Chapter 12: Children

"I mean, how can he treat me that way? Saying I haven't had enough discipline, enough maturity for my age. Gawds, he talks like any father would, at least one who doesn't care to actually listen to his daughter." Severa's rant from atop a crate, reclining in one of a multitude of tents. After another one of Severa's infamous shopping sprees, Robin had finally told his daughter no, and had confessed that his eldest daughter needed to stop acting like a child, and learn some self-discipline, to go through some hardship to learn life wasn't easy. Only after the words were out and he saw the look on Severa's face did Robin realize what he had said. Severa, of course, stormed away as a result.

"Now, honey, I realize you're mad, but I'm not the one you should talk to about this. I'm sure your father regrets what he said to you, you know." Cordelia spoke from behind a rack of axes. Severa, venting to Cordelia, didn't receive quite the response she was expecting, keeping her mother company while taking care of inventory for the night.

"Yeah, right! If he wanted to apologize, he would've done it right after he said it!" Severa made an obviously pained look, quietly saying, "I bet he wishes I wasn't his at all. I bet he wishes it was just Morgan. The child that he relates to more."
At this, Cordelia put down the scroll she was perusing and turned to Severa with an indignant look. "Now, you know that's not true. Your father and I love the both of you with all our hearts."

"Oh, yeah. 'Cause he's doing one hell of a good job of showing it!" Severa huffed and turned around on the crate.

Cordelia sighed, hoisted herself onto the crate and sat down next to her daughter. "I assume it was the same in the future, but did my future self ever say what happened on the day you were born?"

Severa remained quiet for a few minutes before quietly speaking up. "If you did, I can't remember. You both left when we were still pretty young."

"Well, I'm sure it'll help you realize I'm telling you the truth. I don't remember most of it, but Sumia and Chrom filled me in."

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Robin, you need to calm down. Take some deep breaths"
"Chrom, I can't calm down right now. My wife is giving birth in there. I'm nothing but nerves here!" A scream from inside the hospital wing caused Robin to wince as he frantically resumed his pacing, practically burning a mark into the floor. Chrom thought to comment on this, but he was the same way, maybe even worse, during Lucina's birth.

It was just breaking dawn on January 21st when Cordelia woke very quickly, immediately shaking Robin awake, stating very urgently that she believed she was going into labour. Mere hours later, Robin was pacing outside of the hospital wing as Lissa, Maribelle, Libra, and Sumia stayed with Cordelia to help with the delivery. Robin believed that the comfort of a friend would be best to help Cordelia through the delivery… especially after more than a few accusations were thrown at Robin, claiming this was all his fault.

"Blue's right, Bubbles. You gotta relax. The kid won't want ta see their daddy all worked up like you are." Gaius had tagged along with Maribelle, saying he just happened to be in the area when the call came in and had nothing better to do. The bed head and lack of dress were clear signs there was more to the story. "I got some pudding, or maybe a couple a sugar cubes for ya here."

A death glare from Robin was enough to silence the candy thief, as he stuck a sucker in his mouth and sat back on the bench nonchalantly. "Just a suggestion, yeesh."
Hardly half an hour later, Lissa walked out of the door, and was immediately cornered by Robin as he bombarded her with questions. "Is Cordelia okay?! Is the baby ok?! Did anything happen?! Was it a successful delivery?! Is it a boy or a girl?!"

Lissa was startled, but tried as best she could to quickly calm him down. "Robin, breathe. She's fine, and the baby is fine. We wanted to wait a minute before letting you in. They're pretty tired, but you can go in and see them now."

Not wanting to wait any longer, Robin sprinted into the ward, his coat flying behind him. His attention quickly focused in on Cordelia, barely conscious on her bed, and Sumia holding and looking down at a baby in a swad of towels. Robin cautiously walked towards the three, completely at a loss for what to do or say. He sat down on the other side of the bed and took Cordelia's hand in his.

The new mother slowly opened her eyes and turned her head to the equally new father. "Oh, hi, honey," she managed to voice, giving off an exhausted tone. "It's a girl, Robin. We have a daughter." She laughed weakly, and slipped back asleep. Robin smiled at his wife and lovingly caressed the back of her hand with his thumb. Sumia stood up and carefully walked over to Robin.

"Do you want to hold her, Robin?" Sumia motioned towards the bundle in her hands. Robin silently nodded and stood up as well, holding his arms out eagerly for his daughter. The midwife placed his child into his arms and stepped back, giving the father ample space to comprehend the miracle he held. Robin slowly rocked the baby back and forth in his arms before asking, "So, what did Cordelia decide for a name?"

"Oh, right. She wanted me to let you know that after some thought, she decided on going with Severa"

"Severa, huh? Severa." Sumia soon noticed tears were streaming down Robin's eyes as he gazed lovingly upon his daughter. "I have a daughter. I have a beautiful daughter named Severa. Severa, daddy loves you. He loves you so much." Robin hugged her close as tears kept coming down. The infant and mother slept peacefully while Sumia watched for a minute before leaving the room to pass along the information to the two waiting outside.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Severa? Are you in here?" Robin pushed aside the flap to the storage tent and saw Cordelia and Severa sitting on a crate. Severa was looking down at her hands when Robin came in. Cordelia looked up at Robin and motioned her head towards their daughter as she carefully got up, and exited the tent.

"Severa. I'm sorry. What I said… I wasn't thinking rationally. I'm so sorry. You were right… I'm not a good fath-" Severa jumped up and hugged her father tightly, cutting him off.

"You're a good dad. I'm sorry for calling you names. Insulting you to your face, and a little behind your back." She looked up at him "Do you think, tomorrow, you could teach me a bit on strategy and tactics, like you do with Morgan?"

"Yeah, of course, honey. We can start as soon as you want." He hugged his daughter closer. "Wait, what was that about behind my back?"

"...Just a few comments. Nothing bad" The answer didn't really ease Robin's suspicions, but he took it anyway. The two hugged for a few more minutes before separating and heading towards the exit of the tent.

"Morgan, NO! Put the tome down, honey! Please!" Cordelia's voice rose from the families tent. Robin and Severa smiled at the outburst. Not a dull moment for their family.