Vanessa sighed and fell back into Vash's arms. "We're alive."
"Yep, sure are," he replied, equally relieved. Finally, he allowed his gaze to leave the porthole in their room, closing his eyes to the stars that filled this deep recess of space. "The three of us," he added happily, placing his only real hand over her stomach.
She had to reach back and feel his grin with her fingertips to know it was there. "Happily ever after, right?" she whispered, hiding her pain.
The wounds in her eyes, created when she forced Knives to angel arm, were healed, yet throbbing. Her eyeballs felt as though they'd been punched, and the usual migraine was making it difficult for her to concentrate. Once Gunsmoke disappeared from view she had shut her eyes, unable to endure the pain of sight any longer.
As Vanessa breathed deep and steady, failing her attempts to meditate the pain away, Vash's mind raced with happy visions of their future. This biased pause lasted for too long, and Vash wished to share his thoughts with her.
"So…" he began, shifting behind her so he could see her face, "Um…Should we get married or something?" The nonchalance of his words served to hide uncertainty.
She breathed in sharply. "I suppose so. The ritual seems a little excessive, but if you'd like we can," she murmured.
He was glad she couldn't perceive his subsequent frown. "It'd be romantic, wouldn't it? I do want to be with you forever…You and our children…"
"Forever really is forever for us, Vash. Contemplate that when you mention wedding vows, because they're tailored for humans. Humans don't live through centuries. Don't make promises you may break in a few hundred years," she bluntly suggested, gritting her teeth as the nausea of the migraine set in.
All his muscles relaxed, betraying his reaction.
"I'm sorry," she murmured. "I didn't mean it like that. Forever with you would be lovely. It's just this migraine; it's making me callous." Reaching out until her fingers met his face, she set her palm against his cheek.
"Because you've used your eyes too much today?" he asked, recalling how hard she had been squinting, attempting to see Knives' reactions to her words. "Let me see." He carefully lifted her scarred eyelids and gasped. They were horrifically bloodshot, and in several places blood vessels had popped, creating tender pools of red across her corneas. "I'm pretty sure you need medical attention for this. They've been stressed pretty severely, Vanessa," he explained solemnly, staring into her glazed eyes.
She bit her lip. "Are my eyes open right now? If they are…well…I can't see a thing."
Vash fiddled with the area on the wall of their room that he assumed to be a communications device.
"Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Saverem?" a woman's voice chirped.
"My…er…wife…She needs to see a doctor," Vash explained, choosing his words clumsily.
"Is the matter life-threatening?"
"No, but if she's left like this, she may not regain her sight, and-"
"I'm sorry, Mr. Saverem, but until quarantine is lifted no non-emergency medical attention can occur."
"Qua…rah…Quarantine?" Vash choked out. "What exactly…"
"Nothing to worry about, sir. This is a simple procedure in which we will be remotely collecting samples from all refugees, to assess any and all health threats to members of this crew. Panic is not advised."
"But she may go blind!" Vash exclaimed, face red with concern.
"Calm down, sir. Any and all violent outbursts will be stifled by mild tranquilizers administered through the air. Therapeutic eye medication will be delivered with your rations as soon as possible, and will prevent any further health problems. Will that be all, Mr. Saverem? This is a very tense time for us all, and your cooperation will allow our procedures to flow smoothly. We appreciate your concern."
The communication circuit cut off, leaving Vash decidedly speechless.
"They're being reasonable. I can wait," Vanessa assured. She lowered herself onto the bed, laying fetus-style atop the strange, soft sheets. "I'm not afraid of the dark. Just hold me, please," she asked, hoping to fall into unconsciousness soon.
Vash scratched the back of his head and lay before her, slowly pulling his fingers through her mussed hair. His eyes danced across her face and body as tears filled his eyes once more.
Hearing his little sniffle, Vanessa forced a smile. "It's finally okay, and you're crying? No, don't be upset. Don't let this little setback hinder our celebration. Finally free from that planet's suffering…We should be so happy now. Really, I'm fine. Everything's fine. Tell me it is, okay?"
"Everything is wonderful. All but your eyes, everything's fantastic," he agreed, gaining a little optimism from her encouraging words. "Tell me I'm going to be a daddy, please. I liked it when you said that," he requested.
Vanessa smirked and nestled her hand under his chin. "You're gonna be a daddy, Vash. Now let's get some rest."
Vash's eyes remained open in the lit room, watching her meticulously. If only she wasn't in pain, he could've continued the conversation. He wanted to decide with her what they ought to do about Tessla. After all, once she was born, they would have to come up with credible excuses for her rapid growth, and he could think of none.
Every blessing comes with its own problems, and this little unborn child of theirs would be more trouble during this 2-year flight than their clever minds were prepared to deal with.