Memory

Ethlyn - Gran 758

There were many things I would always remember. Many, many things, and it felt like every time I was with my family, I gained at least one more if not more. Today was another one of those days. Why? Because it was the day Sigurd met Altena.

"Aaaand up we go~!" Sigurd laughed, holding Altena high above his head and spinning around. Altena laughed and smiled at the game, squirming from enjoyment. Sigurd kept on spinning even as he brought her down into a hug, laughing with her. "You like high places, huh? Wonder where you got that from. Not Quan, that's for sure. Anything higher than a horse makes him green in the face!"

"I do not!" Quan immediately protested. The three of us (well, four of us) were in the room Quan and I set up in at Evans, and he was supposed to be making me tea (specifically, the mix Alicia made me). But Sigurd kept on teasing him and making him forget. I couldn't be mad, though, because I was having so much fun watching. Even if I did almost fall off the bed from laughing so hard. "Sigurd, don't fill my daughter's head with stories!"

"Even if they're true?" Sigurd grinned and cuddled with Altena, who gurgled happily. And drooled on his shirt, but Sigurd didn't care. I wondered if he'd be so nonchalant if she spat up on him… and then decided he'd laugh it off. Honestly, I couldn't wait for him to be a father and not just because I looked forward to being an aunt. I just knew he'd be a good one. Look at Oifeye! "Someone has to make sure she doesn't put you on a pedestal."

"Watch it! I'm going to do the same for your kid!"

"Not sure why you think that's a threat, but sure, go ahead." Sigurd grinned and Quan groaned. I could only laugh even harder because it was rather true. I wouldn't say that Sigurd didn't have secrets or anything, but he had told Oifeye many of the stupid things he'd done over the years as lessons. I had no doubts he'd do the same with his own child. "Besides, we're telling Ares all the stupid things Eldigan got into as soon as possible."

"Well, yes, that is true." The two shared a grin and I beamed at them. I was just glad everything was happy. Last night, the three of us had been in a serious conversation where Sigurd apologized for all the trouble, since Quan and I decided to stay in Evans with him instead of returning to Leonster after the wedding. We were worried. "...Wait, I was in the middle of something. What was I doing?"

"Probably involving spoiling my darling little sister who deserves it because she has to deal with us." Sigurd grinned at me, and I pretended to be haughty for all of a second before smiling at how Altena just looked so happy cuddled up on his chest. "So…" Someone knocked on the door. "Is that Finn?"

"No, he's in the market with Oifeye and Shanan. It's why he's not here." Quite true. Altena loved Finn and we learned quickly that he was easily the best and getting her to settle in for naps. "Ah, sorry, come in!"

"Sorry to bother…" Deirdre hesitantly opened the door, and stepped inside with a sheepish smile. "We just got done," she explained, shifting slightly so that we could see Alicia behind her. It was still a shock seeing Alicia outside the infirmary, but it was something I was gradually getting used to because she actually had one big weakness; she had a complete inability to say 'no' to Deirdre. Which Deirdre unknowingly took advantage of because Deirdre was still getting used to all of us, but bonded with Alicia quickly, so she often requested Alicia to come with her to things that involved people. I wasn't quite sure how they bonded, but Sigurd had mentioned 'similar backgrounds' and left it at that. "Um…"

"Perfect timing, dear," Sigurd greeted, smiling warmly at her. Deirdre immediately blushed yet brightened at his smile, like a flower in the sun. "Over here, over here. Altena's all curious about you." That she was. She was reaching over and everything. "See?"

"Oh, she's so little…" Deirdre carefully walked over, so hesitant, and Alicia followed her, closing the door behind them. "Little and chubby." She shook her head when Sigurd tried to pass Altena to her. "Oh, no! I don't know how to hold…"

"It's not hard, but…" Sigurd smiled and then handed Altena to Alicia instead. "She needs to get used to Alicia quick, since I'm sure Alicia's going to be fretting over her health like everyone else!"

That was probably true, because Alicia was a worse fusspot than me, but I did feel like protesting a little bit since, you know, I was a healer too, but I instead decided I'd enjoy taking in a sight I thought I would never witness: Alicia being awkward. Oh, she held Altena correctly and everything. But her hesitant posture and wide eyes showed that she had no idea what to do besides that, especially when Altena reached up and grabbed her hair. And I found that hilarious because I was just so used to seeing her as competent at like… everything she did! But I supposed she did only really do things related to being the healer.

I still had to giggle when Alicia immediately showed Deirdre how to properly hold a baby, supporting the head and everything, and quickly escaped while Sigurd and Deirdre cooed over Altena, with Deirdre just blossoming under the smiles. She'd be a good mother. I could feel it. I really couldn't wait.

"Ah, right, I was supposed to make tea!" Quan groaned, facepalming. I tore my attention from Sigurd and Deirdre to see Alicia had taken over making the tea. She held up the tin of the tea mix she had made me and caught my eye curious. I nodded, beaming, and her answering smile was slight, but happy. "I'm sorry, dear."

"It's fine, Quan," I reassured, standing up so that I could kiss him on the cheek. I then leaned into him and he wrapped an arm around my waist. "I was laughing so hard that I wouldn't have been able to drink it anyway!"

"I'll make it up." He got a stubborn look on his face, so I just sighed and nodded. Pointless to try and argue when he got like that. "Promise." He leaned down and kissed me. "What a good way to spend the afternoon."

"Yes!" That was why I'd remember this day until I was old and grey, recounting it on my deathbed. It was far, far too precious.

Author's Notes: It's mentioned in Memoirs of the Holy War (want to say Interlude - Meetings) that in the time between interludes between Game-Chapter 1 and Game-Chapter 2, Ethlyn and Quan sent for Altena. So, have Sigurd meeting his niece for the first time. It's also mentioned in the same interlude that Altena had grabbed Alicia's hair, and Quan brings up that Alicia is awkward around babies, so have that too.