Disclaimer: I do not own Sleepy Hollow. The film Sleepy Hollow was made by Tim Burton who adapted it from Washington Irving's short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.

Chapter 12: Here At Last!

Viktor urged Daredevil to move faster, digging his spurs into the black steed's side. The horse was moving with all of his might, flying through the woods, but to the dead man, he seemed to be moving in slow motion. He wanted so badly to see if Ichabod was alright. He needed to make sure that he was alright; he couldn't bare the thought of him being somewhere frightened and in pain.

He slowed slightly as he reached the boarder of the Hollow. The town's people seemed to be in an uproar and he hadn't even been noticed yet. He moved closer toward the town, doing his best not to be noticed. He heard one of the men say that the town doctor was seen heading toward the Van Tassel house with his medical tools in hand.

Dread and realization filled the German as it dawned on him suddenly; Ichabod was in labor! He was about to have the baby and yet he was so far away, unable to comfort him, take him in his arms and make all the pain go away.

With a wick kick to the sides, Daredevil thundered down the road as the Hessian begged whatever higher being that would take pity on him that he was not too late. He didn't even pause as the villagers fled in terror at the very sight of him. He arrived at the Van Tassel house, a crowd having formed around the main door, but he cleared them all away with one look.

Dismounting from the dead horse, Viktor busted through the door and thundered up the stairs, paying no mind to the stares and screams that he heard as he passed. He didn't care, didn't give anything a second thought. He only wanted to see Ichabod.

Nearing the attic door, he stopped and was surprised to see the White Witch, standing in front of the door, between him and his lover. She paled slightly at the sight of him and took a step back into the room moving aside in order to allow him in. He nodded and then entered the room, his eyes going straight to Ichabod who was lying on the bed, face twisted in pain, tears of agony running down his pale cheeks. A gasp of pain escaped his lips and the Horseman instantly rushed over to the young constable's side, grasping his hand and kissing his finger tips.

"It is alright, meine liebe," he murmured, caressing the back of his hand. "I am here now."

Ichabod turned to the Hessian his eyes wide and red with tears. "V-Viktor?" he said, his tired face lit up slightly with joy. He smiled weakly at the dead man, tears of happiness welling up in his eyes. "I am so sorry," he sobbed, but was silenced when the Hessian pressed a gentle kiss to his soft lips.

"There is nothing to be sorry for. We are together now, that is all that matters."

Dr. Brown re-entered the room, a bit squeamish at the fact that he was in the same room as the infamous Headless Horseman. "P-pardon my intrusion, s-sirs," he stuttered nervously. "I think that it would be best if… if we operated n-now."

Ichabod nodded, tightening his grip on the dead German's hand. "Yes, yes I am ready now."

Viktor gazed down proudly at the boy. He was certainly much braver then anyone gave him credit for.

The old man glanced at the Hessian nervously. "I'll... I'll need you to, um, leave the room sir," he told him.

Viktor frowned, but Ichabod squeezed his hand, causing the Hessian to look down at him. "Please Viktor, I know it is hard for you, but you must understand that it is for the best."

The Horseman nodded before placing a gentle kiss on the young man's lips. "I love you, meine liebe," he murmured against his petal soft lips.

"I love you, too," Ichabod said shyly.

With that, the Hessian turned and left the room.

Viktor waited anxiously in the hall for the doctor to give him word on his lover's condition. He must have been a strange sight. The fearsome Hessian Horseman of Sleepy Hollow sitting hunched over at the foot of the flight of stairs waiting on the condition of a pregnant man.

He grunted in frustration, glancing at the boy standing near the opposite wall. The boy was braver then he looked. He was the only one willing to wait with him. Even the White Witch couldn't stomach being in the same room as the man who had killed her father and left.

The boy noticed that the Hessian was starring at him and began to fidget nervously. He glanced down uneasily at his feet, hopping the dead man would look away.

"A-are you worried?" the boy asked, trying to fill the awkward silence.

He was worried, but he didn't want to admit it to this child. Still, a part of him was certain that Ichabod would survive. "He will live," he said simply. He turned and raised an eyebrow at the boy. "Why do you not flee?" he asked. The Hessian bore his sharp teeth in a wolfish grin. "Are you not afraid of me?"

It was clear that he was since he began to tremble at the sight man before him, turning his head away sharply. "I... I am but," he stammered in fear, "I... want to see if he'll be alright."

Viktor smirked, chuckling at the frightened boy's response. Clearly this was a good boy if he was so loyal to the constable.

His musings were interrupted, however, when he heard a small voice wailing in the attic room. He turned and looked up at the door. It opened moments later, and Dr. Brown stepped through, holding a small bundle in his arms.

"It's a girl!" he said proudly.

The Hessian just starred up at the bundle in the man's arms. A mixture of wonder and disbelief filled him as he gazed upon the little miracle the old man was holding. A girl, a baby girl. He had a daughter. He couldn't remember a happier day. He walked up the stairs in a bit of a daze. When he reached the top, he glanced down at the new born babe. Her skin was flushed a light pink color, and already the Hessian could tell she was going to be fair skinned. She had soft wisps of raven black hair resting on top of her head and her eyes were a startlingly light blue.

Taking the tiny bundle in his strong arms, he was startled to find that the babe cooed and snuggled closer to his warmth. He fell in love with her right then and there. She was so beautiful, just like Ichabod.

Ichabod!

His thoughts returned to his lover, remembering that the doctor had yet to tell him how the mortal had faired. "Ichabod," he said. "How is he?"

"He is fine," Dr. Brown said and the Hessian felt a weight lifting from his heart. "He is resting now, you can see him if you wish."

Entering the room, baby in arm, he instantly went to kneel by his lover's still form. He looked so peaceful in his unconscious state. His skin was paler then usual and glistening with sweat, causing his hair to cling to his forehead. The slight rising and falling steadily of his chest was the only thing that convinced Viktor that the young man was still alive.

Viktor placed a gentle kiss on the unconscious constable's lips. "I am so proud of you, meine liebe," he whispered to him. "We have a beautiful baby girl."

The sound of the boy clearing his throat from behind him caused the Hessian to turn and frown over his shoulder. He raised a questioning eyebrow at the boy, annoyed at having his moment with his new family interrupted.

"P-pardon me, sir," he stammered nervously, "but I don't think that you should be staying here too long."

"He's... he's right," the doctor added in frightened nervousness. "The town is already in an uproar from when they saw me heading over here. You rushing over to this house in broad daylight could only have made matters worse."

The Horseman's frown deepened. They were right, he couldn't stay and yet he knew it was too soon for him to take Ichabod and the baby back to the Tree with him, and it was likely that the mortal wouldn't even want to go back with him.

He sighed, placing a gentle kiss on his baby's forehead before handing her over to the doctor. Turning to the boy he said, "Tell him that I shall return tomorrow evening."

"I will," he promised.

The Hessian nodded. He turned and cast one last look at Ichabod's sleeping form before leaving the Van Tassel home.