eyes; au

After what seemed like years of noise and people running around, it was finally quiet. Lightning knew it was likely to be her last moment of true silence for years to come, but for once, she didn't mind.

There was always one great exception to anything, after all.

Right now, however, she was certainly grateful for it. The physical pain of bringing another person into the world - not to mention the mental strain - pretty much demanded some quiet for recovery.

Had it been worth it?

When Hope slowly pushed the door to her hospital room open several minutes later, needing to use his shoulder since his arms were full, she was inclined to say yes. Completely worth it.

"You're awake." He sounded surprised, but looked happy enough. Ecstatic, really. That wasn't much of a shock.

"Barely," she replied teasingly, but a tiny noise from the bundle of blankets stopped her from carrying the teasing further. A small smile stretched across her lips. "Is he awake?"

"About as much as you are, I think." Hope grinned, carefully transferring the bundle to his wife's arms, which had automatically stretched out. She brushed back the blankets, her smile widening further when their son's face came into view for the first time.

For a minute, all Lightning could do was stare. The hesitance she'd had for her entire pregnancy - because she was convinced that her child would end up hating her - vanished, replaced by extreme feelings of love and awe, things she'd only ever felt for Serah and Hope.

Perhaps it was a family thing.

To her delight, the newborn's eyes opened a moment later. Hope scooted closer from his spot on the bed, his own smile a mile wide. "Now he's awake."

"So it seems." She stared some more, still somewhat in awe that she was now wholly responsible for this person that was half her, half Hope. "…He has your eyes."

It was true. While the color was that blue typical of babies, somehow she knew they'd eventually change to that shade of green she adored. It wasn't just that, either - the shape was the same, and there was an inquisitive spark that was reminiscent of what was often in his father's eyes.

Hope cocked his head curiously. "You think so?"

"I do." Lightning smiled as the baby shifted in her arms.

"Hmmm." Hope snaked an arm around her shoulders, the other hand on their son, somehow managing to say a million things about his protection and role in their lives without saying a word. "You seem pretty happy about that."

"Why wouldn't I?" she replied without thinking, her gaze still on the baby. "I love your eyes."

Hope only answered with a smile that Lightning didn't see. She couldn't stop staring at this amazing combination of the two of them. It was likely that uncertainty would grip her again later on, but for now, she could only train her eyes on love.