The past few months had been a whirlwind of activity. Ronan, Reddian, and the Nova Corps went to the aid of those who have fell victim to Thanos' ravaging. The Avengers were doing a good job of keeping Earth safe but that left the rest of universe vulnerable and the Nova Corps were doing everything in their power to keep everyone safe.
Ronan hugged Merry close one morning before he was scheduled to lead a rescue party. "Be calm, wife. I will return." He tried to soothe her as he felt her tremble in his embrace. He palmed her large, swollen stomach, "It is not good for our child for you to worry."
"I know," she sniffed then gave him a small grin. "Our child and I wish you luck and victory."
"Victory is all but sure." Ronan said proudly while Merry laughed at his arrogant expression.
"Okay, my big, strong man," Merry mused, reaching her arms up to wrap around his shoulders, "just be here in enough time to be by my side."
"Scared?" Ronan inquired. While they were looking forward to the birth of their child, he knew labor was not simple thing. Many Kree women in the past had died during childbirth. His mood darkened when he thought of the complications Merry may face.
"A bit," she answered quietly. "I know it will be worth it in the end."
Ronan nodded in agreement and leaned down to give her a chaste kiss. He shook the negative feelings off, not wanting it to cloud his last minutes with his wife. "While I am away, think of a strong name that we can bestow upon our child."
"A strong name?" she asked curiously.
"A strong name to honor their Kree ancestors," Ronan answered.
"And Xandarian," she reminded him gently. While there was no love lost between her and her parents, that didn't mean her child should be cut off from their heritage.
"How could I forget?" he asked softly, it was hard to let go of years of hatred; he would try for his family.
Hugging him close, Merry smiled against his uniform. "I know how odd this must be, for you." She fiddled with one of his buttons, "But I thank you for not only moving past your grievances but for protecting us." Feeling herself getting emotional, she bucked up and gave him another quick kiss. "Come back to me." It was something she said to him at every goodbye and even after many, it never lost its meaning.
"I will," he said back before placing his lips on her forehead.
Merry lounged back on the large, plush sofa that was seated in the large living area of her home. She was attempting to read but failing miserably; for some reason, Merry was anxious and her body felt jittery. Putting the book aside, she stood up and stretched. A sharp pinch struck her lower back and she gasped out in surprise and pain. Must have laid in a weird positon, she thought as she rubbed the sore spot.
She moved on into the kitchen and begun preparing something to eat. As she was looking for the ingredients for stew, she heard the front door open and the chatter of her friends as they came closer.
"You can't just barge in here!" Peter yelped. Merry heard some faint rustling and then Rocket's raspy voice.
"Why not?! It's not like Ronan's home!"
"Because it's rude," Gamora and Drax pointed out, with Groot agreeing.
"Whatever," he dismissed while walking through the dining room doorway. "Hey, Merry, what's cooking? Literally, what are you cooking?"
Chuckling, Merry picked up a few vegetables and begun chopping them. "Beef stew."
"Put me down for 5 bowls." Rocket said, while Groot held up his hand to signal he also wanted five bowls.
Peter, Drax, and Gamora all rolled their eyes and went and made themselves at home. They all squabbled and talked amongst themselves while Merry cooked. As time went on, the pain in her lower back got worse and the spasms were a consistent amount of time apart. "Odin's beard," she sighed as she massaged her lower back. Nothing was helping the pain and sweat broke out over her body as the feelings strengthened.
"Merry?" Startled, Merry whipped around to see Drax standing against the counter, looking worried. "You look to be in pain."
"I am," she admitted in a weak voice. "I think it's the standing coupled with the extra weight."
He grabbed Merry's arm and gently led her out of the kitchen, "You need to rest." The other Guardians watched, concerned looks on their faces, as Merry settled onto the large arm chair.
"If you need anything just tell us," Gamora offered as she got up to bring Merry a cushion for her back.
Peter handed her a bowl of stew and they all sat in the living area to enjoy their food. As time went on, and as Rocket and Groot gorged themselves, Merry's discomfort was rising steadily. Putting her bowl down, Merry tried to take a few deep breaths. Nothing seemed to be working.
Suddenly, a gush of liquid rushed out between her legs and Merry shrieked in horror. "What is happening?"
"Calm down," Drax said as he got up to console her. At her confused look he explained, "Your water broke. Do you not know anything of childbirth?"
Embarrassment colored her features and she felt shame. Her parents never entertained the subject and all she knew about the process was that it was long and painful; she didn't know the specifics. "It's okay, Merry." Drax's calm voice soothed over her frazzled nerves. "We will help you through this."
"What do you mean 'we'?" Rocket gasped, his paws grabbing his whiskers in panic. "We aren't doctors!"
"We are taking her to a hospital, stupid!" Peter grumbled and looked toward Gamora. "Go pack her up some clothes; we gotta get her there."
Merry's anxiety skyrocketed. Everything was becoming a reality, she and Ronan were going to be parents and he wasn't even here to guide her through it. "Oh no, I can't give birth without Ronan here."
"Don't worry," Drax with an apologetic smile, "I'm sure he will be here before you give birth. This process takes time."
Planet Uhyner
"These poor souls," Reddian said in a low voice as he crouched down to pick up the shattered pieces of a pottery that was scattered throughout the small home they were currently in. They had received a distress signal from this planet merely hours ago and Ronan and his soldiers had unfortunately arrived too late. Thanos had all but vaporized the planet, leaving absolutely nothing in its wake; the planet was just a shell of its former glory.
"These people had done nothing wrong," Ronan ground out as he stood behind Reddian. His angry bubbled up inside him, a red flash of fury. Thanos needed to be stopped before he hurt anyone else. "Levy," Ronan looked toward one of his men, "I need you to log this report and forward it to the Avengers."
"Yes, sir," Levy nodded and made his way back to the ship.
"What are we going to do if he can't be stopped?" Reddian was scared to ask but the question fell from his lips. The horrors that Thanos could rain onto the universe had only begun.
"I don't know…" Ronan's voice trailed off as he and his brother stood in silence.
Nova Corps Medical Center
"What do you mean the baby's coming?!" Drax exclaimed as he gaped on the nurse.
The Guardians had hurried to get Merry to the hospital, hoping that it would be a long labor so that Ronan could be here for the birth but after they signed her in and got her up to the room the nurse gave them the news that Merry was ready to push.
"I can't do this without Ronan!" Merry cried and then arched her back as a painful contraction hit her. She reached out and grabbed Peter's hand and crushed it in her grip. "Ow! Oh my gods!"
"Ahhh!" Peter wailed as Merry crushed his hand. A bolt of energy ran through his palm, up his arm, and made his heart skip a beat. "Oh, god... I thought you only did this when you were upset."
"I am upset!" Merry roared back.
"Merry," Gamora said calmly. "You need to breathe. We can do this."
Shaking her head, Merry's lips trembled. "I can't do this without Ronan…" Tears dropped from her eyes, a mix of heartache and pain as her contractions wracked her body.
"Yes, you can." Gamora said sternly. "You have done so much; you are braver than you think."
"But he'll miss his first child being born…" She tried to console herself, she was acting childish but this wasn't how it was supposed to happen!
"Don't worry, Merry," Rocket said as he shrugged off his backpack and then dug around the small sack. Pulling out a camera, he faced her, "A picture is worth a thousand words."
"Rocket…" Gamora grumbled, glaring daggers at the raccoon.
"I am Groot," Groot offered.
Rocket gazed up at the giant tree man. "Great idea, Groot!" he smiled at Merry who was cursing under her breath. "Groot and I will try to radio Ronan and inform him of his impending spawn."
"Just go!" Peter shouted and then cried out in pain as Merry's grip crushed his fingers.
Rocket and Groot turned to leave just as a doctor and nurse entered the hospital room. "Okay, Mrs…." The doctor shifted uncomfortably, "Merry. You are dilated completely. It's time to get that baby out."
Merry whimpered and looked over to her friends, three were standing by her bed while Rocket and Groot stood near the door way. If it had to be this way, then at least she had them. "Okay," she gave in and then groaned in pain.
"Nurse," the doctor looked over to the short, blued haired female next to him. "Prepare the lady. We are going to have a baby."
Planet Uhyner
Sitting back in his chair, Ronan idly fiddled with the buttons on his console. He could not help but feel that something was off and at first he chalked it up to the feeling of failure on his part for not reaching Uhyner fast enough before Thanos did. Even after accepting defeat and mourning the loss of innocent lives, Ronan still felt something was awry.
The sudden sound of radio static interrupting his brooding thoughts and Rocket's voice broke through, "Hey, Papa Smurf."
Ronan suppressed his groan of frustration; someday he will have to find out who this 'Papa Smurf' was and why his friends thought they were so similar. "Yes, raccoon?"
"Why so serious?" Rocket cackled but then Ronan heard Groot's reprimand. "Hey, you need to get your cobalt ass back to Xandar."
Rocket's words had Ronan on alert; his odd feelings did have merit! "What is it?"
"Well…" Rocket's voice was high with uncertainty, "you see, Ronan, Merry, she uh…she's about to give birth."
"What!" Ronan roared and stood up, even though he could not walk nor run to his wife. "When?!"
A muffled noise came over the radio and finally Rocket's voice broke through again, "Let's just say the eagle has landed."
"I will be there directly!" Ronan promised and cut off the pair. He called his brother in and informed him of the news.
"I'm an uncle," Reddian smiled to himself but then waivered when he saw Ronan's stern expression. "What is the matter?"
"I missed the birth of my child," Ronan's voice was subdued, as if he was in shock. Reddian patted his brother's shoulder, an awkward show of comfort.
"You couldn't help it," Reddian tried to help Ronan see reason and that there was no way of knowing when the child would come.
"Gather the men," Ronan ordered and punched the coordinated to Xandar into the computer. "I am needed at home."
Reddian smothered a grin at Ronan's mention of 'home.' Years ago, Reddian would have bet all the treasures in the world that Ronan would name Xandar anything else but home. "Yes, sir."
Nova Corps Medical Center
"Oh, she's so beautiful," Gamora gushed as she stared down into the small face that nuzzled up to her chest. Bundling her to closer, Gamora cuddle the tiny newborn. "Have you thought of a name?"
"Yes, but I want to see if Ronan agrees to it," Merry smiled as she sat back in the hospital bed. She was exhausted and in pain but it was all worth it, her daughter was healthy and she was already so in love with her. Merry thought her heart was going to burst.
Drax was the next to hold the little baby and as he cooed and awed at the infant, Gamora faced Merry and gave her a small smile. "Feeling okay?"
Shrugging, Merry let out a little sigh, "Just tired."
Gamora's eyes roamed over Merry and then cast their way toward Peter, who was standing near the bed. "Do you feel, um…" she waved her hands over Merry's body.
"Destructive," Peter finished for her.
"Peter," Gamora grumbled at his insensitivity, "It has been an emotional day and I just want to make sure-"
"You don't blow the building up," Peter once again interrupted.
Merry felt herself blush but she knew they were right in asking. During the birth process she had felt the simmer of power flow through her but luckily no damage was caused to anyone or anything around her. Her eyes roamed over to where Drax was sitting, her child in his arms; Rocket and Groot making funny faces and baby noise down at her and she wondered if her child had absorbed some of the stone's power. Merry and Ronan were still unsure if the source was her own contact or if it was their child.
Hours later, after the Guardians left and a quick visit from Nova Prime, Merry was alone with her daughter. Placing a soft kiss against the baby's smooth skin, Merry couldn't help but smile. "I am glad you are here, little one."
Merry jumped, startled, when the door to her room swung open and Ronan appeared, Reddian close by.
"Ronan!" she exclaimed happily, "You're here!"
Ronan was so transfixed by the small bundle in his wife's arms that he didn't even answer her. Slowly, he walked toward the bed and leaned down to peer at the child. She was sleeping, cuddled close to her mother's chest; bright blue skin was decorated with a light flush and a short lock of silver hair covered her head.
"Would you like to hold her?" Merry whispered to her husband. Nodding, he slowly scooped up the newborn. "Watch her head," she reminded him and then caught her breath at the picture her big, strong warrior made with his infant in his arms.
"Does she have a name?" Reddian's voice was shocking amongst the silence.
"Not yet," Merry told him, and then looking up at Ronan she gave him a nervous look, "Do you have any ideas?"
He shook his head, "No, whatever you think fits best." Ronan lighting traced his child's small nose, smiling when she wrinkled it in response.
"What about the name Frigga?" Merry suggested nervously. She was unsure how Ronan felt about the Asgardians but he knew how much the queen meant to her.
"Frigga," Ronan repeated quietly. Truth be told, he would have preferred a more traditional Kree name but he wasn't completely objected to it. The queen died protecting her family, people, and home. It was a fitting name and one that would honor what all the Kree hold dear.
"Frigga, daughter of Ronan the Accuser and Lady Merry has quite a ring to it," Reddian joked from position near the bed.
The sound of her official name had the baby's eyes fluttering open. Small, round eyes stared up at him. Much like his own, they shone a bright violet but his daughter's had an inner ring of bright green, most likely due to her mother. "Frigga," he breathed out as she closed her eyes and snuggled closer to her father. Ronan's chest constricted and warmth filled his whole body. Smiling at Merry, he nodded. "Frigga works just fine." Fighting back tears, Merry nodded back, relieved that she could honor her friend.
After Reddian formally met his niece, he left the couple alone with their child. Little Frigga moved her small hands against her mouth, signaling that she wanted food. "Give her to me," Merry took the baby in her arms and bared her breast, as she latched on, she began to feed as her parents watched closely.
"I'm sorry I wasn't here for her birth," Ronan's guilt ate up at him as he thought about Merry going through the birth process alone.
She gave him a soft look, "I made it, though and you were doing something important."
"Not as important as you," Leaning down, he placed his lips on hers, "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For giving me such a beautiful daughter," he whispered against her temple.
Merry closed her eyes, soaking in the feeling of having her little family so close, "My pleasure."