Jackie: Well, it's coming to an end folks. I hope you have enjoyed the insanity. I won't be writing a new one for some time because I have LOTS of work to do, and simply won't have the time. Leave your author alerts on, and they'll let you know when I come back.
Wow look at all the reviews 'waves to the new reviewers'. 'waves to all the old reviewers too''sniff' I love you guys.
Hope… Do I really need to say it? I WILL find you and make you sit down and write.
Aine; Yes I LOVE Earl Grey, I can smell it brewing about a mile away. I discovered it while on vacation in England. A few months later Star Trek Next Generation came out and when I saw Captain Pickard order "Earl Grey, hot", I was a confirmed trekie; As if I wasn't already, though I've been having problems getting into the new stuff. Deep space nine and voyager just don't do it for me.
Kawaii; YES, YOU NEED TO UPDATE.
Needlenoggin; me thinks you are a bit biased, oh hubby mine.
More shout outs at the end.
DISCLAIMER: I DON'T OWN TRIGUN.
Chapter 37;
…………………..
Months later….
Vash and Meryl sat on their front porch swing watching Knives and Mira play with the twins. Mira still had some difficulty using her injured arm, but having all the connective tissue rended from it will do that to a person. The doctors were pleased that she got to keep the arm at all. Occasionally, in spite of all Mira's insistence that it wasn't his fault, Knives would watch her struggle with the arm and frown deeply.
Nick and Millie were barbequing to the side of the house. Millie had insisted that Meryl stay off her feet, and Vash stay with Meryl. Since Mira and Knives had the twins to take care of, that left her and Nick to do the cooking. Vash smiled contentedly and lightly rubbed the swell of Meryl's pregnant belly. Meryl purred lightly at his caress, and cuddled up a little closer to him.
He was sure Knives would forgive himself in time. Mira hadn't thought twice about forgiving him. Knives had a beautiful wife, and wonderful kids. An added bonus was the completion of the plant factory. Soon they could start saving their race and transform the planet. Knives couldn't possibly brood forever with so many good things happening.
Vash looked around at all the life he'd created with Knives' coaching, and then looked down at the life he'd created with the woman he loved. It had been a long hard road, but he was beginning to think there was no place better than this desert planet. He cooed down at Meryl's stomach, "Hellllooooo, come out, come out, I want a turn to carry you."
Meryl jabbed Vash's ribs playfully and said, "Just one more month Vash, be patient."
Vash smiled and said, "I hope it looks just like you."
"I was thinking the opposite," Meryl smiled back at him.
"Yuck," Wolfwood said holding out two plates of food, "You two should go inside if you're going to keep up all that mushy stuff."
"But then we can't tell them," Millie whined.
"Tell us what?" Meryl asked.
"Millie is," Nick started.
"I want to tell them!" Millie complained.
"Okay, okay," Wolfwood smiled, "Easy, big girl."
"I'm pregnant!" Millie nearly shouted.
"That's great," Vash said, "How are the orphans taking the news."
"Well," Wolfwood started, "They just arrived here, so it's one more big change they are having to try to get used to. Still, I think they are handling it pretty well."
"That's good," Meryl said, "So when?"
"In 8 or 9 months, like usual," Nick said lighting a cigarette, "SHE didn't marry a plant, so there's no short cuts for her."
Millie snatched the cigarette and said, "Now, now. You know that cigarette smoke is bad for the baby, darling."
"You mean babies, don't you, honey?" Nick teased, "Sextuplets right?"
Everyone laughed. In the end life was how it should be, like it always should have been. Or was it?
Knives looked out into the distance. What had become of Monique? The gung-ho-guns had fallen apart again, and she had disappeared. Was she pregnant? Mira had been knocked out when the others found out what Monique had tricked him into doing. He knew that some day he would have to find Monique, and if she had a child, he would have to take it from her. Would Mira be able to forgive him for what he didn't have the heart to tell her now? Would Mira be able to accept his child?
…………….
Monique clutched the baby's shoulders and pulled it the rest of the way out of her womb. She had been alone for the five months of her pregnancy. She had grown up alone, resurrected the gung-ho-guns alone, abducted and seduced a superior being alone, gave birth alone, and she would now raise the future ruler of the world alone.
She slicked back his red hair, cleaning off some the birth fluids and blood. He opened his penetrating deep blue eyes to peer up at her. She would make sure he was stronger than his father, without so much of a shred of mercy in him for the slime known as the human race. He would not be so easily swayed from her. He would not forget his purpose. She would make sure of that. He reached up to touch her face, and smiled.
So, in the end, there never really is an end. Life's events turn circles around us all. The end of one story is just the start of another.
…………………….
Jackie: TADA! What do you think of the surprise ending? I give anyone who is not profiting from it to use all my characters, just let me know so I can read it.
Vashluver1: glad you enjoyed it, but as a mom, SCHOOL COMES FIRST! Thanks for the great reviews, I might actually hit 200!
AnimeWerewolf, Heero-Ace, saraki, Eternal Sorrow: welcome! And thanks for reviewing.
Luvnotes: I wish I knew what that means. 'lmfao'?
Robert: you big sweetie, I always get such a kick out of your reviews.
Yo's girl; nope, he cast out the alternate pattern. Where you expecting me to change VASH? 'huddles protectively over him' perish the thought!
Tristam; 'blush blush' both of my fics?
Maria; 'directing you to the 'R' rating' yes, you should be careful while eating breakfast. I hope you kept it all down. ;)
I hope I didn't miss anyone! Lots-o-love! Cya next fic!