Recessive Genes

The pregnancy was rough for both of them; between the mood swings, the incredibly strange cravings (he'd expected pickles and ice cream, but Maka made that look downright normal in comparison to what she liked to eat), and the lack of sleep, they were both ready for their daughter. Even she meant even less sleep.

And then she decided she was going to be late. The due date came and went, and then a few more days, and then a few more. They would sit together in bed, trying to figure out if everything was alright, if they should be worried, and trying to cheer each other up.

They had been about to go out for milk, eggs, and apple cider caramel cookies (because those were apparently a thing that Maka wanted) when the baby decided that no, she wanted to be in the world right now!

A quick ride to the hospital, that only resulted in one broken finger (though Soul suspected that it would not be the only thing broken), a promise that, yes he would still get her the cookies when they were back home, and an epidural started the long and painful labor for his wife.

Spirit came with Stein to fret, Black Star and Tsubaki came as well but were promptly kicked out, and Kid and the Thompson sisters were away on an assignment. Soul stayed with Maka the entire time (and he was right, she ended up breaking his entire hand well before the baby was born).

The doctors said it was one of the longest and hardest deliveries they had ever preformed, eventually forcing Soul out of the room and putting Maka under so they could preform an emergency C-section. It was the longest ten minutes of Soul's life. He didn't know what to do with himself; too agitated to sit still with his head in his hands and too tired to pace.

When the doctor came out, Soul's world stopped. He couldn't even ask the questions that threatened to break his heart. He stood perfectly still in front of the doctor and waited for anything.

"Your wife is fine, she'll come to in a few hours after some rest. Your daughter is perfectly healthy and has a good set of lungs on her, if you'd like to come see her follow me." The doctor said calmly. Soul felt his feet moving to follow the doctor while his brain scrambled to catch up. Maka was fine. Maka was asleep. Maka would be awake in a while. Their baby was fine. He was going to see their baby. He was going to meet their little baby for the first time.

Soul stumbled but caught himself before he completely collapsed. The doctor lead him into the same room where Maka was still sleeping soundly, IV dripping in even intervals and her breath steady and strong. A nurse was holding a bundle of blankets off to the side and cooing softly. She smiled at Soul, quietly asked if he knew how to properly hold his daughter (especially with his broken hand), and then handed her over.

After a life of hard physical labor, her weight was so slight in his arms and yet he felt like she was the heaviest and most important thing in the world. This was his little baby girl. His and Maka's daughter.

And she had red hair.

Soul very nearly began to cry.