Chapter 3: Training
True to his word, Vergil was awake on the first lights of dawn. He eased out of bed, making sure to not wake his wife, and got ready. When he was done, dressed and geared up, ready to go, he leaned down and kissed her. Mira opened her eyes a bit but smiled at him
"Have fun," She said with a warm smile. Vergil caressed her cheek and smiled.
"I love you, rest a bit, we'll be back soon."
"I love you too Babe." She said. "Be careful with our firstborn will you?"
"I won't go crazy on him but he will need to be trained." He said softly.
Mira nodded and settled down to sleep. Vergil walked out of their bedroom and made way to Nero's. He blinked when he didn't see him, his bed made. Vergil tensed as he looked around but didn't see his eldest. He carefully made his way down the stairs and then relaxed when he saw Nero in the living room, dressed and geared up.
"For a moment I thought you overslept." The younger devil said with a grin. Vergil smirked.
"Not in this lifetime."
"Wait until the triplets come. I want to see you say that then." Nero teased. Vergil looked at his son and shook his head.
"You won't catch me asleep even when the triplets arrive."
"We will see, Father." Nero grinned. He knew better on how much a handful children were. He and Kyrie did run the orphanage. He himself had fallen asleep on times and Kyrie had caught him, standing up but was fast asleep! He knew his father would fare no better. Both men walked to the sparring field and Nero saw that his father had questions.
"Father, you can't hide it from me, you have questions, ask them."
"Child, how do you assume that I have questions?"
"I don't assume, I know. I mean, have you dealt with babies before?"
"No," Vergil admitted. Nero nodded.
"Look, I don't blame you or Mother. I know we were robbed of the chance to be a family, from the beginning. But we are here now and I can help."
"After our spar, you will tell me, agreed?" Vergil said as he took a stance, unsheathing Yamato.
"Agreed." Nero said as he summoned up Red Queen. The men saluted then lunged, their swords clashing.
Mira looked up as she heard two sets of footsteps and heard her husband and son talking. They sounded a bit tired from the sparring. She set down two mugs, coffee for Nero and a strong tea for Vergil, and smiled when they walked in and sat down.
"Good morning," She said as she kissed her husband first then their son. Both men smiled and greeted her.
"Good morning my love."
"Good morning Mother." Nero said. "I was giving Father the run down on babies."
"I see, did you get to the diapers yet?" Mira asked. Vergil blinked.
"I'm sorry?"
"Oh that's right! Diaper care is very important." Nero said with a grin. "And some diapers will test even the strongest of men."
"Now, I know you're making this up child." Vergil said with widened eyes. Mira laughed softly.
"No Babe, he isn't. Some diapers are downright diabolical." She giggled. Vergil shook his head and Mira sighed. "OK, don't believe us. But you will regret not heeding our teachings." Nero laughed as his mother smirked. "Now you two, wash up while I get breakfast ready!" Father and son nodded and went to change and freshen up. They did spar a lot and their muscles needed to relax.
"So anything else diabolical other than the diapers?"
"The spit ups and vomiting." Nero said. "You do not want to wear the fanciest clothes when that happens. Oh and bath time can get a bit splashy. When they finally go to sleep or nap best rest with them because that's when you rest." Mira nodded, she was faring better than Vergil, who looked a bit shocked. Since we're having triplets, it'll be three times the…fun.
"Oh and a lot of crying. But there are a lot of good surprises too, when they hold your finger in their little hand or the first smile. I dealt with a lot of babies at the orphanage."
"That's why you're so prepared kiddo. You'll be a great father one day." At this Nero blushed.
"Thank you Mother."
"So what do we do to calm the child?"
"That depends on the child." Nero said. "What may work for one, may not work for the others. Oh, I almost forgot! Children have different bonding dynamics too. One parent may hold more sway over the child than the other. The opposite parent would be the Fear of God. For example, you two, if I had to guess, Mother had a closer bond to Grandmother, so when Grandfather had to discipline, Mother wasn't thrilled."
"Your guess is correct." Vergil said as he smirked at his wife, who lightly punched him in the arm. "I had a closer bond to your grandfather."
"Yea you cried when Mother got on you." Mira teased. "Kiddo, what about you? Who do you feel closer to?" Although I know the answer. Nero smiled.
"Who do you think?" He chuckled as he sat back.
"I would have to say it depends. Although your bond is stronger with me, you also bonded with you Father when he was split."
"That's right. In some cases, it will be like that. But usually, the child picks one as their favorite and the other, they fear. But, both are loved no matter what. I have the perfect idea. Starting tomorrow, your training starts. I'll go now and prepare, there is a lot to cover." He finished his breakfast and kissed his mother and nodded to his father. "I'll be back later, I have to get going."
"See you later kiddo." Mira said while Vergil nodded and held her close. Nero waved and left. Mira looked at her husband and hugged him.
"So, what now?" She asked. Vergil smirked and after clearing the table and dishes away, he carried his wife upstairs. He gently placed her onto their bed and looked down at her, kissing her softly. Mira kissed him back and hugged him close, running her hands along his back.
"Ah, my love remember what happened the last time…."
"Mama's hungry." She whispered heatedly as she wrapped her legs around his waist. Vergil growled lowly and captured her lips again, both hitting the bed not breaking their kiss even once.
"Nico where are you?" Nero called as he entered her weapons lab. Nico had the radio on full blast in the van as she worked. Nero banged on the van's hood, startling her.
"What's up Bro?" She asked. Nero grinned.
"You're gonna love this. I need two…no, make that three baby dolls. The ones that move and all, even dirties diapers." Nico blinked then started laughing.
"Bro, you are a genius!" She grinned. "Coming right up, you wait right here … dude, you're gonna video tape this right?"
"That is not a bad idea!" Nero laughed. The two of them organized everything, right down to the little beds. Nico showed him three dolls: two boys and one girl. Nero nodded and took the baby bags and beds.
"Dude, don't forget this," She handed a thick book with three sections. "Their baby log!"
"Thanks, catch you later." Nero said as he summoned Mirage Rose, fired a shot and walked through.
Both lovers fell back on their bed with a final sigh, both pleasantly spent. Mira rested her head on her husband's chest and smiled. Vergil held her close and chuckled.
"Well, well, you were hungry." He said with a devilish grin. "Are you alright my love?"
"Yes Babe I'm alright." Mira said. "Hm, a shower sounds nice….don't you think?" Vergil grinned and followed his wife into the bathroom.
"Father? Mother?" Nero called as he stepped out of the portal. When he didn't see them in the living room he grinned and placed the beautiful carriage for three he managed to get from the baby boutique in Fortuna. He almost had a showdown with another family over it, with Nero pulling out the puppy eyes and actually winning! It was a beautiful carriage with blue black with silver and it was made to carry three children at once. It even converted into a stroller when the triplets got a bit bigger. He opened the carriage and carefully set down the three dolls in their little beds. He also set up the bags, beds and baby log book.
"Oh my, I'll never look at showers the same way again." Mira laughed, causing Nero to hide. "You almost pounded me into the wall!"
"Sorry my love, I forget my own strength sometimes….what is this?" Vergil asked as he pointed to the baby carriage.
"Oh wow, it's beautiful and it's perfect for the triplets." Mira said as she examined it. "Oh, Babe this is expensive…top of the line."
"I knew you'd like it." Nero said as he walked out of his hiding spot. "Surprise!"
"Oh kiddo, thank you!" Mira said as she hugged him warmly. Nero smiled and hugged her back.
"It will help not only for these triplets." He said as he placed a hand on his mother's stomach. "But these." He pointed to the dolls in their little doll beds. Vergil blinked and tilted his head. Mira laughed warmly.
"Oh! Parenting class!" She said. "Babe, these dolls are to prepare us for what's to come."
"Oh I see," Vergil said as he looked at the dolls closely. One of the dolls opened its eyes and looked at him.
"Dada!"
"Ah," The elder said as he jumped back a bit. Nero and Mira snickered.
"Yes Father," Nero said. "Welcome to your training."
I'm screwed. Vergil thought as he looked at the dolls, shuddering a bit. Royally screwed.
Will the Spardas pass the class?