Raven lead Eric up the same path she had walked with Wisdom and Bravery, though now the path was much shorter and she didn't require Bravery to join them, it was just the two walking up to the door with the beautiful etchings.
Eric had asked many questions about Nevermore, about whether it was safe for him to be walking in her mind, whether she felt it or not. Finally he asked what was behind the door.
"You'll understand." Was all she said as she motioned for him to open the door.
He reached for the door after a moment of hesitation. He turned the latch and pushed it open. He stepped inside.
He stood in a small room it seemed empty at first but slowly he began to see the shapes appearing a window across from him was large letting in the soft glow of sunshine, there were light sheer curtains that held a light purple hue. As his vision pulled away from the window he could see the walls of the room were painted in shades of blues and purples almost like a night sky. A small shelf held frames with pictures in them; he couldn't see the images, a small white teddy bear with a light purple lace bow sat at the end of one shelf. His eyes continued to move about the room next he saw a small dresser painted in lilac with small dark blue flowers accenting it. On top of the dresser were a stuffed bunny and a small lamp.
Was this a child's room? He was inside Raven's mind, was this a memory? He went to turn to Raven to ask her when his eyes landed on something else, as it became clear he saw that it was a crib, dark oak with linens of purples and blues, inside the crib there was a small shape. His eyes were focused on this small shape, when two hands reached in and pulled it out.
His eyes raised to follow the arms, the ashen arms. He saw now, somewhat slowly he commented in his own mind, that the small shape was a baby. His eyes drew out again and he saw that the arms holding the baby were familiar, that ashen skin was familiar. He saw Raven holding and cradling a baby.
No.
He saw Raven holding and cradling his baby. His heart jumped. His eyes widened. He was bombarded with thoughts and emotions. Confusion, fear, more confusion were at the front of the line.
"Sshh Arabella, sshh." Whispered Raven who held the baby.
Eric was caught off guard again, Arabella. Raven had mentioned her mother's name was Arella, his own mother's name had been Isabelle, most people had called her Bella, she had died when he was ten years old, he had loved her dearly.
He felt the tear fall from his eyes before he knew it was there. He turned to face his Raven.
"Is this..?"
She just looked at him silently.
"Is this real? Is this what you want some day or is this.. are you?"
Raven did not answer, he could tell she was hiding any feelings she had about the answer waiting to see how he felt, and then she nodded.
"The first night, three months ago." She whispered to him, still hiding her own emotion.
He looked at her, and then he glanced back to the image of her with his baby, his daughter. His heart swelled, he hadn't wanted this, he had never planned to have a family, he didn't think it was something he would ever have to worry about, but at seeing his Raven, holding his daughter. He didn't know her but he loved her already. He turned to Raven again and took her into his arms; he held her close whispering his love to her over and over. He felt her let herself go, felt her grip him tightly, he couldn't see her face but he knew she was smiling, knew she had tears of joy.