Disclaimer: I own nothing related to Diabolik Lovers.
Sweet Sacrifice
Chapter 37
Daughter.
Daughter.
Daughter.
It was days before Everleigh woke again, her eyes slowly opening as they adjusted to the poor lighting of the room.
"You're awake…"
It was Shu. He had been at her side the entire time, fearful she would never wake again. Shu didn't find out all the details until after the birth, but this pregnancy had all but damaged Everleigh's insides completely, which explained the large amounts of blood she'd lost during the delivery. Reiji said it would be a miracle if she got pregnant again. But those were things he couldn't worry about now. Now? Shu had to focus on Everleigh and their daughter.
"Shu…" Everleigh murmured, her head turning in the pillows to face him. "Where is he…? Is he… alright?"
The boy gave her a soft, vague smile. "She's just fine."
"She?" Her brows knitted. "A girl?"
Shu nodded.
"Lemme see her… please…"
Shu nodded, getting to his feet and leaving the room. Everleigh attempted to sit in her bed, wincing at the tender pain in her abdomen and lower body.
"You shouldn't be moving just yet," Reiji suddenly said.
"You know me… stubborn as always." She tried to laugh it off.
The grave look on the boy's face stirred up an unexplainable worry in the pit of her stomach.
"What's wrong? Is it about my daughter?" Asked Everleigh.
Reiji knew now wasn't the best of times to tell her any bad news, her getting worked up could cause her stitches to come undone, but the sooner she knew the better.
"Yes," Nodded Reiji. "But first let me start with you… this pregnancy took a huge toll on your body. Maybe it was because you conceived and carried as a newborn, but either way you were still fairly human on the inside still (it takes at least a full couple of years for the transformation to take complete effect)… I doubt you'll be able to have any more children after your daughter."
"And my daughter?"
Everleigh completely bypassed all he'd said about her. All she cared about was her child.
"Are you familiar with what happens with the children born to queens who are deem unsuitable as heirs?"
Everleigh shook her head.
"They are killed and their mothers replaced."
Everleigh gasped in horror, leaving her wincing aloud in pain.
"Everleigh?" Shu called as he reentered the bedroom, a small bundle cradled in his arms.
His lover straightened as best she could, arms extended for her child. Shu passed the sleeping child over to her mother, watching as her eyes grew wide with wonder.
"She's perfect.'' Whispered Everleigh.
Her daughter's small hands were soft and warm to the touch. Her skin, her cheeks and lips, rosy in color- she had just the right amount of blush as blood flowed through her veins from her beating heart, fine honey curls covered her small head. Everleigh found herself consumed with love for the tiny life she held against her bosom, and suddenly was overcome with tears.
"She's perfect," She said again. "Ten fingers, ten toes…. And someone is going to just come here and take her from me?"
Shu glared at his brother, "You told her? Now?" He asked.
The sooner she knew the better." Said Reiji.
"You could've at least waited until she healed!"
"What? After a year? Two? Say nothing until Richter is kicking down our door and ripping the baby right from her arms?"
Everleigh subconsciously thought of the worst fate befalling her beloved child and held her closer. Her daughter's eyes opened at the warmth of her mother's embrace, staring up into her face with eyes that could easily put her mother's to shame they were so beautiful.
"Richter can't have her," The mother said. "I'll kill him before I let him get anywhere near her."
Shu's expression grew soft as he motioned to sit next to her. Reiji opened his mouth to say something but thought better of it, the scene before him was far too perfect for him to disturb. And for once, not wanting to ruin the moment, left quietly.
Shu snaked a arm around Everleigh's waist, careful not to hurt her, as he pulled her close. "She's beautiful," He whispered. His chin rested neatly on Everleigh's shoulder.
"She's got your hair."
Shu chuckled deeply, "Let's hope she has my personality to."
"Let's not."
"Why? What's wrong with my personality?"
"Not a thing." Sarcasm.
"Because yours is just so much better."
Everleigh giggled.
"What are we going to name her?" Questioned Shu. He reached out and gently brushed a few stray curls off his daughter's forehead. It still amazed him just how small she actually was, and how much she favored them both.
"I don't know yet."
"…can we still name her Edgar?"
"…"
"…"
"No… hell no… how about Briar?"
Shu thought for a second, a bit disgruntled about having his name revoked but pleased nonetheless, before giving his lover a rare, dazzling smile.
"Briar is just fine."