Author's Notes: Thank you to everyone for sending in reviews and adding this to your favorites and alerts! I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to update. A lot had came up that time had slipped passed. Anyway I hope that you'll like the next chapters to come. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 3: The Beginning of a New Day:

The next morning, Lightning slowly opened her eyes. The bedroom was lit up with sunlight. When she looked over toward the time, it was still early in the morning. When she looked over on the other side of her, she saw that Hope was asleep while lying on his stomach. She rose out of bed and left from the room. There was one person on her mind that she had to check on. She stepped inside of Faith's room. Already Faith was awake, standing up in her crib. Lightning stepped in front of her as she gave a faint smile. "I see you're already awake." She picked up Faith. "Good thing I did come in to check on you." Carrying Faith, she headed out of her room and back toward her.

In a room further down the hall, Serah stepped out of it and noticed Lightning walking in the opposite direction toward her room. Before she could say anything, it was too late. She had already gone back inside her room. Not sure if she should visit her now or later, Serah stepped back into the Hope's office, her temporary room she stayed in for the night.

Inside of the couple's bedroom, a few giggles escaped from the young girl as Lightning held her arms up in the air, bouncing her up and down. Afterwards Faith sat down. To pass the time, the two played with her favorite doll. Lightning slightly waved the bunny in front of her, but it seemed that Faith's attention was elsewhere. Lightning noticed that she was staring over at Hope who was still sleeping. Faith went over to him and touched his face. "Faith…No." Faith turned her attention over to Lightning who had a stern stare. "Don't wake up your dad all right?"

Faith placed her finger to her lip as she plopped down. "No?"

"No," Lightning made sure that she understood. Faith returned to staring at the sleeping man with the tips of her fingers in her mouth. Acting on what she wanted, she crawled underneath the covers. The action surprised Lightning. "Faith." She lunged over trying to catch her, but was unable to get her. Faith had moved quickly. Lightning watched until the moving blanket had been reduced to minimal movements. Breathing out while still asleep, Hope turned on his side. He didn't know what was pushing him, but he just followed it. Soon Faith's head appeared from underneath the covers and leaned in closer toward Hope. Her eyes lowered to a close as she decided to go back to sleep. The warmth coming off of his body was helping her to get more tired. Barely awake, he wrapped his arm around her.

Lightning's lips curved up into a smile. She had to admit that she was impressed by how Faith got things how she wanted them. Her eyes traveled down, noticing Hope's arm that was stretch out toward her. An idea came to mind seeing that both of them were asleep. Figuring that everyone else was still asleep after last night and still feeling a little tired herself, she moved in close to both of them. Her head rested on his arm. Her eyes lowered to a close as she fell back to sleep herself.

Sometime later, there was a knock on the door. Tired, Lightning opened her eyes. When she looked over, it seems that neither Faith nor Hope responded to the noise. She left from the bed and went over to the door. When she opened it, she was a little surprised and curious. "Serah?"

Serah smiled a little. "Sorry. I didn't wake you did I?"

Lightning looked over. "Yeah, but it's all right."

Serah peeked in and saw that Hope and Faith were still sleeping. Serah turned her attention back to Lightning. "I can just come back later."

Lightning looked curious. "It's okay." Serah stepped in and Lightning closed the door behind her.

Serah looked back at her. "Are you sure that it's okay?"

Lightning looked over toward the others. "Please. Those two are sleeping so hard they won't hear a thing." Lightning sat down on the bed as Serah sat in front of her. "So what brings you by this early?"

Serah smiled a little. "I saw that the others were still asleep and I saw that you were up earlier. I just wanted to see if you still were." Her eyes traveled over to Hope and Faith. "Awe…! They look so cute sleeping together. Faith is the cutest baby in the world."

Lightning followed her eyes. She thought that she couldn't take all the credit for it. "Well I had help."

Serah gave a gentle smile. "She has hair like yours." She was tempted to touch Faith's hair for herself, but didn't want to wake her.

Lightning stared over at them. "Yeah. She has Hope's eyes. It was the first thing I noticed when she opened them for the first time. I liked that she did."

Serah turned her attention back to Lightning as she smiled. "So I guess that this is how things will be for a while. You're happy with that right?"

"Well it's too late to get out of anything now," Lightning answered.

Serah laughed a little at her sarcasm. "I guess I'll take that as a yes. You love Hope right?"

Lightning looked over at his sleeping face. It didn't take her long to think about. "Yeah." She gave her honest answer without hesitation. Her eyes traveled back to Serah. "At first I wasn't sure about this or where this was going, but I guess this is just how things turned out."

Serah gave a gentle smile, glad. "That's good." Then she went to another question that she had in mind. "So how were the months before Faith was born?"

With that, Lightning let out a sigh. Her eyes drifted off to the side. "I don't know how to start. One day, I felt one way and the next day would be different." Her eyes traveled over to Hope. "One day I would want Hope around, but then the next I would want to throw him out of a window. Some of it was just horrible. My feet would hurt. I would feel sick. You name it."

Nervously Serah smiled. "I guess that's… something fun to look forward to…"

With those words, confusion and suspicion became written on Lightning's face. "Why are you asking me…? Wait. You were doing the same thing last night. Is there something that you want to tell me or you just like asking me questions?"

More, Serah looked nervous. "I was just asking. You seemed okay when you were staying in New Bodhum with us."

Lightning crossed her arms, her suspicion never leaving. "Sure that's the only reason?" Her eyes drifted off to the side until an idea popped up into her mind. Surprised, she quickly turned her head to Serah. "Wait! You're not-." Serah didn't answer, but only gave a nervous smile. The news had Lightning stunned. Suddenly Serah felt arms wrap around her which caught her by surprise. Lightning leaned back as she placed her hands on Serah's shoulder. "How long have you've known?"

Serah smiled. "Just a few weeks. So far, you're the first person I've told. I haven't even told Snow yet."

Lightning placed her hand against her cheek. "I see. Are you feeling okay? Do you need anything? Is there anything I can get you? Is there anything else you want to ask?"

Serah had to smile over the sudden concern of her sister. "I'm fine really. I wasn't sure how I would tell you."

Lightning looked concerned. "If there's anything you need, let me know. If you want, you can stay here if it will help."

Serah smiled nervously. "I'm fine. You don't have to watch over me."

Lightning relaxed a little. She just wanted to help her get through things, but she would ease off and help when Serah asked her to. "All right. You better tell him soon though."

"He'll probably figure it out as time goes on if I don't," Serah replied.

"Yeah right. He'll probably just think you've gain weight or something." Lightning pointed over toward Hope with her thumb. "The first time I told him after being separated for a while, that's the first thing he thought. As smart as he is, they never think of that possibility."

Serah smiled a little as her eyes lowered. "I don't know… What if something happens or what if I'm not a good mother or something?"

Lightning placed a comforting hand on Serah's shoulder which Serah lifted her eyes. "I used to think the same things, but this is something that you just have to face head on." She reached down and pulled out a drawer from her dresser. Inside of it were books. "While I was pretty much here all day, I would read through these things so that I would be prepared." She looked back up at Serah. "But it becomes different once you actually go through the real thing. Don't worry. You'll be a good mother. You'll probably be better off than I was. I didn't know anything about kids. You at least teach them for a living."

Serah grinned a little. "It's different having a kid of your own instead of watching other people's children." Her eyes traveled over to Faith. "But I do hope to be a good mother like you are."

"You will be great. Don't worry so much about it," Lightning assured her.

Serah returned her attention back to Faith, thinking. "Faith seems shy around other people. She's really quiet when we're around."

Lightning scoffed at the remark. "Yeah she's that way when she's around other people, but just watch her when she's around us. She gets like her dad. You can't get her to shut up for anything."

Serah laughed as quietly as she could. Her eyes traveled over and saw Faith's doll nearby. She picked it up observing the stuffed bunny. "Is this Faith's?"

Lightning looked over at the doll. "Yeah. It's her favorite doll that Hope brought her. I'm glad that he did."

Serah became curious. "How come?"

"It's a long story. It happened when Faith had just turned two." Lightning placed her hand to her head as she closed her eyes. "I was exhausted out of my mind. I didn't know if I could keep up with her."

Serah was concerned to hear that. Before Lightning could continue, they both looked over noticing movement. Nearby Faith was starting to wake up. She lifted her eyelids and stared forward to what was in front of her. Her fingers brushed against Hope's face which caused him to wake up. When he opened his eyes, at first he was surprised, but then he gave a tired smile. "How did you end up over here?" The feelings of her fingers against his nose felt ticklish which made him smile more. When he lifted his eyes, he saw that Lightning was already up with Serah. He was surprised to see Serah there. He sat up a little on his elbow. "Hey."

"Morning," Lightning responded.

Serah smiled cheerful. "Good morning. I hope that you don't mind me coming over this early."

Hope smiled a little. He knew how much the two sisters liked spending time together. It didn't bother him. "It's fine."

Lightning looked over at Serah. "Serah just needed to talk to me about something important."

Hope became curious. "What's going on?" At first he spoke without thinking, but then thought that maybe that they wanted to keep it a private conversation. "Sorry."

Serah smiled nervously. "It's okay."

Hope started to get concerned. "Is it something serious? Are you okay?"

Serah didn't want him to worry especially when there was nothing to worry about. "No! No. It's nothing like that."

Lightning looked over at Serah. "Well it kind of is."

Hope looked curious and eager to know what it was. His eyes traveled between the two of them. Both of them noticed his expression. "It's all right if he knows. Everyone's bound to find out eventually." She smiled at Hope. "I wanted to talk to Lightning about what it was like having Faith."

Hope wasn't sure what she meant behind it. "Okay... Well Lightning's the best person to ask. How come you wanted to know?"

Serah and Lightning looked at each other. "I told you it wouldn't be the first thing they would think of," Lightning replied before turning her attention back to Hope. "Think about it." She reached over and rubbed her hand through Faith's hair which made Faith laugh. Faith reached her hands up and grabbed onto Lightning's hand.

Hearing that had made things click. Surprised, he looked over at Serah. "You're…" He turned his eyes over to Lightning. "…like Light was once..."

"Now you're getting it," Lightning told him.

Nervously Serah smiled. "Yeah…First one…"

Hope smiled. "Congratulations!"

"Thanks, but keep it a secret for now. I haven't even told Snow yet," Serah told him.

Hope was a little surprised. Then he became curious. "How come? I'm sure he will be excited."

"I know. I wanted to wait until the right time and surprise him. First I wanted to ask Lightning what it was like and what to expect," Serah explained.

Lightning closed her eyes, remembering some of those things too clearly. "Expect nine months of torture."

Hope laughed with his eyes closed. "Come on! It wasn't that ba-." Once he opened his eyes, instantly he turned silent and on edge once he saw the glare that Lightning gave him. Nervously he smiled. "It had its moments that…weren't all that good..."

"You should remember some of them," Lightning reminded him.

Hope closed his eyes as he breathed out a little. "The unexpected food runs. After a while, it was just best to get what wasn't asked for to be on the safe side."

Serah grinned. Hope turned his attention to Faith standing in front of him and smiled toward her. She placed her hands on top of his eyes casting darkness over them. "Daddy sleep."

Hope chuckled. "But I'm not tired."

"Daddy sleep." Faith grabbed onto the blanket as best as she could and pulled it until it covered over his head.

Serah couldn't help but laugh. It even caused Lightning to smile. "I guess I got someone else to make sure that he's getting enough sleep."

Hope flipped the covers back and looked over at Lightning. "So it's safe to assume that she got this from you?"

Lightning gave him a smile. "I guess so."

Soon his eyes traveled over noticing the grin on the young child's face. Faith climbed over him and sat behind his head. Hope looked behind him as far as he could. "What are you up to?" All Faith could give was a grin.

Lightning turned her attention back to Serah. Serah smiled, interested. "So finish telling me the rest of the story."

Lightning was curious as to what she was talking about. "About the doll?" Her eyes traveled down as she was thinking back. "Well…"

"Light! A little help here…" Lightning's eyes traveled over to where Hope was. He was busy trying to pull Faith away as she was laughing and pulling at his hair.

Lightning frowned. "If you don't establish dominance then she's just going to keep doing whatever she wants. Let her know it's not good to do that."

Finally Hope managed to pull her away and make her stand in front of him. "I know that. Believe me I've tried."

Faith grinned and reached her hands toward him again. Suddenly she looked surprised as she felt an arm wrap around her stomach. Lightning made Faith sit in front of her. "You're staying right here."

Serah laughed a little. She looked sympathetic after. "It must be hard."

Hope relaxed as he turned on his stomach and leaned his head against his arms that were crossed in front of him. "Sometimes it's not easy having two Lightnings around the house."

Lightning looked over at him a little upset. Curiously, Faith looked over as well. "I'm not that bad," Lightning told him.

Serah grinned. "Yes you are."

Hope closed his eyes as he shook his head a little. "I told you about showing violence in front of her and now she's learning it from you."

Serah smiled at Lightning. "I remember when you used to be that way when we were really young."

Lightning looked serious. "I'm not that bad."

"Well… Maybe not so much the hair pulling, but there were other things," Serah pointed out. Lightning sighed as she shook her head. She still didn't think that she was that bad. Curious, Faith noticed her doll in front of Serah. She stood up and stepped in front of her. Serah smiled and held up the doll. "Here Faith. You want this back?"

Frowning and upset, Faith hit her hand and took the doll from her. Lightning and Hope reacted with surprise. They couldn't believe what Faith did. It surprised Serah as well. The strike didn't hurt her really, but she was just stunned that it happened. Upset, Lightning picked up Faith and made her turn toward her. "No! You do not hit your aunt."

Serah smiled nervously. She didn't want a big deal to be made. "It's okay. Really."

Lightning glanced at her before returning her attention back to Faith. "No it's not. Say you're sorry." Faith pouted. She sat down in front of Lightning and stared up at her. She mirrored the same glare as Lightning gave her. It seemed that neither one of them were backing down. Lightning closed her eyes. She knew Faith was just going to be stubborn so she needed another way to get her to behave and know what she did was wrong. "Fine. You don't want to say you're sorry." She took the doll from her. "Then you're not getting this back." She tossed the doll toward Hope which he caught surprised. Understanding what Lightning wanted him to do, he placed the doll on the floor on the side of the bed out of Faith's sight.

Faith was surprised. She was about to go over to it, but Lightning stopped her. "You won't get it back until you say sorry to your dad and your aunt." Faith's eyes began to tear up. She closed her eyes tight. She reached over to hug onto Lightning, but Lightning placed her hands on her shoulders keeping distance between them. "No. You don't get to do that." She used her thumbs to wipe away her tears. "And you don't get to cry about it either."

Through her tears, Faith looked over to her father. She loosened herself out of Lightning's hand and tried to go over to Hope, but he stopped her before she could, placing his hands on her arms. He shook his head. "No. I'm not letting you get away with your bad behavior either. Do what your mom says. Tell everyone you're sorry or no more other toys either." Faith's eyes shook. Soon she threw her body on the bed on her front side with her face buried in her arms.

Everyone around was a little concerned. Lightning sighed. "She'll come around. She usually does when she's punished." Her eyes lifted up to Hope. "You did the right thing."

Hope nodded. "I know. You're right. She can't get away with anything she wants."

Lightning shook her head a little. "Besides she more attached to that thing then she should be."

Hope smiled a little. "Seriously Lightning and her little clone. The only difference is you can't put one of them in time out." He started laughing with his eyes closed until he felt himself being pushed.

When he looked up, he saw Lightning looming over him with a dark look in her eyes. "You think that's funny?"

He smiled despite what she might do to him next. "Yeah."

Lightning poked him in the stomach which made him let out a sudden breath. "I'll show you what's funny." Soon she started pushing him toward the edge of the bed, but he continued struggling to stop her force.

The few pokes and tickles she gave him made him laugh. Before he knew it, he fell off of the bed onto the floor. "Ow." Hope lifted his eyes to see her smirking proudly. "That wasn't funny."

Lightning kept her smile on. "It was to me." Serah laughed at how the two interacted. It was nice to see her sister having fun and feeling at ease. It made her glad that she was happy. Even Faith had to look over and giggle. Lightning looked back and noticed. She placed her hand on top of Faith's head. "Are you ready to say sorry yet?" Faith frowned and put her head down buried in the pillow. "Then you're still in time out." She turned her attention back to Hope who was sitting on the floor.

Nervously he smiled. "A little help."

Lightning sighed. "You do have working legs you know."

Hope held out his hand a little. It didn't seem that he was upset with her. "Well at least a little help after the way you hurt me just now."

"Big baby." Lightning reached down toward him. Hope smiled and grabbed onto her arm. Before she knew it, he was pulling at her arm. She became surprised. Hidden behind his smile was a little devious smirk. It started to display more. He would pay her back for what she did. Lightning continued struggling, but he had a good grip on her. "Hope! Let go of me!" Hope only smiled. Through their struggle, there was only one winner. Lightning fell on top of him. The other two spectators couldn't help but laugh at the two of them playing around with each other. Lightning sat in front of him as she gave him a serious stare. "I'm still getting you back for this."

Hope leaned his arm on his knee that was up. "I'm sure you'll try."

Lightning sighed and tried to get back on the bed, but felt herself being pulled back down by her waist. She sat back on the floor. Hope sat back on the bed and smiled down at her. He grabbed onto her hands and helped her sit back on the bed. She sat on her knees in front of him. Serah and Faith continued laughing. Lightning looked over at Faith noticing that she was happy. "We're not making this timeout harder on her like it should be."

"So are you two done flirting around now?" Lightning and Hope turned their attention to Serah who still had a clear grin.

Lightning crossed her arms as she looked serious. "We're not flirting around."

Serah grinned. "But it was really cute."

Hope leaned his head on Lightning's shoulder after she sat in front of him with his eyes closed and arms wrapped around her waist. "Careful. Lightning doesn't like to be called 'cute'."

Lightning looked back at him. "You don't get to call me that."

"Well I find that unfair," Hope replied.

Lightning slipped out of his embrace and returned back to sitting in front of Serah. "Anyway you wanted to know how she got the thing."

Hope looked curious. "What thing? The doll I gave her?" Afterwards, he stood up and went to his dresser nearby to grab a shirt and shorts to wear.

Lightning gave him a nod. "Yeah." Her eyes lowered toward the ground. "Things were okay then I guess."

Hope put on his shirt and looked over at her a little concerned. "Not really. I remembered that you were really tired. I even had to stay home from work for a few days."

Serah looked surprised, but then turned her concern to Lightning. "Were you all right? What happened?"

Lightning looked over at Serah. She didn't want her to worry. "It's nothing to worry about. It was in the past."

While they were talking among themselves, Hope had finished getting dressed. Afterwards, he sat down next to Lightning and looked over at Serah. "Dealing with Faith was a full time job in itself just like any child would be." He lifted his eyes to Lightning. "Overall it was taking a lot of energy and sleep out of her." Both of them thought back to what happened during that time...

To be continued... Thanks for reading and I'll be back to update as soon as I can.