A/N: I have another chapter! Are you happy?

I'd just like to say, about these chapters, that I have never had a child, and don't have any younger siblings or close family, so I don't know much about how children behave or childbirth. If I have this completely wrong, just bear with me, and just make believe. Thankyou!

Now, Enjoy!

Valkyrie lay on the hospital bed, sweat drenched hair sticking to her forehead, and eyes drooping with exhaustion; yet an elated smile still shone on her face as she looked down at the tiny bundle that had been placed in her arms.

She still heard the jubilant cries of "It's a girl!" She still felt the swell of relief as she distinguished the wails of a newborn, after a heart stopping moment of silence. And yes, she still felt the tearing pain and the weariness deep in her bones, but for the first time, she didn't care.

After all, what price is pain to pay for the birth of a child? For bringing a new life into the world? Of course Valkyrie had felt love before, so many times... For friends, her parents, her baby sister, for Skulduggery, but it was nothing to what she felt now. There is no replicating the bond between a mother and her child, whether the connection is biological or just circumstantial. It is unbreakable, incorruptible, and woe betide anyone who tries to demolish that bond.

As with any other parent, Valkyrie could rock a baby to sleep, or bandage up their knee after an accident; but there was also another side to her... If needs be, she could take care of any threat to her family, like a mama bear safeguarding her cubs against a predator.

All these perceptions were what Valkyrie was feeling in those moments when she just couldn't tear her eyes away from her newborn's perfect face, blissfully peaceful in its slumber. Rose petal lips parted slightly to let air filter through, in a face that was ruddy and blotchy from the tears that came with the shock of suddenly being thrust out of her mother's womb. Yet this child was still a beautiful angel in the eyes of her parents.

A hand placed on Valkyrie's shoulder startled her out of her introspection. Looking up, she was met with the shining eyes of her beloved husband.

"Can... Can I hold her?" Skulduggery inquired uncertainly.

"Of course," Valkyrie's voice was hoarse after hours of screaming obscenities at anyone who came close enough- most often Skulduggery, who was there all the way. "She's your daughter too."

Slightly reluctantly, the new mother laboured to swap the baby from her own arms, into its father's adoring embrace; while still supporting the head and trying not to wake the child.

As soon as she was settled, Skulduggery whispered in an awed voice. "She's beautiful..."

"That'll be my genes then!" Valkyrie teased.

"Oh hush you; obviously my exquisite elegance has played a huge part in this." Skulduggery shot back. "On a more serious note, thank you, Valkyrie."

"Why? What for?"

Skulduggery sighed. "For this, all of it. Thank you for giving me a beautiful daughter, and giving me another chance. Another chance at life and another chance at raising a family. This really means everything to me, and I know that I will never be able to pay you back for what you have given me- but I won't be deterred. I will do my utmost to care for you and our daughter in any way I can; providing you with the things that you deserve, and protection, should you ever need it."

Skulduggery's eyes closed. "I know that I haven't always been the best of people; I have killed so many times that the line has been blurred for me. There is no longer a definition of good and bad, like black and white. Sometimes I question the actions of my past, while other times I feel completely justified. There are always so many shades of grey- and the anger, the hurt, inside of me screams for vengeance. So maybe I am a bad person, but since we first met, I've changed. Having someone to care for after decades of loneliness had convinced me that I needed to modify my outlook or there would be no chance that I could ever be happy. It was you, Valkyrie, that was everything good in me. It is you that keeps me going every day. You deserve someone who can provide your every whim, and I will strive to be that man, because without you I am nothing."

"Oh Skul," Valkyrie whimpered, tears streaming down her face like a trickling waterfall. "You are that man! Do you really think that I would settle for anything less? Sure, you're not perfect, but who in this world is? I'm certainly not. I could turn into a malevolent psychopath at the flick of a switch. I want you to always remember that I didn't just choose you because there was no one else around. I chose you because I love you, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You'll make a wonderful father, just as you make a wonderful husband."

Valkyrie paused here, reaching out to take her partner's hand.

"And don't let anyone tell you differently."

A/N: I am not overly keen with the way this ended, and I have a feeling that I have abused the comma key :S

However, I still hope you enjoyed reading it.

Please review because they mean the world, and suggestions for chapters that you want really help me write faster :)

Amara Calla xoxoxoxoxoxo