Okay, before we get started, I should tell you that this is my first Helluva Boss fanfic ever. In fact, this is actually the first fanfic I've done in a LONG time. So please, be kind when you're reviewing. If you like it, you're amazing! If not, just... don't bother talking to me.
Oh, also, I was hugely inspired by a series of stories by LadyAnaconda called Helluva Dad and I promise too that I'll try my best not to make any of my stories too much like them even though, admittedly, there might be some similarities. So major kudos to you for inspiring me.
Other than that, I hope you enjoy this and look forward to more in the future. See ya!
A long time ago, Striker never imagined himself as a father. It wasn't like he despised kids or anything, it's just that to him, they were sort of an obstacle getting in the way of his job. But Serenity, dear God, his beloved Serenity managed to put whatever negative thoughts he had about having a family out the window. How you ask? By uttering those words he thought he'd never hear.
"Striker... I'm pregnant."
To say that he was surprised by this news was a huge understatement. He was absolutely mindblown! "How did this happen?" he wondered to himself. Despite their many times of "bed love", they weren't even married. And yet, they'd managed to achieve it. Understandably though, they were both in shock and wondered back and forth what they were gonna do. It took some time until it sank in; this was happening no matter what and they were gonna raise this child to be their little bundle of joy.
Of course, they did try to think about what this would mean for their assassin jobs should one come up again. Finally though, they agreed that if their child was a boy, they'd take turns looking after him and doing the killings. But if it was a girl, they decided they were gonna quit the killing business for good, knowing if they kept going, they'd risk putting her in danger. When it was time to look at Serenity's ultrasound, the decision was final.
"Mr. Striker, Ms. Serenity, congratulations." the nurse smiled brightly. "You're going to have a little girl."
A girl! They were having a little girl! Striker and Serenity lit up when they heard this and both of them were laughing and crying tears of joy. From that day on, they began to make arrangements for the upcoming arrival of their daughter. First thing they did was prepare her room with everything they needed; Striker had built and painted a cradle and a crib for when it was time for one while Serenity took care of buying baby clothes, diapers, bottles, and other necessary things. She even picked out a teddy bear, all the better to be prepared for what's to come.
Up next, try to find a safe job. Luckily, that didn't take long either. Striker had found an offering on his phone about a placed called Rough 'n Tumbleweed Ranch; they were looking for new farmhands. Yes, this could work. And it did too. Upon their arrival, they were hired on the spot, mainly due to the fact that their last one had been lost to one of those flaming twisters. This wasn't really a shock; it is the Wrath ring after all.
The job itself worked out for them. Basically, Striker did the harder and heavier work while Serenity, due to her pregnancy, did much more simple jobs, usually assisting Lin with whatever housework was needed. She didn't mind at all, plus her and Lin formed quite a mother-daughter like bond, something she never got to have with her own mother. The several months they spent at their new job may not have always been the cleanest, but neither of them could care less.
Things went pretty smooth from there. That is, until the big day came. It had been their day off and they were relaxing quietly together when Serenity's water suddenly broke. Unfortunately, they wouldn't be able to make it to the nearest clinic; their home, which was actually Striker's childhood home, was pretty far from town. That and it was storming hard outside, which would definitely not make it easy for Bombproof to take them anywhere. So, their only other choice was an at-home water birth. Luckily, Striker had the medical tools necessary, having been from both experience when some of his younger siblings were born and being taught how to use them in case of an emergency. In the end, it was all worth it.
Right now, Serenity was back in bed, sound asleep; the birth took a lot of energy out of her, but she was happy it was done. As for Striker, he was currently smiling down at the bundle in his arms: his child, his beautiful baby girl. He was glad that Serenity was asleep otherwise she'd be laughing at his watery eyes as he cradled their daughter while gently stroking her cheek.
The impling was already sprouting soft, curly black hair and there were small black bumps on her head where her horns would grow. Apart from that, she looked just like a miniature female version of himself; she had the same snake-like features, the same tail, even the same skin color. In what seemed like a minute or two, her eyes opened. They were jade green like her mother's, but Striker noticed there were small rings in them as well, just like his. His eyes watered even more as his baby looked up at him with curiosity and wonder.
"Hey there, little girl." he said softly as her tiny hand managed to grab the finger stroking her cheek. "You're so beautiful, ya know that, baby doll?"
She cooed, smiling brightly, which Striker took as a sign she liked the pet name. Of course, he and Serenity already agreed on what her name would actually be; she'd made a list of potentially good names, but one in particular stuck out to him, one that had a nice, adorable ring to it, one that-
BOOM!
The loud crash of thunder and lightning came out of nowhere, briefly lighting up the sky like it was daytime. Striker suddenly noticed his daughter's eyes well up with tears and she began to cry, badly scared by the noise.
"Shh, there, there, baby girl, don't cry." Striker said, bouncing her lightly in his arms so she didn't start wailing or risk waking Serenity up. "It's okay, daddy's here, daddy's gotcha."
Hearing his voice, her cries immediately simmered down to whimpers until she finally relaxed in his embrace.
"Atta girl, deep breath." Striker smiled, holding her close to his chest and kissing her head. Oh yeah, he could get used to this. With that settled, he made a solemn promise to his little daughter as she drifted to sleep, soothed by the sound of his heartbeat. "Don't you worry, baby girl. No matter what happens, I'll always protect you and keep you close to me. I promise, I will always be there for you... Maria."
