Author's Note: Another chapter has been finished! I hope everyone enjoys this one.

The Day She Was Born

It was late at night in the Gunther household. As Isara slept fast asleep in her room, Welkin and Alicia were busy at work preparing a small room that had been vacant for quite some time in the household. They had just finished painting the walls of the room a sky blue color similar to that of Gallia's national flag.

"It's really going to happen soon isn't it?" Welkin asked his wife after putting what was left of the painting supplies in the shed where the Edelweiss was.

"Yep, the doctor said he'll probably be here by next week." Alicia responded gently.

"Is that so?" Welkin replied. "Well, then next week can't come soon enough."

"We sure got a lot of work done today. All the room needs is a crib and it'll be ready for him." Alicia said gently looking at the painted room

"I know you're sure it's going to be boy, but have you thought of a name?" Welkin asked his wife with curiosity.

"I was hoping to discuss that with you after we were done." Alicia replied.

"Well…I was thinking…" Welkin started.

"What? Did you already think of a name? Alicia asked.

"Well…I was thinking if he does turn out to be a boy, I was thinking we could name him Belgen." Welkin finally said.

Alicia just stood there silent.

"Wasn't that your father's name?" Alicia asked with curiosity.

Welkin took a deep breath.

"I want to honor him in some way after all these years. He always taught me to make my own decisions in life, he never forced his own personal beliefs or hopes onto me or Isara. When I was 13, I was starting to become aware of this and yet he was always hard on himself as a way to cope with his grief of losing my mother during the first Europan war. I wanted to tell him how I felt about this, that I wanted him to be happy and thank him for allowing me to become what I am today." Welkin explained.

"Did you ever tell him how you really felt?" Alicia asked.

"I didn't. That day I realized all of this and what I wanted to tell him wasn't the best of times, he was very sick with illness to the point of being bed ridden. I felt maybe tomorrow he would probably feel better and I would tell him everything then. He died the very next day." Welkin said in a somber tone.

"Oh…" Alicia replied.

"I've always regretted not being able to tell him how I felt. This just feels like the only thing I can do to thank him for everything. To honor him. But at the same time, I don't know if I really want to do that." Welkin explained further.

Alicia took a deep breath.

"Remember right before when Isara was born, you felt the exact same way. You shouldn't doubt yourself about these things, just do what you think is best." Alicia replied to Welkin with comfort.

At that very point, Welkin began to think back to the night his daughter was born.

—

6 years ago…

"Alicia…Can we talk?" Welkin asked his wife hesitantly. Alicia had just finished cleaning the kitchen after a wonderful dinner.

"Sure, is there a problem?" Alicia asked.

Welkin didn't know how to explain this. He was starting to feel serious doubt about naming their child after his adopted younger sister, Isara. He was starting to think back about all the pain and suffering he felt about not being able to save when her she died, about having to hold in his emotions to maintain morale among Squad 7 for three whole weeks, about her not ever living to see Gallia free again. Everything. Is this how his father felt when he lost the love of his life? If so, Welkin respected father much more than he already did.

"I…I…I don't think I want to name our child Isara." Welkin said bluntly.

Alicia just stood stunned. Welkin himself had suggested the name when they found out she was pregnant. What could've changed his mind? Alicia then saw the depressed, stoic look on his face. It was the same one Welkin had after Isara died, the one he had put for three whole weeks between the time she died and before they reclaimed Bruhl during the war.

"Welkin…You've been thinking about her a lot, haven't you?" Alicia asked Welkin.

"I can't help but think about it. I'm almost terrified about this, I don't want to look at my daughter and be reminded of all the pain I went through when she died. I want to be able to love her and be happy everyday just to be with her. I don't want to end like my father always beating himself up and depressed because he couldn't save his wife. I can't do that to my daughter! I want my daughter…to have a happy childhood…without having to have her daddy be constantly upset about things he couldn't have prevented…" Welkin explained on the verge of tears.

Alicia quickly went over and hugged Welkin tightly.

"Alicia, I'm sorry, I-I just need some time alone." Welkin said regaining his composure and control over his emotions.

He quickly went into his study where he read books on nature.

Alicia just stood there worried.

—

Welkin just sat in his study for about an hour reading books on birds, insects, anything to keep his mind occupied from what was bothering him the most. He then turned to look at a photo on his desk. It was a picture of him and Isara when they were younger that was taken years ago. They were both happily smiling in the photo.

Welkin just looked at the photo.

"I miss you Is…" Welkin said outloud to himself.

All of a sudden he heard his wife scream his name real loud.

Welkin quickly jolted out of the chair he was sitting in and ran toward where Alicia was.

"Alicia! Is something wrong!?" Welkin asked with worry.

Alicia was on her knees and panting heavily.

"Welkin…the car…we have to get to the hospital…" Alicia said in between breaths.

"You mean…?" Welkin said his heart almost skipping a beat.

"Yes, It's time." Alicia said gently with a small smile.

Welkin quickly escorted his wife to a green car that was in the shed and drove as quickly as he could to the local hospital near Bruhl.

—

After arriving, Alicia was quickly escorted to the delivery ward of the hospital. Welkin just stood there in the waiting room awaiting the moment. He stood there in deep thought debating whether or not to name his child after Isara.

Eventually after a few hours, Welkin came to a hesitant conclusion. "I'll either name her Emily or…" Welkin thought out loud to himself when the doctor walked in.

"Mr. Welkin Gunther?" The doctor said.

"Y-yes?" Welkin quickly said breaking out of his deep thought.

"Congratulations! Your wife just gave birth to a healthy baby girl with no complications." The doctor explained gently.

"That's…that's great!" Welkin replied.

As the doctor guided him to the hospital room where Alicia was, Welkin already started to feel a whole bunch of different emotions all at the same time.

He was now officially a father.

—

Welkin walked into the room where his wife was and he walked towards her. Alicia, exhausted from childbirth was holding the newborn infant who was wrapped up in small white blanket in her arms.

"Is she sleeping?" Welkin asked.

"She is. Isn't she adorable?" Alicia said gently.

"Can…can I hold her?" Welkin asked his wife.

Alicia smiled gently.

"Of course." She replied.

Alicia handed Welkin the infant and he saw her face as he cradled her in his arms. He saw her light brown hair, the peaceful look on her face as the infant slept peacefully.

"She's beautiful…she has your hair…" Welkin said gently.

"Yeah, she does." Alicia said agreeing.

Alicia at that point decided to ask him. It was now or never.

"Have you decided on a name?" Alicia asked.

At that point, Welkin's eyes started to well up in tears, he knew it would be a wonderful feeling but he didn't even know how to possibly describe this.

This was truly the happiest day of his life.

"I think I'll name her…Isara." Welkin said as tears rolled down from his face.

"You mean…" Alicia said as tears began to come down from her face.

"Yes. I've officially decided. We're going to name her Isara." Welkin said as more tears began to roll down his face.

At that point, the little infant slowly began to wake up.

"Alicia! She's waking up!" Welkin said with excitement.

Welkin quickly got closer to Alicia so they could both see her face.

The infant's eyes began to slowly open, revealing her brown eyes. Her little arms reached out to her parents and she began giggling.

Welkin and Alicia began to smile even more as they held out fingers for the little baby grab.

"Welcome to Gallia, Isara." Welkin said gently wiping tears from his eyes.

All that doubt, fear and worry that Welkin had about being reminded of his sister had completely disappeared when he saw his daughter for the first time. He couldn't help but want to name her Isara.

—

"Welkin, are you okay? You look like you're in deep thought." Alicia said observing Welkin sitting at the kitchen table.

Welkin simply smiled gently.

"I'm fine Alicia." Welkin replied.

Before going to bed Welkin walked towards Isara's room and opened the door gently enough to not wake her up.

He smiled gently as he saw Isara sleeping in her bed peacefully. Welkin also noticed that she had forgotten to turn of her lamp before she drifted off to sleep. He walked towards and gently turned off the lamp.

"Sweet dreams, Isara. Daddy loves you very much." Welkin said gently before closing the door.