The Touch of Germany

*12*

The summer song birds sang their sweet symphony as Marie listen to them, taking in the peace that surrounded her. She was glad for a calm finally. The last months were hell with Genesis threatening the boarders and diplomats going missing. Ludwig barely was home at times, just leaving her and Gil to the home as things go out of hand outside the nations. It was worrisome for her at least, she waited to see him come home bruised and battered and shaking with more trauma of war, yet he always smiled and wrapped his arms around her. Whispering every night that she was his star that lit up his night.

She smiled at his words, how sweet and gentle they were. She never tired of them. Couldn't to be honest. They filled her with love and hope that chased her own past away. It was to the point that the pull to the needle was barely noticeable and her nightmares and memories just something that came occasionally and each time they did, he was there to comfort her. Yes, things were finally calm.

Well, except for that morning. She smiled oddly at the chaos that ensued in the early hours as Ludwig panicked over everything and Gil ran around like a chicken without its head. Thank god for Eliza being the calm one of the bunch, not that Marie hadn't done it before.

The small sigh pulled her thoughts back to the bundle against her legs. Two days after Gil came back, Marie found herself in the bathroom for hours it felt and things sort of added up to her discomfort. Although telling Ludwig was the funnier part of it all.

Marie leaned down and placed a gentle kiss to the baby's head. Her little hands wrapped around her own fingers, something she missed more than ever. Her little girl laid there, content as could be as Marie smiled down at her. She didn't expect to have a baby so soon yet she was overjoyed each day looking at her belly grow and feel her within. Ludwig was no different as his hands were always upon her belly, protective and yearning of her. Well, unless Blackie and Berlitz saw him, then it was their baby to protect and he wasn't allowed to even be near her. Even Aster, in his weakened state, growled at him.

She was truly awed by her little girl. Adrian wasn't wrong, he was right when he said she'd see him again one day. Her face was as peaceful as his and the same pouty lip as well. It wasn't him one hundred percent, but damn near close. She lifted her hand to her lips, placing gentle kisses to the tiny fingers that gripped hers.

Footsteps came to the side of the bed as she marveled at the baby, another kiss placed to her head as one came to her own.

"You are beautiful and did amazing this morning." Ludwig whispered in her ear as he caressed her arm.

"You've told me that at most five times now." she smiled at him.

"And I will tell you every day for eternity Marie, you are. I watched you do something amazing that I can never judge upon. I'll never argue over the strength of a woman ever again."

"You thought I was weak before?" she joked with him, watching his expression change instantly.

"Nein, nein. I'm not saying that!" he tried to cover his ass, "I'm saying that-"

She silenced him with a kiss, "You get any louder and you'll wake her."

"Sorry." he spoke gently as he moved himself to sit behind her. "Lean back Liebling. I want to hold my girls."

She felt his legs surround her as his arms wrapped around her and their daughter. The solidness of his chest was comforting as she leaned her head back against his should and brought the baby to her chest. This is what she dreamed of. The happy family moment that everyone dreamed of and now she had it.

Small whimpers left her girl as her head moved side to side, "Ok, ok. One moment Schatz."

Marie cradled her pulling her robe open as the baby began to nurse. Ludwig settled his head on her shoulder as he watched his little girl in her arms, the awed look in his eyes of her.