Awakenings
Things are good now. Knives lies comatose down the hall, which hurts Vash,
but there are compensations. Meryl has received a promotion at work (desk
jobs aren't her thing, but for Vash she'll make the sacrifice), Vash is
still wanted but not dodging bullets daily, and little Alex is almost
sleeping through the night.

A high-pitched cry drives home the "almost" part and Meryl gets up to feed
her son. She's in the doorway when her eyes open all the way and she nearly
drops dead of shock. A tall blonde man stands over her baby, staring at him
curiously.