Dead Set: Rebirth

Chapter 17

It was the morning of the honeymoon for the newlyweds Jonathan and Erina. The couple was about to aboard the ship. Reina and Straizo had arrived in time before the couple was to set sail. Reina hands Erina ad box. It was locked shut and carefully wrapped. "I know it isn't the best or most expensive gift. However, I feel as if it is necessary. Somehow, I don't think this ship is safe." Reina says as she was getting a strange vibe from the atmosphere. Erina looks at Reina with concern. She knew Reina was worried. Whatever was in the box meant the woman was serious. "I trust you and I'll make sure to be careful Lady Reina. But please do take care of yourself. You are showing." Erina spoke. "I will be fine. Straizo watches over me aside from Speedwagon." Reina says with a chuckle. Hearing that chuckle gave Jonathan a smile.

He turns to Straizo, "Is Lady Reina doing better?" "The lady is not having any more nightmares. It's as if she needed to leave the town for some time." Straizo answers. "She seems comfortable around you now," Jonathan added. "I...assure you that I am meant to protect her." Straizo was not sure what to make of Jonathan's comment. Jonathan chuckles and nods. "Ah! You two should hurry. Enjoy your time and tell me all about it when you come back." Reina said as the crew was waiting. "Of course, we'll be back. Just wait for us." Jonathan told her. Reina nods. The couple then aboard the ship.

"Straizo?" Reina speaks as her cheerfulness fades. "Yes, milady?" Straizo answers. Reina's eyes dull as she watches the ship depart the dock. She places one hand on her plump stomach. The cheers of the people happily waving farewell were silent to her. "...Why do I fear that Dio may be alive?" Her question surprised the hamon user. The woman's body began to shake. Reina's instincts were telling her that somehow Dio was not dead. If that was true then everyone was going to die. Straizo takes Reina's hands of his own.

He needed to comfort her but he chose not to be affectionate. He did not need to overstep his respect for the poor woman. "If he is alive then Jonathan will take care of him. Don't lose faith. Besides, I am here to take care of you." He spoke. His words made Reina feel a bit better. Reina sees the truth in his eyes. "...Thank you Straizo. Please take it easy on yourself." Reina says with a gentle smile. Straizo releases Reina's hands and the two headed home. As Reina walks beside Straizo, she stares at her stomach. Straizo sensed that Reina was still bothered.

"Lady Reina, do you want to get something to eat?" He asks. Reina glances at Straizo. It was a first for him to ask her something. Usually, it was training, eating at home, and sleep. Straizo was a serious man with a little sense of humor. His personality was different. Reina hardly spoke to him unless it involved using hamon. She only felt mutual respect from him. Straizo was not a bad looking man. He was slender waited and not as muscular compared to Jonathan and Dio. His long black hair was indeed something to glance at. Straizo had a gentler expression compared to Dio. "Uh, sure. Why ask?" Reina questions. Straizo looks ahead of his direction.

"You haven't been eating regularly ever since you stumbled upon that weapon. That knife...it belonged to Dio, didn't it?" Straizo spoke the honest truth. "Yes, I thought that giving it to Erina might protect them if Dio were to ever return. I can't explain a definite reasoning, but I am certain that he is definitely not dead. I can sense his presence. Ever since he turned that day I can feel it. Dio has been close to Jojo and I but now it's more so me. Dio refuses to allow Jonathan to get any closer to me." Reina stated. Straizo lets out a sigh, "Dio must have fallen for you if he has become possessive. I can see why though. You are a unique woman milady."

The compliment caught Reina off guard. She was not sure how to respond to his compliment. Reina could only laugh. She was a single mother to be. "I was not able to kill Dio but wound him. However, I am with his child now." Reina explains why no man should want her. "It is not your fault. I see your will to live very admirably." Straizo said as he stops walking. Reina ceases her steps and looks at the man.

"Do not lie Straizo..." Reina said.

"I promise to protect you and your child. No man shall ever harm you again." Straizo promised.

Reina looks down at her stomach. Straizo places a hand on her cheek. Reina's eyes widen as her body flinches to his touch, It was different from Dio's. It did not have any malice. With that, Reina felt safe.

It was only a few days since Reina gave birth to a baby girl. Straizo, Speedwagon, Erina, everyone was there...except for Jonathan. The story Reina was told ended in Jonathan dying as he fought Dio. Reina could believe as she had believed Dio came back. She was surprised to see Erina come back home with a baby girl. Reina was not sure what else had happened on the ship and she did not want to know. Straizo had become Reina's guardian turned to lover in a sense. The two were not seriously intimate, but they understood each other. Straizo would comfort, show affection, and respect Reina's space. Straizo did not claim to be the father of Reina's child, but he played the role. If Reina was tired, Straizo would take over in caring for the child. Reina was a shy woman around this man. Her genuine happiness with the family except Jonathan was gone. Her fellow Knight was gone along with her ex-lover. Although, Reina needed to be strong for her daughter...Aria.

Each day Reina would tell stories to her daughter about her childhood with Jonathan. Reina would visit Jonathan's grave every day. As her daughter grew up, Erina gave birth to a baby boy. The three children grew up together and soon Reina gave birth to another a child, this time it was a boy. This child belonged to Straizo. Despite the children being half-siblings, Straizo cared for them the same. He and Reina were content as a family.

"Dang it, Jojo. You know Granny Erina is going to yell at us. Grandpa Straizo will be mad as well." A young girl spoke as she was watching a boy climb a tree. That girl was only ten years old. The boy was a few years younger. He continues to climb upward as he had been determined to climb to the top. The girl sighs and shakes her head. She knew the boy was going to fall. "Nicole you got to climb too!" Joseph shouts. Nicole could only shrug her shoulders as she refused to encourage his behavior.

"Why am I stuck with you?" Nicole sighs before she glances at the tombstone. She stares at it for a few moments as she knew who it belonged to. "Grandmother...you promise to watch over us, right? Granny Erina told me stories that you watched over Grandpa Jojo just like I'm doing with this Jojo. I promise to be there for him like you did." Nicole spoke softly before she turns her attention back to Joseph. The young boy was about to fall until Nicole pressed her hands against the bark of the tree. Hamon was transferred through the tree and into Joseph's body. The little boy was able to hang on the tree with ease. Nicole smiles as she watches Joseph climb further.

"I promise to protect him."

"Nicole, help me!"

"...Okay, I'll have to think about it."

-End-