Chapter 2: A Prince's Choice, A Mother's Decree

Mira saw that her husband looked a bit unnerved. She got behind him and massaged his shoulders. Vergil closed his eyes and relaxed, allowing his wife to have better access.

"Babe, your shirt." She said. Vergil sat up and removed his shirt, his muscles rippling as they moved. Mira smiled appreciatively. She warmed up her hands and continued to give her husband a deep tissue massage.

"Ah my love, yes right there." Vergil groaned as she worked out the stress.

"So, what's wrong Babe?"

"I'm worried my love,"

"Babe, I'm nervous too. We can do this. True, we didn't get to do this with Nero but we're fast learners. We'll be ready for the triplets."

"Mira, I just worry, with all I've done…."

"Vergil, that's not you anymore. You've changed so much and we are so proud of you." She hugged him and Vergil sensed the triplets agreeing with their mother. He turned and hugged her, kissing her and then her stomach where their babies were resting and growing.

"I love you all so much."

"Babe, we're in this, as a family." Mira whispered as she stroked his hair. She smiled seductively. "Come here you wicked devil." Vergil grinned a bit and looked at her. She wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm a bit cold,"

"I'll warm you up." Vergil whispered as he pulled her close. "For our children's sake, you're on top." He laid down against the pillows and grinned. Mira looked down at him and smiled.

"Oh my, it's high up here." She whispered softly as she leaned down, kissing him softly when the phone rang.

"Oh, seriously?" They moaned as Mira grabbed her phone and answered.

"Devil May Cry?"

"Sorry about the call but its important." Lady said. "it seems things are rocking in the Underworld."

"How is that? Asmodeus didn't report anything."

"It just happened, he wouldn't know but Bradley brought it to our attention."

"Who?" Vergil asked as he looked at his wife.

"A friendly demon, he's also an attorney." Mira said. Vergil was impressed.

"So what's happened?"

"It seems that there are forces gathering. Seems that Sanctus wants revenge."

"Oh God, not again." Mira moaned. "I can't do this!"

"My love, relax. If anything, Nero and I can go."

"What, and I'm sitting at home knitting baby booties? Did I whack you hard?"

"You can't go Mira, and you got lucky."

"Lucky my ass, I can still fight!" Mira argued. Vergil chuckled. He loved his wife's inner fire but now there were their unborn children to think on.

"My love, there's a reason you have to stand down. A very important reason," He placed a hand onto her stomach. Mira placed her hand over his and nodded. He was right, she would risk the babies and that was something she did not want to do.

"Vergil is right Mira, you can't go." Bradley said softly as he entered the office. "Hello all." He looked to Vergil and bowed slightly. "My King," He said respectfully. "Forgive me for addressing you by given name but I agree with you. Right now, Sanctus is still planning, He's planning to return on a certain day, the Festival of Swords?"

"That's near when Mother is due isn't it?" Nero asked. "It's in November."

"Your mother is due in December." Vergil said, "Yes it'll be too close."

"Father, you're going to have to stand down too." Nero said. Vergil booked no argument. He knew Nero was right. Mira was concerned.

"But Nero, that would leave just you…."

"Mother, we have backup now, its not like before." Nero said gently. "You'll need Father here, he's well versed on what to do and is the best protection for you and the triplets."

"I understand kiddo, but what about you?" She asked. "You can't stand there and tell me you're going to go alone."

"I'll take Lady and Trish."

"Not enough, you need someone who's going to be back to back with you. Moedus will go with you." Nero blinked.

"But Mother,"

"No kiddo, I know you don't like it, but as much as I love Lady and Trish, they like to go their own way." She sat back and closed her eyes a bit and both father and son knew what that meant.

"I'll be right back," Vergil said as he unsheathed Yamato and walked through. Nero definitely wasn't thrilled with having Asmodeus with him, but he wisely shut up. His mother was upset enough. Before he could say something, his father came back and Nero's eyes widened when he saw the three freshly ripped out demon hearts. Oh god, she has to eat those….I forgot!

"Nero, come here child." Vergil ordered. Nero nodded and approached his father. His father prepared the hearts for his wife and looked at his son. "I understand you wish for me to go, but I will be watching." Nero blinked then mouthed a silent 'oh' as what his father said clicked in. He nodded and he walked with his father to his mother. Vergil set the hearts down and gently roused his wife.

"Hm, I smell fresh demon hearts." Mira said, her voice turning demonic and eyes slowly turning red. Vergil nodded and Mira reached out for them and began to eat. The demons in the group understood that it was needed to be done. Lady and Nico were a bit shocked.

"An expecting demoness would need fresh demon hearts as a prenatal supplement." Vergil explained. "They sustain not only the growing children, but the mother as well, and gives her strength. She will need to eat these when needed throughout the pregnancy."

"So since there are three hearts, its one for each kid?" Nico asked. Vergil nodded. "Yer mama had to eat them too?"

"Yes she did but I believe Father cooked hers. Mira is half devil, fresher is better."

"Excuse me I'd better go clean up, I look like a murder scene." Mira grinned as she got up, the hearts gone. Vergil nodded and Mira left to clean the blood off and her mouth.

"I'll never get used to that," Nero said. Vergil looked at him and chuckled.

"Study well, one day it'll be you doing this."

"Hell no." Nero said pointedly. Vergil just nodded. He turned to Bradley,

"So, tell me, what else have you gathered and seen?"

"It was quite chaotic Sire," Bradley said. "I also heard that he wishes revenge on a demon by the name of Nero." Vergil's eyes widened. Mira was right to send backup. "He wishes to finish his work in Fortuna, and bring the hordes of countless demons to this world."

"I see," Vergil said as he sat back in his seat. "Well done. I would like you to continue being my eyes and ears on this and on other matters. What say you?"

"It's an honor, Sire." Bradley bowed. "And congratulations on your marriage and to you both on the little ones."

"Thank you. I understand you're an attorney?"

"Yes sire, a family attorney." Vergil smirked. Perfect. Bradley handed him a business card. Mira came back and read it. "Bradley, keep us posted will you?"

"Of course my Queen," Bradley said. Mira blinked then nodded. With a final bow, Bradley left. Nero smiled at his mother.

"How are you feeling Mother?" He asked. Mira smiled and patted his hand.

"Hanging in there kiddo. Your father's right, I'm like this now and I'm not even showing yet…"

"Mother, are you sure about Asmodeus?"

"Kiddo, I don't like it any more than you do, but think on this: how can he be tested if not given the chance eh? If anything, if he fucks up, you can kick his ass, then your father will end him, or I will." Nero saw the steely look in his mother's eyes and saw she wasn't playing. He knew his mother had his best interest in mind. Nero hugged her gently.

"I promise, I'll be careful." He whispered. Mira held him and smirked.

"You better kid, or I'll sic your old man on you, close to term or not."

"Mother!"

"Son!"

"Enough," Vergil cut in. "My love, he will be taken care of don't worry." Nero nodded in thanks to his father who handed his Mother a cup of tea, sitting next to her.

"Father, Mother, I can do this."

"We know you can, son." Vergil said calmly. Mira was about to say something but Vergil held up a hand. "We are just concerned. So for peace of mind, your mother's and mine, Asmodeus will go as well, as your mother said." Nero growled lowly, clenched his fists at his side and his eyes glowed blue, but Vergil just raised an eyebrow. Things like this didn't bother him. He admired that his son had the nerve to stand up to him. He even respected that. However he wasn't going to tolerate a temper tantrum. "Child, you have two ways to accept this: as a child with a swift kick to the pants from me, or with dignity and as a man." Mira laughed softly and Nero, despite being angry, grinned.

"Very well Father," He said. "You win."

"Excellent." Vergil said with a nod. Mira smiled and hugged Nero. She was proud of their firstborn. She knew it wasn't easy for him to accept this. Nero hugged her back and kissed her cheek.

"Mother, I understand and I'm sorry for upsetting you."

"It's ok kiddo. You're more like your father than you realize." Vergil blinked and looked up from his book.

"I…was not….never mind I'll keep my tongue." Mira and Nero smirked as Vergil returned to his book. Nero grinned.

"You are so busted Father." The younger devil grinned. Vergil just chuckled. "So what do we do now?"

"We prepare until that crazy old loon pops up. Then we'll send him packing." Mira said. Vergil chuckled but nodded.

"Well said my love." He said. Nero nodded in agreement. He knew there was much to do but little time to do it in. Mira sighed but got up and went to the wall behind the desk and surprised them all by pressing a hidden compartment. The wall clicked and moved, revealing a handsome black wooden case with the Sparda crest.

"Babe, these are for you." Mira said. "These aren't ordinary guns. These were Daddy's." She opened the case and Vergil looked at the elegant and regal hand guns with their father's fine penmanship on the side of each weapon.

"Luce and Ombra." Vergil read. "Light and Shadow." He picked them up and examined them. He was not too keen on guns but these were their father's own weapons. Without a second thought, his hands blazed blue flames and the weapons changed to his will. Luce shone brighter laced with blue and gold trim. Ombra became more shadowed, the blue and gold glowing brightly. He fired a few shots, Luce threw pure light , Ombra threw shadow rounds. He held the guns together and the guns became one. It was black, with blue and Luce's light intertwined. It was a Desert Eagle! Nero's mouth dropped. Holy shit, Father just made a bad ass gun! Even the name was different. Eclipse. Nero read silently. Symbolizing the marriage of Light and Shadow…Oh, that is clever Father! Mira was amazed.

"Oh my god….." Mira blinked as she saw the gun. "Wha…"

"Watch," Vergil said. With a wave of his hand, Eclipse went up and became Luce and Ombra! Nero whistled. When his father clenched his fist, they became Eclipse once again.

"Damn that was wicked Demon Daddy!" Nico said. Vergil grinned and dismissed the weapon.

"I can summon it at will, if I choose: or, this way." He showed a vest holster under his coat. Mira smiled and Nero grinned.

"Rocking the Cowboy look Father?" He asked and Mira looked at their son.

"Your father is more the Dirty Harry type kiddo. Shoot now, ask questions later."

"I can see that yea." Nero said. "Besides, easier access if on a motorcycle." Mira closed her eyes and liked what she saw when she pictured that. A small giggle even escaped her.

"What, a girl can dream right? But then again…" She smirked and looked at her husband. "I don't have to." Vergil smirked and kissed her softly. Nero smiled.

"So let's get training." Nero said and Mira laughed softly, and Nero blinked. "What?"

"Just like your father." She teased. Vergil chuckled and wrapped an arm around his wife.

"There's nothing wrong with that my love. We'll be prepared." He looked at their son, his face, serious. "We'll begin tomorrow."

"Yes Father."

Oh crap, can't the lunatics stay dead?