It had been 9 months since Hitomi had come to Gaea. Nine months filled with anger, destruction, pain, and most importantly love. She placed her hand on her big belly. It was almost time. The baby had been kicking vigorously for a few days now. Hitomi dropped her book. She struggled to pick it up, and when she found she couldn't she gave up. Her belly was preventing her from doing almost anything. Hitomi sat back on her chair, and watched the fire burn in the fireplace. It was winter, and it had been snowing for almost three days straight. Her first winter on Gaea. It was wonderful, even if Van wouldn't let her stay outside for long, in fear of her hurting herself. He was so silly, but Hitomi knew he was doing it all out of love. A vigorous kick came from the baby. Hitomi winced in pain.
"Oh baby, would you stop kicking? You wouldn't want to hurt momma," Hitomi pleaded with the baby.
She remembered how surprised everyone had been when she told them. Surprisingly Merle had kept her mouth shut until they came back from Earth. Merle. Hitomi smiled when she thought of the cat woman. She had changed much, since the incident with Motaro. For one, she had fallen in love with Gaddes. She wasn't as impulsive any more. She was changed. Maybe it was love, maybe it was something else, Hitomi couldn't tell. Merle seemed to be happy with Gaddes. They loved each other very much. Hitomi could tell. Peace reigned on Gaea now. Van was still pestered by his advisors, but the affairs were minimal. Van. Hitomi laughed. He had been so protective of her these past following months. She remembered the day a few weeks ago when he brought her breakfast in bed. The baby had been kicking her all night, and Hitomi hadn't slept at all. That day he had insisted she stay in bed and rest. Van, Hitomi loved him so much. He had become a man, yet he still retained his shy way of being. Hitomi felt all her love double just at the thought of her beloved.
She made another attempt to get the book. As she bent down, Hitomi felt a liquid ooze under her dress.
"My water broke!" Hitomi muttered under her breath.
All those kicks were small contractions. "Damn it! I'm not ready for this!!!" Just then, a sharp pain shot through her belly.
"Baby, don't worry, you'll get out. Soon." Hitomi muttered.
She grasped her belly.
"Ouch," Hitomi said.
She got up from her chair, and stumbled through the corridors trying to get to the infirmary. She met Merle.
"Hitomi! What's wrong?" the cat-woman asked.
"It's time! Can you get me to the infirmary?" Hitomi said gasping for air.
"Sure, come on." Merle supported Hitomi.
"Where's Van?" Hitomi asked.
"He's still in the meeting with the Ispano members. It should end soon. It's almost night though," Merle said. "Do you want me to get him?" she asked.
"First get me to the infirmary." Hitomi told her. "Ooh, I'm never doing THIS again!" she mumbled.
Merle helped Hitomi get to the infirmary. There the doctor examined her, and her ordeal began.
"What's taking them so long? Something's wrong!" Van said pacing outside the infirmary.
"Would you calm down? It's like you're giving birth." Gaddes who was resting against the wall told him.
"That's my wife in there! Something's not right!" Van jumped up.
"I bet Hitomi's calmer than you!" Gaddes said making a face.
Van was tense. It had been a few hours since Hitomi hid gone into labour. What if something was wrong with her? He had been pacing outside the door ever since he got word. She didn't want him to go in. Van had no idea why, but he complied to her wishes.
All of a sudden, the door opened, and the doctor came out.
"Is she all right?" Van asked.
"She, and the babies are fine," the doctor said.
"Can I go see her?" Van asked.
"Sure, speak gently, she is very tired," the doctor said.
Van heard only half the words the doctor said. He brushed past her and went into the infirmary. There, on the bed lay Hitomi. Her eyes were closed. For a moment, Van thought she was dead. His suspicion vanished when he saw her chest go up in regular movements. She was asleep. He made his way gently to her bed, and kneeled down beside her. Van removed a lock of hair from her face. Hitomi stirred and opened her green eyes.
"Hey there stranger," she said weakly.
"Ssh, you must rest," Van said and kissed her gently.
"Mmm, I'm fine, just a little tired that's all,"
"You did it," Van said lovingly.
"A whole army of Zaibach invaders would have been less painful," Hitomi said.
Just then, the nurse walked in.
"Here you go, Queen Hitomi, and King Van," she said and handed them each a white bundle.
Hitomi stood up, and received the baby.
"Twins?" Van asked amazed. He never even suspected. No wonder Hitomi was tired.
"I didn't know either. Apparently, the doctor wanted me to have a little surprise. This explains why I looked like a whale!" Hitomi smiled lovingly.
Van looked at the baby he was holding. It was so small, yet it was alive. He couldn't believe it. That's what a new life looked like.
"Van, I want you to meet your daughter," Hitomi said. "This is your son, and she pointed at baby she was holding."
Van looked up, and there were tears in his eyes. He had never witnessed something more miraculous. It was, well there were no words to describe it. The feeling was overwhelming. He looked in his daughter's chocolate eyes, and saw how frail she was. Totally dependable on him. This was someone who fully trusted and depended on him. Van could feel this strange feeling come over him. It was love, but a different kind of love. Unrequited love. That's when he realised tears were flowing down his cheeks. Tears of joy, and of he guessed love.
"I know, I cried when I saw them too," Hitomi said gently. "So small, so frail, and so dependable on us," she said, her voice cracking up. "Van, I.... I... am at a loss of words. No one said it would be like this," Hitomi said, tears spilling down her cheeks also.
"Hitomi, I love you, and I love them. This is a moment I will never forget. I promise I will never let anything or anyone hurt you. All of you." Van said, and hugged his family closely.
"So, what are we going to name them?" Hitomi asked smiling between tears.
"Well, I, I have no idea, Van said looking at his daughter."
"She looks like you," Hitomi laughed. It was true, the baby had raven black hair, and the same chocolate eyes Van had.
"How about we name her Yukari?" Van asked.
"I'd like that. Yukari it is. Now what about him?" Hitomi laughed looking at her son.
"Now he, looks like you," Van smiled. The baby had the same piercing green eyes, and sandy hair as Hitomi.
"Hmm, would you like Folken?" Hitomi suggested.
"Folken sounds wonderful," Van said and kissed Hitomi.
Outside, snowflakes started to pour from the sky on the already frozen ground. They were dancing in the night sky, and sparkling in the moonlight. The wind started to blow slowly, blanketing the ground with snow. The kingdom of Fanelia was a joyful place that stormy night. Even though it was cold outside, inside the castle, it was very hot, for the love of a newly formed family was keeping all the fires burning.
The End
Disclaimer: (I didn't want to put it at the beginning, so here it is)
Yada, yada, yada, I do not own the characters of Escaflowne, or the movie. I just used the basis for the characters in this piece of writing for entertaining purposes only. They belong to the Japanese company that made them. However, I do own the characters I made up (aka Motaro, Princess Astrid, Eunice, the twins and Gaddess -although the name is not original) I also own the plot and the ideas for the story, so please don't steal. Since it's my first big writing piece I am quite fond of them. My lawyers will find you wherever you go. (just kidding) But seriously, if you want to use my story for anything email me and ask permission first. I am very fond of it, even though it may not be the best.