A week of rest in the hospital went by, but since that day of victory, Farrah has yet to feel her unborn child kick or stir inside her large belly. Neither has she seen or heard from Thancred.
"Alright miss, Vilentris." Ilbrium said, coming in to check on his patient. "Your measurements are looking good, your bruises are healing nicely... Have you been able to feel your baby yet at all?"
Farrah looked down, tears dropping onto her chest, and shook her head.
Ilbrium sat on a wooden stool beside her bed and put his hand on her shoulder "Farrah, it's going to be alright. Your Baby is still growing at a perfectly healthy rate. Have faith everything will be alright. You've overcome worse odds."
Farrah looked up and spoke with a soft, hoarse voice. "Where's Thancred?.. Please. Is he okay?"
The kindly old doctor smiled. "Actually we just received word not long ago about how he fairs... He's alive. He's awake... and he's himself."
Farrah broke down sobbing at the good news, clutching her stomach. "Thank the Twelve." She then threw her arms around her friend for a hug, thanking him.
"More good news!" He said, and Farrah pulled out of the hug in surprise of what else he has to say. "Your friends are here to see you."
Just then, Minfilia, Yda and Y'shtola came into the room and surrounded her with love and hugs. She smiled at them but looked to the door. hearing the rest of them out in the hall. Confused why they didn't come in.
Yda, saw her friend's question on her face. "We made the boys stay out there until we could finish helping you with your gift!" Farrah then noticed the wrapped package in Minfilia's arms.
"Gift?"
"Thanks to you, all of Eorzea is safe. Our family is safe." Y'shtola said warmly. Bowing slightly to their hero.
Minfilia kissed the top of her sister Scion's head, handing Farrah the package and rubbed her baby bump gently. The tall, blonde, leader was slightly shocked to not have felt the familiar greeting of rapid fire kicks the baby would always give at touch. She sat In saddened thought beside her dear friend.
"Well, open it!" Yda chimed in excitement.
Farrah tore the wrappings away then rolled in her fingers the soft, beautiful fabric. Holding it up slightly to get a better look, it was probably the most beautiful gown she had ever seen. It is white with red and blue roses embroidered down the split skirt and was formed to fit her stretched stomach perfectly. "This is... beautiful." Her tears continued to flow gratefully. "Thank you all so much."
"Well... try it on, silly!"
Farrah looked at them confused and then to her doctor who spoke up. "You get to leave today."
"What?.. really!?" The young woman asked with eager readiness.
Ilbrium nodded. "You're health has significantly improved, so we figured it's time to get you up and moving to see how you do."
"Plus once you leave here, we're bringing you to a celebration being held in your honor. That's what the dress is for." Minfilia said.
Ilbrium and Minfilia each held one of her elbows, helping Farrah out of the bed. The doctor took careful look at her to make sure she was alright. He deduced she was strong enough to finally leave his care, so he left the room to allow the women some privacy.
Farrah's sisters helped her change out of her hospital garb, wash up, and put on her new dress. Once they were done, she stood in front of a mirror to admire her look.
"You look stunning. Absolutely glowing." Yda noted. Everyone nodded in agreement and hugged their friend.
the four women then walked out into the hall to greet the rest of their family.
The celebration had begun and everyone was bustling with joy, making merry conversation. Farrah Walked up, receiving a handful of mixed reactions from her peers. This was the first time she wore her pregnancy out for all to see. Until then, it had only been her close circle of friends who had known about the baby. All in all, everyone was happy and excited.
It was then that she spotted him. Thancred was sitting on a bench chatting with their mutual friends and fellow Scions. She stopped in her tracks and stared in awe at the man she loves. Too shocked to move. While engrossed in banter, the handsome, white haired Hyur turned his head and they made eye contact. Everything else he was doing or thinking became unimportant and non existent. Thancred weakly stood from his spot and held his hand out to her.
In this small gesture, she found her footing and ran to his arms. Both crying and laughing, they held one another tightly. Afraid if they let go, some evil force will try to separate them again. "Sweetheart, didn't you just wake up?! how are you-"
"I had to see you. I couldn't wait another moment. I just had to see you..."
Farrah moved her face from his chest and stretched up on her toes to pull his face to hers. She kissed him and he kissed her with a passion unrivaled.
Thancred finally had to pull away to sit down, still very weak from the week's events. He noticed her very visible, round, swollen abdomen. He had spent every moment (awake and asleep) since she first appeared in Castrum Meridianum, in fear of if his child would survive. The father gently placed his palms on his lover's belly. More than eager to finally have his own hands (under his control) feel his son or daughter kick for the first time. He felt all around Farrah's smooth, stiff belly, desperately waiting to greet his unborn baby... But there was still nothing. No kick, no movement, no sign of life.
Thancred looked up at his love, eyes filling with confused tears. "Darling... What-"
"I haven't been able to feel our baby for a week now." She explained, her own eyes growing wet and salty.
"Is our baby okay?! Is... Is it still alive?!" He asked, heart breaking at the terrible thought.
"We don't know. But, Livia... She..." Farrah sighed trying unsuccessfully not to choke on her tears. "...She did terrible things..."
"No... No, gods... please. Please don't tell me our... Oh gods!" He rested his forehead against her large bump and yelled in agony. People had begun to gather around them to see the reason for the distress. Shaking, Thancred held tightly onto his child, kissing Farrah's still bump. "I'm so sorry, baby. Daddy is so sorry..."
Suddenly, Farrah's stomach shook and rippled as their unborn child began squirming within. Kicking hard against Thancred's forehead. The two parents gasped in unexpected delight looking at one another.
"It kicked... Our baby kicked! I'm going to be a daddy!" He shouted in rejoice, simultaneously letting everyone around know the unborn child is alive. he rubbed his sore head. "I guess I deserved that" he chuckled, wiping away his and his lover's tears.
"We're you just waiting for your daddy, little one?" Farrah asked. She was answered with more movement.
Everyone spent the next few moments taking turns feeling the baby, and chatting with the happily reunited family. They talked about the due date, thoughts on if it's a boy or girl, baby names, etc. Thancred swears it's a boy, but was seriously outnumbered by everyone else's guesses.
Soon, once things started to calm down, Merlwyb, Raubahn and Kan-E-Senna stepped up to speak with all that had come to celebrate.
"Friends!" The General of Ul'dah addressed. "The dread night of Imperial tyranny and Ascian machinations is ended. A new day now begins in Eorzea."
Limsa Lominsa's Admiral immediately followed. "True to their name, the Scions of the Seventh Dawn, along with our champion, have delivered us from darkness.
The elder seed-seer of Gridania added, "Let their shared victory serve to remind us of our shared history. And let their bravery in the face of adversity inspire future generations."
Raubahn continued. "Doubt not the realm will need bravery in the days to come. Old rifts threaten to divide us within our walls, while hordes of beastmen claw at our gates. And though the Black Wolf be slain, the rest of the pack remains. Yet no foe we fear, so long as we stand as one..."
"So long as the Scions stand for peace..." Merlwyb said.
"So long as our champion stands fast... For their exists no adversity over which we may not jointly prevail." Kan-E-Senna stated.
"No longer can we turn a blind eye to the suffering of our allies." Limsa's leader mentioned.
"No nation stands alone. If one should fall, so shall we all. Eorzea is our shared home. For any one of us to know peace, so too must our neighbor." Kan-E-Senna declared.
"Just as we join in solidarity before you this day..." Raubahn began. "...So too shall our Grand Companies be joined henceforth, to strive not only for the good of mere nations... but for the good of all the realm."
The Seed-Seer followed her companions remarks. "Change will not come overnight. Yet I forsee a day, not so very far from now, when the lines that divide our lands fade... And all of Eorzea is one."
Merlwyb spoke forth her final adition. "It has been but five short years since the battle of Carteneau. Five years since the advent of the Seventh Umbral Era. No victory, however sweet, can wash away our bitter sorrows. No triumph can reclaim those we lost. Yet do not presume you honor them by dwelling on the past. It was not the past they fought for. You would repay their sacrifice by looking to the future."
Farrah and Thancred held each other close, looking down at their future she carries in her womb.
"A future united, as the Warriors of Light united in the champion" The large male leader stated.
"Now is the time for us to rise as one, bearing all of Eorzea on our shoulders!" The tall pirate claimed.
Concluded by the smaller leader in white robes, was "Five years ago, Eorzea bore witness to the end of the Sixth Astral Era. Now the Seventh Umbral Era draws to a close. Yet we come together not to glory in its end, but to mark a new beginning."
The three leaders lift their weapons in unison. "Let it be writ that on this day... by the light of the Crystal... Eorzea ushered in a NEW Era! The Seventh Astral Era is come! And thus is ours a realm reborn!" Everyone cheered and clapped, soon beginning to chat amongst themselves some more.
The celebration finally over, Farrah and Thancred returned to the comfort of his room at the Waking Sands. Once inside and door closed, he sat down in his desk chair, exhausted. Farrah began taking off her short, red boots and undoing her dress, gently pulling it off of her shoulders and down her body. She hung up her beautiful gown and was about to grab her night clothes when she felt arms wrap around her naked body. The handsome bard held her pregnant belly with one hand as the other slid up her side and caressed her enlarged breast. He began kissing and sucking on the nape of her neck. "I've missed you so much, Darling" He whispered.
Farrah softly moaned at his touch, sinking into his embrace. She could feel his hardened length pressed against her.
"Marry me" he murmured in her ear.
She froze, still panting from his sensual touch. "What?"
"Marry me, my love." His kisses kept trailing down her neck and shoulder as his hands left her body. The beautiful, white haired man reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, shiny, object. Wrapping his arms back around her, looking over her shoulder at their hands. Thancred held a beautiful gold engagement ring in his fingers. "I had this already picked out for you a little over five moons ago. I was going to propose sooner... but..."
Farrah turned around in his arms to look at him. Her big gray eyes were beginning to glass over with happy tears. "Yes... yes of course I'll marry you, Than!"
A giant smile grew on his face and he fit the ring onto her dainty finger. Then he pulled her lips to his. Gently licking her bottom lip and plunging his tongue into his fiancé's mouth, wrestling around with her's. Without breaking contact, Thancred bent down and grabbed the back of her thighs, pulling them up, wrapping her legs around his waist. Feeling her warm center press against his stiffness made him moan into her mouth. His hands roamed his lover's body. Finally deciding to keep one hand tangled in her hair and the other on her bottom, pressing her to his body.
"I love you" Farrah breathed against his lips
"And I love you" Thancred replied, panting.
His weak arms getting tired, the Scion carried her to their bed.
"You're exhausted my love, please lay back." He looked at her with glossy, mesmerized eyes and laid down against the pillows, taking his shirt off. Farrah climbed on top of him, plucking the knotted string from his pants, pulling them down from his hips.
Thancred's long, hard erection sprung from his pants as the woman over him took them off. He grabbed her hips and helped situate her on top of him. Farrah's wet entrance rubbed against her lover's throbbing pole. Unable to wait any longer, Thancred lifted her slightly to position himself. Then lowered her down on him, pushing his cock deep inside her.
Both gasping and panting, the sexy, muscular man continued to lift and lower his hips, penetrating her with rhythmic motion. The beautiful Hyur's walls throbbed and clenched around him, sending them both so close to euphoria. Thancred quickly rolled them over so his future wife was under him. He lifted one of her legs and rest it on his shoulder and pushed himself back into her.
Farrah's moans grew louder as his quickening movements gave her inner walls a deep massage.
"Than... I'm so close..." She said, panting. She began to tremble in finish, tightening around him. Then she felt a warm flow of liquid fill her as he came inside her. They both moaned and groaned in deep satisfaction as they reached their climax together.
Thancred carefully pulled out his sensitive member, watching as globs of his sticky cum dripped from her folds. Fatigue finally hit him as he laid down next to his pregnant, soon to be wife. The white haired gentleman began tracing his fingers across the still healing bruises that covered her belly. He already knew, regardless of who dealt the physical blows, he knew deep down he was responsible. His actions had lead to all of this. Thancred rubbed and kissed Farrah's baby bump, feeling their unborn child moving. The father-to-be went to kiss his fiancé goodnight but found her asleep already. He chuckled.
"Goodnight my Darling. I love you."
A few peaceful months flew by. As Farrah's stomach grew with life, so did her's and Thancred's relationship. Over the course of these last 3 moons, they had bought a quaint little home in Ul'dah's housing district, preparing for the arrival of their baby. They also announced their engagement to friends and family, as well as planning for the big day. Which just so happened to be today.
Farrah stood within the beautiful cathedral, the stained glass shining it's mural upon the large wooden doors. She wore a stunning white wedding dress that emphasized her very pregnant stomach. Thancred, wearing a handsome white suit, joined his almost wife.
"You look absolutely breathtaking..." He stared at her in awe. He saw she was holding her heavy, swollen abdomen, rubbing the same spot over and over again. "Are you alright, my love? Is the baby okay?"
Farrah turned and smiled to the man she is about to marry. "We're perfect." Thancred placed a hand on her outstretched stomach and massaged his thumb over her protruding belly button. The doors started to swing open and they looked at one another with joy.
"Ladies and gentlemen -and any others who may not fall into said categories!" Father Iliud spoke. "I welcome you one and all to the ceremony of Eternal Bonding. Let us watch in silent reverence as Thancred Waters and Farrah Vilentris make their entrance into this most holy of halls."
The beautiful couple began walking down the aisle together, only then realizing how many people came in support of their wedding. The room was packed with friends, family, and acquaintances they had made over their journey from every corner of Eorzea. Even Cadence was there. Everyone was smiling at them, but all those who knew their story, cried tears of joy as they walked past. The happy couple stopped before Father Iliud.
"Normally these ceremonies are run by the Choir Moogle, but this beautiful young couple had sought me out to ask me this favor. And what an extraordinary honor it is to do so. I first met the Bride during a very dark time in their story. But it brings me great joy to know that even through the hardships they have endured, it was met with such a glorious result. And now I am pleased to ask this man and this woman to share the vows they have prepared.
Thancred looked his beautiful bride in the eyes, holding back tears unsuccessfully. "My darling, Farrah. I knew from the moment I first met you that you were special. Not just in the same reasons every person in this room knows you're special... But in a specific way to my heart. You've brought me everlasting joy. A guiding light in my regretful path into darkness. You made me realize my worth, how to love... And now you're making me a husband... and a father." He place a hand lovingly on her large stomach. "Thank you. I will live every day of my life fighting for you the way you have fought for me. I love you."
Farrah, tears already running from her eyes, began to speak her vows. "Than... I remember our very first mission together at camp drybone like it was yesterday. You taught me the value in living in the now, relaxing and building relationships whenever possible. That life is too short to live alone. I cherish this memory so greatly, because It's the day I knew that today would be our future. Before, I was all consumed in my work, but you brought love and a gratifying reality of my own mortality to my heart. Because of you, I am standing here today surrounded by friends, family, even our child I carry. All which without you, wouldn't exist. You have brought balance and overwhelming peace to my soul. I love you."
"Now" Iliud began. "This wouldn't be a bonding ceremony without the bands. Thancred, Farrah, you may proceed with the rings."
The white haired man pulled the gold and diamond ring from his pocket and fit it over her finger. Farrah then grabbed a simple golden band and slipped it over his finger. They held each other's hands.
"Over hill and Dale, across ocean and desert, through snowstorm and rain, our couple journeyed many malms to earn the blessings of the Twelve, proving their resolve in so doing! May they be reminded of that journey whenever they gaze upon these sacred bands. Or into each other's eyes." The elder priest wiped a tear and finished "And with that, all that remains now is to seal the pact... with a kiss."
The new husband and wife pressed their lips lovingly together. A bright light swirled around them and through them, forming the forever bond of matrimony.
"Friends, loved ones... I now gladly pronounce these two bonded for all eternity. Thancred and Farrah Waters!"
Everyone clapped and cheered, beyond thrilled to see that their friends have gotten their happily ever after.
The rest of the evening was filled with so much excitment and even more hugs. Laughter filled the hall for hours. By sundown, everyone had dispersed to return to home and or work.
The Husband and wife returned to their adorable little house and after another night of passion fell asleep wrapped in each other's arms.
Farrah awoke in the middle of the night in great discomfort. She stood up to try and walk off the cramping pain. However once she got up, a loud splashing sound echoed in the room. Thancred immediately shot up awake at the sound and looked to his wife hunched over in pain.
"My love, are you okay?!" He quickly ran to her.
"Than... I think the baby's coming!"
He looked at the wet floor, and put his hands on the bottom of her belly feeling the tightening muscles as a contraction came. "Our baby's coming... I'll get the doctor!" He helped his wife lay back down on the bed and stepped out of the room, putting his hand to his ear to speak through the linkpearl.
"Doctor Ilbrium! can you hear me?" There was stumbling static then a tired but concerned voice answered.
"Thancred? Is everything alright?"
"The baby's coming!"
Ilbrium's voice sounded more awake now. "Okay... How far apart are the contractions?"
He stepped back into the room and saw Farrah holding her belly and face scrunched in pain. "Darling, are you having another contraction?" She just nodded unable to speak. He hurried back to the bed and held her hand. "Uuuh..." He thought. "Okay they are about 2 minutes apart. A-and her water broke" He explained to the doctor.
"Her water broke?! Okay... Thancred, the baby is coming fast. I'm on my way!"
"The doctor's coming, my love. It's okay. You're doing great." The father-to-be sat on the bed rubbing her belly and whispering sweetly.
Almost thirty minutes passed. Farrah was holding back her screams with every contraction. They were 1 minute apart now and she could feel pressure. "Where... is... doctor... Ilbrium?!" She panted through clenched teeth.
Right before Thancred could say anything to comfort his wife, there was a knock on the front door. He quickly ran through the house to get the door, ushering in the doctor. Hastily making their way to the bedroom, once inside, the old man set down his bag and put a hand on the young woman's shoulder.
"Okay, mama... It's going to be alright. I'm going to check your progress, okay?
he lifted her night dress up over her knees and very carefully pulled her legs apart. "Oh my god's! Okay. I see the baby's head coming through the canal. Farrah when you feel the contractions, I need to to push as hard as you can. Try to hold each push for about ten seconds. Thancred, grab one of her legs to support her pushes... Damn! I wish we had one more person."
Just then Minfilia ran into the room. I heard the baby is coming... what can I do to help!"
"Bless the gods! perfect timing, Minfilia!" Thancred sighed in relief. "Help support her other leg so she can push." The Scion leader did as she was told.
Farrah felt the sickening tightening in her abdomen and began pushing, grunting in pain. Ilbrium started counting from one-ten and her body relaxed a bit. "Great job, Farrah. Just a few more good pushes! I see the head!" less than a minute passes and she begins pushing again, screaming in agony as she feels herself tear slightly, her body making more room for the baby.
"You're doing beautifully, my Darling. I'm so proud of you." The white haired daddy assured her.
"Just one more! One more push! I know it's hard, but you can do this Mrs. Waters."
Farrah, feeling so weak and in so much pain kept panting and mumbling "I can't... I can't..."
"Farrah..." Minfilia said calmly "...Please just push one more time and you'll get to hold your little baby."
Fear and pain in her eyes, she hesitantly nodded. Another wave of unbearable pain washed over her and she screamed, pushing as hard as she could. Then she felt her baby's head make it out and the doctor, carefully grabbing the tiny child, pulled it the rest of the way. There was a small, whimper coming from the newborn baby, making everyone relax.
Ilbrium quickly wiped the blood and amniotic fluid off the tiny, wrinkled baby. "Congratulations... It's a baby boy." The umbilical cord still attached, he gently handed the child over to Thancred While he worked on delivering the placenta and healing the tearing.
Thancred looked upon his son, crying. "Hey, little one... It's your daddy." The father had the biggest grin on his face. "He has my hair..."
Minfilia was helping Farrah calm her breathing and wipe the sweat from her face with a cold wet wash cloth. Once the large bloody, purple sack was removed from her womb, the doctor cut the umbilical cord.
Feeling much better after the healing spell, Thancred walked up to his wife and very gently laid their tiny, fragile son on her chest. The new mother held her baby, crying joyfully. He indeed had his daddy's beautiful white hair but when their child opened his eyes for the first time, she noticed he had her stormy gray ones. "He's beautiful..."
"Do you have a name picked out?" Minfilia asked looking at the beautiful baby.
"Raiden..." Thancred said looking in his lover's beautiful gray eyes, their son now shares. "...Raiden Waters." Farrah smiled and nodded, knowing the name fit him perfectly.
It was in that moment, after all the horrors they had been through to make it to this moment, Thancred felt completely reborn.