~ Chapter Eighteen ~

Home is Where the Heart is

Walter landed behind the house and quickly made his way inside through the back kitchen door. The sun had risen nicely by now, and he half expected the house to be filled with the baby's usual chatter and cooing, but to his anxiety, the house was strangely silent, which was never a good thing.

Walter's heart was pounding in his chest as he made his way upstairs, but when he passed the living room, he froze. Amongst the mess from the fight, he noticed that one of the windows, where the Colonel had attacked Barbara, had been smashed in like a spider's web. And in the middle of the webbed glass was some blood.

"Barbara!" he called out, but when no one answered him, the terror of what could have happened to her while he left to deal with the Colonel sunk into his soul.

Taking the stairs two at a time, Walter rushed upstairs. When he reached the top, the master bedroom door was halfway open when he burst through. He almost couldn't breathe with how scared he felt, but the calm scene before him made him suddenly stop.

All four babies were sleeping on their queen-sized mattress, some with bottles while the others had pacifiers in their mouths, and Barbara was lying in the middle of them, sleeping. Her face was calm, her hair was wet as if she had showered, and she was clutching a sleeping Walter Jr. against her chest as he sucked on his thumb. As Walter looked closer, he was also relieved to see that Barbara was breathing deeply and gently.

NotEnrique and Aaarrrggghhh were sitting at the window seat and glanced up at him.

"How is-?" Walter began loudly, but NotEnrique instantly held up a finger for him to remain quiet. He then climbed down from the seat and crawled over to Walter.

"How's Barbara and Walter Jr.?" Walter tried again in a hushed voice. "I saw blood on the cracked window from Barbara's head. Is she alright? Does she need to go to the hospital?"

"She's alright, boss," NotEnrique whispered back. "Your Familiar wasn't thrilled after you left, and it took a long time to settle him down, but he is perfectly fine now. He wasn't hurt. As for Doc, she showered and got herself cleaned up, and she did mention that she was bleeding from her head, but the bleeding stopped after a short while. She thinks some glass cut her head but wasn't worried about going to the hospital over it."

"What about a concussion? Or… or her neck? How is her neck?"

Walter didn't let NotEnrique answer. He walked over and glanced down at her to get an even closer look at her and her injuries. There was an angry welt, which looked like fingers, on her neck where the Colonel choked her, and Walter could do nothing but stare at it. His heart sank, and he instantly made fists with his hands. Had he known the Colonel did that much damage to Barbara, he would have killed her. Happily.

"Barbara is okay, Stricklander," NotEnrique assured him. "She's got some bumps, cuts, and bruises all over, but she's alive and is just exhausted. We've just been lettin' her sleep."

Walter shut his eyes and nodded, trying to hold the tears he was holding back in. He swallowed painfully as his throat bobbed. "Thank you."

NotEnrique nodded, climbed down from his shoulder, and gestured for Aaarrrggghhh to follow him out. "Well, now that you're back, we'll give you two some space."

Walter didn't say anything as they left and continued to stare down at Barbara's sleeping figure. He didn't know how long he stayed there, watching her, but his heart was in a stir of emotions. Much like the night when Colonel Kubritz's officers attacked them in Benoit's alleyway, he didn't know if he could be at peace with himself for not stopping Barbara from getting hurt.

He couldn't believe that she had gotten attacked… again… right under his nose, in their house.

Barbara's sleeping face was so beautiful and peaceful, and the sight of the babies sleeping all around her on the bed was an emotional thing. Especially with his Familiar resting upon her, with chubby cheeks squished against her chest, he had no idea what he did to deserve this beautiful life. He was only aware of how close he had come to losing it all within a mad moment.

Just then, his Familiar, Walter Jr., stirred in Barbara's arms only to remain asleep, but the movement and small squeaking noise from him roused her from sleep. Barbara jumped slightly, took a deep inhaled breath with her nose, and adjusted herself on her pillow.

Walter didn't dare move, but suddenly her deep, sapphire blue eyes found him staring at her. She blinked a few times, then smiled at him warmly.

"Walter," she breathed, and the sound of her soft but still hoarse voice broke the cement holding his feet where they were. He crossed the room instantly, slid to his knees beside the mattress, and grabbed her hand in his before pressing his lips to it.

"Oh, Barbara," he breathed, letting the tears that he'd been holding fall. "My sweet darling, are you alright?"

"Yes," Barbara whispered. "I mean, I've been better, but I'm alright. Walter Jr. isn't hurt either."

Walter shut his eyes in relief and exhaled, "oh, good. I'm so thankful you both are alright."

"What happened after Aaarrrggghhh took me upstairs?" She whispered. "Walt, where is Colonel Kubritz?"

Walter opened his eyes slowly, stared deeply into her beautiful eyes, which looked worried, and he rested his cheek against her hand.

"I took care of everything, my darling. I returned her to Area 49-B and made sure that she wouldn't remember you, me, or the children."

Barbara narrowed her eyebrows in confusion. "What? How did you make sure of that?"

"I used some dark Troll magic on her."

Barbara's eyes widened. "Walter…"

"I know what you're going to say," Walter whispered, "but I promise she's not hurt. I know that I also promised you that I wouldn't revert to my old days, and that includes diving into dark magic, but I also promised that I would protect you, and that's exactly what I did." He kissed her hand and closed his eyes. "Barbara, please, forgive me. I did what I had to do, but I should have done more." He shook his head, still unable to look at her. "I should have been the one to wake up when I heard Walter Jr. fussing. I didn't wake up fully until I heard you and him screaming downstairs, as well as the fighting and struggle…" he swallowed heavily, "and I swore that my heart was about to stop from fear."

Walter finally looked into Barbara's eyes, and tears rolled down his face. "Losing you is my greatest fear, Barbara, and I am so sorry that I wasn't there for you when you needed me most. Please, my love," he pressed his face into their intertwined hands again and cried, "forgive me."

"Walter, look at me." When he didn't, Barbara repeated, "Walt. Please."

Taking a deep breath, he finally looked into her eyes, and the intensity of her gaze held him hostage.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Walter," Barbara breathed. "It's me that messed up, not you. When I heard Walter Jr. fuss, I got up and checked the babies, but he wasn't in his crib. I searched the entire room, all of the cribs, under them, and nothing. He was nowhere to be found, and I was scared, Walter. I should have awoken you right then and told you that I couldn't find your Familiar, but I let fear take overall logic. Instead, I searched the rest of the house and was on my way to the basement to ask NotEnrique if he'd seen him, but that's when I ran into Colonel Kubritz in the living room. She had the baby with a gun and was holding him hostage. I opened my mouth to scream for you, but she threatened to hurt him, so I didn't."

Walter didn't know any of this and froze in horror. Barbara exhaled deeply, and now it was her turn to rest her cheek against their intertwined hands.

"I was so scared, Walt," Barbara breathed as tears welled up in her eyes. "I thought I was going to lose him, and Colonel Kubritz was after you. So, I did what I am willing to do and turned the fight onto me. I forced Walter Jr. out of her hands and fought her. I… I couldn't let her harm any of you."

"Barbara," Walter gasped. "She could have-!"

"She also knew about Jim being a half-troll and knew that he was in New Jersey with the others, Barbara suddenly whispered frantically, and Walter paled.

"What? How?"

"There is another Military base on the East Coast, and they found out about Jim, somehow."

Barbara bit her lip and shook her head. "Walt, I couldn't let her take you, Jim, or these babies away from me. She was going to use Walter Jr. and me as bait to lure you to her at Area 49-B, and I knew you would come to save us, but I just… I just couldn't bear that." Barbara stared into his eyes. "I can't bear the thought of losing you either, Walter. So, I did what any mother would do for her children and family, and I risked my life to save Walter Jr.'s." She paused, then whispered, "to save our son."

Walter flinched slightly and was overcome with emotion.

"Our son?"

Barbara smiled warmly and nodded. "Yes, Walt. Our son. I see the other children as a part of our temporary family, but Jeffrey and Sarah will be adopted in a week, and then, they will be gone. Nomura Jr. will be ours until Nomura returns to decide what she wants to be done with her, but Walter Jr. is your Familiar and is a part of you. Because of that, he's a part of me."

Barbara adjusted the sleeping baby on her chest so that Walter could get a better look at his beautiful face. She then smiled at him.

"Look at him, Walt. He's our son, and I can't fathom ever parting from him or you, for that matter. I wish to adopt him when we get the chance." Barbara squeezed Walter's hand. "I know we'll have to figure out things when Jim returns, but I also know that Jim wants me to be happy, and, Walt, I want to be a proper family. That would make me happy."

Tears streamed down Walter's face, and unable to stop himself, he stood up, slid into the covers next to Barbara, and held her in his arms.

"My darling, that would be my dream come true."

Barbara raised her face, and his lips met hers in deep, slow, and languid movements. Walter cupped her face gently with his claws and was careful not to squish his Familiar under his body weight, nor touch the tender bruises around her neck. They continued to kiss deeply for a few minutes before he pulled away and stared into her beautiful eyes.

"I love you, Barbara," he whispered. "I had no idea what happened with Colonel Kubritz, but I am thanking the Gods that you both are alright. I wish I had come down earlier. I'm so sorry. I cannot stand to see you injured."

"You did everything right, Walt," Barbara whispered, kissing his lips again. "Thank you for coming when you did and for taking care of that madwoman." She shut her eyes and rested her face against his stone chest. "It is I who needs to apologize. I told you that we were in this together, and yet, I took her on all by myself. It was stupid. I'm sorry."

Walter kissed her forehead and held her tightly. "I forgive you, my darling. I cannot fault you for being the strong, brave, and incredibly selfless woman you are. You are the true warrior here, and I am in awe of you. You are good, kind, and have the purest heart I've ever known." He gritted his teeth together. "I do not know what I've done to deserve your love, Barbara. After everything I've done, for being who and what I am… I cannot believe that you are in my arms, willingly, and have entrusted your heart to me."

Walter shut his eyes and breathed in the sweet scent of her damp hair.

"I promise you, I have never had a greater responsibility but have also never had a greater desire to protect that responsibility. You," he pulled away and stared into her eyes, "Jim, and Walter Jr., are my life, Barbara. I love you with an endless love, and I will forever strive to be the protector, friend, supporter, provider, partner, and lover you are wanting and needing." He paused then rested his forehead against hers, breathing in the courage to continue telling her what was on his mind. She was gazing deeply back into his eyes, drinking in his words.

"What are you saying, Walter?"

Walter took a deep breath, then said slowly, "I'm saying that I've done so many wrong things in my life, but this is one thing I want to do right. Especially by you."

Barbara's heart froze in her chest. Her jaw fell open, and she was speechless for a few moments, then finally, she found her voice.

"Are you asking me to marry you?"

Walter stayed silent for a second, but when he spoke, his resolve was rock-solid.

"Yes, Barbara. Quite informally, and not quite the way I originally wanted to, for you deserve the sun, moon, and stars, but all I have are my words, but... I love you and want to be with you for the rest of our lives. I want you as my wife, Barbara, and can't think of a better place to ask you to be mine than in bed with each other."

Tears welled up in her eyes, and her mouth continued to hang open. "Oh, Walter," she breathed, and Walter kissed her forehead. He hovered himself above her and peered deeply into her eyes.

"Now, when it comes to Jim, which I know is an issue that we'll have to figure out, but I want you to know that I have always cared for him as I would a son and will continue doing so. But, this is about you and me." He gathered up her hands and held her close. "It's not selfish to choose to be happy, for you make me happy, Barbara, and I want the same thing for you. Whatever you choose, I want you to be happy."

"Yes," Barbara suddenly said, and Walter blinked in shock.

"What?"

"I said, yes."

"Yes?" Walter felt lost for a moment. "Yes, you'll marry me? Or…?"

"Yes, Walter," Barbara whispered, inching towards his lips, grinning as tears fell down her face. "I will marry you!"

Walter blinked a few times again in shock. However, seeing the smile and genuine joy on her face, he lost it.

"Yes?" He gasped, clutching onto her. "You will? You'll be my wife?"

"Yes, I'll be yours forever, Walter," Barbara whispered against his lips. "I'll marry you, and together, you and I will raise Walter Jr. together with Jim. I couldn't think of a better father for them both."

Walter's face melted, and tears suddenly spilled out of her eyes. He wiped them away and smiled broader and happier than she'd ever seen on his face before.

"Walter?"

"Yes, my darling?"

"Kiss me."

Grinning, Walter lowered himself, being careful not to squish the baby against her chest, whispered, "yes, ma'am," then crushed his lips to hers, kissing her deeply, passionately, and wholly. They continued kissing passionately, letting their tongues dance in each other's mouths when Walter Jr. made a slight fussing noise.

Barbara broke away to carefully set the baby next to her, with the others, then she turned, wrapped her arms around Walter, and he climbed on top of her, kissing her madly.

"I love you, Walter," Barbara gasped out when he suddenly grazed his lips down her lips, cheek, chin and slowed down as he grazed feather-like kisses over her tender neck. She moaned out, more out of pleasure than pain, and arched her body into his.

"I love you more," Walter breathed, his breath hot against her skin. "I'm sorry you're hurt. I wish I could take the pain away."

"You already are," Barbara whispered, and they smiled warmly at each other.

Walter gently lowered his body over hers, then rested his face to her chest, lying right where his Familiar was moments ago. Under his hard cheeks, her round breasts were delicate, soft, and desirable, but far underneath them, he could hear the steady beating of her heart. He shut his eyes, snuggled his face deeper into her clothing which covered her soft flesh, and listened to her heart—reveling in gratitude that she was alive and his.

Smiling, Barbara wrapped her arms around him and gently ran her fingers through his long black hair before trailing her fingers up his long grey horns.

"Are you comfortable?" Barbara asked amusingly as he dug his face deeper. Chuckling, she pulled him up by his horns, and he stared up at her with a smile on his face.

"You're the most divinely beautiful woman I've ever seen and met, Barbara. Did you know that?" Barbara snorted and opened her mouth to be snide, but he continued, "no, I'm serious. Did you know that the first time I ever laid eyes upon you, back when I was up to no good and was a master manipulator, I almost pulled away from being Bular and Gunmar's servant completely? I cared for Jim, yes, but when I met and saw you for the first time, I fell hard. I could hardly stand looking into your stunningly blue eyes without getting lost in them and without losing myself completely."

Walter paused and smiled at the memory. "At first, you provided me with a challenge, and that's how I handled it for some time. I was so sure that I wouldn't let a human female get the best of me, the leader of the Janus Order, but between your son's honorable goodness and your beauty, kindness, humor, and, honestly, your stubbornness, I knew I was in trouble. The closer I let myself get to you, the more I struggled to go through with my manipulating plans. When Bular, Gunmar, and the Janus Order questioned my allegiance, I quickly realized that I couldn't bear letting anything bad happen to you. Especially when I foolishly let Angor Rot bind our lives together. When he hurt you, I swore I was going to die; not because of the Creeper's Sun poison, but because I realized that you were my life and I had hurt you."

Walter shut his eyes, slid himself up against her body so that his face hovered above hers, and whispered, "never again, Barbara. Never again will I be so foolish or selfish, I swear. For everything I've done in the past, I'm so, so sorry. I love you more than anything, and I can't ever lose you."

"Well, as long as you continue to be the male you are now," Barbara whispered, "you won't. I'm yours, forever, Walt, and I'm going to marry you."

Tears welled up in his eyes again, and he smiled endearingly at her. "You are my life, my darling, my reason, my purpose, and my heart. With you, I am home."

"Well, you know what they say," Barbara said with a smile, "home is where the heart is." She caressed his face with her hands and then ran her fingers through his hair. "And I agree. You are my life and heart, Walt, and with you, I am home too." She paused, then whispered, "thank you for saving my life from that madwoman. For saving our son."

"Of course. I will do whatever it takes to protect you and them, my love, for no one harms my family. No one."

Barbara smiled at him then wrapped her arms around his bare shoulders.

"Walter?" She breathed, and he glanced down at her. His glowing yellow eyes peered into her sapphire blue ones.

"Yes, darling?"

Barbara brought her lips close to his. Staring into his eyes, she was home, she was safe, and she was in good hands. He would always love and take care of her- and his heart had forever been changed because of her. She smiled.

"Marry me, kiss me, hold me, and love me forever… and never let go of that promise. Or me."

Growling in pleasure, Walter lowered his entire body to mold against hers, wrapped her in his arms, wings, and his love, and obliged her in a passionate kiss. "Yes, ma'am," he growled, then continued to kiss her, sealing that promise deeply, hungrily, and wholly. They were in this together, and together, they would have it all.