After the Scarf: Jeanne

You opened your eyes, faintly aware of a commotion going on in the background. A familiar face filled your vision, Rivaille's expression taut and serious, his lips dipping down ever so slightly in a concerned frown.

You smiled up at him softly, fatigue wearing on your body. "Yes?" You asked quietly, reaching up to his face and cupping your hand against his cheek. Rivaille's mouth tugged at a tiny smile.

He leaned down, placing a gentle kiss on your forehead. "You scared me." he murmured against your skin, but you could feel the smile on his lips. 

A small, wailing cry sounded from the other side of the room. You both looked up, to find a nurse advancing towards the pair of you, a small figure swaddled in a pink blanket.

"It's a girl." She told the two of you as she placed the small body in your arms. You peeled away the blanket gently, gazing down and the small writhing figure in your arms. She was pale, for a newborn. Small tufts of dark hair sprinkled her head. You knew at once that she looked like Rivaille. 

"Hello." You whispered to the child, who's movements slowed to a gentle stop as she peered up at you with big, dark eyes. You chuckled quietly, placing a soft kiss on her forehead. 

The girl let out a small cry, almost a whimper of protest against the display of affection. So like Rivaille, you thought.

You looked up to Rivaille, who seemed entranced with the small figure in your arms. His eyes wide, lips slightly parted as he gazed down at the baby girl. 

"Do you want to hold her?" you asked gently. Rivaille nodded. You gently handed him the child, who looked at Rivaille, her dark eyes mirroring his.

"She's...bueatiful." he whispered in awe, a tone he usually did not betray to others.

You chuckled. "She looks like you." you whispered tiredly.

Rivaille looked toward you, a gentle smile on his face. He pressed his lips to yours gently. "You must be tired." he whispered. You nodded with a bashful smile. "You should rest."

"No, wait." You whispered, your eyes suddenly wide and alert. "Oh, Rivaille, what is her name?"

Rivaille thought for a moment, his brow furrowing in deep thought. Finally, his face relaxed, and he looked a you, a silent twinkle in his eye. 

"Jeanne."

You nodded contently, laying back on the soft pillows of the bed. "Jeanne..." you whispered, the name light on your lips.

With that, you feel asleep, leaving your newborn daughter staring up with dark eyes at her father.

I watched (Name) closed her eyes peacefully, and with a light sigh, fell into that land of dreams. I smiled ever so slightly at her,then directed my gaze back to the child in my arms. 

"Jeanne." I whispered.

The little girl blinked, a tiny but recognizable response. I smiled. 

(Name) was right. The dark hair and eyes mirrored my own, but her expression was her mother's all the way. Staring into her eyes was like my eyes meeting (Name)'s for the first time all over again. My heart skipped a beat.

I cradled the girl with one arm, swaddled in a pink blanket. "Jeanne." I spoke again, in a soft whisper. I held my pinkie up to hers, and in a moment of surprise, the girl reached out and grabbed it with her tiny fist.

A small yawn escaped her. Her dark eyes scrunching in fatigue. I chuckled ever so lightly, trying to pull my finger away from her insistent grip.

"Oi, let go." I whispered. Jeanne didn't listen, in fact her grip tightened by a fraction.

I resigned to having my finger held captive by the child with a small sigh, waiting until she was completely asleep to bother trying again.

I placed the baby girl in her bassinet before walking back over to (Name). Her hair made a halo above her head as it was spread on the pillows. A slight sheen of sweat still covered her face. A small 'tch' escaped my mouth. I took my handkerchief and wiped away the perspiration, placing a kiss on the skin once it was clean. 

"I Love you, (Name)." I whispered, almost inaudibly. 

As I walked out, I glanced back at the child once more.

She was smiling.