Beneath a Moonless Sky

7

Erik's POV
After hours of labor, which meant much screaming and tears, it was over, and I pitied my young daughter. She has already ruined her chances of being married, unless someone could look past it. In my opinion, one that my dear wife doesn't share, if someone could look past my monstrosity of a face, they could look past her having a child.
When she had gone into labor, however, they didn't allow me in. They said she got only one coach, and I told my wife to go. I don't even know the baby's gender.

Rose's POV
I looked down into the white bundle of blankets at my baby. A boy. I already know his name, Jamie, for my brother.
I knew how angry my dad would be at my baby, he looked just like him. The entire right side of his face was marred and disfigured.
I jumped when I heard a light knock at the door. "Rosemary? May I come in?" I chuckled lightly at my baby who stirred and cooed at hearing my father's voice and called "Of course Father!"
He entered slowly, smiling. Even his eyes danced with glee. He removed his mask, and held it to his chest as he approached me. "Boy or girl?" "Boy, Jamie. He's beautiful Father. Come closer, he won't bite, he doesn't have the teeth." We both laughed quietly, when he came to my side. He gasped rather loudly, causing the baby to tear up, not yet crying.
"No no no no petit ange! Don't cry!" Father whispered. He picked up my newborn son, and walked to the other side of the room. "Regardez votre mère, elle est belle. Plus que nous ne le serons jamais. Ça va aller si petit ange, vous êtes toujours accepté ici."[1]
I smiled at my Father, I loved him for saying all of that. He thought I couldn't hear him, but I did. "Father, go take the child to Mother, please." He smiled and left with my cooing child.
When he returned I was crying. "Why are you sad mon ange?" "Because I can't care for him. I will have no husband to raise him with, and even if I did, I'm not yet 17, and have no job!" My father shushed me and came to stroke my hair.
   "Ma princesse, ça me fait du mal de te voir pleurer. Si c'est le visage de l'enfant, ne cherchez plus à voir comment la peur peut se tourner vers l'amour. Je sais que tu aimes le garçon, mais tu crains que tu ne sois jamais mariée. Petit ange, tu n'as pas besoin d'être marié pour être aimé. Je t'aime plus que n'importe quel mari, et j'ai déjà juré d'aimer et de protéger ton fils. Votre mère, alors qu'elle ne veut pas que vous sachiez, est en train de mourir. Tu es tout ce que je reste, je t'aime ma fille."

TRANSLATIONS

[1]   Look at your mother, she's beautiful. More than we ever will be. Just know little angel, you are always accepted here

[2]   My princess, it hurts me to see you cry. If it is the face of the child, do not seek to see how fear can turn to love. I know you love the boy, but you're afraid you're never married. Little angel, you do not need to be married to be loved. I love you more than any husband, and I have already sworn to love and protect your son. Your mother, while she does not want you to know, is dying. You're all I'm left, I love you my daughter