Epilogue (2nd): The Takamachi-Harlaown Family
"Have you considered what you want to do when your leave ends, Fate?"
Fate knew the time for this question would come and she had considered it at length. The past few months the paradigm of her life had changed.
Job-wise she had gone in a matter of weeks from going all out ripping through enemies across all the known universe, to a desk job as her body went through all the expected and unexpected changes of bringing a new life.
Right before she started her maternity leave, she was sure she would drive herself crazy not having to go to work, and she could not have been more wrong. Of course she spent much more time with Vivio. And Nanoha, who had been pampering her every single moment. It did not make her feel useless or helpless, it made her feel loved.
There had been the occasional days with morning sickness but keeping up with the regular checkups with Shamal and under Nanoha's strict supervision of what she ate, the classes they both attended and the proper exercising and the hours she slept it all meant Fate behaved exemplary well under the new conditions of her life.
There were so many special moments, like that day a little after Vivio had her not-a-real-daughter identity conflict, when Fate had felt the baby kicking for the first time. She would never forget Vivio's expression when Fate led her hand to feel the kicks.
When the baby finally came home, it was a beautiful and chaotic disruption to their life. Their sleeping times were jumbled, but they became a great team taking care of her. Diaper tasks, bath operations, clothing tactics. Sargeant Nanoha was crazy fun ordering private Vivio and private Fate the scheduled activities for project baby. It helped a lot that Nanoha had also gotten her own maternity leave —between the technicalities and having important friends on board, plus the vacation days she had never taken— to spend with Fate.
Fate couldn't remember a time where she spent so much time with Nanoha as they did in the couple of months before and after Vivio's little sister was born.
They would spend so much time talking and enjoying a regular home life. They talked so much it would seem they had spent an entire lifetime apart. They talked and laughed about their past, about their friends, about their jobs, their dreams. Of course, they made the time for their private time together, which came with new challenges and surprises. If she thought for a second that the changes in her body would somehow detract Nanoha, she was proven wrong. Repeatedly.
They talked a lot about Vivio, growing up —and her powers growing with her as well— and about her little sister as well.
They talked a lot while choosing the name for their daughter, which they finally agreed after having her at home for a few days and, surprisingly, from Vivio's suggestion.
With the natural innocence and straightforward logic of a child, and her growing knowledge about magic, Vivio had asked her mothers about their elements. It seemed like a random question, but they both took the time and explained to her the nature of each of their magic, and Vivio left satisfied with the answer, so Nanoha and Fate kept talking to each other about possible names for the baby, until Vivio just came up to them again, brining a piece of paper and a pencil.
"You told me my baby sis was able to come here because of love and magic. So I thought about the things you love. I know you love me very much but my name is mine. The other thing you both love is flying in the sky. Fate-mama, your magical power makes you the lightning that comes from the sky and Nanoha-mama you don't have an element, but your most powerful magic attack, which Fate-mama and I know very well hehe is named after the stars that are also in the sky. You can name the baby something that means all that."
Neither Fate nor Nanoha had dared interrupt their daughter and her explanation.
After carefully writing the three kanjis for star, sky and thunder on the piece of paper Vivio had brought with her, she showed it to them. Fate and Nanoha looked at each other astounded.
Nanoha looked at Fate and she nodded, understanding the question in the blueviolet eyes.
"Vivio, you have given your baby sister her perfect name," Nanoha tenderly cupped Vivio's cheek. "Thank you."
And so it was decided. Seikurai, the starry sky thunder.
When the quest for finding the baby's name was over, they also spent days talking about getting a larger house, where each of their daughters could have their own room, they could recover the guest room and have a larger backyard. They talked about trading Fate's sports car for a minivan, but Nanoha wouldn't let her even consider it. They would have both.
And of course they talked about the future and Fate's job.
"I'm ready to go back to work. I don't have plans on completely retiring anytime soon, but I do not know how long I can keep up doing what I was doing before, though. I love my job, but not nearly as much I love Nanoha and our daughters... The couple of weeks before Seikurai was born, I realized that working at the central offices wasn't half bad. I can't imagine leaving them for weeks now on a regular basis, with all the risks implied. I intend to maintain the purpose of my job, though. Protect the peace and security, especially for children in danger. I believe I will find a way to do it, but not necessarily as an Enforcer anymore."
"I see," Hayate drummed her fingers as if plotting some sketchy scheme. It would not be the first time a young mage retired from the front lines at such an early age. It usually happened due to severe injuries or to recover a more normal life. Hayate was glad Fate's case applied to the latter.
"This came in for you a few weeks ago, I wanted to wait until your leave was over to give it to you. But I think it's time."
Hayate handed Fate an envelope and waited as the Enforcer took out the letter and read it carefully. It was clear Fate read the letter a couple of times before turning her gaze back to Hayate.
"Congratulations Executive Commodore Takamachi-Harlaown."
"Th-thank you," Fate held the paper that contained her promotion firmly in her hands a bit overwhelmed while Hayate continued.
"But that's not the only reason I asked to meet with you. This is." Hayate handed Fate another letter.
Without waiting for Fate to actually finish reading it, Hayate started explaining its content.
"You know how the Bureau is constantly adjusting its needs. With the increasing need for Tactical Intelligence experts across the different worlds, it has been deemed imperative we find someone that can manage an adjoint agency based in Midchilda that can handle such matters. The Bureau is looking for a high ranked officer with impeccable trajectory, and of course, experience on the field in tactical and intelligence operations. That someone would be on the field occasionally but mostly would require to administer the resources efficiently and smartly as well as relay the results to the Bureau. That person will also be in charge of leading a project aimed to identify and neutralize risk situations before they actually become a situation. As you can see a whole new division is being set up and we need someone we can fully trust to command it. Think of it as the time to bring back Riot Force 6, but pumped with steroids. It's a much more ambitious project now."
"Are you interviewing me for a job, Colonel Yagami?" Fate taunted.
"You are my top choice. I can't think of anyone more suited for it. It's yours if you want it. You have worked very hard to be where you are. No one deserves it more than you. Now that I know you were ready to step aside as an Enforcer wilfully, and wanted something more like this, I don't see any reason not to offer you the job."
"How soon do you need an answer?"
"For you, take all the time you need." Hayate solemnly stood up, exchanged their salute and extended Fate's hand to shake.
"Does it come with access to that mystery place you took us?" Fate winked at Hayate.
"Give a hug and kiss to Vivio and my goddaughter," Hayate bidded goodbye to her with a slightly repressed smile and a playful wink.
A bullet of wild blond hair grasped to her knees as soon as Fate opened the front door of her home.
"Fate-mama! My baby sis called my name!"
Fate picked Vivio up and walked towards the kitchen following the amazing smell of surely another of Nanoha's divine creations while letting her daughter tell her all about her sister calling her name, which probably was too soon and just a babble, but Fate was certainly not going to erase that smile from Vivio.
"I had some time and wanted to prepare the celebration cake," Nanoha smiled as soon as she saw Fate enter, with Vivio in her arms and largely exaggerating sniffing the air. She waited until Fate checked up on their youngest daughter sound asleep in the bassinet strategically placed where she was safe just outside the kitchen range but still under Nanoha's radar, before welcoming Fate with a short, but deep kiss.
Fate couldn't hide the puzzled look in her face and gently asked Vivio to set the table. Even if certain people -Vita- had teased her several times about her having been affected by "baby brain", Fate was completely sure she was not missing any celebration that day. No birthday, no anniversary, no celebration she was possibly missing.
"But how did you know? I was only about to tell you and ask for your opinion."
"How can there be an opinion, Fate-chan? It's a great award! I can't believe it, I mean it's a grant and a job. But I am really excited!"
Nanoha bursted into excitement, which was indeed contagious, but Fate remained puzzled.
"Wait. Award. Grant. Job? What are you talking about?"
"The Legendary Admirals Prime Award. I got it. They want me to launch off the training project I had been working on, but on a large scale. It's part of a new division they are setting up. I have to meet the three admirals and Carim in a few days to go over the essentials and pitch my project to them but..." Nanoha couldn't finish her sentence and just looked eagerly at Fate, who just drew her in for a massive hug.
"That's awesome! I am so proud of you, Nanoha," Fate rushed in to capture her lips.
She felt Nanoha sliding her hands down her back, until a sudden sound from the living room reminded them where they were.
"So, it seems to me now you were talking about something else. What were you talking about, my wish, my love, you want my opinion on what?"
"Well, this and this." Fate handed Nanoha both letters she had received from Hayate.
After speedreading both letters, Nanoha placed the papers on the counter and grasped the flaps of Fate's jacket and pulled close to her. "Executive Commodore Harlaown, huh? That sounds sexy and powerful," Nanoha whispered the last part seductively into the blonde's ear.
"Takamachi-Harlaown," Fate pulled her again into a longer, deeper kiss, while Nanoha linked her fingers behind her neck.
"Are you sure you want to do this?" she asked, looking directly into Fate's intense eyes.
Fate nodded with determination and rested her forehead on Nanoha's, holding her by the waist.
"I love my job as an Enforcer and it made sense at one time in my life. Traveling everywhere, new adventures, knowing I was helping someone, making a difference. Here, I can make a difference too. I can help by making sure more people make a difference too, like you do... and most importantly, I can do what I love most. Being with you and our daughters. Each time I was away, I was always aching to come back to you two. I think now fully I understand why you passed up so many promotions and remained here as an Instructor. You did it for Vivio and for me. And now I want to do it, for all four of us. I want to be here and now I have an amazing opportunity to work and be here. I know it's inevitable there will be times we will have to face dangers, but in the meantime... I just want to wake up every day next to you."
"Wait, you mentioned a new division?"
"And the letter Hayate gave you mentions a new division…"
"Seems we are going to have a lot of fun," they completed reading into each other's minds.
Fate wasn't sure she would ever get used to the absurd size of her new office. She had never understood the need of overcompensating the size of desks and chairs in politics.
The sudden beep of her screen comm interrupted her thoughts.
"Yes, Shari?"
"Captain Taka...I mean your wif... no, Captain Har...uhmmm…"
"It's me Fate-chan!" Nanoha's face appeared in front of Shari's face by the time Fate had already risen from her desk to open her door.
"Thank you, Shari. For future reference, Captain Takamachi-Harlaown is fine," Fate told her distraught assistant, trying to hide her amusement as she gestured to Nanoha to come in.
Nanoha took a good look at Fate's office and walked directly to her executive chair and sat down spinning the chair while Fate looked at her thoroughly amused.
The grand desk was certainly the point of attention when entering. A good portion of the office was occupied by two couches, a single seat and a tea table. The windows, rising from floor to ceiling occupied what would be the two exterior walls, giving the office not only an enormous source of light, but a privileged top wide view to the training fields. She also noticed a discreet door in between the bookcases of the only wall, surely for a private bathroom.
"It's way too much."
"I think it suits you just fine Fate-chan."
"How are you settling in? I was planning to visit you later today," Fate chuckled.
Fate walked up to her and leaned on the edge of her desk while Nanoha kept looking around until she stopped and took a look at Fate's trio of portraits in the office credenza behind her desk.
"These have followed you everywhere," Nanoha observed.
"Yeah," she answered with a smile. There were no bittersweet feelings anymore looking at them.
"I am glad, because I have something for you," Nanoha said as she handed her a carefully wrapped small parcel.
Fate looked at her surprised and opened her present and Nanoha could see her smile lighting up immediately.
Fate observed it in detail. A candid picture of Nanoha and her walking out of the cathedral, holding hands and looking at each other, while Vivio cling dearly to her neck and Nanoha kept Seikurai close to her chest.
"It's absolutely beautiful. Arigato, Nanoha."
Nanoha stood up and kissed her briefly on the lips and headed out.
Fate couldn't help gazing at her in her new uniform as she walked out. Her eyes lingered a little too much on Nanoha's legs.
"One of these days... You. And Me. And that ridiculously large desk of yours," Nanoha sentenced as she opened the door. "Will I see you at lunch?"
She did ask that part out loud, turning briefly to wink at her, just in time to hear Fate's answer, before closing the door behind her.
"Of course. Can't wait for it..."
A fraction of a second later Fate couldn't help but realize she had been tricked into saying yes to both things and blushed up to her ears.
Smiling, Fate looked again at the portrait in her hand and placed it with the other three, before sitting down and turning to her screen to review her plan for the day. She had barely read two lines of the blinking pending messages when she turned again and picked up the portrait and placed it on her desk in a privileged position just by the side of her screen. That would refrain her from thinking everything she would do to her wife on her desk...
She still found herself amused at the notion of referring to Nanoha as her wife. And of course the notion of her being Nanoha's wife.
Taking a deep breath, she focused again on her screen. She had a lot of work to do, especially if she wanted to be on time for lunch with Nanoha.
The End...
Author's Note:
Thank you dear reader for joining and making it to the ending of this story, I hope you liked it.
And for any old readers, thanks again. I loved jumping again into this story, I am very happy with the result.