Lucina's eyes slowly opened. Looking out their bedroom window revealed that it was before dawn. Normal.

Careful not to disturb her husband, Lucina edged out of bed to begin getting dressed. She had taken on extra duties in her grief and self-loathing and she did not feel right about abandoning them, but at the same time she had new responsibilities to deal with now.

Lucina started a fire and set the kettle over it. She had agreed to Robin's proposition, but she would be lying if she said she had no misgivings. Her parents had been supportive and Robin was certainly eager. She liked the girl, and she wanted to help her, but was she even qualified? Then there was the part of her that still felt that she was not her daughter.

Lucina wondered if that made her a terrible person.

She was distracted by the sound of a door opening. Turning her head, she saw a young girl in a long night dress and light brown hair yawning, "Mommy?"

It seemed the girl did not as much trouble calling her by her new familial title as Lucina did calling her daughter, "Yes, Morgan?"

"Why are you up? The sun is not even up?"

"I am a bit of an early riser. I'm sorry if I woke you."

"It's fine," She smiled already alert it seemed, "So what are you doing?"

"I am preparing to make morning tea and thinking."

"Oh," Morgan and Lucina stared at each other for several moments before the tea kettle finally started to whistle. Lucina took that opportunity to disengage herself from the awkward situation. After making the tea and offering some to Morgan, Robin finally joined them.

"Good morning."

"Daddy!" Morgan toppled into Robin and he chuckled at the girl's actions.

"Good to see you too."

Lucina handed Robin a cup of tea, "Don't forget to take Morgan to see Lissa while she's in town."

Lucina had forgotten about that. While Lissa was visiting, they hoped to have her take a look at Morgan. Despite the girl's good mood, she had just come from an abusive home and they wanted to make sure she was doing okay. She had been examined shortly after they adopted her, but they also wanted her to get to know Lissa as well as get an update.

"Yes, I'll make sure to take her. We can go after breakfast if that is alright."

"Okay!" Morgan chirped in the way that she was known to do and went about following Robin around like a lost puppy. Already Robin and Morgan had a wonderful relationship, but Lucina did not feel anywhere as close to the child as Robin was. Perhaps it would take time, but she had not yet adjusted to calling Morgan her daughter while she only felt worse that she seemed to have no trouble calling Lucina her mother.

"Alright," Robin grabbed his coat about to leave, "You be good for Lucina, okay?"

"I will!"

"I'm sure you will," Robin ruffled her hair and turned to his wife, "See you at lunch?"

"Of course."

"Good," he kissed her lightly, "See you then."

Lucina turned with a smile on her face to see Morgan grinning happily as well, "Let's get ready. We don't want to keep aunt Lissa waiting."

Morgan then cheerfully went to go get dressed. Despite everything the girl had been through, she managed to keep an incredibly happy air about her.

A few minutes later, she emerged wearing the oversized white dress that Sumia had gifted her upon learning that she would be joining the family. That and the miniature tactician outfit were all the clothes she owned–not counting Robin's shirt that she slept in–since the rags she used to wear had been discarded. They would have to make a point to get her something to wear, though perhaps she should delegate that duty to Sumia.

Morgan practically skipped down the castle corridors on their way to see Lissa. Lucina did admire her cheerfulness, even if she felt a bit out of place around it.

"Good morning!" Lissa greeted with a smile as she bent down to talk to Morgan, "How are you doing today, Morgan?"

"I'm fine."

"Well, let's just make sure of that real quick. Have a seat over there."

Morgan did as directed and Lissa went about gathering her supplies. As she did so, Morgan made an observation, "Are you really mommy's aunt?"

"What would make you say that?" She put her hands on her hips.

"You don't look old enough to be her aunt."

Lucina grimaced. She had let the familial title slip. They were hoping to avoid talk of time travel until she was older.

"Well of course I'm her aunt. Don't let my looks fool ya. Now, are you going to be good girl for your exam? Cause if you are, I have treat for you."

"Ooo, a treat?"

"Uh-huh," Lissa nodded.

"Let's go! I'll be extra still!" To prove her point, she made a show of sitting extra rigid earning a laugh from the cleric.

"Alright, alright," Lissa proceeded with the examination. Morgan did precisely as she was told and once they were done, Lissa handed her a lollipop.

"So, how is she?" Lucina asked in a hushed tone as the girl spun in circles with her sugary treat.

"Fine, all things considered. She seems to be on the mend. Her nutrition has improved, her physical wounds have healed, and she seems to be handling it all well enough."

"She's a very brave girl."

"She is," Lissa nodded, "But I'm kind of concerned about another brave girl I know."

"Really? Who?"

"You, silly!" Lissa huffed, "I heard what you did after you got the news. It's why I came in the first place."

"Oh," Lucina looked away in embarrassment and shame, "I did not take the news very well, I admit, but I'm doing much better now."

"Maybe, but I want you to take a few days of bed rest."

"Really, aunt Lissa, I'll be fine."

"I'll be the judge of that, and right now, you still look exhausted. Go, rest. Doctor's orders."

"Very well," Lucina sighed in defeat.

"And don't think I won't check to make sure you're actually resting. I'll also be informing Robin, Sumia, and Chrom so they can help make sure you do what you're supposed to."

Lucina sighed again and left for their apartment with Morgan in tow. She was not expecting that she would be the one being examined.

"Don't worry, mommy!" Morgan looked up at her as they walked along, "It won't be so bad. I'll ask daddy if I can stay with you and keep you company and help you and make you happy!"

"You don't have to do that."

"But I want to," Morgan looked up at her with big, brown, pleading eyes, "Please?"

How could she say no to that? "Okay, but only if Robin agrees."

"Yay!"

Robin met them for lunch as planned, and Lissa had already gotten to him.

"Really, Robin, please don't make a fuss over me," Lucina insisted.

"Please, just rest for a few days like Lissa said."

"Fine," Lucina relented again.

"Oh, father?" Morgan pulled at Robin's coat, "Can I stay with mommy and help her feel better?"

"I think that's a wonderful idea. Consider yourself excused from tacticianing for the next few days."

Lucina felt her usual apprehension at being alone with the girl, but the look of happiness on her face made it hard to argue.

The next morning started much like the one before, except this time, Robin was holding her waist in a vice grip. Lucina was both amused and agitated that he had even managed to plan for not waking up before her.

With a sigh, she laid her head back down and accepted her fate. Lying there in his arms did feel nice though. She cuddled up a little closer. It may have not been so bad.

She dozed off for another hour or so before finally being awoken by Robin's stirring, "Mmm, good morning," he muttered still half asleep.

"Good morning. Am I free to go now?"

"Nope," he pulled her closer, "Five more minutes."

"Robin, even if I don't have to go anywhere, you do."

"Are you trying to get rid of me?" Robin still did not open his eyes.

"I am trying to get out of bed."

"Fine," Robin sighed and finally released his wife, "But you should really rest."

"I am not an invalid, Robin."

"I know, but at least let me make you breakfast in bed."

"Very well, if you insist."

Despite agreeing to it, Lucina was nervous. She was not the best chef around, but Robin was worse than she was. Still, she braced herself to smile and pretend that it was good.

When he came with a tray of bacon and eggs, it looked suspiciously edible. Taking a cautious bite, she was surprised to find that they were, in fact, decent–good even.

"Surprised?" Robin chuckled and Lucina blushed in embarrassment, "Don't worry. I've been practicing with Sumia to surprise you. I was hoping for a little more time to work on it though. How is it?"

"It is good. Thank you, Robin. You didn't have to do this."

"I know," he smiled, "I wanted to. It's part of being in love, isn't it?"

"Yes," Lucina smiled herself at the reminder that he did love her. She knew it, but with recent events, reminders always felt welcome to her heart, "Thank you."

"Don't mention it," he kissed her on the forehead, "I got to go," He turned to Morgan, "I leave her in your capable hands."

Lucina looked at the door to see Morgan standing at the entrance to their room. After Robin left, Morgan walked up to Lucina's side of the bed.

"Hi, mommy!"

"Hello, Morgan."

"Are you doing okay? Do you need something?"

"I am fine. Thank you."

Morgan just stood there while Lucina laid in bed unsure of how to proceed, "Would you like to do something, Morgan?"

"You need to rest," Morgan recited as Robin had drilled into her young mind the night before.

"Well, it will not do to have you just wait on me," Lucina thought for a moment, "Morgan, could you go get that blue book with the gold binding from the bookshelf?" Lucina pointed to the book in question and Morgan nodded affirmatively.

She quickly returned with the book and Lucina took a moment to look it over. By and large, most of the books in their private collection belonged to Robin, but she contributed a small selection provided to her by her mother. One of them being a storybook she had mentioned once and to Lucina's surprise, Sumia had gifted her with a copy of it for her wedding. It had been Lucina's intention to read it to her children as her mother read those stories to her.

Lucina looked at the waiting girl. She moved the tray to her side, scooted over, and motioned for Morgan to sit beside her. With a breath, she opened the book and began to read, "Chapter One."

Lucina finished the fifth chapter and prepared to move on, but she noticed a weight on her side. Look down, she saw that Morgan had fallen asleep. Lucina smiled at the sight. She was feeling a bit tired herself. Reading had that effect on her.

Laying the book on her abdomen, she leaned back on her seat of pillows and closed her eyes.

Robin opened the door to their apartment. He thought that Lucina and Morgan might like a picnic, so he managed to sneak away. The apartment was quiet though. Hopefully it was a sign that Lucina was resting and not that she had snuck out.

Robin entered his and Lucina's bedroom and immediately smiled at the sight. Morgan was curled up with Lucina who had book over her stomach. Both looked to be sound asleep.

Robin quietly took the dinner tray and moved it from the bed. Then he gently folded the edge of the comforter up to cover Morgan. Unfortunately, it seemed Morgan was a light sleeper much like Lucina.

Her eyes flickered open and she spotted Robin. She then put her finger to her mouth and shushed him, "Mommy's sleeping."

Morgan was well intentioned, but she did not know that they at least had one thing in common, "Hmm," Lucina moaned, "Oh, Robin! I must have dozed off."

"It was kind of cute actually," Robin replied causing Lucina to blush and Robin to laugh, "If you're up to it, I thought we might all go on a picnic."

"I will need to get dressed."

"Alright. Come on, Morgan. Let's give mommy some privacy."

Lucina watched as Robin led the girl away. As she got dressed, she thought back on her morning, and she did enjoy herself. For the first time, she felt like a mother.

"Hmm," Lissa looked Lucina over, "Well, you look better."

"I feel better."

"See," Lissa smiled, "You should listen to your doctor. But seriously, I'm glad to see you're feeling better," Lissa sat down, "I officially release you for work, but if you pull something like that again, I'll personally bop you with my staff then heal your bruise before helping you."

"Understood," Lucina eyed her aunt warily suddenly feeling embarrassed and ashamed, "I am sorry I worried you."

"I'm just glad that you're doing better. I guess Morgan helped."

"Yes…I suppose she did. I still have some reservations, but…the other day, when I was reading the same stories to her that mother read to me, I felt..."

"Like a mother?" LIssa smiled, "I can tell you that it isn't easy, but you'll learn. Plus, you didn't have a lot of time to cope with this like most people have."

"Right," Lucina knew that she meant well, but she still reminded Lucina of her condition, "Um, yes, I hope so."

"I'm sorry," Lissa winced, "That was insensitive."

"You didn't mean anything. I should not be so sensitive. Most women can have children. I'm the odd one out."

"Lucina…"

"Sorry, I shouldn't dwell on these things," Lucina plastered on a false smile, "Well, I will leave you be. I hope to see you again before you leave."

Lissa watched as her niece left and sighed. That did not go as planned. Lucina still carried some scars it seemed, and Lissa could not blame her.

"Morgan needs new clothes," Robin commented as they were getting changed for bed, "I was wondering if you'd like to take her."

"Me?" Lucina looked at her husband in surprise, "But what about my…lack of fashion sense?"

"I am well aware, but at the same time, you are her mother now. It seems only fitting that you be the one to do it."

The ease with which Robin and Morgan seemed to accept this change astounded Lucina while also serving to make her feel even worse for her struggles.

"If you think it best."

"You'll be fine," Robin smiled as if he could see her insecurities.

"I will try," Lucina could not manage much more than that.

Lucina awoke the next morning full of apprehension. It occupied her thoughts all throughout the morning as their small family got ready for the day. Both she and Morgan wished Robin goodbye leaving the two of them alone with Morgan looking up at her expectantly.

"So, um, what are your preferences?"

"Hmm?" Morgan tilted her head.

"For clothing," Lucina clarified.

"Oh, I don't know," Morgan shrugged.

Of course she did not. Why would she have? No one had probably ever taken her shopping before, "Very well, we will just have to go and see what stands out."

"Okay!" Morgan did not seem to care one way or the other and happily followed Lucina as the older woman made sure she had her coin purse and then started for the market.

Lucina did not know what she was supposed to do or say so she just walked along looking back every now and then to make sure that Morgan was still there up until they reached the castle gates.

"Take my hand," Lucina ordered once they left the safety of the castle. Part of her thought that it was a little silly given that Morgan was used to being on the streets, but another part of her insisted on making sure that she was still there and safe.

Morgan seemed to consider why she was give the order, but she complied nonetheless. Lucina surprised herself with how protective she was being. Even as she and Morgan walked to the market following the directions her mother had written out to some acceptable and tasteful stores, Lucina found herself eying the crowds for anyone who might mean Morgan harm.

When it came to the actual shopping, it was not quite an exciting affair to start. Lucina stuck to more plain options in fear of over doing it, and Morgan did not object. They had already picked up a number of tasteful if not bland–in Lucina's opinion–outfits when Lucina noticed Morgan stop in front of a store.

Lucina looked back to see if there was a problem, but Morgan quickly caught herself and moved forward, "Morgan? Is something wrong?"

"I'm fine," she replied in a noncommittal response. Lucina then looked at the store window she had stopped at. In it was a vibrantly colored dress with a pattern that most would find nauseating, but Lucina found it fashionable, "Is this what you were looking at?"

Morgan looked down at the street, "I don't want to be a bother."

"Morgan, it's no bother. Would you like to go in?"

Morgan hesitated for a moment, but she nodded eagerly to the affirmative.

It was a smaller establishment largely focusing on the…colorful. Needless to say, Lucina loved it, but she held back on her adoration. She was not there for her.

Looking to the little one, she saw that she had a mirthful glee etched into her face. Lucina was surprised to say the least, "Morgan," the girl looked up at her, "Would you care to look around? I believe I saw some children's clothes over there."

"Yes, please!"

Lucina smiled a little herself as she released Morgan on the rack of colors. The glee with which she attacked the clothes warmed Lucina's heart. Part of her knew she probably should not let her pick anything from the rack, but she thought they looked good and she loved that Morgan had similar tastes. It had been a bit of a fantasy of hers to be able to do this with a daughter of her own, but in addition to her condition, she doubted that her theoretical daughter would share her tastes.

Morgan eventually settle on three dresses that Lucina absolutely adored, "Are these okay, mommy?"

"I think they're lovely. Come, let's purchase them and meet Robin for lunch."

"Can I wear one of my new dresses?"

"Um," Lucina looked into her hopeful eyes. Surely Robin would be tactful, "Certainly, but we should hurry along."

On the way back to the castle, Lucina was still protective, but she also felt a new tinge of happiness.

When they met Robin for lunch, Robin seemed only mildly surprised at Morgan's multi-colored eye sore.

"How do I look?" Morgan asked him full of hope and happiness.

"You…remind me of Lucina."

Morgan gasped, "I do?"

"Yes," Robin smiled at his wife who smiled back, "You do."

After that, Lucina found her doubts slowly shrinking away. She was not quite at complete ease, but she was slowly and surely starting to feel like she and Morgan were mother and daughter.

"Good job today," Lucina addressed some of the trainees in the yard before catching note of the su1n getting low, "I expect the same good showing tomorrow."

The entire group saluted and Lucina was on her way. She briskly made her way to her mother's study to pick up Morgan who had spent the afternoon playing with Lucy.

"Mother," Lucina entered the study, "How was Morgan?"

"Oh, just lovely! She really is a good girl."

"I know," Lucina smiled, "I would love to talk, but I promised Robin that I would meet him for dinner."

"I understand, dear," Sumia called for Morgan.

"Did you have fun today?" Lucina asked her.

"Yeah," Morgan responded, but she seemed to lack her usual spunk. Lucina was a bit concerned, but decided not to make a scene.

Unfortunately, Morgan's odd behavior seemed to persist. For several days, she just did not seem as excitable. She tried to hide it, but Lucina could tell when someone was pretending for the sake of others.

Eventually, Lucina just asked her what was the matter to which she just looked away, "Morgan, please, you can tell me."

"I-I was playing with Lucy the other day, and I asked her about that thing in her eye. You know, the one you have. She said it was something passed down in her family, and…you have one, but…I don't. It reminded me that I'm not your daughter. I want to be! But I'm not," Morgan's eyes watered, "I really wish I was though. You and Robin are so nice to me. I feel happy when we're together."

"Oh Morgan," Lucina knelt down, "You are our daughter. We may not be related by blood, but we are still family." The admission was the final straw. They were family now, albeit an odd one, "No brand can change that."

"R-really?"

"Yes," Lucina smiled and wiped away Morgan's tears. Then she got an idea. Taking her tiara off, she spoke, "This is very special to me. Do you know why?" Morgan shook her head, "It was a gift to me from my parents. Only my mother was able to give it to me though. I have cherished it ever since, and now, I'm giving it to you."

"B-but…" Morgan made to protest as Lucina slipped it onto her head, "Won't you miss it?"

"I'll get to see it when I see you. However, you have to promise that you will take very good care of it. Can you do that for me?"

Morgan nodded fervently.

"Good," Lucina smiled. She smiled at her daughter. Yes, her daughter.