Title: To Share a Birthday

Description: The idea of sharing her birthday with her twin brother was always going to be something Morgan would have to get used to. Unfortunately for her, the first birthday they would have together in this timeline was also the day she'd have to share it with his and her younger selves.

Notes: Takes place 7 months following the events of A Future Disowned

Morgan fiddled with her hands, staring into the flame of the candle placed upon the small end table that had been moved into the hallway just outside her parents' room. It was late, just after midnight on the fifth of May. It wasn't long now, less than an hour until it would be the exact anniversary of her birth,

And also the exact time and date of her birth.

But that's why she seated here outside her parents room, wasn't it? To wait while her and Marc's younger selves were born.

Not a sound came from inside the room, though that did not come as a surprise. Knowing full well when the twins would be born, her father had spent the entire morning weaving a spell to dampen noise from inside to keep the sounds of her mother's labor from disturbing anyone else who might be attempting to sleep.

Not that anyone was asleep right now. Her father and grandparents were inside with her mother, as was Lissa, who was acting as the healer proceeding over the whole ordeal to ensure it went without complication. That alone should have been enough to put all worry to rest, as Morgan could count the healers who were her great aunt's equal on one hand. And all of those were former Shepherds.

Besides herself other members of the family were seated outside the room. Cynthia sat to Morgan's left, constantly fidgeting and moving about her chair with an uneasy, nervous energy. Her aunt's boyfriend, Gerome, soon nearby, he back to the wall and managing to look just a bit nervous desire his expression hidden behind a mask.

Meanwhile Marc sat on the chair across from her, his head down and face lined with worry. Nah sat close by his side, their shoulders nearly touching. The two had been a couple for some time now, despite her inability to test the commitment of their relationship herself thanks to her father's meddling. Still, the two had been practically inseparable as of late, so Morgan did not begrudge it too much. As long as her little brother was happy, she was happy with it too.

Even as Morgan watched Nah slipped a hand down onto Marc's lap, taking one of his hands in her's and giving it a squeeze. At once Marc seems to relax slightly, some of the tension in his shoulders dissipating and his expression relaxing, if ever so slightly

A pang of loneliness tore through Morgan, reverberating like the pealing of a great gong. She looked away, not wanting to be reminded of what she was missing.

I wish he was here.

She closed her eyes, remembering the chilly, winter night she'd last spoken to Inigo. The very night he had left with Owain and Severa on some secret business he hadn't told her about. It had been three months since then and it still hurt, to be left behind, to feel like she'd just been abandoned.

Her expression must have betrayed her distress, as Cynthia looked over to her then, staring for a moment before saying "Worried too, huh? Well I'm sure it will be fine. Aunt Lissa is the best healer in the whole continent and you guys were born fine in your time, right?"

Morgan nodded but otherwise said nothing, opting to pretend that was the only thing eating at her. Sure, she was worried: birthing twins were always hard and were more likely lead to complications. But her mother was the just about strongest woman in the world and she was in good hands.

No, there was something else the impending birth that gnawed at her mind. A small, frankly irrational fear that thinking of her absent boyfriend had brought to the surface.

She couldn't help but worry that with her younger self born, her parents wouldn't want her around anymore.

She knew it was stupid to even consider such a thing. Her mother and father loved her so very much and would never just abandon her or replace her like that. Every bit of logic and feeling told her this was the truth of the matter, that her worry was foundationless. Yet try as she might that though was there, squirming like some parasite at the back of her mind, whispering doubts.

'What if they left you too.'

At that moment there was a soft creek, the door to the bedroom opening. From within came Chrom and Sumia, shutting the door behind them. Both of Morgan's grandparents looking very tired and worried. Morgan stiffened in her chair, as did everyone else, bracing herself for what could very well be bad news. For a moment no one so much as breathed, the hallway dead silent.

"No complications," her grandfather said at last, letting out a long drawn out sigh of relief. "As far as I can tell, which Lissa confirmed, both the little ones are healthy. Your mother is exhausted, but handled the ordeal well."

"She's resting right now, but is still awake if you want to go see her and the newborn's," her grandmother added. At once everyone stood, only to be quickly stopped by Sumia's outstretched hand. "Let's not all crowd her at once, alright. I think Morgan and Marc should go in first, everyone else can wait a bit."

Morgan and her twin remained standing while the others did as they were told, abet with some grumbling on the part of Cynthia about wanting to see her new niece and nephew.

Then, taking a deep breath, Morgan seized hold of the door handle. Slowly and carefully she opened the door, the hinge squeaking despite her efforts. With that she stepped inside, Marc carefully shutting the door behind them.

Inside they found the room dimly lit by candles, the faint smell of incense filling the air. Off to one side of the room Lissa could be seen, tidying up blood stained sheets and cloth. She nodded to the two as they entered, pausing in work just long enough to raise a finger to her lips in signal for them to remain quite.

In the bed lay their mother. She had fresh, clean covers draped over all but her shoulders, head, and arms. She had net hands folded on her lap, her back propped up my many pillows. Her expression stood out the most, for it was perhaps the most exhausted Morgan had ever remembered seeing her. Even after hours of battle she had never seemed so spent. Her hair was tangled and seemed to still be sticky with sweat. Her eyelids to were half lidded and distant.

In a chair pulled up close to the bed sat their father. His clothes and hair were in disarray, and looked just as tired as their mother. Yet he was smiling, which reached even to his weary eyes. In his arms were cradled two bundles of blankets, which he rocked gently.

At once their parents' eyes fell on them, their smiles broadening as even their utterly exhausted mother pirked up a bit.

"Happy birthday, you two," their mother murmured, sounding more than a bit drowsy.

"Which, in this case, is also entirely literal," their father added, white teeth showing as he flashed them a grin. "Do you want to them? You? Them-you? Ah, you get what I am trying to say."

"Only if it's allright," Marc said, posing Morgan's own question before she could herself.

"Of course, just try not to make too much noise, they just fell asleep."

Nodding, Morgan inched closer, trying her best to move without making undue sound. Reaching the foot of the chair she looked down at the infants held in her father's arms.

Both were fast a sleep, their faces scrunched up and more than a bit red. Morgan guessed that was normal, otherwise her parents would be worried. Both has short, fuzzy blue hair on their heads, which clashed with their pink skin. They were both wrapped azure blankets, only their arms and heads sticking out from the bundles.

"Who's who?" Morgan asked, looking between the two infants. Try as she might she couldn't tell the two apart. Granted she and Marc looked quite similar at times, even years later, but she'd figured that she would have at least been able to pick herself out from the newborn twins. Baby form notwithstanding.

"The one on your right is Morgan. Marc is on your left," her father answered, doing his best to indicate them each in turn with his chin.

Kneeling down, Morgan states into the sleeping face of her younger self. She looked so small and tiny. And adorable, which was saying alot considering that she already was adorable as heck. Throw in the baby factor and you have weaponized cute right there.

The infant squirmed a bit in her sleep, lifting a hand to grasp one of Morgan's fingers. Morgan grinned: little her had a really strong grip too. It was then that she noticed something on the back of the baby's hand. Gazing closer it was unmistakeable: the brand of the exalt was there clear for all to see.

It was relatively rare for those of the exalted bloodline to manifest their mark at birth: her mothering being the first in recent memory. She wondered if Marc's newborn self had his brand already. She'd have to check his right eyes when he was awake next.

She glanced over to Marc, who had likewise stooped down to see his infant counterpart. It took a moment before Morgan realized he had tears in his eyes and he was smiling. Of course, unlike herself he remembered their future and what had happened. This moment meant far more to him then her: seeing his younger self and knowing this version if him would have the life free of Grima's shadow.

"So," her mother said, speaking up suddenly. Morgan turned to look her way. "While we may not have the chance to celebrate your birthdays properly, that does not mean we forgot about you."

"It's okay, Mother, I know you haven't," Morgan answered. To her surprise she said it would feeling even a twinge of doubt that her words somehow untrue. She believed it, fully and completely.

"Happy birthday, little me," she whispered to the baby, a smile on her lips as she spoke. "And welcome to the best family in the whole, wide world."

Author's Note: Well, it was a bit of a close call, but I managed to get this one out in time for Morgan's birthday. I figured I would show the younger versions being born would also be important given that my upcoming storyline will take place about a month after this happens.

Also, what is this? A direct reference to Fire Emblem Fates? Surely this is just a Easter egg and not setup for things to come. That would be rather silly, who told you that?

Er, um... Well, anyways, we have about one chapter left before we dive into the new plotline I have planned, so be on the lookout for that. Until next time, please take the time to review and let me know what you think, it really means a lot. Peace!