Author's Note: So I've got 1 more chapter to post and an epilogue. Your follows, favorites and reviews have meant so much! I did see the review asking about additional
stories after this one. I've updated my bio with information on stories completed, being worked on and planned.

Eva's Wish

Chapter 10

Lady was dismayed at the thought of traveling through more portals. "Great," she said unenthusiastically.

Dante stepped to her side and gently put an arm around her. "I've got you," he said. Lady nodded and they stepped through the portal. She barely had a chance to recognize what was happening before they went through the next portal.

Arriving back in the cave, Lady fell to her knees as the fought the nausea. She breathed deeply through her mouth. Dante knelt beside her. "Sorry about that," Dante said, giving her uninjured shoulder a gentle squeeze. "Just rest up for a moment." Dante stood and walked over to a boulder with a flat top. Setting Lilith down, he bopped her nose. "Sit tight for a sec pumpkin," he said, flashing her a smile. She giggled and nodded. Dante crossed over to the portal where Nero and Vergil were examining it. "Verge, you think Yamato can seal this thing off?" Dante asked. "I don't like the idea of leaving any of these things open."

"Yes," Vergil said.

"We've been looking this over since this was created by a human rather than a demon," Nero explained.

Dante frowned. "I'm not sure I care who made it as long as it's closed off. No sense to leave it for someone to stumble in on or for something to find its way across," he said.

Vergil nodded and drew Yamato. With three barely visible swipes of the sword, the portal cracked and crumbled. "Good riddance," Nero said. "Hopefully that's the last of Agnus' experiments out in the world."

"We shall have to speak of this Agnus at a later time," Vergil said. "I would like to know more."

"Not much for the kid to tell you," Dante said. "He was creepy and way too interested in our family for any good to come of it."

Nero nodded. "Dante's right. I'll be happy to go over the details with you later if you want, if you think there's something to learn there. I also snatched some of his research. I can show you later on if you want," Nero said, fidgeting slightly.

"Yes, I would like to see that," Vergil said.

Dante slapped Vergil on the back. "Just don't get any ideas about using it to take over the world or something, bro," he said.

Vergil gave Dante a cross look. "I would not," he said.

Dante chuckled. "Forgive me for not quite trusting you. Your track record hasn't been so hot to date," he said. Dante caught sight of Lady, starting to recover from the double portal jump. "If you'll excuse me," Dante said, walking to her side. "You doing better?" he asked. She nodded and looked toward Lilith. The little girl was swinging her feet and looking around the cave. Dante followed Lady's eyes. He took a deep breath. "Lady is she," he started, but Lady wasn't paying attention to him. She rose and walked up to Lilith. Dante watched her go.

Coming to stop in front of Lilith, Lady crouched down to Lilith's level and smiled at her. "Are you doing okay?" she asked. Lilith nodded. Lady took a deep breath and looked in Lilith's eyes. "Lilith, you know how we have the same eyes?" she asked.

Lilith smiled. "Yes," she said, "I've never seen someone else with eyes like me before."

Lady gave a small smile. "Lilith, your eyes are like mine because," she paused taking a deep, steadying breath. "I'm your mother."

Lilith's eyes went wide. "You're my mommy?" she asked in a small, breathless voice. Lady nodded. She looked back at Dante and he crossed over, crouching down next to her. Lady gave Dante a shaky smile. She looked back to Lilith. "And Lilith," Lady said taking another deep breath, "Dante is your father."

Dante's heart skipped a beat. He'd suspected it but here was the truth of it-his daughter. She really was his. Lilith looked at him with wide eyes. "You're my daddy?" she asked.

Dante nodded. "'Fraid so, pumpkin," he said giving her a smile.

Lilith's eyes filled with tears. Lady reached out and gently touched Lilith's arm. "Lilith, would you like to come and live with me?" she asked.

Dante's brow furrowed and he felt his inner devil clench at Lady's question. He realized he'd need to act quickly. "Would she like to come live with us," he said softly. Lady looked at him in shock. He looked at her and gently placed his hand over hers. "We've got a lot to talk about," he said, "but it should be us."

Nero and Vergil had stood off to the side watching the revelation unfold and trying to remain unobtrusive. Lilith looked over at them with a look of confusion. Looking back to Dante and Lady, she asked, "Is Nero my brother?"

Nero sputtered and Dante laughed. Lady shook her head no. "No sweetie," she said. "Nero is your cousin."

Lilith's brow furrowed. "What's a cousin?" she asked.

Nero stepped over and knelt down next to Lady. "A cousin means that your daddy and my da," he paused for a moment, "daddy are brothers," he explained, still tripping over the reference to his own father.

Lilith leaned over and looked at Vergil. Vergil nodded. "I am your uncle and Nero's father," he said.

Lilith looked from Vergil to Dante. "You kinda look alike," she said.

Dante chuckled. "Yeah old douchebag is my twin," he said.

"Dante, language," Lady hissed.

He shook his head. "Look this is going to take some getting used to," he said. Lady rolled her eyes.

Nero looked back over his shoulder. The water coming through the crack in the wall was lessening. "Looks like the tide is changing," he said. "We should start back. It's a tight window to get through the sea cave."

Lady looked at Dante. "It will be best if I take Lilith through," she said. "The cave is a tight squeeze. Nero had some trouble in a few spots."

Dante nodded. "Let's get her out of here," he said.

The group carefully made their way through the tight crack to the sea cave. Descending the worn steps, they started forward through the cave. Water was thigh deep and Lady did her best to keep Lilith out of the cold water. Adjusting the girl and taking a step forward, Lady's boot hit a slick algae covered spot and she lost her footing. She kept her body rotated to protect Lilith but her injured shoulder slammed against a boulder next to her. Dante was at her side in an instant. He had his arm wrapped around her waist, steadying her as she tried to breathe through the pain. "I've got you," he said, helping her upright.

Lady looked at him and he nodded, silently agreeing with the request in her eyes. "Come here pumpkin," he said, lifting Lilith into his arms. He held the small girl the rest of the way through the cave, following close on Lady's heels to help steady her if she hit another bad spot. Lady continued to try to ignore the pain flaring in her right shoulder.

The group exited the cave into bright sunlight. A gust of wind came up and Dante felt Lilith shiver against him. Pulling open the side of his coat, he shifted her to his right side and pulled the coat over her, providing her some shelter from the wind. She snuggled into his warmth and he smiled at the contact. Dante looked around and smiled. "Been awhile since we've seen sunlight, hunh Verge?" he said.

Vergil gave a non-committal grunt and squinted. "I'm not sure it was missed," he muttered.

Lilith gave a gasp as her eyes adjusted. "The beach!" she exclaimed. "Daddy, can we come back and play? I want to build a sandcastle."

Dante frowned slightly. "Are you sure pumpkin? Can't we just get you like a sandbox or something?"

Lady reached up with her uninjured side and smacked Dante on the back of the head. "We'll see sweetie," she said, smiling at Lilith. "I'm sure we can figure something out." Lady gave Dante a look. He shrugged.

Lilith's eyes lit up. "I want us all to come back, even Uncle Vergil," she announced.

Dante laughed, the thought of Vergil spending the day at the beach was too much. "If you can convince Uncle Vergil to spend the day at the beach, I'll come out to the beach too. Good luck with that one," Dante said, his eyes crinkled in mirth.

Vergil gave Dante an evil smile and stared right at Dante as he spoke. "Lilith, I would love to," he said.

Dante's smile dropped and he glared at Vergil. Lilith clapped with glee. Nero watched the exchange shaking his head. He did not want to be anywhere near the beach when his family descended on it. He looked up the beach and grinned, seeing the familiar auburn hair of his love. "Kyrie," he yelled, taking off at a run.

Kyrie had been looking out at the waves. Hearing her name, she turned and saw the group coming toward them, with Nero running to her. "Nico, they're back," she yelled, taking off toward Nero. Nico stuck her head out the window and nodded. Kyrie ran into Nero's arms and he swung her around, kissing her deeply.

"I missed you," he breathed.

"Missed you too," she said, smiling.

Nico slowly walked down to them, watching the rest of the group approach. When she spotted Dante she took off running toward him. Dante saw Nico running toward him and groaned. Nico pulled up short and stared at the small bundle tucked into Dante's coat. Her eyes widened. "Y'all are back and Dante, you have a mini me!" she exclaimed.

"Nico, good to see you. Hey uh, bring it down just a notch," he said, feeling Lilith recoil a bit at the boisterous woman.

Nero and Kyrie approached the group. "I'm so glad you're back safely," Kyrie said, smiling.

Lady smiled at her. "Thank you for waiting for us," she said.

Kyrie looked at the small girl in Dante's arms and smiled. "You must be Lilith," she said, silently noting the familiar white hair.

Lilith nodded. "Who are you?" she asked.

Nero smiled. "This is my girlfriend, Kyrie," he said, introducing her.

Lilith had a confused look. "Is she a cousin too?" she asked.

Kyrie blinked. "Cousin?" she asked, looking at Nero.

Dante smiled. "Kyrie, Nico, allow me to introduce you to Lilith, Lady's and my daughter," he said.

Nico looked at Lady and whistled. "Well I'll be. You are just a chip off your daddy's block aren't you? I am going to have to craft something special for you little lady. I'm thinkin 9mm cause you're small yet," Nico said, her head already turning over plans for a very small gun.

"Hey Nico," Lady said, snapping her fingers in front of the woman's face to get her attention, "She's five. Let's give her a few years shall we?"

Dante raised an eyebrow. Lady shot him a look and he nodded. "Yeah, she's five. She should at least be ten before we're talking 9mm," he said, feeling proud of his observation.

Lady rounded on him. "Seriously Dante?" she said.

"What?" he asked.

"She's a kid," Lady explained. "No firearms for a long while. She needs to be a kid."

Vergil snorted. "Not you too," Dante said, looking at his brother.

Nero shook his head. "Kyrie, I would like to introduce you to my dad, Vergil," he said, not tripping over his words for once.

Kyrie faced Vergil and bowed. "It's an honor to meet you," she said.

Vergil nodded. "The pleasure is mine," he said. "Nero has said many good things about you."

Kyrie smiled. "Would you like to stay with us while you get settled?" she asked.

Vergil's eyes widened slightly. "I, ah, hadn't really thought about that," he said.

"The option's there if you're interested," Nero said, awkwardly.

"I will consider it," Vergil said, stiffly.

Lady smiled watching Vergil and Nero's interaction and trying to tune out Nico and Dante's prattling about guns. She noticed Lilith give a large yawn and lay her head on Dante's shoulder, her eyes still open, but heavy. She reached out and softly rubbed Lilith's back.

Dante noticed the motion and looked down. "Is she out?" he asked.

"Almost," Lady said softly.

Dante smiled and looked back to Nico. "Hey Nico, can we get out of here? The little one is fading fast and we should get her home," he said.

Nico nodded. "Yep, let's get her home," she said, turning toward the RV.

"Carefully!" Nero cautioned. "We get her home carefully, Nico."

Nico glared at him. "Sheesh, you would think I don't know how to drive with a little on board the way you're carryin on," she said, stomping toward the RV. Nero muttered something under his breath and followed. Dante and Lady exchanged a look and headed after them.

On the drive back, Dante and Lady had sat in silence, with Lilith between them, each deep in their thoughts. Lilith was still snuggled against Dante's side, often awaking as the RV swerved or quickly stopped. Lady was glaring daggers at Nico's back and Dante more than once had to put a calming hand on her shoulder as Lilith was again awoken by a quick maneuver. Kyrie and Nero talked quietly across from them with the occasional yell at Nico to watch it, while Vergil was sitting up front with Nico. She'd tried to light one cigarette but Vergil's cold stare quickly disabused her of that notion.

After a couple harrowing hours, the RV pulled up in front of the familiar red neon sign. Nero opened the RV door and helped Lady down. Dante hopped out and examined the front of the building, a warm smile on his face. "Looks like its still standing," he said softly, trying not to wake Lilith again as she lay against his shoulder.

"Yep old man, still in one piece," Nero said. "I'll stop by later tomorrow if that's cool?"

Dante nodded. "Sure thing, kid," he said. Nero turned back to the RV. "You gonna be ok with Verge for the night?" Dante asked.

Nero smiled at Dante. "Yeah, no problem. We'll talk tomorrow and come up with a plan for him," he said.

The window in the front passenger seat rolled down and Vergil stuck his head out. "You know I can hear you both, right?"

Dante chuckled. "Have a good night Verge. We'll see you guys tomorrow," he said.

Kyrie stuck her head out the door of the van. "I'll send Nero with some clothes for Lilith," she said.

Lady smiled at her. "Thank you Kyrie, that's very kind of you," she said.

Kyrie gave a wave and returned to her seat as Nero waved and closed the RV door. The RV lurched off with a slight chirp of the tires. Dante ignored it, instead stepping up the familiar steps and laying a hand on the door of his precious business. He pushed open the door and held it for Lady. She smiled and stepped across the threshold and into the familiar room.

A pair of feet were up on the desk with a newspaper being read. As Lady stepped inside, the corner of the newspaper dropped, revealing Morrison's smiling face. "Lady, you're back," he called out. His eyes widened as Dante stepped through behind her. Those eyes didn't miss the small bundle curled in under the edge of Dante's coat. "Well I'll be," he said softly, smiling at Dante.

"Dante!" a female voice yelled from the top of the stairs, as Trish started down. Dante put a finger over his lips but it was in vain. Lilith's head raised up from under his coat and sleepy eyes looked around the room before exhaustion took over again and she laid her head back on Dante's shoulder. He gently rubbed her back.

Trish met the little girl's eyes for a moment and gasped. She came down the stairs and stood at the foot of them, staring at Lady.

"Morrison, upstairs been left alone?" Dante asked, keeping his voice soft.

Morrison nodded. "Yeah, I've just been using the office space down here," he said.

Dante looked at Lady and gave her a tired smile. "I'm going to put her down," he said. Walking past Trish he smiled. "Missed you and yes, we've got a lot to catch up on but she's spent and I'm not far behind. Talk tomorrow?" he said.

Trish smiled and nodded. He walked past her to the staircase behind the desk. Reaching out he clapped Morrison on the shoulder. "Thanks for looking after the place," he said. "See you tomorrow," he said, walking up the stairs and disappearing from view.

Trish rounded on Lady. Lady held up her hand. "Yes I get it you want to talk, seems like that's all anyone wants to do with me is talk. I'm exhausted. It'll have to wait until tomorrow," she said.

Morrison chuckled and stepped up, placing a hand on Trish's shoulder. "C'mon, let's let these guys get some rest. We'll see you tomorrow," he said, pushing Trish out the door.

Lady followed them. "Goodnight Morrison and thank you," she said. Trish started to say something but Morrison pushed her on, earning a yelp from her. Lady shook her head and closed the door to the shop behind them. She slid the deadbolt on the door closed. It was probably the first time the shop had ever been locked but she felt like she needed to protect her daughter upstairs.

Turning she crossed the room, her eyes falling on the desk. She stopped, thinking about what had transpired between her and Dante and fearful and unsure of what happens now. She traced the wood grain on the desk, feeling her anxiety growing and unsure of her own feelings. Realizing she couldn't avoid talking to Dante for forever, she took a deep breath and started up the steps to the upstairs.