And here we are again

Chapter 25:

She wasn't sure why this was seeming like an insurmountable mountain to her. Even though she knew by the time she got there she'd have her wife and daughter there helping her. Everything should in theory be as simple as laying there.

Even without them she knew that was probably as hard as it had to be. But just the fact that it knew she was going to receive good news in the form of the tumour shrinking, bad news in it doing nothing but making Vanille sick twice a month for a few days... or the much worse option that she had spent so long trying to not think about. That it had just sped up the growth of the tumours.

That was why she supposed that it was starting to seem more and more like an insurmountable mountain. Just the threat that her worst nightmare wasn't only a possibility but was likely... It was a fear that Vanille had no idea how to describe.

No matter how many times the doctors had told her that she was lucky with how early they had caught it. Especially with how much she had to ignore it until she was alone. Even Lightning wasn't someone that she felt like she was equipped to handle the worst possible outcome.

Here she was ultimately though. Waiting for Lightning and Lumina to get to the door, just leaving her enough time to where she could pace like a caged animal. Something that was becoming more and more appropriate with how she had been feeling the last few days.

Even though she knew that this was something that she couldn't avoid. At least she couldn't avoid it and still receive any good news about the tumours vanishing. Just the thought of that good possible outcome had been driving her. If that had failed she just had hoped that she would live long enough to see her daughter becoming happy. A feat that she knew was what really drove Lightning a lot of the time when she was at work.

Shaking her head carefully, Vanille just took a big gulp of air as she closed her eyes as she gently wove her fingers together. "Pulse... please look after me on this day as I take another step in the path that you have set forth for me. I simply ask that you shield me and my family that have followed your path as well from the harm that has been brought upon us from your brother and sister." Vanille said in a silent tone. She knew it would cause even Fang to strain her hearing to hear that simple prayer that she must have heard dozens of times in the past and even said herself at least once before a hunt.

Even if she was positive that it wasn't something that was going to be heard, she still had to admit that it did always make her feel better. Even if her father would have scolded her for using such a sacred prayer on something that she knew he was hoping for a positive outlook. Especially today. But if anything she still needed to make that prayer. Just because she had to feel like she had done something to calm her nerves at this point.

Opening her eyes, Vanille just smiled as she heard some soft steps walking down the stairs. Quickly looking up, Vanille just smiled at the sight of her daughter gently rubbing her eyes as she tried her hardest to clearly get rid of what sleep remained in her eyes. Especially given everything to have happened to her and even the late night she had pulled just so she could get this day off.

"You feeling alright Mom?" Lumina asked as she let out a loud yawn as she began to scratch her stomach lightly, just bracing herself against the wall of the stairs. "I only ask because I've never seen you this panicked before. Even when I broke my arm on the playground in second grade right before the winter break. Or that time in sixth grade where I broke my wrist getting into like four fights over some people picking on my friends, and I found out that bullies have thicker skulls." Lumina continued as Vanille just took a deep breath.

"Don't forget about that time you took boner pills and didn't bother telling us until five hours passed and then you were worried your penis would fall off." Lightning said as she began to walk down the stairs ignoring the groan coming from her daughter.

"That is because it will! And you'd fear that as well if you ever used yours." Lumina mumbled as Vanille just laughed softly.

"You are proof she uses it... and the amount of shampoo I use monthly before the diagnoses wasn't because I want my hair to be silky smooth but just because of how backed up your father gets." Vanille said as Lumina began to visibly gag. "That is how I react when she tries to force it down my throat."

"So much gross. I'm going to assume that is the tumours... because it is important for me to stay here at all. There is no reason I could possibly ever need to know that." Lumina said as she nearly ran towards the shoe rack just so she could get away from all of this. It was a nightmare in itself.

"Just saying Sunshine... be considerate and let the one giving you oral pleasure decide the pace... if they don't relax the throat it is just choking. And unless the person is into that, it just takes the fun out of it." Vanille said calmly as Lightning began to contort her face slightly.

"Van... seriously... that isn't something that she doesn't need to know. And kids these days are weird. Back in our day Cocoon people weren't crazy on three ways. Let alone people like me and Lumina." Lightning said softly as Vanille just rolled her eyes. "I know, Gran Pulse is different and that is a common thing to discuss... but we are on Cocoon."

"Doesn't make it less stupid. If there was no sex, there'd be no people. I mean breathing isn't a taboo topic... nor is eating... at least it wasn't. Nowdays parents are too sensitive. I mean when I had sex for the first time I told my dad and he just gave me ideas of how to spice things up if it ever gets stale... and he has even asked me if I have an ideas for when we get boring in bed." Vanille said as Lightning stopped lacing her boots as she looked towards her. "It is just sex."

"It is our sex though. I'd rather if it doesn't get back to your father... what did you tell him out of curiosity?" Lightning asked as she quickly finished before standing up as she could see Lumina shivering as she placed her fingers into her ears.

Smiling as she took a deep breath. "Nothing major. Just how sometimes when you have issues getting it up, I just need to slip a pinky into your butt... and if I'm not in the mood you just sit there and read to me those erotic novels which never fails. And in the bedroom, you can never go wrong with a bit of rope or handcuffs securing you to the bed as someone pounds you into oblivion. Or the bronco game. That is a fun one too." Vanille said happily as Lumina came to a stop next to Lightning.

A laugh escaping Vanille as she could see the both of them shiver violently at the notion of what was mentioned. The way it was mirrored and shown flawlessly was just a sight that Vanille had marvelled at.

"And for a duo that constantly fight because they are nothing alike... you both seem to have the same notion. Lumina probably doesn't even know what the broncho game is." Vanille countered as Lightning offered her her coat that Vanille was just happy to accept.

"For the record I do know what that is and it is so freaking gross that you two do know it, know it by name and apparently do it. And not only that told Pap pap about it. What is freaking wrong with the both of you... seriously when I'm older I'm suing the both of you so I can afford the therapy I so desperately need. Or I'll shoot up a hospital or something." Lumina hissed softly as she just took a deep breath as she looked between her parents. "Seriously so much freaking ew..."

"If you do try and start a shoot out, I'm going to personally beanbag you. But I agree with you... it is terrible that that information has passed." Lightning said as Lumina began to gag once again. "Beanbag. Not teabag. Beanbagging is where I take a shotgun and fire a bean back at you slightly slower than a bullet."

"What's teabagging then?" Vanille asked softly as Lumina began to shiver violently. "That explanation can wait... we should get going. I just really want the good outcome of today. And I feel like if we are late the quacks will intentionally say the bad one..."

"If they do that I'm going to arrest all of them. Even if I don't technically have any power. I'll get countless people in to haul the entire department into jail if that is the case." Lightning said with a frown as Vanille opened the door.

"And that would get me so hot and bothered..."

"EW!"

She wasn't sure why she had been pacing so much, but Lumina was beginning to panic. Even though she knew from the irritated look on her father's face was enough to make her seemingly want to pace further and in larger circles.

Even if it was just going to be something that would get a reaction from her. It was still something that she would want for it to happen, if just that it would distract them long enough while Vanille was being examined. It would at least make them not think about that.

"Seriously Lumina. Sit down. You are making me nauseous and even starting to give me a headache." Lightning said as placed the pamphlet she had been reading down as she glared at her daughter.

"How about you just shove it because it is calming me down. Sorry I can't be like you and just read some pamphlet on SIDS. Something that doesn't even make sense for you to read. You don't have any infants. And if you think I'd trust you with my children without Mom or me being in the same room." Lumina hissed at Lightning who just rolled her eyes and returned to reading.

"Few things. One, Farron children are just as bad as you were, something that is well known. Two I do shockingly have a job where the information could come in use. And finally, you actually hated your mother at points when you were in the age range where sudden infant death syndrome is a risk apparently." Lightning began with a smile as she flipped the page. "Also did you know because you are Pulsean you have nearly a full percent chance of it happening to your children? Makes me glad that Van and I scarcely took our eyes off you." Lightning continued as she crossed her leg seeing her daughter just stopping to look at her carefully. "Even if most of the time it was because one of us was up anyways at the time... because it was a lot higher when you were born. Nearly five percent... weird that race has such a difference."

Snatching the pamphlet from her father's hands, Lumina started to quickly scan the sheet. "You've got to be joking..." Lumina mumbled as she began to frown. "Sixty seven in every thousand... Etro damn it. I hate it when you are right. And now you are going to be smug for no reason towards me." Lumina said as she threw the item towards Lightning.

"Don't use that language Lumina. And I wouldn't joke about something like that. Not to a soon to be parent. Because it is something that is never going to leave your mind. No matter how many months it is down the road. It isn't going to leave your mind until both of your children have grown up... but then you have a whole different sets of worries once they can move by themselves." Lightning spoke as she began to fold the item up as she looked at Lumina who had a raised eyebrow. "You'll understand soon enough. But let me tell you this, if the house needs to be baby proof again, you are personally going to bolt the tv to the wall. And let me tell you that doesn't sound hard... but I assure you it is annoying. Especially given the fact that you need to reconnect everything. But it is better than losing a child from one falling on them."

"That can not be a thing." Lumina said as she crossed her arms in disbelief as Lightning just looked at her with a slightly exhausted look.

"Oh it is. I've seen a few scenes like that when I was a uniformed officer. It even happened to an old officer I worked with... And it is something that doesn't leave you. Most deaths don't... but that is something entirely different. Probably why Fang and I made sure everything was beyond secure to the walls. Even Citra thought we went overboard." Lightning said as she took a deep breath seeing her daughter just staring at her carefully. As if she was trying her hardest to find a lie somewhere in her eyes.

Before Lumina could respond, the door opened as Vanille began to be walk out as she quickly feel onto the wheelchair that was waiting for her. At the sight of it, Lightning and Lumina had practically sprinted towards the chair causing Vanille to just smile at the sight of them feuding gently over who would be the person pushing her.

"Lumina, let your father push. You can push me next time. Don't worry. You know I won't let her to push me after I promised that." Vanille said with a soft tone as Lumina just groaned softly as she decided to follow next to them.

"How did that go? Or do we start the worse part of tests..." Lightning asked softly as Vanille just gently rolled her eyes.

"We just need to wait. But I have a good feeling. I mean just compared to the last time... where I was constantly fainting. Now it is just an occasional once in a long while... plus I'm no longer lactating."

As the word left Vanille's mouth Lumina began to gag at the gesture as Lightning clearly frowned at the comment. One that was one that Lumina shared with her friends when something came up leaving her high and dry when it came to them having kinky sex.

"Don't do that Lumina. Lactating is just natural. Claire just happens to enjoy it when I do it. It actually led to a few fights when you were a baby nursing away. Because you just always ate so much and it always got her horny." Vanille said as Lumina began to gag once more.

"I don't need to know that. Ever. If I was in a locked room and the only way out was by knowing that I'd have gladly taken my life. No child wants to hear that. Now though I don't think I can even drink milk in general again no matter where it comes from." Lumina said with a slight shiver. "Probably can't even look at my baby mommas' boobs again... and I used to like those."

"Who cares about talking about boobs? All three of us have them. Plus I kind of like it when Claire is suckling on them and she likes it as well." Vanille added as Lumina just shivered as they entered the small room waiting room they had been in.

"I don't like to talk about it with Lumina around. I mean she is right. She doesn't need to know that or what we get up to behind closed doors." Lightning said as Lumina quickly held her hand out of defence for the gesture even if they were previously seemingly minutes away from fighting.

"It is just sex. I never understood why you Cocoon born are so sensitive about that. I mean it isn't like we are talking about where we've done it in the house. And where I personally am looking forward to doing it come her next working day." Vanille complained as Lightning just shook her head. She didn't even need to look to know that Lightning and Lumina were sharing a look between each other.

Sighing softly Lightning just placed a hand on Vanille's shoulder as she took a deep breath at the sight of the oncologist walking into the room that just held them and now him. The stoic expression on his face had actually made Vanille feel like she was simply looking at a rock that had a face chiselled onto it. The folder in his hands was making Vanille just take a deep gulp.

It was actually something that was irking her in new ways as he quickly walked towards them. As he took a seat, he began to lean forward. The almost sullen look was causing the family trio to freeze visibly as they could feel the worry starting to seep into their beings.

Vanille wanted to snap at the man who placed the folder onto his lap. Producing a plastic like item from it, he held it up as he spoke. "This is the original scan you had when you came in." He said as he flipped the sheet around to show the family before he slid it back into the folder. Smiling as he showed it to them. "Here, is the newest scan. Notice anything different? I'll give you a hint, nearly all the tumours are gone."

As he spoke Vanille could feel the sorrow almost instantly evaporate with what Lumina was feeling next to her. Even if Lightning seemed to have taken more heed of the expression on the doctor's face. Before she could ask what he had meant, the doctor seemed to continue his point.

"It is still far far too early to break out the champagne. But this is a very promising sight. Most have decreased in size. Which is great news. But this is where I'm slightly saddened. Most people at this point view themselves out of the woods. I need to burst that bubble. You aren't out of the woods. Not yet anyways." The doctor spoke as Vanille could feel a cold hand grasping at her heart once more.

"Um what does this change? Because I'm starting to feel lost." Vanille said softly as she had been just wanting the answer really. That was what she needed at this point. Maybe then she could figure out what had been meant to her.

Sighing softly as he replaced the scans into the folder the doctor began to just take some calming breaths. "It changes ultimately nothing about your treatment. It is just me telling you you aren't suffering for nothing. The treatment is working. Now is not the time to give up or take it easy." The Oncologist said softly as he looked between the family. "Right now, the end seems close. And in sight right now. But it is also a bit too soon to take it easy. If you take it easy the cancer can become unresponsive to the treatment which would in turn would make what you will go through and went through pointless." The doctor said as Vanille could feel the grasp on her heart start to slacken. She was actually feeling great joy as she spared a look towards Lightning who to most had seemed to be distant, but Vanille had long since learned how to decipher the expressions on that mask.

She was beyond ecstatic. It was an expression that Vanille couldn't believe she hadn't seen in so long. Looking over towards Lumina, Vanille just smiled as she could see her trying to hold back the tears of joy that she had been barely withholding.

"So, all that is left, is us taking a small blood sample, to make sure the scans aren't a blatant lie then you can be on your way to enjoy whatever it is your family has planned for the day." The oncologist said standing up as he lightly dusted his coat as he picked up the folder. "Before I leave is there any questions?"

Gulping gently Vanille could feel herself wanting to just ask so many questions but she knew none of them were actually important. Something that Lumina seemed to have shared as she began to just have a pensive look on her face.

"Actually can I talk to you in private for a few doc?" Lightning said snapping the other two out of their silence as she looked towards them with a reassuring look. "Relax Van. Lumina is with you and it shouldn't be a long conversation. I just don't want to talk about it with Lumina around and I can't really send her away." Lightning said as she could see Vanille just nodding at the logic that Lightning had used.

"Is this about your penis Claire?" Vanille asked gently as Lightning groaned vocally.

"No Van. Has nothing to do with that. Why does your mind always jump there?" Lightning asked as Vanille simply shrugged her shoulders and was about to respond when Lightning just beat her to the punch. "I get it. You think it is stupid that people from Cocoon don't want to talk about that kind of thing in front of their children. But it is almost never that. If it was I wouldn't wait until now and would have consulted a doctor." Lightning added as she looked towards the doctor who simply shrugged his shoulders.

"Doesn't matter. Regardless. Let's just go outside the room and we can have a quick chat." The doctor said with a smile as Lightning began to walk out with him.

As the door closed, Lumina just sighed softly as she looked towards her mother. Gently taking her hand as she gave it a gentle squeeze. "See Mom. Even if the hardass that is Light doesn't care about the good news, I do... you are beating cancer's ass." Lumina said as Vanille just gently shook her head as she gently smacked Lumina's cheek.

"Claire was ecstatic. She just doesn't know how to show it like you." Vanille said gently as Lumina began to frown gently as she began to rub her cheek. "She just doesn't show her emotions all that well. It is because she spent so long when we were growing up not being able to show them... she still has major issues doing that. Especially when it means she'll feel exposed. It took me nearly five years to get me just the right to call her by her real name... you've just never been able to see it until recently." Vanille said softly as Lumina just frowned as she looked at her mother.

Opening her mouth as she was about to respond, Vanille just shook her head gently. "Don't worry. You probably don't need to ever learn how to tell the expressions of her stoic mask. I'd sooner rather kill her then make you learn that." Vanille mumbled as Lumina just gently shook her head in appreciation of her mother looking out for her.

"I'm just glad that you are getting better Mom. That is what matters really though." Lumina said as she heard her phone make a gentle ping. Smiling as she began to slide her phone out, Lumina just frowned as she took a look at the message. "And apparently Sice wants me to stop by later." Lumina continued softly.

"And you are going to."

"Mom th-"

"You are going Lumina. I'm fine. You heard the doctor. I'm sure if Sice is messaging you it is important. And that is what should matter to you." Vanille scolded as Lightning began to walk into the room.

"Fine I will Mom."

Author's Note:

and here we have another chapter with some nice development. Catch you next time.