A/N: I don't own Skulduggery, Valkyrie, Erskine, Gracious, Anton, China, or Ghastly.
We were home in good time to receive our guests, which ending up including all of the Dead Men and Gracious. They were going to be late they told us, and I don't think even Skulduggery expected why. Our brothers arrived bearing gifts and food, acting as if I'd just had the babies and I guess in a sense they were right. We had enough toys and clothes for a regiment of babies and I made a mental note to make up a dotation box for the Sanctuary to hand out to less fortunate families.
Erskine came forward to greet me first. "I just need one look at you holding her and I know you're her mother, Valkyrie. What's her name?"
"Fianna." I said proudly. "Now don't you bite your uncle, little one." I said gently and she blinked at me innocently. I'd seen the rotten look on her face and knew she'd been looking forward to biting Erskine but she behaved as I handed her over. Erskine's face instantly softened and all the men were rather hushed and awed by both babies.
I knew I looked proud and I couldn't help it. Both of them were fighters, survivors, even if Fianna was clearly more aggressive. But sensing all the men were safe she cooed or squealed happily as they fussed. Only as big as my hand and rather adorable she was the instant delight of all her new uncles. Each man held her and Joshua in turn and as soon as she landed in Anton's gentle embrace Fianna closed her tiny fists around his lapel, snuggled in and fell asleep. "She likes you, Anton." I said, pleased and he smiled gently down at her, delicately stroking her tiny skull.
A doctor had come from the Sanctuary as well and he had looked at both babies. Like all the men he was smitten with Fianna and pronounced her and Joshua healthy. Joshua had decided Gracious was his favourite uncle and was curled up securely in his arms, fast asleep. Gracious grinned over at me. "They're lovely babies, Valkyrie. Thank you for letting me hold him. I understand you were a fierce mom." I nodded.
"But I trust all of you with my babies, that's the difference." Gracious blushed and Ghastly smiled at me.
"For which we thank you and I mean that, Valkyrie. You stay put and we'll get the food for everyone." Several of the Dead Men trailed after him into the kitchen and soon returned with boxes and bags of take away and plates for everyone. The babies were returned to their bassinet and we all settled in cozily.
It was wonderful seeing my best friends and brothers again and I realized my babies had softened me. Having them I didn't feel I needed to prove myself to anyone, I had the babies I'd always wanted and I knew as a mother knows that no one could take them from me this time. China after all was dead and gone even if I tended to forget and speak about her in the present tense.
As it was I didn't hate her. She'd been a sick, broken woman her entire life and I'd only felt compassion for her when I was alive. Skulduggery Pleasant was an unforgettable man to be certain, but even he wasn't worth killing over. I felt sorry for her, I still did. She'd wasted a lifetime obsessing over one man and tormenting countless others when she could have found her one true love.
I shook my head, dispelling my dark thoughts. Erskine smiled at me faintly. "Are you OK, Valkyrie?"
"Yeah. This has just been a lot to absorb, but in a good way."
"Good, because I'd hate to ask a favor of you if you didn't feel up to it." He hesitated, then plunged on. "We're tearing the temple apart stone by stone and there's always the possibility that your children weren't the first to be brought back." He stopped, looking at me helplessly. I exchanged glances with Skulduggery.
"We always wanted a lot of children, that said, if they have families it isn't right to deny them the chance to see their children again. But yes, we'll take them." I said gently and he relaxed. Erskine might never want any of his own but he had a soft spot for children. All the men did.
As we relaxed and ate Skulduggery scooped up our little ones and settled in beside me. There was no prouder father on the face of the planet, no man more sweet or gentle with his babies. Joshua and Fianna settled in, nestled into their father and I felt my heart flutter for him. Skulduggery held our babies and loved them with no thought of asking anything more of me than my being a good mother. It was then I realized what a good man I'd married.
Skulduggery looked over at me and smiled. "You are a wonderful woman, Valkyrie Cain, I couldn't be prouder of you for loving them both. But then my babies are amazing."
"Oh, had them yourself, did you?" I asked, amused.
"Yes, yes I did." He said, grinning hugely and we both laughed. He was half way right of course. I might have done all the hard work of carrying them and giving birth, but Skulduggery had given me the children we'd both wanted so badly. He handed Fianna to me as I settled back, full and content and I cooed softly to her.
The Dead Men stayed for a while, admiring us as a family, then drifted off to hotels and rooms at the Sanctuary. Anton smiled at me as I saw him to the door. "I'm just glad they aren't all staying with me." He said, rolling his eyes at the Dead Men getting into cars and I grinned. "But you and those babies are welcome anytime you can get rid of your bigger baby." He teased gently. I hugged him goodbye then turned to see Skulduggery watching me, a fond smile on his face.
"This will sound demeaning and sexist, but that's another thing I always loved about you, every guest felt welcome in our home. You never turned my friends away, even when they showed up worse for wear after a night of carousing. They always knew they had safe harbour with us, that you'd make them up a cot by the fire and nurse them through a hangover."
"I did that? Wow, I used to be a nicer person. I think if they- Lord, you're right, Skulduggery. I'd like to say something nasty, but they're men and they just don't know any better." I said fondly. "Shoot me now, please." Skulduggery just chuckled in reply.
As we got ready for bed that night, the babies having fussed their way into one crib I looked at Skulduggery. He was the father of my children and such a doting parent that it was hard to convince him the babies didn't belong in bed with us. "Skulduggery, sweetheart, they're babies. They might not smother, but we could crush them. Besides they are fine, look at them cuddled up together." I said and he nodded with a sigh. "Besides, we might want them to start sleeping in their own room."
"And why would we want that?" He purred.
"Well, you help me make them a room, Detective Pleasant, and you'll find out." I purred back. Skulduggery grinned hugely and I fell asleep in the safe harbour of his arms. The next morning I found him hard at work on a baby's room. Well, at least he was moving furniture around and making a baby's room out of the den.
"Good morning, Valkyrie!" He chirruped. "Glorious day, isn't it? I'll have a nice cozy room for our little ones in no time. And uncle Ghastly has agreed to babysit so I can take you out to breakfast."
I smiled and ducked my head. It didn't take much to bring out his sweet side. "Sounds wonderful. And I meant what I said last night, you know. You've been a prince among men, Skulduggery. And it's about time-" He held up a gloved hand.
"Please, my dear. I'm only being an angel of a skeleton because I know, well, I hope- That is to say-" I grinned and grabbed him by the tie drawing him into a searing kiss that he happily returned. Skulduggery only pulled back to look at me. "I love you, Mrs. Pleasant." He said softly.
I cuddled into him, drinking in his comforting scent. "I love you too, Mr. Pleasant." I got ready and in no time Ghastly was there, clearly delighted to settle into his role of overindulgent uncle.
"You two go enjoy yourselves and I mean it. You need the time alone. Go on then." He said, making shooing motions.
"All right, Ghastly. Help yourself to the fridge and TV." I said and he nodded, shooing us both out the door. I grinned at Skulduggery. Ghastly was right, we needed this time as a couple. I was thrilled beyond words to have my babies back, but I needed time to be Valkyrie too, to enjoy my husband alone.
Skulduggery sighed happily as we settled into the Bentley. "Is it just me or have we been truly blessed?" He asked and I smiled and nodded.
"We have, and thank you, Skulduggery, for being so understanding. Part of me wants to try and pick up from my old life and part of me wants to live in the here and now. It's been so confusing."
"Hush, dearheart." He said, taking my hand in his. "You've gone above and beyond as a wife and we both know it. A lot of women would have walked away, knowing that I didn't avenge them. But I couldn't. It's my one weakness, Valkyrie. I can't kill a woman."
"Sweetheart, that's a point in your favour. And I understand better than you think I do and I'm happy you never got revenge. She was a seriously troubled woman, Skulduggery, we know that now. She couldn't help a lot of what she did. And the stupid thing is, as bad as she was to me in both lives? I still miss her."
"That's not stupid, Valkyrie. That's what I've always loved about you. You are the kindest, bravest, most generous person I know. And China took full advantage of you in both lives, knowing that. You get to pay for what I did."
"Never. Would you blame me if He of the Stupid Hair suddenly went bezerk and came after you?"
Skulduggery wheezed laughter and his shoulders shook. "Point well taken. You're good for me, Valkyrie Cain. Or Pleasant as you prefer."
"Either way is good, I like Pleasant better. It makes us feel more like a married couple. If you don't mind, that is." I said, suddenly shy. Skulduggery smiled at me fondly and I realized he didn't mind at all.