Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

The air was musty and dust-filled, only made worse by the boards Vi kicked away. She coughed a little before huffing some air out to get the cloud to blow away from her face. This place was still in shambles years after the war ended, but then who’s fault was that?

Vi looked around the bar. Most of the glassware and old bottles of alcohol had shattered and scattered all over the floor, crunching beneath her feet. There was only one table still upright in the main room, as the rest were all toppled over or broken from the last fights that happened here. Shreds of chairs and furniture and God only knew what else littered the room. The Last Drop was undoubtedly past its glory days, not that it didn’t have the opportunity to be something more.

It was only a few weeks after the war ended that Vi scraped together all her money to ensure the deed was in her name with no intention of making improvements or turning it into anything of her own. She bought it even in this state of decay and neglect. Caitlyn even gave her the last bit of money to make the whole deal possible. If there had been any doubt about how she factored into Cait’s life before then, it all dropped to the wayside after that gesture. 

Caitlyn had never been particularly fond of Vi’s previous life, but seeing that she was willing to put her own money on the line to help her preserve this piece of it meant more than she could ever repay in kind. It was a piece of trust rebuilt and a sign of how much Cait cared. Hell, she offered to pay for the whole thing, but Vi didn’t want to take advantage like that. This was her past and her memories, and ideally, she would have taken it over on her own, but Cait had simply been the last piece to make it possible, which meant everything to her.

In the years that followed, more peace passed between Zaun and Piltover than she’d ever seen in her life thanks to shared voices taking equal part on the Council. It was something she heard pieces of here and there often as Caitlyn had recently been elected to a position on said Council months ago. Progress recovering from everything was taking its time, but outside of these walls, the Lanes were already unrecognizable from the place she grew up.

Plenty of land developers had approached her with deals to buy the plot and demolish the bar. They had visions of building this place up into something grand, but she rejected them all, keeping it as it was. She never bought the property for the investment, not that she ever knew it could be one, being the dump it was now. In the last year, as Zaun was built up around it, the Last Drop had even been deemed hazardous, slated to be demolished, and this is where Vi’s rarely seen lack of ethics popped up, using her place in the Enforcers to keep getting that date pushed further back. Cait even helped her out the last time, but she knew it couldn’t go on forever. It was finally time to address this mess.

She let out a sigh, dropping her gauntlets, and immediately she knew that was a mistake as an even larger dust cloud wafted out. Closing her eyes, she coughed, walking past it, and there she was, met with that dark stairwell she walked throughout her childhood. When she looked down, Powder stood there as a little girl, meeting her with her bright, curious gaze. Vi clamped her eyes shut as a breath caught in her chest, and when she opened them again, it was just that dark and empty stairwell again.

Every fiber of her being was telling her to run. This was exactly why she didn’t want to be here. It was too hard to confront what happened with Powder. She lost so much time with her sister, only to get her back right at the very end. How many things she still wanted to fix with her? How many things she still wanted to say? Even now, after years, sometimes she played out the conversations in her head, desperately trying to fix the past. What a beautiful tragedy it was to have gotten her back, only to have had her for such a short time.

Vi wasn’t lacking for courage in anything but this. She took a breath, mustering what she could, finally descending the stairs. Maybe those safety inspectors had a point because, with every step taken, there was a rattling in the supports, making dust fall from the ceiling. That wasn’t the part that concerned her in any of this, though, so she continued down, making her way to the room she and Powder shared as girls.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, this area was nowhere near as damaged as the bar upstairs, but it was still just as musty. Looking around, she realized just how little they had growing up. Her life in Piltover now was quite different in contrast, making it feel that much more stark, but it had never mattered. They always had enough in each other and Vander, but right this second, it made her sad to think there wasn’t much of anything to confront other than these barren, dirty walls.

She searched around the room, not wanting to leave any corner untouched, but it wasn’t until she finally looked under their bunk that she caught a glimpse of something glinting in the dim light. Vi reached for it desperately until she finally gave up and moved the bed to the side.

Vi staggered with a breath caught in her chest when she finally saw it. Powder’s old stuffed rabbit, dirty like the rest of this place and worse for wear, but that image of Powder as a girl was back. Even though Vi had her own bed, she was in Powder’s anyway, holding her in her arms as she slept with this rabbit between them. It was so easy to remember the warmth and the tiny, shallow breaths. What she wouldn’t give to hold her sister in her arms again.

She didn’t know how much time passed staring at it, but eventually she reached down and took it in her hands, slumping down on the bed afterward. The glint in the button eyes stared back up at her as she wiped the dust off its face. That’s when she heard the mild and unmistakable footsteps coming down the stairs, characteristically Caitlyn’s.

By the time Vi looked up from the rabbit, Caitlyn was already standing there in her professional suit, which would undoubtedly get dirty down here if it somehow wasn’t already. Vi was expecting a scolding look for not having given word of where she went, but she was only met with sympathy.

“How’d you find me?” she asked with a weak smile, trying to play it all cool.

Caitlyn leaned against the wall, clearly not caring for the dirt. “Have I ever told you that you talk in your sleep?”

Vi sat up, her back straight and rigid, curious now. “No.”

Caitlyn nodded, letting out a sigh. “It’s usually rare, but you’ve been speaking more and more about Powder as the demolition date has been approaching. When you weren’t home after your shift, I had a feeling I’d find you here.”

Vi looked down at the rabbit again. “Sorry. I would have told you, but I wasn’t exactly planning this. I had a case nearby and figured it was time.”

Cait was slow in her walk over to the bed, sitting carefully beside her. Her hand was soft on her back, looking at her with nothing but a soft warmth. “It’s okay. I know what it took for you to come here.” She looked down at the rabbit in Vi’s hands. “Are you okay?”

“Not really.” Vi stared into those glinting button eyes for probably longer than what was warranted. If it still hurt this much after two years, she wasn’t sure if she ever would be, but then Cait understood that, too. They both wore their losses between the good moments. Vi saw it in the way Cait would stare at things throughout the house, gripped by long-held memories of Cassandra, and sometimes she thought it was a blessing she didn’t have those reminders around her everywhere to see. After the war, she’d offered plenty of times for them to find a new place of their own, but it was Caitlyn who had rejected. Vi could barely stand to see the sadness of it at times, but at a certain point, she had to give in to the fact that Cait might find something out of it she didn’t understand.

Caitlyn leaned against her. “Was this Powder’s?”

Vi’s thumb rubbed against the rabbit’s cheek, smudging the dirt into it further. “Yeah.”

“I hope you’ll take it with you.”

She imagined herself being gripped by the memories of this rabbit, like how Caitlyn got in their home, and part of her wanted to leave it here to be destroyed. Maybe then she’d have to move on and finally put all of this behind her. But then she thought of Caitlyn’s insistence on staying and how she wouldn’t change a thing. Maybe she didn’t understand it now, but what if she would, eventually? The last thing she wanted was to regret something she could never get back.

“I will.”

Soft lips were on her cheek, followed by Cait’s forehead resting against hers gently, and here in her safe hold, Vi could feel the dam being chipped away at, ready to burst, and maybe it was time for that, too. Maybe that was how she could get past this.

“I still see her, you know. As a little girl. I see all the mistakes I made. Every turn that went wrong. All the heartache I had the power to prevent if only things had gone a little differently.”

“You were a little girl yourself, Violet.”

There was a rational part of herself somewhere deep down that knew Cait was right. She often told her to be kinder to herself, but that was so hard to do when all she did was relive how everything could have been different.

“I failed her,“ Vi said, barely a whisper for fear her voice might break if she put more effort into it. “What does it mean that the moment I finally gave up is when she finally started to heal?”

Cait sat up, looking at her more directly, still gentle and caring. “It means you were both broken people, Violet. Bad things happened to both of you and most of it was out of your control. You can’t hold yourself responsible for all of it.”

At Vi’s silence, Cait continued. “I don’t think it was about you giving up. Jinx needed space and time to come to terms with herself. She needed to find that within herself. The timing was coincidental, or maybe she needed to be on her own to learn who she truly was inside, but it wasn’t for your lack of caring or pursuit. It’s just something she needed for herself.”

Again, deep down, she knew Cait was right. Maybe here, in this torment, was when she should finally start to accept it. She nodded weakly. “I miss it, you know. Powder, but also Vander. My mom. Family.“ She quickly turned to Cait, wanting to correct herself. “Not that I don’t see you that way.”

“It’s okay, Violet. I understand what you meant. You’re my family, too, but we both had families before us. There was history there. Love. We have that, too, of course, and I hope you know I wouldn’t exchange that for anything.”

“Me neither,“ Vi said, still in her quiet and weak voice, on the verge of trembling.

“But there was still something just a little different about what you meant, and I get that too. Something bigger than ourselves.”

Vi nodded, because that’s exactly what she meant. She stared down at the rabbit again, barely even noticing the long stretch of silence between them afterward, not entirely at her own behest. With that realization, she finally turned to Caitlyn, who was now searching for something in her mind.

“Perhaps now’s not the time to discuss this,“ Cait said carefully. “But there are other ways of having that family.”

Vi was struck with the insinuation. Neither of them had even come close to broaching such a subject. She wasn’t sure if Cait was the type to even want something like that. Their lives were so busy. Between work and finding their purpose after war and learning how to live again after everything, it wasn’t something she ever had the time to even consider.

“Is that something you want?“ Vi finally asked, feeling a little lighter with this abrupt change in direction.

Cait shrugged, looking more vulnerable than she’d seen in a while. “It’s been on my mind a bit, I suppose. I was at the fountain the other day, and I had this memory of when I was small. I was trying to reach over the ledge to play in the water, but I was too short. There was a distinct look in my mother’s eyes like she was about to protest, and I was ready for a scolding, but she surprised me, sitting at the edge, holding me up. She even splashed me a little in the face.”

Cait turned toward her with a weak smile as she recounted it. “I’m never going to get my mother back, but… that doesn’t mean I have to miss that kind of relationship forever.”

“You want to have a baby.“ There was a time she wasn’t sure she’d ever utter those words, but now it wasn’t even a question.

Cait turned away again, the subject clearly too raw and new. “I think I do. It doesn’t have to be now, but I suppose the way you were speaking made me wonder if you might want that, too. Someday.”

Vi stared at Cait, who was finally turning back to her. Maybe the things she had been feeling with all of this were something like Cait described, too. She missed that relationship with Vander, having that role model to look up to. She missed being that to Powder. But while Cait was hoping to recreate that bond, Vi could only think about how she wanted to correct her wrongs, and part of her feared she’d always be living up to that with a new child who didn’t deserve the generational trauma.

“Can I think about it?”

“Of course,“ Cait said, her brow ever so slightly furrowed to emphasize how serious she was. “This is a topic that deserves a lot of thought. Especially some thought unclouded by all of this.” She gestured out to the room and the stairs and the bar beyond to articulate what she meant: without the burden of the past lingering so heavily on her.

Vi smiled, and the wisdom Cait had picked up through the years and the support she provided so unconditionally now made her believe someday she would be okay with the thought of a child.

“Besides, I think I’d prefer it if you made an honest woman out of me before we confronted that,“ Cait said, more joking and prodding than anything else, and Vi appreciated the mood shift even more.

“What about me?”

Cait leaned in, waiting with her lips near Vi’s. “We can make honest women out of each other, then.”

Cait closed the distance, brushing their lips together, and for the first time since entering this God-forsaken building, Vi felt safe and emboldened enough to confront the memories. And just maybe, confront the idea of making new ones.

Chapter Text

Months went by with little talk of future children, but Cait had shifted Vi’s focus to something much more achievable in the short term. They spoke about marriage more and more to the point that one day, somewhere along the way, it had just become a given. Instead of talking about if, it became when and how, with nothing of an official proposal to go along with it. Eventually, they settled on a small court ceremony.

There had been some push from Cait’s fellow council members for it to be some grand ceremony - something to politicize, each of them coming from two different worlds. To them, there was nothing more romantic in this volatile post-war climate than the high-end dignitary and the underdog that came from nothing finding love. Meanwhile, nothing could have sounded worse to either of them. Their marriage wasn’t some political stunt. It was about them, and so they kept it that way despite the push for it to be something more.

A modest wedding didn’t suit them, either. Ever since the war ended, Vi and Cait had become somewhat reclusive, leaving them with little friends to share this moment with. It wasn’t on purpose, but after losing nearly everyone from their pasts, they clung to one another instead. In the end, neither cared for the fanfare of a wedding and simply wanted the commitment to share.

So a courtroom wedding it was, with Caitlyn’s father at her side, thankfully having slowly developed an approval of Vi over the years of getting to know her better. As his gift and his blessing, he left them the family home, moving somewhere smaller to be on his own. Despite their initial protest, he patted Cait’s hand with a timid smile, telling her it was always meant to be hers someday, and what better day than her wedding?

Aside from the bittersweet goodbye with Caitlyn’s father, the months leading up to their wedding and the months that followed had been some of the best of Vi’s life. For the first time since she was born, she discovered the meaning of a vacation without a care in the world beyond lazing around and worshipping her wife for the entirety of their honeymoon. Even as they returned to work, life felt so much lighter for having something so joyful to focus on when they went back home at the end of the day. She had a wife.

But then there were times she wondered what Powder would think of that. Jinx would have hated it. She would have blamed Cait for ripping them apart and poisoning her mind, but she had to keep telling herself Jinx died long before Powder ever did. Powder was the one who told her she deserved to be happy with Cait. Those were some of the closest things she would ever get to parting words from her sister, and eventually, she should start taking that to heart instead of focusing on all the pain.

It wasn’t until she was rummaging around in their storage room for one of Caitlyn’s old uniforms for an upcoming honoring ceremony that the thought of children sprang into her mind with a vengeance.

That dirty stuffed rabbit of Powder’s was sitting on an old dresser, right where she left it that day a year prior. She hadn’t addressed it on demolition day or her wedding day or any day since. Finding it impossible to muster the strength, it laid here, forgotten instead. It was no mistake this rabbit lived in this room, knowing hardly anyone ever came in here for its purposeful lack of use. But in her haste today, she’d forgotten all about it, hitting her like a ton of bricks now that it was staring her in the face.

Mom said it would be time soon. She was about to be a big sister. She heard Vander say something about nesting as she helped prepare the other side of Vi’s room for the baby, and Vi was offended for her mother’s honor, thinking he was calling her a bird. Vi punched him in the leg, and it wasn’t until her mom laughed quietly in her ear and said Vander meant it in a cute way that she calmed.

Vander picked her up so her mom could finish working as music filled the room. She danced along as she went, saying it might help the baby come sooner. Vi remembered what few clothes they had for the baby being put away with soft blankets, but it was this bunny that really caught her eye, being placed on the dresser in wait. She had something like it, too, handmade by the lady down the Lanes, but hers was a cat that got lost along the way somehow when they eventually moved to Vander’s.

But that bunny was what made it feel real. If she had a cat, then that bunny belonged to someone, too. She was really going to be a big sister soon.

Somewhere around a week later, Mom brought home a screaming baby. She looked tired from the dark circles under her eyes, but all she could do was smile. The baby calmed once they sat peacefully inside, held close to their mother’s chest, sharing warmth and comfort. Mom called her over to meet her sister, but instead, Vi ran to the room that suddenly wasn’t only her room anymore and grabbed the rabbit off the dresser before running back.

The smile on her mom’s face told her she did something right, bringing a gift. She cuddled up next to them, looking down at the baby. Her hair was bright blue, the exact opposite of hers so pink, but just as vibrant. The baby was already asleep again after all that screaming tired her out, but Vi wanted her to have the bunny anyway, so she gently rested it on top of the swaddling as her mom looked at her with pride.

“I think she’ll love it when she wakes up.”

Vi couldn’t hold back her warm smile at the thought.

“This is your sister, Violet. This is Powder.”

Vi smudged more dirt into the bunny’s face, running her thumb across it.

Powder hadn’t loved it when she woke up, of course. It took months and months, not until she was sitting up and able to pay more attention to things, that Powder finally noticed it and grew an attachment over time, but the sentimentality of it was there for the rest of them.

Sadness overwhelmed her, but she couldn’t help but smile down at it. Maybe she was starting to understand all those moments and memories that gripped Caitlyn throughout the house a little more. Just because it was painful didn’t mean it wasn’t also beautiful. Maybe it was a good thing to remember sometimes.

She was so enraptured by it that she didn’t even hear the footsteps encroaching this time. It wasn’t until Caitlyn’s hand was on her shoulder she realized her wife’s presence, looking down at the rabbit, probably reminiscent of the first time she saw it.

“Violet,” she said quietly, looking both at the stuffed rabbit and her old uniform, taking the latter out of Vi’s hand. “I could have dealt with this.” There was no bite in her words, only concern.

“I know,” Vi said weakly, finally facing her. “But you’ve been working so hard lately. I wanted to take one thing off your plate if I could.”

“It was thoughtful. You always are.” Caitlyn was watching her softly. “I merely wanted to avoid this,” she said, pointing at the rabbit.

Vi licked her lips, suddenly noticeably dry. “It’s okay.”

“Is it? Because you don’t look it.”

Vi met her gaze sincerely. “I didn’t say it didn’t hurt, but I guess I’m starting to see the appeal you have for staying here. Some of the memories are good.” In a way, this one hurt even more than the others, but it was a hurt that felt worthwhile.

Cait smiled at her painfully, her hand back on her shoulder, pulling her in close. Cait’s lips were on her cheek, silky smooth and lingering there for support because Cait knew the feeling well by now. “I’m glad you finally found that.”

“Me too.”

Caitlyn looked down at the rabbit again, and Vi felt gentle circles being rubbed into her back.

“Maybe we should get this dry-cleaned with your uniform.”

“Whatever you’d like.”

She would like that… having it resemble something closer to how it looked in her memory.

“We stopped talking about having a baby,” Vi said, and it almost surprised her how abruptly it came out, but then… her memory had made her think more about that now, too. She could so clearly see the elation on her mother’s face looking down at Powder, still swaddled and brand new, and there was a part of her that had to admit she wanted that, too.

Come to think of it, she was realizing the wanting part had never been the concern in this. She loved having a family and could see building one of her own, but it was all her failures that shattered the illusion of it ever feeling possible. Having Caitlyn so patiently at her side provided a sense of stability she never had and it was restoring her faith, little by little, to the point she felt it blooming in her chest.

“You didn’t seem ready the last few times it came up and this isn’t something to rush. The last thing I wanted was for it to feel like I was pushing the matter.”

Vi nodded absently because she wasn’t wrong about not being ready before. This was a conclusion she had to come to on her own, and while this was only one revelation, it was a big one. The desire had always been there; it was simply the confidence that was lacking. That part may take some work, but it wasn’t anything that would happen by just sitting around and waiting. It would happen by confronting it.

“I think I’m ready,” Vi said, turning to her.

“Ready to talk about it?”

“No, I mean ready to start trying.” Vi grabbed Caitlyn’s hand in hers affectionately. “Unless I’m jumping the gun now.”

“You’re not.” Cait smiled at her, full of hope. “But are you sure? You’re not just rushing into this, are you?”

“I mean, we can talk about it more first, but I don’t think so. I want a family with you. Need some mini cupcakes running around,” she said mirthfully, pulling Cait into a hug, faces close. The look on Caitlyn’s face was so bright and full of life, she was pretty sure she already knew the answer.

“Then let’s have a baby.”

Chapter Text

The months that followed their life-altering decision had been a whirlwind and a rollercoaster. Their downtime had turned into discussions in abundance.

Were they really ready? What method would they pursue? If they went the biological route, who would carry? It turned out to be so much more complicated than Vi had ever bargained for, but then, that was the nature of something so serious, wasn’t it? Bringing another person into the world deserved the gravity they were putting towards it, and that alone answered their first question. The fervor with which they discussed it and the happiness the idea provided told them they were ready, if nothing else.

As for the rest, well -

One lazy morning, naked and cuddled close, Vi’s hand trailed down to Caitlyn’s abdomen, looking at it in wonder and possibility.

“You act as though we’ve decided on it being me,” Caitlyn said with a mirthful smile, knowing precisely what Vi was doing.

“It’s safer,” she protested, as though the answer was obvious.

“Because I’m on the Council? Need I remind you that people in my position are often seen as high-risk targets?”

Caitlyn knew that fact all too well, and by extension, so did Vi. When Cassandra was targeted for being on the council by Vi’s own sister, it was all too hard to forget, and Vi wouldn’t deny it, either. It was impossible to appeal to the entirety of the public. There would always be some amount of pushback or hate or even threats against the council, but in current times, they were seen with the highest approval rating in history with their newfound pursuit of peace. There had never been a safer time for this than now. Meanwhile…

“I was literally in a fistfight yesterday,” Vi retorted.

She had the bruise blooming over her ribcage to prove it, and Cait’s hand traced it delicately as proof. All thanks to a bank robbery. As bad as her bruise was, Cait should really see what was left of the other guy because it wasn’t much, and the Bank of Piltover was grateful for it.

“Maybe you wouldn’t have been in one if you accepted that sheriff's position in District 12. You would be a lot safer if you accepted, you know.”

That was a sensitive subject. Everyone kept saying she was qualified for the role. More than qualified, even. She figured she was offered it for a reason, but just because other people could see it didn’t mean she could. Leading people was how they inevitably got hurt. That was a lesson Vi learned early, ever since that mission with Mylo and Claggor. Starting off on such a devastating note felt like a bad omen, and one she was intent on not repeating. Ever since, she had no desire for that kind of power. She wasn’t like Caitlyn with her storied history of training through her childhood for this. Vi's training was to fight. That’s what she did, and she was content as an Enforcer.

But then, she thought about it in this new context because, once again, Caitlyn’s words held more truth than she cared to acknowledge. The sheriff’s position was a lot safer. Her own lack of pursuing it had, maybe unfairly, put the burden on Caitlyn to be the one to carry their child. It took away the discussion of it before it was even had, and she knew it made this unbalanced.

“Do you really want me to carry?” Vi asked carefully, knowing it wouldn’t be as easy a journey depending on Cait’s answer.

“Not necessarily,” Cait said as the back of her fingers trailed lightly over the tattoo on Vi’s cheek. Vi loved it when she did that. “The more I’ve thought about it, the more I’ve grown comfortable with the idea of it being me, but it’s not just about who carries. It’s about both of us being here for the long haul.”

Vi let out a quiet sigh. She rarely questioned her own mortality, but if they would be bringing a child into this equation, maybe she should question it more, and once again, Caitlyn had a point. Vi's hand trailed up and down Cait’s arm lightly. “Yeah,” she said reluctantly.

“There’s no rush for this either, you know. I’m aware of how much you excel in the position you’re in. I know it’s hard for you to give up.”

“But you’re not wrong, either. I’ll think about it, okay?”

Cait nodded ever so lightly, propping herself up a little, and her midnight blue hair draped over the both of them. “Okay. But in the meantime…” she trailed off, and her cheeks were the slightest shade of pink before kissing Vi’s collarbone lightly. “I’ll volunteer. This time,” she said.

Vi had a wide smile as she flipped them over. “This time?” she laughed, kissing Cait’s neck more passionately than how Cait started down this road. “What? You planning a whole brood now, Cupcake?”

“Maybe. After you take that job as sheriff.”

Vi shook her head, pinning her wife to the mattress and kissing her silly. She only turned more serious the moment Cait’s breath finally hitched the way she loved.

Vi smiled at the memory. Thankfully, the how of it all hadn’t endured the same scrutiny and indecision. They went through all the options and easily landed on wanting a baby of their own, not settling anything less than a child that was a product of them both, leaving them with one option. They would convert Vi’s genetic material to be used for insemination. Sometimes, Vi begrudged this wealth of theirs, knowing she did nothing to deserve it - another point Caitlyn would debate her on because Vi was a Kiramman now, too, but that wasn’t the point. Yet, in times like this, she was grateful for it anyway. It was an expensive process not available to many, but thanks to the Kiramman’s old money, their baby would be a piece of them both.

Vi had been a mess through her part of it, needing to go through the treatments for egg retrieval to convert them in preparation for Caitlyn’s said insemination. Through all the injections, she’d become more moody than she ever thought possible. Tears came too easily for her, and everyone down at the precinct kept wondering if Caitlyn had picked up some terminal disease. It wasn’t until she started crying at a flower blooming that they instead wondered what drugs she was on, and at least that one was closer to the reality of the situation. The bruises on her abdomen from all the shots didn’t make it easier anytime she sustained a punch to the gut, but in that way, maybe the hormones helped her a little, working out her fury on poor, unsuspecting culprits who picked their fights with the wrong person. Perhaps worst of all was the water weight gain, making her look a little pregnant through her hard-cut abs. It messed with her head, wondering if she’d let Caitlyn volunteer too readily.

Technically, they both could have done this part, making embryos for implantation from the get-go, but Caitlyn already had the more challenging part in this, and insemination would be easier by multitudes as long as it worked. Not to mention more fun, since, while technically against medical advice, they could do that part themselves. With enough money, anything was on the table, so that was the method they took. Vi worshipped Caitlyn, making her feel every ounce of pleasure possible before inseminating her, and it was so much nicer to go through that process rather than the clinical alternative.

While that part was indeed fun, it also gave them space to embrace the sadness together with every month lacking success instead of their doctor being down their throats. This would be just like the biological way, they were told. It was best to give it a year before trying more invasive methods unless they just wanted to skip to that part anyway - again, the benefits money could bring them.

With Vi’s first egg retrieval, they had enough of her genetic material to try for three months instead of the full year advised, and at that point, they told themselves they would try the harder way. The first two months led to disappointment, and the third was about to be determined.

Since they were so adamantly trying and time was of the essence, wondering if they might need to start the egg retrieval process all over again, Cait didn’t wait for her period to be late to test each month, and now they were waiting for said test to finish.

Vi was chewing on the nail of her thumb nervously, watching Cait instead of the test. Somewhere along the months, Cait had exchanged that same nervous habit for staring at the test, almost with anger, Vi wanted to say. It was like she could intimidate it into being positive through her glare alone. Meanwhile, Vi traded her hopefulness for nerves, trying to embrace the fact she might have to start down that road of hormones all over again. She would do it, of course, but to say she didn’t want to was an understatement.

Out of her peripheral vision, Vi could see the test flash with results, but she still couldn’t bring herself to look. Instead, her eyes were keenly on her wife, preparing to be those same supportive arms she’d been for months now already. When Cait didn’t move in response, Vi had to force herself to step up to the test and look.

A very determined Pregnant was displayed on the screen, and Vi turned to Cait in shock, who still hadn’t moved a single inch. That intimidating glare had ever so slightly dissolved into something resembling disbelief.

“I’m not delusional, am I?” Cait’s voice came out all frail.

Vi laughed, and she already knew it wasn’t the time for it, but “Maybe we both are, but you’re also pregnant.“

“I am?“ she asked, and tears were already coming out through a wobbly, questioning voice. That part wasn’t entirely unusual when they did this, but the whole tone around it was different this time. This time, it was hopeful and scared for so many other reasons, but not being pregnant wasn’t one of them anymore.

“You are,“ Vi said, finally holding Cait safely in her arms like she had been preparing to do moments prior. A distinct wetness formed on her shoulder from Caitlyn’s tears as her shirt muffled the sniffles that accompanied them. Vi just held her close, unable to hold back this elated feeling growing within. “We’re going to be parents. You think you’re ready for this, Cupcake?”

A wet laugh escaped her. “With you, I think I’m ready for anything.”

Chapter Text

The way they dated pregnancies still confused the hell out of Vi, but here they were a month later, and somehow Cait was already two months in. For the most part, she’d handled it beyond well, even as the symptoms promptly took hold of her. Between the unfamiliar aches and pains, lethargy, and lingering nausea, her life went on as though nothing had changed, which was probably for the best. There was no such thing as a sick day on the council, which was a challenge they would have to face eventually.

Perhaps sooner than later, as Cait was busy emptying the contents of her stomach into their gold-plated toilet. This is what she meant by Cait mostly handling it well, of course. This was the first time that lingering nausea had turned into something more than just nausea and actually fulfilled its namesake. The term morning sickness had felt like something of a cruel joke when they quickly discovered the ‘sickness’ they were referring to could stick around all day, but right now, Caitlyn was overwhelmed by it almost first thing in the morning just as she was trying to run out the door to work. As soon as the front door opened, it slammed just as quickly as Caitlyn whizzed past Vi, who was still in the kitchen trying to get ready for her shift.

Vi ran after her, and Cait barely managed to fling her blazer off in time before making her way to the toilet. Vi grabbed the blazer, still in mid-air, and hung it on the doorknob to prevent it from wrinkling so Cait wouldn’t need to find an entirely new outfit after this whole thing passed. Because, let’s face it, they both knew Cait wouldn’t let this stop her from going to work the moment she was done.

In the meantime, Vi pulled back Cait’s long, silky hair, rubbing her back as she continued heaving. For all the holding in she’d done all morning, it was only coming out more aggressively now.

When Vi could feel the heaves begin to ease, she knew it was safe to let go of Cait’s hair and grab her a cup of water. Cait’s head was still hanging precariously above the toilet when Vi crouched down, handing it to her. Cait took it without hesitation, swishing it around her mouth before she spit into the toilet, eager to do whatever was in her power to preserve her pristinely white teeth.

When Cait was done, her chest was still expanding and contracting wildly, trying to recapture her breath from it all, and Vi stayed there waiting until it calmed.

“Think you’re ready to get up?”

Cait attempted to do so but quickly sat back down, still in front of the toilet, but not to throw up, or at least not yet. Instead, she closed the lid, resting her arms and head on top of it, clearly exhausted.

“Not yet.”

Vi followed her lead, getting comfortable and leaning against the bathtub. “Feel like it might happen again?”

“Perhaps.”

Vi looked at her with sympathy and admiration. This was just one of the many sacrifices Cait took on to make this dream of theirs a reality, but in its singularity, it was no small thing at all. No one liked to vomit at the best of times, and it was all that much worse when the nausea didn’t leave day after day, only piled on with every other symptom encompassing her. If nothing else, Vi simply hoped that finally getting it out of her system would help her feel better for the rest of the day, but then again, she had no idea if that’s even how this worked.

There was an absence in Caitlyn’s eyes, clearly trying to recouperate after such an ordeal, but all Vi could see was her creamy white skin contrasted by that beautifully dark hair, all styled to perfection. The love of her life. Her wife. Her past, present and future.

“How do you do that?” Vi whispered, and life came back to Caitlyn’s eyes.

“What? Make it to the toilet?” Cait joked with a smile, a blatant dig at Vi, who had gotten a little out of hand on their honeymoon and somehow missed the toilet in her drunken stupor. That wasn’t a mistake she made ever since, but she already knew she’d never live it down. But even so, Cait’s joviality felt all too surreal after everything she’d just gone through. Perhaps they were rubbing off on each other more than she ever realized, not letting the grossness of the moment ruin her day.

Vi smiled at it, but shook her head. “I appreciate your attempt at lightening the mood, but that’s not what I was trying to ask.”

“What were you trying to ask, then?”

“How you manage to stay so beautiful through everything.”

Cait snorted lightly, finally propping her head up, leaning it against her hand for support. Her hair draped down her chest, and all Vi could think about was how silky smooth it was and how much she loved running her fingers through it. How much she loved it when it was draped over her body. How good it looked on this woman, glowing in front of her.

“I think you’re still carrying over some of that delusion we discussed when we discovered this was real,” Cait said, putting a tentative hand low on her stomach.

Vi crawled over to Caitlyn, pulling her a little closer between her legs. She was sure it didn’t look very graceful, but couldn’t help wanting to be close to her wife and tuck that long, gorgeous hair behind Cait’s ear.

“I’m plenty delusional about a lot of things, Cupcake, but this isn’t one of them.”

Cait smiled, resting her head on Vi’s chest instead of the toilet, and Vi held her close.

“Maybe this is what everyone truly means about that glow. It’s really just the sweat from vomiting.”

“Boy, you’re hellbent on not accepting a compliment today, aren’t you?”

Cait let out a weak laugh. “I suppose it’s hard to feel very attractive after something like that.”

“Let me be the judge of that.”

Cait was silent for a while. “Attractive enough to go back out in public, you think?”

“Might want to brush your teeth, but definitely.”

Cait merely hummed out in agreement, sounding like she wasn’t in any rush to actually do it just yet.

“Council’s gonna wonder where you are pretty soon. Especially Sevika, knowing how much she was on you about the sewer repairs down in Zaun.”

“Unless Sevika wants some vomit in her hair this morning, the council can wonder.”

Vi smirked outside of Cait’s view. She liked this side of her. The one without a care. But then again, she liked the side of her that wanted to join the council, too, which in and of itself, was an act of caring and wanting to make progress. Cait was so set on rules and structure, and nothing was better than being at the top in a position where she had a hand creating those things while trying to change old wrongs into rights. But there was also something endearing in Cait embracing her own life and what she needed, too, because she wasn’t usually good at that either. Perhaps she was embracing new changes on all fronts, figuring out the right priorities along with the physical hardship.

Vi’s smile dwindled, not that she was upset, but it brought out a serious thought. Here Cait was, making all the sacrifices and putting all these changes into action. She was preparing for this new life they were about to have, and Vi had failed massively in comparison. It was here and now she knew she would do absolutely anything and everything for this woman, even if it was hard.

“I’m going to accept the sheriff's position,” she said quietly. Thankfully, she already knew it was still up for grabs. Right now, sheriffs from the other districts split their time in 12 for lack of finding anyone suitable to take it on in its entirety.

“You will?” Cait asked in disbelief as she sat up.

Vi nodded in the affirmative. “I want to be here for moments like these. I want to be there for them,” Vi said, looking down at Cait’s abdomen. Her blouse was still tucked neatly into her fancy trousers. She wanted to laugh at the silly word Cait referred to them as, wondering how long she’d still be able to wear them. But she didn’t laugh, and instead, she grazed the back of her fingers there, admiring it.

It was still so hard to believe sometimes. She only just started to notice the slightest swell there, and only because she knew it was more than simple bloating. It would be a long time before it was obvious to anyone else. If it wasn’t for moments like this, it would be easy to forget at times, thanks to how well Cait wore the burden.

Vi was surprised when Cait clasped her hand, turning it so her palm was against Cait’s stomach, holding it there.

“Maybe they won’t ever have to know the difference, but their life will be better for it without the worry. I’ll be better for it.”

Cait pulled Vi’s head down into a kiss. Vi’s hand finally left Cait’s abdomen, pulling her even closer so they were flush, and when they parted, they rested their foreheads together with Cait’s arms draped over her shoulders.

“I’m sorry it took me so long.”

“Everything in your own time, Violet. It had to be your decision.”

She didn’t say it, but she was grateful Cait was giving her the time and grace to do it that way and held her a little closer, never wanting to let go. But when Cait let out a sigh, she knew it was time.

“I think I’m ready now.”

So, Vi left the hug, pulling Caitlyn up off the floor. “What are you going to tell the council?”

“That there was another honeymoon incident, of course,” she said with a perky smile.

“They know about that?” Vi asked, immediately flushed with embarrassment.

“Apparently, the staff at the Piltover Inn speak to the staff at Shoola’s residence. I’m afraid there’s rarely a secret kept with public indiscretions.”

“That wasn’t public. It happened in the privacy of our honeymoon suite.”

“A hotel is public enough, apparently.”

Vi let out a sigh, but smiled anyway. It may be embarrassing, but it was out anyway. “Fine. If it gives you an excuse now, I guess I can’t be too mad about it now, can I? Throw me under the carriage all you want.”

Cait stepped into one last hug, kissing Vi one last time. “Only when it’s for a good reason. I promise.”

“Can’t think of a better one,” Vi said. And reluctantly, they both went about their days, which, as much as Vi wished to stay, it was probably for the best.

She had to see someone about a job.

Chapter Text

Month three had Vi rushing to the doctor’s office to meet Cait. Between their now busy schedules and the unconducive business hours of a doctor, it was hard to align everyone’s schedule for the big appointments. Despite the difficulty, Vi refused to miss a second of it, hence the rush.

Vi burst into the waiting room more furiously than she probably should have, fearing she was already running late. Searching over the waiting patients, her eyes finally landed on Caitlyn, who was already meeting her with scorn from the other side of the room. Vi already knew it wasn’t for being late, but for making a scene. She quickly straightened herself up and took a breath to calm down, walking over to Cait, much more put together.

She sat quietly, leaning over. “Sorry.”

Cait huffed, and it didn’t escape Vi that her leg was bouncing, and not in that nervous way. “It’s okay,” Cait gritted out between closed teeth. “I’m just on edge. It’s barbaric, making pregnant people fill their bladders for this exam and then expect them to wait.”

“Maybe now’s a good time to practice your breathing,” Vi said, and the face she was met with told her she should legitimately prepare to investigate her own murder later tonight. A part of her wanted to take it back, but she was also being serious, trying to offer something to help get Cait’s mind off it. She hesitated. “I’m... Sorry?”

Despite her initial protest, Cait took a deep breath as she closed her eyes and repeated that step a few more times.

“Fuck. It’s working,” she said under her breath, clearly upset by that fact.

Vi wouldn’t dare gloat, not while seeing Cait in so much discomfort, so instead, Vi took her hand supportively, grazing her thumb along the back, not letting out a peep.

“Are people staring?” Cait whispered.

Vi looked around the room. “Think you’re good, Cupcake. Everyone’s more concerned about their own impending bundles of joy. Why?”

“I’m on the Council. I’ll be recognized. People might suspect.”

“Cait… there are plenty of reasons to come here that aren’t about,” she looked around the room carefully before leaning in, saying that oh-so-dreaded, secret word, “pregnancy.” She relaxed again. “Hell, I was here a few weeks ago for my checkup.”

Cait took in a few more breaths. “I suppose you’re right. I just don’t want anyone to know.”

For some reason, that took Vi off guard. This wasn’t something they would get through without people knowing. “Cait,” she tested carefully. “You’ve got time, but… people will find out eventually.”

Cait leaned her head back against the wall of the cold, sterile waiting room, letting out a sigh. “I know, but I guess it’s all just crept up on me. It feels like it’s already going by so quickly and we haven’t told anyone ourselves yet. I don’t want them to learn about it in some trashy tabloids.”

Vi nodded, finally understanding. They had intentionally been waiting for this appointment to ensure everything looked healthy before letting other people in on their little secret. Cait already had blood tests to confirm and ensure all was going well, of course, but their first scan would go far in helping them feel secure that a celebration was in order.

“Well, if the tabloids pick it up, it would be easy to dismiss. The entire point of the tabloids is that it’s all junk anyway, right? Only idiots believe that stuff.”

“Your confidence is inspiring,” Cait said, dripping with bitter sarcasm between steady breaths, and again, Vi smiled in secret, not wanting Cait to catch on to how much she was enjoying her bite while she was suffering like this.

“I mean, hey. Even if we run into a few too-trusting idiots, we’re almost at the point to start telling people anyway, right?”

Cait didn’t respond, clearly just trying to bypass the time, but it was making Vi feel all sorts of ways. They’d already made it three months. This entire time, it had only been theirs to know, but they would share it soon, all because of this appointment.

She was careful with this next part, leaning in again with quiet whispers just between them. “We’re about to see our baby, Cait.”

Cait’s breath stopped halfway, caught in her chest as her eyes opened again, meeting Vi’s with a softness she hadn’t yet seen today. It was almost like, with all of her discomfort, she had forgotten their reason for being here.

“We are, aren’t we?”

“Mrs. Kiramman,” the receptionist called out, almost as though they’d been listening to their conversation all along.

Cait muttered some thankful expletives, and apparently, that brief moment of softness was over before it even started. Cait followed the receptionist with a haste Vi hadn’t seen in a while, clearly eager to get this over with, but when they were shown into the room with the ultrasound machine, Cait paused abruptly in equal measure. Maybe the reality of it was still hitting her through all her discomfort.

The receptionist closed the door behind them, and their doctor turned with a smile at their entrance. She was already on her rolling chair, bringing the ultrasound machine to life.

“Ah, the Kirammans. Please, come in. Caitlyn, you can lie down and lift your shirt.”

Caitlyn followed the direction much more calmly, as though she’d lost her bite now that the end was in sight. She lifted her shirt and pulled her pants down just enough to expose her bump. It still wasn’t big enough for people to notice, but Vi noticed, especially now, filling her chest with warmth.

The doctor tucked a towel into Cait’s pants. “I’m sorry. If I had realized the councilwoman was my next patient, I would have put a rush in for you.”

“Don’t be silly,” Cait laughed personably, which was a new personality trait developed from the diplomatic nature of her job representing the people. “I fight for equitable access to resources, and that includes me as much as my bladder might like to disagree.”

Vi didn’t need reasons to remember why she loved Cait, but this was one thrust upon her as a gift anyway. That youthful hope that had her falling in love with Cait right from the beginning had never really left her, even if there had been a time she struggled with it. Whatever hardships they suffered to get here, it was a beautiful thing that hope could flourish now in a way that benefited Zaun and Piltover together, and at the hand of this stunning woman lying before her. Vi inched her chair as close to Cait’s bedside as possible. She grasped Cait’s hand, pulling it close.

The doctor smiled in surprise. “It’s rare you’ll find a politician who walks the talk.”

“Yeah, well, Cait’s a rarity,” Vi said, still looking at her wife. She didn’t notice the doctor’s cute smile witnessing the action.

“Alright, well, I bet you’re eager to see your little one.”

The doctor squirted some gel on Caitlyn’s abdomen as she said it, going straight to the exam. She turned to the screen while simultaneously moving the wand around, and it wasn’t long before there was a very distinct baby there, already moving around.

For the first time in any of this, Vi’s breath caught in her chest, and maybe she finally understood Cait’s moment of clarity when she paused, seeing the machine. Logically, they already knew there was a baby. Caity’s symptoms had all been proof of that, as well as the previously mentioned tests to confirm as much. They were mentally making the preparations and sacrifices to accommodate this change facing them, but there was something different about seeing it for real like this. It wasn’t just some ambiguous idea anymore. That was their child in there. It was their responsibility and their future. That person would rely on them, and just like her moment with Cait a month prior, Vi already knew she would do anything for this little baby, too.

It was the most challenging thing she’d done in a while, but Vi removed her eyes from the screen so she could look at Cait, marveling at her reaction. It was clear she was trying to hold back the well of emotions, but Vi could see it in the way her lip trembled ever so slightly and the tinge of redness building in the whites of her eyes. Cait may not appreciate the display right now, but Vi couldn’t help it.

“We made that,” Vi whispered, and when Cait turned to her, Vi was grateful that she didn’t seem angry for breaking through that wall shielding her emotions. Tears pooled in the corner of her eyes, accompanied by a fragile smile. “You and me.”

Caitlyn watched with a quiet happiness. “We did.”

Vi relinquished Cait’s hand, already knowing she’d be desperate to wipe away the teary evidence, so instead, Vi moved her chair even closer, stroking the top of Caitlyn’s head as they both continued watching. The doctor had been taking measurements and doing more doctory things Vi didn’t understand during their vulnerable moment. It was easy to become enraptured by the baby wiggling around, kicking their legs around, and Vi laughed softly.

“You really don’t feel any of that?”

Cait smiled, shaking her head. “Not at all.”

“You should typically feel movement sometime between the fourth and sixth month,” the doctor said matter-of-factly.

“That late, huh?” Vi asked.

Cait let out an emotional laugh. “Something tells me, being your child, it will be closer to the fourth month.”

Vi merely huffed in amusement. She was probably right.

“Can you tell the sex yet?” Vi asked.

“It’s still a little early for that. This is only the dating scan. You’ll come back for an anatomy scan around eighteen to twenty weeks, and we could tell you then. Or if you’d really like, we can do a blood test.”

Cait merely looked at her like she should be the one to decide, which somehow didn’t seem fair.

“We could always keep it a surprise,” she said, testing to see Cait’s reaction.

“Really?” Surprisingly, she hadn’t immediately protested.

“I don’t know… just a suggestion. Looks like we’ll have time to think about it, anyway.”

Cait nodded absently before looking back to the screen.

“It looks like you were pretty accurate about your dates. You’re measuring right on schedule. Twelve weeks, two days.”

Cait was no longer looking in her direction, but Vi couldn’t help smiling at her. Trying for months, they had been very particular about that part, so it wasn’t surprising they got it right.

The doctor clicked some buttons, turning to them happily as a fast whooshing filled the room. “And there’s the heartbeat.”

Vi and Cait both let out a mirthful laugh, entirely enraptured by it, before the doctor moved on. She pointed out all the intricate developments and asked about how Cait was feeling. For the rush of life Vi felt these days after newly becoming the sheriff and trying to accommodate all these new changes, she couldn’t help but want to stay here where it was nice and slow. Even Cait seemed to have forgotten the desperation to find a bathroom now that they were here watching their child.

It was here that Vi understood what it meant to be content.

Chapter Text

As another month passed, Vi and Caitlyn were thankful the tabloids hadn’t picked up their news. Cait was insistent on telling Tobias first, but later that evening after their ultrasound, he surprisingly rejected their offer for a visit, only then choosing to tell them he’d planned a lengthy excursion he was busy preparing for. It was something he wanted to do for years but stayed in Piltover at Cassandra’s side instead. With the years of grief and mourning since her death, apparently, he found the courage to pursue it now, of all times.

As much as Vi could see Cait inwardly wanting to protest throughout their call, she also knew just how important it was for her father to do this and kept her mouth shut. If he knew a grandchild was on the way, she was scared he may put the whole thing off right when he finally gained the courage to go.

With the delay in telling him came the delay in telling everyone else, which had proven more difficult than either of them had hoped. There had been a few occasions Cait came home, swearing her colleagues likely suspected something with how often she was running to the bathroom or the number of doctor appointments building on top of each other. Nearing the end, she was showing more obviously, only being saved by the chilly winter months, making the bulky sweaters under her blazer a little less questionable.

Now, in month four, they were exasperated with the intentional avoidance but, in typical contradiction, also nervous about Tobias’ impending arrival and for the news to be out.

Vi had finished whatever preparation she needed to do, which, in fairness, wasn’t much now that they had staff for that. That alone wasn’t a notion she would grow accustomed to easily if it hadn’t happened yet, and the staff promptly ushered her out of the kitchen the more she was trying to do. The nerves were building, and since Caitlyn hadn’t made her way out on her own, Vi went in search of her. Perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise to have found her in the walk-in closet, deliberating over outfits.

She was staring at the profile of her belly in the mirror, and not in that endearing way pregnant people did sometimes. It was clear Cait was stressing, examining how obvious it was, but Vi walked up behind her, hugging her close, treating her like it was the former anyway. Vi watched the mirror as she ran a hand along Cait’s belly, staring at it in admiration. She was happy to see Cait embrace the moment, despite the stress.

“You look gorgeous.”

Cait leaned back into Vi’s arms. “I’m glad you think so. I also look entirely obvious. How the staff haven’t asked about it yet is beyond me.”

“Probably just being respectful.”

Cait scoffed, leaving the hug.

“What? What did I say?” Violet asked.

“You imply that there’s reason for them to need to be respectful. I hoped this was in my head and still not as obvious as I believe it to be.”

Vi grimaced. She’d walked straight into that trap. “Well, I guess I just see now that the blazers have done most of the heavy lifting here. Even your bulky sweaters are too form-fitting. But I still think you’re gorgeous,” Vi said, putting on her most convincing, enamored smile.

“While I appreciate it, gorgeous is not what I’m going for today.”

Cait pulled out more sweaters as options, but Vi already knew all her choices would suffer the same problem. It was just Cait’s style, which, no doubt, was a style Vi loved, but it wouldn’t be doing her any favors here.

“Wear one of my hoodies, then.”

Cait looked back at her and the pause of it all made Vi believe she was genuinely considering it before abruptly shaking her head.

“It’s a good suggestion, but something tells me that would be just as suspicious.”

Vi nodded absently because they never wore each other’s clothes out in public, or really at all, for that matter.

The doorbell rang, resonating throughout this gigantic house that, as far as Vi was concerned, could have been an entire apartment building.

“Shit,” Caitlyn said, more furiously pulling the sweaters out. “Could you stall him, please?”

“Whatever you need, Cupcake.”

Vi went down to the sitting room, seeing that Tobias had already been welcomed inside. Instead of sitting with his cup of tea, he was standing, admiring the new Kiramman family portrait of Cait and Vi.

A thought of how they would already need to update it when the baby came passed Vi’s mind, but she shifted her focus to Tobias. Of course, this wasn’t the first time he saw it, but he seemed transfixed, almost like he was looking at it through a new lens.

“Tobias,” Vi greeted timidly.

“Violet,” he said, turning with a smile. He always did that. Used her full name. She didn’t begrudge it, knowing that’s just what people were like here, erring on the professional, but she wasn’t used to anyone but Caitlyn using it sparingly, and it just felt different coming from him. It was almost endearing, actually. He opened his arms for a quick hug, and Vi took it, however stunted it might have looked. He had grown to more than accept her over the years, but that still didn’t mean they were close. When they parted, he looked past her up the stairs. “And Caitlyn?”

“Oh, she’ll be right down. You know her. Aways needs to get dolled up,” she said with an awkward laugh. Dolled up? Really?

Thankfully, Tobias nodded knowingly, returning to the portrait instead of questioning it. Maybe he could read the nerves and didn’t want to dwell on it. Who was she kidding? He definitely read the nerves, and thankfully, he was a kind, kind man, putting Vi out of her misery.

“A shame they always make these portraits look so miserable,” Tobias said, looking up at the painting.

Vi huffed out a laugh, remembering being told to sit for it for hours until the artist gave up, taking a picture to paint from instead.

“I know, right? You’d think it wouldn’t be such a bad thing to advertise that we’re actually happy.” She knew the real reason behind it, of course. It was important to look dignified and like they had their shit together when people looked up to them as an example, but it lost a lot of the heart to do it that way if you asked her. She couldn’t imagine their next one being anything but smiles, looking down at their baby, just like how her own mom looked at Powder.

Tobias smiled timidly at the thought, and thankfully, they heard footsteps coming down the stairs. Her kind, kind wife was putting her out of her misery, too.

Vi turned, and her face soured when Cait approached them, wearing Vi’s hoodie. What exactly had she said about getting all dolled up again? She let out a nervous cough of regret for opening her big mouth, and Cait’s narrowed eyes in her direction told her to stop being weird while she was trying to downplay it. Fantastic.

Cait immediately went to hug her father, and Vi noticed the space she was leaving around the midsection. His face lit up anyway, not knowing anything unusual between the strange attire or behavior.

“Father, it’s so good to see you.”

“You, too, Caitlyn,” he said, stroking her hair. Vi could almost imagine him doing that when Cait was little, filling her with warmth. “I’ve missed you.”

“Well, you’re back now. Please, you must tell us about your trip,” Caitlyn said, directing him to sit while they took the couch opposite him.

Great, so they were taking the slow approach. Vi wasn’t sure if she could handle it if she was being honest, but she was intent on following Cait’s lead here because this was her dad.

“It was… enlightening.”

“Oh?”

Tobias laughed quietly, deep in thought. “I’ve come to learn I don’t do well with airship travel.”

“Ah,” Caitlyn said, nodding. “That’s unfortunate.”

He nodded simply. “It made for complicated journeys between destinations, but it was worth it. I finally got to see the jungle and the desert.”

“Boy, you really bushwhacked it,” Vi said with a nervous laugh.

Cait pursed her lips, clearly wanting to say something. Probably about being too casual with her father if she had to guess, but then Cait’s hand went to cover her knee, finally making her notice how aggressively it was bouncing. She really was nervous, wasn’t she? Maybe she should have realized, given ‘we’re having a baby’ played repeatedly in her head, needing to clench her teeth shut to keep it from spilling out. She could appreciate Cait wanting to ease into it, but holding it in like this felt like an explosive mistake.

“I don’t know if I would go that far. I still had staff with me and a tent that might as well have been a luxury suite, or as much of one as you could possibly find out there. In some ways, I think it would have been nice to have... what was the term you used?” he asked with a laugh.

“Bushwhacked?”

“Yes, I think that might have been more fun, but it was delightful anyway.”

Cait smiled warmly. “Did you get everything out of it that you hoped?”

Vi already knew why she asked that, wondering if he would be content to stay now that he’d fulfilled an item from his bucket list.

Tobias grew quiet, and his smile tempered as he looked absently at the floor. “I did. And more. Your mother always protested these trips, always too busy with work. I never begrudged her for it. She was doing important work here, which is something I’m sure you know all too well now,” he said, looking at Cait with that same tempered smile. They both could see it cracking with the vulnerable topic. Vi instinctively wrapped her arm around Cait, knowing it was hard for her, too.

“But when I tell you I felt her everywhere, I really mean it,” Tobias continued, and a look of bittersweetness overcame him. “I stepped in this mud puddle out in the jungle one day, and I could hear her scoff at me. I could hear her complain about the humidity and what it was doing to her hair.”

Vi turned to her wife, observing her carefully. Cait’s finger covered her lips as she listened, and Vi already knew it was to hide the tremble. Vi’s thumb rubbed Caitlyn’s shoulder in a show of support, and all she wanted to do was kiss her cheek and take the pain away.

“But when I reached that moment where I found the majestic waterfall in the jungle or when I finally made it to the crest of that sand dune to see the view, I also felt her gasping in wonder at my side.”

Tobias paused for a moment, rubbing his fingers together in a subtle display of his vulnerability, unlike Vi’s bouncing leg that had stopped now. She was enraptured by the moment, honored to be included in something so personal.

“Not that she won’t always be with me in some ways, but… I suppose it felt something like our last hurrah. It felt like saying goodbye.”

Something grabbed in Vi’s chest, and if it hurt her this much to consider it, she wondered what Cait must be feeling.

“We’re having a baby!” Cait blurted out, and Vi turned to her in shock.

Vi may have been intent on following Cait’s lead in how she wanted to tell her father, but still, she hadn’t expected it to happen like that. Well… maybe she did, but only if those words were flung out of her mouth to create a bungled mess. She certainly hadn’t expected Caitlyn to do it.

Her father dropped the cup of tea in his hand, crashing to the floor. The staff ran out immediately to see what happened and clean the mess, but Vi intercepted, grabbing the towels out of their hands. She shook her head furiously, as if to say not now. “It’s okay, I’ve got this. And I mean it.”

They stood there, shocked as well, but saw it was a tense situation and left as asked. Vi furiously started wiping at the spilled liquid, gathering the broken china in the center. Tobias still hadn’t moved an inch, and Vi almost wondered if something had broken in him.

“I’m sorry for it coming out like that,” Caitlyn said in a rush, overcome with emotion. “But you were talking about Mother, and it all sounded so beautiful and wonderful, and we’ve been holding this in for so long and-“

Maybe something wasn’t broken in him after all because, after seeing his daughter’s pain, he stood up and went to her couch to hold her.

“This isn’t how I meant it to come out,” Cait said wetly through the hug.

Vi left the mess where it was because, as much as high society may disagree, cleaning a mess shouldn’t be prioritized over important moments like this. She could imagine some of the council clutching their pearls at the thought. Instead, she sat on the arm of the couch beside Caitlyn and envisioned even more pearl-clutching as she sat so disgracefully.

“You’ve been holding onto this for a long time?” Tobias asked, pulling out of the hug, looking between them both.

Vi’s hand was on Cait’s shoulder to show her support.

“We were going to tell you before you left on your trip,” Caitlyn said. “But then, I didn’t want it to be a reason for you to stay. This was important. Even more so now, hearing what it meant to you.”

Tobias’ features softened, nodding slightly. “I suppose you know me too well.”

His hand went to rub Caitlyn’s cheek, and it was so tender it was making Vi feel all sorts of ways for all the family she couldn’t share this moment with. It was so easy to see Vander doing the same. He’d get such a kick out of knowing he would have been a grandpa. Between everyone in his rowdy brood, he probably never would have suspected it ever would have happened, even if he never would have said it out loud.

“That was very selfless of you,” he said, looking at her with admiration. “It shouldn’t have been your burden to bear, especially when you’ve been holding onto such joyful news, but I appreciate you did that for me.”

He said it was joyful news, Vi thought. It was then she realized maybe there was still a part of him that could have been upset by this. He’d grown to accept their relationship, but it was undeniable that Vi probably reminded him of his worst tragedy at times. For Caitlyn to have a child with her, it would solidify their bond for the rest of their lives. But this was happy.

“A baby,” he said in quiet contemplation before he was suddenly looking between them both. “Who?-“ he asked, clearly trying to figure out which of them was pregnant.

“I’m surprised you even need to ask,” Cait said with a quiet laugh as she unzipped Vi’s hoodie. “I would never wear this if not to hide something.” She turned to Vi quickly. “No offense, darling. I love it on you.”

Vi leaned down, kissing her on the head. “I don’t know. It’s pretty comfortable. Something tells me now that you’ve gotten a taste of it, I’ll see you in it everywhere.”

Cait smiled, taking it off and resting it against the couch. She ran a hand over her abdomen and it was definitely noticeable now. It was the first time she did that in front of anyone other than Vi, and it felt so good for it to be out, even if Tobias was only the first step.

Tobias had a sweet look on his face. “Do you know what your mother would have thought of this?”

“She would probably be disappointed somehow,” Cait huffed. Vi knew it was meant to be a laugh, but there was honest hurt there, too.

Tobias shook his head. “I know that’s how she would have presented herself to you, but… well, your mother was a complicated woman, Caitlyn. She believed sternness was the reason you excelled, but the side of her she showed to you was never the entire story.”

Cait looked at him with inquisitive eyes.

“Even with Violet,” he said, briefly turning to her before returning to his daughter. “Before things went… awry, shall we say, I know your mother questioned the validity of this relationship. But the first time we found you together, she already suspected the feelings between you. Later that night, she was quiet, which was the telltale sign of thoughts weighing heavily on her mind. I’ll admit, she was still skeptical of your relationship’s success. Politically, things were so volatile back then and it was hard to see two worlds merging like they have now, but she was proud of you for challenging the status quo.”

Tobias smiled whimsically, lost in the memory. “It still took some time to chip away at her, but one night, we were reading in bed, and I was about to ask if she was ready to turn the lights out, but I noticed a smile. Her eyes were nowhere near her book, so it was clear that it wasn’t from whatever she was reading. Do you want to know what she said?”

Cait nodded weakly.

“She said, ‘I believe our daughter might have discovered love.’” Tobias smiled, recounting it. “She may have had complex feelings about your relationship, but underneath it all, she was happy for you.”

Caitlyn had already started to tear up, letting out a sniffle.

“A lot has changed over the years, and I like to think she would have been more upfront about that happiness, but even if she hadn’t been, I know we would have gone home, and somewhere late at night, she would have let herself feel it. She would have been excited. She would have been happy for you.” He looked up at Vi then. “For both of you.”

Oh shit, why did Vi want to cry now, too?

He and Cait took the opportunity to hug, and Vi already knew just how meaningful this was. Cait would likely be a wreck for days when they had the space to process this privately, and maybe Vi would be a wreck with her.

It wasn’t long before Tobias was standing in front of her now with open arms when Vi had least expected it. She stood anyway, embracing the show of affection. He held her close, in a genuine and supportive way, but still gentle, and she held onto him, too.

“Congratulations, Vi,” he said softly in her ear, and for a moment, she could have sworn she heard Vander, and somewhere more distant, her mother, say the same thing. Maybe it was because Tobias used her shorthand for once, making it feel all that more intimate.

When they pulled out of the hug, Vi cleared her throat nervously. “Thank you. We’re really happy about it.”

“I can see that,” Tobias said, wearing that sentiment proudly. He looked up at the portrait he’d been staring at with Vi. “I’m sure you’ll discover this soon enough that a parent has many hopes for their children, but happiness is above all else.”

The staff rang the bell for dinner, and Tobias turned to the kitchen.

“But perhaps you should catch me up on everything over dinner,” he said, holding his hand out to his daughter to help her off the couch.

And so they did. Between all the tales from Tobias’ journey and all the information Cait and Vi knew about their little one so far, their meal was filled with warm conversation. And just maybe, Vi was starting to understand her family was already bigger than she knew.

Chapter Text

Tobias finding out about his impending grandchild had come just in time, because in the weeks that followed, even Cait’s blazers couldn’t hide her bump anymore. She took the professional approach when she addressed it with the council, merely adding an agenda item of finding an interim to take over her position through a modest maternity leave.

It may have been professional, but Cait’s recounting of it made Vi wish she was there to witness the stunned silence. Sevika slammed her hand on the table, cursing out the fact she should have started a betting pool all along. Beyond that, several cards and elaborate gifts were sent to Caitlyn’s office as congratulations while everyone else moved on with their lives.

Vi’s experience had been the complete opposite. She had the printout of the anatomy scan from month five framed to keep on her desk at the precinct, and before she even had the chance to announce it herself, Basher had ruined the chance in the best way possible. He came bursting into her office, ready to tease her for staring at a picture of her wife so lovingly, only to see that she wasn’t staring at her wife at all. He grabbed the frame, screaming through the rest of the building, and before Vi knew it, she was being carried out into the lunchroom to celebrate with some alcoholic contraband, convincing her to order a buffet for the team. To their delight, she easily agreed. Her entire paycheck went into a void of nothing but more money than she or Caitlyn or all of their hypothetical children would ever know what to do with, so why not celebrate with her crew when there was something to celebrate?

Most of their old family and friends may be gone, but a community was slowly being built up around them of new ones they never would have suspected.

Life was good. Even with the new stresses as a sheriff, it was good, not that it wasn’t challenging at times. Growing closer to her team also meant caring for them. The responsibility of keeping them safe felt like it could consume her and often kept her at the office a lot later than she cared for, simply to ensure she was being as diligent as possible. It kept her away from Cait more than she cared for, but if nothing else, she was safe now. Even if she was being kept away from home for longer hours throughout the day, it would keep her home for more years over time, and that’s what mattered.

Still, she hated coming home late like this. She closed the front door quietly behind her, not that it mattered. This place was so massive it wasn’t likely anyone heard the door open and close to be disturbed anyway. The lights were already dimmed, and the house was quiet as she looked down the hallways regretfully. She made her way to the kitchen to deal with her lunch containers.

“I’ll take that, ma’am,” one of the staff said, startling her from off in the corner.

Vi’s shoulders sagged. “Alida. You really don’t need to wait up for me when I’m going to be late.”

“I may not need to, but have you considered that the staff wants to? You’ve been working hard, ma’am. We merely want to help.”

“You all work hard, too,“ Vi said, handing her bag over reluctantly. Alida took it and started to wash the dishes inside.

“I’m not good at sleeping,“ Alida admitted. “It’s no bother.”

Vi took a mental note of that. If she’d be doing this from now on, the least she could do was change her shift to be later so she wouldn’t be working the entire day. Maybe she’d prefer that if she had trouble sleeping.

“Well, in that case, I appreciate it.”

“Would you like something to eat, ma’am?”

Vi was already walking to the fridge. “I ate at the precinct. I’ll just grab a snack myself.”

But instead of opening the door, she paused there, staring at the ultrasound image now proudly on display out in the open, no longer a secret from anyone. It was the same one that was now framed in her office, even, but she could stare at it all day and it would never get old. Her finger traced over the nose that already looked like Caitlyn’s and couldn’t wait to see it in person. They still had no idea if it was a boy or a girl, opting for the surprise of a lifetime.

From the corner of her eye, she could clearly see Alida smiling at the affectionate act, making her feel self-conscious, so Vi finally opened the fridge, perusing around for something that felt appetizing this late.

“Was Cait mad?”

“I don’t think so, ma’am,“ Alida said sincerely. “She had quite a bit of paperwork she was looking over throughout dinner anyway.”

Vi nodded, somewhat remorseful. Maybe that was just both of their lives leading up to their new arrival, but then, the paperwork hadn’t been new for Cait. There were plenty of dinners with reports to go over before, but they still laughed and talked throughout it anyway. She’d have to work at finding a better balance moving forward. Basher was her deputy, and maybe she should start leaning on him more. Wasn’t it better for a leader to believe in the talents of the people who worked for her? They all got their jobs through merits they earned, after all.

Vi found a plate of cheese and crackers waiting for her and turned to Alida as she pulled it out. “You did this, didn’t you?”

Alida shrugged with a confirming grin. “Figured it would be something you and the missus could share, otherwise I would have added those nice cured meats you like so much.“

Vi huffed out a laugh. “That was thoughtful. Think she’s still up?”

“Not sure, ma’am. She retired to bed nearly an hour ago.”

“Guess I’ll find out, then. Thanks, Alida.”

Alida gave her a polite nod, and Vi didn’t waste time going to her room. An hour was such an ambiguous timeframe for Cait to have already been in bed, and it was anyone’s bet whether she could still be awake. They didn’t have time to read often, but Caitlyn was known to pull out a book and try to sink into it from time to time. Other days, she was so tired she fell asleep the moment her head hit her pillow.

So when Vi got up there, she opened their bedroom door carefully and quietly to assess the situation, and to her disappointment, Caitlyn was already resting in bed, facing the opposite wall.

There was a hint of elation at seeing Cait sneakily wearing Vi’s hoodie, but a pang of guilt surged through her, wishing for one night this week to be here before Caitlyn fell asleep. Vi turned to leave, figuring she’d finish her snack quickly outside before settling in for the night.

“Don’t you dare leave,“ Cait said, and maybe Alida was wrong, because her tone was definitely perturbed, if not worse.

Despite Caitlyn’s command, she didn’t even turn to look at Vi, making it harder to read the situation, but Vi wasn’t about to deny Cait’s request either way. Vi kicked her boots off, leaving the cheese and crackers on the nightstand, and without even taking her uniform off, she went under the covers, cuddling up close next to her wife.

Cait’s voice may have had some bite to it, but the gentleness with which she grabbed Vi’s hand to rest it on her belly made Vi question her reality.

“Why aren’t you asleep, Cupcake?“ Vi asked gently in her ear

There was no answer beyond Cait clasping her hand more firmly to her belly, which is when she felt it. Vi gasped.

“Was that it?”

Vi didn’t move her hand but still propped herself up to see Cait’s face, and there was an unmistakable smile there to confirm her suspicion. Cait had already been feeling the baby move starting sometime right before that anatomy scan they did a month ago. The entire time since, Vi had ambitiously been trying to feel it herself, but right along with the doctor’s advice, it had proven more difficult on her end of things.

“I’ve been trying to sleep for an hour already,“ Vi said, and the tiredness seeped through her voice now. Perhaps that was where her perturbed tone stemmed from, but there was also a happy amusement along with it, almost like, despite the frustrations, Cait couldn’t be mad. “It’s as if the moment I’m ready to go to sleep, this one is ready to party.”

Vi kept feeling the little kicks to confirm it. Believe her, she truly felt for her wife, but she couldn’t help marveling at the feeling. At times, it was still hard to believe there would be a real baby from all of this. Sure, there were the moments that made it feel more real, like the scans and the way Cait’s belly was growing by the day now, but it all felt too wild to believe there was an entirely new person in there that would be a piece of them. Yet, here Vi was, feeling some obnoxious pushing of feet against her palm. This was real, undeniable, and irrefutable, and how many other words she couldn’t even think of that were all making it sink in more and more.

“Must have gotten the memo about my schedule,“ Vi said, trying to joke, but already feeling bad about it.

Cait turned her head to face Vi, delicately moving her hand to Vi’s cheek. Vi leaned into it, closing her eyes to relish the sensation.

“I’ve missed you,“ Cait said.

“That why you’re wearing my hoodie?”

Cait was silent, fighting off a grin. “I suppose I can concede that you were right before. It is comfortable.”

Vi laughed quietly. “Told you.”

“But… it also smells like you.”

Vi smiled at her painfully. It was difficult, but she finally took her hand off Caitlyn’s active belly so she could hold her wife’s face delicately in her hands and kiss her gently. “I’m sorry I’ve been gone so much. I’m going to work on fixing my hours.”

Caitlyn’s hand trailed down Vi’s neck, looking apologetic when she had no need to be. “We’re facing a lot of changes all at once, Vi. I don’t expect you to have it all worked out so readily.”

Vi stared into those beautiful teal blue eyes, the fake one a surprisingly good match for the real one, wondering how this woman had the capacity for so much patience.

“You’re going to be an amazing mother,“ Vi said, and Cait was taken aback. It was something she knew since starting down this road already, otherwise they may have never found themselves down this path, but she supposed she never spoke it out loud.

“So will you,“ Caitlyn said, which was more challenging to believe.

“If I’m ever around.”

“You will be. Even if it takes time to figure out this new role, you will be.“

She already had the intention to, so maybe it was time to believe in Caitlyn, too.

With nothing left to say and a passion brewing from days of barely seeing each other, Vi kissed her wife, and maybe a little more than that until they eventually both found sleep, all while the cheese and crackers went long forgotten on Vi’s nightstand.

Chapter Text

The months that followed went by in a blur. As it turns out, stuff for babies got a hell of a lot more serious the closer their due date encroached.

Thankfully, Vi stayed true to her word over the months, cutting back what hours she could to make room for it all. Just as suspected, Basher was entirely capable as her deputy and seemed grateful for Vi finally putting more faith in him. A win-win for all, helping Vi see the real possibility of having a stable work-life balance for when their baby arrived.

And in the meantime, there were plenty of classes to take. Prenatal to help prepare Cait for what to expect while giving birth. First aid for infants, which, Vi and Cait both already had a leg up in that department as Enforcers with that kind of training as part of the job description, but when they would have a newborn at home at all times, they both were grateful for the refresher to help build their confidence.

With Vi’s continued career in the field, her own knowledge had expanded beyond that, and in the middle of one of their classes, couldn’t help but pester her wife.

“Hey, did I tell you we had training on how to deliver babies the other week?” Vi leaned in and whispered.

Cait looked at her, perturbed, trying to listen to the instructor when Vi and Cait both knew this section was something they still remembered from previous training.

“You know, just in case someone goes into labor and can’t make it to the hospital in time, and we’re the only ones on the scene. It was Basher’s idea to give everyone the training, but if I had to guess, I think he had ulterior motives.”

Cait’s eyes narrowed in her direction, clearly agitated. Maybe it was less about missing the course material and more about not being thrown out of class for talking, because what a red mark that would be on Cait’s file as a councilor.

Whatever insistence Caitlyn had on maintaining focus, something about what Vi said had gotten to Caitlyn anyway. Vi could tell by the way she tapped the pad of her finger on the table, and soon enough, she was already leaning in to join this conversation.

“You will not deliver our baby.”

Vi had meant it to be comforting. Thanks to their prenatal class, they both knew things didn’t always go as planned, and she figured it would be a relief for Caitlyn to know Vi was capable if it came to that. Now that she thought about it more, though, she could understand Cait’s protest. The idea of giving birth was terrifying enough alone as the partner, so she could barely imagine what the feeling must be like in Cait’s shoes. She probably didn’t want to think about things going wrong.

But then Cait’s hand moved across their shared table, holding hers, gaining her attention more softly. “You’re meant to be there for me.”

Vi smiled at her, leaning in to kiss her cheek, forgetting where they were when the teacher cleared their throat loudly.

“I’m sorry? Is the coursework boring to you?”

Cait looked mortified, and Vi felt terrible for stirring this whole thing up.

“No, no!” Cait protested. “Not at all.” She looked around the room, embarrassed by the attention. “But I can see that we’re a distraction. We’ll leave.”

The teacher hadn’t asked them to do so, and Vi had plenty of indiscretions like this in the past. She knew it would have been fine if they agreed to just sit there and shut their mouths. When Vi didn’t move, Cait glared at her and she wasn’t about to make this worse, so she burst out of her chair, following Cait out the door.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make a scene.”

Cait was turned away, and awkward noises escaped her as her shoulders heaved, resulting in a surge of panic.

“Are you… crying?” Vi whispered, trying to keep it down while being so publicly out in the hallway. She knew Cait took these things seriously, but this felt like an overreaction. When Cait turned to address her, there were no tears to be found as she clasped her hand over her mouth. Vi gasped. “Caitlyn Kiramman! You’re laughing? At being kicked out of class? Who even are you?”

Caitlyn looked plenty amused and pleased with herself. “Oh, come on. We may have been excited for the chance to refresh ourselves on the topic, but you and I both know we remember everything. We have so little time as it is. I merely took the opportunity to leave when it presented itself.”

Vi stood there, stunned. “You are so hot right now.”

Caitlyn blushed because, despite this newfound bad side of her, they were still out in a public hallway, so Vi let up a little, clearing her throat awkwardly.

“Sorry. Couldn’t help myself,” Vi said with a suave smile. “But hey, we both have the time off now. What do you say we play a little hooky and go out for lunch?”

“Oh, Violet,” Caitlyn said in mock sternness. “You’re a bad influence.”

“Me? You’re the one that bailed the class. Maybe you’re the bad influence.”

Cait merely smiled at her, and something told Vi they both knew it was actually the opposite. They were good for each other. Caitlyn helped Vi be more serious in the ways that mattered, and Vi helped Caitlyn loosen up. Together, they created balance.

“Well, alright, then. There’s a place I’ve been hoping to try, anyway.”

“Lead the way, Cupcake.”

Then, there was the nursery preparation and the clothing to buy. Even after all the planning and forethought that went into having a baby, Vi had never imagined herself fawning over baby clothes, but it happened anyway. There had been a very teeny, tiny bout of impatience and regret for not finding out the baby’s sex when they discovered the overwhelming cuteness they had in store for them. They bypassed the cute frilly dresses and absurdly adorable miniature old man baby suspenders in exchange for the neutral. The neutral were plenty adorable in their own right, but to say they were tempted to know after that excursion would have been an understatement.

As for the neutral outfits, perhaps it was the foolhardy excitement of first-time parents, but Tobias had ever so gently pointed out they bought far too many for someone who would grow out of them within their first month of life. For something that should have been so obvious, the statement was the reality check they were missing to highlight the wild journey this was about to be. Babies grew faster than they imagined, even though the sizing labels said it right there. Maybe it would have been silly to buy the fancy dress or old man baby suspenders if they couldn’t wear them for long, and who were they kidding? Between the spit-up and diaper mishaps that were sure to happen, maybe the basics were a good call in the long run, anyway.

If nothing else, the donation banks weren’t lacking for newborn clothing that month.

Vi fumbled a little, trying to hold the corners of the crib up while putting it together as Caitlyn put away the freshly washed newborn clothing. Of course, the staff had offered to do all of this for them, but while they were hoping for help to take care of their baby between their work schedules, the tasks of parenting weren’t something either of them intended to just pass off to others in its entirety. They were excited about this. Even for monotonous tasks like these, it was all part of it; setting up what would be the room their child would grow up in.

Even unfinished as it was, Vi sometimes looked at this place with shock and wonder, realizing just how differently their child would grow up to how she did. It might have been a guilt-ridden reality to contend with years ago, knowing the inequality that used to exist. She never wanted her child to grow up thinking they were better than anyone else, and thanks to all the work Caitlyn was doing to make Zaun a better and safer place, Vi didn’t worry about that anymore.

Her kid would have playgrounds to go to, but so would the kids being raised in Zaun. They would all have clean and fresh air to breathe. None of them would have to worry significantly about the safety of their streets, which was Vi’s part in all this. Together, they turned this long-held vision of unification into a reality for the betterment of everyone.

Vi smiled at the thought just as she finished with the crib. She looked over at Caitlyn, who was running her hand over the fabric of a onesie, captivated by it. Vi wondered if it was the size she was marveling at because that had sure surprised her. Vi had even been around a baby growing up, but she was already five by the time Powder was born. A baby to a five-year-old was massive in comparison to now, when, as an adult, she could hardly believe how tiny the clothes were.

She wasn’t about to share any of these musings with Caitlyn just in case she was anxious about the fact that no matter how big the baby got, it had to make its way out somehow. Vi even squirmed at the thought. It was just better to keep that to herself, but it was enough for her to want to go over there and share in the moment anyway. When she went there, she saw it had a little bunny on the front, immediately reminding her of Powder’s old bunny.

“Everything okay?” Vi asked.

Cait smiled down at the onesie before placing it in the drawer. Her hand went to her back to support it, letting out a small sigh as she did so. “Yes. But also no,” she laughed bitterly.

“Your back bothering you?”

“When is it not these days?”

Vi didn’t need to be asked to massage it. Caitlyn leaned against the dresser to let her do it and promptly put real pressure into it. The breath of relief Cait took in told her she got the right spot and kept working it.

“So, if this was the no, what was the yes referring to?”

Cait laughed softly. “I suppose it’s just starting to feel real. Our baby already has a wardrobe and a collection of books and toys. They’re about to have a finished room.”

“Pretty damn soon here, anyway,” Vi said, lamenting the fact that there was still the changing table to build, but at least the rocking chair and crib were finished now. “The only thing we’re missing is names.”

Cait turned to her, anxiety-ridden. “Don’t tell me you’re backing out of the ones we’ve chosen now. Not after all that deliberation.”

“No,” Vi clarified, promptly stopping the massage. “I don’t mean names for the baby. I meant for us.”

“Ah,” Caitlyn said as she made her way over to the rocking chair. “I suppose I’ve been so concerned with everything else, I hadn’t even thought of it. Did you have a preference?”

“Not really, but I guess I just assumed you would be Mother,” she said and immediately regretted the awkward way ‘Mother’ came out, like it was too pristine to come from her tongue. She cleared her throat awkwardly, going to open the box for the pieces of the changing table. Thankfully, Cait just laughed it off.

“I don’t know, I think I’m done with such formalities. Well… maybe not done, but that’s not what I want family life to be like.”

Vi smiled at her sweetly. “Well then, do you have a preference?”

Cait rocked gently in the chair, and Vi couldn’t help but watch her as she was deep in thought. She would miss how Cait’s hand rested on top of her belly so naturally. But then again, she figured that new habit wouldn’t exactly go away. It would just be replaced by gently resting her hand over their baby being held up close to her chest. It already warmed her heart.

“How about I’m mum and you’re mom,” Cait said.

She liked it. “You don’t think the difference is too subtle?”

“Perhaps it is subtle, but I think it’s distinct enough. They both have their cute derivatives for when the children are young.”

Vi didn’t miss the mention of children. Plural. Cait had already brought that up a few times when they still had no idea how this would go. Maybe they would find enough fulfillment with one.

“Yeah, I like that,” Vi said excitedly.

“Now, if only they’d come out already so we could put all this to use,” Cait said while looking over the room and the frustration was evident, but Vi already knew it didn’t come from a bad place. She was just uncomfortable and eager to meet their baby already.

“Won’t be too long now.”

“Still a month,” Cait scoffed. “And first babies are usually late.”

Vi grimaced, wishing there was a way to make that part easier, too. Technically, an induction was another thing money could buy, but they weren’t looking for that kind of intervention unless medically warranted. If Cait wanted to, Vi certainly wouldn’t protest, but it was Cait’s insistence on wanting to let it be as natural as possible. Vi wondered if that mentality would stick when it was time for the drugs.

“I’m at the point that I’m looking forward to labor, even.”

Vi’s eyes bugged out in surprise. Never would she have thought anyone would utter those words, but then again, maybe that was nature for you - make you so uncomfortable leading up to birth so you wouldn’t be scared to face the pain of it.

“I’m sorry,” Vi pouted at her.

Despite everything, Cait smiled lightly. “It’ll all be worth it.”

“It will be. I hope you know how much I appreciate what you’re doing for us.”

“I do. You tend to be too hard on yourself this way, but you’ve done a lot to prove to me just how much. Ever since the beginning.”

She was hard on herself because it was hard to believe. What could she do that would ever come close to returning the favor? Instead of saying anything, she just nodded and finished the changing table.

By the time she was done with everything, Cait had already gone to lie down and relax. Vi looked around the room, and even without the discomfort of it on her end, it was making her wish their baby was already here, too. Her hand grazed over the railing of the crib, imagining looking down at their baby sleeping in it. Then again, the first half a year would be in the bassinet in their room, but for naps or feedings, they would be in here. Vi’s heart was overwhelmed, feeling like she couldn’t wait.

With one last look at everything, it was almost done. The only thing missing was a little stuffed rabbit.

Chapter Text

Caitlyn’s due date had come and gone by a single day, and in typical Caitlyn fashion, she was still working. Her interim was already hired and waiting on standby, literally in the room with her, just waiting to be instated. All her fellow council members told her to rest and go home, but Cait wasn’t hearing any of it. In fact, she insisted on attending a public forum, something more painstaking than the typical fare of an already stressful job.

The only reason Vi finally relented to Caitlyn’s insistence was because it was public, meaning she could attend and be there waiting on standby just in case. Tobias’s insistence on doing the same granted Vi immense comfort while only perturbing Caitlyn all that more, insisting everything would be fine.

Hours dragged on, and even though this forum was devoted to a topic Vi was passionate about, her focus was dead set on one thing only, which was reading Caitlyn’s behavior for even the slightest hint of anything being off at all. It didn’t matter that Cait had insisted it wouldn’t happen today, and that nothing felt different, and there had been no signs, and that they were overreacting, and the list could go on. Vi would sit there and wait for as long as it would take, and the precinct could just deal with her absence. Basher was good for taking up the helm, anyway. In fact, he damn near insisted himself, only perturbing Caitlyn more.

As time passed, a few things had Vi on edge, like how Cait made a face as she adjusted in her chair, but that hadn’t been so unusual every other day lately. It was hard for her to get comfortable no matter what she was doing, much less sitting on these awful forum chairs for hours on end. And then there was the way Cait kept checking the clock with increasing frequency as time dragged on. While that one wouldn’t normally have been a behavior Cait would have in the middle of something so important, these weren’t regular days. Said discomfort would likely have her counting down the minutes, too.

So, with nothing more official, Vi merely stayed diligent, hoping Cait would be obvious about it if there was something to worry about.

“She’s quite something, isn’t she?” Tobias asked happily from Vi’s side.

She was suddenly regretful for not paying more attention now, because she already knew Tobias was right. Cait was a force to be reckoned with in everything, and it was rare to get to see her in action like this. But with so much else on her mind, it was proving near impossible to actually focus on the words coming out of her mouth, or anyone else’s, for that matter.

“She is,” Vi said sincerely anyway, because whether or not she was listening, she already knew it was true. Cait was amazing in everything she did.

The meeting went on, and Vi found herself tuning in more, thanks to Tobias inadvertently shifting her focus. It was deliberations for the fate of an entire region in Zaun. Developers from Piltover were vying for the spot to both industrialize for their own gain as well as develop expensive apartment buildings for future rental properties. Their ploy was the fantastical claim it would bring more of an economy to the region, making jobs and helping it flourish when Cait already knew what it really meant was keeping the money from said economy in the pockets of Piltover. The economy could thrive with the small businesses and personally owned homes or apartments, keeping that wealth in Zaun. That was the proper way to help Zaun create a new history for themselves, and the proper way for relations between sides to heal.

Cait was putting in her best efforts, growing more agitated as the meeting moved on and right when the speaker from the proposing development party was giving their final spiel, Caitlyn stood. The rest of the councilors turned to her for the abruptly rude display, because if anything was sacred in these matters, it was letting the speaker have the floor.

“I’m sorry to cut through the bullshit,” Cait started, and Vi had a sinking feeling because, while Cait was good at speaking her mind when it was called for, she had grown skilled in diplomacy and following the book. “But if a single soul in this room can’t see through this plan for what it really is, you’re a fool. The only thing that will come of this is starting our conflicts with Zaun all over again from step one. You’re asking to have ultimate control over what jobs are available to the people of Zaun while also controlling their housing. You’re asking for them to give up their lands while simultaneously handing you their freedoms. Even if you’re paying for it now, this will do nothing but keep the poor poorer in the long run.”

The room stayed there in a shocked quiet until the moderator spoke. “Mrs. Kiramman-“

Cait hunched over the desk, gripping the edge with one hand while holding up a finger. It took her a moment to address them again. “I apologize for the abrupt interference, but I’ve been in labor for the last two hours and wanted to say my part before leaving.”

Vi hadn’t even waited to hear the rest of Cait’s announcement after the word labor hit her ears. She was already climbing over people’s laps to make her way out and around to the podium. She never even stopped to see if Tobias was following, but sure enough, he was right behind her when they made it to Cait, who had already made her way down, speaking to the interim.

“Now I know I’ve just made things a lot more difficult, but I swear on everything that is good, if you don’t see this proposal squashed, I will be right back here tomorrow, disheveled and wearing a diaper with a newborn clinging to my breast to fight this myself. I beg of you to make this right.”

She was saying it all in her intimidating voice, but Vi could read it for what it really was. It was desperate pleading to do this right in her absence, which Vi was scared might just be too tall an order to ask after a show like that.

Thankfully, this interim was someone ready and capable, nodding confidently as they went to take her spot. None of their group stuck around to hear the aftermath.

“Caitlyn,” Vi said softly, going to hold her hand. The way she grasped it told her a contraction was hitting. “Why didn’t you say something sooner?”

“Because the first stage of labor takes forever,” Cait gritted out. “I figured I may as well try to last it out. I almost feel like the developers left their proposal this late on purpose, knowing I would be the person contesting it the most.”

“Sevika will help there.”

Cait still looked like the pain was gripping her, but nodded affirmatively.

“Is it getting bad, then?”

“Not particularly,” she said, taking in a calming breath. “But I found I had lost all patience and the pain wasn’t letting me gain it back.”

“Alright, well, let’s get you to the hospital.”

Caitlyn shook her head. “It’s too early for that. Home.”

Vi studied her for a minute and wanted to protest, but Cait would have been the one timing the contractions this whole time. Damn it. Vi had seen the signs all along. She knew something didn’t feel right, but then again, what would she have done, anyway? Cait was intent on staying, and no one would have talked her out of it. Ultimately, it didn’t matter anyway, because it was done now, and this was Vi’s time to do something. Bringing her home safely and comfortably was something she could do.

“I’ll drive the carriage,” Tobias said, rubbing Caitlyn’s shoulder before leading the way.

Vi took Caitlyn by the hand and didn’t let go of it - not through the carriage ride or through the walk up their grand staircase. She didn’t let go until they were getting comfortable in their room.

The staff hovered around the house on bated breath, and Tobias checked in with them often over the following hours. All Vi could do was take Cait’s lead and check in with the doctor for advice. Cait walked around the room for hours, trying to help progress it along, and Vi was by her side the entire time. When it started getting worse, Vi massaged that spot in her back that had been bothering her for months.

It wasn’t until Cait let out a very uncharacteristic whimper that Vi insisted it was time. She may have joked about being able to deliver the baby if it came to it, but that didn’t mean she wanted to do it. She wanted Cait and the baby to be in safe hands. She wanted them to be in the hospital where emergency care was available, just in case. So, as much as she was taking Cait’s lead for the most part, this was the one thing she put her foot down over.

Again, Tobias drove them, and Vi was glad for it so she could watch Cait like a hawk. The streets were empty now, being the dead of night, making it all that less stressful to get there in a rush. Cait was struggling markedly more than their carriage ride home. Logically, she understood that’s how this worked, but still, it filled Vi with all sorts of inadequacies for being unable to do more.

In the hospital, they quickly found their way to the birthing suite and some privacy, as Tobias returned home to rest. That way he could be there for both of them afterward, he claimed, but they both knew he likely wouldn’t be finding sleep tonight either.

Alone in the room, Caitlyn tried to keep walking, but this time it turned into a lot more pausing to grip onto Vi through the contractions, and Vi was there for it all. As the contraction passed, it was clear Caitlyn was exhausted, so Vi just held her, swaying gently and stroking her hair, which was still in its silky perfection.

Caitlyn seemed content, or at least as content as she could be in that moment, so Vi stayed that way, swaying gently, ready to follow Cait’s lead the moment that changed, but for now she was appreciating this time with her, too. These were their last few hours just the two of them. It was noteworthy and significant, and even though she couldn’t wait for this change, she didn’t want to let these last moments go without cherishing them.

More time passed that way than either of them realized when Vi finally wondered if she should be more proactive.

“Is there anything you need?”

Caitlyn groaned out. “For this baby to be out of me already.”

Vi closed her eyes, still swaying as she rubbed Cait’s back. “Well, I’m sorry I can’t do that for you. But if it’s any consolation, we’re going to be parents soon,” Vi said quietly, her voice filled with so much hope.

Cait was quiet for a while, even through another contraction, before Vi felt the wetness building on her shoulder. “We really are, aren’t we?”

“We are,” Vi said quietly, just holding her wife. “I can’t wait.”

Another contraction hit, and this one was bad, and suddenly, Caitlyn was finished with standing. She got settled into bed, exhausted to the point of finding minutes of sleep between the pain. The only reason Vi could tell it was genuine sleep was by the way her hand went limp after a contraction ended, and still, Vi sat there diligently through it all, watching her face scrunch up and release that same tension for what felt like even more hours. Labor was no joke, but it would be over soon, and their baby would be in their arms, and she genuinely couldn’t wait.

It was shocking when she contemplated how she ever got to this point. When exactly through time had she left those fears at the door in exchange for this excitement? She used to be so consumed by failing as a role model. She had nightmares of losing Powder to Silco. She worried about repeating those mistakes with someone new, but somewhere along the line, she started believing in herself.

Caitlyn’s hand was limp in hers again. Her eyes were closed and relaxed, finding that brief solitude, and it was then she realized that was all Caitlyn, too. How many times had she granted Vi the patience to find that confidence in herself? Not only about having a baby, but also about seeking the sheriff’s position. She waited for Vi to gain enough courage to cut back her hours and trust in her team. Through so many things along the years, Cait had done nothing but encourage her with patience.

You had to get there on your own.

How many times had she heard that and so many similar sentiments over the months? There had never been a rush for any of it. There had never been any push to get her to do something she didn’t want for herself. Cait had given her the space to discover these things about herself, and now her life was richer for it. All these months, she’d been telling herself to believe in Powder and Caitlyn and so many other people, when maybe all this time, what she really needed was to believe in herself.

It made her wish Caitlyn wasn’t going through all this right now so she could thank her. Instead, she held Cait’s hand up to her face, grazing it against her cheek. She didn’t even notice the tears that escaped until Caitlyn’s fingers trailed along her cheek the way she often did.

“Violet,” Cait said softly.

Their eyes met, and she realized now that Cait had a good, long minute of sleep just then. She hadn’t spoken in hours until now through all of the distress, and it was all coming together. Vi remembered the instructors mentioning this in their prenatal class. This was the calm before the storm. That brief period of solace where contractions stopped before the end. Vi didn’t want to draw attention to it, so she kept her mouth shut as much as her heart was racing, knowing it would soon be over.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, Cupcake,” she said with a painful smile. “I just love you so much.”

“You can’t go saying things like that now,” Caitlyn said, tearing up herself.

“Yes I can,” Vi whispered. “Nothing’s ever going to stop me from saying that.” She leaned into the hospital bed awkwardly to kiss her wife and stroke her hair.

Caitlyn’s hand grazed her cheek. “I love you too.”

They stared into each other’s eyes a little longer until Caitlyn shut hers with ferocity, taking a deep breath. Vi didn’t wait to push the call button because she already knew this was it. The nurse came in to confirm as much, and the room erupted into a flurry that only confirmed it more. Cait was being sat up in bed while the doctor and nurses prepared everything with well-practiced efficiency.

Instead of holding Cait’s hand like she imagined, Vi held her leg for better positioning while a nurse mirrored her on the other side, and with each push, Vi only had eyes for her wife. Through all of this, Caitlyn had still never asked for the drugs. Sure, she’d been stabbed. She lost an eye. She’d been through so much before now that Vi knew she was plenty capable of handling pain, but still, all of those things had forms of relief after they happened, too. This had been a steady, relentless build over a day, she realized, as the sun was breaking out over the horizon through their window. It was quite a feat to witness.

“You’re getting close now, Mrs. Kiramman.”

Cait’s chest was heaving with the effort of it all as she took a break. “I want Violet to deliver,” she gasped out.

Vi’s eyes opened wide, darting back to the doctor. “You didn’t sneak anything into her IV, did you?”

The doctor glanced at her before drawing her attention back to the much more important matters at hand. “Your wife doesn’t have an IV.”

Vi looked around the bed, and sure enough, that was accurate. “Slip something under her tongue? Inject her with something?”

Another contraction passed along with another good push when Caitlyn grabbed her by the shirt, pulling her closer. “Violet. I am of sound mind and want you to do it.”

Maybe she would be more willing to agree if she didn’t feel like one of her gauntlets had just knocked her down thirty flights of stairs at the shock. Against Caitlyn’s control, another contraction hit, and with it another push. She heaved more breaths to collect herself.

“I want us to bring our child into the world. Together,” she said through grit teeth.

“I know you’ve been trained,” the doctor said. “I have no problems letting you take part, but your window is closing fast.”

When Caitlyn’s eyes met hers through her exhausted breaths, there was no question in Vi’s mind that she meant it. Caitlyn believed in her to do this. It was time to believe in herself, too.

A nurse was at her side, ready to take Vi’s place to support Caitlyn’s leg, and Vi finally relented. The doctor ushered Vi over for the optimal placement to deliver the baby. With one last look at her wife, Cait was at ease, and it was then Vi knew she had the confidence to do this. She was where she was meant to be. She may not have had practical experience, but she had the training. She had their doctor’s help right at her side. She had everything she needed at her disposal, and at the end of all this, she could say she was the one who delivered their baby.

The pushes that followed were all so close together now, and Vi’s emotional side turned off while the sheriff’s side came out. Her mind was entirely focused on her part in all of this, ensuring to do it right, because the last thing she wanted was to screw this up through blurred, teary vision.

The doctor was guiding her all along the way, and after the head was out, Vi’s hand was already there, holding it, just waiting for the rest to follow. She knew this part would be fast, and that professional side of her was waning with every second. Tears threatened to spill, so she blinked them away, and with Caitlyn’s last push, the baby was in her hands, already wailing away.

It was then that Vi finally let it out, sobbing as she met Caitlyn’s eyes again, who was crying just as hard. The nurses helped Caitlyn lay back more comfortably, and when she was ready, Vi placed their baby on her wife’s chest, still attached by the cord.

“You did it, Caitlyn,” Vi said, coming around the bed to be with them both as they laughed through tears of joy. “We have a son.”

Chapter Text

Vi still hadn’t slept a wink since the birth, but then it had only been a few hours. There would be time enough for that in a few years. As it was now, the sun was still only just hanging over the horizon, and Vi didn’t want to miss her little boy’s first day of life.

Caitlyn, meanwhile, was taking a well-deserved rest, sleeping now that they had their own recovery room in private, and Vi was doing everything in her power to keep it that way for as long as she possibly could.

Skin-to-skin was crucial at this stage, so Vi was down to her bra, lying on the uncomfortable couch for partners with her son sleeping calmly on her chest. She had a warm blanket draped over the both of them to share her body heat, and it was definitely doing the trick. His little body was radiating so much of it that it was already stifling in there, but Vi wouldn’t move for anything.

All Vi could do was watch his little back rise and fall through the blanket like she was scared he would suddenly stop breathing. The little onesie they were ogling a month ago didn’t do his size justice. He was so tiny and felt so fragile as she ran her hand along his back, too precious a thing to even comprehend. She was so enamored by his dark purple hair, and now that he was all cleaned off, she never could have imagined the softness of it. She never thought something softer than Caitlyn’s hair was possible, but there it was in their child.

It was then she understood that look on her mother’s face when she brought Powder home. Here Vi was, living on nothing more than baby fumes after a sleepless night, feeling like her entire world had opened up into so much possibility and hope. She felt something now like she felt for Powder back then. There was this urgency to protect her son and hold him close. A hesitant love that she knew if anything ever happened to him, it would shatter her from the inside out.

“Better not break him, then. Heard these things are fragile,” Vi heard in Powder’s voice.

That still happened sometimes when the shreds of doubt crept in, and maybe that helped her stay on track all this time, too. She was better than her mistakes and failures. She’d learned from them and grown, and this was her time to prove it now with her son, who started squirming a little in her arms. He moved his head around in search of food. It was wild how babies just knew how to do that.

“Alright, buddy, I’ve got you,” Vi said, sitting up. “Well… technically, I don’t have you there. Not in that department, anyway, but I’ll get you sorted out,” Vi said with a laugh.

She gently went to put him in the hospital bassinet before she went to Caitlyn’s bedside. Vi rubbed her arm gently, rousing her from sleep. The adrenaline of everything must still have been surging through her despite the sleep because she jumped, very on edge.

“What’s wrong?” she asked drowsily.

“The boss is hungry,” Vi said, putting her shirt back on since the skin-to-skin was done for now.

“Okay.”

Caitlyn was still groggy as she sat up, trying to ready herself. Vi went to change him first, having been told that was the best way to keep a baby content. Eating tended to put them to sleep, even though he had literally just been doing that. Turns out, babies need a good twenty hours of beauty rest, and who was Vi to say no to the poor guy? He’d just been through quite the ordeal himself, you know. So it was for the best to change the diaper before he was ready to settle down and while she did so, she saw Caitlyn trying to adjust herself, moving over in the bed to one side.

“What are you doing?”

“Making space for you,” she said, as though it should have been obvious.

Vi sighed. “Caitlyn.”

“What? I’ve already done it. Do you genuinely mean to imply I should move back?”

Damn that woman and her logic. “No.”

Vi finished up with the baby, bringing him to Caitlyn, squirming with more fervor now. If they didn’t figure this out quick, he would be screaming for sure.

Cait took him gently, trying to get situated, which, as it turned out, was not easy. The little guy might have the instinct to eat, but that didn’t mean either of them had the magic ingredients to make the whole thing work seamlessly. Caitlyn brought him close, trying to adjust a few times with a few failures.

Vi stood there waiting just in case she needed to go find help, but Cait’s eyes went wide in surprise when he finally seemed to get a good latch.

“I think that’s it.”

“Leave it to you to be perfect at this, too,” Vi said with a laugh.

Cait merely shook her head, watching their son. “You say that, but I don't even know if my milk has come in yet.”

“Well, sure, but this will help.”

A moment passed while Violet watched from the sidelines.

“Are you going to get in or not?”

Here she had hoped Caitlyn got distracted and forgot, but she should have expected this. Vi laughed, begrudgingly making her way to the other side of the bed, and with an abundance of caution, like mountains of hesitant caution, she sat very delicately on the other side of the bed.

“I’m not made of glass.”

Despite the lecture, Vi didn’t change a thing. “Maybe not, but you’re not the one that saw yourself down there. I can’t imagine not being in pain.”

“I never said I wasn’t, but what? Did I ask you in here to keep a foot between us in this tiny bed? You may as well commit to it and get it over with.”

Vi finally turned to her, and while she wasn’t happy about it, it was fair enough. Ever so slightly less careful than before, she scooted up to Caitlyn. Close enough that their sides were flush and Vi furled around her, looking down at their son.

She really had to find those scratch mittens because the nails these things came out with were no joke. If only babies had better fine motor skills, she could already teach him to put those things to use in a fight. He already had little scratch marks on his face just from cuddling. He was busy now, though, and she didn’t want to disturb him while he was learning to do this, too, so she’d get them when he was done.

Instead, Vi kissed Caitlyn’s shoulder as they both watched their son. “You did that.”

Cait shook her head. “ We did it,” she protested.

Vi could have protested right back because, while he shared their DNA, Cait had put in all the work. She didn’t want to ruin the moment, though, so she kept her mouth shut, nodding gently against Cait’s shoulder. “What did I tell you? He has your nose, just like we saw on the ultrasound.”

Caitlyn smiled as she grazed her thumb along his cheek as he fed. “Yes, well, he has your eyes.”

“And a nice mix of our hair.”

Cait hummed with contentment.

“I love him so much already,” Vi whispered, like she was in awe, and she supposed she was a little. It had been so long since she’d seen anyone resembling her. Her parents were long gone. Powder, now, too. It was surreal to see pieces of her in a brand new person, but what could have been better when he shared pieces of Caitlyn, too? It was almost too overwhelming to contemplate.

“How could you not?” Cait said softly, stroking his hair.

It didn’t feel like there was anything more to say, so they both sat silently until he finished. Sure enough, it wasn’t too long before he lulled himself right back to sleep. Caitlyn fixed her hospital gown and burped him, and by the time he was nice and content, resting on his mum’s chest, there was a knock at the door.

Vi didn’t want to move, but while still being careful, she got out of the bed to get the door, not surprised by who was waiting on the other side.

“Tobias,” Vi greeted warmly.

He looked a mixture of tentative eagerness with his own exhaustion. So much for going home to rest, Vi thought with a smile, but then she couldn’t blame him.

“Violet.”

“They’re right in here,” she said, welcoming him in.

He took careful, quiet steps into the room, peeking around the corner. His shoulders sagged, releasing any tension the moment his eyes caught onto his grandchild, still in his daughter’s arms.

“Would you like to hold him?” Caitlyn asked.

“Very much so.”

Caitlyn nodded as though to say he could, but he quickly went to wash his hands first. When he was done, he went to Caitlyn’s side, and she delicately handed the baby to her father. Tobias picked him up in a way that felt practiced but unsure thanks to the years that passed since it was Caitlyn in his arms.

Vi went to stand next to Caitlyn, holding her hand as they watched him get settled.

“Father,” Cait said, and he looked up at her. “This is your grandson, Jasper. Jasper Vander Kiramman.”

Tobias smiled sweetly, looking back down at him. “Jasper,” he repeated lightly, testing it out. “He looks like a Jasper.”

Cait and Vi liked to think so, too. How long they deliberated over names they thought would fit, and even still, they waited until after he was born to settle on one from their shortlist. There had been a significant debate on whether to honor those lost, deciding to use that as the middle name. Neither of them thought it fair for their children to live in someone’s shadow like that. Not so directly, anyway, so he got a first name all his own while allowing the middle one to be a story yet to be passed down. There would be a day he would know about Vander, but there was plenty of time to cover that. For now, they simply looked forward to watching him learn to be Jasper.

A tear streaked down Tobias’ cheek, and he brushed it away carefully after ensuring he had a good hold on the baby.

“Do you remember how I mentioned your mother would have been happy on some level, even if she never said it out loud?”

“Yes,” Caitlyn said, and Vi could already hear the emotions tensing in her voice.

“This would have been the moment she spoke them out loud.”

Caitlyn’s lips twitched, already wiping away her own tears.

“She would have been proud of you, Caitlyn. And you, Violet. You’ve been good to our daughter. Good for her. I know you’ll be the same for Jasper.”

A sob escaped her before she even felt the build of tears. What the hell was this? She covered her mouth, wanting to turn away, but noticed how Cait looked at her. She would have assumed it to be strange, being examined like she was some kind of alien, but she was only met with gratitude and sympathy.

Before she knew it, Tobias gently placed Jasper down in his bassinet, walking over to hug Vi. She held on more desperately than even she would have expected, and suddenly, she understood why.

There was a time when she never expected to have a family ever again. Everything was too far lost and too far gone, and she was out alone on her own for so long. But now she was surrounded by it. Family was her life again, just like it used to be when she was little.

Living most of her life displaced, this felt like home.

Chapter Text

The first three months at home with Jasper went by in a fog, and if that happened to Vi, she could barely imagine what it must have done to Caitlyn. Vi helped in every way she possibly could. She was the one changing the diapers in the dead of night. She would stay awake as long as possible to help entertain Caitlyn through those late-night feedings. They would stay up and chat, or sometimes Vi would even read a book that Jasper could listen along to even if he didn’t understand the words yet. She would bring Caitlyn food and water to ensure she could settle in for a feeding without needing to worry about anything else. But the simple fact of the matter was that she wasn’t the one up with him at all hours of the day and night, which still gave her the easier job in this.

By the time those months passed, it almost felt as though she could barely remember any singular moments in any meaningful way. Both of them were just so tired, their brains feeling like mush. It hadn’t been glamorous or romanticized like it was at the hospital when they were still running off of endorphins and oxytocin. Reality hit a little differently when they were both covered in baby vomit, and he was peeing in their face after a blowout.

Looking back on it now, enough time had passed for Vi to find amusement in it, especially in contrast to the life they led before all of this. Cait and Vi were both distinguished fighters and pillars of the community, and here they were, taken down by a baby. With his haughty demands and razor-sharp nails, he could have ruled the world if only he could speak with his mum’s authoritative voice and stature.

It had been an exhausting few months, to say the least. There was a reason people referred to it as the fourth trimester. Just because Jasper was out in the world now, it didn’t mean their lives weren’t still entirely consumed by him. That time was filled with recovery and learning how to be a family of three as they faced these new challenges.

Eventually, that fog began to lift right around the time of his first smile. A real and genuine smile, too, and not the ones that were actually him trying to work out some gas. A little giggle followed not long after at the prodding of a little tickle, and it felt like someone had finally turned on the lights after months of the power being cut off.

Vi returned to work first, and it was difficult enough to make her wonder if she needed to have a job at all. They had enough money for her to quit and stay home, and to say she was tempted was an understatement. The world didn’t feel right when she was away from home, and all she wanted was to be in Caitlyn’s arms or to play with Jasper. As difficult as it was to adjust back to work, she soon came to her senses, realizing just how much her job mattered to her. She did this kind of work to help make Zaun and Piltover better places and maintain this hard-won peace. They wanted to lead by example to help show Jasper the way, and what better way to do that than by being involved? The betterment of Piltover and Zaun was for his sake, too, especially knowing what they went through to reach this point once and for all. Their greatest wish for him was to grow up never knowing the meaning of war.

With Vi’s days filled with work and her nights filled with Jasper, time started moving in ways she could barely comprehend. Suddenly, she was coming home to Jasper, sitting up and clapping his hands, filling her heart with warmth. On one of those fateful days, she came home to him doing that with Powder’s stuffed rabbit.

“You really gave him my stuff, huh? I don’t remember saying you could do that.” Powder’s voice played in her ear. “Well, what the hell are you doing? Go play with him, already. Fuck knows I can’t. And hey, when he gets older, dye his hair light blue, will you? It’ll suit him better.”

Vi hoped that’s what she’d really say, but fuck no, she wouldn’t dye his gorgeous hair. It was already perfect the way it was, mixed between hers and Caitlyn’s and a memory of her mother. She still remembered the way it stuck straight up on his head for an entire month after he was born, no matter what they did to it, and now that it was gone and more tame, Vi already missed it. She couldn’t fathom altering his hair in any way unless it was something he was old enough to voice for himself. His first haircut would be an emotional disaster to say the least.

If she thought sitting up was a fun milestone, it was quickly overshadowed by Jasper saying mama one morning in his highchair over breakfast. It quickly resulted in a competition over who he was referring to when, in actuality, he was just babbling like a baby should. In came the incessant babbling from both parents to get him to repeat it when he promptly moved on to Papa, filling Tobias with a sense of pride.

Caitlyn going back to work had gone slightly different, already knowing it was her time to go back without question. Her interim had done great work in Caitlyn’s absence, but she was the one elected to the role and owed it to the people to fulfill her position. Perhaps more than that, she owed it to herself for it being something so important in her life, but something about knowing it was time to go back made the goodbyes all the more tear-filled and difficult. Tobias had stepped in as a daytime caretaker, leaving them both reassured and at ease, but the heartbreak was there, regardless.

Perhaps the one benefit of this new step was that Caitlyn and Vi could sneak away for their lunches together, giving them some rare time alone. After months of trading off their time to sleep, they could finally see that time with each other for the gift it truly was.

By the time Jasper was walking, Vi had developed the habit of bringing him into the precinct occasionally, knowing how much her crew already loved him. They even made him a fake little badge and uniform he would put on before toddling around the office to take everyone down.

One night, after a long day, Vi volunteered to put Jasper to bed. As she looked down at him in his crib with her hand rubbing his little sleeping belly, it hit her suddenly that more than a year had passed in the blink of an eye. It felt like just yesterday she was building this crib for him as Caitlyn put away his brand new clothes waiting to be worn, and now here he was, having passed all the big milestones. She could almost cry, wondering where all that time had gone.

She couldn’t remember the exact moment it happened, but somewhere along the way, her mind had been consumed by happiness with hardly a bleak thought in sight. Over the last year and a half, her life had changed from grieving those gone and living in past regrets to thriving with the hope of the future.

Of all the things, it made her think of Isha. How much had Vi tried to save Jinx, but couldn’t? How much time had passed where she believed Powder to be gone forever? It was only when Vi finally accepted that fact that Jinx came waltzing back into her life with more Powder in her than she ever would have thought possible, and here was this small girl at the center of it all.

Isha had seen the best in Jinx, which helped Jinx see the best in herself. Something about that childlike innocence and hope had been the magic ingredient all along. That type of sentiment was too significant a burden to thrust on Jasper’s shoulders, but maybe there had been something about him that did it anyway. Vi could appreciate that much, at least.

Vi kissed her fingers before putting them to Jasper’s forehead and stroking his soft, chubby cheek. She lamented the fact she never got to know Isha well, but she would be eternally grateful for her, just like she was for Jasper.

The door creaked open and Vi didn’t even turn, already knowing it was Caitlyn.

“Everything alright?“ she whispered, and the fact that Cait had even come in here at all meant Vi was probably taking much longer than expected. Cait probably thought Jasper was having a rough time settling down for the night when, in reality, the delay had been all Vi.

“Yeah, he’s good. I just can’t stop looking at him.”

Caitlyn smiled warmly, finally walking up to join Vi at the side of his crib. Cait’s hand was warm on Vi’s back as she looked down at him, too.

“It’s still so hard to believe he’s ours,“ Vi said quietly, not wanting to disturb him. “We made him.”

“He really does seem too perfect for it, doesn’t it?“ Caitlyn said, matching her quiet tone with a little more mirth.

Vi let out a quiet huff, just watching him sleep soundly. “Remember how small he used to be?”

Caitlyn nodded beside her. “The way he used to fit right here,“ she said, miming how he used to be so tiny, he would fit on their chests like a little curled-up ball.

“I think I’m ready for another one,“ Vi blurted out. She tended to surprise even herself with these grand notions, hitting her all at once, but looking down at Jasper right now was too consuming not to feel it. It had all been over so fast, and he had been such a joy that she wanted to experience again. Besides that, things may have gone awry between her and Powder, but before that, the sibling love she felt was immense and beautiful. She wanted Jasper to have that, too.

Caitlyn merely hummed out in contentment, looking down at their son. The hand that was on Vi’s back patted her once.

“You’re it.”