The next one probably is the last chapter.
If you are very very very delighted with one fic and want a continuation I didn't write or post you can donate me at least $5 bucks, most of this fics have next chapters I don't finish because lack of motivation but hey a $5 is a $5, I see a few reviews and comments that fics that are abandoned months laters receive comments of wanting to know what happens next. Here it is, I finished my handling with you all, enjoy the fic
Ingram didn't understand why all so sudden the Elder itself in his power armor came to her and ask for a patrol prepare immediately to Sanctuary Hills. Truth is that Arthur wasn't prepared for today breaking inside the vault but since getting the pipboy was so easy why not do it today? Maybe it was good luck and his son was waiting. He expected a bit o resistance and didn't prepare a squad but oh well it doesn't matter, shell do it anyway.
-We are breaking inside a vault –said the elder giving Ingram the pipboy in hand- send me a message when we are ready to leave
-There will be any resistance around? Should I recruit a squad of guards to protect us? It may take some hours
-Ill take my own squad there, don't worry, just pick up the best scribes for the work
Alright. Thought Ingram examining the pipboy in her robotic hands, walking around the Prydwen selecting her people for the job, once they were done and ready to leave with the adequate tools for the job in hands her surprise was big at seeing the ventibirds to leave already prepared, same with the five paladins waiting for them to scort them to destiny.
When she send the message that they were ready to leave the elder took no time in arriving to the fly deck to look for the team that will leade him to his baby.
-Elder, I separated provisions for 48hs I don't know exactly were are we heading or what are we doing -said Ingram walking at his side.
-We are breaking into vault 111- wait isn't that the vault of sentinel Nora?- In Sactuary Hills, we are no friends with that settlement despite being minutemen allys, so don't expect a warm welcome, ill do what I can to avoid us from getting attacked but have in mind that you may have to work under hostile conditions.
Damn trying to hack into a vault in the middle of a shootout wasn't into her plans today…or never.
They all went inside two ventibirds and headed to the settlement. The transport was quite noisy and obvious, it was noticeable wherever it passed so they were going to fly over Sanctuary and try to land in the vault field without causing much fuss but that was…difficult to achieve, surely a patrol from the settlement will pay them a visit. Who should he expect? Preston lives in Castle since a long time now.
Exactly as they predict where they landed there was a patrol walking towards them, this time Arthur would talk, present themselves to the locals who obviously wanted an explanation of what the hell were two bentibirds doing so close to their home, and its true, Sanctuary was very very close to the vault, it wasn't a situation to ignore and let pass.
-What are doing brotherhood soldiers so close to our settlement? –a whole army indeed, 6 in power armor, Proctor Ingram and 6 scribes. The patrol of minutemen look…conflictuated…They definitely didn't want to challenge them. Too much power difference.
-Its Robert Maccready around? –spoke Arthur out and loud.
-Yes…he is…-the patrol looks confused at each other face. Well well well knowing a familiar name definitely helps to calm everybody
-Cool, bring him and who ever is in charge too while we start working
-Hold on buddy it doesn't work like that –said one of the settlers offended by his cocky attitude, what the hell with start working if they didn't allow them? At least wait until people agree
-It will, buddy –spit Arthur annoyed- now bring your boss so we can settle things up
They all make sings between them and two from the patrol run down to Sanctuary Hills while the other three stay there to…well put an eye over the brotherhood soldiers who were already downloading their cargo from the ventibirds, what a nerve to stablish without authorization of the people who actually lives there
A few minutes later, Maccready and…a ghoul with a sales-man suit approached them guided by the minutemen patrol mans.
-Good to see you…elder –said Maccready to Maxson.
The brotherhood soldiers couldn't not be more indignated about being in presence of a ghoul like it was nothing.
-Was the company really necessary? –said Ingram low with actual disgust
-Shut up, Im one of the people that knows Nora from before the bombs dropped…15 minutes before the bombs dropped actually –reply the Vaul-Tec sales man annoyed
-So you seen the bombs drop? –she asked surprised.
-As many of us ghouls, but you don't care about that? Many of savage ghouls are sentient and can understand us, but you just shoot them in the face because they cant talk in English –said the salesman with sarcarsm- I was working in this neiberhood when the bombs dropped exactly, this was my zone for the day, I was a vaul-tec sales man.
The brotherhood people stood there in silence hearing his story, a bit fascinating a bit repulsive too, the man that survived the bombs and its still today living and breathing to tell them.
-Are you the person in charge here? –ask a Paladin
-Yes, designated by the general, what are you guys up to?
-We are trying to break into the vault –said Arthur- there's something inside the brotherhood needs –the patrol open up their eyes wide, nobody ever tried in all this years despite the temptation, General Nora made very clear to sneak out their noses from the vault 111 and…well they didn't have pipboys to try it and the entry to the vault didn't exactly help to break inside by hand, wasn't an easy one unlike vault 114 for example
-Remember when I said I know her from exactly 15 minutes before the bombs dropped? 5 minutes early I was trying to get inside the vault, the guards didn't let me pass trough the doors –the ghoul pointed at the fence a few meters from them- I was asking to let me go inside, I was a vaul tec employee just like them, I was selling the wonders of living inside a vault –well considering Noras fate wasn't exactly a good experience- and I could never taste it, im like this because that assholes coworkers of mine didn't let me go trough the gates…since they were on high ground they vanished like dust behind the fences in front of my eyes, and since I was down with the people trapped on the outsides of a new life underground…I survived…and with time and the radiation that lasted in the surface for half year I became a ghoul, unlike Sanctuary Hills residents I keep my mind at least…-silence, everybody, minutemens and brotherhood soldiers were in silence- so yeah, I think the least we can do on this fuckers of vault tec is break in the vaults and take all what we can use to keep surviving
-Are you sure? –ask one of the minutemens- the general is going to be so mad, she never let us use it . He was hearing that phrase a lot lately.
-We are here to pick just one thing –said Arthur- what ever you want to do later its your decision, we are in and out
-Well figure out, anyway its been a pleasure Brotherhood people –the sales man smiled and everybody got chills by how awful his face was- I hope you succeed in to activate the elevator and open the door, as far as I know the reactors are still functioning just fine so you shouldn't have a problem with that –he pointed at two of the minutemen, the mens that guided him here- you two, stay here and report me when the elevator is functioning, I want to see it
-Were are you going? –ask Maccready to the sales man, looking at Arthur confused.
-If the training for which I paid 200 dollars to start working as a commission salesman had something accurate in all that training lessons then it will take them a long time to overcome the security controls, the Vaul Tec codes are primitive and easy to hack but Not exactly the entrance and exit part, they were designed to only be used by the supervisor and frankly I don't know if the general pipboy is that one
Oh shit.
The ghoul disappeared along with 3 minutemens, 2 stay around them watching and Maccready...stay…around Arthur.
-How long since you two lost contact? –ask the elder to the mercenary- you and Nora.
-The last time she was here, year and half
-Weird that you didn't offer to be her companion
-I did once –Robert took a pause- I almost didn't come back, I think in my son and I decided to stay back with him
-Hard to keep a family while being a mercenary
-What a nerve, I can say the same –Arthur lift his shoulders although it wasn't noticeable with the power armor on- why do you want to get inside?
-Why do you think?- hu?
-I honestly don't know
-You sure you don't know?
-Im sure? –ohmygodhedidntknow…
-Then youll see…what she is truly capable to do
-I know she has done some fucked up things, I still own her my life, she saved Dunkan when even I run away to not face his death
-Some things are unforgeable
-Yeah but that doesn't eliminate the good ones, so I choose to balance
-There's heavy weights in that scale
-I know…-he breathed out, taking some time-I know…
It took them two weeks to hack into the elevator panel, of course at day two Arthur had to head back to the Prydwen but the soldiers that need to stay there make an interesting field camp for research…and place turrents and mines all around because there was reports of Deathclaws nearby but he was sure it was a misinterpretarion because the Deathclaw zone was to the other side…anyway. He stated very clear that no one except him would go first inside, he would be the first one getting into the vault despite any kind of danger so when the news of the elevator getting finally hacked arrived to his terminal…he lick his lips and put on his power armor to get on a ventibird and travel to the now open vault 111.
His stomach hurt of exciment while traveling but his mind was surfacing all the worst scenarios, even in the power armor he crosses the metallic fingers to see the view really not wishing anything bad to happen to…Shaun…damn in some other time that name was a curse and now…he loved this kid even just hearing about his mere existence. It was a son of Arthur Maxson after all.
When he arrived into the vault terrain he found Ingram still there working and he recognized he needed her support there and now, so as soon he was out the ventibird he approached her.
-I may need a health specialist coming…-Ingram raise an eyebrow still unsure of what they were doing here but still pick up one of her scribes around- we are going down, just the three of us for now –she nodded, unsure of anything but letting herself carry away by the elder.
The three of them stand on the platform and when the elder give the sign to the scribes the elevator started to go down.
Salesman ghoul was heavely advised that the elder and the brotherhood will go first and then it would be his turn, he will have to wait for now. Brotherhood business first
Arthurs chest was moving up and down in a terrible anxiety, as soon they were down earth illuminated by the big white spotlight he felt the need to run and open the metal gates of the elevator, he had been in vaults before, hes been in this particular vault before, and when he sees the corrido all open…he run thought it like it was a race.
-Elder Maxson! –call him Ingram from far but he couldn't listen more noise than the engines and motors of the place even when her voice eco in all the corridors.
He ran and ran and ran crushing hard on the floor with the power armor feets until he was facing the sliding door were Nora take him 8 years ago to…talk to Nate, she talked to Nate, he wasn't part of that…conversation…He took standing in front of the door…and open it…
And then walked around looking for the faces of all the people who died in the cryo pods, still intact of course all by action of the refrigeration chambers. He didn't know how Nate face was, how he looked like, he didn't take a peek since Nora that day didn't mention it and he didn't want to sneak into her painful business that day but if Preston was right…there it was.
There was a baby in the arms of a men with a hole in the head, blood on the sides and neck.
-Greetings soldier –he saluted Nate remembering he was a military man from before the bombs droped but his eyes quickly look down at the baby, who was apparently crying in the moment he was frozen and that break his heart. Ohmygodnonononono.
Arthur went off the power armor this time without taking out the fusion core like usual, just turning down the red lever at the side of the pod, waiting in horror for it to open. Hands shaking.
His eyes look at Nate, looking at his face and trails carefully, here they were both finally getting to know each other, Nora's two men
-Elder Maxson! –he heard another scream in the corridors, Ingrams voice.
As soon the pod open up he picked the baby quickly cold from Nates dead arms, it was cold cold but not frozen, still pusheable between his fingers, the cryo pod apparently gives enough heat to defrost the humans inside successfully but…he wasn't moving, the baby wasn't moving at all, ohnononononono he panicked and moved him a bit pressing on his tiny chest starting to get desperate…until he started crying, the baby was crying oh gosh he was alive thank god
Arthur hugged him first wanting to cry, smiling in joy so much but then he realized that the baby was cold, so cold, so he put it inside his jacket trying to dry or give im some heat.
-Im over here! –the elder scream out even if the baby cryings were high pitched enough, poor thing was cold like a chicken he could feel his low temperature against the black suit.
Ingram and the scribe arrived to the room, the elder quickly run towards and give the scribe he baby, who quickly hold him to be received with his low temperature, panicking she started to give him a heat warm therapy, Shaun will only cry louder an louder. Arthur wanted to cry too.
-Is this…?- ask Ingram, getting desperate at hearing his cries not sure what to do.
-He is Shaun Maxson –said the elder worried wrapping his tiny hand between his palm that was also cold for holding him- he is my second son –despite being the actual first.
After some minutes they managed to make the baby stop crying, Arthur will get on his power armor back and start walking to the entrance with Ingram and the scribe with the baby on arms until…he felt a strange noise coming down from their feet, looking down he saw…that the scribe kick something with her foot. The elder lift an arm to make them wait and inspected the floor until…he saw something…
There it was…a holotape on the ground…could it be the holotape Preston mentioned? Noras holotape? He picked it up with the power armor metal hands and the…now fourth of them moved to the entrance.
It was strange, Preston mentioned something about the robot Curie…but no one received them…or even wasn't around…truth is they weren't exactly exploring every room, just picking Shaun and going back but…weres the robot that help Nora to give birth if it never came out to the surface again?
-He needs an incubator, if I knew we were going to do this I would bring something to protect him from the radiation when we go out
-We can adapt a mask –said Ingram- a little bit of radiation wouldn't kill him –that commentary make Arthur angry, his baby was precious and needed to be protected all time, the woman noticed this and decided to better shut the hell up about the elders son.
-Ill make the ventibird go faster than ever –said the elder also worried about the radiation.
-What about the vault? Who is in charge? The settlers of this place will want it –the man place a finger on the babys cheek and caress it slowly, he was the only thing that will captivate his attention for the following days.
-I have more important business to attend to right now –Ingram look at him weird but still- would you like to take care of the vault meanwhile Proctor?
-If I do I will preserve it until the elder takes charge again -Yeayeayeahwhatever…Now he had his baby.
He…separated from Arya…this days…wont came back to his quarters and stay with the infant in the nursery all time as Cade and the nurses check Shaun, and, blood, urine, poop, organs, limbs…he needed incubation, that's a fact, Arya may not need it immediately as she resisted a long journey the day she was born but Shaun does from being frozen like that, needed to be feeded and get stronger, poor thing need more care than his sister because their mother give im an inhumane threathment…and as his son was there enclosed in a incubator all he cant think is…that he will never forgive her for this. Abandoning not only one but their two sons, if it wasn't because he owns the world to Nora for giving him both he would send an assassin after her ass for hurting them like this. Controvertial as it was for an elder to purposely kill a Sentinel.
The nurses will come to feed, change and bathe Shaun. Arthur will just observ because even the nurses were careful with how they were working over the baby, taking his temperature each time they take him out off the incubator, removing carefully the intravenous for hydration and feeding purposes, bathing him on a certain water temperature, feeding with formula…again…
The elder wonders if he should be named Shaun II, after all the original Shaun, Noras son was the first one…there was even in his lineage seconds…
After a week and half he left the nursery and go to meet his daughter, she deserves to know about this subject too, it was necessary, and Shaun was getting better and better, hell soon share the bedroom with them too
-Arya –he calls for his child on her side on the room. This girl was amused to have his father absent some periods, she understands how important Arthur was in the Prydwen so she was trained since very little to get used- there's something I need to show you
Both walked towards the nursery and Arthur place his hands on her shoulders when they were standing in front of Shaun incubator, the baby was sleeping with his chest going up and down in front of them.
-Dad? –she asked confused, although she may suspect something, but Arya only was 7 years old.
-I present you your brother Shaun –she stay in silent for a few moments, breathing in HARD.
-With my mother?
-Yes –yes, with sentinel Nora.
-When did this happen? –damn she was suspicious.
-A while ago –the less details he gives the better.
-So he is my brother...my legit blood brother –oh he understands, not a stepbrother, a brother brother- Is my mother around?
-No –he clarifies- she left me Shaun to pick up –that wasn't the case but…
-I see –the girl stares at the baby and breath out- he is so tiny
-He is almost two weeks now
-I haven't see you in almost two weeks…so you were busy with him –she stared in silence for a few moments- is he also a Maxson?
-Yeah…the three of us are Maxsons –Arthur knee down to face her at a side- im very happy with his arrival.
-Why? –she asked- what's so special about him?
-He is one of my kids, and I love him as much as I love you
-Is he going to be inside that box forever?
-No, he may be out In a few days
-Is he sick?
-Not exactly, his breathing is getting better, he just need to get stronger it…took him a long time to arrive here with us…
-Shaun is his name? –Arthur nodded- it's a good name
-Just like yours Arya
A few days later Shaun will be better to not needing an incubator anymore, just baby clothes, blankets and tons of warm hugs from his dad to get used to normal temperatures. It was all over again his first days with Arya and he couldn't be more happy about the nostalgia, now he was less scared, much more prepared, with experience and really wishing for the situation to be like this, he can take care of his baby just fine, he didn't need anyone else, Arya turned out to be a fine lady and Shaun will be the same with his cares. The best thing is now that he officialized that he had another child with the Sentinel the council stop trying to force a marriage proposal but…
There was an elder suspicious of how…this child was conceived…the elder that currently had Nora in his chapter since year and half.
Arthur was in a call with the kid on his arms, playing with his little hands as he walked in circles in the room.
-I must say that a child with the sentinel well…took us surely by surprise –said the old voice at the other side of the call.
-Me too, but it was a good one –a wonderful one.
-The sentinel has been working perfectly this time here…
-I don't doubt so
-In all this months she was alright working with an…amazing health…
-Yeah with Arya I didn't notice her grown until she pressed my palm on her belly at month 3 or 4…she was more skinny back then tho –the two of them hadn't seen so much since…well when they separated but from the glimpses of what he sees…Nora gain a lot of weight with the pregnancy of Arya making her a totally different woman. Still beautiful
-Well I didn't notice anything in all this time either!
-Lets just say that the sentinel and i…have or own ways…-their own unexpected ways to connect trough the past.
-Something I should be concerned since she is under my charge here?
-Not at all, the only thing we all should be concerned is if the little one in my arms is going to vomit his meal or not in about an hour
-I know the sentinel has strange connections…to synths…since a lot of years –the phrase frozen Arthur in place, he stay in silence for a few seconds and reply.
-I assure you this little man was born from the womb of a mother –not exactly a loving mother- flesh is flesh after all and I do recognize my blood
-This…event…didn't seem to interrupt with her mission at all –well that was obviously strange and he understand the man suspicions
-Since this child of ours was a secret between her and me it shouldn't surprise you at all –this was the narrative he hold together all this years, that they were still "together"…but in their own terms
And she never respond negatively to it in fact didn't respond at all neither.
-She neither ask for any help or attention
-Speaking of which –better to change or avoid this subject before it gets deeper, the elder obviously wanted explanations of how both conceived and give birth to a child with perfect adn without even being together or see faces in such a long time- when is Nora available to come back to the commonwealth again? –not like he wanted tho
-The mission she came here to do in the first place ended up a few months ago…like I communicated you on the reports –reports he didn't read because he isn't as interested in her life like he used before, he preferred to just ask to someone and get a quick answer if by any chance a worry about the mother of his daughter crossed his thoughts.
-I never said any of that
-Well no, but I mean that she is totally available to come back to the Prydwen…but doesn't want by her on, she is just staying here doing task for everybody, helping.
-That's just her way
-I think that but then I thought if she wasn't…staying here for someone…apparently not if…both of you reunite at somepoint to…you know…
Gossip, he didn't care.
-Never ask me anything about joining her with some other soldier like its usual protocol
-Because I didn't have any suspects –there it was, gossip- but oh well my theory falls down on its own, she is just saying here if that's the case –and considering the poor treatment his boy received from his mother, he hopes she stays in there for a long time. Away from her.
A week later of that, with the baby on arms, Arthur reunited…the people in the Prydwen that knows Nora the most and were aware of Shaun situation and how he arrived into his arms. Specially Cade and Ingram.
-Thanks for coming by soldiers, when I learn about Shaun existence…I was warned…about some document if I can call it like that about his arrival to this world and how it happened…I would like to share it with you since a lot of things are a mystery upon this days to me so you can share me your thoughts…-the soldiers on a table nodded, Ingram and Cade look at each other but still nodded. Arthur plays an holotape on a terminal for everyone too listen.
There was always in most of the recording the sound of a baby crying out and loud.
"Nate…thank god you are still here…I always come back to you when Im feeling down" the voice of Nora gave everyone chills in the room "I guess death cant break us apart…since im not letting you go but look at this" the crys of the baby everybody assumed it was Shaun sounded more loud on the recording "I always thought in an scenario were we both together we would rock this place looking for Shaun but it doesn't matter anymore…"again the crys sounded louder in the recording "I got him…again…is identical to our baby together…I guess he had even back then more on my side than yours…I promised you ill bring him back" she laughted, crying"I love you forever Nate, I always hoped that if I bring you Shaun back you will…wake up so…we can be a family again…"silence except for the babys cryings, apparently it wasn't happening again"Arthur…"when he heard his name with her voice after almost 8 years…he look back at the terminal, remembering it was a recording he also heard before, tricky"im sorry…someday you will hear this…and im really sorry about what im going to do…but this is between me and Nate for eternity, my only only son will be Shaun…even after everything hes done im his mother…no matter how much times he cames back to me he is my and Nate son" no, this was specifically her and his son, a son of Arthur Maxson"I didn't wish for any of this to happen, I never wanted to hurt you but I recognize you had all the right to be mad at me forever…after all taking a son away is a horrible thing that only monsters do… and im about to follow an apparently old family thing"it took days for Arthur to understand that line but he supposed she mean how the original Shaun was also took away from their parents"this is our child, me and Nate son Shaun after all…and I promised to bring him back...almost 5 years ago when I wake up in the new Commonwealth" then a sound that nobody expected to hear, the alarm of the cryo pod opening up, the sounds, the water coming down, the lever going down, the wind and air pressure of the machinery…everybody expected the worse"Arthur…im sorry" the followings sounds implied to everyone that she…trapped the baby inside the cryo pod and this one closed, in a few seconds the crying stopped at all and everybody could miss the cry they heard for the last 5 minutes "this isn't the life you wanted for any of us and I understand if you…hate me forever…I will be out of your life to not hurt you anymore…I still love you…even with all the stress and disgust I make you go through you are still my fine good looking man"she laughted a bit, but it wasn't funny for him at all "I made a previous recording were I swear I wouldn't use your name anymore but for this I need to say it, luckily you aren't going to ever listen to this tape" it was shitty how she pretended how he and Shaun never meet "Im sorry…for all of this" then silence, a long long silence, every soldier in the room was asking themselves if they should say anything, Arthur was just caressing the back of Shaun not looking at them until…in the recording there was audible pain, cries of effort and pain from Noras voice, panthing until a loud and tearing cry break the recording and everyones ears, same with the sound of the pipboy crashing against the ground, moving and scratching. For what they all can assume Nora was In heavy pain surely holding herself. Then a horrible water sound as she kept screaming.
"Nora!?" the voice of a man in the distance, big and heavy steps running on a corridor until they heard a motion of sounds they can only picture by paying attention. She was struggling in pain and he was agitated from all the commotion "wheres the baby!?"
"Its coming!" Nora mumble crying of pain "the other one is coming!" the audience think that the second one should be Arya…
"Where is he!?" ask the man angered and in total confusion. The sequence of sounds was difficult to keep on and understand what was happening but Arthur could with the explanation Preston gave him a few days ago, he couldn't blame the minutemen general at all, he did his best, he condone this behavior "Nora!" movement, a lot of movement and touch on the pipboy causing static and hit sounds on the recording device until the only thing that can be heard was her cries of pain and the engines of the cryo room, that lasted for long until she spoke
"His name is Shaun" say Nora between cries of pain "Look at him, how can he not!?"
"This is wrong!" scream Preston automatically but still carry and run as faster he could with the woman in arms again from what they can all heard and assume by the noises and context. For Arthur this was like living the moment as an spectator and…he keep caressing his babys back, dissociating, only hearing at the recording and feeling the warm of his baby back on his palm "What did you do!?" loud steps could be heard in a corridor among the sounds of fabric moving, but there was also the sounds of the pipboy being touched and used like when you touch a microphone "What are you doing this is not the time!" not so long of hearing the taps on the pipboy the recording stoped, the terminal stop playing the holotape and everybody in the room went silent for a long long time…
After like 10 minutes of uncomfortable silence Arthur came back to reality, holding better on the baby to secure it and grasp his throat.
-Soldiers, your thoughts? –Damn that was a thing that Nora said
-That was hard to hear…-said Ingram with a dark gaze on her eyes
-I might have to update some health reports on 3 people…did you tell Arya any of this? –the elder denied with the head at Cade question-okay only three then.
-Who was the man in the recording? –ask Kells
-I think it was Preston Garvey –said Ingram and the elder agree- both are minutemen general
-Why did you make us heard this elder? –ask one of the paladins that follow both in so many missions, he was invited to todays meeting because of having such a close relationship to both.
-Im trying to get a better background to my childrens since I cannot follow them since the beginning, specially Shaun –reply the elder- any comment is welcome
-Well…Shaun has less exposure to radiation that's for sure…-said Ingram, Arya travel almost an entire day in the commonwealth in a carvan and Shaun had a thirty minute fly in a ventibird.
-Just when you think you know a person enough –mumble Kells low
-She is not even here- said a paladin.
-Does any of us engage communication with her lately? –ask another of the group of paladins. All people in the room denied.
-I heard some alarming gossip –said Captain Kells, who never liked Nora enough- that she may be suitable for an elder choice
That comment take Arthur out of place -You mean that some elder wants to marry her? –Kells denied with the head.
-No, that based in her accomplishments and triumphs some people is willing to elect and vote her as elder one day-Silence, until Ingram spoke.
-But there's no problems of leadership in the brotherhood right now –that was true, since Arthur was chosen almost 17 years ago everything was peaceful, the chapter he take command was the last one with problems, and he was doing a damn good job keeping things in place to keep it like this so no one would reject their desition of making a 16 year old boy elder, even 8 years ago they fully recognized their leadership fully.
-She isn't as good as a leader tho –said one of the paladins
-What do you mean? She is general of the minutemen –true, she has a lot of experience- runs also a functional vault and operates well in emergencies –like the radstorm that last for more than a month a few years ago
-Yeah but we have seen how disorganized and not trustworthy her people are –also true, selling a valuable asset like a pipboy for only 1000 caps each person in the room after so long being in the position- very different from a military organization and their rules –also also trueeeeeeeeee.
-She may face struggles and need a lot of time to…settle in the position –said Kells.
Arthur sat in a chair, never actually thought in the possibility of…having common kids with another elder, its true, if he win his position more by meritocracy than by his last name what would keep one of the few sentinels in the brotherhood to become elder someday? In the moment he sat Shaun started to move uncomfortable, so he keep moving his arms to keep on peace with the movement hes been having this whole hour calming his baby son.
-We all see and know the history of elders not fitting the position and not adjusting enough on time, and she never was fond of brotherhood customs and rules, also operates alone until the last time I saw her work outside –said Cade
-Captain Kells –call the elder to the man who looked at him- what this does have to do with my children? –Arthur was a bit confused, yeah, this information, this debate, this buckle of possibilities of dealing with Nora as a possible elder…fucked up his mind
Silence.
-She is…the mother of Maxsons childs…sir- not enough reason everyone understand.
-Thank you for…enlighten me with this information…-said Arthur a bit shocked, he can never unplug from this woman apparently- where did you hear it?
-Just rumors between high commanders- it wasn't necessary being a Maxson to be elder, neither exclusive but Nora in some way is an magnificent soldier with many remarkable achievements and…a Maxson too. In the moment he decided to stay linked forever with her he settle up her career as possible elder, even tho she was always extraordinary.
They were linked by something stronger that no lie can hide. The adn chain of their children together. He moved Shaun to sleep on his chest as he was sitting now in a chair and look at his light blue eyes for some moments.
-Do you all think she may be a good replacement of leader for any chapter? –ask a paladin- working with her was hard a lot of times.
-Well the progress and peace in her settlements is pretty visible –said Arthur still looking at the baby half closed eyes- maybe her methods needs to be more brotherhood polished but they work
-They are no educated people –said Ingram to be fair- it takes time and they show up to be stable
-Even when she isn't around since a long time –said one of the paladins- Hardware town was our first work together and we have an amazing relationship with the minutemens and the caravans stopping by
Arthurs hands posed over the babys head caressing it slowly, leaving a little kiss. If by any reason she rises to elder…His children would owe loyalty to the mother who abandoned them. He sighted long letting the air go slowly…taking his time to process the information-I wasn't aware of this
-Its just a gossip anyway, she isn't very present in the brotherhood basis, for what I heard she helps on missions more on in a companion and support role than anything –said Kells to reassure the elder Maxson.
-Theres a thing for sure, I don't think she is going to get married –everyone in the room look bad at the paladin- she is like what? 46 now? probably infertile, the most interesting feature about a prewar woman is her clean genes, if some high command wanted to marry her they would already try for that reason, now it would be difficult to get her pregnant –no matter if it was true or not it was just rude saying that in the same room were the elder was present.
-You say that but she had twins in contraception –say Ingram- she is surely more healthy than any of us here present
-Not exactly at the moment she got pregnant –refuted Cade- but after…yes…she was healthy as far I knew from her last health reports, although I didn't do it myself
-Im sure some high command will try –say Ingram.
-Not that I was informed or aware recently –Arthur interrupted. Obviously no one in this room or in this chapter or the Brotherhood will try to touch Nora after what hes been trought with her- im not worried about that, she is the sentinel, she can choose her own path, just because of that she is a valuable trophy wife for anyone to try…-Of course the rumours of her and Arthur doesn't help to match her with another brotherhood soldier.
-But anyway there should be some kind of apocalyptic event in the brotherhood circles for some elder or high command to look after her hand in union, marrying a hero after all always gives a clean image –said Kells. Nora will surely reject a petition like that no matter who gives it or in exchange or what thing.
-Lets not forget our main conversation here –said Cade- your daughter already knows who her mother is since she is pretty famous in our chapter history specially, your son will surely know at somepoint, my thoughts –the main focus of the reunion- is that you should both talk and agree some…tale to tell, a plan in case your children's meet her and if other elders ask her anything, so both storys doesn't collide and cause chaos. Im sure now Nora is managing well all the questions of other elders but she maybe relays too much on her title and…you should both agree a course of action…elder Maxson…
All the soldiers agree in the table, Arthur took a time still caressing the head of his baby and then look up at the ceiling, exhaling some air off.
-Thank you for your toughts soldiers, I need some time alone, you are all dismissed.
When everyone was out the room, he look down at his baby for a while, they were right, he should think in Arya first, if she was going to be anything like her mother she would be hard to trick in a few years…
So three more years passed until Nora arrived back to the Commonwealth, in company of the same squad she left the last time. They were all alive.