Shepard of Fire (COD BO2 Fanfic)

Tiny Miracle

Chapter 17.

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Edward's POV:

As I walked around the Generator Room, tinkering with the whirring machinery. I hadn't gotten any closer to figuring the correct codes and coordinates to return the women to their own time. And my fear was becoming even more real as the months had passed. Their reality, as well as mine, were being altered by their very presence. The choices we all had to make, the occurrences that passed, and that child of Dempsey's that the woman carried. Their reality would not be the same, and how it would change was impossible to predict. I let out a heavy sigh, placing down the tool I was using to tighten the gears of the main Generator. I stood up, and left the room, walking slowly across the stage. It was then that I noted the small figure huddled on the edge of the stage, laying on her side,curled up into a tight ball. Golden hair sprawled around her, some clinging to her sweaty, twisted face. Her soft features scrunched, agony staining her bright blue eyes. I walked to her shivering form, listening to the sounds of her pained moans. Her eyes lifted to me, her hands clutching her swollen stomach. Her lips quivered, and tears streaked her cheeks. "Doctor, please...!" She breathed loudly as I kneeled by her side. I ran my eyes down Holly's body, noticing the obviously growing splotch of dampness growing in her trousers. My eyes widened as I realized the situation. I took her trembling body in my arms, calmly lifting her from the wood of the stage. Her whimpers of agony echoed deliciously into my mind as I carried her to the lab. As we made our way through the facility, we unfortunately caught the eye of Dempsey. "Holly!" He screamed, running towards us. I ignored him, and continued to carry her. I could feel Holly's fingers clutch onto my coat, and she let out a delicious scream of agony. "God! She's coming!!" She wreathed, curling into her stomach. As we entered the lab, Dempsey tailing close behind, I laid her down into the medical table. "Go und fetch Kelsie und Takeo." I commanded Dempsey, not even looking his way. He hesitated, the ran out the door. I then turned to the woman, her face cringed into a a strange expression of discomfort. "I vill need you to remove your trousers." I said, watching even more discomfort cross her expression. Her hands fluttered to the waistband, and she began tugging down.

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Tessa's POV:

Edward wouldn't allow us in the lab while he, Kelsie, and Takeo helped Holly deliver. Tank sat on the stage, pacing back and forth. Nikolai sat near me, sipping on his nearly empty vodka bottle. I was crouched against the wall, taking out any walkers that wandered into the theater. Occasionally, a faint scream pierced the thick silence, causing Tank to pause for a moment, before returning to his restless pacing. It had been hours since the marine had ran into the Lobby, delivering the news. We were all anxious, worried for the worst. My heart leapt when Kelsie came bounding into the room, blood coating her fingers. "Tank, she's here!" She practically screamed. All of us darted, sprinting into the lab. Holly lay on the table, a little bundle of rags clutched in her weak arms. Edward watched from behind her head, while Takeo clean his hands in the faucet. She looked up at us, and a smile creeped into her pale cheeks. Tank hesitated, then slowly began to plod to her side. His hands trembled as he reached out, touching the cheek of the infant. The baby cringed, then slowly opened it's eyes. Her hazel orbs scanned Tank, with her thin wisp of blonde hair curled into her face, still damp. She cooed, assuring that she approved of Tank's presence. He smiled, and let out an exasperated chuckle. Holly looked up to his face, "So, what's her name?" Tank gazed down lovingly at her, showing unseen affection. "How about Marie?" Holly thought a moment, "How about Delilah Marie?" Her eyes shot to me, as though confirming that was right. I grinned, "I love it. Delilah Marie Dempsey, beautiful." Tank chuckled, eyes fixed on his daughter. Edward came to my side, "A successful delivery, und a health child." He murmured, sounding relieved. I smiled it him, hugging his waist. He shot me a strange look, "You really do care about Holly, huh?" I grinned. " I suppose you could say zhat. She has grown past vhere I vish to harm her." He muttered, giving me a soft expression. "Da! Let Uncle Nikolai hold the baby!" Yelled the drunk Russian, bounding as fast as Nikolai could go towards the table. Delilah now lay in Tank's arms, who growled protectively at Nikolai, shielding the child close to his chest. Holly laughed, smacking Tank's arm. "As long as he doesn't drop her, he's fine to hold her!" She said, taking Delilah from Tank's hands. Kelsie bound towards them, excitement sparkling in her eyes.

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Edward had constructed a carrier for Holly, allowing her to strap Delilah to her chest during combat or whenever needed. Delilah turned out to be a quiet baby, only crying when she was hungry or needed changed. Tank had scoured Kino, grabbing pins and rags that seemed big enough, and using them as reusable diapers. The most entertaining part of it all was when Delilah became hungry, and Holly had to whip out her breast in a corner for her. Within three days, she had accidentally flash Nikolai four times, which in turn caused Tank to get angry and demand compensation from her. Nights were quiet for the rest of us, while Holly would often take Delilah into the Generator room. The low hum of the machinery seemed to lull the infant to sleep. Tank often took Delilah on days that the generators ha not been enough to lull her, while Holly slept in the corner of the stage. Nikolai turned out to be amazing with kids, and earned several little giggles and smiles from Delilah when he held her. Keslie and Tak also seemed to be good with her, while Edward kept his distance. I stuck to myself as well, seeing as how I wasn't good with kids. Then came the day that Holly was asleep in the corner, while Tank held Delilah next to me. Kelsie, Nikoali, and Edward where scattered among Kino, while Takeo perched in the back corner of the theater. Walkers startled us all by suddenly tearing down barrier boards, some beginning to flood into the theater. Tank handed Delilah to me, then ran to collect his M16 that lay by Holly. Delilah let out a scream, seeing as how I hadn't really held her before. I panicked, trying my best to coo the child. Tank managed to wake Holly, who slaughtered the walkers that approached me. She continued to fight, defending her child and I, as I tried helplessly to sooth the infant. Delilah's screams became earsplitting, and she squirmed to free her tiny body from my arms. The zombies wailed as the restlessly beat towards us. In one second, the entire atmosphere changed, as Delilah let out an inhuman howl, and the hoard of rotting soldiers fell to the ground, toppling like dominos.