A/N I don't own Vampire Knight nor do I make any profit from it

Chapter 26 - Family Time

Hikari remained asleep for three consecutive days after the birth of her child. In that time, everyone was celebrating the birth of the princess and they were also eagerly awaiting the awakening of their queen. Kaname stayed next to his wife for most of the time. Hana would look after the child's care needs so Kaname didn't have to but Kaname wouldn't hesitate to hold his child, who was growing in beauty every day.

"She is a beautiful child," Hana said as she handed Haruka to Kaname, "Tell me, is she named after Lord Haruka, her grandfather?"

"No," Kaname replied, "The characters in her name are different. Her name means "fragrant springtime". My father's name means "distant"," Kaname gazed at his child for a few moments. Haruka gazed up at her father with wonder and childish curiosity, "I didn't expect to have a child from Hikari."

Hana turned to him, "What do you mean? She is your wife."

"Well, yes, she is," Kaname replied, "But I didn't treat her as I should have. I am in love with her and that is the reason I finally took her six months ago. I had to have her."

"Well, it's good to know that you now love her," Hana said, "Princess Haruka is the proof of your love for Lady Hikari."

Kaname gazed at the girl for a moment before gazing at his wife, "I wish she would wake up… I… miss her. When can I be intimate with her again?"

"The physician said that she should abstain from physical intimacy for at least a week after the birth," Hana said, "She has to heal after such a hard birth."

Kaname sigh, "Well, you're dismissed for now, Hana. I will call you if she awakens."

"Yes, my lord," Hana said as she walked from the room. Kaname stood up and rocked his daughter when she began to fuss and snivel. She began to cry and Kaname knew for whom she was crying for. He walked over to the bed and sat on it, facing his wife with their child.

"Hikari, please wake up… Haruka needs you," Kaname whispered. At the sound of her baby's cry, Hikari's eyes slowly fluttered open. Kaname smiled gently, "Hello."

"Hello," Hikari whispered hoarsely, "Haruka is crying."

Kaname nodded, "I can't stop her crying. She wants you."

"She probably wants feeding," Hikari said weakly, "I am too weak to breast feed her."

"Don't worry," Kaname said, "Hana fed her with a bottle."

"Oh…" Hikari said dejectedly. Tears began to run down her cheeks, "I can't even hold my own child or care for her… what kind of mother am I? I can't even hold her."

Kaname stood up and placed Haruka in her bassinet and brought it to the side of the bed so that Hikari could clearly see the fussing child. Kaname helped Hikari to sit up and Hikari sat in his lap, her head under his chin. He held her tightly and caressed her gently.

"Hikari, you should drink my blood again," Kaname said tenderly and Hikari nodded. Hikari weakly pulled herself up to his neck. Kaname could feel her hot breath puffing in short breaths. Hikari licked his neck before sinking her dainty fangs into his neck. Kaname held her even tighter and tried to suppress a groan. He struggled to control himself but as he heard his baby cry, he shook his head.

Hikari eventually stopped drinking and pulled away after licking him clean. Kaname kissed her gently, tasting his blood on her lips. Hikari sighed and kissed him back. They pulled away from each other before Hikari placed her hand in the crib. Haruka grabbed her finger instinctively and it made Hikari's heart burst with joy.

"I love you, Haruka," Hikari said with small smile. Kaname nuzzled his wife and kissed her neck gently, "I love you too, Lord Kaname," she added with a small smile. Kaname smiled and he caressed her gently.

"My love," Kaname said tenderly, "You should get some more rest."

Hikari nodded and Kaname stood up before settling her down on the bed, "I wish that I was better."

"You will be with a lot more rest," Kaname said as he pulled the duvet over her. He then moved the basinet closer to the bed for Hikari. Haruka gurgled and cooed, sensing the close presence of her mother. Hikari leaned over and caressed Haruka's little cheeks with her finger. Kaname smiled at the scene before walking out, leaving mother and daughter alone. Hikari sat up properly and picked her infant daughter up. Cradling her in her arms, Hikari kissed Haruka's forehead delicately.

"My little babe," Hikari whispered, "I love you very much. You are the most beautiful of girls. I am so proud to be your mother. I didn't think I would ever have you… but I do and you are loved," she kissed her child again. Looking up towards the door, she checked that nobody was coming in before she opened her nightgown and let her daughter latch onto her breast hungrily. Hikari smiled brightly. It felt odd to watch her child breast feed from her but that was just because she had never done it before.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Hikari gasped but didn't stop her child from feeding, "Come in," she said regally. The door opened to reveal her father standing there. His facial expression spoke volumes as he gazed at his daughter, who was radiant in her motherhood.

"My dear Hikari," Eisuke said proudly, "My dearest Hikari… you have done me proud."

Hikari smiled as he closed the door and sat on the bed, "It's lovely to see you father. I have been very tired and could not see anyone after Haruka's birth. You can hold her in a minute. She's just finishing up her meal."

"Give her all the time she needs," Eisuke said, "She looks a lot like you although her hair is whiter. My granddaughter is extremely beautiful."

"She is and I wouldn't have it any other way," Hikari said as she kissed Haruka's forehead again. Eventually, Haruka stopped lapping at her mother's milk. She covered her breast with her night gown and wiped her child's mouth with the edge of her gown.

"So, you fell in love with young Lord Kaname?" Eisuke said as Hikari handed him his grandchild. Hikari nodded with a blush.

"Yes," Hikari said, "I love him, father, I am not afraid to admit that."

"What of Hanaka?"

"He discarded her and banished her from court," Hikari said proudly, "Now, that I have given him a child, I am now more secure in my position as his queen."

"Indeed," Eisuke said with a nod, "You must hang on to it with everything that you have."

"I will, father," Hikari said as she admired the sight of her daughter in her father's arms, "Haruka will be queen as she is a Kuran."

"Will they be pushing for a son," Eisuke asked, "You do realise that, even though you have given birth to a healthy daughter, they will want a son…. Possibly to marry his sister as the Kurans have done in the past."

"Oh… well… I know but I will not have another child for a couple of years perhaps. This was very stressful and I won't readily be pregnant again for a while," Hikari said, "I want to concentrate on my daughter for now."

"So, if Lord Kaname wants to be intimate with you, you will refuse him because you do not want to be pregnant," Eisuke asked with a raised eyebrow.

"No," Hikari said with a blush, "I have been given a special herb which acts as a contraceptive."

"Are you sure it works," Eisuke asked.

"It has kept Hanaka childfree all this time," Hikari said with a smirk, "It will be fine. I will be a good wife and obey my husband. It is my duty."

Eisuke placed his granddaughter back in the bassinet, "I am very happy to see that you have grown into a woman. I am very proud of you. However, I must depart and return to the Kitamura manor. I have a lot of paperwork to sort out and or finances need looking at. I will return later."

"All right, father," Hikari said as she kissed her father on the cheek. Eisuke kissed her on the forehead before leaving the young queen alone.

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