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The Hunts had a habit of stubbornly pursuing things, no matter how ill-advised or ill-timed. Rook in particular had multiple glowing examples—from transferring dorms to nearly drinking lethal apple juice, and of course flying halfway across the world to a place no one was known to return from.
So, naturally, Rook’s child seemed set on following in their father’s ever-vexing footsteps.
Vil winced as his entire abdomen seemed to spasm, lightly caressing his stomach with one hand and pressing his phone to his ear with the other. He knew Rook wasn’t going to pick up. Why should he? He probably didn’t have a signal at the remote excavation site he’d gone to. That Vil had insisted he go to. “The baby isn’t due for another week and a half. I don’t want you to miss out on this opportunity. I can handle a few days alone.” Vil wanted to curse himself for practically inviting fate to make him eat his words.
With a sigh, he ended the call and sat his phone on the kitchen counter. He’d grown used to the occasional cramp over the last few weeks. So when the first slightly stronger one jolted him awake in the middle of the night, he’d merely thought it was a sign that he was nearing the end of his pregnancy. (And thank the Seven for that; he was ready to have his body back.) Little did he know how close to the end he was, at the time.
They were coming fairly quickly now. Not on top of each other just yet, but enough for him to know this was the real thing. Soon, likely before the day was over, he’d have a baby. A beautiful new person who was half him…
…and half Rook Hunt. Seven help him.
“This had better be the only bad habit of your father’s that you inherit…” Vil muttered.
Who was he kidding? He loved Rook wholeheartedly. His eccentricities were endearing, and his quirks made him who he is, frustrating as they could be at times.
That didn’t change the fact that Vil’s dear husband was on the other side of Twisted Wonderland while he was alone and in labor with their first child. Vil slowly rocked his hips from side to side to ease the pain as he considered his options. The hospital was out of the question. For one thing, he didn’t like the idea of potentially being seen by the public in such a state. Worse, he’d have a medical staff filled with strangers observing him in a highly vulnerable scenario undergoing one of the most personal acts a human can experience. No, the hospital would only be a last resort if medical intervention was absolutely necessary.
It had been the plan since early on to deliver at home, if possible. Both Vil and Rook had done their due diligence in researching what to expect: pain management techniques, breathing exercises, everything. At this point, Vil felt confident he could handle the delivery on his own based on the books and guides he’d read.
Despite that, Vil knew going it alone wasn’t an option either. The contractions might have seemed intense now, but they were only going to get stronger as time went on. Vil had a handle on things at the moment, but how would his mental state change as things progressed? He couldn’t go into something like this simply hoping he could keep a clear head. Or, what if, Seven forbid, something went wrong? He needed someone on standby—someone to coach him through the delivery and call for help in an emergency.
On cue, a much stronger contraction caused Vil to hiss through his teeth. And by his best guess, he was still hours away from the big moment.
He couldn’t call his father. Not only did Vil have no idea where in the world he was at the moment, he didn’t want his dad to see him… like this. Likewise, Rook’s family was also not an option. The grandparents, aunts, and uncles would all be informed after the baby had arrived.
His and Rook’s home was a decent drive away from Fairest City, so they didn’t exactly have any friendly neighbors they’d grown close to. Harveston was too far away, so Epel wouldn’t make it in time. Nearly all of Vil and Rook’s other friends lived even farther away than that.
Who else would be competent enough to support someone through childbirth? Who else could Vil trust with his and his presently unborn child’s wellbeing? Who would Rook trust to take care of them until he could come home?
One name popped into Vil’s head, and he grimaced for reasons completely unrelated to his insides feeling like they were tying themselves in knots.
No. No. Anyone but…
A tiny whimper escaped Vil’s lips as his back began to spasm from the intensity of it all. He didn’t have time for this.
That person… well, he certainly had a knack for tending to others, Vil would grant him that. And, regrettably, Rook trusted him with every fiber of his being. Vil was also fairly certain he lived in the area between jobs.
Vil picked up his phone and dialed Rook one more time. As if he could make it home in time even if he did answer.
As the call went to voicemail, Vil hung up once again. Then, before he could come to his senses, he scrolled through his contacts and tapped a name he never thought he’d call in his adult life.
Two rings was all it took before a sickeningly sweet voice answered. “Vi-kun?”
“Hello, Neige. Are you terribly busy at the moment?”
The second that Rook’s phone had gotten a strong enough signal to alert him, he knew exactly what was going on. Ten missed calls. Four voicemails. One text that simply read: Please come home.
He’d hastily told a colleague that he couldn’t stay on the site for a moment longer and set off. It felt like he hadn’t stopped running, utilizing his family’s villas once again to get as close to the Fairest City as possible, and then practically jumping into the back of a rideshare. The only thing he’d managed to utter to the driver was the address. He had no time for pleasantries today. Not in these circumstances.
It was only once the car started rolling that he listened to Vil’s voicemails.
“Hello, darling. I don’t want you to worry, but I’ve started having stronger cramps. I think the baby’s coming earlier than we were expecting. You might want to cut your trip a little short and come back. I’ll keep you posted.”
“It’s me again. I think these are proper contractions. The false ones have been sporadic, but these aren’t letting up. They’re still pretty far apart. I’ve read that people can be in labor for a full day, so you have time. I’ll see you soon.”
“Rook, I think it’s time. They keep getting stronger. I need you here as soon as possible. Everything is going to be fine, but… I need you.”
Rook wondered if Vil was trying to calm himself more than he was trying to reassure him.
“Rook…” Vil’s voice grew quiet, although Rook’s heart clenched when he heard a distant groan of pain. He must have held his phone away from his face. “Rook, I know you don’t have a signal where you are. You’d have answered by now if I was getting through to you. I know you’re going to come running as soon as you get these. You promised you’d always come running. Just… please be careful, Rook. I love you.”
Rook didn’t know whether to be overjoyed or anguished. Of course, he’d looked forward to this day ever since Vil had told him their little family would be growing. Watching and observing Vil as he underwent every change throughout this beautiful journey had been nothing short of enthralling.
Then there was the matter of their upcoming little addition. Like any good parent-to-be, Rook had been anxiously excited to meet the tiny human who was part him, part Vil. The idea of nurturing and teaching a new life thrilled him, and it was all made even more exciting knowing he and Vil would be doing it together.
A new life, brought about because of the love Rook and Vil shared. A legacy of beauty and l’amour.
As happy as he was knowing how close he was to meeting his and Vil’s child, Rook also felt incredibly guilty. He should have never left Vil in his condition. Vil had insisted that it would be fine, that his due date was still over a week away, but Rook knew those dates were only estimates. And now Vil was all alone, possibly frightened, enduring one of the most difficult and painful things a person can go through. He hoped Vil could forgive him. At least Rook knew Vil was still at home. His I See You spell on Vil’s wedding band couldn’t lie.
When the car stopped at the end of his driveway, Rook practically threw a wad of thaumarks at the driver and scrambled out of the back seat. It was far more than he owed, but he didn’t wait to be given change.
Rook sprinted to the front door and, out of habit, knocked. It quickly occurred to him that this was his house, and he shook his head as if that would clear his mind. He needed to focus. This was far too important of a moment for him to be careless.
He reached for the door handle, but before he could put his hand on it, the door opened. His heart fluttered with anticipation…
…but it wasn’t his husband who greeted him.
Neige’s big brown eyes blinked with surprise. “R-san.”
“R-Roi du Neige,” he whispered. “What… Why?”
“Vi-kun called me,” he replied with a smile. “He asked me to come over and help with the baby.”
Rook’s heart felt like it jumped into his throat. “Le bébé…” He mouthed. “Does that mean… the baby is..?”
Neige nodded. “About an hour ago. They’re both completely fine. They’re resting right now.”
They’re fine. They’re both fine. Vil and… the baby.
The baby was here.
A soft pair of hands enveloped one of his, and Rook blinked his shock away.
“Won’t you come in?” Neige asked sweetly. “Vi-kun has been anxious to see you.”
Oh, how anxious Rook has been to see Vil, too.
Rook smiled and nodded. “Mais oui.” With that, he walked past Neige and made his way to his and Vil’s bedroom, using his magic to clean the dirt off of him as he went.
When he rounded the corner into the room, the first thing Rook noticed was the bassinet he’d put together only a few weeks ago situated right beside the bed. And in the bed lay his husband, eyes gently closed, sleeping soundly.
Rook tiptoed closer, thanking the Seven for his ability to move quietly. Soon, a small bundle of blankets with a tiny head poking out of the top came into view. Rook couldn’t help himself. His eyes began to water as he took the sight in.
“He’s beautiful, isn’t he?”
Rook gasped and turned his attention to Vil, who was grinning at him with one eye open.
“You can pick him up, you know. I’m sure he’s eager to meet his Papa.”
Papa. Oh, Sevens, he was a Papa now. The idea was both thrilling and terrifying, but he supposed every new parent felt that way.
He carefully leaned over the bassinet and lifted the baby—his baby—and cradled him in his arms. A little grunt followed by a tiny yawn was all the reaction Rook received in return.
Rook’s lips finally turned up into a smile as he quietly chuckled. “Oh, mon amour. He’s perfect.”
“Of course he is,” Vil said a little louder than before, and Rook could really hear the exhaustion in his voice. “He’s ours.”
Rook sat on the edge of the bed and looked at Vil, his smile turning apologetic. “I have so many things I wish to say to you, but I don’t know where to begin.”
“You don’t have to apologize. I know you weren’t ignoring me.”
“Even still, I’m sorry I couldn’t be by your side through it all. And I’m sorry for disturbing your much-needed rest.”
Vil chuckled and eased himself upright. “Oh, please. Yes, I’m quite exhausted, but I have far too much adrenaline rushing through my body to have a proper rest. And I’m still feeling rather high on all of the hormones, so I can’t find it in me to be upset either.”
“But Neige said–”
“I told Neige I needed a nap to get him out of our bedroom.” Vil frowned. “He’s seen far more of me today than I ever wanted him to.”
Rook smirked knowingly. “I can’t believe you called upon Roi du Neige of all people in your time of need.”
“He was the closest. And despite our history, I do recognize that he’s a good caretaker.” Vil lowered his voice and added, “I knew you’d trust him to care for us.”
Rook glanced down at the sleeping baby in his arms. To think that Neige LeBlanche was likely the first person to hold his child…
Vil continued, “Neige told me he’d clean around the house while I slept, and that, once he was done with that, he’d cook some meals for us that we could put in the freezer. That way, we won’t have to worry about food while we adjust to having a newborn in the house.”
“That’s very thoughtful of him. I’d expect nothing less from such a kind soul.”
“As long as he doesn’t fill my kitchen with gooseberry pies.”
That got a little laugh out of Rook. “I’m so relieved to see that you’re well, mon amour. Is there anything I can do for you now that I’m here?”
“What I need most is a shower,” Vil replied matter-of-factly. “But I’m not ready to get up yet. Perhaps you could bring me my makeup remover and facial cleanser? And a mirror, of course.”
Rook took a moment to fully take in the sight of his husband. His eyes were a little red, likely from lack of sleep and the strenuous activity he’d undertaken, and his mascara and eyeliner had started to run, giving him dark lines down both of his cheeks. Despite Vil’s high-end foundation and concealer, his forehead was covered in tiny streaks where sweat had washed his makeup away. His hair… well, calling it disheveled would be putting it gently.
“Neige saw me at my absolute worst today,” Vil said with a sigh. “If only I could erase the memory of me looking like this from his pretty little head.”
“But, mon amour, don’t you realize?”
Vil quirked an eyebrow at him.
“You may not look perfectly put together, and you may be completely and utterly exhausted, but right now, with your warm glow of new parenthood, you are the fairest one of all.”
“You’ve got to be kidding.”
“Non, I would never joke about your beauty. Today, you endured labor, a missing spouse, and childbirth with your greatest rival as your only support. And yet, you delivered our precious son safely and soundly.” Rook beamed. “I’ve never seen you look more beautiful, my fair Vil.”
Vil wiped at his eye with a little laugh. “Curse these hormones. I’m ready to be in control of my emotions again.”
With a pleased hum, Rook stood and carefully deposited the baby into Vil’s arms. “But if it will make you feel more at ease, I will retrieve your things. Un moment.”
A minute later, Rook returned with a few hair clips, a couple of bottles of products, and some cleansing cloths and sat by Vil’s side once again.
“Where’s the mirror?” Vil asked.
“I shall cleanse your face for you, mon amour,” he said as he clipped Vil’s bangs back. “It’s the least I can do.” He poured a bit of product onto a cloth and began gently wiping away the ruined makeup.
“I still haven’t named him, you know. I wanted to wait for you so we could decide together.”
“We could always name him after the person who assisted in his delivery.”
Vil opened his eyes long enough to glare at Rook, who merely chuckled.
Rook sighed. “I do wish I’d been here, mon amour. I was looking forward to seeing your face throughout the process, but alas. It will only ever be a mystery to me. Unless we decide to have another, of course.”
“Not for a long time, dear,” Vil noted firmly. “But, I do have one last surprise for you.”
Vil shifted his arms so he could point to the nightstand on the other side of the bed. There, Rook saw several of his old digital cameras.
“I had a feeling you’d want to experience the delivery for yourself, so I asked Neige to set those up at different angles around the room. You should be able to see everything.” Vil pulled away from Rook so he could give him a stern look. “Those videos are for your eyes only. I don’t even want to see them. Are we clear?”
Rook darted in for a kiss.
“Je t'aime, ma reine.”
“Je t'aime, my hunter.”
Between them, their son began to stir.
Rook laughed. “Je t'aime, mon petit prince. Welcome to our family.”