Happy Ending
Van stood up and blinked, how long had he been asleep? It seemed like he'd only just closed his eyes. He looked around the room expectantly at the faces of the occupiers. Mamoru seemed to be gleeful and was bouncing on his feet impatiently while Allen just seemed his usual serene self. The midwife looked like nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
"Well?" he asked, his voice betraying his hope "What happened?"
The Midwife grinned wolfishly "You have a bouncing baby girl My Lord. She and the mother are doing fine, they did remarkably well between them. We weren't sure if there weren't going to be any complications, wings aren't exactly easy to give birth to" she smiled wryly "But they're both well, just tired" she bowed and left the room excusing herself from intruding on the group anymore
Allen smiled and came forward, he shook Van's hand firmly, nodding approvingly and said "Congratulations Van, but I do not expect to be asked to baby sit you understand" he began to back away "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to tell Celena the news and see how she is doing, congratulations again Van" he excited swiftly, his hair billowing behind him
Van was dazed. A baby! A girl! He blinked and tried to clear his head. How could this have thrown him, had he even ever paid attention to the fact Hitomi was really going to have his baby? If he had how could he feel so...overwhelmed? He surely would have been prepared for the bubble that seemed to be blowing up in him! He hadn't felt so joyful since...he could not remember.
Mamoru bounced on the spot suddenly "I'm an uncle! I have got to tell...someone" he stood in the spot and jiggled for a moment, unsure of whether to bow like the others or just to run since he knew nothing of the codes of conduct on Gaea, finally deciding on a course of action he said "Van" in a business like tone and bounced off into the hallway, as if he was floating on air and not running along wood
Van smiled at the now empty room and couldn't believe the people knew how to exit so smartly and not seem like they were really leaving him alone with his new family.
Van stopped.
His new family.
The word sounded so strange on his tongue. He had a new family, for such a long time Merle had been his only family and now in the space of a week he was given two new family members. Three if he counted Mamoru as his...brother in law.
Van looked toward the door that lead into his bedroom and a shiver went down his spine. Was he nervous? A baby girl and the woman he loved. What if he couldn't live up to their expectations as a father? He stood a moment, undecided, then swallowed and made himself go to the door.
Turning the handle of the door was positively the hardest thing he had done in his life. Yet he did it, swallowing again to try and clear his throat and steady what he thought would be a cracking voice, he entered.
"Hello?" he called uncertainly, cursing himself for such a feeble way to enter his daughter's life
"Hello" a croak came back, tired but content
Van almost melted in happiness at the sound and came further into the room to view his bed and it's occupants. Hitomi grinned weakly at him, her hair still damp with sweat and her eyes bright and shiny; she had never looked more beautiful. The small bundle she held in her arms seemed heavier than he had expected and Van hurried forward to take it from her, she gave it up gladly and smiled at him gratefully.
"I didn't know she'd be so heavy for such a small thing," Hitomi admitted, lying back on the pillows fully with a heartfelt sigh "She's so beautiful"
Van inspected the small bundle carefully. The small face almost hidden from view snuffled loudly and he frowned, she certainly was small. Somehow she wasn't the grandure he'd expected from a princess...but her nails were perfect, her face was perfect. And he knew that one day she would be the most beautiful woman in the world. She was wonderful and Hitomi was right, she was beautiful.
"Just like her mother then" Van grinned, and instantly looked away, embarrassed at the comment even if they were the only two there. Three he corrected himself.
Hitomi laughed tiredly and said "Don't be so embarrassed Van, if you can tell anyone they look good after 7 hours of labour then you're in the good book with me"
Van sat on the edge of the bed and adjusted his hold on the bundle; he'd have to practise holding it.
"What shall we call her?" hitomi's voice brought his attention back to her "I can't really go on calling her 'baby'"
Van thought for a moment and announced "Mekenna"
Hitomi stared "Mekenna?" she blinked "Is that even a name?"
Van frowned "She's the heroine of an old Fanelian folk tale. She was a Shepherd on the mountains and fought off a dragon using only her slingshot. Fanelia's people were so amazed that she was the first and only female in our history to be Knighted and spent the rest of her days in honour. Although...she stayed a shepherd for the rest of her days because that is what made her happy"
"Really?"
"I don't think you could actually do that though, she was probably eaten in real life, but you know how stories are" Van grinned
Hitomi giggled tiredly, smothered a yawn, and replied, "Still, it's a nice story"
"You choose her middle name" Van said, studying his new Mekenna
"OK" Hitomi thought, considered her choice again, and said, "I don't think she needs one. Mekenna is so grand that the Princess of Fanelia will never need another introduction"
Van smiled and bent forward, kissing Hitomi on the cheek, he said, "Would you like to consider my offer of marriage again Lady Kanzaki?" and with one arm pulled out the pendant chain
Hitomi stared and said quietly "Well give my the baby...I mean, Mekenna"
Van passed the small bundle over with care and undid the clasp of the pendant, he slid off the ring and then did the pendant up again, lying it on the bed. He inspected the band of gold again and, deciding it was perfect, got off the bed and knelt by the bed.
"Hitomi" he said quietly "You are no longer the girl that came here, frightened and unsure, you have grown into the woman that I see before me; beautiful, strong, the mother of my child. I have been in love with you for what seems like an eternity, and I would be honoured if you would accept me as your" he swallowed "husband"
Hitomi smiled and muttered "You're such a fool"
Van started "What?"
"I said you're such a fool! Of course I'll marry you!" Hitomi yelled, and smiled
Van felt the bubble he had felt earlier swell and swell until he felt his chest would burst with happiness. He jumped up and wrapped his arms around Hitomi and squeezed her tight. They would be together for as long as they lived, he couldn't imagine anything better.
As if uncomfortable with all the love in the room Mekenna began to yell, after being squashed between her parents for too long. Van and Hitomi jumped apart and laughed, finally acting their young ages.
Hitomi got through the giggles and the yell of her baby "I have no idea what to do with her!"
Van smiled and said, "I'll ask the midwife to come up and tell you what's what, it's a baby, how hard can it be?"
Hitomi rolled her eyes and muttered, "Man, I knew you were a fool"
Van shrugged and said "Hey, the more a couple fights they say, the more they're in love"
Hitomi began to rock the baby and threw a pillow at her husband-to-be "Go get the midwife now!"
Van darted towards the door "But you will marry me?"
"Yes, yes, now get the woman! I think my ear drums are about to burst!"
Van exited the door and left the cries of his daughter far down the hall, it sounded like music to him. He stopped for a moment and got a hold of himself, his joy was too much for him, he felt about to laugh out loud. He was engaged AND a father!
He looked out of the window across his country.
No matter what, he had to do his best from now on, trying wasn't good enough, he had to succeed. Looking out across his city Van made himself a promise, he would make Hitomi happy, he would make his daughter happy, he would do the best by his country and be a just a good King. It was his duty now.
Van smiled, at the moment, duty felt as if it was the best thing in the world.
He looked down the hall and took a deep breath...
...and took his first step into the future.
Van stood up and blinked, how long had he been asleep? It seemed like he'd only just closed his eyes. He looked around the room expectantly at the faces of the occupiers. Mamoru seemed to be gleeful and was bouncing on his feet impatiently while Allen just seemed his usual serene self. The midwife looked like nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
"Well?" he asked, his voice betraying his hope "What happened?"
The Midwife grinned wolfishly "You have a bouncing baby girl My Lord. She and the mother are doing fine, they did remarkably well between them. We weren't sure if there weren't going to be any complications, wings aren't exactly easy to give birth to" she smiled wryly "But they're both well, just tired" she bowed and left the room excusing herself from intruding on the group anymore
Allen smiled and came forward, he shook Van's hand firmly, nodding approvingly and said "Congratulations Van, but I do not expect to be asked to baby sit you understand" he began to back away "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to tell Celena the news and see how she is doing, congratulations again Van" he excited swiftly, his hair billowing behind him
Van was dazed. A baby! A girl! He blinked and tried to clear his head. How could this have thrown him, had he even ever paid attention to the fact Hitomi was really going to have his baby? If he had how could he feel so...overwhelmed? He surely would have been prepared for the bubble that seemed to be blowing up in him! He hadn't felt so joyful since...he could not remember.
Mamoru bounced on the spot suddenly "I'm an uncle! I have got to tell...someone" he stood in the spot and jiggled for a moment, unsure of whether to bow like the others or just to run since he knew nothing of the codes of conduct on Gaea, finally deciding on a course of action he said "Van" in a business like tone and bounced off into the hallway, as if he was floating on air and not running along wood
Van smiled at the now empty room and couldn't believe the people knew how to exit so smartly and not seem like they were really leaving him alone with his new family.
Van stopped.
His new family.
The word sounded so strange on his tongue. He had a new family, for such a long time Merle had been his only family and now in the space of a week he was given two new family members. Three if he counted Mamoru as his...brother in law.
Van looked toward the door that lead into his bedroom and a shiver went down his spine. Was he nervous? A baby girl and the woman he loved. What if he couldn't live up to their expectations as a father? He stood a moment, undecided, then swallowed and made himself go to the door.
Turning the handle of the door was positively the hardest thing he had done in his life. Yet he did it, swallowing again to try and clear his throat and steady what he thought would be a cracking voice, he entered.
"Hello?" he called uncertainly, cursing himself for such a feeble way to enter his daughter's life
"Hello" a croak came back, tired but content
Van almost melted in happiness at the sound and came further into the room to view his bed and it's occupants. Hitomi grinned weakly at him, her hair still damp with sweat and her eyes bright and shiny; she had never looked more beautiful. The small bundle she held in her arms seemed heavier than he had expected and Van hurried forward to take it from her, she gave it up gladly and smiled at him gratefully.
"I didn't know she'd be so heavy for such a small thing," Hitomi admitted, lying back on the pillows fully with a heartfelt sigh "She's so beautiful"
Van inspected the small bundle carefully. The small face almost hidden from view snuffled loudly and he frowned, she certainly was small. Somehow she wasn't the grandure he'd expected from a princess...but her nails were perfect, her face was perfect. And he knew that one day she would be the most beautiful woman in the world. She was wonderful and Hitomi was right, she was beautiful.
"Just like her mother then" Van grinned, and instantly looked away, embarrassed at the comment even if they were the only two there. Three he corrected himself.
Hitomi laughed tiredly and said "Don't be so embarrassed Van, if you can tell anyone they look good after 7 hours of labour then you're in the good book with me"
Van sat on the edge of the bed and adjusted his hold on the bundle; he'd have to practise holding it.
"What shall we call her?" hitomi's voice brought his attention back to her "I can't really go on calling her 'baby'"
Van thought for a moment and announced "Mekenna"
Hitomi stared "Mekenna?" she blinked "Is that even a name?"
Van frowned "She's the heroine of an old Fanelian folk tale. She was a Shepherd on the mountains and fought off a dragon using only her slingshot. Fanelia's people were so amazed that she was the first and only female in our history to be Knighted and spent the rest of her days in honour. Although...she stayed a shepherd for the rest of her days because that is what made her happy"
"Really?"
"I don't think you could actually do that though, she was probably eaten in real life, but you know how stories are" Van grinned
Hitomi giggled tiredly, smothered a yawn, and replied, "Still, it's a nice story"
"You choose her middle name" Van said, studying his new Mekenna
"OK" Hitomi thought, considered her choice again, and said, "I don't think she needs one. Mekenna is so grand that the Princess of Fanelia will never need another introduction"
Van smiled and bent forward, kissing Hitomi on the cheek, he said, "Would you like to consider my offer of marriage again Lady Kanzaki?" and with one arm pulled out the pendant chain
Hitomi stared and said quietly "Well give my the baby...I mean, Mekenna"
Van passed the small bundle over with care and undid the clasp of the pendant, he slid off the ring and then did the pendant up again, lying it on the bed. He inspected the band of gold again and, deciding it was perfect, got off the bed and knelt by the bed.
"Hitomi" he said quietly "You are no longer the girl that came here, frightened and unsure, you have grown into the woman that I see before me; beautiful, strong, the mother of my child. I have been in love with you for what seems like an eternity, and I would be honoured if you would accept me as your" he swallowed "husband"
Hitomi smiled and muttered "You're such a fool"
Van started "What?"
"I said you're such a fool! Of course I'll marry you!" Hitomi yelled, and smiled
Van felt the bubble he had felt earlier swell and swell until he felt his chest would burst with happiness. He jumped up and wrapped his arms around Hitomi and squeezed her tight. They would be together for as long as they lived, he couldn't imagine anything better.
As if uncomfortable with all the love in the room Mekenna began to yell, after being squashed between her parents for too long. Van and Hitomi jumped apart and laughed, finally acting their young ages.
Hitomi got through the giggles and the yell of her baby "I have no idea what to do with her!"
Van smiled and said, "I'll ask the midwife to come up and tell you what's what, it's a baby, how hard can it be?"
Hitomi rolled her eyes and muttered, "Man, I knew you were a fool"
Van shrugged and said "Hey, the more a couple fights they say, the more they're in love"
Hitomi began to rock the baby and threw a pillow at her husband-to-be "Go get the midwife now!"
Van darted towards the door "But you will marry me?"
"Yes, yes, now get the woman! I think my ear drums are about to burst!"
Van exited the door and left the cries of his daughter far down the hall, it sounded like music to him. He stopped for a moment and got a hold of himself, his joy was too much for him, he felt about to laugh out loud. He was engaged AND a father!
He looked out of the window across his country.
No matter what, he had to do his best from now on, trying wasn't good enough, he had to succeed. Looking out across his city Van made himself a promise, he would make Hitomi happy, he would make his daughter happy, he would do the best by his country and be a just a good King. It was his duty now.
Van smiled, at the moment, duty felt as if it was the best thing in the world.
He looked down the hall and took a deep breath...
...and took his first step into the future.