"Go mom! Kick his butt to another planet!" Morgan cried as Lucina charged at her next opponent. Her sword glistening against the fiery desert sun.
"She's quite good with the sword." Sarah replied watching the display. After their conversations the day before, the trio invited her to come with them to watch the tournament, and hesitantly she accepted. She hadn't plan to stay in Plegia for more than a day, but she didn't want to disappoint Morgan and Lucina who adamantly wanted her to stay for just a little longer. Robin secretly also felt the same, despite the embarrassing stories that came with it.
"Mom is the best!" Morgan replied happily. "She's going to win the tournament with ease!"
"It certainly looks that way." Sarah nodded watching the proud swordswoman dash away from her attacker's blows and countered with her own. This time, the match was not nearly as one-sided as her earlier matches had been, but that still did little to change the pace of the battle. Just like the previous matches, she showed no signs of slowing down.
"Assuming she wins today she will have to face the hurricane champion tomorrow." Robin said while inspecting his wife's movements. "It turns out that the rumors are not just hearsay, and I'd even wager he is the favorite to win among popular opinion."
"I don't care who he is. Mom is still going to smash him to pieces. Into little, bitty, pieces!"
Sarah then turned to Robin and said, "Either way, you must be very proud of her skill."
He nodded and said, "And fearful. I shudder to imagine the day when the two of us get in an argument. The heavens know I'll be in for a world of hurt."
"She does seem to have a hold over you." Sarah smiled back happily.
"More like an iron grip." Robin laughed. "Although I wouldn't have it any other way. There's no better feeling than having her besides me."
"I'm sure it is very special." She nodded hiding a sense of joy growing in her hazel eyes.
"YAAAH!" Morgan shouted at the tops of her lungs seeing her mother win the match. Lucina had plunged her sword into her opponent with three quick strikes. Two on opposite sides of his waist, and one on the chest. She then sent him reeling to the ground with a strong final attack to cement her victory.
...
After the battle, Lucina changed into a clean set of clothes and returned to her family. Morgan would then rush excitedly to her mother with Robin not far behind. Meanwhile Sarah watched as the three of them talked about the battle and Robin stole a kiss on her cheek. She enjoyed watching things from a distance, which is why she probably liked to eavesdrop from time to time. Yet one thing was clear to her no matter where she was observing from, and that was the reaction those three had together. She had never seen anything like it, and seeing it made her smile. A real smile that warmed her heart. Something she could not recall doing in years.
As the day went by Sarah shared more about Robin's energetic past, his fun-filled nature, and the embarrassing things that came along with it. For instance, one time Robin tried to turn the living room into one gigantic map. Hundreds of papers and diplomatic boundaries connected each other between the couch and the end tables. Robin even tried to teach his new pet how to hold a pen. It didn't go very well though, and by the end of it Robin settled for splashing her paw with ink. So for the next two days Sarah and the staff had to clean up the trail of paw prints scattered around the house.
No matter what the story, Lucina and Morgan were eager to hear about Robin's life. The more embarrassing it was, the better. As for Robin, he didn't know what was worse. The teasing from his daughter, or the ever-growing grin on his wife's face. Either way he would have to endure it, because Sarah was more than happy recall memories of Robin's childhood. However, the two parents also shared some stories about their recent adventures to fill in Sarah about how Robin became so closely connected to Ylisse. Although, they did make a point to skip over the time travel part. It was easier that way.
"So what happened next?" Morgan asked in her usual manner.
"Hmm? You still want to hear more?" Sarah replied surprised.
"You'll find that she is like a black hole. She sucks up everything she hears and asks for more." Robin teased.
"Yep!"
"Oh, well um, unfortunately the embarrassing stories diminished as he grew older. You see, as Robin matured, he started to learn more about his past.
I still remember him sitting at the end of the porch, his head down with his back hunched over. A forlorn look on his face as he petted his dog with a free hand. She too had also sensed the trouble in her owner. Both of them loved to run outside and explore the forest, but now the two didn't move as they sat in silence. Occasionally one of them would yawn or a sigh, but it was hard to tell since they rarely did either.
…
Soon, a large pair of footsteps came from behind them, but neither of the two so much as turned their head to find out who approached. For Robin especially, it was like someone wounded him. The fireball we had become accustomed to seeing seemed to extinguish under a heavy weight.
"How's it going lad?" Mark asked roughly. It had been ten years since Robin came across our doorstep, and during that time Mark's hair grayed, and his voice lowered. By no means was the fifty-seven-year old man losing his touch. On the contrary he still had a lot of stubbornness and pride to keep him going. But his profession had aged him greatly since he first started, and more so because of the responsibilities and haunting memories of his past.
"Fine." Robin replied with an empty voice.
"Obviously not." Mark said blankly. "I've never heard those words utter out of your mouth before, and it's not like you be so glum. So spill it. What's troubling you these days?"
Robin sighed and said gravely. "Mother told me about who my father was. I guess I finally pestered her enough."
"Hmm." The tactician rubbed his chin with his hand as if he knew this day would come. "I suppose that would explain why things have been very peaceful this week."
"Yeah..." Robin looked down at his dog who had grown five times its original size over the years and gently patted her back. His hand stroking the black and gray fur as she made a faint whimper.
"So that is it?" Mark said unimpressed. "You are going to let a miserable old fool put you down and sap away the energy that keeps this place lively?"
"No. It's just that-" The fourteen year old boy glanced up and said timidly. "Mark. Do you believe in fate?"
Mark raised an eye brow and said, "That's a strange question to ask. What brings that up?"
"It's Validar. My ... father." Robin said clutching his hand in a fist. "He created me with the purpose of hurting people and fulfilling some prophecy made hundreds of years ago. This purple symbol on my hand is also supposed to be connected in some way to this. And, if he is still chasing after us then I am putting all of you in danger."
"Pah! Such nonsense." Mark said plainly. "Listen lad. It is I who bears the responsibilities of my own safety. Don't get so conceited to think it is you who puts me in danger. Trust me, I have plenty of other people who would gladly take my head." Mark grunted and said, "Although it matters little what I think about fate. That is a question you will need to figure out for yourself."
"Right." Robin nodded slowly. His eyes engulfed in deep thought. "But I don't want to believe in it. I don't want to think that someday I will be destined to lead some terrible life so some dragon can be reborn. And dammit!" Robin cried in frustration. "What's the point of having all that power if it is only used to control and hurt people?"
"But what is the point of living as some weakling? Destined to be forgotten by history?" Mark countered. His eyes gazing at the boy to answer the questions for himself.
"It's better than hurting people." He frowned back. "And I don't understand. Am I not in control of my actions? I am the one that tells my hand to move, so why is it fate that determines if it moves?" He asked palming his hand with a thumb. "Is that really all there is to it? If we are part of some game then why even bother giving us free will? It doesn't make sense, and there has to be something more to it. Something I can't see."
"Ha. But what if it really is that simple? You should know well by now that there is a number of injustices out there" Mark said blankly.
"I know I could be in denial." Robin said lowly. "But I simple can't believe in it. I refuse to accept fate if this is what it wants. This isn't some game. It just can't be. What about all those good moments too? Those have to count for something." He replied weakly. "What if … What if we are not the pawns, but the players? I mean, sometimes the stakes aren't equal and the rules might differ, but that doesn't make them impossible! If we are all the players of our own game then that means there couldn't be anything like fate! It is what we choose, and how we adapt that defines us. Not some stupid prophecy!" He cried fiercely while pounding his fist into his open hand.
"Hmph." Mark grunted again with a smile on his face. "So where does that leave you, laddy?
"I don't know." He replied without losing his resolve. "But there has to be something out there. I know it. If I am to lead an army then I need to find it, and I'll study for as long as it takes. I'll prove that fate is just a myth. One that does no good following unless it wants to help people."
"Very well." The tactician nodded. "Then you better pick yourself up lad. That's no easy task you are claiming to defeat. Besides, we can't give Sarah a week more of rest. She might start to get lazy, and we can't have that."
"Right." Robin said firmly. He then moved up from his seat with his dog following shortly behind him. "I need to get started as soon as possible, and I'll make sure it won't interfere with our lessons. I'll prove Validar wrong, and one day we will stop running. I'll make it so mother and I can go wherever we like without needing to fear him. I swear it!"
"First things first, lad." Mark replied to stop him before he got ahead of himself.
"Huh? What's that?"
"There is a prophecy that tonight we shall eat steak for dinner. I should know, I gave my vision to the chef. Are you planning on tackling that prediction as well?"
Robin thought it over for a moment as his strong determination suddenly wavered, "I suppose that one couldn't hurt. Does the prophecy also call for a baked potato and corn?"
"I believe so. I hear there is even something special for Morgan." He smirked back.
"Then we should ensure that fate remains unchanged, but only for today!" Robin said urgently with the life returning to his eyes. His dog also wagged her tail eagerly at the mention of food. "Oh, and Mark."
"Yes lad?"
"Thank you." He replied sincerely.
"Meh. Save your breath boy. All I did was act as a sound bound. You are the one that did the thinking."
"No. Not just for that." Robin shook his head. "Thank you for everything. It might seem silly, and forgive me for saying this, but in a way, you are like a father to me. A real one. The one I used to dream of when I was little." Robin replied awkwardly with hesitation in his voice. "So um, I appreciate what you've done for my mother and I … sir."
Mark gave pause for a moment. He wasn't sure what to say. Perhaps for the first time in decades. Instead he just looked at the boy for a moment before managing to shake off his words. "Erm, yes, well. I've told you before I don't tolerate thank yous and pleasantries. So just save them for someone else. You understand? I don't want to hear anymore silly notions of this father stuff. No sense in getting delusional on me. I've trained you to be a cold blooded and calculating tactician, not some sentimental child with romantic dreams. What you care to think about in your spare time is none of my business, but let's steer away of this father stuff in public. You hear me laddy?"
Robin smiled warmly and said, "Yes sir!"
…
Something changed in Robin that day. Thankfully, Robin wouldn't lose his energetic or spirited nature, but there was some different in his focus. He originally assumed that his father just decided to leave them, and that he was not wanted. Now, he had to deal with the idea that his father was a lunatic who wanted to destroy everything he pledged to protect. To make it worse, he was the centerpiece of the mad man's plans. Shortly after this revelation he requested that Mark train him to use the sword. A notion that Mark said, 'Was horrendously stupid because no tactician ever dares to risk their life on the battlefield if they plan on winning a war.'
Still, Robin convinced him, and the young man starting incorporating himself into his strategy. He had always wanted to save people, but now he had another reason. He had to show to himself that he would not become a monster like his father, and we could tell it weighed on him. Especially because he had to stay hidden. The threat of Grimleal's spies always presenting a possibility. Always forcing him and his mother to hide from the world.
…
"Robin?" A voice called out from behind him as she entered his bedroom.
"Huh?!" Robin jumped as he turned around from his bed. A cold sweat running down his face as he had been discovered. There was a suitcase half packed of his belongings laying on top of the covers and a bronze sword strapped to his waist.
"I heard you are leaving the manor. Funny how I am the last to hear about it." His mother said with a glare at the seventeen-year old man. Almost fully grown, he stood taller than her. Something she never managed to get used to.
"Yes." He nodded nervously as his mother gave him the evil eye. "I-I was going to tell you sooner, but I couldn't find the words."
She frowned as she looked at him harshly. "Maybe you should try a dictionary next time."
He looked down and said, "I'm sorry mother, but I couldn't let you talk me out of it. I needed to wait until I was ready."
Scowling back at him, she said, "And Mark is okay with you leaving? Last time I checked your apprenticeship is not done."
Like a three-year-old who had been caught stealing, he couldn't look his mother in the eye as he said, "Mark wrote down some materials for me to study, and said I should be ready to take my own command soon. He wishes me the best and to look out for myself. It is a big world out there and I need to be on guard for bandits or loose women."
"That's sounds like him alright." She replied in disapproval.
"I also said one last goodbye to Morgan at the flower bed." He said sorrowfully. His beloved dog had passed away recently, and it was that reason that he decided he couldn't stay anymore.
"So now you are going out to get yourself killed?" Katherine questioned at his rash decision.
"I'm not going to to let that happen. Mark has spent too much time training me for me to just throw my life away or let my father win." He replied back while gripping his fist to restrain himself. "Mark showed me ways I can conceal my presence, and as long as I stay alert then Validar's men will never find me."
"So what? You'll wander the world alone always watching your back?"
Robin shook his head and said, "I don't know, but I can't find any answers sitting here hiding. I need to see the world for myself. There is too much about it that I don't know, and people that I've never met.
"Hmph." His mother looked away from him and said, "Are you packed?"
"Mostly."
"Spare clothes, food, money, blankets, medical supplies, maps?"
"Yes." He nodded. "Mark even gave me a fire tome in case I need to start a fire to stay warm at night."
"Do you even know how to use one of those things?" His mother asked skeptical.
"Er, yeah. Sort of. I've got it to work once or twice..."
"How reassuring." Katherine said uneasy.
Not willing to be talked out of it, Robin said, "I know it seems stupid, but I have to do this or else Validar will win if I hide for the rest of my life. I need to do things on my own terms, and through my own decisions.
"When will you be leaving?" His mother asked dryly.
"Tomorrow. Mark said he wanted to spend one last day discussing strategy over the dinner table. After that I will travel to Ylisse. It is home to the Exalt who slew Grima. If they can defeat his dragon form, then maybe they have ways of dealing with this situation too."
"I see." She whispered near silence.
"I'm sorry mother, but I have to do this." He reaffirmed as he clenched his fists tightly.
"I know. You are stubborn. Just like the oaf of a tactician." She sighed while glancing away from him. She then reached into her coat and brought out a large black bundle of cloth neatly folded in a square with purple markings. "I knew for a while that one day you would get too restless for this old house, but if you plan on leaving during this time of the winter then you will need this."
"A blanket?" Robin asked confused. He had never seen it before.
She unfolded it to reveal it was a type of thick cloak. One that could cover him from the harsh winters. "This is the cloak I used to smuggle you out of Plegia."
"You still have it?" Robin asked amazed.
"And the pacifier that I used to make sure you wouldn't cry, but I don't think you will be needing that."
Gazing at the coat, he stood there with a shiver running down his spine. The markings on it matched the one on his hand. "Are you sure I should take this?"
"Unless you want to freeze to death."
For a moment he was worried that the Grimleal might use it to discover him, but if he was to wear the robes of one of their followers, then they would be the least likely to suspect a fellow member should they cross paths. So he accepted the gift and decided to wear it should he get close to the Plegian border or a heavy winter. "Mother ... I am sorry. If it wasn't for my father then you never would have-"
"I don't want to spend the last day with my son apologizing to something he has no control over. What is important is we got through it. You and I."
"Right. We manged to do it." He gave a weak smile and caught his mother off guard by hugging her. "So promise you will take care of yourself while I am gone. Okay mother?
Not able to hold it in anymore, tears fell from her face. The cold persona was only a mask to hide her fear as her only son would be leaving. It scared her, and it was difficult to believe how fast time slipped away. "That is what I am supposed to say to you."
"I know, but sometimes you don't." He frowned. "And it is important that you are safe too. I love you mom, and I want the best for you."
"I …" She closed her eyes tightly and said overwhelmed with emotions. "I love you too, son."
…
Sarah looked away as she wiped something in her eye. This caused some of her makeup to stick to her fingers. She also found it difficult to breath as her nose felt stuffy. "E-excuse me for a second. I'm afraid I need to visit the powder room to freshen up." She said faintly before quickly walking away so no one could respond.
"Strange. I didn't think she was the sentimental type." Morgan replied surprised.
"Well it was very touching." Lucina said warmly.
"Yeah..." Robin nodded lost in his own thoughts.
Looking out for her husband, she sighed and said, "It's alright dear. He's gone now."
"I know. It's just a lot to take in." He nodded back somberly.
Lucina kissed him on the cheek and said, "Will you be okay with Morgan for a few minutes? I need to visit the restroom as well."
"Yeah. I should be fine." He said gently.
The princess then gave a warm smile that broke through the somber tactician and said, "Promise you will tell me everything on your mind when I get back, okay?"
"I will." He nodded back.
"And Morgan. Look after our little rascal. Maybe you can keep him busy while I am gone." Lucina said cheerfully.
"Don't worry mom! You can count on me!"
…
…
Meanwhile, Sarah found it difficult to hold back the tears. She was hunched over in the woman's restroom clutching the table with all her strength as she looked back at the mirror. She had tried desperately to stop crying, but that only caused the waterworks to flood. The remainder of her makeup was running down her face, and the eyes looking back at her felt so foreign. How she wished she could pluck them out and replace them with cold heartless eyes instead.
She told herself she could do this. That she wouldn't let some stupid story make her cry. After all, it was just a story to her. Nothing more than idle memories that carried no meaning, so why would her emotions suddenly get the better of her?
"Can I get you a towel?" Lucina asked entering unnoticed. She made a point to hurry before she lost track of the woman. It would be easy for her to hide some place else, and the princess didn't want to miss the opportunity to speak with her.
Quickly, Sarah used a nearby bowl of water to splash her face so it wouldn't look as bad and said, "No thank you. I should be fine."
Lucina gently approached and said sweetly, "You know, those stories mean a lot to my husband. He always feared that he was an evil person before he regained his memories, and I think this will finally let him get some peace about it."
Sarah looked away while she wiped her nose and tried to guard her heart. "I'm pleased to be of service."
Seeing how she wasn't willing to open up, she tried a new tact. "His mother sounded like a really special person too. I'm sure Robin would like to meet her one day."
"M-maybe. I'm afraid no one knows where she is though."
"A shame." Lucina frowned and said. "I would very much like to meet her as well. I want to thank her for looking out for him. Without her, I never would have had such a wonderful husband by my side."
"... If I ever cross paths with her then I'll be sure to pass the message."
"Thank you Sarah. I would appreciate it greatly." Lucina replied earnestly.
"It's no trouble." She deflected like it was nothing. "But you know, Mark had a large part of raising that boy too."
"It did sounds like Robin was very fond of him."
"He will never admit it, but Mark was fond of him too. Those two got along like two miscreants with a slingshot. If something didn't break it was a bad day."
"Hehe, it did seem like they encouraged each other." The princess said happily.
"Too much if you asked me, but it was just as important for Mark as it was Robin. Mark had always wanted a son to pass his knowledge down to, but his wife died while she was carrying their child. I'm afraid I don't know much of the details, but according to the veteran staff he was never the same afterwards. He would often lock himself in his room and devote his entire life to his studies. Even the thought of something bothering him disturbed him greatly. That is, until Robin came along."
"Robin just has that nature that compels you to like him." Lucina grinned.
"Indeed. He was always a special case, and Mark was quick to encourage his mischievous ways. Each having a tremendous impact on the other."
The princess nodded and said, "Then we will have to visit him at the manor someday. I'm sure he will be surprised to see that Robin got over his fear of women."
"Maybe..." Sarah trailed off nervous.
"And you are sure you wouldn't like to stay a few more days? Maybe tell Robin more about the times you spent together with him." Lucina replied respectfully.
"I don't think that will be necessary. Besides, I'm just a housekeeper that chases after him when he gets into a mess."
"You're right." The princess agreed which caught the woman by surprise. "I think he would want to know more about the real you instead."
"Pardon? I'm not sure I understand." She asked anxious.
Lucina smiled sincerely and said, "It's okay, Katherine."
The woman in green froze like a statue. A shiver running down her spy as she stuttered to speak. "... I fear you are mistaken me. My duty is to clean houses. After all, I am just a housekeeper."
The princess shook her head and said, "We both know that is not true."
…
"... What gave it away?" She asked knowing she could not maintain the facade any longer.
The swordswomen smiled and said happily, "It was the way you looked at him when you spoke of him. It is the same look my mother gives to me and my sister when she is proud to boast about us."
"It could have been a coincidence." Kathrine said finally accepting a towel to wipe her face.
"No, it couldn't." Lucina said confident. "Not when there is such elation in your voice. I can tell you care greatly for him. More so than a simple housekeeper."
"Hmph." She chuckled under her breath and said in a fit of disbelief. "It seems I underestimated his family. I thought the biggest obstacle would be tricking him. That boy is near impossible to fool with anything."
"But why would you want to do that?" Lucina asked curious.
"Because I am too ashamed to face him." Katherine looked down at the floor and said, "And I'm too much of a coward to look him in the eye as his mother."
"Did something happen?" Lucina asked respectfully fearing she might be overstepping her boundaries.
The woman in green sighed and said, "I didn't lie. There was a woman named Sarah under Mark's employ for most of Robin's childhood. She stayed with us until she was engaged to a man from a nearby town. Occasionally we still get letters from her."
"So why pretend to be her?"
"Because I know how hard it is to fool that boy. Even without memories I'm sure he could piece together the clues. He was always very clever." She sighed and said, "When I approached him I was terrified to death he would see through my disguise. I dyed my hair, purchased the types of clothes she usually worse, used as much make up as I could find, and practiced speaking with her accent, but even then I feared he would pick up on it. Especially if he had any memories of her."
"Well it worked. Robin still doesn't know." Lucina said to make her feel better.
"Not for long. The moment you tell him, everything will be for naught."
"No. It wouldn't be fair for me to be the one to tell him." Lucina replied quietly much to Katherine's dismay. "Although, I don't understand why you would want to hide it from him in the first place. You are his mother."
Katherine sighed again and said, "Because I don't deserve to be around him. I gave up that right a long time ago. Remember how I said I used to be very beautiful and intelligent? Unfortunately, I'm afraid that made me a bit of a snob as well. I would not get along with the people in my town, and there were often fights between my parents and I."
"It happens." Lucina said sincerely. "My friend Severa has a tough time opening up to people too, especially her parents, but she is still nice and gentle inside."
She looked away and said gravely, "Yes, well, that part of me died inside when Validar kidnapped me. He often talked about his master plan and his final solution to his problems. When I resisted he would often threaten the safety of my village, but I wasn't naive. He probably didn't hesitate to burn down the village after he took me. Everything I knew in the world was burned down without me able to do anything about it. All the while he looked at me as some sack that would carry his child."
"It's awful what he did. Simply unforgivable." Lucina said angry. She never understood Validar, even at his dying breath.
The woman in green wiped a tear from her eye and said, "I'm ashamed to say it, but I morbidly hated that child inside of me because he took away the luxurious future that I was destined to live. I was entitled to live a grand life, but because Validar wanted a child everything I felt I deserved was stolen from me. So I not only blamed Validar, but Robin too. The day he was born, the only reason I stole him away was because I wanted to spite Validar for everything he did to me. I wanted to make him suffer as much as possible, and I could think of no better solution then taking away the thing he wanted the most. I even thought about killing Robin at times."
Katherine covered her eyes and said with great regret, "When we fled I barely cared for him. I would often push him away from me when he got close, and I would tell him to shut up every time he cried. I couldn't look at him, because each day he reminded me about the future I lost. I didn't even know why I kept him around at times. Eventually, our money began to run out, and I often had thoughts about leaving him behind.
"But you didn't." Lucina said trying to comfort the woman. "Because you looked after him, he had a chance to grow up as a sweet boy."
Katherine shook her head and said "Unfortunately, things got really bad when Robin was three. We were out of money, he had a very bad cold, and he was too heavy for me to carry him anymore. So I told him that we would play hide and seek to make him feel better. When he finished counting, I was already gone. I told myself that eventually he would think he lost me, and someone else would find him and take care of him, because I wanted nothing to do with him."
"I still don't know how, but that boy found me a day later. When I woke up, he saw me and slowly trudged forward until he could wrap his arms around my leg. He was shivering and he looked horribly pale. He was so sick that he was near the verge of death. Still, I was too shocked to do anything but watch the boy get near me. He nestled his head on my leg and said 'Found you' before he collapsed. He was even smiling with his eyes closed as if he was relieved to see me." Katherine covered her eyes as she felt more tears flow down. "The only thing I can think of is he spent the entire night trying track me down in the pitch black night while I was sleeping. What kind of mother does that to their child?"
Lucina couldn't answer as she saw her grieve. It was clear that day left a lasting impression on her. "So that is why you can't face him?"
Katherine nodded and said, "No matter how cruel I was to him, that boy never lost faith in me. He even desperately tried to make himself useful when he feared he was being a burden. When I came to Mark's doorstep, I no longer wanted to give him away, but now I wanted what was best for him. I couldn't give him a life he deserved, and too often did we go hungry because I couldn't work and protect him at the same time."
"So when Mark gave you a place to stay, you kept an eye on him." Lucina said gently.
"Yes. I could never look at Robin in the eyes again though. I could never accept the unwavering faith he had in me despite how many times I failed to be his mother. So, I watched him from the sidelines and remained distant. When Mark was instructing Robin, I would often listen in on their conversations when I was on my breaks. He would be so full of energy and so eager to please that it made me forget for a moment the terrible life he had to endure."
"It sounds like even from the beginning he was special gift to us." She nodded while she guided a hand to her heart.
"I just wished I would have realized it." Katherine shook her head in regret. "The day he left was the only time I ever told him I loved him. My biggest regret is I never told him that sooner. All that boy ever wanted was to feel loved. To feel like he belonged, and he worked so hard to prove he was worth other people's time. But it was only Mark and Sarah who ever returned his sentiment."
...
"Hey!" Robin beamed as he saw his wife return. His radiant smile shining as he played with their child. Their little ball of energy that they both swore to protect and keep safe. "What happened to Sarah?"
"She will be back soon. She had some issues with her makeup" Lucina said while wiping her eye so they could not see a small tear form. "Morgan, sweetie. Would you mind if I have a moment alone with your father?" She asked gently and in a very loving voice.
"Oh, um, sure mom." Morgan replied while looking up at her father who was equally confused. "But I'll need money to go to the candy shop!"
Lucina then gave Morgan double her normal allowance which made her eyes widen in joy. She then rushed off with all haste to the nearest source of sweets.
"Everything okay dear?" Robin asked worried for a moment.
"Yes." Lucina replied finding it difficult to speak. She grew up with two very loving parents and a sister who cared greatly for her. Even the thought of losing her family hurt to think about. They meant everything to her, and she fought desperately to live on for them. Everything she did was for her parents and her friends. But Robin didn't have that. He had to work to get his mother to love him, and his father only saw him as a tool. His only friends as a child was a dog, a sweet housekeeper, and a tactician. Yet through it all, he managed to keep his kind and sweet nature.
"So what did you need to talk to me about?" Robin asked gently.
However, Lucina would not answer him. Instead she moved over to until she was in front of him. She then sat on his lap while she crossed her legs and arms around him. Her head buried into his chest with a tear running down her cheek as she held onto him as tight as she possibly could. Right now, she needed to show him how much he meant to her. She would shower him with her embrace to make sure he never felt alone again.
Caught off guard, Robin said, "Dear, I'm not sure if this is the place to-"
"Shhhh." Lucina whispered softly with her maternal instincts kicking in. She then closed her eyes while she nuzzled her head into the man she loved. "It's okay Robin. Everything is okay. I'll keep you safe. I will always keep you safe next to me. I promise."