Disclaimer: I do not own Final Fantasy X-2 or the song Lullaby by Creed. But I do own Meja! She is mine! Thank you Angel Taisha for helping me come up with her name!
Two Worlds Apart
Chapter 10: Lullaby
Baby Meja squirmed in Baralai's arms as he carried her through the corridors of the hospital. Bevelle's Corner's Office had removed Paine's body and his house was crawling with Spira's International Police Department homicide detectives. He couldn't go home and he really didn't want to stay in Bevelle for that matter. So after having his daughter checked out and given the proper care for a newborn he headed for the only place he could bare to be. With friends. Bundling up Meja he boarded an airship to Besaid. It had been three days since Paine had died and the pain in his heart felt like a gaping hole.
He arrived in the waiting room and immediately Leblanc came and took Meja from his arms and began to rock the fussing child. Yuna came and wrapped her arms around him and together they cried. He didn't care if crying made him look like less of a man; he was grieving. Wiping the tears from his eyes he and Yuna made their way towards the rest of the group. They all looked quite grim.
"So, Lai, how come you named her Meja," she said with a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"It was Paine's last word. Meja. Live," he said becoming choked up once more.
"I think its beautiful, Love," Leblanc cooed as she twirled the baby's raven colored hair.
Baralai had been amazed when the baby had been born with a head full of black hair. Her eyes were a deep crimson almost rust color. Baralai had no idea how he was going to raise a child all on his own. He knew that Paine had some kind of legal document down at the Bevelle Temple Recorder's Office where she had spoken with the Guardian of Records. He hadn't had the opportunity to go and pull the file yet but as soon as he was done here in Besaid, it would be the first thing he attended to. He couldn't bring back Paine but he would most certainly carry out her last wishes.
Looking up Baralai saw Wakka off in a corner by himself. He had heard the news about Lulu and he knew that the guy must have been going through hell. Wakka lifted his head and caught Baralai's eye as he looked up and surveyed the room. He attempted a smile but the pain wore through and his effort was in vain. A moment passed and there was a silent understanding that the past couple of days hurt too much to focus any energy on anything else.
Hours flew by and people came and went until the only people left in the drab waiting room were Wakka, Baralai, Leblanc and Nooj. That's when the news came. A glimmer of hope. The doctor strode confidently into the room and informed them that Rikku's condition was drastically improving. They had taken her off live support and the ventilator; her body was now functioning perfectly well on its own. Before the doctor could finish briefing them, a pudgy nurse with washed out blonde hair came panting into the room. "Doctor, doctor."
"What is it, Leilos?" he asked impatiently. "She's...awake!" he gasped.
"Rikku?" he questioned now giving him his full attention.
"Yes, and she's asking for a grilled chocobo sandwich with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and tons of mayo on sourdough bread."
The doctor chuckled. "It's a good sign that she has an appetite." Turing to the flustered party before him he asked if they would like to accompany him to Rikku's hospital suite. And of course they didn't decline his invitation.
After Rikku had been thoroughly checked out and she had eaten two grilled chocobo sandwiches with extra mayo and avocado she commanded that Meja be brought to her.
When Baralai finally brought the squirming child to her tears began to fall from her eyes. She felt guilty that she had lived and Paine didn't. It wasn't fair that Paine had a child and had been murdered. She had nothing and had lived. At that moment she resolved to be there for Meja. Paine had grown up among the Al Bhed and she had loved them dearly. She would make sure that her daughter had a piece of her mother's culture. She was going to need a woman to come to as she got older and Rikku was going to be there.
Meja began to whimper and holler. Sitting up Rikku rocked her and began to sing her a song. It was the one that her mother had sang to her and Paine as children. It went this way:
Hush my love now don't you cry
Everything will be all right
Close your eyes and drift in dream
Rest in peaceful sleep
If there's one thing I hope
I showed you
If there's one thing I hope
I showed you
Hope I showed you
Just give love to all
Just give love to all
Just give love to all
All my love in my arms tight
Every day you give me life
As I drift off to your world
Will rest in peaceful sleep
I know there's one thing that
you showed me
I know there's one thing that
you showed me
That you showed me
Just give love to all
Just give love to all
Just give love to all
Let's give love to all
Let's give love to all
Just give love to all
Let's give love to all
Just give love to all
Let's give love to all