Chapter 7: Living In The Past

I don't remember much of Alexandria's birth. I remember the night she was conceived. I remember nothing of her birth but that precise moment. That's all

And what a moment it was for me. I held her high for all to see. The world groaned as the sky let loose its fury. Lightning lit the pitch-black room. Thunder deafened all in there. My eyes gleamed an even deeped blood red. Raven sighed. She was finally done.

And then...

We're at the beach. I was just letting myself drift in the water, Alex was building something in the sand, and Raven was reading under her umbrella.

And then...

I'm taking Alex to school, and she looks so sad. She doesn't like going anywhere I'm not. She's daddy's little girl after all

"Daddy, can't you come with me?" She asked, looking at me with her purple eyes. They held so much sadness my heart melted.

"Why not. Let's go." I said, taking her tiny hand in mine, and leading her to her school. We walked to her classroom. I let go of her hand as we entered and her teacher approached.

"Hello Mr.-?"

"Roth." I said. I held out my hand and her teacher shook it.

"Ms. Wynn. And this must be Alexandria?"

"Correct." I looked down at her. She was peering out from behind my leg, one hand clutching two of my fingers, her other, my leg. "Go on, Alex, go play. I'll still be here."

She looked up at me uncertantly, but let go, and ran to play with the other children.

"I take it you will remain with us?" She asked. I noticed Alex secretly listening in on us.

"Yes. I will." I smiled fondly at Alex. "She wouldn't have it any other way. She's daddy's little girl." Alex smiled at me and was at ease.

"I take it you're single?"

"No, happily married." I replied, viewing the entire room for the first time. Several mothers were here as well.

"Your wife drinks?"

"No. Neither of us do. Or smoke, or do drugs. It would be a very bad influence on our little Alexandria." I said. Ms. Wynn laughed.

"She really must be daddy's little girl then." She observed.

"That she is." I replied, laughing.As the other parents and kids arrived, Alex and I, and the other children and parents played, laughed, did whatever.

When nap-tme came, I read them all a story. When they were all asleep, Ms. Wynn approached me.

"Mr. Roth, can I ask you something?"

"Of course."

"I am imploring you to remain active in your daughter's life. Most of the kids' fathers are drinkers, or want nothing to do with their children." She began. She drew a breath, and continued. "Some, however, are good men. But have to work. Alex is very lucky to have you here."

"She will always be my little girl. Nothing will ever change that." I replied truthfully.

"I also wanted to ask if you'd continue to come with Alex every day. The kids love you."

"I... well, I guess I could." I hadn't thought the kids would love me.

"Thank you." She simply said, before walking away. The kids woke up sometime later and we continued to play.

Then the day was over and as Alex and I were walking out, the smile on her face lit up even the darkest corners of my heart.

"I love you daddy."

"I love you too Alex."

And then...

Alex is bursting through the door, tears flowing down her face.

"Alex, what's wrong?" I asked, opening my arms as she reached me.

"He s-said that he'd rather die than go out with me!" She said, after she finished crying.

"Who did?"

"Anthony Lecer!" She said, her emotions sending painful shockwaves through my mind.

"I take it you like him."

"He c-called me a slut!" Alex sobbed.

"Do you even know him that well?"

"Well... not really..." Alex trailed off. "Can't you force him? Please daddy? For me?"

"While, yes I can, I am not." I said, firmly.

"Why not? Don't you love me?"

"Very much. But it would be pointless to force Anthony to go out with you. Then he wouldn't like you for any reason. He'd hate you." Why is it so hard to explain things?

"But... he'd still be going out with me!" Alex wailed.

"I'm not, and neither are you."

And then...

Alex and I are sitting at the couch, and she is trying to get the courage to tell me something.

"Dad... I have to tell you something."

"I'm listening." I replied.

"I... I'm not a virgin anymore. And I'm pregnant." We sat in stunned silence.

And then...

The doctors were looking very sad. They looked as if they held a great secret.

"Mr. Roth... we've done all we can." I hate this part. "Your daughter has lost her baby. She had a miscarriage."

"We're sorry Mr. Roth." A nurse said.

I went in the room to my one and only daughter. She was sobbing now.

"Daddy, I'm so sorry. I wasn't strong enough for my baby. I'm so sorry. I'm not worthy to be your daughter." Raven was still crying into her hands, so she heard none of this.

"Alex... you will always be worthy of being my daughter. I will always love you. And you will always be daddy's little girl." I said, embracing her.

And then...

"-ce! Malice! Malice, wake up!" Someone was calling me.

I opened my eyes. "Is it another memory?" I asked, rhetorically, sure that it was.

"No, Malice, this is reality. Welcome back." Raven greeted, sarcastically and lovingly. She kissed me.

"You know, Malice, if it wasn't the fact that you are who you are, I'd think I discovered a miracle. Your wounds are enough to kill many men over. But, your body seems to be doing most of the work. I'm also surprised you woke up so soon."

"Soon?"

"We had to hit you with so many tranquilizers, painkillers, and sedatives, we could've taken down a herd of elephants no problem." The doctor chuckled. "Again, if you were someone else, I would be very surprised you didn't die from overdosage." After the doctor had left, Raven asked

"Malice, what did this to you?" There was terror in her eyes. Having the greatest stamina of them, and seeing me in this condition doesn't exactly raise one's hopes.

"Pain." I said, my memory returning to that fight. "Pain's double did this. The real one is likely to still be out there, getting stronger."

"Stronger?" Alex asked. I noticed a slight bulge to her stomache now.

"Yes. His powers are weak when on earth. The longer he is here, the stronger his powers get." I explained.

"Lovely." Alex replied, sarcastically.

"By the way Alex, what've you been eating?" I asked.

"Same as usual."

"So, why're you gettin' a little tubby?" At first her face registered confusion, then understanding.

"I didn't tell you?" She asked. I shook my head 'no'. "I'm pregnant. Again."Her eyes shone with happiness.

"That's great Alex." I hugged her with all the strength I could muster. "I love you Alex."

"I love you too daddy."