The moment stretched on and on, neverending. Ed fancied somewhere a baby cried.
Then Oswald spoke, a voice as distant as the cry. As if he wasn't there anymore, but somewhere else. Where Claudia was.
"One day. When... When I have found a way to... To look at you without seeing... Her."