Epilogue

One week later.

Cassian Gray sipped his morning coffee. In his right hand, he held his tablet scroll. He was currently scrolling through the news, trying to see if a bounty had been put on his head.

Reim's death had been announced two days after Cassian's return to Hestia. Interestingly enough, the article had provided very few details on the nature of his death, simply stating that it had been sudden and painless.

It was then that he heard a scream come from the bathroom. Before Cassian could jump up, Winter came rushing in, dressed in nothing but her nightgown.

"C-Cass!" Winter shouted, waving her hands in the air. Cassian could see she was holding something. "I-I-"

"Woah, woah slow down." Cassian said, enjoying the sight of his flustered lover. "I can't understand you when you stutter like that!"

"J-just look!" Winter held the object out, allowing Cassian to see that it was a...stick.

"It's a stick…" Cassian trailed off, realising exactly what the said stick was. "Wait, is that what I-"

"Y-yes." Winter nodded, her eyes watching Cassian like a hawk.

With slightly shaking hands, Cassian took the stick from Winter and looked over it. He noted the plus sign at the far end of the stick.

"W-w-well." Winter stuttered. "W-what do you-?"

"Think?" Cassian looked at Winter, who looked as if she wanted to hide away in a hole somewhere. It would have been endearing, had it not been for the gravity of their current situation. "What do you think I think?"

"I-I-" Winter sniffled. "I-I-"

"I'm happy." Cassian said simply, a wide smile appearing on his face. "How about you-?!"

Winter leaped into Cassian's arms (something she seemed to do on a fairly regular basis, now that Cassian thought about it). "Of course I'm happy you dummy!"

"Then why did you look so scared?"

"B-because I didn't know if you wanted-!"

"A child?" Cassian patted Winter's head. "Of course I'd want a child with you. Didn't I tell you before? I'd be the happiest man in the world."

Winter gave Cassian a kiss, which Cassian happily returned. Placing his hand on Winter's belly, Cassian gave her a smile.

"So how long until the child is born?"

"Child?" Winter gave Cassian a confused look. "You mean children, right?"

"What do you mean..." Cassian's eyes widened in comprehension. "You're having-"

"-twins!" Winter said happily.

It was soon to get very noisy in the Gray Household.

A couple of months later...

"I hate you Cassian Gray!" Winter yelled, her face and voice indicating the extreme pain she was currently feeling. "I hate you with every fibre of my being!"

Whatever else she wanted to say was cut off by a groan as her womb let out another spasm.

"Is this...normal?" Cassian turned to one of the numerous nurses that surrounded his wife. He was seated directly next to Winter's bed, his hand held in hers in an attempt to give her any consolation.

"Yes." One of the nurses, a Ram faunus, answered while checking a chart. "Childbirth is considered to be one of the most painful things that a woman can go through. And that's not counting the fact that Ms. Gray here has two babies at the same time."

"Oh, ok…" Cassian turned his attention to Winter, who was currently drenched in sweat and breathing heavily.

"No more sex!" Winter suddenly gasped as her womb's movements sent another bolt of pain running through her body. "You hear me!? The hot dog is no longer allowed in the bun-"

Another shriek of pain, this one enough to cause most of the Faunus in the room to wince. They had enhanced hearing after all.

"Don't worry, most of us say this during the childbirth." The ram faunus said, trying to console Cassian. "We generally don't mean it."

"OK…" Cassian wasn't worried about his bedroom privileges at the moment, instead more focused on his lover who was currently experiencing intense agony. "Is there anyway for me to make her feel better?"

"Try reminiscing with her. It'll help distract her from the pain."

"Alright, I'll do that." Cassian winced as Winter nearly crushed his hand with her enhanced strength as another spasm hit her. He didn't illustrate his pain however, instead giving Winter a soft smile. "Winter, do you remember our first kiss? We-"

A very agonising hour and a half later, filled with pain, memories and laughter.

"Here you go." Canna handed Winter two crying babies. "A very healthy boy and girl!"

Winter didn't say a word, instead choosing to stare at her two children.

No. Winter thought to herself, looking at Cassian who was seated next to her. Our two children.

"They're...beautiful." Cassian murmured, transfixed by the crying forms of his children. Suddenly, he sniffled, placing his hand over his eyes as his body began to shake.

"Are you crying?" Winter laughed, even as tears ran down from her own eyes. "You never cry Cassian!"

"I-I'm just so happy." Cassian said, even as streams appeared on his cheeks. "I-I never thought-"

"Come here." Winter commanded, shifting over a bit to make room. "Lie here with me."

Cassian, after looking to the head doctor (aka his sister) for approval, slid into the bed with Winter.

"Here, take one." Winter handed one of the children to Cassian, who took it with shaking arms. "Say hello to Daddy Claire!"

Cassian looked at his daughter, who was staring directly into his eyes. Suddenly, Claire reached up and touched Cassian's nose, before letting out a burp.

"Hello Claire."

Cassian said, smiling at one of his tiny bundles of joy.

"Welcome to the family."

Thank you very much~

Ferris