Sole Survivor

10- Whose kid is this?

In the year 1945, my great-great grandfather, serving in the army, wondered when he'd get to go home to his wife and the son he'd never seen. He got his wish when the US ended World War II by dropping atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The World awaited Armageddon; instead, something miraculous happened. We began to use atomic energy not as a weapon, but as a nearly limitless source of power.

People enjoyed luxuries once thought the realm of science fiction. Domestic robots, fusion-powered cars, portable computers. But then, in the 21st century, people awoke from the American dream.

Years of consumption lead to shortages of every major resource. The entire world unraveled. Peace became a distant memory. It is now the year 2077. We stand on the brink of total war, and I am afraid. For myself, for my husband, for my infant son - because if my time in the army taught me one thing: it's that war, war never changes

As I walked through the door of the prydwen I saw Elder Maxson speaking to some kid. I walked towards them slowly but the kid saw me.

"Mommy!" He screamed running towards me wrapping his hands around me. "I thought I'd never see you again!"

"Oh?" Was all I managed to get out.

"Paladin, this child claims to be yours. Says his name is 'Shaun.' If you don't want it we can get it safely to Diamond City." Elder told me.

"No, he's mine." I said looking down at Shaun. "I'm keeping him. He's mine..." I tried to hold the tears back.

"Very well then. He can stay here in the prydwen, become a squire learn how to survive in the Commonwealth then when he's old enough you can take him out there."

"Okay. Sounds good Elder."

"He will sleep with you in your quarters or with the other squires, your choice."

"Shaun? What do you want? Do you want to sleep with me or the other children?"

"There's other kids!?" He asked as his eyes popped out of his head, "Yeah!!!"

I smiled and looked at Elder, "He'll be with the other children."

"Very well. Dismissed, Soldier."

I walked Shaun to where the other children were as we just chatted.

"Oh! Mom, I forgot. Father said to give you this."

"Hm?" Shaun handed me a holotape.

I put the holotape into my pip-boy and listened closely.

"If you are hearing this, then whatever conflicts you and I have endured are over. I have no reason to believe you'll honor the request I'm about to make, but I feel compelled to try anyway. This synth, this... boy. He deserves more. He has been re-programmed to believe he is your son. It is my hope that you will take him with you. I would ask only that you give him a chance. A chance to be a part of whatever future awaits the Commonwealth."

By the time I snapped back into reality my eyes were blurry, hearing was going out, all I heard was a murmured "Mom! Mom! Are you okay? Mom!"

The tears were falling off my face and onto my pip-boy. I wiped the pip-boy's screen and my face. "Yes, Shaun. I'm okay. Just... Come here."

As he walked towards me I pulled him into a tight hug, "I love you, Shaun."