Fate II

CCXXXIV

A fork fell onto the floor with a clang. Lucy sat there in shock, still and unmoving. Kaede and Tomoyo, who had been attending to her, slowly widened their eyes in horror. They saw water slowly starting to pool beneath her chair and with it, blood. A month had passed since then and whilst they prepared for war, Sindria had entered winter. With nothing to do but attend to the Royal Greenhouse, Lucy stayed confined in the Soleil Palace for most of her days. Though Sinbad and they visited her and kept her attention away from the outside world, the recent loss of those most precious to her slowly ate away at her. Ridden with grief and the stress of impending war, it was no wonder that she was giving birth two months early.

"Lucy!"

Kaede immediately carried her to the delivery room with Tomoyo immediately getting the necessary supplies needed for the delivery.

"She's two months early," Kaede gritted his teeth. "On top of that, they're twins. It'll be amazing if both are born safely. We can only hope that Lucy's magoi had provided sufficient nutrition to them."

Tomoyo nodded her head.

"My babies," Lucy mumbled, sweat beginning to trickle down her face. "Will they be fine?"

"That..."

Lucy already knew the answer. She knew her condition well and how her body was slowly breaking down from the constant sorrow and grief that ravaged both her mind and heart. Pursing her lips, she desperately clutched onto Kaede.

"Please...make sure they're safe."

Kaede's heart broke. Tears threatened to fall from his violet-blue eyes which trembled with fear and despair. He held her tight and placed her on the bed, his head hung low.

"I," he balled his hands into fists and looked at her in anguish, "can't make that call."

"Kaede..."

"You've tried to sacrifice yourself too many times for the sake of your children," he said. "I can't let you do that again. You promised Sinbad that you wouldn't sacrifice yourself again. You promised that you would make it through. Just as you have a say in this pregnancy, Sinbad does, too. Just as much as he is the father of these children, he is also your husband."

She widened her eyes slightly before pursing her lips.

"So if it does come down to it," Kaede tightened his grip, unwilling to lose her anymore, "I will save you."

Hearing his adamant tone, she had no choice but to give in. She released her grip on him, her hand falling back down to her side. Clutching the sheets, she resolved herself.

"I understand," she said. "But," she turned her head up towards him, "I never said I won't fight for them. They are my children. No matter how broken and feeble this body may have become, my decision has never changed. I want to welcome them into this world. I want them to see all that I have seen, and experience all that I have experienced. More than anything, I want to see them grow with my own two eyes."

Kaede widened his eyes.

"These children are two months early," she gripped the sheets, the pain that she had experienced once before slowly dominating each and every corner of her body. "I know the risks. That's why I'm asking you this, Kaede," her voice slowly cracked as tears rolled down her face. "Save them. If my magoi that they've been feeding on wasn't sufficient to replace those two months, then I want you to save them."

"Lucy..."

"I will give birth to them," she said, ready to push as Tomoyo finished preparing everything. "And I will entrust them to you. You can do it, can you not?" she smiled, grinning through the pain.