Disclaimers 'n' crap: Haihai peeps! Well, it's a miserable day here in Brooklyn, and you know what THAT means…yep…AN UPDATE FROM ME! Yar, so we've had all the romance bits with Raikov and Marilyn, so now, here it is: the moment some of you have been waiting for, baby Raiden! Mm hmm! Get ready for some more warm and fuzzy moments (they're my specialty). You already know who and what I do and don't own. Enjoy!

October 18, 1980

Dear Diary,

Another long jump…sigh…oh well, might as well catch up. Ivan and I were finally wed on January 6, 1972. It was, without a doubt, the happiest day of my life! I am now Mrs. Marilyn Cody Raikov-Flynn. Because of the sharp increase in the crime rate this decade in New York, Ivan and I moved out to a house in a nice, quiet part of Brooklyn. It seems like families are springing up everywhere! Christopher and Carol got married and had two kids, Basil (1977), and Rosemary (1979). Matt and Carrie also tied their knot and had a daughter. I believe her name is Meryl (1979). Ivan jokes that they all named their daughters after me. Well, now it's finally my turn. I'm at St. Vincent's, not on work duty, but our baby is due anytime now. I'd better stop now, they'll be taking me to the delivery room any minute.

Marilyn Raikov-Flynn

P.S.

Big Boss went through with the "Les Enfants Terribles" project in '72. According to Major Fisher, it was a success, bestowing Big Boss with 3 sons. Unfortunately, I haven't heard anything beyond that. Also, on the same day Basil was born (I believe it was May 19), this absolutely amazing science fiction movie called "Star Wars" came out. I van and I went to see it twice, but I hear that there have been people who have seen it literally 100 times! Sounds like it could be the next "Rocky Horror Picture Show". Could be. They came out with a sequel ("The Empire Strikes Back") earlier this year.

Marilyn put her pen and diary on her bedside table, just as Raikov entered the room, followed by a couple nurses.

"Ready to go, love?" he said. Marilyn suddenly felt a sharp pain in her abdomen and started breathing harder.

"Right…on…schedule…" she breathed.

(Later)

Marilyn couldn't hold her tears in. Inside the folds of the blanket she held in her arms was her child. A healthy baby boy. He was perfect, and he was hers. No, she looked up at Raikov. Theirs. Raikov took her hand in his, just as Marilyn had done that first night they met.

"Well," he said, then stopped short "…I…guess there's nothing more to say."

"What should we name him?" said Marilyn. Raikov paused.

"Certainly not 'Volgin'," he joked. Marilyn laughed. "I do think that we should name him after someone from Operation Snake Eater. Let's face it: that's how we met." Marilyn and Raikov looked into each other's eyes and agreed.

"Jack," they said together "Jack Jonathan Raikov-Flynn." And so he was.

A few months later, Marilyn woke up at about 3 in the morning to the familiar sound of Jack's desperate wailing. She sighed and got out of bed. It had taken her forever to get him to sleep in the first place the previous evening. She entered her son's room to find the window open slightly. The wind was coming in and making a low whistling sound, which was apparently scaring Jack. Marilyn strode over, shut the window, and went to comfort her son. She lifted him out of his crib and sat down in the rocking chair next to the window.

"It's alright," she said, gently "Mommy's here." She rocked the chair back and forth, singing an old lullaby she remembered from her own childhood.

Starlight, nightfall,

Peace upon the land.

I can bring you there,

Just take my hand.

You shall never know harm

As long as I am here.

Go to sleep, little one.

Have no fear.

Jack's cries quieted quickly as his mother sat there rocking him. Marilyn brushed her fingers through his hair, white-blonde, like his father. His eyes, icy blue, like his mother, soon closed. Marilyn heard a creak and turned around. Raikov was standing in the doorway, watching the scene with a look of happiness and pride on his face. He walked silently over to his wife and son.

"Any trouble?" he asked.

"No," said Marilyn "The wind just woke him up." Raikov leaned over and kissed her tenderly, then he leaned down to Jack.

"G'night, son," he said, kissing Jack on the forehead.

Awww…I love scenes like that. BTW, in case you were wondering: yes, I did write that lullaby. Also, I thought that the whole 'Raiden and Big Boss having the same name' thing was just too weird (those of you who've played MGS 3 and selected "I like MGS 2!" in the New Game survey know exactly what I'm talking about). Anyhoo, next time, because you probably want it, Raikov finally meets Big Boss (and a semi-special guest)! FINALLY, the normal MGS storyline is becoming more prominent in this fic…