Chapter 8: Planning for the Future
Sparda watched as Mira and Nero sparred with Vergil supervising. He smiled at he observed the family. Their bond was a strong one and it was going to last. In fact, Vergil looked more at peace and complete and Mira looked brighter and happier and Nero looked more balanced. Sparda holstered Luce and Ombra and picked up his namesake sword and walked over.
"Do you mind one more sparring partner?"
"Oh! Team up!" Nero cheered. "Dibs on Grandfather!" Sparda grinned as he heard Nero's parents groan. Nero and Sparda took the left side of the field while Mira and Vergil took the right.
"Uh oh, we don't have a referee!" Nero said. He grinned when he saw Trish coming up the path. "Hey Trish!" Sparda did a double take. Eva?
"Father," Vergil called, placing a hand on his father's arm. "This is Trish, she was created by Mundus to defeat Mira who was Dante at the time."
"He created a demon to have my wife's Visage…if he wasn't dead I'd kick his ass again!" Nero and Vergil blinked and Mira grinned. "What, I can curse from time to time you know. I can't be proper all the time."
Trish dropped to one knee and eyes wide. Before her was the Legendary Dark Knight himself!
"Lord Sparda….." She said with reverence. Sparda nodded and Trish rose to her feet.
"Pleased to make your acquaintance. We do require your assistance. We need a referee for our sparring."
"I'd be honored! And hello Nero, Mira, Vergil." The three devils nodded and Trish took the spot to watch. She saw how in sync Vergil and Mira were, they complimented and completed each other. Nero was brighter and Sparda was at peace. After the spar, resulting in a draw, the two older devils went for a walk while the younger ones went to prepare dinner.
"Vergil, you and Mira have come a long way. Ever since you were born you loved her and she loved you…."
"Father, when we were 19…before the battle, I made her mine, we conceived Nero that night…."
"How long after you consummated, did you see Dante?"
"A bit before the year ended."
"So the child…."
"The Order took him from Mira shortly after he was born. They sent Mira on a ferry back, she reverted back. But how come I couldn't remember her and couldn't I sense Nero?"
"The seal worked to protect Mira in every way possible. This applied to Nero as well."
"Nero should've had us…"
"My son, remember, I believe Mira pointed it out, we are here, now. We are a family again. Changes are good most of the time. For example, this new look, suits you better."
Vergil nodded in agreement, he did like his new look, it was a combo of his original look and V. He kept his color scheme with his clothes but his eyes were still green with ice blue flecks and the hair was as V's but white. His skin was lightly tanned as it was when he was V. His coat was a bit shorter as well and the boots were black and cyan. The Perfect Amulet was around his neck. He was even a bit more muscular than before thanks to his power boost. As Nero put it, he looked like a badass.
"Father, I was thinking of repairing our family home." Sparda thought about this and nodded.
"I agree, and what are you planning to do with Devil May Cry? Mira did build it from the ground up and loves what she does."
"We can keep it. I love what she does as well, as does Nero. I won't take that away. It can improved upon. We even have a weapons artisan."
"Brilliant, you and I can balance the books as well as help in the field. We can even recruit other Hunters and other skill sets."
"I think Mira would like that. It would be easier on her."
"Vergil, have you decided to propose?"
"Father I…."
"So much to learn I swear," Sparda groaned lightly. "You forget that by demonic law that Mira is already your wife and Queen. Demon dynamics run differently. You two were born a mated pair. That's a rarity in itself as demons go. By eating that nasty ass fruit….don't tell me no I saw the ugly thing, when Mundus ate it, you became the new King of the Underworld. Also, Mundus is dead ultimately so there is no one who would dare challenge your rule. Unless they're completely stupid.." At this the men laughed. "But it would be romantic to ask for her hand and heart…"
"Father," Vergil said firmly but with a small smirk. "No more chick flicks."
"I only saw Titanic for Hells sake."
"You and Nero were freaking sobbing like two mad women!" Vergil said. "Mira was laughing her ass off and she is the woman!"
"Play Phantom of the Opera next time or read Romeo and Juliet, or go watch Swan Lake, she'll bawl then." Vergil nodded. Good ammo….
"So, how are you going to do this?"
"Definitely without the tights." The Demon King said. Sparda actually laughed at this.
"I completely understand. Those things are drafty…" Vergil raised an eyebrow and looked at his father. Sparda shook his head and walked.
"I am taking it to my grave…." Sparda said and Vergil cleared his throat and tapped near the amulet. The elder's eyes widened in realization. "Oh crap…."
"I'm a fast learner. Mira and I will watch it later."
"DON'T DO IT!"
"Ha, I think I will!"
"I'll tell Mira and Nero about Blake!" Vergil gasped. Blake was Vergil's stuffed black panther when he was a child. Vergil always hid Blake, fearing Dante would've taken it….
"You wouldn't…" Vergil gasped. The Dark Knight smirked smugly.
"Try me." Sparda challenged and Vergil groaned as they walked back. Mira and Nero were in the kitchen making a salad, a beautiful lamb with vegetables and a Devils food cake. Sparda blinked and smiled and looked at his eldest. "You have been blessed my son. Treasure them well." He walked over to help Nero set up the table while Vergil went to Mira and hugged her, kissing her gently to keep her calm. The demoness looked at him and smiled.
"You two were gone quite a while, everything alright?"
"It's fine my heart, we just discussed future plans."
"Ah, Father, don't touch the cake!" Mira said, looking over Vergil's shoulder and busting their father who was trying to snag a taste. Vergil chuckled.
"But it looks so beautiful…." Sparda pleaded. "Humor an old man, my darling daughter." He looked at her with wide icy blues. Mira covered the cake and smirked.
"Nice try."
"I'll bargain with you for the first piece.."
"Father, that's sneaky." Mira said as she set down four wine glasses while Vergil set the wine down. Mira turned to get the lamb but Vergil sat her down gently.
"Nero and I can finish this, you watch Father."
"Ok, but I could…"
"My heart, you've done enough, sit a bit." Vergil beckoned for Nero and both of them went into the kitchen to get the last of the dinner items. Mira sat back and Sparda smiled.
"You two remind me of your mother and I. We were the same way. She always tried to resist when I would tell her to take a break."
"I can't sit still. It feels weird."
"You both got that from us both. I get that way when I feel a mission was coming or a sermon. They always put me sleep, they were so boring."
Mira laughed, for Nero was the same way. She was Dante at the time but she saw the younger Devil groaning and fighting to stay awake while the service was running. She heard the cake bell clink and she blinked.
"Father…"
"I swear, I did not touch it." The elder said showing his clean hands. Nero and Vergil came in with the lamb, rolls and salad. Vergil looked at Mira and saw that she was upset.
"My heart?" He asked softly. Mira looked up at him and squeezed his hand.
"Start without me, I'll be in the office." She sighed softly and left the table. Nero looked at his father then nodded, following his mother. He found her seated her desk reading over case files.
"Hey Kiddo,"
"Mother, what's wrong?"
"I just…" She looked up and saw Vergil with Griffon perched on his shoulder and Griffon looked guilty.
"My heart, I think you should hear this." He glared at Griffon. "Go on, tell her."
"Mira, I…I ate the cake." He hid his face in his wing. "I'm sorry…"
"Little Chicken, I worked hard on that cake, all you had to do was wait just like everyone else in this family. Nero, gear up kiddo, Verge, after you deal with Little Chicken here, you and Father can catch up. We'll see you in Fortuna." She tilted her head and the Demon King kissed her lovingly.
"You and Nero be careful. In fact, take Shadow with you." The panther came and nuzzled Mira and licked Nero's hand. Nero chuckled and stroked the powerful cat and the trio left but not before the two parents kissed and hugged each other again.
Nero and Mira walked through the portal Yamato provided which would leave them at Nero's house in Fortuna. Kyrie smiled and hugged Nero then hugged Mira
"It's great to see you Ms. Mira." Kyrie said kindly. Mira smiled warmly.
"I…." She began and was interrupted by children coming in running and giggling, carrying balloons and presents.
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY LADY MIRA!" They cheered. The Huntress gasped then laughed. Nero grinned and hugged his mother.
"Happy Birthday Mother."
"Oh my God, this is a big surprise! Oh…it's your father's birthday too!"
"I know, I already feel the back aches." Vergil chuckled from the shadows. He stood up and hugged her. Sparda smiled and went to help Kyrie and the children. The kids and Kyrie were star struck but the elder calmed them down
"I'm not stealing the limelight from my children, carry on!" Nero laughed as got the gaggle off his grandfather and the birthday pair snuck off for privacy.
"That was intense," Mira laughed as Vergil peeked out to look around from the gazebo in the garden. "Verge, get back in here! They'll see you." She playfully pulled him back into the gazebo.
They leaned in and kissed tenderly.
"Happy Birthday, Mira."
"Happy Birthday, Verge."
They touched foreheads and held each other, watching the stars despite the snowy night. Mira gasped and pointed to a shooting star.
" Quick Verge make a wish." She said. She gasped when Vergil went to one knee and held her hand in his. "Vergil?"
"Mira, since birth I never stopped loving you. You've always been there, even when you kicked my ass. I love your fiery heart and spirit. You've blessed me with a beautiful son and a second chance for our family, and I couldn't ask for more except…" He pulled out a ring box and opened it. Inside was a beautiful ring, silver and gold braided together and in the middle, a sapphire and a ruby.
"Delmira, my heart, will you marry me?" Mira gasped then cried with joy.
"Yes." She said softly. Vergil smiled and slipped the ring onto her finger and as another shooting star flew, the future Lord and Lady shared a tender loving kiss.
Ok, story is almost coming to an end!