AN: Whooo! Valm Arc is done!
Since the entire cast (sans Spotpass) is now together. Time for this gap between the end of the Valm War and Grimleal!
Chapter 35: Homecoming
I can't help it, I'm so excited!
After some long agonizing months of war, we're finally going home! Honestly it took almost a week to go all the way back from the Valm harbor, after days of celebration, to the Yliseen harbor. When we arrived there was a royal convoy waiting for us! It was just for the royal family but the rest of the Shepherds wanted to relax some more, especially the ones that got found their child at Valm.
I looked at the occupants of the convoy. It was the royal family and the future children. So it's Chrom, Lissa, Lucina, Marc, Owain and me!
"Can't wait to go back and relax at our room," Marc yawned, "Ylisee here we come again,"
"To think I would see the place where heroes are born!" Owain grinned, "It's been too long the last time I have entered my domain!"
"Hey Owain want me to show you around the place?" Marc asked,
"No worries cousin for my hometown's layout is within this glorious brain," Owain pointed at his head with pride,
I smiled at the boys and glanced outside. I see Frederick teaching Cynthia on how to ride a horse. Cynthia was like an entirely different person when it comes to battle! She's a very excellent pegasus rider. Since we're in peacetime Frederick is taking this chance to bond more with his daughter.
"Hey Aunt Grim!" Cynthia approached us,
"Good morning milady," Frederick greeted us as well,
Everyone returned the greetings and went on their own conversations. Meanwhile I was looking at the royal guard. I swear they were baffled the first time they saw the future children but returning with more of them made them even more confused. Honestly they never expected tough as nails Frederick to have bubbly daughter like Cynthia!
"Hey where's Sumia?" I asked,
"Mother is helping aunt Corderlia teach Severa how to ride a pegasus!" Cynthia answered,
I nodded at the response.
After a couple more minutes Frederick had to pry us out of conversations and continued on teaching Cynthia. I snickered at all the guards seeing their trainer doting his daughter.
Turning around I smiled at the sight in front of me. Oh right I should've mentioned the seating arrangements. I'm seating at the end with Marc next to me. Right beside him was Owain. Lissa is next to her brother and across from Owain. Right across from me was the sight I was mentioning. Lucina looked so peaceful and cute sleeping and clinging to her dozing father. All four of us smiled at the sight.
"Mother," yawned Marc again,
"Marc yawning like that will make all of us yawn too," I repeated his actions,
"Heroes need their rest," Owain fell asleep,
We all arrived at the Yliseen harbor like really early. As in sunrise early. This is what I hate about myself sometimes. Whenever I wake up, it'll be a hard time for me to fall asleep and right now everyone's asleep even Lissa! I felt Marc's head resting on my shoulders.
"Noire and Morgan sure are energetic,"
Hey Robin you sure you fine marching all the to the capital?
"Marching is pretty much second nature to us,"
So what did my adorable nieces do?
"Started to hex everyone with energy curses,"
You mean give people energy right? Not take away?
"Obviously, let's just say everyone now has too much energy since Tharja joined them,"
Meanwhile at the so called royal carriage the prestigious royal family is sleeping peacefully.
"Hard time falling back asleep?"
I guess it runs in the family?
"I remember having to resort to reading just to fall asleep, even if the books ended up with folded pages or covers,"
I look at the sky till I fall asleep. To bad it's sunrise now, if it was still dark I would be sleeping.
"Oh gods Morgan just jumped into my back again!"
Looks like someone is really hyper with that extra energy.
"Noire and Tharja are clinging into my arms!"
You know Robin people would die to be in your position.
"T-That is not my intention!"
What's with the stutter, huh?
"You know I easily get flustered right?!"
We talked for the next hour or two until I fell asleep. It was at that time Lucina and Chrom woke up.
"Go to sleep dear," Chrom chuckled,
"Please rest mother," Lucina requested me, "You of all people deserve it,"
I nodded at the two and my eyes felt so heavy.
...
...
Waking up I felt my shoulder being really stiff.
"Marc how have you been doing this?" I asked,
"Mother your shoulder is so comfortable!" he pouted,
Oh now he's giving me that look huh?! Well challenge accepted! We'll see who's cuter with their pout!
"I told you to let go of mother's shoulder," Lucina pouted as well,
Oh she joined the now three way battle huh?! The more the merrier!
"Arrghh swordhand!" Owain grasped it, "You must resist to pet your adorable cousins, stand down swordhand!"
Must bring lower lip more foward!
"Gods my family is just so cute," Chrom pinched his nose,
Water up my eyes will bring my cuteness up tenfold!
"Hehehe that sure looks fun!" Lissa giggled,
Oh gods they know it too!
"It's a tie," I sighed in defeat,
Marc and Lucina sighed as well and looked at the meadows in total boredom.
"Are we there yet?" Marc asked,
We all groaned at the question.
I decided to look outside and saw Cynthia peacefully asleep while Frederick took the reigns.
"Aww Freddybear is such a good daddy!" Lissa smiled,
Frederick blushed at the statement and quickly averted his eyes from us. Meanwhile Cynthia snuggled more into her father's chest.
"Teddybear," Cynthia muttered,
We all laughed at the cute comment.
I saw Lucina's eyes gleaming up and I realized why. The dirt roads are finally stone roads. I could hear the familiar busy sounds of the market. Then we all heard it, the cheers and recognition.
"The royal family is back!"
"Praise Naga they are all safe!"
"The Exalt, his wife and his sister have return!"
The three of us started to wave at out people. They all smiled back and waved back as well. I see children approaching us with various flowers. They gave it to us as a sign of appreciation and admiration. The few years I've been queen I won the peoples' hearts and they won mine as well.
It wasn't long when we arrived at the palace. Marc and Lucina returned to their rooms for rest. Lissa and Owain were touring the palace. Which left me and Chrom all by ourselves.
"So Grim what are you going to do?" he asked,
"It's obvious," I replied,
It's been months since I've seen my baby. I can't wait to see her again!
"I should come along too!" Chrom beamed up,
His mood will be ruined in three, two, one!
"Apologies milord but the council wishes to speak to you," Frederick approached us,
"But Frederick my family," Chrom frowned,
"They taken me off from my Sumia and Cynthia I know the feeling," our great knight sighed, "Shall we get this over with?"
Chrom can only agree and the two of them waved goodbye.
I approached my daughter's room, the so called royal playroom as Chrom called it. With a smile I opened the door gently peaking at who's in there.
"M-Milady!" our 'royal babysitter' gasped, "Y-You have returned?"
"Well I'm here aren't I?" I chuckled,
Oh right this 'royal babysitter', apparently her family's been babysitting these royals for a long time. I recall Lissa mentioning the mother of the current one babysat them.
"Where's Lucina?" I asked,
"Oh having her royal naptime," she answered, "Though she will wake up soon,"
I swear everything here is royal something. After this I'm going to take a royal nap at my royal bed in my royal chambers. Royal. I will royally kick some butt!
"Did you tell her we're returning?" I asked,
"She kept on asking when will you lot come back at the first month," she chuckled, "However I did not tell her of your return today milady,"
"You are dismissed, you deserve a long break," I ordered,
The woman bowed down and left. I swear I still hate it when people do that to me but I got used to it.
Looking at the mat I saw my baby curled up in her blanket. She had pegasus knight dolls all over her. It looks like she's stirring up. I quickly picked her and realized she was getting heavier in the slightest bit. Lucina was opening her eyes until she spotted me. Quickly her sleepy eyes became full of life.
"Mommy!" she called out,
"Hey Lucy I'm home," I kissed her head,
Hearing her giggle made the return very worth it. I set her on my lap as she grabbed her toys.
"Miss you," Lucina told me,
"Aww I miss you too!" I nuzzled my nose with her's,
She just giggled and laughed. Lucina held unto me hoping it wasn't a dream. I could tell since she was clinging to me.
"Down!" she said,
Well that's new, it used to be all like up, and up but now it's down?! Wait a minute is she going to show me something? Wobbling up Lucina pushed herself up! She was standing on her own two legs! I couldn't help but tear up.
"Mommy!" she called me,
She started to walk, rather clumsy but she's just one, and I brought my arms out. She was coming closer. The moment I felt her sides, she was about to fall but I swept her up. I was laughing. Laughing full of joy and love.
"You can walk Lucy!" I smiled,
"Yeah!" she nodded proudly,
I nuzzled her nose again with the biggest smile I could make. Lucina was just giggling and smiling and that's fine enough for me.
"I love you," I cooed,
"Love you!" she replied,
For everything I've been through this was so worth it. I just love hearing Lucy say her first words over and over. It wasn't 'mommy' or 'daddy' but 'love you' and it's just beautiful! Plus she's a born genius since she can make words, though it's mostly two syllables. I just couldn't help but tear up.
"No cry," she shook her head,
"Sorry Lucy but mommy's back and she's gonna love you lots and much more!" I smiled,
Hey I can't help it! Lucina is just too cute and I wanna spoil her!
"Love you!"
...
I don't know how long we've been playing together but I noticed Lucina yawning.
"Tired?" I asked softly,
"Daddy?" she asked,
Oh she wants Chrom now. Jeez that meeting of his is taking forever! Or maybe something else came up. Anyways I decided to pick Lucina up and wandered around the place.
"Let's look for daddy," I told her,
"Yeah!" she nodded with a new burst of energy,
She really wants to find Chrom huh? Strange the hallways were empty, when I mean empty I mean no guards empty. Plus it's a little too quiet.
"Shhh," Lucina brought her finger to her mouth,
I nodded and I decided to check the throne room first.
The closer I got the more noise I can hear. It seemed so loud and full of conflict. I peeked at the door and saw many nobles arguing.
"Daddy!" Lucina pointed at the throne,
By Chrom's side were my future kids. Lucina and Marc looked nervous. It seemed like their heritage has been revealed and why are there so many nobles here anyways?! We just got back! Chrom noticed us by the door and gestured the other two to follow him.
"Thank the gods I didn't want to hear more of those old coots," Chrom thanked me,
"Hello mother," my future kids greeted me,
"Hey guys!" I smiled,
The three of them looked like they went through hell or something.
"Down, down!" Lucy squirmed,
Remember when my two Lucinas are in the same room, Lucy is my baby while Lucina is the future one.
"Down?" a baffled Chrom asked,
I simply giggled and put Lucy down. I gestured her towards Chrom. The moment I let go of her arms, Chrom's eyes widened.
"Holy!" Marc's eyes widened,
"Naga!" Lucina gasped as well,
Lucy was wobbling her way towards her daddy. The moment she reached his welcoming arms, Chrom brought her up.
"That's my girl!" Chrom grinned while Lucy giggled,
He started to give Lucy a lot of kisses around her face and I just smiled at the sight. Lucina was blushing at the antics.
"F-Father c-can you kiss m-me too!" she requested,
How wrong does that sound?
"Lucy you do know that sounds a little disturbing right?" snickered Marc,
Marc just voiced out my thoughts.
"On the cheek, forehead, anywhere but the lips!" she blushed,
Chrom laughed and obliged kissing Lucina at her forehead. Meanwhile Lucy decided to give Lucina a kiss right at the cheek.
"Love you!" she said,
"I-I love you too," Lucina replied,
Ha Lucina is so smitten by her present self's cuteness!
While the three enjoy their own little world I wanted to ask Marc about the scene earlier.
"Mother I guess you wanted to know what's with all those stuck up nobles right?" he asked,
I nodded at the question. He really does know me.
"Well father revealed who we were and we told them about the future," Marc began, "Well they wouldn't believe at first until Lucina showed her Mark of the Exalt and proved we came from the future. Then an argument came out on who will inherit the throne."
I really can't deal with these nobles! Unless it's Maribelle of course.
"We denied it for obvious reasons," he continued, "Then they somehow concluded we have to marry a noble,"
Looks like the complaining begins.
"They were already looking down on us for being grandchildren of King Validar," he frowned, "Bad enough they wanted the queen out for 'tainting' the exalt bloodline,"
I should be mad but that would be immature of me. Those guys were just really ignorant and stuck up. Yup they were just so stupid.
"Don't those idiots realized we married out of love for each other," I sighed,
"I thought you guys married each other since you were already pregnant with Lucy at the time," Marc wondered, "Then you guys fell in love when Lucy was born or something. Like one of Severa's romance novels!"
What in gods name does Severa read?!
"Marc, your father and I were in love with each other before that," I replied, "Remember it was just a small crush but it became love overtime. He spent most of his time with me and at his darkest hour only my voice could reach him,"
"Not even uncle Frederick?" he asked,
"Not even him," I shook my head,
That memory was so long ago but I felt really guilty. Emmeryn was still alive thanks to Robin but everyone else thought she died. It was a lie Robin and I accepted.
"By the gods it's already afternoon!" Marc gasped,
We all looked at him with skeptical looks. I'm wondering why he's so worried.
"Well we arrived at the docks at the crack of dawn," Chrom pointed out,
"Of course we arrived early in the morning but we had plenty of rest," Lucina added,
"So we just stayed at the palace for the entire day what's wrong Marc?" I asked my son,
"J-Just time went by so fast," he rubbed the back of his head, "I don't want to lose anymore time from it not spending it with you guys."
Aww that's what he's worried about. I hugged him.
"Love you!" Lucy smiled,
We all looked down at the baby girl and smiled back.
...
We all spend the rest of the afternoon by just hanging out around the palace. Chrom volunteered to watch over baby Lucina. Marc was at the gardens with Tiki. Lucina went to town with some of the future children. While all of them were on their own, I was at the library lost in the many books I've read. I swear I read most of these books already! Before we all split up I made everyone promise to meet up at our hallway at the evening.
Right now it was evening and I've been waiting for all of them to come. I heard quick footsteps dashing towards me.
"I'm not late am I mother?!" Marc breathed out,
He seemed like he was running for his life or something.
"Sorry for looking like this!" he wheezed out, "Tiki wanted to play catch with Nah and Nowi. The worst part was they're all in their dragon forms!"
Wow, why was Marc involved in all of this?
"Then why are you out of air?" I asked,
"Those girls were too lazy to get the ball when it landed on a wall so they got me to get it," he chuckled,
Now that is just a whole new level of laziness. I know I'm lazy but that's taking it too far.
"So why are we here?" he asked,
"Wait till your sisters and father arrive," I replied,
I heard more footsteps approaching us.
"Lucina you seem to have a fever or something," Marc approached his reddened sister,
Why was her face heated up? Did something happen at town? Was it embarrassment?
"Well Severa made me try the most provocative dress," she said with a blush, "The worst part was some of the boys saw me!"
Oh gods Lucina is being self conscious!
"What?!" a surprised Marc echoed through the halls, "It wasn't too showy right?!"
"J-Just the legs, I felt so embarrassed!" she stuttered,
"You must've look lovely dear," I eased her embarrassment,
"It's just the boys who've seen it were all gaping and they couldn't speak properly to me." Lucina explained,
"Which of the guys?!" Marc demanded, "Tell me Luce so I could knock some sense unto them!"
Oh sister complexity is on right now. How do I turn it off?
"Marc," I began with a serious tone, "Lucina is an adult and she can take care of herself. Besides she's the older sister as in she's supposed to be protective of you!"
The two siblings looked at each other in embarrassment but I could tell they apologized already. Marc looked regretful but Lucina smiled at him. He smiled back.
"Mommy!"
I felt tiny arms wrapped around my thighs. Looking down I saw Lucy wearing her sleeping clothes already.
"Well it is the princess's bedtime," Chrom approached us, "So why are we all here?"
Finally I could answer them!
"Let's sleep together like family!" I shouted in glee,
All of them looked at me with surprised looks, besides Lucy who looked excited. I pushed them towards our room and they all gasped.
I told the chambermaids and staff to put some extra beds at my room. I got their clothes and they're all set up at the long bed.
"Well get dressed cause we're all sleeping at the same bed together!" I ordered them,
I changed along with Lucina, we were at the main room while Marc and Chrom changed at the closet. Trust me that closet is a room by itself.
Lucina looked doubtful and looked down her body.
"What's wrong?" I asked,
"Well it's my chest," she blushed,
Oh that's her main problem. Well this is awkward since baby Lucina was still awake.
"What's wrong with it?" I asked,
"Well it's too small compared to the other girls especially Noire," she sighed,
So that's the issue. I could guess the other reason is being the oldest but having a small chest.
"C'mon you don't want two giants getting in the way right? " I asked, "Besides you're fine!"
"I-It's just I feel so self conscious," she admitted,
"Lucina don't worry," I reassured her, "There are guys the go after the face and not the body you know."
"R-Right," she nodded,
I know it's not the long term answer but at least I eased her mind up.
"Hey are you girls done?" Chrom asked through the cloest,
"Yeah we are!" I replied,
We're all in our pajamas and sleeping attires. This should be exciting but we all had a long day.
I lied down right in the middle and I felt Lucy jumping right on my top.
"Lucy you're getting bigger!" I winced,
"Yeah!" she nodded,
I felt Chrom on my right and he held me in his arms.
"Hello there my girls," Chrom greeted us,
"Daddy!" Lucy greeted back,
She crawled unto my face and ran to his arms. It didn't hurt but I felt a mark.
"This is fun!" Marc jumped to my left.
"I know right!" Lucina agreed jumping right by Marc.
So this is the order we were all at from left to right: Lucina, Marc, me, Lucy and Chrom. We were all cuddling and hugging each other and it felt so comfortable.
I saw Lucy yawning.
"Looks like princess is sleepy," Chrom chuckled, "Sleep."
"Night," she muttered,
Looking at the others I saw Lucina and Marc already fast asleep. I felt Marc's arms clinging to me. I noticed Lucina's arms were around Marc.
"We raised them well Grim," Chrom had a proud smile,
"Yeah we did," I agreed,
The two of us looked at each other lovingly until the two of us fell asleep.
"Hey Grim," Chrom whispered,
"Yes?" I asked,
For some reason he had a big grin on his face.
"How about we give Lucy more siblings including Marc?" he asked,
Really?! That's what he wants?!
"Chrom," I started,
"Yes?"
"Go to sleep!"
END AN: So it's the beginning of some 'filler' chapters. Not really filler just to put a chapter, filler as in to show more of the relationships everyone has, especially the future children. Now they're back home, we're gonna see some misadventures and hilarities.
That's all for now.
Enjoy your day!